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Tuesday, May 27, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 98

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Economy generated 732,745 jobs in 2013 lTambuwal queries FG’s claim on state of economy

Abdulwahab Isa and Joseph Onyekwere

bout 732, 745 new jobs were added to the Nigerian economy

between the second and fourth quarters of 2013, according to figures released yesterday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The informal sector

took the lead in the employment creation scheme with the provision of 396, 518 jobs during the period followed by the formal sector with 258,394 jobs while

77,833 jobs were created in the public sector. The job data were released on a day House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, que-

ried claims by the Federal Government that the nation’s economy is in good health. Giving a breakdown of the figures at a press

conference in Abuja, Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale, said the informal sector created 112, 567 jobs during the second quarter of 2013 followed by the formal sector with 80,412 jobs while 28,075 jobs were created in the public sector. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Defence Chief: We’ve located Chibok girls

lActivists rally support for military

he military has made significant progress in the search-andrescue operation following the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State over a month ago, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, has said. Badeh, addressing a crowd of campaigners demanding the release of the schoolgirls from

Boko Haram captivity, said yesterday in Abuja that the abductees had been located. But he told members of the Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness, that it was not safe to storm the location because of the safety of the girls. Badeh, according to a report by an online news portal, The Eagle Online, said the military would

not employ force in the bid to free the girls. He said: “We want our girls back, we want our girls back. We can do it. Our military can do it. But where they are held, can we go with force? “If we go with force, what will happen? They will kill them. “So nobody should

come and say the Nigerian military does not know what it is doing. We know what we are doing. “We can’t go and kill our girls in the name of trying to get them back. So we are working. The good news for the girls is that we know where they are but we cannot

tell you. We cannot come and tell you military secrets here. “Just leave us alone. We are working. We would get the girls back.” Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organisations, Nigerians United Against Terrorism, has said the most potent weapon against ter-

rorism and other crimes is for all Nigerians to join in the fight against terrorists. The group, at a mass rally yesterday in Abuja, also demanded an unconditional release of the Chibok girls being held captive by the Boko Haram sect. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Court stops presidency from preparing budget for judiciary lAlison-Madueke’s bid to stop House probe suffers setback Tunde Oyesina and Temitope Ogunbanke

Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, yesterday stopped the executive arm of government from preparing annual budget for the judiciary.

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The court, presided over by Justice A.R Mohammed, declared as unconstitutional, null and void, the practice by which the executive arm disburses budgetary funds to the judiciary. Justice Mohammed, in another case he heard yesterday, also declined the request by the beleaguered Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, addressing members of civil society organisations, protesting the abduction of Chibok girls in Abuja…yesterday

Etisalat, MTN, Airtel, six others to slash roaming rates

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Chief of Defence Staff: We’ve located Chibok girls CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Spokespersons at the rally, which included Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, Beni Lar; the National President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Mr. Abdulmajeed Abdullahi; a delegate to the National Conference, Hajia Fati Ibrahim and the National President of Joint National Association of Persons With Disability, Miss Judith Ekaette Umoh, all condemned the abduction. According to Lar, the time has come for all Nigerians to unite against terror as well as put pressure on the insurgents to immediately release the Chibok girls. She said the efforts of the military must be appreciated by all and sundry, adding that the situation would have worsened if they had not lived up to the task of quelling internal insurrections and repelling external aggression. She thanked Nigerians supporting President Goodluck Jonathan in the war against terror. Lar announced that a welfare fund which all Nigerians can contribute into to support the families of our fallen

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ABUJA

32oC 23oC Partially Cloudy

PORT HARCOURT

31oC 21oC Storms

KANO

37oC 26oC Storm

ENUGU

32o C 23oC Thunder Storms

IBADAN

32oC 24oC Storm

CALABAR

32oC 22oC Storm

MAIDUGURI

41oC 27oC Mostly Sunny

ONITSHA

31o C 23oC Thunder Storms

heroes has been established. Abdullahi who spoke on behalf of the youths said if the military had not taken up the respon-

sibility conferred on it by the constitution seriously, the north would have been overcome by violence. He urged Nigerians to

remember military personnel who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the course of fighting terror. Badeh, while addressing the rally, thanked the

organisers of the protest for embarking on such a gesture which he said would go a long way in boosting the morale of CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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

Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio (right), presenting a plaque to Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, during a courtesy call to the governor in Uyo…yesterday

Economy generated 732,745 jobs in 2013 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

For the third quarter, the formal sector contributed 76,385 jobs to the economy while the informal and public sectors generated 140,673 and 28,931 jobs respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2013, of the total 265, 702 jobs created, the formal sector contributed 101,597 while the informal and public sectors created 143,278 and 20,827 jobs respectively. Kale, who used the occasion to debunk insinuations by some people that statistics and data released by the bureau had manipulative tendencies, said in the three quarters of the year covered, the informal sector contributed 54 per cent of the total employment, making it the highest employer of labour in the economy. According to him, under the formal sector in the second quarter of 2013, of the total 80,412 new jobs created, 45,409 (56.47 per cent) were taken up by males and 35,003 (43.53 per cent) by females. The education sector has the highest number of jobs created, recording 37,578 new employees followed by the manufacturing sector with 9,000 new employees while the administrative and support service sector has the lowest number with 85 new employees. The education and manufacturing sectors also

recorded the highest number of jobs created in the formal sector in the third quarter of 2013. While education generated 29,777 new jobs, manufacturing generated 13,946 new jobs while the administrative and support service sector recorded the lowest with only 30 jobs created in the third quarter of 2013. A similar trend was recorded in fourth quarter of 2013, with the education and manufacturing sectors contributing 76,874 and 12,337 new jobs respectively. Shedding more light on the data, Kale said: “In the three quarters covered, employments generated were attributed to three major reasons: business expansion, seasonal growth and new skill required. These reasons for employment generation point to a thriving business environment in the country and gives further credence to the economic growth indicators.” To gather data for the first quarter of 2014 report, he said NBS field officers would be sent to the field for data collation by July. He assured Nigerians and the international community that the NBS remained committed to fulfilling its mission of providing accurate data. Irrespective of the released of the job data and the claim by the Federal Government that the Nigerian economy is the largest in Africa, exceeding that of

South Africa and being the world’s 26th largest economy after the recent rebasing of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Tambuwal, yesterday in Lagos, said the reality in the country did not match the government’s claim. The speaker said at the annual business law conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBASBL) the impressive economic data churned out by the government did not reflect in the well-being of Nigerians. Tambuwal, represented by Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo (SAN), said: “We live in a country of inexplicable contradictions. We have great human and material resources yet we are always on the list of countries with the worst poverty index. “Our economy is alleged to be growing, including the recent rebasing, but the lives of the majority of our citizens do not convey this testimony. “We have more places of worship per square metre than most nations on this earth yet corruption and violence threatens our very survival. “We have some of the best agricultural lands in the world but we import food. We are the sixth largest producer of crude oil, but we import finished petroleum products. “We have lived together as a nation for over 100

years yet daily you hear stories of threats of our breaking up. “Only good governance and true development can unravel these paradoxes which are clear indices of underdevelopment.” In his contribution, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), said there could not be good governance when Nigerians did not vote in elections. He added that during his re-election, only 31 per cent of the registered 6.4million voters in Lagos came out to perform their civic responsibility. “Do we vote? In India, 73.3 per cent of registered voters turned out to vote. In South Africa, 72 per cent turned out to vote in their last election. But I can’t recall when last up to 50 per cent of registered voters in Nigeria came out to vote,” he stated. According to him, such indices send negative messages to investors, adding that it takes the votes by the electorate to choose good leaders, adding: “Do we deserve to ask for good governance when we stay away during election?” NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN), said there are no indicators of good governance in Nigeria. According to him, good and exemplary governance can only be achieved in a country where democratic institutions are strong and independent.

MEDVIEW AIRLINES LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:50; 12:00; 15:30 (SAT) 10:00; 15:00 (SUN) 17:30; 18:30 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 14:00, 15:00; 18:30 OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS-ILORIN (MON-FRI) 07:15 LAGOS-IBADAN (MON-FRI) 7:00 IBADAN-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:00 IBADAN-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:30 ILORIN –ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30 ILORIN –LAGOS (MON-FRI) 17:00 ABUJA-ASABA (MON-FRI) 10:00 ASABA-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 14:15 ASABA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 11:30 LAGOS-ASABA (MON-FRI) 13:00 ABUJA-ILORIN 16:00 ABUJA-IBADAN 15:00 ARIK AIR LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:00; 09:00; 11:00 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00; 20:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 09:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 (SAT) 07:00; 11:00; 15:00 (SUN) 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 09:00; 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 (SAT) 07:30; 11:30; 09:00; 13:00; 17:00 (SUN) 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 ABUJA-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30; 16:50 (SAT/SUN) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30 PORT-HARCOURT-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10; 18:30 (SAT/SUN) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10

NEWS

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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Etisalat, MTN, seven others to slash mobile roaming rates

lAccount for 500m mobile connections Jonah Iboma

ine mobile telecom operators including Airtel, Etisalat, MTN and Zain will slash roaming rates in Africa and the Middle East in a special initiative designed to reduce the cost of calls for consumers across both regions. According to the telecoms industry body, GSM Association (GSMA), which released the details yesterday, the other firms are Millicom, Ooredoo, Orange, STC and Vodafone These nine mobile operators account for over half a billion mobile connections across 48 countries in Africa and the Middle East. The firms will address inter national roaming pricing, improvement in regional connectivity and mobility by increasing roaming footprints through focusing on improving routes for pre-paid customers. GSMA said the nine operator groups are committed to a range of roaming initiatives that, in addition to addressing pricing, will improve regional connectivity and mobility by increasing roaming footprints to provide greater customer choice, with a particular focus on improving routes for prepaid customers. These combined efforts, it noted, will enable consumers in Africa and the Middle East to use their mobile phones with greater confidence and predictability while travelling. Director General, GSMA, Anne Bouverot, said: “Inter national and regional mobility

is a critical factor in increasing trade and cross-border economic cooperation, which is a government priority across Africa and the Middle East. “The initiatives of these nine operators are intended to serve to increase connectivity and make mobile service more affordable for subscribers throughout these regions, encouraging greater adoption and usage of mobile services and enabling important socio-economic benefits.” Bouverot continued: “Mobile is focused on connecting the billions of unconnected around the world, providing access to critical communications, information and services and offering new economic opportunities. Market dynamics are delivering more affordable roaming prices and better value for consumers. Within both regions this will be driven in particular by the move from voice to more price elastic data usage.” As part of their work, the operators will look at a range of factors that affect roaming prices, with the aim of improving technical efficiencies and reducing costs. The senior leaders from the nine mobile operator groups supporting these initiatives are: Christian de Faria, CEO Africa, Bharti Airtel; Ahmad Julfar, Group CEO, Etisalat Group; Arthur Bastings, EVP Africa, Millicom; and Sifiso Dabengwa, CEO and President, MTN Group. Others are, Dr. Nasser Marafih, Group CEO, Ooredoo Group; Marc

Chief of Defence Staff: We’ve located Chibok girls CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

the military. According to him, the military has remained resolute in the war against terror in order to make the country peaceful for all Nigerians to pursue their legitimate endeavuors without any act of intimidation by the insur-

gents. He urged Nigerians to be security conscious and report all suspicious activities of any person or group to the security agencies. He also assured families of the kidnapped girls that everything will be done by the military to free the abductees.

Rennard, Senior Executive Vice President, Africa, Middle East and Asia, Orange; Abdulaziz A. Alsugair, Chairman and Managing

Director, STC Group; Serpil Timuray, CEO, Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific Region, Vodafone Group; and Scott Gegenheimer, CEO, Zain Group. GSMA says that its

research has shown emerging markets, including many countries in Africa and the Middle East, are now the major engines of mobile connection and subscriber growth. The

rapidly increasing pace of mobile adoption has delivered huge economic benefits for the regions, with the mobile industry directly contributing $60 billion to the sub-Saharan African economy, or six per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and $132 billion to the economies of the Arab States, or approximately 5.5 per cent of total GDP.

L-R: Principal Partner, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, Chief Anthony Idigbe; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola; President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Okey Wali; Acting Director-General, National Pension Commission, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, and keynote speaker, Mr. Lord Mallock Brown, at the annual conference of the NBA Section on Business Law (SBL), in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

170m

The number of people who could be lifted out of poverty if all students in poor countries had basic reading skills. Source: Un.org

N1.3bn

The IGR realized from direct assessment sources in Ogun State in 2010. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

46%

The percentage of women aged 20-24 who are child brides in South Asia in 2013. Source: Unwomen.org

NJC now to prepare budget for judiciary CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

for an interim injunction to stop the House of Representatives from probing her for allegedly spending N10 billion on chartered jets. The judge gave the order to strengthen the independence of the judiciary while delivering judgment in a suit filed by a former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), seeking to stop the executive from preparing the budget for the judiciary. Agbakoba had sued the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (first defendant), the National Judicial Council (second defendant) and the National Assembly (third defendant), challenging the constitutionality of allowing funds meant for the judiciary to pass through the executive arm of government. Agbakoba had argued

that the practice violated Sections 81 (2) (3) (c) and 84 (2) (7) of the 1999 Constitution. Delivering judgment in the suit, Justice Mohammed agreed with the arguments canvassed by Agbakoba and held that he would not hesitate to grant all the reliefs sought by him. “The present practice on judiciary funding by the defendants, which is dependent on the executive arm in budgeting and release of funds is a violation of sections 81 (2) (3) (c) and 84 (2) (7) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and therefore unconstitutional, null and void,” he said. The judge therefore granted an order of perpetual injunction against the defendants stopping them from doing anything to undermine the financial independence of the judiciary as envisaged by sections 81 (2) (3)

(c) and 84 (2) (7) of the 1999 Constitution. He forbade the submission of judiciary’s estimates to the executive instead of directly to the National Assembly and the release of the judiciary’s funds in warrants by the executive instead of directly to the NJC for disbursement. He further granted a “consequential order restraining the first defendant (AGF) and third defendant (National Assembly) from appropriating the funds for the judiciary in the annual Appropriation Act.” Justice Mohammed also declared that the continued dependence of the judiciary on the executive arm, represented by the AGF, for its budgeting and funds release is directly responsible for the present state of underfunding of the judiciary, poor and inadequate infrastructure, low morale among judicial person-

nel, alleged corruption in the judiciary, delays in administration of justice and judicial services delivery etc. In addition, the court declared that by virtue of section 81 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, “any amount standing to the credit of the judiciary in the consolidated revenue fund of the federation ought not be released to the judiciary in warrants or other means through the federal Ministry of Finance, Budget Office, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation or any other person or authority in the executive arm as is the present practice, but to be paid directly in whole to the NJC for disbursement.” The judge equally declared that “by virtue of the constitutional guarantee of independent funding of the judiciary under section 81 (1), (2), (3) (c) and section 84 (2) (3) (4) CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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Aviation workers shelve planned strike lAirline operators seek inspection of planes outside Nigeria Wole Shadare

here were indications yesterday that the Federal Government has backed down on the planned merger of some aviation agencies in the country. The development was responsible for the shelving of a two-day warning strike by aviation workers under the aegis of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) yesterday.

The strike was to protest the proposed merger of aviation agencies. Rising from a two-day National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting at Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, members through a communique said the planned strike was suspended due to the information that President Goodluck Jonathan had soft-pedalled on the merger plan. ATSSSAN also explained that it considered the country’s keeping of

global standards, procedures and practices in order to sustain safety and security of the airspace and general operations. A statement signed by Benjamin Okewu and Tarnongu Captain, the national president and deputy general secretary respectively, said the union was awaiting the final pronouncement of Jonathan’s discontinuation of the merger of agencies like NAMA, NIMET, NCAA before ATSSAN

will adopt next line of action. The union urged government to grant approvals and disbursement of funds to complete all capital projects of remodelling the terminals, installation of navigational and aeronautical facilities, saying the aviation transformation roadmap has created enabling atmosphere to attract huge investment of over $100billion for infrastructure in the industry. Meanwhile, Airline op-

L-R: Overall winner, Osun State Public Schools Debate, Master Ayodele Habibllah; Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and his wife, Sherifat, during Habibllah’s visit to the governor in Osogbo…yesterday

48.3

The number of newspaper journalists per 1m inhabitants in Philippines in 2004. Source: Blatantworld.com

$US85bn

The estimated cost of adapting to the impacts of a 2oC rise in global average temperature yearly between 2020 and 2050. Source: Unesco.org

603,700

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

erators have faulted the decision of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to allow inspection of aircraft within the country after they might have been flown into Nigeria. Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison, yesterday, said such bogus proposal may affect the safety and development of the aviation sector as aircraft that do not fit into the Nigerian CAA specifications in terms of airworthiness could be flown in. He said the usual practice where aircraft safety inspectors from the NCAA, travel to the maintenance facility or the manufacturers facility or country of sale to carry out the necessary checks on the aircraft before being flown into Nigeria is better in the aviation industry. He said defects or faults found by NCAA inspectors on any aircraft requiring rectification could be carried out at the seller’s or C Check Maintenance Repair Organisation (MRO), before such planes are flown into Nigeria. He also said allowing NCAA inspectors to travel to the place where the aircraft is originating from would not only give the inspectors technical exposure on the job, but would allow them carry out detailed checks on the airplane before it is brought into Nigeria. Meggison said: “This call for cancelation of pre-arrival inspection is

not in the best interest of the aviation industry today. It creates room for all findings to be rectified at the maintenance facility, which we do not have in Nigeria. This is one of the reasons why AON has been clamouring that government should facilitate the establishment of an aircraft maintenance repair organisation (MRO) in Nigeria. “If you say the aircraft should be flown into Nigeria first before NCAA inspectors carry out technical checks on arrival in Nigeria and it is discovered that there is a major defect or the aircraft does not comply with Nigerian specification, what do you do? “Or for example the aircraft was flown in from Australia, Canada or a very distant country, and since we don’t have a maintenance facility MRO to correct the defect, how do you tell the owner to take such airplane back? Will the authorities now allow Nigeria become a dumping ground for all manner of aircraft that can’t be fixed locally? These are the issues.” “For now, AON’s position is that the NCAA inspectors should continue to see the aircraft abroad and correct defects before they are flown in. NCAA should please look into areas where government could reduce the huge cost of travel for inspectors or use out of the 5 per cent passenger ticket sale tax to pay for this. This will for sure be good for operators and all.”

NJC now to prepare budget for judiciary CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

and (7) of the 1999 Constitution, the NJC ought not to send its annual budget estimates to the Budget Office of the executive arm of government or any other executive authority as is presently the practice but ought to send the estimates directly to the National Assembly for appropriation.” Justice Mohammed also gave a directive that the NJC shall prepare the judiciary’s annual estimates as charged upon the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the federation and submit it to the Accountant General of the Federation for constitutional transfer to the National Assembly. The judge, ruling yesterday in another case

before him, declined the application of AlisonMadueke for an interim injunction to stop the House from probing the allegation of spending N10 billion on chartered jets. The minister, who had run to the Court for legal protection against the probe, could not persuade Justice Mohammed to stop the legislative investigation pending the determination of her suit. Besides the suit before Justice Mahmud, the minister, along with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has filed another suit seeking to stop the House from probing the claim that the oil corporation spent N10 billion to hire a private aircraft for the personal use of the minister and

her family. At the resumed hearing of her case yesterday, Justice Mohammed however granted an accelerated hearing of the suit. Similarly, the House through its counsel, A.B Mahmud (SAN) apologised to the court for its press conference where it was announced that the court had stopped the probe. Mahmud told the court that the originating summons was misconstrued for an order of the court. He stated that the House had assumed that the order was granted and apologised for the embarrassment the action might have caused the court. The judge accepted the apology and therefore or-

dered the House to go back and clarify issues with the media. On the subject matter of the suit, counsel to Alison-Madueke and NNPC, Etigwe Uwah (SAN), prayed the court to grant his request for an order of interim injunction stopping the probe of his clients. He noted that the House Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, had announced that the House would commence the probe on June 19. He prayed the court to stop the action as it would jeopardise the ongoing legal process. But Mahmud assured the court that he would talk to his client not to do anything to jeopardise the legal process.

He added that instead of granting the order, the court should accelerate the hearing. The court however ordered that parties should exchange all their processes. He consequently adjourned the matter until June 19 for further hearing. Meanwhile, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has criticised the minister for her alleged refusal to honour the invitation from the House to defend the allegation against her. CACOL in a statement by its Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, said it was preposterous that political office holders would prevent an oversighting arm of govern-

ment from performing its constitutional duty. “It is so unfortunate that Nigeria has not been blessed with a good crop of leaders since the coming of democracy in 1999. It is preposterous that political office holders would prevent an oversighting arm of government from performing its duty. The level of impunity in this present regime is so high that one wonders if the executive actually understands the principle of checks and balances. “The claim that the president would have to endorse the invitation before the petroleum minister attends the probe is not only ridiculous but antithetical to the spirit of true democracy,” he said.

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PDP to APC:Attacks on President plot to truncate democracy

L-R: Business Director, Rivers State, Globacom, Sam Edoho; Miss Niger Delta, Harrieth Edide and Bob Manuel Ndokwu, after bagging the Life Achievement Award at the Glo-sponsored 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards held at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Akwa Ibom passes jumbo pay bill for ex-govs

l We passed bill to discourage looting of public funds-Speaker Tony Anichebe Uyo

he Akwa Ibom State House of Âssembly has passed the controversial jumbo pension bill for former Governors, Deputy Governors and their wives into law. The bill, which was passed yesterday after the speaker had successfully stalled attempts by the Civil Servants to thwart its' passage, provides pension for life at the rate equivalent to the annual basic salary of the incumbent governor or deputy. The bill, as passed into law, provides for a new official car and a utility vehicle once every four years, a personal aide and provision of adequate security for his person during his lifetime at the expense of government.

Other aspects of the bill which provides a yearly take-home of not less that N200m for the Governor, provides a sum not exceeding N100m for medical services for former governors and their deputies. Explaining that aspect of the bill, the Speaker said the measure is to ensure that medical expenditure of the governor does not exceed N100m. Those figures according to him are upper limit, meaning that former governors and their deputies do not necessarily have to get that much. Provision of a befitting house not below a 5-bedroom maisonette in either the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja or Akwa Ibom State for the Governor and a yearly accommodation allowance of 500% of annual basic salary for the Deputy

Governor, according to the speaker is to enable Governors and their Deputies to stay focused while in office. The law further provides a medical allowance not exceeding N12,000,0000 per annum for one surviving spouse of a former governor, provided that such a spouse was married to the Governor at the time he or she was in office. Defending these and many other provisions of the bill, the speaker argued that the house is not influenced in anyway, but only seeking ways to motivate the Governors and their deputies to say focused and avoid looting public funds, bearing in mind that a provision has been made for them to still access a comfortable life after many years of selfless service. "The essence is to

encourage them to face their jobs and knowing that even if they cannot build a house of their own, the state has already made a law to provide a house for them. And so they wouldn't be bothered about accumulating personal wealth". The speaker observed that the law has to equally accommodate medical bills for ex first ladies because it will be absurd to see them going cap in hand begging for monies for medical treatment after occupying high profile office Ikon, who expressed disappointment over the negative publicity accorded the bill, advised political opponents to desist from such self destructive mission as the speedy passage of the bill is for the benefit of the generality of Akwa Ibom People

FG plans Africa's largest gas industrial park in Delta Chukwu David Abuja

he Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Deziani Alison-Madueke, yesterday said that the Federal Government has concluded arrangements to build the Africa's first multi-billion dollar dedicated gas industrial park in Delta State as part of a comprehensive strategy for gas processing. The Minister stated this in Abuja at the opening session of a three-day National Conference/Exhibition on Gas Resources, organised by the Senate Committee on Gas.. Alison-Madueke, who was represented by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National

Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, explained that the proposed park would consist of industries which would produce fertilizers, petrochemical, methanol, and other related products. She said, "As part of our infrastructure blueprint, we have entrenched the concept of gas processing facilities, with a view to extracting the various constituents of natural gas such as the Liquified Petroleum Gas and ethanol among others. "These will help grow LPG availability for domestic use, whilst the ethane will help fuel the growth of petrochemical industries and the residue gas will then be used as feedstock for fertilizer,

methanol and so on." She further lamented that successive administrations in the country had made gas play second fiddle to crude oil in Nigeria as it was treated as a nuisance by-product of oil production. "This mindset governed how the gas sector was handled initially, hence, pricing of gas was deliberately low because it was aimed at disposing an unwanted product." She added. The Minister, also explained that the perceived low value of gas did not encourage the development of infrastructure around it while the dominant legislative framework for the industry was essentially based on crude oil produc-

tion and not gas. She, however, said that in conformity with global best practices, the Federal Government had ensured that gas, like other advanced countries, would henceforth take the centre stage in the country's economic activities. She said, "Gas is fast evolving as the preferred fuel in view of its relatively more impressive environmental credential and lower cost of supply than alternative liquid fuel. "Natural Gas has the capacity to transform an economy. We have seen successful examples all over the World. Qatar, which has the highest Gross Domestic Product in the World, has its growth anchored on natural gas.

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it has taken stock of the sustained insults, vituperations, lies and unending schemes by the All Progressive Congress (APC) against the office and person of President Goodluck Jonathan. The party noted that they are part of the well laid-out plot to cause confusion and ultimately truncate the nation’s democracy. PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said “in continuously hauling insults against a democratically elected President upon whose shoulders lies the sacred mandate freely given by the Nigerian people, the APC is directly insulting Nigerians and showing their disdain for the institution of democracy". The party described as disturbing that the APC leadership made up of elderly persons, who ordi-

nary should have a sense of self respect and decorum, could condescend so low and resort to the use of uncouth language against the office and person of the President out of sheer frustration, bitterness and envy. According to the statement, APC's narrow pursuit of power was the reason it contracted foreigners to undermine the Federal Government using negative paid write-ups and advertorials to dish out lies to the people. “Having realized that they shall never be elected into the Presidency, these ill-bred and uncultured elements are now using every means to denigrate and desecrate the presidency, bring it to public ridicule, poison the minds of the people and incite them against the government and set the ground for confusion and mayhem ahead of the 2015 elections.

NEITI canvasses unbundling of PIB James Nwabueze Abuja

he Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) yesterday called for the unbundling of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into separate bills in order to ensure quick passage. NEITI Chairman, Ledum Mitee, who made this suggestion at the Roundtable meeting on the remediation issues in the oil and gas industry audit reports in Abuja, called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the PIB. According to the chairman, some of the "identified gaps are institutional, and the delay in the pas-

sage of the PIB has become a major obstacle to the desired reforms in our oil and gas sector. "In order to address broader policy and governance gaps existing in the sector, passage of the PIB has become very urgent and imperative. " As we may be aware, the PIB not only makes the issue of transparency an overarching objective, but also makes provisions that, when enacted, will strengthen NEITI roles in the sector." The Roundtable was in collaboration of the Revenue Watch Institute, Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and other international organizations.

Court re-affirms Eze Ilomuanya as chairman, Imo Council of Monarchs Steve Uzoechi Owerri

n Owerri High Court has re-affirmed Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, the chairman, Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers as the authentic Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers. An earlier judgment had sacked Eze Samuel Ohiri and ruled as illegal his present appointment as the Chairman of the Imo state Council of Traditional Rulers by Governor Rochas Okorocha Delivering judgment, Monday, May 26, 2014, in a suit instituted by Eze Ohiri challenging the Court of Appeal judgment which reinstated Eze Ilomuanya as Chairman of the Council, Hon. Jus-

tice Ngozi Ukoha agreed with Eze Ilomuanya’s Counsel, Obiora Obianwu, SAN, that the Court of Appeal Judgment is a judgment which is binding on all persons, parties and nonparties alike. She stated that a High Court cannot sit in review of the judgment of a Court of Appeal, averring that rather the “High Court is bound to enforce any judgment of the Court of Appeal”. According to the judge, “Eze Ohiri’s suit amounts to, an abuse of court process, is detestable, undeclarable, frivolous and lacking in merit”. Continuing she said, “It will amount to judicial impertinence for me to sit in review of a matter already settled by the Court of Appeal”.

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Ekiti 2014

Opposition planning to bomb Ekiti – APC ...You are raising false alarm- PDP

ALLEGATION Jide Awe, APC Chief puts the police, PDP in a fight corner Stories by Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

he All Progressives Congress (APC), Ekiti State yesterday accused the opposition of planning to foment trouble in the

state by bombing the Government House, AdoEkiti and other strategic location in the state. The State Chairman of the APC, Jide Awe, who addressed a press briefing, also accused the police of complicity in the matter by not acting as they ought to. The APC also accused the Felix Uyanna-led police command in the state of constituting a major opposition to the APC in

the build up to the June 21 governorship poll, saying “if not for partisanship, they could not have been watching when a serving Commissioner, Mrs Ronke Okunsanya, was being attacked in Efon Alaaye on Sunday." However, the Director of Media of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gboyega Aribisogan, in his reaction accused the APC of raising a false alarm.

He said it was the APC that was always attacking PDP members and that yesterday the convoy of PDP candidate, Ayo Fayose, was attacked at Fajuyi Park, near the gate of the Government House. Also absolving the police of partisanship, the Ekiti Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Victor Babayemi, described the statement from the APC as very unfortunate,

saying, “They are only trying to make the police the scapegoat and we will not tolerate that. “We have been fair to all parties in the build up to the election but the politicians are behaving irresponsibly, so rather than blaming us, the APC must look inward and stop rubbishing the good work we are doing in Ekiti. “The APC members are always the first to launch attacks based on our series of investigations and they are always the one to first blow the whistle that they are under attack”, Babayemi said. Awe said the alleged partisanship of the police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps had worsened the situation, alleging that the attackers of Mrs Okunsanya were allegedly sponsored by a serving Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Olumide Oni, whom he said is a strong supporter of Fayose. “We never loved to resort to self-help, this will not augur well for the nation. If the police cannot protect us, then we will resort to self-help and that will be sad. It is unfortunate that it is the Federal Government that has been backing them to do all these," Awe added.

Propaganda, blackmail E-Eleven is against Oniyin assures anti-development – Fayose won't save APC – PDP boss Bamidele of support candidate in Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has described a socio-political group in the state, E-Eleven, as an enemy of Ekiti people, saying; "Those people in E-Eleven are anti-Ekiti development and they are apologists of the All Progressives Congress (APC)." Fayose, who accused the E-Eleven of defrauding Ekiti State to the tune of over N400 million, challenged the group to tell Nigerians what they have done towards the development of Ekiti State in the last 10 years. In a release signed by the Director General, Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (AFCO), Chief Dipo Anisulowo, in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the PDP governorship candidate said,

"Apart from Miss Ekiti Beauty Pageant that they did thrice, these characters that go about calling themselves the only elite in Ekiti have been milking the state." He added; "The Fountain Hotel was leased to E-Eleven at N80 million per annum and the group refused to pay a dime to the state in the last seven years. "Here is a group that refused to pay a dime to the coffers of Ekiti State since Fountain Hotel was leased to it. Even when the Segun Oniled PDP went to court to compel them to pay, they simply refused, and the moment their man Friday, Governor Kayode Fayemi assumed office, they finally took over the Fountain Hotel, with no one demanding any payment from them." Anisulowo added.

he Ekiti State TPeoples Chairman of the Democratic

Party (PDP), Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, has said resorting to propaganda by the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not save it from defeat in the June 21 governorship election. Speaking in AdoEkiti yesterday, Ogundipe also opined that the PDP candidate, Mr. Ayo Fayose, was the leading candidate in the poll, noting that cheap blackmail would not stop the will of the people from being fulfilled. He added that the people of the state had seen the deception in the APC-led government and would vote out the party in the election. "It is funny when all that the APC relies on is propaganda and cheap blackmail. They will attack other politicians and parties and

Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi buying commodities at Oja Oba Aisegba when she led the All Progressives Congress women on campaign to Gbonyin Local Government for the re-election of Governor Kayode Fayemi...

he Peoples T(PDP) Democratic Party governorship

APC lists merits of e-card reader in Ekiti, Osun, other polls

be the first to go to the media to begin to cry wolf when there is none. "The bitter truth is that the people of the state are no fools. They know that the APC people are not walking their talks. The murder of innocent persons in Erijinyan, Emure, Omou-Ekiti among other places will not go unpunished. "They are now sponsoring frivolous suits against our candidate and that is because he is the leading candidate in the poll and the APC people are looking for just anything to hold on to. "This is because they know that their days in government are numbered. They have failed woefully and their expectation that our party would collapse after our primary election was not met and that further confounded them," he said.

he Oniyin of TAdemola Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ajakaiye,

has assured the gover norship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Ekiti State, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, of his support in the June 21 election. Speaking in Iyin-Ekiti, when the Bamidele team visited him in his palace before a rally in the town, the Oba also said he was not working against the interest of the LP candidate. In a statement in Ado-Ekiti yesterday by Bamidele's media aide, Ahmed Salami, the monarch of Bamidele's hometown said he had never worked against the interest of the candidate or the town at large. Bamidele, who addressed a large crowd of supporters, said it was unfortunate that another son

of the town, former Governor Niyi Adebayo, had disparaged his attempt at becoming the governor of the state by saying it was not yet time for the town to seek such an office. He also promised the people of the town that his tenure, if elected to office as a governor would mark a departure from the “legacy of disgrace”, which he said Adebayo left behind. He urged all sons and daughters of the town to forgive Adebayo over his recent statements made against their collective interest. Bamidele reminded Iyin-Ekiti indigenes to ask Adebayo to name a single project that he attracted to their town while he was a governor between 1999 and 2003.

head of next month and August governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun respectively, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately begin the process that would lead to the use of the e-card reader for the two elections. This, the APC insisted INEC must do if indeed it is committed to free, fair and transparent polls. The opposition party said this in a statement i in Lagos yesterday signed by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. According to the party, using the simple but fool-proof device for the Ekiti gubernatorial polls next month and that of Osun in August would make it possible for the electoral body to fine-tune its deployment on a nationwide scale for the 2015 general elections. APC said INEC must stop justifying why it cannot use the e-card reader to verify the permanent voters’ cards which the commission has spent time and money to develop to ensure the transparency and credibility of its elections. ''Contrary to what INEC has said, the e-card reader is very adaptable, and its application is not subject to any environmental peculiarity once the basics of operations are met. It is therefore surprising to read INEC's claim that the sensitivity of the elections in Ekiti and Osun will not recommend the use of the card reader,'' APC said. The party said the most compelling reason for the use of e-card reader by INEC is that it will eliminate the rigging of elections through the use of stolen or purchased voter cards, and ensure that only those with authentic voters’ cards are allowed to cast their votes on election day. ''Impersonation, multiple voting and endless altercations and associated tension will be eliminated at the voting centres with the use of e-card reader and not by any other means. Also, the e-card reader will ensure the automatic recording of all accredited voters with verified permanent voter's cards in such a way that does not lend itself to manipulation, thus preventing the falsification of results at the collation centres,'' it said.

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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Leadership: Ezekwesili, Agbaje, Falana call for new order CHANGE The younger the better is the new message coming from activists to Nigerian youngsters Juliana Francis minent Nigerians weekend called for a new order in the leadership of the country, saying such change should be spearheaded by the youths. This call came even as

they noted with shock, the overwhelming criminalities found among youths in the country today. Making the call at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, were former World Bank Vice-President, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili; Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) and pharmacist-turned politician, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, at the launch of Chude Jideonwo’s book; ‘Are We The Turning Point Generation?’ Ezekwesili, who chaired the event, insisted that the best form of leadership was one that under-

Nyako gets ultimatum as impeachment threat thickens Ibrahim Abdul

Yola

he strained relationship between Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako and members of the stateHouseof Assemblytook aturnfortheworseyesterday when the lawmakers issued anultimatumtothegovernor over alleged shortfall in payment of salaries. The ultimatum came on account of allegations that there was a plot to impeach the governor by members of the Assembly, which they denied. The lawmakers during plenary yesterday frowned at the non-payment of salaries of workers in August and September 2012 during the strike embarked upon by civil servants in the state. They also accused the state government of carrying out a unilateral deduction of salaries of workers in last month’s payment. While moving the motion yesterday under matters of public importance, a member representing Hong

constituency,Hon.Wafarniyi Theman, observed with dismay that the iniquities’ alleged to have been perpetrated by the Adamawa State government ‘was getting out of hand. It’s time the legislature use its constitutional powers to rescue Adamawa people.’ Theman added that the Housewillneverfolditsarms to watch the government being run like a personal empire of the governor. He demanded that the House should compel the governor to pay the two months’ salariesowedthecivilservantsas well as pay them the money unilaterally deducted from their salaries. Also contributing to the debate on the floor of the House, members representingNuman,Michika,Gombi and Guyuk constituencies, Hon. Kwaomoti La’ori, Hon. Adamu Kamale, Hon. Jerry KundisiaswellasHon.Wilbina Jackson, respectively said that the issue of “No Work, No Pay” policy implemented by the state government duringthestrikeshouldnotarise.

stood and embraced sacrifice and service to the masses. While she noted that not every youth could possibly have the idea and ideals of bringing change in the country, she said there were few exceptional ones. According to her; “Leadership is pretty tough, especially in an environment where it’s not seen as service, but an opportunity to have a good life. “In leadership, however, you give and give to the people. It always takes a few numbers to bring in a new order, a

50,450

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Gambia in 2011. Source: Itu.int

new society. There’s always a progressive mind, that says let’s do something different!” Also speaking at the event, Agbaje said today’s youths must be able to resist the rot in the system, the rot that comes with leadership. He argued that people should not go into politics or leadership positions because they hope to enrich themselves. “We’re talking about the issue of character! Being able to resist temptation, corruption and being able to make sacrifices! This generation

needs to ask themselves if they’re really ready to bring about change in our country.” He said most people vote because of what they hope to get from the person they are voting for, adding; “Our value system has not changed; it’s about what you need from me. And if you must bring about change, you must be ready to make sacrifices. You don’t have to be in government because you want to make money or enrich yourself. Contributing, Falana said the struggle for a new Nigeria transcends age

55%

The percentage of West Africans that live on less than $1 a day. Source: Worldbank.org

barrier, adding that there were very progressive old men and very reactionary young men and women. “It’s about positive progressive ideas. Ideas that can drag this country out of the woods,” he said. “What the young people should do is to take their destiny into their hands and chart a new course, away from the corrupt tendencies of the old.” He said he was worried by the level of criminality associated with today’s youths, urging them to become patriotic and align themselves with progressive forces.

N7.9bn

The internally generated revenue of Ogun State in 2010. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

L-R: Head, Marketing and Communications, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mrs. Nkiru Olumide–Ojo; Chief Executive Officer/Co-founder, Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries, Mrs. Ifeoma Esiri and Trustee, Mrs. Ayo Obe, at the presentation of books by Stanbic IBTC Holdings to the Memorial Libraries 4000 Children’s book drive in Lagos

Pwajok warns against reprisals Osun 2014: INEC will make In a statement issued Saraki, Atunwa task parents electoral fraud difficult – REC Musa Pam in Jos by his spokeshe Independent National ballot paper to be used for man, Chuwang Dung, on children education T(INEC) Electoral Commission the election cannot be used he Senator represent- Senator Pwajok conin Osun State yes- more than once and it can’t T ing Plateau North doled with the people Biodun Oyeleye ing in them towards the terday warned politicians be used by another person constituency at the of Jos North council Jos

Ilorin

hairman, Senate ComCEnvironment, mittee on Ecology and Dr. Bukola

Saraki and Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Razaq Atunwa, yesterday tasked parents and stakeholders on the need to provide a safe home and education for the Nigerian child. Both leaders made the call in their respective statements on the May 27 Children’s Day. Saraki, who promised to continually advocate for children welfare, noted that every Nigerian child deserves a safe home. He urged the stakeholders to “use this occasion to show love and protect the children’s interest by invest-

realisation of their full potential.” The statement said further: “This is the right time to honour our children, who deserve much more than what our country currently presents to them. In the past one month, our children have been the focal point of our collective struggle; to grant them freedom from the dens of their abductors and provide an enabling environment for them to become the future leaders of tomorrow. In his statement, Atunwa, who blamed the nation’s predicament on moral bankruptcy, expressed sadness that most parents do not pay much attention to the wellbeing of their children.

against rigging in the August 9 governorship election saying the commission would make electoral fraud difficult during the exercise. INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Rufus Akeju, dropped the warning while declaring open a two-day workshop organised by the state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with a non-governmental organization, Democracy Vanguard. “Politicians can only try to rig the forthcoming election in Osun State, but I am sure they cannot succeed with their plan going by our preparations for the poll. “The commission has now made rigging very difficult during elections, the

and we have taken measures to ensure that elections count in Nigeria. “The August 9 governorship election in Osun State would be difficult to rig by politicians as the commission has put in place measures to prevent rigging.” He also made it known that the election would be monitored by observers from within and outside the country while ‘INEC would guide against all forms of rigging during the election.’ “All forms of malpractices that characterised elections in the country would be prevented by the commission as INEC has taken measures to do strict monitoring and proper supervision of the election, among others.”

National Assembly, Senator Gyang Nyam Pwajok, yesterday expressed concern over the spate of bombing and terrorists’ attacks in Jos, the Plateau State capital, saying that the development has become a major challenge that all hands must be on deck to tackle. The senator, who warned residents of the state against any form of reprisal attack, said the recent attacks in the state are not targeted at a particular group, but that it cuts across various segments of the society, calling on security agencies in the state to provide pro-active measures to checkmate such violence.

and the families of the victims of the last Saturday’s bomb attack in the city. Pwajok, who lamented the spate of attacks on the people of his constituency, urged the people to be security conscious while assuring them that the National Assembly is partnering the federal and state governments to ensure that terrorist activities were brought to standstill. He said the intention of the terrorists and the forces behind the attacks was to create tension in the state as well as set back the progress the Governor Jonah Jang government has recorded in the restoration of peace in the state.

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Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

NRC introduces new train services he Nigerian Railway Director, Public Relations, The newly introduced Tfrom Corporation (NRC) will Mr. David Ndakotsu, the Diesel Multiple Units June 2, 2014 introduce new services will come (DMUs) are expected to run new train services in the Lagos area to enhance and strengthen existing services in the state. According to a statement signed by Assistant

with a minimum of 10 coaches on each train to ease congestion. He added that the Lagos Mass Transit train will run 18 trips daily.

eight trips per day, while the standard service will run 10 trips per day, with stops at all stations. He said the new train service will also run six trips on Saturdays.

Iseri Mainland Club holds AGM Saturday L-R: Vice-Chairman, Shepherds Insurance Brokers, Otunba Oladipupo Bailey; Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and National President, Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria, Olamerun Gbadebo, during a visit to the governor in his office…yesterday

2015: Groups urge Adedoja to run for Oyo governorship Temitope Ogunbanke head of the 2015 general elections, Oyo State Good Governance Forum has urged former Minister of Sports and former Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, to run

for the governorship of the state. The forum in a statement signed by its Chairman, Akindeji Akintayo and Secretary, Gabriel Fagbola, noted that Adedoja's antecedents and tested public and community services qualifies him to govern the state. “On the occasion of the

63rd birthday anniversary of our leader and mentor, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, we send our greetings and congratulations to him. We seize this opportunity to urge Prof. Taoheed Adedoja to declare his intention to contest for the governorship of Oyo State come 2015.”

Akiolu erred on aspirants’ endorsement, says group Taiwo Jimoh socio-cultural organisation, the Committee for Culture and Values’ Emancipation in Lagos (CCVEL), has advised Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Osuolale Akiolu, to retrace his steps from

partisan politics. The group gave the advice based on the monarch’s decision to endorse a particular aspirant as successor to Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2015, in total disregard for the timehonoured aphorism that traditional rulers must stay

away from partisan politics. CCVEL said in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Wakil Adedayo, that by endorsing an aspirant, Oba Akiolu had ignored the facts that others were his subjects and must be treated as his children.

LASU: Alumni, trustees decry disruption of activities he Alumni Association TUniversity of the Lagos State (LASU) and its

Board of Trustees (BoT) have decried frequent disruption of academic activities in the institution. In a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting of the National Execu-

tives of the Association, the Board of Trustees and graduates of LASU working in the university, they urged all parties - government, university authority, staff and student union - to permanently resolve all issues causing crises in the shortest possible time.

In the communiqué signed by the Chairman of the Board, Teju Sonoiki, they further advised that, henceforth, no far reaching decision that will have major effects on the university community should be taken without consultation with the alumni association.

Thugs snatch 1, 235 permanent voters’ cards in Kogi he Independent National T(INEC) Electoral Commission yesterday said 1,

235 permanent voters’ cards were snatched by suspected political thugs in Kogi on Saturday. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, told the News

Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja that the thugs snatched the cards during the distribution of the item to registered voters in the state. He said the cards were snatched from INEC officials in some polling units in Lokoja, Ankpa and

Okene. Agbaje said 1, 020 cards were snatched by the armed thugs in Lokoja, 140 in Ankpa and 75 in Okene. He, however, said that 406 of the cards that were snatched in Lokoja had been recovered and that some arrests had been made.

‘Comprehensive restructuring, panacea to Nigeria’s problems’ Sola Adeyemo

Ibadan

hairman of the Editorial Cnewspaper, Board of The Nation Prof. Olatunji

Dare, yesterday in Ibadan called for a substantive re-structuring of Nigeria in order to remove her from the socio-political

and economic woods she has continued to find herself 100 years after its amalgamation. He said said this during a lecture he delivered at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, in honour of former the ViceChancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Jacob Festus

Ade Ajayi, who turned 85. In honour of the world class historian, ‘Father of History,’ and Ikole-Ekitiborn don, were many egg heads and dignitaries from all walks of life, where the lecture entitled: “One Hundred Years after Amalgamation: The Nigerian Condition,” was delivered.

Court rules on APC acronym today Tunde Oyesina

ABUJA

he Federal High Court Ttoday sitting in Abuja will rule on a pending application brought by the rival African Peoples

Congress (APC) asking it to nullify the registration of the Bisi Akande-led All Progressives Congress (APC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC). The African Peoples

Congress (APC) had argued that it was wrong for the commission to have gone ahead to register the rival APC when a suit restraining the party from using such acronym was still pending in court.

he Annual General TIseri Meeting (AGM) of the Mainland Club holds

on Saturday, May 31, at the club’s multipurpose hall in Magodo, Lagos. According to the Chairman of the organising committee, Chief Festus Okubule, there will be a

review of activities of the past year and an evaluation of reports from various officers at the meeting. Club’s Chairman, Olufemi Ariba, is expected to preside over the annual meeting which starts by 5.00pm. “We are also going to

discuss our new cool room and other infrastructures among other crucial issues on Saturday. Everything is set to make the event a grand one for all the club members and our visitors,”Okubule, who is also the vice-chairman of the body, said.

Group advocates medical attention for Chibok girls Shola Adefuwa

of preparations A200sforpart the return of the over girls abducted from

their secondary school in Chibok, Borno State by members of the Boko Haram sect, Media Concern Initiative (MEDIACON) has urged the Federal

Government to ensure they undergo psychological and psychiatric examination as soon as their release is secured. This was the outcome of a media forum on “The Chibok Girls: Looking At And Addressing The Post Release Emerging Issues” organised by Mediacon in

Lagos yesterday. Executive Director of MEDIACON, Dr. Princess Olufemi Kayode, said; “We have to be prepared for the change that will affect their emotions, thinkingandcommunication and every aspect of their lives will not be the same. “We just have to be prepared for the worst.”

FG hands over largest transmission plant to TCN Federal Government Toverheat the weekend handed the newly built largest power transmission plant in Nigeria to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). The government handed over this facility through Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) operators of the NIPP projects.

NPDCH had commissioned the plant located in Oke-Aro community, Ogun State, last year, but completely handed the plant to TCN at the weekend, having completed the provisions of the contract. The TCN is therefore expected to utilise the state-of-the-art facility to improve power supply to Nigerians.

Deputy General Manager, Civil Field Operations, NDPHC/NIPP, Claudius Ogunrinde, said: “The project has been completed and commissioned and the company has been running it under the provisions of the contractual terms. Today marks the proper and complete handover of the facility to the TCN.

Army, Police, NSCDC partner NPC for credible census Dan Atori

MINNA

s the National Population Abegins Commission (NPC) preparation for the 2016 census, the Nigeria Army, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria

Police have pledged to make the exercise a huge success. The Brigade Commander of the 31 Artillery Brigade, Minna, BrigadierGeneral Aliyu Momoh and the Commissioner of Police in Niger State, Desire Nsirim, gave their assurances yesterday when the Federal

Commissioner in charge of Niger State Alhaji Aliyu Datti, paid them advocacy visits in their respective offices. General Momoh said the military was ready to assist the commission in areas of security to protect enumerators during the exercise.

Enforcement of COSON-BON /IBAN agreement commences Sony Neme ays after the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN) signed a historic

music copyright royalty agreement on May 21, 2014 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos; COSON has swung into action to enforce the deal. In a press release signed by Mayree Uket of New Media, and made available to New Telegraph yester-

day, COSON explained that; “The music industry in Nigeria will not wait for the profound excitement generated by the recently signed COSON-BON/ IBAN agreement on music royalty to die down before commencing the enforcement of the agreement.”

Death of Toba Falode: FG reassures family of support Ummal-fadal Babagirei ollowing the call by Aisha Fayode, the mother to the deceased Mr. Oluwadamilola Oloruntoba, to the Federal Government to intervene in the case of her son, the Federal Government has announced its assistance to the family and has made

available copies of police and forensic report to the family of the deceased. This was made know during a press briefing by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi. “The Nigerian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has instruc-

tions to remain engaged on this matter and to be as helpful as it can. “The host Ministry of Foreign Affairs has obliged enclosing copies of the police report and the forensic medical report and these were promptly made available to the family of the deceased,” Uhomoibhi said.

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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Imo 2015: Ex-Commissioner wants bank debtors barred Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

former Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning in Imo State, Chief Charles Onyeagbako, has called for a clean slate for politicians aspiring to contest the governorship position in the state. He said any aspirant to the Imo governorship position, discovered to be owing banks, should be barred from the race. He further argued that with such weighty debt portfolio, the priority of such aspirants, if elected governor, would be clearing personal li-

abilities before facing public responsibilities. In a chat with newsmen in his country home, Uratta, Owerri North council area yesterday, Onyeagbako, who has joined the Imo governorship race, said his ambition is to succeed Governor Rochas Okorocha in next year’s election. Giving a detailed account of his family upbringing and academic attainment, Onyeagbako said he is also in the race to save the state from total collapse and revamp institutions of government that the present administration has run down.

Customers panic over fire, internet ANXIETY relapse in banks Customers panic as bank services are threatened with impending public holidays

Leo Sobechi

here was panic in two commercial banks in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital yesterday as customers struggled to make transactions to beat the impending double holidays this week. In one of the banks, First City Monument

Bank Limited, Ogoja Road, Abakaliki; the prompt intervention of vigilant staff and security personnel saved the day as they put up spirited efforts to put off the fire would have razed the bank. New Telegraph reports that the fire, which started from a malfunctioning air conditioner would have spread to other parts of the bank as the two fire extinguishers brought to the quell the fire failed. As the fire billowed and smoke filled the banking hall, anxious customers

started panicking even as staff of the bank mobilised to put the fire under control. Banking activities were temporarily paralysed as both fire extinguisher fumes and smoke clouded the banking hall until about 10.30am when the fog began to clear even as none of the staff of the bank agreed to speak to New Telegraph. However nearby, customers at the Fidelity Bank branch on the same Ogoja Road, milled around the bank, complaining

that they have not been attended to in the last four days over what the officials said was the failure of their internet connectivity. One of the bank’s customers disclosed that; “Since Wednesday last week, we could not withdraw money even from the Automated Bank Teller,” stressing that attempts to get into the bank were resisted by the security, who said they were on strict orders not to allow anybody into the bank until the internet facility was restored.

Our membership is still open to all, says PDP Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied media report that its National Chairman, Adamu Muazu, at a meeting with the state chairmen, ordered the closure of membership registers of the party. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement yesterday, said the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has instead directed that

all membership registers remain at the ward level and made completely accessible to all Nigerians in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution. The statement said Nigerians at all levels are free to join the party and, as such, “cannot in any way whatsoever unjustly deny membership to anybody, especially as the PDP remains the only party truly owned by the people and represents the only platform for them to realise their full democratic credentials.”

Ex-LG boss, contractors declared wanted in Imo Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

ormer Sole Administrator of Onuimo Local Government area in Imo State, Hon. Jeff Imo and the Managing Director of Lufranza Construction Services, have been declared wanted following their involvement in failed and abandoned road contracts in the state. In a letter signed by the Chairman of the Task Force Committee on Rural Roads in Imo State, Sir Jude Ejiogu, he affirmed that following the committee’s constant invita-

tion and their refusal to attend meetings to explain their involvement in the abandonment of the road contracts, the committee decided to declare them wanted.” The committee gave the suspects 48 hours to submit themselves to the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command or the Director of the State Security Service (SSS). It further pleaded with the general public to report any information that would lead to the immediate arrest of the suspects to the nearest police station.

L-R: Zonal Head, Port Harcourt 1, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Oliver Opara; popular Nigerian actor, O.C Ukeje; Regional Director, South-East/South-South, FCMB, Mr. Okey Ezeala and Zonal Head, Port Harcourt 2, Mr. Chime Aliliele, at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) held in Bayelsa State

68.1m

23,000

The total population of Thailand (representing 0.99% of the world’s population) in 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

The average number of people forced to leave their homes for safety due to conflict and persecution daily. Source: Unhcr.org.uk

79,000

The number of adults and children estimated to be living with HIV in Republic of Congo in 2008. Source: Blatantworld.com

Chibok: Elechi cautions against street demonstration Ewa Nnanna

bonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, has cautioned against carrying placards to Aso Rock or other strategic government places in the country, demanding the release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. He described such acts as inflicting more injuries and pains on the psyche of the nation. He said people carrying such placards along the streets were exaggerating or stretching beyond

their sense of freedom. The governor made his feelings known during the interdenominational church service organised to mark this year’s Democracy Day held at Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital. Governor Elechi, who condemned the abduction of the schoolgirls by the Boko Haram sect, called on Nigerians to invoke the power and mercy of God over their release rather than carrying placards to Aso Rock, as it was

not President Goodluck Jonathan that abducted the girls. “Those carrying placards to Aso Rock, reading release our schoolgirls, were they abducted by the President? Why not carry the placards to Boko Haram?” he queried. According to Governor Elechi; “Those carrying placards along the streets inflict more pains and injuries, because the abduction is a national calamity which requires the co-operation of all to overcome.” He stressed that; “It is not the best thing

to do, since the man who bears the greatest pain, the most traumatised is the President and not the parents, he stated. Elechi said for democracy to flourish, Nigerians should learn to obey the law of the land and cooperate with the leaders and law enforcement agents to overcome the current security challenges in the country. The interdenominational church service offered special prayers for the release of the kidnapped girls, peace and unity of the country.

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Sanctity of Truth

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Kwara PDP holds N5bn fundraiser today Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

N5 billion fundraiser for the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is scheduled for Abuja today. The event, according to the party’s publicity secretary in the state, Chief Rex Olawoye, is meant to do what he described as ‘the essential’ by the party towards the 2015 general elections in the state.

l It’s an effort in futility, says APC Olawoye explained that donors expected at the event include stakeholders of the party, some state governors, business leaders and technocrats from all walks of life. Sources within the party confirmed that key personalities within the party in the state like Hajia Bola Shagaya, Mr. Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), Professor Oba Abdulraheem, Senator Suleiman Ajadi,

Suswam, wife get voters’ cards, want exercise extended Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

enue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam and his wife Dooshima yesterday obtained their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC's) at the Government House polling unit for next years general election with a call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the exercise to enable those who did not collect their cards do so. The governor, who had declared three days free to enable civil servants obtain their PVC's, expressed fear that the number of days allowed for the collection of the voters card were not enough. He urged the Resident

Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state Alhaji Baba Abba Yusuf, to prevail on the INEC national chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to extend the exercise for some days. "The three days were grossly inadequate for the exercise to be successful so I want to appeal to the headquarters of INEC that they should extend the exercise by few days so that all people who were not able to collect their PVC's could do so", Suswam pleaded. Suswam who expressed worry on the number of cards that was yet to be collected, noted that if the exercise was not extended many would be disenfranchised.

APC lashes Bafarawa, Maccido over comments Umar Danladi Ado Sokoto

he All Progressive Cong ress, (APC),Sokoto State Chapter, has described Senator Ahmad Maccido's aspiration to contest the same position with governor Wamakko in 2015 as a betrayal. Senator Maccido, representing Sokoto Central District, said he was ever ready to face and contest the same position on the platform of PDP, with Governor Aliyu Wamakko who is aspiring for the same seat on APC’s platform. But a statement by APC signed and made available to newsmen by the publicity secretary of the party, Alhaji Sidi Aliyu Lamido in Sokoto, yesterday expressed belief that this is the least it expected from Maccido, especially in his struggle to revive his faded fame as a result of his betrayal of Wamakko who brought him to the limelight. It said: "Senator Maccido is not a match for Wamakko because Wa-

makko, by his level of experience, education and political sagacity, will make a much better representation for constituents of the Senatorial district." According to the statement, though Maccido has the constitutional right to aspire to retaining his seat, it’s clear that the governor would make a much better senator. Similarly, the state APC women wing, has condemned the utterances of the former Governor of the state, Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, over the affairs of the state.

Senator Simeon Ajibola, Alhaji Bio Ibrahim and Senator Ruqayyat Gbemsiola Saraki are billed to take part in the ceremony expected to be chaired by the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Muazu Adamu. A high-ranking member of the party confirmed to our reporter that the fundraising was to ensure that no one individual becomes the major financier

3.09m

of the party. “Once we can achieve that end, we will be able to avoid the problem of godfathers”, the source explained. It was gathered that leaders of the party held a meeting with other stakeholders at the weekend where it was agreed that a Kwara version of the fundraising should be done later. But the All Progressive Congress (APC) has

The total population of Guangzhou, China in 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

$US469.5bn

The nominal GDP of Saudi Arabia (IMF) in 2009. Source: Blatantworld.com

BENIN

overnorship candidates Gnorship in the April 2012 goverelections in Edo

State have opposed the outcome of the ward and local government congresses conducted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. The governorship candidates include Comrade Andrew Igwemoh of the

the nation’s capital? It shows that they are not on ground at home otherwise they would have gone to a place like Kwara Hotel to raise fund. “Whether they go to Abuja or go to the moon to raise money, they have failed already in Kwara and they will continue to fail and that is why it is difficult for them to run the party. We have a leadership structure that will deliver Kwara to APC come rain come shine.”

1.5%

The percentage of households with internet access at home in Africa in 2007. Source: Itu.int

L-R: National President, Ilorin Emirate Descendant Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alhaji. Abdulhamid Hadi; Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed; member IEDPU, Dr. S.A Adebayo and National Secretary, Dr. Hamza Abdulraheem, during a courtesy visit to government in Ilorin…yesterday

EFCC lied against me, says Amusan ACCUSATION

Governorship aspirant accusses EFCC of being economical with the truth Kunle Olayeni

Abeokuta

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Kayode Amusan, yesterday

said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was being economical with the truth over the sealing of his campaign office. Amusan, a former House of Representatives member, also denied that a cache of arms was uncovered within the premises of his campaign office located at 190, Gbadebo Road, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta. The EFCC had, two weeks ago, sealed off the property on the order of an Ikoyi High Court in Lagos presided over by Justice

Ex-guber candidates fault Oshiomhole, allege abandonment Cajetan Mmuta

described the fundraising as no-threat to the ruling party, arguing that it is like living in a fool’s paradise. Secretary of the APC in the state, Prince Yomi Afolayan said notwithstanding where the PDP goes to raise fund, it will not make any meaningful impact on the outcome of the election for the opposition. His words: “Why do they have to run away from their state to go and be begging for money in

Labour Party, Paul Orumwnese of the National Conscience Party (NCP) and Frank Ukonga of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). In a statement signed by the trio and made available to newsmen yesterday in Benin, the Edo state capital, they advised Oshiomhole to retrace his steps and jettison what they called “his one-man-knowit-all attitude before it is too

late” over the crisis rocking the APC in the state. But the state Interim Publicity Secretary of APC, Godwin Erhahon, in a telephone interview yesterday said apart from the Labour Party candidate, the other two of NCP and SDP are not competent to comment on the issue of membership registration because they were not members of the ruling APC in the state.

M.N. Yunusa, who ruled in the case with suit number FHSL/L/CS/1661/14 between the Federal Government of Nigeria and one Felix Oriyomi Ewulo. But addressing a press conference in Abeokuta, Amusan said there was no fraud in the acquisition of the campaign office, saying he legally acquired the property from Ewulo at a sum of N30million. The former lawmaker, however, said he suspected political motivations in his current ordeal. He said, "This is because one of those involved in the sale of property saga is linked to an opposition party in the state and also friend of the leader of the main party opposed to PDP. "The Facebook account that published the rumour of 20 AK-47 found in my premises is linked to the state government." Amusan threatened to drag the EFCC to court in order to unseal his campaign office, adding that he had already briefed his solicitors on the impending suit.

He pointed out that only a dane gun was recovered from the security guard arrested from his campaign office, adding that the guard was a registered and licensed guard from the vigilante group. He further said, "I contacted the landlord, Mr. Felix Ewulo, who offered the building to me for a price of N30million. I conducted a search and discovered he is the rightful owner of the property after which I made payment through a banker's draft on the 24th April, 2013. "It was after I moved in to the property and began my activities there that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invited me for an interview in their Ikoyi office in Lagos." "The EFCC then informed me of a petition against Mr. Felix Ewulo on allegation of financial crime. I showed the documents I had on the transaction and told them I was never aware the building had been offered to someone earlier who only paid a deposit to the landlord.

News

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Osun LP slates primary for Friday, begins reconciliation Adeolu Adeyemo

OSOGBO

reparatory to the AuPelection gust 9, governorship in Osun State, the state chapter of the Labour Party (LP), yesterday said it has commenced efforts to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party to make the party more formidable at the polls. The party chairman, Timothy Olatunji, who made this known in a press conference in Osogbo, also hinted that the party would hold its governorship primary election this Friday to pick its candidate for the race. He said the leadership of the party had

started reaching out to the embittered members and that very soon their differences would be resolved amicably well. Olatunji, who refuted the rumour making the rounds in the state that the party is factionalized, explained that some members of the party only had misunderstanding among each other which he said is inevitable in any gathering. The Labour Party chairman said a former Secretary to the State Gover nment, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, is the only serious contender in the party, noting that his personality has drawn so many into the party.

L-R: Manager, Corporate Affairs, Goldlink Insurance Plc, Mrs. Omobolanle Kola-Balogun; Executive Director, Mrs. Olufunke Moore; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Gbolahan Olutayo; and Financial Secretary, Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs. Iyabo Ogunjuyigbe, during the presentation of BusinessToday Insurance man of the year to the Managing Director/CEO, Goldlink Insurance Plc, in Lagos…yesterday PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

0.6%

80%

Good industrial policy will boost employment, says NSE chairman Biodun Oyeleye

Oyedepo proffers solutions to insurgency

Ilorin

he Deputy Speaker, TAssembly Kwara State House of and Chairman,

Ilorin Branch of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Professor Muhammed Gana, has called on the Federal Government to develop and implement a realistic industrialisation policy, which will provide employment opportunities for young engineers and other youths. Yisa made the call in a lecture he delivered at the Second Annual Public Lecture of the Nigerian Universities Education Students Association (NUESA) titled: The Role of Engineering in National Development. He was represented at the event by Professor Y. A. Adediran

of the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Ilorin. In the paper, the NSE Chairman noted that the right policies would enhance Nigeria's foreign exchange and enable Nigerians access high quality goods. Such policy change, he said, should also include the enhancement of training and research facilities to make Nigeria compete favourably in the world of technology; provision of a framework under which indigenous contractors will execute at least 70 percent of all federal contracts and, at least, 85 percent of state contracts; and the pricing of contracts in line with international best practices.

Mojeed Alabi he Founder of Living Faith Ministry and Chancellor, Covenant University, Dr. David Oyedepo, has identified three key factors that could lead to resolution of the crises plaguing Nigeria, especially in the North East. Oyedepo, who declared open a workshop on ‘Conflict Management and Resolution: A Leadership Competence Development Workshop’ as its keynote speaker, said for Nigeria to overcome her troubles, the leadership must possess character, courage and capacity, insisting that

The percentage share of Thermal power plants to global electricity production. Source: Unesco.org

45%

The estimated percentage prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) of Uganda in 2006. Source: Blatantworld.com

the absence of the three had plunged the country and the continent of Africa in a deep trouble. He revealed that Africa, representing merely 11 per cent of the world population, had benefited more than 75 per cent of the United Nations aids to troubled countries, saying the leadership failure on the continent has made identification of problems more difficult, and their resolution seemingly impossible. The three-day workshop, which was chaired by the former Minister of Finance, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, and organised by the university's

Then percentage of individuals using the internet in Chile in 2010. Source: Itu.int

Centre for African Leadership Development, featured several peace advocates and foreign ambassadors, including the Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Fay. The centre's director and former Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Aize Obayan, while welcoming guests to the events, said the need to bring together eggheads to address the challenges of conflicts and contradictions in Nigeria could not have been more relevant than now, "especially with the missing of more than 200 students whose whereabouts were yet to be known."

Obayan promised that the recommendations of the workshop would not only be made available to the government at the appropriate levels and members of the public but their implementation would also be pursued by concerned authorities. Other scholars at the event included the former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola; the Vice-Chancellor of Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, Prof. Ayanlaja; Managing Director of New Horizone Company, Mr. Tim Akano.

UNILORIN open to honest assessment, says VC

New Ondo Speaker emerges today

Biodun Oyeleye

Babatope Okeowo

Ilorin

ice Chancellor of the V(UNILORIN), University of Ilorin Professor

AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has said the university is open to assessment of its claims on standards by any professional group. Ambali, who made the declaration when he received members of an accreditation panel from the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria CPN in his office, said UNILORIN was not only seeking to be the best in Nigeria, but to be among the best in the world. He said that was why the institution partners some foreign universities which is to meet the standard as obtained in America and Europe. Ambali, who was represented by the Deputy ViceChancellor, Professor Felix

Oladele, commended the CPN for maintaining a high standard of Information Technology education in the country, describing the body as a “partner in progress”. He told the CPN team which was in the university to assess the facilities at the Department of Computer Science that the university was open to honest assessment, adding that the panel should not hesitate to let the management know if there were still areas that needed attention. He added that the university was doing much in the area of ICT. Informing the accreditation team that the university was doing much in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Ambali disclosed that the university recently commenced the distribution of Personal Computer (PC) tablets to its students and has laid fibre optics in order to have a robust internet in-

frastructure. The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that the institution's computer laboratory has been equipped and that qualified lecturers have been engaged, saying, “We are not perfect, but we are forming partnerships to be better.” Leader of the CPN team, Professor C. O. Uwandia, in his remarks, noted that the over-arching theme of the council's mandate is to provide a regulated and standard-driven environment for IT education and practice in thecountrytoengendersocioeconomic development. Uwandia explained that the Council is primarily charged with the responsibility of building local Information Technology (IT) capacity, as well as the regulation of IT practice in Nigeria. He said the panel was in the university to see whether theComputerScienceDepartment was conforming to laiddown standards.

Akure

arring any last minute change of plan, a new Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly to replace the late Mr. Samuel Adesina, will be elected today. The ruling Labour Party(LP) has zoned the slot to Ondo South Senatorial District and four members of the Assembly from the zone have indicated interest in the coveted position. Although all the nine existing members of the Assembly from the senatorial district are qualified for the seat, only four, including twoterm legislator, Mr. Oyebo Aladetan from Ilaje Constituency 1, Mrs Jumoke Akindele from Okitipupa Constituency 1, Mr. Soji Akinkulie from

Okitipupa Constituency II and Mr Afolabi Iwalewa from Irele State Constituency have indicated interest in the position. Of the four, Aladetan, who is the current chairman of the House Committee on Information, is said to be leading the pack being a two-term member of the House. Also, Aladetan was said to be one of the 16 members of the Assembly who shunned the budget presentation of Governor Olusegun Mimiko. A source said the rebel members who are obviously in the majority are bent on controlling the Assembly, hence the need to support one of their own, Aladetan. However, those rooting for Mrs Akindele said she has the intelligence and clout and the connec-

tions to pilot the Assembly’s affairs. If elected, they noted, she would be the first female Speaker of the state assembly. According to another source, the woman has the support of the leadership of the LP and the the government. The source said although Iwalewa, from Irele state constituency and Akinkulie from Okitipupa have been moving around the members canvassing for their support, they did not stand any chance as the battle is between Aladetan and Akindele. The source, a member of the Assembly, said Akindele was just dropping the name of the governor and the leadership of the LP as the governor had told them in a caucus meeting that he was not supporting anybody as the Speaker.

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Arepo: We’re still searching for missing officers, say police missing in action The whereabouts of two policemen missing in encounter with armed vandals are still unknown

Gunmen kill four soldiers in Platea

Taiwo Jimoh

gun State Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, has said that the police were still searching for two officers who went missing during a shootout with petroleum pipeline vandals at Arepo on Sunday. He said: “We are searching for the two missing police officers at the Sunday incident at Arepo community; because the missing officers are precious to our command. Therefore, we are working hard to bring them back alive. “The perpetrators of the act will not go free; they will pay dearly for their actions.” The missing policemen were said to have engaged the vandals in gun battle in Arepo, a community in Ogun State. Speaking through the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muy-

the police were also partnering with the residents of Arepo and Elepe, the neighbouring village. Smoke from the site of the ruptured pipeline. He also appealed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to shut down the flow of fuel to the area to stop the raging fire at our military personnel atthe site of the ruptured pipeline at Arepo. tached to the Special Task Corroborating Okoye’s views, the force (STF) in Plateau state Public Relations Officer (PRO), the State were killed on Sunday evening in Gida Bua village Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kareem Olanrewaju, said the of Langtang South Local corps was working the police to bring back Government Area. New Telegraph’s findings the missing officers. He said: “Men of the NSCDC and the showed that the security perNigerian Army are now working with sonnel were ambushed by other security agencies in the state to lounknown gunmen during a cate the missing policemen.” patrol. Meanwhile, the Olu of Arepo, Oba SoloA source within the community, who pledged mon Oyebi, has raised the alarm over alleged plot to rope Arepo residents into the anonymity, said nine of the vandalism saga. soldiers were originally travHe said: “We should not be roped into elling in the vehicle when the the incident.” gunmen opened fire, killing The monarch urged the Federal Government not to leave any stone unturned in its efforts to end pipeline vandalism in the community and in the country Dahiru Suleiman Dutse at large.

Okoye

iwa Adejobi, the commissioner said the gallant officers were at the creek to check the activities of the vandals. He said: “In the course of halting the illegal operation, they attacked our men and took away two of the officers. “To ensure sanity in Arepo, oil bunkers and pipeline vandals in the state will be treated like murderers. “Since the Sunday incident, the police have been working with other security agencies at the creek to rescue the missing officers.” The commissioner added that as part of efforts to rescue the missing officers,

Lawmaker empowers constituen

Five held for robbery, kidnapping Dominic Adewole Asaba

olice in Delta State said yesterday they had arrested five people in connection with robbery and a botched abduction. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said Oghenetaga Onome, Oghenewerute Efeyeme, aka I go die and Voke Erhiaware, aka Simple were arrested on Sanubi-Eku Highway in Ethiope East Local Government Area for armed robbery.

Prior to their arrest, detectives apprehended Lucky Aungom and Issah Idris, after attempting to kidnap one Charles Ihuagwa at Okureokpo. The suspects, in a text message to their victim, threatened to kidnap him except he dropped N2 million at a location in Asaba. Detectives from ‘A’ Division Asaba advised the complainant to drop the money by St. Bridges’ Secondary School gate in Asaba, as demanded by the kidnappers. “Consequently the suspects, one Lucky Aungom ‘m’, the mastermind of the crime and Issah Idris ‘m’, a tricycle operator, were arrested while trying to

four, while the others caped. The Chairman of LGA, Mr Bendel Nanc confirmed the incident appealed for calm. Nancwat urged the zens to be patient whil curity men investigate incident. The spokesman of STF, Captain Ikedichi ha, said he would get b to our reporter when he the full details of the at but at the time of filing report, he was not answe his calls.

collect the money,” Kalu said. I go die, Simple and five others, according to the police spokesman in Asaba, barricaded Sanubi/Eku expressway before police patrol team moved to the scene. They shot and wounded one Afamefune Onyah and John Oghenero of Orerokpe among other persons. The suspects also raped the wife of one of their victims before fleeing. “Acting on a tip off, the detectives handling the case, arrested I go die and Simple at Okureokpo. They have since confessed to the crime and their other gang members,” the PPRO said.

igawa State Government has trained over 20,000 people in different trades at its six vocational training centres. The Commissioner for Economic Empowerment, Alhaji Abdullahi Mago, disclosed this in Birnin-Kudu while speaking at the economic empowerment programme of Hon. Sabo Nakudu, a lawmaker representing Birnin-Kudu-Buji federal constituency. Mago said that the government was ready to partner any private organisation

willing to cooperate with state to train people in v ous trades for self-relian Alhaji Salisu Mamu who spoke on behalf Governor Sule Lamido, c mended Nakudu’s good ture and called on other emulate the lawmaker. Mamuda, who is also state chairman of the Peo Democratic Party (PD called on the beneficiarie judiciously use the items en to them for the inten purpose. Earlier in his short marks, Nakudu prom to provide more assista which would better the l of his constituents.

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APC, PDP FLEX MUSCLES OVER MILITANTS’ RECRUITMENT IN RIVERS

p-14

TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014

Enugu: Rage over voters’ register

n Enugu, the contention over the noticeable infractions on the voters’ register released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pitched political parties and prominent politicians against each others. It started as a courteous nicety of public information. Now it has snowballed into a deafening din and altercation over who should be held responsible for the development. Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Lawrence Azubuike, had invited journalists to his office to inform the public through them that a fresh voters’ registration exercise would be conducted in the state from May 28 through June 1, 2014. Azubuike noted that due to mechanical error, some names of registered voters as well as the records of certain booths were omitted. He went further to urge those whose polling booths were affected to endeavour to take part in the planned registration exercise. However, less than four days after the REC’s engagement with the journalists, the voters’ register for the state was released. It was discovered that names of more than 40 per cent of the registered voters in the state could not be located on the register that INEC released. That was not all. Enugu State which holds 2,940 polling booths returned only 2,319. This means 621 booths went the way of the wind. May be that was what the REC was alluding to as caused by human and mechanical error. From mere figures, it was later learnt that names of notable politicians including the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, who is aspiring for the office of governor, Mr. Eugene Odoh; state chairman of the PDP, Vita Abba; Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Ayogu Eze and members of the House of Representatives mostly from Enugu North senatorial zone, were conspicuously missing from the register. As if in a bad dream, names of Governor Sullivan Chime, Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo as well as other prominent officials of the state government were not visible to naked eyes on the INEC register. A breakdown of missing polling booths on the register indicated that Nsukka and Igboetiti local councils of the state were the worst hit as 230 and 190 booths were returned with zero registered voters. Other councils and the number of names seen are as follows: Aninri (2), Awgu (6), Enugu East (20), Enugu North (2), Enugu South (4), Ezeagu (2), Igboeze North (25), Igboeze South (4), Isi-Uzo (1), Nkanu West (148), Oji River (5), Udenu (3), Uzo Uwani (4), while two polling booths were completely missing in Chime’s Udi local council area. Perhaps frightened by the prospects that the ‘contrived omissions’ were targeted at specific political actors in its fold, the PDP in the state cried foul. Threatening to drag the electoral umpire to court if the mess was not cleared before the elections, the PDP accused INEC of “deliberately trying

The missing of names of prominent politicians, including Governor Sullivan Chime, a serving minister, members of the National Assembly, state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the voters’ register recently displayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is generating tension in Enugu State, ahead of the 2015 elections. LEO SOBECHI reports on the contentious issue

Jega

Chime

to collude with some desperate politicians to disenfranchise majority of the people of the state in the coming elections.” Not minding that INEC officials in the state pooh-poohed suggestions that the omissions had political undertone, PDP state chairman, Vita Abba; who briefed journalists on the party’s impressions on the development, expressed dismay. Abba rebuffed INEC’s insistence that the anomaly was occasioned by human and mechanical errors which it said

have been rectified in readiness for the planned registration exercise. The PDP boss while displaying his temporary voter’s card that he used during the 2011 general elections as well as in the 2013 local government election in the state, lamented that what happened in Anambra State during the November 16, 2013 governorship election where registered voters could not find their names in the register was about to play out in Enugu state. The state PDP chairman further accused INEC of planning to derail de-

CROSSFIRE

Every governor of the 19 northern states must re-organise its people to monitor people at the grassroots or local level. Until we have every state government determined to organise its people in terms of information gathering, we may not be able to defeat terror

-Labaran Maku

I was very sad when I read it in virtually all the papers where the Minister of Information was accusing us (northern governors) of not doing enough to fight insurgency in the region.... that is very uncharitable. It is more than unfortunate and I think it is part of hypocrisy

-Babangida Aliyu

mocracy, stressing that the people of Enugu State “would not tolerate a situation where over 40 per cent of registered voters have already been delisted from the register few months to the next election.” He declared that some unnamed politicians were behind the development in order to achieve their narrow ambitions of making sure that Enugu North senatorial zone did not produce the next governor of the state in the spirit of zoning arrangement. He therefore enjoined the INEC national chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to correct the flaws before the matter gets out of hand. But not prepared to allow PDP’s innuendoes stick, the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) lambasted PDP, accusing it of evading responsibility for the muddled up voters’ register. The APC state chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, who spoke on the development slammed PDP for raising the alarm on deregistration of a large number of voters by INEC, saying that the party ought to bear the blame for the ugly development in the state. Nwoye alleged that PDP was responsible for multiple registrations of voters in the state, which led to deregistration of 621 polling units. He challenged Abba to a debate to prove his assertions on how INEC became culpable for the error. Wondering how CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

14 POLITICS

Amaechi

After the change of guard in security apparatus, Rivers State has enjoyed an oasis of calm. In this report, WALE ELEGBEDE writes that the tranquillity may be for a while if the contention that some politicians are recruiting and packaging militants for the 2015 elections in the state is accurate

nly a few months ago, Rivers State was under siege when the residents were subjected to daily apprehension following the crisis that erupted within the then ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. The party was factionalised with one group loyal to the governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, while the other group pledged its allegiance to the Supervising Minister of Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike. After a period of hits and misses from the crisis, the former Commissioner of Police in the state, Mbu Joseph Mbu, was redeployed, and the Garden City got its groove back politically. Expectedly, with Amaechi and his supporters now in the All Progressives Congress (APC), media salvo became the mode of exchange between the friends turned foes. However, the dark clouds are gathering again and the unfolding body languages signify a mounting furore that may throw the state back into crisis, if not nipped in the bud. The APC and the PDP in the state last week threw banters at each other over the acquittal of some 55 persons who had been standing trial over alleged charges of militant activities in the state. According to reports, Justice Boma Diepiri of the State High Court in Port Harcourt on May 13 discharged and acquitted one Otonye Kuna and 54 others who were charged for participating in militancy in the state about five years ago. The report said further that the accused persons through their counsel applied for leniency. Insisting that the decision of the judiciary to discharge the accused had political undertone, the state chairman of the PDP, Felix Obuah, said the acquittal was ill-conceived, alleging that it was done with the motive of setting up a militancy strike force in preparation for the forthcoming general elections in Rivers. Obuah, in a statement signed by his special adviser on media, Jerry Needam, claimed that most of those released are made to be ready tools for the governor and the APC in the coming elections. Stoking more fire on the issue, the PDP chairman alleged that the militants released are now enlisted and placed on

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Wike

Tom

APC, PDP flex muscles over militants’ recruitment in Rivers monthly allowances and salaries on the SURE-P, a Federal Government funded programme executed in the various states. Obuah added that contracts have also been awarded to militants and thugs to retain their loyalty, support and services for coming elections. “It is regrettable that Governor Amaechi and the APC will be enlisting the services of militants and cultists ahead of elections, underscoring the fact that they have lost out of the electorate’s favour, having failed to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State,” the PDP said. Tagging the information churned out by the PDP as false and a turning around of table, the state chairman of the APC, Dr. Ibiamu Ikanya, succinctly said: “To say the least, this allegation just does not make sense.” Giving pockets of instances to corroborate its argument, the ruling party (APC) said as against what the opposition (PDP) is accusing the governor and the state judiciary of the PDP is the guilty side that has been begging and employing militants to back their cause in 2015, adding that the unpopularity of the PDP has pushed it to be relying on militants to survive in the face of the massive support APC is currently enjoying in Rivers State. The APC chairman, in a statement signed by media aide, Chukwuemeka Eze, said: “This satanic rumour is being peddled the idle minds in the PDP in their desperation to lure Rivers State back to the evil days from which God, through Governor Amaechi, secured them. It is bound to fail and should be dismissed for what it truly is – a baseless rumour. “Anybody insinuating that either Amaechi or anybody in the APC is planning to recruit any militant to enable us win the 2015 elections in Rivers State must either be ignorant of the history of militancy in the Niger Delta or is simply trying to be mischievous.” Reeling out the sharp contempt the governor has for militancy and its inherent consequence on the society, the APC said those making the accusation are blind to history, otherwise they should have known that Amaechi put his life and that of his family on the line to fight militancy in the state. The APC said: “It is well known to all Nigerians that if there is any governor who put his life on the line in the war against the menace of militancy, that person must be Governor Amaechi of

Rivers State. “We are all aware that Amaechi inherited a Rivers State that was termed to be a jungle where might decided the fate of the residents. He inherited a Port Harcourt that was ranked as the third most dangerous city in the world but within few months of his tenure as governor, the menace of militancy became history. “So why should such a person who put his life and that of his family on the line to fight militancy now begin to romance the same class of people in order for him to win an election he is very sure that his party will surely win if the votes of the people are allowed to count? “Indeed, it is only an unpopular party like PDP that can be relying on militants to survive in the face of the massive support APC is currently enjoying in Rivers State. “Our prayer is that the good people of Rivers State should ensure that PDP is deservedly punished in 2015 through their collective votes to stop them from taking us back to the evil days of insecurity in Rivers State. The good people of Rivers State now have a choice – PDP (Evil) and APC (Good).” Digging the issue from a specific hole, the APC chairman ascribed the recent visit of Wike and leaders of the PDP in the state to one of the former militant warlords in the region, Sogboma Jachrees alias Egbiripapa, as its justification that the PDP is aligning with militants to fine-tune strategies for the 2015 general elections. “We are all aware that PDP is even plotting to sponsor a one-time kingpin of the militants in the person of Chief Ateke Tom as its candidate for the 2015 governorship election in the state. We are also aware that the first five months salary of Chief Wike as Minister of State for Education was donated to a one-time militant. “What is more, the same minister and the leader of PDP in Rivers State recently held a meeting with Egbiripapa to finetune strategies for the 2015 general elections. “Nigerians can, therefore, judge for themselves who between APC and PDP

My position is to ignore the rantings of the PDP... The PDP is, indeed, populated with militants. So, they think everybody else is engaged in such acts

is positioning the militants for the 2015 general elections,” the party said. In a chat with New Telegraph, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ibim Seminitari, faulted PDP’s line of reasoning, noting that Governor Amaechi has no affiliation with militants, either in the past or presently. “Governor Amaechi does not believe in violence at all. He has never practised it and he won’t start now. Don’t forget, he is not contesting as governor again. In 2006 and 2007 when he should have recruited militants for his elections he did not. Is it now he would recruits militants for election? “Amaechi does not and cannot take decisions for the judiciary and he doesn’t know anything about militants’ recruitment. “My position is to ignore the rantings of the PDP people who like to use themselves as the yardstick to judge others. The PDP is indeed populated with militants. So, they think everybody else is engaged in such acts.” While urging Rivers people to question and resist the dalliance between the PDP and militants in the state, the Commissioner affirmed the commitment of the governor at ensuring a violence-free Rivers State. “For anyone who chooses not to be a militant anymore, the government will support them to get back into the society but he would never use them for any act or even for election. He doesn’t believe in violence of any form,” she said. Prior to the militancy recruitment jabs between the APC and PDP, the visit of Wike to Jackrees (Egberipapa) in the latter’s palatial Usokun-Kalabari residence in Degema Local Government Area of the state had heighten tension in the state. The ex-warlord, who is the founder of the Kengema Unity Forum (KUF), is a strong supporter of Wike and President Goodluck Jonathan. For many residents of the state, the parley presents more than meets the eye and they reckoned that it is beyond the lame reason given by Wike’s associates in the PDP that it was only a courtesy visit aimed at mobilising and reuniting the party. In the thoughts of pundits, the desperation for 2015 in the state is gradually taking shape and the gladiators are bent on using various means to exert control before and during the election. But the big question is whether going the tortuous road of reinventing the dark days of militancy would be ideal for the Rivers State people? The soft but resonating answer is no.

POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

he pedigree of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) usually comes to fore before, during and after elections both from the populace and the politicians. While some queries into the commission’s modus operandi are done in good faith, others emanate from parochial interest from actors who are desirous of beating the electoral drums. Lately, the commission has been at the receiving end since it became apparent that it won’t be using the Voters’ Card Readers (VCR) to conduct the June 21st and August 9th gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states respectively. According to INEC, it has resolved to introduce Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for the first time in Nigeria’s electoral process during the two governorship elections and it would be overreaching to introduce electronic card readers at the same time with PVCs. Electronic voter card reader is a data input that reads data from a card-shaped storage medium and it is considered as a scientific method of voting in this era of the internet and high technology. The card readers are electronic devices that can read plastic cards embedded with either a barcode, magnetic strip, computer chip or another storage medium. It is assumed that, if installed, it will prevent multiple voting, impersonations, manipulation and concocting of figures during and after election. In sum, the VCR has biometric features, which will check multiple registration and multiple voting, thereby preventing electoral malpractices. Though the commission had acknowledged the acquisition of the VCR last year, it has, however, for the umpteenth time said that Ekiti and Osun elections will not benefit from the card readers expected revolution, stressing that the anticipated trial of the VCR could only be possible in smaller elections before its general adoption for the 2015 election. Speaking with New Telegraph on the position of the commission, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, said against the held view of some stakeholders, the electoral body had never promised to use card readers for the Ekiti and Osun elections but the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) Idowu said INEC decided to use the PVCs in Ekiti and Osun for the first time, noting that the commission can’t test run card readers just at the same time it will be test-running the PVC, adding that,” You can’t put too many iron in the fire at the same time.” “Ekiti and Osun states gubernatorial elections are so contentious that if we use PVC and use card readers at the same time, you will complicate the elections. The commission will still test run card readers in all those smaller by-elections because those once are less contentious and before 2015 we would have perfected the card readers in those smaller elections,” he said. Not bugged by the clarification of INEC, the convener, Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER), Chief Ayo Opadokun told New Telegraph that INEC’s sudden turnaround from the usage of the ‘near perfect machine’ is ominous, adding that the recount of such development is suspicious. Opadokun said: “If the INEC’s turnaround position of not using the Card Reader is allowed to be, it means that the necessary trial runs of the Card Reader in the immediate elections holding in June and August to test the genuiness or the lack of it, the credibility or otherwise of the machine has again been dubiously frustrated. “The non-usage of the Card Reader

Ekiti, Osun polls: INEC in the web of card readers

As the gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun States approach, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is still battling to convince the populace on its decision not to use Voters’ Card Readers (VCR) for the conduct of the polls, writes WALE ELEGBEDE

Fayemi

in Ekiti and Osun states would mean that there will be avoidable floodgate for the usage of cloned voters’ cards for multiple voting and impersonation in several polling units. Such a scenario will most certainly lead to confusion, accusations and possible violence in various polling centres,” he said. In the graphic details of INEC, while distributing the PVCs, Ekiti has 2,195 polling units while Osun State has 3,010 polling units. It noted further that it printed 657,256 permanent voters’ cards for Ekiti, and 1, 256, 569 of same cards for Osun. According to the commission, its dilemma in the ongoing proactive registration revolves around the noncollection of the PVCs, as according to its record, a little over 50 per cent collection by verified holders of the cards has been done. Speaking recently in Lagos, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, lent his voice on the need to use the VCR machine in his state and that of Osun gubernatorial elections, stressing that INEC would not only be encouraged but also be pressured to use the VCR machine to show its commitment to free, fair and credible polls in the two states. Fayemi said: “We will go to any length not only to ensure that the votes of the people count but that the votes must be counted at the spot where they have chosen to elect the leader for themselves and we will do everything to ensure that INEC is forced, not just encouraged to use the card reader for these elections in Ekiti and Osun.”

Aregbesola

How will anyone be able to clone the PVC when INEC has the biometric data? The biometric data is used to produce the PVC and only screened cards that match the biometric would be accredited for election In a similar vein, the South-West Deputy National Chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Mr. Waheed Lawal, said INEC’s decision that card reader machines would not be used for the elections in the two states was not acceptable to the party and the electorate. “We want INEC to reconsider this announcement because with the usage of the card reader machine, the authentic voter card owners can be easily identified. If INEC uses the machine on June 21 election in Ekiti, and detect any minor error, it can correct it during the August 9 Osun election. If any error is also detected during Osun election, this can be corrected before 2015 general elections,” he said. Calling for mutual understanding, however, on the modality to adopt for the elections, the National Coordinator of Rights Monitoring Group (RMG), Comrade Olufemi Aduwo, averred that INEC should be given the privilege of doubt in its decision to conduct the election in its own fa-

miliar path, adding that the problem of the electoral process exceeds usage of card readers alone. He said: “The fear of INEC is that they don’t want to try the card readers now and fail. INEC should not be forced to use what it has not mastered so that it can bear the brunt of its lapses. Let us manage what we have now. I don’t think the card readers can address many of the issues that have bedevilled our electoral system. Many of those complaining about the non-usage of card readers should know that some states in the United States still use manual means of voting.” Already, the commission has debunked allegations that the PVCs are already being cloned by some political parties, saying that INEC has the original biometric data and that the PVC is sealed proof. Idowu said: “How will anyone be able to clone the PVC when INEC has the biometric data. The biometric data is used to produce the PVC and only screened cards that match the biometric would be accredited for election. “Politicians can allege whatever they want to allege but INEC’s PVC can’t be cloned because the PVC has biometric chip that contains data of every voter including their pictures and finger-prints. If you are cloning the PVC, that means you also need to clone the fingerprint of the voter.” As it stands, if INEC sticks with its decision not to use card readers for the elections, some parties and their candidates already have a ground to explain their misfortune during the poll. As the reservations, distrusts and suspicions persist, only time will tell if INEC would shift from its standpoint.

16 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Mimiko, Daniel lead onslaught against Amosun Ahead of the 2015 general elections, the Labour Party (LP) in Ogun State seems to be putting its house in order as rival factions in the party recently forged reconciliation amid pomp and ceremony writes KUNLE OLAYENI

he once troubled Labour Party (LP) in Ogun State appears to have gotten its groove back. Penultimate Saturday, warring factions in the party made a public show of their reconciliation and demonstrated their resolve to reposition the LP for victory in the 2015 general elections. It was at the commissioning of the party’s state secretariat in Onikolobo area of Abeokuta, the state capital. The carnival-like event had all the trappings of political theatrics. The crowd was massive. From the 236 wards spanning across the 20 local government areas of the state, party faithful thronged the venue apparently to make a bold statement: that LP is the party to beat at the next poll. In attendance at the ceremony were Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Sarafa Isola; LP National Chairman, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, and five members of the state House of Assembly, including John Obafemi, Remmy Hazzan, Joseph Adegbesan, Obafemi Olowo-Oloja and Salmon Adeleke. Other prominent political figures were the former governorship candidate of Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), Gboyega Isiaka, former Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Sina Kawonise; Chief Sule Onabiyi, Chief Kolapo Ogunjobi, Chief Tunde Alabi, Mrs. Iyabo Apampa, Chief Bisiriyu Popoola, Hon. Tomi Soboyejo and Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu. Aspirants to various elective positions and their supporters also added glamour to the commissioning as they donned colourful branded T-shirts and chanted different solidarity songs to the delight of dignitaries. Musicians were also on the bandstand. For about 10 hours, the LP literally shut down Abeokuta as the road leading to its secretariat became impassable due to heavy crowd presence. Highpoint of the event was the reconciliation between two factions battling for the control of the state chapter of LP. The Comrade Niyi Osoba-led State Executive Committee of the party and aggrieved leaders of the faction led by pioneer chairman of LP in the state, Comrade Olabode Simeon, openly embraced each other. Simeon, who was hitherto suspended for anti-party activities by the LP national secretariat, had consistently kicked against the incursion of Daniel and his loyalists into the party. He had even dragged the former governor and some governorship aspirants to court in a bid to wrest the party structures. But on May 17, it appeared the factional tussle was over. In his address, Nwanyanwu, who was accompanied by other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), said the LP is one indivisible party in the state. The national chairman said the essence of the event was to demonstrate unity and sense of purpose. “The reason why we are here today is to let you know that Labour Party is one. Some people are not comfortable; they want to foment trouble because they know that come next year, Labour Party is the party to beat. We are going to work hard to get to Government House,” he added.

L-R: National Chairman, Labour Party, Dan Nwanyawu; Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; former Ogun State governor/State Leader, Labour Party, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and Chairman, Ogun State Labour Party, Comrade Niyi Osoba at a rally in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Simeon, accompanied by Sunday Oginni and Abayomi Arabambi, factional secretary and financial secretary respectively, declared that “there is no more conflict. The Labour Party in Ogun State is now one. No more faction.” Corroborating the pioneer LP chairman, Oginni said, in his remarks, that the ouster of incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun is the project every party member should pursue. “Amosun must go is the project; therefore, there must be no division,” he added. Arabambi used the occasion to commend Daniel and another chieftain, Otunba Olumide Osunsina, for rendering invaluable support to Labour Party. He restated the need for party members to work together towards installing LP in government. The state LP Chairman, Osoba, expressed satisfaction with the turnout, saying a dawn of new era had beckoned in the Gateway State. Osoba, who emerged chairman at a state congress conducted in March, urged party members to unite and mobilise more people to join LP. Addressing thousands of LP members, however, Daniel who ruled the state on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 2003 and 2011 threw verbal jabs at his successor. He accused Amosun of piling debts for the state under the guise of road construction and urban renewal. The former governor said the state government had not been prudent in its spending on capital projects contrary to its posturing. He compared the cost of some roads – Lalubu road, AbeokutaSiun-Sagamu expressway and IlishanAgo Iwoye road – constructed by his administration with those being built by Amosun and contended that the state government had inflated contracts for its road construction. But in a swift reaction, Amosun described his predecessor as “mischievous.” He said Daniel was merely trying to justify his failure to execute any tangible project in the state in the eight years that he was governor while the state lost billions of naira. Daniel said: “This is the first time that I’m appearing in a political environment and speaking since 2011. But I’m very happy. I want to tell you that we are on the right track. You might have heard lots of speculation but we thank God that you have seen the truth. Is there any party left in Ogun State? I, Ogidi Omo, am telling you that Labour Party is the way to good governance. “But I want to tell you some things. You will recall that we constructed several

There is nothing wrong with beautification of environment and to renew our cities... But if in the process of urban renewal, you destroy people’s property and means of livelihood without providing them with alternatives, it shows you are insensitive roads during my tenure. When you were coming, you passed through Lalubu road. That Lalubu road has three lanes on each side, making it six lanes; we constructed drainages on both sides and walkways. That road was commissioned in 2008 and as I’m talking, there is no single pothole on the road. We spent about N100 million per kilometre on that road. “The road constructed (by Amosun) to this place is beautiful. However, the most confounding thing is that from the Lalubu roundabout where a flyover was constructed to this place where the road stretches is said to have been constructed at N800 million per kilometre. Those in the House of Assembly told me that after the government charged N800 million per kilometre, they later reviewed the cost and have now charged N1.3 billion per kilometre.” The former governor wondered how Amosun could construct a pedestrian bridge at Oke-Sokori area of Abeokuta at the sum of N260 million. He noted that a pedestrian bridge constructed by his administration within the State Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta in 2010 cost less than N50 million. He added that his own pedestrian bridge was three times the size of the one Amosun built. Daniel said his regime constructed the Abeokuta-Siun-Sagamu expressway with N1.9 billion. The cost, according to him, covered the street lights installation, median and compensation and resettlement of people whose houses were demolished. He alleged that Amosun had concluded plan to award contract for the expansion of the expressway at the cost of N60 billion. The ex-governor also stated that the Ilishan-Ago Iwoye road which required

about N300 million for completion when he left office had been allegedly re-awarded at the cost of N11 billion by the state government. “Don’t misconstrue me; I’m not saying road construction is bad but these roads and the attendant huge debts may be paid by our unborn generations. The reason why I spoke about road is that there have been so much noise about road construction by this government but the reason behind the concentration on roads is all I’ve explained to you,” he added. Daniel also described the employment generation of the state government as a ruse. He wondered why Amosun sacked some 3,000 workers employed at the twilight of the last administration and later decided to recruit about 5,000 into civil service. He, however, declared that all those unjustly sacked would be re-engaged once the Labour Party captures power in 2015. Daniel also took a swipe at the state government’s reversal of the decision to hand over some schools to missionaries and their original owners. He further berated the government for allegedly playing politics with the issue of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun but expressed relief that Amosun had soft-pedalled on moves to scrap the institution. When he spoke, Mimiko declared that the era of factionalisation had ended in the state chapter of LP. The Ondo State governor, who earlier conferred with the Simeon-led faction at its secretariat located in Adatan, Abeokuta, said all party members have agreed to work in harmony to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the state. Mimiko said the policies and programmes of APC governments in the South-West were alien to real progressives’ party. He submitted that APC governors in the zone are ajeles (district officers). He, therefore, restated the determination of his party to wrest power from APC in the zone in 2015. He said: “Many people do not know the difference between Labour Party and other parties. Many governors are constructing roads but the cost of construction is different. There is nothing wrong with beautification of environment and to renew our cities. When the cities are renewed and functional, they will attract businesses. “But if in the process of urban renewal, you destroy people’s property and means of livelihood without providing them with alternatives, it shows you are insensitive and not committed to the welfare of the people. All this elitist urban renewal must stop in Ogun State. CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

POLITICS 17

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Abba

Eze

Nebo

Enugu: Rage over voters’ register CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

the PDP which he said has been the sole beneficiary of the instrumentality of power should seek to drag INEC to court on an error perpetuated by it; Nwoye recalled how PDP perfected the art of rigging by other means. The APC chairman, who contested the Enugu East senatorial seat in the 2011 election stated: “In 2011, the PDP benefited from massive rigging; it encouraged double registration by inviting people living outside Enugu State to come back and register. Those people went back to their residences to register again. The PDP never understood biometrics and they have caused us this harm; or does Vita Abba want INEC to use analogue voters’ register? They (PDP) connived and had multiple registrations and now they are crying wolf.” He buttressed his claims by citing the case of his Amuri ward in Nkanu West Local Government where he said the two polling units affected by the deregistration were units dominated by the PDP. Absolving INEC of any wrong doing, Nwoye added: “We now have a most credible INEC; PDP are the poll fraudsters. Vita Abba should understand it is not about PDP and I wonder why they should insinuate that Senator Ike Ekweremadu was responsible for the error. They are like people who cheated in a school certificate examination, who unfortunately will have to live with the effect of malpractice.” The Enugu APC chairman disclosed that his party has begun a programme of sensitising its faithful affected in de-registration to go for the fresh registration. He however appealed to INEC to consider extending the number of days slated for the revision of the voters’ register. Meanwhile, passions were inflamed when the State House of Assembly sought to debate a motion pertaining to the voters’ register issue. In the motion jointly sponsored by the member representing Igboetiti West State Constituency, Hon. Okechukwu Nwoke and six others, the House resolved to direct INEC to have recourse to its backup or hardcopy resource pool. Alternatively, the House said INEC could request sister agencies like the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) to assist it retrieve the data, assuming it was lost. INEC was also expected to revert to the established registration as applied in the 2011 general elections in Enugu State, especially concerning

We now have a most credible INEC; PDP are the poll fraudsters. Vita Abba should understand it is not about PDP and I wonder why they should insinuate that Senator Ike Ekweremadu was responsible for the error the affected local government areas. Piqued by the loss of 40 per cent of registered voters in the state, the Assembly also resolved that if the 621 polling units recorded with zero registration units are not corrected on or before May 27, 2014; it would drag INEC to court in search for appropriate redress. It also enjoined INEC to do away with the idea of asking rural dwellers to tender proper identity cards before they could stand for re-registration even as it directed the electoral body to “tender unreserved apology to the affected local government areas for the unwarranted socio-political and psychological trauma caused those involved.” While asking it to take full responsibility for the financial implications of the exercise and pay damages in monetary terms, the Assembly re-

Nwoye

solved that as a matter of exigency, INEC should extend the duration for revision of the voters’ register from five days to a period not shorter than one month. The Enugu lawmakers in one voice urged Chime to send a high powered delegation to Jega, and tender a formal complaint on “the disfranchisement of more than 40 per cent of electorate in the state and explore avenues to arrive at possible solutions.”

Highlights 40 per cent electorate’s names missing No of polling booths = 2,940 Missing polling booths = 621 Some missing names Governor Sullivan Chime Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo Mr. Eugene Odoh =Speaker of the State House of Assembly PDP state chairman = Vita Abba Ayogu Eze = Chairman, Senate Committee on Works Members of the House of Representatives

Earlier in his remarks before the resolutions were reached, the Speaker, Odoh, expressed dismay that the anomalies in the voters’ register have tended to create a big room for suspicion. He described as flimsy, INEC’s reasons for the errors. “Some private organisations have already documented the entire voters’ register and I saw my name there on the internet. But now, INEC said my name is missing; INEC should be sincere, we won’t mock INEC but it should give better reasons,” he exclaimed. The issue of clean and reliable voters’ register has of late dominated public discourse. Not long ago, INEC National Commissioner in charge of Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states, Mr. Ismael Igbani, noted that a credible voters’ register was the harbinger of credible elections in the country. Igbani warned those who indulge in multiple registrations to desist from the act, hinting that such transgressors would be prosecuted in line with the Electoral Act. Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Igbani said during the register optimisation process by INEC, “it was discovered that no fewer than 870,000 persons indulged in multiple registration in the country.” He indicated that some Nigerians out of overzealousness registered more than once, stressing that though “sometimes, it is not their faults; sometimes, it is and some other times, it is the fault of the machine.” He urged Nigerians, particularly those who do not have the permanent voters’ cards and those who have turned 18 after the last exercise to register, maintaining that credible registration was a requirement for a credible election. Igbani added that those who did not have their Permanent Voters’ Cards would not be allowed to vote in 2015. Whichever way the argument turns, the need for a credible voters’ register cannot be overemphasised. Politicians and INEC officials will do the cause of credible election much good if they join hands to enlighten the people on the crucial importance of registering for election but ensuring that they register just once. There are other challenges to the provision of credible register of voters including those related to the trade of voters’ cards during elections and sponsorship of ghost registration. Eliminating these challenges could only come by if the present buck passing is eschewed by the critical stakeholders.

18 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Burden of Ohakim’s governorship bid STEVE UZOECHI takes a look at the governorship ambition of former Imo State Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim and the suspension of his declaration as a result of the fire incident that gutted his residence

t is no longer news that former Governor Ikedi Ohakim’s home in Owerri was recently razed to the ground. What most people outside mainstream politics in Imo may not know is the fact that Ohakim’s house was razed two days after his camp indicated that the former governor may join the Imo governorship race and two days to the scheduled date for his formal declaration of his aspiration. The act and the controversy that trailed it have inadvertently garnered sufficient political capital for Ohakim. The incident has triggered tremendous public sympathy for the former governor while a handful of people also believe that it may not be entirely right to rule out the possibilities of politicians deploying some political stunts to gain mileage. Having stayed away from the political scene for nearly four years, Ohakim may have found the veritable springboard to jump-start his bid for the governorship seat of Imo State. The outpouring of emotions in his favour was so much that the surge at his country home at Okohia, Isiala Mbano, compelled him to call off his declaration which he had earlier maintained must go on in spite of the tragedy. Regardless of the sentiments swelling in Ohakim’s favour, it is a simple truth that the journey to the Imo Douglas House cannot be won via a ‘pity party’ but through a dogged, well strategised quest for power. In spite of the nearly 25 governorship aspirants contesting to be the flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ohakim is expected to bring some witty initiatives to the race. Apparently, his entrance into the race and the crowd of governorship aspirants under the PDP platform strengthen insinuations that the PDP in Abuja may be hell bent on recapturing Imo State which is presently an All Progressives Congress (APC) state. Consequently, there is the belief among aspirants on the PDP platform that whoever bags the party’s ticket automatically has the backing of the presidency and powerful stakeholders of the ruling party to dislodge the incumbent Rochas Okorocha. The entry of Ohakim into the governorship race therefore has raised questions of the former governor being the face of the Presidency in the Imo governorship polls, owing to his relationship with the national leadership of the party. A near similar scenario played out in Ekiti State where despite the influx of governorship aspirants, the party’s ticket was given to Ayo Fayose, a former governor of the state who joined the gubernatorial contest barely a month to Ekiti PDP primaries. With this perception, Ohakim’s entrance into Imo governorship race portends far-reaching political implications for the PDP in Imo State and also to the former governor whose political structure would yet again be put to test. Ohakim’s test would start with his ability to fix the cracks in his political structure and the bridging of political gaps occasioned by the misadventure of 2011. Intra party politics in Imo PDP has always been an issue and may be Oha-

kim’s major challenge. In his time as governor, he did not do much to foster intra party democracy and discipline as many party members still remember the Ohakim ‘template system’ which translated to brazen imposition of candidates for elective positions and this to a large extent contributed to the PDP losing Imo in 2011. These factors are further fuelled by the fact that the present PDP leadership in the state may not be favourably disposed towards automatically handing over the party’s flag to him, as there may have been some unspoken consensus among party members to such extent that the concept of recycling same candidates for positions of authority has become an old jingle that will not entice many party members anymore. This is because the party now seem better disposed to some aspirants who are believed to have been victims of injustice in the party and deserve compensation. Barrister Humphrey Anumudu and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume belong to this category. Anumudu from Imo East won the PDP governorship ticket in 1999 but was prevailed upon to drop the baton for Achike Udenwa from Imo West by the leadership of the party in line with the Imo Charter of Equity, an unsigned agreement for power sharing among the three zones in the state. For Araraume, he was a victim of political conspiracy and his plight became one of the worst expressions of the demerits of lack of intra party democracy. In 2007, he was denied the PDP gover-

Ohakim’s test would start with his ability to fix the cracks in his political structure and the bridging of political gaps occasioned by the misadventure of 2011

Ohakim

norship ticket for reasons best known to the party’s hierarchy and when he eventually secured his ticket through the court, the party still went ahead to announce that he was not their candidate. The PDP grounded Araraume’s governorship bid by declaring and supporting the candidate of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA), Ohakim, who eventually emerged governor at the expense of Araraume. Beside these, the widespread claim that the governorship seat has been zoned to Imo East and with over 14 governorship aspirants from the zone already in the race with the seeming unified agenda and conviction that power must shift to Imo East, Ohakim may have a Herculean task securing the mandate of his party. Such contenders as Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; President, Pan African Parliament, Hon. Bethel Amadi, and Senator Chris Anyanwu are the calibre of aspirants from Imo East and would take more than sentiments to dislodge.

While a lot of people view Ohakim’s aspiration as formidable, party leaders still have many unanswered questions coursing through their minds. Can the party afford to gamble with the party’s chances at the polls by fielding the same candidate who was literally humiliated out of office in 2011? Would Ohakim be ripe to fly the PDP flag again only four years after Okorocha showed him the gates? Would it not be right to just allow time to cover the tracks of the past before bidding for the same seat he lost as an incumbent governor? In spite of all these, analysts believe that the electorate are fickle when it comes to votes. It is also believed that more people vote based on sentiments than well premised reasoning. In which case, Ohakim’s good-natured aura, finesse and style when complimented with the unsung merits of his administration and the massive sympathy generated by the act of arson against him, may at least chart an in-road for the former governor in his bid for his party’s ticket.

Mimiko, Daniel lead onslaught against Amosun

CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 6

“Government is about choices. Are you making your choices because of the masses? Are you making choices because of the elite? Or are you making choices because of some people who are not in government but are also in government? Obafemi Awolowo gave us free education. The greatest legacy in South West today is that at a point in time, somebody took a decision to make education accessible to anybody irrespective of the circumstances of his birth. We are different from PDP and APC because we have ideological focus.” But Amosun, in a statement issued by his Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, faulted the comments by Daniel and Mimiko. He said: “In some more developed democracy where the machinery of justice move swiftly, Mr. Daniel will not be in a position to be grandstanding and making empty claims. He should be ashamed that in his lifetime, what he failed to achieve as governor is now being accomplished with ease. “He was talking of roads being constructed at high cost. We say it with all sense of responsibility that contracts in today’s Ogun State are being awarded at the best possible cost in the country and

ours is an administration that is extremely frugal with the resources of the state. “Mr. Daniel thought he was being smart and playing to the gallery when he was reeling out false figures about the cost of road projects during his tenure and now. We challenge him to mention which of the road projects he constructed could match what we now have across the state.” Amosun also challenged Daniel to provide concrete evidence on the contracts whose cost he believed were inflated and that he would get appropriate response. According to him, Daniel was forced to be making the false claims because he needed to explain and justify why for eight years he left major roads in the state unattended to. He said: “One of the neglected roads by his administration is the Ojere-Onikolobo road on which the secretariat of his faction of Labour Party is now located. The allegation of throwing the state into debt is not only an old one but is unfounded. The House of Assembly investigated it and found out it is baseless. “In any case, the executive in today’s Ogun State cannot take any loan without recourse to the House. The massive construction work going on across Ogun State is surprising to Daniel and his ilk and the only conclusion they

have reached is that the state must be accessing some secret funds. Our debt portfolio is an open one and the figures are already in public domain.” While commenting on Mimiko’s statement, the government expressed surprise at the manner the governor wanted to play politics and say something to please his host. He said: “What does Mimiko know about the wishes and aspiration of the good people of Ogun State? What is elitist in having modern roads in a state with sophisticated people like Ogun State? If he is looking for a place to extend the reach of his bat-like party, he should go to another place. “Our people are happy that the present urban renewal programme in the state will lift the infrastructure from the ancient state it has been since the creation of Ogun State in 1976. The Ondo State governor should stop making comments that are unbecoming of the position he occupies.” From all indications, the last has not been heard between Amosun and Daniel. With about nine months to the general elections, observers are of the opinion that more altercations and political jibes would occur between the APC-led state government and opposition LP.

EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

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

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

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

TUESday, MAY 27, 2014

In the best interest of our children

his year’s Children’s Day, marked against the background of the over 300 schoolgirls abducted 43 days ago from Chibok, should not be another speech-making, march parade day. For once, meaningful attempt should be made to assess the various challenges frontally confronting our children. If, indeed, these children are the leaders of tomorrow. Nigeria must commence a programme of concrete action on education, health, welfare and overall well-being of children to prepare them, both in mind and body, for the challenge of tomorrow’s leadership. The Nigerian child is faced with a number of recurring problems. These include poverty, social inequality, failed educational system, family problems, peer pressure, social and religious conflicts in which children are used as foot soldiers, or even domestic servants, street urchins, sex slaves etc. In 2003, Nigeria adopted the Child Rights Act to domesticate the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Although this law was passed at the Federal level, it is only effective if State Assemblies also enact it. To date, only 26 of the country’s 36 States have passed the Act. Intense advocacy continues for the other 10

According to UNESCO figures, about 10.5 million Nigerian school age children are presently out of school. The Nigerian child is also subjected to physical violence and rape. Every day in Nigeria, physical and sexual abuse, torture and maltreatment are perpetrated against the child by parents, guardians and other adults who should be custodians of that child States to pass it. Furthermore, the most recent report to the African Union on the rights and welfare of the Nigerian child showed that about 6,000 children are in prison and detention centres across the country. Girls make up less than 10 per cent and they mainly come into contact with the law as a result of criminal acts committed against them such as rape, sexual exploitation and trafficking. The Nigerian Child is at the lowest rung of the ladder in all human development index reports. According to UNESCO fig-

ures, about 10.5 million Nigerian school age children are presently out of school. The Nigerian child is also subjected to physical violence and rape. Every day in Nigeria, physical and sexual abuse, torture and maltreatment are perpetrated against the child by parents, guardians and other adults who should be custodians of that child. Reported cases of sexual abuse of minors have also increased in recent times. Infant mortality rate and other health issues have placed the Nigerian children in a precarious position. A recent report confirmed that four out of every 10 children born in Nigeria may not live up to the age of five. The Millennium Development Education for All Project mandates all state parties to educate all their school age children by 2015. It is now officially clear that our country will not meet the target. This is in spite of huge resources committed to basic education in the last 14 years. It is indeed shameful that countries with less resources such as Benin and Togo have met the target already. The Nigerian government must take the issue of abuse seriously. Lawmakers at the federal and state levels should strengthen existing regulations that protect Nigerian children. The government must as a matter of urgency

continue to widen access to basic education for school age children. The provision of affordable health care will reduce infant mortality rate. Aside from the 26 states that have passed the Child Rights Act, other states, especially in the North, should muster the political will to domesticate the act. Violence against children has no place in a decent society. The fate of the Chibok girls is a nation’s open sore. No amount of buck-passing will bring the girls back. Rather, the insurgents’ prisons-swap offer. Even France has been known to negotiate with captors of her citizens for their safe release. The government owes it as a duty to always protect its citizens under whatever circumstances or situations. These girls are in grave danger and they are minors. Thus government’s must do everything within its powers to rescue these girls and bring them back home. This is one way the children’s day celebration today can at least have some meaning to the children and the generality of the people. The government must get these girls out today and any obstruction to the realization of this objective must be effectively neutralized. It is hoped that this issue would not further degenerate and continue to make us a global showcase of ineptitude. GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief IKE ABONYI Deputy Managing Director/DEIC FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Managing Editor, South SULEIMAN BISALLA Managing Editor, North YEMI AJAYI Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board GEOFFREY EKENNA News Editor PADE OLAPOJU Production Editor TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

OPINION By your name… Emeka Aroh

here was a time the best of us shed their English (Christian) names like the vestiges of the shackles of slavery, on their return from the United States of America and Europe. Taking up their indigenous names became a powerful statement that kick-started their struggle to wrestle the reins of government from the colonial masters. By acknowledging their so-called ‘animist’, ‘heathen’ names, they came to grips with their true identity as a people. Mr. Benjamin became Nnamdi Azikiwe, Mr. Jeremiah became Obafemi Awolowo. Albert disappeared from Chinualumogu (Chinua) Achebe’s name; the George in Kofi Awoonor. as well as the Christina in Ama Ata Aidoo. Then came fire brands like Mbonu Ojike, Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka, Chiweize Ibekwe and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. They did not bother for Christian middle names. Their names: Soyinka, Chiweizu, Ojukwu, said it all. Their names became flags with distinctive national colors that put Nigeria and its peoples on the psyche of the intellectual world. After independence, rut set in, even before the stay-at-home divided the spoils of war. In so doing, we collectively took our eyes off the prize! Today, many are ashamed to be identified by their ingenious names. Young Africans, particularly Nigerians, are dropping their traditional names, and taking up weird English/foreign names (or words) with alarming speed. The worst part of this sad phenomenon is the nonsense they call/ name themselves and their children to the detriment of their future.TheytakeupnameslikeCrixtufer,Lemonjello,Jahquil, Malaria,Filaria,Totatiana,Snake,Worm,Diablo!Theybelieve these names to be ‘cool’ or ‘trendy,’ similar to the Chinese tattoos they diminish their self-worth with at their teens, only to spend thousands later trying to laser off: a self-destructive act

that eventually drag so many under, regardless of the repeated attempts they make like Sisyphus to climb up the American socio-economic ladder. Nameshavemeaning;or,shouldhavemeaning,significance, purposeorstory.WesociallycondemnnameslikeJudas,Lucifer, Jezebel, Hitler, Cain because of the burden of the heinous history they are associated with; thus, refuse to damage ourselves or children with such names. Informed people reach deep to selecttheirnames.Samuel,becauseGodhasheardone’sprayers. Kashimawo, for the painful experiences of losing so many children, so a family waits to see the faith of a particular child, as in thecaseof M.K.O.Abiola.ChildrenaregiftsfromGod,Nkechi, orblessing,Ngozi.Namesprojectwishesandprayersforaloved one.Itisaproclamationof thingstocomelikeAbraham(Father of Multitude) and Ozomena (Never again). One’s name is like the title of the book of one’s life; as such, one must choose well whattocalloneself toshineoutwithdepthandrespect.Byyour name you will be judged (fairly or unfairly) in the recesses of prejudiced minds before you get a chance to defend yourself. Inaworldwithlimitedopportunities;whereracismortribalism is publicly disavowed, but constantly in overdrive, looking in through all application forms (school admission, employment, housing, contracts…) to pluck out the ‘undeserving,’ it is suicidal not to put one’s best foot forward. This includes the names we bear or give to our children; a name that unwittingly attributes the qualities and identity of Isaac on Ishmael or vice versa in the wrong place. A world that zip codes determine the school and quality of education children receive demands that as parents we are extremely mindful of the names we give to our children. Names are powerful. Names matter! It is the force of one’s personality, signifying substance, or ‘trouble.’ We must act like the concerned neighbors in Luke 1: 61, and speak up to protect our innocent children from the exuberant excesses of ignorant parents who choose vain and damaging names for their helpless children. As a young soldier in a seedy bar in Bamberg, Germany,

dancing to the best of Kisses From a Rose, I tried desperately over loud speakers to convince my buddies that Seal was Nigerian. I longed for a moment to share the glory of a fellow country man, but Seal, by his adopted name, effectively separated Nigeria from his stage-persona. What a missed opportunity! I wanted to use his name, Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel, to erase some of the muck hipped on every Nigerian in Diaspora by Nigerian fraudsters, but failed, as I was unable to quickly connecthisnametomypeopleandcountry.Iwantedtowavehis namelikeSadeAdu,FelaAnikulapo-Kuti,AkeemOlajuwon,or J.J. Okocha in the minds of inebriate soldiers. This experience brought to mind that as a child living in Ajegunle, I thought the roadtoHollywoodwentthroughIndia’sBollywood;allbecause of Amitabh Bachchan! In my impressionable mind, India was wheretheactionwas.IlookedforwardtogoingtoIndiasomeday as many dream to see Las Vegas. More recently, I tried to show off another Nigerian on CNN, who was reporting from Abuja on the idiocy and pain inflicted on Nigerians by the Boko Haram sect, but like Seal, I could not convince my informed audience (a classroom filled with graduate students) that Zain Ashe was a Nigerian, talk less of Igbo. I wondered agonizingly the rationale for changing one’s name; for taking up sterile names bereft of origin and heritage. I scratched my head over and over to understand where the complex came from amongst a once very proud people and nation. Has the situation at home mushroomed so far and for so long that we subconsciously try to disassociate ourselves from our people and country? …If Femi Oke (Nigerian), Isha Sesay (Sierra Leonean), Fareed Zakaria (Indian American), and Sanjay Gupta (Indian-American) can make it to the top at CNN, and Sade Adu, Fela Anikulakpo-Kuti, Akeem Olajuwon, Soyinka, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie can face the world as Nigerians, there is no fathomable reason for the rest of us to think any name is better than an indigenous name. •Aroh (arohpe66@hotmail.com) Ohio, USA.

WEFA, Boko Haram and Jonathan Johnson Momodu

few days before the World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA) was to begin in Abuja,the terrorist group, Boko Haram, launched a second deadly bomb attack within two weeks in Nyanya, an outlying district of the nation’s capital. The group also abductedwell over two hundred girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. Following these two acts of terror, there was an escalation of the rhetoric in certain quarters that Nigeria is unsafe and as such WEFA should be cancelled. To his credit, President Goodluck Jonathan stood his ground and went ahead with the conference. And, despite the attempt by some unpatriotic elements to create the impression that all hell has broken loose in Nigeria, “over 1,200 delegates,” as reported by the New Telegraph, “paid their way to participate at the three-day meetings, which brought together all key players in different sectors of global economy.” In a Business/Economy feature titled ‘WEFA 2014: A success beyond measure’, which was published on Monday, May 12, 2014, the New Telegraph also reported that delegates came “From China to India, Britain, Germany, the United States of America, Brazil, South Africa and Kenya to mention

but a few.” According to the newspaper, besides Jonathan, “a group of 11 other African Heads of state and government” attended WEFA, as did Li Keqiang, Premier of the People’s Republic of China, former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown and former Brazilian President, Lula Da Silva. The importance of the presence of such eminent global personalities at WEFA cannot be overstated. Despite its insurgency against the Nigerian state, Boko Haram failed woefully in scaring away key decision-makers and potential investors from the country. Indeed, with the upswing of support for Nigeria through the #BringBackOurGirls movement across the globe, it is only a matter of time before the last is heard of the terrorist group. Moreover, in spite of the terrorist attacks by Boko Haram and verbal attacks by detractors who are forever unwilling to admit that any progress is being made by the present government, the success of WEFA is a clear vote of confidence on the transformation being carried out by the Jonathan-led administration. As Vanguard columnist Femi Aribisala commented recently, “The Nigerian government did not fool the world into having the WEF (World Economic Forum) in Abuja. It took place here because Nigeria is by all accounts an emerging frontier market in the world economy.”

The greatest proof of the world’s confidence in Nigeria’s emerging economy, as announced by Phillip Rosler, Managing Director of WEF, is the securing of $68billion worth of investment commitments for the whole of Africa at the Abuja WEFA event. As Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, encompassing a re-emerging middle-class with a potential purchasing power that cannot be matched by any other country on the continent, it is only natural to expect that a reasonable chunk of those $68billion investments will be located in Nigeria. After all, logic dictates that investors plough their money into economies where there will be ample opportunities to reap worthwhile profits. And with the globally unmatched success rate enjoyed by foreign telecommunications companies that invested in Nigeria, the country has proven itself to be an economic market with bountiful rewards for investors. Even without the breakdown of which country gets what out of the $68billion investment commitments, the New Telegraph further reported that WEFA was also the scene for the announcement of a “$20 million Preventable Child-Maternal Death partnership between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Federal Ministry of Health and GE Healthcare, one of the foremost global firms in

healthcare technology.” Furthermore, with “over $700 million to further drive and deepen immunization activities on the African continent by the African Union led by Paul Kagame of Rwanda as well as the development of a new Biomedical Equipment Technician Training (BMET) project in Nigeria by the GE Foundation in collaboration with the Developing World Healthcare Technology Laboratory at Duke University and Engineering,” it is easy to see why theNew Telegraph tagged WEFA “A success beyond measure.” It is evident from the success of WEFA that the global economic community clearly desire that Jonathan should continue with the transformation processes he has begun in the country. Within Nigeria itself, even some erstwhile critics of the President, among themFemi Aribisala, have conceded that Jonathan “is by no means the worst president Nigeria has ever seen. As a matter of fact, he is one of the better ones.” An example that is worth mentioning here is the unbundling and privatisation of PHCN, one of Jonathan’s transformation processes, which has been lauded as one of the best policies ever initiated by government in the interest of all Nigerians since it will unlock the creative and entrepreneurial skills of millions of Nigerians. • Momodu contributed this piece from Benin City.

OPINION 21

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Fate of women and children in North East crises (1) Nkechi Odinukwe

s a woman and mother, I have had a lot on my mind regarding recent political and terror events within the only country I call home. To say I am deeply disturbed with events in the north eastern part of the country would be an understatement. The depth of my worry deepened to a point that I confided in a close colleague who told me I was making too much out of a not too dire situation – ‘nothing will happen,’ he said. ‘Things are under control and insecurity can never get too bad to affect Abuja’. Yet even with his reassurances, I worried more because my late mother had recounted tales of the Nigerian civil war to me and repeatedly stressed that terror driven crises was something no woman should ever pray to experience; I worried because as a mother of four underage children I wanted my family safe. Recently I had cause to travel to another region of Africa and of course I had to file for visa. I quickly processed my application and headed to the application office to submit. Was I not surprised, when I got to the center as early as 10am but was told that I had to come the next day as they had already collected the maximum quota of applications for the day. Then I asked… what is this quota that has already been filled by 10am? I was amazed to learn that over a hundred applications had already been received. Disappointed, I went back to the office but not before learning from a visa tout (if I am allowed to call them that) that I needed to be at the submission center as early as 5.30am, the next day, if I wanted to submit my application. Denying sleep the next morning, I rushed back to the center the following day and could not believe my eyes when I saw that as early as 5.30am, I was number ‘88’ on the list. If my story ended with the list, it would not

have been so bad except that I had to shove and be shoved by fellow Nigerians as we struggled to get ourselves into the inner offices of the visa processing center – two lists eventually emerged amidst a lot of quarrel and near fistfights over list legitimacy. That was when I asked myself and also to the hearing of two ladies beside me ‘What was so special about this country that my Nigerian brothers would be shoving and fighting each other to submit an application that may eventually be denied? What was different from this country and my own, after all, it’s still in this continent ? Why would our young men be interested in immigrating in droves to this unknown land where I am sure, there would not be enough jobs for state nationals, to talk about left over jobs for immigrants? Nobody could answer me but I think I actually got my answer a few weeks later. The visa process took longer than was considered reasonable but I made the trip; now reliving the ‘first impression experience’. My Nigerian patriotic spirit took it’s first knock at the other country’s airport. I was surprised to see that things were not only working but working like other countries I had visited in Europe. Second knock came as I traveled through the major cities and compared the roads and infrastructure to my country’s. What made it worse was that whenever I mentioned I was from Nigeria, people painted a picture of a country with the fastest growing economy and all the great stories that go with it. With so many Nigerians living there, I was deeply excited and looked forward to encountering a brother or sister on the street. Luck shined on me a few days into my trip when I bumped into three young boys on the streets. We got talking on how they were surviving and what jobs they were doing. I was not surprised to hear that they were hawking on the streets but what made the discussion insightful for me was the

heights my brothers could go just to get away from the hopelessness pervading our country. I was truly disturbed to hear from one of them that he lied to obtain refugee status in order to roam the streets and sell few pairs of winter boots he had in his backpack. Every encouragement from me that home may be better than living under temporary refugee status was vehemently opposed. In the young man’s words, ‘Auntie, naija is hard and too difficult to survive in for young people abeg– no jobs, no amenities, no security, no hope’ It was in this country that I woke one morning to hear that several people had lost their lives in the Nyanya Bus station bombing. Frantically trying to check on family and friends back home, I quickly realized that my brother from Nigeria was right when he said it was too difficult to survive in this country. Memory flashes reminded me of all conversations i have held in the past with friends and colleagues about developing events; vivid conversations about how the capital city and environs were highly fortified raced through my mind and reality turned my bones to marshmallow. It dawned on me that no part of Nigeria could be considered safe anymore because if you were not dealing with gboko haram, it had to be armed robbery or kidnapping. I prayed and cried for people whose lives were caught short so abruptly. I grieved for a country with unsteady gait. Then the nightmares truly began. I woke up the next day after the bombing to learn that over 200 school girls had been abducted from their school in Bornu State. The mother in me broke apart here. I lived the mother’s eye of terror asking again and again – what horrors will the innocent girls go through? What pain and emotional agony will their parents know until they are brought safely home? • Nkechi Odinukwe is a legal practitioner and gender activist, based in Abuja

Chibok: Much ado about a phantom visit

Hamisu Abubakar

n security matters, it is difficult to describe a planned event as phantom, because the men who create the events are likely to un-create it and put the uninitiated in a state of doubt, as it was in the much reported planned trip of President Goodluck Jonathan to Chibok. When it was first announced, and observers and commentators gullibly swallowed the bait, forgetting that official visits are usually confirmed by presidential spokesmen, it should have been obvious that something was amiss; more so when the spokesman to the President, Reuben Abati, announced a visit to Paris earlier than the rumours of the Chibok visit began. Pained that what was considered a news break was nothing other than an unconfirmed report which did not take place, journalists, observers, and commentators, as well as the irascible All Progressives Congress (APC) went to town seeking to knife the image of the President. Even if there was such a trip in the first place, was it not the prerogative of the organisers to cancel since it was not officially announced? So, why the ballyhoo? All the noise is just part of the same grand design to make the government look incompetent by lazy thinkers whose stock in trade is mischief. The APC statement showed a lack of

depth about the workings of government at the highest level. Being local champions in the troubled South-West region of the country is not the same as running Nigeria. According to the party, the President’s aborted trip to Chibok was symptomatic of his administration’s policy flipflop in the fight against the terror group Boko Haram. Interesting! The party is so ignorant that it does not know that in matters of guerrilla warfare and terrorism, you must be careful to be amenable to changes as is the case all over the world. To drive home the crass ignorance that permeates the confused opposition, it does not know that it is more important for the president to find the lost girls than to be a consoler-in-chief. The parents are not interested in seeing the president before their children and only a callous group will prefer a visit to finding the girls. Curiously, the opposition continues to insist on Jonathan visiting the troubled area as if it is planning something sinister against him there, APC suggests that the sitting government at the centre has resorted to lying, when actually it was the party and others like it who bought a dummy sold to them by sources that are yet to be disclosed. To justify its gullibility, the APC asks whether presidential advance teams are deployed at will. The fact that an advanced team moves

does not mean that the president is on the move. It is only when the president moves and he is seen on ground that he has moved; so, there was no lying because the president or his aides did not make any announcement as to his movement. You don’t justify gullibility and an ignorance of the workings of the presidency by falling prey to either a dummy or a non-event. APC thinks running Nigeria is like running a disorganised and uncoordinated party like it. The president’s statement that he was more interested in rescuing the girls above the visit option was read thus by APC : ‘’This statement shows that President Jonathan does not understand the demands of his office, and that in good/ bad times, he is to be seen and heard as the lead celebrant/lead consoler for his compatriots…. As usual, a trip – belated as it was – that could have gone a long way in redeeming the battered global image of the Jonathan administration in the handling of the abduction issue has turned out to be another albatross for the President. Again, a president who is demonstrably averse to success has snatched defeat just when he was on the cusp of victory.” APC’s definition of success is not bringing back the girls but paying a visit for the sake of it. No wonder many with the temperament of APC like Asari Do-

kubo, are wondering whether the abduction did not have connivance at some level of the APC-controlled state government. For this party of extremists and rude characters who would not mind denigrating a presidency it continues to dream to occupy, just as the goat dreams to be the king of the jungle someday, nothing can be short of decency than to seek relevance by insulting the head of government of your country. But since we have been told of the Janjaweed nature of the party, it is not a surprise to watchers the resort to violent language like the violence that plagues the three APC states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa. If Jonathan has waffled and wavered on the overall Boko Haram crisis before the terror group gained enough strength to become a runaway monster, how would the rest of Nigerians describe the monumental incompetence of the APC states that brought us to this pass? It is on record that the violence that rocked Borno and Yobe was a balance brought forward by the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) of APC that now wants the PDP to clear its bloody mess. Adamawa was relatively safe until its sailor governor joined the APC. So why wont the APC kill the monster it created for political reasons rather than the uncouth language that has become its lot? • Abubakar contributed this piece from Abuja.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

ARTS TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/arts

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com okuyemeogom@yahoo.com

CULTURE

23 Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. This is why any authentic creation is a gift to the future. ― Albert Camus

In Inisa, cultural spectacle as Babawale, wife get honours

Prof. Babawale and wife

Tony Okuyeme

he historic town of Inisa, Osun State was agog with cultural activities as it played host to scores of dignitaries across the country penultimate Saturday for the installation of the Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilizations (CBAAC), Prof. Tunde Babawale as Bobagunwa’ of Inisaland, and his wife, Mrs. Adetola Babawale, as the Yeye Bobagunwa. The installation ceremony was part of activities to commemorate the 36th coronation anniversary of Oba Joseph Oyedele as Olunisa of Inisaland. As early as 8am., the sleepy town in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State of Nigeria, situated about 26 kilometers by road north-east of Osogbo, the State capital, came alive with cultural activities, as drummers and dancers, clad in beautiful traditional attires thrill scores of visitors to rich performances at the New Inisa Town Hall, Olunisa Palace Arcade, venue of the event. By 10am, the hall was almost filled to capacity. Among the guests that witnessed the historic event were Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Rauf Adedeji, the Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Dokun Abolarinwa, Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Rasheed Olabomi, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Duro Oni, Professors Solomon Akingboye, Ademola Omojola, Olu Obafemi, Dele Orimogunje, Derin Ologbenla, Omoniyi Adewuyi, Gbemisola Adeoti, Ademola Dasilva, and Akin Alao. Others were Iyiola Oni, Dvid Aremu, Ojo Olunleke, Akin Alao, Dr. Femi Omidire,

The Olunisa, Oba Oyedele presenting the certificate of office to Prof. Babawale and wife

Laja Odukoya, Adeola Faleye, Akin Onipede, Alabi Soneye and Ademola Azeez. Veteran film maker Tunde Kelani, Remi Ibitola, Muraina Oyelani and other artists were also in attendance to honour the Babawales. The arrival of His Royal Majesty, Oba Joseph Oladunjoye Marounfola Oyedele (Fasikun II) J. P. and the traditional council of Inisaland, Odo Otin Local Government Area, Osun State, was greeted with cultural displays. After the traditional homage to the Olunisa by the various groups of Chiefs, the titles of ‘Bobagunwa’ and ‘Yeye Bobagunwa’ of Inisaland were conferred on the CBAAC D.G., Prof. Tunde Babawale and his wife, Mrs. Adetola Babawale. The chieftaincy titles are in recognition of their immense contributions to human, cultural and community development of Inisaland and Osun State in particular and Nigeria in general. The event was marked with tributes for the CBAAC D.G. Setting the tone for the tributes, the Chairman of the Inisa Descendants Union, Mr. John Olanipekun, lauded Babawale for his achievements at various institutions where he has worked, including the University of Lagos and CBAAC. According to him, Prof. Babawale has moved CBAAC from a relatively unknown institution to global acclaim, but he had not forgotten home. “Babawale has been everywhere, but he has not forgotten home,” Olanipekun said. Oba Oyedele in his speech described Babawale as an “Omoluabi – the Yoruba’s ideal son”, adding that Babawale

Babawale is a son of all Yoruba kings. He is one of our own icons. It is good that he is being honoured at home today because home recognition is important is one of the pillars holding Inisa. Like other members of the Inisa Youth Initiative, he is always working for the progress of the land.” In his remark, Oba Olabomi, Aragbiji of Iragbiji said the fact that the people that Babawale had worked with at different times rallied round him at the ceremony said much about his character. The monarch said Babawale is a brilliant, hardworking and responsible family man from whom youths have a lot to learn. The Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Dokun Abolarinwa Oba Abolarinwa while stressing that many have a lot to learn from Babawale and his co-townsmen who have been contributing to the growth of the land, said: “What we are witnessing should remind us that most Yoruba towns have icons. There is a lot to do for the development of our towns. Government alone cannot do everything. Our sons and daughters must look back and give back to the society. Education without contributing to the development on one’s land

is useless.” In his remark which was splashed with some jokes that drew applause from the audience, Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Rauf Adedeji noted that no matter how widely a person is recognised and honoured abroad, one must strive to be relevant at home. “Babawale is a son of all Yoruba kings. He is one of our own icons. It is good that he is being honoured at home today because home recognition is important,” the Akirun said. The Orangun congratulated the Olu of Inisa and the people of the town, saying they were blessed with many icons. In his response, the CBAAC boss said that while he was glad that his people had considered him worthy of the honour, the development had further inspired him to do more. “I believe that everyone has the responsibility to genuinely contribute to the liberation and growth of his town, country and the world at large.” A Professor of political economy and international relations in the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, Babawale’s teaching career spans 20 years, covering both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has held very significant administrative positions in the university and contributed immensely to its policy process. An erudite scholar, social commentator and political analyst, Professor Babawale has featured prominently in several national and international conferences and intellectual gatherings at which all the thought- provoking

articles featured in the two volumes were presented. He has served and is currently serving as Coordinating Consultant with some local and international non - governmental and governmental organizations in the institution of extensive researches and other intellectual programmes directed towards addressing key national and international problems. Reading Babawale’s citation, Prof. Labode Popoola described the celebrant as an exemplary scholar, researcher and a prolific writer whose books and articles, published in reputable scholarly journals, are very topical, and of contemporary significance. “Babawale has contributed to knowledge in form of monographs, authored books, edited and co-edited books, chapter contributions to books, articles in learned local and international journals, papers presented and published in learned local and international conference proceedings, and lectures. His contributions in these numerous outlets total over 120. At the last count, he has published to date a total of 21 books and seven monographs. His twovolume book titled: Nigeria in the Crisis of Governance and Development (2006) is considered a laudable x-ray of Nigerian politics, governance and administration. His analysis of issues of contemporary significance in his book Urban Violence, Ethnic Militias and Challenge of Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria (2003) brought to the fore the complexity and social reality of the management of diversity in contemporary Nigeria.”

24 ARTS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Hear Word: X-raying ordeals of Nigerian woman

A scene in 'Hear Word'

Ebere Ameh

here was total darkness on stage except for the young maidens bearing candle lights and crying out to one another in fear stricken voices. ‘Hauwa, Mariam, Fatima, Paula...’ they called in confusion and palpable terror, but in total submission to their unfortunate fate and the will of their captors. It was so graphic, leaving nothing to the imagination of the audience, most of who were already in tears before their candles went off. That was the impressive theatrical opening of ‘Hear Word! Naija Woman Talk True’, a play that was performed at the Muson Centre during the weekend as they remembered the abducted girls from Chibok, Borno State with that grand opening. Performed by experienced and popular stage and screen actresses such as Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Joke Silva, Iretiola Doyle, Bimbo Akintola, Omonor, Dakore, Elvina Ibru, Rita Edward, Zara Ejoh, Odenike, Deborah Ohiri and Ufuoma McDermott, who presented serious issues in funny ways that left the audience cheerful and tearful at various times, Hear Word is a mixture of true life stories, of transformation, social commentary and brilliant production which ushers the audience into the intimate lives of Nigerian women and womenfolk in general.. From the travails of daughters-in-law in the hands of their mothers-in-law, to the agony of the widow suspected to be the cause of her husband’s death, the victim of rape who could tell no one, and the degradation of the woman asked by her husband to warm the bed of his friend in the name of hospitality, to the battered wife who suddenly grabbed and twisted her husband’s manhood to save herself, the widow who was to be deprived of all her life’s earnings by her in-laws but by a stroke of wisdom and the help of the law overcame them, to the trafficked girl who dammed all consequences to report her mistress to the authorities and more, the cast gave the audience good value for their time

and money. ‘Hear Word’ also featured the V Monologues taken by Ajai-Lycett and later, Ufuoma McDermott, eliciting a feeling of embarrassment portrayed by whispers and murmurs at first, and sheer laughter when McDermott came on stage as a born again, Bible carrying Sister Esther talking about the pleasures of sex. Esther was brought up to see sex as not just sinful but one of the wiles of the devil through which he deceives children of God. She prayed, casting and binding the devil after her first orgasm. But with the kind explanation of her husband, she came to realise that it is created by God and that it is good and should be enjoyed. “Now when my vagina sings, I sing too,” she said to the audience that was already reeling in laughter. The play is directed by Ifeoma Fafunwa, a professional creative director. She brought her over 20 years of experience working in the United States, United Kingdom and involvement in women issues in Nigeria to bear in this wonderful play. Fafunwa who is also one of the writers said the title is an encouragement to Nigerian women to speak up and end the injustices perpetrated against them with impunity by the society. “I wanted Nigerians to listen to women. The full title is ‘Hear word, Naija Woman Talk True’. It is like urging the Nigerian women to ‘speak up the truth; stop pretending that nothing is happening to you.’ This is because the Nigerian woman is trained not to say

anything. If you are raped, you don’t say anything lest you lose your value. If you are battered by your husband, you don’t say a word because there is nobody to really help you. So what we are saying is tell the truth about what is going on so you can move beyond it,” she said,

adding that their expectation is that the audience hear the word and think about where in their lives they may be limited. “How is it that you talk about another woman that you don’t even know? What is it that you tell your daughter that you shouldn’t tell her that is making her feel inferior? What is it that you tell your son that is making him not to treat his wife properly?” Hear Word has been staged in the open and at the National Theatre, Iganmu, to enable more Nigerian women who are raising the next generation of Nigerians, no matter their social status, to watch it and Hear Word. In an interview after their excellent performance, Silva

said that Hear Word is going to be a movement in which more women would write their own stories. “Hear Word has a long history. It has been performed in different parts of the world but it started out as Vagina Monologues and we adapted it and came up with V Monologues. We now claimed it even more and came up with Hear Word. Hear Word is the Nigerian version, written by Nigerians. It is going to be a movement in which we expect more women to write their stories.” An excellent production with superb lightings and wonderful percussion, ‘Hear Word’ is not just a must watch, its timely message is a must spread.

Telling Our Stories’ as Taruwa festival of performing arts returns Vanessa Okwara

aruwa Festival of Performing Arts in Nigeria (TAF) returns with a second edition themed ‘Telling Our Stories’. The festival - a gathering of artistic and intellectual minds created by Gbagyichild Entertainment - which made its debut June, 2013, is back with an assortment of events spread out through four days from Wednesday, June 4 to Saturday, June 7, 2014 at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos. The debut edition of the festival garnered rave reviews from the stage adaptation of Bobo Omotayo’s bestselling book London Life Lagos Living, a children’s show, screening of short films, Open Mic Theatre, a mega concert, and the final closing ‘Ankara Ball’; a grand evening of amazing

performances and fine dining. "The success of the first edition of the festival left us so delighted and we're grateful for all the support and we ask that you be a huge part of it this year," the CEO of Gbagyichild Entertainment, conveners of the monthly Taruwa event and organisers of TAF, Lydia Sobogun stated. According to her, the second edition of the festival will be a four-day cocktail of rich events telling the Nigerian and African story through music, spoken word, literature, dance, fashion, a workshop and the stage production of a book by an ‘interesting’ female writer. Sobogun added that Taruwa Festival of Performing Arts is a carefully planned collection of events, and the team is working to ensure everyone who attends has a memorable

Hear word’ is the Nigerian version, written by Nigerians. It is going to be a movement in which we expect more women to write their stories A scene in the play 'London Life Lagos Living'

experience, a goal Taruwa has strived to achieve over the years. “Fulfillment for us comes from seeing the smiles on the faces of our audience after experiencing a stage production, a music performance or any of our shows and we got a lot of that, including rave reviews at last year’s edition of the festival,” said Bee Azubike, Creative Director, Taruwa. “This year, we plan to give our audience an even better experience through remarkable stories. Though in its second year, the passionate team at TAF plans for the festival to be the largest and most consistent performing arts festival in Nigeria, attracting visitors from all over the world, and making it a festival of National importance, highly valued as a catalyst for cultural and community development.”

BUSINESS TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014

WHAT'S NEWS Electricity hike: NERC, new assets owners begin talks The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has begun talks with new power owners on the review of the Multi Year tariff Order (MYTO 2), New Telegraph gathered at the weekend.

}p-26

IOCs fret over renewed N’Delta hostilities The renewed hostilities in the Niger Delta have sent jitters down the spines of International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

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FG not doing enough on gas for power, say engineers The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), at the weekend, tasked the Federal Government on effective supply of gas to power plants in the country.

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Surveyors advocate creation of Mapping Commission Perturbed by the dearth of geospatial data in the country, practitioners under the umbrella of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) have urged the Federal Government to, create a National Mapping Commission through which the National Mapping Policy can be entrenched.

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

ABDULWAHAB ISA, Finance Editor CHUKS ONUANYIN, Energy NNAMDI AMADI, Reporter JOHNSON ADEBAYO, Asst. Production Editor

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

AYODELE AMINU, DEPUTY EDITOR, BUSINESS

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

Hope of winners, bidders of Shell’s assets dashed CAVEAT EMPTOR NNPC has insisted that Shell cannot transfer the operatorship of its assets to the new owners

Adeola Yusuf

he Federal Government has ruined the hope by winners and bidders of Shell Petroleum Development Corporation’s (SPDC’s) $3 billion oil blocks to secure operatorship of the assets, New Telegraph has learnt. Investigations by this newspaper revealed that the winners of some of the assets have deployed consultants/representatives to meet with the Federal Government’s representatives in the partnership (Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on how they could secure the operatorship of the oil blocks. Shell, which is selling its stakes in the fields, is currently the operator of the blocks. Aiteo/Calaveras won OML 29 and the Nembe Creek Trunkline in conjunction with four other companies in the consortium, having submitted a $2.5 billion bid for the assets. OML 29 is the most prolific oil lease under the current asset sale. Pan Ocean Oil Corporation Nigeria Limited, operator of the NNPC/Pan Ocean Joint Venture, clinched OML 24 valued at between $500 million and $1 billion, while Lekoil, Crestar, GreenAcres/CCC/Signet Petroleum, NDPR/SAPETRO and Essar submitted bids for OML 25. Under the on-going divestment programme, Midwestern Oil & Gas Plc/Mart Resources/ Suntrust Oil, which partnered the Erotron Consortium, won the bid for OML 18. OML 24 currently delivers 25,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day from three fields and outputs eight million standard cubic feet per day of gas (MMscf/d). The divestment by SPDC is

DELE ALAO, Brands/Marketing Editor CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor

NEW TELEGRAPH

LOCAL FIRMS, IOCS AND THE COMPETENCY QUESTION }p-28

L-R: Member, Board of Directors, WECO System International Limited, Mr. Ulu Mba; Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Onyebuchi and Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Obinna Ekwonwa, during a press conference on the awards won by the company as the Best Enterprise Partner of the year 2014, Africa and MEAR-Middle East, Africa and Russia, held in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

part of the Anglo/Dutch giant’s plan to dispose off $15 billion of assets globally in 2014 and 2015. Although the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) declined comment on the outcome of the meeting, “because this could affect the on-going transactions.” New Telegraph gathered from a source at the corpora-

tion that the Federal Government has turned down request by the prospective new owners on operatorship of the blocks. “Government has resolved to invoke the Joint Operation Agreement (JOA), which it had with Shell and other international oil companies (IOCs). With this, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company

(NPDC), a subsidiary of NNPC, will take over the operatorship,” the source close to the deal told our correspondent on phone at the weekend. Out of all the assets divested by Shell so far, the new buyer, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, operates only OMLs CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

NERC set to replace 18-year-old electricity law James Nwabueze ABUJA

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has received the final revised document of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry Standards (NESIS) from the technical working group (TWG), which paves the way for harmonisation of the existing regulations in the statute with provisions of the Electricity Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act 2005.

The document, which took 18 months of long professional experience and intellectual project to complete, is expected to add some value to the nation’s power sector, as it shall guide the operations of the power sector, as well as tactically replace the an 18-year old law - CAP 106 Regulations. With the development, regulations, such as, the Electrical Installations Regulation (CAP 106) Law of Federal Government of Nigeria, which was promulgated in 1996 by the min-

istries of power and justice in consultation with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), which has become obsolete, has been reviewed in line with the EPSR Act 2005. A 24-man TWG on the electric networks construction standards was inaugurated by NERC in December 2012 in Abuja. Speaking during the event, NERC chairman/CEO, Dr. Sam Amadi, expressed his satisfacCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at May 23)

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

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at May 23)

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

26 BUSINESS | NEWS WRONG RUBRICS Average technical, commercial and collection losses by the new asset owners have been remarkably higher than the original assumptions Adeola Yusuf

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has begun talks with new power owners on the review of the Multi Year tar-

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Electricity hike: NERC, new assets owners begin talks iff Order (MYTO 2), New Telegraph gathered at the weekend. The new investors, who had earlier complained of gross loss of about N1 billion within six months of operation, have also described the present tariff as not visible. A source at the NERC, however, told this newspaper at the weekend that the complaints

have received the attention of the commission, which “is already looking into the issue.” Checks showed that the new owners have gone a step further by submitting documents detailing how they recorded a loss of over N1 billion in six months. Meanwhile, the NERC has indicated readiness to review the electricity tariff.

L-R: Divisional Head, SME Mainland, GTBank, Ms Deola Oyegbade; Managing Director, Slot, Mr. Nnamdi Ezeigbo; Head, External Communication and Public Affairs, GTBank, Ms Lola Odedina; Managing Director, World 'n' Travel Land, Funmi Faloye, and Managing Director , Sixth Sense, Tope Olagbegi, at the GTBank SME Trade Finance Workshop held in Lagos.

Hope of winners, bidders of Shell’s assets dashed C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

4, 38 and 41. But in accordance with the JOA, the operatorship of other producing assets sold by Shell, including OMLs 26, 30, 34, 40 and 42, were transferred to NPDC, rather than the new buyers. The JOA between Shell, NNPC, Total, Nigerian Agip Oil Company and other IOCs operating a joint venture arrangement with NNPC provides that an operator of a producing asset can sell its interest to a third party but cannot transfer the operatorship to the new buyer. Article 19.4 of the JOA states: “Subject to Clause 19.1 and 19.2, if any party has received an offer from a third party, which it desires to accept, for the assignment or transfer of its participating interest, it shall give the other parties prior right and option in writing to purchase such participating interest as provided in sub-clauses 19.4.1 to 19.4.2.” However, SPDC, as the operator of SPDC/NNPC Joint Venture, has no powers to transfer its operatorship to a third party without the written consent of the NNPC. According to the JOA, SPDC can only transfer operatorship to its affiliate or affiliated company, with Article 1.1.2 (i) of the JOA defining Shell’s affiliates as Shell in the Netherlands; Shell Transport and Trading

Company Plc in the United Kingdom or any other company that is controlled directly or indirectly by any of these two companies. The implication of the JOA is that if an operator sells its interest in an oil block, the operatorship will revert to NNPC and not to the new buyer. “However, the prospective winners and owners of the Shell’s asset remained undeterred and hope that they can structure a new arrangement that would enable them operate the assets themselves,” the source said. They are concerned that they would be investing too much acquiring the oil blocks and have started making overtures to NNPC to give them the green light to operate them. “They are in discussions with the NNPC to see if they can get the operatorship, given what happened with past blocks – OMLs 26, 30, 34, 40 and 42 – sold by Shell,ç he said. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has said that it was targeting increased production from indigenous companies particularly the NPDC. Oil production from Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter peaked at 2.55 million barrels per day in January, the country’s daily production statistics has showed. The statistics, which detailed all crude production from both

the IOCs and the indigenous oil companies showed that the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) led the park of Afren, Seplat, Oando, Conoil, WalterSmiths, Brittania-U and other Nigerian firms to contribute about 10 per cent of the total production. “The NPDC produced 140,000 barrels last week, the day that total crude production from Nigeria stood at 2.55 million barrels,” managing director, Victor Briggs, said, to corroborate the statistic during a no-hold bared media chat at the Benin head office of the company. “Presently, the NPDC produces 140,000 barrels per day (bpd) while we deliver 410 million standard cubic feet (scuf) of gas per day (mmscf/d). Our target is to increase this oil production to 160,000bpd by the end of this year and we also plan to raise the daily gas production to 600 million standard cubic feet (mscf/d) by end of the year. “The production by indigenous companies is more than eight per cent, contrary to what some want the people to believe, it is about 10 per cent,” he said, while showing the daily crude production report of Wednesday, February 5, 2014. In the same vein, Opuama field operated by NPDC has started production on February 4, following successful testing and commissioning of the field facilities, oil firm, Eland said.

The commission, the source said, “is already undertaking the third review of Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) 2 based on demands for tariff hike by power investors.” NERC’s Commissioner in charge of Government and Consumer Affairs, Dr. Abba Ibrahim, had earlier revealed the planned review, but the source added at the weekend that the new tariff may be presented for ratification by government in a short while. Dr. Ibrahim, however, said that this review is subject to the outcome of the on-going collation of statistics based on complaints by the new investors. The new investors, who plan to inject about $1.8 billion, had called for a hike in electricity tariff, which they considered as non-visible to the global reality of electricity generation, transmission and distribution. But Ibrahim disclosed that the review might either be a reduction or an increase in tariff, “depending on the outcome of the on-going findings and an examination of interest rates, exchange rates, inflation rates and available generation capacity during the preceding six months.” The MYTO, NERC commissioner, Ibrahim said: “Involves an examination of interest rates, exchange rates, inflation rates and available generation capacity during the preceding six months and if these report a change of plus or minus five per cent individually, such change will be applied to the tariff published for each distribution company. “The two earlier reviews did not result in any increase of tariff because the indices and fundamentals of the MYTO have not significantly changed. “The changes that some

customers have belatedly noticed in their bills were announced by the commission on June 1, 2012.” Meanwhile, consumers grouped as R3 and R4 who, according to MYTO2, paid N23.71/ kwh with fixed meter charges of N21,256.30 and N118,830.56 respectively are to, based on demands by investors, pay N25/ kwh, this newspaper gathered. The N100 billion stabilisation fund disbursed last year by the Federal Government would accommodate the cost to be borne by consumers rated below the N24/Kwh cost of production at the rate of N50 billion for 2012 and 2013 respectively. Middle-income consumers who paid between N11 and N12/ Kwh would now pay N13.5/kwh. Meanwhile, an assessment of the six-month business activities of the new owners who took over assets on Friday, November 1, 2013 showed that there is already a backpedaling of returns on investments (ROI) by the investors, which may dash the hope of shortterm stability in power sector. "The average technical, commercial and collection (ATC & C) losses by these businessmen have been remarkably higher than the original assumptions," the source said. "The ATC & C losses have been found to be remarkably higher than the initial projections and the electricity tariffs are not being adjusted regularly to ensure that the new owners of the distribution companies meet their business plans as submitted to the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE)," he stressed.

NERC set to replace 18-year-old electricity law C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

tion with the quality of work done by TWG. “This important national project has become necessary in order to address and stem the incessant substandard installation and supply activities of utility operations, licensed contractors and electricity consumers. It is no longer news that the current supply and installation practices, to say the least, are suboptimal and highly inefficient. “That's why the commission initiated the review of CAP 106 Regulations. Recent events in the power sector demands greater and prompt action in order to maintain standards in the design, construction and operations of electrical systems to ensure reliability and safety. Based on feedbacks received from the secretariat of TWG and the commissioner (ES&S), the commission is highly impressed and satisfied with

quality of work done thus far,” Amadi said. In his remarks, TWG chairman, Mr F. A. Somolu, praised NERC for being the first regulator in NESI to have the foresight to recognise the need to repeal the CAP 106 Regulations. “(This is) due to the advancement in technology and modernised work ethics, which have combined to render the document obsolete. It is evidently clear that the CAP 106 Regulations has outlived its useful life; thus, it is not in tune with the present arrangement in the Nigerian power sector and advancement in technology,” Somolu, who was represented by TWG vice chairman, Prof. Usman Aliyu, said. He urged the commission to “expedite action in doing all that is required in effecting and enforcing the NESIS so that an efficient and effective NESI is realised for safe, adequate, reliable and affordable electricity supply in the country.”

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

A worker at an illegal oil refinery.

BUDGET Disruption of production activities may affect Nigeria’s budget Stories by Adeola Yusuf

he renewed hostilities in the Niger Delta have sent jitters down the spines of International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Experts at Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) hinted that boat explosion by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) around the Port Harcourt Refinery Jetty in Rivers State is another threat to domestic oil production and macroeconomic stability of the country. But a source in one of the IOCs told this newspaper that the hostility is a source of concern to her company and others. “Although the Federal Government, through its various agencies, has for the umpteenth time assured us through different correspondences that there is no cause for alarm over the security of our different operational bases, we are concerned anytime there is an attack in the region,” she said. “We would continue to support government through its amnesty and other various programmes on ground to ensure peace and stability in the region and all over the country.” Meanwhile, the FDC said in its latest data that it could only hope that the disruption of the current 2.3 million barrels per day oil production will not increase with negative consequences on the national dollar inflow. “There is a probability that currency pressure will continue, as political and security spending ramp up. Oil prices have held up expectedly and

IOCs fret over renewed N’Delta hostilities are unlikely to fall sharply in the near term. “The boat explosion by MEND around the Port Harcourt Refinery Jetty in Rivers State is another threat to domestic oil production and macroeconomic stability. It is hoped that oil production disruption will not increase with negative con-sequences on the national dollar inflow,” the company said. MEND, penultimate week-

UNSATISFACTORY Afren has ended first quarter below daily production target of 40,000 barrels

ondon-listed oil explorer, Afren Plc, has dipped first quarter production from Nigeria by about 400,000 barrels. Afren, which recorded a cumulative production loss of 408,150 barrels in the first quarter, has its main assets in Nigeria, but operates in Kenya and Kurdistan. The company produced below its 40,000 barrels per day target, which had earlier been used for oil production projection by the country. Afren reported first-quarter net production of 35,465 barrels of oil per day (bopd), lower than its target of 40,000 bopd this year even though it said that it was targeting double-digit production growth over the next five years. Shares in the company fell as much as six per cent in morn-

end, claimed to have masterminded the bomb explosion around the Port Refinery jetty in Rivers State. The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), in a press statement issued by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, explained that findings from its preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was caused by the activities of oil thieves.

He said: “These thieves hacked into a pipeline somewhere in the creek where they were siphoning petroleum products when the explosion occurred and the fire did not in any way affect the refinery or the PPMC Jetty in Okrika as widely reported. “We can confirm that the Port Harcourt Refinery and the Okrika Jetty are intact. The reported fire incident did not in any way affect our operations.

Afren dips Nigeria’s oil production target Loses 400,000 barrels in Q1 ing trade, making the stock the top percentage loser on the FTSE-250 Midcap Index. "We see the results on the negative side," Oriel Securities analyst, Dragan Trajkov, said in a note to clients. The company also reported a 30 per cent fall in first-quarter sales revenue due to a reduced share of production and liftings from its Ebok field in Nigeria and lower realised average oil prices. Revenue from continuing operations fell to $269 million from $386 million a year earlier. Average net production at Ebok – its main producing asset – fell to 25,971 bopd down from 33,513 bopd a year earlier. The oil explorer and producer said analysis of 3D seismic data of its Ogo oil field - the

world's third largest discovery of 2013 - would begin shortly. "At first glance, the (firstquarter) update appears to be in-line. However, factoring in the payments to field partners drives a reduction in our valuation, making the shares less attractive," Canaccord Genuity analysts said in a note and downgraded the stock to "hold" from "buy". Shares in Afren were trading down five per cent at 146.4 pence at 0910 GMT on the London Stock Exchange. The Africa and Kurdistanfocused independent producer has earlier reported in trading update last year that it expects to deliver record financial results for 2013, driven by strong production from offshore Nigeria.

While we sympathise with the families of the oil marauders who reportedly lost their lives in the unfortunate inferno, we wish to implore community leaders in Okrika and its environs to appeal to their wards to refrain from product theft and hacking of pipelines.” The corporation affirmed the integrity of its pipelines, stating that engineers and technologists from the PPMC Pipelines Right of Way Unit are being dispatched to the scene of the incident for proper technical evaluation. Although the claim of bomb explosion around the facility was rebuffed by NNPC, the incidence has heightened tension that MEND may not have been dismantled after all. On May 15, 2009, a military operation undertaken by a Joint Task Force (JTF) began against MEND militants operating in the Niger Delta region. It came in response to the kidnapping of Nigerian soldiers and foreign sailors in the Delta region. Thousands of Nigerians have fled their villages and hundreds of people may be dead because of the offensive. The most productive region of the nation is the coastal Niger Delta Basin in the Niger Delta or "South-south" region, which is home to about 78 of the 159 oil fields. Most of Nigeria's oil fields are small and scattered, and as of 1990, these small unproductive fields accounted for 62.1 per cent of all Nigerian production. This contrasts with the 16 largest fields, which produced 37.9 per cent of Nigeria's petroleum at that time. As a result of the numerous small fields, an extensive and well-developed pipeline network has been engineered to transport the crude. Also, due to the lack of highly productive fields, money from the jointly operated (with the Federal Government) companies is constantly directed towards petroleum exploration and production.

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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Local firms, IOCs and the competency question Four years after the enactment of the Nigerian Content Development Act, ENERGY EDITOR, Adeola Yusuf, looks at the capacity of indigenous companies to take over operations from the international oil companies (IOCs)

meka Okwuosa was the President, Petroleum Technologists Association of Nigeria (PETAN) at the peak of calls for the establishment of local content law. Okwuosa, who is currently the Managing Director Oilserv Limited, told New Telegraph that there is still a gap in the implementation of the law when it comes to capacity and funding. Like Okwuosa, many industry analysts said that financing and technical expertise are major challenges still facing local players in the industry. By December 2014, the major divestments by the IOCs since 2010 will transfer over five billion barrels of oil and 20 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas to indigenous players, said Austin Avuru, managing director, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, at a conference in Lagos on January 24, 2014. With this, Okwuosa said that a wide gap would be created for indigenous companies to fill. “There is still a gap there when it comes to the issue of funding. I know part of the Local Content Law makes it possible for a fund to be put together,” he said. On any bill or invoice, Okwuosa continued: “We are all charged one per cent, which goes into the fund. That fund, with the intention of building capacity, has to be managed properly. Beyond that fund, there has to be systematic change in the financial sector in Nigeria that allows indigenous companies to have access to funds at a reasonable rate. “Sometimes we are borrowing at more than 20 per cent, which is not a competitive rate. On that basis, it makes it difficult to build capacity. Some of the things that will help build capacity are actually outside of the control of the oil and gas industry.” The Act The Act, which directly affects operating companies, contractors, sub-contractors and service providers, seeks to increase indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry by prescribing minimum thresholds for the use of local services and materials and to promote the employment of Nigerian staff in the industry. The local content law requires that first consideration be given to Nigerian companies when contracts are awarded for oil blocks, licences and all other projects. The Act defines a Nigerian company as one formed and registered in Nigeria under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 with not less than 51 per cent equity shares owned by Nigerians. The industry, which was in the past

Okwuosa

the exclusive domain of international oil companies (IOCs) in areas such as exploration and production, has seen Nigerian companies now owning more than 100 blocks across oil-producing regions in the country, and at least 30 marginal fields. According to Section 3, sub-section 1 of the Act, “Nigerian independent operators shall be given first consideration in the award of oil blocks, oil field licences, oil lifting licences and all projects for which contract is to be awarded in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, subject to the fulfilment of such conditions as may be specified by the minister.” As the trend of asset divestments by IOCs operating in the country continues, more indigenous companies such as Seplat and Oando Plc are snapping up new upstream assets. The challenges Emmanuel Usanga, controller, subsurface, Peak Petroleum Industries Nigerian Limited, noted that the local content had created incremental value in the industry, adding: “There are two broad challenges facing local players, financing and expertise. There has been a wide gap between Nigerian financial institutions and the oil industry. There is the need for banks and other financial institutions to be more supportive of the industry. As regards capacity building, local companies need to partner with service providers, manufacturers and vendors abroad to bring them into Nigeria.” The PIB, according to experts is long overdue as far as the concept is concerned. Ecobank Energy, Oil and Gas Research, headed by Rolake Akinkugbe said: “Local operatorship of divested assets, as well as a corresponding boost in local production will be key to assessing the success of government’s local content policy in the upstream sector.’

Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Ernest Nwapa.

According to the financial institution, if the “PIB is successfully passed, production growth for junior and indigenous companies is likely to increase.” Okwuosa added: “All of us in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria know that the regulatory system and laws under which we operate are very much outdated, and do not accurately represent the true position of things. “The second part of it is that the regime that defines the relationship between IOCs and the government of Nigeria, as well as all of the associated activities that make up the service industry, is again completely outdated. There has been a need for change for a long time. In terms of timeliness, it should have happened since. “Now, of course, there will be some fears, because, according to the former PETAN President, to “make changes, it is only natural that people feel unsure as to whether the change will be positive for their operations. I understand if there is apprehension in the beginning, but obviously there will be a win-win situation for it to work. As far as I am concerned, the PIB is overdue for enactment and the earlier it is put in place, the better, to ensure the proper level of investment in the oil and gas industry.

Nigerian independent operators shall be given first consideration in the award of oil blocks, oil field licences, oil lifting licences and all projects for which contract is to be awarded in the Nigerian oil and gas industry

Way out In the interim, experts believed that the Local Content Act should be strengthened pending the passage of the PIB. “I think it is a matter of continuing what has started, which is that the Local Content Bill has been made into law and has been in practice for about two years now. It has been very positive, and it is something that the current administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has done well in trying to finally implement. “The industry has been fighting for this since the early 1990s, but it was not implemented until a couple of years ago. It is very positive, and the right way to go in terms of building capacity. It is not just about empowering indigenous companies, but building the required capacity that is sustainable – the ability to have Nigerians coming into the service industry in a serious manner, and be able to offer credible and competitive services. There is no place for people offering sub-standard services in the name of local content,” an expert said. Like other experts, Okwuosa expressed the belief that the fate of development of the indigenous sector lies on the leadership quality of the Nigerian Content Development an Monitoring Board (NCDMB) “We have been competing to build capacity prior to the Local Content Law and, for us, it does not make much difference because we still compete in the same way. But generally, it makes a difference for new entrants and capacity building. “I strongly believe that the management of the NCDMB under Ernest Nwapa has done very well. He is very experienced in these matters because prior to the establishment of the NCDMB, Mr Nwapa was already handling the portfolio that developed the basis of the entire law itself under the Nigerian National Petroleum Corp (NNPC). He was the General Manager of Nigerian content under NNPC, so he knows that business very well,” he concluded.

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Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

POWER The $100 million will be spent on transformers for 96 communities in Enugu State Stories by Adeola Yusuf

even years after the beginning of negotiation, the Federal Government has secured a $100 million loan from Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank). Under the new line of credit, Exim Bank will reimburse 100 per cent of the contract value to the Indian exporters upfront upon the shipment of equipment and goods as well as the provision of services. Government and the bank signed the $100 million line of credit agreement for the financing of three energy projects in the provision of electricity transformers to solar electrification in rural areas. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the African Development Bank’s Annual Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda. Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said that the agreement had been in negotiations for seven years and that its implementation signifies a great shift in the relationship between Exim Bank and Nigeria. “We are more interested in having a programmatic type of discussion; so that we tell you the areas that we feel we want to work with you. This is a beginning,” she said. Major export items from India to Nigeria are transport equipment, machinery and instruments, pharmaceuticals, rice and electronic goods. Speaking after the signing,

WORKSHOP Group rallies over 1,200 students for oil and gas career practicum

xperts in the Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, at the weekend, underscored the importance of career development for the economic emancipation of the country. The experts, including Manager, Nigerian Content, Sinopec Addax Petroleum, Mr. Valentine Agwu, Dr. Umar Buba and Mr. Biyi Awotiku from Chevron Nigeria Limited, made this call at the 2014 edition of Vision 2020 career Counseling and Workshop Initiative in Lagos. The event attracted over 1,500 participants, including students, teachers and educational consultants, from Lagos State. While lauding organisers of the occasion, Agwu said that event, which he described as "catch them young for energy sector," would go a long way in redefining the nation’s oil and gas industry. He noted that 54 years after independence, what “we have is hope for a better tomorrow. Hope that when you finish

Seven years after, FG gets $100m energy loan from Exim Bank the Chairman and Managing Director of Exim Bank, Yaduvendra Mathur, said: “Exim Bank is very proud to engage with Nigeria in the area of electricity development. We are looking forward to further cooperation in different

sectors.” The $100 million will be spent on distribution of transformers for 96 communities in three senatorial zones of Enugu State, in the eastern part of Nigeria; a substation including solar mini

grid electrification and solar street lighting in the state of Kaduna to the north, as well as the construction of two 26 MW gas-based power plants in Cross River State in the Delta Region of the southern part of Nigeria.

The pact with Nigeria brings the number of credit lines made by India Exim Bank to 191 covering 76 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and Oceania and with a total commitment of over US $10 billion.

Oil rig

Oil, gas experts underscore career devt school, you will get a job and later you will get a better job without knowing anything in government. “Another thing we have is complaint. Many of us just sit back and complain. But we have to thank Dr. Amao for putting together this special event where students are well guided on careers in the oil and gas industry. What I implore you students to do is to make use of the opportunities, which this event has brought your way,” he said. Dr. Umar Buba, the executive secretary of one of the government’s agencies tasked Nigerians to ensure independence for Nigeria in terms of technology and manufacturing. “Why must we import about 95 per cent of what we consume as a nation?” he enthused, adding: “Is an indication that his country needs help. We cannot continue to consume products from other countries. We will not survive if this continues.” Mr. Biyi Awotiku from Chevron Nigeria Limited, who said that the usage of oil and gas in Nigeria is about 11 per cent, maintained that more works

needed to be done to put the country back on track. Meanwhile, Principal Consultant, for the project, Dr. Ibilola Amao, who doubles as helmsman for Lonadek Oil and Gas Consultants, has tasked the Federal Government to diversify the economy. She said: “All efforts to ensure that the leadership of Nigeria diversifies her monoeconomy from its dependency on crude export over the past years had fallen on deaf ears so, this is the perfect wakeup call that I hope would get our leadership thinking strategically. “Nigeria should be a process technology driven economy converting not only hydrocarbons but all her pre-independence cash cops into finished products for domestic use and export. Optimising her domestic gas as feedstock, Nigeria should be a fertilizer producing nation that has utilised the hydrocarbon value chain in a manner that creates linkages with a viable agro-allied industry with various SME’s optimising power generated from gas-driven turbines. “The government of Presi-

dent Barak Obama has, in no small measure, condemned our wastefulness and lack of strategic planning by delib-

erately choosing to reduce its importation of Nigerian crude by a huge percentage. I hope this would make us all sit up.”

Production setback: Angola charters LNG ship to Nigeria

ngola’s new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export project aims to charter out its entire tanker fleet for at least a couple of months after a major rupture on a flare line crippled output at the $10 billion plant last month. The project partners led by US oil major, Chevron, have approached shipbrokers to charter out all seven LNG carriers dedicated to Angola’s liquefaction facility, according to media reports. One of the tankers has already been chartered to a shipper and is due to load a cargo in Nigeria soon while the other ships are currently being discussed. Last month’s rupture of a flare line at Angola LNG was the latest in a string of production setbacks since the plant started production in June 2013.

Operator Chevron has struggled with electrical fires, rig capsizes, pipelines leaks and operator errors at the site. It remains uncertain for how long the plant will remain out of service as engineers take stock of the outstanding technical challenges before repairs can begin, sources at the site said. The unexpected addition of so much new shipping capacity is pressuring already weak rental rates. LNG shipping rates have been declining for months due to an oversupply of ships as well as a sharp reduction in AtlanticPacific trade flows because of weak demand in Asia. Chevron has a 36.4 per cent share in the Angolan plant, while Angolan state oil firm Sonangol has 22.8 per cent. Other stakeholders include Total, BP and ENI own the rest.

BUSINESS | ENERGY

UNSTEADY POWER Government should expand the existing grid to be able to evacuate energy generated from all the power plants. Stories by Adeola Yusuf

he Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), at the weekend, tasked the Federal Government on effective supply of gas to power plants in the country. Chairman, Egbin branch of the NSE, Lanre Siddiq, said that government has not done enough in ensuring effective and stable gas supply to thermal plants. Siddiq stated this at the NSE Egbin branch 2014 Engineering Week Celebration in Lagos. According to him, the lack of gas supply had affected power plant from generating energy, adding that this has resulted in worsening power supply. "Gas supply is causing a great problem for power plants. By now, power generated will have increased a lot but due to insufficient gas supply, power generation is dropping. "Here in Egbin, for the past two weeks, we have been managing the little we have and that is why there is drop in power generated here," he said. The chairman said that if government could improve

FG not doing enough on gas for power, say engineers on gas supply to all the power plants in the country, there would be a tremendous improvement in electricity supply. He urged government to expand the existing grid so that it could be able to evacuate energy generated from all the power plants. "Government should work in the area of National Grid expansion. For a long time now the grid has been very weak, it needs to be expanded so that it will be able to effectively evacuate energy generated by power plants," he said. Siddiq said that the Council for Regulation of Engineering (COREN) had signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with EFCC to phase out quackery in the system. The chairman said that NSE, Egbin Branch, was known for her dynamism and was well represented in national activities. "We promote engineering learning and practice in our environment. The branch has also made great contributions in developing the technical capabilities of Egbin staff through workshops and seminars," he said.

Tullow's gets setback from Shimela well

frica-focused independent Tullow Oil reported at the weekend that its Shimela-1 well in the South Omo Block, onshore Ethiopia, has encountered only water-bearing reservoirs. It, however, said it has provided key information that will help its understanding of the Chew Bahir basin. The well was drilled to test a prospect in a northwestern sub-basin of the vast Chew Bahir basin. The well encountered lacustrine and volcanic rocks, including almost 330 feet of net sandstone reservoir within siltstones and claystones. Trace thermogenic gas shows were recorded at 6,235 feet. The Exalo 205 rig used to drill Shimela-1 will now be moved to drill the Gardim-1 wildcat exploration well in a completely separate sub-basin, in the southeastern corner of the Chew Bahir basin. Tullow Exploration Director Angus McCoss commented in a company statement: "Although the Shimela well only found traces of thermogenic gas, it has provided key data to continue to build our understanding of the north-western part of the Chew Bahir basin. “The prospectivity at the Gardim-1 well, which is targeting an independent petroleum system in a separate south-eastern sub-basin, is not affected by this result." Tullow Oil plc is a multinational oil and gas exploration company founded in Tullow, Ireland with its headquarters

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

in London, United Kingdom. It has interests in over 150 licenses across 25 countries with 67 producing fields and in 2012 produced on average 79,200 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Its largest activities are in Africa and the Atlantic Margins, where it has discovered new oil provinces in Ghana, Uganda, Kenya and French Guiana. Tullow’s main production comes from six countries in Africa as well as the Southern North Sea and Asia. Ghana's offshore Jubilee oil field, which was discovered in 2007 and started production in December 2010, is Tullow's largest discovery. As at December 31, 2012, Tullow had total group reserves and resources of 1.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent including commercial reserves of 388 million barrels of oil equivalent. Tullow's 2012 exploration and appraisal drilling success rate was 74 per cent around double the industry average; this success has been ascribed to its drilling in geological formations similar to those in which oil has been discovered at other locations. For example, a formation off the coast of South America, which is similar to formations in West Africa. Tullow has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. It had a market capitalisation of approximately £11.1 billion as of April 3, 2013, in the top 40 of the largest members of the FTSE All Share Index on the London Stock Exchange.

Chairman, Senate Committee on privatisation, Senator Olugbenga Obadara (middle) flanked by the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) Abiodun Ajifowobaje (left) and Senator Emmanuel Aguariawodo, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatisation during the Committee’s oversight visit to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company.

Thailand eyes more investments in Africa PROSPECT PTTEP is looking for business potential, foreign investment policies and technology requirements

hailand's upstream petroleum company PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) is exploring opportunities to invest in Africa beyond Algeria, Kenya and Mozambique, where it already has investments, a senior official was quoted as saying in local daily Bangkok Post. The Thai company is looking into the feasibility of investing in various African countries, with the study touching on areas such as business potential, politics, foreign investment policies and

technology requirements, PTTEP CEO and President Tevin Vongvanich said. PTTEP, which has a 35 per cent interest in Algeria's 433a & 416b concessions, indicated first oil from the Bir Seba block in December. Production from the block, projected to reach 20,000 barrels per day, will be its first in Algeria. Meanwhile, the Thai firm reported that the Mozambique's Rovumma project is now in the exploration phase, with appraisal wells expected to be drilled and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production targeted for commencement in 2020, Bangkok Post added. Separately, the Zawtika project in Block M9 offshore Myanmar is likely to produce first gas in July, with 240 million standard cubic feet (MMscf/d) being supplied to Thailand, while PTTEP has successfully delivered 100 MMscf/d of gas from the block to domestic users.

The company was established on June 20, 1985, according to the intention of the Cabinet to establish a highly flexible organisation to manage the exploration and production of petroleum for maximum benefit of the country’s economy. PTTEP has invested, more than 25 years and at the moment, investing in over 40 major petroleum exploration and production projects in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Australasia and North America. Furthermore, PTTEP has introduced unconventional E&P business in the company’s operations, such as the Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Production: FLNG, the investment in Oil Sands fields, and the invention of new strategies and technologies to increase the volume of production and petroleum reserve as well as to increase the strength of the company and Thailand in the long run.

Lekoil completes $38m fundraising for Otakikpo field

est Africa-focused junior oil firm, Lekoil, has completed a $37.7 million fundraising that it plans to use to help pay for the initial work programme on the Otakikpo Marginal Field, offshore Nigeria. Lekoil announced that it had agreed to buy a 40 per cent participating interest in the Otakikpo field. The field lies in a swamp location in oil mining lease 11 (OML 11), adjacent to the shoreline in the eastern

part of the Niger Delta. The most-recent 2C reserve estimates for the field are for 36 million barrels of oil and 31 billion cubic feet of gas. Lekoil believe that Otakikpo could be brought into production within 12 to 18 months of commencement of its work program. To raise the funds, Lekoil placed 33 million new shares at a placing price of 67.75 pence ($1.14) per share. In a company statement, Le-

koil CEO Olalekan Akinyanmi commented: "We are pleased with the continued support exhibited in this equity raise and remain committed to our strategy of growing the business in a diversified manner in terms of exploration, appraisal and near term production. Acquiring an interest in Otakikpo – an exciting near term production asset – represents another important step for Lekoil and we look forward to developing this asset."

BUSINESS | ENERGY

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Gas to power: How far can FG’s emergency committee go?

James Nwabueze ABUJA

eeping a steady supply of gas to power the nation’s thermal plants majority of which are gas-fired has no doubt remained a daunting task. This has impaired the generation of electricity from these plants - leading to very poor power supply across the country. For instance, early in the year, generation records from the National Control Centre and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) showed that 2,993.7MW was the quantum of electricity that the system was losing due largely to gas shortage. However, with Federal Government's inauguration, last week, of the 11 member emergency committee on gas to power, it is expected that power generation would be improved soon. The challenges Analysts say the committee, which was drawn from key stakeholders in Power, Presidency and Petroleum Resources would have to tackle certain issues, including convincing the generating companies to consider the possible increase in the price of gas before any head way could be made. According to the group, the economics does not encourage the disparity in price between gas supply to the power industry and the industrial sector, which makes gas producers more disposed to export than to supply to the thermal plant. One of the people who hold this view is the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, who hinted that already the ministry had approached the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to discuss the situation. He said: “For those of you who are in thermals, I want to assure you that every effort is being made to ensure you have enough gas. I have been able to hold series of meetings with the minister of petroleum resources, and it has come to a place where we said if need be, we get some gas from the export portion. And everybody has agreed that every measure must be taken to make sure you have enough gas. “The only option we are hoping, and NERC is agreeable to that, is adjustment of gas price so that it will be in line with what will incentivise the producers to give as much gas as we need for the work. I do not think that maybe a 50 per cent change will make that much of a difference in all the modeling, but whatever difference it makes, you will still be able to recover the cost of that. “There are private people who want to do gas too, and they are saying that if they can be assured of even $2 as opposed to $1.5, they will be able to develop their gas and make sure that it gets to our generation companies. “We need to look into all these, and when that is done, I believe we will now need to review the entire tariff structure so that there will be the requisite amount of money coming in so as to compensate for that increase.” Also, a social commentator, Mr. Azuka Udokoro, said the Mr. Beks DagogoJack, led committee would have to also tackle the issue of pipeline vandalism, which has crippled transportation of gas through the pipelines “Another issue that has affected gas supply to power plants is pipeline vandalism, which has sometimes reduced gas supply and thus electricity generation by about 20 per cent. The committee will have to find a permanent solution to safeguarding the pipelines so that the

A gas plant

risks of transportation of gas through the pipelines would be less,” he stated. Since the handover of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) successor companies to new investors, the generation firms have been complaining of a drop in the supply of gas to fire their plants. About 80 per cent of the power plants, which are gas-fired, are deprived of regular gas supply. The Geregu, Omotosho and Olorunsogo plants with available capacities of 414MW, 126MW and 252MW could only generate 143MW, 81.2MW and 164.7MW, respectively due to gas constraints. Sometimes this year, the Geregu and Omotosho National Integrated Power Project plants, which had available capacities of 435MW and 500MW were only able to generate 60MW and 102.5MW, respectively due to low gas pressure. The Sapele NIPP, with 250MW available capacity, was totally out due to gas constraints, loading problem and civil work on its basement. The National Control Centre, Osogbo, Osun State, said the 500MW Olorunsogo NIPP plant was also out due to gas constraints and maintenance after a commissioning test. The Alaoji plant has also been shut down following a water injection test, while the Egbin Power Station, with 880MW available capacity, was generating 703MW. The NCC said that generation at the nation’s largest power plant was limited by the inability of the Nigerian Gas Company to supply enough gas to it, while the Egbin’s installed available capacity was reduced because of an ongoing high turbine rotor vibration rehabilitation work. Also, the Sapele, Delta and Afam IV-V power plants, which on Monday had 120MW, 375MW and 75MW available capacities, could only generate 68MW, 346MW and 50MW, respectively due to low lube oil pressure, faults and maintenance works. The Managing Director, Korea Electric Power Nigeria Limited, the technical partner and managers of the Egbin Power Station, Mr. Gyoo Chull Yeom, who recently underscored the dire gas supply situation to the power plants, said, “Gas is not coming, and without this, the power plants cannot operate optimally. Gas supply is very important to the Nigerian power sector because almost 80 per cent of the power plants in the country are gas-fired. “Inadequate gas supply is a big prob-

The minister said the disparity in price between gas supply to the power industry and the industrial sector was cited by the defunct PHCN, as a major reason why gas supply to power plants had been erratic, an issue that negatively affected power supply nationwide lem for Nigeria. Even with the private sector investment; if there is no enough gas supply, there will still be problems.” Raising gas price While the increment in gas price appears to be inevitable, the Chairman Keffi Electricity Consumers’ Forum (KECF) Mallam Adamu Dangana, advised the committee to consider the effect it would have on electricity consumers who are already on edge for the yearly increase in service charge in the form of Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO)2. Dangana warned that, in as much as the consumers would support genuine efforts to ensure steady power supply in the country, any attempt to increase the capacity charge for electricity without due consideration of the effects on consumers would be resisted. “It is heartwarming to know that such a committee has been constituted to find ways of keeping supply of gas steady to the power plants, which will in turn increase the stability and supply of electricity. But, let say that the committee would be considerate as to what they grant the gas producing companies because any increment will automatically reflect in the amount we pay for electricity. I say this because any arbitrary increase will certainly be revisited by the consumers” he said. It was gathered that at the moment, oil and gas companies supply gas to power plants for the generation of electricity at the rate of $1 per 1000 standard cubic feet, SCF.

However, the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, said that the rate would soon be raised to $1.5 per 1000 SCF to ensure adequate supply and encourage more gas supplies/sales to power plants. The decision to consider a 50 per cent hike in the price of the commodity was said to be sequel to the demand by gas suppliers who complain about the “uneconomic price” they have been made to sell to the power plants. Indications are that the development may result in an increase in electricity tariff with power producers trying to recover cost incurred. Currently, fertiliser companies pay about 90 cents for 1,000 cubic feet of gas, while industrial users purchase 1,000 cubic feet of the commodity at above $2.50. The price of gas for power producers, who account for about 80 per cent of the domestic gas consumption, was increased about two years ago from $0.1 to $1.0 by the Federal Government for the same purpose of encouraging suppliers to sell to power plants. Government has said that despite the hike, the prices were still lower than the about $3 per 1,000 standard cubic feet charged at the international market price for gas. Concerns have always been expressed among electricity producers that the existing inappropriate gas-pricing regime may frustrate the Federal Government’s efforts at achieving efficient and stable power supply in the country. Power industry experts have noted that this was already happening, as producers were now reluctant to supply gas to the power plants in favour of industries, a development that has negated government’s objectives in the power sector. Nebo also said that the decision to raise the price of gas was an attempt to establish an appropriate pricing regime as a necessary step to guarantee improved power supply in the country. The minister said the disparity in price between gas supply to the power industry and the industrial sector was cited by the defunct PHCN, as a major reason why gas supply to power plants had been erratic, an issue that negatively affected power supply nationwide. Nigeria recently privatised most of its power generating and distributing plants. The new gas pricing thus means the power generating plants, majority gas powered, would have to pay more to generate power; and to break even may demand an increase in the amount paid for the electricity generated by the eventual consumers, many of whom already complain of paying for non-available electricity. Nigeria generates less than 5000 megawatts of electricity, less than a quarter of what is required to power the whole nation. Performing the inauguration of the gas to power committee, Professor Chinedu Nebo has admitted that NIPP’s were conceived with no adequate provision for the gas, which is described as the back bone. He said :“We cannot be giving gas to the world through export, while we are in dire need of gas to fire our plants”. Conclusion This inter-ministerial committee of professionals must tackle the problem of pacifying all stakeholders if government’s ambitious plan to increase gasfired plant contribution to the grid from the current 70 per cent to 85 per cent by December, 2014 must be effectively achieved.

32 BUSINESS | ENERGY

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Impressive trajectory of a local firm Adeola Yusuf

n the introduction to his book, David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell writes: “…the fact of being an underdog can change people in ways that we often fail to appreciate: it can open doors and create opportunities and educate and enlighten and make possible what otherwise have seemed unthinkable.” When a little-known family business led by the Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola first began operations, it was most decidedly, the underdog in the oil services sector of the economy. The “big boys” of the sector were foreign companies. But with a mix of uncommon grace under pressure, an eye for recognising doors of opportunity and a knack for wedging (and keeping) them open, Makanjuola has grown his business into a tenacious, trend-setting group which at the moment is one of the leading providers of aviation and marine services to the oil and gas industry. Caverton Offshore Support Group was incorporated in 2008 with the key objective to attain “premier status in the ownership and operation of premium offshore assets.” In 1999, the first of the Caverton companies, Caverton Marine Limited, was incorporated as an indigenous shipping company. Makanjuola was making the first of many bold strides, later taking advantage of the Cabotage Law. The law restricts the transportation of petroleum products to Nigerian companies. Caverton Marine Limited’s clientele is an impressive roll call that includes Oando Plc, Forte Oil, and Shell Trading and Shipping Company. Three years later, Caverton Helicopters was established. In 2004, two years after incorporation, Caverton Helicopters began a shuttle service that was unique to the Nigerian business and social landscape. For a modest fee, business executives could be ferried from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, to Victoria Island, in seven minutes, drastically cutting hours spent in Lagos’ gridlocked traffic. Merely a year later, Caverton expanded operations with the lease of five aircraft from HeliPortugal. Makanjuola’s next golden opportunity emerged in 2006 with the closure of the Port Harcourt Airport. Caverton Helicopters’s shuttle services further

Caverton Vessel. Inset: Caverton chair, Makanjuola

expanded to provide transportation for oil company executives between Owerri airport (Imo State), and Rivers State (Port Harcourt and Bonny). The audit In 2010, Caverton won a prestigious and most-coveted contract with Shell for the supply and management of AW 139 helicopters. This was not a lucky break, but was the result of hard work, sheer determination and the sort of business smarts that Makanjuola had acquired in his lucrative marine business and from decades of banking experience. By 2005, the aviation company was fast gaining recognition for its competence. Its clientele now included oil companies such as Transocean, Nigeria LNG, and TSKJ Consortium. This, however, was not sufficient for the company’s driving force. In a bid to ensure that it was meeting and maintaining industry standards, the company invited the major oil companies to audit its operations. Participating companies included Shell, Mobil, Total, Chevron and Agip. Four years later, in 2009, Caverton passed the Shell audit, whose standard which is considered de rigueur in the industry. The company was set to ascend another

Electrical contractors move against quacks James Nwabueze ABUJA

icensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN) has initiated moves to check the activities of unlicensed contractors, saying that most of the electrical accidents are caused by the activities of such unscrupulous elements. LECAN's North West Zonal Coordinator, Isa Onuku, who disclosed this at a press briefing organised by the association in Abuja, said that already it has intimated and secured the backing of Kan Consortium, owners of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company. Onuku, who also indicted former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), said some of them are in the habit of engaging such contractors for their selfish interests. He advised consumers to desist from dealing with unlicensed contractors.

“On a daily basis we catch people who are not licensed doing electrical projects, especially the defunct PHCN officials," he said. He also alleged that in most cases, meters are being processed and issued without the inputs of LECAN, stressing that in such cases, inspection of the building and other safety regulations are not followed. According to Onuku, the need to sanitise the industry was necessary to ensure that only qualified and certified engineers are allowed to do such very sensitive jobs as electrical projects. He said that due to complaints of fake officers who claimed to be working on behalf of the Abuja Disco, the company has concluded plans to introduce uniformed officials for easy identification by customers. Onuku further disclosed that LECAN is currently lobbying the National Assembly to obtain the enabling rights to be able to withdraw the license of quacks in the sector.

level of doing big business. The climb Strategic partnership has played a major role in the company’s steady rise. After the collaboration with HeliPortugal, the company went on to enjoy even more partnerships. In 2009, Caverton teamed up with France’s Heli-Union and Danish company, DanCopter. The succeeding year, in partnership with Dancopter, Caverton successful bided for and won the largest contract ever awarded by Shell to an indigenous company in Nigeria. This, in turn, established a relationship between Caverton and AgustaWestland, the Italian/British manufacturers of the helicopters. In 2012, Caverton became an AgustaWestland Authorized Service Centre for Nigeria, providing repair and maintenance for the craft. It is the first ever Nigerian company to be awarded such a responsibility by a

major aircraft manufacturer. In 2010, Caverton won the bid to provide and maintain two Bell 412 helicopters as part of the Lagos State Government’s security measures. The next year, Caverton Helicopters won a three year contract with Total for the deployment of helicopters in the Delta region. The company’s first international contract came in 2012, with the commencement of a five year agreement with a Cameroonian subsidiary of Exxon-Mobil, COTCO. In a 2013 interview, Remi Makanjuola said that he believes his “group of businesses has risen to prominence through a steady and consistent adherence to global standards, processes and systems.” 2014 sees the company marking another notable milestone with its recent listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, making history as the very first oil services firm to do so.

Chad suspends China's CNPC unit over environmental violations HAMMER Hammer fell on CNPC over pollution in Chad Adeola Yusuf

had has suspended all exploration and drilling activities of the local unit of China National Petroleum Corporation for failing to take measures to meet environmental standards in its operations, its oil minister said at the weekend. "Despite a first suspension imposed on the company in August 2013, unacceptable practices such as land-filling polluted sites without cleaning, has continued," oil minister Djerassem Le Bemadjiel, said in a statement. He said that CNPC has been notified of the suspension of its activities across Chad until further notice. No CNPC official was immediately available to comment. Chad suspended CNPC's activities in August, accusing it of intentionally spilling crude during drilling operations to reduce cost, and not taking adequate cleanup steps.

It lifted the suspension in October saying that the company had improved its practices. Chad's environment minister, however, fined the local unit CNPCIC (CNPC International Chad) $1.2 billion in March for repeated environmental violations and damages. Chad became a crude producer in 2003 and production peaked at about 176,000 barrels per day in 2005 before declining primarily due to ageing wells in the country's Doba oil field. CNPC has been operating in Chad since 2003 and recently won rights to begin exploration on new blocks in the south of the Central Africa state. The government shut down their joint venture 588-million-euro ($780 million) 20,000 bpd refinery for several weeks in January 2012 in a row over retail prices for the local market. In the same vein, Iran has terminated China National Petroleum Corp's (CNPC) contract to develop the Azadegan oilfield after the Chinese energy giant ignored repeated appeals to work on it, Iranian news agency Shana has said. China's biggest oil and gas company signed up to develop Iranian oil and gas fields after Japanese and European companies pulled out due to sanctions in the middle of the last decade.

PROPERTY&ENVIRONMENT PAGE 33, Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Aerial view of Lagos Island

CUTTING EDGE NMPC will ensure collation and distribution of geospatial date for sustainable development. Dayo Ayeyemi

Surveyors advocate creation of Mapping Commission

erturbed by the dearth of geospatial data in the country, practitioners under the umbrella of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) have urged the Federal Government to, create a National Mapping Commission through which the National Mapping Policy can be entrenched. Justifying the need for the establishment of the commission during the 49th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors in Benin, Edo State capital, at the weekend, NIS President, Mr. Bode Adeaga, said that the national mapping policy would eliminate duplication and waste of resources; ensure a standard format for geo-data collection, processing and storage. That he said, would in turn facilitate data exchange among all tiers of government, security agencies and the private sector. The theme of the conference was: “Connect and collaborate: Creating opportunity and awareness for spatial integration.” According to Adeaga, government should be ready to finance a nationwide large scale mapping in digital format though the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGF). He said: “Nigeria needs a National Mapping policy in the context of the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI). The policy will eliminate duplication and

Jonathan

Adeaga

waste of resources. “Only spatial information can provide answer to knowledge of our different locations, which will help to connect and accelerate better understanding and collaboration for national development.” While canvassing massive investment for surveying and mapping of the country, he said: “Our investment in the surveying and mapping of the country is an investment in the our future, in the sustainability of our economy, in the protection of our environment, in the assurance of our security and ability to adequately and appropriately respond to emergencies, and to grow a healthy and productive nation.” He stated that one of the strategic information a prospective investor would want to look for in Nigeria, being an

investment destination, is map Adeaga queried: “Are there maps of our road infrastructure, location of natural resources, power distribution, transport system and other infrastructures, market potentials and consumers distribution along income lines? Nigeria needs maps on all the above but they must necessarily be predicated on base maps.” Base maps, according to him, must be created on appropriate scales to enable the overlay of the attributes indicated above, saying that they are spatial information that will drive the nation’s investment and development portfolio faster than 100 conferences. Besides, both government and the private sector were also advised to connect and collaborate with the surveying profession for the purpose of articulating a holistic

approach to the nation’s challenges. Adeaga, reiterated the need for government to begin massive investment in remote sensing and digital mapping to be able nip the various challenges confronting the nation in the bud. Chairman, Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Professor Osarheimen Osunbor, who doubles as guest speaker at the event, pointed out that surveying profession and geospatial information are key to sustainable transformation of modern economies, describing them as catalysts to national development. Osunbor noted that the various haphazard and unplanned developments that characterised the nation’s towns and cities were due to lack of geospatial information for planning. Various haphazard and unplanned developments in major towns and cities in Nigeria due to lack of geospatial information for planning, he said, were responsible for absence of drains and functional sewage system in major towns and cities; flooding of roads and streets by storm water during rainy season; and other envi-

Most of the planning in Nigeria today is based on data collected 50 years ago

ronmental problems such as gully erosion, landslide and refuse dump within the densely populated areas with its attendant health hazards. He said: “Most of the planning in Nigeria today is based on data collected 50 years ago which are often extrapolated. Government at all levels must connect and collaborate with the profession in order that surveyors can attain their optimum levels of contributions to national development.” He pointed out that challenges of modern governance require accurate and reliable tools such as good administrative maps and geospatial information. The use of geospatial information, he said, would promote transparency and accountability in governance, which would in turn promote wealth creation and employment opportunities for the jobless. He noted that many state governments have adopted GIS for the purpose of mapping and allocation of land as well as enumeration for sundry purposes including assessment of tenement rates and levies, enjoining the national government to do same. Surveyors, according to him, have an important role to play in tackling the current security challenges in the country through the location of suspicious changes on the landscape using highresolution imageries such as “Geo-eye, quick bird or digital C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 4

property & ENVIRONMENT

GROWTH Expansion in saleable real estate business is a reality Dayo Ayeyemi

ustained economic development, expanding middle classes, favourable demographics, rapid urbanisation, commodities and energy resources, innovation and technology, increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) and service sector growth, among others, have been listed among factors that will support the real estate industry. Some of the 10 African cities indentified on the international radar, according to analysis by the Managing Director, JLL South Africa, Mark Bradford, included Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Accra, Cairo, Casablanca, Lagos, Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Luanda Buttressing factors to sup-

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Lagos, others to witness rise in commercial real estate –Report port the growth in the report, he said: “Sub-Saharan Africa’s commercial real estate sector has many of the ingredients for ‘lift-off ’. Unencumbered by a legacy of existing stock, the continent has a real opportunity to ‘leapfrog’ the normal stages and build high-tech buildings. “Africa’s lead in mobile banking illustrates that it has the potential to be a groundbreaker. The reality, however, is that the future shape of Africa’s real estate market will be determined by its ability to tackle poor transparency, which will continue to be a major barrier in this sector.” On the growth of commercial real estate in these cities,

the report stated that international investor perceptions about potential opportunities in Africa are slowly improving, adding that global search for commodities, a growing internal consumer market and better macroeconomic fundamentals have helped to boost foreign investment. Besides, it noted the past decade has been a major turning point for the African economy, pointing out that economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa has matched or exceeded five per cent for nine out of the last 10 years, and is expected to continue to exceed five per cent per year over the next five years as the internal market expands.

According to the report, the balance of economic activity within the continent is shifting southwards into sub-Saharan Africa, the world’s fastestgrowing economies such as Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria and Angola. “In terms of economic performance, sub-Saharan Africa holds up well compared to other emerging markets: eight out of the world’s top dozen fastest-growing countries over the next five years are expected to be in Africa,” the report stated. It also pointed out that the 10 listed cities’ working-age population is growing vigorously with 70 per cent of the total population aged under 30, delivering a potentially huge

L-R: President of Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Mr Bode Adeaga; Chairman, Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Professor Osarheimen Osunbor and Surveyor-General of the Federation, Professor Peter Nwilo, during the 49th Annual General Meeting of NIS in Benin, Edo State. C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

globe.” Besides, he explained that information from surveyors would help in resolving boundary disputes among states and various communities, adding that such information is a useful tool in wards and constituencies’ delineation for electoral purposes. “As a result of climate change and rising sea levels with attendant flooding and other disasters, hydrographic survey is now more important than ever. There is need for real-time disaster warning systems and tidal stations for early warning purposes,” he said. He urged surveyors to create awareness about themselves and their services, adding that government must give importance to the use of geospatial information for physical planning and development purposes. He also blamed weakness in the law governing survey works in Nigeria (The survey Co-ordination Act passed in 1962 and now Cap. Section 17 of the Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004) for data manipulation and unprofes-

demographic boost, adding that by 2040, Africa’s workingage population will be larger than either China or India. The report also listed rapid urbanisation as a booming factor, stating: “The real estate sector will play a major role in shaping Africa’s urban future as city infrastructures strain under the pressures of “flash urbanization”. Africa is urbanising more rapidly than any other continent, with its citybased population expanding by 3.5 per cent per year. Some cities are growing considerably faster (such as Abuja at nine per cent and Luanda at six per cent a year). Sixty cities across Africa have a population of more than 1 million; a total of 170 million city dwellers whose incomes are typically nearly double their respective country’s national average.” Sustained economic growth, according to the report, is creating an expanding urban middle class with growing discretionary income, adding that Africa’s middle classes have been estimated at around 350 million people. “But the most rapid growth in the middle-class population is occurring in sub-Saharan Africa in cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Luanda, Accra and Nairobi. Sub-Saharan Africa has, to date, been “off the radar” of most international groups (with the notable exception of South African retailers); but this is beginning to change as international retailers, developers and investors seek to tap into the fast-growing consumer markets,” it stated.

National Mapping Commission sional practice by fraudulent contractors to thrive. In order to guide against such manipulations in the laws for the enforcement of physical planning, geospatial data collection and the law regulating the profession, the professor wants NIS to make necessary proposals to the National Assembly for the reform of the Act. Speaking, Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, said that his government was committed to surveying profession and that he has involved practitioners in public service in the design and construction of new roads and other infrastructures in the state. Showing his commitment, he said that he had bought equipment worth over N30 million for the survey department of the Ministry of Land and Survey last year. The governor was represented by the Commissioner in the Ministry of Land and Survey, Mr Donald OsikhenaBioh. According to him, plans

are underway to update all obsolete maps of the state and density controls which are in dire need for proper coordination of survey activities in the state, saying the use of satellite imageries and GIS are key

An aerial view of Lagos Island

in this regard. Chairman of NIS in Edo State, Mr. Eromosele Iria Oboh, said that the theme of the conference was carefully chosen to reflect the direction of thinking of surveyors glob-

ally in providing solutions to many of the problems that are bedeviling the environment in view of the wide spectrum of geospatial information knowledge in their professional expertise of surveyors.

property & ENVIRONMENT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

SYNERGY Effort to put an end to structural failure is yielding result. Dayo Ayeyemi

n its efforts to ensure that Nigeria cities, especially, are free of building collapse and its attendant loses, the concerned professionals under the auspices of the Build Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), at the weekend, mobilised everyone that has something to do with building construction for further collaboration. The event, which took place during the annual Lagos Architects Forum, saw construction experts and artisans comprising concrete workers, bricklayers, iron benders, tilers, plumbers, block manufacturers, carpenters and painters speaking with one voice on the need for synergy to prevent incessant building collapse. Speaking about the activities of the guild, its President, Mr Kunle Awobodu, revealed that to stakeholders that BCPG has gained national recognition as it has spread across the 36 states of the federation. In Lagos alone, he said that the association could boast of 57 cells/units in-line with the 57 local government/ community development areas in the state that are monitoring both existing and ongoing construction activities in the localities to ensure that proper things are being done to prevent failure of structures. He added that each cell has a coordinator. He said: “We expect each cell in each local government to have seven professionals in the built environment, look at bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, welders, block mak-

Experts mobilise stakeholders, others against building collapse ers that are registered and get their names by having meetings with them for the purpose of sensitisations on the need for them to do their works properly to prevent failure. “Members in each cell also go round construction sites to let the owners know that they are promoting good construction and the need to engage the right professionals. We have the local concrete workers and if you are working in any site and notice any shady deal, we report to the coordinator of the cell in the area.” While appealing to members and artisans on the need to collaborate, Awobodu blamed lack of information for various abuses in the construction sector, urging professionals on the need come together to overcome the challenge. He said: “There is the need for collaboration among construction workers. Construction is a teamwork. It is to promote professionalism in the construction industry. We

must collaborate and must not underrate anybody. There are lots of clients requiring the expertise of the professionals out there, so collaboration is a must.” The BCPG boss disclosed that the National Assembly recently invited the leadership of the association for the ongoing discussion about cement grades. According to him, the committee wanted to know whether cement quality was responsible for collapse of buildings in Nigeria before taking decision on the controversial cement upgrade. Awobodu explained that there have been allegations that cement has been causing collapse of buildings in the country, but said that he told the committee that there has not been any scientific proof that cement was responsible for most of the building collapses, adding that none of the findings about collapsed buildings has anything to do

with cement quality. He said: “There is no scientific proof as so many records of building collapse are available. When SON sent to us that it wanted to know from records, we sent to our members to show where cement has led to collapse of building and none was found.” He blamed collapse of building on poor foundation, engagement of quacks, sharp practices, greed on the part of clients and contractors, poor workmanship, non-engagement of professionals, lack of monitoring by government agencies, and use of substandard building materials such as fake iron bars and blocks. Awobodu warned on escalating cement price, saying that it has grave consequences on building production process. “Because of high cost, where people are supposed to use 50 bags of cement, they will use 20 bags; but if the price of cement is reduced, there will be less building collapse,” he said.

Speaking about the mandate of BCPG, Awobodu said that many professionals had talked about solution to collapse of building which looked like an academic work but now “we are putting our talk to practice.” According to him, instead of professionals working at cross purposes, they now work together, calling for more collaboration among professionals. He said: “We have coordinated the artisans in the state that they should alert BCPG if there is a problem in any site they find themselves. The onus is on us to ensure shoddy job is eradicated because we see construction as a team work.” Also speaking at the forum, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mrs Abimbola Animashaun, stated that there are a lot of malpractices in the construction sites, adding that in some sites, there would not be professional to sign some of the documents brought by her agency.

One of the housing estates in Lagos State

Mr. Allan O Alli is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Xpress Property Services Ventures Limited. In this interview with Dayo Ayeyemi, he expressed concerns about irregularities in the price of cement, implications on the housing/ contrition industry, and the ways out.

Alli

Increased cement production may crash prices –Expert Cement price per 50kg bag has soared to about N2,500. Are you not disturbed? Irregularities in cement prices can be attributed to the common economic factor of demand and supply, hence the demand for cement, as we know, is by a long mile higher in Lagos State than any other part of the country, including FCT. This is evident from the spate of housing developments in and around Lagos State and the unending migration of people from other parts of the country to the city, thus leaving the demand for housing provision steadily high. Who is to blame for the high price? We cannot put blame on a specific reason or persons outside of the basic economic dictates of demand and s u p p l y. Where

there is a high demand, there is every tendency to struggle with price fluctuations especially when there are no price regulation in place which in the long run affects costs of supply. What is the implication on provision of cheap houses for the masses? Because cement is an essential ingredient for housing delivery and indeed, the most commonly used in construction, it will continue to influence and determine eventual cost of delivery. The implication of price irregularities is obvious, it increases the cost of housing delivery by indirectly increasing costs of labour and infrastructure which are integral part of provision of affordable housing have to remain competitive in achieving the agenda towards affordable housing. Other implications are inevitable high cost of house rents, decaying infrastructure as a result of maintenance negligence, possibility of contractors/builders cutting corners through cost savings

measures thus ending up building substandard structures which ultimately could result into collapse buildings and loss of lives. What is the way out? I am not sure there is a definite way out due to the dictates of basic economic laws of demand and supply but prices regulation and price subsidy through direct supply to end users may make some difference if guided by needs. Importation of cement even though may seem like an alternative antidote, I do have my reservations towards the idea because of the challenges and cons that weigh higher in my view; importation may be used as a support for our local production and succour towards our immediate demands. However, this idea may rub off negatively in the long term. I will therefore chose a part of long term remedy by way of increased production which may eventually drive down overall prices.

36 property & ENVIRONMENT

Sanctity of Truth

‘Expo 2020 injecting confidence into Dubai’s property markets’

ccupier demand continues to reflect the confidence injected into Dubai’s commercial property market through the Expo 2020 win and overall increase in economic activity, a new report suggests. Linked to this has been a steady rise in the level of demand for prime Grade A space in particular and as a result of the strengthening demand, rents have continued to climb, says the latest commercial property market report from Cluttons. According to Property Wire report, during 2013, prime office rents rose by 8 percent, with a further 10 per cent increase being recorded in the first quarter of the year, pushing average Grade A rents to AED220 per square foot. The report points out that as a result of the economic

vigour, several firms are expanding their footprints and some are focussed on achieving this by consolidating their operations into a single location. Furthermore, the propensity for multinational organisations to relocate their regional teams to Dubai continues to gather pace as political uncertainty and conflict persists in parts of the region. ‘In particular, we have recorded a shift away from cities in Egypt and Lebanon, with some organisations permanently moving staff to Dubai,’ the report says. The rising tide of occupier demand is having a knock on impact on supply, which is rapidly being depleted in free zone submarkets such as Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City. The upturn in occupier re-

quirements has helped to drive upper limit rents in TECOM A&B by almost 29 per cent to AED180 per square foot between the third quarter of 2013 and the first quarter of this year. The report explains that the falling supply levels in centrally located free zones is aggravating demand for space in more secondary locations such as Dubai Health Care City and the International Media Production Free zone (IMPZ), with both recording rising levels of interest from occupiers. Elsewhere, TECOM’s Dubai Design District (D3) has reported 500 expressions of interest since the project was first announced late last year. ‘Where space permits, we expect to see free zones expanded to cater to occupier

demand, such as the recently announced AED1.1 billion Silicon Park at the Dubai Silicon Oasis, in addition to the development of further retail and commercial projects across the DIFC,’ the report points out and adds that centrally located submarkets also remain in high demand. The report also points out that the upturn in demand, especially from the real estate sector, is triggering the implementation of an unofficial quota system by some landlords, as they work to minimise the exposure to any one sector in particular. ‘We expect to see this trend gather pace across the city as building owners take a more strategic view of their assets,’ it explains. Occupier demand has risen during the first quarter and

Dubai property

Requirements for building plan approvals in Lagos

re you a beginner, seeking how to go about your building plan approval process in Lagos State? The steps to this are simple as the agency of government in charge, Lagos State Plan Approval and Development Authority will require some documents from you. According to the agency, the following documents must be submitted at the point of registration of all applications for building plan approval in line with the state policy on Operation 30 –30; an acronym for speedy processing/approval of building plan application: Five (5) sets each of architectural drawings, structural drawings with detailing/calculations and letter of structural stability from COREN certified engineer, sanitary and plumbing drawings, electrical drawings, mechanical drawings where applicable. Others are one (1) sun print copy of survey plan, proof of land ownership such as certi-

fied true copy of title document (C of O), Letter of Ratification in case of government acquisition or revocation areas, land purchase receipt (if it is purchase receipt, it must be duly stamped and predate the Land Use Decree 6 of 28 March, 1978, receipts of all land charges paid to date in case of state land, current Tax Clearance (TCC) of the applicant and if it is corporate body, two of its Directors’ P.A.Y.E returns of staff and Certificate of Incorporation of the company are required. They include receipts of Lagos State Special Development Levy in respect of the TCC, receipt of tenement rate paid to the government in respect of rateable properties owned by the applicant in Lagos State or sworn affidavit in lieu. Receipt of processing fees payable in cash or bank drafts to Lagos State Government at designated banks, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in respect of all commercial industrial,

institutional applications and some other uses prepared by an Urban and Regional Planner registered by NITP/TOPREC. The process also involves five (5) N20 post stamps and 10 envelopes, letter of clearance from the following government agencies: Change of Use and Approval in Principle from Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development; planning

information from Special Applications Unit in respect of special applications: places of worship, filling stations, shopping complex, schools, banks, eateries, mortuaries & hotels; Land Use & Allocation Directorate: all state lands and government schemes; Land Services Department for Governor’s Consent and subsequent transactions on landed properties.

Documents required for non-state land C-OF-O a. Formal Letter addressed to the Executive Secretary – Land Use and Allocation Committee, Block 13, Room 4, Lands Bureau, The Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja. b. Completed Certificate of Occupancy form with receipt. c. Land Information Certificate with receipt. d. Four original Survey Plan (2 cloth and 2 paper). e. Four passport photograph with white background. f. Sketch map of the site location g. Purchase receipt duly stamped. h. Evidence of payment of Income Tax i. Current development levy. j. Publication fee - N10,000 k. Capital Contribution Fee subject to a minimum of N30,000.00 l. Building plan approval if developed. m. Copy of Tenement rate receipt (if occupied).

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

requirement levels have been stronger for areas around Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Free zone as companies begin initial preparations for the expected spike in activity leading up to the World Expo in 2020.

Lagos bemoans indiscriminate defecating in open spaces Canvasses attitudinal change

he ways people abuse the Tdefecation environment through open in outer roads;

streets and parks have become a source of concern for the Lagos State Government. Disturbed by what it called an act of indiscipline by the residents, the government has come out to condemn the action, pleading with the public to desist from the habit of environmental abuse. Speaking with journalists at the weekend, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, said most parks in the metropolis are now filthy due to open defecation by some unidentified persons, wondering if the perpetrators did it due to ignorance or impunity. Ibirogba called for attitudinal change among members of the public, saying that there must be an improvement in the way they used the environment, adding that they should key into the state’s environmental law. He promised that in as much the government would not stop providing public toilets in strategic locations within the metropolis, people must appeal to their own minds that indiscriminate abuse of the environment is evil. He urged that all the public gardens and parks coupled with trees provided by government must be maintained for the benefit of human beings. According to him, government would continue to carry out enlightenment campaigns about environmental cleanliness, but urged that people must prepare their minds not to abuse it. He said,” Lagosians must rank themselves high by shunning the lifestyle of open defecation. Stop the idea of open defecation and the idea of making worse the use of the facilities of government. People should see the facilities as their own and take proper care of them hygienically. Issue of environmental degradation will be prevented because all gardens and parks in the state are for the benefits of human being. In Lagos, open defecation is against the law.”

BUSINESS 37

Why Nigerian airports are not efficiently run p–38

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Nigeria’s private jet fleet larger than commercial fleet AFFLUENCE Wealthy Nigerians show-off with acqusition of aircraft Wole Shadare

rowth in Nigeria has been driven predominantly by the oil and gas industry. However, other sectors, including finance, manufacturing, telecoms and agriculture are all contributing to aviation market, which is set to grow by 25 per cent this year, Presently, Arik Air has 23 aircraft, Aero five, excluding helicopters, First Nation has three operating aircraft, Medview has four,v Dana has about four airplanes in its fleet, Overland has about four airplanes, Discovery and Azman have four for a start, IRS which is temporarily suspended, has three aircraft. About 50 put together. While Nigeria seems to be growing in this area, many have attributed the perceived growth to be the failure of Africa as a continent. To them, about 200 jets acquisition is the celebration of mediocrity. They insist that the number is just too small and should not call for celebration when it is compared with countries with almost the same population or fewer. A source who spoke to New Telegraph under a strict condition of anonymity, said: “You have a country with a totally degenerated infrastructure and a poverty-stricken populace and these people are celebrating jets. “160 million people; 100 jets to benefit less than 0.001 per cent of the populace. Is that to prove that Nigerians are wealthy? “All these ‘biggest economy in Africa;’ ‘Fastest developing aviation’ tags are just nonsense; you won’t be respected if you can’t provide the basics - good roads, constant electricity, reduced unemployment. Trying to build a state of make-believe is just witless and irresponsible. The Federal Government’s support for expansion, coupled with the removal of import duties on new jets and the signing of Cape Town Convention by Nigeria a few years ago, has reassured aircraft lessors about asset security. Government’s invested in new infrastructure, including a private jet terminal that opened two years ago in Abuja and does not impose a time

Some private jets

restriction on the amount of time a foreign registered private jet can stay on Nigerian soil, has further boosted the acquisition of this business that is fast growing and one that has indirectly affected commercial jet operations. Whilst this is stimulating growth, our source acknowledged that improved regulations, comprehensive MRO offerings, the implementation of structured safety management systems and local participation are all necessary for the success of on-going efforts. Just last week, it emerged that Nigeria is now the country with the highest number of private order. The figure is growing and it is helped by the fact that while the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, with many in the top echelon of the society trying to force themselves into the circle of nouveau de rich Nigerians. Nigeria has been ranked as country with largest market for private jets or what is generally referred to as business aviation, toppling South Africa and other nations with far more developed aviation industry. Experts attribute the rising acquisition of state-of-the-art business jets to the increase in the ranks of wealthy Nigerians. Across the nation’s airports and private hangars are stateof-the-art Gulfstream (300. 450, 550, 650); Bombardier Challenger (604, 605) Global Express; Embraer Legacy; Dassault Falcon; and Hawker Siddeley (125 - 800, 900XP), with supply countries such as the United States, Can-

ada, Brazil and South Africa. Acquisition cost goes from $40 million to $70 million; excluding other associated costs like registration and legal; remuneration of pilot and crew; fuelling and maintenance; insurance, landing, parking and overflying. Depending on the jet usage and size, the associated costs can be between $250,000 and $1,000,000 per year, according to experts, just as 70 per cent of jet purchases are made with cash according to industry sources. Aviation analyst, Olumide Ohunayo, while expressing joy over the new ranking, however expressed disappointment that any aircraft put on a 5N (Nigerian) registry will lose asset value by as much as 25 per cent, yet incur higher insurance premiums, up to 35 per cent higher in some cases. He disclosed that maintenance and service support would remain a huge challenge and whilst the fleet continues to grow, there are no accurate figures for the amount of jets

The time saving, the convenience and the increased productivity that follow, mean business aviation is not a luxury but an essential tool for growth in Nigeria

Airline Arik Aero First Nation Medview Dana Overland Discovery Azman IRS

Number of Aircrat 23 5 3 4 4 4 4 4 3

operating in Nigeria, adding that educated guesses say between 100 and 150, with an anticipated 350 set to be in operation by 2016. He disclosed that there are indications that affluent Nigerians spent over N3 trillion on the flying machines in the last five years. Buttressing this new status, founder and chairman of the African Business Aviation Association (ABAA), Tarek Ragheb, noted that Nigeria has Africa’s largest fleet of business aviation. He disclosed that more new and pre-owned business aircraft were delivered to Nigeria than South Africa in 2014, in a weekly report by ABAA. Ragheb lamented that one of the biggest obstacles in African aviation presently is the difficulty in obtaining financing for African business aviation companies. He said: “One of the things we’re working on is to make sure that we put finance in place so that African companies can purchase foreignmanufactured aircraft using extra guarantees from overseas and administered by African

banks.” Ragheb spends his time lobbying and liaising with committees from the 54 African Union countries, and is concentrating on widening the nucleus of successful business aviation clusters in countries that are already performing well. “We want to focus on Nigeria to make sure best practices are in place here as we expand our mission,” he told Show News in Cairo, Egypt, before the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition. Aviation authorities from Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda and Mali are among the 60 members of the ABAA. The association is courting South Africa, Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. “Expanding membership is a priority,” Ragheb said. “One of the most important things we need to do now is establish a very robust link between us and the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). That’s very clearly in our best interests and I would think, although I can’t speak for the EBAA, it would also be in their best interest,” he noted. Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison, said that transport logistics within Nigeria also stimulated growth, with poor roads, a limited domestic airline fleet and train network, meant that executive jets provide a solution to much of the logistical challenges in the country. “The time saving, the convenience and the increased productivity that follow, mean business aviation is not a luxury but an essential tool for growth in Nigeria,” he said.

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

AIR RAGE

WITH

Wole Shadare

Why Nigerian airports are not efficiently run

A As jet climbs past 20,000 feet, Gogo Inc’s on-board wireless network latches onto the Internet, and digital addicts fire up their smartphones.

Surfing in the sky: Taking air travel to the next level Wole Shadare

or many years, airlines refused the use of cellular telephone technology inflight. There was the fear that, being unable to make reliable contact with ground-based base stations, mobiles would transmit with maximum RF power and the ensuing high RF fields could potentially cause interference with both aircraft communications (which use a band harmonically related to the original GSM frequencies) and to aircraft flight control systems. For some time now, airlines such as Emirates, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Etihad and many other global airlines have added in-flight cell phone service to its fleet of aircraft, including A380 aircraft. The Dubai-based carrier, which had offered a similar service on other aircraft since 2008, joined Virgin Atlantic, Etihad and nearly two dozen other airlines around the world in permitting satellite-based mobile service so their passengers can make calls and send text messages from the air. While increasing numbers of American carriers offer on-board WI-FI, none so far allow for mobile phone calls or text messages. In an era of all airlines looking for new ways to make money, it would seem that charging rates starting at $1.20 per minute would be a nobrainer. So why are American airlines behind the times? Federal regulations currently prohibit the use of mobile phones in-flight, however, that rule is under review by the Federal Aviation Administration. Even foreign carriers that fly to the United States must disable the service once within 250 nautical miles of the country. “Since 1991, the FCC has restricted the in-flight use of cell phones in US airspace because of potential interference with ground networks,” wrote Ian Gregor, an FAA spokesperson, in an e-mailed statement. “However, in the 2012 reauthorisation bill, Congress di-

rected the FAA to complete a survey of foreign governments regarding the impact of in-flight cell phone use for voice communications in scheduled passenger service in countries where in-flight use of cell phones is currently allowed. The FAA is publishing the results of this survey in the Federal Register with a comment period. The agency will send the final survey report to Congress by the end of the year, as required.”

caused by inflight GSM. If you look at usage, nearly half is text messaging and most of the other half is e-mailing. Only about a tenth of all usage of the OnAir cell phone network is for voice calls. And aircraft are noisy environments, so the noise of a conversation doesn’t travel from row to row anyway. Also, the cabin crew has the option of being able to turn off the voice element, though again, we haven’t heard of any airline doing so.”

How disruptive is disruptive? A common kneejerk reaction against allowing mobile calls on flights is that it would be too disruptive. But for now, travellers seem more interested in using their phones for data and texting rather than voice calls. Beyond the legal restriction, domestic American airlines say their customers don’t want it. “The answer is very simple for United and in line with what Airlines for America and others have said: United customers tell us that they don’t favour in-flight cell phone usage, and they say it is likely to detract from their on-board experience,” said, a spokesperson for United Airlines. Representatives from Southwest (the country’s largest domestic carrier) and JetBlue have also indicated similar perspectives. “We’re open to any new developments and will consider amending our current philosophy should real evidence emerge that tells us more of the story than what we currently know,” Allison Steinberg, a JetBlue spokesperson, told Ars. However, foreign airlines say that it’s not nearly as disruptive as some might think. (After all, we had airfones once, right?) “Disruption has simply not arisen as an issue,” said Aurélie Branchereau-Giles, a spokesperson for Onair, a Swiss firm that is one of the largest mobile service providers to the airlines, including Emirates. “In the five years of Mobile OnAir’s operations across the world, no airline has reported any incident of disruption

Is Wi-Fi enough? Among passengers, there seems to be some disagreement, analysts and activists say, as to what the true level of interest would be. “When we’ve talked to our members, we get very little (negative) feedback,” said Kate Hanni. “I have to fly a lot between San Francisco and Washington, DC and I get a lot of media calls. I would love the opportunity to make calls during long transcontinental or transatlantic flights.” But Henry Harteveldt, an analyst and co-founder of the Atmosphere Research Group, told Ars that in nearly a decade of studying in-flight communications (mostly Wi-Fi), he had never seen “a meaningful number of US travellers (who) want to use their cell phones for voice calls. “A Q2 2012 Atmosphere Research study of US airline passengers shows that two-thirds own a smartphone. Since essentially every new-generation mobile phone is an Internet-enabled device, using in-flight Wi-Fi for e-mail and social networking, among others. It is practical, and is really what the traveller wants. Texting isn’t essential when a consumer has other options to use for communications - for example, Gmail, instant message, Facebook chat,” he said. Regardless, for those of us who would love to make air travel more Internet-friendly (and are happy to use Skype or Google Voice to send text messages), the FCC has said that it is working on accelerating the approval process for airlines and aircraft to bring more WiFi on-board.

s I landed at the London Heathrow Airport Terminal 3, home of Virgin Atlantic Airways, I was carried away by the efficiency, serenity of the airport and the functionality of the entire system. It was estimated that over 69 million passenger passed through the airport in 2013. It was not my first visit to Heathrow; I have had the privilege of visiting or passing through great airports in the course of my job as a travel and aviation writer. Each time I visit these great airports, a lot of thoughts race through my mind as to why Nigeria’s aviation sector is retrogressing in many areas of administration, infrastructure and policies. Nigeria is a country where mediocrity is celebrated and elevated to an unimaginable level; it is a country where white could be argued to be black. It is a country of so many contradictions. The London Heathrow Airport has done so well over the years, leading to massive traffic growth. The traffic has been growing, making the airport one of the busiest in the world, behind Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare airports, and possibly one other airport across the globe. 5.8 million passengers passed through Heathrow in March 2014, down 2.8 per cent from March 2013 record, whereas, 4.9 million passengers passed through Heathrow in February 2014, up one per cent on the previous year. It is on record that 6.2 million passengers passed through Heathrow in April 2014, up 6.7 per cent on the month, taking into account the Easter timing change from 2013, the underlying growth was 1.9 per cent. This enormous traffic of 6.2 million recorded by the airport in April alone is half of the international passenger traffic recorded by all Nigerian airports in one year, a clear indication that despite Nigeria’s 160 million population, less than five per cent of the populace take to international air travel. International air travel is a big luxury for majority of the people who live on less than $2 a day. The point I am trying to make here is that most airports around the world work efficiently because government does not get itself running enterprises. Airports management are better put in the hands of people who are equipped and trained to do so, not the way the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) run many of the airports in Nige-

ria. Virtually all the airports in Nigeria are lying fallow, except for Lagos, Abuja and to some extent, the Port-Harcourt airport. Many had advised government to privatise FAAN, to make for professionalism, rather than the civil service mentality that has been allowed to operate for too long. Not only are the airports highly under-utilised, they are poorly maintained. The much talked about remodelling of Nigeria’s airports by the sacked Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, was not only highly cosmetic, a huge deception and a big joke, as most of the facilities have started falling apart, less than one year after they were alleged to have been completed. The aerotropolis project may have been abandoned, questioning the motive of people behind most of these projects. It is a good thing to repair, remodel or refurbish airports, the media hype that trailed most of these projects were more than the actual or quality of jobs done. Propaganda was elevated to a new height in a bid to convince unsuspecting Nigerians that several billions of naira was actually sunk into some of the white elephant projects. In summary, government has no business in business. Nigerian airports should, as a matter of urgency, be handed over to private investors at a time government’s revenue is dwindling very fast. For the International Air Transport Association (IATA), whether an airport is in public or private ownership is not the central question. The key factor is that an airport can deliver the cost and service levels that airlines require, regardless of the airport’s ownership structure. Therefore, where a decision is taken to privatise an airport, the framework put in place must benefit both the industry and its customers. Privatising airports should not be viewed simply as a short-term revenue raising option for governments. It must be seen as part of a long-term vision for economic development. Just last year, London’s Stansted Airport was sold to the owner of Manchester Airport for £1.5 billion. The airport was sold by Heathrow Airport Holdings, formerly called BAA, which will continue to own London Heathrow, Southampton, Aberdeen and Glasgow airports. The Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta International - is owned by the City of Atlanta.

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Delta, Virgin Atlantic unveil new London Heathrow schedule CODE SHARING The two airlines will codeshare on each other’s operated services

ffective October 26, 2014, Delta Air will begin operating one of two daily Heathrow-Los Angeles flights currently operated by Virgin Atlantic. This new Delta service, according to a statement from the airline, marked the airline’s first non-stop flight between Los Angeles and London Heathrow and is Delta’s seventh non-stop destination between London and the United States. Virgin Atlantic will begin operating one of Delta’s three daily flights between Heathrow and Atlanta. The new services will expand the award-winning service offered by both carriers to customers as well as provide greater choice for travel between the UK and North America. The two airlines will codeshare on each other’s operated services, allowing Delta and Virgin customer’s seamless access to the expanded network. “It’s great to see how our partnership with Delta is already proving fruitful to

our customers,” said Craig Kreeger, Virgin Atlantic CEO. “In less than a year we will have co-located key business routes, delivered schedule changes to benefit our customers and provided enhanced experiences to our frequent fliers, who gain from reciprocal lounge access and the ability to earn and burn across both carriers. This is just the beginning of demonstrating how a true joint venture between airlines should be operated to benefit customers.” This announcement also shows how the partnership, which launched on January 1, 2014, is increasing the network of each carrier. Virgin Atlantic will have access to Delta’s Atlanta hub, the busiest airport in the world, for the first time, providing expansive and unprecedented access for Virgin Atlantic customers to connect to points throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The airline will now be able to offer over 100 additional international and domestic connections to its customers. This brings the total number of connections available through the partnership to more than 200.

“From the outset, we said that our partnership with Virgin Atlantic was about improving services while offering more destinations and schedule choice,” said Delta President, Ed Bastian. “Expanding access to London’s Heathrow Airport has long been at the top of Delta’s list of priorities, while Virgin Atlantic has long wanted greater access to North America. Today’s announcement shows how we’re delivering this shared commitment to increase connectivity on the trans-Atlantic.” Delta and Virgin Atlantic’s new winter 2014 schedule between Heathrow and Los Angeles and Atlanta is available today: Combined, the two airlines operate a total of 32 peak daily non-stop flights between North America and the UK, including 24 flights between London Heathrow and popular US destinations. Delta recently co-located its New York, Boston and Seattle routes into Terminal 3 – Virgin Atlantic’s home at Heathrow Airport. This move provided additional choice and flexibility to customers while reducing onward transit times.

‘Makurdi Airport’ll be completed soon’ Federal Airports AuTthathe thority of Nigeria has said the remodelled Markurdi

Airport in Benue State will be completed soon. The airport, expected to be the biggest perishable cargo terminal in the country, has been undergoing repairs and now at its completion stage. A statement by FAAN quoted the Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom, as saying this during an inspection tour of the facility. He announced that the on-going construction of perishable terminals across the country would be facilitated as soon as funds were released from the 2014 budget. The statement, signed by FAAN spokesman, Yakubu Dati, quoted Ortom as saying that the projects, under the airport master plan, initiated by President Goodluck Jonathan for the aviation industry, were still on course and would be implemented according to schedule. Ortom, who was joined at the airport by Air Vice Marshal U. A. Omeiza, discussed issues of mutual interests in view of the status of Makurdi Airport as a military airport. According to the statement, the supervising minister was accompanied on the tour by the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Saleh Dunoma, who explained that work on the remodelling of the Makurdi Airport terminal had reached 90 per

cent completion. The recent designation of some airports as cargo airports by the Federal Government has led to significant rise in cargo movement across the country. FAAN had noted that in the third quarter of 2013, for instance, a total of 52.5 million kilogrammes of cargo was carried through the airport. This represents an increase of 20 per cent compared to 43.5 million kg carried in the third quarter of 2012. It added that the concept of designating some of these airports as cargo airports was borne out of the need by the Federal Government to facilitate the exportation of agricultural produce and other perishable goods considering the insecurity on the roads. FAAN said: “There has also been an increase mail movement across the country, which was borne out of increased reliance of courier companies on air transport as a safer and faster means of transportation. “Figures showed that a total of 1.71 billion kg of mails were carried in the third quarter of 2013 as against 1.13 million kg in the similar period of 2012.” Dana Air, in its determination to meet the highest global aviation safety standards, said that it has started preliminary preparation for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA).

Peacock Travels launches UK summer travel package Wole Shadare and fastest growing Lnyeading Travel Management Compain Nigeria, Peacock Trav-

L-R: Head, Business Development and Communications, NAHCO Aviance, Mr. Sanya Onayoade; Dr. Secretary General, African Airlines Association,(AFRAA), Elijah Chingosho; Former Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) Dr. Harold Demuren, and Customer Relations Manager, NAHCO Aviance, Mr Hakeem Ajiwokeu, at the recent AFRAA Convention in Nairobi, Kenya.

BA offers bumper discounts for early summer bookers Wole Shadare

ritish Airways has announced bumper discounts for early bookers for the coming summer with fantastic fares in its World Traveller and World Traveller Plus to an exciting range of worldwide destinations via London Heathrow. Whether you choose to soak up culture, embark on an adventure or celebrate with family abroad this summer, British Airways World Traveller and World Traveller Plus offer something for all those who book their holidays early from either Lagos or Abuja. The bumper discounts, according to a statement from

BA, apply to all existing and potential customers of British Airways who want to get great deals on flights to the UK, Europe or North America when book from May 19 to June 25, 2014 and for outbound travel from May 19 to July 10, 2014. With this offer, World Traveller customers can fly to London from $420, to Paris from $448 and New York from just $677. While on the World Traveller Plus, customers can fly to London from $1051, fly to Paris from $1079 and New York from just $1460. British Airways, Country Commercial Manager, West Africa, Mr. Kola Olayinka, said that the discounts in World Traveller and World Traveller

Plus are in addition to discounts already in place in Club World and excellent fares in the British Airways first class cabin. Passengers are offered the opportunity of booking BA’s Club World and fly in the Airlines award winning First cabin. This offer was designed because the airline recognises the needs of its customers during the summer period. In his words: “We are always very focused on offering our customers good value for money, hence these great reward package to show that ‘we appreciate our frequent customers patronage’ we will continue to offer significant discounts to aid air travels.

els and Tours, a subsidiary of Peacock Group, has launched a juicy and attractive holiday package for intending travellers to the United Kingdom this summer. This came just as Peacock won the Best Travel Agency in Nigeria Award over the weekend. The award was given by the Dubai-based Emirates Airlines during the celebration of its 10 anniversary in Nigeria. The Middle-East airline said the award was in recognition of Peacock’s giant strides in the travel management industry in Nigeria. Meanwhile, Peacock said its pleasant and exciting UK vacation offer is available for groups, families, individuals other categories of people who may be interested in visiting the UK during the summer. The mouth-watering offer, according to a statement from the London office of Peacock Travels and Tours, will be available throughout the summer from June to September. He noted that prospective travellers would have the opportunity to tour various places for 10 days. The Travel Manager, Peacock Travels and Tours, UK, Mr.

Keith Lloyds, said the offer included a tour of the London city, visit to Manchester and Chelsea football clubs, tour of Wimbledon stadium, visit to London Thames River and among others interesting place in London. Specifically, he said others sites to visit included Buckingham palace tour + tickets, Harrods, Tower of London, Soho, Chinatown, Piccadilly Circus, London Oyster , museum including free gift , River Thames across London for everyone seeing Big Ben, London Eye, all the Chelsea Bridges, Tower Bridge, Docklands. Lloyds said, “Research has shown that when people visit their relatives in London during the summer, they hardly have time to take them to visit interesting places in London. This is because those friends, relatives and acquaintances are usually busy going to their work places or schools. This our offer will offer prospective visitors to London the opportunity to take a tour of the city.” According to him, the Holiday department of Peacock Travels is set to make this year's summer an exciting and memorable one for all Nigerians at an affordable rate. For easy payment plan, the management of Peacock had agreed to make prospective travellers to make payment in three instalments.

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Etihad Airways to float flight training college

tihad Airways has announced that it is establishing the Etihad Flight College, a world-class flight training facility in the United Arab Emirates for Emirati and international cadet pilots. As a first step in establishing the college, Etihad Airways is in the process of acquiring the fixed wing training division from Horizon International Flight Academy (Horizon), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company. Based in Al Ain, Horizon has provided helicopter (rotary wing) training programmes since 2003, and airplane (fixed wing) training since 2007. At Horizon, pilots can qualify for their Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL), Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). Horizon currently has 210 trainees enrolled in its aviation training programs and has been the selected training provider for Etihad Airways’ cadet pilots for the last seven years. James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “The establishment of the Etihad Flight College is a natural part of our strategy to produce the best pilots to support our rapidly expanding fleet. It also helps underpin the growth and development of the aviation sector in Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways currently employs over 1,600 pilots and places great emphasis on recruiting the best pilots from around the world, including Emirati pilots. “We are committed to developing a world-class facility

which combines new and best practice training programmes with high calibre instructors. The training facility will enhance the career opportunities in aviation, especially for UAE nationals.” Subject to regulatory approval, Horizon’s fixed wing division will be acquired by Etihad Flight College, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Etihad Airways. The remaining rotary wing division will be Horizon’s key area of focus with plans to consolidate and continue to grow the business. Horizon Chief Executive Officer, Hareb Al Dhaheri commented: “We are proud to have grown the UAE’s pilot training initiative into a successful company. This transaction benefits both Abu Dhabi companies,

and allows Horizon to focus on developing its future core business of delivering world class helicopter pilots for all of our Rotary Wing customers.” The assets to be acquired include 13 Cessna 172SP Skyhawk aircraft, three Diamond DA42NG aircraft, two flight training simulators and Horizon’s hangar facilities at Al Ain International Airport. All fixed wing flight instructors and some support staff currently employed by Horizon will transfer to the Etihad Flight College ensuring there is no disruption to the on-going cadet pilot training programs. Etihad Flight College will also implement the innovative Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL), a competency-based training program that is focussed on de-

veloping cadet pilot candidates into high quality First Officers on completion of their training. The MPL training program, the first airline-dedicated professional pilot licence adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), will be developed and delivered by Etihad Airways’ Operations team. To-date, around 250 graduates have already registered for the MPL course, with the first course scheduled to commence later this year. Etihad Flight College will be the first organisation in the world to use multi-engine aircraft in the core phase of its MPL training programme.

Cadet pilots will benefit from the utilisation of advanced aircraft and simulation training throughout the program in a multi-crew setting - where two pilots conduct operations that are focused on the safe and efficient operation of an aircraft, as opposed to the traditional single-pilot model that is prevalent in the industry today. Hogan welcomed the new staff to the Etihad Airways family. “Our continued success is driven by our people who are committed to working together as a team. The new flight instructors and support staff have an important role to play in supporting the continued growth of the airline, ensuring that there is a consistent stream of well-trained pilots coming into the organisation.”

Changi Airport

South African Airways appoints Manentsa as Chief Pilot S outh African Airways (SAA) has announced Captain Eric Manentsa as its new Chief Pilot. The announcement, which was made by Minister of Public Enterprises, Minister Malusi Gigaba, follows the retirement in July last year of

Captain Johnny Woods, who was the Chief Pilot and Head of Flight Operations. His appointment is effective June 1, 2014. Captain Manentsa has been flying for SAA for 20 years, and has been the fleet captain on the A319/A320 fleet for the

past six years. As chief pilot, he will be responsible for the airline’s 800 pilots in terms of their day to day function, ensuring the company remains compliant to local and international regulations and to continue supporting the company in fulfilling its mandate.

L-R: Minister of Public Enterprises, Malusi Gigaba; SAA Chief Pilot, Captain Eric Manentsa and SAA Group CEO, Monwabisi Kalawe.

Gigaba described his appointment as a proud moment for the airline which will go down in history, as a “milestone decision” coinciding with the country celebrating 20 years of democracy. Manentsa has 30 years’ experience in aviation in South Africa, as a pilot and in managerial and leadership roles. His background encompasses the broader industry: commercial, military and the general aviation sector. To date he has amassed approximately 14, 000 flying hours. He obtained his Commercial License in 1987 and has worked for the Department of Transport in the former Ciskei, the SA Department of Defence and completed Officer Forming and Junior Command staff courses at the South African Air Force College. He joined SAA in 1994 as an in-flight relief pilot on the Boeing 747 for nine months before flying as a First Officer on the Boeing 737 on the domestic and regional network. He has also flown the Airbus A320s

and when these were phased out, he flew as Senior First Officer on the Airbus A340s. In 2005, 12 years after joining SAA, he became a captain on the Airbus A319/320. On July 1, 2008, he was appointed as Fleet Captain of the A319/ A320. He played a key role in the formation of the original SAA Cadet Pilot Programme and has also been a key figure in the airlines further efforts towards transforming the flight deck in that he was a member of the committee that was tasked by SAA and SAAPA (the SAA Pilots Association) to address the seniority of those pilots from non-white groups who got their licenses prior to 1994 and subsequently joined SAA after 1994. This process resulted in producing the airline’s first black and female captains. To maintain the integrity of the process, he opted not to have his seniority adjusted, even though he met the criteria for this. He has also served as an executive member on SAAPA and the Airline Pilots’ Association of South Africa.

MOM&PARENTING

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TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014

A dreary Children’s Day

Babangida Aliyu

5 Chorography-Nig Children’s day

It is a day for fun and funfair for children all over the world. But as it is today in Nigeria, the event may just be one low key event because of the general insecurity. Parents and children alike are grumbling as OLUWATOSIN OMINIYI writes

oday is Children’s Day! A day set aside to honour children globally. It is not simply a day to celebrate children for who they are. It is also a day to bring happiness to children around the globe that have succumbed to violence in forms of abuse, kidnapping, exploitation and discrimination. It is a day proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954, to encourage all countries to institute a day, firstly to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and secondly to initiate action to benefit and promote the welfare of the world’s children. A poet once said: “There are some things we can’t buy; one of such things is our childhood.” To some children and parents, it is a day for children to have fun. Makinde Matemi, a parent says, “ It’s about kids enjoying unsupervised free play where they explore, experiment, climb trees, jump puddles, catch bugs, balance on logs, make dens,

play-fight, take risks and enjoy the excitement and freedom of being a child.” For Adeyeloye Lipede, Managing Director, Solution Media and Infotech Ltd, it is a day that affords children the opportunity

to showcase their extraordinary skills, brilliance and talents through a freestyle competitive activities and to reward them with cash prizes and a paid trip to Europe. He said, “This year’s children’s day will pro-

Taking young ones to the top

ny change in life can bring nervousness, worry, and irritability. Children often have a hard time adjusting to new situations, unfamiliar teachers, and the more rigid schedule needed during the school year. When feeling overwhelmed, kids may express their emotions through becoming argumentative, fighting more often with siblings, or withdrawing into themselves. And parents can find it difficult to keep calm and not lose themselves in anger when things don’t go right or as planned. Instead of just accepting the way things are meant to be, there are reachable goals that parents can work on to help their children feel and be more successful. According to www.Aish.com’s. on parenting and children, there are several goals that every parent should have and work with like guiding light. Key Parenting Goals 1. Keep The Eyes Open Sometimes we notice that something does not feel right with a child but we get distracted. We are all very busy, it’s true. We have great pressures and responsibilities pulling us in too many directions. The child who seems a little ‘off’, not

himself, snappy or more quiet than usual is trying to tell us something, but we were just too preoccupied to pay attention. Don’t allow problems with your child to fester and grow. Open your eyes and observe if a child seems sad, withdrawn, distant, more moody than usual, or angry. Recognise if there seems to be greater confrontation between this child and siblings, if friends stop calling or coming over, or if the child can’t seem to find his place in school. Because before you know it, half the year can go by and what could have been a small problem has now become a ‘situation’ that requires major time and investment and causes terrible aggravation. 2. Develop a Working Relationship with Teachers Reach out to your child’s teachers before your child reaches ‘zero hour.’ Many parents feel as if teachers are their opponents and don’t realize that the teachers are there to try and help their children grow in the best way possible. If you think that there may be an issue, it is a good idea to set up a meeting with the teacher and ask how you can work in harmony. Too many parents call teachers to demand and accuse instead CO N T I N U ED ON PAGE 42

vide the platform for children to express their creative side, talent in an atmosphere of fun and excitement.” Oreoluwa Leonard, a primary four pupil said it is simply a day to have extra fun outside the normal school academic activities. For Kingsley Nwosu, 15, children’s day is a day of fun as well. His parents always take him out to places like amusement parks, whenever he is back from school activities on such days. But this year, Kingsley who is a secondary school pupil in a private school somewhere in Ikeja is upset. His parents have warned him that he is not going to partake in any public event this year. Why? They fear that the security situation and tensed air in the country is not suitable for events in public places. “If people can kidnap more than 200 girls in the past one month and nothing has been done, what is the guarantee of security anywhere in Nigeria,” said Patrick, Kingsley’s father. He added that he has only three children and does not have any for kidnappers or bombers to take. But Kingsley, who is used to the pamperings of such days does not buy into his father’s logic. He argues feebly that “my school mates have various activities planned for that day. I don’t want to miss anything that day.” Kingsley is not the only one that will miss the event. He’s even lucky to be restricted by his parents. For some others, children’s day today means nothing or no activities. For instance, some of the children hawking on the streets of Lagos and other cities in Nigeria, it is just like any other normal day to them. Jidah Musa, 14, a groundnut hawker along Agidingbi road, said “Aunty, I cannot excuse myself out of today’s sale because of a children’s day.” Quiet pathetic for him, one would say. He told New Telegraph that his father dares not hear him say he wants to go for match past, football or any extra C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 2

MOM&PARENTING

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Children’s Day: Those it means nothing to C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 1

curricula activities. “ He will quickly remind me that, that is my daily food.” It is from the proceed of this groundnut sales that my mother daily gives me N100 to school for transport and feeding; reason I must not fail to come out early in order to beat the stiff competition to sell.” Well, he is slightly better than Chukwuka Amadi, 19, who has never been to the four walls of a classroom. Mere seeing and hearing Amadi talk, he is not only lost to the criminal world, he masters rascality. Even for Amadi to stop hawking his rat gum and poison for a few minutes, he demanded for N500. He does not see reason in his going to school; he is also ignorant of the importance of a proper education. He said children’s day is not meant for people of his age; rather, for children below 10 years of age. Asked why he didn’t get proper education, he replied that “is going to school not for the purpose of becoming rich later in life. So, I’m already working hard to become rich. I don’t need to go to school again.” Amadi, who said he does not have a house, sleeps in a me- Parents Strategising With Teachers chanic workshop, said he hawks different things like, children’s toys, games, children will pray for Nigeria, they will groundnut, e.t.c. to support himself and pray for their colleagues, who have been his siblings, who are staying with their kidnapped, and they will pray that our aunt. As such, children’s day means children should be encouraged to be edunothing to him except to pick pockets cated rather than be discouraged from where there is a large crowd. “Truly, this being educated.” trade is not enough to cater for my needs. Also, the Ogun State teachers have But I go to where there is a large crowd threatened to boycott this year Children’s of people to see what I can beg for or------ Day celebration if the over 250 girls ab--- ,” he said. Amadi refused to complete ducted from the Government Secondary his statement. School, Chibok, Borno State, are not reThese two young men are just few of leased. “The Nigerian Union of Teachers the many children who do not know the joins the world to call on insurgents and value of the children’s day. Do we say their collaborators to bring back our girls even the government is guilty of this? safe and alive.” No! They are rather to be blamed for The Chairman of the Ogun State security lapses in the country which Chapter of NUT, Dare Ilekoya, who led does not encourage children to display hundreds of his colleagues from the 20 their freestyle talents on children’s day. local government areas of the state for They are not the only ones who will not the rally, described the girls’ abduction celebrate. as “callous and bestial treatment.” “It is For instance, Niger, Delta and Anambra states have cancelled this year’s Children’s Day, celebrations in their respective states. That is owing to the C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 1 security situation in the country. Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger of saying that we would like to solve this directed that this year’s Children’s Day problem together. Before going to the prinbe used to seek God’s face and inter- cipal with a complaint, see if you can first vention for the nation. Dr. Emmanuel diffuse the situation. When a grandparent Uduaghan of Delta said that this year falls ill, if there is a health issue, financial Children’s celebrations will not be stress, marital upheaval, problems with celebrated with the usual fanfare as a siblings, or any other factor that may affect result of the security challenges cur- your child’s academic or social success, it rently facing the country. The governor would be wise to enlist your child’s teacher explained that the Children’s Day cel- as your confidential ally and gain her/his ebrations would be marked in the state understanding. You can believe that most with fasting and prayers for the nation. teachers would go the extra mile and exAccording to him, “because of the tend to your child an open heart. 3. Work on Social Skills situation of things in the country, we have decided that 2014 is not a Help your child be successful by preyear of celebration but a year of se- paring him not just academically, but also rious prayers,” adding, “on May 27, socially. School is not simply about getting Children’s Day, we are going to get straight A’s, it is also about learning how our children to fast and pray. “Our to get on with others and knowing how to

an assault to humanity, an attack on our professional industry and the school system,” Mr. Ilekoya said. He added that the rally was also organized to mourn the 173 teachers killed by Boko Haram in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States since the sect’s insurgency began in 2009. Segun Odubela, Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology,while receiving the teachers at the governor’s office, called for more prayers to enable the nation overcome her security challenges. He assured that the present administration in the state would continue to support the war against terrorism while urging the people to collaborate with the relevant security agencies to check the activities of insurgents. However, Bola Gidado, proprietress of Lesley Foundation School, a private Nursery, primary and Secondary school in the

Egbeda area of Lagos, told New Telegraph on the telephone that if the world could recognise Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, so why not a national Children’s Day? A day that revives, celebrates, and commits to the children and their future. According to her, it should be a day that has deep historical roots in Nigeria. She added that it is the parent’s duty to provide education for their children and ensure to their moral ,intellectual and social growth. “It’s your job to give your children a boost. Affirm them. Tell them that they can be somebody. I remember reading Dr. Norman Vincent Peale’s biography. That book provides a clue to Dr. Peale’s success. Dr. Peale had a very strong-willed mother. And she used to say to Norman when he was a little guy, ‘Norman, you can be somebody. Believe it YOU CAN BE SOMEBODY!’”

Helping children reach their full potential develop friendships. A child who is happy in school is a child who can focus on studying and doing well. He wants to be there and be a part of things. One who believes that school is all about academics and no social life unfortunately makes a big mistake. How can we better teach our children social skills? • Set rules and follow through with consequences when needed. • Set routines for meals and bedtimes that establish stability. • Develop your child’s ability to put himself in the shoes of others and grow more sensitive. • Help your child learn how to express frustration, disappointment and anger without hurting others or retreating into sullenness. • Establish basic rules of conduct: no hitting, kicking, biting, spitting, (no hands al-

lowed), and no hurting others through our words. 4. Help Children Become Independent When children feel as if they are gaining skills and becoming self-sufficient, they grow more confident in their abilities. You will watch their self-esteem take off. Each year, every child should be able to point with pride to a newfound skill or added responsibility that comes with age. We can help our children grow independent and flourish by: • Teaching our children to pick out their clothing, dress themselves as they grow older, tie their own shoes, pack school snacks, make lunches the night before, set their own alarm clocks instead of waking them up, and having children put away their books and organizing themselves.

FEATURES

TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES EDITOR

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Traders in confusion at Sunday Market, Ogba-Lagos PHOTOS: ISIOMA MADIKE

A day of ‘madness’ at Ogba Sunday Market F

or Nigerians and foreigners alike, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji Sunday Market in Ogba is where to go when it comes to foodstuffs, for good bargains. For more than 20 years, rather than head for church on Sunday mornings, many, especially working class women, would rather be on their way to the sprawling suburb near Ikeja, the Lagos State capital. Many prefer deferring shopping for food items to Sunday when the weekly market holds. It remains the favoured market for assorted food items at relatively cheap prices. It is also where the Lebanese, Chinese and Indians, among others, buy their food items, particularly fruits and vegetables. With the market holding increasing attraction for many Lagos residents, both patrons and traders appear pleased with their purchases and volumes of business carried out in this market. It was this increasing attraction that motivated the market authorities to lobby for extension of the trading to week days. Permission was sort and approval given

Across the nation, hunger is growing, and putting food on the table has become a problem in most homes. Lagos State with its peculiarities seems to be the worst hit. Women, in this circumstance, have thus, assumed the responsibilities of men, working ‘hard’ as breadwinners in most homes. ISIOMA MADIKE, narrates the tales of these women in the hands of state environmental personnel, who often swoop on them without notice to close their source of livelihood by the relevant state authorities. For this reason, those displaced from Ogba bus stop and the road leading to the market along with others at the adjourning streets were relocated to do their business on a daily basis at the market. Faced with poverty and lack, these women readily take to menial trades in the market to make a living and cater for their families. Street hawking had turned a lot of them into hopeless mothers with a bleak future. It was not uncommon to see most of them walking the streets looking desperate, wretched

and hunger-stricken while hawking. For many of them, activities at home have become a serious problem as the demand of everyday life does not seem to permit it. Everywhere in the state, the pitiable state of such women is evident. This was why the weekly transactions at the Sunday Market became important and of necessity. It was to serve as a bridge before the Sunday Market and keep the various families in good shape, economically. They conduct their businesses between Monday and Saturday and remained organised with an Iyaloja as the

head of the market. The Iyaloja coordinates their activities as well as that of the Sunday arm of the market. But, all of that changed, though, momentary on Friday, May 17. It was a day the unusual happened in the popular market. The market women least expected what they experienced on that day. It, indeed, took them by surprise. In a commando style, officials of the state environmental task force pounced on the market and ordered everyone out. There was confusion as no member of the task force was ready to explain their mission or action. Yet, the market women were not the only ones in the confused state that day. Most other people, who had come to buy a few items on their way home, were equally caught off guard. Those, who were not fast enough, were locked in, prompting most of them to jump the high wall that served as the market fence. The two major entrances were sealed off, including the ancillary gate. Many sustained various degrees of C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 4

44 FEATURES

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Lagos: Wielding the big stick on traders C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 3

injuries by attempting to escape through other unofficial routes. Perishable items were not spared as many smashed on them to squirt out for safety. It was a reminiscence of what Kick Against Indiscipline (KIA) officials are known for in and around the state. Of late, the KIA officials have also been ‘terrorising’ the Ogba traders as they literally resume duty at the bus stop on a daily basis. They hound, destroy and arrest those they could catch. Any victim that was unable to bail himself or herself with about N3,000 at the spot is dragged, like a common criminal, to Alausa, their base. The newspaper vendors at the same bus stop have become perennial victims of their assault. However, Mrs Kuburat Salako, the Iyaloja of Sunday Market was not in town at the time of this melodrama. She was said to have travelled to London for medical check-up. Her second in command, the Babaoja, who simply gave his name as Mr Akelere, explained that the rumoured excuse was that the gutters in front of the market were dirty. “What we hear is that the gutters here are dirty, but there was no prior notice to this action and we do our weekly environmental cleaning every Thursday as has been the norm in the state. The portion that they complained about was caused by a pool of refuse that collated within segments of the gutters. That couldn’t have been our making,” he said. As the women were trying to come to terms with what had happened, those in the Retail Market within the same neighbourhood got their dose in the same style on Monday, May 19. Like in the previous action, no explanation was offered by the state environmental officials. Though, some murmured aloud that this action could be a ploy by the state government, which has been threatening to close the markets for some time now. It is alleged that the state has been nursing a silent idea of demolishing the two markets with the aim of rebuilding them to a more “befitting” and “standard” format like those in Oshodi, Alade on Allen Avenue and the Ojuelegba markets. “That is what they are planning to do and we hear that it would cost over N7 million to acquire a store in the markets on completion. Where are we going to get such money to buy such lock-up shops? “They drove us away from the bus stop, collected money from us before allocating these spaces to us. Now, where do they want us to go? Do they just want us to sit back at home and die with our families? Our husbands and children have no jobs; that is why you see most of us in the sun, rain with all the hazards trying to make ends meet. Is it a crime to be poor in Nigeria?” chorused some of the aggrieved women, who declined to give their names for fear of backlash from government officials. An attempt to get the Iyaloja-General, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, to intervene in the matter is yet to yield the expected

Sunday Market, sealed by Ministry of Environment officials

KAI officers seizing wares belonging to a trader

Bello

dividend. Tinubu-Ojo, however, is said not to be relenting to getting the desired relief for the market women as this would serve as one of the first major challenges since she succeeded her grandmother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, in October 2013. An attempt to get a proper explanation from the officials was rebuffed as the leader of the team directed our correspondent to speak with the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, who he claimed, authorised their action. “Please go to Alausa to talk to the com-

Tinubu-Ojo

missioner; he is the only person that can explain our action here to you. We are not permitted to speak to the press,” he retorted. However, Mr Fola Adeyemi, who spoke for the commissioner on phone, said the ministry had over time advocated a sustainable environment by setting some guidelines for the markets in the state on how a decent trading environment should look like. According to him, the intention is not to keep people out of job or create any kind of suffering for the residents.

Drainage in front of the market

“The truth is that often times they move their wares outside the market and constitute a nuisance to others in the environment, especially motorists that ply that route. We don’t believe that is good enough. They even trade on drainages on top of planks, but often lie when they are reminded of what they are not doing right just to weep up public sentiment. He said: “The ministry served them notice on two occasions and their representatives even were at Alausa to discuss with the ministry on the way to go. “No responsible agent of government would have woken up without notice to close any shop let alone a market. If you enter the premises, you would be so disgusted about the sanitary condition in the environs, particularly the toilets; they are eye sores, not befitting for reasonable humans. “These women hardly participate in the weekly and monthly sanitation instituted by the state to clean up the markets. They would just sit at home and wait until the exercise is over and rush back with their goods without realising that it is for their own good. Even neighbouring residents complain about the dirty surroundings and we can’t just keep our eyes closed to that. “We have explained to them what to do and the moment they comply and come over to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), we will reopen the markets, provided they would not renege in keeping the environment clean thereafter.” But, according to some of the women, who reacted to these allegations, they do not only participate on the weekly and monthly environmental exercises but also pay levies for the maintenance of the toilets even though, the toilets were built by the Ojodu Local Council Area for public use. “The council should be held responsible if the toilets are considered not clean enough and be asked to explain what they do with the money paid for their maintenance,” they said. With this ding dong situation, it remains to be seen whether the Environment Ministry will make good its promise to reopen the markets when the traders comply with the required directives.

METRO

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

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I was under demonic spell, says randy teacher Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

primary school teacher, Mr Olayinka Oluwadare Folarin, who allegedly defiled three under-age pupils in a toilet at Oluyole Estate of Ibadan, Oyo State, has said that he was operating under a spell. He said: “People should just think and reason with me. The person who has not sinned before should cast the first stone. If God did not forsake some people, I know He would not forsake me. I am a changed person now.” Folarin said he was involved in the shameful affair because he was under

a demonic spell, saying “nobody is beyond demonic attack”. Unrepentantly, the teacher challenged policemen at the Iyaganku division, Ibadan, where he is being detained, as well as journalists interviewing him to throw the first stone at him if they had not sinned before. “I have been doing this for a long time. I feel terribly bad each time I did it but I could not stop it. Why don’t you find a way of helping me? Is this meant to expose me?” he queried. Folarin tearfully recalled how he would invite the girls into the toilet and put them in the wash hand

FERCSARA not violent organisation, says coordinator Taiwo Jimoh

basin and then fondle with their private parts. Though the teacher denied having carnal knowledge of the girls, he confessed that he always lubricate them with his hair cream. On why his claim contradicted the medical report obtained by the police that each of the girls had lost her hymen and that the vulva was not intact, Folarin said that some other people might have been responsible for that. He said: “I never penetrated them. I only used my manhood to rub their private parts. Yes, I used my hair cream to lubricate my organ to stimulate myself.”

FCTA conducts integrity tests on 48 abandoned structures Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

iven the prevalent of building collapse in the country, The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has in the last one month carried out structural stability tests on 48 abandoned buildings to ascertain their strength. The tests follow the recent cases of collapsed buildings across the country. The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, disclosed this yesterday at the enlarged operations briefing session in Abuja. The minister, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad

Hazat Sule, said that one of the buildings on Plot 3, Sabongida District, failed the integrity test and had therefore been demolished according to statutory Urban and Regional Planning regulations. He added the FCTA, through the Department of Development Control, also removed two abandoned but failed structures in Apo Mechanic Workshop. Mohammed noted that efficiency of municipal management had remarkably improved in the Federal Capital City but expressed displeasure over poor sanitary condition in the six Area Councils and called for immediate reversal by the chairmen. The minister warned that poor sanitary condition

retired Army Sergeant, Burma Abdullahi, yesterday asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to declare as unlawful, the arrest and detention of his wards over alleged membership of a terrorist group. Abdullahi filed the suit through his counsel, Mr Christopher Okafor. According to him, the wards are Haruna Zarkya (18) and three others aged 16, 11 and seven. They were allegedly arrested and being detained by the Nigerian Army. The respondents in the suit are the Nigerian Army, chief of army staff, general officer commanding 81 Division of the Nigerian Army and the attorney-general of the federation.

would not be condoned at any level within the 8,000 square kilometres of the FCT. He said: “We cannot fold our arms to watch the Area Councils abdicating one of their primary responsibilities of refuse collection and general cleanliness.” On the activities of the Ministerial Special Task Team on City Cleaning and Management, the Mohammed disclosed that 636 hawkers and traders were arrested, 386 convicted while 68 were sentenced. The Task Team also arrested 166 beggars/the destitute, 863 commercial motorcycles, 432 tricycles and 50 commercial sex workers since its flag-off on March 17, the minister added.

publications that FERCSARA invaded Lagos roads with unknown traffic controllers. “We wish to state that there is no truth in the allegation as the establishment of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) and Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Task Force by the President last year was borne out of the deplorable state of federal roads all over the country and the need to maintain law and order on federal roads. “It is to the knowledge of all, that since the recruitment exercise into the SURE-P/ FERMA Task Force began, the new intakes have been made to undergo a series of training to make sure they are well-trained to attend to the needs of Nigerians in the course of their duty on the federal roads.”

ederal Roads Committee on Surveillance and Action against Road Abuse (FERCSARA) is a legally formed agency of the Federal Government to check abuse of federal roads across the country. Its Lagos State Coordinator, Alhaji Abdulrazak Rafiu, said this in response to a statement credited to the state Commissioner for Information, Aderemi Ibirogba, that FERCSARA was an unknown organization. Rafiu also said that FERCSARA was not a violent organisation and was not formed to foment trouble. He said: “Our attention has been drawn to the accusation made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information in some

A FERCSARA official controlling traffic at Motorways area in Lagos

I won’t leave my wife’s house, man tells court Temitope Sobowale

here was a mild drama at the Agege Customary Court yesterday, as a father of three, Mr Alex Omodunbi, said he would not pack out of his wife’s house unless she provided another accommodation for him. Speaking during a hearing on suit filed by Mrs Modupe Omodunni to divorce her husband of 27 years, Alex said that he had no job and therefore could not afford to raise money for accommodation. But reacting to his demand, Modupe said she would not pay for another accommodation because, according to her, the man beats her whenever he is drunk. She said that the man who claimed he could not pay for accommodation had money to buy drinks always. Modupe also claimed that she had ob-

Borno escapees sue Army, AGF Abdullahi is seeking an order for enforcement of the fundamental rights of the wards. When the case was mentioned yesterday, Okafor submitted that the defence counsel was absent in court despite repeated notices to him of the pending suit. Okafor also said that a counter-affidavit by the respondents was filed out of time, adding that they failed to file a motion to regularise the affidavit. He, therefore, prayed the court to be allowed to move his application. Justice Okon Abang granted him leave to move application and adopt his writ-

ten address. Adopting his address, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Okafor prayed the court to hold that the arrest of the wards, including a minor, constituted a breach of their rights to personal liberty. He argued that it was illegal for the respondents to have arrested the wards, where there existed no reasonable suspicion of their culpability in respect to any offence or terrorist activities. The lawyer submitted that the wards fled Maiduguri for Lagos only for safety, adding that their suspicion as belonging

tained bank loans several times for her husband to embark on something reasonable but the money had been thrown down the pit. She added that her husband did not perform any marriage right on her and asked him to pack out of her house. But Omodunni said his father-in-law asked him to pack into the house in question, but because he had died late, his wife’s relatives were trying to send him away. After hearing from both parties, the Court President, Mr P. A. Williams, adjourned the case till June 26 and ordered them to live peacefully pending the outcome of the suit. He also ordered the children produced by the marriage to appear in court on the June 19, to shed more light on the state of their parents’ affairs, before judgement is delivered.

to the Boko Haram sect was unreasonable and laughable. Okafor prayed the court to grant the reliefs sought by the applicant in the interest of natural justice and to direct immediate release of the wards from custody. Abang reserved judgement till September 26. In his affidavit, Abdullahi averred that following the security challenges in the North-East geopolitical zone, he and the wards temporarily relocated to No. 63, Ajibola Street, Mafoluku, Lagos. He said that on July 3, 2013, while he was away at Maiduguri, some men in police and Army vehicles stormed his residence and arrested his wards.

Daily Summary as of 26/05/2014

Printed 26/05/2014 15:19:01.001

46 BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET Daily Summary (Bonds)

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Daily Summary as of 26/05/2014 Printed 26/05/2014 15:19:01.001

No Debt Trading Activity

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at May 26, 2014 Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC 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 FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO Symbol LIVESTOCK

AGRICULTURE Totals

Daily Summary as of 26/05/2014 CONGLOMERATES Printed 26/05/2014 15:19:01.001 Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES CONGLOMERATES Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

No. of Deals 1 33 22 56 No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 0.50 32.30 36.50 Current Price 3.14

74 Symbol AGLEVENT JOHNHOLT SCOA Daily Summary TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 8 1 1 (Equities) 212 60 282

Current Price 1.45 1.21 5.06 3.80 60.80

282

Quantity Traded 1,000 132,772 189,561 323,333 Quantity Traded 2,066,422 2,066,422

Value Traded 6,258,857.00 6,258,857.00

2,389,755

17,460,726.23

Quantity Traded 93,445 3,600 20 12,158,208 757,551 13,012,824

Value Traded 129,106.10 4,140.00 96.20 47,029,426.22 44,822,414.70 91,985,183.22

13,012,824 Page

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 1.24

Quantity Traded 662,872 662,872

Value Traded 808,376.82 808,376.82

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Symbol JBERGER ROADS

No. of Deals 24 1 25

Current Price 75.49 8.46

Quantity Traded 242,344 500 242,844

Value Traded 18,243,862.10 4,235.00 18,248,097.10

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 26 26

Current Price 17.80

Quantity Traded 163,211 163,211

Value Traded 2,863,544.06 2,863,544.06

1,068,927

21,920,017.98

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 192,688 192,688

Value Traded 96,344.00 96,344.00

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Daily Summary (Equities)

Quantity Traded 96,517 80,982 10,000

Value Traded 17,301,675.74 2,092,081.00 29,300.00

CONSUMER Daily Summary as ofGOODS 26/05/2014 Automobiles/Auto Parts Printed 26/05/2014 15:19:01.001 DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC.

69 Symbol DUNLOP

Quantity Traded 1,837 1,837

Value Traded 159,436.29 159,436.29

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC UNION DICON SALT PLC. U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON UNIONDICON UTC

No. of Deals 34 54 59 25 58 1 6 237

Current Price 8.00 9.72 73.00 3.86 12.41 14.11 0.55

Quantity Traded 253,301 704,358 590,010 586,116 999,376 10 90,066 3,223,237

Value Traded 2,013,403.01 6,874,753.95 43,008,350.46 2,245,574.01 12,507,530.56 134.10 49,536.30 66,699,282.39

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 56 48 104

Current Price 75.31 1,069.99

Quantity Traded 211,327 56,774 268,101

Value Traded 15,760,951.15 60,456,215.27 76,217,166.42

Quantity Traded 378,753 378,753

Value Traded 1,511,114.41 1,511,114.41

Page Quantity Traded 396,772 141,323 538,095

3 of 13 Value Traded 13,784,885.43 6,895,283.50 20,680,168.93

CONSUMER GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

4.00

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 71 32 103

Current Price 34.83 49.53

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. Daily Summary as of 26/05/2014 DIAMOND BANK PLC Printed 26/05/2014 15:19:01.001 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY UNION BANK NIG.PLC.

715

2 of 13 Value Traded 244,989,363.82 264,412,420.56

Quantity Traded 18,146,381 9,747,746 6,543,693 7,404,166 10,575,650 7,411,734 6,972,548 10,032,150 652,988

Value Traded 168,848,780.37 62,020,397.69 99,349,646.29 15,236,646.54 293,500,618.77 24,982,208.88 15,823,579.02 72,452,462.37 6,754,443.81

No. of Deals 5 42 169 1,241

Current Price 0.50 0.98 23.11

Quantity Traded 264,780 1,743,334 1,630,697 81,125,867

Value Traded 132,390.00 1,698,675.16 37,786,636.48 798,586,485.38

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol No. of Deals AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO 30 Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE 3 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CORNERST 2 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. EQUITYASUR 1 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC HMARKINS 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTENEGINS 4 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LASACO 3 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MANSARD 19 N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NEM 21 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NIGERINS 4 OASIS INSURANCE PLC OASISINS 7 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE 4 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. STDINSURE 4 Daily Summary as of 26/05/2014 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. UNIC 1 Printed 26/05/2014 15:19:01.001 UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC UNITYKAP 1 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC UNIVINSURE 2 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC WAPIC 127 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Daily Summary (Equities) 234

Current Price 0.81 1.08 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.40 0.77 0.50 0.53 0.55 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.80

Quantity Traded 747,797 Page 171,850 35,000 6,800 100 234,617 14,600 2,273,088 1,812,019 152,144 2,294,650 200,000 30,800 1,500 100 212,560 44,346,090 52,533,715

Symbol UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

Activity on Board EQTY Published by TheSummary Nigerian Stock Exchange © FINANCIAL SERVICES Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals 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

Page

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

OIL AND GAS

Petroleum andStock Petroleum Products Distributors Published by The Nigerian Exchange © TOTAL NIGERIA PLC.

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

Quantity Traded 670,208 670,208

Value Traded 752,186.36 752,186.36

Symbol ABBEYBDS UNHOMES

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 1.35 0.50

Quantity Traded 20 309 329

Value Traded 28.20 154.50 182.70

Current Price 3.09 2.94 14.00 3.90 22.41 2.42

2,317 Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER

No. of Deals 3 8 16 10

Current Price 2.70 2.67 67.00 1.75

Quantity Traded 1,775,339 1,256,859 16,862,313 2,221,499 75,984 5,951,061 28,143,055

Value Traded 5,434,011.34 3,665,483.38 235,876,780.71 8,680,802.41 1,692,006.23 14,351,118.18 269,700,202.25

162,473,174

1,113,246,021.39

Quantity Traded 56,900 246,400 29,523 240,850

Value Traded 152,940.00 652,786.00 1,979,488.90 401,483.75

Page

Value Traded 234,710.06 234,710.06

Symbol CWG

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 5.48

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 5,210.00 5,210.00

Symbol ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 2.32

Quantity Traded 120 120

Value Traded 265.20 265.20

400,972

240,185.26

Current Price 19.98 10.00 37.51

Quantity Traded 2,407,302 97,153 111,887

Value Traded 47,929,961.34 973,135.66 4,322,928.90

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP

61 13 21

Value Traded 1,437,826.11 4,624,524.76

Symbol CCNN DANGCEM IPWA PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 24 42 1 3 5 45 215

Current Price 9.99 222.99 0.52 1.50 5.00 110.06

Quantity Traded Page 1,147,584 16,991,529 100 134,800 18,450 426,383 21,335,188

Symbol CUTIX NIWICABLE

No. of Deals 11 1 12

Current Price 1.90 0.50

Quantity Traded 93,740 1,000 94,740

Value Traded 172,290.76 500.00 172,790.76

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 16.22

Quantity Traded 24,235 24,235

Value Traded 375,436.52 375,436.52

Symbol

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 7.46

Quantity Traded 20 20

Value Traded 141.80 141.80

21,454,183

3,908,848,469.71

Symbol BOCGAS

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 6.47

Symbol MULTIVERSE

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 9,914 9,914 Page Quantity Traded 105,000,000 105,000,000

Daily Summary (Equities) NIGROPES

238

7Value Traded of 13 11,145,273.89 3,796,663,399.39 54.00 200,814.00 93,500.00 46,971,033.45 3,908,300,100.63

Value Traded 63,370.35 63,370.35 8 of 13 Value Traded 52,500,000.00 52,500,000.00

105,009,914

52,563,370.35

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 8 8

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 3,030,882 3,030,882

Value Traded 1,515,441.00 1,515,441.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 563 563

Current Price 19.02

Quantity Traded 35,105,133 35,105,133

Value Traded 724,429,350.10 724,429,350.10

No. of Deals 1 29 22 (Equities) 147 29 4

Current Price 0.50 46.74 3.26 186.54 129.00 51.49

Quantity Traded 57,500 158,247 436,121 485,301 67,063 3,782

Value Traded 28,750.00 7,423,795.38 1,421,924.46 92,470,569.94 8,658,720.45 185,015.44

Symbol TOTAL

No. of Deals 38 270

Current Price 157.01

Quantity Traded Page 160,432 1,368,446

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 636.00

Quantity Traded 12,501 12,501

Value Traded 7,921,818.08 7,921,818.08

39,516,962

869,525,103.02

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA Daily Summary FO MOBIL MRS

859

9Value Traded of 13 25,469,718.17 135,658,493.84

Symbol LENNARDS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 3.31

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 347.00 347.00

Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC.

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 1.14

Quantity Traded 389,608 389,608

Value Traded 431,170.23 431,170.23

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 6 1 Daily Summary (Equities) 7

Current Price 4.65 2.31

Quantity Traded 112,844 100 112,944

Value Traded 522,809.60 220.00 523,029.60 Value Traded 35,750.00

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 4

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 71,500

Symbol

No. of Deals 4

Current Price

Quantity Traded Page 71,500

Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC Hospitality Totals

Symbol TANTALIZER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 3,500 3,500

Value Traded 1,750.00 1,750.00

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL TOURIST

No. of Deals 20 2 22

Current Price 0.90 3.88

Quantity Traded 1,615,394 450 1,615,844

Value Traded 1,465,206.54 1,831.50 1,467,038.04

Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 5,755 5,755

Value Traded 2,877.50 2,877.50

Printing/Publishing

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA STUDPRESS UPL

No. of Deals 1 6 1 5 13

Current Price 1.71 1.67 2.40 4.04

Quantity Traded 100 146,223 100 81,400 227,823

Value Traded 171.00 247,429.16 228.00 331,104.00 578,932.16

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 0.82

Quantity Traded 2,110,674 2,110,674

Value Traded 1,687,828.81 1,687,828.81

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 9 62 71

Current Price 2.15 5.00

Page Quantity Traded 452,577 1,332,271 1,784,848

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 15 15

Current Price 6.34

Quantity Traded 198,168 198,168

SERVICES Employment Solutions Published by The NigerianSolutions Stock Exchange Employment Totals ©

Current Price 1.12

No. of Deals 57 23 580 46 21 96 823

SERVICES Apparel Retailers LENNARDS (NIG) PLC. Apparel Retailers Totals

Employment Solutions Activity Summary on Board EQTY C & I LEASING PLC.

No. of Deals 17 17

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB STANBIC UBCAP

Quantity Traded 399,852 399,852

OIL AND GAS Totals

Daily Summary as of 26/05/2014 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Printed 26/05/2014 15:19:01.001

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC.

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC

Value Traded 605,440.52 of 13 185,398.00 17,600.00 3,400.00 50.00 117,308.50 7,300.00 5,456,637.08 1,414,177.01 76,072.00 1,180,271.50 110,000.00 15,400.00 750.00 50.00 106,280.00 34,910,830.09 44,206,964.70 of

4,624,524.76

Current Price 0.59

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

Integrated and Gas Services Totals Daily Summary as of Oil 26/05/2014 Printed 26/05/2014 15:19:01.001 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC.

NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. Chemicals Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Mining Services MULTIVERSE PLC Mining Services Totals

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

429,775,933.00

Current Price 9.33 6.38 15.25 2.05 27.80 3.40 2.25 7.20 10.25

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 186 DIAMONDBNK 62 ETI 51 FIDELITYBK 82 GUARANTY 241 SKYEBANK 135 Daily Summary (Equities) STERLNBANK 36 UBA 162 UBN 70

6,181,116

1,998,673

No. of Deals 8 8

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Current Price 85.80

23 23

Quantity Traded 1,425,000 1,998,673

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

No. of Deals 8 8

VITAFOAM

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC IPWA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Building Materials Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC Tools and Machinery Totals

Symbol 7UP

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY CAP PLC

Packaging/Containers Totals

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC.

Processing Systems

Daily Summary as of 26/05/2014 Packaging/Containers Printed 26/05/2014 BETA15:19:01.001 GLASS CO PLC.

Current Price 176.00

Household Durables TotalsEQTY Activity Summary on Board

IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC IT Services Totals

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

No. of Deals 173 236

NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Current Price 1.02

ICT Totals

Symbol NB

Daily Summary of 26/05/2014 Foodas Products--Diversified Printed 26/05/2014 15:19:01.001 CADBURY NIGERIA PLC.

Symbol COURTVILLE

E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Daily Summary as of 26/05/2014 Processing Systems Totals Printed 26/05/2014 15:19:01.001

179.00 25.75 3.08

Page Quantity Traded 1,390,906 1,578,405

No. of Deals 34 71

ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals

47 15 1

CONSUMER GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Beverages--Brewers/Distillers NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

GUINNESS INTBREW JOSBREW

No. of Deals 4 4

Symbol NEIMETH

HEALTHCARE Totals

91,985,183.22 1 of 13

Symbol COSTAIN

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals

Value Traded 500.00 4,357,438.90 6,843,930.33 11,201,869.23

ACADEMY PRESS PLC. Daily Summary as of 26/05/2014 LEARN AFRICA PLC Printed 26/05/2014 15:19:01.001 STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES

Transport-Related Services Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

SERVICES Totals

EQTY Board Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

Value Traded of 13 35,750.00

11 of 13 Value Traded 1,010,526.55 6,660,817.79

7,671,344.34

Value Traded 1,259,685.12 1,259,685.12

177

6,520,764

13,659,752.80

4,815

360,027,264

6,523,849,287.72

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 1,280.00 1,280.00

Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS

Daily Summary of 26/05/2014 Foodas Products Printed 26/05/2014 15:19:01.001 MCNICHOLS PLC

Food Products Totals

Symbol MCNICHOLS

No. of Deals 1 1

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Equity Activity ASeM Board Totals Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Exchange Traded Fund

Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Current Price 1.34

1,000

1,280.00

4,8161

360,028,264 1,000

6,523,850,567.72 1,280.00

Page

Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 3 4

Current Price 2,033.00 18.32

Quantity Traded 12 72 84

Value Traded 24,396.00 1,321.20 25,717.20

ETF Board Totals

25,717.20

ETP Activity Totals

25,717.20

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Page

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS 47

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

26-May-14

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

Bonds

Price

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

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

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

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

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

0.09 0.34 0.91 2.23 2.92 3.17 3.27 4.01 5.09 5.41 7.67 9.80 14.51 14.99 15.49 16.16

10.65 11.20 11.23 12.10 12.09 12.05 12.05 12.10 12.24 12.22 12.57 12.58 12.82 12.85 12.89 12.98

9.08 10.75 10.61 12.03 12.03 11.92 11.93 12.00 12.17 12.13 12.52 12.53 12.78 12.81 12.83 12.93

99.83 99.31 93.90 101.75 107.20 94.32 92.85 95.65 113.90 79.77 118.40 108.95 114.17 97.60 70.88 80.00

99.98 99.46 94.40 101.90 107.35 94.62 93.15 95.95 114.20 80.07 118.70 109.25 114.47 97.90 71.18 80.30

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

4,334.84 Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

Description

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

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

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.43 0.99 1.48 2.54 2.90 3.11

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

12.14 13.86 13.81 13.96 15.22 13.04

95.05 87.52 104.71 96.20 89.49 92.02

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

0.19 0.39 1.27 0.87 1.16 1.17 2.90 1.73 3.60 2.57 4.36 2.57 2.57 3.15 3.22 5.49 3.19 3.90 6.51 6.60 3.91 3.94

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

12.33 12.41 15.84 14.46 15.80 14.82 17.61 12.70 13.86 13.77 13.12 12.97 13.18 13.04 13.05 14.17 14.79 14.83 13.36 14.31 13.53 14.04

100.22 100.52 96.24 99.29 98.20 101.07 83.25 101.85 100.34 100.65 102.80 103.40 115.58 103.65 106.28 101.24 99.94 99.79 100.60 102.84 112.48 112.14

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

0.37 0.56 0.60 0.75 0.82 0.91 2.35 2.42 3.35 1.97 2.12 2.29 2.29 4.33 2.40 2.48 3.60 6.47

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

12.04 16.45 19.95 16.11 12.23 13.86 12.93 13.28 16.58 13.74 15.38 17.12 16.98 13.12 14.23 18.06 14.23 15.11

99.75 98.44 98.35 95.86 99.92 100.50 100.09 101.91 91.03 108.37 101.32 101.92 101.97 102.79 103.11 98.27 104.85 100.53

11-Feb-18

3.72

1.00

13.08

91.70

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,304.32

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

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

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

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

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

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

572.90

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

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

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

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

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

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

180.17

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

12.00 Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value ($'mm)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

5.12

4.97

109.10

110.01

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.28

4.07

103.16

103.96

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.49

5.36

106.31

107.26

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

4.01

3.51

111.98

112.85

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.27

4.64

104.13

105.33

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.41

6.17

98.43

99.36

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.13

6.44

100.33

102.26

ACCESS BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.55

8.13

94.48

95.84

AFREN PLC

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

5.17

4.64

113.55

114.57

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.48

6.30

99.05

99.80

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.04

6.71

104.31

105.54

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.17

5.92

101.78

102.78

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

FIDELITY BANK PLC

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,460.00

**Treasury Bills DTM 10 24 31 38 45 52 59

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

Bid Discount (%) 10.40 10.15 10.30 10.20 10.30 10.30 10.30

Offer Discount (%) 10.15 9.90 10.05 9.95 10.05 10.05 10.05

Bid Yield (%) 10.43 10.22 10.39 10.31 10.43 10.45 10.47

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 11.0417 12.7082 13.5490 14.4727

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.88

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

11.08

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

162.34 162.36 162.59 163.05 164.41

162.44 162.58 162.91 163.57 165.75

O/N Tenor Call

REPO

Rate (%) 10.75

15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030

28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10

15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00

75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

Agency Bonds

Description

AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

BEARISH

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Negative sentiments KWARArule the local bourse NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA

Stories by Chris Ugwu

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday opened the week on bearish note as market sentiments dipped, causing investors to lose N25 billion. Market watchers believed bargain hunters rescinded from position taking to take profits from the gains recorded last week.

114.47 97.90 71.18 80.30

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

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

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

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

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.43 0.99 1.48 2.54 2.90 3.11

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

12.14 13.86 13.81 Tuesday, 13.96 15.22 13.04

0.19 0.39 1.27 0.87 1.16 1.17 2.90 1.73 3.60 2.57 4.36 2.57 2.57 3.15 3.22 5.49 3.19 3.90 6.51 6.60 3.91 3.94

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

12.33 12.41 15.84 14.46 15.80 14.82 17.61 12.70 13.86 13.77 13.12 12.97 13.18 13.04 13.05 14.17 14.79 14.83 13.36 14.31 13.53 14.04

Investors’ wealth dip by N25bn

95.05 87.52 104.71 May 27, 96.20 89.49 92.02 Sanctity of Truth

Consequently, the stock market lost points and returned to red territory following sell pressure on blue chip companies. The twin market performance measures - the NSE ASI and market capitalisation, dropped by 0.19 per cent as the market tempo lowered. At the close of trading, 29 stocks recorded price appreciation, while 26 others constituted the losers’ table. The twin market indicators, the All-Share Index dropped

May & Baker raises share capital to N1.9bn LAFARGE WAPCO GTB µ NGC *UPDC *FLOURMILLS *CHELLARAMS NAHCO FSDH UBA *C & I LEASING *DANA# *TOWER# *TOWER# UBA *LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS# *DANA NAHCO

hareholders of May & Baker Nigeria Plc have authorised directors to increase their company’s authorised share capital from N1 billion. This means that 2.0 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each, would be increased to N1.90 billion, consisting of TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 3.8 billion ordinary shares of Bond 50Supranational kobo each, by creating adAAA/S&P IFCordinary ditional 1.80 billion TOTAL OUTSTANDING shares of 50 koboVALUE each. The increment is to create Rating/Agency Issuer headroom for the new capital issue. The company intends to FGN Eurobonds raise additional funds with a BB-/Fitch; view to B+/S&P reducing dependence BB-/Fitch; on loans and strengthenFGN the BB-/S&P it’s balance sheet. BB-/Fitch; At the Annual General BB-/S&P Meeting (AGM) VALUE in Lagos, TOTAL OUTSTANDING shareholders also unaniCorporateauthorised Eurobonds mously the board B/Fitch AFREN PLC I ofB-/S&P; directors “to raise addiGTBANKof PLCan I tional equity capital B+/S&P; B+/Fitch PLC or amount up to N3 GTBANK billion B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC any fraction thereof either B/S&P; B/Fitch FIDELITY BANK PLC locally and or internationalB/Fitch

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

by 76.36 basis points or 0.19 per cent from 39, 831.83 Friday, to close at 39,755.47, while the market capitalisation fell by N25 billion or 0.19 per cent, from N13, 152 trillion to N13.127 trillion. Further analysis of the day’s trading showed that shares of Custody Insurance firmed by 5 per cent to close at N2.94 per share, while construction giant, Julius Berger rose by 4.85 per cent to close at N75.49 Similarly, conglomerate,

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

UACN, rose by 4.83 per cent to close at N60.80 among other gainers. On the flip side, shares of petroleum marketing company, Eterna Oil fell by 9.70 per cent to close at N3.26 per share, while, one of the leading oil and gas service firm providing marine and aviation logistics, Caverton lost 9.69 per cent to close at N6.34 per share. NEM insurance also fell by 4.94 per cent to close at 77 kobo, among other losers. On the activity chart, the

100.22 100.52 96.24 99.29 98.20 101.07 83.25 101.85 100.34 100.65 102.80 103.40 115.58 103.65 106.28 101.24 99.94 99.79 100.60 102.84 112.48 112.14

Banking sub-sector dominated in volume terms with 81.1 million shares worth N798.5 in 1,241 deals. The sub sector was enhanced by the activities in the shares of Access Bank and GTB Plc. Insurance sub sector boosted by the activities on the shares of Wapic Insurance followed with 52.5 million units, worth N442 million in 234 deals. In all, investors exchanged a total of 360 million shares, worth N6.5 billion in 4,816.

AFREN PLC

ly through any or a combination” of rights issue, private placement and public offer. The meeting also empowered the directors to decide on absorption of excess monies from the new capital issue. The resolution highlighted that the new capital issue would be for the “purposes of enhancing the company’s 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 working capital and financing the development of the company’s businesses”. Chairman,Description May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), said the 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 recapitalisation is an important measure to 12, reduce the 5.13 JUL 2018 company’s current high debt6.38 JUL 12, 2023 to-equity ratio and the resultant high financing costs. According to him, it is imperative that sharehold11.50 FEB 01, 2016 ers inject more equity to the MAY 19, 2016 company to7.50 make it stronger 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 and put it in better position 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 to face the challenges in the 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 industry. 10.25 APR 08, 2019

07-Oct-11

Dangote Sugar reinforces backward integration

11.50

11.80

07-Oct-14

0.37

angote 18-Dec-09 Sugar Plc 13.50 has re13.17 18-Dec-14 0.56 01-Apr-10 17.00 opera2.00 31-Dec-14 0.60 structured its sugar 17-Aug-10 10.00 17-Aug-15 0.75 tions with greater focus on 15.00 09-Dec-10 12.00 37.50 09-Dec-15 0.82 backward integration project, 06-Jan-11 14.00 1.50 06-Jan-16 0.91 its Group Managing Director, 29-Sep-11 13.00 15.00 29-Sep-16 2.35 Mr. Graham Clark, 14.25 has said. 25-Oct-13 5.53 25-Oct-16 2.42 13.00 compa20.00 30-Sep-17 3.35 He30-Sep-10 said this at the 18.00 30-Nov-17 1.97 ny’s 30-Nov-12 8th Annual General Meet- 0.94 by key performance deliver09-Apr-11 16.00 8.01 09-Apr-18 2.12 ing (AGM) in Lagos. ables will enable us to deliver 09-Sep-11 18.00 3.63 09-Sep-18 2.29 He09-Sep-11 said that the16.00 company 1.00 the expected09-Sep-18 results in the2.29 next targeted selection and five to 10 years with enhanced 22-Sep-11 14.00 acqui35.00 22-Sep-18 4.33 18-Oct-13 15.75 2.40 sition of some 200,000 hectares 3.00 benefits to 18-Oct-18 all our stakehold17-Feb-12 17.00 states 0.54 17-Feb-19 2.48 of land across various ers,” he said. 01-Apr-14 16.00 4.50 01-Apr-19 3.60 in Nigeria for the development Also speaking during the 14-Nov-13 15.25 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.47 of sugar cane plantations, add- 180.17 AGM, the president of Daning that construction of mod- gote Group, Alhaji Aliko ern sugar processing factories Dangote, told shareholders 11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 3.72 has begun. that in line11-Feb-18 with the Federal Dangote Sugar declared a 12.00 Government’s National Sugar turnover of N102.467billion Master Plan, the company was Issue 2013 Date Coupon (%) Issue Value ($'mm) Maturitya Date Bid Yield (%) for the financial year as implementing plan to boost against N106.868billion a year its operations. earlier. Its profit before tax “This plan is targeted at in6.75 5.12 rose 07-Oct-11 to N20.099billion from 500.00 creasing the28-Jan-21 production capacN16.331billion, while profit after ity of your company from 1.5 18-Dec-09 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.28 tax advanced to N13.573billion million to 2.0 million tons of 12-Jul-23 from locally 5.49 from01-Apr-10 N10.796billion 6.38 within the 500.00 sugar per annum period. grown sugar cane within the 1,500.00 Clarks explained that the next five to 10 years. This will company’s business model further consolidate our posi01-Feb-11 11.50 was sustainable and designed 450.00 tion as the 01-Feb-16 largest sugar4.01 pro19-May-11 7.50 19-May-16 5.27 to impact communities where 500.00 ducer in West African region,” 08-Nov-13 400.00 08-Nov-18 6.41 it had operations. 6.00 he told shareholders. 25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 7.13 “Our targets are clear and a According to Dangote, the 09-May-13 6.88 300.00 02-May-18 8.55 robust framework 10.25 supported 300.00 sugar development plan is 08-Apr-12 08-Apr-19 5.17

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

12.04 16.45 19.95 16.11 12.23 13.86 12.93 13.28 16.58 13.74 15.38 17.12 16.98 13.12 14.23 18.06 14.23 15.11

99.75 98.44 98.35 95.86 99.92 100.50 100.09 101.91 91.03 108.37 101.32 101.92 101.97 102.79 103.11 98.27 104.85 100.53

carefully designed and will enable the company to strengthen its backward integration project. Dangote said 2013 was volatile for the sugar industry, explaining that the company had to adapt to stay profitable. “By adapting to the needs of our customers, we sustained 1.00leadership 13.08 position 91.70 our in the market and grew our profits during the period under reOffer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price view,” he said. “We will work to ensure onPrices & Yields going operational efficiency to 4.97 continued 109.10 growth 110.01 drive across our markets.” 4.07 103.16 103.96 Shareholders at the 106.31 5.36 107.26 of AGM approved a divided N7.2billion recommended by the board directors for 2013 financial year. 3.51 111.98 the manage112.85 They extolled 4.64 for delivering 104.13 105.33 rement good 6.17 98.43the challenges 99.36 turns despite 100.33 102.26 of6.44 a tough operating environ8.13 94.48 95.84 ment. 4.64 113.55 114.57

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.48

6.30

99.05

99.80

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.04

6.71

104.31

105.54

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.17

5.92

101.78

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

2014

572.90

Corporate Bonds

114.17 97.60 70.88 80.00

Coupon (%)

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE A+/Agusto; AA/GCR Aa/Agusto Nil Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto BB+/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto A/GCR BBB-/GCR BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR A/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR BBB/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

12.78 12.81 12.83 12.93

1,304.32

Sub-National Bonds

12.82 12.85 12.89 12.98

Issue Date

48 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

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

14.51 14.99 15.49 16.16

4,334.84 Issuer

28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30

09-Dec-13 6.63 FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,460.00

102.78 26-May-14

The FMDQ Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products,FIXINGS fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market. The use of this report is subject Money Market Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) to the FMDQ OTC PLC TermsMaturity of Use and Disclaimer Statement. Offer Discount (%) DTM Bid Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%)

**Treasury Bills

10 5-Jun-14 10.40 24 19-Jun-14 10.15 26-Jun-14 10.30 FGN Bonds31 38 3-Jul-14 10.20 45 10-Jul-14 10.30 Issuer Description 52 17-Jul-14 10.30 Rating/Agency 59 24-Jul-14 10.30 66 31-Jul-14 10.45 9.20 29-JUN-2014 73 7-Aug-14 10.30 9.25 28-SEP-2014 80 14-Aug-14 10.50 4.00 23-APR-2015 87 21-Aug-14 10.65 13.05 16-AUG-2016 94 28-Aug-14 10.75 15.10 27-APR-2017 101 4-Sep-14 10.50 108 11-Sep-14 10.85 9.85 27-JUL-2017 115 18-Sep-14 10.90 9.35 31-AUG-2017 136 9-Oct-14 10.60 10.70 30-MAY-2018 NA NA 178 20-Nov-14 10.65 16.00 29-JUN-2019 192 4-Dec-14 10.45 7.00 23-OCT-2019 227 8-Jan-15 10.50 16.39 27-JAN-2022 241 22-Jan-15 10.55 255 5-Feb-15 10.55 14.20 14-MAR-2024 269 19-Feb-15 10.50 15.00 28-NOV-2028 283 5-Mar-15 10.60 12.49 22-MAY-2029 318 9-Apr-15 10.45 8.50 20-NOV-2029 332 23-Apr-15 10.45 10.00 23-JUL-2030 346 7-May-15 10.35 *from theOUTSTANDING Amortising TOTAL VALUE # bonds, the average is Risk Premium is a life combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Rating/Agency

AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

Modified Duration Buckets

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

Description

Issuer

Agency Bonds

<3 3<5 KWARA >5 NIGER Market KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER

10.15 9.90 10.05 9.95 10.05 10.05 Issue Date 10.05 10.20 29-Jun-07 10.05 28-Sep-07 10.25 23-Apr-10 10.40 16-Aug-13 10.50 27-Apr-12 10.25 10.60 27-Jul-07 10.65 31-Aug-07 10.35 30-May-08 10.40 29-Jun-12 10.20 23-Oct-09 10.25 27-Jan-12 10.30 10.30 14-Mar-14 10.25 28-Nov-08 10.35 22-May-09 10.20 20-Nov-09 10.20 23-Jul-10 10.10

963.90 1,110.53 14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 473.25 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 2,547.69 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

Volume(Bn)

923.07 951.30 591.57 2,465.94

NIBOR

Bonds

Tenor O/N 1M 3M Outstanding Value 6M

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 Weighting by 06-Jul-12 Vol Outstanding

Rate (%) 11.0417 12.7082 13.5490 14.4727 Maturity Date

(N'bn)

45.00 NITTY 100.00 535.00 Tenor 470.27 1M 452.80 2M 3M 20.00 6M 100.00 9M 300.00 12M 351.30 233.90 600.00 NIFEX 110.00 Current75.00 Price ($/N) BID($/N)150.00 OFFER ($/N) 200.00 591.57

29-Jun-14 28-Sep-14 23-Apr-15 Rate (%) 16-Aug-16 10.3734 27-Apr-17 10.3739 10.7868 27-Jul-17 11.0561 31-Aug-17 11.2515 30-May-18 11.4044 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 162.1500 22-May-29 162.2500 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30

OBB O/N

10.88

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

11.08

Spot 7D Offer14D Yield 1M (%) 2M 3M 9.08 6M 10.75 1Y

162.34 162.36 162.59 163.05 Bid Price 164.41 165.51 99.83 169.47 99.31 177.03

REPO Tenor (%)(%) TTM (Yrs) BidRate Yield Call

10.75

1M 12.41 0.09 10.65 3M 13.16 0.34 11.20 6M 13.98 0.91 11.23 10.61 2.23 12.10 12.03 NOTE: 2.92 12.09 12.03 :Benchmarks 3.17 12.05 11.92 * :Amortising 3.27 Bond 12.05 11.93 µ :Convertible Bond 4.01 12.10 12.00 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 5.09 12.24 12.17 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 5.41 Mortgage Bank 12.22 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 12.13 7.67 12.57 12.52 IFC: International Finance Corporation LCRM: Local Management 9.80 Contractors Receivables 12.58 12.53 NAHCO:14.51 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 12.82 12.78 O/N: Overnight 14.99 12.85 12.81 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 15.49 12.89 12.83 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 16.16 12.98 12.93

Offer ($/N)

Price

162.44 162.58 162.91 Offer Price 163.57 165.75 167.50 99.98 172.99 99.46 183.67

93.90 94.40 101.75 101.90 107.20 107.35 NA :Not Applicable 94.32 94.62 # :Floating 92.85 Rate Bond 93.15 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 95.65 95.95 113.90 114.20 †: Bond rating expired 79.77 80.07 118.40 118.70 108.95 109.25 NGC:114.17 Nigeria-German 114.47 Company UBA: 97.60 United Bank for Africa 97.90 70.88 71.18 80.00 80.30

4,334.84

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 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 Porfolio Market Total Outstanding 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 Value(Bn)

10.43 10.22 10.39 10.31 10.43 10.45(%) Coupon 10.47 10.65 9.20 10.52 9.25 10.75 4.00 10.93 13.05 11.06 15.10 10.81 11.21 9.85 11.29 9.35 11.04 10.70 11.23 16.00 11.06 7.00 11.23 16.39 11.34 11.39 14.20 11.38 15.00 11.55 12.49 11.50 8.50 11.55 10.00 11.48

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

0.00

978.35

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 Weighting by Mkt 0.00/16.50 Value

6.00 112.22 116.70 Bucket66.49 Weighting

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

0.43 0.99 1.48 2.54 2.90 Implied 3.11Yield

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 Implied 1.00Price Portfolio

12.14 13.86 13.81 13.96 15.22 INDEX 13.04

95.05 87.52 104.71 96.20 89.49 YTD Return 92.02 (%)

0.00 BOND INDEX 24.56 FMDQ FGN

37.43 38.58 05-Aug-09 23.99 15-Oct-09 100.00 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

Coupon (%)

37.83 43.59 14.00 18.58 14.00100.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00

1,304.32 0.37 0.39 17.00 0.24 6.00 1.00 8.50 16.50 13.00 18.50 57.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00

19.71 39.35 05-Aug-14 40.94 15-Oct-14 100.00 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

12.10 12.47 0.19 12.98 0.39 12.61 1.27 0.87 1.16 1.17 2.90 1.73 3.60 2.57 4.36 2.57 2.57

113.9497 127.8427 1.56 88.5315 1.34 113.2116 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21

1,082.29 1,082.52 12.33 1,071.75 12.41 1,074.23 15.84 14.46 15.80 14.82 17.61 12.70 13.86 13.77 13.12 12.97 13.18

8.2290 8.2524 100.22 7.1746 100.52 7.4231 96.24 99.29 98.20 101.07 83.25 101.85 100.34 100.65 102.80 103.40 115.58

BUSINESS | MONEY LINE 49

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

RenCap forecasts N175/$1 for Nigeria in 2015 spectively, predicting that the rates would fall from second half of 2015. The naira closed at N162.45 to the dollar at the inter-bank and at N167 per dollar at the parallel market yesterday. The report, which described the Sub Saharan Africa’s external debt positions and the vulnerability of the countries, said Nigeria is not in the least vulnerable to a default. However, it maintained that devaluation in the short term, is premised on the downside risk to February 2015

2015 ELECTION The build up to the 2015 election is likely to weaken the naira exchange rate Godson Ikoro

enaissance Capital has forecast an exchange rate of NGN172/$1 and NGN175/$1 for Nigeria in the year 2014 and 2015 re-

It expressed concern over Ghana and Rwanda where uses of foreign income marginally exceeded their respective foreign resources. This according to RenCap in a report obtained by New Telegrapgh, implies that Ghana and Rwanda need additional foreign financing in the short term, to meet their foreign obligations. “We think this explains both countries plans for another Euro bond issuance”. RenCap said that Nigeria and Zambia are the two coun-

former Deputy SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations, Lord Mark Brown, has described the suspension of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido, as a grave error that can erode the confidence of foreign investors. Brown, who disclosed this yesterday during the 8th Annual Business Law Conference in Lagos, faulted the suspension on the premise that the Federal Government applied it as pay back because Sanusi stood for the truth over the missing $20 billion from the coffers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). New Telegraph recalls that Sanusi was suspended on February 20 this year shortly after

he made public the inability of the NNPC to account for $20 billion that was not remitted to the Federation Account. President Goodluck Jonathan later appointed Mrs Sarah Alade as the acting CBN governor. Jonathan also forwarded the names of Mr Godwin Emefiele and Adelabu Adekoya to the Senate, for consideration as CBN governor and deputy governor designate, respectively. Before Sanusi’s suspension, his tenure at the apex bank was, however, subjected to investigation by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, which “found him guilty of financial recklessness.”

Brown, who is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Soros Investment Funds, however, said it was wrong for the government to have taken such decision as it would make foreign investors lose confidence in the country, especially now that the threat of terrorism is overwhelming the country, following the abduction of over 200 secondary school female students from their school in Bornu State. Comparing the economic development between Brazil and Nigeria, he pointed out that both countries were at par in the past but that now the Latin American country had long developed rapidly due to the entrenchment of good governance.

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

Offer 163.38

While calling on the Federal Government to revolutionise the economy, he pointed out that the liberalisation in the telecommunication sector had revolutionised the sector. Brown also used the opportunity to call on those currently holding the over 200 Chibok girls hostage to release them.

Naira trades flat against US dollar

he naira traded flat against the US currency yesterday, as dollar sales by two oil companies helped ease the pressure of demand for the greenback, dealers said. Consequently, the naira closed at N162.45 to the dollar. The Nigerian units of Chevron sold $43 million to lenders and Royal Dutch Shell sold an undisclosed amount, boosting dollar liquidity in the interbank forex market. "We expect the naira to trade within present levels or

I Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80

He described Nigeria as a country that is “always preparing to come but never arriving.” He however, commended the exemplary leadership of Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, saying the Federal Government should learn from his leadership style.

appreciate as more oil companies sell part of their monthend dollars," one dealer told Reuters. Traders said the naira traded calmly before the oil company dollar sales, which helped stabilise demand for the greenback. The naira has been hovering between N161-N162 over the last two weeks, as oil companies bought naira to meet local obligations and as foreign investors bought domestic debt.

ISAN, firm hold workshop in Lagos

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

difficulties become increasingly likely when the PV of debt/ export reaches 200 per cent. Recap said the Sub Sahara African countries it covered were well below the threshold, stressing what constitutes a sustainable debt burden varies by country. On which countries are vulnerable to a confidence crisis, Recap averred that shocks could trigger a default, in a country vulnerable from a foreign exchange shortage, include a charge in GDP growth, terms or trade and foreign interest rate.

Ex UN Scribe faults Sanusi's suspension

Sunday Ojeme

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

tries in the Sub Sahara Africa that would sustain their uses of foreign income up to February 2015. It said Nigeria’s and Zambia’s foreign resources can cover 70 per cent and 86 per cent respectively of their uses foreign income On the other hand, Kenya – with a proportion for new finance (PNF) of 0.9, RenCap said the country may go to market in the new few weeks. Indeed, empirical analysis of developing countries experience shows that debt service

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

ndependent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) and PR Plus Consulting Limited are organizing an international workshop on the management of the annual general meeting for companies in Nigeria. The two-day workshop, which will hold at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers Lagos will be from June 3 and 4 and will be chaired by the Chairman of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Tunde Savage while Mr. Peter Walker Chairman of PIELLE Consulting Group, London, United Kingdom and Life Vice President of the Nigeria Britain Chamber of Commerce will facilitate on the theme of the workshop, AGM As A Platform For Value Optimisation. The paper, which will treat the theme exhaustively will be underlined by international best practices and examples. The event Chairman, Mr. Savage, according to a statement, will also unveil his annual general meeting management experience over the years to the participants under the topic: Managing AGM: My Personal Notes. The workshop with the participants majorly being Chairmen, Group CEOs, Managing

Directors, Directors/Board Members and Senior Management Staff of the top companies in Nigeria, the biggest economy and market in Africa, will be laced with practical engagements with a view to drawing up tactics for a better management of annual general meeting in Nigeria. According to the National Coordinator of the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, the workshop is practical demonstration of the association’s commitment for better value from companies as shareholders want nothing short of the best from their firms. Sir Nwosu noted that ISAN as an organisation is ever ready to ensure that shareholders who with their hard-earned income make big sacrifice buying shares in companies are given the best value for their investments. This he stressed, is the only way that international investors can be positively motivated to come and invest in the country. At the end of the event, he hinted that participants will be better equipped in managing annual general meetings with improved performances and value for the shareholders.

50 WORLD | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Modi takes oath as Indian Prime Minister

akistan’s Prime Minister arrived in the capital of his country’s archrival yesterday to attend the inauguration of his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, a historic moment that could signal a thaw in relations between the often hostile neighbors. Modi’s inauguration is the first to which India invited heads of state from across South Asia. The leaders of Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Maldives, Nepal and Afghanistan were expected to attend, and Bangladesh was to be represented

by the speaker of its parliament. India’s President Pranab Mukherjee will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Modi and his Cabinet ministers at the Presidential Palace. Analysts said the presence of Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, signals an easing of tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Pakistan and India have a history of uneasy relations and have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947. Modi and Sharif are scheduled to hold formal

talks today. “Both governments have a strong mandate. This could help in turning a new page in our relations,” he added. Modi is likely to insist that Pakistan expedite investigations into the Mumbai attack and put its perpetrators on trial. New Delhi would also demand that Islamabad take action against Islamic militant groups operating out of Pakistani territory to prevent further terror attacks on India. Other major problems relate to the future of Kashmir, the disputed Himalayan ter-

ritory over which they have fought two of their three wars. Neelam Deo, director, Gateway House, a foreign policy think today tank in Mumbai, said Sharif ’s presence at the inaugural and the bilateral talks that would follow “provides an opportunity to commence relations on an encouraging note.” “It also provides an occasion for Prime Minister Modi to lay down India’s concerns, particularly on the topic of border security and terrorism,” said Deo, a former Indian diplomat. Modi and his Bharatiya

Janata Party won a resounding victory in the general election that ended this month. Modi has promised to revitalize the economy and restore India as a leading global power. The past few years have seen economic growth plummeting, coupled with runaway inflation and a decline in exports. The former Congress Party-run government had become paralyzed by corruption scandals, internal feuding and an inability to deal with the stumbling economy and deep-rooted problems with poverty, infrastructure and education.

Sisi poised to win presidency as Egyptians vote

Indian Prime Minister, Modi walks at the Mahatma Gandhi after paying the flower tribute at Rajghat ahead of his ceremony.

Pistorius reports to psychiatric hospital for tests

outh Africa’s murder-accused paralympic hero Oscar Pistorius yesterday arrived at a psychiatric hospital to begin up to 30-days of tests, as ordered by a judge during his trial. A car ferrying the double amputee athlete whisked him inside the Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, west of Pretoria. Security was tight at the entrance of the drab red-brick public hospital, whose patients often come from poor backgrounds. In a bid to avoid media attention, the athlete ditched the grey SUV vehicle that normally drives him to court, arriving in a sedan with tinted windows. There was no sign of family and friends who often arrive in court with him to offer support. Last week, Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled that the Paralympian sprinter should report to the hospital as an outpatient every work day from morning

to 1400 GMT from May 26. The ruling came after a defence expert witness testified that the 27-year-old, who is accused of killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, suffers from generalised anxiety disorder. The judge said Pistorius will be tested to see “whether he was capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his act or acting in accordance with appreciation of the wrongfulness of his act”. Pistorius is accused of shooting dead Steenkamp, a 29-yearold model, at his Pretoria home after a row. He says she was killed by accident after he mistook her for an intruder. Pistorius’s defence team have sought to show that his violent reaction to a perceived intruder in his home stemmed from a deep-seated anxiety that began to fester after the amputation of his lower legs as a child. His trial has attracted global media attention, with evidence showing a turbulent relationship

between the new couple. The state argues that the murder was premeditated, a charge that could see him sentenced to life in prison if found guilty.

hai coup leader, General Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday he had been formally endorsed by the king as head of a military council that will run the country, and warned he would use force if political protests flared up again. Prayuth seized power on May 22, saying the army would restore order after nearly seven months of sometimes deadly street demonstrations. The military has taken into custody scores of politicians, activists and others. “Will we go back to where we were before? If you want to do that, I will need to use force and impose the law

gyptians voted yesterday in an election expected to install army chief Abdel Fatah al-Sisi as president, with supporters brushing aside concerns about political freedom and hailing him as the strong leader the country needs. Three years after the historic uprising against Hosni Mubarak, the vote is set to restore a pattern of rule by men from the military after Sisi toppled Egypt’s first freely elected leader, Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood. Voters lined up to cast ballots at polling stations guarded by soldiers in face masks and armed with assault rifles. Sisi faces only one challenger in the two-day vote: the leftist politician, Hamdeen Sabahi. “We see Sisi as a real man. Egypt likes a strong man,” said 64-year-old Saber Habib, clenching his fist to make his point as he waited to vote in the city of Suez, east of Cairo.

“We want the country to move forward and for the people to have bread,” said Habib, a contractor. Widely regarded as Egypt’s de facto leader since he toppled Mursi after mass protests, Sisi, 59, faces manifold challenges including an economy in crisis and a campaign of Islamist violence that has spiraled since he overthrew Mursi. To the Islamists, he is the mastermind of a bloody coup that led to a crackdown that has killed hundreds of Mursi supporters and landed thousands more in jail. Secular dissidents who led the 2011 uprising against Mubarak have also been imprisoned. At the same time, several hundred members of the security forces have been killed in a campaign of violence by radical Islamists since last July. The last year has been the bloodiest period of internal strife in Egypt’s modern history.

Thai coup leader threatens crackdown if protests resume strictly,” Prayuth said in a statement he read on television. “You will have to forgive any tough measures as they are necessary.” He did not set a timeframe for how long the army would stay in power, although he said he hoped to hold elections soon. The royal endorsement is a significant formality in Thailand, where the monarchy is the most important institution. But Prayuth’s address would have provoked conflicting reaction in a country

polarized by nearly a decade of rivalry between the royalist establishment, of which Prayuth is a member, and Thaksin Shinawatra, a populist tycoon who broke the political mould. Prayuth, wearing a formal white dress uniform, said he would set up a council of advisers, but gave no details on the form of a government that will run the country under his military junta, the National Council for Peace and Order. “The country needs a Prime Minister,” he said.

S Oduamadi

uper Eagles on Monday expressed delight over the return of team captain Joseph Yobo and Osaze Odemwengie to the team as preparation for the friendly against Scotland starts with a training session at the Fulham ground on Monday Yobo himself declared during breakfast on Monday that he was overwhelmed by the shower of love by his team mates. “I am

…Mba, Oduamadi in flight hitches humbled and I pray that I will justify the confidence reposed in me”, he said. Osaze spoke in a similar vein, adding that it was a family reunion that is bound to affect the fortunes of the team at the World Cup. “We

SPORT

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

Ifeanyi Ibeh and Ajibade Olusesan

ille of France goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, and Lazio of Italy midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, have set their sights on securing a win for the Super Eagles over Scotland and ending the Tartan Army’s recent unbeaten run when both sides meet on Wednesday in London. Gordon Strachan’s side has not lost since losing 2-0 at home to Belgium last September and has since embarked on a five game unbeaten run. They have won four and drawn one of those five games, including wins over Macedonia, Croatia, Norway and Poland, as well as a draw against the United States. They will be hoping to add Nigeria to the list. The Scots have however, lost the only previous encounter against Nigeria – a 2-1 win for the Super Eagles back in April 2002 – and Enyeama and Onazi want the status quo to remain the same at the end of Wednesday’s game at Craven Cottage. “They are a strong team but we have never lost to them before, so we want to win on Wednesday,” said Enyeama, who was in the Nigerian side that beat the Scots at Aberdeen’s Pittodrie Stadium 12 years ago. “It is a friendly, but the World Cup is just around the corner and this is an opportunity for a lot of us to show why we deserve to

Ifeanyi Ibeh

Eagles celebrate Yobo, Osaze return

he Nigeria Basketball Federation has insisted it is in no hurry to announce the names of coaches that will take charge of the country’s national teams ahead of qualifiers for the various international competitions later in the year. A host of junior and senior international tournaments will be having their qualifiers later in the year and Nigeria’s male

will do our best in Brazil to justify this unity that we have in camp” All the 30 invited players invited except for Brescia of Italy midfielder, Nnamdi Oduamadi and France based star, Sunday Mba, were in camp and attended

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

ADEKUNLE SALAMI, DepUTY Editor, SPORTS kunle.salami@newtelegraphonline.com adekunles@yahoo.com

TUESday, may 27, 2014

the team’s training session on Monday evening. Team Scribe, Dayo Enebi Achor, explained that the duo had hitches with their travelling documents and were scheduled to make it to the team’s camp any time from now, a development Head Coach Stephen Keshi, frowned at.

Poor facilities, bane of African basketball – Olajuwon }p-54

Enyeama, Onazi vow to stop Scotland

make the team, so we will be giving our best,” stressed Enyeama. Onazi, on his part, added; “We have had a fantastic time in the last two years. We have achieved some successes and of course some failures here and there. Now we are facing the World Cup; it is a big one and friendly matches like this will help the chemistry of the team. It will afford us the

opportunity to check our mistakes and move forward at the World Cup. “Although Scotland are not going to the World Cup, but I know they have a strong team. We are going to give our best to make sure that we win the game because I know Nigerians will like that and victory will also serve as a morale booster for us,” he stressed.

Onazi

NBBF in no hurry to name coaches

and female age-grade and senior sides will be taking part in all of them in the hope of qualifying for these tournaments and continuing the NBBF’s plan of taking the country’s basketball to greater heights. The African tournaments also serve as the qualifiers for basketball world body, FIBA’s various world championships,

but coaches are yet to be named for the country’s teams even though the NBBF assured it will be doing that in the weeks ahead. “We are working on it and a pronouncement will be made soon,” said Secretary General of the NBBF, Okeke Patrick, in an interview with New Telegraph. President of the NBBF,

Tijani Umar added that; “We are not in a hurry to announce coaches right now. What is more important is to have a date for a camp, and get the players.” “FIBA Africa recently met to agree on tournament dates for the qualifiers, so it is too soon to have coaches since you don’t have the dates for these qualifiers.”

Bakare

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Countdown to Fifa World Cup 16 There is very little that has not already been said about Pele. Now 73, the Brazilian is a living legend, with three FIFA World Cup™ winner’s medals to his name. With just a matter of days to go before his country hosts the biggest footballing show on Earth, the man regarded by many as the greatest player of all time shares his recollections of the 1950 finals with FIFA.com. There are only a few days to go before the FIFA World Cup makes its return to Brazil after a 64-year absence. What is your most vivid memory of that bittersweet experience in 1950? Pele: I’ve got many great footballing memories, but the first of them all is Brazil losing the World Cup that year. It was the first time I ever saw my father cry, and all because of that defeat. I was nine or ten years old and I remember seeing him sitting next to the radio, sobbing. I asked him: ‘Why are you crying, Papa?’. And he said to me: ‘Brazil have lost the World Cup’. That’s the image that’s etched in my mind from 1950. God was very good to me, though, because eight years later I was in Sweden and I won the title. I played in four World Cups and won three, including the last one in 1970. I think I can safely say that God gave everything back to me. You’ve mentioned before that seeing your father cry on that occasion had an impact on your career. Can you tell us more about that? My father was a footballer too, and that day I was with three or four friends, who were children of his teammates. There was no TV at that time, and he had invited them round to listen to the match on the radio. Us little ones went to play in the street. I remember that there were a lot of people around and so much going on. And then, later in the afternoon, everything suddenly went dead quiet. We went inside to find out what was going on. My father was crying and he told me that we had lost. I remember jokingly saying to him: ‘Don’t cry, Papa. I’ll win the World Cup for you’. I just came out with it because I didn’t know what else to say, but eight years later there I was in the national team, and we won the title. How did that shock defeat to Uruguay affect the country? I was just a boy and it was the first time I’d seen so many people depressed and so many people crying. I even heard that two or three people died of heart attacks. I was young, but I remember that huge sense of sadness. There’s no way you could forget that. If you had been born earlier and played in that FIFA World Cup, would the Maracanazo ever have happened? That’s a good question (laughs). It goes without saying that you always want the best for your people and your

Days To Go

Pele: I hope no one does a Ghiggia

family, but if I could choose, I’d ask God to let me be born earlier to help Brazil and stop it from happening. Moacir Barbosa, the Brazil goalkeeper that day, came in for a lot of criticism for letting in Alcides Ghiggia’s winning goal. Do you still remember that? I’ve seen interviews with him, where he says that people crucified him for that goal. He said: ‘I’ve played lots of games for the national team and we got to the final, thanks in part to all my saves. But now people blame me for one goal’. I feel very sorry about all that, but that’s life. Unfortunately, fans can be very emotional and all they want are victories. Sometimes you get criticised when you lose. That’s just the way it is. Ghiggia, the man who made your father cry, was at the Brazil 2014 Final Draw. What was it like to meet up with him? I’d seen him two or three times before the draw. Obviously we spoke about the game and our stories that day. He even told me that neither he nor his team-mates believed they could beat our team. Brazil were the best side and they’d won all their games easily. He told me: ‘For us it was a miracle. We didn’t expect it’. And to tell you the truth, Brazilians didn’t expect it either. Eight years later you won the title yourself. What memories do you have of that? That was another surprise. I was 15 when we played a tournament in Rio, in a team made up of players from Santos and Vasco da Gama. We played a few internationals at the Maracana and they decided to pick me. I didn’t expect it at all. It came as a surprise to everyone, not just to me. How would you compare your first world title in 1958 and your last in 1970? That’s not a difficult question for me to answer. I played in four World Cups and we were lucky enough to win three. Everyone asks me if it was hard to play in the World Cup at the age of only 17, but I can honestly say that all I wanted at the time was to be in the team. It was like a dream. We won, but I didn’t have any responsibility on my shoulders. In 1970 I was at my peak. We had a great team and it was my last World Cup. But if I compare it to the first one, when I didn’t have any experience, I have to say Mexico was tougher. We had a fantastic side and everyone expected

us to win, which gave me the shakes. I was very nervous and under a lot of pressure. Maybe people have forgotten, but the political situation in Brazil was not good and we felt that we simply had to win the title. That was the difference. Thank God we were able to do it. Time passes quickly, doesn’t it? It’s incredible, but the thing that amazes me most is all the changes and progress there’s been in the media. We didn’t have a TV or new technologies in 1958. I remember that I wanted to call my father and tell him that we’d won the World Cup, and we had to go to a train station in Sweden. I said to him: ‘Papa, we’ve won the World Cup’. And he said: ‘I didn’t see it but I listened to it’. It’s a huge change. Today players score a goal and blow a kiss to the cameras. We couldn’t do that and that’s the biggest difference that I see. There is a lot of footage from the 1970 tournament around these days, though. Do you watch it? Sometimes, yes. I watch it because there are a lot of videos available

and TV programmes that put it on. I’ll tell you something, though: if I’m not careful I always start crying. When I see those players and the people cheering me around, I get all emotional. I’m a sensitive guy! You recently said that you didn’t want your children to catch you crying and see what you saw back in 1950 with your father. Who do you think has the potential to be a Ghiggia this time? Lionel Messi or Luis Suarez maybe?

I’m sorry, but I hope nobody comes and does what Ghiggia did in 1950. What we all want to see is Brazil having a good World Cup, reaching the Final and winning the title, if possible. I don’t want to remember what happened in 1950. I have to have faith and believe that victory is possible, because you just never know. Football is a big box full of surprises and the best team doesn’t always win. Just look at 1982. Brazil had the best side but we lost to Italy and went out. I don’t want to think about how the games might go in Brazil. I just want to be positive and think that Brazil will win the Cup. That’s what I want to believe.

Pele

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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Transfer Updates

Rodgers signs Arsenal lodge £18m bid long-term for Griezmann Liverpool rsenal have made a £18m bid for Real ASociedad winger Antoine Griezmann, contract

who has been in brilliant form this season and has been a real threat from the left flank, scoring 16 goals. Arsene Wenger is a huge fan of the player and has been tracking his progress over the past couple of seasons. However, the interest hasreportedlybeenturnedintoanofficialbidfromtheGunners,with the north London club testing waters with an initial approach.

Eto’o on Juve’s radar

rsenal and Tottenham target Samuel Eto’o could turn the head of Juventus who will go after the Chelsea frontman should a deal for Didier Drogba collapse. Drogba is Juve’s top target but reports in Italy indicate Eto’o is the Bianconeri’s contingency option if they can’t land the Ivorian. Eto’o scored nine goals in 21 Premier League appearances this season.

Sagna denies Man City deal

acary Sagna has told French television that he has no deal with Manchester City, but that he will make a decision on his future before the World

iverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has signed a new and improved contract to keep him at Anfield for the long term. Rodgers, who had a year remaining on his existing ag reement with an option for a further 12 months, guided the Reds to second in the Premier League this season from seventh 12 months ago and always said he would sign his new contract once the campaign was over. “I am both humbled and privileged to be offered the chance to extend my stay at this great club,” he told liverpoolfc.com.

PSG to sacrifice Moura for Hazard

SG are ready to sacrifice Brazil star Lucas Moura to go all out in their pursuit of Chelsea ace Eden Hazard. According to reports, Laurent Blanc is willing to let midfield playmaker Lucas leave the Parc des Princes in order to finance a £49m bid for Hazard. The availability of Lucas, 21, is likely to heighten the interest of a host of European clubs and PSG will be hoping to recoup the majority of the £36m they paid Sao Paulo two years ago.

Monaco launch move for Kolarov

onaco have opened talks with Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov over a summer move. The Serbia international featured regularly for Manuel Pellegrini’s men last term, helping the club win their second Premier League title. However, a switch to France would represent a new challenge for the 28-year-old, who only has 12 months remaining on his current deal.

Low

Balotelli

Manchester United. “I make some mistakes and I always pay for them,” he told GQ Italy. “But if I were white they would only insult me for the mistakes. “The problem is not the

ermany coach Joachim Low is no closer to deciding which three players he will be leaving out of his squad for the World Cup having been impressed by all of them in training so far. Low has taken 26 players with him to a training camp in South Tyrol and he has just a week left to decide who will make the cut and form part of his 23-man World Cup squad. Erik Durm, Christoph Kramer,

things that I do but that these things are allowed to happen to me. “It is only the stupid and the ignorant who take issue with me. I’m different and this annoys people.”

Matthias Ginter and Kevin Volland, who earned their first calls only this year, are among the candidates to be left out, but Low was full of praise for them at a press conference on Monday. “The young players, like Durm and Volland, are making a very, very good impression,” Low said. “(Kramer’s) chances are good too. He’s very secure on the ball, always in a position to receive it and he’s top fit and active. “My impression of him is absolutely positive.”

French Open Federer, Williams, Sharapova advance to second round

he young Federer sisters were in the stands watching daddy win his opening match at the French Open, and the Williams sisters were on separate courts Sunday ensuring their own progress. Roger Federer had little trouble beating Lukas Lacko of Slovakia 6-2, 6-4, 6-2. As soon as he finished, Serena Williams took over on Court Philippe Chatrier, the main stadium at Roland Garros, and beat Alize Lim 6-2, 6-1.

Dzeko too expensive for Inter

nter Milan president Erick Thohir remains keen on Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, but fears he may be out of his price range. Thohir admits Inter do not have the funds required to push through deals for ‘top players’ and that they must look to follow the lead of those clubs who have built steadily through prudent transfer dealings.

C Milan striker Mario Balotelli believes he gets unfair criticism simply because he is black. The striker has developed a reputation for being a disruptive figure throughout his career, having made the headlines on several occasions for his involvement in numerous controversial incidents, including training ground bust-ups and disagreements with coaches. Balotelli fell out with Jose Mourinho at Inter as well as Roberto Mancini during his time with Manchester City. When at City he also let off fireworks in his bathroom the night before facing local rivals

Low undecided on World Cup squad

Cup. Sagna told Telefoot: “Have I already signed a contract with Manchester City? No, that is not true. My situation will be sorted out before the World Cup, but I haven’t signed for anyone so far. We all have our own destiny and I will try to find mine.”

Balotelli: I get treated badly because I’m black

Federer

Over on Court Suzanne Lenglen, Venus Williams was also playing, and winning. The older Williams sibling defeated Belinda Bencic 6-4, 6-1. Serena, the defending champion, could meet Venus

in the third round if both get through their next matches. Also, Maria Sharapova cr uised into the second round of the French Open with a 6-1 6-2 victory over fellow Russian Ksenia Pervak.

Djokovic, Nadal secure first round wins

ovak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal got their French Open campaign off to a winning start on Monday with easy victories over their respective opponents. Djokovic kicked off his bid for a maiden French Open win with a 6-1 6-2 6-4 first-round victory against Joao Sousa, while Nadal zoomed past Robby Ginepri 6-0 6-3 6-0. The French Open is the only grand slam that does not sit in Djokovic’s trophy cabinet and he has been widely tipped to amend that over the coming weeks - largely due to Nadal’s

recent failures on the red surface. There was enough to suggest that Djokovic may not be as good a bet as had been claimed, though, with a number of loose shots and concentration lapses likely to be noted by the Nadal camp, who would undoubtedly be impressed with the Spaniards showing against his American opponent. In the women’s singles, Samantha Stosur also began her French Open campaign in style, storming into the second round with a 6-1 6-1 win over Puerto Rican Monica Puig.

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Manu targets ‘big’ win against Lesotho IfeanyiIbeh

lying Eagles coach, Manu Garba, has set his sights on securing a comprehensive home win over Lesotho when the southern Africans come calling on August 16 in the first leg of their final round African Youth Championship qualifier. Lesotho defeated much-fancied Angola 1-0 in Luanda to go through on a 4-1 aggregate having earlier defeated the Angolans 3-1 in the first leg. Nigeria, on the other hand, brushed Tanzania aside 4-1 on Saturday in Kaduna to advance to the next round on a 6-1 aggregate, and Manu is looking at securing a big win at home to make the return leg tie in Maseru a mere formality. “All matches are the same depending on how you approach them,” the Flying Eagles coach said. “See the case of Morocco and Togo, where Morocco won in Togo and Togo won in Morocco to qualify for the next round. “There are no longer pushovers in the game and so we cannot afford to be complacent. We have to be up and doing in all our matches,” stressed Manu.

Electoral committee to roll out guidelines after World Cup Jude Opara Abuja

head of the August 2014 Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation, the Electoral Committee saddled with the responsibility of conducting election says the guidelines for the exercise will be out immediately after the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup. Speaking exclusively with New Telegraph from his base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Chairman of the committee, Amoni Biambo, said members of his committee, contrary to insinuations in certain quarters that they have gone to sleep, have been working round the clock to fine tune the modalities to conduct an election that would be acceptable to all stakeholders. “I have dedicated committee members and we have been working hard to put in place the electoral guidelines that will be the bible for the conduct of the elections. After the World Cup, everything will be in place,” he said. When asked if the exercise would be thrown open for every interested Nigerian to participate, Biambo revealed that the election would only be thrown open for people who are already into football mostly through the state Football Associations.

Poor facilities, bane of African b’ball – Olajuwon

BA legend, Hakeem “the dream” Olajuwon, has responded to his announcement as the NBA ambassador for Africa. Below are excerpts of the interview with NBA.com and Supersport. Role as Ambassador I want to thank the NBA for the opportunity, and my role as an NBA Ambassador to Africa is a very strategic one. I have a great passion for Africa and I am interested to engage with the youth of Africa. This already started last year with my involvement with the launch of the Power Forward initiative in Nigeria, engaging with corporate sponsors and government bodies to promote the game. It’s a big role with huge potential. I am very excited about the opportunity and I am looking forward to working with the NBA on the ground to provide opportunities for the youth in Africa. First of all, the NBA has a presence in Africa. They see the potential, opportunities and with (NBA Vice President & Managing Director – Africa) Amadou Gallo Fall providing the necessary leadership, pulling the infrastructure and awareness, the future is bright just like in China many years ago Africa has a lot of players in the league and many more who have played in the NBA and so many more who are aspiring to make the grade.

Advice to African federations The first thing African Federations need to address is the facilities. When you look at the facilities where the game is played at high school level, the majority of them are not good enough. They need to improve them as a base. They also need to be creating opportunities to watch the games, to help create greater aspirations. The federations can work with the NBA, improving facilities because one major advantage for us in Africa is the physique and athletic abilities we have in abundance. African kids are endowed with the best physical attributes for the game. The next step would be to create access to platforms for further developments through scholarships, and there are a lot of opportunities. Amadou and I see the passion, and that’s the first step to developing the game on the continent. We have been beneficiaries of the system, hence we will endeavour to inspire governments and support the idea of creating more tournaments. I have contacts with the relevant bodies working on recruiting scholarships. Global searches these days start from high schools right through to colleges. Africans aspiring to make the grade I played for my high school in Nigeria before getting the scholarship that took me to the USA. Now some players are being recruited from high school or into

African Youth Games

Nigeria wins 9 gold, 2 bronze medals Charles Ogundiya

Emenike battling an Ethiopian player

Why Pepsi picked Keshi, Amokach as ambassadors -Thurston Ajibade Olusesan

ead of Marketing, Seven Up Bottling Company Plc, Norden Thurston, has said exemplary achievements of Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, his assistant, Daniel Amokachi, and defender Elderson Echiejiele, informed the company’s decision to chose them as

Olajuwon

high school, and it affords them the opportunity to make the adjustments earlier. The college coaches help to make that adjustment easier, once you start interacting with your teammates. It’s a big adjustment coming from Africa. A lot will depend on how comfortable and how socially amenable you are because essentially you will have something to offer before you are considered in the first place. You have the conditioning, weight and the best part of adjusting includes nutrition and diet as well as the training regime to immediately bring about quick improvements to your talent and development. But the best part of it is that if you are good enough you can make it in the game. Even more, it’s a dream journey. You get a degree, an education and that’s the game changer. I want to encourage all the young talents to use the opportunity and platform provided by the presence of the NBA in Africa to develop their talents.

new Pepsi ambassadors. Thurston said the sports personalities have made the country proud through their exceptional performances and are worthy to represent the Pepsi brand. “Here in Nigeria, the passion for football knows no bounds. Pepsi’s fantastic new line up this passion is set to rise higher than ever before as fans and con-

sumers from across the country identify with Pepsi football stars they admire. Keshi and our other brand ambassadors have always made us proud and it was now their moment to shine.” The three football personalities were unveiled amidst cheers from the audience at an event tagged the “Pepsi Samba Party’ on Thursday, May 22 in Lagos.

eam Nigeria continued its impressive run in the ongoing African Youths Games in Botswana, as the country’s athletes increased their medal haul to nine gold and two bronze medals as at press time Monday evening. Nigeria benefitted from international rules which tripled the two gold medals won in the weightlifting event on Sunday and made it six and added with the other three won in Judo, Badminton and Table Tennis has increased the gold medal haul to nine instead of five. Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye said; “yes we are supposed to have won two gold in weightlifting according to the international weightlifting body, but in the African Youth Games, the gold medal is counted three, so the two gold Nigeria won in the weightlifting boys and girls category counted six in Nigeria’s favour. So the total gold medal won is nine. Three other gold medals were won in Judo, Badminton and Table Tennis gold won by Oginni Olasunkanmi.”

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Electricity: Fixed charge stays at N750, as energy cost rises James Nwabueze Abuja

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said electricity Fixed Charge (FC) which was to rise to N1500 by June 1st in the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) for 2014 has reduced to N750 for some customers while their Energy Cost (EC) may increase slightly. The Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, who disclosed this during an official briefing yesterday said, "NERC on May 21 approved the review of MYTO. This review will take effect on June 1, 2014. The review has reduced the fixed charge component that would have taken effect on 1st June, 2014." Amadi explained that

some positive variables triggered the significant changes in the tariff review: 'Whilst MYTO in 2012 had projected a 13 per cent inflation rate, it was by March 30, at 7.8 percent, less than 5.2percent of the projection; exchange rate of $1 to N178 from CBN data was also less as at March 30 to N157.30 per $1, 11.6 percent less than the projected.' He noted that the review result however indicates a reduction of the wholesale tariff payable to Generation companies (Gencos) from June 1st adding that with increased generation capacity and favourable economic indices, tariff cost will drastically reduce. Earlier, Amadi said, “Many customers by 1st

June should be paying a Fixed Charge (FC) of about N1500 but the adjustment has resulted in a decrease in that the fixed charge will not change but will remain at the N750” On the Energy Charge for the 2014 MYTO Amadi said, “What we will see is that most of the consumers did not have any increase in their EC apart from Residential Two (R2) customers that have N1 increase in some places. So instead of having a much more bigger Energy Charge (EC) increase that was published for 2014 MYTO since 2012, we now have the same fixed charge of N750 from the supposed N1500 which means a huge reduction and then a slight increase of about N1 or so for only

R2 customers,” he said. He noted that R2 customers in Ikeja Distribution Company (Disco) are more in a cluster so the cost is cheaper, “and when they calculated the average with the cost of price, their energy charge came down lower.” Amadi stated that although wholesale generation cost reduced, transmission and distribution component of the tariff is high resulting in the slight increase in the Energy Cost for most R2 customers. He maintained that NERC’s review principle follows a rule-based approach that gives confidence to the investors and also protect consumers against arbitrary charges.

Rally: PDP accuses APC of plotting mayhem Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

he Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has accused the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress of planning to attack some PDP chieftains in the state during the rally organized by the party for the re-election of Governor Rauf Aregbesola into office in Ile-ife today. Director of Media and Publicity of the Omisore Campaign Organisation, Prince Diran Odeyemi, who made the accusation in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo yesterday evening, called on security agencies in the state to ensure

Tambuwal wants Nigeria to embrace clean alternative energy Philip Nyam Abuja

L– R: Director Admin/Human Resources, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Ado Solomon; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students and Youth Affairs, Comrade Jude Imagwe and Representative of Director General. NOA; Director, Orientation and Peace Education, Mr. David Manya Dogo, during an award ceremony of NOA 2nd National Youth Essay Competition in Abuja …yesterday

security of lives and properties during the rally to flag-off Governor Rauf Aregbesola's re-election. The party said that it has been reliably informed that the All Progressive Congress, ( APC), has already concluded arrangement to storm the campaign venue with over 100-bus load of supporters and thugs from Lagos to cause problem in the state and to unleash terror on their targets from the PDP circle. The statement said that already, the buses that will convey APC members and thugs from Lagos will be arriving the state early Tuesday and head straight to Ile-Ife, where the campaign will be held.

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday said the time was ripe for Nigeria to source for a clean, affordable and efficient energy for the development of the nation’s economy. Tambuwal made the call while unveiling some eco-friendly transport and power generating products in Abuja. The products are a creation of Bright Vue, a US based manufacturing firm. According to the speaker, “What I’ve learnt from the company CEO is that it’s a clean energy, environment friendly and very affordable. And from the explanations he has offered, I believe we should have many more of these com-

panies coming to Nigeria to address our search for energy. This will go a long way in supporting the efforts of the government in providing sustainably electricity to Nigerians”. Earlier, the convener of the event and Chairman, House Committee on Narcotics, Money Laundering and Anti-Corruption, Hon. Jagaba Adams Jagaba, (PDP, Kaduna) told the gathering that the event was to herald a change in the nation’s quest to create a better life for the citizenry. “This is an event I personally believe can change the course and lives of Nigeria and Nigerians. You are here to see the change that’s coming to Nigeria from across the borders of the United State”, he opined.

Chibok: Pitan seeks standby team FCT has attracted over $2.6bn foreign investment, says Minister of psychologists before release Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ROM the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator Bala Mohammed came yesterday a disclosure that the FCT administration, under him, has attracted foreign investment to the tune of $2.5 billion. Senator Mohammed equally said that the FCT Administration is now working towards an Internally Generated Revenue of between N500 billion to N600 billion annually, so as to be able to support the Federal Government as well as be less dependent of federal allocation. The FCT Minister, who disclosed these at a Leadership Forum in Abuja, however revealed that the Territory is indebted to the tune of about N470 billion so far, following the various infrastructures

lTargets N6,600bn IGR annually being put in place. The Minister explained that the vision of the current FCT administration under his leadership is to ensure that Abuja becomes one of the twenty (20) World class capital cities by the year 2010. Senator Bala, while noting that the nation’s capital is currently facing a very serious planning challenge, said, "We have to develop a financial system like what you have in Dubai, we have accessed investments to the tune of $ 2.5 billion but we have to do more. “We want to generate IGR to the tune of between N500 and 600 billion annually so that we can clear our debts. We anticipate on generating about N300 to N400 billion as property tax from the high brow areas", he added.

Continuing, the Minister said, “The fact remains that this city can no longer be built by statutory allocations, hence the increase in momentum of Public Private Partnership Initiative as an alternative option”. While commenting on the issue of the alleged failure of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in the FCT which could not detect the recent twin bomb blasts in the Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja, Senator Mohammed categorically declared that the CCTV is working, pointing out however that the Nyanya axis was not conceptualized into the original plans adding that with the incidents that is being done now. According to the Minister, "I wanted to carry out procurement for 500

CCTV for the FCT and Federal Government offered 1000 with FCT, Lagos and several other cities. Close to over 600 repeater stations all over the country. " That of Nyanya was not taken into consideration and that is why we want to extend it to all the points of activities in FCT. "The FCT CCTV is working, but as for Nyanya it is not working that is why they could not have a fall back, but we are trying to hook up the area”, he explained. The Minister pointed out that the FCT Administration did not offer to assist the victims of the Nyanya bomb blasts out of obligation, saying, “but if a patient or his parents decides to take his ward abroad that is okay by us, the family decided to take the seven year old out for proper treatment.

Temitope Ogunbanke ll Progressives Congress Apirant (APC) governorship asin Lagos State, Dr.

Leke Pitan, has urged the Federal Government to immediately put in place a team of psychologists and physiotherapists ahead of eventual release of the abducted school girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State. Speaking to journalists, Pitan, a former Lagos State Commissioner of Health and Education, noted that the team being suggested was to prepare case files of the affected girls, who, no doubt, had been under stress and would need to be properly managed by experts to avoid untoward happenings like suicidal tendencies. The APC governorship aspirant, who is a medical doctor, also called on

the government to put in place similar team of experts that would start managing the traumatised parents of the girls. He also welcomed the idea of the United States (US), Britain and France governments coming to the rescue of the country not only to secure the release of the girls, but to help Nigeria security personnel with intelligence gathering that can prevent future occurrence. "I urge the Federal Government to organise psychologists to start managing the parents and psychotherapists to start working on the parents. They should go to the extent of not only working on the parents, but also to start taking the history of each of the girls from the parents and their friends as a portfolio for the psychotherapists that would eventually handle the girls after their release," he said.

On Marble

World Record

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.

Tour de France: The world’s premier cycling event was first held in July 1903. The winner was Maurice Garin, known as “le ramoneur”

Sanctity of Truth

– C. S. Lewis

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

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha TUESday, MAY 27, 2014

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Catching world interest for the wrong reasons

igeria seems to be in the grip of the so-called Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times.” Instead of enjoying global applause for its economic prowess, its growing political authority, and its soft power in areas like cinema and football, Nigeria is seeing itself defined by terrorism, barbarism and insecurity. Boko Haram’s callous campaign of hate has set a new low in atrocities, and unless the group is dealt with quickly and effectively, it could rebrand Nigeria in the eyes of the rest of the world as a failed state. Boko Haram-related carnage in recent months has become so regular that Nigerians are now almost complacent about it. When the average death toll reported every day is around 50, a creeping numbness sets in. In the south, there is a temptation to regard this as a condition of the lawless, Muslim north, far removed from business in Lagos or politics in Abuja. The schoolgirl kidnapping pushed Boko Haram reminded Nigerians that the daily terror reports were no mere ritual to be recounted like the weather forecast. They were rather an indictment of the country’s failure to address extremism. Many Nigerians are rightly asking why it took the intervention of US First Lady Michelle Obama to catapult the kidnapping to the top of global news bulletins. They are now asking with indignation what outsiders are pondering: how can the Nigerian army seem so clueless that it cannot say whether the schoolgirls are still in the country? They are demanding to know how Muslims in the north can feel disconnected enough to cultivate fundamentalists so appalling that they are now being disowned by Al Qaeda. And they are noting that one of the biggest steps to addressing the problem came not from a decision by the executive, the parliament or the military, but by French President François Hollande, whose Paris summit last week gathered regional leaders to discuss how to combat Boko Haram. Of course, Boko Haram is not an exclusively Nigerian phenomenon, and its reach extends to five countries in the region. As Hollande admitted, it has ample funds, highly sophisticated weaponry and advanced training with some of the world’s most experienced terrorists. But the decision in Paris to improve the policing of frontiers, share intelligence and trace the weapons and cash that are the group’s lifeblood is long

World View LEO CENDROWICZ Brussels Bureau Chief, New Telegraph

Boko Haram is a toxic phenomenon that needs to be fought fast or the infection will grow

Boko Haram members

Jonathan

overdue. This is not a question of France, the United States, Britain or any other country imposing themselves as neocolonialist policemen in Africa. Most Nigerians recognize an unfortunate reality: they are losing the war against Boko Haram. Indeed, the army’s sloppy campaign against them has been counterproductive, leaving just a trail of civilian fatalities, The challenge is not Nigeria’s alone. Modern, cross-border terrorists are

often too much for one country to tackle. Boko Haram reflects a larger trend of Islamic extremism sweeping across both northern and sub-Saharan Africa. Until recently, it got weapons from Libya, training in Mali and funding from Al Qaeda. In Paris, President Goodluck Jonathan and the leaders of Niger, Benin, Chad, and Cameroon pledged to share intelligence and coordinate action. Jonathan even agreed to allow an intelligence cell involving French, British and US agents to work out of Nigeria. Since September 11, 2001, Europe and the US have tried various responses to radical Islam, some more effective than others. Today, almost 15 years on, leaders recognize that any successful counter measure needs far more than just conventional military retaliation – it needs a multi-faceted campaign that brings in allies and drains the swamp of the poisonous ideology. There is also a recognition that radical Islamists everywhere remain a global threat: that means that even if Nigeria seems far from Washington or Brussels, no-one should ignore Boko Haram. Boko Haram is a toxic phenomenon that needs to be fought fast or the infection will grow. For Nigerians liv-

ing with the threat for years, it might seem odd that one particularly gross act has captured world attention. But they should welcome it: outside support and expertise could be the answer to a very pernicious threat to good people in Nigeria and elsewhere.

OmoBaba

I RUN THE MOST TEACHER-FRIENDLY GOVERNMENT - Fayemi

- Yes o, they should enjoy their reward on earth!

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