Friday, august 12, 2016 by Newtelegraphonline

Osinbajo: FG mulls N100bn capital spending in days lSays N1.4trn saved through deregulation Taiwo Hassan

he Federal Government intends to spend additional

N100 billion on capital projects in the coming days as part of the 2016 budget,

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said. He disclosed this yester-

day at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)’s 2016 Presidential Policy Dialogue Session in Lagos.

Osinbajo, who was the special guest of honour and keynote speaker at the event, said government’s capital spending so far has

Loss of 'biggest economy' title: Experts task FG on diversification }5

reached N332 billion. The record budget has been held up for months by backbiting between President Muhammadu Buhari and parliament. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Friday, August 12, 2016

EFCC, ICPC, Police can’t prosecute lawmakers –Dogara }4

Vol. 3 No. 905

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27 years after... Family decries poor treatment of Okwaraji }47

Okwaraji

Gunmen assassinate Benue varsity lecturer }8

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Tondo

Presidency overrules Saraki over Chad trip }12

N150

Saraki

Elec toral fraud:

Iwu, ex-govs, INEC officials, senators face prosecution

Commission indicts judges, lawyers, PDP, security agencies FG assembles 11 SANs to prosecute high profile cases }2 Right: L-R: Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Adewale Oke and Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide idris, during the inspection of Ayinke House at LASUTH, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday. Below: Newly commissioned Helipad by Ambode at LASUTH, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday.

Nigeria is now poor –Buhari

…says citizens are not feeling the impact of hardship }5 Low sperm count increases disease risk }7

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FRIday, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Electoral fraud: Iwu, ex-govs, INEC officials, senators face prosecution Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has indicted former Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu, and 117 others as perpetrators of electoral fraud in the 2007 and 2011 general elections. The commission listed some other individuals, judges, lawyers, government institutions, security agencies and their personnel involved in electoral scam. NHRC stated that it would forward the names of all indicted persons to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) for prosecution. The commission, who made the revelation in Abuja while releasing its reports on the elections, noted that the individuals

and institutions are part of those indicted by the election petition tribunals and appellate judicial bodies which sat on cases that arose from the 2007 and 2011 election cycles. Other persons indicted by the reports are a former Governor of Edo State, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor; a former Acting Governor of Kogi State, Clarence Obafemi; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2015 election in Benue State, Mr. Terhemen Tarzoor, and a former Kebi South Senator, Maj.-Gen. Tanko Ayuba (rtd). Others are the Ekiti North Senator, Ayo Arise; former Ondo South Senator, Hosea Ehinlanwo, INEC and many of its officers, the PDP, the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP). The commission, in the report, recommended some of the individuals to

the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, for criminal prosecution. Also indicted are some government institutions, political parties and lawyers. They were, however, recommended to relevant government agencies for administrative and professional sanctions. Speaking at the presentation of the report titled, “End Electoral Impunity” project report, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, said the offences were committed in the 2007 and 2011 elections by the political class, individuals and various institutions that had the responsibility to conduct elections. He noted that the report was a follow up to an earlier report presented in 2014 where a list of those indicted was forwarded to the Attorney General of

the Federation for necessary actions. According to him, "With the finalisation of this report, that list has been upgraded and will also be sent to the AGF and state Attorneys-General. "We hope necessary steps will be taken to ensure that these people or institutions indicted are held accountable for their infractions during the 2007 and 2011 elections." Angwe further stated that holding them accountable would surely curb electoral impunity in the country and that unless steps were taken to deal with electoral impunity, the right to vote and be voted for and related rights would continue to be infringed upon. Speaking on the next phase, Angwe stated that the next step was for the commission to begin a holistic look into the 2015 elections as well. "The commission will

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka (Ieft) and President Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja… yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

FG assembles 11 SANs to prosecute high profile cases Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has listed about 11 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to prosecute high profile cases. The SANs are to work with a new committee – National Prosecution Coordination Committee (NPCC) set up by the AGF to henceforth prosecute high profiles cases. The AGF had, earlier in the week, ordered all prosecutorial bodies to compile all high profile cases they handling in a bid to transfer same to the new committee to handle. Malami had hinged the setting up of the committee on the need to fast track the trial of such high profile cases. However, checks by New Telegraph at the office of the AGF revealed that 11 SANs had been enlisted to

prosecute such cases. In the list are Abeni Obomeileh Mohammed, Rotimi Jacobs, Aliyu Umar, Olu Daramola, Oluwemimo Ogunde, Jibrin Okutepa and Y.C Maikyau. Others are Lanre Ogunlesi, Joy Okungbowa Adesina, John Bayieshea, Emeka Ngige and Prof. Ernest Ojukwu. The NPCC comprises 20 members asides the SANs listed to prosecute the cases. Besides the AGF, who is the chairman of the committee, the members are: Mr. Taiwo Abidogun – Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Mr. Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN); Mr. Chukuma Machukwu (SAN); Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, the Executive Secretary of the Presidential Advisory Committee on AntiCorruption; Mr. M.S. Diri, Director of Prosecution, Ministry of Justice and Mr. Pius Oteh, Esq. Others are Okoi Obono-Obla Esq, Mrs. Juliet

Ibekaku, Mr. Abiodun Aikomo, Esq, Mr. Kehinde Oginni, Esq, Mr. Salihu Othman Isah – Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the AGF; Al-Amin Ado Ibrahim, from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nafiu Yakubu, Tunji Oluborode, Esq, Eric Onokif Ifere Esq, Mrs. Diane Okoko, Temitope Adebayo, Esq, DIG Abdulrahman Yusuf (rtd) and Sylvester Imhanobe, Esq, Secretary. Speaking during the inauguration of the committee, the AGF noted that the committee comprised 12 ex-officio and eight external members of proven integrity and competence. He added that to fastrack the work of the committee, the ministry had created 20 prosecution teams with four members each and had requested all agencies exercising police powers to recommend five experienced investigators to support the committee’s work. "The aim is to ensure

effective investigation and prosecution of high profile criminal cases in Nigeria," the minister said. He further added that the committee was not a duplication of the existing anti-corruption agencies, but would collaborate with such agencies for effective service delivery. Agencies that are expected to hand over high profiles cases they are prosecuting are Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS)), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), among others. Prominent among the high profile cases that the committee will immediately take over is prosecution of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and two others over alleged forgery of Senate Rules and Procedure.

soon commence public hearing to investigate those involved in hate speeches and violence in the 2015 election and even the 1999 elections," he added. Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Technical Working Group (TWG), Prof. Nsongurua Udombana, said that those indicted included judges and lawyers. According to him, “The TWG took hold of 2,731 certified judgements from the registry of the Court of Appeal covering 2007 and 2011 judgements. "We also conducted public hearings in Port Harcourt and Abuja where we heard a total of 29 witnesses drawn from INEC, political parties, members of the public, law enforcement agencies, academics and civil society. "We had a total of 20 criminal indictments, 49 criminal and administrative indictments, 38 administrative indictments, four administrative and judicial indictments, seven judicial indictments and three professional indictments.” The group, however, recommended, among others, that the Presidency should direct the AGF to prioritise the investigation and prosecution of election-related crimes. The group also recommended publication of names of all INEC officials who had been the subject of administrative procedures related to electoral malpractice since 1999.

In addition, it also recommended the amendment of relevant sections of the Electoral Law by the National Assembly to render anyone convicted of corrupt practices or other crimes ineligible to contest elections. In his remark, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, emphasised the need to drive the electoral process with discipline. Speaking through Solomon Soyebi, a commissioner in the commission, the INEC chairman said that unless Nigerians realised that the ballot paper was a stronger weapon than gun, impunity in elections would continue. On his part, the DirectorGeneral of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Prof. Osita Osita, said electoral impunity had the singular potential to scuttle Nigeria's democracy. Osita stated that unless impunity was dealt with, there would be no peace in the country, and urged all agencies to tackle impunity within.

The number of listed FGN bonds of Nigeria as of December 31, 2014. Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

£243.8m The total potential expense of Paul Pogba from Juventus to Manchester United over the course of five years. Source: Goal.com

Osinbajo: FG mulls N100bn capital spending in days CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

He said another N100 billion would be released in the next few days to fund power, housing, transport, agricultural and defence projects. "We have pledged to keep capital spending at a minimum of 30 per cent (of the N6.06 trillion budget)," he said. Nigeria is in the middle of its worst crisis in decades, as a slump in oil revenues knocks public finances and the naira. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) shrank 0.36 per cent in the first quarter and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, has said recession is likely. But Osinbajo admitted that the country, in the last 15 to 18 months, had been passing through one of worst economic challenges since its existence. He said that these problems arose because of the failure of the previous administration to save for the raining days coupled with the slide in the prices of crude oil in the interna-

tional market. Osinbajo said the economic downturn has affected virtually every sector of the economy, stressing that many of Nigeria's 36 states were still struggling to pay the salaries of civil servants, despite assistance from the federal government. He said a float of the naira and more flexible foreign currency regime in June had eased pressure on foreign reserves. The naira has lost some 40 per cent since then. “I believe there will be an increase in supply of foreign exchange," he said. He also said Nigeria had saved N1.4 trillion by ending fuel subsidies and increasing fuel prices in May. "Fuel consumption is down 800 trucks per day from 1,600 trucks per day before the price increase," he said. Osinbajo said the Federal government was ready to resolve the ongoing economic downturn in the country. He said that the governCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

FRIday, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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FRIday, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

EFCC, ICPC, Police can’t prosecute lawmakers –Dogara Philip Nyam

Abuja

gainst the backdrop of budget padding allegations, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has declared that no member of the National Assembly can be investigated or charged to court for performing his constitutional responsibility of law-making. Dogara has, in recent weeks, been in the eye of the storm following allegations of budget padding and corruption levelled against him and 12 other lawmakers by ex-chairman of House Appropriation Committee, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin. Already, Jibrin has sub-

mitted petitions against Dogara and others at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police. He alleged that Dogara and some principal officers – deputy speaker, Yussuff Lasun; Chief Whip, Alhassan Ado Doguwa; and Minority Leader, Leo Ogor – padded the budget with over N20 billion. The police have already commenced investigations into the allegations with Jibrin being grilled. So also is the EFCC. But speaking in Abuja yesterday at the Civil Society Dialogue Session on one year of the Legisla-

tive Agenda organised by Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Dogara argued that by virtue of the provisions of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act, no member of the parliament can be charged to court or investigated for exercising their powers of law-making. He noted that the 2016 budget had been controversial from the beginning and that it took dialogue, compromise and consensus to produce a workable document. "The 2016 Budget was controversial from the onset, but the House handled the controversy with maturity, employing the democratic tools of dialogue, compromise and consensus by which an implementable 2016 Budget was

passed and assented to." On the powers of the National Assembly over budget, Dogara maintained that the appropriation bill is just like any other .bill, which must be subjected to normal legislative processes and scrutiny. "The constitution talks about the estimates of revenue and expenditure to be prepared and laid before the National Assembly. The constitution did not mention the word budget. And the reason is very simple. "Budget is a law. Going by very pedestrian understanding of law which even a Part One law student can tell is that the functions of government is such that the legislature makes the law, executive implements and the judiciary interprets the law."

Travel Ban: US not more secured than Nigeria – Mohammed Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

he Federal Government yesterday expressed strong reservations about the recent travel ban announced by the United States, warning its citizens against travelling to 20 states in Nigeria. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that contrary to the position of the US, no state in Nigeria is unsafe,

adding that America had recorded higher rates of violent crimes and terrorism than Nigeria in recent years. The minister, who gave the explanation while receiving members of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria, who paid him a courtesy call in Abuja yesterday, urged the media to be wary of spreading the misinformation that 20 out of the 36 states were not safe, stressing that every Nigerian

state is safe for investment and tourism. "We are in Nigeria, how can we believe the claim that 20 states in Nigeria are not safe? That is not correct. There is no state in Nigeria that is not safe today. If they want to tell their people not to come to Nigeria, we do not need to help them to spread the news. You do not need to spread news about Nigeria that will hurt investment and tourism. “Is there any week they are not killing people in

the US by either shooting in schools or driveways, or people committing suicide or mass bombing? How many of these stories do their media celebrate?" It would be recalled that the US Department of State had, in the travel ban, warned its citizens to avoid traveling to Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Zamfara, Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

According to him, "The budget, being a law therefore, means it is only the parliament that can make it because it is a law. And I challenge all of us members of the media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to look at our law and tell me where it is written that the president can make a budget." The Speaker maintained that by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, only the National Assembly has powers to scrutinise the revenue and expenditure estimates submitted by Mr. President.

"What I am saying is further reinforced by section 80(4) of the constitution which says that no money shall be withdrawn from the consolidated revenue fund or any other fund of the federation except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly. "If you say the National Assembly doesn't have the powers to tinker with the budget, that we just pass it. When it is prepared and laid, we turn it into a bill. If it is a bill, how does other bills make progression in the parliament in order to become law?"

Soyinka visits Buhari, remains silent Anule Emmanuel Abuja

obel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, yesterday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja behind closed doors. Soyinka was accompanied by a public relations expert, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, to the meeting, which lasted for about an hour. The purpose of the meeting was unclear as it was described as private and no statement issued by presidential spokesmen. The Nobel Laureate also declined to comment on the purpose of his visit when approached by State

House correspondents. As he emerged from the President’s Office, Soyinka was even surprised to see reporters who waited patiently to get him answer questions. "I didn’t come to see you people,” he said as he attempted to break through a barricade set up by the journalists. When it became clear to him that the reporters would not relent, Soyinka said: “I came to discuss national and international matters, general matters, that’s all!” Soyinka declared that “I will be holding a press conference in about a week. You can ask me any question then, but now, please I will just like to get away.”

FRIday, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Anule Emmanuel and Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday declared that the country has suddenly become poor. The president stated this when he received the Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Prof Babatunde Osotimehin, at the presidential villa, Abuja. Nigeria, on Tuesday, dropped from its first position as the largest economy in Africa, overtaken by South Africa, which is a reflection of the dwindling state of the economy. Speaking at the meeting, Buhari explained that because of the commitment of his administration to put things in order, Nigerians were really not feeling the severe impact of the poor economy. Buhari said that commitment to transparency and accountability is serving the government in good stead, despite severe shortage of resources in the country. He said: "It has been a very difficult year for Nigeria. Before we came to office, petroleum sold for about $100 per barrel. Then it crashed to $37, and now oscillates between $40 and $45 per barrel. Suddenly, we're a poor country, but commitment to transparency and accountabil-

Nigeria is now poor –Buhari

lAPC: President cannot perform magic over economy ity is not making people know that there is severe shortage.” Asking UNFPA to bear with Nigeria in whichever area the country could not live up to its responsibilities for now, Buhari said exploding population and different cultural practices in the country provide fertile ground for research to organisations like UNFPA. The President thanked the UN agency for its commitment to saving lives in Nigeria, particularly of women and children. On food security, President Buhari said reports from the North-East of the country were encouraging, as people were returning to their farmlands, with the guarantee of relative security. Osotimehin, a former Nigeria’s Minister of Health, said UNFPA was determined to promote health care facilities across the country, noting that reduction of maternal mortality was doable, if the country paid more attention to access to health facilities, and human resources to run them. He also encouraged Nigeria to commit to providing resources for health care, on a rollover basis, pledging that the UN would work with the country to provide humanitarian assistance not only in

Osinbajo: N1.4trn saved through deregulation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

ment was committed to ensuring that the existing local refineries are fixed and will be working in optimal capacities by the end of 2017. “It is important, of course, to deal with the refineries, because many of us know that one of the largest foreign exchange cusps for us is the importation of petroleum products. And at the moment, most of our refineries are, of course, not working in optimum capacity. What we are able to refine is inevitable compared to what it takes that we require on a daily basis. So, aside from waiting for the Dangote refinery, which is 650,000 bpd, we also intent to fix the existing refineries and, hopefully, we expect that by the end of 2017, most of the refineries will be functioning to some reasonable capacities,” Osinbajo added. The vice president rolled out figures that depicted the state of the Nigerian economy. He said: “As of May 2015, the International Oil Companies (IOCs) claimed almost $8 billion in outstand-

ing cash calls; huge debts owed to the construction industry stood at N500 billion; almost two-thirds of the states, as at May 2015, owed salaries; there has been increase in unemployment and poverty levels, failing business confidence and furthermore, the nation suffered from vicious circle of corruption evidenced by huge leakages of financial miscellaneous and indiscipline, insecurity, especially in the North-East, elongated by the corruption in arms procurement.” All these, he said, had led to decline in the nation’s GDP from 6.3 per cent in 2014 to 2.15 percent in 2015. “And, of course, we know that as of Q1 in 2016, we are in minus 1.36 per cent. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which stood at $395 million in Q1 2015, declined to about $175 million of first quarter of this year. There has also been a decline in the value of naira and equities. He added: “As of May 2016, the market capitalisation was $48 billion down from $84 billion in 2014. Inflation is now at about 16.5 per cent.”

the North-East, “but even extended to the Lake Chad basin." Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that there is no magic wand to perform over the country's economic woes. The party's Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu, stated this at the national secretariat in Abuja, while reacting to complaints of Nigerians on economic hardship. He stated that Nigerians were aware of the hard economic situation that they had to pray for Buhari to come in and rescue the situation.

Reacting to insinuations that the hardship that Nigerians are passing through may affect the fortunes of the party in 2019, Shuaibu said: “You are talking of hardship just one year into the administration of the party, and people are expecting magic. They forgot the 16 years of destruction by the former ruling party. “People are busy talking of hardship, but they are the same people that pleaded and prayed to God to send somebody to come and correct these things and save the situation. It is not fair that people expect it to happen overnight. Impunity was recognised. All

we ask for is patience, interestingly Nigerians can see the pace we are going." Asked if the party would sanction those involved in the allegations of budget padding, the party chieftain said: “To start with, what is budget padding? The party does not sanction anybody except when a member contravenes sections of the party constitution in his conduct. That is why I referred you to the relevant section of the party constitution. “For your information, the party is not a law enforcement organisation. We don’t enforce laws, but only ensure that the constitution is complied with re-

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garding the membership. A member of the party is answerable to the party as well as to his constituency. “The two classes of members subjected to this are the elected and appointed members of the party holding public offices. They are answerable to the party. I am sure that people are not expecting the party to fold its arms; we must do our work as a party. “People are claiming that we want to sweep something under the carpet, we will not, but we cannot do those things in public or market place. We do it in the party secretariat."

N5.18bn

The average daily value of units traded across all products of Nigeria for Q4 2014. Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

L-R: Zonal Commanding Officer, FRSC, Nseobong Akpabio; Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi; Head, Media Relations and Strategy, Bisi Kazeem and Assistant Corps Marshal, National Vehicle and Identification Scheme, Hyginus Fuomsuk, during inspection at the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Lagos … yesterday.

Loss of 'biggest economy' title: Experts task FG on diversification Tony Chukwunyem, Bayo Akomolafe, Chris Ugwu and Dayo Ayeyemi

ixed reactions have trailed Nigeria’s loss of the biggest economy in Africa title to South Africa. While some financial experts and industry stakeholders who spoke on the development yesterday told New Telegraph that it was a wake-up call for the government to redouble its efforts in diversifying the economy, others said that the loss of the title will have no fundamental impact on the country and should be ignored. President of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers, Mr. Ore Fadayomi, said that he was not worried about the current rating, but concerned about what Nigeria must do to put the economy on the right track. Fadayomi urged Nigerians to limit their appetite to locally made goods in order to strengthen the naira. Besides, he advised government to embark on massive infrastructure development in order to attract more foreign inves-

tors. Also, former President of International Facility Management of America (IFMA), Nigeria chapter, Mr. Stephen Jagun, stated that he was not surprised by new rating, noting that Nigeria is currently facing economic challenges, which have weakened the value of naira against dollar. “We need to wake up and diversify the economy the way government of Dubai did its own,” he said The President of Nigeria Shipowners Association (NISA), Captain Niyi Labinjo, said that Nigeria neglected the maritime industry which has the potential of generating N7 trillion annually for government. Labinjo added that the maritime industry was capable of generating over five million direct and indirect employments if the government was serious in exploiting its resources. The Principal Consultant, Henates and Associates, Mr. Henry Atenaga, said: “Of course, with the devaluation of the naira, it was expected that South Africa will overtake Nigeria as the biggest economy in Africa. But as far as I

am concerned, such measurements are ephemeral. This is because a lot of the activities in economies in Africa are not reported so it is difficult to measure the actual size of an economy.” Similarly, the head of the Nigerian chapter of the Institute of Certified Forensic Accountants of Nigeria (ICFA,) Dr. Richard Mayungbe, said: “It did not come as a surprise to me that South Africa has overtaken Nigeria as Africa’s biggest economy. This is because if you calculate by how much the naira has depreciated against the dollar in recent times then you will realise that Nigeria may not even get the second position if a thorough rebasing on dollar terms is carried out. You will discover that countries such as Egypt and Ethiopia will do better than Nigeria." Managing Director, Crane Securities Limited, Mr. Mike Eze, said delay in economic policy direction affected the country’s GDP. “The negative implication of South Africa surpassing Nigeria is obvious because most of the foreign investors who have been trying to come into Nigeria following the rebasing in 2014 that gave the country

an edge will now divert to South Africa. “By implication we have lost them with the recent development. Investors move their capital where it is profitable. They are not sentimental. A lot of money came in when our economy was rebased. What the government cares about is anti-corruption and focusing all attention on such was not why we elected them because that alone will not grow our economy,” he said. According to a Bloomberg report on Wednesday, South Africa has regained the title of Africa's largest economy, two years after Nigeria rebased its economy to claim the spot. Using the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at the end of 2015 published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Bloomberg reported that the size of South Africa’s economy is $301 billion at the rand’s current exchange rate, while Nigeria’s GDP is $296 billion. Bloomberg noted that the rand has gained more than 16 per cent against the US currency since the start of 2016, while in contrast, Nigeria’s naira has lost more than a third of its value.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG to banks: You must obey labour laws

Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

inister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has re-affirmed that the Federal Government would not tolerate flagrant disobedient of the nation’s labour laws and regulations by financial institutions operating in the country. The Minister gave this warning in Abuja yesterday, during an interactive meeting with stakehold-

ers in the banking and finance sector on labour issues, especially the recent gale of retrenchments in some banks across the country. “You must obey all laws of the land including labour laws, such as the Trade Union Act, T14 law of the federation concerning redundancy and the Trade Dispute Act which deals with the management of trade disputes including employee-employers’ relationship” he said. Speaking further, Ngige emphasised that

The sex ratio of men to 100 women in the 60+ age group of El Salvador in 2012. Source: Un.org

Nigeria was a signatory to International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions which promote decent jobs and frowned at unfair labour practices. He added that Nigeria cannot afford to be found wanting by the international body in this regard. “The ILO takes very seriously the issue of workers maltreatment in various guises, be it in the industries, construction sites or public service. Workers should be treated with dignity and decency.” He said The Minister allayed

$23.2m

The total pay (including salary/winnings & endorsements) of Usain Bolt (Track) for 2014. Source: Forbes.com

the apprehension of stakeholders in the banking and finance sector, stating once more that his intervention was not an undue interference in their affairs but a proactive measure aimed at finding lasting solution to the looming industrial unrest in the sector, being the Minister so empowered by the constitution and other extant labour laws. Speaking on behalf of banking and finance regulators, the representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria

1,651

The number of fatalities in terrorists’ violence involving terrorists in 1994. Source: Satp.org

Mr. Kolawole Balogun, expressed the determination of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to supporting development financing, and reduction of unemployment through diversification of the economy. “We have looked at our laws in terms of our limitations. In as much as we cannot impose staff on any bank, we can engage them on other solution and that is what we are doing now. “We have even gone

Senator-elect denies plotting against Ekweremadu Chukwu David Abuja

L-R: Wife of the Speaker House of Representatives, Mrs. Gimbia Dogara; Executive Director, UNFPA, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin: Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Shehu Ashimi II; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar II; Emir of Shonga, Dr. Haliru Ndanusa Yahaya and the Minister for Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, during the National Family Planning Consultative Stakeholders Meeting at the State House Conference Centre, in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Buhari begs world leaders to save Lake Chad Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari has called on world leaders to lend support for the urgent development of the Lake Chad basin to save it from extinction. The President explained that the effects of climate change were heavily affecting the survival of the basin. Buhari made the call yesterday when he received the Director-General of the United Nation’s

Philip Nyam Abuja

he Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) has said it did not participate in the process that led to the modified concession of the Nigerian Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe, with Global Steel Holdings Limited, (GHIL). Recall that the Federal Government had about a fortnight ago signed a renegotiated

Education and Scientific Organization, UNESCO, Ms Irina Bokova, at the presidential villa, Abuja. He warned that the failure to regenerate the Lake Chad would lead to another round of migration by the people living in the areas. The President, who led seven ministers to an interactive meeting with the UNESCO chief, said Nigeria and the other countries of the Lake Chad Basin lacked the billions of dollars required to channel water from the Congo Basin into the lake

to check its rapid depletion. “Those living in the Lake Chad region have suffered untold hardship and displacement because of the violence perpetrated by Boko Haram terrorists. ‘‘If there is no farming and fishing, they will dare the desert to migrate. “Unless the developed countries make concerted efforts to complete the feasibility study, mobilize resources and technology to start the water transfer from the Congo Basin, the Lake Chad will dry up. ‘‘The people will go

somewhere and they will create problems for those countries,” the President told the visiting UN official. Buhari commended UNESCO’s support to Nigeria particularly on the ongoing rehabilitation work in the North East and reintegration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). He said the pathetic situation of IDPs required immediate and urgent response from international organizations such as UNSECO to provide infrastructure, health and education for the people in the area.

a step further to look at how we can, not in terms of regulation but in terms of knowing why they are actually disengaging their staff. “We will soon come up with a circular for the banks to ensure that if they are going to disengage up to a certain number of staff they should let us know and explain why. Although times are challenging at the moment, they can still manage to keep some level of their staff and remain profitable.” He said.

enator-elect for Okigwe Senatorial District in Imo State, in the July 23 rerun election, Ben Uwajumogu, yesterday said that it was not true that his emergence at the poll was targeted at dislodging the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Uwajumogu described the media reports that his election to the Senate was to upstage Ekeremadu as mere speculation by rumour mongers, whose occupation was to provoke

acrimony between and among politicians and destabilize the system. While fielding questions on his victory at the poll, the politician said that the insinuation was just a wishful thinking, wondering how he would successfully carry such herculean task in the Red Chamber as a first timer in the National Assembly. The former Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly stated that, even if a change was contemplated, majority of the senators who would effect the change were at the moment loyal to Ekweremadu.

Jonathan, PDP can’t sponsor militants – Party chieftain Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and an aspirant for the Deputy National Chairman position of the party for the South, Chief George Turnah, has dismissed the allegations against the former President Goodluck Jonathan as sponsoring militants for economic sabotage in the Niger Delta. Turnah made the dismissal in Abuja after ac-

cepting to contest for the position of the PDP Deputy National Chairman, South. The party aspirant, who fielded questions from journalists on the allegation, stated that Nigerians should be more engaged on how to solve problems and dwell less on who is causing the problem. Reacting to question on the allegation that Jonathan and PDP as a political party were sponsoring militancy and economic sabotage, Turnah said.

Ajaokuta Steel: BPE not part of NIOMCO’s concession – Ag DG

Obasanjo, Mohammed, Duke, others for product launch

concession agreement with Global Steel Holdings Limited for the Nigerian Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has invited the minister of solid minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to appear before it next week Thursday to shed light on the modified agreement he signed with

he nation’s educational sector is to receive a boast as one of its leading educational toy companies, Harriet and Ethan, is set to launch its latest range of educational product with former President Olusegun Obasanjo as special guest of honour alongside the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke.

GSHL and NIOMCO on behalf of the Federal Government. The Acting Director General of BPE, Dr. Vincent Onome Akpotaire, disclosed this yesterday at an investigative session by the House of Representatives sub-committee on steel on the signed modified agreement with GSHL and NIOMCO in Abuja.

Andrew Iro Okungbowa

The launch of the range of educational toys and Nigerian themed puzzles, which is part of preserving the country’s cultural heritage, is to hold in Lagos. Speaking on this development, the Founder of Harriet and Ethan, Bunmi Williams, said, “Ethan & Harriet’s flagship product is the Nigerian-themed jigsaw puzzle and the strength of the puzzle is that it further enhances the profile of Nigeria on

the world stage in a fun and creative way. ‘‘It is a powerful tool for children and adults as well and it allows Nigerians at home and in The Diaspora play a game that teaches about their history and captures attributes and landmarks, which other games currently may not address.” He added that the launch would also witness the unveiling of the Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of the company.

friday, august 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Turkish citizens in Nigeria declare support for Erdogan

Eight Nigerians may face execution in Cambodia

Yekeen Nurudeen

Ndubuisi Ugah with agency reports

Abuja

ess than one month that the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hakan Cakil called on Nigerian Government to shut down all the 17 Turkish schools in the country over alleged sponsorship of the failed coup in Turkey, Citizens of Turkey resident in Nigeria yesterday protested in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja calling for support for President Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan, who survived a coup attempt on July 15, had clamped down on a number of public and private institutions including universities and media for alleged role in the coup. The protest was organised by two groups – Musiyad and Little Turkey Nigeria. The peaceful protest which was attended by about 100 Turkish nationals, took off from the popular Old Parade Ground near the International Conference Centre to the Turkish embassy located on Diplomatic Drive, near the Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence.

arely two weeks after three Nigerians and one Indonesian were executed for drug trafficking in Indonesia, the fate of eight Nigerians appears to be hanging in the balance in Cambodia as the nation’s anti-drug law agency, said it has concluded the trial of eight Nigerians alongside their Cambodian accomplice. The Cambodian woman, alongside the eight Nigerians, it was gathered, were arrested after police caught the group allegedly trafficking one kilogramme of crystal methamphetamine in Phnom Penh’s Chamkarmon district in January 2015. While delivering his judgment, the presiding judge, Khy Chhay, named the nine on trial as Okorom Nhabu Favour (36), Izuchukwu Chuwuma (40), Nnamezie Victor (30), Simon Maduka Ukadu (45), Sunday Nwabusi (31), Okorom Kizito Chimedu (35), Francis Nnamedi (30), Tony Mmaduka Chuwuonye (34) and Morn Vinyung (31), who is the

Cambodian woman. Two online news portals, Khmertimeskh.com and Abiyamo.com alleged that eight Nigerians and the Cambodian accomplice were all charged under article 40 of the Drug Law. In spite of an admission of guilt from Vinyung, who is alleged to be Chuwuonye’s girlfriend at the time of their arrest, all the eight suspects denied the charges against them, saying they were Christian missionaries who came to Phnom Penh to open a church. Commenting on this, the deputy chief of the

Anti-Drug Unit at the 9th Intervention Police Office in the Ministry of Interior’s anti-drug department, Captain Proeung Pheap, said the group was using their Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) church as a front for a drug ring, hiding their identities and trafficking under the guise of missionary work. He claimed the police discovered the illegal operation after Vinyung delivered drugs to undercover officers three separate times at the Sovanna supermarket in Chamkarmon district in January 2015.

news

I didn’t shun the court, says AA oil boss Kunle Azeez

he Chairman of AA Oil, Mr. Aliyu Abubakar, has denied that he shunned Federal Capital Territory high court presided by Justice M.E. Anenih on Wednesday. That was contrary to trending reports accusing him of avoiding the court. Speaking in a statement made available to New Telegraph yesterday, Abubakar said it was ‘absolute rubbish’ to make such a frivolous claim, which, he said, was aimed at impugning on his hardearned reputation as an ethical and reliable busi-

nessman. Abubakar said he was not aware of any processes not to talk of avoiding the court on the said day. “The filing of twocount charge against me was a judicial ambush which the erudite judge, Justice Anenih refused to buy into. The prosecutor admitted before her Lordship that some processes were pasted on my residence on Tuesday but on Wednesday, he asked the court to issue a warrant of arrest against me. “The judge was also forthright in rejecting the application for the warrant of arrest by declaring it unfair."

Low sperm count increases disease risk

Appolonia Adeyemi

new report by Swedish researchers has indicated that men with infertility problems have a heightened risk of developing other diseases later in life. This is the finding of a study published by Skane University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. According to the researchers, men with fertility problems were

more likely to suffer bone fractures and may also be more susceptible to diabetes later in life. Infertility refers to an inability to conceive after having regular unprotected sex. Infertility can also refer to the biological inability of an individual to contribute to conception, or to a female who cannot carry a pregnancy to full term. According to a report in ‘Today’, an online news website, the findings was the result of research car-

ried out on 192 men with sub-average sperm counts. While a complete absence of sperm is called azoospermia, sperm count is considered lower than normal if it is fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. Having a low sperm count decreases the odds that one’s sperm will fertilise the partner's egg, resulting in pregnancy. It said that men with fertility problems were more likely to suffer bone fractures and may also be

more susceptible diabetes later in life. The study registered that a third of men aged below 50 with low sperm counts suffered from testosterone levels below average. Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group and is found in humans and other vertebrates. In humans and other mammals, testosterone is secreted primarily by the testicles of males and, to a lesser extent, the ovaries of females.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Shootout as court ends Ogun speaker, lover’s relationship

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

remises of a Customary Court on Quarry Road, Abeokuta, literally became a theatre of war yesterday as policemen and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) clashed over a case involving the Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi. Fight broke out between the police and the NSCDC officials as the court ended the 10-yearold relationship between the speaker and his former lover, Iyabo Adedotun. In the melee, an NSCDC officer had his uniform torn into shreds by policemen bent on executing the court judgement. It was after the court delivered judgement in a case brought against Adekunbi, by Adedotun over the custody of their child. It was learnt that Adedotun, who is also an NSCDC official, had filed a suit alleging threat to her life by the speaker and also accused the defendant of preventing her from marrying another person. She also claimed that Adekunbi was not meeting up to his responsibilities on the daughter, Samiat, produced by their relationship. But at the court sitting yes-

Adekunbi

terday, the three-man panel led by Mr. Adeosun granted the prayers of the speaker and ordered that the child be returned to his custody. The court also set aside their relationship, which had lasted

for 10 years, while ruling that all parties to the case should be free to marry any person of their choice henceforth. Immediately the judgement was delivered, the plaintiff reportedly engaged in alter-

cation with court officials, alleging that they were compromised by the speaker. After Adekunbi left the scene, Adedotun and an unidentified NSCDC officer who had accompanied her, attempted to stop the court officials from handing over the child to the speaker’s family members. Sources said a police officer within the court premises invited his colleagues, including operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) while the NSCDC officers also contacted their colleagues who subsequently stormed the court. There was commotion when the policemen attempted to arrest one of the NSCDC officials for daring to obstruct the execution of the court judgement and they fired several gunshots to scare away the crowd which surged to the court premises. After heated argument and intervention, the policemen succeeded in whisking away the NSCDC official. Reacting to the incident, the Special Assistant on Media to the speaker, Waheed Akinola, absolved his boss of any blame. He said the policemen involved were not the ones attached to the speaker or the House of Assembly. Akinola said, in a statement made available to reporters in Abeokuta, that Adekunbi had left the scene long before the ugly development.

City Brief

Gunmen assassinate lecturer Hajiya Baulatani Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

unmen yesterday assassinated a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science, the University of Mkar, Mkar (UMM), Mr. Wilfred Aondosoo Tondo, in Benue State. It was learnt that the assassins stormed Tondo’s residence about 4:30a.m. and headed straight to his living room where he and his family members were observing early morning devotion. They shot the lecturer dead. Tondo, it was learnt,

Tondo

was also a chairmanship aspirant in Buruku Local Government Area of the state. The university’s Public Relations Officer (PRO),

Mr. Suemo Shagba, confirmed the incident. Shagba said the lecturer was shot dead in his residence located in the university’s staff quarters. He said Tondo was immediately rushed to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital where doctors confirmed him dead. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Moses Yamu, also confirmed Tondo’s murder. He said investigation to unravel the mystery behind the gruesome murder of the lecturer had commenced.

dies at 96

ajiya Khadija Baulatani fondly called Hajiya Bua, the matriarch of the Bua family, has died at the age of 96 years. Baulatani, who died on Sunday, is survived by 10 children, 83 grandchildren - among who is the Executive Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and many great grandchildren. She has since been buried according to Islamic rites. Hajiya Bua was widely regarded for her strength of character, devotion to her religion, kindness, discipline and uprightness. She was also widely acknowledged as the inspiration behind the name of Nigerian conglomerate, BUA Group.

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

Man dumps father’s body in soak-away Dominic Adewole ASABA

olice yesterday arrested a 37-year-old man, Chukwuma Udenwa, at Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State for dumping his father’s body in a soak-away. The suspect hails from Uli in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. The suspect, a father three, was said to have confessed that he dumped his father’s body in a soak-away because he neither had money to take it to the mortuary, the village, or funeral. He lied to his co-tenants and neighbours that shortly after his father passed on, he deposited the body at the morgue of the popular Maduemeze Hospital, off Nnebisi Road in Asaba. But it was later discovered in soakaway. A few minutes after his landlord discovered the decomposing body in the soak-away and raised the alarm, detectives swooped on the suspect. Neighbours said the suspect, who is a bricklayer, brought his 83-year-old ill father, Mr. John Udenwa, to his house in Asaba for treatment. “But before his sisters who live in Ibusa, a town near Asaba, got to know about their father’s death, the suspect had thrown the body in the soak-away, a cotenant said. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Celestina Kalu, said the suspect confessed to the crime during interrogation.

Eckankar holds seminar at UNILAG ckankar invites the genE eral public to its 2016 Lagos ECK area seminar at the main auditorium, University of Lagos Akoka, Yaba. The theme is “The road to God: The adventure of a lifetime. The Chairman of the seminar, Dozie Irrechukwu, and Secretary, Femi Oladiran, said in a statement that the seminar would feature uplifting talks, music, workshop and roundtable discussions. It starts today and ends on Sunday.

METRO

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Jealous husband kills wife’s lover Kunle Olayeni

Four pastors held for cleric’s wife’s alleged murder

Abeokuta

Cajetan Mmuta

32-year-old trader, Mr. Ezekiel Igbokwe, has allegedly killed a man, Mr. Victor Olatundun (38), for having an affair with his wife, Juliet. The suspect allegedly committed the offence at Awa-Ijebu in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State. He returned from a business trip to Anambra State and caught Olatundun making love to Juliet inside his matrimonial home. Igbokwe was arrested with his wife after he inflicted fatal machete cuts on Olatundun. The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, disclosed this while parading 25 suspects, including the couple, at the police headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta. Giving his account of the incident, Igbokwe, who hails from Ebonyi State, said he drew the machete because the deceased was physically stronger than him. The suspect, who disclosed that his marriage to Juliet was 11 years old, said his intention was never to kill his wife’s lover. He said: “It was not my intention of wasting a soul; it was Satan’s work. If I had known, I would have walked away from the scene and freed the guy. I did not know it would result in this. “I met a man inside my room and we started fighting. The man was stronger than me and I did not know what to do. I drew a machete inside my toilet and I cut him on the right hand and it cut his vein. They took him to the hospital but

BENIN

The couple

on the way to the hospital, the fuel in the vehicle finished and the second day, the man died. “I have never met the deceased before the incident. I did not suspect my wife was having an affair. I do not understand why my wife was engaging in infidelity. It is not true that I maltreated her. We did not have quarrel before I travelled to Onitsha. She had three girls for me.” Also, Juliet (28), said her relationship with the deceased started a month ago, although he used to deliver snuff to her. She alleged that Ezekiel used to abandon her for months whenever they quarrel. According to her, she did not want to leave him because of their children. She said: “I sell snuff at Awa-Ijebu. I met my husband in 2005 and we started living as husband and wife. We normally fight and we settle it. Husband and wife can fight; that is normal. “I have been in a relationship with the man (Victor Olatundun) for a month. But I have known him before that. He used to

deliver the snuff which I sell. The day the incident happened, he used to disturb me that he wanted to befriend me, but I told him I am married. “But I do not know whether the man used ‘juju’ (charm) on me. I just know that he called me that day and I told him not to come. Eventually, as he knew my house, he later came. He told me that he was coming from somewhere and it was night already. He tried to sleep with me but he did not later have sex with me. “I want the authorities to release me and allow me to take care of my children. It is because of the kids I am suffering. I did not want to leave him (Ezekiel) because of those kids.” Other suspects were nabbed in connection with offences ranging from armed robbery to cultism, vandalism, murder, unlawful possession of firearms and impersonation. Iliyasu said the police would deal decisively with perpetrators of crime and solicited the support of stakeholders in ridding the state of criminalities.

Bandit arrested moments after robbing lady Juliana Francis

Sunday

etectives attached to Moroko Police Station, Lekki, Lagos State, have arrested a suspected armed robber, moments after he robbed a lady. The suspect, Daniel Sunday, told policemen that he resided at Odunsi Street, Bariga area. Sunday was arrested on Tuesday after the police received a distress call that a lady had been robbed on Elegushi Road, Lekki. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Dolapo Badmos, who confirmed the incident, explained that the scream-

Nsukka jailbreak: Six inmates recaptured Kenneth Ofoma and Charles Onyekwere

igeria Prisons Service said six inmates of the Nsukka Prisons, Enugu State, who escaped during a jailbreak on Monday, had been rearrested. The state Comptroller of Nigeria Prisons Service, Mr. Isaiah Amali, confirmed the recapture of the escapees even as he declined to confirm the total number of prisoners involved in the jailbreak. But a prison official, who pleaded anonymity, put the figure at 25 and not 15 as earlier reported. Amali told journalists in Enugu yesterday that the jailbreak occurred between 12a.m. and 3a.m. on Monday. He made the disclosure during an onthe-spot assessment of Nsukka Prisons. Amadi said the service, with the

support from other security outfits, was on the heels of other fleeing prisoners. He said: “We have rearrested six escapees with the support of other security personnel. Many of others have been traced to their villages; we are already liaising with the local vigilantes in those areas with a view to re-arresting the fleeing escapees. I can assure you that we are on top of the situation.” Amali, who refused to disclose the number of prisoners involved in the jailbreak, investigations were ongoing for the purpose of being very sure and be exact in the figure. He added: “We cannot for now ascertain the number of prisoners that escaped. But we are making efforts to do that, which is what I have been asked to do.” Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Ug-

ing of the victim, calling for help, attracted attention. According to Badmos, policemen on patrol, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in charge of Moroko Police Station, a Superintendent of Police (SP), Abdulmajid Isa, were said to have raced to the scene and arrested Sunday. She said: “A locally-made single-barrelled pistol and the victim’s handbag, which contained her phone with N14,600, were recovered from the suspect. The suspect has confessed to the crime and will be charged to court.”

wuanyi of Enugu State visited the Nsukka Prisons yesterday. Ugwuanyi reassured the people of the state that the jailbreak would not undermine the efforts of his administration to provide adequate security of lives and property. The governor, who was on the visit with the Transition Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Mrs. Rose Onah, and other top government functionaries, described the incident as unfortunate. He said: “Already, in concert with the security agencies in the state, we have mobilised necessary machinery towards the prompt recapture of the escaped inmates and the prevention of similar occurrences in the future.” Ugwuanyi also donated money for the ‘immediate’ installation of security doors and windows. He appealed to residents to assist the authorities with any useful information that may lead to the arrest of the escaped prisoners.

etectives attached to Zone ‘5’ Benin, Edo State, have arrested four senior pastors of a popular Pentecostal church (name withheld) for alleged murder. They are being interrogated for their alleged involvement in the suspected murder of a pastor’s wife at Uromi town, the administrative headquarters of Esan North-East Local Government Area. The pastors, among them the husband of the deceased, Pastor Kingsley Amayo, were arrested for the roles they allegedly played in the questionable circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. Faith Amayo (38). But an elder brother of the deceased, who gave his name as Fidelis Evbuomwan (an engineer), said the deceased, who did not have a child, was properly married to Pastor Kingsley Amayo in 2011. He said that on July 26, Amayo’s elder brother, Chief Iso, informed the family that their daughter, Faith, had died in a motor accident at Ujogba while her husband was driving her to Benin. He his family members instructed their lawyer to initiate a petition when Amayo gave conflicting accounts of how his wife died in an accident in which he was also involved. Evbuomwan, however, appealed to the concerned authorities to ensure justice as findings revealed that no case of accident was recorded at Ujogba or reported at Ekpoma Police Division in charge of the area on that fateful day. When contacted, Amayo’s elder brother, who is a priest of Iso (Ohen-Iso), said that “since my brother has been detained, I do not have the interest to talk to you”. The state Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSP Emeka Iheanacho, said a case of motor accident was reported at Ekpoma Police Division by the pastor. Iheanacho also confirmed that the family of the deceased wrote a petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in the zone. He said: “The matter was reported at the Edo State Command where initially they were investigating a fatal motor accident, before the family of the late woman, wife of the pastor, Mrs. Faith Amayo, now initiated a petition to the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police alleging a foul play.” He said: “The petition before AIG is from the family of the deceased where they suspected that the husband must have used the woman for ritual. So that is the matter we are investigating presently.”

Briton dies in Lagos hotel Taiwo Jimoh

omicide detectives attached to Moroko Police Station, Lagos State, have launched investigation into the mysterious death of a Briton, Gibson Mark Damien (55), whose body was found inside a hotel. Damien’s body was discovered on Wednesday, in Churchill Lodge, located at the Lekki/Ajah area of the metropolis. One of the hotel workers was said to have found Damien’s body about midnight. A police source said Damien was a worker with Port to Port Office, Victoria Island. The state Police Public Relations Officer (DPO), SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the story. She said: “The hotel Manager, Mrs. Ihuoma Ubani, reported that the deceased, who was a guest in the hotel, was found motionless and a doctor from Ave Maria Specialist Hospital in Oniru was contacted to examine him. The doctor certified the British man dead. The remains of the man have been deposited at a morgue for autopsy.”

NEWS | national

friday, august 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Qua Iboe: ExxonMobil mulls end to Nigeria’s N5.4bn revenue loss

Convention: PDP will break unless…, says Dokpesi

Adeola Yusuf

xxonMobil yesterday revealed plans to end the daily revenues loss of N5.4 billion ($18 million) by the Federal Government and Joint Ventures partners. The company is mulling export of 400, 000 barrels per day Qua Iboe crude oil via an alternate pipeline while it repairs damage to the main export line sustained in July. The crude oil grade, Nigeria's largest export

stream, has been under force majeure since midJuly, when the company said it detected a "system anomaly" on the subsea pipeline. Reuters, which reported plans to get alternative exports line, quoted sources in the company. The company later found substantial damage that would take at least one to two months to repair, the source said. An Exxon spokesman declined to comment on the plan to use an alternative pipeline, saying: "We're continuing to

make progress, but we would not speculate on a timeline for repairs." Nigeria's oil production has been hobbled by militant action since the beginning of the year, with the NNPC saying pipeline attacks have taken out some 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) from production that is typically just above 2 million bpd. In addition to Qua Iboe, crude oil streams,

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME Nweneh: I, formerly known and addressed as Modesta Ogochukwu Ikeche now wish be known and addressed as Modesta Ogochukwu Nweneh. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

Musa

I, formerly known and addressed as Oba Oriola John now wish to be known and addressed as Oba Oriola Musa. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Amobi

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onwatalu Osia Chinyere Marian now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amobi Chinyere. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Obuh

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Woitzick Enore now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Obuh Enore. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSOCIATIONOFELECTRICALELECTRONICS 2000 SET OF THE POLYTECHNIC IBADAN The general public is hereby notified that the above name has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Abuja for the registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act.

The Trustees are: 1. Oguntoyinbo Oladele M. (Chairman) 2. Oguntade Diran (General Secretary) 4. Gbenga –Adekoya Abosede

3. Otaku Morenikeji 5. Adebunmi Edoghogho A.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To make each member a better man in career development & pursuit. 2. For informative, educative & career opportunity 3. To make Elect/Elect 2000 set a global village through networking. 4. For better impart and contributions to the upliftment of educational facility in The Polytechnic, Ibadan with a view to qualitative education. 5. To assist and alleviate members’ shortcoming in case of natural disaster and unpredictable calamity. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: Hassan Adegoke A. Esq., Solicitor for Association of Electrical –Electronics 2000 Set of The Polytechnic Ibadan.

PUBLIC NOTICE

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

I, CHIEF SAMSON OLUFEMI AKILO, OF AKINOGUN-APOTUN Community, Oregun, Lagos State hereby inform the general public that upon my appointment on 24/4/2016 I discovered that the certificate of occupancy registered as 10/10/2005G dated 2/4/2005 covering an area of 7.6363 hectares (76.360sqr.mts) the vast area of land, which belongs to my family, was missing from the family archive and all the attempt put in place to locate the missing certificate of occupancy proved abortive till date. Therefore, the general public is hereby warned not to deal with any other 3rd party in respect of our family vast area of land covered by the missing certificate of occupancy except through the accredited representatives of our family.

Forcados and Brass River are also under force majeure, while Bonny Light and Escravos exports have been hampered by pipeline closures. Exxon has said there was no militant involvement in the problem on the Qua Iboe line, though the Niger Delta Avengers claimed an attack on the 48" pipeline just days before the force majeure was announced.

Daniel

This is to confirm that the names Hannah Beredugo and Hannah Nyanate Daniel and Nyanate Daniel refer to one and same person who now wish to be known and addressed as Hannah Nyanate Daniel. All documents bearing these names remain valid. The general public please take note.

Prince

This is to notify the general public that the names Okey Somuayina Emmanuel and Prince Somuayina Okey refer to one and same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Prince Somuayina Okey Emmanuel. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc, Fidelity bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Simon

I, formerly known and addressed as Mamah James now wish to be known and addressed as Mamah Simon .C. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Adejoh

I, formerly known and addressed as Adejoh Pauline Uyo now wish to be known and addressed as Adejoh Nzemeke Uyo Pauline. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Zainab

This is to confirm that Tolani Bisola refer to the same person as Tolani Bisola Zainab. All documents bearing these names remain valid. The general public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

LIVINGPROOF GOSPEL CHURCH INTERNATIONAL

The general public is hereby informed that the above name Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under the part C of Company and Allied Matters Act, 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Rev. Tukura David Andeyaba - Chairman 2. Pst. Mrs Dorathy David Tukura 3. Pst. Hobab Yakubu 4. Rev. Yashe Rimamnde 5. Elder Ephraim Tikwe Nya'a 6. Elder Bala Albert Suleh 7. Pst. Simon Peter Ishaya -Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the whole world 2. To embark on missions towards the fulfillment of the Great Commission 3. To heal the sick, deliver the oppressed and set the captives free 4. To call God's people to a holy life 5. To engage in charitable works, both locally and internationally. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

ROYAL ZENIT CLUB INTERNATIONAL

This is to inform the general public that the above named association has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC) Abuja for registration under part C of the Companies And Allied Matters at 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Isaac Oyibo-Chairman 2. Moses Aku 3. Mike Okafor 4. Emmanuel Aigbunoje AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To provide philanthropic support for the advancement of education,sports and healthy living in Nigeria 2. To act as a socio-cultural platform for the advancement of democracy,good governance and human rights in Nigeria. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: Chairman

Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

edia mogul and prominent aspirant to the chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has warned that the main opposition party may be heading for the rocks if it failed to use the fresh opportunity provided by its forthcoming national convention to entrench internal democracy in its leadership recruitment process. Dokpesi, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja, warned against a situation where some state governors might want to peddle undue influence at the convention in order to achieve a predetermined outcome. He said he was aware of the role the governors elected on the platform of the PDP could play in the process of electing a new leadership for the party, but said that any overt or covert manipulation that would not allow delegates to exercise their franchise freely could spell doom for the party. "The minimum standard I expect from the con-

vention cannot be different from those standards that are generally acceptable - that we should be transparent; that the playground should be level, that the governors should allow the delegates to exercise their franchise freely. But there is no doubt that as the convention draws near, the governors would certainly wield some influence over the delegates. "Even some very close friends of mine are already telling me that : Oga you know, there is a lot of hunger in town. You know that it is our governor that is putting small small water in my mouth. I cannot afford to be seen to be going against his own interest. So, I won't be surprised and I won't be offended if any person says that my governor asked me to go this way or that way because I want them to continue to have water in their mouth. My ambition should not cause them starvation. But I believe that someday, Nigerians will mature to that level that they will know that their own destiny and their own future are in their hands," Dokpesi said.

Chevron continues staff evacuation Adeola Yusuf

arely 48 hours after United States oil giant, Chevron, shut down operations in its Escravos tank farm following protest by the host community, another threat has been issued to ground two major flow stations operated by the company in Abiteye and Jones creeks. A leader of the protesters from Ugborodo community, Collins Edema, who revealed plans to extend the action to the flow stations, said that the community workers in the tank farm had also joined the protest. Chevron, which has been evacuating its staff from Escravos since Tuesday evening, confirmed the action in a statement. It noted that it had met with the protesters and other key community leaders and stakeholders, including the Delta State Government (DTSG) with the hope for a quick resolution to the crisis. Edema, who doubles as a youth leader, however, said that the protesters, mostly unemployed youths, continued the demonstration that started on Tuesday at the gate of a Chevron oil depot to demand jobs and housing, claiming the facility had destroyed their settlement. "Our protest is going on peacefully today on Thursday. Our community work-

ers inside the tank farm have joined the protest as we speak," Edema said. "Nobody is going in and out of the facility since we've started but Chevron has airlifted their senior staff from there," he said, a claim Reuters could not verify. Chevron confirmed a protest had taken place but did not say whether oil production had been affected. Edema said the protesters might shut down Chevron's crude flow in Abiteye, Jones Creek and other operations in the area if the company does not agree to their demands. Communities in Nigeria's southern swampland often complain about oil pollution and houses being moved so oil drilling can take place. They also say they live in poverty despite sitting on much of Nigeria's oil wealth. The Niger Delta region has been hit by a wave of militant attacks on oil and gas pipelines, reducing the country's crude output by 700,000 barrels a day, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The militants say they want a greater share of Nigeria's oil wealth - which accounts for around 70 per cent of national income - to be passed on to communities in the impoverished region and for areas blighted by oil spills to be cleaned up.

FRIDAY, august 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Edo decides 1.9m voters eligible for governorship election

Politics The race to the Alagbaka Government House in Ondo State is becoming more interesting as some members of Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s cabinet, who recently resigned, have picked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship forms. BABATOPE OKEOWO reports

South-East Hope as FG assures on development

12 13

Mimiko’s commissioners in succession race

t is no longer news that three commissioners and one special adviser recently resigned from Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State cabinet in order to succeed him as the next occupant of the Alagbaka Government House. What however jolted political watchers in the state is the different camps, which the aspirants have pitched their political tent. The aspirants include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN); Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Bamiduro Dada; Commissioner for Environment, Chief Sola Ebiseeni and Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Mr. Dayo Fadahunsi. For almost eight years, the trio of Jegede, Dada and Ebiseeni sat to take several decisions on behalf of the state by virtue of being commissioners. As cabinet members, they met once in a week at the State Executive Council meeting and other government functions aside personal interactions. In fact, they could be described as close friends as they have many things in common including political party membership as the trio moved from Labour Party(LP) to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). But the quest to succeed Mimiko as the fourth civilian governor of the Sunshine State has put a wedge among the three close pals. Although they claimed

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

Dada

to belong to the same political party, they actually belong to different political camps within the PDP. While Jegede belong to the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee, Dada and Ebiseeni have pitched their tent with the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff ’s faction of the party. The actions of the two commissioners have foreclosed the possibilities of them returning to their former positions in Governor Mimiko's cabinet should they lose out in the party primary scheduled for August 22 and 23. Mimiko had tactically left the positions of Dada and Ebiseeni opened should they decide to return to the cabinet, while he has replaced Jegede, who is poised to win the PDP gubernatorial primary. Despite the fact that they participated in the PDP’s congress that ushered in Chief Clement Faboyede as Ondo State chairman of the party, Dada and Ebiseeni went to pick their forms from Prince Biyi Poroye, a factional chairman of the party. Dada, who left Mimiko's cabinet on July 27, said he decided to pick his nomination form the faction because some of his associates in Faboyede's camp have been discouraging him from pursuing his ambition. He declared that his ambition and move to realise it on a rival faction to that of his former boss, Mimiko, was not to spite him but to ensure that he doesn't err in the face of the law. His words: “We are so close to the extent that if I had gone to him, Faboyede would not give it to me because of the passion he has for me. He is the one that has been holding me and I don't want

Jegede

Among the trio, Jegede is closer to the ticket of the PDP as he has no serious challenger in the Makarfi’s faction

Ebiseeni

him to hold me again; that is why I have come here to break this jinx. Even the governor is my father, we are not quarrelling; he is my benefactor. He is an elite and I know he will understand.” Dada, a PDP aspirant from Akoko South West Local Government Area of the state in the North senatorial district, hinged his decision on the recent court judgement that recognized Sheriff as the bonafide national chairman of the party. “We have the court judgement that was given recently and I am only acting on that particular judgement. I am with Faboyede, while I am here but it is imperative for me to pick my form from a particular source. It doesn't mean faction in PDP but I have based my decision today. I have taken that decision because of the court action that I so much believe in as a democrat,” he said. The former commissioner further said he had served in Governor Mimiko's government in the past seven years in several capabilities and it was high time he broke away from the tutelage of the governor, saying his decision to contest the governorship election was borne out of his desire to liberate the state. He also assured the people of Ondo State that he would continue with Mimiko’s programmes if elected as the next governor of the state. He pointed out that the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state was too meagre to execute meaningful projects, adding that it was dangerous for any state to rely on federal allocation with the current economic situation in the country. He therefore

assured that his administration will improve the IGR of the state through investment in the agricultural sector. Similarly, Ebiseni who hails from Ilaje Local Government Area of the state led a large number of the bigwigs in Ondo South Senatorial District to pick his own form amid pomp and funfair. In his entourage were Senator Omololu Meroyi, a former member of the state Assembly, Otito Atikase and former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Yemi Mahmud-Fasominu. Ebiseni explained that he opted out of Mimiko’s camp after the governor failed to heed to the PDP stakeholders demand for a candidate from the South Senatorial District, which according to him is the strongest base of the party in the state since 1999 to succeed him as the sixth executive governor of the state. The former Commissioner for Environment accused the Faboyede-led PDP faction of not providing a level playing ground for all the aspirants to participate in the governorship primary, alleging that they are scared of an open contest. According to him, the August 22 primaries under the behest of Governor Mimiko and the state Faboyede led faction is a ruse, disclosing that they already have the results and choice of candidate preordained to be the party's flag bearer. While promising his supporters, who accompanied him to pick the nomination form that his government would be responsible and CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

POLITICS

FRIDAY, august 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

1.9m voters eligible for governorship election Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, declared that a total of 1,925,105 registered voters will cast their votes to elect the next governor of Edo State in the September 10 governorship election in the state. The commission also pointed out that the exercise will hold in the 2,627 polling units across the 192 wards in the 18 local government areas of the state. Director, Data Management at the Information Communications

Technology (ICT), INEC headquarters, Abuja, Engr Chidi Okafor, gave the figures during the official presentation of voters register and Campaign Finance Tracking workshop for political parties organised by the commission in Benin, the state capital. Okafor, who was represented by Mrs. Bimbo Oladunjoye, an Assistant Director at the commission, explained that out of the 135,877 voters registered during the five-day Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise conducted in the state, 2,036 engaged in double thumbprints which informed why their names were removed from the voters register.

Obaseki

Edo DECIDES

Also speaking at the ceremony, INEC National Commissioner (SouthSouth zone), Dr. Mohammed Mustafa Lecky, said the exercise was a mile stone in the collective countdown to the September 10 poll and in line with section 20 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) which requires

the commission to publish an updated voters register not later than 30 days before the election as well as the timetable for the conduct of the governorship election. He stated that the effort the commission put into the voters register was an indication of its resolve to ensure that "government should only derive from the will of the people as expressed through the ballot, most importantly it is indeed a demonstration of our determination to deliver a transparent, free, fair and credible governorship election in the state." While commending the participating political parties and other stakeholders for their support and cooperation,

Ize-Iyamu

Ize-Iyamu: I'll correct mistakes of APC govt Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

he governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu, yesterday, said he is not in the race for the governorship of the state to right the wrongs of the last seven and half years of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the state. Ize-Iyamu stated this while addressing over 100 Pentecostal ministers, who converged at the Church

Hall of the Christian Gospel Mission, Benin, under the umbrella of the Christian Leaders Forum. The PDP candidate said: “A lot of things are wrong with our state. Things are wrong spiritually. Things are wrong physically. I am going to government as your representative. I am going to government as your voice. I will not disappoint you or destroy your confidence.” He challenged the clerics to question the outrageous expenses of the outgoing government in terms of receipts from stat-

utory allocations to date. "In seven years and three months, the outgoing government received well over N1.45 trillion. Recently the government paid a contractor the sum of N86 million to paint the Airport road, a six kilometre road, which its cost of construction till date, the governor has refused to tell Edo people. "It is only in Edo that the government will claim to have constructed a three-classroom block with NN87 million. For the rehabilitation of Imaguero College, which is not a new

school, the government said it spent N300 million to change the roof, fix aluminum windows, put tiles on the floors and repainting of its walls.” Presenting the gathering with copies of what he called “My covenant with Edo people,” termed “Simple Agenda,” IzeIyamu said the document is designed to let Edo people know of his plans if elected as governor. In his remarks, the state PDP chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, assured the clerics of good governance if the party is voted into power.

INEC clears 19 for poll

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it had cleared Osagie Ize-Iyamu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 18 others as candidates in the September 10 governorship election in Edo State. Also cleared, according to the commission, are Mr Godwin Obaseki of All Progressives Congress (APC), Amos Areloegbe, Labour Party (LP) and Oronsaye Richard, Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP). This is contained in

the list of political parties and their candidates for the election, published by the commission in a document obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday. The document signed by the commission’s Secretary, Mrs Augusta Ogakwu, explained that the clearance of Obaseki as PDP’s candidate was based on a court order. Other candidates on the list are Mr Ishaka Ofemile, Action Alliance (AA); Mr Andrew Igewmoh, Ad-

vanced Congress of Democrats (ACD); Mr Cosmos Irabor, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) and Onaiwu Osaro, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Others are Mr David Okoror, Citizens Popular Party (CPP); Mr Tobi Adeniyi, Independent Democrats (ID), Thompson Osadolor, KOWA Party; Peters Omoragbon, National Conscience Party (NCP) and Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena of People for Democratic Change (PDC).

Mr Thomas Sadoh of Progressive People Alliance (PPA), Mrs. Agol Ebun, Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN); Omorogieva Gbajumo, Social Democratic Party (SDP); Shadrach Efogie, United Progressive Party (UPP) and Nurudeen Inwanefero of Young Democratic Party (YDP) were also cleared to participate. In the document, INEC stated that the announcement of cleared candidates for the election was in line with Section 34 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

he noted that violence has been the most daunting task encountered by the electoral umpire in the conduct of free, fair and credible polls across the nation. Warning against violence, he said: "No election is worth the life of a human being and we take the safety of our staff and all stakeholders very seriously. The commission

will never conduct or conclude any election that had not met the minimum threshold of credibility under the laws." The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Sam Olumekun, in his address said: "A credible register of voters is the bedrock of free, fair and credible elections and an indispensable forerunner to an election"

Buhari's Chief of Staff, Kyari, overrules Saraki F

acts emerged yesterday why the two members of the National Assembly earlier billed to travel with President Muhammadu Buhari to N'Djamena, Chad for the inauguration of President Idriss Deby on Monday, Senator Baba Kaka Garbai and Hon. Mohammed Monguno, were dropped from the trip. The Presidency had announced through its spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, on Sunday, August 7, that President Buhari would be accompanied on the Chadian trip by Governors Kashim Shettima (Borno) and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Senator Garbai, Hon. Monguno, Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd). While others made the trip, the two National Assembly members from Borno State were dropped with no explanation given. But sources at the Presidency told New Telegraph yesterday that the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, “single handedly dropped” the lawmakers even though they were separately nominated by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara in different communication with the Presidency. Under an unwritten practice, whenever the President desires to have National Assembly members to be part of his delegation for any trip, he requests for nominations from the Senate President and the Speaker with information on the nature of the trip and the number of slots allotted to the two chambers of the National Assembly. The source further said: “The Senate President had nominated Senator Baba Kaka Gar-

bai from Borno State because Borno shares border with Chad while the Chadian government is deeply involved in the Multi-national Joint Taskforce fighting the Boko Haram insurgency. This is in addition to the fact that the people of Borno State and Chadians inter marry and have long been engaged in socio-economic, cultural and political integration for centuries. “This is why the Speaker of the House of Representatives, without knowing the Senate President’s nominee, also nominated a member from Borno State, Mohammed Monguno to be part of the presidential delegation and the aim is to strengthen their existing relationship. The source added that Kyari replaced the lawmakers with Senator Monsurat Sunmonu from Oyo State, who is the chairperson, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House of Representatives Committee Chairperson on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nnenna Ukeje from Abia State. A source at the National Assembly also said the Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker and the affected lawmakers "felt slighted" by the change without recourse to them. "They felt disrespected by the Presidency," he said. He added that while it is not out of place for chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs to accompany the President on a foreign trip, the fact that President Buhari himself invited the Governor of Borno State as well as his National Security Adviser "indicated that he had the relationship between Nigeria and Chad in the fight against Boko Haram in mind and the need to strengthen such a relationship."

FRIDAY, august 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

For the first time since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999, the South-East has not witnessed a gathering on how to develop the region by the government as witnessed during the recent town hall meeting organised by the Federal Government in Enugu, CHARLES ONYEKWERE reports

Politics

Hope as FG assures S’East on development

lthough the South-East town hall meeting held on August 1 at Nike Resort Hotel, Enugu has come and gone, there is no doubt that the people of the geo-political zone are looking forward to the gains of the parley. The meeting was put together by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in continuation of the government’s regional town hall meetings to inform Nigerians about the developmental plans of the current administration. Present at the meeting were ministers of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige; Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah; Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu . Among the stakeholders from the South-East were the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke; Enugu State governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Senator Uche Ekwunife, traditional rulers, among others. In his opening speech, Minister of Information and Culture, Mohammed, said the meeting was aimed at bridging the communication gap between the government and the governed. While pointing out that the promised change of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government is not a ruse, he said the change has started manifesting with the recovery of funds siphoned from the treasury and institution of the Single Treasury Account, among others. The minister also spoke on the issue of the South-East roads, noting that contractors have been mobilised to some of the roads, but are waiting out the rainy season. He added that contrary to insinuations in certain quarters that the people are not feeling the impact of the government, a lot had been done in moving the country forward. His words: “Many have said they are yet to see the change we promised. Many more have called the promise a ruse. In fact, they are now mocking us. But we remain undaunted because we

L-R: Adewole, Ogbeh, Ngige, Governor Ugwuanyi, Mohammed, Jibril and Onyeama after the town hall meeting in Enugu.

know that the change we promised is real. “In fact, the change we promised is already here, and it is manifesting all around us. The government had successfully stopped the looting of public funds, which was responsible for underdevelopment. Before now, public officials simply opened the public till, took as much money as they wanted and walked away without consequences. He also revealed that the government has successfully identified and stopped salaries hitherto paid to more more than 30,000 ghost workers. On the economy, he said: “We promised to diversify the economy away from oil, to ensure that other sectors are able to significantly contribute to sustainable development. In June 2016, for the very first time, about 70 per cent of the more than N500 billion raised from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee came from the non-oil sector, while 30 per cent came from the oil sector. It was the first time in 2016 that the Federal Government shared more than N500 billion among the three tiers of government.” In the area of security, Mohammed said that the government has successfully crushed the Boko Haram terrorists and not a single territory is being administered by them. The minister said that the complaints over perceived or real instances of lopsidedness in appointments were being addressed. “There are hundreds of appointments yet to be made. It is an evolving scenario and any lopsidedness is being addressed as we progress,” he said. The other ministers took turns to give account of their stewardship in their respective ministries. Minister of Labour and Employment, Ngige, who flayed former military Head of State General Abudulsalami Abubakar, for jettisoning the report of the National Constitutional

It is an evolving scenario and any lopsidedness is being addressed as we progress

Conference (NCC) organised by the General Sani Abacha regime, which provided for rotational presidency, argued that it would have quelled the strident agitation for Biafra Republic by different separatist groups in the South-East zone. Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State, revealed that Abubakar, rather than adopt the conference report, which he met as Abacha's successor, backtracked and amended some portions of the 1979 Constitution, which is responsible for the country's woes. The Labour minister made the assertion, while answering a question by a former Minister of Information, Chief John Nwodo, who complained that the country was not only moving too slow but needed to be restructured in line with the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference. But Ngige said the agitation for restructuring did not start with the coming of the present government as it has been there for long. His words: “Late Abacha crafted a wonderful constitution but General Abubakar back-tracked. Instead of using what Abacha did, he went and amended some portions of the 1979 Constitution which is responsible for the country's woes. The National Conference convoked by former President Jonathan is suspect because the members to the conference were not elected. So, there is no sovereign element in the outing of the conference.” Defending the position of the present administration not to touch the report of the National Conference, Ngige said: “If by tomorrow, President Muhammadu Buhari decides to set up a national conference, the Igbo should go to sleep because whatever gains they make there will not be taken away by anybody.” The minister asked the Igbo to stop wallowing in self-pity over the political problems facing the race, saying that the people

should put on their thinking caps on how to solve their problems. On the new minimum wage for workers, he said that the issue is in the Exclusive Legislative List, adding that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the council of ministers would soon meet to empanel a committee that would look into the memoranda that had been received on the issue. On his part, Minister of Agriculture, Ogbeh, said the Buhari administration inherited a bogus debt of N67 billion under the guise of procuring seedlings by the Goodluck Jonathan administration. “We met a debt of N67 billion in the ministry when I took over office. When I investigated, we found out that contractors took fertilizer to nearby countries like Niger Republic, sold them there and procured invoices to show that they supplied them to us. Jonathan claimed his administration spent N67 billon procuring seedlings whereas they merely spent N2.5 billion. “That is padding. We now have a balance of N65 billion to pay back. That amount is twice my ministry's budget this year. We have managed to pay back N20 billion, all these are what have been hampering agriculture development in the country. Also speaking, Minister of Health, Prof. Adewole, assured the people of the South-East that the Federal Government will invest massively in the area of primary healthcare. In their respective contributions, South-East stakeholders including the Archbishop of Enugu Anglican Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma and traditional rulers enumerated areas of marginalisation of the zone to include appointments, budget allocations as well as infrastructural development. In his speech, Governor Ugwuanyi, expressed the hope that the meeting will open doors for more development in Enugu State and the entire South-East zone. He urged the Federal Government to revisit the Ada Rice farm Irrigation project to make it fully functional in order to boost economic activities and provide employment. The governor also called for the release of more funds to the states to enable them discharge their over whelming and increasing pressure to provide critical infrastructure that will stimulate economic growth and development. He also urged the Federal Government to pay billions of outstanding debts owed the state by federal agencies and establishments. To stakeholders in the zone, the rubbing of minds at the town hall meeting may have profferred some answers to question agitating their minds over the recurring issue of marginalisation, it is, however, only left to be seen whether the various suggestion at the parley will see the light of the day.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Okwaraji: Day Jesus saw red Emissary EMEKA OBASI emobas2003@yahoo.com 0809-445-7557 (sms only)

ow time flies . Twenty Seven Years ago today, Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji slumped and died at the National Stadium, Lagos playing for the Eagles in a world Cup qualifier against Palancas Negras of Angola. Saturday August 12, 1989 it was. Okwaraji was largely unknown in his country although he played as a school boy for Bishop Shanahan College, Orlu. After secondary education , he travelled to Europe for further studies. He earned degrees in Italy before crossing over to Germany to continue with soccer. His family lived in Abakpa Nike, outside Enugu and he frequented there during the off season where he also trained to keep fit. I think it was NFA boss John Obakpolor who stumbled on the Nigerian in Germany and asked him to get in touch . Okwaraji was keen on playing for his country, he was only waiting for the nod to come. It did eventually, in a tight Seoul Olympic Games qualifying match against Algeria in Enugu. The first leg in Annaba had ended 1-0 in favour of the hosts, in what turned out to be Thompson Oliha’s senior team debut. The Eagles needed at least two unreplied goals to hit the Olympics later in the year. They did through a late minute winner, Okwaraji dazzled and won the hearts of fans who wondered where he had been all along. That was a huge performance that capped a splendid entry behaviour. A few weeks later at the Maroc ’88 Nations Cup, the young man lived up to expectations. In a group game with the Indomitable Lions, his bullet dazed Joseph Antoine Bell less than two minutes into the match in what turned out to be the fastest goal of the tournament.

The Camerounians were lucky to escape with a one all. Okwaraji also made the Olympic team but unlike in Morocco where the Eagles were robbed of the trophy by referee Idrissa Sarr of Mauritania who disallowed Henry Nwosu’s beautiful goal as new CAF President Issa Hayatou watched from the VIP Box, the Olympic adventure was a complete disaster. Okwaraji disappeared from the radar until 1989 in a game against Angola. It was the opportunity he had been waiting for. He had played at Onikan. Sportscity, the heart of international soccer eluded him until that fateful day. Nigerians looked forward to another sterling performance from a star who had remained cool headed and was ready to serve fatherland for free. He shared room with Ademola Adesina and was excited, if not hyper active. His dream was realized as he was handed a starting jersey. The team list had Keeper David Ngodigha, jersey number 22, Austin Eguavoen, 12, Stephen Keshi,4, Sunday Eboigbe,3, Uche Okafor,14, Adesina,8, Okwaraji,6, Etim Esin,10, Samson Siasia,15, Humphrey Edobor, 11and Osaro Obabaifo. The reserves were : Aloy Agu,1, Dahiru Sadi,9, Bala Ali, 13, Chidi Nwanu ,2, Sam Nwobum, 7. The Stadium was overflowing. Friends came to cheer, school mates were equally there. Okwaraji was the major attraction and he felt it. The midfielder was ready to impress his admirers. But he did not seem to have a good game. Ewe speaking Togolese referee , Mawukpona Hounnake- Kouassi gave him a yellow card very early in the game. In the second half, the Angolans introduced a player named Jesus. The visitors were rough. Jesus tackled Siasia and was cautioned. In the 55th minute he went for Etim. HounnakeKouassi flashed a red and sent the visitor out of the field of play. Then it happened. Game on, Okwaraji fell. There was no body contact, no brutal Angolan tackle. Siasia was the first to notice the fall. He rushed to offer a helping hand. His team mate lay still ,eyes open. He was stretchered into an ambulance and driven out of the stadium. The game continued. I was restless. I lost interest in the match. Crowd control was zero.

The Angolans introduced a player named Jesus. The visitors were rough. Jesus tackled Siasia and was cautioned

Many fans were in danger of suffocation. Unknown to many, Okwaraji was confirmed dead but head of medics, Dr. Akin Amao, professionally said there was no cause for alarm. The ambulance headed straight to the Lagos General Hospital morgue. As we left the Stadium, Champion Sports Editor, Etubom Paul Bassey, whispered to me that Okwaraji was gone. Shocked, I did not believe him. I guess, he was the very first to get that Exclusive story. But someone had made him believe that the ambulance moved to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. We jumped into his Daihatsu (Datsun?) jalopy to check the LUTH morgue. No luck. We rushed straight to Champion House, Ilasamaja. A big story, the paper sold out the following day. It also turned out that five fans lost there lives due to the overcrowded stands. Niyi Monsuru, Udoka Agwu, Oluseyi Alashe, Shawu Tijani and Elebuwa died same day as the footballer. The Eagles won 1-0, lost Okwaraji and earned a FIFA ban. Doctors said the player died of cardiac arrest. The body was brought to the National Stadium, Lagos. I remember his elder sibling, Patrick, I guess, being handed over a plastic bag containing his brother’s internal organs as a result of the post mortem. One of the pathologists was Okwaraji’s uncle, Dr. Ekwem, who flew from the Garden City. Among dignitaries that bid him bye in Lagos were Maj. Gen. Ike Nwachukwu who was Labour minister at the time and Chief Barnabas Gemade. Okwaraji was buried on August 29 in his Owerre-Umudioka Orlu ancestral home. Promises were made by state and Federal governments. His dreadlocks were removed before lowering the body to the ground because they were not natural. The No.6 jersey, according to the NFA ,was going to be retired in his memory. Today, players still adorn it. Many Solomon Dalung inclusive, have forgotten Okwaraji. Not Dr. Sunny Ojeagbase. I remember accompanying him alongside Emiko Bake, Joseph Okujeni and Mumini Alao to the Okwarajis' Enugu home in December 1990, to see Mama and Patrick. Wasky Pele, Sammy Sparkle, rest in peace as his buddy, Adolphus Anokwute, would say.

Blame Game on Power Supply Ibrahim Aliu

n Kenya recently there was a blackout across the nation for four hours and people wondered what had happened , but not for long. The power generating company KenGen issued a statement that a monkey had accidentally tripped an equipment in an hydro power plant which triggered the nation wide black out. The genco said that the monkey survived the ordeal and that Kenya had lost 183 MW during the blackout and the company apologized to consumers and promised to secure its facilities from such future power hazards that can cause unexpected blackouts. As a Nigerian and an African I cant help admiring the way that the power company had handled the explanation of a four hour blackout so quickly and so efficiently . Of course most Nigerians will argue that the situation of power

supply in Kenya is not comparable with that of Nigeria because power supply in Nigeria is erratic and we have more blackouts on a regular basis than regular and continuous supply as in Kenya where people are bothered by a 4-hour blackout. I will without wasting time agree with them on that score. This is because the Kenyan power company has been allowed to do its public relations without any pressure and without any monkey tricks or interruption from any quarters on the source of power failure even though a monkey has been responsible. In Nigeria however the way blackouts are explained is completely different. The regular culprit in the public mind are the discos which are the distribution companies that deliver electricity to our homes and companies and bring in the electricity bills for consumers to pay. This has been reinforced by the hostile attitude of the trade unions in the

power sector in the way they mobilized consumers against the discos when tariffs for electricity approved for them by the regulator of electricity in Nigeria, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission were announced early this year. The unions went all the way to instigate even the Senate to stop the tariffs increase and NERC went to court to accuse the Senate of usurping its legitimate function as the regulator of electricity in Nigeria . The unions did not stop there, they asked workers to go on strike on the new electricity tariffs as if they are the same thing with the fuel price increase to 145 naira on which they called out workers on strike abortively recently. This is despite the well known fact to Nigerians and the union leaders that discos don’t generate or transmit electricity but only deliver to consumers as and when power is available and bill such consumers for electricity supplied and utilized. Stakehold-

ers in the Nigerian electricity industry include the Nigerian Electricity Bulk Trading Company, gencos, discos and transmission companies. How come then that the Nigerian union leaders are always pointing accusing fingers at the discos when ever there is a power failure ? As the Kenyan example has shown it was a genco that explained what happened. It was not a disco .In Nigeria it is a well known fact that pipeline vandalism nation wide has drastically reduced the generation and transmission of electricity not to talk of distribution of electricity which is the responsibility of the discos. But then can the discos distribute what they don’t have ? Definitely not? Similarly the gencos cannot generate when they don’t have the basic ingredients to generate power when sources of such generation have been rendered unproductive or inactive by vandals. • Aliu, an analysts, wrote in from Kano.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

EDITORIAL

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No to Malami's NPCC

ttorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, was quoted in several media reports recently as having directed certain agencies of government to transfer what he termed as a National Prosecution Coordination Committee to handle.  These agencies include the Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Department for State Security and Federal Inland Revenue Service. The minister's order indicated that the NPCC would henceforth handle such 'highprofile' cases with what looks like an overriding mandate. Thus, according to the reports, these agencies would have to hands off these cases.  The AGF had reportedly given the order of transfer during a meeting with the various agencies in his office with a view to briefing them on the exigency and existence of the committee and to fashion out a working synergy between the committee and the agencies. A statement issued in Abuja by the committee’s Head of Communication and Public Affairs, Salihu Othman Isah, had explained that a high profile case must have overriding public interest elements. There is an interesting catch: It is the AGF who will determine what case is tagged 'highprofile.' The statement quoted Malami as saying that sometimes, the quantum of value of a case and its sensitivity also influence whether a case

is a high profile matter or not. According to him, members of the committee are mainly his aides as well as eight external members selected on the basis of experience and expertise, stressing that heads of agencies are not part of the NPCC due to their busy schedules. The minister also hinted that the intention is not to distract the heads of these agencies, but rather to engender smooth synergy between the committee and the agencies.  Special Assistant to the President on Coordination and Inter national Affairs under the Federal Ministry of Ju s t i c e , Mr. Pius Oteh, disclosed that b eyo n d the synerg y and

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Managing Editor, South n Emeka Madunagu Managing Editor, North & Abuja n Laurence Ani (Leave of Absence) Editor n Ayodele Ojo Editor, Sunday n Juliet Bumah Editor, Saturday n Waheed Bakare Deputy Editor, Group Head, Newsroom n Geoffrey Ekenna

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al, state and local government levels will now be determined by the AGF, a coterie of aides and handpicked nominees who will clearly do his bidding. This is clearly an affront on the rule of law and statutes establishing these agencies. It also seems to make the AGF more powerful than the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Although the AGF is the chief law officer of the Federation, he is in clear breach of his mandate. Each state has

How would this committee handle cases where the Federal Government is an interested party?

partnership between all concerned, a robust interface between the agencies was necessary, pointing out that the agencies should take their mandate seriously for a more vigorous and efficient prosecution. He also opined that when it comes to delay in the justice system, every stakeholder has a responsibility, stressing that it was a cross cutting issue in which all key players share responsibilities vis-a-vis the judiciary, prosecutors, investigators and even defence counsels, assuring that when everyone does their bit, a more efficient and humane criminal justice system will be attained.  Therefore, cases at the Feder-

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

an AttorneyG e n e r a l and a Commissioner for Justice and as such, Malami cannot take over their powers. T here are cases being handled by the Nigerian

Police Force, for instance, that fall under the purview of the states. Would Malami therefore take over these cases under the cover of this committee?  How would this committee handle cases where the Federal Government is an interested party? There is the case of alleged forgery of Senate rules preferred against the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa; and sitting Clerk of the Senate, Benedict Efeturi. This is a case upon which the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Lawal Babachir, made remarks that were clearly subjudice.

His remarks in a press statement and in a briefing with reporters in Yola, Adamawa State betrayed the likelihood of a special interest in the case by unknown forces in the Presidency. It is strange that Malami is introducing extralegal means to prosecutorial matters in the country. The principle of separation of power remains sacrosanct and lately the judiciary has come under lethal scrutiny following some questionable judgements. There have also been fears of Executive interference in the judicial system. This idea of NPCC will further promote disdain. With the foregoing, it is clear that ulterior motives cannot be taken away from the setting up of this committee. The AGF must disband it and allow the rule of law and proper procedure on prosecution take its course. When they were conceptualised, the anti-graft agencies were expected to be independent of political interference. However, Malami has evidently given vent to the fears of Nigerians that the current war against corruption is selective. The new committee, which will cheery-pick cases, is an aberration and should be disbanded immediately. This gover nment cannot arrogate to itself posts beyond the Constitution. It cannot be allowed to find convenient excuses to thwart the rule of law and predetermine cases through a kangaroo committee. Nigerians must resist this recourse to tyranny by Buhari's Administration.

POLITICS

Chinedu Uzouno

rbane, unassuming and meek with a focused mien that easily gives him away as a boardroom figure with a strong affection for results, Godwin Obaseki’s steady journey to significance has never been accidental, but a product of concise determination to make a difference in life. Powered by this passion, Obaseki’s trajectory right from St Mathew Anglican Primary School, Benin City had been marked by an impressive vision to make the best of every phase of his life. At Eghosa Anglican Grammar School, Benin City and the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a BA in Classics, the intellectual side of him germinated and blossomed. His attendance at the Columbia University and Pace University in New York, United States, further deepened his capacity to grapple with social and corporate challenges. This urbane personality, who found himself in Nigeria's chequered political arena, is armed with an MBA in Finance and International Business. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers, Nigeria and an alumnus of the Lagos Business School Chief Executive Programme. With this impressive academic background, one is not surprised that Obaseki has gone ahead to distinguish himself in all he had set out to do. The depth of his understanding of corporate and professional issues, reflected in his trailblazing interventions in the financial marketer, where Afrinives, his firm, stand out as a trusted advisory firm. Without his acumen, major pioneering innovations would not have been made possible by the firm in the securities market. It quite interesting to know that the firm had advised on numerous landmark transactions including the first Eurobond Issue by a SubSaharan Africa Corporate, the first ever simultaneous merger and tender offer transaction in Sub-Saharan Africa and the larg-

FRIDAY, august 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Edo guber: Give it to Obaseki

Obaseki

est ever listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Along the vision of the same, who seeks to govern Edo State, Afrinvest was ranked as a major Investment Research firm which is at the forefront of playing instrumental roles in the introduction of new financing products such as Eurobonds and Global Depository Receipts to Nigerian Companies. This piece should not be dismissed by anyone, who wishes Edo well because it provides empirical insight into the mental capacity of the man, who our collective future would shortly be entrusted to. There couldn't have been any auspicious time for that than now since it provides the ingredients needed to make inductive and deductive judgments about Obaseki. A juxtaposition of the contents of this piece, with the standard of the average Edo leader, interestingly tells us that the state is yet again on the threshold of having another cerebral Governor.

Achievements recorded with him on the driving seat of the state’s economic team, speak about his capability

Since a golden fish has no hiding place, his foray into politics in 2008, albeit on the sidelines, was not surprising especially when one remembers that Governor Adams Oshiomhole needed the best brains to realise his lofty dreams for the state. Behold! Our amiable countryman, did not disappoint anyone as the Head of Edo State Economic and Strategy Team. The key achievements recorded with him on the driving seat of the state’s economic team, speak about his capability and capacity to lead a sophisticated state like Edo. For the records, the notable achievements in that capacity include: Documentation of State Economic Development framework through Sectors’ Strategic Planning which is reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis; Introduction and enculturation of retreats as a platform to ensure all parties engagement not only in planning and executing state development initiatives but also in monitoring and evaluation of outcomes; N25 Billion Infrastructure Development Bond from the Nigerian Capital Market in 2010; $225 Million Concessionary rates Development Loan from the World Bank with the 1st Tranche of $75 Million already accessed; Successfully hosted Sector based Economic Summits and Policy Dialogue Series including the Power Round Table in 2010, 2011 Education Round Table and 2012 Agribusiness Round Table. These summits were known to have translated into measurable and desired outcomes including: Azura-Edo IPP project with over $1 billion in FDI currently under development in Ihovbor, Uhunwode LGA, Education Reforms which have translated to significant improvement in Educational Infrastructure and student performance in WAEC and other Exams. Following the 2012 Agribusiness Summit, the state has attracted investment in the Rubber subsector for the development of the single largest Rubber Plantation project in Nigeria in Sokponba in Orhiomwon Local Government

Area under a privately developed and financed initiative. A framework for local economic empowerment through growers schemes was also done to attract funding into the development of key crops for which Edo State has natural endowment including oil palm, rubber, cassava, cocoa, rice and other grains. One thing some critiques don’t know is that our man is not the local champion they think. Remarkably, the governorship hopefuls had undertaken prominent national assignments in the past to the satisfaction of the nation. He served on the Presidential Committee on the Reform of the Nigerian Pension System. He also served on the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission Committee on the Re-activation of the Nigerian Bond Market and the review of the Investment and Securities Act. He served as a member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Council between 2006 and 2009. He also serves on the board of some companies such as Dorman Long Engineering Limited, Pillar Oil Limited, Seric Impianti International Limited. Obaseki was the founding secretary of a New York based US Africa Chamber of Commerce in 1992, which promoted US organisations doing business in Africa. He was a Director of Junior Achievement of Nigeria the local affiliate of the worldwide Not for Profit organisation which trains students to appreciate market economy values. Given his integrity and goal getting spirit, he has since 2009, participated actively in all elections since and was Chairman Fund Raising Committee for the Oshiomhole/Odubu re-election bid in 2012. What else can we say about the capability of the financial guru at giving Edo the best as governor? In fact, let us just give him our mandate on September 10. It is an action the state would live to relish. •Uzouno, a legal practitioner, lives in Benin-City

Mimiko’s commissioners in succession race C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 1

responsive to the yearnings of the masses. He added that his administration will proffer lasting solutions to the problems confronting Ondo people by exploiting the state’s potential in agriculture, education, IGR, natural resources and other opportunities that are under-utilised. Senator Meroyi, while speaking, reiterated that the decision to align with the Sheriff ’s faction became pertinent when the governor turned deaf ears on Ondo South demands, especially now that the Poroye-led executive is the authentic one. The former lawmaker, who is the immediate past district chairman of the party and chairman of the Southern PDP stakeholders meetings held severally in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area, affirmed that the six councils in the district will work with the other two districts to ensure that Ebiseni emerges the next governor of the state. Poroye, who is the chairman of the Jimoh Ibrahim-led faction of the party,

in his remark after he gave the forms out explained that the crisis rocking the party was caused by impunity among members of the party. He further said impunity is more pronounced in the PDP than any other political party in the country, stressing that the level of impunity among PDP members was responsible for its current challenges. He also warned that “until impunity ends among members of the PDP, there may not be an end to the crisis in the party.” Poroye said many members of the party lacks discipline and courage to say the truth, hence the problem within the party, adding that “if we want the problem in the PDP to end, we must be ready to say the truth and stand by the truth.” He also declared that “the only authentic national chairman of the party is Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. Any other person claiming to be the national chairman of the party is only deceiving himself as there cannot be two chairmen in a single party.” According to him, Senator Ahmed

Markafi cannot be the national chairman of the party, adding that “even those following Markafi know that they are only deceiving themselves.” He said his faction of the party was the only one recognised by the party’s national leadership, adding that they will produce the party’s candidate for the November 26 governorship election in the state. Among the trio, Jegede is closer to the ticket of the PDP as he has no serious challenger in the Makarfi’s faction, where he has gone to pick his form while Dada and Ebiseeni have Dr Jimoh Ibrahim to contend with in the Sheriff ’s faction. The fact that Poroye was being regarded as Ibrahim’s faction showed that the two former commissioners’ chance in the faction is slim. Another factor is the recognition given to Faboye’s chairmanship by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the electoral umpire was present during the congress held at the International Event Centre Dome in

Akure, the state capital. But Poroye hinged his position on the recognition given to him by Sheriff as the state chairman even when there was no congress where such decision was taken. He has told those who cared to listen that he has a letter and judgement affirming him as the authentic chairman of PDP in the state. He has gone ahead to fix August 23 for his own primary where a candidate would emerge. Jegede, who has the backing of the governor has submitted his nomination and expression of interest forms and is ready to become the candidate of the PDP, who would face the candidate put forward by the rival All Progressive Congress (APC) in the election fixed for November 26. With the present situation of things in Ondo State PDP, it is obvious that Ibrahim, Dada or Ebiseeni would emerge as factional candidate of the PDP but the extent they would go depends on the resolution of the crisis rocking the party at national level.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Arts

How artists can attract support from govt, by Galavu

CULTURE

Rehearsal of Ineh The Musical at the National Theatre

Ineh The Musical premieres, seeks more recognition for women

Moses Kadiri

new theatrical piece which captures the experiences of everyday woman and salient issues the government of the day can also address to determine economic factor in the country, is set to premiere in Lagos. Titled, Ineh The Musical, the intriguing, compelling family piece is put together by a crop of talented Nigerians. The musical, directed by Ma-

TONY OKUYEME Arts Editor tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

kinde Adeniran, and produced by Mr. Fredrick E. Ijewere, is a true life family story which focus on the home front, and if the mother of the house should be full time housewife or a career mother. The piece exposes the activities mothers’ choose to engage in and its effect on their children during formative ages. The musical piece tells the story of a mother, whose six successful children have chosen to give a flamboyant birthday party without her knowing it. Overtime, Mama Fred, as the 80 year old and full time house wife is fondly called, all people that have come to live with or through her have come to understand and believe in the undying nature of sacrifice that she gives to nurture any project. No wonder she gave up her career to nurse her children to success. However, the night before the party, she eavesdrops and over heard one of her own daughters encouraging one of the house helps to do away with women who want to be full time house wives, saying, “House wives are liability…” Mama is intrigued, reflects on her life’s choice and advises with maternal wisdom!

We are not saying that a woman must not work and assist the home, not at all

No doubt Ineh The Musical is a family contemplation that resonates in every home. It scrutinizes two of nature’s contending livelihood styles that have been the lot of our mother: The housewives and the career women. At the media preview of the Musical on Tuesday, August 9, at the Cinema Hall 1, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, the producer stated that it will premiere in between September and December, 2016. In an interactive section with journalist after the preview, the artistic director, Mr. Makinde Adeniran, who has directed plays such as ‘Saro the musical’, ‘Khaki-a-go-go’ (a dance opera), Sango (film), Jesus Christ the Super Star (Opera), hinted that the piece brings to the fore salient issues in one’s life. He said: “It is a story for the old and the young; it is a story that cuts across age. The story will not go away no matter what you do; it is not about one family being the best, or I have the best wife, husband, it is not about that; it is a story that will confront every day of your life as a parent. It is a story that captures life it in self.” He reiterated that what the

play has done is simply to put the issues forward. ”We all have different stories and the way they ended differs. It is not a story that you put finality to. “Ineh deals with the conscious of individual, and whatever decision you take as it appears to you have to be taken into consideration. It is not because someone else is doing it then I have to do it. What the play did is to present the issues the way they are and in a way give a guide.” Also speaking after the preview, Mr. Ijewere enthused that Ineh is a different kind of play. “We want to tell the nation and the world that women that make those sacrifices need to be honoured and they should be held in high esteem and their worth brought to the nation… their productivity should be recognized,” he said. He added: “We are not saying that a woman must not work and assist the home, not at all, what we are saying is that in the past a woman is being looked down in decision making either to stay at home which should not be so, rather we want to bring to the fore that there’s lots of productivity in that. Some family if the woman is able to work and take care of the family that is fine likewise the man so the wife stay at home and engage in other activity.” Veteran actress, Tosan Edremoda-Ugbeye, who plays the lead role, disclosed that the issue raised in the Musical is universal, saying, “It is a universal issue and the question is, how do we take care of the next generation?” The talented actress known for her role as Mrs. Ajibade in the soap opera “Heaven’s Gate”, who has also starred in many plays like Femi Osofisan’s “Women of Owu”, Wole Soyinka’s “King Baabu”, Ahmed Yerima’s “Sisters”, said: “Who is watching our kids? This is what the story is about. We need to watch our kids, someone must take the responsibility. Do you know that when you ask some people about their parents they brush it off but they talk about their grandparent? Ours is to throw money, holiday, and cell phone at them. We have generation of children who are rude who cannot account for money. We are talking about nation building; it is a shame on us.” The technical director, Biodun Abe brings his worth of experience to bear in the production with beautifully crafted stage that leaves everyone wondering how he arrived at the concept. Though the cast and crew have a goldmine in their kitty, only if the right atmosphere and resources will be available to drive home the message having watched the cumbersome process to produce the piece.

ART

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

How artists can attract support from govt, by Galavu Lydia Gatundu Galavu is the Curator of Contemporary Art at the National Museums of Kenya. The celebrated artist, who is in Nigeria as a research fellow at the Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF), Lagos, in this interview, talks about contemporary arts in Kenya and Nigeria, and how artists can attract support and funding from governments. TONY OKUYEME reports

ydia Gatundu Galavu is a sculpture and painter, and the curator for the National Museums of Kenya, where she is helping not only to reposition the museum but also give fresh hope to local artists who have struggled to find popular venues to exhibit their art’. But beyond that, she is looking forward to establishing a museum of contemporary arts, as Kenya has one of the best museums in the world, showcasing traditional, evolutionary art. “I am the Art Curator for the National Museums of Kenya. My work entails mainly taking care of the art collections for the museum, and also organising exhibitions – temporary exhibitions – and other art activities like workshops, artists talks, and studio visits and generally getting artists involved with the museum, as well as getting artists to assist the museum to take out information to the public on conservation of our heritage. Kenya has one of the best museums in the world, showcasing traditional, evolutionary art. We are looking forward to establishing a museum of contemporary arts. “What brought me here, in a nutshell, is to try and get as many ideas as I can on how to best display traditional African arts at home in Africa, in our own spaces. To me, the heart of art in Africa is in West Africa. Specifically, the National Museums of Kenya is looking towards setting up a permanent gallery of contemporary art; and I wanted to do a study of how best we can be able to display traditional African art at home so that when you look at art in a museum or gallery, you are able to get the feel of the intangible

Galavu

environment that goes with the artwork, so that we are able to display African art differently from the way it displayed, maybe in a museum in the west, where you see an artwork and all you see is the object, and unless you are African, you don’t know the stories that go with it. “So, now that we have a chance to have a gallery of the history of art in Kenya, I wanted to visit different places, specifically, Lagos, and especially, OYASAF, because I knew about the collection, so that I can be able to interpret and to get ideas on how I will be able to do this.” She described Nigerians as very friendly. “Nigeria is a very hospitable nation; and everybody wants to say ‘good morning’, and ‘welcome’; and that to me is the first entry into any community, to first feel at home. The weather, I have come at a time when it is cool, as I heard, because it is the rainy season; so maybe I am lucky. And then, ‘artwise’, I think I was mesmerised by what I have seen here at OYASAF, the first few days I could not do anything but keep my eyes wide open because being here in OYASAF every art work is better than the other. I have been to the Freedom Park; I have seen what is there. Of course, before I came, I did a bit of my own research, and I had seen the works of some of the artists, like Olumide and others. So, I am impressed.” She also said that for the arts and

culture sector to get the expected support and funding, the practitioners and stakeholders should work hard and be more visible. “I will say that Lagos is ahead of Nairobi, in terms of art appreciation, in terms of visibility of artists in a global arena, and that is why also, I think it is important for me to be here to also see what I can borrow and add to what we have. “We don’t have a cultural policy yet in Kenya. We are in the same situation; we are also fighting and trying to do a lot of artists coming together to do some of advocacy to ask the government to allow us discuss, to come up with a policy that can direct us in the culture and the arts. We had several meetings along the way over the years but it is one thing since the 60s that never seems to get ready. “Even when it comes to the disbursement of funds and allocation of funds to different sectors or different activities, the culture and arts sector is usually the one that gets either the least or nothing at all. So, I can only say, moving forward, we hope that as artists and different organisations in Nairobi, specifically, start talking and doing more work in the arts, we will be able to convince the ministry; like you see what we are doing with athletics, Kenyan athletes are known worldwide. It’s not that the government gives a lot of money to sportsmen, but because they are

out there and they are winning, government has to look at them. So, now when they need ideas, or when they need policies or when they need funds, they are given. So, that is another approach that we are talking as artists; maybe we need to do our part; be out there, make our name for the country and then now say: ‘Government, we need your attention’.” But, as Prince has just explained to you, in our museum, which was been refurbished, very huge, and it has modern way of interpreting exhibits, in the galleries that are there. The art space is the biggest in the country, and it is competitive to even art spaces in the West. People come from the West and are amazed by the huge space. So, traditional (pre-history art) we have, a lot of it; we have artifacts, artworks that are 40,000 years old; artworks that are 8,000 years old. And then, we have traditional artworks. In the traditional collection, we have over 60,000 objects, and we are still collecting. So the problem could be what best to choose to put in the gallery. The contemporary art is the smallest collection n in the museum; we have about 500 artworks, but to me that is not enough for a museum of our status; and that is the challenge we have. And we do not have enough information for even people to see the contemporary art in Kenya.

FRIday, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sex and Marriage Counselor

Feminique

21ways women unknowingly force their men to cheat

Diary of a dating mom A wonderful experience with the kids

Okotie: I was in JSS when I lost my sight

Ejiro Sharon Okotie is a Mandela Washington Fellow and founder, Hope Inspired Foundation for Women and Youth. Though living with disability, she has risen above her handicap and now cater for the needs of young women, youths and those living with disabilities through her foundation. She spoke to New Telegraph at the US Embassy, Abuja, during the launch of her foundation's job portal built to help PLWDs. EBERE AMEH writes

eautiful and full of life, Ejiro Sharon Okotie could pass for a young lady without any form of disability. In this age when shades are sort of trending, one could mistake hers for fashion but Sharon is indeed blind. But she is not your everyday blind girl, she has rejected pity and refused to live on charity. She is not only educated and well-travelled, she has become a trainer, an employer of labour and an advocate for a better life for the vulnerable through her Hope Inspired Foundation. Talking about what inspired her to establish the foundation, the beautiful lady said it was set it up to help to bridge the gap she sees in the society. “I am a big fan of young people, so I wanted to create a platform where young people can thrive and be the best they can be in whatever they do. That was what spurred me. A lot of our activities are on People With Disabilities (PWDs) because we want to bridge the gap especially in the area of employment. The primary aim of the organization is to provide a platform for the promotion of the wellbeing and protection of the rights of young women and youths, through education, empowerment and advocacy,” Ejiro explained, adding that it was established to give them a voice and create space for them, strengthening their capacity to maximise their potentials. As a 2015 Mandela Washington Fellow, Sharon is full of thanks to the US Mission in Nigeria for the opportunities she has been exposed to since the fellowship programme. “One of the things the Mandela Washington Fellowship hopes to pro-

EBERE AMEH ebere.ameh@newtelegraphonline.com

mote is to help to strengthen the capacity of aspiring young leaders that are doing work in their communities. Before I was elected as a fellow, I was a peer educator trainer for HIV-AIDS and I did a lot of work with the blind and partially sighted people, sensitizing them on HIV-AIDS and other programmes to help improve my immediate community – the blind community and community of persons with disabilities. The fellowship programme is an experience I will never forget in my life because it has not only built me up professionally, it has also opened up a lot of opportunities for me,” Sharon enthused. Talking about the opportunities, Sharon said she was able to get a grant to produce the documentary and launch the website that would assist PLWDs to access job opportunities better through the Mandela Washington Programme. “With the grant we got, we produced the documentary and we are using it as our advocacy tool to engage the PLWDs and employers of labour. Over the years in Nigeria, we discover that PLWDs have always talked about inclusion and I feel that we have left a particular side of the conversation, which is telling people how we can be included. We decided to use the documentary to project the positive aspect of disability and to help to dispel some of those myths and misconceptions that people have about PLWDs. “So the documentary speaks to the lack of awareness, it speaks to the lack of understanding of disability and the different ways in which people with disability can actually be included in a course effective manner in the work place. Like me as a blind person, I can use a computer with an assistive device, but how many people actually know that I can use a computer? And how many people know that I can use a phone with some applications? How many know the benefits of employing people with disability instead of leaving them out?” she queried. According to her, the documentary was one of the things she had in mind while on the fellowship last year. “I even shared it with one of the professors in Arizona State University where I did my six weeks programme. I know he will be glad

Okotie

People with disability face a lot of discrimination due to ignorance. I have found ignorance to be one of the key issues that PLWDs face

that exactly a year after, that dream has come to pass, thanks to the fellowship”. Explaining what the benefits of employing PLWDs are, Sharon said: “Youths with disability are a huge population. When you employ a youth with disability, because of the pressure on that youth to perform, he or she is so committed to his or her job. They give it their best. So at the end of the day you are employing not just a committed but a very dedicated and focused employee that will help to promote the growth of your organization.” Other successes the foundation has recorded include the training of women living with disabilities in October last year, with the help of a grant she got from the US Department of State. “That not only helped to expand my organization, which is domiciled in Delta State from Lagos. Through that project, we have been able to reach a hundred women with knowledge of entrepreneurship skills and we were able to give a small seed funding to 20 of the women to start their businesses or strengthen their already existing businesses. And we hope to scale up the project in the coming year.” She also has a project for young girls called Inspire Life Project. “We are using it to help to build the capacity of young girls and help them develop life skills, to make better decisions, discover their potentials and be the best they can be.” Despite the smooth ride, Sharon said that her major challenge is breaking stereotypes. “We do have challenges and a lot of times, its

being able to break stereotypes. People with disability face a lot of discrimination due to ignorance. I have found ignorance to be one of the key issues that PLWDs face. A lot of people don’t know what we can and cannot do, and they automatically put us in a box with the little knowledge that they have. That’s why I am big on creating awareness and letting people know what the issues are.” A graduate of International Studies and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, Sharon was not born blind, she lost her sight to meningitis at the age of eleven. “I wasn’t born blind, I lost my sight when I was 11 years old. I lost it to steroid spinal meningitis. We used to stay in the north – Kaduna State then. So by the time I got better, we had to move back to the south, to Delta State. From there, I went for rehabilitation at the Pachelis School for the Blind. There, I learnt to read braille and type before going back to Secondary School. I went to Queens College because I was in JSS 2 when I lost my sight. I did my first degree in the University of Benin and my masters degree in the University of Lagos, studying International Studies and Diplomacy and Public and International Affairs respectively.” Talking about how she feels losing her sight, she said she has overcome her challenge. “I have risen above that. I have come to terms with my challenge and rather than dwell on it, I have been using it to better improve my life and that of others.”

20 FEMINIQUE

FRIday, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

21ways women force their men to cheat

henever women gather together in their gossiping joints a.k.a beauty/hairdressing salons/fashion designers boutiques, do you know the most popular topic? Men and their habits. Sex. Infidelity. Envy. Jealousy. Today's article is about men having extramarital affairs. The funny thing is that no woman blames herself. They are never guilty of driving the man out. It is either the other woman or the man himself. The more charitable ones will blame juju, evil spirits or love potions that were used to capture their wives. Well, all these might be right, but we must not forget the other side of the coin. Some women knowingly or unknowingly drive their men out of the house straight into the hands of the so called men or husband snatchers. Sex used to punish - What this really means is this, if the man offends her, then no sex. This class of women also punish with food. Either there is no food at all, or he is given food that even the stray dog on the street would reject. They seem to forget that there are so many other fishes in

Sex and Marriage Counselor drtaiwofadeyi@gmail.com

08033148899

Dr. Taiwo Fadeyi the ocean. Sex as a duty - This is a carry-over from the olden days or Stone Age. Women had been conditioned to believe that men are all animals. The only difference is that we walk on two legs, not four. So for peace, we must be accommodated. Always the initiator - When, it is the man that is always initiating sex, it becomes boring after some time. So he might decide to step out for more actions. Worse still, some will label him as a sex addict. Which is not funny at all. Passivity - Some women are too passive during sex. They just lie down there like a piece of log of wood, no action at all. Some will even show you that they are not enjoying it by chewing gum. Or insisting that the TV must be on.

Too many rules - Oh yes. Sad but true. Sex only on certain days. Sex only at night. In the bedroom with all the lights out. No kissing. No touching of the breasts. Cannot be naked. And so on and so forth. Blackmail - This is the time she will make all the demands in this world before you have sex each time. In the shopping list is always so long, the man gets discouraged and opts for those with a smaller shopping list. Stereotypes - This ones are like zombies, one way only. They have no time or wish to learn. Such things as oral sex, quikie or different positions are not for them. Nagging - A nagging wife will always drive her husband out. Period. Undermining his authority

A nagging wife will always drive her husband out

- Especially in front of the children, friends, colleagues, in laws etc. Always reminding him of his inadequacies - Such as his penis size, stamina, body shape etc. Even jokingly. You are destroying his manliness gradually. Of course he would move out. Trust - Trying to cage him. Monitoring his movements day and night. Believe it or not. No woman can cage a man for 24/7. The same goes for the woman. No man can use force to prevent his wife from cheating. The fact that you have access to his/her smartphone 24/7 does not mean that you are safe. By the way, I think it is bad manners and the height of mistrust for husbands and wives to start monitoring each other's cell phones. That I believe is a topic for another day. Disrespect - Some women disrespect their men so much that they abuse and fight them physically in public. In so doing they wash their dirty linens in the open. Which will be capitalised on in future by some smart ones. There are more, but let me stop here. Cheers.

Ego: Diary of a happening mom

A wonderful experience with the kids Ebere Ameh

t was a thrilling day at the rides. Danny and I sat back at one of the many restaurants Disneyworld has to offer and relished the experiences of the children who were super excited. They had just come back and were carefully narrating their experiences. Their excitement was indescribable. Danny was almost moved to tears when he remembered that he almost denied them the opportunity of the holiday. “I’ve never seen them so happy. And to imagine that I almost refused to allow them to come along? I can’t trade this for the whole world,” he said. “I think it was a good idea getting them to split up and each see a different attractions. Now, they have different stories to tell,” I said as I sipped my Starbucks chocolate. “Mom, mom,” Tobi continued. They had been shouting and jumping up and down when I told them to tell us their experience one after the other. “Some of the rides I went to would have really scared Tosin or Lily if they had come with me” Tobi said, always trying to intimidate the girls. “What do you mean? There is no way I would be scared if you weren’t” Lily retorted. “And the ride I went to was scarier than yours,” she added. “Why don’t you go first and tell us about the best place you went to.” Danny said to Tobi and looked at me in a way that said ‘Children are so childish’. I stifled a laugh and said “Yes, Tobi why don’t you tell us about your rides, I bet I wouldn’t have been scared if I went with you. Tobi’s eyes went bright as he laughed heartily. “Mom, you can’t

even try the rides, you’ll be scared to death. Only the guys were not scared,” he said before he started, seemingly enjoying the protest from his sisters. “The best ride I went to was a roller coaster called Tower of Terror” he said looking at Tosin who in turn stuck her tongue out in disdain. “The ride starts slowly and it starts to seem boring then the lights go out and before I knew it, we dropped three stories down and proceeded to twist and turn and shoot up. Again the ride drops suddenly and we all kept screaming as the ride continued to drop us and take us up repeatedly until finally, we stopped,” Tobi narrated, with gesticulations as though he was driving the ride at the moment. “Wow!”, I exclaimed when he finished. Even Danny was impressed. The only person not so impressed

was Lily. “Well the ride was quite nice but you screamed, that means you were scared,” she said, to the admiration of Tosin who shouted ‘yes, you were scared to your teeth’. “Mine was much better” Lily said as she described her most interesting ride, “It’s called Expedition Everest and it’s on a very big mountain, so we had to climb up to the top. When we reached the top the coaster picked up speed and went down very fast towards a broken track. Suddenly it stops. The coaster begins to pull us backwards and started barrelling into the mountain and turning sharply to stop again in pitch black darkness and face a small light in the distance. Then it starts rushing towards the light and we burst out of the mountain into a steep drop on the other side of the mountain and turned at precarious angles on the mountain until the end of the ride,” she narrated also demonstrating every turn with her

hands. “You know what, I should have followed you because that was very awesome” Ron said and shot an admiring glance Lily’s way,” But my ride was still very cool. The name is Space Mountain and it’s very scary. At first it’s just darkness and there were stars glinting around us. It was very unpredictable, taking us through zig zags and drops that weren’t that long, but thrilling enough because of the darkness that did not allow us to see them. It was very exhilarating because it’s full of surprises, drops and twists. I was starting to wonder if Danny and I should have stayed back and toured the hotels and resorts because the children seemed to have had a lot of fun at the attractions. They all had a tale to tell about their experiences. As we listened to their stories, I began to thank God that we went on this vacation together. So far, we’ve all had a wonderful experience.

friday, august 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Stop insulting me with hate questions, Laide Bakare thunders

Entertainment Simi thrills again with new video, Outta My Head

Rupert Grint, ‘Harry Potter’ star Fined $1.3million for tax evasion

Selena Gomez giggles while cuddling up to mystery man in new video

NO MAN HAS EVER JILTED ME –SOTAYO

Vivacious actor, Tayo Sobola, otherwise known around the showbiz sphere as Sotayo, has courted controversies and escaped from them all unscathed. More known for her roles in Yoruba movies, Sotayo has also wormed her way into the hearts of teeming fans, mostly from the hilarious skits with Bovi Ugboma and Basketmouth which went viral last year. The sassy actress speaks to LANRE ODUKOYA about her career, romance and family

How did you get the stage name, Sotayo? Well, Sotayo is the first two letters of my surname and my name, Tayo. People started calling me Sotayo right from my school days at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU).

an actress. I have always wanted to be a lawyer. Acting movies is just something I saw myself doing. It just came up along the line.

How did you find yourself in the movie industry? I never intended to be

You’ve enjoyed some fame already in the industry where you haven’t stayed pretty long. Are you content with this? I haven’t gotten to where I am

Since you found yourself acting, have you had any regret, especially as the industry courts controversies? Not at all; I am happy doing what I am doing.

CO N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 2

24 hours after blasting former President Jonathan, Basketmouth makes U-Turn LANRE ODUKOYA COORDINATOR

lanreodukoya@gmail.com

Sean Tizzle opens up on relationship with Otedola’s daughter, DJ Cuppy

entertainment

friday, august 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘I can’t remember when last I fell in love’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

going yet. To me, on a scale of one to 10, I am still at one. I haven’t started; I see myself like I am just starting be-

most times, I buy things and give it to people to sell on my behalf. So, that is where I get my money from.

Why are you not always in town? I just go out there to cool off sometimes. It is easy because I have a residence in London. I like shuttling around and wherever I am, I end up bringing back something to sell. With your flamboyance, one is forced to ask if you have a rich father or a sugar daddy… I don’t know anything about a sugar daddy and all that. The truth is that it is not like I have a personal house that I bought in London; and my dad is late, so it is not like I have a rich dad. As for the sugar daddy, I don’t think I have any. I am spending what I earn. Hard earned? Yes, my hard earned money. As a pretty young lady, how do you check unwanted attention from men? I have been trying my best to control it; it is not like I am a year old and it is something that has been happening all my life. I control myself.

Tizzle

Sean Tizzle opens up on relationship with Otedola’s daughter, DJ Cuppy

ean Tizzle had finally opened up on how the media ruined the relationship he could have had with DJ Cuppy, the daughter of billionaire tycoon, Femi Otedola. Sean Tizzle made the confession in an interview with a newspaper. The singer said he had a crush on DJ Cuppy and that the media blew off his chances and she turned off. On his alleged romance with DJ Cuppy, he responded, “No, we were not dating. She’s just my friend and we are cool like that. People just took it wrong, although I like her for so many things. On the possibility of a relationship: I told her before but she was in school then and she was trying to focus on her education. When the media put that out she didn’t take it too lightly and that kind of affected the relationship. But me I go go work that work to come tell her back say what’s up girl, can we do it again?”

Cuppy

Sotayo

cause I have not gotten anywhere despite starting 11 years ago. I have been doing different things all together, but I am doing one thing now. I have done a lot of things. I have been a model, a dancer, a writer and a musician. Basically, I have done almost everything in the entertainment industry. How many movies have you produced so far? ‘Arewa Onijogbon’ was my first movie. The second one was ‘Corper Jide’ and the last one I produced was ‘Bella’. Your colleagues say the industry is not a lucrative one, tell us how you get your funding. I don’t know about the industry not being a lucrative one. The people doing well today don’t just rest their backs on movie production. I don’t do just movies I have some other things which I do to get money. Things like what? I do some contract jobs; and that come once in a while because of the fact that I happen to be out of the country

What do your male admirers like about you? Do you think it’s the whole of your look or the tattoo? I don’t know. Most times they say it’s my personality, my legs, others say it’s my eye; but I tell them my eyes are bad. So, how come you like them? ‘I just like your personality’ is the common one which I hear more often. You said you also worked as a model, why did you flee from the runway? I didn’t walk away because once in a while I still get calls saying we want you to do this job for us. The thing about modeling is that you could go for an audition and find thousands of people waiting for a job they need just two people for. I believe if you need me for a job, you will call me. Tell us about ‘Bella’, what is it all about? It is just a movie I produced. It focuses on the discrimination that people with tribal marks go through. I actually acted Bella in the movie and I had a tribal mark. The movie industry is in no little supply of charming women, what stands you out? I think my person. Honestly, I really don’t like it when I have to rate myself with other

people, but the truth is that I do what I am comfortable doing. I don’t look at what people do to do my things. I don’t just do Yoruba language movies, I do English language movies as well, comedy skits, and I can actually spread my tentacles to wherever I want. I just think I am a bold person and I can also be shy if I want to. The thing that stands me out is my personality. How many do you have and where are they located? I have three tattoos all over me. I have one on my right leg, one on my left arm and one behind my left shoulder. I don’t belong to any clique, they are just something I saw, liked and did. Do they represent anything to you? No they have no meaning. Nothing is attached to my tattoos. Are you getting more? I am cool with what I have now because I can actually cover whichever one I want to cover and expose the one I want. Tell us about your marital status; are you single, taken or searching? It is complicated. What does it mean to have a complicated status? It is personal and I don’t want to talk about it. Have you ever been jilted by any man? No not at all. It is complicated and what I mean by that is that I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t like disclosing my relationship. You have this expression that says I can’t be heartbroken on your face, is this correct? I can’t be heartbroken. I don’t think I can be. Is this because you don’t have a heart? If you say so, that’s it. I don’t have a heart so nothing can be broken. I am very serious. Every woman is said to have at least, a love stimulant, do you have any? I don’t think so. When was the last time you fell in love? I can’t remember. Has it been that long? I don’t know. I don’t want to talk about relationship, love and stuffs like that. Who mentors you in the movie industry? I don’t know honestly. That is one question I don’t have an answer for.

entertainment

friday, august 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Simi thrills again with new video, Outta My Head Duncan Mighty exposes secret of affluence

ort Harcourt based singer, Duncan Mighty, has been in the news lately for the good and bad reasons - whatever his share; he still savours it the way it is anyway. And for many who had wondered how the Niger Delta Youth Ambassador makes all his money and his leeway to wining and dining with the high and mighty in the society, he recently gave an insight into what he always does right to merit God’s favour. He revealed that he makes his living through the prayers of widows in the society. The singer, who has been doing this charity work for some time now wrote; “one of my secrets of moving higher, unstoppable, is remembering the widows. God answers them instantly.”

24 hours after blasting former President Jonathan, Basketmouth makes U-turn ut barely 24 hours after his ranting on the political state of the country, B and blaming Nigeria’s immediate past

president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for Nigeria’s current economic woes, famous comedian, Bright Okpocha a.k.a. Basketmouth, has apologised to the former president. Having come under fire for openly criticizing Jonathan, Basketmouth took to his Instagram page to tender apology to the elder statesman. While stating categorically that his account was not hacked, he tendered his unreserved apology for being vocal against the immediate past president while also calling for continuous support for the change regime. He stated: “I have to sincerely apologise at this point that in expressing my opinion in my last post which was primarily to clear the air about who I campaigned, supported or rooted for or didn’t, I was disrespectful to a man I have nothing but respect for, the last President may have had some wrong advisers and consequently decisions were made that will eventually impact on the economy, however I am sorry if it came across as an attack on the man Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. We all desired a change, majority voted for it, now we have it.

fro pop princess Simi continues her hot streak of stellar music singles with ‘Outta My Head’, the latest in a peerless run that has peaked with songs like ‘Jamb Question’, ‘Open and Close’ and most recently ‘Love Don’t Care’. ‘Outta My Head’ is Simi’s second single of the year and begins with piano strings and a mid-tempo beat, accompanied by Simi’s now familiar vocal styling. It is a playful yet serious meditation on infatuation and the downsides of love gone sour. Written in a smooth, simple style that is instantly relatable, Simi narrates a tale of being hung up on a lover who has caused her some pain in the past. She then queries repeatedly on the chorus, ‘Wetin you dey do for my head?’ as this same lover invades her space, mind and dreams. The material could easily become moody and haunting but Simi sells it and makes it more digestible, thanks to her bubbly personality and infectious delivery. ‘Outta My Head’ is produced by the brilliant Oscar Heman-Ackah; label mate PRAIZ brings along his smooth baritone and easy charm. Both singers make for a sizzling pair and their union elevates ‘Outta My Head’ beyond the routine pedestrian fare. The release of ‘Outta My Head’ is accompanied by a promotional music video. Directed by terrific Josh Clarke and shot on location in Johannesburg, South Africa, the visuals depict a safari on the South of the continent, in a natural, romantic countryside, complete with wild animals, rocky mountains, and a sturdy Jeep to navigate the terrain. Images of Simi and Praiz, expressively performing the lyrics of the song are interspersed with clips of two lovers acting out a romantic script. The ‘Outta My Head’ visuals continues Simi’s refreshing style of

Simi

producing colourful, energetic clips that are simple and easy on the eye, yet manage to be instantly arresting visual wise. With its shots of natural vistas and themes of environmental friendliness, ‘Outta My Head’ is a welcome addition to the already impressive videography of the fast rising diva. ‘Jamb Question’ was nominated for Video of the Year at the Headies. Born Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye, the 28-year-old songbird is a Mass

Communications graduate of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun. She doubles as a sound engineer and started out performing in her early teens as a member of the teenage church choir. Her debut album, ‘Ogaju’, produced by Samklef was released in 2008 and an EP, ‘Restless’, followed in 2014. Simi won the Best Promising Act at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Award and is named on YNaija. com’s New Establishment List for 2016.

tacking her with such questions. She took to her Instagram to protest: “I help a lot of people; I don’t need to talk about people that I help. Please I just want to warn some certain people to stop coming to my page to ask stupid questions ‘who you help.’”

She also attacked some of her colleagues who attempt to use their position to rip off others but she never mentioned anyone’s name in particular. “Seriously, if you believe you have a face, just stop using it to rip off people. It makes no sense.”

Stop insulting me with hate questions, Laide Bakare thunders

opular Yoruba actress, Laide Bakare, is back on her grinds, and she is currently out of the country shooting a new movie in New York. The actress recently got angry after some people hurled a question at her requesting to know who she has helped with her status. Not cool with such question like “who you Help,” the actress pointed out that she has helped a lot of people she cannot mention names, and as such, people should stop at-

entertainment

friday, august 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Jenner and Tyga

Rupert Grint, ‘Harry Potter’star fined $1.3m for tax evasion

yga may have a warrant for his arrest, but if it’s up to Kylie Jenner, he’ll never see the inside of a jail cell. And that’s because she’s prepared to pay off everything he owes to his former landlord, HollywoodLife.com has EXCLUSIVELY learned. “Things are so on the up and up with Kylie (Jenner) and Tyga it’s not even funny. She’s loves that man so much and doesn’t want to see him in any trouble, let alone the inside of a jail cell. Kylie’s got stupid money. She’s probably got about half a million tucked in the cushions of her

his native Britain. Not only that, his tax rate jumped from 40% to 50% in the months he didn’t declare income, so he’d really have to pay now. The judge determined that the date change would result in 10% saving on his income or $1.3 million, per Rupert’s accountant. Rupert desperately tried to appeal the ruling, claiming he was unaware of his financial affairs as he trusted his dad Nigel Grint and accountant Dan Clay to make sure everything was properly taken care of. But alas, his ignorance of his finances didn’t sway the judge. Luckily for Rupert, even with such a huge tax debt he’s still an incredibly wealthy guy. He’s worth over $31 million, thanks to his work as Ron Weasley in all eight of the Harry Potter films. While he hasn’t had a major hit since the franchise wrapped, he’ll be appearing on the small screen in 2017 when he stars in European pay TV service Sky’s comedy ‘Sick Note’.

couch. She’s really considering paying Tyga’s debt because she loves him. It’s not about the money. She genuinely wants to help him so that he can focus on his career and not have so much stuff looming over his head. She’s his girl and wants to ride for him and have his back through the ups and downs. That’s what girlfriends do and Kylie wants those stripes,” a source revealed. “Kylie’s birthday on Wednesday (Aug. 10) and she wanted to celebrate and spend the day wth Tyga. They’ve discussed a few plans and she couldn’t imagine turning 19 without kissing her

dude. The thought of him behind bars on her birthday kills her,” the source added. $200,000 is a lot of money, but if Kylie has it and she wants to help her man, then more power to her. As we previously told you, a judge ordered a warrant for Tyga’s arrest on Aug. 9, after the rapper failed to show up to a court hearing. Tyga’s ex-landlord accused him of falling way behind on his rent, and Tyga was supposed to show up in court and deal with his charges. Since he didn’t, a judge issued a warrant for his arrest. But maybe Kylie will save him?

Selena Gomez giggles while cuddling up to mystery man in new video T

Grint

s it is, there’s no magic that can save Rupert Grint from the tax collector. The ‘Harry Potter’ star has been ordered to pay $1.3 million of his fortune, and here’s one reason you should keep reading to see how he fell into such a dire situation. Poor Rupert Grint! The 27-year-old may be a talented actor, but he’s not so great at looking over his finances. By putting his trust in his father and his accountant, they put him in a situation where he’s being forced to pay $1.3 million in back taxes due to some numerical trickery. He allowed Clay & Associates to change his accounting date so that 20 months of income would be taxed in the calendar year 2009-2010. That means he had eight months of income that he didn’t declare in 2010-11, and since he was making bank at the time — Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One had just come out, he was being taxed in a high income bracket in

Kylie Jenner ready to pay $200,000 for Tyga’s back rent to escape jail

Khloe

Gomez

aking a break from her ‘Revival’ world tour, Selena Gomez enjoyed some downtime in the arms of a new mystery man as she snuggled next to him on the couch on Aug. 7. Who is this guy who’s stolen the singer’s heart? Is he just a friend or a potential beau? The video tells all that. We may need to call the FBI on this one before our heads explode from trying to figure out who this new man is! On Aug. 7, Selena Gomez, 24, took a video of herself cozying up to a hunk who still remains an unsolved riddle. After the “Kill ‘Em With Kindness” singer was caught dancing to her ex-boyfriend’s (Justin Bieber, 22) “Cold Water” track, people suspected the on-and-off-again lovers were back together for the millionth time. But guess again! These days Selena is singing a different tune, a mysterious one. Who could it be? Selena did a damn

good job of keeping his identity a mystery. Does that mean he’s more likely to be famous, or his he your average Joe who wants to maintain some privacy in his life? All we know so far is that she calls him “Elie” and she wants to cuddle with him every day. Since splitting from Justin for good in Nov. 2012, Selena has had some luck with dating, but it never turned serious. The “Hands to Myself ” songstress has been spotted around town holding hands with merchandising executive, Samuel Krost. And before him, there was Charlie Puth, a singer who she went on to collaborate with for the ultra-catchy single “We Don’t Talk Anymore.” As for Justin’s recent activities, he’s more famous for gallivanting around butt naked with sexy models than his music these days. Either way, both parties seem to be having a grande ol’ time!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Agric Stemming food shortage threat in Nigeria

Business UNTAKEN Some of the electricity equipment imported by the defunct PHCN had been left unclaimed at the terminal in Lagos for years

Environment Activists to FG: Halt pollution by oil firms

28 30

FG moves to clear N3bn derelict power equipment debts

Bayo Akomolafe

he Federal Government has commenced talks on how to clear all the power equipment abandoned at the port by the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), New Telegraph has learnt. This newspaper gathered that the PHCN owed some clearing agents about N3 billion. In July 2014, the Federal Government had secured the release of 248 containers rusting away at the Lagos and Tin Can Island ports to Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). But this time around, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fasola, said that government was planning to settle all the debts and move the containers out of the ports to boost the country’s power generation. Some of the equipment abandoned at the Lagos and Tincan Island ports include electric switchboards, conductors, power capacitors, power converters, power gen-

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Tunde Fowler (left) with the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru, in Abuja.

eration boilers, power generators and electricity meter. Others are distribution boards, transformers, circuit breakers and disconnect, power plant valves, power storage devices, switchgears, turbines and voltage regulators. About 140 of these abandoned containers at the ports are rusting away at the Ports and Cargo Terminal in Tin Can Port, while 110 other had been moved to Ikorodu terminal as over time cargoes. Also, in 2015, some power equipment in 27 containers was abandoned at the Lagos Port Complex. The consignments were the remnants of the 69 imported into the country between July and August 2014.

A source at a shipping line that ferried the equipment to the port revealed that the consignee of the goods, a Romania firm, Dextron Engineering Company Limited, incurred a demurrage of N100 million on the cargoes. In June this year, this newspaper reported that some power equipment valued at $2.89 billion was shipped from China to Nigeria between 2014 and 2015. In a statistics gathered from the World Trade Organisation (WTO), it was also revealed that other countries exported some power equipment to the country with United Kingdom leading with $773.8 million worth of equipment; India, $399.1 million; United States of America, $321million; South Africa, $230.3 million; Sweden, $260.4

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

$2.89 billion Being the value of some power equipment shipped from China to Nigeria between 2014 and 2015

million and Republic of Korea, $122.5 million. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had asked the transmission companies that took over assets and liabilities of the defunct PHCN to remove their abandoned imported electricity equipment from Ikorodu Lighter Terminal before the end of this year or forfeit them to the Federal Government. According to NCS’s Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General Eporwei Edike, said the electricity equipment imported by the defunct PHCN had been left unclaimed at the terminal in Lagos for years. He said: “A lot of containers loaded with electricity equipment lying uncleared at the terminal belong to the defunct PHCN. These containers, he added, had been transferred to Ikorodu from the ports.

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE May 2016...............................15.6% April 2016............................13.7% March 2016..............................12.8%

Finance Editor

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

EXCHANGE RATE USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N377 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N500 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N409

l Foreign Reserves – $26.347bn as at 22/7/2016

Taiwo Hassan

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parallel Market as at July 22)

(Interbank as at July 8)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N310 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N386 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N322

Source: CBN

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

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What's new

Inflation: Nigeria ahead of Venezuela, Syria

Analysts predict rise in real estate value

p.26

BUSINESS |news

GROWING There is an overall increase in general price level across the economy

Sunday Ojeme

igeria’s economy may gradually be heading for the worst, as the smoldering inflation rates have already overtaken that of Syria, Egypt and Venezuela, which was recently described as the worst in the world. A report published in Zero Hedge placed Nigeria’s current inflation rate at 78.3 per cent ahead of Syria at 76 per cent, Egypt at 56.2 per cent and Venezuela at 47.8 per cent among countries currently with the highest annual inflation rates. The study put together by a Professor of Applied Economics and Co-director of the Institute for Applied Economics at The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States, Steve Hanke, noted that Nigeria’s surge to the ignominious inflation top spot was a dramatic change from a year ago, when Venezuela held down the top spot with an annual inflation rate of around 700 per cent. According to him, it must be stressed that the official inflation rates reported for the “Big Four” are, in some cases, hopelessly out of date (Syria and Venezuela last released official inflation data in December 2015). “During episodes of elevated inflation, the most accurate method for estimating

Inflation: Nigeria ahead of Venezuela, Syria overall inflation rates is to employ purchasing power parity (PPP) theory. “I use PPP to translate changes in black market exchange rates into annual implied inflation rates. This is a straightforward and accurate exercise, which is conducted on a regular basis at the Johns Hopkins-Cato Institute Troubled Currencies Project,” he added. Nigeria’s inflation in May hit a six-year high, climbing to 15.6 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The rise in the headline consumer price index, which

Unstable naira puts manufacturing at risk Taiwo Hassan

anufacturers operating in the country’s industrial sector have raised the alarm that the fluctuation of the exchange rate of the naira is adding to their operational cost and prices of manufactured items.

Chair man, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Small and Medium scale Group (SMESG), Jon Kachikwu, in a chat with New Telegraph, said that many manufacturing companies operating in the country are in dilemma over the unstable nature of the forex. According to him, the flexible exchange rate policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which was pegged at between N280 and N300 to a dollar, was inaccessible at the official rate, prompting them to approach the parallel market and source it at almost N400 to a dollar. He noted that this is causing inequality in the manufacturing sector of

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

the nation’s economy in terms of pricing of the manufactured goods. Also, the LCCI SMEG boss explained that the unstable forex has also brought about challenges in honouring business contract agreement payments between local manufacturers and their foreign counterparts. He added that the rate of inflation has almost doubled while electricity generation has reduced by almost 50 per cent and the price of petroleum products has doubled. His words: “The truth is that this unstable exchange rate has actually affected all manufacturing productions in the country because many of us got business quotations at N280, but we don’t have access to get this dollar at N280, rather, we go out there to get it at N330 from inter-bank while the black market is almost N400 today. How do you quantify the cost implication of this to the manufacturing sector, especially the consumables.”

measures inflation, accelerated by 1.9 points from its April year-on-year level of 13.7 per cent. The rate has been the highest since February 2010, when inflation also stood at 15.6 per cent. The NBS attributed the rise to “an overall increase in general price level across the economy,” which has been battered by the global fall in oil prices since mid-2014. Prices of food have been increasing by the day rising overall by 14.9 per cent yearon-year from 13.2 per cent in April. The NBS blamed the de-

velopment on a drawdown of inventories across the country. Imported food was up 18.6 per cent, indicating persistent difficulties for importers to source foreign exchange because of the weak naira. While Syria has deployed its armed forces to battleground following the raging war in the country, Venezuela is currently using its army to control crowd where the citizens queue to get food on a daily basis as inflation rates are sending food prices through the roof. Despite the report by Hanke, Venezuela’s inflation rate is still regarded as the high-

est in the world, just as some economic analysts expect the rate to hit 2,200 per cent by the end of 2017. The bolívar, Venezuela’s currency, has been significantly devalued, making it more difficult and more expensive for the government and retail stores to purchase food to stock shelves. This has led to steep price tags and lack of access to basic needs. While the country has turned to other means to bring food into the country — such as letting Jamaica pay off its oil debts with food, according to the Independent — it looks like food prices, and hunger

L-R: HOD Medical, Ebute-Metta Health Centre, Dr. Sipe Oladapo; Head, Admin and HR, Mrs. Aduloju Abiola; Divisional Head, Marketing &Corporate Communications, Keystone Bank Ltd, Mrs. Omobolanle Osotule; Medical Director/CEO, EbuteMetta Health Centre, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye and Head, Dental Department, Dr. O.J Olunuga, during the donation of chairs and office equipment to the health centre in Lagos. PHOTO: Hussain Sulaiman

Analysts predict rise in real estate value BOOM A $68 million mall project, expected to open in third quarter of 2017 is underway

Dayo Ayeyemi

espite the current lull in the economy, Nigeria’s real estate value is expected to rise in 2016, driven by the boom in shopping mall constructions. Apart from malls such as The Circle mall, Festival Mall, Jabi Lake, which came up in 2015, Lekki Mall is planned for commissioning any moment from now, as its construction had been completed. Another $68 million mall project, they said, is underway and is expected to open during the third quarter of 2017. Lekki Mall, experts said, is set to be the largest mall in terms of land size and Shoprite is set to be anchor tenants there. According to a report by Broll Property Group (BPG), construction of shopping malls in Nigeria has increased tremendously

while there is a decrease in mall construction in South Africa. The study added that Nigeria, which has over 100,000 square metres of leasable area in modern-format shopping centres with a population of over 170 million people, will be adding another 180,000 square meters of retail space by the end of this year (2016). Experts have predicted that the nation should expect more investments before the end of the year due to direction of the current government, which is driven towards development of infrastructure as evident in Lagos, Ogun and some other parts of the state. “The implication of this is that real estate value will rise,” they said. The Broll property, report noted that over the years, Nigeria lagged behind on the trend of developing shopping mall, as experienced in other countries as the nation has just a few recognised shopping centers, each with over 10,000 square meters of leasable space. It said: “However, there

is a kind of change that is being perceived now where several large malls are under construction. “A $50 million shopping mall in Nigeria was commissioned in Ikeja, Lagos, after the local government settled a dispute with residents over the relocation of an open air market,” they recalled. The emergence development of malls in many African countries such as Nigeria and Kenya, report from Broll Property Group said, has reflected broad trends on the continent as well as a growing middle class in the region and change of lifestyle. “Kenya has also been on the limelight with the emergence of different kinds of unique malls that have attracted a lot of investors from the international market and this further enhances the economy of the country. Tourists who visit the country also find a place to visit and consume what they are familiar with because of the shops, hotels and supermarkets that are present in countries like Nigeria and Kenya,” the report said.

FRIDAY, august 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

labour

Doctors: Why we suspended strike action WAGES The National Association of Resident Doctors is warming up for another round of industrial action over non-payment of salaries

hairman, National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, Ondo State chapter, Dr. Dolani Gbelela, has said that medical practitioners in the state decided to suspend their strike after the state government promised to pay them one month salary out of the five months being owed. Gbelela disclosed this in a communiqué signed alongside the Secretary of the association, Ismaila Busari. He said the NAGGMDP had to suspend the strike action following the intervention of the elders of the Nigerian Medical Association and the sympathy that the association had for the general public. The association, an affiliate of the NMA, embarked

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, NLNG, Mr. Tony Attah; Out-going Managing Director, Mr. Babs Omotowa and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah, during a courtesy visit to Enelamah in Abuja.

on a strike action over two months ago following the inability of the state government to pay its members their five months salaries. According to the communiqué, the meeting resolved that

Group tackles unemployment through youth empowerment

youth empowerment group, Fountain Initiative for Social Development (FISD), has started a training programme for youths as part of cutting down on the high rate of unemployment in the country. The programme, which is part of the group’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, is meant to empower youths, promote self-reliance and wealth creation through skills acquisition. Speaking on the initiative in Lagos, the Manager, FISD Enterprises Academy Programmes, Mr. Emeka Okonta, said that the trainees would have access to mentorship and internship programmes and grant support at the end of the period. According to him, entrepreneurial development through strategic education will advance the economy of the nation, reduce unemployment and provide financial returns to support trainees’ interest like plumbing, beading making, shoe-making interior and soft furniture, machine knitting, hair-making and make-up among others. Okonta pointed out that Nigerian youths were only exposed to theoretical education without practical entrepreneurship, vocational and skill acquisition training. He said: “We want to create a positive mind-set among them, shifting them from paid labour

mentality to business owners and employers.” Okonta also disclosed that trainees would have the opportunity to benefit from industrial expenses, internship/shadow entrepreneurship, access to funds, tremendous employability advantage, membership of enterprises network and free domain name and web design among others. He added that FISD had provided support for youths and adults seeking to build careers or becoming selfemployed by giving practical technical training in a variety of key vocations. Okonta, who reiterated the group’s commitment to making youths self-reliant, observed that unemployment persisted because young people are denied the opportunities to grow their passion into thriving business. On his part, the Programme Manager of the centre, Mr. Lekan Adeleke, noted that the group had empowered hundreds of young Nigerians since inception to reduce employment and boost self-reliance through vocational trainings such as tailoring, baking, weaving, beauty and others that are in high demand. He advocated that youths should be educated in any skill of their choice even while still in the higher institutions to enable them to be self-employed and add value to humanity.

the Ondo State government should pay at least a month salary every month. The fivemonth salary arrears should be paid on or before October 31, 2016. The suspension of the strike coincided with that of nurses at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idi-Araba, Lagos, who also suspended their 52-day-old strike last Tuesday. The nurses under, the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and

Midwives (NANNM) LUTH Chapter, had on June 10, 2016, began an indefinite action to protest, among other things, lack of promotion for members and non-payment of salary arrears. The Chairman of NANNM at LUTH, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Adelaja, said: “We are back to work because some of the issues have been resolved while others are receiving the attention of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH). Our demand for promotion of members is

Publisher decries high joblessness among Nigerians

n online publisher, Segun Adeleye, has lamented the growing rate of unemployment in the country, saying the development was not only of great concern to the three tiers of government, but also to the private sector and other critical stakeholders of the economy. As part of measures to address the ugly trend, Adeleye, who is the Managing Director of World Stage Limited, has concluded plans to hold a world economic summit in collaboration with government in order to explore avenues to nip it in the bud. According to him, while some people see it as an indictment on the educational system that seems to be churning out ‘unemployable graduates,’ it is also being seen as an economic deficiency, with economy having a limitation of the labour force it can sustain by its productivity. He said in a statement that Nigeria’s unemployment rate of 10.4 per cent represented about 14 per cent of global unemployment in fourth quar-

ter 2015, the 7th highest in the world with only Kenya, Congo and Djibouti having worse rates in Africa. “This should be embarrassing when compared with countries such as Qatar (0.2per cent) unemployment rate, Cambodia (0.3per cent), Belarus (0.5per cent), Thailand (0.8per cent), Benin (1.0per cent), Madagascar (1.2per cent), Laos (1.40per cent) and Guinea Bissau (1.80per cent),” he said. He said the statistics that job loss in Nigeria dropped by only 1.29 per cent in Q4 2015 at a period when oil price crashed by 65 per cent could only show that there are other inherent factors outside oil that shape the labour market, which will be reviewed at the summit. “We are in an era where Nigeria’s economic problem can no longer be left in the hand of government to fix alone. There are organisations and experts that have the knowledge of how to solve economic challenges of any kind, but in most cases, they are either not talking at the right forum, or they are not being heard,” he said.

receiving the attention of the minister.” She expressed appreciation to some notable Nigerians, including senators, the former Chief Medical Directors (CMD) and other Nigerians who intervened. “We are happy to be back to work,” Adelaja said. However, while some of the medical workers are going back to work, the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) has ordered its members to embark on another round of nationwide strike. The association had suspended its nationwide strike on July 29, 2016 at its national executive meeting held in Keffi, Nasarawa State. Speaking in in Kano earlier this week, the National President of the Association, Dr. Muhammad Adamu Askira, said NARD had directed its members in hospitals whose outstanding salaries were not paid as at July 30, 2016 to embark on strike.

Navy begins ship management training

he Nigeria Navy has commenced training for 23 naval officers on a four-week command level course on the effective management of ship and naval establishments. The training, organised by Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) of the Nigerian Navy, according to a statement, is being attended by officers between the ranks of captain and commander. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Commandant, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Quorra, Commodore Francis Isaac, said that the maiden course was aimed at improving the quality of command afloat and ashore. “The course is designed to assist the naval headquarters in determining the suitability of nominated officers for independent command level appointments afloat and ashore. “Also, it would equip participants with adequate knowledge required for management of a ship or establishment,” Isaac said. According to the commandant, the course is to standardise the selection process of officers of the rank of commander and captains for command responsibilities afloat and ashore. Also speaking, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), NAVTRAC, Rear Adm. Ifeola Mohammed, said that the Navy needed a well-trained naval personnel with the confidence and attributes to defend the territorial integrity of the country.

agric

FRIDAY, august 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

With the recent UNDP and FAO’s forecasts that Nigeria may experience food shortage soon and the Federal Government’s steps to nip it in the bud, TAIWO HASSAN looks at the various scenarios surrounding the threat

orried by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) forecasts that Nigeria may experienced food shortage in the short term due to the sudden climate changes in the agricultural farming lands and numerous challenges facing the industry, it has now struck the Federal Government to start initiating measures that will avert the looming food shortage. FG’s quest to end food shortage Speaking recently when he received the Governor of Anambra State in his Office, in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, admitted that the recent Tomato ‘Tuta Absoluta’ and pest disease in maize crops that ravaged the country have fuelled looming food shortage in Nigeria. He said that the food shortage problems in the country would be over in the next two years, adding that government was doing everything within its powers to improve food sufficiency and security in the country. However, in a bid to achieve this target, Ogbeh announced that the ministry had reclaimed all universities of agriculture in the country from the National Universities Commission. He said this was necessary as the Federal Government strived to enhance the efficient production of food as well as meet the target of food sufficiency by 2018. The minister assured Nigerians that the food shortage problem in the country will soon be over. Ogbe explained that the ministry was considering the need to add 10 per cent soya beans to cassava to enrich it with more protein and increase its nourishment for children. He added that about 15,000 broken down tractors, out of the 30,000 available in the country, would be rehabilitated to support farmers, as government works hard to meet the 2018 food sufficiency target. UN stance The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had warned that Nigeria might experience food shortage, if urgent interventions were not put in place to enhance food production. Prof. Emmanuel Oladipo, Lead Consultant, UNDP project, said this while delivering a paper titled: ‘Targeting Interventions to Foster Sustainable and Resil-

Variety of agricultural crops

Stemming food shortage threat in Nigeria ient Food Security in Nigeria’, in Abuja. He said that the economic crisis facing the country, coupled with the effect of climate change on the farm lands have shown that Nigeria was on the verge of experiencing imminent food shortage unless the Federal Government rolls out intervention measures to stem the fears being expressed in some quarters on the looming food shortage. His words: “There’s a general concern that if care is not taken, many parts of Nigeria will suffer from severe food insecurity. “To ensure that food security does not add more to the problems that we already have, the Global Environment Facility is supporting Nigeria to develop and implement food security projects. “The support is to develop and implement projects in Nigeria to foster sustainable and resilient food security systems, which means in the area of production, marketing, processing and valuechain. “The main aim of the project was to ensure that the country’s food production system is preserved, irrespective of unforeseen challenges.” He noted that the project is sustainable, meaning it can continue and is resilient, as it can absorb shocks and bounce back. Consequently, he said: “So, even if there are climatic shocks, the food production system will not be completely wiped out. “It is unfortunate that the tomato issue came up, but it shows again that when the land is good to us, a time will come that it might be weak. “We keep using the land the same way; every time, the same fertiliser is applied; we keep using a lot of bad, drainage water to wet the land for tomatoes. “It is all these, which many people don’t see, that are reacting,

creating a lot of fight back that is allowing this tomato pests now to destroy the crop.” He, therefore, called for an integrated approach in proffering solutions to the tomato crisis rather than waiting for a crisis to develop before struggling to address the problem.

Global Environment Facility is supporting Nigeria to develop and implement food security projects

Tomato ‘Ebola’ The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, had raised the alarm a few months back that 80 per cent of the tomato produced in the state had been ravaged by pests and diseases. Specifically, the governor declared a state of emergency in tomato production in the state, saying all hands must be on deck to combat various pests and diseases ravaging the product. A specie of moth attacks the leaves of tomato to cause a disease condition called ‘Tuta Absoluta’. The larva produced by the moth feed voraciously upon tomato plants, causing a yield loss of 100 per cent. El-Rufai said tomato had been destroyed in three local government areas of the state with a loss of N1 billion monthly. He said some officials of the state Ministry of Agriculture had been sent to Kenya to learn how to combat the menace, adding that over 200 farmers had lost tomato produce to pests and diseases. The governor said: “I want to declare a state of emergency in tomato production in the state. This is as a result of the invasion of the crop by a pest botanically known as ‘Tuta Absoluta’. “In the past one month, 12 LGAs of the state that produce tomato have lost 80 per cent of their harvest. In three LGAs, about 200 farmers have lost N1 billion worth of their tomato. So, you can imagine the magnitude of the loss. “It is so severe that even Dangote, who has established a tomato

processing plant in Kano, had to shut down production. “The problem with the disease, which is caused by a moth, is that no amount of spraying will kill the larva of the moth. You spray it, after about three hours, it comes back to life. So, we have sent some of our officials to travel to Kenya and meet our partners. Kenya has a good advantage over us on this issue.” Rice imports drop The research by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also revealed that the importation of rice from the United States to Nigeria has dropped by 300,000 metric tons in the last six months. According to the report from the USDA website, Nigeria’s rice imports dropped by 300,000 tons due to government’s policy to limit the commodity importation between January and June 2016 on prospects for a larger crop. Nigeria, the world’s second largest rice import market, accounts for the largest share of the decline in the global rice trade since the beginning of the year. And as the largest grower of rice in West Africa region, Nigeria is projected to harvest 2.7 million tons of rice in 2016/17, according to USDA. The USDA report revealed that foreign rice consumption is expected to decline in 2016/17 in China and Nigeria. It noted that imports by Nigeria would fall by 17 per cent in 2016, due to the recent increase in import tariffs, declining oil revenues and foreign exchange restrictions. Conclusion At a period that Nigeria is passing through lots of challenges, stemming the looming food shortage will be in the interest of all because food security and sufficiency are not negotiable - especially at this period of economic crisis.

businesS \ agric

FRIDAY, august 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Japan, IITA partner to improve farmers’ skills CAPACITY Japan and IITA embark on capacity bulding to improve agricultural production in Nigeria

L-R: Company Secretary, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mrs. Yetunde Martins; Chairman, Mr. Olusegun Ajayi; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Olaotan Soyinka and Director, Ms. Emi Faloughi, at the company’s 21st Annual General Meeting, in Lagos.

Taiwo Hassan

he Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Sadanobu Kusaoke, has enjoined the management of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to work out more avenues through which the Japanese government and the Institute can collaborate on research and development to improve smallholder farmers’ education and skills in farming. He made this call during his maiden meeting with Director-General, Nteranya Sanginga and IITA management in Ibadan, Oyo State. Kusaoke noted that Japan needs to work closely with IITA to help Nigeria improve its agricultural production and especially benefit its smallholder farmers. In addition to directly supporting IITA, the ambassador also gave the assurance of the continuous support of the Japanese government to the Institute through contributions to the World Bank and the African Development Bank. For many years, contributions by the government of Japan have played an important role in advancing science and research at IITA.

PHOTO:GODWIN IREKHE

This has mainly been through support to the postdoctoral fellow system by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), joint projects with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and also support under various initiatives and collaboration with Japanese organisations, such as the Japan International

Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Tokyo University of Agriculture (TUA), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and other partners. One Japanese private sector companyTaiyo Industry Africa also has been collaborating with IITA, deploying Japanese

technologies to boost fish and vegetable production in Nigeria. Last August, a mission of Japanese sectors via the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) was held at IITA, paving the way for possible collaboration. “IITA will continue this good partnership with Japan

and work closely to continue transporting new technologies from Japan to African farmers,” Sanginga said at the end of the meeting. He is expected to participate in the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) in Kenya, led by the government of Japan this month.

Era of high agric product prices is over –OECD, FAO

he period of high agricultural commodity prices is “quite likely over,” sapped by a slowdown in population growth, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and United Nations- Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have said.

The duo however, noted that milk powder, ethanol and soya meal values look poised to outperform. According to agrimoney. com, the drop in agricultural commodity prices last year – when the sector offered negative returns of 15.6 per cent, taking three-year losses to 34 per cent, according to Bcom indices – highlighted a structural shift in value prospects. Commodity Price Change Contract Time(ET) “Prices for the main crops, Wheat 416-4 unch Sep 16 05:47 livestock and fish products all Corn 322-0 +0-2 Sep 16 05:46 fell in 2015, signalling that an Soybeans 1005-0 +2-4 Sep 16 05:39 era of high prices is quite likely Soybean Meal 336.7 -0.3 Sep 16 05:40 over for all sub-sectors,” the reSoybean Oil 31.29 +0.39 Sep 16 05:36 port noted. Oats 174-6 -0-6 Sep 16 05:44 The downturn reflected facRough Rice 9.680 -0.030 Sep 16 05:03 tors including “several years of Hard Red Wheat 408-4 -0-4 Sep 16 05:34 robust supply growth, weakenSpring Wheat 500-6 +0-2 Sep 16 04:46 ing demand growth… lower oil prices and further accumulation Softs of already abundant stocks”. And prices look set, over the Commodity Price Change Contract Time(ET) next decade to “remain below reCotton #2 72.21 -1.00 Dec 16 05:46 cent peak levels”, undermined Orange Juice 178.70 +6.40 Sep 16 08/09/16 by a drop to one per cent a year Coffee 141.55 05:45 Sep 16 05:45 in the rate of world population Sugar #11 20.39 05:48 Oct 16 05:48 growth, and economic slowdown Cocoa 2980 05:48 Sep 16 05:48 in some countries, with Chinese Lumber 323.30 +10.00 Sep 16 08/09/16 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) seen expanding by six per cent a CME Coffee 0.0000 -0.0220 Sep 16 08/09/16 year, down from nine per cent a CME Sugar #11 0.1924 -0.0020 Sep 16 08/09/16 year over the past decade. CME Cocoa 3115.00 +12.00 Sep 16 05:48 In real terms, stripping out CME Cotton #2 0.0000 -0.0075 Sep 16 08/09/16 the impact of general inflation, the performance will be even Meats worse, with prices of many agricultural commodities declining Commodity Price Change Contract Time(ET) over the next decade. Live Cattle 117.125 +0.050 Aug 16 08/09/16 This includes raw sugar, for Feeder Cattle 149.050 150.175s Aug 16 08/09/16 which “global production is projected to meet the growing deLean Hogs 58.850 -0.650 Oct 16 08/09/16 mand in developing countries”, Aug 16 08/09/16 Class III Milk 17.16 -0.08 and wheat, for which “a combiCommodities trade on different exchanges with different trading sessions. Change nation of rebuilt global stocks and sluggish demand will keep always shows from the previous close price. Quotes delayed, except where indicated otherwise. All prices in local currency. Time prices… under pressure”. The report added: “By conis ET. Source: Bloomberg

Agricultural Commodity Prices – Grains

trast, corn prices are not expected to fall any further in 2016,” but are also poised for sub-inflationary gains longerterm. Values of other coarse grains, meanwhile, will gain support from “high demand for animal feed in China”, which is a large producer of corn but not the likes of barley or sorghum. However, skim milk powder will be the best performer amongst commodities covered

by the report, seeing value gains of 40 per cent, followed by a 27 per cent surge in prices of whole milk powder, boosted by strong demand. “Per capita consumption of dairy products in developing countries… will increase by 21 per cent compared to the base period and be heavily oriented towards fresh dairy products,” the OECD and FAO said, flagging India, Pakistan and Turkey as particular growth markets.

ACAI moves to narrow cassava yield gaps Stanley Ihedigbo

frican Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI) project has stepped up efforts in cultivating and fostering the right partnerships in its aim of reducing the cassava yield gap in Africa. ACAI Project Coordinator, Dr. Abdulai Jalloh, said this in statement made available to New Telegraph in Lagos. It noted that the project team, from inception, realised the importance of partnerships and is sparing no effort in ensuring effective collaboration among partners from the experimental phase to the development and use of the tools that will support appropriate management of cassava to realise the crop’s fullest potential on farmers’ fields. The project has engaged key actors in Nigeria and Tanzania ranging from farmers, researchers, extension services, development workers, processors as well as input dealers notably fertilizer manufacturing companies.

Jalloh said that the aim was to establish contact among relevant actors for considerations for learning and information sharing that will benefit the participating partners associated with ACAI. The Africa Soil Health Consortium in collaboration with the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) (partners under ACAI) is leading the engagement of key stakeholders in target countries as the project establishes cassava clusters. Jalloh noted that even though the entry point of ACAI was to address yield gap, it is imperative for strategic considerations of the cassava value chain and inclusiveness of all concerned. He said that ACAI is conscious of the mistakes of past interventions where bottlenecks were considered in isolation irrespective of other existing ones and even those that could occur as a result of concentrating on only one aspect.

Environment Watch

FRIDAY, august 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Activists to FG: Halt pollution by oil firms ULTIMATUM Group seeks end to gas flaring in the Niger Delta

Stories Dayo Ayeyemi

isturbed by the mammoth environmental challenges inflicted on the entire Niger Delta, activists have urged the Federal Government to halt all forms of pollution by oil firms in the region. This, they said, could be made possible by enforcing the deadline for the cessation of gas flaring in the Niger Delta and exploring safe renewables. This was one of the recommendations at the end of a forum during an Advocacy Meeting on Monitoring Agenda for the Implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Clean-up of Ogoniland in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Themed: “Monitoring Agenda for the Implementation of the UNEP report cleanup of Ogoniland”, participants in their recommendation tasked the government to wean itself of fossil fuels dependency. The gathering, which comprised representatives of Niger Delta communities, civil society, lawyers, community campaigners, academia and the media, decried the lukewarm attitude in the implementation of United Nations

Increase in the quantity of seaweed threatening economies of West Afican countries

Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Clean-up of Ogoni land, asking the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the region. Participants noted that despite the announcement of the supposed take-off of the clean-up exercise and a $10 million take-off grant in 2015, the institutional framework is still not in place to give hope to Ogoni people that anything tangible will come out of the process. Participants also underlined the need for a legal framework and supportive Act for the implementation of the UNEP report, adding that the exercise should include health audit of the people in view of declining life expec-

tancy in the region. Executive Director of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth (ERA/FoEN), Dr Godwin Ojo, lamented that five years after the release of the UNEP Assessment report, Ogoniland has remained an emblem of pollution and ecocide in the Niger Delta region. Participants observed that though the government has shown a positive attitude towards implementing the UNEP report by inaugurating a Governing Council and Board of Trustees, the absence of a gazette or law to ensure the process is institutionalised and sustained beyond the Buhari administration is not in place.

ICAO: Aviation industry must embrace green operations Dayo Ayeyemi

he International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has called on aviation industry to prepare for severe disruptions as a result of climate change, urging it to make full use of clean technology and policy tools to reduce its carbon footprint. According to ICAO’s 2016 Environmental Report, changes to the atmosphere brought about by rising global temperatures caused by greenhouse gas emissions, would affect airplane’s ability to fly, while rising sea levels will affect airports. By embracing green operations, the report said that airports could become more sustainable by running almost entirely on renewable energy, adding that the sector could also make use of carbon markets and UN’s Clean Development Mechanism to offset emissions. “Impacts will include high-

er winds impeding the ability of aircraft to take off and an increase in-flight turbulence, icing up incidents and enginethreatening dust storms. Scheduling departures at cooler hours is already common practice in the Middle East and Central and South America, “ the ICAO study said. The report noted that rising sea levels would affect coastal airports, with 20 of Norway’s 46 airports deemed “quite exposed” to future rises. “The effect of climate change on the jet stream wind patterns will modify optimal flight routes, journey times and fuel consumption and increase the likelihood of turbulence even in “clear air” conditions,” it said. The report noted that the warming trends also increase the risk of en-route airplane icing, while drought periods and harsher winds are likely to increase the occurrence and intensity of dust storms

that will affect the performance and maintenance requirements of jet engines. ICAO emphasised the importance of industry adaptation and resilience while continuing to take climate action by reducing the sector’s high carbon intensity. As well as looking into sustainable alternative fuels, ICAO noted that innovative technology offer potential of reducing an airplane’s carbon footprint, adding, “Aircraft produced today are 80 per cent more fuel efficient than those built in the 1960s.” The Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection’s (CAEP) new CO2 emissions certification standard for airplanes, the first global standard for CO2 emissions of any sector, will apply to new airplane type designs from 2020 and to airplane type designs that are already in production in 2023, ensuring planes are as energy efficient as possible.

They described as ‘anomaly’ the inclusion of the same polluting oil companies in the Governing Council and Board of Trustees of the UNEP report implementation. They also sued for unity among Ogoni people to ensure the process of clean-up of the area is not stalled, adding,“The clean-up of Ogoniland should be the entry point of the cleanup of the entire Niger Delta region.”

They canvassed adequate awareness creation on the clean-up process to address the concerns of the Ogoni and the generality of Nigerians interested in ensuring the current processes work. Experts have estimated that it could take up to 25 years before ecosystems are re-established. Yet the environmental clean-up of Ogoniland now has the strong support of all stakeholders to move ahead.

UNDP, GCF sign pact on low-emission, climate resilient devt

trengthening partnership to deliver lowemission and climateresilient development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) have signed an Accreditation Master Agreement on major investment. The agreement is the central instrument, which sets out the basic terms and conditions to work together for the use of GCF resources. In March 2015, UNDP was one of the first entities accredited to the GCF and is a key partner of the Fund. Speaking at the signing of the agreement, GCF Executive Director, Héla Cheikhrouhou, described UNDP as “an important partner” for the Green Climate Fund, adding that the signing of the agreement has reflected the progress the duo have been making to support countries around the world in their adaptation and mitigation efforts. UNDP’s Associate Administrator, Tegegnework Gettu, said: “We are delighted to sign this agreement, and look forward to working with the Green Climate Fund to assist our partner countries in accessing the funding needed to transform their economies to achieve zero carbon, climate resilient sustainable development.”

So far, the GCF Board has approved six projects proposed by UNDP to support mitigation and adaptation goals in Armenia, Malawi, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Tuvalu, and Viet Nam. UNDP also partners with GCF in helping to strengthen national level capacities to access large-scale climate finance. The signing of the agreement is an important step towards implementing these activities. In all, 11 accredited entities have now signed Accreditation Master Agreements with GCF. They include Acumen Fund, Agency for Agricultural Development (ADA) of Morocco, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), Centre de Suivi Écologique (CSE) of Senegal, Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) of Namibia, Ministry of Natural Resources of Rwanda (MINIRENA), National Environment Management Authority of Kenya (NEMA), PROFONANPE, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). Other accredited entities are in the process of finalising their Accreditation Master Agreements with the Fund.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AutoBeat Daimler okays Nigerian Benz global trainer Mercedes Benz CLA 250

Paul Ogbuokiri

raining Manager Weststar Associate Limited, Mr. Abdul Ligali, recently received a certificate of excellence in global training from Daimler AG Global Training Center in Stuttgart, Germany- making him the first Nigerian to be certified as a Mercedes-Benz global trainer by Daimler. This, according to the Managing Director of Weststar, Mr. Mirko Plath is in preparation for the expansion of a certified global training centre for the leading brands Weststar represents in Nigeria which is already in the pipeline. Since inception, Weststar has organised technical and non-technical trainings for staff, dealers, and customers in order

to expand the knowledge base of all employees and meet the various needs of customers. In 2014, Weststar officially set-up an in-house training department which up to date, has over 300 participants trained in various aspects of the business. The inhouse training involves inviting a global trainer usually assigned by the manufacturers, to deliver a customized training program to the team which in most cases, consists of employees, dealers, and customers as a form of support. This is an addition to the regular e-trainings held locally. These different trainings could be about a particular product, sales, service, after-sales, customer relationship management, use of various software applications such as Electronic Parts catalogue (EPC), Work-

shop Information System (WIS), ordering systems amongst others. Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity, Mr. Ligali mentioned that it is a step in the right direction, as it will reduce dependency on only foreign trainers. “This is a welcome development for Weststar; there will be a reduced dependency on foreign trainers. In the future, we hope to expand our training center for the brands we represent that will be open to the public and not just our staff, dealerships or customers. There would even be dual vocational courses for interested individuals. Our vision is to become the training hub for West Africa. I also plan to train and mentor other global training aspirants locally as well.”

He further said, “Currently, I am the global trainer for non-technical aspects such as service and processing. We hope to develop more global trainers in both technical and non-technical areas. This will provide multiple job opportunities for Nigerians and also contribute positively to the educational sector by encouraging the youths to take up various technical careers“. The training for the global certification lasts for two years in which, there is a 3-session qualification program, two-session supervision trainings by assigned mentors and the final certification audit where the participant is drilled rigorously as a test towards the acquisition of a certificate of excellence. As the new and only Daimler certified global trainer in Nigeria,

all trainings he organizes will automatically be approved by Daimler. To reduce the “total cost of ownership” and to increase benefits for customers in terms of safety and efficiency, Weststar provides support in creation of an assessment programme for new drivers and customised driver qualification programme which includes information on: Products and Technology, Safety & Comfort Systems, driving dynamics, Interior Gadgets, Maintenance and Service/Daily routine, checkpoints, Professional handling of specialised vehicles like (Tippers, Mixers, etc.), including Practical Sessions and Driving Test, etc. All training programmes are conducted by Mercedes-Benz certified drivers & technical trainers.

FRSC decries collapsed roads T

Training Manager Weststar Associate Limited, Mr. Abdul Ligali (with his award) and the Managing Director of Weststar, Mr. Mirko Plath at the aw3ard giving ceremony recently at Stuttugart Germany

he Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has said that over 65 per cent of Nigeria’s 204,000km road network is in state of disrepair. The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi disclosed this in Lagos at the just concluded first Annual Training Workshop of Nigeria Auto Journalist Association (NAJA). Speaking at the event sponsored majorly by Ford Motors, sub-Sahara Africa, the FRSC boss in a lecture titled: “FRSC Collaborating with the Media for Improving Road Safety in Nigeria,” Oyeyemi said that

Nigeria’s total length of road network had progressively increased from 6,500km in 1960 to 10,000 km in 1970, 29,000km in 1980 and 204,000 km in recent years; saying however that the quality of the roads have not been growing in such progressive manner. “Of the foregoing,” he explained, “34,120 km, mostly inter-state roads with high traffic density, are federal roads, 34,300km state roads and about 135,580km local government roads. “Unfortunately, while only about 35 per cent of the nation’s 204,000 km roads are in

good state, about 35 per cent are in bad state and 30 per cent in poor state. “Therefore, you’d agree with me that having over 60 per cent of the nation’s road in bad state poses serious challenge to road safety, which is why FRSC needs collaboration of all stakeholders, especially the media, in our efforts to reduce road crash in the country,” he stated. Photo caption: Training Manager Weststar Associate Limited, Mr. Abdul Ligali (with his award) and the Managing Director of Weststar, Mr. Mirko Plath at the aw3ard giving ceremony recently at Stuttugart Germany

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Islam UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH Backbiting and Slander QUESTION

What is Islamic perspective on backbiting and slander? CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

ANSWER

And spy not neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah, verily, Allah is the one who accepts repentance, Most Merciful. (49: 12) When we reflect deeply over this assimilation it should be enough to keep us away from backbiting! Do not treat the issue of Backbiting & Slander with indifference because it is a great sin Behold, you received it on your tongues, and said out of your mouths things which you had no knowledge; and you thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of Allah (24: 15) Many of us back bite and gossip without thinking. We think it is minor matter, however Allah reminds us to be careful and even though we think we are doing something little it is in fact very big in the sight of Allah! Allah teaches us to speak out against Slander and try to put a stop to it And why did you not, when you heard it, say? “It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to Allah, this is a most serious slander” (24:16) Many people are so busy spreading the slander they hear that they do not even stop to think if it is true or not. Shaitan (Satan) wants us to use our tongue to create conflict and hatred Say to My servants that they should only say those things that are best, for Satan does sow dissensions among them, for Satan is to man an avowed enemy. (17)

EXHORTATION Say, "O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is (all) good. Indeed, You are over all things competent." (Quran3: 26) 8 Dhu l-Kada 1437 AH

Hajj 2016: Aviation fuel scarcity threatens pilgrims' airlifting lAirliners in last-minute move to avert distruption PLAN

Medview mulls completion of pilgrims' airlifting in two weeks Muritala Ayinla

he airliners are making the last minute move to avert the threat, which the scarcity of Jet A1, aviation fuel in Nigeria could inflict on the airlifting of over 80, 000 pilgrims from the country. Managing Director of Medview Airline, the official Carrier of Lagos Hajj pilgrims, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, who revealed this in an interview, maintained that the airlifting operation will be different this year. He said: "The issue on sourcing for the aviation fuel is a general problem. And before now,

we have spoken to the government to cushion the effect of the policy, in order to make things move faster in the country. "It is pathetic that we are losing money, time and others. It is better for the government to come up with a policy that address the challenges. And some of our suggestion to the government was to resuscitate the refineries. We believe that if the refineries begin to work, it will save cost. The fuels are imported and the marketers need foreign currency to get the products. "We cannot blame the marketers who claim he will be selling his products at N180 per liter. And the marketers will blame this on the unavailability of forex," he said. On why the Medview operation will be different this year, Bankole said: "Because we are

marking the 10th year anniversary of the airlifting of pilgrims for Hajj and as part of the anniversary, we have brought in three additional planes to fortify the fleet of planes we have." The beauty of it, he continued, is that "we embark on risk calculation and cost benefit analyses. We have been very blessed. And one of the reasons was that we have created a good relationship with the importers over the years. Everyone is ready to give us the service. This is because we need the product. If they bring the product at N200 for instance, we know that we have to pass the increase to the consumers." On the exchange rate, the Medview boss said: "I have said it many times that it was crazy. It is not what we should be seeing at this time. I remember that when I started this business, it

was N20 to 1 Riyah. But today, it is N105 to 1 Riyah. That is why we must pray today. "The airlifting of the pilgrims will take two weeks. Then we move out to service our brothers also going for the pilgrimage. We have started with Osun. I can tell you that the crew is eager to leave. And all our flight is to Medina. We prayed that almighty Allah assist us and He has not failed. That had taken away a lot of stress from the pilgrims. "My advice to the pilgrims is that they should be good ambassador to the country and be sure that you have the rightful opportunity to perform the last pillar of your faith which Almighty ALAAH has ordained. And they should pray for themselves and the country and the airline that brought one to the holy land. "And from the international tour operator, we should be looking at 5000 and from external countries which we are major; we should be looking at 5000. We are looking at 20, 000. The government of Mali and some other countries have signed Medview. We have been airlifting Malian pilgrims for six years."

Med-View Airline Passengers for this year Pilgrims boarding an aircraft to Saudi Arabia at the Hajj Camp of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos…recently

Adeola Yusuf

muslim leader, Hajj Tunde Abdul Salam has tasked faithful to prepare their kids for the challenges and threat of globalisation ahead. Abdul Salam who doubles as a chieftain of the Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA) said this at the end of the Year event organised by the Benevolent Seed Academy (BSA), a school owned by MICA, in Olugbode, Lafenwa-Ota, Ogun state. "Why are most of the thriving businesses in Nigeria are

Prepare kids for globalisation's threats, BSA proprietor tasks Muslims owned by non-Nigerians?" He inquired while delivering a opening remarks. "The reason is that we play in globallised world and we could not see opportunities at our backyards," he said. Promising the commitment of BSA to groom pupils who will compete favourably with their peers globally, Abdul salam called on all Muslim faithful and Nigerians gen-

erally to prepare their kids for the great challenge and threats of globalisation ahead of them. He said: "What we are doing in this school is to produce Nigerians that this will be up and doing morally, spiritually and be able to compete globally. "We know that every generation has its unique challenges, which every muslim who want

to be abreast of event must overcome, we know that one import thing in this generation is globalisation and all muslims parents must prepare their wards and kids ahead for a tougher turf of globalisation. "This, in our view, is important for us as muslims to live peacefully with others and above all live to command what is good and forbid evil as commanded by Allah."

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Cult clash

Crime

‘Cultist killed my son, tried to dump him in canal’

Agony Mother still traumatised four months after children's abduction

Smashed syndicates Gang leader arrested after kidnap of 20 victims

35 36

Militants raped housewives, while husbands fanned them –Residents Flora Onwudiwe

s the military Joint Task Force continues to rid creeks in Ogun and Lagos states communities of militants, residents of Ibafo community, in Ogun State, have recounted the horrors of armed robbers and militants' attacks. While praising the military for the war on militants in the area, they are worried over the future security of Ibafo. According to them, policemen attached to Ibafo Police Station are not capable of handling insecurity in the community. The residents said they had been living in hell since the encroachment of militants into their community. Some of them recounted their experiences, saying that most of the militants, who were also armed robbers, continually raided the community, raping housewives in the presence of their husbands. Husbands were ordered to fan the robbers as they raped their wives. A resident, Mr. Innocent, said that since April 2016, those of them residing in Ibafo, had been living in fear. He said the insecurity in the area started after policemen attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), arrested a militant identified as General, believed to be the leader of Ijaw militants at Ebute. He said: “Another issue also escalated the militants’ attacks. Insecurity in Ibafo also started after pipeline vandals were stopped from oil bunkering. They left pipeline vandalism and focused on kidnapping and robbery. They even used to burgle victims’ homes.” Innocent continued his

JULIANA FRANCIS CRIME Editor

juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

The boats used by the vandals

narration: “Most times, when these militants stormed victims’ homes, they would demand money. Once the owner of the house said he didn’t have money, they would rape his wife. They would order the woman’s husband to fan them while they were raping his wife. Before the arrival of the military, we have repeatedly asked Ogun State government to come to our aid.” Remembering the nightmarish days of militants’ attacks, another resident, Isiaka, said: “Whenever these militants stormed a house, they would order the victim’s wife to cook for them and they would take their time to eat. Their operations usually lasted three hours or more. Whenever we called on Ibafo Police Station

One of the robbers, ordered the man’s wife to cook for them

during such operations, the police wouldn’t come. They would sit in their Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), stationed in front of their office. They would first ask you, if the trouble had to do with militants or not. They would tell you, they were coming, but they wouldn’t. If you go to Ibafo Police Station, you would find more than 30 motorbikes seized by the police. These policemen harassed innocent residents. Our greatest challenge in Ibafo, is that policemen there are not ready to protect residents. A robber can rob for hours without fear of being challenged by policemen.” He remembered that robbers once invaded the home of a family about 2 a.m. One

of the robbers, ordered the man’s wife to cook for them. The robbers took their time to wait and eat, but policemen didn’t come even after other residents alerted them of the robbery operation. They also accused Ibafo policemen of never responding to distress calls. The residents urged the Ogun State government to begin making alternative plans in securing Ibafo, before Federal Government withdraws the military. A commercial motorcyclist, Kelechi, said: “Is it allowed for police to have a shrine in their stations? There is a shrine in front of Ibafo Police Station. There is a red piece of cloth CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

CRIME

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Cultist killed my son, tried to dump him in canal’ l Another victim killed, body dumped in father’s house

Camillus Nnaji and Dominic Adewole

grieving father, Prince Augustine Ekpoto, has told how unknown cultists stabbed his son to death and attempted to dump his corpse into a canal at the Ajegunle area of Lagos State. This was also as another victim, Shadrach Ekokodje 28, aka 50, was killed by cultists at Ovwian Aladja axis of Delta State after violence broke out among members of Arrow-Baggar cult group, over leadership crisis. Ekokodje’s assailants later dumped his body in front of his father’s house on Yola Street, Delta Steel Company (DSC) township in Aladja. Recounting the murder of his son at Ajegunle, Ekpoto said nobody would have known the whereabouts of his son’s corpse, if not that he caught two youngsters attempting to fling it into the canal. He said that immediately he realised the corpse was that of his 18-year-old son, Endurance Augustine, a Senior Secondary School (SS 2), student of Tin-can Island, Ajegunle, Lagos State, he broke down and wept, but held tightly onto the youngsters until policemen from Ajeromi Police Station, arrived the scene and arrested them. Ekpoto would later be told that his son was stabbed on the chest and arms repeatedly by a cult member. Choking on emotions, he muttered: “I was told that there was a naming ceremony at Zumora Street; that a group started fighting Ezeagu Street boys. As my

Suspected cultists

son wanted to run, he slipped and fell down. His assailants stabbed him on the chest and arms. The intention was clearly to kill him.” The murder of Endurance took place at Zumora Street, Ajeromi area of Ajegunle, on August 3, 2016. Residents said that cult groups at Zumora/ Kehinde streets had been having a ruining battle with those at Ezeagu Street for long. Nobody however, knew the reason or foundation of the feud among the cult groups in Ajegunle. Nobody in the area, where Endurance was killed, fingered him as a cultist. Recollecting the event of the fateful day, Ekpoto said that at about 8:30 pm, he saw people running in panic. He didn’t know what was happening and never guessed that his son was a victim in the melee. He said that it was his wife, Endurance’s step-mother, who gave him the shattering news. Ekpoto said: “I ran out and saw two persons, Malik and Omole; they were carrying his corpse towards the canal. They wanted to abandon his body in the canal. But some resident refused to allow them to do that. The people who refused to allow them dumped the corpse into the canal said they might be implicated when police arrive. My son was lifeless. I asked Malik and Omole, what they did to my son. Both of them said that it was one Jinadu that instructed them to take the corpse to the canal.” It was further learnt that Endurance’s mother had separated from Ekpoto and moved to Cross River State. Endurance had been living with his father, who remarried and had four other children.

The late Endurance

A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Endurance was a quiet boy. He only went to the naming ceremony because his friend, D.J, invited him to the event. An argument broke out between boys from Kehinde and Zimora streets. These boys were already in possessions of machetes and daggers. When the Ezeagu boys took to their heels, Endurance fell down and was stabbed on the chest and arms. He bled profusely until he died.” Meanwhile, people living at No 69, Ezeagu Street, where Endurance lived, have fled their homes. There are fears that Kehinde and Zimora streets cultists would carry out another attack. One of the fleeing residents said: “Yes, I have relocated my family from this compound. We are not secure here. We heard that some boys from our street went for reprisal attack because of the late Endurance. The story going round is that the Zimora and Kehinde boys are coming, not only to fight us, but to set our building on fire. We have been seeing strange movements since then. Almost all the men living in this compound have relocated their families.” The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmus, confirmed the murder of Endurance. She said: “The murder oc-

curred during rival cult activities. His body has been deposited at Ajeromi General Hospital Mortuary. The matter has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba.” Similarly, Ekokodje was allegedly jostling to succeed the late Capon of the group before other contestants ganged up and killed him. He was allegedly lured by other members of the group, led by Prince Eweta, who is a major contestant for the position, to Agbada Waterside bush, where he was tortured to death. His corpse was later dumped in his father’s house. The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim, who confirmed the murder case at the command headquarters in Asaba, said Anti-Cult Unit had been established to boost the war against cultism. He said two principal suspects, Sunday Rume, 20 and Churchill Samson 24, were arrested at Orhuworhun town in connection with the murder. Ibrahim further said: “The suspects confessed to the crime and revealed how the deceased, who was the next to succeed the late Capon of the cult group, was CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

CRIME

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Camillus Nnaji

adness has taken over the hearts of residents of house No 7, Cemetery Street, in Ajeromi area of Ajegunle, Lagos State, where two kids, who are only children of their parents, were kidnapped four months ago. The building, where residents now stares at any stranger with suspicion, was the home of two abducted kids; Chinaza Okpara 4 and Chikamso 2. These girls were abducted from a salon, where their mother was a manager. The salon is right in front of their house. The girls were abducted by an apprentice hairstylist, identified as Rose. She disappeared with the girls three days after she walked into the salon and applied as an apprentice hairstylist. The missing children were abducted on May, 14. But 88 days after they were taken, they are yet to be found. The clock is still ticking and the days still counting. The broken hearted parents, Mr. and Mrs Emeka Okpara, from Orlu, Imo State, have been living in sorrow. They refused to be consoled. According to Mr. Okpara, Rose walked into the salon, where his wife, Mrs. Okpara, worked as a manager. Rose begged to be employed as hairstylist. She was told the owner of the salon, Mrs. Patience Eze, travelled. But rather than leave, Rose knelt down and started begging Mrs. Okpara. She begged to be allowed to

The Okparas' kids

Mother still traumatised four months after children's abduction • Parents seek solace in churches start immediately, stressing she was tired of staying at home. He said: “My wife became sympathetic and allowed her to work. She gradually started becoming familiar with us. She dropped no phone number. She brought no

The salon

relatives. She promised she would soon bring her relatives, but that she should be allowed to start work immediately. On the third day, which was Saturday, Rose took my two girls from the shop. She also took a plate. She said she was going to buy food; this was what she told people that saw her along the way. My wife had gone to buy something across the road. Rose entered the opposite Cemetery Market with the children. That was the last we saw of her and the children till today.” Mother of the kids, Mrs. Okpara, was said to have broken down emotionally, as hope of rescuing her two girls, dimmed. Some residents said that there was a time, it was feared, Mrs. Okpara would die. But she and her husband started moving from churches, praying and feeding on hope. Hope that they would find Chinaza and Chikamso one day. The owner of the salon, Mrs. Patience Eze, described the abduction of the kids as mystifying. She said: “I travelled for burial when it happened. I was later told that an apprentice hairstylist came, begging to be allowed to work. She was told to come back when I returned, but she knelt down and started begging. She was allowed to start work. Three days later, she ran away with Chikamso and Chinaza.

Since then, the children have not been found. There was no phone contact and no ransom demanded. We reported the matter to the police, but since then, nothing new has been discovered. “We have been holding prayer sessions and rushing to any location we heard kidnapped children had been rescued. But none of these victims were Chikamso and Chinaza. We also heard about children found with kidnappers at Ikorodu, we rushed down there. At FESTAC, in July, a kidnapper was caught, we also rushed down there, but it wasn’t Rose. This problem has gone out of hand. The government needs to understand this is a serious social issue, which requires immediate intervention. When problems don’t directly affect people, they wouldn’t take such issues seriously.” Eze revealed that the abducted kids’ parents’ state of minds had been bad. “The kids’ parents are now looking up to God. God has the final say. The police shouldn’t relent in looking for the girls until they are found,” Eze pleaded. Another resident, said: “Rose planned to abduct four children that day. She took two more kids along, but was stopped by their brother. Being that she was working with the missing kid’s mum, she was allowed to go ahead with them and buy food. The whole thing was carefully planned and executed.”

‘Robbers raped housewives, while husbands fanned them' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

tied to the shrine. You’ll see a big stone at the centre of the shrine and smaller stones. Most of the Ibafo residents do not see anything good ever coming out from Ibafo Police Station. Another resident, Aderemi, also accused the police of extortion. He said: “These policemen would come out very early in the morning and begin to extort money from cyclists. Sometimes, when you buy fuel in gallons from a filling station, the police would collect it from you. They would divert it for their use. It has happened to me!”

It was gathered that the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Camp ground, has become a safe haven for residents that fled Ibafo. Many of the residents, tired of living in perpetual fear, abandoned their homes at Ibafo, to start residing at the Redemtion Camp. The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Abimbola Oyeyemi, said it was impossible for any police station to have a shrine. He said: “The only thing we have at every station is the Nigeria Police Flag, which had been erected. In fact, residents of that area are praising efforts of the

Joint military operation in the creeks

Divisional Police Officer (DPO), because of what he had been able to achieve. I don’t know how some people got that type of story.

There’s no time residents called on the police, that they wouldn’t respond. They always respond promptly.”

CRIME

Nankpah Bwakan and Tony Anichebe

etectives attached to Bauchi Police Command have finally arrested a suspect, who allegedly kidnapped 20 victims and collected ransom from them. The suspect, Umaru Adamu Mairakumi, was also accused of armed robbery. The command further described Mairakumi as a notorious cattle rustler. According to the command’s spokesman, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr. Mahmood Mohammed, wanted Mairakumi was already declared in connection with over 17 kidnapping cases. Mohammed said: “He’s also wanted for armed robbery, cattle rustling and has kidnapped 20 victims for ransom. The ransom ranged from N2 million and above. At least, over 200 cows were rustled by the suspects and his gang members.” Mohammed continued: "Some of his victims include one Saleh Isah of Zidi village in Ganjuwa Local Government Area, Bauchi State. Isah, sometimes in September, 2015, was shot on his lower abdomen with an AK47 rifle, his 45 cows and 85 sheep were carted away by the bandits. One AK47 rifle, 60 cows and 85 sheep were recovered from the suspect and his men.” Mohammed said that in order to stem the tide of kidnapping, robbery and cattle rustling in the state, the police carried out series of operations, which led to series of arrests and recoveries. Mohammed further said that the syndicate, which specialises in car snatching and breaking and entry, had also been arrested. Mohammed stated: "So far, three suspects have been arrested and are now assisting the police to catch other fleeing members. Exhibits recovered from the syndicate are one Barreta pistol, Macrov pistol, Dark blue Toyota Highlander Jeep, Toyota Corolla Saloon car, marked YGJ 133 AA, one fabricated master key, six rounds of 0.6mm live ammunition and two cartridges." It was also gathered that following an intelligence report, police arrested Ishiyaku Yahaya, 20, Usman Sallah, 20, aka Manu and Ado Mammal, 20. The suspects were alleged to have conspired with one Ruwa Adamu and Dogo, to storm the resident of 50 years old Alhaji Shuaibu Adamu of Zongoro village, Ganjuwa Local Government Area. The police said the suspects shot and robbed Adamu of his Nokia phone, valued at N12, 000. Apparently not satisfied with shooting Adamu, the suspects kidnapped his pregnant wife, Hauwa Alhaji Shuaibu. The suspects were finally trailed to Dutsen Kir in Bauchi Local Government Area by policemen. Mohammed said: “The victim was rescued unhurt and reunited with her relatives, without payment of any ransom. We also recovered a fabricated gun, two machetes and a knife.” In another development, Akwa Ibom State Police Command arrested two persons alleged to specialise in forging of West African Examinations Council Certificates and Akwa Ibom State Government appointment letters. Those arrested in connection with the forgery are Victor Joe, 30 and Nsikak Atte, 27, from Urue Offong/Uruko and Okobo local government areas respectively. The Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Corde-

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Gang leader arrested after kidnap of 20 victims

Suspects being paraded by the Bauchi State Police Command

lia Nwawe, said that the two suspects were apprehended following intelligence reports. Some of the documents bore dates of May/June and December/November 2015 West African Examinations Council Certificates. The certificates were said to have been printed by Joe. Nwawe said that one of the receivers of such certificates was caught, while presenting it for employment. One of the suspects, Atte, a graduate of Business Administration, who confirmed his involvement in the scam, confessed to have ventured into the illicit affairs because of harsh economic situation. He said he gave the fake appointment letters to only two persons. According to him, the first person paid him N130, 000, while the second person paid him N90, 000. He said he used most of the money to take care of his sick mother and buried his late uncle. His words: “I was arrested because of forgery. The economic situation in the country drove me into this mess! The hardship in the country and how to meet my daily needs; like taking care of my siblings, paying their school fees, and other things, pushed me into this. “I also did it to get funds for the burial of my uncle and pay for my siblings’ school fees. I plead that justice be tempered with mercy; I’m pleading for forgiveness. Police have investigated and found out that I used the money for the purposes I mentioned.” Joe said that he collected only N3, 000 for printing West African Examination Certificates. He added that a friend, asked him to assist him with May/June certificate. He recounted: “I’m a computer op-

erator at Vico Computers, 110 Oron Road, in Oron Local Government Area. I was in my place of work, when this man came to ask me to assist him. He was the first and only person I ever printed certificate for.” Joe pleaded for leniency. He said he didn’t know what pushed him into printing fake WAEC certificate for his friend. Following this development, the

Akwa Ibom State Government had since placed embargo on employment conducted by the immediate past administration of Godswill Akpabio. It was alleged that most of the employment letters issued, were discovered to be forged. The New Telegraph also learnt that the government was screening those employment letters, before issuing posting letters.

‘Cultist killed my son, tried to dump him in canal’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34

lured to the waterside bush and killed.” Ibrahim also said that some armed young men and women, suspected to be members of Aiye confraternity, who stole money and other valuables worth over N7.7 million and thereafter went underground, had been arrested. The commissioner said the suspects armed themselves with guns, machetes and other weapons, went on the rampage in Nsukwa community, attacked some persons, destroyed property and stole money. The police boss said: “Provoked, the same group of cultists attacked Nsukwa village market and dispossessed traders of their wares and belongings. Detectives embarked on investigation and carried out raids of the areas. We arrested 10 suspects.” Ibrahim gave the names of the suspects as Patience Ashinze, Nwaka Faith, Ifeoma Benita Ogbo-

Acting IG, Ibrahim Idris

lu, Sunday Blessing, Nkadi Blessing and Obi Odumma, all women. Others are Azubuike Chijeni aka Mosquito, Gorge Igwe aka Native Doctor, Oluchukwu Okafor, Ezenna Isaac and Azuka Okoh, all men.

BUSINESS | Money Line

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

House of Reps c’ttee mulls Financial Services Commission

Contemplation Agency will coordinate activities of monetary and fiscal authorities

Commission that will coordinate the activities of monetary and fiscal authorities in the country. Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee of Banking and Currency, James Onyereri, said this yesterday in Lagos, during a visit to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as part of the committee’s over sight function, He stressed the need for

Stories: Tony Chukwunyem

he House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency is considering the establishment of a Financial Services

the banking watchdog and the Ministry of Finance to work together. “If we work on the monetary policy without an agreeing part on the fiscal side, then it becomes an issue. For us as a committee, we are wondering is it not necessary for us to set up a financial services commission where we will have monetary and fiscal authorities converge” he stated.

On the rising Non Performing Loans (NPLs) in the Nigerian banking industry, Onyereri stated that the committee is worried, calling on the apex bank to rise to its regulatory role in addressing the issue. Noting that a substantial part of the NPLs had been insider abuse within the financial system, he called on the CBN to weld the big stick against the

CBN’s dollar sales boost naira on interbank market

the apex bank floated the naira in June to allow it trade freely on the interbank market. The local currency has been hit by a plunge in oil prices, Nigeria’s economic mainstay, which caused foreign investors to flee bond and equities markets. The CBN last month told international money transfer operators to pay dollar proceeds from customer transfers into local commercial banks in naira, while selling the dollars themselves to Bureaux de Change (BDC) outlets. Last Tuesday, the bank pegged the dollar transactions, which banks can

ollar sales by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) boosted liquidity on the interbank market yesterday, helping to strengthen the naira against the dollar. The naira, which opened at N320 per dollar, closed at N310 yesterday. It touched an all-time low of N350 to the dollar on Tuesday. Forex dealers said the CBN asked some traders to bid for $1.5 million each, adding that the bank had been selling hard currency since this week. A total of $6.27 million traded yesterday. The naira has been under pressure since

carry out with BDCs at $30,000 per week and set a margin for the banks to sell dollar to currency outlets at not more than 1.5 per cent over the rate at which they bought. It hopes the move will help narrow the gulf between the official and black market rates and boost dollar liquidity, traders say. The CBN set a margin of two per cent over the rate at which BDCs sourced dollars from banks as resale premium to customers and pegged BDC disbursement at $5,000 per transaction to cover travel allowance, medical bills and school fees.

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 June, 2016 26/07/2016 Mar 2015 11/8/2016 9/8/2016

Description 15.10 27-APR-2017 16.00 29-JUN-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 12.50 22-JAN-2026 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 Tenor (Days) Call 30 90 180

TTM

Price 104.65 114.59 111.96 120.58 109.60 100.54 83.82 97.56

1.07 3.24 3.87 5.82 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.29

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.4583 9.1071 11.0102 12.3790

Bid Yield 10.38 10.55 11.60 11.44 12.27 12.40 12.44 12.49

Change (%) -2.50 ▼ -0.74 ▼ -0.65 ▼ -0.68 ▼

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

Price 104.80 114.89 112.26 120.88 109.90 100.84 84.12 97.86

Tenor (Months)

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

NITTY

Rate (%) 6.9949 7.2368 8.0819 9.2061 9.5872 10.5042

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Offer Yield 10.24 10.45 11.51 11.38 12.22 12.34 12.39 12.44

Change (%) 1.12 ▲ -0.27 ▼ -0.17 ▼ -0.11 ▼ 0.03 ▲ 0.42 ▲

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 7.67 7.82 -0.51 ▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 3.83 30-Jun-16 7.92 8.08 -0.51 ▼ 6-Oct-16 8.59 8.34 8.71 -0.31 ▼ Overnight (O/N) 4.33 8.99 -0.31 ▼ 16-Mar-17 9.36 10.28 -0.07 ▼ 9.11 9.98 -0.07 ▼

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.14

Offer 199.24

Change (%) 0.57 ▲

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016 Spot($/N)

196.00

197.00

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has denied speculations in some quarters that it has stopped the licensing of interested International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) in Nigeria. In a statement signed by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, posted on its website yesterday, the apex bank stressed that it had not foreclosed the licensing of IMTOs and urged interested applicants to forward their requests for licensing to its Director, Trade and Exchange Department in line with the regulator’s guidelines on International Money Transfer Services in Nigeria (2014), According to the statement, “It has come to the notice of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that, in spite of its

Source:CBN

FGN Bonds

0.00 ↔

customers’ deposits must be protected from unnecessary charges and fraud so as not to lose public confidence in the Nigerian financial system. At the end of the oversight function, the House of Representatives Committee of Banking and Currency chairman commended the CBN saying, “it has shown sound organisational prowess and effective management.”

transparency in the licensing of International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) in Nigeria, some persons have continued to allege that the Bank has stopped the licensing of interested IMTOs in the country. “The CBN wishes to state, unequivocally, that it has not foreclosed the licensing of interested players in the IMTO space in Nigeria. Therefore, interested applicants are required to forward their requests for licensing to the Director, Trade and Exchange Department of the CBN, in line with the CBN Guidelines on International Money Transfer Services in Nigeria (2014), which among other things, specifies the minimum technical and business requirements for various participants in the international money transfer services industry in Nigeria.”

DMO to auction N110bn in bonds next week

As at N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 16.5 14 10.77 US$43.17 US$25,915,257,935

culprits as a deterrent to others in the system, urging the apex regulator to improve supervision to curb insider abuse. He however, called for increased lending to the real sector, which he said would engender growth and pull the country out of the looming recession. Onyereri also charged the apex bank on increased consumer protection, stressing that

Apex bank: We’ve not stopped licensing of IMTOs

Economic Indicators M2* CPS* INF MPR 91-day NTB Bonny Light Ext Res**

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -1.75 ▼ -2.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

he Debt Management Office (DMO) yesterday announced that it plans to raise N110 billion in local currency denominated bonds on August 17. The agency said it would sell N40 billion of a bond maturing in 2036, N30 billion of paper maturing in 2026 and N40 billion of debt maturing in 2021, using the Dutch auction system. Results of the auction are expected to be released on the following day. All the bonds on offer are reopenings of previous issues.

Nigeria issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market, create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit. In a note issued last Tuesday, analysts at FSDH said they expected the increase in bond and treasury yields recorded in recent weeks, to continue this month due to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) mop-up activities through Open Market Operations (OMO) as well as the apex bank’s efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Nigeria needs more accountants –ICAN boss Biodun Oyeleye

Ilorin

he Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has described as inadequate the 40,000 chartered practitioners and 20,000 Accounting Technicians on its platform who are meant to service a national population estimated at over 160 million. Directorate of Students Affairs of ICAN, Mrs Folake Olawuyi, said this while addressing participants at the institute’s High School Resi-

dency Programme hosted by Landmark University, OmuAran, Kwara state. She said as far Nigeria’s economic development was concerned, there was a need for more chartered accountants. Olawuyi, who said that accounting is the most important profession as far as economic development of a nation was concerned, added that more chartered accountants were needed for the nation’s economy “with a population of above 160 million, whereas we have just about 40,000 chartered accountants and about 20,000 accounting technicians to date”.

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

11-Aug-16

Bonds

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

Description 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 ^15.54 13-FEB-2020 14.50 15-JUL-2021 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 ^12.50 22-JAN-2026 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 ^12.40 18-MAR-2036

Price

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

16-Aug-13 27-Apr-12 27-Jul-07 31-Aug-07 30-May-08 29-Jun-12 23-Oct-09 13-Feb-15 13-Jul-16 27-Jan-12 14-Mar-14 22-Jan-16 28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14 18-Mar-16

13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 14.50 16.39 14.20 12.50 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493 12.4000

581.39 480.13 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 606.43 30.00 605.31 719.99 361.02 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 1075.92 210.00

16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 15-Jul-21 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 22-Jan-26 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34 18-Mar-36

0.01 0.71 0.96 1.05 1.80 2.88 3.20 3.51 4.92 5.46 7.59 9.45 12.30 12.78 13.27 13.95 17.93 19.60

14.66 17.53 19.00 19.10 17.37 14.86 14.82 14.78 14.77 14.77 14.94 15.25 15.23 15.22 15.22 15.21 15.18 15.25

4.38 17.30 18.81 18.93 17.26 14.80 14.68 14.67 14.69 14.69 14.87 15.18 15.17 15.16 15.14 15.14 15.12 15.19

99.97 98.36 92.29 91.05 90.00 102.54 80.60 102.02 99.03 105.91 96.66 86.46 98.70 84.75 62.12 70.15 81.46 82.34

100.12 98.51 92.44 91.20 90.15 102.69 80.90 102.32 99.33 106.21 96.96 86.76 99.00 85.05 62.42 70.45 81.76 82.64

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

6,691.96

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

6,086.21

Rating/Agency

Agency Bonds Nil

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Description

Issuer

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

FMBN

6646.957269

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

03-Apr-12

17.25

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

0.90

03-Apr-17

0.35

2.94

17.89

99.74

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 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21 09-Dec-21 16-Feb-22 27-Feb-22 30-Mar-22 31-Mar-22 27-May-22

0.69 0.64 1.39 1.20 1.22 1.40 1.40 1.37 1.79 3.28 1.86 4.29 4.39 2.62 2.64 3.20 3.23 3.26 3.38 6.46 3.52

1.00 5.71 2.39 1.00 1.00 3.82 3.56 3.82 2.02 2.01 1.00 1.30 3.76 2.53 1.00 1.52 4.01 1.00 2.52 1.79 3.04

18.40 22.85 20.72 19.76 19.73 22.13 21.85 22.20 19.41 16.82 18.24 16.08 18.54 18.06 16.49 16.34 18.83 15.81 17.32 16.58 17.82

94.74 94.81 92.19 94.23 94.20 91.44 91.13 92.82 94.48 94.26 94.81 92.16 89.63 93.08 96.99 98.00 94.88 101.59 100.36 101.45 97.94

0.90

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

0.90

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

LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA *NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA *BAUCHI *OYO *BENUE *PLATEAU KOGI *CROSS RIVER

19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 31-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 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14 09-Dec-14 17-Feb-15 27-Feb-15 30-Mar-15 01-Apr-15 27-May-15

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 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 15.50 BAUCHI 9-DEC-2021 16.50 OYO 16-FEB-2022 16.50 BENUE 27-FEB-2022 17.50 PLATEAU 30-MAR-2022 17.00 KOGI II 31-MAR-2022 17.00 CROSS RIVER 27-MAY-2022

10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00 15.50 16.50 16.50 17.50 17.00 17.00

57.00 11.33 25.00 23.44 4.22 9.45 7.01 21.68 12.55 80.00 20.55 87.50 5.00 3.74 3.76 14.37 4.39 4.53 27.10 3.00 7.34

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

432.95 408.27

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

NAHCO FSDH ***LCRM UBA *C & I LEASING *DANA#{r} #

*TOWER *TOWER# UBA

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 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 30-SEP-2018

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS# #{r}

*DANA *FCMB

NAHCO *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC *FCMB UBA FIDELITY

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.00 FCMB 6-NOV-2020 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 15.50 TRANSCORP 4-DEC-2020 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 16.48 FIDELITY 13-MAY-2022

*TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC STANBIC IBTC STANBIC IBTC *NMRC

16.00 TRANSCORP 26-OCT-2022 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 14.90 NMRC 29-JUL-2030

29-Sep-11 25-Oct-13 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12 30-Sep-10

13.00 14.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50 13.00

15.00 5.53 112.22 116.70 66.49 20.00

29-Sep-16 25-Oct-16 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17 30-Sep-17

0.13 0.20 0.33 0.69 0.90 1.14

1.00 1.34 1.00 3.55 5.25 1.88

15.38 15.56 15.77 20.95 23.91 20.80

99.59 99.61 99.94 97.18 94.21 92.39

30-Nov-12 09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11

18.00 16.00 18.00

0.36 3.60 1.82

30-Nov-17 09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18

0.82 0.91 1.08

1.88 3.15 6.35

20.03 21.86 25.40

99.25 95.43 93.60

09-Sep-11 30-Sep-11 18-Oct-13

16.00 14.00 15.75

0.50 35.00 1.50

09-Sep-18 30-Sep-18 18-Oct-18

1.08 2.14 1.19

1.00 1.17 4.42

20.05 17.76 23.22

96.31 93.49 92.80

17-Feb-12 01-Apr-14 06-Nov-15

18.00 16.00 15.00

0.27 4.50 20.87

17-Feb-19 01-Apr-19 06-Nov-20

1.27 1.39 2.24

6.11 3.28 4.47

24.72 21.61 20.82

93.47 93.78 90.48

14-Nov-13 04-Dec-15

15.25 15.50

2.05 9.76

14-Nov-20 04-Dec-20

4.26 2.76

1.00 3.55

15.78 18.83

98.34 93.23

20-Nov-14 30-Dec-14 13-May-15

14.25 16.45 16.48

26.00 30.50 30.00

20-Nov-21 30-Dec-21 13-May-22

5.27 5.38 5.75

2.51 1.00 1.00

17.28 15.77 15.79

89.70 102.34 102.45

26-Oct-15 30-Sep-14

16.00 16.29

10.00 0.10

26-Oct-22 30-Sep-24

3.92 8.14

2.77 1.00

17.55 16.03

95.85 101.09

30-Sep-14 29-Jul-15

13.25 14.90

15.44 7.86

30-Sep-24 29-Jul-30

8.14 9.31

1.00 1.00

16.03 16.22

87.54 94.09

10-Oct-20

2.38

3.37

19.40

91.70

536.07

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

517.55

Sukuk *OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

1.50

1.00

16.68

91.70

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

*AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

2.73

1.00

14.00

94.07

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

BBB-/Agusto

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

14.75

9.02

9.02 8.28

Supranational Bond

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

24.95 23.19 Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Outstanding Value ($’mm)

Coupon (%)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

6.48

6.26

101.03

101.89

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.87

4.40

100.46

101.30

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.66

6.50

98.44

99.28

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,499.62

Corporate Eurobonds B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

6.25

100.90

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

21.43

20.15

79.78

81.34

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.30

99.38

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

7.71

96.50

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

20.67

75.75

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

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

8.25 AUG 07, 2020 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

07-Aug-13 24-Jun-14 23-Jul-14

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

07-Aug-20 24-Jun-21 23-Jul-21

16.12 15.21 16.10

16.12 14.53 16.10

77.00 79.51 72.50

77.00 81.50 72.50

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

12.23

11.76

84.88

86.63

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

3,150.00 2,711.46 Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Yield @ Issue (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

DTM

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Discount Rate (%)

18-Apr-16

11.00

16.80

18-Oct-16

2.03

16.29

15.81

Commercial Papers Bb-/Agusto

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PLC

UPDC CP 18-OCT-16

16.80

**TREASURY BILLS^ DTM 7 21 28 42 56 63 70 77

FIXINGS Maturity 18-Aug-16 1-Sep-16 8-Sep-16 22-Sep-16 6-Oct-16 13-Oct-16 20-Oct-16 27-Oct-16

Bid Discount (%) 5.63 14.15 13.94 13.82 16.85 14.04 14.78 14.19

Offer Discount (%) 5.38 13.90 13.69 13.57 16.60 13.79 14.53 13.94

Bid Yield (%) 5.63 14.27 14.09 14.04 17.30 14.39 15.21 14.62

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 9.9167 16.8486 18.1319 20.1021

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

8.00

Tenor

Closing Rate ($/N)

O/N

9.25

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

314.75 312.00 313.00 315.00 315.45 316.00

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 8.33 9.50

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

6,086.21

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

Agency Bonds Nil

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

FMBN

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

03-Apr-12

17.25

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

0.90

03-Apr-17

0.35

2.94

17.89

99.74

0.90

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

0.90

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto; A+/GCR LAGOS FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 A-/Agusto *BAYELSA NEW TELEGRAPH A-/Agusto EDO A/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto‡ ; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A-/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR† Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto‡ A-/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto Bbb-/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto A-/GCR

*DELTA *NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA *BAUCHI *OYO *BENUE *PLATEAU KOGI *CROSS RIVER

TRANSACTIONS Stock Exchange revises bond listing and trading fees

Stories: Chris Ugwu

he Nigerian Stock

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Exchange (NSE) has TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION announced the revi-

Corporate Bonds sion of the listing A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO and trading fees for securities A-/Agusto; A-/GCR FSDH Nil listed and traded on***LCRM its Fixed Nil Income Market. Nil

A/GCR UBA The revised fee structure, BBB-/GCR *C & I LEASING which would be effective on Nil *DANA #{r}

A-/DataPro†; CCC/GCR

AAA/DataPro†; B/GCR A+/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto†; BBB+/GCR†

August 17, 2016, will be piloted for an initial six month period, and then evaluated to determine if it has met its objectives. Under the revised fee structure, the NSE will no longer charge trading fees on fixed income exchanged on its platform. The initial flat listing application13.00 fees of 0.15 per cent for all NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 bond had been replaced 14.25 types FSDH 25-OCT-2016 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 with0.00/16.00 variable listing application 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 fees.0.00/16.50 With this, Corporate Bonds LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 exclusively listed on the NSE, with 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 existing listing will attract MPR+7.00equity DANA 9-APR-2018

*TOWER# *TOWER#

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB/GCR

UBA *LA CASERA

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

*CHELLARAMS #{r} *DANA *FCMB NAHCO

*TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC *FCMB

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.00 FCMB 6-NOV-2020

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 15.50 TRANSCORP 4-DEC-2020 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 UBA on the rading activities exchanged by investors in 1,276 16.48 FIDELITY 13-MAY-2022 FIDELITY 16.00 TRANSCORP 26-OCT-2022 floor of the *TRANSCORP Nigerian deals. HOTELS PLC 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR STANBIC IBTC Stock Exchange (NSE) Volume in the sub-sector 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR STANBIC IBTC yesterday closed in the red, as was largely driven by activities 14.90 NMRC 29-JUL-2030 AAA/GCR *NMRC TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE the overall performance mea- in the shares of Diamond Bank TOTAL MARKET sures, NSECAPITALISATION ASI and market Plc and Access Bank Plc. capitalisation, fell by 0.52 per Also, other premium sub Sukuk cent. sector, boosted by the activities BBB-/Agusto *OSUN 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 The downswing in the shares of Zenith Bank TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUEaccording to market watchers, was due to Plc and FBNH Plc followed TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION profit takings by market spec- with a turnover of 47.05 milSupranational Bond ulators following appreciable lion 10.20 shares in 753 deals. IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC gains some compaThe number 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 of gainers at Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P blue chip *AfDB TOTALachieved OUTSTANDING VALUE nies the previous day. the close of trading session was TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Consequently, the All- 14, while decliners closed at 24. Share Rating/Agency Index shed 140.88 basis Further analysis of the day’s Description Issuer points or 0.52 per cent to close trading showed that InternaFGN Eurobonds at 27,280.95 index points as tional Breweries Plc topped JAN 28,20 2021per BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P against 27,421.83 recorded the the gainers’ table6.75 with BB-/Fitch; previous day, while market capcent to close at N5.93 per12,share, FGN 5.13 JUL 2018 BB-/S&P italisation of equities depreci- while Wema Bank6.38 Plc followed BB-/Fitch; JUL 12, 2023 BB-/S&P ated by N49 billion or 0.52 per with 4.29 per cent to close at 73 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE cent to close lower. kobo per share and African TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Most sectored gauges; NSE Prudential Registrars Plc with Corporate Eurobonds Banking Index and NSE Indus- a gain of 4.15 per cent to close 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC trial Index declined by 1.71 per at N2.16 per share.6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC cent and 1.06 per cent respecOn the flip side, Diamond 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; .BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC tively Bank Plc led the losers’ chart 8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC Meanwhile, a turnover of with a drop of 9.09 cent 8.25per AUG 07, 2020 to B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC 9.25/6M USDshare. LIBOR+7.677CAP JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P PLC II close at N1.20 243.6 million sharesACCESS in BANK 3,647 per 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P LTD deals was recorded inFIRST theBANK day’s Plc and PZ Cussons Plc fol8.75 AUG 14, 2021 B-/S&P ECOBANK NIG. LTD trading. lowed with a loss of five per TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION The banking sub-sector of cent each to close at N31.73 and the financial services sector N18.05 per share respectively, Description by Rating/Agency was the most active duringIssuer the while Oando Plc dropped day (measured by turnover vol4.91 per cent to close at N5.42 Commercial Papers ume); with 132.5 million per share. UACN shares PROPERTY A/GCR BBB/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR

Bb-/Agusto

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

BUSINESS |Financial Market News 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00 15.50 16.50 16.50 17.50 17.00 17.00

DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PLC

0.01 per cent listing application fee. Dual listed Corporate Bonds with existing equity listing and other Corporate Bonds will attract 0.0375 per cent listing application fees. Similarly, the listing application fees for State and Supranation29-Sep-11 al Bonds has been13.00 reduced 25-Oct-13 14.25 to 0.0509-Dec-11 per cent. 0.00/16.00 20-Apr-12 0.00/16.50 The06-Jul-12 Exchange0.00/16.50 also re30-Sep-10 13.00 placed the fixed Broker30-Nov-12 18.00 age Commission of 09-Apr-11 16.00 0.0005 09-Sep-11 18.00 per cent with a negotiable 09-Sep-11 16.00 rate capped at 1 per 30-Sep-11 14.00 cent. 18-Oct-13 15.75 This will enable investors 17-Feb-12 negotiate trading 18.00 commis01-Apr-14 16.00 06-Nov-15 15.00firms, sion with brokerage 14-Nov-13 15.25 thus driving competition 04-Dec-15 15.50 and best execution. 20-Nov-14 14.25 30-Dec-14 13-May-15 26-Oct-15

16.45 16.48 16.00

30-Sep-14 30-Sep-14 29-Jul-15

16.29 13.25 14.90

57.00 11.33 25.00 23.44 4.22 9.45 7.01 21.68 12.55 80.00 20.55 87.50 5.00 3.74 3.76 14.37 4.39 4.53 27.10 3.00 7.34

0.69 0.64 1.39 1.20 1.22 1.40 1.40 1.37 1.79 3.28 1.86 4.29 4.39 2.62 2.64 3.20 3.23 3.26 3.38 6.46 3.52

1.00 5.71 2.39 1.00 1.00 3.82 3.56 3.82 2.02 2.01 1.00 1.30 3.76 2.53 1.00 1.52 4.01 1.00 2.52 1.79 3.04

18.40 22.85 20.72 19.76 19.73 22.13 21.85 22.20 19.41 16.82 18.24 16.08 18.54 18.06 16.49 16.34 18.83 15.81 17.32 16.58 17.82

94.74 94.81 92.19 94.23 94.20 91.44 91.13 92.82 94.48 94.26 94.81 92.16 89.63 93.08 96.99 98.00 94.88 101.59 100.36 101.45 97.94

30.50 30.00 10.00

30-Dec-21 13-May-22 26-Oct-22

5.38 5.75 3.92

1.00 1.00 2.77

15.77 15.79 17.55

102.34 102.45 95.85

0.10 15.44 7.86

30-Sep-24 30-Sep-24 29-Jul-30

8.14 8.14 9.31

1.00 1.00 1.00

16.03 16.03 16.22

101.09 87.54 94.09

2.03

16.29

NSE to stop charging fees on fixed income

Sell pressure dominates as investors lose N49bn BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR Nil A-/GCR

Speaking on the development, Executive Director, Capital Markets, NSE, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, noted that the fee reduction in the NSE fixed income market is in line 432.95 with the Exchange’s com408.27 mitment to boost market efficiency. 15.00 29-Sep-16 0.13 “The reduction in list5.53 25-Oct-16 0.20 112.22 08-Dec-16 ing application fees0.33gives 116.70 19-Apr-17 0.69 issuers 06-Jul-17 opportunity to 66.49 0.90 20.00 30-Sep-17 1.14 raise their profile and in0.36 30-Nov-17 0.82 crease visibility through 3.60 09-Apr-18 0.91 1.82 09-Sep-18 1.08 reclisting on a globally 0.50 09-Sep-18 1.08 ognised 30-Sep-18 Exchange2.14with 35.00 1.50 18-Oct-18 regulatory 1.19 the highest 0.27 17-Feb-19 standards. The aim1.27 is to 4.50 01-Apr-19 1.39 20.87 06-Nov-20 reduce issuers cost 2.24 of ac2.05 14-Nov-20 4.26 cessing long term capital 9.76 04-Dec-20 2.76 and to provide investors 26.00 20-Nov-21 5.27

with diverse investment products at competitive trading fees,” he said. Jalo-Waziri described the investment opportunities in the Nigerian capital market as huge, urging issuers to raise cheap long term capital through bond issuance for business ex1.00 15.38 99.59 pansion, project finance, 1.34 15.56 99.61 1.00 15.77 99.94 loan refinancing among 3.55 20.95 97.18 others, 23.91 and investors 5.25 94.21 to be 1.88 20.80 more active in the92.39 bonds 1.88 20.03 99.25 segment. 3.15 21.86 95.43 6.35 “NSE 25.40 93.60 remains commit1.00 20.05 96.31 ted to building an93.49 endur1.17 17.76 4.42 23.22 92.80 will ing marketplace and 6.11 24.72 continue to pursue93.47 initia3.28 21.61 93.78 4.47 20.82 add value 90.48 to istives that 1.00 15.78 98.34 suers and investors,” he 3.55 18.83 93.23 added. 17.28 2.51 89.70

Zenith Bank posts N44.84bn HY 2016 net earnings

enith Bank Plc has 536.07If the proposed divi- nancial statements. recorded a profit af- 517.55 dend is ratified, the Bank The bank in a notifiter tax of N44.84 bil- will be liable to pay tax in cation to the Exchange lion for the second quar- 9.02 advance 10-Oct-20 totalling 2.38 N3.45 3.37 explained that in compli10-Oct-13 14.75 19.40 91.70 ter of 2016. This is against 9.02 billion, representing 30 ance with the post-listing N53.180 billion recorded a 8.28 per cent of taxable profit requirements of the NSE, year earlier. N11.49 billion for period the bank is expected to In 11-Feb-13 a filing from the ended 30 11-Feb-18 June 2016. 1.50 submit 16.68 its interim91.70finan10.20 12.00 1.00 of dividends cial reports to the Nigerian Stock Ex- 12.95 Payment 10-Jul-14 11.25 01-Feb-21 2.73 1.00 14.00 94.07 Exchange (NSE), the group 24.95 is subject to withholding change not later than 30 posted a pre-tax profit 23.19 tax at a rate of 10 per cent days from the end of the relevant reporting period. N63.28billion compared in Value the hand of recipients. Outstanding Issue Date Coupon (%) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price to N72.201 billion during ($’mm) Zenith Bank posted The statement noted: Prices & Yields profit after tax of N26.573 “Accordingly, the board of the previous year. 07-Oct-11 101.03of the bank 101.89 met Gross earnings 6.75 stood at 500.00 billion 28-Jan-21 in first 6.48 quar- 6.26directors N214.812 billion as5.13 against 500.00 ter 2016 12-Jul-18 compared4.87with 4.40on July100.46 27, 2016 to approve 12-Jul-13 101.30 N229.082 billion. 6.38 the bank’s half year auditN27.680 billion recorded 12-Jul-13 500.00 12-Jul-23 6.66 98.44 6.50 99.28 The Board of Directors, a year earlier. ed financial statements. 1,500.00 pursuant to the powers 1,499.62 The group’s pre-tax The half year audited fivested in it by the provi- profit stood at N32.12billon nancial statement will be sions of section 379 of compared with N33.128 forwarded to the Central 25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 6.25 6.25 100.90 billion during the 21.43 previBank of100.90 Nigeria (CBN) for the Companies and Al09-May-13 6.88 300.00 02-May-18 20.15 79.78 81.34 lied Matters Act (CAMA) ous year. approval before release on 08-Nov-13 6.00 400.00 08-Nov-18 6.30 6.30 99.38 99.38 22-Apr-14 6.25 22-Apr-19 7.71 7.71 96.50 96.50 of Nigeria, proposed an 500.00 During the review the floor of the Exchange. 21-May-14 8.75 200.00 21-May-19 20.67 20.67 75.75 interim dividend of “We 75.75 have accordingly, period, 07-Aug-20 gross earnings 07-Aug-13 8.25 N0.25 300.00 16.12 16.12 77.00 77.00 9.25 24-Jun-21 15.21 14.53 81.50 kobo 24-Jun-14 per share from the 400.00 written79.51to seek the apN99.43billion compared 23-Jul-14 8.00 450.00 23-Jul-21 16.10 16.10 72.50 72.50 retained earnings 8.75 account 250.00 proval 84.88 of the Nigerian with N113.322 billion in 11.76 14-Aug-14 14-Aug-21 12.23 86.63 as at 30 June 2016. This 3,150.00 2015. Stock Exchange for extenwill be presented for rati- 2,711.46Zenith Bank had recent- sion of time to submit the fication by shareholders ly called for the extension Risk bank’s half year audited Outstanding Valuation DTM Issue Date Annual Yield @ IssueGen(%) Date Discount Rate (%) at the next timeMaturity to submit their Premium financial Valueof (₦’bn) Yield (%) statements to eral Meeting (AGM). half year 2016 audited fi- (%)August 31, 2016.” #

UPDC CP 18-OCT-16

18-Apr-16

11.00

16.80

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

18-Oct-16

15.81

11-Aug-16

16.80

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute professional, financial or **TREASURY BILLS^ FIXINGS investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to date.Money We doMarket not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information,Bidneither do(%) we accept liabilityOffer for the results taken DTM Maturity Discount Discount (%)of any action Bid Yield (%) on the basis of the Information. Tenor Rate (%) NIBOR 7 21 28 FGN Bonds 42 56 63 Rating/Agency 70 77 84 98 112 119 126 140 147 161 175 NA 189 203 217 224 238 252 266 273 294 308 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 329 336 TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 343 350 357

Rating/Agency

18-Aug-16 1-Sep-16 8-Sep-16 22-Sep-16 6-Oct-16 Issuer 13-Oct-16 20-Oct-16 27-Oct-16 3-Nov-16 17-Nov-16 1-Dec-16 8-Dec-16 15-Dec-16 29-Dec-16 5-Jan-17 19-Jan-17 2-Feb-17 NA 16-Feb-17 2-Mar-17 16-Mar-17 23-Mar-17 6-Apr-17 20-Apr-17 4-May-17 11-May-17 1-Jun-17 15-Jun-17 6-Jul-17 13-Jul-17 20-Jul-17 27-Jul-17 3-Aug-17

Issuer

5.63 14.15 13.94 13.82 16.85 Description 14.04 14.78 13.05 16-AUG-201614.19 15.10 27-APR-201716.70 9.85 27-JUL-2017 13.36 9.35 31-AUG-2017 17.59 10.70 30-MAY-201814.25 14.58 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 14.62 7.00 23-OCT-2019 18.01 ^15.54 13-FEB-2020 15.00 14.50 15-JUL-202116.86 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 15.16 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 18.09 15.65 ^12.50 22-JAN-2026 15.00 28-NOV-202816.48 12.49 22-MAY-202918.14 8.50 20-NOV-2029 15.47 17.92 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 15.41 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 18.15 ^12.40 18-MAR-2036 15.87 17.70 16.03 15.83 16.04 16.85

Description

5.38 13.90 13.69 13.57 16.60 13.79 Issue Date 14.53 13.94 16-Aug-13 16.45 27-Apr-12 13.11 27-Jul-07 17.34 31-Aug-07 14.00 30-May-08 14.33 29-Jun-12 14.37 23-Oct-09 17.76 13-Feb-15 14.75 13-Jul-16 16.61 27-Jan-12 14.91 14-Mar-14 17.84 15.40 22-Jan-16 16.23 28-Nov-08 17.89 22-May-09 15.22 20-Nov-09 17.67 23-Jul-10 15.16 18-Jul-14 17.90 18-Mar-16 15.62 17.45 15.78 15.58 15.79 16.60

5.63

Bonds 14.27

14.09 14.04 17.30 14.39 (%) Coupon 15.21 14.62 13.05 17.37 15.10 13.85 9.85 18.60 9.35 14.94 10.70 15.35 16.00 15.49 7.00 19.42 15.54 16.06 14.50 18.34 16.39 16.45 14.20 20.11 17.26 12.50 18.34 15.00 20.58 12.49 17.32 8.50 20.61 10.00 17.42 12.1493 21.26 12.4000 18.32 21.05 18.80 18.60 18.95 20.17

Tenor O/N 1M 3M Outstanding 6M

Value (₦’bn)

581.39 16-Aug-16 480.13 27-Apr-17 NITTY 20.00 27-Jul-17 Tenor Rate (%) 100.00 31-Aug-17 1M 14.8965 300.00 30-May-18 2M 15.4858 351.30 29-Jun-19 3M 16.4897 233.90 23-Oct-19 6M 18.6188 606.43 13-Feb-20 9M 19.2956 30.00 15-Jul-21 12M 21.3886 605.31 27-Jan-22 719.99 14-Mar-24 361.02 22-Jan-26 NIFEX 75.00 28-Nov-28 Current Price ($/N) 150.00 22-May-29

200.00 NIFEX Rate 591.57 1075.92 210.00

20-Nov-29 320.2500 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34 18-Mar-36

OBB

8.00

Tenor

O/N

9.25

Spot 7D 14D Offer Yield 1M (%) 2M 3M 4.38 6M 17.30 1Y 18.81

REPO

Tenor TTM (Yrs) Call 1M 0.01 3M 0.71 6M 0.96

Rate (%)(%) Bid Yield

8.33 9.50 14.66 10.00 17.53 10.50 19.00 1.05 19.10 18.93 NOTE: 1.80 17.37 17.26 2.88 14.86 14.80 :Benchmarks 3.20 14.82 14.68 * :Amortising Bond 3.51 Bond 14.78 14.67 µ :Convertible 4.92 Management 14.77 14.69 AMCON: Asset Corporation of Nigeria 5.46 Government of14.77 14.69 FGN: Federal Nigeria 7.59 Mortgage Bank 14.94 14.87 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria IFC: International Finance Corporation 9.45 15.25 15.18 LCRM: Local Management 12.30Contractors Receivables 15.23 15.17 NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling 12.78 15.22 Company 15.16 O/N: Overnight 13.27 15.22 15.14 UPDC: UAC Property Development 13.95 15.21 Company 15.14 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 17.93 15.18 15.12 19.60 15.25 15.19

6,691.96

Closing Rate ($/N)

314.75 Price 312.00 313.00 315.00Offer Price Bid Price 315.45 316.00 100.12 99.97 318.50 98.36 98.51 320.70 92.29 92.44 91.05 91.20 90.00 90.15 102.54 102.69 NA :Not Applicable 80.60 80.90 ^ : Market Prices 102.02Rate Bond 102.32 # : Floating 99.03 coupon bonds 99.33 ***: Deferred 106.21 DTM: 105.91 Days-To-Maturity 96.66 96.96 TTM: Term-To-Maturity ‡ : Bond rating under review 86.76 86.46 98.70 99.00 †: Bond rating expired N/A :Not Available 84.75 85.05 {r} :Issuer in receivership 62.12 62.42 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 70.15 70.45 UBA: United Bank for Africa 81.46 81.76 82.34 82.64

6646.957269

6,086.21

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

03-Apr-12

17.25

*for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the TTM

Agency Bonds Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills FMBN Nil

Rate (%) 9.9167 16.8486 18.1319 20.1021 Maturity Date

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

0.90

03-Apr-17

0.35

2.94

17.89

99.74

19-Apr-17 % Exposure_ 30-Jun-17 Mod_Duration 31-Dec-17 12.65 30-Sep-18 29.20 04-Oct-18 58.14 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 100.00 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21 09-Dec-21 16-Feb-22 27-Feb-22

0.69 Implied Yield 0.64 1.39 15.54 1.20 14.87 1.22 15.19 1.40 1.40 15.14 1.37 1.79 3.28 1.86 4.29 4.39 2.62 2.64 3.20 3.23 3.26

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

0.90

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

LAGOS Modified Duration Buckets *BAYELSA EDO <3 *DELTA 3<5 *NIGER >5 *EKITI Market *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA *BAUCHI *OYO *BENUE

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 Porfolio Market Value (₦’bn) 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 960.81 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 1,336.97 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 1,291.40 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 3,589.18 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 15.50 BAUCHI 9-DEC-2021 16.50 OYO 16-FEB-2022 16.50 BENUE 27-FEB-2022

Total Outstanding Volume (₦’bn)

957.73 1,325.30 1,667.49 3,950.52

19-Apr-10 Weighting by 30-Jun-10 Outstanding Volume 31-Dec-10 24.24 30-Sep-11 33.55 04-Oct-11 42.21 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 100.00 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14 09-Dec-14 17-Feb-15 27-Feb-15

10.00 Weighting by Mkt 13.75 Value 14.00 14.0026.77 14.0037.25 14.5035.98 14.00 100.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00 15.50 16.50 16.50

0.90

57.00 Bucket Weighting 11.33 25.00 23.44 0.24 4.22 0.34 9.45 0.42 7.01 1.00 21.68 12.55 80.00 20.55 87.50 5.00 3.74 3.76 14.37 4.39 4.53

1.00 Implied 5.71Price Portfolio 2.39 132.1380 1.00 145.9997 1.00 106.5715 3.82 3.56 125.9968 3.82 2.02 2.01 1.00 1.30 3.76 2.53 1.00 1.52 4.01 1.00

18.40 INDEX 22.85 20.72 1,202.15 19.76 1,265.73 19.73 1,284.83 22.13 21.85 1,199.82 22.20 19.41 16.82 18.24 16.08 18.54 18.06 16.49 16.34 18.83 15.81

YTD94.74 Return 94.81 (%) 92.19 94.23 8.5121 94.2025.0015 91.4427.5877 91.1313.7071 92.82 94.48 94.26 94.81 92.16 89.63 93.08 96.99 98.00 94.88 101.59

ime on eople rival ratic ad of can-

ence n the heed rned ation used ional y of

NEWS News|SOUTH-WEST

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Oyo inaugurates tax enforcement team, moves against defaulters

yo State government’s Board of Internal Revenue Service has inaugurated a team to comb the 33 local government areas of the state for the enforcement tax payment, with warnings that defaulters risk jail terms, fines or both punishments. For growth in education, health and other social services to be sustained, the government however called on residents to support its revenue generation drive through payment of taxes

47.99

and levies. The Special Adviser to the Governor, Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Biyi Oloko stated this at a press conference heralding the tax generation drive of the board, in Ibadan yesterday. According to him, the state would embark on aggressive enforcement of the tax regime beginning from August 17, warning that defaulters risk prosecution should they refuse to comply. Oloko said: “The state government through the

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Austria in 2002. Source: Itu.int

Internal Revenue Service has put all the necessary machineries in place to ensure the enforcement of the tax laws and wishes to advise all tax defaulters to comply forthwith. “All eligible tax payers should ensure immediate payment of all outstanding taxes, fines and levies, because the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on taxable persons who fail to comply. “Without payment of dues, all the things that will facilitate the progress, advancement and develop-

-19.34%

The percentage by which the Financial Sector of the NSE dropped for Jan – Dec 2014. Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

ment of Oyo State will not be realized. By this, I mean good roads to ensure access to business sites; provision of security, education and healthcare, among others. “ Already, he said that the board had collated data on tax defaulters and would move against them without further notification anytime from August 17. Listed among taxes due for collection were Pay As You Earn (PAYE), direct taxation, withholding tax for individuals, capital gains tax for indi-

7.42m

The population of women in Ecuador in 2012. Source: Un.org

viduals, stamp duties on instruments executed by individuals, road tax and business premises registration. Others were development levy for individuals, right of occupancy fees on lands owned by state government and land use charges. Oloko went further to say that the office of the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for justice would through a Rapid Tax Prosecution Process, commence prosecution of tax defaulters

Ex-commissioners pick guber form at Sheriff’s factional office Babatope Okeowo Akure

L-R: Former President, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr Ibrahim Inuwa; President, Engr Kashim Ali; Governor Olusegun Mimiko and a former President, COREN, Engr Ebenezer Osoba, Ondo State, at the dinner party marking the end of the 25th Engineering Assembly of COREN, at the International Events Center (The Dome), in Akure

wo former Commissioners who recently resigned their appointments to contest the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, yesterday picked their nomination forms from the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff ’s faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The aspirants, a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,

Ekiti awards N59m contracts to artisans Sulaiman Salawudeen

Ado-Ekiti

he Ekiti State government has awarded N59 million contracts for 1, 250 furniture for primary schools in the state under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Chairman MDGs Implementation in the state, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, who spoke at the award ceremony in Ado Ekiti, the state capital yesterday explained that to involve local artisans in the project was a fulfillment of the policy of Governor Ayodele Fay-

Muritala Ayinla

s part of the moves to address housing deficit especially for public workers in the state, the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation yesterday said it was ready to partner Lagos state to provide affordable housing for both federal and the state civil servants. Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, disclosed this yesterday when she led a technical delegation to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

ose-led administration’s thrust for “promotion of local contents.” Anisulowo noted that Fayose’s belief was anchored on his experiences about the expertise of local artisans in Ekiti, who the governor believed were better in handling projects than those rented from other states in the country. According to him, the desks and chairs would be distributed to select public primary schools in Ikole, Ado, Ikere, Ilejemeje, Irepodun/Ifelodun and IseOrun local government areas to enhance educational development at the lowest

rung of the ladder in the state for children to experience better learning. He said the contract was awarded to Ibijummy Investment Limited and would be executed to uplift the local content policy of the state government. He said: “Ekiti State which is being one of the participants in this programme, had always adhered strictly to due diligence procurement policy of the state and federal governments in the implementation and award process of MDGs projects and programmes. “I therefore, want you

to be rest assured that the procurement arrangements we are working out today between the state government, contractors, furniture and welder associations is being brokered without contravening any procurement law and regulation laid down by MDGs office in Abuja and Ekiti State.” President, Artisans Association of Nigeria, Ekiti chapter, Mr Julius Adu, commended the governor for the local content initiative, saying the measure would help in promoting Small and Medium Scale enterprises in the state.

at the Lagos House in Ikeja, saying that the decision to go into partnership with the state government followed the need to key into the housing programme of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. She said that under the scheme known as the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme, Lagos government would be required to provide land for development of affordable housing for federal

civil servants, while 10 to 15 percentage of the scheme would be made available for civil servants in the state, who would benefit as the state’s equity contribution to the scheme. Oyo-Ita: “We are here today to introduce to you Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) Programme which is a welfare programme for federal civil servants that aspire to provide affordable housing for civil servants.

“Lagos State is critical to this scheme and it is so because Lagos is the commercial capital of Nigeria and apart from the fact that quite a number of Lagos State indigene who are federal civil servants would want to own their homes here in Lagos State, there is a crosssection of Nigerians like somebody like me who grew up in Lagos who will like to have homes in Lagos State.”

in the state without further notice commencing from next Wednesday. In the furtherance of the enforcement drive, he explained that the state had set up a joint enforcement team in the 33 local government areas of the state, which would harmonize the state and LG tax laws. He said that the BIR had embarked on extensive advocacy and enlightenment programmes to engage and educate stakeholders on the essence of paying their taxes.

Prince Bamiduro Dada and Chief Sola Ebiseeni, former commissioner for Environment beat the deadline to pick the governorship nomination and expression of interest forms at the factional secretariat of the PDP with fanfare. This development, sources in the state said foreclosed the possibilities of the two former commissioners returning to their positions in Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s cabinet should they lose out in the party’s primary scheduled for August 22.

Ambode commissions Helipad in LASUTH, promises air ambulance Muritala Ayinla

agos State Governor, Mr Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday commissioned a Helipad at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), to facilitate medical evacuation and air ambulance transfer of patients to Trauma Centers. Besides, the governor promised that his administration would intensify efforts to acquire an Air Ambulance to complete the cycle, reiterating his commitment to step up

LASUTH’s service delivery capacity and other state-owned health facilities to international standards with a view to saving residents’ lives. Ambode however said that he had approved rehabilitation, upgrade and bulk purchase of medical equipment required in 20 Secondary and 21 Primary health facilities across the state. Speaking while commissioning the Helipad, Ambode said the facility would help to reduce response time to patients in time of emergency.

Ogun to demolish 220 FG partners Lagos on affordable housing for civil servants structures on Lagos-Ibadan Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

he Ogun State government yesterday said it would soon commence the demolition of over 220 illegal structures along the LagosIbadan Expressway to ease traffic congestion on the highway. The structures included petrol stations, markets, shanties and unauthorised motor

parks that encroached on the mandatory 70 metres setback on the expressway. The state Commissioner for Forestry, Chief Kolawole Lawal, disclosed this at the launch of “Green Ogun” project in Abeokuta, where investors, industrialists, market men and women as well as transport unions leaders and other stakeholders were sensitized.

News|south-EAST

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Anambra introduces new health scheme for grassroots Pamela Eboh Awka

etermined to ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to grassroots dwellers, the Anambra State Government has introduced a new healthcare scheme known as on-shore, off-shore health scheme. Governor Willie Obiano, who disclosed this in Awka during the commissioning of an Ultra-Modern Slice CT-SCAN Diagnostic Machine at Eldorado MultiSpecialist Hospital Awka, said the state government would also renovate about 63 primary healthcare facilities across the state in order to improve healthcare delivery at the community levels. Obiano, who was represented by the Director of Public Health in the state’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Emmanuel Okafor, said while the Federal Government is setting up machin-

ery to equip one primary healthcare centre in each political ward across the country, the government would complement such through the renovation of the selected 63 hospitals. The governor noted that about 400 health workers including pharmacists, doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, among others, were recently recruited into the sector, adding that the recruitment exercise was necessary to address dearth of medical personnel in the state as well as to beef up staff strength to ensure that healthcare services were rendered without interruptions. He further described the on-shore/off-shore health scheme as a situation where health workers would be posted to hard-toreach areas where they stay and work for two weeks after which they will be replaced by another set of health workers.

Women flee community over herdsmen’s attack Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

omen of Ameke Abam in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State have fled their community in protest of the alleged incessant herdsmen attack, saying the farms are daily destroyed by rampaging armed men. The women, who were clad in black attire, said they could no longer cope with the violence and destruction and appealed to

N3.22trn

the government to intervene so that they can return to their village. The villagers, who currently taking shelter in the neighbouring community of at Ozu Abam, said the women who took agricultural loans are already at a loss and cannot pay back as a result of the destruction. Narrating the incident, the President of Oganihu Women Amake Abam, Mrs. Stella Nwankwo, appealed to the Federal Government nd other concerned authorities to inter-

The total amount of the Financial Services sector of the Nigeria Stock Exchange for 2014 Q4. Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

vene and restore their hope. She vowed that they would remain in exile until the herdsmen and their cattle vacate the community. They also alleged that some community leaders have collected gratifications from herdsmen to accommodate them and called on the state government to act urgently to avoid breakdown of law and order. Meanwhile, addressing the protesters, the Special Assistant to the Governor of Abia State on Agriculture, Chief Is-

2.82m

The population of women in Denmark in 2012. Source: Un.org

ENUGU

he Roman Catholic Diocese of Enuguowned Umuchinemere Pro-credit Micro Finance Bank, Enugu (UPMFB) now has a new Chairman. He is Rev. Dr. Anthony Chukwuma Anijielo, a Roman Catholic prelate. Anijielo, who emerged the new chairman of the bank at its 20th Annual General Meeting where the shareholders unanimously ratified his nomination by the diocese through the Board of Directors of the bank.

was first established as a community bank by the Catholic Diocese of Enugu during the time of late Bishop Michael Eneja, began formal banking operations on July 22, 1995 and later transformed to a micro finance bank in 2007 when the Federal Government of Nigeria introduced micro finance banking in the country. The Enugu diocese and its various lay apostolate organs and pious societies and many individual faithful of the Church form the ownership of the bank.

Group seeks EFCC’s probe over non-payment of N294m Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

o fewer than 872 persons in Ebonyi State under the auspices of Cashflowabi Network Limited yesterday besieged a new generation bank in the state, demanding the release of their withheld N294 million saved in the bank. The group, during the protest, also urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to probe the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly freezing its accounts and its refusal to heed the directive by a competent law court to unfreeze the account. Speaking during the protest, the leaderof the group, Philip Eze, said

the body is an association and investor recognized by law. He noted that withholding of their money has brought untold hardship on its members. He said; “Many of us are dead already while others are presently at the point of death. While some have attempted suicide in time past, some marriages remain shaky till today and some homes are already broken. “For some of us who double as both clients and staff of the organization, to say we are hungry and suffering is an understatement. We are harassed and embarrassed by clients who daily attack us in the most dehumanizing ways you can think of.”

rael Amanze, condemned the violence and crops destruction, describing it as a threat to the harvest as well as lives and property. Amanze described the development as unfortunate especially now that agriculture is being used to revive the nation’s economy. He appealed to the women not to take laws into their own hands and that they should remain law abiding, assuring them that appropriate actions will be taken.

N160.63bn

The total revenue of 2015 Government Quarterly Target from Petroleum Profits Tax for June 2015. Source: Firs.gov.ng

L-R: One of the beneficiaries of Enugu State Government/CBN Anchor-Borrowers Programme, Igwe Ben Eze; with the anchor person in the state, Rev. Fr. Paul Obayi; Enugu State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo and others, during the presentation of rice farming facilities to the beneficiaries at Michael Opkara Square, Enugu State…yesterday

Catholic micro-finance bank gets newThe chairman bank, which Charles Onyekwere

Enugu NLC wants medical director removed within seven days Kenneth Ofoma ENUGU

he Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Enugu State Council has issued the Federal Government with a fresh seven-day ultimatum to remove the Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital (FNH), Enugu, Dr. Jojo Onwukwe, over allegations of lawlessness and abuse of office. The state Vice-Chairman of the NLC, Mr. Christopher

Okezie, announced this on Wednesday at a press briefing after an emergency meeting of the State Executive Council (SEC) at the congress secretariat in Enugu. Okezie warned that if the Federal Government fails to remove Onwukwe after seven days, NLC will call out all workers in Enugu State for an indefinite strike. Okezie also called on the anti-corruption agencies, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Com-

mission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to rise up to their constitutional duties by investigating the corruption and sharp practices going on in the hospital. He said NLC would not rest on its oars until the illegality and lawlessness in the hospital is addressed. Meanwhile, in a communiqué issued after the meeting, the SEC-in-session condemned the attack on the Chairman of the hos-

pital’s chapter of NLC, and accused the embattled MD of being behind the attack. According to the communiqué signed by the State Vice Chairman, Comrade Christopher Okezie and Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, Comrade Theo Obasiani, the SEC-in-session threw its weight behind the call for the removal of Onwukwe, while advising its members in the hospital not to give in to the attacks on them by the hospital management.

NGO wants CP punished for detaining 6-year-old Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

non-government organisation, the Network On Police Reforms In Nigeria (NOPRIN), has called on the Police Service Commission (PSC) to initiate disciplinary measures against the Commissioner

of Police, Enugu State Command, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, for allegedly authorising and attempting to justify the unlawful detention and the subsequent arraignment of a six-year-old, Chibuike Miracle Oramalu in Enugu State, contrary to the laws of Nigeria and civilised practice. In a petition to the Com-

mission, NOPRIN wrote, “We are shocked that a senior police officer of the status of a Commissioner heading a State Command, who had served as the image maker of the Nigeria Police in his previous capacity, and with all his exposure, years and experience in service, could be associated with such an

unspeakable professional blunder. Even more repulsive was his arrogant but futile attempt, during a live television discussion on this matter, to justify his action. The conduct of CP Emmanuel Ojukwu is most discreditable and makes a mockery of the Nigeria Police and Nigeria’s criminal justice system.”

42 NEWS | south-south Nembe killings: Dickson vows to Emmanuel hunt down killers Anule ABUJA

friday, august 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP is intimidated in Edo –Oshiomhole

Chris Ejim YENAGOA

ayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson said his administration would work with security operatives to smoke out the killers of the three soldiers in Nembe from their hideout and bring them to justice. Governor Dickson made the vow during a live radio interview in Yenagoa, stressing that the government would not condone a situation whereby “the state would be used as a launching pad for violence and criminal activities.” Condemning the incident in Nembe, he said the government would convene a meeting with the traditional ruler, local government council chairman and other major stakeholders in Nembe to deliberate on security issues in the area. He also urged traditional rulers to identify more with their people and liaise with security agencies, towards curbing security challenges in their domains.

overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that the People's Democratic Party (PDP) was intimidated by the numerous achievements of his government. Oshiomole, who stated this yesterday at the presidential villa, Abuja, explained that the failure of the PDP to deliver when it was in power for 13 years in the state caused hardship for citizens. He said the state which had produced highly placed Nigerians who held positions at the federal level never impacted positively on the people. "PDP is simply intimidated. And to make things worse, we have produced a minister of works twice, minister of education, minister of Defence and yet, when you look at the federal roads in the state, although we produced ministers of works but they never worked. "These are things the people know about and now it is election season, they are in trouble, and they cannot say this is what they have done," Oshiomole noted. Reacting to criticisms

that he was owing huge areas in pension in the state, Oshiomole said he met a lot of financial mess on ground with the sack of about 7000 workers and permanent secretaries by his predecessors. He said that having cleared 10 years pension and gratuities arrears, only four years are outstanding. Oshiomhole however gave the assurance that his administration would settle part of the four years pensions outstanding before handing over power to a new government. He said: "The problem PDP has in Edo State is

very clear to everyone. First, they had the privilege of presiding over the state for 10 years, from 1999 to 2008. During this period, their records with regards to workers are clear. “First, on assumption of office in 1999, PDP government sacked all permanent secretaries because they needed their agencies as permanent secretaries. They had to sack the ones they met and appoint fresh ones. “The following year, 2000, they sacked over 7,000 civil servants, and none of them was paid gratuity or pension. From 1998 when the Army left,

to 1999 and to the end of 2008 when I took over, that was a period of 13 years. "So we found a pension bill of 13 years, arrears of gratuity and pension not paid by the PDP government including the 7,000 people they dismissed. "When I assumed duties at the end of 2008, I had two options. There was this temptation to say that I would be paying those who retired during my tenure. But as a former labour leader, I asked myself that if an employer was so callous to carry out massive retrenchment of workers as the PDP did by sacking 7,000 and permanent secretaries and

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, briefing state house correspondents on developments in Edo state during a visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

N4,702.7trn

Lepers' protest: Okowa orders fumigation, workers' vaccination Dominic Adewole ASABA

or fear of epidemic, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday ordered his Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social and Community Development, Rev. Omotshola Williams, to ensure that the premises of the Ministry and its environs were fumigated against the spread of leprosy. The Governor became worried after scores of protesting lepers from Eku Lepers' Colony in Ethiope West Local Gov-

ernment Area of the state slept at the ministry for two days. The lepers, under the aegis of the People Affected by Leprosy (PAL), led by their chairman, Lucky Egbo, crippled official duties at the Ministry and forced workers to abandon their duty posts to prevent themselves from being infected. The protesters trooped to the streets of Asaba, embarrassed the state government, harassed commuters and other road users on the popular Anwai road, leading to the Government House, Asa-

Tension in Bayelsa communities over death of soldiers Pauline Onyibe YENAGAO

here is tension on the streets and the communities of Bayelsa State as security operatives have been positioned in and around the state with the intention of fishing out the killers of three soldiers. New Telegraph gathered yesterday that security officials have taken over Nembe Local government where the incident happened in search of the gunmen that killed

the three soldiers. Already most of the residents of the community have left the community for fear of reprisal attack. New Telegraph also gathered that the gun boat was abandoned along the creek of Rivers State as information had it that they could not operate the gun boat. Some fisher men were said to have been arrested in connection with the gun boat. It would be recalled that about three soldiers were killed on Monday by yet to be identified gunmen.

did not pay them gratuity, is it the fault of those workers? “So, I accepted the fact that government is a continuum. So as we speak today, we have paid all those who pensioned in 1998 and 1999, all those they dismissed in 2000 and those who retired from 2001 to 2011.” Continuing, he stated, “I have paid pension arrears of 13 years even though I have been in government for only seven years plus. If I have limited myself to pension bills arising from those who retired during my tenure, I would have paid more than double."

ba and Abuja because the governor reduced their meals, stipend and had not paid them for seven months. The directive, the New Telegraph gathered from a top government functionary (names withheld) at the ministry yesterday, came with an "immediate effect." The source confirmed that fear gripped the governor in faraway Abuja when he read in the national dailies that lepers had taken over Asaba metropolis. "The governor was afraid; hence he ordered

the payment of their entitlements. He was afraid too that some persons may be infected. He could not complain of paucity of funds because it was an eye-sour,” the source said. He disclosed that the Commissioner, who abdicated office while the protest lasted, had employed the service a renowned veterinary doctor to handle the fumigation exercise. He said he was not aware that the governor equally directed his boss to vaccinate staff of ministry.

A’Ibom chief whip seeks autonomy for LGs Tony Anichebe UYO

orried by the slow pace of grassroots development in Nigeria, the Deputy Chief Whip of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Otuekong Nse Udofot Essien, has canvassed independence of the third-tier of government. Speaking in an interview in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, Essien, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Commerce, Industry and Tourism, said it was the only way Local Governments administrators would be

accountable to the people. He noted that, “lack of autonomy at the Local Government level has impacted negatively on the grassroots development in Nigeria”. As a former Secretary of Onna Local Government, Essien disclosed that the third tier of government would only grow when administration at that level were not prompted by the whims of the State governments. According to him, if Local Governments operate independently, people would be sufficiently empowered to hold them accountable for their stewardships.

The amount of the market capitalization of FGN bonds of Nigeria as of December 31, 2014. Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

Ibibio elders laud Buhari on Ekere’s appointment as NDDC MD Tony Anichebe UYO

he nomination of Mr. Nsima Ekere as the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by President Muhammadu Buhari has received the commendation of three sociocultural organisations of the Ibibio, the largest ethnic group in Akwa Ibom State. The Ibibio constitute about 65 percent of the population of the state. In separate goodwill messages, the Ibibio Elders’ Forum, the apex group of Ibibio elders, the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, the umbrella organisation of Ibibio youths, and the Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, the foremost sociocultural organisation of Ibibio people, comprising both elders and youths, lauded the President for Ekere appointment. In its goodwill message to the President, signed by its Chairman, Dr. Okon Akpan Uko, and SecretaryGeneral, Dr. Emmanuel Akpanobong, the Ibibio Elders’

Forum hailed the President for nominating Mr. Ekere as the NDDC Chief Executive and Mr. Samuel Frank as the Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom State in the commission, saying that both appointments were well-deserved. It described Mr. Ekere as a seasoned professional and astute administrator with decades of experience who has served Akwa Ibom people in various capacities including as a Deputy Governor. “With Obong Nsima Ekere on the saddle of the NDDC affairs, we are confident in his ability to deliver the long-expected development and transformation of the Niger Delta oil-producing region as well as create employment and empowerment for the unemployed youths of the region,” the forum said. It called on Nigerians, in general, and Akwa Ibom people, in particular, to continue to support the President, and also appealed for appointment of more indigenes of the state into Federal Boards and Commissions.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Borno inaugurates board to regulate preaching Ahmed Miringa MAIDUGURI

orno State government yesterday inaugurated a board, the Islamic Preaching Board to regulate preaching activities in the state with a view to avoiding a recurrence of misguided ideology and doctrine such as the one that led to the Boko Haram insurgency in the state. While inaugurating the board and the Pilgrims’ Welfare Board at the Government House, Maiduguri yesterday, Governor Kashim Shettima said the establish-

ment of the board became necessary to avoid a repeat of what had happened in the state. The governor said: “In 2003, the Taliban came out in Kanama and were defeated by the military, they regrouped and attacked Bama and Gwoza and in 2004, they were defeated, they again regrouped and attacked Panshekara in 2007, re-grouped again and came out in 2009 and were also defeated by the military. “They re-grouped again in 2013 and 2014 and sacked many local governments, we must seek a permanent solution, hence the need to

establish the board to curb the spread of misguided ideology in the state. Governor Shettima said the government will also establish Tsagaya Regulatory Board to regulate the proliferation of Tsangaya schools and teachings in the state, adding that the influx of Almajiris needed to be regulated to check extremists’ ideology. He called on the chairman and members of the board to bring to bear their experiences to ensure those with the wrong ideology did not spread them in the name of preaching. On the Pilgrims Welfare

Board, the governor called on members of the board to work closely with the Amirul Hajj Committee to ensure a hitch-free 2016 hajj exercise. The board will be headed by the Chief Imam of Borno, Imam Laisu Ibrahim Ahmed, while Sheik Mohammad Mustapha, Sheik Arabi Abdul Fatahi, Sheik Ali Mustapha and Sheik Ibrahim Mustapha were members. While the pilgrims’ board has Imam Ali Gapchiya as chairman with Alhaji Bako Gurantee, Sheik Abubakar Kyari, among others, were members.

43 Herdsmen demand compensation for 32 cows killed in Kogi News|NORTH

Zacchaeus Ozovehe and Mohammed Bashir

he Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Kogi State, yesterday demanded that justice be done and compensation paid for the killing of 32 cows worth about N10 million at Umomi part of the state. Chairman of the association in the state, Mallam Abubakar Jalido, who made the demand yesterday in Lokoja during a press conference, said many cows were also injured during what he called an unwarranted attack on his members on August 9. He said the attacks,

Benue looting: Ortom makes detour, grants pardon to indicted culprit Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

he expectation of the people of Benue State that Governor Samuel Ortom would recover the much talked about N107 billion from the 52 persons indicted by the Justice Margaret Kpojimeled investigative panel that probed the eight-year tenure of former governor, Gabriel Suswam, was dashed yesterday as the governor made a

Niger State Governor, Dr. Abubakar Sani Bello (right), congratulating the new secretary to the State Government, Alh Ibrahim Isa Ladan, shortly after being sworn in, in Government House, in Minna. … yesterday.

5.74%

The capital importation percentage share of Oil and Gas of Nigeria in 2008. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

The total number of goals conceded by Ecuador at Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Fifa.com

The life expectancy of women at age 60 years of Equatorial Guinea in 2010-2015. Source: Un.org

Shiites accuse Buhari over members’ killings Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

n Islamic group, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as the Shi’ites group, yesterday accused President Muhammadu Buhari of killing its members during the clash between them and the soldiers last December. Speaking with newsmen yesterday, Chairman of Free Zakzaky Committee, Malam AbdurRahman Abubakar Yola, also rejected the report of the Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba led judicial commission of inquiry, which probed the December 12 to 14 crises in Zaria, Kaduna State. According to Yola, “President Buhari was not only briefed ahead of the killings, he also sanctioned and ordered it.” He said the Kaduna State

government, which set up the commission of inquiry, had made up its mind that IMN was guilty because the panel ensured that the leader of the movement, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky did not get a fair hearing. “It seems fairly obvious that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry (JCI) was a typical commission with a pre-determined mandate and report. Consequently, we reject the report and its recommendations,” Yola said yesterday. According to him, while Kaduna State government claimed that the inquiry determined the immediate and remote causes of the incident, it had made up its mind that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria was guilty and charged over 400 of our members to court. “The charges against our members are still going on in five different courts in Kaduna State and all of

them have been denied bail on grounds that over 250 of them allegedly killed one soldier and no single security or military officer was facing trial for the death of more than 1,000 members of the IMN. “It is also incongruous that a judicial commission that visited persons not directly involved in the crisis

refused to visit the Kaduna Central prison where over 70 of the detainees were carrying gunshot wounds and yet it claimed it wanted to determine the number of injured persons. The same commission did not find it convenient to ascertain the number of our members that died in prisons and police custody,” Yola said.

spearheaded by youths of Umomi in Ofu Local Government Area of the state started since 2015, adding that all efforts to resolve the matter amicably were resisted by youths of the community. “They have been killing Fulani herdsmen and their cows. Police intervened and it was resolved that all complaints be made to the traditional ruler of the community and the police, but this has been frustrated repeatedly by the youths of the community,” he said. The chairman identified one of the victims of the attacks, Alhaji Modibo Saleh, as the worst hit, saying that 32 of his cows were killed in the last two months.

detour on the matter. Governor Ortom directed that a former Managing Director of Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), Mrs. Bridget Sheidu, whom the probe panel indicted for diverting over N3.1 billion to her private pocket be pardoned. A corporate organisation (names withheld), which was also indicted by the panel had in June, returned N355.9 million to the state government.

Niger sets up inquiry into military, villagers’ clash Dan Atori MINNA

iger State government yesterday said it has set up a judicial commission of inquiry into last week’s clash in Kpaidna and four other villages in the Bosso Local Government Area of the state. The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Nasara Dan-Malam, who announced government’s plan at a news conference in Minna yesterday, neither gave the names of members of the committee nor its chairman. It will be recalled that not less than 19 people, includ-

ing 12 soldiers, died in the attack which followed the search for arms and ammunition by the military reportedly hidden in the village. The decision of the government to set up the commission also came on the heels of the burial of civilian casualties of the clash. Dan-Malam, however, said the terms of reference of the commission would include “but not limited to investigating the remote and immediate causes of the disturbance and make appropriate recommendations to government. “The commission will be empowered with all the necessary instruments by the state governor.”

Polio eradication suffers setback, Borno records new case Appolonia Adeyemi

inister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has confirmed an outbreak of wild polio virus (WPV) in Borno State. According to a statement from the Assistant Director (Press and Public Relations) at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Olajide Oshundun, the outbreak

has affected two children from Gwoza and Jere Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state. The discovery and confirmation of the outbreak was as a result of strengthened surveillance due to improved accessibility which has been made possible by the recent military action in liberating more communities in the northeastern part of the country. The minister said the

detection of children paralysed by polio shows that surveillance has increased with more access but it is a reminder that the country needs to remain vigilant and immunise all eligible children with polio vaccine until polio is completely eradicated worldwide. ‘’Our overriding priority right now is to rapidly boost immunity in the affected areas to ensure

that no more children are affected by this terrible disease,’’ he added. To this end, the minister has directed the deployment of a national emergency response team, comprising government and partners to Borno State for immediate and robust polio vaccination campaign, targeting eligible children to prevent the spread of the virus locally and internationally.

WORLD \ NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Zambia votes in tight presidential poll

ambians have been voting in presidential and parliamentary elections following campaigning marred by clashes between rival supporters. It is expected to be a tight race between President Edgar Lungu's governing PF party and the opposition UPND led by Hakainde Hichilema. For the first time, a presidential candidate must win more than 50 percent of the vote to

avoid a run-off. Mr. Lungu won the last election by less than 28,000 votes. Each of the nine presidential candidates has a running mate to avoid a presidential by-election if the president dies in office - which has happened twice in the last 10 years. The BBC's Akwasi Sarpong in the capital, Lusaka, say there has been a high turnout at polling centres in the city. Long, calm, orderly queues formed early in the morning

Syria conflict: Aleppo 'chlorine gas attack' investigated

he UN is investigating evidence of a toxic gas attack on a rebel-held area of the Syrian city of Aleppo. Rebels said the attack - which reportedly left four people dead and many injured - was carried out by government forces using chlorine gas. The UN special envoy for Syria said a chlorine attack, if confirmed, would amount to a "war crime". Footage obtained by the BBC shows people with breathing difficulties receiving treatment at a hospital. Men, women and children are shown being fitted with oxygen masks by medi-

Sirte where an unknown number of militants are dug in. Eighteen government aligned fighters were killed two days ago and 72 wounded, Rida Issa, a spokesman for the Sirte operation, said. There has been house to house fighting in residential areas in recent weeks, with the brigade fighters struggling to gain ground against sniper fire, trip wires and landmines. The fighters are led by brigades from the nearby Misrata, who repelled an Islamic State advance south of their city in early May before pushing eastwards to Sirte and besieging the militants in the center of the Mediterranean city. The capture of Sirte would be a major setback for Islamic State, ousting the jihadist group from the only city in Libya where it established total control.

Taliban conflict: Thousands flee as fighting threatens Helmand

housands of people have fled intense fighting in Afghanistan's Helmand province, officials have told the BBC. Most have sought refuge in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah which has been targeted by Taliban fighters for months. The Afghan government has flown in special forces, repelling an attack on a district adjacent to the capital amidst heavy casualties. The Taliban has staged many attacks across Afghanistan recently. It has gained in strength since the bulk of British, American and other Nato forces left in 2014. The head of

key issue. Plunging prices for copper, its main export, have closed mines and left thousands unemployed. With economic growth roughly halved, the country asked the International Monetary Fund for help earlier this year. In addition, Zambia, like other parts of southern Africa, has been hit by a drought that the UN has described as the worst in 35 years. The UPND (United Party for National Development) has accused President Lungu of

presiding over the "collapse" of the economy. But the PF (Patriotic Front) says it has a plan to diversify the economy. During the last election, some women wearing nail varnish were forced to remove it before voting as polling officials said they would not be able to apply the indelible ink correctly. But on Wednesday night, the electoral commission circulated posts on social media saying women with "painted nails and/ or false nails" could vote.

cal staff. The gas is thought to have been chlorine dropped in a barrel bomb, said the Syrian Civil Defence - volunteer emergency response workers who operate in opposition-held areas. UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura confirmed the global body's experts were investigating reports of a gas, believed to be chlorine, being dropped on Aleppo. "There is a lot of evidence that it actually did take place," he told reporters. "If it did take place, it is a war crime and as much it would require everyone to address it immediately."

Libyan forces work to secure gains against Islamic State

ibyan forces yesterday were securing and demining areas newly captured from Islamic State in Sirte, combing the area around a convention complex that had been a symbol of the militant group's authority in the city. Forces aligned with Libya's UN backed government seized the Ouagadougou convention center and several other key sites two days ago, advancing into areas that had been fought over for weeks. Those forces, supported since Aug. 1 by US air strikes, said in a statement that they had taken Islamic State's "most important bastions" in its former North African stronghold. But they have yet to gain control of several neighborhoods in central

and election monitors have not reported any complaints, he says. There were five votes - for president, MPs, mayors, local councilors and an amendment to the constitution on changes to the bill of rights. As the counting begins, Zambia's electoral commission has urged political party supporters to remain calm after final results are announced. Observers say Zambia's struggling economy will be a

the office for Internally Displaced Persons in Helmand, Naqibullah, told the BBC's Afghan service that 3,000 families from different districts had been forced from their homes by the recent fighting. "They need food and other assistance," he said. "The World Food Programme has promised to assist 800 families, but their stocks are in Kandahar and the road between Kandahar and Helmand is blocked at the moment." Lashkar Gah residents backed up his account. "Every day dozens of families come from districts to Lashkar Gah," Abdel Jabar, a shopkeeper, said.

Zambians awaiting their turn to cast their votes during the presidential and parliamentary elections in the capital, Lusaka yesterday

Trump insists Obama is founder of IS

e publican Donald Trump has described US President Barack Obama as the "founder" of the Islamic State group. "They honour President Obama," he told a rally in Florida two days ago. "He is the founder of Isis [Islamic State]. Mr. Trump also attacked his Democratic rival for the White House, Hillary Clinton, calling her a "co-founder". She responded by accusing him of "trash talking" the US and echoing the talking points of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr. Trump stood by his remarks yesterday, using a sports phrase to say Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton were the Islamic State's "most valu-

able players". The Republican presidential nominee has endured 10 days of negative headlines after a string of controversial comments. Most recently, he appeared to urge his supporters to take up arms against Mrs. Clinton to stop her from appointing liberal judges to the US Supreme Court if she wins the election. The hotel developer turned politician denied he was inciting violence, but the daughter of former President Ronald Reagan, who was shot in 1981, condemned his "verbal violence". Patti Davis wrote on Facebook: "It was heard by the person sitting alone in a room, locked in his own dark fantasies, who sees unbridled violence as a way to

make his mark in the world, and is just looking for ideas. "Yes, Mr. Trump, words matter. But then you know that, which makes this all even more horrifying. Mr. Trump's latest controversy, that the US president and his former secretary of state are responsible for creating Islamic State, is a reference to US foreign policy under Mr. Obama. He has often accused the president of allowing the militants to flourish and has regularly suggested he is actually a sympathiser of the group. IS can trace its roots back to the late Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian who formed al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) after the US-led invasion in 2003.

Terrorist plot: Russia announces war games

ladimir Putin summoned his security council and the Russian Navy announced war games in the Black Sea, a day after the Russian president accused Ukraine of trying to provoke a conflict over Crimea, which Moscow seized and annexed in 2014. The belligerent posture heightened worries in Ukraine that Russia may plan to ramp up fighting in a war between Kiev and proRussian eastern separatists that had been de-escalated by a shaky peace process. Using some of his most aggressive rhetoric against Kiev since the height of the war two years ago, Putin has pledged to take counter measures against Ukraine, which he accused of sending saboteurs into Crimea to carry out terrorist acts. Ukraine has called the accu-

sations false and says they look like a pretext for Russia to escalate hostilities. Such an escalation could be used by Putin to demand better terms in the Ukraine peace process, or to inflame nationalist passions at home ahead of Russian parliamentary elections next month. The Russian leader met his top military and intelligence service brass on Thursday and reviewed "scenarios for counterterrorism security measures along the land border, offshore and in Crimean air space," the Kremlin said. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he had ordered all Ukrainian units near Crimea and in eastern Ukraine onto the highest state of combat readiness. He was seeking to urgently speak to Putin, the leaders of France and Germany, US Vice President Joe Biden and European Council

President Donald Tusk. Oleh Slobodyan, a spokesman for the Ukrainian border guards, said Russia had massed troops on Ukraine's border with Crimea in recent days following an uptick in Russian military activity in northern Crimea and heavier fighting in eastern Ukraine. "These troops are coming with more modern equipment and there are air assault units," he told a news briefing in Kiev. The Russian Defence Ministry said its navy whose Black Sea Fleet is based in Crimea - would start to hold exercises in the area to practice repelling underwater attacks by saboteurs. Russia says it caught the infiltrators after at least two armed clashes on the border between Crimea and Ukraine over the weekend, and one of its soldiers and an FSB security service employee were killed.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport

Sport News

Did you know?

Okagbare begins chase for medals

That the Olympic flag has white background with no border. The Olympic symbol is located in the centre with its five colours.

Rio Olympics U-23 Eagles threaten to boycott Denmark match

46 47

Team Nigeria’s kits yet to arrive Rio Athletes shop locally, receive half allowance

Charles Ogundiya

fter seven days of competition at the Olympic Games currently going on in Rio, Brazil, New Telegraph can exclusively report that Team Nigeria athletes are still waiting for the official competition kits. It was scooped that apart from the track suits used for the opening ceremony parade, nothing has been given to the athletes as kits. An officialwhocravedanonymity said it has become tradition for Team Nigeria to go for competitions without kits with some of themmakinguseof theirpersonal kits or previous competition kits for their various events. According to our source, some of the athletes who have started their events apart from the football team who received their kits from the Nigeria Football Federation, have resulted to shopping for kits locally just to be able to compete. “This is a big shame the earlier we start doing the right thing, the better for us as a nation,” the official said. “All we hear was they are waiting for the kits and maybe before the end of the games, we are going to get the kits,” the source said.

“Athletes from other countries are competing in the same kits across all sports but Team Nigeria is different because there are no kits. “At the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, the kits arrived just immediately after the games and we hope this one will be different.” It was also leart that the athletes were paid half of their camp allowances with some of them who have completed their events still waiting in Rio to get their balance. Meanwhile, some of the athletes have said they are not going to be distracted with happenings around them as they target personal glory. One of the athletes who will be starting her event today said: “I don’t care about things around me, all I want to do is to put in my best and achieve as an Olympian.”

Mikel (right) in action against Colombia

U-23 Eagles ready for Denmark, says Siasia Vows to work on floppy defence

Emmanuel Tobi

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent Siasia

-23 Eagles Head Coach, Samson Siasia, has stated that his team will bounce back stronger when Nigeria battle Denmark in the quarterfinal of the Men’s Olympics Football Tournament Rio 2016. Following the team’s 2-0 loss to Colombia in their final Group B game on Thursday, Siasia has said he will concentrate on building a solid defence– line as the African champions get set to tackle Group A runners –up Denmark on Saturday. “Going into the knock–out stage, that’s a different ball game. If you lose, you go home, so all those mistakes we have been making mostly in the backline have to be corrected. We didn’t do a good job on the Colombian forwards. We really have to work harder on our defending.

Rues Etebo’s injury

On his assessment of the Colombia squad, Siasia stated: “Colombia has always been a good team, in spite of the challenges they faced before coming to the Olympics. All the teams at this tournament are good; you just have to take your chances when you have them. The Colombians took their chances against us.” The coach said he would have to wait for the verdict of the medical crew on the injury to Oghenekaro Etebo while Captain Mikel Obi said, “The team will work harder ahead of our next game.” Meanwhile, the National Technical Director, Bitrus Bewarang, has arrived in Brazil to join the team as they march on in the quest for Olympic gold while Nigeria’s delegation departed Sao Paulo on Thursday morning for Salvador, where the team confronts Denmark at the Arena Fonte Nova on Saturday evening.

Okwaraji: Brother decries govt’s neglect

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SPORT NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Okagbare begins chase for medals

Charles Ogundiya

he country’s medal hopeful, Blessing Okagbare, will today begins her journey towards history as the athletic events of the ongoing Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil commence. The athlete will be gunning for medals in her traditional 100m, 200m, Long Jump and 4 x 100m women relay. The University of Texas at El Paso’s graduate won a bronze medal in long jump at her first outing eight years ago in Beijing while failing to win anything at the London games. The greatest challenge to the Sapele-born athlete’s quest who ran her season’s best of 11.02secs at the All Nigeria trials will be from ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce, who is chasing history as she bids to become the first athlete to win a hat-trick of

Olympic women’s 100m titles. Others are world leader Elaine Thompson who ran a blistering 10.70secs at her national championships to equal Fraser-Pryce’s Jamaican record and climb to joint fourth on the all-time lists. Another danger is Murielle Ahoure, the 2013 World 100m silver medallist, who is seeking Ivory Coast’s second ever Olympic track and field medal. Ahoure ran a PB of 10.78 earlier in the season and was crowned African champion in Durban. Tori Bowie ran a time of 10.78 to claim third spot at the US Trials and as a 2015 world bronze medallist she too will have genuine medal aspirations. Other athletes expected to compete today in the women’s 100m are: Gloria Asumnu and Jennifer Madu, while Orukpe Eraiyokan and Nwanneka Okwelogu will be competing in the men’s 400m round one and women’s shot put qualification respectively.

Ikenna Amadi

Vardy eyes strong partnership with Musa Emmanuel Tobi

eicester City top striker Jamie Vardy has expressed confidence in forming a deadly partnership upfront with Super Eagles striker, Ahmed Musa, who joined the club on a record fee. Vardy was partnered by Shinji Okazaki and Leonardo Ulloa last season as City surged to the title and Vardy finished second in the Premier League goal scoring charts with 24. However, new £16 million signing Musa is a very different striker to both Okazaki and Ulloa, although, he is very similar to Vardy, with lightning pace. The duo combined for the first time on Sunday in the second half of City’s Community Shield defeat to Manchester United. Musa’s pressuring of Marouane Fellaini led to Vardy’s goal. Vardy has said he has no doubts that he and Musa can be a deadly combination. “He’s quick,” said Vardy. “I’ve seen him before. I’ve watched in the Champions League at home when he played for CSKA Moscow and he always had that speed and obvi-

ously he can finish. “Hopefully, it will bring another aspect to our strike force. He also dismissed the notion that he can’t play with Musa because of the similarity in their style of play. “We had that the other year when people said I couldn’t play up front with Leo, because we were too different. But obviously that was a load of rubbish. “I can definitely play with him, you just both adapt. David Nugent was one of those who joined the midfield and attack, then you have Leo who is like the target man so I might drop in a bit. “You have to constantly adapt, but that is what we do on the training field, you get to know each other and it becomes automatic.”

Musa

Ighalo signs new five-year contract with Watford

Emmanuel Tobi

uper Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has agreed a five-year contract extension at Watford. Ighalo had been a target for West Brom, who are keen to bring in a new striker before allowing Saido Berahino to leave the club. The Baggies had previously tried to sign West Ham’s Diafra Sakho, but he failed a medical and the deal fell through, prompting them to consider Ighalo as an alternative. Earlier in the summer, Watford rejected a £37.5m bid from Shanghai SIPG for the 27-year-old and he has now committed his long-term future to the Hornets. Ighalo’s previous deal with Watford was not due to expire until 2020 but the club offered him improved

Nigeria must not underrate Denmark – Owolabi

terms to ward off interest from other teams. His new contract runs until 2021. The Nigerian forward was one of Watford’s key players last season as he scored 15 Premier League goals and struck up a highly-productive partnership with club captain Troy Deeney, who also signed a new fiveyear deal last month.

Ighalo

ormer international Felix Owolabi has warned the U-23 Eagles to be wary of the Danish team when both teams clash in the quarterfinal of the men’s football at the Rio Olympics on Saturday. Speaking in an interview with New Telegraph on Thursday, the ex-international warned that playing against a well-disciplined Denmark team may prove dicey for Nigeria. “Denmark is a great team. We should prepare well and our defense must improve. It is a 50 50 thing. I believe we can deliver but we shouldn’t underrate them,” he said. He also expressed disappointment on the team’s defence which he described as too porous. “When you check our performance at the games, you will find out that we have scored six goals and conceded six. Siasia need to identify the area of defence and work on it. “We have a good attack but our defense is a problem. We need to tighten things up. We have a porous defence,” he added.

Okagbare

Nigeria rise in latest FIFA rankings T

he Super Eagles of Nigeria have moved three places up in the latest FIFA Rankings released on Thursday by the world football governing body. Compared to their position the previous month, the Super Eagles have climbed three places and now occupy the 67th position but they remain 16th in the continental ranking. Algeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Egypt are the top five teams in Africa in that order. Nigeria’s other two rivals in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers- Cameroon and Zambia - sit in the 54th and 91st place respectively in the updated ranking. In the global ranking, 2014 World Cup vice-champions Argentina lead the way followed by Belgium, Colombia, Germany and Chile. The next rankings will be published on September 15, 2016. Africa’s Top 10 1st Algeria, 2nd Ghana, 3rd Ivory Coast, 4th Senegal, 5th Egypt, 6th Tunisia, 7th Morocco, 8th Cameroon 9th Congo DR, 10th Cape Verde Islands

Owolabi

Osunwa relishes new goals record

igeria striker Kelechi Osunwa is excited to set new goal scoring record in Sudan Premier League history after he scored a hat-trick in Al Ahly Shendi’s 3-0 thrashing of Merreikh Kosti. The 31-year-old striker is top scorer in Sudan with 23 goals with 12 games to spare. “Thank God for the victory tonight and my second hat-trick for the season and a welldeserved player of the game award,” he said via his Facebook page. “Currently the leading scorer with 23 goals and a new record of goals in the Sudan premier league with twelve games to go, it can only be God and I’m so grateful.” He has previously played for Sudan top guns Al Hilal and El Merreikh.

Brila stages Wave Ur Banner in Lagos

he football landscape in Nigeria is set to erupt in excitement as Wave Ur Banner, the country’s authentic football festival brings together fans to celebrate the kick-off of Europe’s most exciting league on Friday, August 12 at the Blue Roof, LTV Complex, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos. This year’s party is headlined by Africa’s frontline artistes such as Davido and his HKN crew, Korede Bello, Falz, Simi, Chidinma, Humble Smith, Pasuma, AY, Akpororo, Funny-Bone, Acapella, Still Ringing, Funnybone, Kenny Blaq among others. Held yearly to celebrate every new football season, usually few days before the beginning of Europe’s most

glamorous leagues, Wave Ur Banner is organised by Africa’s frontline radio station, Sports Radio 88.9 Brila Fm. First held in 2009, the event has deep roots in the hearts of the Nigerian football fan, who attend yearly, decked colourfully in the kits of their favourite clubs, interacting, partying and enjoying the company of rival fans. According to Jide Ojo, the project manager, “the uniqueness of the event is its removal of boundaries between football fans while giving individuals the freedom to celebrate their clubs, national teams and football fans as they deem fit.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Olympics

Rio: Ajagba good for boxing medal – Konyegwachie Akinyemi still gutted after Rio failure

s the Boxing event of the Summer Olympics draws near, Coach Anthony Konyegwachie has vowed to get a medal for Team Nigeria through Nigeria’s sole entrant in Boxing, Efe Ajagba Boxing takes the centre stage on Saturday August 13 at the RiocentroPavilion 6 and Trinidad and Tobago’s Nigel Paul would provide the first acid test for the Nigerian and his optimistic coach. ‘’All I know is that Efe Ajagba is as good as a medal here in the Olympics,’’ Konyegwachie said at the athletes Village in Rio. ‘’People have been wondering why we fielded only one boxer. The truth is that he got here by dint of hard work and discipline. Those are the core ingredients in boxing. I know the boxer I have and am confident of what he can do,’’ the coach said.

Konyegwachie

ATTF: Quadri is Africa’s pride resident of African Taipei’s Chuang ChihP Table Tennis Fed- Yuan and Germany’s eration Khaled El-Sal- Timo Boll. hy has described Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri as a pride to Africa in Brazil. El-Salhy while commending the 2014 ITTF Star Player added that the heroic performance of Aruna Quadri is a confirmation of Africa’s relevance in global table tennis. “I must admit that all the African players did their best in the singles, while the extra ordinary outcome was through Aruna Quadri for his superb performance against the top ITTF ranked players like Chinese

“In my opinion the achievement of Aruna Quadri in Rio will be of great impact to Africa and all players as well as help to break all barriers, raising the ceiling of ambitious player at all World and Olympic title events regardless of their opponents,” the ATTF boss said. He added: “Simply, Aruna Quadri is perfect, full of energy and trust his skills with good preparation. He also put his mind in the game to fly the flag of Nigeria and Africa in such Olympic Games.”

He should know because he too was a crack pugilist who cracked many opponents at the Los Angeles Olympics before settling for a silver. ‘’Ajagba is so dedicated to Boxing. He packs devastating punches and his right and left combinations are amazing together with his foot movement on the canvas. He has the height,’’ the coach added. Looking at Ajagba’s credentials, though, one can easily agree. Ajagba punched himself to reckoning at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 when he first represented Nigeria and settled for a bronze medal. At the 2015 African Games, he won gold. He’s currently rated fifth behind the boxers who would square up against him for the medals in Rio. ‘’He has improved and he is focused,’’ Konyegwachie pointed out.

U-23 Eagles threaten to boycott Denmark match Players shun training

igeria have threatened to boycott a Rio Olympics quarterfinal and have already skipped training in Salvador because they insist on receiving the balance of their allowances in Brazil. Nigeria won Group B despite going down 2-0 to Colombia on Thursday and will face Group A runners-up Denmark in Salvador by 8pm Nigerian time on Saturday to determine the team for the semifinals. Authoritative source told AfricanFootball.com that, “The players said that their level of patriotism has already dwindled because of the way they have been treat-

ed by the government officials prior to the Olympic Games. “Now they said they won’t step out to train until the remaining balance of their training and camp allowances are paid. “Not only that, they have threatened not to play the quarter-final against Denmark on Saturday until all the monies owed them are paid. “As we speak now, the only money that the players have received was the $150 dollars per day for 11 days, while there are more than that 11 days still to be paid and no extra money was received for the matches played so far.”

igeria’s sole entrant in the Slalom Canoeing event of the Rio Olympics, Jonathan Akinyemi, is still gutted after failing to hit the semifinal spot. Akinyemi placed 20th in the field of 21 recording a time of 104.59 in his second run in the Men’s Kayak singles event. ‘’I made a terrible mistake that cost me the semifinal spot,’’ Jonathan confessed at the Games Village where he was spotted lonely. I feel sad,’’ he said. However, his father, John Akinyemi, who is also his coach said that he was worried because his son was yet to come to terms with the mistake that he made that ruined his chances of a medal here in Rio. ‘’He’s still sulking and feel for him. He put in so much for the Games and was sure of getting something. The whole thing is gone and my boy is still gutted,’’ the father said. He noted that his boy was still young and could still salvage everything if only the country would start now to prepare for Tokyo 2020. ‘’We need to plan and even look beyond Tokyo. Nigeria is blessed with brilliant athletes who are naturally strong. All we need do is to get good coaches and invest long time. “That’s exactly what Great Britain did and they turned everything around. They had a budget of 314 billion pounds. And it translates to spending 600,000 pounds on one athlete. That’s awesome. Athletes are well prepared and they give their best and the result shows,’’ Akinyemi senior said.

Akinyemi

Tribute to late Samuel Sochukuma Okwaraji 27 years after…

Brother decries govt’s neglect Wants Okwaraji Immortalised

Charles Onyekwere ENUGU Okwaraji’s portrait at the National Stadium, Lagos

Okwaraji

he family of late Super Eagles midfielder Sam Okwaraji, has expressed dismay over Federal Government’s neglect to the family since his passage 27 years ago, saying that immortalising him will make a big difference. Elder brother to late Okwaraji, Mr. Patrick Okwaraji stated this on Thursday in an exclusive interview with New Telegraph at the family residence at Abakpa Nike Enugu State. He explained that since the death of his younger brother,

past governments have refused to honour the family despite series of letters put across to them but no avail. According to him, Stephen Keshi was twice national coach of the Eagles. He has also being an international coach twice they are all mates. He has also led Nigeria to the World Cup. He said: “Sam Okwaraji was a doctorate degree graduate. He played football at top level. If not for death, he would have been very great today. People like Patrick Ekeji who read as much as Sam, later became the Director of Sports in Nigeria for almost 10 years. When you check all these, you know the weight of

his loss to the family. “His death is a very big loss to the family. Loss of life, memory and no rememberance. Imagine nothing like entitlement too since then till now. The Nigerian government is not showing sign of appreciation even to immortalize him. “Even though the government is not doing anything about him, let his legacy impact fire up the younger ones. Look at the mother of Sam, a former international footballer. She is okay but she would have been better if his son was still alive today. She would have been a happier woman on earth. Like she said before, she has handed over everything to God.”

Okwaraji

On Marble

“You can't buy the love you want, you can't sell your love. Love is given by those who deserve it.”

Sanctity of Truth

Emeka Obasi Okwaraji: Day Jesus saw red

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

—Jayson Engay

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016

‘Honey, you're going to be a dad’

hen a man and a woman decide to exercise their intimate franchise behind closed doors, pleasure, most of the time, tops the list of their agenda. The pleasure is even more pleasurable when it is stolen pleasure. You know the logic of the forbidden fruits and so on? Right, when a man is stealing into the secret place of a woman he has not or does not even have the intention of marrying, he tends to put more man hours on the job. He visits the secret place religiously and tills the land like he wants the harvest the following day. But we all know this behind-closed-door farmer is not your regular farmer. In fact, research has shown that he is more a thief than a farmer. Unfortunately, he continues to sneak into secret places and vandalizing them, sometimes leaving tell tale signs of wear and tear. Even as you read this, an unsuspecting secret room is being vigorously tilled by a farmer who has no intention of waiting for the harvest. Whether the owner of the secret place is ready for the consequences of the vigorous work or the ‘thieving farmer’ is prepared to harvest the fruits of his labour, nature just does what is expected of her. She allows the ooohs and aaaahs, the shuddering to a pure heavenly halt and then she mixes what needs to be mixed and pronto there is a little Abel or Jane, or even Jane and Abel, on the way. A few short weeks later, the woman announces the result: ‘I’m pregnant.’ ‘Honey, you are going to be a father.’ ‘The doctor confirmed that I’m eight weeks gone...’ For a good farmer, that is a happy, memorable historic occasion. For the thieving farmer, it’s the moment the monster in him comes to town. He flips. He accuses her of trying to trap him. Every time I hear that you-want-to-trap-me-with-pregnancy part, I get this strong urge to go fishing in the man’s mouth with spanners. Pray, why is it a woman who traps a man when he’s the one who opens the bottle and fills it to the brim? When a man goes to work ON (synonym: on top of) a woman, isn’t she the one ‘trapped’ under him until he is done? So, whether she is on top or under, she is the one at the receiving end. Why then do men cry wolf when they are the wolves? Why am I even asking? Some men just like to point-and-kill and move on. That is a truth all women must accept. It is a truth all mothers must teach their daughters. That brings us to the puzzle of the week: what does a girl do when the man who filled her bottle to the brim bails out on her, denies responsibility, accuses her of sleeping with other guys, anything to get on the first flight out of her life? Should she just empty the bottle, flush the milk down the drain? Should she embark on a carefully executed revenge mission? Should she make the best of a bad situation and keep the milk? In plain language, when a woman discovers that the man she has been sleeping with is not in the relationship for the long haul that she is on her own now that she’s pregnant, what is her best option; an abortion or she should keep the baby? While you are pondering that, let us agree on one point. A woman having unprotected sex cannot feign shock when she misses her period unless she has reached menopause and sometimes that ‘pause’

Adam’s Apple

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has been known to restart, making grandmothers mothers all over again. A woman, married or unmarried, who is allergic to condom and is not on the pills or any reliable contraceptive should abstain from sex. Unless she is totally trying to conceive. If you go into the rain without an umbrella, you will get drenched. You can blame the men from now till hell cools over, the truth is, unless in cases of rape, women are always willing parties in this matter of the rejected bottled milk. They willingly let the men in, allow them to do their door-to-door

PHOTO:www.thesheet.ng

delivery and then scream when the bottle is already full and corked. Women need to get a grip and stop pretending that they were not aware that seeds grow. Again, I do not also buy the defence of women who say they didn’t know that the men would run at the sound of the patter of tiny feet. No, unless we are fooling ourselves, a woman can tell when a man is just a passerby, a hit-and-run. But sometimes we just ‘faith it’ and hope that as we give him more perks from the secret chambers, he will change his wandering ways and

settle down. It does not happen most of the time. A man suffering from wanderlust does not have roots. He’s a man with endless supply of milk and he’s just looking for where to dump his load. Here’s a quick checklist of men to avoid having naked sex with; a married man, your boss, an old bachelor with four children from four women...but we will do a full conference on them soon. Back to the main issue. What should a woman do with a denied pregnancy, when she is faced with the-baby-is-not-mine verdict? Abortion is usually what comes to her mind. It is also what the guy will suggest. But I think abortion is a decision women take out of panic, when they are in tears, depressed and wondering ‘what will people say’. But the risks last far beyond the night. The reality of such decisions dawns when the consequences have become irreversible. You think I’m talking about abortion procured from quack doctors or in the back-room of a ‘chemist’? No, or not really. Sometimes an abortion done in a good hospital may still go wrong. Where the woman does not pay with her life, her fertility may be impaired forever. I know a woman who lost a fallopian tube after a couple of abortions and still went ahead to have seven children. I also know a young woman who had just one abortion and has been married for nine years now without a child. Every time we talk she says she regrets the abortion she had 12 years ago. You never can tell which group you belong. From where I stand, a woman owns the baby. She owns the workshop, the factory line and everything there-from. She is the one who knows what to do with bottled milk. It is painful when you discover that you have been taken or a ride, used and dumped but when the finished product is handed to you in the labour room, the sense of achievement a woman feels blots out every misery, every shame. When your baby’s inquiring lips close on your nipple for the first time, there are really no words to describe the joy, the fulfilment. My conclusion: keep your bottled milk because of the long-term satisfaction you will get. Let the thieving farmer go. It’s his loss and you know what, cowardly men like him always return with their heads bowed, tails in between their legs.

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotlines: (Lagos 0902 928 1425), (Abuja 0805 5118488) Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: AYODELE OJO.