Friday, august 19, 2016

Budget deficit hits N19.2bn daily –Kachikwu …as power generation dips by 50% in six months Adeola Yusuf

N

igeria’s daily crude oil production shortage has

peaked to one million barrels per day, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Ka-

chikwu, hinted yesterday in Lagos.

With crude selling at $48 per barrel at the global

market, this means that Nigeria’s budget deficit on the one million barrels shortage now stands at $48 million daily.

Kachikwu disclosed

this hours after his counterpart in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, declared that power generation had also crashed

NLNG Act amendment: $25bn investments in jeopardy, says Omotowa

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by over 50 per cent between February and August 2016.

The duo spoke at the Annual August Conference of the National Association of Energy CorCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Pastor gave me charm to kidnap children –Suspect }9

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N150

10 feared dead as prisoners riot Adewole

Pastor Alozie and Emeruo

Ikpeazu

Wike

Army, police foil jailbreak }2

Fear grips Lagos community as gangsters shoot schoolgirl }33

President Muhammadu Buhari (left) and Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, at the annual meeting of the Association of African Central Banks (AACB) in Abuja...yesterday

FG slams $31.4m fraud charge on Jonathan's aide

Dumebi

lDudafa, seven others face fresh suit

deadly disease, smallpox, could return –Experts

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NEWS

FRIday, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

10 feared dead as prisoners riot

Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

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here was pandemonium at Abakaliki Federal Prisons in Ebonyi State yesterday when the inmates rioted over alleged poor meals served them by prison officials.

The riot resulted in high casualties on the part of the inmates and prison officials as no fewer than 10 people died during the riot.

The leader of the inmates, who allegedly incited the inmates against the officials, was shot dead.

Sources at the prisons said two officials were killed during the incident while seven casualties were recorded on the part of the inmates.

“If not for the rapid response of the combined team of prison officials, police and army drafted to the scene, the inmates had started escaping from

the prison, having overpowered the guards,” the sources said.

New Telegraph learnt that three of the officials sustained serious injuries and were taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital (FETHA), Abakaliki for medical attention.

Findings by our correspondent showed that death toll is expected to rise as those injured are in critical condition at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA) where they are receiving treatment.

Some of those injured in the attempted jailbreak had their bodies shattered with bullets.

The inmates had allegedly snatched a rifle from one of the guards and shot some of the officers, which provoked them into retaliation.

They had created opening on the prison wall for escape before anti-riot po-

licemen arrived and heavily tear-gassed them into submission.

Gunshots were heard intermittently as officers of the Nigeria Police Force and Nigerian Army battled to recover the snatched rifle.

A high ranking official told New Telegraph in confidence that the inmates were actually killed and their bodies evacuated secretly.

The Abakaliki prisons, which was built by the British Colonial Government to accommodate 300 inmates, presently houses no fewer than 1000 inmates.

In a telephone interview, the state Comptroller of Prisons, Mrs. Oputa Emilia, stated that three persons were injured in the process.

She, however, denied knowledge of any death or snatching of guns of prison guards by the inmates.

Oputa explained that the incident, which oc-

curred about 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, ensued as a result of some inmates refusing the early morning routine search in their cells.

“Yes, I can confirm that there was an incident at the Abakaliki prison this morning. This was as a result of some inmates refusing the routing search in their cells.

“But I can assure you that everything has been brought under control without any inmate escaping from the prison,” she said.

She confirmed that some inmates actually tried to escape from the prison by trying to break one of the walls, but that the situation was brought under control by the combined efforts of the armed squad of the Prisons, the Police and Military personnel stationed at the prison.

The Controller said that she had to call for reinforcement from the state Police Command to arrest

L-R: Director, United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) in charge of West and Southern Africa, Mr. Keith McGigan; Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, and his deputy, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, during DFID's officials' visit in Port Harcourt, Rivers State... yesterday.

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of them awaiting trial.

This is not good for us,” the governor said.

Umahi directed the state Comptroller of Prisons, Oputa, to compile such cases and send to him to enable him to put head together with the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Aloy Nwankwo, to fast-track justice.

He decried infrastructural decay in the federal prisons, saying it was not good for the inmates.

The governor observed that the structures were built in the 1960s and promised to partner with the prisons authorities to modernise the facility.

“Ebonyi State Government could suspend one or two things and would want to, at least, de-roof some of the buildings and re-roof them,” he said.

The governor also said his administration would provide sporting facilities in the prisons in order to keep inmates engaged.

Umahi added: “Recreational and sporting facilities will be provided.

I believe such things will engage those in the prisons and keep them away of thinking of how to escape.

When they are engaged, they will not have time to think about crimes. What we have here cannot reform anyone. It will rather harden them. We have to reform them and reintegrate the good ones into our society.”

Budget deficit hits N19.2bn daily –Kachikwu CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

UK, Rivers partner on security, education, agriculture

he Rivers State Government and the Government of the United Kingdom have resolved to strengthen their partnership with a view to enhancing development.

The two governments reached the agreement yesterday at the Government House, Port Harcourt when the Director of the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) in charge of West and Southern Africa, Mr. Keith McGigan held discussions with Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

Wike stated that the state government wants to strengthen its partnership with the United Kingdom in the area of security, technical education and agriculture.

He said though the state government’s partnership with security agencies

the situation.

She said some inmates were injured in the process and were currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

She, however, denied that the riot was triggered by inmates protesting poor quality of food and welfare.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP George Okafor, said the command was still working hard to resolve the crisis.

He, however, refused to confirm if anybody died.

"There was an attempted jailbreak and the prisons called in the police. We cordoned off the area and restored normalcy to the area," he said.

As at press time, soldiers and policemen had cordoned off all roads leading to the prisons.

Tension is also mounting in the prisons as security agents vowed to deal with the inmates at night.

Meanwhile, Governor Dave Umahi has decried the state of the Abakaliki Federal Prisons.

Umahi spoke yesterday evening when he visited the prisons after the botched jailbreak by the inmates.

“Luckily, I am told that the prisoners are not complaining of any maltreatment and malnutrition.

I was told that those who attempted the escape are those awaiting trial. I was told that there are so many

has improved security, the government is interested in collaborating with the United Kingdom to deploy technology to fight kidnapping and enhance intelligence gathering.

"Though we have some security challenges, we have worked with security agencies to stabilise the state and create the right atmosphere for investments.

However, we want to partner with the United Kingdom to further improve security, especially in the areas of the acquisition of equipment for crime fighting and intelligence gathering.

"Without security, governance and security will be negatively affected," the governor said.

He also called for collaboration with the United Kingdom in the area of technical education, where he stated that the state gov-

ernment would develop a programme where technical education teachers will be trained in Britain for the purpose of equipping them with practical knowledge on how to impact knowledge on their students for vocational skills acquisition.

He said that his administration was interested in job creation through vocational education, hence the need to revive the sector.

Wike announced that the state government will create easy access to land for British investors who are willing to invest in agriculture.

He urged the United Kingdom to improve on its relationship with its former colonies like the French Government has done over the years.

Earlier, the Director of the DFID, Mr. Keith McGigan said the United

Kingdom is interested in developing functional development-oriented relationship with the Rivers State Government.

He said that the United Kingdom has a strong relationship with the Federal Government, which it has resolved to extend to the states.

"We want to build a strong relationship with the Rivers State Government. I am here to discuss how we can foster development," he said.

9.37m

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Australia in 2008.

Source: Itu.int

28%

The percentage of the population of women above 60 years of Estonia in 2012.

Source: Un.org

respondents (NAEC) in Lagos.

They blamed the one million oil production shortage and over 2,500-megawatt (MW) power generation dip on renewed militancy in the Niger Delta.

Confirming that the government was in talks with the militants, Kachikwu said that the sabotage to oil facilities was crippling the finances of the country.

"Now this is the effect of militancy. Before the militancy, we were producing 2.3 million barrels daily. But now, we are down to 1.5 million barrels.

"Now that we are where we are, we need to produce an extra one million barrel to be able to catch up," he said.

Delivering a paper entitled: "The urgency of Now” at the conference, Kachikwu said: "Imagine the effect of one million barrels. We may not be able to fund the federal

budget as expected."

Acknowledging the global oil price rout as one of the challenges facing the country, the minister, however, maintained that price of oil "is the least of our problems."

He said: "We are bedevilled with many problems that even if the price is high, we will need to solve before we could reap its fruits.

"We have achieved some feats since assumption of office by President Muhammadu Buhari; but because we are producing below our capacity as we speak, it is shifting attentions from what we have achieved.

"The pricing of petroleum product issue was solved with the subsidy removal, which saved the nation N1.3 trillion annual wastes. We have dealt with transparency issues in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) by publishing our monthly reports.

"Aside from the ecoCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

FRIday, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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NEWS

FRIday, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NLNG Act amendment: $25bn investments in jeopardy, says Omotowa Adeola Yusuf

F

oreign Direct Investment (FDI) worth $25 billion in Nigeria is at risk with the plan by the National Assembly to amend the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Act of 2004.

Outgoing Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, Babs Omotowa, disclosed this in Lagos yesterday at the Na-

tional Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC) Annual Conference.

He said that any tinkering of the NLNG Act would also violate bilateral agreements with international investors and cost the country fines running into billions at the International Courts.

Omotowa, who was the chairman at the event, said that NLNG, through its expansion growth pro-

gramme, which involves the expansion of production capacity of the LNG plant in Bonny, Rivers State with a Train 7 and 8, could attract $25 billion, create 30,000 construction jobs, help to further reduce gas flaring, and generate over $1 billion to $2 billion additional revenue to the country in taxes and dividends.

“In a period of huge youth unemployment and need for more revenue, this

should really be a cause we should have all hands on deck for, especially as NLNG has demonstrated its pedigree having attracted $15 billion in foreign investment, grown from a 2 Train to a 6 Train plant, contributed to reducing gas flaring from 65 per cent to below 20 per cent, delivered $33 billion to Nigeria from a $2.5 billion investment.

“This potential $25 billion in investment, creation

FG must resolve N'Delta crisis, others – Abubakar Anule Emmanuel Abuja

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, speaking with journalists after his visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja… yesterday.

PHOTO: Timothy Ikuomenisan

F

ormer Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to find a way out of the militancy in the Niger Delta, which has affected crude oil production.

The former leader who met with President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday at the presidential villa, Abuja explained that exploring an amicable solution to the crisis and other restiveness would stabilise the country for growth.

Speaking to State House Correspondents after the closed-door meeting, Abubakar said they met over some undisclosed issues.

Abdulsalami, who is the

Chairman of the National Peace Committee, said that his team was working quietly to ensure that there was peace in the country.

He stressed the need for the Buhari administration, with the assistance of all Nigerians, to resolve the various crises in the country.

The former military ruler stressed the need for political parties to work together.

Asked about the impact of the peace committee, he said: "We are still working, although quietly. We are working to make sure that there is peace in the country and all the politi-

cal parties work amicably because each one has got a role to play.

"So, I hope the current administration, through the assistance of all Nigerians, will give a helping hand so that we can overcome these crises that are unnecessary and uncalled for."

of 30,000 jobs, reduced gas flaring, etc, is being put in jeopardy by attempts to renege on promises that Nigeria gave to foreign investors that enabled the $15 billion investment historically attracted.

“Whilst the executive has demonstrated full commitment to the need to keep the sanctity of the NLNG Act, the attempt by the legislature to amend the clear promises made to investors will cost the country quite a lot. Apart from the relocation of investments in excess of $25 billion to other countries, Nigeria will also be opened to fines running into billions of dollars in International Courts for reneging on agreements.

“Such incentives in the NLNG Act are normal in the LNG world, including in Qatar, Oman, Malaysia, Angola, etc. Even in Nigeria, more generous incentives are contained in legislation such as the Oil & Gas Free Trade Zone Act,” he said.

“This period of low oil price is not a time to jeopardise Nigeria’s long term interests by showing Nigeria as a place not to be trusted, and projecting our business environment as unconducive,” Omotowa added.

Analysing the unfortunate trend of declining oil and gas prices globally, he said the crisis was respon-

sible for the recession currently experienced in the country because of the mono-product structure of the economy, which left development in the other parts of the economy stunted.

He said: “We must, as a country, move past sloganeering and tokenism and double down on planning and execution. The current crisis provides a good opportunity to resolve a raft of underlying issues – economic diversification, looking inward and developing areas of natural strengths, fiscal stability, creating a conducive environment for business, and ensuring our reputation as a country to be trusted, and as a place where investments should flow into.

“This crisis gives us a good opportunity to pause, reflect and reset.

By putting the interest of the country first, we won’t let this crisis go to waste,” he said.

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, gave assurance that the Federal Government was in solidarity with NLNG in ensuring that Nigeria’s contractual agreements are honoured.

He added that reforms in the industry can’t be done on the altar of investments, instead collaboration; creativity and reality should be applied.

NEWS

FRIday, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

5

Buhari demands policy synergy to tackle economic challenges Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has advocated interplay of policy coordination between monetary and fiscal arrangement in order to achieve the desired economic relief for African countries.

He said while monetary policy was imperative in macroeconomic management, the policy alone is insufficient to bring about the desired level of output growth needed to take Africans out of poverty.

Buhari stated this yesterday in his keynote address delivered at the 39th Ordinary Session and Symposium of the Assembly of Governors of the Association of African Central Banks (AACB).

The event, themed: “Unwinding Unconventional Monetary Policies: Implications for Monetary Policy and Financial Stability in Africa”, was held in Abuja.

The president, who challenged top managers of apex banks across the African continent that gathered for the symposium to live up to their

roles in the fight against corruption, said the banking system across the continent had an important role to play in the fight against corruption.

Buhari said: “Most stolen funds have contact with the banking system. African financial architecture has become a veritable tool for laundering stolen funds. This association, with the cooperation of all member countries, could be an important machinery for fighting money laundering and illicit flow of funds. One of the cardinal objectives of the association should be the prevention of money laundering, terrorist financing and illicit flow of funds out the continent."

The president recalled some economic challenges facing the continent, including, but not limited to weakening global aggregate demand; rising inflation; capital flow reversals as a result of tapering in the United States; rising debt levels; increased exchange rate volatility and depleting external reserves due to dependence on primary commodity exports.

He said: "While monetary policy is imperative in macroeconomic

management, it cannot act in bringing about the desired level of output growth needed to take our people out of poverty. Monetary policy must be complemented with fiscal and other policy measures. Therefore, strong coordination between monetary and fiscal policy is extremely important.

"Given the daunting challenges confronting our economies, monetary and fiscal policies should open new frontier on the fastest and most efficient strategies for diversifying our economies."

For Nigeria, he said the country recognised the challenges it is confronted with and it was prepared to surmount them with conscious effort being made to diversify the economy.

"We are taking measures and implementing policies that would ensure we are self-sufficient, generate massive employment for millions of our youth, and explore our untapped human and natural resources.

We shall also embark on export and production diversification steps, including investment in infrastructure; promotion of manufacturing

through agro-based industries and expand regional trade.

“All these would involve integrating the informal economy into the mainstream and providing funds to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). We shall also continue with greater determination and focus to pursue our goal of ensuring improved security for our country and its citizens, and without letting up on our fight against corruption and terrorism," the president added.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefile, underscored the choice of the theme of the symposium, noting it couldn't have come at a more auspicious time than now, considering the prominent space it has occupied in the discourse among central banks with the escalation of financial crisis in 2008.

He noted: "With the evolving of literature on the topic and the overwhelming consensus among experts that unwinding unconventional monetary policy could present challenges including that of financial instability, it has become

necessary for central banks to evolve appropriate coping strategies as a safeguard against any negative impact on financial stability.

“Moreover, for the central banks in developing countries, it behoves that to unwind unconventional monetary policy, cognisance of the peculiarities and fragilities of our economic environment must be captured in designing the coping strategies."

Also speaking at the event, the representative of International Monetary Funds (IMF), Mr. Altingi Ego, commended AACB for the symposium.

He noted that at IMF, ears were always on ground listening to emerging challenges.

He said the biggest economic challenge in the last five years was the role of monetary policy in managing the emerging challenges.

The IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, said with slow growth being witnessed in major economies, there is need for the governors to come up with vibrant initiatives to stimulate growth.

Represented by Atingi Ago, she said the sudden reversal of capital

N86.14bn

The total import value of vegetable products of Nigeria in Oct – Dec 2013.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

4%

The percentage of the population of women above 60 years of Equatorial Guinea in 2012.

Source: Un.org

flows could lead to excess volatility in assets prices within the African region.

For instance, he said that the appreciation of the dollar against other currencies in Africa is causing pressure on the balance sheet of the banking sector.

"We are all aware that the recent recovery of the United States economy, together with the divergent monetary policies of advanced economies had led to the strengthening of the United States dollar and this is putting pressure on the exchange rate linked to the dollar."

She said while the governors deliberate on how to chart way forward for monetary policy, they should be mindful of some of the challenges associated with unconventional monetary policies.

DEBT MANAGEMENT OFFICE NIGERIA

The Presidency NDIC Building (1 Floor), Plot 447/448, Constitution Avenue, Central Business District, PMB 532, Garki, Abuja Tel: +2348110000881 Website: http//www.dmo.gov.ng Auction Result for the 14.50% FGN JUL 2021 (Re-opening), 12.50% FGN JAN 2026 (Re-opening) & 12.40% FGN MAR 2036 (Re-opening) st

Auction Date: Settlement Date: Maturity Date: Tenors: Term-To-Maturity: Amount Offered: Total Bids: Successful Bids: Subscription: Amount Allotted: Range of Bids: Marginal Rates:

14.50% FGN JUL 2021 August 17, 2016 August 19, 2016 July 15, 2021 5-Year 4 Years, 11 Months N40.00 billion 135 79 N74.37 billion N40.00 billion 10.0000% - 19.0000% 15.0800%

12.50% FGN JAN 2026 August 17, 2016 August 19, 2016 January 22, 2026 10-Year 9 Years, 5 Months N30.00 billion 106 44 N71.06 billion N30.00 billion 12.5000% - 17.0000% 15.2848%

12.40% FGN MAR 2036 August 17, 2016 August 19, 2016 March 18, 2036 20-Year 19 Years, 7 Months N40.00 billion 122 62 N64.86 billion N40.00 billion 12.0000% - 18.5000% 15.5300%

Successful bids for the 14.50% FGN JUL 2021, 12.50% FGN JAN 2026 and 12.40% FGN MAR 2036 were allotted at the Marginal Rates of 15.0800%, 15.2848% and 15.5300%, respectively. However, the original coupon rates of 14.50% for the 14.50% FGN JUL 2021, 12.50% for the 12.50% FGN JAN 2026, and 12.40 for the 12.40% FGN MAR 2036 will be maintained.

In addition, N109.585 billion of the 14.50% FGN JUL 2021 was allotted on non-competitive basis.

NEWS

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FRIday, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG slams $31.4m fraud charge on Jonathan's aide, Dudafa Akeem Nafiu

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here appears to be more trouble for Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa, an erstwhile Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has slammed a fresh $31.4 million fraud charge on him, two others and five companies.

The case is before Justice Abdulazeez Anka of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Charged alongside Dudafa were a lawyer, Amajuoyi Azubuike Briggs and Demola Bolodeoku.

The companies allegedly involved are: Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited, Avalon Global Property Development Company Ltd and Globus Integrated Services Ltd. The anti-graft agency, in a 17-count charge marked FHC/337C/16, alleged that all the accused persons had, between November 13, 2013 and May 28, 2015,

conspired among themselves to conceal the total sum of $31,436,400 which they knew formed part of the proceed of an unlawful act, through various banks in Nigeria.

They were alleged to have committed the fraud with one Sombre Omeibi, now at large.

The offences were said to be contrary to Section 18(a) and 15(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012, and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act. However, the arraignment of the accused persons before the court yesterday was stalled due to the absence of Dudafa and representatives of the companies named in the alleged fraud.

On resumption of yesterday's proceedings, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, sought for an adjournment to enable the commission serve the charge on the other accused persons.

Oyedepo further sought for a court order to effect the service of the charge on Dudafa, whom he said rejected service at prison custody.

He is also seeking a

Fashola Power generation dips by 50% in six months CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

nomic loss, the environmental degradation is another disheartening consequence of militancy.

"The solution to Niger Delta is not the militancy, it is sincere engagement, and we are talking, even though it is a tough one, with stakeholders on how to resolve this issue."

Kachikwu declared that Nigeria had recorded 1,600 cases of pipeline vandalism since January.

The minister said that the country recorded over 3,000 pipeline vandalism cases from 2010 to 2015, adding that the impact of attacks on oil and gas pipelines was that there was no money to fund the 2016 budget.

The minister said 643 million litres of petroleum products, amounting to N51.28 billion was lost in 2015, while between January and June, a loss of 109 million litres of petroleum products and 560,000 barrels of crude had been recorded.

He said that about 850 million standard cubic feet of gas production had been lost from crises and power outage exposure of 2,700MW to 3,000MW. Kachikwu said for the industry to rebound, efforts should hinge on developing National Oil, Gas, Downstream, Fiscal Reform policies, as well as the Petroleum Indus-

try bill.

He said that local refineries would be scaled up to attain full capacity from the present 60 per cent and added that by 2018, the country would reduce importation of products and finally cease product import by 2019.

Fashola, who was represented by the acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC), also said that militant attacks had affected gas supply to thermal plants.

The minister said: "In the short period between when we started work in November 2015 and February of this year, our generating capacity rose to 5,074 MW, the highest we have ever generated as a nation.

"Not long after this, the Forcados pipeline was attacked by militants and resultantly, generation dropped to about 2,000MW." He continued: "I will talk more about the sabotage and vandalism of our national assets later, but the truth is even at the 5,074MW in February, we were still short of where we ought to be as a nation.

"The solution, therefore, is that we need more power and that is the basis of the first phase of our road map – Incremental Power."

court order to enable the commission serve the second accused person, Briggs, a lawyer, whom he said was the secretary to the companies.

He further alleged that it was Briggs that presided over all the alleged fraudulent transactions made by the companies named in the fraud.

He said: "The first defendant is a private individual and under Section 123 of ACJA, we are to serve him personally. We went to prison on August 12, to serve him the charge, but he declined service.

"We have charged him in a related case before Justice Idris, though he was granted bail, but an issue cropped up.

"I also need a court order to effect service on the fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth defendants. The companies were opportuned to know who are their directors.

"In the course of investigation, we came to know that the chambers of the second defendant incorporated those companies and in his wisdom, he inserted addresses that are not available.

"I urge the court to allow us to serve the charge of the companies on the second accused person, being the brain behind them," he added.

Oyedepo further disclosed that the second accused person's statement, dated July 7, confirmed that his firm registered those companies and that the companies appointed him as their secretary.

However, lawyer to the second defendant, T. J. Onyeieke, urged the court to discountenance the submissions of the EFCC lawyer on the ground that his client is not a director in any of the companies mentioned in the charge.

He further informed the court that if the prosecution wanted to serve the companies' charge on the second defendant, such should be done through a proper application, not by oral application.

He, therefore, urged the court to refuse the prosecution's application.

However, Justice Anka, while granting the prosecution's application on service of the charge on Dudafa in prison custody, adjourned ruling on the service of the

charge on the companies named in the fraud, on the second accused person till September 8.

Some of the counts in the charge read: "That you, Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa, Amajuoyi Azubuike Briggs, Demola Bolodeoku, Sompre Omiebi (still at large), Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited, Avalon Global Property Development Company Ltd and Globus Integrated Services Ltd, on or about the 13th day of November, 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: concealing the total sum of $15,591,700 which sum you reasonably ought to have known form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3)of the same Act" "That you, Waripamo-

Owei Emmanuel Dudafa, Amajuoyi Azubuike Briggs, Demola Bolodeoku, Sompre Omiebi (still at large) and Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, between 14th and 19th day of November 2013, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, indirectly concealed the total sum of $1,094,500 through account no: 2110002207 domiciled in Skye Bank Plc. which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful Act. "That you, WaripamoOwei Emmanuel Dudafa, Amajuoyi Azubuike Briggs, Demola Bolodeoku, Sompre Omiebi (still at large) and Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, between 21st day of January, 2014 and 19th day of November, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, indirectly concealed the total sum of $1,200,000 through account no: 2110002207 domiciled in Skye bank Plc. which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful Act to wit."

L-R: Chairman, National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC), Mr. Yusuf Yunus; outgoing Managing Director, Nigeria LNG Limited, Mr. Babs Omotowa; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, at NAEC's conference in Lagos… yesterday.

PHOTO: godwin irekhe

Drug trafficking: NDLEA floods Hajj camps with investigators

…sets up panel of inquiry Juliana Francis

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he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has deployed more investigators to all Hajj screening camps nationwide.

This move came after the arrest of three

N398.37bn The total import value of vegetable products of Nigeria in 2013.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

2

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

Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, over their alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

The pilgrims were part of delegation from Kwara State.

In Saudi Arabia, drug trafficking offence carries death penalty.

NDLEA chairman, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd.), yesterday said that the agency has constituted a panel of inquiry headed by the Director of Operations and General Investigation, Mr. Olugbenga Mabo, to investigate the incident.

Abdallah said: “The agency will address the

situation with every sense of seriousness and urgency. The agency had also deployed more investigators to all the screening camps nationwide. We have also taken measures to intensify the on going screening of pilgrims who are yet to depart to Saudi Arabia to prevent a re-occurrence of the sad incident.

"Narcotic smuggling is criminal and the involvement of pilgrims is utterly reprehensible.

This is unfortunate and we are working very hard to get to the root of it. The agency is handling this case with every sense of seriousness and urgency because this action has negatively af-

fected the image of Nigeria.”

Abdallah assured members of the public that the NDLEA would get to the root of the incident.

It was gathered that the terms of reference for the panel of inquiry include; ascertaining circumstances behind the non-detection of the pilgrims before takeoff, identification of possible sponsors and the source of drug supply.

The NDLEA boss also called on pilgrims to uphold the principle of probity, patriotism and eschew any act capable of bringing the image of the country to disrepute.

Abdallah vowed to take necessary steps aimed at bringing any person or group of persons involved in the criminal act to justice.

national | news

friday, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

7

Ajaokuta: FG signed agreement to avoid $525m fine –Minister Philip Nyam Abuja

T

he Minister of State for Solid Minerals Development, Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari, has disclosed that the Federal Government signed the modified concession agreement with Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (GINL) to return management of National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) to avoid paying $525 million penalty.

Bwari made this disclosure yesterday in his presentation before the House of Representatives committee on privatization and commercialization at its public hearing on the modified concession of NIOMCO to GINL. The minister revealed that GINL had dragged the Federal Government to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague for breach of concession agreement entered into in 2004.

According to him:“Global has agreed to waive all its rights to damages for any breach by the FGN of the earlier NIOMCO concession agreement and the Ajao-

kuta concession and the Ajaokuta SPA. “In light of the fact that a Presidential Committee had estimated damages payable to Global in the region of $525 million, the agreement of Global to waive all its rights to damages is a substantial achievement. A key aspect to ensure this waiver of all claims is the execution of the NIOMCO modified concession agreement” He pointed out that Nigeria modified the agreement to ensure local steel production to serve as an

alternative to the $4 billion spent on steel importation annually.

Bwari further blamed the modified agreement on the inability of steel companies in the country to produce optimally due to years of legal encumbrances that bedevilled the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

According to him, since the concessioning in 2004, government has invested about N10 billion with no commensurate gains.

The minister, however, expressed optimism that with the development, the

Ajaokuta Steel Company will come on stream in the next 18 months.

However, the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) in its presentation, urged the ministry to unbundle the Ajaokuta Steel Company in order to ensure efficiency in its operations.

The Acting Director of BPE, Mr. Vincent Akpotaire, while testifying before the committee, described the call as an option against the management of the entire production system of the company by a single investor.

Kubwa court judgement didn't affect me –Sheriff Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

F

ormer National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Modu Sheriff, has said his claim to the leadership of the party was no longer on the amendment of the 2014 PDP Constitution which had been rendered invalid by two judgements of an Abuja High Court.

Rather, Sheriff said he would now rely on the 2012 PDP Constitution to appeal against the judge-

ments.

Justice Valentine Ashi of Court 29 Abuja High Court, on June 29 declared that "the purported amendment of Article 47(6) of the PDP Constitution of 2012 at a special National Convention of the party held on Wednesday, 10th and Thursday 11th of December, 2014 was unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect, for non-compliance with mandatory due process as provided in Article 66(2) and (3) of the said Constitution.

"By reason of the

above, the purported amendment introduced in Article 47 on the aforesaid dates are hereby set aside.

"All persons or individuals, officers, servants and agents of the PDP parading themselves as national officers of the PDP, purportedly pursuant to the said amendment, which has now been nullified are hereby restrained from further parading themselves around in those capacities and claiming the rights and privileges attached or appurtenant thereto."

Deadly disease, Smallpox could return M

Buhari: We'll restore confidence in IDPs Anule Emmanuel Abuja

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has promised to restore confidence in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by fast-tracking their voluntary return, rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.

The President stated this yesterday when he received the outgoing Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Asharaf Abdelkader Salama, at the presidential villa, Abuja.

Buhari commended Egypt for identifying with challenges confronting the country, especially the plight of IDPs, which

Yekeen Nurudeen, Abuja

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

edical experts have raised the alarm over the possible return of smallpox – a deadly disease eradicated from the world in 1977. That is as frozen tundra of Siberia melts and releases the virus from the corpses of people, who died in a major epidemic about 120 years ago.

Smallpox is a disease caused by the Variola major virus. Some experts say that over the centuries, it has killed more people than all other infectious diseases combined. The disease was once one of

that exist in the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

“Unbundle these entities and determine those we need to concession and the ones we need to privatize and then allow Ajaokuta steel complex to remain managers of common facilities.”

He expressed concerns that some of the businesses within the production chain feed into each other.

had remained a topmost priority for the Nigerian government.

He said:"The displaced persons want to go back to their homes. They want to resume their normal lives. They want to go back to the land, which they have not cultivated for over three years now.

According to him, "we will work to restore their confidence, and also work on infrastructure, so that they can quickly resettle."

The President explained that the bond of friendship between Nigeria and Egypt was very strong as demonstrated in their growing cooperation on regional and international issues.

FG releases admission list to Unity Schools, admits 24,422

L-R: Representative of Vice Chancellor, LASU, Prof. Adewale O. Noah; former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof.

Peter Okebukola; Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Rahamon Bello and former Minister of Education, Prof.

Chinwe Obaji, during the Maiden Education Summit entitled: Integrity of public Examinations and Admission in Nigeria, at the UNILAG, Yaba, Lagos…yesterday.

Appolonia Adeyemi

Akpotaire, who did not blame the failure of the company on the handlers, Global Infrastructure Holding Limited (GIHL), said that huge cost of investment required from core investors to run the company was disadvantageous.

According to him, “an option here is to identify autonomous entities in terms of production lines

the most feared in the world.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), up to 30 per cent of people who caught smallpox would die after experiencing symptoms including a high fever and the characteristic pus-filled spots.

The pores of potentially fatal anthrax from dead people and reindeer that had been entombed in the permafrost are already thought to have infected 24 patients currently in hospital in Salekhard near Russia’s north coast, reports the independentuk, an online news website.

But health experts told the Siberian Times this

was a warning sign that there could be worse to come.

Boris Kershengolts, of the Siberian branch of the Academy of Sciences, said: “Back in the 1890s, there occurred a major epidemic of smallpox. There was a town where up to 40 per cent of the population died.

“Naturally, the bodies were buried under the upper layer of permafrost soil, on the bank of the Kolyma River.

“Now, a little more than 100 years later, Kolyma's floodwaters have started eroding the banks.”

The melting of the permafrost has speeded up this erosion process.

After anthrax spores have been found Yamal peninsula near Salekhard, experts from the Novosibirsk-based Virology and Biotechnology Centre have been testing for other diseases.

They found corpses that bore sores that look like the marks left by smallpox.

While the experts – dressed in protective clothing because of the risks – did not find the virus itself, they did detect fragments of its DNA.

603,700

The total area (in sq. km) of land of Ukraine.

Source: Worldfactsandfigures

The Federal Government has released the list of candidates admitted into the 104 Federal Government Colleges also known as Unity Schools across the country.

Out of 89,231 candidates that took part in the national common entrance examination, 46,869 met the cut off mark.

However, 24,422 candidates of those who met the cut off mark have been admitted, with Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC) Bwari, Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC) Ow-

erri and Federal Government College (FGC) Enugu topping the list with a total of 400 students each, while Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC) Otukpo and Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC) Tambuwal, with the least number of 120 candidates each.

According to a press statement issued in Abuja yesterday by Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Bem Gong, Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, gave the approval for the release of the list of successful admitted candidates for the 2016/2017 academic year.

NNPC to IPMAN: Enforce retail price of products Johnchuks Onaunyim Abuja

T

he management of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, yesterday appealed to the executive of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN), to enforce the Petroleum Products Price Regulatory Agency, PPPRA retail price band for all petroleum products across all its retail outlets on members.

The NNPC also solicit-

ed the support of the Association towards ensuring efficient distribution of petroleum products nationwide before, during and after the ember months.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, made this demand on the association while receiving the enlarged National Executive Committee of IPMAN, led by the factional President, Chief Obasi Lawson, at the NNPC Towers in Abuja.

8

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

FUNAAB student, policeman,NSCDC members injured during protest

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

A

100-Level student of Forestry and Wildlife Department, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Taiwo Abisoye, was critically injured during a protest after robbers attacked an off campus hostel in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

During the protest, a policeman and an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were also injured.

Also, four vehicles were burnt while several others and a church allegedly belonging to the institution’s ViceChancellor (VC), Prof Olusola Oyewole, Divine Heights Bible Church, were vandalised.

Vehicular movements and commercial activities on the Abeokuta-Ibadan Road were grounded for several hours as the students barricaded major spots with bonfire and other objects.

Authorities immediately shut the university and asked students to vacate the premises to allow for normalcy.

It was learnt that the students took to the streets over alleged insecurity in the institution’s host communities, which culminated in a robbery attack on a private hostel, Adejoke Hostel, Isolu community, in the early hours of Wednesday.

The students had, as early as 6a.m., blocked the main entrance to the institution, thereby causing gridlock on the road leading to the university.

Though the protest started on a peaceful note, it became violent when some of the aggrieved students attacked policemen who apparently wanted to forestall

One of the burnt vehicles

The vandalised church

a breakdown of law and order.

The plea made by policemen, led by the Divisional Police Officers of Obantoko and Odeda, Mrs. Veronica Osakwe and Mr. Ojogo Olorunlana, fell on deaf ears. The students refused to vacate the highway and later resorted to throwing stones at the law enforcement agents.

A policeman and an NSCDC official were brutalised in the process.

In the ensuing melee, Abisoye was hit by a tear-gas canister fired by a policeman.

This further infuriated the students who embarked on widespread vandalism of property while the policemen retreated from the scene.

The entire Camp area and Obantoko became tense but the deployment

of more operatives of the Mobile Police Force and Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) brought the situation under control.

The men of the state fire service were also deployed to the area to put out the fire on the vehicles set ablaze by the rampaging students.

It was also learnt that the injured student was initially rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta before being referred to the University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, for treatment.

Meanwhile, the university authorities yesterday declared a seven-day mid-semester break and directed the students to vacate campus immediately.

The Head, Directorate of Public Rela-

tions, Mrs. Emi Alawode, said in a statement that the break was to enable the university to put additional welfare and security arrangements in place.

The statement reads in part: “The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has declared a seven-day mid-semester break for the Second Semester, 2015/2016 Academic Session with effect from Thursday, August 18, 2016.

“This is to enable the university to put additional welfare and security arrangements in place, to further support the initiatives of the Federal and State Governments, towards the protection of lives and properties of its citizens, particularly, members of staff and students of the university.”

Brother organises robbers to attack pregnant sister Tobi Ayinde and Endurance Evulukwu

A

Ige and David

suspect, Mr. John Ige, is now in police custody in Lagos for allegedly organising armed robbers to rob and rape his pregnant sister.

Ige was apprehended by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said Ige, a hairstylist whose shop is located in front of his sister’s home at Sango-Ota, and his friends, robbed his pregnant sister, Temilade, and attempted to rape her.

It was learnt that Ige would have gotten away with the crime, if not that the suspects, while on the robbery opera-

tion, unwittingly mentioned his name.

When Temilade reported the matter to the police, she fingered her brother.

Owoseni said that just as the suspects were about to pounce on her, one of them realised she was pregnant. The rape idea was immediately abandoned.

Owoseni said: “The suspect planned with friends, robbed his sister’s house at night and even wanted to join in raping her. The suspect and his friends stole a Lexus 350 Jeep, jewelry, Plasma television and N70,000 from Temilade. When the information got to the police, we immediately went into action. We got to know it was John, Temilade’s younger brother that planned with friends to rob his sister. John

claimed Temilade was always maltreating him. He said his friends wanted to discipline Temilade.”

Owoseni said that four men went for the robbery operation, but only Ige and David Chibike (28), were arrested.

The police boss said that others were still at large.

The story, however, took a doubtful twist, when Chibike told journalists that he had never seen Ige, until police arrested and took him to the police station.

Ige denied being part of those who robbed and attempted to rape his sister.

He said: “One night, Wisdom and his friends came to my shop. They saw the way my sister maltreated me when she came to my shop. They felt sorry for me and told me they

were going to deal with my sister. I thought they were bluffing. I later got a call from them that same night, that they had just robbed my sister’s house. I couldn’t tell anyone. They said I should come over to their place.”

Ige said that he dashed to the place that same night and saw the items stolen from Temilade.

He added: “They gave me N10,000 as transport fare. I went home the following morning. Immediately I got home, my sister called me. She said she was robbed by some people. I couldn’t tell her I know the people because I had already collected N10,000. My sister told the police she suspected me. I didn’t know Wisdom and his gang mentioned my nickname ‘Biggy’ while they were robbing her.”

METRO

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Pastor promised to give me charm to kidnap more children’

The suspects

Taiwo Jimoh, Tobi Ayinde and Endurance Evulukwu

A

35-year-old man, Uche Emeruo, arrested for allegedly kidnapping two sisters, yesterday told police in Lagos that he was working in

consonant with a pastor.

Emeruo and the cleric, Pastor Kenneth Anozia of the Hope in God Willing Ministry, were paraded yesterday for the abduction of girls, Jumai (7) and Ayomide Badmos (4), at Igando area of the state on Tuesday.

Emeruo said a woman, identified as Mama Chioma, contracted him through his girlfriend to kidnap the toddlers.

He said: “I was sleeping on Sunday last week when the woman called me on the phone, that she got my phone number from my girlfriend. She said I should get her two girls. She said she was taking them to orphanage home.

She promised to compensate me handsomely if I could get her what she wanted.

“That was how I started searching for who to kidnap in the community. Immediately I saw the two sisters coming from summer coaching, I approached them and lied that their mother asked me to buy fruit juice for them. That was how they went with me.”

Emeruo, however, said after buying the juice, he took them to the woman, where she asked him to meet her.

Dead policemen’s families get N1.9m compensation Nankpah Bwakan Bauchi

F

amily members of 17 officers and men attached to the Bauchi State Police Command who died in active service have received cheques worth N1.9 million.

The Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, who distributed the cheques, told journalists that it was in was in compliance with the directive of the acting Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, that the welfare insurance package be released immediately to the families of the deceased.

Gwandu said the money was given to the relatives of the late police officers to ease any difficulty they might be facing as a result of the loss of their loved ones.

He said: “This ceremony is in compliance with the directive of the IG that this welfare should be given to the next-of-kin or families of gallant heroes who lost their lives while in active service.

“The police deemed it fit to acknowledge the roles these officers and men of the force played so that their efforts will not be in vain. It was as a result of this that the IG gave the directive for the immediate release of these funds.”

Gwandu said that this kind gesture to the families of the fallen heroes was timely as it would not have come at a better time than now.

The commissioner charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money by helping their children and loved ones.

He said: “I urge you to utilise this money given to you very well. Use it to pay the school fees of your children or younger ones, use it to buy food to feed your family and use it to address any difficulty you may be going through right now.

“This gesture by the IG is worthy of commendation. There is no better time for this than now, so I urge you to make judicious use of this money.

Try and put it to proper use.”

Families of the late officers and

Ag. IG, Ibrahim

men, who got a total of N1,900,000, were given cheques between N100,000 and N250,000.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Oluebube Okechukwu, who got N250,000, thanked the IG and the police commissioner for the gesture.

He promised that they would spend the money wisely to meet their pressing needs.

He added: “From there we went to the pastor’s church where the toddlers were later handed over to the pastor.

“When we got to the pastor’s church, the woman and the pastor went inside to discuss in secret.

Later, the pastor came back to me, that I should bring N6,000, for him to prepare a charm for me. He said the charm would assist me in getting more children for them.”

The suspect added that after delivering the girls to the woman and the pastor, he went home to change his clothes and was on his way out when policemen picked him up at Akesan bus stop.

He said: “I led them to the church.

But unfortunately, the woman was not there. The toddlers were rescued and the pastor was arrested.”

On his part, Anozia denied partaking in the abduction of the girls.

He said: “I was in my church when Emeruo brought the girls and asked me to counsel him. He said his wife had abandoned him with the two girls. I advised him to take the children to his in-law. I did not know the man before that day.

“I can’t involve myself in kidnapping, because I have my own children. If my own children were abducted, I would not be happy.”

But Emureo interrupted the pastor. He said both the woman and the pastor were working together.

Jumai said there were three other girls in Mama Chioma’s house when she and her sister got there.

She also said that the woman told one of the girls to plait hair for her and her sister.

She said: “Emuruo stopped us on our way from coaching class. He said our mummy asked him to buy juice for us. That was how we went with him.

“To our surprise, we found ourselves at a woman’s house. But when the woman saw us, she told one of the three girls already kidnapped to plait my hair and that of my sister.

“After that, the woman and the barber took us to the pastor’s church.

We were sitting on the ground when policemen came and rescued us. The police also arrested the pastor and the barber.”

The girls’ mother, Mrs. Monsurat Badmos, thanked the police for rescuing her daughters.

Gunboats kill fisherman, eightyear-old daughter Chris Ejim Yenagoa

T

wo military gunboats have reportedly crushed a fisherman and his eight-year-old daughter to death at Otuan community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The man, Doupere Doupre and his daughter, Ebimoboere Dupree, were said to be fishing when the gunboats ran them over.

The incident occurred about 4p.m. last Friday when the gunboats were

escorting two speedboats said to be carrying Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) workers.

Sources in the community said Ebimoboere was on holiday and went with her father on the fishing expedition.

A resident, who gave his name simply as Sunny, told our correspondent that the search for the fisherman’s body, while that of his daughter was discovered by community divers on Sunday afternoon.

He said: “The incident occurred on Friday. The two gunboats and two

speedboats were coming from Ogboinbiri to Oporoma axis. The man and his daughter were in the fishing boat along Otuan entrance by the River Nun. The military boats and the speedboats conveying Shell workers were reportedly heading to the oil facilities in Ogboinbiri with food and other logistics supply.”

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asimin Butswat, said the report had not been brought to his attention.

He said: “We will investigate and get back to you.”

9

Divorce court

‘My husband impregnated his ‘sister’ in our matrimonial home’ A

housewife, Mrs. Francisca Obeji, told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos yesterday that her husband, Ezekiel Obeji, impregnated his ‘sister’ in their matrimonial home.

The 31-year-old businesswoman, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), told the court that her husband of seven years impregnated the woman he introduced to her as his ‘sister’.

She said: “My husband, who married me as a virgin, stopped making love to me three months after our wedding.

“Four months into our wedding, he brought a young woman home and introduced her to me as his ‘sister’. He told me that she would be living with us and I accepted, because I did not know all his siblings.

“After some months, his ‘sister’ got pregnant and my husband ran away with her to an unknown destination and sublet our apartment to another tenant without my knowledge.

“I had to vacate the apartment that day as the new tenant moved in immediately my husband absconded.

“When I heard that my husband did the traditional wedding with his so-called ‘sister,’ I travelled to his hometown to confirm from his parents.

“His parents told me they could only accept a fertile woman as their wife, while they advised me to go and look for another man to marry.

“I do not know where to trace my husband as he had relocated elsewhere from the shop I established for him and had also changed his cell phone numbers.”

President of the court, Mr. Adegboyega Omilola, ordered the petitioner to submit an affidavit of service that would enable the court to continue with the matter despite the respondent’s absence.

My wife, a kleptomaniac, says businessman 45-year-old businessman, Mr. Livinus A Uwa, yesterday told an Igando Customary Court, Lagos that his wife, Chin-

eye Uwa, was a thief.

He said: “My wife is a thief, on severally occasions, she stole my money from my wardrobe, rendering me broke.

“I married a thief … the last time she burgled my room and stole N350,000. I reported the theft at the police station and she confessed to the theft, but the money was not recovered.”

Uwa, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said Chineye had a daughter for him in the four-year-old marriage.

President of the court, Mr. Adegboyega Omilola, adjourned the case till September 20 for judgement.

The petitioner accused Chineye, who had failed to appear in court after several summons, of abandoning him.

He said: “Since we got married, my wife has been always appearing and disappearing. When she was pregnant, she left the house to an unknown place and came back after she was delivered of the baby.

“She abandoned our baby when she was 10 months old; I have to engage a baby sitter to take care of her.

“When the baby was two years old, I enrolled her in school and my wife reappeared.”

Uwa also described his wife as a lazy and dirty woman.

He added: “Chineye is lazy, she cannot cook, wash or sweep; I do the house chores.

I have reported all her attitudes and stealing habits to both families, they called her but she refused to change.”

10

NEWS | national

Budget padding allegations to be defended, says Reps leadership

Philip Nyam Abuja

T

he body of principal officers in the House of Representative has assured that upon reconvening the House in September, all allegations levied against the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and other members would be verified publicly.

The body, in a statement issued yesterday

friday, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

stated that "in recent weeks, the nation's public space has been inundated with a treatise of discuss centred around the concept "BUDGET PADDING" , newly introduced into the lexicon of the Nigerian legislative Appropriation process"

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME

Nwachi

Gali

GALI: I, formerly known and addressed as Abdulbari Danjuma Abdullahi now wish to be known and addressed as Danjuma Mohammed Gali. All former documents remain valid. The General public should please take note.

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

Jimoh

Taiwo

I, formerly known and addressed as Adeleke Musibau now wish to be known and addressed as Jimoh Musibau. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Jacob Funmilayo Bose now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Taiwo Funmilayo Bose. All former documents remain valid.

ACCESS BANK and general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE REUNION CLASS 1986 OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COLLEGE, WARRI ASSOCIATION This is to notify the general public that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Abuja, for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Joseph Uwaifo – President 2. Muhammed Musa – Secretary 3. Olatunde Oluwole Ogunyemi 4. Olufunto Adebayo AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To undertake projects and offer support/assistance to members with social, sad or problematic matters.

2. To take care of members welfare.

3. To promote community oriented programs such as: scholarship for high school students, social action programs, alongside various programs and activities that involve the youth.

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: Muhammed Musa (Secretary)

PUBLIC NOTICE

The statement, signed by all the principal officers, noted that "The proponent, the recently sacked Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin, sought to make allegations of impropriety against the leadership of the House over the process and content of the 2016 budget passed by the National Assembly and signed into law" According to them, "while the leadership is determined to ensure

Mojeed Alabi

S

takeholders in the education sector, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), former Minister of Education, Prof. Chinwe Obaji, Prof. Peter Okebukola, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Prof, Rahamon Bello, yesterday vehemently kicked against the suspension of the post-unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the indi-

CONFIRMATION/ change OF NAME

Olatunde

I, formerly known and addressed as Obisesan Obembe Adetayo now wish to be known and addressed as Olatunde Obembe Adetayo. All former documents remain valid. The General public should please take note.

The Trustees are: The Current Trustees are: 1. Mr. Nicolaas A. Vervelde 3. Mr. Victor Famuyibo 5. Mr. Mark P. Rutten The New Trustee is: 8. Mrs. Olufunke O. Anyah.

I, formerly known and addressed as Reuben Hope Osareti, now wish to be known and addressed as Aigberadion Hope Osareti. All former documents remain valid.

Bank, general public take note.

2. Mr. Hubert I. Eze 4. Mr. Franco M. Maggi 6. Mr. Hendrik A. Wymenga

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

FISHPLUS TOMBOLA CLUB, LAGOS

This is to notify the general public that the above named CLUB has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Abuja, for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Cdre Hamis Osemwota Okunbor (Rtd) 2. Cdre Ediku Johnson Osabuohien (Rtd) 3. Mr. Rex Amere Ejumudo 4. Mr. Ernest Nwabueze 5. Mr. Ransoe Adolphus Dokubo AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To cultivate the spirit of true and genuine friendship among members using games as a binding force 2. To inculcate the spirit of sportsmanship in members.

3. To strive to encourage the participation of members in community development and nation building as responsible citizens of 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: TRUSTEES

the genesis of the current allegations, the principal officers said "the Leadership of the House of Representatives wishes to reaffirm that it took collective action, in conjunction with the Senate and a team from the Executive, to rescue the 2016 Budget when it became obvious that the former appropriation Chairman had placed both the document and the process in jeopardy, resulting in a spate of agitations from Ministries, Departments

and Agencies" They explained that "the decision to relieve the erstwhile Appropriation Chairman of his position was a collective decision of the leadership in response to unrelenting pressures from the overwhelming majority of Honourable members, who were irked by the former Chairman's gross abuse of the budget process. Both actions were taken in the best interest of the institution and the nation for which we take full responsibility"

ASUU, ASUP, others demand return of Post-UTME

INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF THE NIGERIAN BREWERIES – FELIX OHIWEREI EDUCATION TRUST FUND This is to inform the general public that the above named organization has applied for the approval of the appointment of a new trustee (Mrs. Olufunke O. Anyah) to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap C20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

that absolute diligence, maturity and due process are employed in dealing with the allegations, instead of joining the accuser in a press war, it is important to state, in the interest of the agitated public, that the allegations are wild, baseless and unfounded.

"Good enough, all the said allegations raise issues that can be easily verified and the public will be availed ample opportunity upon the resumption of the House" Speaking further on

AIGBERADION

Oko

I, formerly known and addressed as Ogbonnia Patience Obi now wish to be known and addressed as Julius Patience Oko. All former documents remain valid. FCMB Plc, Ecobank Plc and the general public should please take note.

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Chinwo

I formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Happiness Williams now wish to be known and addressed as Chinwo Happiness Sarimah. All former documents remain valid.

Access bank Plc, Skye bank Plc and the general public should take note.

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This is to confirm that Olali Cordinah is the same person as Fred Omeani and Fred Omeavi with which my First bank/BVN was registered. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Olali Cordinah. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

vidual institutions. They insisted that they wanted a regulation, instead of outright cancellation.

This position was taken yesterday at a summit organised by the Education Writers' Association of Nigeria (EWAN), a body of reporters from the print, electronic and online platforms, covering the nation's education sector.

The summit, which was themed; “Integrity of Public Examinations and Admission in Nigeria,” and held in Lagos, was chaired by the Secretary of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), Prof. Michael Faborode.

Okebukola, who was the keynote speaker at the event, traced the foundation of the post-UTME to

degenation in the quality of admission seekers to higher institutions in the past, and suggested that the most important thing was to restructure the post-UTME and not to scrap it.

Similarly, the National President of ASUU, Prof.

Biodun Ogunyemi, reiterated the union's stance that it was the primary responsibility of the Senate of each university to admit and graduate students for the institutions, adding that ASUU would continue to fight the suspension of the post-UTME and that the fees charged by the institutions should be regulated.

Obaji, in her presentation, said she was bitter that the initiative she brought about as a response to the loss of integrity in the public

Gas pricing: Nigeria’s natural gas now highest globally Taiwo Hassan

T

he Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have raised an alarm that Nigeria’s natural gas is now the highest in the world from the current international price of $2.5 to $7.65.

The group said that this would bring more collapse of industries in Nigeria.

Consequently, the 35 per cent price variation against the global benchmark price of the product is brewing more uncertainties in the country’s industrial sector, as gas providers operating in the sector have resorted to selling natural gas to manufacturers at dollar rate since the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) sells gas to Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) at about 9 cents; NGC sells to other franchisers at $2, and the same franchisers sell to the manufacturers

at $7.38.

Besides, the Federal Government and Central Bank of Nigeria had directed that business transacted in Nigeria must be in local currency but this new twist in the gas sector has contravened the laws governing business transactions in the country.

However, MAN has threatened that if the gas operating companies (gas providers) did not reverse their stance on the continued collection of dollar denomination for price of industrial gas from its members in the country and following the threat by the gas companies to disconnect manufacturers of industrial gas supply, it would order its members to shutdown production and downsize its manufacturing workforce as part of its protest to this arbitrary gas pricing regime in the gas industry.

examinations, including the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, among others, had been rubbished by the institutions by jettisoning the original idea behind the initiative.

FG: Water sector road map to gulp N1.5trn Caleb Onwe Abuja

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he Federal Ministry of Water Resources, yesterday officially launched its Water Sector Road Map tagged: “immediate and long term strategies for water sector (2016-2030)” said to have received the endorsement of the President, Muhammadu Buhari.

The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Sulaiman Adamu, stated that government required average yearly investment of N59 billion to attain 78,000Ha of planned irrigation by 2019 and total of N1.5 Trillion to attain 500,000 Ha by 2030.

Adamu, who also expressed dismay at the inability of the country to fully maximize the potential of its surface and ground water resources, estimated at above 250 billion cubic meters, said the articulated policy document would guide the ministry in bridging the gap and also ensuring that the desired results were achieved.

“Our Road Map also covers implementation of the special National Water Supply Sanitation Programme to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), tagged “ Partnership for Expanded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene(PEWASH)(20162030)”, He said.

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FRIDAY, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Edo decides Thousands of PDP members defect to APC

Politics

Eyiboh Nigeria risks democratic dictatorship if legislature is disabled

12 13

Oyo by-election rekindles rivalry This weekend’s by-election for the vacant Oorelope State Constituency of Oyo State has rekindled the rivalry between the ruling All Progressives Congress and major opposition political parties in the state, Sola Adeyemo reports

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ollowing the death of the only Labour Party candidate in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Gideon Aremu, who was murdered by armed robbers on July 1 at Alakia area of Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has put all logistics in place to conduct a byeelection to fill the vacancy.

Three political parties have officially registered their interest to vie for the position in the election coming up this Saturday, August 20 in the Oorelope State Constituency with Igboho as its headquarters. While the Labour Party (LP) is fielding Lukman Balogun, Accord Party (AP) led by a former governor of state, Senator Rasidi Ladoja is fielding Oladayo Olabisi. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is fielding Jimoh Gbadamosi.

According to the Publicity Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Akeem Azeez, the party decided not to field any candidate for the bye-election "as a sign of sympathy for the deceased lawmaker who was murdered in cold blood.”

He further told New Telegraph that his party does not play politics of bitterness, “so we are supporting the candidate of the Labour Party in solidarity with them.”

LP on its part said it is going into the election alone and sure of winning provided it would be

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Ajimobi

free and fair. "We are not in alliance with any party. We are prepared to contest it and if the election is conducted free and fair, we are sure of wining on Saturday. We have put all logistics in place,” its Publicity Secretary, Hon. Taiwo Ibrahim said.

AP, which also declared its readiness for the poll, said “mobilisation has been ongoing. We have been doing the needful to ensure we win the election. This is a local election, and Accord Party is adequately on ground in the area. We nevertheless use this opportunity to warn the APC not to do anything untoward during the election. They should allow things to go according to the dictates of the constitution.” The party’s position was stated by its Publicity Secretary, Dr. Nureni Adeniran.

The APC on its part, vowed to clinch the position. According to the chairman of an APC pressure group, Dauda Kolawole, “the APC lost the position to LP in the 2015 general election as a result of rancour among stakeholders of the party. Now, such has been resolved. With the crisis put behind us now, APC is a party to beat in the bye-election. We applaud the quick and timely intervention of the party leader, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the State party Chairman, Chief Akin Oke and other party chieftains.”

The ruling party also hinged its hope of success in the election on the recent defection of Hon. Yusuff Yunusa and the large followership from Accord Party into the party, as well as the defection of the former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, whose followership has also swelled the number of the electorate that would vote for APC. On paper, the APC is likely to win the poll given the politics of the

Ladoja

Three political parties have officially registered their interest to vie for the position in the election coming up

Alao-Akala

state and local permutations within Oorelope Constituency. It would be recalled that LP won the election based on the political influence of Alao-Akala and the immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde.

Following the rancour in the PDP after its primary for the 2015 elections, which saw the emergence of former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin as the party's governorship candidate, Alao-Akala who was an aspirant on the PDP platform, dumped the party for LP and became its candidate. Prof.

Ojerinde, who was also in the PDP then also moved to the LP. The duos influence led to late Aremu’s victory in state Assembly election.

Alao-Akala has since defected to APC, while New Telegraph’s investigation revealed that Ojerinde is also at home with the party.

A citizen of Oke Ogun, who spoke on the influence the former JAMB registrar wields in the constituency, said on a condition of anonymity that “Prof. Ojerinde is a factor to reckon with in Igboho.

As a lecturer then in University of Ife, he empowered many youths from that community. He is also influential among the community elders, as well as the monarch of the town. Whereever he goes in terms of politics of the area had always been the way. The late Aremu emerged as the House of Assembly member from the area because of the support and influence of Prof.

Ojerinde in association with the former Governor Alao-Akala.

“In fact, if he supports a different candidate aside the one adopted by the APC, that candidate might win. But the feeler is that he is still with Alao-Akala and by implication, a supporter of the candidate of the APC.”

A political analyst, who is a PDP apologist, however expressed a different view. According to him, “Prof. Ojerinde has no alternative but to support the APC candidate.

Although he is loved by many of his people in the town, that does not erase the fact that he has his adversaries. Aside this, since the ruling party in Oyo is APC and the party at the national level is APC, he will naturally not have any option than to support the candidate of the ruling party.

“Bear it in mind also that Prof.

Ojerinde was JAMB registrar until recently. Though he said that he had no fight with the Education minister as reported in some dailies, to warrant his replacement before the expiration of his second term in office, any reasonable being would know that something must have gone amiss between him and the government. Naturally, such a person should not support the government that sacked him, but if he tries that, I bet you, he would need to watch his back.

The fang of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would be bared on him if he does anything against the interest of his erstwhile employer.

“If at all he does not have any skeleton in his cupboard, the APC government would cook up one against him and he would be picked up for interrogation as they are used to doing to anybody in opposition. In all, I am of the conviction that the pendulum would swing in the direction of the APC candidate, more so that the party in authority now is APC and they will do everything to ensure that their candidate wins.”

No doubt, the odds favour the APC candidate but it is not yet a done deal as politics is a game of the possible.

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POLITICS

FRIDAY, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Thousands of PDP members defect to APC Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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total 4,536 aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, yesterday, decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Leader of the defectors, Mr. Promise Igbinevbo, said the PDP had deceived them over the years and that the party was yet to shed its old ways in spite of attempts to rebrand it.

He said: “We are here to bury PDP today. We were deceived by some political leaders of the PDP all these years. Today, they call them new PDP but we realised that old PDP remains. We later realised that they are like the leopard which doesn’t change its skin.

“PDP leaders are conservatives. PDP leaders cry for their parochial interest alone to the detriment of their followers.

We have wiped off our tears because of the belief in democracy that the minority will have their say while the majority will have their way. Today, the majority are having their way from the PDP to APC. I want to let you know that the executive and members of PDP in Egor

Local Government Area are here to team up with the Comrade Governor and the APC candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. We bow before Oshiomhole because of his handwork in Edo State.”

Igbinevbo who called out each of the 4,536 decampees from across the wards in Egor Local Government said he and the new APC members will go out on their own to ensure victory for the APC in the area.

Receiving the defectors, Govenor Adams Oshiomhole said he was impressed by the large number and quality of those who decided to join the APC fold.

He said: “Today, I have seen people with a difference. When my brother came and said he didn’t want to come with APC members; he wanted to do it in a hall where only PDP decampees will be present, I didn’t quite un-

BENIN

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he candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the governorship election in Edo State Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday disclosed that the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole laid a foundation for a 20-year development plan for the state shortly after its inauguration on November 12, 2008.

Obaseki revealed this during his campaign rally held at Ward 6 in IkopaOkha of the state. He said the plan has seen the government through in the almost eight years of its leadership of the state.

He declared that his quest to be governor is as a result of his desire to ensure the success recorded by the Oshiomhole-led government is taken to the next level.

According to him, “Oshiomhole has started the plan by constructing roads, building schools, hospital and the provision of water. For me, while we will continue with the

to join APC, I said, and it is stated in the Bible, now for PDP, it is finished.

There is nothing left.”

The governor said the decampees were coming at the right time, adding that they will be fully integrated into the APC fold.

The governorship candidate of the APC, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who

also addressed the defectors said, “You have all made a good and correct decision to join our great party at this time, because this stage we are going into is the one in which we need everybody. We cannot have distraction because we now need to focus on human beings, human development; cre-

ation of jobs for our young people and empowerment of our women to expand their businesses.”

He added: “So, you are coming at the right time to come and join us to put forces together so that we can grow Edo and it to the next level. I welcome you and assure you that we are all one together.”

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right), with market women during his unscheduled campaign visit to Ugbegun Market in Benin… yesterday

Edo DECIDES

Plot to import thugs: PDP fingers Oshiomhole

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Oshiomhole has laid foundation for a 20-yr devt plan in Edo – Obaseki Cajetan Mmuta

derstand him or believe him. I said he should allow APC members to come, and he said, no, if APC people come, he would not be able to call the number of PDP people that are decamping. So, when I entered this hall and I see this sea of heads, thousands of PDP women and youths, leaving PDP

roads, schools and other infrastructural projects, our priority will be on human capital development.

We will be attracting investments into the state, give out soft loans to our women, as well as gainfully engage our youths.”

The state chairman of the APC, Mr. Anselm Ojezua, who said that Obaseki has been part of the rebuilding process of the Edo project, maintained that the party’s candidate is better positioned for the governorship sit because he has been part of Oshiomhole's government success story in past seven and half years.

He pointed out that a vote for APC will mean a vote for continuity of the laudable projects the present administration has started.

Speaking on Philip Shaibu as the running mate to Obaseki, the APC state chairman said that he represents the youth and as such, the youth would be carried along when the duo are elected into office.

“Through Shaibu, the youth will have a sense of belonging,” he said.

he Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has pointed finger of guilt at Governor Adams Oshiomhole over planned importation of thugs from neighbouring states to cause mayhem during the September 10 governorship election.

The party, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, said it was surprising that Oshiomhole, whom it had accused before now of plotting to employ the services of militants and thugs during the poll, would turn round to accuse it and some opposition politicians of masterminding the same plot.

The party said: “Our attention has been drawn to the remarks made by the governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on the occasion of the visit by the AIG Zone 5 and the Commissioner of Police with other high ranking police officers to the governor, to the effect that he (the governor) has intelligence reports that the opposition party has made arrangement with militants from some neighbhouring states to disrupt the September 10 governorship election in Edo State.

“In actual fact, it is Governor Adams Oshiomhole that is spoiling for violence. We have announced and drawn the attention of the security services

to his many infractions and in his characteristic manner to divert attention from himself, the accused turned round to become the accuser.

“It is on record that a renowned Niger Delta militant, who is helping Oshiomhole to recruit ex-militants to perpetuate violence at the forthcoming governorship election, was seen today campaigning with the governor of the outgoing party in Benin City.”

The PDP said further that the militant leader has been given N240 million for the job, adding: “While we consider this laughable, we wish to point out that this is indeed the sign that the

APC with the comrade governor in the lead, has stepped up its propaganda machinery to the level of misleading the security agencies and attempting to shift focus from the real culprit which is the APC." The PDP said that while it joined the governor in calling on the police and other relevant security agencies to be proactive in arresting any security breach that may lead to the disruption of elections in all parts of the state, “we would want to alert these responsible agencies not to be deceived or misled by the APC and the governor to focus needless attention on it (the PDP), which desires a peaceful, free and fair election.”

Governor to voters: Shun those who crippled Edo Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged the people of the state to ensure that they reject the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 10 election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as he was part of those who crippled the state before the coming of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

The governor,who made the appeal during the APC’s tour of various wards in Ugbekun Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area

as part of the party’s campaign visit to the 192 wards in the 18 councils of the state, enjoined the electorate to vote Mr. Godwin Obaseki of the APC. Obaseki, who also spoke at the rally, assured the electorate and people of the state that his government will ensure better living conditions if elected as governor.

He promised the people of the state that, though things are tough, life will definitely be better when the APC-led government continue with its developmental programmes in the three senatorial districts of the state.

Obaseki blasted the opposition PDP for alleg-

ing that his plan to create 200,000 jobs was not feasible, stressing that the bulk of the jobs would be generated from agriculture.

He urged the people not to be deceived by the PDP which government did not construct even roads or build schools saying that the APC should be trusted for providing basic and social amenities for the people.

According to him, “we have started it and we will continue to build roads across the state. We will build a road that will connect this area down to Ikpoba Hill? You should trust us because we have started it in the last seven and half years. We know there are

still more schools to be built, we will build them, put chairs and then train our teachers who will teach our children so that when they leave school, they would know what to do.

“We will not only focus on school and roads, we will also focus on human empowerment and train our youths to be self dependent. We told you that we will create 200,000 jobs but they we are criticising it. Did they construct any road, did they build schools? Who is deceiving who? The jobs we will create, a lot of them are going to be from agriculture. We are going to start our own rice cultivation so that we will stop importing rice.”

Politics

FRIDAY, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, a former spokesman of the House of Representatives known for his sterling role as the Dean of the Initiatives, the intellectual driving force of the lower legislative chamber between 2007 and 2011, speaks in this interview with FELIX NWANERI on the budget padding scandal rocking the House What do you make of the rumble in the House of Representatives over allegations of budget padding?

The difference between democracy and military government is the existence of the rule of law. The rule of law primarily is the dividends of democracy and not necessarily the construction of roads or building of houses because the military government also constructs roads. What democracy brings is the liberty and the inherent freedom and rights. That is to mean that without the rule of law, there can be no democracy. And where is the rule of law domiciled, it is domiciled in Section 4, sub-section 1, which has vested in the legislative powers of the Federal republic of Nigeria in a National Assembly consisting of a senate and House of Representatives.

So, appropriation is part and parcel of that legislative process.

It is a law that originates from that legislative power. Even in that, the primary functions of the legislature is of course the issues of legislation, appropriation and oversight. The constitution intended for the people to participate in consonance with Article 25 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.

Participation is very key. And how does the constitution or democracy encourage participation? It is encouraged by making the legislature to be at its best. For example, no law should be passed without going through the legislative processes like first, second and third readings as well as committees stage and public hearing.

To what level does the people’s input count in the legislative process?

The intention of all the readings, committee stage and public hearing is to allow the people to participate.

The people’s input is part of the legislative process. So, the responsibility of lawmaking can never be complete without the peoples’ participation. When the budget proposal is brought, the executive will engage the legislature and the legislature, through its various committees, will reach out to the people.

The importance of the legislature is so strong to the point that if the processes are not followed, we are inviting anarchy because the executive will sit down and say that it is going to construct road and the president will cash in on this to construct road in his state or zone; the vice president will put project in his area and the ministers will put projects in their respective areas but for you and I, who may not have the opportunity of having any of these persons, we will have to wait for our turn. And

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Nigeria risks democratic dictatorship if legislature is disabled – Eyiboh He, however, washed his hands off the money and ask however wants to take it. So, when I read in the papers about Dogara’s involvement in corruption and all that, I said to myself that fraudulent attitude is lifestyle which one gets into when one lives a lifestyle beyond ones means. But Dogara is not a man I know for that.

I also ask: Is the same man who washed his hands off $3 million and every other member of his committee ran away from the money and it was returned; is he the same man we are talking about in budget padding when every member of the House has the statutory responsibility to contribute to and by the provisions of the constitution, that input include to add, subtract, increase, decrease or even delete.

Eyiboh

if by providence, you end up coming from a minority, you will wait for a longer time. So, the only thing that democracy has brought to us is the issue of constituency projects or zonal intervention.

But most Nigerians are not disposed to issue of constituency projects as it is seen as an avenue for the legislators to enrich themselves…

The issue here is not the zonal intervention or the semantics of whether constituency or zonal intervention. The issue is its relevance or impact on the generality of the people. That does not take the fact there may not be indiscretions and abuses.

But like I normally ask: Must we throw away the baby with the birth water? The answer is no. so, what I am trying to say is that the Nigerian public is having poor perception on the institution of the legislature.

I am not speaking on behalf of the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara or the former chairman of the Appropriation Committee, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin. I am talking about the institution. If we allow an individual to bring down an institution that protects and preserves my right and your right, my liberty and your liberty; we have ended up at denying ourselves the opportunity to participate in governance. When appropriation takes place, the executive does the implementation. But if a project is appropriated for and its implementation fails, then an offence has been committed. The question would be: Why was fund allocated for the project and it was not executed?

That comes to the principle of law that says that for a crime to be committed, the intention and act must be in marriage.

There are calls in some quarters for an investigation into the budget scandal.

What is your take on that?

You cannot investigate an appropriation act because appropriation in itself is an assumptive document

Democracy must survive and the only way... by making sure that we preserve that institution called the legislature

because you can’t 100 per cent execution of these assumptions because it is just to guide government on implementation of it policies and programmes. I think that it is the outcome of that perception problem to single out an individual in an institutional process. Majority of Nigerians are still living with that illusion that there should be no legislature.

The thinking is that the legislators are not doing anything but stealing from the nation’s treasury but we have forgotten that the legislature is what has given us the liberty we have today. To say that that we should do away with the legislature means that we no longer cherish our liberty. Are we now saying that members of the legislature should go? We will be weakening our rights of expression if we do that. We must preserve the institutional integrity of the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives. While the Senate is the representation of the states on equality basis, the House of Representatives is about population and anything that affects the House, affects Nigeria.

You seem to be vouching for the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Are you absolving him of the allegations raised by the former Appropriation committee chairman?

The occupant of the institution of Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, is a humble man to a fault. I will give you an example. He was the chairman of Customs Committee in 2007, when I was the spokesman of the House. So, most of the times, I was obliged by the then speaker to participate in public hearings, so that I can feed him back. In the course of this, there was this issue of waivers for importers of rice and $3 million was brought by one of the companies involved but Dogara placed it on the table and told members of the committee that the money was brought so that the committee will overlook certain things.

Going forward, what do you suggest as the way out of this impasse?

The Nigerian House of Representatives requires character, depth and somebody who has a reformed minded pedigree; somebody who can sit back and do a proper assessment of his person and the institution and now device a means of adding value to the institution. And if you ask me, even when I am not a member and may not be a Dogara fan because I am quite aggressive, while he is humble to a fault, I will tell you that he has capacity and has actually added value to that institution. And I think that we are making a mistake by not encouraging that development initiative.

We must encourage potential leaders because what is going on now in the House will make some Nigerians believe that going into politics will ruin their reputation. Most Nigerians know a lot about this budget padding thing but they don’t want to come out because of the public’s perception on the issue. Let us take Dogara and Jibrin out of it and begin to look at how we can develop the legislature by educating the public on the relevance of the institution.

What do you make of the move by the anti-corruption agencies to wade into the matter?

I have heard by way of speculation that the anti-graft agencies – Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) is stepping into the matter. But by the last law I read about the EFCC, it is statutorily empowered to deal with economic and financial crimes, while that of ICPC deals with public officers. I don’t have any problem with the powers they have, but under the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act, can a legislator in the course of exercising his responsibilities as empowered in Section 4(1) be investigated and prosecuted.

If the answer is not in the affirmative, it means that there are questions over the involvement of the EFCC, ICPC and even the police whose budgets are in this appropriation, in this matter. If we allow the legislature to be disabled, we will go back to democratic dictatorship and nobody knows where the shots would be called from. We are insisting that democracy must survive and the only way it will survive is by making sure that we preserve that institution called the legislature.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Buhari: Bowwow cognomen boomerangs Emissary EMEKA OBASI emobas2003@yahoo.com 0809-445-7557 (sms only)

B

e warned. Do not touch a tiger by the tail. And that is the lot of compatriot Joe Fortemose Chinakwe, a trader based in Sango –Ota, Ogun state. There is allegation that he named his dog Buhari, a development that one of his neighbours finds offensive.

According to reports, the neighbour’s father bears the name Alhaji Buhari. The police have waded in and Chinakwe may be in trouble if he does not explain why he chose to name a pet after a name that we all know. Beyond that, the owner, according to the allegations, also emblazoned the name across both sides of the dog and proudly walked it around the neighbourhood.

However, one of Chinakwe’s pals came in defence of the name tag insisting that the dog owner names his pets after things or people he adores. Chinakwe’s dog has since disappeared , evading police arrest.

For now, there is no exhibit at the Sango police station.

This dogfight is quite interesting especially since it involves just one dog. I know there are so many dog handlers at the Elewuran Headquarters of the Ogun cops. Many will blame the trader for not lying doggo. In literature, what he has done is called doggerel[ poetry that is badly written or ridiculous, sometimes because the writer has not intended it to be serious].

Ota is one of the favourite homes of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. When the retired general once wrote on his gate, 'Beware of man’, many found it funny be-

cause we are used to such signs as ‘Beware of dogs’ and ‘Military Zone: Keep off.’ Fela would put in a different way: Trouble dey sleep, nyanga go wake am. Na palava I dey find.

Thank Heavens there is an Alhaji Buhari in Sango. At least, many will not read more meaning into this doggy affair. If the name Buhari really tickles Chinakwe and he decided to so name his dog, hmmmm, I do not know if that is criminal. Our constitutional lawyers know better.

Honestly, I owned a dog , against my will though.My siblings just wanted one in the house and it was named Sadam. The Alsatian , so they told me, they even wanted a Rotweiler, was all I needed to scare all freelance children of larceny around me. Yes, thieves had organized a welcome party when they scaled the dwarf wall to vandalise a car in the compound.

The German Shepherd scared everybody including visitors. It was fun watching people run past the house without looking inside because the big dog was always there. The name Sadam was because we felt the Iraqi leader was a strongman and the dog became the animal version of Sadam.

The dog I never welcomed initially later became my friend or so I thought. One night, I returned from work, went to unchain the animal as usual. The beast just pounced on me , the boss, who had done so much for it. I tried to fight back, its eyes were hot like fire.

I was lucky to escape into the house. The dog actually bit me . My saving grace was that the long pants I wore that night were still hard, they had just been made by the tailor. Instead of my skin, the trousers were torn.

The next day, I decided to send the bastard to hell. I prepared hot, hot water, poured it on the beast and left it to groan to death. My siblings did not like my wickedness at all.

They went to treat it. It survived. I did not like that. I let it die a slow death and put the body in my booth, with the chain which one

Back to Chinakwe. It is possible he did not mean harm, maybe mischief or admiration

of my sisters said was expensive to forego. I drove to a lonely path and threw the deadly thing into the bush.

We still have one in the village. It replaced an earlier one that was put there just to scare thieves from our parents. That first dog had died last year, a day after my father passed on, December 1, 2015. Maybe, crying more than the bereaved, you know. And in my village, people are not free to keep dogs. I guess in the past one of my clansmen was bitten to death.

And I really do hate dogs. I have heard stories of white families sleeping on the same bed with their dogs, sharing the same spoon and all that. Even here in our country one woman was saved by her dog that killed a cobra in the house.

I am not lucky with those pets. In my university of Benin years, a bulldog wanted to maul me. Behind Ekenhuan Campus, off Owena street, there was this family that kept the animal. As I walked past, I did not know the dog had broken loose from its chains.

There was no one around and no place to hide. It attacked me. Left with no option, I fought back like a mad man. I would not know how GOD gave me strength. I hit the dog so hard on the head, that it turned back and ran away . I pursued it wanting to kill it with just my bare hands, it went to hide. When people heard the commotion and came out, they thought I was a superman not knowing that it was power from God. Back to Chinakwe. It is possible he did not mean harm, maybe mischief or admiration.

Yes, in the Sani Abacha years, one of my in-laws who believed in the Dictator’s hard ways, named his dog Abacha and he had a neighbour from the North.

As a boy, my younger brother was bitten by a dog named Billy. When he became a man and bought his first dog, he named it Billy.

The police should please not send a police dog after Chinakwe. There are things we can just laugh off. Times are hard. We need some comedy.

Laying the foundation for Nigeria's digital future Chukwuemeka Ujam, Titi Akinsanmi and ‘Gbenga Sesan

S

omething exciting is brewing in Nigeria. Just coming from a period that saw national outcry against the Frivolous Petitions Bill, popularly known as the “Anti-Social Media Bill”, and the arrest of another blogger, it offers great hope for the future of the country that a new and citizen-friendly bill, the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill (HB. 490) passed second reading in the Nigerian House of Representatives on Wednesday, June 22. As citizens found an avenue to freely express their opinion through online platforms and through digital tools, there was a trend of new legislative proposals that sought to check “excesses” but none to protect the rights of citizens online. This bill brings hope for a future where Nigerian citizens’ online rights and freedoms are protected by law.

Hope, because in a period of dire economic challenges in Nigeria,

this ground-breaking bill seeks to lay the foundation for Nigeria’s emerging digital economy.

With an Internet penetration rate of 46 per cent, Nigeria has the largest number of Internet users in Africa, and the 7th largest in the world. Although the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria’s economy is largely monolithic with petroleum production accounting for the bulk of GDP. The recent rebasing of the economy however shows that hitherto neglected sectors of the economy are making a rebound, including Information and Communication Technologies – with heavy reliance on an Internet economy. However more investment is needed in Nigeria’s Internet economy to grow it to its full potential.

We now know that Internet businesses are directly impacted when fundamental human rights are not protected in the online environment. As a case in point, millions of dollars accruing to Internet businesses and the economy was lost during the social media shutdown during the Ugandan Presidential elections of February 2016.

The same could happen in Ghana if the threat by the police chief, to shut down social media, is carried out; and this applies to any country where government embraces shutdowns.

Thankfully, the United Nations Human Rights Council at its 32nd meeting adopted a new resolution condemning

the shutdowns, intentional prevention or disruption of ‘access to or dissemination of information online, and considers it a violation of international human rights law’. Africa, with its severe economic and developmental challenges, cannot afford economic losses in any of its sectors developed or nascent. The fundamental rights and freedoms codified in the Digital Rights and Freedom bill (including data privacy; right to anonymity; protection from surveillance; freedom of opinion, expression, information, assembly and association online), when enforced, could create the enabling environment which stimulates the inflow of needed FDI to develop Nigeria’s Internet economy.

Beyond the economics of digital rights, however, is the question of fundamental human rights and human dignity of Nigerians, which the bill seeks to protect.

Although the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) outlines the fundamental rights of Nigerians in Sections 37 and 39 of Chapter Four, which grants privacy and freedom of expression respectively, the rapid growth of the Internet in Nigeria and various applications prompted the drafting of proposed legislation. Prior to this bill, the quality of legislation touching on Internet use in Nigeria has had ambiguous language, with the danger of being misinterpreted.

In some instances, including the case of

the Cybercrime Law of 2015, legislation enacted to protect citizens online has been used instead as political instruments to oppress citizen, - freedom of expression and communications.

Increasingly, digital platforms and access influence our lives and work. From policy making that enjoys feedback from social media to business decisions made based on research conducted with the help of digital tools, to personal choices made by individuals because of information obtained from their social network, and even to the work of civil society actors that benefit from the huge reach and visibility that digital platforms provides, digital platforms have proved to be extremely useful, and we should not lose the right to access and/or use them -- or the right to enjoy freedoms that exist offline, online.

Millions of Nigerians now live much of their lives online, and the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill ensures that the rights, freedoms and protections citizens are entitled to offline are replicated online.

•Ujam, is the sponsor of the Digital Rights and Freedom bill in the Nigerian House of Representatives, where he represents Nkanu East/West constituency of Enugu State •Akinsanmi is Policy and Government Relations Lead at Google •Sesan is the Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

15

EDITORIAL

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Time to diversify the economy

O

ne of the things the Federal Government has consistently preached is diversifying the Nigerian economy. At several, for a in Nigeria and abroad, President Muhammadu Buhari and top officials of his administration have spoken passionately about diversifying the economy. Not left out of the diversification campaign has been the private sector. The economy’s slide into recession occasioned by falling oil prices and the attendant foreign exchange supply crisis have forced Nigerians to begin to think of new ways of generating revenue. Interestingly, Buhari was recently quoted as saying that falling oil prices had made Nigeria a poor country.

Buhari, who spoke while receiving the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNPF) Executive Director and Under Secretary-General of the United Nations, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, had said that the sharp fall of oil price from $100 to $37 and the floating between $40 and $45 had made Nigeria to suddenly become a poor country.

Expectedly, his comments generated mixed reactions from Nigerians. Many wondered why the president hinged the wealth of the country on the price of oil.

They were worried that the president failed to appreciate Nigeria’s diverse potential in different sectors. That the president based his outlook on the economy on the price of oil raised a strong chal-

lenge for his administration to now begin to walk its talk in its avowed quest for diversification. There are actually nations that don’t have petroleum resources but are among the leading economies of the world.

In the early days of his administration, Buhari had urged Nigerians to embrace agriculture as a viable means of supporting the economy.

Speaking while receiving the president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, (IFAD) Kanayo Nwanze, in Abuja in August 2015, Buhari wa s quoted as saying: “It’s time to go back to the land. We

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But one year later, it seems the president has lost enthusiasm about agriculture

must face the reality that the petroleum we had depended on for so long will no longer suffice. We campaigned heavily on agriculture, and we are ready to assist as many that want to go into agricultural ventures.”

But one year later, it seems the president has lost enthusiasm about ag riculture as a viable means of attaining economic prosperity. At the meeting with Osotimehin, he was quoted as saying that commitment to accountability and transparency by his government had made Nigerians not to know that there was “severe shortage.”

What Nigerians had expected to hear was how his administration had diversified the economy by opening up new

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areas of prosperity. The Buhari’s administration ought to take the recession as an opportunity to seek out innovative ways of boosting the economy. In a nation of over 150 million people, talents and workable ideas cannot be in short supply.

In fact, the president’s party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC) had during electioneering, rolled out a document it titled ‘APC Manifesto: An Honest Contract With Nigeria.’ In the d o c u m e n t ’s section on ag riculture, APC had listed 19 promises through which it pledged the revamping of the Nige-

rian economy. So far, a number of those promises have not been met. A report by Forbes recently warned that China had identified Africa as the most viable place for agriculture and was investing heavily in agribusiness on the continent. While declaring open the 55th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) a year ago, Buhari had vowed to make agriculture a business.

“Ag riculture must cease from being treated as development programme; Agriculture must be treated as business.

Our goal will be to pursue government supported private sector agriculture value chain to

make agriculture more productive, efficient and competitive. To provide enough food for domestic supply and create jobs through agriculture value chain,” Buhari said.

Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, had in July 2016 told a distinguished gathering of the Lagos Business School Alumni Association at a dinner in Abuja that government would treat agriculture as the ‘new oil.’

Akabueze, who listed agriculture and solid minerals as the most viable alternatives to oil, had lamented that less than half of Nigeria’s over 79 million hectares of Nigeria’s arable land mass was being cultivated. He gave an example of Ethiopia as an economy built on agriculture. Akabueze, who said Ethiopia’s economy was growing at an average of 11 per cent, said the East African country had surpassed Nigeria in many aspects of agriculture.

Expectations are high that with Buhari, a well known farmer and believer in animal husbandry as boss, government cannot pay lip service to mechanised farming.

Nigeria needs to export more farm produce to balance the economy while the oil market rumbles and tumbles.

Nigerians await the realisation of Buhari’s pledge to drive economic g rowth through agriculture. It is no longer fashionable to lament the nation’s fortunes. It is time to use agriculture as a key tool of diversifying the Nigerian economy. The time to act is NOW!

16

POLITICS

Basil Okonkwo

M

r. Femi Falana (SAN) has enjoyed unequalled public attention over the years because of his activism and principled stand on issues. When I saw his contribution on this padding subject, which I have followed closely since its arrival in the public domain, I naturally picked interest. I was however shocked to read his latest piece, entitled “The criminality of Budget Padding.” I am constrained to lament that he has done himself a great disservice by manufacturing facts on the budget issue and making comments solely on facts cooked up suo moto. Based on these concocted stories dressed up as facts he posited legal comments on them rather like a layman on the street.

He claimed that it has emerged that about 20 people sat down after the budget had been passed and inserted projects including constituency projects into it fraudulently. The truth, from my independent findings, is that constituency projects subhead or head of expenditure was included in the President’s budget proposals to the National Assembly as has been the practice in the last three years. It was not originated by the National Assembly even though it has undoubted right to do so.

I am sure that if the learned silk had adverted his legal mind to the Acts Authentication Act, 2004, he would have discovered that the only authority who can say authoritatively what the Senate and House of Representatives passed is the Clerk to the National Assembly, who authenticated the copy of the bill as correct and a true reflection of what was passed. We know that Mr. Falana, who lives in Lagos is aware of “Oluwole Market” where fake documents are manufactured but that doesn’t give him the right to presume that a solemn document authenticated by the signature of the Clerk to the National Assembly is fake.

The 2016 Appropriation Act has five signatories to it, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, Chairman House Committee on Appropriation; Senator Danjuma Goje, Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation; Hon. Lasun Yusuf, Deputy Speaker who was brought in by the National Assembly leadership to work the executive to achieve harmony on the details of the budget; Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, the then Clerk to the National Assembly and finally, President Muhammadu Buhari, who assented to the bill. Is Mr. Falana seriously contending that these people endorsed a fake budget? How low can we go?

It should be noted that even Hon. Jibrin has never claimed, in any of his statements, that the insertions into the budget were done outside the legitimate appropriation framework and process, his major claim is that some people padded more than others!! You see, he cannot say otherwise because since he, rather than even the Speaker signed the details of the budget, after due insertions and processing as allowed by law. If there is anything wrong with the signed budget, he will be the first culprit. The Speaker's signature is not contained in the budget rather it is Jibrin’s signature that is on it.

Indeed of the four functionaries

FRIDAY, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Budget padding: Falana goofed

Dogara

he is accusing, only the Deputy Speaker is a signatory.

Having disposed of the fact that constituency projects is part of Mr. President’s proposal, I will now interrogate another falsehood peddled by Mr. Falana. He claimed that the National Assembly has no right to change the figures proposed by Mr. President or introduce new budget items. He made no attempt to define what the constitution means by 'Heads of expenditure.. It may not be his fault altogether because Falana has never really set foot in any legislature, even though I recall from media reports when he was invited to address the House of Representatives in the 7th Assembly, he apparently does not know that the Appropriation Bill itself has a schedule that contains details of expenditure.

It is in the body of the bill itself that the heads of expenditure are contained and even though the National Assembly can under Section 80(4) of the Constitution determine the manner of withdrawal from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and this includes discretionary power to add to the figures and propose new line items, it is new line items that some people confuse as heads of expenditure. In spite of introduction of certain words from the British parliamentary lexicon, Section 80(4) clearly has no equivalent in British parliamentary practice which some commentators have sought to rely on. It is indeed surprising that the utterances of Falana would seem to suggest that he lacks basic knowledge of the laws governing the budget and appropriation process.

The argument that any other law supersedes the Appropriation Act is patently unfounded.

If any previous enactment is inconsistent with a later law, in this case the 2016 Appropriation Act, the later law impliedly displaces and overrides the earlier law. It is only the Constitution that cannot

Jibrin

Falana insults Mr. President when he claims that he didn't know what he was doing when in fact he meticulously scrutinised the budget before assenting to it

be overruled by a subsequent legislation.

It bears repeating for the umpteenth time that the 2016 Appropriation Act is a law of the Federation duly assented to by Mr. President and Mr. Falana insults Mr. President when he claims that he didn't know what he was doing when in fact he meticulously scrutinised the budget before assenting to it.

In any case, if he did not assent to the bill, the National Assembly has power to override his veto. Undoubtedly the National Assembly has primacy in the budget process as provided in Section 59(4) of the Constitution.

Mr. Falana further feigned ignorance of the provisions of Sections 3, 30 and even 24 and other enabling portions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act. Even though there are divergent decisions of the courts on the constitutionality of Section 30 of the Act, it is clear that it applies in this context.

Permit me to set out the provisions of these sections as follows: Section 3. “Immunity from proceedings: No civil or criminal proceedings may be instituted against any member of a Legislative House – (a) in respect of words spoken before that House or a committee thereof; or (b) in respect of words written in a report to that House or to any committee thereof or in any petition, bill, resolution, motion or question brought or introduced by him therein.”

Section 30: “Courts not to exercise jurisdiction over acts of President, Speaker or officer: Neither the President or Speaker, as the case may be, of a Legislative House nor any officer of a Legislative House shall be subject to the jurisdiction of any court in respect of the exercise of any power conferred on or vested in him by or under this Act or the standing orders of the Legislative House, or by the Constitution.”

Section 24: “Publication of certain statements and writings an

offence (1) Any person who – (a) publishes any statement, whether in writing or otherwise, which falsely or scandalously defames a Legislative House or any committee thereof; or (b) publishes any writing reflecting on the character of the President or Speaker, as the case may be, of a Legislative House or the chairman of a Committee of a Legislative House in the conduct of his duty as such President, Speaker or chairman; or (c) publishes any writing containing a gross, wilful or scandalous misrepresentation of the proceedings of a Legislative House or of the speech of any member in the proceedings of a Legislative House, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of two hundred Naira or to imprisonment for twelve months, or to both such fine and imprisonment. (2) In this section “publish”, in relation to any writing, means exhibiting in public, or causing to be read or seen, or showing or delivering, or causing to be shown or delivered, with the intent that the writing may be read or seen by any person.”

It is important to also highlight the fact that Falana's charge of arrogant refusal by Speaker Dogara to submit himself to security agencies for investigation is not only faulty on point of law as analyzed above, but indeed faulty on facts because my inquiries reveal that, contrary to public impressions, no such agency has laid any charges or require him to submit himself for investigation.

I should like to caution that while the general public may be forgiven for riding with the wind of every allegation it is incumbent that a legal practitioner enjoys no such liberty, he is bound to adopt a judicial mind in analyzing such situations so as not to submit himself to public misinformation and miseducation.

There is no doubt that the National Assembly did not go outside its legitimate lawmaking powers in the processing of 2016 Budget in spite of mischievous, ignorant and unwarranted assertions to the contrary by some loud mouthed pundits and, unfortunately, even gullible lawyers, with an agenda to derail the democratic gains achieved since 1999 by a very active and assertive legislature that has withstood the autocracy of a rampaging Executive. Attempts to weaken the legislature and render it impotent in the face of daily struggle to curb the excesses of the Executive on behalf of the Nigerian people, will be regretted in due course especially by people like Mr. Falana who, having committed so much in the promotion of democracy, now appear to be aiding and abetting this course of action.

Hon. Jibrin’s tirades is clearly not an anti-corruption struggle but the tirades of a man who lost his job and is on a mission to destroy the National Assembly and destroy Nigeria’s image in the international community. He has become a clear and present danger to the security and stability of the country.

•Barr. Okonkwo writes from Abuja

17

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Arts

The Wedding Party for Toronto Film Festival

CULTURE

18

Efuru@50: Celebrating Nwapa, pioneer of African women literature F Tony Okuyeme

ifty years after the publication of her epochal novel Efuru, and 23 years after her passing on, the Nigerian literary is set to honour Flora Nwapa, Africa`s first woman novelist and first African woman to publish a novel, with series of programmes that include symposia, children’s carnival, writing competitions, drama sketches among others.

Tagged, Efuru@50: A celebration of Flora Nwapa, the national celebration will be centred around writers and academicians.

Announcing this at a press conference in Lagos, former National President, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Dr. Wale Okediran, who is the head of a five-man national organising committee that will oversee the organisation of the event, noted that, “2016 marks the golden anniversary of the publication of the novel Efuru, a novel by Flora Nwapa which was published in 1966 as number 26 in Heinemann’s African Writers Series, making it the first published book by an African woman writer.

“The book centres around Efuru, an Igbo woman who lives in a small village in colonial West Africa. Throughout the story, Efuru wishes to be a mother, though she is an independentminded woman and respected for her trading ability. The book is rich in portrayals of the Igbo culture and of different scenarios which have led to its current status as a feminist and cultural work. In view of the global acceptance of the book and its author, it is imperative to celebrate the golden anniversary of the publication of this very important novel with a national conference,” he said.

He added that the conference will be held in four cities - Abuja, Enugu, Lagos and Maiduguri.

“The conference is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of EFURU the book that heralded the birth of Modern African

TONY OKUYEME Arts Editor tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Women Literature. In so doing, the Conference will also be celebrating the pioneering work of Africa’s first published Women Author as well as the achievements, friendships, partnerships and challenges of African Women Literature this past 50 years. The conference will be a platform for writers, scholars, literary critics and other interested parties to engage, rethink and propose possible new directions for African Women Literature, which has been defined (and undefined) by different agencies at different moments. It will also answer questions about women’s contribution to the African literature, the Diaspora’s influence on African literature, and the extent to which the same has been influenced by the current global trends.”

The colloquium is scheduled to hold from November 29 to December 11 2016. Collaborations will be done with the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) at the National Level and through its Local Branches where the events are billed to hold as well as tertiary Institutions such as University of Lagos, University of Abuja, University Of Maiduguri as well as the University Of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He disclosed that some local

In view of the global acceptance of the book and its author, it is imperative to celebrate the golden anniversary of the publication

and foreign writers will be invited to deliver papers on the conference theme.

While also announcing calls for papers, he said the abstracts should not exceed 200 words, on any of the following sub-themes: “The Dialectics and Symbolism of EFURU”, “Flora Nwapa and Feminism in EFURU”, “EFURU and the role of Women in National Discourse”, “Flora Nwapa and the role of Women in African Culture”, “African Literature and the role of Women Writers”, “Literature as a revolutionary tool for social justice, the example of EFURU”, “Literary criticism and contemporary African Literature”, “Women’s Literature and Inter-textuality”, “The Interface between Writing and Feminism”, and “Reconstructing Women Literature in the 21st Century”.

The sub-themes also include, “Narratives of Flora Nwapa’s Novels”, “Literary Prizes and African Women’s Writing”, “African Literature and Sexuality”, “Women, Work, Writing and the marketplace”, and “Vulnerability and Agency in Flora Nwapa’s narratives”. Deadline for submission of abstracts is 30th September 2016.

The celebration begins in Lagos on Tuesday Nov 29 2016, with a symposium, finals of school competition and drama. It will move to Maiduguri on Thursday Dec 1 2016; where a symposium, finals of school competition and drama. In Abuja, the celebration holds on Saturday December 3 2016, with children’s carnival and stage play by secondary school students at NTA arena.

And the grand finale holds

Nwapa

at Enugu on Sunday, December 11 2016, with a symposium and night of tributes/dinner.

According to him, in Lagos, the LOC Chairman is Prof Hope Eghagha, the current Head of Department of English at the University of Lagos while the Abuja centre will be manned by Prof Vicky Sylvester, the HOD English at the University of Abuja and Dr. Razinat Mohammed at the University of Maiduguri.

“The grand finale in Enugu and Oguta will be coordinated by Prince Paschal Mebuge-Obaa. All the LOC Chairmen will work closely with the ANA Chairmen and members in the respective states.

“Our choice of University of Maiduguri was predicated on the fact that Flora Nwapa was at one time, a visiting Professor at the University.”

A major aspect of the national event is the literary competition among secondary school students in the four centres. He said: “Copies of ‘Efuru’ will be given to these students to read for one month before the day of the literary competition. The competition will involve a quiz, reading comprehension and one act dramatic enactment of any part of the book by participating schools.”

The Literary competition for students, he also said, will be expanded in Abuja as a Children Carnival, and that the event which is planned for the NTA Arena will involve other activities for children such as dance and poetry competition among others.

“This is to encourage children in the nation’s capital to inculcate a literary habit in their daily activities,” Okediran said.

18

ART

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

The Wedding Party for Toronto Film Festival Tony Okuyeme

‘T

he Wedding Party’, a film

by Elfike Film Collective, will premiere on the prestigious opening night of this year’s edition of Toronto International Film Festival as a selection of the Spotlight City to City programme.

The premiere scheduled for Thursday September 8, 2016, will hold at the historic Elgin Theatre.

Directed by Kemi Adetiba, the film features some of Africa’s biggest stars led by Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Alibaba, Iretiola Doyle, Banky W, and Adesua Etomi, with the stars of the film expected to attend the premiere.

Announcing the premiere in statement on Tuesday, the Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival, Cameron Bailey, said: “We are pleased to welcome The Wedding Party by award-winning filmmaker Kemi Adetiba to the festival, and are proud to present it to a global audience.

“Adetiba has delivered an exciting character-driven film on a grand scale, while putting her own unique spin on a familiar genre.”

According to Executive Producer, Mo Abudu, “this will be the second time an EbonyLife movie is selected

to screen at an International Film Festival of great repute, TIFF’s selection of ‘The Wedding Party’ is a true honour. I can’t think of a better place, or a better global audience for the film’s festival Premiere.”

Written by playwright Tosin Otudeko and Kemi Adetiba, ‘The Wedding Party’ is an Elfike Film Collective production – a first of its kind initiative designed to raise the bar in African storytelling through unrivalled technical achievement in filmmaking and creative media arts.

Elfike Film Collective is a collaboration of Africa’s leading powerhouses - EbonyLife Films, FilmOne Distribution, Inkblot Productions and Koga Studios. It is the first time industry giants will partner on a film project and with TIFF’s recognition is proving that Collectives can grow and prosper the continent’s film community.

Set in Lagos, Nigeria, The Wedding Party is the story of Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi), a 24 year old art gallery owner and only daughter of her parents about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur Dozie (Banky W). The couple took a vow of chastity and is looking forward to a ground-breaking first night together as a married couple.

Alibaba and Sola Sobowale play the role of Dunni’s parents while Iretiola

Dunni in The Wedding Party

Doyle and Richard Mofe-Damijo play Dozie’s parents. Other notable names in the stellar cast include Zainab Balogun, AY, Beverly Naya, Emma OhMyGod, Lepacious Bose, Somkele Idhalama, Daniella Brown, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Ayo Makun, Enyinna Nwigwe, Kunle Idowu, Sambasa Nzeribe, Hafiz Oyetoro amongst others.

The Wedding Party’ will take guests on a journey to the rockiest wedding day in Nigeria’s history. Wedding guests will have to take their seats and

see whether the wedding planner succeeds or if the groom’s ex-girlfriends will disrupt the day’s proceedings.

One thing is certain ‘The Wedding Party’ will be the talk of the town.

The 41st Toronto International Film Festival runs from the 8th to 18th of September, 2016. The Lagos International Premiere of ‘The Wedding Party’ which will hold at The Landmark Centre in November 2016 and promises to be an unforgettable night of pomp and pageantry.

Speak your mother tongues at home – Sanda

A

Arugba on procession to Osun Grove...

2015

Osun Osogbo Cultural Festival’s grand finale holds today Andrew Iro Okungbowa

T

he ancient city of Osogbo is brimming with cultural festivities and excitement as preparations hit top gear for the grand finale of this year’s Osun Ososgbo Cultural Festival holding today at the Osun Grove, a World Heritage Site.

The yearly festival is expected to attract hundreds of visitors from across the country and outside its shores especially Osun devotees and cultural enthusiasts that throng the capital city of Osun State annually to partake of the cultural religious feast.

Leading the celebration is the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Adetunji, Olanipekun Larooye 11 with the governor of the state, Rauf Aregbesola leading a host of the state government functionaries while the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is the special guest of honour with Dr. Mike Omotosho,

who is the Emeritus Governor of Rotary International as chairman of the event.

According to the chief festival administrator, Otunba Ayo Olumoko, who is also the managing director of Infogem Limited, this year’s grand finale would be colourful and exciting as well witness a benefiting and rousing celebration by the people of Osogbo who attached a lot of importance to the festival.

He informed that with the new infrastructure put up at the grove that visitors and celebrants would savour a lot cultural and artistic entertainment by the various groups under a peaceful and convivial atmosphere as all the necessary logistics have been put in place to ensure a successful event even as he assured of a booming commercial atmosphere, which for years has been associated with the festival.

The about two weeks festival commenced early in the month

with both traditional and modern activities with the Iwopopo ceremony, the cleansing of the ancient city, heralding the array of traditional activities marking the festival, which has been dabbed as one of the most enduring and richest festival in the western part of the country.

This event was later followed by the lighting of the over 500-yearold sixteen-point lamp called Olojumerindinlogun then the Ibroriade, an assemblage of the crowns of the past rulers of Osogbo among other celebrated activities, which would climax tomorrow, Friday with the grand finale.

At the end of the cultural festival at the grove the Atoka would host invited guests to a reception at the palace while the people at their various homes and entertainments spots across the city continue with the merry making with a musical concert billed for the night closing out the celebration.

s a way of safeguarding the nation’s endangered indigenous languages, the State Head, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Gombe Office, Mr. Yahaya Sanda, has called Nigerians to stop the “neo-colonial mentality of relegating Nigerian indigenous languages to second class status”, by embracing speaking their mother tongues with their wards at home.

Sanda said this recently, at the opening ceremony of the 4th edition of the long vacation Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) organised by the Institute at the state office in Gombe State.

He cited an instance with Gombe town, where most people of Fulani extraction cannot speak Fulfulde language proficiently; and he therefore called on them to seize the opportunity being provided annually by the Institute to come with their wards and register to learn Fulfulde, since the programme is free.

Speaking in the same vein, the acting Head of Orientation and Cultural Affairs Unit, NICO Gombe, Mr. Boniface Pam, implored the participants to show enthusiasm and put their best throughout the duration of the vacation programme, stressing that it is only through that they can maximize the gains of their participation.

He commended the management of NICO for making the programme free, adding that as such, money cannot in anyway be an impediment to the realisation of the objective of creating a sense of pride in people learning Nigerian indigenous languages in order to safeguard them for posterity.

The Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) this year will feature Fulfulde and Hausa languages.

19

FRIday, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sex and Marriage Counselor

Feminique Dr. Franca Okumo is a lecturer and founder of the Centre for Speech Training and Language Development, Warri, Delta State. A phonetician by training, she told EBERE AMEH that the desire to see an average Nigerian speak English to an international standard and to create opportunities for personality upgrade and branding are what drives her

7 reasons Nigerian doctors don't prescribe herbal supplements

Diary of a dating mom My fears continue to multiply

EBERE AMEH ebere.ameh@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

20

My life with phonetics, by Okumo

D

r. Franca Okumo is a Linguist, a phonologist to be precise. She is one of those prim and proper ladies who like speaking and acting in a politically correct manner. Right from her days in the university, she nursed the appetite to speak right and subsequently inculcated the practice of speaking the Received Pronunciation of the English language, saying that whatever is worth doing is worth doing well.

"My desire to speak right started at the University. When I was in 100L, I got triggered by the course 'Introduction to Phonetics.' The course focused on the articulation of human speech sounds. Sounds are the building blocks to communication, hence we were to produce and describe the entire speech sounds in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) chart that the vocal cords are capable of producing.

I discovered that most words in English have been mispronounced

by Nigerians based on wrong articulation of sounds. Thus, I decided to brand myself by pronouncing my words correctly and my dictionary became my closest companion," Franca said.

No wonder she graduated cum laude, majoring in Phonetics and Phonology. Not ready to rest in her oars, she proceeded to do her Masters and Doctorate degree in same discipline, concluding both in record time. Now a lecturer at the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, she is using her wealth of knowledge to help other Nigerian English speakers, who are struggling with the mastery of the English language, not only to master it but achieve native speaker proficiency through her Centre for speech Training and Language Development.

"Centre for Speech Training and

20

Okumo

Language Development is an educational consultancy company that is focused on the business of human resource development, capacity building, career development and workspace facilitation for individuals, firms and institutions of learning.

"We conduct trainings through workshops, seminars, lectures, classroom teaching and otherwise in 'speaking right, voice training, public speaking, personality development, business leadership and others. We also recruit and supply management and business staff to organisations," Franca explained, insisting that the desire to see an average Nigerian speak English to an international standard and to create opportunities for personality upgrade and branding are her motivations.

With school directors, students and pupils, staff members of corporate organisations and the general public as her target client, the centre is currently rendering services to schools in Delta and Bayelsa states and has trained some individuals from diverse fields.

However, despite the successes she has recorded, Franca says that her major challenge has been 'how to sustain the habit of speaking right due to the influence of Nigerian English which is fraught with errors and interferences from our mother tongue'.

“Speaking right gives you influence and makes you feel special. The taste of the pudding, they say, is in the eat-

Though many think that there is no work, if you are innovative, once you can create value, people run after you and you can never go out of business

ing. I would therefore advice students in this area to practice what they do by how they do it. It is odd to ask an English graduate 'what did you study?' The way they speak should already introduce them,” she noted, adding that even the Nigerian Pidgin interferes with our ability to speak English correctly.

“The Pidgin English affects our spoken English also, but the fact remains that it is also a form of communication.

In fact, it is the language of wider communication in Nigeria and as a Linguist, no language is superior to the other. But there are contexts that a particular form of communication is more appropriate and there other contexts and situations where another is used. But whichever form you choose to use, people should strive to speak it well. When it comes to English, we should strive to speak it to an international standard – pronouncing ones words the right way.”

Talking about her Centre for Speech Training and Language Development, Franca said that they have an edge above the rest because she is a professional and not a wannabe, who is confusing people instead of helping them.

“My centre is unique because I am a specialist in the field. I’m a Linguist, and not just a linguist, I am a Phonologist. So I don’t just speak it because I want to speak, I’m an expert, most of the people who run similar centres are quacks, impostors and wannabes because they are not qualified to do it. Most of them read Agriculture and other disciplines and they employ

teachers whom they cannot control because they don’t know what the right thing is. Ours is different, we are a team of professionals – English and Linguistic graduates, who have a background knowledge - a theoretical and practical understanding of what we are doing. We don’t just speak to impress people, we do the right thing,” she explained.

Despite the hues and cries about the IOCs leaving Warri, to the detriment of businesses there, Franca says that her case is different because there is recession everywhere and she sees business differently.

“I see the situation as normal everywhere, I really don’t see Warri as an exception. I don’t see business from the light everybody sees it, I see business as making things happen, creating a need and adding value to the lives of people. It’s about creating a need and making people see the value you can add to their lives. Though many think that there is no work, if you are innovative, once you can create value, people run after you and you can never go out of business. So it’s not just Warri, the whole country is dry. And anybody saying that this place or that place is dry has not been innovative enough. Business has to be about innovation, it’s about creativity. I have never really seen Warri as dry,” she explained.

Speaking on the fallen standard of education in the country, the young don, among other things, attributes it to poor standard of the teaching workforce.

"Really, the standard of education in Nigeria has fallen. The factors range from globalisation to ineffective and half-baked teachers, unserious students, lack of reading culture, examination malpractice and corruption. Training and retraining of teachers is one of the ways to get the standard right again. This is because the quality of teachers we have in schools nowadays is poor. Most of them went to evening schools and because of our society’s craze for paper certification, everybody want to get certified. Even those who did not go through the four walls of a school get their certificate through so many means,” she said, adding that encouraging the reading culture of the children would also be of great help.

“Another way is to encourage the learners by encouraging the reading culture. Every learning institute should have a good library and there should be a serious awareness creation about reading. And when I say reading, I mean the old good books and not reading online, using computers and phones.

“Most times when children go online, their interest is not really on the academic site, they go to the social sites and get carried away by all negative stuffs they see there. So I think that children of a certain age should not be allowed to have access to the social media until they are of age and know how to manage their time well,” she said.

20 FEMINIQUE

W

hy is it that you doctors don't want to hear about or prescribe herbal medicine? My patients are always asking me that million naira question. Even though I do prescribe and use herbal supplements in my practice.

There is for now and in the foreseeable future an ongoing battle between Orthodox doctors (popularly known as western trained doctors) and alternative medicine practitioners. Also known as Chinese traditional medicine (TCM) practitioners. This is not only in Nigeria, but all over the world. But here in Nigeria there are additional peculiar circumstances which I want to highlight here.

Fear of the unknown. Most herbs produced in Nigeria come with serious lack of information.

It is not enough to say this herb is good for headache, fever, arthritis, infertility and so on and so forth. I need to know what are such herbs?

And the percentages of the components.

Patients safety. No matter what we say, the buck stops on the doctor's table. If anything goes wrong with the patient, it is the doctor's and the hospital's necks. When patients die, what you will hear is that he or she died at so and so hospital. Nobody talks about the drugs used that caused such deaths.

FRIday, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

7 reasons Nigerian doctors don't prescribe herbal supplements Sex and Marriage Counselor drtaiwofadeyi@gmail.com

08033148899

Dr. Taiwo Fadeyi Nil documentation. In Orthodox medicine, the drugs had undergone various tests in both animals and man before being brought into the market for sale.

These documents are used as proofs before the doctor will touch such drugs. This is not the same with herbs.

Accountability. Until of recent when NAFDAC started insisting on registration, herbal product formulation was an all comers affair. Anybody could just wake up one day, put some concoctions together under a very serious unhygienic condition and start selling.

Some will put totally unrelated labels on them and others would not. The sellers and manufacturers were not accountable to anybody. You could take it, fall down

and die instantly. Chikena. Bye bye. Nobody arrests the seller or the manufacturers. All what you hear is about witches and wizards that didn't allow the herbs to work.

If they want to be kind, they will say that 'ko ba Lara mu ni'. Or that arun yen ti Wo Lara ju.

No serious regulation. Even in the US, the FDA, is seriously hampered. Not to talk about Nigeria. With us here, the health sector even gets more deregulated as the days go by. The loopholes are just too many for the crooks to jump in.

Legal. The doctor/hospital can be sued and taken to court. But not so for the alternative medicine man or woman. The doctor could lose his certificate and his hospital closed Down. Who gains, who loses?

But still we all need to be very careful. Not all that glitters is gold

Peer Pressure. This is a double edged sword. As a medical doctor I also went ahead and studied herbal medicine. Funny enough some of my patients give me a bad eye when I tell them this. Even some of my friends and colleagues.

Some even call me Babalawo doctor. They immediately think I must be involved or using incantations and dining with the devil.

Good News. Times are changing. Herbal supplements now give more details about their components. More medical schools and doctors are now embracing alternative medicine. But still we all need to be very careful. Not all that glitters is gold. There are still a lot of fake and injurious herbal products out there. A patient of mine once bought one for diabetes and stopped using his regular drugs.

It didn't work, gave him rashes all over and he also lost his erection totally. There are many more examples. Just as in Orthodox medicine. Sadly enough they are sold all over the internet now.

Bottom line. Shine your eyes very well before you spend your money and destroy your health.

Ego: Diary of a happening mom Ebere Ameh

I

t was indeed an awesome experience all the way. The children’s joy was as palpable as it was infectious. We have never had such a good time together. After their narration of their wonderful experience at Disney World, Danny and I decided to put off our adult garb and rock with them. Thank God we did and all through the following days before we left Florida, we levelled ourselves with them as we toured the state.

It was so much fun.

I never had an opportunity to go on vacation with my children.

They were still quite young when I was with Segun, but truth be told, he is not the holiday type.

He is one of those Nigerians who believe that going on vacation is a waste of money. I remember vividly that we had no honeymoon, or rather, we had it in the family house, in the midst of relatives seeking attention and those looking for opportunities to say what the Igbo lady did. We packed out to our own apartment after two years, against the will of so many relatives who thought I was being wasteful. We packed to have freedom, but it turned out it was freedom to batter me he got.

Anyway, those are days that are better forgotten. Tobi and Tosin eventually had an opportunity to travel to Europe after our separation, through a summer vacation organised by their school. The fee was exorbitant for me then but it was worth every kobo paid.

Danny has promised that at least once every year we shall all vacation together, even if it is in an African country. And if there is one thing I have come to know these two years that I have been

My fears continue to multiply with him, it is that he is a man of his words, and I did well to let the excited children know that.

But in the midst of all the excitement, it occasionally crossed my mind that there is a surgical procedure waiting for me to do in Cleveland, Ohio. When I remember the fact that I would go under anaesthesia, I wondered ‘What if I did not wake up after the surgery, what if this was my last outing with my family.’ No matter how much I tried to put these thoughts behind me, it kept creeping back.

We eventually left Florida for Ohio, but not without intimating the children, who were already googling up fun sites at Ohio, that it won’t be business as usual.

They were apprehensive when we told them about our mission

to Cleveland, our main mission to the United States.

“Mom shall we get to visit the Metroparks Zoo after the surgery tomorrow?” Tobi who seems not to grasp the gravity of the situation asked.

“Block head, how can one go to the zoo after surgery? Will it take a week before you get better enough for us to go sight-seeing Mum? Ron queried diplomatically.

“By that one week, we shall be in Nigeria. Mum goes in for the surgery tomorrow and after she has recovered a bit, we shall head back home. The holiday is as good as over because dad also need to go back to work,” Danny explained to the visibly confused children.

The surgery, which eventually took place on Wednesday, wasn’t as scary as I expected. Having heard

stories of people that could not wake up after anaesthesia, I was scared to my teeth - I didn’t want to die. But the anaesthetist allayed my fears, to the extent of opting for a local anaesthesia instead of a general one. With that, I was wide awake all through the time the procedure lasted with only a minimal discomfort.

Thank God, the first fear is over, now to the second – the fear conception. Yes, even though the tubal ligation reversal procedure was done so I could achieve a pregnancy, I am afraid how it would pan out conceiving at age 45. First, the chances of conceiving naturally are slim, while the chances of complications and giving birth to a child with deformities are high. I mentioned them to my doctor who advised that I relax and take life one day at a time.

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friday, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nse Ikpe-Etim veers into business

Entertainment

24

Blac Chyna, Rob Kardashian panick over pregnancy crisis

I got butt injections for health reasons – Kim Kardashian

no big deal Acting in Yoruba movie – GHANAIAN ACTRESS, IBRAHIM

Dame of Ghollywood, Juliet Ibrahim’s charm in art and persona endears her to a huge fan base. Little wonder the ease of her entry and acceptance within the Nigerian entertainment sphere. In this interview with LANRE ODUKOYA, she speaks about movies, men and family

LANRE ODUKOYA COORDINATOR

lanreodukoya@gmail.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

How would you say you have you fared in the industry?

I would say great; it has been a wonderful experience.

It’s a little over 10 years now and I’m still standing, ready to do more. This is just the beginning for me; there are more fields to be conquered.

Would you like to share your best and moments of gloom in the acting industry?

I would say my best moments are when I’m able to interpret my roles perfectly and when I get recognised for my efforts. As for the not too rosy moments, I don’t think I have any. Maybe days that I’m tired, moody and stressed are my downtime. One is not always in a good mood certainly, not on a daily basis but when it comes to your job one has to be ever ready to get into character. You can’t bring your personal issues on a movie set as a professional.

Your roles in movies mostly seem glamorised; tell us about your most challenging one.

My roles are not always

glamorised. I have played the role of a pauper before, the role of a village ghost seeking revenge, the role of an obese imbecile, the role of a snake princess and so many more.

How would you define your personality in and outside movie?

Well, my personality on stage has to fall in with the script I’m supposed to interpret. Off stage, I’m just me, a happy, reserved and down to earth woman.

Have you always wanted to be an actress, and how did you really come on board?

Music has always been my dream. When I was a little girl, all I dreamt about was being on stage and singing in front of millions of people. I performed in several school talent shows; and back then, Celine Dion was my role model. I sang in the choir for many years, so I just thought that it’s about time I do what I have always wanted to do.

I stumbled on acting in 2004 after I won a beauty pageant

and was crowned “Miss Ghana institute of languages” (Queen of languages). I went to try out my luck at an audition for one of Ghana’s biggest film production companies and I never knew that was going to be the turning point in my life. I got the lead role and was given a script to feature in ‘Crime to Christ’ where I played the role of the girlfriend of a notorious armed robber. That’s how it all started.

Which of the movies you have featured in so far remains your favourite and what character did you play in it?

Films that remain my favourite will be my personal movies because I invest a lot into my productions to make sure they are topnotch. I take pride in my own products.

You are a cross-over actor who has acted in Yoruba films despite being a Ghanaian. How challenging was the role you played in Yoruba?

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

Omoni Oboli in dire need of girl child

Jaden Smith, Sarah Snyder rest cheating rumour

22

entertainment

friday, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘I’m living my dream’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

There were really no challenges on Mercy Aigbe’s set.

I just had to learn to speak some Yoruba while on the set and I think I coped well. The crew and cast were amazing to work with. They made it so easy. I am a versatile actress so I could be acting Yoruba movies today, and tomorrow I’ll be speaking Igbo or Hausa. I am always ready to challenge myself. I also love languages as you know I already speak French fluently as well as Spanish, hence learning a little bit of Yoruba in the movie didn’t really become an issue.

Who are your favourite Nigerian and Ghanaian actors?

Olu Jacobs, Patience Ozokwor, Pete Edochie, Majid Michel, Kofi Adjorlolo and Kalsome Sinare.

You act, sing, produce films, and you have a background in journalism; which of these is taking most of your time, and have you been coping with others?

For the records, I went to Ghana Institute of Journalism but studied marketing, advertising and public relations.

Then for acting, singing and producing, they are all intertwined, so it’s not as if I’m doing anything different, and by the grace of God, as for the others which include running a boutique, House of Glamour, my Jewelz Production outfit, the Juliet Ibrahim Foundation, an NGO focused on creating awareness on kidney cancer, malaria, HIV AIDS, Ebola and other diseases and providing necessary interventions to ensure a society free of such issues in Ghana and Africa, I’m doing a pretty good job!

What do you find interesting about your family?

My childhood was very eventful because we grew up in war torn countries; so my family and I were always relocating. I grew up in Liberia, Lebanon and Ivory Coast, before we finally moved back to Ghana. My family and I have gone through a lot together; things you can’t just imagine but we are ever so resilient. There were happy moments when I was in school but most of my childhood moments are not quite exciting and worthy of recounting.

You are one of the few scandal-free actresses both in Ghollywood and Nollywood, what is your magic wand?

Really? That’s contrary to a lot of stories I read often times online about myself. Sometimes, I discover new relationships that I’m supposedly having online.

What comes to your mind when you hear about actresses sleeping their ways to fame?

Well, nothing really, I don’t hear about that because I keep my nose where it should be, in my own business. If it doesn’t affect me, it doesn’t concern me. As adults, we are all responsible for any action we take.

What was your most interesting encounter with men?

I once had a stalker; it was scary but that was handled before he became a menace.

Tell us about your upcoming big project?

I’m releasing my 4th music video. I’m also unveiling my new TV series, ‘Every Woman Has A Story’, EWHAS, and a Reality TV Show which will be in the news any moment from now. So just keep your fingers crossed.

If you had the opportunity to be in your teen again, would you have a different plan for the future?

Not really, I must say I’m living my dream.

Everything is falling in place for me, I couldn’t have asked for more.

Ibrahim

Dent on my family is no-go area, says Okey Bakassi N

ollywood comic actor, Okey Bakassi in an episode of Hip tv talk show “The Gist” hosted by Emma Ugolee, warns fellow celebrities that he would physically confront anyone who attacks his family on social media.

Bakassi said: “We live in an organised society, just that sometimes, people are lazy to follow due process. For example, where I am now, if you come after me, there are legal processes to follow because if you attack me to hurt me on social media, it is a declaration of war.

“Since you’ve chosen your platform (social media), I will choose a more ‘civilized’ platform.”

The 46-year-old comic actor further stressed that he would not engage anyone who attacks his family on social media because he wouldn’t want to sink to such depth.

“Don’t touch my family (wife and children). If you face Okey as a person, no problem with that, I can handle that because it is about me. But when you begin to touch my wife on social media; one, I would not engage you because one thing I look at is the calibre of the person that said such. If you are not above me, even if you are my mate, I will not answer you. But if you are above, that means I have a bigger surface to punch. For me, those are the two rules of engagement. If you decide to touch family and you are smaller, if you engage a smaller person on social media, which means you are playing into the arena where he wants you. I am not going to go into that, I am going to wait for you face-to-face. I wouldn’t know the dimension it would take when we finally meet but I would rather sort it out one on one with you.”

entertainment

friday, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Danny Glover, Bimbo Akintola to star in 93 Days’ premiere in Canada

Glover

T

he Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which has an outstanding reputation for showing the best films from around the world, announced yesterday its selection of the captivating movie 93 Days for this year’s screening.

The highly anticipated premiere of 93 Days will take place at the TIFF on Friday, September 9th, 2016 at 9.30PM at the Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

93 Days has been adjudged one of the most important movies to come out of Nigeria. The true-life movie details the Ebola epidemic in Nigeria, which had the entire nation at a standstill.

The movie gives a true account of how Nigeria was faced with the first case of the Ebola Virus and the victory the country achieved when the disease was eradi- c a t ed after 93 Days.

Ebola found its way to Ni-

Omoni Oboli in dire need of girl child

N

23

ollywood

heartthrob, producer and director, Omoni Oboli, is a happy and blessed woman, who is fulfilled in her career, marriage, a feat pretty tough to achieve in the movie industry.

The mother of three takes pride in her happy home, one she’d built with her husband for nearly two decades now.

Blessed with three sons, Oboli, the svelte actor still looks radiant and beautiful. While many have been wondering if the actor has called it quit with child bearing, she gave a hint of probably having a girl soon.

And many may agree that it’s normal for her to have the urge of having a baby girl, one she would want to go shopping with her, plait her hair, etc.

In a recent post, the Being Mrs. Elliot, actor, hinted that she might consider having a baby girl and her fans have been all excited since the news was posted.

Her words partly read on Instagram: “I should just summon courage and have this baby girl once and for all…or not…?”

geria when American-Liberian, Patrick Sawyer (Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey) collapsed at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and was rushed to First Consultant Hospital for exhibiting symptoms of fever. After careful observation, the team at First Consultant Hospital led by Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh (Bimbo Akintola) believed Mr. Sawyer’s illness was more severe than fever and not long after; he was diagnosed of the Ebola disease. Then, the journey began on how to control the spread of the life-threatening virus that could result in a national outbreak.

“93 Days is a masterfully crafted incredible story of bravery and sacrifice and is definitely a must see. It showcases the best of Nigeria; it’s powerful, gripping and an emotive piece. I am proud,” said Bolanle Austen Peters, producer of the movie.

The suspense filled thriller directed by awardwinning movie director, Steve Gukas features the best of international and African movie acts such as TIFF rising star, Somkele Iyamah Idhalama, Danny Glover, Tim Reid, Alastair Mackenzie, Bimbo Akintola, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Bimbo Manuel, Charles Okafor, Tina Mba, Gideon Okeke, Paul Adams, Francis Onwochei amongst others.

93 Days is a powerful movie that details defeat, triumph, heroism and a country’s determination to protect its people. With the expertise of talented producers, cast and crew, Nigeria tells its own story through film. The film was produced by Steve Gukas, Pemon Rami, Bolanle Austen-Peters and Dotun Olakunri.

Nse Ikpe-Etim veers into business

N

ollywood actress, Nse Ikpe-Etim, has unveiled a new artisan beauty brand known as Eden’s Theory.

Ikpe-Etim, the co-owner of the range of products, would also act as brand ambassador and spokesperson for the United Kingdombased company.

In a statement made available to New Telegraph, she said, “People always ask about my skin and hair. Many of them assume that I use very expensive products, but I have actually always used natural oils and butters.”

With Eden’s Theory, she insisted, a user would get to retain the best bits of African butters while oozing some of her personality into a product of her choice.

Also, Eden’s Theory was one of the finalists at the 2016 Harrow Business Den in the UK. Ikpe-Etim

Akintola

Yung6ix’s close shave with death Y

oung Nigerian rapper, Yung6ix, has said that he was almost shot in broad day light by a trusted friend. He disclosed this in a series of tweet on his social media account on August 16.

“Some nigga just tried to shoot me in broad day light, it’s a shame what jealousy in the heart of men can do. All I ever did was show your love and support you since we met. Be careful of people you call your friends; this is the greatest lesson I have learnt in this life. Thank you Lord I’m grateful to be alive,” he tweeted.

Yung6ix, who recently took to his Twitter page to tweet about how his father left him at just age 17 and said he was going to suffer if he followed his mother, has now come out openly to talk about the suffering he is presently passing through.

24

entertainment

friday, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Jaden Smith, Sarah Snyder rest cheating rumour W

ithout ever verbally addressing those wild cheating rumors, Jaden Smith and Sarah Snyder have gone out of their way to prove everything is just fine in their romance.

They were at it once again on Aug. 16, too, by flaunting adorable PDA at an event in Los Angeles. So cute!

Sarah Snyder, 21, was the ultimate supportive girlfriend when she joined Jaden Smith, 18, at Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood event on Aug. 16 — cameras even caught them leaning in for a sweet kiss inside the bash, where Jaden was a guest of honor. While he showed off his unique style in a floral jacket, she kept things super casual with jeans and a simple, white In-NOut t-shirt, and they were totally all over each other.

The PDA-filled night out comes just two weeks after rumors swirled that Sarah was cheating on her boyfriend of over a year. This drama all began

I got butt injections for health reasons –Kardashian F

or as long as Kim Kardashian has been famous, she’s fended off rumors that she surgically enhances her butt.

Like Heidi Klum and her legs, which are insured for $2 million, Kardashian’s backside is part of her public identity. Rumors about a butt lift are old news, but Kardashian has always felt compelled to defend her God-given money maker.

On August 15th, Kardashian held a livestream to explain to fans that yes, she had a butt injection, but it had to do with a health-related issue. Kardashian suffers from psoriasis, a condition which causes dry, itchy patches of skin.

She’s been pretty open about it on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, but this is the first time we’ve heard “psoriasis” and “shot in the butt” in the same sentence.

“I went to go get a cortisone shot in my butt,” Kardashian said, according to Too Fab. “I lived right behind Kitson [a boutique in Los Angeles near Cedars-Sinai Hospital].

One of my neighbors was a dermatologist at Cedars. I go in there and he’s like, ‘There’s a one in a billion chance that you will get a huge indent in

your butt.’ Of course I get a huge indent on my butt.”

Some fans will recall a 2007 photo of Kardashian showing off her backside...and something else.

“There is a picture of me in Miami wearing an electric blue dress, and another picture of me walking down Robertson,” she said.

You see the indent. And I think that’s when the rumors started, “She’s had implants.”

To this day, Kardashian gets the shot. “Every few years I get cortisone shot and it’s so funny I just got one as my psoriasis was so bad in Vegas.”

On a 2011 episode, she filmed an x-ray on her behind to show critics that she was 100 percent real.

“This is a really crazy request but my sisters have dared me to get an ass x-ray because of all the rumors it’s not real,” Kardashian said at the time.

“I’ve said numerous times ‘I haven’t had plastic surgery, I haven’t had butt implants,’” she said, adding that no matter how many times she insists it’s real, the press will “write whatever they want to write.”

Plus, she pointed out, “Who the hell of a normal person gets butt implants?”

when a photo surfaced online of the 21-year-old in bed, apparently topless, with a photographer, and fans instantly became worried that she had been unfaithful. However, there was never any confirmation regarding when the picture was taken, or whether or not it was in a personal or professional capacity.

Regardless, Jaden clearly wasn’t affected by the situation — he and Sarah were seen looking happier than ever just days later, and with her attending such a big event like this with him, they’ve totally proven everything is just fine in their relationship. Plus, he took to Twitter to complain about his lack of privacy after the cheating speculation began, making it pretty clear that things had been taken to an unnecessary level. The happy couple has never addressed the rumors of infidelity, but clearly, their PDA has done all the talking.

T Blac Chyna, Rob Kardashian panick over pregnancy crisis

his may be Blac Chyna’s second pregnancy, but this time around, it’s very public. “Blac Chyna is going through hell as she enters the final trimester of her pregnancy,” a source told Radar Online.

She never knew it would be this uncomfortable and is really struggling, the source added.

As Chyna and fiance Rob Kardashian continue to film their controversyriddled reality show, Rob & Chyna, the 28-year-old’s health may be suffering as a result.

The never-ending nausea, heartburn, cramps and gas are one thing,” the source said, but “Rob and her family are extremely worried — her blood pressure is higher than it should be and isn’t helped by her terrible diet.

What’s odd is that Chyna initially attracted fans because she got Kardashian on a healthy regimen, which included freshly prepared meals (which she Snapchatted) and workouts.

“What’s even harder for Chyna are the mood swings. “She’s all over the place, crying non-stop then flying off the handle for no reason.” Kardashian doesn’t really know how to appease Chyna, so the couple are “looking into having the baby induced ahead of schedule, by C-section,” the source revealed.

This is on top of the couple’s already stressful situation, brought on by Kardashian’s disinterest in filming their very lucrative show. And Kardashian is growing resentful of Chyna, according to Heat Magazine.

“He’ll say he’s going to show up to shoot a scene and then go missing,” a source told the tabloid. And while it used to be Chyna who could cheer him up, now he’s started to see her as the enemy.

On his bad days he calls her a gold digger and he’s paranoid that the only reason she’s with him is to make a name for herself.

He says “she’s blown all his money in less than a year, and that’s why he had no choice but to do the show, but now they fight over every aspect of it.”

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FRIDAY, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Agric AfDB to invest $5bn in Nigeria’s agric sector

Business

Environment Stakeholders to govt: Develop waterfinancing mechanisms

29 30

What's new US to Nigeria: Use tax policy to promote FDIs

L-R: Zonal Head, Lafia/North Central, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Bala Ma’aji; one of the winners of N1 million at the second draw of the ‘’FCMB millionaire Promo Season 3’’, Mrs. Meller Lois; Regional Director, Abuja & North of the bank, Mr. Mustapha Lukman and Retail Cluster Head, FCT 3, Mr. Inyang Aniedi, during the cheque presentation ceremony to the winner, in Abuja.

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Financial inclusion: Report rates FG’s digital initiative high Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE June 2016 ..............................16.5% May 2016...............................15.6% April 2016............................13.7%

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

EXCHANGE RATE

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at August 12)

(Parallel Market as at August 12)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N310 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N404 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N348

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N392 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N510 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N430

l Foreign Reserves – $25.901bn as at 10/8/2016

Source: CBN

Sluggish economy threatens Nigeria’s planned $1bn Eurobonds RISK

The Business Desk

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut Nigeria’s growth forecast to -1.8 per cent

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

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Tony Chukwunyem

R

ising concern about the state of Nigeria’s economy may make it more difficult for the country to woo investors for its proposed $1 billion Eurobonds issuance this year, New Telegraph has learnt.

According to analysts, investors may shun the Eurobonds issuance because of fears over the poor state of the economy, low oil prices and the weak naira.

Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, last month, confirmed that Nigeria is in technical recession. Her remark came on the heels of the IMF saying that Nigeria’s economy would contract in 2016.

The Fund cut the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast from 2.3 per cent in April to -1.8 per cent, the lowest in 29 years.

More significantly, however, analysts predict that the collapse of commodity prices will make investors less enthusiastic about buying sub-Saharan Africa’s debt.

An analyst at Boston-based Loomis Sayles & Co. LP, Rick Harrell, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying: “Investors are less and less likely to have appetite for Africa’s debt, in light of what’s happening now.”

The news agency also reported that falling local currencies are adding to the pressure by making it more expensive for countries to repay external bonds, adding that Ghana’s cedi, Zambia’s kwacha and Mozambique’s metical have all weakened over 15 per cent against the dollar this year.

In addition, apart from investors being concerned that slowing growth in China will depress prices of commodities from oil to copper, they are also worried that a hike in US interest rates would draw capital out of emerging market assets.

Head of emerging market credit strategy at Barclays Plc, Andreas Kolbe, said: “Prospects for governments in the region with plenty of dollar bonds are hardly positive.

Overall debt levels and external debt levels are rising in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. There are only very few exceptions. That’s

$4.5 billion Being the Federal Government’s $4.5 billion Global MediumTerm Notes Issuance Programme that will run through 2018

a concern, particularly in the current global macroeconomic environment. It could make access to financing more difficult.”

A report by Standard Bank Group Ltd showed that Nigeria, Africa’s second biggest economy and oil producer, had external debt equivalent to less than two per cent of GDP, while its ratio for overall borrowing, including in local currency, was 10 per cent.

Still, experts believe that the weak economy, coupled with continuing concerns over the naira, would prevent investors from buying Nigeria’s debt.

A financial analyst, Mr. Kelechi Agu, said: “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s decision to hike interest rate from 12 per cent to 14 per cent and the introduction of a flexible exchange rate policy were meant to lure foreign investors.

However, naira is yet to stabilise on the interbank market and investors are not comfortable with government’s economic direction.”

It will be recalled that in a statement last week, the Federal Government, through the Debt Management Office (DMO) announced that it was seeking two lead managers and a financial adviser to organise CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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BUSINESS |news

FRIDAY, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

US to Nigeria: Use tax policy to promote FDIs PARTNERSHIP Collaborations would help Nigeria take its rightful position through investorfriendly polices

Kunle Azeez

N

igeria has been urged to deploy its tax policy being implemented on various sectors of the economy as an incentive to boost foreign direct investment (FDIs) into the country rather than using same as a disincentive to investors.

United States Senator, Edward Markey, gave the advice during a chat with New Telegraph on the side-line of his visit to Nigeria recently to campaign for the need for Nigeria to be a major force to reckon with in digital revolution in Africa.

Markey, the ranking Democratic Party member on African and Global Health Policy Sub-committee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who spoke in Lagos, said a country such as Nigeria, which is still facing infrastructure deficit, should design its tax policy to encourage industry expansion.

He said that government does not need to stifle businesses through imposition of multiple taxes but create a relaxed atmosphere for investors such that as businesses expand and add value to the economy, they are also able to pay more taxes.

“Already, what investors and businesses do is to take risks. So, tax policy of government must encourage and not discourage the entrepreneurs to take businesses and investment risks,” he said.

Markey, in his earlier address at the Co-Creation Hub,

Sluggish economy threatens Nigeria’s planned $1bn Eurobonds CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

the issuance of $1 billion Eurobonds to fund its expansionary budget and stimulate economic growth.

The move will “enable Nigeria to have the flexibility of quickly taking advantage of favourable market conditions in the international capital market to raise funds if and only when the need arises,” according to the statement.

The DMO said the sale was the first tranche of the Federal Government’s $4.5 billion Global Medium-Term Notes Issuance Programme that will run through 2018. Bids are to be submitted by noon on September 19 in Abuja.

at Yaba area of Lagos, where he addressed stakeholders from the Nigerian digital ecosystem, maintained that “Nigeria should be at the forefront of digital revolution in Africa” but stressed that “without access to the Internet, that will be difficult to achieve.”

He said that he heard from Nigerian’s technology leaders and young entrepreneurs on August 13 regarding their success and challenges and offered remarks on his efforts to expand Internet access and digital literacy to enhance economic development, education and good governance in developing countries.

He said his delegation to Nigeria, comprising Karen Bass, ranking DP member of

the Africa and Global Health Global Human Rights and International Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Carolyn Maloney, both members of the US House of Representatives, had earlier visited Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on August 13.

The meeting with the VP, according to Markey, was to discuss how public-private partnerships in the areas of technology and infrastructure could promote economic growth and development.

In his August 13 remarks to an audience of prominent technology leaders in business, civil society, government and especially young entrepreneurs, Markey said he had em-

phasised that Internet connectivity and successful economic development are inextricably linked in the 21st century’s global economy.

“It will be the entrepreneurial and creative attitude of the people in Nigeria and across the African continent that will be the key to overcoming challenges to connectivity,” Markey said. “You all embody the vibrant spirit that is the heart of the Internet. You will be digital ambassadors in bringing more connectivity to this great country and the region.”

Markey had introduced proposed legislation in the US Congress entitled: “Driving Innovation and Growth in Internet Technology and Launching Universal Access to

the Global Economy (DIGITAL AGE) Act.” He said the proposed Act was aimed at promoting public-private partnerships, and expanding Internet access with policy tools encouraging improved support for investors, strengthened and shared infrastructure, better spectrum allocation and creation of public Internet access facilities and affordable devices.

Markey added that he would be willing to work collaboratively with Nigeria in looking at areas where there are challenges to Internet infrastructure deployment and providing solutions to such problems in order for Nigeria to take its rightful place in the largest back continent.

L-R: Vice President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), Michael Olawale Cole; President, Mrs. Nike Akande; Minister of Communication Technology, Mr. Adebayo Shittu and Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, at a stakeholder’s forum on Communication Tax Bill, in Lagos.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Financial inclusion: Report rates FG’s digital initiative high COMMITMENT Nigeria has demonstrated clear national-level commitment to advancing financial inclusion

Sunday Ojeme

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new report by Brookings Financial and Digital Inclusion Project (FDIP) has expressed confidence in the Federal Government steps towards financial inclusion plan.

The 2016 FDIP evaluates access to and usage of affordable financial services by underserved people across 26 geographically, politically and economically diverse countries.

It also showed that substantial progress had been made towards advancing financial inclusion in many countries.

According to the study, Kenya retained its position as the highest-ranked country in the study by a five percentage point margin, while Nigeria held the 10th position below Colombia, Brazil, South Africa, Uganda, Philippines, Rwanda, Chile and Mexico.

It noted that while mobile money had not yet reached scale in Nigeria, several recent initiatives led by the government of Nigeria to advance digital payment services, agent banking, and consumer protection initiatives should promote increased adoption of formal financial services by expanding distribution points, increasing consumer confidence, and reducing crowding within the mobile money market.

It observed that Nigeria had demonstrated clear nationallevel commitment to advancing financial inclusion.

The report said: “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is a signatory of the Maya Declaration, and as part of its Maya Declaration commitments, Nigeria launched a national financial inclusion strategy (NFIS) in 2012.

“The NFIS outlined the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders, acknowledged the challenges of broadening financial inclusion in Nigeria and established specific “targets for payments, savings, credit, insurance, pensions, branches of deposit banks and microfinance banks.

“Initial targets within the NFIS included over halving the number of financially excluded Nigerians and expand-

ing the penetration of payment products for the adult population to 70 per cent by 2020.

“With respect to the banking sector, Agent Banking Guidelines were released in February 2013 and a circular was issued in August 2013 to provide guidance on the approval process for financial institutions aiming to deploy agent banking services in Nigeria.”

It further noted that the CBN also established tiered know-your-customer (KYC) requirements in 2013 in an effort to promote inclusive participation in the formal economy.

The report added: “In terms of financial infrastructure, the Nigeria Central Switch was operational as of 2013 and allowed interoperability among deposit-taking institutions and licensed payment service providers; it also facilitated inter-scheme card and mobile payments.

It recalled that in April 2015, the CBN issued a licensing framework for “super-agents” that banks and other regulated financial service providers can leverage to extend access to financial services among underserved groups, adding that in September 2015, the “GloXchange” network - a partner-

ship between Globacom and Firstmonie (a subsidiary of First Bank Nigeria), Ecobank, Stanbic IBTC, and Zenith Bank - was launched commercially while MTN formed similar arrangements with Diamond Bank’s Y’ello account.

In April 2015, the CBN released new Guidelines on Mobile Money Services in Nigeria, which among other provisions, raised the mobile money operator capitalisation requirement to N2 billion from the initial N0.5 billion required.

The Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) also approved a pass-through deposit insurance policy that “guarantees the payment of insured amounts to subscribers of mobile money operators in the case of failure of insured institutions where pooled funds are maintained.”

The reports observed that as last February, three banks, Guaranty Trust Bank, First City Monument Bank and Sterling Bank, had adopted agent banking.

“Agents offer selected banking and payment services, including bank transfers, bill payments, and airtime topup, under the auspices of the Agent Banking framework.

The three banks had a total of 737 agents,” the report noted.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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labour

PATIENCE Nigerians should be patient with government to get the economy out of the doldrums

L-R: Head, Customer Feedback and Collaboration Unit, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Mrs. Mosunmola Samuel; President/Chairman of Council, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises(NASME), Prince Degun Agboade and Deputy President, North Zone, Alhaji AbdulRasheed Yerima at the Association’s Stakeholders Forum with Major MSMEs Regulatory Agencies in Lagos.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Sunday Ojeme

T

o fix the Nigerian economy, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has called on the Federal Government to put an end to arbitrary tax waiver and exemption.

Director General of the association, Olusegun Osinowo, made this call in a statement made available to New Telegraph in Lagos.

He said there is need for the government to complement its monetary policy with appropriate fiscal policy such as the abrogation of arbitrary tax waivers/ exemptions, deliberate increase of fiscal savings into the Sovereign Wealth Fund, improved tax collection with emphasis on widening the tax net as against introduction of new taxes or increase in VAT. He said that these could further reduce disposable income, slow down growth and lead to disincentive for investment.

While commending the Federal Government’s courage in embracing the policy of deregulation of petroleum products, renewed interest in revamping the rail system, guided liberalisation of the

Employers demand repeal of arbitrary tax waivers foreign exchange market, he pointed out that they would in due time impact positively on the economy both in the short and long term.

He, therefore, pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with the government.

According to him, much still need to be done to rescue the economy from the doldrums in view of the damning effect of the recessed economy.

He urged the government to look into declined capacity utilisation, closure of businesses, high unemployment, unfair competition

from smuggled products, import restrictions, trade credit evaporation, shrinking supplier credit and bills for collection as well as cold feet by export credit agencies to grant more credit.

To promote and bring the economy back on track, he advised the government to accept the basic principle and imperative of prudent spending as a way out of recession.

“Such spending should target key social and physical infrastructural development; the settlement of the huge domestic debt and insti-

tution of an outcome -based and cash- backed budgetary system for the MDAs,” he added.

He also advised the government to consider a resort to private capital mechanisms across sectors such as power, oil and gas, transport and other critical infrastructure to bridge the fiscal gap, adding that it should also give practical effect to the campaign on patronage of ‘Made in Nigeria’ products through coordinated efforts on local content development and leadership-by-example by ensuring that the MDAs

N25bn work fund: ‘Why Lagos is giving priority to youths’

T

he Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, on Food Security, Mr. Sanni Okanlawon, has said that the emphasis on youth benefitting from the state’s N25 billion employment funds was to bridge the employment gap in the state Okanlawon, who disclosed this in a statement, said that young farmers in the state would benefit from the Trust Fund to develop agriculture value chains.

He added that women would also benefit from the fund.

Okanlawon said that the N25 billion was to bridge the employment gap in the state, and to serve as a catalyst that would engage

creative and innovative energies of Lagosians.

The aide said that the N25 billion, spread across four years, would have N6.25 billion to be disbursed annually especially among entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector.

The Special Adviser said: “The N25 billion Lagos State Employment Trust Fund has been staggered on a yearly basis to the tune of N6.25 billion annually.

“Youth farmers are definitely going to benefit from it because it is meant for them, as well as for other youths and women who have one vocation or the other.

“Youths with the intent of do-

ing entrepreneur activities are all going to benefit in one way or the other; that is why we are employing all our youths, to make sure that they build capacity.

“They must develop one vocation or the other, especially, in the agricultural value chain,” he said.

Okanlawon urged young farmers to draw up business plans, and apply to the LSETF for funding, saying that disbursement would commence in September.

On May 8, the state government had announced that it would start disbursing N6.25 billion as loan to interested unemployed youths by September.

Lecturers end three-month strike in Kwara

L

ecturers of the Kwara State College of Education, Oro, have ended a three-month-old strike, which paralysed academic activities at the institution.

Normal academic activities have resumed at the college after the suspension of the strike, which began on May 24, according to a statement from Head, Department Political Science, Mr Musbau Abdulkareem.

He said that the strike was called off out of concern on the plight of the students who had been away from

classes for months.

He explained that the lecturers went on strike to protest non-payment of 10 months salaries.

“We have not been paid, but the students have wasted a lot of time at home, which we really feel for them.

That was why the lecturers decided to suspend the strike.

“We agree to government’s plea to suspend the strike and they promised to pay us after the suspension; so we are looking forward to them to act fast.”

He said the intervention of some royal fathers also played a major role in resolving the long industrial action.

“Royal fathers such as Oloro of Oro, Oba Rafiu Ajiboye Oyelaran, Olupo of Ajaseipo, Oba Sikiru Woleola and others played a key role in resolving the crisis,” Abdulkareem said.

He urged the students to be prepared to work extra hours in order to cover lost grounds owing to the strike.

and all other arms of government patronise only Made in Nigeria goods.

He noted, “Since all hands must be on deck to make a success of the resuscitation of the economy, there is the need for constructive and regular dialogue by government with representative organisations of the private sector (NECA, MAN, NACCIMA, NASME and NASSI) rather than individual businessmen who, unfortunately, do not represent the collective interest of the private sector but individual businesses.”

Group moves to halt incessant strike in health sector

F

ollowing the incessant industrial action in the health sector, members of the Institute of Health Service Administrators of Nigeria (IHSAN) are putting measures in place to adequately curtail the occurrence in future.

At a recently organised Professional Development Workshop in Kano, experts from different specialties in the health sector converged to proffer solutions to such problems.

According to the National President of the institute, Aminu Bello Sokoto, in a statement, experts found it necessary to look for ways to put a stop to industrial actions facing health facilities in the country.

He said: “Our effort is geared towards resolving perennial issues of strike actions being faced by our hospitals, medical centres and all other health facilities across the country.

“We have different professionals in the hospitals, who sometimes are being faced with unnecessary rivalry among them.

This workshop will also serve as a platform to finding lasting solution to such rivalry among our professionals.”

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

agric

The inauguration of the Green Alternative: Agriculture Promotion Policy (2016-2020) programme by the Federal Government is expected to redefine food security in the country. Taiwo Hassan reports

A

s a matter of conviction, the Federal Government has reaffirmed that the only way out of the current economic doldrums is to develop a proper roadmap for the nation’s agricultural sector in order to enrich the ongoing economic diversification as being propounded under the current administration.

FG’s agric policy At the launch of the Green Alternative: Agriculture Promotion Policy (2016-2020) in Abuja, this week, the Federal Government said the revival of the country’s agricultural sector was critical at this moment since oil price has significantly dropped at the international market.

According to government, it is a comprehensive plan and a well thought-out strategy -to meaningfully and systematically address the myriad of challenges militating against the growth of agricultural sector, with a view to providing innovative solutions for reviving and repositioning the sector for accelerated national development.

Speaking at the agric policy launch, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said that the emphasis on ‘Green’ was to capture the essence, spirit and orientation of this new policy/strategy document.

He said the emphasis on ‘Green’ is deliberate to underscore not only the imperative of building a strong, vibrant and resilient economy, but also a green, refreshing, regenerating, transformative- agricultureled economy.

The minister stated that it was to ensure mutual complementarity between efficient, effective and productive agricultural production, systems and processes on one hand-and environmental sustainability, especially mitigating the effects of climate change, to enable the habitat continue to support the eco-system productively and sustainably.

To him, it is by maintaining this appropriate balance through climate smart agriculture that the country can sustain agricultural production and its value chain processes without causing further harm or degradation to the nation’s environment.

His words: “In this policy, you will see us navigating through the agricultural terrain, trucking on virtually every aspect. We touched on the human element; we reflected on years of neglect where agriculture was seen as the refuge for the wretched and unsophisticated. But we refuse to dwell on

Buhari

Ogbeh

Building viable agric through FG’s Green Policy lamentations. They can only guarantee misery. We touched on land and land use; we touched on soil types and appropriate and correct use of fertilisers for maximum yield.

“Testimonies make us hilarious as the rice yields on farms in Kebbi, Jigawa and Enugu have proved that our rice yields are already approaching the highest world average of seven tons per hectare.

We dealt with seed, the importance of quality and availability. We touched on credit and its severe shortage for agricultural investment. And the periodic interventions by the central bank cannot be enough. Without them we would have nothing to boast of.”

Strategic policy thrusts Ogbeh said that his ministry was also mindful of the fact that the government is a continuum- hence the need to build on the foundation inherited from previous administrations in the country.

He added that the current administration had done this by building on the successes and lessons of them all, including the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the previous administration. Regarding the latter, it entails closing the observable gaps of ATA, consolidating on the agenda and developing new initiatives to address emerging and future concerns.

The minister said that the Green Alternative Promotion Policy had five major strategic thrusts with the first being the achievement of self-sufficiency and sustainable food security, reduction in import dependence and economic losses, particularly through value addition and stimulation of agro-exports for enhanced foreign exchange earnings.

Others are enhancement of wealth and job creation-especially the provision of employment opportunities for the teeming youth population in the country and achievement of economic diversification to make the economy less oil-dependent.

In terms of structure, he said that The Green Alternative has three pillars with the first being Productivity Enhancements, comprising nine key components namely: access to land, soil fertility, access to information and knowledge, access to

One of the three pillars is growing the agriculture sector annually between 6 per cent and 12 per cent

inputs, production management, storage, processing, marketing and trade, consumption and nutrition.

The second pillar is Crowding in Private Sector Investment, which ensures greater access to finance, promoting agribusiness and ensuring investment development.

The third pillar is Institutional strengthening/Realignment of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture (together with its parastatals and agencies).

He, however, added that the six focal areas of interventions under this pillar were institutional setting and roles, youth and women, infrastructure, climate smart agriculture, research and innovation and food and nutrition security.

Agric policy targets Speaking on the objectives of the agric policy, the minister pointed out that some of the key targets that the Federal Government was seeking to achieve- within the plan period and beyond, as quick wins, under the three pillars - include growing the agriculture sector annually between six per cent and 12 per cent; doubling agricultural household incomes in six to 12 years; integrating agricultural commodity value chains into the broader supply chain; driving job growth and wealth creation, as well as ensuring enhanced capacity for foreign exchange earnings.

Other key targets are promoting responsible use of land, water and other natural resources for sustainable livelihoods; facilitating the capacity of the country to meet her obligations to the citizenry on food security, promoting food safety and quality nutrition; and instituting improved governance architectural system in the agricultural sector.

To achieve the policy thrust, it will entail promoting more collaborative actions between the federal and state governments through productive interface and engagement, Ogbe said.

In addition, he said the Green Alternative Investment Financing and Implementation Plan was also

being developed and would be finalised soon.

This is aimed at unlocking the full potential of the sector through the creation of enhanced opportunities for private sector investment and ensuring additional steady inflows of foreign direct investment into the sector.

Food crops export The minister said that government was delighted with the progress already achieved over the past months in the industry, adding that its drive towards achieving self-sufficiency in grains, particularly rice, maize, sorghum, millet, wheat and animal products such as milk, meat, eggs, fish, as well as tomato paste within the next three years was on course.

His words: “We are committed to boosting agro-exports, which used to be our major foreign exchange earner before the discovery of oil in Nigeria. To this end, renewed emphasis is being placed on cultivating improved varieties of cocoa, oil palm, cashew, groundnuts, seasame seed, banana, plantain, kolanut, tea, coffee, ginger, shea butter, and other money spinning crops such as beans, yams, fruits and vegetables.

“We are putting in place relevant sub-policies, administrative guidelines and strengthening regulatory oversight to ensure zero reject of our agricultural commodities and produce, especially in the European Union market. This will be achieved through the introduction and enforcement of new benchmarks for safety, packaging, branding, quality control and standards.”

Conclusion Truly, the country may be going through excruciating pains because of the past acts of laxity, recklessness, indiscipline and abominable indulgence of the worst order. Nonetheless, there is hope of a brighter future through properly laid out agric policies being embarked upon by the current administration.

businesS \ agric

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AfDB to invest $5bn in Nigeria’s agric sector

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Taiwo Hassan

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resident of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, has tasked African youths to embrace agriculture, saying that the bank is set to invest $5 billion over the next 10 years in its Jobs for Youth in Africa (JfYA) initiative to create 25 million new jobs across the continent.

He said this at the 2016 International Youth Day (IYD) in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire.

The AfDB boss also said the initiative is expected to generate over $30 billion in income gains for Africa in the next 10 years.

These investments according to a statement, are expected to open opportunities for 50 million young people through skills development, and job creation in Agriculture, Industry and ICT. The JfYA is a strategy, which underscores the importance of Africa to promote transformative and inclusive development, where the youth are the drivers of the required transformation and are responsible for their own positive economic and social outcomes.

The JfYA is expected to reduce poverty, inequality, as well as economic and conflict-driven migration, increasing social cohesion and political stability.

Adesina said the agriculture sector offered numerous opportunities for job creation for Africa’s youth.

According to him, the IYD is about achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustain-

L-R: Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Gas Group Ex-Officio, Mr Adekunle Olusuyi; Treasurer, Rev. Martins Olaomoju; Ex-Officio, Prince Felix Oba Okojie and Chairman, Dr Michael Ola Adebayo, at a press conference to decry the astronomical increase in the price of natural gas to manufacturers in Lagos.

able Development.

He said it emphasises the leading role of young people in ensuring poverty eradication and achieving sustainable development through sustainable consumption and production.

“Agriculture is the future for Africa. We must make agriculture excit-

Int’l potato centre to partner WAAPP Nigeria Caleb Onwe Abuja

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he International Potato Centre has concluded plans to partner with West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) Nigeria office in promoting the ideals embedded in the “ Food Basket Project.”

The Regional Director of the Centre, Adiel Nkongu Mbabu, disclosed this while on a courtesy visit to WAAPP in Abuja.

Mbabu said his team was in Abuja to familiarise with the activities of WAAPP Nigeria and to seek possible areas of collaboration that will further strengthen the operational capabilities of WAAPP in Nigeria.

Motivated by the success achieved

by WAAPP Nigeria office, in prosecuting projects that has up scaled agricultural productivity, Mbabu noted that his organisation would want to partner with WAAPP Nigeria in developing nutritious food, through their Food Basket Project.

He added that the collaboration would evolve more strategies to build methodology on scaling up agricultural productivity in the country in line with the core mandate of the agency.

In his remarks, Acting National Project Coordinator WAAPP- Nigeria, James Ocheme Apochi informed the team that WAAPP- Nigeria remains the special purpose vehicle that is driving the Agricultural Change Mantra of the present administration.

Apochi also said that WAAPP- Nigeria with the objectives of generating, dissemination and adoption of technologies, has remained dogged in

fulfilling its mandate.

He added that the agency in Nigeria is pursuing its mandate in line with the present administration’s vision of returning the country to agriculturebased economy.

He explained that with commitment to its priority activities, agricultural productivity has been stimulated, especially among the low income farmers through making available to them improved seeds and seedlings.

In a related development, stakeholders in the seed sector have renewed their commitment to the core objectives of WAAPP Nigeria.

During the stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, Acting National Programme Coordinator, WAAPP-Nigeria, Apochi, urged all the stakeholders to see their role as very critical to the realisation of the agency’s mandate of increasing agricultural productivity.

The stakeholders’ meeting with CORAF/WECARD Technical Audit team on fingerlings and Seeds production companies held recently in Abuja.

According to James Apochi, the meeting was to appraise the seed and fingerlings activities of the first phase of WAAPP Nigeria programme.

He urged every participant to be generous with relevant information that could assist the team to achieve its desired mission.

In his contribution, Head of CORAF/WECARD Technical Audit Team, Ousmane Ndoye, informed the stakeholders that their visit was meant to evaluate the lessons learnt, challenges encountered during the cause of implementing WAAPP activities and also provide possible suggestions for improvement in the future.

ing for the youth; and we must stop looking at agriculture as a way of life, as a sector that manages poverty. Agriculture is a business; in fact, it is the biggest business in the world.”

“The future of our young people does not belong at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. It lies in us tapping their talents and putting our re-

sources to support them,” Adeshina added.

The AfDB, through its East Africa Regional Resource Centre (EARC), is currently in discussion with the Kenyan government on how to train youth in agribusiness and develop proposals on bankable projects that can be funded by the Bank.

Agricultural Commodity Prices – Grains Commodity Wheat Corn Soybeans Soybean Meal Soybean Oil Oats Rough Rice Hard Red Wheat Spring Wheat

Price 423-0 327-2 1020-6 337.0 33.39 172-4 10.475 410-2 516-0

Change +3-4 +1-4 +9-2 -0.3 +0.86 -2-4 -0.145 +4-2 +6-4

Contract Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16

Price 68.91 178.65 137.30 20.30 3052 24.35 1.9505 0.1600 2824.00 0.5931 323.80

Change +0.04 -3.75 -1.55 -0.53 +16 +0.04 +0.0455 unch -42.00 +0.0050 -0.20

Contract Dec 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Oct 16 Sep 16 Jan 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Sep 16

Price 113.125 144.575 59.850 17.44

Change -0.600 -0.550 +0.700 +0.26

Contract Oct 16 Sep 16 Oct 16 Sep 16

Time(ET) 11:41 11:41 11:39 11:40 11:41 11:15 11:41 11:41 11:40

Softs Commodity Cotton #2 Orange Juice Coffee Sugar #11 Cocoa Sugar #16 CME Coffee CME Sugar #11 CME Cocoa CME Cotton #2 Lumber

Time(ET) 11:41 11:40 11:39 11:41 11:24 08:14 11/25/14 11/25/14 11/25/14 11/25/14 11:38

Meats Commodity Live Cattle Feeder Cattle Lean Hogs Class III Milk

Time(ET) 11:41 11:41 11:41 11:40

Commodities trade on different exchanges with different trading sessions. Change always shows from the previous close price.

Quotes delayed, except where indicated otherwise. All prices in local currency.

Time is ET. Source: Bloomberg

30

Environment Watch

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Stakeholders to govt: Develop water-financing mechanisms INCREDIBLE Eight hundred million people can’t access clean water in Africa Dayo Ayeyemi

G

oing by the available statistics, governments across Africa have been urged to develop proper financing mechanisms in order to avert major water crisis in the continents.

This was the consensus of stakeholders and water experts who converged on Dar es Salaam to commemorate the 6th Africa Water Week organised

by African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW).

They insisted that such instrument was necessary, taking into account the huge funding requirements for the sector in order to achieve sustainable development on sanitation and water security.

Besides, they appealed to African governments to address the challenges affecting the water sector such as shortage of human resource and capital investment.

The experts noted that availability to safe and clean drinking water is still a major challenge that many African countries are facing.

Over 1000 participants from

Shrinking Lake Chad Basin, Nigeria

the public and private sectors, researchers as well as development partners from all over Africa attended the forum.

Recent statistics has indicated that around 800 million people still can’t access safe and clean water, while around 2.5 billion can’t access improved sanitation.

This frightening statistics, stakeholders and experts said, meant that a major water crisis is looming unless governments take a united stand in prioritising water security manage-

CSOs, labour to join forces on global warming

S

takeholders, encompassing Civil society Organisations (CSOs) and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) have agreed to work together on issues related to global warming in order to open fresh vista in the nation’s climate change policy dynamics and diplomacy.

The CSOs, which also resolved to offer their expertise when needed, likewise appreciated the fact that labour unions used to be the political voice of the society and are therefore willing to help in reviving that process.

These resolutions were the outcome of an engagement session in Abuja recently involving CSO and NLC representatives. The forum was a continental initiative being promoted by the FriedrichEbert-Stiftung (FES) in about three sub-Saharan African countries including Nigeria.

FES resident representative, Michael Roll, expressed hope that a workable partnership between labour and CSOs would be forged in the bid to address numerous labour/workplace and climate related challenges.

FES Nigeria project manager, Henry Okotie, gave assurance to activists that his

organisation would communicate the opportunities being offered by the CSOs to the labour unions, adding that he would encourage them to make use of them.

Environmentalists including Lecturer in University of Lagos, Professor Olukayode Oladipo; Women Environment Programme (WEP), Priscilla Achakpa; Women Initiative for Transparency (WIT), Jennifer Spiff; Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) , Nnimmo Bassey; and Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Mr. Chima Williams, explored a number of issues bordering gender and climate change as well as the legal focus.

Spiff noted that women and children/girls were the most vulnerable in cases of climate change impact in the areas of reproductive health rights, epidemic and conflicts. She also shed some light on the role of women in climate change.

Williams emphasised that no law has in fact criminalised the negative impacts of climate change on human life pattern (such as loss of farmland), adding that impact can be linked with constitutional right to life.

ment and improved sanitation.

“Nearly 98 per cent of the affected population is found in the third world countries especially in Africa, which accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the population,” experts said.

Others proposed that governments in Africa should wipe out corruption in the sector to make sure that the resources allocated are efficiently used and direct their focus on the significant results of scientific research to underpin the solutions of the challenges facing the water sector.

With the theme “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SGD) on Water Security and Sanitation,” the event created an opportunity for the

stakeholders in the water sector to discuss and collectively get lasting solutions concerning water security management and sanitation in Africa.

The government of Tanzania has taken significant steps to improve water access in the country whereby at present, people in the rural areas access the water by 65 per cent, while those in urban areas the access to water is 75 per cent.

Speaking at the forum, Tanzania’s Minister for Water and Irrigation, Mr. Gerson Lwenge, an engineer, said that the government has placed a lot of priority on the water sector by set aside 1trillion - in this year budget to, make sure that the people can access clean

and safe water by 100 per cent in 2025.

Prime Minister of Tanzania, Kassim Majaliwa said that Tanzania placed a high level of importance to the water sector, stressing government’s commitment and dedication to continue placing a lot of priority to management of water resources and sanitation according to the national plan.

Majaliawa however, noted that access to clean and safe water is still a big challenge affecting many African countries, more so the rural population, hence through the conference the countries will jointly seek sustainable solutions concerning water security management and sanitation.

Firm donates lab kit to agency Dayo Ayeyemi

N

igerian Breweries has donated some sets of laboratory equipment to the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).

The equipment, according to the Corporate Affairs Adviser, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, in a statement, was to assist the organisation in its efforts towards environmental sustainability.

He added that his organisation has made a commitment to continuously improve the environment impact of its activities, as captured in its long-term sustainability agenda.

Managing Director of LASEPA, Mr. Adebola Shabi, an engineer, received the equipment on behalf of his organisation.

Shabi appreciated the Nigerian Breweries for the gesture, urging other companies to emulate what the firm has done.

He said: “A lot of companies are contributing to environmental degrada-

tion in the state and many of them are not responding.” He noted that the NB has installed a fish pond to check waste water in its area of operation, urging it to partner other agencies of government to lift Lagos environment.

Special Adviser to the government on Environment, Mr Babatunde Ope, also appreciated the company for supporting environmental sustainability in the state.

The donation of the equipment, the NB media adviser said, has marked the continuation of the firm support for an increased professionalism at the agency following, the retrofitting of LASEPA laboratory, which “we sponsored and handed over in 2015.”

According to Ekanem, the focus areas of the company included protection of water resources, reduction of carbon emissions, sourcing resources sustainably, promoting responsible consumption, health and safety and growing with

communities.

“As part of this agenda for instance, we have successfully reduced water consumption for production by 28 per cent since 2008 and built waste water treatment plants in eight out of our 11 breweries,” he said.

He disclosed that NB has signed a partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development organisation (UNIDO) on execution of water stewardship initiatives in South West Nigeria.

Besides, through the programme, he said the company is also committed to reduction of carbon emissions, which has made it switched from use of low pour fuel oil (LPFO) to natural gas, which is cleaner source of fuel.

He said: “We have made huge investment in modern energy efficient plant and machineries as well as light weighting of packaging materials and realignment of distribution network geared towards the improvement of environmental impact of our operations.”

31

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AutoBeat

Something special about Ford Focus, Mustang T

he all-new Ford Focus RS and Ford Mustang 5.0-litre V8 GT feature in “Jeremy’s Star Cars” – a rundown of Jeremy Clarkson’s top 10 drives of the past year, revealed recently.

Ford was the only manufacturer to have two entries in the top 10 list, reflecting the success of Ford’s performance

vehicles in recent years, following the recent launch of the right-hand-drive Mustang, and the exciting four-wheeldrive Focus RS. “With the new Focus RS, you know that after about 100 yards [of driving it] that Ford has created something very special.” said Clarkson “Its 345bhp is

enough to provide a meaty shove in the back when you accelerate and a growly 40-a-day rumble from under the bonnet.”

Since the first ever right-hand-drive Mustang launched in 2015, orders have reached over 4,000, and Clarkson has recognised why 70 per cent of these have

been for the Ford Mustang 5.0-litre V8 GT: “Incredibly, this 410bhp, 155mph American icon costs less than I paid for a Volkswagen Golf GTI. This is a machine that wants to turn its tyres into smoke and go round every corner sideways. You’ve seen the film Bullitt.

Well, it’s that.”

African auto makers storm Nigeria Paul Ogbuokiri

A

frican Association of Automobile Manufacturers (AAAM) visited Nigeria on Monday to discuss investment plans for the automotive industry in the country.

The visiting AAAM officials are made up of Original Equipment Manufacturers, producing cars in Africa and the delegation met with senior government officials in Abuja.

Mr. Luqman Mamudu, Director, Policy and Planning, National automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) said in an email statement that “the visit of Africa Association of Automotive Manufacturers is part of the present government’s effort to review the National Automotive Industrial Development

L-R: Director, Ford Middle East and African Region for Government Affairs, Ms Simonetta Verdi; Managing Director/ President, RAF-S, (Nissan) and National Association of Auto Manufacturers, Mr. Mike Whitefield; Chairperson, African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), Mr. Jeff Nemeth; President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah, during a meeting at the State House, Abuja…on Tuesday.

Plan (NAIDP) for more traction.”

He also said, “The strategy is to increase OEM investment in Nigeria to quickly gain a critical mass of Completely Knocked

Down (CKD) assembled vehicles,” saying it provides ready demand for existing and potential component and parts manufacturers.

Mr. Mamadu listed the AAAM members that were on the trip as; Nissan, Ford, Mercedes, BMW, GM, Toyota and Automotive Components Parts Manufacturers Association of South Africa.”

He disclosed that the presentation of the group to the Economic Management Team (EMT) was preceded by an earlier meeting with the association in Nigeria on the July 24-26, where technical notes were shared between stakeholders that included Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry Industry Trade and Investment, NIPC and Nigeria Customs Service, The presidency, and the Senate.”

Mr. Mamudu also noted that the “AAAM showed during the meeting with EMT and the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs on Monday that they

needed Nigeria to find a way of limiting the inflow of second hand vehicles into the country without hurting Nigerians; improve customs administration at the ports and legislate on NAIDP as critical conditions to make automotive investment in Nigeria attractive.”

He disclosed that, “Rand Bank of South Africa also accompanied the contingent as a strategic partner to provide affordable vehicle asset finance.”

Mr. Mamudu further disclosed that the group met with President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock villa Tuesday.

It is believed that the meeting will also help the full blown implementation of the automotive policy in Nigeria and galvanize new development in the Africa automotive industries.

The Africa Association of Automotive Manufacturers is the apex body for all auto manufacturing industries in the continent.

32

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

EXHORTATION “Then, let mankind look at his food-How We poured down water in torrents, then we broke open the earth, splitting and cause to grow within it grains. And grapes and herbage, and olive and palm trees, and gardens of dense shrubbery and fruit and grass-[As] enjoyment for you and your grazing livestock.” (Quran 80:24-32)

Islam UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH

Preparation for Hajj QUESTION How can a Muslim prepare for Hajj?

ANSWER

Travelling for the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj) requires both spiritial and material preparation.

Certain religious and logistical requirements must be met before one can set off for the trip.

Spiritual Preparation The Hajj is a journey of a lifetime, during which one is reminded of death and the afterlife, and returns a renewed person. The Quran tells the believers to “take provisions with you for the journey, but the best of provisions is God-consciousness...”

(2:197). So spiritual preparation is key; one should be ready to face God with complete humility and faith.

One should read books, consult with religious leaders, and ask God for guidance on how best to benefit from the Hajj experience.

Religious Requirements The Hajj is only required of those people who can financially afford to make the journey, and who are physically capable of performing the rites of pilgrimage. Many Muslims in the world save up funds their entire lives in order to make the journey just one time.

Logistical Preparation Once you are prepared for travel, can you just book a flight and go?

Unfortunately it’s not that simple.

In recent years, the annual pilgrimage has drawn crowds of nearly 3 million people. The logistics of providing housing, transportation, sanitation, food, etc. for such large numbers of people require a great deal of coordination. The government of Saudi Arabia has therefore instituted policies and procedures that potential pilgrims must follow in order to ensure a safe and spiritual pilgrimage experience for all. These policies and procedures include: All potential pilgrims must apply for a Hajj visa through a qualified travel agent in their home country.

The Saudi embassies will not issue Hajj visas to individuals travelling alone. Here is a list of authorized agents worldwide.

All foreign travel agents must be pre-approved by the Ministry of Hajj and have a partnership contract with a local (Saudi) Hajj provider.

13 Dhul Qadah, 1437 ah

NASFAT underscores way out for Nigeria’s economic crisis

lGathers 10, 000 female Muslims for annual week “This is an opportunity for us cuses more on maintaining family

TOUGH National Women Affairs secretary, NASFAT Worldwide, says families’ values are under threats Adeola Yusuf

N

asrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT) has declared that the economic crisis in Nigeria has begun to affect a lot of families just as it highlighted way out from the crisis.

President, NASFAT worldwide, Engineer Kamil Yomi Bolarinwa and the National Women Affairs secretary, Alhaja Samiat Omolara Mumuni, stated this at the grand finale of the 17 th annual women’s week of the association held at the NASFAT village, Ibafo, Ogun state, where over 10, 000 women were gathered.

Stating that the tough time is already eroding family values and respect, Bolarinwa said that the country has resources that could take her our of the storm if well used.

Fielding questions from newsmen, the NASFAT President said: “What I know from my religion is that the almighty Allah in His infinite mercy does not give you a condition greater than the resources He has given you. It is a tough time worldwide, it is not limited to Nigeria. The economy has challenges and I know that the people say when the going gets tough the tough gets going. So, I think it is an opportunity for us to rework and re-jiggle the Nigeria economy for you and I to re-strategise.

to look inward to start producing things within our country that we can use. You know that Allah has blessed us with cash crops and other agricultural produce. Here we can cultivate many agricultural produce and they will germinate well and better. We should begin to look inward and exert more efforts on our agricultural sector.

“So, this is what we should do and of course, we will pray to God with these challenges so that we will overcome the challenges and come out as better people. So that when we come out of these challenges, we would have learnt to not only be food sufficient but also export our crops to other countries of the world.”

Corroborating Bolarinwa’s view, Mumuni said: “NASFAT fo-

values. Because of the economic crisis we are going through, it has affected a lot of families and we want our women to live with the situation.”

She continued: “They are encouraged to live with the situation by not living above their means.

We want them to shun ostentatious livestyle. We want our women to use the little resources they have on their children’s upbringing and their family values. We want them to cooperate with their husbands who are the men of the house and the head of the family.

And to let them know that with the little they have our women can live lives of fulfillment.

“We also teach women vocational training so that they can be able to support the family. The

husband cannot be going out in the morning to work and you as the wife does not need to b e asking him for money every minute, when he comes back in evening.

We expect that our women should take care of little things for the house maintenance.

“We are also discouraging women from employing the services of house-helps. They should take care of their children personally because it is the culture and values of those who train them that they will imbibe. The house help that uses fowl language in the house will have direct impact on your children and you will be shocked to discover the level of damage that some house-helps have done on the children.

“We also organize a fund raising so that we can have our project because we want to build missionary schools, we want to build vocational training schools and other projects on our site so that all these will benefit our members in particular and the society in general.

All these projects are to encourage our women and to empower them.”

L-R: President, Nasrul-Lahi-LFatih Society (NASFAT), Engr.

Kamil Abayomi Bolarinwa and National Women Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Samiat Omolara Mumuni, during the 17 th annual women’s week of the society held at NASFAT village, Mowe, Ogun State

Telecom firm offers supports for 80, 000 Hajj pilgrims Kunle Azeez

O

ne of Nigeria’s telecoms firms, Airtel, has offered support for 80, 000 Hajj pilgrims from Nigeria lover seamless communication needs.

The firm said that this could be achieved by free incoming calls and discounted rates on out-going calls, short messaging service (SMS) and data.

With this, Airtel said Nigerians travelling to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj are in for an exciting time.

Airtel, in a statement, however, said that the offer, which is dubbed the ‘Airtel Hajj Promo,’ is valid till Friday, September 30, 2016.

According to Airtel, the spe-

cial offer, which guarantees huge discount on roaming tariffs, is aimed at empowering the pilgrims to stay connected to their Families and Friends at affordable rates, while in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking on the proposition, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mokhles, said, “under the Hajj offer, customers will be able to call any network in Nigeria and any local Saudi number for reduced rate.. They will also be able to send SMS to all destinations at reduced rate.

“In addition, the pilgrims will receive SMS and calls for free, which means that their loved ones can call them and they will not be charged for receiving the calls. They will also

enjoy a reduced rate all day.”

He said the offer, which does not require any form of opt-in, is available to all prepaid and post-paid customers of the Airtel Network.

Mokhles further explained that for prepaid customers to enjoy the benefits, they will need to load sufficient credit on their phones and ensure that their lines are latched on to the Zain or STC network once they arrive in Saudi Arabia.

On the other hand, Mokhles said post-paid customers must ensure that they activate global roaming on their lines before they depart Nigeria and once they arrive in Saudi Arabia, they must also ensure that their lines are latched on to the Zain or STC network.

“While in Saudi, customers can easily top up their airtime credit at any time using any of the following channels: Ask your relations in Nigeria to send you recharge pin and load the pin by dialling a dedicated code or ask a retailer in Nigeria to recharge your line directly using electronic recharge; recharge online Airtel website and recharge from your bank’s internet portal or mobile app,” he said.

Calls to other international destinations will be charged at normal roaming rates.

According to Mokhles, the Airtel hajj promo is designed specifically for Muslim pilgrims to excite and provide a home away from home experience while on this religious trip.

33

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sacrifice ‘Robbery, only way to feed my parents, relatives’

Crime

34

Outrage Rape: We don’t know how she entered our room, say defendants

Trick Why policemen accepted N500,000 bribe, by CP

35 36

Fear grips community as gangsters shoot schoolgirl …rob, inflict machete cuts on residents Farida Mohammed and Endurance Evulukwu

R

esidents of Ajegunle community, Ikorodu, Lagos State are presently living in fear after unknown men, alleged to be members of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), took to robbing and terrorising them out of their wits.

The residents carried out investigations, to find out the faction of OPC the hoodlums belonged to, but OPC leaders denied knowing the men. The hoodlums used to raid and rob residents at midnights.

Within the span of two weeks, a 13-year-old primary school pupil, Moji, was shot under her armpit. She was rushed to a hospital, where the bullet was extracted.

The survival of the schoolgirl was described as miraculous by members of the community.

A couple, Mr. and Mrs. Olumide Iwajomo was attacked with machetes.

Olumide and his younger brother were inflicted with machete cuts by the gang. Olumide’s wife, Mrs. Dumebi Iwajomo, and his aged mother, suffering from stroke, were also brutalised. Dumebi is today sporting injury on a head injury, where the men slashed her with machete.

The Baale of Ajegunle community, Chief Moyosola Oladunjoye, said he was sick and tired of the gun shots, fear and violence in the community.

According to him, he had repeatedly called on the police to check the escalating violence, but the police always promise to arrest the situation, but end up doing nothing.

The schoolgirl was alleged to have been shot by one Sukanmmi alias Nlanla, on August, 3, 2016, at about 8: pm, while she was heading home.

Moji, a primary six pupil of Anglican Primary School, was hit

Dumebi

JULIANA FRANCIS CRIME Editor

juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

by a stray by bullet fired by Sukanmmi and his gang. The gang was said to have been shooting sporadically for reasons yet unknown.

According to the residents, the

hoodlums were fond of running around the community, shooting for no apparent reason.

Whenever they start their mayhem, commercial activities would be grounded as people scamper

for safety, fearful of stray bullets.

Moji’s mother, Mrs. Bose Dadeowo, a trader, said that Moji was shot by masked men, adding that Moji was able to recognise Sukanmmi, byhis body movement and voice.

Dadeowo said her daughter told her Sukanmmi pulled the trigger.

Dadeowo said Sukanmmi and 10 of his gang members went on a shooting spree that fateful day.

Dadeowo didn’t know what had happened to her daughter until two Good Samaritans rushed the blood covered Moji home.

Dadeowo explained: “Two boys saw Moji after she was shot and rushed her home. Some residents and I took her to Thomas Police Post, were the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) told us to take her first to the Ikorodu General Hospital. It was there they removed the bullet from her armpit."

After Moji's treatment, Dadeowo went back to Thomas Police Post to lodge official complaint. She was asked to write a statement.

She said that the DPO promised to ensure the matter was handled with the utmost urgency. He further promised to ensure that the trigger happy Sukanmmi was arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.

She noted that members of the community had repeatedly reported Sukanmmi to the police, but he had never once been arrested.

Dadeowo said: "We know these men quite well! Sukanmi and Olanikan work at Tipper Garage.

There’s another of their member called Ajanaku. These men have caused a lot of trouble in this community for long. They are supposed to be in police custody, instead they are just roaming the streets, causing more troubles. We live in fear every day. Shops are looted every day. As I speak with you, a woman was attacked with machete on Sunday.”

Dadeowo further said: “We’re begging the police to come to our aid. These men are dangerous!

They are always armed with dangerous weapons and create fear among residents. Police should come and arrest them and ensure they pay for their crimes and attacks on residents.”

Another resident, Mr. Thofos Okushemilore, complained bitterly over the shabby manner police had been handling the tensed situation and series of complaints from residents.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

34

CRIME

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

The suspected robbers of Luggard Street, Ikoyi, Lagos

‘Robbery,onlywaytofeed myparents,relatives’ Taiwo Jimoh

D

etectives attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State Police Command, are used to listening and hearing many outrageous excuses from suspects for their reasons in embracing crime.

So, when 30-year-old Friday Eze, told them that he took to robbery, like duck to water, because it was the only way he knew he could raise money to take care of his parents and late sister’s four children, they were not shocked.

According to the police, they have heard worst stories. They, however, argued that there was never a good excuse for taking to robbery.

Eze, was arrested on August 8, 2016, along with John Ameh 22, Stanley Ichof 31, Femi Michael 28, Raphael Ojuwa 33 and Daniel Thomas 29, along Falomo Bridge.

Policemen attached to the Ikoyi Police Station Lagos, arrested the suspects and transferred them to SARS. According to the police, the suspects specialised in robbing residents, in connivance with security guards. The police said residents have fallen victims to such robbery attacks in the past.

But the suspects, this time, were arrested after they had successfully robbed some residents of Luggard Street, Ikoyi.

During interrogation, the suspects fingered John Ameh, one of the security guards in the community, as an accomplice.

The suspects alleged that they wouldn’t have been able to pull off the robbery operation, if not for the assistance and connivance

of Ameh.

Eze said: “I went into robbery because I needed to take care of my parents and my late sister’s four children. I’m the only grown up child of my parents. I needed to fend for everybody. I have gone on four robbery operations and I didn’t use any money from those

Stolen items recovered from the suspects

operations for myself. I used all the money to take care of my family members. The truth however is that my parents didn’t know I was into robbery. I hope they find it in their hearts to forgive me.”

Eze said he dropped out of Yaba College of Technology in 2014, because his parents

couldn’t continue to finance his education. After dropping out of school, he became a commercial motorbike rider. He later left the 'okada' business, to work with a construction company as a store keeper. He would later venture into armed robbery, to augment his income.

Recollecting how he met Ameh, Eze said: “I met one Emmanuel at Apapa and we became friends.

We exchanged phone numbers.

Emmanuel later introduced me to John, who is a security guard.

It was John who told us that residents in the community had valuables we could steal. We recruited more men to join us. We planned the robbery together with John.

Four of us went for the robbery. We broke into the premises through a generator wall at about 12am. We cut through the burglary with an iron cutter. We tied up some residents and beat those that tried to resist.”

Eze further confessed that they stole phones, laptops, iPads, jewelry and money.

Eze said: “A week after Emmanuel introduced me to John, John called. He said I should come to his master’s house at about 7pm. When I got there, he took me round the compound. He complained that his master used to maltreat him. He also said that he needed money to establish himself at his village, in Benue State. He said he wanted to quit security guard work.”

Eze said that after Ameh took him on a tour of the compound, he arranged for three other people to join them for the operation.

Eze narrated: “On the day of the robbery, it was John that opened the door for us. He showed us places to rob.”

He said that although Ameh’s master and mistress were not at home, the suspects, however, met two ladies in the house aside from Ameh. He said the ladies cooperated with them during the robbery operation.

Ameh, however, denied being part of the robbery gang. He said he didn’t know why Eze was lying against him. He insisted he had never set eyes on Eze until police arrested and took him to the station.

Ameh said: “I don’t know this Friday from Adams! He claimed to have my phone number, let him call me now, so that we can ascertain if he truly has my contact.

This is my first time of seeing him.

When they entered the compound on that day, they tied all the security guards on duty, including me.

They robbed and ransacked the house. They robbed for about 30 minutes.

“I believe it’s only God who can pull me out of this problem.

Nobody believes me. I don’t know the kind of ill luck that has been tailing me.”

The driver of the bus, Ichof, also denied being part of the gang.

He said: “I was coming from Lekki when Friday flagged me down at about 5am. He said I should take them to Ajegunle. I charged them N15, 000, but we agreed on N10, 000. When we got to Falomo Bridge, we were flagged down by some policemen.

They were on patrol duty. Police carried out a search of the bags and found some items. The leader of the gang couldn’t answer the police question as to where they got the goods.”

CRIME

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Camillus Nnaji

O

n July 30, 2016, Mr. Ifedayo Agbedi, sent his 28-year-old mentally challenged twin sister, Kikelomo, on errand.

Kikelomo may not be too bright, but she knows how to carry out simple tasks and go on errands around the Meiran Ijaiye, Lagos community.

Ifedayo knows better than to send Kikelomo to far away areas.

Thus, the errand he sent her on that fateful day, was within the community. So, after Ifedayo waited too long for Kikelomo to return, he had a sick feeling in his stomach that something was absolutely wrong. Some people later said it was more like twins' telepathy.

He would later find her stark naked, with two painters, identified as Taiwo Azeez, 23 and Isiaka Taofeek 20.

The two men were said to have taken her into an apartment, which they were painting, locked the door and took turns in raping her.

Ifedayo, who reported the case at Meiran Police Station, said he sent the victim on an errand and waited for her to return. It was in the course of searching for Kikelomo, that he went to the painters and found her naked with them.

The matter was charged to the Ebute-Metta Magistrate's Court, Yaba, Oyingbo.

The court, presided over

by Mrs. A.O. Adelaja, ordered that the defendants, Azeez and

35

Rape: We don’t know how she entered our room, say defendants

Defiled (file)

Taofeek be remanded in Ikoyi Prison, pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The defendants were accused of raping Kikelomo, a mentally challenged woman at Meiran-Ijaiye area of Lagos State.

The defendants were said to have

committed the crime on July 30, 2016 in a three-bedroom apartment, located at No, 3 Meirian Road, MeiranIjaiye, Lagos, where they worked as painters.

The Prosecutor, Chinalum Nwadialu, a Police Inspector, told the court that the defendants were arraigned

for rape and conspiracy.

He said the two men lured the mentally challenged woman into the apartment where they worked, with the intention of raping her.

A medical report obtained at the Yaba Mainland Hospital, confirmed that Kikelomo was raped. It was said that traces of the defendants’ semen were found in the woman’s private part.

Nwadialu further said: “The case was transferred to State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), from Merian Police Station. The defendants perfected their crime in the compound, which they were painting.

When the victim’s brother opened the first door, he met Azeez. When he tried to open the second door, Azeez stopped him. The victim’s brother however forcefully opened the door and saw his sister and Taofeek naked on the floor of the apartment.”

The defendants, who pleaded not guilty, said they didn’t know how Kikelomo entered the apartment.

Adelaja ordered the defendants to pay a bail sum of N300, 000 with two sureties. The sureties must be owners of landed properties in Lagos.

The sureties must also have verifiable residential addresses and businesses. They must also present an evidence of tax payment.

The matter was adjourned till September 5, 2016, pending DPP’s advice.

Gangsters shoot schoolgirl, rob others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

Okushemilore said: "Instead of going to Thomas Bus Stop, where these boys stay, police would come into the community, to raid and arrest innocent boys.”

Recounting her own experience, Dumebi, a food vendor, said she was attacked by the gang on August, 14, 2016, in her shop, at Irawo Market.

Before the present attack on Dumebi, the hoodlums had earlier attacked many residents, including Dumebi and her family during one of their midnight robbery operations.

Whenever the hoodlums attacked at night, they always wear face masks. But most residents know them, because they live in the community with them.

It was after one of those midnight attacks that Dumebi went to lodge a complaint at the police station. Since Dumebi made that complaint, she and her family members became targets of the hooligans.

Speaking with New Telegraph, Dumebi recounted the latest attack on her, which occurred on Sunday.

She said: “On Sunday, I was about to serve food to a customer, when I suddenly noticed that some of the OPC men have parked their motorcycles in front of my shop. Immediately they sighted me, one of them brought out his machete and

slashed my face and head. They also attacked my buttocks with bottle. They stole N28, 000, which was in my shop. They also stole my Infinix Hot Note2 Phone. They threatened to deal with me if I ever opened my shop. I sustained a lot of injuries.”

Recollecting the genesis of her troubles with the gang, Dumebi explained: “Two weeks ago, at about 2pm, these same hoodlums broke into my house. They inflicted machete cuts on my husband’s body. They also attacked my husband’s younger brother, Joshua, with machetes. They even beat up my mother-in-law, who is suffering from stroke. They stole our Plasma Television and N100, 000 contributions, which I kept at home.”

Reacting to the Sunday incident, Olumide said he was at home, watching a football game when his wife’s dad called him. The worried old man told him that his daughter had been attacked at her shop.

Dumebi was taken to Owode Police Station, but police allegedly refused to attend to her.

Olumide said: “In fact, my wife was sent away by a policeman named “Alpha.” She wanted to report the attack, but the policeman told her to go and treat herself.

She was not even allowed to write a statement. My wife reported the way the police treated her to me. I took her to Ikorodu General Hospital, where she was treated.”

Olumide said that residents

Dadeowo and Moji

had been so worried by the atrocities and attacks unleashed in the community by the gang that they had to report the case to soldiers at the Ikeja military cantonment, the move achieved nothing.

Olumide urged the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, to redeploy the Owode Police Station Divisional Police Officer (DPO), stressing that the DPO had never done anything to assist in checking escalating violence in the community.

Olumide said: “These hoodlums have been denied by OPC factions.

We believe they are cult members.”

The Baale, Oladunjoye said: “We’re overwhelmed. We don’t know why these men are attacking our community. It has happened countless times. I have called the DPO, to check the attacks, so that it doesn’t get out of hands. He said he would look into the matter. The DPO, leaders in the community and me, held a meeting. The meeting was on how to foster peace in the community. One of the resolutions of the meeting was to plead with youths to lay down their arms.

These youths always carry out midnight attacks.”

36

CRIME

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tobi Ayinde

T

he Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, has revealed why some quick witted policemen, attached to his command, accepted N500, 000 bribe from two desperate suspects.

These daring suspects, Cissey Ibrahim, 39, and Taofeek Babatunde, desperate to evade arrest, first offered the policemen N300, 000, but the policemen told them that they needed to discuss further.

The policemen stepped aside, conferred and returned to the suspects minutes later.

Before the policemen returned to the suspects, they agreed to use available means to further nail the suspects.

The policemen told the suspects to bring additional N200, 000. Immediately the policemen collected the balance, they urged the suspects to follow them to the police station.

When they got to the police station, they were arrested and detained.

The suspects were first arrested for allegedly vandalising cables belonging to the Nigeria Telecommunication Commission.

They are however now being held for vandalism of government property and offering bribe to law enforcement officers.

Owoseni said the suspects were caught vandalising, cutting, stealing and loading NITEL underground cables into their truck, along Water Works Road, besides the Ikeja High Court.

Owoseni said: “When these suspects were accosted, they offered the policemen N500, 000, bribe. The policemen played along with them. The policemen pretended as if they would collect the money, but cleverly led them to the office of their Divisional Police Station (DPO). The policemen recovered tools used in cutting the underground cables. They also recovered the suspects’ operational truck, which was already loaded with the cables Owoseni said that there was a third suspect, named Wasiu Salami, still at large.

He said policemen were already on the trail of the fleeing suspect.

Narrating how he became a guest of the police, Ibrahim said: “I’m a scrap dealer. I buy iron, copper, zinc and all. Yesterday, some guys came to me and said they had a big market for me; these guys usually bring market for me, but usually in small quantity. When they came, they said they brought a big market, which would fetch me a lot of money.

They told me that they were doing the business with a police patrol team. Even before I accepted, they made me to speak with the policemen on phone. I followed them to the agreed venue at night. I didn’t know they were going to vandalise government cables.

The only thing I used to do is to buy and sell. Everyone knows me for that. I don’t

Ibrahim and Babatunde

Why policemen accepted N500,000 bribe, by CP steal.”

Ibrahim continued his narration: “When we got there, the patrol team was there.

The guys who brought me into the business were also there.

They had already started working. I left there and went to a club located at Computer Village to relax. After a while, I returned to join them. Another patrol team came. The two patrol teams discussed at length with each other. They asked me how much I was willing to pay. I told them to say how much they wanted; so I’ll be able to know if I could afford it. They told me to pay N300,000. I didn’t have up to that amount. I had only N250, 000. I had to go back home, to raise the money. I returned and gave it to them. The guys that introduced me to the business were still around; they were the people that loaded all the cables into the truck.”

He further said: “They said the money I gave them wasn’t enough. They said I should pay additional N200,000. I had to go and meet some of my friends,

When these suspects were accosted, they offered the policemen N500,000 bribe. The policemen played along with them

The cables

to raise the N200,000, to make the money N500,000.”

Ibrahim said that immediately the policemen collected the money from him, they asked him and the driver of the truck to follow them.

“The people who intro-

duced me to the business ran away and abandoned me. I don’t know where they live; I don’t even know the driver whom I was arrested along with. That day, was my first time of setting eyes on the driver.”

FRIDAY, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

VOLATILITY Local currency momentarily traded at N365.25/$ Tony Chukwunyem

T

he naira closed at N325 against the dollar yesterday Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) data showed.

This is even as Thomson Reuters data showed that the naira had earlier traded at an all-time low of N365.25 to the dollar in a single interbank market trade of $1 million.

The news agency said interbank trading started two hours after the market opened and offered the currency

business \ money line

Naira closes at N325/dollar on interbank market sharply lower against the dollar, adding that a total of $13 million had been traded by 1235 GMT. However, according to the FMDQ OTC website, the local currency closed at N321.50 against the dollar yesterday.

At the parallel market, the naira closed flat at N394 against the greenback, the same rate it closed last Wednesday.

Analysts had told New Telegraph on Monday that the local currency could stabilise at an exchange rate of N350 to the dollar.

Visa to launch mobile payments solution in Nigeria

V

isa Inc., one of the global leaders in payments, has announced that it is bringing its mobile payments solution mVisa to Nigeria.

The company in a statement, said that it was in advanced discussions with leading Nigerian banks, and expects to roll the solution out with banking partners to Nigerian consumers before the end of 2016. mVisa is an innovative mobile payments solution that allows consumers to pay for goods by scanning a QR code on a smart phone or entering a

merchant number into their feature phones.

Payment goes straight from the consumer’s Visa account into the merchant’s account and provides real-time notification to both parties. mVisa is completely interoperable, meaning that the consumer and the merchant do not need to be customers of the same bank.

It can also be used to enable consumers who use different mobile phones and services to interact. This brings a versatile and secure mobile money solution, powered by Visa, to consumers everywhere.

‘Ecobank excels at Asian Banker’s awards’

E

cobank said it has won Customer Relationship Management of the Year, Retail Risk Management Initiative of the Year and Best Business Model Execution in West Africa for 2016 at The Asian Banker’s 1st Annual West Africa Awards Ceremony held in Lagos recently.

The Best Retail Banker in Africa award, according to a statement from the lender, also went to Patrick Akinwuntan, Group Executive, Consumer Bank Ecobank Group.

The maiden Asian Banker’s West Africa Awards are acknowledged in the financial sector as a strong indicator of excellence among the financial services industry.

According to the organisers of the Awards, Ecobank was awarded for its customer relationship initiative through the commitment to pro-

vide convenient, accessible and reliable banking products and services to its customers; use of business intelligence tools and credit bureau information, to provide a secure banking environment to its customers, and its three tier business model that focuses on customer segmentation, coverage, and channels to serve each segment.

For Akinwuntan, Group Executive, Consumer Bank Ecobank Group, who won the Best Retail Banker in Africa, the organisers observed that under his leadership, the retail business has witnessed substantial transformation, innovation and growth in all its segments and dimensions – customers, products and channels, adding that the retail banking which, he supervises has turned into a leader in the retail banking space across many of the countries that it operates in.

According to the analysts, it is only at this exchange rate that foreign investors will feel confident enough to bring in the much-needed liquidity that will stabilise the naira on the interbank market.

An expert with a leading financial advisory firm, who did not want to be named, told this newspaper that the naira has been unstable on the

interbank market since the CBN launched the flexible exchange rate policy because of the lack of liquidity in the market.

He said: “Since the new exchange rate policy kicked off, the CBN has been the main supplier of forex to the market. This is because foreign investors are not yet comfortable with the current exchange rate of

T

Adeosun: Why we uphold stoppage of export grant

he Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, yesterday justified the Federal Government’s stoppage of the policy on export grant, pointing out that it had been seriously abused.

She made this explanation during the visit of the leadership of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, (NESG) to her office in Abuja.

The minister stated that although her predecessor in office halted the implementation of the policy, she believed the decision was in order going by harvests of startling revelations on the abuse of export grant.

She stated: “On paper, why will you cancel Export Grant? The

the naira. They believe the naira should still go down to about N350 to the dollar. It is only then that they will start selling dollars in the market.”

Last Tuesday, the banking wathdog announced that it had approved an increase in the maximum amount of dollars that banks can sell to Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators

37

Export Grant was set up to encourage export business. However, in a situation, where we do not have control, we open up doors for the kind of abuse, which are only imaginable. We have people exporting stones, describing them as high valued goods, collecting an import credit and using that to import fish. We do need to look for how to support export, but we have to be very realistic in the recommendations we are coming up with.”

She sought the understanding of members of

the private sector in the ongoing policy review by the current administration and enjoined them to come up with policies, which are implementable in view of the current economic situation in the country.

Extending her hand of fellowship to the NESG, the Minister said the Ministry of Finance was ready to work with them and therefore challenged the private sector group to keep track of some of the recommendations to the Federal Government.

“I want to challenge you by asking you to keep track

from $30,000 to $50,000 per week.

The decision, which was taken at the Bankers’ Committee meeting, is part of measures aimed at making more foreign exchange available to the BDCs as well as assist in bringing down the huge gap between the interbank and parallel markets exchange rates of the naira to the dollar.

of how many of your polices are implemented and those not implemented.

You also need to find out why those policies were not implemented. They may be great policies at wrong times, or they may be wrong policies. They may even be un-implementable policies.

“I’m giving you the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Finance to assist you. You are invited to the Federal Ministry of Finance and spend a day and sit with our people and see how government affairs are being run.”

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

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 16.5 14 10.77 US$48.85 US$25,780,765,483

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 June, 2016 26/07/2016 Mar 2015 18/8/2016 16/8/2016

Source:CBN

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

FGN Bonds

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

FX

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

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -1.75 ▼ -2.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

38

businesS \ Financial Market News

FRIDAY, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

businesS \ Financial Market News

FRIDAY, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Bears halt three days gaining streak SLOW DOWN Banking, consumer goods stocks draged NSE ASI into red zone

Stories by Chris Ugwu

K

ey performance indices, the NSE All Share Index (ASI) and market capitalisation, yesterday fell by 0.06 per cent to stop the three days gaining streak.

Driven by decline in value of most banking and consumer stocks, the equities market closed on a negative note.

Consequently, the All-Share Index dropped by 16.26 basis points or 0.06 per cent to close at 27,420.99 basis points as against 27,437.25 recorded the previous day, while the market capitalisation of equities depreciated by N6 billion or 0.06 per cent to close at N9.417 trillion from N9.423 trillion.

Meanwhile, a turnover of 313.2 million shares exchanged in 2,883 deals was recorded in the day’s trading.

‘FCMB not involved in alleged N11.2bn NPA fraud’

F

CMB group has denied involvement in cases of concealment or fraudulent treatment of alleged N11.2 billion belonging to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The group made this clarification in a statement obtained from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday in Lagos.

The lender noted, “FCMB has not been involved in any cases of concealment or fraudulent treatment of funds belonging to NPA. FCMB regularly receives Naira and US Dollar payments on behalf of NPA, which are remitted to NPA’s TSA accounts with CBN. On one occasion, FCMB received Euro payments for NPA. FCMB has made requests from NPA for a Euro accounts to which to transfer the Euro proceeds, as the bank was only in possession of Naira and US Dollar TSA account details for NPA. We have also informed NPA that upon receipt of the correct account details, the transfer will be made. This remains our position as we await ac-

counts details”.

The group stated, “It is important to reiterate that the said balance has not at anytime been concealed from either the new NPA management or CBN. The bank has not been informed of any investigation relating to these funds or its conduct regarding same.”

FBN Holdings Plc had also denied involvement in the alleged fraud at NPA. The new management of the NPA had said it uncovered fraud totalling N11.23 billion at the agency.

The officials said the Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman, and her executive directors had since their assumption of duties on July 18 been poring through the books of the maritime agency.

Of the amount, according to reports, $24.1million (N7.47billion at N310 per dollar) was traced one of the commercial banks.

Another six million Euros (N2.09billion at N348 to a dollar) were found concealed in two other banks.

Banking subsector of the financial services sector was the most active (measured by turnover volume) with 229.7 million shares exchanged by investors in 967 deals.

Volume in the subsector was largely driven by activities in the shares of UBA Plc and GTB Plc. Premium subsector boosted by activities in the shares of

FBNH Plc and Zenith Bank Plc followed with a turnover of 30 million shares in 516 deals.

The number of gainers at the close of trading session was 16, while decliners closed at 18.

NEM Plc led the gainers’ table with five per cent to close at 84 kobo per share, while Eterna Oil Plc followed with a gain of 4.80 per cent to close at N2.62

39

per share. Livestock Feeds Plc added 4.40 per cent to close at 95 kobo per share.

On the other hand, UACProperty Plc led the price losers’ table, dropping 4.87 per cent to close at N3.71 per share.

UBN Plc followed with 4.82 per cent to close at N3.95 per share, while Skye Bank Plc trailed with a loss of 4.55 per cent to close at 63 kobo per share.

PZ Cussons reports 53% drop in FY net earnings

P

Z Cussons has posted a 53.4 per cent decline in profit after tax for the full year ended May 2016.

In a filing from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the unaudited consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the period ended showed profit after tax of N2.129 billion as against N4.570 billion recorded in 2015, accounting for a drop of 53.4 per cent.

Profit before tax equally was down by 51.1 per cent from N6.651 billion posted the previous year in contrast to N3.249 billion recorded during the period under review.

The company’s revenue declined by 4.9 per cent to N69.527 billion as against N73.126 billion in 2015.

PZ Cussons posted a 40.89 per cent decline in profit after tax for the third quarter 2016 ended February 27 2016.

The profit after tax stood at N1.647 billion as against N2.787 billion recorded in 2014, accounting for a drop of 40.89 per cent.

Profit before tax equally was down by 46.39 per cent from N3.991 billion posted the previous year in contrast to N2.139 billion recorded during the period under review.

The company’s revenue declined by 4.22 per cent to N50.656 billion as against

N52.889 billion in 2015.

The firm began the new financial year in the red, as the Q1 2016 (ended August 2015) numbers recently released showed 37.32 per cent decline in profit before tax, from N872.291 million the previous year to N546.792 million during the period under review.

Profit after tax stood at N427.851 million during the first quarter as against N641.698 million posted a year earlier, representing a drop of 33.33 per cent.

The company’s revenue also fell by 0.44 per cent to N14.953 billion as against N15.049 billion reported the previous year.

This dismal trend continued during the second quarter, as PZ Cussons posted a 46 per cent decline in profit after tax for the second quarter 2016 ended November 2015.

In a filing from the Exchange, the unaudited consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the period under review, showed profit after tax of N779.452 million as against N1.441 billion recorded in 2014, accounting for a drop of 45.92 per cent.

Profit before tax was also down by 40.64 per cent from N1.941 billion posted the previous year in contrast to N1.152 billion recorded during the period under review.

The company’s revenue was down by 3.29 per cent to N30.619 billion as against N31.659 billion in 2015.

The company said the violence affecting parts of Nigeria is causing limited disruption to business in what is one of the company’s most important countries.

Most of PZ’s Nigerian factories are located in the south, while the conflict that has left thousands dead is mostly confined to the north east of the African nation, according to Chief Financial Officer, Brandon Leigh.

“It does impact business, but it doesn’t impact all of the business,” Leigh said recently after the company reported a drop in first-half sales and profit.

Analysts at FBN Capital believe the naira’s devaluation more than offset any benefits accruing from subdued crude palm oil prices (CPO), a key raw material.

They noted that the decline in y/y sales and profits in Nigeria were mainly due to difficult trading conditions, insecurity in the North and the naira devaluation.

According to the experts, these factors continue to offset meaningful growth in the south of the country; especially in the electrical goods business and food segment joint ventures.

40

NEWS | south-west

Widows get Ooni’s N2.5m empowerment fund Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

O

oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, yesterday gave N2.5 million to widows from Ile-Ife Modakeke, Ipetumodu and other communities in Osun State as empowerment fund.

Addressing the widows in his palace, Ogunwusi said they would be made to start trades which would ensure their upkeep and their children.

He said: “When I informed my chiefs and some elders, they screamed and said to me that the widows were much but I made them understand that God is always in control.

“Apart from the empowerment of the widows, I will also, on a monthly basis, distribute 50 to 100 bags of rice and cows to the widows as part of my plans to banish hunger in the communities.

“The empowerment initiative would not preempt the usual tips I give to the widows from time to time as the thought of empowering them struck me when I ascended the throne."

friday, august 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FUNAAB: EFCC to grill ex-minister, Ogunlewe Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to quiz a former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe over his alleged role in corruption allegation rocking the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

Ogunlewe, who is the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, is facing heat over huge payments made to the council which were considered illegal and unethical.

The imminent interrogation of the former minister came as the anti-graft agency yesterday continued its grilling of the FUNAAB's Vice Chancellor, Prof Olusola Oyewole, over alleged funds mismanagement in the institution.

The development followed a petition by a group, 'Concerned Stakeholders of FUNAAB' which fingered Ogunlewe, Oyewole and the varsity's Bursar, Moses Ilesanmi, in unbridled corruption and betrayal

of public trust.

Following the petition, the EFCC invited and quizzed the Vice Chancellor and Bursar at the commission's Zonal Office in Ibadan on Wednesday.

New Telegraph gathered that the interrogation of the university senior officials lasted about seven hours after which they were asked to return for more questioning yesterday.

Oyewole, a Professor of Food Science and Technology, was appointed in 2012 while Ilesanmi was appointed in September 2011 and

is reportedly billed to leave office in a month’s time.

A copy of the petition obtained by our correspondent showed that the Pro-Chancellor and others were accused of abuse of office and misappropriation of funds running into several millions of naira.

The Pro-Chancellor and Vice Chancellor were specifically accused of unethical demands of 10 per cent kickback from contractors and criminal placement of staff allowances in fixed deposit account.

But Ogunlewe de-

scribed it as "mere blackmail and nonsense."

Ogunlewe said: "It is mere blackmail. What is the role of the Pro-Chancellor in contract award when there is Public Procurement Act? "Nonsense. No iota of truth in the allegation.

What is the gain of the Pro-Chancellor when money is fixed or not.

The problem is with the

379,000

The total population of men of Equatorial Guinea in 2012.

Source: Un.org

Bursar who applied for extension of his tenure and the Council refused because of past misconduct by him.

"The Council has no responsibility for awkward of contracts under the Public Procurement Act. The Council is not involved in payments to any contractor. No allowances can be paid without the approval of Council. The Pro-Chancellor is not the chief executive of the university. He is not involved in daily running of the university. He is not the accounting officer of the university."

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Amb. Aminu Nebegu; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule and Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, during the Federal and States Security Administrators’ meeting in Lagos… yesterday

Confusion as gun-toting groups clash at Ondo APC secretariat Kidnapping: Ambode makes Babatope Okeowo case for intelligence gathering Akure

L

ike a scene from a Hollywood movie, some aggrieved members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo state yesterday stormed the party's secretariat, armed with bottles, cutlasses, stones and cudgels in order to dislodge supporters of the party’s chairman, Hon Isaacs Kekemeke who had been stationed at the secretariat since Wednesday.

But the supporters of

Kekemeke who were also armed, repelled them, leading to sporadic gun shots between the rival groups which left people living around Oba Adesida/Oyemekun road to scamper for safety.

The anti-Kekemeke group led by Mr Adebo popularly called Idajo and the pro-Kekemeke group led by Alhaji Amoda Bello, hauled dangerous weapons at each other as they engaged in gun duel.

Reporters, newspaper vendors and business owners around the scene had to run for cover in or-

der not to be caught with spray bullets or the hail of dangerous weapons flying around.

The business concerns had to hurriedly close their shops while the ever busy road was deserted for hours.

It took the intervention of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations, Mr Edward Ajogun and the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in Charge of Akure Command, Mr Olatoye Durosimi to dislodge the rival groups and brought normalcy to the area.

The incident of yesterday was the third within the week when the two rival groups would be clashing over the control of the party secretariat.

It was the anti-Kekemeke group that took over on Tuesday while those in support of the Chairman had their day on Wednesday.

But yesterday it was a clash of the two rival groups who sought to invade the secretariat either to install Mr Saka Yusuf Ogunleye as the Chairman or allow Kekemeke to continue to function in that capacity.

Muritala Ayinla

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agos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday described intelligence gathering as panacea for kidnapping and other forms of crimes in the state.

Speaking while formally declaring open the 2016 3rd Quarterly Meeting of the Federal and State Security Administrators' Forum held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja, the governor said there was the need for

Court rejects Fayose's request to stop EFCC probe

UI to admit 3,000 students for 2016/2017 year

Ado-Ekiti

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Sulaiman Salawudeen

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kiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, has rejected Governor Ayodele Fayose's request to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating the state's finances.

Fayose had asked the court in an ex-parte application to bar the anti-graft agency from beaming its searchlight on Ekiti State record of finances.

But the court being pre-

sided over by Justice Cornelius Akintayo rejected the application, insisting that parties in the suit must be put on notice.

He, however ordered both parties to appear before him when the motion on notice would be heard, adjourning next hearing to August 23.

Fayose had asked the court to halt the ongoing investigation of the accounts of the state government by the EFCC. Besides, he asked the court to restrain the agency from arresting the state’s Commissioner for Finance.

Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

he Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Profesor Idowu Olayinka, yesterday disclosed that only 3,000 candidates of the over 29,000 who scored 200 and above in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), as well as those that chose the premier university, would be offered admission.

The Vice Chancellor said this yesterday, at the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan

while speaking on the “Challenges of Building a World Class University”.

It was at the 68th Interdisciplinary Research Discourse of the Postgraduate School under the Deanship of Professor Adeyinka Aderinto, Olayinka noted that Nigeria remained the catchment area of the university, lamenting however that poor funding, infrastructure deficit, student-lecturer ratio and limitation of hostel accommodation, would not allow the University to go beyond its present carrying capacity.

The VC noted that the Federal Government must decide if it wanted its universities to be globally competitive or not by adequately funding research and fixing infrastructural deficits bedeviling them, adding that "without research, a university is a glorified secondary school".

The Vice Chancellor however advised that Nigerian government should go beyond expressing ‘suspect’ regret at the ranking of its universities at public functions, but rather allocate more funds to revive teaching and research.

security agencies to re-invigorate their intelligence gathering mechanisms for effectiveness.

Represented by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule called for synergy in analysing opportunities and threats to national security as well as the most effective method to nip security breaches before they happen.

At the meeting were representatives of all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

This, the governor said became imperative since perpetrators of criminal acts were not invisible as they operate around and among the various communities.

Ambode said: "It is our duty on behalf of the people to ensure the territorial integrity of our country; this is the reason why we have the mandate of the people to serve as leaders and keepers of public trust."

"As we approach the "ember" months, let us review our security surveillance and intelligence gathering frameworks to ensure peace and serenity across the land. Notwithstanding the glaring economic challenges, there is still a bright light at the end of the tunnel."

News|south-EAST

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NAFDAC moves to ensure water safety through mobile lab Kenneth Ofoma ENUGU

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he National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), yesterday said its latest cutting-edge technological mobile laboratory would ensure 100 per cent water safety in the country.

Acting Director-General of NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni, said this while addressing members of staff of the agency in South-East in Enugu on the restructuring and re-branding of the agency.

Oni, represented by the agency’s Director of Planning, Research and Statistics Prof. Samson Adebayo said the mobile laboratory, which is called ‘Move 100’ would bring total transfor-

mation to water hygiene and safety.

She said the laboratory would ensure instant testing of water even in the remotest part of the country in order to ensure that the issue of unsafe water is history.

“I am appealing and imploring Nigerians to give us information, intelligence gathering through information sharing is what would lead the country to success against fake and sub-standard drugs.

“We have our offices, NAFDAC codes and phone numbers that members of the public could use to get information, complaints and suggestion across.

“NAFDAC cannot be everywhere, but members of the public joining the fight would make it a success for everybody,” she said.

Immigration repatriates 80 illegal aliens from Abia IGBEAKU ORJI UMUAHIA

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o fewer than 80 illegal immigrants have been repatriated from Abia State, the state Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs. Anthonia Opara, has said.

Opara said yesterday in Umuahia that the illegal immigrants who invaded the state unlawfully from Niger Republic were sent packing last month.

The comptroller, who addressed journalists at the headquarters of the command, said the suspects were arrested dur-

ing a mop up exercise.

She said the suspects, who were confirmed to be nationals of the Republic of Niger, were picked up at Aba, Umuahia and Bende areas of the state, adding that the illegal immigrants sneaked into Abia through the neighbouring states.

“The information of the immigrants got to our office through some concerned people in the state. Immediately we got the information, our men and officers swung into action and got them arrested and they were taken to the office of the immigration service for investigation,” she said.

Nigerian women warned against abortion Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

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humanitarian organisation, the Welfare Rescue Mission International, has called on Nigerian women to be wary of abortion, claiming that it constitutes over 50 per cent of the breast cancer among women, especially women of childbearing age.

President of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Welfare Rescue Mission International Incorporated, Edozie Amechi, who stated this in an interview with journalists in Oba, Idemili South East Local Government Area of Anambra State, urged women to avoid such acts and always go for checks at least every three months.

He said the organisation being a non-profit, non-Christian organization, had a policy trust to assist the helpless, the sick and the vulnerable in the society, especially people with varying degrees of cancer.

“We rehabilitate the helpless, the sick and to achieve that, “we camped them, give them first aid treatment, feed them and raise funds for them through members of the public, philanthropists and public-spirited individuals and we use the money to sponsor their surgical operations after which we also rehabilitate them by sending some of them to school or giving them money to start up a business, especially adults among them.”

41

L-R: Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Matins Azubuike; Governor Okezie Ikpeazu; his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu and Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Eme Okoro, during a press conference after Ikpeazu’s victory at the Appeal Court in Umuahia… yesterday

Appeal Court upturns Ikpeazu’s sack

lFaults Justice Abang’s judgement Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

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he Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, yesterday in a unanimous decision, set aside the June 27 judgement of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, which sacked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.

The court, however, faulted the trial judge, Justice Abang, for erring in law in his opinion, which reflected in his judgement.

The court, led by Justice Morenikeji Ogunwumiju, held that the originating summons which led to the judgement removing Ikpeazu was not properly constituted and as such the lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear it and any decision arising from it is null and void.

In a lead judgement read

by Justice Philomena Ekpe, the court held that the law has laid down principles by which a case can be instituted, but on the motion which led to the instant appeal, three people indicated themselves as lawyers and signed the document, even while the law says only an identifiable legal practitio-

N3.22trn

ner can do so.

The court further noted that it was not the business of the court to embark on a voyage of helping a litigant to decide who filed his case and as such the lower court erred in its deciding for the litigants.

It was on this ground that the Court of Appeal held that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter because the suit was not properly initiated.

The court, however, stressed that any decision taken by it flowing from that suit is null and void and that the judgment has nothing to stand on.

The court also noted that there was no need for an order of court to set it aside because every proceeding flowing from it is null and void.

The court also noted that an amendment cannot cure a faulty originating summons.

“The orders made by the lower court can only be valid if the two issues already decided to be valid, but in the instant case, the fact and evidence raised by the faulty originating summons could not have been easily resolved because they are contentious and hostile.

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

Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

“The lower trial judge was not right in his findings and decisions,” the court held.

As to whether the lower court delved into the main issue in deciding an interlocutory injunction, the Appeal Court said it is imperative to examine the record of appeal.

The judge, however, noted that his findings will definitely affect his mind when he eventually goes to the main suit, because he has taken a stand on the tax document submitted to INEC to be faulty.

“A judge is expected not to take any position on any issue in the main suit because doing so will prejudice the main suit,” he stated.

He also added that doing so will indicate that there was a breach of fair hearing.

“Therefore the judgment delivered on the 27th of June 2016 by the lower court is set aside and a cost of N100, 000 is awarded in favour of the appellant.

The court, however, allowed the appeal, adding that the hostile nature of the suit as a quick fix can surely not work and has not worked.

The court noted that the plaintiff at the lower court

2.82m

The population of women in Denmark in 2012.

Source: Un.org

ought to have come with a writ of summons rather than an originating summons.

Earlier, the court dismissed the second appeal arising from two judgments of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which on June 27 removed Okezie Ikpeazu as Governor of Abia State.

Meanwhile, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, yesterday described the Appeal Court judgement that reaffirmed him as governor after clearing him of charges of forgery of tax documents as reinvigorating, saying he is energised for more service for the people.

Addressing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia, Ikpeazu said: “The news ahead of us is a wonderful one. Our mandate has been affirmed by the Appeal Court, Abuja.

We will be reinvigorated in our service to Ndi Abia.”

The governor flanked by his Deputy, Ude Okochukwu and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike, commended the judiciary for restoring the mandate as well as “those who prayed and are still praying for the victory. He noted that “the democratic gains this country has achieved are too precious to be thrown away.”

N160.63bn

The total revenue of 2015 Government Quarterly Target from Petroleum Profits Tax for June 2015.

Source: Firs.gov.ng

Again, Lassa fever hits Anambra, kills doctor, three others Pamela Eboh Awka

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o fewer than four people, including a medical doctor, have been killed by Lassa fever in Anambra State in a fresh outbreak of the dreaded disease in the country.

The death of the four was disclosed to newsmen

in Awka, the Anambra State capital, by the state Ministry of Health during a one-day Lassa fever training workshop.

Lassa fever virus, a highly contagious virus, is transmitted by rat to humans; and ravaged many states of the country late last year.

One of the resource persons at the workshop Dr.

Jane Ezeonu, confirmed that the late medical doctor died at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, three days ago after a referral from Asaba, Delta State.

The Director of Public Health in the state, Dr. Emmanuel Okafor, who said the state had equally recorded the death of three others, warned inhabitants

of the state to desist from drinking raw garri, adding that they should also cultivate the culture of protecting their food and related items from rats.

While explaining that people do not acquire immunity after suffering from Lassa fever, Ezeonu said general hygiene plays an important role in Lassa fever prevention.

42

News|SOUTh-SOUTH

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Avengers to Buhari: You must restructure Nigeria …says no going back on October 1 declaration Dominic Adewole and Ola James

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he Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) yesterday vowed to implement their agenda if the Federal Government fails to restructure the country for the benefit of all Nigerians.

The group, in a statement signed by its spokesman Mudoch Agbinibo, also threatened to unleash mayhem on oil pipelines in the Niger Delta if President Muhammadu

Buhari further deploys the military to attack the oil bearing communities.

The statement reads: “Our prayer for Buhari and the Northern hypocrite (Northern Governors) is that oil should be found in commercial quantity in the North, so they can let the Niger Delta go.

“The Buhari led government has failed Nigerians with their misdirected policies that have divided the country, as such nobody wants to be part of that failed state, not even the Niger Delta.

The October 1st declara-

N57.96bn

The total amount of Imports from Italy for the 2014 Q4.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

tion of independence is still sacrosanct.”

The group also warned individual or group against using their platform to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, maintaining that “the day of reckoning is close.”

The warning may not be unconnected with the claim by Mr. Ballantyne Agiri, the acclaimed Dialogue Group spokesman, who said the Avengers had resolved to negotiate with the Federal Government.

Agiri had in a signed statement in Abuja on

80

The sex ratio of international migrants of women to 100 men of Cook Islands in 2010.

Source: Un.org

Wednesday this week said the Avengers were determined to lay down arms and embrace peace after the dialogue, maintaining that the results of the dialogue would yield lasting peace, equity, justice and harmony among all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.

“The body has collectively and willingly agreed to heed the clarion call of eminent Nigerians and international community to dialogue with the Federal Government,” Agiri stated.

He urged Nigerians and

90,000

The official capacity of Wembley Stadium, London, UK. Source: Businessinsider.in

L-R: National Commissioner of Inec, South-South, Mr Mustafa Lecky; National Commissioner in-charge of election operations, Hajiya Amina Zakari; Resident Electoral Commissioner for Rivers, Mr Aniedi Ikoiwak; and Commissioner of Police, Mr Francis Odesanya, at the Inec and Political Parties’ Stakeholders Forum on Forth-Coming Rivers Re-Run Election in Port Harcourt …yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

the international community to follow the event and watch out which side would default in terms of abiding by the rules and spirit of the dialogue.

“The Federal Government should from the inception of the dialogue

Okowa backs military exercise in N’Delta creeks Dominic Adewole ASABA

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elta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has thrown his weight behind the military operation in the Niger Delta creek, urging the formation to carry out enlightenment campaigns before fully embarking on the exercise.

The governor, who stated this when the General Officer Commanding (G.O.C.) 2nd Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major-General Kasimu Abdulkarim visited him in Asaba yesterday, commended the military for informing the state about their intention to carry out some exercise in the creeks. He noted that this would ensure reduction of undue tension as the people would know that the actions were not targeted

PORT HARCOURT

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he Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), has picked October for the Rivers State re-run elections, citing the coming Edo State governorship election scheduled for September as the reason the rerun was moved to October.

INEC boss, Hajia Amina Zakari, who announced the date at a stakeholders, meeting, explained that the Commission needed time to

budget, plan, train and post the personnel for the election.

She spoke in the presence of the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), and the All Progressives Congress, (APC) and candidates contesting in the rerun election, including Sen. Magnus Abe, Olaka Wogu, Sen. Thompson Sekibo among others.

She however regretted the circumstances that led to the suspension of the election, noting that the new election date would enable INEC to avoid the kind of mis-

takes made in the past.

Zakari said that INEC would continue to work towards conducting a credible election in Rivers, and appealed to other stakeholders to work along that direction in the interest of democracy.

“The primary responsibility of INEC is to ensure sustenance of democracy, via peaceful elections, and we need your co-operation, and support to achieve this noble objective,” she said.

Earlier, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Elder Aniedi Ikoi-

wak, expressed optimism over the ability of INEC to conduct peaceful and credible election.

Ikoiwak stated that the import of the meeting made it necessary for such a large turnout of members, even at a short notice, commending the politicians, for their patience and understanding.

Ikoiwak stated that the attendance of the meeting by the key political players at short notice was an indication that politicians across divides were willing to work towards a peaceful election.

at the innocent civilians.

He said: “Heavy presence of military men always send shivers into the people and make them to be cocooned in their houses. It will make them not to go to their farms, market or carry out other socioeconomic activities, but, when they are appropriately informed that your activities will not affect their normal lives, they will be receptive and go about their duties without fear.

“I am happy that the public is being informed about the operation you intend to carry out; the people will be calm and cooperate with you when they know that your actions will not be harmful to them. This prior information will make them realize that the operation is not going to affect the civilian population.”

Wike threatens to sanction commissioner over slow pace of work

INEC picks October for Rivers rerun election D Emmanuel Masha

rule out from the agenda any monthly monetary inducement or stipend for the NDA. “The Federal Government should be ready for structural changes that should be human and development oriented.

issatisfied with the pace of work at the Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has threatened to sanction the State Commissioner for Education, Professor Kaniye Ebeku.

Also, the governor announced that the state was ready to host thousands of lawyers for the 2016 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference.

Addressing journalists after inspecting ongoing projects in the state yesterday , Wike regretted that the State Ministry of Education has failed to reconstruct the school,

which was one of the pilot schools for the introduction of boarding schools in the state He said that the state government has released funds for the execution of the project, without the expected results.

“I am sad at the pace of work in the Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta. Where will these children learn when schools resume in September?

“I am disappointed in the Education Commissioner. I have summoned him to explain the slow pace of the work in this school. We will not allow any official slow down the pace of development of projects.”

Flood alert: A’Ibom sensitises residents of coastal communities Swedish firm to establish pulp mill in C/River Tony Anichebe UYO

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orried by the warnings of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the Akwa Ibom State Government has started sensitisation programme on risk-reduction measures during flooding in selected 15 coastal local

government areas of the state.

Earlier this month, NiMet warned of impending flooding this year in 11 states: Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Kaduna, Kwara, Nasarawa, Yobe and Zamfara.

The 15 council areas selected by the Akwa Ibom State government out of the 31 were con-

tained in a statement issued in Uyo by the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mr. Nkopuruk Ekaiko.

The statement, copies of which were made available to newsmen in uyo yesterday, disclosed that the sensitisation campaign will commence today in four centres of Oron, Ibeno, Ikot Abasi and Itu.

E

fforts by the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade at changing the economic landscape of the state received another boost yesterday, as a Swedish firm, Greenland Resources, announced plans to establish a pulp mill that will generate a total of 1.5 million tonnes yearly.

Announcing the plans at the Governor’s conference room, Calabar, leader

of the team and President of the firm, Torbjorn Johansson, said they needed degraded land to establish the pulp mill.

Johansson said the establishment of the mill will not have any adverse effect on the state’s eco system, adding that it will create about 14,500 jobs.

He said: “The mill has no forest of interest for its establishment and defores-

tation of natural forest is out of question.

“After travelling round the world, the team found the state to be second to none in terms of peace and security.

“This country has a big population, great workforce and the security in Cross River is the best. We have been trying round the world to find a place to site the firm and were very close to giving up.

News|NORTH

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FIRS seals Akume’s hotel over unpaid N13.5m tax liabilities Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

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or failing to pay tax to the Federal Government for more than six years, the enforcement team of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) yesterday stormed the hotel co-owned by former governor of Benue State and senator representing Benue North West, Senator George Akume and his wife, Regina, and sealed it up.

The FIRS enforcement team also did not spare other firms in the state capital that were default-

ing in the payment of their withholding tax and VAT from 2012 to 2016.

The team also sealed off an eatery joint in the metropolis that was said to be owing N52 million in unremitted withholding tax and VAT from 2013 to 2015.

Led by Chinazor Edeh, the FIRS team said the decision to seal off Akume’s hotel followed the refusal of senator and his wife to remit VAT to government since 2011, describing the development as unpatriotic.

The team later gave the management of the hotel less than an hour to pay up the debt.

According to a warrant by the FIRS team to seal off the hotel, the management was owing over N13, 518,493.00 unpaid tax liabilities.

The amount, New Telegraph gathered, included unpaid/ unremitted liabilities of the hotel in company income tax, education tax, withholding tax and Value Added Tax. It took the FIRS team hours to perform their function as the hotel’s management led by Mrs. Margaret Hinga, prevented them from doing so, saying that the company was not indebted to the Federal Government to

such a whopping amount.

She, however, accepted the tax liability of the hotel, saying there were delays in the payment of the VAT in question for the reason that the figures were duplicated by audit firm mandated to audit the hotel’s accounts.

Hinga confirmed that the hotel had paid N700, 000 to the tax office in Makurdi and appealed for leniency, promising to pay the balance of N13 million later. She further put a call to Mrs. Akume, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the hotel to speak to the leader, but the FIRS team boss declined to speak to her.

Kwara loses N400m to illegal recruitment Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

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wara State Government yesterday said it has lost more than N400 million since 2014 due to illegal recruitment of 516 employees by the state Teaching Service Commission.

This was part of the findings of an Administrative Panel of Enquiry instituted by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on the illegal recruitment into the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission.

Chairman of the panel, Alhaji Yusuf Kawu Daibu, while presenting the panel’s report to Ahmed, said the panel

Sokoto

T

5.74%

he Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), yesterday said it is considering the production of Sesame seed on a large scale in Sokoto State to enable it redevelop its industrial development centre located in the state.

Director-General of

The capital importation percentage share of Oil and Gas of Nigeria in 2008.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

3

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

16

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

Source: Un.org

Flood kills seven in Nasarawa, destroys 36 houses Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

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he death toll in the flood disaster that ravaged communities of Mararaba, Gurku, Kabayi and Ado in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Monday yesterday rose to seven even as scores are still missing.

The incident followed a heavy down pour that lasted for several hours on Monday, which also washed away no fewer than 36 houses and destroyed property worth millions of naira.

The flood came barely two weeks after the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) issued a warning alert of an impending flood in some states, including Nasarawa.

Residents still searching for their loved ones

that were declared missing when our correspondent visited the affected areas just as others were sighted mourning over the loss of their relations and property.

Local government officials and vigilante groups and other volunteers were seen conducting search and rescue exercises in the absence of officials of both NEMA and the state emergency management agency when our correspondent visited the scene yesterday.

New Telegraph observed that the flood occurred as a result of the areas’ poor drainage system and illegal structure built on the riverbanks, contrary to building code.

Confirming the incident yesterday, Interim Committee Management Chairman of Karu Local Government, Mr. Yin Allah Nanan, said seven people had so far been declared killed in the flood and that

at least 36 houses were completely washed away by the flood.

He said: “For now the number of casualty we have at hand is seven and the number of houses that were washed away was 36.

We are still taking inventory of the property destroyed.”

Asked whether the state government has

come to the aid of the victims, Nana said the victims were yet to get any assistance from the state governor nor has he visited the area, saying that they have informed the state government through the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), but there was no response yet.

discovered that the commission illegally employed 965 employees instead of the 449 approved by the governor in 2014.

Daibu said the selection and recruitment were “haphazardly done as there were no records of shortlisted candidates or record of an interview panel that should have formed the basis of the final list of those recruited.”

The panel recommended, among other things, that the recruitments should be reviewed and limited to the 449 by considering “the genuine need of the commission for additional hands, especially in Mathematics, the core sciences and English Language.”

SMEDAN to encourage Sesame farming in Sokoto Umar Abdullahi

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello (right) with a former Governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, during the third day fidau prayers for the late Ejeh of Ankpa, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmodu at the Government House in Lokoja … yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

43

the agency, Dr. Umaru Dikko Radda, said this at the official flag-off of the 2016 seed planting season in Sokoto.

Radda, who was represented by the Director of Engineering, Technology and Infrastructure at the agency, Abu Ozigi, said the agency is looking forward to redeveloping its industrial development centre located in Sokoto in collaboration with the state government and the private sector.

Gaidam: Yobe LG poll holds February 2017 Hassan Jirgi DAMATURU

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obe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, yesterday said the state will conduct local government election in February 2017.

The governor disclosed this in Damaturu during the swearing in ceremony of reappointed chairmen of caretaker management committees of the 17 local governments in the state.

He called on leaders of political parties, politicians and all stakeholders to join hands within the State Independent Electoral Com-

mission (SIEC) to ensure that free, fair and credible elections were conducted at the time scheduled.

Gaidam also tasked the caretaker chairmen to roll up their sleeves and work hard and ensure that basic services are provided for people at the grassroots, including education, healthcare delivery and water supply.

Governor Gaidam directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affair to ensure that all local government workers are enrolled in a biometric exercise within six months to further curb the menace of ghost workers in the state.

Bello gets ultimatum to pay LG workers in Niger Dan Atori MINNA

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iger State House of Assembly yesterday directed Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to pay all outstanding salaries owed local government workers on or before the end of August, 2016.

The States House of Assembly had passed a

resolution, asking the governor to revert to the status quo on the state’s joint account issue in line with the provisions of the Constitution until otherwise prescribed by the House of Assembly.

The House passed the resolution following a motion moved by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Husseini Ibrahim, under matters of urgent public importance.

According to him, “Twelve local government areas in the state are being owed salaries; some partially between May and July, 2016 and that is rather unfortunate.

“The affected workers have family members and other dependents to cater for and this issue will have very grave implication on elected office holders and our party.”

In his submission, House Minority Leader, Hon. Bello Ahmad, blamed the problem on the governor’s decision to abolish the joint account without recourse to the House of Assembly.

Accordingly, he said “the pronouncement of the governor on joint account without reference to the House is responsible for this problem.

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WORLD \ NEWS

NEWS

APC to PDP: You killed Nigeria’s economy Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

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he All Progressives Congress, APC, has chronicled some of the monies alleged to have been squandered by the Peoples Democratic Party 16 years in governance, stating that the PDP can only be an economy killer, not saver.

The APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who gave this position in a statement from his me-

dia office in response to the PDP statement that it would take over government in 2019 to rescue Nigerian's economy.

Oyegun posited that PDP was over pricing itself by making comments concerning the state of the economy.

According to him, the quietness of APC not to expose all the rots found in the economy was giving the PDP the impetus to talk about the economy and rescuing it.

Describing the pillaging done by PDP to the economy in the last

five years, Oyegun said, "Noting that even among thieves, there must be honour, Nigerians, who are now bearing the brunt of the economy that was mindlessly mismanaged by the PDP, cannot forget in a hurry that some $15 billion - which is about half of the nation's foreign reserves at the end of the tenure of the PDP-led Federal Government - was mismanaged under the guise of the equipping the military, when in reality the funds were largely salted away by PDP fat cats".

Again, Jonathan denies link with Avengers Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

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ormer President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has for the umpteenth time, denied having any relationship with the Niger Delta Avengers( NDA), the militant group that has claimed responsibility for the serial bombing of strategic oil and gas installations across the Niger Delta region.

Jonathan warned that those bent on promoting such allegations in the media were not only toying with libel but were doing a lot of disservice

to the collective good and image of Nigeria. The denial came on the heels of reports in two national dailies (New Telegraph excluded) on Thursday alleging that an intelligence report had established a link between the former president and the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta.

The reports also claimed that the Federal Government had consequently ordered the security agencies to commence investigations on Jonathan's alleged involvement in the crisis. In a statement released by the Media Office

of the former President yesterday, Jonathan dismissed the allegations as "fabrications peddled by a shady militant group" but expressed worry that the newspapers attempted to drag the Federal Government and its security agencies into the matter. Media Assistant to the former President, Mr Ikechukwu Eze, expressed sadness that the two publications fell for the blackmail by promoting an unsubstantiated allegation by "some misguided characters",who were out to pull down Jonathan for some inexplicable reasons.

FG targets 50% utilisation of renewable energy Anule Emmanuel Abuja

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he Federal Government, yesterday, said that it would soon refocus the country’s attention to the utilization of renewable energy sources to boost power supply in the country.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who stated this, said a target of at least 50 per cent has already been set by government for an expansion that would compel the

country to rely heavily on renewable energy sources for maximum electricity output by 2020.

Osinbajo said this while receiving a delegation led by the Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. B. Nagabhushana Reddy at the presidential villa, Abuja.

He said: "We are doing some expandable work in solar energy, adding about 1,000 MW of solar.

We are looking at 50 per cent reliance on renewable energy sources by

2020."

According to the Vice President, The present administration was determined to improving access to electricity to all Nigerians.

Osinbajo explained that solar was one of the options being actively considered.

While welcoming the Indian High Commissioner, who recently resumed in Nigeria, the Vice President noted that the envoy has resumed work in Nigeria at a time of "incredible opportunity."

Ugwuanyi appeals to traders on Enugu prisons

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overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has appealed traders of Ogbete main market, Enugu for understanding and calm over the unfortunate incident of overflow of sewage from Enugu Prisons to the market, which poses health hazard to the traders and the public.

Ugwuanyi, who made the appeal when he visited the sites at Enugu Prisons and the market to assess the level of damage caused by the incident, promised

to intervene to provide a lasting solution to menace of the spill over.

He frowned at the development and sympathized with the traders and the public, informing them that what affects the people of the state also affects him, wondering why the incident was not brought to his notice for timely intervention, as the Chief Security Officer of the state.

The governor, who also walked through the market to appeal to the traders, said that the visit was necessitated by the need

for him to see for himself and feel the pains the traders were experiencing and collaborate with the prisons authorities to proffer permanent solution to the problem.

"May I sincerely apologise for this ugly incident.

What affects you, also affects me as your Governor.

The greatest objective of the government is to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

I have come and I have seen what you people are passing through. Actions will start immediately to address this issue," Ugwuanyi assured.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Amnesty: 18,000 die in Syrian jails

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early 18,000 people have died in government prisons in Syria since the beginning of the uprising in 2011, according to Amnesty International.

A new report by the charity, based on interviews with 65 "torture survivors", details systematic use of rape and beatings by prison guards. Former detainees described so called welcome parties ritual beatings using metal bars and electric cables.

The Syrian government has repeatedly denied such allegations.

The report estimates that 17,723 people died in custody across Syria between March 2011, when the uprising against President Bashar Assad began, and December 2015 - equivalent to about 10 people each day or more than 300 a month.

According to the report, new detainees are subjected to "security checks" that often involve "They treated us like animals. They wanted people to be as inhuman as possible," said Samer, a lawyer from Hama who was among those interviewed. "I saw the blood, it was like a river... I never

imagined humanity would reach such a low level."

Another inmate, Ziad (not his real name), described how seven people died in one day after the ventilation stopped working at an intelligence agency detention centre. "They began to kick us to see who was alive and who wasn't," Ziad said.

Other detainees described being forced into a rubber tire or whipped on the soles of their feet.

Amnesty says prisoners are routinely denied access to medical care and prevented from washing properly.

People queuing for yellow vacination in Congo

Thousands queue in Congo for emergency yellow fever vaccinations

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housands of people in Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa queued up on Wednesday for emergency yellow fever vaccinations aimed at limiting one of the worst outbreaks in decades that has killed hundreds in the region this year.

Makeshift clinics in churches and schools opened across the densely populated city of over 10 million and in other areas bordering Angola, part of a World Health Organization-led (WHO) campaign against an epidemic that

has mostly affected Angola. Health officials expect to vaccinate 14 million people over the next 10 days, including 8.5 million in Kinshasa, where there are fears of a far wider spread. That adds to the 13 million in Angola and 3 million in Congo already vaccinated this year.

Those queuing will receive a one-fifth dose of the vaccine in order to eke out limited global supplies. The lower dose protects for 12 months but does not give lifelong immunity "People are coming in

large numbers to get vaccinated. There is a lot of enthusiasm," said Eugene Kabambi, a WHO spokesman in Congo. He acknowledged the challenges of such a vast vaccination drive, including keeping vaccinations cold in areas without electricity.

"We are in an urban milieu where more than 7 million people await their vaccine," he said. At a school in the Kinshasa district of Lingwala, a few dozen people, mostly children, had waited for over three hours before their vaccinations arrived.

Turkey seizes assets of 187 businessmen in post-coup crackdown

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urkish police carried out raids yesterday against businesses in 18 provinces, with detention orders for 187 businessmen, report has said.

The action, according to the report, was in the crackdown over last month's coup, which had shifted to the private sector.

Prosecutors were also seeking to freeze the assets of all 187 people, in line with similar measures taken in the past

weeks. The government said that the wave of arrests was targeting followers of Fethullah Gulen, the US-based Turkish preacher who the government blamed for the July 15 coup attempt.

Gullen has denies the charges. Among those sought in the latest sweeps were members of the family that run the Gulluoglu baklava stores, a famous chain selling Turkish sweets. Different media had reported that 60 people were brought into custody

following the raids which included the son-in-law of Istanbul Mayor, Kadir Topbas.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told state-run broadcaster, TRT, that ever since the attempted coup happened, 20,355 people had been arrested formally, out of some 40,000 people who were detained. Turkey has suspended and fired no fewer than 81,000 civil servants since the coup attempt and has begun to focus on businesses allegedly linked to Gulen.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport News

Sport

German coach: We exploited Nigeria’s wing backs

Rio Olympics Team Nigeria through to 4x100m final

Siasia: Germany deserve to be in final

Adekunle Salami RIO DE JANERIO

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ead Coach of the U-23 team, Samson Siasia, on Wednesday showered praises on their German counterparts after the 2-0 defeat suffered in the semifinal of the Rio Olympics Games football event.

Siasia said the Germans not only had answers to all the moves of his

boys, they were completely in control of the encounter.

“The German team did better. They were far superior and we made the game easy for them.

“It is a shame but we don’t deserve to stay in the final playing like that,” he said.

The coach however frowned over the chances missed by the players and their general attitude throughout the match.

Siasia said: “I am disappointed.

Even the big chances we had, we couldn’t score. The match was almost

47

Nigeria Imoh Ezekiel (left)vies for the ball with German player, Lukas Klostermann

one-sided and that shows the general approach of the players. We do not deserve to win or proceed to the final.

Not with the way we played.”

Team Captain Mikel Obi who also shared the view of the coach about the superiority of the Germans said it was important to put the game behind them.

Mikel stressed that the third place match against Honduras on Saturday was the most important match to the team and Nigerians.

The Chelsea player said: “Our

plan was to win gold but somehow we cannot but we have a second and last chance to win a medal. Not all the teams that started this competition have such opportunity. Some have gone home.

“We really have to up our game and go all the way for the bronze. Against Germany, we didn’t play well. We don’t deserve to be in the final but now as professional players, we know the implication of this Honduras match. I am optimistic, we will get the medal.”

Adekuoroye, Oborodudu bow out in wrestling

The Sport Team

Adekunle Salami RIO DE JANERIO

Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

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Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent Adekuoroye (left)

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

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igeria’s quest for medal at the ongoing 31st Olympiad suffered yet another devastating blow on Thursday as the country’s two most promising wrestlers lost in the quarterfinals of their respective bouts.

Odunayo Adekuoroye competing in the freestyle 53kg surprisingly lost 5-0 to Sofia Mattson of Sweden at the Carioca Arena 2 of the Olympic Stadium in Rio. It was a one-sided encounter in which the Nigerian failed to pick

any point against the European who had an easy bout in the crucial last eight fight.

As if that was not enough, Blessing Oborodudu in the quarterfinal of the freestyle 63kg, also lost to her counterpart from Mongola.

Oborodudu put up a good fight but lost 3-1 to Sorozonbold Batteseg of Mongola to further put the ambition of the country to grab a medal at the Rio 2016 event in jeopardy.

Earlier on Wednesday, Aminat Adeniyi, Mercy Genesis and Hanah Reuben lost in their respective categories of the wrestling event of the games.

U-23 Eagles’ll win bronze for Nigerians – Mikel

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SPORT NEWS

German coach: We exploited Nigeria’s wing backs

Adekunle Salami RIO

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ermany Olympic football team coach, Horst Hrubesh, has revealed that his tactical approach to exploit Nigeria’s wing backs was instrumental to his team’s 2-0 win in the semifinal of the football tournament of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Wednesday.

Hrubesh, while commending the U-23 Eagles for their resilience, praised his players for harkening to his tactics.

“We knew their full-backs love to join

the attacks and their wingers are mostly out wide, we exploited the space behind to good effect,” Hrusbesh said after the match.

“My players were properly drilled on how to make use of the space behind the Nigerian backline as we found out during our pre-match analysis.

“The Nigerians are a very good side, but we made them pay for giving us space to run behind.”

Nigeria will look to claim bronze medal when they confront Honduras in the third place match.

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he 16th edition of the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship has been scheduled to takes place between October, 2016.

This was confirmed by the Secretary General of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Gloria Ekwempu, who said the International Tennis Federation had listed the annual tournament on its website.

According to her, preparation to stage the tournament which comprises of two legs ; Futures 3 and Futures 4 has since commenced as the NTF and the Local Organising Committee, headed by Chief Pius Akinyelure will leave nothing to chance to ensure that the event is organised to meet up with international standards.

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overnor Aminu Tambuwal Wednesday night urged officials and players of the national U-17 team to make Nigeria proud when they face Niger Republic in an African championship second leg qualifying encounter in Niamey, this weekend.

Speaking in Sokoto where the team camped ahead of their departure to Niger, Tambuwal said the level of determination displayed by the players during their preparations showed that they mean business.

“I want you to take up this challenge and take this as a match that can make or mar your soccer careers but with the kind of determination I see on your faces, victory is certain by the grace of Almighty Allah,” the Governor said.

“I want to believe the reason you camped here in the City of the Caliphate is not only because we share border with Niger but also because this is a peaceful state; and it is a great privilege to have you with us. I congratulate all of you for being part of this contingent on your way to Niger Republic and I’m charging you to go there and win, and qualify (for the next round),”

B

esiktas President Fikret Orman is set to hold talks with Chelsea over the loan transfer of Kenneth Omeruo.

A source close to the club revealed that the Besiktas President has arrived in London and will hold talks with the Blues this week.

Orman wants to negotiate a £700,000 loan fee with a £4 million release clause option included in the deal.

Besiktas have been in talks with Chelsea for about a month over the transfer but nothing has been agreed with the player.

Omeruo joined Chelsea as a youngster in 2011 but was unable to play for the Blues due to not having a work permit. The young defender has enjoyed loan spells in Holland and most recently Turkey where he excelled at Kasimpasa.

The Nigeria international is expected to remain in Turkey this season and joined Turkish champions Besiktas on loan where he will be able to gain Champions League experience.

U-23 Nigeria striker ss Sodiq (right) Umar

Tournament Director of the championship, Prince Wale Oladunjoye, corroborated the NTF scribe, saying new packages will be added to this year’s competition. This he said, would be unfolded as the tournament draws gets closer.

The Governor’s Cup is an ITF Pro Circuit competition, which is being staged to celebrate the sitting Governor of Lagos State since the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This year’s edition will be the second since Governor Akinwunmi Ambode assumed office.

The Governor’s Cup has been sponsored over the years by FCMB and Etisalat Nigeria and others such as Deux Projects Ltd, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, CCECC, Julius Berger Plc, Naston Ltd, LASACO Plc. and a host of other private individuals.

Tambuwal hosts Eaglets, backs team to beat Niger Ikenna Amadi

Besiktas President visits Chelsea for Omeruo Emmanuel Tobi

Horst

Lagos Governor’s Cup Tennis takes place in October Ajibade Olusesan

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

he added.

In his remarks, General-Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi eulogized Governor Tambuwal for his selfless service to Nigerian football even long before now.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank our sport-loving Governor because not many knew that the Rt. Honourable Tambuwal had long been supporting Nigerian football even before he became the Governor of Sokoto State.”

Tornadoes’ coach redeems pledge to players Dan Atori, MINNA

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Omeruo

oach of Niger Tor nadoes FC Abubakar Bala has redeemed the sum of N150, 000 he promised his players should they beat Akwa United with a clean sheet on Match Day 31 of of Nigeria Professional Football League.

Coach Bala said that he told his wards that should they beat the Promise Keepers by three goals he would give them the sum of N100,000 and an additional N50,000 if they can get a clean slate.

The coach said that the reason behind him making such gesture was to spur the boys to give their best as motivation is key to success and the players just proved that.

“I also told the players that for each goal scored outside the three I will give them additional N50,000 but no more came and am very contended with the result”, he said.

Nig er Tor nadoes confront Ikorodu United of Lagos in the match day 32 billed for this weekend.

New two-year deal excites Iheanacho Ifeanyi Anyaka

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uper Eagles striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, has expressed excitement after signing a new two-year contract extension with Manchester City on Thursday.

The 19-year-old Nigeria international, who scored 14 times in all competitions last season, is one of the game’s finest young forwards and will now stay with the Club until at least 2021.

Iheanacho said: “I can’t express how I’m feeling! I’m very happy to sign my new deal for this club, I’m excited.

“I just need to keep working hard and express my feelings on the pitch, and work really well and do great things for the team. I’m happy and I appreciate everything the club has done for me so far at this point so I really need to help and work for them as well.”

Ikorodu Utd banished to Abeokuta he League Manage- several offences by their T ment Company has supporters which led to ordered struggling Nige- the discontinuance of

ria Professional Football League outfit, Ikorodu United, to play their next three home matches at the MKO Abiola Stadium in the southwest city of Abeokuta.

The club were sanctioned following “crowd disturbances” during and after one of their recent home matches against 3SC at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos.

Ikorodu were also Governor Aminu Tambuwal (4th from right, second row) with players and officials of the fined N3.5 million for national U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, in Sokoto…Wednesday.

the match which scores stood at 1-1 as at the 89th minute.

“Ikorodu Utd have been charged for failure to restrict unauthorised persons from restricted areas during their NPFL matchday 30 game vs 3SC. Ikorodu Utd are also in breach of NPFL framework & rules for failing to provide adequate crowd control during their game vs 3SC.”

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Olympics

Olympics

El-Salhy: Quadri confirms Africa’s relevance

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he President of African Table Tennis Federation Khaled ElSalhy has said that the performance of Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri at the Rio Olympics 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 Quadri for his superb performance against the top ITTF ranked players like Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan and Germany’s Timo Boll.

“In my opinion, the achievement of Quadri in Rio will be of great impact on 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.

On what young players can emulate from Quadri, he said: “They have to follow the foot step of Quadri in terms of preparation, dedication in training and with this nothing is impossible.”

Quadri

RIO 2016

CRUMBS

MaxMeyer of Germany and Ndifreke Udo (left) of Nigeria compete for control of the ball

U-23 Eagles’ll win bronze for Nigerians – Mikel

Says ‘We played badly against Germany

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-23 Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, has stated that the team will strive to win the bronze medal against Honduras on Saturday as a consolation for Nigerian fans across the globe for their support and belief in the team.

Germany will face Brazil in the gold medal match at the men’s Olympic football tournament following their 2-0 win against Nigeria at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo.

Left-back Lukas Klostermann made a bursting

run forward and tapped in an open goal from captain Maximilian Meyer’s cross on the ground in the ninth minute.

Substitute Nils Petersen then made sure of Germany’s spot in Saturday’s final when he latched onto a low cross from forward Davie Selke in the 89th minute.

Tactically, Germany were the stronger side in the first half. Nigeria were unable to break quickly enough when they had counter-attacking opportunities.

“I wanted to win the gold

medal, but the fact that we did not play well. The Germans played well.

“We are professionals, we can now claim third place. We want to give a medal to Nigeria,” Mikel said The Chelsea midfielder added, “We gave everything last night but luck wasn’t on our side. We will keep going for bronze, to make Nigerians proud.”

Similarly, Troost-Ekong said: “we gave it everything, now we pick ourselves up again and fight to bring home bronze on Saturday.”

Team Nigeria through to 4x100m final

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here seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel for Team Nigeria as Blessing Okagbare anchored the women’s 4x100 relay team to the final on Thursday.

Gloria Asumnu, Blessing Okagbare, Jennifer Madu and Agnes Osazuwa finished second behind Germany with a season’s best of 42.55secs to remain the only African qualifier to the women’s 4X100m final at Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Germans won the heat in 42.18secs while Trinidad and Tobago finished third with a time of 42.62secs with the race favourite and record holders, USA, messing up their baton exchange on the second to third

leg when Allyson Felix experienced technical problems during her exchange to English Gardner. They however will get a second chance to defend their Olympic Games crown. The team protested that Felix was impeded by the Brazilian athlete, which resulted in a poor baton exchange to Gardner.

Meanwhile, one of the quartets that qualified Nigeria for the final, Agnes Osazuwa, has said; “We are happy to have made it to the final, but the hardwork continues and we want our fans to continue praying for us while we put in our best on the track.”

RIO

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Neymar

aptain of the Brazilian U-23 team, Neymar, has boasted that Germany will not stop the country from clinching the precious Olympic football gold.

Neymar on Thursday said that the momentum was back with the home team and the players would be ready for the Germans at the Maracana Stadium on Saturday.

The Barcelona player inspired Bra-

here is so much noise about Copa Cabana not only in Brazil but all over the world.

People go there to relax and reduce stress. People also go there to catch fun in various ways with spouses or friends of same sex as the case may be. A visit to Brazil is not complete without going to this famous beach.

Tennis super star, Serena Williams was here before she left Brazil at the weekend. It is going to be a sin not to visit the place as a visitor in Rio. I will be there` live on Friday (today) to at least reduce stress and feel cool.

To ‘see’ the samba babes in various shapes and sizes, afterall, all work and no play...Trust me to give details of whatever happens there.

‘I speak English’

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anguage is a big issue here because the first language is Portuguese but the organising committee failed to realise that for an event like the Olympic Games, more English speaking volunteers are needed. It has been tough getting the volunteers to assist participants including the media. On Wednesday, it was observed that more English speaking volunteers had been deployed to the media centre with the inscription ”I speak English” on their accreditation tags. Two of them were able to assist me easily and that is how it should be.

We weigh food

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Nigeria’s women’s 4x100 relay team

Germany can’t stop us, says Neymar Adekunle Salami

Copa Cabana on my mind T

zil to beat Honduras 6-0 on Wednesday while Germany also pipped Nigeria 2-0 in an encounter decided in Sao Paulo.

Neymar said the opposition was not important for now since the players have regained confidence.

“We are back in good condition.

We did not start well but now, we are playing well, scoring goals and the confidence is there for us.

“The gold medal is very precious to Brazil and we are going to win it.

Germany cannot stop us this time,” he said.

o eat here you must be sure of your pocket and what you can actually consume. It is so tempting that most food points sell in buffets arrangement. Fruits and all forms of meat, fish and all are well dished and each person is to serve self. After that, what you served will be weighed for payment. If one packs all the beef and chicken, the machine is waiting. I know of somebody that was packing everything and was asked to pay 82 Riaz, which is about N12,000. Eventually, the food was too much for the Nigerian participant of the ongoing games.

I have a medal

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he International Olympic Committee gave me a silver medal as soon as I entered the media centre here in Rio for the games. Some friends and colleagues have been threatening me not to return without a medal but let me make it clear that I already won a SILVER medal here whether Team Nigeria gets into the medals table or not.

On Marble

“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.”

Sanctity of Truth

Emeka Obasi Buhari: Bowwow cognomen boomerangs

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

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}14

My hubby? Baby, pullover

his happened in 1992 and it got me wondering. Just how far can and should a wife go to protect her marriage?

What are the limits or aren’t there any, when it comes to securing your property and C of O (certificate of Occupancy)? What is the worth of a relationship and what are the things women do to keep trespassers from their ‘thing’? Of course, I also got curious as a reporter and started a discreet Intimate Affairs investigation, a report I published one year later in a two-part piece, in my column. But let’s go back to the first story that got me fishing.

Bisi and Ahmed (not real names, of course) had been married for 12 years and both were celebrities at the time. Bisi was a successful businesswoman and Ahmed a respectable industrialist. They seemed the ideal couple and acted it. They attended functions together and praised each other in every interview they granted. They had four children and things looked good. Now, everybody knew also that Ahmed was also a ‘successful’ womanizer. In fact, Bisi was not his first wife. She was the fourth but somehow had managed to eclipse her predecessors and was determined to be the last. So she kept her eyes skinned. If any fly buzzed around Ahmed’s head, Bisi whipped out a shotgun. She was determined to keep Ahmed, whatever the cost.

Then she heard of Ajoke, a civil servant Ahmed was paying more attention than was due a fling. He was eating in her house and travelling with her .

Some of Bisi’s friends told her that on a few occasions when Ahmed had told his wife he was travelling out of town, he was actually holed up in Ajoke’s GRA, Ikeja, Lagos home. Where did a civil servant find money to buy a house, or even rent an apartment in GRA? Bisi and her friends wondered. They started holding meetings to do something about ‘it’.

Bisi was agitated but she hid it. She also refused to quarrel with Ahmed.

She went on as if nothing was wrong.

She pretended as if she believed Ahmed’s lies but she obviously was angry, burning up inside. She kept on a happy face.

One day, around 7pm, as Ajoke was returning from a trip along LagosIbadan expressway, she was stopped by gun-totting men. The highway was not busy and it was getting dark, so nobody knew of the evil drama going on. She was driving and panicked so badly she almost drove into a ditch.

She was convinced they were armed robbers but her worries were more for her life than for her car and the gold jewellery she had on. Still shaking in her seat, Ajoke begged the masked men ( yeah, in those days, robbers wore masks, they had shame) to spare her life. She removed her earrings as they dragged her out of the car, sobbing. The masked ones threw her jewellery back at her and told

Adam’s Apple

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How dare you...My man is my property. Keep off.

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her that their brief did not include Ajoke’s gold.

The ‘largest’ one told her to get on her knees while he barked to the

remaining three boys to get to work.

Before Ajoke knew what the entire drama was all about, her fine car had been doused with petrol and set

ablaze. If these armed robbers did not need her car, why did they stop her? To what god were they offering her car as burnt offering? What was the point of snatching a car and then making a bonfire with it?

Ajoke did not have to wonder for long. The masked men told her their mission in very short sentences.

Ajoke should take her man-snatching claws from the man who bought her the burning car otherwise next time she would be part of the ingredients for the burnt offering. They gave her a couple of slaps and kicks for added effect and disappeared into the darkness.

Ajoke was stunned, scared witless. One thing at a time, she calmed herself. First, get out of the venue of the tragedy. She did, after trekking about a kilometer. Then she left town for a week to sort out her swirling thoughts. She knew where the bullets came from. She knew only a woman who could kill without batting an eyelid would go to the extent Bisi went to warn a mistress. She got the message and moved on. She cut her losses and told Ahmed armed robbers snatched the car. After that she started avoiding him. The affair eventually packed up.

That was a mean one, an extreme measure by Bisi. She eventually acquired a reputation as a mean wife and that if you were not ready to fight dirty, don’t go near her territory.

There was a story of another wife who told thugs to raid the home of her husband’s girlfriend.

They took everything she had except the nightwear she had on and promised to return to rape her if she did not leave a certain man alone.

Did you sigh and say Jehovah?

You don’t want to hear the more gory ones I have heard. Women can be mean if their territories are threatened. Now, what they do to husbands who betray them is worse, but that is a story for another day.

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.