Friday, august 26, 2016

Foreign banks threaten to put 8 lenders on watch list

lMDs to partner CBN to resolve FX issue lWigwe heads bank CEOs’body lNaira plummets to N410/$ }37 Tony Chukwunyem

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f the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not rescind its deci-

sion on the eight lenders it barred from foreign exchange transactions, their

correspondent banks have threatened to keep them on its watch list, New Tele-

graph has learnt.

Also, more woes may be ahead for the Nigerian

UBA reports N40bn Half year pre-tax profit }39

economy, if banks as a last resort, recall their loans to the power sector.

These were the highlights of the meeting of

bank Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in Lagos yesterday, as exclusively reported by this newspaper.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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Friday, August 26, 2016

Soludo to APC: Stop blaming PDP for nation’s woes }6

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Tears as four World Bank officials drown in Ekiti }40

Niger Delta monarchs give terms for peace Soludo

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Ayokunle

Chinakwe

Kim

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lSoyinka to Buhari: Respond positively to militants’ demand The six conditions Federal Government to constitute dialogue team Release of detained 10 schoolchildren and others Return of Gbaramatu’s Golden Sword Return of three traditional council’s speed boats Cessation of hostilities by the military Opening of Maritime University

Foster mother cages fouryear-old girl for five months }8

Mary

Displaced persons protest poor feeding }9

Some internally-displaced persons during a protest in Maiduguri, Borno State …yesterday

Again, herdsmen invade Enugu, kill Catholic seminarian

...wound pregnant woman, three others Robbers engage police in gun duel }4 Obesity linked to 8 more cancer types – Study

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FRIday, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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NEWS

FRIday, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Again, herdsmen invade Enugu, kill Catholic seminarian Kenneth Ofoma and Charles Onyekwere Enugu

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ess than five months after the invasion and killing of scores of people of Ukpabi-Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by suspected Fulani herdsmen, another community in the state, Ndiagu AtakwuAkagbeugwu in Nkanu West Local Government Area, was invaded early hours of yesterday by suspected herdsmen.

The invaders killed a Catholic seminarian and wounded four other persons, including a pregnant woman whom they nearly disembowelled.

The wounded persons were taken to Mother of Christ Hospital and Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, Enugu, respectively where doctors were said to be battling to save their lives.

Eye witness account indicated that the herdsmen had, earlier on Wednesday, herded their cows into one Ogbodo Nwarum family compound in Atakwu community and a woman in the compound was said to have beaten a gong which

sent the cows scampering in all directions.

One of the herdsmen reportedly came to warn the woman for the alarm and even threatened that they would attack them in the night.

The people, who have been cohabiting with the Fulani people, who had their camp in the communal land nearby, did not take the threat seriously.

But about 2a.m. yesterday, the herdsmen allegedly traced the compound, climbed into the building through the roof, unbolted the main door to allow more invaders in, and slaughtered the seminarian, one Lazarus Nwafor, while inflicting mortal injuries to the landlord of the house, Ogbodo Nwarum, his aged mother, pregnant wife and son.

The seminarian, who was said to have just graduated from the seminary, Spiritan International School of Theology, Atakwu, was said to hail from Imo State, but resident in the compound, and was said to have just returned the previous day from school after graduation.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who rushed to the community to assess the situation and calm frayed nerves, also visited the Fulani settlement

near the community where it was discovered that the Fulani people had ran away with their families for fear of reprisal.

While addressing the people, Ugwuanyi expressed regret that the attack was coming few days after a commission of inquiry set up by the state government over the Nimbo attack on April 21 submitted an interim report to him.

He condemned the act in the strongest terms, saying that government cannot tolerate the wanton destruction of lives anywhere in the state by anyone or group under any guise whatsoever.

“I have already summoned security meeting this afternoon of Fulani community and the security agencies in Enugu State to review the situation and determine the appropriate actions to be taken,” he said.

Ugwuanyi expressed sympathy to the family of the deceased and wounded and assured that government would do everything necessary to ensure that the culprits were apprehended and brought to book.

Enugu had come under siege on Wednesday evening as dare devil gunmen suspected to be

armed robbers wreaked havoc as they engaged in shooting spree along major streets, killing one person and snatching several vehicles.

However, security operatives rose to the occasion as they chased and engaged the gunmen in a shootout that lasted for several minutes.

The security agencies, led by the Enugu State command of the Nigeria Police Force, pinned down and smashed the notorious armed hoodlums at Independence Avenue, near Government House, Enugu.

The hoodlums started their operation around New Market Enugu, from where they moved to Edinburgh Road/Ogui new layout axis and its environs where they killed a man identified as “Ayaka”, a commercial bus driver, who was relaxing in a drinking joint.

The gunmen, suspected to also be members of a cult, snatched some vehicles and moved in a convoy from Edinburgh through Nkpokiti Road, Rangers Avenue down to Independence Avenue/ Government House roundabout where they held commuters and residents hostage before security operatives intercepted them following

strident calls from members of the public.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police (SP) Ebere Amaraizu, said the armed hoodlums, numbering four, had held Edinburgh axis to a standstill, shooting sporadically before the operatives of the command, acting on the report, swooped on them.

During the gun duel, which ensued between the police and hoodlums, one police officer, Sgt Kingsley Chuwuamago, from the Special AntiRobbery Squad, Enugu, was knocked down by the second vehicle of the hoodlums while he was engaging the robbers at Mkpokiti Enugu.

It was further gathered that men of the Department of State Security (DSS) and military personnel who were quickly deployed to the scene from nearby Government House, assisted in over powering the gunmen.

Meanwhile, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has condemned the attack on Attakwu-Akagbe Ugwu community, Enugu State.

Ekweremadu said that the incessant attacks on parts of the country by suspected herdsmen posed a grave threat to

371,978

The total number of connected mobile lines Fixed Wired/Wireless of Nigeria in April 2015.

Source: Nc.gov.ng

71

The life expectancy of men at birth of Jamaica in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.ng

the peace, security, and economy of the country.

He called on the Federal Government to take decisive steps to put a stop to the ugly incidents.

He said: “This is another heartbreak, not only for Enugu State, but the nation in general and whatever evil forces behind these reprehensible acts certainly do not wish the country well. It must not be condoned.

“The primary object of government is the welfare and security of the citizens. The Federal Government must take decisive steps to put a full stop to this wanton destruction of lives and property; and the security agencies must do everything humanly possible to ensure that the perpetrators of this act of wickedness in Akagbe-Ugwu do not go unpunished.”

NEWS

FRIday, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Niger Delta monarchs give terms for peace

Onwuka Nzeshi and Tony Okuyeme

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he Niger Delta Coastal States’ monarchs yesterday gave six conditions to the Federal Government, which, they said, must be fulfilled if sustainable peace could be achieved in the region.

They urged the central government to constitute a dialogue team that would facilitate discussions with stakeholders in the Niger Delta on the way out of the current militancy in the oilrich region.

The royal fathers who made their position known when they paid a visit on the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, also demanded

the release of 10 "innocent" school children arrested by the Nigerian Army on May 28 in Oporoza and the return of the Golden Sword, the symbol of authority of the Gbaramatu traditional institution.

The Bolowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Wellington Okrika, who read out the conditions on behalf of the royal delegation, listed other conditions to include the return of the three traditional council speed boats in custody of the Nigerian Army; the cessation of hostilities said to have been perpetrated by the military in the Niger Delta region, as well as the re-opening of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State for the 2016 /2017 academic

Lawyers caught writing exams for Law School students

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irector-General, Nigerian Law School, Prof. Olanrewaju Onadeko, yesterday revealed that some lawyers have been caught writing examination for students in the school.

Onadeko, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), disclosed this when he presented the school’s report to the annual general meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt.

Onadeko, who did not state the number of affected lawyers, said the matter had been reported to the NBA. He urged the association to take action against such lawyers to save legal education in the country.

Mr. Rotimi Jacob (SAN), charged the NBA to address the issue raised by the Director-General of the Law School.

He said those found guilty should be disciplined after due process had been followed to determine their cases.

Jacob said the issue was serious because of its implications on the future of legal education in the country.

The outgoing President of NBA, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, said the association had not received report of such incident in the past two years.

He, however, said that the NBA had a committee to handle the matter on receipt of the report.

session.

Okrika gave assurance that the monarchs would continue to support every effort that would help restore peace and sanity to the region.

In response to their demands, Kachikwu commended the monarchs for the visit, stressing that the restoration of peace in the region was imperative.

He said the ceasefire announced by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) was a welcome development, adding that every effort must be made to sustain it.

The minister said that it was unfortunate that after the declaration of ceasefire, a pipeline was vandalised in Nembe community, which led to the loss of about 150 barrels of oil and a huge quantity of gas.

"This inability to stay steadfast creates military intervention because government cannot sit down and watch oil production go down. The president has shown a lot of patience and believes that engaging the

communities is the best model. You should continue to reach out to others to ensure total ceasefire because as production goes down, it affects both the federal and state governments in tackling their financial burdens," he said.

Kachikwu disclosed that the Federal Government had spent about $40 billion dollars on the Niger Delta region in the last 10 years.

According to him, there was the need for all revenue accruing to the region to be applied judiciously and royal fathers to ensure that monies were channelled properly to ensure the development of the region.

In the last one year, the federal government lost about 50 per cent of its revenue to the dwindling price of crude oil and the situation was worsened by the renewed militancy in the region.

Presently, oil production has reduced from 1.6 million barrel per day to 1.4 million. This may translate

to further drop in revenue by about 60 per cent.

Nigeria has lost huge revenues owing to the sustained attacks on oil and gas pipelines in the Niger Delta carried out by militant groups.

Meanwhile, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to respond positively to the outreach from the militant groups to arrive at a holistic and comprehensive solution.

He said at the moment, the militant groups feel that the government is not seriously responding to their own outreach.

Soyinka, who made this call yesterday in Lagos at a press conference to announce a cultural exchange initiative, tagged “The SAIL PROJECT – Lebanese-Nigerian partnership”, said he is not part of any international intervention group.

His words: “I wish to make personal appeal to the government to respond

positively to the outreach from the militant groups; that is a request which have been made by some of the groups which got me into this interventionist role in the first place.

At the moment, they feel that the government of President Buhari is not seriously responding to their own outreach.

“I'm not part of any international group, but I was approached personally and I have been responding personally to some of these groups just like I did when President Jonathan was in power and MEND was the umbrella group of insurgents.

“So, I make an appeal once again to the government to please respond to the efforts of these militant groups to arrive at a holistic and comprehensive solution, this is Wole Soyinka speaking; it is not an international group. I repeat, there is no international group in existence, but I hope one gets formed very soon and active too.”

President Muhammadu Buhari (left) with Chairmandesignate, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, during a visit to the president in Abuja… yesterday

Kalu to Nigerians: Be patient EFCC doesn't torture suspects –Magu with Buhari over economic crisis ...says commission has best detention facilities Mfonobong Nsehe

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s Nigeria grapples with economic crisis, the founder of West African conglomerate, the Slok Group and one of the country’s most prominent businessmen, Orji Uzor Kalu, is still hopeful that President Muhammadu Buhari is still capable of transforming Africa’s largest economy, despite the current challenges.

I caught up with the entrepreneur recently and he reviewed President’s Buhari’s scorecard and proposed an agenda for national reformation: Following the presidential elections, we’ve no doubt seen a slow-down in Boko Haram activity; would you agree that en masse poverty and starvation are proponents of radicalisation in Nigeria?

What can be done to right

the ship in the northeast with so much at stake?

Nigeria inspires the international community as it remains at the doorstep of fundamental and dynamic change. We are innovators, globalizationsavvy businessmen and women, farmers, manufacturers and politicians while remaining lifelong students, determined to succeed in an ever-competitive global marketplace, one shifting seismically with ‘Brexit’.

In fact, Nigerians succeed everywhere, it seems, except at home.

Yes, we have challenges to overcome, those that are frustratingly inherent to our current public system.

We remain reliant on the same specific energy resources that are bountiful in some regions and scarce in others, creating an imbalance that perpetuates regional, ethnic, religious

and political tensions.

‘Agribusiness’ and resource diversification is the great equalizer for Nigeria’s north, applicable to both east and west. In May, the government of Kaduna, for instance, went so far as to declare a state of emergency due to, according to the Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Maigari Daniel Manzo, over 80 per cent of tomato farms having been attacked by moth infestation. *Nsehe contributed this piece for Forbes

6,000

The total area (in sq. km) of water of Cameroon.

Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

5%

The crude death rate of Micronesia in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

Emmanuel Onani Abuja

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he Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, yesterday maintained that the anti-graft agency does not torture suspects in its custody, to obtain confessional statements from them.

This was as Magu further stated that the EFCC has the best detention facilities in the country.

The EFCC boss made the disclosure in Abuja, when he took journalists on a guided tour of detention cells and other facilities at the commission's headquarters.

The assessment tour was meant to clear the air on reports of alleged torture of suspects in custody.

Apart from a physical assessment of the cells,

journalists were also taken to the interrogation room, as well as a two-bed clinic.

While the cells were generally neat and spacious, some detainees inside were seen reading newspapers, while two others observed the Muslim prayers.

"Our detention camp is one of the best; in fact, it is the best in the country.

Any other time, if you have doubt, you can go into our cell.

"We don't torture people; our kind of interrogation is non-torture one," Magu said.

He added that the commission undertakes a lot of background checks and other procedural requirements, before inviting a suspect.

"I'm telling you, If EFCC invites you, we have done a lot of background checks," he said.

On criticisms trailing

some of its actions, Magu noted that "criticisms give us room for corrections", assuring that "there is room for adjustment."

According to him, "We are ready to adjust; we work in the interest of this country."

The EFCC chairman, however, insisted that the interest of Nigeria was bigger than an individual or group.

A detainee, who spoke with New Telegraph, confirmed that there was no case of torture in the cell.

The suspect, who is the "president" of the cell, said "I'm here in respect of a N37, 000 case.”

Earlier, the Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Osita Nwaja, had stated that police officers seconded to the EFCC undergo Lie Detector (polygraph) test, adding that officers, who failed the rigorous test, were sent back.

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FRIday, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Soludo to APC: Stop blaming PDP for nation’s woes Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

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ormer Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has observed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government has no master plan for industrialisation because its seems to be adopting the model of the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government.

Soludo, who was CBN Governor during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration and part of the Umaru Yar’Adua government, pointed out that the master plan, which APC seems to be using, was designed for an old order.

According to him, the APC government seems to be just tinkering at the margins here and there,

but has not really come out with a brand new industrialisation plan, which will create jobs.

Soludo, who spoke at the 4th Progressive Governance Lecture Series which was organised by the APC Governors’ Forum in Kaduna yesterday, noted that “the old order was predicated on the assumption that once you get prices and infrastructure right, everything else will follow.”

He argued that this assumption is not suitable “for an economy that is structurally mired in the mud.”

He maintained that Greece and other countries that are failing have 24 hours power supply and good infrastructure, “yet their economies are imploding massively.”

Soludo, who spoke on the theme, “Building the economy of states: Challenges of developing inclusively sus-

tainable growth,” lamented that APC still operates with a “mindset that is still stuck in the past, for an economy that we no longer live in.”

The professor of Economics said that APC is still behaving as if the party is in a campaign mood when it is actually in government.

“All it has been doing is blame PDP, blame oil prices, blame corruption, which is fair enough,” he said.

Soludo said that Nigerians precisely elected APC because the party “convinced Nigerians that those were the problems of the country and, therefore, Nigerians decided to give APC the mandate to fix them. So, you cannot continue to blame PDP again.”

The former PDP gubernatorial candidate in Anambra State said that reminding Nigerians of the past is only a good strategy if it will keep their attention away from the current

failing of APC government, adding that the strategy “will not carry us far.”

The professor also lamented that the nation’s economy is characterised by a partial distribution of wealth and poverty, adding that there is a growing phenomenon of dynasty of poor people, where poor parents give birth to children who end up becoming poor.

Soludo pointed out that most of the 11 frontline states that are threatened by desertification are APC states and they are the poorest in the country.

“Ironically, they are the states with the highest rate of population growth,” he said, adding that agricultural production in those states is down by 20 per cent.

He advised northern state governors to do something in order to modulate the increasing population

or else the time bomb will consume everyone.

“The idea that a poor guy who has no means of livelihood can have 30 or 40 children, with nothing to offer them and the state doesn’t have the resources to give them capacity to participate, is dangerous.

You are building an army and a time bomb that may consume everyone sooner than later,” he stated.

Soludo noted that the current economic recession is an opportunity for Nigeria to actualise the 54-year-old aspiration to diversify the economy as contained in the 1962 development plan.

He, however, said that in spite of all the odds and challenges that Nigeria is faced with today, “I still see hope. I still see greatness

FAAC: August allocation drops by N115.369bn

Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

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L-R: Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Kebbi State Governor, Senator Atiku Bagudu and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, during the 4th Progressive Governance Lecture Series in Kaduna…yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

he August allocation available for sharing to the three tiers of government dropped by N115.369 billion to N443.663 billion as against last month’s buoyant allocation of N559.032 billion.

The reduction was caused by sustained attacks on oil installations

by Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) leading to disruptions both in oil production and sales.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Mallam Mahmoud Dutse-

Foreign banks threaten to put 8 lenders on watch list CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

But after an extensive deliberation, it was agreed that the recall of the power sector loans would be the last option if all entreaties to the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, fails.

This was part of drastic measures that lenders are taking to deal with the increasingly tough business environment.

The source stated that yesterday’s meeting was the first time in the history of the industry that banks will agree to speak in one voice.

A correspondent bank is a financial institution that provides services on behalf of another, equal or unequal, financial institution. It can facilitate wire transfers, conduct business transactions, accept deposits and gather documents on behalf of another financial institution.

If the affected lenders’ correspondent banks place them on their watch list, their customers would not be able to execute banking transactions abroad.

A watch list is used to specify companies where irregularities are present, or where the potential for insider trading or other corruption exists. The watch list can be considered a surveillance tool used to identify risks from customers, consultants, suppliers and other business partners.

Meanwhile, yesterday’s meeting, which saw the Group Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, emerging as the Chairman of the association, was called in response to the banking watchdog’s suspension of nine banks from the interbank forex market for allegedly failing to remit funds to the Federal Government’s coffers in line with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy.

The source said: “The banks have decided to ensure that the issue with the CBN are amicably resolved through swaps with the apex bank over a 24-month period.”

Analysts point out that

with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) being heavily indebted to the banks, the decision to recall the loans could lead to the collapse of the critical power sector, thereby worsening Nigeria’s economic woes.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), last month, said Nigeria’s economy would contract by 1.8 per cent this year. The Fund, which cuts its 2016 growth forecast for the country from 2.3 per cent projected in April, reduced its 2017 growth projection for the country to 1.1 per cent from 3.5 per cent.

This newspaper recently reported that power sector investors in Nigeria sourced over $10 billion from banks and other lenders for the purchase of 10 power plants and the distribution firms during the last privatisation exercise.

While over $5 billion loan facilities were secured for unbundled Power Holding Company (PHCN), the lenders also offered $5.8 billion for the purchase

of electricity Generating Companies (GENCOs) including Alaoji, Calabar, Omotosho, Olorunsogo, Omoku, Ogorode, Geregu, Gbarain, Benin and Egbema.

It will be recalled that the inefficiencies in the privatised power sector resulted in banks being unwilling to provide fresh loans to electricity generation and distribution firms.

In addition, banks were concerned about issues around the tariff, as they contended that aside from the fact that the tariff was low, there was no sign that the Federal Government would increase it any time soon to adequately meet the revenue requirements of the power sector.

The CBN, in its Quarterly Statistical Bulletin for the first Quarter of 2016, stated that energy firms, comprising oil, gas and power companies, got a total of N3.799 trillion credits from banks as at March 31, 2016.

In a statement issued on the outcome of the meeting

that awaits Nigeria in the future.”

According to him, the present recession is a blessing because it presents an opportunity for Nigeria to start a new beginning.

Earlier, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said that the challenges that Nigeria is facing today are not self-inflicted. “Some of them are historical and they are legacy challenges. But then, we are required to come to the table with fresh ideas and innovations to solve some of these problems,” he said.

Osinbajo, who chaired the occasion, warned that “so many of the problems are not problems that can be resolved within a few months or even years. But we are called upon at this time to make a difference.”

last night, the Registrar/ CEO of the Chartered Instituted of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Seye Awojobi, said the body of bank CEOs agreed to partner with the CBN to resolve the forex issue.

According to the statement, the body, which was formed under the auspices of the CIBN, emphasized that it would work towards ensuring that the sanctioned banks comply with the directive of the CBN on the TSA funds as soon as possible, “to avoid negative impact on the economy.”

However, the body stressed: “there was no concealment of the exposure in any form as the banks had always disclosed the funds in their returns.

“That the situation arose out of the maturity mismatch of funds found in certain strategic sectors to ensure the growth of the economy.”

The bank CEOs, according to the statement, unanimously agreed that “there is no crisis in the industry as it is strong and stable.”

Isa, made the disclosure yesterday while addressing the media after FAAC session.

For the month of August, the gross statutory revenue stood at N287.819 billion, an amount lower than N538.788 billion received in previous month

by N250.970 billion.

"Crude oil export volume decreased by 2.8 million barrels in April 2016 partly because of a subsisting force majeure declared at forcados terminals.

"Also, shut-in and shut down of pipelines at other terminals due to the activities of vandals and for maintenance impacted negatively on production.

There was a revenue decrease of $102.17 million in federation export revenue despite the increase in average price of crude oil from $38.64 in March to $42.21 per barrel in April, 2016," Permanent secretary explained.

Of statutory revenue of N258.151 billion shared, Federal Government got highest amount of N129.212billion, states got N65.538 billion, local governments N50.527 billion while oil producing states got N 12.874 billion as 13 per cent derivation. The balance in Excess Crude Account (ECA) stood at $3.03 billion.

He said that Lagos State government would have to wait until crude oil export commences from its four oil fields before it joins the ranks of oil producing states entitled to 13 per cent derivation.

"Lagos State is yet to start enjoying from derivation principle. When crude oil export commences from the wells, the revenue realized from such wells will be allocated to them," he said.

national | news

friday, august 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

EFCC arrests man over $145,000 scam Emmanuel Onani Abuja

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested one Iwuchukwu Uche, over allegations that he obtained the sum of $145,000 under false pretence.

A statement yesterday by the Commission's spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspect was arrested for allegedly collecting the aforementioned amount of money from a Vietnamese woman, on the alleged false promise of marriage.

"The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, arrested one Iwuchukwu Martin Uche, for obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of USD145, 000.

"Uche, who claimed to be a military officer working for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO in Kabul, Afghanistan allegedly, collected the money from his victim, H. Uyen, a Viatnamese woman, after promising to marry her."

Chibok girls: Parents ask Buhari to step down Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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ngry parents of abducted Chibok Secondary School girls, yesterday, told President Muhammadu Buhari to step down if he was handicapped in rescuing the girls from captivity of Boko Haram members.

A representative of the parents, Rev. Mark Enoch, who spoke on behalf of other parents at the sit out of BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) held at the road to Presidential Villa where Police stopped the march staged to meet the President, challenged him to abdicate his office for other people that had capabilities to rescue the girls.

Mark, whose two daughters were among those still being held by the terrorists and also confined to a wheel chair due to stroke he suffered as a result of trauma, lamented that Chibok community people voted for President Buhari with the high hope that as a retired Military General, he would facilitate the immediate rescue of the girls.

He apologized on behalf of others to Nigerians for giving Buhari support and their votes before and dur-

ing the 2015 general elections.

He said: "We were thinking that he would work harder to do something for Nigerians. The Chibok parents gave him their votes with the hope that he would do something and rescue our girls. Last time you were telling us that you are a military man, you don't tell lies, you don't know where the Chibok girls are.

“Now the insurgents have helped you, they have shown where the Chibok girls are now. They are asking you to make negotiation for you. We as parents, we are asking you Mr.

President, go and meet the insurgents and make a decision. There are three options. Either use military force, or go for negotiation.

Some other countries are ever ready to give you helping hands.

“If Buhari is incapable, let him come down for somebody. We have intelligent people in the country that can handle the matter.”

The ultimatum came 72 hours after security operatives prevented the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) advocacy group from entering the Presidential Villa to have an audience with Buhari.

The rescheduled march

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n international team of researchers has raised the alarm over newly found dangers inherent in excess weight, saying they have identified eight additional types of cancer linked to excess weight and obesity.

According to the findings, published in ‘The New England Journal of Medicine’ on August 25, the cancers are stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, ovary, meningioma (a type of brain tumour), thyroid cancer and the blood cancer multiple myeloma.

To this end, the data suggested limiting weight gains over the decades, adding that it could help to reduce the risk of these cancers.

Obesity is a condition where a person has accumulated so much body fat that it might have a negative effect on their health.

If a person's bodyweight is at least 20 per cent higher than it should be, he or she is considered obese.

If the Body Mass Index (BMI) is between 25 and 29.9, the person is considered overweight.

The study is based on a review of more than 1,000 studies of excess weight and cancer risk analysed

by the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Agency for Cancer on Research (IARC), based in France.

Reacting to the development, a Cancer Prevention Expert, Graham Colditz, MD, DrPH, at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, who chaired the IARC Working Group, said, "The burden of cancer due to being overweight or obese is more extensive than what has been assumed.

"Many of the newly identified cancers linked to excess weight haven't been

on people's radar screens as having a weight component."

Science daily reported that the findings could have a significant bearing on the global population.

Worldwide, an estimated 640 million adults and 110 million children are obese, including one-third of adults and children in the United States.

In 2002, the same group of cancer researchers found sufficient evidence linking excess weight to higher risks of cancers of the colon, esophagus, kidney, breast and uterus.

"Lifestyle factors such

NYSC seeks UN’s intervention in camp development Our Correspondent

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irector-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), BrigadierGeneral Sulaiman Kazaure, yesterday sought the intervention of the United Nations in addressing the challenge of infrastructure deficit at orientation camps across Nigeria.

Kazaure made the request when he played host to the Country Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS ( UNAIDS), Mr. Bilali Camara, in his office in Abuja. He also as the UN-

by the group was stopped yesterday by armed Mobile Police men and women.

The protesters led by a former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwezili were stopped at the same spot, the Head of Service junction to the Presidential Villa where they were stopped on Monday by security operatives.

As security operatives watched over them not to cross the human barricade, the BBOG members in their usual red T-shirt out-fits with placards bearing inscriptions such as " Mai Gaskiya should not just be in name but in the actions" " The opposite of

love is not hate, it is indifference, bringbackourgirls" conducted their sit out at the junction leading to the Presidential Villa.

They challenged the President to " exercise firm and dedicated leadership on rescuing the Chibok girls just as he would do, were the girls his own daughters."

While reading the message of the group for President Buhari at the sitout, Ezekwezili reiterated that the group returned to the march after watching for 72 hours without any action from the Federal Government after its first botched march.

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu (middle); The Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom, King Joseph Timiyan (third-left); The Paramount Ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom, Dr Charles Ayemi-Botu (third-right); King Jaja of Opobo, Dr Dandeson Douglas (second-right); and other Niger-Delta monarchs during their courtesy call on the Minister in Abuja …yesterday

Obesity could cause eight cancer types –Study Appolonia Adeyemi

7

AIDS to assist the NYSC in the establishment of skills acquisition centre for corps members undergoing entrepreneurship programme as this would enhance the achievement of the goals of the scheme.

The NYSC, Kazaure disclosed, has plans to establish a skills acquisition centre in each of the six geo-political zones in the short term.

295.1m

The estimated total population of Eastern Europe in 1980.

Source: Un.org

as eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising, in addition to not smoking, can have a significant impact on reducing cancer risk," Colditz said.

"Public health efforts to combat cancer should focus on these things that people have some control over."

"But losing weight is hard for many people," he added.

"Rather than getting discouraged and giving up, those struggling to take off weight could instead focus on avoiding more weight gain."

Buhari off to Nairobi for African conference today Anule Emmanuel Abuja

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari will today depart Abuja to attend the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) in Nairobi, Kenya.

The summit is being co-organised by the Government of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme, the African Union and the World Bank.

Troops arrest suspected kidnappers, recover N439,000 Emmanuel Onani Abuja

T

roops of the 33 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have arrested three suspected kidnappers in Bauchi State.

A statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, said the troops of the Forward Operation Base (FOB) apprehended the suspects following a tip-off.

Usman further disclosed that N439,000 was recovered from two of the

suspects.

He said preliminary investigation revealed that the said sum was part of ransom from a recent kidnap deal.

"Following a tip off by well meaning Nigerians, troops of 33 Brigade Nigerian Army, deployed at Forward Operation Base (FOB) Toro, Toro Local Government Area (LGA) of Bauchi State, Wednesday arrested two suspected kidnappers; Dayibu Abdullahi and Nasiru Adamu at Badiko village along Gumau road, Toro LGA, Bauchi State.

A statement yesterday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, said that the conference would focus on promoting structural economic transformation through diversification and industrialisation in the continent.

It would also feature the promotion of resilient health system for quality life and promoting social stability for shared prosperity.

According to Adesina, during the conference, Buhari would participate in plenary sessions on TICAD in alignment with African Development, the Dialogue with the Private Sector as well as the Global Launch of the Second Africa Human Development Report.

The President will also hold a bilateral meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. No fewer than 35 African leaders are expected at the two-day high level summit, which will also be attended by leading private sector companies from Japan.

This is the first time TICAD is being held in Africa since its inception in 1993.

8

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO One dies as container falls

Muritala Ayinla

O

ne person was feared dead yesterday when a truck carrying container and a Toyota Camry car crashed at Onipanu area on Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

It was learnt that accident occurred at 5:28a.m. when the driver of the truck with registration number GGE 756 XK lost control of the vehicle and fell while the car marked BDG 981 DP rammed into it.

The accident caused a gridlock on the ever-busy expressway.

The driver of the Camry escaped by a whisker, but the while the truck driver’s assistant otherwise called ‘motor boy’ was not that lucky.

The General Manager (GM), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Michael Akindele, told our correspondent that one person died in the accident.

Akindele said the agency was able to manage the emergency effectively.

He said: “This prompted the immediate response of the agency’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) to the scene of the accident.

According to information gathered at the scene, the driver of the truck bearing the container lost control and the vehicle tumbled.”

Scene of the accident

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Foster mother cages fouryears-old girl for five months

Babatope Okeowo Akure

F

or allegedly being ‘possessed,’ a toddler, Precious Michael, was banished to a solitary confinement in a cage for about five months by her foster mother, Mrs. Mary Matthew.

Precious was fed like a dog and made to defecate in a corner of the cage.

The incident occurred at Imafon community in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Precious, who is about four years’ old, was accused of being responsible for the death of her biological mother a few months ago.

After her mother’s death, Precious was asked to live with her mother’s elder sister, Matthew, who has six children and is expecting the seventh.

Matthew said she isolated the girl so that she would not “infect other children with the sickness that killed her mother”.

But neighbours, who noticed what the girl was going through, alerted the police. Officials of the Juvenile and Welfare Centre (JWC) of the state Police Command rescued Precious and took her to the police clinic for medical attention.

The Officer in Charge of JWC, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Olayemi Ojumu, said the victim was

Matthew and Precious.

Inset: The cage

malnourished and was at the point of death before she was rescued.

At the clinic, Ojumu and other police officers donated blood for Precious to regain consciousness.

Briefing journalists on the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, said the foster mother exposed the toddler to a condition that could lead to her death.

The commissioner said Precious could have died if not for

the quick intervention of the police.

She said: “Good people in the neighbourhood noticed that a child had been put in a cage for some days near the homes of some persons where we later discovered were the foster parents to the young girl of four to five years.

“She was being fed in the cage. She was made to defecate in the cage for a long period of time and it was brought to the notice of the police command.

“We have a female officer in

charge of JWC and the DPO of ‘A’ Division quickly swung into action. We got the little girl rescued from the cage; she was taken to the police clinic.

When I saw this little girl, I have to be strong as an officer but my emotion took over my person because I did not know she could survive. She was in anaemic state. As a non-professional, you could see she was going (to die) and they needed to transfuse blood immediately.

“But my joy came when I knew that the officer and other officers were ready to donate blood to save the life of the little girl.”

Ibifuro-Harrison said the girl had responded to treatment and that the Ministry of Women Affairs would take custody of her.

She added that the police would not release her to the foster parents.

The police chief said that the foster parents would be charged with child abuse at the appropriate time.

But the foster mother denied the allegation of putting the girl in cage.

Matthew, who hails from Enugu State, claimed she put Precious in her shop where she was fed on a daily basis.

Matthew, however, said Precious was isolated because she did not want the girl to mix with her own biological children in order “not to infect them with the disease which killed her mother.”

City Brief

Father beats daughter, 5, with hot iron Taiwo Jimoh

A

45-year-old man, Mr. Surakat Idowu, has been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly torturing his five-year-old daughter with hot pressing iron.

The incident occurred at number 8, Kayode Koyejo Street, Liasu Road, Ikotun on the outskirts of Lagos.

Idowu reportedly beat the girl, Monsurat, with hot iron thereby inflicting serious injuries on her face, head and other parts of her body.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the story.

According to her, the suspect works as a roadside mechanic.

She said: “He is currently being held by the command for the offence of child

abuse. He was arrested after a concerned neighbour, who witnessed the battery of the toddler, reported the case at Ikotun division.

“The neighbour narrated to the police how the suspect sent the victim to go and dispose of the content of a potty in the latrine and the child fell into gutter, which infuriated the father and made him to beat her with hot iron.”

Badmos said the suspect was subsequently arrested while police rescued the victim rescued.

“She is currently undergoing treatment in the hospital while the suspect is undergoing interrogation with the gender unit of the command.

“Effort is on to trace the mother of the victim who has been separated from the father since she was two years,” Badmos added.

Monsurat

Idowu

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

Associate kills businessman, buries him

Borno IDPs protest poor feeding

Taiwo Jimoh

Ahmed Miringa

A

businessman, identified simply as Ogbaire, has allegedly murdered his associate, Lawrence Ojoh, and buried his body in a shallow grave in Warri, Delta State.

Okoh, a native of Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state, left his Port Harcourt business outfit to supply generator spare parts to a customer in Warri.

After the supply on August 2, Okoh, fondly called Law, did not return home and police declared him missing.

The deceased had, earlier that day, sent a text message to his wife that he would not make it back to Port Harcourt and that he would pass the night with his customer in Warri.

His wife contacted the customer, who claimed that he knew the deceased very well, but that he did not see him for over a period of time.

The police raided the spare parts market in Warri where the wife was able to identify some of the parts her husband left with on the fateful day.

The shop owner, where the parts were found, took the police to the person who supplied them.

The suspect was the one who told Okoh’s wife that he had not seen her husband in a long while.

Ogbaire allegedly confessed to the police that he murdered Okoh and buried him in a shallow grave in an uncompleted building.

A senior police officer in Warri said Okoh’s decomposing body had been exhumed and released to the family in UbuluUku for burial.

He said: “The suspect has confessed to the crime that he killed Okoh in order not to pay him the money for the spare parts, he supplied him.”

The officer added that the suspect also confessed that he committed the act with another person.

A family source said Okoh left behind twins.

“My cousin got married eight years ago and just got twins last year. The wife is now a widow while the twins, who are minors, will not see their father again.”

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, confirmed the story.

She said: “The principal suspect had been arrested, after taking the police to the shallow grave. We have exhumed the body.”

Ubulu-Uku, Okoh’s hometown, has been thrown into mourning.

Okoh

9

Maiduguri

H

undreds of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Marte Local Government Area of Borno State yesterday took to the streets to protest poor feeding by government.

The IDPs, whose camp is located on the premises of the Arabic Teachers College, barricaded the Maiduguri-Kano Road and disrupted traffic movement for over two hours.

Women and children championed the protest while the men watched from The protesters the sidelines.

The protesters were shouting “we protest as unfortunate.

According to him, government will have not eaten for three days,” while other were pouring water from jerry not allow greed and self-interests to imcan to indicate that there was no water pede efforts to assist the IDPs. He said: “The whole thing took us and other basic needs in the camp.

One of the protesters, Mallama by surprise. I was on my way to the Hauwa Audu, told our correspondent Bakassi IDP camp to distribute food that they were not fighting government items for household feeding when I got information about the problem. but making their grievances known.

“I immediately proceeded to the According to her, the IDPs have not place where I learnt that the IDPs eaten for three days.

Audu claimed that members of the were protesting over some issues. feeding committee said there was no They wanted the feeding committee abolished and also wanted the quanfirewood to cook for them.

She said: “We demand the immedi- tity and quality of their food to be ate dissolution of the central feeding increased.

“We have resolved the problems by committee and reverting to household feeding system and increase the quan- announcing the immediate abolition tity of food supply. We have been suf- of the feeding committee.”

Durkwa said government had difering in silence for quite some time.”

But in a swift reaction, the state gov- rected the immediate commencement of household feeding in the camp as ernment announced the dissolution of the Committee for the Feeding of IDPs. requested by the IDPs. He added: “I have directed the State The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mamman Durkwa, who made the an- Emergency Management Committee nouncement, told journalists that gov- (SEMA) to start giving out food items ernment had approved the immediate to the IDPs for the commencement of household feeding in the camp. abolition of the committee.

“Already, we have started the houseDurkwa, who was on an official visit to Bakassi IDP camp, had to cut hold feeding system in camps like short his visit and rushed to the scene Monguno, Kukawa, Gubio, Gwoza, of the protest to address their griev- Nganze, Guza-Mala and many others, and it had been quite successful.” ances.

The deputy governor disclosed that The deputy governor described the

the protest was instigated by some hoodlums to cause breakdown of law and order.

“The IDPs were instigated by some outsiders trying to cause havoc in town with the intent to steal.

“This is because one of the youth apprehended confirmed that he came from Madugannari to join the IDPs’ camp for the protest.

“They wanted to cause a riot so they that can loot and maim but we were able to control the situation.

On ground to appeal to the protesters were the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Demian Chukwu, and other security chives.

The IDPs, however, refused to leave the road until Durkwa announced the dissolution of the central feeding committee and introduced of household feeding system.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said yesterday that it had arrested a 40-year-old man for allegedly raping an IDP. The state NSCDC Commandant, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, said in Maiduguri that the 13-year-old victim from Chibok was staying with her aunt at the Colori Camp.

Ibrahim said that the suspect was arrested in Dala area of the state capital.

Ibrahim said the suspect lured the victim with money and took her to a house in Colori ward behind the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) quarters, where he raped her.

‘I’ve no regret naming dog Buhari’ Kunle Olayeni

F

Abeokuta

A

40-year-old man, standing trial for allegedly naming his dog ‘Buhari,’ Joachim Iroko, said yesterday that he had no regret for what he did.

Iroko, who regained freedom from prison four days after he was granted bail by an Ota Magistrates’ Court 2 in Ogun State, Joachim Iroko, said he gave the dog the name because Buhari was his role model.

The father of two, who said that his wife was currently pregnant, maintained that some people misconstrued his action.

He said: “I have no regret for my action.

It only happened that some people misconstrued my action. I am so happy for having splendid life again. It is joy to me.”

The trader, who hailed from Delta State, described himself as a lover of dogs. The accused explained that he had three dogs, which he named after his role models.

He said: “I have three dogs - one bears Obama, one bears Joe, my full name and the third is Buhari.

“I named these dogs after my role models and the late dog I had bore Nelson Mandela. I don’t just give any name to my dog. I give reputable names to my dogs. It is the love I have for Buhari, who is my role model.”

It was learnt that Iroko had been detained at the Ibara prison, Abeokuta since Monday when he was charged to

Diya, Balogun, Tejuoso for Salem Awards

Iroko

court.

The Chief Magistrate, B. J. Ojikutu, had on Monday granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 when he was arraigned on a one-count charge of conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

The police had accused him of writing ‘Buhari’ on the dog and parading the pet in the Hausa section of Ketere Market, Sango-Ota in the Ota Magisterial District.

The police told the court that the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of Criminal Code of Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2016.

The accused was first arrested on August 14 after police received complaints from his neighbour, Halilu Umar, that he named his dog ‘Buhari’ apparently to ridicule his father.

ormer Chief of General Staff, Lt. General Oladipo Diya (rtd), the doyen of banking, Otunba Subomi Balogun and the Osile Oke Ona Egbaland, Oba Adewale Adedapo Tejuoso, would receive special recognition awards at the N250 million Fund Raiser and Awards Ceremony of the African Church Cathedral Salem, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

The event will hold at the Little Theatre Hall, Lagos Country Club on Sunday at noon.

The church Public Relations Officer, Chief Gboyega Okegbenro, said in a statement that the event was specially organised to appreciate prominent friends and associates who had given tremendous moral and financial support to the building of the church’s ultra-modern cathedral between 1998 and this year.

Other top Nigerians listed for the awards are the Chairman/CEO, Modern Designs Limited, Chief Ayodele Odufuwa and the Chairman, Man Mountain Insurance Brokers, Chief Ayodapo Soderu.

The church, according to Okegbenro, is looking forward to dedicating the cathedral later this year and deems it fit to appreciate all friends and associates who have supported the progress of the project morally and financially over the years.

He said: “We are also looking forward to more support from prominent Nigerians toward a successful completion and we are optimistic our invitees will support our divine cause as usual.”

10 News|NATIONAL

Don’t allow foreigners hijack N1.8trn housing projects, says FG Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

T

he Federal Government yesterday said it would spend the N1.8 trillion approved for capital expenditure this year as a tool for reflating the national economy, but warned that the effect of the spending may not be felt if stakeholders in the housing, land and urban sectors continue to patronise foreign expertise for their works.

Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who spoke in Ilorin, Kwara State, at the fifth meeting of the National Council on Land, Housing and Urban Development, said it is only when stakeholders practice real inclusion of

Nigerians in their portfolios that the benefits of the spending would really get to the people.

While describing the N1.8 trillion as evidence of the change mantra of the incumbent administration, the minister said the only way it can be meaningful is if stakeholders use it to generate local employment, pointing out that a similar process had helped to build infrastructure in Europe, Asia and many parts of the Middle East.

He said: “As you are aware, one of the decisions taken by the Muhammadu Buhari administration is to increase the capital spending in 2016 budget to 30 per cent of the total budget size of N6.06 trillion.”

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME

Olufemi

Tosin-Famakinwa

Formerly Olatunbosun Bukola, now to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olufemi Olaniyi Bukola. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly Adetokunbo Grace Adewale, now to be known and addressed as Adetokunbo Tosin-Famakinwa. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Tamaramiemene

Azeez

I, formerly known and addressed as Igwemadu Chukwuemeka Frank, now wish to be known and addressed as Peter, Frank Tamaramiemene. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public please take note.

Adamu

I, formally know as Anas Yusuf now wish to be called Anas A. Adamu. All former documents remain valid.

General public should note.

Njoku

I, formally know and address as Miss Oguntade Taye Asanat now wish to be called Mrs. Azeez Taye Asanat. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank Plc and general public should take note.

Ndinojuo

I, formerly known and addressed as Obasi Nneka Vivian, now wish to be known and addressed as Ndinojuo Nneka Vivian. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

Chukwuemeka

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyeka Jennifer Mgbako now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyeka Jennifer Njoku. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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

Aya-Ere

Ugwuanyi

I, formerly known and addressed as Allah Beke-Ere Mary Okonkwo now wish to be known and addressed as Ogolah Aya-Ere. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

Chukwuma

I, formerly known as Agwu Ndubuisi now wish to be known and addressed as Chukwuma Ndubuisi. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Azibaedigram

I, formerly known as Azibakanye Enoch now wish to be known and addressed as Azibakanye Enoch Azibaedigram. All former documents remain valid. Skye bank Plc, First bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Kelvin

I, formerly known as Efosa Edigin Kester now wish to be known and addressed as Efosa Edigin Kelvin.

All former documents remain valid. Access bank Plc, FCMB bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Golobo

This is to confirm that Godwin Golobo with which my Skye bank/BVN was registered is the same person as Ebimobowei Sagbamaowei Godwin Golobo. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Ebimobowei Sagbamaowei Godwin Golobo. All former documents remain valid. Skye bank Plc, Wema bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Innocent Collins Osita now wish to be known and addressed as Ugwuanyi Collins Osita. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

Ndubuisi

I, formerly known as Miss Ayozie Nkechi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ndubuisi Nkechi. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

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I, formerly known as Suoyo Alayebimo Odogu now wish to be known and addressed as Odogu Alayebimo. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc, Stanbic IBTC bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Alatarighabofa

I, formerly known as Tari Roland Abrakasa now wish to be known and addressed as Alatarighabofa Roland Abrakasa. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and the general public should please take note.

Ibitokun

This is to notify the general public that my name was wrongly written as Ibitokun Ayodele Joseph in my First bank account instead of Ibitokun Ayomide Joseph Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Ibitokun Ayomide Joseph. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc and the general public take note.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

CAN berates Kerry, says his visit for Nigerian Muslims only Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

U

nited States (US) Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, yesterday came under attack over his visit to Nigeria as the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) berated him, saying that his visit was discriminatory, personal, divisive and was aimed at furthering the Federal Government’s plan to continue to persecute the teeming population of Nigerian Christians.

Kerry’s two day visit to Nigeria has been under scrutiny by Christian leaders in the country who questioned the sincerity of the visit.

The Secretary of State only visited the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, met with the 19 northern governors, among who are only three Christians.

At the Presidential Villa, where Kerry was hosted by President Muhammadu Buhari, he met with select northern governors, which also irked critics on the selection process of his hosts.

CAN President, Revd.

Supo Ayokunle, told journalists that Kerry’s visit meant lack of respect for the heterogeneous nature of Nigeria, while nakedly favouring Northern Nigeria and Muslims to the detriment of the Christian community.

According to Ayokunle, the attitude and disposi-

PUBLIC NOTICE

OTUMARA UNITED BROTHERS ASSOCIATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Oroke Vincent - Chairman 2. Nnaemeka Mbam 3. Iziogo Chukwuma . E. -Secretary 4. Edege Chibuzor 5. Igwe Stephen 6. Ekuma Nwabueze 7. Atanja Simon AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To motivate youth literacy and skill acquisition 2. Empowerment of proven potentials in any sector of the economy 3. To promote socio-cultural and economic well-being of members.

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: HYCIENTH N. OKORIE ESQ

PUBLIC NOTICE CATHOLIC SERVANTS OF THE SICK ORGANIZATION This is to inform the general public that the above named organization has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Rev. Fr. George Nwachukwu 2. Surv. Okey Duru 3. Mr. Nnanyereugo Odoemenam 4. Lady Felicia Okere 5. Mr.Malachy Agubosim 6. Engr. Josephat Opara – Member 7. Mrs. Chidi Nkwopara – Member

– Spiritual Director – President – Secretary – Director of Finance – Publicity Secretary

tion of the Secretary of State and the discrimination he adopted during the visit, supports accusations that President Barack Obama’s administration, alongside Kerry and other strategic US politicians in the Obama’s government, openly supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections, which produced the current leadership of the country.

While calling on Kerry to ‘stop interfering in Nigeria’s affairs,’ the CAN president explained that the visit was a complete flop and exposed Kerry’s

FG bars non-lawyers from prosecuting cases on behalf of police Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

T

he Federal Government yesterday barred policemen who are not lawyers from prosecuting cases at the law courts on behalf of the Nigerian Police.

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, said this while delivering a paper at the ongoing 56th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association titled; “One Year Later: Review of Law and Change Under the Buhari Administration,” in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The AGF charged lawyers in the country to fashion out, promote and defend a national culture that would regard obedience to the rule of law as a desirable goal, rather than

Chukwu David

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: Mr. Nnanyereugo Odoemenam (Secretary)

A

PUBLIC NOTICE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named INITIATIVE has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Engr. Komolafe Josiah Adedayo 2. Mr Olaleye Ramoni 3. Elder Moses Babatunde Odesanya 4. Francis Gabriel Adeoti, Fca 5. Prince Matanmi Abolaji Olufunsho 6. Dr. Folawi Rafiu Akanmu 7. Mrs. Adenike Adewumi AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To defend the interest of consumers in term of quality of good’s and services delivery 2. To educate and enlighten consumers of their fundamental right & privileges within the scope of existing law of the nation 3. To enhance the best of service delivery from the govern to the citizen.

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

an aberration.

In a statement issued

by Salihu Othman Isah, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Malami at the conference with the theme, “Democracy and Economic Development,” called on those in the legal practice to do all that is humanly possible and permissible in law to ensure that Nigerians home and in the Diaspora are no longer described as rule breakers.

The AGF reiterated that Section 106 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, transferred the duties of prosecuting all criminal matters to the Federal Ministry of Justice, thereby prohibiting prosecution by police, who are not trained lawyers.

Malami further said his ministry has so far taken over 8, 000 case files from police for prosecution.

Saraki sends technical team to North-East

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. Care of the sick and the less privileged in the society 2. Visiting and praying for the sick 3. Payment of hospital bills for the sick and welfare of the less privileged.

BALANCED MEASURE IMPACT INITIATIVE

negligence of Nigeria’s unity in diversity ideology that has remained the bedrock of the country. “Why did he meet with 19 states governors without southern governors, is Nigeria about the north alone, why did you go to the north alone,?” he queried.

Ayokunle added that the visit sent a wrong message, affirming the report that Christians under the Buhari administration are under a siege. “There’s a siege on Christians.

Kerry, his actions speak volumes, his actions, body language were very divisive,” he said.

Abuja

s part of the activities to mark the 2016 World Humanitarian Day, the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, has deployed a technical team to Maiduguri, Borno State, to conduct interviews with domestic and international stakeholders working in the IDPs’ camps in the greater Maiduguri area.

According to a statement released by the Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, the purpose of the visit is to collect information about the emergency relief, recovery and rehabilitation efforts in Borno State.

The statement noted that Saraki’s team was directed to review the coordination between the government of Nigeria

and NGO/INGOS, the capacity of service delivery programs and receive feedback from the IDP’s themselves.

It further said that at the camps, the team interacted with groups of committed officials and volunteers of NEMA and SEMA, who stated that the government was doing all that it possibly could to aid and secure the IDPs. However, the complexity and scale of the emergency is far beyond the government’s capacity and that Nigeria simply cannot do it by themselves.

Saraki said it was important to send a team to assess the humanitarian situation on ground in the North East, following reports from aid agencies that greater international attention and a more robust response was needed to alleviate IDPs’ plight.

11

FRIDAY, august 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Edo decides Odubu drums support for Obaseki

Politics Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, Eitayo Jegede (SAN), believes that he has what it takes to consolidate on the achievements of the Olusegun Mimiko administration. He speaks, in this interview, on his chances in the poll and his vision for the state. Felix Nwaneri reports You are running for Ondo State governorship, what is the motivating factor and since when did you start nursing the ambition?

Specifically, about a year and a half into the Olusegun Mimiko administration, I said yes, if I have something to offer, perhaps I can give it a shot if the atmosphere is okay. Some people have seen my trying to operate within the rules as an indication of reluctance but I said I am not prepared to do it the way everybody does it. Before I resigned my appointment as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice even though a lot of people knew that I was a major contender for the post of the governorship seat, you were not likely to hear me talk about governorship seat, and secondly, you were not likely to see my poster anywhere in the state but yet you will hear, you will perceive that he is positioning himself to run for the governorship.

You are not likely to see my billboard even when you see billboards everywhere except now where you have one or two emerging. It is because I believe that I cannot be Attorney-General of a state and also be peeping to get into the political waters to start agitating to become a governor. I believe strongly that if I want to be a governor and I want to go out for it, I should leave the job and when I knew that I was ready, I left the job and when I left the job, I left in grand style. I left with a lot of noise

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Kalu For the love of democracy

12 13

I’ll do more of governance, and less of politics – Jegede will revert and become Ondo State property. The story of the mall is just by the way but I raised that because my concern is for us to have an improvement in the way we design and implement our policies. I am saying this so that people will know that I am not anybody’s lackey because I added value to the Mimiko administration.

Also, look at the International Events Centre. It is an uncommon edifice in this part of the world. I also played a huge role in its conception and implementation. No one can doubt the fact that I have positively contributed to the success of the government. So, it is not right to say I am somebody’s lackey. I am not. Not as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. I cannot be a lackey. I have no desire to be a lackey. I have a desire to run a transparent government. A government that is accessible, a government that would engender growth, a government that would do some other things that have not been done by Mimiko. I have been there, so I know the weaknesses and the strength. So, I want to build on it and that is why I am in this race to do more of governance.

Jegede

like they say in political circle. And since then, I have been up and doing. So, I am prepared to do this for service, not because I want to make some gains out of it.

What new are you bringing to the table?

I am in this race because I want to be governor, because I want to serve, because I want to bring a bit of difference into the way things are done. I want to do more of governance and less of politics and if I can’t do it, I don’t think anybody can. I am not saying this to scale up myself. I have few ideas about what I think I should do and I know that if you take politics out of it and do it the way it should be done, our society would be better for it. It is going to be triumph of integrity over partisan politics.

We must learn to understand the fact that you don’t make so much noise or the fact that you say look, you want to do things your own way, because of your nature, does not make you a weakling. I cannot be Mimiko and Mimiko cannot be Jegede. He is a doctor, I am a lawyer. He is from Ondo, I am from Akure. He is a politician; I am a technocrat in politics. So, we have quite a lot of differences.

But at the same time, we have the same visions; just a matter of style.

So, if I don’t do it your own way, if I don’t escalate, if I don’t dramatise it, it does not mean I am not

interested. It only means I have a different approach to it. And if my approach is effective, then by all means, let it be.

It is going to be triumph of integrity over partisan politics

What is your take on the impression in some quarters that you are going to be Governor Mimiko’s lackey if you are elected?

The notion of somebody saying somebody is a lackey is contrived by those who believe that Governor Mimiko has no right to support a person to be governor. I have seen that written about me on a number of occasions in the media and I said each person is entitled to his or her own opinion.

The governor has a right to want good governance for his people.

He has a right to say look, I will support someone I know will sustain the vision of the Mother and Child Hospital, someone who will preserve, those globally compliant mega schools that dots the landscape of Ondo State.

About two years ago, I on my own, was trying to look for a site where we would build shopping malls and I was talking to some people who are developers about Shoprite and I drove round and I did this for about three months until I met the governor who said he has also been thinking about it. Today, the mall is a reality and apart from the revenue it gives to government, it also opened a vista of employment and later on, it

Don’t you see you agree that there is crisis in your party PDP presently?

I agree that there are challenges in PDP leadership now especially at the centre, and it is a contention for power. It has always been there. I hold the view that it is still a dispute within the party. First as a legal practitioner, I can confidently say that this won’t be the first time that there would be disputes or crisis within a political party. It’s not going to be the last but then I also believe that each of the political parties has a means of resolving its disputes and that is the legitimate way to resolve political disputes.

Now, speaking as a professional, as a senior lawyer, I hold the view that intra-party disputes are best left for the leadership to resolve.

I also hold the view that in intraparty contentions, the courts generally have no jurisdiction. In other words, the courts ordinarily should not interfere except of course where you have specific provisions in the law that gives an inroad to courts to resolve the disputes and that is where you have election petition cases; the election matters that are specifically provided for in the Electoral Act. Even when you do primaries, it is only those who participated in the primaries that under the law have the right of access to court.

Now the principal observation that CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

12

POLITICS

Stories by Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

T

he Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu has assured the people of Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state that the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, will create prosperity for the entire state when he assumes office.

Odubu who stated this at the APC ward campaign rally held yesterday in Ugo'niyekorhiomwon, noted that Obaseki as governor would not fall short of the

FRIDAY, august 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Odubu drums support for Obaseki people’sexpectationsashehas worked with the government in developing the communities in the last eight years.

Urging the electorate to ignore the political gimmicks of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he assured the people of the people of Orhionmwon that APC leaders in the area will ensure that Obaseki fulfills his campaign promises.

He said: “Obaseki, who is coming to take over from our governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has said he would provide stable electricity for you. What

you people should do is that since he is working for us, the votes in this area should all go to the APC. If you vote for the APC, we will be with you to ensure he fulfills promises.

“The road in this area is the longest in Edo State, in those days it was not like this. Oshiomhole has worked, Obaseki, who is

coming will do more. You should not allow the PDP to tell you what they are not capable of, APC is in this town and we will develop the area to the fullest.”

Also speaking, the Enogie of Ugo'niyekeorhiomwon, HRH, Chief Edugie Ogierhiakhi Ogiugo in company of the Enogie of Ugboko, HRH Solomon Ewemade and other

top palace Chief, appealed to Obaseki to ensure that he sustains the achievements of Governor Oshiomhole.

Responding, Obaseki promised to decongest traffic in the city by opening up new towns through infrastructural development and establishment of industries that would give every community in the

I’m hale and hearty, says Oshiomhole

E

do State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, dispelled the rumour making the round that he was ill, stressing that such falsehood is being peddled by those who want to gain power through the back door.

The governor, who spoke at All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally at Ayaen community near Benin, in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state, declared: “I am not going to die, but I will attend the funeral of those who wants me dead.”

Oshiomhole blasted the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate for allegedly stealing the common wealth meant to make life meaningful for the people of the state, stressing that the APC candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is ready to work for the good of the entire state and its people.

His words: “Godwin is ready for work. He has been part of this government this past seven years. He knows what have been done and what needed to be done.”

The state chairman of the APC, Mr. Anselm

The Okaevbo of Urhonigbe, Chief Igie Aimuyo praying for governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in Edo State during the party's campaign in Urhonigbe, Orhiomwon Local Government Area, yesterday.

Edo DECIDES

Esan elders pledge support for APC

Ojezua, who also spoke at the rally, tasked the people on the need to pay Governor Oshiomhole led APC government in good coin for bringing hope to them.

According to him, “it is true that the people lost hope in government because of the bad experience from the PDP led government in the state.

The people lost hope that government was actually meant to be and work for the people. But this lost hope has been rekindled by the good governance we have gotten this past seven and half years from the APC led government.

“I want to urge you that this hope must be kept alive by supporting and voting for the APC and its candidate, Godwin Obaseki. Never again should we go back to Egypt.”

state a sense of belonging.

He, however, sought the support of the traditional institution in the provision of security for investors that are ready to invest in various parts of the state. “The next stage we are heading to is going to be of different challenges and that is why I have come here to solicit your support,” he said.

E

lders of Esan West Local government area of Edo State, yesterday, assured the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, of massive support during the poll.

The elders who stated this during the APC's ward campaign rally in Ukpenu, Ekpoma, said the PDP leaders are making empty promises to the Edo people even when there are indications that they mean no good.

Chiief Solomon Omofuma, who spoke on behalf of the elder, said unless the PDP changes its name and joins the progressives; it will not make any headway in the state.

Omofuma stated that

the APC in the last eight years has shown that government can work with the massive construction of roads, building of schools, health centers, capacity building and provision of portable water as well as several other achievements across the three senatorial zones of the state.

He therefore urged Obaseki not to renege on his promise to bring about economic rejuvenation and other key development activities in the area, adding that Esan people have pledged their support for him in line with his clear agenda for the state.

The elders, however, decried the poor state of some roads in the council which they alleged has been subject of politics in the hands of past administrations.

Tension as thugs attack Ize-Iyamu

T

ension heightened in Edo State yesterday as suspected thugs loyal to one of the political parties attacked the convoy of the campaign team of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The incident occurred during at Jattu near Auchi, in Etsako West Local Government Area.

Two vehicles in IzeIyamu 's campaign conoy, were destroyed during the attack.

It was learnt that the attackers descended on the campaign train shortly after a rally had ended in the area.

Some youths, who chanted anti-PDP slogans were said to have laid ambush to the campaign team.

It was further learnt that the rampaging youths also descended on the residence of one Emma Musa, PDP ward 2 coordinator in the area and set his house on fire.

Musa who was shocked by the incident told newsmen that he was not at home when the attack took place.

Apart from losing valuables during that attack, Musa said his younger brother, who was asleep at the time the apartment was attacked suffered mild burns on his two legs but is in good health.

Meanwhile, the police in the state has ordered that the matter be properly investigated ensure that those responsible are identified, arrested and made to face the law.

I’ll do more of governance, and less of politics – Jegede C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 1

I made, the courts have no business interfering with politics and that is what is happening now. So, I believe that the matter will be resolved within. If it cannot be resolved within, it would be resolved somewhere and I concede that because of the timing, there is need to accelerate the resolutions. I am confident that the law is not likely to change now ultimately and I also do not see it as dangerously affecting my chance running on the PDP ticket because it would be resolved at the end of the day.

What is your take on the belief that Mimiko’s administration has not done much?

That Mimiko has done well is not in doubt. Some people asked me sometime before the second term of the administra-

tion what could be credited to Governor Mimiko as achievement. I mentioned the community development programmes that affect the people at the grassroots directly. I told them about many things he has done for each community. As a resident Ondo State, you cannot pretend not to have been affected by his programmes.

Governor Mimiko as far as I am concerned has done so well. Nobody can beat his record in the health sector, not in this country. Tell me any of the 36 states that has done half of what Mimiko has done. It is not only because people like us are saying it; we’ve been judged by other international organisations and it is not a fluke.

We’ve seen it; I gave example of Mother and Child. Here is a government that came in February in 2009 and a year after, it has fully completed Akure Mother and Child Hospital and later commissioned another

one in Ondo. Look at what we’ve done in education. Look at the schools that were built – the mega schools. A headmaster’s office is like a VC’s office. The schools are big, neat and have ICT facilities, libraries, football field and many more.

When Chief Obafemi Awolowo built University of Ife and Cocoa House in those days, some people said they were was too expensive. Tell me who has built any other one since that time. If he had been frightened or alarmed by all the talk about how he was spending so much money, he would not have done those projects. That is the man that is being celebrated today. So, what are we talking about? You must just be focused; do what you have to do, the reward may not come now, it may come thereafter.

What are you going to do to boost the

industrial base of the state and taking into consideration the fact that you equally have some measure of oil in your state?

Yes, you talked about industries. This has been an issue that has been on for some time. My take on this is that the problem is not in establishing industries; it is in sustaining them and making them to run. To build an industry is a very simple thing; it is easier than to build a school. Just build a warehouse, import machines and then get people who are technical to start operating it but you need power, you need the raw materials, you need to sell at a competitive price before you can sustain the industry. So, that is why I said well, as a civil service state, we are going to disconnect financially from the centre. It will take some time but it can be done and the industrial base will also be created in the southern belt.

FRIDAY, august 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

A former Abia State governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, writes on the need to depeen the country's democracy

Politics

For the love of democracy

M

ore than 170 million people of different ethnic groups and languages, a choked up polity political analysts may prefer to describe as confusing and rootless. Every nook and cranny of the country is the cry of marginalisation that has since grown into what one may want to ascribe endless agitations – politely put, because many of the agitations have since nosedived into violence that have continuously rendered the economy at a stand-still.

Yet, since 1999, the country has not stopped beating its chest that it has arrived at the destination of a system of government akin to all civilized countries of the world – democracy.

And what is that democracy that Nigerians- maybe not all Nigerians because many would say there is no such thing as democracy in the country if they should go by the true meaning of the term as entrenched in the political minds of the people by those who fashioned it- are so proud of ? Can we rightly say that that system of government is functional in the country where some feel that they are not part of all the benefits of its tenets? Or can we rightly say, too, that, there is indeed the practice of democracy where some people go into politics as in business and they think it is a business of self-profiting while those they are supposed to represent are left on the pedestrian bridge to lick up their pains and abject poverty?

A bit of history of the political term democracy or the “rule of the commoners” was originally conceived in Classical Greece, whereby political representatives were chosen by lot from amongst the male citizens: rich and poor. In modern times it has become equated to elections or “a system of government in which all the people of a state or polity elect representatives to a parliament or similar assembly”, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary. Democracy is further defined as,[a] government by the people; especially, rule of the majority. [b.] a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation.

The American Founding Fathers rejected ‘democracy’ as defined by the Greeks, preferring instead ‘a natural aristocracy’, whereby only the landed gentry were entitled to a place in Congress. The Americans, as with the English, took their cue from the Roman republic model where only the patrician classes were involved in government. As such, many people today, including academics, have come to understand democracy in terms of elections, rather than selection by lot.

According to political scientist Larry Diamond, it consists of four key elements: (a) A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections; (b) The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life; (c) Protection of the human rights of all citizens, and (d) The rule of law, in which the laws and proce-

13

Kalu

dures apply equally to all citizens.

In the 5th century BC, to denote the political systems then existing in Greek city-states, notably Athens, the term is an antonym to “rule of an elite”.

While theoretically these definitions are in opposition, in practice, the distinction has been blurred historically. The political system of Classical Athens, for example, granted democratic citizenship to free men and excluded slaves and women from political participation.

In virtually all democratic governments throughout ancient and modern history, democratic citizenship consisted of an elite class until full enfranchisement was won for all adult citizens in most modern democracies through the suffrage movements of the 19th and 20th centuries. The English word dates to the 16th century, from the older Middle French and Middle Latin equivalents.

With that bit of history of democracy, Nigeria cannot be said not to be practicing it as a system of government since elections are being held to choose representatives by votes by the people who think those they have chosen to lead and represent them would do so taking into consideration all the its characteristics.

Some of the many of its characteristics must include the following: Legal equality, Political freedom, The Rule of Law. It should contain the three fundamental principles of, a, upward control, that is, sovereignty residing at the lowest levels of authority, b, political equality and, c, social norms by which individuals and institutions only consider acceptable acts that reflect the first two principles of upward control and political equality.

Measurement of democracy: If indeed Nigeria is said to be democratic, then its democracy must be said to posses the following: The law must accommodate every citizen equally; one aspect of the law cannot be said to be reserved for

What the country has witnessed over time is the uncreativity of government where it loses all forms of creativity becoming a bully

the rich and another for the poor. A politician who is elected into a political office to represent the people but chooses to use that office indiscriminately to enrich himself should be punished by the same law as the poor person who misused his/her freedom by going against set laws and rules.

There should be press freedom.

The press or the media should be allowed free access to information that would benefit the public; it should be allowed to investigate every story with the full backing and protection of the law in doing so.

There should be the protection of individual rights and freedoms as contained in the constitution. Such rights and freedoms are, rights to education, good standard of living, choices to preferred place of residence within the country without being harassed by anybody or group of persons; right to worship, right to criticize government and government’s policies constructively, etc.

The right to protest and air out grievances without being targeted by the government; the right for the people to choose whether they want to remain in a single political/economic relationship or seek a divorce from any such relationship. And since democracy is about the people, it must be open to a referendum to discuss issues that concern the wellbeing of the people. To secede or not to secede or the path to achieve whatever secession if need be.

Types of democracies: They are many, but only a few will be considered here. Representative democracy: Involves the election of government officials by the people being represented. If the head of state is also democratically elected then it is called a democratic republic. The most common mechanisms involve election of the candidate with a majority or a plurality of the votes.

Most western countries have representative systems.

Representatives may be elected or become diplomatic representatives by a particular district (or constituency), or represent the entire electorate through proportional systems, with some using a combination of the two. Some representative democracies also incorporate elements of direct democracy, such as referendums. A characteristic of representative democracy is that while the representatives are elected by the people to act in the people’s interest, they retain the freedom to exercise their own judgment as how best to do so.

Liberal democracy: Is a representative democracy in which the ability of the elected representatives to exercise decision-making power is subject to the rule of law and moderated by a constitution or laws that emphasize the protection of the rights and freedoms of individuals, and which places constraints on the leaders and on the extent to which the will of the majority can be exercised against the rights of minorities.

In a liberal democracy, it is possible for some large-scale decisions to emerge from the many individual decisions that citizens are free to make.

Consociational democracy: This allows for simultaneous majority votes in two or more ethno-religious constituencies, and policies are enacted only if they gain majority support from both or all of them.

Consensus democracy: This, in

contrast, would not be dichotomous.

Instead, decisions would be based on a multi-option approach, and policies would be enacted if they gained sufficient support, either in a purely verbal agreement, or via a consensus vote - a multi-option preference vote.

If the threshold of support were at a sufficiently high level, minorities would be as it were protected automatically. Furthermore, any voting would be ethno-tribal blind.

Inclusive Democracy: This is a political theory and political project that aims for direct democracy in all fields of social life: political democracy in the form of face-to-face assemblies which are con-federated, economic democracy in a stateless, moneyless and market-less economy, democracy in the social realm, i.e. self-management in places of work and education, and ecological democracy which aims to reintegrate society and nature.

The theoretical project of inclusive democracy emerged from the work of political philosopher Takis Fotopoulos in “Towards An Inclusive Democracy” and was further developed in the journal Democracy & Nature and its successor The International Journal of Inclusive Democracy.

The basic unit of decision making in an inclusive democracy is the demotic assembly, i.e. the assembly of demos, the citizen body in a given geographical area which may encompass a town and the surrounding villages, or even neighborhoods of large cities.

An inclusive democracy today can only take the form of a confederal democracy that is based on a network of administrative councils whose members or delegates are elected from popular face-toface democratic assemblies in the various demos. Thus, their role is purely administrative and practical, not one of policy-making like that of representatives in representative democracy.

The citizen body is advised by experts but it is the citizen body which functions as the ultimate decision-taker.

Authority can be delegated to a segment of the citizen body to carry out specific duties, for example to serve as members of popular courts, or of regional and con-federal councils. Such delegation is made, in principle, by lot, on a rotation basis, and is always recallable by the citizen body. Delegates to regional and con-federal bodies should have specific mandates.

Cosmopolitan democracy: Also known as Global democracy or World Federalism, is a political system in which democracy is implemented on a global scale, either directly or through representatives.

An important justification for this kind of system is that the decisions made in national or regional democracies often affect people outside the constituency who, by definition, cannot vote. By contrast, in a cosmopolitan democracy, the people who are affected by decisions also have a say in them.

According to its supporters, any attempt to solve global problems is undemocratic without some form of cosmopolitan democracy. The general principle of cosmopolitan democracy is to expand some or all CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Mimicking Mikel Obi’s Big Heart Emissary EMEKA OBASI emobas2003@yahoo.com 0809-445-7557 (sms only)

W

e are enjoying a big laugh now thanks to Captain Fantastic, Mikel Obi and his Dream Team mates who ensured that Rio 2016 did not end like London 2012. At least, we no carry last even if the bronze medal came during injury time.

I do not want to dwell on the disaster that was the last Olympics. We will always disgrace ourselves because in sports ,there is nothing like change. We failed four years ago, everyone screamed and swore. We have failed again and before the dust dies down, Tokyo 2020 will be staring us in the face.

I want to dedicate this column to the Dream Team captain. Mikel Obi really showed us all that leaders abound in this our great country that has suddenly become the rich poor nation where a citizen has enough money to buy an Island off our shores, waste resources on women , wine and dine in Dubai while his kinsmen do not have clean water to drink.

Yes, in today’s Nigeria water should be the cheapest thing to buy.

Leadership is not all about politics.

Simply because it is the turn of the Igbo, the Hausa or Yoruba to rule, anyone ,just anybody, could be foisted on us even if he does not have what it takes to move the nation forward. We are where we are today because the worst forms of humans have been parading the corridors of power.

The Chelsea player did not go about playing Big Boss when he finally joined the Dream Team Six in Atlanta, Georgia. He

had never trained with the boys until the last days of preparations. Mikel’s presence made all the difference. The team was one and united, from the coaching crew to the players.

The first thing he did was to start splashing his money when he discovered that there was nothing from the sports ministry which hijacked preparations . It was all over the media but he promptly denied spending money on the squad. For good reasons, though. There was no need for distractions.

Never in the history of our football did we see a leader who was not only one in the field of play but also capable outside the field. While the struggle to get to Brazil by all means lasted, he kept a cool head. The job was to get to the Games,it did not matter how and when.

We have heard stories of American sprinters hiking a car to the tracks on discovering that they were watching their own event on TV or dogs chasing South African marathoners off the route, never was there record of a team that would be playing in an Olympic event stranded in a different continent 14 hours to kick-off.

It was bad enough that the team was treated like orphans by a country that made so much money through oil . The boys became beggars in America. And this happened in Atlanta, the town of Andrew Young who would not believe what he was seeing. The same country that made him proud of Africa in the years of President Jimmy Carter and whose Naira was stronger than the United States Dollar.

I cannot remember any Nigerian footballer who was magnanimous enough to bail out the national team in time of distress. It never happened. Mikel took over from there. The much he could , he did. While he encouraged his mates, the captain also lifted the spirit of coach Samson Siasia.

From the first game in Manaus against Ja-

Mikel Obi really showed us all that leaders abound in this our great country

pan, Mikel ensured there was no leadership vacuum. The Japs are no easy team, having won bronze at the London Olympics. Nigeria played like they received extra strength from the sky. The goals were just coming and he spurred them on like a storm trooper charging at the enemy in battle.

The Dream Team led comfortably until the captain was withdrawn. He left the pitch honourably. Some other big players would have felt bad that the manager had the courage to withdraw them. As he gave way, the opposition put in more goals.

The story of Mikel and Siasia is interesting especially when we talk about the Olympics. Some of us would have forgotten that the player failed to show up at Beijing 2008 where the Dream Team won silver under the same Siasia. The coach had taken the Flying Eagles to silver at the Netherlands 2005 FIFACoca Cola Under 20 World Cup. Mikel won the Silver Ball behind Lionel Messi.

Coach and player later made up. It is to the credit of Siasia that he found Mikel worthy of appointment as Super Eagles Captain following the exit of fast talking Sunday Oliseh.

And I must confess that when Siasia insisted on giving him the Dream Team Captain’s bad, I protested in this column.

Mikel is a patriot. After what he went through under Oliseh, I was worried that he could quit the national team. I cannot forget the day this superstar was kept on the bench for 90 minutes in a match against Niger? in Port Harcourt. It was bad to have invited him in the first place. I guess Oliseh just wanted to humiliate the Chelsea player.

We saw how George Oppong Weah ,single handedly, almost took Liberia to the World Cup in 2002. Didier Drogba also helped Cote D’Ivoire and Samuel Eto’o Fils bailed out his Camerounian team mates. Mikel Obi has joined that league of exemplary leaders who do not ask for what the country can do for them but what they can do for country.

Kalu can't be distracted Peter Ogbonna Eze

O

ur attention has been drawn to a libelous online publication against Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, sponsored by one junk media outfit called Naija Network News, and signed by some nefarious characters that bear the following names :Jackson Agbai, Udensi Udensi, Nnenna Onuoha.

These irresponsible humbugs and jobless miscreants claim to be agents of Abia North Political and Economic Youth forum; a group that exists only in their imagination and with the advent of Internet gave access to demonic expressions. It's incidents like this that make one see the sense in a social media bill. We are only worried that Abia state is providing a viable environment for criminals to thrive under the guise of civil society organizations. Obviously, these miscreants and mountebanks who had hitherto used a registered civil society organization in attempt to defraud our principal, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, MON have now resorted to cheap political blackmail with baseless allegations just to satisfy their stomach infrastructure instead of demanding good governance which our principal is most concerned about to render.

They are obviously fighting their shadows because the track record of excellent

governance for eight years rendered by Dr Orji Uzor Kalu speaks volumes .

In their press statement titled, "Orji Uzor Kalu and his menace of distractions: Abia North Political and Economic Youth Forum" The ignorant three man group insinuated that Dr. Kalu in his eight years of governance performed below expectations and is therefore, not fit to talk about reclaiming his stolen Senate position.

To the group, Abia State did not witness any infrastructural development talk less of human capital development during Kalu’s tenure. They even went as far as dragging in the name of Kalu's mother, Her Excellency, Mrs Eunice Uzor Kalu with insignificant name-callings. Branding her baseless and unprintable names and allegations which tells us the kind of nefarious characters peddling the falsehood.

The poorly oriented three man group also called on Kalu to desist from distracting Senator Mao Ohuabunwa who in their figment of imagination should remain in the red chamber.

This unwarranted assault from the politically motivated group against our principal, needless to say, generated out of fear. It is the fear of relinquishing power to the people's rightly elected senator that has caused the madness being espoused by these numbs.

We are also surprised that a matter which is already in the public domain, especially the way an inconclusive election became conclusive hours later is still being mas-

saged to draw public sympathy.

Any body that reads the misleading statements do not need a soothsayer to be informed of the desperation to hold on to people's stolen mandate. The group will not be doing themselves any disservice if they keep reminding their sponsor that his days are prettily numbered in the red chamber as the court will soon send him packing.

Again, the group and their cohorts should be reminded that Kalu's desire to represent Abia North was borne out of the need of the Igbo at this critical moment and the people of Abia North who are conspicuously in need of a cosmopolitan and reliable hand to do the needed job in the Senate.

Part of the ill conceived statement reads " Must our people suffer politically and economically because of a man's selfish interest? This is a man that has been Governor of Abia for eight years. Yet he cannot boast of any meaningful project outside his Igbere town".

This statement is enough to foretell anyone that cares to listen to these lies and falsehood that the three man group are either aliens to Abia State or hungry impostors looking for attention.

It should be noted that the kind of love, our principal enjoys in his hometown remains unprecedented and it's not far from his antecedents and extended humanitarian service to Igbere. Aside the mind-boggling developments he brought to Igbere as a Governor, which included but not limited to construction of all

linking roads to Igbere , electrification of many parts of Igbere and building of permanent NYSC orientation camp, Dr Kalu has continued to be a man of his people even outside holding any political office . This can also be confirmed by numerous projects he has sponsored in Igbere through his Foundation, Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation.

We therefore call on the good people of Abia North to disregard and ignore this act of sponsored wickedness against their illustrious son who they voted to represent them in the Senate . We call on them not to despair as they wait for the judgment which will see them rejoice in fulfillment after reclaiming their stolen mandate. The great people of Abia North have always kept hope alive with Dr Orji Uzor Kalu and should not be distracted by this divisive charlatans.

While the article in itself isn't worthy to be dignified with a response as clearly these are mere political jobbers only striving for their stomach, we have to clear up the raised issues for the sake of those who came out en mass to vote for Kalu. We assure you that we would not be swayed by cheap media propaganda and falsehoods.

We will go as far as the law permits to reclaim the Abia North mandate for the Abia North people and the entire Igbo nation .

Those who stole your mandate should not have peace until the mandate is restored back to the people.

•Eze wrote in from Umuahia, Abia State.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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EDITORIAL

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

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Why Buhari must sack Dalung

igeria picked a first Olympic Silver medal in 1984 during the military dictatorship of President Muhammadu Buhari. At the Los Angeles Games, the country also won a first medal in Track and Field.

It is a national shame that the same man who brought so much luck is presiding over a period of calamity in our sports.

President Buhari should be excused from this disaster. There is a duly appointed minister in charge of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung whose wisdom in managing sports could make the Biblical King Solomon blink a tear in his grave.

The President cannot be everywhere at the same time, that is why there is a Federal Executive Council or Council of ministers in place. Dalung simply did not live up to his responsibility. While we agree that the economy is in bad shape, we also believe that if the right attitude had been applied, Team Nigeria would have come back with more than a gold medal.

Under Buhari at the Los Angeles ’84 Olympic Games, Nigeria made a very bold attempt at gold. Featherweight boxer, Peter Konyegwachie, progressed to the final before he lost to Meldrick Taylor of the United States in what appeared to be an unfair decision following the introduction of computer technology. However, his silver turned out to be the nation’s first.

Our first Olympic medal came through boxing at the Tokyo ’64 Games when Nojeem Maiyegun won bronze. Another bronze came in 1972 through Light heavyweight, Isaac Ikhuoria, in Munich.

There was something special about Los Angeles. Samson Emeka Omeruah, minister of Sports did not have to wait for Gen . Buhari to empty the treasury. He initiated a presidential Committee headed by Chief Moshood Abiola, through which fund was raised to support the contingent. At that time, Omeruah supervised four ministries: Information, Culture, Youth and Sports.

Konyegwachie’s silver was a plus. However, athletics brought something new. For the first time, a medal came . In the men’s 4x400 metres relay, the quartet of Sunday Uti, Moses Ugbisien, Oluwarotimi Pe t e r s and Innocent Eg-

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

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Managing Editor, Business & Strategy n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor, Publication & Operations n Emeka Obasi

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

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Egbunike had raised all expectations when he beat Babers in the semi finals. In the early round, there was more than a bout of laughter when the Equatorial Guinean runner ,left his lane and moved into Egbunike’s, unaware of the rules.

In the 400 metres hurdles, Henry Amike was able to advance to the final, where he finished eighth. The medal in athletics compensated for years of finals without medals. It spanned a period of 36 years, from 1948 to

The import is that under Buhari in 1984, Nigeria was not disgraced at the Olympics

bunike made the country proud with a bronze. That would be the first time four teams ran under three minutes in one race.

In the 400 metres, the country did well even if there was no medal to show for it. Uti and Egbunike qualified for the final.

The former finished in the sixth position in 44.93 seconds, the latter was seventh in 45.35 seconds. That became the first time that six 400 metres runners finished under 45 seconds. The race was won by American Air Force Officer, Alonzo Babers[44.27 secs.], Gabriel Tiacoh’s silver in 44.54 seconds ensured that Cote D’Ivoire grabbed a first Olympic medal while bronze winner Antonio McKay, also of the United States made it in 44.71 seconds.

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

1984. Prince Adegboyega Fo l a r a n m i Adedoyin an Ijebu Remo Prince, Student in the United Kingdom ran under the Union Jack, since Nigeria was

a British colony at the time.. He placed fifth in the Long Jump.

The same position that embraced Karim Olowu at Melbourne ’56, Nigeria’s first Olympics . Wariboko West did a step better at Tokyo’64, he was fourth. In the 4x100 relay, Hameed Adio, Kayode Elegbede, Samson Oyeledun and Peter Okodogbe placed seventh at Moscow’80.

The import is that under Buhari in 1984, Nigeria was not disgraced at the Olympics. A first silver and a first Athletics medal showed that the regime was wise in engaging the services of the corporate world through Chief Abiola. Unfortunately, in 2016, the Sports minister was not interested in courting the business community. He did not even know

that there was need to fly the contingent as one on an aircraft.

Under Buhari, this country earned respect in sports all over the world . In 1985, the Baby Eagles won the FIFA Under 16 tournament. The first time an African country would win a FIFA organized competition. It was the Buhari government that renamed the team World Golden Eaglets. The Flying Eagles earned the FIFA- Coca Cola U-20 bronze after defeating hosts Soviet Union.

A year earlier, a Nigerian coach Adegboye Onigbinde had led the Green Eagles, captained

by Stephen Keshi, to a Nations Cup silver in Abidjan. Shooting Stars progressed to the finals of the Champions’ Cup. Today, under Dalung, the Eagles could not qualify for the Nations Cup, the Flying Eagles could not qualify for the Junior Nations Cup and to crown a bad tenure, Five –Time World Champions and defending Champions Golden Eaglets cannot even play in the continental championships.

We all know the role of sports in the country; our only language of national unity. As the Niger Delta creeks rumble and the Sambisa Forest tumbles, Nigeria could do with less friction.

Sports does not divide, it unites us. If the country is not doing well, Mr. Oresident should be worried.

Mr. Dalung has shown that he does not have the capacity to manage our sports. A man who could not attract sponsorship from the business community is bad business for sports. President Buhari should keep politics aside. This is time for Dalung to go. He could be redeployed to any other ministry.

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POLITICS

Chief Olayinka Amos is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State. In this interview, he speaks on the leadership crisis rocking the party at both the national and state levels and the state of the nation.

Wale Elegbede reports How do you see PDP’s inability to hold its convention last week and what does it portend for the party?

I am not really surprised about the convention not holding. I knew that it will not hold because there was no way you will expect injustice to thrive in democracy. Ali Modu Sheriff was on his own and they went and brought him in as PDP national chairman in an acting capacity. After bringing him in, they want to remove him. There is a process such much go through before you can do it.

The PDP constitution is there.

Follow what the constitution says.

It is not in the powers of anyone to tell him that he is no more our chairman because this is not a military government. We should operate the way democracy allows as this is not a jungle.

Some people are asking why it was difficult for to Sheriff to keep to the three-month mandate given to him when he was appointed.

It was difficult for him because it is provided for in the PDP conC O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

FRIDAY, august 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP’ll unite for 2019 – Amos

ing in, he is a new blood. Yes, Bode George has all these years dominated the affairs of PDP in Lagos State and there is nothing to show for it. Believe you me, that is why it is about time we allow somebody else to come in and add vigour into the whole process.

stitution how he will vacate. You just don't come overnight and say leave the place.

But he agreed to spend just three months. Why do you think he is reneging?

He is not reneging. There is a process. If you are in acting capacity, there is a process that you go through before you can bring another person in, it is not in a vacuum.

Given the crises rocking the PDP, do you think the party can make a comeback in 2019?

Why not, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has not been in power for long but Nigerians are already tired of them. If there is an election now, PDP will beat APC. Forget about the crisis, Nigerians are disenchanted with APC. Once there is election today, members of the PDP will unite. We are the same family, we have been in a situation worse than this before, we got over it, so we are still going to get over this one.

Don’t you think that Sheriff is trying to succeed himself?

The national chairmanship of PDP is not useful to Sheriff, believe you me. It is just that he is a member of the party and they brought him in an acting capacity, that is why he is there and he didn't go there on his own. Once the process is put in place and the constitution is followed, he will leave the place.

What do you think is really amiss in the party?

There is nothing amiss in the party. In a democracy, the minority will have their say while the majority will have their way. What is going on in Nigeria now is democracy under pressure because it is new to us, we are in the learning process, so that is why it is like that. With time, we will get over it.

The PDP in Lagos is factionalised.

There are the Salvador and Segun Adewale groups. What is your position on that?

Salvador and Adewale contested for the senatorial ticket of the party and Adewale defeated Sal-

of the values and norms of democracy, including the rule of law; the non-violent resolution of conflicts; and equality among citizens, beyond the limits of the state.

Creative Democracy: Creative Democracy is advocated by American philosopher John Dewey. The main idea about Creative Democracy is that it encourages individual capacity building and the interaction among the society. Dewey argues that democracy is a way of life in his work of “”Creative Democracy: The Task Before Us” and an experience built on faith in human nature, faith in human beings, and faith in working with others.

Democracy, in Dewey’s view, is a moral ideal requiring actual effort and work by people; it is not an institutional concept that exists outside of ourselves. “The task of democracy”, Dewey concludes, “is forever that of creation of a freer and more humane experience in which all share and to which all contribute”.

Deliberative democracy is based on the notion that democracy is government by deliberation. For a democratic decision to be legitimate, it must be preceded by authentic deliberation, not merely the aggregation of preferences that occurs in voting. Authentic deliberation is deliberation among decision-makers that is free from distortions of unequal political power, such as power a decision-maker obtained through economic wealth or the support of interest groups.

If the decision-makers cannot reach consensus after authentically deliberating on a proposal, then they vote on the proposal using a form of majority rule.

Radical democracy: Is based on the idea that there are hierarchical and oppressive power relations that exist in society.

Democracy’s role is to make visible and challenge those relations by allowing for difference, dissent and antagonisms in

Amos

We have been in a situation worse than this before, we got over it

vador. That is why they are afraid of due process; they just hid somewhere and wrote results. Let them vote if they want due process and see who will win. You don't just go somewhere and write results and say this is the man who won. We have been allowing it before but we are not going to allow it again.

What do you make of Mr. Jimi Agbaje’s challenge of Chief Olabode George for the PDP national chairmanship?

Bode George has been in PDP for some time, Agbaje is just com-

What is your assessment of the Muhammadu Buhari government?

The APC have good people to manage the country. Believe you me, there is somebody like Babatunde Fashola. I believe so much in him, he is an achiever, giving time, he would achieve, but what is wrong with the APC government is that President Muhammadu Buhari has a military background and he is in charge. Any advice they give to him, he would say no because that is the way military behave and that is why their government is in this kind of situation right now. The President should listens to the likes of Fashola, who are good materials.

For the love of democracy decision making processes.

Democracy all over the world should have the same principles and values and there is no way that Nigeria can be different. If Nigeria is said to be truly practicing democracy, the features stated here and more should be weaved into one to satisfy every reason why that system of government was chosen above the others. It must be seen to be creative-creativity on the part of the government and the governed.

Unfortunately, what the country has witnessed over time is the uncreativity of government where it loses all forms of creativity becoming a bully leaving the governed no room but to challenge that bullying. No government should see itself to be above the people- the electorate - unless that government is jettisoning democracy and taking a stand on dictatorship. However, there are problems that exist in democracies. In Nigeria, many abound. Some of them include: Insincerity and corruption on the part of those who have been elected to represent the people.

Over time, politicians have been known to go to the people with fine words of promises with which the people are swept off their feet, as soon as they get into office, the electorates are made to understand why their promises to them cannot be fulfilled because at the time they made those promises, they did not know the enormous challenges that awaited them. Before one knows it, these persons who cannot the reasons why they have been elected to represent the people become rich overnight.

The strong taking advantage of the poor and the weak: The weak here represent the many electorate that trust rather beyond thinking and reason that those who are go-

ing to represent them would go out there for the very reason they have been elected.

The challenge whether the poor should be allowed to represent the people or if the greedy rich should be given the responsibility of such representation: This comes down to whether timocracy should be chosen above popular democracy. The question that arises here is, if timocracy-a system where only the rich and wealthy is allowed to be elected for governance- should be instituted since it has been proven timelessly that the rich and wealthy do not always shy away from greed and selfish acquisitions.

There are the monstrous problems of tribalism and nepotism: As put forward

by Aminu Kanu, ‘Nigeria will know no peace until the son of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody.’

Succinctly, put, Aminu had witnessed how nepotism and its twin, tribalism had rocked the stability of the Nigerian polity and economy. And that evil is still with the Nigerian democracy to date.

Poverty: When there is hunger in the land and the economy continues to suffer free falls, if the people may give a thought to the worrying situation, they may care less about who lead them as their immediate concern would be to stay out of starvation regardless who is representing them Illiteracy: A society with a large size of its population such as in Nigeria is ready to accept whatever is thrown at them; they accept all without questioning. Where they attempt questioning the activities of the government, their ideas are based on spoon-feeding by the same government that is ever ready to capitalize on their thoughtlessness.

Religion: When the people become de-

spondent and hopeless and their trust has been broken by those they thought would solve every of their problems, they then go in search of the unknown for relief.

In this case, they become so religious in their quest forgetting that, they and only they have the answer and solution to their problem by demanding from their leaders through the legal processes and other characteristics of democracy put in place for that purpose.

How do we forge ahead and make our democracy beautiful and in tandem with universal norms and values? Education!

Education! Education! The masses need to be educated and enlightened about government and governance; they must understand that no government can survive without the people. When there is this establishment of mass education, then every other thing can follow such as the renunciation of self towards the success of the collective.

On the area of tribalism and nepotism, there should be the question of whether the small unit is better off the large unit and question such as the following should be raised at points of decisions: Should we agree to live together? What should be the yardstick for living together? Should we learn to trust one another? Should we not think fast enough because of our education and enlightenment to kick away every myopia that stagnate growth and development? Should we not believe in ourselves and by so doing such believe in self would be extended to others outside our comfort zones? What is there to afraid of if indeed we see ourselves as equal human with different abilities which can be used for the benefits of the collective?

17

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Arts

NAFEST: Chief executives of culture meet in Uyo

CULTURE

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A state’s troupe performing during National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST)

Agabi: We can’t forget our roots so completely

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legal luminary, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), has drawn the attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the need to give necessary support the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), so that it can effectively carry out its mandate.

He said the institute is one of Nigeria’s most important agencies, especially given the need for cultural orientation.

“We are a nation without roots because we despise our roots. We have complex whereas we ought to be a proud people.

You listen to radio, they are playing foreign music, you watch TV, there are showing foreign films, we bear foreign names

TONY OKUYEME Arts Editor tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

and it is a disgrace. Why are we still bearing foreign names? You go to church and they play foreign music and wear foreign clothes.

Of course we live in a globalised world and we must socialize but we cannot forget our roots so completely,” he said.

Agabi, who said this on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of NICO, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, at the NICO Headquarters, AbujaFCT, stressed that NICO’s existence is important to the country because of the role it has to play in drawing Nigerians back to their roots.

The legal luminary, however, lamented that despite the obvious fact that Nigeria’s greatest problem is that of inadequate cultural reorientation, government still does not pay adequate attention to agencies like NICO. “There are things that you should be telling Nigerians, and insisting on them. You should have powers to dictate to the television and radio stations, what kind of programmes they should show and to do that, we must go back to our roots.

He therefore encouraged the

We are a nation without roots because we despise our roots. We have complex whereas we ought to be a proud people

leadership of NICO never to relent in its efforts towards carrying out its mandate of cultural orientation, even if it does not receive the needed encouragement it ought to have from the government.

In his response, the ES of NICO, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, reiterated that the Institute, as an agency of government under the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, has the responsibility of sensitizing the citizenry on

Agabi

cultural matters.

He further disclosed that NICO came into existence in 1993 as an initiative of UNESCO and the Federal Government of Nigeria, because UNESCO felt many development programmes in member countries were failing because the cultural component of development was not taken into consideration and therefore saw the need for member nations to look at the centrality of culture in their development process, hence the establishment of NICO. He assured that NICO, under his leadership, will not relent in carrying out its mandate of reorienting Nigerians towards living a culture-oriented lifestyle, so that people will appreciate the country’s cultural diversity and their cultural endowments.

Agabi was accompanied to NICO on the courtesy visit by Martin Odey, Esq.; while Mr. Alex Omijie (Director, Orientation & Cultural Affairs), Mr. Law Ezeh (Deputy Director/SA to ES) and Mr. Herbert Ogbeh (Head, Finance & Accounts), were with the ES, NICO.

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ART

NAFEST: Chief executives of culture meet in Uyo ...seek strategies, instruments for administering culture

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head of this year’s edition – the 29th in the series – of the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST), scheduled to hold from 2nd to 9th October, 2016, a four-day meeting of the Chief Executives of Culture (CEC) of the Federation which began on Tuesday, 23rd August, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital.

The meeting which ends today is to assess the state’s readiness to host the festival this year.

No doubt, among key issues which they need to interrogate is how to reposition the arts and culture sector as one most the viable alternatives to oil.

In a letter of invitation addressed to the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, signed by the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Mrs. Dayo Keshi, the meeting, which is the second phase of the bi-annual meeting of the CEC will, apart from evaluating Akwa Ibom’s readiness to host the festival, also inspect facilities listed for use at “The Land of Promise”.

The Chief Executives of Culture will also use the opportunity to pay a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Emmanuel Udom, to intimate him on the economic and social benefits of hosting the festival, as well as perfect strategies and instruments for administering the rich and diverse culture of Nigeria.

The National Festival of Arts

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kome launches book on network marketing Tai Anyanwu

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Director/CEO of NCAC, Mrs Dayo Keshi

and Culture (NAFEST) is organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), as part of its programmes “dedicated to the development and promotion of the best of the living Arts and Cultures of Nigeria, using it as resources for National integration and Unity as well as to serve as catalyst for sustainable growth and development of the Nation.

It is arguably one of the major cultural festivals that serve as great platforms for mobilizing stakeholders in the arts and culture industry at which they interact, showcase talents and project the values of our heritage as well as develop the spirit of national identity and peaceful co-existence.

The Cultural fiesta... does not only serve as a platform for the exhibition of Nigeria’s Arts and Culture

“Towards meeting the challenges of our time, the Council is positioned more than ever before to deploy its diverse and rich arts and culture resources to be a spring board and an instrument for promoting national unity, national integration and an avenue for economic empowerment. The Cultural fiesta which attracts contingents from all over Nigeria does not only serve as a platform for the exhibition of Nigeria’s Arts and Culture but also provides a unifying link for the diverse ethnic groups in the country as evidenced in the transactions, friendliness and atmosphere of warmth which is always at play during the one-week event,” the council stated.

s part of activities marking his 50th birthday, Rev Dr. John Kome launched his book titled ‘Network Marketing –Solution to Poverty in Africa.

The book presentation was the high point of his golden jubilee celebration which was marked with pomp and ceremony to show appreciation to the giver of life.

The event, held at Star Diamond International Conference Center, Ojodu, Lagos, brought together friends, relations, associates and the network marketing community, to honour Nigeria’s pioneer network marketer.

Presenting the book, which he described as the first African book in network marketing, Kome said: “I want Nigerians, who have lost their jobs either in the banking, public or private sectors, to consider a business in network marketing.

“The book will help them. When they read this book, they will know what it is all about. Though it is not voluminous, it provides the basics. So, I enjoin all Nigerians to pick up the book, make sure that they read, understand it and get involved in network marketing.”

According to him, the business model has brought other benefits to the door step of Nigerians: “This business model brought in nutrition. A lot of people who would have been in the grave today are alive because they are using the nutritional products of these companies. They are healthy today.”

Earlier, a documentary that depicts the celebrant as a man of many parts, who got to the pinnacle of his achievements despite a besetting humbling background, was screened, setting the stage for the celebration.

Two Nigerians emerge winners in Cartoon Network competition Tony Okuyeme

T

wo Nigerians, 10 years old Tiffany Obasohan and 11 years old, Onyamaechi Christian Yobo, have been declared overall winners in the drawing and storyboard categories respectively in the first Cartoon Network Imagination Studios competition.

In the movie category, 11 years old Nyasha Mazarura from South Africa emerged the overall winner.

The brand new initiative from Cartoon

Network (DStv channel 301) is a specially-crafted, creative online platform, created to inspire, motivate and celebrate the wild imaginations of children. In its first year, the competition drew a total of 5,159 entries, with activations implemented in over 200 schools in Nigeria, which resulted in inspiring the creativity of 18,056 learners.

Cartoon Network Imagination Studios provided a sneak-peek into the “real” Cartoon Network Studios and the initiative encouraged children aged nine to 14

L-R: Public Relations Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria, Efe Obiomah; winner of Cartoon Network Imagination Studio Art Competition (Story Category), 2016, Yobo Christian Onyemaechi and Proprietress RosyLand School, Oshodi, Lagos, Uche Roseline Alisiobi during the presentation at the School premises.

years-old to explore their artistic talents via an online website, giving children insight into the making of their favourite cartoons, encouraging imaginative, unfiltered, creative thinking and providing the perfect constructive entertainment to combat boredom, while also having lots of fun!

“The website is an important milestone in the network’s commitment to helping children learn and develop their skills online – using the channel’s affinity with young audiences to do so,” says Pierre Branco, Vice President, Southern Europe and Africa for Turner International. “With Cartoon Network Imagination Studios, Cartoon Network would like to provide children with the unique opportunity to express their creativity through whichever medium they like best.”

After finding inspiration on the Cartoon Network Imagination Studios website, children had the opportunity to enter their own original, unique creations following a comedy and humour theme – be it a new character drawing, storyboard or animation into the Cartoon Network Imagination Studios competition, which had three different categories: Drawings, Stories or Films.

“I found the inspiration to draw my character called Natallie Gelato from the Gelato store near my

house where I love to eat,” says Tiffany Obasohan, winner in the drawing category.

“Natalie is a villain, with super brain powers and drawn in the shape of an ice cream cone.

She comes across as a very sweet girl, who is friends with Gumball’s sister Anais, but all the while she wants to take over Elmore with her evil powers.”

Nyasha Mazarura, winner in the movie category, says that her characters called ‘PB and J’, two Peanut Butter and Jelly superhero toasties, try to keep the evil, bad guy, Mr. Pepper-shaker, at bay in Veggie-ville, whilst he profusely tries to over win them by making them sneeze.

The storyboard winner, Onyemaechi Christian Yobo, illustrated a Spider Monkey vs Lion Lord, two extravagant characters fighting in a boxing ring, whilst Ben10 is in the audience watching the fight.

The winners in each of the categories walked away with some amazing prizes, some of which are a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1.

As part of their prize package the winner’s illustrations will be fully transformed, while getting the opportunity to see their creations come to life, as each winning project will be aired on Cartoon Network, DStv channel 301 across Africa mid-August.

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FRIday, AUGUST 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sex and Marriage

Feminique

20

22 top ways to find out before you say 'I do'

Diary of a dating xxxx

20

Anukam: My mom slowed me down Chioma Anukam was denied of every avenue to express herself when she was younger. Though she wanted to be a musician or an artist, she ended up studying Industrial Physics, to please her parents who wanted her to be a medical Doctor.

Happily married afterwards, she had to start all over again to obtain another degree in Business Management to please her husband. But unfulfilled after all the certificates, she found creative expression in Fashion Designing. In this interview with EBERE AMEH, Chioma advises parents to guide their children to follow their passion and not to kill it

D

espite working late into the night to complete a wedding gown that must be collected the next day, Chioma Anukam radiates contentment and peace.

Not even the fact that she had to rely on a generating set most of the time because of the frequent power cut in her neighbourhood could remove the smile from her face.

"That is what happens when you like what you do", she explains. "I work very hard but I don’t feel stressed up because I am passionate about what I do. I have this feeling of contentment when I make my customers happy. I’m a highly creative person and this is the only way, for now, that I give vent to my creativity,” Chioma enthused.

She had learnt to sew after her mother discouraged her from pursuing a career in music. At a very early age, she could not only sing beautifully but could write and compose excellent songs. But her mother, a Lady of St Mulumba and a devout Catholic woman, could not imagine her daughter half naked on stage in the name of entertainment.

"My mom cried when I told her I would want to be a musician.

Though she saw that I was doing well in music, she said that all musicians are wayward and that

EBERE AMEH ebere.ameh@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

I was bent on bringing shame and disgrace to the family.

I promised her I would stop everything about music when she started crying uncontrollably and inviting people to talk me out of it,” Chioma narrated.

Her attempt at painting was also not supported even though she could draw so well.

“Then, as young as I was, I could do abstract painting that come out colourfully well, and I could paint excellent portraits. It was after my West African School Certificate Exams that I decided to use the long break to learn to sew. Sewing was another burning passion that suddenly overwhelmed me. So much so that all the beating, sanctions and intimidation from my parents could not deter me. I had to work to earn the money I used to pay at the Fashion Designing School I attended. But even to allow me work was a big problem. I was beaten every day until they got tired of beating me.”

Part of that effrontery she confessed was because she was coming of age and most importantly, she got a supporter in her elder brother who encouraged her not to allow their parents to stifle her destiny.

The most caring of all the children, Chioma was pencilled down to study medicine by her Lecturer father, now late, but she ended up with Industrial Physics, where she came out in flying colours. To them, it is better and more respectable than Music or Fine Art. “I heaved a sigh of relief when I got married and joined my husband. I thought, now, I could do whatever I wished to do but no.

Just like my parents, he did not want to see any of those paints and brushes; neither did he support the idea of his wife sewing clothes. He convinced me to go

Anukam

I was beaten every day until they got tired of beating me

back to school and read Business Administration so I could join in the management of his company.

“Because I’m someone who puts in my best in everything I do, I came out cum laude but I was not satisfied. I felt unfulfilled.”

But one day, Chioma had to revolt, against all odds. Setting her certificates aside she dusted her sewing machine for work and that was how Silky Stiches was established. Gradually and steadily, even to her own surprise, she started having customers to the extent that she now makes clothes for most Nollywood stars.

“Fashion designing is a form of art. Fashion designing is pure art. You need to have a knowledge of fabrics and how to put these fabrics together, accessorizing it in a way that could bring out an aesthetically pleasing design that will be good on the wearer and good for the occasion in which it will be worn. With a wide range of materials, patterns and colours to choose from, it takes one with a creative ability to get it right.

“I use it to express my creative ability. I design a lot and having the ability to sew helps me to get it right. There is this indescribable happy feeling that swells in me whenever I finish a work and my customers like it,” she reiterated.

Despite her success, Chioma is not done with art yet. She plans to have an exhibition of her old paintings and the ones she is musing about and working on now.

“I plan to make some collages, a combination of different fabrics and in addition to my old paintings; I plan to have an exhibition one day. I would be travelling home

soon to bring my works here.”

Despite the trouble she had to endure to express her creativity, Chioma has vowed to support two of her children who are showing great interest in arts.

“I will never be a stumbling stone to their destiny. I encourage them to work hard and be the best in everything they set out to do. So far, they are good in both sciences and arts. I support them all the way. I encourage them when they have to participate in Art competitions in schools. If they want to become Musicians, Painters or Sculptors, whatever; they have my backing. One can succeed in whatever one sets out to do if one is passionate about it and is determined to work hard,” she admonished.

To parents who still insist that their children should go for Medicine and Law, she advised them to guide and not kill their children’s dreams.

“Parents are supposed to guide and not to kill the destiny of their children. It is wrong for parents to insist and push their children to do what they are not good in or passionate about. God that created them with such gifts and talents knows why. They are supposed to prayerfully guide their children, not stifle their dreams. If they must influence them to read a course of their choice, they should encourage them to develop their talents as hobbies. My parents only succeeded in slowing me down, I know where I would have been by now if I were encouraged,” Chioma noted.

20 FEMINIQUE

FRIday, AUGUST 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

22 top ways to find out before you say 'I do'

M

arriage is always a top priority with women. Whilst it is very easy to get into (just like love), it is extremely hard – and even impossible – in some cases to get out of. So you must make sure you choose the right partner. Here are some tips to help you decide.

1.Your future husband is not tied to the apron strings of his mother or family. Mr Wrong will always want you to be their slave so they can accept you.

2. Mr Right does not see you only as a sex machine. Mr Wrong wants to have sex 247. Even when you are down.

3. Mr Right makes your happiness his first priority. Mr Wrong makes his, not only the first but at times the only one.

4. Mr Right has eyes only for you and you alone. Mr Wrong is ready to chase anything in skirts. Even when you are with him.

5. Mr Right does not require you to constantly prove your love to him. Mr Wrong wants you to do that always. Even in some bizarre ways.

6.Mr Right makes future plans with you. Mr Wrong does not be-

Sex and Marriage Counselor drtaiwofadeyi@gmail.com

08033148899

Dr. Taiwo Fadeyi cause he has none for you.

7. Mr Right respects your saying no to premarital sex. No such consideration for you from mr Wrong. Premarital sex to him is the only way you can show you love him. And damn the consequences.

8. Mr Right respects you and values your opinions. Mr Wrong is always Right and you are always Wrong.

9.Mr Right brings out the best in you. Mr Wrong does not even try.

10. Mr Right makes you feel you are the most beautiful woman on earth. Mr Wrong feels that he is just managing you and there are better fish in the ocean.

11. Mr Right trusts you and the relationship. Mr Wrong does not. He is always jealous of your association with others. Especially males.

12. Mr Right will never lay his hands on you; no matter how mu ch you offend him. Mr Wrong is always ready to make you a punching bag at anytime T. Even in public places.

13. Mr Right enjoys being with you most of the time. Mr Wrong always prefers to chill out with the guys. Even when you are sick.

14. Mr Right will not want to test your fertility by getting you pregnant before your wedding.

For Mr Wrong, no way. You must test your fertility with him. Still that does not make you marriage material for him. In the long run, he might pressurise you to abort the pregnancy, or give birth to the baby out of wedlock.

15. Mr Right makes you feel secure. Mr Wrong does not care at all.

16. Mr Right calls you just to

Mr. Right is a cheerful giver.

Mr Wrong is a cheerful taker

say hello and find out how you are. Mr Wrong only calls when he wants something from you.

Money or sex.

17. Mr Right wants to show you off to his friends and family.

Mr Wrong hides you from them for as long as possible. If at all he does.

18. Mr Right wants a companion. Not so Mr Wrong. He wants a door mat, a slave and a sex machine all rolled into one.

19. Mr Right wants you to keep and save your money. Mr Wrong is always after you for a loan, which he never has any intention of paying back. He manufactures a fight anytime you ask for your money.

20. Mr Right is honest, truthful, has a good character, responsible and loves God and his fellow human beings. Mr Wrong is exactly the opposite and has a very sweet tongue.

21. Mr. Right is a cheerful giver. Mr Wrong is a cheerful taker.

He never gives.

22. Mr Right loves you and wants to spend the rest of his life with you. Mr Wrong does not. He is always looking for an escape route. He is ready to disappear at the slightest excuse.

Ego: Diary of a happening mom Ebere Ameh

W

hile we were busy having a nice time in Florida, my home was almost on fire, but Grace, the head of the servants, refused to bother us with a call; she handled the situation with grace.

In a bid to enjoy his new found holiday occasioned by our absence to the full, John, the driver, had brought in a young lady into the boys quarters where the domestic staff reside. Because they share a common sitting room, Blessing, saw them and reported to Grace. Instead of apologising, knowing that it is against the rules of residence, he called her bluff and stormed out of the house with his friend, but not without giving Grace a good dose of insults.

I deduced from Grace’s report of the incidence that her anger was more because he told her that she is jealous of his friend.

"He said that I'm jealous that he is dating another person instead of me. He doesn’t know that I don’t have time for poverty stricken folks like him. The day my boyfriend will come here, he will hide his ugly face in shame," Grace explained in anger.

Grace was also angry because of the saucy nature of the lady John brought. She was ready to engage her in a fight asking her to mind her own business.

“Imagine the foolish girl also calling me a house girl and asking me to mind my own business?

Well I let her know that I am John's boss and so his business's is my business as long as we are in this premises," she continued before I thought of how best to stop her.

“That was a good one Grace,” I commended her. You have shown that you can be trusted with some

Dealing with difficult domestic helps responsibility. Thank you for not creating a scene by engaging her in a fight her or fighting John when he came back. I assure you I will look into the matter and handle it amicably now that we are back.

“Meanwhile, please ensure the children settle down, while you arrange for their home teacher to resume as soon as possible. I don't want them to get too relaxed and forget their studies.”

Come to think of it, John insulted his colleagues, including his boss and walked out as if he had thrown in the towel. But he came back the next day boasting he could do anything. Today, he is here, working as if nothing happened.

Do I treat him as if nothing happened too? Do I pretend I didn’t know what happened and

let sleeping dogs lie? No, that would be undermining Graces authority and boosting his effrontery to do worse next time. Do I suspend him for some days and cut his salary for the month?

No, Doris just told me about the domestic staff that killed his boss in Victoria Garden City, for as little as a squabble over a salary raise. The rate at which such things happen is getting high by the day, and no matter the number of years the perpetrator is eventually sentenced, the boss is dead and will never come back.

I began to wonder if I should fire the stupid boy right away, but Danny reminded me that I should give him some time to change given the fact that he came through a reputable organization.

I will give Grace a raise for her maturity and warn John seriously.

I will tell them again, to marry if

they want but not bring in call girls and armed robbers into my premises.

Despite the little wahala, it’s good to be home after all. I can’t believe I’m so hale and hearty after just one week of going under the knife. I thought I’d be limping and slouching now but I’m almost as fit as a fiddle.

“Outside this little pain at the surgical site, I can engage in a sprinting competition with you,” I told Danny who was always calling from the office to urge me to take things easy.

“Ego dear, you know I’m not a sprinter like you. I’m dying to have a different kind of competition with you, maybe we should give it a try tonight,” he said, stifling a chuckle.

“No way until I say I’m ready.

That’s what Dr Scott said,” I reminded him. “So unless you beg me, I can decide to be ready in five months,” I teased and laughed over all his pleas.

21

friday, august 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Funmi Iyanda to host show on how to fix Nigeria

Entertainment music now all comers’ affair 24

Usain Bolt’s Fling, Jady Duarte, reveals details of their ‘Passionate & Hot’ night

STELLA MONYE

No, the sun hasn’t set yet on Stella Monye’s music career. In fact, the vocal powerhouse is constantly re-inventing and knows what time it is in showbiz. In this interview with Flora Onwudiwe, she highlights the industry’s critical challenges, how the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) is helping the profession, among sundry issues now, if there is anything like the dead seeing the living, he will be saying that I eventually went back to do what he had wanted me to do before he died and he will be happy.

You have been off the stage for some time. What happened?

Apart from the fact that I digressed into other things, of course, I have been on stage; I have been playing. I went to Delta State recently, the only thing is that I am not speaking on television to talk about it. But I play.

LANRE ODUKOYA COORDINATOR

lanreodukoya@gmail.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

You are presently studying Law at the Lagos State University (LASU). Why law? Was it to please your father?

Well I wouldn’t say that. I think, sometimes it is about you wanting to upgrade your-

self; there is nothing wrong in adding to your knowledge, and there is nothing wrong in expanding your scope in terms of what you know.

So I just see it as something that I could do and I know I would be good at it. I also knew that it would favour me in the long run, because it will add to what I have. So it is an advantage. Wherever my late father is now, he will be happy because we had a lot of issues concerning my playing music and those issues we did not resolve it before he died. So, I feel like

What is happening to the recording companies in Nigeria today?

Yes, for a while now we have had problems of not having professional recording companies standing.

It’s been Alaba International market which I believe is the biggest ring of pirates. So, it is unfortunate that we suddenly don’t have functional recording companies anymore; and because of that, the trade has become an all comers affair.

People just go and look for money to record, and it goes to the market. I mean those days it was regulated, you couldn’t just go into the market; you would go through a lot of audition, scrutiny and all kinds of professional information before you could go into the market. But now everybody just gets money and some pack up their businesses and go into music. It has become all comers affair; CO N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 1

it is unfortunate. I hope the record companies will begin to spring up again.

Stop praying, fasting for men, Halima Abubakar warns women

AU, AFRIMA Jury unveil AFRIMA 3.0 Nominees’ list

22

entertainment

friday, august 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Pman now has six presidents’ men. Who, unfortunately are all dead. Do you see it as a mistake in life?

I don’t see it as anything because nobody has ever been present in my life, and I never had anybody as important in my life. And those kids came and I just took it in my stride.

And I said God thank you. If this is what you have for me as a blessing; I took it like that. The men were not important to me like that. I just took the kids and I took care of them.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

What are the challenges you face as a female musician?

There are no challenges that female musicians face that other women in other careers do not face, whether you are a female lawyer, doctor, engineer, journalist, they all face challenges too.

You are a woman, sometimes people want to take advantage of you. So, that happens in all genres of professionalism.

Is any one of them taking after you?

Yes, two of them can sing very well and very talented. But I have not really gone out of my way to encourage them because I want them to know if they will really do it because it is not enough to have talent that makes you a musician; some people can sing, how do you fulfill it if not well directed? It becomes a waste.

You discovered your career during your secondary school days. Did your parents object to it?

My parents objected to it very strongly, they did not want it at all.

First of all, my dad sent me to the United Kingdom because he felt if he did that he would paralyze my passion for music. I came back to Nigeria forcefully to continue my music.

What other musical instrument can you play?

I started playing guitar and somewhere along the line I stopped, I am not a professional keyboardist.

You have been on stage for more than 30 years now. What’s been your favourite work?

I never had any favourite because I was not able to get to my limit. When we stopped having record companies, it became a problem. Some of us felt it was no longer business as usual, we had to go to Alaba and submitted to the traders or probably go and meet their group; probably to get your record being released, some will say you should go and promote it yourself, and promotion is expensive. So I wasn’t able to record many; I still have many songs piled away because we no longer had professional outlet to put our work. I really never had any favourite because I still was thinking those ones I have done were not my ultimate.

You are into a lot of things and the moment you concentrate on one the other suffers?

Yes, you just said it that the moment I start on one the other one suffers. I am into clothing too, I am a lazy dresser, so I make a lot of tops who are lazy dressers like me, who can just take a top and wear it on top of their trousers and off they go, so that is my line. I don’t really think that one suffers for one because I am a restless person and I like to be everywhere at the same time. So I try at my leisure to make those clothes.

I try at my leisure to play keyboard.

And I also try to sing. So I try to do anything that I want to do at any given time.

How many albums do you have to your credit and which ones were the biggest hit in the market?

I have six albums to my credit and the most widely accepted albums were ‘Ife’, ‘Oko Mi Ye’ and ‘Kilode’.

Were you inspired to sing the love song, ‘Oko Mi Ye’ because your close friend was having an illicit affair with your man?

No, the song was dedicated to my mother because when I sang ‘Oko Mi Ye’, I was still a young girl. I have never been married to anyone; ‘Kilode’ was inspired by a neighbour who was always nagging about her husband.

Because you draw inspiration from everywhere when you write a song, it’s either it affects you directly or it affects others; so it depends on where you want to draw your inspiration, I take my inspiration from everything that I see, I hear, I smell.

With the influx of western music, does your kind of music have space for the Nigerian youth?

The concept has changed. Nigerians are beginning to appreciate Nigerian music now. If you go to a club now before you will hear foreign music it will be old school; they play mainly Nigerian music. Now Nigerian music is going places even in the western world they play Nigerian music just like Nigerian movies too. So we are getting more appreciation now than we used to have, even though the people that are benefiting from it were not the people who started it.

You used to be a fantastic actress. Why are

Monye

you no longer acting?

I don’t know why people keep saying that. What happened was that I totally went into music and I really didn’t have time to act. And I am not one of those people who would want to lobby in order to participate in a movie. I am too advanced for that, I won’t do that. But in recent times, I have been approached by the Yoruba movie makers and I will be starring in one of their movies soon, some of them like Saheed Balogun, Jide Kosoko, and I am sure very soon I will be doing something with them.

It was speculated that you now worship with Hare Krishna and you are of a Christian background or are you confused or what?

You know people in Nigeria; they like to celebrate what they don’t know anything about. It is like you are working for Dangote and because he is a Muslim everybody that works there is a Muslim; that is how it is. I happened to be working for somebody who belongs to that kind of sect, especially in that kind of personal business. Because it is his NGO that I am working

for, somewhere along the line people started to spread rumour; they started mixing up everything upside down.

But it is alright; everybody has the right to go where they want. People worship where their prayers can be answered. So I was just working for somebody who belong to that sect and everything was misunderstood.

While growing up, who were those great artistes you admired mostly?

I think mine was more of admiration; I used to admire Tina Turner, she was my biggest idol. I felt she was a super strong woman and she was very talented. And she has this beautiful smile and I know she was my idol. But coming to Nigeria, I started idolizing Theo Dora Ifudu; she was unique in her way. There is something unique about her and her kind of music. I started saying that these women were talented I would one day want to be like them. Every talent wishes to be something some day; for those two women, I saw a lot of strength, talent, beauty and intelligence.

You are a mother of two from two different

What is the PMAN doing to tackle some of the challenges facing the Nigerian musicians?

We are having a lot of crises in PMAN; as at now we have six presidents in PMAN. And what happens when you have six presidents functioning at the same time. So PMAN is no longer what it used to be, they are not focused right now, so it’s not enough to help the industry, until things become regulated in PMAN I don’t think anything functional can come out of it.

You organised an old school party recently?

Yes, it was an amazing night, Charlie boy, Bolaji Rosiji, Tee Mac were there. A lot of the entertainment people in the industry were there. It was an award night. Posthumous awards were given to the entertainment writers people like Amadi Ogbonnaya and Macphillips Nwachukwu, both from the Vanguard Newspapers, Cletus Nwachukwu they had played major roles in the entertainment industry, Dan Forster, radio presenter. The four exPMAN presidents also got awards , Bolaji Rosiji, Charlie Boy, Femi Lasode and Tee Mac, it was a huge night and very entertaining, I had a lot of side attractions, I had young girls who performed only to dazzled the guests. I had a boy who came to do Michael Jackson, we had a quiz.

It was Stella Monye and the NGO, it was a purple evening because everybody was wearing purple.

entertainment

friday, august 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

23

Funmi Iyanda to host show on how to fix Nigeria

AU, AFRIMA Jury unveil nominees’ list T he African Union and the 13-man Jury of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, have unveiled the nominees list for the 2016 edition of AFRIMA, the continent’s leading music awards.

The highly anticipated nominees list for this year’s edition of the awards tagged AFRIMA 3.0., was announced to the world media on Monday, August 22, at the Protea Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos with live online broadcast. In attendance were officials of the African Union Commission, members of the AFRIMA Jury, members of the International Committee of AFRIMA, past AFRIMA winners and nominees, media executives and other stakeholders in the creative/entertainment industries of Africa.

According to the Moderator of the adjudication process, Mr. Mike Strano, about 2700 entries from African music professional were received during the period of May 20, 2015 to July 30, 2016. Describing the nominations process as careful and thorough, Mr. Strano harped on the Jury’s resolve to be fair and transparent.

“The Jury is very careful about being accurate right from the process of verifying eligibility of entries to the process collating and finalising results.

It is an evolving process but one we work painstakingly at to ensure transparency and fairness,” Strano explained.

Speaking further, Mike Strano, who is the Regional Director, Eastern Africa/Co-Producer, AFRIMA, said: “There are 34 categories of the award but only 10 are released today August 22, which are the Regional Categories. A new category introduced this year is the ‘People’s Choice Award’ which comes out from a healthy debate by the International Committee of AFRIMA and the Jury.”

The Best Female Artistes and Best Male Artistes of the five regions have been released while the nominees in the continental categories will follow suit seven days after.

Describing the jurors’ experience as rewarding, the Head, Culture Division, African Union Commission, AUC, Mrs. Angela Martins, reiterated the AU and AFRIMA’s objectives of unity among African artistes and the need for continental integration while celebrating its rich music and heritage.

She said: “The adjudication process was very rewarding and as one privileged to be part of the Jury, I was able to discover the widespread talents in the different regions of our beloved continent. Now, that the AFRIMA adjudication has been finalised, we expect that in the coming months, Africans will recognise these nominated artistes by putting in votes for all of them.”

One of the two jury members representing Eastern Africa, Mr. Richard Kawesa, a Ugandan, eulogised AFRIMA’s decision to digitalise its screening process for 2016. “In the past years, we were using paper to grade but now in 2016, AFRIMA has shown innovativeness with all of us making use of technology, laptops, tablets and mobile devices to screen and grade with ease.”

Public voting for the nominees in the different categories of the awards will open on August 30. In partnership with the AUC and the Official Host City, Lagos State- the AFRIMA 3.0 calendar of events for November 4-6, 2016 will include the Africa Music Summit on Friday, November 4, and the AFRIMA Music Village, an open concert-style festival featuring nominees and other top billed music stars. The grand awards ceremony holds on Sunday, November 6 with over 2,500 guests expected in Lagos, Nigeria for the various events.

N

igerian broadcast queen, Funmi Iyanda, will hold a special edition of her panel series tagged #HowToFixNigeria at the Africa Utopia Festival on Wednesday, 31 August.

The series is organised by the awardwinning broadcaster’s Oya Media in collaboration with the Royal African Society as part of the Africa Utopia Festival and will hold at The Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London.

The Africa Utopia Festival was conceived by the artistic director at the Southbank Centre, Jude Kelly and Senegalese singer Baaba Maal. It was launched in 2012, as part of the Southbank Centre’s cultural and artistic response to the 2012 London Olympics.

With a focus on gender inequality in Nigeria, the series features a brilliant set of panelists that includes Women’s

Rights and Social Development Advocate, Fatimah Kelleher, Technical Adviser, Women’s Protection & EmpowermentEurope, Asia, Caucaus & Middle East (International Rescue Committee), Dorcas Erskine and Nigerian novelist, satirist, writer and lawyer, Elnathan John.

Moderated by Funmi Iyanda, the event will focus on gender inequality in Nigeria, and look at the ways in which women and men are fighting sexism and patriarchal oppression.

On the focus of the event, Iyanda, who recently signed a management deal with Temple Management Company, explains: “It seeks to address the underlying causes patriarchy in Nigeria, the costs to nation building, prosperity and happiness of the populace and ways of dismantling structures of patriarchy in ways true to Nigeria.”

The series was conceived to bring together a broad range of speakers to discuss practical solutions to Nigeria’s contemporary challenges – and to definitively explore ‘How to Fix Nigeria’. A previous edition of the series held in March and featured Charles Soludo, Feyi Fawehinmi and Natznet Tesfay.

Stop praying, fasting for men, Halima Abubakar warns women N

ollywood actor, Halima Abubakar, has her reservation and it bothers on how her folks handle men.

She took to her Instagram page on August 24, 2016 and shares a post that reads unequivocally, “Some of you suffered longer than you had to because when a person showed you, you weren’t their choice you kept fasting and praying.”

According to her, “Prayer and fasting He is not for you give it up or is it by force ni? Hmm, use that time to pray for yourselves, na beg I dey beg una.”

Meanwhile, Halima has revealed she is not concerned about critics’ negative comments. On Saturday, July 20, the “Men In Love” actress disclosed that she just doesn’t care about what critics say.

“People always comment on most of my posts. You know Nigerians like to criticise whether they understand the language or not. I just want to believe that they just want to talk. I don’t want to talk about my post where I said that I was a virgin and couldn’t wait to have children. I posted what I wanted and that was it. I have been getting negative comments from people for over 13 years; I think my body is used to it by now.”

24

entertainment

How Selena Gomez’s coping after Justin Bieber’s Instagram drama

Gomez

T

he past couple of weeks have not gone smoothly for Selena Gomez. When the

friday, august 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Bieber

singer went up against her ex, Justin Bieber, on Instagram, she started a feud that has since taken on a life of

its own. HollywoodLife.com shares the exclusive details.

“Selena (Gomez) has thrown herself into work to help her forget about all

Usain Bolt’s fling, Jady Duarte, reveals details of their ‘passionate & hot’ night

J

ady Duarte, 20, is not holding back. The woman who Usain Bolt was spotted snuggling in bed with in Rio has revealed all the details of their night together — from the moment he approached her in the club to him paying for her cab the next morning.

“I really thought we had something going, but now I can see that he picks up women as quickly as he picks up gold medals,” Jady Duarte said in an interview with DailyMail, recalling their Saturday night rendezvous when Usain Bolt, 30, picked her up at Rio’s club, All In. “He stood in front of us and suddenly he pulled up his shirt and showed us his six pack.

I had never seen anything like it.

I just had to reach out and stroke it.”

Jady, 20, recalled she was so impressed by his muscles, she didn’t even realize it was Usain Bolt — or that he had a serious girlfriend, Kasi Bennett. He later sent his bodyguard to “summon” her, and Jady admitted she knew who he was, and her mom is a huge fan. She was hesitant at first, but then decided to go into his taxi with him where they shared “an incredible kiss.” They headed to the Athletes’ Village, where the security didn’t even ask her to show ID. “I was surprised that he didn’t take me to an expensive hotel but I didn’t pay much attention because we were kissing the entire way,”

she said. They also exchanged flirty texts via the Google Translate app since he doesn’t speak any English.

“It was mainly just small talk and him telling me how beautiful I was,” she said. “We used Google but I didn’t need a translator to tell me that he wanted sex. He played the Rihanna song, ‘Work.’ I think he likes to listen to it when he makes love.

It was very passionate and hot — we were devouring one another.

He has the body of a champion although his male parts do not match — he is just like a regular guy.”

Jady also recalled the night’s activities as “the slowest sex I’ve ever had,” saying it lasted about 40 minutes, rested, and did it again.

They then listened to music until 9am when he paid for her to get a taxi back. He didn’t give her his number, but promised to call for a date during the Paralympics, which starts September 7.

However, when the Whatsapp selfies hit the local tabloids, Usain fled to the airport and headed to London where he went clubbing again and took two women back to his hotel. As for Jady, a mother of two children — Joao Miguel, 2, and Giovanna, 1 — she had no idea he had a girlfriend, but isn’t surprised. “He’s a great looking guy, a huge star, but he is shameless. It was a good experience and the sex was good but now I just feel like just another one of his girls.”

the drama in her life,” a source tells HollywoodLife.com exclusively. What drama? Oh, that’s right, the crazy feud that’s been going on between her and Justin Bieber, 22, for the past few weeks! How could we forget! Poor Selena, ever since she voiced her opinion on Instagram about how she thought her ex was favoring his gal pal Sofia Richie, 17, over his fans, she’s been dealing with some serious backlash. The 24-year-old “Kill Em With Kindness” singer was frozen out by Justin, and that really hurt.

So what is she doing to get past the drama? “She has spent the last few days in Los Angeles taking meetings and

talking with her managers about what projects to tackle next,” our insider continued.

“Selena sees her passion for her career as a healthy escape from her relationship issues and other challenges she faces with her famous ex.”

“She is happy, driven and focused on making the right choice to keep her fans happy, maybe she’d be getting back in the recording studio, making another movie or signing on for a new TV project,” the insider said. “This week in LA has been about positive business moves for Selena as she keeps any negative drama out of her life.” Watch out world, and Justin, Selena may just be coming back.

25

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Agric X-raying CBN’s single digit interest rate for farmers

Business EXTRA BURDEN Nigerians’ cost of living could increase by additional N13.4 billion on account of a new telecoms service bill

Kunle Azeez

M

onthly phone bills incurred by telecoms consumers in Nigeria may soon increase by additional N13.4 billion to N287.6 billion if the current communication service tax bill being proposed by government sails through, New Telegraph has exclusively gathered.

The bill, which is currently pending in the National Assembly, has the central objective of imposing fresh nine per cent tax on telecoms services cutting across voice, data and short messaging service (SMS).

Telecoms subscribers currently pay a five per cent value added tax (VAT) each time they use any telecoms service.

By imposing additional nine per cent tax, industry experts say this will shoot the tax payable by operators and which they automatically pass on to the final consumers to 13 per cent.

With current subscriber base on all mobile network operators standing at over 149 million and average revenue per user (ARPU) is $6 (about N1,920), given the current exchange of naira-to-dollar of N320.

As at last June, the phone bills of telecoms subscribers across

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Environment Climate change: World Bank frets over water scarcity

Energy Editor

Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

L-R: Country Director, Water Aid Nigeria, Dr. Michael Ojo; Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Sesan Sobowale; International Chief Executive, WaterAid, Ms. Barbara Frost and Commissioner for Water Resources, Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Ghali Abdulhameed, at the inauguration of Water and Sanitation facilities constructed by Guinness Nigeria Plc in Gwam, Bauchi State.

various networks including the global system for mobile communications (GSM), the code division multiple access CDMA and fixed line networks, hit an estimated N287.6 billion.

Consequently, imposing additional nine per cent tax will translate into N13.4 billion extra spending on subscribers immediately the bill is passed into law.

According to findings, the government is projecting a monthly revenue of N20 billion monthly once the bill is passed into law.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the industry have reacted to the development, condemning the proposed bill.

Speaking with New Telegraph on the issue, President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, said the general rule of investment or

principle of investment is that institutional Investors will take their investible funds to countries where the tax rate is low or lowest.

“As we all know that Nigerian telecoms subscribers are already paying tax because VAT is embedded in calls made and data consumed. If the bill sails through, it would reduce the subscribers’ consumption of data and reduce length of a voice call, this will result in drop in revenue that would accrue to telecoms operators, which will in turn reduce the contribution of the sector to our gross domestic product (GDP),” he said.

Teniola also explained that with the bill, the return on investment (ROI) would be badly affected as a result of the above illustrations.

“Nigeria as a nation needs a lot of investible funds to build infrastructural facilities and provide employment for her teeming population and especially our growing

INFLATION RATE June 2016...............................16.5% May 2016............................15.6% April 2016..............................13.7%

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

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent Energy

Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Being the current subscriber-base on all mobile network operators in Nigeria

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

EXCHANGE RATE

WHAT'S NEW

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parallel Market August 19)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N395 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N510 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N440

l Foreign Reserves – US$25,631,801,057 as at 23/8/2016

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Nnamdi Amadi

149 million

youth. As we know that Nigeria’ telecom industry still needs circa 50,000 base stations to be able to improve on quality of service and to reach the unserved and underserved parts of the nation.

He said, “ATCON’s position is that whatever we are doing as a nation must not be done to deter investors from staking their hard earned money on the Nigerian telecommunications businesses, in other words, our policies must continue to be investment friendly.

“It has been established that revenue from voice is still significant and it must be stressed here that the investment that is required to deepen the penetration of broadband in Nigeria is much greater than the one we used to provide voice telephony.”

He called for the stepping down of Communications Service Tax bill so as to encourage investors and make the sector more attractive for foreign direct

Rates Dashboard

Taiwo Hassan

Chuks Onuanyin

30

Nigerians’ phone bills may rise to N303bn monthly

Adeola Yusuf Wole Shadare

29

(Interbank as at August 19)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N308 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N428 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N368

Source: CBN

1m policyholders in dilemma as insurers implement NAICOM’s directive

PPP: Developers deliver below 2,000 houses in 10 years

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BUSINESS |NEWS

REGULATION The law provides that the Commission should license all insurance product distributors/ retailers

Sunday Ojeme

T

he directive by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to unlicensed insurance product retailers to suspend operation may have put over one million policyholders in dilemma.

Mostly affected are mobile telephone subscribers, who purchased insurance policies through the various network providers.

Following the directive by the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Mohammed Kari, that such operation be suspended, the network providers and subscribers have no option than to put an end to the deal.

Giving reasons for the action in Lagos a fortnight ago, Kari said that insurance companies utilising or intending to utilise any institution, including banks, airlines, online or web-based aggregators, should ensure that the Commission duly license those institutions.

He warned that the Commission had resolved to ensure strict compliance and impose appropriate sanctions on erring insurance institutions.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

1m policyholders in dilemma as insurers implement NAICOM’s directive

According to him, all relationships the commission had hitherto accommodated where insurance companies paid commission/fees to banks for insurance transactions, referral or introduction in any guise is no more valid.

He said: “Licensing such channels is imperative to protecting the consumers and also to ensuring ethical and orderly practice and in further protecting the credibility of the insurance sector, which are the principal mandate of the commission.

“However, the employment of such channels can only be utilised if that institution is licensed by the Commission in line with the provisions of the

extant law.

“It is the licensing of those distribution channels that would authorise them to sell, distribute, refer or introduce insurance products through another licensed insurance entity to their customers and earn a fee or commission.

The ease and reward contained in the cover arrangement had propelled subscribers to register for the various product designs, thereby enhancing penetration and premium income for the industry.

New Telegraph recalls that virtually all the network providers, Airtel, MTM, Globacom and Etisalat, had one form of insurance product or the other

to offer.

Within the first six months of the initiative in 2014, no fewer than 600,000 policyholders were added to the industry.

The commission confirmed this when it revealed that 100,000 telecoms subscribers on the MTN and Airtel networks were buying micro-insurance products monthly.

With Globacom and Etisalat queuing behind Airtel and MTN, the client base crossed over one million from 2014 till date.

According to the arrangement, Airtel, for instance, offered its airtime-based micro-insurance product called Padi4Life in partnership with

L-R: General Manager, Marketing and Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho; General Manager, GOtv, Akinola Salu and Public Relations Manager, GOtv, Efe Obiomah, during the Press Conference on the launch of GOtv Lite aka Small Pepper, in Lagos.

Nigerians’ phone bills may rise to N303bn monthly CO NTINUED FRO M PAG E 25

investors.

“ATCON is working with other relevant agencies to increase the Foreign Direct Investment to the sector, which is highly capital intensive. This cannot be achieved if the government is considering introducing Communications Services Tax, which will deter further investments to be made.”

Also, National Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo said the implication of the introduction of the bill to end users is that against the current five per cent that is being paid as VAT, there would be additional nine per cent to be paid by the users.

He said: “In essence, you will have a tax of 13 per cent on telecoms services. That is against the spirit of the government on availability and affordability of service. It means if the service is available, it comes unaffordable due to the additional nine per cent tax and that has significant impact on the public.

“Only rich people buy recharge cards of N10, 000 and N20, 000 every moment. We have average Nigerian, who only buys N200 recharge card in a week or even in a month and it is programmed on how they want to do.”

FBN Insurance, while MTN offered its own insurance service with Mansard Insurance called MTN Y’ello Cover.

The Padi4life is a life protection plan available to only registered Airtel subscribers upon payment of a daily premium of N20.

It provides all Airtel subscribers the opportunity to take daily insurance cover for death and permanent disability to the tune of N500,000 for each Airtel line subject to a maximum of two lines.

The plan covers the life assured in the event of death and total permanent disability arising from both natural and accidental causes.

PPP: Developers deliver below 2,000 houses in 10 years CONTROL Govt to accredit, certify and rank developers for national housing scheme

Dayo Ayeyemi

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survey of Federal Government’s public private partnership (PPP) housing initiatives with developers in the last 10 years, which was supposed to produce about 20,000 housing units, has delivered less than 2,000, New Telegraph has learnt.

According to Housing Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, in Lagos, one of the developers who was contracted to build 1,000 housing units about four years ago only completed 88 units.

Laying the blame on many factors, Fashola said that apart from financing difficulties, there had been people who have

resorted to property development out of a survival necessity rather than out of any capacity or knowledge about the industry.

He said: “I recently received a letter from a developer who was contracted to build 1,000 units about four years ago and has completed only 88. He is asking to be bought out.

“We receive dozens of letters almost daily by people offering to build 10,000 housing units, (which seems to be the magical number some of these emergency developers favour), without being able to show to us where they have built 100 housing units.

“We get offer from road construction companies who want to build houses. The skill sets and logistics are entirely different, even though they both involve construction,” he said.

In order to differentiate between genuine developers and fake ones, Fashola stated that it has been agreed between his ministry and Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) that developers

that will participate in government’s housing scheme must be accredited, certified and ranked before participation.

The minister, however, expressed a contrary view on whether the government should leave housing construction to the private sector, saying that some of the private developers lack capacity for mass housing.

He said: “There is the view that government should get out of housing and leave it only to the private sector. This was one of the issues debated at an Abuja summit recently. What the proponents failed to show us was the proven capacity of the private sector on its own to meet the demand for housing and reduce the deficit.

“The successful methods in countries I have referred to show that government often leads the process first by policy and later by regulation and finally by empowerment and enablement.”

He disclosed that 24 states in the federation have granted the requested land to commence Federal Government’s affordable housing schemes in their

domains.

Due to huge housing deficit in the country, many scholars have urged the government not to get directly involved in construction of housing, but engage the private sector for effective mass housing production.

According to statistics from the United Nations (UN), Nigeria has a housing shortfall of about 17 million units with 72 to 102 million of citizens without access to decent housing.

It has also been estimated that 720,000 housing units would need to be provided yearly in the next 20 years to bridge the gap.

Industry estimates suggests that about 100,000 new houses are built each year in Nigeria, compared to the estimated demand of 720,000 units.

However, the minister has disclosed plans to build 360 houses in three states through public private partnership (PPP) arrangement in the first phase, to develop “Rent to Own” housing scheme for those who cannot afford mortgage and incorporate a new housing model into the National Building Code.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

LABOUR Labour laments delayed review of minimum wage PROTEST There have been series of protests across the country for the government to increase workers’ pay

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labour union, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) has condemned the committee set up by the Federal Government to work on a new minimum wage.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting of State Governing Council (SGC) of AUPCTRE FCT council, AUPCTRE advised the committee members to purge themselves of any interest that is not favourable to workers in order to hasten up the completion of the work.

The communiqué, signed

Zenith Bank promises job for top ICT graduates

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he founder of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, has promised automatic employment for any graduate with second-class upper division in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Ovia, who made the promise last year, has also redeemed the N16 million pledge he made to support the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) scholarship programme.

He said the scholarship will be awarded to five PhD students, 10 Masters Degree students and 20 undergraduate students across all categories of tertiary institutions in Nigeria and for students pursuing relevant courses outside the country.

He had promised that the Jim Ovia ICT Foundation would continue to support youth engagement in ICT, and continue to invest in untapped potential of the Nigerian youths, who have the capacity to compete globally if given the opportunity.

He said: “We support the use of ICT whenever and wherever possible to enhance the standard of living of the society and increase human efficiency. Our long-term goal is to put ICT into our education policy ensuring progressive and continuous learning.”

Speaking on the gesture, the President of NCS, Prof.

Sola Aderounmu, said that Ovia had empowered the society with the fund, which will be given to all candidates in November this year, adding that the donor would be at the event to present the cheques to the beneficiaries.

L-R: Branch chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Oyo State, Mr Kola Akosile; Manager, Operations, Environment Health and Safety, British America Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), West Africa Area, Mr Jide King; National President, MAN, Dr Frank Udemba Jacobs, MON; Oyo State Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Cooperative, Princess Taibat Adeyemi, during the trophy presentation to BATN, winner of MAN’s ‘Best Kept Industrial Premises’ award, at the 33rd Annual General Meeting of MAN, South West at Jogor Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State.

by the FCT Chairperson, Comrade Benjamin Anthony, and FCT Secretary, Comrade Sikiru Waheed, after the meeting in Abuja, also condemned the seeming factionalisation of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

It, however, pledged its unalloyed loyalty to the President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wab-

ba, and implored all unions and Nigerians alike to give him all necessary support in the interest of Nigerian workers and Nigerians.

The union also advised the Federal Government to take urgent steps to salvage the ailing economy as well as rescind its decision on the suspension of the tenure policy of the Fed-

eral Civil Service The communiqué noted: “The SGC-in-session commends the Federal Government for setting up the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS), but observed that much is still desired to sanitise the system so as not to use it as a conduit pipe to siphon the government

money and urged it to take necessary steps in this direction.’’

The union also condemned the recent move by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, to privatise Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and change its name to Federal Housing Company.

Proposed skills acquisition subjects in schools lauded

T

he promise by Edo State gubernatorial candidate of Peoples Democracy Party, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to introduce skills acquisition subject in schools has been commended by a cross section of the state’s indigenes.

The indigenes described the initiative as a project that is long overdue in the country after the failure of the 6-3-3-4 educational system earlier introduced by the Federal Government to promote skills acquisition among students.

Although they doubted the political will on the part of the PDP candidate to implement it if he eventually becomes the governor, they, however, agreed that such move would largely take care of the growing unemployment in the country.

Speaking to New Telegraph, a transporter, who plies BeninLagos route, Mr. John Omorodion, said only skills acquisition by youths could cut down the unemployment rate in the country.

Omorodion, a holder of Higher National Diploma in Art and Design, described himself as a lucky individual, who has been fending for his family from the skills of his profession.

According to him, Nigeria has transformed from a Father Christmas country to where individuals have to earn a living by working for themselves and no longer where people search for white collar jobs after leaving school.

He said: “The proposed pro-

gramme is very good and it should be taken seriously, and that is if he emerges the winner at the poll. I also hope it is not just another political statement that will vanish at the end of the day. If he is able to implement it I am sure we will witness a drastic reduction in the rate of unemployment among youths.”

Also, a Lagos-based businessman, Mr. Oseghe Michael, described the initiative as forward looking.

He said the idea of churning out students from schools only to become burdens to the soci-

ety was no longer fashionable.

“What matters now is what one can do to be self-reliant.

The earlier the better, if they acquire skills at secondary school level don’t be surprised that some of them can even see themselves through the university by engaging in that trade and going to school on par time basis.

“It is worth giving a try but the truth of the matter is that you cannot trust politicians.

By the time he gets there and becomes overwhelmed he won’t remember some of these prom-

ises,” he added.

This newspaper recalls that Ize-Iyamu promised to introduce new skills as subjects into the curriculum of secondary schools in the state so that graduates can be self-employed and earn a living rather than searching for jobs.

According to him, it is high time that income-generating skills like catering, hair dressing, plumbing, computer graphics and several others with which youths can employ themselves were made part of the school curriculum.

NDE trains more youths on landscaping

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s part of measures to get Nigerian youths employed, the management of National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has started training them on beautification and other forms of landscaping.

Last week, the agency commenced a three-month intensive training on Environmental Beautification Scheme (EBTS) for 25 unemployed youths in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

According to the Acting Director-General of NDE, Mr. Olakunle Obayan, the choice of specialised training on soft landscaping and hard landscaping was carefully designed to align the trainees with the current demands of the general economic activities of the society.

He said that the NDE would continue to evolve new

schemes in its various departments to combat the menace of unemployment in the country, adding that the training would also impact specialised and marketable skills on the targeted unemployed youths, better equipping them and enhancing their chances of being employed or becoming entrepreneurs.

He solicited for the support of stakeholders at the vanguard of youth empowerment, especially owners of medium and small businesses where the beneficiaries would be posted for training and the local authorities to see them as their own and join in nurturing and mentoring them to be fully established as entrepreneurs.

Also in Abeokuta, Ogun state, during the inauguration of the EBTS, he called on retirees and unemployed

youths to engage in training and vocational skills rather than search for scarce employment in the government and private establishments.

He said EBTS was designed to impact unemployed graduates and non-graduates with special skills in the building industry and environment beautification, such as hard and soft landscaping, production of interlocking stones, pavement slabs, horticulture, flower planting and grass spreading, among others.

He said: “All the NDE training programmes and services were carefully packaged to encourage selfemployment and wealth creation, which are relevant in the ever dynamic competitive labour market, and capable of bailing out the unemployed from the shackles of poverty.

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AGRIC

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Last week, the Bankers’ Committee announced a special intervention fund to the real sector at a single digit interest rate. TAIWO HASSAN explores how this fund could make a difference

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pecifically, the intervention fund would be channeled to the two critical sectors of the Nigerian economy - agriculture and manufacturing.

The banking watchdog had set aside N235 billion and N750 billion as intervention funds for the manufacturing and agricultural sectors respectively.

Rescuing the agric sector The CBN has been at the vanguard of promoting sustainability, food production and security in the country’s agric sector due to its various intervention funds, which are targeted at ensuring that the real sector becomes the engine room of Nigeria’s new economic revival in line with the diversification agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

For CBN, the agric sector remains one of the critical sectors in the country’s economy that can act as an economic game changer if well funded.

With drop in the prices of crude oil at the international markets in 2014, which also affected the country’s revenue base, the government was left with no other option than to prioritize agriculture so as to take Nigeria out of its economic doldrums.

Realising the crucial role agriculture plays in the country’s economy, the apex bank is one of the leading government agencies driving the growth and development in the sector by investing hugely through the floating of various agricultural schemes in the country.

CBN agric credit schemes The Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) was established by Decree No. 20 of 1977, and started operations in April 1978. Its original shares capital and paid-up capital were N100 million and N85.6 million, respectively.

The Federal Government holds 60 per cent and the Central Bank of Nigeria, 40 per cent of the shares. The capital base of the Scheme was increased to N3 billion in March 2001. The Fund guarantees credit facilities extended to farmers by banks up to 75 per cent of the amount in default net of any security realized.

The Fund is managed by the CBN, which handles the day-today operations of the scheme. The guidelines stipulate the eligible enterprises for which guarantees could be issued under the Scheme.

Between 1978 and 1989 when

Agric produce.

Inset: CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

X-raying CBN’s single digit interest rate for farmers government stipulated lending quotas for banks under the Scheme, there was consistent increase in the lending portfolios of banks to agriculture, but after the deregulation of the financial system, banks started shying away by reducing their loans to the sector due to the perceived risk.

Agricultural Credit Support Scheme The ACSS is an initiative of the Federal Government and the CBN with the active support and participation of the Bankers’ Committee – an association of chief executive officers of banks and other financial institutes that meets bi-monthly to discuss the state of affairs of the industry.

The ACSS, which has a prescribed fund of N50.0billion, was introduced to enable farmers exploit the untapped potentials of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, reduce inflation, lower the cost of agricultural production (i. e. food items), generate surplus for export, increase Nigeria’s foreign earnings as well as diversify its revenue base.

At national level, the scheme operates through a Central Implementation Committee (CIC) while at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and State levels, the Scheme operates through State Implementation Committees (SICs) instituted to ensure that the objectives of the scheme is realised without hindrance.

To access loans under ACSS, applicants (practicing farmers and agro-allied entrepreneurs with means) are encouraged to approach their banks for loans through the respective state chapters of farmers associations and State Implementation Committees.

However, large scale farmers are allowed under the scheme to apply directly to the banks in accordance with the guidelines.

ACSS funds are disbursed to farmers and agro-allied entrepreneurs at a single-digit interest rate of 8.0 per cent.

At the commencement of the

project support, banks will grant loans to qualified applicants at 14.0 per cent interest rate.

Accessing the CBN intervention fund from the commercial banks at a single digit would go a long way in driving Nigeria’s agricultural growth

NIRSAL The Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) was established to drive the apex bank’s sustainable financing of agricultural value chains in Nigeria.

The NIRSAL, an initiative of the CBN, the Bankers’ Committee and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development supports commercial financing of end-to-end agricultural value chains through a project management approach that emphasizes value for money, leverage, commercial viability and selfsustainability.

This initiative has rekindled the hope of Nigerian farmers and all agricultural value chain actors including input suppliers, primary producers/farmers, value-added processors of agricultural raw materials through marketers and distributors of agricultural commodities.

It covers all crops, livestock, fishery and poultry projects in Nigeria and it has a special bias for youth entrepreneurship in agribusiness along the entire value chain. NIRSAL, a $500 million (N100 billion) public private initiative, wholly owned by the CBN, was incorporated as a Public Limited Liability Company and licensed as a NonBank Financial Institution with the primary mandate of facilitating the flow of credit to agribusiness value chain players and collaborating with stakeholders to fix broken agricultural value chains in Nigeria.

Impact of single digit interest rate For agric stakeholders, the CBN single digit for the agriculture was another laudable step the apex bank is executing to assist operators in the sector and other operators who intend to go into farming.

Specifically, the stakeholders believed that accessing the fund from the commercial banks at a single digit would go a long way in driving agricultural growth and development in the country because Nigeria

needs food safety and security.

Speaking on the CBN initiative, Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Lagos State chapter, Otunba Femi Oke, said that the fund will bring out the best in intending farmers who have been having difficulties in securing credit facility from the commercial banks because of their cumbersome loan requirements.

He commended the apex bank for the credit facility scheme but advised the management of the CBN to set up monitoring committee that will ensure that the banks give the loan at the approved single digit and to genuine farmers in the country.

His words: “We (AFAN members) are happy with the CBN announcement to give genuine local farmers loans at a single digit interest rate. This is a laudable scheme that will help us and the country to accelerate growth and development in the agric sector.

“We are ready to work hard and serve Nigeria with more than enough food production for Nigerians and also to help the Federal Government to boost foreign exchange revenue through agriculture if the fund is available for us at this period we are driving agriculture to revive our economy back.”

Oke described the recent crash in the prices of crude oil at the international market as ‘divine intervention’ that pave the way for robust agricultural development in Nigeria, adding that there is need for strong collaboration between the government and other stakeholders with all interested groups to support farmers in order to boost their capacity as a way to ensure food security in Nigeria.

“If we are to achieve food security, then, all hands must be on deck to develop agriculture in this country,” he said.

Conclusion The CBN intervention scheme has been a source of inspiration to agric stakeholders but the single digit interest rate credit facility, would further gladden the hearts of farmers and encourage others to embrace farming. These concerted efforts would surely move the Nigerian economy forward.

BUSINESS \ AGRIC

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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NIRSAL to begin rail haulage for cattle, agric produce PROJECT The Nigeria IncentiveBased Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Stories Taiwo Hassan

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he NIRSAL has disclosed that plans are afoot to commence movement of cattle and other agric produce from the Northern part of the country to markets in the South by rail starting next week.

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, NIRSAL, Aliyu Abdulhameed said this in a statement at the launch of farm to market initiative through rail transport system in Abuja.

He that the government was considering various options to ensure that farming is given a facelift in its diversification agenda programme.

He said the scheme is inline with the Federal Government’s diversification agenda to pro-

L-R: Commercial Manager,West Africa, British Airways, Kola Olayinka; President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Chief Nike Akande and Director General, LCCI, Muda Yusuf, during a courtesy visit by the British Airways to LCCI head office in Lagos.

mote sustainable working rail network in the country and ease the pressure of transporting the animals through the country’s roads network.

He said: “The launch of the farm to market initiative is a tribute to the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari who made agriculture a central component of the federal government’s economic response to the steep and long standing fall in the

global price of oil.”

Abdulhameed said the project is a direct translation of President Buhari’s initiative of diversification from oil to agriculture and solid minerals.

He said that when the president talked on the diversification, it was the responsibility of agencies such as NIRSAL, CBN and ministries to initiate policies towards achieving the objectives.

NIRSAL is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria to promote the agricultural value chain.

He stressed that NIRSAL only guaranteed serious agric projects, which were bankable in terms of proven business viability, strategic economic relevance to the country and promotion of inclusive growth and equitable distribution of value so that farmers and other players got

the programme had been of great benefit to rural farmers to the extent that some now package their produce for exports.

She applauded the farmers for quick return of loans, which made her describe farmers as being credible.

The Lagos State Coordinator, RUFIN, Mrs Funmi Bello, also explained that with the programme, farmers have been trained on capacity building, link them to sources of finances, and as a result, have been able to expand their level of produc-

tivity.

RUFIN is designed to improve the performance of member-based non-bank Rural Finance Institutions to enable them develop sustainable Rural Micro-Finance Institutions in the participating states.

FG to continue rural finance programme funding

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espite the completion of its 7-year implementation time frame, the Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN) will continue in all the 12 participating states across the country, the Federal Government has said.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, disclosed this during a 2-day media tour to beneficiaries of the programme in Lagos.

Ogbeh, who was represented by his Senior Adviser on International Donor Partners, Appel Auta, said despite the fact that International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) had revealed its intention to stop financing RUFIN, the programme would continue because of its remarkable impact on rural farmers.

The minister said the reason for the media tour was to assess the impact of the programme on farmers and to ascertain reasons why the programme should continue after the 7-year implementation time frame.

In his own remarks, Lagos State Commissioner of Agriculture, Oluwatoyin Suarau, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya, said the Lagos State Government had approved the extension of RUFIN to two other local governments apart from the existing, Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry.

He noted that this is to ascertain the continuity of the programme if IFAD stops funding it.

On her part, the Deputy National Coordinator RUFIN, Mrs Ufaruna Uneku, explained how

Robusta Coffee: Staging a comeback into African market

R

obusta coffee is making a comeback in Africa, years after its production plummeted in the 1990s and early 2000s due to a fall in its price on the global market as civil war, pests and diseases affected some producing countries on the continent.

Production of Robusta coffee variety currently accounts for about 40 per cent of Africa’s total annual production, an increase of about 10 per cent from three years ago.

Prices have been on the rise in countries such as Uganda – the highest Robusta coffee producer in Africa — since May 2016 when a kilogramme went for $75.60, according to Business Week.

Robusta coffee prices have increased by 5.8 per cent globally so far this year, after years of lagging behind Arabica coffee, the world’s most popular bean variety.

“This season, I have earned more money than I always earn from around two harvests. Prices are

better and we have harvested more coffee beans,” Head a coffee farmers group in Central Uganda, Imelda Muwonge said.

The East African country – the second coffee producer on the continent after Ethiopia –registered a record 4.8 million bags in the 2015-16 season, a far cry from early 2001, when more than 50 per cent of the nation’s crop had been wiped out.

Ivory Coast, the second biggest Robusta coffee producer in Africa, recorded 2.2 million bags, which was the nation’s highest harvest in six years.

The West African nation, alongside South Sudan and Congo had seen their robusta coffee crops wither on the farms as civil wars took a toll on agriculture in previous years.

South Sudan reportedly shipped its first volumes of coffee production in October last year, marking it the first non-oil exports to come out of the country in over a generation, Sudan Tribune reported. *Culled from AFK website

better rewards for their efforts.

His word: “We take our mandate very seriously indeed and NIRSAL does not guarantee financing for unserious or poorly thought out projects. We ensure that every kobo committed to every project we undertake counts for the economy and the people of this country.”

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Connect Rail Services, technical partners to NIRSAL on the project, Edeme Kelikume, said: “We are proud to be partners with NIRSAL on this historic scheme that will take advantage of the low cost rail transport system for moving agric produce.

As the leading indigenous bulk freight and logistics solutions provider, we will commit our expertise and experience to ensuring that this scheme is a success.”

Agricultural Commodity Prices – Grains Commodity Wheat Corn Soybeans Soybean Meal Soybean Oil Oats Rough Rice Hard Red Wheat Spring Wheat

Price 407-6 328-2 1033-4 332.4 33.98 171-6 10.330 407-2 512-4

Change -2-2 -1-4 -3-0 -2.0 +0.06 -2-2 -0.045 -2-6 -3-2

Contract Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16

Time(ET) 07:28 07:28 07:28 07:27 07:28 07:28 07:06 07:28 07:55

Price 68.75 187.95 145.80 20.71 3063 323.30 0.0000 0.1924 3115.00 0.0000

Change -0.39 +6.40 -0.95 +0.17 +24 +1.80 -0.0220 -0.0020 +12.00 -0.0075

Contract Dec 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Oct 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16

Time(ET) 07:28 07:25 06:40 07:28 06:12 08/23/16 08/23/16 08/09/16 08/09/16 08/09/16

Commodity

Price

Change

Contract

Time(ET)

Live Cattle

117.125

+-0.625

Oct 16

08/23/16

Feeder Cattle

149.050

-0.500

Sep 16

08/23/16

Lean Hogs

58.850

-0.625

Sep 16

08/23/16

Class III Milk

17.16

unch

Oct 16

06:57

Softs Commodity Cotton #2 Orange Juice Coffee Sugar #11 Cocoa Lumber CME Coffee CME Sugar #11 CME Cocoa CME Cotton #2

Meats

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 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

APPREHENSION Report says growing populations, rising incomes and expanding cities will see demand for water rising exponentially Stories: Dayo Ayeyemi

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xcept communities take action to allocate and use water resources more efficiently, water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, could hinder economic growth, spur migration and spark conflict, a new report from the World Bank has said.

Key findings of the report revealed that water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, could cost some regions up to six per cent of the Gross Domestic Products (GDP), spur migration and spark conflict.

Besides, the report stated that combined effects of growing populations, rising incomes and expanding cities would see demand for water rising exponentially, while supply becomes more erratic and uncertain.

Unless action is taken soon, the report read: “Water will become scarce in regions where it is currently abundant – such as Central Africa and East Asia – and scarcity will greatly worsen in regions where water is already in short supply – such

A scene of flood in Makurdi, Benue State

Climate change: World Bank frets over water scarcity as the Middle East and the Sahel in Africa.

According to the report, such regions could see their growth rates decline by as much as six per cent of GDP by 2050 due to water-related impacts on agriculture, health, and incomes.

“Water insecurity could mul-

Anxiety in states over impending flood menace DISHEARTENING Eighteen dead, properties worth N700 million lost to flood in Kano state

N

ot less than 15 states in the country are currently griped with fear over impending flood menace, New Telegraph has learnt.

Some of the states, according to predictions from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in their 2016 Annual Flood Outlook released recently, include Taraba, Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Nassarawa and Kebbi.

Others are Edo, Imo, Delta and Anambra, Rivers, Bayelsa, Lagos, Sokoto, Kano and Niger.

The three agencies warned that this year’s flooding would be higher than that of 2015.

Head of Media and Corporate Communications of the agency, Felix Ale, while disclosing these, said the suspected areas were identified following a preliminary research and analysis conducted by the agency on flood prone zones.

Already, some of the states have ordered their residents living in flood-prone locations

to relocate in order to avoid being swept away by the looming deluge.

NARSDA, last week, said that some states in Nigeria might lose two million hectares to flood this year.

He said: “Based on satellite imagery from Nigeriasat-2, Nigeriasat-X and the shuttle radar topography mission, over two million hectares of land are at risk of flooding with potential impact on agriculture and settlements displacement.

Just penultimate week, no fewer than 18 persons lost their lives and property worth over N700 million destroyed by flood in Kano state.

North-West Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Musa Ilallah, said the massive flood ravaged the 22 local government areas of the state.

In order to avert flood crisis, Lagos State Government said it had embarked on measures to ensure that the reports of flooding in other parts of the country and adverse weather predictions by NiMET and NIHSA) did not impact negatively on the state.

Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, stated that predictions by these agencies had indicated that coastal cities such as Lagos

tiply the risk of conflict. Food price spikes caused by droughts can inflame latent conflicts and drive migration. Where economic growth is impacted by rainfall, episodes of droughts and floods have generated waves of migration and spikes in violence within countries,” will experience flooding, sealevel rise and tidal surges.

The agencies mentioned Ogun-Osun as one of the River Basins in the country that will experience flooding, warning communities in the adjoining plains to keep safe distances.

Allaying residents’ fear, the commissioner said that the government had embarked on massive clearing and dredging of primary and secondary channels/collectors in the state since last year, with the expansion of existing drainage channels.

This is to contain more storm water, lining of many earth channels to ensure flow efficiency.

Besides, he added that resident engineers/drainage maintenance officers in the state had been strengthened to oversee drainage matters in all the local councils.

Adejare advised Lagosians, who reside along flood plains, coastal and low-lying wetland areas near major rivers such as Ikorodu, Owode, Iwaya, Makoko, Badia, Ijora, Isaalu, Pota and Shibiri among others, to always be on the alert and be ready to relocate when the need arises.

He disclosed that the longestablished synergy and partnership with Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority had moderated mutual control and monitoring of the steady and systematic release of water from Oyan and Ikere Gorge Dams by the authority.

it stated.

The report advised government that improved water stewardship would pay high economic dividends when it responds to water shortages by boosting efficiency and allocating even 25 per cent of water to more highly-valued uses.

The World Bank noted that in the world’s extremely dry regions, more far-reaching policies are needed to avoid inefficient water use.

Stronger policies and reforms are needed to cope with deepening climate stresses.

Policies and investments that can help lead countries to more water secure and climate-resilient economies include better planning for water resource allocation, adoption of incentives to increase water efficiency, and investments in infrastructure for more secure water supplies and availability.

Group unveils ambitious strategy on safe water, sanitation

I

n a bid to achieve the vision for universal access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, WaterAid Nigeria has launched a five-year strategy to support the agenda for Nigeria by 2030.

The Vision 2030 for universal access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services is stipulated in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

WaterAid Nigeria launched its 2016 – 2021 country programme strategy recently–laying the foundation for the fifteen year path to achieving universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene for everyone in all locations in Nigeria by 2030.

Over the next five years, the organisation said it would focus on increasing citizens’ access to quality, equitable and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services built on a strong sector and engaged communities.

Speaking on the new strategy, WaterAid Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Michael Ojo, said the new strategy, though ambitious and challenging, the organisation looks forward to an exciting journey that will impact positively on child health, education, livelihoods, the environment and addressing poverty and inequalities.

“Our strategic objectives target strengthening systems

to reduce WASH sector blockages; empowering citizens to demand their rights and participate in WASH decisionmaking and strengthening partnerships to influence the WASH sector and increase access to sustainable WASH services.

“We will continue to work with the government, colleagues in the development sector and through our partners, to ensure universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene for all in Nigeria by 2030,” he said.

WaterAid International’s Chief Executive, Barbara Frost, who is on a working visit to Nigeria, added that: “WaterAid Nigeria’s 20162021 Strategy is a monumental and impressive roadmap to changing the course of history and reaching those who are poorest and most vulnerable in Nigeria with safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

“These life-saving and essential services are fundamental to both human and national development and delivering on them will transform the lives of millions of Nigerians.

“Achieving universal access for all in Nigeria is possible with the right political commitment, funding, collaborations and innovative thinking.”

31

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AutoBeat

Ford, Jose Cuervo team up Paul Ogbuokiri

F

ord Motor Company is teaming up with Jose Cuervo to explore the use of the tequila producer’s agave plant byproduct to develop more sustainable bioplastics to employ in Ford vehicles.

Ford and Jose Cuervo are testing the bio-

plastic for use in vehicle interior and exterior components such as wiring harnesses, HVAC units and storage bins.

Initial assessments suggest the material holds great promise due to its durability and aesthetic qualities. Success in developing a sustainable composite could reduce vehicle weight and lower ener-

gy consumption, while paring the use of petrochemicals and the impact of vehicle production on the environment.

“At Ford, we aim to reduce our impact on the environment,” said Debbie Mielewski, Ford senior technical leader, sustainability research department. “As a leader in the sustainability space, we are developing new technologies to efficiently employ dis-

carded materials and fibres, while potentially reducing the use of petrochemicals and light-weighting our vehicles for desired fuel economy.”

The growth cycle of the agave plant is a minimum seven-year process. Once harvested, the heart of the plant is roasted, before grinding and extracting its juices for distillation. Jose Cuervo uses a portion of the remaining agave fibres as compost for its farms, and local artisans make crafts and agave paper from the remnants.

Now, as part of Jose Cuervo’s broader sus-

Ford Ranger

5.9m vehicles from Volkswagen in seven months

T

he Volkswagen Group grew deliveries in the first seven months of the year by 1.3 per cent compared with the prior year: 5.90 million vehicles were handed over to customers worldwide from January to July.

787,300 vehicles were delivered in the month of July. “Deliveries by the Volkswagen Group in July almost matched the prioryear level and continued the positive trend for the first six months. The Group’s broad brand portfolio is proving to be a great strength”, said Fred Kappler, Head of Group Sales.

2.52 million vehicles were handed over to customers in Europe from January to July, an increase of 2.6 per cent compared with

the previous year. Group brands delivered 323,800 new vehicles in Europe in July (-4.7 percent). 2.14 million vehicles were handed over to customers in Western Europe in the first seven months of the year (+2.0 per cent), while 377,900 (+6.6 per cent)

2017 Volkswagen Tiguan

units were delivered in Central and Eastern Europe, with Poland and the Czech Republic reporting significant growth.

The company handed over 81,500 vehicles to customers in the North

America region in July, slightly down (-0.3 per cent) on the previous year. While there was strong growth momentum in Mexico, the downturn on the U.S. market continued in July (-5.1 per cent).

The macroeconomic situation in the South America region, particularly in Brazil, remained tense. 37,400 vehicles were delivered in the region in July – a decrease of 23.5 per cent.

Solid growth in the AsiaPacific region continued in July. Deliveries for that month increased by 11.6 per cent compared with the previous year to 311,400 units, of which 285,900 (+16.0 per cent) were handed over to customers on the Chinese market. 2.35 million vehicles were delivered in the Asia-Pacific region from January to July – an increase of 5.9 per cent on the prior-year figure.

tainability plan, the tequila maker is joining forces with the automaker to develop a new way to use its remnant fibres.

“Jose Cuervo is proud to be working with Ford to further develop our agave sustainability plan,” said Sonia Espinola, director of heritage for the Cuervo Foundation and master tequilera. “As the world’s No. 1-selling tequila, we could never have imagined the hundreds of agave plants we were cultivating as a small family business would eventually multiply to millions. This collaboration brings two great companies together to develop innovative, earth-conscious materials.”

Like Ford Motor Company, Jose Cuervo is family-owned and operated.

Founded in 1795, it has been making tequila for more than 220 years with the same experience, craftsmanship and recipes that have been handed down generation through generation.

The collaboration with Jose Cuervo is the latest example of Ford’s innovative approach to product and environmental stewardship through the use of biomaterials. Ford began researching the use of sustainable materials in its vehicles in 2000. Today, the automaker uses eight sustainable-based materials in its vehicles including soy foam, castor oil, wheat straw, kenaf fibre, cellulose, wood, coconut fibre and rice hulls.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, 5 billion metric tons of agricultural biomass waste is produced annually. A byproduct of agriculture, the supply of materials is abundant and often underutilised.

Yet the materials can be relatively low cost, and can help manufacturers to offset the use of glass fibres and talc for more sustainable, lightweight products.

“There are about 181 kilogrammes of plastic on a typical car,” said Mielewksi. “Our job is to find the right place for a green composite like this to help our impact on the planet.

It is work that I’m really proud of, and it could have broad impact across numerous industries.”

32

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

EXHORTATION “THERE SHALL BE NO COMPULSION IN [ACCEPTANCE OF] THE RELIGION. THE RIGHT COURSE HAS BECOME CLEAR FROM THE WRONG. SO WHOEVER DISBELIEVES IN TAGHUT AND BELIEVES IN ALLAH HAS GRASPED THE MOST TRUSTWORTHY HANDHOLD WITH NO BREAK IN IT. AND ALLAH IS HEARING AND KNOWING.” (QUR’AN 2:256)

IslamHajj 2016: Saudi envisages stampede, deploys 1 Dhu l-Kada 1437

UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH

Preparing for Eidul-Adha QUESTION

What are the tips for individuals, families and communities on how to prepare for Eid-ul-Adha

ANSWER

Eid-ul-Adha tends to fall by the wayside in terms of excitement and attention every year. But like Eid-ul-Fitr, this Eid needs planning and preparation as well to make it memorable and meaningful to all.

Here are some tips and ideas on how to make Eid-ul-Adha exciting, whether you’re on your own, with your family, or want to get the community involved: FOR INDIVIDUALS 1. Clean and decorate the home Make the house as spotless as possible. Since the weather is getting warmer, consider white washing the house and putting mattresses and bedding outside to air out. Clean out those hard to reach places (or the ones you’d rather forget about).

Then decorate with lights, banners, streamers, etc. Put an Islamic song on the CD or cassette player so you can sing or hum along while you work. The ideal one would be A Whisper of Peace which features the song “These are the Days of Eid”.

2. Cook for the occasion If you’ve been living on Halal takeout food, take note: Eid can’t really be special if you put no effort into it in the kitchen. Think about what made Eid special for you back home or when you were with your family. In many cases, it was because mom went all out and cooked up a storm the night or a few nights before for the occasion.

So use those pots and pans that may have been sitting idle in your cupboard and try your hand at making something easy but special.

You don’t even have to share it with anyone if you really think it’s a flop.

But at least it will give you a sense of accomplishment and if it does work out, it will add to the feeling that Eid is special, not just “another day off”.

3. Arrange a gift exchange with friends The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Exchange presents with one another, for they remove ill feelings from the heart.

(Tirmidhi).

CONTINUE Next WEEK

20, 000 officers, machines for emergencies ...highlights 13 probable hazards

NOD KSA approves emergency plan to stem death Adeola Yusuf

Deputy Governor/ Amirul Hajj of Bauchi State, Alhaji Nuhu Gidado, delivering a farewell speech during the airlift of the last batch of Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2016 Hajj operation, at the Bauchi International Airport … recently

K

ingdom of Saudi Arabia has said that it envisaged stampede and other emergency cases during the Hajj season this year.

About 2,236 pilgrims, including about 100 faithful from Nigeria died durin a stampede during the Hajj rites in 2015 and Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier, minister of interior and chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, who declared plans to tame such occurrence, maintained that the kingdom has approved the general plan for carrying out Civil Defense work in emergency cases during the Hajj rites.

The plan was, according to Director General of Civil Defense Lt. Gen. Sulaiman Bin Abdullah Al-Amr, based on studying and drawing lessons from the positive and negative aspects experienced during the past years.

Abdullah Al-Amr, lauded the efforts of the Kingdom’s government in serving pilgrims and providing all the required potentials for facili-

tating performing Haj rites in a peaceful and secure atmosphere.

Lt. Gen. Al-Amr said that over 17,000 officers and privates are participating in carrying out the general plan for emergencies in Haj with the help of 3000 machines and equipment. There is also a plan for supporting the Civil Defense forces with personnel from the regions in case they are needed.

With the approval of this plan, the Civil Defense have reached the highest level of

preparedness to counter 13 probable hazards through a number of Civil Defense centers and units in Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites, Lt. Gen. Al-Amr added.

He said that the plan was based on studying and drawing lessons from the positive and negative aspects experienced during the past years.

In another development, Lt. Gen. Khaled Bin Qarar AlHarbi, commander of the Haj Security Forces chaired the meeting for representatives of security development agencies

of the Ministry of Interior.

The meeting was held at the Command and Control 911 Center.

At the outset of the meeting, Lt. Gen. Al-Harbi said that this meeting comes in implementation of the directives of Crown Prince Muhammad to discuss passing a number of new security regulations, which will be implemented during this year’s Haj after being tested with follow-up by the Director General of Public Security Lt. Gen. Othman Bin Nasser AlMuhrij.

Jailbreaks: FG tasked to improve prison conditions

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he federal government should improve security at the nation’s prisons in order to forestall further jail breaks and loss of lives.

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), which made the call in a statement signed by its director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said that incidents of jailbreaks within the country are becoming rampant.

It reminded that “13 prisoners escaped from the Koton Kafe prison in Kogi State on July 29, 2016. Another 15 prisoners escaped from Nsukka prison on August 9, 2016, while an attempted jailbreak occurred in the Abakaliki prison on Thursday August 18, 2016”.

According to MURIC, the jailbreaks present a worrisome dimension to security in the country. It also blamed the trend on over-crowding of prisons and poor justice dispensation system in the country.

“The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is greatly worried about

these regular jailbreaks. They constitute an eloquent testimony to the porous nature of our prisons as well as the poor security arrangements in them. We lay the blame for the frequent jailbreaks squarely on the doorsteps of the Federal Government (FG), Nigerian prison authorities and the country’s slow, unresponsive and archaic judicial system.

“Poor prison conditions force prisoners to find alternatives to their predicament. Unfortunately the poor conditions are products of corrupt practices among prison officials. Prisoners are stinted of food while a large part of raw food supplied is diverted to private homes. Funds meant for the rehabilitation of prisons are siphoned to private bank accounts.

The trial of Imaobong Akon Esu-Nte, an accountant with the Nigeria Prisons Service and two others who laundered prisons funds is an eye-opener in this regard.

“Overcrowded prisons constitute a major cassu belli for jailbreaks. For example, Nsukka prison which currently accommodates about 500 inmates was built to house 180 inmates only. Enugu Maximum Security Prison, built in 1915 for 638 inmates now houses 1,800. Bauchi Prison which was established in 1820 with the capacity to cater for just 500 inmates now has 1,041. Koton Kafe prison in Kogi State built for 180 inmates now contains 263. Kaduna central prison, established in 1915 for 547 inmates, now has a total of 954 prisoners.

“The awaiting trial factor cannot be ignored in the issue of jailbreaks. Exempli gratia, only 82 of the 467 inmates in Minna old prison are convicts. The remaining 385 are awaiting trial. Also, only 104 out of 418 inmates in the new Minna prison are convicts.

The remaining 314 are awaiting trial. There are 774 awaiting trial inmates out of the 1,041 in Bauchi

prison. Aba prison is the worst as only 113 of the total 600 inmates are convicts.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that the above data is alarming. It is noteworthy that the mastermind of Abakaliki jailbreak has been an awaiting trial inmate since 2007.

80 inmates are allegedly insane in Aba prison due to overcrowding.

Under-aged inmates are kept with much older and hardened criminals for the same reason.

“Kazeem Sani spent 10 years in Kirikiri prison without trial on allegation of stealing a mobile phone valued N10,000 in 2006 He was freed this year (2016). Emeka Arum who was accused of armed robbery spent eight years in Enugu prison custody awaiting trial.

Kingsley Udenu spent 9 years in prison awaiting trial on allegation of armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms before he was set free in January 2016. What kind of system is this? Why does Nigeria’s culture of waste focus on its youths?

33

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Controversy

Crime

Police kill FRSC official’s son, weeks to birthday

34

Sacrilege Two held for burgling church, stealing instruments

Fraud Salesman ‘steals’ N20m, buys two trucks in six months

35 36

‘I opened Facebook account to lure ladies to bed’

• Suspect poses as bank manager to bait victims •Alleged to have raped several girls Juliana Francis

D

etectives attached to the Festac Police Station, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos State, have arrested a man, who opened a Facebook account, solely to lure ladies into bed and defraud them of their valuables.

The suspect, Faloseyi Oluwole, 30, also used to pose as bank manager, working in Abuja, to hoodwink his victims.

He claimed on his Facebook profile, that he studied at Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State. Meanwhile, he’s just a school cert holder. Police have described him as a serial Facebook rapist. Whenever he got what he wanted from his victims, he would immediately block them from his Facebook.

Oluwole, married, said: “I didn’t open a Facebook account to hurt ladies, just to get them as lovers.”

“My advice to ladies is that they shouldn’t love a man because of money. Materialism and love of money, is killing most girls that use social media.”

Oluwole’s modus operandi was to send friend requests to ladies on Facebook. Once any lady accepts, he starts chatting and wooing her.

The father of two would later ask the lady to meet him. He would take the victim to a hotel, have sex with her and later steal her valuables, including phones and ATM cards.

Already, five girls have fingered him as chatting them up on Facebook, soliciting for sexual friendship. He, however, admitted

JULIANA FRANCIS CRIME Editor

juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Oluwole on his Facebook wall

to have had sex with only two and stole from them. Police believed there are other victims. It’s also believed that Oluwole has other Facebook accounts, which police are still trying to locate. The present Facebook account he gave to the police, showed that he last visited his Facebook wall in June.

He, however, chatted on Facebook with Vivian on Monday. His Facebook account also showed only one friend.

On Monday, Oluwole told Vivian to meet him at a hotel in Festac. He didn’t know that the police and another of his victim, Atinuke, got Vivian to lead him into police net.

Police said he would be charged for rape and stealing.

The police added: “The suspect would be charged for rape. We

She showered and came to meet me on the bed.

We had sex without condom

would prove it in court. To have sex with a lady while impersonating or under false representation is rape.”

The suspect said he used to go to Benin Republic, to buy shoes and suits and supply to a waiting market. He explained that he decided to embark on the Facebook scam after his business nosedived.

After he opened the account, he discovered that no matter how many times he chatted with ladies and said sweet words to them, they wouldn’t take his profession of love serious.

He said that many of them would ask him, “So, you’re just a trader?”

He was troubled and discussed the needling problem with a friend. The friend showed him the way out.

Oluwole said: “Before, I placed trader on my profile as my job, but most of the girls I wooed on Facebook, didn’t care for a trader.

A friend told me that ladies prefer men working in banks or oil companies.”

Oluwole, who claimed to have opened the Facebook last year, later changed his profile, declaring himself a banker.

Oluwole’s met his waterloo after he lured a victim, Atinuke, to a hotel at Festac area, had sex with her and later stole her two phones, N7000, ATM card and wristwatch.

The police said: “On August 19, 2016, Atinuke came to the station, to complain about the suspect, Oluwole. On that fateful day, the suspect called Mercy, whom he met on Facebook, to meet him at a hotel in Festac. He said there was a birthday party. Mercy told him that she travelled, but would link him up with her cousin, Atinuke. Incidentally, he met Mercy on Facebook and had been wooing her. If not that she travelled, the birthday would have been the first time they would be meeting.”

Mercy linked Atinuke and Oluwole and they later contacted each other on phone. They agreed to meet at the hotel.

Atinuke came all the way from Iyana-Ipaja, to meet the suspect at Festac. He booked a room and had sex with her. All along, Atinuke thought she was dealing with a bank manager. Oluwole told Atinuke to give him her Personal Identification Number of her ATM (PIN). He said he didn’t have cash on him, but would transfer money into Atinuke’s account. He said that as a bank manager, it was easy for him to transfer using her ATM PIN. Atinuke fell for the ruse.

The police said: “After the sex, he said they should go to the reception to order food. While they were waiting for the food, he suddenly got up, told Atinuke that he wanted to greet the hotel manager, who was a friend. He left. When the food came, Atinuke told the waiters to hold on for the return of Oluwole. After hours of waiting, she went in search of him. When she got to the hotel room, she discovered that he had ransacked her handbag, taken her N700,000, her two phones, ATM card and wrist watch. One of the phones is Galaxy S5, valued at N200, 000.

Before that, when he was with Atinuke, he pretended someone was calling him. He picked his phone and made mention of huge amount of money, which CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

34

CRIME

Juliana Francis

A

grieving father has revealed how some policemen in Bayelsa State Police Command, killed his 17-yearold son and labeled him ‘notorious armed robber.’

The deceased, Innocent Kokorifa was allegedly shot and killed by policemen attached to the Anti-Vice Squad on August 18, 2016, at about 11:00am. Innocent was killed three weeks to his 18th birthday. He recently sat for his West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and was awaiting his result before his death.

The father of the deceased, an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Daniel Kokorifa, from Okpotuwari Community of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, said his world shattered after his wife called and told him their first son was shot dead by policemen.

The Officer in charge (OC) of the Anti-Vice Squad, allegedly labelled Innocent as armed robber after the shooting. He said Innocent was killed during exchange of a gun duel with policemen.

Family members said that the OC reportedly told them, "we got a tipoff that there was a robbery incident going on at Air Force Road, at about 11:00am. The men of the Anti-Vice Team swung into action and confronted the robbers. This led to a gun duel with the police and the victim was gunned down."

The police allegedly recovered a locally made gun besides the corpse of Innocent.

It was alleged that the O/C AntiVice on getting report that a criminal was gunned down at Airforce Road, and the corpse carried to FMC mortuary, went and carried out a search of the deceased. He claimed to have recovered wraps of Indian hemp in the pocket of Innocent.

Mr. Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine, of Faculty of Law, University of Uyo, has taken up the matter, demanding justice for Innocent, with support from Mr. Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer and Convener, Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (COHRD).

Effiong said his part would be to ensure that proper investigation was carried out on the matter and justice done.

Daniel, who is in his forties, was not a pretty sight to behold as he mourned his son. He wept uncontrollably. Innocent was his first child, among five kids.

Daniel said: “Innocent was a loving son. The kind of child every father prays to have. He neither smoked, kept friends, nor keep late nights. He would have marked his 18th birthday on September 9, 2016.

My son had no criminal record whatsoever and until his death, he was not of a questionable character.”

According to Daniel, on that fateful day, he received a call from his wife. The distraught woman told him amidst tears that police shot and killed Innocent.

He immediately instructed his wife to go to police station at Ekeki to inquire about the condition and whereabouts of Innocent.

His wife later called and told him that when she got to the police station, she cried out that police shot her son, but one of the policemen shouted and ordered her to stop saying that.

The policeman reportedly said: “Do not say police shot your son, so that police would investigate the mat-

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Police kill FRSC official’s son, weeks to birthday Father: Police told my wife to say, ‘bad boys’ shot our son

The late Innocent

ter for you.”

Daniel said: “They admonished and coached her, that if asked who killed her son, she should say bad boys shot her son.”

When Daniel got this information from his wife, he immediately left his post at Port Harcourt by night bus and made a beeline for Bayelsa. He got to Bayelsa at about 10:00 pm that same day.

He and his family went to Airforce Road, where Innocent was allegedly shot and saw a pool of blood.

On August 19, 2016, he returned to the crime scene and interviewed a woman he met at the scene.

The woman told him that men of the Anti-Vice Squad came out on August 18, and shot at an unarmed boy.

The woman insisted that the environment was peaceful and there was no cause for alarm until the policemen, who were in Jean and polo shirts came out and shot at the deceased.

She reportedly said: "The boy fell down and became still. The policemen prevented people from having a closer look at his corpse and threw it into their van and left.”

On hearing this, Daniel went to the office of Anti-Vice Squad, at Road Safety Road, but was told the man was not on seat. He was told to wait for the OC. After waiting for almost two hours, Daniel left and headed to Federal Medical Center (FMC) Yenagoa, where one of the medical doctors

confirmed that a lifeless body was brought to the Emergency Unit of the hospital by members of the AntiVice team.

The doctor told him that the body was rejected because the victim was already dead. Daniel also went to the mortuary, where an attendant told him that a body was brought in by members of the Anti-Vice Squad team.

Continuing with the story, Augustine said: “Daniel was told by the mortuary attendant that the police paid the first payment of the mortuary bill and signed the mortuary register at exactly 11:59am on August 18, 2016. Note that it took the police almost an hour to get the body to the mortuary from Okaka to FMC. The deceased was brought out by the mortuary attendant for identification after Daniel intimated him that he was the father of the deceased. It was noticed that the deceased was hit by a bullet which perforated his oesophagus.”

Daniel said that Innocent, on that tragic day, according to his wife, left home to visit his aunt, Miss Gbasiemokumor Lucky, residing at the street adjacent to their house. He left home at about 10:50am.

On inquiry from the O/C AntiVice team as to what led to Innocent’s death, the O/C Anti-Vice told Daniel that there was a robbery incidence at Airforce Road, Okaka. The AntiVice Squad intervened. In the course, there was exchange of gunfire which

led to the death of Innocent. A pistol was allegedly recovered by the side of the deceased.

Augustine said: “It should be noted that the police didn’t mention where or who was being robbed at the time, before they intervened.

Okaka Estate is purely a residential area. The O/C Anti-Vice did not state who made the distress call and what time the distress call was received.

He did not also say who the armed robbers’ victim was. The O/C AntiVice Squad also confirmed the incidence by saying that his men reported a case of robbery to him around 3:00pm and that one of the suspects was killed while two others fled.”

Daniel said that policemen used to come to that environment to harass and raid innocent civilians. Those arrested would later allegedly pay N15, 000 for bail.

Augustine said: “ What is more worrisome is that members of the AntiVice Squad are yet to be arrested or detained.”

He further demanded: “The police should publish the result of a ballistic test carried out on the pistol showing the last day it was shot. They should also publish the residue of gun powder on the victim’s body. The police should show the finger prints of the deceased on the butt of the pistol and on the Indian hemp. A pathological test should be carried out on the deceased’s body before he is buried to ascertain if there were traces of Indian hemp in his blood. The O/C Anti-Vice should provide members of his team involved to be detained immediately while investigation is pending.”

He also said that the police should provide details of the distress call they received on the fateful day of the incident.

He noted that residents interviewed said there was no robbery incident before the Anti-Vice men arrival. The residents further said that they heard only one gun shot, after which men of Anti-Vice Squad carted away the dead boy.

Reacting to the incident, the Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. Asinim Butswat, said that on that fateful day, acting on a tip-off, policemen from the Anti-Vice/AntiKidnapping Unit, went to an uncompleted building along Airforce Road, Okaka, Yenagoa, to arrest a three mangang of notorious armed robbers.

He said: “On sighting the police and in a frantic bid to escape, the robbers fired at the police. The police returned fire. One of the suspects sustained a bullet injury, while others escaped, abandoning one locally made single barrel pistol, one live cartridge, one expended cartridge and wraps of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.”

According to him, the wounded suspect was arrested and taken to the Federal Medical Centre, for treatment, but died few hours later. “The deceased suspect was later identified as one Innocent Kokorifa. Efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects. Investigation is ongoing, said Butswat.”

CRIME

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

35

Two held for burgling church, stealing instruments Endurance Evulukwu

T

he Lagos State Police Command has arrested two men for allegedly burgling a church located at Sabo Oniran, Ajagbadi, Lagos State and carting away musical instruments, valued at millions of naira.

The suspects, Mr. Tosin Adeyemi 22, and Mr. Chinedu Oledibe 39, were alleged to have burgled the church on August 16, 2016. The suspects however denied being culpable.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said the police were alerted after a church, located at Sabo Oniran, Ajagbandi, was burgled.

Items stolen from the church include amplifier, power mixer, keyboard, wireless microphone and others.

The police boss further said that immediately police received the complaint, they launched an investigation and traced the stolen items to Alaba International Market, Lagos. The suspects were later arrested.

Adeyemi and Chinedu

One of the suspects, Adeyemi, said that he was innocent of the charges leveled against him.

Adeyemi said that his only crime was in assisting some of his friends, to get a buyer for the musical instruments. He said he didn’t know the items were stolen ones.

Adeyemi said: “I met my friend, Samuel, with some other boy, on my way to purchase something at

Alaba Market. I know Samuel. We used to play football together. He asked me if I could assist in selling the items. I took him to Chinedu because my church had just bought some instruments from him recently. I figured Chinedu might be willing to buy the items from Samuel."

Adeyemi said he decided to assist Samuel, because he told him

that the instruments belonged to his church.

He said: “Samuel said that his church wanted to sell them, because they wanted to buy new ones.”

Buttressing Adeyemi’s story, Chinedu said that he purchased the instruments without receipt, because Samuel told him that the church misplaced the receipt.

Chinedu said: “I was in my shop when Tosin came with one Samuel.

I recognised Tosin because I have seen him often in the market. When I asked him for receipt, Samuel said that his church misplaced the receipt. I negotiated price with him and bought the items for N53, 000.

I was surprised the next day when Tosin came to my shop with some policemen, asking that the instruments be returned. He said he was arrested because of the instruments."

Chinedu was arrested for receiving stolen items. Owoseni urged members of the public to report cases and crimes promptly to the police, to enable them tackle the issues before them get out of hands.

He's serial Facebook rapist, say police

Atinuke

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

he promised to transfer to the person. Atinuke said that he used the ATM card to withdraw N170, 000 from her account, but the suspect insisted that he withdrew only N1, 000. Atinuke was stranded and spent the night at the hotel. A Good Samaritan gave her N700 the following day for transport home.”

When she got home, she called Mercy and told her all that transpired. Mercy tried to check Oluwole on Facebook and discovered he had blocked her. She went to his wall, discovered that he is friends with Vivian. The girls chatted up Vivian.

In the course of chatting, Vivian revealed that Oluwole had been wooing her too. She agreed to assist Atinuke and Mercy to arrest Oluwole.

nuke’s phone back. But Oluwole told them after his arrest, that he sold the Galaxy phone for just a paltry sum of N20,000. He kept the second phone at his house. Asked about Atinuke’s ATM card, Oluwole said he threw it away after he discovered she had just N1, 500 in her account.

Oluwole, who lives at Agbara, Ogun State, said: “I met Mercy on Facebook and started wooing her.

I told her I was in Lagos and that she should join me at Festac for a birthday party. Yes, I told her that I reside in Abuja and was working with a bank as manager. It was last Friday that I called her. Mercy said she wasn’t around. She promised to introduce her friend to me. She gave me Atinuke’s phone number.

“When I called Atinuke to join me, she said she would collect N30, 000. I

Mercy

The ladies went back to Festac Police Station and narrated their plan. The police agreed to work with them. Vivian chatted with Oluwole, wishing him happy birthday. He told her that he was in Lagos. He told her to join him at a hotel in Festac.

Vivian hired a cab and headed

Oluwole after arrest

to the hotel, while two policemen in mufti, on motorbike, followed. Oluwole was grabbed moments after he joined Vivian in the taxi.

The major idea behind tracking and catching Oluwole was to get Ati-

told her that N30,000 was too much. She said she needed to take care of her house rent and other stuff. She came that night. She showered and came to meet me on the bed. We had sex without condom. I told her that I wanted to transfer money into her account. She gave me her ATIM PIN. I told her we should go and eat. I pretended to lock the door and handed the key to her.

When we got downstairs, I told her I wanted to go and greet the manager. I went back to the hotel room and took her ATM card, phones, money and wristwatch. I later threw the ATM card away. She had only N1,500.

I didn’t withdraw anything. Not even N1000.”

Oluwole said that on Saturday, he went to Alaba International Market and sold the N200, 000 phone for N20, 000.

He said: “On Monday, which was my actual birthday, Vivian came online to wish me happy birthday. I told her I was in Lagos. I told her to join me at Festac that I would pay for her cab. I was trying to pay for the cab when police arrested me.”

He insisted that he had only carried out the scam on one Bose and Atinuke. He said that he collected N25, 000 from Bose to pay his wife’s hospital after she gave birth. He promised to refund the money, but didn’t.

Speaking about Bose, he said: “We met on Facebook and had sex.”

But when one of his Facebook accounts was checked, under the name of ‘Nipheme Ajanaku,’ it was discovered that he had carried out similar scam on one Joy Grace.

Grace wrote on his wall: “This guy is a thief. He stole my ATM and withdrew my money and later exchanged my ATM card with another person’s ATM this evening.”

Grace posted this on June 23, at 12:35am.

Atinuke said: “He said there was a birthday party. He said I should meet him at a hotel, located at Rasaq Junction, Festac. He told me his boss was the owner of the hotel. He also told me that he was a bank manager. When we left the hotel room, I personally locked the door and held the key. But he was able to enter the room and stole my things.”

Mercy said: “Oluwole had been chatting and wooing me for almost a year now. I didn’t fall for him because I don’t like bankers. When he asked me to a birthday party, I accepted. But on the day he called that I should join him, I had travelled for burial. I connected him to Atinuke.

After he stole Atinuke’s phones, he blocked me. He used to recharge his phones, to call and spend like three hours talking. I didn’t accept his invitation because of money, but because of the birthday party.”

36

CRIME

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

The suspected hijackers

We sell stolen items to Islamic cleric, says suspect Camillus Nnaji

A

suspect, who allegedly specilaised in robbing trailer drivers and kidnapping, has told policemen that he and his gang members wouldn’t have been able to sell off their stolen items, if not for the assistance of an Islamic cleric.

The suspect, Olarenwaju Gbadamosi, 33, is alleged to be the leader of the gang.

Gbadamosi was arrested along with Lukman Akinola, 33, Dele Rotimi, 37, Taiwo Olabode, 38, Uche Anthony, 27, and Taiwo Ayodele, 27.

He said that if not for the assistance of the Alfa, it wouldn’t have been easy selling stolen items.

He further said: “One of my friends invited me to Ibadan. He said he wanted us to think of the type of business we could do. We decided to start hijacking loaded

trailers.

We usually hide around portions of road with potholes. We know that definitely, trailer drivers would slow down on those areas. Once they slow down, we come out and stopped them at gun point. We sell the stolen items from such trailers to Alfa.”

The police said that Gbadamosi, with his partners in crime, were also into kidnapping. The police alleged that the gang has

carried out kidnapping in Ondo and other states.

The gang was arrested by policemen attached to Police Command Headquarters, Zone II, Onikan, Lagos State. They were grabbed while holding a meeting at a hotel in Ore, Ondo State.

The policemen were said to have stormed the hotel, after receiving tip-off from an anonymous source that the suspects used to meet at the hotel before and after operations. After the initial arrest at Ondo State, the policemen worked on the confessional statements of the first suspects and headed to Fiditi, Oyo State and Ogijo, Ogun State, where other suspects were arrested.

The Assistant-InspectorGeneral-of-Police (AIG) Zone II, Mr. Abdulmajid Ali, said: “On August 1, 2016, at about 1pm, members of a gang, which specialised in hijacking trucks at gun point, along major expressways, were holding a meeting in a hotel at Ore, when a team of operatives swooped on them.

The team arrested six suspects at Ore, Fiditi, Ibadan and Ogijo respectively. Two locally made short guns and a dummy one were recovered from them. The gang members have confessed to hijacking and robbing four trailers. They also confessed to have participated in series of kidnapping operations in Ondo and other states.”

According to Gbadamosi, he and his gang members had diverted two trailers; one laden with fuel and the second, loaded with goods. He claimed that his share so far, since he started the illegal job, was just N300, 000.

He remembered how the gang once kidnapped a woman at Ondo State for ransom.

His words: “My friend used his phone to contact her family after we’ve held her captive for some days. I was given just N120, 000 for participating in the kidnap.”

Salesman ‘steals’ N20m, buys two trucks in six months Camillus Nnaji

A

26-year-old salesman, Mr. Opeyemi Ajiboye, has been arrested by policemen attached to Area ‘J’ Command, Ajah, Lagos, for allegedly defrauding and converting N20 million worth of goods from his employer, Mrs. Agboola Adeboye.

The suspect is being detained at the Area ‘J’ Command Headquarters. The Area Commander is Assistant Commissioner of Police (ASP) Kayode Samuel.

Ajiboye was employed in March as a salesman at Moral Unique Enterprise, and was placed on a salary of N50,000 per month. His duty includes representing the company at the Ajah outlet and distributing cement to customers who had paid for their allocations.

Prior to his arrest, it was alleged that some customers who had paid for their allocations were not supplied the product. The aggrieved customers bombarded Adeboye for the supply of their consignments.

It was, however, discovered upon reconciliation of account that Ajiboye had allegedly converted about N20 million worth of cement.

According to the police, upon investigation, it was discovered that the man

had, within a period of six months, bought additional two trucks, to the two which he had before. Within the period also, Ajiboye reportedly bought three cars and built a house.

All the vehicles are now at the command.

Police said it was a case of criminal conversion and stealing of about N20 million.

“He was employed to represent the company at their Ajah outlet and given allocation to supply cement to customers. It was observed that he would pay some money into his accounts in two banks. He would also pay some amount of money into his madam’s account.

“When she gets alerts, she would give order for supply but Ajiboye would convert the product to some customers while withholding that of others. When customers started disturbing her that they had paid yet were not supplied, the woman called Ajiboye for account reconciliation. It was on that ground the fraud was discovered,” a top police officer told our correspondent.

But in his defence, Ajiboye told our correspondent that Adeboye’s friend begged him to work with the woman because she discovered he had many customers and had been in the business for a while.

Ajiboye said the shortages discov-

Lagos CP, Owoseni

ered were caused by customers who wanted to get more than what they paid for.

He said: “I have been in this business for some time. I bought my two trucks before joining her. I use the trucks for transporting cement to customers. I have been making money and I started building my house before joining her. I have savings and

do contributions.

“She only deceived me to get me arrested. She told me she had asked the customers to write statements on how they were going to refund the money.

We agreed we were going to Lekki, on reaching there she started beating me and tore my clothes. The next thing, I saw policemen who came to arrest me.”

BUSINESS | MONEY LINE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

37

Forex sanctions: Naira plummets to N410/$ on parallel market naira’s exchange rate, the President, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Aminu Gwadabe, said: “The suspension of some banks from transaction in the forex market has really increased pressure on the market.”

The Body of bank Chief Executives met in Lagos yesterday and agreed to partner with the CBN to resolve the forex issue.

In a statement issued on the outcome of the meeting last night, the Registrar/CEO of the Chartered Instituted of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Seye Awojobi, said that the bank CEOs said there was no concealment of funds.

According to the statement, the body, which was formed under the auspices of the CIBN, emphasised that it would work towards ensuring that the sanctioned banks comply with the directive of the CBN on the TSA funds as soon as possible, “to avoid negative impact on the economy.”

However, on the interbank market yesterday, the naira gained 0.2 per cent to close at N305 to the greenback with traders attributing the rise to central bank dollar sale to prop up the unit. The regulator has been sell-

VOLATILITY Dollar shortage worsens

Tony Chukwunyem

T

he naira was quoted at a record low of N410 to the dollar on the parallel market in some parts of Lagos yesterday compared with N402 the previous day, after the suspension of some banks from forex trading made dollars even harder to obtain, traders said.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) suspended nine Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) from forex transactions last Tuesday for failing to pay money owed to the government in line with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy.

One of the lenders, United Bank for Africa Plc. (UBA), was readmitted last Wednesday after making a payment.

Traders said the local currency fell due to the impact of the suspensions, compounding the dollar shortages that the country has been suffering due to the slump in the price of oil exports.

Commenting on the

ing dollars almost daily to boost liquidity.

However, currency forwards put the naira at N344.50 to the dollar in one months’ time.

Also yesterday, the

CBN settled $152.48 million of naira futures contracts it sold in June at an exchange rate of N279 per dollar, further draining its reserves, which is at its lowest in more than

B

udding entrepreneurs who attended the first edition of the Nigerian Small Business Summit in Lagos on Wednesday were warned to stay away from bank loans at the start of their businesses.

Managing Director of leading hotel booking portal Jumia Travel Nigeria, Mr. Kushal Dutta, gave the warning during a panel discussion on the science of Small and Medium Enterprises ( SME’s) success in Nigeria.

Dutta said seeking for Angel investors to sponsor start-up businesses and provide needed capital is a better alternative to approaching banks for loans, in view of the usual banks’ high interest rate and short repayment period, which might kill the business at birth. He also noted that approaching companies that might be interested in investing in scalable businesses was also effective, citing MTN’s investment in the

Jumia group’s business as an example.

On the viability of copying a successful business model, Dutta was of the opinion that it is absolutely not wrong to do so but the new business must ensure it is offering a proposition that the existing businesses are not

N

est Investments Holding SAL is suing Deloitte and Touche (Middle East) and its Managing Partner Joseph El Fadl for alleged negligence and deceit in their financial and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) audit of Lebanese Canadian Bank (LCB).

The bank is accused

by US authorities of laundering millions for drug cartels and terrorist financiers.

The claim was filed in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts on 19 July 2016 ac-

Tenor (Days) Call 30 90 180

TTM

Price 104.54 114.58 111.91 120.62 109.79 100.32 83.54 97.16

1.06 3.23 3.86 5.81 7.94 9.80 14.30 18.29

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.2500 8.2420 10.1127 11.7162

Bid Yield 10.45 10.54 11.61 11.43 12.23 12.43 12.49 12.54

Change (%) -0.21 ▼ -0.87 ▼ -0.90 ▼ -0.66 ▼

Change (%) 0.07 ▲ -0.01 ▼ 0.01 ▲ -0.01 ▼ -0.04 ▼ 0.04 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.06 ▲

Price 104.69 114.88 112.21 120.92 110.09 100.62 83.84 97.46

Tenor (Months)

Change (%) 0.07 ▲ -0.01 ▼ 0.01 ▲ -0.01 ▼ -0.04 ▼ 0.04 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.06 ▲

NITTY

Rate (%) 5.1731 6.4137 7.3300 8.8857 9.6247 10.5416

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Offer Yield 10.30 10.44 11.52 11.36 12.18 12.38 12.44 12.50

Change (%) -1.82 ▼ -0.82 ▼ -0.75 ▼ -0.32 ▼ 0.04 ▲ 0.04 ▲

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 30-Jun-16 7.59 7.34 7.47 -0.35 ▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 3.75 7.73 -0.35 ▼ 6-Oct-16 8.37 8.12 8.47 -0.24 ▼ Overnight (O/N) 4.25 8.74 -0.24 ▼ 16-Mar-17 9.40 10.32 0.04 ▲ 9.15 10.02 0.04 ▲

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.14

FX

Offer 199.24

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

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

196.00

197.00

cording to reports. This is the first claim of its kind to be considered by the DIFC Courts – targeting a leading audit brand for alleged negligence and deceit in their audit of a client bank that stands accused of acting as the financial arm for drug traffickers and terrorist organisations.

Nest Investments Holding SAL is a minority shareholder in the now-defunct LCB and is bringing the action with 10 other minority shareholders, including Mr Ghazi Abu Nahl.

Deloitte & Touche act-

A

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

0.00 ↔

demands cannot be met.

“If you know you cannot meet customers’ demand, do not expand because one happy customer will tell three people about your great product and customer service. But one unhappy customer will tell 50 other people about his dissatisfaction,” he added.

ed as LCB’s auditors from 1995 until the Bank’s liquidation. It remains the auditor in liquidation and the majority shareholders are currently renewing its tenure. The claimants say that the firm failed in their duty as auditors because Mr El Fadl’s team allowed its relationship with LCB senior management and majority shareholders to become compromised.

They say that Deloitte Middle East failed to adhere to Deloitte’s high global standards of integrity, professionalism and objectivity.

Atlas Mara to cut jobs, costs

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 June, 2016 26/07/2016 Mar 2015 25/8/2016 23/8/2016

FGN Bonds

already offering. This way, he said: “you can stay on top of your game and only expect that customers will come chasing after you.”

Amongst other practical business advices the Jumia Travel Nigeria MD gave, was a reiteration on the danger of expanding a business when customers’

Deloitte & Touche sued over alleged negligence, deceit

As at N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 16.5 14 10.77 US$48.29 US$25,631,801,057

But so far trading in the official foreign exchange market has been limited, as those with dollars prefer to sell them for a higher rate on the black market.

Expert to SMEs: Shun bank loans

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

11-years.

In June, the CBN abandoned its currency peg to the dollar, allowing the naira to weaken by 40 per cent in a bid to attract more foreign investment.

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -0.08 ▼ -0.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

tlaS Mara, cofounded by former Barclays CEO Bob Diamond, said it would cut jobs and costs as weaker African currencies and slowing growth caused a 71per cent drop in first-half profit.

Bloomberg quoted the company as saying that: “We have executed a group-wide cost-reduction programme to align our cost base with the current revenue environment.”

Headcount in its shared services unit would be reduced as much as 35per cent, which might cut operating expenses by

$8million from 2017, Atlas Mara said.

Atlas Mara is seeking to trim a cost-to-income ratio that climbed to 102per cent in the six months to June from 95per cent a year earlier as operating expenses accelerated at a faster pace than revenue. With businesses in seven African countries — including Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Rwanda — the company is struggling to convince investors of its strategy of building a bank spanning the continent, as growth across the region slows to a 15-year low.

JP Morgan to include Sukuk in indices

J

P Morgan is to include Sukuk in its emerging markets indices for the first time later this year. A total of eight Sukuk will be included in the indices in Q4.

The JP Morgan Emerging Market Bond Index (EMBI) was formed in the early 1990s after the issuance of the first socalled Brady bond. More recently, JP Morgan add-

ed the Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets (GBI-EM) series and the Corporate Emerging Markets Bond Index (CEMBI) series.

Sukuk from Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia will be included in the EMBI Global Diversified index while corporate Sukuk from Saudi Arabia and UAE (Dubai) will be included in the CEMBI.

38

BUSINESS |FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

25-Aug-16

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute professional, financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to date. We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information.

Bonds

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

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

Price

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

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

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

480.13 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 606.43 179.59 605.31 719.99 391.02 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 1075.92 250.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

6,330.16

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

5,693.93

Rating/Agency

Agency Bonds Nil

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Description

Issuer

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

FMBN

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

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

0.67 0.92 1.02 1.76 2.84 3.16 3.47 4.89 5.42 7.55 9.41 12.26 12.74 13.24 13.91 17.89 19.56

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

18.79 20.06 20.40 18.19 15.00 15.01 15.02 14.94 14.91 14.99 15.23 15.22 15.22 15.22 15.22 15.22 15.07

18.54 19.86 20.22 18.08 14.93 14.87 14.91 14.85 14.83 14.92 15.16 15.17 15.16 15.15 15.15 15.16 15.01

97.69 91.75 90.29 89.05 102.19 80.38 101.35 98.47 105.33 96.46 86.56 98.71 84.76 62.13 70.13 81.27 83.29

97.84 91.90 90.44 89.20 102.34 80.68 101.65 98.77 105.63 96.76 86.86 99.01 85.06 62.43 70.43 81.57 83.59

6285.155565

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

03-Apr-12

17.25

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

0.90

03-Apr-17

0.31

2.94

19.39

99.34

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

0.65 0.61 1.35 1.17 1.18 1.36 1.37 1.54 1.75 3.24 1.82 4.26 4.35 2.58 2.60 3.16 3.37 3.22 3.34 6.46 3.48

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

19.68 24.17 21.81 20.96 20.93 23.21 22.93 22.66 20.24 17.02 19.02 16.28 18.73 18.38 16.80 16.53 19.02 16.01 17.53 16.71 18.06

94.30 94.41 91.21 93.32 93.29 90.56 90.26 91.32 93.53 93.84 93.82 91.64 89.16 92.58 96.41 97.59 94.21 101.13 99.86 100.99 97.40

0.90

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

0.89

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

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

19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 31-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14 09-Dec-14 17-Feb-15 27-Feb-15 30-Mar-15 01-Apr-15 27-May-15

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 15.50 BAUCHI 9-DEC-2021 16.50 OYO 16-FEB-2022 16.50 BENUE 27-FEB-2022 17.50 PLATEAU 30-MAR-2022 17.00 KOGI II 31-MAR-2022 17.00 CROSS RIVER 27-MAY-2022

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

57.00 11.33 25.00 23.44 4.22 9.45 7.01 18.70 12.55 80.00 20.55 87.50 5.00 3.74 3.76 14.37 4.17 4.53 27.10 3.00 7.34

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

429.75 402.61

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

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

*TOWER # *TOWER

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

UBA *LA CASERA

*CHELLARAMS# #{r}

*DANA *FCMB

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.00 FCMB 6-NOV-2020 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

NAHCO *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC *FCMB UBA FIDELITY *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC STANBIC IBTC STANBIC IBTC *NMRC

15.50 TRANSCORP 4-DEC-2020 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 16.48 FIDELITY 13-MAY-2022 16.00 TRANSCORP 26-OCT-2022 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 14.90 NMRC 29-JUL-2030

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

13.00 14.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50 13.00 18.00

15.00 5.53 112.22 116.70 66.49 20.00 0.36

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

0.10 0.17 0.29 0.65 0.86 1.10 0.78

1.00 1.34 1.00 3.55 5.25 1.88 1.88

15.63 16.61 17.28 22.23 25.01 22.05 21.21

99.68 99.49 99.49 96.61 93.63 91.53 98.52

09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11

16.00 18.00

3.60 1.82

09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18

0.87 1.04

3.15 6.35

22.96 26.68

94.85 92.85

09-Sep-11 30-Sep-11

16.00 14.00

0.50 35.00

09-Sep-18 30-Sep-18

1.04 2.10

1.00 1.17

21.33 18.37

95.40 92.61

18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12

15.75 18.00

1.50 0.23

18-Oct-18 17-Feb-19

1.15 1.48

4.42 6.11

24.43 25.14

91.98 91.83

01-Apr-14 06-Nov-15 14-Nov-13

16.00 15.00 15.25

4.50 20.87 2.05

01-Apr-19 06-Nov-20 14-Nov-20

1.35 2.20 4.22

3.28 4.47 1.00

22.69 21.37 15.98

92.87 89.83 97.75

04-Dec-15

15.50

9.76

04-Dec-20

2.72

3.55

19.12

92.76

20-Nov-14 30-Dec-14

14.25 16.45

26.00 30.50

20-Nov-21 30-Dec-21

5.24 5.35

2.51 1.00

17.43 15.92

89.27 101.80

13-May-15

101.97

16.48

30.00

13-May-22

5.71

1.00

15.92

26-Oct-15

16.00

10.00

26-Oct-22

3.88

2.77

17.77

95.33

30-Sep-14 30-Sep-14

16.29 13.25

0.10 15.44

30-Sep-24 30-Sep-24

8.10 8.10

1.00 1.00

16.06 16.06

100.97 87.46

29-Jul-15

14.90

7.86

29-Jul-30

9.27

1.00

16.20

94.18

10-Oct-20

2.34

3.37

19.85

91.07

536.02

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

514.71

Sukuk *OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

1.46

1.00

17.55

90.85

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

*AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

2.69

1.00

14.20

93.72

Bid Price

Offer Price

BBB-/Agusto

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

14.75

9.02

9.02 8.22

Supranational Bond

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

24.95 23.04 Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($’mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

6.12

5.88

102.41

103.35

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.44

3.92

101.21

102.14

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.43

6.25

99.71

100.67

100.26

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,516.67

Corporate Eurobonds B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

6.94

6.94

100.26

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

21.79

20.69

79.75

81.04

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

5.99

5.99

100.00

100.00

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

7.73

7.73

96.50

96.50

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

22.48

22.48

73.03

73.03

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

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

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

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

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

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

16.21 14.58 16.17

16.21 14.20 16.17

77.00 81.50 72.50

77.00 82.63 72.50

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

12.23

11.76

84.88

86.63

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

3,150.00 2,714.15 Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Yield @ Issue (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

DTM

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Discount Rate (%)

18-Apr-16

11.00

16.80

18-Oct-16

54

2.03

17.13

16.71

Commercial Papers A-/Agusto

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PLC

UPDC CP 18-OCT-16

16.80

**TREASURY BILLS^ DTM 7 14 28 42 49 56 63 70

FIXINGS Maturity 1-Sep-16 8-Sep-16 22-Sep-16 6-Oct-16 13-Oct-16 20-Oct-16 27-Oct-16 3-Nov-16

Bid Discount (%) 15.06 15.13 13.89 16.15 14.25 13.08 13.92 15.22

Offer Discount (%) 14.81 14.88 13.64 15.90 14.00 12.83 13.67 14.97

Bid Yield (%) 15.11 15.22 14.04 16.46 14.52 13.34 14.27 15.67

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 18.1583 16.4521 17.7293 20.2207

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

16.83

Tenor

Closing Rate ($/N)

O/N

17.92

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

316.84 316.31 315.40 316.57 318.64 320.90

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 17.50 15.50

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

Agency Bonds Nil

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

FMBN

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

03-Apr-12

17.25

Value (₦’bn) 0.90

Maturity Date

(Yrs)

Premium (%)

Yield (%)

Modelled Price

03-Apr-17

0.31

2.94

19.39

99.34

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

0.65 0.61 1.35 1.17 1.18 1.36 1.37 1.54 1.75 3.24 1.82 4.26 4.35 2.58 2.60 3.16 3.37 3.22 3.34 6.46 3.48

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

19.68 24.17 21.81 20.96 20.93 23.21 22.93 22.66 20.24 17.02 19.02 16.28 18.73 18.38 16.80 16.53 19.02 16.01 17.53 16.71 18.06

94.30 94.41 91.21 93.32 93.29 90.56 90.26 91.32 93.53 93.84 93.82 91.64 89.16 92.58 96.41 97.59 94.21 101.13 99.86 100.99 97.40

18-Oct-18

1.15

4.42

24.43

91.98

0.90

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

0.89

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

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

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SELL OFF Equities market down by N172 billion

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 15.50 BAUCHI 9-DEC-2021 16.50 OYO 16-FEB-2022 16.50 BENUE 27-FEB-2022 17.50 PLATEAU 30-MAR-2022 17.00 KOGI II 31-MAR-2022 17.00 CROSS RIVER 27-MAY-2022

#{r}

# #

18-Oct-13

T

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

UBA reports N40bn H1 2016 pre-tax profit TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sukuk

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

U

nited Bank for Africa has reported AAA/S&P IFC N40.270 billion profit beAaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P *AfDB fore tax for the second quarter TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE ended June CAPITALISATION 30, 2016 as against TOTAL MARKET N39.046 billion posted the preRating/Agency vious year, representing an Issuer increase of 3.13 per cent.

FGN Eurobonds The bank in a filing with BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P the Nigerian Stock Exchange BB-/Fitch; FGN BB-/S&P also said its H1 2016 profit (NSE), BB-/Fitch; after BB-/S&Ptax stood at N32.621 billion TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE billion in in 2016 from N31.999 TOTALaccounting MARKET CAPITALISATION 2015, for growth of 1.94 per Eurobonds cent.

Corporate However, gross ACCESS earnings B+/S&P BANK PLC B/Fitch; B/S&Pto N165.580 billion FIDELITY comBANK PLC dropped B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC pared with N165.743 billion the B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC previous B/Fitch; B/S&P year, accounting DIAMONDfor BANKa PLC B-/Fitch; B/S&P of 0.09 per cent.

FIRST BANK PLC decrease B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II The Board of Directors, B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD B-/S&P ECOBANK NIG. LTD pursuant to the powers vested TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE in it by the provisions of secTOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION tion 379 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) of Rating/Agency Issuer Nigeria, declared a dividend of Commercial Papers N0.20/Share from the retained Supranational Bond (UBA)

A-/Agusto

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

39

earnings account as at 30th June 2016.

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 This will be presented to 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 shareholders for approval at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM). Payment of dividend is subject to applicableDescription withholding tax and payable to shareholders whose names appear 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 on the Register of Shareholders on 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 9th September 2016.

JUL 12, 2023bilUBA reported 6.38 N16.986 lion profit after tax for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 as against N16.956 billion posted the previous year, depicting 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 an MAY 09, 2018 increase of 0.18 per6.88 cent.

6.00 NOV 08, 2018 The bank in a filing with the 6.25 APR 22, 2019 Exchange, also said 2016 8.75its May Q1 21, 2019 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 Pre-tax profit stood at N18.083 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 billion in 20168.00/2Y from bilUSD N18.389 SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 8.75 AUG 14, 2021 lion in 2015.

Gross earnings also fell to N74.134 billion compared with N83.098 billion theDescription previous year, indicating a decrease of 10.79 per cent.

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PLC

was largely driven by activities in the shares of Diamond Bank Plc and UBA Plc. Also, The premium subsector boosted by activities in the429.75 shares of Zenith Bank Plc 402.61 and FBNH Plc followed with a turnover of 51.7 million 15.00 29-Sep-16 0.10 shares 5.53 in 450 deals.

25-Oct-16 0.17 112.22 08-Dec-16 Further analysis of 0.29the 116.70 19-Apr-17 0.65 day’s trading showed that 0.86 CAP 66.49 06-Jul-17 20.00 30-Sep-17 1.10 Plc 0.36 topped the day’s gainers’ 30-Nov-17 0.78 table per cent to close 3.60with 4.9809-Apr-18 0.87 1.82 09-Sep-18 while 1.04 at N28.66 per share, Con0.50 09-Sep-18 1.04 tinental Insurance Plc 2.10 and 35.00 30-Sep-18

15.75

1.50

Livestock Plc followed with 4.44 per cent each to close at 94 kobo per share apiece. Seven Up Bottling Company Plc gained 3.51 per cent to close at N113.00 per share.

On the flip side, Skye Bank Plc led the losers’ with a drop 1.00 15.63 99.68 of1.347.81 per16.61 cent to close 99.49 at 59 1.00 99.49 Dankobo per 17.28 share, while 3.55 22.23 96.61 gote Mills Plc shed 5.25 Flour 25.01 93.63 4.89 1.88 22.05 91.53 per cent to close at N3.89 per 1.88 21.21 98.52 share.

Dangote Cement Plc 3.15 22.96 94.85 6.35 26.68 4.71 per 92.85 trailed with cent to 1.00 21.33 95.40 close at N172.00 per share.

1.17 18.37 92.61

‘Second OTC FX Futures contract matures’

#

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

57.00 11.33 25.00 23.44 4.22 9.45 7.01 18.70 12.55 80.00 20.55 87.50 5.00 3.74 3.76 14.37 4.17 4.53 27.10 3.00 7.34

BUSINESS |FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

or 1.79 per cent to close lower at N9.403 trillion as against N9.575 trillion.

Meanwhile, a turnover of 215.3 billion shares in 2,939 deals was recorded in the day’s trading.

The banking services sec29-Sep-11 13.00 tor of the financial services 25-Oct-13 14.25 sector was09-Dec-11 the most 0.00/16.00 active 20-Apr-12 0.00/16.50 (measured 06-Jul-12 by turnover vol0.00/16.50 30-Sep-10 13.00 ume) with 115.2 million shares 30-Nov-12 18.00 exchanged 09-Apr-11 by investors 16.00 in 18.00 1,086 deals. 09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 16.00 Volume in the sub-sector 30-Sep-11 14.00

#{r}

BBB-/Agusto

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

Stock market sinks further on FX suspension

bank.

The suspension of these banks from forex transactions has increased pressure on the Stories: Chris Ugwu market, as most of the affected TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE he Nigerian stock banks shares have remained TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION market yesterday under sell pressure on the Corporate Bonds got a harder hit from equities market, as the sanc13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO sell pressure; second tioned bank executives move 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto; A-/GCR FSDH 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 Nil day after the central bank to resolve issue. ***LCRM 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 Nil 0.00/16.50 suspended nine banks over One of LCRM theIII 06-JUL-2017 banks’ fell the Nil 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR UBAof the non-remittance the most, shedding 7.81 per cent, 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR *C & I LEASING Nigerian National Petroleum followed that was MPR+7.00by DANAanother 9-APR-2018 Nil *DANA MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 A-/DataPro†; CCC/GCR *TOWER Corporation’s (NNPC) US$469 down 3.0 per cent.

Another MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 AAA/DataPro†; B/GCR *TOWER million. shed14.00 1.9 cent while two UBAper II 30-SEP-2018 A+/Agusto; A/GCR UBA 15.75 was LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Bbb+/Agusto†; BBB+/GCR† bank *LA The central on Tues- others down 0.8 per cent.

CASERA MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR day suspended two*CHELLARAMS tier one Consequently, the All16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 Nil *DANA 15.00 Index FCMB 6-NOV-2020 banks and 7 tier two lenders Share shed 500.51 baA-/GCR *FCMB 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO for failing to remit the Nigeri- sis points or 1.79 per cent to 15.50 TRANSCORP 4-DEC-2020 Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC an National Petroleum Corpoclose at 27,379.95 index points, 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 BBB/GCR *FCMB 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 A/GCR UBA ration’s (NNPC’s) $2.125billion as against 27,880.46 recorded 16.48 FIDELITY 13-MAY-2022 BBB/GCR FIDELITY to the Federal Government’s the previous day, while mar16.00 TRANSCORP 26-OCT-2022 Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR Treasury Single STANBIC Account ket capitalisation of equities IBTC 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR IBTC (TSA) domiciled in STANBIC the apex depreciated

by N5172 billion 14.90 NMRC 29-JUL-2030 AAA/GCR *NMRC

T

19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 31-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14 09-Dec-14 17-Feb-15 27-Feb-15 30-Mar-15 01-Apr-15 27-May-15

17-Feb-12 01-Apr-14

18.00 16.00

0.23 4.50

17-Feb-19 01-Apr-19

1.48 1.35

6.11 3.28

25.14 22.69

91.83 92.87

06-Nov-15

15.00

20.87

06-Nov-20

2.20

4.47

21.37

89.83

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

4.22

1.00

15.98

97.75

04-Dec-15

15.50

9.76

04-Dec-20

2.72

3.55

19.12

92.76

20-Nov-14 30-Dec-14

14.25 16.45

26.00 30.50

20-Nov-21 30-Dec-21

5.24 5.35

2.51 1.00

17.43 15.92

89.27

2.03

17.13

101.80 he second OTC FX Fu- amount on offer of $1.00bil- a total notional value of $26.73 13-May-15 16.48 30.00 13-May-22 5.71 1.00 15.92 101.97 tures contract, NGUS lion at $/N241.

In addition, the million.

26-Oct-15 16.00 10.00 26-Oct-22 3.88 2.77 17.77 95.33 30-Sep-14 16.29 0.10 30-Sep-24 8.10 and 1.00The CBN 16.06 also revised 100.97 AUG 24 2016, with no- CBN refreshed its quotes the 30-Sep-14 13.25 15.44 30-Sep-24 8.10 1.00 16.06 87.46 tional amount $152.48million published new rates on the exrates on each of the remain29-Jul-15 14.90 7.86 29-Jul-30 9.27 1.00 16.20 94.18 at $/N 310, matured and settled isting ing contracts whilst a new 536.02 1-month to 11-month conyesterday on FMDQ. tracts 12-month contract - NGUS JUL 514.71 as shown on the FMDQ The management of FMDQ website.

19 2017 - was also introduced.

OTC Securities Exchange “Over $2.40billion worth of The FMDQ posted 36.13 per 14.75 9.02 2.34 3.37 19.85 (FMDQ)10-Oct-13 in a statement made the OTC FX10-Oct-20 Futures contracts cent growth in fixed 91.07 income 9.02 available to newsmen, said in offered by the CBN, across all and currency markets (FIC) 8.22 line with the OTC FX Futures the tenors, with the profile of transactions in July 2016.

Market Framework and the the contract buyers including In a report obtained by New 11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 11-Feb-18 1.46 1.00 17.55 90.85 FMDQ OTC FX Futures MarAuthorised Dealers, Foreign Telegraph, turnover recorded 10-Jul-14 11.25 12.95 01-Feb-21 2.69 1.00 14.20 93.72 ket Operational Standards, Portfolio Investors and importin the OTC market for July 24.95 trading on the NGUS AUG 24 ers, among others, have been 2016 was N12.74 trillion, 36.13 23.04 2016 contract ceased on Tues- traded. per cent higher than the value Outstanding Value Issue Date Coupon (%) was Maturity Date increase Bid Yield (%)inOfferrecorded Yield (%) Bid day, August 16, 2016, and “The significant inPrice June. Offer Price ($’mm) valued yesterday by FMDQ turnover clearly showed the reActivities in the Treasury Prices & Yields against 07-Oct-11 the Nigerian ceptiveness of the transaction bills (T.bills) market remained 6.75 Inter500.00 28-Jan-21 6.12 5.88 102.41 103.35 Bank Foreign Exchange Fixing counterparties and end-users dominant, accounting for 33.62 12-Jul-13 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.44 3.92 101.21 102.14 (NIFEX) Spot rate. to the product. per cent (June – 38.14 per cent) 12-Jul-13 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 6.43 99.71 6.25 total turnover while 100.67 The Securities Exchange “The Naira-settled OTC FX of Sesaid clearing operations 1,500.00 Futures product has continued cured Money Market (Repurand settlement for the final 1,516.67 to pave the way for corporates chase Agreements (Repos)/ amounts were effected through to enhance business planning Buy-Backs) logged in second, the Nigeria Inter-Bank whilst effectively their accounting per cent 25-Jul-12 7.25Settle350.00 25-Jul-17 hedging 6.94 6.94 100.26for 31.02 100.26 09-May-13 6.88 300.00 02-May-18 21.79con20.69 79.75 per cent) 81.04 ment System Plc (NIBSS), in FX risk, even as the CBN (June – 26.50 08-Nov-13 6.00 400.00 08-Nov-18 5.99 5.99 100.00 100.00 its capacity as the FMDQ-destinues to position and empower Total Foreign Exchange (FX) 22-Apr-14 6.25 500.00 22-Apr-19 7.73 7.73 96.50 96.50 ignated Clearing Agent for the stakeholders towards a vibrant market transactions accounted 21-May-14 8.75 200.00 21-May-19 22.48 22.48 73.03 73.03 07-Aug-13 8.25 300.00 16.21 16.21 27.52 per 77.00 cent (June 77.00 margining and settlement of FX market.”07-Aug-20 for – 26.07 24-Jun-14 9.25 400.00 24-Jun-21 14.58 14.20 81.50 82.63 the OTC 23-Jul-14 FX Futures contracts.

The first Naira-settled OTC per while FGN2 bonds 8.00 450.00 23-Jul-21 16.17 16.17 cent),72.50 72.50 14-Aug-14 250.00Futures14-Aug-21 11.76 84.88 86.63 FMDQ said:“The 8.75 August FX contract - 12.23 NGUS and Unsecured Placements/ 24, 2016 matured contract was 3,150.00 JUL 27 2016 priced at $/N279.00 Takings accounted for 3.79 per replaced by the Central Bank 2,714.15 had matured in the month of cent (June – 4.85 per cent), and Risk per cent (June – 4.34 per of Nigeria (CBN) with a new Outstanding July with a total settlement 3.99 Valuation DTM Issue Date Yield @ Issue (%) Maturity Date Discount Rate (%) (₦’bn) 12-month contract, NGUS Value amount of N962.23 million Premium cent) of Yield the(%)total turnover re(%) AUG 16 2017, with a notional paid out to counterparties on spectively.

UPDC CP 18-OCT-16

#

18-Apr-16

11.00

16.80

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

18-Oct-16

54

16.71

25-Aug-16

16.80

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute professional, financial or investment advice.

We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to date. Money We doMarket not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, **TREASURY BILLS^ FIXINGS Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) performance orDTM fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information,Bid neither do we accept liability Offer for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information.

Maturity Discount (%) Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) 7 14 FGN Bonds 28 42 49 Rating/Agency 56 63 70 84 98 105 112 126 133 147 161 175 182 189 203 210 224 238 252 259 280 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 294 308 CAPITALISATION TOTAL MARKET 315 322 329 Rating/Agency 336 343

Agency Bonds

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

15.06 15.13 13.89 16.15 14.25 Description 13.08 13.92 15.10 27-APR-2017 15.22 9.85 27-JUL-2017 14.16 9.35 31-AUG-2017 15.22 10.70 30-MAY-2018 13.00 ^16.00 29-JUN-201914.58 7.00 23-OCT-2019 14.47 ^15.54 13-FEB-202017.39 14.50 15-JUL-2021 15.04 ^16.39 27-JAN-202217.44 16.08 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 16.42 ^12.50 22-JAN-2026 17.36 15.00 28-NOV-2028 17.55 12.49 22-MAY-2029 17.64 8.50 20-NOV-2029 17.82 ^10.00 23-JUL-203015.18 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 17.54 ^12.40 18-MAR-2036 15.98 18.06 16.55 17.21 18.01 16.24 16.19 16.28 17.93

Description

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 FMBN Nil *for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the TTM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE #

Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

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

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

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 Porfolio Market Value (₦’bn) 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 956.12 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 1,332.14 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 1,289.27 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 3,577.53 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 15.50 BAUCHI 9-DEC-2021 16.50 OYO 16-FEB-2022 16.50 BENUE 27-FEB-2022 17.50 PLATEAU 30-MAR-2022 17.00 KOGI II 31-MAR-2022 17.00 CROSS RIVER 27-MAY-2022

14.81 14.88 13.64 15.90 14.00 Issue Date 12.83 13.67 27-Apr-12 14.97 27-Jul-07 13.91 31-Aug-07 14.97 30-May-08 12.75 29-Jun-12 14.33 23-Oct-09 14.22 17.14 13-Feb-15 14.79 13-Jul-16 17.19 27-Jan-12 15.83 14-Mar-14 16.17 22-Jan-16 17.11 28-Nov-08 17.30 22-May-09 17.39 20-Nov-09 17.57 23-Jul-10 14.93 18-Jul-14 17.29 18-Mar-16 15.73 17.81 16.30 16.96 17.76 15.99 15.94 16.03 17.68

15.11 Bonds 15.22

14.04 16.46 14.52 Coupon 13.34(%) 14.27 15.10 15.67 9.85 14.64 9.35 15.86 10.70 13.51 16.00 15.26 7.00 15.23 18.56 15.54 16.00 14.50 18.89 16.39 17.43 14.20 17.88 12.50 19.08 15.00 19.45 12.49 19.63 8.50 20.01 10.00 16.85 12.1493 19.95 12.4000 18.02 20.96 19.09 20.13 21.32 18.96 18.96 Issue Date 19.14 21.57

03-Apr-12

NIBOR

Tenor O/N 1M 3M Outstanding Value6M (₦’bn)

480.13 20.00 100.00 300.00 Tenor 351.30 1M 233.90 2M 3M 606.43 6M 179.59 9M 605.31 12M 719.99

Rate (%) 18.1583 16.4521 17.7293 Maturity Date 20.2207

NITTY

27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 Rate (%) 29-Jun-19 14.4332 23-Oct-19 15.1358 15.2408 13-Feb-20 17.5623 15-Jul-21 19.2800 27-Jan-22 21.3438 14-Mar-24

391.02 22-Jan-26 75.00 28-Nov-28 NIFEX 22-May-29 150.00 200.00 20-Nov-29 Current Price ($/N) 591.57 23-Jul-30 NIFEX Rate 338.7500 1075.92 18-Jul-34 250.00 18-Mar-36

OBB

16.83

Tenor

Spot 7D REPO Offer14D Yield TTM (Yrs) BidRate Yield Tenor (%)(%) 1M (%) Call 17.50 2M 0.67 18.79 18.54 1M 15.50 3M 0.92 20.06 19.86 3M 16.00 6M 1.02 20.40 20.22 6M 16.50 1Y 1.76 18.19 18.08 2.84 15.00 14.93 NOTE: 3.16 15.01 14.87 :Benchmarks 3.47 15.02 14.91 * :Amortising 4.89 Bond 14.94 14.85 µ :Convertible 5.42 Bond 14.91 14.83 AMCON: 7.55 Asset Management14.99 Corporation of Nigeria 14.92 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 9.41 15.23 15.16 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 12.26 15.22 15.17 IFC: International Finance Corporation 12.74 15.22 15.16 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 15.22 Company15.15 NAHCO: 13.24 Nigerian Aviation Handling 13.91 15.22 15.15 O/N: Overnight 17.89 15.22 Company 15.16 UPDC: UAC Property Development 19.56 Africa Portland 15.07 15.01 WAPCO:West Cement Company O/N

17.92

6,330.16

Closing Rate ($/N) 316.84 Price 316.31 315.40 Bid Price 316.57Offer Price 318.64 97.69 320.90 97.84 91.75 327.68 91.90 90.29 342.81 90.44 89.05 89.20 102.19 102.34 80.38 80.68 NA :Not Applicable 101.35 101.65 ^ : Market 98.47Prices 98.77 # : Floating 105.33Rate Bond 105.63 ***: Deferred 96.46 coupon bonds 96.76 DTM: Days-To-Maturity 86.56 86.86 TTM: Term-To-Maturity 98.71 99.01 ‡ : Bond rating under review 84.76 85.06 †: Bond rating expired 62.13 62.43 N/A :Not Available 70.13 70.43 {r} :Issuer in receivership 81.27 81.57 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 83.29 Bank for Africa 83.59 UBA: United

6285.155565

5,693.93 Coupon (%)

17.25

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

0.90

03-Apr-17

0.31

2.94

19.39

99.34

0.65 0.61 1.35 1.17Yield Implied 1.18 1.36 15.75 1.37 14.96 1.54 15.22 1.75 15.21 3.24 1.82 4.26 4.35 2.58 2.60 3.16 3.37 3.22 3.34 6.46 3.48

1.00 5.71 2.39 Implied 1.00 Portfolio Price 1.00 3.82 132.4043 3.56 146.4241 3.82 107.0211 2.02 126.3935 2.01 1.00 1.30 3.76 2.53 1.00 1.52 4.01 1.00 2.52 1.79 3.04

0.90 0.89 19-Apr-10 FMDQ FGN 10.00 BOND INDEX 57.00 30-Jun-10 13.75 11.33 31-Dec-10 14.00 25.00 Total Outstanding Volume Weighting Weighting 30-Sep-11by 14.00by Mkt Bucket23.44 Weighting (₦’bn) Outstanding Volume Value 04-Oct-11 14.00 4.22 09-Dec-11 14.50 26.73 9.45 0.24 957.73 24.24 12-Dec-13 14.00 7.01 1,325.30 33.55 37.24 0.34 14-Feb-12 15.50 18.70 1,667.49 42.21 36.04 0.42 02-Oct-12 15.50 12.55 3,950.52 100.00 22-Nov-12 14.50100.00 80.00 1.00 12-Dec-12 14.75 20.55 27-Nov-13 13.50 87.50 31-Dec-13 15.00 5.00 31-Dec-13 14.50 3.74 06-Jan-14 15.00 3.76 09-Dec-14 15.50 14.37 17-Feb-15 16.50 4.17 27-Feb-15 16.50 4.53 30-Mar-15 17.50 27.10 01-Apr-15 17.00 3.00 27-May-15 17.00 7.34

19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 %30-Sep-18 Exposure_ Mod_Duration 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 13.12 12-Dec-18 28.99 14-Feb-19 57.90 02-Oct-19 100.00 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21 09-Dec-21 16-Feb-22 27-Feb-22 30-Mar-22 31-Mar-22 27-May-22

19.68 24.17 21.81 20.96 INDEX 20.93 23.21 1,204.57 22.93 1,269.41 22.66 1,290.25 20.24 1,203.60 17.02 19.02 16.28 18.73 18.38 16.80 16.53 19.02 16.01 17.53 16.71 18.06

94.30 94.41 91.21 YTD93.32 Return (%) 93.29 90.56 8.7307 90.26 25.3648 91.32 28.1260 93.53 93.84 14.0651 93.82 91.64 89.16 92.58 96.41 97.59 94.21 101.13 99.86 100.99 97.40

40

NEWS | south-west

Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

I

t was a gory sight at the Egbe River in Egbe community, Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State, yesterday as four officials of the World Bank drowned in the river.

Four victims, whose identities could not be ascertained as at press time, yesterday were evacuated dead from the river, one after the other.

The four staff of Development Dams and Irrigation Schemes, Kaduna State, were said to have met their end while the boat which conveyed them on-shore Tuesday night while on a World Bank assessment mission capsized.

According to sources, the dead, believed to wear no life jackets at the time, died while their bodies were brought out by local fishermen reportedly mobilised by the Council chairperson, Mrs. Folasade Akinrinmola. Three

Tears as four World Bank officials drown in Ekiti

others who wore the Jackets survived.

In a phone chat with journalists, Akinrinmola said she was notified of the incident by the traditional ruler of the community.

She said: "We immediately mobilised a rescue team and an ambulance and those wearing life jackets were rescued.

The rescued people were the ones who told us that others were in the water.

Their bodies were later retrieved by the local fishermen."

On their mission to the river, the council boss said "we believe that they were there based on some of the proposals we had written on the dam and how it could be put to use and we believe that the World Bank had started work on the river based on the calls."

Describing the incident as "unfortunate", Akinrinmola said their bodies had been deposited at the mortuary in Ode-Ekiti, headquarters of the council area.

Public relations officer of the Ekiti State Police Command, Mr. Alberto Adeyemi, confirmed the development, adding "they must have come from the Federal Ministry because dams were owned by the Federal Government, their boat capsised, four died while three survived."

Also, the Ekiti state Commissioner for Public Utilities, Mr. Ayodeji Adesua has condoled with

£13.27m

The amount of money received

by Newcastle United as facility fees for the 2015/2016 season.

Source: Goal.com

the families of the four experts.

Adesua, who described the incident as unfortunate, maintained that the Ekiti State Government was all for making portable water available to the citizenry, lauding the world bank intervention programme in assisting and providing institutional support in the water sector, he said the consultants were engaged to carry out a survey and data analysis of the dams in line with the developmental projects and agenda of Ekiti State Government when the unfortunate incident occurred.

The commissioner, who said that bodies of the four experts had been recovered, said investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the ugly incident was ongoing.

L-R: Ewi of AdoEkiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe Aladesanmi 111; Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose; his counterpart from Gombe State, Governor Ibrahim Dankwabo, and Ekiti State Commissioner of Works, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Oguns, during the inauguration of an ultra modern hall at Ewi's palace in Ado-Ekiti...on Wednesday

Olubadan advocates quality historical film production Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

T

he Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, yesterday called on Yoruba films producers to produce more historical films that would add useful lessons to language, values and culture.

According to a release from the Director, Media and Strategy to the monarch, Adeola Oloko, the advice was given at the Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace where the Olubadan received Eleni Film Company led by Abiodun Latinwo Eleni.

The Ibadan paramount ruler, noted that there were sufficient lessons in our history for film producers to teach the present and future generations.

friday, august 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

OGSIEC adopts Makarfi's candidates for Ogun LG elections Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

T

he Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), yesterday adopted a list of chairmanship and councillorship candidates forwarded by the Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of the state chapter to contest the October 8 local government elections.

The state executive headed by Ogundele is loyal to the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the PDP. For the purpose of the council elections, the OGSIEC said it had dropped the list of candidates received from the Chief Adebayo Dayo-led faction in the state, loyal to the disputed PDP National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

FUNAAB: VC sues for peace, blames crisis on internal politics Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

V

Why govs must look beyond FG’s allocation, by Ambode Muritala Ayinla

G

over nor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday charged his colleagues in the country to look beyond being 'spoon-fed' by the Federal Government, tasking them on revenue generating potential.

Besides, the governor urged the Federal Government to unbundle the potential of each of the federating units as part of the means to address the fundamental structural challenges undermining sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the states of the federation.

Ambode spoke at the 4th Progressive Governance Lecture Series organized

by Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the theme: "Building the Economy of States: Challenge of Devel-

oping Inclusively Sustainable Growth", saying that the Federal Government must allow the states to develop the natural resources within their domain and create the necessary infrastructure that would attract investors.

He said: "We need to start looking at some changes that we need to make within and among ourselves as a government irrespective of whether it is federal, state or local government - that will now unbundle the potential of each state which is the cornerstone of the whole message we are talking about.

"There is a great need for all of us to decide once and for all to unbundle the potential of each state; take the comparative advantages of each state and fuse them together for the needs of our people.

"Governors are the owners of the land in their states but underneath the

land and even inside the water, the Federal Government is structured in a way that it controls those potential. In a situation where the states are being spoon-fed, because I call the federation account more or less like spoonfeeding.

“The federal government collects total revenue on Value Added Tax (VAT) and various revenues on behalf of all of us and make us to come to Abuja and more or less share it to us as peanuts thereby not allowing us to reach our potential as competitive states individually."

Speaking on the Lagos experience of de-emphasizing reliance on oil, Ambode said Governors must also be encouraged to tap into multiple streams of income within their domain, especially with the Federal Government allowing the states to develop their potentials.

At the state level, Senator Buruji Kashamu is widely believed to be backing the Dayo-led faction which had also been at war with a lawmaker representing Remo Federal Constituency, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu.

Addressing a press conference in Abeokuta, the Chairman of the Commission's Screening Committee, Mutiu Agboke, said the decision was informed by an order of an Abeokuta High Court delivered by Justice Mobolaji Ojo on May 26, 2016.

Agboke, who is also the Commissioner III, explained that the court specifically addressed the issue of giving recognition to Ogundele's faction as against the conflicting judgements of the Federal High Courts of Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt on the party's leadership crisis.

ice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof Olusola Oyewole, yesterday urged agitating labour unions and students of the institution to give peace a chance.

Oyewole, who spoke with reporters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, blamed the crisis rocking the varsity on "internal politics," adding that he would eventually be vindicated.

He spoke just as the university management set up a committee to look into the remote and immediate cause of the recent protest by students which led to wanton destruction of property.

The school authorities, which had also postponed the resumption of

students indefinitely, said the decision was aimed at preventing future occurrence of such unrest.

Aggrieved members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) had on Wednesday shut the residential lodge of the Vice Chancellor as well as the Senate Building in protest against Oyewole.

They also faulted the suspension of three SSANU members by the VC in connection with a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), detailing allegations of fund mismanagement in the varsity.

However, Oyewole who said he had improved the ratings of the university and empowered its staff and students, stressed that he did not deserve to be removed for unjust cause.

Oyo partners Australia on agric, mining, education he new agriculture mobi, disclosed this while initiative of the Oyo receiving the Australian T State Government has High Commissioner to Nireceived a boost with the proposed investment by an Australian agro-processing company, which has already acquired 50 hectares of land in the Oke Ogun area of the state.

The new entrant had thus swelled the list of Australian companies that had entered into partnership agreement with the state government in mining, agriculture, education and vocational training.

Governor Abiola Aji-

geria, Mr. Paul Leymann, in his office, on Wednesday.

To fast-track the implementation agreement and memorandum of understanding, the governor said that his administration had put in place necessary machinery and the enabling environment for the business to thrive.

Ajimobi said: “We have signed an agreement with an Australian company on mining, agriculture, education and vocational training."

south-east | news

friday, august 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

41

Splinter IPOB group sacks Nnamdi Kanu, to name new leader Monday Victor Mba and Charles Onyekwere

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he Indigenous People of Biafara (IPOB) is facing serious crises as a splinter group held a meeting in Aba, Abia State, sacking Nnamdi Kanu the leader of IPOB. This was even as IPOB mocked the Presidency as well as the leadership of

the Department of State Service (DSS), over the emergence of a splinter group of IPOB called The Reformed Indigenous People of Biafra (TRIPOB).

A statement signed by IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, stated that the reformed IPOB was a creation of the government to deceive the masses and give the impression that there was problem in

Police rescue five teenagers from baby factory Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

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he police in Abia State have rescued five pregnant teenagers from a baby factory from Ogbor Hill area of the commercial city of Aba. The operation was carried out by operatives of the Anti-robbery Squad attached to the Aba Area Command, just as they also arrested a 54-yearold man identified as Nkem Nwokocha of Obegu village in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of Abia State, who runs the baby factory with his wife identified only as nurse.

The rescued pregnant girls aged between 18 and 29 years, included one Chidinma Ifeanyi Chukwu, who hails from Isiala Mbano in Imo State; Kelechi Sampson and Happiness Godwin from Mboko Umuanunu village in Obingwa, Abia State.

The others are Okoronkwo Mercy, a native of Alayi in Bende Local Government of Abia State and Oluebube Onyabu, also from Umuanunu village in Obingwa Local Government council.

Speaking while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Umuahia, the state capital, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeleye Oyebade, said the police acted on an intelligence report that the suspect was running a child trafficking home and operatives moved into action and discovered “one maternity and Hospital” where the pregnant women were camped.

The Police boss frowned at the rate at which people indulge in the illegal sale of children in the state, adding that it was an act of wickedness against the innocent children that came into this world as a gift from God. “Any crime that involves the sale of children is against humanity

and God. These are criminal cases that you can’t imagine that they happen at all, where a child will be stolen sometimes the parents are even involved. But we are not going to accept it. We are going to stamp it out. We are asking the members of the public to give us relevant information that will assist us in that direction,” Oyebade said.

Confessing to the crime, the suspect Nwokocha said his wife is a midwife who has been running the maternity home for over six years.

He accepted that the home was not legally registered with government but they’re working in liaison with a yet to be identified social welfare home.

According to him, “As the head master of my family, I’m aware of what my wife is doing, most times when I come back from my business, I will see these girls and when I ask “ what they are doing in my house”, my wife will tell me that their parents registered them with her for treatment.

“When the girls put to bed, my wife will take the children to the social welfare we are working with.

I don’t make money out of these because I have my own business that I do".

their camp.

The group, RE-IPOB led

by Ikemba Biafra disclosed that their decision to sack the IPOB being led by the detained Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, was to inject new life in the struggle. They also declared that the Rebranded Indigenous People of Biafra, TRIPOB, which has Chima Philip Effiong Osuji, as its spokesman, had also been sanctioned by the group, stressing that none of the two groups had right to speak on behalf of the Biafran people.

In a statement, the group promised to disclose their leader on Monday August 29, 2016,

OWERRI

T

he Imo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up an 18-man reconciliation committee, with a former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Prof. Jude Njoku as the chairman while the former Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Chief Chuma Nnaji as secretary.

The state chairman of the party, Chief Charles Ezekwem, who announced this in Owerri at a press confer-

OB will be forced to make public the sponsors of the two groups. RE-IPOB will not accede to the burning of the Biafran flag as the sacked TRIPOB planned.

The Biafran flag is sacred to Biafrans."

The statement, however, added that “RE-IPOB is open to dialogue if the Nigerian government was sincere in ending the protracted agitations for an independent state of Biafra, and warned that the group will not toler-

469,440

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

Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

ate any insincerity from the government.

“If the federal government is sincere in its dialogue with RE-IPOB, then the Biafran flag can be exchanged with the Nigerian flag in the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Security Adviser, Director of State Security and the elders of Biafra. If the dialogue is fruitful; then a peace treaty and a ‘no victor no vanquished tree’ will be planted at Gakem where the first shot of the Nigerian Civil war started and at Amichi Nnewi where the formal cessation of hostilities of the war began.”

L-R: Chairman, Ebonyi state, Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Onyekachi Nwaebonyi; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru; Governor David Umahi and Focal Person of the Sustainable Development Goals, Dr. Ngozi Obichukwu, at the flag off of the 2015 Ebonyi State SDGs Water Projects in three Senatorial zones in Abakaliki on ...yesterday

Lawyers, 4 others remanded for touting in Onitsha

Okegwo kenechukwu, Onitsha

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o fewer than five persons including a lawyer, name withheld, were Tuesday arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State for an alleged touting in front of the Onitsha High Court.

New Telegraph gathered authoritatively that the arrest was sequel to a petition written by the Assistant Court Registrar, Onitsha Magistrate's Court, over the illegal activities of touts who em-

Imo PDP sets up 18-man reconciliation committee Steve Uzoechi

advised all pro-Biafran agitators to remain peaceful and warned security agents to stop molesting Biafran activists.

It claimed that Kanu had lost touch with realities of Biafra while TRIPOB had ‘nothing to offer’ as splinter group of IPOB. The statement further reads: “Both IPOB and TRIPOB have been sacked; they should no longer speak for the Biafran people. They are the same outfit and have contributed nothing to the realisation of Biafra as a nation. We warn that if Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB and the so-called TRIPOB continue their antics, RE-IP-

ence, said the measure underscored the importance the party attached to bringing every member back on the same page. "We recognize the indisputable fact that politics is a team work and not a one-man show. No person can do it alone.

"We do not wish to recycle the mistakes of the past because once beaten, twice shy. A united PDP can sweep away any vestige of the APC and any other political party for that matter. We want to tell our rivals that PDP has the capacity and intelligence to solve its internal frictions," Ezekwem said.

barrassed unsuspecting public and litigants as they touted for production and typing of Affidavit, and driver's license in front of the court premises.

A dependable police source told our reporter that five of the touts were arrested, including the lawyer, were duly identified by the ACR who was invited to identify them in police custody after their arrest, while the lawyer was asked to go after due process.

“We acted on the petition written to us by the ACR and arrested five of

them, among whom is a lawyer. We only called the Assistant Registrar to come and identify them and she came and identified them, and since it was the court that wrote the petition we charged four of them to court but whether they were remanded or not was not our business.

“Also contrary to claim by the public that about 28 of them were arrested, it was not true. We only arrested five and the petitioner complained that they are being accused in the electronics media to

I’m not in hurry to die –Okorocha

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ov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has said that he is not in a hurry to die but live to complete his assignment for the people of the state.

Okorocha made the statement yesterday while reacting to rumours of his ill health shortly after arriving Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri from a foreign trip.

Addressing a large crowd that gathered at the airport to welcome him, Okorocha described the rumours of his health condition as `false.’

“I am not in a hurry to die; I will live to complete my assignment for Imo people. I went to the land

of the dead and our ancestors turned me back, saying it was not yet time,” he said.

The governor, however, acknowledged that he had a challenge that took him far from the physical.

He told the crowd that he was healthy and strong, adding that those who wished him dead were enemies of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemedo said last week that Okorocha traveled outside of the country to attract investors to Imo.

be conspiring with the tout and that brings a bad image to the court,” the police source said.

Meanwhile, New Telegraph gathered from an unconfirmed report that about 28 of them were arrested and charged to Magistrate's Court from where they were tried and remanded in the Onitsha prisons to serve as a deterrent to others.

When contacted, the Assistant Court Registrar told our reporter that she was a civil servant and as such had no official capacity to speak to the press.

She said: “I don’t know about any arrest. If police arrest people and charged them to court, my duty was to ensure justice and fair play as my duty directs.”

She declined comment on the petition which was alleged to be authored by her, and said: “I don’t know about any petition and I cannot say anything please.”

New Telegraph further gathered from some of the touts, popularly called charge and bail, hanging around magistrate's court premises confirmed the arrest but said they were all released yesterday after being remanded in Onitsha prisons.

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News|SOUTh-SOUTH

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

C’River, Chinese firm partner on maize cultivation Clement James Calabar

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he Cross River State government yesterday said it was ready to assist investors in the agricultural sector to derive maximum profit for their investment by making the environment conducive for their operation.

Governor Ben Ayade made this disclosure in Calabar while accepting the interest of a Chinese firm, Wuhan Longfecund Agricultural Development Company Limited, to establish a multi-billion naira feed mill as

well as a maize farm in the state.

Ayade, who was happy that his efforts at attracting investors to the state was beginning to yield results, said with more than 21, 000 hectares of land, the state had the capacity to feed the nation if the agricultural sector was fully tapped.

He expressed optimism that the maize farm would not only assist government to diversify its economy, but will also create jobs for the teeming youths in the state, pointing out that his government would partner with the firm.

Emmanuel seeks refund of N140bn spent on federal roads

A

kwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel yesterday appealed to the Federal Government to reimburse the state of the N140 billion expended on the construction of federal roads and other federal infrastructure in the state.

The governor made the appeal when he embarked on an inspection tour of Uyo, Ikot EkpeneAba dual carriageway project undertaken by Julius Berger Plc. He said such funds would facilitate the road construction and ensure its completion to ease the difficulties being by commuters encountered from the Abia State end of the road and the one connecting Akwa Ibom

State with Cross River State.

Governor Emmanuel particularly called on the Federal Government to give approval for the road construction to be undertaken under Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement in view of the fact that these roads are major economic highways into the state.

“It is a major economic high way into the state. I’ve applied to the Federal Government for concession for the road to be completed under a Public Private Partnership model. All that I’m asking from the government is one word “Approved,” and the roads would be constructed in no time.”

Ayade: Hawkers have a right in Cross River Clement James Calabar

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gainst the backdrop of some state governments’ decision to prohibit hawking in their states, the Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, has said that hawkers were welcome in the state.

Ayade, who revealed this while interacting with newsmen yesterday in Calabar, said he had forwarded a bill to the state House of Assembly to encourage street trading and hawking in the state.

According to him, the bill titled, “Hawkers’ Rights Bill,” when passed into law, will provide the framework for hawkers’ activities.

“I am desperate to make a difference and I have just sent a bill to the state House of Assembly titled; ‘Hawkers’ Rights Bill’ and this bill is expected to set the frame-

work for hawking in the state,” Ayade said.

The governor, who acknowledged the high level of poverty in the country, said driving away hawkers from the streets was inhuman as they do not have the means to pay exorbitant rent fees to put their wares.

He, however, said for anybody to hawk in the state, according to the bill, he must not be below the age of 18; must dress properly and a time frame must be set within which period the person must conduct his/her activities.

“If a man chooses not to be a beggar, he has a right. What government plans to do is to provide the framework to enable him carry out his activities within the limits of the law. But it is not proper to send him/her away because he/she may not have the money to rent a shop,” the governor stressed.

L-R: Delta State Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kingsley Esiso; Hon. Victor Nwokolo; Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; Chief Lawrence Osiegbu; Hon. Martins Okonta and others, during a cultural parade by the governor in Asaba…yesterday

Okowa regrets militants’ hostility, laments drop in allocation Dominic Adewole ASABA

I

t was lamentation galore at the 25th anniversary celebration of Delta State yesterday by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

The governor emphatically regretted the devastating effect of resumed militancy in the Niger Delta region, which according to him, had drastically reduced the monthly federal allocation to the state from N20 billion to N5 billion and N3 billion within four months.

The amount, the gov-

ernor said, was no longer enough to cater for the state’s monthly wage bill of the more than 60, 000 civil servants of the state, besides elected and appointed political office holders.

He specifically said that the unrelenting attacks by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) had reduced the state’s output to the national production from 33 per cent to about 10 per cent monthly.

Governor Okowa lamented that the bombing of oil installations before the group agreed to a ceasefire and embraced dialogue had pushed the

state from its number one position in oil production, to the fourth.

Addressing a crowd of supporters at the Cenotaph in Asaba during a cultural parade tagged Delta @ 25: Our Culture, Our Heritage, the governor said Delta State was the worst hit by the hostilities.

The governor, who heaved a sigh of relief that the recalcitrant militia group eventually ceased fire and agreed to negotiate with the Federal Government, said: “I thank our brothers who have decided to embrace peace.

This peace will be oiled

and sustained.

“Things are very tough. In the last four months, we have been receiving between N3 billion and N5 billion allocation, which is not enough to pay salaries. I know these trying times will not last long. We are working, we are talking and praying to overcome the challenges,” he assured.”

Okowa Wenton: “Unfortunately, there have been agitations which have reduced our production to less than 10 per cent. This is the time to agitate through dialogue and advocacy, so that people will hear us.

Amnesty: Rivers won’t pay ex-criminals – Wike G

ov. Nysom Wike of Rivers State has said that his administration would not pay cash to kidnappers, cultists and armed robbers that surrendered their weapons.

The governor said this yesterday in Port Harcourt at a stakeholders meeting on how peace could be restored in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was organised by the Rivers Police Command. ‘’Rivers State does not have the intention to give cash (pay) to repentant criminals; government will rehabilitate and empower them,’’ he said.

Represented by Mr

Austine Tam-George, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Wike denied that cash was paid to the repentant criminals who surrendered their arms.

According the governor, the ex-criminals, who are being trained in various fields, would be empowered after the

training programme.

He said that with empowerment, the excriminals would earn legitimate income and live a more meaningful life.

Wike said the state had received N2 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the establishment of small and medium scale businesses.

Group urges NDA to embrace dialogue Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

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socio-cultural group, the South-South Peoples Conference (SSOPEC), yesterday urged the militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), to embrace dialogue with the Federal Government in the interest of peace and the survival of the economy.

The group’s Chairman,

Prof. Sotonye Amakiri and other leaders of the six South-South states made the call at the end of the group’s conference in Port Harcourt. He said such dialogue would enable government understand their demands and the challenges confronting the region.

He told the militants that their attacks on oil infrastructure had caused panic and tension, adding that other regions in the

country were taking advantage of the situation to fast track development of their areas.

Amakiri said: “SSOPEC strongly lends its voice to those other Niger Delta groups and individuals to appeal to the armed and aggrieved groups in the region to embrace dialogue with the Federal Government.

“Evidence appears to support the logic that

in anger we are causing more harm and danger to the environment and human resources, which has impacted negatively on the wellbeing of the people of the Niger Delta.

“Insecurity in the region will deter foreign and local investors to make significant investments in the region, which if allowed, will stimulate the economy and create employment and wealth for our people.

News|NORTH

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

43

Taraba, Roche sign N1bn MoU to fight Hepatitis Sabiu Mustapha JALINGO

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araba State Government and Roche Product Limited, yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of over N1 billion to combat the spread of Viral Hepatitis in the state.

The agreement is part of measures taken by the state government to address the growing prevalence of the virus disease in the state.

This is a statistics had

indicated that the prevalence of the disease in the state was four times higher than the national average of 11 per cent.

Under the partnership, the state government, according to the governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku; Roche Product Limited will provide high quality drugs for treatment of infected patients at 50 per cent of its cost to the state government.

Roche, as the governor added “will also place viral equipment for testing of viral load of infected persons at the state spe-

cialist hospital” adding that “this particular high tech machine is at the moment available in only two facilities in the entire country.”

Ishaku, who was represented by the Commissioner of Health, Innocent Vakkai at the signing of the MoU, which took place at the state Secretariat in Jalingo, the state capital, said “Roche will also train personnel to be involved in the project.”

In demonstration of its resolve to kick the disease out of the state, the state government,

according to the commissioner, has agreed to provide the required N1.33 billion to fund the project over the next five years.

The fund, he said will cover 50 per cent of the total cost of the drugs, 30 per cent of the cost of the viral load testing required, cost of other supportive laboratory test during the course of the treatment and the cost of the screening test and vaccinations.

With the signing of the agreement, no fewer than 50,000 indigenes of the state, Vakkai pointed

out will benefit from the “free screening” for both hepatitis B and C. According to him, it is envisage that approximately 40,000 people screened will test negative to Hepatitis B and will therefore be required to be vaccinated free.

Lamenting that Hepatitis C had no vaccine, those tested negative to it will benefit from health education on how to avoid being infected.

He, however, stressed that approximately 2,500 people will be tested positive to Hepatitis B and

C.” Earlier, the Sub-Sahara Africa Region General Manager of the company, Markus Gemuend said the alarming prevalence rate of the disease in the state, necessitated the ongoing partnership with the government.

“The partnership between Roche and Taraba State Government would help in creating awareness and education about the disease,” he said, noting that the exercise will go a long way in preventing the disease from reoccurring again in the state.

Ortom inaugurates 10-member salary verification committee Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

B Members of the Senate President’s Technical Team on North East/ IDPs and Officials of UN OCHA, in Maiduguri, Borno State

5.74%

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

Kwara earmarks N300m monthly to contractors Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

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he Kwara State Government has said that it will draw N300 million monthly from its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the newly created Infrastructural Fund Management System (IF-K) to ensure that contractors handling various state’s projects would be paid with less stress.

The Chief Economic Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, and Director-General of Kwara PPP Bureau, Mr. Abayomi Ogunsola, who disclosed this during a media interactive session with the contractors at the Government House, assured that all contractors who had keyed into the scheme would be paid by the trustees of the fund.

The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) had earlier in June, this year, explained that it had remitted a total of N8.09 billion into the coffers of the state

government for the first half of 2016, adding that about N6.002 billion of the amount was for the state, while N3.097 was for retained earnings.

The Chairman of the service, Dr. Muritala Awodun, who gave a breakdown of the figures, said the service raked in N997 million in January, when it began full operations; N1.05 billion in February; N1.25 billion in March and N2.07 billion in April.

Besides, the KIRS also collected a total of N1.45 billion in May and in June collected a total of N1.3 billion At the meeting at the Government House, Ogunsola told the contractors that the new model of payment was to ensure payment to contractors handling various projects across the state on quarterly basis and ensure that no project is abandoned as a result of non-payment.

The model, according to him, was designed to provide sustainable funding for continuous

infrastructure development through partnership with private sector to close the state’s N225 billion infrastructure gap.

He said the IF-K would provide the contractors with the confidence to borrow money to execute projects since payment

would be guaranteed and paid on stipulated dates.

Ogunsola explained that capital projects executed under the scheme would be inspected by independent project assessors in order to ensure that contractors comply with the required project standards.

Govt revokes AIT’s land in Bauchi Nankpah Bwakan Bauchi

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he Bauchi State Government yesterday revoked the Right of Occupancy of a land allegedly belonging to DAAR Communications, owners of African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower Radio.

The order revoking the Right of Occupancy of the land was contained in a letter signed by the state Commissioner for Lands, Alhaji Abubakar Tatari Ali. New Telegraph gathered that the land and the office in dispute were allocated to the private communication outfit by the administration

of the former Governor Isa Yuguda.

The letter, however, reads in part: “I am directed to write and inform you that the title of the land has been withdrawn for overriding public interest as contained in Section 28 of the Land Use Act No 6 of 1978 of Bauchi State.”

New Telegraph investigations further revealed that the state Assets Recovery Committee set up by the state governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, had earlier visited AIT and Raypower FM Station and duly informed the management about the action of the state government.

enue State governor, Samuel Ortom yesterday inaugurated a 10-member Salary Verification Committee with a charge to come out with a realistic wage bill for the state.

Ortom, while inaugurating the committee chaired by a retired Permanent Secretary in the state, Mr. Tertsegha Ikyaabo, at the Benue Government House said the biometric verification exercise conducted earlier was not satisfactory as the bloated wage bills still subsist.

He said there would not be ghost workers without syndicate backing them and urged the committee to be down-to-earth in its three-month assignment.

The governor said some ghost workers were discovered in some of the

local government areas during the payment of their salary arrears with the bailout funds, insisting that the administration was bent on knowing the actual number of workers in the state so as to plan adequately for the people.

Ortom, who noted that the state government spent more than N7 billion monthly on workers’ salary and described the amount as outrageous, recalled that the Federal Government had discovered over 43,000 ghost workers on its payroll, while Sokoto State also had discovered over 13,000 ghost workers drawing salaries every month.

He added that Bank Verification Number (BVN) would continue to be used to check the excesses of those that divert state money to their personal pockets through ghost workers.

Bello orders audit of IBB varsity, others Dan Atori MINNA

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iger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has ordered a forensic audit of the finances of the state-owned tertiary institutions of learning, including the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai in the last two years.

He gave the directive yesterday while receiving a report of the Committee on the Viability of the Establishment of the University of Education, chaired by Hajiya Dije Bala at the Government House, Minna, the state capital.

The governor’s order for the audit of the accounts (income and expenditure) of all the state-owned higher institutions of learning was

based on the recommendation of the Bala-led committee that a visitation panel should be instituted to prune down and block financial wastage in the institutions.

Despite alleged inadequate funding confronting the institutions, Hajiya Bala told the governor that the committee was able to establish that the books of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University in the last three years indicated that the institution was financially solvent.

This, Hajiya Bala noted, prompted the governor to direct the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Finance to carry out the forensic audit of the income and expenditure of all the tertiary institutions in the state.

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NEWS

WORLD \ NEWS

Polio: FG seeks $125 million loan from World Bank Chukwu David Abuja

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he Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole, yesterday, told the Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare and Communicable Diseases, that the Federal Government was seeking to take a loan of $125 million to tackle communicable diseases in the country.

Adewole, who made this disclosure at an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare and Communicable Diseases, said that out of this amount, $60 million would be spent to treat

poliomyelitis.

According to him, after getting the approval of the National Assembly to access the fund, the remaining $65 would be used for routine vaccines across the 36 states of the federation.

He also disclosed that the Ministry of Finance had released to his Ministry the sum N9.8 billion earmarked for prevention and treatment of poliomyelitis in the 2016 budget.

Adewole further revealed to the Committee that his ministry, as at last Saturday, had administered polio immunization on 800,000 children under the age of five years in five local government ar-

eas in Borno State.

The Minister further said that the Federal Government was working in collaboration with other countries within the Lake Chad Basin, to carry out what he described as ring immunization Programme in the affected sub-regional countries.

He said that the essence of involving neighbouring countries in the immunization Programme was to ensure that all the countries having adjoining boundaries with Nigeria were treated of polio, so that they would not pose another danger to the country after treating the Nigerians.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Italy quake death toll hits 250

... rescuers search flattened towns

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he death toll from a devastating earthquake in central Italy climbed to at least 250 yesterday and could rise further with rescue teams working for a second day to try to find survivors under the rubble of flattened towns.

The 6.2 magnitude quake struck a cluster of mountain communities 140 km (85 miles) east of Rome early Wednesday as people slept, destroying hundreds of homes.

Dozens of emergency workers with sniffer dogs

clambered over piles of debris trying to find anyone still buried beneath, while cranes removed huge slabs of fallen masonry and trucks full of rubble left the area every few minutes.

"People like myself have lost everything, but at the same time the fact that we have survived means we have to move forward one minute at a time," said Alessandra Cioni, 45, who managed to crawl out of her crumpled house after the quake.

"We have been saved, not like half the people

in this place who have lost their lives," she said, breaking down in tears.

A violent aftershock yesterday afternoon sent rescuers fleeing as stones fell from the already severely damaged bell tower of the 15th century church of St. Augustine in Amatrice.

The jolt, which struck fear and panic in survivors, detached the church's facade, leaving it leaning dangerously over the main street where the emergency services were working under blue skies and hot summer sun.

Group expresses worry over conflicting judgements

...tasks NJC to call judges to order Tunde Oyesina Abuja

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group, Society for Global Justice and Equity Promotion, yesterday expressed worries over the spate of conflicting orders emanating from various divisions of the Federal High Court as well as the Federal Capital Territory High Court on the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The group further tasked the National Judicial Commission, NJC, to call judges who are involved to order.

The group also called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), to caution lawyers against filing multiplicity of suits on the same issues.

Speaking through its National Deputy Co-ordinator, Jolayemi Adekunle, in Abuja, the group further asked the NBA to call to order, lawyers who are making a mockery of the judicial system by filing multiple suits on the same subject matter for the same people at courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

The group, however, listed Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja divisions of the Federal High Court

as where conflicting judgments and orders have been made to confuse issues for Nigerians.

Adekunle said that from their findings, lawyers cannot be absolved from the blame on the conflicting judgments because they have presented different facts to courts on the same issue to confuse Judges.

“We have found that some lawyers engaged in the unwholesome practice of arranging someone loyal to their clients to appear as a representative of the adverse party in order to mislead the courts into thinking that the proper adverse party has been served.

Oshiomhole congratulates Egbemode as NGE President Temitope Ogunbanke

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overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has commended the election of the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of New Telegraph Newspaper, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, as the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

Oshiomhole in a con-

gratulatory letter he personally signed, said he was convinced that Egbemode with her vast experience as a professional journalist and media administrator would provide quality leadership for NGE. The governor wished the new President of the NGE a successful tenure and assured her the support and cooperation of the Government of Edo State at all times.

“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you (Egbemode) on your welldeserved election as the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

With your vast experience as a professional journalist and media administrator, I am convinced that you will provide quality leadership and build upon the positive legacies of your predecessor.

Clergy asks Buhari to change corruption war strategy

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he Director General of Felates Club of Ijesaland,Osun State, the Very Rev Seun Adeniyi, has appealed to the Federal Gover nment to adopt Community Advocacy rather than attempting to fight the war on corruption ‘’by fiat’’.

Commending the initiative of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to embark on the crusade, the Methodist clergy also appealed to all Nigerians,especially

at the family level to join the government in the crusade.

The Director General, who made the plea at the 50th Anniversary of the club in Ilesa, Osun State, said, “If we are to tame corruption, it has to start from our individual families in the community.

Most of the present-day families in Nigeria are not patterned after the mind of God. We are selfish and covetous’’ he said.

The Very Rev Adeniyi stressed that ‘’corruption had been with us for

ages and any attempt to eradicate it by fiat will be counter-productive’’.

The Director General said that some of the programmes of the club have been targeted to provide palliatives at the family and community levels, to discourage tendencies towards corruption.

He disclosed that some of the communual programmes of the club include, provision of 40 scholarships for indigent students, a community library and support for widows.

Some rescuers have been using their bare hands to sift through debris.

Zimbabwe opposition seeks court's backing for Friday protest

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imbabwe opposition leaders are going to court to demand authorities allow and provide security for a planned march today calling for electoral reform after police chiefs suggested they presented a petition instead.

Leaders from 18 political parties, including Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai and former vice president Joice Mujuru will lead today's demonstration, which they expect to draw thousands of supporters.

Police used teargas and water cannon on Wednesday to break up a march

by MDC youth supporters, who were protesting against economic woes and what they say is brutality by security agents.

Police commander for the Harare Central District, Chief Superintendent Newbert Saunyama, told protest organizers in a letter yesterday that they could present a petition at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission without marching, adding that the expected number of participants, 150,000, was too big.

"This office is discouraging the issue of marching in the central business district, considering the number of participants," Saunyama said.

"The crowd cannot be accommodated in the central business district of Harare as it interrupts with both human and vehicular traffic. "In the first large scale demonstrations Zimbabwe has seen since 2007, protests inspired by social media movements such as #ThisFlag led by pastor Evan Mawarire have erupted in the past months.

Colombians celebrate as peace deal is reached with Farc rebels

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undreds of Colombians have celebrated an historic peace accord between the government and leftwing Farc rebels, signed after 52 years of conflict.

The announcement was broadcast live two days ago from Havana, Cuba, where peace talks have been held for almost four years.

The conflict has killed an estimated 260,000 people and displaced millions. President Juan Manuel Santos called the

deal "the beginning of the end to the suffering, pain and tragedy of war". "The Colombian government and the Farc announce that we have reached a final, full and definitive accord," Colombian government and Farc negotiators said in a joint statement.

The head of the Colombian delegation, Humberto de la Calle, and the chief Farc negotiator, Ivan Marquez, signed the agreement at a ceremony in Cuba. Both sides have

agreed to work together to address social exclusion, to deliver justice to the victims of the conflict and build a stable and enduring peace.

The agreement comes after two years of secret talks and almost four years of formal negotiations. "We have reached our goal," said Mr de la Calle. "The war is over but also there is also new beginning. This agreement opens the door to a more inclusive society," he added.

45

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport Chukwu David ABUJA

I

ndications emerged yesterday that the Senate may probe the roles of the Minister of Sport, Solomon Dalung and the Nigeria Olympics committee in the poor performance of the country’s contingent to the just-concluded Rio Olympics.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba, disclosed this during an interview with journalists in Abuja.

Ogba, who was part of the official delegation to Brazil, said a lot of factors ranging from poor funding to inadequate logistics, contributed to Nigeria’s poor performance at the Olympics Games, saying that the Senate would look into the circumstances when it resumed from recess next month.

“My committee intends to invite the NOC to come and brief us on the Olympics. Apart from the late arrival of our athletes’ kits, you can see even our national anthem at the opening ceremony was the wrong one.

So, all these, we are going to find out what happened when we resume,” Ogba said.

On the donation of $390,000 to the national U-23 team by a Japanese plastic surgeon and football enthusiast, Dr. Katsuya Takasu, the lawmaker said that it was wrong for the team to receive the money because its source was unknown.

“I don’t think it was nice for our country to accept such money given the happenings around world now. Money is good but it’s not every money that comes your way that you collect. So, I

Sport News

Did you know?

South Africa’s runner Wayde van Niekerk completes the 400 meter race in 43.03 seconds, beating U.S.’s Michael Johnson 1999 world record by 0.15 seconds.

Injured Iheanacho available for AFCON qualifier

International Sport Pogba: Cannavaro questions Juve’s credentials

46 47

Senate probes Rio Olympics scandals Faults Japanese $390,000 gift Dalung, NOC, NFF under scrutiny

Nigerian sprinter, Blessing Okagbare (left)

associate myself fully with the of Minister Dalung, The lawmaker said such President of the Nigeria Football calls were alien to Nigerian culture as only Federation,” he noted. the President can hire and fire a minister.

On the calls for the resignation He therefore, enjoined Nigerians to plead

with President Muhammadu Buhari to release adequate funds to the Ministry of Sports in order for it to fulfill its obligations effectively.

Full Draw

sss

Group A: PSG, Arsenal, Basel, Ludogorets Group B: Benfica, Napoli, Dynamo Kiev, Besiktas

The Sport Team

Group C: Barcelona, Man City, B M’gladbach, Celtic

Adekunle Salami

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Guardiola’s Man City to battle Barca

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anchester City manager Pep Guardiola will return to former club Barcelona in the Champions League after the two sides were drawn in the same group.

The Citizens, who comfortably saw off Steaua Bucuresti to advance into the competition proper, will also face Borussia Monchengladbach and Celtic as part of their tricky Group C sched-

ule.

Arsenal face double-headers against French moneybags Paris Saint-Germain, Basel and qualifiers Ludogorets Razgrad, meanwhile, and North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur must battle past CSKA Moscow, Bayer Leverkusen and AS Monaco.

Premier League champions Leicester City formed part of the group-stage draw

for the first time in their history, and as top seeds they have what appears to be a favourable run as they take on Porto, Club Brugge and Copenhagen.

Elsewhere, holders Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund were drawn alongside each other in Group F, with Cristiano Ronaldo also facing a return to one of his former sides in Sporting Lisbon.

Group D: Bayern, Atletico Madrid, PSV, FC Rostov Group E: CSKA Moscow, Leverkusen, Tottenham, Monaco Group F: Real Madrid, Dortmund, S’ Lisbon, Legia Warsaw Group G: Leicester, Porto, Club Brugge, Copenhagen Group H: Juventus, Sevilla, Lyon, Dinamo Zagreb

46

SPORT NEWS

Olympics

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Injured Iheanacho available for AFCON qualifier

A

s

RIO 2016

scan Thursday has cleared Manchester City starlet Kelechi Iheanacho and so he will be available for next week’s AFCON 2017 qualifier against Tanzania.

Iheanacho was forced out of Wednesday’s night UEFA Champions League clash against Steaua Bucuresti from Romania after he suffered what appeared to be a nasty muscle injury and had to be stretchered

CRUMBS

Destitute litter Sao Paulo

off the pitch.

“The scan has cleared Kelechi and he will be okay to play against Tanzania,” a source close to the striker disclosed.

“Even by the time he came off the pitch, he was ready to return, but the doctor preferred to play it safe and now the scan has shown there was nothing to really

Tanzania’s coach targets win in Nigeria

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Emmanuel Tobi

he city of Sao Paulo in Brazil is a better place than Rio. The city is much more alive almost 24 hours and it is not as expensive as Rio. But the streets are littered with destitute who sleep all over the place, wrap selves in blankets by the roadside. Not all of them are sane according to my findings. Most of them are into drugs which affected their brains. It was learnt that the authorities do arrest them but how often? This is prevalent in the Republican area of Sao Paulo. It beats my imagination how they cope sitting and sleeping on the floor in the rather chilling weather.

AteacherinMarceli

I

met a teacher on my way to Sao Paulo. She is Marceli.

She works in Sao Paulo but her family is in Rio. During the five-hour trip, there was no dull moment. She is such a brilliant person who speaks and writes English well enough. She thought me some regular words and sentences in Portuguese. How are you is ‘Como vai,’ one will reply with Bem, meaning ‘fine’. Where are you going is ‘onde voce vai’ in Portuguese. And ‘eu amo vove’ means I love you.

She went ahead to ask about the number of languages in Nigeria, she was alarmed we have over 250 ethnic languages because Portuguese is the only language they speak in the whole of Brazil.

worry about.”

Iheanacho is one from a big squad of foreign pros called up by new Eagles coach Gernot Rohr for a dead rubber AFCON qualifier against Tanzania in Uyo on Saturday, September 3.

Rohr will use this match to prepare for a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Zambia on October 3.

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harles Mkwasa, Head coach of Tazania national soccer team, Taifa Stars, has vowed to secure a win when they battle Nigeria in the final match of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations to enhance the country’s ratings in the monthly FIFA rankings.

Mkwasa made this declaration after inviting 20 players for their match against Nigeria on September 3 billed for Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

“This is a dead rubber, but it is important for us as far as FIFA rankings is concerned. A win over Ni-

Iheanacho (left)

Steer clear, supporters club warns Pinnick

Edo at 25 football tourney postponed N T

he Edo State at 25 football tournament scheduled for August 2016 among all the 18 Local Governments Areas in the state has been postponed.

The postponement, according to the organisers, is necessitated by logistics constraints arising from the on-going electioneering campaigns by political parties ahead of the governorship polls holding on September 10 in the state.

“After an exhaustive evaluation of the current political situation in the state, the Edo State Football Association and tournament consultants, Esmas Ventures, accepted the recommendation of

the Main Organising Committee to shift the date till after the election,” a statement by the organisers said.

All the Local Government Areas in the state are however, advised to keep their respective teams intact and continue with their preparations as a new date will be announced immediately after the election, the statement said.

The organisers stressed that “any inconvenience caused the participating teams, football lovers and most especially the prospective sponsors and donors is highly regretted.”

igeria Football Sports Supporters Club has accused President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, of working with some expelled members of the club to form a par-

Pinnick

TheSenegalesebarber Winners emerge at Lagos Supersoccer championship I

saw a Senegalese barber in Sao Paulo. He has many equipment and I was so impressed with his work. You cannot imagine a barber using up to five different equipment for one haircut. He is very diligent but so many friends around him. They are also Senegalese and I suspect they could be up to other things apart from barbing.

Oh,it’s Janet again

W

e meet again. Janet was the first volunteer I met in Brazil who rendered help because she is fluent in English. In Sao Paulo, on my way back home, somehow, I saw Janet again.

Such a jolly good fellow that will make the Rio games linger in ones mind for a long time.

Bravo Jane!

Ikenna Amadi

the game. The rules and techniques are very special and ollins Edwin Sports Club fascinating.” on Thursday emerged According to the President of champions of the first edi- Nigeria Supersoccer Federation, tion of the Lagos Supersoccer Emeka Ehiri, the NSSF is affilitourney organised by Nige- ated to the Federation of Interria Supersoccer Federation national Super Soccer. after defeating De Pros FC “Supersoccer is a new team 5-2 in the final played at the sport with great entertainment Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Lagos.

The game which drew lot of fans at the venue also had Great Olympics Football Club defeating Team 360 Football Club 8-7 in the third place match.

Speaking after the final, captain of Collins Edwin Sports Club, Onunze Pascal, said: “The uniqueness of Super Soccer encourages strikers to score more goals which is the beauty of

C

geria will certainly earn us many points,” said the former Yanga and Taifa Stars defender.

Tanzania is placed 124th in this month’s rankings while Nigeria occupies the 67th position.

Stars forced a 1-1 draw in their first leg match at the National Stadium, but playing Nigeria presents a tricky test for the Mkwasa’s men.

“We played them here and managed to earn a point, but the forthcoming match will be trickier,” he said.

Tanzania trails in group G with a point as Egypt tops the table with 10 points followed by Nigeria with two.

value. Though it is less aggressive than some contact sports, and partly because it eliminates the penalty shoot-outs, it is full of suspense and will amply and fairly reward the participation of both players and fans. It is a team sport governed by carefully crafted rules and regulations,” he added.

Captain of Collins Edwin Sports Club, Onunze Pascal, alongside his teammates receiving the winner’s trophy from the President of Nigeria Super Soccer Federation, Emeka Ehiri... yesterday.

allel body, warning him to steer clear of the activities of the club.

In a statement from the club signed by its Deputy National President General, Alhaji Yusuf Adenrele, and the club’s acting National PRO, Hafeez Balogun, they accused the NFF boss of trying to create division and bad blood among members of the club.

“It is surprising that Pinnick whose emergence as NFF President is still marred in controversy has not deemed it fit to reflect on why all the country’s national teams failed to book qualification for continental championships but rather he is busy causing division in our great club.

“Pinnick should realise that supporters club is not under the NFF or government; but a nonprofit making organization. He should also understand that the club has won certificates of recognition as the best supporters club both by FIFA and CAF and he cannot bring disunity amongst the members but he should rather face his job of ensuring that Nigeria qualifies for Russia 2018 World Cup because Nigerians will not forgive him if the Super Eagles fails to be in Moscow,” the statement noted.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Pogba: Cannavaro questions Juventus’ credentials

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uventus will find it hard to replace Paul Pogba in the Champions League, according to Fabio Cannavaro.

Fabio Cannavaro has endorsed the capture of Gonzalo Higuain but says it will be difficult for Juventus to win the Champions League without Paul Pogba.

Juve spent big to recruit Higuain, last season’s top scorer in Serie A, from Napoli as a replacement for striker Alvaro Morata, who was re-signed by Real Madrid.

But the departure of

France international Pogba to Manchester United for a world-record fee has left a void in midfield that head coach Massimiliano Allegri may struggle to fill against top opposition, according to Cannavaro.

“Juve certainly reinforced themselves they have a deep, complete squad and I think Higuain is stronger than Morata, but winning the Champions League is incredibly tough,” ex-Bianconeri defender Cannavaro was quoted by Gazzetta dello Sport.

Pogba (left)

FIBA Rankings

Nigeria overtakes Angola, Tunisia he national men’s By this rankings, NiT basketball team, the geria is now the highest D’Tigers may not have ranked African team, overqualified for the quarterfinals at the just concluded 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil but they have emerged better than they were before the Games as figures released by the sport’s world governing body, FIBA show.

According to the monthly ranking just released

by FIBA, Nigeria emerged the biggest climbers on the from 25th before the Games to 16th now, just below Venezuela, another country that improved tremendously on the table to 15 from their previous 22.

taking perpetual rivals Angola who incidentally also fell to the D’Tigers at last year’s Afrobasket while Tunisia who were however, not at the Olympics also gained two steps to now occupy the 21st position from 23rd, ahead of Angola who fell 8 steps from 15th to 23rd.

After Nigeria and Venezuela who were the biggest climbers, Serbia who lost the Olympic gold to the USA also climbed three spots from 6th to 3rd while Brazil gained two steps to now occupy the 7th spot.

Twitter league kicks off September 8

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he 8th edition of the Twitter Premier League promises to be more exciting as two new teams joined the.

According to a Director of the league, Ori-Jesu Efeoghene, the approval of two more teams was in the spirit of ensuring that more people get the opportunity to experience the excitement and fun that the TPL brings while also increasing the competitiveness of the league.

The two teams are Lotus FC and Tokio FC bringing the league to a total of eight semi-professional sides from

the previous six teams.

The new teams will play in the 8th edition of the Twitter Premier League which has been scheduled to kick-off from September 3rd and run till December 24th.

“They are both male teams and we approved just these two teams from the many applications we had because it is part of our expansion efforts as we hope that gradually more clubs will join who meet the criteria so that our delivery of quality fun through sports will not be jeopardized,” Ori-Jesu said.

FEATURE

47

John Kerry’s unadulterated garbage and his new-found friends

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r. John Kerry, the American Secretary of State, President Barack Obama’s confidante and Mrs. Hilary Clinton’s successor in office, came to Nigeria the other day.

The first meeting that he had was with the Sultan of Sokoto, who is the supreme leader of the Fulani Caliphate, the spiritual leader of all the Muslims of the north and the man who said, only last week, that “Christians commit wicked acts and crimes against humanity” and that “the wearing of the hijab is the right of every Muslim”.

The second was with the the 19 northern governors, 16 of whom are Muslims.

The third was our Muslim-fanatic and sharialoving President who has refused to call his kinsmen, the Fulani herdsmen and militants, to order or to arrest and prosecute even one of them for mass murder and genocide.

On the very same day that all this was happening the Islamic Development Bank visited the President and opened their first office in Nigeria.

The government has also quietly put two separate pieces of legislation before the National Assembly for consideration which, if passed, would on the one hand legalise criminal sharia law and on the other give grazing land to the Fulani herdsmen in the Middle Belt and the south.

The Christians of Nigeria should make of all this what they will.

I wonder whether they still “love and trust” the “liberal” Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama?

I wonder if they still believe that Clinton and Obama love ALL Nigerians and not just those that they helped to get into power last year?

Think hard and think deep Christian before it is too late and you are overwhelmed.

Consider the religious war that took place in Lebanon years ago and that is taking place in Syria today.

No-one wants a war because war is the ultimate evil yet the bitter truth must be told.

And that bitter truth is as follows: if the radical salafist and wahhabist Muslim fundamentalists of the core north, with their powerful friends in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Obama’s America push us over the edge and such a war ever happens here, it will be 100 times worse than those two put together. Worse still it will go on from generation to generation.

Do those that wish to Islamise us and wipe out our faith think it would be worth all that?

Are they prepared to pay such a terrible price by trying? The truth is that they are playing with fire.

They are playing Russian roulette with a loaded gun and the single bullet that is in the Kerry barrel is about to go off in their faces.

The Bible says that knowledge is power. How many Nigerians know that Egypt and Turkey were once nations which were 100 per cent Christian until they were islamised through the back door?

It took hundreds of years but, slowly and surely and as a consequence of the total acquisition of political power by the Muslims in both of those countries coupled with the continous display of complacency, ignorance, weakness, indolence, fear and cowardice on the part of successive Church leaders and leading members of the Christian community, they were totally and completely islamised.

Today the Christians in both Egypt and Turkey constitute a pitiful and tiny minority: 10 per cent in Egypt and 0.4 per cent in Turkey.

I hope that the new leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), as they prepare for

their first meeting in Maiduguri, Borno state on the 26th of August, are taking note of all this.

May God forbid that we should ever allow it to happen in Nigeria.

Yet one thing remains clear: the Christians of Nigeria are not like their counterparts that once constituted a majority in Turkey and Egypt. They are much more resilient and they are much stronger. They are also much more capable of defending themselves when pushed to the wall.

Despite consistently turning the other cheek and constantly striving to keep the peace, they are not ignorant, weak, cowardly, complacent, fearful or indolent.

When push comes to shove, unlike the Christians of Egypt and Turkey, they will not go down without a fight.

A word is enough for the wise.

As a graphic reflection of the anger that is slowly building up amongst Christians in the land, Mr. Kingsly Okah, a public commentator, wrote the following on Facebook. He wrote: “John Kerry came for the Sultan of Sokoto’s birthday and not a state visit. He came to perfect the western seed of discord foisted on us by the ouster of President Goodluck Jonathan. He came to lay credence to the American support of an Islamic agenda in Nigeria. He came to endorse genocide being commited by some reprobate Muslims whose foot soldiers are Fulani herdsnen and their grand patron Buhari”.

To butress the point Mr. Aboki Galadima of the Christian Information Network, which is a powerful and fast-rising Christian platform on the social media, went further by writing the following to it’s members. He wrote: “This is such a significant event that minority nationalities and Christians all over the country MUST digest and act.

1. John Kerry has just confirmed that spiritually, Nigeria is now an lslamic State.

2. His inspiring attacks on corruption, bad governance and all that stuff are thrilling but only a facade.

He and the government of the United States of America are here to divert attention from the real thing.

3.They are pushing the absurd narrative that we should blame past governments, who they claim did not tackle poverty etc., for the rise of lslamic terrorism in the north and that the Sokoto Caliphate has always been the region which provides Nigeria with decent human resources for good governance.

Haba!! Please somebody advise me to halt for now.

These diversions should be rejected and resisted. The legality of using lslam to kill and destroy in Nigeria must be challenged. This Network should keep this fight alive and on the front banner of national discourse”.

Both Mr. Okah and Mr. Galadima have spoken the minds of many in the Christian community. It would be most unwise for those that are now in power and their misguided friends and suporters to ignore them, attempt to silence them or to dismiss their concerns with the usual, insults, arrogance and contempt.

I say this because there can be little doubt that Mr. John Kerry spoke nothing but unadulterated garbage.

Unless leaders of the Hausa-Fulani core north change their ways and mentality about religion, education, girl-child and women’s rights etc, their region will remain Nigeria’s most impoverished, most illiterate, most diseased, most malnourished and most backward even if Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin, Theresa May, John Kerry, Donald Trump, Hilary Clinton et al visit the Sultan on a daily basis”.

Mr. Ndukwe has spoken the gospel truth. Let he who has ears hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying. Shalom.

Sanctity of Truth

Femi Fani-Kayode

John Kerry's unadulterated garbage and his new-found friends

}47

S

Emeka Obasi Mimicking Mikel Obi’s Big Heart

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

N150

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Big babes, cold bedroom

he has come a long way. She started small, very small in fact but life has been kind to her. She has found favour with God and man. Today, the young awkward marketing executive is the Chief Operating Officer of a multi-million naira concern. She has men, her father’s age, calling her Madam and women, more beautiful than her, scrambling for her attention and approval. She is a force you can’t ignore in her industry. Though many women wish they were in her shoes but her life is not all the colours of the rainbow that we all see.

She is married with children and the last line of her profile reads like that of most women in her shoes: she is happily married with children. Hmm, not totally true. Not totally false. Married with children yes but the happy part? Not always.

But come to think of it, which marriage is happy all the time? Some days you are happy, others you just wish you’d married someone else. And there are those days you want to shoot him, even if it’s in the leg or with rubber bullets. Not a biggie. Nobody should go into marriage hoping to be happy every single second. Happily ever after I think is a concoction from Denise Robins’ romance kitchen.

Oh, all those romance novels we read and believed! Yours sincerely read so many Mills and Boons I actually believed all the purple prose about tall rich, dark and handsome romantic man myth. If you are a fan of M&B, you’ll remember all the favourite authors now: Carole Mortimer, Anne Mather, Penny Jordan. Are you smiling? I am. The things those writers filled our heads with.

Come back to the present, into the life of the lady boss and the man she married.

Welcome to the life of the successful career married woman. And the fine-boy-no-pimples guy she married.

Hear her husband.

‘These days I’m not sure if I’m married or not because my wife is married to her job. I virtually have to book appointments to see her. Sex is no longer spontaneous. It’s like there is a roster somewhere for making love to my own wife o. For instance, Mondays are totally not sex days. Fridays are not either. Saturday mornings, she wants to sleep so I cannot check out my property. And the week before a board of directors meeting is worse. She falls asleep surrounded by laptop, I-pad, tons of files, her glasses still perched on the bridge of her nose. I can’t even sneak a touchy-feel.

We have a full compliments of kitchen staff now complete with chef who spices every dish to high heavens. But nobody makes vegetable soup like my wife. I miss the aroma of her ‘akara’ waking me up on Saturday mornings. Now, if two of the reasons you married your wife is the great sex and her cooking prowess, what do you do when she becomes a big girl, with a ninedigit salary, who neither cooks nor satisfies you in bed? Is someone going to blame me if I start getting some on the side?’

Now, why do I get this strong feeling that bros is already doing full-scale extracurricular activities? You see, when a man threatens to take a second wife, 60 per cent of the time, he has already taken one. He’s just looking for an opportunity to bring her in. So, when the husband of the lady boss

Adam’s Apple

FUNKE EGBEMODE egbemode3@gmail.com 0805-506-9066 (sms only) reels out a long list of his reasons why he deserves a girlfriend, hmmn, I can bet my leave allowance that he is already getting thoroughly serviced by one impressionable undergraduate or even his secretary.

All the same, let’s consider his complaint sheet without imagining him in a nonmissionary position with his secretary.

I truly sympathise with men married to career women especially the one who have risen to the top of the ladder. They are rare breeds and even bigger boys than their big-girl-wives. To marry a big babe doesn’t take much, which is why a lot of men marry them in the first place.

It is glamorous and men these days consciously seek out the big babes. Check out the wedding invitation cards you currently have and the weddings you had attended in the last six months. You will find the brides are bankers, doctors, even entrepreneurs.

Guys suddenly prefer the already made girls, not just the ones who come from old money or who are daughters of politicians.

Many times, I must admit, the unemployed girls don’t get as many proposals as the career girls.

But somehow, after marriage and as the years go by, the husband of the lady boss starts complaining and one wonders why. Could it be that he couldn’t see beyond his happy nose of long ago? I mean, a 29-year-old bride doing well in a bank will eventually grow into a General Manager and that post certainly won’t come with hours or responsibilities. As the perks increase, so will the meetings and official trips and dinners and meeting with clients. Most men just generally assume that if their fine wives have dinner with

Lonely night after a hard day's job

PHOTO:www.imzansi.co.za

a rich client, the rich client will have their wives for dinner. And we all know what those kinds of thoughts do to men’s heads.

Poor folks. They just aren’t ever prepared for the brighter years and that’s when the complaints start.

Men are not like women in any way, are they? When a woman marries a poor man and he becomes rich, we just slide smoothly, effortlessly into the role of the wife of a big boy. We move from buying second hand dresses to designer ones. We move from

cheap costume jewellery to dainty gold and even diamonds. We learn the movements and adapt to new neighbourhoods.

We even learn new ways to monitor our men’s movements. But a man is not really wired to tag along. Yet, since sh*t happens and this is a new world, the husband of the lady boss just must adapt. It’s just the way the cookies crumble. And the best way to adapt is to own both the assets and liabilities.

Now, the lady boss needs to do a lot of work to keep her man, her home and her marriage, Yes, she can’t do ‘efo riro’ and ‘akara’ as often as bros wants but she must make out time to cook her husband’s favourite dishes as often as she can. Dear, just get the kitchen staff to lay out the ingredients. Next step: get into your hottest pants or shorts and make sure bros is around to watch you sweat it out making his vegetable soup. Roll all your assets as you move up and down.

Let him gasp. Let him drool but you don’t have to give it all up that night. This is just the cooking phase.

The other department you must man with all your strength is the bedroom.

You cannot allow those little girls outdo you in the territory where you have more cognate experience. Deploy those assets and give him the service of his life. If he’s one of those guys who likes to hang out with his friends on Fridays, Thursday night is your execution date. Show him undiluted service. Shake him up. Make him pant. Make him beg. Take him to the seventh heaven and let him ride back on your back, sweating. Even if he does not cancel his date with the boys, you are almost sure he can’t deliver the goods with girls. Right? Give him something to think about all day. Let him doze at his desk. Let him look forward to a next time.

Beg him to make out time to accompany you on official trips once in a while.

Take him far from the madding crowd and give him the treat of his life. Swim at night together if you do and …well, I can’t say everything here. Even when you are tired, you know great sex is great exercise and you need to work out, don’t you? See? It’s a win-win situation.

No matter how hard you work at work, you must protect the territorial integrity of your marriage.

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