Friday, february 13, 2015 by Newtelegraphonline

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Vol. 2 No. 359

Friday, February 13, 2015

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

Chaos as Nigeria Labour congress election ends in stalemate }5

Naira slumps further, defies CBN's protection Ayodele Aminu and Chris Ugwu

he naira and the Nigerian stock market have continued to go south as the economic

crisis, occasioned by the volatility in the global oil market, further drag down their values. Despite assurances by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that there was "no need to panic" over the

slide of the naira, the currency hit an all-time low of N206.05 to $1 yesterday, from N204.25 on Wednesday. The naira had crashed through the key level of N200 to the dollar last

Tuesday in a rout sparked by weak oil prices and escalating tension over the postponement of the presidential election. Consequently, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who had earlier

appealed to foreign and local investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) not to panic over the depression in the nation’s local bourse, also told a television station, CMBC CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

43 days to go... Nigeria Nigeria votes votes

2015

15 20}14 & 15

It's May 29 or nothing

lAGF says interim government unconstitutional }2

Quick Read Editorial

The need to protect corps members during polls }19 Boko Haram regrouping for attack, says FG }8 Travel Advisory

Your guide to local and international flights }4

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema; Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and President, NSE Council, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, during Emefiele’s visit to the NSE in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Akpabio: No PDP gov working for Buhari lAPC to Jonathan: You can't intimidate us Onyekachi Eze, Johnchuks Onuanyim, Emmanuel Onani and Temitope Ogunbanke

eoples Democratic Party (PDP) gover-

nors have described as mischievous and scandalous the allegation that some of them are working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate,

Major General Muhammadu Buhari, to win the March 28 presidential election. They also pledged their determination to ensue the re-election of President

Goodluck Jonathan, who is the PDP candidate in the election. This came as APC pointedly told the president that the party would not be cowed by attempts to

intimidate it by deploying the military and the police to harass its leaders. Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, who doubles as ChairCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

News

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

AGF: It's May 29 or nothing Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), has ruled out any attempt

to form an interim government in case of debacle in the conduct of the general elections. Speaking against the backdrop of speculations that the Jonathan administration was plotting to form an interim government should the general

elections, which have been delayed by six weeks, fail to hold again, Adoke, in a statement in Abuja said the president could not have been nursing such an idea as there was no provision for a provisional administration in the 1999 Constitution.

Naira slumps further, defies CBN's protection CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Africa, in an interview that investors should stay calm. He said the currency was "appropriately priced" despite a nearly 25 per cent slide against the dollar in the last three months. "We are not in the best of times, but there's no need to panic," Emefiele added. He said the bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) did not need to hold an emergency meeting, and ruled floating the currency. The CBN governor stressed that the central bank would continue to monitor the movement of the naira and respond as the situation demands. Addressing the capital market community, Emefiele said the Federal Government was expecting to ramp-up as high as $1 billion from non-oil revenue this year. Emefiele, who rang the trade closing gong, said the Nigerian monetary authorities and fiscal authorities were striving to respond to the vulnerabilities occasioned by drop in oil price and other upset in the financial sector of the economy. “I repeat that there is no need for us to panic because we've looked at various scenarios and models where we looked at some of those actions that the monetary and fiscal authorities would take as we attain various levels in the price of crude. “I think it is important for me to at least commend the fiscal authorities. In 2014, for instance, as these unfolding events started, the Minister of Finance invited the McKenzie Group to look at our non-oil sources of revenue. In 2014, we had over N75 billion in increased non-oil revenues. We are expecting in 2015 that this will ramp up to as high as $1 billion. Those are some of the activities that have been put in place. There is no need to panic. We have seen people also responding as a result of the political situation in Nigeria and all I can say is that the Nigerian economy remains resilient," Emefiele said. Apart from the naira, Nigerian equities also defied the CBN governor's assurance to investors as stocks fell in the world’s

worst performance, tumbling to a more than twoyear low. This prompted investors to sell their assets. The NSE All-Share Index dropped a sixth day, retreating 2.7 per cent to 27,935.77, the lowest since December 2012 and the worst among 92 global primary gauges tracked by Bloomberg. Meanwhile, the apex bank yesterday dismissed the widespread concern

that the impact of the oil price slump on the economy threatens the nation’s banks. Director, Banking Supervision, CBN, Mrs. Tokunboh Martins, told journalists at the end of the Bankers’ Committee meeting in Lagos that the banks are in good shape. According to her, the oil price slump has brought about challenging times CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Yesterday's clarification by Adoke was the third from different quarters of the administration on the alleged bid to raise an interim government. President Goodluck Jonathan, while fielding questions from a panel of reporters at a special edition of the Presidential Media Chat televised on Wednesday, had said he was ready to hand over to a new government on May 29 and he would go back home should he lose the presidential election now slated for March 28. Also, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Wednesday dismissed any involvement in the interim government plot, pledging its commitment to support democracy. Adoke said he was prompted to make the clarification on the alleged

plot based on calls in the media by some Nigerians for the constitution of an interim national government to supervise the general elections to usher in a new democratic government. Adoke added that Nigerians are being unwittingly led to believe that a certain prescription, which is totally alien to the constitution, can be adopted as a viable solution to national challenges. "It has therefore become necessary to correct this misconception and refocus the citizenry on the path of constitutionalism and democratic tenets consistent with our quest for democratic consolidation in Nigeria. "For the avoidance of doubt, it is pertinent to state that the framers of the Constitution of the

Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 did not envisage the constitution of Interim National Government to superintend over the affairs of government. "It is therefore not surprising to observe that no provision for Interim National Government was made in the constitution. "The contraption called Interim National Government is therefore alien to Nigeria’s constitutional framework and the arrangement should not be promoted by well-meaning Nigerians under any guise or circumstance," the minister said. He, however, urged Nigerians to continue to rely on the constitution, which contains adequate provisions on how the democratic process can be activated to elect their leaders.

A cross-section of persons with disability at a rally organised by Goodluck 2015 Vision for Persons with Unique Abilities in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTOS: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Govs’ immunity doesn't extend to polling centres –Mbu Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

he Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Mr. Joseph Mbu, yesterday declared that the constitutional immunity being enjoyed by state governors would not extend to polling centres on election days. He said the police were determined to protect the nation's Electoral Act and would not condone any governor that disrupts the elections with his entourage. Mbu spoke during his visit to the Ogun State Police Command, Eleweran, Abeokuta where he addressed officers and men ahead of the rescheduled

general elections. The AIG, while paying a courtesy visit earlier to the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, vowed to uphold the code and ethics of the police force, adding that he would not accept any form of thuggery and lawlessness from any political party at the polls. "All I'm interested in is that we would not allow anybody to turn the states in my care into theatre of war. I will not accept any thuggery and lawlessness from any political party," he told the governor. Addressing officers and men in the state command, Mbu stressed the need for police to be disciplined and impartial in the conduct of the general elections. The AIG, who is in charge of Lagos and Ogun

states, warned policemen against engaging in corrupt practices and acts capable of discrediting the electoral process, saying any officer found wanting would face serious sanctions. He noted that the police hierarchy would not allow governors and other elected office holders to intimidate eligible voters at the polling booths during the elections. Mbu added: "The governor will come quietly, maybe with his ADC (aidede-camp) to vote and walk away quietly. "Anybody who comes there with people jumping down, don't be intimidated. Stop them, even if he's the governor, you have the power to say stop there and he stops there. Your

Excellency, I don't like your conduct." He declared that the police would not hesitate to arrest any officer found accompanying governors and other public office holders to disrupt elections. Mbu said: "Our duty is to make sure that the elections are conducted freely, fairly and peacefully and violence-free. There must be a code of conduct that you have to uphold to make sure that we actualise our goals. Don't bring God into this matter because you have to work hard before you now ask God to help you. How do you work hard? You make sure that you prepare. "This is a turning point in the history of the Nigeria Police where you have

two very powerful political parties contesting keenly. So, we have to be very serious. We have to be very bold. We have to be very brave. You must remain at your duty post. You must make sure you keep an eagle eye on everybody coming there. "Even if the governor comes there with an entourage and with policemen by his side to come and intimidate people there, you call your senior because you don't have the power over them. The governor will come quietly, maybe with his ADC to vote and walk away quietly." The AIG, who warned criminals against the killing of policemen, however, said policemen should only fire their guns in selfdefence.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Travel Advisory

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule Air France

Destination Abuja- Paris Paris-Lagos Paris-PHC PHC-Paris Paris –Abuja Lagos –Paris

Flight No. AF 513 AF 3822 AF514 AF513 AF514 AF3849

Departure 23.55hrs 10.55hrs 11:00hrs 21:20hrs 11:00hrs 23:55hrs

Arrival 6:05hrs 17:15hrs 19:15hrs 6:05hrs 17:00hrs 6:20hrs

Amsterdam-Lagos Lagos-Amsterdam

KL587 KL588

13:15hrs 23:05hrs

20:00hrs 05:50hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York

W3 101 W3 102 W3 107 (Mon, Wed , Fri) New York-Lagos W3 108 (Tues,Thurs, Fri) Lagos-Johannesburg W3 103 Johannesburg-Lagos W3 104 Lagos-Douala - (Tues, Wed ,Thur) Douala-Lagos - (Tues, Wed, Thur) Lagos-Accra Accra-Lagos

Abuja-Accra Accra-Abuja Lagos-Freetown Freetown-Lagos Lagos-Banjul Banjul-Lagos Lagos-Dakar Dakar-Lagos

-(Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun) -(Mon, Wed, Fri) -(Daily) - (Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri,Sat) -(Tue,Wed, Fri,Sat,Sun)

BRITISH AIRWAYS

London-Lagos Lagos-London Abuja-London Abuja-London

07:00hrs 20:05hrs 20:10hrs 11:45hrs

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS

16:00hrs

Lagos-Kigali

11:15hrs

16:45hrs

10:45hrs 09:35hrs 11:10hrs 13:25hrs 07:20hrs 17:00hrs 08:05hrs 13:35hrs 18:00hrs

hrs 14:44hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

AWB 201 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) AWB 202 (Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun)

14:00hrs

17:30hrs

22:35hrs 15:10hrs

06:00hrs 21:20hrs

17:00hrs 06:00hrs 08:00hrs 17:00hrs 08:00hrs 15:20hrs 21:00hrs

hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

01:00hrs

hrs

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

EK 7821 (Sun-Sat) EK 7822 EK 7831 EK 7811 EK 761

21:30hrs 14:40hrs 07:35hrs 14:20hrs 23:55hrs

07:40hrs 01:05hrs 12:50hrs 19:45hrs 10:30hrs

Lagos-Doha Flight Doha-Lagos Flight

QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415

14:55hrs 07:20hrs

23:45hrs 13:35hrs

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

DL053 DL 054

22:15hrs 5:15hrs

05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

Lagos - Addis Ababa ET900 Addis Ababa - Lagos ET901 Abuja - Addis Ababa ET910 Addis Ababa - Abuja ET911 Enugu - Addis Ababa ET930 Addis Ababa - Enugu ET931 Kano - Addis Ababa ET930 Addis Ababa - Kano ET931

13:15hrs 09:00hrs 13:40hrs 09:40hrs 12:00hrs 09:20hrs 14:05hrs 09:20hrs

20:25hrs 12:15hr 20:10hrs 12:20hrs 20:50hrs 11:15hrs 20:50hrs 13:20hrs

Lagos-Madrid Madrid-Lagos

IB 3337 IB 3336

22:55hrs 16:00hrs

5:25+1hrs 20:20hrs

Lagos-Casablanca Casablanca-Lagos

AT738 AT 737

06:25hrs 02:15hrs

09:55hrs 6:00hrs

air maroc

20.45hrs 09:50hrs 09.20 hrs 06:30hrs

12:30hrs

Lagos-Dubai Lagos-Dubai Dubai-Lagos Dubai-Lagos Abuja-Dubai

IBERIA

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

EY 0672 (Sunday) (Monday) (Saturday) EY 955

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

MEA 571 MEA 572

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

to Lagos)

UNITED AIRLINES

17:00hrs 4:40hrs

KQ 533 KQ 534

11:55hrs 5:50hrs 14:35hrs 06:00hrs

DELTA AIRLINES

11:00hrs 22:40hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

17:55hrs 00:00hrs 09:00hrs 22:40hrs

QATAR AIRWAYS

VS 652 VS 651

18:30hrs 05:15hrs 05:30hrs

BA075 BA074 BA 082 BA 083

EMIRATES AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos

12:00hrs 21:30hrs 23:50hrs

Middle East Airlines (Two flights weekly (Tues & Friday)

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

VIRGIN ATLANTIC

RwandAir

Kigali-Lagos

Turkish Airlines

Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

Air Côte d'Ivoire Lagos to Abidjan Abidjan to Lagos

HF 851 (Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sun) HF 852 (Mon,Wed, Thurs, Sat)

ASKY AIRLINES

Destination Lome to Abuja Abuja-Lome- Kinshasa Kinshasa-Abuja Abuja-Lome Lome-Lagos Lagos-Libreville Libreville-Kinshasa Kinshasa-Libreville Libreville-Lagos Lagos-Lome Lome-Lagos Lagos-Libreville Libreville-Brazaville Brazaville-Libreville Brazzaville-Lagos Lagos-Lome

10:10hrs

10:50hrs

19:20hrs

21.50hrs

Flight No. KP 032 (Tue-Fri) KP 032 ( Tue-Fri)

Departure Arrival 14:00hrs 15:55hrs 16:30hrs 18:15hrs

KP 033 (Wed-Sat) KP O33 (Wed-Sat) KP O40 (Sun-Sat) KP 040 (Sun-Sat) KP 040 (Sun-Sat) KP041 (Tue-Sat) KP 041 (Tue-Sat) KP 041 (Tue-Sat) KP O44 (Tue-Fri) KP 044 (Tue-Fri) KP 044 (Tue-Fri) KP O45 (Wed-Sat) KP 045 (Wed-Sat) KP 045 (Wed-Sat)

8:20hrs 10:35hrs 13:00hr 14:40hrs 17:00hrs 7:15hrs 9:35hrs 11:55hrs 13:10hrs 14:50hrs 17:10hrs 07:00hrs 09:20hrs 11:40hrs

10:00hrs 12:20hrs 14:00hrs 16:30hrs 18:45hrs 08:55hrs 11:25hrs 12:45hrs 14:10hrs 16:40hrs 18:50hrs 08:40hrs 11:10hrs 12:30hrs

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE ARIK AIR

LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:00; 09:00; 11:00 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00; 20:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 09:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 (SAT) 07:00; 11:00; 15:00 (SUN) 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 09:00; 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 (SAT) 07:30; 11:30; 09:00; 13:00; 17:00 (SUN) 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 ABUJA-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30; 16:50 (SAT/SUN) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30 PORT-HARCOURT-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10; 18:30 (SAT/SUN) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10

AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE

WEEKLY SCHEDULE Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Abuja 10:30am Abuja-Lagos 12:40pm

Lagos-Abuja/Kano 4:00pm Abuja-Kano 5:45pm Kaduna-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kan 10:10am Kano-Abuja/Lagos 12:40pm Abuja-Lagos 1:00pm Abuja-Lagos 2:40pm Lagos-Kaduna 5:00pm WEEKEND SCHEDULE SATURDAY Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Abuja 10:30am Abuja-Lagos 1:00pm Lagos-Kano 4:00pm Kaduna-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kano 4:00pm Sunday Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kano 10:30am Kano-Abuja/Lagos 1:20pm Abuja-Lagos 2:40pm Lagos-Kaduna 5:00pm

FIRST NATION AIRWAYS

LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06.50; 09:30; 11:45; 16:00 (SAT) 06:50; 11:45 (SUN) 11:45; 16:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 11:30; 13:40;18:30 (SAT) 09:00; 13:40 (SUN) 13:40; 18:30 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 14:45

(SAT) 16:15 (SUN) 14:45 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:50 (SAT) 18:20 (SUN) 16:50

AEROCONTRACTORS

LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06:50; 13:30; 16:30; 19:45 (SAT/SUN) 12:30; 16:45 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 13:00; 19:00 (SAT) 12:30 (SUN) 15:30

MEDVIEW AIRLINES

LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:50; 12:00; 15:30 (SAT) 10:00; 15:00 (SUN) 17:30; 18:30 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 14:00, 15:00; 18:30

OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS-ILORIN (MON-FRI) 07:15 LAGOS-IBADAN (MON-FRI) 7:00 IBADAN-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:00 IBADAN-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:30 ILORIN –ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30 ILORIN –LAGOS (MON-FRI) 17:00 ABUJA-ASABA (MON-FRI) 10:00 ASABA-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 14:15 ASABA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 11:30 LAGOS-ASABA (MON-FRI) 13:00 ABUJA-ILORIN 16:00 ABUJA-IBADAN 15:00

News

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Chaos as NLC election ends in stalemate

Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

ttempts by labour unionists to elect a new president to lead the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) ended in a fiasco yesterday following violence that greeted an alleged bid to rig the poll in favour of a contestant. The election of a new leadership for the union to take over from the outgoing one led by Mr. Abdulwahed Omar, was to wrap up the 11th delegates' con-

ference of the NLC, which held in Abuja. Trouble started when delegates and loyalists of one of the major contestants to the NLC presidency accused the outgoing executive of manipulating the electoral process to favour a rival. The race for the NLC presidency was between President of Joint Health Workers Union, Mr. Ayuba Wabba and his counterpart at National of Union Electricity Employees (NUEE), Mr. Joe Ajaero.

Naira slumps further CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

that banks all over the world are devising strategies to tackle. She said Nigerian banks were healthy enough to pull through. “We discussed extensively the state of the economy and it is encouraging to note that despite all the headwinds, global and domestic, the banking industry remains safe, sound and resilient. We discussed the banks in terms of their capital adequacy levels in terms of their liquidity, profitability and in terms of asset quality and it was concluded that all the ratios remain satisfactory. For the industry, all the banks, on average, are above regulatory minimum. In conclusion, the banking industry remains safe sound and resilient,” she said. She stated that the capital level of the banks were some of the highest in the world, pointing out that such high level of capital put the lenders in a good position to cope with the impact of the oil price slump. Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), Mr. Segun Agbaje, also dismissed concerns about banks’ exposure to the oil and gas industry. He said: “The CBN has carried out extensive stress tests and the books of the banks have been found to be okay.” Agbaje denied reports that the apex bank was imposing restrictions on the operation of domiciliary accounts. “There will be no change to the operation of domiciliary accounts and there will remain unfettered access towards inflows and outflows into domiciliary accounts. The CBN remains committed to running an open foreign exchange policy and the rules governing operations of domiciliary accounts will remain as you have always known them,” Agbaje stated. In the latest update on its reserves, the banking watchdog said yesterday its stockpile of dollars had dropped to $33.4 billion as of February 10, a decline of $1 billion since Janu-

ary 28. Dealers said there had been further CBN intervention during chaotic trading on Wednesday and yesterday. In both the latest two sessions, they triggered an agreed 'circuit-breaker' to halt electronic trading because of the pace of the naira's fall. The latest date on currency sales showed a dramatic escalation of the CBN’s attempts to stabilise the naira. Last year it burnt up reserves at an average rate of $20 million a day to prop up the currency.

But the NLC leadership was accused of plotting to enthrone Wabba to succeed Omar by tampering with the ballot papers to be used for the election. New Telegraph gathered that the alleged irregularities in the printing of the ballot papers sparked a crisis among the delegates who felt cheated, thus resulting in the cancellation of the election, which by the time it was stopped, was at 80 per cent completion stage. Aggrieved supporters of Ajaero, in protest, hijacked ballot boxes and other electoral materials. While addressing journalists after the stalemate, Ajaero expressed shock at the manipulations experienced during the election, alleging deliberate plans to rig him out. He said the ballot papers were printed in such a way to make him lose the election even if he had large followership. He said: "It is difficult to believe that such things happen in the trade union movement; but it is equally to the glory of God that it was detected because ordinarily, you would have seen a situation where ev-

erybody wanted somebody and a different result is announced, and that would have been very sad. "So, it was not until when my people started voting that some of them each time they vote they come around to say this booklet we have seen two or three Ayuba Wabba, Ayuba Wabba, about six times in one booklet and people can mark three of them together and then drop it in the box. "It then means that one person is voting three times. Another person also reported the same scenario. We then said if you see them let us see them as evidence. Not only Ayuba Wabba's name was duplicated as there were some others too. "There were some Peter Adeyemi and some of them are with my group as evidence. In most cases when you see Joseph Ajaero, it will not have a serial number. Some other booklets will not even have Joseph Ajaero, which means the person given that booklet will not vote Joseph Ajaero, assuming he wanted to vote for me. "They took it to Dr Isa Fagge who tried to give

an explanation that when they finish the voting process, they will check the serial number and remove the ones with complaint, but my people rejected the explanation." Prior to the election, the President of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Mr. Igwe Achese, had formally announced his withdrawal from the race to support Ajaero. Achese, at a press conference after the botched election, said the NLC leadership that failed to dissolve the Omar-led executive deliberately orchestrated the failure of the delegates conference in a bid to extend his tenure. "I don't know what to call it; mistake, manipulation or a well articulated effort to rig the election in favour of a particular candidate. "Imagine a situation where Ayuba Wabba's name appeared on a ballot booklet twice or thrice. It's obvious that the NLC wanted Wabba to win the election against the choice of other delegates," he stated. He said the outgoing executive violated the ex-

isting constitution of NLC by not dissolving the executive council led by the outgoing president. "They knew that the election would be inconclusive and that is why they rejected a motion for the executive to be dissolved, which would have signalled the commencement of the election of new executive. "They argued that the dissolution is not in the constitution of the congress, but I know for sure that it is captured in the constitution," he said. He, however, said the NLC General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, would be in charge of running the congress pending the resolution of the irregularities noticed in the balloting system. The conference, which began on Tuesday, was organised to elect new leaders for the nation's central labour union, following the expiration of the tenure of the current executive. As at the time of filing this report the NAC meeting was still on and it was not clear whether the election would be cancelled or a fresh one would hold.

L-R: Member, Northern Christian Leaders Eagle-Eyes Forum, Bishop Musa Fomson; vice presidential candidate, All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; the party's presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari; Chairman of the forum, Pastor Aminchi Abu and Pastor-in-Charge, Christ Life Evangelistic Ministry, Pastor Daniel Oboni, at a meeting between Buhari and Northern Christian leaders in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Poll shift: Senate to summon Jega, says Gaya Muhammad Kabir KANO

equel to the shift in dates of the general elections, the Nigerian Senate said it will, on resumption, summon the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Atahirru Jega to explain the actual reason behind the postponement.

Speaking with newsmen in Kano, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, Alhaji Kabiru Gaya, said the first assignment of the lawmakers on resumption of plenary sitting is to summon the INEC chairman and ask him reasons why the commission postponed the polls. Gaya noted that since the issue of security given as excuse by INEC for the

postponement has been denied by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling party has been harping on lack of logistics on the part of INEC and not security. Wondering why such a postponement should be effected without consulting the National Assembly, the lawmaker added that in an ideal democratic setting, the notion of checks and balances must be respected.

According to him, it is not the responsibility of the military to interfere in the nation’s electoral process, saying the military institution is only saddled with the task of defending the territorial integrity of the country. He said: "Even if the election is going to be postponed 1,000 times, nothing could stop the victory of the APC. We are ready to call the bluff of anyone

behind the gimmick. We are going to win the elections from top to bottom because the electorate are fed up with a lame-duck presidency." Senator Gaya, however, stated that since the INEC has lost its grip as an impartial arbiter, the commission’s chairman would be summoned by the Senate to explain its role in effecting the decision to shift the elections.

News

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

567 bills pending before House of Reps Philip Nyam Abuja

s the House of Representatives reconvenes next Tuesday for legislative activities, 567 bills are awaiting the attention of the lawmakers. The House has less than 80 sitting days left before the end of its tenure. New Telegraph investigation revealed that the House has since June 6, 2011 introduced a total of 668 bills, but only 101 were passed, leaving a total of 567 bills to work on in the next three months. This is even as 214 members of the House have not sponsored a single bill since their inauguration to the lower chamber in June 2011. The House bill progression chart obtained by New Telegraph shows that out of the 380 members in the House, only 146 have so far sponsored bills. The information further reveals that the House has also passed a total of 101 bills, 120 resolutions while 23 bills were rejected. The House, during the three and half year’s period, made a total of 244 legislative outputs during plenary sessions in 42 months.

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST

Our correspondent gathered that considering the tedious process involved in the passage of a bill, the House would want to speed up its commitment to attending to these bills. Similarly, there are indications that the House may have decided to over-

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lower chamber is the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) whose fate still hangs in the balance. It is indeed the oldest bill in the National Assembly. Its history is synonymous with the current democratic dispensation traversing all the Assemblies till date.

Although, the ad hoc, the zonal public hearings across the six geopolitical zones held in April 2013, till today, the report of the ad hoc committee on the PIB, headed by the Chief Whip, Hon. Ishaku Mohammed Bawa (PDP, Taraba), which was inaugurated in 2012 is being expected.

With the pressure from a cross section of Nigerians, the report is likely to be tabled before the House for debate as soon as they reconvene on Tuesday. The leadership of the House has already given assurances that the bill will be passed before the 7th Assembly winds up.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (middle), presenting relief materials to displaced Chibok people at a camp in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO-NAN

APC to Jonathan: You can't intimidate us CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

LAGOS

ride the president’s assent should he fail to sign the bills by the end of the first quarter of this year. Closely related to this is the magnitude of bills forwarded to the president for assent, which have not be assented to. One of the prominent bills pending before the

man of the PDP Governors' Forum (PDP-GF), at a press conference addressed by the party's National Chairman in Abuja, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu, blamed the opposition for the rumour of disloyalty to the party by some of the governors. "That is the rumour; it is falsehood, it is baseless, it is evil, it is scandalous," he said. The governor said his colleagues took cognisance of the president's track record and the fact that in the last four years no president had achieved as much as he had in Nigerian history in backing his re-election bid. "The PDP governors across Nigeria have resolved to return President Jonathan to Aso Villa. This is fact and that was why the PDP governors endorsed the president for a second term in office. "Of course, we are aware of his achievements in the educational sector. The insurgency in the North can only be fought through education and so he established 14 universities, including polytechnics. He still went ahead with the establishment of Almajiri schools to ensure that children do not fall easy prey to those who want to go ahead and recruit them into all forms of vices. "Not only that, we are

aware of the massive development in terms of infrastructure. You are aware of what he has done in building new turbines to enable us to solve power issues," Akpabio added. He said it was because of the achievements the president that no PDP governor contested the presidential primaries against him. "It was not because we are not capable but because we felt that the man that is there now delivers the goods to Nigerians. What we are looking for in this country is peace progress and unity,” he said. On the day Akpabio reassure Jonathan of PDP governors' loyalty, the APC warned the president against further intimidation of its leaders, saying it will not be cowed by such attempts. According to the party, apart from the military laying siege to the house of its national leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, the police yesterday also surrounded the home of the spokesman for its presidential campaign organisation, Mallam Garba Shehu. However, there was no policeman at Shehu's home located at Area 11 in Abuja when New Telegraph visited the place. A statement by APC's National Publicity Secre-

tary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also said the military also laid a siege to the Imo State Government House. ''As the elections approach, we know the harassment and intimidation will be stepped up. We know our leaders, including the National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun; National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu; Governor Rotimi Amaechi; former Governor Timipre Sylva; Senator Bukola Saraki and National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, are under surveillance and their phones being hacked. ''We are aware that several of them, especially the National Publicity Secretary, have been marked down for arrest in the days to come. We know there are evil plots to frame some of them on trumpedup charges. We know our lives are in danger. But these and more will not deter us from continuing to act in the national interest or from seeking to effect change through the ballot box. ''Yes, we are alerting Nigerians that if anything happens to us they should know where it is coming from. But for us, there is no going back because we are resolute,'' the party said. Giving further detail on the alleged siege to his

house, Shehu in a statement yesterday said a contingent of policemen arrived at his house on Wednesday night and left in the wee hours of yesterday. He said: “My family members and I were woken from sleep by the noise from a swarm of strangers and the clattering sounds as they cocked their guns. It was a scary situation. "Looking from the window, I saw no less than 15 policemen bearing weapons, some in complete uniform and others not fully dressed. It was not in doubt that our Block S.A. 12, in the NNPC Quarters, Area 11, Garki was under a cordon. Two police cars blocked the incoming lane from the gate just by our block, and two others faced it blocking the exit way. A big white van with heavily tinted glasses was parked between Blocks 12 and 14, which faced each other. "The armed men did not climb up to my apartment and I did not, on my part open the door to them, so as not to hand myself to them. "This situation persisted for about an hour until two things happened: the twitter and the Facebook began to render accounts of the siege and the call to Muslim prayers came and passed without my family members leaving for the

mosque. "At this point, the van and three of the police vehicles drove off. The fourth one moved to the pavement by the playground with about five policemen in it. It remained there until some moments 7am when that one too, drove off. "Since the end of the stand-off, I have been in communication with the DSS and the police at the highest levels. Both organisations denied knowledge of this operation at the beginning. "The Police InspectorGeneral returned after making his investigation to say that policemen were there following an emergency call by a neighbour who came under robbery attack. The police account would have been plausible and acceptable to me but for the fact that the point of action, meaning the position of the police cars, the van and the armed men were around and between my own block S.A. 12 and 14 and therefore clearly removed from block 13, which the police report indicated." But the police have denied knowledge of the siege as the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, an acting Commissioner of Police, said: "I don't have information on that."

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIday, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

national

Nyako faults Yola High Court on refusal of judgment By Ibrahim Abdul Yola

or mer Governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd), has faulted the decision of a Federal High Court in Yola to transfer the case he instituted over his impeachment by the Adamawa State House of Assembly on

the orders of Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Ibrahim Auta. Nyako, who made the observation through his spokesperson, Malam Ahmad Sajoh, said the action was a great disservice to the rule of law and constituted the highest travesty of law in the land. Sajoh noted that during the last sitting of the Court presided by Jus-

tice Bilkisu Bello Aliyu, on February 3, judgment on the suit was fixed for February 12 2014, only for the judge not making an appearance. That according to him, was following a petition written against the Yola High Court Judge, which informed the transfer of the suit to Abuja. “The judge had fixed 12th February 2015 for ruling after the conclusion

Al-Mustapha, FG lock horns over Osborne property Akeem Nafiu

ajor Hamza AlMustapha, the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late General Sanni Abacha, has dragged the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and one Ladi Ogunleye, before Justice Saliu Saidu of a Federal High Court in Lagos. He is seeking to recover his landed property, located at Block 2, Plot 9, Phase 11, Osborne road, Ikoyi, Lagos. The former CSO, in the suit marked, FHC/L/ CS/1810, is seeking an order of the court relocating the said landed property back to him, and an order

restoring him as the rightful owner of the land. He is equally seeking an order of the court awarding him the sum of N1 million as cost of instituting the legal action. Al-Mustapha, in his amended statement of claim filed before the court by his lawyer, Abdulfatai Alao-Thomas, averred that the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, via a letter dated March 26, 1997, conveyed the acceptance granting his application and subsequent allocation of the said landed property to him after he had duly paid all the land charges as assessed by the Ministry.

He claimed further that he did not at any time receive notice from the Ministry that the landed property allotted to him has been revoked, and that there was never a time the allocation was revoked by the Federal Government or any of his agencies for any overriding public purpose or interest. Al-Mustapha further averred that he was surprised when sometimes ago, he was informed of some acts of trespass on the land, and upon inquiry, he was informed that the land has been re-allotted to another person by the first defendant, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

Fashola tasks workers on service delivery Muritala Ayinla

agos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, yesterday urged civil servants to renew their commitment to hard work and efficient service delivery. This was even as the state Head of Service, the state's 17th Head of Service, Mrs. Oluseyi Williams, who was appointed in October 2013, retired after 35 years in the service. Speaking at the "Pens-Down Ceremony"

organised in honour of Williams, Fashola said workers were the engine room of development and that the state's pace of progress would be accelerated if they discharged their duties more efficiently. Fashola commended the retiring Head of Service for her steadfastness and achievements in office, saying that Williams introduced so many innovative ideas into the service. The governor, who urged workers to imbibe

her professional values, stressed that her revolutionary leadership would be remembered for a long time to come. Fashola particularly praised Williams for deepening the culture of discipline in the service and for promoting professionalism among workers. He said: "Lagos is working because the civil service is working. And one of those who have strengthened the civil service to deliver is Mrs. Williams.

‘Jega wanted to disenfranchise 23m Nigerians’ Ndubuisi Ugah

he National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has been accused of playing a ‘poker’ propaganda aimed at disenfranchising over 23 million Nigerians from exercising their electoral franchise ahead of the March 28 and April 11 election. National Coordinator of Move On Nigeria, Clement Agunyi, while fielding questions from journalists in Lagos, on

the recent polls shift, said reasons adduced by Jega for the postponement was self-serving. He said INEC’s reason for the postponement was at variance with the advise adduced by the National Security Adviser (NSA) that over 23 million Nigerians were yet to be issued with their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), which was a security risk. Based on this, Agunyi asked the INEC chairman to explain why “these PVCs are still in China and Jega has strategical-

ly delayed their arrival to suit his electioneering permutations.” Speaking further, he asked: “Can Jega show Nigerians proof that the Chinese company printing the PVCs has been paid full by disclosing the total contract sum and the amount paid to date? Can Jega show proof of arrival or expected date of arrival of all PVCs for the elections? Can Jega tell Nigerians how he plans to distribute 23 million PVCs within the time specified?”

and written addresses by various counsels were adopted. All of a sudden, we got to the court and stayed up to 2:00pm without the judge making an appearance,” he said. He expressed surprise over the transfer of the case based on a complaint made by some parties after all procedures have been exhausted, adding that the whole process points to the desperation

of some people to subvert justice against Nyako at all cost, just as he noted that the development was a big minus to the judiciary as an institution. When contacted, the registrar of the court, Murtala Ibrahim, declined comment on the issue. But an official memo obtained from the Yola High Court indicated that the case has been transferred to the Chief

Judge, Federal High Court Abuja, which informed the non passage of the judgment. The memo which bears the subject “Forwarding of Case File in Suit No: FHC/YL/ CS/11/2014” dated February 6, 2015, directed the Resident Judge of Yola Division to forward the case file to the office of Chief Judge of Federal High Court of Nigeria.

Dogonyaro, Asemota demand new constitution, transparent elections Onwuka Nzeshi Abuja

ormer Chief of Army Staff and one time Field Commander of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group( ECOMOG), Lt. Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro, has asked the Federal Government to take immediate steps to promulgate a new constitution based on the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference. The ex- military leader said that the new constitution should be

subjected to a referendum, in line with the ideology of liberal democracy. This demand came at the end of a two-day retreat of National Christian Elders Forum held in Abuja. The forum deliberated on a wide range of issues concerning the last national conference, terrorism and insurgency as well as the forthcoming general elections. In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the forum expressed concerns at the recent political developments

in the country and urged the Federal Government to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. The communiqué endorsed by Dogonyaro; National Coordinator, Ethnic Nationalities Movement, Chief Solomon Asemota (SAN) and Emmanuel Bosun, a cleric, observed that Nigeria's problem has been largely ideological, stemming from a conflict between liberal democracy and Sharia, as well as a conflict of two races - the indigenous Nigerians and Nigerians of Arab descent.

KEBBI STATE GOvERNMENT

MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ADvERT INvITING BIDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 2NO EACH DAMS AT RUGGAR BELE SEGE OF KOKOSHE vILLAGE AND RUGGAR FULANI LAILABA GABARS ALL IN GULMA/LAILABA AREA DEvELOPMENT CONTRACT NO: KBSTB/MWRRD/031/2015

1. Construction of earth Dam at Ruggar Bele Sege of kokoshe village and Ruggar Fulani lailaba Gabas all in Gulma/Lailaba Area Development 2. THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE PROJECT SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING i. Provision of Environmental impact assessment study of the areas where the dams are to be constructed ii. Survey of the dam axis and production of designs which will include soil teste, rainfall and flood analysis of the catchment areas iii. Construction of dam access roads (laterite) iv. Clearance of dam sites of all trees shrubs and boulderc v. Stripping of the soil at embankments spillways tail channels and borrow pit areas vi. Excarate in all classes of soil for foundation levels, cult-off Trenchs reservoirs and spillway vii. Construction of Embankments with hard core materials from dams and should be deposited and placed in layer of 0.3m and be compacted as specified viii. Provision of chimney blanket filters and man holes at 50m interval and provision of the drains ix. Provision of slope protection at upstream with hum stone rip-rap pitched in sand and cement morta, and down stream be grassed with Bahama x. Construction of concrete spill ways and run-off channels using plain cement concrete (1.3.6) for blinding layer of 50mm thickness for foundation base and re-enforced concrete grade 25 max aggregate size 21mm for base wing walls and cut-off sills 3. QUALIFICATION OF FIRMS RESPONDING TO THE BIDS Civil Engineering Construction firms Engineering and Technical Service providers etc in presenting Bids must shows clear evidence of : (a) Payment of corporate taxes, PAYE, VAT etc. (b) Kebbi State Tenders board registration certification (c) Letters of confirmation by applicant’s bankers on having financial capacity to execute the contract. (d) Certification of incorporation for companies/consulting firms (e) Memorandum and articles of association (f) Registration with professional/regulatory bodies as would be applicable. (g) List of company/consulting firms, machineries, equipments and instruments (h) List of previous works/service executed and evidence of performance. 4. DEADLINE FOR SUMMSION OF BIDS Civil engineering construction firms engineering and Technical Service companies/firms are to submit their Bids for the project on or before one week from the date of this advertisement at the office of the permanent Secretary Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development G/Gaji Secretariat Kebbi State. Preference will be given to firms that are already on the ground executing Similar projects in Kebbi State The Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development Kebbi State reserve the right to reject any bid that does not meet its requirement. SIGNED

DR ABDULLAHI S. GOBIR

Permanent Secretary M I N I S T R y O F WAT E R R E S O U R C E S A N D R U R A L D E v E LO P M E N T

News

Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he Federal Gover nment has alerted the public to the mass movement of Boko Haram "recruits" to training camps in Borno State, preparatory to planned attacks on soft targets. It noted that the "recruits" moved from such locations as Geidam, Mairi and Dupcha; all in Borno State. The disclosure was made yesterday in Abuja by the Coordinator of the National Information Centre (NIC) and Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri.

Soldiers ready to testify on Ekiti – Fayemi

national

FRIday, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Boko Haram regrouping to launch attacks – FG

Omeri said last year's attacks on Monguno military barracks and Bama town, were planned and executed from a similar regrouping of the insurgents. He, therefore, enjoined the public to be more vigilant, while supporting the military's ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East. This is as he announced that the Nigerian military, are fully mobilised to rout the fighters. His words: "In the general effort to contain acts of insurgency in the North-East and secure the

entire area for the forthcoming general elections, the centre wishes to alert the general public on very recent intelligence reports which indicate a considerable movement of Boko Haram recruits from such locations as Geidam, Mairi and Dupcha (all in Borno State) to training camps within the general area. Previous major attacks by insurgents, including the siege on Bama and Monguno military bases, were preceded by such massing up of fighters in training camps within the proposed targets.

"This recent development, which points in the same direction, has also been alluded to by the Boko Haram group in its recent boast about having a 30,000 – 50,000 strong force to disrupt elections in Maiduguri. "However, the Nigerian military forces have fully mobilised and deployed against the insurgents who are being chased and roundly subdued. Therefore, we urge the general public to exercise a high level of vigilance and also support the effort of the military to ensure hitch-

free elections and a return to normalcy in the general area, soonest. "We also seize this opportunity to restate government’s commitment to keeping the country and her citizens safe from those who seek to destroy the nation. In addition, we urge the civil society, politicians and everybody to avoid disruptive and inciting statements, while assuring the citizens of regular update on the successes scored by our military and security forces in the fight against terror in the North-East," he stated.

Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

he last may not have been heard about the last governorship election in Ekiti State, as former Governor Kayode Fayemi has said some military officers are ready to give evidence in court over the audio clip that allegedly caught senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and military chiefs plotting how to rig the election. Speaking on a live programme, "APC Change Hour", on Akure, Ondo State-based Adaba 88.9 FM radio station monitored in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, Fayemi also said the postponement of the 2015 general elections was not about security, but highwired plot to rig the polls. The controversial audio clip was aired on the radio station with the alleged voices of Governor Ayo Fayose; former Minister of State (Defence), Musiliu Obanikoro; Police Affairs Minister, Jelili Adesiyan; Osun State PDP governorship candidate, Iyiola Omisore and Gen. Aliyu Momoh allegedly hatching plans to manipulate the poll. Fayemi said the PDPled Federal Government was trying to re-enact the rigging perpetrated in Ekiti with the alleged misuse of the military at the forthcoming general elections. Fayemi stressed that the upper echelon of the military was guilty of treason against the state with its role in the dramatic postponement of the polls, saying the first duty of the government through the armed forces was security of lives and property.

L-R: Squadron Leader J.O Abioye (CPRO); Squadron Leader Y. Yusuf; Director of Security Services, Sir Wendell Ogunedo; Air Commodore H.U. Mohammed; Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Engr. Saleh Dunoma; Air Vice Marshal Al Osanyintolu; Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja; General Manager, Corporate Communications, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Yakubu Dati and Personal Assistant to the Managing Director Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mallam Maázu Dahir, during the Air Officer Commanding [AOC’s] courtesy visit to the management of FAAN in Lagos.

APC'll lose with Obasanjo's endorsement, says Owie Cajetan Mmuta Benin

ormer Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie, yesterday faulted former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of the All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for the March 28 general election. He described it as an

absolute failure for APC and its candidate. Owie, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State stated this while fielding questions from newsmen in Benin, the state capital. He noted that it was “unfortunate that Obasanjo won’t stop behaving like a trailer conductor” going by his actions and utterances as an elder statesman.

Owie said: “Obasanjo does not know that he had never had any electoral value in this country, in his zone, in his local government area and booth. In 1999, Obasanjo lost his booth, ward, Local Government and state and the entire South West zone. In 2003, in his second coming, we won the booth at the villa just by six votes and went ahead to betray the AD governors in the South West, led by a great

son of Nigeria, Chief Segun Osoba.” “Obasanjo pleaded with the governors to allow their supporters to vote for him at the presidential election while the governors will be voted for at the governorship election. But after Obasanjo got his own votes, he ditched the governors. It is good for President Jonathan that Obasanjo said openly that he endorsed Buhari.”

ANCOPPS asks FG to create Secondary Schools' Commission Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS) has called on the Federal Government to establish a commission to oversee secondary education in the country.

National President of ANCOPPS, which is the umbrella body for all secondary school principals in the country, Hajiya Fatima Abdurahman, made the call in Abuja, yesterday, when she led the national executive of the body on a courtesy visit to the Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shek-

arau. According to her, secondary education remains the only tier in nation's education sector without a body regulating it, as is the case for other tiers like primary education, universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. "We want to remind you that the Secondary

Education Commission is long overdue. Honourable Minister, you started the campaign for the establishment of the commission and we want you to use your office to see to its creation as secondary education has remained the only tier of education without a commission." Abdurahman said.

Police arraign six for tampering with NITEL cables Akeem Nafiu

ix men, who were rounded up by the officials of the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department for allegedly tampering with underground armoured cables belonging to the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited were yesterday arraigned before Justice Rita OfiliAjumogobia of a Federal High Court in Lagos. The six accused persons: Adolphus Audu, 28; Marcel Mmadu, 25; Paul Bassey, 27; Kabiru Garuba, 30; Abdulrasaki Musa, 27; and Ahmed Babatunde, 23, were arraigned before the court on two counts charge bordering on conspiracy and unlawful damage of NITEL property. According to the charge filed before the court by the police, the accused with some persons still at large, allegedly committed the offence on October 22, 2013. The prosecutor, Goddy Osuyi, also informed the court that, "the accused on the said date, at Union Bank Car Park, Marina, Lagos, unlawfully disconnected, tampered with, removed and damaged underground armoured wires or cables, belonging to NITEL."

Vandalism, bane of power sector, says Nebo Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has decried pipeline vandalisation, stating that it was the major problem of power generation across the country. Addressing a world press conference in Abuja yesterday, he stated that the increasing attacks on pipelines undermined Federal Government’s efforts towards improved power supply. In his text centred on vandalism of oil and gas facilities and power generation in Nigeria, Nebo disclosed that over 200 incidences were recorded in a period of six months. According to him, 81 per cent of power is generated by thermal generation plants, which are dependent on the availability of gas supply; lamenting that sabotage has constrained gas supply to power plants.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Kalu commiserates with Catholic community

ormer Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has expressed his sympathy to the Catholic community in Nigeria over the demise of the pioneer Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. V. V Ezeonyia. The cleric passed away on Sunday during a brief illness. Kalu acknowledged the role the spiritual father played in promoting Christianity in Abia State, especially by developing and expanding the Catholic Church in Aba Diocese, creating new parishes and appointing new priests. In a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “It is with heavy heart and pain that I commiserate with the Catholic faithful in Abia State on the passing away of Most Rev. V. V Ezeonyia. As a Catholic, I appreciate the forthrightness and discipline of the late Bishop. He preached the teachings of the Holy book at any given opportunity. His life was dedicated to God and humanity. The late cleric left behind a good legacy worthy of emulation by us all. He will be greatly missed by the Christian communion.’’.

Abuja

he member representing Ideato North/ South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Rep. Eddie Mbadiwe, has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to evolve a system that would effect the staggering of general elections in Nigeria. That, he said was in order to eliminate the current tension in the polity. In an interview with New Telegraph in Abuja, the former university don, who is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Security and Intelligence, argued that it was the clustering of the general elections that was generating tension and violence in the country since the advent of this democracy. He further suggested that, after the 2015 gen-

FG ready to reconstruct Chibok girls’ school Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he Federal Government has restated its commitment to rebuilding the famous Government Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State. It is the school where over 200 students were kidnapped last year by members of Islamic fundamentalists, Boko Haram. Towards this end, government yesterday said it has engaged services

of engineers (names not disclosed) for the task of rebuilding the battered school. Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, stated this yesterday in Abuja when she led a delegation on visit to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Chibok that settled in Buzunkure, Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. Her visit was to get firsthand information, as well as giving them sup-

port and encourage them. “We have this initiative called `Safe Schools initiative’ for people in the North East; we are interested in the children and how they are coping and whether they are in school or not. “We are really pleased that we are able to come and be with you, once we heard about the community here which we only got words some few days ago. “We mobilized to come and see what is happening, we sent the NGO that is supported by the

Safe School Initiative. Mr President said we should mobilize Nigerians who can help others through counselling and support. “We used the safe school initiative to do it and we have done that with the NGO that have been talking with you because we know that you are traumatized; being away from community which is a very difficult thing,’’ she said Safe School Initiative is an initiative of the Nigerian Business community supported by the

government and international donors to help out of school children across the country but with much emphasis on North Eastern part of Nigeria. She said that the major focus of the Federal Government was to ensure that Boko Haram was removed so that people could move back to their communities. “Displacement is not a permanent condition; the idea is for you people to be able to go back and not to build you camps in different places.

L-R: General Manager, SuperSport West Africa, Felix Awogu; General Manager, GOtv, Mrs. Elizabeth Amkpa and General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho, after a media chat on the announcement of the additional sports contents on GOtv in Nigeria in Lagos …yesterday

Staggered elections to eliminate tension –Lawmaker Chukwu David

News

NATIONAL

eral elections, the electoral umpire should collaborate with the National Assembly to fashion out an arrangement that would make it possible for the election of lawmakers to be staggered in such a way that a half of the members of the Parliament would be elected at a time and the other half to be elected one year after. His words: “Nigerians should be secure wherever they live. But again, our past experience showed that you can’t always say what is going to happen. So, people are being cautious and I don’t blame anybody for it. The polity is being overheated unnecessarily. I have advocated in some other forum that elections should be staggered. It is because you want to hold all elections within a period of two weeks that all this heat is generated.

Three killed in Biu bomb blast Ahmed Mringa Maiduguri

bomb blast yesterday scuttled former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff ’s campaign visit to Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. A female suicide bomber detonated an Improvised Explosive Device in Biu Main Market, killing the bomber and two others, while 10 others were injured.

Our correspondent gathered that youths in Biu went on rampage, shouting “we don’t want Ali Sheriff and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Biu”, as they took to the streets of the town in anticipation of Sheriff`s arrival. Sherrif was said to be in Hawul and was on his way to Biu at the time of the incident. The angry youths were also said to have mounted stop-and-search road block to search for any other IEDs that may be sneak into the town.

A security source in Biu, who does not want his name in print, said a female suicide bomber came to the market and detonated the IED which was attached to her body at about 3:30 pm, adding that those injured have since been rushed to Biu general Hospital for treatment’ “The female suicide bomber sneaked into the market through the Third Gate of the Main market, when people were busy carrying out their business activi-

ties”, he added. In a related development, gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram terrorists in a convoy of motorcycles yesterday invaded Mbuta village of Mafa Local Government Area of Borno state, killing nine people, while houses and shops were set ablaze. Mbuta village is near Khaddamari; the council headquarters of Jere, and 25 kilometres northeast of Maiduguri, the state capital.

Jonathan asked to caution aides against inflammatory statements Ladi Patrick Abuja

he Buhari Support Organization has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to caution his close aides from making further inflammatory and derogatory remarks on the person of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the presiden-

tial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC. The group said that such inflammatory statements were in total breach of the Abuja Peace Accord. The group, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, yesterday in Abuja, said recent utterances by personal aides

of Mr. President have created fouled air which is overheating and overcharging the political atmosphere leading to panic among Nigerians. Maduekwe said:“Just last Sunday, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Mr. President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity was captured on video banging the table vehemently and passionately averring to

the fact that Gen. Buhari was not electable and will never, ever be elected President of Federal Republic of Nigeria because his was an illiterate”. “He was blazing with an affirmative statement to the effect that Jonathan can never, ever hand over to Buhari ; rather, the military will take over government of the Nigerian state .

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro ‘Why I sent thug after NIS arrests 40 illegal aliens in Calabar

Clement James Calabar

he Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Cross River has arrested 40 illegal immigrants who gained access into the country without valid travelling documents. Parading the immigrants in Calabar yesterday before journalists, the state Comptroller of Immigration, Mrs Funke Adeuyi, said they were arrested at various locations within the state by the intelligence unit of the service. Adeuyi said the arrest was part of activities of NIS to rid the country of illegal aliens. She said: “These illegal immigrants were arrested on Monday February 9, by the intelligence group of the NIS at different locations in the state. We have thoroughly screened and profiled them. We have also identified those ones that are not here with their valid travelling documents. “At the end of the day, we have been able to identify 40 of them, and they will be leaving the country as soon as possible. Out of the 40, 12 are from Mali, 10 from Burkina Faso, six from Niger Republic, five from Guinea, three from Senegal and four from Cameroon.” The state comptroller said the illegal immigrants were jobless and roaming the streets of Calabar. She lauded the effort of the Comptroller-General of NIS, Mr David Parradang, in equipping personnel of the service to fight human trafficking, child labour and illegal migrants. Adeuyi reiterated the commitment of the command to comb every nook and cranny of the state to ensure peace and safety, especially during the election period. She said: “Nigeria is open to law-abiding migrants and ECOWAS nationals who get into this country with their valid papers. But at any time we find any illegal ones, we will send them back.”

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

SCORNED WOMAN

A jilted lover says she would have stabbed her former boyfriend to death, if she had wanted to

my ex-boyfriend’

Flora Onwudiwe

32-year-old lady, Janet Effiong, has told the police that she paid N20,000 to a man to beat up her former lover for making her carry out abortion thrice. She, however, said the intention was not to kill her former lover as alleged. Effiong said: “I didn’t ask the man I hired to kill him, but to beat him silly. If I had wanted to kill him, I would have done it myself. I would have stabbed him.” Although Effiong and the man she hired, Femi Talabi, insisted they did not plan to kill the victim, Murphy Edet, a cab driver, detectives suspected otherwise. According to them, if Talabi did not want to only kill Edet, why was he with a rod, shaped in the form of a gun? They believed he wanted to use the rod to murder Edet. Effiong and Talabi are currently being quizzed by policemen attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State Police Command. The police said that Talabi was arrested on Airport Road in possession of a fabricated iron toy gun. He was allegedly attempting to attack Edet in his cab when the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) men on routine patrol duty surprised him. Recalling how he was lured out, Edet said: “I received a call from a person (Talabi) who asked

Talabi (left) and Effiong

me to come and pick him up at Papa-Ajao, Mushin area of Lagos. We negotiated the price before embarking on the journey. “On getting to the Airport Road, Talabi, the passenger, asked me to stop. I suspected a foul play. I refused to stop. He attempted to bring out something from his bag. We started struggling. In the process, RRS men on patrol sighted us.” Talabi disclosed that he was contracted and promised N20,000 by Effiong who made initial payment of N10,000. SARS arrested the lady who confessed she only told Talabi to beat up her former boyfriend. Talabi added: “I used to buy food from Janet after closing

hours. She did not tell me to rob the man or collect his vehicle. I called the man to meet me at Victoria Garden City (VGC) to carry me to somewhere. Janet gave me his number. The man charged me N7,000. I told him I will pay N6,000. As we were going, I told him that I wanted to ease myself, he did not stop, it was 7:30pm to 8pm, so as we got to Airport Road, he stopped. He looked at me suspiciously. “As I wanted to bring something from my bag to hit him, he started struggling and the RRS patrol vehicle met us. It was a Mercedes Benz clutch that I fabricated in form of a gun.” Effiong, said: “SARS arrested me because I hired Talabi to beat up my former boyfriend,

Ondo targets rural dwellers for HIV counselling Babatope Okeowo Akure

ndo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ODSACA), in collaboration with the Local Action Committee on AIDS (LACA), yesterday launched a mobile HIV counselling and testing service among rural dwellers. The exercise, which kicked off in Akoko North East and Akoko North West local government areas of the state, is part of efforts by the state government reduce the spread of HIV in the state. ODSACA also commenced the training of Community Volunteers in Ilaje, Ondo East and Idanre local government areas for the same project. Addressing participants at the Akoko session, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chairman, ODSACA, Dr Aderotimi Adelola, said the initiative was to enable Community Volunteers to carry out

HIV counselling and testing on one million people in the state. Adelola, who spoke through the Project Manager, Dr ‘Dayo Adegbulu, said LACA at various local government had been empowered by the state government with the support of World Bank. He noted that government was putting in place structures at the grassroots to increase people’s access to free HIV counselling and testing. According to him, the drive will ensure zero HIV new infection, zero discrimination and stigmatisation, zero HIV-related deaths, among others. Adelola also appreciated the local governments for supporting the programme. He noted that over three million Nigerians were living with HIV, while over 40,000 residents in the state were living with the virus, hence the need to embrace aggressive preventive measure to prevent spread of the scourge.

Murphy Edet. Edet took a loan of N200,000 from me and did not pay me back. I contacted Talabi. I paid him N10,000, he charged N20,000. I promised to pay the balance after the job. “Edet and I had been dating since 2012. I had been spending my money on him, thinking he would marry me. He impregnated me three times and I aborted three times because he asked me to do so. He said it was not time for us to get married.” According to her, after she discovered that he was not going to marry her because he has another girl; she took him to the police station, but later dropped the case. She now conceived another way to deal with him. She hired Talabi.

Customs seizing imported vehicles illegally –Dealers Muhammad Kabir Kano

ano State Tokunbo Car Dealers’ Association has accused officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of illegally confiscating their vehicles. The car dealers alleged that the NCS officials confiscated their three secondhand Gulf 3 cars which they bought legally from Benin Republic and they paid all the necessary duties at the borders. They expressed worry that the act, if not check, would hamper their good relationship with the Customs. Alhaji Saminu Tijjani, who led other car dealers

to speak to journalists in Kano, the state capital, said the cars which were confiscated were at Sharada Police Station. However, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Kano Command of the NCS, Mr E. C. Duru, denied knowledge of the confiscation. He said none of the officers in the Kano Command was behind the confiscation of the imported vehicles. According to Duru, there are several federal operations in Kano which are not under the command. He said: “Some Customs personnel who are strictly under Federal Command Operations might be behind the confiscation of the cars.”

News 11

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Gbemisola Oyedepo

pparently impressed by the way Asian countries are executing drug traffickers in their bid to check drug trafficking, Plateau State Governor, David Jonah Jang, has called for similar punishment in Nigeria. Jang urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to work for the enactment of death sentence for drug pushers in the country. The governor made the call during the passing out parade of NDLEA 255 Senior Officers Basic Course 14/2014 after an intensive five months’ training at the Regional Academy for Drug Control (RADC) in Jos, Plateau State. He said: “I want the NDLEA to ensure maximum punishment for drug offenders. Let it be death sentence because drug destroys our children and retards national development. “Drug trafficking is a serious problem and the NDLEA

Muritala Ayinla

en of the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme, also known as SUREP Task Force, yesterday took over parts of Lagos roads. They also chased away personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). This was even as the Lagos State Government described the deployment of the SUREP Task Force as another ploy to intimidate the people and government of Lagos. For about four hours, there was tension in parts of the Lagos metropolis, especially at the Toll Gate area on LagosIbadan Expressway. Some pedestrians were running helterskelter to avoid being attacked. Motorists plying the road were also confused as the de-

Muritala Ayinla

rile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State has embarked on grading of 30 roads across the council. Some of the streets graded are Opeolu, Kolawole, Sura Ogunmakin, Igbayilola, Olabode, Isiaka, Mabayomije, Alhaji Oladipupo, Ogundele, Olaoluwa and Adebambo/ Enilolobo/Yayaobe. The newly appointed council’s Executive Secretary, Mr Akeem Adeyinka, who disclosed this during the tour of the projects, said at least 21 out of the 30 roads had been graded following complaints by the residents. Adeyinka said he got to know of the difficulty being encountered by the residents on the roads, when he held a stakeholders’ meeting with community leaders, adding that many of the residents could not reach their homes with their vehicles. According to him, majority of the residents are faced with perennial flooding during the

Drug traffickers deserve to die, says Jang must redouble her efforts. Besides, all hands must be on the deck to fight the drug war.” Jang spoke through his Commissioner for Planning, Comfort Piwuna. The governor congratulated the graduands. He urged them to be upright and hardworking in cleansing the country of drugs. According to him, drug control is a noble profession. The NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, said: “This basic course is to equip officers with sufficient theoretical and practical knowledge imperative for in-depth criminal investigation and effective prosecution of drug offenders. “It is also aimed at providing this cadre of officers with sound management skills required to face the challenges of drug crimes’ investigation and prosecution.” Also, the NDLEA Director-General, Mrs Roli Bode-

George, urged the officers to play by the rules of the game. She said: “I wish to reiterate our posture on zero tolerance for corruption. The management of the agency is championing a comprehensive drug control plan for the agency and is prepared to make the needed sacrifices for a drug-free nation. “In addition, NDLEA is transforming into a proactive and intelligence-led Agency.” Bode-George added that the world was now shifting to community policing which involved collaboration and partnership with members of the public in achieving law enforcement objectives. She added: “The increasing spread of violence in some parts of the country has led to loss of lives and damage to property with rising number of displaced persons. “These are glaring threats to

Mrs. Piwuna presenting an award to Bashir

our national security and we must rise up to the challenge because of the role of drugs in crime. Research has shown that most criminal acts are perpetrated under the influence of narcotics. Therefore, we must all rise to the great challenge of fighting this menace.”

Three cadets got special awards for outstanding performance during the training. Haruna Rasheed Bashir got the award of best behaved cadet, Igonoh Ameh Francis was the best cadet in drills, while Nwodozi Nwachukwu Igwebuike got the marksman award.

SURE-P Task Force take over Lagos roads Adebutu offers velopment led to gridlock on the axis. More than 100 SURE/ FERMA Task Force personnel stormed the road about 11am to direct traffic. It was gathered that whenever LASTMA officers told vehicles not to move, the task force would ask them to move. The LASTMA personnel were ordered to temporarily withdraw as they were driven away from the road. When our correspondent visited the scene, SURE-P Task Force men were at the Toll Gate, directing traffic, while LASTMA officers were watching from a distance. A trader in the area said that the task force came with four armed policemen to take over control of traffic on the expressway. But the Commissioner for

Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, described the deployment of the task force personnel as intimidation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government. He said: “I have reported the matter to the appropriate authority. We won’t be intimidated. Those armed guys known as ‘Men in Black’ arrived around 10:30am to intimidate our personnel. They want crisis but we have appealed to our personnel to remain calm in the interest of peace. They want to intimidate people of Lagos and cause violence. ”Some of them came in the bus branded in Jimmy Agbaje. The bus eventually packed in their yard at the toll gate. These are people who are out to foment trouble in the state.” When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Offi-

free surgeries, donates four transformers

Opeifa

cer (PPRO), Kenneth Nwosu, said he would find out about the issue and call back. But he did not call at press time.

Orile-Agege begins grading of 30 roads rainy season. He added that four roads each were earmarked to be constructed in five wards while 10 roads were slated to be constructed in six wards. The executive secretary added that the entire project cost the council over N6 million. Adeyinka also hinted of plan by the council to rehabilitate drainage before the rains start, saying that it would be useless to attempt to tare roads with dilapidated drainages or without drainages at all. He said: “We have to start by grading the roads first. Drainage maintenance is the next phase of our programme and we will soon start desilting the drainage before the rainy season.” Meanwhile, the residents, members of the Community Development Associations and market leaders commended the executive secretary for coming to their aid. The Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC), Yusuf Agboola, said

Adeyinka (left) with other council members during the inspection of the roads

the roads were in deplorable condition before the council graded them. Agboola said that community leaders drew a long list of projects they wanted the council to execute, but that owing to financial constraint, 30 roads were selected to be graded.

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate for Remo Federal Constituency, Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has commenced free surgical programme for the people of the constituency. Adebutu also donated four 500 KVA transformers to Agura, Araromi Oke-Ibu, Apele and Ifakale communities in Sagamu Local Government Area of the state. This came a few days after he donated two 500 KVA transformers to Emuren and Ode Lemo communities in the same local government area. The PDP candidate made the fresh donation while rounding off his campaign tour to the 35 wards across the constituency with a visit to Simawa Ward in Sagamu Local Government Area. Adebutu, who was on the tour in company with the immediate past Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, also paid a visit to the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Limited at Mosimi, where he met with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers of NUPENG to solicit their support. The politician promised not to disappoint them if elected, assuring them of a responsive and qualitative representation at the National Assembly.

Police warn vehicle owners

he Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of abandoned vehicles parked at Isheri Oshun Police Division to remove them or lose them to the pub-

lic through auction 21 days after the publication. The vehicles are Chrysler saloon car with registration number LH624KJA and Mazda car markerd BE78KTU.

News

Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

he face-off between the management and workers of the Federal University, OyeEkiti (FUOYE) yesterday took a new twist as the management sacked 10 of its members of staff. According to findings by our correspondent, those axed for their role in the two-month-old crisis rocking the institution cut across teaching and non-teaching staff. Top on the list of those sacked is a lecturer in the institution, Dr. Enoch Opeyemi. This followed the recommendation of a six-

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-WEST

Fed varsity sacks 10 over strike man panel headed by Prof. R. A. Omolehin. However, the development has led to a near paralysis of activities on the campus since Wednesday, when news of the sack became public. As at yesterday, aggrieved staff of the institution locked all the gates, shut down lecture rooms and blocked roads leading to the campus. It took the intervention of a detachment of soldiers to disperse the protesters, as they shot sporadically into the air. The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof.

Isaac Asuzu and other top management members were led to the main campus by a team of riot policemen. Speaking for those that were sacked, Mr. Foluso Ojo and Miss Obadore Kemisola, who were Executive Officers in the university, said the management erred in sacking them for leading a protest to demand for their rights. They noted that they were given a memo inviting them to a discussion to find solutions to the crisis in the campus to avoid a recurrence, but that the panel turned itself into a disciplinary

committee. Describing the action as illegal, Ojo said what they demanded from the management were confirmation of staff appointments, promotion of staff and a stop to the deduction of the National Housing Fund from their salaries, among other issues. “The memo they gave us on January 26, 2015 only invited us for interaction on how we can solve the problems in the university. And I want to point out that our protest was based on the recommendations of Prof. Aganga-led panel, which

recommended that some of our demands should be looked into. “But rather than to do that, the management tricked us to a meeting and started subjecting us to trial rather than interaction that was contained in the memo. “The outcome of the panel showed serious bias against us. Some of those who partook in the protest were exonerated by the management, because of the influence of the vice-chancellor. “We are calling on President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Education, Mal-

lam Ibrahim Shekarau, to ask the management to rescind its action in the interest of peace, because the workers will not resume until this illtreatment and illegality are reversed,” he said. But Prof. Asuzu, who defended the action, said the university took the step to prevent few individuals from destabilising it, saying the action he took was in consonance with the recommendations of the Prof Omolehin-led panel set up to try the alleged offenders. He also debunked claims that all the Igbo people indicted were left untouched and that he was into ethnic cleansing in the school.

Osun politicians sign peace pact

inutes after candidates contesting state and National Assembly positions in Osun State signed a peace pact in Osogbo to make next month’s elections in the state a trouble free one, the Assistant Controller of Prison, Adelakun Kayode, warned political parties and their supporters to desist from anti-democratic acts that could land them in prison. Adelakun, who also said the doors of prison yards are wide open for troublemakers and violators of the law of the land, maintained that any political candidate or supporter that causes trouble before, during and after the elections and is caught and sen-

tenced to prison would not be specially treated by his officials. He said nobody is above the law and appealed to politicians to abide by the rules and regulations as laid down by the legal framework for elections in Nigeria. “Tell your supporters to be mindful of their utterances and if they fail to heed advice, prison yards are wide open and is expecting people,” he said. Also, at the accord signing ceremony, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, warned politicians to do away with acts that can destabilise the peace of the country before, during and after the elections.

L-R: Husband of the Lagos State Head of Service, Engr. Omobolaji Olanrewaju Williams; Head of Service (HoS), Mrs. Josephine Oluseyi Williams and Governor Babatunde Fashola, during Mrs. Williams’ pens-down as the 17th HoS of the Lagos State Public Service in Lagos…yesterday

Alao-Akala challenges Ajimobi on workers’ welfare package Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

he former governor of Oyo State and Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State in next month’s general election, Adebayo Alao-Akala, yesterday challenged Governor

Abiola Ajimobi over his administration’s recent claim that it was the best workers’ friendly government in the state. The issue between the two leaders bothered on their performances as far as the welfare of the workers was concerned during their tenure.

Ajimobi had, recently, claimed that his administration was the best in terms of workers’ welfare package, but Alao-Akala, in a release yesterday, said his successor was economical with the truth on the matter, saying his government was far better in terms of workers’

welfare package. Alao-Akala in a release signed by his spokesman, Abraham Ojo, said it was fundamentally wrong and immoral for the Ajimobi administration to claim to be the best workers’ friendly government, adding that “the governor had reduced governance to a

HIV counselling: Ondo targets Ekiti to empower 240 indigent widows 1 million rural dwellers Babatope Okeowo Akure

s part of efforts aimed at reducing the spread of HIV among residents in the state, the Ondo State government, through its Agency for the Control of AIDS (ODSACA), in collaboration with the Local Action Committee on AIDS (LACA), yesterday flagged off a mobile HIV counselling and testing service among rural dwellers in the state. The exercise kicked-off in Akoko North East and Akoko North West Local Governments just as the

agency commences the training of community volunteers in Ilaje, Ondo East and Idanre Local Government areas of the state for the same project. Addressing participants at the Akoko session, Secretary to the State Government and Chairman, Ondo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ODSACA), Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, who was represented by the Project Manager, Dr. ‘Dayo Adegbulu, said the initiative is to enable community volunteers carry out HIV counseling and testing on one million people.

Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

he wife of Ekiti State governor, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose, has said that the state government will soon embark on a programme to empower indigent widows in the state. To start with, she said the programme will benefit 240 widows in the state. She made the disclosure in Ado-Ekiti, during a meeting with caretaker chairmen and women leaders from across the 16 local government areas of the state.

The governor’s wife said her office had been flooded with requests by some less privileged members of the society, requesting for assistance. Out of the 15 widows who are to benefit from each local government, Mrs. Fayose advised the caretaker chairmen that a substantial number should come from villages and farmsteads in various parts of the state. She added that the caretaker chairmen should ensure that the beneficiaries were widows who were really in need.

ridiculous object of propaganda in a bid to score cheap political point.” He said: Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s claim is another way of deceiving the people of the state with the intention to hoodwink the public and lure them into another era of government

with draconian policy.” According to him, “The workers today have been caged by the government. They cannot challenge any unfavourable decision of the government due to the threat of sack and indiscriminate transfer to far locations without any provision.

Be fair to all, Amosun charges Mbu

gun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday charged the new Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Mr. Joseph Mbu, to be fair to all in the discharge of his duties. Amosun gave the charge when he received Mbu, whose jurisdiction covers Lagos and Ogun States, in his office yesterday. “For us in Ogun, our people know what they are doing; they are sophisticated and well informed. This is not a place to push people to do things; they know whom to vote for.

“Our minds are open until we begin to see things to draw your attention to. Whatever anybody does, there are three judgements which include the people, posterity and God. All we expect from you is to be fair to all and ensure that there is a level playing field for everybody,” he maintained. While expressing dissatisfaction over the postponement of the general election, Governor Amosun urged security agencies to use the time to normalise areas of concern and make sure the new dates are sacrosanct.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

INEC

Presidency

Edo State

Presidential poll 17

ACF threatens to sue Ekwueme, Clark over Jega

Mu’azu taunts Obasanjo, Soyinka over Buhari’s endorsement

Idahosa: I’ve no criminal record

Why Gombe’ll vote for Jonathan – Umar

Politics Former Head of State and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 28 election, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, fielded questions from CNN International Correspondent, Christine Amanpour. He spoke on his disappointment over the postponement of the general elections, his plans to curb corruption, insurgency in the NorthEast and actions taken as a military ruler. FELIX NWANERI brings the excerpts

What is your reaction to the delay in the elections by six weeks, and President Goodluck Jonathan’s promise that the military will make inroad in the area of security of the North-East in six weeks? My reaction is that of disappointment because the presentation made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was that they were ready to conduct the elections on the dates they fixed a year ago, only for them to be forced virtually by the military, which said that they cannot guarantee the safety of INEC staff and which made the commission to concede to the demand of additional six weeks. But since six weeks is within the time stipulated by the constitution, we had to advise our supporters to remain

Buhari: It’s harsh to judge me by my past All those things you mentioned with a degree of accuracy were what actually happened but they were under a military administration. When the military under my leadership came on board, we suspended those aspects of the constitution that we felt would make it difficult for us to operate under the circumstance we found ourselves. But I think I would be judged harshly as an individual by what happened during that military administration, or to extend what happened under a military administration to a democratic system.

Buhari

calm, resolute and obey the law.

ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

You are a former military General, and you ruled the country briefly (1983-1985). Why is it that the Nigerian military, today, cannot take on Boko Haram, and has failed to combat that terrorist organisation? The issue was made much clearer when the National Assembly attempted to conduct a hearing after soldiers were granting interviews to the foreign media about being sent to the warfronts without proper weapons. The National Assembly attempted to conduct a hearing by getting the budgets approved by it in the last three years and inviting the Service Chiefs to come and explain why weapons were not procured and sent to the soldiers under competent leadership, but the hearing was scuttled. This shows misapplication or misappropriation of resources provided by the government, and also explains why the Nigerian military was unable to defeat Boko Haram.

You recently got a huge endorsement from a former ally of

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

All those things you mentioned with a degree of accuracy were what actually happened but they were under a military administration

President Jonathan; that is former President Olusegun Obasanjo. How do you react to that and what will that do to your campaign? It will certainly bring more supporters to us and more confidence again to us and those who were sitting on the fence before now because General Obasanjo is highly respected and as far as the Nigerian nation is concerned, there is no serious issue that can be discussed without people seeking for his opinion and listening to it. The headlines around the world are that the Nigerian presidential election is a contest between a failed president and former dictator, and you are the former dictator according to these headlines. Some people say that you expelled 700,000 migrants years back, thinking that it would create jobs; that you banned political meetings and free speech; that you detained thousands of people; set up secret tribunals; executed people for crimes that were not capital offences. Have you changed, or are these what the Nigerian people should look forward to if you win the election?

Now that you say that you are a democrat, what do you think you can do to combat Boko Haram and the galloping corruption in your country? We know how Boko Haram started. Certainly the Nigerian military has built a reputation for effectiveness, but it is a great embarrassment to the country that the military has not been able to secure Nigeria’s territory, losing 14 out of 774 local governments. I believe that it will not be difficult for an APC government to deal with Boko Haram because we know that the Nigerian military is competent. What we will do is to make sure the funds voted for equipment and training are properly utilised. There are complaints by many people in your country over massive corruption. Can you face up against that? Are you committed to rooting out corruption? We have to because there are serious citizens of our country who said that ‘unless Nigeria kills corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.’ And this was best illustrated by the hearings conducted by the National Assembly on the pension fund, power sector and corruption in the petroleum industry, on which the country depends on for about 90 per cent of its external revenue. The National Assembly conducted the hearings here in Abuja and in the six-geo-political zones of the country. They sent their recommendation to the executive but it has been there collecting dust in the last 18 months.

Politics

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

We’ve confidence in INEC – PDP Onyekachi Eze Abuja

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it has no reason yet to doubt the impartiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the conduct of the forthcoming elections. The Director, Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, had accused the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, of holding meetings with the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Dubai and other places in order to compromise the presidential election in favour of the party’s candidate, Muhammadu Buhari. The PDP National Chairman, Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, at a press conference in Abuja expressed confidence that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega will conduct “very free, fair and transparent elections.” Mu’azu, however, advised INEC to put its house in order, noting that going by the reasons given by the commission for the rescheduling of the elections, “INEC could not sincerely claim to have been

fully prepared for a desirable credible, free and fair election at the time when more than 23 million registered voters were going to be disenfranchised,” he said. He said that Nigerians embraced the idea of PVC as a model to facilitate credible elections and not as instrument of disenfranchisement. Mu’azu further called for a neat and positive campaign devoid of lies, propaganda and incendiary statements, and expressed confidence that PDP will win the elections based on the fact that “we have an array of very credible candidates, who Nigerians are eager to vote for.” He said the postponement will in no way whatsoever confer any particular advantage to the party and its candidates. “Instead, it came with an attendant loss of time and resources and delayed our celebrations of electoral victory, which with the support of Nigerians, we would have started savouring by Saturday,” he added. He urged INEC to use the period of the shift to ensure that it put its house in order and bequeath to Nigerians the desired free, fair and credible elections.

ACF threatens to sue Ekwueme, Clark over Jega Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

he Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has threatened to sue the Dr. Alex Ekwueme and Chief Edwin Clark-led Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly (SNPA) over allegation that it was colluding with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, to rig the forthcoming elections. The forum which gave this indication in a communique issued after a joint meeting of its Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) yesterday, said that the allegation is “not true and it’s baseless.” SNPA had accused Jega of holding nocturnal meetings with the ACF leaders, plotting how to compromise the general

elections in favour of the North. The communique which was signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, the National Chairman of ACF, said that the forum “has instructed its lawyers to look into the matter and take appropriate action,” adding that it rejects the “allegation that it had a meeting with the chairman or any member of INEC.” ACF further noted that “any threat or intimidation against INEC is an attempt to further cripple its integrity and credibility of the elections.” The forum also advised the electoral body to “realise that it holds the future of this nation in its hands. There is a historic opportunity for the Chairman and Commissioners of the Commission to salvage the present dangerous situation in which our nation finds itself.” The communique

warned that “the re-scheduled elections of March 28 and April 11 must take place and produce credible results. Under whatever circumstances, no attempt from any quarter should be made to interfere with the elections.” The pan northern group also rejected any attempt to subvert the constitution and warned that whatever arrangement that violates the Electoral Act will not be accepted by Nigerians. “In particular, suggestion of an Interim Government that violates the Constitution must not be actualised. Similarly, attempts to prolong the life of this administration using the cover of national security will be resisted by Nigerians,” it warned, adding that “we strongly appeal to the National Assembly to resist any attempt to be used in violating the rights of Nigerians.”

While advising on Nigerian leaders on the need to support a peaceful conduct of the rescheduled elections and ensure that they are free, fair and credible, ACF also admonished the looser to accept the result and ensure a peaceful handover on May 29. ACF also denounced the threats from some elements in the Niger Delta that they will unleash mayhem on the rest of the country if the March/ April elections do not produce the result they want. According to the forum, “it is regrettable to observe that up till now security agencies have refused to arrest those threatening the nation and beating drums of war. We, therefore, urge them to immediately discharge their constitutional responsibility by arresting and prosecuting those who make such threats.”

Agbaje inaugurates MDG projects Wale Elegbede

overnorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, yesterday inaugurated blocks of classrooms and toilets on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan on the Island communities of Ido-Oluwo-Ile, Ikaare Ibeshe and Ilashe on the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos. The project forms part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) sited in some offshore communities of Lagos by the Presidency. On tour with the PDP governorship hopeful were about 200 delegates, including his running mate, Alhaja Safurat Abdulkarim. According to Agbaje, the projects were in line with his vision for education in Lagos. “What we have done today is in tandem with what we have always said, that if government neglects basic education, the life of the child cannot be straightened out. The fact is that without education, one will not attain a good standard of living,” he said. Agbaje also underscored the significance of the projects being sited in

primary schools. “If a child loses it in primary school, then nothing can be done to remedy the sad situation,” the PDP governorship candidate said. Promising to bring development to such backwater communities, Agbaje said: “We have to bring infrastructural development that will include water. And I can assure you my deputy and I shall not forget nor neglect this community.”

L-R: Assistant General Secretary, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone D, Oloja Olanrewaju; NANS Joint Campus Committee (JCC) Chairman, Ogun State, Ogunsola Okikiola; Vice President (External Affairs), Ogunkuade Oluwatosin; JCC Chairman, Lagos State, Sanusi Sulaimon and Chairman, Osun State, Awo Sam, during a press conference on the postponement of the general elections in Lagos …yesterday

Northern Christian leaders endorse Buhari Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

orthern Christian leaders comprising of over 500 pastors yesterday declared their support to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, for the rescheduled Mach 28 presidential election. According to the clerics, under the auspices of Northern Christian Leaders Eagle-Eyes Forum, their decision to support Buhari was hinged on his integrity, honesty and incorruptible antecedents. They stated that Buhari will move the country forward.

Leader of the Forum, Pastor Aminchi Habu, in his speech stated that the forum since 2003 have been the pillars for propagating a lot of negative fabrication against Buhari and have helped past administrations by doing a lot of things, saying what the country is passing through today made them to make a U-turn and support Buhari. He said: “The forum haa realised that there is something inside General Buhari, you know when your destiny is meant to shine, some people would be pulling you down but what God said shall be, shall definitely be. Today in this country South, West, East, North by the grace of God with the

support of everyone, we are calling on all Christians to come out en masse as we are declaring total support for General Buhari.” Speaking at the occasion, the vice presidential candidate of APC, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), said: “I must say that this is an honour to be invited to the gathering of Christian brethren in the North and for that matter Christian leaders.” In his response, Buhari said he is not a religious fanatic of any sort. “I have never been. In all my life, I have never supported extremism of any kind, and nowhere in my record of service to this nation can this false toga political opponents have tried so hard to put on me,

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be substantiated. Indeed, it is very unfortunate and I feel extremely sad that I have to give this type of assurance. “My background is in the army, and there is no doubt that the military is the most integrated panNigerian institution. And even today, the military is one of the institutions that represents the pride of our nation’s possibili-

ties in unity. “Compatriots from every corner of this country come together, work and live together, entrust their lives to each other and integrate their families. It is a military where many of my dearest friends from all faith and parts of the country, lost their lives defending the unity of our nation. That was the military I served in, and in that military it was impossible to be a bigot.” Buhari added: “As our nation approaches perhaps the most crucial election in our history, all true patriots are called to deeper reflection of the basic ingredients that bind the nation together – our common freedom, peace and unity.”

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Onyekachi Eze Abuja

he National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, yesterday described as big surprise, the endorsement of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Sonyinka. Mu’azu in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tony Amadi, described Buhari’s endorsement by Obasanjo as “a fantastic change” and recalled that PDP gave the former president every support when he presided over the affairs of the country for eight years. Mu’azu attributed Obasanjo’s endorsement probably to the refusal by Nigerians to “kill our constitution” for his third term ambition. “Our famous Nobel Laureate who has been in and out of jail houses because of his opposition

Mu’azu taunts Obasanjo, Soyinka over Buhari’s endorsement lEx-president speaks on poll to military dictatorship is also singing the change anthem. His best friend and townsman, the greatest musician this country has ever produced must be shaking in his grave to learn what his friend has done,” he added. He expressed confidence that PDP will win the forthcoming general elections and secure majority seats in the National Assembly despite the APC propaganda. “Let me assure all PDP faithful that victory is in sight and we must pursue it with vigour until the last vote is counted; the freest and fairest election result is announced and we are victorious. “There is no sector in Nigeria that has not witnessed tremendous transformation and change under the PDP government,” Mu’azu said, stressing

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that the seed sown by the Jonathan administration in the area of education has hit the most desired part of the country. According to the PDP National Chairman, the establishment of the Almajiri schools has revolutionised education in the North. “The establishment of nine new universities in the area means that those youngsters will continue with university education when they graduate to that level. The opposition APC has tried to belittle

this massive transformation with their high decibel of noise that it was nothing to write home about, but the truth is that those young lives have never had it so good. Their totally transformed lives are bound to become the cornerstone of the new Nigeria we are building in the next four years and beyond,” he added. He said the APC’s sickening shouts of Change has lost steam, noting that this is the best time to put them where they belong. He, however, assures all PDP faithful that victory is in sight “and we must pursue it with vigour until the last vote is counted; the freest and fairest election result is announced and we are victorious. “The greatest gift our party is offering to Nigeria is freedom. Under President Jonathan, you are free to say what you want to say, do what you

L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos State chapter, Comrade Idowu Adelakun; All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and his running mate, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, during NLC and Civil Societies Interactive Session with Ambode in Lagos... yesterday.

Ambode to critics: I’m of sound mind, body Temitope Ogunbanke

he All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday said he is of sound mind and body, contrary to speculation in some quarters that he is suffering from an ailment. The Director, Media and Communications of Akinwunmi Ambode Campaign Organisation, Steve Ayorinde, said the APC governorship candidate neither suffers from any ailment nor has ever met or been treated by a certain Dr. Lanre Adeoye. He, therefore, urged the people of Lagos to disre-

gard the fictional tale about Ambode’s health in its entirety. “The jittery opposition will stop at nothing in its smear campaign having failed to contain the soaring popularity of the APC governorship candidate. But we are neither bothered nor discouraged; and we know that our numerous supporters and the generality of wellmeaning Lagosians can see through the lies and desperations of those who dread a crushing defeat at the forthcoming election. “We know the source of this evil story as well as their despicable trumpeters. Well, we’ve got news for them. April 11 is almost here and it is a

date with history, when the good people of Lagos State will once again reject the evil machinations of those political marauders trying so hard to hijack their destiny. “With a clear focus, sound mind and in good health, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode shall be unwavering in his campaigns and strategic consultations to retain Lagos State for the APC. “Governor Babatunde Fashola is working, Lagos is moving and Ambode is ready. No weapon of the opposition can stand against this obvious choice of the people,” Ayorinde stated. Meanwhile, students’ leaders of all tertiary in-

stitutions in the state on the aegis of Lagos Students’ Forum (LSF) has declared a three-day fasting and prayer for victory of Ambode at the poll. The forum in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Matthew Opeoluwa and Secretary, Adeola John, said March 1 to 3 has been declared to seek the face of God for the emergence of the student-friendly government promised by Ambode. The group said its members and every student in Lagos tertiary institutions will not be discouraged from supporting their choice candidate with or without the six week postponement of the general elections.

want to do provided it is lawful. Under the Opposition APC, you will be watched, trailed and sorted out if you oppose them as you are freely opposing the present incumbent. “The Internet is awash with evidence of abuse of President Jonathan and PDP leaders. If you think it can continue if the opposition is in charge, wait and see. “The lies being laundered by the APC about the PDP administration has in fact yielded one dividend that has done the PDP one good turn. It has brought the best in us. It has ‘shined’ our eyes and we are now ready for whatever they bring to the table. Defeat is theirs and victory is ours. No shaking, my people!” Mu’azu said. He said the opponents have been disoriented, and that their consistent fabrication of lies to win the votes of Nigerians has been exposed and their change mantra lost steam. However, at another press conference, the PDP National Chairman said the statement credited to former President Olusegun Obasanjo for supporting the APC candidate was a rumour, noting that Obasanjo in a letter to President Jonathan said he was against anti-party. “He is a revered leader of our party. He is experienced, he is sagacity. Unless I see and confirm from him it is a rumour. From my record, he is still a member of the party and he will not do that,” Mu’azu added. In another development,

Obasanjo has cleared the air on his reported endorsement of Buhari. At the launch of his new book ‘My Watch’ in the United Kingdom, Obasanjo stated that his wish is to see Nigeria headed by a strong president. His words: “Well, whatever you get in the paper and in the press, please yourself,” he said to guests at the event, who wanted to confirm the reported endorsement. “What I said, I maintain that I will say it again and I will do it. When the time comes for me to vote, I will consider the track record of all the candidates that are contesting and I will assess and based on my own assessment for who I believe have the best track record to perform the job of the Nigerian President, then he will have my vote. “If anybody should know what the job of the Nigerian President requires, I should know.” Obasanjo added: “Nigeria has a population of 180 million and you wouldn’t have anybody other than one person or two persons that can run the affairs of Nigeria? What the hell are we talking about? “For me, there are millions who can run the affairs of Nigeria who are not even coming out. So why should you die on behalf of one who is probably performing as a mediocre? With all due respect. “Nigeria, if you love it, you would look for the best for Nigeria and I don’t believe that at this point in time we have the best for Nigeria.”

PVCs: Coalition alleges disenfranchisement of S/West Wale Elegbede

coalition of Yoruba groups, Ominira Yoruba Apapo, Oodua Democratic Coalition and Coalition for Yoruba Autonomy (COYA) has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is planning to disenfranchise the South-West region through nonissuance of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for the zone. Addressing a press conference in Lagos yesterday, representatives of the coalition, Messrs Morgan Omodu, Razaq Oladosu and Kunle Adesokan said INEC has long ceased to be credible umpire in the elections. Reading the communiqué on behalf of the

coalition, Omodu said: “The evidence is now overwhelming that INEC is determined to tilt the election in favour of opposition party which incidentally its presidential candidate come from same zone as the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.” Omodu lamented the disparity in the distribution of the PVCs especially to the Southern part of the country. “What is even more sinister is INEC wilful determination to disenfranchise selected geo-political regions which represent areas of strength for President Goodluck Jonathan. We observe a criminal gross disparity of voters spread designed to tilt the election to a predetermined outcome,” the group said.

Politics

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Idahosa: I’ve no criminal record

in the state? I think it is about consistency. The PDP has shown consistency in its drive to ensuring that Edo State is better off and that is what politics is all about. Today, you can be at the helms of affairs, tomorrow you will be in the opposition. And I think history is always with us and history will always judge us on how we have fared. I think the PDP in Edo State is better transformed now and the party is enjoying a greater measure of patronage and support from the people of Edo. I am optimistic that the PDP will have the edge over every other party.

After a four-month stint in the cabinet of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Mr. Dennis Idahosa resigned his position as the Commissioner for Investment, Public/ Private Partnership and Other Related Matters to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with CAJETAN MMUTA, he speaks on his defection and allegations of fraud against him. Excerpts

Your resignation as commissioner and eventual defection to the PDP came as a surprise to many. What prompted the decision? Basically, there were no serious contending issues that led to my resignation. It was a joint decision between me and my people, and the reason is for us to move from the APC government to another platform under the leadership of our President. As South-South people, we see the coming of the Presidency to our zone as an opportunity and if I as a person will work against this opportunity, what will I tell my children; how will posterity judge me? So, I decided to go with my people and do what is expected from my people. It was just a calm and peaceful decision, there were no contentions. Are you saying that you left Oshiomole’s cabinet because of your interest in the programmes and policies of the president? If I am leaving a place where people are running into to an unknown arena you should know that it is an issue of determination. It should be an issue of dedication; it must have been an altruistic motive to serve my people. If I can leave the comfort of a commissioner to a place I hold no office and I am under no salary, it therefore means that I have my people in mind. I believe the lot of my people can be bettered in the new platform I have gone to. So, it is an issue of principle. I and others left the APC for the PDP because of the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President which is visible in the six geopolitical zones of the country. But the state government through the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Louis Odion, said you resigned because you have series

In your perception, what are the chances of President Jonathan ahead of the rescheduled March 28 presidential polls? I don’t believe President Goodluck Jonathan has brighter chance. I believe he has the brightest chance; he is the only candidate for this election. He is the man of the people and so the election is basically between President Jonathan and nobody else. I am sure and believe that come March 28, the electorate will affirm this statement I made and the result will be overwhelming to all, to actually know that it is President Jonathan who is the only candidate in this election. Every other person is just there to make up the number.

Idahosa

of petitions around your neck from abroad? Basically, I will say that is Nigeria’s politics for you and I find it very laughable. When strange friends are fighting, they don’t use sweet words for each other like you have in the case of couples undergoing divorce; they will never say good things about each other. There is no fact in that allegation. I have never been involved in any criminal or fraudulent act in my life both in Nigeria and abroad. I have never been arrested or tried by any law enforcement agency within and outside the country. What is the experience like serving in the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole within such a short period? For me, it was a privilege and a pleasure to serve my people. I found it as an opportunity to serve my people in a different way, though, it is still in continuation of what I have always been doing for my people. I am not always happy seeing poverty among my people and as a philanthropist, even before coming into government; I have been spending so much of my resources improving the standard of living of the people through empowerment. And after becoming a commissioner, it was an ample opportunity for me to do more of that and that was

why I dedicated my salary to the improvement of the standard of living of my people, both those of my constituency and other people in the state. For the four months I worked, I never made one kobo for myself; everything I earned as salary; I gave it out to my people in different capacities. So, for me it was a pleasure to serve my people. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) few days ago postponed the much-awaited general elections. What is your take on the postponement? The issue of postponement of election is actually under the purview of INEC and they have exercised their powers. Elections are about the people and if the people are not secured they will not come and vote for candidates of their choice. The issue of security is cardinal and if the security chiefs said they have an operational strategy against insurgents in place that will take at least six weeks, I think everyone should support them. It is imperative that we have a secured environment for elections. So, I support it in all sense of totality. I am in support of the postponement. Let there be security so that we can have safe elections. How do you assess the chances of the PDP in Edo State especially with the antecedents of the party

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I have never been involved in any criminal or fraudulent act in my life both in Nigeria and abroad. I have never been arrested or tried by any law enforcement agency

Do you think the military would be able to surmount the challenges of insecurity in the North-East under six weeks for us to have a peaceful election? I am optimistic in the strength of the military to combat insurgency. They have told us that they have an operational strategy that will in six weeks take care of these insurgents in the NorthEast and all other areas of the country where we have crises. With the latest equipment and the support of our neighbours, I believe they are ready to match their words with action. I believe in the next six weeks, we shall be experiencing a very calm atmosphere so that we can have our elections. What are your expectations in the coming days as election approaches especially from members of your party and the Edo people? Members of my party and Edo people should always maintain decorum. Edo people are peaceloving. We have witnessed crisis in some sections of the country but in Edo State, you see so much calmness, no unrest anywhere in the state. For instance, during the INEC registration exercise, there were issues in some states but in Edo State, we had it free and fair that some of us did everything possible to ensure that it was free and fair. So, the youth who formed the most vibrant sector of masses of Edo people should be encouraged to maintain peace and decorum like they have always done. We should shun violence and all manner of vices and be peaceful as we have always been and at the end of the election, Edo State will be better for it.

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NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

like the former Governor Danjuma Goje who is now in the All Progressives Congress (APC)? When you have people of like minds and people who are ready to show good understanding and as loyal PDP and party members, you should abide with the decision of the party. If you don’t have the opportunity this time, exercise some patience, another time may be your opportunity. That is the spirit upon which we operate here. We have a very good leader in the person of the governor and we have worked together in harmony and that accounts for the success we have recorded. That is why we have very rancour free operations as a party too. On reconciliation, I don’t know whether it is auspicious now because the PDP has always made overtures to everybody including those who have left the party. You are aware the former governor is the candidate of the APC for the Gombe Central senatorial election, so I don’t know the magic that can be made for him to come over to the PDP right now. However, we are always pleading, calling on people to come over to the PDP and if he decides to drop his ambition under the APC, that is fine.

Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, in this interview with ANULE EMMANUEL, speaks on why President Goodluck Jonathan deserves a second term, government’s robust plan for the rail sector and why the people of Gombe State will overwhelmingly vote for Jonathan. Excerpts:

How do you see the chance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming elections in Gombe State? Gombe is a PDP state. We took over power in 2003 from the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and since then the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been in power. I can assure you that PDP is fully on ground here and fully in charge in the state. Come March 28 and April 11, we are going to sweep the polls and win the presidential, National Assembly as well as governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections. What do think is the selling point for the PDP in the state regarding federal presence? The Federal Government has done a lot in Gombe State. First, Gombe was one of the states that benefited from the establishment of federal universities by Mr. President. The people are fully aware of the efforts of the Federal Government particularly in the area of agriculture, making fertilisers available to farmers. Our major occupation here is farming; Gombe is an agrarian state and therefore the main stay of our economy is agriculture. For the citizens of the state, there is nothing you can do for them more than to provide them with fertilisers and seedlings as well as farm implements which the Federal Government has been able to do under President Goodluck Jonathan. Only recently, we flagged off train services here. The governor of the state, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo, represented the president to formerly flag off train services from Gombe to Kafanchan to Kaduna and then from Gombe to Kafanchan to Port Harcourt. Train service has been in comatose here for over 25 years, but services have commenced and that is to tell you the efforts the Federal Government is making in putting back our decayed infrastructure particularly the rail infrastructure. Is it possible to extend this train services to places like Maiduguri, considering the security challenges in the region? Sure, but for the security challenges, the train services would have extended to Maidu-

Umar

Why Gombe’ll vote for Jonathan – Umar guri. As soon as the situation improves, we are going to continue with the rehabilitation exercise until the train reaches Maiduguri. There are so many things the Federal Government has been able to do. It has awarded contract for the road construction from Gombe to Katungu up to Noman. Earlier on, the Federal Government had already rehabilitated the road from Katungu to Yola. You remember the Almajeri scheme; Gombe is one of the benefiting states. We have a number of schools built by the Federal Government under President Jonathan. So, the people of Gombe State have enormous things to show to justify why they want to re-elect Mr. President for a second term. Mr. President is going to win here with a landslide and is going to win the election in the whole country. What is the PDP promising the people of Gombe State? We already have the on-going Transformation Agenda. In the transport sector, we already have a 25-year-strategic vision for the development of the railway. It is even going to go beyond the life span of the administration of President Jonathan. However, he has laid the solid foundation and the foundation is going to continue. In the next four to five years when Mr. President is back in office, we have carried out a number of

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The people of Gombe State have enormous things to show to justify why they want to re-elect Mr. President for a second term

feasibility studies with a view to creating seven additional corridors in our rail system under the standard gauge. The idea is to partner with the private sector to develop these rail corridors. If we are able to do that, we are going to put an additional 8,000 kilometres of rail road across the country. We have only 3,505 kilometers of the existing narrow gauge but what we are trying to put in under the Transformation Agenda of President Jonathan is the standard gauge of over 8,000 kilometers. You are from Gombe State; how are you collaborating with the state government to ensure that the peace in the state is not disrupted? The governor is the Chief Security Officer of Gombe State but as a minister of course, my duty is to complement as mush as possible and then to always pray. The Federal Government is working very assiduously to end this insurgency. I am sure in no distant future, the government is going to put it under control and it is going to be a thing of the past from all the efforts the armed forces are putting into it. PDP in some states has internal crisis, but it appears the story is different in Gombe. How has this been achieved? And, are you considering reconciling with someone

You seem to be popular in the state, what do you do to attract the attention of the people? I don’t usually blow my trumpet but since you have asked the question, I can modestly answer you. I happened to be the first State Secretary of the PDP when it was formed in 1998. We were coming from the background of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) days. I won the election into the House of Representatives under UNCP. However, following the death of Sani Abacha, when Abdulasami Abubakar came on board, he dissolved all those structures. Therefore, when the PDP was formed in 1998 and as a foundation member, I was the first state secretary of the party and right from that time, I played a very key role. I contested and won elections into the House of Representatives twice – 1999 and 2007. I won election to the Senate in 2007. By the special grace of God and the leadership of Mr. President I was appointed minister in 2011. I have been in the PDP system from 1999 till date and therefore if I am modestly loved and supported here in the state, you should understand where all these things are coming from. What is happening regarding the dredging of River Benue? The contract for the dredging of River Benue has been awarded. I said this in Makurdi when we went to flag off train services from Markurdi to Port Harcourt. The contract has been awarded by the Federal Government. The dredging is going to commence from Lokoja to Makurdi and then the contract for the construction of the River port from Makurdi to complement that has also been awarded. The idea is to complement the dredged lower River Niger so as to make it more sustainable, economical and viable.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

Abedi’s Dede and daddy’s deed!

Emissary EMEKA OBASI

emobas2003@yahoo.com 08094457557 (sms only)

e cried buckets, nothing could console him. It was the end of a game, the grand finale, not the end of the world. Andre Dede Ayew wept uncontrollably, like his world had come to an end. Poor lad, too young to lose in two Africa Nations Cup grand finale. And all these came after he had won with Ghana’s U-23 squad, the FIFA-Coca Cola World Youth Championship in 2009. Dad, Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew remains one of Africa’s greatest players. At 17 in 1982,he lifted the Nations Cup in Libya with the Black Stars. And that remains Ghana’s last time of winning the trophy so far. Last Sunday’s final between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire was history repeating itself. Both teams met in the grand finale at Senegal ’92. That was on January 26, at Stade de l’Amitie [Friendship Stadium] Dakar. After regulation and extra time, there was no victor. Senegalese referee Sene Badara oversaw the corollary penalty kicks. And for the very First time in soccer history, every player on the pitch took a penalty in the final of a major international tournament. It ended 11-10 in favour of the Ivorians who thus won their First Nations Cup. The Black Stars were men like goalie Edward Ansah, Tony Baffoe, Tony Yeboah, Prince Opoku Polley, Nii Odartey Lamptey, Isaac Asare and Ali Ibrahim. I did not start with Abedi because he missed the final. We shall come to that soon. For the Elephants, there were also very big names. Keeper Alain Gouamene, Captain Gadji-Celi St. Joseph[he was also a damn good reggae musician], Joel Tiehi, Abdoulaye Traore[Ben Badi], Sam Abouo

Dominique[the Nigerian with Ogoja blood], Sie Donald, Didier Otokere, Sergei Alain Magui, Aka Kouame , reserve goalie Losseni Konate and of course, Yusuf Fofana[who in 1984 emerged as the youngest to play in the competition as an Under- 17].Like Abedi, he laso missed the final. Abedi was the Megastar of the tournament and the world knew it. Most of the journalists who came for the tourney were there to watch the Marseille jewel. But he missed the grand finale after the semi finals 2-1 defeat of Nigeria. It was a grand conspiracy between the Tunisian referee and some top football officials who felt Abedi’s wings needed to be cut. The Black Stars bettered Nigeria through goals from Pele and Opoku Polley. The Eagles goal came from Mutiu Adepoju. At the end of the match, many Nigerians wanted to crucify Austin Eguavoen for allowing Abedi to torment Nigeria, when Moses Kpakor had done a better job in Kumasi during the qualifiers, on a day Aloy Agu lost a tooth. The next day, I was with Abedi in his hotel lobby and he blasted those who were blaming Eguavoen for the slip.” You Nigerians do not have to blame Eguavoen. He did a good job marking me. I am in splendid form now. In Kumasi, I was on holidays and match rusty. The guy that was assigned to me was nowhere near Eguavoen,” the Black Stars Skipper said. Referee Neiji Jouini [hope I am right], gave Abedi a second yellow card in the semi final to ensure he missed the final. Ghana protested, CAF refused to listen. Abedi cried like a baby at the final that he watched from the bench, dressed in sleek designer suit. You see, before son Dede cried in Bata, Dad had done it in Dakar. And even without playing in the final, Abedi was Most Valuable Player, and also scored three goals.That was one goal short of Rashidi Yekini whose four goals won him the Golden Boot. Last Sunday, Dede got the Golden Boot with three goals, the same number as his father in 1992. Like in Dakar, Ghana again won the Most Valuable Player trophy. Christian Atsu did. So many things put 2015 and 1992 in the same box.

Algeria,the two Congos, Senegal, Zambia and Cameroun were there. Cote d’Ivoire scored thrice against Algeria in both Editions and Frenchman Claude Leroy took a team to the quarter finals- Senegal in 1992, Congo in 2015. In Senegal, the Ivorian keeper Gouamene was hero of the tournament. He did not concede a goal all through regulation time even as the last three games dragged to penalty shoot-out. So for 540 minutes , he was unbeaten. In Equatorial Guinea, keeper Boubacar Barry won the match for the Elephants. He scored the winner in what was his first match of the tourney. He stood in for injured Sylvain Ghobouo. In 1992,Ghana lost their last kick through Baffoe that was exactly what goalie Razak Braimah did in 2015 to let the Ivorians win through penalties for the second time. They also lost the cup twice in the same manner-to Egypt in 2006 and Zambia in 2012. The men who captained Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana respectively in 1992, Gadji-Celi and Abedi had relations in the teams of 2015. Abedi’s sons Dede and Jordan faced Gadji-Celi’s nephew Tallo. Let us look at the managers. Herve Renard became a champion for the second time. He had won with Zambia in 2012. And who did they beat? Cote D’Ivoire, thanks to penalty kicks. Avram Grant was losing in a big grand finale for the second time having lost with Chelsea to Manchester United in the Euro Champions League. Both defeats came via penalty. You could see the Frenchman holding Jordan and cheering up Dede. Their mother is French.And the younger Ayew was his ward at Sochaux. In 1992,the two grand finale keepers were christians. This year, we had muslims. Crying is part of football. Diego Maradona cried after losing the World Cup in 1990. Sunday Oliseh wept when Mourad Dami of Tunisia dashed Cameroun the Nations Cup inside our Lagos ‘bedroom’ in 2000.Abedi had shed tears in 1992. In years to come, Dede could cry no more. Then we shall remind him of Ngugi Wathiongo’s Weep not child.

Femi Fani-Kayode: When destiny beckons Emmanuel Ajibulu

ne cannot overemphasize the importance of quality reporting when conveying facts and opinions in order to ensure accurate information dissemination. Before going further, it is important to appreciate some professionals who have excelled in this regard and who have added value to the practice of journalism in our nation. Some of the names that come up in this respect are Olusegun Osoba, Sam Amuka Pemu, Babatunde Jose, John Momoh, Gbolabo Ogunsanwo, Adebayo Williams, Akin Osuntokun, Nduka Obaigbena, Elueme Emeka-Izeze, Gbenga Adefaye, Dele Momodu, Mike Awoyinfa, Debo Adesina, Bola Bolawole, Yusuf Olaniyonu, Simon Kolawale, Sam Nda-Isaiah, Sam Omatseye, Gbenga Omotosho, Edward Dickson, Yemi Adebowale, Debo Abdulahi, Shaka Momodu, Steve Ayorinde, Martins Oloja, Louis Odion, Eric Osagie, Femi Adesina, Mohammed Haruna, Eniola Bello, Reuben Abati, Mideno Bayagbon, Kayode Komolafe, Azubuike Ishekwene, Sufuyan Ojeifo,Tuinde Rahman, Eze Anaba, Bayo Onanuga, Dare Babarinsa, Jide Ajani, Ishaq Modibo-Kawu, Ben Bruce, and Sola Omole to mention a few. These mentioned veterans both in the print and broadcast media have afforded the fourth estate of the realm the

opportunity to take its place of pride in the scheme of things. Be that as it may, for a tiny minority that has compromised the ethics of the profession, the media is sometimes used as a tool for leverage, character assassination, revisionism and societal control. But, thankfully, many media practitioners in Nigeria still see the media as the voice of conscience where facts are sacred and opinion is free. However, to the renegade tiny minority, the media symbolizes nothing but a commercial enterprise where falsehood, distortion and deceit are deployed for propaganda and tilted news — all for a price. We must therefore celebrate and encourage the former and larger group while discouraging and exposing the excesses of the latter and smaller group. It is for this reason that I have decided to write about the emerging leaders of Nigeria and those that are likely to play significant roles in the future of our nation. We must at least attempt to separate the chaff from the wheat. For the establishment of the muchsought after new Nigeria, we need to raise a new generation of leaders possessing certain manifest capabilities to drive the process of paradigm shift in our country. Such emerging leaders include the likes of Usman Bugaje, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief Akin Oshuntokun, Governor Ayodele Fayose, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, Governor Seriake Dickson,

Governor Godswill Akpabio, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Abubakar Umar, Olisa Agbakoba, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and a few others. With well-exposed and well-educated men and women like these in the power equation and in the quest for a new Nigeria, I am convinced that there is a future for our country. Today I will focus on one of these emerging leaders and that person is David Oluwafemi Adewunmi Fani-Kayode, son of the late Deputy Premier of the Western Region of Nigeria, Chief Babaremilekun Adetokunboh Fani-Kayode, QC, SAN, CON. Femi Fani-Kayode started his primary education at the age of eight at Brighton College, Brighton in the United Kingdom. Thereafter, he went to a prestigious boarding school called Holmewood House Preparatory School in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, South-East England. After distinguishing himself in the prep school, he gained entry into Harrow School in Harrow on The Hill, United Kingdom. He later attended Kelly College in Tavistock, also in the United Kingdom, where he completed his public school education. In 1980, Fani-Kayode proceeded to the School of Oriental and African Studies, where he graduated with an LL.B law degree in 1983. He gained entry into Cambridge University where his grandfather, his father and his older brother, Akinola had all previously studied law. At Cam-

bridge, Fani-Kayode matched his father’s score in his final exams by also getting a high upper second in his post graduate LL.M degree in 1984. After finishing from Cambridge he attended the Nigerian law school and in 1985 was called to the Nigerian Bar. In 1993, Fani-Kayode returned to school to study theology at the Action Faith Bible Seminary in Accra, Ghana. In 1995, he obtained a degree in theology from that institution. Fani-Kayode showed early traits of leadership in 1987 when he set up a group called the “September Club”. The group was made up of many bright new breed politicians and young professionals in Nigeria at that time. In 1988, he was elected leader of the September Club. In 1989, he became the National Youth leader of the Chief Emmanuel Iwanyanwu-led Nigerian National Congress. In 1990, he was appointed Chief Press Secretary to Chief Tom Ikimi, the first National Chairman of the National Republican Convention (NRC). In 1991, he became the Special Assistant to Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, former head of the Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO) and the leading presidential aspirant of the NRC. This is where FaniKayode learned the nitty-gritty of Nigerian politics. • Ajibulu, a social commentator on national issues, wrote from Three-Arms Zone, Abuja via emmanuelajibulu@gmail.com

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

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The need to protect corps members during polls

he fear of possible outbreak of violence before, during and after the general election has continued to dominate discussions, either formal or informal, in the countdown to the polls. The fears are really not unfounded. In history, no election in Nigeria has been without one form of violence or the other. The people of the South-West will not forget the destruction of lives and property that followed the postelection violence in 1983 in parts of the region. Those who witnessed the mayhem of 1963 polls, regarded as “Wet e” (wet with fuel and burn) still recoil in horror whenever a reference is made to that dark period. Some of the violent outbreaks of the 1960 across the country led to a chain of actions which culminated in the Civil War of 1967-70. The generally acclaimed free, fair and credible presidential poll of June 12, 1993 was also dogged with pockets of violence. The annulment of the said election was greeted by wanton destruction of lives and property. But another dimension was added to the orgy of violence in the conflagration that followed the 2011 presidential poll. The violent riots that broke out in the wake of the election in some states in the North claimed the lives of at least 10 National Youth Service

Corps (NYSC), members aside from other innocent people. The corps members were part of the ad-hoc staff used during the election by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The rioters accused the corps members of colluding with INEC to rig the election in favour of President Goodluck Jonathan. While hosting the families of the slain corps members in May 2011 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President vowed that his administration would ensure the perpetrators were brought to book. Jonathan, who announced N5 million for each slain corps member’s family, declared that there would be no hiding place for the killers. Till date, no culprit has been properly identified or made to face the wrath of the law. Not even the setting up a 22-man panel of inquiry to look into the remote and immediate causes of the violence had adequately assuaged the hurt of those whose children were killed. This is despite the pleading for justice by the families which include a widow and four children. They said that the best compensation for the loss of their loved ones was for the Federal Government to ensure that all those who were involved in the heinous act were brought to face the full weight of the law. There are fears that corps mem-

bers may again be sacrificed during this year’s elections on the altar of political exigency. However, the postponement of the polls, whether plausible or not, should be used by concerned authorities – the Federal Government, INEC, the police, the Department of State Security (DSS), and other security agencies – to fine tune strategies to protect the lives of Nigerians, particularly the corps members who would serve as ad-hoc staff during the polls. It is cheering to note that the NYSC said it had put in place measures to prevent a repeat of the 2011 episode. The NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Johnson Olawunmi, has assured Nigerians that no corps member would be lost to post-election violence this year. He said: “I am sure, Insha Allah, that at the end of the 2015 elections, we will not lose a single corps member.” Olawunmi said his organisation had begun sensitisation programme for community leaders in some areas prone to violence to educate them on the need to protect corps members. He said: “You all know it that corps members have become part of the electoral process in Nigeria. One thing that is certain is that since corps members have started taking part in elections in Nigeria, you will all accept and agree with me that our elections have continued to get

credibility more than they used to be before we started participating. “On what we are doing as far as their safety and security are concerned, we have put a lot of measures in place. Some will be done before the election, some on election day and some immediately after the election. This principally involves training, sensitisation, collaborating with all the relevant agencies in terms of security for corps members on the day of the election. “We have even gone beyond that. We are already discussing with community leaders, engaging them and letting them realise that these are their children who are just serving the country and are not INEC members of staff; they are just serving their country. “We are also letting them understand that as they have corps members in their own communities, their own children are also in other communities doing that. So, I’m sure at the end of the 2015 elections, we will not lose a single corps member.” Though Olawunmi’s statement is assuring, protecting corps members during elections transcends mere promises. Political actors and all other stakeholders must give regard to the sanctity of life. The corps members, like other categories of Nigerian youths, represent the country’s future. They must be protected, at all costs, no matter who wins or loses the election.

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Politics

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lagosians’ll vote out APC, says Animasahun Hon. Ola Animasahun is a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and House of Representatives’ candidate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, he says Lagosians will vote out the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the general elections How prepared are you for the House of Representatives contest? I have heard that my opponent, Jimi Benson, has

been going around saying that he is son of Chief B.O Benson. Chief Benson was my principal; I left his office as Deputy Head of

Chamber in 1993. I know all his children, so Jimi Benson is not his children. Jimi is more of a nephew but he is definitely not a son of Chief Benson. Do you see PDP winning next general elections in Lagos State? For the first time in 16 years, PDP is going into an election in Lagos State as a united family. You can see Chief Bode George and Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe talking and planning together. You can see Senator Musiliu Obanikoro raising the

together and the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), is not as comfortable as they used to be and that is why they are sending out their boys to tear posters and remove banners. PDP is winning the heart of people in Lagos State because many people are tired of APC.

Animasahun

hand of Jimi Agbaje as the PDP governorship candidate in the state. So, everybody has come

What are your plans and programme for the people of Ikorodu if you are elected? My agenda essentially for the people of Ikorodu is to get an alternative road out of this town.

It is something that we need seriously. Part of my agenda is to also look into all the legislation governing industries and factories so that we can look at ways to enhance the safety and welfare of our workers. We are also talking of empowerment for women and youths. We are also looking at the possibility of having a PDP government in Lagos State. If we have a PDP government in Lagos and at the federal, they will work together in conjunction with the private sector to do the Fourth Mainland Bridge, to help a lot of people in Ikorodu. We are also looking at ways of collaborating with other House of Representatives’ members in Lagos and Ogun states to push for the dualisation of the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road. I believe that whoever people want to send to represent them in the House of Representatives should be someone living within the people. It should not be a situation whereby election is coming and Bola Tinubu will just import somebody from Victoria Island and imposed him on the people of Ikorodu. What do you think will happen after the election? The guy will go back to his Victoria Island and nobody will see him again. And that is what happened during Abike Dabiri’s first term and part of second term of her tenure in the House of Representatives before she built the house she is living in Ikorodu. The same thing will happen to a Jimi Benson, because he is an indigene of Ikorodu but we don’t know him as far as Ikorodu politics is concerned. He was brought in and imposed on everybody in APC two months to the party’s primary election. Because of that so many people were angry and annoyed that Jimi Benson was imposed on them despite their past contributions to APC. How would assess the preparation for the general elections? The electorate are ready because if they are not ready, they will not be trooping out trying to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to perform their civic responsibility. We know that INEC is facing some challenges but we pray it is going to be something manageable and at the end of the day, we would have credible elections. Most of the politicians are desperate and that is why we always pray that God should deliver us from desperate and professional politicians.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Culture

Media

Tourism

Vision Of The Child 2015: Finalists emerge, as LBHF beckons

Echoes of non-violent struggle as SELMA premiers in Nigeria

Ondo builds first hill resort in 90 Days

Arts Promoting culture through carnival CULTURE

The recent proliferation of carnivals has been praised by many as good tourist attractions and avenues for wealth creation and entertainment. While a pocket of people say that some aspects of it promotes the Brazilian samba culture and nudity, instead of the Nigerian culture it is meant to promote, experts say they are not going to allow any over pious criticism to rob the nation of the excellent initiative. EBERE AMEH writes

estivals, from time immemorial, have always contributed significantly to the cultural and economic development of a people. People looked forward to festive periods as it was an avenue for rest, entertainment, promotion and propagation of their way of life. Nigeria is a country with diverse tribes and tongues and hundreds of different interesting festivals. With amazing masquerades, colourful traditional dance groups and other forms of entertainment that feature during such festivals, there is always something to look forward to. While some, especially the masquerades that appear during some festivals have some fetish practices associated with them, others are simply out for pure entertainment. However, despite the advantages of these festivals as means of relaxation, entertainments and culture promotion, the wholesale importation of the western culture has adversely affected the traditional way of life and by extension, most of these festivals. In Lagos State for example, the Eyo masquerade festival, otherwise known as Adamu Orisha Play, is an annual event perculiar to the Yoruba people of Lagos State, which has stood the test of time. Now, it has become a tourist attraction contributing significantly to the cultural and economic development of the State. There is also the Lagos carnival and other states like Enugu, Rivers, Cross-River and Abuja now have Enugu, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Abuja annual carnivals respectively. These carnivals are now tourist events that also help to promote the cultural heritage of the people. While most of these carnivals still have elements of our culture

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

Scene from Calabar Carnival

like masquerades, traditional dance, water regatta and others, some critics are of the opinion that a lot of the aspects of the carnivals actually promote nudity and the samba culture of Brazil, not Nigerian culture. “There was a festival done in Lagos in the past. It was a mixture of African and Brazilian culture. You know that Lagos has close affinity with Brazil. It was from that festival, I suppose, that carnivals started in Nigeria. Though some aspects, like the masquerades, are all about African culture, there are aspects that are pure Caribbean. My fear is that the Nigerians I know will so copy the Samba culture that we start going half naked on the street as they do. Carnivals are colourful quite alright, but we shouldn’t forget who we are – Africans and there should be control,” author and activist, Olaboludele Simoyan said. Carnivals in Nigeria actually date back to the 19th century. History has it that Carnivals was brought to Lagos Island by the Brazilians who settled around Campos area on Lagos Island. It was introduced by the Da Souza and Kanaku families. During the 1850s, there was an influx into Lagos of educated Africans who had earlier been sold as slaves, from Sierra Leone, Brazil and Cuba. With time, the people living in Lafiaji area, also on Lagos Island, started participating in the carnival. Later on, other areas of Lagos, such as Obalende, Surulere and Yaba also started participating. Until recently, Lagos was the only part of Nige-

Scene from Abuja Carnival

ria that hosted carnivals but now, we have the Calabar, Enugu, Abuja and POort Harcourt Carnivals. The Carnival Calabar, as they prefer to call it, for instance, started in 2004, when the governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, had a vision of making his state the hub for tourism and hospitality in Nigeria and in Africa. The carnival has so grown in popularity that even people in other parts of the world make it a point of duty to experience it. Reacting to the claim that aspects of carnivals in Nigeria, especially the Calabar carnival promote the Caribbean culture and nudity and not the African culture, the chairman of the carnival board of the Carnival Calabar Mr Gab Onah explained; “The Carnival Calabar was founded on the Platform of the culture of Christmas, as seen by the display by our cultural groups. The first of such was called kinkoriko. It was an Ogene group that used to wear raffia and wear Ekpo masquerade and play around the town and end at the roundabout on Boxing Day. They move from house to house, creating joy. So when they the Imoke government in the millennium year came into being, they decided to catch in on this cultural explosion and turn that vision to a commercial enterprise. That was the birth of carnivals. You can see that governor Imoke has a dedicated the 23rd of December for the cultural parade. On this day of the

cultural parade, we bring all the 18 local governments, we invite all the 36 states and the best cultural troupes come from the 36 states and the host communities that reside in Cross-River State also participate. They come and dance and display their culture through a six kilometre route. “He introduced adjudication and price giving and has gone further to dedicate a five day-training workshop for participants for the cultural parade. This shows his love for culture and this shows that he wants to build on that structure as the basis for our carnivals. “The road match of the 23rd December, yes, may be the Caribbean style, but I want to tell you that the white man does not dance on the street; he dances in the ball room. Carnivals started from Africa and went to the new world during the slave trade era. We are bringing it back but we don’t want to lose our culture, which is why we are upping the game on the cultural side,” Onah explained. Concurring with Onah, a teacher and resident of Port Harcourt Mrs Isioma Edimeh queried; (Are they expected to wear suits to do cultural dance? Some people criticise unnecessarily. For the Port Harcourt Carnival that I have witnessed a couple of times, I know cultural troupes come from different local governments in the state showcasing their culture. They come CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Arts

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Vision of the Child 2015: Finalists emerge, as LBHF beckons

L-R: Head Corporate Communications, Diamond Bank, Mrs Ayona Trimnel, Executive Director, Honeywell Flour Plc, Mr. Benson Evbuomwan, Permanent Secretary; Lagos State Ministry of Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mrs Olufunmilayo Balogun, Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations, Lagos State, Mr. Disun Holloway, Prof. Wole Soyinka , Executive Director, Diamond Bank, Mr. Victor Ezenwoko, Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr Olayinka Oni and Citizenship Manager- Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Olusola Amusan, at the press conference held at Freedom Park, Lagos Island.

Tony Okuyeme

fter three-day intensive interview held January 26th – 28th at the Freedom Park, Lagos, finalists for this year’s edition of “Vision of the Child” (VOTC) have emerged. Themed “The Road to Sambisa”, the age bracket for the participants was 9 – 12. A total of 250 student participants from 60 schools (primary and secondary) within Lagos State attended the interview. Their entries were assessed by a panel of eminent jury comprising teachers, artists, child carers, and social workers, the organisers said at a press conference and unveiling of the finalists at Freedom Park, Lagos. The 60 finalists were drawn from 35 schools within Lagos State.

“The 2015 edition of the “Vision of the Child” – the children/student segment of the yearly Lagos Black Heritage Festival, LBHF – continues the innovation that was introduced in 2014, as an interactive test to stretch youthful imagination and skills across genres. Instead of the uni-disciplinary interpretation of the given theme, participants will express their vision in two creative media: Painting and the Literary Arts – poetry, prose, fiction, or essay. The journey begins with the latter section - a poem, essay or short story of fixed length - on the chosen theme. “The finalists shall be invited on the 7th of March 2015 to the National Conservation Foundation Park, Lekki, provided with brush, paint and easel and, will be required to illustrate

their literary presentation in the complementary medium of - Painting.” Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who is the Festival Consultant, in his remark at the press conference which has in attendance, the Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations, Lagos State, Mr. Disun Holloway, Executive Director, Diamond Bank, Mr. Victor Ezenwoko, Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr Olayinka Oni, Executive Director, Honeywell Flour Plc, Mr. Benson Evbuomwan, among others, explained the significance of the theme, especially, against the backdrop of the coming elections, and the kidnapped Chibok girls. “It is impossible to think of today’s election without thinking of what happened to your colleagues, your siblings, your peers in the village called Chibok. It’s

Uwaifor, Tuface Idibia, Chidinma, Pasuma for Music Festival Lagos Tony Okuyeme

he stage is set for the third edition of Music Festival Lagos. The event which is organised by the Golden Tulip Festac, Lagos in collaboration with Five Stars Music holds on Friday March 6, 2015, at the main arena of the hotel. The 2015 edition of the festival will host a pool of top rated artistes. Riding on the unprecedented success with a sold-out festival last year, the Music Festival Lagos has doubled in size to anticipate a landmark 3rd year attendance, the organisers stated in a press briefing held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, to announce the hosting of the show. “The festival once again invites artistes and audiences of all ages to experience music in established as well as unconventional settings, exploring the dynamism among art forms, genres and cultures, and reflecting the encounter of tradition with the contemporary. “The list of top superstars who will perform at the festival include: Phino, Pato Ranking, Tuface Idibia, Timaya, Kcee, Wizkid, Olamide, Yemi Alade, Pasuma Wonder, Sound Sultan, Inyanya, Seyi Shay, Chidinma, Kiss Daniel, Runtown,

Duncan Mighty, Basket Mouth, Sunny Bobo, Cynthia Morgan, and a host of others. Veteran musician, Victor Uwaifor will also perform. “All arrangements to have a hitch-free festival have been concluded with relevant organisations and agencies.” According to the organisers, the Lagos Music Festival has in the past two years created an indelible mark in the minds of fun-seeking, music-loving Nigerians and foreign visitors. “This year’s edition, being the third, promises to be a greater package of the event bringing together the best of Nigeria’s greatest musicians and comedians to make your evening fun-packed and vibrant,” the organisers said in a statement signed by the Corporate Affairs and Marketing Manager, of Golden Tulip, Emmanuel Ele. “The organisers of the Music Festival Lagos is using this opportunity to thank the sponsors of this great show UPDC, Nigeria Breweries, Tanamont Nigeria Limited, makers of Best Amarula cream, HZI, Air France KLM, Stanbic IBTC, Sweet Home Luxury Bathroom, Samerian Energy, etc., who have insisted that their involvement apart from the wider promotional platforms associated with the festival is also because the event

Chidinma

2face

Victor Uwaifo

Pasuma Wonder

is associated with tourism promotion aimed at bringing back feelings of the Second African World Festival of Arts and Culture which Festac stands for.” Commenting on the festival,

the general manager of Golden Tulip Festac, Lagos, Mr. Marcel Andeweg said: “What a wonderful opportunity to showcase the rich culture of a great country like Nigeria.”

not possible to think of the future of this nation, its sense of responsibility, without that albatross called Chibok coming to the fore of our contemplation,” he said, adding that the theme, which is “The Road to Sambisa”, offers the participants the platform to present their views, concerns and vision. As a further incentive, unlike 2014 in which the prize was awarded on the aggregate of the two creative media, there will be three prizes in all – one in Painting, another in its sister art - the literary (poem, essay or fiction), while the prime prize will go to the combined product of the pupil’s dexterity – Painting and Literature. Explaining further, the Festival Secretary/Program Manager for the Vision of the Child, Foluke George said: “Learning from the 2014 edition, we have given increased recognition to the fact that very few individuals are endowed with a duality or more of creative skills, and it seemed a pity not to recognise youthful talent that is not stretched beyond one.” According to her, on the 3rd of April 2015, winning entries will be mounted for viewing at the gala event to mark the conclusion of the festival. “Since inception, Diamond Bank has collaborated with the Lagos State Government to support the VOTC. Microsoft and Honeywell Noodles have now joined up as supporters of the project. Thus for the 2015 edition, prizes will be donated and presented by Diamond Bank, Microsoft and Honeywell Noodles. “The mission of the mini Artistic Decathlon – perhaps more accurately called ‘Decathlon’ - is to uncover and promote talent wherever it is lodged. In a few years – who knows, perhaps the very next edition - LBHF will be able to thrill viewers and readers with an authentic Decathlon, comprising at least ten branches of the visual, performing arts and even environmental designs. At the moment, material resources restrict us to the present but expanding ‘mini’ editions, testing combinations among the disciplines. Within the present limitations however, the Festival envisages an even more intensive contest, with a creative repertory whose menu will change from edition to edition - but all that is in the future.” The Executive Director, Diamond Bank, Mr. Victor Ezenwoko, in his remark, commended the organisers, stressing that Diamond Bank will continue to support the VOTC programme. “I hope that Nigeria will be better and you can count on Diamond Bank to always be there, moving forward.” In the same vein, the Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr Olayinka Oni said: “We believe so much about empowering people to do more, especially the youth. So, in terms of getting kids to empress their creative ability, Microsoft has been here in Nigeria for over 14 years. “ Also, the Executive Director, Honeywell Flour Plc, Mr. Benson Evbuomwan said that they are happy to be part of the initiative. “We believe that if the family unit is closely knit together and the children are given the right motivation and encouragement, they will excel. We will continue to support this initiative.” The Vision of the Child is a yearly programme, which was inaugurated in 2012. Ninety-two paintings produced by finalists in the previous editions are expected to be mounted permanently in a hall of fame soon.

Arts

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Echoes of non-violent struggle as Selma premiers in Nigeria Ebere Ameh

s Nigeria prepares for her general elections, there has been rising tensions as many foresee an imminent post-election violence. This is informed and fuelled by the cases of inciting utterances made by some stakeholders, the already fragile security situation in the country and the postponement of the elections. It is against that backdrop that the United States Mission in Nigeria, in conjunction with House on the Rock (church) brought the film, Selma to sensitize Nigerians on the need for peace and the fact that much can be achieved without violence as Dr Martin Luther King Jr., the protagonist in the film advocated when he led the non-violent struggle to liberate the ‘black people’ in the United States. Selma showcases Dr. King’s non-violence campaign as a means to achieving equal voting rights and equal justice for black people in the late 1950s and 60s. Its premiere in Nigeria now is timely and amplifies the power of the ballot box especially as Nigeria prepares to go to the polls. David Oyelowo and Carmen Eyogo, both British born Nigerian artistes, who starred as Reverend King and Coretta King (Rev. King’s wife), were at the Lagos premier of the film, which has gotten four Golden Globe Award nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director, and Best Actor, and won for Best Original Song. It also garnered nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Song at the 87th Academy Awards. An American historical drama film that was released in 2014, Selma was written by Paul Webb and DuVernay and directed by Ava DuVernay. It was premiered at the American Film Institute Festival on November 11, 2014, began a limited U.S. release on December 25, expanded into wide theatrical release on January 9, 2015, just two months before the 50th anniversary of the march, and now, is in Nigeria to promote non-violence. The premier which was a black-tie, red carpet event brought together many dignitaries, including the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Enwistle; the Consular General of the US Consulate, Lagos, Mr. C.J. Hawkins; The Deputy Consular General, US Consulate Lagos, Mrs. Dehab Ghebreab; the General Overseer of House on the Rock Church, Pastor Paul Adefarasin; Akinwunmi Ambode and Jimi Agbaje, both gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the All People’s Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) respectively, two main political parties battling for the soul of Lagos, and many of Nigeria’s political, economic, social and spiritual leaders. In a pre-movie screening press conference, Mr Enwistle said that throughout the period that Dr King led the struggle, he continued nonetheless to advocate the practice of non-violence. “In his most famous speech, ‘I Have a Dream,’ delivered in Washington, D.C. in August 1963, Reverend King offered a caution which, while not one of the most well-known quotes from that famous speech, has always stuck with me: ‘But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and

L-R: David Oyelowo, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Carmen Ejogo and James Enwistle after the pre-movie screening press conference at the Rock Cathedral on Sunday

A scene from Selma

again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force,’ Enwistle quoted. Enwistle and his parents were living in Montgomery, Alabama during the time of the struggle. He could recall Dr. King coming to town for the Selma marches, the attack on African Americans as they demonstrated for their civil rights and for the right to vote and shared the lessons he learnt with the audience. “What lessons do I draw from my experiences in Alabama during that period? First, and this has been reinforced by many things I’ve seen in my 34 years of being a U.S. diplomat around the world, is the precious nature of the right to vote. All over

the world, including in my country, people have struggled and in some cases died to obtain the right to vote. When we have the right to vote but don’t use it, we disrespect and tarnish their memory. So, I urge all Nigerians who are eligible to vote to do so. Vote. It’s one of the most powerful weapons in the world. “Second, having seen African Americans attacked in the streets and now, fifty years later, having the privilege of working for an African American President of the United States, I am convinced that genuine change through the democratic process is absolutely possible. I know this because I have seen it in my own lifetime in my own country. It may not happen overnight, it may take decades, but it is absolutely possible. “The third and final lesson I draw from those experiences as a young boy is the power of the manner in which Dr. King devoted his life to non-violence. As Dr. King taught Americans, and as he taught the world, ‘nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.’” He added that committing to nonviolence, in the spirit of Dr. King means that Nigerians will not engage in or support violence for any reason,

no matter what others do, and if we see it starting, we shall do everything in our power to stop it and we shall speak out against those who advocate violence and otherwise engage in hate speech. He noted that the vision of inclusion and non-violence, which Dr King lived and died are also the vision and dream of Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s founding fathers. In his speech, Hawkins commended the House on the Rock Church for the initiative and noted that the screening of Selma could not have come at a better time than now when Nigeria is preparing for its next electoral contest, a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic process. “This is a great nation, but it faces great challenges. Dr. King’s example – tenacity in the face of injustice, tolerance and brotherhood towards all men and women – shines through these challenges”. Adefarasin, among other things, noted that peace is not the absence of tension but the presence of justice, insisting that we must ensure that peace, justice and equity are enshrined in Nigeria. “As Nigeria embarks on this critical task of further entrenching her nascent democracy, we are using the movie Selma – to speak to and embed in the consciousness of all Nigerians the benefits of employing non-violent methods to achieve a credible transition in a peaceful atmosphere devoid of fear-stoked actions. It is only by committing to non-violence that we believe Nigeria can reform, develop and take her place in the comity of nations,” Adefarasin intoned. Oyelowo and Ejogo were visibly elated at the opportunity of being in Nigeria and noted that they are also much more proud that their film is here in Nigeria to impact their people. “There is no greater reward for an artist than to have your work meet up with what society generally needs. … somehow, the movie theatres and cinemas have become the new churches and the industry that I work for churns out a lot of bad stuff that are not edifying. So when a film comes along and is edifying, that glorifies God and glorifies peace, love and social justice, for me that is the greatest reward and to bring it to Nigeria is something I will take to my grave,” Oyelowo noted.

Promoting culture through carnival C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1

with their traditional attire and in a way, it promotes their culture. There are attires for the different groups according to their culture. Some wear raffia skirts, the ladies put on something like traditional bra tops and adorn themselves with beads and so on. It’s always colourful and very cultural,” Edimeh said. However, a Christian group under the aegis of Christian Youth Group in Cross River State protested at the Government House in Calabar, over the conduct of the carnival activities on Sundays, al-

leging that the state Government was apparently scheming to suppress Christianity and relegate the religion to the background in the state. The leader of one of the protesters, Rev Theodore Effiong who is the National Adviser and Patron of the group, also regretted that the Carnival Calabar has caused the state social and moral setback, as there was alarming increase in teenage pregnancy, drug abuse and child abandonment. A resident of Calabar who prefers to remain anonymous, com-

mented “I support the protest. We who live here have never had it this bad. Even children are lured into such open display of flesh all in the name of Africa’s biggest street party/carnival.” However, for Mr Ben Tomoloju, a renowned culture Journalist and playwright, carnival has contributed significantly to the cultural and economic development of the people. While concurring with the need for control, he intoned that over-pious criticism, which could scuttle the noble initiative, should not be entertained.

Tourism

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ondo builds first hill resort in 90 Days

ndo State government has taken a giant leap in its tourism revolution as it has constructed the first world class hills resort. With this latest effort, the governor of the state, Olusegun Mimiko, has demonstrated his unalloyed commitment to the development and promotion of tourism in the state. The newly built hills resort is in the ancient town of Idanre, which is known for its rich historical attraction as sign post by the magical Idanre hills, which presents an alluring and enchanting picturesque landscape of undulating rocky ranges and mountains. It once served as the settlement of the people of the town who were said to have One of the tree houses at Idanre Hills Resort lived atop the rocky and mountain plains for cen- to open the tourism under- are houses on the rock (Ile turies until they settled belly of the town to the world. oriota), tree houses - all fully Named Idanre Hills Re- serviced apartments (three at the bottom of the hills. bedrooms and two bedrooms, This latest move by the sort, it is built at the foot of government is, accord- the hills, and it is a very at- ensuites); featuring tastefully ing to the state tourism tractive and inviting struc- fitted amenities for the pleaauthority, part of the ef- ture. The place where the re- sure of the guests, all crefort at transforming the sort is located was once used atively crafted and exuding spot into a tourism haven as dump site until the state a blend of African and contiwith a lot of development government took over the nental motifs. Other facilities at the carried out in preserving location, cleared the dump the natural appeal of the and now a gorgeous and aes- resort are swimming pool, hills and changing it into thetically appealing resort dining/bar, lounge, spa and stands in its place. For the treatment area for massage, a tourist destination. game arcade and a walk Construction wise, the people, this is a clear case of project, to the amazement ‘transforming bush to a des- way. Guests are guaranteed 24 hours services with each of the people was under tination.’ Spreading across five kilo- apartment enjoying the prestaken in a record time of 90 days. This is said to be metres, the hills resort is well ence of beautifully attired fea great feat as nowhere apportioned and fitted with male butler. Besides, the resort has a else in the world a proj- a blend of sophisticated and ect of such magnitude traditional African motifs. It reception where guests are had been completed in is the first of such hills resort first received and given a record time. This feat is to be located anywhere in taste of its traditional welsaid to be a demonstra- Nigeria. The resort compels come (Ekaabo) treat. The tion of the government’s attention with its impressive reception consist of sit out area, mini-theatre with stage, determination to fast and imposing outlook. Amongst its facilities game facilities such as table track the ground design

tennis, snooker boards and a number of traditional games. The resort also has a restaurant, finger bar, outdoor stage and a VIP stage, children’s playground fitted with a number of facilities, sports facilities, sit out area atop the rocky ranges, kiosks for traditional cuisines and snacks, office complex and Wadii (meaning come and plait your hair). The complex also lends itself to eco –tourism scenery as it has a naturally enticing and breezy environment, which allows for exploration of the outdoor elements and aesthetics of the resort. With this resort, with its world class rated facilities, visitors to the town are now guaranteed a choice option of overnight stay where they would be

treated to the best of contemporary and African entertainment packages as part of the services on offer. The hills resort has since opened for business as it hosted a number of guests during last year’s MARE Festival - which is devoted to promoting Idanre Hills as part of the festival’s activities is mountain climbing. It has continued to attract patronage from the residents of the town and visitors, particularly tourists to the hills. The state government has commenced a move to enlist Idanre Hills Resort in the Guinness Book of Record as the only hills resort to be completed in 90 days. This is expected to further boost the hills resort and attract global attention to it.

Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel ignites romantic weekend

outhern Sun Ikoyi Hotel presents a perfect romantic weekend offerings for couples and lovebirds seeking for a memorable Valentine’s date. It aesthetically and stylishly designed facilities with its rich ambience may just be the picture fit location to catch fun and exciting moment as the hotel has packaged offerings, which the hotel’s Sales and PR Manager, Ubong Nseobot stated are designed to “encourage individuals to spend valuable and quality time with their significant other,” adding that “in today’s busy world, this is one of the best gifts one can

give and receive”. With the hotel already buzzing with activities, lovebirds should love a wonderfully chic and uncluttered room for a bed and breakfast stay at the hotel. This year’s romantic offer also includes a dinner menu created with the freshest seasonal ingredients with an assortment of unique wines and cocktails.

Love in the air at Love and romance take centre stage at Starwood Hotels in Nigeria Federal Palace Hotel and Casino W

ith the theme: Love is in the air; it’s worth celebrating, Federal Palace Hotel and Casino, Victoria Lagos, parades unique offers ranging from heavily discounted accommodation for two in a king room; buffet breakfast for two, access to the hotel’s exclusive pool club, and no – redeemable gaming vouchers while the climax of the offering is a grand Valentine’s Day dinner at the Explorers Restaurant set for 7pm. Children’s rate applies.

The hotel’s casino section

ith the world celebrating Valentine’s Day tomorrow, Starwood Hotels in Nigeria is focusing on love and romance as the five Starwood hotels in Nigeria – Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Sheraton Abuja Hotel, Four Points By Sheraton, Lekki, Lagos, Le Meridien Ogeyi Place Port Harcourt and Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort – have all lined up exciting and delightful packages to mark the day. Top on the list are culinary delight as the hotel’s world class chefs are set to treat guests to classic and savoury seafood, exotic Mediterranean and African dishes with barbeque stations to the mix. Ladies will have the exclusive free benefits of complimentary glasses of themed wines with love classic titles such as Romeo and Juliet as well as customised teddy bears and surprise gifts. The children are also not left out as exotic children’s playground, fully equipped with modern facilities have been set up. They would also be treated to free gastronomic delicacies in company of their parents. Also step into the heavily decorated

A plush setting at Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort

themed love booths, love tunnels, rose flowers and interesting couples get away for two packages. Complimentary meal offers and give away vouchers are included in the packages alongside events with special song request opportunities

and nonstop live entertainment. Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort will present live Karaoke with a stage at the popular Elyzee night club while other attractions include Le Meridien bed with roses for photographs.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Music

Event

Sony Music weekly radio delivery

Inojie, Asiegbu, others for O’jez Val bash tomorrow

Entertainment Excitement, glamour at 57th Grammy Awards

…Sam Smith equals record with four, Beck grabs Album of the Year

am Smith had after three and half hours of glamour become the biggest winner at the 57th GRAMMY Awards, which took place last Sunday I the United States of America. With that feat he has become the second male artist to sweep the four general categories. Christopher Cross remains the only one to accomplish that feat before now. In all 83 awards were givien out in a night of glamour, which has remained the hallmark of the world’s biggest music event. The biggest night in music belonged to Sam Smith on Sunday night, as he won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album. According to agency report, Smith said while collecting the Best Pop Vocal Album award, “It was only until I started to be myself that the music started to flow and people started to listen”. With its signature GRAMMY Moments, The Recording Academy regularly takes musical risks, this year pairing Ed Sheeran with Jeff Lynne’s ELO, teaming Beck with Coldplay’s Chris Martin, joining Annie Lennox with newcomer Hozier, and bringing Sam Smith and Mary J. Blige together for a mesmerizing performance. But the show often takes other kinds of risks as well, as recognizing it can be a platform for important messaging. This year, President Barack Obama made a plea to stop domestic abuse, backed up by Katy Perry’s heartfelt song of empowerment, ‘By The Grace Of God’. It was a fitting moment for Music’s Biggest Night, where

sony neme

Editor, entertainment sony.neme@newtelegraphonline.com

Sam Smith

Beyoncé

celebration meets the recognition that music has a profound cultural impact. Apart from Sam Smith, others who made the event’s top list were three-time GRAMMY winners included Beyoncé (Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for ‘Drunk In Love’ and Best Surround Sound Album for Beyoncé); Pharrell Williams (Best Pop Solo Performance for ‘Happy [Live]’, Best Urban Contemporary Album for Girl and Best Music Video for ‘Girl’); and engineer Bob Ludwig, who was awarded for work on Beck’s Morning Phase and Beyoncé’s Beyoncé. Also winning three awards was roots artist Rosanne Cash (Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song for A Feather’s Not A Bird and Best Americana Album for The River & The Thread). “The last time I won a GRAMMY [Ronald] Reagan was president,” Cash laughed when accepting during the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony. Beck won Album Of The Year, as well as Best Rock Album, for Morning Phase. Other multiple winners included Chick Corea, Eminem, Jay Z, For King & Country, Kendrick Lamar, Kristen An-

This year, President Barack Obama made a plea to stop domestic abuse, backed up by Katy Perry’s heartfelt song of empowerment, ‘By The Grace Of God’

derson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, and Jack White. On a more somber note of celebration were wins for the recently deceased Joan Rivers (Best Spoken Word Album [Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling] for Diary Of A Mad Diva) and blues rock guitarist Johnny Winter (Best Blues Album for Step Back). Additionally, Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Glen Campbell, who is in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease, won Best Country Song (along with co-writer Julian Raymond for “I’m Not Gonna Miss You”) but was not able to appear to accept the award. Awards aside, the show was filled with 23 amazing performances, from the introduction of Rhianna’s new single “FourFiveSeconds” with Kanye West and Paul McCartney to AC/DC rocking the show open, with the likes of Beyoncé, Madonna, Pharrell Williams, Miranda Lambert, Adam Levine, and Gwen Stefani, among others, in between. Sam Smith was the king of the Grammys, taking home three of the top four awards. Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams and Roseanne Cash all won three awards, as did Beck’s ‘Morning Phase,’ which took Album of the Year honours. Coming into the night, Smith, Beyoncé and Williams led all artists with six nominations each, including Album of the Year (Williams also produced Album of the Year nominees ‘Beyoncé’ and Ed Sheeran’s “X”). Smith, Beyoncé and Williams joined a roster of Grammy performers that included Kanye West (twice), Rihanna, Paul McCartney, AC/DC, Madonna, Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, Adam Levine, Gwen Stefani, Sia and Usher, among many others. Before the show started, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem were among the artists who grabbed Grammys. Eminem won Best Rap Album for ‘The Marshall Mathers LP2,’ beating out Iggy Azalea, and also Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, for ‘The Monster’ (featuring Rihanna).

David Oyelowo’s glorious homecoming with Selma l Excites Nollywood practitioners with Sunday premier

unday, January 8 witnessed a historic gathering at the House on The Rock Cathedral, Lekki, Lagos. It was a day that British-born Nigerian international movie star, David Oyelowo and co-star Carmen Ejogo attended the premiere of award winning movie ‘Selma’ in Nigeria. Selma is a 2014 American historical drama film directed by Ava DuVernay and written by Paul Webb and Ava DuVernay. It is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by James Bevel, Hosea Williams, Martin Luther King, Jr. of SCLC and John Lewis of SNCC. British-Nigeria thespian, David Oyelowo plays the lead role as Africa-American civil rights icon, Martin Luther King Jr., while another British-born actress, Carmen Ejogo, plays Coretta Scott-King in the movie. Oyelowo has been impressing critics with his arresting portrayal of the late civil rights icon in Selma. The movie also features Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr., Wendell Pierce, Tom Wilkinson, Tim Roth and rapper, Common. The movie, co-produced by Oprah Winfrey, was premiered on 11 November, 2014 at the American Film Institute Festival. It began a limited US release on 25 December, 2014, and expanded into wide theatrical release on 9 January, 2015, just two months before the 50th anniversary of the march. Selma had four Golden Globe CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

David Oyelowo and Carmen Ejogo in Selma

Entertainment

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

COSON Week returns in November

Uwaifo

Uwaifo’s double hit in Legend Reborn D

ecades after he emerged as the first African to hit platinum in sales, Sir Victor Uwaifo has continued to spring surprises with interesting tunes. Penultimate week with the Ekasa kKing witnessed an evening of great music with a contemporary fusion of hip hop that brought back memories of the good old days of the Nigerian era. This was courtesy of 960 Music Group and Hypertek Digital that presented the Nigerian living legend, to his ‘Legend Reborn’ album listening session at Club Rumors, Ikeja. It was an opportunity to also unveil Uwaifo’s young musician/music producer son, Andre Vybez, who is one of the producers of the album was also present. The double album, which boasts of features from 2Face, Ice Prince, Waje, Ozone and Queen Moda, boasts of an assembly of some of Nigeria’s best hands in music production, such as Del B, Leriq, J sleek and J Martins. A documentary of Sir Uwaifo ‘s legendary sojourn in the music industry infused with anecdotes was broadcast at the event. Snippets of his popular songs like Joromi, Guitar Boy as well as Tupepe and No Leave Me Alone, which features 2face and Waje respectively were played, while the music maestro characteristically answered questions humorously. The ‘Legend Reborn’ album promises to convey nostalgic

memories of the 60s and 70s as well as create new memories for the younger generation, while inciting a deeper appreciation for the highlife genre of music. Uwaifo said, “The idea behind the Legend Reborn album, is to marry digital technology and analogue has given birth to what we call a mongrel of sound.” For starters, Sir Victor Uwaifo is a respected Nigerian musician, writer, sculptor, and musical instrument inventor, and lecturer. He had served as Commissioner for Arts and Culture in Edo State under the government of Chief Lucky Igbinedion. He is famous for his Joromi music. He records under the name Sir Victor Uwaifo. His famous songs ‘Guitar Boy’ and ‘Joromi, ruled the air waves in the 60s. And ‘Guitar boy’ which was inspired by an encounter with a water goddess, (that he has maintained actually occurred) while lounging at Bar Beach, Lagos during his days at Nigeria Television Authority, Victoria Island, also in Lagos. The event, hosted Cordelia Okpei, General Manager, Metro 97.7 FM, had some leading lights in the entertainment industry in attendance. They include Patrick Doyle and wife, actress Ireti Doyle, 2face Idibia, Efe Omorogbe , Dotun Omotoye, Chinedu Chukwuji, General Manager, Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, and other dignitaries.

wo years after serenading Nigerians with weeklong entertaining activities, the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), is poised to reenact another show come November 1, also in Lagos. Tagged COSON Week 2015, the event is planned to light up the state for seven days in a myriad of colours in an unsurpassed spectacle. In their bid to meet with timeline, plans are already in top gear, nine months to the events, to ensure that each of the seven back-toback events leaves Nigerian entertainment lovers with an unforgettable experience. According to a statement signed by May Uket for COSON, and made available to New Telegraph on Tuesday, reveals that the upcoming mega shows will be unforgettable. It further quoted Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman, COSON, who reportedly said, “I give my word that from November 1 to 7, every event of COSON Week 2015 will be unforgettable. Everybody knows that at COSON, our word is our bond. There is no question that we are in a unique position to deliver unparalleled world class events.” Chief Okoroji further buttressed his point thus: “Think about it: Practically every major star shining in Nigerian music today is a member of COSON. We also have organisational and communications assets that no one else has. With respect to COSON Week 2015, we will deploy these assets to make Nigerians proud.” The celebrated former president of PMAN with a long standing reputation for creating and producing jaw-dropping shows stated further, that, “Some people have expressed surprise that more than nine months to the shows, our fliers are already in circulation and we have begun burning the midnight oil. The reason is

because, one of the keys to our success is that we are very detailed and professional; and we take our time to plan and go through each plan painstakingly. That way, when it is time to execute, we are ready” Okoroji, an advocate of intellectual property rights across Africa, concern is that 2015 has so far been a year of very tense political activities in Nigeria. His words, “People will likely remain tense through the May transition and beyond. And with the activities of Boko Haram, the stress level in the country is unbelievable. So ours is to use the events of COSON Week 2015 to significantly bring down the stress level in Nigeria, and make our people happy.” He said kind of support COSON needs to have a

memorable COSON Week 2015, is that, “With the size of the different events we are planning and the significant cost there is no doubt that we need strong sponsors and advertisers. We are creating unique platforms for those who are interested in the wide marketing of their products, brands or corporate identities and to engage the millions of entertainment lovers in Nigeria. The time for them to come on board is now so that they can have a long and rewarding ride with us on the never before witnessed communication onslaught that COSON Week 2015 will unleash. I guarantee that on every street in Lagos and every nook and cranny of Nigeria, the young and the old will feel the impact of COSON Week 2015.”

Okoroji

David Oyelowo’s glorious homecoming C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

Award nominations, including Best Motion PictureDrama, Best Director and Best Actor, and it won for Best Original Song. It also garnered nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Song at the 87th Academy We were reliably informed that the premiere was the church’s way of promoting peace and tolerance in Nigeria, as ‘Selma’ tells the true life story of

late Dr. Martin Luther King jr. and his struggle against racism and inequality. The event had the United States of America Embassy as partners. it is on record that the church loves to evangelize differently. He has done it with music when they hosted The Experience Concert for nine years on consecutively. They have now done it with a movie. The senior pastor of the church, Paul Adefarasin, who spoke on their reason

for the premier, said, “Peace and harmony is important to us all. Regardless of our ethnicity, religion or political persuasion, our country Nigeria must remain united and peaceful. This is why House on The Rock Church, positioned as a centre for Social Justice and Equity decided to bring people from various classes in the Nigerian society together for a remarkable event where we can all stand united for peace at a time like this.’

Entertainment 27

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

CinemaWatch (Radio/TV/Events Guide)

DStv Highlights

FEB. 6 — FEB. 13 Highlights

Sony Music Week 6 delivery

ony Music Entertainment has continued with its weekly music delivery as it presents five of its artiste for the week. Those that made it this week and their songs are Jodeci Every Moment, T.I. feat. Jeezy & WatchTheDuck - G’Sh*t (Squeaky Clean Version) and Bae Miller - Young Blood. Also included for this week delivery are Carrie Underwood – Little Toy Guns and Jason Aldean. On Jodeci, whose lead single, ‘Every Moment’ is on top d dial, the management reveals that it has been a long time coming, and the moment is now. Multi-platinum R&B icons JODECI have signed an exclusive deal with Epic Records and burst back onto the scene with their first new music in more than 15 years! ‘Every Moment’ highlights that signature JODECI sound that has influenced nearly every R&B artist over the past two decades. JODECI’s 1993 follow-up not only topped charts and went platinum, but it also introduced the world to both Timbaland and Missy Elliott. Their platinum-certified final offering, The Show, the AfterParty, the Hotel debuted at number two on the Billboard Top 200 and cemented their musical legacy. In November 2014, the group made their formal return to the stage, performing a medley of hits at the Soul Train Awards. Now, they stand poised to once again rule R&B. Multi-talented Hip Hop icon T.I. premieres his new single ‘G’ Shit’ from his latest album Paperwork.Globally recognized as a visionary artist and ground-breaking multi-platform entrepreneur, T.I.’s stewardship of innovative label Grand Hustle, and multiple TV, digital and branding endeavours has made him a catalyst for some of the industry’s most exciting creative partnerships. According to our source from Sony Music, “Through-

Jason Aldean

out his career, the multi-platinum Atlanta-native has set the standard by that all other hip hop icons are measured, achieving four Billboard Hot 100 number one, and selling more than 14 million albums and 30 million singles. One of the most honored artists working today, T.I. has been awarded 11 Billboard Awards, nine BET Hip Hop Awards, three GRAMMY® Awards, three BET Awards, two American Music Awards and an MTV Video Music Award.” Bae Miller that releases her debut single ‘Young Blood’ is not your typical 15-year-old. For starters, she has the gravelly pipes of a music veteran and grew up listening to a hardy staple of Led Zeppelin andAC/DC. The teenager reportedly also has a stint on X Factor under her belt as she made the top 10 and an EP of full of soaring pop/rock anthems burning up iTunes. Oh, and the rising star was raised by two awesome moms. Bae speaks about ‘Young Blood’ – ‘Yeah. “The song has darkness and light within it, which I think is really cool and representative of kids. We’re the future, and we can do whatever we want because someday this world will be ours”, the Sony Music source further confirmed. Country superstar Carrie

Underwood, who is on the foutth of this week’s Sony Music radio delivery, is out with a brand new single ‘Little Toy Guns’. It is the second radio track from her Billboard number oneGreatest Hits album! The video, which was initially premiered exclusively on Facebook as a thank you to her fans, has received over seven million views already and is showing no signs of slowing down. “A big congratulations to Carrie for winning a Grammy award last Sunday for ‘Best Country Solo Performance’ for ‘Something In The Water’, solidifying her status as an international powerhouse and one of the top country artists in the world,” enthused our source. Jason Aldean whose sixth studio album Old Boots, New Dirt was released in October last year comes with a smoking lead single ‘Burnin’ It Down’. This has earned platinum certification in the US in only nine weeks, making it the fastest selling single of that year! Aldean has sold over ten million albums and has taken 13 trips to number one on the Country Radio charts. Each of Aldean’s albums has been certified platinum with his last album Night Train earning the certification only four weeks from its release.

Synovus Media partners Agatha Amata’s Rave Tv

ynovus Media Limited has disclosed that it has added a new cable television channel, Rave TV, to shore up its Nollywood Movies Platform this year. Apart from the new cable channel, the company operates on seven (7) television stations. These include; KSMC Kaduna, NSTV Minna, Borno TV Maiduguri, Rima TV, Sokoto, Silverbird TV Network, CTV Kano and OGTV Abeokuta. The commencement of the new addition to the Synovus family, Groove On musical entertainment programme which was unveiled at the retreat last year, was also discussed. Groove On, is ex-

pected to start running on television stations Pan Nigeria in the next few months. Last year, Lagos based marketing communications firm, held a memorable retreat for its management and staff in Accra Ghana. This year 2015, the company chose the East African country of Tanzania for their retreat. The trip saw the management and staff as well as their families going to Tanzania. The visit featured a lot of activities, ranging from business meetings/workshops to guided tours and other recreational activities. The business meeting was hosted at the Serena Hotels, Dare-

salam. The management of the company led by Mr. Michael Adedokun, at the event, voted Mr. Timothy Ige as male staff of the year 2014. It also voted Mrs. Olamide AkejuAdekanye as the female staff of the year. Both winners were celebrated with the cutting of cakes among other gift items presented to them. The retreat also saw the management and staff visiting several landmark areas in Tanzania. These include Zanzibar Islands, White Sand Beach, Stone Town, Slave Market, Former British Consulate, Palace Museum(Makumbusho Ya Kabri), Forodohani, and other places.

Christina Milian

Christina Milian Turned Up Premieres on E!Entertainment on Sunday 15 February at 21:00 CAT Since she was a teenager, Christina Milian has lived life in the public eye. Hit songs, movie roles and paparazzi focus have come, gone and come back again, but the one constant in her life has always been her family. Join E! this February and follow Christina Milian’s career, lovelife and the relationship she has with her Cuban-American family: her overbearing ‘momager’, her stubborn sisters and her adorable four year-old daughter. Nellyville airs on BET at 00:00 CAT The new docu-series follows multi-platinum recording artist, Nelly, as he navigates his busy career as a hip-hop icon, successful entrepreneur and loving father to both his biological children and his deceased sister’s children - all while trying to start a new relationship with “Miss Jackson,” the ex-girlfriend of a world famous boxer, Floyd Mayweather. Jr. Despite his soaring career, Nelly’s crowning achievement is being a devoted father, friend, and mentor. This series will grant viewers an allaccess pass to Nelly’s unique life in eight thrilling one-hour episodes. Age Gap Love airs on TLC Entertainment on Tuesdays at 21:50 CAT Six British couples with big age gaps are determined to prove that coming from different generations is no barrier to romance. Meet 78-year-old Edna and 39-year-old Simon, who met over their mutual love of organ music. With a 39-year age gap between them and Edna now reliant on a zimmer frame, how do the couple keep their spark in the bedroom? Come Dine with Me: Super-

sized 8 airs on BBC Lifestyle 13 February at 20:00 CAT Five total strangers take turns hosting the ultimate dinner party for their fellow contestants who give points for the night based on the food and atmosphere. Each show has its own comedy and drama revolving around the eccentric personalities highlighted by a wickedly funny narration. With cooking disasters and fiercely competitive hosts, Come Dine with Me is an irresistible invitation. Be My Guest airs on AfricaMagic Showcase at 21:00 CAT An obsessed ex-lover who refuses to let go of the past thinks up an intricate plot to pursue her newly wed childhood sweetheart on his honeymoon. The movie stars Nadia Buari, Chris Ato and Omotu Bissong. Tune in to find out how it all unfolds. Football Stars airs on Trace Sport Stars at 21:30 CAT Football Stars: This February TRACE brings you loads of new episodes in this football-mad series! Taking a closer look at the lives of the world’s greatest footballers, Football Stars moves away from the pitch and into the crazy and wonderful world of soccer superstardom. This month the show features a spectacular lineup, including Cesc Fàbregas, Tim Howard, Alexis Sánchez and more! Thursday nights throughout February from 21:30 CAT Lab Rats airs on Disney XD from Monday 16 February at 16:00 CAT The Lab Rats are back! One of the most popular shows returns to Disney XD with new episodes. Chase, Adam, and Bree are high tech bionic clones, each of whom has unique special skills. They are kept in a secret lab but start to realize there is more to life than being used as military weapons!

Entertainment

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Inojie, Asiegbu, others for O’jez Val bash tomorrow

ith the postponement of Nigeria’s presidential election scheduled for February 14, the annualO’jez Valentine Party earlier scheduled for Sunday, February 15 has been moved back to its original Valentine Day, February 14. This was disclosed to New Telegraph by celebrity restaurant’s owner, Chief Joseph Odobeatu in a statement signed by his media Company, MIM. The statement stated thus, “Our yearlyO’jez Valentine Party will now hold on Saturday, February 14, its traditional date at our National Stadium, Surulere-Lagos outlet.” With a lot of wild and entertaining acts on the bill this year, Odobeatu is optimistic that this year’s O’jez Valentine Party will turn out to be an unforgettable Valentine for fun seekers and lovers. His words: “We are glad that our funny in house comedian, Elder O is back, and he will be teaming up with MC Prymzo, one of the craziest young comedians in Nigeria that stood in for him during his two months absence, , to push audience members to the limits. Crazy Legs, David Crusaders and O’jez Band among many others are on the bill this year.” Also, celebrities who have confirmed attendance with their

families are Nollywood actors Leo Mezie, Ejike Asiegbu, Bimbo Manuel, Zach Orji and Charles Inojie and singers ArtQuake among others. “O’jez is home to Nigerian music and movie stars, so during festive seasons like this, we fete them as a mark of honour and appreciation for their patronage. This gives some of our patrons an opportunity to relate with them up close and personal. That is what will happen on Saturday,” Odobeatu said. Aside the usual Friday and Sunday night music and comedy sessions at O’jez as well as the monthly O’jez Entertainment Award given to deserving Nigerians in all fields of human endeavor. The chain of celebrity restaurants owner said, “we also ensure that we hold five major shows for our customers in a year and they are; the O’jez Valentine Party, O’jez Easter Fiesta, O’jez Democracy Jam which holds every Democracy Day (May 29), O’jez Independence Party and finally the O’jez Xmas Blast. These are major shows people pay thousands of naira to go and watch elsewhere but at O’jez, it is complimentary to the rich Chinese, Nigerian and continental dishes plus exotic wines and drinks we serve our customers.” The event is expected to commence at 7pm and ends at midnight. Inojie

Showbits

Listed below are issues from the industry that are trending • Oby Edozien and musician Alex O welcome a baby girl. • M.I announces his first ever concert in Lagos. • Illbliss has released a new song, A Different Kind of War. • Rihanna swims with Sharks for Hapers Bazaars March issue. • Teebillz kiss Tiwa Savages baby bump in public. • First Bank Nigeria treats fans to Movie Date with M.I. • Yemi Alades new video Taking Over Me, released. Bruce Jenner mom confirms son is turning to a woman. • TV personality Simba Mhere dies in auto crash. • I got flogged for coming late to locations: Okeowo. • A mad man grabbed my bum in the public: Didi Ekanem. • If you call me a sex symbol, you are not lying: Nabania. • Whitney Houstons daughter Bobbi fights for life in a coma. • Room 027 was a mistake: Onwochei. • Amber Rose was host for minutes at Dbanjs 10th anniversary party. • Wande Coal to release album soon. • Big Star Records

Oby Edozien

named next rated label of the year. • I am rich, but not arrogant: Harrysong. • Multi-talented producer Cobhams, is set to drop a new single as he teams up with Bez. • If I had known, I would have died to save Muna says Ibinabo Fiberesima. • Marriage or having kids is not for everyone, says Actress Liz Anjorin. • Singer Alex O and actress Oby Edozien welcome daughter. • Kelly Osbourne says I am not pregnant. • Patoranking signs deal with Vpal music. • Beck doesn’t deserve Grammy. • I Started appreciating music when I got To New York Movie Academy, says Laide Bakare. • Fans at Industry Nite are very difficult to entertain, says DJ Spinall. • Wiz Khalifa rants against Amber Rose, states he doesn’t want her back.

List of some of this year’s winners at the Grammys

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE

“i,” Kendrick Lamar

BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION

“The Monster,” Eminem Featuring Rihanna

BEST RAP SONG

“i,” K. Duckworth & C. Smith, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar)

BEST RAP ALBUM

“The Marshall Mathers LP2,” Eminem

BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE

“Something In The Water,” Carrie Underwood

BEST COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

“Gentle On My Mind,” The Band Perry

BEST COUNTRY SONG

“I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” Glen Campbell & Julian Raymond, songwriters (Glen Campbell)

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM

“Platinum,” Miranda Lambert

BEST NEW AGE ALBUM

“Winds Of Samsara,” Ricky Kej & Wouter Kellerman

BEST IMPROVISED JAZZ SOLO

“Fingerprints,” Chick Corea, soloist

BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM

“Beautiful Life,” Dianne Reeves

BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM

“Trilogy,” Chick Corea Trio

BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM

“Life In The Bubble,” Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band

BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM

“The Offense Of The Drum,” Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra

BEST GOSPEL PERFORMANCE/SONG

“No Greater Love,” Smokie Norful

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC PERFORMANCE/SONG

“Messengers,” Lecrae Featuring For King & Country

BEST GOSPEL ALBUM

“Help,” Erica Campbell

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC ALBUM

“Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong,” For King & Country

BEST ROOTS GOSPEL ALBUM

“Shine For All The People,” Mike Farris

BEST LATIN POP ALBUM

“Tangos,” Rubén Blades

BEST LATIN ROCK, URBAN OR ALTERNATIVE ALBUM

“Multiviral,” Calle 13

BEST REGIONAL MEXICAN MUSIC ALBUM (INCLUDING TEJANO)

“Mano A Mano - Tangos A La Manera De Vicente Fernández,” Vicente Fernández

BEST TROPICAL LATIN ALBUM

“Más + Corazón Profundo,” Carlos Vives

BEST AMERICAN ROOTS PERFORMANCE

“A Feather’s Not A Bird,” Rosanne Cash

BEST AMERICAN ROOTS SONG

“A Feather’s Not A Bird,” Rosanne Cash

BEST AMERICANA ALBUM

“The River & The Thread,” Rosanne Cash

BEST BLUEGRASS ALBUM

“The Earls Of Leicester,” The Earls Of Leicester

BEST BLUES ALBUM

“Step Back,” Johnny Winter

BEST FOLK ALBUM

“Remedy,” Old Crow Medicine Show

BEST REGIONAL ROOTS MUSIC ALBUM

“The Legacy,” Jo-El Sonnier

BEST REGGAE ALBUM

“Fly Rasta,” Ziggy Marley

BEST WORLD MUSIC ALBUM

“Eve,” Angelique Kidjo

BEST CHILDREN’S ALBUM

“I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up For Education And Changed The World (Malala Yousafzai),” Neela Vaswani\

BEST SPOKEN WORD ALBUM (INCLUDES POETRY, AUDIO BOOKS & STORYTELLING)

“Diary Of A Mad Diva,” Joan Rivers

BEST COMEDY ALBUM

“Mandatory Fun,” “Weird Al” Yankovic

RECORD OF THE YEAR

“Stay With Me (Darkchild Version),” Sam Smith

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

“Morning Phase,” Beck

SONG OF THE YEAR

“Stay With Me (Darkchild Version),” James Napier, William Phillips & Sam Smith, songwriters (Sam Smith)

BEST NEW ARTIST

Sam Smith

BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE

“Happy (Live),” Pharrell Williams

BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

“Say Something,” A Great Big World With Christina Aguilera

BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM

“Cheek To Cheek,” Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM

“In The Lonely Hour,” Sam Smith

BEST DANCE RECORDING

“Rather Be,” Clean Bandit Featuring Jess Glynne

BEST DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM

“Syro,” Aphex Twin

BEST CONTEMPORARY INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM

“Bass & Mandolin,” Chris Thile & Edgar Meyer

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE

“Lazaretto,” Jack White

BEST METAL PERFORMANCE

“The Last In Line,” Tenacious D

BEST MUSICAL THEATER ALBUM

“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”

BEST ROCK SONG

“Ain’t It Fun,” Hayley Williams & Taylor York, songwriters (Paramore)

BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA

“Frozen”

BEST ROCK ALBUM

“Morning Phase,” Beck

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM

“St. Vincent,” St. Vincent

BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA

“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Alexandre Desplat, composer

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE

“Drunk In Love,” Beyoncé Featuring Jay Z

BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR VISUAL MEDIA

BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE

“Jesus Children,” Robert Glasper Experiment Featuring Lalah Hathaway & Malcolm-Jamal Warner

“Let It Go,” Kristen AndersonLopez & Robert Lopez, songwriters (Idina Menzel) (Track from: “Frozen”)

BEST R&B SONG

“Drunk In Love,” Shawn Carter, Rasool Diaz, Noel Fisher, Jerome Harmon, Beyoncé Knowles, Timothy Mosely, Andre Eric Proctor & Brian Soko, songwriters (Beyoncé Featuring Jay Z)

BEST INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSITION

“The Book Thief,” John Williams, composer (John Williams)

BEST ARRANGEMENT, INSTRUMENTAL OR A CAPPELLA

“Daft Punk,” Ben Bram, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kirstin Maldonado & Kevin Olusola, arrangers (Pentatonix)

BEST ARRANGEMENT, INSTRUMENTS AND VOCALS

“New York Tendaberry,” Billy Childs, arranger (Billy Childs Ft. Renée Fleming & Yo-Yo Ma)

BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM

“Girl,” Pharrell Williams

BEST R&B ALBUM

“Love, Marriage & Divorce,” Toni Braxton & Babyface

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Agric

Labour

PENGASSAN tasks INEC on free, fair elections

Cashew: Nigeria seeks Vietnam’s help to boost growth

Business What's news

Nigeria, Ghana move to end hostile business relationship The harsh business experience and hostile atmosphere witnessed by Nigerian businessmen and women in Ghana is about to end as the country’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador William Azumah Awinador-Kanyirige, vowed to resolve it through the adoption of strategic and innovative ways in order to deepen social and economic diplomacy within the sub-region.

p.30

Heineken suffers sales growth in Nigeria, others The world’s third largest brewer, Heineken, has suffered in developing markets such as Nigeria, Southeast Asia, Mexico and the Democratic Republic of Congo, due to its inability to expand.

p.30

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Godson Ikoro

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

Bank of America to clients: Don’t invest in Nigeria’s debt REASSURANCE CBN assures markets not to panic

Ayodele Aminu

he Bank of America Merrill Lynch, among other banks, has advised its clients to steer clear of Nigerian debt. The foreign lenders’ decision, which stemmed from uncertainty about the naira, which is still believed to be overvalued, was further accentuated by last Saturday’s postponement of the February 14 vote to March 28. Uncertainty caused by the delay has been priced in the value of the naira and it is causing further depreciation of the currency across all the other segments of the foreign exchange markets. For instance, the naira, which initially traded at the official market at N155 and was devalued by 8.3 per cent to N168 per dollar last November, has lost 16 per cent of its value since June last year when oil prices began its descent. Also, the exchange rate at interbank market –where banks buy from one another to cover their positions, moved from N160 to N204.25 per dollar (depreciation of 31 per cent) at the start of trading last Wednesday before settling at N202.50 per dollar. These had compelled dealers to pull the plug on electronic trading in the naira currency after it slid past the key level of N200 to the dollar on fears the postponement of election could trigger a constitutional crisis. At the parallel market otherwise known as the black mar-

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

ket, where the naira fell from N170 to N210 per dollar, the currency had lost 31 per cent of its value between June last year and Wednesday. “There is protracted uncertainty now. The currency will continue to depreciate,” said Yvonne Mhango, sub-Saharan Africa economist at Renaissance Capital, who expects the dollar to reach N220 against the

naira by the end of this year. “Investors’ confidence will not be rebuilt anytime soon. Definitely not before the elections are over,” she added. Foreign exchange reserves are depleting so fast that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) “may not be able to hold out” until after the elections before devaluing the currency again,” she said. The bank’s next meet-

ing of the Monetary Policy Committe (MPC) 0f the CBN will come one week before the vote, raising doubts that the apex bank will hold off on any politically unpopular steps. Just last Wednesday, Standard & Poor put Nigeria on alert for a downgrade, a move CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

L-R: Director, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, Akeem Oyewale; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema; Mohammed Dagash; Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, Oladele Sotubo and Dealer, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, Idris Toriola, at the presentation of the NSE CEO Award to Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited as the best dealing house on the NSE in Lagos… recently.

Telephone tariffs down by 80% - Investigation Kunle Azeez

he cost of making phone calls in Nigeria has crashed by 80 per cent in the last 14 years of telecoms deregulation, New Telegraph investigation has revealed. From around N50 per min-

ute in 2001, the call rates have fallen gradually to about N10 per minute currently, representing 80 per cent cost off telephone tariffs being paid by telephone subscribers on various networks over a decade ago. The telecoms sector was lib-

eralised in 2001, with the coming on board of Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) operators such as MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat, in addition to the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE December 2014.........................8% November 2014........................7.9% October 2014............................8.1%

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

EXCHANGE RATE (Parallel as at Feb. 6)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N209 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N310 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N237

l Foreign Reserves – $34.09bn as at 02/02/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Official as at Feb. 6)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N169 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N254.46 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N191.69

Business | News

TALENTS

Working together will send positive signal to the outside world Sunday Ojeme

he harsh business experience and hostile atmosphere witnessed by Nigerian businessmen and women in Ghana is about to end as the country’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador William Azumah Awinador-Kanyirige, vowed to resolve it through the adoption of strategic and innovative ways in order to deepen social and economic diplomacy within the sub-region.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria, Ghana move to end hostile business relationship The Ambassador, who decried the rivalry between citizens of the once friendly business neighbours, said there was need to be strategic and innovative in solving the challenge, saying there should be a way to resolve certain challenges emerging daily during business interactions. Nigerian businessmen have often been visited with harsh business start-up policies purportedly meant to ruin their investments in the former Gold Coast country.

Attempted intervention by Nigerian government in the past through the High Commissioner did not yield much result. Ambassador Awinador-Kanyirige, according to Business & Financial Times, declared in Ghana that there was a large pool of Ghanaian and Nigerian professionals in the diaspora with wonderful talent and ideas, and that both countries needed to de-

velop measures that tap into it. He said, “We should tap into the energy and talent of the professionals in the diaspora by using our diplomatic missions abroad. There are a lot of young graduate professionals in Europe, Canada, the US and other places. Many of them have been energised; when they hear success stories in Ghana and Nigeria they feel proud,

they want to be part of the success stories. We need to put measures in place to attract them.” He encouraged the two countries to educate their nationals on the various ECOWAS trade protocols, to enable them operate within the laws of member-states and help drive trade. On his part, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. Ademola Oluseyi Onafowokan,

urged Ghanaian business executives to expand their frontiers to the Nigeria market since the country boasts a large population and its attendant opportunities. He said: “Businessmen operating in both countries need to cooperate to improve on trade operations, so as to promote economic development between Ghana and Nigeria that will attract foreign direct investment inflows.” Last year, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana had urged the Nigerian government to open up its markets to competition from other countries.

Bank of America to clients: Don’t invest in Nigeria’s debt CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

that would dent demand for the county’s bonds. The international ratings agency adjusted its rating slightly by placing the country on negative watch because of the pressure of falling oil prices on the economy as well as political risk. In its previous assessment, it placed Nigeria on BB- with a negative outlook. But the Federal Government, in a statement by the Special Adviser on media to the Coordinating Minister of the Economy/ Finance Mr. Paul Nwabiuku, struggled to convince Nigerians that the adjustment of the country’s rating was not a downgrade. He said: “Nigeria has not been downgraded, but the country clearly needs to work harder to actualise its recently announced policy response to the current economic challenges.” Other oil producing countries, like Saudi Arabia, have also been put on negative watch, while a number of others, including Kazakhstan, Bahrain and Oman were downgraded outrightly. “It is important to note that in spite of the serious challenges arising from the sharp fall in oil prices, Nigeria is doing quite well compared to some other oil producing countries. For example, while the economies of Russia and Venezuela are projected to contract and experience negative growth this year, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been projected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to grow by 4.8 per cent, which is quite robust by global standards,” Paul had explained. The apex bank’s gover-

nor, Godwin Emefiele, had also said that the naira is “at an appropriate level.” Emefiele had told the Wall Street Journal that he has no intention to roll out capital controls to stabilise the naira, which plunged to a fresh low beyond N204.25 to the US dollar last Wednesday. The currency of Africa’s top oil producer has shed more than a fifth of its value against the greenback since June, Mr. Emefiele said he has no intention to roll out capital controls to stabilize the naira. Instead, the country has mainly dipped into its reserves to slow the currency’s fall. Those reserves have by fallen by more than a fifth in the past six months to $33.5 billion; a level that he said is “still relatively comfortable.” “In 2001, 2002, reserves were as low as about $10 billion,” said Mr. Emefiele, an interview in the office he assumed in June. “If we could survive with $10 billion, I don’t see a reason why we cannot survive with the $33.5 billion that it is today (Wednesday).” Meanwhile, Mr. Emefiele struck an upbeat note about Nigeria’s key export, saying the price of oil shows signs of recovering. In the past week, oil prices have rebounded slightly, brightening Nigeria’s economic prospects and lending hopes to oil exporters globally. Nigeria ranks among the crude-exporting nations whose currencies have been most undercut by an abrupt collapse in prices. About 80 percent of its revenue comes from the sale of its crude. To fill the emptying coffers, the government has tried banning civil servants’ travel and is raising taxes on private jets and champagne.

L-R: Head of Kure Ultra-Modern Market Traders Association, Minna, Niger State, Alhaji Garba Shehu; Abuja/Northern Regional Retail Head, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Sunday Egele; Dagacin Minna, Alhaji Umar Sarki Shaba and Turaki Minna, Alhaji Yusuf Babamallam, at the launch of FCMB Personal Account Product at the market in Minna.

RESISTANCE

Brewer faces stiff competition at home, abroad Bayo Akomolafe

he world’s third largest brewer, Heineken, has suffered in developing markets such as Nigeria, Southeast Asia, Mexico and the Democratic Republic of Congo, due to its inability to expand. Last year, sales were broadly flat in Western Europe while the only real weakness was seen in Eastern Europe. Trouble started in 2013 when SAB Miller introduced cassava beer and increasingly penetrated Nigeria and some other African countries. Heineken, according to Reuters news, complained that its

Heineken suffers sales growth in Nigeria, others quarterly sales volumes have dropped in Nigeria. The brewer had forecast that the rate of growth of volumes and margins would slow this year after solid expansion of both in 2014. It noted that revenue would grow in 2015, but with slower expansion of beer sales than in 2014, partly because of strong increases in the first half of last year. The beer is the top seller in Europe with brands such as Heineken and Amstel profiting from increased beer sales in Africa, the Americas and Asia. Consolidated operating profit before one-off rose 6.4 per cent to $3.54 billion, just above the average of 3.11 bil-

lion euros in a Reuters poll of nine brokers and banks. The company had forecast that its 2014 operating margin, excluding one-offs, would rise by over 40 basis points, its medium-term annual target. In fact, it grew by 90 basis points. For 2015, it said that it would take a 25 basis point hit from the sale of its Mexican packaging business; meaning margin expansion would be below its 40-point target. However, in 2012 and 2013, SAB invested $400 million, 25percent of total capital expenditure in Africa excluding South Africa, even though the region contributes only 12percent to earnings.

Telephone tariffs down by 80% CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

and fixed line operators. According to findings, the charged competitive atmosphere, engendered by the telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), created by vari-

ous players in the market, has resulted in a gradual reduction in telephone tariffs. Operators resorted to tariff reduction in various forms and time, creating tariff variation for peak and non-peak tariff period, as a ploy to win more subscribers,

it was gathered. Official data from the telecoms regulator indicates thats from less than 500,000 telephone lines in 2001, the subscriber base in the country has increased significantly to over 136.6 million by the end of November, 2014.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, february 13, 2015

Labour

London strikes: Workers vote to walkout p.32

Unemployment: Youths advised to look inward p.32

PENGASSAN tasks INEC on free, fair elections ATTENTION

The world focuses on Nigeria as polls approach Sunday Ojeme

he Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give the country a sense of pride as the whole world is focusing on the outcome of the forthcoming general elections. The association, in a statement mailed to New Telegraph, also advised politicians and their followers to allow the Abuja Peace Accord entered into by the presidential candidates of 14 political parties stand during and after the elections. According to the President of the association, Francis

Johnson, 2015 is a remarkable year in the political life of Nigeria. The election marks the maturity of the nation in deciding its strength and weaknesses to transform from one civilian regime to another. He said: “There is global focus on government, especially the Professor Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to live up to expectations through the conduct of free and fair elections, where

electorate votes count on ‘One Man/Woman, One Vote’ basis as step towards delivering credible elections.” He called on the party leaders to explore the path of peace and the principle of fair play during the polls where there are reports of wrangling and bickering among themselves, adding that the political leaders and their followers should not to see the elections as an end in itself nor a do or die affairs.

He pointed out that all political parties and their gladiators should collaborate to ensure that “Project Nigeria” did not fail, adding that every Nigerian including the politicians had no other country, except “our dear country.” Johnson enjoined all stakeholders, especially the politicians and their followers to pursue peace, unity and progress to nurture the nation’s growth, saying that if the Abuja Peace accord

works, Nigeria will emerge as one peaceful and united entity. While advising eligible voters to ensure they cast their votes, he said “Nigerians should look at the agenda of individuals standing for elections at the general elections before casting their votes. Campaigns must be protected and guided to eradicate mudslinging while promoting robust and persuasive debates with healthy rivalry that can bring out the best among parties and candidates.”

Firm boosts fresh graduates’ employment skills

new frontier for fresh graduates seeking to be gainfully employed has been opened up by XL Africa as it commences plans to empower those seeking to work in reputable organisations. The Chairman and Founder, XL Africa, Mr. Charles Nwodo Jnr., said that practical on-the-job experience was important for employee’s performance, adding that the centre would be a platform for nurturing budding entrepreneurs. He said, “The significance of the centre is to tackle the employability issues among fresh graduates. It was set up to operate and perpetuate a resource platform for the promotion and propagation of entrepreneurship and civil responsibility among the citizenry especially the youths towards achieving their full potential.” On her part, the Executive Secretary, Knowledge Exchange Centre, Ms. Maria Glover, said that the fundamental problem causing unemployment was limited employable and entrepreneurship skills in Nigerian university graduates, stressing that through regular training and internship programmes, Nigerian graduates would be equipped with skills for leadership positions.

L-R: Assistant Manager, Legal, Lagos Tate Lotteries Board, Gbemisola Ajibose; Group Managing Director, /CEO, Flour Mill Nigeria Plc, Paul Gbededo, first winner, Ozioma Eronini and Head, Lagos Office of Consumer Protection Council, Tam Tamunokonbia, during the presentation of star prizes to winners in the Golden Penny Semovita open and win promo in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Suspend new recruitment, Radisson Blu told

he management of Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel has been advised to put off any plans to engage new workers without properly disengaging the old ones. Disclosing this to New Telegraph, a source who is privy to the management/workers fray, said the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, which had summoned the management of the hotel in the past advised against the planned recruitment. The source maintained that it was inhuman of the management to reason along that line after throwing over 450 workers back into the labour market merely because they wanted to belong to a union that their colleagues in other hotels belong to. The source said, “I got the feelers that they were planning to recruit but I understand that the Ministry of Labour stopped them until we are properly compensated. The representative of the chairman was asked to get the details of the meeting across

Chairman, Radisson Blu, Oba Otudeko

to the chairman while another meeting was scheduled for the 24th of this month. “You can’t just send away workers like that without compensating them properly. So, we are still in the struggle.” It would be recalled that the dispute between the management and the workers took a new dimension about three weeks ago as the latter demanded N10 million each before the management could go ahead with its disengagement plans. This is coming just as the Ministry of Labour and Pro-

ductivity has summoned the management of the hotel to get a clearer picture of the true position of things. One of the workers, who identified himself as the Interim Chairman of the workers’ union, Mr. Onitsha Solomon, accused the hotel management of peddling rumours of renovation in order to justify the unlawful disengagement of workers. Solomon said the management only nursed the idea of relieving the workers of their job after they (workers) decided to formalise their membership of National Association of Hotel Workers Union. He said, “My people agitated to be members of the hotel workers union to enable them exercise their rights. An agreement to this extent had been reached between the management and the workers and documents were also signed to that effect with the management promising to look into the idea and give it due consideration. “They agreed for us to reconvene January 26 with a

promise from them that no worker would be victimised but suddenly they just gave everybody letters saying we have been sacked. They have been going to media houses to say it was because they wanted to carry out renovation, which is not true. “Since they don’t want us to work for them they should disengage us properly and what we are asking for is N10 million for each worker. I have already contacted a human rights lawyer to help us out.” It will be recalled that the five-star hotel located on Victoria Island said it was shutting down operations to conduct extensive renovation of its facilities, as part of its management’s commitment to retain standards and remain the hospitality of first choice for guests visiting Lagos for business or pleasure. According to a statement by Anchorage Leisures Limited, owners of the facility, the renovation exercise will “cover areas such as power generation, cooling system as well as other critical equipment.”

Business | Labour

FRIDAY, february 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Why we launched skills operation guidelines’ UPGRADE Initiative targeted to set high standards Sunday Ojeme

he Federal Government has said the need to reduce poverty, social menace as well as promotion of self-reliance among youths through skills acquisition and vocational training, gave rise to the inauguration of operational guidelines for the various skills centres across the country. Disclosing this in Abuja, the Supervising Minister of Labour and Productivity, Kabiru Turaki, said operational guidelines is targeted to set a high standard for all Skills Upgrading and Vocational Training Centres (SUVTC) in line with global best practices. This is with a view

to meeting the unemployment challenges, including wealth creation as espoused by the President Goodluck Jonathan transformation agenda for the labour sector. He said, “The thrust on employment generation involves empowering people by providing for the upgrading of relevant skills to prepare them for decent and productive employment with positive multiplier effects on the growth and development of the national economy.” Listing the objectives of the guidelines, which are in line with the general functions of the eight Training Centres in the country, Turaki said it would reduce widespread unemployment and underemployment of Nigerian youths through Training in Vocational Skills; create wealth through vocational skills development and provision of decent jobs as well as relieve governments at

Turaki

all levels from youth restiveness, insurgency and social crises. He added that the Ministry and the Technical Vocational Education and Training Project (TVET) of the SURE-P Programme would continue to assist in the development of the training centres with necessary logistics and technical support, adding that the guidelines com-

prised the admission policy, prospectus and the general curriculum for uniformity, transparency and standardisations. He, however, requested for further technical backup from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in the implementation of the objectives of the training centres spread across the six geo-political zones

of the country. Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh, pointed out that the operational guidelines were developed as the manual that would guide the operation of the Skills Upgrading and Vocational Training Centres (SUVTC). He emphasised that the trainees must be impacted with management skills in addition to technical know-how, basic knowledge of book-keeping, accounts, safety and health as well as productivity improvement in workplaces. Representatives of stakeholders present such as ILO, Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), underscored the relevance of effective policies, guidelines and best practices as instruments of upgrading and improving vocational skills.

Unemployment: Youths advised to look inward

L-R: Managing Director, Wemabod Estate, Mr. Olumide Ologun; Group Managing Director, Odu’a Group of Companies, Mr. Adewale Raji and Executive Director, Finance, Wemabod Estate, Dr. Owolabi Adebawo, during a retreat organised for management staff of Wemabod Estate in Ibadan

London strikes: Workers vote to walkout over driver’s sack

rivers on the London Underground have voted to strike over the firing of a co-worker who reportedly failed an alcohol breath test before going on duty. Tube bosses said that commuters’ lives could have been in danger had the sacked employee been allowed to drive the Northern line train. Nigel Holness, London Underground operations manager for the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, said: “We don’t The strike by United States refinery workers has expanded to two more plants due to unfair labour practices by oil companies and concerns regarding the health and safety of workers. Walk-outs at BP’s Whiting, Ind., refinery and the company’s joint-venture refinery with Husky Energy in Toledo, Ohio, bring the number of plants with striking hourly workers

let people who have been drinking alcohol drive other peoples’ families in Tube trains.” The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) have disputed the results and accused the bosses of seeking to sack “effective trade union activists”. With a turnout of 42 per cent, members agreed to strike in a 229 to 221 vote. In a released statement on the union website, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash wrote: “A culture of harass-

ment and misuse of procedure is rife on London Underground at the moment and the Union will not stand back while individuals are fittedup and picked off as has happened in this case. One person has already been unfairly sacked and if we do nothing it will happen again.” By law, RMT must give a week’s notice of industrial action — meaning the first walkouts could occur as early as 18 February.

he Branch Controller, Central Bank of Nigeria, Osogbo, Mr. Macduff Efetobore, has advised unemployed youths to look inward and apply available resources to create genuine means of livelihood for themselves. He also said that Micro Small and Medium Enterprises could solve the problem of unemployment in the country. Efetobore said the apex bank launched fund for MSME development in August 2013 as a channel to create more employment for Nigerians, adding that Osun State Government keyed into it and many small and medium scale business owners had applied to benefit from the fund. The Controller said, “The Central Bank of Nigeria has created the sum of N2bn platform of economic development fund in Osun State through the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund. “The Osun State Government showed interest in accessing the fund and they have officially keyed into the fund and the N2bn MSME fund was launched in November 2014,by the CBN governor for onward disbursement to small businesses in the state.

US oil refinery workers strike for safety to 11, including nine refineries accounting for 13 per cent of US refining capacity. The union said in a statement that US refinery owners led by Royal Dutch Shell have failed to discuss health and safety issues and engaged in “bad-faith bargaining, including the refusal to bargain over

mandatory subjects; undue delays in providing information; impeded bargaining; and threats issued to workers if they joined the strike.” A Shell spokesman said the company was unaware of any unfair labour practice charge filed against it with the US Department of Labor.

“We regret that we have been unable to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement with the USW prior to contract expiration,” said Shell spokesman Ray Fisher. “We remain committed to resolving the remaining issues through collective bargaining at the bargaining table.”

“About 60 per cent of the fund is targeted at women entrepreneurs and some of the would-be beneficiaries have applied to access the fund and disbursement would be done through designated correspondent banks.” In his remarks, the Acting Director, Development Finance Department, CBN, Abuja, Dr. Adeola Olaitan, said that Nigeria was poised to promote rapid economic development that would foster job creation. He said the importance of MSME to economic development and job creation could not be overemphasised, stressing that statistics had shown all over the world that small scale businesses were rising at a very fast pace in the developing economies. In his words, “All over the world, statistics have shown that MSME density i.e number of formally registered MSME is rising at a faster pace in low and middle income economies. “They employ more than one-third of the world’s labour force and contributing around 33 per cent of employment in developing economies. In China, which is one of the best countries, they account for 80 per cent of total employment.” Saturday was the seventh day of the strike, which the USW called on Jan. 31 after it said Shell had walked away from the negotiating table. The union resumed talks with Shell on Monday. About 4,000 workers at refineries in California, Kentucky, Texas and Washington initially left their jobs when the strike began shortly after midnight on Feb. 1.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, february 13, 2015

US poultry exports hit 4.1m metric tons p.35

Agric

Cashew: Nigeria seeks Vietnam’s help to boost growth

PARTNERSHIP Stakeholders to cooperate on programmes and technology transfer

delegation of Nigerian cashew industry executives have met with their Vietnamese counterparts in HCM city, to discuss issues affecting trade between the countries and strengthen ties between Nigerian raw cashew exporters and Vietnamese processors. Chairman of the Vietnam Cashew Association, Nguyen Duc Thanh, said that despite enjoying a bumper cashew crop last year, when output topped 500,000 tonnes, Vietnam imported 769,390 tonnes last year, a year-on-year increase of 59.28 per cent, to process for export. “Nigeria was the second largest supplier to Vietnam last year, selling 106,734 tonnes or 13.4 per cent of Vietnam’s imports. But the quality of Nigerian cashew was lower compared with some other African countries like Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Tanzania,” he said. A member of the Vinacas executive board and deputy general director of Vinacontrol, Bach Khanh Nhut, said: “The quality of raw cashew nuts imported from Nigeria has improved significantly. However, some sellers still supplied low-quality products, including sprouted and deformed nuts with rot, decay, mould and old cashew, which caused serious losses to Vietnamese buyers and affected the reputation of the Nigerian cashew industry.” Nhut, therefore, urged Nigerian exporters to carefully check moisture levels and the quality and quantity of raw nuts before loading them into containers. “Besides, they should use clean, durable and sealed containers without odours and add desiccants and insert carton paper around and inside the containers,” he advised. He added: “We’ll be ready for

Cashew

a co-operation programme with our Nigerian cashew stakeholders and technology transfer to prevent post-harvest losses.” On his part, president of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria, Babatola Faseru, said that Nigeria has implemented many measures such as providing training for farmers, installing equipment, and building better drying grounds to improve cashew quality. “Nigerian cashew would surely be of better quality this year,” he said. He added that output was also expected to increase significantly this year. It would be recalled that the Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Olusegun Awolowo, had noted that cashew grows in almost

Nigeria was the second largest supplier to Vietnam last year, selling 106,734 tonnes or 13.4 per cent of Vietnam’s imports

Dairy production zones underway, says FG

he Federal Government has said that it is ready to establish dairy production zones with a view to operating a modern dairy system that will increase milk production in Nigeria. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina, said this recently when the management of Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria Limited paid him a courtesy visit at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. The minister suggested the need to establish a Dairy College, where people could learn to be dairy farmers.

“We need to create a young generation of dairy farmers and young entrepreneurs, as the ministry would be willing to set up young dairy farmers with funding support,” the minister said. Adesina praised WAMCO for scaling up its milk production from 100,000 litres to 2.2 million litres, adding that Nigeria had no business importing milk. The minister proposed the creation of two dairy production zones in any of the 14 Staple Crops Processing Zones (SCPZ) and assured on the readiness of his ministry to provide the necessary infrastructure.

He restated his ministry’s commitment to the development of grazing reserves and ranches in Nigeria, stating that there was nothing wrong in having commercial and public ranches simultaneously, as a national policy on the development of ranches was being put in place by government. Earlier in his remarks, Chairman, of the company, Jacob Ajekigbe, said that the visit was a follow-up on their previous meetings and to show their commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the firm with the ministry in 2011.

every state in his country. With an annual output of 120,000 tonnes, Nigeria is the third largest cashew producer in Africa and seventh largest in the world. Most of the raw nut is exported to countries like Singapore, India, Vietnam, and UAE, and Nigeria plans to strengthen trade promotion to become the biggest supplier to Vietnam. Part of the country’s longterm plans include increasing processing to add value and create jobs, while it wants to learn from Vietnam’s experience in processing and establishing a partnership with the Vietnamese industry. The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) had said that its exporters were expecting N18 billion in grant after the Federal Government lifted the suspen-

sion on the Negotiable Duty Credit Certificate (NDCC). The NDCC was lifted last year. The association’s spokesperson, Mr. Sotonye Anga, said that his members would benefit from the N99 billion released for Export Expansion Grant (EEG). The spokesperson, who expressed optimism that the restoration of EEG would boost the non-oil sector and accelerate the country’s economic growth, said: “This is really a good time for the cashew export. A total of N98 billion was released for the NDCC and the cashew sector will get N18 billion. This will help to boost exporters’ business, especially as we prepare for the new cashew season. When the scheme was suspended, export activities were halted, especially the non-oil sector.”

Food scientists charged on wealth creation

TASK Need to put measures in place to prevent postharvest losses highlighted

ood scientists have been called upon to create wealth from conversion of raw produce into value added products. The Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) gave the advice in a statement by its president, Dr. Chjioke Osuji. According to the NIFST president, in creating wealth

through the conversion of raw produce into value added products, certain measures need to be in place to prevent post-harvest losses. “Attaining high volumes of production of various commodities could easily be counter-productive if measures are not in place to prevent post-harvest losses. And this can be done by creating wealth through conversion of raw produce into value added products,” Osuji said. The NIFST president said that there was the need for measures to be taken as the issues of food and agriculture were the topic of discussion in this year’s political campaign.

Business | Agric

FRIDAY, february 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Local fish production rises to 1m metric tons —NUFAS

he Nigeria Union of Fishermen and Seafood Dealers (NUFAS) has said that the Federal Government’s Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme has led to an increase in local fish production from 600 to one million metric tons. NUFAS’ National President, Mr. Anthony Ashagye, who lauded the Federal Government’s fish production support programme for fishermen and fishing communities across the country, said that the programme, which was part of government’s Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme, had led to an increase in local fish production from 600 to one million metric tons.

He said that NUFAS members in 15 states received inputs such as fingerlings, fish feeds and water testing kits under the programme. “We really appreciate what government is currently doing for us. The sector was neglected until a fisherman in the person of President Goodluck Jonathan came on board. “In the early 80s, Nigeria was leading Africa in fish production, but with the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) around 1985, we became the leading importer

of fish instead of producing and exporting. “But since the present administration came on board, things are gradually turning around for good. “Under the Agriculture Transformation Agenda, we the fishermen are carried along and are involved in the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme. “Our members in 15 states got fishing inputs and we thank this administration because our local production which was 600 metric tons has increased to one million

metric tons,’’ Ashagye said. He, however, highlighted some of the challenges facing the country’s fish sub-sector to include lack of access to affordable credit facilities, especially from banks. The NUFAS president said: “We need financial supports from the banks in order to increase our production. “Banks make it hard for us to get loan because of the high interest rate of 21 per cent which is not possible for farmers. We are appealing to government to make loan available to our

members on single digit interest rate.” He also called for the provision of more inputs including fishing nets to the union members to boost their production capacity. “We need training. Fishery is developing scientifically. More training for our members will go a long way in developing the sub sector. I want to state clearly now that there is more to gain in the water than on the land and fishery has competitive and comparative advantage over crops and livestock.

Cooperative to supply 500 metric tons Shea butter

shea butter cooperative in Saki, Oyo State, has secured orders for a 500 metric tons of Shea butter, following the implementation of a quality improvement programme by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). This was a follow up to the 200 metric tons supplied to major cosmetics companies in Nigeria and the United States. The sales by Ifedawapo Sheabutter Cooperative were enabled by its working relationship with Shea Origin Nigeria Limited, a company whose investment in the cooperative was facilitated by the project. Chief Executive Officer, Shea Origin Nigeria Limited, Mobola Sagoe, said on the development, that considerable progress had been made towards enabling rural communities to increase their economic contributions and improve their standard of living. “Through the various skills, knowledge transfer and capacity building initiatives in Saki, a small town in the south-western part of Nigeria, is set to appear on the global Shea map,” she said. She added: “Extracted from the nuts of the African Shea tree, Shea butter has been used for cosmetic purposes for thousands of years and is today widely used in the global cosmetics industry to make skin moisturisers and hair-care products. It is also used in confectionery, mainly as a substitute for cocoa butter in chocolates. To meet the demands of international buyers, however, Shea butter needs to meet demanding purity and consumer safety standards.” Also, Principal Trade Promotion Officer at the NEPC and Secretary for the project, Afolabi Bello, said that another 130 Shea nut processors, mostly women, are looking to join the Ifedawapo Sheabutter Cooperative so as to meet the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures required for exporting to the United States.

L-R: Country Manager, HarvestPlus Nigeria; Paul Ilona, Chief Executive Officer, Efugo Farms, Chief Audu Ogbeh, and Director, Dominican Centre, Rev. Fr. Fortunatus Okeke, during the 3-day Empowerment Training/Seminar for Agripreneurs held at St Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos.

HarvestPlus, DCHRD train agric investors EMPOWERMENT Participants armed with three key agricultural enterprises

n line with its objectives of promoting bio-fortified staple crops and foods to tackle hidden hunger, malnutrition and poverty as well as empowerment of Nigerians with requisite skills in Vitamin A cassava production, value addition and marketing, HarvestPlus Nigeria has partnered Dominican Centre for Human Resources Development (DCHRD), to organise a three-day empowerment training for potential investors in agricultural business. The seminar, tagged: ‘Wealth creation through agriculture,’ was held at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos. Declaring the seminar open, Director, DCHRD, Fr. Fortunatus Okeke, welcomed the participants to a new era in the history of Nigeria and urged them to use the opportunities presented by the training to empower themselves economically. “The seminar is conceived to make a statement that despite the fact that Lagos doesn’t have much land space for agriculture, the state can become a hub for other opportunities in

the agricultural value chain. Some of these opportunities include job creation, poverty reduction, capacity building and helping individual and corporations in creating profitable and successful businesses.” Okeke added that agriculture remains one of the most viable alternatives to oil and agricultural investors are the ones government looks up to in helping to solve the problems of hunger, unemployment and dwindling fortune of the economy. He urged participants to learn from the practical experiences of the professionals from HarvestPlus Nigeria, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), The Dominican Centre and the special guest of honour, Chief Audu Ogbeh, CEO, Efugo Farms, Makurdi, among others, who were at the training to inspire investors. Delivering the keynote address, HarvestPlus Country Manager, Paul Ilona, described agriculture as an orphan sector because of years of neglect by relevant stakeholders. “Nigeria used to be the powerhouse of agriculture in the world; one of the biggest exporters of palm oil, groundnut and cocoa, among other crops. Agriculture benefitted most institutions in Nigeria and created jobs. But the story is no longer the same. The coun-

try has gradually become a net food importer,” Ilona said. He lauded on-going efforts by governments, institutions and individuals to revive the sector and urged a sustainable programme of action to ensure a speedy recovery of the lost years of agricultural glory. “Food has no substitute because man just has to eat; and agriculture is the only means through which food is produced. The advanced countries like the United States of America, the Netherland and Australia, among others, began their journey to economic greatness with agriculture. In our country where the per capita income is a little above one dollar and over 100 million Nigerians live below a dollar per day, we have no choice but to turn towards agriculture as the only way out of poverty and economic doom,” Ilona said. He advised the participants to cease seeing agriculture as a social set up, but to regard it as a business and run it applying all known business principles so as to sustain their profit and remain in business for long. Ilona also encouraged them to educate themselves in agricultural business and identify the appropriate agricultural value chain they would like to invest in before making the decision to become farmers. In his lecture entitled: ‘Making agriculture a realistic en-

terprise in Nigeria,’ Ogbeh said that agriculture, as a business, must be protected against foreign competition. “Crops like cassava, tomatoes, rice, cotton, maize and cocoa, as well as fish, have been identified by government as those for which local and global demands keep increasing. Investing in growing these agricultural produce will go a long way to enhance the country’s economy and empower the farmers to eradicate poverty and eliminate hunger to achieve good and sustainable result,” Ogbeh said. He added: “Nigerian farmers need government’s help through sound economic policies and technical support. This will enable them to compete with their counterparts in other parts of the world and earn good profit from their investment. Our government must be firm in its policy and decision-making and must ensure that whatever we can produce, we do not import.” Ogbeh lauded the participants for choosing to invest in agriculture, urging them to see one another as members of the same community with similar interests. He promised to continue to collaborate with the Dominican Centre and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the farmers’ dreams of successful agricultural businesses became a reality.

Business | Agric

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, february 13, 2015

N16m relief fund: 40,000 Borno farmers to benefit

orno State coordinator for FADAMA III programme, Muhammad Tijjani, has said that 40,000 peasant farmers will benefit from a N16 million World Bank relief fund. The fund is aimed at boosting agricultural production in the state. According to him, the fund is under the Fadama Community Association and will be disbursed through the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation. He said that the gesture was designed to empower farmers affected by insurgency, to stimulate agricultural growth and enhance food security. Tijjani said that the farmers, drawn from the 27 local government areas of the state, had been advised to form Fadama User Groups to access the fund. “We are collaborating with religious leaders, ward heads and chairmen of various local government areas of the

state for smooth facilitation and take off of the programme. That is why we employed five facilitators in each of the 27 local government areas to mobilise the farmers into various cooperative groups,” he said. Tijjani added that the agency would assist the farmers with seedlings, chemicals and fertilizer to boost production. He said that some of them would be given water pumps, delivery hoses, spraying machines, insecticides and herbicides, among others “About 50 farmers have so far benefited N1.5 million through the fund in Maiduguri, the state capital. “The farmers’ groups that benefited are that of Shehuri North, Mashar Mari and Dusumari Kibiri, among others. “The programme was to take off in Damsak, Damboa and Hawul, but because of the present security challenges, we decided to flag it off in Jere local government,” he said.

US poultry exports hit 4.1m metric tons E xports of US poultry in 2014 reached 4.1 million metric tons, 0.4 percent ahead of 2013, while value fell 0.3 percent to $5.501 billion. The record exports came even after Russia enacted an embargo last August on most imports of food and agricultural products from the West in response to US, Europe and others over Russia’s activities in Ukraine, according to a data released by the US Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). President of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC), which promotes US poultry and egg exports through its network of 14 international offices, Jim Sumner, said: “This record year demonstrates that the US industry has become much more diversified and is no longer dependent on one or two export markets. Only a few years ago, losing a market like Russia would have been devastating. Now, it barely caused a ripple.” The combined value of US poultry and egg exports for 2014 came within less than one percentage point of the previous record, also set in 2013, reaching $5.838 billion, down just 0.2

percent, the FAS data show. Also, 2014 was a record year for exports of US eggs. Combined exports of table eggs and processed egg products, measured in shell-egg equivalents, increased by 1 percent to 352.7 million dozen, while their value inched up 0.4 percent to $336.75 million. US broiler meat exports (excluding chicken paws) dipped by 0.6 percent last year to 3.3 million tons, while value fell by 4 percent to $4.063 billion. Top markets last year were Mexico, up nine percent to 696,230 tons; Russia, down 48 percent to 143,942 tons, thanks to the embargo; Angola, up 12 percent to 231,717 tons; and Canada, down 4 percent to 162,699 tons. Other key broiler markets in 2014 were Cuba, 143,582 tons, up three percent; Iraq (including transshipments via Turkey), 147,774 tons, down 10 percent; China, 117,887 tons, down 10 percent; Taiwan, 115,407 tons, up 20 percent; Hong Kong, 105,445 tons, up 47 percent; and Georgia, 87,368 tons, up 1 percent. Exports of US chicken paws last year reached 312,851 tons valued at $441.9 million, up 4 and 19 percent, respectively.

Poultry farm

Poultry farmers: No bird flu in Kogi

hairman Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria (PAN), Kogi chapter, Chief Sam Bello, has said that farmers in the state were yet to witness any case of Bird Flu since its recent outbreak in the country. Bello, however, lauded the state government for its technical assistance to poultry farmers in the state. The PAN boss recalled how government had organised a workshop for the poultry farmers following the news of the outbreak of the virus initially in Kano and Lagos states, which had spread to 16 states. He noted that his members benefited from the workshop as they applied the knowledge acquired on their farms to ward off the disease. He said: “My members benefited tremendously from that interaction. The veterinary doctors were wonderful. We have been applying the technical inputs from the vet doctors on our farms and the epidemic is being kept at bay,

our chickens are healthy.” On access to funds by members of his association, the PAN chairman noted that it was on the basis of the strength of their individual farms that the state government extended credit facilities to poultry farmers. Bello said that Government was doing everything to encourage them to expand their poultry farms. He said that the necessary formal processes had been undertaken with the state Ministry of Agriculture for the registration of poultry farmers. Meanwhile, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has chosen the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) as a designated reference centre to expand its access to state-of the-art technology in combating dangerous viral infections. FAO’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Juan Lubroth, said SIB is equipped with high performance computers, software, databases and a knowledge-base used for screening and monitoring zoo-

notic diseases. “The new technology helps us understand biological threats in order to help countries better prevent, respond and ultimately protect the health of humans, animals and the environment. These are like avian influenza, also known as bird flu, it strikes animals, but can also be transmitted to humans. “Working closely with FAO, SIB experts have developed tools to improve early detection and fast alert systems to prevent and respond to trans-boundary disease emergencies in poultry or livestock,” Lubroth said. SIB specialises in bioinformatics, a relatively new science, which employs computer technology to study biological data. Scientists use bioinformatics to gather process and analyse information on the genomes of pathogens, the genetic material peculiar to specific micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause diseases in their hosts.

Futures prices as of February 11th, 2015 - 09:06 CST Contract Grains Wheat Corn Soybeans Soybean Meal Soybean Oil Oats Rough Rice Hard Red Wheat Spring Wheat Softs Cotton #2 Orange Juice Coffee Sugar #11 Cocoa Sugar #16 CME Coffee CME Sugar #11 CME Cocoa CME Cotton #2 Lumber Meats Live Cattle Feeder Cattle Lean Hogs Class III Milk

Month

Open

High

Low

Last

Change

Time

Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15

520-6 388-0 970-6 326.9 31.45 275-0 10.200 552-0 569-6

524-0 389-0 973-0 328.2 31.66 277-6 10.385 560-6 578-0

515-6 384-0 966-0 325.5 31.10 271-4 10.200 550-2 568-2

523-4 387-0 972-2 328.0 31.30 276-2 10.385 560-4 578-0

+1-6 -1-0 +3-2 +1.1 -0.15 +1-2 +0.150 +6-4 +8-0

08:56 08:56 08:56 08:56 08:56 08:55 08:56 08:56 08:56

Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 May 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15

62.51 136.75 160.30 14.67 2860 24.40 1.5910 0.1447 2863.00 0.6184 317.40

62.57 137.95 161.35 14.79 2879 24.40 1.5910 0.1447 2875.00 0.6213 317.40

61.71 134.55 159.00 14.50 2843 24.37 1.5910 0.1447 2863.00 0.6184 317.40

61.86 134.75 160.35 14.79 2865 24.37s 1.5910 0.1447 2875.00 0.6213 317.40

-0.65 -1.10 +0.95 +0.08 +2 -0.03 -0.0030 -0.0024 +12.00 -0.0038 -0.40

08:56 08:54 08:56 08:56 08:55 02/10/15 06:50 05:37 08:37 07:57 08:56

Feb 15 Mar 15 Apr 15 Feb 15

159.400 202.500 66.000 15.76

159.650 203.225 66.050 15.80

158.875 201.675 65.250 15.76

158.875 201.850 65.475 15.77

-0.225 -0.175 -1.100 +0.02

08:54 08:55 08:55 08:13

Global | Business

FRIDAY, february 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Chinese investments in Europe hit $18bn in 2014

hinese investments in Europe doubled last year to a record $18 billion, according to a report by Baker & McKenzie, an international law firm. Only last year, the Chinese government said its investments in Nigeria was about 1.79 billion dollars. Also, over twenty investors from the Republic of China who were on a business tour in the country last year indicated their readiness to invest about $300 billion to

boost Nigeria’s economy. Meanwhile, the Baker & McKenzie report said: “Europe had already received at least $5.8 billion of Chinese investments less than two months into this year, with the $4.3 billion acquisition of French resort company Club Med by Hong Konglisted Fosun International, and the $1.5 billion acquisition of France’s Louvre Hotels, Europe’s second-largest hotel group, by state-owned Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels.” The chairman of the

firm’s EMEA-China group, Thomas Gilles, said: “A more substantial downturn in the Chinese economy might impact the willingness to invest overseas. But we remain bullish that the next decade will see a further expansion in Chinese investment into the European Union.” “The surge in Chinese investments in Europe last year followed a drop to about $9 billion in 2013 from $13 billion in 2012 because of a decline in investment in energy and materials, the report

said. Britain was the European nation that received the most Chinese investment last year, at $5.1 billion, followed by Italy with $3.5 billion, the Netherlands $2.3 billion and Portugal $2 billion. The European sector that received the most Chinese investment last year was agriculture and food at $4.1 billion, followed by energy with $3.7 billion, property $3 billion, car-making $2.2 billion and financial services $1.7 billion. Baker & McKenzie

noted that the growth of Chinese investment in Europe last year was driven by investments in new sectors such as real estate, food and financial services, “For example, mainland private equity firm Hony Capital acquired British restaurant chain Pizza Express for £900 million while state-owned carmaker Dongfeng acquired a 14 per cent stake in French manufacturer Peugeot Citroen for 800 million. “From virtually zero before 2013, Chinese in-

vestment in European commercial real estate surged to $3 billion in 2014. “A downturn in the Chinese domestic market in 2013 and 2014, and the boom in the overseas Chinese population during the same period - tourists, students, and emigrants - were the major drivers.,” the report said. “From a small base, Chinese investments in European food businesses more than quintupled in the past three years, motivated by the desire to acquire know-how, technology, and brands,” the report said. The European Council on Foreign Relations said Europe remained a prime destination for Chinese outward investment last year. However, the Council said the environment for European businesses in China had deteriorated.

Volkswagen’s sales drop in China, Europe

olkswagen is bracing for a challenging year, it said, after reporting that sales at its core division fell for a fourth straight month in January, with demand shrinking in key European and Chinese markets. January deliveries of VW-branded cars, representing the company’s biggest division by sales and revenue, slipped 2.8 per cent year-on-year to 507,100 vehicles. Sales in Europe and China, which provided almost three quarters of the VW brand’s record 6.12 million deliveries last year, eased by one per cent and 0.7 per cent respectively to 124,900 and 265,900 cars, the company said. In Russia, where the rouble has been hammered by the slump in oil prices and Western sanctions related to the crisis in Ukraine, sales plunged by 28 per cent to 6,200 cars. Its Sales Chief, Christian Klingler, said: “We are facing a challenging year; VW was not immune to the uncertainties in some regions that have continued into the current year.” Europe’s largest carmaker, which sold a record 10.1 million vehicles across the multi-brand group in 2014, is seeking to cut costs at its core division by five billion euros (four billion pounds) over the next two years to narrow the profit gap with rivals such as Toyota.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2014

Auto Beat Family first as Nissan repackages X-Trail

Paul Ogbuokiri

tallion NMN, the Nissan sales company in Nigeria has unveiled the third generation (T32-series) Nissan X-Trail. This is coming on the heels of an assessment test drive of the vehicle by journalists on Monday, from the Stallion NMN Gbagada showroom to Victoria Island, Lagos. According to the Media Advisor of Stallion NMN, Manny Philipson, the arrival of the all new X-Trail is expected to change the perception of fond admirers of the predecessor model that over the years gained reputation for its practical, go-anywhere compact SUV slogan with generous load space and towing capability. He said that the vehicle is now completely transformed to a fashionable, safer and more family-oriented SUV with a new variant offering a seven-seat capacity, adding that the new X-Trail is an epitome of innovation, incorporating new design dynamics and different marketing direction, 14 years after it made a debut. He said that the new X-Trail took its design clues from the Juke, Pathfinder and Murano crossovers, trading off the much desired boxy lines and upright stance for trendier and fashionable styling. New Telegraph notes that Nissan has no doubt upped the ante for equipment levels in the new X-Trail, donning 18” alloy wheels, push button start, LED daytime running lights, cruise control, dual zone climate control, rear seat air conditioner vent with shut vent as well as intelligent key and panic alarm with Bluetooth phone connectivity and music streaming.. The new X-Trail cabin itself is a significant improvement over the utilitarian fit-out in the old model, with plenty of soft touch surfaces and bruised metallic accents, and ergonomically layout. Coupled with this is a height-adjustable driver’s seat and front armrest with airy and spacious cabin to deliver very comfortable space up front. The middle row seats can slide and recline in a 60/40 split with plenty head and legroom for adults to lounge in comfort. The overall effect is an interior that looks and feels decidedly more premium with a new steering wheel, instrument cluster and a liberal spread of piano black plastics that complete the makeover. A crystal-clear five inch LCD screen located in the centre of the instrument cluster displays the vehicle power be-

The Nissan X-Trail

tween the front and rear axles, helping to give the driver information on available traction and control that is needed. The Advanced Drive Assist Display provides information directly in front of the driver to minimize time looking away from the road. The X-Trail’s safety shield features include Hill Start Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and SRS Airbags System. This is in addition to the ‘zero-gravity’ inspired front seats that are superbly cushioned and wonderfully designed to make long stints behind the wheel a real pleasure. There are modest dimensional gains too – 30mm of width, 10mm of height, and 5mm in length – but the result is a new X-Trail that looks as large as a Nissan Pathfinder. Unlike the old model, the second row seats are now on rails that allow them to slide, as well as recline with a 40/20/40 split-fold layout. The result is substantially more rear legroom and easy access to the third row, where applicable. Passengers in the second row can also sit elevated in stadium style, while children in the third row enjoy improved visibility from correspondingly raised seats. There’s also a new rear storage system, known as Divide-N-Hide, which Nissan claims can be configured 18 different ways. Under the bonnet, the X-Trail’s 2.5-litre petrol engine is essentially a carryover from its predecessor, with just an extra kilowatt of power added to increase output from 125kW to 126kW, but with 233Nm of torque. Despite gaining an average of around 34kg in heft, the four-cylinder engine still delivers sufficient punch off the line (without feeling sporty), and there’s decent mid-range pull for safe high-speed

overtaking on country roads. The new and improved CVT in the latest Nissan X-Trail is more refined than most competitors – at least under light to moderate loads. However, reduced friction and hydraulic losses mean improved fuel economy of 7.9Litres/100km. There’s also a satisfying weight and responsiveness to the electrically assisted power steering, along with some

feedback. The brakes, too, are very good. The new X-trail also gets appreciable ground clearance compared to the model it replaces, but an off road loop still showed the four-wheel-drive version with Nissan’s 4×4-i system that electronically control the over steer and under steer of the vehicle. This helps in giving the vehicle the extra stability required in difficult driving conditions by confronting the yaw rate. When in the default 2WD mode for instance, the 4X4 can be activated even on the fly by a convenient rotary selector dial on the console. The system automatically engages all-wheel drive if the vehicle detects any loss of traction.

Coscharis woos lovers with MINI Cooper at Epe Resort

oscharis Motors said in line with its tradition of commemorating the valentine season in its own unique way, it would in collaboration with the management of the Epe Resort celebrate lovers with the MINI Cooper cars on display during the Valentine weekend at the luxurious Epe Resort, in the outskirt of Lagos. This was disclosed by the General Manager, Marketing Coscharis Motors, Abiona Babarinde on Wednesday at the Company’s head office in Victoria Island, Lagos. “Coscharis Motors and Epe Resort’s partnership is to jointly create the right ambience for their common customers who will want to celebrate the Valentine weekend in a unique way by having the opportunity to get a good deal to own any of the MINI Cooper variants on display while staying at the resort,” he said. He reiterated that this partnership with another great brand like Epe Resort is a unique way of celebrating the lifestyle of lovers that wants to enjoy the season of love that Valentine brings to

the world. In his word, ‘’in celebrating the Valentine season, Coscharis Motors is set to delight lovers with the opportunity of offering them a unique auto brand like the MINI which resonates perfectly with the season of love. The MINI Cooper Countryman amongst others will be on display at the resort, available for test drive to allow couples ‘feel’ the uniqueness of the fantastic car we have in the MINI brand for them to make their purchase decision at a discounted price’’. According to the Operations Manager, Epe Resort, Bruce Prins, ‘the partnership reflects an alignment of two premium brands that exudes luxury, class and style positioned to jointly delight the market. “For us at Epe Resort, we are very excited to associate with the premium MINI brand which is a unique brand in the automobile industry,” he said. He added that with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, “the Resort has put together a few romantic packages for overnight stays and getaways so that you can relax and unwind with your loved one.”

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Islam

EXHO R T A T I O N

24 Rabi Al-Thani 1436 AH

“And your Lord has decreed that you not worship ANY except Him, and to parents, good treatment.” (Quran 17: 23)

UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH

CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

Marrying a non-Muslim Man QUESTION

Is it wrong for me to marry a non-Muslim man? ANSWER

Like that I do not know the religion that much, you do not know the religion that much, that’s fine, let us get together and learn it together and we will grow, and our children grown with us as well. But if one person is planning in one direction, and the other person is planning in another direction, that means you do not have the basic ingredient of a happy marriage. In this case, the questioner is saying, will my husband let me raise my child as a Muslim? Do you think this is convincing enough? Well, No because her problem is that if one parent is doing something entirely different, which shows that he or she does not care less about your religion, children will pick up that sort of attitude Some time ago, I did a research on why people are afraid of spiders, and I found that one theory is that some time in history a child might have seen one of his parents reacting with horror at the sight of the spider, and this registered with the child. If such behavioral pattern can register with the children and shape their idea, what happens within a marriage when one parent thinks that religion is something to be easily chirmed off, something that is not important? Well, naturally, the child will pick up this sort of attitude, and then you will find a child reacts to religion like this and you can no longer blame the child. And some may look at this and say that we are isolated because we do not respect people of other faiths? Yes, we do respect people of other faiths, and respecting someone is not the same as marrying the person.

Chief Imam of Tabon-Tabon Central Mosque, Agege, Lagos Alhaji Rasaq Giwa (eighth right, 2nd row) and other dignitaries after the prayer session for peaceful elections in Nigeria at the community recently.

Military interference dangerous for democracy –Clerics CAUTION Political office seekers and their followers must ensure that the unity of the nation is not put in jeopardy Stories by Adeola Yusuf

uslim clerics have denounced the “too much” interference of military in the on-going democratic transition. National coordinator, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Lakin Akintola and the National President, Islamic Progressives Association of Nigeria (IPAN), Sheikh AbdulRahman Adegboyega – Lawal, who made this position known

he Tabon-Tabon community in Agege are a of Lagos has rallied muslim and christian clerics for a special prayer on peaceful elections in Nigeria. The Bobaselu of Agege Kingdom, Chief Adisa Bashua-Otun who led other dignitaries to the prayer session, said that the recent political violence that led to the death of a middle-age man in the area was unprecedented in the anal of the town. “The ugly incidence that happen three weeks ago which led to the demise of a man has never happened in the history of Agege, that is why the

at different fora, called on “foreign embassies in Nigeria to keenly watch the unfolding spectacle.” In a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, Akintola said: “We also draw the attention of the international community, particularly the African Union and Nigeria’s immediate neighbours in West Africa to the dangerous game of using soldiers to silence the opposition.” Corroborating Akintola’s view, Adegboyega – Lawal who doubled as the Spiritual Head(Amir), As-Salam praying centre, called on politicians, their followers, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others stakeholders to ensure that the coming elections are credible and devoid of violence.

In a statement, the cleric also warned all political office seekers and their followers to ensure that the unity of the nation is not put in jeopardy by any reckless action or utterance. The Federal government, he said, should do everything possible to see that those charged with maintaining law and order are adequately equipped. He called on all religious leaders to admonish their faithfuls on the virtues of peace and tolerance as we go into this critical stage in our democratic experience. The Islamic leader also pleaded with those who would lose out in the elections to accept defeat and embrace the winner, while the winner should welcome the losers, so as to move the nation forward.

Rahaman –Lawal called on all Nigerians to draw close to one another irrespective of religion, section or ethnicity and defeat the forces of darkness, so that Nigeria will finally get a chance to realise its full potential. He reminded President Goodluck Jonathan that this election is so crucial that its outcome will decide the coming to pass or otherwise of the prophesy that Nigeria will break-up, thus, praying to Allah, not to abandon the country. Meanwhile, Akintola’s statement read: “We denounce the misuse of soldiers by the Presidency and demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of those soldiers allegedly deployed on the residence of an opposition leader.”

Lagos community rallies Muslims, Christians for peaceful polls prayer was organised to pray to God for peace during the forthcoming elections. At the prayer session held at the Community Central Mosque, the Chief Imam of Tabon-Tabon, Alhaji Rasaq Giwa called on parents to caution their wards “while the politicians too should avoid actions and inactions that can lead to violence.” He prayed to Allah to ‘give the politicians the wisdom and

faith to know that their election bids do not worth human blood. The prayer session was opened by Alfa Salmon Ake Seriki, while Reverend Fadele led Christian brethren for prayers. The Baale of Ajegunle, Chief Ibrahim Owoyemi had earlier said that the purpose of the prayer is to plead with Almighty God for peace during the election and after the election.

Making reference to the recent violence that led to the death of middle-age man penultimate week, the Baale said that this has never happened in the history of Agege. Those who graced the prayer session include the representative of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Elere Police station, Alhaja Okunola Ideraoluwa and the representatives of all political parties in the area.

Feminique NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Helen Omokeji: Helping in war against hunger, illiteracy Helen Bunmi Omokeji is the founder of Talk-to-me Children Outreach, United Kingdom. A devout Christian, her heart rending encounter with a family scavenging in the UK moved her to reach out to the needy. From a weekday breakfast club, she started the NGO and now plans to reach out to children in Nigeria and other parts of Africa with a current bias for education. EBERE AMEH had a chat with her and writes

elson Mandela was right when he noted that ‘as long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality exist in our world, none of us can truly rest’. That was the state Helen Bunmi Omokeji found herself after her encounter with a family in Hackney UK, scavenging to survive. She knew no rest until she fathomed a way to help hungry families in her community. “I saw parents and a child of about nine years picking food from the dust bin. I took pictures of them and I felt that I must do something to help my community. Contrary to common belief, most of the people in need in the United Kingdom are not of African descent. The scene kept playing in my mind as I kept pondering on the fact that these are just victims of circumstances. I knew deep down that with a little help, they could find their feet again. It was that scenario that gave birth to Breakfast Club Monday to Friday and in the evenings; I go on outreach to feed the homeless with my volunteers,” Helen explained. Though she was not the only person that saw the heartrending sight and not the richest in her community at the time, her upbringing and her father’s inspiration to help children led her to establish the breakfast club. Seeing her inclination to help when she was young, her father encouraged her. “As a child I loved to help anyone in need. As a result, I was given the nickname ‘Nurse’. My late dad encouraged me so much to worked to build a better future for children. I then taught in the Sunday School at Methodist Church Tinubu in 1967,” she reminisced. Even now that she is grown and out of Nigeria, she knows that a little bit of good where you are, changes the world for good. Like the axiomatic candle, she has continued to burn herself to give light to others, even outside her domain. “Considering my organization is based in the UK, it is my focus to extend the outreach programme to Nigeria and other parts of Africa. We have a very

EBERE AMEH ebere.ameh@newtelegraphonline.com

high percentage of abused and displaced children in the UK and Nigeria and I sincerely believe that with proper counselling and education the number will decrease. “I attended a television program and live calls came in asking me to please bring my NGO to Nigeria. I was in Nigeria last year and I visited some NGOs I must tell you when I left the school I wept.” Talk To Me Children Outreach is her attempt to help children caught in the web of poverty both in the UK and very soon, Africa. Her focus is on children exposed to drugs or victims of violence, victims of trafficking and ex-offenders. “These children are vulnerable. They need more support to resettle back into the community to live a normal life and be useful to themselves and the society at large. With my experience in mentoring and delivering of one on one personal development programmes to young aspiring adults, I should be able to help the children overcome their numerous challenges. I am dedicated to equipping the next generation with the word of God, helping them understand Christian values and principles,” she said. Helen came about the name Talkto-Me after realizing that children need someone to talk to about the issues that they are going through; be it domestic violence, rape, drugs or alcohol related issues, but most times are not given the opportunity to open up. An expert in education, Helen relocated to the UK in1978 for further studies. Obtaining a BA/BSC (Combined Hons) in Education and ICT from University of East London (UEL), she proceeded to acquire a Diploma in Teaching and registered with IFL professional body. She is now an A1 Assessor, an Interpreter with London Borough of Newham since 2003, and also holds a certificate in counselling. She is also a committee member of such organizations as Hackney Independent Living team now Advance Omokeji for over 10yrs and

NHS Eye Hospital. With such varied experience in education and counselling, Helen wants to focus more on Education. She plans to achieve the aims of the NGO by creating more awareness on the plight of under educated children through seminars with the support of government agencies, corporate

organizations and individuals. Her only fear is that despite the need and urgency to reach out to these vulnerable children, getting support from organizations and government agencies may be a challenge. She described the abduction of the Chibok girls in their school dormitory as unfortunate, calling it man’s inhumanity to man. “It is unfortunate that such incidents occur in our society and shows how cruel human beings can be to other humans. It bothers me to see that nothing has been done to get the girls back while government is somewhat insensitive to the plight of these girls. It bleeds my heart.” Inspired by Mother Teresa’s selflessness and care for humanity and late Chief Mrs. Dupe Brownlow who also worked for the good of mankind, Helen’s appreciation of the fact that the world is hungry for action, not words, to end hunger and poverty has continued to spur her to impact her community positively. A devout Christian, her relationship with God has led her to take on these many roles in the expansion of God’s kingdom on earth. An intercessor, a worshipper and a repairer of bridges, Helen bagged the title of Alatunshe by her church and Majeobaje by the Nigerian community in Hackney for her role as a peace maker within the community.

Feminique

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Safe sex is not all about pregnancy (2)

oday, we shall continue where we left off. From the responses I got, a lot of people (both male and female) want to know the signs of STI. For men, you can have a burning sensation when urinating. Secondly, is a discharge that may be painful or not. Do not confuse this with the normal semen which occurs when you are sexually aroused, or when you are having a wet dream that is, is a sexual dream. Also you can have pain in your testes or scrotum. Finally you can have rash or wounds (sores) around the head of your penis. For women, foul smelling and coloured vaginal discharge tops the list. The key words here are Foul Smelling and coloured. This is because women do have discharges when aroused too and that is normal. Painful urination also occurs. Changes in your menstrual period characteristics such as painful menses, bleeding in between menses and heavier flow than normal can also occur. Then lower abdominal pain. Finally, you have inflamed painful and tender vagina and vulva.

Ebere Ameh

ometimes, I wonder why I am so highly favoured. Despite being a divorcee and a single mother in a society like ours, I am surprised that many still accord me so much respect. Linda, a friend I met at the New Beginning always has ugly stories of how her neighbours look down on her and call her names because she is separated from her husband. In their estate association meeting recently, what she could deduce from the way the chairman treated her contribution was something like ‘sit down, let responsible people talk’ and nobody raised an eyebrow. I still enjoy enough respect and empathy of my neighbours and to my surprise, my ill-tempered landlord. It is not that I am so good, neither am I so smart or so beautiful. I think it is the glory of God upon my life. Else, how will I explain the decision of the land lord to give me the plot of land close to the road free of charge to do my block industry? The same piece of land, I gathered, he refused to give his tenants in the next building, who wanted to use it for a horticulture business. “Ego, you have been a good woman and a good tenant. I thank God at how respectfully you are bringing them up your children even without a man. I am a Knight in my church and never support divorce. I did in your case because I didn’t want him to kill you in my house. Many would have been jumping from the bed of one man to that of another, but here you are, thinking of business to cater for your children. I give you the plot free of charge, but let it be between us. Many have come for that same land and have offered to pay so much but I don’t want trouble. When I am ready to develop it, I’ll let you know so you could relocate to another place,” the landlord told me when I went with a bottle of hot drink to ask him to lease the small portion of land close to the road to me. I ran short of words. To allow me

Some signs are common to both sexes. Painful urination and discharge are two of them. Pain during sex especially during ejaculation by the man is also common. Mouth sores can be noticed. Fever can also occur. And finally fleshy growths around the sexual organs, known as genital warts do occur. Usually I am scared of giving out signs of diseases or infections in the public domain like this for two reasons. The first is psychological. Some people will convince themselves they have these signs and start running from pillar to post looking for solution. This occurs particularly in pregnancy. Some people are so desperate to get pregnant that they exhibit almost all the signs and symptoms of pregnancy. They even feel some movement in their stomach and the stomach (not the womb) starts expanding. This is because they have either read or heard so much about these signs and symptoms of pregnancy. This condition is known as pseudocyesis. Then the unscrupulous ones capitalize on this and continue to milk them. That is when you hear that the woman has been pregnant for 2 to 3 years without

delivery. This is called the handwork of the devil, witches and wizards who have laid their hands on the pregnancy to suppress it. Also, they are warned never to do scan because it will not show on the scan. Or the scan might even make it disappear patapata. So as a doctor with such cases, head you lose and tail you lose. A more pathetic instance is when the abdominal swelling is due to fibroids and is still called pregnancy. Until it becomes an emergency. The second reason is self-diagnosis and self-medication. For example some of the signs I mentioned above can be due to other causes. But, trust us Nigerians and our love for cheapee. Instead of going to the hospital to complain, we head over to the nearest chemist to buy drugs for infection, or toilet disease as it is commonly called. Of course 99.99 per cent of the time we buy either fake drugs, wrong drugs and with wrong dosage. So the condition worsens. My dear friend, the only sure way to treat and cure STI is through the hospital. Physical Examination will be done.

Fadeyi

Then laboratory investigations. And a proper diagnosis and treatment protocol. Cutting corners is usually dangerous. Infertility due to blocked fallopian tubes, anovulation and low sperm count are traced to infections. Finally chronic STI increases your chances of contacting HIV because of the tiny sores created by them. So my friend, don’t be Kobo wise and Naira foolish. Dr. Taiwo Fadeyi is a Western trained medical practitioner and one of the very few certified Sexologists in Nigeria. He is also a marriage counsellor and would be bringing his immense knowledge and experience to bear in writing this column. Make it a date with him every Friday for that expert advice on sex and relationship.

Ego: Diary of a single mom Jeez! I am highly favoured

use the land is enough, but to use it free of charge is much more than I bargained for. I thanked God within my heart and knelt down to thank the chief profusely. Having been in Lagos for quite a while, I have gotten used

to that idea of kneeling down to thank elders. I knelt to thank the wife too who said; “Stand up my daughter. Truly, you have been a good girl. Keep it up. We pray the business you are about to start blossoms and flourishes

in Jesus name,” I said an enthusiastic amen while I thanked them once more before taking my leave. “Wow! Thank God!” I exclaimed as soon as I came out. Having ordered for the machines, a free land was a hurdle I thought would be very difficult to surpass but here I am. I got it on a platter of gold. Thank God again that I was able to handle my relationship with Danny discreetly. What if it was in my house that Danny’s wife came to display the other day? Heey! Thank God!” I kept exclaiming. I think the Achilles heels of most single mothers is their thoughtless tendency to flirt with different men in their bid to show that they are still marketable or to make money to fend for their children. I kept mine so discreet and decorous that even my children are not aware that I am in a relationship with anyone. Talking about Danny, I think I should ask him to have a rethink. It may seem as if I am selfish but if what I am thinking is correct, Nneka wants to lure him to the UK so that she could file for divorce and serve him the papers over there. If the divorce is decided there, Danny will lose so much in alimony and that is what she is up to. If not, why the sudden love after many years of separation? I will call Danny right away and advise him to beat her to it and file for a divorce here in Nigeria. But I am just a mere Accountant; I will escort him to Barristers Ayodele and Prisca. I like the way they passionately handled Angela’s case and secured the custody of her children. Let me call him right away.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Crime

Why attempt to kidnap Young Shall Grow CEO failed, by suspects Flora Onwudiwe

he hunt for gunmen who tried to kidnap the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Young Shall Grow Motors, which started since 2013 came to head this year. The gunmen on August 28, 2013, attacked and attempted to kidnap the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ‘The Young Shall Grow Motors,’ Chief Vincent Obianodo. Three members of the gang are presently in the custody of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State Police Command. The trio have been identified as Victor Aminalechi, Kingsley Chukwuma and Nnamdi John. But two of them, Aminalechi and Chukwuma, pointed fingers at their partner, Nnamdi, insisting that he was a member of the dreaded gang that carried out the attack. While accusing Nnamdi, they denied knowing Nnamdi back then. They, however, claimed that Nnamdi narrated the incident to them after he joined their robbery gang. Nnamdi too has also denied ever taking part in the kidnap of the Young Shall Grow CEO. The police said that Chukwuma, Animalechi and Nnamdi were part of those terrorising Lagos and Ogun states. They also allegedly used to rob in Benin Republic. Aminalechi and Chukwuma were arrested in separate incidents of kidnapping and armed robbery. They told detectives that Nnamdi, armourer of their gang, told them that he and another gang, in 2013, attempted to kidnap the CEO of Young Shall Grow Motors. The confession and subsequent revelation of Nnamdi’s past, made the police to know that Nnamdi was part of the suspected shooters of Obianodo they had been hunting for since 2013. On the fateful day that the suspected assassins swooped on Obianodo, four persons, including a police cor-

JULIANA FRANCIS CRIME Editor

juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

L-R Nnamdi John, Victor Animalechi and Kingsley Chukwuma.

poral, were killed. The victims were a police corporal, a driver and two suspected assassins. Obianodo, who was shot on the hand during the gun duel, was saved by policemen attached to him. The gunmen trailed the transporter as he left office, until he reached his home at 4th Avenue, Festac, before they launched the surprise attack on him. The assassins were, however, shocked when the police fought to keep bullets from hitting the CEO. When the smoke from the blazing guns settled, four corpses were on the ground, while the CEO was nursing a bullet wound on his hand. The slain corporal was identified as Ngozi Chijioke. Speaking on the attack, the then state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ngozi Braide, said Obianodo was attacked at 22 Road Festac Town. She said: “The hoodlums opened fire at him and his driver was shot dead. Obianodo was shot on the hand and the police corporal with him was killed.” According to her, a patrol team

heard sporadic gunshots and raced towards the direction the gun sounds were coming from. Braide added that the bandits had also opened fire at the patrol team. She said: “Our men retaliated and the place was like a battlefield. When the dust settled, the police shot dead two of the men and others escaped with bullet wounds.” Braide said that a Toyota Highlander Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), which the killers came with, was covered with bullet holes, adding that police recovered one AK47 rifle, one AK49 rifle and eight magazines loaded with ammunition. One of the suspects, Chukwuma, a cab driver, was arrested for being part of the gang that kidnapped two prominent businessmen and owners of filling stations in Lagos. He said: “I was involved in the kidnap of Kings Petroleum and Dapson Chief Executive Officers in Lagos.” Recalling what Nnamdi told him of the aborted kidnap of Obianodo, Chukwuma said: “Nnamdi said that he nearly lost his life in that operation. He said that two members of

their gang based in Ghana lost their lives in the gun duel with policemen attached to the CEO. “Nnamdi used to be my friend. We live in the same area at Igando. I have gone on two robbery operations with him. He was part of those who went with us to rob two filling stations. I still remember those of us who went for that operation - Victor, Nnamdi, Friday, IK and I. “We did not succeed in removing money from the two filling stations because the attendants did not leave any. We also robbed an ATM machine attached to a fast food outfit. We got some money there. “Nnamdi told me that one of his friends who lived in Ghana organised and connected him to three men for the kidnap of the Young Shall Grow CEO in Festac. He told me that the first attempt was not successful. The gang had to regroup for a second operation. Even in the second operation, they lost two men in gun battle with the police and that he narrowly escaped death. Two of the gang members died and a third later died as a result of bullet wounds.”

Photo | News

FRIDAY, february 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, LOC Construction Limited, Chief Lorieta Aniagolu; Deputy Coordinator, Team 2015, Ms Iweka Nwokedi and APC Deputy Governorship candidate for Enugu, Mrs Chikaodili Ibekaku, at a meeting of Coalition of Women Groups in Enugu. PHOTO-NAN

L-R: Lecturer, Community Bible Institute and Seminary International, Dr. Agim Livinus; Dean of Studies, Dr. Michael Adelusi; graduant, Mr. George D.K. Akpa and lecturer, Dr. Paul Osaghae, during the 27th graduation of the Institue at Dispensational Gospel Mission, Worldwide, Ajah, Lagos

L-R: Justice Minister, Mohammed Adoke; Housing and Urban Development Minister, Akon Eyakenyi; Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil and Works Minister, Mike Onolememen, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, in Abuja. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

L-R: Director, Information, Federal Ministry of Information, Mr. Emma Agbegir; Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Umar Shelleng and Coordinating Spokesperson, National Information Centre (NIC), Mr. Mike Omeri, briefing newsmen on the state of the nation in Abuja

L-R: Assistant Director, Disaster Risk Reduction, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr James Akujobi; representative of the Director General of NEMA, Mr. Iyiola Akande; a victim of Insurgence from the North East, Mrs Monica Adamu and the Director, Centre for Caring Empowerment and Initiatives, Mrs. Rebecca Samuel, during the presentation of relief materials to some victims in Jos. PHOTO-NAN

L-R: British film Actor, David Oyelowo; Senior Pastor, House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin; British actress and singer, Carmen Ejogo; U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador James F. Entwistle and Bishop Bob Alonge, during the premier of the Selma in Lagos

L-R: Aig for Zone 7, Mr. Patrick Dukumor; Kaduna State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Husani Mahuta and Director, State Security Services, Mr Abayomi Zamba, at a meeting on security for 2015 General Elections in Kaduna

L-R: Group Finance Director, Lexcel Group, Mr. Wale Majolagbe; Managing Director, Supreme Distilleries Ltd., Mr. Bola Soyinka; Chairman, Lexcel Group, Mr. Ola Rosiji and Production and Maintenance Manager, Chinnasamy Kanthikeyan, at the Quarter 4 performance and assessment review presentation in Lagos

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Local consortium to invest $4bn in 2,000MW plants

n indigenous consortium led by FirstGate Group yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Government to invest about $4billion in the construction of two power plants with a combined output of 2,000 megawatts. The group in a statement, said the plants will be gas-fired (1,000MW) and solar-powered (1,000MW), adding that both projects will be completed with four to five years. The Chief Executive, FirstGate Business Intermediaries Limited, Kelvin Asogwa, who signed on behalf of the consortium at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Power in Abuja, said the projects would assist in the realisation of the government’s power sector transformation. Asogwa said the consortium would train a total of 74,000 Nigerian youths in various technical trades, adding that the capacity building programme would be done in South-Korea and Turkey. “We have planned to work with 74,000 youths. The partnering overseas companies have accepted to train Nigerians after which they will be engaged when the plant must have come on stream.” Asogwa said the scheme was designed as part of the MoU for the foreign countries to train Nigerian youths. On the consortium’s financial and technical capabilities, he said the group had the wherewithal and gave the assurance that the plants would be completed on schedule. “The process is like a circle.

From the beginning it entails training and later trainees will be absorbed to work in these plants. Already, the group has acquired 27,000 hectares of land in Kogi State for this purpose.” After signing on behalf of the Federal Government, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said the ceremony had showed government’s resolve to do anything to ensure adequate provision of electricity for Nigerians. Nebo commended FirstGate Group for the initiative and for partnering South-Korean investors who were notable for developing solar energy technology well ahead of other countries. He said South-Korea had developed solar energy to power a cluster of industries and trade zones, adding that FirstGate would benefit immensely from the Asians in developing appropriate technology for battery storage systems and other hi-tech uses from solar technology. The minister urged the group to make haste by executing the content of the agreement reached with the Federal Government, stressing that if the MoU was not actualised soon, it would become dead. Nebo also noted that financing of the plants was vital in the realisation of the project, and explained that about $2billion would be needed for each of the power plant. He, however, promised to assist in the areas of licensing, permits and reports, stressing that the ministry would ensure that all these processes were hastened.

Reform outlook clouded in Nigeria, S’ Africa POLITICAL WILL

nvestors tend to split Africa into two parts, with the southern portions — SubSaharan Africa — as the place to capitalise on growth. “In a report obtained yesterday, Emerging Markets said: “In Nigeria – SSA’s largest economy – the reform outlook is clouded by electoral distractions. The March/April nation polls [elections] (moved from February), which are expected to be closely contested, are likely to generate social unrest. “Depending on the winner, the polls could trigger resurgent militancy in the Niger Delta or protests in the north that would likely be exploited by jihadist group Boko Haram, which continues its terrorist attacks primarily in the northeast (but with potential to spread).” These security issues according to the publication, will act as a major distraction for the new government, with negative effects in the short

Jonathan

would certainly force the government to pursue this path. On the security front, a new government will have to overhaul the security apparatus, delaying the drafting of a new counterinsurgency strategy against Boko Haram. In South Africa, the June ANC conference and 2016 local elections will generate noise and policy risk, undermining the Zuma administration’s ability to tackle anemic GDP growth through comprehensive reforms. Declining oil prices represent an upside for the oil importer, but the growth outlook remains marred by low minerals prices and domestic competitiveness constraints (topped by electricity shortages, followed by labour). South Africa’s ability to respond to turmoil, albeit ‘medium’, has shrunk since 2009. Chaotic ruling alliance politics, succession wrangling, and policy confusion will conspire against comprehensive reform implementation, explained the publication. “Expect prevarication and contradictions from the government, including both market positive and negative labor initiatives (such as minimum wages but improvements to strike legislation),” Emerging Markets concluded.

Economic Indicators As at

Cameron restates UK’s pledge to enhance trade with Nigeria T

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

eight billion pounds between 2010 and 2014. It also quoted Cameron as saying that the enormous potential for trade between the two countries made nurturing it for another five years imperative. “Unfortunately, we get the feeling of a pullback rather than a push forward in the relationship. Certainly growing the business between the two countries further will not be achieved without a special attention and determination,’’ the statement said. It expressed delight that their target in 2010 was met. It added that the target was inspired by the shared conviction that the relationship could yield a lot more than the two countries were getting. The statement said Cameron identified offering special attention to trading ties with Nigeria, improved relationship with Nigerians in Diaspora and improved government-to-government relationship as part of the strategy for enhanced trade and benefits.

term on much-needed economic reforms. Nigeria is strongly exposed to the oil price drop, but its ability to respond to global turmoil, albeit declining, is still helped by its low debt-toGDP ratio. This will likely give the government some room to borrow. Short-term political considerations will constrain the government’s ability to take important steps (i.e. significant expenditure cuts), but a prolonged economic crisis

Short-term political considerations will constrain government’s ability to cut expenditure

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

he British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, has restated Britain’s commitment to further enhance the subsisting bilateral trade agreement with Nigeria. Cameron made the pledge of giving the bilateral trade agreement a special attention at the annual British Chamber of Commerce conference held on Wednesday at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre in London. A statement by Mr Adeyemi Adefulu, President of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), made available to newsmen yesterday, said Cameron canvassed the need to foster a strong economic relationship with Nigeria. The statement quoted Cameron as describing Nigeria as an important and strong trading partner. It said the basis of Cameron’s assertion was the 2010 agreement between President Goodluck Jonathan and the British Prime Minister to double bi-lateral trade from four to

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

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

Business | Financial Market News

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

12-Feb-15

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

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description 4.00 23-APR-2015 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

4.00 13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

535.00 581.39 476.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 434.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 206.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,855.63

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,297.73

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

0.19 1.51 2.20 2.45 2.55 3.29 4.38 4.69 6.96 9.08 13.79 14.27 14.77 15.44 19.43

13.94 15.82 16.01 16.06 16.06 16.03 15.97 15.98 15.90 15.75 16.59 16.71 16.85 16.24 16.24

13.13 15.70 15.92 15.98 15.98 15.90 15.87 15.86 15.83 15.68 16.53 16.65 16.76 16.16 16.17

98.11 96.40 98.30 87.78 86.41 86.70 100.05 71.09 102.00 92.60 91.42 77.22 54.94 65.00 76.00

98.26 96.55 98.45 87.93 86.56 87.00 100.35 71.39 102.30 92.90 91.72 77.52 55.24 65.30 76.30

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.70 112.22 116.70 66.49

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.28 1.14 1.82 2.18 2.40

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

16.67 18.29 17.97 17.03 17.05

95.53 99.02 96.97 96.23 92.85

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.68

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

309.00

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.55

4.44

17.83

97.30

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.39

3.23

16.81

98.61

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.90

4.46

19.95

95.31

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.91

3.48

18.98

97.20

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.18

1.00

17.03

87.57

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.45

1.00

16.91

96.14

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.88

1.79

17.84

91.58

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.05

1.80

17.82

93.89

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

2.07

1.00

17.02

95.09

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.25

1.00

17.04

95.52

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.26

4.78

20.82

88.66

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.45

1.00

17.06

97.09

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 26.62

02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19

2.69 4.78 2.75

1.00 1.00 2.74

17.05 16.97 18.79

96.87 92.05 91.91

‡ /Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.30

1.00

17.03

94.61

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.79

1.00

16.93

87.58

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.88

1.94

17.87

89.76

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.54

1.44

17.46

92.75

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.57

1.95

17.97

92.75

97.83

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

460.61 422.99

Corporate Bonds ‡ /Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

5.00

17-Aug-15

0.26

4.88

19.01

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.57

1.00

14.51

98.63

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.65

2.63

16.62

98.46

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.63

1.00

16.92

94.58

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.70

1.34

17.28

95.63

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.63

1.00

17.06

91.63

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.65

1.88

17.81

100.95

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.65

3.48

19.41

95.55

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

1.82

5.20

21.17

95.70

1.82

5.06

21.03

93.16

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.61

1.00

17.02

92.06

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

1.93

2.29

18.29

96.17

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.01

6.11

22.13

94.00

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.88

2.16

18.21

95.23

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.75

2.76

18.69

88.09

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.63

1.00

16.71

77.42

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.63

1.00

16.71

83.65

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

135.24

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

125.78

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

3.00

1.00

17.04

84.44

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.75

1.00

16.98

82.40

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 20.80

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

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

7.53

7.26

96.30

97.56

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

6.71

6.30

95.24

96.44

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

7.80

7.59

91.31

92.52

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,414.28

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

185.23

33.50

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

6.96

100.63

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

11.33

91.50

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

14.02

13.14

81.93

83.92

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

11.66

10.38

83.25

86.73

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

41.41

40.50

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

10.88

84.75

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

16.15

14.85

77.77

81.20

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

13.39

80.00

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

AFREN PLC III ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

6.63 DEC 09, 2020 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

09-Dec-13 24-Jun-14 23-Jul-14

6.63 9.25 8.00

360.00 400.00 450.00

09-Dec-20 24-Jun-21 23-Jul-21

25.67 14.54 13.86

25.67 14.08 13.86

44.00 78.63 75.00

44.00 80.25 75.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.99

10.27

89.13

92.25

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,526.92

**Treasury Bills DTM 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56

FIXINGS Maturity 19-Feb-15 26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15 19-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 2-Apr-15 9-Apr-15

Bid Discount (%) 13.19 13.85 12.95 12.90 13.30 13.15 13.96 13.90

Offer Discount (%) 12.94 13.60 12.70 12.65 13.05 12.90 13.71 13.65

Bid Yield (%) 13.22 13.92 13.05 13.03 13.47 13.35 14.23 14.20

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 14.6833 15.0328 15.8094 16.4931

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

13.58

O/N Tenor Call 1M

14.25

REPO

Rate (%) 16.00 16.50

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

201.61 204.32 204.63 205.39 206.77 208.15

201.71 204.43 204.79 205.89 207.86 209.78

12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14

12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

150.00 200.00 591.57 206.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,855.63

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,297.73

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

14.27 14.77 15.44 19.43

16.71 16.85 16.24 16.24

16.65 16.76 16.16 16.17

77.22 54.94 65.00 76.00

77.52 55.24 65.30 76.30

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.70 112.22 116.70 66.49

Agency Bonds

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 FMBN

***LCRM

SELL PRESSURE

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

*BENUE *IMO

he Nigerian equity market yesterday tumbled 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 for sixth consecu15.50 IMOthe 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 tive trading day, as sell 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 pressure was unabated, culmi14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

‡ /Agusto

EDO

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

Vono reports N410m loss

31-Aug-10 12.50 nating into 30 seven losers as 30-Sep-10 13.00 against only five gainers. 30-Jun-11 14.00 Industrial stocks plunged by 30-Jun-09 15.50 19-Apr-10 10.00 4.15 percent; banking stocks re30-Jun-10 13.75 treated by 2.50 per cent, while 30-Dec-10 14.00 30-Sep-11 consumer goods stocks14.00 weak04-Oct-11 14.00 ened by 2.28 per cent. 14.50 09-Dec-11 Consequently, the 12-Dec-13 14.00 All14-Feb-12 15.50 Share Index dipped 785.5 basis 02-Oct-12 15.50 points or22-Nov-12 2.8 per cent to 14.50 close at 14.75 27,935,77 12-Dec-12 as against 28,721.27 re10-Oct-13 14.75 corded the previous day , while 27-Nov-13 13.50 the market capitalisation of 31-Dec-13 15.00 31-Dec-13 14.50N262 equities depreciated by 06-Jan-14 15.00 billion or 2.8 per cent as market sentiment remained in the red zone. Meanwhile, a turnover of 17-Aug-10 10.00 411.5 million shares worth 09-Dec-10 12.00 N4.4

*OSUN 12-DEC-2019 ono Products Plc has re- ed that 14.75 theOSUN board was poised to ‡ /Agusto *OSUN 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 corded a loss of N410 milintroduce new strategies that ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 lion loss for the period would 15.00 enable the company A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGIended KOGI 31-DEC-2020 ‡ /Agusto EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 December 31, 2014. *EKITI achieve14.50 sustained growth. A-/GCR *NASARAWA 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 In a filing with the NigeriOn the company’s perforTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE an Stock Exchange (NSE), the mance in 2013, Yinusa said, TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION company posted a loss after tax “The company achieved a Corporate Bonds of N410 million as against a turnover of N841.4million for 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 ‡ /Agusto *UPDC loss of N5.625 million*FLOURMILLS recorded the 12 months period in 2013 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 BBB-/Agusto 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB/GCR *CHELLARAMS during the comparable period compared to N525.8million for 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO of 2013. nine months period in 2012.” 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto FSDH 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 He also said the company’s Its revenue also rose by 10.22 A/GCR UBA 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR *C & I LEASING per cent to N215.149 million in gross profit increased from MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 Nil *DANA the review period of 2014 from N121.3MPR+7.00 million 2012 to TOWER in 9-SEP-2018 A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR *TOWER MPR+5.25in TOWER 9-SEP-2018 AAA/DataPro†;million A/GCR *TOWER N193.161 in the corre- N230million 2013, while the 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 A/Agusto; A/GCR UBA loss position improved signifisponding period of 2013. 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA The company extended cantly with profit before tax of MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR *CHELLARAMS 16.00 DANA compared II 1-APR-2019 Nil losing streaks with *DANA a loss of N1.5 million with 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO N5.159 million for the financial the loss before tax of N86.8 mil182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR STANBIC IBTC year 2014. lion in 13.25 2012. STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR ended 30 September, STANBIC IBTC In aOUTSTANDING filing with the Ex“Despite the encouraging TOTAL VALUE change, the company posted a economic outlook, the comTOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION loss after tax of N5.159 million pany’s performance remains Supranational Bond as against a loss of N4.884 mil- constrained some challeng10.20 IFC by 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC 11.25 AFDBhigh 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&PduringAfDB lion recorded the comes including cost of opTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE parable period of 2013. eration arising from decadent TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION However the company’s infrastructure,” he said. profit before tax increased Commenting on the plans Description Rating/Agency Issuer from N1.523 million posted the by the board to boost the comFGN Eurobonds previous year to N2.457 million pany’s profitability, the Vono during the year under review, Products chairman 6.75 explained JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P accounting for a growth of 40 that experts in the real estate BB-/Fitch; FGN 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 BB-/S&P per cent. industry have established a BB-/Fitch; 6.38 JUL 12,hous2023 Its revenue also rose by 5.4 deficit of over 15 million BB-/S&P per cent to N889.666 million in ing units in the country. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE the review period of 2014 from He explained that for the TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION N841.414 million in the corre- deficit to be bridged in the Corporate Eurobonds coming years, furniture and sponding period of 2013. 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B/Fitch; B-/S&P AFREN PLC I Chairman of the company , steel goods consumption was 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I Dr. Mohammed Yinusa, 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 . B+/S&P ACCESS had BANK PLC envisaged to rise significantly 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; shareholders B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC told that the According to Yinusa, it is 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P PLC board was leveragingGTBANK opportualso expected that the educa10.25 APR 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLC II nities in the economyZENITH in aBANK bidPLC tion sector will receive greater 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P to improve its fortunes. government May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLCattention from the8.75 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P who said this FIRSTat BANK PLC Yinusa, the at all levels, thereby generat6.63 DEC 09, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFREN PLC III company’s 53rd annual general ing demand for the company’s 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II products. 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 meeting (AGM) in Lagos, addB-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR

#{r}

B-/S&P

0.28 1.14 1.82 2.18 2.40

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

16.67 18.29 17.97 17.03 17.05

95.53 99.02 96.97 96.23 92.85

Stock market falls for six successive days 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

Stories ‡ /Agusto by Chris Ugwu *BAYELSA

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

309.00

Investors’ wealth down A/Agusto KADUNA by N262 billion *EBONYI A-/Agusto Sub-National Bonds

‡ /Agusto

Business | Financial Market News

322.68

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

BBB+/Agusto

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 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

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.65

2.63

16.62

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.63

1.00

16.92

94.58

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.70

1.34

17.28

95.63

98.46

Nigerian Breweries records minor loss in profit

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.63

1.00

17.06

91.63

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.65

1.88

17.81

100.95

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.65

3.48

19.41

95.55

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.99

10.27

89.13

92.25

igerian 18.00 Breweries Plc2.90 billion that we were modelalso weighed on earn09-Sep-18 1.82 5.20 likely 21.17 95.70 16.00 marginal0.80 ling. 09-Sep-18 1.82 5.06 21.03 93.16 has posted ings. 22-Sep-11 3.61 1.00 17.02 92.06 drop in14.00 profit for the35.00 “The 22-Sep-18 company has pro“Consensus 2014 PBT fore18-Oct-13 15.75 2.40 18-Oct-18 1.93 2.29 18.29 96.17 financial year ended Decemposed a final dividend of cast for NB is N68 billion. 17-Feb-12 18.00 0.41 17-Feb-19 2.01 6.11 22.13 94.00 01-Apr-14 4.50 N3.5 (N3.0 01-Apr-19 2.88 2.16 95.23 Given that18.21 consensus foreber31, 2014. 16.00 in 2013), implying 14-Nov-20 5.75 2.76 18.69 88.09 14-Nov-13 15.25 2.05 This was contained in the a dividend yield of 2.7 per cast for CB is not available, 30-Sep-14 11.93 0.10 30-Sep-24 9.63 1.00 16.71 77.42 a payout ratio of company’s audited finan-15.44 cent and if1.00we assume Con30-Sep-14 13.25 30-Sep-24 9.63 16.71 that our 83.65 cial statements for the year around 84.5 per cent. Having solidated Breweries forecast 135.24 ended December 31, 2014, PBT of around N3.0 billion is 125.78paid an interim dividend of submitted to the Nigerian N1.25 earlier, the total divi- close to consensus and strip Stock Exchange (NSE). it out from17.04 NB’s consensus 11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 dend amounts 11-Feb-18 to N4.75 3.00 or 2 1.00 84.44 10-Jul-14 11.25 4.75DPS 1.00 year PBT 16.98 estimate, 82.40 we The company recorded 1.312.95 per cent 01-Feb-21 higher than our full 24.95 forecast of N4.66”. per cent decline in profit afbelieve NB’s standalone full 20.80 ter tax, from N43.080 billion The analysts noted that year PBT came in weaker earned in 2013 to N42.520 bil- Value NB’s Q4 results mirror the than the market was exOutstanding Issue Date Coupon (%) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price ($mm) weak set of results recently lion in 2014. pecting. As such, we would Prices &downward Yields Nigerian Breweries equal- reported by rivals Guinness expect revisions ly posted profit6.75 before tax of500.00 Nigeria 28-Jan-21 and International to 07-Oct-11 7.53 7.26consensus 96.30 PBT forecasts 97.56 N61.461 billion in 2014 com- Breweries for the end-De- going forward,” the analysts 12-Jul-13 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 6.71 6.30 95.24 96.44 pared with N62.240 billion it cember quarter. said. 12-Jul-13 6.38 represent500.00 7.80 the 7.59They noted 91.31 92.52 achieved in 2013, “We 12-Jul-23 believe that that year to ing a loss of 1.3 per cent. 1,500.00y/y decline on the topline date, NB shares have underIts revenue also dipped by was driven by a slow-down performed the NSE. 1,414.28 0.8 per cent from N268.613 in beer demand arising “The shares have shed billion in 2013 to N266.372 from significant macro -22 per cent ytd compared 01-Feb-11 11.50 450.00 01-Feb-16 185.23 185.23 33.50 33.50 headwinds. As such,6.96sales with billion recorded during the the -29 per cent100.63 and -19 19-May-11 7.50 500.00 19-May-16 6.96 100.63 per delivered period under review. most likely 25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 growth was 25-Jul-17 11.33con11.33 cent return 91.50 91.50 by 09-May-13 6.88analysts at 300.00 strained 02-May-18 14.02 13.14 81.93 83.92 the According to by a volume–price Guinness Nigeria and 08-Nov-13 400.00 08-Nov-18 11.66 10.38 83.25 FBN Capital,6.00“Compared mix, with volumes skewed NSE ASI respectively .86.73 At cur08-Apr-12 10.25 300.00 08-Apr-19 41.41 41.41 40.50 40.50 with our forecasts, while in favour of NB’s 10.88 value rent levels,84.75 Nigerian84.75 Brew22-Apr-14 6.25 500.00 22-Apr-19 10.88 sales missed by the back of16.15 down- eries (including CB) 81.20 shares 21-May-14 8.7513 per cent, 200.00 brands on 21-May-19 14.85 77.77 07-Aug-13 300.00 trading 07-Aug-20 13.39The 13.39 trading80.00 80.00 PBT and PAT8.25 were 23 per by consumers. are on a P/E multiple 09-Dec-13 6.63 360.00 09-Dec-20 25.67 25.67 44.00 44.00 devaluation of the naira by cent and 39 per cent behind of 21.4x for 8 per cent EPS 24-Jun-14 9.25 400.00 24-Jun-21 14.54 14.08 78.63 80.25 the N24.6 billion and N17.2 around 8 per cent (officially) growth in 2015E. 23-Jul-14 8.00 450.00 23-Jul-21 13.86 13.86 75.00 75.00 09-Sep-11

09-Sep-11

14-Aug-14

8.75

4,760.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4.44 97.30 million in 73817.83 deals. 3.23 16.81 98.61 Shares of building materials 4.46 19.95 95.31 manufacturer, Cement Compa3.48 18.98 97.20 1.00 17.03 87.57 ny of Northern Nigeria, appre1.00 16.91 96.14 ciated at 1.79 by 4.91 per 17.84 cent to close 91.58 1.80 per share. 17.82 Airservice 93.89 Plc N9.82 1.00 95.09 followed with17.02 a gain of 4.84 per 1.00 17.04 95.52 cent4.78to close at N1.95, while 20.82 88.66 Fi1.00 Bank added 17.06 97.09cent delity 3.39 per 1.00 17.05 96.87 to close at N1.22. 1.00 16.97 92.05 2.74 the flip 18.79 91.91 On side, shares of 1.00 17.03 94.61 flour-based food products manu1.00 16.93 87.58 facturer, Flour17.87 Mills of Nigeria, 1.94 89.76 1.44 17.46 92.75 plunged 8.23 per cent to close at 1.95 17.97 92.75 N28.00 apiece; while Guaranty Trust Bank and Diamond Bank, lost 5.55 per cent and 5.00 per cent4.88 to close at19.01 N17.86 and N3.61 97.83 respectively . 14.51 1.00 98.63

8.50 in 3,491 31-Aug-15 0.55 billion deals was record4.18 30-Sep-15 0.39 ed in the day’s trading. 4.86 30-Jun-16 0.90 Just as in the previous day 5.73 30-Jun-16 0.91 , 57.00 19-Apr-17 2.18 the banking sub-sector of the 25.73 30-Jun-17 1.45 financial services 25.00 31-Dec-17sector was 2.88 30-Sep-18 the34.14 most active (measured2.05 by 9.00 04-Oct-18 2.07 turnover volume); with 214.06 13.73 09-Dec-18 2.25 million shares12-Dec-18 worth N2.6 2.26 bil10.20 27.00 14-Feb-19 lion exchanged by investors2.45in 16.23 02-Oct-19 2.69 1,241 80.00deals. 22-Nov-19 4.78 26.62 12-Dec-19 2.75 Volume in the banking sub11.10 10-Oct-20 3.30 sector was largely driven by ac87.50 27-Nov-20 5.79 tivities in the 31-Dec-20 shares of Zenith 5.00 5.88 4.55 Plc and ETI 31-Dec-20 3.54 Bank Plc. 4.56 06-Jan-21 3.57 Also, other financial services 460.61 sub sector, boosted by activities 422.99 in the shares of FBNH Plc, followed with a turnover of 124.08 5.00 17-Aug-15 0.26 million shares09-Dec-15 valued at N724.6 18.75 0.57

12-Feb-15

3,526.92

The DQL contains and instruments in the financial The Information does not constitute **Treasury Bills data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities FIXINGS Moneymarket Market(the “Information”). Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) professional,DTM financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; theBidInformation is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE”Tenor basis and mayRate not(%) be accurate or up to date. We do not guarantee Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discounthowever, (%) Yield (%) NIBOR 19-Feb-15 12.94 13.22neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information. the accuracy, 7timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for13.19 a particular purpose of any of the Information, OBB 13.58 Tenor Bid ($/N) Offer ($/N) FGN

14 21 28 Bonds 35 42 49 56 Rating/Agency 63 70 77 84 91 98 112 119 133 140 154 NA 161 168 175 203 294 308 329 343 357

26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15 19-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 2-Apr-15 9-Apr-15 Issuer 16-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 30-Apr-15 7-May-15 14-May-15 21-May-15 4-Jun-15 11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 2-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 NA 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15 6-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 3-Dec-15 17-Dec-15 7-Jan-16 21-Jan-16 4-Feb-16

13.85 12.95 12.90 13.30 13.15 13.96 13.90 Description 14.15 13.42 4.00 23-APR-2015 14.05 13.05 16-AUG-2016 12.90 15.10 27-APR-2017 13.50 13.05 9.85 27-JUL-2017 14.00 9.35 31-AUG-2017 14.00 10.70 30-MAY-2018 14.20 16.00 29-JUN-2019 14.30 13.55 7.00 23-OCT-2019 13.43 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.40 14.20 14-MAR-2024 12.20 15.00 28-NOV-2028 13.60 12.15 12.49 22-MAY-2029 12.30 8.50 20-NOV-2029 13.10 10.00 23-JUL-2030 14.30 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 14.35

13.60 12.70 12.65 13.05 12.90 13.71 13.65Date Issue 13.90 13.17 23-Apr-10 13.80 16-Aug-13 12.65 27-Apr-12 13.25 12.80 27-Jul-07 13.75 31-Aug-07 13.75 30-May-08 13.95 29-Jun-12 14.05 13.30 23-Oct-09 13.18 27-Jan-12 14.15 14-Mar-14 11.95 28-Nov-08 13.35 11.90 22-May-09 12.05 20-Nov-09 12.85 23-Jul-10 14.05 18-Jul-14 14.10

13.92 13.05 13.03 13.47 13.35 14.23 14.20 (%) Coupon 14.50 13.77 4.00 14.48 13.05 13.29 15.10 13.97 13.52 9.85 14.63 9.35 14.67 10.70 14.97 16.00 15.13 14.37 7.00 14.28 16.39 15.42 14.20 12.96 15.00 14.71 13.47 12.49 13.72 8.50 14.85 10.00 16.52 12.1493 16.69

Bonds

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 14.6833 15.0328 15.8094 16.4931

Outstanding Value (N'bn) 535.00

4,855.63

# Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,297.73

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

**Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

23-Apr-15

Rate (%) 16-Aug-16 13.1175 27-Apr-17 13.8120 14.1130 27-Jul-17 14.4273 31-Aug-17 14.6101 30-May-18 17.5303

351.30 29-Jun-19 233.90 23-Oct-19 600.00 NIFEX 27-Jan-22 434.68 14-Mar-24 Current Price ($/N) 28-Nov-28 BID($/N) 75.00 205.9000 OFFER ($/N) 206.0000 150.00 22-May-29 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 206.00 18-Jul-34

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Coupon (%)

14.25

REPO

Tenor Call 1M (Yrs) TTM 3M 6M

Maturity Date

NITTY

Tenor 581.39 1M 476.80 2M 3M 20.00 6M 100.00 9M 300.00 12M

O/N

Rate (%) 16.00 16.50 Bid Yield 17.00 17.25

(%)

0.19 13.94 13.13 1.51 15.82 15.70 2.20 16.01 15.92 :Benchmarks 2.45 16.06 15.98 * :Amortising Bond 2.55 16.06 15.98 µ :Convertible Bond 3.29 Management Corporation 16.03 15.90 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 4.38 15.97 15.87 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 4.69 Mortgage Bank15.98 15.86 IFC: International 6.96 Finance Corporation 15.90 15.83 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 9.08 15.75 15.68 NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 13.79 16.59 16.53 O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC Property Development 14.27 16.71Company 16.65 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement 14.77 16.85 Company16.76 15.44 16.24 16.16 19.43 16.24 16.17 NOTE:

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

Agency Bonds FMBN Buckets Modified Duration <3 ***LCRM 3<5

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

>5 Market

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 Total Outstanding Volume(Bn) 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 1,029.15 1,058.18 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 1,365.99 1,385.98 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

Porfolio Market Value(Bn)

541.08

797.57

2,936.22

3,241.73

24-May-12 Weighting by Outstanding Vol 03-Apr-12

09-Dec-11 32.64 20-Apr-12 42.75 06-Jul-12

24.60

100.00

0.00 Weighting by Mkt Value 17.25

0.00/16.00 35.05 0.00/16.50 46.52 0.00/16.50

18.43

100.00

24.56 2.70 112.22 116.700.33 66.49 0.43

Bucket Weighting

0.25

322.68

1.00

309.00

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

24-May-15 % Exposure_ Mod_Duration 03-Apr-17

# Risk Premium (%)

201.61 201.71 204.32 204.43 204.63 Price 204.79 205.39 205.89 206.77 207.86 208.15 209.78Price Bid Price Offer 212.90 216.12 223.02 229.08

98.11 98.26 96.40 96.55 98.30 98.45 NA :Not Applicable 87.78 87.93 # :Floating Rate Bond 86.41 86.56 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 86.70 87.00 100.35 ‡ : Bond100.05 rating under review †: Bond rating 71.09 expired 71.39 N/A :Not102.00 Available 102.30 {r} :Issuer in receivership 92.60 92.90 91.42 91.72 NGC: Nigeria-German Company UBA: United Bank for Africa 77.22 77.52 54.94 55.24 65.00 65.30 76.00 76.30

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

08-Dec-16 13.10 19-Apr-17 46.28 06-Jul-17

0.28 1.14 1.82 15.92 2.18 15.86 2.40

2.63 Implied Portfolio Price 2.27 118.9790 1.00

16.67 95.53 YTD Return (%) 18.29 99.02 17.97 96.97 1,117.48 0.8693 17.03 96.23 1,007.47 0.5038 17.05 92.85 956.17 -

5.0487

100.00

16.02

109.3951

1,044.63 -

1.0004

40.62

Implied Yield

16.24

2.00

117.6547 1.00 81.7819

INDEX

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.55

4.44

17.83

97.30

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.39

3.23

16.81

98.61

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.90

4.46

19.95

95.31

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.91

3.48

18.98

97.20

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.18

1.00

17.03

87.57

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.45

1.00

16.91

96.14

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.88

1.79

17.84

91.58

Business | Capital Market

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Daily Summary as of 12/02/2015

Daily Summary as of 12/02/2015 Printed 12/02/2015 15:46:16.016

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at February 12, 2015

Printed 12/02/2015 15:46:16.016

Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Bonds) Activity Summary on Board EQTY

No Debt Trading Activity

FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions Other Financial Institutions Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 32 16 48

Current Price 27.90 30.38

Quantity Traded 555,858 196,800 752,658

Value Traded 15,212,624.35 6,139,567.78 21,352,192.13

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 2.20

Quantity Traded 9,000 9,000

Value Traded 18,810.00 18,810.00

761,658

21,371,002.13

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary as of 12/02/2015 S C O A NIG. PLC. Printed 12/02/2015 15:46:16.016 TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals

50 Symbol AGLEVENT SCOA TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 11 1 149 52 213

Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 1.20 4.44 2.42 36.40

213

Quantity Traded 78,573 595 49,986,528 917,695 50,983,391

Value Traded 92,892.40 2,510.90 121,020,157.76 33,033,450.40 154,149,011.46

50,983,391

154,149,011.46

Page

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

ICT Daily Summary as of 12/02/2015 IT Services Printed 12/02/2015 15:46:16.016 COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC

Quantity Traded 23,577 23,577

Value Traded 999,151.25 999,151.25

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 11.94

Quantity Traded 29,210 29,210

Value Traded 331,533.50 331,533.50

52,787

1,330,684.75

Quantity Traded 12,720 12,720

Value Traded 6,360.00 6,360.00

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Daily Summary as of 12/02/2015 CHAMPION BREW. PLC. Printed 12/02/2015 15:46:16.016 GUINNESS NIG PLC

INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic BOTTLING PLC. Activity7-UP Summary on COMP. Board EQTY Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals CONSUMER GOODS

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals

Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Daily Summary as of 12/02/2015 Household Durables Totals Printed 12/02/2015 15:46:16.016 Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

18 Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

No. of Deals 4 51 9 146 210

Current Price 5.94 120.00 19.41 129.01

Quantity Traded 423,720 181,630 53,500 3,669,109 4,327,959

Value Traded 2,516,896.80 21,679,779.62 938,240.00 477,369,039.09 502,503,955.51

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 26 26

Current Price 157.00

Quantity Traded 50,722 50,722

Value Traded 7,947,788.00 7,947,788.00

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM UTC

No. of Deals 39 30 108 15 28 1 1 222

Current Price 3.78 6.46 28.00 3.15 6.18 18.05 0.50

Quantity Traded 548,230 Page 473,516 799,235 291,747 447,819 24,055 120 2,584,722

2 2,072,309.40 of 12 3,059,643.36 22,574,606.95 877,293.05 2,769,486.42 412,543.25 60.00

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 30 75 105

Current Price 39.00 746.25

Quantity Traded 139,859 238,837 378,696

Value Traded 5,149,360.80 179,604,549.90 184,753,910.70

No. of Deals 13 5 18

Current Price 3.42 0.97

Quantity Traded 341,428 120,000 461,428

Value Traded 1,159,898.78 111,600.00 1,271,498.78

No. of Deals 36 31 Daily Summary (Equities) 67

Current Price 26.99 35.00

Quantity Traded 127,675 154,950 282,625

Value Traded 3,313,314.80 5,157,258.95 8,470,573.75

8,098,872

736,720,029.17

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO Symbol PZ UNILEVER

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

650

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES PublishedFINANCIAL by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC Daily Summary as of 12/02/2015 STERLING BANK PLC. Printed 12/02/2015 15:46:16.016 UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC.

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

No. of Deals 81 55 40 44 306 100 13 203 40 17 342 1,241

Current Price 5.59 3.61 17.00 1.22 17.86 1.74 2.32 2.99 9.00 0.91 15.69

Page Quantity Traded 38,202,924 4,442,249 44,125,910 3,656,778 17,937,225 5,745,891 269,319 14,075,876 11,482,867 1,982,594 72,148,225 214,069,858

Symbol AIICO

No. of Deals 22

Current Price 0.76

Quantity Traded 7,409,230

Daily Summary (Equities)

328,195

6,085,808.72

Value Traded 100.00

NATURAL RESOURCES Paper/Forest Products THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Paper/Forest Products Totals NATURAL RESOURCES NATURAL RESOURCES Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services Daily Summary as of 12/02/2015 OANDO PLC Printed 12/02/2015 15:46:16.016 Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. Activity Summary onPLC. Board EQTY MOBIL OIL NIG OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

Symbol CWG TRIPPLEG

100.00

637

1,286.53

Page

No. of Deals 25 7 21 119 1 34 207

Current Price 18.28 38.75 9.82 145.00 10.93 78.95

Quantity Traded 102,188 27,410 305,872 812,038 1,000 246,171 1,494,679

Value Traded 1,775,146.66 1,013,926.06 2,963,032.18 119,932,927.29 10,390.00 19,562,036.40 145,257,458.59

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 1.54

Quantity Traded 7,000 7,000

Value Traded 10,588.12 10,588.12

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 30.00

Quantity Traded 270,700 270,700

Value Traded 8,089,527.00 8,089,527.00

1,772,379

153,357,573.71

Quantity Traded 75 75

Value Traded 52.50 52.50

222

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol THOMASWY

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.73

75 Page

52.50 of 12

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 109,100 109,100

Value Traded 54,550.00 54,550.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 123 123

Current Price 13.55

Quantity Traded 1,582,059 1,582,059

Value Traded 21,624,634.10 21,624,634.10

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL

No. of Deals 5 3 64 9

Current Price 32.60 2.64 202.00 150.00

Quantity Traded 8,395 7,000 240,052 9,316

Value Traded 260,503.15 17,570.00 48,105,411.37 1,383,478.33

Symbol TOTAL

No. of Deals 10 91

Current Price 137.28

Quantity Traded 20,146 284,909

Value Traded 2,768,271.80 52,535,234.65

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 368.20

Quantity Traded 5,765 5,765

Value Traded 2,193,133.10 2,193,133.10

Daily Summary (Equities)

229

1,981,833

76,407,551.85

Page Quantity Traded 50 50

8 of 12 Value Traded 25.00 25.00

Symbol AFROMEDIA

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.84

Quantity Traded 77,500 77,500

Value Traded 65,100.00 65,100.00

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 2 1 3

Current Price 3.90 0.91

Quantity Traded 43,000 250 43,250

Value Traded 161,250.00 237.50 161,487.50

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 8,000

Value Traded 4,000.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 1

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 8,000

9 of 12 Value Traded 4,000.00

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 3.03

Quantity Traded 65,000 65,000

Value Traded 197,100.00 197,100.00

Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 1 1 4 6

Current Price 1.18 1.21 3.89

Quantity Traded 4,240 4,500 16,500 25,240

Value Traded 4,918.40 5,670.00 61,050.00 71,638.40

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 0.53

Quantity Traded 15,400 15,400

Value Traded 8,300.00 8,300.00

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 3 4 7

Current Price 1.95 4.50

Quantity Traded 113,000 87,071 200,071

Value Traded 220,350.00 391,819.50 612,169.50

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 2.81

Quantity Traded 63,160 63,160

Value Traded 178,879.60 178,879.60

AFROMEDIA PLC Advertising Totals

Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Daily Summary as of 12/02/2015 Courier/Freight/Delivery Printed 12/02/2015 15:46:16.016 RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC.

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals Daily Summary as of 12/02/2015 Transport-Related Services Printed 12/02/2015 15:46:16.016 AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics

No. of Deals 12 1 4 1 8 3 1 1 1 14 68

Current Price Quantity Traded 0.82 135,100 0.50 400 2.96 29,682 0.50 10,000 0.55 244,779 0.50 15,352 4 of 12 0.50Page 10,000 0.50 287 0.50 10,000 0.50 1,052,262 8,917,092

CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Value Traded Activity Summary on Board EQTY Support and Logistics Totals 112,022.00 SERVICES 200.00 SERVICES Totals 84,683.24 Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © EQTY Board Totals 5,000.00 134,288.45 7,676.00 Activity Summary on Board ASeM 5,000.00 CONSUMER GOODS 143.50 Food Products 5,000.00 MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals 526,131.00 6,544,716.99 CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol UNHOMES

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 30 30

Value Traded ASeM Board Totals Daily Summary 15.00 as of 12/02/2015 Equity Activity Totals Printed 12/02/2015 15:46:16.016 15.00

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 32 14 516 88 9 28 51

Current Price 2.75 3.84 6.70 2.00 0.50 24.64 1.39

Quantity Traded 3,199,469 759,911 95,163,154 19,219,642 981,472 695,328 4,070,573

Value Traded Exchange Traded Fund 8,807,134.56 Name Exchange Traded Fund 2,913,724.50 LOTUS Name HALAL EQUITY ETF 651,124,084.26 NEWGOLD EXCHANGE VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETFTRADED FUND (ETF) Exchange Traded Fund Totals 38,405,144.27 Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © 493,833.82 ETF Board Totals 17,141,276.93 ETP Activity Totals 5,739,668.74 of

200

Symbol ASHAKACEM CAP CCNN DANGCEM PREMPAINTS WAPCO

OIL AND GAS Totals

Value Traded 261,502.30 5,689,996.88 132,567.20 1,742.34 6,085,808.72

Quantity Traded 200

31,765,942.43

Page

Quantity Traded 87,310 142,199 97,868 818 328,195

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Value Traded 5,664,572.80

Current Price 3.08 40.00 1.35 2.24

Current Price 0.50

Symbol CONTINSURE EQUITYASUR MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS PRESTIGE SOVRENINS STDINSURE WAPIC

No. of Deals 6 10 7 1 24

Daily Summary (Equities) Telecommunications Services Symbol No. of Deals MASS TELECOMMUNICATION INNOVATIONS NIGERIA MTI 1 PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY Telecommunications Services Totals 1

Packaging/Containers Daily Summary as of 12/02/2015 BETA GLASS CO PLC. Printed 12/02/2015 15:46:16.016 Packaging/Containers Totals

3 of 12 Value Traded 216,497,804.48 16,074,412.66 750,024,232.92 4,319,088.12 328,757,727.56 10,159,877.33 616,953.24 42,087,383.84 104,898,480.95 1,788,030.64 1,125,985,698.79 2,601,209,690.53

3,332,379,289.60

Value Traded 786.00 400.53 1,186.53

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

347,076,529

Quantity Traded 200 237 437

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

Value Traded

Value Traded 724,624,867.08

Current Price 4.13 1.77

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC PREMIER PAINTS PLC. LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Current Price 44.40

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

Symbol FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER PHARMDEKO

ICT ICT Totals

No. of Deals 11 11

Quantity Traded 124,089,549

No. of Deals 1 1 2

TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals

Symbol JBERGER

Current Price

2,048

HEALTHCARE Totals

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

CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

No. of Deals 738

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

Symbol

Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol CAVERTON

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol MCNICHOLS

497,671 Page

411,554,027

4,483,100,990.42

Quantity Traded 10,000 10,000

Value Traded 14,100.00 14,100.00

3,490

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.48

1,298,700.00 10 of 12

10,000

14,100.00

10,000

14,100.00

3,491

411,564,027

4,483,115,090.42

Daily Summary (ETP) Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol LOTUSHAL15 Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 No. of Deals 2 8

Current Price 9.03 Current Price 2,434.00 12.55

Quantity Traded 2 Quantity Traded 20 4,343

4,365 Page

4,365

Value Traded 18.06 Value Traded 48,498.00 55,556.53 11

104,072.59 of 12

104,072.59 104,072.59

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

overnor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State, has urged the State House of Assembly, to amend the state Electoral and Related Matters Law No 007 in favour of the reintroducing of the open secret ballot system for the conduct of the Local government election slated for April this year. In a letter addressed to

Elechi asks Assembly to restore open secret ballot for LG poll the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku, and read on the floor of the House by the acting House Leader, Hon. Ogbonna Nwifuru, Elechi indicated the governor was asking for the amendment of the electoral law from the

Group wants IDPs accorded voting rights IGBEAKU ORJI Umuahia

group, the Supreme Council of Igbo Youths (SCIY), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that all internally displaced persons (IDPs), are accorded voting rights in the forthcoming general election in the country. The youth group specifically appealed to the nation’s election management body to ensure that millions of Ndigbo who fled the North, either as a result of insurgency in the North East or for fear of post-election violence as was the case in 2011, were accommodated in the voting exercise, the same way, INEC was making plans to allow IDPs who fled the troubled zone affected by insurgency in the North East to vote in their present abodes.

This formed part of the resolutions of the meeting of the national executive council of the body in Umuahia, yesterday, which its President, Odi David, said became necessary in order not to disenfranchise anyone. The group also commended INEC for its decision to postpone the general elections, saying that the security of lives and property of Nigerians was paramount. According to Odi , ‘’Insecurity was a very strong reason for shifting the polls for no credible election can take place where the safety of all and sundry are not guaranteed.” SCIY, however, slammed the electoral body for its alleged poor performance in sensitising the electorate in the rural areas, towards the polls as he called on the commission to step up its enlightenment effort, so that the people would know how to go about the election.

House, following the nullification of the local government election by the court on grounds of open ballot system used in the conduct of the exercise. Elechi said, ‘’Because of the rulings of the court which described the open ballot system as

282.3m

OWERRI

he governorship candidate of the United Progressive Party, Dr. Osmond Imo Ukanacho has berated South-East governors and politicians for disrespecting traditional rulers and undermining the institution in the region. Ukanacho, who made the assertion yesterday at Uzoagba community in Ikeduru council area of Imo State,

after being conferred with a chieftaincy title, stressed that Igbo monarchs are the most disrespected and disparaged in Nigeria. He observed that Igbo monarchs were not accorded deserved respect, like their peers in the northern and western parts of the country and frowned at situations where state governors, who were supposed to treat traditional rulers honourably, always demand irregular meet-

Onitsha

overnor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, has flagged off the over N1.1 billion road contract awarded by the government to the 302 Engineering regiment of the Nigerian Army Onitsha. The roads are Ajasa, Allen, Ezenwa, Syniz, James and Ako streets

all in Onitsha. Addressing residents of the area, Governor Obiano recalled that Ajasa Street, as his childhood neighbourhood, pointing out that it was the intension of his government to rehabilitate all dilapidated roads in the commercial city before the end of his tenure, as the governor of Anambra state. He said government

bill into law. The letter was said to have later been accepted as a working document, while the bill for the amendment of the Ebonyi State Electoral and related matters law passed the first reading. It can be recalled that the

Assembly had approved open ballot system for the conduct of local government elections in Ebonyi State, which was applied during the last local government election in 2013. The election was however, nullified on December, 2, 2014 by a Federal High Court Sitting in Abakaliki, which held that the open ballot system used in the exercise was unconstitutional and inconsistent with the electoral act.

3.26%

The number of pending asylum seekers of Latvia The percentage of individuals using the internet in Botswana in 2005. at the beginning of 2010. Source: Itu.int Source: Blatantworld.com

Chairman, Anambra State Chapter of APGA, Chief Akunwata Mike Kwento (left), with Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, during the flag off of a road project in Onitsha…

ings and unnecessary salary verification exercises which sometimes keep monarchs helplessly waiting under the sun. The UPP candidate said his administration, if elected into power, would restore the glory and dignity of the traditional institution. He called on Igbo politicians to see the traditional rulers as their fathers and not their servants whom they can summon on phone to any political meeting.

Obiano launches N1.1bn road contract Okegwo Kenechukwu

unconstitutional, it has become necessary to further amend our laws no 009 of 2007 to fall in line with the electoral act of 2010 as amended’’. He urged the Assembly to give his application the needed consideration by passing the

The estimated total population of Northern America in 1990. Source: Un.org

Igbo most disrespectful to their monarchs, says Ukanacho Steve Uzoechi

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

awarded the contract to the Nigerian Army, because of the quality of work they had done in the Onitsha Army Barracks and the cordial relationship between the state and the Army. He appealed to the people to continue to give his administration their maximum support, promising to transform the state to an enviable position.

Ebonyi LP crisis: INEC urged to restore Eze’s candidacy Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

he crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP), Ebonyi South senatorial zone for the party’s candidate in the senatorial election may have been resolved with the restoration of the name of the party’s candidate for the senatorial district, Samuel Ogbo Eze, earlier substituted with another candidate. This followed the petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging it to effect a change on its list regarding the candidacy of the Ebonyi South senatorial candidate, Eze, which was substituted with one Darlington Okereke. In the petition, signed by the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji A.A Salam and the Secretary Olukayode Ajulo, and made available to New Telegraph, Eze, called on INEC, to urgently rectify the mistake done in the

list released by the electoral umpire in the state, stating that he remains the party’s senatorial candidate, and not Okereke. The letter reads, “This is to inform your Commission that the party primaries conducted on the 9th day of December, 2014 had Samuel Ogbu Eze, as the winner of the said primaries. We wish to state that Samuel Ogbu Eze, won the primary election and was duly nominated and presented to your able commission for the Ebonyi south senatorial district election in Ebonyi State. “However, we noticed that on the published and released candidate’s list by your commission, the name of one Darlington Onuabuchi Okereke, was published instead of Samuel Ogbu Eze, the duly nominated candidate. We therefore, pray that urgent and accurate correction should be made and step taken to rectify this”.

change of nameS

AKANMU

I formerly known and addressed as Modupeola Oluwatoyin Joseph now wish to be known and addressed as Modupeola Oluwatoyin Akanmu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MERABYTA

I formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Edisua Oko-Offoboche now wish to be known and addressed as Edisua Merabyta. All former documents remain valid. MAPOLY and general public take note.

ANIFOWOSE

I formerly known and addressed as Anifowoshe Sherifat Titilola now wish to be known and addressed as Anifowose Sherifat Titilola . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BAKARE

I formerly known and addressed as Ogunderu Abiola Abiodun now wish to be known and addressed as Bakare Abiola Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Olayiwola

I formerly known and addressed as Hammed Wahab Taiwo now wish to be known and addressed as Olayiwola Williams Taiwo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-SOUTH

PDP accuses APC, Amaechi of plotting to destabilise Nigeria Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

he National Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Rivers State governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amae-

chi, of working on a plot to destabilise the country. He said Amaechi and the PDP are on this path because the party knows it will lose the coming presidential election. Secondus, who spoke at a PDP governorship rally in Obio Akpor Local Government in the state, said the APC plans to recruit a private army and members of the Boko Ha-

UNIUYO to commence e-learning, pre-degree programme Tony Anichebe Uyo

he Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Comfort Ekpo, yesterday hinted that the university has been selected to offer e-learning programmes. She stated this in an interview with New Telegraph in Uyo. The Vice-Chancellor, who spoke yesterday in Uyo, said the institution is a major functional Federal Government presence in the state, which is on a mission to fulfill its mandate as a citadel of learning, research and community development. Speaking on the studies recorded by the university, Ekpo said the institution has switched to on-line registration of its courses with the establishment of

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

do State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday cautioned against any attempt to drag the military into politics in the country as the consequence of doing so could be dangerous. Speaking while flagging off the reconstruction and dualisation of the 3.6km Second East

the Directorate of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Ekpo, while saying that the university has created avenues for pre-degree programmes, where more citizens gain access to higher education, noting also that the institution is one of the ten selected as a shareholder in the establishment of the Joint Universities’ Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB). Speaking on the challenges of the institution, Ekpo called on the media to help draw the attention of the Federal Government to the plight of the university. She said the university, which was established in 1991, took off without an enabling grant that is usually given to every federal university in the country.

ram sect to rig the elections in the North East part of the country. He accused Amaechi of importing army and police uniforms for the general election while also adding that the APC plans to disrupt the government of President Goodluck Jonathan by creating panic in the country and ultimately prevent the people from

430

casting their votes. He said: “APC is sponsoring frightening captions in the media, threatening wars and bloodshed, particularly in some parts of the nation just to frighten Nigerians. The national deputy chairman also accused the APC of bribing the nation’s security forces to cause disharmony in their hierarchy.

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

Also speaking at the rally, the PDP governorship candidate, Nyesom Wike, lamented that Governor Amaechi was funding the APC with the state’s funds, just as he vowed to end official corruption in the state, and place it on the path of development. Wike also promised to develop every part of the state, adding that

The number of pending asylum seekers of Latvia at the beginning of 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

the Amaechi administration had soiled its hands in corruption, assuring the people that he would put a stop to it if elected governor. “We will stop the corruption of the outgoing administration and use the resources of the state to develop basic amenities, empower our people and revive the economy,” Wike said.

$24.08m

The total salary and extra winnings made by Tom Brady of New England Patriots (NFL) in 2013-2014. Source: Financenews24.com

Okrika APC Campaign Manager, Rivers State, Mr. Tamuno Williams (left), with the Director of Communications, Greater Together Campaign Organisation of APC governorship candidate, Mrs. Ibim Semenetari, during a press conference on the recent APC rally in Okirika, Port Harcourt…on Wednesday.

Don’t drag military into politics, Oshiomhole warns Circular Road in Benin City yesterday, Oshiomhole said he is happy that the world has denounced the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the postponement of the general election from February 14 to March 28. He said: “Those who said they were helpless over Boko Haram, have said that in six weeks, they

would do what they could not do in six years, which means somebody knew what should be done and failed to do it so that they can postpone elections. “All around the world, the PDP Federal Government is being denounced. I am happy that the world is with Nigeria, from America to the UK and Europe; the PDP Federal

Government is being denounced for postponing the election. “We are warning them not to drag the military into politics, because that could be very dangerous.” On the road, the governor said: “We are not resurfacing the Old East Circular Road. What we are doing is a complete redesigning and recon-

struction. We are replacing the old seven-metre wide road with 14.5-metre wide dual carriageway, so that this road will no longer be just one road, but it will be a dual carriageway complete with street lights and a median with plants and trees. “We will also ensure that on both sides of the road, that drains are pro-

vided and that those drains are covered so they don’t breed mosquitoes that will disturb the people. This is the kind of road you will find anywhere in the world. I believe that the people of this community deserve everything that government can do, because we have always won election in this part of the city,” the governor said.

Imoke increases traditional EXXONMOBIL to partner Bayelsa stakeholders commend police on peace pact rulers’ allowances Akwa Ibom NUJ Tony Anichebe Uyo

he Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, has called for cooperation with Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil. The state Chairman of the NUJ, Elder Patrick Albert made the call when the new Manager, Media and Communications, Lagos of the multinational firm, Mr. Ugochukwu

Udeagha, paid a courtesy call on him and members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the NUJ in Uyo. Albert said the union wants to see more partnership between the oil firm and journalists, especially in the area of training and retraining, provision of facilities and development of its International Press Centre, while assuring the company of its continued cooperation and objective reportage of their activities.

Chris Ejim Yenagoa

takeholders in Bayelsa State yesterday commended the state Police Commissioner, Valentine NtomChukwu and his men for initiating a peace accord among political parties in the state, saying it will promote free and fair elections in the state. While the Alliance for Democracy (AD) House of Assembly candidate in the Southern Ijaw 4 Constituency, Erude Victor-Ben,

commended the police for the peace initiative, he wondered why the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were not part of the accord. Also, the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate in Ogbia Constituency 2, Sir Tonye Okio, expressed fear over political parties’ loyalty to the peace accord and warned that the peace accord should be backed by law ahead of the general election.

Clement James Calabar

arely three months to the end of his tenure, Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, has reviewed the allowances of traditional rulers in the state. The review will take effect from next month. The Chairman of the traditional rulers’ council, who is also the paramount ruler of Bakassi, Etinyin Etim Okon Edet, disclosed this yesterday in Calabar while granting audience to some

journalists in his palace. He said although the gesture was belated, traditional rulers in the state were grateful, arguing that the governor had planned to increase their stipends long before now, but was hampered by lack of funds. “Gover nor Liyel Imoke is a listening governor and this issue of increasing traditional rulers’ allowances has been there. I know that he was desirous of implementing it, but the funds have not been there for him to do so.”

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIday, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

News 49

north

Defection: Aliyu orders Ibeto out of council meeting Dan Atori Minna

ollowing his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Niger State Deputy Governor Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto, was on Wednesday ordered out of the State Executive Council meeting by his principal, Governor Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu. Aliyu, was said to have

claimed that Ibeto, made reference to him as a thief, during one of the APC campaign rallies in the state. Our Correspondent equally gathered that the governor, in his opening remarks before the commencement of the regular weekly meeting said he would not chair a council meeting where the deputy was seated. Ibeto, was however asked to leave the chambers after he was confronted with the allegation. The deputy governor,

was said to have earlier relocated his office, moving valuable items out of the office when he got the fillers that his boss, would not have anything to do with him at the council. A statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Israel Ebije, however, said that the deputy governor sought for, and was granted permission to stay away from state executive council meeting, adding that he was entitled to all the en-

titlements of his office. However, Ibeto, described the statement as total falsehood, which did not represent the true picture of what had transpired at the council meeting. Israel said, "Ibeto, is now in the opposition and the right thing to do based on moral grounds was to leave the meeting. “The Deputy Governor is smart enough to realise he cannot sit in council and listen to political strategies of the PDP and be seen either as a mole

for the APC or as unnecessary distraction. It is clear he cannot operate within the reasoning of the PDPled council, hence, he had to take the most honorable decision.” The Deputy Governor, while reacting to the government house statement, said “If this statement is coming from government, let me react. It is not true that I excused myself. When I received notification for the council meeting of yesterday (Wednesday), I went as usual. But before the coun-

cil started, the governor in his opening remarks said that people and members of the executive council were aware that I have decamped from the PDP to APC, and that we had gone on campaign round the state. "He said that he has the information and clips that I called him a thief and that he will not preside over the council where I am seated. "He (Aliyu) said that he was no longer sure that, I (Ibeto) will not use council deliberations against the PDP government."

Aliyu to launch N4.2bn housing project Dan Atori MINNA

Akko camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Gombe State during a visit by Ozolua Body Enhancement Foundation

Ozolua to rehabilitate IDPs

he Body Enhancement Foundation, the initiative of Modupe Ozolua, has said that it will help rehabilitate victims of the Boko Haram insurgency and other such Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country. The foundation said its intervention will be based on the devastation left in the wake of Boko Haram attacks and other similar internal crises in the country, saying that those that live to tell their stories now face what seems like a bleak future. It said: “Countless lives have been taken, families torn apart and their worlds shattered. Families have watched their loved ones slaughtered before their very eyes. Children have become orphans either from parents being killed or losing their parents during desperate attempts to escape their villages alive. “From having homes, regardless of the type of homes, to now sleeping on open fields with no

food, shelter or clothing beyond what’s on their bodies. From having a source of livelihood to feed their families, to overnight, becoming beggars depending on handouts from government or civil groups, to survive, the IDPs have tales to tell,” the foundation said. Ozolua and her foundation during a threeday informative visit to Gombe State visited many temporary camps and host communities harbouring the displaced Nigerians and announced their intentions to help by taking on the challenge of properly rehabilitating as many families as possible. She told Gombe State government officials and displaced persons that her foundation has a strategic plan on how to help them reintegrate back into society and regain their lost dignity. Arrangements to commence rehabilitating them within the next few days, Ozolua said, are currently underway.

iger State Governor Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, would flagoff the construction of another 1,000 housing units worth N4.2 billion before the end of this month. The 500 units of the housing project, was said to comprise 300 (2 bedroom) bungalow and 200 (3 bedroom) units are to be built in Maikunkele, near Minna and Suleja, in the Suleja Local Government Area of the state. The N4.2 billion project is to be handled by an Italian Firm, Ital Works Nigeria Limited, under the governments Public

Private Partnership PPP policy. Since the government came on board in 2007, it has embarked on the construction of numerous housing units in Minna, Bida, Suleja and Kontagora to reduce the problems faced in the search for affordable and liveable houses in the state. Already, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu has signed the Certificate of Occupancy for the land on which the houses will be constructed while the construction firm has secured the commitment of some Primary Mor tg age firms and foreign consortium for the funding of the project.

Benue communities sign peace accord Cephas Iorhwmen Makurdi

fter over four decades of communal strife, the people of Mbawuar and Mbangur communities in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, yesterday signed a peace accord to end the dispute over land involving the communities. The peace accord which was signed by Chief Dogohumbe from Mbangur and Chief Terkura Kuhwa from

Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared that it was ready to nip all avenues for election rigging by politicians in Benue State, promising to ensure that electoral process were devoid of undemocratic meander-

Mbawuar in the presence of a huge crowd at LGEA Primary School Ihugh, by elders of the two communities was the climax of the peace initiative in the area. New Telegraph gathered that during the exercise, the land in dispute was demarcated with beacons to avoid encroachments on either sides, as people from both communities were advised to respect the peace accord. Speaking at the occasion, Special Adviser to Governor Gabriel Suswam on Media and

Public Affairs, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, who is incidentally an indigene of the area, commended leaders of both communities for reaching the accord to end the crisis that engulfed the entire Mbadede council ward for many years. Akwaya also announced plans by prominent sons and daughters in the area to establish a Micro Finance Bank as part of the measures to provide credit facilities to unemployed youths to enable them establish petty trades.

In a remark, a member of the state House of Assembly representing Kyan constituency, Mrs. Dorothy Mato, Chairman of the peace accord, Justice Kpam Baaki and the Parish Priest in Saint Winifred Ihugh, Very Reverend Father Sebastian Akor, all stressed the need for sustenance of the peace accord in the council ward. Our correspondent observed that the peace accord witnessed exchange of gifts from both parties as a mark of reconciliation.

INEC: No room for election rigging in Benue ings. Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in the state, Prof. Istifanus Ishaku Dafwang, revealed this in Makurdi, when he visited Governor Gabriel Suswam, at the Government House. He stated that the commission, was poised to conduct a credible election, as it was pre-

pared for the exercise, especially with the introduction of computerised card reading machines, that has less than one per cent failure rate. Dafwang, stated that all requisite materials required for the elections, including those that have the technology to check fake Personal Voter Card (PVC),

double voting and voting by proxy have been put in place to check all electoral fraud. He noted that Benue State has the highest zero polling unit none collection of PVC's in the country, stressing that out of the 3,188 polling units in the state, 659 units are yet to collect a single PVC.

50 WORLD | News

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Germany, Russia, France strike deal on Ukraine

er many, France, Russia and Ukraine agreed a deal yesterday that offers a “glimmer of hope” for an end to fighting in eastern Ukraine after marathon overnight talks. But all four leaders said there was a long way to go and accusations from Kiev of a new, mass influx of Russian armour into rebel-held eastern Ukraine further undermined the prospects for peace. The deal envisages a ceasefire between Ukrainian

forces and Russian-backed separatists starting Sunday, followed by the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line and constitutional reform to give eastern Ukraine more autonomy. “The main thing which has been achieved is that from Saturday into Sunday there should be declared, without any conditions at all, a general ceasefire,” a visibly downbeat Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko told journalists. Emerging separately from

more than 16 hours of negotiations, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, one of the sponsors of the talks, differed with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the reasons they took so long. Putin accused Kiev of prolonging the talks, the culmination of a dramatic diplomatic initiative by France and Germany following an upsurge in fighting in which the separatists tore through an earlier ceasefire line. Merkel on the other hand, said Poroshenko “did everything to achieve

the possibility of an end to the bloodshed”, while she said Putin put pressure on the separatists to agree to the ceasefire “towards the end” of the talks. The deal offered a “glimmer of hope” she said, but big obstacles remained in the way of peace. It is likely to ease pressure in the United States for Washington to send military aid to the stretched Ukrainian army, and from some in Europe for tighter sanctions against Moscow, due to be discussed at

Heavy security at S.Africa’s parliament as showdown looms

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and France’s President Francois Hollande after taking part on resolving the Ukrainian crisis in Minsk yesterday.

Egypt frees two Al Jazeera journalists

wo remaining Al Jazeera journalists jailed in Egypt on charges of aiding a “terrorist organization” were freed on bail yesterday after more than 400 days, but the court said the case against them was still pending. The case triggered an international outcry and has been cited by government critics as evidence that Cairo is rescinding freedoms gained after a 2011 uprising toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak, allegations the government denies. Mohamed Fahmy, a naturalized Canadian who gave up his Egyptian citizenship, was re-

leased on bail of 250,000 Egyptian pounds ($32,765). Baher Mohamed, who has only Egyptian citizenship, was released without bail. Judge Hassan Farid said the next hearing in their case would be on Feb. 23. A third Al Jazeera reporter sentenced with them, Australian Peter Greste, was freed on Feb. 1 and deported. The three were sentenced to between seven and 10 years on charges including spreading lies to help a terrorist organization -- a reference to the Muslim Brotherhood. The court’s decision comes ahead of an investment conference in Sharm al-Sheikh

scheduled for March, which authorities hope will help improve Egypt’s image, which has been damaged by one of the fiercest security crackdowns in its modern history. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s human rights record has come under scrutiny since he, as army chief, toppled Islamist president Mohamed Mursi in 2013 after mass protests against his rule. He says Egypt faces a tough, prolonged campaign against violent insurrectionists. Sisi has said that he wished the journalists had been deported and not put on trial. The courtroom erupted in applause after the judge read his decision.

Bombardier’s CEO steps aside in shakeup

he head of Canada’s Bombardier stepped aside yesterday in a major shakeup of the world’s third largest aircraft manufacturer, after posting a $1.2 billion loss last year. Pierre Beaudoin will be replaced as chief executive by Alain Bellemare, while he takes on a new role as executive chairman of the board. The chair was held by his father Laurent. Both are heirs of company founder JosephArmand Bombardier. The

change at the top follows a new round of job cuts announced last month part of a third turnaround plan since 2013, amid delays in getting its new CSeries jetliners off the ground. New Bombardier CEO Bellemare former head at United Technologies’ aerospace division -- once worked for UT’s subsidiary Pratt & Whitney, whose engines were selected to power Bombardier’s CSeries passenger aircraft. An engine problem arose in

2013 testing that delayed the CSeries rollout. The first jetliners are now expected to be delivered in mid-2015, said spokeswoman Isabelle Rondeau. In its annual report, Bombardier said its 2014 losses are mainly due to the manufacturer’s decision to suspend its Learjet 85 business aircraft program. The losses follow a $572 million profit the previous year. The medium-sized CSeries is Bombardier’s entry into airspace dominated by Airbus and Boeing.

a European summit later yesterday. The agreement could also help protect Putin from any fallout from the deaths of Russians in the fighting, said by Ukraine to be soldiers. Moscow says they are volunteers. More than 5,000 people have been killed in the conflict, which has now surged, with more than 70 Ukrainian servicemen and at least 24 civilians killed so far this month, according to Reuters calculations based on official Ukrainian figures.

outh Africa’s parliament was under tight security yesterday ahead of President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation address but it was inside the national assembly where trouble loomed, not outside. A group of radical lawmakers, led by populist firebrand Julius Malema, have vowed to prevent Zuma from speaking until he has answered questions about the $24 million of taxpayers’ money spent on “security upgrades” at his private residence. The last time that happened in August riot police were sent in and the session collapsed in chaos. This time there is even more at stake, as the nation will be watching on live television. It is the formal opening of parliament, which has become something of a fashion show where lawmakers parade in their best frocks, suits or traditional dress, as they

make their way over the red carpet amid the pomp and ceremony of fly pasts and canon fire. The proceedings inside parliament will also be broadcast live, and viewer numbers are expected to reach a record high as the nation tunes in not so much to hear what Zuma has to say about the state of the nation, as to see what happens. The 25 Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), MPs, who punch way above their weight in the 400-seat parliament dominated by Zuma’s African National Congress, will provide a striking sartorial counterpoint the men in their usual uniforms of red overalls, gumboots and hard hats and the women in maids’ outfits. When moves were made to ban their outfits from parliament, Malema threatened that they would turn up in the nude. The proposal was promptly shelved.

Greek PM confronts EU leaders with bailout plan

reek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras talked up hopes of a deal on his country’s rapidly expiring bailout yesterday as he confronted EU leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel at his first Brussels summit. Greece’s new antiausterity government failed to secure an agreement to renegotiate the terms of the bailout programme in marathon talks between euro zone finance ministers Wednesday night, meaning the issue will go to the wire next Monday. Tsipras was to use yesterday’s summit to show the other 27 European Union leaders his austerity-light replacement plan for Greece’s 240-billion-euro ($270-billion) EU-IMF bailout, which expires at the end of February. “I am very confident that all together we can find a mutually viable solution, in order to heal the wounds of austerity and to tackle the humanitarian crisis across the European Union,” Tsipras, wearing a silk scarf and heavy coat, told

journalists as he arrived for the talks. But he warned too that it was a “crucial turning point for Europe.” The start of the summit was delayed by three hours after Merkel and French President Francois Hollande stayed through the night in Minsk to seal a peace deal to end the Ukraine conflict. Powerful Germany is the stiffest opponent of the plans unveiled by Tsipras, whose hard-left Syriza party won elections in January on the back of huge popular discontent with years of austerity. Greece refuses to extend its current bailout, but failure to agree a new deal means Athens could default and then almost certainly crash out of the 19-country euro zone. Merkel said as she arrived in Brussels that she “looks forward to welcoming our new Greek colleague” but indicated that there was still a long way to go with the negotiations. “Europe is always geared to compromise... and Germany is ready for that.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Sport Features

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Did you know? That most assists Ryan Giggs with 127 and counting

Politicians are killing football –Ezeogu Charles Ogundiya

former Super Eagle, Emeka Ezeogu, has said that politicians are to be blamed for the dwindling fortunes of football in the country. Speaking with New Telegraph during the week, the former midfielder said some of the politicians controlling the game know next to noth-

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sport

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

ing about football management. According to him, nobody can ignore experience when it comes to football management, adding that getting a certificate from an institution after four years of learning is not enough to equip anyone in administration. “We only have politicians and some people who got patronage from some governors administering football in Nigeria to blame as most of the chairmen of our clubs were appointed by the governors. “As an individual, if I know nothing about football but I am close to the state governor, then I become the chairman of the state-run club, or sometimes the sports commissioner of the state, what do you think I can offer the club? Nothing. “We now have a bunch of people who by their relationship with some politi-

cians are in positions of authority. Although some of them claimed they have learnt the trade in school, but you cannot compare that with experience,” he said. The former Enugu Rangers player said despite having a Master’s Degree in Sports Management, what he learnt as a player has given him more insight into football management.

Ezeogu said: “I am a Master’s Degree holder in Sports Management, but that does not give me the experience needed. What gave me the experience was the number of years I played the game in different continents across the world. “During those years, I played under so many coaches, different managements, and I was able to learn from them each

day. You can’t compare that with education gotten in four years in the university.” He also called on the government to see to the development of football in the coming dispensation, even as he charged his colleagues that are currently campaigning for politicians to advise the politicians to put more into sports development in the country, especially football.

Cricket World Cup: Australia captain to miss opener against England

ustralia captain Michael Clarke will not play against England in their World Cup opener on Saturday. Team coach Darren Lehmann said Clarke would, however, be likely to be fit enough to play in Australia’s second game, against Bangladesh in Brisbane on February 21. Throughout his career Clarke, 33, has been plagued by injuries. He has suffered persistent hamstring trouble and was ruled Clarke out of the recent test series with

India to have surgery. Clarke made a half century on Wednesday, captaining Australia for the first time in two months as they won their final World Cup warm-up against the United Arab Emirates. Lehmann said Clarke had “pulled up really well” but would not play in the match in Melbourne on Saturday “We’re really happy with his progress,” added Lehmann. “We’re going to stick with the plan and he’s going to play

against Bangladesh.” Clarke suffered two injuries to his left hamstring in 2014 before tearing his right while fielding in the first Test against India on December 13. He even went so far as to suggest the injury may end his career. But, by December 24, he stated his desire to be fit for the World Cup - being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand and returned to action in grade cricket on January 31.

SPORT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NPL: A case of government-sanctioned OBT ?

aws are made for man and not man for laws. The spirit behind this aphorism is that order must reign in the affairs of men to engender wellbeing and prosperity. Sports, especially football, therefore is no exception to this understanding. The Nigerian Premier League at the moment appears to breach this universal rule. This is going by several infractions made by officials who ought to supervise the implementation of the football statutes. Right from inception of the NPL as currently constituted, and supervised by the League Management Company, soccerloving Nigerians have never stopped calling for the right things to be done. Someone might ask, what is this right thing that ought to have been done? It is that the LMC reverts to the originally envisaged role of a temporary football administrative body, and to also reverse some of the illegalities it perpetrated ahead of its registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, as a company limited by shares, and in the conduct of its affairs. Ahead of the LMC’s registration, its shares were allotted to vested interests as if they were spoils of war. It is therefore clear why the league is under hostage, leading to the dearth of sponsorship deals for the good of the league, and by extension starving clubs of accruable funds. The constitution of the LMC was sup-

posed to be an ad-hoc committee with a specified terminal date. But in a bid to sit tight, they transformed into desperate traditional rulers, not willing to leave the reins of power, and not prepared to abdicate their throne. The enabling law that set up the league board authorised club owners to organise elections and spelt out clearly what should be done at any given time. But the same usurpers, who rode on the back of a one-time minister friend of theirs, have held the league by the jugular; thereby deciding the fate of supposed owners. Club owners ideally ought to be the shareholders of the LMC since they own majority of the clubs. They are the ones that should champion the cause of their members. But that is not the case right now. All facets of the league ranging from coaching, officiating and administration have suffered untold hardship on account of the extant aberrant statutes. It is sad as it becomes obvious that government’s hand is visible in this deadly collusion. All well-meaning Nigerians must appeal to all parties benefiting from this contraption called League Management Company, so that the right things can be done for once. People have concluded that the LMC’s actions and inactions constitute government-sanctioned “Obtaining by Tricks” - “OBT”. Before the coming on board of the League Management Committee, there was the Nigerian Profes-

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sional League Management Board, NPLMB. One thing in common with them is the shadowy circumstances that heralded their coming on board. All these parties on board ordinarily ought not to be there since they do not represent club owners but, powers that be. While

People have concluded that the LMC’s actions and inactions constitute governmentsanctioned “Obtaining

JOE BOOSTER

the owners of the league were muscled out, actors who have no stake whatsoever usurped the powers thereby sending wrong signals to potential investors and sponsors and dictating the pace of the league wrongly and greedily. Nations that had the privilege of passing through the tutelage of Nigeria’s qualitative league administration in time past, have now taken over leadership in the continent. These nations are too numerous to mention here, but for the purpose of this write up, a few will be considered. They include South Africa, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia and Morocco. The organisation of the South African league is such that it ranks amongst the best in world, employing thousands of youths. The financial rewards that accrue to both players and clubs are better imagined, to the extent that sponsors and would-be investors are ingratiating with the managers of the league for some form of participation. Their organisation is so smooth and seamless that most

South African players seldom consider playing in Europe. Players are paid well, and conditions of contracts are unassailable, when compared to the slavery and drudgery their Nigerian counterparts are subjected to in pursuit of sustaining a career abroad. This explains why South Africans seldom travel to pursue a professional career here. All strata of their football administration are exposed to constant training and re-training to make them cope with their tasks. It is not a case of business as usual. Luckily, they have thrown open their borders to players from the rest of the continent and beyond who can cope and have the requisite skills to contribute to the development of their game. Today, their soccer is beamed on television internationally, just as they are swimming in mouth-watering sponsorship deals. This phenomenal success could be traced to the enabling environment so created by their government. This success story equally can be seen in the African countries earlier mentioned. That football administration in Nigeria has fallen below the standard of her supposed contemporaries is highly regrettable. Building institutions, as exemplified by the South African Football Association, cannot be compared to the rag-tag approach that has for long been entrenched by the Nigeria Football Federation and the LMC.

Time running out for Tiger Woods

he rhetoric from Team Tiger is bullish. We have come to expect that. Just as, unfortunately for Mr Woods, it has proved wise not to take such sentiment at face value. “He wants to play right now,” said Woods’s agent, Mark Steinberg, on Wednesday night. “He’s chomping at the bit. Honestly, he competes to compete at the absolute highest level. Clearly these last two events weren’t up to that. When that swing gets grooved he’ll be ready to go.” Those last two events, remember, included a career-worst round of 82 in Phoenix and a departure after just 11 completed holes at the Farmers Insurance Open. In the latter instance, Woods looked as physically and mentally tortured as has ever been the case on a golf course. Tiger Woods has announced he is to take an Woods indefinite break from golf enter a tournament to compete at after admitting his current the highest level, and when I think form wasn’t acceptable for I’m ready, I’ll be back.” the US PGA Tour. This cuts to the quick. Woods Tiger Woods was visibly has no interest whatsoever in playin distress and withdrew ing out his career with ties for 55th from the Farmers Insurance place. It is therefore hardly a huge Open after just 12 holes of leap of faith to suggest the greathis first round. est player of his generation – and Earlier on Wednesday, many others – is limping towards Woods had released a state- a retirement nobody could have ment via his website which seen when Woods turned 30. Now, cast doubt on when he would at just 39, we must realise his best be seen competitively again. days are long gone. The increasing “My play, and scores, are not body of evidence suggests Woods acceptable for tournament himself does as well. golf,” the American said. “I

The truth is that Woods is not scheduled to play until the Honda Classic, starting on 26 February, so – a reply to those rumours aside – there was no reason to issue an update now. Steinberg rebuffed the suggestion that Woods is taking a leave of absence in all but name. But why say anything to differentiate this tournament gap from any other? A more significant date falls in eight weeks’ time, when the Masters gets under way. “He looks to peak four times a year,” Steinberg added of his long-time client.

“That’s not to diminish the other events, but yes, the Masters is incredibly important.” The trouble here is that Woods is in a competitive Catch 22. To prepare for Augusta National, regardless of past glories there, Woods must test himself in events. Recent history tells us hours of Woods range-work has no positive impact at all on tournament results. Even if you take Woods at his word, that his most recent back problem is not related at all to the area where he had surgery a year ago, he has little scope for on-course work at all in the coming weeks. He is not even eligible for the first WGC event of the year, at Doral, in early March. The subplot is that when Woods does play, and especially now, he is seeking to claw his way back towards respectability under an incredibly intense public glare. Every swing is analysed, every wince is freezeframed. “As competitive as we are, we don’t want to see anyone suffer like that,” said Ernie Els of Woods. “We’ve got to do our stuff in public. I don’t care if you’re Tiger Woods, Ernie Els or whoever. If you have some error in your game, you get exposed.” If you take Woods’s physical struggles away, he is clearly wrestling with contrasting technical thoughts which are impacting on his ability to play

golf naturally. When that happens to any golfer, they face a serious battle to recover. “He was a brilliant shortgame player,” said Greg Norman, himself a past world No1. “For that to fall off a cliff as quickly as it has is mind-blowing. I’ve not seen that in any other athlete.

Woods’woesincehis lastmajorwin November/December 2009 Woods’s infidelities come to light, ultimately costing the golfer his marriage. He was officially divorced in August 2010. May 2010 The American withdraws during the final round of the Players Championship, citing a bulging disk. The injury is later specified as in Woods’ neck. May 2011 He lasts only nine holes at the Players Championship, golf’s so-called “fifth major”. A knee injury is blamed, which costs Woods appearances at the US Open and Open Championship. April 2014 Woods misses the Masters, having undergone surgery on a pinched nerve in his back. In August, he exits the WGCBridgestone Invitational with further back pain. February 2015 The 39-year-old completes just 11 holes of the Farmers Insurance Open, again succumbing to back injury. “The latest injury is not related to my previous surgery,” the golfer insists.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT 53

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Rooney solves West Brom boss, our midfield captain praise Ideye problem, says

Ifeanyi Ibeh

rown Ideye has been praised by West Bromwich Albion manager, Tony Pulis, for his exemplary attitude

after the Nigerian helped the Baggies earn a 2-0 win over Swansea. Ideye, West Brom’s record signing, reportedly came close to leaving the club on transfer deadline day. Since then, Ideye has scored two goals in two

matches and Pulis paid tribute to his approach after he scored the opener in Wednesday’s win at The Hawthorns. “He is a good lad, there is nothing wrong with him as a person,” Pulis told Sky Sports News. “He has a good attitude. He trains well and works hard. “It didn’t work out for him at first, but we have given him his chance, and he has taken it. Everybody in the dressing room is really pleased for him.” Goals from Ideye and Saido Berahino ensured that West Brom pulled further clear of the relegation zone, and new West Brom captain Darren Fletcher has backed both strikers to fire the Baggies away from danger. “They were both fantastic, first and foremost their workrate and desire, then their quality. And the second was a perfect strike-partnership goal.” Fletcher said, referring to Berahino’s goal which came off a superb assist from Ideye. “They worked extremely hard; Saido had a really tough shift. He had to drop into midfield as well and then had to get forward but he did it, never moaned, got on with it and got his rewards with the goal which his performance Ideye (right) deserved.”

Van Gaal

ouis van Gaal says Wayne Rooney has improved Manchester United in midfield and “can play in every position”. In the second half of Wednesday night’s 3-1 Premier League home win over Burnley, the England captain played as a defensive midfielder in a diamond formation after Daley Blind was substituted following a clash of heads. Rooney moved to a sitting role behind Ander Herrera and Angel Di Maria and van Gaal thinks his team is more effective with Rooney in midfield. “I have to look for the better balance and I think until now because of Rooney, we have a better balance in midfield,” said the Dutchman. “I was very pleased how he replaced Daley Blind in the number six position. “He showed composure and of course he was also the Rooney that I want to see, but he has showed that he can play in every position. “Maybe he can better play in a striker’s position but then I have a problem in midfield.”

Fenerbahce coach hails Emenike’s ‘brilliant’ performance Emmanuel Tobi

enerbahce head coach, Ismail Kartal, has commended Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, for his brilliant performance against Rizespor in the Turkish Cup on Wednesday. Fenerbahce beat Rizespor 4-1 in the Turkish Cup Last 16 to qualify for the quarterfinals. “If Emenike keeps playing like this, I do not mind if he scores or not because he really does work hard for the team,” Kartal said after the match. “Emenike was brilliant; I want to congratulate him and the team.” Emenike was a torn in the flesh for Rizespor’s defenders throughout the duration of the match and provided an assist for Moussa Sow to score the last goal of the encounter. He has three goals in all competi-

Emenike

tions for the Yellow Canaries this season. The Nigerian international striker joined Fenerbahce in the summer of 2014 from Spartak Moscow for €13m, scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists in his debut campaign. Fenerbahce are currently second in the Turkish Super Lig with 42 points after 19 games.

Sport Trending

TWITTER |@NTelegraphSport Ideye Brown MON Another day!! Another Blessing. Wish you all a lovely day #Believe @OfficialIdeye

Victor Oladipo When people underestimate me, it only makes me work harder! @VicOladipo Ekpe Udoh MVP race is gonna go down to the last game possible!!!!! @EkpeUdoh David Robinson The freshman @BigJah15 Jahill Okafor reminds me of Tim Duncan #BrightFuture @DavidtheAdmiral Chioma Ubogagu Excited to join @ArsenalLadies! Been a supporter of the club for yearsss, thrilled to now be a player. #DreamComeTrue @ChiAlreadyKnow Chiney Ogwumike Let today be the day you stop being a victim of your circumstances and start taking action towards the life you want. @Chiney321 EMMANUEL EMENIKE Who say I no fine when I small make he talk hahahahahahah @E29EMENIKE

Arsenal Ladies sign Ubogagu

rsenal Ladies have completed the signing of forward Chioma Ubogagu from Stanford University in the United States. She made 89 appearances during her four years at the college, scoring 27 goals and finishing fourth in the alltime Stanford assist list with 37. She captained the side in her final year. A United States youth international, Ubogagu helped her adopted country to victory in the 2012 FIFA Under-20

Ubogagu

Hazard signs new Chelsea contract helsea winger Eden Hazard good and the club has been C has signed a new five-and-a- very supportive to me. The half year contract to keep him manager has helped me imat Stamford Bridge until 2021. The Belgian has scored 43 goals and contributed 46 assists in 147 appearances for Chelsea since joining from French side Lille for £32m in 2012. Hazard was named in the PFA Team of the Year in each of the last two years and lifted Chelsea’s Player of the Year accolade last season. The 24-year-old has started every league game for this season and is the club’s second highest scorer, with 13 goals in all competitions. “I am very happy to sign a new contract with Chelsea,” Hazard said. “Since I came here in 2012 I have always felt

Rooney (left)

prove a lot, the fans have been fantastic and I have an amazing understanding with my team-mates. “I always try to give pleasure to the supporters with my style of play and it is nice to know they appreciate my work.”

Hazard

Women’s World Cup in Japan. Raised in Texas but born in London, Ubogagu is a lifelong Arsenal supporter and her grandfather represented Nigeria as a player. Arsenal Ladies manager Pedro Martinez Losa said: “Chioma is a player I have known about from my time coaching in the United States and she is a fantastic talent. She is very creative, and is able to make goals as well as score them. I think that she will fit in very well with us.”

InjuredDavispullsoutofAll-Stargame

ew Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis has confirmed that he will not play in Sunday’s All-Star game due to a shoulder injury. The 21-year-old was set to start for the Western Conference team in New York, but after missing the last two games with an injury he picked up while dunking Davis the ball in last Saturday’s loss and I am sorry I will not be to the Chicago Bulls, the twoable to play,” Davis revealed time All-Star has decided to in a statement. focus on returning to full “While I’m disappointed fitness. that I won’t be able to com“After careful thought pete this weekend, I’m still and consideration, I’ve devery excited about the opcided I will not be participortunity to be a part of the pating in this year’s NBA All-Star events in New York All-Star competitions. I want and celebrate our game with to thank the fans for voting some of the NBA’s greatest me into the All-Star game figures.

SPORT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Golden Eaglets arrive in Niamey lAs NFF promises prompt payment of bonuses

Ifeanyi Ibeh

he Golden Eaglets on Thursday arrived in Niamey for the 11th African Under-17 Championship where they were received by members of the localbased Nigeria Football Supporters Club. Flag-waving members of the NFSC led by their chairman, Sidney Ubanna, assured the team of total support throughout their stay in Niamey. In the meantime, the team would train twice on Friday and once on Saturday to strategise for Sunday’s opening match against Niger at the Stade General Seyni Kountche.

They are drawn in Group A where they would also play Guinea and Zambia on February 18 and 21 respectively. The Championship holds between February 15 and March 1 with the semi-finalists to represent the continent at the 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile in October. Meanwhile, players and staff of the Golden Eaglets have been assured that all the allowances and bonuses due to them during their participation at the tournament would be promptly paid by the Nigeria Football Federation. Giving this assurance in Sokoto, at a dinner event organised on their behalf, was NFF’s Director of

Competitions, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, who explained that the dinner was at the instance of the body’s President, Amaju Pinnick, who was unavoidably absent to bid the team farewell. Sanusi quoted Pinnick as saying that the team must remember that the Golden Eaglets are the reigning world champions and must, therefore, ensure qualification for the next edition of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup taking place later in the year in Chile. “Nigerians are solidly behind you and on our part as a federation, we have made adequate arrangement for your allowances to be paid; so just go out there and do your best,” he said.

Keshi, Le Roy, Giresse apply for Burkina job

urkinabe Federation’s President, Colonel Sita Sangaré, confirmed in

Keshi

a press conference earlier this week that several well-known technicians have applied for the vacant national head coach position, including Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi, Congo boss Claude Le Roy and former Senegal coach Alain Giresse. The FBF are looking for a replacement for former Stallions manager Paul Put, who was fired in the aftermaths of Burkina Faso first round exit at the Africa Cup of Nations Equatorial Guinea 2015. The 2013 AFCON runners-

up only managed a single point in their Group A, losing 0-2 to Gabon before securing a goalless draw against Equatorial Guinea and suffering another 1-2 defeat to Congo. Sita Sangaré added that a 3-candidate shortlist will be announced on Monday, 16 February, with a final decision to be taken within the next three weeks. Former France coach Jacques Santini and former Gabon and Niger boss Gernot Rohr also joined the race.

FIFA Rankings: Nigeria now 7th in Africa

lAs Ghana move up 12 places

espite their absence at the 2015 AFCON, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have moved from ninth to seventh position in the latest FIFA world rankings released on Thursday for the month of February. The move was as a result of the performance of the home-based Eagles who lost 1-0 to new African champions, Cote d’ivore and defeated Yemen 2-0 in friendly

matches played in January Meanwhile, the Black Stars of Ghana moved up 12 places and are now ranked 25th in the world and third on the continent after an impressive showcase at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Ghana amassed 864 points after winning four matches, one defeat and one draw at the tournament in Equatorial Guinea. Newly-crowned champi-

Vine House wins Superkids sports meet

ine House on Wednesday emerged tops at the interhouse sports competition of Superkids Children School, held at the National Youth Service Corps pitch, Agege. Vine House won a total of 17 gold, 12 silver and 10 bronze medals at the end of the event while Palm House was second with15 gold, 14 silver and 11 bronze medals. Ceder House came third after recording nine gold, nine silver and 15 bronze medals. Olive House occupied the rear position with six gold, 12 silver and 11 bronze medals. Olive House however emerged winner of the Match Past while Palm and Vine settled for the silver and bronze medals respec-

ons Ivory Coast moved up eight places and are now the 20th best national team in the world and second on the continent. Algeria, who got eliminated at the quarterfinal stage of the Nations Cup, maintained their position as the 18th best team in the world. AFCON quarterfinalists Tunisia slipped four places and now ranked fourth in Africa and 26th in the world.

Brume in action for Nigeria at the 2014 Commonwealth Game

34 athletes storm Sagamu ahead African Juniors Charles Ogundiya

head of the forthcoming African Junior Championships scheduled to hold in Addis Ababa, 34 athletes invited by the Athletic Federation of Nigeria for camping stormed their Sagamu camp on Thursday. Led by two of Nigeria’s most outstanding junior athletes in recent times, Ese Brume and Divine Oduduru, the athletes would be drilled by seven coaches invited by the AFN. The technical committee of the AFN led by Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, made the selection following the performance of the athletes at the recently held D.K Olukoya Youth and Junior Athletics Championships, which took place at the Teslim Balogun

Stadium in Lagos. Brume stunned the long jump field at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, making a leap of 6.56m to win gold, and thereafter claimed her first senior continental title at the African Championships in Marrakech, Morocco. Oduduru also won silver at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Oregon last year with a blistering time of 20.25s, (though wind-assisted), which incidentally turned out to be Nigeria’s only medal at the championships. Nigeria won the last edition of the African Junior Championships staged in Mauritius with nine gold, seven silver and three bronze medals, ahead of fierce rival, South Africa. 2015 host, Ethiopia, settled for third place with seven gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals.

tively. Chairman of the event, Fatai Fadeyi, commended the pupils for showing a great spirit of sportsmanship. “There are great talents here. Those in authorities should always attend events like this to identify hidden talents, “Fadeyi said. Head of School Mrs Titilayo Olufemi, said she was happy with the standard of the competition and the huge turn-out of parents for the event. Chairman of the organising team, Emele Morris, told our correspondent that the huge success of the competition was a result of the hard work by the DMD, Chemstar Paints Industry Limited, Pastor Adedayo Paseda, the GMD, Mr. Remi Emmanuel Awode and players of eight-man organising team and Jasmine House, who won the Best Player awards at this year’s Inter-House football competition organised by the company the officials. for the workers won by Grey House.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Shall we outsource our elections?

pressure on Jega and got him to acquiesce to a shift. National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), gave vent to this speculation when he said at Chatham House, London two weeks ago that he had advised INEC to shift the elections due to security concerns. When Jega told CSOs and journalists at separate briefings on February 7 that the poll was being shifted because the Nigerian military had made a request along that line, Nigerians naturally jumped to conclusion that it was all programmed from the start. To add salt to injury, it was reported that the military said it would begin a full-blown push against Boko Haram insurgents on February 14, the same day the election ought to have begun, and would not have time to provide security for the poll. This was quite strange, given the fact that the police are constitutionally saddled with the task of providing internal security. We have yet to hear from the police that they will be unable to provide security for the polls. Different conspiracy theories have sprung up since the shift, with the PDP lending credence to these with some ill-advised comments. I believe it was not necessary for the party to have attacked Jega’s integrity. It had no proof to back up its

claim that Jega was trying to favour the opposition. All we have heard is talk about a purported meeting between Jega and APC chieftains in Dubai. This was in addition to the claim by the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly that Jega was plotting to rig the presidential election in conjunction with APC. Again, mere conjectures without proof. Since I dealt with that last week, it doesn’t bear repeating here. Then add to it the alleged siege on the homes of APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and presidential campaign spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, and you wonder at what is really going on. APC for its part has accused PDP of buying Permanent Voter Cards for N10,000 each. All we have heard by way of proof is the allegation that some youths were caught in Sokoto trying to burn stolen PVCs. Whatever the case, I would like to urge our politicians to exercise caution in these testy times so that democracy can stand. I was happy to hear President Jonathan say that he would gladly lose the resched-

uled presidential election. I hope it was not a mere statement, because coming from him, it carries so much weight and substance. We have been conducting elections since independence and should have got used to the process by now. However, if it has now become a matter of INEC and the political class being unable to collaborate to ensure a credible process, then we may start thinking of outsourcing the task. Afterall, since Nigeria has outsourced a portion of the war against insurgency to Chad, Cameroon and Niger, we might as well think of outsourcing elections in the country to credible firms or even some serious countries to handle for us. Ghana and Botswana are two African countries that have conducted credible elections in recent years without much ado. So, we have good choices if we decide to try Africans to solve an African problem. Otherwise, we can go to Europe or the United States to help us make sense out of the chaos in which we have found ourselves. This is not about grandstanding or pride but about the need to make things work. In the case of NLC, some delegates smelt a rat when they saw that the process appeared to be tilting in favour of one of the three presidential candidates. That’s not a good thing for a respected labour centre but in Nigeria, strange things happen. If we don’t want to outrightly outsource the elections, Jega may consider seeking the assistance of fellow elections commissions’ chairmen to smoothen the process and ensure we get it right by March 28 and Aprill 11. The risk is that if we fail this time, then it will be a big shame. If we end up with an interim government, as is being speculated in some quarters, then we will have ourselves to blame. There is a time to be cautious in order to save the ship of state from crashing that time is now. Politicians must be guarded in their utterances and actions and allow the process flow unhindered. A word is enough for the wise!!!

Jonathan

Jega

Buhari

Vantage

Point

EMEKA MADUNAGU emeka.madunagu@newtelegraphonline.com 08059757248 (sms only)

was in the process of writing this week’s column yesterday when news filtered into the newsroom that the Nigerian Labour Congress general election had been stalemated. I was trying to digest this information when I further heard that ballot boxes were destroyed while chairs and other objects were freely deployed as weapons by delegates. It was really shocking! Coming less than a week after the Independent National Electoral Commission shifted election dates, I was really taken aback at this latest development. While there were insinuations in some quarters about interference in the election process from the Presidency, I viewed this as an indication that Nigerians had yet to imbibe the tenets of democracy and free choice. INEC had for weeks given Nigerians the assurance that it was ready for the February 14 and 28 elections. INEC tackled those who gave the hint that it was not prepared to hold the elections. Infact, it was surprising why INEC embarked on a fruitless voyage of adding 30,000 polling units to the existing number when it had not attended to the pressing issues of preparing adequately for the elections. It was even all the more surprising that politicians cared little about whether the umpire was ready to handle the process and more about throwing bricks at each other and spending huge sums of money on advertising and wooing the electorate. Last week, I defended INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, saying there was no reason to lay blame at his doorstep for the uncertainty over the elections. I still maintain my stance that Jega is not to blame for the situation. INEC is an independent election management body but it is under oversight by relevant committees of the National Assembly. INEC has had various meetings with politicians and political groups as well as Civil Society Groups. Nigerians had expected that the state of preparedness of the agency would have been highlighted and thoroughly discussed at these meetings. Unfortunately, nobody told Nigerians in good time that the elections were not likely to hold. That is what brought about speculations that the process was deliberately truncated to favour President Goodluck Jonathan. The general impression is that sensing that he might be defeated by his All Progressives Congress challenger, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in the election, the President and his Peoples Democratic Party piled

Afterall, since Nigeria has outsourced a portion of the war against insurgency to Chad, Cameroon and Niger, we might as well think of outsourcing elections in the country to credible firms or even some serious countries to handle for us

On Marble

A strong woman is a woman determined to do something others are determined not be done.

– Marge Piercy

Emeka Madunagu

Sanctity of Truth

Shall we outsource our elections?

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

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The electoral impact of Jega’s terminal leave GUEST COLUMNIST Aloy Ejimakor

y published flagship treatise of few days ago, captioned ‘Jega’s tenure ends on March 24, 2015 by operation of law’ provoked a helluva of commendations, as well as contrary opinions. There’s also a small minority of fringe partisans who hauled curses and threats against me; and strangely, the Nigerian State. One particular sad, but funny fellow called me ‘the new ABN’, as in Arthur Nzeribe’s (IBB’s?) infamous Association for Better Nigeria. Warts and all, I took it all in good grace. I dedicate this sequel to citizen Yinka, who sent me a well-articulated email with a lot of salient questions. In summary, Yinka advanced a sound thesis that the onset of Attahiru Jega’s terminal leave before the elections may have some adverse impact on the legality or validity of the ensuing presidential election. I consider it a quaint legal question because it flows from the provision of the law which named the ‘Chief Electoral Commissioner’ (read: Chairman of INEC or Jega) as the ‘announcer’ of the presidential election result. Having thus considered Yinka’s posers, below, therefore, is summary of my take: First, It is conceded that under Section 27(2)(h) of the Electoral Act, the result of the Presidential election is to be announced by the ‘Chief Electoral Commissioner’. Under Section 156, the Chairman is identified specifically as the Chief Electoral Commissioner. However, under Section 152, the Commission is empowered to delegate any of its functions to any of the National Commissioners. In my considered view, the operative phrase - ‘any of its functions’, includes conducting the presidential election and the announcement of result thereof. Therefore, other than Jega, any of the 12 national commissioners can, under the discretionary delegation of the Commission, act as the Chief Electoral Commissioner, in the interim, for the specific purpose of announcing the said result. Second, Section 159(4) of the Constitution, which is also pertinent, provides that “Subject to its rules of procedure, any such body may act or take part in any decision notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership or the absence of any member”. Without doubt, ‘such body’ as stated here includes INEC, as enumerated under Section 153 of the Constitution. ‘Any vacancy’ can mean anything from terminal leave, removal or suspension from office, death, etc. And ‘any decision’ includes conducting elections (presidential, etc.) and announcement of the results (the core functions of the Commission). Third, Section 161(c) of the Con-

Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hunayon Amosu

Jega

Dasuki

stitution states that “any reference to “member” of a body established by section 153 of this Constitution

shall be construed as including a reference to the Chairman of that body”. I believe that you can (interpretatively) expand this provision to read that ‘a reference to the Chairman shall be construed as a reference to a member who happens to be the Chairman’, including a member ‘acting’ as Chairman, either as a result of a foreseeable vacancy, delegation, or worse. Further, keep in mind that the Attorney-General of the Federation had, in a related legal opinion (requested by Jega), stated that all the 12 Commissioners, including Jega, are constitutional equals; and that Jega is thus not a CEO but merely a primus inter pares (first among equals).

The Chairmanship of INEC should not be personalized to the point of the apprehension that elections will be adversely affected by any sudden vacancy in that office

Fourth, Section 159(3) of the Constitution says that “Whenever such body is assembled for a meeting, the Chairman or other person presiding shall, in all matters in which a decision is taken by vote (by whatever name such vote may be called) have a casting as well as a deliberative vote”. In my view, the phrase ‘other person presiding’ bears a constitutional recognition that the Chairman may not always be available ... for whatever reason, including terminal leave, expiration of tenure, or even by an act of force majeur; and the Commission’s ‘decision’ can be on any matter within the purview of the Commission’s core functions, including most notably, conducting elections and announcing their results. Finally, let me conclude by adding this caveat: the Chairmanship of INEC should not be personalized to the point of the apprehension that elections will be adversely affected by any sudden vacancy in that office. Let it be clear that, in addition to this much feared terminal leave, vacancy can also suddenly occur from physical/mental incapacity, removal from office, resignation or even death. Plus, we have till 29th April to hold these elections - a time span that is more than sufficient to appoint and confirm another substantive Chairman. So, with all the forgoing considered, the material questions to ask are these: what if we are here dealing with another garden-variety vacancy, not occasioned by ‘terminal leave’, but by any of the other events aforementioned? In such other likely scenarios, will it still make sense to postulate that the validity or credibility of the ensuing elections will thereby be adversely affected? • Aloy Ejimakor, a lawyer writes from alloylaw@ yahoo.com

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