Friday, july 15, 2016 by Newtelegraphonline

RMAFC canvasses upward review of VAT to 10%

lFIRS to go after airlines, banks, telcos over tax debts Abdulwahab Isa and Muhammadu Kabir

and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has called for an upward review of Value Added Tax (VAT) from five per cent to between 7.5

he Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation

per cent and 10 per cent in order to improve the country's revenue base. This is as the Federal Inland Revenue Service

(FIRS) said the focus of the service this quarter, was to recoup taxes owed by airlines, banks and communication companies.

Also, the Federal Government said it had identified 1000 dormant revenue lines to be harnessed as additional sources of revenue opportunities. These were disclosures

made yesterday in Kano at a two-day National Revenue Retreat organised by the Federal Ministry of Finance as part of government’s effort to brainCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Melaye

/newtelegraph /newtelegraph

Vol. 3 No. 8747

Friday, July 15, 2016

Melaye: Tinubu called me dog, I told her she was stupid }4

Tinubu

Thieves raid Osun High Court, cart away cash }8

Aregbesola

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com @newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

DSS ransacks Obanikoro's residence, arrest wife }7

Obanikoro

N150

Amuka’s security men invited us –Suspected robbers }8

Amuka

arms scandal:

Buhari orders probe of Ihejirika, Minimah, 52 others

N7bn released without utilisation Obsolete equipment purchased N6.27bn transferred to a citizen $386m ghost contracts not done }2 SERVING AND RETIRED MILITARY PERSONNEL

Ihejirika

Minimah

Atewe

Onoyiveta

a. Lt Gen OA Ihejirika (Rtd)

j. Brig Gen AJS Onibasa

b. Lt Gen KTJ Minimah (Rtd)

k. Brig Gen M Mamman

c. Maj Gen JAH Ewansiha (Rtd)

l. Col N Ashinze

d. Maj Gen U Buzugbe (Rtd)

m. Col AA Abubagaji

e. Maj Gen ER Chioba (Rtd)

n. Col AM Inuwa

f. Maj Gen AI Muraina (Rtd)

o. Lt Col MS Dasuki (Rtd)

g. Maj Gen EJ Atewe

p. Lt Col El-Hussaini Boyi (Rtd)

h. Maj Gen DD Kitchener (Rtd)

q. Sqn Ldr M Oyaduogba

i. Brig Gen DM Onoyiveta

r. Cpl Abubakar Usman

SERVING AND RETIRED PUBLIC OFFICIALS

Chioba

Ashinze

Dasuki

Mohammed

a. Dr Nurudeen Mohammed

g. Mrs Josephine N Opara

b. Mr Bukar Goni Aji

h. Mr Abdullahi Maikano

c. Mr Haruna Sanusi

i. Mr John Bamidele

d. Mr EO Oyemomi

j. Mr Buba M Gamawa

e. Mr Abdulrazak Salau

k. Mr Tajudeen Gbenga Fetuga

f. Alhaji Salisu Shuaibu

Militants pose as NNPC officials, blow up pipeline

Early bedtime reduces obesity risk for kids

NEWS

FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari orders probe of Ihejirika, Minimah, 52 others Mojeed Alabi and Emmanuel Onani

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday ordered further investigation of two former Chiefs of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika and Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah over their roles in the procurement of arms in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency. The duo are part of the 30 persons and 24 firms recommended for further investigation by a presidential panel, set up by Buhari to investigate the purchase of arms in the country between 2007 and 2015. Also mentioned for further investigation are a former Accountant General of the Federation, Jonah Otunla, 27 others and two firms. A statement from the investigative panel last night indicated that the panel found several discrepancies in the award of contracts by the affected persons, whereby some contracts were paid for, under supplied or not

supplied and even in some cases, have no history of performance. That statement, signed by AVM Jon Ode (Rtd), President of the Presidential Committee on the Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement in the Armed Forces 2007-2015, said that Buhari has approved the investigation. He said: “The approval followed the Third Interim Report of the Presidential Committee on the Audit of Defence Equipment, which was released on Thursday (yesterday). “Among those to be investigated are 18 serving and retired military personnel, 12 serving and retired public officials and 24 Chief Executive Officers of companies involved in the procurement. All were either accounting officers or played key roles in the Nigerian Army procurement activities during the period under review. “Those listed for further investigation include two former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. O.A. Ihejirika (Rtd) and Lt.-Gen. K.T.J. Minimah (Rtd); former Minister of State

for Foreign Affairs II, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed and three former Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Defence – Mr. Bukar Goni Aji, Mr. Haruna Sanusi and Me. E.O, Oyemomi. “Also, the CEOs to be investigated include Col. Olu Bamgbose (Rtd) of Bamverde Ltd; Mr. Amity Sade of Doiyatec Comms Ltd and DYI Global Services and Mr. Edward Churchill of Westgate Global Trust Ltd.” The committee further said that the total amount spent for procurement and operations within the period were N185, 843,052,564.30 and $685,349,692.49. The statement said further: “It found that the Nigerian Army contracts, awarded by the Ministry of Defence for the period under review, were often awarded without significant input from end-user (Nigerian Army) and to vendors who lacked the necessary technical competence''. ''As an example, three contracts, with a total value of N5,940,000,000, were awarded to DYI Global

Services Ltd and Doiyatec Comms Nig. Ltd (owned by the same individuals) for the procurement of military hardware including 20 units of KM-38 Twin Hull Boats and six units of 4X4 ambulances fitted with radios. The committee found that the two companies collected N5,103,500,000, representing 86 per cent of the total value of the three contracts worth N5,940,000,000.00, but only performed to the tune of N2,992,183,705.31.'' The statement further said that the committee also found that a contract worth N169,916,849.77 for the procurement of 53 Armoured Vehicles Spare Parts, with 90 days completion time, is yet to be completed five years after. “In another instance, two contracts were awarded to Baram International Nigeria Limited, amounting to N420,726,799.20 for the procurement of 53 Armoured Vehicles Spare Parts at the cost of N169,916,849.77 and that of Ballistic Vests, Night Vision Binoculars and three Unmanned Aerial Vehicles at the cost of N250,809,949.50.

L-R: Miss Zahra Buhari; President Muhammadu Buhari; Halimat Buhari Sherriff and Yusuf Buhari, as Buhari celebrates his children's graduation and Call to Bar in Abuja… yesterday

CEOs OF COMPANIES

a. Col Olu Bamgbose (Rtd) b. Mr Amit Sade c. Mr Noam Sade d. Mr Jimmy Ntuen e. Dr O Ayandele f. Mr Hima Aboubakar g. Alhaji Gujja Attom h. Alhaji Maisudan Mohammed i. Mr Lawal Oriyomi j. Mr Chinedu Onyekwere k. Mr Eleojo Peters l. Mr Alon Nelken Samuel Sadly the contract, worth N169, 916,849.77 with 90 days completion time, is yet to be completed five years after,” he said. The report stated that between April 29, 2005 and October 19, 2010, the MOD awarded two contracts to Progress Limited for the supply of 42 units of BTR3U Armoured Personnel Carriers and spare parts for the Nigerian Army. “However, neither the MOD nor the Nigerian Army could provide the contract agreements to ascertain the cost of the APCs. Although 26 of the APCs were delivered in 2007 and immediately deployed for Peace Keeping Operations in Sudan, the APCs scandalously broke down on induction,” Ode stated. The committee observed that the APCs did not meet the operational requirement for the Army, caused Nigeria international embarrassment and deprived her appropriate reimbursement from the United Nations. With respect to contracts awarded directly by the Nigerian Army, the Committee found that many of the contracts were characterized by lack of due process, in breach of extant procurement regulations and tainted by cor-

Reps to probe governors over bailout funds Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives has resolved to constitute an ad-hoc committee to look into the utilisation of bailout funds and the terms and conditions for the disbursement and the level of compliance. The lower chamber also expressed concern over reports on the nonutilisation of bailout received from Federal Government to pay workers' salaries by some states. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance, sponsored by Hon. Karimi Sunday Steve (PDP, Kogi) to investigate the disbursement and util-

isation of bailout funds to state governments. While leading debate on the motion, Steve noted that since 2015, the fall in the price of crude oil in the international market has taken its toll on allocations from Federation Account to state governments, thereby causing the inability of several states to meet their financial obligations, particularly to their employees. He recalled that the “federal government, in July 2015, approved the release and disbursement of bailout funds totalling N689.5 billion to 27 states while a further N20 billion was disbursed to Kogi State Government four months ago,” but noted that many of the states have refused to utilise the

funds released for payment of workers' salaries. The lawmaker informed the House that reports have it that rather than utilise the funds for the purpose for which they were released, most states were reported to have stocked the funds in interest bearing accounts while their employees suffer. According to him, "Many of the states that have collected bailout from the Federal Government were reported to have stashed the bailout funds meant for staff salaries in interest bearing accounts while their employees continue to wallow in hunger, poverty and lack. Some of these workers have even lost their lives because of their inability

to meet daily need." The House further expressed worry that the public Enlightenment Department of the Independent Corrupt Practices Offences Commission (ICPC), in a recent report, indicted several state governments on the non-utilisation of these funds. The ad hoc committee is also to ascertain the necessity for further disbursement and report back to the House Also, the House mandated its Committee on Drugs and Narcotics to ensure manufacturers, marketers and stakeholders give adequate information to patients on the correct use of Tramadol. This followed the adoption of a motion under matters of urgent nation-

al importance by Hon. Rita Orji (PDP-Lagos), which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote. In her lead debate, the lawmaker explained that the prescribed drug should only be provided in the framework of qualified medical personnel. According to her, prescription is expected to involve at least one medical examination during which the patient is in the presence of a medical practitioner. "The drug, Tramadol, which is primarily used to relieve severe pain, has now been turned into narcotic due to its ability to affect the brain and change how the body feels and responds to pain," she said.

m. Mr Edward Churchill n. Capt Rohit Nandal o. Mr JM Claassens p. Mr Kingsley Onyeabor q. Mr Donald Peterson r. Kaja Alexander Onyemachi s. Mr Ponnle Abiodun t. CEO, Rapiscan System Ltd u. CEO, Dorema Nigeria Ltd. v. CEO, Progress Ltd w. CEO, Koncept Auto Centre Ltd x. Mr Kime Egozi rupt practices. It said: “With respect to contracts awarded directly by the Nigerian Army, the committee found that many of the contracts were characterized by ''lack of due process, in breach of extant procurement regulations and tainted by corrupt practices. ''In this regard, a review of the procurement carried out by Chok Ventures Ltd and Integrated Equipment Services Ltd established that between March 2011 and December 2013, the two companies exclusively procured various types of Toyota and Mitsubishi vehicles worth over N3, 000,000,000 for the Nigerian Army without any competitive bidding. ''Though the committee found no credible evidence of delivery of the vehicles, the vendors were fully paid based on job completion certificate authenticated by the then Chief of Logistics. Also, analysis of the various bank accounts of the two companies showed transfers to individuals related to the then Chief of Army Staff,'' the report said. The report also decried the procurement of near obsolete equipment and inflated contracts. “Between September 19, 2013 and September 11, 2014, the Army awarded contracts to DICON amounting to N4,329,985,000 for the procurement of Igirigi and Spartan APCs; with arms and ammunition. The contract for the procurement of 40 units of NSVT Heavy Machine Gun with accessories and 10 units of Igirigi APCs were subcontracted to Kennedy Logistics Ltd and Streit Group FZE at the cost of $1,597,500 and $1,850,000 respectively. “The contracts were awarded to DICON at the cost of $2,237,000.00 and $3,450,000.00, resulting in price differentials of $781,000.00 (33%) and $1,600,000.00 (46.4%) respectively. “Furthermore, the postdelivery Technical Inspection Reports revealed that the APCs were unsuitable for the North East operation. However, sequel to the deployment of the APCs in the North East, one was deCONTINUED ON PAGE 3

NEWS

FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Militants pose as NNPC officials, blow up pipeline Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

uspected Niger Delta militants have blown up a gas pipeline at PZ Estate in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State. The incident, which has heightened tension among residents, was a new twist in the militant attacks ravaging some borderline communities in the state. New Telegraph gathered that the destruction of the gas pipeline occurred on

Tuesday night. It was learnt that the suspected militants disguised as officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) who had come to carry out routine maintenance checks in the area. But after the suspects had long departed, sources said, a loud explosion occurred at night, severely damaging a section of the gas pipeline. Our correspondent gathered that the affected pipeline serves an 11.4 distribution line for some companies in Ikorodu, La-

Unpaid taxes: FIRS shuts two Kano companies

he Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) yesterday sealed off the offices of two companies in Kano over tax liabilities. The affected companies are Standard Plastic Nigeria Limited, located in the Bompai area of the city and Triumph Publishing Company, which is owned by the Kano State government. According to the FIRS

enforcement team leader, Mr. Chinazor Edeh, the two companies had previously received letters notifying them of their tax liabilities and urging them to pay. Standard Plastic Nigeria Limited owes N3,989,180.48 of Education Tax for 2011. Triumph Publishing Company, publishers of Daily Triumph and Weekend Triumph, owes N6.5 million of Withholding Tax for the year 2013.

IG orders audit of police investments, subsidiaries Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he Acting InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the auditing of six police investment bodies and subsidiaries, as part of measures "to institutionalise fiscal discipline, transparency, probity and accountability in the management of public funds." He said that the exercise is aimed at carrying out due diligence to ascertain the true financial position, assets and liabilities, challenges and recommendations on how to restructure and reposition these subsidiaries for effective and efficient services, profitability and return of investment to shareholders and Nigeria Police Community at large. Already, two audit firms have been engaged to carry out the exercise, which is expected to be completed in six weeks. The disclosure was made in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Don Awunah, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

€40.8m

The estimated transfer value of Roberto Firmino of Liverpool in 2016. Source: 101greatgoals.com

The audit firms are Nsebot William and Co., and Gbenga Abimbola and Co. The following bodies, according to the statement, are to be audited: NPF Pensions, NPF Mortgage Bank, NPF Corporative Ltd, NPF HMO, NPF Insurance and NPF Property Dev. Company.

gos State. A resident, who simply gave his name as Peter, told our correspondent yesterday that the Tuesday explosion had created panic among people of the community. According to him, many residents of the Ogijo community ran for cover upon hearing the sudden explosion. When contacted yesterday, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident. Adejobi, a Superintendent of Police, said the command had already deployed its men to the area, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the suspects. He said: "Some hoodlums on Tuesday went and burst a part of a gas pipeline around PZ Area in Ogijo. "We heard that they came as if they were officials of a company in charge of the maintenance of the gas pipeline, and the residents were deceived by this ploy.

"We don't want to conclude yet that they were militants, but we call them criminals, and we will get them wherever they are. "The command had deployed men to the area and we are working with other sister security agencies. The Divisional Police Officer, Ogijo, Mohammed Tijani, and his team are also there. The Lagos State police command had also deployed men on their side, in the area." Adejobi told our correspondent that NNPC officials had commenced repairs on the affected section of the gas pipeline. Also speaking on the incident, the state Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Aboluwoye Akinwande, said he has deployed more surveillance men to the area and other areas, which may be prone to such attack. Akinwande said: "The gas pipeline was a major line connected to Egbin through Oke-Iga/PZ Estate Phase E in Ogijo, Sagamu

Local Government Area of Ogun State. "However, with the efforts being made so far by men of NSCDC in their preliminary investigation, it appears the act is more likely to have happened due to vandalism or sabotage most likely by the Niger Delta boys." Meanwhile, suspected pipeline vandals and civil defence operatives yesterday engaged in a gun battle at Shimawa in Sagamu Local Government Area of the state. The incident, according to the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Kareem Olanrewaju, occurred about 7a.m. Kareem disclosed that the suspects, numbering about 10, were all armed with AK-47 rifles and explosives hung on their neck. He said: "The corps’ anti-vandal team had a serious encounter with some Niger Delta boys around Shimawa in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State. "The incident happened

today (yesterday) while the corps men were returning from patrol of petroleum pipeline around the area. They were to hand over to officers on morning duty who were already at NSCDC post located at Shimawa, Sagamu axis. "The gunmen, numbering about 10, all with AK-47 rifles and explosives hung on their neck emerged on a canoe through Shimawa River close to pipeline. They opened fire on them while our men engaged them in shootout. "It took the intervention of morning duty men who moved to the scene to rescue them when they heard sporadic shooting from the scene." Kareem stated that some of the gunmen sustained various degrees of injuries, "but no casualty was recorded from our side due to prompt intervention from the morning duty men." He assured that more officers would be deployed to the area to forestall future occurrence.

L-R: Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; Miss. Adedoyin Sotonwa of May Flower Secondary School, Ikenne (2nd position); Mr. Friday Zacheaus of Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode (3rd position); Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Miss. Naomi Akinremi of St. Peter's College, Olomore, Abeokuta (1st position), at the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange programme in Abeokuta...yesterday

Buhari orders probe of Ihejirika, Minimah, 52 others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

stroyed by RPG fire, killing a Colonel inside. As at May 13, 2016, only one of the 10 Igirigi APCs deployed to the North East was serviceable. “It was also found out that following a request by the ONSA on May 13, 2013, the government released N1,340,000,000 for OPERATION BOYONA, aimed at dislodging terrorist camps along the borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger. In August 2013, ONSA requested and got approval for additional N2,000,000,000. However, DHQ and the Services confirmed non-receipt of any additional funds for Operation BOYONA. “In March 2014, the ONSA made a case for the release of N1,000,000,000.00 to sustain offensive operations against Boko Haram insurgents. Although the amount was approved

and released, the Committee could not establish the utilisation of the funds. “Similarly, in January 2015, the then Honourable Minister of State Foreign Affairs (HMSFA II) requested for N7,000,000,000.00 to urgently fund the operation of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the Lake Chad Basin which was approved and released to ONSA. However, the committee could not ascertain the utilization of the funds from ONSA, DHQ and the Services. The returns made by ONSA to the Committee showed that about N1,500,000,000.00 was withdrawn in cash while several disbursements were made to some companies that appeared not to have any relationship with the MNJTF or any operations against Boko Haram. “The committee observed that contracts

awarded to SEI and its two associated companies, APC Axial Ltd and HKSawki Nig Ltd, fell short of established norms. Between May 3, 2014 and March 2015, the ONSA mandated CBN to release various sums totalling $386,954,000.00 to SEI and the two associated companies for ‘procurement of technical equipment’, without tying the money to particular items of procurement. Thus, the allotment of the fund was left at the discretion of the vendor without input or consultation with ONSA or the Nigerian Army. One of the new equipment SEI procured for the Nigerian Army from Ukraine was BTR-4E APC. However, according to the designers of the equipment, "some of the products sold to Nigeria were actually among 42 units designed for Iraq which subsequently re-

jected them due to poor performance rating.” The Committee also noted that between September 3, 2014 and April 30, 2015, NIMASA funded accounts of the Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield with various sums totalling N8,542,586,798.58 purportedly to enhance operations of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta. Analyses of the accounts of the Joint Task Force showed that transfers totalling N6,277,698,885.13 were made from the account. “The then JTF Commander could not justify these transfers, but confirmed that the sums were changed into dollars and handed over to a private citizen. Additionally, he could not account for the balance of N2,264,887,914.45,” the report stated. The committee ob-

served breaches of laws and regulations on payments of Withholding Tax (WHT) and Value Added Tax (VAT). The unremitted WHT from 2007 to 2015 amounted to about N862,962,065.99, $2,093,710.06 and €2,700.00 respectively. However, through the intervention of the Committee, some companies remitted N109,843,495.40 to FIRS. The committee is of the opinion that the FIRS should liaise with the Nigerian Army to recover all outstanding payments of WHT. The Committee’s interactions with the field operators revealed that although the platforms and ammunition procured for the Nigerian Army were deployed for the NE operations, most of them were over aged or expired and support spares were insufficient or completely not available.

NEWS

FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Melaye: Tinubu called me dog, I told her she was stupid Abuja

enator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West) yesterday explained that he was compelled to use foul language on Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) during the Senate closeddoor session on Tuesday after Tinubu described him as a dog and thug. Melaye said that he ran out of patience when Tinubu stood up and described him as a "dog" and "thug" and urging the Senate to tame him. He admitted that he tongue-lashed Tinubu and told her: "You are stupid." Melaye said Tinubu kept shouting "dog, thug" repeatedly. The senator made the clarification while briefing journalists in Abuja yesterday. He also insisted that nobody proposed impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari throughout the executive session. According to him, the executive session was meant to deliberate on the forgery allegation against the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, by some of their colleagues.

He said he only stood up to talk with the intention to pacify his colleagues who had initiated suits in court on the forgery allegation to withdraw their suits. Melaye said that when he made his submission, he didn't use offensive or uncomplimentary statement, neither did he mention anyone's name, but only for Tinubu to suddenly stand up and allege that she was being harassed by him. The lawmaker noted that in spite of Tinubu's hostility towards him, he was able to exercise restraint not to reply her immediately to avoid destabilising the session that was intended to bring reconciliation to the chamber. He said that he never made any attempt to come close to the female lawmaker; neither did any senator interfere in the shouting match between them. His words: "I did not use any insolent, abusive, degrading or mannerless language… But because of reasons only known to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, she got up and the first thing she said was that she's being harassed in this chamber by Senator Melaye. I kept quiet at that point. She went ahead to say that why will he come here and be threatening

‘

Chukwu David

Biologically, it is even impossible to impregnate Mrs. Tinubu because she has arrived menopause

senators and there was a large chorus from senators (asking) how, when, where? "At that point, I was still very calm. She got up again and said that this thug must be tamed. At that point, I got up and I told her that she is very stupid. The next statement from her is that you are a dog. She called me a dog and I stood up and I reacted: I told her that this is not Bourdillon and that she should look at my face, I am not one of those senators who normally come to prostrate to them in Bourdillon. “And I told her, I am from Kogi State, I am not from Lagos State and that there would never be a day that I will come to you for political assistance. These were my words and she went on shouting dog, thug. "I want to tell you, gentlemen of the press, for every reaction there must be an action. When I got up to address my colleagues she was not the only senator there. If I had used insolent language or foul languages, you will know the type of senators we have, they

would have reacted and some of them would have even addressed you guys by now to say Dino insulted us. But because she acted in the manner she did, not one senator stood up in her defence when I was tonguelashing her. “Even the senators from Lagos were there, Gbenga Ashafa was there, he didn't stand up from his seat. It is not true that anybody circled her because there was no need to. I did not leave the spot where I was sitting; I didn't get up from my seat. So, there wouldn't have been anybody to but somehow she got falsehood sold to the media.” He also denied the allegation that he threatened to impregnate Mrs. Tinubu, arguing that such insinuation was unnecessary, as Tinubu could not be impregnated because she had already entered into her menopause. His words: “It is fallacious, malicious and a lie that I said I will impregnate Mrs. Tinubu. Biologically it is even impossible to impregnate Mrs. Tinubu because she has arrived menopause. If you also

look at that statement for those of us who are intellectually mobile, how can you say you want to beat somebody and at the same time you want to impregnate the person. If you juxtapose the two, is there any correlation, does it make any logical sense? “I want to say that I will continue to uphold the culture, the tradition, the values of the Kogi West Senatorial District and I will not abuse it. But it is absurd for a woman to look at her colleague and call him a thug and a dog when he has not personally addressed you. “Unfortunately, I did not have the anointing to be quiet when being insulted. I replied accordingly. I repeat there is no reaction without an action. If she did not call me a dog or a thug, there is no way I would have responded. I responded. I have no regrets for responding and defending my person and if tomorrow or in the next one hour, Senator Tinubu again called me any name I shall equally respond accordingly." The Kogi lawmaker said he had read a statement credited to Asiwaju Tinubu that he had come to the end of his political career, saying "Tinubu is not God" and he (Melaye) would never go to Tinubu's

house to ask for help. “I want to say that Tinubu is no God. I fear only God almighty, I fear no soul; I only respect souls. So far, my political journey to the House of Representatives and the Senate have no political, financial or moral contribution of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the God who has brought me this far is mighty, strong and enough to take me further. I want to assure you that this is the true story of what transpired,” he said. He wondered why Asiwaju Tinubu was asking him to apologise on altercation that erupted between equals. He alleged that his trouble with the Tinubus, started after they called him several times and asked him to withdraw his support for Senator Saraki during the struggle for Senate presidency last year, a demand which he rejected. Melaye also stated that his ambition is to become the president of Nigeria. “It is not a crime to be ambitious. President Muhammadu Buhari is an ambitious person that is why he contested for the presidency four times before God answered him. I am an ambitious person; I even want to be president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria very soon," he said.

NEWS

FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sex scandal: Minister, US Ambassador’s absence stalls hearing lEnvor breached due process, says panel

Philip Nyam Abuja

he absence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Godfrey Onyeama and the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James T. Entwistle, yesterday stalled the public hearing on the alleged sex scandal involving some members of the House of Representatives. The joint committee of the House on ethics and privileges and foreign relations investigating allegations of sexual misconduct against three of its members insisted that the ambassador must appear before the panel. No reason was given for Entwistle’s absence. The probe panel has adjourned hearing till July 20 following the absence of Entwistle, Onyeama, the Nigerian ambassador to US and the executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Ben Angwe at the investigative hearing. But, the chairman of the Ethics and Privileges Committee and co-chairman of the probe panel, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, accused the outgoing US Ambassador to Nigeria of breaching the Vienna Convention on the law of treaties by petitioning Speaker Yakubu Dogara without recourse to the Foreign Affairs Ministry. New Telegraph had exclusively reported the alleged sex scandal. The ambassador had, on June 9, written to the speaker levelling allegations of sexual misconduct against three members of the House: Hon. Mohammed Gololo (APC, Bauchi), Hon. Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue) and Hon. Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom), while on a leadership training to the US in April 2016. In his opening remarks at the public hearing, Ossai said the committee was not unmindful of the commentaries generated by the allegations by the US ambassador and, as such, had decided to conduct the hearing in public.

33.88%

The percentage of the individuals using the internet in Bahamas in 2009. Source: Itu.int

238

The number of deaths (per 100,000) due to Alzheimer’s Disease in Vermont State in 2010. Source: Alz.org

He, however, noted that the committee would not dwell on the technicalities of the issue, stating that the ambassador flouted the Vienna Convention to have written directly to the speaker instead of following the right channel of going through the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Explaining the minister’s absence, Ossai said: “What we did with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to liaise with the US Embassy to appear before this committee. This committee didn’t want to look at the technicality of the letter between the ambassador and the speaker because due process was not followed in the letter (case). “By the US ambassador writing directly to the speaker, he has tactically waived his diplomatic immunity to appear before the committee. But we have routed our letter through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” He presented a letter from the minister dated July 11 expressing his inability to attend the hearing because of his participation in the 29th

ordinary session of the executive council of the African Union (AU) in Kigali, Rwanda; and would be available from July 19. In her own contribution, co-chairman of the probe committee and chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje (PDP, Abia), however differed, noting that the investigation was a diplomatic matter and the committee was committed to conducting the assignment in conformity with the provisions of the Vi-

enna Convention. “The House is fully aware that we are dealing with a diplomatic issue and this issue shall abide by the Vienna Convention; and we shall liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to handle the matter in a way that will maintain the relationship between the two countries.” She said the panel would rely on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get the required information from the ambassador and assured that it was not the intention of the committee to unnecessarily prolong the investigation as

“it is neither the intention of the House or the committee to get the investigation lost in transmission. It is our wish to get to the bottom of it.” Elendu-Ukeje assured that the committee would be fair and objective in handling the assignment. Following the submission of the co-chairmen, the committee, through a voice vote, decided that the investigation be postponed till July 20, to enable the minister appear before it. At yesterday’s hearing, the three accused lawmakers were all present, but

were not allowed to present their defence. One of the lawmakers, Gbillah came in company of his wife and baby, who he said were on the controversial trip to the US with him. The House had, on June 21, mandated the joint committee to investigate the veracity or otherwise of the allegations. While Gololo was accused of grabbing a housekeeper and soliciting for sex, the duo of Gbillah and Ikon were alleged to have approached car park attendants and requested them to solicit for prostitutes for them.

L-R: Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai; Minister of State for Power, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri and SE 4 ALL (Africa Coordinator), Dr. Daniel-Alexander Schroch, during the executive session of the National Council on Power in Kaduna …yesterday.

RMAFC canvasses upward review of VAT to 10% CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

storm on how to shift emphasis from oil to non-oil revenue. Speaking on strategies to expand the revenue base of the government and the new sources for revenue generation, RMAFC chairman, Mr. Shettima Gana, said that Nigeria's current VAT rate of five per cent was low. He explained that charge on goods and services in Nigeria was one of the lowest in the world. He said that in South Africa, VAT was 14 per cent while in Togo, Senegal, Guinea and Chad, it was 18 per cent, and Niger 19 per cent. He urged the Federal Government to start the process to increase it to between 7.5 per cent and 10 per cent. The VAT is collected by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and shared to the three tiers of government. Federal Government receives 15 per cent, state governments 50 per cent and local governments 35 per cent. Gana said that VAT was a high tax revenue yielding instrument that could be used to shore-up revenue required for financing the ever-expanding public expenditure and the needs of all the tiers of government. He said that comprehen-

sive research should be initiated to collect data from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), banks, and state ministries of trade and others, to determine and capture all possible VAT targets. Gana said globally, taxation was seen as the most stable source of government revenue for economic development, yet it was not being properly utilised in Nigeria. He advised government to introduce additional taxes, such as toll tax for road, luxury goods tax on mansions, exotic cars, private jets and jewelleries. He also canvassed for the introduction of inheritance tax, which would be paid by a person who inherits money or property from dead relations. Gana also harped on the importance of developing agriculture, mining and tourism sector, which hold the potential for huge revenue stream for the government. He urged governments to enhance collection efficiency, block leakages in revenue collection and beef up revenue monitoring and intelligence gathering. He said that with the introduction of new taxes, more funds would come into government’s coffers, the economy would be expanded and employment

created. Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr. Tunde Fowler, said that the process of recouping outstanding tax was intended to reduce and eliminate tax debts. "At the beginning of the year, FIRS projected N4.9 trillion, while the 2016 budget projected N4.2 trillion. Till date, we have achieved 73 per cent of the approved budget. "We still have a number of companies that are yet to pay their taxes and so, we will start the process of enforcement. There are currently five major sectors that are not as tax compliant as they should be. "These are the sectors we are going to focus on this quarter. These are telecommunications, aviation, multinational corporations, financial institutions and power," he said. Fowler said that this year, the service had captured 700,000 existing companies that had never paid tax into its database. He said that the service's strategy was to improve revenue generation by improving the number of entities that pay tax and ensure that those entities pay the right tax. He said that the service had deployed technology to improve tax collection, adding that this had brought accountability

and transparency to the system. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has said that it had commenced the review of the cost profile of all its revenue generating agencies. Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, also expressed the determination of the Federal Government to work with the private sector where required in order to maximise the nation’s revenue potential. According to her, whether the funds are from fees and fines, from taxes or from projects, the law is clear that every naira must be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund. “The administration has started the process of maximising our revenues with a number of initiatives. The most important change introduced is a reorientation in the thinking about public money. Discipline and accountability in the spending of public money is a trademark of the Muhammadu Buhariled administration. Making every naira count is a commitment and a policy focus and not a slogan. Citizens will not willingly pay revenues if the funds are seen to be leaking or being wasted. “All spending must start with revenue and therefore we have commenced the work of plugging the

leakages of government revenues. Such leakages can arise from a number of factors including inefficient collection systems, evasion of payments due, collusion and other malpractices, as well as obsolete tariffs.” Adeosun added that: “The first step required is the preparation of a detailed revenue map which identifies the specific lines of revenue and understands how such revenues are generated. Disaggregating revenue into line items is an important first step. The triggers in our various processes that result in a revenue transaction must be clearly understood and well documented. “To maximise revenue collection, the task of plugging these leakages must be undertaken. It is also important to understand the costs of collection. That is the essential equipment, technology and resources that are required to support revenue. The administration is committed to ensuring budgetary provision for these costs," she added. The Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje had, in his speech, disclosed that the state government had identified about 106 dormant revenue lines, which it was working assiduously to harness.

NEWS | national

friday, july 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Why fuel shortage resurfaced in parts of Nigeria –NNPC Adeola Yusuf

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday declared that perceived or visible shortage of petrol in some parts of the country was only a ripple effect of the period when the oil workers’ strike was in progress and did not represent a shortage in fuel supply. The corporation said this in a late statement issued by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Garba Deen

Muhammad, maintaining that members of the public should desist from engaging in panic buying. Oil workers under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) had earlier embarked on a strike that lasted for five days. “This is to once again reassure the general public that the strike action embarked upon by oil workers under the auspices of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has been called off since mid-

night of Tuesday 12th July, 2016,” the statement read. “As a result, all PENGASSAN members have since resumed work on Wednesday 13th July, 2016. Therefore, any perceived or visible shortage of petrol is only a ripple effect of the period when the strike was in progress and does not represent a shortage in supply,” the NNPC added. “Members of the public are advised not to engage in panic buying as there is no shortage of petrol. The Corporation has sufficiency that will last for over 30 days,” it concluded.

9,500 Nigerians study in US varsities, colleges –Envoy

he US Deputy Chief of Mission to Nigeria, Ms Maria Brewer, says 9,500 Nigerians are now studying at more than 730 colleges and universities in that country. Brewer stated this at the Pre-Departure Orientation for the new students held yesterday in Abuja. “Compared to the previous school year, nearly 20 per cent more Nigerians are enrolled at a U.S. college or university. “This rise fuelled almost single-handedly, Africa's overall student number increase of eight per cent. “Nigeria is top African source country and the 15th nation worldwide with students in the US,” the envoy stated.

Brewer said that the U.S. Mission's Education USA Advising Centres had helped thousands of young Nigerians achieve their dreams to study in the U.S. “This year alone, advisees received numerous scholarships from several universities totalling of over $4.6 million. “According to that latest Institute of International Education’s Open Doors report, Nigeria experienced a remarkable increase in the number of students pursuing higher education in the US,” she said. She said that the Education USA programme’s success was a testament to the value in American education, describing it a “highly coveted US ex-

port.” “I urge you to be ambassadors for Nigeria and to take seriously your responsibilities to be good citizens and scholars,” she said. Responding, one of the participants, Oludare Victor, a post-graduate of Federal University of Technology Minna, said he got admission into Tuft University to pursue his PhD programme. “I am going to study electrical and computer engineering. My major is control and robotics that is my research interest in my PhD. I am coming back to Nigeria to become a lecturer, so that I can get students to work on problem related to industries automated, we need robot,” he said.

Udoma: FG achieved 55% revenue projection in Q1 Chukwu David Abuja

he Minister of Budget and Planning, Senator Udoma Udoma, yesterday disclosed that only 55 per cent of the 2016 revenue projection had been achieved by the Federal Government in the first quarter of the year. The Minister made the disclosure when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Appropriations to give a breakdown

Tunde Oyesina Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari's daughter, Halima, an 80-year-old, Enebeli Pius Chuka and 2,257 others were yesterday called to the Nigerian Bar after passing the April 2016 Bar final examinations. To grace the occasion which took place with Halima was her mother, wife of the President, Aisha Buhari alongside her siblings.

of the level of 2016 budget implementation in Abuja. He said that the releases cut across personnel, overhead and capital allocations to the Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs) of government. Udoma said that the reason for the low level of release for capital releases was because of the procurement procedure, in which no new project had reached the stage for capital release. He said: "We are not achieving the targets set

for revenue generating agencies in the country. If we don’t get the revenue, we cannot meet the expenditure target. "The overall releases are; N1.7trillion was budgeted and as at April, N871 billion Naira was released and that is almost 50 per cent release. "For overhead, N218 billion was budgeted and N52 billion was released, amounting to 25 per cent release and this is because of the low performance of revenue generation.

Buhari's daughter, 80-year-old man, 2,257 others called to Nigerian bar The Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Mr. Olanrewaju Onadeko, during the presentation of the candidates to the Nigerian Body of Life Benchers said that the 80-year-old Pius Chuka, was the oldest new wig ever produced by the Nigerian Law School. He, however, admonished the new wigs to strive to ensure that the sanctity of the legal profession was

not compromised. Onadeko said the candidates were eligible to become members of the legal profession having successfully completed the vocational training at the Nigerian Law School as prescribed by the Legal Education Act. He, however, noted the persistent challenge of violation of admission quotas by some Faculties of Law in the country.

national | news

friday, july 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

El-Rufai: Nigeria may continue to be in darkness Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

overnor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, has said that the decision of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to reduce electricity tariff in March last year, just to help President Goodluck Jonathan win elections, has destroyed the com-

mission’s independence and credibility. El-Rufai, who spoke at the Second Edition of the National Council on Power, which held in Kaduna, yesterday, said there was need for the proper restructuring of NERC and credible people to be put charge. According to him, the last administration’s power reforms have failed and the country is back to where it was in 2001-2002,

where it is generating the same amount of electricity. The governor lamented that “We did not attract any foreign investment into the sector because the regulatory frame work is not working and lacks credibility.’’ He noted that viable power supply would remain elusive in the country unless NERC was restructured to enable potential energy private

investors to come into the power sector. The governor recalled that when he was the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), measures were taken to train people that would be the foundation staff of the NERC. "But unfortunately, those that came after us politicized the appointments and put people that lack the capacity, the knowledge or the com-

petence to regulate the sector ,’’ El-Rufai further said. The governor, who passed a vote of confidence on the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, urged him to take drastic steps to address the policy plan of the ministry in order to ensure stable and uninterrupted power supply in the country. El-Rufai further appealed to Fashola to ensure that the people appointed to NERC are professionals without any political linkages. "That's is the only way the sector will attract private investment, and we all know that we cannot solve electricity problems with government money alone. We need private investment,’’ he pointed out.

El-rufai noted that Kaduna State needs 1, 000 mega watts but "we get only 200 mega watts. Until, we learn to use what we have efficiently, this outages will continue to be a problem. "Any community that we find with sizable number of people, we are trying to deploy solar power to them, so that they are off grid and have reliable electricity,’’ he said, adding that “that is the strategy we are working on. We cannot wait until this problem is solved.’’ According to him, Kaduna State is also working with the Ministry of Power to ensure that the two power plants in Kaduna, that of Gurara and Kuden Den, were completed and made available to the state of Kaduna particularly the industrial area.

0.38

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Mali in 2000. Source: Itu.int L-R: Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and a member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmunin Jibrin, at the opening ceremony of the National Revenue Retreat by the Federal Ministry of Finance in Kano …yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Early bedtime reduces obesity risk for kids Appolonia Adeyemi

reschoolers, who are regularly tucked up in bed before 8pm are far less likely to become obese as teenagers. This is the findings of a study published in ‘The Journal of Paediatrics’. Such is the gravity of the evidence that delaying the ascent upstairs by just an hour to after 9pm, could double a child's chances of becoming obese. Lead author and Associate Professor of Epidemiology at The Ohio State University in the United States (U.S), Dr. Sarah Anderson, said the findings 'reinforces the importance of establishing a bedtime routine'.

According to her, parents could follow the lesson of ensuring early bedtime for their kids based on the fact that it was safe and that it was scientifically-based advice. “It is something concrete that families can do to lower their child's risk and it is also likely to have positive benefits on behaviour and on social, emotional and cognitive development.” Approximately 17 per cent, roughly 12.7 million children and adolescents are obese, according to the latest figures from the United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC), a report in the mailonline stated. Obesity can set children up for a lifelong struggle

with weight and health complications, including heart disease and diabetes. Researchers working on the new study used data from 977 children, who were part of the Study of ‘Early Child Care and Youth Development’. The project followed healthy babies born at 10 U.S. sites in 1991. Dr Anderson and her co-authors divided preschool bedtimes into three categories: 8pm or earlier, between 8pm and 9pm, and after 9pm. The children were about four-and-a-half years old when their mothers reported their typical weekday, bedtime routine. The researchers linked

preschoolers' bedtimes to obesity when the children were teenagers, at an average age of 15. They found a striking difference. Just one in 10 of the children with the earliest bedtimes were obese as teenagers. That is compared to 16 per cent of the children, who went to bed between 8 and 9pm. Meanwhile, of the children with the latest bedtimes, after 9pm, 23 per cent were found to be obese by the time they were 15. Half of the children in the study fell into the middle category, while a quarter had early bedtimes and the remaining quarter went to bed late.

Militants take over Ikorodu community as security agents flee Juliana Francis

undreds of suspected pipeline vandals, otherwise called Ijaw militants, yesterday afternoon took over Igbolomu community, located in Ikorodu, Lagos State. According to police source, the militants, stormed the community around 3pm, while the commissioner of police. Fatai owoseni had just finished addressing the press. The militants entered and started shooting sporadically, forcing residents to scamper for safety. Mobile police, soldiers and air force that had earlier been drafted to the community two weeks ago to check the

rampaging militants bolted, leaving residents at their mercy. It was further gathered from law enforcement officers that the militants attacked residents and raped women. A source said: " As I'm speaking with you now, all the soldiers, mopol and air force have run away. But another set of mobile policemen and soldiers have be deployed to act as re-enforcement. Soldiers from Ikeja and Ikorodu are moving there. Mobile policemen from two squadrons are also on their way.' Igbolomo is one of the communities that militants laid siege on some weeks back, killing over 30 people, including women and children.

DSS arrests, releases Obanikoro’s wife Oil marketer dissociates self DSS custody at the LaMojeed Alabi gos office on CMD Road, from Fayose, EFCC Shangisha and was later fees issues with the Ogun en of the Depart- moved to the Lagos office Adeola Yusuf State Government but not M ment of State Ser- of the Economic and Fisealed for links with Fayose. Okiro charges police management vice (DSS) yesterday nancial Crimes Commischieftain of the IndeThreatening a court stormed the Parkview, sion (EFCC), where she Apendent Petroleum action against the news- on team spirit Ikoyi residence of the was eventually released. Marketers Association paper that reported that ing Inspector-General of former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and arrested his wife, Alhaja Moroofat Obanikoro for questioning before she was released later in the day. According to Obanikoro’s Media Adviser, Mr. Jonathan Eze, the armed men had ransacked the home for hours before they decided to go with his wife. Mrs. Obanikoro was said to have been kept in

In a telephone interview with Eze, he said the development was still strange, saying nothing incriminating was found by the security operatives during the search. He thanked the family’s wellwishers, who he said had shown concern via phone calls and messages. As at the time of filing this report, the details of why Mrs. Obanikoro was arrested were yet to be made public by either the EFCC or the DSS.

of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr. Mike Osatuyi, yesterday denied Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose's alleged ownership of Chance Oil, a multi-million naira mega filling station in Akute, Ogun State. The station was reportedly sealed off by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but Osatuyi, who is the Group Managing Director of the mega station, said that the closure of the station was due to approval

the station was sealed by EFCC over affiliation with Fayose, Osatuyi urged the media to verify facts before rushing to the press. "I will not hesitate to levy charges against any medium who allow themselves to be used by some disgruntled elements and enemies of my business growth," he said. "I urge Nigerian journalists to engage in investigative journalism, rather than to involve in peddling wrong information to the public."

Emmanuel Onani Abuja

hairman, Police Service Commission, (PSC), Sir Mike Okiro, has enjoined the newly-constituted Police Management Team (PMT), to work as a team, in order to realise desired objectives. A statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, said Okiro gave the charge yesterday in his office, when the Act-

Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, led his management team on a courtesy visit. "Work like a team and I can assure you that the commission will give you all the required support to succeed. “We have to work together to create the necessary impact since we all have roles to play in the internal security chain to ensure efficiency and effectiveness," the statement quoted the PSC Chairman as saying.

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Amuka’s guards invited us –Suspected robbers

Camillus Nnaji, Taiwo Jimoh and Tobi Ayinde

he men, who stormed the Anthony, Lagos State residence of Vanguard newspaper’s publisher, Mr. Sam Amuka Pemu, to rob a few weeks ago, have confessed that the publisher’s security men invited them. According to the suspects, who are all Chadians, if not for Amuka’s guards, who told them that the publisher had lots of money stashed in the house, they wouldn’t have dreamt of attacking his home. On June 5, the bandits, numbering five, invaded the house of the 81-year-old publisher, on Adebayo Mokuolu Street, Anthony, dispossessed him of money meant for his overseas trip that weekend. His mobile phones, electronic gadgets and other valuables were also stolen. The suspects did not only steal local and foreign currencies from Amuka, they also inflicted injuries on the octogenarian. He was hospitalised thereafter. Three of the suspects, Abdulrasak Hassan (43), Umar Hussain (43) and Atim Abubakar, were paraded by the Police Commissioner yesterday. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmo, said: “The suspects, who carried out the attack on June 5, were arrested July 13 (Wednesday), barely a month after the act. The suspects, all Chadians, have given useful information in connection with the crime.

The suspected robbers

Effort is on to apprehend other fleeing suspects.” One of the suspects, Abubakar, described himself as a former convict. According to him, he had just been released from Kirikiri Prison, where he spent four months for stealing, before he went to rob Amuka. He said: “One man, called Gambo, who is still at large, told us that

Amuka had money in his house. Gambo said that it was Amuka’s security men that told him. “Gambo told us two security men had brought work for us. Gambo followed us on the robbery day. He entered the house with us. In fact, it was Gambo that beat him (Amuka). He was also the one who collected N200,000 from the man. We threatened the old man that we

City Briefs

Thieves raid Osun High Court, cart away cash Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

uspected thieves yesterday burgled six offices at the Osun State High Court, Osogbo, including that of the cashier and carted away undisclosed but ‘substantial’ amount of money. The incident occurred in the wee hours of the day. It was learnt that some of the affected offices are located

in the maintenance section and administrative building of the court. It was also learnt that the hoodlums tied the guards on duty with ropes and beat them severely. One of the workers told our correspondent that the amount of money carted away was “substantial”. The man also said that Ilesha High Court was burgled recently. He said: “We believe those

involved in this act will be apprehended. But I can assure you that nothing, apart from money, was lost during the incident.” The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Ajibade Egbedele, said the police had arrested some suspects in connection with the incident. Egbedele the case was being handled by the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID).

were there to kill him. When he gave us money, we left him.” Hussain, who described himself as the driver of the gang, buttressed Abubakar’s story that Amuka’s guard revealed that he had money stashed at home. Hussain said he was paid N30,000 as his share in the robbery. They were arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos.

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

Women march on Imo Govt House Steve Uzoechi Owerri

undreds of women drawn from the five major communities in the Owerri municipality yesterday besieged the Imo State Government House protest planned demolition and relocation of the Ekeukwu Owere market. The women, who were dressed in all black attire, bore green leaves and placards of different inscriptions while chanting protest songs and slogans. Major roads, such as Bank Road, Wetheral Road, Okigwe Road and Douglas Road connecting the Government House roundabout, were shut down because of the gridlock caused by the protest. It was learnt that Governor Rochas Okorocha had on Wednesday renewed his threat to demolish and relocate the market by issuing a fresh twoweek ultimatum for traders to evacuate or face the bulldozer. Expressing their grievance, the leader of the women, Mrs. Ifeoma Anogu, in a very brisk comment, said the traders wanted neither relocation nor remodelling. She said: “This is our ancestral market which has been here for ages. The governor should please leave it for us. He can go and build his dream market in another location.” The women said it was unfair to relocate Owerri ancestral market to another location outside the town. Responding, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor, Kingsley Uju (engineer), reassured the women that Okorocha had the interest of the people of Owerri at heart and that it was wrong to assume he was out to victimise anybody or group.

Five die, 18 injured in Kano auto crash A

t least five persons died yesterday while 18 others were injured in an auto crash on Kano-Wudil Road in Kano. The state Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Kabiru Ibrahim, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano that the accident, which occurred at Tudun Gunzo vil-

lage, involved 23 persons, five of whom died instantly, while 18 sustained serious injuries. Ibrahim said the vehicles involved collided owing to wrong over-taking. The PRO urged motorists to apply extra care while driving as many had lost their lives owing to reckless driving.

METRO

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

I’m a prostitute, I don’t lure schoolgirls, says nurse Camillus Nnaji, Taiwo Jimoh and Tobi Ayinde

32-year-old nurse, who identified herself as Chinozo Okoronkwo, is now in police custody in Lagos for allegedly luring some secondary schoolgirls into prostitution. But the woman denied the allegation. Rather, Okoronkwo said she was a prostitute herself. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, paraded the woman yesterday along with others arrested for various crimes at the state Command Headquarters, Ikeja. Owoseni said the woman, who claimed to be a nurse, was fond of luring teenage secondary schoolgirls into prostitution. He said: “When the information about the activities of the teenage girls who are into prostitution got to our notice, our crack detectives were drafted to the hotel at Ikate in Surulere where the culprit was arrested. “The mode of operation of the suspect was to go to secondary schools and lured the girls to the hotel and asked them to remove their school uniform when they got there and change into other clothes. “The suspect and the management of the hotel, who are working together, always allow the girls to go home after school hours, for their parents

not to suspect them. The victims were said to be given N1,000 every day as their service fee.” But Okoronkwo told journalists she never lured the girls into prostitution in the hotel. She said: “I don’t know anything about the girls, but I used to go the hotel to sell fairly used clothes. But sometimes I ‘do runs’ in the hotel to augment my business. I used to go to hotels in Port Harcourt to sell used clothes to prostitutes before my friend brought me to Lagos five months ago. “I was once a nursing student in Ebonyi State. It was after the death of my husband that I dropped out of the school. I came to Lagos after a man who promised to marry me defrauded me of my life savings. I came to Lagos to ‘hustle’. I stay with my friends who are into ‘runs’ in the hotel. “I did not have the intention of going into prostitution. It was because of the frustration I went through after I was duped and the need to care for my children that I joined the girls in the hotel for runs.” Okoronkwo said she was in her room on the fateful day the police arrested her. She added: “They called my name and when I heard my name I came out to check who was calling me only to be arrested. They said that three young girls had mentioned my name to the person who brought them to the hotel.

Divorce court

My husband, a flirt, says wife A

Okoronkwo

I cannot do such things because I have grown up girls like that. “They took me to Bode Thomas Police Station. During interrogation, I told the policemen that I don’t know the girls. I used the proceeds from the ‘runs’ to buy used clothes and resell to the girls in the hotel. That was how I have been managing myself. I don’t know how my mother, who is suffering from stroke, will feel seeing me in this condition.” Owoseni, however, said the suspect would be arraigned after investigation was concluded on the case. He also promised that the police would scrutinise the hotel to ascertain its role in the case.

How we slept with teenager, filmed it, by suspects Camillus Nnaji, Taiwo Jimoh and Tobi Ayinde

olice in Lagos have arrested three friends for allegedly gang raping a 17-year-old girl and uploading the video online. The suspects, Shola Owolabi (28), Michael Lanre (21) and Samuel Akpan (34), denied it was a gang-rape. The suspects said it was consensual. They also claimed they recorded the act mistakenly. But the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, who paraded the suspects yesterday at the Command Headquarters, said the men were fond of gang raping young girls and recording the girls in the act and uploading it to embarrass the victims. Owoseni said when the matter was reported at Ipaja Ayobo Police Division, the policemen swung into action and arrested the culprits. According to him, the suspects also confessed to the crime during interrogation. Owolabi said he and Lanre met Akpan making love to the girl. He said: “I went to work that fateful day. When I came back, I went to Samuel’s house only to see him making love to the girl. “When I entered my friend’s room, he just finished making love to her. I persuaded the girl to allow me sleep with her and she accepted. I made love to her too. While I was doing it with the girl, Michael (Lanre) walked in and brought out his phone and claimed he was using the torch on the phone to look for something in the room, but he was filming me as I was making love to the girl.” Owolabi said they were arrested when the landlord of Akpan’s

42-year-old businesswoman, Oluwabunmi Balogun, has told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos that her husband, Rasak Balogun, once attempted to rape their 12-year-old housekeeper. Oluwabunmi made the disclosure when she testified in a divorce petition filed by her husband yesterday. The woman accused her husband of being a flirt. She said: “My husband attempted to rape my housekeeper. When I went for a vigil, my 12-year-old housekeeper rushed to meet me in the church about 12a.m. half naked, telling me that my husband wanted to rape her. “She stayed with me through the vigil and the following morning, I took the girl to my husband's room to have her repeat herself in his presence.” The housekeeper said that the petitioner came into her room, snatched her wrapper and attempted to rape her but she escaped. Oluwabunmi said that her husband sent the housekeeper packing after the confrontation. She added: “I also caught him and my friend’s younger sister coming out of a hotel.” Oluwabunmi also alleged that Rasak was dating a single mother on their street and that he packed out of his house the same day the other woman packed out of hers. She said: “My husband packed out of the house he built to an unknown destination, abandoning me and our children. He moved out with a lady he was dating on our street to rent an apartment elsewhere.’’ The mother of three, however, pleaded with the court not to grant her husband's wish for dissolution, saying that she was still in love with him.

‘Another man loves me now’ Tobi Ayinde

Owolabi (left), Lanre and Akpan

house, who heard the scream of the girl, went to report the matter at the police station. “We were arrested in the act,” he added. Lanre explained that he also had sex with the girl, but he did not know the girl before then. He said: “Owolabi and I walked into Samuel’s apartment when we met both of them making love. We persuaded the girl to allow us to make love to her too which she consented to. We went only one round each. When I brought my phone out, I only wanted to use the torch, I never thought of filming them in the act. It was a mistake. I did not upload the video on the internet.” Akpan told our correspondent that he did not know his friends would come when he was making love to the girl.

He said: “I am a bus conductor. It was some boys in my compound who I used to send on errands who saw the girl and introduced her to me. We became friends thereafter. “The following day, she came to visit me. We were both inside my room and I persuaded her to allow me to make love to her which she accepted. My friends walked in and met us in the act. The room was dark, one of them wanted to use the torch on his phone. He did not know that the camera of the phone was recording what we were doing. It was when we got to the police station they discovered the video on his phone. “I am not happy to find myself in this situation. I don’t know what to tell my parents back home in Akwa Ibom State if they see me in this condition.”

38-year-old housewife, Mrs. Florence Akinsanmi, has approached the Alimosho Customary Court, Lagos for the dissolution of her marriage over abandonment. Florence told the court that her husband, Mr. Olumide Akinsanmi, had abandoned her for five years. The plaintiff was the only one present in court her husband was absent. The bailiff said the assistant registrar called Akinsanmi on his mobile line and informed him he was supposed to be at court for proceedings. According to him, Akinsanmi abused the assistant registrar and banged the phone on her. Florence told the court that “my husband and I have not been living together since 2011, that is five years ago, though I still love him. That was why I waited this long; maybe we could come back together and continue from where we stopped. But unfortunately, he doesn’t even want to talk to me nor set his eyes on me”. She added: “We have no child for each other. I am already getting old; I cannot continue this way anymore, I want to have a child too. Someone loves me now and I am ready to go with the one who loves me. I cannot continue to stay in darkness with the one who doesn’t want to hear from me or set his eyes on me. That is why I have approached the court. So I can move on and remarry.”

NEWS | national

friday, july 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

At last, Saraki reads Presidency's letter for Magu's confirmation

Fayose’s aide sues EFCC, seeks N500m for illegal detention

Abuja

Chukwu David

arely three weeks after the Presidency wrote the Senate, requesting for confirmation of the appointment of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, finally read the letter on the floor of the Senate yesterday. The letter, dated June 17 and signed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, was forwarded to the upper chamber on June 22, for consideration and subse-

quent approval. The letter equally requested the Senate to confirm four other persons as members of the commission. They are Nasule Moses, Lawan Maman, Garandaji Imam Naji and Adeleke Abebayo Rafiu. The Vice-President in the letter pointed out that the appointments were made in strict compliance with the provisions of the EFCC Act. The letter reads in part; "The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act of 2004, established the commission and makes it responsible, among other things, for the coordination and enforcement of all economic and

financial crime laws and enforcement functions conferred on any person or authority. Section 2 (1) of the Act also provides that the commission shall consists of a chairman, who shall be the chief executive and accounting officer of the commission; be a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of assistant commissioner of police or equivalent; possess not less than 15 years cognate experience apart from other ex-officio members of the commission provided for in section two. "The Act also provides for four eminent Nigerians

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME

Taiwo

Maiyanga

I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Falana Oluwakemi Taiwo now wish to be known and addressed as Miss. Falana Kemisola Taiwo. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Stella Ogbonnie Agboti now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Stella Ogbonnie Otunta Maiyanga. All former documents remain valid. Banks, Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo and the general public should take note.

George

Jimifor

I formerly known and addressed as Bassey George now wish to be known and addressed as Bassey Edet George. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Aldolphos Willson now wish to be known and addressed as Ibrakumo Jimifor. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

Tega

Digha

I formerly known and addressed as Solomon Rachael now wish to be known and addressed as Solomon Beauty Tega. All former documents remain valid. Skye bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

This is to confirm that Florinah Digha is the same person as Florina Digha which was wrongly written in my voter’s card and also in my FCMB account. That henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Florinah Digha. All former documents remain valid. FCMB Plc and the general public should please take note.

Ekuma

Walter

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Chima, Eze Nneka Janet now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ekuma Nkama Eze Nneka. All former documents remain valid. N.Y.S.C, FCMB and the general public should please take note.

This is to confirm that the names Igwe Okorie Chukwu and Igwe Chukwu Walter refer to one and same person. All former documents remain valid. GTB Plc, Access bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Ezin

Muokel

I formerly known and addressed as Eze Peter Emmanuel now wish to be known and addressed as Ezin Peter. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank Plc and the general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Attah Samuel Nnagozie now wish to be known and addressed as Muokel Samuel Nnagozie. All former documents remain valid. Keystone bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

OBI

Chukwujekwu

I, formerly known and addressed as Obijiaku Bianca Uju now wish to be known and addressed as OBI BIANCA UJU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known as Mamduabuchi Adumekwe Kingsely now wish to be known and address as Udorji Ernest Chukwujekwu. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity bank and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

EHA- ALUMONA TOWN UNION ABEOKUTA BRANCH

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Ikechukwu Enyi 3. Madu Joseph Chukwuma 5. Alumona Basil Ugwuoke 7. Onah Sunday Emmanuel 9. Abel Odoh

2. 4. 6. 8.

Nnadi Lawrence Ogar Fredrick Ugwuanyi Samuel Omeye Christopher Ede

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. Foster unity amongst members in particular and Ogun State in general 2. To promote and ensure cordial relationship between members and host environment 3. To assist government agents to carry out their duties within the juridiction Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: SECRETARY

Nsima

I formerly known and addressed as Saturday Godbless .B. now wish to be known and addressed as Nsima Johnson. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Egbonkumor

I formerly known and addressed as Godgift John now wish to be known and addressed as Emmanuel Egbonkumor. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Ezeh

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Anidiobi Fidelia Ifenyinwa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ezeh Fidelia Ifenyinwa. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Obiefuna

This is to confirm that the names Obiefuna Chiamaka Lilian and Obiefuna Chinwa Lilian refer to one and same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Obiefuna Chiamaka Lilian. All former documents remain valid. GTB Plc and the general public should please take note.

ETAGHENE

I, formerly known and addressed as Iyabo Adeoye now wish to be known and addressed as ETAGHENE IYABO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Dibie

This is to certify that Franca Fidelia Dibie and Franca Uloma Dibie refers to the same person. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

Babalola

I, formerly known and addressed as Fatimah Kehinde Hassan now wish to be known and addressed as Fatimah Hassan Babalola. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Amakiri

I, formerly known and addressed as Ferikuma Amakiri and Ogoniba Shehu now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Amakiri Amakiri. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Maduabuchi

I, formerly known and addressed as Obiagwu Mario Paschal now wish to be known and addressed as Obiagwu Paschal Maduabuchi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

with any cognate experience of the following; that is finance, banking, law and accounting. Section 2 (3) further provides that chairman and members of his commission other than ex-officio members shall be appointed by the president and the appointment shall be subject to confirmation of the senate. "Section 3 of the Act provides that the chairman and members of the commission other than the ex-officio members shall hold office for a period of four years and maybe reappointed for further term of four years and no more. In view of the following, I hereby draw your Excellency’s attention to the vacancy that existed in the EFCC. "Having carefully considered eminently suitable qualified Nigerians for the vacant position, I am pleased to inform you of the appointment of the following and to propose them for confirmation of the Senate as provided by the EFCC Act."

Tunde Oyesina

n aide to Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, Abiodun Agbele, yesterday sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before an Abuja High Court challenging the legality of his detention without trial since last month. He is seeking N5 million in damages over his detention without trial since June 27. Agbele through his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, told the court how he was hauled into the EFCC’s detention since June 27 in respect of an alleged N1.3 billion reportedly traced to the personal account of Governor Fayose. The applicant is asking the court to award him N500 million as compensatory damages for his unlawful arrest and detention. The matter could not however be heard yesterday as the EFCC sought

a short adjournment in order to file its defense. The trial judge, Justice Kayode Adeniyi, however, adjourned till today for hearing. In a motion on notice filed along with his originating summons, Agbele asked the court to order his immediate release from the agency’s detention centre. The suit is seeking for the enforcement of his fundamental rights to freedom of liberty, human dignity and the right to acquire and own property in line with provisions of the 1999 Constitution. He claimed that unless and except the High Court came to his rescue, his rights to freedom of liberty would continue to be trampled upon by the anti-graft agency. Counsel to EFCC, Mr. Raymond Ezekiel, had earlier urged the judge to adjourn hearing of the suit till today to enable him file his counter affidavit.

Reps move to restrict foreigners from local jobs Philip Nyam Abuja

s a way of protecting existing employment opportunities for more Nigerians, the House of Representatives yesterday passed for second reading, a bill to restrict number of foreigners seeking employment in the country. Sponsored by House Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the bill is titled; “A bill for an Act to amend the Immigration Act, 2015 to make further provisions to restrict and regulate the issuance of work permit to foreign nationals and for other related matters. In his lead debate on the

motion, the House Leader said there are provisions under the Immigration Act and the immigration regulations to regulate ingress and egress of foreign nationals. He noted that provisions had also been made to regulate any foreign nationals seeking work permit to work in Nigeria. Gbajabiamila said: “Pursuant to the motion on unemployment crisis in Nigeria moved on the floor of the House on the 28th day of October, 2015 asking the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the job and labour market, among others, further amendment of the Act has become inevitable.

“Consequently, Sections 36 is being amended basically to further restrict and regulate employment of foreign nationals/expatriates and to provide for stiffer punishment for violators of the provisions of the Act.” Giving details of the proposed amendment, the House Leader said: “Section 36 provides for residence and employment of foreign nationals in Nigeria. Section 36 (1) said no person other than a citizen of Nigeria shall: (a) Accept employment (not being employment with the federal, state of local governments) without the consent in writing of the Comptroller-General of Immigration."

Buhari approves Morocco's plan to build fertilizer plant in Nigeria Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari has welcome

change OF NAME

David

I formerly known and addressed as Majesty Ochege Onah now wish to be known and addressed as Ochege David Onah. All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public should please take note.

Christian

I formerly known and addressed as Npoudourousi Christine now wish to be known and addressed as Noudohounsi Christian. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank Plc, Authorities concerned and the general public should take note.

plans by the Government of Morocco to establish a fertilizer plant in Nigeria. The President said his administration was in a hurry to see projects take off in the agricultural sector to enhance food security and create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths. The President spoke when he received Ambassador Nasser Bourita, a Special Envoy of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said: "For us in Nigeria, it is like starting all over again. There was a time we had so much

money and took things for granted. But with the fall in the international price of oil, we are now managing." President Buhari explained that the establishment of a fertilizer plant by Morocco in the country would not only serve the country, but the entire West African sub-region. In his remarks, the envoy, who is also the Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, said his country had developed strategy to deal with religious extremism and had largely been successful in fighting terrorism.

FRIDAY, JUly 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Senate Kindred spirit for Ekweremadu

Politics

One controversy too many FELIX NWANERI reports on the uproar over the altercation between Senators Dino Melaye and Oluremi Tinubu during a closed-door session of the Senate

he senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, Dino Melaye, is not new to controversy. Sometimes, he courts it and gives no damn about its consequences. Right from his days as a student union leader at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, to his stay in the House of Representatives, he has always been in the eye of the storm. He had also at some points in the course of his political career treaded paths, which most of his colleagues avoid like leprosy and in the process dared the powers that be and in most cases came out unscathed. Catalogue of controversies Melaye’s involvement in a rowdy session in the House of Representatives in 2010 earned him suspension from the lower legislative chamber alongside 10 others but was later recalled on the orders of the court. He once accused the National Leader of his party –All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, of plotting to have him removed from the Senate for supporting Senator Bukola Saraki to emerge as the Senate president. He also at a time attacked former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying the ex-president is guilty of corruption that he accused the Senate of. Obasanjo had written to both chambers of the National Assembly, accusing them of greed and corruption. But the outspoken Melaye, who described the letter “a misplacement of anger,” added that the former president had not forgiven those who “defrauded

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

Melaye

him in 2007 and refused to implement the third term agenda. His words: “Our leader is mistaking the 8th National Assembly as the same Assembly that defrauded him in 2007. Those who collected his money and refused to implement the third term agenda. There was the case of bribery introduced by the Obasanjo’s regime in a desperate attempt to remove Speaker Ghali Umar Na’abba from office then. “In fact, there was open display of that bribery money on the floor of the house.That government exposed the National Assembly to corruption and easy money. I hope this is not in an attempt to cover up and distract attention from the Halliburton and Siemens corruption allegations. “While I am against corruption anywhere in Nigeria, I will not support accusations based on anger and vindictiveness. The 8th Senate should also look inward and purge herself of all the deliberate misgivings of the past. Nigeria must work and we must support the anti-corruption stand of the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.” While Obasanjo did not bother to reply him, Melaye had remained vocal on national issues as ever. However, his reference to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, while contributing to a motion seeking the need to patronise products made in Nigeria, earned him the fury of the former

Tinubu

Privileges enjoyed by members of the legislature do not empower them to make scurrilous remarks

labour leader. The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, had in his contribution to a motion by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, admonished Nigerians not to emulate the governor, who opted not to “patronise made-in-Nigeria women but a foreign one.” Apparently referring to Oshiomhole’s wife, Lara, who hails from Cape Verde, an island off the northwest coast of Africa, Melaye said: “I want to celebrate the made-in-Nigeria senator for bringing up this motion. In considering goods produced in Nigeria, we must look at the enabling factors that will necessitate the goods. “It is beyond having one made in Nigeria attire and having over 70 designers’ attires in your wardrobe. We must reduce the allocation for made-in-Nigeria goods and services to the basics. What are those factors limiting the production of these goods? We must tackle them. We must also begin to look at our legislation; then we will begin to talk about made-inNigeria goods. “We will also move in order to encourage made-in-Nigeria products and begin to talk about made-in-Nigeria women. Apologies to my uncle, the governor of Edo State, we must as a people stop paying dowries in dollars and pounds. It is time for my colleagues here to become born

again.” Oshiomhole, who is as vocal as Melaye, unlike others, did not ignore the tirade. He fired back, describing the Kogi senator’s jibe as a demonstration of “hollowness.” “Any responsible individual that is truly worth to be called a senator, a position that convokes respect, decorum and decent public conduct, should know the limits of his verbal diarrhea. The liberty of free speech guaranteed in the hallowed chambers does not impose lunacy on anyone to disparage other Nigerians, let alone pry into their matrimony in a very derisive manner,” Oshiomhole said. Melaye responded by boasting that he would soon unveil his made-in- Nigeria wife. “When I’m ready una go see my made-in Nigeria wife. I cannot pretend to be who I’m not, cannot start doing things I’m not used to, too late. Senator or no senator, Omo Naija proper,” he wrote on his Twitter handle. Altercation with Tinubu While analysts and observers insist that the privileges enjoyed by members of the legislature do not empower them to make scurrilous remarks about the private life of citizens, the recent altercation between Senators Melaye and Remi Tinubu (wife of the APC National Leader and a former CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

POLITICS

FRIDAY, JUly 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Melaye, Tinubu's altercation stokes fire C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 1

governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Tinubu) which saw both lawmakers calling each other names and charging at each other, has again earned Melaye some knocks. The Kogi senator was reported to have threatened to beat up Mrs. Tinubu during a closed-door session by senators on Tuesday. Most versions of the report said trouble started when Melaye urged the Senate to descend heavily on members who had offered to serve as prosecution witnesses in the ongoing forgery case against Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu. An account had it that Mrs. Tinubu, who opposed Melaye’s suggestion, warned against reducing the Senate to a kindergarten, where senators could just issue childish threats. It was further reported that Melaye responded by jumping up from his seat and charging towards Mrs. Tinubu, saying, “Look this is not Bourdillon. I will beat you up, impregnate you and nothing will happen.” Tinubu, Lagos senators react Asiwaju Tinubu, who responded to development on Wednesday, described the Kogi senator as a disgrace to the Senate. He also assured him that something would happen, if he dared beat his wife. Speaking through his media aide, Sunday Dare, the APC National Leader said Melaye’s comment was a major low for him. “Dino Melaye sank to the lowest ever on Tuesday. From this point, it is downhill for him, a disgrace to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And if Dino thinks nothing will happen if he dares to beat up another senator, then he must be living in a fool’s paradise. Things will happen,” Dare wrote on his Twitter handle. Also reacting, Lagos senators – Olugbenga Ashafa (Lagos East), and Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Lagos West) warned Melaye to desist from harassing and intimidating Mrs. Tinubu or face their wrath. The senators, who described Melaye as lilly-livered, vowed to testify in court on the side of truth, as part of the resolution of any conflict in the Upper Chambers. They said in a statement: “We deplore in very strong terms the use of abusive, threatening, uncouth, vulgar and un-parliamentary language by any senator against any other senator, particularly our female colleagues. “As distinguished members of the Red Chamber, we are strongly in favour of resolving any conflict that has arisen in the course of our representation and national duty through dialogue and due process and we will not be part of any solution obtained through any form of coercion, threat, intimidation and ungentlemanly conduct of the distinguished office of a senator. “We dissociate ourselves from the comments and behaviour of Senator Dino Melaye at the executive session of July 12, as we represent people known for finer character and nobler culture of social interaction. “We equally state that we will

Tinubu

be part of efforts to instill and enshrine decorum and gentlemanly conduct associated with the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “While condemning the use of any vulgar and un-senatorial language in all ramifications, we particularly take offence at the use of such abusive and denigrating words against the person of distinguished Senator Tinubu as such words greatly demeaned the female gender and the hallowed chamber of the Senate. “Finally, pursuant to the threat of physical abuse against Senator Tinubu by Senator Melaye, we state that we are not lily-livered and cannot be intimidated or deterred from our primary assignment of representing the good people of Lagos State and carrying out our national duties of law-making, even if it entails testifying in court on the side of the truth as part of the resolution of any conflict in the upper chamber.” The Lagos APC, which also condemned Melaye’s action, demanded that the Kogi senator tenders an apology to Tinubu and his wife. A statement by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, said: “Lagos APC wants Dino Melaye to move quickly to apologise to Senator Tinubu and her beloved husband, Asiwaju Tinubu, and have the statement credited to him withdrawn without any further delay.” Women group threatens Also rising in defence of Senator Tinubu, a group, Women Advocacy Research and Development Centre (WARDC), through its coordinator, Dr. (Mrs.) Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said the verbal attack on the Lagos senator, at a time women participation in politics is at its lowest ebb in Nigeria, is reprehensible. Akioye-Afolabi, who also lamented the silence of the Senate and other senators on the issue, also called on Melaye to tender an unreserved apology to Tinubu within the next three days as she

Akiyode-Afolabi

If Dino thinks nothing will happen if he dares to beat up another senator, then he must be living in a fool’s paradise

Saraki

is not only representing her constituency in Lagos State “but also representing the almost half of Nigerian population- the female population.” She warned that “failure of Senator Melaye to take this appropriate step will lead to Occupy National Assembly by well meaning Nigerians.” She further said: “Verbal abuse, assault and battery of women is becoming a pattern in our democratic dispensation and it is a reflection of the numerous abuses that women face on a daily basis in the society “According to National Demographic and Health Survey Report (2013), 28 per cent of women age 15-49 have experienced physical violence at least once and 7 percent have experienced sexual violence in Nigeria and it is believed these figures are not representative of the magnitude of the problem. “Between 2003 till date, notable women lawmakers have experienced physical and verbal abuse from men who are supposed to protect their rights. Senator Iyabo Anisulowo was slapped by another lawmaker at the National Assembly, while another female lawmaker from Edo State was battered by an aide to an Immigration officer at the Assembly Complex earlier this year. Hon. Funmi Tejuoso was also physically assaulted at the Lagos State House of Assembly sometimes ago then this gender insecurity against Senator Oluremi Tinubu. “Unfortunately, despite the public outcry against the security threat to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Senate and the APC have not yet responded to the matter. The silence on the matter by the Senate and other members of the National Assembly vividly explains a tacit support from the hallowed Chamber on violence against women.” Melaye absolves self Against the backdrop of the condemnations, Melaye, yesterday refuted reports that he threatened to beat up Tinubu and im-

pregnate her. He also said he did not use any insolent, abusive, or degrading language in the course of the disagreement. His words: “It is malicious and a lie that I said I would impregnate Mrs. Tinubu. Biologically, it is even impossible to impregnate Mrs. Tinubu because she has arrived menopause. How can you say you want to beat somebody and at the same time impregnate the person?” Melaye explained that he only told the Senate that since it had passed a resolution saying that its rules were not forged, senators who went to court should withdraw the case of face suspension. He insisted that he was compelled to respond to Senator Tinubu, when she insulted him when allowed to speak on the issues he raised. He said: “Unfortunately, Senator Oluremi Tinubu got up and was recognised to speak and immediately she started speaking, she specifically mentioned my name. For reasons only known to Senator Tinubu, she got up and the first thing she said was that she was being harassed in this chamber by Senator Melaye at this point. “She went ahead to say that why would he come here and be threatening senators and there was a large chorus from senators. At that point I was still calm. She got up again and said that this thug must be tamed. At that point, I got up and told her that she was very stupid. “The next statement from her was ‘You are a dog.’ She called me a dog, and when she called me a dog I stood up and reacted and I told her that this was not Bourdillon and she should look at my face, I am not one of those senators who normally come to prostrate to them in Bourdillon and I am from Kogi – and not from Lagos.” While the last may not have been heard on the matter, the consensus is that public office holders should shun unnecessary tirades, while addressing important national issues to avoid heating up the polity unnecessarily.

POLITICS

FRIDAY, JUly 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kindred spirit for Ekweremadu

Kenneth Ofoma writes on the recent solidarity rally for the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, by his people over his prosecution for alleged involvement in the forgery of the Senate Standing Rules

t is not common to see diverse stakeholders coming together to speak with one voice an issue. But that was exactly what the people of Enugu West Senatorial District of Enugu State did recently. The people and leaders, drawn from the five local government areas that make up the district – Awgu, Udi, Ezeagu, Oji-River and Aninri stormed the headquarters of Awgu Local Government Area to make a strong statement. The mammoth crowd which halted business and social activities temporarily witnessed outpouring of emotional speeches and solidarity songs. There was a general feeling of pity and apprehension by a people, who seemingly felt threatened that the only “eye” with which they see is about to be shut. The people spoke in unison in condemnation of the trial of Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu by the federal government for alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rules, saying it is an act of political persecution. The solidarity rally kick-started at Awgu Local Government mini-stadium, in Awgu local government area, headquarters of Enugu West Senatorial District. More than 3,000 youths, old men, women traditional rulers and the political class gathered at the council mini-stadium, where they accused the Federal Government of persecuting their son, Senator Ekweremadu, who represents the senatorial district in the National Assembly. The people marched round the local government secretariat from where they moved to the constituency office of the member representing Awgu-AninriOji-River federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, to formally present their grievances. The leaders and people of the senatorial district, who carried placards and sang solidarity songs, marched back to the local government field where a prominent traditional ruler from Okpanku in Aninri Local Government Area and former Director General of the Nigeria Defence Academy, HRH (Prof.) Sam Uk-

People of Enugu West Senatorial District in solidarity march for Senator Ekweremadu. Inset: Ekweremadu

pabi, presented an address on behalf of the people. Some of the placards had inscriptions such as “The lifewire of Igbo should not be harassed by the Buhari-led Federal Government, Enough is enough,” “Enugu West people will resist any attack against Ikeoha,” “Dictatorship of the executive- let separation of power prevail,” “Our son Dr. Ike Ekweremadu and Senate leadership are on course,” “Ekweremadu keep your good work,” “Ekweremadu is the real man for democracy” and “Federal Government should leave the legislature alone.” Prof. Ukpabi in his address stated that the stakeholders in the senatorial zone had reviewed the state of the nation, especially the “political bitterness, nepotism, hate and crushing economic hardship, with a narrow cabal in the All Progressives Congress, (APC),” and resolved to condemn the “politically motivated persecution” of the Deputy Senate President on trumped up charges of forgery. “While the current political persecution has not come to us as a surprise, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) is yet to tell the world how he generated the names of Senators Ekweremadu and Bukola Saraki for trial, when the petitioners, all senators and National Assembly bureaucrats interrogated by the police, and indeed the Police Report itself did not mention or indict Senator Ekweremadu or Saraki in any way.” While calling on the APC-led Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, refrain from the alleged culture of political persecution, the people declared that Ekweremadu was elected with an overwhelming mandate both as a senator and Deputy Senate

The desperation of the cabal... to get rid of Ekweremadu by all means is hugely counterproductive

President and his election did not violate known convention, practice or the nation’s constitution. They called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reign in his party and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federal, Mallam Abubakar Malami, describing the trial of the presiding officers of the Senate as “Kangaroo” exercise, even when, according to them, a Federal High Court had dismissed the exercise as “abuse of court process.” The people declared“the desperation of the cabal in the APC-led federal government to get rid of Senator Ekweremadu by all means is hugely counterproductive and hold ramifying consequences for Nigeria’s political stability and unity.” They added: “We would hold this cabal squarely responsible should anything untoward happen to Senator Ike Ekweremadu.” The constituents also called on the international community to stop playing the ostrich “in the face of this dangerous slide to democratic dictatorship and anarchy as against the expected rule of law and democratic freedoms as ingrained in democracy, which they helped Nigerians to enthrone on 29th May, 1999.” Earlier the member representing Awgu-Aninri and Oji-River federal constituency, Hon. Okechukwu had queried the rationale behind the charges against Ekweremadu and Saraki even when they were never invited by police for any statement and their names never featured in the police report. He described Ekweremadu, who is popularly called “Ikeoha Ndigbo” (the strength of the Igbo) as “a child of destiny,” noting that each time it appears the

people are down, God would use the four-term senator to lift the people. “Ekweremadu is loved by his colleagues-senators, that was why they elected him Deputy Senate President for the third time. Politics is a matter of ideas and convincing people, not a matter of intimidating people. We are telling them that we stand with Ikeoha,” he said. Hon. Okechukwu argued that the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act states that statement must be taken from a suspects in the presence of his lawyer before being charged to court. It will be recalled that Senators Saraki, Ekweremadu as well as a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi, were accused of illegally altering the Senate Standing Rule used in electing them into office in June 2015. They were arraigned before Justice Yusuf on June 27, but they pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. The court granted them bail shortly after, and ordered that they provide sureties with properties in Asokoro, Garki, Wuse and Maitama areas of Abuja. In a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and forgery, Maikasuwa was listed as the first defendant, while Efetiri, Saraki and Ekweremadu are second to fourth defendants respectively. In a statement of offense under count 1 of the charge, it reads, “Criminal Conspiracy, contrary to Section 97 of the Penal Code Law.” The charge sheet reads: “That you Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Benedict Efeturi, Dr. OlubuCONTINUED ON PAGE 16

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Ogbulafor: Biffing and beating Biafra Emissary EMEKA OBASI emobas2003@yahoo.com 0809-445-7557 (sms only)

oliticians know their way round the hot seat. They play as much game as clowns, the only difference is that a jester is never himself on stage ,all comic but the words used in politics go a long way. I have nothing against Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, he is the typical Nigerian politician. Our politicians flow like the river, from one source to the other. And they also get a lot from this fair weather game. Prince Ogbulafor is a big player in the system. He journeyed from the All Peoples Party[APP] to the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP].Having failed to win the governorship position in Abia under APP, he crossed over to the PDP . Huge was the reward. The Umuahia prince was minister of the Federal Republic, Secretary of the PDP and to crown it all, he would later emerge as PDP national chairman. The same platform that lifted this compatriot also plotted against him almost sending the former party chief to jail. Earlier this week,Ogbulafor was quoted by a national daily as having fought for Biafra during the Civil War. Now anybody that fought for Biafra is my hero. And I love soldiering. That war was necessary if you were Igbo but like General Alani Akinrinade said about 40 years later, it could have been avoided if wickedness and madness had not taken over many minds. The part of the interview that hurts me is where he said: “ Also, I feel the president should grant the South –East Elders audience and listen to them, after all, what is happening in the North-East now is equivalent to what happened in Biafra then. People died, malnutrition was the order of the day,

nobody helped Biafra.” This is far from the truth and I guess Prince Ogbulafor was misquoted. What is happening in the North East today is condemnable but is nowhere near what happened in Biafra. And it is also sad that most Nigerians do not know the truth of what transpired during the war. Biafra was worse than Rwanda. Before Liberia, there was Biafra. The Serbs saw no hell compared to what Biafrans experienced but because there was conspiracy on the part of The United States, The Soviet Union and Britain, the pains did not quite sink. Today events are shown freely within seconds on the internet. The globe gets to know when ISIS beheads a soul, the world screams when Boko Haram abducts women and the International community thinks Al Qaeda is more deadly than some of the murderers who fought on the Federal side. Those of us who have the energy to write, will continue to write and expose the atrocity that was committed during the Civil War. I saw the War, I am writing from experience. And people must continue to read so that the truth will set them free. I do not have anything against those on the Federal side who killed in the battle field. That is war in its fairness. There are rules of engagement. And some of the fighters also fought like there would be tomorrow. I read Brigadier Alabi Isama who said he made a deal with his buddy and Coursemate , Col. Simeon Uwakwe. That was why Arochukwu was not as bloodied as places like Uzuakoli and Abagana. I understand men like Ibrahim Taiwo and Mohammed Chris Ali did not treat Biafrans like game all through the crisis. Hell was visited on Biafra by their Federal brothers. Egyptian pilots, who could not withstand tiny Israel, flying Nigeria Airforce jets came down hard on Biafran villages and civilians. There is no record to show that those pilots from North Africa ever destroyed Biafran military hardware. Rather they derived joy in destroying innocent lives. The Russians also backed Federal troops with fighter jets and bombers. It is to their

In Biafra, towns were destroyed, villages were wiped out, children were enslaved and women not only raped but stolen. Yes,the girls were stolen

eternal shame that they were unable to demobilize the rag tag Biafran forces. Instead their target was farms , children in Sick Bays and mothers who were running the homes as the males fought in the battlefield. I have not seen genocide in the North – East. Boko Haram kills in tens and twenties. Federal troops killed Biafrans in thousands. At the end, over Five Million who returned to the Eastern region were massacred. Do we talk of Asaba where nearly all the male population was wiped out or Eke Ezeala Market in Eziama, Mbano that was bombed when impoverished Biafrans went to look for something to eat? I have not seen Kwashiokor in the NorthEast. Some of us in Biafra ate just anything to survive. They still see salt in the NorthEast. We did not come across salt except through stockfish brought by the Scandinavians. Initially, salt could come from the Coastal water boiled for days until it all dried up. However, when Port Harcourt fell, it became much easier to die than to see salt. In Biafra, towns were destroyed, villages were wiped out, children were enslaved and women not only raped but stolen. Yes,the girls were stolen and turned to sex slaves and even married women were taken as war booty. You cannot believe this: while the average Biafran soldier did not have more than 20 bullets at a time in his rifle, Federal troops wasted bullets shooting at chicken and goats. The scars of the war have not healed. Many still feel it. I know of boys who lost their sanity because they had to defend their people from some of the blood suckers who masqueraded as Federal troops. Many of the abducted women went mad, the humiliated men committed suicide and the orphans just faded away. Today, the North –East will be rehabilitated just because of Boko Haram. The Niger Delta got a ministry and the Presidency for which Ogbulafor’s people are being punished. The South –West lost Chief Abiola and got Chief Olusegun Obasanjo plus Prof .Yemi Osinbajo. The North is leading again. The East ? I cannot find them on the present map of Nigeria.

Courts, constitution and another season of madness Heavens Agwunobi

he working of a government, when that government really works, is always rooted in mystery; its organic balance is too complex and delicate for the discursive understanding, or for the rough template of schematization. For some time now, especially in over a week, I have been oppressed by a sinister foreboding. We live in a country where nothing is too squalid to be transcended. There is something trivial and unnecessary even in our travails, and even when the ship of state is finally rescued, they will seem sordidly silly. A dying country on board a rickety democracy and across the plain there is no wicket gate offering a way of escape. We have to stay here and fight it out. Indeed we must do so for the sake of future generations. I do not say the situation is hopeless. Indeed, if I thought so, I would not trouble to write, but if we go on as we are, I

can see nothing but disaster ahead, though I am quite unable to predict either when, or exactly how, it will overtake us. The day of reckoning will come to the end. One cannot go on indefinitely refusing to face the facts of life. It may be a slow slide to destruction, or it may all end in a big bang. But whimper or bang, slide or sudden explosion, there will come a time, sooner or later, when a nation which has lost its self respect must face the truth, away from this elective demo'crazy'. The role of the courts in constitutional adjudication resembles most other social or political phenomena, in that it cannot be described with simplicity and with absolute precision at the same time. The constitution itself appears to state quite unequivocally that it is to be regarded as law, if the constitution, then, is to be regarded as law, it may be invoked in law suits by litigants. And it may obviously happen that some provision in the constitution will appear to the court to be in conflict with some-

thing else that also has in some sense the status of “Law”-an Act of parliament. We are thus brought up against a question which is not answered merely by the formula that declares the constitution to be law. Is it a law superior to, and controlling other law, or is it a law inferior to and controlled by other law? What is the effect of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) that provides for immunity for the President, Governors and their deputies? Does the immunity as envisaged by the framers of the constitution allow for the flagrant abuse of other laws by those who 'enjoy' the immunity? Recently the governor of Ekiti state, Mr. Ayo Fayose’s bank accounts were frozen by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) bordering on an alleged diversion of security funds. Few days ago, Senators Bukula Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu kicked against what they termed executive interference in the affairs of the National Assembly which they contend violates the doctrine of separation of powers, the

duo having been dragged to court for alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rules. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a Certificate of Return to Mr. Uche Ogah who came second at the last Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries in Abia State. What is the consequence of the court order obtained from the Osisioma Division of Abia State High Court by the governor barring the Chief Judge of Abia state from swearing-in Mr. Ogah? Can a person (Dr. Ikpeazu) whose certificate of return was withdrawn by INEC continue to act as executive governor of a state ? What is the consequence of courts of co-ordinate jurisdiction sitting on appeal over the same matter? Now these facts imply very important limitations. Courts do not decide question of constitutionality except when these actually arise in real legal controversies between people who have something substantial at stake. •Agwunobi wrote in from Lagos.

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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JAMB: This confusion must end

ll is presently not well with admission process into the nation’s higher institutions of learning. The whole scenario, if not addressed through genuine efforts, will not only throw the system into palpable confusion, but also unleash further crisis on the higher education sub-sector. The fresh concern being raised by the controversies trailing the new admission process as thrown up by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the examination body saddled with the responsibility of conducting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the qualifying examination into these institutions, is a blight on the system, if the current attendant brouhaha that is already playing itself out is anything to go by. Perhaps, the question to be asked is why should admission into schools, even secondary schools, be a matter of life and death and national calamity? The late Prof. Babs Fafunwa, the doyen of education and former Education Minister once lamented how he was turned to a mere admission officer into Unity Schools as a minister. It is apparently disgusting if this retrogressive structure, which has refused to align with the international standard and practices should be encouraged to blossom. Over the time, and most re-

cently, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has been in public eye, following the barrage of criticisms trailing the conduct of the UTME examinations, which was marred with various degrees of irregularities and now how to get students into the institutions. Meanwhile, bedlam that greeted this year’s qualifying examination, on one hand and the question about whether or not the post-UTME should be retained between the universities and JAMB on the other, have remained the unresolved burning issues. But ironically, as the controversies raged, the Education Minister, Mallam Adamu Adamu had precisely on June 2 at the opening of the 2016 combined policy meeting on admissions to universities, polytechnics and other higher institutions, announced the scrapping of the post-UTME. This Federal Government position on the issue, as presented by the Minister added another twist to the entire brouhaha and to an extent put oil in the fire. As this wind of uncertainty was still blowing across the institutions, JAMB threw another bombshell last week with the introduction of another admis-

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sion guideline to be adopted by the institutions for the 2016/2017 academic session. Tagged: “Point Option System’ of admission,” the guideline, JAMB explained is that its provisional admission no longer makes much sense this year; as the candidates’ points tally will decide their fate. The points are evenly spread out between the candidates’ Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) O’Level

There is lack of proper synergy between the Board and the institutions

and UTME results to provide a level playing field for all. In the first case, any candidate who submits only one result, which contains his

or her relevant subjects, has 10 points in such examination as NECO, WAEC and GCE, while candidate with two sittings only gets two points. The next point grades, under the guideline fall into the O’Level grades, where each grade has its equivalent point; A (6 marks), B (4 marks), C (3 marks), while the third point is the UTME scores, where each score range has its equivalent point that is summarised as 180-200 (or 20–23 marks); 200–250 (or 24–33 points); 251–300 (or 34–43); 300–400 (or 44–60 points).

Consequently, the new guideline has since put stakeholders, including the admission seekers, parents, lecturers, management of academic institutions and admission officials in a dilemma. Though, JAMB has claimed that the guideline was scooped on its website. But, the truth of the matter is that there is lack of proper synergy between the Board and the institutions in terms of harmonising the process and saving the system and country from this opprobrium. However, with about 142 universities (federal, state and private), the country deserves and should as a matter of sanity put in place a workable admission system, instead the current system where JAMB and the institutions are working at cross-purposes as if they are in competition in which one wants to outshine the other. In fact, the current admission mess the country has found itself will further becloud its developmental view and shut the doors to the provision of qualitative tertiary education needed to energise the economic and technological growth of the nation. In this instance, the Federal Government has to act fast by playing its leadership role in order to rescue the system from its imminent collapse, because the discordant tunes between the admission umpire and institutions is a negative signal that should be checked immediately.

POLITICS

FRIDAY, JUly 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Osoba at 77: The recurrent comeback kid Kayode Odunaro

n Sunday April 3, a most momentous event took place at the Bourdillon, Ikoyi residence of Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former two-time governor of Ogun State. In attendance were the leading lights of current progressive politics in the South-West and indeed Nigeria, who were instrumental to midwifing the first time an opposition party electorally took over power from a ruling party since 1999. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, a host of sitting governors and their representatives and other diehard progressives all converged at Osoba’s house with a singular aim: Bring Back Osoba to the All Progressives Congress (APC). At the end of the day, the aim was achieved and Osoba is back in APC that he helped midwifed before local politics of his home state, Ogun, forces him to briefly sojourn to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The details of the forces and events that led to his surprising exit from APC may rightly be situated in the merger of sometimes strange bedfellows that produced the APC and the dilution of progressive politics with individuals that hardly shares the ideals of progressivism. And of course there were issues of personal animosities and clash of ego with some agenda to demystify if not erase the political stature of Osoba from the landscape of Ogun State politics. Any intelligent political observer can readily see that the comeback bid of Osoba into APC is about one of the most important political developments in 2016, not only in Ogun State, but in the South-West and indeed national politics as by all standards, Osoba is an elder statesman, who had paid his dues adequately in national development first as a renowned journalist, then administrator and politician. Indeed, in the trajectory of his life, Osoba has had many successful comebacks in the past with the man passing through some trying times that nearly snuffed out his life in the struggle for a democratic Nigeria. In his home state of Ogun, there is probably no political leader alive outside former President Olusegun Obasanjo that has had a more chequered political history over the years than Osoba. As the democratically elected successor to the first elected governor of the state, Chief Bisi Onabanjo , Osoba continued to build on the solid foundation laid by his predecessor but the continuation was cut short barely two years after by a military interregnum that led Osoba to join the democratic struggle to free Nigeria from military rule. His roles with NADECO under the regime of General Sanni Abacha nearly cost him his life on more than one occasion and he had to go underground at a point at a great cost to his personal and family life. The story of his life during this period is in the public domain and does not need rehearsing here. But suffice to say that at the end

Osoba

of that era, Osoba made a comeback as the third elected governor of Ogun State in 1999 under the Alliance for Democracy (AD). The next four years saw him initiating and executing, perhaps the best rural development strategy in the state history in the area of provision of rural electrification, water and rural roads. Till date, the rural areas of the state will always see his administration as a reference point when governance touched their lives. The year 2003 saw him leaving the centre stage again as he “lost” his re-election bid in the “capture politics” that saw the then conservative ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the federal level sweeping the polls in the SouthWest states with the exception of Lagos State. It was from Lagos that progressive politics was re-launched into the South-West including Ogun State. Osoba left the centre stage in Ogun to the progressive enclave in Lagos, from where he plotted his comeback bid to political relevance in Ogun State. The first attempt floundered in 2007 with his party then – Action Congress (AC) fielding Otunba Dipo Dina, who came third in the election that saw Otunba Gbenga Daniel of PDP defeating Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Dina for a second term. Apparently it was then no easy task unseating an incumbent with a divided opposition. But by 2011, Osoba’s progressive party that has now metamorphosed to Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) was in the clear reckoning to present a winning candidate with Asiwaju Tinubu playing the yeoman’s role of an arrowhead. At the end of the day by the logic of using an opposition figure on a popular platform, ACN fielded Senator Ibikunle Amosun as its candidate with Osoba as the

There is no way Osoba will not be a factor in the event leading to 2019 election in Ogun State

undisputed leader. It was easy for ACN to defeat the fissiparous PDP that fractured in PDP and Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN). Once again Osoba’s political comeback in Ogun State was assured. Or so it seems. For as it turned out, Senator Amosun began to play an exclusive politics that saw the ACN divided between Osoba group and SIA group. That division underlies the division in APC that led to the exit of Osoba’s group from APC to SDP to contest the 2015 election. Now, Osoba is back in another comeback bid with his political structure backed by the progressives of the South-West. There has been grumbling and uneasiness in some quarters in Ogun State about his return. However the game of democratic politics is a game of number, where every political group works to gain the most numbers among the electorate. Only selfish and exclusionist politicians would not welcome new members, more so members that they once co-habited with and benefitted from their membership and support. Indeed, we are daily regaled with opposition PDP members decamping to APC and being welcome. So, one sees no oddity in Osoba and his group

returning to APC. The question on the mind of many is would this be yet another successful comeback bid for Osoba to be politically relevant in Ogun State? Would he be part and influential in the process leading to selecting a candidate for APC as the incumbent serves out his eight-year mandatory two terms? Only time will tell but from the realities on the ground, there is no way Osoba will not be a factor in the event leading to 2019 election in Ogun State. Certainly like all great politicians that are not flash in a pan, he has had his ups and downs. At present, one can only see him going up again in not only local politics but regional and national in a truly comeback fashion that is now traditional to him. Born to the family of Pa and Madam Jonathan Babatunde Osoba at an Egba settlement, Egbatedo, in Osogbo on July 15, 1939, Osoba attended African Church School, Osogbo and Methodist Boys High School, Lagos. He was at University of Lagos for his Diploma in Journalism. He took courses at Oxford University, United Kingdom; Indiana University, United States and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Beginning a career in journalism that spanned 25 years at the Daily Times and moving from the bottom rung to the pinnacle of the profession, Osoba naturally identified with popular causes and advocacy for the downtrodden that Journalism entails in addition to its enlightening role. Osoba is accepted as a role model in the profession from his days as a reporter in Daily Times, to his managerial position at Nigerian Herald, Sketch Newspapers and Daily Times, all of which flourished under his management. Internationally, Osoba practiced the profession with BBC, Times of London, Newsweek Magazine, UPI News Agency, and is a prominent member of the International Press Institute (IPI) being the second African to be a member of the Executive Board of the prestigious international professional body after Alhaji Lateef Jakande, another renowned journalist and former governor. Osoba who holds several chieftaincy titles across Ogun State is married to Aderionsola Osoba (nee Adeyemi) with four children and grandchildren. •Odunaro was Chief Press Secretary to Osoba as governor of Ogun State

Kindred spirit for Ekweremadu C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

kola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu on or about the 9th of June, 2015, at the National Assembly Complex, Three Arm Zone, Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired among yourselves, to forge the Senate Standing Order, 2011 (as amended) and you thereby committed the offense of conspiracy, punishable under Section 97(1) of the Penal Code Law.” The suit was sequel to a petition to the IGP by the Senate Unity Forum (SUF) signed

by a first-term Senator, Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, dated June 30, 2015. The SUF alleged that “the so called new Standing Orders purport to allow for secret instead of open ballot system that has been prevalent in all Senate elections as permitted by the extant rules”. The petition failed to name Saraki or Ekweremadu or anybody as suspects. The prosecution has thrown up dusty controversies with many lawyers and politicians divided on the matter. Ekweremadu’s kinsmen and constituents are the latest group to join the fray.

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Arts

We’re in Nigeria to promote photography

CULTURE

Pomp, accolades as Kelani’s film school graduates pioneer students Soyinka, Kunle Afolayan, others laud veteran filmmaker

(L-R) Programme Coordinator, Abisola Ojo; Tunde Kelani and Prof. Wole Soyinka at the maiden graduation of students of Mainframe Film and Media Institute in Abeokuta

Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

t was an outpouring of accolades on legendary Nigerian filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, when 14 pioneer students of his new Abeokuta-based film school, Mainframe Film and Media Institute (MFMI), graduated last Friday. The event, which also showcased selected short films made by the students, was attended by Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, award-winning movie producer, Kunle Afolayan, exinternational footballer, Segun Odegbami, and dozens of other stakeholders in the arts and culture sector. All were unanimous in their verdict that such training institute is a worthy legacy, not only for Nigeria’s Nollywood but also the world of motion pictures. Kelani, popularly called TK, is popularly called, launched the

TONY OKUYEME Arts Editor tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

MFMI as part of activities marking his 68th birthday in February, this year. He enthusiastically described the school as the highlight of his career in photography, cinematography, storytelling and film production. After seven weeks of intense lectures, the pioneer students of the school passed out in flying colours and were presented their training certificates. The veteran filmmaker said, in his remarks, that the institute was founded to provide theoretical and practical knowledge for those who seek career in filmmaking and the media. Describing himself as the bridge between the old guards and new sets of Nigerian filmmakers, the Chief Executive Officer of Mainframe Productions said he was determined to give back to the society having garnered so much experience in the industry. According to him, Nigerians can and should use filmmaking for cultural diplomacy. He therefore advised the younger ones to appreciate their cultural heritage and project it to the world. “We have to look inwards. We have not yet recognised the importance of our culture to development and that’s why we have remained undeveloped,” he added. Soyinka, who bagged an award at the event, acknowledged the contributions of Kelani to quality movie productions and cultural renaissance. The Nobel Laureate particularly praised TK’s “consistency” in the film industry and for establishing the film school in

We have not yet recognised the importance of our culture to development

Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. “I have a very special reason for being happy about this event. Tunde has been invited to numerous international workshops; we’ve been to Brazil for a number of times. I am very happy about this. Thank you so much for your consistency and also for bringing it here to Olumo Rock, Ogun State,” he said. Also, award-winning filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, said he was proud to be associated with the film school project, which he described as “something phenomenal”. Saying he was happy to be groomed by Kelani, the popular movie producer urged the graduands to imbibe discipline in their career pursuit. He said: “My joy really will be to see some of you guys at the top very soon. What I learnt from TK was not how to hold camera and all of that, I learnt all the rudiments of making film and this starts with discipline. Like 15 years back, I would come to him and say I saw this car that I want to buy. TK would say to me ‘is that the next thing?’ A lot of times he would always discourage some of those excesses and encourage me to do something good for myself. “All that I have become today wouldn’t have been possible without Tunde Kelani and that is the truth. I started seeing TK on movie set growing up but I never knew that today, TK and I would be attending the same film festivals in different countries around the world. He would just call me

to say ‘I saw your film has been selected too; okay let’s plan, what do we tell them, what do we say to them?’ So, it became a father and son relationship. “I will just encourage you guys to, first of all, be disciplined. Because if you carry all of these cameras and you are the best sound guy in the world, you are the best editor in the world, you are the best artistic director in the world, if you are not disciplined, you will get derailed and those things will affect your journey in life.” Tunde Adeniji, one of Kelani’s mentors, said TK has again broken new grounds with the training institute. “He has opened a vista really and he is well known for his adaptation of Nigerian situation into film making. He has broken new grounds. The fact that he has started this outfit is something that really gladdens my heart. I wish him luck,” Adeniji, a veteran broadcaster, said. The keynote speaker at the maiden graduation, Femi Odugbemi, stressed the need to address the most urgent gap in the film industry, especially in Nigeria. He said film-makers must promote ‎culturally-relevant works and also cultivate digital technology to push the frontiers of their storytelling. He said, “Filmmaking is primarily entertaining but its real power is that it causes society to reflect on its history, its sociology, its ideology but much more its empathy and humanity. “Filmmaking is serious business. It is a socially conscious reinterpretation of reality. “Films are cultural artifacts which reflect the cultures and, in turn, affect them. So your work as filmmakers must be culturally relevant or it loses its point. So as you leave here, seek first and foremost to grow your historical consciousness and cultural intelligence and that will express itself in the important themes of your works and the core messages of your films.” Odugbemi commended Kelani for his efforts aimed at building a legacy for the generation of filmmakers coming after him. He noted that the fundamental success of any industry will come from the quality of professional education that forms the foundation of that industry. He said, “Film education is critical to the sustainability of the industry. Twenty-five years into Nollywood, our prevailing interest should not be to have people ‘interested’ in film, but people ‘educated’ in film.

ART

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

We’re in Nigeria to promote photography – Parroco

you were billed to handle. Could you tell us about it, especially the one on 3D photography? I was really confused at first. This is a kind of event where you have beginners and intermediate and advanced. But today, it was like grade one and grade 12 students all in one room. How can you present properly to those people? So I had to draw the balance. In fact, this morning, I had to change my presentation, because it was supposed to be for grade one to three. But as you can see, many professionals are there, so I had to tweak a lot and that is why I had more on the demo side and advanced flashers, the internet stuff that you can do from our camera. On the 3D, you know that we all live in a 3D world because we have back and front. But when you are taking a picture if it is not a 3D, it’s 2D and flat. To get a 3D effect, you have to have the picture popping out of the screen, which is how to describe a good picture or portrait. You have to put some definition.

Cesar Parroco is a Computer Scientist-turned professional photographer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. The founder of the Camera Club Dubai, spoke with New Telegraph when he came to Nigeria for the 2016 Nikon Nigeria Photo Summit. EBERE AMEH reports Your journey into photography is quite an interesting one, could you tell us about it? I’m a Computer Scientist. I worked as a programmer for a big Japanese company but out of my passion for photography, I joined one of these events on photography and I got encouraged, and later on it became a passion. During the course of my employment, I almost decided that I would be a photographer rather than a Computer Programmer. But photography is not a cheap endeavour and I was just an employee. I was able to gather my equipment for my freelance work and Dubai is a basking city - too many things are happening. So I started as an event photographer, which is the only way to really get back ones investment. I landed some big clients back in Dubai, doing advert work, a little under the commercial side of photography. But basically, my passion is about sharing the knowledge of photography. So even before joining the Nikon, I was running the Camera Club of Dubai. I’m the founder and we have this kind of session that I share all the knowledge that I have gained over the years. And it’s all free. Now, I’m taking care of digital media for NIKON as well as the technical communication. Technical communication is about training and taking care of Nikon schools in different places. Nikon School is happening all over the world and I’m in charge of middle-east and Africa. What informed the institution of the Nikon School? One of the main objectives is to promote the culture of photography. As you have noticed if you have been to any of our events before, it’s purely photography and not about the selling of products. We educate people to know about our camera and not about buying our camera. It is an education on loving photography and developing the culture of photography. That’s the objective of Nikon and that is why they are always running the Nikon photo contest all over the world too. We have done it several times in Nigeria in a larger scale. We have brought so many big and international photographers.

From your speech during the training, it seems like you have so much interest in Nigeria. What is the reason for that? We believe that Nigeria has a big potential. Though the fall in oil price has affected your economy, the general direction of Nikon management is to invest in the passion of the people; it’s not all about the money. We have discovered some really good talents among Nigerians, who are equally very passionate about photography; that’s why the commitment is serious. The Nikon School is a continuous process. It’s not a one off thing where you just attend and go. No, your name will be on our data base and we call you if we have more intensive sessions. Currently, you are only in Lagos. Do you have a plan about taking the Nikon School and Photo Summit to other cities in Nigeria? We had a meeting with professional photographers in Abuja recently and they said that there are so many photographers there. Obviously, we are not limited to Lagos alone, we are definitely moving to other states, maybe Port Harcourt or Abuja. We shall organise something like this for Abuja.

Parroco

Nigerians are party people, they are funloving people

Definitely, this is not your first time in Nigeria. What is your impression of the people and the country? I’ve been here several times, this is my sixth time. Nigerians are very ingenuous. They can build something out of nothing. This is not what I read, but what I see. Honestly, when you say Africa, people think poverty, it’s bad. When I came here, I was so surprised everyone speaks English, everyone is educated, especially these photographers. But could you believe that in some richer countries, it’s very difficult to communicate with them. In Nigeria, it’s so easy, and the people understand. And one thing is very common; they are really passionate in whatever is their endeavour. Like these photographers, they are young people, very talented and passionate. There is really a huge potential and we want to move with them. I also found that Nigerians are party people, they are fun-loving people. Your presentation was superb, though a bit different from what

How Lucrative is Photography and what advice would you give a person hoping to have a career like yours? Of course one can make a living with photography. The perfect example is me, because I used to be just an employee, working from nine to five. But although, I cannot say I hated my job, I just loved photography more and it is my passion. That is why teaching it is not like work for me. I can go on talking and talking and not count the time. It is very lucrative if you hit it right. If you are hitting it right, it will be a good business, especially in Nigeria which is still a huge market for wedding and event photography. In any business, you need to be passionate and in the case of photography, artistic too. But once you start a business, it will become an 80% management and marketing and only 20% creativity. So, if you really want to be a good photographer, practice, practice, and practice. There is no secret or short cut to that. As long as you are passionate about what you do and you are not concerned with money first, money will just come naturally.

Aragamago: Magistrate urges parties to explore out-of-court settlement Moses Kadiri

agistrate J.O.E. Adeyemi of an Ejigbo Magistrate Court has urged parties in the trial of a performance artist, Jelili Atiku, to explore amicable resolution of the matter. Atiku was arrested by the police on January 17, 2016 over allegation of breach of peace after a performance in Ejigbo, titled, ‘Aragamago O’O (Will rid this land of ter-

Atiku (right) during the performance

rorism). He and four others were eventually charged to court by the police. The four other defendants are: Lasisi Muraina, Adeola Goloba, Daramola Jelilat and Monsurat Fasola. They were later remanded in prison custody. The Magistrate while urging for amicable resolution of the matter was of the opinion that this would give way to peace, saying, “the law is capable of dispensing justice at any time, even after this is done, given the family ties between Jelili Atiku and Oba Morufu Ojoola, hostilities might persist, and the best way to forestall peace is an outof-court- dialogue.” She also added that it would help curb worsening tension and possibly fend off internal wranglings between members of same Ejigbo ruling family at the expense of the community. Mr. Adeola Samuel IIori, one of the defence lawyers also lent his support for the Magistrate’s advice.

He said, “This is the best option regardless of the temporary remand suffered by my client at the beginning which I believe will be addressed. Peace and serenity will reign; law guides every society irrespective of who rules it. This out-of-court move, having looked at the matter, the court considers this alternative as the best. It does not preclude the case, it has not been overruled, the case subsists, only suspended pending the workability of this option.” However, before the Magistrate’s advice, the prosecutor had already called three witnesses in the matter. One of the defence lawyers had also insisted on having the record of proceedings before he could proceed with the cross-examination of any of the witness. It would be recalled that the artist was honoured with the prestigious Prince Claus Awards, in far-away Amsterdam, The Netherland, for creating a new artistic language with his art.

FRIday, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Feminique

Simple ways to avoid husband snatchers

Diary of a dating mom I miss my father-in-law

My life as reading advocate, by Aina

Seun Aina is the Chief Executive Officer and Programme Coordinator of Magical Books, a social enterprise that promotes healthy reading habits and lifelong learning attitudes amongst children and adults. Her philosophy that reading begets information and ultimately development has remained her driving force. EBERE AMEH had a chat with her and writes

ight from during her time at the compulsory National Youth Service, Suen Aina has been a reading advocate. She started encouraging her fellow corps members to read, because, according to her, many people finish school and forget that they have a duty to continue reading. “Reading is supposed to be a continuous process. Many people finish school and forget that they have to continue reading. If you don’t read, you will likely make mistakes in many areas of life like dealing with your boss, maintaining a happy marriage, managing your finances and so much more. And there is no point making those mistakes when you know you can get that empowerment through books. So I started encouraging people but I realized that there was a problem - people got bored of reading. It is either you have people that are not reading but they want to listen to you and buy the books you sell, or those that don’t even like reading at all. Some people left reading since they finished school and all they do now is reading for ICAN, ACCA - reading for professional development. For this last category, there is nothing like reading to learn about personal development, finance, marriage, health and all that,” Seun lamented. It was against that backdrop that Seun went back to the roots,

EBERE AMEH ebere.ameh@newtelegraphonline.com

to the children to organize reading clubs, book clubs and libraries because ‘that’s the way we can actually develop the young generation to enjoy the habit of reading’. “We realize that we don’t have libraries. So if children who like to read cannot afford to have books because their parents cannot afford to buy it, when will they get books to read? In the school, they are given only text books, which are not enough to spur that interest in reading. That was why we started Magical Books. We seek to bridge the gap.” Talking about what they do, Seun said that Magical Books partner with bookstores that donate books to the organization and it also has volunteers that help to guide the children to read. “Children come into the reading club and have varieties of books that they can read. We also invite speakers to talk on financial intelligence, crafts, and we take the children on excursions. Students read about animals and they cannot imagine because they have not seen it. So we take them to experience it live. Those are the things that make children in foreign environments to do better. Not that they read too much, but their exposure helps them. Children tend to understand better when they can relate with the experience portrayed in the book,” the young lady said. Seun, whose organisation is based in Ibadan, Oyo State, explained that if children are consistently exposed to books and people that can help them, within three months, even those in rural areas would start reading well. “For those in the rural areas, we hope to partner with teachers that will give us an opportunity to come in and help them, giving them the opportunities that their counterparts in the city enjoy. As long as there is an early intervention, they will measure up fast.” Proposing solutions to the poor standard of education in the country, Seun noted that school owners - both the government and individuals have a big role to play. “School owners should not just pick anybody and employ because he or she has a certificate. They should employ good hands and afterwards, give them opportunities to go for training so they can develop their own skills. They are also to monitor the teachers to ensure that what they are doing with the pupils is helping all of them, not some of Aina them.”

Everybody has to work together to ensure that the rural children have the same opportunities as their counterparts in the city

Explaining further, she narrated how Magical Books carried out a research where they had two classes – the experimental and the control class, which is the normal class, and found that pupils need patience and care to comprehend in class. “In the control class, we left things to go on as if there is nothing. We found out that the experimental that is supposed to do far better than the control didn’t do well. Somebody would expect that it is the experimental group that will perform better. Though there was an improvement in the students’ comprehension, it wasn’t as much as the control. “We found that the difference is that in the control group, the teacher is passionate. In the experimental class, the teacher was not patient to carry the children along, and so it was only the good pupils that were moving forward, those that have issues did not comprehend well because the teacher did not have enough time for them. With the research, we found that without putting the right checks in place, there will be problems. And that’s one of the reasons schools have clashes with parents. When parents see that they are paying school fees and the children are not performing, there are bound to be clashes when the

pupils are repeatedly made to repeat.” She explained that that is the reason Magical Books partner with publishers, book sellers and for reading advocates to volunteer and work with the rural schools to give those children the same opportunity that children in the city are having. “We need help, everybody has to work together to ensure that the rural children have the same opportunities as their counterparts in the city. Book sellers should donate books, reading advocates should do one or two sessions in those schools. With a concerted effort by all and sundry, there will be an improvement.” A multi award winning expert in childhood education, Seun spearheads and coordinates the Magical Books Summer Reading Challenge and other initiatives. This year’s challenge, which starts from the 7th of August to the 11th of September promises to be very interesting as among other things, she said the children would be encouraged to read independently for pleasure. Seun, who has a Masters degree in Communication and Language Art from the University of Ibadan, organises reading clubs and book forums for primary and secondary school students and managed special projects including the book donation project, and annual summer reading clubs. She worked briefly in the United Kingdom and was an active member of Clayton Brook Community Church, Preston, where she supported the children's ministry by volunteering at the Friday Club programme and assisted in setting up the centre. Talking on the journey so far, the young CEO said that it has been good. “We have between 60 to 100 children and with the support and partnership of thousands of people in their network, Magical Books is getting closer to achieving its vision of seeing a Nigeria where both young and old see reading as a lifelong activity, a tool for personal growth, social change and national development.

20 FEMINIQUE

FRIday, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Simple ways to avoid husband snatchers

his piece is for husbands but should be read by wives and even singles too. Marriage as we all know is sacrosanct. Husbands and wives are supposed to be together through war and peace until death. Unfortunately that is no longer the case. The daughters of Jezebel have taken over. You will find them all over the place. At your working place, at your residence, Shoprite, Mr. Biggs, Mrs. Little, Hotels, Clubs, Beaches, and even under your bed if you are not careful. And you know we men. Naija men especially. We get long throat no be small. We also dey like good things well, well. So my dear brother if you don’t want your marriage to scatter, do the following. Remember this Nigerian/ Yoruba adage. Nkan to a ba nine ki a ma fi runmu. Ko ma ba he ni ona ifun bi begun eja. ( Don’t smell anything you are not prepared to eat. So that it will not get stuck in your throat like fishbone.). A word

Sex and Marriage Counselor drtaiwofadeyi@gmail.com

08033148899

Dr. Taiwo Fadeyi is enough for the wise. Don’t Touch: You might be the type like me that just cannot keep their hands by their sides. It is not what you think o!. Na only my wife a dey touch. Anyway, even innocent touching can send the wrong signals. So learn to keep your hands to yourself. Don’t look: When you are in a discussion, keep the eye contact as brief and as simple as possible. Without being rude. Keep that your sexy look for madam at home. There are some situations where looking is very dangerous. Keep Your Ring On: Always make sure your ring is always on and openly displayed. Yes there are some occasions where the working

condition does not really make it feasible. Once you are out of the place, please don’t conveniently forget to put it on. The devil is always on the look out for such opportunities to strike. Family Photog raph. Display one or two fine photographs of your wife and children (if you have any) prominently on your desk or on the wall of your office. It should be a fun environment kind of photo. Like the beach, party, restaurant etc. Not the ones you took when you just finished fighting o. Those photographs serve two purposes. One, shows you have a loving family. After all photo no dey lie. Secondly, you can always make it a conversa-

Innocent touching can send the wrong signals. So learn to keep your hands to yourself

tion topic. She will understand the message without being offended. Don’t forget your Android phone, tablet or laptop too. Even your desktop. Seal all the sealables. Don’t Flirt: This is very dangerous. A husband snatcher/kidnapper is in it for real. Not play, play. Flirting is supposed to be a harmless game. Not anymore. If you do it in the midst of some hungry ones they might even kidnap you and rape you before leaving you. I know some of you will like to be raped by women. If you want, you can send me an SMS and I will give you the details of where. But beware of HIV/AIDS O!!!. Finally Don’t Brag: I know of a colleague who finally ended up with two wives because he used to brag that he could not be kidnapped. Instead he would do the kidnapping. When it finally happened, he told his first wife it was jass, the second wife used. Na lie. Na bottom power. He now has the third child from this junior wife and the jass never comot.

Ego: Diary of a happening mom Ebere Ameh

can't believe the wedding is finally over. Peace proved her mettle as everything almost went as planned, if not for the comedian that not only came late but wanted to scorn my VIP guests with his jokes before he was called to order. I didn't care if he is a Buhari apologist, my wedding venue is not the right place to catch looters of the treasury, no matter how indirect he thought he was. Talking about VIP'S, my motherin-law succeeded in bringing one former governor and a serving minister to our wedding. Thank God we were super ready and the venue was on point. We didn't take her serious when she said we should get ready for her very important guests. We thought they would just be representatives from her ministry. It was a dream wedding come true indeed and everyone was excited and happy for us. The children in their fairy-tale character attires added colour to the event and made it really unique. I can't begin to describe my own dress, but Danny’s wide gapped mouth and the homilist’s comment confirmed to me that my tailor did a great job. Our wedding night was another party entirely. I didn't understand when Peace said she was making provision for an after wedding party at home. Many people followed us from the reception venue and booze and food flowed as another party began. It’s a long while since I saw my parents in such a joyous mood. Mom danced and danced and got a lot of money as she was sprayed with different currency. Danny's mom didn't dance so much at home as she had her fair share at the reception. She was all over us, with her visitors, dancing and spraying us money. Expectedly, her visitors didn't stay long. That her non-stop dance must have been a way to get

I miss my father-in-law them to do something before they are whisked away. The two women were simply splendid in their lilac lace wrapper and silver blouses. Whether their friendship was for show or is going to last is left for time to tell. Two days to the wedding, my mother-in-law had asked that we visit my mom again and make final arrangements. It was heart-warming seeing them work together for the success of their children's marriage. "We thank God that these children who have earlier made mistakes in marriage have found love in each other. Let us support them as much as we can, so that their marriage will become even

better than our own," my mom told her when we were about leaving the house that day. My Dad was all smiles and played the role of a father to Danny too. I really missed my fatherin-law. He was a jolly old fellow who would have added so much colour to the whole event. As I look back two days after the wedding, I thank God for the success as I ponder on what lies ahead. Yes, because what would have been our honey moon is now a medical tourism to the United States. But Danny has promised a week’s vacation in Florida before we head to Cleveland for the surgery. ‘Would I be doing the surgery under total or local anaesthesia? What if I did not wake up from the effect of

the anaesthesia? What if I didn't conceive after all the wahala? Though we are scheduled to depart the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in two days, what if I say no to all my promise of a surgery and a pregnancy?,’ I pondered as I watched the children play in the garden on Thursday. But I have to go. Thank God it's in the United States, not Nigeria. I have vowed before God and man to love Danny and there's no going back. ‘The Almighty has picked me from a state of hopelessness to that of bliss. He has blessed me with such a gracious man and I'll do everything within my power to give him children, to make him happy,’ I thought when suddenly he came with two glasses of wine in hand, seeking to join me outside.

friday, july 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kobe, Vanessa Bryant pregnant expecting their third baby girl

Ambassador

Yemi Alade, Geniuzz become Nairabox ambassadors

Entertainment ODEGBAMI’s daughter, MAY7VEN: Who’ll love the children of slain preacher? Omoni Oboli Grieves

Let my daughter finish from college –Oritsefemi pleads

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde hits 3 million followers on Facebook

LANRE ODUKOYA COORDINATOR

lanreodukoya@gmail.com

Dad NEVER WANTED ME TO DO MUSIC Yemisi May Odegbami, known by the nickname, May7ven, is the daughter of ex-Nigerian soccer star, Segun Odegbami. The UK-based pop diva is back on her grind in Nigeria after a lull which she explains was necessary to explore the United Kingdom. In this interview, she speaks about her career, pact with Tiwa Savage and sundry issues. LANRE ODUKOYA reports.

May7ven

You became famous with your music a few years ago and disappeared suddenly. Now you are back, why did you take that long break? You left a lot out. I didn’t just make an entry and leave, I made an entry, then I came back, went on tours, then I left and came back again. I don’t live in Nigeria, and I made a conscious effort that I wasn’t going to stay

here at that point, because I see the bigger picture than just putting out music here, being local and not doing anything outside Nigeria. So, while some people decided to stay here, I felt someone had to keep flying the Nigerian flag in the UK, and now you can see the proof that we are getting played on daytime radio in the UK, people like me,

D’banj, Fuse ODG and Wizkid all get daytime airplay on London radio stations. It’s a bigger agenda than just being a Nigerian artiste resident in the UK. I have a team, PR company and booking agent in UK; my foot is firm on ground in UK and that’s what I intend to replicate here in Nigeria. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 2

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friday, july 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Let my daughter finish from college – Oritsefemi pleads

‘I went through pains growing up’

‘D

ouble Wahala’ singer, Oritsefemi seamlessly courts controversies particularly on failed romance, but the Afro pop singer’s biggest fear appears to be nemesis. His fear is dubbed ‘nemesis’ because despite being romantically linked to a harem, he’s yet to take anyone to ‘mama’. The singer, who recently ended a prolonged feud he had with his friend and ex-manager, placed caveat on his daughter who’s to get enrolled into the college soon. He made this public via his Instagram page. His words read, “Baby going to college soon, guys do let her finish please. At least forgive me on this one.”

May7ven

Oritsefemi

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1

Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde hits 3 million followers on Facebook

easoned actress, Omotola JaladeEkeinde, on Wednesday, July 13 hit an uncommon feat of three million followers on the popular social media platform, Facebook. And this explains why the excited actress took to Facebook to share a photo with the caption: ``Yessss!!! 3 million!!!, My wonderful Facebook family. `You guys are amazing, you add colour to my world. Thank youuuuuuuu.” Currently, Omotola has 3,001,361 likes on Facebook. The popularity of artistes around the world is aptly gauged by the number of followers they have on the various social media platforms. And statistic like this is considered by corporate organisations when planning brand endorsements.

Jalade-Ekeinde

The reason I’m back here is because I’ve done what I can in UK, they know me there, they know the music; now is the time to show the Nigerian community what I can do as well. What about your new song? Yeah, I dropped a song called ‘What ya Feeling’ produced by a Nigerian producer, Ty Mix. We recorded the song last year. With this song, I want to hit people soft, and not come out hard straight away. I just decided to bring out a melodic side of me with this song, and it’s been well received so far, no negative comments. Going forward, what should we expect from you? The next song would be ‘Work’ with a banging video as well. It’s a huge dance track and the singing is pretty awesome too. Since you’ve been away, a lot of new female acts have changed the game. So why would fans still want to listen to your songs? My songs don’t sound like any other song you’ve heard in the Nigerian market; apart from my vocals being unique, my style is very different too. I tend to do music that’s three years ahead of its time. All my songs from three years ago are still relevant today. My new songs now are futuristic too. I don’t want to look or sound like any other female artist and that’s why my hair is ‘White’, I don’t dress like anyone of them. So by just meeting me, you’ll already see the uniqueness and when you dig in you’ll be more impressed. Don’t you feel threatened by any of the female artistes making waves? Not necessarily, because in order to survive there has to be many of us involved, I never see it as a competition. I know when I started; I know why a lot of females are now here. The likes of Seyi Shay and Tiwa Savage were all

with me in London when I did ‘Bo Aso Lara mi’, so I influenced majority of them to be doing what they are doing now. There always has to be a leader, someone who starts and creates things; and that’s how I see myself already. So the style I’m doing now, I guarantee you in another two years, you’ll find another set of Tiwa Savage doing what I’m doing. I’ve always been an innovator and you can interview any of them, they’ll tell you the same thing. So they may be threatened that I’m around and not the other way round. You said you once managed Tiwa savage... Yeah, we grew up together. She was in my younger sister’s class, I’m a year older than both of them and there was this competition we were part of. I was 12 years old at the time, and I managed the group and sang with them as well. We were five girls in the group and we came out joint winners with a male group. I managed the group till we were about 16. I have everything on film and one day I’ll possibly leak the videos (laughs), but I remember, of all of us, Tiwa sang the most while I was more focused on singing and dancing at the same time. She’s always been passionate about music. How would you describe your relationship with her now? We still talk; when I’m in town I call her; when she’s in London she comes to see me. We are not very close as in calling each other every day, the music business we are in doesn’t allow us to do that, but we are still cool, I’m her older sister. At what point did you know music is what you’ll do? I’ve always known from when I was three years old. I was always singing along to all the school plays, and I always wanted to dance desperately. When I was eight years old, it became apparent that I have musical genes

in me, I played drums in my church every Sunday, and I just kept at it till I was about 15 years old. From 15, Tiwa and I started doing back up for various artistes; we toured with Mary J Blige, Blu Cantrel. And then Tiwa left the UK to study in the states, but I stayed back in the UK and I started speaking with record companies about getting signed; and they gave me a task to write three songs. At that time I had meeting with Virgin records and E.M.I who were all interested in me, they thought I was an awesome artiste and they saw the potential in me. Along the line, I got a job and started saving up so I could shoot a video of myself, and at that time, my only ambition and dream was to get my video on MTV. So I called up my cousin who at that time had not shot any video before. I told him my concept and we shot my first video, ‘Hands up’. When we shot the video, the next thing was to get it on TV, so I just submitted it randomly to a number of television stations without knowing anyone, and luckily for me the first station to play it was MTV. I was blown away, I couldn’t believe it. Then I came to Nigeria and met with Denrele, he took me to Soundcity to do the Star host and a couple of other interviews, and it just grew from there. I won several awards, went on tour with P Square, Tuface , D’banj and others. My follow up single ‘Bo Aso Lara Mi’ was a huge success too, and I remember there were no female singers then, just rappers, the likes of Sasha and Weird Mc. So I kind of got complacent and decided to go back to London because I was the only one doing the sexy stuffs and all. It was when I went to back to London that Tiwa came to see me in the UK; she spent two days and said she wanted to go back to writing music, and we prayed about it. Seyi Shay also came to me and I linked them up; I didn’t know they were going to come straight way and take over the scene (laughs). Did you ever consider playing football? For me, music has always been number one, and my dad didn’t really push me to play football. Did your dad support you to do music? Not at all, not until he saw my second video. He was more about staying in school. And luckily for me he was in Nigeria and couldn’t control what I was doing in the UK because I’m very rebellious. My mum, on the other hand, saw so much potential that she couldn’t even stop me. And really, my teen was quite problematic; I went through so much pain and trouble. I was assaulted and beaten up in the UK, so my parents expected me to be in jail, dead or pregnant. Those were the three things I was destined to do, but I had a lot to prove to myself and my family. When my dad saw the video for ‘Bo Aso Lara mi’, he became my biggest fan, and he’s been ever since.

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friday, july 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Oboli

‘Who’ll love the children of slain preacher?’ Omoni Oboli grieves

ollywood filmmaker and actor, Omoni Oboli has joined sympathisers still grieving over the recent killing of a preacher, Eunice Elisha, wife of a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor in Abuja. Moved by the plight of the late preacher’s family particularly her children, Oboli took to the social media to ventilate her displeasure over how the lady was murdered in cold blood. Her words: “I kept hoping the story about a woman being murdered for religious reasons in Abuja was untrue. I kept hoping it will go away, but no... So that’s how this beautiful, hard working mother got hacked to death needlessly and senselessly? Why Na?!! #Rip. Who’ ll love her children? Who will wipe their tears? I weep for them. Losing a mom is sad! This is 2016! We can’t tolerate our differences? The perpetrators of this barbaric act had better not go scot free! Rest in the bosom of the Lord, Eunice Olawale, while we seek justice. I was about 24 years when I lost my mom. I already had a family of my own, but till date, it’s the worst experience of my life. She had been ill, but that didn’t make it any less painful. Losing a mom suddenly, needlessly and senselessly to some barbarians is just downright gut wrenching and utterly heartbreaking. We still cannot tolerate ourselves in 2016? It’s a shame! Shame on all the idiots who cannot live with their neighbors in peace irrespective of tribal or religious differences. God neither sleeps nor slumbers! Una own dey come for front!...”

Geniuzz and Yemi Alade

airabox, has unveiled Yemi Alade and Geniuzz as their first ambassadors. The unveiling cer-

Henrietta Kosoko’s son, LT, releases tribute song

lowu Taiwo, singer son of late Nollywood actress, Henrietta Kosoko, has just concluded the shooting of the video of his tribute song for his late mum titled ‘Mama.’ The talented pop act, popularly known as L.T., released the audio of the heartrending song a week after his mum’s burial, and it has started attracting rave reviews since it hit the airwaves. Meanwhile, as part of efforts to make the video of the song very unique so that his teeming fans will relate with it emotionally, L.T. has asked his fans to post a collage (photos) of them and their mothers on Instagram, 20 of which would be selected and put in the forthcoming video since the song is also dedicated to all mothers. L.T. is from Ogun State, but was born and bred in Lagos. He started his music career in 2009 with his first single titled ‘Jekafo’, produced by Philkeyz, an R&B song that caught the ladies’ mind. Later in 2014, he dropped his hit song ‘Se Jeje’, an Afro-pop song that made the young and old dance to its rhythmic tune. Mid last year, he also dropped a hit song titled ‘Yobo Dance’, a song that stirred a rift between L.T and Olamide over ownership of the dance step. Late last year, he released another hit song ‘Long Time’, also produced by Jaypizzle. Early this year, L.T churned out a club banger titled ‘Uncommon’ which was produced by Skill-P. L.T. who is also a choreographer, is one of the twin boys late Henrietta had before marrying veteran actor, Jide kosoko. His twin brother, Kehinde, is into music Taiwo production.

emony, which took place at the company’s Lagos office in Lekki, on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, was a gathering of media personalities and friends. The Chief Executive Officer, Nairabox, Damilola Jegede, noted that the idea to have brand representatives came up some weeks ago, adding that they have been through rigorous screening to arrive at their final take. “We thought that our representatives must have the same lifestyle we project. The brands of Geniuzz and Yemi Alade reach out to the kind of people we relate with. Yemi Alade doesn’t need any introduction, we all know her. When she agreed to be part of this, we were all excited about it. We hope to do great things together,” he explained. Yemi Alade, speaking about the benefits of Nairabox, said everything has been moved online. “If you want to watch a movie, you could use your Nairabox to pay for ticket, you could do transfers and a host of other things with the wallet,” she stated, adding that it was her first e-wallet endorsement. She also said that she is excited because it affords her the opportunity to reach out to more young people. “We are targeting people who are in school and people who need to get money quickly. If you feel you are young at heart, Nairabox is for you. You don’t even need to have any date to enjoy the service. It is something that makes life easy for you,” Yemi Alade said.

entertainment

friday, july 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kobe, Vanessa Bryant pregnant, expecting third baby girl

ow we know what Kobe Bryant has been up to since he retired from the NBA – making more babies with his beautiful wife Vanessa. The couple is expecting their third bundle of joy and you have to see the adorable way they made the big news public. A hearty congrats are in store for former L.A. Laker Kobe Bryant, 37, and his wife Vanessa, 34, as the couple have their third daughter on the way. The mother-to-be made it public via Instagram on July 12. “Beyond blessed and

excited to share that we are expecting our third baby girl!!! #Blessed #BabyMamba#Thankful” Vanessa captioned an Instagram photo of a baby with the words, “Baby Mamba” on it, in honor of daddy-tobe’s on-court nickname, the Black Mamba. She ensured to include a little pair of red sneakers as a heads up to her NBA hero hubby and included a red bow tie for extra-cute measure. The couple already has two older daughters Natalia, 13, and Gianna, 10, so we were a little surprised to hear the

couple was at work on a new addition to the family. While Kobe may not be having a son to play hoops with in the future, he absolutely adores his daughters and we’re sure he’s thrilled about having another little girl. Now that Kobe is retired, his new daughter is probably going to get more attention than his other girls did when he was hard at work in the NBA pursuing championships for the Lakers. We’re sure he’s going to revel in all the quality time he’s going to have spending with his new bundle of joy.

Vanessa and Kobe

‘Why are you famous?’ Toddlers ask Kadashian H

ere are words straight out of the mouths of babes. Kim Kardashian recorded her dinner conversations with a young man from the other night, and the topic at hand was all too relevant. Sid, son of Kardashian’s best friend, Allison Azoff, asked Kardashian why she was on a bunch of magazines. “I don’t know because I like magazines!” Kardashian answered. The conversations were filmed on Snapchat by Azoff, further proof that nothing is candid when it comes to the Kardashians. “Are you famous?” Sid pressed on. “Am I famous? Um, I don’t like to use that term, but...” Yes, Sid. She is famous. “How are you famous?” he asked. Kardashian paused for a moment, figuring out the best way to answer that question, given her audience. “That’s up for question, too!” she said. To which Azoff chirped, “She’s got a big booty!” That, sex tape and a mobile game is second only to Pokemon Go in terms of popularity. In fact, the latter has not only increased Kardashian’s level of fame; it’s made her a ton of money as well. There’s so much money that she made the cover of Forbes Magazine which highlights “the new mobile moguls”. “It’s such a proud moment for me as an entrepreneur to feel recognised by being on the cover of such a prestigious business magazine,” she wrote on her app (which requires a monthly access fee). “I do believe that when you set goals and work hard, you can achieve whatever you want. I remember always seeing Forbes magazines in my dad’s office and never even dreamed it would be me on the cover. I’m so proud that they have given me this tremendous honor.” Call her every name in the book, but you have to hand it to a girl who managed to turn a sex tape into a media empire. Oddly enough, we still can’t answer Kadashian Sid’s question.

Calvin Harris, Nicole Scherzinger hangout to taunt Taylor Swift C

alvin Harris and Nicole Scherzinger have been the talk of the town this week, after they were spotted leaving a London nightclub together during the early morning hours of July 9. And HollywoodLife.com has learned that’s exactly what they wanted to happen. Calvin Harris, 32, and Nicole Scherzinger, 38, were hoping to be photographed when they left a London nightclub together. And that’s because Calvin wants to make his ex, Taylor Swift, jealous. “Nicole and Calvin are not serious whatsoever, but they are both using their recent hangout as an opportunity. Calvin wants to make it look like he has moved on from Taylor, which he has not, and Nicole will take any type of media moment or opportunity she can get. She really is all about be-

ing a celebrity and will do anything to make it happen. She wants to make more music as well and would die to work with Calvin, so we might be seeing them hanging out more, but it isn’t anything to talk

about relationship-wise right now,” a source insists. It’s not clear if Taylor saw the photos, but the rest of the world did. And, of course, people instantly assumed Calvin and Nicole are dating. But they’re not — it’s definitely just for show. “Calvin and Nicole know each other from Los Angeles. She was in Tape (nightclub) with her cousin, and they ended up partying together. They had a great night, and Calvin offered to give Nicole a ride back to her hotel when they finally left. She is still very much dating,” another source told The Sun.

Taylor

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Agric Experts lament dismal performance, but optimistic

Business WHAT'S NEWS ‘Only 16% urban households can afford N6m house’

Environment Ecologists seek incentives for climate-resilient actions

28 30

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

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

EXCHANGE RATE (BDC as at July 8)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N352 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N470 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N386

l Foreign Reserves – $26.398bn as at 8/7/2016

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at July 8)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N282 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N366 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N312

Source: CBN

p.26

FAAC to NNPC: Provide divested oil wells’ payment details p.26

L-R: Senior Technical Adviser to the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ambakederemo Eniye; Chief Executive Officer, Time Economics, Dr. Ogho Okiti; Chairman, Mothergold Consulting, Dr. Sina Fagbenro-Byron and Marketer of GT Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Ogbonna, at the Time Economics Breakfast Meeting in Abuja.

FAAC to NNPC: Provide divested oil wells’ payment details The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

ALLEGATION NNPC was said to have lifted 6,396,572 barrels of crude oil valued at N37.96 billion on behalf of NPDC between January and February 2016 from inherited oil wells

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Abdulwahab Isa ABUJA

here are indications that the disagreement between states’ oil firm - the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) over the funds realised from divested oil wells taken over by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) is yet to be amicably resolved. New Telegraph learnt that to drive home its demand, FAAC has instructed the state corpo-

ration to provide evidence of payments into the federation account by NPDC from crude oil lifted from divested oil wells on behalf of the federation from inception of divestment to date, a document sighted by this newspaper confirmed this development. The contentious oil wells are fields divested by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), which were transferred to NPDC, the upstream arm of NNPC. This newspaper had, last month, exclusively reported that FAAC raised the alarm that both quantities of crude oil and real monetary value that accrued from inherited oil wells were not transparently handled by NPDC on behalf of the body. NNPC was said to have lifted 6,396,572 barrels of crude oil valued at N37.96 billion on behalf of NPDC between January and February 2016 from inherited oil wells. FAAC is worried that despite the drop in the federation’s crude oil volume, NPDC continued to lift consid-

$1.7 billion Being the alleged debt owed government by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) from the divested oil wells it took over

erable quantity of crude with little or no value to the federation account. However, NNPC, in its response to FAAC’s observations, noted: “NPDC is a 100 per cent NNPC-owned upstream company that operates under the sole risk commercial arrangement. Under this fiscal regime, NPDC as the flagship upstream company of NNPC, is not expected to sweep all its revenues to the federation account. Rather, the fiscal responsibilities of NPDC to government under the fiscal regime are to pay royalties through Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Petroleum Profit Tax (PTT) through Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). It’s erroneous therefore to expect NPDC’s crude sales proceeds to be paid gross into the federation account,” responded NNPC to the question of alleged shortchanging raised by FAAC last month. The state oil firm submitted: “Federation operations of the fields transferred to NNPC unCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

BUSINESS |NEWS

PROSPECT Affordable housing delivery to meet an ever increasing demand presents a tremendous investment opportunity that can substantially impact on Africa’s growth agenda Dayo Ayeyemi

espite significant opportunities in Nigeria’s real estate sector, only 16 per cent of urban households can afford a N6 million ($20,000) house at the current mortgage rate, a report from African Union for Housing Finance has said. The study, which was released ahead of the 32nd Annual Conference of the African Union for Housing Fi-

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Only 16% urban households can afford N6m house’

nance coming up in September, noted that affordability has been a key constraint to homeownership in the country. It described real estate sector as one of the main nonoil sector contributors to the country’s rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP), contributing 11 per cent by 2014. Considering the projected demand for housing, analysts said it has been estimated that N6.5 trillion markets will grow at an average of 10 per cent over the next few years. “Bring the house price down to $15,000 and an estimated 35 per cent of Nigeria’s urban population could afford

to buy housing with a mortgage - this is in the region of 6.6 million households and could create $99 trillion in investment and upwards of four million jobs,” the report said. It also said the need to unravel the opportunities in real estate sector and capture them to support Africa’s growth agenda formed the focus of 2016 annual conference of the African Union for Housing Finance in Abuja. “Affordable housing delivery to meet an ever increasing demand presents a tremendous investment opportunity that can substantially impact on Africa’s growth agenda,” it said.

In Nigeria alone, a backlog of an estimated 17 million units suggests that housing construction will be at the forefront of the country’s economy for some time. Challenges confronting affordable housing production in Nigeria include high cost of building materials, high cost of land, lack of longterm fund, obnoxious land law, dearth of mortgage, instability in government, unfriendly business environment and absence of credit database, among others. The gathering, analysts said, has been structured around some themes ranging from the potential of

public-private partnerships to the challenges of funding the mortgage portfolio, opportunities to be found in rental housing and housing microfinance and strategies to address the challenge of affordability. “With an agenda structured around presentations in plenary and panel discussions as well as a housing marketplace to support focused conversations between investors and projects, the conference will attract stakeholders from across the continent, all with the express purpose of furthering investment in affordable housing,” the report said.

FAAC to NNPC: Provide divested oil wells’ payment details CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

der section 2.7 of the Joint Operation Agreement (JOA) governing the operations of the NNPC upstream joint venture companies. These are fields transferred to NPDC from those operated by SPDC and CNL for NPDC to operate and build capacity. The gross production therefrom is sold as federation export sales for 100 per cent benefits of the federation account.” Not satisfied with NNPC explanation, FAAC, this newspaper learnt, has directed “the corporation at its meeting that held weeks ago in Abuja, to provide evidence of payments made into federation account by NPDC from crude oil lifted from divested oil wells on behalf of federation from inception of divestment to date.” The Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEIT), a government agency with the mandate to ensure appropriate remittances of revenue to government coffers are complied with by oil and gas/solid minerals firms, had put NPDC debt to government in the allocated oil wells since 2011 at $1.7 billion. NEITI’s spokesperson, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, disclosed this to our correspondent on the side-line of a Master Class in Oil and Gas reporting course at the Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos. He noted that the debt arose from the Joint Venture (JV) between NNPC and Shell in divestment of eight blocks.

L-R: Assistant Controller of Vehicles, Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs Amina Mohammed; Acting Deputy Controller of Enforcement, Mr Olubusayo Kadejo; Area Controller in charge of Oyo-Osun Customs Area Command, Mr. Temitope Ogungua and Deputy Controller of Administration, Mr. Abdul-Salam Hassan, at a news conference on activities of the Oyo-Osun Customs Area Command, in Ibadan. PHOTO: NAN

Expert: Nigeria loses N3bn to medical tourism yearly CAPITAL FLIGHT Eighteen thousand Nigerians were on medical tourism abroad in 2014

Dayo Ayeyemi

igeria is losing about N3 billion annually to medical tourism, New Telegraph has learnt. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Alpha Mead Healthcare Management Service, Professor Babatunde Green, disclosed this at Facilities Management Day organised by AMFacilities in Lagos, last Wednesday. He said this amount was what Nigeria is losing to countries such as India, United States of America (USA) and United Kingdom (UK) as

medical tourism every year. The professor stated that statistics had shown that 18,000 Nigerians were on medical visas abroad in 2014. Blaming the situation on lack of facilities management for healthcare sector, Green noted that Nigeria tops other African countries going to India for medical attention yearly. He appealed to facilities management experts and policy makers to put in motion necessary actions to improve the nation’s healthcare delivery system to redress the situation. The expert noted that keeping patients alive in Nigeria is life-saving and economical than flying them abroad for medical attention. He also condemned poor state of healthcare institutions in Nigeria, noting that they have been inadequately

funded, neglected, not well maintained and suffered tremendous decline both in structure and capability to live up to their past glorious days. He listed inadequate planning, inadequate attention to front-end activities and inability to exploit technological advances and innovations in healthcare as causes of decline in health institutions. Green also bemoaned the current state of healthcare facilities in Nigeria, saying it lacked proper management and maintenance. The professor stated that effects of poor healthcare delivery system have led to short life expectancy among Nigerians. “Life expectancy of male is 53.7 while female is 55.4 and total life expectancy is 54.5, which gives Nigeria a

World Life Expectancy ranking of 175,” he said. The expert believes that facilities management for the healthcare industry would require high level of professionalism and coordination to keep the standard of the facility in a safe and fit for purpose condition. Canvassing for quality facilities management healthcare in the country, he said: “Environment contributes 20 per cent to the healthcare, genetic contributes 20 per cent, behaviour contributes 20 per cent, while access to healthcare contributes 20 percent to Nigerians’ healthcare.” According to him, key factors to maintaining public health include the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting physical health efficiency.

FRIDAY, JUly 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

REVIVAL Federal Government shouldn’t take proactive measure to resuscitate comatose industrial sector

labour

NASU tackles PenCom over employers’ attitude to CPS

Sunday Ojeme

eneral Secretary, Non Academic Staff of Universities and Associated Institutions (NASU), Peters Adeyemi, has called on the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to fully enforce the provision of the Pension Reform Act 2014 by ensuring that employers who failed to remit workers’ contribution are brought to book. Adeyemi, who made this call in during an interactive session with NASU members in Abuja, lauded the appointment of a special licensed Pension Fund Administrator for the universities and the efforts of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) for the smooth management of pensioners under the defunct defined benefits pension scheme. He urged PenCom to enforce the provisions of the Act, which prescribes sanctions and penalties for non-compliance. Adeyemi also lamented the precarious state of the nation’s economy, saying that the neglect of the agriculture sector and mining had contributed immensely to the downward movement of the Nigerian economy. Why attributing the sharp decline in the nation’s economic fortune to the drop in international prices of crude and effect of globalisation, he called on the government to expedite

L-R: Country Manager, HP, Chukwuma Okpaka; Cloud & Enterprise, Microsoft, Blessing Nnachi; Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Ade Bajomo; Chief Information Security Officer, NSE, Favour FemiOyewole and Business Group Director, Cloud & Enterprise, Microsoft, Ope Olaniran, at the Nigerian Capital Market Information Security Forum in Lagos.

action on diversification of the economy into agriculture, manufacturing, mining of the abundant solid minerals, such as bitumen, marble, gold and others. He said there was need to take proactive measure to resuscitate the collapsed industries, which has the capacity to boost Nigeria’s industrial base for the much-needed creation of jobs. “Government should also focus on the development and improvement in power generation for the sustenance of businesses owned by the self-

Union flays governors over delayed salary payment

he Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical And Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) has condemned the attitude of some state governors, who are in the habit of withholding workers’ salaries even after receiving bailout from the Federal Government. In a communique issued after the 20th plenary session of its National Governing Council (NGC), the union called on the Federal Government to ensure that governors, who benefit from bailout, were made to account for how such money was spent outside what it was meant for. AUPCTRE observed that most of the state governors had misappropriated the fund, resulting in their inability to pay their workers for many months. According to the communique, signed by the National President of AUPCTRE, Comrade Solomon Adelegan and

the General Secretary, Comrade Yusuf Zambuk, the union decried irregular payment of salary, pension, gratuity and remittance of union dues by the state Governments, despite the Federal Government’s assistance to them, through the bailout fund. The union said: “The NGCin-session appreciates the Federal Government for provision of bailout funds for payment of arrears of salaries, pension and gratuity to state government. But unfortunately, most of the state governments have misappropriated the funds such that workers are owed two months to 11 months arrears of salaries, pensions and gratuities. “Deriving from above, the NGC-in-session wishes to put the affected states on notice to either immediately resolve the issue of paying outstanding salary, pension and gratuity arrears in their respective states or be prepared to face the anger of the organised labour.”

employed, small and medium scale entrepreneurs. The extension of fertiliser, loan facilities and improvement of infrastructures such as rural roads for the easy movement of farm products and the general encouragement of young graduates to engage in agriculture as a viable means of livelihood. The economic plans for the growth and development of Nigeria should take into consideration the wellbeing of citizens,” he noted. Furthermore, he lamented that the objectives of establishing the National Housing Fund

Scheme through the Act No. 3 of 1992 to enable workers acquire affordable houses for themselves had not been met after 24 years. He expressed concerns that while workers have been making monthly contributions to the scheme, they have not been able to access funds from it to acquire their own houses. NASU therefore called for the suspension of deductions from the salaries and wages of workers forthwith until the administration of the fund is made in such a way that contributors can access it without bottleneck.

Strike: Groups seek workers’ understanding

ome concerned groups in Nasarawa State have appealed to striking workers to return to work in the interest of peace and socio- economic development of the state. The leader of the groups, Mr. Abubakar Ubandoma, while presenting their demands to the state’s Deputy Governor, Mr Silas Agara, said `there was no reason for the strike, considering the present economic challenges facing the nation. The appeal came amid the striking workers’ insistence that they were not ready to go back to work except their demands were met. The groups include members of the Marketers and Trader Association, Rice Millers Association, Loaders and Off Loaders Association, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). Ubandoma, who is also the leader of Concerned Citizens in the state, appealed to the strik-

ing workers to return to work, considering the nation’s dwindling economy, adding that the state was among the first states to implement the N18,000 national minimum wage in 2011. He noted: ‘‘The different groups across the state are here to tell Governor Tanko Al-Makura that we are solely behind the state government’s decision on downward review of workers’ salary. ``We believe that the downward review was due to the nation’s dwindling economy. ``We are urging the striking workers to return to work because the state was among the first states to implement the N18,000 national minimum wage in 2011 and they should also understand the present state government financial position.” The leader of the groups commended Governor AlMakura for the developmental strides across the state and called for sustenance.

NITAD to receive lift from new leadership

he Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD) is on the path of being revitalised as the new leadership has promised to transform it. Making the pledge during her investiture as the institute’s President and Chairman of Council, Mrs. Janet Jolaoso promised to take the institute to an enviable height during her tenure. She said: “I have accepted the assignment as a clarion call with my usual valued altruistic disposition to serve. With every sense of responsibility, passion and commitment, we will elicit and optimally harness the members’ potentials, talent, treasure and time to take the institute to the next and even, higher level through our combined efforts and articulated eightpoint agenda.” Jolaoso, who was elected the 8th president and chairman of council along with other officers at the annual general meeting (AGM), promised that her administration would move swiftly to achieve the completion of the ongoing charter status processing for greatness of the institute and also help in raising the institute’s acceptance index and status to international standards. She said: “I pledge to be focused and harness available resources prudently to achieve this. Please, rest assured that no effort will be spared towards achieving the aspiration and philosophy behind the emergence of the institute as envisioned by the founding fathers.”

Q2 2016

agric

FRIDAY, JUly 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Experts lament dismal performance, but optimistic Olajide Fabamise In the beginning Before the advent of oil boom in Nigeria, agriculture was the mainstream of Nigeria’s economy and was the major source of revenue generation for government, accounting for about 65 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, (GDP). As at that time incomes were derived from the export of major cash crops such as rubber, cocoa, palm oil, cashew nuts, groundnut cotton and cassava among others and provided about 70 per cent of active labour for Nigerians. But from the 2013 rebased figures, the agricultural sector contributed 21.97 per cent or N17.625 trillion ($112.26 billion) of the total N80.22 trillion ($510 billion). This compares with N14.71 trillion ($93.7 billion) in the old non-rebased estimates for 2013. With the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari administration on May 29, 2015, farmers were optimistic that the agricultural sector would experience the much-awaited change, expected to transform the sector. Though President Muhammadu Buhari has continued giving assurance to the nation that developing the sector and ensuring food security in the country remained a priority to his administration; one year under the president’s watch, agriculture has not experienced any significant development, rather, it continues to get harder on both farmers and consumers, as the prices of farm produce have gradually become out of reach for consumers of fresh tomato, rice and garri, among others. Rise in prices of agricultural items The prices of some agricultural items have skyrocketed across the major markets in the country. For instance, between 2014 and April 2015, the price of rice was stable in the market even during the Christmas period, when it sold for N9, 000. Today however, a bag of rice is being sold for about N15,000 while one basket of tomato that used to sell for about N6000 before is now being sold for N42,000 and a custard plastic of garri that sold for N250, now sells for N750. However, some stakeholders and farmers who spoke to New Telegraph, said they were optimistic that the sector would be turnedaround for better in the years ahead. National President, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, said that the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, disclosed that the

Farm land

Federal Government had better policies on ground to develop the sector, but was constrained by paucity of fund. He said the only thing with government was that the sector was still underfunded. He noted that the sector should gulp N600 billion in accordance to Maputo Declaration. FG’s funding challenges He said: “The Minister of Agriculture has good intention and good policies but may not have funds to execute those policies and programmes.” While accounting for the challenges faced by the sector within one year of Buhari in government, Oduntan said the Forex policy has affected the farmers because about 10 per cent of their input was imported, while the remaining 90 per cent was locally sourced. He also noted that prices of agricultural materials were higher within the one-year period, limiting the production capacity of most farmers. He said that the delayed budget also affected the sector within the year under review. The PAN boss, who was in total support of the government’s policies and activities, said he was optimistic that the coming year would be a boom for the sector, as the government has promised to ease the farmer’s pain. He also appealed to the government to pay the compensation promised the poultry farmers, who were affected by birds flu. He added that the signing of budget would ease the tension

and that the sector would bounce back.

Government should release funds for the sector to enable farmers to be more productive

Forex policy He therefore urged the Federal government to review the forex policy especially to allow the farmer source their materials that could not be sourced locally in order not to destroy their activities because of 10 per cent materials. Equally speaking, the Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, Lagos chapter, Otunba Femi Oke, believed that the delayed in the budget contributed to low performance of the sector in the last one year. However, he said the Federal Government made some improvement to the sector, claiming that within the last one year, commercial banks were now romancing farmers in term of loans. He added that the Bank of Agriculture also reduced its interest rate to 5 per cent for the farmer, saying that that indicated the availability of intervention funds. Access to loans However, Oke said the issue of Certificate of Occupancy, as a required collateral by the banks remained a big issue still restraining some farmers from accessing the loans. He also noted that government reviewed the policies in favour of farmers, as some discovered crops such as Moringa and others were included in the list while some youths development programmes were also highlighted in the policy. Meanwhile, he believed that

the sector was on the part of recovery, hoping that the government would be more concerned in the years ahead. The President of Rice Importers, Millerers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (RIMIDAN), Tunji Owoeye, also said that government had tried in the area of finance, noting that some categories of farmers were able to access loans from Bank of Industry, (BOI), with a single digit interest rate. Forex policy He said the Forex policy was good for the development of the local production particularly the agricultural products. He however, said that the policy could be reviewed to allow more flexibility. The Publicity Secretary of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria, Anga Sotonye, noted that government had not done what it was supposed to do to develop the sector. He said the sector has to be more funded and an enabling environment created to attract more youths into the sector by giving the farmers incentives. Sotonye noticed that no farmer was incentivised in the last one year of the present administration. Conclusion Government should release funds for the sector to enable farmers to be more productive, while encouraging diversification campaign by the government. Also, the diversification campaign must be complemented with action.

businesS \ agric

FRIDAY, JUly 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Illegal fishing crackdown: Nigeria, others to make $3.3bn

WASTE West Africa loses at least $1.3 billion a year from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

Taiwo Hassan

igeria and other countries in the West African region could make $3.3 billion, and create 300,000 jobs in fishing, if the region’s governments allow national fleets harvested and exported fish abroad, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and London-based Overseas Development Institute (ODI) have disclosed. In a report findings on the illegal fishing in West Africa monitored on FAO website, the two agencies said that West Africa nations must crack down on foreign fleets fishing illegally off its Atlantic coastline and build up their fisheries to protect the livelihoods of millions of people. The findings showed that overfishing by foreign vessels is driving many species towards extinction and destroying the livelihoods of fishing communities in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia and Mauritania. Corruption and few resources for monitoring fishing mean foreign trawlers often venture into areas near the coast, which are reserved for local fishermen, the ODI said in a report. “They are exhausting local stocks, often illegally, to the point of forcing local fishermen to go further out to sea to find fish, hugely increasing their

Fish

costs,” according to the ODI. It said in the report that West Africa could also create hundreds of thousands of jobs if the governments invested in the maritime industry, instead of selling off fishing rights to foreign operators. “Instead of jobs and development, the livelihoods of local fishers are being decimated by foreign fishing fleets, which operate virtually unchecked,” said Alfonso Daniels of the ODI. Mauritania’s economy minister last February said overfishing by foreign boats was

threatening livelihoods, as chronic food insecurity forces a growing number of people into fishing. At least seven million people work in fishing and fish farming across West and Central Africa, according to the FAO. The region loses at least $1.3 billion a year from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, said a 2014 report by the Africa Progress Panel, which champions sustainable development. More than half of stocks

in the stretch of coast from Senegal to Nigeria have been overfished, with illegal fishing accounting for up to half of the total catch, the ODI said. Fishermen in West Africa region have revealed to the ODI that foreign vessels often illegally approach the coast, damage the seabed and destroy the locals’ fishing gear. Around a quarter of all fish landed across Africa are caught by foreign fleets, which generate $400 million for the continent each year

through the sale of fishing rights, the FAO said. Whereas, African governments could make eight times this amount. “Illegal fishing a is difficult issue to tackle, financially and politically,” Daniels told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “But if it is addressed, this will create jobs, boost revenues and incentivise young people to stay in the region, which will reduce mass migration and youth unemployment.”

Agricultural Commodity Prices – Grains ‘Hollandia milk’ll hasten Nigeria’s growth diary’ Commodity Wheat Corn Soybeans Soybean Meal Soybean Oil Oats Rough Rice Hard Red Wheat Spring Wheat

Price 438-0 353-2 1110-0 381.4 30.81 207-4 10.750 422-0 502-0

Change +6-0 +5-0 +14-6 +5.3 +0.35 +0-2 +0.070 +3-6 +2-4

Contract Sep 16 Sep 16 Aug 16 Aug 16 Aug 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16

Time(ET) 05:33 05:33 05:33 05:32 05:32 05:02 05:32 05:32 05:30

Price 71.00 179.20 146.65 19.79 3121 315.00 0.0000 0.1924 3115.00 0.0000

Change +1.18 +0.70 +1.65 +0.11 +16 +4.70 -0.0220 -0.0020 +12.00 -0.0075

Contract Dec 16 Sep 16 Oct 16 Oct 16 Oct 16 Jul 16 Jul 16 Jul 16 Jul 16 Jul 16

Time(ET) 05:33 07/12/16 03:33 05:33 05:33 07/12/16 07/12/16 07/12/16 05:33 07/12/16

Softs Commodity Cotton #2 Orange Juice Coffee Sugar #11 Cocoa Lumber CME Coffee CME Sugar #11 CME Cocoa CME Cotton #2

Meats Commodity

Price

Change

Contract

Time(ET)

Live Cattle

109.400

-0.450

Aug 16

07/12/16

Feeder Cattle

139.075

-0.850

Aug 16

07/12/16

Lean Hogs

79.025

+0.825

Aug 16

07/12/16

Class III Milk

15.22

+0.02

Jul 16

07/12/16

Commodities trade on different exchanges with different trading sessions. Change always shows from the previous close price. Quotes delayed, except where indicated otherwise. All prices in local currency. Time is ET. Source: Bloomberg

Taiwo Hassan

hi Limited, manufacturers of Hollandia Evaporated milk has given assured to consumers of its plans to continue to grow the nation’s diary market with the production of quality milk that will meet Nigerians yearnings. The company in a statement, said its Hollandia Evaporated milk product has remained the key forces behind consumer’s affiliation to the Chi Limited brand since it emerged in the Nigerian market over 30 years ago. The firm said its brands consistent drive to ensuring delivery of quality products, thus reiterates its commitment to healthy lifestyles through healthy intake of quality drinks and products. This, according to the company, became the rationale behind the introduction of the Hollandia Evaporated milk into the Nigerian market. The company noted: “In the current economic situation, Nigerians have become more stringent with the management of resources and thus favourable with only brands that cater to their needs without

having much effects on their pockets, even as the chorus in the market on the rationale behind increased pricing of commodities is “Dollar rate,” it is great to see a brand offer that which makes such economic sense as Hollandia Evaporated Milk makes all the difference by offering consumers 65g of creamy nourishment at N50, in its “Correct Wazo” campaign, as it offers consumers 10g more than other milk brands selling at N50. “The Hollandia Evaporated Milk from the stable of Chi Limited continues to reiterate its commitment as one of few brands in the country that provides quality and affordability to consumers”. Hollandia Evaporated Milk according to the statement, is well packaged with the consumer’s health benefits at heart with the modern technology aseptic Tetra Pak packaging unlike other milk brands especially those in tins, which raise great concerns about the hygienic condition of the milk due the corrosive nature of the packaging material. This tetra pack packaging ensures that the product contains no preservatives and no

added sugar, while remaining creamy and highly nutritious, the company explained. Its unique packaging also ensures supreme convenience as the innovative pour, cap & keep pack of the 215g eliminates the hassles of milk storage and the design ensures longer safety from spoilage and contamination, the firm added. Besides, Hollandia Evaporated milk has furthermore “proved to be the only milk brand in the country with a convenient resealable pack that comes with a cap.” Furthermore, with this, consumers worry less about storage of the product, as they can always reseal it for later consumption unlike other milk brands, which are not resealable and cause concern in trying to access the contents of the packaging. Moreover, Hollandia Evaporated milk according to the company, “continues to show its leadership in the diary market through the brands consistency and innovation, which was also confirmed recently by the renowned diary rating company- AC Nelson Retail Audit data on the brands performance compared to other brands.”

Environment Watch

FRIDAY, JUly 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ecologists seek incentives for climate-resilient actions RESOLUTION Experts want government to harness alternative energy solutions

Dayo Ayeyemi

oncerned environmentalists have urged government to create an incentive for intensive engagement on climate resilience measures in the economy. The stakeholders made this call at the 6th session of the Development Dialogue on Climate Change and Renewable Energy held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Ondo State. They said that such arrangement would provide considerable insight and knowledge on climate change issues and climate action projects they could initiate. The event was meant to create awareness on the debilitating effect of climate change on national economies and how to mitigate its effect especially in the country. Participants noted that apart from providing the opportunity of earning higher incomes through low-carbon projects and carbon rebates, the forum also provided an avenue whereby networks in climate change were created and opportunities opened. Themed: “Climate Change: Cross-Sector Scaling of Mitigation and Adaptation Initiatives in Nigeria” and organised by the Carbon Exchange Trade in Collaboration with FUTA, SMEFUNDS ( an International NGO fighting to end poverty through the promotion of sustainable enterprise development in Africa), New Nigeria Foundation and Noaz International, participants established that the forum has created a platform whereby professional partnerships were brokered and output from Nigeria’s Climate Action Forum communicated to the global audience. Participants’ described the FUTA’s forum as a local action in line with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC)” apart from creating a platform for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the organisers, the forum was designed to enable academic institutions to endow research and projects on climate mitigation and adaptation including climate smart agriculture, renewable energy

Solar panel: One of the modern energy solutions

as well as carbon emission and landscape resilience. Vice Chancellor of FUTA , Professor Adebiyi Daramola, said the overall advantage of the dialogue would be seen in climate change mitigation, adaptation and finance, which are critical to building both economic, social and environmental resilience, scaling clean projects in sustainable landscapes and cities, biodiversity preservation as well as renewable energy, energy efficiency, environmental screening and monitoring and value-chain development. Managing Director of New Nigeria Foundation , Professor Olufemi Ajibola, said that issues on climate change are relatively, calling for the need to create increased public awareness. He said it has become imper-

ative to harness alternative resources in solving the problems of the country, noting that an alternative to oil is imminent giving the drop in oil prices globally. He said: “It is unacceptable for the country to overlook the opportunities of the new energy solutions.” In a presentation titled: “Mitigation and Adaptation Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Development”, Director, Carbon Exchange Trade, Mr. Innocent Azih, said that mitigation of climate change would be achieved through policy measures that emphasise scaling of climate friendly products and technologies, climate regulations, low-emission transportation and building construction as well as adaptation practices such as Climate Smart Agricul-

ture (CSA) and stable long term financing for new greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation technologies. He mentioned some mitigation measures and policies already in place, saying that climate change recognition now identifies climate-friendly products and technologies as well as slow and long-term financing from GHG technologies. Meanwhile, indiscriminate felling of trees has been identified as one of the major impediments in the fight against environmental degradation and deforestation. An environmentalist, Mr Samuel Buoye, said removing trees deprived the forest of portions of its canopy that was a major component of environmental protection.

Buoye, an attaché to Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara, State, said: “This canopy is meant to block the sun’s ray during the day and hold in heat at night. “This disruption leads to more extreme temperature swings that can be harmful to plants and animals.” He explained that trees are noted for playing a critical role in absorbing the greenhouse gases that fuel global warming, pointing out that fewer forests mean larger amounts of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere. The environmentalist listed the growing urban sprawl, agricultural activities, and logging for commercial purpose, as factors fuelling indiscriminate felling of trees.

Nations urged to adopt best practices to end Lake Chad harms

ake Chad Basin Commission member-countries have been enjoined to engage best practices in tackling the problems in the watershed area. Director of Mother of Earth Foundation, Mr. Nnimmo Bassey, made this call in a chat with New Telegraph in Lagos. He pointed out that if the problems of the basin persist, more conflicts and violence would erupt in the area. A combination of dams,

increased irrigation and reduced rainfall are causing shortages in Lake Chad basin. Lake Chad Basin is the largest drainage basin in Africa. The basin, which is centered on Chad, has no outlet to the sea and contains large areas of desert or semi-arid savannah. The basin spans seven countries, including most of Chad and a large part of Niger. As of 2011, it had an ethnically diverse population of about 30 million people –

a population that is growing rapidly. Member-countries of the commission comprises of Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Central Africa Republic and Libya. Bassey maintained that global warming, inefficient management of the watershed were reasons for the shrinking of Lake Chad, leading to displacement of both pastoralists and fishermen who depend on the water. He urged countries in Lake

Chad Basin Commission to come together and look at ways of enforcing best practices to maintain and protect the water treasures. He posited that it might take international collaboration and cooperation to tackle the problems of Lake Chad for forestall conflicts and more violence in the region. Besides, Bassey called for the establishment of an effective drainage master plan in regions and cities to reduce the menace of flooding.

FRIDAY, JuLY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AutoBeat

Infiniti breaks record M

ajor stakeholders in the Nigeria automotive industry have continued to insist on the need for the Federal Government to curtail the importation of used vehicles into the country if it cannot be able to stop it completely, but they could not agree on the best way to enforce it. Their divergent views were expressed at a Stakeholders Forum held in Lagos recently, courtesy of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in conjunction with National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG). Views of the stakeholders range from outright ban of imported used vehicles, to tariff increase, closure of land borders until assemblers are able to produce enough volume to feed the local market. Setting the debate in motion, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah disclosed that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration does not only believe in the auto policy but is also determined to make a success of it.

Paul Ogbuokiri

nfiniti finished the first half of 2016 with a new sales record. The company sold more than 110,200 vehicles, an increase of 7 per cent over the same period last year. In the month of June, more than 19,300 vehicles were sold, up 15 per cent versus June 2015, and in the second quarter of the year (April-June), Infiniti set a new record with almost 53,000 vehicles sold representing an increase of 4 per cent. This marks the best ever June for Infiniti sales globally and in several key markets including Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Western Europe, China and Australia. Year to date, Infiniti had record sales for the Americas (U.S., Can-

ada, Mexico, and Latin America) along with Canada and Mexico individually, Western Europe, Middle East, Asia & Oceania ("A&O"), Korea and Australia. Western Europe sold close to 1,600 vehicles in June, which is an increase of more than 150 percent over June 2015. Year to date, more than 9,500 vehicles were sold, up 177 per cent from the same period last year. In the Americas, it sold almost 12,300 vehicles in June – 11 per cent more than in June 2015. Year to date, approximately 72,100 vehicles were sold, an increase of 2 per cent from the same period last year. In Asia and Oceania (Australia, Korea, Taiwan and other markets), Infiniti sold 540 vehicles in June, which is an increase of 14 per cent over the same month last year. For

the first half of 2016, Infiniti sold almost 3,300 vehicles, which is an increase of 25 per cent over the same period the previous year. In June, Infiniti set a new record for China with 3,700 vehicles sold, 12 per cent up from June 2015. Year to date, Infiniti sold more than 18,600 vehicles in China, a slight drop of 2 per cent from the same period last year due to product availability in April and May. "Infiniti continues to deliver strong results," said Roland Krueger, president of Infiniti Motor Company. "I'd like to thank our customers around the world who made Infiniti their trusted choice. With new products such as the QX30 and the Q60 coming on stream, we are very confident about our prospects in the second half."

Stakeholders divided over Tokunbo ban

While the stakeholders agreed on the importance of having a robust auto policy, one issue over which they expressed divergent views is what should be done about imported used vehicles, which control a chunk of the nation’s auto market. In his submission, Mr. Kunle Ade Ojo, Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL), who his brand has been foot dragging in embracing the new auto policy since it was introduced, said placing a ban on imported used vehicles should not be the first thing to do.

He explained: “We are importing used vehicles, because local assemblers are not able to meet up the volume of vehicles required by the consumers at the price they can afford. More so, I believe we can’t really go away from used vehicles. Also, Thomas Pelletier, Managing director, CFAO Automotive Equipment and Service Limited, in his contribution, said; “There is a need to ban importation of used vehicles through land borders. Dr. Cosmas Maduka, President, Coscharis Group, however ,strongly believe that Nigeria

has no reason to keep importing used vehicles, which in his view, amounts to working against and slowing down the growth of the auto industry. “In the 70s,” he argued, “no one was buying used vehicles. It was all goodwill from government. If the government is willing to make things happen, they must ban importation of used vehicles. Just imagine, as I am speaking here, we have for long assembled 500 cars that cannot be sold.” Mr. Ibrahim Boyi, Managing director, PAN Nigeria Limited and Deputy Chairman, Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA), however, has a different view. According to him, there is no need banning importation of used vehicles. He said, ”All the government needs to do is increase tariff on used vehicles, assist Nigerian vehicle buyers by supporting vehicle finance scheme, as spelt out in the policy and as it was in the 1970s and 80s. Mr. Thomas Pelletier, Managing director, CFAO Automotive Equipment and Services Lim-

ited, like PAN boss, supports imposing higher tariff on imported used vehicles. Mr. Tokunbo Aromolaran, Managing Director, VON Automobile Nigeria Limited, on the other hand, is of the view that progressive ban on used vehicles is the way forward. He explained: “The fact is that it is abnormal to have a very small market that we have at the moment. It is so, because used vehicles are holding the chunk of the market. For the auto policy to succeed, used vehicles should not be competing with locally assembled vehicles. The least the government should do is impose a levy as envisaged in the auto policy. Though not among the panellists, also present at the forum were the Group Managing Director of Kia Nigeria Limited, Mr. Jacky Hathiramani, Managing Director of Stallion Motors, Mr. Parvir Singh and Mr. Adrian Fourie, General Manager, Perfection Motors, operators of FAW assembly plant and Mrs. Elizabeth Itegbe, General Manager, Weststar Associates Limited, among others.

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Islam UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH Model for six days fasting in Shawaal QUESTION

After Ramadhan, is it a condition that Shita' Shaawal should be fasted consecutively, or be separate ANSWER

Praise be to Allah. It is not a necessary condition that they should be fasted consecutively. If you fast them separately or consecutively, it is OK. The sooner you do them, the better, because Allah says (interpretation of the meanings): "So compete in good deeds." Al-Qur'an 5:48 "And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord." Al-Qur'an 3:133 "[Musa - peace be upon him - said:] â&#x20AC;Ś and I hastened to You, O my Lord, that You might be pleased." Al-Qur'an 20:84 And (you should hasten to fast these six days) because delaying may cause problems. This is the view of the Shafi'is and some of the Hanbalis, but it is OK if you do not hasten it and you delay it until the middle or end of the month. An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Our companions said: it is mustahabb to fast six days of Shawwal. Because of this hadith they said: it is mustahabb to fast these days consecutively at the beginning of Shawwal, but if one separates them or delays them until after Shawwal, this is permissible, because he will still be following the general guidelines of the hadith. We have no dispute regarding this matter, and this was also the view of Ahmad and Dawud." Al-Majmu' Sharh al-Muhadhdhab Can a person start fasting six days of Shawwal when he still has days to make up from Ramadhan? In the same vein, if a person fasts six days of Shawwal after Ramadhan when he has not yet completed the Ramadhan fast - because he did not fast ten days of Ramadhan for a legitimate reason - will he have the same reward as a person who fasted all of Ramadhan and followed it with six days of Shawwal, or will he be like a person who fasted for a lifetime? The precise rewards for the deeds which people do for the sake of Allah is something which is known only to Allah. If a person seeks the reward from Allah and strives to obey Him, his reward will not be lost, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): "We shall not make the reward of anyone who does his (righteous) deeds in the most perfect manner to be lost." Al-Qur'an 18:30 If someone has missed some of the days of Ramadhan, he should fast them first, then fast six days of Shawwal, because he cannot follow the fast of Ramadhan with six days of Shawwal unless he has completed his Ramadhan fast. And Allah is the source of strength. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.

EXHORTATION "And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord." (Qur'an 3:133 ) 10 Shawwal, 1437

Muslim group rejects immunity for NASS HIDDEN

MURIC says it smells a rat with immunity prosposal for NASS Stories:Adeola Yusuf

uslim faithful has rejected immunity for principal officers and other members of the National Assembly. Rising under the auspices of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), the faithful declared that any attempt to introduce the immunity clause for parliamentarians into the constitution is to shield law makers from the law they make. There was pandemonium in the House of Representa-

lSays move, attempt to shield lawmakers from their law

tives on Tuesday when members debated a bill seeking to amend Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution which confers immunity on the executive arm of the Nigerian government. The sponsor of the bill is proposing immunity for leaders and principal officers of the House. "The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) rejects this attempt to shield law makers from the law made by them," the group said in a statement signed by it Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola. "It is despicable, outrageous and preposterous. Simply put, it is legislative rascality. This legislature will go down in history as the most controversial, most self-centered and most unproductive," the group added.

According to Akintola, coming at a time when the leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) is facing court trial over criminal charges, the timing of the bill is not only suspect, it is also infantile and provocative. The proposed bill, he said, is "self-serving and politically motivated. Its authors seek to gain from the bend what they could not get from the straight. This bill belongs to the dustbin of history. "The NASS is taking Nigerians for a ride. We will not allow that to happnbven. The proposed bill is a reactionary measure. It is designed to take Nigeria back to the Stone Age. Bothered by the concentration of too much power being wielded by presidents, democracies around the world are seeking to remove immunity

even from the executive." Saying that the supreme court of Guatemala successfully stripped its president of immunity in September 2015, the MURIC asked how Nigerian legislators could turn themselves into tin gods at a time like this? "It had better not be. Whoever wants to enjoy the immunity clause should go to his state and contest for governorship," the group said, adding, "We are aware that in the year 2013 a committee of the same House recommended the expunging of the immunity clause for the president and his vice in order to check executive lawlessness. What happened between then and now? How can the present House confer immunity on those who hitherto did not enjoy it? We smell a rat."

L-R: Member, Nuuru Salaam Islamic Foundation, [NUSFAD], Alhaji Abdul Qodri Muhammed Hashir Opeloyeru; member, Alhaji Sheikh Abdul Jelil Yussuff; member, Alhaji Abdullateef Adebayo Thiamiy and founder, Alhaji Ishaq Sanni Olasunkanmi, during the 2016 foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Islamic lecture series in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Cleric underscores merits of six-day post-Ramadan fasting

he Chief missionary of Young Muslim Brothers and Sisters (YOUMBAS), Ogun state and Republic of Benin, Sheik Najeemdeen Adesina Yusuf has underscored the merits of six days' fasting in the month of Shaawal. Sheik Yusuf stated this in a telephone interview with New Telegraph, maintaining that it was recommended for the Muslim to fast six days of Shawwal. In this, he said, there is great virtue and an immense reward. "Whoever fasts these six days will have recorded for him a reward as if he had fasted a whole year, as was reported in a sahih hadith from

the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)," the cleric said. Stating that fasting six days of Shawwal after the obligatory fast of Ramadhan is Sunnah Mustahabbah, not wajib, the Chief Imam of YOUMBASS added that Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever fasts Ramadhan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime." He continued: "Narrated by Muslim, Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nisa'i and Ibn Majah, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

explained this when he said: "Whoever fasts for six days after ('Eid) al-Fitr has completed the year: (whoever does a good deed (hasanah) will have ten hasanah like it)." According to another report: "Allah has made for each hasanah ten like it, so a month is like fasting ten months, and fasting six days completes the year." [AnNisa'i and Ibn Majah. See also Sahih at-Targhib wa't-Tarhib, 1/421). It was also narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah with the wording: "Fasting for the month of Ramadhan brings the reward of ten like it, and fasting for six days brings the reward of two months, and that is the fasting of the whole year." "The Hanbali and Shafi'i

fuqaha' explained that fasting six days of Shawwal after fasting Ramadhan makes it as if one has fasted for an entire year of obligatory fasts, because the multiplication of the reward applies even to nafil fasts, because each hasanah brings the reward of ten like it. "Another of the important benefits of fasting six days of Shawwal is that is makes up for any shortfall in a person's obligatory Ramadhan fasts, because no one is free of shortcomings or sins that have a negative effect on his fasting. On the Day of Resurrection, some of his nafil deeds will be taken to make up the shortcomings in his obligatory deeds," he admonished.

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Shock

Crime

63-year-old driver shot with stun gun by police

Fraud Woman fools bank, uses ‘fake shop’ as collateral

Greed 25 held for armed robbery, cultism

35 36

The house, where mother, three children were kidnapped

The kidnappers' escape route

‘We ran away from our homes because of militants’ Taiwo Jimoh and Tobi Ayinde

shefun and Ijan communities, located in Ayobo Ipaja Local Council Area, Lagos State, are now like ghost towns. Many of the residents have fled because of marauding militants who kidnap and kill. On this particular day, July 5, 2016, our correspondent paid a visit to Ishefun community. The community that used to bustle with social and commercial activities was like a graveyard. The back view of a lady was sighted. She was outside her house, washing clothes. The correspondent made a beeline for her. Immediately she heard footsteps, she became tensed and alert. She turned swiftly, saw

JULIANA FRANCIS CRIME Editor

juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

the journalist and bolted into her room. She thought he was a kidnapper. Before she could lock the door, the journalist shouted that he was just a reporter. The door slowly opened. The peeping eyes looked frightened and unsure. She perhaps realised that there was nowhere to run or hide. She reluctantly came out of the room. Without being asked, the journalist presented his Identity card. She peered at the card and her tensed posture visibly relaxed. The apprehensive and suspicious attitude of the lady; reflects those of other residents in Ishefun Community. The lady, who absolutely refused to give her name, said, some men, believed to be militants, have laid siege to the community. These men, she said, used to storm the community and kidnap people. These militants used to come at night to abduct victims. According to her, many residents have fled the community, to stay with friends or relatives. The scared residents only brave the community during the datime to pick change of clothings. She further said: “Please, pardon me for my behaviour. It was due to the recent abductions of my neighbours. So many people have left their homes. Nobody wants to be abducted or killed. I

Nobody wants to be abducted or killed. I only came to pick some of our clothes, wash the dirty ones and leave again

only came to pick some of our clothes, wash the dirty ones and leave again. Many residents said they wouldn’t return to their homes until normalcy returns to our communities. We come in the morning, change clothes and leave again. Ishefun Community is not the only one experiencing this scare. Many citizens of Lagos and Ogun states, living around coastal areas, have horrifying stories of killings, abductions and shootings to tell. In Ikorodu, where militants have held residents by the jugular, policemen who built houses in those areas are now being targeted. Some of the policemen have fled, abandoning their buildings. They relocated their families. The vandals have also moved up to Igando areas in Lagos State. The Officer in Charge of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikorodu, has been receiving threatening calls and text messages from some militants. They accused him of revealing their identities and modus operandi to other members of the Nigeria Police Force. A police source said: “These militants are now targeting SARS men. They are targeting policemen for doing their jobs. Police houses in Isawu and Igando areas are also now being tar-

geted. At least five buildings, belonging to policemen have been burnt down by the militants. A lot of policemen built houses in Ikorodu. Right now, a particular police sergeant, living at Igando is their target. They sent messages to him, telling him that they know him and his family. He relocated his family. They still sent messages to him, saying they knew he had relocated his family. They mentioned the name of his son’s school and where his wife trades. They told him the make of his car and the number plate. He eventually abandoned his car, so that they wouldn’t trail his car and kill him. He started using motorbike. They sent message to him; they knew he had started using motorbike to go to work. They accused him of giving information to policemen at Igando on their activities. The militants are waging war against policemen!” It was because of the increasing killings, abductions and attacks by militants, believed to be pipeline vandals, that law enforcement agencies declared war on militants in Lagos and Ogun states. On June 30, 2016, Idris deployed a Tactical Operation Unit, comprising the Police Mobile Force, the Counter-Terrorism CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

CRIME

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

The bus driver receiving attention

63-year-old driver shot with stun gun by police Taiwo Jimoh

63-year-old commercial bus driver on Tuesday, lost consciousness after policemen attached to Lagos State Police Task Force used a stun gun on him. Eye witness said that the old man, Isiaka Ishola, lost conscious ness after the Police Task Force, on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences, allegedly used the stun gun on him, while attempting to arrest him. Ishola, with his bus loaded with passengers, rammed into a gutter after the gun was used on him. Another eyewitness said the incident occurred around 10:20am, while the Task Force officials were raiding bus drivers, allegedly causing obstruction along the Ojodu Berger Road. Ishola was driving out of the motor park, when the Task Force Officials, accused him of causing traffic jam. In an attempt to compel him to stop and get out of the vehicle, one of the policemen pursued and used the stun gun on him. Ishola was alleged to have fainted on the wheel, lost control of his bus and rammed into a nearby gutter. The policemen dragged his unconscious body out of the bus seat and put him inside their

Black Maria. A senior policeman, however, came to the scene and ordered the policemen to immediately release the bus driver. The policemen placed Ishola by the roadside. Other bus drivers ran to buy bags of sachet water and milk. Sachets of water were poured him and the milk was forced into his mouth. He soon regained consciousness. Speaking with our correspondent, Ishola said he was surprised when the policemen flagged him down, accusing him of causing traffic jam. He said that before he knew what was happening, they used the stun gun on him. Ishola said: “After I loaded my passengers from the motor park and heading to Agege, I saw the Task Force officials. They had earlier arrested a commercial bus driver right in front of me. One of them came and accused me of causing traffic. They brought out the stun gun and used it on me. Immediately, I fainted. I didn’t know when some of my colleagues from the park came and rescued me. They poured sachets of water on me. They also gave me milk in order to revive me. As I speak with you now, I’m still not okay. I sustained injuries on my body when they dragged me on the ground.” Ishola further said: “While in the gutter with the passengers,

the Task Force officials struggled to take possession of the steering of my bus. They eventually impounded the vehicle and chased the passengers out. I also lost about N8, 000 in my pocket.” Mrs. Baliqis Adeyemi, said she was walking past, when she saw Ishola unconscious on the

Isiaka Ishola

ground. She looked closer at the figure and realised she knew him. She picked his phone and promptly called his family. Adeyemi said: “I was going to my shop when I saw the man on the ground. I realised it was somebody I know. He lives in the street where I have a shop. The man is a nice person; that was why I called his family. I wanted them to come and rescue him.” Mr. Kunle Solaja, one of the passengers in the bus, described the action of the policemen as uncivilised. His words: “What happened took every one of us in the bus by surprise. I mean, the offence the Task Force officials accused him of, was not enough to kill him. I expected the Task Force policemen to leave the driver immediately he because unconscious, but they still dragged him into their waiting Black Maria. It was one of the team leaders who ordered the junior policemen to release him to his union members.” Some of the bus drivers, embarked on a protest. They protested over the manner Task Force policemen used to manhandle commercials bus drivers in Lagos. One of the bus drivers, simply identified as Moshood, said: “Injustice to one is injustice to all! We are tired of their actions. Before Ishola’s incident, one of us was arrested by the Task Force. The policemen collected N10, 000 from him before his bus was released. They did not only manhandle Ishola, they also collected his phone and money.” The Public Affairs Officer of the Task Force, Mr. Adebayo Taofik, said: “Yes, Task Force officials were in the area to clear the traffic on that axis. They impounded buses of erring drivers. The drivers were causing road obstruction. The commercial bus drivers on that axis are fond of causing traffic jam. The Task Force officials were there to clear the traffic. When the drivers saw our men coming, they attempted to run. It was in the process that the so called driver fell into the gutter. The driver didn’t faint. He was in our office, at Alausa today, (Tuesday) to collect his seized vehicle.”

CRIME

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AB Microfinance Bank

Woman fools bank, uses ‘fake shop’ as collateral Camillus Nnaji

woman appeared to have simply disappeared into thin air after she cleverly defrauded a microfinance bank, located at the Ojo Alaba area of Lagos State. The woman was said to have fooled one of the bank’s workers into giving her a loan by using a stranger’s restaurant as collateral for the loan. The worker of AB Microfinance Bank was hooked winked by the woman into believing that the restaurant, located at No. 91 Adaloko Road, Arikawe Bus Stop, Afro Media, Ojo, Lagos State, was actually hers. Accepting the woman’s words of honour, the bank gave her the loan. The scam was discovered after the bank worker realised that the woman had not been servicing her loan. The bank padlocked the restaurant, expecting the woman to appear, instead, the genuine, angry owner, Mr. Boniface Uwanyemugwu, appeared. Uwanyemugwu travelled to his village, in Imo State, when the unknown woman used his restaurant as collateral. He returned from village, to discover that AB Microfinance Bank had padlocked his restaurant. It is believed that the woman knew that Uwanyemugwu travelled to his village and decided to use his restaurant to dupe the bank. The bank’s worker, who handled the loan transaction, has been identified as Mr. Adeniyi Adeoye. Uwanyemugwu said that Adeoye and his enforcement team have disrupted his business and daily income, since they locked up his restaurant.

Uwanyemugwu said he returned from his village to find Adeoye’s business card, placed conspicuously at the entrance of his restaurant. The card reads: ‘Adeniyi Adeoye, AB Microfinance bank, 22, Ojo Igbede Road, Alaba, Lagos. Uwanyemugwu said: “I returned from my village to find my restaurant locked up. I thought it was the handiwork of local government officials. I looked at the complimentary card and discovered it belonged to one Mr. Adeniyi Adeoye, of AB Microfinance Bank. I had never had any dealing with them. I called Adeoye’s phone number, to know what the matter was. He said the owner of that shop used it to obtain a loan from AB Microfinance Bank. He then hung up. I called him again; he said if I wanted to know more, I should come. At first, I wanted to break the padlock, but I decided to involve the police.” Uwanyemugwu went to Okokomaiko Police Station ,to lodge a complaint. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in Charge of Okokomaiko Police Station, sent some police officers to the bank, with a letter of invitation. Uwanyemugwu said: “They followed me to my restaurant and saw that it was truly locked. We went to the bank. Mr. Adeoye accepted he was the one that placed his business card there. He told us that a woman, who owns the shop, used it to obtain loan from the bank. Police gave him a letter of invitation. He was supposed to go to the station the following day. But he didn’t honour the invitation. I went back to the police and told the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), that I wanted to see the DPO. The DPO again asked his men to take me to the

Uwanyemugwu

They followed me to my restaurant and saw that it was truly locked

bank. At the bank, we met the manager. The manager said he was not aware of the locking up of my restaurant. The manager brought out the file that had to do with the loan. They saw that it wasn’t me that collected the loan.” According to Uwanyemugwu, the manager begged that the case should be settled amicably, but the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), said the matter wouldn’t be settled at the bank. The IPO asked all parties to meet at the police station. The bank again, allegedly refused to keep the appointment. When the bank was called again, the

IPO was told that Adeoye had gone for a course. The bank advised that everything should be put on hold, pending the return of Adeoye. Meanwhile, Uwanyemugwu’s restaurant, continued to be unlocked. Uwanyemugwu, who said the bank’s statement angered him, added: “I have lost about N1.2 million over 30 days that my restaurant had been locked, and time is still running. I make an average of N30,000 daily from the business. I have family and other dependents. They look up to me for financial assistance. How can I bear the burden of an unknown debtor? “Frustrated, Uwanyemugwu said he was forced to petition the Area E Police Command, Festac, begging the Area Commander, to carry out proper investigation into the matter. Uwanyemugwu said that he felt the bank was not respecting the DPO and IPO of Okokomaiko Police Station. Uwanyemugwu said: “The Area E Commander has directed that Adeoye be arrested. I will follow the matter to its logical conclusion. I know all I have spent, would be paid back. Whosoever had done this, is not a ghost! The bankers failed to carry out proper verification exercise. The bank allowed itself to be deceived. The bank should look for the debtor to refund its loan. I will sue for the loss I have incurred in the course of this investigation.” When Adeoye was contacted via phone, another employee of the bank, who refused to identify himself, answered on two occasions. He said Adeoye was not available. He also noted that the complainant had reported the matter to the police station, while AB Microfinance Bank’s manager, has begun internal investigations. However, he told our correspondent to visit the bank. During our correspondent visit to the bank on Wednesday, the front desk employee, who refused to disclose her name, denied him, access to the bank manager. She however admitted that, the bank was aware of the case.

CRIME

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

25 held for armed robbery, cultism Kenneth Ofoma ENUGU

he Enugu State Police Command have paraded 25 suspects arrested for various offences ranging from armed robbery and cultism to kidnapping. The state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu said the 25 suspects were arrested at different locations and days within Enugu and its environs. Nine of the suspected armed robbers, who were later identified as members of Ayes Confraternity aka Axe Men, were arrested by Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) last Thursday, at the residence of Sunday Noble at Bricks House Independence Layout, Enugu, where they were allegedly celebrating their cult day. According to the commissioner, 10 other suspected cultists, belonging to Ayes fraternity, were also arrested on the same day while terrorising the neighborhood during their meeting at Christ the King

CP Ojukwu displaying guns recovered from suspects

Primary School, Njamanze Street, Artisan Quarters, Ogui, Enugu. He said two suspects, Godwin Okonkwo (22) and Chidera Onyemuruogu (23), were arrested last Saturday, for conspiracy and armed robbery.

They were arrested while using an ATM card belonging to Jude Ezenma of New Haven, Enugu, who they had earlier robbed of a Lexus 300 Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), one Techno android phone, one Blackberry Q10

phone, one Nokia phone and one gold necklace, among others. Similarly, three other suspects, Okechukwu Ogbodo (21), Chukwu Ede (20) and Kosi Okoye (19), were arrested for cultism and armed robbery.

We don't know what militants want –Community leader CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

Unit with the back-up of an Air Surveillance Team to flush out the vandals and other criminal elements operating in Arepo and Ibafo areas of Ogun State. According to Idris, the deployment of the Unit to Arepo/Ibafo was to ensure that normalcy returns to the areas in record time. The policemen were complemented by other security agents drawn from Army, Navy and Air Force. Idris added: “The Nigeria Police Force will not watch any criminal group or groups take law into their hands.” He therefore authorised the Unit to deal decisively with anyone who constitutes himself as an enemy of the State. It would be recalled that Arepo and Ibafo in Ogun State and other areas in Ikorodu, Lagos State, have been taken over by militants, otherwise perceived to be pipeline vandals. These men have killed several law enforcement agents.

Kidnap route

In June, areas like Igbolomu, Ogijo and Ishawo communities in Ikorodu, Lagos State, were under the strangulating hold of Ijaw militants. The militants, angry because the police dared to arrest some of their members and killed two, unleashed hell in some communities. They embarked on a killing spree; shooting at anything that moved. By the time the dust has settled, more than 30 had been killed and many injured. Survivors fled, abandoning their property. The deployment of security agents into the affected communities was aimed at dislodging the suspected militants. Some of the militants, who were partially dislodge by the security agencies from Arepo, Igboolumu, Elepete, Ibafo and Imushin area, on July 3, 2016, struck at Ijan and Ishefun communities, Ipaja Ayobo, Local Council Development Area. They kidnapped a mother, Mrs. Ogunyemi and her three children. In a swift response to the abductions, policemen attached to Ayobo

Police Station, pursued and rescued the victims. Recalling how the mother and children were rescued, a resident said: “The woman’s house is close to the water. The kidnappers first picked her three children and ordered her to enter their boat. Some residents, who sighted them, quickly alerted Ayobo Police Station. When policemen came, they got a boat and went after them. The kidnappers jumped into water, leaving the woman and her three children.” The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Fatai Owoseni, who visited the community after the abortive abduction, vowed to arrest the fleeing suspects. He said: “The kidnappers, who came through the waterway, were trying to escape with their victims when our men engaged them in gun battle. The gun duel lasted for a while. The kidnappers were later subdued by the superior shooting power of the police.” Mr. Oluwaseun Ogunyemi, husband of the kidnapped woman and children, said: “I don’t know why my family was the target of the kidnappers. I went outside to urinate. Immediately I turned, I saw three men holding guns. They threatened to shoot me if I shout. I don’t know how I was able to escape from the kidnappers. My family members were not that lucky. They were abducted, but later rescued by the police.” Before the kidnapping of Mrs. Ogunyemi and her kids, the militants had earlier shot and killed a Mobile Policeman, Yusuf Hadi, attached to Mopol 43, Totowu Waterways. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, said Hadi was on his way to his base, when he was shot by the militant on the waterways. When our correspondents visited Ishefun and Ijan communi-

ties last week Tuesday, there was palpable tension in the air. Many of the residents have moved out of their houses over fear of likely attack or becoming victims of abduction. A neighbour of the kidnapped victims, who doesn’t want her name in print, said: “My family and I were in our apartment when the kidnappers came. On that fateful day, I was inside my room. I watched them through the windows. They came through the waterways, close to the victims’ house. They ordered them into their waiting speed boat. The kidnappers first took the children. Their mother begged them to spare her kids. But they didn’t listen to her.” The Baale of Ijan, Chief Ade Kolawole, said: “On July, 3, I was somewhere at Ikeja, when I received a phone call that some gunmen were shooting in the community. When I received the call, I immediately called the Divisional Police Officer of Ayobo (DPO) and the Area M Commander. They all raced to the scene. “When the policemen got to the community, they exchanged gunfire with the kidnappers. These militants have taken over riverine areas of Ishefun, Totowu, Akesan, Egan, Suti and Imoshe. We don’t know these militants. They just invaded our communities. The militants were armed with sophisticated weapons.” According to Kolawole, the communities is now making plans to provide a building for Marine Police, where they could use as base to guard the communities and watch out for militants. The Baale of Ishefun Community, Chief Aminu Oke said: “We have heard about the exploits of these militants in other areas. But we were shocked when they came to our community. I don’t understand what they want from poor families in these communities.”

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

COUNSEL Monetary tightening alone won’t curb rising prices

Tony Chukwunyem

ith financial experts making varied inflation predictions about what June figures expected to be released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) any moment from now would be like, analysts at Dunn Loren Merrifield (DLM) have said that a successful implementation of the new flexible forex policy was vital to reducing inflationary pressure. In a note obtained by New Telegraph, the experts stated that even though they are forecasting a marginal decline in headline inflation to 15.53 per cent year-on-year in June 2016; down by 5 bps from 15.58 per cent recorded in the preceding month, they expect inflationary pressures to continue in the short term. They said, “Whilst we note the respite expected in June inflation figures, we see the likelihood of upward price movements in the coming months given structural constraints, which in our view would

BUSINESS | MONEY LINE

Analysts: Forex reforms’ success’ll ease inflation not necessarily respond to monetary tightening.” According to the analysts, for inflation to be effectively tackled, “The need to stimulate investment and economic growth using fiscal policies cannot be overemphasised. This would support employment, boost food production and prices will become more stable in the near term. “Furthermore, we are of the view that the successful operation of the Inter-Bank Foreign Exchange Market is crucial to easing some degree of inflationary pressure,” they added. After resisting calls by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and foreign investors for over a year to allow the naira to float, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last May announced the introduction of a flexible forex policy. Last month, it commenced the implementation of the policy, surpassing analysts’ expectations by allowing the market to determine the naira’s exchange rate. Aside from DLM’s experts, analysts at Financial Derivatives

Company (FDC) Limited, had also forecast a decline in June inflation. According to them, inflation in June will drop to 15.5 per cent from 15.6 per cent recorded in May. They said, “After an

almost unstoppable rise in headline inflation to a record high, the economy may be entering an era of disinflation or declining rates of inflation. We are projecting inflation in June to drop from 15.6per

former Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Payment Services. Emerging markets represent 90 per cent of mobile growth, according to industry body GSMA, and these figures are set to grow. Currently, two billion people use at least one of 270 available mobile money services, and industry studies show the need for further easyto-use digital payment solutions. Frequent mobile banking users are 40 per cent less likely to switch banks, and customers who primarily use bank branches are three times more likely to switch banks, according to a report by consultancy Bain & Company. Across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), 96 per cent of banks are deploying end-to-end digital transformation strategies, with cloud computing, Big Data analytics, and mobile apps for enhancing the customer experience, according to a new report by IDC Financial Insights and global technology company SAP.

cent to 15.5per cent. If this estimate turns out to be accurate, it will raise some fundamental questions as to the direction of inflation and possible level of interest rates in the money markets.”

Similarly, analysts at FSDH projected that June 2016 inflation rate (year-on-year) will drop marginally to 15.39 per cent from 15.58 per cent recorded in the month of May 2016.

Experts: FG’s policies can’t tackle economic slump

inancial analysts, including Renaissance Capital Ltd.’s Yvonne Mhango, have expressed doubts over the effectiveness of the policies announced by the Federal Government to turnaround the slowing economy. According to Bloomberg, the experts believe Nigeria’s economy could contract this year and the government has few plans to prevent this. Although they welcomed the apex bank’s decision to allow the naira to float, the analysts argued that the delay in devaluing the local currency contributed to a 0.4 per cent contraction in the economy in the three months through Marc, adding that with inflation at a six-year high, the Monetary Policy

Committee (MPC) will likely raise borrowing costs by 400 basis points by the end of 2016. Also, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the fourmonth delay in passing the record N6.1 trillion budget, which was meant to stimulate growth by spending on roads, ports and electricity generation, will reduce its efficiency. Bloomberg reported Renaissance’s Mhango as saying that, President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision to diversify the economy of Nigeria, which relies on oil for more than 70 per cent of revenue, has not translated into big investments, and infrastructure to support local manufacturers doesn’t exist yet. She was quoted as saying, “That’s the

Digital payments to generate $2trn in revenue by 2020

inTech solutions are transitioning from startup offices to the mainstream and could generate $2 trillion in revenue in digital payments globally by 2020, experts have predicted. Companies such as PayPal, the now ubiquitous online payment portal, are becoming the norm for many financial product consumers. In response, mainstream banks are beginning to adopt mobile banking solutions to meet the demands of their clients. “Banks, startups and non-banking players are disrupting the global banking and finance industry with mobile apps, immersive technology and nontraditional payments. Emerging markets like the Middle East have the drive for innovation and opportunity to build next-gen infrastructure, enabling them to become global leaders in the digital payments revolution while providing a lifeline for billions of underbanked people,” said James Barrese, PayPal’s

missing link and we haven’t heard enough on how they are going to improve and make the business environment more conducive. There has been little colour on fiscal policies to drive the growth agenda.” Nigeria is facing a revenue squeeze as earnings from oil fall due to lower prices and a resurgence of militant activity destroyed installations in the crude-producing Niger River delta, slashing output to an almost three-decade low. The naira peg at N197-199 per dollar, compared with an unofficial exchange rate of N340 per dollar just before the currency was allowed to float, caused fuel shortages for months, as businesses struggled to access foreign currency to place orders. Restrictions

on the use of dollars to import goods ranging from steel products to rice still apply. “It is not sufficient to focus on going from a de facto peg to a flexible regime,” the IMF’s resident representative in Nigeria, Gene Leon, said in an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday. “The authorities need to be announcing at the same time how the change affects fiscal policy, how is it impacting inflation, balance sheets of corporates, balance sheets of the banks, and how the increased fiscal receipts allows the undertaking of development.” Leon said the economy would probably contract this year, even as the IMF still forecasts growth of 2.3 per cent in its April Regional Economic Outlook.

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

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 15.6 12 10.77 US$46.34 US$26,366,448,626

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 May, 2016 24/3/2016 Mar 2015 14/7/2016 13/7/2016

Source:CBN

Description 15.10 27-APR-2017 16.00 29-JUN-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 12.50 22-JAN-2026 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 Tenor (Days) O/N 1M 3M 6M

FGN Bonds

TTM

Price 104.96 114.56 112.10 120.50 109.35 100.24 83.91 98.09

1.08 3.25 3.87 5.83 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.30

NIBOR

Rate (%) 15.0000 10.6864 12.4601 13.8466

Bid Yield 10.09 10.57 11.56 11.46 12.32 12.45 12.43 12.41

Change (%) 2.17 ▲ 0.20 ▲ 0.24 ▲ 0.22 ▲

Change (%) 0.04 ▲ 0.00 ↔ 0.25 ▲ -0.07 ▼ 0.08 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.04 ▲

Price 105.11 114.86 112.40 120.80 109.65 100.54 84.21 98.39

Tenor (Months)

Offer Yield 9.95 10.47 11.47 11.40 12.26 12.40 12.38 12.37

NITTY

1M 2M 3M 6M 9M 12 M

Treasury Bills

Rate (%) 5.4817 7.3699 7.8938 9.2453 9.3846 10.0913

Change (%) 0.04 ▲ 0.00 ↔ 0.25 ▲ -0.07 ▼ 0.08 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.04▲ 0.04 ▲ Change (%) -0.25 ▲ 0.06 ▲ 0.29 ▲ 0.60 ▲ 0.45 ▲ -0.44 ▼

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) Change (%) 23-Jun-16 8.15 7.90 8.06 0.26 ▲ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 12.67 0.00 ↔ 8.32 0.26 ▲ 22-Sep-16 8.71 8.46 8.82 0.46 ▲ Overnight (O/N) 13.75 0.42 ▲ 9.10 0.46 ▲ 16-Mar-17 9.31 9.06 9.92 0.00 ↔ 10.22 0.00 ↔

Spot($/N)

Bid 198.45

Offer 198.55

Change (%) -0.14 ▼

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

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

196.00

197.00

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

BUSINESS |FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEGATIVE Skye Bank, MRS Oil stocks lead losers to drag down market activities

Stories: Chris Ugwu

ctivities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday continued on the downswing, as shares of highly capitalised stocks closed in the red just as the previous

BUSINESS |FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Stock market records marginal slide day. The market performance indicator, the NSE All Share Index declined marginally by 0.09 per cent. Consequently, the AllShare Index shed 27.33 basis points or 0.09 per cent to close at 28,730.42 per share as against 28,703.09 recorded the previous day, while the market capitalisation of equities depreciated marginally by N9 billion. Meanwhile, a turnover

Fitch affirms lender’s rating at B+ with stable outlook

itch a global rating agency has revised the Outlook on the Guaranty Trust Bank’s Long term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) from Negative to Stable, citing the lender’s continuing strong earnings, and stronger-than-expected liquidity, as the reasons for the revised outlook. According to a statement from the bank, Fitch Ratings also affirmed the bank’s Longterm Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘B+’ with a Stable Outlook and Short-term IDR at ‘B’. In addition, the agency affirmed the bank’s Viability Rating (VR) at ‘b+’, Support Rating (SR) at ‘4’ and GTB Finance BV’s senior notes, guaranteed by Guaranty Trust Bank: affirmed at ‘B+’/’RR4’. Fitch however, revised the bank’s Support Rating Floor (SRF) to ‘B’ from ‘B+’ as a result of the Sovereign’s weak foreign currency position. The IDR rating and outlook reflects Fitch’s opinion of the Bank’s relative ability to meet its financial commitments and the bank’s rating of B+ remains the highest credit rating in the industry. The Viability Rating (VR), which is a component of the IDR measures the bank’s

intrinsic credit quality and capacity to maintain ongoing operations and to avoid failure. Fitch affirmation of the bank’s VR shows that despite the tough operating environment, GTBank’s strong and stable financial metrics as indicated by its profitability track record, healthy liquidity state, strong asset quality and capital ratios, have continued to impact positively on the bank’s VR rating of b+, which remains the highest in the industry. The bank’s long and short term National Rating remain affirmed at AA- and F1+ respectively, also the best in the industry, according to the statement. “This rating denotes expectations of very low default risk and strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligation in the country. “The F1+ rating also denotes a particularly strong liquidity profile. GTBank’s VR, SR, IDRs, National and Senior Debt ratings reflect the bank’s strong earning potential, excellent management strategy and corporate governance, solid track record in managing credit risk, strong liquidity management and sound capital ratios,” the statement added.

of 203.5 million shares exchanged in 3,805 deals. Banking sub sector of the financial services sector was the most active (measured by turnover volume) with 62.6 million shares exchanged by investors in 1,322 deals. Volume in the sub sector was largely driven by activities in the shares of Access Bank Plc and GTB Bank Plc. Also, Premium sub sector,

boosted by activities in the shares of FBNH Plc and Zenith Bank Plc followed with a turnover of 60.9 million shares in 578 deals. At the close of trading session, 16 stocks recorded gains, while 22 others shed weight. Further analysis of the day’s trading showed that United Capital Plc topped the day’s gainers’ table with 9.88 per cent to close at N2.67 per share, while Honeywell

Flour Mills Plc trailed with 9.52 per cent to close at N1.61 per share. Unilever Plc gained five per cent to close at N33.39 per share. On the flip side, Skye Bank Plc led the losers’ with a drop of 8.96 per cent to close at 61 kobo per share, while MRS Oil Plc shed five per cent to close at N31.93 per share. NPF Microfinance Bank Plc trailed with 4.85 per cent to close at 98 kobo per share.

United Capital records 155% growth in H1 PAT U nited Capital Plc (formerly UBA Capital Plc) has posted 155 per cent increase in net earnings for the half year ended June 30, 2016. In a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the group’s profit after tax rose to N3.591 billion from N1.408 billion in the same period of last year, indicating a growth of 155.04 per cent. Profit before tax grew by 44.02 per cent from N1.792 billion in H1 2015 to N2.581 billion in H1 2016. Its gross earnings rose to N3.655 billion, compared to N2.750 billion last year, a growth of 32.90 per cent. United Capital posted 61 per cent increase in net earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016. The group’s profit after tax rose to N1.137 billion from N707.424 million in the same period of last year, depicting a growth of 60.72 per cent. Profit before tax leapt by 59.22 per cent from N892.451 million in Q1 2015 to N1.421 billion in Q1 2016. Its gross earnings rose to N1.856 billion, compared to N1.306 billion last year, a

growth of 42.1per cent. United Capital recently completed the sale of its 50 per cent holding in United Metropolitan Life, a joint venture established in 2005, to its Joint Venture partner, Metropolitan International Holdings (Proprietary) Limited. Commenting, Group CEO, United Capital, Oluwatoyin Sanni, said: “This marks the conclusion of a very successful investment. Our objective is always to maximise shareholder return and we look forward to redeploying the capital in further ventures. We remain strongly convinced of the opportunities in the Nigerian financial services sector. “I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Metropolitan International, who have been an excellent joint venture partner and wish them well in the future. This partnership has led the way in South African and Nigerian businesses working together for the benefits of Africans. Through this partnership, we established a pioneering insurance business, which has led in

customer satisfaction and product innovation”. She noted that the divested business employs 98 staff and had revenues and after tax profits of N2.2 billion and N674 million respectively in the last reporting period ended December 2015. Sanni noted that the divestment will not result in any disruption to customers, with all steps being taken to ensure continuity. She said: “The purchase consideration for the shares in United Metropolitan Nigeria Life amounts to N3.25 billion and the transaction closed on 10 May, 2016. The all-cash transaction is expected to lead to a capital gain, in accounting terms of N1.5 billion. “All requisite regulatory approvals have been obtained and the Nigerian Stock Exchange has since been notified of the divestment. “United Capital Plc remains committed to achieving its goal of building Africa’s leading investment and financial services group and to continue delivering service excellence across all of its business units in pursuit of these strategic objectives”.

NEWS News|SOUTH-WEST

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Soyinka canvasses jail term for corrupt politicians Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

obel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, yesterday called for imprisonment for politicians and public officers found to have corruptly enriched themselves. Soyinka, who made the call against the backdrop of the ongoing anti-corruption campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari, also

noted that the fight against graft was a battle for all Nigerians. He said this in a brief chat with reporters shortly after this year’s edition of the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) programme held at the Obas’ Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The event, which also featured essay competition, was part of activities marking the 82nd birthday of the renowned playwright. The event with the

£83.04m

The total aggregate payments received by Everton for the English 2015/2016 season. Source: Goal.com

theme, “Corruption: A battle for the Arts” was part of activities marking the 82nd birthday of the renowned playwright. It also featured an essay competition entitled, “Challenges or not, you must love your country” where 82 secondary school students participated. Soyinka urged creative writers and artistes to use theirworktofightcorruption. He also called on all stakeholders across the country to join hands in

60%

The estimated percentage of the antiretroviral therapy coverage (range) of Latin America in December 2009. Source: Who.int

the campaign against corruption and other related malpractices. According to him, the nation must be returned to its place of honour and dignity where anybody found to be corrupt in the society should be ashamed to walk freely. While suggesting a way out of the corruption menace, Soyinka submitted that those found to be guilty of corrupt practices should be made to face the full wrath of the law.

52,700

The total population of men of Grenada in 2011. Source: Un.org

L-R: General Manager, Lagos State Parks and Gardens (LASPARK), Mrs. Abimbola Jijoho-Ogun; Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare and Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, at the State 2016 Tree Planting Campaign at National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Camp, Lagos…yesterday PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Aregbesola harps on importance of agriculture

sun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said there was no alternative to the nation’s dwindling economy except Nigerians embrace farming with a view to shifting over reliance from oil to agriculture. This, according to him remained the only antidote for the nation’s economic meltdown. Aregbesola stated this yesterday at a crucial meeting with farmers’ association in Erinmo in Oriade Local Government Area of the state. The governor, who went on an on-the-spot assessment

of some farms in Ijesha axis of the state, said the culture of free money had gone forever in the country, urging beneficiaries of agricultural loans to speed up their obligations so as to making other farmers to benefit from various available assistance that would accrue to them. Aregbesola said for the country to come out of its current economic doldrums, there must be a total shift from oil money which in effect had contributed to total neglect of agriculture. He said: “Today, we have seen the effect of rent economy that the country has

been running for the past half a century. “With the frittering away of the nation’s resources by the immediate past government and the drastic reduction of crude oil price at the international market, the country’s economy just went into recession. “To come out of this economic logjam, we need to embark on massive agricultural practice. Agriculture used to be our economic mainstay during and shortly after independence. “The discovery of oil in commercial quantity shifted our attention from agriculture to petrodollars.

Lagos sets 2020 target to plant 10m trees Muritala Ayinla

agos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday said that the state government would have planted 10million tree by 2020 as part of the strategies to mitigate the negative impact of climate change. The governor, who

described tree planting as one of the most reliable and cheapest means of combating the effect of Global Warming and Climate Change, encouraged residents to compliment the state government’s role in tackling several environmental challenges which Lagos was prone to as a coastal city-state. Speaking at the 2016

Tree Planting Day held at the Natinal Youth Service Corps Camp, Lagos, Ambode, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, said trees planting would help conserve energy, save water, children from ultra-violet rays and prevent erosion, children from ultra-violet rays.

“That abandonment of agriculture and the pursuit of oil money and profligacy of certain regimes in the political evolution of the country brought us to the present state of economy hardship. “The cumulative effects of abandonment of agriculture and the culture of waste are what we are witnessing today. “To get out of this economic hardship, we must retrace our steps back to agriculture. And this is why Osun has embarked on agriculture revolution and massive production of food crops.

Osun discovers discrepancy in tertiary institutions’ accounts Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

sun State Government, yesterday raised the alarm that financial records of its four tertiary institutions had been doctored as there were discrepancies in the institutions’ record. It however assured that it would rectify the anomaly. The Auditor-General for the State, Alhaji Folorunsho Adesina made this known during presentation of report on the financial record and statements of the state at an audit forum organized by the office of the state Auditor-General, held in Osogbo. Adesina who gave the names of the affected institutions as Osun State Colleges of Education, Ila-Orangun and Ilesa, Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, said these discrepancies discovered resulted into frivolous high wage bills of the institutions. Meanwhile, the projects verification officials who inspected all projects sites being executed by the government had agreed that, due process was followed with adequate authorization and in accordance with the relevant laws by the government on the execution of the projects.

The Auditor-General further revealed that the financial audit was carried out on individual accounts and forwarded to the State House of Assembly in accordance to Section 125(5) of the Constitution. Adesina however disclosed that a clean bill of health has been given to the state on all its financial records for the year 2014, describing projects and programmes executed in the state during the year under review as satisfactory considering the funds deplored. Adesina: “A total sum of N86,350,297,421.53 was raked in as revenue from all sources while the total recurrent and capital expenditure stood at N91,609,161,623.98. “A sum of 36,161,401,369.83 representing 42% was received as statutory allocation to the state, Excess Crude Oil N15,483,131.64 representing 0%; Value Added Tax (VAT) N8,462,390,580.46 representing 10% and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) N11,290,953,507.23 representing 13% were received. “Other cash receipts includes capital receipt amounting to N8,389.903.657.82 representing 10%; Exchange Rate Gains N34,284,226.53 representing 0%; Internal loan N17,751,365,735.28 representing 20% and other incomes amounting to N4,244,515,212.74 representing 5%.

APC warns Melaye against vitriolic attacks on chieftains Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

he South West zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday decried the belligerent activities of Senator Dino Melaye, particularly his recent verbal attacks against wife of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Remi, on the floor of the National Assembly, warning him not to bring his action to the South West. In a release made available to New Telegraph in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, signed by the South West Zonal National Secretary of the APC, Mr Ayo Afolabi, the party said it was surprised that Melaye could assault the distinguished wife of

the National leader of the party right on the floor of the Senate. It reads: “The APC, South West felt scandalized and traumatized that we are in the same political party with the likes of Senator Dino Melaye who was credited with using the sovereignty of the floor of the Senate Chambers to address Senator Oluremi Tinubu a Very Distinguished Senator and wife of our Leader Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu in very rude, indecent and uncouched language. “We are surprised that any person elected into the Nigerian Senate could remind us of the often repeated lyrics “Vagabound in Power” by Fela Anikulapo Kuti at the Berlin festival performance.

Ambode to facilitate work on abandoned projects Muritala Ayinla

s part of the moves to reduce cases of abandoned projects, breach of contractual agreements in the state, the Lagos State government yesterday expressed its readiness to revive scores of projects abandoned in the state. Speaking during a Stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lagos State Sec-

retariat Alausa, to chart a way for the timely implementation of project in accordance with the contract terms, the state AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Adeniji Kazeem said that the era of disputes resulting from contract breaches was over. The Justice Commissioner added that the state government was determined to resolve factors responsible

for breaching of contractual agreements and abandoned projects cases. According to him, the forum would provide an opportunity where parties involved in project execution would bring their challenges to the fore, discuss them and chart a way forward with the Economic Empowerment and Development Plan of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration.

south-east | news

friday, july 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Enugu approves compulsory retirement of 1,087 civil servants

ndications have emerged that no fewer than 1,087 civil servants will be retired compulsorily by the Enugu State Government over cases of age-falsification and ill-health. The state Commissioner for Information, Dr Godwin Udeuhele, while addressing newsmen yesterday in Enugu, said the plan was part of the decisions taken at the meeting of the State Executive Council. Udeuhele added that there were also proven cases of impersonation against some of the workers that would be relieved of their services. He said that the approval to retire the workers followed the outcome of the report of a committee on staff-audit across the 17 local government areas of the state. The commissioner said that the committee which was headed by the Speaker, State House of Assembly, Chief Edward Ubosi, had recommended

the immediate retirement of the affected workers. “The committee also identified 3,916 ghost workers and directed the appropriate authorities to do the needful by perfecting their immediate exit from the service in line with extant laws,” he said. Speaking further, Udeuhele revealed that the council had also approved N30 million for the State Board of Internal Revenue to procure more vehicle plate numbers to boost the revenue of the state. He said: “Approval was also given for the release

of N55.99 million to enable the state Ministry of Works purchase 11 units of 250 KVA generators and refurbish existing ones to make traffic lights in the state more functional. “The sum of N100 million was also approved for the Nigerian Construction and Furniture Company (NCFC) to turnaround the fortunes of the company that had been in comatose,” he further added. Udeuhele was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) to have expressed the state’s government displeasure over the recent demise of two chil-

dren of the same parents at Oakland Centre. He attributed the incident to the malfunctioning of one of the facilities in the park. “While we sympathise with the family, the state government has since ordered the closure of the centre as well as set up a committee to undertake a fact-finding mission there,” he said. Udeuhele said that the committee would also visit other event centres in the state to ascertain the standards of their facilities and how they had been functioning.

€40.2m

Ex-Minister lauds role of veterinary medicine in public health Charle Onyekwere ENUGU

ormer Minister of Health, Prof. Christian Onyebuchi Chukwu, has disclosed that veterinary medicine has great role to play in the prevention and containment of diseases that are threat to public health. He made this disclosure yesterday while delivering a lecture entitled “Nigeria and Veterinary Profession -The Role of Veterinarian in Public Health” at the 2016 Vet Week of Association of Veterinary Medical Students, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Prof. Chukwu noted that the peculiar skills of veterinary scientists and physicians had made it possible for them to work with people of other medical professions in the development of medicine, vaccines, disease surveillance and detection. He said: “It does not require further analysis to establish that veterinarians have much to contribute to prevention."

Industrialists lament failing returns on investment

Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

oremost industrialists and chieftains of the organized private sector including the former National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture(NACCIMA), Dr Simon Chukwuemeka Okolo, have urged the federal government to pay attention to critical sectors of the economy so as to save surviving industries from total collapse. Dr Okolo and three other industrialists; Ide John Udeagbala, Leo Okoye and Alphonsus

Protesting women on the decision of the Governor Rochas Okorocha to relocate Ekeukwu Owerri market in Owerri, Imo State … yesterday

The estimated transfer value of Ivan Rakitic of Barcelona in 2016. Source: 101greatgoals.com

Transporter debunks FRSC's blacklist report

Kenneth Ofoma ENUGU

he Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Peace Mass Transit (PMT) Company Limited, Evangelist Samuel Maduka Onyeishi, has debunked media reports that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has blacklisted his company due to high rate of accidents. Addressing a press conference in Enugu yesterday, Onyeishi lamented

that the report was a wellorchestrated plot by his enemies and unscrupulous elements to run him out of business by casting a slur on his company. He gave journalists a copy of the communique issued at the end of a meeting he had with FRSC stressing that there was no indictment or blacklisting anywhere in the report. While insisting that such report couldn’t have emanated from the FRSC, Onyeishi stated that the objective of the smear campaign was to scare

passengers from entering his vehicles and cause the downfall of his business. He boasted however that nobody can run him out of business as it was a gift from God. He said that because of the high number of vehicles in his fleet, which is more than 3000, his firm was more prone to accidents but that does not mean his drivers or vehicles were at fault. He specifically faulted a publication that more than 40 persons died in auto crashes involving his vehicles in the last six

No rancour between Obiano, Umeh, says UCO Mojeed Alabi

he Chief Victor Umeh’s Campaign Organisation yesterday debunked insinuations of a clash between the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano and the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the party’s candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Chief Victor Umeh. The purported clash was over the appointment of transition chairmen for the local governments. The campaign group de-

scribed it as a figment of the imagination of those behind the report. In a statement issued yesterday, a copy of which was made available to New Telegraph, the organization insisted that the relationship between the two party leaders was cordial and that they were committed to the development of the state and the nation at large, and would not want to be distracted. The statement, which was signed by the Director General of the campaign organization, Prince Emeka Udodeme, said the story was not only com-

pletely false but also contained “very malicious insinuations initiated by the sponsors in order to misinform the public and party faithful and the general public on the relationship between Chief Umeh and the State Governor.” The statement reads in part; “Chief Umeh’s relationship with the State Governor, Chief Obiano is very cordial and as solid as the rock of Gibraltar. No amount of evil wishes or plans will succeed in destroying the good image and relationship between Chief Umeh and Governor Obiano."

months saying this was contrary to official report of FRSC that indicated 23 deaths. He said that in most of the accidents involving his vehicles, his drivers were not at fault, even as he displayed police reports that gave his drivers clean bill of health. The PMT boss insisted that FRSC trains his drivers quarterly and issues them with operational certificates aside from their drivers licence, saying that his company which in its two decades of operation has greatly improved in its services. He said, “Yes we attended a meeting. After the meeting a communique was issued. My people signed the communique that was issued by the Road Safety and then this morning we started seeing on the press that Peace Mass Transit has been blacklisted by Federal Road Safety Commission. It is not true. We were not blacklisted, we were not indicted, because the Road Safety cannot indict us because we are on the right path, our vehicles were not faulty. “Nobody can indict Peace Mass Transit on these accidents."

Udeigbo made the call in Aba during a thanksgiving service in honour of the former NACCIMA boss. The industrialists while lamenting the inconsistent policies of government and crippling infrastructure deficit that is steadily lengthening the shadows on investments across the country said they are unsure of how government intends to contain rising unemployment, hunger and starvation that maybe at the root of rising discontent, corruption, militancy, crime and hideous insecurity threatening to tear Nigeria apart. According to Okolo,“Take for instance, the issue of epileptic power supply that has crippled production in Nigeria. Today, Nigeria ardently needs a leadership with a clear vision to reform the relevant laws and policies in the energy sector that will drive massive investment into the power sector. “Government must come to terms with the fact that most of the companies that took over our power sector after privatization neither have the finances nor the managerial and technical knowhow to take the sector to the next level” Okolo said.

APC chieftain assures of party’s victory in next election Okegwo Kenechukwu onitsha

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr. Emeka Aniebonam, has said that the party will put everything in place to ensure that it overruns other political parties in the state in the next elections. Fielding questions from journalists in Onitsha during APC’s sensitization forum, he noted that the country is currently witnessing a change of trend from corruption to accountability and the way things are done in an organized society. According to him, there are no doubt that corruption is an endemic infection that has eaten deep into the fabric of this nation, particularly in the immediate past PDP government . He said: “President Muhammadu Buhari is fighting corruption assiduously but because our government came to power when the country was almost at the verge of collapse."

News|SOUTh-SOUTH

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Jubilation in Delta over court judgement on electricity tariff Dominic Adewole ASABA

here was jubilation yesterday in Asaba, Delta State, after a Federal High Court in Lagos annulled the high electricity tariff imposed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The court, presided over by Justice Mu-

hammed Idris, ordered the commission to revert the 45 per cent tariff increase it imposed on consumers nationwide with immediate effect, declaring it as ‘hasty, reckless and illegal.’ Prior to this, the consumers were irked by the “crazy bills” imposed on them by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC). On Friday, June 24, the consumers in a protest,

£14.77m

The amount of money received by Everton as facility fees for the 2015/2016 season. Source: Goal.com

perfected plans for mass disconnection from public power supply, when the company was distributing exorbitant bills even when Asaba and its environs were in total blackout for two months. Many consumers in the state had taken the reading on their meters to perfect their plan to sue the company before the judgement of Wednesday was pronounced. Their anger became

17%

The percentage of the population of men above 60 years in 2012. Source: Un.org

uncontrollable after the company ignored the protest and public outcry and distributed June bills, which put each apartment on N12, 000, N15, 000 and N25, 000 respectively. But the judgement that annulled the tariff hike yesterday elicited joy as they heaved a sigh of relieve. A consumer in Asaba, Mrs. Preye Anderson, who expressed joy over

$2.9m

The total amount of salary/winnings of Phil Mickelson (Golf) for 2016. Source: Forbes.com

the matter said: “Bye-bye to bad rubbish,” lamenting why the judge failed to order the commission and their partnering companies to make refunds. She continued; “The N50, 000 fine imposed on NREC was not enough. The company has defrauded consumers of billions of naira through estimated bills instead of computing our bills monthly from the meter readings. It is a corrupt

A’Ibom speaker urges elders to mentor younger generation Tony Anichebe Uyo

he Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Onofiok Luke, has pleaded with elderly citizens of the state to at all times be shining stars in their respective localities for the younger generation to emulate as worthy and exemplary role models. The speaker made the appeal yesterday while receiving members of the Akwa Ibom Elderly Citizens Assembly. The group is a coalition of patriotic Akwa Ibom sons and daughters of proven integrity with capacity to add value to the state. Luke, who extolled the L-R: Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Senator Emma Anosike and daughter of the deceased, Ms Olari Maduekwe, during the condolence visit of PDP Senate Caucus to the family of the late Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Ojo Maduekwe …yesterday

NYSC organises health service programme in Koko

ollowing the baseline survey and key informant interview conducted by the Health Development Service Group of the National Youth Service Corps on health problems prevalent in Koko community, the group has announced that there will be a seven-day programme

starting from Monday, July 18, to address some of these health issues. Spokesperson for the group, John Etim, said the programme is a wellpackaged one that cuts across all age brackets in the community. He revealed that the Warri-North Council boss

has been very supportive, particularly in commending the corps members for their initiative to organise such health programme for the people. Etim said two public schools; Beach Secondary School and Ojomba Nursery and Primary School, have been omitted from

the lists of the 10 schools that will be provide with water dispensers during the programme as they were given standard first aid boxes two months ago. He, however, lauded stakeholders in the community for their financial support towards the programme.

Obaseki’s runningmate defends zoning in Edo Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

he running mate to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Mr. Philip Shuaibu, yesterday commended the leadership of the party in the state for choosing him as the running mate to Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the gubernatorial candidate of the party ahead of the September 10 governorship election. He said his emergence was the handiwork of God. Shuaibu also expressed gratitude to the leadership of the party, even as he

faulted the claim in some quarters that the people of Etsako, his political constituency, does not deserve the deputy governorship position, on the premise that the current senator and governor of the state are from the area. Speaking to newsmen in Benin, Shuaibu said: “The office of the deputy governor is not one that you contest for. It is the leaders that take that decision and I was surprised and excited that my name featured in their mind and I was selected to be the running mate. I pray to God that I meet the challenges ahead and not to disappoint those who reposed

this confidence in me.” He said the leadership of the party was strategic due to the voting strength of the three Etsako Local Government Areas. The lawmaker representing Etsako constituency said: “I am really excited because it was not something I expected, I believe its God’s doing. I know I was asked by some people if I was not interested and I told them that the office of the deputy governor is not something you contest, it is the governor and leaders from my experience that normally look at the options and take a decision and when the decision was

in my favour I was excited and pray to God that those quality they saw in me will not die, but continue to flourish so that I will not disappoint them.” On the deputy governorship slot, he said “the Senate, which is in Etsako today, is a common denominator for the whole Afemai people and the House of Representatives, is a common denominator among the three Etsakos. Interestingly, the constituency that I represent consists of three local governments out of the six. So, as far as Edo is concerned and the South-South, it is the largest constituency.

practice; they should be compelled to make refunds.” A youth leader in Okpanam axis of the state, Mr. Maxwell Okonkwo, lambasted the commission for fuelling the hardship currently bedeviling the country. He lauded the court for remaining the opium of the people, saying that ‘the court had just alleviated the sufferings and poverty of the masses.’

excellent moral characters of members of the body, specifically lauded them for supporting the state government. “In those days in the country, when things didn’t go right, you would have some elder statesmen who would come together and say honestly ‘this is the way and the solution.’ “But today, we don’t have enough of those elders who can speak impartially, who can speak without bias and who can speak away from political considerations in the country. We have this challenge at the national and state levels,” he noted. Luke also pleaded with the elders to serve as guide and productive contributors to the activities of government.

Oshiomhole: PDP has disowned Ize-Iyamu Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

do State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, said yesterday that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has already rejected the candidate of one of its factions, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, with the cold shoulder he got from governors and other leaders of the party at the flag-off of his campaign two weeks ago. Oshiomhole, who spoke at the stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benin, said “the campaign of the PDP in the forthcoming governorship election in the state is dead on arrival.” The governor said the APC is the only party that ‘offers hope to all our people, adding that whether you like it or not, the PDP engine is dead on arrival. The early morning signals are clear.’ He said: “For the first time since 1999, a candidate was being presented to the people of Edo State for the most important single job, and the key pillars were fastened to their chairs and their tables, none of them

could stand on their feet to say a word. Has the Oracle not spoken?, he queried. “The ‘applicant pastor’ said we have our fathers here and he called the fathers and you know when a child calls more than one father, you know what he is! But if you have three fathers seated next to each other, none of your fathers could stand up, take the microphone and say, yes you are my son; I present you. Did you observe that? Has papa not already disowned his child? Did papa testify for the child?,” he asked again. According to Oshiomhole, “While the PDP couldn’t get any national person of note to present a tattered flag, our own national chairman will be around, as a former governor, former federal Permanent-Secretary and National Chairman of the governing party, to present the flag to our candidate. And my brother governors will be coming from Friday, all the Progressives Governors will be here to show solidarity. We are not going to be represented by one governor. The governors will come.”

News|NORTH

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he Federal Government yesterday unfolded plans to create a ‘Special Force’ in the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to tackle the menace of cattle rustling and attacks by herdsmen in some parts of the country. The government’s plan was announced by the Minister of Interior, General Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) in Abuja, when he received a delegation from the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), led by its Executive Secretary, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd), who visited him in his office. The Minister noted that he was already working with his counterpart in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural De-

FG to create ‘special force’ for herdsmen’s attacks velopment, Chief Audu Ogbe in that direction. He said: “It is necessary to partner the CCC in the area of strategic communication because this ministry is the hub of public safety and basically what we do here is to enhance and ease the process of doing business in the country. “For people, who are abroad, their major source of information is the media. If they keep reading negative reports about crisis in any part of the country, they will not come and invest because the impression they would have is that Nigeria as a whole is not safe. “We are working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Develop

ment to create a special force in the Civil Defence that will protect agricultural investments and products.” While reacting to the development in the North-East, the Minister said the government was currently organising training for the police and the NSCDC personnel in order to deploy them to all liberated areas, even as he urged the centre to assist the government in its peacebuilding efforts. He said: “The issue of crisis communication is fundamental not only towards resolving crisis, but also to peace-building. So, you have a lot of role to play particularly now that we are experi-

encing all forms of crisis in addition to the one in the North-East.” Speaking earlier, Anas thanked the minister for accepting to be part of the centre’s forthcoming seminar on crisis communication in Port Harcourt. According to him, the interior ministry has a strategic role in the security architecture of the country, considering that it superintends over the police and other four paramilitary services. “The Centre has been synergising with the agencies under the ministry and we want to assure you of closer partnership in the area of managing crisis communication.

Death, life sentence for kidnappers, cattle rustlers in Niger Dan Atori MINNA

orried by the rising cases of cattle rustling and kidnapping in Niger State, the state House of Assembly, has passed a law criminalising all offences relating to kidnapping and cattle rustling in the state. Under the new law, according to the lawmakers, cattle rustler will earn death sentence, while kidnappers will be sentenced to life imprisonment. The bill was passed into law yesterday following a report of the House Committee on Security, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Hussaini Ibrahim. According to the bill, any culprit, who was armed with offensive weapons or in the company of any person who attacked the people with arms or causing personal violence to anyone, that person would be liable to conviction to death sentence. During the House sitting,

the Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Marafa, however, said that with the law, the menace of kidnapping and cattle rustling in the state would be reduced as the perpetrators of the heinous activities would be discouraged from engaging in the acts. It was also noted that whoever forcefully takes over, deprives or unlawfully converts any cattle from the owners or rearers to his benefit will be said to have committed the offence of cattle rustling. Meanwhile, anyone who aided, abated or facilitated any act of kidnapping would be sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, while anyone who arranges for self-kidnap will be sentenced to 14 years jail term. The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ibrahim said that offenders would also forfeit their entire properties, unless he could prove that the properties were not acquired from proceeds of any crime committed by him.

Taraba gov moves to block leakages in workers’ wage bill Sabiu Mustapha JALINGO

Protesting Students of Kogi State University against the three months of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kogi State University chapter in Lokoja… yesterday

£3.3m

The net amount of money spent/ received by Stoke City in the whole 2015-16 season. Source: 101greatgoals.com

$50m

The total pay from endorsements of Phil Mickelson (Golf) for 2016. Source: Forbes.com

19%

The percentage of the population of women above 60 years in 2012. Source: Un.org

Gridlock as Kogi varsity students barricade Lokoja Road Muhammad Bashir Lokoja

everal hours of gridlock yesterday disrupted vehicular movement, causing untold hardship for commuters, who were stranded along Ganaja Junction in Ayingba, Kogi State, linking the north and the southern part of the country. The gridlock was caused by the aggrieved students of the Kogi State University (KSU), Ayingba, who embarked on a peaceful protest

over their continuous stay at home, following the lingering industrial action embarked upon by members of the university’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The students, who stormed the various towns and cities in the state were said to have blocked all the major roads as early as 7:30 am, obstructing movement of vehicles, as they accused the state government of insensitivity to the plight of students in the state by refusing to resolve the

industrial rift with their lecturers. The protesting students, who among other issues, demanded the immediate resolution of the impasse between the state government and the ASUU, called for the reopening of their university with immediate effect. But failure, they threatened that they would continue to cause discomfort for travellers by creating gridlock on the major roads across the state. They, however, lamented that the strike had adversely affected prospec-

tive graduating students from participating in this year’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. The irate students chanted war songs and carried placards of various inscriptions, such as “We want immediate resolution to the lingering crisis”; “We have over stayed at home”; “When it started, we thought it would be addressed immediately”; “Now we have spent three months at home,” saying all institutions in other neighbouring states are graduating. “

araba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, has reiterated the determination of his administration to block all leakages in workers’ salaries in order to save more funds for the execution of more people-oriented projects in the state. The governor, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday in Takum, while inspecting the ongoing 6.5km Takum-Katsina Ala Road awarded by his administration, said blocking of leakages in the state’s wage bills had become necessary as he was poised to reposition the state despite daunting challenges facing his administration.

In a related development, the governor has set up a Revenue Monitoring Team for each of the 16 Local Government Areas of the state, to shore up and ensure prudent management of the state’s resources. A statement issued yesterday by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Iliya Bekyu Akweh, indicated that the monitoring teams would be coordinated by the Special Adviser to the Governor on revenue matters. Meanwhile, the statement added that the governor, who code-named the teams as the Rescue Watch Teams, said that each of the team would be made up of Special Adviser and two Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants.

Monarch urges parents to immunise babies, pregnant women Nankpah Bwakan Bauchi

he District Head of Bakaro community in Bauchi State, Alhaji Nura Adamu Jumba, yesterday appealed to nursing mothers, parents, guardians and religious leaders on the need to ensure that every child under the age of five years are immunised in the state. He made the appealed in Bauchi, the state capital, during the flag-off campaign of pneumococcal conjugate vac-

cine for the treatment of pneumonia for newborn babies and children under five years of age. Jumba said the immunisation would promote a brighter and healthy society, even as he described immunisation as key to the survival of any child. “I appeal to our traditional leaders at this ceremony to kindly go back home and create awareness for our people to know the importance of immunising children and pregnant women.”

WORLD \ NEWS

nterior minister Theresa May and eurosceptic rival Andrea Leadsom emerged yesterday as the two candidates who will battle to become Britain's next prime minister and lead the country out of the European Union. May won 199 votes and Leadsom 84 in a second ballot of lawmakers of the governing Conservative party. Justice Secretary Michael Gove took just 46 votes and was eliminated from the race. "This vote shows that the Conservative Party can come together, and under my leadership it will," May told supporters after the results were

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Theresa May shakes up British government to prepare for Brexit announced. Grassroots Conservatives across the country will now vote to decide whether May or Leadsom becomes Britain's first woman prime minister since Margaret Thatcher was forced from office in 1990. The result of the contest is expected by Sept. 9, meaning businesses and investors must endure two more months of

uncertainty over who will lead the huge task of disentangling Britain's economy from the EU while trying to safeguard trade and investment. Prime Minister David Cameron said last month he was stepping down after voters, many of them swayed by concerns over high immigration and a desire to reclaim 'independence' from Brussels, rejected his entreaties

to keep Britain in the EU and his warnings that leaving would spell economic disaster. Investor concerns about the impact of the 'Brexit' referendum have mounted in recent days, with asset managers suspending trading in commercial property funds worth

Congo election likely to be delayed, says UN mission chief

emocratic Republic of Congo is unlikely to hold a presidential election as scheduled in November, the UN head of mission there said yesterday, something that UN experts have warned could trigger violent political unrest. President Joseph Kabila, in power since 2001, is bound by term limits to step down after having won elections in 2006 and 2011, but opponents accuse him of deliberately delaying the Nov. 27 poll to cling to power. "I do not see the elections (taking place) on Nov. 27," UN mission chief Maman Sidikou told a news conference in Kinshasa. In March, the UN Security Council called on the country to organize the election this year, but the government says

Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers ride atop their military and police trucks enroute to evacuate their citizens following recent fighting in Juba at Nimule town along the South Sudan and Uganda border yesterday

secure the capital Juba. At the time this raised worries about the conflict widening but the forces withdrew late last year. This time, Uganda said its troops, who witnesses said entered South Sudan in trucks and armored vehicles, would stay in a town outside Juba and focus on evacuations. But a Ugandan official said a fresh flare-up could mean a longer stay, without giving a timeline. Juba has been calm since

Monday evening, when Kiir and Riek Machar, the former rebel leader and now vice president ordered their forces to cease hostilities. But residents remain tense and many foreigners have been leaving. "It's a short-term mission but it can be complicated by new developments," Uganda's government spokesman Ofwono Opondo told Reuters, adding that "you can expect us to stay" if fighting flared again and more people wanted to leave.

Trump's family meets Indiana governor as VP talk grows

epublican Donald Trump and his family have met Indiana governor Mike Pence as speculation grows that he could be his vice-presidential pick. Mr. Trump, the likely nominee, and his children were seen leaving the Pence home in Indianapolis. The campaign said Mr. Trump would name his vicepresidential pick today. Mr. Pence endorsed former candidate Senator Ted Cruz in May but said he would support who-

logistical and budgetary obstacles make it unrealistic. The election commission has said it needs more than a year to update voter rolls. The country's highest court ruled in May that Kabila would remain in power until the election is held. "It is the Congolese who will decide when the elections will take place," Sidikou said. He urged political leaders to join a national dialogue called for by Kabila but which has been boycotted by leading opposition parties. The largest opposition party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, said this week that its president, 83-year-old Etienne Tshisekedi, would return to Congo to attend a July 31 rally and participate in an eventual dialogue.

US launches diplomacy to ease South China Sea tensions

Ugandan troops in South Sudan to evacuate citizens after violence

ganda's army began evacuating citizens from inside neighboring South Sudan yesterday where fighting between forces loyal to the president and his rival has plunged the nation into its worst crisis since the end of a two-year civil war. After the civil war erupted in 2013, Uganda's forces also crossed into South Sudan to assist with evacuations, but in that case they also stayed on to help President Salva Kiir

billions of pounds after too many people rushed to withdraw their money at once. The pound sterling steadied yesterday after two nervous days drove it below $1.30 for the first time in more than three decades.

ever is the Republican nominee. Mr. Trump, his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner were seen leaving the governor's mansion. At a rally in Indiana on Tuesday night, Mr. Trump said of Pence: "I don't know whether he's going to be your governor or your vice president, who the hell knows?" Mr. Pence joined him onstage and was received warmly by the crowd. Other potential VP candidates reportedly being considered are former House of Representatives Speaker Newt

Gingrich, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn. Mr. Trump is to be nominated as the official Republican pick at the Republican National Convention next week. If there's anything resembling a "safe" vice-presidential pick for Donald Trump, Mike Pence is it. He has executive experience as Indiana's governor and a strong legislative resume from his 12 years as a member of the US House of Representatives.

he United States is using quiet diplomacy to persuade the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and other Asian nations not to move aggressively to capitalize on an international court ruling that denied China's claims to the South China Sea, several US administration officials said on yesterday. "What we want is to quiet things down so these issues can be addressed rationally instead of emotionally," said one official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private diplomatic messages. Some were sent through US embassies abroad and foreign missions in Washington, while

others were conveyed directly to top officials by Defense Secretary Ash Carter, Secretary of State John Kerry and other senior officials, the sources said. "This is a blanket call for quiet, not some attempt to rally the region against China, which would play into a false narrative that the US is leading a coalition to contain China," the official added. The effort to calm the waters following the court ruling in The Hague on Tuesday suffered a setback when Taiwan dispatched a warship to the area, with President Tsai Ingwen telling sailors that their mission was to defend Taiwan's maritime territory.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;France will not extend state of emergency beyond July 26â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

rance will not extend the state of emergency imposed after last year's Islamist militant attacks in Paris in November beyond 26 July, President Francois Hollande has announced. The president said in his traditional Bastille Day interview that it would not make sense for the emergency to be extended indefinitely. That would mean the rule of law "no longer applied", Mr. Hollande said. France has twice extended the state of emergency since it was first imposed. The last extension was granted to cover the Euro 2016 soccer tournament and

the end of the Tour de France cycling race. The state of emergency was enforced after 13 November, when 130 people died in co-ordinated gun and bomb attacks on a concert hall, restaurants and the Stade de France, where an international football match was taking place. Earlier in the year, in January, an attack on the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and the siege of a Jewish supermarket in Paris had resulted in the deaths of 17 people. A recent commission found that the state of emergency was only having a "limited impact" on improving security.

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport

That for the first time since 2006, the world’s Top Two Most expensive players; Gareth Bale of Wales and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal met in an Euro Championship match in France.

FIFA rankings: Uganda, Benin, Congo overtake Nigeria

International Manchester Utd target Fabregas

46 47

Eagles’ job

Adekunle Salami renchman Paul Le Guen who has been widely tipped as the next coach of the Super Eagles received a major boost on Wednesday. This was a result of the information that flittered in that Belgian tactician, Tom Saintfiet, has emerged the national coach of Bangladesh. Saintfiet, it will be recalled is on the three-man shortlist of the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation for the vacant position of the Super Eagles job. Since former international, Sunday Oliseh, resigned in February, the federation has not been able to replace him. Le Guen and former assistant coach and interim coach of the team, Salisu Yusuf, are also on the shortlist. Though an interview is expected to be conducted for the three candidates, authoritative sources revealed that the Bangladesh link was a big setback for the aspirations of Saintfiet. The Belgian is being tipped to give Le Guen a good fight since the NFF has decided to go for a foreign coach but the latest development makes the Frenchman the only foreign coach on the shortlist. “The NFF is looking at the Sainfiet issue as a big one. It’s like a slap on the federation that someone on its shortlist is already tipped or has been named by Bangladesh. Saintfiet is out and its just Le Guen and Salisu now,” the source revealed. New Telegraph also learnt that the remaining two on the shortlist could be named as Eagles coach and assistant respectively. However, Saintfiet on Thursday denied ever dumping Ni-

Sport News

Did you know?

Saintfiet’s Bangladesh link clears coast for Le Guen Saintfiet

geria but confirmed that the President and board of the Asian Country’s FA offered him a contract with a mandate to resume immediately. He stressed that he has not signed or accepted any other job as he awaits news from the NFF because handling the Super Eagles remains his priority. The NFF is expected to name the new Eagles coach on July 18.

Moses Simon (right) in action against Egypt Le Guen

Dalung attacks Siasia over U-23 team The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

AJIBADE Olusesan

inister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung has berated national U-23 team coach Samson Siasia for dumping majority of the players that won the Rio Olympics ticket from the team that is preparing for the games. The minister said that although Siasia was yet to release his final list for the tournament, the coach was keen to have in his team most players who were not at the CAF U-23 Nations Cup in Senegal last year. He said the law of Karma might caught up with the country if these players were not considered at the end of the day, saying it was not right to “use and dump” these stars. “If they failed to get a medal in the Olympics, it won’t be a case of not preparing well or what is happening in

Atlanta but it is a case of injustice in the selection of the team because it is not those who played and qualified us for the games that are being selected. “Although I have not seen the team list but with what we have heard those players are not been selected and there

Siasia

Dalung

is God of justice who may intervene on their behalf, “he said. The Minister however recanted the statement credited to him that the country’s contingent preparing for the Olympics would win up to five medals. “I think we are quoted out of context. We said we were hoping to win five medals, I was not predicting. Olympics is about participating, and we have about 95 athletes who have worked hard to qualify. Their spirit is strong and we hope to see them do well at the games, “he added. He also said it was wrong for athletes to complain about paucity of funds, maintaining that,” it is left for those who will be held responsible if anything happens. Any athletes who complain about lack of funds is trying to come into the realms left for the managers of sports, “I don’t think it is right.”

SPORT NEWS

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NFF congratulates Sirawoo, new SWAN executives

Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi (right)

he Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and new president, Honour Sirawoo, on the successful conclusion to its triennial conference held in Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday and the swearing –in of a new executive council. Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, NFF President Amaju Pinnick hailed the new council, saying the new SWAN President, Honour Sirawoo, is a “mature, ebullient and dynamic individual who is capable of taking our

Eagles rated 70th in world, 17th in Africa

Emmanuel Tobi

frica Football minnows Uganda, Benin Republic, Rwanda on Thursday overtook Nigeria in the latest FIFA rankings released by the world football governing body as the Super Eagles dropped nine places to rank 70th in the world. The Eagles were 61st in the world last month with 559 points. They are now 70th with 514 points. Nigeria also dropped to 17th in Africa, behind the likes of Ugan-

da (69th in the world, 15th in Africa), Benin Republic (68th in the world, 14th in Africa) and Congo with 560 points (70th in the world and 16th in Africa). Algeria, one of Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers opponents are the highest ranked African team while Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions are 53rd in the world and seventh in Africa. For Zambia, they are the 88th best team in the world. Making the top 10 in Africa were Algeria, Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, Tunisia, Cameroon,

Morocco, DR Congo and Mali in that order. Argentina remain at the summit of the July rankings as FIFA stated that a total of 228 ‘A’ internationals contributed to the new order but the Super Eagles were not involved in any international matches last month. The quartet of Belgium, Colombia, Germany and Chile in that order joined Argentina to complete the roster of top five teams in the world. The next FIFA/ Coca-Cola World Rankings will be published on 11 August 2016.

Martins, Emenike hit brace for clubs Ibrahim Azeez

ormer Super Eagles strikers Obafemi Martins and Emmanuel Emenike were in great form Wednesday night as they scored two goals each for their respective clubs. Martins came off the bench to score a brace in Shanghai Shenhua 4-0 victory against Tianjin Quanjian in the 1st leg of the Chinese FA Cup quarter final clash on Wednesday. Cao Yunding, Senegalese striker, Demba Ba and Martins completed the rout against Quanijian in the one-sided encounter. Martins after scoring the goal, celebrated with a Nigerian flag, and the fans trooped in numbers to also celebrate the former Seattle Sounders striker who has scored four goals in all competition since joining the Chinese club in January during the FIFA winter Window transfer. Also, Emenike fired a brace for Turkish club Fenerbache in a 2-1 win against Panathiniakos of Greece Wednesday night.

Emenike, who has been away on loan this past season, is relaunching himself at the Istanbul giants and he has now scored three goals since he retur ned to the club for pre-season. Emenike first netted in the third minute, before he got the match winner in the second half of the friendly after both teams were tied at 1-1 at the interval.

sustainable football culture for our great country.” Mr. Umar Saheed is the deputy president. Mr. Olawale Alabi is the new Secretary General, with Mr. Wale Joseph as deputy Secretary-General. The vice presidents are Ado Salisu (north west), Edwin Bekom (south south), Adeboye Ajayi (south west) and Cajetan Nkwopara (south east), Mohammed DanMusa (north central) and Abubakar Sadiq (north east). The financial secretary is Chigozie Chukwuleta and Farouk Bello is treasurer.

Seadogs end games with donations to Benin IDP camp

sss

FIFA rankings: Uganda, Benin, Congo overtake Nigeria

beloved SWAN to wonderful heights.” Pinnick added: “I know almost all the new executives in person, and I believe they are going to give SWAN a great image. These are energetic, focused and diligent professionals who have taken office at the right time.” The NFF President praised the outgone council, led by the amiable Mr. Seidu Abubakar, while expressing confidence that the new council will work well with the present NFF administration “to achieve our vision of building a

he National Association of Seadogs (NAS) ended their 2016 National Games held recently in Benin with a visit to the International Christian Centre for Missions, one of the camps which harbour over 2,500 internally displaced persons (IDP) from all over the country, to bring succour to the inhabitants. The association had earlier discovered, through various visitations to the camp, prevalent diseases such as scabies, diarrhoea and protein deficiency ravaging the inhabitants and donated drugs, personal hygiene products and food for them. According to Dr, Joseph Oteri, the Association’s health co-

ordinator: “Out of the 2,500 children and adults living there, our initial findings revealed that 900, mostly children, have scabies and some diarrhoea while some are also deficient in protein, hence the need for us to donate drugs, and other items that will take care of these ailments. “What we took there

will treat about 400 of them. But we will deliver the rest within a week or two to take care of the remaining inhabitants.” The pastor in charge of the Centre, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, thanked NAS for the donation and noted that it was not the first time the association would show same kind gestures.

Members of the National Association of Seadogs on a visit to Benin IDP camp

Delta govt refurbishes Keshi’s home for burial Dominic Adewole ASABA

elta state governments have started renovations works at the house of late Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, in his home land in Illah, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state. The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Pat-

rick Ukah on Thursday, visited the compound to supervise the extent of work already done on the house. Utah, who was conducted round the building and other parts of the premises by Keshi’s eldest brother, Mr. Sylvester Keshi, and a nephew, Mr. Eboka Ofuonye, disclosed that the visit was to ascertain the extent of the renovation.

Ukah said that the state government would assist the family to see that the compound wear the necessary facelift to host sympathisers that would pay their last respect to the fallen hero. The burial ceremonies of late Stephen Keshi will begin in Abuja on July 26, 2016, with interment taking place in Illah on the 29th and outing service on July 31, 2016.

MultiChoice signs Ighalo as brand ambassador

L-R: John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria and Super Eagles and Watford striker, Odion Ighalo signing the endorsement deal as MultiChoice brand ambassador in Lagos on Wednesday.

eading video entertainment company, MultiChoice Nigeria, has announced Super Eagles and Watford football club striker, Odion Jude Ighalo as brand ambassador for MultiChoice. The endorsement deal was signed recently at the MultiChoice head office in Victoria Island. Ighalo will feature in a soon to be launched DStv campaign which includes TV, Out-of-home, digi-

tal, radio and press adverts and he will make special guest appearances at major DStv events amongst other activities. Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, said, “From his humble beginnings of playing football on the streets of Ajegunle to scoring big on the international scene, the Odion Ighalo success story is one that deeply resonates with the brand. We believe his energetic display

and results on the pitch will inspire Nigerians as they work on achieving their dreams.” Speaking on his partnership with the brand, Odion Ighalo said, “I am happy to be part of the MultiChoice family. Growing up, we couldn’t afford to have DStv in our house, so I used to pay to watch football at viewing centres. It is a dream come true and I am looking forward to this new relationship with MultiChoice”.

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FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Manchester Utd target Fabregas

Around the Stadia

J joebooster391@yahoo.com

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ose Mourhino is reportedly ready to swoop for his old Chelsea playmaker Cesc Fabre-

JOE BOOSTER

Football at crossroads

t is now apparent even to the blind that Nigeria’s football is now at crossroad, no thanks to the warped policies of the current administrators of the game. Not only are their priorities wrong, the “I don’t care” attitude they appear to have adopted has further complicated issues to the detriment of the nation’s football. It is obvious that they are making merry while the house is on fire. With the reality of impending catastrophic failure starring us in the face after the catalogue of loses recorded by this board, no one among the board members is mooting the idea of throwing in the towel, as obtains in civilized climes. Ideally, for failing to qualify for two consecutive African Cup of Nations competition would have been enough reason to compel someone to take the honourable path. This is not to be as the new sit-tight leaders have rather developed a survivalist approach to dig-in without any iota of shame. The crass ignorance coupled with the raw energy they expended at the twilight of their battle to unseat one of the most successful indigenous coaches in the person of the late Stephen Keshi, would have been enough to package a better programme. It is now obvious even to the blind that these bunch of “I feel alright administrators” are merely suffering from verbal diarrhoea, as they are known to have promised before coming on board what they can’t fulfil. Come to think of it, their choice of a coach is nothing to write home about. In this age and time, Pinnick the grapevine has it that Nigeria has appointed a foreign coach in the person of Paul Le Guen, a Frenchman that is desperately looking for any available avenue to improve his curricular vitae. It is unimaginable that during the process of selection, the technical committee left out the issue of language barrier which ordinarily should have been a major issue. A cursory look at the place the French born tactician had worked in the past with the exception of Oman, shows clearly that English was not their lingua franca. How he intends to communicate with our players fluently would be another challenge. They may say it doesn’t matter, but this fire brigade approach toward the appointment is not healthy for our football. Considering the limited time available, to assemble and prepare the team, it is apparent that Nigeria has a difficult time up its sleeves. The coming of the coach is bound to change the structural and tactical approach of the Super eagles to their games. They need time to begin to appreciate the new dynamics Le Guen will be bringing on board, which will completely be at variance with what we are used to.

A cursory look at the depth the nation’s football has descended shows clearly that the game is in trouble. The federation could hardly boast of paying the stipend of their current coaches who are being owed backlog of salaries running into months. My main worry is where the federation will source the fund to pay the new coach. I can conveniently say without any form of equivocation that another litigation may be on the way because the possibility of default of the relevant clauses in the contract cannot be ruled out. As you read this, virtually all the major sponsors this board inherited have tactically pulled out of their initial commitment, which is an indirect vote of no confidence on the present board. The speed with which the board squandered the funds handed over to it by their predecessors is still an amazement to me. Apart from sponsoring all manner of people ranging from some the so-called “match-readers” and state football association chairmen to London for only God-knows-what, whereby the major stakeholders in football where all left out, the come and chop philosophy of winner-takes-all has contributed immensely to ground our game. It is not surprising that rather than administer the game, litigation has taken pre-eminence. Instead of coming out clean with Nigerians, they have used propaganda to mask their shame. At the moment another court case is brewing in Anambra State, where a kangaroo election was organised in the night to enthrone a candidate that has been flatly rejected. The board’s desperation is what has baffled most stakeholders in that state, who have openly rejected the rehearsal for the next election being planned by the federation. Again, instead of addressing these mountains of problems in the face of lack of the federation’s official development programme, the federation is busy chasing shadows. Has anyone told or explained to Nigerians how the presence of FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and the FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura will impact our football after his visit. This board has not shown before now any capacity to exploit occasions and events make hay, and thus, Infantino and Samoura will not mark the beginning of our turn around. This has remained so because they have no product at all to market. After all, Nigerian football is almost worthless at the moment. I believe that something drastic must be done to salvage our battered image from these group of desperate individuals. We are indeed at crossroads!

gas. The Spain international struggled to regain the form that saw Chelsea win the Premier League in 201415, as he lead the league with 18 assists. Having been signed by Mourhino from FC Barcelona in 2014 for £27

Conte:Terry willalwaysbe Chelsea’s captain

Conte

t e a m already have Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ander Herrera and the newly signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who can all fill in that position.

Rio: Semenya headlines South African team

Fabregas

ntonio Conte has insisted John Terry will always be Chelsea captain, with his influence felt both on and off the pitch. Speaking to reporters as Blues manager for the first time, the Italian was quizzed on Terry’s role in his firstteam squad following two successive seasons of speculation over the defender’s future. Terry went on to pen another new oneyear contract in late May, six weeks after an agreement with Conte was announced by the club, and the former Italy head coach underlined the captain’s importance to him. “John Terry signed a contract as a player, not as a different role,” he told reporters. “He’s the captain of this team and a great player, with great personality and great charisma.

million, Fabregas is said to have a good relationship with his former manager. After a breakout 2015-16 campaign, new Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is ready to pay £29 million for Leicester City’s N’golo Kante, while Mourhino waits to swoop his old midfielder. Fabregas, with his sublime passing and excellent skill-set ability, isn’t an ordinary Jose Mourhino player. The Red Devils could possibly use Fabregas in the no. 10 role, but the

Semenya

outh African 800m runner Caster Semenya headlines a list of 137 athletes who will represent the country at next month’s Rio Olympics. The 2012 London Games silver medallist was named by the country’s Olymp i c Committee on Thursday as one o f 39 track and field athletes and she will compete only in her specialist distance after ditching plans to also take part in the 400m race. Also among the South African medal hopefuls is men’s 400m world champion Wayde van Niekerk. Javelin thrower Sunette Viljoen, who finished fourth in London and had previously played international cricket for the South African women’s team, is also a medal contender.

Serena, Venus’ father suffers stroke

he dad of tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams has suffered a secret stroke. Richard Williams, 74, was released from hospital last week with ‘memory issues’. The father and coach of the two American stars is said to be stable now but “not at 100 per cent”. Richard’s third wife, Lakeisha Williams, 37, revealed the shock news to a US website. She said: “His condition is fair – he’s up and walking around but he’s not at 100 per cent. “He needs speech therapy, psychological therapy and physical therapy but for now he refused. “His mind is thinking

that they’re going to put him back in ‘prison,’ which is what he calls the hospital.” Lakeisha, who married Richard in 2010 and has a three-year-old son, Dylan, with him, says her husband is not aware he has suffered a stroke. She added: “His mind is telling him that since he was once in charge of his life, after what’s happened he’s not accepting it. “To him he’s a normal person – nothing happened to him.” Serena, 34, kept the news private as she stormed to a Seventh Wimbledon triumph. She and sister Venus, 36, also claimed gold in the SW19 ladies’ doubles.

On Marble

The sweetest of all sounds is that of the voice of the woman we love.

— Jean de la Bruyere

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Emeka Obasi Ogbulafor: Biffing and beating Biafra

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Greedy chairman and his many troubles

en are in trouble. Did you say, what else is new? I agree. They have always been in trouble. And right from the days of Adam, their father, their woes have always centred on women, the daughters of Eve, our mother. These troubles increased as the years rolled by. For a long time, most men only had to contend with their one-man-one-wife hassles. Some coped. Some didn’t but they trudged on anyway. Many opted for second and third wives believing that if you bring in a counter force to the force at home, all forces will be neutralized and their troubles will be over. What did they know? One force plus one force makes two forces. Two new wives plus one old wife is equal to three wives which means three forces or one headache raised to power three. Many husbands soon learnt to just minimize their problems by keeping one headquarters and then opening other branches. Some have branches all over the country but the headquarters staff doesn’t get to know or see the fruits of the labour of Chairman until he kicks the bucket. It is at Chairman’s burial that all the ‘dividends of his democracy’ show up at the grave side. A cold war or full blown one usually follows but that is a matter for another day. Let’s just stick to Chairman’s troubles of the present age, the one that he cannot control, the one he did not bring upon himself. My heart goes to him because finally his dreams have come true. The problem is this is one good dream he doesn’t know what to do with. It is a good dream that he ordinarily should be celebrating but unfortunately has become a nightmare. Worse still, he is not allowed to wake up from it. He can shut his eyes for as long as he can but whenever he opens them, this bad is waiting for him. He is stuck, so stuck he has considered suing God. Take a look around you every day you step out of your house. Count the number of women you see. Try and compare that with the number of men. Then compare the figure of the married men to the number of single and available women all over the place. Don’t stop there, now assess the beautiful, mouth-watering, eye-popping, full-bodied, God-given endowment of these ready-to-mingle women. They remind me of that fruit juice television commercial where all kinds of fruits were begging to be harvested so they could become fruit juice. Whether in your church or nite club, they are there. It is at parties that I pity Chairman most. The kind of things they stick in his face when he looks up are worse than the opportunities open to him when he looks down, if you get my drift. The kind of smiles he gets just by saying ‘hi’ politely on the way to his seat and the silent promises he gets unsolicited all leave him panting. Without opening his mouth, he is fed until he’s overfed. For no fault of his. Most men today struggle to stay on the straight and narrow. They try to do what the holy books say. They try not to disappoint their pastors but the temptation is too much. Too many beautiful single girls racing against their biological time

HEADQUARTERS MADAM: All smiles, playboy still maintains branches from Ikoyi to Ikorodu

Adam’s Apple

FUNKE EGBEMODE egbemode3@gmail.com 0805-506-9066 (sms only) and ready to do virtually anything to grab a man. Now, that Chairman’s job is cut out for him, made very easy, he doesn’t know what to do. His resistance level is naturally low. He is a hunter now being hunted. He doesn’t know how to run. He doesn’t have the ways of a prey. Yet he is being hunted. The girls are circling over his head and hemming him in on all sides. His wife wants him back home every night but the girls have road blocks all over the place. How does a man stay faithful to his vows with so many women around him?

I do not understand. I am worried for my brothers. And if the atmosphere is this clogged and suffocating in 2016, what will things look like for your sons and mine in 2020? According to my friend, a medical doctor, ‘It is not easy to resist the temptation of a woman. Neither can a woman understand the mystery of the psychological and physiological impact women have on women. With a little push, man is down.’ My friend went on to remind me of our days in ‘Great Ife’, when men wooed us with flowers and dinners at ‘Forks and Fingers’ and movies every night at

PHOTO:i.huffpost.com

Oduduwa Hall. Mozambique and Moremi queens were treated like royalty, which was what we were. I remember, a ‘toaster’ cooking for me during the October Rush. I was ill and to impress me, he brought this big loaded bag with food and drinks, sweating. How did I know he cooked it himself ? The fried plantain was burnt! But burnt offering or not, all my roommates in U5, Mozambique Hall were impressed. His two beautiful cards passed from hand to hand in the room when he left. Do men still bother with such stuff ? Why do they have to, when single women are now a-dime-a dozen? Let’s conclude with the way my friend summed it up. ‘There was a time when men fought over women. They bought cards, spent time and money to win the heart of women but not anymore. Reason? Today’s young men are so pampered that they don’t know the art and science of wooing women. Reason? It is no longer necessary. When supply is in excess of demand, there is a glut and market price and value drops.’ It’s so sad, ominous, disconcerting. But come to think of it, it’s not just the chairmen that are in trouble, we all are.

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