Friday, june 5, 2015 by Newtelegraphonline

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NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS /newtelegraph

Vol. 2 No. 471

Friday, June 5, 2015

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Senate winds up, passes 123 bills in four years

Nigeria turns to Europe for unsold crude lBuhari to sustain amnesty programme in Niger Delta

Adeola Yusuf

fter suffering downturn from the Asian and American markets, Ni-

geria has turned to Europe for its over 14 million barrels of June-loading crude still seeking an outlet for sale. Already, European buyers

have begun showing interest in Nigeria's June programme, but new sales are slow to filter into the market due to a persistent overhang of Atlantic Basin

cargoes. A report yesterday by Reuters said traders perceived this new development as emerging CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

NEW TELEGR

Music

APH FRIDAY,

N150

JUNE 5, 2015

AFRIMA boss wants more African music from growth

Interview

My bad experie a sweet tale, nce is now Jedidah

Entertainme nt

KORA returns bigger, better A

fter severa sence KORAl years of abturning bigger awards is reand better cash prizes with winners in to be given out to all the catego the 2015 edition ries . That is for of ners who winwill be presen prestigious t at the Thursday, event, scheduled for December hoek Count 3, at Windry Club Resort and Casino, Windh The organi oek, Namibia. sers empha that, “One sised cant thingsof the most signifi the award this year during s ners who is that award winat the eventare in attendance will be receiv both the KORA ing Awards trophy and a cash prize. Howev only award recipients er, it is present during that the award are emony that s cerwould receive the cash prize” . They furthe r hinted “The best that, artist of nent, being the contiof the night the biggest winne r would smile with a mouth home of $1m. Other watering sum winners as the Best such Artist West Male and Female and Femal Africa, Best Male olamide Africa, Beste Artist Southern Artist East Male and Female Africa , Best Artist Male and Female Centra rica, and l AfBest Female NorthArtist Male and each get $50,000 Africa, would provided are in attend ance at the they Also, winne event.” rs of the ries such as Best Group categoAfrica,

}25 Best of 1 entertainment Contin UEd

on PaGE 28

America’s K & hunt for tale G Records nts in Nigeri a oritsefemi

drop off from the talent hunt, Ford from ence said: her personal experi Just becaus “Believe in yourse lf. sign you doe a record label doesn’ your gift not mean that you t is or neme you carry invalid. Believe that something 111kane & world for the whole 10,000 audien and Goddesse of United owners ce show don’t get to it’s their loss if they 2013, are States of hear it.” respected at Ibadan in America based K & Goddesse musicians Mississippi G Records Ford, in to storm where are set In an exclus they are based. rience in music said her expebudding musicNigeria in search began We want to Her ive online of view with al talents. ter, the two inter- my words, “I grew up as a kid. Therea New Telegraph, fcollaborate talents that watching desse Ford, tually be discov God- do older siblings make will music and shows but to seeing said, “We look forwar with the sound ered will be evento join their never the taken Nigeria. Whatawesome talent d voice, so I hid my felt that I had a of Nigeria and tries will be label in America. voice until we are lookin of a divine call Enin Nigeria I ‘had and kgmus received via YouTu g for from the expose the are two artists be ic@gm Lord that our label to sign to told me He wante The twosom ail.com. in musical genius to collabo Mississippi. We want music’. With that d her to make Uncle Kane e talent hunte rate I joined group called rs, to the world Nigeria and with the sound Playerz Moba rap artiste with Napturals.” my first of expose the She said genius to group, and musical desse Ford, the world. Godtwo years the group broke found on They can up after incept with Big who was in Nigeri Youtube under be went ion and she Bolaji at a cords. solo K&G and releas Contac the famou Re- album s two is kgmus t information for in 2007, but ed her first ic@gmail.com the Three years later it was a flop. For those .” who will she came eventually to

Stories by Sony

ICPC grills Okiro over N275.5m fraud Chidinma

July 19 is MT V

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Africa Music Awards

Contin UEd

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he fifth edition Africa Music of MTV is aimed “The contri Awards, at (MAM bution of rewarding recognizing and ists from confir med A), has been ers, “This Portuguese artachievers musicians and to Frenc years’ event and at the Durba hold on July 18 feature perfor will will h-spea king Africa the most who have made also be recogn Convention n International impact on African and mances from youth cultur African the Best ised in internationa ban, South Centre, Durartists e over the Lusophone months, while last 12 ration with unique collab l Best Franc and ‘Evolution’,Africa. Themed ophon o- ries. s. MAMA ing the develo also celebratThis year’s e categowhose nomin the award, ebrate Africa 2015 will celshow continent’s pment of the also featur ations will n talents revealed 17 across talent and e a specia will award catego be on June l edicre- as ries such tion – Artist of 11, 2015, ativity in the past Best Male, the Decad decade. category to According Best Femal e Best Song recogn to organ e, ize and Best is- Trans New Act whose careers have artists formed by ished throug flourAbsolute. hout the last years. 10

END OF AN ERA: L-R: Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Hosea Agboola; Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Abu Ibrahim; former Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume; former Majority Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi; former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; former Senate President David Mark; former Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba; Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Ahmed Sani; Chief Whip, Senator Bello Gwarzo and Minority Whip, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, during the valedictory session for the seventh Senate in Abuja…yesterday.

My EFCC story, by ex-gov Sheriff lSays I committed no crime and was never detained

Emmanuel Onani

ormer Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff yesterday recounted

his experience with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Sheriff told reporters in Abuja that contrary

to report, he was neither detained nor intimidated during his interrogation by EFCC operatives on Wednesday over allegations that he misman-

aged over N300 billion his administration received from the Federation Account between 2003 and 2011 when he was the state governor.

The former governor, who had appeared before the EFCC following a report that the commission was planning to declare CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Quick Read

Editorial

No forgetting Thomas Sankara }19 Ondo regent's kidnappers }11 demand N20m ransom

News

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

ICPC grills Okiro over N275.5m fraud Emmanuel Onani Abuja

or hours yesterday, operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) grilled the Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Sir Mike Okiro, over alleged N275.5 million fraud. Okiro, a former Inspector General of Police (IGP), was interrogated based on a petition that he and others engaged in shady deals leading to the loss of public funds. The former IGP was driven in a black Toyota Land Cruiser Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked T 98 01 FG (PSC) to the headquarters of the ICPC in Abuja. He was accompanied by the PSC's Chief Accountant, Mr. Bisala A. A., Ibeh E. C and his orderly, one George Todonu, who were also interrogated. A source said the invitation of Okiro and other staff of PSC followed a petition published in one of the national dailies. He said the petition titled: “Attempt to swindle the Police Service Commission to the tune of

N275.5 million'', was written by Mr. Aaron Kaase, a Principal Administrative Officer at PSC. The petitioner had accused Okiro of diverting N350 million sought from the office of the National Security Adviser for staff training ahead of the 2015 general elections to his

personal use. He said claims by Okiro that the training programmes were held in Abuja, Kano and Lagos were frivolous, adding that such trainings were never organised. Kaase faulted Okiro’s claims on the grounds that the staff strength of

the commission was less than 400 as against 900 he claimed benefited from the training. He also accused Okiro of claiming allowances for journeys never embarked upon for himself and his aides. Okiro was, however, granted administrative

bail. Though, the spokesman of the ICPC, Mr. Folu Olamiti, could not be reached for an official comment, the Head of the Press Unit of PSC, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, in a telephone conversation, confirmed the development, saying: "There was a peti-

tion against the chairman (of PSC), which was sent to ICPC, and in reaction to that, the commission wrote the ICPC to come and look at its accounts. "So, if the chairman was at ICPC today, it should be in respect of that. I think he was a guest of ICPC."

L-R: Vice Chancellor, Babcock University, Professor J.A. Kayode Makinde; keynote speaker and Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu; former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; former Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the conferment of honorary doctorates on Fashola and Kwankwaso by the university in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State...yesterday.

Seventh Senate winds up, passes 123 bills in 4 years lMark rules out PDP in race for Senate Presidency Chukwu David Abuja

he Senate yesterday held a valedictory session, marking the end of the life span of the Seventh Assembly, which was inaugurated on June 6, 2011. Within the four years of its existence, the Seventh Senate received a total of 591 bills, out of which 123 were passed while the remaining 469 bills are at different stages of legislative processing and consideration. The Seventh Senate also within its life span, considered a total of 115 motions, with accompanying resolutions approved thereof. Some of the bills that were considered and passed in the last Senate include: Occupational Safety and Health Bill, Pension Reform Act Amendment (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill, Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill, Discrimination Against

Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill, Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 Bill and Proceeds of Crime Bill amongst others. The details of these legislative activities of the Seventh Senate were contained in the motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Victor NdomaEgba, which he entitled, "valediction of the 7th Senate, National Assembly". However, before the Senate went into the valedictory session, the Upper Chamber finally dashed the hope of passing the Fourth Alteration Bill to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as it simply adopted a motion to defer further action on the Bill to another legislative day, which is definitely going to be in the 8th Senate. The Senate had planned to override former President Goodluck Jonathan's veto on the Bill but reversed the decision after Ndoma-Egba without giving any reason for the action. The Bill was the first item enlisted on the Senate Order Paper, and captioned, "Constitution of the Federal Republic of

Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Bill 2015 (SB-547) – veto override. But immediately the Senate Leader mentioned it at the beginning of the plenary, he also moved that the Senate should defer it to another legislative day; a prayer that was overwhelmingly supported when the President of the Senate, David Mark, put it to voice vote. The apex legislative House did not give any explanation for rescinding its intention. While presenting the motion, Ndoma-Egba lamented that the executive arm was in habit of not complying with the resolutions of the Senate. He also noted that the Senate effectively collaborated with the executive in the overall national interest, stabilising the polity without undermining the integrity and independence of the Senate. He said that this collaboration was evident in the ratification of the State of Emergency proclaimed by the former president in the three North-East states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

"It was scandal free and it was stable. Its stability ensured the stability of the polity and this stability guaranteed the peaceful elections we witnessed on the March 28 and April 11, 2015, which highlighted our democracy. For once, a party in government lost to a party in opposition; a milestone in our democracy," he noted. Many Senators took turn to eulogise the 7th Senate for what they considered noble and patriotic achievements of the Assembly and enjoined the incoming 8th Senate to do more in the interest of the country. Former Presiding officers of the Senate were in attendance, including: Second Republic President of the Senate, Dr. Joseph Ways; Dr. Ameh Ebute, Third Republic President of the Senate and Dr. Ken Nnamani, the President of the Senate 5th Senate. Others were for Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Mantu; former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folatin; Chairman, Senators Forum, Senator Kairat Gwadabe and Senator Musiliu Oban-

ikoro. Meanwhile, Mark has ruled out the possibility of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vying for the Senate presidency in the Eight National Assembly. Mark, who declared this position during his closing remarks at the valedictory session, stressed that only members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) elected to the 8th Senate would be in a position to contest the office, and not for PDP members. He was responding to Senator George Akume, who used the occasion of the valediction to solicit his support towards the exalted office. While contributing, Akume had asked Mark to support the Ahmad Lawan/George Akume candidacy for the next President and Deputy President of the Senate respectively. Akume said as brothers from the same state and colleagues who had been together in governance, the people of Benue State would be highly excited to see Mark support him in his bid. But while responding, Mark said: "Let me remind

you, I am of the PDP. The leadership of the 8th Senate is a matter for members of the APC." Earlier, the President of the Senate had commended his colleagues for their contributions to the development of Nigeria through their legislative input during the 7th Senate, while regretting that some major bills such as that of the review of the constitution failed to see the light of day. He also lamented that the important Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was "still in limbo," while noting that events of the last few years revealed security lapses which the legislature tried to address by supporting the executive through the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill and approval of $1 billion for procurement of arms and equipment for the military. While noting that the abduction of Chibok girls remained a national scar, Mark however, commended the job done by the military to curb the insurgents whom, he lamented had brought the highest number of deaths to Nigerians.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

SPECIALonREPORT The 8th Senate’s Fresh Generation Godswill Akpabio

Aliyu Wamakko

Jonah David Jang

Stella Adaeze Oduah

Samuel Egwu

Rabiu Kwankwaso

Theodore Orji

Mao Ohuabunwa

Uche Lilian Ekwunife

Buruji Kashamu

Jeremiah Useni

Abubakar Kyari

Ben Murray Bruce

Peter Nwaoboshi

Biodun Olujimi

Dino Melaye

Monsurat Sunmonu

Bayero Usman Nafada

Bala ibn Na’Allah

Isiaka A. Adeleke

Abubakar Danladi

Adeola Olamilekan

Binta Masi Garba

Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim

Mustapha Bukar

Duro Samuel Faseyi

Fatimat O. Raji-Rasaki

Shehu Sani

Mustapha Bukar

Philip Aruwa I Gyunka

Buhari Abdulfatai

Suleiman O. Hunkuyi

Osinakachukwu Ideozu

Danjuma La’ah

Bassey Albert Akpan

Olanrewaju Tejuoso

Mohammed A. Ohiare

Nelson Asuquo Effiong

Achonu A. Nneji

Sabo Mohammed

David Umaru

Umaru Ibrahim Kurfi

Barau I Jibrin

Nnaemeka Anyanwu

Clifford A. Ordia

John Enoh Owan

Mathew A. Urhoghide

Utazi Godfrey Chukwuka

Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi

Gbolahan Dada

Abdul-Aziz M. Nyako

Francis A. Alimikhena

Olaka Johnson Nwogu

Ogba Joseph Obinna

Tijjani Yahaya Kaura

Donald Alasoadura

Rose Okoji Oko

Yele Omogunwa

Ogola Foster

Gershom H. Bassey

Suleiman M. Nazif

Malam Ali Wakili

Abdullahi A. Gumel

Marafa Bashir Abba

Yahaya Abdullahi

Abdulrahman Abubakar

Salihu Hussain Egye

Mohammed Garba

Ighoyota Amori

Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

Ahmadu Abubakar

Mohammed Hasan

Isah Hamma Misau

Ibrahim Abdullahi

Muhammad Ubali Shitu

On June 9, 2015, the eighth Senate of the National Assembly will be inaugurated. Of the 109 Senators who will be taking their seats, 75, representing 68 per cent will be fresh in the upper chamber. Who are these fresh Senators? What are their backgrounds and antecedents? What quality of debate and contributions are we likely to see from them? These and more will be the kernel of a special report by New Telegraph on that day. The report presents a unique opportunity for family, friends and associates of these fresh Senators to felicitate with them. For enquiries and participation: Call Biodun: 0802-301-5582, Taiwo: 0803-304-2915, Onwuka: 0803-733-9843, David: 0810-759-1663

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

News

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

At last, Reps pass Petroleum Industry Bill Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives yesterday at the last plenary of the Seventh Assembly

passed the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and transmitted it to the Senate for concurrence. The 368-page document that comprises of 312 sections and 438 clauses

brought about so much deliberations and amendments that delayed the passing of the bill by the House. At yesterday's plenary, a five-member committee

led by the chairman of the ad hoc committee on PIB, Hon. Ishaku Bawa, was raised by the Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, which resolved the knotty issues that brought about major

controversies. It will be recalled that issues such as revenue sharing formula as contained in clause 209 and reduction of levy on oil companies as contained in clause 116 to 119 generated some much controversy in the House and amongst its members. Shortly after the passage, the speaker told his colleagues: "My dear colleagues, I want to congratulate you so far for a job well done." Ihedioha said that the actions taken by the House on the PIB issue was in the best interest of one united Nigeria. He noted that the bulk of the work is now left for

the Senate to take action on just as he added that the bill is not political issue but very vital to the economy of the country. Meanwhile, the House had earlier passed 12 other bills. Outgoing leader of the House, Mulikat Akande-Adeola moved that some of the House Rules be suspended to enable them read and pass outstanding bills. Some of the bills read and past include, the National Child Protection and Enforcement Agency, the Chartered Institute of Capital Market Registration and the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) amongst others.

PDP, Ali sued over N70m campaign debt Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

L-R: Director, Global Transaction Banking, Trade Finance, Deutsche Bank, Ulf-Peter Noetzel; Deputy Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Tony Okpanachi and Deputy Country Head, Deutsche Bank Nigeria, Adeola Azeez, at the Deutsche Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award in Lagos...recently.

APC postpones meeting with National Assembly members Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rescheduled its meeting with the newly-elected members of the National Assembly for Saturday. National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, told New Telegraph that the postponement of the scheduled Wednesday's meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) members of the

party with its National Assembly members-elect was due to the valedictory session held yesterday for the senators. He said: "When we fixed the meeting for this morning (yesterday) we were unaware that the Senate would be holding its valedictory session on Thursday. The meeting has therefore been rescheduled for Saturday," Mohammed said. APC had on Tuesday issued a statement intimating of the meeting. The planned meeting came after the NWC members led by its na-

tional chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, had met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Defence House in Abuja. Though the agenda of the meeting was not stated, it was learnt that the parley was meant to resolve the impasse over the leadership of the 8th National Assembly. It was also alleged that the leadership of the party had plotted to use the meeting to impose leaders on the lawmakers. However, the APC National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, in a text message to our correspondent, denied

any plan of imposition of leadership on the members of the National Assembly by the party. He said: "I'm not aware of any planned imposition of leadership." The leadership of APC has not been able to agree on which of the geopolitical zones the offices of the Senate President and Speaker should go. While the North-East and North-Central are struggling on who to clinch the Senate presidency, the South-West and North-East are contesting to occupy the office of speakership.

he Director-General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, and the PDP have been dragged before an Abuja High Court over alleged N70 million debt arising from the March 28 presidential election. The plaintiff, Silon Concepts Limited, filed the suit with no CV/2017/15 yesterday at the Maitama Division of the court. Listed as defendants in the suit are the PDP, Ali and Senator Nenadi Esther Usman who was the Director of Finance, PDP Presidential Organisation. Ali was the head of campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan. In the statement of claim, the plaintiff averred that it made an offer to PDP, through the office of Ali

Sheriff says I committed no crime and was never detained CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

him wanted, said he was surprised that the antigraft agency was questioning him over an incident that happened more than four years ago. He said: "I left office May 29, 2011; four years after, nobody has ever invited me for anything, nobody has questioned me. I just saw a newspaper publication, which said that EFCC was set to declare Governor Sheriff wanted. "I had not seen the letter inviting me to EFCC by that time. I decided to go to them to know what the issue was all about. They presented me with a document that there was a budget provision and contract

awarded between 2006 and 2010 and 2011. "I said first and foremost, I left office in 2011; four years after the contract you are talking about was awarded. Nobody has ever approached me for any wrongdoing. " According to him, the EFCC asked him to furnish it with his asset declaration document while the reason given in media on why EFCC was looking for him was different from the issues he was confronted with during interrogation. He said: "What they presented to me was that there was a contract awarded in 2006. They said the budget for spe-

cific capital projects was N800 million. I told them I had no way of checking it. Let us even assume that it was even awarded at that amount, you do not finish a contract in one year." On whether his case has political undertone and was meant to embarrass him, the former governor, who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, said: "I don't know." "When I went there, they said they were investigating a petition that was sent in 2011. They were civil to me. You know, it could be anything to embarrass me. Since that 2011, I have

never left the country. I want to see what they want. They asked me to go and come back again. They said they were looking for my asset declaration form and I told them I would provide it if that is what they want to see. I do not know if they are probing my assets or the contracts I awarded. I was surprised. From what you read in the newspapers and what was read to me was contradictory. The papers said they were investigating me for missing N300 billion. And that was not what they asked me," the former governor stated. He defended his tenure as Borno governor, saying

he performed above board. He said apart from meeting the infrastructural needs of the state, he left N65 billion in the state treasury, adding that although he inherited N28 billion debt when he assumed office, his administration paid off the debt. "My hands are clean. I stand to be corrected. There is no government that leaves N65 billion for the incoming administration. If I wanted to take money, I would have taken money like others. I did not leave a single debt for my successor. I arrived as state governor with a debt of over N28 billion. I cleared them and left N65billion," Sheriff added.

to do voice SMS campaign broadcast to eligible voters for the 2015 presidential election on February 3 and March 4 respectively. The plaintiff further averred that its offer was accepted by the defendants on March 5, where it agreed to pay the plaintiff the sum of N100 million for the project. According to the plaintiff, its terms of agreement highlighted in the defendants' letter of engagement, the approved sum of N100 million was to be paid before the kick-off of the project but only the sum of N20 million was released to it for the take-off with the promise to pay the balance before the presidential election. Silon Concepts Limited claimed that it successfully executed the project with continued assurance from the defendants that the balance would be made available in no distant time. However, the defendants allegedly failed to pay the balance but only issued another cheque of N10 million on March 19. In the writ of summons filed by the plaintiff's counsel, Festus Keyamo, the company is praying "an order of court compelling the defendants to pay the plaintiff the sum of N70 million only being outstanding balance for the contract executed by the plaintiff for the defendants. "An order compelling the defendants to pay the plaintiff the sum of N15 million only being the cost of this suit. "An order compelling the defendants to pay the plaintiff an annual interest rate of 10 per cent on the sum of N70 million only until the said sum is fully liquidated," among other such orders. No date has been fixed for the suit.

News

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Saraki: Senators, not APC, will choose Senate president Temitope Ogunbanke

he Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment, Senator Bukola Saraki, has stated that senators and not the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will determine who become the Senate President when the National Assembly is inaugurated on Tuesday, June 9. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme yesterday, Saraki, a former governor of Kwara State, expressed confidence of emerging as next Senate President if capacity and merit are used as yardsticks in the selection of the Senate leadership. Saraki said since the APC has always harped on the need for merit in choosing leaders at any level, he believes that he has what it takes to lead the Eighth Senate when it is inaugurated next Tuesday, June 9. He also faulted the report that APC leadership has edged him out of the Senate presidency race by tactically zoning the position to North-East, saying that report was contrary to the party’s national chairman earlier position.

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The National Working Committee of the APC, at its meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday night, listed some criteria for the Senate presidential candidate, which include that the Senate President must come from the geopolitical zone with the second highest number of votes, after the North-West, at the March 28 presidential election. The other criteria are that the next Senate President must not have any corruption charges hanging on his or her neck and should be one of the most ranking senators in the current Fourth Republic. If the criteria are anything to go by, the party leadership seem to have tactically favoured Senator Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North) from North-East for Senate President ahead of Senator Saraki, who is from North-Central. But reacting to the criteria for the Senate presidency, Saraki said the rules of the Senate will determine who will emerge the President of the Senate. His words: “There are no such criteria that have been presented to senators and I am sure that statement was contrary to what the party’s chairman had said. The rules of the Senate are very clear on issue of ranking. Ranking is to give you the opportunity to compete; it doesn’t states only the most ranking will take the seat. If we bring politics to the election of the leadership of the National Assembly, we are go-

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The former governor said that with the feelers he is getting and the goodwill of his colleagues, there is high hope for him to win the Senate presidency. He added that legislative and executive experience couple with his leadership skill as governor and chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and friends across every part of the country, give him an edge over other contenders. Speaking on his plan if he emerges Senate President, Saraki said the

Senate under his leadership will address peopleoriented bills, adding that lawmakers will pass bills that would add developmental value in moving the country forward. Saraki also advised members of the National Assembly to pay less attention to politics or politicking and focus on nation building. “We must move away from politics or politicking and focus more on capacity and merit because that is important in ensuring that government at the end of the day

meet the promises that we all promised Nigerians. Nigerians are waiting to see us and I believe that is why many of the national leaders have said merit should be considered in the choice of the Senate leadership. “The senators should be allowed to choose who they wanted for a stable National Assembly. I believe I have the skill to lead the Senate going by ones experience being able to have executive and legislatives. The choice and capacity of the candidate matters,” he said.

Former Rivers State Governor and immediate past Chairman, Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF), Mr. Rotimi Ameachi (right), presenting handover notes to the new NGF Chairman and Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, in Abuja…yesterday.

Nigeria turns to Europe for unsold crude CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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ing to make the mistakes we made in the past. “The party’s role is advisory because at the end of the day, it is the rules of the Senate which take precedent on this matter. The party will advise the lawmakers who and who the party thinks should occupy one position or the other but it is the lawmakers who will eventually elect their leaders based on the rules of the respective assemblies and in this case, Senators will elect their President in accordance with the rules of the Senate.”

positive signs for Nigeria, which has suffered immense downtime from its major crude markets. The United States, which was hitherto the biggest consumer of Nigeria's crude, squeezed the country's crude grade from its market in the second quarter of 2014. The Asia market, which later served as a respite, has also turned down a larger chunk of Nigeria's crude. But with at least 14 million barrels of June-loading Nigerian crude still seeking an outlet, traders said the focus would likely be Europe, where strong refinery margins are expected to spur strong run rates through the summer. It was learnt that between 15 and 20 June-loading Nigerian cargoes are still available, along with more than half of July's 54 cargoes. “Europe is the place for the WAF programme,” one

trader said. “I expect it's probably going to be the biggest month there.” Elsewhere in the market, Indian refineries were in talks with Iraq to buy crude for strategic storage, and the Orgnaisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was not expected to cut its output target during its meeting this week. Traders said there were some positive signs emerging, including a narrowing in the spread between Brent and US WTI crude, which could enable arbitrage to the West. Brent's premium to Dubai was also narrowing, which could make Atlantic Basin exports to Asia more viable. Other unusual buyers were also coming out to take advantage of the drop in premiums, including Canada's Come-by-Chance refinery. However, Indonesia's Pertamina has issued a tender to buy crude oil for

August delivery. In its tender for July crude, it took two cargoes of Qua Iboe from Shell, as well as a cargo of Escravos from Chevron. Meanwhile, Nigeria and other oil producing nations have mooted $80 per barrel as new 'fair' oil price. The countries said this at a seminar, which heralded the 167th meeting of the OPEC, beginning today. Speaking in Vienna, Austria at the ongoing OPEC International Seminar, Head of Nigeria’s delegation to the 167th OPEC Meeting, Dr. Jamila Shu’ara, stated that Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, a one-time Minister of Petroleum Resources and Head of Nigeria’s Delegation to the OPEC Conference, would continue to work for the realisation of the aims and objectives of the organisation. The Federal Govern-

ment, under the administration of Buhari, she said, pledged its commitment to playing more proactive and effective roles in the affairs of the oil cartel. A statement by Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Ohi Alegbe, said Shu’ara’s remark was followed by an incisive presentation to the seminar by the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Joseph T. Dawha, under the theme: Technology and the Environment. "I am here to covey to all Heads of Delegation of OPEC member countries, and indeed representatives of other countries, President Muhammadu Buhari’s gratitude, that of the government and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to member countries of our organisation, and indeed the international community, for the keen interest

shown and, in some cases, the support given to Nigeria towards the implementation of what has become a very successful political transition programme," Shu’ara said. She also said the Buhari administration was committed to prosecuting the amnesty programme in the Niger Delta with vigour with a view to bringing about lasting peace and stability in the area, as well as in other parts of Nigeria; thus making the operational environment safe and attractive once again. In his presentation, Dawha said despite the odds, crude oil would continue to play an important role in the future world energy balance for decades to come. He called on the global oil industry to always seek to strike that delicate balance between adaptation of technology to increase production and the need to protect the environment.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

News

Reps pass N299.5bn NDDC budget Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives yesterday approved and passed the sum of N299.5 billion 2015 budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). This followed the adoption of a bill for an act to authorise the issue from the statutory revenue fund of the Niger Delta Development Commission which was moved by the leader of the house, Mulikat Akande - Adeola. The breakdown of the budget showed that N16 billion would be used for personnel costs, while N10 billion would be earmarked for recurrent expenditure. N1.8 billion will be used for internal capital expenditure, while N271 billion will be used for developmental projects of the NDDC for the fiscal year ending on the 31st December, 2015. It would be recalled that the same figure was passed by the Senate on 14th May, 2015. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator James Manager, told his colleagues at plenary that the budget would be financed from a projected revenue of N300 billion.

national

Speakership: Lawyers ask court to disqualify Gbajabiamila Philip Nyam Abuja

new twist has been introduced in the race for the Speaker of the House of Representatives as a group of lawyers have dragged one of the leading candidates, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila before an Abuja Federal High court seeking his dis-

earing in the contempt proceedings slammed on the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN) and the Chairman, National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, by the Senator-elect for Ogun East Senatorial District, Buruji Kashamu, has been fixed for June 19 by Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos. Kashamu, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, had sued the duo for contempt following plans by them to extradite him to the United States over alleged drugrelated charges. In the contempt application, it was argued that the AGF and the NDLEA Chairman, had through their actions violated the existing court order which barred them from taking steps at arresting

qualification to hold any public office in Nigeria. In an originating summon filed before Abuja Federal High court yesterday by Registered Trustees of Social Justice and Civil Rights Awareness Initiative, the lawyers are seeking for an order of the court declaring Gbajabiamila not fit and proper person to be elected member of the House of Representatives.

An order of injunction restraining the House of Representatives and the Attorney General of the Federation from accepting nomination of the first defendant (Gbajabiamila) for office of speaker of the House. An order of injunction restraining him from parading himself as a member of the House of Representatives and also an aspirant to the office of

the speaker. The suit was entered by Chukwuma Nwachukwu Esq and Osita K. Nwaikpo Esq of Law Bond Solicitors, Abuja. In an affidavit in support of the originating summons, the lawyers said they have recently discovered that Gbajabiamila was convicted in the United States of America in the state of Goergia for unethical

L-R: Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Ekpo; Governor Udom Emmanuel; Speaker, Elder Sam Ikon and Chairman, state PDP, Obong Paul Ekpo, at the official inauguration of the House of Assembly chapel in Akwa Ibom.

Kashamu: Court hears contempt proceedings against AGF, NDLEA June 19 Juliana Francis and Akeem Nafiu

friday, june 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

him for an extradition to the United States. The hearing of the application which was earlier fixed for yesterday was stalled owing to the disclosure by the NDLEA lawyer, A. M. Sunday, that the agency was never served with the suit's originating processes. According to him, it was only the court's order of May 26 that was served on the NDLEA. Justice Buba, in a bench ruling, refused to make additional orders as was requested by Kashamu's lawyer but ordered that nothing should be done by parties to undermine the processes before the court. He said the court will have to adjourn the matter to allow all parties to be served with the necessary court's processes. "The matter before the court is that of committal and challenge to jurisdiction. I shall adjourn for the hearing of the applications on its merits," the judge further held.

Nigeria, Chad vow to end insurgency Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday secured the commitment of the Chadian government in the war against insurgency in the North-East. The President held crucial talks with the Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno in N’Djamena where the two leaders reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to greater cooperation in the fight against Boko Haram. Speaking during the meeting, Buhari said: "I am in N’Djamena today (yesterday) to convey to you, your government and the people of Chad, Nigeria’s profound appreciation of the invaluable support you have rendered in the fight against insurgency and sustained acts of terrorism in the North-East of my country. "Your troops have stood shoulder-to-shoulder and fought gallantly with ours, in the fight against the forces of evil. "It is for this reason, that I have committed myself to

work for the security, peace, prosperity and stability of our region. In this regard, I cannot overemphasise the importance of cooperation and collaboration in tackling our common challenges, particularly in the areas of security and economic development. This is because security and development are mutually reinforcing." The president noted that there was need for the two countries to cooperate fully on security issues in a robust and sustained manner. "We must redouble our efforts to operationalise the Multi-National Joint Task Force with its headquarters in N’Djamena. I believe the Task Force will stabilise the areas that have been ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency when it becomes fully operational," he said. Buhari urged membercountries of the Lake Chad Commission to redouble their efforts to intensify the operations of the MultiNational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) established to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency. Speaking at bilateral talks between Nigeria and

Chad, Buhari noted that the security of Nigeria and her neighbours were intrinsically linked. He added that it made it very essential that they cooperated on security issues in a robust and sustained manner. The President said that he was quite certain that when fully deployed and functional, the MNJTF, which comprises Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon, would be able to secure and stabilise all the areas affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. Buhari also reaffirmed his conviction that with greater cooperation among Nigeria and neighbouring countries, the Boko Haram insurgency would be brought to an end very soon. According to a communiqué issued at the end of Buhari's one-day official visit to Chad, both leaders agreed on the need to quickly make the MultiNational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) fully operational to effectively combat terrorism in North-East Nigeria and "everywhere" that Boko Haram operates.

practices and was debarred for 36 months on 26 February, 2007 by the Supreme Court of Georgia "That I also discovered that Gbajabiamila has a United States international passport even though he has Nigerian descent which contravened our constitution as regards membership of the House of Representatives "That the mood of the nation today will not warrant placing the position of speaker of the House of Representatives in the hands of any individual with tainted character by possessing American passport as a citizen which supposes that Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has pledged his allegiance to another country contrary to the provision of section 66(1) (a) of the constitution which provides thus: "No person shall be qualified for election to the senate or the House of Representatives if (a) subject to the provisions of section 28 of this constitution, he has voluntarily anchored the citizenship of a country other than Nigeria or except, in such cases as may be prescribed by the National Assembly, has made declaration of allegiance to such a country."

Kalu mourns UNN students

ormer Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has sympathised with the staff and students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) over the tragic death of some students of the higher institution. Following the closure of the school for the midsemester break, the students, who were travelling home in a commercial bus, were reported to have been involved in a fatal motor accident along Nsukka-9th Mile Expressway on Tuesday. In a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said," I was devastated when I heard the news of the demise of students of UNN who were travelling to their respective homes". "It is saddening to lose our leaders of tomorrow in their prime. I feel pained that the youths died in such a circumstance". "Our prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved families at this sorrowful moment", he added.

NEW TELEGRAPH friday, june 5, 2015

Boko Haram: Buhari returns, bomb explosion in Yola Anule Emmanuel and Ibrahim Abdul

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday evening returned to Abuja after a two-day visit to Chad and Niger. The President was in the two countries to strengthen bilateral ties with the government of the two nations on how they could assist Nigeria tackle the insurgency in the north east. Both countries have already agreed to intensify action on their part and give support to Nigeria to fight the Boko Haram insurgents. As a sign of commitment, both Niger and Chad issued a communiqué in agreement with the Nigerian government. But a bomb blast yesterday hit Yola, the Adamawa State capital, leaving scores of people killed. It was gathered that the blast occurred few metres away from the popular Falluja Market in Jimeta . Reports indicated that the blast occurred around

7.38pm, when people were retiring home after the day's engagements while others were engaged in business transactions. An eye witness in the area said, “It occurred very close to Falluja Market’s entrance, here in Muhammad Mustapha Way. "As I am talking to you now, I can see blood everywhere, including my car. I can’t give any detail because we are all running. I don’t know how my friend managed to escape. I saw many people on the ground,’’ said one Mr Ayuba, a bread seller, who was driving when the incident occurred. When contacted, the police spokesman in the state, DSP Othman Abubakar, confirmed . He said,“ Yes, there was bomb explosion but it is yet unclear if there were casualties, though the women police officer in charge of the area had earlier told me that two lives were lost. As soon as we get details, we will furnish you’’.

News

national

N8bn currency fraud: More CBN, bank staff remanded in prison Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

head of the July 6, 2015 trial of the 22 accused persons charged with the N8b mutilated cash fraud involving the Central Bank of Nigeria and many other commercial banks, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday arraigned the last batch of bank officials charged with the monumental fraud. Arraigned before Justice Adeyinka Faaj of a Federal High sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, were three CBN

staff including Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Muniru Adeola and Toogun Kayode Phillip. Also arraigned were Ajuwon Bolade and Samuel Ogbeide , both staff of Zenith Bank PLC. The accused persons were said to have conspired with other two people: Onabanjo Olumayowa and Tijani Olusoga, who are at large, between 2011 and 2012 in Ibadan. They allegedly delivered on false pretence a sum of N1,060,000,000 to the CBN, with an intent to defraud, conspired, and committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences

Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act. A total of 14-count charges were preferred against the accused and they all pleaded not guilty to the charges. Responding to the charge, one of the accused persons, Ajuwon Bolade, even said," I am not guilty my Lord because I am still living in a rented apartment ". Justice Faaj, however fixed June 12 for hearing of motion on bail applications on behalf of the accused persons while ordering that the five accused be remanded in Agodi prisons. Hearing of motions

on their bail applications will be heard by the two trial judges, Justice Ayo Emmanuel and Justice Adeyinka Faaj, next week. Justice Emmanuel will on June 9 hear the bail applications of the first batch of the accused arraigned on Monday, while Justice Faaj will hear his on June 8 and 12. The court had remanded 21 of the 22 accused that have been arraigned in prisons, while it directed that the nursing mother among them be kept in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Ibadan, where she would have access to her baby.

FG challenges NACCIMA on modalities for agric revolution Clement James CALABAR

resident Muhammadu Buhari has challenged the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture to come up with a research that will make Nigeria an agribusiness country. Buhari, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Alh. Baba Umar Farouk gave the challenge

on Thursday in Calabar at a two-day Annual Conference of the Association which has as its theme, “Policy Consistency in Agricultural Value Chain: A Key to Social Economic Development.” He said it was unfortunate that despite the large expanse of arable land in the country, Nigerians could not feed themselves, adding that a situation where the country was importing all manner of agro-related products is not healthy for the country.

Buhari tasks corps members on corruption Yekeen Nurudeen ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Nigerian corps members and youths generally in the country to help curb corruption and be the vanguard in the quest for the expected change needed in the country. While urging them to be ready to fight corruption in all their dealings, the President also charged them to change their perceptions and attitudes about the country. President Buhari made the call yesterday in Abuja while swear-

ing in the 2015 batch A stream 2 corps members at the Kubwa National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp. According to the President who was represented at the event by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Engineer Obinna Chukwu, “the coming on board of the corps members was very special as they were the first corps members that would be sworn in his tenure". He urged them to avoid indulging in crimes but concentrate on how to make the country move forward by giving their utmost best, commitment and make contributions to the nation.

L-R: Chairman, Learn Africa Plc, Chief Emeke Iweredon; Company Secretary, Mrs. Ann Agbo; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Olusegun Oladipo and former Director, Mr. Emmanuel Halim, after the company’s 42nd Annual General Meeting in Lagos… yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Sacked NITEL staff to receive terminal benefits Abdulwahab Isa ABUJA

ppointed liquidator for the Nigeria Telecommunications plc( NITEL) and its mobile subsidiary, Mtel Olutola Senbore, has commenced the compilation of terminal benefits and severance package (including pension benefits) of the last batch of telecoms staff sacked last month. A source in Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) told New Telegraph yes-

terday that over 300 NITEL/Mtel staff being last batch of the organisation’s employees retained in the service in the past couple of years the firm was in limbo before its sale would have their terminal benefits and other emolument paid as soon as the appointed liquidator completes the verification and submit the report to BPE. He explained that the larger portion of NITEL/ mtel staff had been paid their terminal benefits years ago by BPE, adding that this last batch are

few staff retained whose services were terminated last month by new owner Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, NATCOM Consortium. BPE Head, Corporate Communications, Alex Okoh confirmed the development of expected payment to New Telegraph in a phone chat yesterday. He said the payment would be for the few staff that were retained up till the time the new owner took over NITEL. He said every other staff has had all their benefits paid to them before now by BPE.

"Yes, the liquidator is doing the verification of genuine staff for payment of their benefits and once the liquidator is through and submit report to BPE, we will pay them", said Alex. When asked to give a figure it would cost BPE in settling the liability of the last batch of staff, Alex said he did not know adding that, that will depend on liquidators' final report to BPE. NATCOM Consortium, the new owner of NITEL last month disengaged over 300 old workers.

Ministerial nominee: South-East caucus meets to appraise list Johnchuks Onuanyim ABUJA

he South East Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday night met in Abuja to appraise the ministerial nominees of each state. The South

East geopolitical zone is made up of Anambra, Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi. According to a source at the meeting, of the five states, only two states Anambra and Imo - were able to submit the lists of ministerial nominees, while Abia, Enugu and

Ebonyi were yet to submit. The meeting, which was chaired by the leader of South East All Progressives Congress, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu had in attendance the governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, Senator Chris Ngige, APC National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita

Izunaso, APC National Auditor, Chief George Moghalu, South East APC spokesperson, Osita Okechukwu and others. Issue discussed at the meeting, according to the source, is who gets what and how the zone would have a harmonised ministerial list.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro

Five killed in NURTW members’ gunfight DEADLY RIVALRY Five persons have been killed while others were injured over supremacy battle between rival NURTW members in Lagos

Taiwo Jimoh

ive members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were shot dead by members of a faction of the union on Lekki-Ajah Expressway over supremacy battle. The incident occurred on Wednesday night. It was gathered that the union members were returning from a naming ceremony at Ajah area of the Lagos metropolis in a chartered bus when five of them were shot death by members of the other faction. The driver of the vehicle and one other occupant of the vehicle pretended to be dead and later escaped. The deceased were said to be members of NURTW, Oyebanji branch, Lagos Island. The deceased were identified as Samson, Ganiyu, Idris, Ladi and one other. But yesterday, colleagues of the victims mobilised to attack the relatives of the assailants on the Island. The union members, who went on the rampage to protest the death of the five men, attacked traders and residents of the popular Olokodana family house on the Island. The house of one Tunde, who was alleged to be the mastermind of the killing of the five NURTW members, was also torched by the protesters. A resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said trouble started last Sunday on the Island when one Seego and

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

File picture of vehicles burnt during recent clash between factions of NURTW in Lagos

another leader of the hoodlums identified as Alabi Yellow met at a social gathering. He said: “At the event, Seego asked Yellow to bow for him, but he refused.” It was also gathered that Seego then ordered his boys to deal with Yellow by breaking a bottle on his head. They also tore his clothes. The source added: “To revenge the assault on Yellow, his supporters laid an ambush for some of Seego boys

who went to Ajah for a naming ceremony and opened fire on their bus. “The attackers also cut off the head of Samson alias Songa, believed to be the one who broke the bottle on Yellow’s head at the party on Sunday.” Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kenneth Nwosu, said that two of the youth died and two others who sustained bullet wounds were presently at the hospital

where they were receiving treatment. The PPRO added that policemen were on surveillance to track down the assailants and brought them to book. Traders at Odunfa, Onola, Oyebanji, Adeniji Adele, Evans, Atiko and adjacent streets yesterday locked up their shops because the hoodlums had vowed to take revenge on anyone who has connection with the killing of their colleagues.

Two killed in police, robbers’ gun duel

The suspects with the recovered vehicles, guns and ammunition

Taiwo Jimoh

wo suspected armed robbers were killed during an exchange of gunfire men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Rivers State. The incident occurred on Wednesday. Also on the same day, the police stormed the camp of kidnappers and engaged the suspects in a shootout. At the end of the shootout, two suspects, Uche Mwabueze and Thankgod Ake, were arrested, while others escaped.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ahmad Muhammad, said the onslaught on suspected criminals was in line with the command’s determination to rid the state of crime. He said: “On May 3, about 6pm at Aluu Farm Road, a team of SARS raided the enclave of a suspected gang of criminals that specialised in car snatching and engaged them. “The operation yielded in recovery of five assorted stolen vehicles, two pump action guns, and multiple number plates

while two suspected armed robbers got fatally wounded. “Similarly, on same date, about 6:45pm in a forest around Omoku, another team of SARS daringly stormed the camp of suspected kidnappers and arrested two of them while others fled with bullet wounds.” Muhammad said preliminary investigation showed Mwabueze and Ake were members of the gang which kidnapped one Sylvanus Okon, driver of a former legislator in the state House Assembly. He added: “The driver, in concert with the gang, stagemanaged the kidnapping to get money from the former legislator. “In the initial contact, the suspects demanded N10 million ransom from him. Efforts are ongoing to arrest Sylvanus Okon who, at the time of the raid, fled together with their other cohorts in crime when the police stormed their hideout.”

Lagos desilts drains to check flood Muritala Ayinla

agos State Government yesterday commenced massive clearing and desilting of blocked drainage channels across the state as parts of efforts to avert flooding. This was even as residents of ‎Oyatoki community in Oko-Oba, Agege appealed to the government to rescue them from perennial flood. Inspecting the ongoing desilting exercise in parts of the state, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage in the state Ministry of the Environment, Mr Ayodeji Adenekan, who frowned at the rate which most Lagos drainage channels were blocked by refuse, said stringent measures would be taken against residents found dumping refuse in the canals and other drain channels. He said: “Most of the canals are clogged with solid refuse across the state. We still have a lot to do. The plan of the government is to reduce all the dirt so that by the time more rains are coming there will be free flow of water. “We will still progress to other places. We are going to intensify the sensitisation efforts. More radio jingles and sensitisation programmes will be done. People should not dump waste in the canal. In addition to that, people will be sent around the communities to sensitise the residents to the dangers of dumping waste in the canal.” Adenekan also warned residents to stop patronising cart pushers, saying that the full wrath of law awaited anyone found dumping waste in the drainage channels. He said: “Cart pushers have no good service to offer us. They take refuse from us and dump it in the drain collectors, canals and‎ other channels.” Meanwhile, the residents of Oyatoki lamented frequent flooding in the area, saying millions of naira worth of property had been lost to flood, while some of them had been rendered homeless. According to one of the residents, who identified himself simply as Pa Ezekeil, several shops, houses were destroyed by flood in the community after the downpour on Tuesday. He said: “Whenever it rains, the bridge is submerged with water. Motorists won’t even know there is a bridge here. The canal is too narrow and shallow, government needs to widen it. The bridge is also too low; that is why it is submerged anytime it rains.”

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Ondo regent’s kidnappers demand N20m ransom Babatope Okeowo Akure

arely 48 hours after the Regent of Akungba-Akoko in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Princess Oluwatoyin Omosowon, was kidnapped, his abductors have reportedly demanded N20 million ransom from the community. The abductors were said to have contacted some people in the community. But the Chairman of Akungba-Akoko Development Union (ADU), Dr Bode Ekundayo, said the kidnappers had not official contacted the community. He, however, said the rumour was rife in the town that the abductors had demanded a ransom. Ekundayo said it was a rumour as there had been no official communication between the community and the abductors. He said the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo,

Omosowon

and other top government officials had visited the palace and assured the people of the readiness of the government to secure the release of the monarch. According to him, the town has remained calm but the people are still agitated about the whereabouts of

their monarch. Omosowon and three others were on Tuesday kidnapped by gunmen along Akure-Akungba-Akoko Expressway. The regent was going to Akure from her town to attend the inaugural lecture of at the Federal University of

Technology, Akure (FUTA) when she was kidnapped. A senior official of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) and an aide of the regent were also abducted. The people of the ancient town were in pensive mood yesterday when our correspondent visited the community. Also, social and commercial activities were at lowest ebb since the abduction of the regent. A community leader and Seriki of Akungba-Akoko, Chief Awesu, urged youths to conduct themselves with decorum and embrace peace. He enjoined all the residents of the town to pray fervently for the release of their regent. Besides, interdenominational prayer sessions were held in churches and mosques within the community, while a detachment of police officers drafted to the area were patrolling the town to ensure safety of lives and property.

‘I voluntarily inserted cocaine into my anus’ Juliana Francis

46-year-old businessman said he willing volunteered to assist some drug barons to traffic cocaine via his anus after he heard them discuss at a beer parlour. The suspect, Nzom Tochukwu, said that unlike other drug couriers who used to claim they were tricked or forced, his own case was different. The father of two said he offered his services in exchange for money, adding that he would have been paid $1,500 if he had succeeded in taking the cocaine to its final destination. He said: “I was drinking with friends when I heard them talk about drugs. I actually volunteered to smuggle drugs because of my financial situation. They agreed

Babatope Okeowo Akure

t least 10 people were feared killed at Owena in Ifedore Local Government area of Ondo State when a petrol tanker crashed into a market on Wednesday evening. Several others were also injured in the accident which occurred during the weekly market activities in the border town between Ondo and Osun states.

Tochukwu

Ilemena

to pay me $1,500 because it was only three wraps weighing 225 grams. I am from a poor home.” Tochukwu was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for inserting 225 grams of cocaine into his anus. The head, Media and Publicity, NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the suspect was to board an Air France flight

to Paris at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos when he tested positive for narcotics. He said: “Two other suspects were also caught with 915 grams and 1.225kg of cocaine from Brazil on an Emirates flight.” NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr Hamza Umar, gave the names of other suspects as Henry Idehen and Chinedu Ilemena.

He said: “Tochukwu, who was going to Paris, inserted 225 grams in his anus. Two other suspects coming from Brazil, Idehen ingested 56 wraps weighing 915 grams and Ilemena concealed 1.225kg of cocaine. The total weight of the drugs seized from the suspects is 2.365kg.” Ilemena also said that he too requested to smuggle drugs because of financial hardship. He said: “I’m married to a Brazilian lady and we have a child. I work as a sales boy in a supermarket. I dropped out of school in Junior Secondary School 3. I overheard some of my friends discuss drugs and I indicated interest. That was how it started. “The drug was packed in a bag for me and they promised to pay me $2,500 dollars. I’m so sad, disappointed and ashamed of myself.”

Tanker kills 10 in Ondo market A witness, who described the incident to journalists yesterday, said the tanker, belonging to Total Petroleum Company, was coming from Ilesa end of the Akure-Ilesa Road when the accident occurred. The source said the tanker had a break failure a few metres to Owena Market. Some of the victims were said to be traders, artisans

and drivers who parked their vehicles by the roadside. The source said the victims of the accident were rushed to a hospital in Akure, the Ondo state capital where some of them were confirmed dead. Those, who sustained injuries, were rushed to the hospital for treatment while those who were seriously wounded were referred to a

teaching hospital. However, the wreckages of the accident were still on the road at press time. It was, however, not certain whether the driver of the tanker was arrested by the police. The head of Operations of the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Jones Malomo, confirmed the casualty figure.

City Briefs Cult members kill one in Ebonyi Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

here was apprehension at OrokeOnuoha community in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State following the killing of a middle-aged man by suspected cult members. The victim, whose name was given simply as Agu from Oriuzor community in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi, State was shot dead in his shop at Oroke-Onuoha Market Square. A witness, Okoro Benard, said the cult members, numbering four, stormed Agu’s shop at 11pm and shot him twice in the chest, leading to his death. Benard added that Agu, who was selling provisions, foodstuffs and other items, opened the shop seven months ago and had been having problems with some ‘guys’ in the area. He said: “Agu came from Oriuzor and established the shop here. But since he started the business, ‘area boys’ have been disturbing him for settlement and at times they used to quarrel.

Anambra CJ frees 13 prison inmates Pamela Eboh Awka

he Chief Judge (CJ) of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi, has granted bail to 13 awaiting trial inmates at the Onitsha Medium Prison. Ten of those freed were males, while three were females. Their offences ranged from alleged murder, conspiracy, juvenile, alleged robbery, to attempted kidnap. The CJ, however, directed that one 23-year-old Naomi Etim from Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State, who had been in detention for three years and eight months for alleged sale of her son, be taken to her village by her counsel and the prison authorities and handed over to the head of her clan. This is because of Etim’s mental state. One of the beneficiaries, 36-year-old Ifeoma Onwuaghalu, had been in detention for four years for alleged murder of her husband during a brawl. Her late husband’s family was said to have forgiven her and had applied to discontinue the matter.

Police get kudos for Buhari’s inauguration Juliana Francis

he residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have applauded the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, his men and the FCT Commissioner of Police, Wilson Inalegwu, the smooth inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari. A police source said that residents were especially impressed by the police performance and conduct during the inauguration. A retired Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mr Adeolowu, residing at Maitama, said that the hitchfree handing and taking over by the former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and President Buhari, was an indication that if the police were given the necessary tools, it will live up to the expectation of the people.

12 News

Osun special marshal coordinator killed Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

he Osun State coordinator of the Federal Road Safety Corp special Marshal programme, Chief S.O Adewale, was yesterday killed in an auto accident, which saw a fuel truck running into his car at Owena town in the state. The deceased's wife and son who were also involved in the accident were in a state of coma, as passersby rushed them to the emergency unit of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital IleIfe for medical attention. New Telegraph investigations revealed that the fuel tanker vied off the road to crush the late special marshal's car where he was parked by the side of the road.

south - west

friday, june 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lagos warns motorists against attack on LASTMA, VIS others

Muritala Ayinla

pparently correcting the wrong perception of Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Abode call to officials of the state traffic authority LASTMA, Vehicle Inspection Officers and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), that they should treat people in the state with civility, the Lagos State Government

yesterday threatened to deal with anyone who obstructs the officials from carrying out their lawful duties. There were series of attacks across the state on the law enforcement agents, especially LASTMA officials by some traffic offenders, who claimed that the state Governor, Ambode had banned LASTMA from arrest of erring motorists. But the government, in

a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Habib Aruna, stated that Governor Ambode did not, at any time, direct the stoppage of arrests of contravened vehicles and motorists by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). The government warned that the full force of the law would be brought to bear on all erring members of the public

who attempt any illegality in terms of obstructing operatives of LASTMA from carrying out their legitimate and lawful duties. The government confirmed that it had received reports of some criminally minded people attacking officials of LASTMA on their legitimate duties on the pretext that the Governor had directed at his meeting with LASTMA officials on Wednesday to desist from arresting of-

Babcock varsity honours Fashola, Kwankwaso, Akpabio Kunle Olayeni

change of names

Abeokuta

OYEWUMI

I formerly known and addressed as Osaretin Aihanuwa Odaro now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Osaretin Aihanuwa Oyewumi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKWUN

I formerly known and addressed as Chioma Ume Kalu now wish to be known and addressed as Chioma Johnson Okwun. All former documents remain valid, NYSC and the general public to take note.

SHU’AIBU

I formerly known and addressed as Abubakar Ayivonya Jummai now wish to be known and addressed as Shu’aibu Ayivonya Jummai. All former documents remain valid, Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa and the general public to take note.

Uti-Idah

I formerly known as Justina Amos, now wish to be known as Justina Uti-Idah. All former documents remain valid. The Office of the Auditor General for the Federation and the general public should take note.

OYESANWO

I formerly known and addressed as Sonde Iyamide Tolulope now wish to be known and addressed as Oyesanwo Iyamide Tolulope. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

ADAM

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adam Patricia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Friday Patricia. All former documents remain valid General public take note.

EKERETE

I formerly known and addressed as Ekerete Nsikan, now wish to be known and addressed as George Hennessy Nsikan. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ABDULWAHAB

I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Abdulwahab Oyindamola Abiodun Fatima, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odazie Oyindamola Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

fending motorists. It said in areas like Badagry on Thursday, some officials of the agency were attacked and maimed by some motorists on the premise that Governor Ambode has directed that no vehicle or motorists should be arrested by LASTMA anymore. The statement added that when the governor met the LASTMA officials alongside operatives of KAI and VIS on Wednesday, he had said: “Don’t victimize Lagosians. , there are more civil ways to control’’.

L-R: Deputy General-Secretary, Trade Union Congress, Comrade Simeso Amachree; Chief Gani Fawehinmi widow; Ganiyat; President, Campaign for Democracy (CD)/Women Arise (WA); Dr. Joe Okey-Odumakin; son of Chief Abiola, Abdulmumuni; another son, Alhaji Jamiu Abiola and NADECO Chairman, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, at a commemorative rally and wreath-laying on the 19th anniversary of Kudirat Abiola’s assassination by CD, WA and the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND) in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Kanu, Odumakin, others urge FG Abduction: Ekiti hospital director to immortalise Kudirat Abiola absolves community Temitope Ogunbanke

eaders of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) which include the former military Governor of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu; President of Campaign for Democracy and Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr. Joe OkeiOdumakin and National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, have urged the Federal Government to immortalise late Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, the wife of the late acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola. Speaking during the commemoration of 19th memorial anniversary of Kudirat Abiola, at her graveside in Lagos yesterday, Kanu and other speakers also called on the judiciary to bring to book those who assassinated the deceased. It can be recalled that Kudirat Abiola, was as-

sassinated in Lagos on June 4, 1996. Kanu, while laying a wreath at the deceased graveside, urged public office holders to emulate Kudirat Abiola, who, according to him, paid a supreme price for Nigeria’s democracy. In his remarks, OPC leader, Gani Adams, implored the Federal Government to immortalise the late Kudirat Abiola, the way she was immortalised by the Lagos State Government. “Lagos State has recognised her by naming a street Kudirat Abiola Road, after her and erected a statue in her memory. The Federal Government should do the same thing. Today, 99 per cent of those who are benefitting from Nigeria democracy did not pay any price, but the Abiolas family paid the price and yet most of Abiola family members did not get anything from government after the death of their bread winners,’’ he said.

Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

he Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, IdoEkiti, Dr Majekodunmi Ayodele, has said there was no time he accused the people of Ido-Ekiti of being behind the kidnap of a nurse working with the hospital, Mrs. Margaret Aladenika. He also warned mis-

chief makers against creating bad blood between the hospital and the people of the host community over the incident. Ayodele, who spoke in Ido-Ekiti yesterday, over the rumour making the rounds that the staff of the hospital had the impression that the indigenes of the town plotted the abduction, described such rumour as dangerous and capable of causing crisis in the town.

he immediate past Governors of Lagos, Kano and Akwa Ibom States, Babatunde Fashola , Rabiu Kwankwaso and Godswill Akpabio, were yesterday conferred with honorary degrees by the Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. The former governors were honoured for their outstanding performances in their respective states and contributions to the nation’s development. Fashola bagged Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa); Kwankwaso, was conferred with Doctor of Science in Global Economic Development (Honoris Causa), while Akpabio was honoured with the Doctor of Science in Global Economic Development (Honoris Causa). The honorary degrees were conferred on the ex-governors during the fourth postgraduate convocation held at the varsity’s central cafeteria.

Adeyeye urges CJN to caution states Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

ormer Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, to prevail upon states' Chief Judges to stop aiding illegal impeachment processes, saying it was being used as an instrument of harassment

and settlement of political scores by the legislative arm of government in the country. Adeyeye, who was reacting to the failed attempt by the out-going All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in the Ekiti State House of Assembly to impeach the state governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, noted that in a decent society where it was sure that the Chief

Judge of the state would not participate in an impeachment process which doesn’t follow due process, the lawmakers would not be so desperate to carry out impeachment against anybody. He stated this in AdoEkiti yesterday while reacting to the moves by APC members of the outgoing Assembly to remove Fayose and his deputy from office.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Governance

Agenda

Interview

14, 15

Buhari is competent to govern – Ogbemudia

President should reduce cost of governance by 50% – Onyekpere

INEC, part of APGA’s problem – Dike

Politics

Jega: Mission accomplished The time is ticking for the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, whose term in office expires this month. ONYEKACHI EZE takes a look at his activities at the commission as the nation’s chief electoral officer

n a few weeks’ time, except the President, General Muhammadu Buhari decides otherwise, Prof. Attahiru Jega will quit as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Jega, former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), who was also former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, was appointed as INEC Chairman in June 2010 for a five-year term. He is, however, eligible for re-appointment for another term. Though, neither the outgoing president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, nor the man who succeeds him, General Buhari has made pronouncement concerning Jega’s tenure, the INEC Chairman, reportedly said he would decline any plan to extend his stay in the commission. “Whatever assignment one will do for five years – just like this difficult one — to me if one is able to successfully accomplish the task, someone else should be given the opportunity. Because for me I am not interested and if I am requested to serve again, I will not do it, by God’s grace,” he reportedly told

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Jega

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa service shortly after the March 28 presidential election. Jega has made history as the only Chairman of the nation’s electoral umpire since independence who had conducted two general elections in succession. His first assignment was in 2011. Despite the post-election violence in some parts of the North, the elections were adjudged as credible, free and fair. Jega was then barely 10 months in office. Jega had immediately after assuming office, embarked on a fresh voters’ registration. He had described the previous register used in the conduct of the previous elections as “ridiculous,” and said the voters’ register he inherited, which was compiled in 2006 “was bedevilled with many inadequacies such as missing names, missing photographs, multiple registrants, underage registrants, fictitious names and photographs grafted from almanacs and portraits, among others.” The registration exercise Jega’s INEC embarked on was different from the previous ones. It involved the use of Direct Data Capture Machines (DDCMs) to capture the biometric data of voters. This, in the

If one is able to successfully accomplish the task, someone else should be given the opportunity

opinion of the INEC Chairman was that “a credible voter’s register was sine qua non for credible elections.” A total of 132,000 DDC machines were procured and immediately deployed to the nation’s 120, 000 polling units across the country while 400,000 ad-hoc staff, mostly National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and students of tertiary institutions were recruited, trained and deployed for the exercise, which lasted for three weeks. The 2010 nationwide voters’ registration exercise was the first attempt by Nigeria to have a Permanent Voters’ Register. In times to come, it will continue to be the springboard for future elections in the country. At the end of the exercise, Jega boasted that ”INEC has the largest electronic database in the country presently, with valuable biometric information (names, photos, addresses, fingerprints and telephone numbers).” According to him, the commission, through the help of “brilliant Nigerian software engineers” has established “a huge national asset of databases” in each of the 36 States and the Federal Capital Ter-

ritory (FCT), and at the national level in Abuja; “with equally secure disaster recovery centres.” In preparation for the conduct of 2015 general elections, instead of embarking on a fresh voters’ registration exercise, which was usually the case, INEC simply relied on its 2010 register for the conduct of the elections. It opted for Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise to capture those who have attained the age of 18 years and above between 2010 and 2015 as well as others who missed the previous exercise. This was to underscore the success of the 2010 registration exercise. INEC further introduced other features in its attempt to ensure the credibility of its voters’ register. This includes the issuance of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to register voters. This was after the register had been subjected to Advanced Fingerprint Identification Software (AFIS) to detect and eliminate multiple registrations. Thus, the 73. 5 million eligible voters INEC recorded in 2010 were reduced to 68.8 million voters in 2015. After the 2010 registration exercise, the commission said it CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Politics

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ogbemudia

Buhari is a competent hand, says Ogbemudia Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia is a member, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and two-time governor of the then Midwestern region and Bendel State (now Edo and Delta states). In this interview with CAJETAN MMUTA, he speaks on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, his expectations, the PDP loss of the Presidency, corruption and several other issues in the polity. Excerpts:

The PDP lost the presidential election and shortly after that there were calls for the dissolution of the National Working Committee

(NWC) of the party. What is your view on that? I understand that the party’s presidential candidate set up a team to campaign for him. So, the fault is not that of the executive or the National Working Committee, but the person who took the decision of using an organisation outside the party organise campaign team. He should be held responsible; it is not the national chairman. The former national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, is a straight forward man who has great intellect and a man who understands the issues at stake. So, my view is that the PDP should set up a committee to find out what went wrong and how to rebuild the party because they are still the strongest organised party in the country and they need to work hard in order to win the next election if they have the appetite to win. Do you think there is hope for the PDP to take over power in four years’ time? First and foremost, you must look at the PDP when it first won elections. When the PDP won the first set of elections, it went berserk. As a result, they mismanaged their victory and

having mismanaged the victory, the outcome is defeat. So, if they want to win future elections against a determined party like the All Progressives Congress, they must work twice as hard as they have done in the past.

Buhari is a competent hand. But that was many years ago. Can we say that the energy of 1966 and 1963 is still very much present?

Some people are attributing the failure of the PDP to the hate campaigns it embarked on during the electioneering period? Well, people will say a lot of things, but what individuals find on the ground may be different. No doubt, there was campaign of hatred, dislike and religious campaigns but all that put together may not have affected the PDP chances if they had put their house in order but they didn’t. Quite a substantial percentage of people that make up APC today were formally PDP members and each time a person leaves, they would say let him go we can do without him. Now, they have found that they couldn’t do without them. So, it is part and parcel of a sensible re-organisation, rehabilitation for the party to sit down and find out what went wrong. Once they have done that which is not a job of three hours or two days, they must sit down and talk to everybody that is worth talking to in

order to ascertain and identify what went wrong. Really, a lot of things went wrong. What are some of these things that went wrong as someone that supported the candidature of former President Goodluck Jonathan? It will be unfair on Jonathan if I say I am disappointed at his activities. But what I want to say is this; PDP is made up of responsible people in the country but these responsible people are people who do not welcome any type of challenge, argument and interference. So, once they took their decisions, they didn’t want anyone else to find out what led to that decision. So, nobody should challenge them and because of that, they held the president hostage. Nigerians believed that Jonathan lost because of the way he handled the issues of insecurity, the economy and corruption. How will you assess his activities in these areas? Nigerian politics has not developed to the stage where they recognise economy, unemployment and others; we are at the stage where we look at the individual, where he comes from, what he can do for us and then support

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

or don’t support him. So, I believe that a few intellectuals may have looked at the economy and said yes it is good, it is not too good. They might have complained of unemployment but they were like lone voices in the wilderness but the majority of the people wanted a Northern President, so they went for Muhammadu Buhari. Will you say Jonathan was weak in handling these issues? No, it is the responsibility of a leader to have strong followership. What makes a leader is the quality of followership. There are many followers who will do things without being told if they know that this thing is in the interest of the party. But there are many of them that are far apart with such mindset in the PDP. What would be your advice to President Buhari now that he has taken over the mantle of leadership of the country? You will excuse me if I say anything in favour of Buhari because there is esprit de corps between us. We want it written by historians many years to come that the coming of the General saved the nation from total collapse. To achieve this, all hands must be on deck, the hands of the old generals, the retired ones and those who are in office. But having said that, I know Buhari when he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. I also know that he served under a number of senior officers and every year they wrote a confidential report in respect of each officer, including me. And including the officer who is writing because what you write about other people also indicate what you look like. So, every of the superior officer concluded that Buhari is a competent hand. But that was many years ago. Can we say that the energy of 1966 and 1963 is still very much present? It may not but what is absolutely available is the lessons learnt from those intervening years. So I know that Buhari has been reading what the public wants, he had made promises and his advisers are also talking to him. So he is taking notes and when he will come out it will be with a bombshell. I also know that Buhari will not want to fail because the expectation is so high that he will not want people to say we are disappointed. What is your view on the crisis in the oil sector? We talked about fuel scarcity and other things, those are minor things. The most important thing to do with human beings in Nigeria is security. If a man cannot sleep with his two eyes closed then he is unsafe and if he is unsafe then he cannot work, he cannot do anything. When God created man, he decided that he needed some few important things. First and foremost food, second mobility, and the third shelter. Every other thing comes later. Unemployment is something Buhari is going to inherit not created by him. The reason for the unemployment is straight forward. The Federal Government in its wisdom created over 60 universities, more than a 100 secondary schools, but there are no proportionate industry that will absolve these people when they finish

their training. That is where our problem comes from. And when the British were here before 1960, they set up schools to train clerks and interpreters. Not much has changed in the curriculum, so what do you do? A manufacturer who produced goods without regard to the requirement to the customers will always have his store full of unsold goods and that is where we are. The answer is that we have to go back to the drawing board and review our human resources planning. So, we need to have people who are best in organising the economy of the country. But you must admit one thing now, that the APC as we know it today has not run a Federal Government; this is their first time. Therefore, like all first timers and like all new brooms they must sweep well. Do you agree that the APC government should cut cost of governance? There should be a Commission to look into whether parliament should be full-time or part-time and if it should be part-time, how much they should be paid for every sitting. Same thing for fuel scarcity. We have now found that a few people have milked Nigeria dry, so what do you do, you cannot say that the milk you drank few days ago give it back to us. All you do is to prevent future ones from doing the same. My view is that they should take petroleum supply into an organisation that is banned from strike like the military. Military cannot go on strike, police can’t strike, and immigration can’t strike. They should put petroleum whereby the law forbids anyone there from going on strike and that is the job of the government working closely with the parliament because if

Ogbemudia

we were fighting a war and the opponents got our marketers together, they will cripple the army, they will cripple the Air force and the Navy so we have nothing to fight with.

Buhari has been reading what the public wants, he had made promises and his advisers are also talking to him

How should the Muhammadu Buhari administration reform the electoral law? The purpose of electoral law is to have a good election that is acceptable, free and fair locally and internationally. If you produce one and that did not meet it, you amend it. That is why the parliament is there. But the problem here in Nigeria is not with the law; it is with the execution of the law. If a government in its effort to remain in power perpetually decides to use extra method to remain in office then you cannot blame the law. The law is not our problem it is those who implements it that are our problem. What is your take on Chief Tony Anenih’s resignation as chairman, PDP BoT and the future of PDP in Edo? Anything that will be done by the PDP must be aimed at reactivating the party. But if you don’t say anything and you go begging people to come back, come back for what? We have not heard yet how PDP intends to reorganise itself, it is normal that any party that loses election is usually in disarray but with good leaders, effective leadership, we will soon be back on track because PDP offers the best and most effective alternative government today if they are properly organised. We in Edo State, we want to help the state developed and because of that I am going to proclaim Edo Mass Movement in the very new future irrespective of the party and we will support the party that gives us indication that it

wants Edo State to succeed. You have also been blamed for leaving the management of the party in Edo State for Anenih. What is your take on this? Those who are saying that have my sympathy; sympathy arising from ignorance. In 1999, the PDP won the election to Edo State Government House, the leaders, we were three of us. Myself, Anenih and Chief Igbinedion. Two of us, myself and Igbinedion decided to stay at home and help the governor to ensure he succeeded. Anenih, a very brilliant and unassuming politician, was sent to Abuja to represent the state. And he did. But as time went on things fell apart and the centre could not hold and that was it. Anenih is not the cause of our problem, anybody who says he can fight election in Edo without Anenih may not be telling you the truth. Everyone has its own job, my job was to stay at home and support the governor which I did to the best of my ability. Anenih was to stay in Abuja to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the activities of the governor of the state so that they can help him and he excelled. If both of you worked together, how come the party was factionalised then such that you led a faction while Anenih led the other faction? I don’t know that but what I know was that Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor lost the election in the court of law, he is a Professor of Law so he cannot complain that he did not get justice because he knew what to do. The factionalisation of the party was based on different criteria. The party at the headquarters in Abuja was expected to intervene before things went out of hand but for reasons best known to them, they decided to leave things as they are. But I know that the reason was that they were not much interest in Edo State because when we lost the election, the national chairman of the PDP then was asked how he felt, he said well they are not supposed to control every state in Nigeria, so losing Edo State is not a serious matter. Before the court judgement, I called Osunbor on phone from London and I said I heard that the Federal Government has traded Edo and Ondo states, can you go and see the President and from his table, phone me so that I can speak to him. He came back and he told me that the president asked him what will he benefit if he trades Edo out. So, he believed that the president was not doing what they accused him of. But later what I told him came to pass. All these are now history and they are essential development in the scene of democracy. So, what we should be looking forward to is not the man feeding the horse, it is the man sitting on top of it. So, we look at the future, where are we going? If the PDP wants to pack up then they must tell us. People have asked me if I am still in PDP, I said yes and I will remain. Many months back, PDP people accused me of belonging to the APC, and that in the day time at Abuja I was in PDP and in the night in Benin I was in APC. Now yesterday I heard that the APC people are saying Ogbemudia is a PDP man, at least I have been vindicated.

Politics

Barrister Eze Onyekpere is the Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ). In this interview with ABDULLAHI ISA, he implores President Muhammadu Buhari to effect drastic cut in the cost of governance starting with the executive arm of government. He also lists ways the administration could handle other critical areas of interest

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

President should reduce cost of governance by 50% – Onyekpere ernance should be channelled to infrastructure and capital projects. Public Private Partnerships should also be considered. Every Nigerian should be seen as an investor no matter how small – a few thousands and millions and the aggregate is a big fund. The big population is an advantage. The Nigerian Diaspora Community should be approached through Diaspora Bonds once confidence and transparency is restored in the economy. There is the need to set the framework to encourage investors to invest in the long term. This will require stabilising the macro-economic fundamentals so that there will be predictability of the economic environment over the short, medium and long term. The deployment of pension funds to infrastructure development should be considered. This will involve collaboration between the Pensions Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, Debt Management Office and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

What are the specifics you expect to see from the new government in the area of electoral reforms? We need to deepen the gains of the reforms started by the outgone team at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The introduction of more technology to take away the human element of discretion is imperative. Thus, we can work in the direction of electronic voting by 2019. INEC must also start preparations for the next elections on time. The fire brigade approach to elections in every election year is disgraceful. How do you think government should tackle corruption? Special courts should be established to fast track corruption cases and the courts should employ special procedures and have access to information and communications technology and research assistants to speed up trials. The appointment of judges should be de-politicised and persons aspiring to become judges of any of the superior courts should have their names published and the whole world invited to comment on their suitability to occupy the exalted office of a judge. This will help to weed out shady characters from the bench. The Auditor-General should be empowered through a new audit law that allows the office to retrieve monies that have been stolen or mismanaged through tracing and to surcharge anyone who has incurred a loss for the treasury. The office should be empowered to do value for money and forensic audits and it should be funded as a statutory transfer. Declaration of assets should be available to the public whilst machinery should be set in motion to let anyone found to be living above his means to show the source of the new found wealth. The idea of budgeting without disaggregation in all statutory transfers should be stopped because it encourages legalised pen robbery. Fuller implementation of the Freedom of Information Act will also set the environment for increased transparency and accountability which will reduce corruption. The leadership of the anti-corruption agencies should be overhauled and fresh blood injected into the rank and file. Marching orders should be given to the security agencies to stop oil theft which is in the neighbourhood of 400,000 – 600,000 barrels a day and this will rake in additional resources into the Fed-

Should the Buhari administration implement the recommendations of the confab regardless of whether his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), participated in it or not? Not all the recommendations of the confab make eminent sense. The administration should set up a team to review the recommendations and choose the ones that will further transparency and development. Those recommendations that will unduly increase the cost of governance should be jettisoned.

Onyekpere

eration Account for sharing by the three tiers of government. Nigerians are having a harrowing experience when it comes to the issue of power. What template should the government pursue in that sector? Apparently, the latest excuse is the unavailability of gas. The new administration should devise an agenda to make gas available and this should include the liberalisation of the sector to bring in local and foreign investors. All the special incentives offered in investment drives to foreigners should be made available to Nigerians to invest in this sector. Special purpose vehicles that allow investments by diverse stakeholders including locals and foreigners should be devised instead of the perpetual wait for unavailable foreign investors. Companies in generation and distribution that do not have the resources to invest in the acquired GENCOs and DISCOs should be encouraged to look for equity funding rather than the cut throat interest rate loans available in the Nigerian banking system. Let every Nigerian who buys diesel or petrol for his generator be encouraged to invest in the power sector through shareholding. The Transmission Company of Nigeria should be unbundled and new investments attracted. Vandalism and sabotage of gas pipelines should be checked through the deployment of technology and law enforcement personnel. What about development of infrastructure? Reform of the public procurement system and identification of priority projects should be the starting point. Savings from cutting down on the cost of gov-

The President and the National Assembly should lead the way by cutting down the cost of running the two institutions

Another major challenge before the administration is the issue of security. How best should they tackle it? The new administration should tackle security challenges as soon as they arise. Indeed pro-active deployment of intelligence should be the rule. Security challenges should not be allowed to gain root and fester as happened in the last administration. The security architecture should be overhauled whilst those who betrayed the fatherland and collaborated with Boko Haram should be brought to book. The government should consider the establishment of State Police and more community involvement in policing. Would you support the privatisation of our refineries? The privatisation of existing government-owned refineries is imperative. The drain of turnaround maintenance that never turns around these refineries but rather turns around the pockets of the contractors should stop. Private sector operatives should be encouraged to build new refineries; the oil subsidy regime should be abolished while the regulatory agencies should still have the task of curtailing excessive profit and taking undue advantage of the market by cartels. The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) should be a priority for the National Assembly in the task of liberalising the sector. How do you think the new government should address the issue of

high unemployment rate in the country? This is a cross cutting issue that should be treated as such in government policy and across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). It will be a serious mistake to set up an agency or a number of them dedicated to employment creation. Thus, mainstream local content and employment creation across all MDAs. For instance, local refining of petroleum products, the full implementation of the new auto policy, further investments in the agriculture value chain will create jobs. MDAs should also use public procurement policy to create jobs through the Buy Made in Nigeria policy. What is your take on cost of governance in the country? We expect the government to lead by the power of examples. The President and National Assembly should lead the way by cutting down the cost of running the two institutions by not less than 50 per cent and thereafter challenge others to follow suit. We expect the sale of the fleet of jets in the presidential fleet whilst leaving a few; auction of the limousines and their replacement with low profile made in Nigeria cars; reconsidering of the funding of pilgrimages and restructuring institutions in accordance with the Oronsaye Committee report. National Assembly should regulate the number of presidential advisers and assistants under S.151 of the 1999 Constitution, a task they abandoned over the years. We expect the revival of monetisation programme; cutting down frivolous travels especially those who use first class and business class tickets will save costs. The full implementation of the Public Procurement Act through the inauguration of the National Council on Procurement and setting up of price intelligence database will help reduce the cost of public works. A moratorium should be placed on the establishment of new agencies through bills in the National Assembly unless the circumstances are exceptional. High ranking government officials under the Certain Political, Public and Judicial office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, Etc) (Amendment Act) of 2008 enjoy full medical services provided by the state including treatment in foreign hospitals. While their other allowances have been monetised, the Act states that medical services are to be provided by the state. These are the officials in a position to formulate and implement policies that will improve our health system. Having been licensed to look for their health services outside Nigeria, the incentive to fix the health system is no longer there. As such, Nigerian incurs tremendous expenses in catering for the health of these officials outside our shores. The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) reported that Nigeria loses over $500 million annually to health tourism and about $260 million of this sum is spent in India.

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Professor Chukwumaeze Francis Dike, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Attorney General in Imo State, speaks on developments in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Nigerians’ expectations from the new government. wale elegbede reports

INEC, part of APGA’s problem – Dike

What is the situation with your party, the APGA, seen more or less as an Igbo party? In the first place, APGA is a national party having its underpinnings in Igboland. Scratch every Igboman’s blood, you would see APGA in it. APGA got the positions it got in Igboland because, as the Chinese would say, ‘a fish gets rotten from the head’. It is the leadership of APGA that disappointed the party. It is not the philosophy of APGA or because it hasn’t gotten a political philosophy but it appeals to the entire Nigeria. Remember when Ojukwu ran for presidency, his deputy was the son of the Emir of Kano. So what happened to APGA was some sort of sit-tight, self-indulgence leadership. APGA for a long time now has become synonymous with litigations. How far can that take the party? We are now trying to see that the matter is resolved and happily Victor Umeh, whether for good or bad, his tenure expired in December 2014. But he had a mini congress where he got additional months? Wait a moment! That is the thing. That is what I am talking about, the leadership. The constitution of APGA does not admit a third term, it admits only two terms. You will agree with me that anything above two is more than two and it belongs to three and no longer two. So, when that tenure ended, by the constitution, he became functus official. His power becomes abrogated. So, is it safe to conclude that APGA has no National Chairman? It has an acting national chairman, because the constitution provides that in the absence of the national chairman, the deputy chairman which comes from the same zone as the national chairman should step in. So once Umeh’s tenure expired, by operation of the constitution, because motions, resolutions are below the constitution but can only be tested in accordance with the constitution, in the circumstance therefore, Chief Ejike Uche is the Acting National Chairman and he has the support of the majority of the National Working Committee (NWC). When this was going on, I remember thatAmb. Bianca Ojukwu said that the extension of tenure was a charade. From your point of view as a lawyer, what did you do? I want to say it without fear of contradiction that what is happening to APGA, the Independent

Dike

National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a hand in it. When PDP elected their National Secretary in circumstances that was not consistent with the PDP constitution, INEC took exception to it. And I know on many occasions that people pointed out to INEC that these positions exist in APGA too. People pointed out to INEC to also look into the situation in APGA. But what was their position? They did nothing. INEC is part of the problem of APGA. There is a big conspiracy to destroy APGA to discomfort the Igbo race. There are two factions in APGA: the Umeh faction and Maxi Okwu faction. What we heard was that Umeh does not want Ejike Uche to succeed him because he belongs to the Maxi Okwu faction. This is an argument of last resort. Umeh and Uche went to the same convention. Is that clear? They were products of the same source of power. The faction that was recognised by INEC is the faction that was produced by the convention of 2010, and that is the Umeh faction. Now, any other faction is illegal, it is not recognised. If you now come to say Ejike Uche belongs to the Maxi Okwu faction, is he now recognising the Maxi Okwu faction? You can’t

recognise something that does not legally exist. So, Uche is not in Okwu faction; Uche, legally is Umeh’s faction. He has not legally resigned from Umeh’s faction. He is still there in Umeh’s faction. They never invited him to meetings and therefore he doesn’t want to gate-crash. He was not expelled. So Umeh’s has no right, none whatsoever.

INEC is part of the problem of APGA. There is a big conspiracy to destroy APGA to discomfort the Igbo race

APGA had candidates for the National Assembly and House of Assembly polls but it did not win any election in Imo State? Yes. But we won in some places but we were robbed. And that is what happened. How are you planning for the 2019? By that time we would have seen a ray of light. We expect that Umeh would be statesmanlike enough to say that the baton should now be handed over constitutionally. After all, he came to power by the interpretation of the APGA constitution by the Supreme Court. We do not want this position of perennially fighting within ourselves. We are hoping that stakeholders can now make 11th hour rallying call and get a reconciliation in which there is no victor no vanquished. And when I say there is victor I don’t mean that Victor goes. I mean that Victor

Umeh is still there as a respected ex-chairman and he is treated as such and he allows Uche to conduct the convention in accordance with the constitution of the party. We are not saying that Uche must be the chairman, but let the party machinery be handed over to him. That is what we are asking for here. What is your take on the ascension to power by President Muhammadu Buhari? I want to say that it is great, and I am happy it has happened in my time, to see that a sitting president has lost an election. And let me say that it was because the sitting president was a man of honour and integrity. And of course, he is educated. I have always paid premium to discipline. When we were in the university, when you asked someone what discipline he was into, whether he was doing Law, Science, History, Philosophy. You know, the president should have the memory of an elephant to know that what happened to him in 2015 could not have happened to him in 2011. Let that be his guiding principle. Let him honour Jonathan for continuing what Umaru Yar’Adua, who when he was elected in 2007, admitted that his election was fraught with malpractices. Buhari, you might know, I supported him but I withdrew my support because I could not lay in the same bed with some people. I am happy he has come in and he is now turning a politician, I hope he will not eat his own words. All those things he said he was going to do, let him stamp out corruption. Let him not be hoodwinked by those flies flying round him now. Let him probe the whole issue of electricity and election malpractices. He can be the Ataturk of Turkey, a man destined. He can become Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. Those who are hanging around him now and trying to talk to him, like France Fanon, who wrote The Wretched of the Earth, who said “before you talk, you show your scars”. If you love the country so much, if you love the country, all this wonderful innovations you are bringing now, why didn’t you bring them before now? Did you for the hate of one man spite your country? It means you don’t love your country. Is it now that we should hear, Buhari, we love you so much? Why did they deny him victory for three times in the past? We are watching. Nigerians are great people and they may turn around to say: are you the messiah or should we look for another? If you were to set an agenda for Buhari, what would you want him to do about fuel subsidy? I was very happy when Buhari got Tam David-West in his Transition Committee. And if there is any Nigerian I have serious respect for, it is David-West. And I think that it gives us an insight of what is going to happen. There is no need going into speculations, and it shows that most of the appointments were his own. And I want to say about this lobbying; Buhari will not appoint commissioners for governors and they have no right to suggest ministers to him. But the Buhari we know, let him appoint his ministers. He has a vice that is an intellectual.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Buhari Ribadu, Awolowo Osinbajo Emissary EMEKA OBASI

emobas2003@yahoo.com 08094457557 (sms only)

nbelievable! You mean there is still Nigeria, so we all lived to witness May 29, 2015. The world was made to believe that the contraption called Nigeria would cease to exist in 2015. We are far from that now, all hands must be on deck to right all the wrongs of the past. Enter Muhammadu Buhari. I made out time to Watch the inauguration of President Buhari, live on TV, there was no outage all through the ceremony. I thought Ikeja Distribution Company[IKEDCO] would not blink an eyelid ,like NEPA did on May 29,1999 during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s transformation. They failed. I had to look for an alternative source after the National Anthem. It was colourful, especially the military aspect of it all. I noticed that women are playing a huge role in military parade these days. The Navy and Air force had female officers leading with their male counterparts. For the army I saw them as other ranks. As I looked at the parade commander, Lt. Col. Oseni Braimah , I also noticed two former military leaders, Generals Yakubu Jack Chinwa Gowon and Abdusalami Abubakar. As a young Lt. Col, Gowon was the parade commander the Day Nigeria became a Rebpublic ,on October 1, 1963. It was the same role Lt. Col Abdusalami played in 1979, when Obasanjo handed over to President Shehu Shagari. Abdusalami, handed over to Obasanjo in 1999. These surviving past leaders were all there. Only Gowon came with his wife, Victoria. I would excuse Shagari because the wives may be too old to come over. General Ibrahim Babangida is a widower, that I can understand. Abdusalami’s wife, the very wonderful and cool headed Fati, was in Minna performing an usual function. She administered the oath of office on her son –in-law as the new governor of Niger state. Sani Bello now joins his father to create another family of father and son who became governors. The record was set by Niyi Adebayo in 1999. Niger would still have equalled that record if Gado Nasko’s son had won in Babangida’s state. Funny enough, it was a Babangida leaving office.

Aisha Buhari is from the family of First Republic Defence minister, Muhammadu Ribadu. Dolapo Osinbajo’s grandfather, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was minister [Federal commissioner] for Finance

Something about the President’s wife and the Vice President’s other half. Aisha Buhari is from the family of First Republic Defence minister, Muhammadu Ribadu. Dolapo Osinbajo’s grandfather, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was minister[Federal commissioner] for Finance, under Gowon. You know what? Ribadu and Awolowo died in May. The former on May 1,1965, the latter May 9, 1987. Don’t forget the inauguration was also in May. When Buhari came in, he just waved to visiting Heads of state and their representatives. It took a tap by Obasanjo before he sprang up to move about. Apparently, he was waiting to be sworn in before going round. And he did it so well at the end. I was impressed when he spent so much time with Rwandan President, Paul Kagame. Please these leaders look alike. Hand over a babaringa to Kagame, he would look like President Buhari’s younger brother. Buhari really took time to felicitate with his primary constituency, the All Progressives Congress [APC]. He discussed with Former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, laughed with the Governor-General himself, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and even shook hands with the women. His speech also made a lot of sense to me. The man was just free, really free. The President has picked a military police officer, Lt. Col Muhammadu Lawal Abubakar as his Aide-de-Camp. I think when Maj. Mustapha Joko-

lo played that role between 1983 and 1985, he also wore red cap. Jonathan’s ADC,Lt. Col Ojogbane Adegbe, is winged. The mathematician is also a paratrooper, like Army chief, Lt. Gen. Keneth Minimah. Obasanjo’s first ADC as President, Lt. Col [later Brig.Gen.] Solomon Giwa-Amu was also of the Military police. President Umaru Yara’dua’s, Lt.Col Mustapha Onoyiveta, is not. I think the cream coloured ceremonial top of the Military police does not make them look so smart. I could see , Guards Brigade commander, Brig. Gen. Anthony Bamidele Omozeje adjusting Lt. Col Abubakar’s uniform. There is one question I would want to ask President Buhari, his middle name. He should have one. Gen. Abdusalami must also tell me his middle name. I would go further to ask for their nicknames. For the President, I may look for Chief Juventus Ojukwu or maybe, Gen. Muhammadu Jega, sorry, Alhaji Iliyasu Bashir, the Emir of Gwandu . Babangida began as Block Burster and ended up as Maradona. He was a good footballer. I hear Abdusalami was good in goal. I will get his nickname from his daughter, Baby. It was nice watching Buhari greet Alhaji Shagari, the man he sacked in 1983. However, we have since been told that Gen. Buhari was in Jos as General officer Commanding, when younger officers [like Jokolo ] insisted that he would be the new man in charge. That is not to say that Mr. President did not plan coup. At least, Maj. Daniel Bamidele said that much in 1985\86. And President Buhari and Gen. Babangida had to say hello to themselves. After Buhari came Babangida. The rest is history. But they both have Aisha in their lives. Buhari’s wife is Aisha while Babangida’s first daughter is also Aisha. You can call both Their Excellencies. I did not see some of our past Number 2 Men. That reminds me, Arc. Namadi Sambo and Dr. Jonathan did not hallo themselves much. Okay, there was Atiku. There was Gen. Oladipo Diya. My Igbo brothers, did I notice them? Dr. Alex Ekwueme and Commodore Okoh Ebituakwuruaka Ukiwe. Death has robbed Edo of Admirals Augustus Akhubue Aikhomu and Okhai Mike Akhigbe. And fate was kind to Jonathan and Obasanjo, moving them from No.1 to No.2. We shall all remember Buhari’s speech. I love that ‘I belong to everybody, I belong to nobody, part’. And we are all enjoying the internet jokes. Please Mr. President, you belong to your wife, Aisha, you belong to your family and finally you belong to Nigeria. You are no more from Daura in Katsina, you are our President and Commanderin –Chief.

When the battle is lost and won Yemi Ayodele Ayeni

igeria is bigger than the major actors in the last electioneering in our great Nation. Pessimism had occupied the predictions and forecasts of many experts even beyond National scope that comes 2015 Nigeria would become history. Many fake prophets undoubtedly used the opportunity to milk the beneficiaries and political gladiators around the corridors of power. Those who benefit from political unrest had started strategizing on how they could live fat on the expected violence. Alas, just a word through a phone call wiped off the doom. The maturity displayed by the immediate former president, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was never envisaged even by

his chaperones. He did it alone to save the country from expected collapse. No doubt, God was at play but kudos must be give to GEJ for not borrowing a leaf from biblical Pharaoh. Before Attahiru Jega could give the whole Nation the summary of March 28 voting exercise, Jonathan had summoned courage as a lover of democracy, an apostle of peace and harbinger of one Nigeria by congratulating our president, Muhammadu Buhari. Either way, the observers might have viewed it, history has been made. Reminding me of Mohammadu Buhari’s adamant antecedents and uncompromising stance, I was stunned to note he picked the call and sounded cooperating. Apparently, God’s hand was observed but the new president (leading contender in a presidential election) must be applauded for show-

ing a new toga of democratic culture. Subsequent utterances of the new president have given me more hope for better Nigeria. The May 29 speech is an epitome of love, readiness to serve and an embodiment of patriotism. These two illustrious sons have sacrificed their individual interest for the unity, sanctity and continuity of our togetherness as a Nation. Support to the new government should be our priority irrespective of our political affiliations. Critique and not subjective criticism would not only move the country forward but would portray us as matured citizens of our dear Nation. An end must be put to media commentary on how Buhari should jail ex A or ex B, the primary focus must be suggestions on how Nigerians can walk safe on the street, be gainfully employed, have access to good

healthcare, qualitative education, poverty eradication etc. If there is any disgruntled fellow, let the law take its course. It is important to sound a note to people that have ears that Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan are recorded in the book of history of our Nation, hate them or love them, the record remains indelible. What will be our profit in attacking them on different fora when the duo have convincingly reconciled to support each other in any way they can move the country forward? What do you gain when your neighbour has become your enemy because of his support to Buhari or Jonathan? Let us support the country! What happens when the battle is lost and won? •Ayeni wrote in from Birmingham, United Kingdom.

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No forgetting Thomas Sankara

urkina Faso will never forget Thomas Isidore Noel Sankara , the young commando captain who ruled the country for just four years. Today, 28 years after his assassination, he is still the issue and his spirit lives on. At 27 in 1976, Sankara was in command of the Commando training centre in Po and was more known for his austere lifestyle that appealed to the man on the street. Having joined the army at the age of 19, he received training in Madagascar, where experience gained also shaped his future beliefs. The young officer got turned on by Socialism and read so much, the works of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. However, his real heroes were Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro, his friend Ernesto Che Guevara and Jerry John Rawlings of Ghana. A border skirmish with Mali, known as the Christmas War, had made him an instant hero in his country but he would later rise beyond that, following the ouster of President Seyi Zerbo in a military coup by Jeane –Baptiste Ouedraogo. Sankara eventually emerged as Prime Minister. He would also fall out with his senior colleague. That again took him to the top as his friends including Blaise Campaore, another commando he had met in Morocco, sacked Ouedraogo

and handed over the baton of leadership to Sankara. Sankara believed so much in Campaore, convinced they shared similar revolutionary tendencies. Very simple and decent, Sankara leaned towards the old Soviet Union and began to nationalize big commercial interests. He believed power belonged to the people and made their welfare a priority. A lot of socialist reforms were carried out. Traditional rulers were stripped of their power to impose and collect tax and some top civil servants were asked to pay one month of their salary to the poor. On the first anniversary of his rise to power, Sankara changed the country’s name to Burkina Faso. That was on August 4, 1984. He did not have much in his account and as possession. Placed on a salary of 450 United states dollars monthly, he could boast of a car, four bikes, three guitars, a refrigerator and one malfunctioning freezer. Here was a man who rode on a bike to work, on his first day in office as Prime Minister. He belonged to the association of bikers and played guitar as a member of a musical group. What again could the masses ask for. Right from the years of Father of the Republic , Maurice Yameogo , to his successor Sangoule Lamizana, it was unheard of that a leader could mix so freely with the citizens. As expected, Sankara was not

popular with the capitalists whose businesses had been grounded by his Marxist –Leninist policies. The Capitalist West, led by colonoial masters, France, did not find comfort anymore. The plot to eliminate Sankara, was therefore inevitable. The youngman saw Campaore as the leader of the coup that brought him to power and gave him a lot of compliments. When asked by a French journalist what he thought of his friend, Sankara was emphatic, that if there was a plot against him and it was led by Campaore, there was no point fighting back. He was sure nobody could stop it. And that was exactly what happened on October 15, 1987, in Ouagadougou. Sankara was at a meeting when Campaore’s boys struck. He managed to escape to the stair case, reports said. They trailed him and rained bullets on his body. Campaore ‘s 27 years reign thus began on a very bloody note, although he denied killing his friend. Africa mourned Sankara’s exit. The communists wore red eyes. They regretted not doing enough to protect the man who so much eulogized Lenin. “If Lenin was still alive he would send us tractors,” he once said when he needed equipment to boost mechanized farming. Sankara offered so much hope and believed in education as a tool of national development. He supported girl child education, under him several kilometers of roads

were constructed to lift the economy. Some ECOWAS countries remembered the domino effect. With Sankara in Burkina Faso and Rawlings in Ghana, they feared younger officers elsewhere could re-enact Chukwuma Nzeogwu’s ‘Operation Damissa’ and Lt. Arthur’s ‘Operation Guitar Boy’ in Ghana, in the 1960s. Incidentally, it was also in 1983, that General Muhammadu Buhari became military leader of Nigeria. His Army chief, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, warned his officers, against ‘undue radicalism’. Sankara did not reckon that Campaore, married to Ivorian President Felix Houphouet Boigny’s daughter, would sell out. Troops were trained under Charles Taylor in Liberia and they were used in the operation that killed the Burkinabe leader. But history is about great men. At the moment, Campaore lives in exile. Sankara remains a man of the people. On May 25,2015, his remains were exhumed as requested by his wife Marian and sons Philippe and Auguste. With approval by President Michel Kafando, the truth may soon be known about his last minutes. We believe that a leader must be known for something. Sankara was known for his love for his people. That is why they still adore him even in death. To live in the hearts of those you love, is not to die. Our leaders should learn from this.

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Politics

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identified and removed over 800,000 multiple registrants from the register. But it was in the security features INEC introduced in the production of ballot papers and ballot boxes that helped greatly to reduce election malpractices. The serial numbering and colour-coding of the ballot papers on constituency basis as well as unique serial numbering and identification for ballot boxes makes ballot box snatching unattractive. Every constituency has its own unique security features, making it difficult for ballot papers or ballot box from another constituency or polling unit to be used in another. This

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Jega: Mission accomplished reduced election rigging, falsification or manipulation of election results. Jega explained that his membership of Justice Mohammed Uwais Election Reform Committee offered him the opportunity of appraising the challenging facing Nigeria’s electoral process. “The new INEC was able to identify the factors which undermined the credibility of past elections and we tried our best to address them, while good practices were adopted/retained and improved upon. “We tried to creatively

and pragmatically adapt/ introduce new measures and procedures drawn from comparative global experiences, to bring additional transparency and credibility to the electoral process,” he added. Integrity was brought to the election results collation process with use of professors and university vice chancellors as returning officers. The transparency was further boosted with audiovisual recording and live media coverage of the announcement of election results. Though, the chief returning officer is still

vested with the power to announce the result and declare the winner, INEC directed that the result at polling units should be announced immediately after collation. In this way, it becomes difficult for the figure to be falsified at the next stage of collation. “Thus, we did our best to learn from lessons of the past in establishing procedures, measures and mechanisms for a transparent process, and to bring additional credibility to the process,” the INEC Chairman stated. INEC promised to improve in the conduct of

credible elections in 2015. It introduced other innovations to discourage rigging and other electoral offences. The use of card readers during the elections prevented politicians from buying or using cards of dead people to enhance their electoral fortunes. It was the first time such technology was used in the conduct of election in Nigeria. The acceptance of the outcome of the presidential poll by President Jonathan few hours while collation was still underway was attestation to the credibility of the elec-

tion. Some governorship candidates who lost to the opponent also took a queue from the president. The 2015 general elections may turn out to be the less disputed poll in Nigeria. It was also the first election in the country where a sitting president lost to an opposition candidate. Former Ghanaian President John Kufuor who led ECOWAS Election Observer Mission to monitor the election said: “The Nigerian elections are a pride, not only to Nigerians, but also to West Africa and the whole of the African continent. We are all proud of the success of the Nigerian elections.” The United State government also said that the peaceful conduct of the election had demonstrated to the world the strength of Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles. Born on January 11, 1957 in Jega, Kebbi State, Jega attended Sabon Gari Town Primary School, Jega between 1963 and 1969. He later proceeded to Government Secondary School, Birnin Kebbi for his secondary education and was admitted into Bayero University College, Kano in 1974 where he read Political Science. Upon his graduation in 1979, the INEC Chairman worked as a teaching assistant at Bayero University before winning a fellowship at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois in the United States between 1981 and 1984 where he obtained a PhD also in Political Sciences. He returned to the Political Science Department in Bayero University in 1984 as a lecturer. His other appointments included visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos (March 1992 – March 1993), visiting Research Fellow, Department of Political Science, University of Stockholm, Sweden (1994), Deputy Vice-chancellor (Academic), Bayero University (1995–1996) and director, Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Bayero University (2000–2004). Jega was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University in 2005. Jega was ASUU president in the 1990s during the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida. He was appointed a member of the Justice Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reform Committee set up by former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He was nominated INEC Chairman on June 8, 2010 by President Jonathan to succeed Professor Maurice Iwu who vacated the post on April 28, 2010. He was cleared some weeks later by the Senate.

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Arts

Tony Okuyeme

et me put it this way. I am not interested in what everybody is talking about. What I am interested in is that he should give us light, give us jobs, give us good education, and everything will be all right,” he says “The fact is that I don’t envy Buhari at all. I don’t envy him. He now has to rule 170 million crooks. Where will he start from?” For, Ugboma, beyond fighting corruption, insecurity, breaking the jinx in power generation, key issues in the culture also deserves attention given its significance to national development. “My advice is that they should approve the cultural policy. A country without a cultural policy is a country without an image. You know Nollywood created an image for this country. Now Nollywood is so wanted and celebrated. The Cultural Policy is therefore something that whoever becomes the Minister of Culture should please know that it is very significant to our development as a nation,” he said. He therefore urged the federal government to look inwards in its search for alternative to oil. “The piracy issue is something we need to sit down and discuss in the House of Assembly, and also establish the Motion Pictures Practitioners Council (MOPICON), whereby there will be special court for pirates, like in India; they don’t do piracy in their country, because their movie industry, Bollywood, is one of their biggest income earner. So they protect it. “Listen, I have told them, but none of you are publishing, how pirates work in Nigeria. One, you spend N10 million to make a film, and you say you spent N60 million. What happens is that he is eager to get the American dollar, so he goes to America to release it in a video, and then Igbo boys will download it and release it here in Nigeria, or when they bring their film to cinema houses to show, at 2 am, they wake up, dub it and give it to the

TONY OKUYEME Arts Editor tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

FTAN laments poor state of tourism, calls for govt attention

CULTURE

Culture sector deserves better attention – Ugboma • Cultural policy, MOPICON long overdue With security challenges and the need to tackle corruption and save the nation from further economic doldrums, what hope for the chequered culture sector? Veteran film maker and former chairman of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Chief Eddie Ugboma, in this interview, urges President Mohammadu Buhari to also give greater attention to the arts and culture sector, writes TONY OKUYEME.

marketer for N1 million. If the film is surplus in the market, nobody will pirate it. But when they release films they produce only one thousand copies. So it becomes a breeding ground for pirates. “Greater attention should be paid to the culture sector. Where is our museum? Where is our gallery? Everybody is talking about oil. “Let me tell you. So long as we keep on importing petrol, we will never make our power to work. Those people supplying us petrol will never make it to work. “And everybody is shouting and blaming Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala; when she was shouting and saying ‘let us save the crude oil money’, people were saying ‘no. let us share it’. Now they have shared it; they can’t pay salaries because they have spent all the money.” On the war on corruption, the veteran film maker said: “The war on corruption should go first and foremost to the parliament. Let them cut down their salaries and allowances. It is a herculean task he has ahead of him, and if he doesn’t shine his eyes, he will fail woefully and then people would start to protest. “Buhari has a lot of questions to ask. So, to fight corruption, he should not have sympathy at all. If he wants to be a leader that we won’t forget in many years, he should not look at anybody’s face. Like he said that he was not going to appoint politicians as Ministers, I will see how he can do that, because that is number one thing he wants to do that we will praise him for.” Ugboma also wants President Buhari to look into the education sector. “The standard of education has fallen. For instance, many of those who graduated with B.A in theatre arts, they don’t know how to even set up a production on stage; they don’t know how to write a script. And they say ‘I am a graduate’. Many of these stars go to the universities, get their papers and come out. “And when you go to a univer-

U gboma

sity where you have 300 to 500 students in a class for one lecturer, you can never bring out good graduates from there. That is why I say at the end they get B.A., which in this case means ‘Begin Again’, that is, after the B. A degree, they should come out and start all over again, which is just to tell you that you are now out, now you can go to the world to learn. “But how many of them want to go to the world and learn. They are shouting we the youths; we the youths. What are our youths planning for tomorrow? You youth, what is your plan for tomorrow? If your father has disappointed you, what is your plan? I

was going into the streets of Lagos at the age of 10. Look what I am today. I was washing cars for the late Ladoke Akintola, Okotie Eboh, Tafa Balewa, H.O Davies, at Onikan, Lagos. Me, Fela and Beko Ransome Kuti; this was some time between 1960 to 1962 when all of us went abroad. We used to go and wash their cars and they would give us money. Then I gathered my own money to pay school fees. “When have any of them confronted government and said this is what I want to do; look what I am doing. No, they don’t want to be creative. They just want ready-made. That is why the youths are blaming the adults.”

Arts

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Improving children’s lives through culture Tony Okuyeme

or two hours penultimate Wednesday, at the Cinema Hall 2, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, students from various schools in Lagos State held the audience spellbound at the inter-secondary schools dance drama competition with their presentations. The event themed “What is the Acceptable Living Condition for the Nigerian Child?” was organised by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) in collaboration with the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) to mark this year’s Children’s Day. Over 15 schools drawn from different parts of the state participated in the dance drama competition. In his welcome address, the Director General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Sir Ferdinand Anikwe, who was represented by the Director (Documentation Services Division), Mrs. Ndidi Aimienwaun, noted that, “although the International Children’s Day is an annual event instituted by the United Nations to bring attention to the plight of children worldwide, you would recall that last year we could not gather here to celebrate our children as usual. This was as a result of the sad incidents of abduction and pogrom against our children who were caught up in crises-ridden part of our country. “This year we have designed the theme of the celebration to look at the conditions of children generally, particularly those in areas where there are hostilities, by pertinently asking them the question: “What is the Acceptable Living Condition for the Nigerian Child?” You will see them respond to this important question through the performances that would direct our common consciousness to the state of children’s welfare in not only our country but globally. While Nigerian children, he stated, live daily with the threats of robbery, kidnappings and other forms of violence, “it is also sad to note that the culture of tolerance that characterizes inter-group and inter-state relationships and helps to promote societal harmony, cohesion and peaceful coexistence which was once treasured has disappeared”. He added that given this situation and the desire to halt the descent into anomie using the instrumentality of culture, “CBAAC took the decision to dedicate this year’s edition of our International Children’s Day celebration to the theme: “What is the Acceptable Living Condition for the Nigerian Child?” “In recent times, disturbing images have emerged from our continent. UNDP Human Development Report, in quantitative terms, paints a gory picture of the continent. Africa bears half of the burden of world’s misery. Life expectancy is rapidly declining while infant mortality is on the increase. These are compounded by political crises that often result into avoidable and needless conflicts. Our governance systems have become springboards of crises. Regrettably, our continent is now a hot bed of frightening inter-state confronta-

One of the schools in performance at the inter-secondary schools dance drama competition held at the National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos.

tions, civil wars and pogrom. “Without attempting to preempt the likely responses of our children to this pertinent question, I enjoin everyone to ponder on the pertinent question “What is the Acceptable Living Condition for the Nigerian Child?” We need to build in our youths the attributes of dialogue, reconciliation, peaceful co-existence and accommodation which characterize our culture. Perhaps the submissions of our children may enrich government’s response to the problem they face in the nearest future.” Anikwe further stated that no one deserves more attention as our children, adding that “they represent continuity as they link our today with our tomorrow and the future. “Because of their importance in our lives and society, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation statutorily established to preserve, promote and propagate African culture is compelled to invest in children and youth. Our interest and investments in children and youth programmes are also encouraged by the fact that (unlike adult folks) children are malleable and can be shaped and turned into positive torch-bearers of society which can help in facilitating societal growth and development. You will therefore agree with me that our prosperity as individuals and country lies in not only the values we inculcate in our children but the general attention we give to them. Inculcating useful values in children and giving them due protection in our respective homes, schools and (of course) our society at large are the best legacies we can bequeath to them.” Wife of the former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Adesegun, who was the chairperson of the event, in her address, expressed happiness at being invited to chair the event, noting that “the marking of International Children’s Day in this manner will without doubt direct

the attention of Nigerians and the global community to the plight of children and what we jointly need to do to address the challenges they face. Using this year’s celebration to ask the important question: “What is the Acceptable Living Condition for the Nigerian Child?” is appropriate and timely. “I am glad to observe that this programme has brought together children from diverse socio – cultural, religious and economic backgrounds. It will facilitate interaction between them. Children, unlike their adults, are amenable to change. They can be made to see the dazzling qualities in African traditional lifestyle quite early so

that they can grow by it. Because of what they represent, you will agree with me that our children deserve to be inducted early into our ways of life. They therefore merit the celebration. Our children represent the unity, peace, progress and prosperity of our great country Nigeria.” The enthusiastic students from the various schools thereafter took the stage to interrogate the theme. The panel of judges led by actress and dancer, Inna Erizia, had tough time deciding the winners, and at the end of the competition, Redeemer’s Secondary School, emerged first, while Topgrade Schools and Stepfield Schools came second and third respectively.

Avoidable Blunder on a rescue mission to save sight Moses Kadiri

FTER several weeks of rigorous shooting with cast and crew advocacy movie Avoidable Blunder from the stable of Mission To Save Sight Africa productions has finally been premiered. The event took place penultimate Sunday at He is Alive Church, FESTAC Link Bridge, Lagos. Produced by Amb. Chibuzo Patrick, and directed by Okechukwu Ifeanyi, the movie which parades such actors as Angela Okorie, Frederick Leonard, Ken Ericks, Livinus Nnochiri, Florence Sunday, Tuebi Abide (aka Tuale of Wazobia FM), Kiki Ifeanyi, Ndidi Ezuka, Junior, Papa B, among others highlight, and educate certain avoidable blindness and visual impairments like Cataract, Glaucoma, Childhood Blindness, Trachoma, Onchocerchiasis which many

are not really aware of. The griping movie tells a story of a travails of a young Ophthalmologist Angela Okorie (Louisa), who is very passionate about her job. Louisa is out to save the society from going blind, she uses her time, energy, money to ensure that she achieves her objective. She would not allow anyone to obstruct her goal in saving lives not even her threatened relationship by her fiancé nor her iron lady step mother (Buzopat), a replica of Patience Ozokwe in Nollywood movie can stop this pretty lady. It got to a point that whatever she does in the house turnout bad in the sight of her step mother who is out to frustrate her and make her loose focus. Buzopat succeeded in her plan to drive Louisa out of the house through the help of Tuale (Doctor Mike), her close colleague in the office who also make passes at her, but she will not give

in to Dr. Mike’s advances. Not only was Louisa chased out of the house she equally lost her job in her father’s hospital where she is the Ophthalmologist. The love between father and daughter truncated by the handy work of her wicked step mother through blackmail. Despite the reoccurring challenges, and blackmail, hatred, Louisa was able to surmount the difficulties, and achieve her desired promise of advocating and curing patients of eye related cases. The presentation was a 5 stars showcase from the actors on parade especially for Buzopat who is gradually winning the hearts of movie lovers with the way she interpretes the script. Her character in the movie prompted one of her admirers to question her immediately the premiere ended, “aunty l like your acting, but why don’t you act like doctor Louisa, she is cool and clam”?

Media 23

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Why Nigerians don’t read – Innocent so when you stop learning then you stop teaching. I find it difficult not to read a book a day. I read all manner of leadership or career books. I also read books that can tell me how I can do and expand various businesses. I also read my own books and I get something to learn from it. I read my works and I am fulfilled and it is the propelling joy that makes me to want to go ahead and do more. Presently, I am reading Mike Murdoch’s book entitled The Leadership Tool and it has really helped me. Being fulfilled as a pastor and author It gives me a lot of joy with the work that I am doing. The best thing that has happened to me is my calling. Some people have asked me, how do I cope with my work and I tell them that I am not struggling to do it but it flows naturally.

Kingsley Innocent is a writer and Senior Pastor of Bible Believing Mission, Incorporated, Aba, Abia State. In this interview, he shares his experience as a writer. He also explains why he believes that Nigerians need to cultivate reading culture, writes TONY OKUYEME. Reading culture “Nigerians need to cultivate the reading culture. In some of my interactions with people living in the Eastern part of the country, I have discovered that people don’t read because of the level of poverty. People don’t read because they are yet to comprehend its usefulness. What will a petty trader who trades on vegetables or pepper read books for? This nation needs help because I am looking forward to a situation where God will touch our leaders and make them know that the masses are suffering. Poverty has made it that if some people fail to go to market each day, then there will be no food for them to eat. There are families that do not have reserve of food at home and that is why when there is any form of strike in the country, I am not happy. Whenever, there is any closure of market, it makes me sad because people would not have food to eat for that day. Whenever our leaders, destroy markets or the goods of traders who make their living from there, they make life difficult for such people. Any leader that destroys any market without giving them an alternative place to sell their goods, is not a good leader but a wicked individual. For example, when our leaders introduced adult education, they didn’t make it enticing for the elderly people to go to school. If they leave their petty trading and after studying, they will come back home and have nothing to eat alongside with their children. Good leaders are leaders who will bring such things and make it work, give them incentives, show interest in what they do because people will not want to know how much you know until you show them how much you care for them. When they know how much our leaders care, then they can give themselves in to such policies. What we need to do is to annihilate poverty. It is in the hands of government, they should bring policies that will favour the poor. The reason it has favoured the Western world is because they have policies that protect the poor and they have the chances of coming up and improving themselves. But in Nigeria, the rich are becoming richer while the poor are becoming poorer because our policies favour only the rich. Until the poor have a say in the country, poverty cannot leave them and they have the opportunity to live in this nation that it belongs to all of us, then the reading level will improve. Books published I have written seven books and I have still more that will be published very soon. In my books, I express my life experiences. My books help people to progress spir-

itually, mentally, physically, financially, materials and family wise. My first book is entitled: My work with the Holy Ghost. It is about the experiences that I have had over time with the spirit of God as I do his work. The second book entitled: Practical encounter with God is about the believer’s personal encounter with God because it is your personal encounter with God that will keep you in faith at all times. The third book is entitled: God, My Help. It is about our struggles in life and that our help comes from God. No man can succeed as a result of his/her struggle or knowledge but we are where we are today because of the help from God. The fourth book is entitled What If ? It is about every question in man’s heart. What If, I tried a particular business and it didn’t work out, what do I do? What if, I get married and I have no child, what do I do? What if, I embark on a journey and I didn’t return? What if, I go to bed and I am not able to wake up? I explained that most of the things that affect the sick, is this sickness that is affecting me, am I going to recover? With God, you have to depend totally on him. The fifth book is entitled: Where are you coming from? I explained that except you know where you are coming from, you may not know where you are going to. The sixth book is entitled: The Morning Dew, which talks about ‘weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning’. Every child of God should expect the morning because it has dew and showers of God’s blessing. The morning is a time for newness and change. My seventh book was published two weeks ago entitled: I Can Fulfil My Destiny. The book educates people that every man’s destiny differs and one’s destiny and fulfilment is not dependent on any man, background, academic acquisition or financial capacity but dependent on God and yourself. Inspiration My inspiration comes from the spirit of the Lord to whom I owe all gratitude. Secondly, I am inspired by my day-to-day experiences in life. I am inspired by what I see others go through and I share with people through my writings. I do most of my writings at night. As from 3am, I am with my writing materials and begin to write as inspiration comes. When I am in the office, I have my writing materials with me and when inspiration comes, I write them down. Even when I am in a car, I have my writing materials and I do write them down when the inspiration comes. Later, I compile all that I have written and put them together into a book. I don’t have any specific day to write but

Innocent

I write every other night and it has helped me over the years. Books that I read I read a lot of leadership books because I am a leader and I have come to understand that the day that you stop reading is the day that you stop teaching. Reading is part learning,

Management style and principle I believe in leadership by example and I persuade people working with me to also lead by example. I believe that every one of my staff today, will be a boss tomorrow, and I try my best to treat them on how they will want to treat others. I know that if they follow my footsteps, leadership will be easy and followership will be easy. My style is to make everyone understand that it is a teamwork and that no one can achieve the work alone.

For students, Rotimi Amaechi and the 7 O’clock News Camillus Nnaji

ormer governor of Rivers Sate, Rotimi Chibuike Amaech has been described as a true model of an ideal politician in a book titled: “Rotimi Amaechi and the 7 O’clock News”. The 36-page book presented to the governor on his birthday on May 27, 2015, is a fictitious narrative on the political career of the former Rivers Sate Governor. The main idea of the book is to teach school children in Rivers State and Nigeria at large, while not intending to drag them to politics, that it is not all about violence, not a do or die game , not about bloodshed , ballot box stealing but politics that finds solution to the common good of the citizens. Author of the book, Brain Onu said the inspiration behind the book is based on the ex-governors love for the political future of Nigeria, his love for child education and believe that by imbibing the principles of free and fair political aspiration, school children’s mindset would be corrected from politics as it is practiced today. He said: “If we can change the minds of the children, we have changed the future, if we succeed in changing the future, we have changed the nation, it is God’s earnest desire for me to write ‘Rotimi Amaechi and the seven o’clock News’. “The book is powered by the former Rivers State Liaison officer in Lagos, Aso Wena, who got involved in this project after seeing the

relevance it plays in political reorientation of young Nigerian school children towards a better political future for the country.” “The summary of the book is a fictitious exposition of Rotimi Chibuike Amechi’s early life political aspiration with curiosity over who politicians are and how politics should be practiced in the interest of the masses. This got him into seeking for the full meaning from his father and later became his class monitor after learning that he can get supporters from his class through realistic promises of giving them Mummy may sweets and

chocolates. The book clearly defines the true qualities of good and bad politicians, while the former deliver on their campaign promises, the later concerns themselves with amassing wealth and having no development to show during their tenure. It would be recalled that Amaechi fought for change in this country, and as a model of socio-economic and political change, his projection is that change should not be temporary but a permanent thing. Therefore, his love for children spans to letting this book spread all over the country for the sake of saving the country’s political future.

Tourism

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FTAN laments poor state of tourism, calls for govt attention Stories by Andrew Iro-Okungbowa

he President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Rosebud Hotel, Abuja, Tomi Akingbogun, has revealed that Nigerian tourism is vastly and richly endowed but blamed the poor state of the industry on bad management even as he called on the incoming government at both the federal and state levels to pay serious attention to the development of the industry, which he said should be one of the economic tripod of the nation. Akingbogun, who was for years the president of the Hotel Owners Forum of Abuja (HOFA), in his x-ray of the tourism industry scored the outgoing government very low in the development and promotion of the industry in the last four years. In his assessment, the outgoing Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, who should have led this effort, in his four years as the longest serving minister of tourism in the history of the country, has not performed well, insisting that he failed to give the needed policy direction and guidance to the industry. ‘‘Not good enough by the potential that is fast slipping away: that is developing tourism to diversify Nigerian economy. We need to pay more attention to tourism and grow the industry to maturity before the revenue will come to government,’’ adding that, ‘‘unfortunately, our minister, Chief Edem Duke, who was a past president of FTAN and a hotelier, did almost nothing for the development of tourism in the past four years. He seemed to believe more in Nollywood than tourism development. His attention was too focused in travels outside Nigeria and ignoring local tourism.’’ Going forward, he hopes for a change in the new government’s

perception and attention to the industry: ‘‘We hope things will change soon if people of proven competence are assigned ministerial posts rather than on political, ethnic or religious consideration,’’ advising the incoming government to ensure competence and proven record of performance should guide its choice of the next minister of tourism rather than political or ethnic consideration. While insisting that tourism needs a real turnaround, he charged the new government to urgently undertake the following actions: Investigate the problem in the ministry of tourism, investigate the competence of leadership in the parastatals and evaluate their past performances, look into problems of investors in tourism in Nigeria, such as multiple taxation, access to affordable funds, including the Central Bank of Nigeria’s refusal to allow investors in hotel business access to small and medium scale intervention funds, eradicate terrorism and kidnappings and poor electricity supply. Besides, the FTAN president also advised the incoming government to look into the difficulty in paying Nigerian taxes due to in-built complexities that favor corruption, enforcement of the national tourism master plan, creation of tourism development fund while there should be a constant dialogue between the private operators and the government so as to reflect on policies and implementation as well as set the right agenda for the industry operators. On the performance of FTAN under his watch over the last two years, the former president of HOFA said, the body, which is the umbrella body for all the private sector tourism associations in the country, has done well and is getting stronger by the day. ‘‘FTAN is getting stronger by the day due to our getting involved positively with all government agencies,’’ while also lamenting the lack of support from the outgoing minister. Despite this, he informed that

Millennium park

INSET: Tomi Akinbogun

rather than being critical of the government and waiting for them to ignite the industry, FTAN decided to launch out on its own by being proactive, a situation, which he said has resulted in some of the activities and mileages recorded by the body in the last two years. ‘‘FTAN have decided to take proactive position rather than wait for government agencies. We have and are dialoguing with many agencies; we are also assisting the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) to improve tax compliance and ease of payment. FTAN has also created the annual Nigerian Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE), which is getting bigger and bigger. ‘‘We are meeting with the Nigerian Electricity Regulating Commission (NERC) on electricity tariff. We have challenged many illegal policies in court and won.

Although there was little recognition of FTAN by our minister, Edem Duke, FTAN sponsored it members to several international exhibitions and twice to China to support the programmes of the minister.’’ However, he revealed that one of the greatest challenges of the tourism body is that of finance, ‘‘FTAN has financial problem partly because many member associations are not financially strong or members’ problems get solved at their association level, many members don’t pay the annual fees that is required to run the office. ‘‘To solve this, FTAN plans to start consultancy programme for the public. We also plan to start training hotel workers to provide the required manpower and generate income. FTAN will in the near future create certification programme also for tourism professionals.’’

Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens to be launched … On Nigeria Tourism

f all go well, the country will soon witness the coming on board of the Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens (ALG), which is envisaged as the mouthpiece and rally point for all operators in the business of zoological gardens across the country. Plan to launch the new body was stated in the communiqué released at a recent meeting held by stakeholders and operators of zoological gardens in the country at the University of Ibadan. In the released signed by Dr. Olajumoke Morenikeji of the University of Ibadan, the new body to be known as Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens (NAZG), will a national umbrella body for zoos in Nigeria that would serve as its mouthpiece, as well as mobilise a sustained drive for the en-

thronement of standards and international best practices. According to the communiqué, the association would underscore the renewed importance of zoos in bio-diversity conservation, education and recreation, in relation to national tourism development. ‘‘A centre piece of the association’s aims and objectives is in the area of networking for capacity building/exchange and liaison with Government as well as relevant stakeholders on the welfare of animals and issues concerning zoos in general. Recognising that zoos are among the most visited places on the planet, such is instructive as a platform for socio-cultural transformation in the areas of respect for wildlife and sustainable use of nature’s resources,’’ said the group. The strategic role of the

Nigeria National Parks in biodiversity conservation in the country was recognised at the stakeholders meeting while the exemplary contributions of Mr. A.P. Leventis in many site-specific schemes in conservation were also appreciated. Special appreciation was also given to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan Prof. I.F. Adewole for supporting the nascent Association by hosting two (2) International Training Workshops for zoo management, and several meetings of a steering committee that piloted the formative stages of the association. An interim executive committee was set up at the forum with Dr. Olajumoke Morenikeji of University of Ibadan Zoo as the president, Alhaji Ali Yola of Kano Zoo as first vice

Investors’ Forum and Exhibition 2015

Mrs. Morenikeji

president, Mr. Francis Abioye of Imo State Zoo as second vice president, Mr. Andy Ehanire of Ogba Zoo, Benin City, as general secretary, and Alhaji Aminu Mohammed of Abuja Zoo as public relations/ enlightenment officer.

his programme was initiated about two years ago and has since held twice as an annual gathering for all the member associations of FTAN and tourism practitioners across the country and the government at various levels to interact and showcase their tourism products and services. This year’s edition was earlier billed to hold in June but has been shifted to August so as to give the incoming government a breather and allow for the full participation of the government at the different levels. According to him, the event this year would be bigger in scope and content as well as colourful with a number of activities infused into it beside the dialogue and exhibition sessions. The two days event is scheduled to hold between August 12 and 13 at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Music

Interview

AFRIMA boss wants more from African music growth

My bad experience is now a sweet tale, Jedidah

Entertainment KORA returns bigger, better A

fter several years of absence KORA awards is returning bigger and better with cash prizes to be given out to winners in all the categories of the 2015 edition. That is for winners who will be present at the prestigious event, scheduled for Thursday, December 3, at Windhoek Country Club Resort and Casino, Windhoek, Namibia. The organisers emphasised that, “One of the most significant things this year during the awards is that award winners who are in attendance at the event will be receiving both the KORA Awards trophy and a cash prize. However, it is only award recipients that are present during the awards ceremony that would receive the cash prize”. They further hinted that, “The best artist of the continent, being the biggest winner of the night would smile home with a mouthwatering sum of $1m. Other winners such as the Best Male and Female Artist West Africa, Best Male and Female Artist Southern Africa, Best Male and Female Artist East Africa, Best Artist Male and Female Central Africa, and Best Artist Male and Female North Africa, would each get $50,000 provided they are in attendance at the event.” Also, winners of the categories such as Best Group Africa, CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Olamide

Oritsefemi

America’s K & G Records hunt for talents in Nigeria Stories by Sony Neme

111kane & Goddesse owners of United States of America based K & G Records are set to storm Nigeria in search of budding musical talents. Thereafter, the two talents that will eventually be discovered will be taken to join their label in America. Entries will be received via YouTube and kgmusic@gmail.com. The twosome talent hunters, Uncle Kane a rap artiste with Playerz Mob group, and Goddesse Ford, who was in Nigeria with Big Bolaji at the famous

We want to collaborate with the sound of Nigeria and expose the musical genius to the world

10,000 audience show at Ibadan in 2013, are respected musicians in Mississippi where they are based. In an exclusive online interview with New Telegraph, Goddesse Ford, said, “We look forward to seeing the awesome talent of Nigeria. What we are looking for in Nigeria are two artists to sign to our label in Mississippi. We want to collaborate with the sound of Nigeria and expose the musical genius to the world. They can be found on Youtube under K&G Records. Contact information for the two is kgmusic@gmail.com.” For those who will eventually

drop off from the talent hunt, Ford from her personal experience said: “Believe in yourself. Just because a record label doesn’t sign you do not mean that you or your gift is invalid. Believe that you carry something for the whole world and it’s their loss if they don’t get to hear it.” Goddesse Ford, said her experience in music began as a kid. Her words, “I grew up watching my older siblings make music and do shows but never felt that I had a voice, so I hid my voice until I ‘had a divine call from the Lord that told me He wanted her to make music’. With that I joined my first group called Napturals.” She said the group broke up two years after inception and she went solo and released her first album in 2007, but it was a flop. Three years later she came to

July 19 is MTV Africa Music Awards

Chidinma

sony neme

Editor, entertainment sony.neme@newtelegraphonline.com

he fifth edition of MTV Africa Music Awards, (MAMA), has been confirmed to hold on July 18 at the Durban International Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa. Themed ‘Evolution’, the award, whose nominations will be revealed on June 11, 2015,

is aimed at recognizing and rewarding musicians and achievers who have made the most impact on African youth culture over the last 12 months, while also celebrating the development of the continent’s talent and creativity in the past decade. According to organis-

ers, “This years’ event will feature performances from African and international artists with unique collaborations. MAMA 2015 will celebrate African talents across 17 award categories such as Best Male, Best Female, Best Song and Best New Act Transformed by Absolute.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

“The contribution of artists from Portuguese and French-speaking Africa will also be recognised in the Best Lusophone and Best Francophone categories. This year’s show will also feature a special edition – Artist of the Decade category to recognize artists whose careers have flourished throughout the last 10 years.

Entertainment

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Stories by Sony Neme

fter two months of rigorous drills, mentoring and excitements, Akeem Okiki from Osogbo, Osun State has emerged winner of the third edition of Goldberg Fuji T’o Bam music talent hunt. The music activation platform recorded over ten thousand consumers in attendance at the Trans Amusement Park, Ibadan, Oyo State. Okiki, whose stage crafts and renditions got the judges nodding now wears ‘The WURA 1 of Fuji T’o Bam’ crown, which with a cash reward of N750, 000. Saheed Ishola, from Ota, smiled home with N350, 000 as the first runners up prize, while Opeyemi Akanbi, Arole Currency from Ibadan was N250, 000 richer as the second runner up. Other two contestants who took part in the finals were, Yusuf Kehinde (Ejire Performer) and Idris Aloma. The night kicked-off with a rendition from an ‘Ewi’ chant hailing Goldberg as the befitting beer. Thereafter, the contestants took turns to display their mastery of various Fuji theatrics to the admiration of in atendance. The high point of the event was the impressive performance by the Fuji greats, Alhaji King Wasiu Ayinde, K1 and Alhaji Abass Akande Obesere aka PK1 who thrilled the fans with their popular tracks. Expectedly, the night also witnessed a gathering of celebrities and respected Yoruba movie actors and comedians such as Odunlade Adekola , the compere for the entire show; Sanyeri, one of the judges, Mr. Latin Bolaji Amusan and Kamilu Kompo, as well as Adekola Tijani. Winner of the first edition of Fuji T’o Bam, Antenna, and other Ibadan

L-R: Winner of Goldberg Fuji T’o Bam 2015, Akeem Okiki, First Runner up, Saheed Ishola, Fuji icon, King Wasiu Ayinde K1,Second Runner up, Opeyemi Akanbi and the winner of first edition of Fuji T’o Bamduring the grand finale in Ibadan.

Okiki is king of Goldberg Fuji T’o Bam 2015 based Fuji icons also made the event grand. The Public Affairs Adviser Nigerian Breweries Plc, Kufre Ekanem had during the preliminary stages expressed great satisfaction over the huge turn-out of Fuji lovers and artistes. While explaining the rationale behind the initiative, he said, “Gold-

berg has delivered on its promises of staging the biggest Fuji Concerts you can ever think of. It was a night of pure and nothing but Faaji Unlimited. This massive crowd confirms the relevance of the platform, and the need to continue to connect and share consumer’s interest in a more compelling way.”

AFRIMA boss wants more from African music growth

espite the present boom in the culture and music industries of Africa, the major challenge facing the industries has been linked to how to sustain the growth and spread the benefits to larger layers of the society through significant job creation and poverty alleviation. This submission was made by the President/Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Mr. Michael Dada. He made the remark during his presentation at the 4th Pan African Cultural Congress, PACC4, on May 26, at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa. Organised by the African Union Commission, AUC, in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa, the three-day

Mike Dada

event with the theme “Unity in Cultural Diversity for Africa’s Development”, began on Monday, May 25 to May 27. The congress featured thematic presentations and plenary and panel discussions encouraging participatory interactive discussions moderated by carefully selected moderators, just as the presentations were prepared by expert in each of the themes and sub-themes. Addressing participants on the theme: “AFRIMA: A tool for promoting African Culture and Identity for Development”, Mr. Dada described music as an integral part of African culture to promote brotherhood, solidarity and the struggle for liberation. He recalled how African musicians over the years had produced rich and inspirational songs on political independence for Africa, the problem of apartheid in South Africa, and the need for African countries to unite; and ultimately, the development of the continent. His words: “African musicians have also composed different songs that challenged hegemonic nations and organisations such as the United States, France, United Kingdom and most importantly the United Nations on policies, which affect Africans at home and in the Diaspora. They also support the campaign for enthronement of democracy in Africa and sing against any policy of governments that is anti-people.”

Akeem Okiki, who was enjoting his new found fame, expressed joy, saying, “I really feel very happy today. It has been God all along. The competition was very challenging because there were many good Fuji talents who participated from the audition through to the final stage. I am delighted to have emerged as “The Wura 1 of Fuji T’o Bam 2015”. I will continue to represent Goldberg as an ambassador at every level.” Fuji T’o Bam is an indigenous music activation platform of Goldberg which has in the last two editions led to the discovery of budding Fuji talents.

More discoveries at Standard Bearers School annual musical recital

‘R

Phyno, Oritsefemi, others for IGOS Live on June 7

azobia FM on air personality IGOS, is back for another bumper 2015 edition of IGOS Live Comedy Concerts. The event holds on Sunday, June 7 at the Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos, from 5.p.m. This is a follow up after three years of successfully hosting by the comedian. The fourth edition, as usual has top jesters lined up to thrill at the event include. They are Gandoki, Akpororo and Gordons, Others are Seyi Law, Helen Paul and Jedi as well as De don, Klint d’Drunk, Wahala, Acapella, Babah kay, Ikechukwu, Elder O, Monkals, Bash, Still Ringing and Crazy Legs among others. There will also be music from awards winning Yemi Alade, Phyno and Oritsefemi with Timi Dakolo, Orezi, MC Galaxy, Skales, Blackmagic, Di’ja, Reekado Banks, Debie Rise, Rita Edmond, Toby Grey, Dj xclusive and DJ Indo among others.

ecital’ as the word implies, is the performance of different works of various Musicians or Artistes as the case may be. An excellent performance of such selected works could only be achieved by discipline and doggedness in practices and rehearsals by those involved. The idea of an annual musical recital at Standard Bearers School, Lekki, Lagos hatched years ago has become an additional social aspect of the school with the aim of showcasing the multiple talents discovered and honed within the it. It also serves as a platform where the children are given the opportunity to share with families and friends their remarkable musical skills. This was evident at the recent annual musical recital of Standard Bearers School held at their proposed new site also in Lekki. The children were simply amazingly awesome from classical 21st century, and contemporary performed by pupils selected from Grade 1 to Grade 6 grouped into Junior Choir, Senior Choir and Orchestra. The recital typically for the grade 3 – 6 students, had a thrilling addition as a little grade 2 Child rendered ‘Bob Marley’s – Three Little Birds’ to the delight of the audience. The programme had kicked off at 5.30pm with the head boy and head girl’s welcome addresses. First up was the rendition by the senior choir churning out popular songs like ‘We Are One Lion King’. Other highlights of the day included the rendition of indigenous songs that had the children looking colourful in their different native attires. The set of grade 5 hornsmen would have given any professional saxophonist a run for their money. At the close of the eventful ceremony, parents whose children were not part of the performance this year look forward to ensuring their children join the school orchestra or choir and perform next year.

Entertainment 27

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Nollywood stars, celebrities endorse audio bible in Nigerian languages Stories by Sony Neme

s July 18 date for the official launch date of the Audio Bible in 18 Nigerian languages draws near, Nollywood stars, singers and other celebrities have thrown their weight behind the novel achievement, produced by God’s Servant, David Ogudu, General Overseer of Christos International Worship Centre, Abuja. The event

is billed to hold at the Congress Hall of the Nicon Hilton, Abuja. The stars that have endorsed the project are Nollywood veteran actors Ejike Asiegbu, Larry Koldsweat and Zach Orji. Gospel music stars Asu Ekiye, Panam Percy Paul Samsong and Solomon Lange have also identified with the project and would be performing live on the launch day. Dike Chukwumerije, son of late Senator Chuk-

wumerije would be on call to dish out soul inspiring poems as well as renowned Prof. Herbert Wilson. According to a media release made available to New Telegraph by Media Image Messengers, MIM, “The project will avail Nigerians the opportunity to listen to bible verses from the book of Mathew to Revelation in Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba, as well as Efik, Ibibio, Gbagi, Gwari, Fulani, Ig-

ala and Idoma languages. Other languages that are in the audio bible include Tiv, Bini, Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Igbira, Ogoni and Okrika.” The statement further stated that Nollywood star Ejike Asiegbu reportedly congratulated Prophet Ogudu. thus: ‘Let me start by congratulating him (Ogudu), it is not an easy task, in fact, it is awesome. This God’s servant is someone I have known for over a decade now and I know his penchant for doing things that will promote not only God’s work but enrich humanity.”

DStv

Hot June line-up for DStv viewers Going by the line-up released by MultiChoice Africa, viewers are in for quality entertainment with Vuzu AMP (DStv channel 114). Below is a breakdown of what to expect: For the comedy lovers and the hopeless romantics check out: The TV sitcom Undateable on Tuesdays at 19:00 CAT. The fun relationship sitcom Marry Me is on Wednesdays at 19:00 CAT. The launch episode explains how Annie and Jake met and fell in love six years ago and have been slowly but surely moving toward a big marriage proposal. Staying with entertaining series, check out Jane The Virgin on Wednesdays, 19:30 CAT.. Each episode is charmingly named ‘chapters’ and each chapter tells a new part of Jane’s story which really gets going when the religious, hardworking Latina unexpectedly falls pregnant after a doctor mistakenly artificially inseminates her. Plus for the action-lovers and thrill seekers: Season one of Scorpion on Mondays at 20:00 CAT. The series began in May and continues throughout June with four new episodes. Don Cheadle and Kristen Bell take viewers into season four of the fast-paced comedy-drama House Of Lies(Mondays at 21:00 CAT). In the series, Marty Kaan and his team of dynamite management consultants play to win as they take on the corporate world! Another great highlight to watch this month is season two of The 100 on Tuesdays at 19:30 CAT. The series is set dozens of years after a nuclear war has destroyed civilization, when a spaceship housing humanity’s lone survivors sends 100 juvenile delinquents back to Earth in hopes of possibly re-populating the planet. Lastly season one of izombie on Thursdays at 21:30 CAT. Based on the DC comic of the same name, Liv Moore is a former medical student who turns into a zombie.

Entertainment

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

My bad experience is now a sweet tale, Jedidah Jedidah David, better known as The Minstrelle is a London-based Nigerian gospel artiste, actress and author. She has turned an ugly situation into a sweet tale. In a chat with New Telegraph, she took us through memory lane, on the good, bad and ugly sides of her experience in the entertainment industry in the United Kingdom. Tell us your experience in entertainment? I started my journey into the entertainment industry with gospel music, which paved the way for me to be recognised by Nollywood United Kingdom based producers. And applying my business management skills and pursuing my long time ambition and passion, which is to put smiles on people’s face and joy to the heart, I started working as movie set production manager and same time making my music, delivering praise and worship sections in various churches in United Kingdom Kindly take us through the good, bad and ugly side as you walk through the rough sides to where you are in the industry today? The amazing good side of being in the entertainment industry United Kingdom is that, you will always have a place to start. Especially, with the motivations and facilities that are accessible to you, it will always push you to keep going especially when you have good people around you. The bad side is mainly the funding and bad competition. Funding is the biggest factor in project life cycle and in UK, ninetyfive percent of the funds that will go into the project will be coming from your pocket and that affects your sustainability before, during and after the project. You will only break through, if you are lucky to come across a production company that is willing to collaborate with you and chip in or go on payment plan on your behalf.. Bad competition comes in when a potential sponsor comes around to demand maximum profit, also when others, especially females, goes behind you to offer more than maximum profit percentage to sponsors or even producers, promoters for them to be prioritized. Ugly and scary moments takes over when you are working hard to deliver a master piece work to demonstrate your talent and someone comes in to tell you that you are not good enough; not pretty as much, too tall and even to short, trying to bring down my morale. But I’m over it now by surrounding myself with the right people with

KORA returns C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

Best Group of Spiritual Music, Best Male and Female Artist of Spiritual Music, Best Traditional Male and Female Artist of Africa, Best Traditional Group of Africa, Best Artist of Diaspora, Best Video of the Year would all grab $20,000 each. Likewise, winners of the Best Collaboration of the Year, Best Album of the Year, Best Artist of Hip Hop Music, Best Artist of Urban Music and the Most Downloaded Song of the Year would get $20,000 each. Winners of the Kora Legendary Awards will smile home with $50,000 each.

good mind that believes in me. Which areas are you experienced in, and which are the shows, movies and albums you have been credited with? My experiences are in song writing and I am a singer with an album titled ‘Message’. We have done another one and the music title is ‘Circulate’. It is a remix by Double Bangz featuring Awilo Longomba I am also into movie production behind the scene as script writer, story developer, production manager and actors coach. I am also an author. My books include ‘The Blame Game’ and ‘Grace’ and will be launching Both in UK this year. As an actress I have stared in Shameful Deceit, 18Carat Mama, Broken Cross, Blood Type, Captivated, Home Abroad, Here and Now, Housewives and Girlfriends and Invasion 1897

only be bad but my team will be there to make you better.’ And since then things started getting better more than I anticipated, so many calls started coming in, I started getting fans home and abroad, people sending me mails and congratulating my existence, it was just like the heaven opened for me and it’s time to shine And the amazing part of all is that, I’m not just a client but also part of the team. Now we have production lined up even in Nigeria. Now I can handle cameras, e d i t video; just the basic at the m o ment.

Where are you presently in your chosen career? I can proudly say I’m in heaven since two months ago when I stumbled into Alfred Ani, the CEO of Nnagbo Production UK & Nollywooduk. Net that specializes in video production for both music and movies, working with together nasalonetv.com. After sharing my story with him and how thing are going quiet then he said to me, ‘You are what you are, you can

Korede

America hunt for talents in Nigeria C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

Nigeria to record her first professional album at breath of life church in Obanikoro, Lagos. According to her, “After that experience in Nigeria I went back to the States and had an album release with Jeff Majors, which was sponsored by Hey Papi Promotions. I then went on to host my own radio show, which I closed down in 2013 to come back to Nigeria where I had a concert with 10,000 people in Ibadan, Oyo with Big Bolaji, which made my name known in parts of the world I hadn’t known it would be recognized.” As faith would have it she moved back home to Mississippi where she met Kane after a life threatening accident. His patience and care moved her and they fell in love and married and started a record label together. Her partner, Uncle Kane, she fondly referred to as UK, was born in Jones County Hospital on April 8, 1977. She said, “Kane started learning rap at the age of eight from family and friends. At that time he started developing a strong passion for music by the age of 12. At 18 he was joined to his first group called Gangstas of Love (GoL), but that group split up a year later. Shortly afterwards he joined another group called Playerz Mob and till date he is still a part of this group. Each member is however still working on solo albums. Time and life had its way and they got married and they started their own record label together, in Jefferson Davis County (Prentiss, Ms), which as stated by Kane, “We are still building up to make our label well known to the world making movements. I’ve done shows with some of the best artists in the game and watching them and how they perform on stage really made me realize that this music business is really my life.”

Gbenga Adeyinka, Okposo set for the 4th annual Yes! Magazine lecture/cocktail party

or the second time, Gbenga Adeyinka 1st and top gospel musician, Sammie Okposo and his XGeneration Band will be sewrenading guests at the 4th edition of the

annual YES International! Magazine Lecture/Cocktail Party. The event billed for Friday, June 19, 2015 will be taking place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos and the time at exactly11am prompt. According to publisher of the weekly magazine, Azuh Arinze, “The topic of the lecture is Running A Successful Business In Nigeria – My Experience. We chose only the best for these three very important roles. Our Guest Speaker is Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, Group Managing Director, Prima Garnet Africa and former Chairman, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria. PGA, of course, is

one of the biggest advertising agencies in Nigeria. They’ve been around for over a decade and are very well respected in their sector. “The Chairman is Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, the Chairman of Troyka Holdings, comprising Insight Communications, Halogen Security, Media Perspectives, Optimum Exposures, The Quadrant Company, etc. For the Guest of Honour, again, we are returning to one of our biggest supporters, the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa. The real estate giant and astute businessman has always identified with us, beginning from when we started. And we are so, so happy about that.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Labour

PENGASSAN restates call for oil sector overhaul

Agric Cocoa: Will Nigeria meet the 500,000mt target?

Business What's news

Import, customs charges kill SMEs, says IHS boss The largest mobile telecommunications infrastructure provider in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, IHS, has said that the import and customs charges, which are often unpredictable and costly, place an additional burden on businesses’ growth potential in Nigeria.

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Nigeria’s real estate investment to hit $20.6trn by 2016 –PwC The real estate sector in Nigeria is expected to hit $20.6 trillion by 2016, according to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

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The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

L-R: Vice-President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Mrs. Somorin Teju; President/Chairman of Council, Chief Mark Dike and Deputy VicePresident, Chief. Cyril Ede, at the Institute’s 23rd Annual General Meeting in Lagos. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

PZ Wilmer, others spend N22bn on palm oil value chain Dele Alao

Z Wilmer has staked about $80 million on its crude palm oil refinery in Nigeria in its backward integration plan As Nigeria inches towards self-sufficiency in palm oil value chain, PZ Wilmer, Preco, Dufil Prima Foods and others in this

sector have spent over N22 billion ($110 million) on expanding their crude palm oil refineries. Nigeria was the world’s leading producer and exporter of palm oil in the 60’s, but the country lost its dominance in the international trade after 1980s and is currently the fifth largest producer, behind Indonesia and Malaysia (51 per cent and 34 per cent of the world production in 2013/14), according to the United States Aids Agency (USAID). Checks revealed that PZ Wilmer has staked about $80 million on its crude palm oil refinery in Nigeria in its backward integration plan. Also, Presco Oil Palm Plc, it

INFLATION RATE April 2015................................8.7% March 2015.............................8.5% February 2015.........................8.4%

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

SHORTFALL

Production deficit as at 2014 was over 900,000 tons per annum

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

was learnt, may have spent $30 million to boost oil palm production in the country. Similarly, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, a key player in the Nigeria culinary industry, has equally embarked on strategic backward integration to ensure 100 per cent local content in most of the products it produce. Besides, the firm has established an oil refinery and a palm

N16bn

Value of total investment made by PZ Wilmer on its crude palm oil refinery in Nigeria

tree plantation under the Edo State Government Agribusiness revolution scheme. It has also acquired and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Edo State government for 60,000 hectares of land for cultivation of palm trees. Though the value of the money involvement could not be ascertained, the palm oil plantation is part of efforts by private investors to bridge the supply gap of palm oil within the country. According to a data portal, Index Mundi, the domestic palm oil produced totaled 850,000 CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Rates Dashboard EXCHANGE RATE (BDC as at May 29)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N221 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N340 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N245

l Foreign Reserves – $29.616bn as at 27/05/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at May 29)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N199 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N303 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N220

Business | News

FINANCE

Access to finance is a long-standing problem for SMEs Kunle Azeez

he largest mobile telecommunications infrastructure provider in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, IHS, has said that the import and customs charges, which are often unpredictable and costly, place an additional burden on businesses’ growth potential in Nigeria. IHS, which stated this in a report, sets out the factors that empower SMEs and looks to identify both what is driving growth as well as the issues holding them back. Executive Vice Chairman and IHS Towers Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Issam Darwish, disclosed this in a report launched to coincide with the World Economic Forum on Africa. The study - the Economist Intelligence Unit, titled: “Enabling a more productive Nigeria: Powering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) was sponsored by HIS. Darwish said: “Many of us have invested in Nigeria’s future prosperity, yet, little is known about the universe of Nigerian SMEs and the entrepreneurs behind them, particularly the obstacles and enablers of their growth.” He said that the report recognises the efforts of government institutions in supporting SMEs, but, also importantly, shines a light on the innovative thinking embedded in this vital part of Nigeria’s economy. “It helps us all to understand what can be done to support their

PZ Wilmer, others spend N22bn on palm oil value chain CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

metric tonnes in 2012. The report noted that the consumption of palm oil in Nigeria amounts to 1.0 million metric tonnes per annum, while the official figures estimate the shortage in the oil palm industry at about 150,000 metric tonnes annually. This means that the food grade industrial output of palm oil does not match local consumption. Checks showed that the national demand for palm oil has grown faster than the domestic supply. Production deficit as at 2014 was well over 900,000 tonnes per annum. Consequently, the country still imports palm oil to satisfy the local demand.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Obstacles to SMEs, by IHS boss growth and drive their productivity,” he said. The HIS boss said that the importance of mobile telecommunications and its role as a leapfrog technology is readily apparent from the study, “affirming our belief that an enhanced mobile network materially contributes to the growth of both urban and rural businesses, with the potential to reduce societal inequality.” Darwish stated that a way to lessen the urbanrural digital divide is to deepen the application of

mobile networks to agriculture, the sector in which the majority of Nigeria’s rural dwellers work. “Combined with improved mobile networks in rural regions, the penetration of ICT across wider geographies will significantly support favourable income distribution trends throughout the continent,” he said. Darwish explained that for IHS, the report is fundamental to its business. “Our belief is that the future economic and social development of Africa will be

accelerated exponentially by mobile connectivity, and our team of over 2,000 engineers in five countries is focused on making this happen. We are committed to developing the communities we serve and to help people and businesses across the region build a powerful, prosperous future,” he added. The study looks at SME productivity across five categories such as policy, transport, technology, energy and finance, combining SME interviews from across the country, with

expert insights. The findings suggest that Nigeria’s government has supported SMEs by reducing the costs of registering a business and through the launch of SME-targeted funds. However, Darwish said that further attention should be given to the tax system, Nigerian SMEs are subject to complex and overlapping rules, which need to be streamlined and simplified. “In addition, import and customs charges are often unpredictable and

costly, placing an additional burden on businesses, with no recourse available through official channels,” Darwish said. On infrastructure, the report explores how SMEs are being affected by mobile networks, transport and power deficits. While transport projects and power privatisation are underway, these will take time to deliver benefits. In the interim, SMEs, he said, are adopting innovative technologies from solar panels to cloud computing.

L-R: Head, Corporate Communications, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Rasheed Bolarinwa; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Mrs. Abimbola Izu; Senior Analyst, Client Service, The Quadrant Company, Mrs. Aniwura Peacemaker-Dada and Director, Client Service, Centrespread, Bolanle Akanbi, during inauguration of Skye Bank’s new corporate advertising campaign in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

DEFICIT

Nigeria housing deficit to increase by two million houses per year

Sunday Ojeme

he real estate sector in Nigeria is expected to hit $20.6 trillion by 2016, according to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The sector is currently growing at a rate of 8.7 per cent, faster than the average GDP growth rate of 7.4 per cent. According to African Business Community, the report titled: “Real Estate: Building the future of Africa,” projected the country’s real estate investment to rise by about 49 per cent from $9.16 billion currently to $13.65 billion in 2016. It attributed the expected increase to many factors. PwC said: “This is driven by a growing middle-class driving demand for residential property development and, indirectly, retail, industrial and commercial real estate development. High networth individuals (HNWIs) invest 25

Nigeria’s real estate investment to hit $20.6trn by 2016 –PwC per cent of their assets in real estate compared to 18 per cent or less in equities and other instruments. “Continued government reforms have created an enabling environment for property development and financing. Increased allocations of funding to the asset class by local and foreign investors are also key drivers of projected growth in this sector.” It also noted that the growing population in Nigeria, as well as the increasing ruralurban migration, strong economic growth and a growing middle class, drive residential real estate market. The report added that commercial real estate market is driven by an influx of institutional, foreign and private business into the country, as well as the growth of locally established businesses and multinational oil companies across the cities of Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. “The availability of office space is improving and several A-grade projects are underway.

Rental figures in Lagos remain among the highest in the world, with achievable rents at over $85 per square metre per month,” noted the study. It also indicated that there is considerable room for profitable investments in the real estate sector due to the huge housing deficit in the country. “It is estimated that Nigeria has a housing deficit of 17 million houses estimated at $363 billion. This number is expected to increase by two million houses per year at the current population growth of 2.8 per cent per year.” PwC noted that if the growth pattern is sustained and improved on, numerous jobs will be created in the process and the housing deficit will be bridged sooner than later. The study, however, highlighted the problems facing the real estate industry, cautioning that despite the substantial opportunities existing in the Nigerian real estate market, there are many specific risks for property investors.

It further observed: “There are existing problems with access to finance; with a lack of long-term debt financing and an underdeveloped mortgage market, with mortgage loans representing less than one percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “Cumbersome and time-consuming processes for land acquisition and ownership documentation can make acquiring land difficult, while land in urban areas is expensive. Building materials and construction costs are also high and there is a reliance on expatriate workers resulting from a shortage of expertise in the local construction industry. “Security considerations as a result of local unrest should also be factored into investment decisions. A dearth of infrastructure presents difficulties for potential developers, as non-availability of basic services such as water and energy has forced developers to provide these amenities, adding up to 30 per cent to total development costs.”

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

TUC to Buhari: Revive Nigerian Airways, create jobs p.32 SUBSIDY Hastened removal of subsidy will lead to more difficult moments Sunday Ojeme

ot done with its previous oil sector agenda for the new President, Muhammadu Buhari, oil workers under the aegis of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has gone a step further by calling for increased local production as against importation before embarking on deregulation. Boost local refining They argued that if local refining was not increased to meet local demand for petroleum products especially the premium motor spirit (petrol), removing subsidy on petroleum products would result to more hardship. According to the association, removing subsidy while the country depends on importation of refined products will make prices of refined petroleum products to be out of the

Labour

PENGASSAN restates call for oil sector overhaul

reach of the masses and cause inflation. The trade union maintained that importation of refined petroleum products was a major drain on the nation’s revenue, adding that it creates jobs for the refining nations in spite of the high unemployment rate confronting Nigeria. “Importation of refined petroleum products is also putting the Naira under undue pressure and creating social problems for the economy. This is unacceptable to PENGASSAN. Subsidy “Abrupt removal of fuel subsidy will create chaos that may ground the economy. PENGASSAN calls for well-coordinated measures with timeline to achieve self-sufficiency in local refining as a means of proffering acceptable steps to end fuel subsidy. “This should be combined with such other measures for effective optimisation of gas

especially for domestic, industrial, electricity and automotive energy. Such will create other affordable and friendly sources for energy needs.” The union called on the government to declare a state of emergency in the downstream oil and gas sector and convene an all-stakeholders forum to come up with concrete and sustainable steps with reliable timeline for achieving demandsupply equilibrium through local refining. The strategy must be to guarantee a total stoppage of both petroleum products importation and fuel subsidy. He noted that Nigerians expect that relying on the resources that the nation is endowed with; the country should be able to provide refined products at reasonable and affordable prices to the populace, adding that this could have been possible if local refining capacities are enhanced. The union said, “Government is thus persistently con-

fronted with import parity pricing and the burden of subsidising the imported fuel instead of locally refined products. As an important stakeholder in the sector, we oppose the petroleum products importation regime, which is rent seeking and indeed a drain devise that is inimical to our economic and social empowerment. “It is affecting our self-dependence and means of job creation. Thus, we maintain our unwavering belief in local refining.”

Privatisation “PENGASSAN maintains strong objection to the privatisation of State-owned Refineries as the OPEC principle is being cautiously guided by other OPEC member countries.” PENGASSAN and other unionists had earlier called on the new government to declare a state of emergency in the oil and gas sector of the economy to address the plethora of is-

Directors, May & Baker Plc, Mr. Ishaya Dankaro (left) and Dr. Edugie Abebe, at the company’s Annual General meeting in Lagos.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

sues bedeviling the sector. They argued that all subsectors of the oil and gas industry were going through one problem or currently drawing down the entire economy. The President of the association, Comrade Francis Johnson, said that there were many issues, which required urgent attention from the incoming government to reposition the industry for efficient and effective delivery of its benefits to Nigerians. Stakeholders’ input He advised the new government to call an all-inclusive stakeholders’ forum of those involved in operations in the sector to critically examine and proffer workable and enduring solutions to all the problems in the larger interest of the Nigerian nation. He said, “All the subsectors of the oil and gas industry have one challenge or the other and all these challenges are affecting the deliveries of the benefits of our God-given hydrocarbon resources to the country and the entire people of Nigeria. “These challenges are as result of past neglects, wrong policies and policy summersault in some areas of the subsectors. All these are inflicting pains on Nigerians who ought to be enjoying the benefits of the natural resources that God bequeathed to the country.” Challenges He listed some of the challenges to include pipeline vandalisation, crude oil theft, state of the refineries, intractable and persistent scarcity of petroleum products, subsidy payment controversies, divestment, illegal transfer or allocation of oil blocks, irregular Joint Venture (JV) funding with emphasis on delay in cash call payment, inadequate funding of government agencies in the oil and gas sector and undue interference in the management of government agencies.

Africa Leadership Forum names Ajayi executive director

he Africa Leadership Forum has announced the appointment of Dr. Olumide Ajayi as its new head and executive director. Prior to his elevation, Ajayi was the deputy director and chief of programmes of the leadership and capacity development organisation. Ajayi, whose appointment takes immediate effect, is a development economist with a Doctor of Philosophy in Ag-

ricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan, started his career as a junior researcher and lecturer at the University of Ibadan before crossing over to the private sector. He joined the ALF in 2001 as the programmes manager and was later promoted to the deputy director position. He is an administrator, trainer, mentor, and author. He has written and contributed to some books and scholarly journals.

A statement from the forum indicated that the new executive director had been the project consultant for the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, African Union, and Economic Community for West African States, International Business Leaders Forum, United Kingdom, Femme Africa Solidarite, Geneva, among others.

“He is a currently a trainer in the UNIDEP’s Gender and Economic Policy Management Initiative. He is also the project director of the Central Bank of Nigeria-Entrepreneurship Development Centre for South West Nigeria. He is a fellow of the Centre for Applied Studies in International Negotiation, Geneva, Switzerland, and the International Academy for Leadership, Gummersbach, Germany. He served on the Steering

Committee of the World Bank International Essay Competition between 2006 and 2011. “He has also served on several expert groups such as African Union Gender Working Group (2004), Task Force on Common Agricultural Policy for West Africa (2004), FIX NIGERIA Working Group (2006), United Nations Global Compact Coordinating Group for the Annual Forum of Local Networks (20062008),” the statement added.

Business | Labour

NEPOTISM The president should do away with all form of favouritism

Stories by Sunday Ojeme

he Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has advised President Muhammadu Buhari, to revive the moribund national carrier, the Nigerian Airways, overhaul the ailing Ajaokuta Steel Complex and create enough jobs for the

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

TUC to Buhari: Revive Nigerian Airways, create jobs army of Nigerian youths. The congress in a congratulatory message to the president, also urged him to be a President that is devoid of religious, tribal and political affiliations. The congress in a statement signed by the President, TUC, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, and the Secretary General, Comrade Musa Lawal, noted

that the president in his inaugural speech had shown that he is quite aware of the country’s numerous challenges ranging from electricity, unemployment, insecurity, corruption, militancy, poor health facility, poor infrastructure, among others. TUC said, “As a man who has always been popular among the poor of the north

L-R: Head of Government Affairs, West African Area, British American Tobacco (BATN), Odiri Erewa-Maggison; Area Head of Corporate Affairs, Oluwaseyi Ashade; Head of Litigation and Regulation, Sola Dosumu and Head of Legal and External Affairs, Freddy Messanvi, at a media parley in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Scottish teachers threaten industrial action over pay

cottish teachers are threatening strike action over pay and levels of bureaucracy under the controversial new school curriculum. Heraldscotland reports that the move by members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) teaching union follows an impasse over pay with local authority employers and ongoing concerns over workload. The EIS has demanded a pay increase of five per cent to redress a decline in salary levels over the past few years, but the employers side offered 2.5 per cent over two years instead, which has now been rejected. The issue has now taken up by the EIS Dundee local association which has presented a motion to the annual general meeting later this week calling for the union’s ruling council to campaign for a “restorative” pay deal. The motion, which will be debated at the meeting in Perth later this week, states: “If no satisfactory outcome is forthcoming, members are to be balloted for industrial action up to and including strike action.” The union is also threatening industrial action over the

amount of work required by teachers to fulfill the demands of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). The East Lothian local association called for the EIS ruling council to campaign for a reduction of workload and bureaucracy involved in “testing, retesting and marking” of internal SQA assessments. East Ayrshire local association motion added: “That this agm instruct the EIS to ballot for a boycott of all SQA related work unless SQA assessment can be managed within the 35 hour working week.” A joint motion from Highland local association and West Dunbartonshire local association added: “That this agm resolve to ballot secondary school members by December 2015 on industrial action, amounting to a boycott of cooperation with SQA until such time as the SQA reduces the enormous burden and reforms the nature of internal assessments for all courses.” Larry Flanagan, the EIS general secretary, said: “Despite the fine words of politicians on the need to support schools and teachers the range of motions indicates that excessive workload remains a huge issue for

teachers and, therefore, for our schools and our pupils. “The signal that teachers are sending out is that enough is enough and that these issues must be tackled to reduce the workload burden. “Teachers are always extremely reluctant to take industrial action, so it is significant that there are a number of motions calling for some form of industrial action over workload this year, including calls or a boycott of some of the internal assessments currently demanded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. “The message to the Scottish Government, to local authorities and national education bodies could not be clearer - take action now to lighten the load on our schools and our teachers.” Teachers and lecturers will debate a total of 70 motions at this year’s AGM on a wide range of issues relating including CfE and conditions of service and salaries. The EIS agm is often the forum for teachers to threaten industrial action, but strikes are usually avoided although the union has walked out with other public sector unions over changes to pensions.

(known as the “talakawa” in Hausa language), we want him to know that his responsibility is now broader, as it now involves the poor of the whole country. His rare reputation for honesty among Nigeria’s politicians, both military and civilian, is what the country needs now to regain our lost glory as a nation. “We look forward to seeing an end to lateness to work again, end to corruption and restoration of sanity in our system. The Congress wishes to reiterate that this is not the time for mudslinging, this is not the time to witch-hunt anybody, nor a time to spend precious money on advertorials. Rather this is the time to WORK! This is the time to fix the Ajaokuta steel mill, the roads and create jobs for our army of youths. Besides, it noted that this is the time to restore our national carrier (Nigerian Airways). This is the time to tame impunity at all levels. “This is the time to address the crisis in the oil and gas industry. Most importantly, this is the time to restore the dignity of our currency and provide solution to workers agitations. The list is endless,” the TUC said. The congress also observed that while history would remember the president for his doggedness and refusal to quit despite previous defeats in elections, his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, deserved to be congratulated for his display of statesmanship. It added that Buhari’s resolve to contest the 2015 gener-

al elections was a mark of his belief in the project Nigeria, and his unflinching desire to contribute his quota in ensuring that he continues with the good work of his predecessor and to even surpass it. The statement noted, “The Congress urges the president to always remember his campaign promises to Nigerians, which were the basis upon which he was voted for. Again, he must know that irrespective of the number of votes he got from individual states, there is no part of the country where he was not noted for. “By implication it means that he is the president of Nigeria and father to all. Muslims, Christians, pagans, etc voted for him because they believe in him. As such, we don’t wish to see the issue of religion, tribalism, nepotism, which have always been the bane of Nigeria’s development rear their ugly heads in his administration. As he himself admitted he belongs to everybody while at the same time he belongs to nobody. “Finally, we urge president Buhari (GCFR) to involve good hands, party affiliation notwithstanding all for the good of the country. Once again we congratulate the president, the INEC, governors, National Assembly members and Nigerians and we particularly cherish the president’s words: ‘I belong to everybody. I belong to nobody.’ This gives confidence that the era of godfatherism in politics is on its way to extinction.”

Kogi judiciary workers to resume Monday K ogi State judiciary workers are expected to resume work on Monday after embarking on a three-day strike. The workers, under the aegis of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Kogi Chapter, embarked on a three-day sympathy strike to protest against the abduction of Justice Samuel Obayomi of the State High Court by suspected kidnappers. JUSUN, in a communiqué signed by its Chairman, Daniel Adinoyi, had condemned the spate of kidnapping in the state and resolved to embark on strike. The union expressed worries over the spate of attacks on judges, recalling that Justice Moses Gwatana of High Court, Ihima, was shot by unknown gunmen in 2013. The communique said, “The union condemns in totality the abduction of

Justice Samuel Obayomi of the High Court of Justice by unknown gunmen on May 25, 2015. “In view of the above, the union resolves to embark on three days sympathy strike with effect from June 3 to June6, 2015.” It also called on Kogi Government and security agencies to expedite action on measures being taken to secure the release of Obayomi. JUSUN also suggested that adequate security measures should be provided for all judiciary officials in the state. Obayomi was abducted on May 25, on his way to office by a gang of three armed men who took away his Toyota Yaris car and killed his orderly, Cpl. Usman Musa. Family sources revealed that Obayomi’s abductors were demanding N150 million as ransom for his release.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Agric

World Bank approves Fadama 2015 work plan p.34

Cocoa: Will Nigeria meet the 500,000mt target? Barely three months to September, the end of the 2014/2015 season for cocoa, industry watchers are wondering whether the country will meet its target of producing 500,000 metric tons cocoa beans. DELE ALAO writes

Despite this increase, the country is still far behind other countries in terms of annual output. Ivory Coast, for instance, which is currently the world’s largest cocoa producer, is estimated to have been hitting one million metric tonnes per annum in the last few years, while Ghana produces between 900,000mt and 950,000mt, rising to 1.1 million metric tonnes in 2011-2012.

ocoa was major in the products that were the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy in the 1960s. Others were kolanut, timber, rubber and palm oil. Long before the discovery of crude oil, Nigeria prided herself as a cocoa-producing nation. Also, experts note that before the discovery of oil and its exploration, cocoa was the nation’s major exportable item. But even after the oil boom, cocoa remained the country’s most important export after petroleum.

Cocoa nursery

States such as Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Cross River and parts of Abia, grew the crop for commercial purposes. The nation is currently the fourth largest producer of cocoa in the world, behind Ivory Coast, Ghana and Indonesia,

Agricultural Commodity Prices – Grains Commodity Wheat Corn Soybeans Soybean Meal Soybean Oil Oats Rough Rice Hard Red Wheat Spring Wheat

Price 526-2 364-0 945-4 304.7 34.88 255-2 9.940 548-0 582-4

Change +8-0 +2-4 -2-2 +0.4 +0.60 +0-6 +0.105 +5-0 +4-6

Contract Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15

Time(ET) 11:32 11:32 11:32 11:32 11:32 11:22 11:25 11:32 11:32

Price 65.29 112.60 135.15 12.31 3139 24.70 1.3350 0.1207 3112.00 0.6476 273.80

Change +1.61 +1.50 +0.80 -0.10 +19 -0.05 +0.0290 -0.0025 unch +0.0116 +7.10

Contract Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15

Time(ET) 11:32 11:32 11:32 11:32 11:32 10:45 06/02/15 07:06 03:56 09:11 11:32

Price 153.375 223.100 84.650

Change -0.875 -1.375 -0.925

Time(ET) 11:32 11:32 11:31

17.01

-0.16

Contract Jun 15 Aug 15 Jun 15 Jun 15

Softs Commodity Cotton #2 Orange Juice Coffee Sugar #11 Cocoa Sugar #16 CME Coffee CME Sugar #11 CME Cocoa CME Cotton #2 Lumber

Meats Commodity Live Cattle Feeder Cattle Lean Hogs Class III Milk

11:16

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

according to statistics provided by the International Cocoa Organisation (ICO) Until a few years ago, the commodity suffered as a result of inadequate support from successive governments in the country until President Olusegun Obasanjo came into office. Boosts To sustain the country’s fourth position as a cocoa producing nation and possibly improve upon it, the immediate past Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), distributed hybrid cocoa pods to farmers across the country to boost production and exports. Over 1.4 million hybrid cocoa pods were said to have been distributed to farmers across the country. This, according to experts, translates to about 50 million seedlings, which they argued are enough for farmers to plant 46,000 hectares of new cocoa plantation. Also, Team Leader, Cocoa Value Chain Development at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Peter Aikpokpodion, said that cocoa farmers were also being provided with critical inputs, such as agrochemicals, to guard against black pod and insects and fertiliser to enhance yield per hectare. “We have also succeeded, for the first time, to introduce a specifically formulated fertiliser for cocoa. Cocoa farmers are also given agro-chemicals, insecticides and fungicides, in addition to fertiliser and hybrid pods,” he said.

Furthermore, in March this year, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) expressed readiness to support Nigerian farmers in boosting cocoa production towards the diversification of the nation’s economy. USAID’s Director of Economic Growth and Environment, Mr. Mathew Burton, said that cocoa was Nigeria’s key export that urgently needed to be developed. “The US Government, through the USAID, will continue to support Nigerian farmers in the development of the cocoa sector due to the current fall in the prices of oil. We think that the time is ripe for diversification in Nigeria’s economy. The USAID is very much interested in supporting Nigerian government’s effort at diversifying her economy. And cocoa, as we all know, is one of Nigeria’s key exports, with a high global demand and prices. So, there are obviously opportunities for Nigeria to explore in the development of her cocoa sector,” he said. Previous outputs According to Mr. Robo Adhuze of the Centre for Cocoa Development Initiative, output for 2011/2012 season was 250,000 metric tonnes, with a 10 per cent increase in the 2012/2013 season, which moved the production up to 270,000 metric tonnes. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture said that Nigeria produced 350,000 metric tons of cocoa in the 2013-2014 season, though the International Cocoa Organisation assessed Nigeria’s production for that season at 240,000 tons.

The target The immediate past Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development had said that the country would hit 500,000 metric tons this year, that is, by the end of September. Adesina, who said this in Abuja during an interactive session with the reformed Cocoa Development Committee said: “With the release of eight hybrid cocoa species by the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), the country could achieve the production of one million tons in subsequent years.” To meet the target, Adesina said that government had adopted a holistic approach towards improving cocoa production, which included collaborating with the 22 cocoa producing state governments. The former minister also said that strategies had been put in place for the replacement of old cocoa trees and also to create seedlings for nurseries across the cocoa producing states for easy access to farmers. Also, Adesina, the new president of the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) said that cocoa production in the country could rise to around 700,000 tonnes in 2016. “By 2020, Nigeria should certainly be in the one million cocoa production club,” he said. Fears However, a few months to September, the end of the cocoa season, stakeholders have said that the target may be at risk due to the outbreak of fungal black pod disease, which broke out early this year. Furthermore, excessive rains recorded before and expected this year, according to industry watchers, may also negatively affect the target. A stakeholder who craved for anonymity, however, said: “The exit of Adesina may also be another factor that will hinder the country from meeting the 500,000 metric tons target for this year. His initiative of various steps to boost the production may need to be thoroughly monitored to meet the target or even surpass it.”

Business | Agric

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

World Bank approves Fadama III 2015 work plan SUPPORT The project will increase income for users of rural lands and water resources Stories by Dele Alao

he National Coordinator of the Fadama III project, Mr. Tayo Akinwunmi, has said that the World Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria have approved the Fadama III 2015 work plan budget. Akinwunmi said that the work plan and the procurement plan have been approved by both the World Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The implementation, he said, has also commenced. The Federal Government, in 2013, approved a 200 million dollars (N39 billion) loan for the additional financing of the on-going Fadama III project. The World Bank supported project, which stands to increase income for users of rural lands and water resources within the Fadama areas.

It also stands to improve the value chain of agricultural commodities in line with government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA). According to Akinwunmi, so far, 65 workers have been recruited to facilitate business plans for the project at the community level. The facilitators, he noted, were recruited from existing Fadama III enablers. He said that the workers would facilitate the business plan preparation at the community level for the Fadama III additional financing core states. According to him, a total of 165 business plans have been submitted by the six core states for the first review. “The samples of the plans were reviewed and returned to the states for corrections to ensure adequacy and compliance with the set out objectives and standard procedure. “The review was to further appraise the submitted plans so as to determine the level of compliance with the fund disbursement requirement,” he said. Akinwunmi also said that training for farmers was con-

Institute holds project review workshop T

he Nigerian team of the Integrated Land and Water Management for Adaptation to Climate Variability and Change (ILWAC) has constructed check dams and water pans for farmers. Director, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, Oyo State, Prof. James Adediran, who said this during the ILWAC midterm review and workshop held at the institute, noted that since the inception of the project in 2013, the team had made a lot of progress, which includes establishment of sustainable partnership for innovations in soil and water management. Adediran said: “Appropriate tools for soil resource mapping were developed and promoted while technologies for soil-water-nutrient management were identified and promoted.” He noted that his institute, alongside other institutions in Burkina-Faso and Cote d’ Ivoire, won the grant to conduct research on the project titled: ‘Sustainable soil-water nutrient management under increasing climatic change and variability.” He emphasised that the project was funded by CORAF/West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (WECARD).

The director said that the objective was to improve agricultural resilience to climatic variability through deployment of improved soil and water management technologies that will mitigate the impact of climatic variability. Also, the ILWAC Regional Coordinator, Dr. Vincent Aduramigba-Modupe, said that no fewer than 10,000 farmers, including women, were empowered with inputs, climate smart soil and water conservation measures. Part of the objective, he said, was to provide farmers, especially vegetable farmers, with water to use during the dry season. “The project is on-going in Nigeria, Burkina-Faso and Cote d’Ivoire. We plan to upscale the project to more countries in West and Central Africa. “We also plan for production of 5,000 training manuals, policy briefs and farmers’ guide; we have more plans, but have challenge of restricted use of funds by donor, World Bank and WECARD,” he said. Similarly, the Head, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Ibadan, Prof. Bamidele Omitoyin, commended the donor and the stakeholders in the project for improving farmers’ livelihood through the ILWAC project.

ducted in the six core states (Anambra, Enugu, Kano, Kogi, Lagos and Niger) with two master trainers per state. “This was to re-orientate and re-educate the Farmer Field School master trainers on the skills and principles of the farmer field schools.

“Also, a farmers-need assessment commenced earlier, aimed at identifying the needs of farmers and how to proffer solutions,” he said. The coordinator said that the first phase of the assignment has been completed in Kogi, Kano and Niger states

and the reports are being reviewed. He added that technical assistance mission to production cluster states was also carried out to ascertain the readiness of the states for their participation in the Fadama III additional financing.

A farmer at work

n line with the national drive to revitalise the agricultural sector as a major revenue earner, 12 farmers from the 21 autonomous communities of Izombe, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, have been selected as beneficiaries of the Addax Petroleum’s agricultural support scheme. The beneficiaries who had been trained at the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia State, under the support scheme, have been empowered with farming implements such as tractors, agricultural equipment and tools worth N13 million. Speaking at the event, Vice

Farmers benefit from Addax scheme President and Managing Director of the multinational company, Cor Zegelaar, represented by the Community Relations Manager, Mr. Emeka Obi, noted that Oguta was selected as one of the locations for the pilot scheme, as it is the operational base of the company. Zegelaar said that the gesture was part of the company’s contribution to Nigeria’s quest for improved agriculture.

He said that a total of two million high-yielding and disease resistant cassava stems and 200 bags of fertilizer, among others, would be distributed to regions where Addax is having the pilot scheme. A total of 720 bundles of high-yielding and disease-resistant cassava stems, 96 bags of NPK fertilisers, herbicides, cassava processing machines, among others, were also distributed by the company.

Don, others get N900m for vegetables P

rofessor of Soil Science at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Duro Oyedele, will receive $4,450,000 million (N900 million) for a project aimed at promoting indigenous vegetables. The project, which will be in partnership with Osun State University; University of Parakou, Republic of Benin; University of Manitoba and University of Saskatchewan, Canada, is to advance the Under-utilised Indigenous Vegetables (UIVs) in South-western Nigeria and Benin Republic. Checks showed that in Nigeria, over 1,000 farmers increased their yield and income by using improved farming practices to grow UIVs. These improved farming practices were developed during the field research carried

out in South-western Nigeria. In Benin, fertiliser micro-dosing and rain water harvesting techniques also helped over 10,000 farmers achieve equally beneficial results with other crops despite degraded soil. The team of Nigerian, Beninoise and Canadian researchers are now combining these two innovations to bring the farmers’ practices to 50,000 farmers. The recommended farming techniques will be spread through demonstration trials, outreach efforts, supports and trainings for seed producers and marketers, by establishing local committees to address issues such as productivity and marketing. Support to indigenous vegetable farming and processing business will increase demand and improve income of 1,000,000

West African farmers and the University of Manitoba in Canada. This project is among the four international projects that have been collectively awarded $17 million by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada. They are part of an effort to scale up the most promising research supported under IDRC- Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF). The CIFSRF is a programme of IDRC, Canada, undertaken with financial support of the Canadian government provided through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Canada. The fund supports research to increase food security in developing countries while fostering collaboration between developing countries’ researchers and Canadian experts.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Auto Beat

All-New Ford Figo destined to be champion

The New Ford Figo

Paul Ogbuokiri

he all-new Ford Figo, due in Africa in the fourth quarter of 2015, is destined to be a compact car champion by offering unprecedented levels of style, feature-rich smart technologies and high levels of safety, while retaining the Figo’s established reputation for superb fuel efficiency and overall value. “The Ford Figo has been a remarkable success story in South Africa since it was launched in 2010,” says Tracey Delate, General Marketing Manager at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. “From the outset the Figo’s strong price point, smart features and the option of fuel-efficient petrol and diesel engines made it one of the top contenders in the Sub-B segment. Last year the Figo held an average of 15-per cent share of this segment. “The all-new Figo builds on that legacy by combining sophisticated contemporary styling, a whole new range of Ford’s trend-setting technologies such as Ford’s SYNC® integrated multimedia and connectivity system, as well as a modern and welcoming cabin that offers more space and improved safety,” Delate states. “The Figo will once again be extremely competitive in terms of overall value.” For the first time, the Figo will be available in two body styles, including the familiar five-door hatchback as well as a new four-door sedan. Although the full line-up will be confirmed closer to launch, the range will

be broader compared to the current Figo due to the addition of more derivatives and specification levels (and the option of the hatch and sedan body styles). Both petrol and diesel models will be available, offering impressive fuel economy, power and torque. Customers will also have the choice of manual or automatic transmissions. The eye-catching styling is emphasized by the trapezoidal grille, complemented by a raked bonnet and bold, elongated headlamps. Sweeping, curved lines flowing from the front to the rear create a sense of movement. The five-door hatch incorporates a rising roofline with a sporty spoiler and neat tailgate accentuated by two distinct crease lines. The sedan version echoes the theme and adds improved loading capacity. The interior is also completely new, with an attractive design that provides

CFAO to assemble motorcycles in Nigeria

high levels of comfort and space, complemented with impressive quality and attention to detail. Innovative smart features that will impress tech-savvy buyers include (depending on model) a new device-docking station that serves as the driver’s connection point to the world of mobility, Bluetooth with Voice Activation, the programmable MyKey® function, as well as electronic automatic temperature control. Safety is also a top priority, with a minimum of dual front airbags, extending to full-length side airbags. This is backed up by ABS brakes across the range, plus Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Hill Launch Assist on the top derivatives.

FAO and Yamaha Motor Corporation Japan have incorporated a company named CFAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria Limited, which will assemble Yamaha motorcycles in Nigeria. The incorporation of the company is achieved less than four months after a joint venture agreement was signed by the two parents of the new company with the objective of contributing their quota to the development of Nigeria’s transportation industry. As a result of this incorporation, the new company said in a statement that it is set to fix its factory equipment; test-run the assembly process and appoint several dealers in preparation for the first roll out of brand new Yamaha motorcycles with effect from September this year. This development was announced recently in Lagos by Mr. Olivier Levigne, the pioneering Managing Director of the new company, who has decades of experience with automobile brands such as Peugeot, Chevrolet and Mitsubishi in Nigeria. He said that his team, which includes a couple of Japanese experts from YMC is confident that Nigerians and the country at large would enjoy the benefits that Yamaha motorcycles would bring especially with quality assured local assembly line and a wide distribution network nationwide. The assembly plant of the new company is located in the premises of CFAO within the Amuwo Odofin industrial zone in Lagos and it has a production target of 70,000 Yamaha motorcycles by 2018. The new company will take advantage of the manufacturing and marketing expertise of Yamaha Motor Corporation, Japan and CFAO’s business experience and vast distribution network in Nigeria spanning over 113 years. Moreover, the company will introduce also other Yamaha products such as outboard engines, water vehicles (like jet-ski), ATV (allterrain vehicles), power generators and water pumps. Olivier Levigne announced also that the management of CFAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria Ltd is ready to admit more dealers for its marine products, motorcycles, power generators and spare parts, whilst empowering authorized workshops and professionally trained mechanics for the task ahead.

Mercedes-Benz reveals new naming

erman luxury automobile brand, Mercedes-Benz has put in place a new naming system for its complete model range. The brand has changed recognised car models and introduced a range of new names, which started towards the end of 2014. The brand that is constantly producing new vehicles, believes that this is the right time to go ahead and reorganise, due to plans in the near future. By 2020 Mercedes-Benz aims to have 30 new models in its portfolio worldwide, 11 of them

will be entirely new cars. The new naming strategy was put in place to make the car models easier to understand.”After more than 20 years of continuity involving some of the most recognised and successful product names in the world, we are now making our system of vehicle nomenclature even more understandable. Bearing in mind the international appeal of our brand, our plan has been to devise an even simpler, more transparent and more logical system for the designations of our model series, with the aim of providing clear orientation for

our customers” This was the message announced by Vice President Marketing & Communications at Mercedes-Benz, Dr Jens Thiemer during the launch of the new nomenclature. Prior to the name change, Mercedes Benz used core lettering to distinguish models. For example A-, B-, C-, E- and SClass, will still remain the same and the changes only affect models known as ML, GLK, GL and the SLK. To simplify matters, the models have been divided into categories, which are: SUVs, four door coupes, roadsters and AMGs.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

L-R: Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga; Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, during an inspection of the State Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Photo | News

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (right), with the Special Adviser on Project Monitoring and Implementation, Mr. Emma Nwabuko, during an inspection tour of work at the on-going new Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs office complex in Umuahia.

L-R: Chairman, Enugu East L.G.A, Prince Cornelius Nnaji; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Mr. Victor Atuonwu and Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ikeje Asogwa, during the governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inspection of the Abakpa Nike Market, in Enugu.

L-R: Commandant, 42 Division, Nigerian Army Engineering Corps, Brig.-Gen. Henry Ayamasaowei; GOC, 2 Division, Brig.-Gen. Sanusi Muazu; Corps Commander, Education Corps, Maj.-Gen. Sunday Adebayo and others, at the 2015 second quarter conference of the Nigeria Army Education Corps in Ibadan.

L-R: Members, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Abdulmumin Jubril and Biodun Akinlarin after a press briefing by Jubril to announce his withdrawal from the speakership race of the House of Representatives for Dogara in Abuja. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

L-R: National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), USA, Judge Dele Alade; Chairman, Tony Isama; Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Woman Leader, Felicity Mbanefo, at the presentation of award to Dabiri in Abuja. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

L-R: Clerk of the House, Dr. Torese Agena; member, Kenneth Iyo; member, Stephen Onmeje; Speaker, Terhile Ayua; the Majority Leader, Paul Biam; David Iorhemba and others after the dissolution of the Seventh Assembly in Makurdi.

L-R: Treasurer, National Assembly Legislative Aide (NASLAF), Mr.Olusola Ogungbemi; Vice Chairman, Mrs. Ajomale Omowunmi; member, House of Representatives, Ismaila Hussain and the son of late Samuel Omachonu, at the presentation of a cheque to the deceased children in Abuja. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Islam UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH

E X H OR T A T I ON

18 Shaban 1436 AH

“And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” (QURAN 30:21)

10 ways to prepare for Ramadan And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself, but then seeks forgiveness from Allah, he will find Allah forgiving and merciful. (Surat an-Nisaa 4:110)

Food containing less than 1% alcohol: lawful? QUESTION As-salamu `alaykum. Dear scholars, is it ok to eat some food containing less than 1% alcohol found in some dressing or sauce ingredients such as sushi rice vinegar called Mirin? What do you say about alcohol that gets burned off in cooking? ANSWER Wa ‘alaykum as-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger. Dear brother, thank you for your question and for your commitment to Islam’s teachings. It is known that any food or drink containing any percentage of alcohol is prohibited. So, Muslims should resort to alcohol-free alternatives. Responding to your question, Dr. Main Al-Qudah, Assistant Professor, AOU, IAU, SAA, Member of AMJA Fatwa Committee, and Imam, MAS Katy Center, stated, The evaporation of alcohol while cocking or processing the food is not completely guaranteed. Because of that, there might still some taste or flavor in the food. That is why consuming any food or drink containing any percentage of alcohol is prohibited. On the other hand, the alternative is available; there are many other alcohol-free products. Allah Almighty knows best.

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhajj Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar (left) and the Chief Imam of Lagos, Alhajj Garuba Akinola ibrahim, at the inauguration of the Lagos State Muslim Community in Lagos recently.

amadan is few days ahead. Adeola Yusuf compiles the following 10 ways in which we can prepare for this beautiful month starting from now 1. Voluntary Fasts What better way of preparing ourselves to fast for 30 consecutive days in Ramadan than to fast the voluntary fasts. Fasting Monday and Thursday: Abu Hurairah reported that the most the Prophet, (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasalam) would fast would be Monday and Thursday. He was asked about that and he said: “The deeds of people are presented to Allah on every Monday and Thursday. Allah forgives every Muslim except for those who are deserting each other.” He says: “leave them for later”. (Ahmad; Hasan) Another is to fast the white days (13, 14 and 15th of each Islamic month): Therefore we should fast these days in order to prepare for the fasting of Ramadan and even after Ramadan we should continue to do so for fasting will intercede for us on the day of judgement: 2. Reciting Qur’an Allah the exalted says: “The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance, the Criterion; so whoever amongst you witnesses this month, let him fast it.” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:185) Ramadan was the month in which the Qur’an was first

revealed so it is the month of the Qur’an. We should devote much of this blessed month reciting the Qur’an. Az-Zuhri used to say upon the coming of Ramadan, “It is only about reciting the Qur’an and feeding the poor.” 3. Praying Superogatory (Nafil) prayers In Ramadan every voluntary prayer carries the reward of a Fard prayer in normal times and there is nothing more rewarding than a Fard prayer so one can imagine the immense rewards that are available in Ramadan for every voluntary prayer we pray. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times.” (Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 1887) In order for us to take advantage of these immense rewards we should start begin now by praying all of the daily Sunnah and Nafil prayers so by the time Ramadan comes we will already be in the habit of praying all of our Sunnah and Nafils and so we cna increase our voluntary prayers even more so during Ramadan. This would be difficult if we were not in the habit of praying Sunnah and Nafil prayers in normal times.

4. Making Dua Many of us do not spend as much time as we should do in Dua. Even if we do we rush our dua and our hearts and minds are not present whilst supplicating to Allah. Many of us rush our Dua’s and our hearts are often not present whilst we are supplicating to Allah. Therefore we lose out on much of the benefits and blessings of Dua. We must give more attention to our Dua’s and try to concentrate more and be more sincere in our Dua’s imagining Allah watching us supplicate to him. We should humble ourselves making ourselves low and not worthy in front of Allah. We should try to cry if we can and have FULL hope that Allah will accept our Dua’s if not in this world then in the hereafter. Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an: “When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me.” 5. Sincere Repentance Ramadan is the month where we can gain mercy and forgiveness from Allah for all of our sins past and present. We should know that Allah is most merciful and most forgiving and loves to forgive: Allah says: O son of Adam, if your sins were to reach the clouds of the sky and you would then seek My forgiveness, I would forgive you. When a person sins and then sincerely turns to Allah for forgiveness, one will find Allah ready to accept his repentance and to forgive him, as this verse indicates:

6. Generosity & Charity Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) became even more generous in Ramadan than he already was. Ramadan is a time for generosity and giving. It is a time when we think about those who have less than us as well as thank Allah for everything he has given us. Ramadan is an honourable and blessed month, and the rewards for generosity are multiplied in it. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said, “The best charity is that given in Ramadan.” (At-Tirmithi). 7. Controlling the tongue Ramadan is a time where we must control our desires (nafs) as well as our tongues: Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Fasting is not (abstaining) from eating and drinking only, but also from vain speech and foul language. If one of you is being cursed or annoyed, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.” (Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibban) Therefore we must protect our tongue from vain speech and foul language. Protecting the tongue is preventing it from lying, back-biting, slander, tale-carrying, false speech and other things that have been forbidden in the Qur’an & Sunnah. 8. Improving Character & manners Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) came to perfect the character of man and the best of this Ummah are those with the best of characters: Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alahi Wasallam) used to say: “The best amongst you are those who have the best manners and character.” (al-Bukhari) Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “There is none heavier in the scales of the Hereafter than good character (Tirmidhi & Abu Dawud). So let us strive to perfect our manners, character and conduct towards others and know that these good deeds will be of the heaviest on the scales and will enable us to reach the highest ranks of Jannah and the closest to Allah. CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

Feminique NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Koloko: When it comes to beauty, Nigerian women are willing to spend Ufuoma Koloko is the CEO of UK Skin Academy and MD of Zenith Water Gardens. Born in the UK by Nigerian parents, the beautiful damsel, who relocated to Nigeria to revamp her father’s business and later established the academy, told EBERE AMEH that she is home for good

oised and dignified, Ufuoma Koloko sauntered into the serene and tastefully furnished restaurant of the Zenith Water Gardens in the bubbling Adeniran Ogusanya road of Surulere. She had to come back from the United Kingdom where she was born and raised, to revamp and revive the business, which her father started with a number of his friends. Though it’s Managing Director, the fair complexioned young lady soon started the UK Skin Academy, building it to one of the most sought after skin care institutions in Nigeria. “My primary focus for the first few years when I came in 2010 was to revive the restaurant. When things settled down, my then restaurant manager saw that I was doing this skin care on the side and customers were coming and he said, ‘Madam, I feel that this thing could be much bigger. Why don’t you apply for YouWiN. That’s what I did and thank God I was successful. That was when I was able to open the larger outlet in Lekki in 2014,” Koloko explained. The graduate of History and African Studies started her business in earnest and now, barely one year after its establishment, Koloko is struggling to keep up with both local and international engagements but like the proverbial Oliver Twist, she still wants some more. “We are just over a year now and the patronage so far has been good. We have a lot of international interest - external international companies contacting us. Some people contacted us from Dubai last year. They wanted to do a Hair and Beauty Expo in Eko hotel. We got involved and we were part

EBERE AMEH ebere.ameh@newtelegraphonline.com

of it last year and we shall be part of it this coming October too. Next week I’ll have a meeting with a French skin care company. Some people from Saudi Arabia want us to help them set up their own training academy in Saudi and so many others. That’s the beauty of having a strong brand and a strong presence on the internet. Though the patronage has been good, considering how long we have been in business, it is not yet as we would like,” she explained. Koloko’s interest led her to do a one year course on skin care. In addition to the training given by Dermalogica, the products she uses. “Dermalogica is a very strong brand - very professional and clinical. I have replicated it in my skin clinic in Lekki and it has been great. They have an excellent in house training of their staff on skin care techniques and products formulations. As an account holder with them one also gets as much free training as one wants.” Talking about the reason for venturing into the skin care business despite her academic background, Koloko said that for one reason or the other, many people don’t end up with what they studied, adding that in her own case, interest is her propellant. “I went into business consulting in the UK, working with Accenture. I was there for three and a half years and I left because a lot of these multinationals are very rigid in their structure. They are not always interested in someone that is a free and independent thinker.” Feeling restricted in Accenture, the ambitious lady wanted to do her own thing and left them for another consulting firm. “That place I had a lot more opportunity to express myself and my confidence grew. But all the while, I was planning my exit. I was there for two years before I was allowed to go for sabbatical.” It was during her sabbatical that she was able to test the business in London and she never went back to ordinary employment. On the kind of issues her customers present with, the

skin care guru who confirmed that men also come for facials said they are varied. “Some people may have serious acne, issues with sunburn and discoloration. With the women it’s often due to using bad cream, for men it’s mostly due to everyday exposure and not knowing how to protect themselves well.” Koloko doesn’t stop at treatment, she also empowers her clients by advising them on what to do, going forward, giving them the right products to use at home. She abhors skin whitening, she said she is very much against its use. “People from time to time would come and say mix this and that cream for me and it doesn’t hurt us to say no, even though we are losing money; because at the end of the day, if you get money through bad means you ruin your business.” Koloko identified some beauty mistakes common with Nigerian women as including skin whitening and the scarce use of sunscreen. Comparing business here and the UK, she said it’s a lot more simple and straight forward but with some element of restriction in the UK. “You might have a vision there but because of so many tight regulations, which are good because they protect you as the business owner and protect your customers as well. But I feel that even though the stress here is too much, the cost of doing business here is higher but the returns can be higher as well. “First, the Nigerian market is massive, and second is that Nigerians willingness to spend on certain things is higher than that for people in the UK. Nigerians might have less on a day to day basis, but when it comes to beauty business, Nigerian women are willing to spend.” She also identified poor infrastructure and poor power supply as some of the main challenges her business faces, praying that President Muhammadu Buhari combats corruption and brings law and order to the country. CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

Koloko

Feminique

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

7 tips why kids can’t halt your hot romance

Fadeyi

ast week we talked about what happens to most people sex wise when the kids start coming. Their sex lives nosedive and then crash-land. A lot of injuries follow. If you are one of them, then don’t worry. There is a way out. You can try one or more of these tips to achieve success and take your sex life to the next level. Make time for just the two of you. The kid or kids are here fine. You must have a daily and weekly routine for the family. The almighty to do list. All you have to do is create quality time for the two of you. It is not as difficult as you think. Use that quality time to get to know each other better. Reconnect. This time is not for talking about work, school fees, feeding allowances etc. No. It is for you to be romantic. This is no nagging or

finding faults time. Reassure each other. Definitely, as the kids come rolling in, appearances will change. Especially for the woman. Some women are lucky and are still able to keep their figures after childbirth. Some are not. For those who are not, you can lovingly point them in the right direction. They need reassurance regularly from us men. The more you can do that, the better for you both. Our wives need a lot of petting and cuddling regularly to be reassured that all is well. Get more creative in bed. This is when you need to master that art of lovemaking. Go and read all those books about lovemaking. Learn about the different positions you can adopt. There are so many exotic and non exotic positions. Most of us are used to the missionary position. Try others. You will be pleasantly surprised. The point is that you will not know if you don’t experiment. This is the absolute truth. Redefine Foreplay. Unfortunately most Nigerian couples know little or nothing about foreplay. Foreplay does not have to be limited to just two minutes before sex. You can commence foreplay in the morning even when you both know that sex will not be possible before evening. Doing that heightens the expectations and prepares you both in body and mind. It makes sex something to look forward to. Just Do It. What do I mean by this?

Simple. Occasionally, make your sex impromptu and unannounced. Look for any window of opportunity to just do it. Not only in the bedroom and at night. You can use the bathroom, sitting room, kitchen etc. Just anywhere you are assured of privacy. Don’t wait for the perfect time. It may never come. Don’t always be too tired. Yes I know that you both have a lot of things to cope with. But if you are determined, you can always map out your day in such a way as to conserve your energy. Think of yourself as a marathon runner. If you do not pace yourself and conserve your energy, you will not get to the finishing line when it counts. It is always frustrating when one of you is ready to go and the other is not ready. Finally, don’t always wait or expect your man to make the first move. This is always a put off. At the end of the day it will seem as if he is always forcing you to have sex. When this starts to happen too frequently, he might start to look elsewhere. And I’m sure you will not like that. So go ahead and have those kids, but still keep your sex life rocking especially during this critical period of fuel crisis. Dr T. A. Fadeyi. MB. BCH. Sexologist, Sex and Marriage Counselor. drtaiwofadeyi@gmail.com 08033148899 (sms only)

Our women like to look beautiful CONT INU E D FROM PAGE 40

Advising the Nigerian women, the young entrepreneur said; “I just feel that a lot of women out there really need to sit down and ask themselves, ‘what do I really want to do? Do they really want to have a sense of achievement or they want somebody to hand them something on a plate. I wish more women out there would not wait to be pushed by someone. I wish they could push themselves more and take their future into their own hands by doing something.” Successful, young and single, Koloko says that what drives her is seeing people get transformed and empowered in the course of working for her. “We’ve got a fairly young workforce and I like the thought of people developing and growing through their experiences working here. The two therapists that work for me were former house helps. And to see them transform from what they were to what they are now - the level of confidence they have, the way they are able to articulate things about skin care, the way they absorb the training, makes me happy. Seeing those transformations gives me a sense of achievement, a sense of purpose.” Koloko says that in spite of all the challenges in Nigeria, she feels at home and more alive in Nigeria than UK. She would like to be remembered as a positive force of energy, energizing others –providing energy for people to launch their own dreams and visions. The young lady who relaxes by swimming, reading and also having pampering treatments in her spa is looking forward to getting married and starting her own family.

Ego: Diary of a single mom

Ebere Ameh

e requested that our traditional wedding be low keyed. Only close members of our family who were required to be there by custom would be invited. But those elders could not be deceived. They brought a long list asking for almost everything under heaven. Thank God Danny is not unfamiliar with those ludicrous practices. Earlier in the week, we had gone to the Ikoyi Marriage Registry to contract our marriage legally. As far as I am concerned, I am married. I don’t care what the elders are demanding. If not for my parents who want to go the customary way, Danny and I could make do with the Court Marriage. As if the list, which came earlier was not enough, they started asking for some unprintable sum in the name of bride price on the day of the traditional wedding, when Onyeike, the village drunk and layabout hit them hard with his taunts. “Stupid people that call themselves elders,” he started. He is always bold when he is drunk and could insult anybody. Though people say its Onyeike’s talk and shouldn’t be reckoned with, many know he says the truth at times. “You drive away your daughters’ suitors with your greedy requests only to complain that

So, I am a Tokunbo they have become Nna ga alu. Yeye people,” he sneered. While some screamed at him to disappear, others ignored him but I was happy that if nobody was ready to challenge them, Onyeike has done that. But my joy was short-lived when he also hit me where it pains the most. “You people should be happy that Ogbuefi Ezinwanne’s second-hand daughter has succeeded in hooking a man when some unmarried ones are still searching. Whether she is the one marrying the man, or the man is the one marrying her, Tokunbos like her should be commended for hooking a man. In short, they should be given as dash to their husbands.” I could hear my brother pursuing him out of the compound. Thank God I was listening from the room nearby; I would have melted in shame if I were out with them. Chika and Funmi, my friends with me were raising their voices so I could not hear him but I did. They were tying my head gear and helping me dress in preparation for the traditional identification of the groom by the bride. As he was eventually driven away by my brother and the angry elders, I asked them to stop while I pondered over my life in tears. “If not for that stupid Segun, who would have called me Tokunbo,” I queried tearfully. “He has made me

a laughing stock....” I wanted to continue when Funmi interjected. “Abeg abeg abeg, spare me that selfpity,” she yelled, raising her hand to show her total indignation. “You should thank God you are Tokunbo but it wasn’t Segun that made you a Tokunbo. It is Tobi and Tosin that made you a complete Tokunbo. And while you are here wallowing in self-pity, I actually wish I could be as lucky as you are, even if I would be called agbegilodo” she said. Funmi and Dr Okonjo have been married without an issue for close to seven years. Chika on the other hand has been divorced for over eight years but has not been lucky to have a man propose marriage to her. Though she remained quiet, her silence spoke volumes and I quickly cleaned my tears. Just then my father came in to see how far we were doing. He assured me that his elderly uncle would soon come and help sort out the bride price and other issues. Thank God he did not meet me in tears. I pretended that I heard nothing. True to his word, we could hear the elders greeting my great Uncle. Obata obie, they hailed him as he took his seat. He is the oldest man in our clan and highly respected in the village. Expectedly, everything went smoothly and not long afterwards, I was out with a cup of palm-wine ready to identify and present Danny to my kinsmen. Despite the initial hiccups, I felt like it was my first time. As he gently pulled me to sit on his laps, I felt an enormous joy swell within me. So much that to describe it will be to diminish it.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Crime

Two brothers escape being burnt alive, end up in prison

Gbemisola Oyedepo

ear and pains were etched out starkly on the face of Mrs. Adedoyin Badmus. As she narrates the story of how two of her kids, Anuoluwapo 21, and Ismaila Badmus 19, ended up in prison, tears welled in her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. She said her worst nightmare was that one day; prison officials would call her to say her sons were dead. She sniffs: “I’m so scared. I don’t know what else to do. I’m begging the police to take a second look at the case. I implore the government to cross check facts on this issue. My kids are innocent! They are not armed robbers! Please, they shouldn’t die in prison. If someone must go to prison, it shouldn’t be my innocent boys.” According to the woman, the story and subsequent journey of her kids to prison started in June 2014, after they were allegedly fingered for a crime they didn’t commit. She said they would have been burnt alive but for the intervention of a woman. Today, Anuoluwapo and Ismaila, would have spent seven months in Kirikiri Prisons. Adedoyin said that although she has two girls and the two boys in question, but her life simply seemed to have stopped since their incarceration. “My kids became everything to me after their dad left us,” she cried. “I’m just a petty trader. I know that if I had money, my boys wouldn’t be in prison today.” In June 18, 2014, four men were almost killed at the Oworoshoki area of the Lagos metropolis, after a group of suspected cult members invaded their homes. The cultists, armed with dangerous weapons, machete the four men and were about to set them ablaze when a Good Samaritan appeared from nowhere and tried to save them. The four men are Anuoluwapo Badmus, Ismaila Badmus, Korede Sule 25, and one Mumuni, surname yet unknown.

JULIANA FRANCIS CRIME Editor

juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

Ismaila and Anuoluwapo

When the cultists refused to heed the Good Samaritan, she quickly put a call across to the police. An eye witness who sought anonymity, said: “When the police came, they shot sporadically into the air. The cult members ran in different directions. The police took the four men to Area H Police Headquarters, Ogudu, Ojota, Lagos.” The witness continued: “It all started on June 18, 2014, I was on the street, playing draft with friends when I saw a group of people running. I stood to check what was going on. I saw some guys with machetes and other dangerous weapons. I tried to ask questions, but they wouldn’t heed me. The group went into No 8 Lagos Street. They entered Anuoluwapo Badmus and Ismaila Badmus’ room. One of their friends, Mumuni was in the room with them. He came to charge his phone. The gang threatened to kill Anuoluwapo. They told him that they were on a revenge mission. They started inflicting him with machete cuts. His brother, Ismaila tried to save him. “He asked them what Anuoluwapo had done to anger them. But rather than reply, they pounced on him and Mumuni. They stripped them naked, took them round the areas,

Adedoyin

calling them thieves. On the road, they met Korede Sule, a friend of Anuoluwapo. He too asked why the men were being beaten. Immediately the gang pounced on him. When they got to Car Wash Bus-stop area, they

attempted to set the four of them on fire.” A woman, later discovered to be the Good Samaritan, watching the C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 6

Crime

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Men arrested on trump up charges languish in prison C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

incident, quickly video it; she would later described it as man’s inhumanity to man. She was the Good Samaritan that alerted Area H Police Command, where the divisional police officer in charge of Ogudu Police Station came and took over the matter. The eye witness said: “The DPO ordered that the boys should be taken to the police clinic so that their wounds would be treated. But two days later, they were transferred to SARS Ikeja. SARS men requested for some amount of money to be paid. Mumuni had severe injury his body and head. A lawyer assisted us in his bail. When we noticed that the boys were staying more than expected in SARS Ikeja, we went to Federal SARS Adeniji, where we got a letter. Federal SARS called SARS Ikeja, saying that the case should be transferred to them. We didn’t know what happened, but SARS Ikeja charged the matter to court. Within this period, we had spent N150, 000.” It was gathered that after two weeks investigation, police took Ismaila to the community and arrested one Adeola Adebola. Ismaila had fingered him as one of the cultists that attacked and tried to set them on fire. Immediately he was arrested, Adebola saw no reason to go down alone. He mentioned the name of his leader, Obasanjo. Residents described Obasanjo as a notorious land grabber. The four rescued men were however shocked to see a top ranking chief of the Oba of Oworonshoki, at the station. He took the bail of Obasanjo. Rather than for Obasanjo and his gang of suspected cultists to be charged to court, four men; Anuoluwapo, Ismaila, Sule and Adebola were charged. The four men were remanded in Kirikiri Prison from the court. The four men are still in prison and the case had not been called to court since the first time the men were charged to Court 20, Ikeja. Adedoyin said: “If other parents have forgotten their kids, I’ve not forgotten mine. I pray every day for them. The trouble is that I don’t know what else to do!” It was learned that prison officials were worried over the plight of the four men. They had stayed in prison for close to seven months and nobody seemed to care whether they go to court or not. The prison officials alerted a nongovernment organization, Know Your Right Initiative (KnoRights), located at Ikotun, Lagos. The leader of the NGO, Mr. Olusegun Adeeko took up the matter. He went to the prisons to see and interviewed the men. He and his members further carried out investigation, including going to the scene at Oworoshoki where the whole drama started. They came back with a gut feeling that the Ismaila, Anuoluwapo and Sule were innocent. When Adedoyin came to New Telegraph office, to narrate the story of how her kids were rescued and later imprisoned, Adeeko was with her. Adeeko said: “The men were believed to be armed robbers that

xxxx

CP Lagos, Aderanti

invaded a building at Oworoshoki Lagos, on June 14, 2014. Adeola Adebola was arrested after he fingered the leader of the group that led the cultists to met out jungle justice on the supposed armed robbers.” Adedoyin recounted: “I was not at home when the incident happened. Someone called me on phone and I rushed home. My neighbours told me what happened. Immediately, I dashed to Alonge Police Station in Oworonshoki. The policemen there told me that my sons had been taken to Area H Police Command, at Ogudu. I ran to the place. I didn’t see my kids. Police kept dribbling me.” According to the worried woman, the matter was later transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State Police Command, where a policeman, identified as Good Friday, finally told her why her sons were being held. She said: “Good Friday told us that it was a case between cultist members. He told me to be prayerful. I asked if my children were dead, he said no. Perhaps seeing how scared I was, the SARS men allowed me to see them. My heart broke when I first caught sight of them. My kids were seriously injured with bruises on them. I noticed that someone had shot Anuoluwapo’s leg. I wasn’t given enough time to speak with them. I wanted to know if they were cultists as the police alleged. My sons told the police that one Obasanjo, known to almost everyone in Oworoshoki came to attack them at home. He told the police that while the cult members masked their faces, the said Obasanjo wore no mask.” She recalled that two weeks after the arrest of her boys, Adeola Adebola, a member of the Eiye confraternity, led police to Obasanjo. “We heard that the Oba of Oworoshoki

Adeeko

told the police not to Obasanjo away, but the police insisted. Obasanjo was detained but was later released on bail. The Oba later assisted and sent him to Mecca.” Adeeko said that when KnoRight went to Oworoshoki, where the brothers lived and were apprehended, the truth was discovered. He said the brothers were labeled robbers, adding that it was all a lie. He explained that when KnoRights interviewed a landlord’s in the area, Mr. Adefupe, he narrated that the incident happened on a day a birthday party was going on. Adeeko said: “Adefupe told us that on June 14, 2014, while a birthday party was going on in their compound, some boys came with cutlasses to rob the whole tenants of their valuables. After the robbery, nobody bothered to inform the police of what transpired that day. They said it wasn’t the first time such a robbery would be taking place in the area. Adefupe said that on June 18, he saw some men who had been stripped naked. They had blood stains on their bodies. When Adefupe asked what the men had done, he was told that they robbed a house.” Adeeko explained that after gathering reports from eye witnesses, he went to the prison to have a chat with the brothers. He said he couldn’t understand why SARS Ikeja, rushed the brothers to courts, moments after Federal SARS called for the file. Adeeko stated: “When we interviewed some of the residents, they told us truly that men of the underworld robbed them and that some police men came some weeks later to the house. The policemen told them that they had caught the people that robbed them.” Adeeko said a look at the charge

sheet, showed that the suspects were facing a seven count charge. He also discovered some of the persons who claimed their items were robbed at the birthday party were mysterious, almost none existing. “Nobody knows the names on the charge sheet,” said Adeeko. “The names might be fabricated. Even the people at the party don’t know these names. How did the police get the names of the supposed victims? And who are they? When did they go to the police to report?” He added: “ The police charge sheet is dated July 16, whereas, the boys were already in the police custody before the date that the police gave on their charge sheet. The SARS men knew that a letter was coming, they decided to charge the suspects to court. They knew that if they received the letter while the boys were still with them, they would not be charged to court. The case was then charged to court. When a robbery case is been charged to court, it is not a bail able offence, in the process, the Magistrate of the court, will send holding charge, then advise the prosecutor, to duplicate the case file to Director of Public Prosecution(DPP), waiting for DPP’s advice. “The case of the boys is under DPP, waiting for DPP’s advice. And that is why we wrote a petition to the Minister of Justice and DPP, so that the DPP will accelerate their case, and look into their matter so that the advice can come up earlier.DPP should give them no case submission based on evidence supplied. The evidence showed that it was trumped up charges, since there were no arms found on them. They are not armed robbers! If this is not done, they may spend close to five years in prison without anything being done.”

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

New forex rate reflects market liquidity, says CBN VOLATILITY Lingering concerns over naira Stories by Tony Chukwunyem

Naira exchange rate of N196.95 to the dollar set this week by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reflects the level of dollar supply in interbank market, the apex bank stated yesterday.

Reuters quoted CBN spokesman, Ibrahim Muazu, as saying: “We are not fixing rates. The present rate is a reflection of the level of dollar supply in the market.” One other economist said the move would hurt the country’s precarious forex reserves position, however. The regulator had previously set the rate at N197/$ in February after the currency’s value was eroded by the fall in oil prices. Dealers told Reuters the CBN had been selling dollars to the interbank market at the adjusted

S’African firm targets acquisitions in Nigeria

iberty Holdings, South Africa’s fourth largest insurer, is looking at acquisitions in Nigeria to establish a strong regional presence in West Africa, its chief executive said yesterday. The firm, which is majority owned by Africa’s biggest lender Standard Bank, has an asset management outfit in Ghana and a regional health insurance business in Nigeria but wanted to expand its footprint, CEO Thabo Dloti said. Reuters quoted him as saying “Clearly the big area where

we are looking to establish ourselves is Nigeria, both in insurance and asset management. It’s a journey we’ve travelled for the last year or so, looking for the right opportunity and finding the right partner.” Liberty reported a 3 percent decline in full-year profit in February, reflecting a contraction in earnings from its shareholder investment portfolio. In all, Liberty has a presence in 16 countries in Africa. It has around 650 billion rand ($53 billion) of assets under management.

Deloitte Global’s new CEO outlines plans

he new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (Deloitte Global), Punit Renjen, assumed office last Monday, declaring that the global organisation’s priorities will be focused on driving a shared sense of purpose across its networks operating in more than 150 countries with more than 220,000 people. “All of Deloitte’s stakeholders – clients, colleagues and the communities in which we work – expect us to make an impact that matters for them,” said Renjen. “That means we must commit to achieving clear leadership in critical areas through very focused priorities.” Renjen framed a set of strategic priorities, including increasing investment to apply leading technology to serve clients across core businesses of audit, tax, consulting, enterprise risk and financial advisory services. Other top priorities include setting the standard for quality around the world, employing “hyper collaboration” among the network’s member firms to deliver global capabilities tailored to local needs, and creating a distinct development experience to attract and inspire talent. In addition to driving delivery of exceptional core services to clients across a range of industry sectors, Renjen plans to grow the Deloitte network’s capabilities in areas such as cognitive technologies, cloud computing, digital and social applications, cyber, risk, and

crisis services. “Advanced technology is changing the way clients do business, and maintaining our lead in capabilities is crucial to help them navigate that change,” said Renjen. “In addition, we are committed to building and maintaining trust in capital markets and confidence in business institutions. We will do this by combining insights and innovation to deliver fully integrated tax services, world-class innovation in audit, and consulting services that deliver measurable impact.” He noted, “Increasingly, companies are seeking ways to integrate social impact into their core business, rather than relying on corporate citizenship programs alone. This positive trend will help drive a sense of purpose; however, it is important businesses take a broad view when thinking about impact to include clients and employees, in addition to affecting the communities in which they work and live.” Renjen is the first Indianborn American CEO of the global office of a leading professional services network. Most recently, he was Deloitte US member firm Chairman of the Board since 2011. His leadership appointment is part of a comprehensive nomination and member firm partner ratification process that occurs every four years and includes all member firms of the Deloitte worldwide network.

rate. They, however, noted that the change was too small to be considered a revaluation for the naira, particularly in the face of dwindling foreign reserves. The naira was trading at N198.95 to the dollar on the interbank market and between N215 to N218 in the parallel market. Reuters quoted head of research at Ecobank, Angus Downie, as saying: “By lowering the central bank rate offered to banks albeit very moderately, the central bank is adding to pressures on FX reserves ... equivalent to around

4.9 months of imports.” Nigeria’s foreign reserves fell to $29.4 billion by June 2, down 20.1 per cent from a year ago as the central bank burns cash to defend the local currency. The bank merged its biweekly currency auctions market with the interbank market last February and fixed the exchange rate, a move that amounted to a de facto devaluation of the currency of Africa’s biggest economy. The regulator had also banned commercial lenders from re-selling central bank dollars among themselves,

which was an attempt to curb speculation on the naira. The naira Non-Deliverable Forwards - currency derivatives traded offshore - pointed to the local currency being priced at N221-N225 to the greenback in six month’s time. “Small changes in the rate could possibly allow the central bank to gauge the changes in demand and supply dynamics, which would inform decisions on when and how best to start lifting forex restrictions,” Cobus de Hart of South Africa’s NKC Independent Economists said.

Africa’s FDI inflows hit $128bn in 2014 – Survey frica attracted $128 billion In his comments on the re- economies like South Africa, A in Foreign Direct Invest- port, Chief Executive Officer at Angola, Nigeria, Ghana and Kement (FDI) last year, up from EY Africa, Ajen Sita, said, “In nya received fewer FDI projects $52.6 billion the year before, accounting firm Ernst & Young (E&Y) said in its 2015 Africa attractiveness survey. It also noted that the number of projects in the region fell by 8.4 per cent. According to the report, entitled, “Making choices,” the 136 per cent increase in FDI inflows last year was a five-year high, adding that the number of jobs created from the FDI rose by 68per cent resulting in 188,400 new positions across the continent. The study combines an analysis of FDI data into Africa since 2003, together with a survey of over 500 global business leaders, in over 30 countries, about their views on the potential of the African market.

than in 2013, the average value of each project across the region almost doubled (from $67.8 million in 2013 to $174.5 million per project in 2014). Mozambique (88.2 per cent) and Ethiopia (47.1 per cent) were among the star performers, attracting growing inflows of projects. Over the longer term, South Africa has been the most popular destination for FDI projects, attracting twice as many projects over the past five years than any other African country. Also, the study showed that Western European and intra-African investment remain the top sources of FDI, though 2014 saw traditional investors, including North America and the Middle East, refocus attention on Africa.

the past year, Africa has experienced stronger headwinds than in recent times. Consequently, economic growth this year is likely to be at its lowest in five years, dragged down by the impact of lower oil prices on the Nigerian and Angolan economies, the softening of other commodity prices, and South Africa’s sluggish growth. At the same time though, economic growth across the continent remains resilient. Sub-Saharan Africa will still experience the second highest economic growth rate in the world this year, with 22 economies growing at a rate of 5 per cent or higher.” Further analysis of the report showed that in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), while key

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

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 8.7 13 10.77 US$62.62 US$29,350,495,394

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 May, 2015 4/6/2015 Mar 2015 4/6/2015 3/6/2015

Source:CBN

Description 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 16.00 29-JUN-2019 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

TTM 1.20 1.90 4.07 6.65 8.78 15.13 19.12

Tenor (Days) Call 30 90 180

Price 99.24 101.96 106.25 110.89 101.84 68.00 87.93

NIBOR

Rate (%) 9.7850 14.7998 16.0255 17.3338

FGN Bonds Bid Yield 13.71 13.86 13.93 13.82 13.82 15.54 13.97

Change (%) -0.07 ▼ 0.07 ▲ 0.09 ▲ 0.03 ▲ 0.11 ▲ 0.00 ↔ 0.03 ▲

Change (%) -0.91 ▼ -0.12 ▼ -0.20 ▼ 0.12 ▲

Price 99.39 102.11 106.55 111.19 102.14 68.30 88.23

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Discount 11.10 12.54 12.96

Bid Yield 11.41 13.38 14.71

Change (%) 0.35 ▲ 0.02 ▲ -0.01 ▼

Bid Offer Spot ($/N) 197.63 197.73 THE FIXINGS –NIBOR,NITTY and NIFEX of February 6,2014

NITTY

Rate (%) 11.2114 11.3876 11.4276 13.6344 14.3432 14.4231

Treasury Bills Maturity Date 03-Sep-15 03-Dec-15 05-May-16

Offer Yield 13.57 13.77 13.83 13.75 13.76 15.47 13.92

Change (%) -0.07 ▼ 0.07 ▲ 0.09 ▲ 0.03 ▲ 0.11 ▲ 0.00 ↔ 0.03 ▲ Change (%) -0.12 ▼ -0.54 ▼ -0.83 ▼ 0.22 ▲ 0.06 ▲ 0.05 ▲

Money Market

Discount 10.85 12.29 12.71

Offer Yield 11.15 13.09 14.39

Change (%) 0.18 ▲

Change (%) Rate (%) 0.35 ▲ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 8.50 0.02 ▲ Overnight (O/N) 8.92 -0.01 ▼

NIFEX

Bid Spot ($/N) 163.4000

Offer 163.5000

Change (%) -0.92 ▼ -0.92 ▼

Change (%) - 0.01 ▼ Source: FMDQ

Business | Financial Market News

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

4-Jun-15

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute professional, financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to date. We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information.

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

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

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

581.39 476.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 193.73 600.00 573.14 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 299.50

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

1.20 1.90 2.15 2.24 2.99 4.07 4.39 4.69 6.65 8.78 13.49 13.97 14.46 15.13 19.12

13.71 13.86 13.88 13.88 13.90 13.93 13.92 13.90 13.82 13.82 17.00 17.49 18.07 15.54 13.97

13.57 13.77 13.79 13.79 13.84 13.83 13.81 13.82 13.75 13.76 16.93 17.42 17.97 15.47 13.92

99.24 101.96 92.70 91.49 92.38 106.25 77.82 105.44 110.89 101.84 89.55 74.13 51.36 68.00 87.93

99.39 102.11 92.85 91.64 92.53 106.55 78.12 105.74 111.19 102.14 89.85 74.43 51.66 68.30 88.23

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,746.32

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,417.51

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

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

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.95 1.51 1.88 2.09

2.27 1.00 2.67 2.85

16.32 14.77 16.52 16.72

100.85 101.61 101.99 98.23

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

297.82

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

300.78

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.24

4.44

16.04

99.07

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.32

3.23

15.35

99.21

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.59

4.46

17.98

97.86

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.60

3.48

17.01

99.16

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.88

1.00

14.85

92.28

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.14

1.00

15.02

98.72

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.58

1.79

15.68

96.52

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

1.96

1.80

15.66

97.32

Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.97

1.00

14.87

98.54

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

1.95

1.00

14.86

Bb-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

1.95

4.78

18.64

93.05

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.14

1.00

14.88

101.00

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

15.09 80.00 25.70

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

2.58 4.47 2.54

2.02 1.00 1.00

15.91 14.92 14.89

99.11 98.66 99.72 97.75

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

99.43

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

10.78

10-Oct-20

3.08

1.82

15.73

Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.48

1.00

14.86

95.02

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.58

1.00

14.85

100.51

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.23

1.44

15.35

97.97

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.26

1.00

14.91

100.17

99.45

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

452.88 439.62

Corporate Bonds BBB+/Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.20

1.00

12.64

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.26

1.00

12.69

99.82

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.35

2.63

14.91

99.73

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.32

1.00

14.89

97.75

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.39

1.34

15.18

98.82

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.32

1.00

14.88

96.36

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.56

30-Nov-17

1.56

1.88

15.66

103.84

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

5.40

09-Apr-18

1.60

3.84

17.63

97.84

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.54

09-Sep-18

1.77

1.00

14.82

104.54

101.64

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.70

09-Sep-18

1.77

1.00

14.82

A+/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

30-Sep-18

3.32

3.00

16.91

92.75

BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.10

18-Oct-18

1.87

2.29

16.14

99.34

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.36

17-Feb-19

1.95

6.11

19.97

97.06

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.58

2.16

16.05

99.83

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.45

2.76

16.62

95.18

BBB/GCR

FCMB

14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021

20-Nov-14

14.25

26.00

20-Nov-21

6.46

1.80

15.60

94.61

A/GCR

UBA

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021

30-Dec-14

16.45

30.50

30-Dec-21

6.57

1.57

15.37

104.35

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.32

1.00

15.08

84.43

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.32

1.00

15.08

90.94

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

187.44

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

182.14

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.69

1.00

14.89

89.86

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.75

1.00

14.90

84.87

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 21.77

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

5.94

5.72

103.82

104.90

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.78

4.43

100.96

101.98

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.08

5.93

101.85

102.84

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,533.13

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

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

6.28

4.09

101.09

103.12

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

6.99

100.50

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

10.26

9.36

91.65

93.78

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

7.51

6.95

95.51

97.16

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

7.22

96.75

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

10.18

9.71

95.44

96.91

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

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

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

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

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

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

9.15 10.24 9.38

9.15 10.17 9.38

95.70 95.91 92.94

95.70 96.21 92.94

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.39

9.64

91.88

95.13

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,650.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,507.47

**Treasury Bills^ DTM 7 21 28 35 42 49 56 63

FIXINGS Maturity 11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 2-Jul-15 9-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15 6-Aug-15

Bid Discount (%) 8.98 11.18 11.40 10.32 11.36 11.18 11.49 11.08

Offer Discount (%) 8.73 10.93 11.15 10.07 11.11 10.93 11.24 10.83

Bid Yield (%) 9.00 11.25 11.50 10.42 11.51 11.35 11.70 11.30

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 9.7850 14.7998 16.0255 17.3338

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

8.50

O/N Tenor Call 1M

8.92

REPO

Rate (%) 9.75 10.00

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

197.63 201.81 202.13 202.87 204.24 205.60

197.73 201.93 202.28 203.37 205.31 207.21

(N'bn)

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

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

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

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

(%)

581.39 476.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 193.73 600.00 573.14 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 299.50

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

1.20 1.90 2.15 2.24 2.99 4.07 4.39 4.69 6.65 8.78 13.49 13.97 14.46 15.13 19.12

13.71 13.86 13.88 13.88 13.90 13.93 13.92 13.90 13.82 13.82 17.00 17.49 18.07 15.54 13.97

13.57 13.77 13.79 13.79 13.84 13.83 13.81 13.82 13.75 13.76 16.93 17.42 17.97 15.47 13.92

99.24 101.96 92.70 91.49 92.38 106.25 77.82 105.44 110.89 101.84 89.55 74.13 51.36 68.00 87.93

Business | Financial Market News

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,746.32

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,417.51

SEC approves par value rule for stocks Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

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

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

2.40 112.22

03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16

0.95 1.51

99.39 102.11 92.85 91.64 92.53 106.55 78.12 105.74 111.19 102.14 89.85 74.43 51.66 68.30 88.23

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

2.27 1.00

16.32 14.77

100.85 101.61

98.82

Agency Bonds

FMBN

REGULATION

***LCRM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Apex regulators begins implementation of New Rules

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

‡ /Agusto

EDO

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

Stories by Chris Ugwu

he Securities and Ex*EKITI Bb-/Agusto change Commission *NIGER ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR *ONDO (SEC) the BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR has approved *GOMBE Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS par value rule submitBBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *OSUN ted to it by the National BBB-/Agusto *OSUN CounAa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS cil of The Nigerian Stock ExA-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI change (NSE) on 5 March 2015. ‡ /Agusto *EKITI A-/GCR *NASARAWA The approval, which was TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE given on 2 June 2015, was seTOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

To trade as low as 1kobo quel to the draft rule submitted (for stakeholders’ comment) 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 by the13.00 Rules and Adjudication 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 Committee of Council of the 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 19-APR-2017 NSE on 21LAGOS October 2014. BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 The13.75 Rule states that notwith14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00its DELTA 30-SEP-2018 standing par value, the price 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 of every listed on the Ex14.50share EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGERbe III 12-DEC-2018 change shall determined by 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 the market and that no share 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 shall trade below a price floor 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 of one14.75 Kobo unit (N0.01). OSUNper II 10-OCT-2020 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 The13.50 NSE however, is yet to 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 officially communicate when 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 the implementation of the Rule will commence.

Commenting on this development, Managing Director, Per31-Aug-10 12.50 30-Sep-10 13.00 Mr. fecta Securities Limited, 30-Jun-11 14.00 Emma Eze, said the approval 30-Jun-09 15.50 19-Apr-10 10.00needwill not provide the much 30-Jun-10 13.75 ed tonic to stimulate the14.00 market. 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11that the 14.00 He noted crucial 04-Oct-11 14.00 thing the market needs at the 09-Dec-11 14.50 14.00 moment12-Dec-13 was to restore inves14-Feb-12 15.50 tors’ confidence, adding 02-Oct-12 15.50 that 22-Nov-12 14.50 most investors got their fin12-Dec-12 14.75 gers burnt during the 10-Oct-13 14.75near collapse27-Nov-13 of the market.13.50 31-Dec-13 15.00 “This31-Dec-13 type of cosmetics is 14.50 06-Jan-14 15.00 not what investors need now, what investors need is for the

Corporate Bonds

NSE reports 47% growth in total income BBB+/Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

UBA 30-SEP-2017 30-Sep-10 he Nigerian UBA Stock change 13.00 recently imple- change and plan on conduct- 13.00 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR 30-Nov-12 18.00 *C & I LEASING DANA 9-APR-2018 09-Apr-11 Nil *DANAhas Exchange (NSE) mented MPR+7.00 a compliance ing focused training on key 16.00 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 18.00 A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR *TOWER recorded a 47.17 per framework, which outlines risk issues with an aim to 16.00 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR *TOWER 14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018 A+/Agusto; A/GCR in total income 30-Sep-11 14.00 enhancing the Exchange’s cent growth the regulatory environment UBA 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR 18-Oct-13 15.75 *LA CASERA for the financial year*CHELLARAMS ended within which the Exchange risk capability17-Feb-12 , risk culture, 18.00 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR December 31, 2014. operates and manages its realisation of its strategic 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 01-Apr-14 16.00 Nil *DANA 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 14-Nov-13 objectives, and increasing 15.25 The Exchange inNAHCO an an- compliance policies. 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 20-Nov-14 14.25 BBB/GCR FCMB Additionally, he said the its operational30-Dec-14 nual report obtained by efficiency. 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 A/GCR 16.45 UBA 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 30-Sep-14 STANBIC IBTC “This year 30-Sep-14 we will be in- 11.93 New Telegraph, saidSTANBIC its toframework sets out expecta13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 13.25 IBTC tal income grew VALUE to N7.950 tions of each employee with troducing barometers for TOTAL OUTSTANDING billion in 2014 as against regards to complying with enhancing our overall risk TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION N5.401 billion recorded dur- set policies, procedures maturity, for instance, the Supranational Bond and code10.20 ofIFCethics of the degree to which ing the corresponding manage- 10.20 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC year 11-Feb-13 11.25both AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&Prepresented AfDB 10-Jul-14 of 2013. This a Exchange, in an indi- ment decision-making has 11.25 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE growth of 47.7 per cent. vidual capacity and at the a risk component attached TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Its revenue stood at N6.533 corporate level. to it, and the depth to which billionRating/Agency from N4.576 billion Issuer He noted that implemenrisk awareness Description Issue is Date‘embedCoupon (%) reported in 2013, account- tation of the Compliance ded’ or ‘systematised’ in the FGN Eurobonds ing for 4.76 per cent increase. Framework will be one of day-to-day operations at the 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P 07-Oct-11 6.75 The Chief Executive Of- ERM’s objectives for the Exchange. BB-/Fitch; FGN 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 12-Jul-13 5.13 ficer year adding that ERM pro“Finally, The Nigerian BB-/S&Pof the NSE, Mr. Oscar BB-/Fitch; 6.38evolve JUL 12, 2023 Stock Exchange 12-Jul-13 Onyema said the Exchange gramme continues to recognis- 6.38 BB-/S&P plans to focus on VALUE strength- as Exchange enhance its risk es that maintaining and TOTAL OUTSTANDING ening relationship with key management capabilities to continually enhancing our TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION stakeholders and ensuring ensure that it maintain its risk management capabiliCorporate Eurobonds effective compliance with in the 7.50 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 ties will be crucial B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I trajectory while protecting 19-May-11 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 months ahead, relevant laws, SEC regulathe value of its business. as we aim to 7.25 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC 25-Jul-12 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC 09-May-13 tions, and safeguarding the He said: “We have made successfully implement our 6.88 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC 08-Nov-13 6.00 Exchange’s and good progress on 6.25 embedAPR 22, 2019 strategic objectives B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P reputation ZENITH BANK PLC 22-Apr-14 and effi- 6.25 May 21, 2019 ciently weather B/Fitch; B/S&P objectives. DIAMOND BANK PLC 21-May-14 strategic ding risk into every8.75 process the current 8.75 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC 07-Aug-13 8.25 He noted that the Ex- and all activities at8.25 the Ex- economic uncertainties.” 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II 24-Jun-14 9.25 A/GCR

#{r}

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK LTD

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

116.70 1.88 regulators to 19-Apr-17 find everything 66.49 06-Jul-17 2.09 possible to bring back inves297.82 tors’ confidence in the market. 300.78 He also called on the SEC to put8.50aside the 31-Aug-15 recapitalisation 0.24 30-Sep-15 0.32 of 2.16 stockbroking firms cur4.86 30-Jun-16 0.59 rently being pursued by the 5.73 30-Jun-16 0.60 57.00 19-Apr-17 1.88 commission and first restore 25.73 30-Jun-17 1.14 investors’ confidence. 25.00 31-Dec-17 2.58 30.81 30-Sep-18 “SEC should put aside 1.96 the 9.00 04-Oct-18 1.97 recapitalisation process 1.95 for 13.73 09-Dec-18 10.20 the issue 12-Dec-18 1.95 now, of new capital 27.00 14-Feb-19 2.14 requirement will not reactivate 15.09 02-Oct-19 2.58 22-Nov-19 4.47 the80.00 market, what will reactivate 25.70 12-Dec-19 2.54 the10.78 market is restoration of 3.08 in10-Oct-20 87.50 27-Nov-20 vestors’ confidence. Local 5.48 in5.00 31-Dec-20 5.58 vestors’ confidence 4.55 31-Dec-20 is number 3.23 4.56 06-Jan-21 3.26 one because foreign investors 452.88 are not helping the market. 439.62 What concerned foreign investors Recapitalisation 2.50is profit. 17-Aug-15 0.20 18.75 be easier 09-Dec-15 0.26 would to embark upon 0.42 06-Jan-16 0.35 if there is positive sentiment in 15.00 29-Sep-16 1.32

16.52 the 2.67 market,” he said. 101.99 2.85 16.72 98.23 Managing Director, Lambeth Trust and Investment Company Limited, Mr. David Adonri, who16.04 said he needed 4.44 99.07 15.35 development, 99.21 time3.23to study the 4.46 17.98 97.86 noted that all the shares would 3.48 17.01 99.16 1.00 14.85 92.28one have to be revalued along 1.00 15.02 98.72 kobo metrics.15.68 1.79 96.52 1.80 15.66 “However I don’t 97.32 know 1.00 14.87 98.54 whether it will14.86 affect the incom1.00 99.43 18.64 93.05 ing 4.78 shares. The information is 1.00 14.88 101.00 still2.02sketchy. 15.91 I don’t want 99.11 to 1.00 14.92 comment further until I98.66 study 1.00 14.89 99.72 the 1.82 situation,”15.73 Adonri said. 97.75 14.86 95.02 A1.00 stockbroker, who pleaded 1.00 14.85 100.51 anonymity , said the amend1.44 15.35 97.97 1.00 14.91 100.17 ment is not good for the market. He said the NSE and SEC decision can sink the stock market,1.00 stressing that 12.64 investors 99.45will 1.00 no longer have12.69 interest in99.82 those 2.63 14.91 99.73 stocks that trade at par value. 1.00 14.89 97.75

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.39

1.34

15.18

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.32

1.00

14.88

96.36

0.56

30-Nov-17

1.56

1.88

15.66

103.84

5.40

09-Apr-18

1.60

3.84

17.63

97.84

2.54

09-Sep-18

1.77

1.00

14.82

104.54

14.82

101.64

International Breweries pre-tax profit falls by 28%

0.70

09-Sep-18

35.00

30-Sep-18

3.32

3.00

16.91

92.75

2.10

18-Oct-18

1.87

1.77

2.29

1.00

16.14

99.34

0.36

17-Feb-19

1.95

6.11

19.97

97.06

nternational Breweries 2.58 Plc 4.50 01-Apr-19 2.05 14-Nov-20 5.45 has recorded a 28 per cent 26.00 20-Nov-21 6.46 decline in profit before tax 6.57 for 30.50 30-Dec-21 0.10 30-Sep-24 9.32 the year ended March 31, 2015. 15.44 30-Sep-24 9.32 In a filing with the Nige187.44 rian Stock Exchange (NSE), 182.14 the brewery company posted a profit of N2.815 bil12.00 before tax 11-Feb-18 2.69 12.95as against 01-Feb-21 4.75 lion N3.925 billion 24.95 recorded during the compa21.77 rable period of 2014.This repOutstanding Value resented a drop ofDate 28 perBidcent. Maturity Yield (%) ($mm) Similarly, profit after tax fell from N2.105 billion to N1.946 500.00 28-Jan-21 5.94 billion, accounting for a drop 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.78 of 7.55 per cent. 500.00 12-Jul-23 6.08 However, the company’s revenue grew to N20.649 billion in 1,500.00 2015 from N18.493 billion, rep1,533.13 resenting an increase of 11.65 per cent. 500.00 19-May-16 6.28 Analysts at FBN Capital 350.00 25-Jul-17 6.99 300.00 02-May-18 10.26 had while reacting to the com400.00 08-Nov-18 7.51 pany’s financials, said 500.00 Q3 2015 22-Apr-19 7.22 200.00 21-May-19Breweries’ 10.18 that International 07-Aug-20 9.15 Q3300.00 2015 (end-Dec) PBT came in 400.00 24-Jun-21 10.24

well2.16 behind their 16.05 forecast. 99.83 2.76 16.62 95.18 “As such, we have cut our 1.80 15.60 94.61 2015-17E EPS forecasts by an 1.57 15.37 104.35 1.00 15.08 84.43 average of 15 per cent. The 1.00 15.08 90.94 downward revision to our EPS forecasts is mainly driven by a negative surprise on the net interest line in Q3 (-N922m 1.00 14.89 89.86 vs. 1.00 14.90 84.87 -N119m in Q2). “Despite these cuts, we have revised our price target modestly toYield N23.9 N24.4 owing to a Offer (%) from Bid Price Offer Price 100bpPrices reduction in our WACC to & Yields 14.1 per cent. Our lower WACC 5.72 103.82 104.90 is driven by a sizable increase 4.43 100.96 101.98 in the firm’s financial leverage. 5.93 101.85 102.84 -25 With the shares having shed per cent in the last quarter, our price target implies an upside potential of 32.8 per cent from current levels. We have103.12 main4.09 101.09 tained rating 6.99 our neutral 100.50 100.50 on 91.65 93.78 the 9.36 stock which is trading on a 6.95 95.51 97.16 2015E of 30.3x 7.22 P/E multiple 96.75 96.75 for 9.71 95.44EPS growth 96.91 of 2016-17E average 9.15 95.70 13.110.17 per cent.”95.70 95.91 96.21

8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

23-Jul-14

8.00

450.00

23-Jul-21

9.38

92.94

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.39

9.64

91.88

95.13

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,650.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4-Jun-15

3,507.47

The DQL contains and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute **Treasury Bills^ data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities FIXINGS Money Market Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) professional,DTM financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; theBidInformation is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE”Tenor basis and mayRate not(%) be accurate or up to date. We do not guarantee Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discounthowever, (%) Yield (%) NIBOR 7 11-Jun-15 8.98 8.73 9.00 the accuracy,21timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis Bid ($/N) Offer ($/N) OBB 8.50 of the Information. Tenor 25-Jun-15 11.18 10.93 11.25 Tenor Rate (%) 28 35 42 49 56 63 70 Rating/Agency 84 91 98 112 119 133 147 161 182 196 217 224 NA 231 238 245 252 259 266 273 287

2-Jul-15 9-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15 6-Aug-15 13-Aug-15 Issuer 27-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 10-Sep-15 24-Sep-15 1-Oct-15 15-Oct-15 29-Oct-15 12-Nov-15 3-Dec-15 17-Dec-15 7-Jan-16 14-Jan-16 NA 21-Jan-16 28-Jan-16 4-Feb-16 11-Feb-16 18-Feb-16 25-Feb-16 3-Mar-16 17-Mar-16

294

24-Mar-16

308

7-Apr-16

FGN Bonds

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 322 336

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

11.40 10.32 11.36 11.18 11.49 11.08 11.58 Description 10.96 11.10 ^13.05 16-AUG-2016 11.39 12.05 ^15.10 27-APR-2017 12.77 9.85 27-JUL-2017 13.45 9.35 31-AUG-2017 13.24 13.20 10.70 30-MAY-2018 12.54 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 12.73 7.00 23-OCT-2019 13.10 13.23 15.54 13-FEB-2020 13.29 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 13.32 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 13.12 13.31 15.00 28-NOV-2028 13.21 12.49 22-MAY-2029 13.42 8.50 20-NOV-2029 13.22 13.02 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030

13.10 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 13.00

11.15 10.07 11.11 10.93 11.24 10.83 11.33Date Issue 10.71 10.85 16-Aug-13 11.14 11.80 27-Apr-12 12.52 27-Jul-07 13.20 31-Aug-07 12.99 12.95 30-May-08 12.29 29-Jun-12 12.48 23-Oct-09 12.85 12.98 13-Feb-15 13.04 27-Jan-12 13.07 14-Mar-14 12.87 13.06 28-Nov-08 12.96 22-May-09 13.17 20-Nov-09 12.97 12.77 23-Jul-10 12.85 18-Jul-14 12.75

Bonds

11.50 10.42 11.51 11.35 11.70 11.30 11.84 (%) Coupon 11.25 11.41 13.05 11.75 12.51 15.10 13.32 9.85 14.14 9.35 13.98 14.01 10.70 13.38 16.00 13.66 7.00 14.20 14.40 15.54 14.51 16.39 14.58 14.20 14.39 14.65 15.00 14.57 12.49 14.87 8.50 14.66 14.50 10.00 14.64 12.1493 14.60

21-Apr-16

13.14

12.89

14.86

5-May-16

12.96

12.71

14.71

O/N 1M 3M 6M

9.7850 14.7998 16.0255 17.3338

O/N Tenor Call 1M 3M (Yrs) TTM 6M

Outstanding Value Maturity Date (N'bn) NITTY Tenor 581.39 1M 2M 476.80 3M 20.00 6M 100.00 9M 12M 300.00

8.92

REPO

Rate (%) 16-Aug-16 11.2114 11.3876 27-Apr-17 11.4276 27-Jul-17 13.6344 31-Aug-17 14.3432 14.4231 30-May-18

351.30 29-Jun-19 233.90 23-Oct-19 NIFEX 193.73 13-Feb-20 Current Price ($/N) 600.00 27-Jan-22 BID($/N) 198.9500 573.14 14-Mar-24 OFFER ($/N) 199.0500 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 299.50 18-Jul-34

Rate (%) 9.75 10.00 Bid10.25 Yield 10.50

(%)

1.20 13.71 13.57 NOTE: 1.90 13.86 13.77 :Benchmarks 2.15 13.88 13.79 * :Amortising Bond 2.24Bond 13.88 13.79 µ :Convertible AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 2.99 Management Corporation 13.90 13.84 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 4.07 13.93 13.83 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 4.39 Finance Corporation 13.92 13.81 IFC: International LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables 4.69 13.90 Management 13.82 NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 6.65 13.82 13.75 O/N: Overnight 8.78 13.82Company 13.76 UPDC: UAC Property Development WAPCO:West 13.49Africa Portland Cement 17.00 Company16.93 13.97 17.49 17.42 14.46 18.07 17.97 15.13 15.54 15.47 19.12 13.97 13.92

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Agency Bonds FMBN Modified Duration ***LCRM Buckets

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

<3 3<5 >5 Market

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 Total Outstanding Porfolio Market Value(Bn) 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 Volume(Bn) 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

99.24 99.39 101.96 102.11 NA :Not 92.70 Applicable 92.85 ^ : Market Prices 91.49 91.64 # : Floating Rate Bond ***: Deferred 92.38coupon bonds 92.53 106.25 106.55 ‡ : Bond rating under review 78.12 †: Bond 77.82 rating expired N/A :Not105.44 Available 105.74 {r} :Issuer in receivership 110.89 111.19 101.84 102.14 NGC: Nigeria-German Company UBA: United 89.55Bank for Africa 89.85 74.13 74.43 51.36 51.66 68.00 68.30 87.93 88.23

4,417.51

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

Rating/Agency

197.63 197.73 201.81 201.93 202.13 202.28 Price 203.37 202.87 204.24 205.31 205.60 207.21 206.28 213.47Price Bid Price Offer 220.29 226.27

4,746.32

Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

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

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 Weighting by 20-Apr-12 Outstanding Vol 06-Jul-12

40.58

17.25 0.00/16.00

Weighting by Mkt 0.00/16.50 Value

0.00/16.50

1,436.36

1,409.48

1,249.00

1,173.14

33.77

42.86 37.27

665.60

891.07

25.65

19.86

3,350.96

3,473.69

100.00

2.40 112.22 Bucket 116.70 Weighting 66.49

0.41

Maturity Date

03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16

% Exposure_ 19-Apr-17 Mod_Duration

06-Jul-17

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

0.95 1.51 Implied Yield 1.88 2.09

# Risk Premium (%)

2.27 1.00

Implied 2.67 Portfolio Price

2.85

Valuation Yield (%)

16.32 14.77 INDEX 16.52 16.72

100.85 101.61

YTD Return 101.99 (%)

98.23

297.820.34

18.34

13.85

105.8395

39.50

13.82

111.3437

1,111.00

300.780.26

42.16

14.89

78.7188

1,106.40

9.8690

100.00

14.28

100.7414

1,138.37

7.8835

1.00

1,185.82

Modelled Price

7.0381 9.7204

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.24

4.44

16.04

99.07

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.32

3.23

15.35

99.21

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.59

4.46

17.98

97.86

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.60

3.48

17.01

99.16

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.88

1.00

14.85

92.28

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.14

1.00

15.02

98.72

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.58

1.79

15.68

96.52

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

1.96

1.80

15.66

97.32

Business | Financial Market News

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH Daily Summary as of 04/06/2015 Printed 04/06/2015 15:30:32.032

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at June 4, 2015

Daily Summary as of 04/06/2015

Printed 04/06/2015 15:30:32.032

Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal

Bond Name 16.39% FGN JAN 2022 Federal Totals

Symbol FG9B2022S1

DEBT Board Totals

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 113.00

Bond Activity Totals

Quantity Traded 8,050 8050

FINANCIAL SERVICES Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Value Traded 9,577,621.46 9,577,621.46

8,050

9,577,621.46

8050

9,577,621.46

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

Daily Summary (Equities)

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

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 25 23 48

Current Price 30.40 33.50

Quantity Traded 614,067 550,500 1,164,567

Value Traded 18,314,169.04 17,764,671.00 36,078,840.04

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 24 24 (Equities)

Current Price 2.25

Quantity Traded 1,478,440 1,478,440

Value Traded 3,347,685.09 3,347,685.09

2,643,007

39,426,525.13

Daily Summary

AGRICULTURE Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CONGLOMERATES CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC.

TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC A CNigerian N PLC. Stock Exchange © Published byUThe Diversified Industries Totals

Symbol

Symbol AGLEVENT TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals

Current Price

No. of Deals2 Current Price 1.54 156 2.70 37 41.50 195

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

195

Quantity Traded

Quantity Traded 7,646 9,527,097 193,004 Page 9,727,747 9,727,747

33,931,925.35

Current Price 1.06

Quantity Traded 11,530 11,530

Value Traded 11,645.30 11,645.30

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 52.50

Quantity Traded 118,018 118,018

Value Traded 6,178,660.10 6,178,660.10

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 31 31

Current Price 10.00

Quantity Traded 1,261,826 1,261,826

Value Traded 12,841,766.89 12,841,766.89

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Symbol UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UHOMREIT UPDCREIT Printed 04/06/2015 15:30:32.032 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 45.22 10.00

Quantity Traded 10,000 9,280 19,280

Value Traded 429,600.00 92,800.00 522,400.00

1,410,654

19,554,472.29

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products

Daily Summary as ofFLOUR 04/06/2015 DANGOTE MILLS PLC

Printed 04/06/2015 15:30:32.032 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. CONSUMER GOODS NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified

Food Products--Diversified Totals

Household Durables Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals

Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

Banking Daily Summary as15:30:32.032 of 04/06/2015 Printed 04/06/2015 ACCESS BANK PLC. Printed 04/06/2015 15:30:32.032 DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY STERLING BANK PLC. EQTY Activity Summary on Board FINANCIAL SERVICES UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking UNION BANK NIG.PLC. Banking UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC Daily Summary as of 04/06/2015 PREMIER PAINTS PLC. Printed 04/06/2015 15:30:32.032 LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Packaging/Containers INDUSTRIAL GOODS AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. GREIF NIGERIA PLC Packaging/Containers Totals © Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 62 13 489 77 24 103 768

Current Price 2.90 3.90 9.00 3.00 29.00 1.44

Quantity Traded 2,537,486 416,095 25,894,223 5,058,533 1,501,775 6,894,473 42,302,585

Value Traded 7,243,103.07 1,625,161.50 233,656,018.01 14,851,307.71 43,925,903.57 9,734,471.83 311,035,965.69

145,374,690

1,286,625,335.70

Quantity Traded 545,600 938,256 27,723 569,802 1,336,265 3,417,646

Value Traded 954,585.00 3,168,862.02 1,229,221.65 886,355.33 1,607,525.45 7,846,549.45

3,417,646

7,846,549.45

2,395 Symbol No. of Deals EVANSMED 4 FIDSON 11 GLAXOSMITH 20 MAYBAKER 15 NEIMETH 24 Daily Summary (Equities) 74

NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. Chemicals Totals

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Daily Summary as of 04/06/2015 Energy Equipment and Services Totals Printed 04/06/2015 15:30:32.032

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW JOSBREW NB PREMBREW

No. of Deals 25 23 9 2 118 1 178

Current Price 6.60 165.00 20.01 1.74 148.00 3.26

Quantity Traded 1,107,432 13,462 75,279 60,955 1,988,875 920 3,246,923

Value Traded 7,006,821.60 2,177,025.49 1,507,771.99 106,061.70 293,526,384.39 2,852.00 304,326,917.17

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 22 22

Current Price 179.50

Quantity Traded 19,158 19,158

Value Traded 3,411,166.58 3,411,166.58

Symbol No. of Deals DANGFLOUR 27 DANGSUGAR 46 FLOURMILL 127 HONYFLOUR 19 NASCON 28 Daily Summary (Equities) UTC 1 248

Current Price 4.20 6.53 35.69 3.98 7.30 0.50

Quantity Traded 122,871 2,470,258 1,874,248 757,487 287,019 500 5,512,383

Value Traded 494,349.57 16,285,714.49 64,935,359.47 2,929,905.44 2,105,341.84 250.00 86,750,920.81

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE Symbol

No. of Deals Current Price 18 39.90 26 Current870.00 No. of Deals Price

Quantity Traded 37,853 37,533 Quantity Traded

Value Traded 1,476,441.54 32,256,783.20 Value Traded

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 50 15 65

Current Price 5.29 1.84

Quantity Traded Page 3,203,854 271,452 3,475,306

12 3Value Traded of 16,434,889.68 490,642.10

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 22 38 60

Current Price 29.00 45.05

Quantity Traded 370,799 312,325 683,124

Value Traded 10,824,325.58 14,079,986.92 24,904,312.50

13,012,280

470,052,073.58

617

75,386

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded ACCESS 113 6.02 5,454,819 DIAMONDBNK 60 4.47 5,129,714 ETI 39 21.65 728,127 Daily Summary (Equities) FIDELITYBK 94 1.85 4,893,313 Daily Summary (Equities) 317 GUARANTY 26.90 13,846,828 SKYEBANK 63 2.53 3,182,542 STERLNBANK 60 2.09 3,176,811 UBA 165 5.09 16,491,088 Symbol No. of Deals Price Quantity367,510 Traded UBN 41 Current 10.00 Symbol No. of Deals Quantity Traded UNITYBNK 41 Current Price 2.60 1,101,180 WEMABANK 74 0.98 7,884,564 Page ZENITHBANK 392 19.25 20,276,880 1,459 82,533,376

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors

BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT Activity Summary on Board EQTY PLC

CONOIL PLC OIL AND GAS PLC. ETERNA Petroleum andPLC. Petroleum Products Distributors FORTE OIL MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. Published by The Stock Exchange © MRSNigerian OIL NIGERIA PLC.

TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 2 2

33,733,224.74

16,925,531.78

Hotels/Lodging Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Value Traded 33,168,606.33 22,821,905.33 15,763,945.32 9,072,098.84 371,289,323.54 8,022,001.48 6,686,780.80 83,673,010.42 Value Traded 3,660,982.15 Value Traded 2,834,605.68 7,583,213.31 4 of 12 394,818,157.94 959,394,631.14

No. of Deals 24 33 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 10 25 24 123

Current Price 1.00 1.00 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.87 0.83 0.52

Quantity Traded 3,561,021 3,468,859 6,000 100 100 1,000 100 6,000 500 167,800 1,685,045 9,297,580 18,194,105

Value Traded 3,553,914.78 3,480,569.36 3,000.00 50.00 50.00 500.00 50.00 3,000.00 250.00 481,329.00 1,371,234.57 4,836,541.60 13,730,489.31

Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 44 44

Current Price 1.14

Quantity Traded 2,341,624 2,341,624

Value Traded 2,446,009.56 2,446,009.56

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

Symbol UNHOMES

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 6.40

Quantity Traded 3,000

Value Traded 18,240.00

5 6

of of

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Employment Solutions Totals

SERVICES Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE CORNERST GNI GUINEAINS HMARKINS INTENEGINS LASACO LAWUNION MANSARD NEM WAPIC

Page Page

Printed 04/06/2015 15:30:32.032 Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Daily Summary as of 04/06/2015 Printed 04/06/2015 Support15:30:32.032 and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

SERVICES Totals

Quantity Traded 568 Page 568

Value Traded 289.00 of 289.00 12

568

289.00

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM PAINTCOM PORTPAINT PREMPAINTS WAPCO

No. of Deals 11 42 11 15 63 1 7 1 69 220

Current Price 21.57 11.00 41.00 10.32 177.00 1.33 3.99 10.93 99.40

Quantity Traded 25,214 462,802 157,125 45,574 206,421 100 60,850 100 515,664 1,473,850

Value Traded 525,161.18 4,949,371.20 6,442,075.50 454,212.00 36,801,810.86 127.00 232,145.50 1,039.00 51,212,725.95 100,618,668.19

Symbol

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 1.75

Quantity Traded 25,283 25,283

Value Traded 43,919.70 43,919.70

Symbol AVONCROWN Symbol BETAGLAS VANLEER

No. of Deals 1 No. of Deals 29 2 32

Current Price 1.52 Current 44.05 Price 11.48

Quantity Traded 6,666 Quantity Traded 1,783,400 540 1,790,606 Page

Value Traded 10,132.32 Value Traded 77,876,625.41 6,220.00 12 877,892,977.73 of

Daily Summary (Equities) CUTIX

261 Symbol BOCGAS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 5.11

3,289,739

178,555,565.62

Quantity Traded 50 50

Value Traded 243.00 243.00

243.00

1 Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 17,600 17,600

Value Traded 8,800.00 8,800.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 196 196

Current Price 17.28

Quantity Traded 2,450,181 2,450,181

Value Traded 42,452,444.34 42,452,444.34

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA Symbol FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 1 23 5 No. of Deals 82 22 1 22 156

Current Price 0.50 40.00 2.76 Current154.00 Price 156.30 50.54 155.05

Quantity Traded 11,533,167 69,865 112,000 Quantity167,816 Traded 49,138 Page 108 31,893 11,963,987

Value Traded 5,766,583.50 2,813,983.98 309,120.00 Value Traded 26,042,837.86 7,497,468.44 9 of 12 5,186.16 4,905,817.80 47,340,997.74

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 338.00

Quantity Traded 25,522 25,522

Value Traded 8,619,004.16 8,619,004.16

14,457,290

98,421,246.24

Daily Summary (Equities)

365 Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 0.78

Quantity Traded 16,050 16,050

Value Traded 12,037.50 12,037.50

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 5.10

Quantity Traded 1,005,808 1,005,808

Value Traded 5,132,679.30 5,132,679.30

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price 36 36

0.73

Quantity Traded 7,795,819 7,795,819

Value Traded 5,717,737.44 5,717,737.44

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL Symbol

No. of Deals 23 No. of Deals

Current Price 3.89 Current Price

Quantity Traded 2,779,227 Quantity Traded

Value Traded 10,001,165.28 Value Traded

Symbol LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 1 9 10

Current Price 1.15 6.05

Quantity Traded 25,000 110,145 135,145

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 0.57

Quantity Traded 383,560 383,560

Value Traded 215,376.69 215,376.69

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 11 15 26

Current Price 2.23 6.11

Quantity Traded 222,733 80,256 302,989

Value Traded 503,576.29 495,103.68 998,679.97

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 3.60

Quantity Traded 3,862 3,862

Value Traded 13,208.04 13,208.04

120

12,422,460

22,754,266.97

4,157

205,756,131

2,157,168,492.33

CILEASING

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary EQTY Board Totalson Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Food Products Totals

Current Price 0.50

OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Daily Summary as of 04/06/2015

Current Price 1.75 3.37 44.11 1.53 1.22

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. MANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Value Traded 18,240.00

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIALas SERVICES Daily Summary of 04/06/2015

Quantity Traded 3,000

ICT Totals

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

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Current Price

Activity Summary on Board EQTY HEALTHCARE Totals

Value Traded

No. of Deals 3 3

Daily Summary of ESTATE 04/06/2015 UPDC as REAL INVESTMENT TRUST

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals Daily Summary as of 04/06/2015 EVANS MEDICAL PLC. Printed 04/06/2015 15:30:32.032 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals

Value Traded 11,239.62 26,134,801.98 1 7,785,883.75 of 12 33,931,925.35

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 1

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. Daily Summary as ofPLC 04/06/2015 PRESCO Printed 04/06/2015 15:30:32.032 Crop Production Totals

Symbol

Symbol MCNICHOLS

No. of Deals 3 3

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Current Price 1.57

2,779,227 Page

Quantity Traded 2,600 Page 2,600

10,001,165.28 10 of 12 Value Traded 30,000.00 633,382.75 663,382.75

Value Traded 3,900.00 of 12 3,900.00

2,600

3,900.00

ASeM Board Totals

2,600

3,900.00

Equity Activity Totals

4,160

205,758,731

2,157,172,392.33

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 2 1 2 5

Current Price 10.63 2,266.00 15.36

Quantity Traded 10 5 30 45

Value Traded 106.55 11,330.00 461.40 11,897.95

ETF Board Totals

11,897.95

ETP Activity Totals

11,897.95

Page

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

Four killed in another accident in Onitsha Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

t least, four persons were confirmed dead in a multiple accident that occurred at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday.

The accident involved a truck, belonging to the Dangote Transport Company, River State Mass Transit Bus and another private car. According to an eye witness, the incident occurred at about 5:45pm. The eye witness told Journalists at

the scene of the incident that the driver of the Dangote trailer lost control while descending a slope on the Enugu Onitsha Express Way and had a head on collision with the River State Mass Transit Bus and private car, killing four occupants of the vehicle on

the spot. The accident is coming on the heels of the government and the people of Anambra State yet recovering from last Sunday’s fuel tanker fire incident that claimed over 43 lives at the same Upper Iweka. The driver of the trailer was said to have

zoomed off immediately the incident happened, but was tracked down by the Anambra State Road traffic Agency at Uga junction at about 6:20pm. The body of the dead victims was immediately taken to nearby private hospital by officers and men of the

Federal Road Safety Corp. Meanwhile, the police have arrested more than 20 persons, who invaded the scene of the incident throwing stones and breaking the trailer glasses and other passersby who had stopped to sympathize with the victims.

Umahi reverses 16 perm secs’ appointment Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

bonyi State Governor, Mr. Dave Umahi, yesterday reversed the appointment of sixteen Permanent Secretaries appointed by former Governor Martin Elechi, one week to the end of his administration. He announced the decision at a meeting with the leadership of the Organized Labour in the state; the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre, Abakaliki. He noted that there was no fund to meet the obligation to the employees, as his administration inherited a near empty treasury from the past administration and that appointing new permanent secretaries means creating more financial problems in terms of paying workers’ salaries. He called on workers of the state to be ready to make sacrifices to his administration even as he solicited for their co-operation. He lamented the poor sanitary condition of the state and directed that the Secretary to the State Government, to go round for on-thespot assessment that could lead to the sack of any culpable person including the General Manager of the state Environmental Protection Agency (EBSEPA) if it was found that refuse heaps littering the state were traceable to his inadequacies.

L-R: Chairman, NUJ Enugu State Council, Comrade Louis Dilibe; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo and Vice-Chancellor, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, Prof. Christian Anieke, during her courtesy visit to the university in Enugu

Second Niger Bridge to be completed Kidnappers abduct Imo on schedule – Julius Berger NAN reporter OKEGWO KENECHUKWU ONITSHA

he construction company handling the reconstruction of the second Niger Bridge Project Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has said that it was optimistic that the project would be completed on schedule if the pace of work going on presently, was sustained. Our correspondent, who visited the site in Onitsha yesterday, reported that preliminary work going on since January this year was nearing completion, giving hope that the project was on cause. New Telegraph gath-

ered that most of those who had visited the area were turned back by security personnel of the company for security reasons. When contacted, the public Relation Affairs of the construction company, Mr. Joseph Ojelabi, said the project was nearing completion on the piling. The piling is the base that will hold the platform before it becomes a bridge. He said they are presently negotiating on how to sign the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the host communities on the employment of adhoc workers, for the project. He, however, noted that the initial challenge

facing the company was that some entities in the area instituted litigations against Julius Berger, demanding compensation, but their cases were faulted on ground of abuse of process. ‘’We were able to let them know that they sued wrongly because, Julius Berger is just a construction company doing a contract awarded to it by the Federal Government and, as such had no hand in payment of compensation for the right of the way,’’ he said. It will be recalled that the knotty issues on the second Niger Bridge project dated as far back as 1980’s during President Shehu Shagari’s regime.

Buhari, Jonathan split Abia monarch, traditional council chair Peter Osondu

he Abia State Chairman of the traditional rulers’ council, HRH (Eze) Eberechi Dick and a former Chairman of the Council and present chairman of Ukwa/

Ngwa traditional rulers’ council HRM (Eze) Isaac Ikonne, are currently locked in a feud over the award of a chieftancy title bestowed on President Muhammadu Buhari, during the political campaigns for the 2015 general elections.

According to Prince Ikonne, the son of the monarch, Eze Dick has taken it as his pasttime to insult his father over issues that were not under his purview. Ikonne recalled that sometime in February this year, during the elec-

tioneering, that President Mohammadu Bahuri, then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), paid courtesy call on his father and the monarch gave the president the chieftaincy title of Ogbuagu 1 of Aba (lion killer).

lDemand N7m ransom Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

uspected kidnappers have abducted the Bureau Chief of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Imo State, Ms. Chidi Opara, near her residence at Umuoma Uratta, MCC Road in Owerri North Council Area of the state. Opara, was kidnapped while driving into her residence at about 7.45pm, after attending a function of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) held at the NUJ secretariat along Owerri- Port Harcourt Road. Eyewitness account said that Opara was about driving into her premises in her white Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) when two armed men waiting at her gate accosted and overpowered her. She was driven away to unknown destination in her vehicle. As at press time, her abductors were said to be demanding N7million ransom for her release.

Meanwhile, Governor Rochas Okorocha, of Imo state has condemned the kidnap of the female journalist, describing it as an irrational act of mischief deliberately intended to puncture the glowing record of peace and security in the state. A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sam Onwuemeodo, read in part: “The governor, therefore, suspects that those not happy with the feat his administration has achieved in the past four years by stopping kidnapping must have been behind the abduction of the female journalist and their reason is to use it to blackmail the government and perhaps puncture the credit and commendations the government has continued to receive from wellmeaning Nigerians for stopping kidnapping in the state.” The governor also called on the captors of Opara, to free her unconditionally without any delay.

News

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-SOUTH

Sacked workers threaten showdown with Okowa Dominic Adewole ASABA

or being unjustly sacked for the offence allegedly committed by government officials, the 3,000 civil servants recently sacked by the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday protested their sack by the governor. They also threatened a

showdown with the government if they were not reinstated within 72 hours. The protesters, under the auspices of the Congress of Newly Employed Civil Servant (CNECS), Delta State chapter, urged the governor to withdraw the suspension placed on their recruitment or risk legal fireworks. They rejected the retributive step taken by

the governor in his reference letter number: GHA16 Vol. VI/154 of 1st June, 2015, where he directed the Head of Service (HoS) to cancel the recruitment conducted by the former governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, since January 1, 2014 to May 31, 2015. The group in the protest letter co-signed by its Chairman, Comrade Regha Obus and Agba Okeme, Secretary, and

three others, threatened to take further lawful steps if the governor jettisoned their plea. According to them, it was repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience to punish innocent people unjustly for the sin of some government officials and members of the state Civil Service Commission (CSC). The letter reads in part: “Your Excellency, is this

the prosperity you promised us? We passionately appeal that you withdraw this Greek gift and be a father to us. We are Deltans, who passionately followed your campaign manifesto, tagged prosperity for all Deltans. “We followed you”, the letter continued, “we campaigned for you. We voted for you. We defended our votes and ensured they counted. We celebrated you and

rejoice with you on your inauguration. We believed the righteous man has been enthroned, but most ridiculously, your circular, which is retroactive, is poverty for all Deltans.” They called on the governor to look into the report of the committee set up by his predecessor, make same public for the good of all and the culprit of the job scam prosecuted.

Rivers Assembly elects principal officers Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

A cross-section of members of the Bayelsa House of Assembly taking the oath of office at their inauguration in Amarata, Yenagoa …yesterday

Wike pledges attention to education Don’t expect 24-hour power supply, BEDC tells consumers Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

ivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday pledged priority attention to education to develop a knowledge-based society. Wike, who made the pledge while addressing students of the Law Faculty of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RUST) yesterday, said education was important in the planned revival of the state’s economy. He promised to execute educational projects and programmes to empower the people with the requisite k n ow l e d g e, n o t i n g that such move would ultimately improve the living condition of the people of the state. The governor also promised to complete the Law Faculty building of the university and equip it with state

of the art facilities. Meanwhile, Governor Wike has appointed the state’s Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Obuah, as the new sole administrator of the state’s waste management authority. He said the appointment was with immediate effect and directed Obuah to, within 72 hours, clear the heaps of refuse littering every part of Port Harcourt, the state capital. The governor, who made the announcement after paying an unscheduled visit to the office of the Rivers State Management Authority, expressed disappointment over the poor performance of its management. It will be recalled that refuse contractors, under the umbrella of service providers, had embarked on a strike for more than a week over the non-payment of their four-month-old salaries.

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

he management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) yesterday asked Nigerians, especially residents of its service area, not to expect 24hour power supply in the nearest future. The firm said the shortfall becomes unavoidable due to low

megawatts resulting from low power generation by the authorised generating companies (GENCOs). The Head, Corporate Affairs of the BEDC in charge of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti States, Mr. Curtis Nwadei, stated this yesterday in an interview with newsmen in Benin, the Edo State capital. He said the zone, at the moment, is faced with

huge debts incurred by agencies in the states and the Federal Government even when about nine percent of the total power generation and allocation is from the national grid. Among other bodies that have refused to pay their debts include military and paramilitary agencies, in addition to energy theft and assault on members of staff of the company.

Amnesty vendors accuse AGF, others of fraud Chris Ejim Yenagoa

he Association of Presidential Amnesty Programme Vendors (APAV) yesterday accused the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) and some staff of the Amnesty Office of alleged involvement in the delay in the payment of allowances and scholarship funding to ex-militants being trained under the

Presidential Amnesty programme. According to the association, though the presidential amnesty office under the leadership of the Special Adviser, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, has pleaded with the ex-militants being trained abroad and at home to remain calm, preliminary investigations showed that the delayed payment was caused by acts of sabotage by key personnel and staff of the amnesty office.

APAV in a statement issued yesterday by its Chairman, Dr. Amgbakuromor Youbeni and made available to New Telegraph through e-mail message in Yenagoa, alleged that preliminary investigation showed that the sabotage in the payment of allowances was caused by the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA), Mr. Ayoola Peters and the Deputy Director of Procurement in the amnesty office.

he Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday elected four new principal officers of the house barely 24-hour after electing the speaker and deputy speaker. The principal officers elected yesterday include Martins Amaewhule from Obio/Akpor Constituency 1 (House Leader); Lolo Denabari from Gokana Constituency (Deputy House Leader); Evans Bipi from Ogu/Bolo Constituency (House Whip) and Major Jack from Akuku Toru 1 (Deputy House Whip.) The Speaker, Rt. Hon, Ikuinyi Ibani, urged the elected officers to discharge their duties dispassionately and bring fresh air into the Eighth Assembly, just as he assured members of a meaningful leadership. He said: “In all our dealings, we must try to show difference between then and now. I must try as much as possible to be just and fair.” The House, which also cleared four commissioner-nominees, including Emma Aguma; Emma Okah; Onimi Briggs Jack and Dr. Fred Kpakol, equally approved Governor Nyesom Wike’s request to appoint seven special advisers. Also at the session, the House received a letter from the governor, asking for the amendment of the Rivers State High Court Law, 2015, thereby paving way for a situation whereby the registrar of the high court would no longer be in a position to assign cases to judges.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

News 49

NORTH

Poly management indicted in N100m fire incident Mohammed Kawu Bauchi

he management of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP), Bauchi, was yesterday indicted in a fire incident that occurred at the institution. The management of the institution was indicted over its lukewarm attitude in the incident in which property worth over N100 million was destroyed. Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Yelwa, recalled

that two other similar incidences also occurred at the Consultancy Unit of the institution at a time when auditors came to examine the unit. Yelwa, who described the fire incident as orchestrated following the management’s inability to investigate circumstances surrounding the fire, said a number of things that were never supplied to the institution were said to have been gutted by fire. He also revealed at a press conference in Bauchi that evidence abound about the sale of parcels of land belonging to the polytechnic to private in-

dividuals by the management. “As if all these were not enough, the union has enough evidence about the selling of parcels of land belonging to the polytechnic by either the management of the institution or its agents to private individuals.” The ASUP chairman also accused the Rector, Dr. Bala Adamu, of running the institution as a one-man affair as activities come to a halt whenever he is away despite the fact that the institution has two improperly appointed deputy rectors. According to Yelwa,

throughout the rector’s stay in the polytechnic, he has never participated in any academic meeting, despite being the chairman, but whenever decisions are reached by the board, he unilaterally upturns them. “Property such as electricity generating sets and vehicles are kept at his residence and Tetfund projects are located unprofessionally without any unit supervising all supplies or constructions, thereby leaving the school with waste projects as were the case with a block of 20-classroom at the main campus,” he

said. Yelwa appealed to the state government to constitute a committee of men of proven integrity to investigate and resolve the lingering crises in the polytechnic for industrial harmony in the institution. But, when contacted, the Rector of the institution, Dr. Bala Adamu, debunked the allegations leveled against him and the polytechnic, wondering how a union that recently gave him an award for excellent performance could turned round to apportion such blames on him.

ECWA trains 700 members on new agric techniques Alhassan Yusuf Bauchi

he Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Railway Local Church Council (LCC), Bauchi, yesterday said it has trained 700 members on new techniques of improving agricultural production. LCC Overseer, Rev. Shuaibu Byal, told newsmen in Bauchi that the training was conducted during LCC’s two-day revival service at ECWA II, Bauchi. Byal said the members were trained on new ways of cultivating soya beans, sesame and groundnuts with assurance of high productivity. He added that the members were also trained on how to effectively construct and manage fish and poultry farms.

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, with the Speaker, House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Isa Kawu, during a valedictory session at the Assembly complex in Minna…yesterday

Security detail accused of stealing at Benue liaison office Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

security man attached to the wife of the immediate past Benue State governor, Dooshima Suswam,

El-Rufai vows to relocate illegal motor parks Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

aduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has promised that his administration would soon relocate illegal motor parks in order to reduce the rate of accidents on Kaduna roads. El-Rufai, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Transport, Alhaji Jafar Saidu, said he will collaborate with all stakeholders like the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the transport union in order to make Kaduna roads one of the safest in the country. The governor, who

spoke during FRSC’s raining season sensitisation rally, said his government would not tolerate any act of indiscipline. According to him, “We have observed that the major cause of road traffic accidents are because people board vehicles at illegal motor packs all around the state, where the competency of the driver cannot be ascertained.” Speaking on the theme of the rally; “Towards Enduring Safe Road Culture in Nigeria,” Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer, FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, said the aim of the rally is to raise public awareness on issues of road safety and the people.

Sgt. Shola Adeniyi, has been accused of conniving with others to pilfer property worth millions of naira from the state’s liaison office in Abuja. The missing items, according to a letter by the Director/Liaison Officer of the office, Mr. Samuel Atser Orchir and addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Government House Administration, Makurdi, named the missing items to include six television sets, four refrigerators, carpet rugs, numerous plates/ pots from the kitchen, two photocopies and beddings both old and new.

In a letter dated May 30, 2015 and released to journalists in Makurdi and copied the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to Governor Ortom, Government House, Makurdi, signed by Orchir, said the items were removed after Suswam and his wife had left the shores of the country on May 29. According to the letter, the alleged theft was exposed by a steward at the Abuja Governor’s Lodge, one Ade. “On 29th May, 2015, Mr. Ade, a steward at the Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, reported that staff of the wife of the former gover-

nor, led by Sgt. Shola Adeniyi (Orderly) and some other security details, removed the following items; six television sets, four refrigerators, carpet rugs, numerous plates/ pots from the kitchen and two photocopiers (old/ new),” said the letter. New Telegraph recalls that Suswam had, immediately after handing over notes to his successor at Government House, hurriedly left the state to Abuja, where he departed the country through a British Airways flight at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to London.

Ortom moves to end ASUU strike at Benue varsity Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

enue State governor, Samuel Ortom, has commenced moves to end the three-month-old strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the Benue State University, Makurdi. The governor stated this while addressing the governing council of the institution, yesterday. He promised to dialogue with the leadership of ASUU with a view to addressing all contentious issues, and assured parents and students that he would do all within his powers for the school to reopen. The governor, who announced the cancellation of the report of the visitation panel to the university, said an accurate assessment of work done for five years could not be made in a week. He promised that his administration would source the funds needed for accreditation of the College of Health Sciences and the Teaching Hospital next September, even if it means borrowing. Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ode Ojowu, listed the non-payment of salaries and grants as well as the non-release of funds meant for accreditation and the ongoing strike embarked upon by the academic staff union of the institution, as challenges. Governor Ortom also met with the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Comrade Richard Gbande, the Chairman of the Teaching Service Board, Mr. Sam Victor Tor-Anyiin, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by Mr. Godwin Anya, as well as the management of the Health Management Board, who all pledged their loyalty to the new administration.

Niger governor condemns attack on predecessor Dan Atori MINNA

arely a week after his predecessor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, was attacked by irate youths, the Niger State governor; Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, yesterday warned that

there will be no room for political thuggery in the state. Bello, who described the attack on Aliyu during his (Bello’s) inauguration ceremony as an act of indiscipline, said his administration will not condone any such act in governance. He spoke at the vale-

dictory session of the 7th session of the state House of Assembly in Minna.. Earlier the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Isah Kawu, said the seventh legislative assembly deliberated and passed many motions and 55 bills into law in the last four years.

He added that the state made remarkable democratic achievement in the last 16 years, while the legislative arm also experienced robust growth and increased capacity over the years, as indicated in the quality of bills and motions passed by the house within the period.

50 News

WORLD | News

Amnesty report targeted at Ihejirika –Group

96 die in Accra petrol station inferno

Wale Elegbede

n Igbo ThinkTank group, Aka Ikenga, has condemned the recent report of Amnesty International on the activities of the Nigerian military, stating that the international agency has allowed itself to be used as a tool in local political struggles. In a statement signed by its president, Chief Goody Uwazurike, the group said it is worried that Amnesty International usually issues negative

reports on Nigerian Military any time Boko Haram is being dealt with. The statement read: “Amnesty has allowed itself to be used as conduit pipe for the fringe dwellers, who have used the world voluntary association to discredit national institution and political bodies. “We know the target is the gallant Gen Azubuike Ihejirika. Last year, a phantom “Davis” was reported to have fingered Ihejirika as the sponsor of Boko Haram. The gullible political leaders and purveyors of falsehood

promptly took up the battle cry against him. “Today, he (Ihejirika) is among those “indicted” by Amnesty International. Can Amnesty International indict anyone? We call on Amnesty International and their collaborators to leave us alone since they have eased Goodluck Jonathan out of office for signing the Anti-gay bill into law. “Has it not always been known that Amnesty International has never condemned Boko Haram for its notorious activities nor condemns Odi and Zaki Biam massacre?”

NDA Commandant to appear in court for contempt Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

High Court sitting in Kaduna has summoned the Commandant of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna, Major General Muhammed Inuwa Idris, to appear before it on June 18 to explain why he should not be imprisoned over his disobedience to a court order. The summon was contained in a ‘Form 49’ served the Commandant through a substituted service that was published in a national daily yesterday.   According to the ‘Form 49’ titled; ‘Notice to Show

Cause Why Order of Committal Should Not be Made’ and dated 3rd June, 2015, the Commandant had “disobeyed the perpetual order of injunction of this court made on 10th April 2014, retraining the defendants, especially the 2nd defendant, (Nigerian Defence Academy) whether by themselves, agents, servants, workmen, officers, privies and assigns whomsoever and howsoever otherwise from trespassing upon or disturbing the 1st and 2nd Plaintiffs peaceful enjoyment of the properties known as Nos. 11 Gongola Road, Flat 4, Barnawa GRA and 36A Gongola Road, Flat D,

Barnawa GRA, Kaduna respectively.”   “And further take notice that you are hereby required to attend the court on the fore mentioned day to show cause why an order for your committal should not be made.” the court said. The two properties in contention, which are both located in Barnawa GRA, Kaduna formerly belonged to NDA, but were sold to the occupants, late Mr. Joseph Kingo Lafidi and late D. Akpam respectively who were then civilian staff of the military institution by the Federal Government through Presidential Implementation Committee.

Group condemns decision to relocate military command to Borno Ladi Patrick Abuja

political pressure group under the auspices of Credible Alternative Alliance (CAA) has berated President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to order the military to relocate its command centre to Borno State, saying the implications are too critical to be contemplated.  The group

led by Alhaji Balarabe Musa and Chief Olu Falae, argued that with the unpredictable nature of the terrorist group, relocating the command centre to Borno, a frontline state will place the top military officers who are planners of army operations in the firing line and expose them to attacks by the insurgents.  Briefing journalists yesterday in Abuja, the National Coordinator of

CAA, Dr. Damian Uzoma Ogbonna, urged the president to reconsider the policy pointing out that with the resurgence of the terrorist group in recent times and their penchant to launch surprise attacks against army barracks, it would amount to sacrificing the nation’s top army officers, who were trained with so much money to ask them to relocate to the warfront.

Senate Presidency: Yobe youth group storms NASS for Lawan Chukwu David Abuja

s the race for the office of the 8th President of the Senate heats up, a group under the auspices of Yobe Concerned Youth for Development, yesterday stormed the National Assembly, canvassing support for Senator

Ahmed Lawan.  Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe) and Bukola Saraki (Kwara) are the two leading contenders jostling for the exalted office.  The Chairman of the group, Muhammad Kalli, in a press briefing at the National Assembly Complex, told journalists that Senator Lawan possessed the required

qualities, character and the frame of mind to provide qualitative leadership in the next Senate.  He also pointed out that Senator Lawan had over the years, demonstrated his commitment to democratic values, which he said, placed him as the most qualified aspirant for the leadership of the Senate.

t least 96 people have died in a fire at a petrol station in Ghana’s capital, Accra, the fire service says. The fire started as people in the city are trying to cope with two days of heavy rain, which has left many homeless and without power. The flooding hampered rescue efforts and may have led to the fire, the BBC’s Sammy Darko reports from Accra. There are fears that the number of dead could rise as the search of the site continues. It

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

is thought that people were in the petrol station sheltering from the downpours when the fire broke out, our correspondent says. Bus conductor Yaw Aforve was sleeping in his vehicle which was parked at the petrol station when the fire started. He said he jumped into the floodwaters and when he came up for air, the fire burnt his face. “I was swept away by the water to the other side [of the road],” he added. “I saw so many people screaming and shouting.” The flooding helped cause the fire, the Ghana fire service said. The wa-

ters “caused the diesel and petrol to flow away from the gas station, and fire from a nearby house led to the explosion”, spokesman Billy Anaglate said, the Associated Press news agency reports. President John Mahama has visited the burnt-out petrol station and appealed for calm as the authorities try to cope with the aftermath of the fire and the flooding. He praised the rescue workers for the lives they had saved but said he was lost for words to express his feelings for those who had died.

Aftermath of Ghana’s Accra petrol station inferno.

Britain sells off postal service stake

ritain’s newly elected government announced plans yesterday to sell off its remaining stake in Royal Mail and slash ministry budgets in a bid to cut Â£4.5 billion ($6.9 billion, 6.1 billion euros) from state debt this year. Less than a month after Prime Minister David Cameron was re-elected at the head of a Conservative government, his finance minister George Osborne said they would waste no time in pursuing their goal of balanc-

ing the books. The sale of the government’s 30 percent stake in the Royal Mail postal service is expected to earn the state about Â£1.5 billion, the Treasury said in a statement. A further Â£3 billion of savings have been identified for this year in government departments, including Â£500 million from the defence budget. This is the equivalent of about three percent of spending, excluding the protected budgets for health, schools and foreign aid, officials said. Unveiling the plans

in the House of Commons, Chancellor of the Exchequer Osborne said it showed ministers were “getting on with what we promised.” “When it comes to living within your means, the sooner you start the smoother the ride,” he said. The Conservatives have promised to reduce departmental spending by Â£13 billion as they seek to eradicate the deficit by the 2018-19 financial year. They have also vowed to cut Â£12 billion from the welfare budget, but have not said how this will be achieved.

China starts righting capsized ship as divers find no signs of life

hinese authorities began late yesterday to right a cruise ship that capsized on the Yangtze River, after divers sent to search for survivors found no signs of life inside. With only 14 survivors found, including the captain and chief engineer, since the ship carrying 456 people overturned during a freak tornado on Monday night, the rescue mission has now become an operation to recover hundreds of bodies. “In a situation in which the overall judg-

ment is that there is no chance of people being alive, we could start the work of righting the boat,” transport ministry spokesman Xu Chengguang told a news conference. State television confirmed that the righting operation had begun. That would allow rescuers to “search for the missing persons in the shortest possible time,” state news agency Xinhua said, citing the transport ministry, adding that it would also “give maximum

protection to the dignity of the deceased. “Rescue workers had “groped under the water” and cut into the hull, Xinhua said, and more than 200 divers searched all the cabins of the ship but did not find any survivors. Workers cut into three regions in the hull that were “important escape channels” and found “no signs of life”, Xinhua said. “We are already mentally prepared,” said a woman surnamed Gao, 33, whose 58 year old mother was on board the ship.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

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Did you know? That Serena Williams has won her last ten Grand Slam semifinals since US Open defeat to Kim Clijsters in 2009

Early Eagles thrill Keshi • Team moves to Kaduna Sunday Adekunle Salami

he early arrival of players to camp for the 2017 Nations Cup qualifier against Chad is a delight to Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi. The coach gave June 3 deadline to the 15 foreign based professionals out of which 13 of them met on Wednesday in Abuja. Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, told our correspondent on Thursday that the Head Coach was excited with the response and has charged the players to be ready for the challenges ahead in the qualifier. Ibitoye noted that Ahmed Musa and Aaron Samuel were the two players yet to arrive camp and they took permission from Coach Keshi. “Having matches during off season is always a problem but the Head Coach was very happy that the players came in early. Instead of having about three or four training sessions before the match, we are going to have about 10 days of intensive training. “The coach told the players that the early arrival was consistent with his vision for the first match against Chad.”

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sport

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

The foreign based professionals in camp are John Ogu, Kenneth Omeruo, Babatunde Micheal, Troost Ekong, Anderson Esiti, Steven Ukoh, Ogenyi Onazi, Kingsley Madu, Odion Ighalo, Vincent Enyeama, Godfrey Oboabona, Leon Balogun and Rabiu Ibrahim. On Sunday, the Super Eagles will leave Abuja for Kaduna to continue preparations for the match scheduled to hold on June 13. Ibitoye told New Telegraph that the Eagles would move straight to the Africa Continental Hotel in Kaduna for the final preparation for the qualifier. “The players are eager and raring to go. We expect Samuel and Musa to join us before we travel to Kaduna on Sunday,” the Media Officer added.

Nigeria s Ahmed Musa against Congo s Massa Chancel during the 2015 AFCON qualifiers

Nigeria v North Korea

We should have scored more – Manu Ifeanyi Ibeh

lying Eagles coach, Manu Garba, has slammed his players for not scoring more goals in Thursday’s win over North Korea in their second Group E encounter of the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup. The reigning African champions on Thursday got their quest for glory in New Zealand back on track with a 4-0 victory over North Korea in New Plymouth, three days after suffering a 4-2 loss to Brazil. Following a goalless first half, a spirited second-half display saw the Flying Eagles romp to a convincing win over the North Koreans courtesy of goals from Kingsley Sokari, Success Isaac and two-goal

hero Godwin Saviour. And Manu, who had prior to the game told reporters in New Zealand that his players were capable of scoring more than the five the Koreans had conceded at the hands of Hungary in Monday’s 5-1 defeat, was unhappy at his team’s failure to see his pre-game prediction come to pass. “I would have loved that we won this game (against North Korea) by six, seven goals,” lamented Manu at the end of Thursday’s game. “All the same, the victory was most important for us. “And on Sunday our final group game against Hungary will be a must-win.” The Flying Eagles came out smoking in the second half and were two-nil up six min-

utes into the half courtesy of Saviour’s brace before two further strikes by Sokari and Isaac consigned the North Koreans to their second straight loss. Manu stated that his half time talk had a hand in his team’s second half performance. “We had a plan for what we wanted to do (in the first half) but they weren’t doing the right thing. We talked to the team and in the second half they got the job done,” said the former Nigeria junior international who also gave credit to the goal-shy North Koreans. “[The North Koreans] have a good side, and they played much better than they did against the Hungarians, but they are lacking when it comes to finishing,” he said. “It’s not all about win-

Manu

ning, but it’s about entertaining the crowd, and that’s something that our side did.” Nigeria’s next game comes up on Sunday against Hungary at the Taranaki Stadium. And with the Hungarians losing 2-1 to Brazil on Thursday, Sunday’s match will go a long way in deciding the fate of the Flying Eagles in the competition.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sports agenda for incoming minister

f truth be told, Nigerian sports have the unenviable honour of producing and accumulating piles of unexecuted policies that ordinarily would have revolutionalised our sports for good, but have been consigned to the garbage heap of history by some past authorities in our sports administration. These policies are the by-product of the work of special panels composed of experienced intellectuals drawn from all strata of life by the ministry, to articulate the way forward, depending on what was at stake to give our sports firm direction. Unfortunately, these recommendations that usually form the basis of issuing government White Papers are seldom implemented by the authorities. You can imagine the number of such panels that had been set up in the past. With hindsight and as a student of history, I have personally lost count of the numbers but still remember with nostalgia some of the recommendations that helped the nation navigate through stormy waters at those turbulent moments. It is an established fact that a poor student of history is bound to repeat similar mistake if adequate steps are not taken to avert such. I recall the 1980 Moscow Olympic sex scandal that not only embar-

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rassed the nation but further soiled our reputation in the process, the excess luggage scandal that earned the nation the derogatory accolade of the “greatest shoppers” in the world, but ends up with no laurels in major competitions, the Nigeria Football Association brouhaha that pulled out the late Air Commodore Sampson Emeka Omeruah, Brigadier Dominic Oneya among others. The reports of the various panels instituted into such issues and their attendant recommendations merely serve as avenue for the authorities to buy time, douse tension by calming frayed nerves and nothing more. They are subsequently dumped on the shelves where they gather dust and forgotten, simply because some officials in the past, lack the courage and will power to implement such recommendations that would have added much value to our sports development. My pain is that the moment

JOE BOOSTER

such reports are submitted by the panelists made up of eminent personalities, whose pedigree in sports administration are well known, nobody ever bothers to read through those volumes that contain the panacea to turn our sports around. The reason for these, many have suggested, are either hinged on the fact that most people appointed into sports are intellectually bankrupt and seldom ready, or that their focus is mainly on unbridled material acquisition, and sports provides such avenue. Now that the ministry has been blessed with a technocrat in Alhassan Yakmut, as a Director General, I hasten to challenge him to deviate from the norm by dusting up the previous reports and chart a way forward for the ministry. The onus is on the administrators in the ministry to guide the incoming minister right in terms of implementation of policies that would add value to our sports

which had been dumped over the years. The era of carting away the limited budgetary approvals available to the ministry at the detriment of our collective development is over. The best person to put an end to all of this is no other than the Director General of the NSC, who is the Accounting Officer. I was embarrassed to hear recently, that no kobo was paid to any of the sports federations since the past eight years as subvention by the ministry, even while such is regularly released by the Federal Government. I began to wonder how developmental activities could be initiated by them. It is appalling and rather sad that secretaries run the various federations from their personal pockets. This trend if true must stop henceforth as it is demoralising to all intent and purpose. The personal needs of the powers that be in the Ministry are not greater than that of the sportsmen and women, who are the singular reason the administrators are there. Every effort must be made to encourage the development of the various sports at grass roots level; otherwise we run the risk of losing out completely in the long run at international circuits. Many may bemoan the near absence of sponsors in our sports of late. The simple truth is that

the authorities need to put our house in order. This could be done through reduction in frivolous spending and encourage more fiscal discipline. When sports is well packaged and adequate incentive rolled out for the corporate sponsors, the tendency to witness the return of credible partnership with proven brands in the country, who used to dot our firmament in the past will not be ruled out. The grass roots sports development initiative pioneered by the current Director General needs to be further strengthened and encouraged now that he is on the saddle. This is to help the nation prepare for any eventuality the future may present, since failure to plan is planning to fail. I strongly believe that Yakmut has no reason whatsoever to fail if he gets his acts right. He needs to jettison vendetta of any kind against perceived or imaginary enemies in the system. All he needs to do is to surround himself with credible colleagues that have both experienced the better of two worlds in the hands of both politicians and technocrats. Consequently, instead of embarking on another wild goose chase by assembling a panel to articulate another policy, he can simply revisit the old ones. The secret of our development lies there.

2015 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP Brazil bank on Super Falcons land in long camping Winnipeg for opener for glory Tobi Emmanuel Canada

igeria’s senior women team on Thursday morning moved to Winnipeg, venue of their first two group games in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup that begins on June 6. The African representatives are paired with two time winners and favorites USA, Sweden and Australia in an undoubtedly Group of Death as they chase honours at the World Cup which holds from June 6 to July 5. The Super Falcons

touched down in Canada on May 20 and had been finalising their preparation for the competition at their training base in Toronto. While in Toronto, the team played out a scoreless draw with World Cup hosts Canada and later whitewashed a Canadian Women League One side WoodBridge 9-0. Edwin Okon’s ladies will later move to Vancouver for their final group phase match against USA on June 16. Nigeria who have participated in all Women’s World Cup will be aiming to surpass their best ever finish in USA 1999’s quarter-final.

Falcons arriving Winnipeg on Thursday

Sweden’s defender Charlotte Rohlin (left) vies with Germany’s defender Luisa Wensing in a recent game

Short Colombians aim high

olombia’s players may only average a height of 1.66 metres and have landed a tough group, but the South Americans say they are aiming high at their second Women’s World Cup in Canada. Attacking midfielder Yoreli Rincon, who as a child played for a boys’ team and now plays for Italy’s ASD Torres, and defender Natalia Gaitan, are vying to give England, France and Mexico a run for their money at the June 6 to July 5 tournament. “The team has a clear concept of strategy, it’s organised and one

of its strengths is ball control,” coach Felipe Taborda told Reuters. “One weakness is the players’ low height ... (but) we want to get as far as possible, we can do beautiful things,” he added. The Cafeteras, 28th in the FIFA world ranking, are improving as part of a broader boom of women playing soccer in football-crazy South America. They were runners-up in the 2014 Copa America Femenina, bouncing back after a disappointing performance at the 2011 Women’s World Cup where they finished bottom of their group.

razil have slipped down the world rankings in recent years and in a bid to recapture the form that took them to the semis in 1999 and 2007, they have adopted an all-or-nothing approach for the Women’s World Cup. Twenty-five of Brazil’s best players have been ensconced in a training camp since January and the focus is firmly on preparing themselves tactically and physically for the monthlong tournament in Canada. “The national side is our life right now,” manager Vadao told Reuters. “When you’re playing for a club, you go home at the end of the day but here you train and you go to the hotel with the team and the backroom staff. “It can be tiring but the girls know what the objective is. We can be contenders. We are all together and we believe that we can challenge.” Brazil are currently ranked seventh in the world, slightly better than last year’s eighth place, their lowest ranking since the system was inaugurated in 2003. They will play in Group E at the World Cup against South Korea, Spain and Costa Rica. Anything less than a World Cup semifinal place in Canada will be a disappointment, but only time will tell if Vadao’s total immersion strategy pays off.

International Sport 53

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

England ready to host World Cup in 2022 – Whittingdale

ngland would be ready and able to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022 if it is stripped from Qatar, according to a British government minister. Swiss and the US authorities are looking at corruption claims around the bidding processes for the 2018 and 2022 events. UK Sport Secretary John Whittingdale says England has the facilities but added it is unlikely to happen as Russia is staging the 2018 tournament. Under FIFA rules the Cup cannot be held on the same continent twice in a row.

Tuesday’s decision of FIFA president Sepp Blatter to resign has intensified calls for the 2022 bidding process to be re-run, if that process is proved to have been corrupt. Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, Whittingdale said: “If FIFA came forward and asked us to consider hosting it, we have the facilities in this country and of course we did mount a very impressive, if unsuccessful, bid to host the 2018 World Cup.” Prime Minister David Cameron has backed Whittingdale’s comments but said his priority was “cleaning up” FIFA.

French Open: Serena overcomes injury to reach final

Juventus’ Giorgio Chiellini (right) vying for the ball with Real Madrid’s Christiano Ronaldo during the semifinal clash between the two sides

Juventus’ Chiellini out of Champions League final

uventus have received a big blow ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final against Barcelona after confirming that Giorgio Chiellini will miss the game due to injury. The influential defender pulled up in training on Wednesday with a calf problem and underwent a scan on Thursday. The results have re-

vealed that Chiellini will not recover in time to play in Berlin. “Chiellini was subjected to tests following calf discomfort in yesterday’s session,” the club announced in a statement. “The tests showed a first-degree lesion of the soleus muscle in his left leg, so the defender will not be available for the match against Barcelona.”

The loss of Chiellini is a big setback for Juve, who are already without Martin Caceres and are struggling to get Andrea Barzagli fit for the showpiece. Barzagli returned to training on Wednesday but is not 100 per cent fit and the Turin side will decide whether to play the 34-year-old in Chiellini’s place, or instead opt for Angelo Ogbonna.

Klopp will replace Guardiola at Bayern - Elber

iovane Elber believes Jurgen Klopp will replace Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich next summer after leaving Borussia Dortmund. The coach ended his seven-year stay at Signal Iduna Park after overseeing a disappointing season at the club, which culminated in a seventh-place finish in the Bundesliga. Dortmund were also beaten in the DFB-Pokal final by Wolfsburg, which denied Klopp a fairytale ending to his time with BVB. He has since revealed he will take a year off from the game, having been linked with multiple European clubs, but former Bayern striker Elber is convinced he will end up at the Allianz Arena. “I think that Pep is gone after this season,” he told Audi Star Talk. “If you have Jurgen Klopp available, what more do you want? I think Klopp takes a year off and then comes to us. “He is a good coach and a perfect human being.”

erena Williams fought back to beat Timea Bacsinszky and reach the French Open final despite being close to tears at times. The top seed took 10 games in a row to win 4-6 6-3 6-0 and set up a final against Lucie Safarova on Saturday. Williams, 33, has been unwell throughout the tournament and struggled as temperatures soared in Paris. The American world

number one is trying to win her third French Open and 20th Grand Slam singles title. “I’m not sure how I did it,” Williams said on court afterwards. “I just thought I didn’t want to lose without a fight.” Earlier on Court Philippe Chatrier, 13thseed Safarova fought back to beat Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic and become the first Czech woman to reach a Roland Garros final in 34 years.

Williams

Benitez will struggle at Real, says Murphy

ormer Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes that Rafael Benitez will struggle to succeed at Real Madrid. The Spanish coach was unveiled as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor on Wednesday after agreeing a three-year contract with the La Liga giants. Murphy, who worked

with Benitez briefly during his spell in charge of Liverpool, believes that the 54-year-old will find it hard to get Real’s players on his side if his direct management style has not changed. “My gut feeling is it might end in tears, just with the type of players and egos he is dealing with at Real Madrid,” the

former England international told talkSPORT. “My understanding of him all those years ago, the type of personality he is, he is going to have to eat a bit of humble pie and bite his tongue at times with the type of squad he has inherited.” Benitez managed Liverpool between 2004 and 2010.

Advocaat makes Sunderland U-turn

S Klopp (left) and Guardiola

Klopp won the Bundesliga twice in 2011 and 2012 and reached the

Champions League final in 2013, only to be beaten by Bayern.

Liverpool agree Milner deal

iver pool have agreed a deal to sign Manchester City midfielder James Milner on a free transfer, subject to a medical. The 29-year-old England international has already agreed personal terms with the Anfield outfit and will join the club on July 1, with his contract having expired at the Etihad.

The winger spent five years in Manchester where he claimed two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup crown. It is thought that Milner will be one of many new arrivals at Anfield over the summer, with Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers looking to complete a deal for another free agent in the shape of Danny Ings.

underland have announced that they have appointed Dick Advocaat as head coach. The Dutchman has agreed a one-year deal at the Stadium of Light. Advocaat had previously stated that he was not going to stay on after guiding the Black Cats to Premier League safety last month. The 67-year-old initially took over as interim head coach after the dismissal of Gus Poyet in March and helped the NorthEast outfit to a 16th-place finish. Advocaat has revealed that Sunderland chairman Ellis Short and director of football Lee Congerton persuaded him to return to the club. “After a lot of discussions with Ellis and Lee, they convinced me that I am the right man for the club,” Advocaat told Sunderland’s official website.

Milner (right) in action for Manchester City last season

Sport

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FIFA U-20 World Cup

STANDINGS GROUP A

MP W

GA +/-

Pts

USA

Ukraine

New Zealand 2

-4

Myanmar

-7

GROUP B

igeria’s twogoal h e ro against North Ko r e a in Thursday’s 4-0 walloping of the Asians at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand, Godwin Saviour, is capable of far bigger things, according to his coach, Manu Garba. After a goalless first half, Saviour finally got the Flying Eagles going against the North Koreans with goals in the 47th and 50th minutes. Manu however feels the Plateau United forward can do a lot more than he showed at the Taranaki Stadium on Thursday. “He did well during our training tour of Germany, but I tell you he GROUP

DATES

Godwin Saviour of Nigeria gets past Ri Kyong Jin and Kang Nam Gwon of Korea DPR

Saviour capable of much more, says Manu

was not at his best even today (Thursday). He was on the squad when we won the FIFA U-17 World Cup two years ago and I know he can do far more,” said Manu. “He shoots very well MATCHES

RESULTS/TIME

Saturday 30 May New Zealand v Ukraine

0-0

Group A

Saturday 30 May USA v Myanmar

2-1

Group B

Saturday 30 May Argentina v Panama

2-2

Group B

Saturday 30 May Ghana v Austria

1-1

Group C

Sunday 31 May

Qatar v Colombia

0-1

Group D Sunday 31 May

Mexico v Mali

0-2

Group C

Portugal v Senegal

3-0

Group D Sunday 31 May

Uruguay v Serbia

1-0

Group E

Monday 01 June

Nigeria v Brazil

2-4

Group F

Monday 01 June

Germany v Fiji

8-1

Group E

Monday 01 June

Korea DPR v Hungary

1-5

Group F

Monday 01 June

Uzbekistan v Honduras 3-4

Group A

Tuesday 02 June

Myanmar v Ukraine

0-6

Group B

Tuesday 02June

Austria v Panama

2-1

Group A

Tuesday 02 June

New Zealand v USA

0-4

Group B

Tuesday 02 June

Argentina v Ghana

2-3

Group C

Wed 03 June

Qatar v Portugal

0-4

Group D Wed 03 June

Mexico v Uruguay

2-1

Group C

Senegal v Colombia

1-1

Group D Wed 03 June

Serbia v Mali

2-0

Group E

Thurs 04 June

Nigeria v Korea DPR

4-0

Group F

Thurs 04 June

Honduras v Fiji

0-3

Group E

Thurs 04 June

Hungary v Brazil

1-3

Group F

Thurs 04 June

Germany v Uzbekistan

3-0

Group B

Friday 05 June

Austria v Argentina

Group B

Friday 05 June

Panama v Ghana

Group A

Friday 05 June

Myanmar v N’ Zealand

Group A

Friday 05 June

Ukraine v USA

Group C

Sat 06 June

Senegal v Qatar

2am

Group C

Sat 06 June

Wed 03 June

Austria

Argentina

-1

Panama

-1

GROUP C

Group A

Sunday 31 May

Ghana

Colombia v Portugal

2am

Group D Sat 06 June

Serbia v Mexico

5am

Group D Sat 06 June

Mali v Uruguay

5am

Group F

Sunday 07 June

Honduras v Germany

3am

Group F

Sunday 07 June

Fiji v Uzbekistan

3am

Group E

Sunday 07 June

Hungary v Nigeria

6am

Group E

Sunday 07 June

Brazil v Korea

6am

with both legs, has the energy to also cover up when the attack has broken down. “I am very happy for him to have scored two goals; that can only boost his confidence to

do more.” Saviour, who did not feature at the African U-20 Championship in Senegal in March, was a late second half substitute in Monday’s 4-2 loss to Brazil.

Glo urges Flying Eagles to qualify for second round

ponsor of Nigeria’s national teams, Globacom, has urged the Flying Eagles to go out for victory in the last match of the group stage at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. The telecoms operator said that, while going into the next match, the team should sustain the newly found rhythm it demonstrated in the match against Korea DPR which it won 4-0. The Nigerian U-20 team lost 4-2 to Brazil in the opening Group E game on Monday. Brazil also beat Hungary 2-1 to advance to the second round. Nigeria and Hungary will now lock horns on Sunday to determine who will occupy the second position in the group.

“We congratulate the Flying Eagles for their remarkable come back against Korea which has brought Nigeria back to contention for the trophy and redeemed our country’s image,” Globacom said in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday. The Flying Eagles require victory against Hungary to guarantee its qualification from Group E and a place in the quarterfinals. “The Match is a mustwin for Nigeria. The technical team led by Manu Garba has renewed the confidence of the boys which led to their victory over Korea and we urge them to go all-out to beat Hungary on Sunday,” Globacom stated.

Bence Mervo #9 of Hungary is fouled by Marlon #4 of Brazil

Portugal

Colombia

Senegal

-3

Qatar

-5

GROUP D Serbia

Mali

Uruguay

Mexico

-1

GROUP E Brazil

Hungary

Nigeria

Korea DPR

-8

GROUP F Germany

Honduras

-2

Fiji

-4

Uzbekistan

-4

Brazil, Germany through to knockout stage

ig guns Brazil and Ger many advanced at the Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand on Thursday, as minnows Fiji notched their first-ever win at a FIFA tournament. Five-time champions Brazil struggled to overcome 10-man Hungary 2-1 while Germany dispatched Uzbekistan 3-0, with both teams making the round of 16. Brazil were almost on the wrong end of an upset after falling behind to Hungary.

The Samba Kings were undone by a simple route one goal in the seventh minute, when the Hungarians pumped the ball forward from deep within their own half to Bence Mervo. Mervo, a hat-trick hero against North Korea, sent a stinging shot that bobbled out of the keepers’ hands and over the line. The Europeans were reduced to 10 men in the 16th minute when Krisztian Tamas received a second yellow but marshalled their defence to end the first half unscathed. Brazilian skipper Danilo equalised in the 50th minute when he was given a free header off a corner. But Brazil still struggled to find a winner until Andreas Pereira’s 86th minute penalty, awarded after Hungarian keeper Gyorgy Szekely was controversially ruled to have brought down Gabriel Jesus. There were no such dramas for Germany, who comfortably sailed past Uzbekistan 3-0, including a goal in each half from Frankfurt’s Marc Stendera.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Welcome Buhari, here’s where I stand

or the fact that I supported the Transformation Agenda of former President Goodluck Jonathan, some people have called to ask how I feel about the victory and inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as President. I feel great, elated and expectant that a courageous and determined man will be sitting behind the Presidential desk as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Again having reviewed the list of his campaign promises, some of which appear overpriced and difficult to achieve but certainly not impossible to accomplish if he set his mind on them, I am positive that better days lie ahead. Buhari will not be a reluctant President and having run for the presidency for a record four times I want to believe that he understands the trouble with Nigeria and will do his best to fix some of them, such as; resolving the lingering energy crisis, zero tolerance on corruption, providing jobs, revolutionizing the education system so that every Nigerian child will have the mental tools to build a better life, ending insecurity( insurgency , armed robbery and kidnapping where ever they exist in Nigeria), ensuring that the engine of economic growth touches every Nigerian and ensuring the supremacy of the constitution and Rule of Law. Two separate incidents happened to me last Tuesday which I will I will reflect here with the hope it will help both the governing party and the emerging opposition party put the nation and the people first. APCs victory over PDP is by no means a conquest. The twin evils confronting us irrespective of political affiliation, class or creed are Islamic insurgency and kidnappings for ransom which we must unite to defeat. The first incident was a visit to the Garki market, Abuja where Arit and I, had gone to pick some items for our home. A few young men of northern extraction recognized me and called out my name. They were happy to tell me that their hero is now the president and that I should do my best to support him because he will make life better for everyone. I noted with pride their great expectation which is good but won’t count much and won’t last unless they are grounded on thoughtfulness. These boys were barely educated and with no skill except from pushing carts in the market. I wondered how they will benefit from a structured change and if Buhari is aware of the huge burden of expectations on him. But, within minutes of that encounter, another well dressed gentle man, a Yoruba walked up and broke up my warm interactions with these young northerners. The fellow apparently recognized me as a writer and a ‘Jonathanian’; uninvited and unprovoked, he started hurling abuses on the former President, the former oil minister and the Igbo for voting against APC. It was an interesting moment; it reminded me that while the ordinary man on the streets yearns for peace and unity of Nigeria, there are elites who view things differently; they want Nigeria permanently divided for their selfish reasons, they switch positions with ease, shout ‘change’ from the roof top only for them to perpetuate more fraud. Buhari must beware of these pretenders and work for the masses, he is their last hope. The second separate incident was my meeting with Femi Adesina the newly appointed special Adviser, Media and Publicity to President Buhari somewhere in Aso Villa. Though he was until that meeting the Sun Managing Director, but we never met though we spoke frequently on the phone. I was aware that at the heat of

My Word CLEM AGUIYI

myword@gmail.com 08034747898 (sms only)

President Buhari

Jonathan, former President

Okonjo-Iweala, former Finance Minister

Sanusi, former CBN governor

the presidential election, Femi was concerned about my vehement criticism of Buhari but he could do nothing to censor my writings because the Sun allowed us freedom of thought. I also knew Femi as an unrepentant Buhari apologist dating back to 2007 and I respect him for that. But upon this meeting we hugged each other; I heartily congratulated him and wished him well. Before we parted ways he said to me ‘Clem, the war is over and we need to join hands to build a better Nigeria’. Femi is a Yoruba man and I am Igbo; he is on the employment of Sun where I am a guest writer; he wrote in support of Buhari, while I wrote in support of Jonathan; his candidate won, my candidate lost, yet we are one family –the Sun family. Femi is right, that the battle is now over and that we need every hand on the

deck to get Nigeria right back on track. The president is just one man and can’t go it all alone; he’s not a superhuman, he needs our prayers, cooperation and support to succeed. Unfortunately, there are still stragglers on both divides who are yet to come to terms with the fact that the 2015 political battle has been won and lost and that the challenge ahead is meeting the huge ,great expectations of the people, not servicing the greed of the elite some of whom are going over board to overheat the system by vilifying Jonathan, demonizing Diezani Madueke, blackmailing Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and mob lynching Senator Stella Odua while ignoring the sins of Sen. Bala Mohammed of FCT , Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi of CBN and other saints from the North and South West who served past administrations. Justice, equity demand that every

Nigerian must be treated equally and fairly. I do not accept Vice President Yemi Osibajo’s assertion that the new government inherited the worst economy in Nigerian history as the assertion flies in the face of reality. Our economy, like the global economy may be under pressure but I think some folks should quit frightening the people and settle down to do the jobs they were elected to do. The $60bn debt profile being bandied about is not President Jonathan’s debt but Nigeria’s debt from 1960 to date; the debt forgiveness secured by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration only covered debts owed to the Paris Club; Lagos, Kano and Rivers state alone which are controlled by Osibajo’s party accounted for nearly 45 per cent of the debt profile incurred by the Jonathan administration. Sooner than later, the truth will emerge that under prevailing circumstances the much vilified Jonathan administration may have bequeathed us with a strong economic legacy that President Buhari can build upon. However, there are indications that President Buhari’s honeymoon with Nigerians may become short lived. Critics are dogging every step he makes and they are un-sparing in their attacks. Also within the range of fire was his wife Hajia Aisha whom they criticized of ostentatious living. Her wristwatch to the inauguration they said cost $50,000 USD, quite extravagant for the wife of a man who borrowed N25m to pay for his presidential nomination form. Outrage also followed the EFCC’s withdrawal of all suits against Timipre Sylva , an APC Chieftain who served on Buhari’s transition committee. Did Buhari interfere with the proceedings against Sylva as a payback for his support? Is the president who told the nation that he belongs to nobody a hostage of corrupt financiers? Is it possible that Buhari is now too old and weak to make a significant dent on corruption? Conspiracy has also crept into the plan to relocate the military High Command to the North. The talk in town is that the relocation of the military High Command center to the North East is a ploy to move military installations and armament to the North leaving the South bare. Even the appointment of my friend Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu has been criticized as over populating the presidency. Again the President needs his tools to work and is entitled to them so long as it will make him succeed. Femi deserves his appointment and I believe he is a valuable asset to the new government. I read Eric Osagie on the back page of Sun of June 1, 2015 urging Buhari to make the declaration of his asset open to conform to his campaign promise. That would have been nice and I believe that politicians must be held accountable for their campaign promises and also made to conform to constitutional requirements. I also don’t think it is proper for us to disrespect President Buhari the way some northerners disrespected and undermined the institution of presidency under the Jonathan administration; I don’t think it will be in the interest of Nigeria for us to call Buhari names like ‘brain dead and brainless’ as some people are currently doing on the internet; I don’t think treating every new policy with distrust will help the healthy growth of our nation. Granted that I didn’t campaign for the emergence of President Buhari, I don’t think it’s time yet for me to start throwing stones at him; I believe he should be allowed to lead us from the front; he should be allowed to make his mistakes and learn from them. No leader is perfect but we the people can help him lead well. That’s where I stand.

On Marble

Clem Aguiyi

Sanctity of Truth

“If love is blind, then maybe a blind person that loves has a greater understanding of it.” – Criss Jami

Welcome Buhari, here’s where I stand

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

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Public arena : the column you write

The positive ‘Change’ we want Olubunmi Aboderin

here is a lot of talk about “inclusive capitalism” and “inclusive growth” these days. That’s all well and good but in addition to these, what we need is an “inclusive government”. A government that includes capable, honest citizens based on merit irrespective of gender. There is a positive correlation between gender equality and economic growth. Countries that do not treat women as second class citizens are more likely to prosper in a sustainable manner, and this is true regardless of the prevailing ideology or religion of that region. Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are two classic examples. Both places rank high in comparative regional gender equality surveys and both have experienced an upward trend in economic prowess and social development over the last 10 years and 40 years respectively. In the book, Flashes of Thought, the ruler of UAE, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, says of his government: “Our job is to provide an environment that unlocks women’s potential–one that protects their dignity and femininity, helps them create the necessary balance in their lives, and values their talents and potential. Given this environment, I am confident that women will perform nothing short of miracles.” To that end, 70 per cent of university graduates in his country are women. Eighty five per cent of his personal team are women, 65 per cent of their government employees are women and 30 per cent of the leadership positions are held by women. Closer to home, let’s look at Rwanda. Since the genocide ended over 10 years ago, women have generally made up more than 50 per cent of their parliamentarians. Currently, approximately 63 per cent of their Members of Parliament are female. During that time, Rwanda has experienced year-on-year GDP growth. Their GDP per capita, their Gross National Income per capita, their Agricultural Production Rate and Food Production Rate have all increased steadily over those years. Is this a coincidence? I think not. I once heard someone say that women are the greatest causalities of war and he might be right. This being the case, by putting capable women in leadership positions, we have a government that is less likely to make decisions that would lead to civil unrest or war. Prosperity fosters in times of peace. The absence of confusion and an orderly society foster progress. Thus one could probably argue that the more women we have in leadership positions, the more likely we are to have an orderly and prosperous country. In her essay, The Economics of Exclusion, University of Oxford Business Professor, Linda Scott, illustrates in monetary terms the national benefits of adequately including women in leadership and the hidden, indirect costs of exclud-

Change: President Buhari with ex-President Goodluck Jonathan

ing them: "Taking account of the benefits of including women should encompass not just the growth possibilities, but the bigger economic impact lies in avoiding the costs associated with exclusion, such as...hunger, violence and disease.” In some of her other works, Scott compares the Women’s Economic Opportunity data compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit and the National Competitiveness Index created by the World Economic Forum. Her findings show that "a country making concerted efforts to protect, support, educate, and place its women would be making similar decisions across the board to maximise its other resources." There are examples of gifted leaders all over the world who happen to be female such as Valerie Amos, Michaelle Jean, Ursula Burns and Condoleezza Rice. We also have our fair share of such assets here in Nigeria and in deciding

Overlooking women for positions in leadership would be akin to a self-inflicted, gender-based, brain drain

who should form part of the leadership team that moves this country forward, let those who are gifted with skill, scruples, stamina and a solid track record prevail. Overlooking women for positions in leadership would be akin to a self-inflicted, gender-based, brain drain. Speaking of a brain drain, Valerie Amos is originally from Guyana and Michaelle Jean was born in Haiti. Both women are doing wonders on behalf of their adoptive countries, the United Kingdom and Canada respectively. If the right environment had existed in their countries of birth, they probably would not have left and perhaps they’d be doing these wonders as emissaries of their birth countries rather than as representatives of their adoptive countries. Let us create the right environment here in Nigeria so that capable women (and men) don’t have to leave the shores of their country to find a place where their intellectual talents can be maximised and appreciated. Who or what is a leader? It is said that a leader is someone who improves the lives of those around him or her. People like Adepeju Jaiyeoba, the lawyer working to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates by providing kits to pregnant women in rural areas, or Mosunmola Umoru, the female farmer who empowers other farmers by helping them find a viable market for their produce. Similarly, it is said that a leader is anyone who can serve people and make them happy. For example, Enitan Kuku who discovers Nigerian fine artists and helps them sell their artwork in the international market, or Fisayo Olowu who runs a designated learning place for children

under the age of 10 living in an impoverished shanty town, or Yewande Olofinro who goes to hospital wards to help those who can’t pay their medical bills. I also read somewhere that a leader is someone capable of creating positive change, whether at a micro level within his or her family or at a macro level serving the entire nation. People such as Ijeoma Idika-Chima, a young lady who galvanises other young people to vote, or Amina Ahmed who despite incredible odds is possibly one of Nigeria’s youngest female magistrates, or Temitayo Etomi, a manager in the Lagos State civil service, doing notable work in her state government. It should be a priority of new administration headed by President Muhammadu Buhari, to uphold the spirit and letter of our National Gender Policy. Let us “provide an enabling environment for women to achieve their highest potential.” That environment would be one that protects them from violence, one that does not force them to compromise their principles and one that includes them on the basis of competence. The positive change that we would like to see from the new administration is the significant inclusion of clever, capable, conscientious and compassionate women in the leadership. Let us realise the benefits inherent in our greatest natural resource. We can create an environment that enables women to succeed or sets them up to fail. By choosing the former, the whole nation, male and female, young and old, will also move forward. • Ms Aboderin, a member of the Institute of Directors, wrote from Ogun State.

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