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Vol. 2 No. 436

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ex-governor Igbinedionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brother jailed six years }8

Lagos spends N1trn on infrastructure Muritala Ayinla

he Lagos State Government has spent N1.13 trillion on infrastructural upgrade in

the last eight years, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Ben Akabueze, said yesterday. He told reporters at a news conference in Lagos

that the amount was spent on 8,961 projects certified by the ministry. The commissioner also said the average budget performance in the last eight years was 79 per cent.

But while the state budgets amounted to N2.749 trillion during the period, its total revenue was N2,433.349 trillion. He stated that the revenue represented 89 per

cent of the total expenditure. "The average sectorial allocation of the budget from 2008-2015 is general public service, 23.70 per cent; public order and safe-

ty 3.12 per cent; economic affairs, 31.58 per cent; environmental protection 8.56 per cent; housing and community amenities 9.17 per cent; health 7.66 per CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Stop the blackmail

lAPC fires back at Jonathan lPresident: Election figures were manipulated }3

Quick Read

Editorial Some of the girls and women rescued from Sambisa forest in Borno State...yesterday.

160 more females freed from Sambisa

lMilitary begins identification of 293 others

Salute to Nigerian workers

}19

South-East APC demands SGF position }8

News

FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

160 more females freed from Sambisa Emmanuel Onani and Flora Onwudiwe

or the second time in a week, Nigerian troops have rescued more females from Boko Haram's fortress, Sambisa forest in Borno State. The military said in a statement that the captives, comprising about 100 girls and 60 women were freed after destroying several Boko Haram training camps and strongholds within the forest. They were rescued a day after troops freed 200 girls and 93 women from the Boko Haram's stronghold. Already, the military has begun the process of identifying the victims and carrying out thorough

examinations on them to determine their state of health. The Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Colonel Sani Usman, in the statement issued late Wednesday night, said the rescue operation during which the 160 children and women were freed was carried out by troops of the 7 Division in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. They also seized weapons of various grades from the insurgents, he added. Sani stated that the rescued women and children had since been evacuated to "safety zones for processing." He said many Boko Haram field commanders and foot soldiers were killed in the fierce battle.

A soldier died in the battle while four others sustained varying degrees of injury. The troops were also said to have destroyed two Armoured Personnel Carriers, two Buffalo vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft guns, a truck and several Hilux vehicles. "One woman died and eight other women sustained gunshot wounds. So far, the troops have destroyed nine terrorist camps in the forest. "This is in addition to the four destroyed yesterday (Tuesday). The destroyed camps include Wulari Bukar, Gangala, Anguwar Bakwai and Jigide. Others include Kotorima, Lagara Bello and Lagara Fulani," Usman said.

Also yesterday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said it had begun comprehensive profiling and screening of the 293 females rescued on Tuesday from Boko Haram captivity. It, however, said until the profiling process was completed, no one could safely say if the rescued girls were from Chibok or not. The announcement of the rescue of the 293 victims has raised cautious optimism on the possibility of the Chibok girls, kidnapped on April 14, 2014, being among them. The DHQ's position came a day after Usman and the Borno State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Mohammed Bulama, were reported to have said

Managing Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Yemi Adeola (left) and Chairman, Asue Ighodalo, at the bank’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

the girls were not from Chibok. But a statement by the spokesman for the Defence Headquarters, Major General Chris Olukolade, said the process of identifying the girls had not been completed. The statement added that over 13 Boko Haram camps in Sambisa Forest had been captured by troops in the ongoing military operation. It further said the priority of the military, since the rescue of the girls and women, had been their movement to a conducive place where they are now being profiled in a bid to ascertain where they are from and how they found themselves in the forest. The strings of success recorded by the military against Boko Haram yesterday prompted President Goodluck Jonathan to pledge that he would ensure the liberation of all territories still under Boko Haram's control by May 29. He told a delegation of Heads of Customs from the West and Central African Region of the World Customs Organisation, led by the Secretary-General of the organisation, Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, that he was determined to hand over a country completely free of terrorist strongholds to the Presidentelect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari. The President said ongoing military operations in the North-East had already recorded huge successes, with two states completely free from the control of terrorists, while operations in the third state had reached a concluding stage. “We can now say two

Ex-govs to APC: Provide Nigeria with purposeful leadership lPDP took Nigerians for granted, says Oyegun Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he Former Governors’ Forum (FGF) has charged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to provide purposeful leadership for the country. The former governors spoke yesterday in Abuja when they visited the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John OdigieOyegun and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). Chairman of the group and former governor of Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, said the association was elated that the election was conducted

peacefully. He said the victory of the APC will help deepen democracy in the country. Nwobodo, who led the group to visit the APC chairman before the presidential election, said the association returned to the party after the election to show that politics should be devoid of rancour. He urged the incoming APC government to lead by example, especially in always doing the bidding of the Nigerian people. Also, Nwobodo canvassed that there should not be split in the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) as that would weaken the forum. Former governors present at the meeting were Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia),

Fidelis Tapgun (Plateau), Ahmed Markafi (Kaduna), Balarabe Musa (Kaduna), Buka Ibrahim (Yobe), Okwesilieze Nwodo (Enugu), Chinwoke Mbadinuju (Anambra) and Niyi Adebayo (Ekiti). Also members of the National Working Committee (NWC) present at the meeting were: Deputy National Chairman (South), Engr. Segun Oni; National Secretary, Alhaji Mala Mai Buni; National Auditor, Chief George Moghalu; National Woman Leader, Hajiya Ramatu Aliyu and the National Vice Chairman (SouthEast), Chief Emma Enukwu. In his response, Oyegun said it was good that the election was a lesson

for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to him, the victory was not only for APC but for all Nigerians. "We are all victors," he said. He stated that from the results of the last polls, it was obvious that political leaders cannot continue to take the populace for granted. He said the victory of APC was good. Oyegun accused the PDP of becoming too arrogant and obsessed with power that Nigerians resolved to boot it out of power. According to him, PDP did everything humanly possible to win the election but was roundly rejected by the electorate.

The former governor of Edo State said the defeat of PDP government will help to deepen and stabilise democracy in the country. Oyegun commended President Jonathan for ensuring that peace reigned by conceding defeat and congratulating the winner of the election, General Muhammadu Buhari. In his remarks, former Abia State governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, called for a virile opposition, stating that whatever would make democracy to blossom should be encouraged and supported by all. He paid accolades to the APC national chairman, describing him as one of the political leaders that have rendered selfless service to the nation.

states are completely free from terrorist control, while in the third state, it is only in one local government area that they are still present. That is in the Sambisa Forest,” he said. Jonathan added that the military had already moved into the forest to seize the remaining camps of the terrorists and that the recent rescue of about 300 abducted girls and women was further evidence of the success being achieved in the ongoing operation. On his decision to concede victory to Buhari before all the results of the presidential elections were announced, he said elections must be approached from a nationalistic point of view. Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (CAOS), Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah, yesterday vowed to end the insurgency in the North-East. Minimah, at the inauguration of the restructured 81 Division Officers' Mess in Lagos, said: "Never again will Nigeria walk this path where insurgency and terrorism will come to redefine our oneness and unity as a nation and bring the Nigerian Army to a low level of concern to its own. "We will continue to push in major operations in the fight against insurgency to a close. It is achievable and we are working towards that. "It is our wish that we find them (Chibok girls). It's just one of the camps that were destroyed that we found that number of Nigerians. "I am sure that as we edge further into the forest, we will begin to capture more camps. We pray that we rescue more people. Every Nigerian looks forward to this. "Let me commend the efforts of our gallant officers and soldiers who continue to make enormous sacrifices to ensure that Nigeria remains a safe, united and stable country. "I wish to reassure all Nigerians that the Nigerian Army will continue to do what is in the interest of the nation in pursuant of our constitutional roles. "We will always rise to the occasion wherever and whenever duty calls. We will not fail Nigeria and Nigerians. "May I express our profound thanks to President Jonathan for his unwavering support for the Nigerian Army who has, in various ways, particularly his morale boosting visits to the North-East operational theatre, demonstrated unique leadership and solidarity."

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, May 1, 2015

FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

News

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, May 1, 2015

Jonathan blackmailing us, APC fires back Temitope Ogunbanke and Anule Emmanuel

he All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday fired back at the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, which accused it of conducting itself as if it was a parallel government and of heating up the polity. The incoming ruling party refuted the allegations levelled against it and accused the Jonathan administration of engaging in blackmail in a bid to hinder a smooth handover of power on May 29. It warned that neither the party nor the President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, would surrender to any blackmail, subtle or otherwise from the incumbent government. APC's riposte to the attack by the Jonathan administration, launched on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, came just as the president queried Buhari's victory in

the presidential election. The party, in a statement in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said it was becoming apparent that the incumbent government would not fully cooperate with the incoming government, despite its public posturing. APC described as an act of hostility and a patently misplaced aggression the unnecessary vituperation against the incoming Buhari administration by the Jonathan government. The party also rejected the continued blackmail by the Jonathan administration as a result of the president's concession of defeat, wondering whether the concession, gracious as it was, has now become a shield for all wrong doings. “We are sick and tired of being blackmailed by the Jonathanians. General Buhari won the March 28 presidential election fair and square, having satisfied both constitutional and other statutory requirements. We have no apology for our victory, and the concession of de-

feat - while it may have increased the political stock of President Jonathan - has by no means diminished the historic and emphatic victory of General Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress,” APC stated. Justifying its statement that the Jonathan administration is plotting to hinder a smooth transition of power, APC said while the outgoing government had earlier issued a memo to all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to make sure their handover notes were ready by April 20, it had reversed itself by giving a new May 14 deadline. “With the new date, the Buhari Transition Committee will have little or no time to take a thorough look at the handover notes or seek clarification on knotty issues, effectively handing it (Buhari Transition Committee) a fait accompli as far as the handover notes are concerned. This does not augur well for a smooth transition and gives the impression that the outgoing administration is trying to hide

something. “By its dilly-dallying on the date for the readiness of the handover notes from the MDAs, the administration's posturing that it is ready to hand over has been exposed as nothing, but a smokescreen,” it said. APC described as illogical and strange the claim by the Jonathan administration that the presidentelect is trying to set up a parallel government simply because he has set up his own transition committee and gave it terms of reference to guide the members on the discharge of their duties. It wondered how on earth those terms of reference have become the concern of the outgoing FEC. “In case the Federal Executive Council has forgotten, General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress was declared the winner of the‎ March 28 presidential election by INEC. General Muhammadu Buhari is,‎ therefore, today the president-elect and the All Progressives Congress the incoming government. It is therefore illogical to

accuse the president-elect and the incoming government of setting up a parallel government. “It is either the outgoing Federal Executive Council has something to hide or is bent on sabotaging the incoming government. There can be no other reasons for the misplaced aggression that was exhibited in that ill-intentioned, unprovoked and vitriolic statement from the Jonathan government,” the party said. APC also warned Jonathan’s supporters not to overstretch the goodwill, which the president has earned by his gracious concession even before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially declared Buhari winner of the March 28 election. It said while Jonathan's concession of defeat was momentous; it was not unprecedented in Africa, where power has changed hands peacefully between the ruling and opposition parties in several nations. However, the president, despite conceding defeat, yesterday queried Buhari's

Ekwunife: I’m under pressure to relinquish mandate to Ngige Chukwu David Abuja

he Senator-elect for Anambra Central Senatorial District, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, yesterday claimed that she had been under pressure to relinquish her mandate to Senator Chris Ngige, who is the incumbent lawmaker representing the district. Ekwunife, who is a member of the House of Representatives, spoke to journalists in Abuja at the closing session of the four-day induction course organised for the newly elected members of the National Assembly by the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS). The lawmaker stated that she had continually rebuffed such pressures being mounted on her by elders and some political stakeholders in the district to renounce her mandate for Ngige. Ekwunife, who clinched the senatorial seat in the March 28 National Assembly elections on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by defeating Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said that she would not trad with her mandate. The initial permutation

was that the Senate Presidency will be zoned to the South-East with Ngige as favourite had he won his re-election. She said: "Yes, there have been immense pressures from various quarters in the Anambra Central senatorial zone and by extension, Anambra State, on me to renounce the popular mandate given to me by the people of the senatorial district for somebody (Ngige) I defeated for reasons of power sharing they are not even sure of. "Even if they are sure of whatever position they want the person they are pressurising me to step down for, I will never take that from them because the mandate as far as I am concerned is far, far bigger than being sacrificed on the altar of power sharing." The lawmaker further stated that the electorate demonstrated their confidence in her because of her impressive performance in the House, promising to do more when she moves to the Senate. Pressures mounted on Ekwunife in this regard, arose out of the fact that none of the 15 senators elected from the SouthEast to the 8th Senate is a member of the APC, the party expected to form the leadership of the Senate, having won 60 out of the 109 seats.

victory in the presidential election. Jonathan, while receiving the report of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation (PPCO), doubted some of the figures credited to the party in some states. He said: "PDP is still the dominant party. If you look at the result, the difference is just 2.5 million votes ‎and if you look at the areas where it is perceived that PDP scored so low, PDP couldn't have gotten those kinds of scores but the elections are over, the country first." He also said he needed not to consult anyone before conceding defeat to Buhari. While addressing key party leaders and officers who played vital roles in the campaign organisation, Jonathan said he was convinced that conceding defeat at the point he called Buhari was important to save Nigeria from any possible crisis. He said in taking that critical decision, there was CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (left) and the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ashrat Salama, during the ambassador's visit to Kalu in Abuja...on Wednesday PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

FG pays N156bn to oil marketers, owes N98bn Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he Federal Government yesterday paid N156 billion to oil marketers leaving N98 billion as balance owed the marketers. Special Assistant to the Coordinating Minister for

the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, said government paid the oil marketers as a matter of priority in spite of the prevailing revenue constraints. The statement stated that the payment had two components comprising `I owe you' (IOU), given

in March and interest on payment. “The first consists of the cash backing of the N100 billion IOU which the marketers were given in March. The second is N56 billion in interest payments for the marketers according to the PPPRA template.

“This leaves a balance of N98 billion certified by PPPRA as the amount owed the markers,” it stated. The statement noted that the N156 billion was the latest in a series of significant payments made to the oil marketers within the last five months.

News

FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Onaiyekan tasks Buhari to end Boko Haram Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan has charged the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, to end the Boko Haram scourge once and for all. He said the incoming government has no excuse to fight terrorism with all seriousness now that elections are over, noting that President Goodluck Jonathan was distracted by election campaigns to address the problem of insecurity. Cardinal Onaiyekan spoke in Abuja yesterday at a symposium organised by the #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) advocacy group to mark the one year that 219 secondary school girls were abducted in Chibok, Borno State by the Boko Haram terrorists. "It was distracting Jonathan. Instead of facing the issue, it did not allow him to face the issue very well. Now, elections are over, the government must do what needs to be done. “General Buhari should know that the issue of Chibok girls as well as terrorism in general is

an embarrassment to the whole country. We appreciate that it is not an easy problem, that it is all over the world, but we should be able to control the Nigerian dimension," he said. The missing Chibok girls, he said, are a symbol of everything that has been wrong with the Nigerian system over the years. While reacting to the rescue of 293 women and girls by the military from Sambisa forest, Onaiyekan said the military would have been seen to have recorded success when the Chibok girls were rescued. He said: "It is difficult for me to react to the re-

cent rescue of about 300 girls and women by the military men because I still don't understand what rescue means. Were these girls who were kidnapped or were they girls and women who normally live in that forest? We know there are many villages in the forest. “By the way, when you say you have rescued 200 girls and we don't have one single Chibok girl among them, we begin to say the ones we are asking you to rescue, you have not rescued them." The Catholic Priest also appealed to religious leaders in the country

to continue to dialogue to achieve peace, saying "we either live together in peace or we simply destroy ourselves." Speaking at the event, former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, said the Federal Government must deploy all resources to ensure that the Chibok girls are rescued and brought home alive. She reiterated that the BBOG was still counting on the promise made by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Dasuki Sambo (rtd) that the girls would be rescued before May 29. Ezekwesili, one of the

leaders of the BBOG, urged the Federal Government to adopt the global mechanism of identifying and fighting terrorism. She said that the government must device proper feedback mechanism for public to follow its operations in the fight against terrorism and the rescue of the girls. She stated that the BBOG would continue its advocacy for the rescue of the girls. In his address at the symposium, Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Coomassie, com-

mended BBOG for being the only voice advocating for the rescue of the girls. Coomassie gave assurance that ACF would continue to partner with BBOG to see that the girls were rescued. On his part, former member of the House of Representatives and a Senator-elect, Dino Melaye said whatever efforts the military make in Borno State without the Chibok girls rescued would not be seen as a success. He, however, expressed confidence in the incoming administration of Buhari to finally put an end to the problem of insecurity.

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L-R: Mother of the former Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Eunice Uzor Kalu; President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari and Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, during a visit to Buhari in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI 39oC

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Lagos spends N1trn on infrastructure

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cent; recreation, culture and religion 1.52 per cent; education 14.09 per cent and social protection 0.60 per cent," he said. The commissioner said to ensure that the public gets value for expended funds; the ministry monitored the execution of projects to ascertain that they meet specifications. "In the last one year, this ministry issued prepayment certificates in the sum of N39,675,634,415.44 for 1,246 projects," he added. He stated that it was the policy in the state that projects valued N500,000 and above must get certification by the Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the ministry. Akabueze, however, said many resources were still untapped in the state and expressed the hope that the incoming government of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode would widen the revenue base and bring

more taxable Lagosians into its tax net. On the achievements recorded under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) programme, Akabueze said the state government enjoyed donor support to the tune of N15,134,459,766 in the last eight years, while counterpart funding for the same period was N27 billion. Akabueze added that the year 2014 budget of N489,690 billion was slightly re-ordered in August with capital expenditure reviewed downward from N255.025 billion to N247,825 billion and recurrent expenditure increased to N241.865 billion from N234,665 billion, without any change in the budget size. He explained that the budget was reordered to accommodate exigencies like Ebola outbreak, heightened security challenges and reversal of the Lagos State University fees' increase.

APC fires back at Jonathan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

no need consulting anyone since he was taking it on behalf of his party and supporters. "Yes, I did not consult anybody before I made that phone call, but I made that phone call on behalf of all you and on behalf of the PDP," he stated. According to him, the stability of the country will continue to remain paramount at all time. "My conviction is that you must have a country before you can hold an office," he added. The president said despite the defeat, PDP would remain the most dominant and organised party not only in Nigeria, but also in Africa. He also told the party leaders not to worry about members who have defected to APC since the defeat of PDP in the general elections. "Don't be so disillusioned. Those who are al-

ready running around and cross carpeting will come back with empty stomach. Yes we lost the election, but that is minor for now." He said after some time, people would give different accounts of the 2015 elections just like key players in the civil war did in their books. While presenting the report, Director-General of the PCO, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, commended the president for showing exemplary leadership and making the PDP proud despite losing to the APC. "You made the world proud by conceding defeat even when you had several options. You proved to the world that you are committed to your credo that no one's blood is worth your political ambition. "By that singular act, you pulled Nigeria back from a seeming pre-determined precipice and you made us proud. While you assuredly lost in the bal-

lots, you won the biggest victory in defeat by that historic phone call. "A lot of lessons were learnt from the elections and these will be used to wrest power from the current winners in future," he stated. Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, said the party did not win the presidential election but as a leader, Jonathan won peace for the country. He said what Jonathan did was in the interest of the corporate existence of Nigeria. While the president was consoling members of the party at the event, National Coordinator of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), Chief Ifeanyi Uba, broke down and was seen weeping profusely. He was consoled by some officials and guided out before the end of the meeting.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, May 1, 2015

News

FRIDAY,MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NATIONAL

Court jails Michael Igbinedion for six years Cajetan Mmuta Benin

Federal High Court, sitting in Benin, yesterday, sentenced Michael, a brother to former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, to six years in prison. The court, however offered him a leeway of a N3m fine. The court also slammed a 20-year imprisonment term on a former aide to Igbinedion, Mr Patrick Eboigbodin. He was a Director of Finance and Supply, Government House, Benin City, during the Peoples Democratic Party-led administration. He was sentenced to 10 years each for the two count charge levelled against him by the Economic and Financial

Crimes Commission, EFCC. The terms are to run concurrently without any option of fine. Micheal Igbinedion, who is the second accused was also sentenced to six years imprisonment on three count charges but with an option of fine of N3m for the three counts. The duo, alongside others, have been standing trial for 81 count charges for money laundering, misappropriation of funds and abuse of office in a N25bn suit brought

before the court by the EFCC. Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court, sitting in Benin, had pronounced the sentence after about two days delay in reading the 300 page verdict. Liman also declared that the sixth accused, PMI Security Nigeria Limited, which is a corporate body be wound down and its assets forfeited to the state government. Counsel to the first and second accused had before

the sentence presented their briefs to plead for leniency for their clients and for options of fine, rather than send them to jail. According to Chief Richard Ahonanuogho, counsel to the first accused, Mr Patrick Eboigbodin, the relevant punishment for the offence is jail term, the court also has the discretion to impose fine. Ahonanuogho argued that no money was traced to the personal benefit of

the accused and as such, he deserved less punishment by the court. “He has shown complete remorse, not only during the trials but at all times. He will never, if given the second chance commit the same offence again,” he said. He added, “This appeal for leniency also became necessary from the length of time the accused has been on trial or my Lordship can apply the principle of suspended sentence of the first accused”.

Dangote’s Lagos refinery to cost $11bn Muritala Ayinla

ndications emerged yesterday that the proposed 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery Complex and Fertilizer Plant located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) will cost a whooping $11 billion to construct. Speaking at the annual ministerial briefing, the Lagos State’s Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Senapon Oworu, who made the revelation, said massive construction work is on-going in the refinery. She explained that aside from Dangote, other high profile investors have also indicated interest in the Lekki Free Trade Zone , currently bubbling with offices. She said: “As we speak, tremendous construction work is ongoing on the Dangote site. The project is envisaged to create 20,000 jobs during construction.” She noted that about 8,000 engineers would be required during construction and that the project would come on stream by the end of 2016. She said: “Presently, a number of allocation request are also being processed by the ministry”, she said adding that 500 hectares of land was allocated to an investor for site and service development in Parcel B. The commissioner said the state government has also provided standby 12 megawatts power plants to provide steady electricity supply in the LFTZ.

L-R: Head Remittance, Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Adejumoke Ajayi; Assistant Marketing Manager, ECOWAS Western Union Financial Services Incorporated, Ebere Nwaolikpe and Head, Sales and Alliance Management, Union Bank Plc, Anietie Bassey, during the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Front Line Associate (FLA) Challenge prize handover in Lagos …recently

South-East APC demands for SGF position Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he leadership of the All Progressives Cong ress(APC) from South East yesterday made a special request to the Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari to consider the region for the position of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. They made this appeal during a congratulatory visit to the president-elect at the Defence House residence in Abuja. Also, the Plateau State APC delegate led by the governor-elect, Simeon Lalong, said that they were at the Defence House to solicit the support of the President-elect in the areas of security. Lalong, who spoke with journalists after meeting with Buhari, said the fundamental problem with Plateau State was security. On zoning of principal offices at the National Assembly and the interest of Plateau State, the gov-

ernor-elect stated that the state APC had never met on it. He said if it became necessary, the state would take decision on it. Governor of Imo State and Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, Rochas Okorocha, speaking on behalf of the delegation, said although the region could not be delivered to Buhari in the presidential election, they were able to cut-down over the 7.2million votes the PDP had projected to get from the region. “We (South East APC) are more victorious than you are on your victory at the presidential election. Many of us would have gone on exile if you had lost. Although we could not deliver the south east to you, what we were able to do however, was to cut down the damages of 7.2million votes the PDP had projected to get from the southeast,” Okorocha said. While expressing the hope that Buhari’s government will be successful and as well support the cause of the Southeast, Okorocha appealed

that the region should be considered for the position of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. “We know that we’ve lost out for the position of senate presidency because we did not have a ranking senator returned to the National Assembly. We, however, appeal and we believe that you will be generous enough to consider the south east region to be considered for the position of the SGF.” He further said that the South East region has also unanimously agreed that the former National Chairman of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) , Ogbonnaya Onu should be elevated and be recognised as the leader of the party in the southeast. In his remark, Onu, expressed the view that Buhari’s victory has brought respite to the entire nation. “Nigeria is more united now than before the elections. The division that existed in the country now had been ridden off due to Buhari’s victory.

NNPC audit report: OkonjoIweala denies hiring audit firm Abdulwhab Isa Abuja

oordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has washed her hands off from hiring of global audit firm - Price WaterHouse Coopers (PWC) which carried out the forensic audit of alleged unremitted Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s ( NNPC) $20 billion fund. Her position was contained in a statement issued on her behalf by Paul Nwabiuku, her Media Adviser, following a court case filed against her in a Lagos High court by SIAO Partners. The statement which read in part states that “ It has come to the attention of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala that SIAO Partners, a group of three accounting firms, has filed a suit against her before a Lagos High Court”. Describing the action as both astonishing and spurious in extreme , the minister said that “ It is shocking that professionals of the calibre of the SIAO Partners can embark on this kind of legal action without taking the trouble to do the minimum amount of homework to confirm basic facts”.

PDP denies dispute with governors Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied any dispute with the PDP Governors’ Forum or any organ of the party. It, however, admitted that its National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu; Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus and National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon were invited by the governors during their meeting in Abuja on Tuesday. In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, PDP said the “NWC was never asked to resign by the forum of governors or any other organ of the party for that matter”. Metuh also insisted that there was no time Mu’azu walked out of the meeting of the governors, “neither was he in any way ill-treated at that meeting contrary to reports in some section of the media. “For purposes of clarification, the National

Working Committee as a duly elected organ of the party has a constitutionally guaranteed tenure which expires in March 2016. It is therefore focused on galvanizing every organ and interests within the PDP with a view to re-engineering it for the task ahead.” PDP said that the NWC is working handin-hand with strategic stakeholders including PDP governors towards repositioning the party and regaining power at the centre by 2019. It disclosed that the NWC at its meeting on April 29, constituted a special committee under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, whose membership was drawn from all the key stakeholders of the party, including members of the forum of governors. “Furthermore, the NWC states that it holds the PDP Governors’ Forum in very high esteem, especially its Chairman, Governor Godswill Akpabio, who has worked assiduously for the progress of the party.”

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

FG launches National Automotive Repository Portal Amadi Nnamdi Abuja

he Federal Government, through the National Automotive Council (NAC), yesterday launched the National Automotive Repository Portal (NARP) in Abuja. Performing the inauguration on behalf of Federal Government, Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga said: “The repository which is essentially a collection of the Vehicle Identification Number for locally assembled and duly imported vehicles in the country is intended to be cross-referenced by Vehicle Licensing Authorities before the issuance of vehicle licence and number plate. “The national vehicle registration system leveraging on the NARP, will serve as a platform to facilitate proper tracking and auditing of vehicle registration in the country,” he said. Aganga said the automobile industry is a great tool for industrial development in the country, adding that the automotive policy, which is part of the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan, is aimed to increase the contribution to our GDP by the manufacturing sector from 6.8 per cent in 2014 to above 13 per cent by 2017.

News

NATIONAL

Gunmen raid Taraba village, kill six soldiers Sabiu Mustapha JALINGO

o fewer than six soldiers were yesterday reportedly killed by suspected Fulani insurgents in Karim-Lamido Local Government area of Taraba State. Beside the killings, three other soldiers were declared missing as a result of the attack, which took place between Amar and Kambari in Karim-Lamido Local Government area.

The attackers were said to have ambushed the soldiers, who were on patrol in the area that shared a common boundary with Plateau State. Sources said the attackers took on the soldiers by surprise as they patrolled. Confirming the incident, the Karim Lamido Local Government Chairman, Bobbo Bello Bendu said: “I have been reporting to the appropriate authority the security situation in my area.” The council boss,

who said he was waiting for the authority to take appropriate measures, said the people are presently living in fear, stating that “we are living in fear because we suspect that the soldiers would want to stage a reprisal attack.” The three missing soldiers, according to him, may prompt the military to go on rampage in the area if relevant measures are not urgently put in place to rescue those missing. He further said that Fumang village in the

council has currently been invaded by suspected gunmen from Tarok in the neighbouring Plateau State, adding that “they are now destroying property and killing innocent people. The chairman, who claimed to have done a lot of reporting and have as well got in touch with the village head of the affected area, stressed the need for the police authority to, as a matter of urgency, redeploy riot policemen to the area. A military source,

Another Nigerian faces murder charge in London

Dominic Adewole

Yekeen Nurudeen

n Asaba High Court yesterday voided the congress that produced the state executives of the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The court, presided over by Justice M. N. Obi, did not only outlaw the Jones Erhueh-led executive, but forbade them from parading themselves henceforth. The nullification was sequel to a civil suit filed by Chief Adolo OkotieEboh faction of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Three factions, including that of Okotie-Eboh and Chief Isaac Tobore Ajueshi, who was the protem chairman of the party shortly after the merger of ACN, the defunct Congress of Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), laid claim to the leadership of the party during the build up to the state congress.

who also spoke on the attack said: “The news of the attack has reached all the two barracks in the state. I mean our men in both Takum and Sarti Barrack in Gashaka are aware of the development.” On the next line of action, he said: “I am not in position to speak on that. I am talking to you as a friend, because I am not an authority in the military to be quoted. But the truth is that we are not happy, and I believed that those involved will surely pay for it, thank you.”

L-R: Manager, VAS and Data Propositions, MTN, Ademuyiwa Ashiru; Chief Marketing Officer, Olubayo Adekanmbi; General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Richard Iweanoge and Senior Manager, Consumer Marketing, Emeka Anasiudu, at the launch of the MTN APPtitude campaign in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Court sacks Delta APC chair, others ASABA

Abuja

Nig erian, Jeffrey Okafor, who sparked off a five-year international manhunt in United Kingdom (UK) when he fled following a stabbing, was yesterday found guilty of murder. He has been standing trial at Woolwich Crown Court. Okafor, 24, was found guilty of the murder of Carl Beatson-Asiedu, 19, in 2009. He will be sen-

tenced at the same court today. According to a statement issued yesterday by Edward Dunn, Press Secretary at the British High Commission, Abuja, the court heard how in the early hours of Saturday, August 1, 2009, Carl died in the street after being stabbed in the heart. The statement said Carl and his friends were walking to their vehicle when they were approached by a group

of males, a few of whom were known to Carl and his friends. An argument quickly broke out between one of the men and one of Carl’s friends, which led to an altercation, during which Carl and his friends became separated. Carl was fatally stabbed by Jeffrey Okafor. Carl was discovered in the back seat of a car, suffering from a serious stab wound. Police officers provided first aid as well as calling

the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance. Doctors tried to save Carl’s life, but sadly all medical assistance was unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead. A post-mortem held at Greenwich mortuary gave the cause of death as a single stab wound to the heart. A forensic examination identified Carl’s DNA on a glove that was handed to the police by Okafor’s girlfriend.

NDIC seeks more powers to make prompt payments Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

he Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) is seeking more powers to facilitate prompt settlement of depositors’ funds irrespective of pending litigation filed by former bank owners. NDIC Managing Di-

rector, Umar Ibrahim, who disclosed this at the corporation’s special day at the on-going 36th Kaduna International Trade Fair, said in most cases, the former owners were responsible for the collapse and failure of the affected banks. The Managing Director, who was represented by Malam Bashir Umar, the corporation’s Direc-

tor of Asset Management Department, said although NDIC has been discharging its mandate creditably since its inception, current developments necessitate the need to improve its operational efficiency as a deposit insurer, which underscores the need for further review of its Act (NDIC Act No 16 of 2006) as amended.

The Managing Director also said that the NDIC Amendment Bill had passed the second reading in both the Senate and House of Representatives, adding that the amendment will “ empower the corporation to be more effective in the discharge its mandate and also continue to operate in line with global best practices.”

Uduaghan inaugurates 22man handover committee Dominic Adewole ASABA

head of the May 29 handover date, the Delta State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan yesterday inaugurated a 22-man end-of-tenure-cum handover committee for smooth transition to another administration. The committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ovuozorie Macaulay, will liaise with the 98-member committee of the Governor-elect, Ifeanyi Okowa, for a successful transition process. Inaugurating the committee at the new Government House, Asaba, Uduaghan said the committee is at liberty to co-opt other persons as members of the committee as it will map out and execute the administration’s end-of-tenure activities.

FRIDAY,MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro Pregnant woman killed in BATTLE FOR LIFE

Doctors are battling to save the life of a man whose wife was shot dead in the OPC versus vandals’ gun duel at Arepo

Taiwo Jimoh

seven-month pregnant lady was shot and killed at the Arepo area of Ogun State as the battle between oil vandals and members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), guiding the oil pipelines, entered its second day. The lady, identified as Mrs. Damilola Fajana, who got married last year, was killed as she left the hospital bedside of her sick husband. She was said to be on her way home to get something for her husband. She was cut in the crossfire between the OPC men and the vandals, who wore Army camouflage uniforms and tied red bandanas. A witness said the woman would have probably survived if she had received prompt medical attention. According to him, the OPC men did not allow a Good Samaritan to take the woman to the hospital. He said: “The woman was riding in a car. One street before hers the man who was driving another car saw the shot that hit her in the neck. But OPC men prevented the driver from taking her to the hospital. “A policewoman later intervened. The deceased was taken to a private hospital which refused to admit her. She gave up on the way to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital

OPC, vandals’ shootout (LASUTH). Sympathisers dashed to the hospital where her husband was on admission to break the tragic news to him. The man fainted on hearing that his less than a year bride and pregnant wife was dead. Doctors who were duty were said to have battled to resuscitate him. A mobile policeman, who

was also shot, is now at undisclosed hospital, battling to stay alive. Frightened residents have remained indoors, as the vandals were said to have started setting buildings on fire, including a police post. The residents said they were tired of living in fear. The residents explained that the vandals, who stormed the community in a commando

style, were on a reprisal mission to avenge the killing of one of their colleagues. The said colleague was allegedly killed by the OPC guarding the pipelines on Sunday. The reprisal attack started on Monday, but snowballed on Wednesday, leading to Damilola’s killing. She was said to have been killed, as the vandals making

The late Mrs. Fajana

their way to the river bank shot indiscriminately. Another resident said: “The lady killed was a lawyer. She was returning from the hospital, where she went to visit her husband who had been on the sickbed for some days, when they killed her. The woman was making a U-turn to her residence on Duru Street, Beachland Estate, when the unfortunate bullet hit her in the neck.” Another resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the vandals started screaming as they were shooting. He said: “They screamed that they did not want OPC in the community. They said they were comfortable with mobile policemen attached to the area. After shooting for a while, they went straight to the security post and set it ablaze. Due to the incessant attacks in the area, some of the landlords have packed out of their buildings, relocating to other areas.” The OPC National Coordinator, Gani Adams, refused to comment on the issue. His Personal Assistant in charge of Media, Segun Akanni, neither picked his calls nor responded to messages sent to his mobile number on the killing. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, neither confirmed nor denied the incident. He promised to contact our correspondent when he learnt the details. The PPRO, however, did not call at press time.

Mismanagement can destroy potential, says cleric Ebonyi cholera outbreak claims 25

ismanagement of Godgiven talents can prevent many Christians from reaching their inimitable heights and fulfil their potential in life and ministries. The Senior Pastor, Zion Christian Centre, Ilesa, Osun State, Rev Israel Ibunkun Gbeleyi, said this at a thanksgiving service to commemorate the 60th birthday of the President and Senior Pastor of House-To-House Prayer Minis-

tries Incorporated, aka The Praise Chapel, Rev Debo Adeyemo. The service held at the church’s headquarters, Papa Adeyemo Avenue, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, witnessed a book launch. The book, written by the celebrant, Adeyemo, is entitled: “Declared Wanted for Good Success.” In his message entitled: “You

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

Adeyemo, assisted by his wife, Bimbo, cuts his birthday cake

are a manager of God’s resources,” the guest speaker, Gbeleyi, said where there was mismanagement there would be chaos and truncation of destinies. He said: “Mismanagement causes wars, sorrows, premature deaths, destruction of potentials and resources.” Gbeleyi cited cases in the Bible of many who tolerated mismanagement and ended up with failure. He said: “Ahab, Eli, Samson and David could not manage their homes effectively and resulted in monumental sorrows and chaos in their homes and even ministries. David managed men and soldiers but failed in the home front. “On national front, mismanagement of our resources by relevant authorities and administrations has plugged our country into this state of hopelessness, directionless and wanton destruction of lives and potential.”

Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

ive more people have died of cholera in Ebonyi State bringing the casualty toll to 25 since the outbreak of the disease. The state Director of Public Health and Disease Control, Ministry of Heath, Dr Christian Achi, made this known to our correspondent. He said 256 persons had been affected by the epidemic and were being treated at various hospitals since the outbreak of the disease in February. According to him, the disease has spread to seven out of the 13 local government areas in the state. Achi traced the outbreak to Amachi community in Abakaliki Local Government Area. The director said 22 people

who died as a result of the disease resorted to self-medication and warned the residents against the scourge. He said: “They were treating themselves and they died as a result of that even after they ran to hospitals when they were in critical conditions.” Achi explained that the latest deaths were recorded in Oriuzor, Ezza North Local Government Area as well as Umuogudu Akpu and Umuogudu Oshia in Ohaukwu Local Government Area. Meanwhile, a team of medical experts from the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, dispatched to the state to control the epidemic has left the state. The team arrived on April 22 and left on 24. Achi, who confirmed this, said the team brought medicines for the control of the disease to the state.

News 11

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY,MAY 1, 2015

Policemen brutalise female fuel attendants Babatope Okeowo Akure

here was mild drama yesterday as female fuel attendants on Oba-Adesida Road in Akure, Ondo State, held two riot policemen captive. The two sergeants, it was learnt, wanted to forcibly get petrol at MCR Filling Station on the ever-busy road. The policemen, who were on transit, entered the filling station which was not dispensing fuel and demanded they should be given fuel. But the attendants turn down the request on the grounds that the station had no fuel. One of the attendants told the policemen that the stating had not got fuel supply in the past three months and as such could not sell the product to them. She said if there was fuel, she would be willing to sell or give the product to them. Not satisfied with the explanation, the policemen

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

here was pandemonium yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, when a bullion van driver attached to a new generation bank, crushed a 22-year-old carpentry apprentice to death. The incident, which happened at Oke-Ilewo area of Abeokuta, led to a violent protest by commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada riders. It was gathered that the victim, identified as Gbenga Okesola, was on a motorcycle reportedly owned by his

The office where the policemen were held captive

demanded to check the filling station’s fuel dump. But the attendants refused the request, saying they did not have the authority to open their fuel dump to anyone. It was in the process that the attendants and the antiriot policemen exchanged abusive words. This degenerated to fisticuffs.

A witness, who recorded the incident, said one of the policemen removed his belt with which he beat one of the attendants while the other called for help. One of the attendants fled into one of the offices in the station while the policemen ran after her. They caught up with the lady inside the office

and gave her the beating of her life. She was said to have sustained injuries. This attracted the attention of passers-by who tried to rescue the victims of police brutality. In the process, the attendant ran out and locked the policemen inside the office. The owner of the petrol station, Mr Tope Omileye, who confirmed the incident, said the station had not received fuel in the past three months. Omileye said one of the victims, Esther Abba, was now recuperating at the hospital as a result of the beating. He said when he arrived at the filling station he reported the incident to the police who arrested the policemen. According to him, the policemen were taken to ‘A’ Division police station for interrogation. But the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Wole Ogodo, said he had not been briefed about the incident.

Bullion van crushes man to death elder brother when he was knocked down. It was learnt that the occupants of the bullion van fled the scene, apparently for fear of being attacked by the angry mob. This was said to have infuriated some commercial motorcyclists who consequently embarked on a protest and vandalised property as well as inflicted injuries on passers-by. Shops and offices in the area hurriedly shut their doors as the situation degen-

erated while the ever-busy Lalubu Road was deserted. Riot policemen and other security agents, however, swung into action and took control of the situation. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident. Adejobi, who sympathised with the family of the victim, disclosed that the police had recovered the bullion van as well as arrested the driver and some protesters.

The PPRO expressed dismay at the manner in which some commercial motorcyclists took laws into their hands. He explained that the police had to apply minimum force as prescribed by the law to enable them to disperse the protesters and restore peace in the area. While saying the body of the victim had been evacuated to an undisclosed morgue, Adejobi promised that the police would conduct proper investigation into the case.

Transport fare goes up as fuel scarcity persists Gbemisola Oyedepo and Kemi Oloruntola

ransport fare rose sharply in parts of Lagos metropolis yesterday as long queues remained at most filling stations. Several filling stations remained shut, claiming lack of petroleum products to sell while it was hectic buying fuel from a few that dispensed the product. For instance, the transport fare from Ojota to Ikeja rose by 50 per cent from N100 to N150, a journey from the Lagos State Government Secretariat to Obalende cost N200 instead of the usual N150. Also, a trip from Orisunbare at Ejigbo area of the metropolis to Dopemu Roundabout rose to N100 from N80. Although many filling stations now sell fuel above the official price of N87, a few others still retained the price. For instance, at Al-Raqeem Filling Station at Yaya Abatan

City Briefs Gunmen wound ACP, kill corporal Cheke Emmanuel Lafia

unmen have attacked an Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Nasarawa State, Mr Ibrahim Tarfa. The hoodlums, who invaded Tarfa’s house about 2am on Wednesday, also shot dead a corporal, Awodi Inalegu, during the attack. They also stole the corporal’s AK47 rifle. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ismaila Numan, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), disclosed this yesterday. It was gathered that Tarfa was approaching the door, when the gunmen shot him and left him for dead. He was, however, rescued by a combined team of State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and Operation Nasara.

One killed, soldiers injured in communal crisis Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

t least one person was killed while some soldiers were injured in fresh hostilities between Ezza and Ezillo people in Ezillo community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The Deputy Governor who is also the Governor- elect, Chief Dave Umahi, confirmed yesterday while briefing Governor Martin Elechi. Umahi told Elechi, who just returned from medical treatment in London, that trouble started when some Ezza citizens went back to the disputed land which made the people of Ezzillo community to protest the action and blocked the Enugu-Abakaliki. He said: Last Friday, there was a report that some Ezza people went back to the disputed land to start cultivating and reoccupy the area but when I had a meeting with Ezillo people, it was not totally true. I also had a meeting with leaders of Ezza nation on the same subject. “Security report confirmed that over 70 youths of Ezza nation went back to Ezillo to reoccupy the place as they have already impounded over 20 motorcycles, other utensils, rice and other items suspected to belong to the people that invaded the disputed land.

Akintunde-Osawi for burial

adam Eunice Ibilola AkintundeOsawi, who died on January 27, will be buried at her K/32, Oyinmo Quarters, Ikare-Akoko residence in Ondo State today. Vehicles on queue at the NNPC Mega Station on Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, Lagos…yesterday. The burial will be preceded by a funeral service at the St. Stephen’s PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI Anglican Cathedral Church, Okeruwa Another car owner, Mr Quarters, Ikare-Akoko. in Ogba, fuel was sold to mo- station, who refused to give Madam Akintunde-Osawi, aged 105, torists at N87 while those buy- his name, said “even though Lawrence Ojah, said he had ing inside gallons had to pay I work here, I have not been gone to many filling stations was said to have been born in 1910 and without being able to buy. was married to Pa Daniel Akintunde extra N100. But many motor- able to buy fuel”. He said: “I have been here Osawi, who died three years ago. A motorist, who gave his ists had to queue for several name simply as Mr John, said since 12:30pm, we don’t know The deceased was a devout Christian hours. The long queue at Ascorn he had been on the queue for the cause of the scarcity. I and an active member of Egbe Suuru have been to many filling of the St. Stephen’s Anglican Cathedral Filling Station at Alapere- more than six hours. He said: “I have been here stations before I came here Church, Ikare. Ketu extended to the LagosShe was a specialist in hair plaiting. Ibadan Expressway. It led to a since 6am. This is 12pm and I and I am still yet to buy. They gridlock on the busy express- have not been able to buy fuel. should help us to plead with She was also into produce (cocoa and It is very frustrating queuing the government to bring an kolanut) business before settling for way for many hours. end to this scarcity of fuel.” full-time farming with her husband. One of the staff filling for fuel under the sun.”

12 News

south - west

friday, may 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Isiaka challenges Amosun's election Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Prince Gboyega Isiaka, has filed a petition before the State Election Petitions Tribunal, challenging the victory of Senator Ibikunle Amosun in the April 11 governorship election. This came as the Ogun State National and State House of Assembly Election Tribunal began sitting yesterday to handle petitions arising from the last general elections. The three-man panel, chaired by Justice Ebiowei Tobi, also has Justice Adekunle Lawal and Honorable Adamu Usman as members. Isiaka, who confirmed the filing of his petition at a press conference held in Abeokuta yesterday, alleged that the governorship election in the state was manipulated. He said that the election of Amosun, who contested on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), was fraught with irregularities, hence his decision to seek redress at the tribunal. The PDP standard bearer claimed that he was in "clear lead" in 14 local government areas while the gap was so close in six remaining local government areas. He expressed optimism that the mandate given him at the poll, would be reclaimed through the tribunal, urging people of the state to remain calm. Isiaka added: "On the night of the election and as polling booth results filtered in across the state, verifiable results by our party agents, showed that I had a clear lead in 14 local governments while the gap was very close in six other council areas. It was however a shocker when INEC announced impossible figures from the six council areas of Ogun Central Senatorial District and Ado-Odo/Ota in Ogun West Senatorial District."

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose; Aare Afe Babalola and Chief Deji Fasuan, during a peace meeting at ABUAD, Ekiti State…yesterday

Ekiti elders proffer solutions to Fayose, lawmakers' face-off Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

minent lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola and other eminent Ekiti elders yesterday said without parties involved in the political crisis in the state imbibing the spirit of give-and-take, the lingering crisis would not be resolved, just as the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers

l APC legislators defend absence at peace talks said their absence from the meeting was as a result of the unresolved issue of their security. Babalola, Chief Deji Fasuan, Chief Ayo Ogunlade, Dr Kunle Olajide among others, stated this at a peace meeting convened to resolve the leadership crisis in the State House of Assembly, as well as the crisis between a section of the Assembly and Governor

Ayo Fayose at the Afe Babalola University, AdoEkiti. While the 19 APC members of the Assembly did not attend the meeting, Governor Fayose and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the Assembly, were present at the meeting, which adopted some resolutions on the crisis. Among resolutions

agreed on, at the meeting were that; peace was paramount in the state and must be maintained; that security chiefs must make undertaking that they won't be partial in dealing with all parties; that it was regrettable that the APC lawmakers did not attend the meeting. The meeting also resolved that peace would only be restored with

Ekiti: Ojudu is light, Fayose darkness, says APC, group

he Action Group of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ekiti State, has drawn a distinction between Senator Babafemi Ojudu, representing Ekiti Central at the Upper Chamber in National Assembly and Governor Ayodele Fayose, describing Ojudu as the light of Ekiti politics and Fayose as the darkness. In a release signed by its spokesperson, Segun Dipe, the APC Action

Group urged Ekiti people and all well-meaning Nigerians to see the desperation in Fayose and his constant manipulation of the state owned media to speak evil of Ojudu as the desperate act of a sinking man who has taken the latter for his nemesis. “Ojudu is an apposite political leader for Ekiti while Fayose is the opposite. Ojudu is a liberator, an asset and a pro-democrat. Fayose is

a prankstar, a political liability and an antidemocrat,” the group observed, noting how Ojudu had joined other human right activists to spearhead the return of the country to democracy and how he had suffered in the hands of the military junta of Babangida and Abacha. Ojudu was arrested, tortured and detained several times during the Sani Abacha regime

Ondo deaths: UCH affirms claim on poisoned local liquor

Some traditionalists, had however, claimed that the youths incurred the wrath of a god of the land (Molokun), by desecrating the shrine it was kept, leading to their blindness and eventual deaths. While advising against the consumption of the gin as it leads to failing health, the CMD revealed that one of the five completely blinded patients brought to the UCH, had fully recovered while four others were still receiving treatment.

Buhari urged to implement varsities’ needs assessment report

Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

he management of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, yesterday formally affirmed that the cause of the Ode Irele, Akure, Ondo State mystery deaths and blindness was traced to the consumption of a poisoned local gin by

the cooperation of all parties; appealed to the APC lawmakers to return to base and attend any peace meeting organised in future; that the governor should shift grounds on contentious issues if that would produce peace. It was also agreed that an elders' advisory council be set up to resolve issues in the state and that there was no arrangement by anybody to arrest APC lawmakers.

the victims. Making the revelation at the hospital yesterday was the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Temitope Alonge, on his address to journalists on the condition of the five victims referred to the hospital after twenty other youths had lost their lives after the consumption of contaminated local liquor.

Mojeed Alabi

he Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Rahman Bello, has urged the incoming President, General Muhammadu Buhari, not to abandon the implementation of the Universities needs assessment report, saying it contains practical solutions to the nation’s

(1993–1998). Ojudu was arrested and detained for three days at the notorious Shagisha prison in the outskirts of Lagos on 11 August 1996, all for political liberation of the country. Fayose on the other hand was arrested and detained for looting the same Ekiti that he is now pretending to love. He is still under watch by the EFCC for corruptly enriching himself, dipping his

ailing education sector. Bello made the call yesterday during the final day of the University’s 2013/2014 convocation ceremony where the trio of the former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lieutenant General Theophilus Danjuma; the University's former Chairman of Governing Council, Deacon Gamaliel Onos-

hands into the Ekiti till.” “Ojudu is a hero of the political struggle, one of the few we have in Ekiti Stat. Where was Fayose then? He was busy conning people across the globe. What was his background and who were his mentors?” The same Ojudu he is now badmouthing had beaten him hands down in the April 2011 election for the Ekiti Central Senatorial seat. ode and General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Dr. Enoch Adeboye, received the institution’s honorary doctorate degrees. He said; “We would like to urge General Buhari, as he assumes office, to consolidate on the gains of the higher education from the oputgoing regime and entrench the path to its revitilisation through the implementation of the Needs Assessment Funding programme."

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

Open Forum

Buhari vs AIT

Ebonyi

Partnership

Shehu: AIT carries heavy moral burden

Metuh: PDP’ll resist anti-democratic tendencies

Elechi, lawmakers on warpath

Buhari: Together, we can make Nigeria great

Politics Again, there have been calls for the resignation of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC). ONYEKACHI EZE takes a look at the leadership challenges of the party since inception

Up against the odds of Trustees (BoT), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, is disposed to the repositioning of the party. “We have to reorganise the PDP for future elections. Now, we won’t create anarchy in the party by dissolving the NWC abruptly. But eventually, the Mu’azu-led executive have to go. We need young and experienced hands to reorganise our party,” Babatope said.

ike a festering sore, leadership crisis that always consume successive National Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is once again brewing. Though the target is Alhaji Mohammed Adamu Mu’azu, the entire members of the National Working Committee (NWC) may be sacked in what a party member described as “an intending tsunami”. PDP, since its formation in 1998, is not new to crisis. Mu’azu who was appointed in January last year is the 10th National Chairman, making PDP the party with the highest turnover of chairmen in the present political dispensation. This gives an average of less than one and half years per chairman. Out of this number, only four emerged at national convention. No occupant of the office of the PDP National Chairman except late Chief Solomon Lar, who incidentally was the first had a crisis-free tenure since PDP was formed in 1998. Again, apart from Lar, every other person that superintended over the affairs of the party was dogged with one controversy or the other. Two of these chairmen – Dr. Mohammed Bello Haliru and Alhaji Abubakar Baraje – were, however, on acting capacity. The exit of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as the National Chairman of the party was the fourth time the PDP

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Mu’azu interrupted its leadership midway before a national convention that is supposed to end the tenure of a national chairman and give birth to a new one. Tukur was the fourth national chairman of the PDP to be shown the exit door before the expiration of his tenure. The three others were Chief Audu Ogbeh, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor and Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo. If the clamour for the sack of Mu’azu succeeds, he will be counted among the number. Party supremacy One of the problems facing PDP is lack of party supremacy. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, told New Telegraph that often times, orders from the party leadership are not obeyed. Metuh added that some people in the party believe that PDP is an extension of government at all levels. “We are amazed that sometime even the opposition party when they were out of power, they believe in party supremacy; the party gives orders of what to happen and they are obeyed. In our party,

we are large, party administrators were not respected. People were interested on who ministers or political appointees or elected people were so that they can go and benefit from the largesse and not the instructions of party leaders,” he lamented.

The Mu’azuled executive have to go. We need young and experienced hands to reorganise our party

Change of fortune The present crisis in the party is different from what PDP has been witnessed in the past 16 years. The party has suddenly become the opposition, having lost the presidency. It, however, managed to win a paltry 13 out of 36 states of the country. In the outgoing administration, PDP is in control of 21 states even after five of its governors defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). PDP also lost its majority in the National Assembly, the position it had maintained since 1999. Those calling for the sack of the NWC blamed the losses on the leadership of the party. “They have failed the party,” a party leader said. A former Minister of Transport and member of PDP Board

Blame game PDP governors are equalling lending their support for the sack of the NWC members. The governors who met on Tuesday, April 28, in Abuja called on the party leadership to resign their positions to allow for reorganisation. But the party leadership sees the resolution of the outgoing governors as an attempt by them to hijack the party before new governors come in and are therefore pushing for public hearing on the loss by the PDP at the general elections. The NWC alleged that the outgoing governors arm-twisted them to adopt candidates who were not popular for the elections. “Except the Ebonyi State governor, all the outgoing governors got the candidates they wanted. The candidates they were pushing turned out to be unpopular. That was why the party lost in most of the states. So, why blaming the NWC members?” a source at the National Secretariat of the party said. Those rooting for the sack believe it has to be before May 29 when President Goodluck Jonathan hands over. Counter moves But members of the NWC are not leaving anything to chance. They are aggressively mobilising support against their removal before the March 2016 national convention. In the past weeks, it had held series of meetings, first with governors and senators-elect; the returning and in-coming members of the House of Representatives as well as state chairmen of the party. At the end of the meetings, the party leadership was able to obtain commitment and the assurances of the elected executives and party chairmen “to give all necessary support to the national leadership of the party under the chairmanship of Mu’azu to enable CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Politics

OPEN FORUM Mallam Garba Shehu is the Director of Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

...BUHARI VS AIT

Shehu: AIT carries heavy moral burden

ou know what happened is not unusual in a situation like this and I want people to really appreciate that there is no any malice towards the media from the President-elect or any ill feeling on the part of whoever was involved in this minor incident. We all feel that we have obligation to the President-elect and anything can happen that in the effort to be concerned for him some people can be over-protective. So, I don’t see it as being more than this. They so much love him, they care for him and they felt they were doing the right thing by trying to make sure that they really see that he is protected. Again, some of these people, they need a full understanding of the mass media, then probably this could not have been fought in the way it was. The Presidentelect has set the rule. He has said everyone should remain in their own areas assigned to them and do their own work. So, I don’t expect this will happen again. That is one. Two, for us it is over. We have gone over it and we are looking

Nigerians and the whole world knew the kind of campaign against the person and family of General Buhari that AIT ran

Shehu

ahead. This country deserves the full attention of the media and so the media itself should not

be distracted by a small incident like this. However, if you ask me, I don’t blame whoever did this

kind of thing because Nigerians and the whole world knew the kind of campaign against the person and family of General Buhari that AIT ran. The way they did it, they didn’t even allow any room and thought that there can be a handshake the following morning. So, we feel they have a heavy moral burden that they are carrying and left to me I don’t want to share in that moral burden. It is for them to carry and Nigerians can see them for what they are but as far as we are concerned, the Presidentelect has laid down the rule. He never knew that this thing had happened and as I explained to you I believe that it was a sincere intention of some people to keep him protected. For us, there was support for the action in as much as there was opposition to it. On balance, I don’t want to go into whether it was right or wrong. It is over and we have gone past that stage. Nigerians stood up in the mistake and assumptions that Gen. Buhari himself was aware and was involved. They stood to his defence staunchly so but he is a man who speaks the truth and lay it as it is in the open. Interview by JOHNCHUKS ONUANYIM

Okorie: Pronouncement would’ve been a bad beginning for Buhari Chief Chekwas Okorie is the National Chairman and presidential candidate of the United Progressives Party (UPP) in the March 28 election

eneral Muhammadu Buhari has said on two occasions that he has no animosity against any media organisation. He also came out to say whoever made the statement on the ban of AIT, did not obtain his consent. So, I want to give him benefit of doubt because it would have been a very bad beginning to ban any media organisation on account of the role it played during election campaign. But having denied the knowledge of that statement, I believe whoever made that statement should be able to apologise. I am sure that it was Buhari’s overzealous aide that made that statement that generated so much excitement in the public. I want to give General Buhari

benefit of doubt that he was not privy to that pronouncement. But I believe that whoever that made that statement owe the Nigerian public an apology; it is not right. If Buhari had not dissociated himself from the statement on barring AIT from covering his activities, it would have been a very bad beginning for him, considering the fact that previous Buhari-led military regime was associated with some draconian decrees against the media and I am sure he wouldn’t want to go back to that era. So, if there has been any truth in it, I am sure AIT would have gone to court to protect its right because media organisations are protected from discrimination by the law. I am aware of that law but let us thank God that thing has not degenerated to that level. During the electioneering, most media organisations, not AIT alone, carried advertisement from politicians that ought to have been censored and not published as being promoted by the sponsors. Some of those things that Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State sponsored against Buhari and what many people sponsored against President Goodluck Jonathan and other

It would have been a very bad beginning for him... If Buhari had not dissociated himself

Okorie

politicians were not expected to have been published or broadcasted, no matter the commercial interest or the status involved. But unfortunately all of these things found space in the media, all in the name of commercial interests. They were not good for our journalism. Everybody agreed that the last elections witnessed the worst kind of hate

campaign. And most of the hate campaigns were promoted by the media, by both the print and broadcast media. So, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), media organisations, publishers and editors have a great role to play. Everything must not be reduced to money making. Interview by TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

OPEN FORUM Olisa Metuh is the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

he Monday’s directive by the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to bar a television house, the AIT, from covering his activities, under any guise portends danger for the nation’s democracy. After carefully studying the defence posited by General Buhari’s campaign spokesperson as well as the smokescreen statement by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to cover and mitigate his anti-media posture, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and indeed all lovers of democracy are persuaded that the action was not only unjustifiable, but also unconstitutional and completely against the spirit of liberty and the rule of law in a democracy. The PDP as a party that have nurtured the nation’s democracy in the past 16 years cannot afford to fold its hands and watch the constitutional rights, media freedom and personal liberty of Nigerians, the basic tenets of democracy being demolished. We ask: Is this a beginning of the feared erosion of the freedom and personal liberty the media and Nigerian citizens have been enjoying in the last 16 years under the PDP-led-administration? Has our dear nation finally fallen into the clutches of totalitarianism and impunity where government actions will be based on egocentric decisions and impulses of individuals rather than the rule of law?

...BUHARI VS AIT

Metuh: PDP’ll resist anti-democratic tendencies

As Presidentelect, he has lost his private life which is now subject to public scrutiny and media interrogation Metuh

While we assure the Presidentelect of our resolve to run a mature and responsible opposition based on issues, we are disturbed by this emerging development and reassure the Nigerian people that we will continue to stand with them on issues of democracy and freedom at all times. Perhaps, we need to remind General Buhari that part of the

challenge of his new position, even as President-elect is that he has lost his private life which is now subject to public scrutiny and media interrogation, as required of the custodian of the mandate of the Nigerian people. The PDP is not oblivious of the background of the Presidentelect especially as it relates to the freedom of the media, but we had

thought that having declared to be a converted democrat, he would make himself amenable to the basic principles of democracy by following the due process of the law on any circumstance. General Buhari may also wish to be reminded that the Nigerian constitution upon which provisions he emerged President-elect, also gave the media powers to cover activities of public office holders while at the same time providing legal avenues for redress in the event of any violation. If the right of the President-elect was in anyway violated by the AIT or any media house for that matter, he is expected to act within the law and seek redress in the courts otherwise one would have no option than to conclude that he is out for personal vendetta. The APC and the Presidentelect may have one or two lessons to pick from President Goodluck Jonathan, who though the most maligned and abused President in the history of our nation, even by the APC, allowed his actions to be sufficiently guided by humility, tolerance and the rule of law. We called on Nigerians not to despair but remain steadfast and unite in resisting any antidemocratic tendencies intended to instil fear in them and set the stage for a dictatorial order and the erosion of their personal freedom and liberty as citizens, which they have been enjoying in the last 16 years under the PDP.

Agoro: Action, harassment of people’s conscience Dr. Olapade Agoro is a two-time presidential candidate of the National Action Council (NAC)

oruba has a saying that ‘You know what the night will look like from the morning.’ What expectation can someone have from General Muhammadu Buhari than draconian action? It is too bad for a man to bar AIT from covering his activities because the television station broadcasted something against him during the election. AIT committed no offence; they broadcasted the commercials that people paid for. So, why should AIT be a subject of vendetta? The action is too bad for Buhari and the polity. I see the decision as an embarrassing to institution of information dissemination. I see it as a harassment of the people’s conscience. I see it as a total abuse of the rule of law when somebody says he

doesn’t want to see a media outfit. He has no such power and we can go to court to test that power. After all, Buhari’s supporters also casted aspersion against President Goodluck Jonathan during the campaign and the president never barred any media organisation from covering him. I think Buhari had an apology to give to the nation. Although he has withdrawn the statement indirectly, we need a public withdrawal. Whatever was done, we don’t want an era of public statement denial. Whoever said it, he said it on behalf of Buhari. So coming out to say he did not authorised it is not the issue. He should have sacked the man and told the world that: “I don’t believe in what the man said. It was against my wish.” But the man behind the statement is still retaining his position and I believe a good leader should demonstrate leadership with discipline. I believe that Nigerian media played a wonderful role during the last general elections. Nigerian media stood firmly and proudly during the elections and I think the ac-

The action is too bad for Buhari and the polity... I see it as a harassment of the people’s conscience Agoro

tion they took should be maintained. Nigerian media should not allow itself to be cowed by anybody. Nigerian media should stand firm as they are doing presently. I am proud of Nigerian media; I associate

myself with whatever Nigeria media stand for and I want to advise Nigerian media to stand on their own, irrespective of whose ox is being gored. Interview by TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

Politics

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

them re-engineer and rebrand the party for the task of regaining power by 2019.” Members present at the meeting equally warned that PDP will not condone agents of APC working as fifth columnists to destabilise the leadership of the party. Leo Ogor, a returning member of the House of Representatives, blamed the call for the resignation of the NWC on fifth columnists whom he said wanted to see PDP dead at all cost. With the support of the elected members of the party, it may not be easy for the NWC to capitulate. A source at the PDP National Secretariat believes that the battleline has been drawn between the outgoing governors and NWC members. Denial But the NWC has denied report that the PDP Governors’ Forum requested the members to resign. Metuh in a statement on Thursday said the “NWC was never asked to resign by the forum of governors or any other organ of the party for that matter.” “To put the records straight, our National Chairman upon invitation by the governors attended the meeting alongside our Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus and National Legal Adviser, Barr. Victor Kwon and left after a brief and fruitful discussion with the governors. He was not at any time asked to resign and nothing close to such was ever insinuated at the meeting. “For purposes of clarification, the National Working Committee as a duly elected organ of the party has a constitutionally guaranteed tenure which expires in March 2016. It is therefore focused on galvanising every organ and interests within the PDP with a view to re-engineering it for the task ahead. “To this end, the NWC is currently working hand in hand with strategic stakeholders including PDP governors towards repositioning our great party and regaining power at the centre by 2019. “In this regard, the National Working Committee in its meeting on Wednesday April 29, 2015 constituted a special committee under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. The committee membership is drawn from all the key stakeholders of the party including members of the forum of governors,” the party stated. Choice of party leadership A school of thought blamed the incessant change in the chairmanship of PDP on a number of actors. One of these is the process adopted by the party in electing its chairman. No national chairman of the party has been chosen through a transparent, open and fair election. The process had often been manipulated to favour a non-popular candidate. In three of the four national conventions, the party settled for affirmation because of the fear that an open contest might tear the party apart. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has often kicked against this because it is undemocratic. The backlash that follows this is what often causes turbulence in the party

Nwodo

Tukur

Ogbulafor

Ogbeh

Opposition mounts against Mu’azu, NWC members leadership. At the first convention of the party held in 2000, Chief Sunday Awoniyi was obviously the choice of the delegates. President Olusegun Obasanjo, however, preferred Chief Barnabas Gemade and ensured that he became the national chairman. The intrigues and irregularities that trailed the convention forced the former chairman of INEC, late Justice Ephraim Akpata whose commission monitored the convention to pick holes with the way it was conducted. Awoniyi did not forgive former President Obasanjo until his death because he believed that he was robbed of victory at the convention. It was therefore, expected that forces not comfortable with the way Gemade emerged would make things difficult for him to succeed. The convention that elected Gemade as national chairman was the only one where members were allowed to cast their votes. The three others that followed it were by affirmation. Members were not allowed to exercise their franchise to elect the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party. In 2008, the contest was so hot that the party had to settle

NWC is currently working hand in hand with strategic stakeholders including PDP governors towards repositioning

for a compromised candidate. The contest was between former governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu and former President of the Senate, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. Egwu was being promoted by former President Obasanjo while members of the National Assembly preferred Anyim who was one of them. But in order not to offend any of the promoters, PDP governors settled for Ogbulafor. Chairman’s troubles There is also the issue of rivalry between the national chairman and governor of his home state over the control of the party structure at the state level. This was what consumed Nwodo and Tukur. Nwodo, who replaced Ogbulafor in 2010, got himself enmeshed in crisis over the choice of who flies the party’s flag at national and state legislative elections in 2011. His choice clashed with that of his state governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, who subsequently mobilised his colleagues at zonal and national levels for Nwodo’s ouster. On his part, Tukur, throughout his tenure wagged relentless war with the governor of his home state, Murtala Nyako and the former vice president, Alhaji Atiku

Abubakar over the control of the PDP structure in Adamawa State. The former national chairman was accused of fronting his son, Awwal, as Nyako’s successor. Before the emergence of Mu’azu as Tukur’s successor, no PDP state governor was keen at producing the national chairman. Political watchers view Governor Isa Yuguda’s statement at Ma’azu’s inauguration as cosmetic. The governor who moved the motion for Mu’azu’s adoption as National Chairman acknowledged the nolove-lost relationship with the national chairman when he told the NEC members: “We know what is between us. I want to assure everyone here that Ahmed is my friend and brother. We have been childhood friends and studied at ABU Zaria, though I was a year ahead of him.” The two are sworn political enemies. The National Chairman, it could be recalled, was the immediate past governor of Bauchi State. He parted ways with Yuguda in the run up to the 2007 governorship election when he did not favour Yuguda as his successor. The governor was forced to decamp to the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) to challenge Mu’azu’s candidate. Upon assumption of office, he instituted a probe panel, which indicted the National Chairman, leading to his arrest and trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It may not take long before their disagreement is re-enacted. Again, the national chairman always becomes a victim when the interest of the presidency and governors elected on the platform of the party clash. In such situation, the president as national leader of the party is bound to win the support of the national chairman, and when the pressure becomes too much, he becomes the sacrificial lamb. This was the problem of Ogbulafor and Ogbeh. The problem of Audu Ogbeh started when he told President Obasanjo to pay more attention on how to improve the economy and the welfare of the people. Obasanjo who was then nursing a third term ambition saw this as an affront. It became clear to him that the national chairman would not be disposed to his ambition. And in order to actualise this, the Presidency began the process of shopping for his successor. Dr. Ahmadu Ali, a soul mate and former Federal Commissioner of Education when Obasanjo was military Head of State, became the best option. Ogbeh was forced to resign as national chairman. Ogbulafor committed the same “offence” when he lent support to the PDP zoning arrangement when President Goodluck Jonathan, then Acting President, was interested in running for the presidency in 2011. The presidency had to dust the alleged crime he committed in 2001 when he was Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, to ease him off. In the case of Mu’azu, the loss of President Jonathan and the PDP in the general elections was his headache. With the determination of the outgoing governors and party leaders to ensure that the present NWC is dissolved before May 29, Mu’azu may also go the way of his predecessors.

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

Elechi, lawmakers on warpath CHARLES ONYEKWERE writes on the battle between Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State and the outgoing House of Assembly members

arely five weeks to the expiration of the administration of Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State and the winding up of proceedings of the state House of Assembly, another round of battle is raging over allegations of misappropriation of funds and non completion of projects in the state levelled against the governor. The state House of Assembly had on April 21 ordered the immediate freezing of local governments and development centres accounts in the state over alleged corruption and massive fraud. The lawmakers also froze the joint accounts between the council areas and the state government for what they described as lack of sufficient proof of meaningful projects that affects the lives of the people with the funds that accrued to them. The Assembly also passed the resolution stopping the sale of forms and allocation of shops at the International Market being built by Governor Elechi, saying that the project is still ongoing and had not been completed to justify its allocation to members of the public. It described the action of the governor as fraudulent. In a motion by Hon.Obasi Odefa representing Onicha East and seconded by Hon. Frank Onwe, representing Ohaukwu North constituency, Odefa called on the House to freeze the account of the council areas as a result of the rot in the system over the years. He stated that no project had been executed by the chairmen of the council areas and development centres coordinators, except cutting of grasses. The lawmaker stressed that there was no accountability in the system. Odefa noted that banks involved should comply with the directives or be blacklisted for the next eight years if they fail to follow the resolution of the House, adding that only workers’ salaries should be paid to the council areas. Supporting the motion, Onwe said by the order, the Joint Allocation Committee had ceased to exist, directing Treasurers, Heads of Personnel, Accounting Officers and others with financial records in the council areas to submit same to the House for further investigation. In another motion on the allocation of shops at the International Market by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry moved by Hon. Valentine Okike, representing Onicha West, the House condemned the sale of the forms for the shops to the public without the completion of the project.

Elechi

The Speaker, Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku, after a voice vote, unanimously adopted the motions and directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Rose Nwokporo to communicate the resolutions of the Assembly to the concerned ministries and bodies. Before the decision of the House to freeze the accounts of the third tier of government, thousands of local government workers in the state under the umbrella of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), had staged a protest at the office of the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) and the Office of the Commissioner for Local Government, demanding payment of their enhanced salaries and arrears. The workers, who carried placards with various inscriptions such as ‘JAAC, save our dependants from dying’, ‘It’s now or never’, ‘JAAC pay us our minimum wage’, ‘Stop these wanton destruction from LG fund’, ‘JAAC, it is a deliberate action holding our salaries till now,’ ‘We need our September 2011, March salaries and February salaries arrears,’ among others, were led by the state chairman of NULGE, Comrade Leonard Nkah. In his address to the workers at the two separate protests, Nkah said the workers have suffered untold hardship as a result of nonpayment of their salaries by the state government since February. He explained that the union has received information that government was about to pay the workers with the old salary structure against the agreed enhanced salary structure with the government. “We know that workers in the ministries and parastatals have all collected their salaries and they don’t want to pay us. “We have been treated with

Nwazunku

They still have a responsibility to accord the governor and all institutions and agencies of government their due respect

levity, we have been deprived, we have been marginalised and treated like second class citizens and we are saying no to this.” The House of Assembly, during its last sitting, passed a resolution that the state and local government joint account be frozen because of the alleged financial fraud going on in the local government system. In his reaction, Elechi insisted that the lawmakers have no power to freeze the accounts of local governments, development centres or any other agencies of government because such powers reside with the executive arm of government. In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Dr. Onyekachi Eni, the governor noted that it is only a court of law with competent jurisdiction that can order the freezing of any accounts of government or persons. Elechi said the resolution of the House being outside the range of its powers is without effect. Consequently, the statement further urged local governments and development centres to ignore the resolutions and carry on with their lawful businesses of service delivery to the people. The governor noted that though the government is yet to be formally communicated of such resolutions in line with intra-governmental procedures, he noted that the House should be reminded that the resolutions are only advisory and persuasive and have no force of law. The statement also stated that the House of Assembly lacks power to stop the ongoing sale of forms for allocation of stalls at Ochoudo International Market as the Elechi administration initiated the construction of the market in 2009 and has so far invested the sum of N18.3 billion in the development of the market.

Elechi noted that out of the 7,070 stalls which is the full capacity of the market, a total number of about 5,600 stalls have already been completed while work is ongoing in the remaining ones and the sale of forms for the allocation of stalls are for the already completed ones and not for the uncompleted components. He expressed dismay that the House of Assembly, apart from stalling the bond facility which the government was seeking from the capital market to enable it complete all remaining works in the market including internal roads and other ancillary facilities, it is now seeking to stop the state government from generating funds from the completed stalls in the market to invest in the uncompleted ones. . The governor noted that apart from the fact that the resolutions passed by the House have no force of law, he recalled that there are pending suits before the Federal High Court challenging the capacity and legality of the House to sit and conduct any business given the announced vacation of the seats of some members of the Assembly which reduced the number to less than 24 and renders the House inoperable going by section 91 of the constitution of Nigeria. He said: “While all those cases are pending, the least expected of the House is to conduct itself with decorum and to give peace a chance. We remind members of the House and all concerned that even if the Elechi administration has only one day to run its full course, they still have a responsibility to accord the governor and all institutions and agencies of government their due respect and cooperation in the interest of peace, orderly transition and sustainable development of Ebonyi State.”

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Pastor Kalejaiye’s Kaleidoscopic Parsonage Emissary EMEKA OBASI

emobas2003@yahoo.com 08094457557 (sms only)

ou do not get a pleasant surprise all the time, it is not everyday we celebrate Christmas and I do know that Comet Halley counts hundreds of years in appearance. I got more than a bumper harvest Tuesday from a very well known and reverred evangelist of the Redeemed Christian Church of God[RCCG], Pastor J.T.[Johnson Tomisin] Kalejaiye. Never in my wildest of dreams was I prepared for the Presidential treatment I received from the man who is well sought after by Kings and Princes. Governors beg to have a minute with him, ministers turn to him for prayers and even natural rulers struggle for his balm of hope. Do not get me wrong, this pastor is a bundle of humility. Pastor Kalejaiye moves from one church of RCCG to another trying to win more souls for Christ. People come to him from different parts of the globe. Everyday is busy , if he is not preaching in Lekki, he is praying in FESTAC Town . If you do not find him anywhere near those places, just wait for Tuesday, the man will sure be at Abule Odo in the Egbeda area of inner city Lagos, to conduct his usual Anointing Service. I have been to places of worship. I have seen the good , the bad, the ugly. You know women. They have a way of knowing which church performs signs and the one that preaches miracles. Sometime in 2006, my wife convinced me to try and attend Pastor Kalejaiye’s service. Reluctantly, I followed her . If you are not a good preacherman, you cannot buy me over. You must be sound, yes, Christ Jesus

was. To win my attention, you must dress clean and be exposed. If you are talking about Canada, do not mix Manitoba with Montana. That was how one of the so called pastors lost his respect. He would later tell my wife that I was a powerful member of a cult. Well, Pastor Kalejaiye impressed me. He is a good dresser, exposed and educated. He is also a damn good teacher. His homilies are sweet as honey. I am so sure he picked a lot from his mentor, Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Anyday, I attended the Anointing service and found someone else on the pulpit, I simply switched off. The day I enjoyed the service most was the year Sunny Ade clocked 60. I think he came to the church. KSA is my favourite Yoruba musician. I keep telling my wife that Michael Jackson was never a better dancer than the Juju King. Right from the first day I watched the Ondo born master guitarist at Chief Alex Akinyele’s Hotel Communicator in 1987, the music remains like sweet banana. I tried to see Pastor Kalejaiye severally, it did not work out. The man is a busy man no doubt but some of his aides did not make things easy. Even when I tried to use a senior colleague, Yunusa Akee’s connection, nothing worked. I told my wife, enough was enough. That did not stop me from breezing in, once in a while. I think on January, 10, 2008, I latched on a sermon by his wife to read Joel 2 [15-32] in the Bible. Eventually, the zeal was there no more, although my wife never ceased. And she eventually met Pastor Kalejaiye just before she underwent a major surgery in 2009. I actually feared the worst, but just hours to the operation, he continued to pray. And it worked. She tried severally to make me go see the preacherman. I did not show any interest . Recently, she was not feeling fine and she called again for prayers. In the process, madam raised what I had long forgotten. That I lost interest in the Anointing Service because I could not see a man created

by God, even when Jesus was accessible. I was surprised to be woken up on my birthday by Pastor Kalejaiye. The man was so apologetic, that I was embarrassed. If you know him so well, nobody is too small to answer sir. I got more than enough dose of that. Then, he asked my wife to bring me to the church. Busy man, he said he was seeing us for the first time. The appointment was for 8.00am. By 7.30, he had given instructions that we must be the first to see him. When we arrived, I felt on top of the world, when we were ushered in like their Excellencies. What amazed me was the office itself. It turned out to be a big white bus. Apologies continued, then prayers for us. Pastor Kalejaiye took us round what he calls his Mobile House. Yes, everything is there. Kitchen, toilet, bath , bedroom, wardrobe. It does mean that even when he is on the road, he is also at work. Then he began to bless me with gifts. Designer items. I got Providence and T.M. Levin bow ties,Paddocks and Atlantic Bay T-shirts, Hugo Boss Wallet, Valentino Red Grape Juice, pen, water, envelopes and handkerchiefs. Then wait for it, cheque to celebrate my wife’s birthday. It sounded funny. But I saw him give something ,at least, to others. I am used to spending money anytime I go to see some Pentecostal Pastors and it does not help my Christianity. I had even owed a Bishop N5,000 and drove over 200 kilometres to pay my debt. I did not know Pentecostal pastors could just give out. It is the other way round. “ I have every reason to be grateful to God. My dad died the year I was born. I saw poverty. I was a hawker. That is why I respect widows. My mother went through a lot,” he said. Why did the man choose Egbeda , of all places as home. “This is where you find the flock. The shepherd must live with the flock.” Words of wisdom. This man of God does not flaunt wealth, he attacks povery by giving. He wins more souls by sharing, and preaching salvation.

Joda: Tutoring young Nigerians AbdulRahman Agboola

he Change mantra is clearly misconstrued as generational shift by some critics, the expectations of blind tasking of young people with no reputed experience in governance or prudent records in professional dwellings is antithetical to system change in Nigeria and provokes intellectualism to appraise the tenets of good governance. It is the responsibility of a leader with good conscience to entrust assignments in care of reputable personalities with track records of integrity and dignity in previous services rendered as the consequences of trial and error will be too difficult to bear by a leader that emerged as a face of hope as the case of our President-Elect. To whom much is given, much is expected, is a maxim that commands the beneficiary of popular mandate to act in the best interest of the masses and in as much as we have reposed high confidence and trust in the ability of General Muhammadu Buhari to pilot the affairs of this Country to greater heights, his appointees equally deserve our trust for necessary collaborations. The scheming among

gladiators to lead sensitive positions in government is a usual practice, consultations and negotiations serves as tools for engagements subject to the rules of the political party and authorities of the leaders, responsible personalities must emerge as appointees to execute policies and programmes of the government. The tenets of good governance include spirit of sacrifice for collective benefits and everyone must bear the burden in order to restore dignity to the service of the people. The casting of aspersion by some pundits against the personality of the Chairman of the Transition Committee Ahmed Joda simply because he is an octogenarian is unjustifiable, these pundits are trying to finger our brains or insult our sensibilities with notions that the appointment constitutes a deprivation to young people. Whether young or old, the pedigree of a personality is the basic requirement for a dutiful task while experience and exposure to a special task is a core demand of leadership. In all honesty, the name Ahmed Joda is not famous to most young people across Nigeria but his outstanding record of service speaks volume to any clear minded person as a retired Seasoned

Administrator. He traversed the public service with dignity and retired as a Federal Permanent Secretary and headed a committee on assessment of Federal Government Parastatals in 1999. Even in the midst of vested interest, pedigree must never be jettisoned at any cost especially at this trial moment in our dear Country where services of renowned problem solvers are required, to support the incoming leadership to deliver on the electoral promises especially the eradication of corruption from our polity. A critical look at the profile of members of the Transition Committee clearly shows a blend of scholastic young and elderly personalities with high reputations and competence to set good and positive direction for the new administration. As strange as the appointment of Ahmed Joda seems to some disenchanted young men, the entire members of the committee have high pedigrees required for the assignment. The achievements of personalities like Dr Doyin Salami the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Festus Odimegwu, Nike Aboderin, Olawale Edun, Bola Adesola, Abubakar Malami, Solomon Dalong serves as tutoring on exemplary characters for young

people. Their untainted records and sound credentials positioned them to attain high pedigrees worthy of emulations and they remain role models to productive young people across the Federation. How many young people are proud of untainted records in public or private services like Ahmed Joda, Prof Tam David West, John Oyegun and Ogbonaya Onu. With all sense of modesty, the real change expected in Nigeria today is the return of sanity to our polity especially in terms of characters and dispositions to positive actions. Large populations of young people are not dutifully engaged, this has resulted into series of misdemeanors culminating into loss of values and this must change as a matter of expediency. In as much as we are determined for change, the unpalatable situations in the operations and activities of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) serves as impediment to the attainment of greater heights by young people in Nigeria. •Agboola (massactionforgg@gmail.com) is the National Coordinator, Mass Action for Good Governance and Grassroots Development in Nigeria (07011541397)

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

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Salute to Nigerian workers

oday workers all over the country are on holidays to celebrate their contributions to national development just like others the world over. It begins with rallies and parade in different stadia and grounds and probably ends with cocktail or dinner in various Government Houses. The usual ritual of the President addressing the workers, dressed like one of them, will be performed. The speeches will be embellished as usual, with superlatives. And it ends there. Ironically, so many of the workers who read the President’s lips, can hardly afford three square meals a day. The story of the struggle for Independence will not be complete without highlighting the brave role of workers ,led by Michael Imoudu. Many of them died so that the British could free the country from the chains of colonialism. Organised labour was part of the efforts that forced the Union Jack to be lowered finally on October 1, 1960. It is like the Nigerian worker has been condemned to a perennial struggle with government. While the celebrations today may depict romance with those in power, it continues to be a different story after the rally. No Nigerian governor is being

owed salary, for even one month. Yet many of them do not care if their workers go hungry for six months or more. In Benue and Osun states, it has been a cat and mouse game between the workers and the governors. And some of these leaders claim they are welfarists and progressives. Minimum wage cannot sustain a family of three. Unfortunately, many civil servants do not get paid at the end of the month. The excuse given most of the time, is dwindling revenue. The same government that cannot fulfill its obligations, goes about donating money to countries beyond our shores. Our leaders, at all levels have become so insensitive that at times, when there is need to raise campaign funds to prosecute elections, the worker has to bear the brunt. His salary is delayed, at times denied, while those who contribute nothing to the economy of his state, are lifted with money that should have paid all categories of civil servants. Beyond their inability to raise the bar in governance, some leaders are so lazy that they have refused to think beyond the box. It is criminal for a state that has arable land and every other thing it takes to practice mechanized agriculture, to sit idle awaiting allocation from Abuja. The worker has been con-

demned to bear the brunt. Oil wells will dry one day and most government officials are not planning for that eventuality. The little quake in the international market should teach everyone a lesson. All the wealth that came through oil, went into personal pockets. Workers welfare means little to those who manage the economy. It is sad to see someone who spent most of his live working in the private or public sector, to suffer homelessness in retirement. Everything is about work, the individual means nothing. Many of them boast of just wall clocks and refrigerators ,to show for long years of service. Some do not have anything cheery to flaunt. Most are used and dumped. Their end is one that scares even the unemployed. The private sector is filled with stories that are not so far from modern slavery. In some instances, workers are denied their benefits and even not allowed to be part of organized labour. This is the norm is some multi- national corporations. And government appears to have no answer to these demeaning conditions. The Nigerian worker deserves his wages. The struggle continues in the real sense of it. While his counterparts in advanced climes have something to hold on to in

terms of benefits, it is a different ball game here. May Day did not begin from our shores. It was observed across Europe in the ancient times as a festival that offered holidays to the people. It only became an International Workers Day in the late 19th Century. The West turned the worker to a hero and at a time in Russia, workers, in the mould of Bolsheviks, organized a revolution in 1917 and set up a communist government. They abolished the monarchy and spread their influence around the world. Roman Catholics, also set aside , as from 1955, May 1, to honour Saint Joseph, the Worker. They call him the patron saint of workers and craftsmen. On a worrying note, workers in Nigeria today are polarized. The Nigeria Labour Congress[NLC] is yet to recover from elections that divided the organization into camps. At a time one of them, Adams Oshiomhole, is sitting pretty as governor of Edo state, we expect that there should be a better organized front to fight for the masses. The day is for workers and they should have cause to smile. It may be President Goodluck Jonathan’s Valedictory Labour Day speech. Workers are tired of speeches. Let action speak. They must not celebrate owed salaries and terrible service conditions.

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Politics

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari: Together, we can make Nigeria great Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari seeks partnership with the legislature

am delighted to say that we stand on the threshold of history. For the first time in our post-independence history, power is going to be transferred from an incumbent ruling party to an opposition party. This is in spite of predictions of calamitous outcomes. Nigerians

have indeed proven once again that they are a united people and stand resolute to protect its growing democracy. I wish to specifically acknowledge and laud the maturity exhibited by the political class, the professionalism of our security agencies, the competence and resilience of INEC, but above all the doggedness of Nigerians and their commitment to ensuring that their wishes are represented and respected. I daresay, it is equally a victory for all political parties and their leaderships for according due respect to the electoral process and ac-

cepting the results in most cases. I wish to specifically acknowledge the role played by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for accepting the results of the election before final announcement was made. The legislature is a critical component and necessary ingredient of democracy and good governance. The legislature by nature is inherently democratic in the sense that all members are equal and are elected representatives of the Nigerian people. As President-Elect, I recognise this fact and believe that legislators carry this heavy burden of representation with all the

seriousness it deserves. For a president to be successful in addressing community development and general welfare of the various people of the country, he or she would benefit from working closely and in harmony with the legislative arm of government. I therefore commit myself to working with the legislature as development partners motivated by the desire to deliver good governance. Distinguished elected members of the 8th National Assembly, we are all aware of the challenges our dear nation has been facing and will continue to do so in the near future. These daunting chal-

lenges include: *General insecurity and insurgency that has caused extreme human hardship and destruction of lives, livelihoods that may take us over a decade to rebuild across most of North Eastern Nigeria and some parts of North Western Nigeria. *Decline in revenues due to fall in oil prices which poses a threat to governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capacity to deliver on reconstruction of devastated areas and the new government development agenda. *Endemic corruption which has crippled human and infrastructure development for decades.

*Unacceptably poor provision of power supply which has had a crippling effect on development of small businesses and indeed the wider economy. *Deindustrialisation for the past three decades leading to closure of many industries and migration of many to other African countries. *Unacceptably high level of unemployment and especially youth unemployment reaching over 40 per cent. *High cost of governance that has been crowding out capital and human development. *Erosion of public social services such as infrastructure, health and education. Lack of development in the agricultural and solid mineral sectors. Distinguished Members of the 8th National Assembly, I see these development challenges as the mission of my presidency. I need the support of the Members of National Assembly on the battle front. I need your support in many respects. First and foremost, appropriate policies need to be put in place and such policies may have to be translated into laws. Secondly, the oversight functions of the legislature is critical in ensuring that policies are implemented effectively and transparently. Therefore, my mission to bring integrity into governance would better succeed if complemented with a strong culture of transparent oversight. Thirdly, we need to collaborate on the budget process and restructuring of the public sector so as to collectively tackle the menace of high recurrent cost at the expense of capital and human development. Fourthly, there is an urgent need to contain this high state of insecurity. All of you are representing various communities. We need to work together to address the problem from both its roots and manifestations. The strongest mitigating forces at this point are to redress the power sector deficits, encourage investments that are job creating and focus on human development and reconstruction. We also need to deploy efforts in conflict resolution and peace building in all our communities. I am here today, to invite you to work with the executive as partners in progress, as champions of good governance and development and as warriors for change. Together, we can make this nation great and as a role model in Africa and other emerging economies and democracies. I wish you a successful completion of your induction programme. I wish all of you a successful and effective tenure in the service of our fatherland.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

Media

Tourism

Berlin, Warsaw through engaging lenses of Sangotoye, Odukoya

Arts

Africa hotels development survey rates Nigeria leading country with 51 hotels, 8, 563 rooms

CULTURE

Why Nigeria’s history should be made compulsory in schools Tony Okuyeme

ll objects, all phases of culture are alive. They have voices. They speak of their history and interrelatedness.” The above quote by an American academic and social critic, Camille Paglia, underscores the significance of culture to the socio-economic development of any nation. In a world that is no doubt shrinking beyond the “global village”, many languages are under threat of extinction, more so, when history appears to take the back seat in our educational curriculum. It is against this background that the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) is set to not just embark on series of programmes aimed at drawing attention to appreciation and promotion of Nigeria’s art and culture, but also to explore the use our culture to resolve conflict. “The history of Nigeria is the basis for any other knowledge – all round knowledge is good for every Nigerian, and every person in government to progress. We are now thinking of how we can come up with conferences on culture and conflict resolution. It is clear that prior to the arrival of the white man we didn’t kill ourselves; we were not exterminated, otherwise we couldn’t have been alive today as a human race. Our people were able to hold their societies together, resolve their own conflicts; and the various communities in pre-colonial Africa were still marching on, even where

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

there were conflicts or wars; they were later on resolved. And even death sentences were resolved by mediation. When they say ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution), then we should call it African Dispute Resolution (ADR). “So we are about to engage in this Centre, conferences and seminars on how we can use culture to resolve our conflict. We hope to partner with the Institute of Chattered Mediators of Nigeria (ICMN). It is part of the package we want to show the world; this issue of using our alternative conflict resolution to settle disputes, apprehend violent conflicts,” the Director General of CBAAC, Sir Ferdinand Anikwe told New Telegraph in an interview in his office in Lagos. Anikwe explained that the Conference and cultural festival organized by CBAAC and held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, recently, was informed by the need “to bring our people together, examine the role of the various units, various groups in promoting our culture, and at the Centre of it all was Nollywood. The Nollywood stars were found very capable of transforming people’s ideas on African culture. And it stemmed from the fact that I attended a meeting of the Specialised Technical Committee on Culture, Youth and Sports in Adis Ababa, and at the end of the meeting, most African countries that participated, praised Nigeria for the contribution of Nollywood in putting forward or projecting the culture of African people to the outside world. “There were very interesting things that came up; and, of course, as I said recently, that History should be made compulsory as a field of study in primary and secondary schools, at least, in Nigeria; and that many people in the universities should take Nigeria’s history as a G.S (General Studies) course. And I gave example of Ghana and U.S.A, where Nigerian students were studying the history of Ghana, studying the history of the U.S. to do their programmes, whether you went there to do medicine. “And I am happy that one of the decisions that came up in the communiqué at the end of the conference is that History

should be made compulsory; and President Goodluck Jonathan had approved that History should be made compulsory in our schools. It is very good.” The CBAAC D.G informed that the Centre has put together programmes that will take them to many countries in Western Europe, North America, and the Caribbean, including Africa to not only promote Nigeria’s cultural heritage, but also launder the country’s image abroad. “We have also packaged a programme that will take us round these countries as I mentioned, but most importantly, is that we have a programme that will show the world good aspects of Nigeria. You know that Dora Akunyili, when she was the Minister of Information, came up with a beautiful slogan, it says ‘Good People, Great Nation’. We want the world to understand that it is not just a title Good People Great Nation. As a result of that we have come up with a programme on how we can let the world know the actual content of our character, the actual content of our cultural behaviour. And we have 80 percent good behaviour among our people, rather than the little number that go abroad to denigrate our feelings and damage our image. “We have already taken time to repackage this aspect of our culture, through our songs, drama series, dancedrama, through all kinds of theatre, and through our lectures; and even other cultural performances that will project us, like the works of art by the visual artists and our traditional wrestling sport. These are total packages which we want to showcase as we leave here, so that Nigeria’s image abroad will be rebranded as Dora Akunyili put it ‘Good People, Great Nation’. And also, we want to let the world know, using our Nollywood stars who in their own right coming to compete with India in terms of film production. “So those good things in Nigeria we want the world to know. That is in addition to the children’s carnival that we are organizing. The essence of the children’s carnival is to catch them young. Some of us are doing

Anikwe

what we are doing in the culture sector today not just because we passed our exams, but because we went through it learning by doing. It was a rigorous process that I passed through, through my father, who was a lead singer, a powerful dancer, a community leader and a beautiful traditionalist who combined all kinds of philosophies and theories about his people, and presented and projected them within our own Igbo language, our vernacular. And I got properly schooled in it. There is no other training I received through promotion of culture or remodelling of culture that can compete with the one I received from my father as a kid. “We want these children to catch these ideas as young as they can, because one of my lecturers in university, a professor of Psychology of Education, and he specialized on the art of teaching, he told us that

anything at all can be taught to the child, even how to manufacture aircraft, even how to manufacture nuclear reactors; anything you think is too sophisticated can be taught to any child, provided you are intellectually honest to that child. That is why what we intend to do is to bring these children as early as possible and introduce them to the rudiments and principles of our cultural developments, which will enable them grow as people properly schooled in Nigerian culture.” According to him, the Nigeria of tomorrow is a Nigeria of properly harnessed culture; not the Nigeria of oil. “The Nigeria of tomorrow is a Nigeria of properly harnessed and organized culture which will attract the entire world. “Therefore, we are repackaging ourselves, and the world will be the best for it.”

Arts

iamond Bank PLC, a leading retail bank in Nigeria and lead sponsor of the just concluded Vision of the Child (VOTC) competition, has rewarded the winners with cash prizes in an award dinner ceremony held in Lagos recently. The Vision of the Child is an artistic and literary competition for school children and forms part of activities to celebrate the Lagos Black Heritage Festival. Most of the winners and finalists said that they would love to pursue a career in the arts and literary studies because of the enormous opportunities they hold for them. According to the Head, Corporate Communications, Diamond Bank, Ayona Trimnell, the bank has supported the competition since inception in 2011. “We are proud to be a part of these future art and literary geniuses whose paintings and literary works transcend their age and time. As part of our strategic focus, we see a lot of potential in these youth and will continue to support the growth and development of these young minds,” she said. Ashaka Victory Thona who emerged the first prize winner went home with N250, 000 while Ololade Shittu who came second was rewarded with N200,000. Anthony Blessing who came third was given N180, 000. Anjola Olanrewaju, Amosun Abraham and Okwuchukwu Ivy who were adjudged fourth, fifth and sixth place winners got N150,000, N120,000 and N100,000 respectively. Benson Oraelosi, Regional Manager, Ikeja Region of the Bank, stated that the bank’s involvement in the competition was driven by its commitment

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Diamond Bank boosts art, rewards Vision of the Child winners to support the development of the country’s future leaders. “Diamond Bank is wholly committed to supporting initiatives aimed at grooming the Nigerian child for global relevance. Since the inception of this competition, the children have always been challenged to engage their creativity in interpreting topical social issues, and the results have been very insightful. We are particularly pleased with the outcome of these competitions because it is only through creativity that we can develop ideas to change the world.” Speaking further, Benson noted that Diamond Bank understand the value of helping these children to attain their individual desires in art and literary works. “Diamond Bank has further demonstrated its commitment to the future of the Nigerian child with Diamond Future, a children-friendly proposition designed to secure their tomorrow. We are assured that the future of the country is indeed brighter with the level of creativity the children have showcased”. Erelu Dosunmu Abiola, who represented Prof. Wole Soyinka, the Lagos Black Heritage Festival consultant, noted that many children are denied the opportunity to express themselves because society assumes that they do not understand social events.

“We do not need to limit the horizon of our children as they have their own unique interpretations to issues that adults may consider to be socially complex. Our contestants have shown that they have great thoughts demonstrated through impressive output. We hope to see great future writ-

ers like Prof Wole Soyinka and celebrated painters like Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya emerge from platforms such as these,” Erelu stated. At this fourth competition of the Vision of the Child competition, over 30 finalists participated in this 2015 edition themed “The Road to Sambisa.”

Some cultural troupes entertaining the audience at the formal commissioning of Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Food Technology Labs in Lekki, Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

China hosts 50 Nigerian pupils, showcases artworks Stanley Ihedigbo

s part of his country’s commitment towards a cordial relationship with its host’s nation, Nigeria, the Consulate General of People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Mr. Xu Xingiong, held a reception in the Consulate to celebrate its Open Day with about 50 pupils of Itedo Community Nursery and Primary School, Lagos. The event created opportunity for the pupils to learn the Chinese Visa application procedure and about the Chinese national flag and emblem. The pupils were also taken to the historical photographic gallery showing the bilateral exchange between China and Nigeria, and the Chinese ancient artworks in the Meeting room of the Consul General. Beside the tour, Video on modern development of China and Chinese traditional art performance including Chinese Calligraphy, paper-cutting and Martial arts (Chinese Kungfu) are also displayed in the multifunctional hall. Speaking at the event, the Consulate General reflected upon the major progress in the relations between China and Nigeria, adding that the ChinaNigeria US friendly relationship

was based on people to people exchange and communication. He hoped that the two countries would work together to further enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, and in that way to push the China-Nigeria relations to a new height. He explained that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of strategic partnership between Nigeria and China, and the in-depth development of bilateral relations serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and people. “China attaches great importance to the development of its ties with Nigeria, and is ready to work in concert with Nigerians side to continuously promote the strategic partnership between the two countries to new high. “In order to provide an opportunity for the younger generation of Nigeria, especially students in schools, to have a better understanding of China and Chinese culture, the Open Day activity is held with the purpose to promote the friendship between Nigerian and Chinese people,” he said. The 50 pupils s of Itedo Community Nursery and Primary School under the Eti-Osa Education Authority who were invited to participate in the Open Day, were entertained

with traditional Chinese cultural performances and hand art work where ropes were ties for necklace, bangles. Xingiong noted that in 2014, the Chinese Consulate encouraged and coordinated some Chinese companies in Nigeria to join hands in the China-Africa People to People Friendship Ac-

tion to implement the Palyground Renovation Project to improve the campus environment of Itedo Community School, which event turned out to be very successful. The head of the school, Mr. Tolu Ogungbulugbe, commended the Consulate General, saying that he has been wonderful friend to the school

and has brought many projects in the school to support learning in the country. He expressed happiness that the school was chose among many schools in the state or in the country , adding that with such move from the embassy the two countries friendship would continue to wax stronger.

Each Passing Day of an Elegant Memoir Lanre Odukoya

eldom does regional exhibitions make as much impact as the one staged last Sunday, April 19. More profound did it even become with the artist being quite a familiar photojournalist- Akintunde Akinleye. The event which held at the Red Door Gallery, Victoria Island, Lagos was graced by enthusiasts from far and near all of whom would later make astounding remarks on the collection of photos at the exhibition. Essentially a retrospective exhibition of works from the artist’s 15-year career in photojournalism, Akintunde nailed it with works that speak volumes of the theme, Every Passing Day. Staged by LagosPhoto Foundation in collaboration with The Shell Petroleum Develop-

ment Company of Nigeria, Each Passing Day, featured Akintunde’s enchanting documentation of the post-military era in Nigeria, street happenstances, industrial tragedies, transitional landscapes, moments of shared happiness among several other concerns. Some of the exhibited works are entitled, Spiritual Highway, Lagos Sand Merchants, Hell from Heaven, Yellow Green Blue, Boy Scout to mention but a few thought-provoking works. Being the African Artists’ Foundation latest solo exhibition, it runs from April19 to May 3 at the aforementioned venue. Beyond being an entertainment pundit with his mesmeric works, Akintunde’s deep sense of activism manifested in several photos adorning the walls. Rather than succumbing to the

lure of commerce, he tenaciously delayed gratification- the same model he advocates today. “My work is a kind of agitation with aesthetics. Everything is woven around activism”, he stressed his style in a chat with guests at the exhibition. Akintunde, now a photojournalist with Reuters, caught his professional teeth at Daily Independent and had contributed for several media organisations before his current appointment. He is the first Nigerian photographer to be awarded a prize at the World Press Photo event, Netherlands in 2007. A quintessential photographer, Akintunde has had his works exhibited in Washington, Los Angeles, New Mexico, Lagos, Amsterdam, Graz, Bamako, Madrid, Munich and Pordenone in Italy.

Arts 23

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

Ebere Ameh

wesome pictures that capture the breathtaking impression of two young Nigerians on a study tour of Warsaw and Berlin adorn the walls of the Goethe institute, Lagos. It is an exhibition of the works of Olayinka Stephen Sangotoye and Jide Odukoya, both photographers who spent some time in the two European cities and came back with stories and images of the people and the place. The show, tagged “GermanPolish Photo Exhibition”, is the result of a joint action of the German and Polish embassies in Nigeria, who invited the two photographers to visit Berlin and Warsaw in 2013. They captured their impressions of the daily life and atmosphere of these two cities and presented it in an exhibition in Abuja last year. Goethe-Institut Nigeria is now presenting these images in Lagos in an exhibition also organized by the German and Polish embassies in Nigeria. The tour, which took place in 2013, also had Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, a Journalist and writer as one of the tourists. The trio toured the cities, and while the photographers captured the cities with their lens, Abubakar did what he knows how to do best covering it with his pen. The result is the exhibition, which also has a collection of stories written by Ibrahim for the people to pick and read. Speaking with the New Telegraph, the Director of Goethe Institut, Mr. Marc-André Schmachtel said that idea of the study tour and exhibition was from the German Ambassador to Nigeria. “He wanted to underline the good relations between Germany and Poland. He came up with the idea where Nigerian photographers would travel to Berlin and Warsaw, to capture a little bit of the contemporary spirit of these two big cities. The exhibition was first shown in Abuja, in the residence of the Ambassador last year. Now we wanted to bring it here to Lagos to show the images to the people of Lagos,” Schmachtel said. Explaining further, the Director said it is an international exhibition because we are talking about two big European cities in the eyes of two young photographers from Lagos, the culture capital of Nigeria. “It’s an international exhibition. It is a German-Polish organization with Nigerian photographers, showing here in Lagos. The images you see are very significant as they portray the contemporary atmosphere of these two modern European cities. It’s not just a German city or Polish city, it’s an international city. You can see the image of a Nigerian woman making waves in Poland and the Nigerian who is a legislator, also in Poland. It sure showcases the identity of modern cities,” Schmachtel said, adding that it is more interesting because the cities are seen through the eyes of Nigerians. “If you want to show an exhibition done by German photographer on Poland in Nigeria, it won’t be as interesting for the Nigerian audience as when you have a Nige-

Berlin, Warsaw through engaging lenses of Sangotoye, Odukoya

Sangotoyie, one of the tourists whose pictures are exhibited

rian photographer, who will see it from Nigerian perspective, go into Poland and Germany. I think it’s a different and interesting way of seeing the city.” Talking about the selection process of the tourists, Yaqub Budohoski, Secretary and Head of Consular, Poland Embassy, Abuja explained that they got the photographers with the help of the African Artists Foundation. “As for Ibrahim, whom we also took on the tour, he is a journalist with the Sunday Trust Newspaper and also a writer of short stories. His story was shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African Writers. He is somebody we know because it was a pretty well-known thing that he got shortlisted for the Caine Prize and we thought that he will be a perfect idea. He was posting stories on his blog and writing newspaper articles from his study tour,” Budohoski said. On whether it will be a yearly programme for Nigerian photographers, Schmachtel explained that there are possibilities. “It depends. There are many possibilities that we are working on right now. One is a residency programme for artists in general; curators too, not just photographers as well as other artists genres but photography will be a main focus.” For the Mr Budohoski, the Polish Embassy is doing all they can to support artists. “The polish embassy does a yearly event in the form of study tours. Sometimes we take journalists, this time we took photographers. We try to mix it up, doing it differently every year to keep it more interesting.” Still full of happiness and a sense of gratitude to God for the opportunity, one of the tourists, Olayinka Sangotoye said it was an experience he will always cherish. “It was breath taking experi-

L-R: Director of Goethe Institut, Lagos, Marc-Andre, Sangotoyie, and Jakab Budohoski of the Polish Embassy

ence. Wonderful! It was a lifetime opportunity. That was my first outing to shoot outside Nigeria. We saw different cultures; we went there to see many great ideas that can be brought to Nigeria to make our country great as well. Because taking pictures goes with asking questions, we got more information on the culture of the people.” He reminisces on their beautiful museums, art and science centre he saw in the host countries. “One thing I would want replicated in Nigeria is their museums. They have functional museums. They have arts and science centre where they have documented their art pieces. It has been preserved in such a way that it could last forever. Tourists go there and pay to see these things. “The science place is amazing as basic technologies were exposed to the very young. They are allowed to toy with these technologies – how does the

tap run, how can a ship be controlled in the wind, everything is there and you see kids toying with these things. These are the things we can bring into Nigeria to help Fast-track our development. It will also bring revenue to our country,” Olayinka who was the only member of the tourist at the exhibition said. Though the event was about photography, Schmachtel said the Goethe Institut has other interests too. “Photography is a very interesting art as it gives you an immediate result. A painter needs time to paint and come up with a desired result. A film maker needs time to produce a film but in photography, you get an immediate result of whatever message you want to convey. We are also interested in photography because of aesthetic reasons. But we are not only focusing on photography, we have a lot of literature and film events.”

Tourism

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Africa hotels development survey rates Nigeria leading country with 51 hotels, 8, 563 rooms One of the leading hospitality and consultancy firms in Nigeria, W Hospitality Group, Lagos, has in its seventh edition of the Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa 2015, a detailed survey on the hospitality industry development profile, chronicled the state of the ever growing hotel sector industry with particular reference to growth expectations and its underlining factors; and concludes that almost 50, 000 rooms are in the pipelines this year with the number of rooms in sub-Saharan Africa exceeding North Africa by almost 70%, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA.

or this year’s survey, 37 hotel chains with 80 brands contributed to the study the highest since the survey debuted in 2009 with just about 19 chains. The study also established the fact that investing in hotel development in the continent is a herculean task; however, this is not enough to deter investors and hotel chains, as many of them are ever determined to explore the abundant opportunities that the continent offers, hence some of them have set up offices in the continent. The study also noted the growing interest in the number of hotel investment conferences on the continent with the African Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) as one of the leading fora. The event held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last year and was said to have attracted over 500 delegates from 47 countries and it was sponsored by over 35 companies – international hotel brands, the leading advisory firms, governments, developers and banks. AHIF will again be held in Addis Ababa in 2015. According to this year’s findings, of the eventual 33 contributing chains, a total of 270 hotels translating to 50, 000 rooms are in the development pipeline with North Africa recording 79 hotels with 18, 565 rooms while Sub – Saharan Africa recorded 191 hotels with 31, 150 rooms bringing the total to 49, 715 rooms. Whereas the figures of last year show that North Africa recorded 73 hotels with 16, 449 rooms and Sub – Saharan Africa 142 hotels with 23, 283 rooms bringing the total number of hotels to 215 and rooms to 39, 732. The pipeline for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to grow much faster than the North African region. The SSA region, of course has far more markets than North Africa, 49 countries compared to five of North Africa. Many of the SSA markets have historically been underserved with branded hotels and are now playing catch up – Mauritania, for example, with no existing branded supply, now has three branded hotels in the development pipeline. Growth in the pipeline in North Africa has slowed considerably, impacted by unrest and political conflict in the region. Egypt, which has traditionally been a major growth market, lost some projects off its pipeline due to delays and the cancelling of some deals in 2014. Libya, a country which

Four Points by Sheraton, Lekki, Lagos

Trevor Ward, Managing Director, W Hospitality Group

many groups were focusing on just two years ago, has seen no new activity in terms of hotel development deals, for obvious reasons. According to the details of the findings, West Africa accounts for 53% in of the rooms in the pipeline in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by East Africa with 24%, Central Africa with 12% and Southern Africa with 11%. Besides having the largest numbers of rooms, West Africa also have the highest numbers of countries - 13 - where activities are in the pipeline with Nigeria said to have largest economy, the largest population, and the largest number of urban conurbations in one country, with the exception of South Africa. As in previous years, Southern Africa continues to lag behind, with fewer rooms in the regional development pipeline this year than in Central Africa, and with the highest number of countries with no activity at all – five, namely Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. While the reports combined both signed deals and on site projects in the pipeline, it however revealed that sub-Saharan Africa has more deals on site and under construction than North Africa. In 2014, North Africa had 75 per cent of its signed deals on site, compared to 56 per cent in SSA. In terms of total pipeline status, Sub – Saharan Africa has 191 hotels with 31, 150 rooms whereas in terms of on site construction it has 17, 070 hotels translating to 54% while North Africa has a total pipeline status of 79 hotels with 18, 565 rooms but 14, 428 translating to 46% in terms of on site construction. In terms of countries’ perfor-

mances, Nigeria heads the top leading countries in Sub – Sahara when it comes to number of rooms with 51 hotels and 8, 563 averaging 168 in size. This is followed by Egypt with 18 hotels and 6, 440 rooms averaging 358 then Morocco with 31 hotels and 5, 474 rooms averaging 177 in size, Algeria with 13 hotels and 2, 749 rooms, averaging 211 in size, Tunisia with 12 hotels and 2, 444 rooms averaging 204, South Africa with 13 new hotels and 1,662 rooms averaging 128 in size, Kenya with 8 hotels and 1, 510 rooms averaging 178 in size, Libya with 5 hotels and 1, 458 rooms averaging 292 in size, Ghana with 8 hotels and 1, 399 rooms averaging and 175 in size and Uganda has 9 hotels and 1, 397 rooms averaging 155. Egypt regarded the highest performing country in Africa with almost 5,500 rooms under construction, compared to Nigeria’s figure of 3,400 rooms. Furthermore, the reports also took a look at cities with Lagos topping the chart of the 10 cities with the highest number of planned rooms. Lagos has 3, 611 rooms followed by Cairo with 2, 704, Abuja with 2, 177, Marrakech with 1, 970, Sharma el Sheikh with 1, 761, Algiers with 1, 341, Dakar with 1, 326, Nairobi with 1, 220 and Kampala with 1, 181. From the findings, Egypt has two

of the largest destinations for new hotel deals, Cairo and Sharma el Sheikh. Lagos and Abuja, the commercial and political capital respectively of Nigeria, are both in the top three cities. However, of the 11 hotel deals signed in Abuja, only two, the Fraser Suites and the Hilton Garden Inn are actively under construction. The study also looked at the top 10 international brands in the market by number of hotels and rooms with Carlson Rezidor’s Radisson Blu in the lead with 22 hotels and 5, 372 rooms, Hilton with 16 hotels and 4, 965 rooms, Marriott with 11 hotels and 2, 316 rooms, Park Inn by Radisson with 10 hotels and 1, 581 rooms, Hilton Garden Inn with 9 hotels and 1, 682 rooms, Noom with 9 hotels and 1, 332 rooms, Sheraton with 8 hotels and 1, 862 rooms, Four Points by Sheraton with 7 hotels and 1, 250 rooms, Golden Tulip with 7 hotels and Mantis with 7 hotels while Courtyard by Marriot has 1, 154 rooms. The findings also made interesting projection of what the future holds with 2015 having 79 hotels and 10, 599 rooms due to open in Africa, 2016 has 80 hotels and 14, 073 rooms, 2017 has 55 hotels and 10, 988 rooms and 2018 has 39 hotels and 8, 671 rooms while 2019 holds 11 hotels and 2, 685 rooms and 2020 with 4 hotels and 1, 157 rooms.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

Dstv

Comedy weekend with Trevor Noah on M-Net

Movie

Odunlade, Sanyeri at Goldberg Fuji T’o Bam Ota Audition

Entertainment

60 nations for AMAA awards

Jessica

Why I dumped banking for acting — Jessica Jessica Nwoba, a banker by profession, speaks with New Telegraph in Yenagoa, acknowledged that though issues which made her quit acting are still there, she has had enough of a cosy office.

sony neme

Editor, entertainment sony.neme@newtelegraphonline.com

Why jettison a blossoming career from the entertainment industry and pitched tent in the banking industry? I had left the industry because I was frustrated when talents were sacrificed for girls who were willing to have sex for roles in movies. They were giving roles to those that were willing to give themselves to sexual harassments. I had to leave as I could not bring myself to manage the situation as a teenager. So after my last role in Amaka’s Diary, I had to face my studies. And I thank God for that decision as I graduated with BSc in Economics from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Then on for my National Youth Service, NYSC, which brought me into banking industry. Please how did it began, and what are you bringing in differently? Expectedly, it was a joyous moment for me when I began living out my dream as an actress in Endless Lies, as the news caster. Next was Conconbility, where I played the role of the Princess’ younger sister; Love From the Vulture.; and

I had left the industry because I was frustrated when talents were sacrificed for girls who were willing to have sex for roles in movies

lastly in Amaka’s Diary as a girl friend to one of the kidnappers. I will say it has always been in me all my life, because one thing I love doing is making people happy. And I have also seen that the characters I watch in the movies are roles I can deliver very well if not better when given same opportunity. At what point where you motivated, and how? It all began after a display at an Awka event that BobManuel Udokwu spotted me out and asked of my interest in the movie industry where I can showcase my God-given talent. I gladly accepted and he paid N10,000 for my Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, AGN, membership form. That was during the reign of Ikechukwu Ezenagu as the boss of the Anambra State chapter of AGN. I was further motivated by Mr. Chimex Alex, He made me to realize I have what it takes, as he further encouraged me into contesting in some beauty pageants, which I did; and won CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

t is no longer news that with a record of over 800 films submissions organisers of the popular Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), have reiterated their commitment to an annual delivery of the reward initiative. What is of interest is that 60 countries including South America, United States and North America, despite circumstances leading to the postponement of the 2015 edition. The December tragic death of Mr. Michael Anyiam-Osigwe, elder brother to founder of AMAA, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe and pillar of support for the scheme, led to a shift in the traditional April date for the panAfrican reward system for motion picture professionals. That in addition to the just-concluded general elections in the country, led to a yet to be fixed June date for the event. Accordingly, date for the nominations announcement and gala night will take place before May 29,. These were explained by Shaibu Husseini, Chairman, AMAA College of Screeners thus: “A good number of entries came from Cuba, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, areas that could be considered as new territories for AMAA.” He further stated that, “Following the close of film submission for the Award on January 31, the pre-selection screening started in accordance with entry rules, before being sent to College of Screeners, where the real job of adjudication begins.

Anyiam-Osigwe

Entertainment

Stories by Sony Neme

ultiple awards moviemaker, Zeb Ejiro is set to dazzle viewers in a soap opera titled Dazzle on DStv soon. Already four main characters, all females have been in location sweating it out as the Ripples creator is poised to unveil another set of thespians for viewers delight. In a chat with New Telegraph at Asaba on Monday, the lead character, Abigail said she is out to make a difference with a bold statement starting from Dazzle. The stunning beauty, who described herself as soft simple girl, socially inclined, free minded and friendly, said, “In love scene I can go so deep; so long as it is acting I will give my very best in any love scene. But will not go nude for whatever amount of money. Though I like adventure, but I am a hard nut to crack.. I am someone who likes helping when I can.” For the lady who was outstanding in a number of movies it has been a worth her while in the make believe world. Her words: “In Merciful I played the role of Felicia alongside Ufuoma Mcdamort and Emmanuel Mensah, I played a bit role in Whisper In The Dark, and presently I am on location in Lagos shooting an African Magic television series titled Dazzle.” Like most females in the industry, she has had her fair share of

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Producers were more interested in sex than my talent’ challenges, which are that, “They wanted me to sleep with them because of a role and I lost a lot of roles because I didn’t accept to sleep with them. I got out of it because I know what I am capable of doing without coming cheap before a man. It’s a God given talent and am ready to show the world what I am made of rather than come cheap. I decided to become an actress because it is what I have always dreamt since I was a child and I know God gave me this talent to make positive impact on the youth of my generation.” For Abigail, the experience has been tough, as she said, “It has not been easy I almost gave up going from one audition to another, meeting deferent producers who were more interested in my body than my talent but finally with God I made it through. I was not deterred as my driving passion are my parents, and people that did not believe in me. With or without the right pay I can’t go bare for any role. And my role models remains Stephenie Oker-

eke, Omotola Jalade Ekeide and Omoni Oboli. And those from the international scene are Megan Good, Sandra Bullock and Hallyberry.” She said to achieve her ultimate dream, she has decided to, “First of all horn my talent and then use it to elevate others. Money is another major factor, because one must live a comfortable life to sustain continuity in the world of entertainment. My first experience was encouraging. I impressed my director as it has been something I love so I did well.” Her advice to upcoming actors is: “Do not give up on your vision and dreams, and always go for it no matter how many times you fail get up and go for it, it will worth it someday, be prayerful and focused.”

Jazzhole parades Grammy Award winning Babalola

Abigail

‘I dumped banking for acting’

s part of the Jazz Appreciation Month celebrated annually in April, Jazz hole and Inspiro productions on Sunday April 26 presented two time Grammy award winning UK based Nigerian International Olalekan Babalola at a Jazz hole showcase. Babalola, a Master Percussionist, is respected for his innovative musical style, using his native Yoruba tongue infused with traditional music, Afrobeat and funky dance overtones. A released made available to New Telegraph by organisers, explained that, “Babalola had started his career playing in the Yoruba Christian Church owned by his father. As custodians of Yoruba tradition his family taught him first hand Yoruba art and culture and this has influenced all his work . “He also received a cultural and political apprenticeship from the late Fela Kuti. In 1980 he moved to Britain and as his skills grew he was invited to join Gasper Lawal in 1982. He continued his career in New York as part of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and returned to the UK where he performed with the likes of Ernest Ranglin, Branford Marsalis, and recently African Jazz All Stars, Roy Ayers, The Kate Luxmoore Group, David Byrne, Joshua Redman, Damon Albarn, Tony Allen, The KLLB Band, Axelle Red, Pinse Saul, Queen Salawa Abeni and Jean Toussaint.”

Maria Carey

Snoopy

Maria Carey, Snoopy Dogg in Sony Music Sampler

ld wine taste better, that precisely is what Maria Carey and Snoopy Dogg has brought to the table as Sony Music unveils yet another weekly radio sampler. While Mariah Carey rule the airwaves with ‘Infinity’, Snoop Dogg shuffles in ‘So Many Pros’. Others that made it into this week’s delivery are Lost Frequencies with ‘Are You With Me’, Pitbull’s ‘Fun; featuring Chris Brown, and Rag N Bone Man’s ‘Bitter End’, as well as Olly Murs’ ‘Seasons’, Walk Off The Earth’s ‘Sing It All Away’, and Lonely The Brave’s ‘River River’ Sony Music source reveals that multi-platinum global superstar Mariah Carey has been signed to an exclusive contract with Epic Records returns to Sony Music. That is where her hit making career began, with a history-mak-

ing string of 18 Hot 100 number one hits that made her the bestselling female artist of all time. “Mariah’s first album release will be Mariah Carey #1 To Infinity, arriving in stores May 19 on Epic Records / Columbia Records/Sony Legacy. Pitbull continued his global radio domination earlier this year with ‘Time of Our Lives’ featuring Ne-Yo charting in the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, as well as achieving Top 5 airplay in South Africa! Rory Graham AKA Rag N Bone Man continues his journey out of the underground space with his four track EP Disfigured released early March 2015. The Londonbased blues/soul meets hip hop artist’s single “Bitter End” showcases Graham’s dynamic voice and is a perfect example of his unique style and candid delivery.

some like Miss Unizik in 2004, Miss Peace, 2003 and Miss NYSC Batch B, Yenogoa. I also contested for Nokia Face of Africa 2006. Thereafter, I left for school, then banking hall where I rose to the zenith and now I am back to what gives me joy. Already I have participated in a yet to be aired soap opera with AIT here in Yenagoa. In it I played the role of a stubborn house help, which is semi lead role. After eleven years, what is the attraction back to movie locations? I have been in the banking industry for years now. I have tasted the corporate world and I have made up my mind to go back to where I perfectly belong better and reformed this time. I am ready to make impact in the movie industry, far better than I did eleven years ago. Then I was not as matured in handling certain issues and challenges in the industry as I can presently; such as sexual harassment and intimidation of all kinds. Entertainment is where my passion lies. I love doing something that makes me happy. Even in the course of my banking career, I still made out time to work with AIT after strict audition. What are the expected challenges, and what new are you bringing to the table? I am expecting to meet with bigger names in the industry, and interpreting scripts faster to accommodate more roles as I expect to be in as many movies as possible. As for sexual harassment and intimidation of all kinds, that won’t pose any challenge, because I am grown up to know what I want and go for it. more importantly, I am also going to face a bigger picture of the industry, so I am better prepared than before. What will stand me out is that my passion about achieving set goals. I will also help in changing the perception about ladies in the industry by standing to establish that decent ladies could be found in the industry; and that whatever you set out to do is a thing of choice.

Entertainment 27

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

CinemaWatch

revor Noah, arguably the hottest comedian in the world, understands South Africa’s racial mix better than any politician ever will. With that knowledge h sees the funny side to it like no one else does/ That s before he steps into Jon Stewart’s legendary funny shoes to present The Daily Show in the US, M-Net Movies Comedy (channel 104 on DStv) is treating viewers to a triple dose of Noah stand-up comedy this weekend. M-Net’s Head of Publicity Lani Lombard described it thus: “This is the perfect entertainment for the long weekend, And to ensure that it fits into

(Radio/TV/Events Guide)

MAY 1 — MAY 8 Highlights

Comedy weekend with Trevor Noah on M-Net your weekend plans, we are giving you more than one option to be entertained by the inimitable Noah.” Thnat was on Friday April 24 when M-Net Movies Comedy screened Trevor Noah: That’s Racist, Trevor Noah: It’s my Culture and Trevor Noah: African American back to back from 19:15 CAT. Viewers also enjoyed the shows on Saturday April 25 from 12:25 CAT and on Sunday April 26 from 14:55 CAT. It was also available

on the Dstv Catch Up service. In that special stand-up comedy show Trevor Noah rubbed noses in the many faces of racism, showing why he became the guy who could take South African comedy to the world at large. “Following on from his worldwide tour including New York, London and Sydney, Trevor returned to South Africa with this show that was sold out across the country.”

Oshinowo giggles with Tee-A

t was fun unlimited during last week’s episode of Late Night with Nike Oshinowo, as the beauty queen delivers a memorable repertoire on comedy veteran, Tunde Adewale (a.k.a. Tee-A). Tee-A with his wealth of experience in the entertainment industry helped to revolutionize the comic’s approach, and broaden the appreciation of the comedy audience on diverse subject matters. It was pure fun as Nike Oshinowo and Tee-A engage in a refreshing discussion about his humble beginning, his journey from Opa William’s Night of a Thousand Laughs, and his successful television career with Tyme Out with Tee-A. The Multi-talented fun merchant got so excited talking to our Nike. At a point he decided to channel his inner “Tom Cruise” by jumping on the infamous LNWNO sofa. Tee-A reveals how he balances being an astute businessman with his traditional values; he also reveals who is really the funnyman in his household.

Bobbi Kristina Brown

Bobbi Kristina Brown’s estate tears family apart

obby Brown has filed for guardianship over Bobbi Kristina Brown‘s estate which is estimated at $20 million. Though Bobby Brown has a say in medical decisions as Bobbi Kristina’s closest living relative, he doesn’t have a say in Bobbi Kristina’s finances. Cissy Houston, her grandmother, and uncle and aunt, Gary and Pat Houston are the executors of the trust Whitney Houston left for her. According to an international media source, “Bobby is Krissy’s father. He only wants what’s best for her, This is not about him taking her money – he has money of his own. This is about making sure that she will have the best care for as long as she needs The truth is that he wants to get her the best care she can possibly get, that’s all.” Bobbi Kristina was supposed to receive ten percent of the fund on her 21st birthday, but a source told a New York daily news source that, “She didn’t receive the distribution. It was modified, and with good reason.”

Entertainment

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

AFRIMA, African Union unveil 2015 calendar

Showbits

Trending in entertainment industry

● Olamide represents West

Africa at Ethiopia Conference

Olamide

Stories by Sony Neme

ip-hop musician, Adedeji Olamide, famously addressed as ‘Olamide represented West Africa at the joint conference of the African Union, AU, and All Africa Music Award, AFRIMA, holding on April 29, 2015 at the African Union Commission headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The theme of the conference is: “Using Music, Culture and Entertainment as tools for a new Africa”, just as the conference featured the official unveiling of the 2015 AFRIMA calendar. According to a release made available by AFRIMA organisers, “The superstar whose impact is felt beyond Nigeria is the reigning AFRI MA Album of the Year artiste in the continental category. “Other 2014 AFRIMA award

winners expected at the joint conference are Ahmed Soultan from Morocco - Best Male Artist in North Africa award, Cindy Munyavi of Zimbabwe - Best Female in Southern Africa. and Radio & Weasel from Uganda - Eastern Africa Best African Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall award winner.” The Central Africa region was represented by Laurette La Perle, - Best Female in Central Africa, while nominee and Ethiopian citizen Tsedenia in the Best African Contemporary award category alongside other top Ethiopian musicians. The All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, and the African Union Commission, AUC, had unveiled the 2015 calendar for the AFRIMA awards project at a cultural and media conference in addition to the International Committee of AFRIMA conference and meeting scheduled to hold on the April,28.

“The cultural and media conference featuring a roundtable session witnessed a convergence of participants including: H.E. Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, Commissioner for Social Affairs, Africa Union Commission; Director Culture department, Africa Union Commission, President and Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada; members of the International Committee of AFRIMA; Africa Union Commission executives, and media professionals on how to engage the shared African values and the spirit of Pan-Africanism for greater collaborations in music, entertainment and culture for sustainable development,” they further stated. Elaborating further, Mr. Dada said: “The joint cultural and media conference organised by the African Union Commission and AFRIMA in Addis Ababa is aimed at taking African entertainment and positioning strategy to the next level and to also consolidate on the existing relationship between us. It is a privilege having the AUC belief in our dream for Africa and African music”. He stated that, “The conference in Ethiopia afforded us the opportunity to officially present the winners of the 2014 edition of the awards to the Commission. It is important to note that AFRIMA and AUC have a common objective of promoting peace, uniting Africans and promoting Africa’s unique strength for global competitiveness and prosperity through instrumentality of culture and music.”

Odunlade, Sanyeri at Goldberg Fuji T’o Bam Ota Audition

oremost Yoruba movie producer and actors, Odunlade Adekola and Afonja Olaniyi, aka Sanyeri were at their best as they danced with contestants at Goldberg’s Fuji T’o Bam Ota audition. The first Fuji music talent hunt, sponsored by the lager beer brand from the stable of Nigeria Breweries Plc, will have winner of the contest crowned the Wura1 of Fuji T’o Bam” in addition to cash rewards. According to organisers, “The actors, who were at their elements in various capacities during the audition, were a major boost for contestants as they motivated them to put up their best act on stage. They also entertained the audience at the show without missing any part of the excitement, as they were rewarded with a standing ovation from the contestants and audience after their spectacular performances.” That is in keeping to their

promise as the Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc Mr. Kufre Ekanem, had revealed that the competition, which will take place across key cities in South West Nigeria will have notable Yoruba actors, like Sanyeri, Kamilu Kompo, Mr. Latin and Odunlade Adekola gracing the event from the quarter final to the grand finale stages.

Yemi Alade

• Yemi Alade won Best African Artist award in Burkina Faso. • My best is yet to come: Essence. • Why Nollywood is not recognized at the Oscars: Afriff boss. • Debbie Rise returns to Nigerian Idol. • 2face, Davido, others to perform at star music trek concert. • I bought my first laptop when I was 14: Davido • Audu Maikori announces resignation as C.E.O of Chocolate City. • Davido and Buchi head to Malaysia. • Mo Cheddahs new song bad, released. • My degree is my most cherished asset: Davido. • K9s new song coup d’état, released. • I am surprised i have not been nominated for the Headies says Adasa Cookey • Tina Knowles says you can find love at any age • Rumer Willis says she had a crush on Ashton Kutcher before he married mum Demi Moore • Mendeecees Harris pleads guilty for drug trafficking, facing 10 years • Chris Brown battle over royalty birth certificate • .Bruce Jenner says i have always had the soul of a woman • .Blac Chyna Tyga has been after my ass for months • Segun Arinze’s Ex Anne Njemanze’s second marriage crashes • LAWD! See I Go Die In Epic Throwback Pic • Reminisce Flaunts His Haby Mama & Boo Of 13 Years • Maheeda shows off new look • Chris Attoh Shares Steamy Pic With Damilola Adegbite, Gushes About His Love For Her • Daredevil! Alex Ekubo goes sky bound. • Moet Abebe flaunts hot workout bod • Toyin Aimakhu denies being President Jonathan’s die-hard fan • Karrueche still hurting: tells fans to delete pics of herself & Chris Brown • Kim Kardashian shows off superstunning alluring Selfie in bikini to celebrate ‘earth day. • Nicki Minaj still rocking her engagement ring, drake congratulates her • Kanye says I am not illuminati • Contrary to some reports, the Houston family claims Bobbi Kristina remains comatose • People say I look like a vampire because I do not get old says JJC • Kris Jenner says Bruce never talked transition during marriage

Kenyan dancer in cocaine muddle I

t was a different kind of rhythm that 42-year-old Kenyan dancer Odhiambo Susan Samira Johnson, from Kenya found herself with officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at

the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. She was arrested with narcotics concealed in school bags. The suspect was found in possession of four blue parcels of white powdery

substance that tested positive for cocaine weighing 5.345kg. Susan, who was born in Mombasa, travelled with Kenya International with passport number A1536020.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

Labour

NLC: A movement threatened by disintegration

Agric Concerns over biosafety law

Business What's news

Importers fret over new tariff at Lagos ports Importers using Lagos seaports are not happy with the new ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) fiscal policy measures, which involve taxes on 177 tariff lines.

p.30

FG approves 20, 000 MW power transmission projects The Federal Government has officially announced the approval of projects for the Phase II of critical transmission billed to wheel 20,000 megawatts to the distribution chain across the country on completion.

p.30

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

L-R: Marketing Manager, Spectranet Limited, Samson Akejelu; Head of Marketing, Mike Ogor; Director, Chief Ezekiel Fatoye and Account Director, Lowe Lintas, Hycent Nwabuisi, during the launch of Spectranet’s new logo in Lagos.

Nigeria, S’Africa may clash over AfDB’s presidency gainst the backdrop of the on-going row between Nigeria and South Africa over xenophobic attacks, there are indications that both countries may be heading for another showdown over who wins the race to succeed Dr. Donald Kaberuka as president of the Afri-

can Development Bank (AfDB). With about four weeks to the election and with eight candidates already shortlisted for the exercise, reports indicate that the contest will be a straight fight between Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumni Adesina and Thomas Sakala, the Zimbabwean national who has won the backing of South Africa for the position. Sakala has worked at the AfDB for 31 years and his knowledge of the workings of the institution, which turned 50 in 2014, was already expected to boost his chances in the election. According to analysts, although Adesina has the edge

INFLATION RATE March 2015.............................8.5% February 2015.........................8.4% January 2015...........................8.2%

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

CONTEST

The rivalry will have a huge impact on who emerges victorious

Sunday Ojeme

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

Tony Chukwunyem

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

over the Zimbabwean in terms of professional qualifications and breadth of experience, coupled with the extensive lobbying for him by the Federal Government, the recent diplomatic spat between Nigeria and South Africa on the xenophobia issue will make the latter to go the extra mile to ensure victory for its preferred candidate. Following the attacks on foreigners in the former apartheid enclave, resulting in injuries to

Number of candidates vying for the plum job

some Nigerians and the loss of their properties, the Federal Government, a few days ago, summoned Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa back home for consultations, a move that infuriated the South Africans. In a chat with New Telegraph, a legal practitioner, Chinedu Okonkwo, predicted that the contest for the AfDB top position would be quite close and that the rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa will have a huge impact on who emerges victorious. He said: “Even before the xenophobic attacks, there was CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Rates Dashboard EXCHANGE RATE (BDC as at Apr. 24)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N219 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N320 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N238

l Foreign Reserves – $29.505bn as at 23/04/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at Apr. 24)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N199 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N301 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N214

Business | News

Importers fret over new tariff at Lagos ports

BARRIER

New scheme inhibits trade facilitation

Bayo Akomolafe

mporters using Lagos seaports are not happy with the new ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) fiscal policy measures, which involve taxes on

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

177 tariff lines. They feared that the new trade agreement among West African countries might see Nigerian importers paying between 25 and 40 per

cent more than they were paying before. While some levies were collapsed, they have equally been reintroduced under another name through a 50 per

cent Import Adjustment Tax (IAT). The tax came up after the collapse of the five per cent Value Added Tax (VAT), 0.5 per cent ECOWAS Trade Liber-

alisation Scheme (ETLS) and seven per cent port levy. This discovery by customs agents and importers led to the slow clearance of consignments

L-R: Operations Manager, UAC Restaurants, Jacques Theunissen; Finance Executive, Muftau Fasasi; Partner, Mr Biggs, Mrs Funmilayo Olukogbon and Key Account Manager, Nigeria Bottling Company Plc, Chidi Akubuiro, at the media launch of 2015 children’s day activation ‘’Tagged’’ Make a Different campaign in Lagos.

Nigeria, S’Africa may clash

REFORMS Govt restructures NDPHC management board

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

this rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa, especially last year when the Nigerian economy was rebased and declared the biggest on the continent. The South Africans were clearly envious. I expect that rivalry to come into play in the AfDB election. The South Africans will want to do everything possible to ensure that their candidate wins.” He, however, noted that with the incoming administration also reportedly supporting Adesina, the agriculture minister could emerge victorious. The AfDB elections are scheduled to take place in Abidjan during the bank’s yearly meetings next month. Other candidates include Dr. Samura Kamara of Sierra Leone, Mr. Sufian Ahmed of Ethiopia, Mrs. Cristina Duarte of Cape Verde and Mr. Jaloul Ayul of Tunisia. Two former AfDB’s staff members are also in the race. They are Mr. Kodje Bedoumra of Chad and Mr. Birama Sidibe of Mali.

Adeola Yusuf

he Federal Government has officially announced the approval of projects for the Phase II of critical transmission billed to wheel 20,000 megawatts to the distribution chain across the country on completion. The Presidency, which announced this, also said that it had restructured the board of a company under it, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), owner of the National Integrated Power Plants (NIPP). General Manager, Communication and Public Relations, NDPHC, Yakubu Lawal Itopa, who made these announcements, ruled out hidden political agenda in the restructuring. “The Board of Directors of NDPHC, owners of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP), has approved the Phase II critical transmission projects, which shall wheel power from the existing and new power stations having capacity of over 20,000 megawatts to the dis-

since the scheme was introduced on April 11. Its implementation is already causing delays in clearing goods at the Lagos ports. Investigations revealed that clearing of goods out of the Lagos ports had been very slow as importers were forced to pay more duties. It was learnt that importers and brokers had been expecting a breakdown of the tariff from the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala. The approval for the implementation of the new tariff was conveyed in a statement by OkonjoIweala in the second week of this month. The Deputy Controller of Customs, Mr Wale Adeniyi, had earlier stated that the implementation of the ECOWAS CET together with its Supplementary Protection Measures (SPM) and 2015 Fiscal Policy Measures occurs concurrently and will take effect from April 11, after the expiration of the 30 days notice required under the provisions of the ECOWAS CET. He said: “With this development, all imports arriving the country beginning from April 11 shall be subjected to the rates contained in the CET 20152019 and 2015 Fiscal Measures without recourse to the rates applicable before the coming into effect of the ECOWAS CET 2015 – 2019.”

FG approves 20, 000 MW power transmission projects tribution chain across the country on completion. “This is to position the company to effectively pursue its Phase II project mandate aimed at implementing more hydropower stations and transmission projects in the country to give the power sector infrastructure a more robust synergy,” Lawal said in a statement. He said that the company now has four executive directors responsible for Generation, Networks, Finance and Accounts as well as Corporate Services, under the new structure. Itopa said that the Managing-Director/CEO, Mr James Abiodun Olotu, has been reappointed as the head of the structure. Olotu’s re-appointment, Lawal said, arose from his unparalleled performance through thick and thin under the Phase I programme. “He is to lead a new team of seasoned professionals selected from the various geo-political zones across the country to manage the chal-

lenges of the next phase of the NIPP programme and to deliver same on budget and in good time,” he said. These appointments, he explained, were approved by the Board as one of its statutory powers given to it through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Its rules fall under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA). “The tenure of her Directors is dependent on their individual and collective performance as determined by both or either her Board or her shareholders at its Annual General Meetings,’’ the NDPHC spokesperson’s statement added. Lawal said that the MD/ CEO has, therefore, been given a clean slate to move the programme forward, advising the “general public to disregard reports insinuating that the board was making spirited attempts to make hurried appointments ahead of May 29 for a promised seamless handover by the present administration.”

Lawal added that the board “drew the attention of the public to rumour making the rounds insinuating that the board of directors of NDPHC was making spirited attempts to make some hurried appointments ahead of May 29.” He maintained that it was instructive to set the records straight “so that discerning members of the public will not be swayed by the apparent move allegedly to cast aspersions on the integrity, credibility and competence of the chairman and members of the board of the NDPHC over the exercise of their statutory functions.” The Board of Directors of NDPHC, owners of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP), has, according to Lawal, positioned the company to effectively pursue its Phase II project mandate aimed at implementing more hydropower stations and transmission projects in the country to give the power sector infrastructure a more robust synergy.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

Labour

Inject life into ailing industries, NLC tells Buhari p.32 SHAME Neither of the presidents has officially reacted to the scandal Sunday Ojeme

NLC: A movement threatened by disintegration

few weeks after the 11th Delegate Conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who today remains the most vibrant and productive leader of the union, paid a courtesy visit to the new leader, Comrade Ayuba Wabba. Warring credibility Essentially, Oshiomhole’s main message to Wabba, who emerged president under controversial circumstances, was that the new leadership should endeavour to reclaim the credibility of the congress. To him and most Nigerians, the NLC had gone to sleep in the last eight years. He further advised that the union must put its house in order so as to work in unison in the interest of workers, warning that labour activists should not behave like politicians who will do anything to get power. Wabba, who then was still settling down to business after the victory, also gave assurance that the NLC was working hard to regain the confidence of workers under a twin mandate meant to also regain the confidence of its members and employers. Leadership failure However, this assurance by the president appears to be paving the way for hopelessness as events emanating from the state chapters of the congress in the last two weeks point to the fact that the NLC, which was once seen and revered by Nigerians as a force to reckon with in labour movement is gradually on the verge of disintegration. While observers of the postelection crisis had thought that the aggrieved leaders would deploy their expertise in conflict resolution in finding a quick and lasting solution to the impasse, the situation has degenerated to a level that might be difficult to contain in the foreseeable future. With factional leaders emerging from parallel congresses at the state levels, it is obvious that the national body is fast losing grip of whatever hold it had on the union. As at the last count, a minimum of nine states have held parallel congresses as and produced factional chairmen and executive members. Obviously, the development stems from the inability of the leadership and the aggrieved faction to extend a hand of fellowship to each other and work out acceptable modalities to move the congress forward in the interest of workers. Quiet reflectively, it is on record that throughout human his-

Waba

Ajaero

tory, kingdoms and empires have often divided or fallen as a result of a single unwise decision made by leaders. Fragmentations Among the states that have had their leadership factionalised in the last two weeks are Kaduna, Abia, Osun, Edo, Oyo, Kano, Kogi, Kwara and Delta. A chronology of the events revealed that the electoral bodies mandated to hold the congresses have not only resolved to hold such on the same day but also ensured they produced factional leaders as a way of tactically endorsing whoever they support between Wabba and Ajaero. In Abia State, Comrade Christopher Ezeikel under the leadership of Ajaero emerged as the new state NLC Chairman, while the other faction produced Comrade Uchenna Obigwe under the leadership of Waba. In Kaduna State, the workers also held two separate congresses in which each faction elected its leaders. The incumbent NLC state Chairman, Adamu Ango, was reelected in the election conducted at Gamji Park in Kaduna, during which 1,500 delegates participated. Ango’s faction is backed by the NLC President, Comrade Waba. In a separate election by the Comrade Ajaero faction, conducted at the Textile Labour

At the last count, a minimum of nine states have held parallel congresses

House, Kaduna, Ephriam James was elected the state chairman. Also elected are Shuaibu Sani and Danladi Yahya as Vice Chairman 1 and 2 respectively. Kano State also witnessed twin delegate conferences, which returned Kabiru Ado Minjibir and Ado Salisu Riruwai as NLC chairmen of the two factions. The faction loyal to Ajaero presented Riruwai of the National Union of Electricity Employee (NUEE) as the newly elected state chairman. In Kogi State, the exercise produced Comrade Johnson Onu Edoka of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) as chairman, while the parallel congress produced Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon of NUEE as factional chairman. In Edo State, a faction loyal to the Ajaero held its conference at the Royal Marble Hotel. The faction loyal to Wabba conducted its conference at the Da Civic Centre along Airport Road. Eddy Ossai was elected chairman of Ajaero NLC faction. But election was still on as at press time at the congress by the Wabba faction. Incumbent chairman of Edo NLC, Emmanuel Ademokun, was the only candidate for the Wabba-led faction. Officials of Edo State government shunned the Ajaero-led faction. But Governor Adams Oshiomhole was represented by

Commissioner for Labour and Establishments, Didi Adodo, at the Wabba faction. Ademokun said only three unions were loyal to Ajaero faction in the state. He added that 31 out of 34 unions were present at the Wabba-led congress. In Kwara, the outgoing NLC council led by Umar F. Akanbi – a loyalist to Wabba – held their congress at the Kwara State Banquet Hall, Ilorin, the state capital, while the faction leaders loyal to Ajaero had theirs at the International Tobacco Company (ITC) Club also in the metropolis. The Oyo State council did not only elect Comrade Odumuyiwa Olusanya as chairman but it also recognised Ajaero as the national president of the congress. In Delta, the faction led by the incumbent state chairman, Akporeha Wilson, held its congress in Warri. The other faction, led by David Ofoyeno, held another congress in the state capital, Asaba yesterday. Wilson is said to be loyal to Ajaero. Ofoneyo aligned with the Wabba camp. Conclusion With more states yet to hold their congresses, it is difficult to fathom how soon the leadership of the body would work towards ensuring that the foremost labour organisation in the country comes to terms with an amicable option to redress the festering and degenerating situation.

Business | Labour

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Inject life into ailing industries, NLC tells Buhari EXPECTATIONS There should be a halt to able-bodied Nigerian youths emigrating overseas

Stories by Sunday Ojeme

he Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos Council, Comrade Tokunboh Korodoh, has called on the Presidentelect, Muhammadu Buhari, to inject life into ailing industries in the country to boost employment. He said this would enable the youths to be gainfully employed and also curtail the mass exodus of able-bodied men and women from emigrating overseas to seek greener pastures. Korodoh stated this after emerging chairman in the state’s chapter of the NLC. He also advised the Lagos State Governor-elect, Akinwunmi Ambode, to emulate the outgoing Governor, Babatunde

Fashola, saying that his victory was a confirmation of the assurance and support promised shortly before the election. He said, “Our word has been our bond. We expect to see in return, good governance in Lagos State, especially in the areas of fulfilling the promises made regarding workers’ welfare.” He emphasised that his leadership as the state’s NLC boss would give unalloyed support to the incoming governor to succeed while also working to strengthen government/ workers relationship in the state. He also commended Fashola for the giant strides he made in developing the state. The Chairman promised to maintain peace and harmony in the workplace and also promote, project and protect the rights of Nigerian workers against oppression, suppression and any form of inhuman policies that are inimical to workers’ welfare. He added that training remains a compelling means and panacea for evolving a dynamic, strong and virile trade union movement in a competitive and globalised

business world. He promised to drive this as one of his cardinal programmes. On the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, the newly elected chairman urged workers in Nigerian to lend their voices in condemning in strong terms the act that has seen scores of foreign black Africans being killed and properties worth millions of dollars destroyed by armed groups. He said: “This act is a crime against fellow Africans who are in South Africa to eke out a living. It is a crime against the unity of African people, so we call on the president of South Africa, Mr. Jacob Zuma, to stem this ugly trend that is at the verge of distorting the Africa unity before the rest of the world. “We have businesses owned by South African citizens here in Nigeria with the worst form of violation of the existing Labour laws. There are organisations such as MTN, DSTV, Shoprite, and some notable hotels run by South Africans where workers are not only denied the right to join unions but also exposed to all form

Korodoh

of precarious engagements that are totally absent in their country. “We have not picketed these organisations for the rights of workers to be protected even in the face of this wanton killing

and humiliation of Nigerians who are mostly affected in this carnage. Nigerians are peace loving people; once again we call on the South African government to call her arm-carrying citizen to order.”

FirstBank celebrates Workers’ Day

L-R: Deputy Head of Mission, Finland Embassy, Mrs. Emmi Mwanzagi; Group Managing Director/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo; Finalnd Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Pirjo Soumela-Chowdhury and Deputy Managing Director, Skye Bank, Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu, during the Finland Ambassador’s visit to Skye Bank in Lagos.

NNEW boosts female entrepreneurs’ access to finance

ollowing the inability of most women to access funds to grow their smallscale businesses, NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women has finalised arrangement to launch a microfinance bank for women entrepreneurs. The essence, according to a statement, is to minimise the financial challenges encountered by women when establishing and growing their businesses. NNEW, said that the idea was pioneered with the establish-

ment of NNEW Cooperative Multipurpose Society strictly for its members in 2011. It said NNEW Women’s Microfinance Bank Limited, was established to minimise the circumstances that frustrate women with entrepreneurial skills and potential access to the much-needed microfinance. It stated, “The NNEW-CMS has been a success and members have benefitted from its products and services. However, the network further identified the large pool of women

with micro-businesses who needed business credit but lacked the opportunity or eligibility to access it.” According to NNEW, the bank will focus predominantly on women and youth with micro-businesses that were not given the desired attention by the commercial banks. It said, “The bank has been granted a state licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria and is positioned to expand its branch network throughout Lagos in the next few years.”

irst Bank of Nigeria Limited will be joining the rest of the globe to celebrate May Day and the contributions of workers to national and international polities. A statement made available to New Telegraph said the bank was particularly encouraged by the commitment of Nigerian workers and their relentless contributions in building the budding economy. The statement revealed that as part of the activities to mark the Day, FirstBank has thrown its weight behind the 7-Star Worker conference to build exceptional workers who will contribute to the growth of successful businesses and play their part in building a strong Nigerian economy. The 2015 edition of the conference themed, ‘Growing SMEs into Global Businesses’ will hold on May 1 in Lagos. The 7-Star Worker conference is focused on SMEs cognisant of their role in contributing to a higher proportion of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The conference provides an effective platform to equip workers with the requisite skills to excel in the workplace while it motivates aspiring entrepreneurs to start their own enterprises. According to the details, the Chief Executive Officer, Main One Cable Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Funke Opeke, has been invited as keynote speaker while panelists at the event include Managing Director/ CEO, General Electric Nige-

ria, Lazarus Angbazo; HR Executive, MTN Nigeria, Amina Oyagbola; Group Head, SMEs, Heritage Bank, Bayo Ogunnusi, CEO, Iroko TV, Jason Njoku; CEO, Oando Marketing, Yomi Awobokun; and CEO, StanbicIBTC Capital, Yewande Sadiku. Others are CEO, Wecyclers, Bilikiss Adebiyi, and CEO, David Wej, Dayo Eweje The statement added that the Business Development Manager, FirstBank, Mrs. Jacinta Ike, will also join the panel on ’Growing SMEs.’ The conference is designed to inform and inspire participants to become world-class in their outlook, increase productivity in the work place, and elaborate on key factors in starting and keeping a business. FirstBank said it had contributed in various measures to building the SME segment of the economy. The Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, said SMEs were pivotal to economic development, making it a major focus point in the bank’s massmarket segment. The bank has had several interventions in the SME space through its SMEConnect programmes and also has a dedicated website for SMEs. “We are therefore pleased to support this conference, which will proffer interventions that will facilitate the emergence of a more productive workforce,” she stated.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

BAT gets N740m raw materials from farmers p.34

Agric

Concerns over biosafety law A few weeks ago, the Biosafety bill was signed into law. However, the law, meant to ensure food security, among others, has generated divergent opinions, DELE ALAO writes

fter an initial setback, President Goodluck Jonathan, last month, signed the National Biosafety Agency Bill into law. The president had refused to sign it the first time it was sent to him for assent during the life of the 6th National Assembly. With the signing of the Bill, Nigeria has now joined the league of biotwch countries. Leading biotech countries, according to findings, include Malaysia, India, Canada, Italy and Brazil. The law, it is argued, would allow for the safe application of biotechnology to boost economic development in Nigeria. Biotechnology Some experts in the agricultural sector are of the opinion that biotechnology, like in other countries, is a way to solve some problems in agriculture. With the current population of Nigeria, which is put at over 160 million people and the need to guarantee food security in the country, stakeholders have argued that traditional agricultural practices characterised by the use of poor seedlings, must give way to modern tools to allow agriculture to grow by double digits. The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and the Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), made several attempts to have the country sign and ratify an internationally binding Biosafety Protocol known as Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The Protocol entered into, according to Mrs. Rose Gidado, the Country Co-ordiantor, OFAB, came into force on September 11, 2003. Therefore, the signing into law of the biosafety bill, sponsored by NABDA, it was argued, would launch the country into the production and commercialisation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) with the capacity

Jonathan

to increase crop production, ensure food security and improve rural livelihoods. It is expected that the entrance of GMOs will increase crop productivity, lower the cost of production, guarantee food security and improve both the health and livelihoods of resource-poor farmers who make up over 70 per cent of the rural population. Benefits According to the DirectorGeneral, NABDA, Prof. Lucy Jumeyi Ogbadu, signing the bio-safety bill is a milestone in the domestication of modern biotechnology in Nigeria. “It is a giant stride that will allow the country to join the league of countries advanced in the use of this cutting edge technology as another window to boost economic development in Nigeria. It will create more employment, boost food production that will put a smile on the faces of farmers and elevate hunger,” she said. Demerits However, the Chairman/ Managing Director, Global Prolife Alliance, Dr. Philip Njemanze, has said that by signing the biosafety law, the country has surrendered its food security to the dictates of the American Biotechnology conglomerates, Monsanto. “The submission of Nigeria brings to completion the entire Black African

Ogbadu

continent who now are at the mercy of the Biotechnology companies. They would control seeds for all staples foods, including cassava, maize, rice, wheat, sorghum, millet, yam and rice,” he said. According to Njemanze, the biosafety law has been trumped-up by the international biotechnology conglomerates and their national partners at the NABDA. He said: “The Director General, Professor Lucy Ogbadu, said that the bill ‘will provide a regulatory framework in the application of modern biotechnology in Nigeria: The Federal Government of Nigeria, in year 2000, signed and approved the international, binding biosafety protocol known as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. However, there has been little public discussion of the real facts contained in this bill. “The propaganda has been that the so-called Biosafety bill addresses the safe transfer and handling of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s). Does it really do that? Or is it to provide a legal backing for the international biotechnology conglomerates to take over the entire food security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and expose Nigerians to enormous health risks? “The joint committee of the Global Prolife Alliance

(GPA), the Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Ni-

geria (ACMPN), other organisations like the Food Sovereignty and Agrofuels Programme Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of Earth Nigeria (ERA/ FoEN) have also emphasised the risks and the roles played by the biotechnology conglomerates especially the biotechnology company, Monsanto, St Louis, Missouri, USA and the Danforth Foundation, St Louis, Missouri, USA,” he added. The managing director, who noted that legalisation of GMOs in Nigeria was an ‘economic suicide for small farmers’, said: “Because even at one percent contamination with GMOs products would attract a ban of the food products by the European Union, China, Russia and other advanced countries. This means that farmers cannot export even their natural products (contaminated by cross pollination) to earn foreign currency.” “If the future of agriculture in Nigeria is towards the use of GMOs, then it is bleak! The Federal Government’s agricultural reform has gone too wrong! All communities must reject all GMOs seeds and pesticides because they constitute a grave risk to human health,” he added.

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

Price 478-2 364-4 989-6 324.9 31.58 235-0 10.200 501-6 535-6

Change +5-6 +2-6 +11-0 +5.5 +0.24 -2-2 +0.195 +3-4 +6-6

Contract May 15 May 15 May 15 May 15 May 15 May 15 May 15 May 15 May 15

Time(ET) 04/29/15 04/29/15 04/29/15 04/29/15 04/29/15 04/29/15 04/29/15 04/29/15 04/29/15

Price 67.32 115.85 138.35 13.17 2948 24.45 1.3900 0.1345 2941.00 0.6725 258.40

Change +0.70 -2.55 +0.20 -0.08 +24 +0.05 -0.0050 -0.0076 +17.00 +0.0086 +0.50

Contract May 15 May 15 May 15 May 15 May 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 May 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 May 15

Time(ET) 04/29/15 04/29/15 04/29/15 04/29/15 04/29/15 04/29/15 11:26 11:01 10:57 13:03 14:08

Price 151.650 213.750 75.400

Change -0.125 +1.200 +1.625

Contract Jun 15 May 15 May 15

Time(ET) 14:06 14:09 14:00

16.37

unch

May 15

14:10

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

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

Business | Agric

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

BAT gets N740m raw materials from farmers REWARD Three hundred farmers receive gift items Stories by Dele Alao

obacco farmers in Nigeria supplied raw materials worth N740 million to the British American Tobacco Nigeria Limited (BAT), in 2014 financial year. As a result, 300 of the farm-

ers in Oyo State were rewarded with various gift items. The tobacco farmers drawn from 30 farmers’ association in the state, according to a statement, were given new motorcycles, water pumps with accessories, overhead water tanks, including sprayers, for their efforts in last year’s production. Speaking during the public presentation of the items to the beneficiaries at Iseyin, the head of Leaf, BAT Nigeria, Thomas Omofoye, said that the farmers supplied the compa-

ny leave worth N740 million which was higher than the N224 million leaf supplier in 2013 under the company’s leaf growing scheme. He said: “The productivity awards ceremony is a kind of encouragement and to appreciate them better. First, farmers don’t tend to appreciate what they are doing; perhaps they don’t know that farming is actually a business. So, we thought of celebrating them, their activities and their commitment and to ensure that they are actually earning a liv-

ing from farming.” On his part, the Director of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, BAT, Freddy Messanvi congratulated the farmers for their increased efforts in the previous year. “Despite the unforeseen acts of nature, they have defied the odds and delivered once again as always. I urged the farmers to maximise the resources and technical know-how being offered by BAT to continue to improve their yield, increase their income and improve lives,” he said. The Farmers Productivity Awards Scheme is an initiative of the BAT Iseyin Agronomy, a subsidiary of BAT Nigeria, to

train, advice and support the farmers by providing farm inputs and extension services on proven best practice annually. Also speaking, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Anthony Adeniyi, urged the awards recipients to reciprocate the kind gesture of BATN/ Iseyin Agronomy by making use of the equipment given to them to boost efficiency in production. Adeniyi urged other private sector operators and non-governmental operators to take a cue from the efforts of BAT Iseyin Agronomy in the areas of food security and poverty reduction through the development of agriculture.

Rice, cassava cultivation get N1.5bn boost

Rice farm

2,516 Kaduna farmers benefit from agric project

wo thousand five hundred and sixteen farmers have so far benefited from various services under the Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) in Kaduna State. Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Isaac Bodam,who gave the figure during a review meeting of the project, said in a statement that the programme was focused on value chain addition to some major products, including maize, fruits and dairy. “The mandate of commercial agriculture project in the state is to promote and support three value chains, namely: dairy, fruit and maize in the areas of production, processing and marketing. It is, therefore, of interest that the state has done fairly well in the area of maize production with a total of 2,516 farmers as direct beneficiaries that cultivated 12,717 hectares in the past three years. They also recorded an average yield increase from 2.2 tonnes/ha to 3.5 tonnes/ha,” the commissioner said. Bodam, who noted that the gains in the areas of processing and marketing were very limited and expressed the hope that current restructuring of the programme would address that, added: “In the areas of

dairy and fruits value chains, not many of the farmers have benefited.” The commissioner said that 12 rural access roads have been constructed under the project to ease farmers’ access to markets for their products. Also, the Programme Manager, Abdulkadir Kassim, said

that the programme had been restructured and extended by two years to focus more on issues of processing, packaging and marketing. In his remarks, the Task Team Leader, Mr. Adama Toure, said that the review meeting was to discuss with participants to fast-track the programme.

Experts discuss bio-fortification with AU

xperts from Harvest Plus have met with AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Her Excellency, Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, to discuss the need to implement a strong advocacy programme for promoting buy-in, farming and consumption of the biofortified crops, especially among poor farming and urban communities. Harvest Plus is one of the leading research-based, agriculture technology institution, that was established to respond to the problem of ‘hidden hunger’, which is caused by the lack of essential vitamins and minerals

in the diet, such as vitamin A, zinc, and iron, thus reinforcing agriculture’s pivotal role in improving the quality of diet and increasing micronutrient consumption. The experts, Director of Harvest Plus, Dr. Howarth Bouis and it’s Head of Africa Strategic Alliances, Dr. Anna-Marie Ball, in a statement noted that Harvest Plus is a lead research-based, agriculture technology institution that was established to respond to the problem of ‘hidden hunger’, which is caused by the lack of essential vitamins and minerals in the diet.

ultivation of rice and cassava in Nigeria has received N1.5 billion boost from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Small farm owners engaged in the production of rice and cassava in the country are to benefit from the fund. She said the IFAD Country Portfolio Manager, Mrs. Atsoko Toda, said these in Lokoja, Kogi State, during the opening of a two-day workshop on small farm holders’ productivity enhancement component. She said the fund would enable the farmers access to fertilizer and agro chemicals as well as improved cuttings and certified rice seeds. Toda said that part of the money would be used to train the smallholder farmers on sustainable agricultural practices and production techniques. Also, part of the train-

ing, she said, would focus on how to add value to rice and cassava production so as to enhance their income, create wealth and jobs for the youths. The IFAD official in a statement, said that the programme tagged IFADValue Chain Development Programme, would go a long way to achieve food sufficiency for the country. She explained that IFAD decided to focus on rice and cassava because of their capacity to quickly increase the total volume of food available to the people. Toda added that processors would also be encouraged to produce polished and stone-free rice so as to discourage Nigerians from going for imported rice. The programme would be implemented in Anambra, Niger, Ogun, Taraba, Benue and Ebonyi.

Cross River governor-elect promises to revive agric

he newly-elected governor in Cross River State, Senator Benedict Ayade, has promised to revamp the state’s agricultural sector. He said, reviving the sector would ensure massive job creation and food security in the state. In a statement, the governor-elect said that his administration would make agriculture attractive for unemployed youths in the state. “The agricultural sector is very lucrative, but youths have neglected this sector largely because of our inability to create opportunities through incentives for farms. We will give them the needed orientation, empowerment and incentives to enable them go back to farm. The provision of the right business environment for investment in merchandise farming shall be our priority,” he said.

According to him, agriculture provides opportunity for wealth creation and also improves standard of life. “We have large cocoa farms in Cross River and we must partner with the producers to improve cocoa production in the state. We will set up and maintain a farm city where every farmer will specialise in the production of, at least, one type of crop. “Cross River has fertile lands, we produce rice and when it is taken to Ebonyi State for milling, it later becomes Abakaliki rice,” he said. He added that all those leakages would stop as the right people and facilities would be put in place to manage the sector for optimum results. He said: “The same thing goes for our cocoa, it is being taken to Ondo State and when it is being processed and taken abroad, it becomes Ondo cocoa.”

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

Auto Beat

Ford Mustang speed demon

lSprints 100km in 5 secs. Paul Ogbuokiri

ord Motor Company announced on Tuesday that the all-new Ford Mustang will deliver 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in less than 5 seconds - making it the fastest accelerating high-volume Ford model ever offered in Europe. The company also revealed that more than 2,200 customers have ordered an all-new Ford Mustang since the iconic car became available to order across Europe earlier this year. The Ford Mustang - on sale in Europe for the first time in the car’s 50-year history - is available with Ford’s 5.0-litre V8 engine delivering 421 PS and 530 Nm of torque, or the more fuel-efficient 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine delivering 317 PS and 432 Nm of torque. The 5.0-litre V8 fastback model with six-speed manual transmission reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standing start in 4.8 seconds - faster than any Ford in the Europe since the low-volume Ford GT supercar launched in 2005. The Ford Mustang 2.3-litre EcoBoost fastback manual reaches the marker in 5.8 seconds. Ford Mustang drivers can optimise the car’s performance to suit their mood and driving conditions using Selectable Drive Modes, and away from the public highway can use Track Apps to monitor driving performance. Ford Mustang 5.0-litre V8 drivers also can achieve the fastest possible acceleration off the line on the track assisted by Launch Control technology. Mustang also delivers up to 0.97 g-force when cornering. “The new Ford Mustang will be

2015 Ford Mustang

wickedly fast off the line and throw you back in your seat with a thrilling engine soundtrack,” said Hermann Salenbauch, Mustang vehicle line director. “But Mustang isn’t just fast in a straight line. The ride and handling will be a revelation for drivers.” Equipped with Ford’s 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine the new Ford Mustang also delivers up to 8.0 l/100 km (35.3 mpg) fuel efficiency and 179 g/km CO2 emissions.* Fun on road and track Salenbauch said, the all-new Ford Mustang’s high performance engines are supported by a standard Performance Pack that delivers uprated brakes and cooling for high-speed driving. A sophisticated chassis and body structure, and advanced technology, also help optimise driving dynamics to deliver the sporty experience Ford Mustang customers demand.

“Selectable Drive Modes are controlled using toggle switches in the centre console and adjust the AdvanceTrac electronic stability control, throttle response, automatic gear-shift patterns, and steering to match Normal, Sport+, Track or Snow/ Wet settings. Selectable Effort Electric Power Assisted Steering enables drivers to choose a Normal, Comfort or Sport steering weight and feel,” he said. According to him, to help drivers get the most from the car at the track, the Ford Mustang delivers Track Apps that can be controlled via the steering wheel and viewed in the instrument panel, including accelerometer, acceleration timer and brake performance, which measures braking time and distance from a set speed. New Telegraph learnt that the new Ford Mustang is available for the 5.0-litre V8 with manual transmission, the Launch Control system holds the engine with the accelerator fully depressed. When the

clutch is released, torque delivery to the rear wheels is controlled for maximum traction and consistent standing starts. An electronic Line Lock system also available for the 5.0-litre V8 applies only the front brakes, allowing drivers to the warm the rear tyres. Salenbauch said the vehicle uses fully independent suspension front and rear for sporty dynamics and comfort, including integral-link rear suspension that optimises ride comfort and mechanical grip, and double-ball-joint front MacPherson struts that enable large, powerful brakes without affecting steering feel. Classic design and modern equipment According to the Product Communications Manager, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, Minesh Bhagaloo; the new Ford Mustang is available in fastback and convertible bodystyles with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, and features classic design elements including three-dimensional, tri-bar taillamps, signature trapezoidal grille and shark-bite front fascia.

Rolls-Royce launches new Wrath ‘Inspired By Film’ KIA Motors to support Malawi flood victims

olls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled the new Wraith ‘Inspired by Film’ edition, which debuted on April 1 at the 2015 New York Auto Show, and is now available to order for Rolls-Royce customers in Nigeria for a limited time. Wraith ‘Inspired by Film’ celebrates Rolls-Royce’s long heritage in film, with the pinnacle of automotive luxury taking leading roles in movies since the dawn of film-making, featuring in hits such as Goldfinger (1964), The Yellow Rolls-Royce (1964), The Thomas Crowne Affair (1968) and The Great Gatsby (both the 1974 original and its remake in 2013) to name a few. This limited edition also celebrates the acceptance of the ground-breaking Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Wraith launch film, ‘And the World Stood Still’, into the BFI (British Film Institute) National Archive, the world’s most significant collection of film and TV. The film, which won a Gold Award at the 26th International Visual Communications Association (IVCA) Awards, caught the attention of the BFI’s Senior Curator for Non-Fiction Films, Patrick Russell, who considered it a striking piece of contemporary cinematography

and so decided to accept it into the archive. “We are delighted to see Rolls-Royce’s Wraith launch film enter the BFI’s collection,” commented Russell. “We selected it for preservation as it is an outstanding and award-winning example of modern corporate promotional filmmaking. It’s a powerful use of the film medium for product launch purposes, executed with impeccable craftsmanship.” Marc Mielau, Global Head of Marketing, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “It is a great honour to see ‘And the World Stood Still’ accepted into the BFI National Archive. It is testament to Rolls-Royce’s unique position in the public consciousness as the makers of ‘The Best Car in the World’ and the passion, innovation and creativity of the entire team involved.” Coscharis Motors Limited has the exclusive franchise of the Rolls-Royce cars in Nigeria. Having recently won the award as the Best New Dealer in the Middle East Region, the company presently has the new Wraith models amongst others in both its Lagos and Abuja showrooms with after sales support for both existing and new owners of the cars.

IA Motors has joined forces with the Korea-based International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to provide an emergency vaccination programme across the Nsanje district of southern Malawi. KIA will support IVI with the necessary funding to provide 110 000 doses of oral cholera vaccine for 50 000 people in the region, which has been hit by devastating floods. The floods that hit the Nsanje region in January have left 176 people dead and displaced more than 200 000 residents. Malawi President Peter Mutharika declared a state of emergency and has urged the international community to provide assistance. Amid the situation, a growing number of cholera cases have been reported in camps for IDPs (internally displaced persons) and in the surrounding areas. A total of 329 cases have been confirmed since the outbreak began in February, with half of all cases (157) having been recorded in the fortnight since April 10 alone. With mounting concern over for the potential for an epidemic, the IVI and World Health Organisation (WHO) have

deployed cholera vaccines on an emergency basis to prevent the outbreak from spreading, with KIA Motors supporting the vaccination measures. Earlier cholera epidemics among refugees in Haiti in 2010 and South Sudan in 2013 left more than 10 000 dead. Dr. Jerome Kim, Director General of IVI, said, “Since flooding devastated Malawi’s Nsanje region in 2012, we began preparing for a mass vaccination project with the country’s national health authority, using analysis of flooding patterns and cholera outbreaks in Malawi. With this prior preparation, and with crucial funding from KIA Motors, we have been able to provide timely assistance in the wake of the latest floods. The vaccination campaign will contribute significantly to the prevention of cholera throughout the flood-affected areas.” The vaccination campaign is a global CSR initiative that KIA has conducted jointly with IVI, an international organisation established as a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme and WHO, a UN body dedicated to improving health globally.

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SPECIALonREPORT The 8th Senate’s Fresh Generation Godswill Akpabio

Aliyu Wamakko

Jonah David Jang

Stella Adaeze Oduah

Samuel Egwu

Theodore Orji

Mao Ohuabunwa

Uche Lilian Ekwunife

Buruji Kashamu

Jerimiah Useni

Abubakar Kyari

Ben Murrey Bruce

Peter Nwabushi

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

Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

Ahmadu Abubakar

Mohammed Hasan

Isah Hamma Misau

Ibrahim Abdullahi

Muhammad Ubali Shitu

On June 4, 2015, the eighth Senate of the National Assembly will be inaugurated. Of the 109 Senators who will be taking their seats, 73, representing 66 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

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

L-R: Rivers Governor-elect, Mr. Nyesom Wike; Ambassador of Netherlands, Mr. John Groffen and his Secretary, Mr. Maurice Paulussen, during their courtesy visit to Wike in Port Harcourt.

L-R: Business Director, Ogun State, Globacom, Mr. Ayo Ogunranti; Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps, Lagos State, Mr. Cyril Akhanemhe; Business Director, Lagos Division, Globacom, Mr. Kunle Akanmu and Assistant Director, Corps Welfare and Health Services, Mrs. Franca Ifo,, during the commissioning of a generator donated by Globacom to the NYSC Orientation Camp, at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Akin Orebiyi (left), presenting certificate of Return to a Lagos State Assembly Member-elect, Mr. Desmond Elliot in Lagos.

L-R: Director of Finance, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Pastor Michael Oluwole; Executive Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Isaac Ighure and Chaplain, FRCN, Pastor Emmanuel Zakari, at a thanksgiving service for peaceful conduct of 2015 general elections by parastatals of the Ministry of Information in Abuja.

Photo | News

President Goodluck Jonathan (right), congratulating Amb. Abdullahi Shinkafi after his oath of office as Commissioner of the Federal Character Commission in Abuja. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Chief Judge, Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi (middle), with other legal luminaries after the swearing-in of the State Deputy Chief Registrar of the State High Court at the Judiciary Headquarters Awka, Anambra State.

L-R: Best Students Awards, University of Lagos, Anne Ngozi Nlenmu; Tolulope Nwabiani Elemo; Elvis Osamudiamen Ebikade; Korode Fiyinfoluwa Akinpelumi, during the 2013/2014 Session convocation, at the Multipurpose Hall, University of Lagos. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

L-R: Mr. Gbenga Ekundayo; Mr. Henry Amami; Prince Adedamola Fakeye and Dr. Segun Akinlolu, at the official launch of the African Socio-Cultural Ideas Initiative, in Lagos.

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Islam UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH

He proposed to me and his wife is dying QUESTION

Salaam, I am an American woman in the process of converting to Islam. I met an Egyptian man who tells me he loves me very much and wants me to marry him. The problem for me is he has a wife who is dying and he tells me it is ok for us to marry. I have a bad feeling about this and wanted your opinion. I hear and see many married couples as loving each other to the end. Please help me and thank you.

ANSWER Wa alaikum salam dear sister, First, always follow your intuition and feelings. If you have a bad feeling, then investigate where this feeling is coming from. There is the letter of the law, and the spirit of the law. In Islam we strive to submit our will to the will of Allah. If you can find a husband who will support you in this and you can support him in this quest, you will have done well for yourself. The concept of a man having more than one wife is usually strange to a western woman. Yet the western woman will tell you that she is tired of the lies, the games and the disrespect that the “typical” (let’s not generalize western men) western man exhibits. Still, the western man is in a dilemma. Let me give you an example. What of the western man, who has the utmost respect for his honorable wife who has been a very good mother and whom he lived with and supported. Yet, they lived a traditional life, and they have no interest in each other for whatever reason, in a romantic way; they are living separate lives? They will say, “We have grown apart.” They look at each other and say, “Should we divorce?” The woman wants her husband to stay in the family; she does not want divorce because she wants the family system to be intact and her children to have the benefit of the father. Indeed, even if they divorce, the man will still see the children, be a father and in most cases, tend to the needs of the ex-wife. They just lose the house and destroy the children’s inheritance by giving it all to the divorce lawyers. The husband does not want to divorce and give the mother of his children all authority over his income, which is what happens in the western world when a divorce occurs and the wife has been a dependent for 10 years, and she gets alimony and child support. The husband is lonely; the wife gives him a choice: divorce me and give me control over all your earnings, or stay with me and be lonely. In this case, what should the man do? In the west, under these kinds of circumstances, the man usually either takes a mistress and provides very little financial support for her, maybe gives her a little money, but rarely (unless he is very wealthy) does he provide for her, and he does not make any kind of real commitment to her, or, he just goes out and has multiple affairs. Sometimes he keeps this a secret, sometimes not. If he is keeping this a secret, he ends up lying to just about everyone. He makes promises to his secret girlfriend that he will marry her, but rarely does as this requires that he divorces his first wife, in which case, CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

E X H O RTAT I O N

10 Rajab 1436 AH

“THERE SHALL BE NO COMPULSION IN [ACCEPTANCE OF] THE RELIGION. THE RIGHT COURSE HAS BECOME CLEAR FROM THE WRONG. SO WHOEVER DISBELIEVES IN TAGHUT AND BELIEVES IN ALLAH HAS GRASPED THE MOST TRUSTWORTHY HANDHOLD WITH NO BREAK IN IT. AND ALLAH IS HEARING AND KNOWING.” (QUR’AN 2:256)

Obama’s grandmother joins Nigeria’s Muslims, others in Makkah for lesser Hajj TASK Omar challenges global Muslim leaders to remove misconceptions nonMuslims have about Islam Adeola Yusuf

nited States (US) President Barack Obama’s grandmother, Mrs. Sarah Omar has joined over 500, 000 Muslims in Makkah to perform `Umrah, the lesser Hajj. Omar, who arrived Makkah with her son Saeed and grandson Mousa Obama, joined thousands of Nigerians who have also arrived the holy land for the

pilgrimage. Al-Arabiya News reported that Omar and her grandson visited an exhibition in Makkah on the life of Prophet Muhammad, (peace be upon him). Highly impressed by their two hour visit, Omar told Al-Arabiya News that she was “very happy to visit this exhibition, which is a good example for the propagation of Islam in a modern way, supported by scientific and authentic documents.” She further stated to Arab News that, the arrangements and facilities provided by the Saudi government in Makkah and Madinah for the pilgrims were excellent; adding that she hoped the exhibition would visit other countries in order

to remove misconceptions nonMuslims have about Islam. Barack Obama, who describes himself as a proud follower of the Trinity United Church of Christ, is the son of a Muslimturned-atheist Kenyan father and a white American mother who did not practice religion. Omar, 93, who lives in Kenya and is active in charity work, became a national celebrity when her grandson visited the country in 2006. Her modest homestead has become a tourist attraction since President Obama was elected as America’s first ever black president in 2008. It was not Omar’s first visit to Makkah; in an interview with Al-Watan newspaper during

Obama’s grandmother, Sarah Omar, (sitting) with Saudi officials during her lesser Hajj in Makkah

Hajj in 2010, she recalls praying to God to guide her grandson, Barack, to Islam. Unlike Hajj, or major pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam that can only be performed during the month of Dhul Hijjah, (the 12th month of the Muslim calendar), Ùmrah can be performed any time of year. The word Ùmrah means visiting or attending. Ùmrah is an act of worship. Allah Almighty says, “Perform the Hajj and Ùmrah for Allah…” (Al-Baqarah 2:196). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have performed Ùmrah after the treaty of Hudaybiyah, thereafter, he explained to other followers how it should be performed. To begin the performance of Ùmrah is to enter the city of Makkah with ihram (a sacred state), and the intention of making Ùmrah, before crossing the pilgrimage boundary, known as miqat, by performing the cleansing rituals and wearing the prescribed attire. Upon entering the Holy city, pilgrims then perform circumambulation (tawaf) around the Ka`bah, then perform saì between the two small mountains of Safa and Marwa, and finally to shave the head or have a haircut; a woman cuts her hair from the ends of the hair the length of a finger tip. This was the ancient practice from the time of Prophet Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him). Its purpose is to allow Muslims to visit the city of Makkah during the year whenever possible. It is to keep the Ka`bah visited not only during the Hajj but to keep it visited by Muslims throughout the year.

Conduct public finance on Islamic teachings, clerics task in-coming government Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

n Islamic cleric and professor of Arabic and Islamic studies at Ekiti state University, Ado Ekiti, Musa Adeshina Abdulraheem, has also admonished incoming administration to conduct public finance in line with Islamic teachings of fiscal prudence This, the University don said, would help them to deal with corruption in all ramifications. He gave the counsel in Abuja during a two day workshop on linking good public finance management with Islam teachings organized by Centre for Social Justice (CJS). “There are laws in this country

that encourage people to be transparent, abhor corruption and live up to the guidelines, expectations expected of various offices. However, many of us are found wanting. The Centre for Social Justice has come up with this manual to use religion as a means of creating awareness in people. This is a country that is very religious- is either you are a Muslim or a Christian,” he said. He advised incoming Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to strive by upholding probity, accountability and transparency, virtues he said Nigerians expect of his government. “We would like incoming president and government to observe where outgoing government has made some mistakes especially in

the fight against corruption and try to amend. Go out and stamp corruption because if they fail do so, people will draw comparison. Corruption is the bane of this country, it retards progress”, he said. Speaking in an interview with New Telegraph, workshop Convener and Director of CSJ, Barrister Eze Onyepkere said the workshop was part of wider programmes designed to involve faith based groups in the struggle for improvement of fiscal government, transparency and value for money. “We noticed that all humans’ laws are written in line with religious and moral doctrines. If you look at the Bible, the ten commandments is almost a replication of most society‘s laws today. We note that majority of Nigerians are

either a Muslim or a Christian who attends mosque on Friday or church on Sunday. “These people belonging to these groups are at the same time leading Nigerians. We then ask ourselves that why corruption is still this pervasive in our polity if the leaders are people of great faith? Why are we not having value for money? Why is economy being mismanaged? “The whole idea is to point out to Nigerians that, what we have in our constitution like don’t steal, don’t be corrupt is also replicated in the morals teaching. The laws of Muslim and Christian forbids what the normal laws forbids and a such we came up with the idea of producing this manual and using it to ensure good governance.”

Feminique NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

Ajala: We empower youths for change Taizir Ajala is the CEO of Gordon Barrett, a Human Resources and Sustainability company. An alumna of the prestigious IVLP in the US, Ajala also sits on the board of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 women initiative. In this chat with EBERE AMEH, she said, among other things, thwat to solve the problem of unemployment, we must be realistic and pragmatic in our approach to building and sustaining institutions that would absorb young Nigerians

f there would be one sentence to describe Taizir Ajala, it would be that ‘she is a graceful and brilliant serial entrepreneur with a bias for the youths’. Despite her stake in different businesses, Ajala established Gordon Barrett, a HR & Sustainability company with offices in Lagos & Abuja to facilitate change and ensure improvement in the overall business process. With a focus on key areas of Sustainability, HR Diagnosis, Outsourcing, Soft & Hard Skill Training, Consulting and recruitment, their working experience cuts across multifaceted sectors such as Hospitality, Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Construction, Transportation and Government. Recently, she started a partnership with renowned international players in articulate processes for employment and assessment. “Gordon Barrett is a resource management firm maximizing sustainable growth by providing innovative human capital strategies. Our mission is to facilitate change and ensure improvement in the overall business process of our clients through providing value on human capital management, development and sustainability – which is the fundamental reason of our existence. Our footprint covers Africa and our main focus is Africa.” Graciously and diligently Ajala has managed to break through the bureaucratic/economic barriers and proffer sustainable solutions to organizations and unemployment challenges in Nigeria by initiating Successful Youth Empowerment Programs. “In the last four years Gordon Barrett has partnered with the United States Consulate General both in Lagos and Abuja, Lagos

EBERE AMEH ebere.ameh@newtelegraphonline.com

State Government, Yabatech and NYSC to develop sustainable programs for over 5000 young Nigerians, facilitating their journeys into entrepreneurship and effective career paths accordingly. “Youth empowerment is a key driver for sustainable economic growth, This is why we have a focus on youth strategic initiatives. Our success stories have kept us consistently committed to empower our tenacious youths to get gainful employment and start up entrepreneurship paths. “Our intention is to consistently provide strategic HR Partnerships with our clients by creating validity, efficiency, and performance through a framework of successful people management. We do these by supporting our client’s build an innovative and creative team with practical industry knowledge. Our clients have seen positive impact in value added services that can be developed and facilitated by a motivating an innovative team.” The tremendous successes of Gordon Barrett are also facilitated by its partnership with a world renowned player, HR Diagnostics AG. This has helped in the reduction of the cumbersome and the seeming inarticulate nature of the employment and assessment process. “Our partner, HR Diagnostics AG applies the Science of Psychology and sophisticated IT-Technology to Identify, to match and to manage human talent. We partner with them for the integration of recruitment management, human resource selection, and skills analysis and performance evaluation/analysis. Their team of psychologists and IT specialists guarantees the use of leading-edge technology and scientifically sound psychological methods. “Gordon Barrett’s partnership with HR Diagnostics AG, that has worked for world class companies, is quite revolutionary for the Nigerian market. It significantly reduces the time consuming nature of recruitment and more importantly it reduces cost of recruitment by a huge margin,” Ajala explained. Ajala plans to launch CAIDANCE, a new service to bridge the skills gap employers constantly complain about. “This assessment CAIDANCE

earned its name from “Career” and “Guidance”. It is an assessment that flips the normal process on the labor market to choose from x candidates for 1 job into x job options for 1 person. We focus on individual strengths, resources, and interests and match those with job requirements of a broad range of different jobs, professions and areas of occupation. This approach allows focus on individual’s options rather than being limited to current staff vacancies. “The CAIDANCE system is a living system, it allows forward and backward matching of jobs to candidates and vice versa and allows to nearly instantly, adding new jobs to the matching algorithm. “We would implement this assessment shortly and would allow high volume assessment of individual resources and to match those with market requirements, Additionally, it can be used to describe local employment markets on a very qualitative way of resource related to the world of work,” she said. From her wealth of experience, Ajala proffered suggestions for effectively addressing unemployment in Nigeria, insisting that if we build human capacity in the areas of utilizing our resources, we would have no business with unemployment, poverty or even receiving funds from international donor agencies to solve our challenges. “Nigeria is a country that is phenomenally endowed with rich human and natural resources. Personally I believe that we must now be realistic and pragmatic in our approach to building and sustaining institutions that would absorb our energetic young Nigerians. When I say realistic and pragmatic, I mean let’s utilize the resources we have – there are lots of senior citizens in all the communities across Nigeria, who have been trained by the Government and also served in various capacities. I have had cause to interact with some of them who have such brilliant minds because they possess education, exposure and experience and I can tell you for a fact, that the senior citizens would be more than willing to add value if given the opportunity. “In the light of the above, we should focus on resources by states

Ajala

Private sector should align their operations to fit the various disciplines from our universities

and get young people involved in building capacity to drive revenue to the states and also have senior citizens act as mentors to guide effectively. “Private sector should align their operations to fit the various disciplines from our universities. “We should revitalize our city and guilds to develop capacity in construction, technology, tourism, entertainment, agriculture and more. “Also, there is need of for us to adopt and tweak the German apprenticeship model to fit the existing realities or dynamics of the Nigerian economy. The Germans are known for building highly sought after quality products such as luxurious cars, high-end appliances and missioncritical industrial equipment,” Ajala enumerated. A Certified Sustainability Practitioner, highly skilled in Sustainability Strategies, GRI G4 Reporting, human resource management, needs assessment, strategic planning and business process diagnostics, Ajala maintains a high standard of professionalism and have been recognized for prudent management resources for over a decade. She is an alumna of both the Pan African University and the prestigious IVLP in the United States, where she represented Nigeria as part of the global Change Makers group. She is a member of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel Development UK) and ASTD (American Society for Training and Development - USA). She sits on the board of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 women initiative and is a Director at PetroCarbon Energy and Agroatlantique. Though she is a high flier who has done well for herself in the corporate world, she describes herself as a modest young lady with firm family values and unfailing faith in the Almighty.

Feminique

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Don’t rush into that marriage L ook well, well, before you leap. Which is the best way for you to do that? Premarital counselling. Yes, you have fallen in love. And you have found your life long partner. The one you want to spend the rest of your life with. For better, for worse, until death separates you. But you need to be aware of one very important fact. Marriage is not a bed of roses. Same as life. Same for Love. You need to work hard and continuously to make it work. Gone are those days when Love conquers it all. Gone are those days when the Man is the Alfa and Omega of the house. Both parties must devote, Time, Energy and Love into it. There are too many pot holes (apart from the witches and wizards) out there now, created for your marriage to fail. Premarital counselling was not needed in the days of our fathers and forefathers. The wife was only to be seen and not to be heard. And if it was a muslim home she could only be seen if she covers herself from head to toe. With hand gloves, socks and eye slits through the cloth for her to see. Well those days are gone and gone forever. The women’s lib are happy, but definitely not all the women and men. Some still believe in well defined places for both men

and women. No cross carpeting as in our Nigerian parties. Oh sorry, I forgot. That law allows the Man to cross carpet at random. After all he is the man. Surprisingly, a very large percentage of couples, never did premarital counselling. The percentage is as high as 95%. That is why a lot of marriages are collapsing very fast nowadays. Divorces and Separations galore on a daily basis. Even those who are still together are husbands and wives in name only. Either the religion, the families, the children or finances, or all combined are still making the marriages wobble and fumble along. The fights that go on daily in and outside those homes are unbelievable. The stress, sorrow, tears and even blood that are shed in other to keep the marriage going, or avoid the so called embarrassment of divorce is unbelievable. Extramarital affairs galore from both parties. Some are done clandestinely, whilst others are done quite openly. Sometimes even to the knowledge, connivance and support of their children. Seriously, I have come across cases where the couples have confessed that their children have been acting as couriers between them and their lovers. The

socially and economically? The second, flows from the first. If they are not, then it is better for them to agree to disagree and still be friends. But if they are, then the serious work of counselling on how to make the marriage work starts. But the most important and crucial step is to find a pre and marriage counsellor. There are three types also. The unqualified semi and fully qualified. The first consists of parents, friends, relatives, and colleagues. Their wealth of experience is limited mostly to their personal experiences. And in most cases, their counselling is wrong, most likely to mislead you and make your marriage fail. Unfortunately, this is the most vociferous and has the largest crowd. To be contd.

Fadeyi

other party is always to be blamed. What then is premarital counselling? It is simply defined as counselling for couples about to tie the wedding knot. It consists of three major areas. The first and the most important is this. Are they compactible, medically,

Dr. Taiwo Fadeyi is a Western trained medical practitioner and one of the very few certified Sexologists in Nigeria. He is also a marriage counsellor and would be bringing his immense knowledge and experience to bear in writing this column. Make it a date with him every Friday for that expert advice on sex and relationship. He can be reached on drtaiwofadeyi@gmail. com or 08033148899 (sms only).

Ego: Diary of a single mom

George surfaces on Saturday Ebere Ameh

obi was moody the greater part of last week but the promise to bake together and a visit to his father on Saturday, lightened his mood. Baking is one of his favourite culinary activities. In the course of the baking I took time to explain to him why it can’t be his daddy again. Whether his claim to have understood is so I don’t change my mind or he really did is unimportant to me for now. What is important is that he has concurred and we are speaking with one voice. I almost reneged on my promise to visit Segun with them. What with their excitement and incessant reminders. My plan was so they could see his wife and appreciate the fact that he has moved on and I should too. But they were not getting it. Anyway, our visit posed more surprises than I had envisaged. Instead of a happily married Segun playing with his wife and child to spite me, we met a lonely and broken Segun. His wife had just left him a day before and our visit was like a soothing balm as he appreciated for the first time, all the sacrifices I had to make to make our marriage work and asked me to back into his life again. “Ego, thank God you are here. I had wanted to come but God works in mysterious ways,” he said, making towards me after a long embrace and a little tête-à-tête with his children. I took some steps backwards confused at what had come over him. Apparently, he wanted to have a word with me in the living room while the children played with his parrots in the cage outside. It was then it occurred to me that

those men that killed their wives were always at their best before they committed the murder. Is he planning something funny? I thought of what to do when I saw his cricket bat leaning on the wall close by. I will break his head if he tries anything funny, I told myself. But to my surprise, Segun was on his knees in no time. I have always known that he can be impetuous and at best romantic when he wants, but I was not in the mood for any of those pranks. “…I know I have wronged you, but please find a place in your heart to forgive me. I want us to put the past behind us and come back together for the sake of our children. Please Ego..” he wanted to continue.

“Please, don’t even go there,” I retorted. “I don’t know what you are talking about but I think I need to remind you that we are divorced for good. Go reconcile with your wife for I have moved on a long time ago,” I added, pushing him out of my way to go outside. “For your information,” I turned back to say, “Your children just came to check on you and I can see you are doing very well,” I taunted as I stormed out of the room in a huff. Bemused at the short stay and my angry demeanor, the children obediently entered the car only to bombard me with questions to know happened. I would be stupid to tell them the truth; they will jump at the offer and pester me to agree so I prevaricated a number of times.

At home, an even bigger surprise awaited us. George my one time driver who got a job in Port Harcourt came visiting. When Ekaete ran out to tell us he was around, I didn’t understand what she was saying because though we have chatted online on a number of occasions, I wasn’t expecting him. He was quite close to the children while he was working for me and they excitedly rushed in to welcome him. He has undergone such a tremendous change that I would have needed him to introduce himself again if we had met outside. The contact of his well-trimmed moustache sent shivers through my spine when he kissed my hand. Though nothing really happened between us while he was here, I noticed that we were developing a soft spot for each other before he left. Our online chats were more on his work, but we went flirtatious at times. I always teased him to mind his girlfriend whenever he made some suggestive comments. He looked right into my eyes as if he noticed my tingly feeling and said in a very warm tone, I missed you dearly. Well, one good thing about his visit was that he bought lots of interesting stuffs for the children that they forget what transpired in their father’s house. Always stealing a glance at me, he said he forgot my present at his hotel room. He left after having dinner with us; but not without a promise from me to come fetch the gift from his hotel room the next day as he would be too busy to come.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

Crime

A suspect with nine lives Juliana Francis

How long have you been into this crime? I’ve done it about 10 times. We started last year.

hree gunmen in police uniform, on February 20, 2014, snatched an accused fraudster, Princewill Arinze Nwobodo alias Eze, 65, from a prison warder at the Igbosere area of Lagos State. The incident occurred around 1:30pm. The gunmen appeared from nowhere, snatched Nwobodo, bundled him into a Honda Accord Saloon car with unknown registration number and vanished. Till date, nobody knew the security agency that assisted Nwobodo to thwart justice. Nwobodo had been charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for obtaining $92,000 under false pretence. The trial was on-going when he disappeared. Rather than repent after his escape, he had gone ahead to carve a niche for himself in crime. This present arrest by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Police Command, would be the fourth time he had been arrested. He had been arrested by the EFCC, Special Fraud Unit, Zone II Police and twice by the SARS, Ikeja. But like a cat with nine lives, Nwobodo had always managed to land back on his feet. While chatting with our correspondent, the suspect, who goes by several alias, declared: “I’ll never come back to SARS again in Jesus name!” Nwobodo, a father of five, was alleged to have houses spread across the nation, including a hostel in Edo State. He goes about in a tinted car, fitted with a radio base, where police radio messages are intercepted. The car also has siren which blares whenever he is on the road. Nwobodo is not much of a talker, but he gives more insights about himself and why he is called a senator below; What brought you here? I was arrested on February 26, 2015, on allegation of collecting funds from operators of a bureau de change. How do you guys operate? We make calls to bureau de change operators that we want to buy dollars.

JULIANA FRANCIS CRIME Editor

juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

How much have you made from it? If I’m not mistaken, it should be running to $700,000. The money doesn’t go to me alone. We share it. How did you get into this business? I’ve been into international transaction for long. I had a bureau de change operator as a friend called Hamza. He is late now. I gave him 1.4 million dollars to pay into his account. I was the person that spear-headed the payment into his account. When Hamza received the money, he lied that the money did not enter his account. I went through pains over the issue of that money. Are you on a revenge mission then? Yes! It’s because of that major pain. Where did you meet Bassey Williams Ekpenyong? I met him here at SARS. About four years ago. Where are other gang members? Everybody is here. Are you the leader? Yes. How many property do you have? I have a hotel, house and university hostel. Does your wife know what you do? I have five children; my wife doesn’t know anything about this. How do you explain the millions to her? She knows I was into international business.

Arinze (Nwobodo)

When the operator comes with the dollars, there would be a way to frighten him. Our members would come, dressed in EFCC vests. Once they see these supposed EFCC men, they would be scared because most of them don’t have licences to operate. If the supposed EFCC operatives come in, what happens next? We make an arrest, since the operator had already come with the dollars to the agreed venue. Who makes the arrest? Our members that put on the EFCC vests; while pretending that we want to buy dollars, our guys in the EFCC vests would appear and bring out handcuffs to arrest the operator. How do you profit from such a scam? The operator had already brought the dollars to us. Our gang members make an arrest. The person who brought the dollar would be arrested.

How do you make money? The operator is already with the dollar. When we arrest him, we confiscate the money from him and then allow him to go. Usually after arrest, we pretend we are taking him to the EFCC office. They would start begging. We allow them to go, but without all the money. How do you get the phone numbers of the operators? There are millions of bureau de change operators in the country. Getting their phone numbers is not a difficult feat. Do they have directory? As far as I’m concerned, getting their phone numbers is not a difficult process. But I don’t even have any? If you walk on the road and you want one million phone numbers of bureau de change operators, you’ll get it!

Does she know that you are into fraud? She got to know after I was arrested first. What was her reaction? She actually advised me against such. She never knew I went back to it. How many times have you been arrested? I’ve had cases with the EFCC and the police at Zone II. It was the issue of me buying a car. I didn’t complete the payment because of some reasons. Zone II transferred the case to SARS. When we settled it, I was released. What did you do that made EFCC arrest you? It was an allegation of fraud. What happened? My account was traced to some fund with other people and I was arrested at Abuja. How much was that? C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 2

Crime

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Trouble looms as women strip in protest against terror Wole Shadare

rouble is looming at the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Shopping Complex, Mile 2, Lagos State and nobody, especially law enforcement agents, appear ready to corral it before it blows out of proportion. For years now, traders at the market have been battling a man, Alhaji Saheed Abiola, otherwise known as Zyad 1 Ultimate, with his army of thugs. The traders have written series of petitions to the Police, Lagos State Government and even the State’s Task Force, but no serious and lasting solution had been found and the cold war continues to rage, with Abiola getting the upper hand. Sick and tired of being terrorised by the man and his thugs, women traders in the market, on April 27, 2015, stripped to their brassieres and underwear and took to the streets, chanting solidarity songs against tyranny and oppression. Although Abiola is not a member of the executives of the market, he had, however, allegedly arrogated much power to himself, assisted by his thugs. The traders in the market said that one of the crimes the man was best known for was ordering his thugs to strip traders and flog them publicly to serve as deterrent to others. Abiola was said to have so cowed many of the traders, that they treat him as a thingod. Those who dared to confront him, pay dearly for their effrontery. They were often visited by Abiola’s armed thugs. One of the traders fumes: “We can no longer do our businesses in the market for fear of being attacked by thugs loyal to Abiola. The men among us have refused to join the protest for fear of being beaten by Abiola’s thugs. These thugs used to pounce on any trader who dares to challenge him.” The Babaloja General of the market, Alhaji Abass Gbola Yusuf, said that Abiola with his thugs had been terrorising the market for long, adding that most traders in the market were now too scared to open their shops. Yusuf said: “Abiola is not a member of the executives of the market but he goes about terrorising mar-

Abiola

One of the protesting traders

ket men and women. Anyone who tries to challenge him is always thoroughly flogged by his boys. Abiola has become notorious! He used to order his boys to flog even old men and women who dares to challenge his authority in the market.” The woman leader and the Iyaloja of the market, Mrs. Catherine Omotoyosi Awhidhire, said that Abiola sent his thugs to beat her up, inflicting injuries on her back and breast. She said: “He has now taken to flogging puny, aged traders, not caring about their frail health and bodies. He used to boast that he has the police in Festac in his pocket and that nobody would be able to do anything to him. He used to drop names of important people to further cow

the traders. He’s mostly fond of dropping Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s name!” She said that the executives of the market had asked Abiola to leave all the market affairs in their hands, but rather than obey, he suddenly took to selling traders’ shops illegally. She added: “We’ve written petitions to Alausa on the matter. We’ve also reported the matter to the Iyaloja General of Lagos State, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo. She assured us that she would look into the matter. We however had not heard from her. Thus we continue to live in fear. Even as I’m speaking with you right now, the power supply to my shop had been disconnected on the orders of Abiola. We just want the state gov-

ernment to come to our assistance. We’re tired of this terrorism and terrorist!” Stating his own side of the story, Abiola said that all the allegations made by Yusuf and Awhidhire were untrue. He said: “Babaloja and other traders are only envious of me because of the way I have been generating money. I’m not among the executives of the market, but I’m a major stakeholder in this market!” On the allegation that he moves around with thugs who assist him in terrorising traders, Abiola, said that he had never terrorise anybody, challenging Ahwidirhe to mention those who had beaten her and other traders. Abiola said: “She should know those who beat her up. I did not disconnect her power supply. It was those in charge of the power supply that disconnected it. They did so because she owes them.” Abiola admitted that he came to the market as someone who used to carry bags of rice for traders and buyers, adding that he took over the market leadership when he realised things were not going well. “Since I assumed leadership of the market, things have started moving on well,” he stated. The man denied ever flogging any trader. According to him, people who were sympathetic to him possibly carried out the assault on the traders.

‘I’ll never be re-arrested in Jesus name’ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 1

down here. It was the same thing now.

It was an allegation. It was $124 million. I attempted to move the money into a person’s account, but I didn’t know where the person was moving the money from. Four years ago, you were arrested. You claimed to be a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Back then you claimed the allegation was false. You never looked remorseful. But today, you look remorseful. What happened? There is nothing different with what happened then and now. The crimes are similar. I look remorseful now because of my age and my personality. It’s unfortunate that issues of this nature would be happening. I was arrested at Abuja and brought

Are you a senator? I’m not. I’m not even related to the popular Senator Jim Nwobodo. Nwobodo is just ordinary name in Enugu State. This is your second time at SARS. Do you plan to come back here again? To be candid, nobody would like to come to SARS; it’s not my portion in Jesus name!

when I arrived at the court seven times, nobody came. I was granted bail. I went to court again and nobody came to court. So you went back to what you do? I have a lot of responsibilities. I have children. It’s not like I wake up on the street and started defrauding people. There were other things I do. I’m a committed husband.

Were you ever charged to court? Yes, I was charged to court.

What other things do you do? I’m a businessman. I’m into hospitality. I travel to do businesses. I invest in businesses.

Were you convicted? No! After a while in court, my lawyer signed for my bail because nobody was taking me to court. And

What’s your total share so far from these scams? I have made like over $200,000 dollars.

Why do you intercept police messages? Police came to my house and found police walkie-talkies. To be candid, it has nothing to do with impersonation of the police or intercepting police messages. I used them six years ago for politics. Since then, I’ve kept them. Even the batteries are dead. I had no intention to intercepting the police messages because I and the police had nothing in common. I have friends in the Senate, governors and local council. I was supporting politicians and I’m a stakeholder. Would it be correct to say that you associated with politicians because you know they’ll take your bail once you’re arrested? I’ve never called any politician to any police station! I’m not a professional trouble maker! If I was, I would have been to SARS seven times. I don’t pray to come back here.

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

STABILITY Naira has been stable in the interbank market Stories by Tony Chukwunyem

ith the naira on a downward trend at the Bureaux De Change and parallel markets, analysts at FBN Capital Research have predicted that the assumption of power by the Presidentelect, Muhammadu Buhari, and his All Progressive Congress (APC) party in the next few weeks may not compel the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to change its policy on the exchange rate. In a note made available to the New Telegraph, the firm stated that even though the financial markets have generally reacted positively to the election of Buhari, there are no indications that the CBN is considering tinkering with its policy on the exchange rate as a result of a change in government. The experts noted: “All Nigerian financial asset prices have recovered since the election victory of Muhammadu Buhari on 28 March. The markets are

CBN’s stance on naira unlikely to change under Buhari – FBN Capital Foreign reserves fall to $29.5bn giving the winning APC the benefit of the doubt although we have to wait for the new ministers and policies until the end of May. In the short term, we see an improvement in security, some high-profile steps on governance and a few quick wins on the fiscal side. More substantial measures are expected in Q4 in the new budget. “The CBN has achieved stability by squeezing liquidity and with its administrative measures. Demand for fx may have eased due to its increased cost. There are no signs that the CBN is ready to abandon its strategy of defending a level through selective intervention. The APC might favour a change in direction but would have to overcome the official mindset in favour of the status quo. “ Significantly, FBN Capital also predicted that oil prices are unlikely to recover sufficiently enough in the short to medium term to probably make the apex bank reassess

Interbank rates stable on budget, matured treasury bills

nterbank rates held steady at 6 per cent on average yesterday, unchanged from last week, following an increase in cash flow to the banking system from budgetary allocations and retired treasury bills. Traders said about N284 billion was injected into the system from budgetary allocations to government agencies, while an additional N227 billion was paid out in matured government debt, boosting liquidity and keeping interest rates at a lower level. “The system was very liquid and many banks had sufficient cash to support their transactions this week,” one dealer said. Traders said though the

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) made frantic efforts to mop up excess funds from the interbank market by selling about N828 billion worth of Treasury bills, the market remained sufficiently liquid to keep the interbank rate low. “We expect the system liquidity to open on Monday at around N600 billion,” another dealer said. The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) closed at 6 percent, same level last week, same for overnight placement, traders told Reuters news. Dealers said rates should remain unchanged next week, unless the central bank takes action by mopping up excess liquidity.

Union Bank grants N4bn loan to PNG Gas

nion Bank of Nigeria Plc has signed a N4 billion agreement to finance Egboama Gas Plant owned by PNG Gas Limited. According to a statement issued by the bank, the loan facility will provide the required funding for the refurbishment and upgrade of gas plant located in Delta State. Commenting on the agreement, the Executive Director, Corporate Banking at Union Bank, Mr. Emeka Okonkwo said: “Union Bank is pleased to be supporting PNG with the financing of Egboama plant, which is expected to produce about 101 tons of liquefied petroleum gas per day. This project will no doubt enhance

efforts towards increasing domestic utilisation of gas in the country and reducing dependence of oil.” In addition to producing 101 tons of liquefied petroleum gas per day, the Egboama gas plant is also expected to produce 38 tons of propane gas per day, 750 barrels of natural gas liquids as well as 25 million standard cubic feet of lean gas per day. The lean gas according to he statement, would be piped into the national gas grid to support power generation. “Union Bank is a key player in oil and gas financing and is resolute in promoting and developing industries in the sector as part of its transformation programme,” the statement added.

5.0 per cent this year, picking up thereafter on fiscal reform domestically and firmer global growth.” In a related development, the CBN announced yesterday that the country’s forex reserves fell 1 per cent to $29.5billion by April 28, from $29.8 billion a month earlier. The reserves were down 22.6 percent year-on-year when they stood at $38.14 billion. The CBN uses the forex re-

its stance on the naira. The new government is unlikely to be rescued fiscally by the oil price. We see an end-year spot price for Bonny Light of US$65/b and some softness ahead relative to current levels. The signals from the shale oil industry in the US are mixed,” the firm stated. FBN Capital also stated: “Consumer confidence has been dented by the two devaluations. We see growth at

serves to support the naira in the wake of falling global oil prices. Although the naira has remained stable on the interbank market, exchanging at N199 to the dollar since February 18 this year when the regulator, as part of measures to bolster the local currency, scrapped the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) window, it has resumed its decline at the BDCs and parallel markets after initially appreciating in the aftermath of the peaceful elections.

Ecobank floats ‘Advantage Banking Service’ cobank Nigeria has un- vice Lounge in Lagos last Tues- Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. E veiled “Advantage Bank- day, Deputy Managing Director, Kingsley Umadia, said the viing”, a dedicated service for Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Anthony sion to create Advantage Bankthe mass affluent and upwardly mobile segment of society. According to a statement issued by the lender, “Advantage Banking by Ecobank offers convenience and ease in carrying out banking transaction for customers within the category. The Advantage Banking initiative, which suggests the redefinition of banking service in Nigeria is characterised by the design of special products that suit the life style of people within the segment. This would make banking much simpler, friendlier, more engaging and more personalised.” Unveiling an Advantage Ser-

Okpanachi, said Advantage Banking Service is an extension of the bank’s strategy to offer its customer dedicated banking service across all customer type. According to Mr. Okpanachi, Advantage Banking Service is designed in such a way to “ensuring our customers get the quality of service they desire. We have a bouquet of lifestyle enriching products available to address their day-to-day banking needs. We provide them a dedicated relationship manager, who follows them, providing all their banking needs where ever they may be or in whatever they do.” Also speaking, Executive

ing Service by Ecobank follows continuous interaction with the average bank customer in Nigeria, which reveals the dire need to personalise engagement with the individual. He emphasised that the customer would rather be treated as a separate entity having his/her individual and peculiar needs resolved in a tailor made fashion to get maximum satisfaction and endearment to the brand. Mr. Umadia emphasised that Advantage Banking by Ecobank is about building a rewarding partnership with customers by meeting their financial, investment and lifestyle needs.

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

N14,737,618.7m N16,509,472.5m 8 0.0000 12 10.899 7.96 17.01 US$109.9 US$29,505,155,296

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 2/5/2014 1/20/2014 11/6/2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 1/20/2014 28/4/2015 Source:CBN

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

Business | Financial Market News

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

30-Apr-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 98.31 600.00 524.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 279.50

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

1.30 1.99 2.24 2.34 3.08 4.16 4.48 4.79 6.75 8.87 13.58 14.06 14.56 15.23 19.22

14.01 14.09 14.08 14.08 14.06 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.11 14.06 16.74 17.14 17.60 15.51 14.09

13.88 14.00 14.00 14.00 13.93 13.94 13.93 13.96 14.04 14.00 16.68 17.07 17.50 15.44 14.04

98.84 101.71 92.05 90.83 91.81 106.00 77.16 105.01 109.65 100.64 90.76 75.54 52.72 68.07 87.17

98.99 101.86 92.20 90.98 92.11 106.30 77.46 105.31 109.95 100.94 91.06 75.84 53.02 68.37 87.47

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,582.44

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,231.29

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.07 1.05 1.61 1.97 2.18

2.63 2.27 2.00 2.69 2.85

13.32 16.71 16.04 16.77 16.93

99.08 100.56 99.89 100.03 96.35

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.38

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

319.65

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.34

4.44

17.34

98.36

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.42

3.23

16.38

98.63

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.69

4.46

18.27

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.69

3.48

17.29

98.82

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.97

1.31

15.39

91.11

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

97.33

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.23

1.00

15.27

98.33

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.67

1.79

15.86

96.02

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

2.05

1.80

15.89

96.87

Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

2.06

1.00

15.09

98.14

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.04

1.00

15.09

98.99

Bb-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.04

4.78

18.87

92.37

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.24

1.00

15.08

100.68

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

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

2.67 4.56 2.64

1.00 1.00 1.00

15.07 15.04 15.07

100.83 98.24 99.33

BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

10.78

10-Oct-20

3.18

1.00

15.05

99.27

Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.58

1.00

15.08

94.14

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.67

1.00

15.09

99.62

‡ /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

3.33

1.44

15.49

97.57

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.36

1.00

15.05

99.82

98.87

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

452.88 437.36

Corporate Bonds BBB+/Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.30

1.00

13.80

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.36

1.00

13.98

99.30

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.44

2.63

15.85

99.24

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.42

1.00

15.11

97.37

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.49

1.34

15.38

98.54

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.42

1.00

15.08

95.89

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.44

1.88

15.97

103.22

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

5.40

09-Apr-18

1.69

1.00

15.05

101.33

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.54

09-Sep-18

1.86

1.00

15.07

104.39

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.70

09-Sep-18

1.86

1.00

15.07

101.35

A+/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.40

3.00

17.05

92.34

BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.10

18-Oct-18

1.97

2.29

16.37

98.98

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

2.05

6.11

20.20

96.60

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.67

2.16

16.23

99.49

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.54

2.76

16.84

94.39

A/GCR

UBA

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021

30-Dec-14

16.45

30.50

30-Dec-21

6.67

1.13

15.25

104.83

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.42

1.00

15.29

83.45

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.42

1.00

15.29

89.95

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

161.53

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

157.34

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.79

1.00

15.06

89.21

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

15.05

85.53

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 21.78

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

5.26

5.07

107.26

108.25

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.31

4.01

102.41

103.31

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.57

5.43

105.25

106.20

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

1,574.57

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

6.50

4.12

100.98

103.41

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.34

99.80

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

10.40

9.47

91.09

93.35

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

7.39

6.90

95.76

97.24

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.98

97.50

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

10.79

10.13

93.43

95.49

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

8.74 10.63 9.07

8.74 10.20 9.07

97.21 93.94 94.15

97.21 95.80 94.15

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.16

9.81

92.75

94.25

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,650.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,507.78

**Treasury Bills^ DTM 7 14 21 35 42 56 63 70

FIXINGS Maturity 7-May-15 14-May-15 21-May-15 4-Jun-15 11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 2-Jul-15 9-Jul-15

Bid Discount (%) 4.11 8.96 12.58 10.64 11.85 11.40 11.87 10.25

Offer Discount (%) 3.86 8.71 12.33 10.39 11.60 11.15 11.62 10.00

Bid Yield (%) 4.11 8.99 12.67 10.75 12.01 11.60 12.12 10.46

Money Market Tenor

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 9.4583 12.8783 13.9314 15.1624

Rate (%)

OBB

8.25

O/N

8.79

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 10.00 10.25

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

197.89 201.81 202.13 202.87 204.24 205.60

197.99 201.93 202.28 203.37 205.31 207.21

^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

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

16.00 7.00 15.54 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

351.30 233.90 98.31 600.00 524.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 279.50

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,582.44

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,231.29

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 Rating/Agency

Agency Bonds

CONFIDENCE

FMBN

Equities market gains N214 billion

***LCRM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National Bonds

A/Agusto KADUNA Stories by Chris Ugwu A-/Agusto *EBONYI

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

nvestors in the *IMO Nigerian LAGOS equity market got respite ‡ /Agusto *BAYELSA yesterday, as the bulls ‡ /Agusto EDO ‡ /Agusto; A+/GCRthe jinx of *DELTA broke market Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR NIGER depression that had*EKITI persisted ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR† for five days. Bb-/Agusto *NIGER ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR *ONDO Trading activities on the BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR *GOMBE floor of the Nigerian Stock ExAa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *OSUN change (NSE) had returned to BBB-/Agusto *OSUN the trenches, breaking the jinx Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI of bullish rally the market re‡ /Agusto *EKITI corded following the peaceful A-/GCR *NASARAWA elections. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKETsaid CAPITALISATION Analysts the resurgent of the bulls Corporate Bondsto sustain market BBB+/Agusto *UPDC rally after five-day losses was ‡ /Agusto

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

BBB-/Agusto

Description

Issuer

*FLOURMILLS

Issue Date

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

BBB-/GCR

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

#{r}

FIRST BANK LTD ECOBANK NIG. LTD

Maturity Date

24.56 2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

0.07 1.05 1.61 1.97 2.18

322.38

319.65 the shares of international Energy Insurance Plc followed with of 80.9 million 8.50 a turnover 31-Aug-15 0.34 2.16 30-Sep-15 0.42 shares valued at N47 million 4.86 30-Jun-16 0.69 in 5.73 142 deals.30-Jun-16 Consequently, 0.69 57.00 the number of19-Apr-17 gainers at 1.97 the 25.73 30-Jun-17 1.23 close session was 25.00 of trading 31-Dec-17 2.67 30-Sep-18 29,30.81 while decliners closed at2.05 24. 9.00 04-Oct-18 2.06 Presco Nigeria Plc led the 13.73 09-Dec-18 2.04 10.20 2.04 gainers’ table12-Dec-18 with 10.22 per 27.00 14-Feb-19 2.24 cent appreciation to close at 15.09 02-Oct-19 2.67 N30.09 per share, while Fidson 80.00 22-Nov-19 4.56 25.70 12-Dec-19 2.64 Healthcare Plc followed with 10.78 10-Oct-20 3.18

106.30 77.46 105.31 109.95 100.94 91.06 75.84 53.02 68.37 87.47

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

2.63 2.27 2.00 2.69 2.85

13.32 16.71 16.04 16.77 16.93

99.08 100.56 99.89 100.03 96.35

a gain of 9.21 per cent to close at N3.32. Vitafoam Nigeria Plc trailed of 7.57 4.44 with a growth 17.34 98.36 per 16.38 98.63 cent3.23 to close at N4.83 per share. 4.46 18.27 97.33 On Forte 3.48 the other 17.29 hand, 98.82 15.39 91.11 Oil 1.31 Plc and Paint Company 1.00 15.27 98.33 Plc 1.79 led the price table, 15.86 losers’96.02 1.80 dropping five15.89 per cent96.87 each 1.00 15.09 98.14 to close at N177.65 and N1.33 1.00 15.09 98.99 18.87 92.37 per 4.78 share respectively, while 1.00 15.08 100.68 Dangote Sugar Company Plc 1.00 15.07 100.83 followed with15.04 a loss of 4.98 1.00 98.24 per 1.00 15.07 99.33 cent1.00 to close at15.05 N6.11 per99.27 share.

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.58

1.00

15.08

94.14

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.67

1.00

15.09

99.62

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.33

1.44

15.49

97.57

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.36

1.00

15.05

99.82

452.88

DANA drop 9-APR-2018 ransnational Corporation sents MPR+7.00 a slight of 5 per MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 *TOWER Q1 2014 results of of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc cent from MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR *TOWER has reported profit before tax N10.5414.00 billion. The company’s UBA II 22-SEP-2018 A+/Agusto; A/GCR UBA 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR CASERA of N2.57 billion for*LAthe first revenue increased by 39 per MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR *CHELLARAMS quarter ended March 31, 2015. cent to16.00 N736 from N528 DANAmillion II 1-APR-2019 Nil *DANA 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; In aA-/GCR filing withNAHCO the Ex- million recorded in the corre16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 A/GCR UBA period of 2014. change, the group’s PBT for the sponding 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR STANBIC IBTC Commenting the results, period was N2.57 billion, while 13.25 STANBIC IBon 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR STANBIC IBTC TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE the company made a profit the President and Chief ExecTOTAL MARKET before tax ofCAPITALISATION N761.35 million utive Officer, Transcorp, Emcompared manuel Nnorom said: “TransSupranationalwith Bond the Loss before 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC in 2013. tax of N573.95 million corp performed relatively well 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P The group’s profitAfDB after tax in this first quarter despite TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE for the period under review headwinds faced by our power TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION stood at N2.19 billion, while business. Acute gas shortages the PAT for the company inhave limited our Description production Rating/Agency Issuer creased from a loss position capacity while margins are deFGN Eurobonds of N626.75 billion in 2013 to pressed by delayed implementaJAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P N687.74 billion. tion of MYTO 2.16.75 tariffs despite BB-/Fitch; FGN Total assets for the group increased gas prices,” he2018 said. 5.13 JUL 12, BB-/S&P grew by 3 per cent from N170.76 “The commencement of opBB-/Fitch; 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 BB-/S&P billion for full year 2014 to erations by the bulk trader and TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE N176.32 billion for the first improvement of the security of TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION quarter ended 31 March 2015. gas pipelines will drive recovery Corporate Eurobonds The company’s total assets in Q2 2015. In addition, our hotel 7.50 MAY 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P by 3 per cent GTBANKfrom PLC I also grew business is expected to19,benefit 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC N54.24 billion for full year 2014 from improving security and 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC to N55.92 the PLC first political outlooks6.00 inNOV the 08,second 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&Pbillion for GTBANK 6.25an APR enabling 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH 2015. BANK PLC quarter to provide quarter ended 31 March 8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC Revenue for the group stood platform to achieve its occu8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC at N9.92 reprenoted. 9.25/6M he USDfurther LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&Pbillion, which ACCESS BANK PLC II pancy targets,” B-/S&P

106.00 77.16 105.01 109.65 100.64 90.76 75.54 52.72 68.07 87.17

Shareholders endorse Sterling Bank’s dividend

Transcorp records N2.6bn pretax profit

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

The banking sub-sector of the financial services sector was the 31-Aug-10 most active during 12.50 the 30-Sep-10 13.00 day (measured by turnover vol30-Jun-11 14.00 ume) with 146.9 billion15.50 shares 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 10.00 worth N1.7 billion exchanged 30-Jun-10 13.75 by investors in 1374 deals. 30-Dec-10 14.00 30-Sep-11 14.00 Volume in the sub-sector 04-Oct-11 14.00 was largely driven by activity 09-Dec-11 14.50 12-Dec-13 of Access 14.00 in the shares Bank 14-Feb-12 15.50 and Zenith Bank Plc. 02-Oct-12 15.50 Also,22-Nov-12 the insurance 14.50 sub12-Dec-12 14.75 sector boosted by activity in 10-Oct-13 14.75

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

BB/GCR

13.94 13.93 13.96 14.04 14.00 16.68 17.07 17.50 15.44 14.04

Business | Financial Market News

Coupon (%)

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

an indication that confidence is returning to market. The12.50key market KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 perforEBONYI 30-SEP-2015 mance13.00 measures, the NSE All 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 Share15.50 Index and market capiIMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 talisation, rose by 1.8 per cent 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 as market sentiments turned 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 positive. 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 Consequently , the All-Share 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 Index14.00 gained 658.81 basis NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 points15.50 or 1.8 per cent to close at 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 34,708.92 points as against 14.50index LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 34,050.11 recorded the previous 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 day, while the market capitalisa13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 tion of15.00 equities appreciated by 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 N214 billion or 1.806-JAN-2021 per cent. 15.00 NASARAWA Meanwhile, a turnover of 374.5 billion shares worth N3.7 billion in 4,694 deals was 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 recorded in the day’s trading.

A-/Agusto

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

14.03 14.04 14.05 14.11 14.06 16.74 17.14 17.60 15.51 14.09

Stock market recovers 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

Nil

4.16 4.48 4.79 6.75 8.87 13.58 14.06 14.56 15.23 19.22

437.36nationalised bank,” he said. hareholders of Stershareholders. Sterling Bank sustained ling Bank Plc yesterAddressing shareholders 17-Aug-10day approved 10.00 17-Aug-15 0.30 1.00 resilient 13.80performance 98.87 a divi-2.50 at the 53rd annual general its 09-Dec-10 12.00 18.75 09-Dec-15 0.36 1.00 13.98 99.30 dend of 6 kobo for every meeting (AGM), Chairman in 2014 as top-line and bot06-Jan-11 14.00 0.42 06-Jan-16 0.44 2.63 15.85 99.24 29-Sep-11 13.00 29-Sep-16 Mr. Asue 1.42 Ig1.00 15.11 97.37 share of 50 kobo of the bank15.00 of the bank, tom-line earnings showed 25-Oct-13 14.25 5.53 25-Oct-16 1.49 1.34 15.38 98.54 for the financial year ended20.00 hodalo, 30-Sep-17 said the lender is considerable growths with 30-Sep-10 13.00 2.42 1.00 15.08 95.89 December 31, 2014, even as build on a strong platform gross earnings rising 30-Nov-12 18.00 0.64 30-Nov-17 1.44 1.88 15.97 103.22 by 09-Apr-11 16.00 an assur-5.40 geared towards 09-Apr-18 1.69 1.00 15.05 the lender gave improving some 13 per cent to 101.33 N103.7 09-Sep-11 18.00 2.54 09-Sep-18 1.86 1.00 15.07 104.39 ance of steady growth in0.70 the lives09-Sep-18 young people in billion. In the same breadth, 09-Sep-11 16.00 1.86 1.00 15.07 101.35 profitability and whilst also profit before tax rose 92.34 by 15.4 22-Sep-11 14.00expansion. 35.00 the society 22-Sep-18 3.40 im3.00 17.05 18-Oct-13 15.75 1.97 2.29 98.98 The National Coordina-2.10 proving18-Oct-18 the communities per cent to16.37 N10.7 billion. 17-Feb-12 18.00 0.36 17-Feb-19 2.05 6.11 20.20 96.60 tor, Independent it operates and Key extracts of the 01-Apr-14 16.00Sharehold-4.50 in which01-Apr-19 2.67 the 2.16 16.23 99.49 au14-Nov-13 15.25of Nigeria2.05 environment 14-Nov-20at large. 5.54 2.76 94.39 of ers Association dited report16.84 and accounts 30-Dec-14 16.45 30.50 30-Dec-21 6.67 1.13 15.25 104.83 (ISAN) Sir Sunny Nwosu “We took deliberate steps the bank for the year ended 30-Sep-14 11.93 0.10 30-Sep-24 9.42 1.00 15.29 83.45 and other shareholders com-15.44 to launch bold activities December 31, 2014 released 30-Sep-14 13.25 30-Sep-24 9.42 in 1.00 15.29 89.95 re161.53the education sector, entremended the lender for the cently at the Nigerian Stock 157.34preneurial schemes, staff dividend pay-out. They said Exchange (NSE) showed apthey were appreciative of the volunteering programmes preciable growths in all key 11-Feb-13 11-Feb-18 2.79 1.00 15.06 89.21 efforts, which 10.20 the staff and12.00 and programmes aimed at performance indices, sustain10-Jul-14 11.25 01-Feb-21 4.75 1.00 15.05 85.53 management put in place to12.95 improving the environment ing the strong performance drive the bank for increased24.95through partnerships with outlook of the lender in spite 21.78 return on investment. various state governments. of industry-wide headwinds. Outstanding Our Value bank remains firm in Major highlights showed Chairman, Progressive Issue Date Coupon (%) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price ($mm) Shareholders Association of its commitment to the CBN that net interest income leapt Prices & Yields Nigeria, Mr. Boniface Okezie, ‘s sustainable banking prin- by 20.1 per cent to N43.0 bil07-Oct-11 28-Jan-21 5.26 5.07 108.25 lion in 2014107.26 as against N35.8 also applauded6.75 the financial500.00ciples,” he said. performance of the bank. Ighodalo noted that the billion recorded in 2013. 12-Jul-13 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.31 4.01 102.41 103.31 blurring business outlook “The economy where you This was driven mainly by 12-Jul-13 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 5.57 5.43 105.25 106.20 are operating is tough but presents an opportunity 11.4 per cent growth in inter1,500.00 you still gave us dividend, for the bank to navigate its est income to N77.9 billion, 1,574.57 this shows that the bank has growth by innovative means. which far outweighed the 2.2 good policy for dividend. He said with a stronger per cent increase in funding 19-May-11 7.50 19-May-16 4.12 100.98 billion. 103.41 The current leadership has500.00capital position, the6.50 bank costs to N34.9 This 25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 7.34 7.34 99.80 99.80 underlined the increasing proved that is capable of will provide the fulcrum to 09-May-13 6.88 300.00 02-May-18 10.40 9.47 91.09 93.35 driving the bank to great400.00expand and deepen its foot- cost lender 08-Nov-13 6.00 08-Nov-18 7.39 6.90 efficiency 95.76 of the 97.24 22-Apr-14 6.25 commend 500.00 hold in its 22-Apr-19 6.98 6.98 97.50 had dropped 97.50 heights and we target business as cost of funds 21-May-14 21-May-19 10.79 10.13 93.43 95.49 the bank for 8.75 the wisdom200.00sector and thus sustain su- from 6.1 per cent in 2013 to 07-Aug-13 8.25 300.00 07-Aug-20 8.74 8.74 97.21 97.21 not to bid for acquisition of400.00perior returns 5.3 in 2014. 95.80 24-Jun-14 9.25 24-Jun-21 to its esteem 10.63 10.20per cent93.94

8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

23-Jul-14

8.00

450.00

23-Jul-21

9.07

94.15

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.16

9.81

92.75

94.25

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,650.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

30-Apr-15

3,507.78

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 **Treasury Bills^ 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-May-15 4.11neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information. the accuracy,7timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for4.11 a particular purpose of3.86 any of the Information, OBB 8.25 Tenor Bid ($/N) Offer ($/N) FGN

14 21 35 Bonds 42 56 63 70 Rating/Agency 77 84 91 98 105 119 126 133 147 154 168 NA 217 231 252 266 273 280 287 294 308 322

329 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

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

8.96 12.58 10.64 11.85 11.40 11.87 10.25 Description 11.31 11.49 ^13.05 16-AUG-2016 12.09 11.88 ^15.10 27-APR-2017 11.25 9.85 27-JUL-2017 12.24 9.35 31-AUG-2017 12.02 10.70 30-MAY-2018 12.43 11.94 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 11.75 7.00 23-OCT-2019 12.49 15.54 13-FEB-2020 13.22 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 12.94 13.25 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 13.33 15.00 28-NOV-2028 13.85 12.49 22-MAY-2029 13.42 12.51 8.50 20-NOV-2029 13.59 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 13.39 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 13.02

8.71 12.33 10.39 11.60 11.15 11.62 10.00Date Issue 11.06 11.24 16-Aug-13 11.84 11.63 27-Apr-12 11.00 27-Jul-07 11.99 31-Aug-07 11.77 30-May-08 12.18 11.69 29-Jun-12 11.50 23-Oct-09 12.24 13-Feb-15 12.97 27-Jan-12 12.69 13.00 14-Mar-14 13.08 28-Nov-08 13.60 22-May-09 13.17 12.26 20-Nov-09 13.34 23-Jul-10 13.14 18-Jul-14 12.77

8.99 12.67 10.75 12.01 11.60 12.12 10.46 (%) Coupon 11.59 11.80 13.05 12.46 12.27 15.10 11.63 9.85 12.75 9.35 12.54 10.70 13.01 12.54 16.00 12.36 7.00 13.25 15.54 14.34 16.39 14.09 14.59 14.20 14.76 15.00 15.46 12.49 14.97 13.87 8.50 15.25 10.00 15.10 12.1493 14.71

Bonds

24-Mar-16

13.14

12.89

7-Apr-16

13.28

13.03

15.17

13.11

12.86

15.03

343

357 TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 21-Apr-16

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

14.90

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 9.4583 12.8783 13.9314 15.1624

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

O/N

8.79

REPO

Maturity Date

NITTY

581.39 16-Aug-16 Tenor Rate (%) 1M 10.6657 476.80 27-Apr-17 2M 12.5874 20.00 27-Jul-17 3M 12.6410 100.00 31-Aug-17 6M 12.9611 300.00 30-May-18 9M 13.3938 12M 15.3089 351.30 29-Jun-19 233.90 23-Oct-19 98.31 13-Feb-20 NIFEX 600.00 27-Jan-22 Current Price ($/N) 524.68 14-Mar-24 BID($/N) 199.0000 75.00 28-Nov-28 OFFER ($/N) 199.1000 150.00 22-May-29 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 279.50 18-Jul-34

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

Rate (%) 10.00 Bid10.25 Yield 10.75 11.00

(%)

1.30 14.01 13.88 1.99 14.09 14.00 NOTE: 2.24 14.08 14.00 :Benchmarks 2.34 14.08 14.00 * :Amortising Bond 3.08Bond 14.06 13.93 µ :Convertible AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 4.16 Management Corporation 14.03 13.94 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 4.48 14.04 13.93 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 4.79 Finance Corporation 14.05 13.96 IFC: International 6.75 14.11 Management 14.04 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables NAHCO: Nigerian 8.87 Aviation Handling 14.06 Company 14.00 O/N: Overnight 13.58 16.74 16.68 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 14.06Africa Portland Cement 17.14 Company17.07 WAPCO:West 14.56 17.60 17.50 15.23 15.51 15.44 19.22 14.09 14.04

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

FMBN Modified Duration Buckets

***LCRM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

<3 3<5 >5 Market

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016Total 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 1,431.91 1,409.48

98.84 98.99 101.71 101.86 92.05 92.20 NA :Not Applicable 90.83 90.98 ^ : Market Prices 91.81 92.11 # : Floating Rate Bond ***: Deferred 106.00coupon bonds 106.30 77.16 77.46 ‡ : Bond rating under review 105.31 †: Bond105.01 rating expired 109.95 N/A :Not109.65 Available {r} :Issuer in receivership100.94 100.64 90.76 91.06 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 75.54Bank for Africa 75.84 UBA: United 52.72 53.02 68.07 68.37 87.17 87.47

4,231.29

Issue Date

Agency Bonds

197.89 197.99 201.81 201.93 202.13 Price 202.28 202.87 203.37 204.24 205.31 205.60 207.21Price Bid Price Offer 206.28 213.47 220.29 226.27

4,582.44

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

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

Coupon (%)

BOND 24-May-12FMDQ FGN0.00 03-Apr-12 17.25 Weighting by Weighting by Mkt 09-Dec-11 0.00/16.00 Outstanding Vol Value 20-Apr-12 0.00/16.50 06-Jul-12 0.00/16.50 41.39 43.87

1,185.90

1,124.68

33.03

36.33

646.30

871.07

25.58

19.80

3,264.11

3,405.23

100.00

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

INDEX 24.56

2.40 Bucket 112.22 Weighting 116.70 66.49 0.41

322.380.33 0.26

319.651.00

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 % Exposure_ 08-Dec-16 Mod_Duration 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17 19.44

0.07 1.05 1.61 Implied Yield 1.97 2.18 14.04

38.56

14.09

41.99

14.95

100.00

14.44

# Risk Premium (%)

2.63 2.27 Implied 2.00 Portfolio Price 2.69 2.85 104.1534

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

13.32 16.71 16.04 INDEX 16.77 16.93 1,166.93

99.08 100.56 YTD Return 99.89 (%) 100.03 96.35 5.3329

108.7428

1,085.05

7.1575

77.3305

1,086.89

7.9314

98.8078

1,116.52

5.8129

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.34

4.44

17.34

98.36

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.42

3.23

16.38

98.63

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.69

4.46

18.27

97.33

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.69

3.48

17.29

98.82

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.97

1.31

15.39

91.11

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.23

1.00

15.27

98.33

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.67

1.79

15.86

96.02

Daily Summary as of 30/04/2015

Business | Financial Market News

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Printed 30/04/2015 15:19:43.043

Daily Summary as of 30/04/2015 Printed 30/04/2015 15:19:43.043

Daily Summary (Bonds)

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at April 30, 2015

No Debt Trading Activity

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 1 23 55 79

Current Price 0.50 27.41 30.09

No. of Deals 25 25

Current Price 2.33

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Daily Summary as of 30/04/2015 Diversified Industries Printed 30/04/2015 15:19:43.043 A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CHELLARAMS PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

104 Symbol AGLEVENT CHELLARAM TRANSCORP UACN Daily Summary

No. of Deals 17 1 215 70 (Equities) 303

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

Current Price 1.70 3.95 3.20 42.00

303

Quantity Traded 10,000 578,770 572,626 1,161,396

Value Traded 5,000.00 15,735,156.40 17,220,183.41 32,960,339.81

Quantity Traded 298,458 298,458

Value Traded 704,846.78 704,846.78

1,459,854

33,665,186.59

Quantity Traded 409,600 100 47,980,463 691,811 49,081,974

Value Traded 685,445.75 376.00 152,501,114.96 28,460,299.58 181,647,236.29

49,081,974

181,647,236.29

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 13 13

Current Price 0.87

Page Quantity Traded 364,028 364,028

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 26 26

Current Price 51.70

Quantity Traded 175,888 175,888

Value Traded 8,961,557.81 8,961,557.81

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 10.78

Quantity Traded 150,096 150,096

Value Traded 1,639,018.10 1,639,018.10

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

Symbol UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 8 8

Current Price 10.00

Quantity Traded 2,367,130 2,367,130

Value Traded 23,671,350.00 23,671,350.00

3,057,142

34,592,311.27 Value Traded 200,000.00 200,000.00

Daily Summary as of 30/04/2015 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals Printed 30/04/2015 15:19:43.043 CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CHAMPION BREW. PLC. CONSUMER GOODS GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. Published by The NigerianBREW. Stock Exchange © NIGERIAN PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC Daily Summary 30/04/2015 U Tas C of NIG. PLC. Printed 30/04/2015 15:19:43.043 Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. CONSUMER GOODS VONO PRODUCTS Household Durables PLC. Household Durables Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

70 No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 400,000 400,000

Symbol CHAMPION GOLDBREW Symbol GUINNESS INTBREW NB

No. of Deals 11 1 No. of Deals 64 8 145 229

Current Price 7.39 0.93 Current170.00 Price 21.49 157.01

Quantity Traded 134,814 2,200 Quantity399,750 Traded 57,100 Page 2,983,114 3,576,978

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 162.00

Quantity Traded 92,505 92,505

Value Traded 15,021,180.54 15,021,180.54

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON UTC

No. of Deals 41 76 80 10 28 5 240

Current Price 4.89 6.11 35.74 3.28 8.25 0.50

Quantity Traded 248,072 1,638,124 663,338 113,000 1,309,414 201,168 4,173,116

Value Traded 1,115,026.56 10,071,343.88 23,519,160.36 374,895.38 10,847,301.19 100,584.00 46,028,311.37

Symbol No. of Deals CADBURY 35 Daily Summary (Equities) NESTLE 57 92

Current Price 39.90 950.00

Quantity Traded 67,093 171,083 238,176

Value Traded 2,465,450.34 162,413,682.74 164,879,133.08

Quantity Traded 3,543,310 30,000 Quantity Traded

Value Traded 16,441,750.19 29,400.00 Value Traded

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO Symbol

No. of Deals 46 No. of Deals2

Current Price 4.83 1.03 Current Price

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 30 58 88

Current Price 28.50 42.31

722

ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals

830,973,161.64 Value Traded 201,771,148.88 62,899,852.27 422,907,132.27 18,287,385.65 322,794,211.65 6,196,997.06 3,750,589.71 116,173,466.93 Value Traded 1,463,972.41 235,088.26 2,584,129.93 592,530,271.04 1,751,594,246.06

Quantity Traded 1,219,718 Page 3,075,510 11,311 56,252,464 50,000 14,151,508 1,476,200 1,000 1,225,866 60,115 2,100 78,129 18,000 3,346,028 80,967,949

4 1,244,122.36 of 12 2,814,303.90 5,655.50 28,682,906.71 25,000.00 7,075,754.00 4,433,543.00 500.00 882,779.24 30,057.50 1,050.00 39,064.50 9,000.00 1,772,485.56 47,016,222.27

Value Traded 37,392.58 1,360,307.68 Value Traded 5 1,397,700.26 of 12

Activity SummaryBanks on Board EQTY Micro-Finance

FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Micro-Finance BanksExchange Totals © Published by The Nigerian Stock Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

No. of Deals 1 31 No. of Deals 32

Current Price 5.42 1.32 Current Price

Quantity Traded 6,899 1,047,828 Quantity Traded 1,054,727 Page

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 116 19 736 93 3 42 75 1,084

Current Price 2.85 4.20 9.80 3.34 0.55 29.45 1.53

Quantity Traded 6,333,967 1,350,264 29,955,412 15,334,259 433,432 545,948 6,988,713 60,941,995

Value Traded 18,228,003.33 5,634,716.10 297,050,081.91 50,597,806.06 238,387.60 16,062,618.83 10,684,308.47 398,495,922.30

289,908,978

2,198,504,090.89

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Healthcare Providers Totals Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

2,632 Symbol UNIONDAC

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 7,000 7,000

Value Traded 3,500.00 3,500.00

Symbol FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

No. of Deals 34 48 10 12 1

Current Price 3.32 55.00 1.63 1.03 2.13

Quantity Traded 3,563,531 377,093 90,001 856,040 4,679

Value Traded 11,118,820.62 20,730,480.81 148,473.63 881,974.70 10,434.17

Page

Symbol CWG NCR

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 4.00 12.19

Quantity Traded 100 2,000 2,100

Value Traded 380.00 23,180.00 23,560.00

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC

Symbol CHAMS ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 0.50 3.39

Quantity Traded 1,000 2,760 3,760

Value Traded 500.00 9,798.00 10,298.00

8,860

35,358.00 Value Traded 1,693,197.30 1,511,804.68 386,793.44

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC Activity Summary on Board BERGER PAINTS PLC EQTY CAP PLC INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP

No. of Deals 14 13 6

Current Price 19.95 9.07 35.66

Quantity Traded 84,722 161,297 10,601

Symbol CCNN DANGCEM PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 4 83 8 2 62 192

Current Price 11.59 184.50 1.33 3.83 94.00

Quantity Traded Page 19,706 1,067,778 472,250 200 781,210 2,597,764

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

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 1.74

Quantity Traded 121,017 121,017

Value Traded 219,236.88 219,236.88

Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. GREIF NIGERIA PLC Packaging/Containers Totals

Symbol BETAGLAS VANLEER

No. of Deals 6 2 8

Current Price 30.00 11.48

Quantity Traded 4,760 400 5,160

Value Traded 147,200.00 4,364.00 151,564.00

2,723,941

270,344,031.59

Quantity Traded 808 808

Value Traded 3,999.60 3,999.60

808

3,999.60

Daily Summary as of 30/04/2015 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Printed 30/04/2015 15:19:43.043

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

Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

205 Symbol BOCGAS

No. of Deals 1 1

Daily Summary (Equities)

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded Page 7,912 7,912

Value Traded 8 of 12 3,956.00 3,956.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 281 281

Current Price 18.00

Quantity Traded 5,531,785 5,531,785

Value Traded 98,081,025.08 98,081,025.08

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 21 20 66 17 6 10 140

Current Price 36.21 2.72 177.65 150.00 50.54 155.50

Quantity Traded 30,406 399,255 222,814 84,334 1,209 5,494 743,512

Value Traded 1,136,375.24 1,085,938.50 39,603,483.96 12,589,157.39 58,056.18 862,465.00 55,335,476.27

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 377.00

Quantity Traded 16,578 16,578

Value Traded 6,424,311.40 6,424,311.40

6,299,787

159,844,768.75

Daily Summary (Equities)

444 Symbol Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals No. of Deals 2 6 8

Current Price Current Price 3.78 1.22

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 90,000 19,000 109,000 Page

Value Traded Value Traded 340,200.00 22,250.00 362,450.00 9 of 12

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 0.52

Quantity Traded 1,899,733 1,899,733

Value Traded 988,431.16 988,431.16

Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC Hospitality Totals

Symbol TANTALIZER

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 55,500 55,500

Value Traded 27,750.00 27,750.00

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 3.86

Quantity Traded 1,500 1,500

Value Traded 5,640.00 5,640.00

Symbol LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 4 5 9

Current Price 1.43 4.83

Quantity Traded 13,901 190,503 204,404

Value Traded 18,905.36 893,355.76 912,261.12

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC RoadSummary Transportation TotalsEQTY Activity on Board Transport-Related Services SERVICES AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC Transport-Related Services

NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price 15 15

0.63

Quantity Traded 345,501 345,501

Value Traded 211,810.63 211,810.63

Symbol AIRSERVICE Symbol NAHCO

No. of Deals 2 No. of Deals

Current Price 2.20 Current Price

Quantity Traded 5,000 Quantity Traded

Value Traded 10,450.00 Value Traded

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 3.00

Quantity Traded 22,786 22,786

Value Traded 69,058.70 69,058.70

101

3,511,615

8,097,831.16

4,694

374,551,302

3,750,601,659.71

Quantity Traded 11,400 11,400

Value Traded 16,872.00 16,872.00

11,400

16,872.00

ABCTRANS

52 54

SERVICES Totals

EQTY Board Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

6.30

868,191 Page 873,191

5,509,979.55 10 of 12 5,520,429.55

Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals Daily Summary as of 30/04/2015 Printed CONSUMER 30/04/2015 15:19:43.043 GOODS Totals

Symbol MCNICHOLS

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.55

ASeM Board Totals

11,400

16,872.00

Equity Activity Totals

4,696

374,562,702

3,750,618,531.71

Exchange Traded Fund

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

7Value Traded of 12 217,160.12 192,137,009.68 677,448.24 796.00 73,349,021.25 269,973,230.71

Symbol JAPAULOIL

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

SERVICES SERVICES Courier/Freight/Delivery Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Current Price 5.21

OIL AND GAS Totals

Daily Summary as of 30/04/2015 Printing/Publishing Printed 30/04/2015 15:19:43.043 LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Value Traded

Symbol FORTISMFB NPFMCRFBK Symbol

IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. IT Services Totals

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary as of 30/04/2015 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Printed 30/04/2015 15:19:43.043

Current Price 1.02 0.94 0.50 0.51 0.50 0.50 3.00 0.50 0.72 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.52

32,893,683.93 Value Traded 1,500.00 1,500.00

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol No. of Deals AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO 9 Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE 12 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CORNERST 2 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTENEGINS 13 LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LAWUNION 3 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC LINKASSURE 15 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MANSARD 13 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. MBENEFIT 1 N.E.M INSURANCE NEM 11 Daily Summary as of 30/04/2015 CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NIGERINS 2 Printed 30/04/2015 15:19:43.043 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE 1 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC REGALINS 3 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC SOVRENINS 1 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC WAPIC 56 Daily Summary (Equities) Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals 142

4,898,344 Quantity Traded 3,000 3,000

Energy Equipment and Services Totals

Quantity Traded 33,585,980 13,692,161 20,440,148 9,827,287 11,336,512 2,485,968 1,681,208 22,984,212 Quantity141,215 Traded 60,434 2,649,406 28,059,776 146,944,307

Value Traded 32,890,183.93

Current Price 0.50

Current Price 5.99 4.60 20.70 1.86 28.75 2.50 2.29 5.29 Current 10.22 Price 3.89 0.98 21.15

Quantity Traded 4,891,344

No. of Deals 1 1

NATURAL RESOURCES TotalsEQTY Activity Summary on Board

16,471,150.19 3 of 12 Value Traded 2,530,128.75 61,062,020.13 63,592,148.88

Current Price

107

ICT Totals

Value Traded 994,049.98 1,958.00 Value Traded 67,535,868.87 1,165,982.00 2 of 12 455,083,378.73 524,781,237.58

13,599,999

No. of Deals 105

Symbol COURTVILLE

E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Daily Summary as of 30/04/2015 Processing Systems Totals Printed 30/04/2015 15:19:43.043

No. of Deals 221 72 69 (Equities) 92 220 80 31 241 No. of Deals 32 2 18 296 1,374

ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY STERLING BANK PLC. FINANCIAL UNITEDSERVICES BANK FOR AFRICA PLC Banking UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

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

3,573,310 Page Quantity Traded 91,280 1,454,634 1,545,914

Symbol

HEALTHCARE Totals

Valueof Traded12 320,385.36 320,385.36

Symbol DUNLOP

Daily Summary (Equities)

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Daily Summary as of 30/04/2015 FINANCIAL SERVICES Printed 30/04/2015 Banking15:19:43.043

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals Totals

Page

Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 1 3 5

Current Price 10.73 2,300.00 15.85

Quantity Traded 2 22 9,999 10,023

Value Traded 21.46 50,600.00 156,386.03 207,007.49

ETF Board Totals

10,023

207,007.49

ETP Activity Totals

10,023

207,007.49

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY,MAY 1, 2015

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

USAID laments water scarcity in Ebonyi Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

he United States of America’s aid agency, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the sustainable water and sanitation in Africa (SUWASA),have called on the Ebonyi State Government to ensure it tackles the increasing scarcity of water ravaging the state. The body made this known yesterday, during the end of a one day workshop held at the International Conference Centre, Abakaliki, noting that it was of great importance that the in-coming govern-

ment should look into possible ways of improving the water situation in the state. Addressing the people, the team leader of SUWASA Ebonyi State Project, Mr Adedayo Mark Adeyemi, said the state government has spent billions of naira on the construction of three mega water plants in the three senatorial zones of the state, but failed to adopt wash policy in water management, adding that this poor attitude of government has affected water supply in the state. He called on the government to enhance capacity for quick response to leak repairs, as well as ensure there was computerized billing system, just as he condemned the level of corruption

among the political leaders. He stressed that the setback in the supply of water to the people was as a result of corruption. Adeyemi urged the state government, through the Ebonyi Water Corporation, to introduce the use of meter on every property they

want to connect, such that it could enable them recover their expenses and possibly ensure regular supply of water to residents of Abakaliki. Responding, the Commissioner for Public Utility, Engr. Ben Okah, urged the body to continue to sup-

port the activities and other polices of the government to ensure uncommon progress and success as it looks for ways of improving the standard of living of the people of the state. Okah assured on the readiness of the incoming administration

to provide facilities and guarantee conducive environment for the people to thrive, adding that government was a continuous entity and would ensure adequate sustainability of the legacies and projects of SUWASA in the state.

FMC workers protest privatisation, non-payment of arrears Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

ctivities at the Administrative Complex of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, yesterday grounded to a halt, as workers of the medical centre besieged the complex to protest alleged high-handedness of the management of the health facility. The protesters, numbering over 700, under the aegis of Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) called for immediate review of all policies geared toward the privatisation or outsourcing of any unit in the FMC. Speaking to newsmen, the union’s Chairman, Mr. Ezeugwu Clifford, maintained that there was no justification or genuine rationale behind the planned privatisation of the the medical centre. “Presently, FMC Owerri is the most expensive federal medical centre in Nigeria. Our card for instance is N1000, but other centres are within the range of

N200 and N60. And this is verifiable. Patients will be the worse for it if FMC Owerri is privatised as quality may dwindle while medical charges will shoot up. Privatisation is often done when productivity is poor, but in FMC Owerri, there is no unit that is not living up to standards or not meeting its financial expectations. Hence, plans by the management to privatise the hospital under the present circumstances may be driven more by pecuniary interests than qualitative service delivery which is always the case in privatisation deals of this nature.” Speaking also, Comrade Sam Nwokeji, another chieftain of the union, lamented that while the hospital’s management was busy plotting a privatisation deal, the 2013 and 2014 promotion arrears of staff have not been be paid. He regretted that, “some of the policies of convenience’ by the management were designed to suppress the workforce, especially the unions.”

change of nameS

OTUGO

I formerly known as MISS OKOH PEACE NNEKA now wish to be known as MRS. OTUGO PEACE NNEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OJIAKU

I formerly known as ONUMAEGBU VIVIAN CHINONYE now wish to be known as VIVIAN CHINONYE KINGSLEY OJIAKU All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OGBU

I formerly known as Miss Anyanwuma Martha Ifeoma now wish to be known as Mrs. Ogbu Martha Ifeoma. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHARLES

I formerly known as Utibe Moses Ekanem now wish to be known as Utibe Charles Ekanem. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

TEMEALABO

I formerly known as THURSDAY KINGS NATHANIEL TAMUNO-OWUBA now wish to be known as KINGS NATHANIEL TEMEALABO. All former documents remain valid. MDCN, GMC, MBTT, ABU, ABUTH Zaria and NYSC. and general public take note

EDACHE

1 formerly known as Miss Elizabeth Enayi John now wish to be known as Mrs. Elizabeth Enayi Edache. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

L-R: Former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi; The man who flew the last plane that brought relief materials into Biafra through Uli Airport under the auspices of the Joint Christian Aids, Phili Philip; his wife, Jean Philip and Dr. Tim Menakaya in London…recently.

Chime: Accountant-General submit financial report to legislature Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

ollowing the directive of the Enugu legislature last week to the state Accountant-General to submit the report of all financial dealings of the state to it, the AccountantGeneral of the state, Mr. Paschal Okorie, yesterday submitted the financial report of the state in the last eight years of the administration of Governor Sullivan Chime to the State House of Assembly. The directive was issued to the Accountant-General, in the wake of the running

face-off between the executive and the legislature in the state. It was also gathered that Okorie released the second batch of the Assembly’s allocation for its March, 2015 overhead costs to members, apparently, to dissuade them against their continued face-off with the executive. The Assembly members had alleged that Governor Sullivan Chime was using the non-release of their allocations as a ploy to starve them of funds, following the issue raised on the N11 billion state loan controversy. Sources in the House of Assembly told New Tele-

PUBLIC NOTICE AWARENESS CHURCH OF GOD The general public is hereby notified that the above named organization has applied to the corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for Registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 to 1990. Boards of Trustees are: 1. Evang. Julief Oboh 2. Mr. Austin Nwanicha 3. Godsent Okoro 4. Blesssing oboh 5. Tracy Efeosa Aims & Objectives are: 1. To Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ 2. To set the Captors free 3. To organize crusade and Evangelism outreach Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: S. AIGBIBHALU (ESQ) 07035522009

graph yesterday that the Accountant-General’s office submitted the financial report earlier in the week, saying vetting of the report by the lawmakers was expected to commence next week. “The Accountant-General had, after appearing before the House last week Thursday, had released the remaining half of the Assembly’s overhead for March, which has been one of the main issues of the crisis between the two parties. So, that one has been laid to rest”, the source said. Okolie, on whom a warrant of arrest had been issued about a fortnight ago, eventually appeared before

the House last Thursday, to respond to questions over the non-release of the Assembly’s March, 2015 statutory allocation. He had, during the occasion, informed the lawmakers that he had paid half of the controversial March allocation and that he was making effort to pay up the balance, apologizing for his failures to honour the members’ invitation on previous occasions. He explained that the inability to release the allocation was a direct effect of short fall in allocations from Federation account, which has affected all states in the country.

Police arrest 17 Anambra youths for arson, murder EcheNwaobasi Nnewi

he Anambra State Police Command has arrested seventeen youths for burning down a house and hacking to death of a vigilante operative. The incident, which occured at Okpoko, Ogbaru L.G.A, Anambra State last weekend threw residents of the area into panic. According to an eye witness, the house, which is located at No 77 Obodoukwu Road, at a junction between Umueshi Street and Obo-

doukwu road, Okpoko is owned by an Octogenarian Chief Edward Okoro a native of Atan Abam in Arochukwu L.G.A, Abia State. New telegraph also gathered that the heinous act was carried out by a group of unidentified hoodlums who usually converge onthe said junction to engage in vices like smoking of hard drugs, raping of young girls, snatching of people’s personal effects, who stormed the house, sprayed it with fuel, before setting it ablaze in the wee hours of the night.

News

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-SOUTH

INEC: We didn’t deny Rivers APC access to documents NOT TRUE Electoral body says it is ready to provide more documents if APC needs them Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

yesterday denied the allegation made by the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that it refused to release election materials the party intends to present as evidence at the election tribunal. The state’s Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Mrs. Gesila Khan, who made this known while presenting a Certificate of Return to House of Assembly

elects, said INEC has been cooperating with APC by providing the party and others the documents the commission was accused of withholding. She said INEC had provided the APC the documents it sought for, and was ready to provide more documents if the APC still requests for them. While accusing politicians of intimidating her and other INEC

officials, Khan said the electoral umpire stands to gain nothing by denying any of the political parties any document they plan to use as evidence at the tribunal. She said: “The parties and candidates send their lawyers to collect the same documents from us, thereby complicating our duties. We are human beings, and I use this medium to ask politicians to stop their intimidations

and lies against us. We are doing our best.” While presenting certificates of return to incoming lawmakers yesterday, Khan reminded the elected members that their office was all about service delivery to the people, and cautioned them that the expectations of Rivers people were high. She urged them to empower those at the grassroots, and make laws and policies that will allevi-

ate their sufferings. Out of the 32 seats in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won 31, while the APC won one seat even as six members were returned. It will be recalled that the governorship candidate of the APC, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, accused INEC of frustrating his planned petition at the tribunal in Abuja, by withholding the needed documents to secure him victory.

Civil society, others honour Douglas Chris Ejim Yenagoa

Minority and Environmental Day solidarity rally in honour of President Goodluck Jonathan’s aide, the late Oronto Douglas in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State…yesterday

Manager, brother in-law at war Gemu: Activities of vandals decline in Delta over ownership of company modore Musa Gemu, who rious for piracy and other Joe Obende Gabriel Choba Ughelli

he cold war between James Manager’s household and their brother-law, Mr. Joseph Bribai, over the ownership of a company, Julie-Ma Oil and Gas Limited, with registration number RC 486921, has raised fresh concerns as the latter alleged threat to his life. Bribai, who raised the alarm, alleged that on separate occasions, his elder sister (Mrs. Manager) and her children had physically attacked him and had threatened fire and brimstone if he refuses to relinquish his legal possession of the company and its registration number. The Warri-based businessman, who stated this in a statement made available to newsmen, said in the early 2000, he was in business with the Manag-

ers, when he was instructed to incorporate Julie-Ma International Company Limited, through which their joint business started out. Continuing, he said in 2004, Mrs. Manager and her husband, Senator James Manager, offered to sell their interest in the company to him and to remove the name of Senator Manager in the records of the company due to his political ambition. “Recently, due to the soaring economic prospects of the company, Mrs. Manager petitioned the AIG office, the Nigeria Police, Zone 5, Benin City, where it was resolved that since they wanted their business name back, I should re-register JulieMa International Company Limited and hand over the incorporated documents to them, while I retained the RC NO.486921 with a new incorporated document.”

Warri

he activities of illegal bunkerers and pipeline vandals in Delta State, especially in Warri and its environs, have been drastically reduced, following efforts by the Navy to patrol the waterways and creeks in the area. Outgoing Commander of NNS Delta, Warri, Com-

made this disclosure yesterday at his farewell parade at the Naval Base, added that no single shot was fired neither was any death recorded during his tenure. Gemu said he resorted to the ‘wisdom of talking to resolve issues rather than holding companies to ransom or using violence to drive home a point.’ He said the waterways and creeks that were noto-

highway brigandage in the area were now safe for seafarers. During his tenure, he said over 230 wooden boats laden with stolen crude, five ships arrested for crude oil theft and over 3, 500 illegal refineries were destroyed. All these achievements, he said, were made possible due to the collective efforts of all.

PDP dismisses Wike’s defection rumour Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

he Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Obuah, has described as untrue the alleged defection of the Governor-elect in the state, Nyesom Wike, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying that Wike has no such plan. He said that rather than

defect to the APC, Wike has the intention of using the PDP to “reshape, restore and rebuild the state,” pointing out that the state’s economy had been badly damaged by the administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Obuah, who stated this in a statement following reports of alleged moves by Wike to defect to the APC, to escape the party’s plan to challenge his victory at the tribunal, said Rivers

remains a PDP state and would not be handed over to the APC. He assured the people of Wike’s readiness to fulfill his promises to the people, assuring them that their mandate was sacrosanct. He said: “It is most unthinkable that the governorelect and PDP leader in the state is considering dumping the party for the APC, because doing so is like preferring hell, which the APC represents, to paradise.

ivil society groups, minority rights activists, environmentalists and people from all walks of life, yesterday held a solidarity march for late environmentalist, human rights activist and Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, on Media and Publicity, Oronto Natei Douglas, who died on April 9, 2015. The solidarity and memorial walk, which began at Ekeki Park, along the Mbiama-Yenagoa Road, through Imgbi Road to Sani Abacha Way, which terminated at the Sani Abacha Hall, Ijaw House, Yenagoa, saw thousands of activists walking all the distance, singing solidarity songs for the late activist. Many of the personalities who spoke at the occasion, paid glowing tributes to a man they described as the founder of present day Niger Delta struggle and one of those who began the fight against environmental injustice and the vicious rape of the environment by oil multinationals operating in the Niger Delta area. In a lecture entitled; ‘Oronto Douglas: Reflections on Character and Humanity to Social Change: A Tribute,’ Comrade Peterson Ogon, the founding director of the Ijaw Council for Human Rights, described him as humane and a man who has not failed to leave an imprint and a deep impression of his positive mindset on anybody he came in contact with. He said: “Oronto Douglas was a man who believed in collective action and that was why he was one of those who propagated the African proverb, which says; “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.”

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

Aliyu to commissioners: Cooperate with governor-elect Dan Atori MINNA

he Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has directed commissioners and heads of government agencies and parastatals to cooperate with the transition committee set up by the Governor-elect, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello. He said top government officials, as well as permanent secretaries, should provide answers to any question asked by the 37-member committee put in place by the Governor-elect. Aliyu said his directive has become necessary because the administration has nothing to hide and that no official should create the impression that the government was not ready to cooperate with the incoming administration. The governor spoke in Minna yesterday after inaugurating the 4.5 kilometre Lapai-Gwari-FUT road executed at over N1 billion.

Jonathan condoles with Yuguda over mother’s death Alhassan Yusuf Bauchi

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday extended his heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Isa Yuguda and members of his family on the death of his mother, Hajiya Hauwa Yuguda. In a statement yesterday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan joined the governor and the entire Yuguda family in mourning Hajiya Hauwa, whose modest, cheerful and compassionate disposition and lifestyle will remain a source of inspiration for her offspring and all who knew her. The President believes that Governor Yuguda, his siblings, members of their families and all others, whose lives were positively touched by Hajiya Hauwa, will forever treasure memories of her exemplary motherliness as well as her benevolence to the less privileged. President Jonathan prays that Almighty Allah will receive Hajiya Hauwa’s soul and grant her eternal rest.

News 49

NORTH

Protest trails Suswam’s deposition of monarch Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

here was protest in Gboko and other parts of Benue State yesterday, following the directive by Governor Gabriel Suswam that a paramount ruler in the state, the Ter Nagi and Chairman, Nagi Traditional Council, Chief Daniel Ayua Abomtse, be dethroned.

The protesting youths, who included women and children in their thousands, marched through the major streets of Gboko, the heartbeat of the Tiv nation, singing solidarity songs and carrying placards in protest against the removal of the monarch. The protest disrupted proceedings at the Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC), where the meeting of the council of Tiv

traditional rulers was ongoing at the palace of the Tor Tiv, presided over by Dr. Alfred Akawe Torlula. Governor Suswam, New Telegraph gathered, had allegedly sponsored the TATC meeting to ensure that one of the contenders in the race for the first class stools, which included his elder brother, Dr. Terkura Suswam, emerged as the Tor Sankera, which comprised

three local government areas of Logo, Ukum and Katsina Ala, before he hands over on May 29. The governor had rushed a controversial bill on the appointment of the said chiefs before the state House of Assembly last year, which divided the House. But in a letter announcing Abomtse’s deposition, Suswam cited ‘acts of gross misconduct and

embarrassment to the Tiv Area Traditional Council’ as the major offence of the dethroned monarch. The letter, dated 30th May, 2015, and signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Asen Sambe said Abomtse has been replaced by Chief Edwin I. Nienge, as the district head of Sengev, Naka in Gwer West Local Government.

NORTH

L-R: Senator-elect, Mr. Gideon Gwani; General Jeremiah Oseni and Senate President, David Mark, during a dinner for northern PDP legislators in Abuja…on Wednesday

Lawmaker barred from Assembly complex Assembly plots Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

or the second time in a week, a member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Iliasu Ibrahim, representing Ipaye/ Malete/Olooru Constituency, was yesterday prevented from entering the premises of the assembly. Ibrahim, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was suspended in 2013, but the suspension was nullified by the state high court on June 13, 2014 while the House was or-

dered to pay his 22-month salaries and allowances. The lawmaker made an attempt on Tuesday to gain access to the assembly, but he was prevented by security men attached to the complex, who claimed that they had no directive to allow him in. The same scenario played out yesterday when the lawmaker approached the gate of the assembly and was similarly refused entry even while other lawmakers were allowed in. Eyewitness accounts indicated that the security men at the gate first

stopped his car for about five minutes to inform their superior officers of his presence. Leaders of the security team, which comprised the police, the NSCDC and the SSS, had a lengthy discussion with the lawmaker. No fewer than six lawmakers, including the Deputy Speaker, Prof. Gana Yisa, gained access into the complex while the discussion lasted, but not even the presentation of the relevant court papers to the security agents, could dissuade them from stopping him.

NUC tasked on illegal varsities Dan Atori MINNA

overnor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State yesterday charged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to check the existence of illegal universities, which he said have bastardised the core of education in the country. He spoke yesterday when a team of inspectors from the NUC vis-

ited the state to inspect facilities at the Niger State University of Education, Minna, before its commencement. The governor said provisions have been made to sustain the growth of the institution in the state. According to him, “The NUC should take into consideration the existence of illegal universities that has bastardised the core of education in the country. “Today, I am happy that those at the NUC

have made provisions that would sustain the growth of the Niger State University of Education. “When I came into office, the state-owned university lacked adequate facilities for teaching and learning, today we are proud to be rated 57th by the NUC. “Our prayer is for the in-coming administration to continue with the existing projects put in place for the delivery of quality education to our people.”

speaker’s impeachment

Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

he plot by members of the Benue State House of Assembly to impeach the Speaker of the House, Hon. Terhile Ayua, yesterday assumed a disturbing dimension as the plot is likely to consume the incumbent governor, Gabriel Suswam. The decision of the lawmakers to send the speaker packing came twenty-eight days to the handover date as well as the inauguration of the 8th Assembly in the state. New Telegraph gathered that as a prelude to the impeachment move, no fewer than 18 out of the 30 signatures of the lawmakers have been secured for the impeachment plan. It was gathered that the embattled speaker has been having a running battle with his colleagues in the House over his undue fraternity with Governor Suswam through the alleged execution of shady deals calculated to be detrimental to the growth of the state and a gross abuse of office as

well as his inability to defend their interests before the governor. The lawmakers were also not happy with the speaker because of the formula he adopted in sharing the N50 million largesse from the governor to members of the House to facilitate the passage of the controversial chieftaincy bill. New Telegraph also gathered that the impeachment was being masterminded by aggrieved lawmakers who lost out during the April 11 election in the state, as well as the House Minority Leader, Hon. Benjamin Adanyi. The face-off between the speaker and the legislators grounded the House yesterday as members failed to sit on Wednesday. It was gathered that the decision to impeach the speaker was arrived at during a closed-door meeting by its principal officers. They were said to have resolved to carry out the impeachment before the May 29 handover date, just as all right-hand men of the governor were reported to have thrown their weight behind the plot.

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WORLD | News

Spillage: Shell profits can’t be enough for damages, Amnesty warns investors Mojeed Alabi

mnesty International has warned investors in the oil company giant- Royal Dutch Shell, not to be deceived by the profit figures it recently declared for the first quarter of 2015, saying the decades of unchecked oil spills in the Niger Delta region, where the company operates, has made it to be hugely indebted in compensation. According to AI’s Business and Human Rights

Researcher, Mark Dummett, the hidden costs to be paid in compensation by the oil company could be much more than what its profits could cover. He said; “Investors must beware of the hidden costs that await Shell from its Niger Delta operations. For decades the multi-national oil giant has failed to stop the oil spills, or clean up the devastating pollution that has destroyed lives and livelihoods. “Last year, Shell made profits of $15 billion, so investors may see it as a safe bet. But court actions have

already forced it to pay out millions in compensation, paving the way for future actions from other Nigerian communities which have borne the brunt of the company’s negligence.” It would be recalled that the United Nations Environment Programme once estimated that $1 billion will be needed for the first five years of oil cleanup for Ogoniland, one of Nigerian communities where Shell operates, and projected that cleaning up oil pollution in the area could be a 30-year operation.

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Pakistan court jails 10 for Malala’s attack

s Yousafzai, who was 15 at the time, was shot in the head on board her school bus in the Swat valley in 2012, in an attack that shocked the world. She was awarded last year’s Nobel Peace Prize for campaigning for children’s rights, despite the risk to her life. Officials say the 10 men, who do not include the man named as chief suspect, belonged to the Pakistani Taliban. Ataullah Khan, a 23-year-old militant,

was identified by a police report at the time of the shooting but he did not appear in the list of 10 men convicted yesterday. They were tried in an anti-terrorist court in Swat, in north-west Pakistan. The BBC’s M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says that no local journalists were aware that the court case was taking place, so there is uncertainty as to the exact charges the men were facing and who the witnesses were. A lawyer from the local District Bar Association

told the BBC that “there were no open hearings”. Those convicted “had a role in the planning and execution of the assassination attempt on Malala”, a police official in Swat told Reuters. Pakistani officials believe local Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah ordered the attack. He is thought to be in Afghanistan. Ms Yousafzai, now 17, was treated for her injuries in the UK and currently lives in Birmingham with her family. They are unable to return to Pakistan because of Taliban death threats.

Lack of legal framework hampers constituency projects –Senator Ogbuoji  Chukwu David Abuja

eputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Sonni Ogbuoji, yesterday stated that constituency projects implementation was being hampered by lack of proper legal framework to back up its execution.  This was as the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, called on the members of the incoming 8th National Assembly to diligently work towards strengthening

and stabilizing the Parliament. Ogbuoji made this statement in Abuja while presenting a paper at the just concluded induction course organised for the newly elected members of the National Assembly by the National Institute for Legislative Studies, NILS. He pointed out that as long as there was no law in place to back up the establishment and execution of constituency projects in the country, the effort to galvanize rapid national development through the instrumentality of constituency projects would remain

at abysmal level. Consequently, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chieftain implored the incoming Assembly to evolve proper legal framework to facilitate effective implementation of constituency projects, so as to achieve the intended socio-infrastructural development at the grassroots. Ogbuoji also lamented that the lack of maintenance culture in Nigeria was inimical to constituency projects execution in the country because some of the projects established through this programme were not adequately maintained.

INEC may deregister more parties

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it may begin consideration for deregistration of political parties that performed woefully in the just-concluded general elections after the review of the entire exercise.  According to it, the commission’s immediate focus is to have a comprehensive review of the elections before looking into other aspects associated with the electoral process. Chief Press Secretary to INEC

Chairman, Mr Kayode Idowu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday. Idowu said that although the commission had the power to deregister political parties based of their election performances, it often waited for issues around the elections, especially petitions at tribunals, to be settled.  ``For instance, some people have gone or will be going to the tribunal; we have to wait for the verdict that could emanate from

those kinds of things. ``You said there are some political parties which did not even contest in the elections at all; so, they have no basis on which to go to the tribunal; yes, but that is really further down the road.  ``The first thing for the commission to do is to review what happen during the election and that is what the commission is doing now. ``So, the possibility of visiting the provision of the law as we have it now on the political parties is much further down the road,’’ he said.

NNPC plans 2,000km gas pipeline, raise domestic oil production

he Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) said yesterday that it plans to provide 2,000 kilometres of gas pipelines over the next six years to enhance domestic gas supply in the country. The NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Joseph Dahwa, disclosed this in a message during the ``NNPC Day’’ at the ongoing Kaduna International Trade Fair. He said the project

offers great ``opportunities for investments for fabrication of pipelines and related services such as pipe coating, among others’’.  “These are capable of generating employment in large numbers,’’ he said. Dahwa said that the Gas Master Plan being executed in the country would establish a Gas Industrial Park in Delta, which was expected to generate over $10 billion

in foreign direct investment. He said that the project would also lead to the generation of ``customised fertiliser’’ that would stimulate large scale farming activities in the north, south west and south east of the country.  The GMD said that the company was also targeting to raise Nigeria’s crude oil production capacity from the present 130,000bpd to 250,000 bpd by 2020.

A French soldier taking part in ‘Operation Sangaris’ standing guard as Muslim people wait to seek refuge at the Boali church, some 100km north of Bangui.

Witnesses: French soldiers raped African children in camp

itnesses in a refugee camp in Central African Republic’s capital say French soldiers who were supposed to protect civilians sexually assaulted young children. People living inside the camp near the airport spoke out yesterday, a

day after French prosecutors military authorities said they were investigating allegations of sexual abuse in Bangui, the capital. The mother of one of the children told The Associated Press that young boys were sexually abused after approaching the French soldiers for

food. French soldiers first arrived in late 2013 amid sectarian violence that prompted tens of thousands to seek refuge on the grounds of the capital’s airport. The investigations have been underway since last July but were only made public Wednesday.

Kenya admits intelligence ignored ahead of Garissa massacre

enya’s interior minister yesterday admitted that intelligence was ignored and the security response botched regarding the Islamist massacre of nearly 150 people at Garissa university in April. Security should have been “beefed up” but was not, and once the attack began a “lack of coordination” undermined the response, Interior Minister Joseph Nkaissery told a parliamentary committee. “There was lack of coordination on the side of the officers, there was intelligence that this place was going to be attacked,” Nkaissery said. Militants from Somalia’s

Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab rebels killed 148 people during the assault on the university in northeast Kenya on April 2. It was the group’s deadliest attack to date. Student survivors said notices had been put up around the campus warning that an attack was possible. One student told AFP the notices were not taken seriously because they were posted on April fool’s, the day before the attack. When the four masked gunmen struck, only unarmed security guards stood between the attackers and their victims. The intelligence and security failings are reminiscent of Kenya’s botched response

to the 2013 attack on Nairobi’s Westgate mall, when prior intelligence was also ignored. During the attack itself a lack of clarity over chain of command and coordination between forces inside the mall led to Kenyan soldiers and police firing on each other leaving one member of the elite Recce Company dead. Appearing before a parliamentary security committee, Nkaissery who was appointed interior minister in December after his predecessor was sacked following a series of deadly Shebab attacks defended his ministry, instead blaming regional and county security officials for the failings.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

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International Sport

DSTV League: Union Bank banking on form to upstage Warriors

Messi’s ‘Panenka’ penalty is the best ever – Panenka

The Big Fight

Tyson slams ‘very small and scared’ Mayweather

Sport

Did you know? That women were allowed to compete for the first time at the Olympic Games in 1900 in Paris, France.

‘Mayweather does not want Pacquiao fight’

anny Pacquiao’s trainer says he fears Floyd Mayweather might not turn up for Saturday’s superfight in Las Vegas. Pacquiao and Mayweather are set to split upwards of £150m following their welterweight bout at the MGM Grand. But Freddie Roach said of Mayweather: “I really am wondering if he’s going to turn up on the night. “I don’t think any fighter is afraid, but I don’t think

he wanted this fight. He was forced into a fight he didn’t want to take.” Roach added: “I just don’t know why Floyd has gone quiet for this fight. His speech is very subdued.” Five-weight world champion Mayweather, 38, was unmoved by Roach’s claims, stating: “I’ll be there. “I talked trash in the past but this fight sells itself, so I don’t have to.” Roach said Mayweather’s camp had also made a com-

plaint about the protective cup that Pacquiao will use, citing that as further proof of Mayweather’s fragile state of mind. Roach said the Nevada Commission had inspected the cup at Pacquiao’s training camp and approved it. “It’s the regular cup,” said Roach, a seven-time trainer of the year who was in Oscar de la Hoya’s corner when Mayweather beat him in 2007. Mayweather’s trainer, Floyd Sr, also went on the offensive at Wednesday’s news conference.

“Manny Pacquiao ain’t got it,” he said. “He can’t punch. It’s going to be one-sided and Pacquiao is going to be put to sleep. Good night.” He also mocked Pacquiao and Roach in rhyme, including the line: “When Floyd breaks his jaw, he will take time to recoup. And when it’s all finished, he’ll be sucking on soup.” Six-weight world champion Pacquiao, 36, said he wanted the fight more than Mayweather and criticised the American - unbeaten in 47 bouts - for be-

ing money-focused. “It’s all business for him,” said Pacquiao. “For me, it’s about giving the fans who are paying all this money a great fight. They deserve that.” The Philippine legend added he was in good shape for the fight, which is the richest in history and also for the WBC, WBA and WBO titles. “The feeling I had three years ago, 10 years ago, is back,” he said. “I haven’t felt like this in my last few fights, I feel different. I’m relaxed and confident.”

Fresh crisis rocks NFF Adekunle Salami

risis is currently brewing at the secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation over the renovation of the burnt part in the Glass House. Authoritative sources revealed that the N5.9m money released for the renovation of the offices that were in flames last year was the cause of the ongoing ripples.

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

Renovation work started at the secretariat of the football body last week in Abuja and that was when trouble started as a top official in charge of maintenance was shocked that work started without his knowledge and without the approval of his proposal. “The man is in charge of everything that has to do with maintenance. He applied for money and while waiting for the release, he saw people working already on the project,” our source said. It was also learnt reliably that those currently handling the renovation are from a top official of the secretariat. “The N5.9m was paid directly into the private account of the top secretariat staff who now engaged those handling the job. Everything blew open because the person that wrote the proposal was angry over the development and he challenged other top officials,” our source added. Our correspondent observed that the conflicting interest on the project is causing problems within the staff at the secretariat. Assistant Director, Communications, Ademola Olajire, denied knowledge of the wrangling at the secretariat over the renovation work. “What you are telling me is new to me. I am aware renovation is ongoing but I don’t know about those fighting over the handling of the project,” Olajire said.

• Over N5.9m renovation money

The NFF Building

Sport

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sports revival: It’s time for men with large hearts

o assert that Nigeria sports is at crossroad at the moment could be classified as nothing short of an outright understatement. The reason for this obvious conclusion is traceable to the comatose state our entire sports is at the moment. There are no activities whatsoever currently going on in any of the sports federations, worthy of mention that is sponsored by the government, hence the gradual dilapidation of most infrastructure installed at huge cost to tax payers across the country. The reasons for this sorry state of affairs are not farfetched. The massive level of squander mania going on at various levels in the administrative chain of the supervising Ministry, particularly by the leadership leaves much to be desired. One begins to wonder what the yearly budgetary regime with various sub-heads are meant for, if not applied for the purposes they were specifically meant. In the first place, one wonders what the yearly budgetary ritual is designed to accomplish, with systematic moves undertaken by some unscrupulous officials who are out to con some money from government under different guise other than what they are meant for. I am not surprised that the Sports Ministry is perpetually broke, even though the various sporting federations are let to fend for themselves. The messy battle for the

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soul of the ministry, that eventually claimed the position of the erstwhile Director General of the Commission, and the Honourable Minister was over what formula to apply in disbursing government funds entrusted to them to administer on behalf of the various federations. The insistence on application of due process by some knowledgeable administrators led to the apparent murky relationship between the gladiators that eventually manifested as a full blown unmanageable conflict. It is rather unfortunate that right from inception of the democratic dispensation in 1999, sports in general have been so unlucky as it appears to have been over politicised. The sector has been saddled with lily livered men who lack the guts to take big decisions for the good of our sports. Rather, only greedy, selfish and indolent people that are guided by myopic considerations, ethnic chauvinists and those who have scores to settle are imposed on the once vibrant sector, that the likes of S. O Ogbemudia, Bayo

JOE BOOSTER

Lawal, Samson Emeka Omeruwa, Tony Ikhazobor etc bestrode like colossus. Apart from the National Stadium, Abuja, which stands as a monument of sleaze, when the cost is compared to other similar projects across the World, we have nothing positive to report as progress since then. As far as I’m concerned, nothing concrete has been done for the benefit of our sportsmen and women so far. All we hear on a daily basis is nothing but an avalanche of complaints of no funds, whereas the little that trickles in yearly is openly diverted to uses other than official, to the chagrin of all. Unfortunately, sports development has taken a back seat, as it is no longer accorded priority in the scheme of things. Athletes and sportsmen and women are no longer called to camp neither are regular screening exercises carried out to identify budding sportsmen of the future. It is ironic that we now live as a nation of the now as people firmly believe that the future will take care of itself when we get there. The once famous Games

Village, Lagos, is now serving some purposes other than that which it was originally designed for by the founding fathers of our sports. Youths are no longer the prime focus of our developmental efforts, rather our deep pockets is getting all the attention selfishly at the expense of the youths. The question now is who bells the cat, since politicians are known world-over to have taken the centre stage and have the needs of their constituents to service. But must it be at our collective expense? This is the moment when men with large hearts and cutting edge idea are needed to come to the rescue of our sports from the stranglehold of indolent criminals, who have little or nothing to offer. Nigerian sports need the reemergence of men like Late Group Captain Brai Ayonote, the erstwhile President of Nigeria Amateur Boxing Association, NABA, as it was known then. These are men who could give anything to uplift the particular sports they so much loved. The late NABA President could spend his personal money without reservation, get corporate Nigeria to back their projects and move top government functionaries to approve whatever the federation needed then. Here is a man who lived boxing, work boxing and eventually died in active service serving boxing. The only standing gymnasium built for boxing

in Nigeria was undertaken by this legend. Unfortunately, the complex that was named after him in honour of his memory is now lying fallow as an uncompleted edifice occupied by rodents in Lagos. Moreover, his move to revive Afuze Games Village and Mambilla Plateau as camp site to train boxers regularly, have all perished with him. I remember that the era in question was when Nigeria had three different sets of national team of boxers camped across the world. That was Team A – C. While the Team A was camped in Canada, Team B was in Cuba, leaving Team C then in Germany. There was regular swapping coupled with adequate monitoring from time to time with sound welfare programme put in place to make the athletes happy. That was when Nigeria was formidable in boxing. It is worthy to note that bilateral relations were effectively exploited to the advantage of our sports. Regrettably, all these appear unrealisable now simply because people no longer see appointments to sporting bodies as call to service, but rather see it as clear opportunity to rip off our nation. Sincerely, Nigeria needs men of unquestionable character with deep sense of commitment to rescue the nation’s sports from the current ravaging team of vampires that are at work currently. These should be men with large heart.

DSTV League: Union Bank banking on form to upstage Warriors Ifeanyi Ibeh

H Geremi Njitap answering questions from reporters at Heineken House Lagos

Lagos hosts Heineken UCL session

n recognition of Nigeria as one of the top global hotspots of football followership, Heineken’s worldwide interactive series berthed in Lagos last week. Heineken House Lagos was selected as one of only nine exotic locations around the world to host the #ChampionTheMatch series, where a football legend interacts with a global audience in a live Twitter session. On a night when the cream of European clubs vied for UEFA Champions League semifinal places, it was most befitting that Heineken House guests enjoyed the company of Chelsea and Real Madrid icon, Geremi Njitap, who made 37 appearances in the world’s greatest club football tournament, and twice lifted the trophy.

“Frankly, I am excited,” said the Cameroonian. “Being here, with Nigerian football fans brings me lots of emotion. I realise now that I’ve been in a great profession.” He added: “I was very surprised. When I got here, I wasn’t expecting to see all this.” For the guests, Geremi’s presence heightened the whole experience. “Tonight, we have a former Chelsea legend, Geremi, in the house. You don’t get to see world class legends every day. This is fantastic,” said January Ozeraga, a banker. “Kudos to Heineken. I’ve never seen any other company put in so much resource into creating such a fantastic viewing experience for us the consumers. I have lots of pictures and souvenirs of this experience.”

ead coach of Union Bank, Ayinla Johnson, has expressed his excitement over his team’s first away win of the DSTV Premier Basketball League season, and is hoping his players can carry the form that saw them beat Kwara Falcons into Friday’s match against Atlantic Conference leaders, Dodan Warriors. The Lagos-based club last week defeated Kwara Falcons 61-58 at the Kwara Stadium, Ilorin, to revive their quest for one of the Atlantic Conference’s four playoff spots after four rounds of matches. Union Bank lost their opening two games of the cam-

paign at home to Customs (6140) and Lagos Islanders (59-54) before grabbing their first win in a 59-50 defeat of the Oluyole Warriors at the National Stadium, Lagos, which they followed up with last weekend’s win against the Falcons. The Bankers now occupy the Atlantic Conference’s fourth and final playoff spot and Johnson believes their recent win in Ilorin is an indication that they have rediscovered their winning formula. According Johnson, who also doubles as the assistant coach of the national team, aside from the fact that he wasn’t on the bench to dish out instructions in their opening two games of the campaign, owing to his assignment with

D’Tigers, the club’s players did not help matters as they lacked the needed confidence to match their opponents “ball for ball, and rebound for rebound.” But all that, according to the former league star, is now in the past as they were able to hold their own in their last match against the Falcons in Ilorin. And he is hopeful that his players will carry that form into Friday’s match against the Dodan Warriors. Meanwhile, the team’s management, led by Babatunde Popoola, who is also the secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, has appealed to the club’s fans to continue to show their support for the team in order to help the players reach the post-season playoffs.

Tombim Abuja ITF Futures: Moses bows out

he last Nigerian in the ongoing Tombim Abuja ITF Futures, Michael Moses, on Thursday, crashed out of the tournament. Moses lost to Matija Pecotic in two straight sets of 6-2, 6-2. The number four seeded Croatian spent a little more than one hour in dispatching the Nigerian in the tournament

taking place at the Package B of the National Stadium, Abuja. Also, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, the tournament’s number one seed, lost to Keith-Patrick Crowley from South Africa 1-6, 6-3, 7-5, while the other South African in the tournament, Tucker Vorster, the tourney’s number two seed, lost 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (5) to America’s Evan Song,

seeded five. In the day’s final single match, Deiton Baughman knocked out Stanislav Korshunov in a really quick and one-sided encounter. Friday’s semifinal pairings will see Baughman take on Crowley while Song will seek to stop the superiority of Pecotic in the second semifinal match of the day.

International Sport 53

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

‘Messi’s ‘Panenka’ penalty is the best ever’

ionel Messi’s ‘Panenka’ penalty against Getafe has been hailed as the best ever - by the man himself. Antonin Panenka originated the chipped spot-kick technique as he audaciously clinched Czechoslovakia’s shoot-out victory over Germany in the 1976 European Championship final. And the former midfielder anointed Messi as the best of his many imitators after the Barcelona forward deceived Vicente Guaita for the first of his two goals in Tuesday’s 6-0 demolition at the Camp Nou. “The execution was the

best I’ve ever seen - not too powerful, central, good elevation,” Panenka, 66, told radio station RAC1. “Technically the goal was impressive. It is a further demonstration of (Messi’s) quality.” Zinedine Zidane replicated Panenka’s spot-kick in the 2006 World Cup final, putting France into the lead via the crossbar in Berlin. Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo was also famed for his cheeky chipped penalty against England in the quarter finals of Euro 2012 as Italy progressed into the semi-finals.

Marseille target Vieira as next manager

arseille have reportedly made Patrick Vieira a candidate to become their next manager. Reports have suggested that the French Ligue 1 side will part company with current boss Marcelo Bielsa at the end of the season after witnessing their title challenge falter in recent weeks. Former Arsenal captain, Vieira, who is currently the head of City’s elite development squad, is close to being qualified to manage at first-team level after spending the past two years securing his coaching licence with the Football Association of Wales.

The 38-year-old has been heavily linked with the top job at City, with Manuel Pellegrini expected to leave the Etihad this summer. It is understood that while Vieira is highly regarded by the City hierarchy, the former French international is weighing up his coaching options. According to British newspaper, The Telegraph, Marseille are hoping that they can tempt Vieira back to France by offering him his first foray into management. Vieira also played for Juventus and Inter Milan before finishing his career at City in 2011.

NBA: Love out for up to six months

evin Love has been ruled out for four to six months after undergoing surgery on his dislocated left shoulder. The Cleveland Cavaliers power forward suffered the injury during the team’s first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics. The team confirmed that the

26-year-old underwent the operation in New York earlier this week and will return to the team for rehabilitation. Love, who was playing in the post-season for the first time in his seven-year NBA career, joined the Cavaliers in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves last offseason. Cech

Cech to snub Liverpool for Arsenal

Messi

Mourinho’s half-time rant inspired us – Drogba

idier Drogba admits Jose Mourinho’s half-time team-talk was the catalyst for Chelsea’s comeback at Leicester which leaves them one win away from clinching the Premier League title. Chelsea trailed 1-0 at the break at The King Power Stadium before Drogba, John Terry and Ramires scored to move Mourinho’s side 13 points clear of Manchester City and Arsenal. Mourinho told journalists after the game that they would not be able to broadcast his expletive-laden pep talk, and Drogba confirmed the Portuguese’s rant had the

desired effect. “A lot of things were said, a few things you don’t want to hear but a few things which were very good for us to hear,” the striker told Chelsea TV. “You could see in the second half there was a change, a reaction, and that was the goal of the speech, to create a reaction. “It’s important to show the way and show reactions and I’m really happy I managed to do it. “The game didn’t look good in the first half, the way we played and started. We are really happy with three good goals, we played very well in the second half.”

Kevin Love (right) in action against the Boston Celtics

Varane warns Barca not to ‘slip up’

aphael Varane has warned Barcelona that title rivals Real Madrid will “battle until the end” as they bid to pip their Catalan rivals to La Liga glory. Carlo Ancelotti’s side smashed Almeria 3-0 on Wednesday night to stay two points adrift of Barca with four games remaining in a thrilling title race. The Italian coach later claimed he believed that Luis Enrique’s charges would not drop any points,

Newlywed Murray wins in Munich

Didier Drogba in action against Leicester

but Varane says the Blancos will be waiting to pounce if they do. “We’ll continue giving it everything until the end of the season and will try to win all our remaining games in order to put pressure on Barcelona,” he told Madrid’s official website. “We are going to battle until the end. We are focusing on our upcoming games, we’ll see what happens afterwards.” Real travel to top-four hopefuls Sevilla on Saturday.

ut-of-favour Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech would favour a summer switch to Arsenal ahead of Liverpool, according to reports. Cech, 32, is expected to leave Stamford Bridge after falling behind Thibaut Courtois in the pecking order this season, with the Blues’ Premier League rivals keen to sign him. However, the Czech, who will be available for around £10m, would prefer a switch to North London, according to British newspaper, The Mirror. The Gunners have effectively secured Champions League qualification, while Liverpool’s hopes of the top four were dealt a blow by losing 1-0 to Hull City on Tuesday. Big-spending French champions Paris Saint-Germain are among the non-English clubs also hunting his signature. Cech is contracted to Chelsea until 2016.

ewlywed Andy Murray has entered a very different off-court double-act, but won a doubles match on his return to tennis following his wedding. Having been given a bye into the second round of Munich’s ATP singles tournament where he will face Mischa Zverev, Murray warmed up with a doubles win on Wednesday with Dutch partner

Jean-Julien Rojer. They ousted third seeds Raven Klaasen and Lukas Rosol 7-5, 6-2 in 69 minutes. Murray has brought in coach Jonas Bjorkman to cover for Amelie Mauresmo who is expecting her first child, and is using the Munich tournament to hone that relationship. “As a coach I don’t know him that well because we only spent a few days in Barcelona

last week, but he’s a very calm guy,” said Murray.

Murray

Sport

THE BIG FIGHT May 3 (Sunday 3am)

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tyson slams ‘very small and scared’ Mayweather

Tyson

ormer world champion, Mike Tyson, has taken offence with Floyd Mayweather’s recent claim that he’s better than legendary heavyweight fighter, Muhammad Ali. In a brief but action-packed interview with the Undisputed Champion Network, Tyson said: “He’s very delusional. If he was anywhere near that realm of ‘Greater than Ali’ he’d be able to take his kids to school by himself.” ‘’He called himself ‘The Greatest’ and I call myself TBE (The Best Ever),” Mayweather said of Ali. Mayweather also correctly predicted: “’I’m pretty sure I’ll get criticised for what I said, but I could care less. I could care less about the backlash.’’ The backlash included a personal shot from Tyson. “He’s a little scared man” Tyson said. “He’s a very small, scared man.” Mayweather stands 5-foot-8 and is expected to weigh in at 147 pounds when he steps into the ring against the Filipino. Previously, when asked to pick the winner, Tyson described Pacquiao as a pugilist in “perpetual motion.” “PacMan’s all over the place,” Tyson said. “[Floyd’s] gonna lose the round if he lays back ... You gotta come out punching.”

Pacquiao must pile on pressure, says Calzaghe

oe Calzaghe believes Manny Pacquiao must apply heavy pressure and back Floyd Mayweather on to the ropes if he is to have any chance of winning their fight in Las Vegas this weekend. Although Calzaghe is tipping Pacquiao to lose, he feels he could be proved wrong if the Filipino maintains a high work rate and volume of punches, just as Marcos Maidana did when troubling Mayweather in the first of their two fights last year. Calzaghe told Sky Sports News: “Manny Pacquiao has definitely got a chance. He has to be very fast, [throw] fast combinations, use his southpaw skills, but don’t be too careless because Mayweather is really good with that right hand and that left hook, which is the perfect punch to

throw against a southpaw. “There is no way he is going to out-box Floyd Mayweather. When it comes to boxing skills, Mayweather is a much better fighter. Manny Pacquiao needs to be aggressive, he needs to throw punches in bunches, combinations, have a high work rate, like Maidana did. “Maidana is not as good as Pacquiao but he did cause problems for Mayweather when he threw combinations and backed him up on the ropes and let his punches go. “Personally, if you asked my prediction, I would have to go with the undefeated fighter, Mayweather, to win the fight, probably on points, but Manny Pacquiao is a very dangerous fighter, so it will be edge-of-your-seat stuff.”

Laila Ali

Mayweather not the greatest, insists Laila Ali

head of this weekend’s clash with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, Floyd Mayweather has continued to boldly claim to be the greatest boxer of all time. But despite being an undefeated five-division world champion with ten world titles under his belt, there is one person that doesn’t feel he has earned that status. Laila Ali, the daughter of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, has said that just because he believes he is better than her father, doesn’t make it true. Speaking to TMZ, the retired undefeated Super Middleweight champion said that while she encourages Mayweather to see himself as “the greatest”, the

reality is very different. “At the end of the day there is nothing wrong with feeling that way about yourself as a fighter but it doesn’t make it true,” she explained. Earlier in April, Mayweather boasted that he had surpassed Ali’s level of success. He told ESPN: “No disrespect to Muhammad Ali, but he did it in one division. Ali lost to a fighter with seven fights (on his record, Leon Spinks), but he’s still known as ‘The Greatest’. That’s what he put out there. It is what it is.” Asked if it was just “pre-fight arrogance,” Laila said: “No he really feels that way and that’s okay; you’re supposed to feel that way about yourself.”

Filipinos urged to turn off fridges to save power

Pacquiao and Mayweather

esidents of the western Philippines are being asked to turn off their refrigerators so there will be enough electricity to watch this weekend’s fight between local boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. Rante Ramos, secretary of the electrical cooperative on the island of Palawan, posted the appeal on Facebook, saying that the area faced a power shortfall that might result in an outage on Sunday when the long-awaited fight airs in the Philippines. “Truth is, come May 3 … Palawan grid would still be 2-megawatt short of power

supply. Some circuits may inevitably be switched off,” he warned. “Collectively we can do something. On May 3, let’s all voluntarily switch off or disconnect as many appliances as we could,” he said, asking that about 15,000 homes switch off their refrigerators for a few hours. He also urged people not to use their washing machines, air-conditioners and irons until the fight is over. Palawan’s capital of Puerto Princesa has been suffering daily power outages lasting two to three hours due to a supply shortfall.

However the entire nation is eagerly anticipating the “fight of the century” between Pacquiao, regarded as a national figure, and unbeaten American Mayweather to finally answer who is the better pound-for-pound boxer of their generation. The fight is going to be shown live in public on widescreen TVs in the city, sponsored by two candidates who are running for mayor in Puerto Princesa elections on May 8. It will also be shown on a pay-per-view basis in many bars and hotels of the popular resort city.

Travel Advisory

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, May 1, 2015

International Flight Schedule Air France

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

Flight No. AF 513 AF 3822 AF514 AF513 AF514 AF3849

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

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

Amsterdam-Lagos Lagos-Amsterdam

KL587 KL588

13:15hrs 23:05hrs

20:00hrs 05:50hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York

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

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

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

BRITISH AIRWAYS

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

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

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS

16:00hrs

Lagos-Kigali

11:15hrs

16:45hrs

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

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

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

14:00hrs

17:30hrs

22:35hrs 15:10hrs

06:00hrs 21:20hrs

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

hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

01:00hrs

hrs

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Doha Flight Doha-Lagos Flight

QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415

14:55hrs 07:20hrs

23:45hrs 13:35hrs

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

DL053 DL 054

22:15hrs 5:15hrs

05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Madrid Madrid-Lagos

IB 3337 IB 3336

22:55hrs 16:00hrs

5:25+1hrs 20:20hrs

Lagos-Casablanca Casablanca-Lagos

AT738 AT 737

06:25hrs 02:15hrs

09:55hrs 6:00hrs

air maroc

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

12:30hrs

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

IBERIA

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

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

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

MEA 571 MEA 572

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

to Lagos)

UNITED AIRLINES

17:00hrs 4:40hrs

KQ 533 KQ 534

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

DELTA AIRLINES

11:00hrs 22:40hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

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

QATAR AIRWAYS

VS 652 VS 651

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

BA075 BA074 BA 082 BA 083

EMIRATES AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos

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

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

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

VIRGIN ATLANTIC

RwandAir

Kigali-Lagos

Turkish Airlines

Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

Air Côte d'Ivoire Lagos to Abidjan Abidjan to Lagos

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

ASKY AIRLINES

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

10:10hrs

10:50hrs

19:20hrs

21.50hrs

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

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

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

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

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

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE ARIK AIR

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

AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE

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

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

FIRST NATION AIRWAYS

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

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

AEROCONTRACTORS

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

MEDVIEW AIRLINES

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

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

On Marble

World Record The worlds iciest road

Sanctity of Truth

“Men learn to love the woman they are attracted to. Women learn to become attracted to the man they fall in love with.”

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

– Woody Allen

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

N150

The McMurdo South Pole Highway is a 900 mile stretch of unpaved highway linking the U.S. Antarctic McMurdo station to the Amundsen-Scott station basically it’s a series of flags patrolled by snow plows! The road is extremely dangerous, tedious and of course, very very isolated!

Public arena : the column you write

My father, the comrade Dikeogu Chukwumerije

rom my earliest recollections, two paintings have occupied pride of place in my father’s collections – a framed outline of the unmistakable profile of Lenin, and a full length, full colour, as tall as a grown man painting of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. With him, I am certain, my father was in love. They first met at Our Lady’s High School Onitsha, sometime between 1952 and 1956, when in the company of Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Nkrumah fired my father’s mind with the idea of African revolution and continental unity. Scientific socialism would not come until 1957 in Kuti Hall, when helped along by two friends at the University College Ibadan, Daddy embraced Karl Marx. These were life-changing meetings for him, as significant as thirty odd years later, when he met Jesus Christ. As an eye witness to the transformations that followed that particular encounter – the night virgils, daily devotions, Christmases spent at fasting ‘banquets’ – I can confirm what everyone who has ever met Uche Chukwumerije says, the man didn’t half do things. So, till he died, in spite of the collapse of the USSR, and the global triumph of the Washington Consensus, and his grudging acceptance of SOME merit in market-led economic theories, he remained intuitively wary of what he termed ‘bourgeois capitalism’. And I would tease him, “Look at the house you live in, Daddy, and you call yourself a Comrade?” Those were the types of jokes that brought the brightest sparkles to his eyes. For, you see, it was not a title, at all, for him – ‘Comrade’ – for he had nothing but utter disdain for crass materialism. Once, curious about the impact of the £20 policy on him after the War, I found a moment and asked. It brought on a look of amusement, followed immediately by his rumbling laughter – “Should you not have asked if I even had a bank account in the first place?” What would he need it for? When he lived on a diet of (as I liked to call it) nuts and berries, and the occasional bottle of Stout (a lingering habit from the early days as a desk reporter in Lagos). A wardrobe full of identical plain white clothes, simple shoes, and an unbreakable habit of carrying his own bag – Uche Chukwumerije was a proud and conscientious citizen of Sparta. Not always amusing. I remember the earthmoving arguments we had before he would allow me to take a deck (i.e cassette player) to school, with a small piece of carpet that had already been so used it was without third-hand value. In his mind, these modest furnishings were proof of my developing ‘big headedness’. And in my defence I pointed out that the children of his mates brought cars to school, and lived off campus. He said – “Okay then, but I do not want any of MY children prancing around like peacocks with raised shoulders, puffed up over imaginary achievements. The future belongs to those who are so obsessed with it they forsake the pleasures of today.” You see, it was a trait he had the deepest and most sincere respect for, simplicity, and one of the primary

Chukwumerije

reasons for his undying devotion to Mallam Aminu Kano, second only to Mallam’s dedication to the cause of the talakawa. For that too was something that always troubled my old man, social injustice and what he called the inequitable distribution of wealth. It didn’t start in the Senate, where he conceived bills like the Corporate Social Responsibility Bill and seriously toyed with proposing one to cap rents in Abuja. I remember our arguments in his office in the Senate, because I stood on the opposite side of the ideological divide, arguing that capping rents and slapping CSR taxes on companies was not the best way to proceed in the 21st century; trying to drag an old socialist a bit more towards the center. And he did make adjustments, as he was always respectful of the well-argued case, but his ideological soul was constantly troubled with that singular concern – how does one make life better for the people? Not many people can boast of the same consistency, for my father was already an active socialist by 1961, when fresh out of

Yes, I will miss him, for he was my ideological fountainhead – my father as well as my Comrade. Ishikaraka, adieu!

University he plunged into groups like The Nigerian Socialist Movement and Eskor Toyo’s Socialist Workers and Farmers Party. His ideological framework – undergirded by giants like Nkrumah, Nasser, Marx, and Vladimir Lenin – was, essentially, double-barreled. Politically he was Pan-Africanist. Economically, he was Marxist. Both strands of thought were linked by the prominent place given to the ideal of Unity – the unity of African states and peoples in the first instance, and of the oppressed proletariat in the second. So, believe me when I tell you that in 1966, when hostilities first broke out, my father was a reluctant Biafran. But – like I heard him say once at a family meeting, just after he had damned the collective and decided to shoulder the burden of burying his elder brother alone – “what is ours is ours, and what is mine is mine”. His engagement in Biafra was, first and foremost, that same visceral decision to stand with his own in their darkest hour, for who should keep the gates but the owners of the house? But the objective facts of the situation also fired his socialist angst – the massacre of innocents, the bombing of civilian targets, the use of starvation as a weapon of war – and in that rugged crucible he began to form his life-long conviction that if we must have One Nigeria, it should not be over the systemic and violent suppression of his, or any other, ethnic or social group. In his mind, Nigeria could only flourish on the socialist foundation of justice to all her component

parts, or as Igbo would say, “Biri ka m biri”. This conviction supplied the ideological fire for his consistent defence of the Igbo cause. For him, the path to One Nigeria could either be revolutionary or evolutionary. He would have, of course, preferred the former – where the nation was led by a series of high minded, totally de-tribalized leaders who, like Jerry Rawlings of Ghana or Kemal Ataturk of Turkey, would lay socio-political foundations for true integration. If we could not have that, then we would have to settle for a slower, more organic process with the different ethnic groups constantly negotiating and re-negotiating access to the center. If this process was allowed to continue in an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual respect, and with the constant re-affirmation of the long term goal of de-tribalization and integration, THEN – he would say with the sigh of a man impatient for change – “in the lives of these your children perhaps, or, much more likely, of their unborn children, we will have what we hope for today”. But he was already an elderly man when he began to talk like this. After the War, just 31, he was still burning with pan-Africanist zeal, a zeal that empowered him to engineer his own re-integration. For the War had barely ended, when with the financial aid of the late M.D Yusuf, Daddy launched his magazine. Within a few years, Afriscope had developed into a behemoth. Rifling through the pages of this Monthly that ran from 1971 till he closed it down in 1983 to fully face commitments in the Peoples Redemption Party, I still shake my head in deep nostalgia. For I have met legends on the dusty pages of Afriscope – from Kenneth Kaunda to Amilcar Cabral; from the shift to the metric system, to the debates around the Indigenization Decrees, my father’s magazine gave me a front row seat to the definitive happenings of those times. But when Aminu Kano called, he dropped it all – success and material security – and answered. For, I remember, it was one of the first Bills he worked on when first elected to the Senate in 2003 – the Election Campaign Finance Regulation Bill. It was what made Aminu Kano so different from the others, he always said, the fact that Mallam – whether with NEPU or PRP – won hearts, and minds, and electoral seats without splashing millions around. “But today” – my father wrote this in 1999 – “there is hardly an elected executive who spent less than a million Naira to buy his seat. When one’s access to power is so morally flawed, probity is compromised from the very beginning. Today, the system has completely destroyed every incentive to selfless service and encourages a new ethos of self-service in all breeds, whether new or old. But the system forgets one historical fact. The system that seeks to abort the birth of future Aminu Kanos only hastens the pace of its own destruction.” He believed it. And from where I sat and watched him for many, many years, I know that he lived it. Yes, I will miss him, for he was my ideological fountainhead – my father as well as my Comrade. Ishikaraka, adieu!

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