Friday, october 14, 2016

Restructuring: Demoted FAAN general managers resign Wole Shadare

A

pale of gloom pervaded the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over

the recent sack and demotion of top officials of the agency, even as most of the downgraded general managers resigned yesterday.

The headquarters of FAAN was like a ghost town yesterday when New Telegraph visited, as many were seen discussing in

hushed tune, expressing uncertainty over their own future.

Five of the former general managers who spoke

on condition of anonymity, said they had already tendered their resignation letters shortly before they got wind of the exercise,

NNPC deploys oil exploration equipment to Bauchi, Gombe

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which brings to an end almost four years of their service.

The Federal Government had, last Wednesday, begun the restructuring CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Friday, October 14, 2016

FCT convicts 16 herdsmen, impounds 36 cows }8

/newtelegraph /newtelegraph

Vol. 3 No. 968

Herdsmen

Nigeria in recession since 2014, says Kalu }39

Kalu

Lagos arrests beggars, rescues five kids }9

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

The beggars

N150

Undergraduate slumps, dies after praying }9 for sick student

Ortom

DSS freezes judges’ accounts

NJC: Secret Service failed to prove corruption charges against judges EFCC probes eight judges, two registrars DSS lied against NJC –NBA How governor padded contract to build houses for judges }6 & 7 Names of those released Mary Usman Bulama Jumai John Blessing Abana Luggwa Sanda Comfort Habila Maryam Basheer Comfort Amos Glory Mainta Saratu Emmanuel Deborah Ja’afaru Rahab Ibrahim Helin Musa Maryamu Lawan Rebecca Ibrahim Asabe Goni Deborah Andrawus Agnes Gapani Saratu Markus Glory Dama Pindah Nuhu Rebecca Mallam

Chibok: FG takes over 21 girls, baby

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(1) Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo with one of the rescued Chibok girls and her baby. (2 & 3) The 21 schoolgirls. (4) Osinbajo's wife, Dolapo, and one of the girls. (5) Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan, with some of the girls at the DSS Medical Centre, in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Sex doesn’t diminish athletic prowess –study

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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NEWS

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG secures release of 21 Chibok girls lChibok Girls: We’ll continue to secure Nigerians – Buhari Onwuka Nzeshi, Anule Emmanuel and Yekeen Nurudeen

A

fter several months of negotiation, the Federal Government yesterday secured the release 21 of the schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists at the

Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

The girls who have been in captivity for two and a half years were released at about 5:30am yesterday following negotiations between the Boko Haram leaders, officials of the Federal Government, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

and the government of Switzerland.

Elodie Schindler, a spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross, confirmed to ABC News that the humanitarian group, “acting as a neutral intermediary,” transferred 21 of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls and handed them over to Nigerian authorities on

Thursday.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who briefed journalists on the release of the girls, however, denied that it was a swap deal.

The 21 girls, the minister said, were released to government based on negotiation. He insisted that the deal did not involve

Chibok: FG takes over 21 girls, baby Anule Emmanuel Abuja

T

he Federal Government yesterday formally received the 21 Chibok Girls and a 21-month-old baby rescued by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The girls were handed over to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, by the Director-General of the DSS, Mr. Lawal Daura, at the DSS medical Centre, Abuja.

The Director Medical Services of the Centre, Dr. Ann Okoroafor, said that the girls were brought into the centre at about 1p.m.

Okoroafor said the girls’ ages ranged from 18 years to 22 years and that the centre performed some medical examinations on all of them already.

Osinbajo thanked God for the rescue of the girls and promised that the travails of the Chibok girls abducted about 30 months ago would soon end.

He stated that the Federal Government is expecting more of the Chibok girls in the next few days and months.

"We believe that in the next few days and months, we will be bringing in more of these girls, using exactly the same kind of negotiation and the same template that we used,” he said.

Osinbajo said that government will adopt a similar approach of negotiation to secure the release of the remaining girls kidnapped by the Boko Haram sect over two years ago at Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

Twenty-one out of the over 200 kidnapped school-

2.56m

The total volume of payment channels made by POS of Nigeria in April 2015.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

$4,523.86m The capital importation of the Shares sector of Nigeria in Q3 2014.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

girls were yesterday released by Boko Haram after sustained negotiations between the Federal Government and the leadership of the sect.

Addressing State House Correspondents at the presidential villa after visiting the 21 girls at the medical centre of the Department of State Services (DSS), the vice president said there was no swap of detained Boko Haram suspects to secure their release.

He explained that “there was no exchange of any kind. There was no swap of any kind. Even when we started negotiations, we said we will consider all options available to us. Absolutely, there was no exchange of any kind.”

Osinbajo said that the release of the 21 girls was possible with the assistance of the Swiss government.

According to him, “the Swiss government worked with us in the process of negotiation, but the Red Cross was not involved in the negotiation, but in taking the girls back. Of course, we worked with the Red Cross because we were unable to take our own medical team. It was the Swiss government, our own officials: the DSS, intelligence and the military that were involved.”

The vice president added that Nigerians must be sensitive that the Federal Government wants all the girls rescued.

“We must be sensitive to the fact that government wants these girls back alive. Again, we must balance it against the security and safety of the country.

“In the process of negotiation, we will look at all options and we will weigh the options carefully and decide what to do. But what has happened and the process we have begun is one, which has not involved any type of swap of Boko Haram commanders or any militant in any way.”

He confirmed that one of the 21 girls has a baby.

“She is the only one,” Osinbajo said.

The vice president, ac-

companied by his wife, Dalapo, the Director General of DSS, Lawal Daura, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhasan and the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Aisha Mohammed.

At the DSS medical centre located along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport road, Osinbajo prayed for the girls after officially receiving them from the Director General of DSS. The prayer was interpreted by the minister of women affairs.

swapping the girls with Boko Haram fighters.

Mohammed disclosed that freedom came for the girls after the Federal Government got a credible lead and directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to pursue it.

According to him, they were released as a confidence building measure and immediately flown to Kaduna where they were expected to undergo some profiling and basic medical checks.

On whether the girls were released because of their alleged pregnancies, Mohammed explained that it was too early to speculate as the girls were still undergoing medical checks.

He described the release of the girls as “the most glaring manifestation to date of the unwavering commitment” of President

President Muhammadu Buhari (middle), during his arrival in Berlin, Germany…yesterday.

Muhammadu Buhari to secure the safe release of the girls and reunite them with their families.

“As soon as the necessary confidence was built on both sides, the parties agreed on the date and the location of the release of the 21 girls. Please note that this is not a swap. It is a release, the product of painstaking negotiations and trust on both sides.

"We see this as a credible first step in the eventual release of all the Chibok girls in captivity. It is also a major step in confidencebuilding between us as a government and the Boko Haram leadership on the issue of the Chibok girls," he said.

Meanwhile, Buhari has assured that his administration will continue to secure the lives of all Nigerians in every part of the country.

Shortly before departing the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday, for Berlin, Germany, for security talks with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, Buhari, in an interview with journalists, said he was pleased by the development of the release of the girls.

He said: “Well, I’m very pleased about it. I expect you to get through to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, I believe he will be duly briefed by the vice president so that he will give you the details. I have just been briefed about it.

“To Nigerians all over, it is our responsibility and we will continue to secure them wherever they are,” the president noted.

APC, Atiku, Saraki, Tinubu, Shettima, Reps laud release of Chibok girls Chukwu David, Johnchuks Onuanyim, Philip Nyam and Temitope Ogunbanke

S

enate President, Bukola Saraki, commended President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Security Services, the government of Switzerland and the international community for the combined efforts that led to the release of 21 out of the over 200 abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

“The release of the 21 girls is a testament to the perseverance of our men and women in uniform, the civilian joint task force and a clear indication that this government has been relentless in securing their release.

“Moving forward, we need to ensure that the girls that have been returned to us are re-united with their families and rehabilitated to become full members of

our society.”

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, via his Twitter handle @atiku, hailed the release of the girls.

“I am incredibly happy at this news. A lesson, hope always wins. Prayers for the release of the remaining #ChibokGirls.”

National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said the release of the 21 Chibok girls came to him as a delightful relief.

Tinubu said: “I congratulate the families of these young ladies who have endured so much anxiety and pain on account of this horrendous experience. I am also grateful that these budding young stars now have the opportunity to again pursue their dreams and aspirations.

“I know there is road to recovery and readjustment ahead, but I am confident that the support of their

families, our communities, and the assistance of our many collaborators at home and internationally provide the tools required for this."

APC National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun, said that the release of the girls are indication that the president and the party would keep to all its promises to the Nigeria people.

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State hailed the release of the schoolgirls.

Shettima said in a statement in Maiduguri that the release had proved Buhari’s sincerity in ending the Boko Haram insurgency.

“I am certain that the recovery of our 21 precious daughters from insurgency only strengthens the resolve of the Buhari administration to continue to work tirelessly until all the girls and all Nigerians abducted are freed,” Shet-

tima said.

Also, the House of Representatives has expressed happiness over the release of the girls.

Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Jonathan Gaza (PDP, Nasarawa), said it was gladdening to hear of the development.

Gaza said although the House was yet to review the situation and take a position, “it is certainly good news.”

Hon. Asabe Vilita Bashir, who represents Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok Federal Constituency of Borno State, said they are very happy over the development and hope that the rest of the girls will be released too.

Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno), described the gesture as a welcome development.

5

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

DEBT MANAGEMENT OFFICE NIGERIA

INVITATION TO TENDER INTRODUCTION The Federal Government of Nigeria has provided funds in the 2016 Appropriation for the Debt Management Office to procure Project Vehicles, Upgrade its Computer Software, Servers and Security Equipment. Accordingly, the DMO in line with the Public Procurement Act, 2007 is hereby inviting competent and reputable contractors/suppliers to tender for the jobs.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK The details of Goods to be provided are contained in the tender documents as indicated below. All applications should be per LOT, as follows: LOT 1: Procurement of Project Vehicle LOT 2: Procurement of Computer Software LOT 3: Procurement of UPS, Stabilizer, Inverter, Inverter Batteries and Power Monitoring Alert System LOT 4: Procurement of Fire Proof Cabinets TENDER QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS a) Evidence of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission; b) Copy of Tax Clearance Certificates for the past three years (2012,2013 and 2014/2015); c) Copy of VAT Certificate and evidence of remittances; d) Evidence of registration and remittance of Industrial Training Funds contributions; e) Evidence of Pensions/Social Security Contribution in accordance with the Pension Act, 2004; f) Company’s audited financial reports for the last three years (2012, 2013 and 2014/2015); g) Verifiable evidence of similar jobs successfully done in the past three years; h) Full details of the company’s profile; i) Evidence of financial capability/ reference letter from a reputable Bank; j) Evidence of registration on the National Database of Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers; k) Failure to furnish all information or documentation required by the Tender Documents may result in the rejection of the Tender.

COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Interested bidders are expected to collect the tender documents from the Administration Unit of the Debt Management Office from Friday, October 14, 2016 to Friday, November 25, 2016.

SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Completed Technical and Financial bids shall be forwarded in separate envelopes, boldly marked as such. Both envelops should be enclosed in a third sealed envelope marked “Tender for (specify the Lot and description)”on top of the right hand corner and addressed to: The Director- General, Debt Management Office, NDIC Building (First Floor), Plot 447/448, Constitution Avenue Central Business District, P.M.B. 532, Garki, Abuja NOTE: Each Tender Document should contain a table of contents and properly paginated.

All submissions must be registered at the Admin Unit of the Debt Management Office on or before 12.00 noon, Friday, November 25, 2016. Electronic Bids shall not be accepted and Bids received after the deadline will be rejected.

TENDER OPENING Tenders will be opened at the Debt Management Office’s Board Room, NDIC Building (First Floor), Plot 447/448, Constitution Avenue Central Business District, Abuja on Friday, November 25, 2016 by 12.00 noon. Bidders or their representatives, NGOs, Professional bodies and interested members of the public are invited to the Tender Opening exercise.

Signed: Management

6

NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Alleged corruption: DSS freezes judges’ accounts

Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

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he Department of State Services (DSS) has frozen the accounts of some of the seven judges recently arrested and released in connection with alleged corrupt practices.

Authoritative source told New Telegraph last night that the DSS froze the accounts of the judges where huge lodgements were found.

Some of the judges under investigation are Justices – Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro, of the Supreme Court, suspended Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya, who was picked up in Sokoto; Justice Adeniyi Ademola (Federal High Court); the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike; Justice Kabiru Auta of Kano State High Court; and Justice Muazu Pindiga (Gombe State High Court).

According to the source, “some of the judges’ accounts have been frozen through an order of the court. Though this does not affect all of them. It is only those that we found huge lodgements that are questionable in their accounts and in addition to that we also observed the inflow of their salaries over a long period without them making any withdrawal at all.

“The implication is that they don’t live on their salaries at all. Those accounts have been frozen, but as I said, not all of the judges

are affected.”

Speaking on why the judges have not been charged to court, the source stated: “We are waiting for the action of the NJC. We expect the NJC to suspend them; otherwise it’s like taking a sitting judge to court.

“In the Service, when anybody is being investigated for any serious crime, the first thing we do is to place such a person on suspension. After the investigation, such a person would face trial and get dismissed from service on conviction and later face prosecution in the law court.

“The NJC does not have the luxury not to suspend them. We wrote the NJC on Monday, but we haven’t received any response.”

It was further learnt

that the secret service had received more petitions against the judges and the petitioners are willing to testify against them.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday said that the DSS lied against the National Judicial Council (NJC) when it (DSS) said that the council did not act on the reports it submitted, a situation which the secret service had hinged on to arrest seven judges last weekend over alleged corruption.

National President of NBA, A.B Mahmud (SAN) while briefing journalists in Abuja after the meeting of “Crisis Management Committee Meeting,” which had in attendance the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of

Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the Executive Secretary of the NJC, Danladi Haliru, among others, said that evidences abound that the NJC acted on the reports submitted by the DSS. He added that it was based on the report presented by the DSS that made the council to sack three judges recently and that the council is presently working on the fourth judge.

Mahmud further stated that there is no evidence that the DSS had at any time invited the two justices of the Supreme Court it arrested and also there is no evidence of formal report against them.

“We have engaged the NJC, there is no evidence that the two Supreme Court Justices have been invited

F

resh insight emerged yesterday on why the Department of State Services (DSS) raided judges’ houses and arrested seven of them.

New Telegraph gathered from highly placed sources that in one of the several petitions, which was sent to the DSS, the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the governorship election verdicts, one governor was said to have induced the judges by padding a construction contract to a firm.

The contractor, in turn, built houses for three judges in Abuja and one in his hometown.

It was gathered that in one of the cases, one of the judges’ house in Abuja has been completed, while that of another judge in his village was still on-going.

New Telegraph was in-

cation for their action.

“We have looked at the constitution and the mandate of the DSS. Their mandates provide that that they deal with matters of security. The issue in question is not about security and we do not think that DSS has the responsibility to act in such manner,” Mahmud stated.

Responding to an allegation by Professor Itsay Sagay (SAN) that senior lawyers are the ones corrupting the judges, Mahmud challenged Sagay to name any corrupt senior lawyer he know.

Mahmud said: “We appeal to Prof. Sagay to give us complaints about lawyers that are involved in corruption with judges. If he does this, the NBA shall deal with such people.”

He further disclosed that the bar has set up a task force to be chaired by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) to quickly come up with detail strategy on how to deal with erring judges and same shall be recommended to the NJC.

We’re probing eight judges, two registrars –EFCC Emmanuel Onani Abuja

T European Nation’s Ambassador in Abuja, Denys Gauer, with Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, during a visit to the governor in Sokoto…yesterday

How gov padded contract to build houses for judges Geoffrey Ekenna

before the arrest and neither any complaint against them. Four of the judges named in the reports submitted by the DSS have been dealt with by the NJC and the fifth case is pending before the council.

“There is no reason for this military style of approach by the DSS; no need for DSS when the council had dealt with the case before it. There are evidences that the NJC acted.

“We are aware that the DSS was not satisfied with the action the council took against the judges. We are also aware that the DSS asked the council to submit its disciplinary procedure.

The constitution gives NJC autonomy to deal with judges’ misdeed. DSS lacks power to order NJC to submit its disciplinary procedure.

The council is not subjected or accountable to DSS. “If DSS is not satisfied with the action of the council, it should have used the appropriate channel and not pouncing on the judges in the middle of the night as if they (judges) are terrorists. There is no justifi-

formed that in one of the petitions, one of the governors was said to have offered some judges monetary inducements ranging from N250 million to N500 million.

“A governor even gave out a contract to a construction firm, which was inflated. The construction company used part of the money to build houses for the judges in Abuja and in their village. One of the houses in Abuja has been completed for a judge, while the one in the village of another judge is still on-going. The construction company was to build houses for three judges involved in a matter,” the source said.

It was further learnt that the DSS had followed up on the judges by monitoring their phone conversations and detailing their interactions with some politically exposed persons and intermediary lawyers, who were used as conduit to funnel the funds to the judges.

“Some of the judges re-

ceived the monies outside the country. The monies were channelled back to Nigeria, but they did not know that they were being followed,” said another source conversant with the investigations.

It was further learnt that the judges got their fingers burnt in the verdicts delivered in some governorship election results.

New Telegraph reliably gathered that although the DSS had been on the trail of some of the judges for some time owing to allegations of corruption, the verdicts on the governorship elections in some states were the last straw that led to the sting operations and raiding of judges’ residencies.

It was gathered that between January and February this year, when the Supreme Court affirmed the elections of some governors, the DSS had upped the ante in the investigation of judges and lawyers directly or remotely connected with the verdicts.

It was learnt that soon after the verdicts, petitions had flooded the DSS office, as well as those of the NJC and EFCC. The petitions were from candidates and interested parties, who felt that something was amiss with the rulings.

It was also learnt that before the rulings, investigations were on some other controversial rulings that had taken place earlier on.

Soon after the verdicts, there was uproar from different quarters, especially the All Progressives Congress (APC), who had banked on the verdicts of the lower courts, which removed the governors.

The National Chairman of APC, Chief John OdigieOyegun, had particularly lamented the loss of the oil bearing states, insisting that it was day light robbery to give the states to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Many other sympathisers of APC had also cried out, describing the judgements as travesty.

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating eight judges and two registrars over allegations of financial crimes.

Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, said the investigations have reached advanced stages of conclusion.

According to Uwujaren, only one out of the judges under probe is the subject of investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Since last Saturday’s dawn raid of the homes of seven judges, opinions have been divided on the propriety or otherwise of the secret services’ operation.

A report (not New Telegraph) had suggested that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) may have resorted to forwarding petitions to the DSS, owing to alleged tardiness by the anti-graft agency.

The statement also noted that some of the judges had been invited in the past and had made useful statements.

It added that “those who have cases to answer would be arrested and charged to court.”

The commission said,

contrary to insinuations in some quarters, “only one of them (judges being investigated by the DSS) previously featured in a petition on alleged corruption to the EFCC.” It further stated that the said judge had obtained an order of the Federal High Court stopping further probe.

According to the Commission, “Nigerians deserve to know that the nature of professional investigation of financial crimes is highly discrete and not given to theatre.

“The subject usually does not know the Commission is amassing evidences against him or her for several months before the strike.

“Therefore, the notion that a petition is submitted today and the next things that follow are instant arrests, prosecution and convictions is highly misleading.”

On whether there was any inter-agency friction, the Commission noted: “EFCC wishes to put on record, that there is no friction with the office of the AGF and the Commission is not involved in inter-agency squabbles with the DSS. “Indeed, the Commission, along with the DSS, ICPC, Police and the office of the AGF, is a member of a technical committee that meets at the highest level of government to collaborate and coordinate strategies against corruption.”

NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

7

NJC: DSS failed to prove corruption charges against judges

Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

A

fter about 24 hours it arose from its emergency meeting on the issue of the arrested judges, the National Judicial Council (NJC) had refused to suspend the two Supreme Court Justices who were at the last weekend arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged corruption.

The council in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Soji Oye, said that the action of the DSS is a threat to the independence of the judiciary, which portends great danger to the nation's democracy.

The council also described the arrest as a clear attempt by the DSS to humiliate, intimidate, denigrate and cow the judiciary.

The council noted that contrary to the claim by the DSS and as published in the electronic and print media, it has never received any petition against the two Supreme Court Justices, Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro.

On the issue of Justice Muhammed Tsamiya of the Court of Appeal, the council said that it found the judge culpable of professional misconduct at its meeting of September 29 and he was consequently

recommended to Mr. President for compulsory retirement from office following the petition written by one Mr. Nnamdi Iro Oji for demanding the sum of N200 million bribe.

"It is to be stressed that from the evidence before the Council, Hon. Justice Ladan Tsamiya did not receive N200 million bribe.

The petitioner adduced evidence to support his allegation that Hon. Justice Tsamiya only demanded for the money.

"In the exercise of its power, Council had suspended Justice Tsamiya from office, pending when the President will act on the recommendation. And Mr. President has approved the recommendation of the Council and compulsorily retired His Lordship from office yesterday, the 12th day of October, 2016," the council stated.

On Justice I.A Umezulike, the council said that the judge was recommended for compulsory retirement from office to Enugu State Governor for gross misconduct, pursuant to the petition written against him by Mr. Peter Eze. It added that the meantime, NJC has suspended Justice Umezulike from office pending when the Governor of Enugu State will act on its recommendation.

On Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the Federal High

Court, the council said that the judge was petitioned by Hon. Jenkins Duviegiane Gwebe on allegations bordering on corrupt practices.

"Currently, a committee of the Council is investigating the allegations. There is no other petition against Hon. Justice Ademola from DSS pending at the NJC," it stated.

The council also noted that Justice Kabiru Auta of Kano State High Court was investigated by Council based on allegations of corrupt practices levelled against him in a petition forwarded to Council by one Alhaji Kabiru Yakassai.

"His Lordship was recommended to the Governor of Kano State for removal from office by dismissal. Council wrote separately to the AIG Kano Zone 1, for Police to prosecute Hon. Justice Auta.

"Council has suspended His Lordship from office pending when the governor will act on its recommendation," it added.

For Justice Muazu Pindiga of the High Court of Gombe State, the council said the DSS petitioned the CJN and the Council alleging corrupt practices against the judge.

It added that the complaint containing the allegations of corrupt practices against the judge were conveyed in a letter

Ref No. DGSS71/3161 and dated 26th February, 2016, written by the DSS to the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council.

"At the end of the investigation, the DSS could not substantiate any of the allegations of corrupt practices either by documentary or oral evidence against the Hon. Justice Pindiga.

"Consequently, at its Meeting of 15th July, 2016, Council decided to exonerate Hon. Justice Pindiga of the allegations of corrupt practices levelled against him by DSS. "The Council’s decision was conveyed to Hon. Justice Pindiga in a letter Ref. No. NJC/HC.GM/5/1/132 of 9th August, 2016 and copied the DSS," it stated.

On Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the council said it was aware that DSS had written a complaint alleging corrupt practices and professional misconduct against Justice Dimgba by a letter Ref. No. LSD.158/2/31 dated 5th August, 2016.

"At its Meeting of 29th September, 2016, Council constituted a Fact Finding Committee comprising its members to investigate the allegation.

"The Committee has commenced the process of investigating the allegations before the recent un-

fortunate raid and search of Hon. Justice Dimgba’s Residence.

"Council meticulously considered the entire unfolding events that led to the arrest of the judicial officers and the misinformation and disinformation making rounds in both electronic and print media that the DSS acted thus because the NJC was shielding the judicial officers from investigation and prosecution for corrupt practices and professional misconduct.

“The impression created and widely circulated before the public, that the DSS forwarded a number of petitions containing various allegations of corrupt practices and professional misconduct against some judicial officers to the Council, and they were not investigated, is not correct.

The Council urges the DSS to make public the particulars of such petitions to put the records straight.

“Given the above background facts, on behalf of the Judiciary, Council is constrained to inform the general public that all petitions and complaints forwarded against Judicial Officers bordering on corrupt practices and professional misconduct, have been attended to and investigated, where applicable,

by Council since year 2000 to date, within the powers conferred on it by the 1999

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended."

The NJC concluded that: “The action of the DSS is a denigration of the entire judiciary, as an institution.

“That by the act of the DSS, judicial officers are now being subjected to insecurity, as criminals might take advantage of the recent incidents to invade their residences under the guise of being security agents.

“The Council vehemently denounces a situation whereby the psyche of judicial Officers in the Federation is subjected to a level where they would be afraid to discharge their Constitutional judicial functions, without fear or favour, intimidation, victimization or suppression.

“The Council will not compromise the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.

“At the end of the Meeting, Council unanimously agreed to recommend Hon. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, CFR, as the most senior, suitable and competent Justice of the Supreme Court to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for appointment as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria to succeed Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed GCON who retires from office on 10th November, 2016.”

DEBT MANAGEMENT OFFICE NIGERIA

The Presidency NDIC Building (1 Floor), Plot 447/448, Constitution Avenue, Central Business District, PMB 532, Garki, Abuja Tel: +2348110000881 Website: http//www.dmo.gov.ng st

Auction Result for the 14.50% FGN JUL 2021 (Re-opening), 12.50% FGN JAN 2026 (Re-opening) & 12.40% FGN MAR 2036 (Re-opening)

Auction Date: Settlement Date: Maturity Date: Tenors: Term-To-Maturity: Amount Offered: Total Bids: Successful Bids: Subscription: Amount Allotted: Range of Bids: Marginal Rates:

14.50% FGN JUL 2021 October 12, 2016 October 14, 2016 July 15, 2021 5-Year 4 Years, 9 Months N35.00 billion 60 45 N35.86 billion N10.00 billion 12.0000% - 17.0000% 15.2990%

12.50% FGN JAN 2026 October 12, 2016 October 14, 2016 January 22, 2026 10-Year 9 Years, 3 Months N35.00 billion 91 59 N65.90 billion N45.00 billion 14.8500% - 16.4000% 15.4771%

12.40% FGN MAR 2036 October 12, 2016 October 14, 2016 March 18, 2036 20-Year 19 Years, 5 Months N35.00 billion 115 53 N71.51 billion N40.00 billion 12.0000% - 16.5000% 15.4880%

Successful bids for the 14.50% FGN JUL 2021, 12.50% FGN JAN 2026 and 12.40% FGN MAR 2036 were allotted at the Marginal Rates of 15.2990%, 15.4771% and 15.4880%, respectively. However, the original coupon rates of 14.50% for the 14.50% FGN JUL 2021, 12.50% for the 12.50% FGN JAN 2026, and 12.40 for the 12.40% FGN MAR 2036 will be maintained.

8

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO Taiwo Jimoh

O

fficials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday allegedly shot dead a pregnant woman, a female secondary schoolgirl and a commercial motorcycle rider, while chasing rice smugglers at Kola, Agbado Ijaiye area of Lagos State.

Witnesses said the Customs officials were chasing a commercial bus carrying bags of rice.

It was learnt that after apprehending the supposedly smugglers, the Customs officials attempted to impound the vehicle and seized the bags of rice.

However, the suspected smugglers resisted the attempt which made the NCS officials to start shooting. In the process, stray bullets hit the three victims at different locations in the area.

The incident, which occurred about 8a.m., was said to have caused panic among the residents of the area. The motorcycle rider, Saheed Omotosho, was taking his motorcycle from the riders’ park when the stray bullet hit him in the chest.

The killings sparked a spontaneous protest by commercial bus drivers and motorcyclists before they were dispersed by a team of policemen from Alakuko police station.

The incident also caused gridlock on both sides of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway as the protesters impeded free movement of vehicles.

The protesters also made bonfire at Moshalashi bus stop to register their grievance over the gruesome murder of their colleague.

Our correspondent also learnt that the other two victims of the shooting spree by

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Customs kill pregnant woman, student, motorcyclist

the Customs officials were an unidentified secondary school student and a pregnant woman.

A resident of the area, who identified himself simply as Ademola, said the commercial bus was coming from Sango-Ota in Ogun State with many bags of rice when the NCS officials started chasing it.

He said: “It appeared that the driver refused to stop for the Customs officials and they chased him to Moshalashi area where they started shooting sporadically.

“I was inside my shop when I heard sounds of gunshots and everybody started running in different directions. The road was full of many people, mostly women, who were trying to take their children from school.

“I only saw the Okada rider (motorcyclist) after the stray bullet from Customs officials hit him. But the other two people, a pregnant woman and a secondary schoolgirl, were also hit by stray bullets on Ogunmola Street.”

Ademola said that the Customs officials also shot repeatedly to prevent policemen, who were drafted to the scene, from arresting them.

According to him, the NCS officials fled while still shooting.

Some residents of the area urged Lagos and the Ogun State governments to find a lasting solution to the menace of Customs officers in the area.

Angry residents protesting the killings

The Chairman of the motorcycle riders, Mr. Kazeem Adekunle, accused the Customs officials of abandoning the border to man an illegal checkpoint between Sango Toll Gate and Awori U-turn.

He said: “This is not the first time such incident had occurred in this area. The Customs officials cannot be chasing smugglers from Idiroko into communities, because they were at the border posts when the goods were coming into the country.”

One of the motorcyclist’s

friends, who did not want his name in print, described Omotosho’s death as very unfortunate.

He said: “We were all at our park when we saw the Customs officials chasing the commercial bus. Immediately we saw the manner the Customs were shooting, we ran away. But the deceased went to the park to pick his motorcycle and the stray bullet hit him.”

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

She said: “In the early hours of today (yesterday) about 7a.m. some Customs officials were on the trail of a vehicle.

They started shooting. In the process, one passer-by was shot dead.

“The patrol team, led by the DPO of Alakuko division, moved to the area to douse the tension. The Customs officials fired sporadically and escaped from the scene.”

Badmos said victim’s body was evacuated to the morgue while investigations had commenced into the matter.

City Briefs

‘16 herdsmen convicted in Abuja’ lFCTA impounds 36 cows Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

A

buja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Task Team on Environmental Sanitation have commenced arrest and prosecution of herdsmen grazing cattle in the Federal Capital City, Abuja.

Mr. Mohammed Sule, the chief press secretary to the FCT minister, said in a statement yesterday that 36 cows and 38 sheep

had been impounded, while 16 herdsmen had been arraigned and convicted before the Sanitation Mobile Court.

The statement said AEPB and the Task Team tendered the impounded cows and sheep as exhibit to secure the conviction of the herdsmen.

“The exercise followed the directive of the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, for the Abuja Environmental Protection Board and the FCT Task Team

on Environment to stop forthwith the grazing of cattle within Abuja metropolis.

“Those arrested have been made to face the consequences of their actions as they have paid various fines to serve as deterrent to others with strong warning to desist from doing same.

“The exercise that commenced about seven days ago by the AEPB and the Task Team on the instruction of the minister is a continuous one,” the statement added.

School principal shot in failed kidnap attempt Ola James Warri

G

unmen suspected to be kidnappers yesterday shot and injured the Vice-Principal of Domingo Grammar School in Warri, Delta State Police, during a failed kidnap attempt.

The victim, a mother of five, Mrs. Ati Bojor, was shot at Edjeba area of Warri.

It was learnt that the victim was shot about 8a.m. at the entrance of Domingo Grammar School.

Security sources disclosed that Bojor was driving her Toyota Camry car when the gunmen blocked her vehicle.

They dragged the victim out of her vehicle and tried to bundle her into their getaway car but she resisted the attempt.

The sources disclosed that instead of allowing herself to be bundled into the kidnappers’ car, Bojor fell down and started rolling on the ground to prevent.

She was later rushed to Syracuse Hospital in Warri.

Policemen from ‘B’ Division arrived the scene shortly after the attack and embarked on random arrest of young men and whisked them to the station.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) ‘B’ Division, SP Eyoh Aniete, did not pick his calls to confirm the incident.

Also, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, requested for a text on the incident because she was in a noisy place.

But at press time, she did not respond to the text.

METRO

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

9

Five wanted cultists held with stolen car

Fire guts Dangote noodles’ factory

Kunle Olayeni

Muritala Ayinla

P

F

Abeokuta

olicemen in Ogun State have arrested five members of the Eiye Confraternity, who have been on the wanted list.

The suspects were arrested at Ijoko area of Ota with a suspected stolen car, a parcel of weeds suspected to be cannabis and assorted charms.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed this in a statement, said the suspects had confessed their membership of the secret cult terrorising Ota and its environs.

Oyeyemi gave the names of the suspects as Segun Owolabi, Sunday Alaba, Abonode Samson, Olalekan Adeyemi and Samson Udoribang.

He said: “The suspects were arrested when policemen attached to Sango Ota Division led by their DPO, SP Akinsola Ogunwale, were carrying out raid on criminals’ hideout and black spots around Ijoko area of Ota. “Recovered from them is a Toyota Camry car with registration number Lagos JW 857 AAA suspected to be a stolen one, parcel of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and assorted charms.”

The PPRO added that the Police Commissioner, Ahmed Iliyasu, had already directed that the suspects be thoroughly investigated and charged accordingly.

ire, which gutted Dangote Noodles Manufacturing Factory at Ogolonto area of Ikorodu yesterday, destroyed property worth millions of naira.

At press time, nobody could ascertain the cause of the fire, as efforts were ongoing to estimate the destroyed items.

For almost about one hour, there was confusion in the area as the fire spread quickly, while the staff ran helter-skelter looking for means to put out the fire.

The emergency responders also rushed to the place.

The Lagos State Fire Service also de- Emergency ployed fire-fighters with water trucks responders at the from Ikorodu, Alausa and Ilupeju. scene of the fire Also there were Emergency Response Team (ERT) of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency still ongoing. He added that fire trucks were deployed to the scene from three (LASEMA) and other agencies.

The Director, Lagos Fire Service, Ra- fire stations. sak Fadipe, said efforts were ongoing to On his part, LASEMA General Mancompletely put out the fire. ager, Adesina Tiamiyu, said the agency Fadipe, who said that the agency received a distress call about 2:10p.m. could not ascertain the cause of the in- through the Control Room concerning ferno, disclosed that investigation was the fire outbreak.

Two injured as tanker falls in Ebonyi Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

T The suspected cult members

Student slumps, dies after praying for sick person Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

A

500 level medical student of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Apostle Victor Egbe, slumped and died yesterday after praying for a sick student in the institution’s clinic.

It was learnt that Egbe was the founder of Campus Witness Church (CWC) and devoted most of his time praying for students as well as patients in the university’s clinic.

Egbe had gone to the clinic to pray for a student who was ill before he died.

Friends and mates have continued to pay tributes to Egbe whom they described as exceptionally good.

According to one of his cousins, Evelyn Morgan, the death of Egbe, a former student of Jesus College, Otukpo is very sad and unfortunate.

Morgan described Egbe’s untimely death as “a big blow to us all”.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr. Tser Vanger, confirmed the incident.

Vanger said Egbe was a 500 level student in the Department of Medicine, while the student (patient) he went to pray for was a 100 level student in the Chemistry Department.

He disclosed that the body of deceased had been deposited at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) mortuary.

An 18-year-old SS3 student of Jesus College, Otukpo, Benue State on Wednesday was electrocuted in the school hostel while trying to charge his mobile phone from an electricity distribution box.

He said the swift response of his men and officials of other agencies such as Nigeria Port Authority Fire Service, Dangote Fire Service Department, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Emergency Management Agency (NAMA), as well as the police helped to save lives and salvage property.

wo persons yesterday sustained serious injuries when a fuel tanker fell on Afikpo-Okigwe Road in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

One of the victims is the ‘conductor’ of the tanker identified simply as Ezekiel while the second victim is a passer-by.

The incident, which occurred about 1p.m. at the quarry area on the road, affected vehicular movements.

People of the area, however, trooped out to scoop fuel

from the tanker.

Policemen drafted to the scene stopped people from scooping the fuel.

The tanker was conveying petroleum product from Calabar, Cross River State, to Ik filling station at Nnewi in Aninri Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The driver, Egbuna Nwafor, blamed the accident on bad road.

He said: “I cannot explain how it happened but all I can say is that it was caused by bad road. This road is in a deplorable state. The road is failing seriously and nothing is done to rehabilitate it.

The tanker

“The sharp bend on the road also contributed to the accident. I thank God no life was lost and the tanker did not catch fire. My assistant and a passer-by got injured.”

A resident of the area, Mrs. Gloria Idam, called on

government to rehabilitate the road to prevent crashes.

She said: “If this incident happened where buildings are located, you can imagine what the situation would have been especially if the tanker caught fire.

Lagos arrests beggars, rescues five kids

The beggars

Muritala Ayinla

F

ive infants of about 14-month-old have been rescued at Iyana-Ipaja roundabout, Lagos from beggars who used them to solicit alms.

Many of the kids were engaged directly for begging by their biological mothers while others were ‘rented’.

The beggars usually move from one location to the other, calling on passers-by and motorists they come across to assist them, using babies or kids in their hands to elicit sympathy.

One of the women, who was ar-

rested with two identical twins, Mrs. Abosede Ayuba, claimed that she lost her husband when she gave birth to the twins.

She said: “I used to work before but I stopped working when I did not have strength to work. As I speak, I don’t have a cup of ‘Gaari’ at home to give them.”

On her part, Shakira Olatunde, 35, claimed her husband absconded when she gave birth to her child.

She said: “I was selling rice and beans but when Customs seized my goods I became helpless. When I was selling sachet

water, the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) officials arrested me.”

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said the women and their infants were apprehended during routine rescue operations by the ministry.

Muri-Okunola, who reaffirmed government’s commitment to enforce the Child Right Law, said one of the women was caught without her children as they escaped arrest on sighting the rescue team.

He said: “It is very sad that most of the beggars are not the biological parents of the children they use for begging. It is our responsibility as government to protect the dignity of children being used as tools for begging which is a punishable offence.”

Muri-Okunola added that government would not relent in dealing with beggars as some of the beggars were known for aiding and abetting criminal acts such as kidnapping and robbery among others.

This, Muri-Okunola said, would help government in its means of protecting and securing the lives and property of the citizenry as well as protect the dignity of the child.

10 NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NNPC deploys oil exploration equipment to Bauchi, Gombe T he Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has concluded plans to mobilise some of its equipment to Bauchi and Gombe states in anticipation of oil exploration in the Benue Trough.

Its Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, disclosed this yesterday when he spoke with journalists at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International

Airport, Bauchi.

He, therefore, advised that the people of the two states should not panic when they see the movement of the equipment into the states.

Baru said his mission to the two states was to sensitise the people to the anticipated exploration of oil in the area.

“We are here to signal to the good people of Bauchi and Gombe states of our

intention and efforts to mobilise our equipment back to Gongola Basin.

“Our intention is to start 3D seismic acquisition, which covers as much as possible the basin in terms of exploring hydrocarbon in the North-East.

“Of course, our activities in the Chad Basin will also be re-activated as soon as we get the clear sign,” Baru said.

He urged the people

within the two states not to panic over the matter.

The NNPC GMD said that seismic crew from the Corporation would move about farmlands or be drilling boreholes where

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

fice they held.

Equally affected are virtually all the directors, but an influential female director and the managing director were spared. An Acting Director of Finance was demoted to Grade Level 10 and redeployed to the department of Information Communication and Technology (ICT).

The affected officers were demoted from Grade Levels 17 and 16 to levels 10, 12 and 14, indicating the exercise could also be replicated in other agencies such as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in the coming days owing to the over-bloating of these agencies.

Government is said to be worried with the engagement of close to 40 general managers, creation of many directorates that amounted to duplication of duties, thereby raising the overhead of FAAN to over N800 million monthly.

Consequently, government has perfected plans to reduce workers’ strength by way of restructuring, to cope with the current economic reality.

It was gathered that some of the downgraded workers in FAAN had been handed their letters, asking them to report to their hitherto junior colleagues who had now, as a result of the exercise, become their superiors.

Also on the card, is the plan by government to

In your juicy Why my marriage crashed under two years –Tito Da.Fire

wells in Yankari Games Reserves.

“Our intent now is to probe with more definitive seismic data that will ensure we cover as much as possible,” he said.

Chibok community celebrates release of abducted girls Yekeen Nurudeen was all celebration yesItterday at the Unity Foun-

Restructuring: Demoted FAAN general managers resign exercise in FAAN with the demotion of some directors and several General Managers of the agency, even as the Ministry of Transportation insisted that the new positions are the officials’ appropriate grade levels.

The Winnifred Oyo-Ita committee on restructuring of the aviation agency had recommended proper placement of personnel in all the aviation agencies.

Some of the general managers are said not to have the requisite qualifications to man some of the sensitive positions they held, as some of them, including deputy general managers, were said to have left universities less than 10 years ago and could not have qualified for the of-

Geo-polls and drawing seismic lines were marked in various areas.

Baru noted that earlier prospects conducted in the two states were credible, especially in one of the

prune the number of directorates in the aviation agencies in its restructuring exercise.

Meanwhile, The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has lauded the Federal Government’s decision to sack and demote 22 top officials of FAAN. NUATE’s General Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Abioye, said that the restructuring should be extended to other aviation agencies.

Abioye said: “We have written several letters to government about it and it was part of our demands.

We want it to be carried out in all the aviation parastatal agencies. We also believe that there should be less interference in the running of these agencies.

tain, Abuja, venue of the daily sit out of BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) advocacy movement, as members of the Chibok community in Abuja could not hide their joy at the news of release of 21 of the abducted girls.

Chairman, Chibok Community in Abuja, Tsambido Hosea Abana, who is also a frontline member of BBOG, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the BBOG group for campaigning for the release of the girls, who had been in captivity for 913 days.

The BBOG members who attended the sit out were full of praises for the Federal Government, but were quick to urge it to hasten the rescue of the remaining 197 girls still in Boko Haram captivity.

Speaking also at the sit out, Esther Yakubu, mother of one of the abducted girls, described the girls’ release as a positive development and thanked President Buhari for his efforts.

She urged government to press hard for the release of the other girls and other citizens abducted by Boko

Haram.

“We thank the president for his efforts and we want government not to relent, but to press harder for the rescue or release of others in Boko Haram captivity,” Yakubu said.

Also, the BBOG advocacy movement has applauded the rescue of the 21 abducted Chibok girls by the Federal Government and its security agencies.

In a statement issued

by Aisha Yesufu and Oby Ezekwesili, the group said the development confirmed that the Federal Government has the capacity to rescue the girls.

“While awaiting further details, we take this opportunity to salute the work of our security services at the front lines – the commitment, resilience and tireless efforts of members of the multi-national Joint Task Force and the civilian JTF. We also thank the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Swiss government and all negotiators involved in securing the release.”

SATURDAY My desire to travel abroad brought me to sports –Emedolu

CHURCHES, MOSQUES

RICH PREACHERS, POOR WORSHIPPERS FG giving loans without interest, collateral –Minister of Women Affairs

RAHAMA SADAU

I'm so focused, attention from men can't distract me

11

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Open Forum Uwazurike: We’re in full blown dictatorship

Politics

Parliament How Senate stopped Tinubu's bill on Lagos special status

12 16

Searchlight on presidential committee CHUKWU DAVID reports on measures being taken by the Senate to avert impending humanitarian crisis in the NorthEast over failure by the Presidential Initiative to bring succour to victims of the insurgency-ravaged region

A

s a result of terrorist activities of the Boko Haram Islamic sect which ravaged the North-East, President Muhammadu Buhari, about a year ago, set up a Presidential Initiative on the North-East to manage the crisis and bring succour to the people of the region.

The committee was entrusted with the responsibility of managing funds budgeted by the National Assembly, for the alleviation of the sufferings of the people by supplying relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), who are in various camps in some parts of the country.

But, it appears that the committee is not living up to its responsibilities, as the IDPs are said to be living in most agonising and dehumanising conditions in spite of huge funds provided by the government and some donor agencies from across the world.

Worried by this seeming failure on the part of the government and international interventions to produce the desired results, Senator Baba Kaka Garbai (APC, Borno Central) and 18 others, brought a motion entitled, "Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North East" before the Senate last week, so that the upper legislative chamber can critically look into the matter and proffer an urgent solution.

The concerned lawmakers prevailed on their colleagues to intervene and probe into allegations of sharp practices in the management of funds in the custody of

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Saraki

the Presidential Committee.

Senator Garbai, who led the debate on the motion, lamented that the Presidential Initiative had not shown any tangible result to justify monies appropriated by the National Assembly, of which he said half of the funds had been released.

He also alleged that rather than use the money appropriated for the IDPs and the North-East to ameliorate the problems of the affected people, there were indications that the disbursements made so far were diverted for other parochial interests.

The lawmaker further said that there were allegations that 63 trucks of grains and food items released from the strategic grain reserves allocated to the IDPs in Borno State by the Federal Government were diverted.

He noted with concern the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the North-East, quoting Arjan de Wagt, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) chief of Nutrition in Nigeria as saying that the magnitude of the crisis in the region could not be described by words.

He pointed out that the UNICEF report indicated that 4.5 million people were in dire need of assistance out of which one million people were in danger of extreme malnutrition, while two million people are beyond the reach of aid and at risk of starvation in the North-East.

Garbai also told the Senate that some Western diplomats had described the response of government to the crisis as a “disgrace,”

The Presidential Initiative... is yet to show tangible result on ground with over half of the money appropriated to it released

raising the alarm that so many Nigerian children under five years are being lost to this extreme condition in the affected areas.

He further stated that though the Senate on November 25, 2015, in recognition of the dire situation in the North-East by its resolution raised the amount proposed by the executive in the 2016 budget for the IDPs from N6 billion to N10 billion, the situation in the region is yet to improve.

His words: "The Senate notes that the Presidential Initiative on the North-East, which was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari a year ago to manage the crisis, is yet to show tangible result on ground with over half of the money appropriated to it released.

"Also worried that notwithstanding the huge budgetary allocation by the National Assembly, and the various releases by the executive, including significant donations from many donors, the situation on ground is not cheering; "Rather than use the money appropriated for the IDPs and the North-East to ameliorate the problems, the focus of the disbursement so far made have been to further other interests."

The Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, in his contribution, appealed to his colleagues to take a decisive stance by insisting that the right thing be done. He painted a pathetic picture of the humanitarian crisis in the area and wondered why the Federal Government had refused to intervene.

His words: "I beg you in the name of God, take this motion seriously. Time is not on our side.

In Borno, the situation is fair compared to other places. The last time I tried to go to my local government, I could only access the local government headquarters. I could not access my town.

"This Senate is known for standing up for Nigerians when it is needed. I beg you to stand up. Whatever I say here will not be comprehensive enough until somebody who has visited will collaborate what I am saying.

"The suffering in Borno State is beyond any body's imagination. Over one hundred trucks have been diverted and these trucks were for IDPs. Out of the 133 trucks approved for them, only 53 have been delivered. We need to stand up and do the right thing. The humanitarian crisis in the North-East is bad. If you go to Maiduguri, you will not see the presence of the Federal Government. You only see foreign donor agencies."

Also, the Deputy Senate president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in his position, said the situation in the North-East could be lik-

ened to post-Nigerian civil war humanitarian crisis in today's South-East. Noting that as a witness to the humanitarian crisis, he would support any move to assist the victims.

He said: "I saw the humanitarian crisis in the North-East and I wept. I have been a victim; that was during the Biafran war. Then, we were told that the Biafran was the greatest humanitarian crisis in the world. Today, we are being told that the North-East is witnessing the worst humanitarian crisis.

Some people are making fortunes from the misfortunes of other Nigerians."

After exhaustive debate on the motion, the Senate resolved and immediately set up an eight-man ad hoc committee to investigate the Presidential Initiative on the North-East, with a view to ascertaining how much has been released to it and whether or not the funds were utilised judiciously from inception to date.

The Senate also mandated the Ad hoc Committee to investigate the alleged diversion of trucks of grains and other food items from the strategic grains reserves, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other sources for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The apex Chamber warned that unless something drastic was urgently done to salvage the situation, thousands of helpless people living in the various IDPs in the crisis-stricken region might face avoidable deaths.

The Senate also indicted the Federal Government for failing to provide relief materials to IDPs to ameliorate the excruciating effects of lack of food and other basic amenities in camps located in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

Furthermore, the senators resolved to contribute N300,000 each, to support the IDPs, which will amount to N31.5 million if the 105 senators comply with the resolution.

The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, then named the eight-man ad hoc committee to be headed by Senator Shehu Sani, to conduct a public hearing on the issues raised and report back to the chamber in two weeks.

Also, concerned that the IDPs were not getting the needed medical attention, the Senate equally mandated the ad hoc committee to investigate the insignificant presence of the Ministry of Health in the North-East.

It is expected that with the concerns demonstrated by Senator Garbai and others from the NorthEast, and the concomitant resolutions by the apex chamber, sanity would be brought to the region and those facing hardship will get succour as quickly as possible.

12

POLITICS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

OPEN FORUM

...Arrest of judges by DSS

Uwazurike: We’re in full blown dictatorship

I

Chief Goddy Uwazurike is a lawyer and President General of Aka Ikenga, an Igbo think tank

am shocked that some people will act with impunity in this violation of the hallowed chambers of the judiciary. The judiciary and legislature are independent of the executive. It is preposterous for the executive to violate this sacred arm of government under any guise. The constitution took this situation in mind when it created the National Judicial Council (NJC) to appoint, discipline, promote and recommend the retirement of judges. It did not leave it to the whims and caprices of people to cripple the judiciary.

Lawyers have spoken on the issue through the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Yes, ther would be contrary views but the lawyers have spoken through their umbrella body and once we have spoken, we have spoken. If you respect your judiciary, it will perform well but if you disrespect it, believe you me, you have nothing.

A former National President of the NBA, Chief Olisa Agbakoba, who also spoke on the issue, was very clear. He

Some people are yet to understand what is going on. We need constitutional democracy and not military democracy condemned the action of the Department of State Services. No one is saying that the judges are above the law but that due process must be followed in the arrest of anyone.

The government must ensure the fundamental rights of everybody – right to liberty, right to feel at home. When you invade peoples’ homes in the middle of

the night, there’s no difference between you and an armed robber because you have a gun and harassing an old man between the age of 60 and 70. What if that results to heart attack?

What happened shows that we are already in full blown dictatorship and I will explain. The first action was against a political party and people were cheering; after that it was against the military and people cheered; next on the line was the National Assembly, again some people cheered. Now, they are going against the judiciary and some people are yet to understand what is going on. We need constitutional democracy and not military democracy.

So, I advise the present administration to go back to the constitution and do what others did in the last 16 years and it will never go wrong. There is no way it can do things in unorthodox ways. It should follow the law because if it disregards the law, there is nothing it can depend on.

Interview by FELIX NWANERI

Falana: The bar, bench should strengthen disciplinary bodies

A

Femi Falana is a human rights lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)

s the detained judges are presumed innocent until the contrary is proved by the state, they should be admitted to bail in self recognisance. At the same time, the office of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation should ensure that the suspects are arraigned in court without any further delay.

However, it is a matter of grave concern that the legal profession has allowed the denigration of the hallowed temple of justice because of the misconduct of a few corrupt judges. For several years, judges who committed grave criminal offences were not prosecuted but merely retired by the authorities on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council. Although the National Judicial Council recently recommended the dismissal and prosecution of a judge for extorting the sum of N197 million from a litigant the authorities had paid lip service to the menace of judicial corruption in the country.

In particular, the Nigerian Bar Association which has information on all corrupt judges and lawyers in the country had continued to shield them to the embarrassment of incorruptible members of the bar and the bench. The few lawyers who have picked up the courage to expose corrupt

Members of the legal profession have themselves to blame for the harassment of judges by security forces

judges and lawyers have been stigmatised and treated like lepers by their colleagues.

It is on record that when both the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission sent invitation letters to judges suspected of corruption but they rushed to the Federal High Court to obtain interlocutory injunctions to prevent their arrest, investigation and prosecution.

About two years ago, an anti graft agency found N2 billion in the account of a High Court judge. As soon as the judge was invited for questioning, she reported and made a statement and was granted bail. But as she could not defend the lodgement in her bank account, she obtained

Igbokwe: The judiciary burnt its fingers M

Joe Igbokwe is the Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State

any Nigerian may think that the menace, rascality and corruption in the judiciary started just yesterday. No it did not. It dates back to the 90s. Between 1993 and 1998 when committed Nigerians were struggling for the revalidation of the annulled June 12 presidential election, judgements were being issued left and right from High Courts across Nigeria.

That was when the rot began to set in for the judiciary in Nigeria.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was determined to fight corruption to the fullest but he was frustrated by the judiciary that worked for the looters. Lawyers ran to High Courts in all part of Nigeria obtaining judgements and injunctions restraining the security agencies to carry out their constitutional duties. Lawyers and judges made it difficult if not impossible for government to bring the looters to book.

I am also told that Ayo Salami, a former President of the Court of Appeal was once

Judges and lawyers must be brought to justice if they breach the laws of the land

quoted as saying that retired judges were deeply involved in bribing or intimidating judges under the guise of legal consultancy.

For the judiciary, I think that we have a catalogue of woes in our hands. Their woes have gone full cycle. Every honour, every respect, every dignity and every importance attached to the judiciary has been eroded with frightening speed in the past 25 years.

The conducts of judges, magistrates and

an interlocutory injunction from one of the judges in the custody of the DSS. It is also common knowledge that two Senior Advocates of Nigeria are standing trial in the Lagos High Court for allegedly bribing a judge. Even though it takes two to tango, the judge has not been charged to court for allegedly receiving bribe.

Having failed to take advantage of the relevant statutory disciplinary bodies to purge the bar and the bench of corrupt elements the members of the legal profession have themselves to blame for the harassment of judges by security forces. It is on account of negligence on the part of the legal profession that the DSS which screens candidates before they are recommended by the National Judicial Council for appointment as judges has now engaged in the arrest of judges for alleged corruption and abuse of office. To avoid any further embarrassment in the circumstances, the bar and the bench should immediately strengthen their disciplinary bodies with a view to removing the few corrupt judges and lawyers whose criminal activities have continued to erode public confidence in the judiciary.

Interview by WALE ELEGBEDE lawyers have made some of us to begin to ask questions about the so-called learned profession. Are the lawyers immuned to issues of justice? Are they untouchables?

Are they above the law? Are the lawyers exempted from our criminal justice systems? Can lawyers do no wrong? Can’t the lawyers or judges be prosecuted? Can’t they be jailed? Can’t they face the firing squad?

Are they special people that are exempted from facing the jury? What is this noise about evading the homes of judges by DSS? In trying to find answers to these questions, I have tried to read how other civilized countries handle their criminal justice systems and I discovered that judges, magistrates, lawyers have faced the juries and paid for their sins. Nigeria is not going to be an exception. Nigerian lawyers have arrogated themselves to the position they do not deserve. They have arrogated themselves the honour, respect and carriage they do not have. Law is no respecter of any person. Judges and lawyers must be brought to justice if they breach the laws of the land.

Politics

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

OPEN FORUM

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...Arrest of judges by DSS

Adeniran: Undercover operation required to cleanse judiciary

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Comrade Debo Adeniran is the Executive Chairman of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL)

lot of hue and cry has followed the arrest of some Judges by the men of the Department of State Services (DSS) with several divergent opinions and views emerging ranging from the deep and circumspective approach to very shallow and illogical perspectives. All the hue and cry of anarchism, abuse of rule of law, discard of procedures and selective fight against corruption betray the reality that some Nigerians claim they want real change or like some say, revolution, yet they fail to realise that achieving change necessitates taking drastic steps.

There cannot be halfway measures and undue pampering of corruption suspects whether they are judges, lawyers, presidents, governors, legislators, or whatever, as long as they are Nigerians they are bound by the so-called ‘rule of law’ of the country. It is either we want to collectively fight corruption and understand the consequences of confronting the monster or we do not. There is no doubt that the incurably corrupt elements reside in all the arms of government and they perpetrate their sharp practices with barefaced impunity, indeed corruption has been institutionalised in every aspect

There cannot be halfway measures and undue pampering of corruption suspects whether they are judges, lawyers, presidents, governors

of the body polity.

Those that are narrowing the arrest of the judges down to legalism are not only been over-legalistic, they are hypocritical and probably beneficiaries of sharp practices. It is pathetic that people who studied law refuse to realise that the ‘law is an ass’ basically.

There is no cause for the exaggerated criticisms of the arrest of the judges.

Only the hypocrites among us would hide under the guise of the ‘rule of

law’ to pander corruption. It is public knowledge that corruption criminals wriggle through the labyrinth of our criminal justice system to escape justice using the lacunae therein. This must be stopped.

The issue about the procedure is nothing but just that it is just an issue!

The tissue is that suspects of corruption of monumental proportions has been arrested and should be made to face the implication of their actions within the ambit of the law beyond the pettiness being thrown up.

The ‘legalists’ among us ought to know that the DSS can also be sued if anyone feels dissatisfied with the arrest it carried out without necessarily heating up the polity with illogical and retrogressive rhetoric of ‘rule of law’.

Let the aggrieved go to court, that is the only way that is civil.

The DSS has explained that what it did was a ‘sting operation’ it carried out and historically no serious anti-corruption drive does not utilize that means when confronting corruption particularly where Judges are concerned. Generally, purging the Judiciary of corrupt Judges will almost always require undercover operations.

Abure: It’s an indication of brewing dictatorship

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Mr. Julius Abure, a lawyer, is the National Secretary of Labour Party (LP)

he recent clampdown of some judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Courts is barbarism, abuse of the rule of law, uncivilised dictatorship and it shows that the years of the locusts are back in Nigeria.

There is no gain saying that corruption generally is a disservice to the country and is one of the reasons for the under development of our country since resources for the provision of infrastructure find their way into private pockets.

However, the crude methods adopted by the Department of State Services (DSS) in the current fight against corruption in the judiciary portend greater danger to the country.

The judiciary is the last hope of the common man, businesses, foreigners and foreign investors and other important sectors of the economy. It is for these and many more reasons it is treated with sanctity, dignity, honour, and utmost care. The tenets of democracy, rule of law and the letter of our constitution clearly provide for separation of powers, the pro-

The action of the DSS under the direction of the Muhammadu Buhari administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) is an attempt to cow and conquer the judiciary

cedures to hire and fire judicial officers, especially judges who are no longer worthy to preside in the Temple of Justice.

It is only the National Judicial Council (NJC) that is vested with the powers to discipline and investigate corrupt judg-

es and certainly not the Department of State Services. It is pertinent to put on record that the action of the DSS under the direction of the Muhammadu Buhari administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) is an indication of a brewing dictatorship and an attempt to cow and conquer the judiciary.

We are baffled and constrained to state that the fight against corruption is tainted and only targeted at the opposition and all dissenting voices in the country. The hidden agenda in the current onslaught will soon be obvious to Nigerians.

The resilience, commitment and courage which characterise the response of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) is commendable and we sue for its sustenance in this trying period of the judiciary. We also call on the government to focus on how to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians and fulfill its electioneering promises to the masses and the poor who voted for change to improve their living conditions.

Ajulo: Corrupt judges should be investigated and dealt with I

Mr. Kayode Ajulo is a lawyer and human rights activist

have canvassed several times the need to overhaul our judiciary, recall my twin letters to the president, Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

I however believe that in cleaning the judiciary of corrupt judges, proper procedures must be followed. Judges have no immunity from prosecution and I have been privilege to take part in the disciplinary procedures of some judges.

It is pertinent to state this as no arm of government has reviewed itself than the judiciary and this ought to be encouraged. I believe there are procedures to be followed for any disciplinary measure against serving judges. Such procedure should be adhere to so as not to set a bad precedent not these extant despotic operations.

I support that corrupt judges should

Federalism was completely ruptured and the traditional one-line command of the military was introduced into governance

be investigated and dealt with accordingly but it should be done with decency without bringing the bench to disrepute or ridicule. I am completely against the

modus operandi employed by the Department of State Services (DSS). The duties and function of the service must be looked into. They are neither conventional policemen nor economic and financial crimes fighters neither are they the anti-corruption agency.

The alarming commando-style of breaking the door of a serving judge to effects an arrest is completely out of order. It is inglorious, repugnant, and it lacks common sense. Trial through the media should be abated and any evidence against them should be presented to the quarters for proper determination.

I support the need to rid our country of bad elements not only in the three arms of government but in every part and parcel of Nigeria, but legal procedure should be strictly followed.

Interviews by Temitope Ogunbanke

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Costing corruption to curb corruption Emissary EMEKA OBASI emobas2003@yahoo.com 0809-445-7557 (sms only)

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here is no doubt that our country is in a deep mess majorly due to corruption in high and low places.

The only problem is that we fail to see corruption for what it is. Stealing government money is just one out of the many cases of fraud killing our country.

President Muhammadu Buhari, no doubt, is not one who flaunts wealth. From the little I know about him, he is not likely to be interested in the best of automobiles or the sweetest buildings in Las Palmas and Honolulu.

I am so convinced that this President is not going to be richer than Katsina State when he leaves office.

I support the fight against all those who have looted our commonwealth. Whatever it will take to make them return our riches, as long as it is legal, I am all out for it. Corruption has no colour and does not belong to a particular ethnic nationality, region or political party.

Those of us in this country who are above 40 should really look ahead. There is no future for this nation. Only pretenders will say tomorrow will be better than yesterday.

Sure, yesterday is gone but I think Nigeria’s yesterday is better than tomorrow.

Let us go back to the late 1950s and the early years of the First Republic. I have this habit of looking at photographs taken in those years. Our men and women looked more decent. Those who were working were more cultured than the ones we have today.

They could afford good clothings and their dress sense made sense.

Yes, there was poverty but not the level we have today. Festivals and festivities meant a lot and most homes could afford one or two things to be part of the celebrations. Then you would know that there was merriment.

Today’s Nigerians are a bundle of contrasts and confusion. Now you see one man controlling millions while next door compatriots do not have even a cup of garri for the day. The man whose cash is fat does not care what his poor kinsmen do, he is busy flaunting his wealth and expecting them to see him as a King or go rot in hell.

I am sure President Buhari is a product of those late fifties and early sixties. Yes , he is Old School, as the lingo goes today. If his fight against corruption is to bring us back to our Old School ways of decency, Oh my God, I am his number one supporter.

The problem is that while the President sees corruption as top of the agenda, I do not toe that line of administration. Top of the agenda should be to fix the Nigerian economy. If Mr. President thinks the fight against corruption will heal our economy, I am afraid not much will be achieved.

Corruption is like the air we inhale : we cannot live without it. The good Lord knows that corruption is part of existence that is why he created openings for forgiveness. God has the power over all things but he has not removed corruption from our list of sins.

President Buhari should not reduce his presidency to fighting corruption to kill corruption. Corruption cannot die. It has come to stay. Europe was built on corruption, American history is littered with tales of corruption. When you read Walter Rodney, you will understand how the West underdeveloped Africa.

There is no war in the United States, there is nothing like insurgency in the United

Corruption cannot die. It has come to stay

Kingdom today. The question we should ask ourselves is: Why are their industries manufacturing guns and rockets? They are in business. Africa and Asia must be encouraged to fight so that those in the West who are producing weapons will continue to make millions of dollars.

All through the years of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union made all the noise in the world. They never went to war. When all thought they would do that in 1962, during the Cuban Missile crisis, they deceived us with words and acronyms like Brinkmanship, Balance of Power and much later Balance of Terror. We heard of Star Wars, the super powers never saw war, not even in Warsaw when Labour defeated communist dictatorship.

I would like President Buhari to follow this my simple Naija economics. He could add it to his Buharinomics. We are looking for a way to energise our economy and are busy chasing a few of the thieves. The best way out is to invite them and if General Adamu has stolen 20 billion naira, ask him to drop 10 billion, go home and create jobs with five billion and flex with the rest. His sins are forgiven.

Then you ask former Governor Olubayo to bring back the 300 million dollars he hid in a Swiss account. Let him part with 150 million dollars, use 100 dollars to set up a relevant industry in his state and pretend that the rest was not there. Do the same with Chief Amadioha, the ex- GMD of NNPC. There will be money in the system by the time 1,000 high profile looters are given this mild treatment. This idea of arresting them and going to court has not helped anybody.

If you jail all of them, the economy will also remain in gaol. Let us be liberal with these thieves until we get our bearing. The money the Federal Government wants to borrow from Europe and America is here with us, in the bedrooms and water tanks of our people.

Laughable parody of ‘Bring Back Corruption’ Idowu Samuel

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rom time immemorial, every reigning President in Nigeria is treated as a villain. In that regard, the immediate predecessor, hitherto roundly condemned, always enjoyed a high rating. Very strange!

This explains why a category of Nigerians still looks towards the past regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan with fond memories, proudly pronouncing him a hero, all the same. Most interestingly, supporters of the past President never considered the alleged infamies, misdemeanours and in general, the phenomenal squandering of national resources under him as anything close to a sin. They wantonly refrain from agreeing that the seed of economic recession currently bedevilling Nigeria tapped its roots from the lack of focus, recklessness and the very robust kleptomania that underpinned operations of the government.

On the other hand, this category of Nigerians still do not see anything good in the current efforts by the current government to clip the wings of past and present officials who subverted and abused the Nigerian system for their own benefits.

Before now, those in the echelon of power over exerted their influences for self-aggrandisement. They suddenly ballooned in stature at the expense of the Nigerian

commonwealth, constituting themselves into institutions while attenuating governance in all departments. Nigeria was running on a befuddled economic and political culture that allowed a few to control humongous resources which enabled them develop the capacity to lord it on the rest of us. All the same, Nigerians have not learnt to rise in unison to condemn this very odd and tragic culture!

While Nigeria continues to groan under the pang of gripping economic recession, and amid efforts to block avenues for further looting and drive towards recovery of looted funds, it is no surprise that a category of Nigerians still finds breath to put up arguments in defence of looters of their commonwealth. This presupposes that it is not all Nigerians who are at peace with the on-going efforts by the government to fight and contain corruption. Some are simply content with the status quo ante and had preferred to have the business run in the country ‘as usual’.

It is unthinkable that today, a group of citizens will conclude that corruption is good for Nigeria, just as they trenchantly canvass a return to the era of corruption as a quick way to escape recession.

Incidentally, these are set of people who cannot take three square meals daily, effectively maintain their cars, adequately pay the school fees of their children, suffer miscarriage of justice arising from alleged corruption in the Judiciary, among others.

Those who constitute a virulent opposi-

tion to the present government with sworn intent to chant down every good move made towards ensuring the revival of Nigeria, are no doubt in the league of enemies who do not want Nigeria’s progress. Against this background, Nigerians in this league must be fought to stand still as long they will continue to hold the country down.

Before this fight, Nigerians must learn to appreciate and embrace the government of President Muhammadu Buhari for the value it represents in the fight against corruption. Nigeria was at the edge of a cliffhanger when his government took off by popular support. Therefore, it amounts to mischief to start casting aspersion on the government that has been fighting tooth and nail to pull the country back on track. Nigeria has never been alone on this journey occasioning hardship. Somehow, the country will overcome recession and bounce back into prosperity. This is just a matter of time, anyway.

From the memory lane, Nigeria’s situation is akin to that of Ghana before the advent of former President John Jerry Rawlings. Ghana faced more gripping recession most especially in the 80s. The situation forced Ghanaians to scamper for survival in neighbouring countries with Nigeria playing the big host.

Rawlings showed uncanny impatience with corruption. He tackled the menace with unflagging resilience. In the process, his government put three generations of leaders adjudged as utterly corrupt on the guillotine. Ghanaians were petrified

and in no time realised that Jerry Rawlings meant business. The story of Ghana changed dramatically. Today, Nigerians migrate to Ghana in droves believing that the country tends a good climate that makes business and lives run without much hassles.

Some 50 decades ago, China was reeling in acute problem of corruption and hopelessness before Deng Xiaoping entered into the corridors of power. Deng Xiaoping pulled China together, first by exorcising instinct for corruption from the psyche of the people. Death penalty was adopted as an instant measure for containing corruption. Then China sat tight, knowing that the leader would not condone business as usual. In all, Deng Xiaoping held the credit for developing China into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world for over 35 years. He raised the standard of living of millions of the Chinese citizens.

China tends the most developed economy in the world today, because the culture of discipline, prudent management of resources and hard work infused into an average Chinese since the days of Deng Xiaoping remains till date.

From observation, the strong passion being demonstrated by President Buhari for reviving Nigeria can be helpful if citizens join hands with him in the task. The good thing is that his government is not on a drive to take draconian measures.

• Samuel, journalist and public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Back to land

T

hough the Holy book tells us that “man shall not live by bread alone,” it is a known fact that man cannot live long without food. Importance of food to man and a nation cannot be overemphasized. A country that cannot feed itself is rarely respected in the comity of nations.

There is hunger in the land.

Nigeria’s population keeps increasing and farmers keep decreasing. Nobody wants to farm again. The few people still engaged in farming are old or getting old and because of government’s neglect of farmers, their children have no plan to take over the profession. The farm settlements established decades back are deserted and desolate.

It is, therefore, cheering news that the present administration plans to engage graduates in agricultural production across the nation’s 109 senatorial districts.

Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, while flagging-off the Graduate Farmers Employment Scheme, said the current economic situation in Nigeria had made integrated farming more imperative as agriculture had the potential to boost the nation’s ability to feed itself and provide the largest opportunity to create jobs for the country’s teeming unemployed. The 12 existing River Basin Development Authorities, scattered all over Nigeria, he said, would be reenergised for this purpose.

We commend this govern-

ment’s back-to-land move as it will help reduce unemployment, as well as boost food production and ultimately help us out of the recession that the country is going through.

Successive governments have always paid lip service to helping farmers and boosting agriculture without really doing much relying solely on revenue from oil for budget and survival.

Serious attention has not been paid to farming over the years; farmers who are scattered in the hinterland are left unorganised using crude and energy-consuming implements.

So, this has turned Nigeria,

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60s, agriculture was the pride of Nigerian export. Cash crops like cocoa, groundnut and palm oil competed. It was a time when governments, at all levels, took agriculture seriously. There was dynamic research and effective extension strategy for food and crop production; there was the Revitalised Commodity Extension Strategy where emphasis was on selected crops like palm oil, groundnut and cocoa and the

Nigeria is blessed with uncultivated fertile vast landscape

a country which professes to be agriculturally-oriented to a country which relies on imported food.

In times past each region was synonymous with its cash crop.

The North produced cotton and groundnut in abundance; the West produced cocoa for export while the East produced palm oil.

History has it that Malaysia, the highest producer of palm oil in the world, took palm seedlings from Nigeria. Now the groundnut pyramids on the currency we spent while growing up have all disappeared! Nigeria is just struggling now to be counted among exporters of cocoa and palm oil!

How did we get here? Before independence, up till the early

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

Farm Settlement Strategy, a concept to entice young school leavers to farming as a career.

The ‘oil boom’ era of the 1973 and 1980s changed

all of this. It diverted government’s attention from pursuing and entrenching these laudable projects. Now that the fortunes of oil have nose-dived, there cannot be a better time than now for us to turn back and invest heavily in agriculture.

We can learn from the then regional governments that established farm settlements in zones within their regions to engage and encourage youths to farm and to boost food production. Interested youths were taught at the agriculture training institutes the art of managing medium and large scale mechanised farms, livestock husbandry and how to operate various agricultural equipment.

Government provided each of these young farmers land according to their needs, as well as a 2-bedroom farmhouse. Accessible roads were constructed within such settlements and to their farms. Tractors and other modern farming equipment were made at their disposal in ploughing the land at subsidised rates.

We suggest that, in addition to these, government should establish schools and clinics as well as providing electricity in the new farm settlements so that young farmers can stay with their families and concentrate on farm work and not be attracted to the city. Low interest agricultural loans should also be made available to these young farmers as well as giving them access to high-yielding and disease resistant variety of seeds from research institutes.

Nigeria is blessed with uncultivated fertile vast landscape.

There are 774 local governments in Nigeria. If farm settlements are established in half or two thirds of these councils, government would have succeeded in reducing unemployment and indirectly curbing crime, as well as increasing food production which will ultimately boost the economy.

An enabling environment should also be provided for people to farm. Most importantly, government should make legislation against herdsmen grazing their cattle on people’s farm.

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POLITICS

CHUKWU DAVID reports on the crisis that trailed Senator Oluremi Tinubu's bill, seeking to grant Lagos State a special status and how the proposal was eventually shut down on the floor of the Red Chamber

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

How Senate stopped Tinubu's bill on Lagos special status

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embers of parliament are regarded as the representatives of the people in every democratic government all over the world. They have a constitutional responsibility to protect, project and promote the wellbeing of the citizenry through their representation in the legislative assembly.

In the Nigerian Senate, members strive to represent their constituents by sponsoring bills and/or motions on issues affecting them, to ensure that such problems are addressed. They also present petitions from their constituents on the floor of the Senate for consideration, upon which resolutions are made to address such problems.

Bringing motions and bills to the Chamber for Senate's approval is one of the ways the lawmakers prove to their constituents and indeed Nigerians that they are working and justify the mandate given to them by the people, particularly those of their immediate political enclaves.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in demonstrating her passion for her state and her zeal to give Lagos a face lift, came up with a motion, entitled, "A bill for an act to make provisions for Federal Grants to Lagos State in recognition of its strategic socio-economic significance and other connected purposes."

However, when it was brought up for debate in order to pass it for second reading last week Wednesday, the positions taken by some of the senators, actually provoked others to anger, which later degenerated to commotion that eventually sent the bill to trash can, as it was summarily rejected by the Senate.

The pandemonium was first triggered by some uncomplimentary comments made by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, when in the course of his contribution to the debate; he described the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a "rotten pampered child."

Leading the debate on the bill, Senator Tinibu urged her colleagues to support the proposal so as to help uplift Lagos status financially and otherwise in view of the fact that it was a former federal capital of the country.

She noted that the bill sought to tackle many problems confronting residents of Lagos, by empowering the Federal Government to make provisions for economic assistance through grants as provided for under Section 164 sub-

Ekweremadu

section (1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

The lawmaker also explained that the bill will allow the grants payable to be determined by the president and commander-inchief on the recommendation of the governor of Lagos.

Tinubu however, said that the recommendation will come with the proviso that recommends the modest amount not less than one per cent of the share of the revenue accruing to the Federal Government; the amount of which would be payable upon appropriation by the National Assembly.

She further stated that the grants would be utilised in meeting the public infrastructural need of Lagos State, such as improving on rail infrastructure to decongest the roads and for promotion of the conducive social economic environment for federal institutions, as well as increase the state's capacity to continue to play host.

While giving reasons why Lagos deserves special assistance from the Federal Government, she described the state as one with strategic socio-economic significance being "the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria with available statistics indicating that six of 10 international passengers arrive in Lagos while eight of 10 depart from Lagos."

According to her, a report from Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in 2008 revealed that 86.2 per cent of companies' income taxes were collected in only Lagos while another 56.7 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) was collected in Lagos.

She said with the degree of revenue being generated from Lagos, the state deserved a special treatment."Key sectors of the economy namely: manufacturing, construction, telecommunications, financial institutions and insurance are domiciled in Lagos.

Lagos also plays a major role as host to sporting, entertainment and cultural events. It is also the home of hospitality given the nu-

Tinubu

merous hotels and restaurants located within the state.

"Compared with the rest of the country, Lagos has the smallest landmass of about 3,671square kilometer in Nigeria and the highest population density at about 2,649 persons per square kilometre. Although the National Population Commission, according to its 2006 census, named Lagos the second most populous state in Nigeria, evidence shows that the state is also the transient state which plays host to millions of transient citizens of other states in Nigeria who commutes to Lagos for commercial transactions on a daily basis," she said.

The bill however, suffered serious partisan considerations from the lawmakers, splitting the Senate along geo-political divides.

While the bill was highly supported by South-West senators, those from the North, South-East and South-South rejected the bill, pointing out that it would give undue advantage to Lagos as well as set a dangerous precedence in the system.

The quarrel generated by the partisan positions of the lawmakers was so intense that the Deputy President of the President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session, had to stand up from his seat for several minutes to calm frayed nerves and bring the chaotic situation under control.

The other two Lagos senators, Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) and Solomon Olamilekan (Lagos West) as well as Fatimat Raji-Rasaki and Barnabas Gemade (Benue Northwest), expressed strong support for the bill.

But Senator Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto North) initiated opposition to the bill, describing it as illtimed and unnecessary. According to him, the bill will make Lagos richer and make other states poorer, warning that passing the bill would set a dangerous precedence because it would serve as an impetus for other states to also demand for special grants.

Wamakko's position received strong support from Senator Hope Uzodinma (Imo West), who echoed that passing the bill would open windows for other states to come up with similar bills.

Uzodinma suggested that instead of allowing the bill to pass, the option of conceding Federal Government's abandoned property in the state to Lagos to augment its cost of maintenance should be considered.

Similarly, Senator Philip Aduda (FCT) said he would only support the bill if the same status being sought by Lagos would be accorded the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), arguing that FCT also deserved special allocation for its development.

He argued that the infrastructure in the territory was being overstretched by people trooping into it, and should also receive extra budgetary provisions to meet the ever increasing needs in the territory.

Also opposing the bill, Senator Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West), said he would have supported the bill but noted that the National Assembly had no power to make any law that would empower any state to exclusively draw money from the federation account.

Furthermore, in his opposition to the bill, Senator James Manager (Delta South), said Section 164(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) incapacitated him from supporting the bill, noting that the section authorised the National Assembly to first make a law before the Federal Government could grant financial assistance to any state.

He pointed out that even when such law was made by the National Assembly, its application would not be automatic as compliance with such law would be at the president's discretion.

It was the bitter altercation between Senators Adeyeye and Aduda that provoked the tension and uproar which eventually made the bill to be killed.

Adeyeye had argued that the demand for 1 per cent grant for Lagos was an underestimation of the real value of the financial need of the state, noting that Lagos deserved 13 per cent derivation from VAT the same way oil producing Niger Delta states enjoy 13 per cent derivation from the federal government.

Adeyeye also dismissed the demand by Aduda for special grant for FCT, describing the nation's capital as "rotten pampered child." The comment provoked deep anger in Aduda, to the extent that Adeyeye had to withdraw the statement but the withdrawal did not solve the tension which had degenerated into a shouting match among the senators.

When it became obvious that the situation was not abetting, Ekweremadu decided to stop further debate on the bill and went on to put the bill to a voice vote. The voice of those opposed to the bill overwhelmed those in support and the bill was rejected.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Arts

NLNG Prize: Triumph for Nigerian literature – Ibrahim

CULTURE

Theatre Centrik in performance

Lalubi, blatant satire, says Julius Playwright, poet and legal practitioner, Ayoola Julius explains the idea behind his play Lalubi, scheduled for production by Theatre Centrik this month, and why it has remained relevant till now. TONY OKUYEME reports

“I

would say that I am a writer before I became a legal practitioner. I write more of drama and poetry. I have one published play so far. Apart from that I have quite a number of manuscripts of which Lalubi is one of them. I also have another script, ‘Child’s Revolt’, which is like a response to J.P. Clarke’s ‘Wives Revolt’.

That has been staged by Theatre Centrik sometime in the past. I have a collection of poems particularly on women, it is titled

TONY OKUYEME Arts Editor tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

A Sonnet for a Woman,” Julius says this bright day in his office at Akoka, Lagos.

The name Lalubi, he notes, came to him by some inspiration, adding, that “later I got to see the name in one of Wole Soyinka’s works.

“When this play was conceived in 2001 or 2003, I cannot really remember vividly, it was just after a few years of our democracy, and instantly one looked at those who were in the national assembly and the various states house of assemblies, and you ask yourself: what are these people doing? They are dancing; they are supposed to be dancing for the masses; dancing in a way that the masses will be well entertained in terms of social infrastructure, will be well entertained in terms of education, will be well entertained in terms of politics. But they did a different dance; their own dance was one that made the masses laugh but it was laughter in agony, because there was nothing to show for it. So much billions are wasted every day; and so many million people are dying. It is like they are making mil-

Julius

Lalubi is what I would call a blatant satire because the readers do not have to do so much work to know what is being said

lions to kill millions.

“So, in Lalubi, what you will find is more or less a monologue; you see different characters coming on stage; they are not really participating in so much activities; it is only Lalubi that is revealing these things. In one place, Lalubi is really a part of the situation; in another place Lalubi is speaking to the future; also, in one place Lalubi is looking at the church. And what is happening today is what the muse at the time gave me and I used to write this work. Lalubi was talking about religion too, that why are the pastors getting richer and the people they pray for are getting poorer? They don’t give testimonies; only the pastors are giving testimonies. And all we are saying to unravel the mystery.”

According to him, Lalubi is a socio-political satire, but a different kind of satire. “You know, in

18

satire, what you have is condensed meaning, leaving the readers to imagine. Lalubi is what I would call a blatant satire because the readers do not have to do so much work to know what is being said, unlike in other satires where you may have to go deep down. It is intentional to make blatant so that even the person selling maize, dodo and so on, can pick the work and understand it.”

Julius further explains that Lalubi is the representative of the masses, a graduate who had to corrupt his English in Kalakuta (a ghetto), because he would not find space there. “They are too educated to live amongst the poor. Lalubi is very educated but he has no job. So he ended up getting a job with the ministry; in some place he was a permanent assistant to permanent assistant to some permanent assistant. You can see the unnecessary bureaucracy that we have in our government. Some will give his card saying that ‘I am the Personal Assistant (PA) to a Personal Assistant (PA) who is the Personal Assistant (PA) to another Personal Assistant (PA); wasting of resources. So, Lalubi is seeing things directly because he is an assistant to an assistant who is seeing things directly.

“So, who are we lampooning?

We are lampooning the political class, the political elite. The political elites have been lampooned on all fronts and they are budged. So it makes sense to lampoon them and be laughing, so that nobody is arrested. People have gone to court; they have advanced radicalism and activism; the elites are making money on it. So Lalubi is more or less an admission that we know who you are, elite, but we are helpless; and whatever it is we are waiting for the gods to come. And that is why if you watch or read Lalubi you will see that the gods did come; they visited them and they did what was right. So, the gods will come one day. That one is certain; the gods will come one day.

I am a deist, so I have this belief that our ancestors are somewhere, and one day they will come back.

“So the lampoon here is to the political elite and at the same time for the masses themselves who have become besotted with chanting their praises just to get just get a smidgen of garri.”

Looking back now, are issues that you raised that you feel now should be changed? You ask.

“Unfortunately there is none,” he says.Continuing, he says, “I was writing this book out of poverty. It is said that poverty sharpens the brain. When you are poor you start dreaming; you see visions if you allow yourself to do that. I allowed myself to do that, rather than commit crime at the time; I was seeing visions for Nigeria.

The play is scheduled for stage at Creative Art Department Hall, FSS, University of Lagos, on Saturday October 22, 2016. It is directed

by Anthony Oluwabiyi Boyede Greenlyte, Art Osagie Okedigun and Abel Utuedor.

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ART

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NLNG Prize: Triumph for Nigerian literature – Ibrahim Tony Okuyeme and Appolonia Adeyemi

A

bubakar Adam Ibrahim has won the 2016 edition of the Nigeria Prize for Literature sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG).

He won the coveted prize for his debut novel, Season of Crimson Blossoms.

The Advisory Board of the Prize announced Ibrahim as the winner of the 2016 edition of the prize after a nine-month long process of adjudication.

The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the prize, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday. Ibrahim’s novel, Season of Crimson Blossoms emerged winner from among 172 other entries received for the competition.

According to Professor Ayo Banjo, “It was a strong field this year. The shortlisted entries were very strong and the Board had no difficulty in accepting the recommendation of the panel of judges, considering the subject matter and competent manner in which Ibrahim demonstrated the execution of his work.”

Reacting to the verdict, the General Manager, External Relations at NLNG, Kudo Eresia-Eke, said “It has been a very rigorous process and we are very happy that at the end of the day, both the International Consultant and the Panel of Judges came to an alignment. We are very proud of the quality of entries received.

L:R: Izevbaye, Banjo, Eke and Susu at the Press Conference in Lagos

Let me reiterate very clearly that we will continue to support integrity and excellence, which are some of the pillars we have built NLNG’s success as a company on,” he said.

The Prize is awarded with cash prize of $100, 000.

The decision on the winning entry of The Nigeria Prize for Literature was reached by a panel of judges, led

by Professor Dan Izevbaye, a well-respected literary critic and professor of Literature in English; Professor Asabe Usman Kabir, professor of Oral and African Literatures at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and Professor Isidore Diala, first winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism and professor of African literature in

the Department of English, Imo State University, Owerri. The international consultant, Professor Kojo Senanu of the University of Legion, is an internationally acclaimed scholar.

The panel had, through the Advisory Board, released a shortlist of eleven in July 2016 and later, a shortlist of three in September 2016. The three shortlisted entries, in alphabetic order, were Born on a Tuesday (Elnathan John), Night Dancer (Chika Unigwe) and Season of Crimson Blossoms (Abubakar Adam Ibrahim).

Members of the Advisory Board for the Literature Prize, besides Professor Banjo, two-time Vice-Chancellor of Nigeria’s premier university, University of Ibadan, are Prof. Jerry Agada, for-

Mythopoeia: Glimpse of Ogundipe’s recent paintings at Omenka Tony Okuyeme

P

rof Moyo Ogundipe, a prominent Denver painter, was born in Nigeria and fled its military dictatorship in the 1980s. Before leaving Nigeria, he was an art teacher, a graphic illustrator, an awardwinning television producer/ director and an independent filmmaker. In spite of all his creative pursuits, he has always considered himself first and foremost a visual artist.

From October 15 to 22, 2016, Omenka Gallery will present Mythopoeia, an exhibition of recent work by Ogundipe. For him, the creative practice is akin to mythopoeia: “an unending search for the meaning and reason and rhythm of life.” According to the curator of the show, Janine Sytsma, Ph.D., “this exhibition traces Ogundipe’s artistic development during the last twenty years as he moved between Nigeria and the United States and developed a mythic language to reflect the ever-changing global condition. Viewers of the paintings presented here are cast in the role of protagonists and are invited to navigate the labyrinth of patterns and to unearth the treasures embedded within.”

Dr. Kunle Filani notes that “Ogundipe’s visual articulation is summative of the meticulous intellectualization of artistic forms by the Yoruba artists over the ages. The pen-

chant for perfect rationalization of visual images seems ceaseless in the Yoruba creative regenerative continuum. From the ancient classical Ife bronze and terra-cotta sculptures, Owo art, and even the hybrid of Benin, Tsoedo, and Tada bronzes to the more recent exquisite Ekiti/Igbomina woodcarvings, there is a peculiar compact and sophisticated appropriation of forms that is unique in spite of the remarkable diversity of African art.”

Each work evokes a distinct response. For example, Rhapsody is likely to arouse excitement with its bold, predominantly warm palette and sharp, diagonal thrusts, while Cotyledon of Songs, from the following year, is more likely to instill calmness, with its comparatively subtle, cool palette and intricate layers of patterning.

Nonetheless, it is up to viewers to determine their own course through the paintings, and in this process, they may find meaningful parallels with life’s journey. In the end, the works, like the best myths, open up thought, providing forums for contemplation of the world in which we live.

Ogundipe has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting from The Hoffberger School of Painting, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore.

He has exhibited extensively in Nigeria, Europe and the United States, including The Orlando Museum of Art, the Maryland Museum of African Art, the

mer Minister of State for Education, former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, and Professor Emeritus Ben Elugbe, former President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters and president of the West-African Linguistic Society (2004-2013).

The Nigeria Prize for Literature has since 2005 rewarded eminent writers such as Gabriel Okara (co-winner, 2005, poetry), Professor Ezenwa Ohaeto (cowinner, 2005, poetry); Ahmed Yerima (2006, drama) for his classic, Hard Ground; Mabel Segun (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature) for her collection of short plays Reader’s Theatre; Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature) with her book, My Cousin Sammy; Kaine Agary (2008, prose); Esiaba Irobi (2010, drama) who clinched the prize posthumously with his book Cemetery Road; Adeleke Adeyemi (2011, children’s literature) with his book The Missing Clock; Chika Unigwe (2012 – prose), with her novel, On Black Sister’s Street; Tade Ipadeola (2013; Poetry) with his collection of poems, Sahara Testaments and Sam Ukala (2014;Drama) with Iredi War. In his reaction, Ibrahim said: “I am elated by this news. It is an incredible shortlist and any of the other writers would have been a deserved winner. I think the short list in itself is a triumph for Nigerian literature and I hope this result will encourage emerging writers to believe and work harder.”

The Nigeria Prize for Literature rotates yearly amongst four literary genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature.

Literary Crossroads: Conversations with African poets

Literary Crossroads is a series of talks where African writers meet colleagues from all over the continent and from the African diaspora to discuss trends, topics and themes prevalent in their literatures today.

This edition in collaboration with Lagos International Poetry Festival (LIPF) holds on Thursday, 27th October 2016, Goethe-Institut, Lagos. It features Jumoke Verissimo and Dami Ajayi from Nigeria in conversation with Mandi Vundla and Afurakan from South Africa.

Lagos International Poetry Festival (LIPF) will be taking place from Wednesday, 26th October till Sunday, 30th October 2016. The theme for this year’s festival is “Paging the Future”.

Ogundipe

New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, and recently, in African Renaissance: Old Forms, New Images at the Denver Art Museum.

Ogundipe’s paintings have been described as hypnotic, colorful and densely patterned. He paints in the rich tradition of the Yoruba culture of Nigeria and attempts in his paintings to evolve a style that is a fusion or synthesis between his traditional heritage and his Western education.

In 1996, Ogundipe was awarded the Pollock-Krasner Fellowship, and in 2005, he was invited to become a member of Africobra, an organization founded in the 1960s whose membership is comprised of distinguished African American artists.

LASPOTEC to host African student film festival

The 2016 edition of the African Student Film Festival (ASFF) will be hosted by Lagos State Polytechnic main campus Ikorodu, starting from 17th till 19th October. There will be film screenings every evening followed immediately by question and answer sessions.

Throughout the festival, there will be workshops in the following fields: Directing, Cinematography, Documentary and Screenwriting. These end on the festival’s 3rd day, which will be the awards night. Awards will be given to outstanding students who will be judged by the merits of their short films submitted to the festival.

African Student Film Festival intends to tour universities around Nigeria, giving more students the opportunity to participate in the festival.

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FRIday, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Feminique

Okafor: Touching lives in her neighbourhood Maureen Okafor is the Head, Web Development at isoft Nigeria, an IT firm. A work-at-home mother, she believes that women are divinely placed where to minister to the needs of people around them. EBERE AMEH had a chat with her during people quarterly charity fair, which she coordinates in her neighbourhood and writes

M

aureen Okafor always saw scavengers but the indescribable joy of a little boy who picked up a small teddy bag pulled a string in her heart that has resulted in a charity fair, where more indigent folks have an opportunity to be feted.

“The boy was overjoyed. He jumped up and down admiring the bag as if he has found a treasure. Looking through my bedroom window all I could say was ‘wow! if such a thing could be considered a treasure, let me give him more, then it will become a real treasure.’ I had two extra and bettere teddy carrier bags but before I could get down to him he had run away happily. Though he ran, he left an indelible message in my heart that kept me awake that night and many more nights.”

It was then Maureen decided to do something to put smiles on the faces of the poor around her and give more of them reasons to dance.

“I had some things I could give out - I had clothes I won’t use, I had things in the kitchen, some furnishing and other things I just wanted to get rid of. I had stuffs I had been stacking for orphanages but somehow, I just didn’t have the time to visit them. I also thought the same may be the case with my neighbours. So I spoke to my closest neighbour and together, we printed a letter that we distributed to people in the neighbourhood so that if they were interested, they could call us. I just didn’t want to put my name alone.

Many supported it saying it was a bril-

EBERE AMEH ebere.ameh@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

liant idea and that was how the charity fair started,” Maureen narrated.

With canopies set, fairly used items beautifully displayed, small chops and people happily selecting what they needed, a passer-by would be right to assume that a mini market was springing up at Ajimobi Street, off Acme Road, Ikeja, but nay. It was a simple initiative of an observant altruist, who saw the need to share with the poor in her neighbourhood. From noon to dusk, needy neighbours and their children came along to pick what they thought could be useful to them.

Arranged under ladies, kiddies, gentlemen, kitchen, food stuff and family, each went straight to where they had the most need and was given some small chops and a drink afterwards.

Food stuffs, clothes, furniture, tables, CD players, kitchen pots, weaveons, shampoo, toys, TVs, Radios, books and so much more, were given out. Some neighbours volunteered to help man the stands to ensure it got to all.

“I guess it was the Holy Spirit that told me what I was going to do that night. It was clear, I could hear it. He said you get two canopies, you are going to put them outside and you are going to lay it this way. And exactly how He said I should do it was how I did it.

This is our third time and it has been wonderful.”

Though it was a successful outing, it wasn’t all that rosy and all support from Maureen’s neighbours. She had her fair share of discouragement from pessimistic neighbours but she remained undaunted.

“There was a particular neighbour who kept telling me that it was a very brilliant idea but impossible to achieve.

‘You see, the poor people won’t come out, the neighbours may not like it, it will not last’, and so many other discouraging remarks but I told her ‘madam, this is not my project, I’m practically being forced to do it. The owner of the work will make it successful and sustain it.

“Though some neighbours eventually did not support the idea, I really wasn’t banking on them per se. I knew I was going to do it whether they come

Okafor

God has them in mind and has put us in their vicinity so that we may shine the light of love to them

or not. I just saw it as an opportunity for us to help,” Maureen said.

One major challenge Maureen and her neighbours faced the first day was distinguishing between the real poor and the exploiters of poverty, and the nonchalance of the poor towards helping fellow poor.

“The people came and some of them were trying to be smart, to get more than others but we had to stop that. So we had to keep an eye on them.

“Going forward, I intend to teach them to be content, with a little so it could go round, to learn to share. They tend to pack and pack, depriving others of the opportunity of benefiting from the largesse.

“We also had a situation where those who have no business with poverty, came to pick things from the stand. Someone in air conditioned car drove past and asked how much we were selling the items. When we told them that it was free, she ran back and called the other occupants of her car and together they packed things. I didn’t stop them. If you feel you need it, I won’t stop you. But next time, I would emphasize to such people that it is for the poor; that they could collect if they are poor. I think that will restrain them,” Maureen of Itsekiri background, married to an Igboman, said.

Though the immediate plan is to supply their needs as much as possible, Maureen’s ultimate aim is to win them for Christ. This she intends to do by drawing closer to them, encouraging and teaching them some basic virtues before or after the distribution of the goods.

“Right now, the plan is to get close to them. So I know most of them and I talk with them on ordinary days.

Subsequently, I intend to give them

Impromptu talks. Ultimately, I am hoping to lead them to Christ. I want them to know that they are truly loved and not alone. God has them in mind and has put us in their vicinity so that we may shine the light of love to them. I want to help them change their mindset from that of victims to winners and victors.

I want them to know that even in their state, they could be givers too because it is more blessed to give than to receive. They need to know that from giving of their time or their talent, even if they don’t have money, they can become prosperous,” she sermonized.

Maureen, who together with her husband is an IT guru, plans to get the initiative more organized and have it replicated in other neighbourhoods.

“We plan to turn it to an NGO. We are working on a website that will enable people to join us or ask us to come to their community and help them start off the charity fair. We could help them talk to their community prior to the date of the event because it can be daunting for many.

“I would love to see it happen in other areas. I would want to see people in other domains realizing that in their area are also people in need and help them and so, organize such fairs once in a while.

“I believe that Nigerians naturally want to help the poor but while some don’t know how, others are too busy. Most times people want to give to orphanages without realizing that even around us, we have people who need stuffs. You may have a bag of rice and your neighbour doesn’t have food in their house to eat. At such times you can reach out. I believe God put us in different areas to help one another,” Maureen said.

20 FEMINIQUE

T

his topic was not actually meant for today, but it is very important because of the implications that arise from ignorance about dysmenorrhea and wrong advice. It revolves around a case that I saw three days ago in my clinic.

But before that, What is Dysmenorrhea? It is simply a medical term for lower abdominal pain that occurs during a menstrual period.

Of course you remember that men do not menstruate, not so? This pain may extend to the lower back and legs. It can be a dull persistent ache, or it can be crampy. Meaning that it squeezes and is on and off.

Now to this rather pathetic and unfortunate story. By the way, I have come across this scenario with or without some variations regularly. The same thing for my colleagues too.

This young, pretty 16 year old orphan appeared in my clinic with her grandmother for pregnancy test. I took her blood sample, did the test and the result came out positive.

They were both shocked. It was like an impossible result. All the time I was watching the girl to know if she knew her condi-

FRIday, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

How dysmenorrhea resulted in unintended, unwanted pregnancy Sex and Marriage Counselor drtaiwofadeyi@gmail.com

08033148899

Dr. Taiwo Fadeyi tion, but was only acting and pretending. She was in genuine shock and was weeping bitterly.

She was 4 months pregnant.

This is her pathetic story which I want us to pass on to all our women, young and old.

She lives in a face me I face you single room with her grandmother. She had been suffering from severe dysmenorrhea for over a year on a regular monthly basis.

Everybody in school and her compound always knew when she was menstruating. There were 10 single rooms in the house with 2 common toilets

and bathrooms. And as usual in such environments, she was always the butt of cruel and terrible jokes, mockery, taunts and advices. Especially advices from armchair medical experts and sex counsellors.

One of those and the most common was this. If she wanted the pain to disappear, she must lose her virginity and have sex regularly. Nobody told her to go and see a doctor. She knew nothing about sex education and nobody told her pregnancy could occur.

Eventually, she listened. Had uncomfortable and painful sex

But we must learn correctly before we teach

for three months. Still dysmenorrhea. The fourth, month, she did not have any pain at the usual time.

So she was very happy. But no menses. She was not bothered.

She was blissfully unaware that she was pregnant. Wrong, incomplete sex education by her tutors and mentors got her into this mess. By the way she is in SSS3 and appeared quite brilliant, with hopes of becoming an accountant.

The level of health education generally and sex education in particular in this country is so appalling and unimaginable. That is why the editor of this newspaper decided to make this a regular weekly column as a community social service.

It is never too late for us to learn and never too early for us to teach our children (both sons and daughters). But we must learn correctly before we teach.

Ego: Diary of a happening mom Ebere Ameh

M

om doesn’t even know that their fear that Danny may be Osu (outcast) is not my main problem. What bothers me more is the fact that he is still legally married and I want him. I won’t lose him for the whole world.

Having gone through divorce, I know how it feels. I need to encourage and guide him. But that did not discountenance my parent’s fears. But I maintain my stand; no matter who he is, I love him and I will marry him. After all, Segun, who is not only a freeborn but of a royal family almost sent me to an early grave.

Possibly because I am one step to becoming officially his, Danny bumps in without notice.

That was what he did on Thursday with the excuse that he came around the neighbourhood and decided to check on us.

Daaaany! I called in disbelief.

“Just tell me that you are using that as a pretex for leaving here late yesterday and coming back again today,” I teased.

“Actually, you are right. The point is I’m so lonely in my house.

I start missing you immediately you leave. Ego, he said, drawing me close to his chest, “You are driving me crazy. Why not move in with me? I can buy or rent another place where nobody will come to hurt you.” he said.

The fact is that he doesn’t know that I miss him more. But I have to prove that I’m not the one running after him. Not now that Sam, his brother came visiting. Though I have a good rapport with him, I need to keep a little distance so I could be missed. My little prank worked, I thought to myself smiling. Kudos to me!

“Why are you smiling,” Danny asked. Is that a yes to my request?”

Between dad and step-father he asked, ready to celebrate.

“No, you know I can’t say yes to that. First things first, you know. After the visit to your parents next week, we need to begin the divorce proceedings. I also suggest we see the Lawyer even before we travel.”

But all I was saying was like water on the back of a duck, Danny had his mind made but mine was equally made. Who would back down for the other, I thought as he continued.

“I know all that, Ego. But being together will afford us the opportunity to plan on the next course of action.”

I was about to respond when

Tobi rushed in and saw us holding each other. I quickly pulled away from Danny but it was a bit late. Blushing, he greeted and wanted to run out again when I pulled him by the hand.

“Tobi, I can see there is something you came to tell me. What is it?”

“I’ll come back later mom. Leave me.” he said, pulling free and running out in haste.

It was then it dawned on me that I have not told him and his sister about my engagement to Danny. I have been waiting for the right time but when is the right time? I have to talk to them tonight. Though they like Danny, I pray they don’t mind having him as their step-father.

“Did you notice his rashness? He

seems unhappy,” I asked Danny.

“Haven’t you told him? Anyway, though he is my friend, nobody will be happy seeing another man holding his mother so close. But I don’t expect any problem from him.” Danny added.

After days of procrastination, I decided to break the news of their soon to be step-father at breakfast table, but no. I won’t be able to handle them together, I thought. I later told Tosin first, I knew it won’t be hard convincing her. Together, we made it look like a big deal, a happy event when we told him. Though we succeeded in building the initial suspense and excitement, the idea did not fly as he went moody and started asking what becomes of his dad.

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How long have you been in the Entertainment Industry?

I will say that I started acting with Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) programmes since 1987 while I was a student. Such series as the Telefest, Blossom, Third Eye. We moved to Home movies/ Nollywood precisely 1992 or 1993.

Any challenge interpreting your script?

Definitely, if you are a professional actor and you have not acted a challenging role, then you have not started. Until you take up a challenging role, you have not done anything. It is not just go on set and recite your lines and you are out on set. I have had some challenging roles to play.

The movies like Glamour Girls, where I acted Jessica; it was not an easy one, especially where I was meant to sleep with a dog. So I have had some quite a number of challenging roles.

They went down well with me, because personally I prefer to play challenging roles.

And did you sleep with the dog?

I didn’t have to because every producer who has worked with me knows that. If I take up a script and I come across a role I feel that I cannot do, I will discuss with the producer to play it down with me. That was what I did with Kenneth Nebue, the owner of Glamour Girls, NEK Video Links , then.

When I saw that I was going to be on the bed with a dog, I had to dialogue with him to play it down, which he did.

I didn’t have to go near the dog, they were taking it differently. He was an understanding producer, because some of them will say that is the way I want my story or that is the way I want the picture and if you say that what I will do is leave the set.

Was the dog for real?

Oh yes for sure. There was a big dog life on the bed. They have to take my beat separately and the dog separately.

When I came in at first, I saw the dog on the bed twisting its tongue, I was like God (laughter), I was like what the hell (laughter) and my mentor,

my uncle Christian Chika, who was the director, laughed and laughed. He asked what is that and I said no, I won’t go near that dog. Of course, I had discussed it with Nebue and he laughed, he agreed with me that we will take the dog separately and you separately.

Those people who were there that time who knew the ethics of the profession that was when movies were movies and not now, we respected ourselves. People like Liz Benson, Zack Orji, Kanayo O Kanayo, Ejike Asiegbu, Eucharia Anunobi, Clarion Chukwura and a whole lots of them. These people were there when movies were movies.

How do you mean, when movies were movies?

Yes, I say when movies were movies, when they talk about the Nollywood , I tell them there was Old and New Nollywood. I don’t argue it, because as a matter of fact, there was the old Nollywood. When you bring up a story and you look at the story, you are eager CO N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 2

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entertainment

friday, october 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Now, anything goes in Nollywood’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

to be in the picture. When stories were matured, well told. Not now that anybody can just wake up and put down whatever on the paper, and asked to play stripe roles, there is difference.

Are you implying that Nollywood is all comers affair?

To an extent, I will tell you yes.

Now it is like anybody can come on board because of the money. As long as you see a script where they want a girl to be in the nude, she is ready to do it, may be because of the money or she wants fame. But it was not like that with us in the old Nollywood. So, when I say when movies were movies I know what I mean. And now people talk about sexual harassment from Producers , and I keep telling them, men will always be what they are, especially the ones without the fear of God. They will always be what they are, but it is left for you as a lady that is about to be harassed to say please I don’t want it. If you don’t want me to feature in your movie, because that was how we started. I won’t say that sexual harassment has not been there, to an extent it has been there. But when you tell a producer, if you think I merit it give it to me and if I don’t merit, I don’t belong to jumping on your bed before you give me a role . If you turn him down two or three times, he will respect you.

But these days, what they want is to jump on the bed because they want fame; it is not even the money. So do whatever you want to do with me and put me in your movie. That is what we are saying. Except the ones that are well brought up from good homes, that have fear of God that have moral. If not, a lot happens, so it has become all comers affair like you quoted.

It was speculated in the industry that people pay to feature on the movie. Can you defend that?

That‘s true. We heard all sorts; no I won’t defend it, because it is true.

When I shot my own movies, I see where some people will say , please I will add money , just allow me to feature in the movie, and I know that you don’t merit it, You can’t do it, I can’t accept your money and I am not hear to accept your money and feature you in the movie. If you merit it, I will pay you to feature in my movie. If you don’t, I will tell you, please go and practice. Everybody is an actor if you put it in practice. If I give you a script, may be, you are not doing it well and I see the potential in, I will tell you to go and rehearse the role and when you come back and you play it well , I will feature you in the movie.

The movie you shot. What was its message to the society?

That is a long time ago, Woman of Destiny. The story is about a woman who is married for some years and no child. Her husband loves his wife. At a point in the man’s life, the pressure from the family, the woman is ejected out of the house and she is a virtuous woman. The day she is thrown out another man accepted her. One thing led to another, she is blessed with children. Meanwhile, the other man who

settled with another woman comes back because his wife could not conceive. The message here to the women is that patience is a virtue and if you hold on to God in whatever situation and believe in him , if He says yes , because the Bible says whatever is put in his hand is safe , so if you believe and hold on to Him , one day He will pour cold water on it .

How were you able to handle men who made advances at you whilst growing up as a pretty woman?

I won’t say I am hearing it for the first time, because even my husband at that time at that age , that was what he saw that he took me up very early.

I give God all the glory. Right now my male fans, like I said earlier a man will always be a man. And nobody writes on the forehead that I am married or I am a virtuous woman or I am a pastor, anybody can see you and admire you. But left for you the woman, like me, I know who I am. You can admire because God has made me so, you can admire and complement the handwork of the creator, but it does not go beyond there, because my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Your two appointments have taken you away from the industry. Do you still find time to act?

Oh yes. In the last administration as Special Assistant on politics under Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, I did a lot of movies. I had a lot of time to myself. In this present administration as the Director Delta State Tourism Board with Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, I still work but I think the work load in the office is a bit higher than what I did before , I don’t have such time to jump around , but if I still get a script that I am attracted to, I will always seek permission from the office.

What has stardom caused you?

Before we came into limelight, one could sit anywhere to eat, you can sit anywhere to chat, maybe somebody insults you and you want to retaliate, but there is a level you get to, you begin to drop some of those things. You are supposed to teach, you are supposed to be the mirror to the society. Your life style supposed to be a mirror to the society. Like I said there are so many things that you cannot do because the society is looking up to you. But when you do something in the contrary, the next moment it becomes paparazzi, people will start reading you on the pages of Newspapers. But apart from stardom, I am a servant of God, there are a lot of things that I am not meant to do., I think God has made me a responsible vessel.

What was the movie that brought you into limelight?

I will say Glamour Girls 2, the Italian connection, it wasn’t my first movie though, but it is a movie that brought me into limelight. If you watch Glamour Girls, you will understand what we were talking about; it was talk of the world. I think that was the movie that actually brought me into limelight.

What was the most embarrassing moment in your life?

It was when Glamour Girls was released in the market and people started watching, there was a day I went to the market and some women started looking at me.

Oh she was the one that slept with

dog; ah she was the one that went to Italy to practice prostitution. I ran into somebody’s shop and I was there for hours, I could not come out until they sneaked me out, I think that was the most embarrassing moment.

Princess Amuziam

entertainment

friday, october 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

, i m u Omaw Showkey, Daddy shine at s r e h t o 6 1 0 2 n o i t a r b Fela

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elabration, the annual celebration of late Afro beat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, kicked off on Monday, October 10 and the new generation and the old music stars, have all thrown their weight behind the organisers to achieve a massive success. Some of those who had been thrilling and who would be serenading the elated audience are Omawumi Magbele, Reekado Banks, Oritsefemi, Saheed

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Osupa, Simi, Falz among a host of others.

This year’s memorial jamboree features a rich selection of artistes established and upcoming set to give music enthusiasts and Afrobeat music lovers a good time.

Billed to hold at the New Afrika Shrine, Ikeja, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, the event will run from Monday, October 10 till Sunday, October 16.

Those expected to rock the stage

Committee unveils Ogbunike Cave Carnival 2016, begins search for fresh winner

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fter months of working on the project, the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Ogbunike Cave Carnival (OCC) has finally unveiled plans for this year’s show. Ever since the maiden edition was staged in 2013, in Ogbunike Town, Oyi LGA, Anambra State, the carnival has continued to grow and expand in terms of content and packaging.

According to the Project Manager of the carnival, Adaeze Uzodoh, this year’s edition, which will run for three days (December 30, 31 and January1, 2017), will set the tone for a new era in the life of the carnival.

“We are delighted to announce that we are ready to stage this year’s carnival. Over the last few months, the Central Working Committee has been working underground on how to make this year’s outing a success. Today, I want to announce that we are ready to host the country,” she said.

Meanwhile, this year’s edition is set aside to celebrate the traditional

ruler of Ogbunike Community, HRH, Igwe John Ositadimma Umenyiora (Ezedioramma 1 of Ogbunike) on his 75th birthday and 40 years on the throne of Ogbunike. The main celebration holds on December 26 with the Ofala Festival, where the people will have opportunity to pay homage to one of the longest serving traditional rulers in the state.

However, the Carnival proper will kick off on December 30, with the Five-Aside Football Tournament, a one-day competition among eight teams that will see the winning team win a trophy and cash prize. This will be followed by Sport Parade, which will see football fans, clad in their different club jerseys, parade with the winning team

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today are Jojo Body Beats, XBusta, Dagold, Kimsmallz, Em Kay and The Afro Calypso Band, Ichaba, Trigmatic, Acetune, Dremo, Olalekside, Seinde Jo Orlando, Dija, Danagog, Mayorkun, CDQ, Eedris Abdulkareem, Falz, Small Doctor, Reekado Banks, Daddy Showkey and Oritsefemi.

And tomorrow, fans would be enjoying mesmeric performances by Gerald Eze, Modiva, Mizz Spice, Iyo, Zayo, Seriki, Arese, Omo Akin, Clasto the market square (Oyeolisa Market), with a traditional Ogene music leading the train.

The day two of the event, which holds on December 31, will feature the traditional Ogbunikewalk4life (Street Carnival), starting from 7.30am. The carnival float will take off from the Ogbunike Town Hall, through the usual routes, to the Round Palace of Igwe Ogbunike, HRH John Ositadimma Umenyiora, where guests will pay homage to the King.

From the palace, the train will move to the Cave, where visitors and tourist will have the opportunity of exploring the tourist destination that has put Ogbunike community on the world map. The day will wrap with the Carnival Concert/ New Year Countdown by 6pm, at the Town Hall, with different musicians and comedians on parade.

On New Year Day, Ada Ogbunike Beauty Pageant will take centre stage. The event, which will see pretty Ogbunike ladies contest for the Ada Ogbunike crown, will be spiced with musical and comedy performances.

Meanwhile, application is now open for contestants willing to be part of this year’s Ada Ogbunike Beauty Pageant. According to the Head Communications, Casmir Obiegbolu, all participants must be between the ages of 18 and 25 years old, be Ogbunike indigene and must be of good health and character.

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23 Showkey Omawumi Oritsefemi Falz Simi Banky W Kuti Reekado Spice Sax

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siq, Rayce, Seun Olota and Kehinde Sax, Sheyman, Niniola, Wale Thompson, Prince Osito, MC Galaxy, Praiz, Jesse Jagz, Wale, Remi Aluko, Vector and Seun Kuti.

Ooni of Ife understands what true love is about –Georgina Onuoha

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he Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has an uncommon way of respecting the place of his queen, Olori Wuraola. In the meantime, he’s one of the very few monarchs known with only one wife.

Interestingly, US-based Nollywood actress, Georgina Onuoha, has been enarmoured of the debonair ruler’s disposition to his pretty queen.

And it explains why she made this comment: “In all his glory as the most respected king in Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole, the Ooni of Ife, Adimula, understands the place of his queen Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi; the one who makes him happy, the one who alone has the power to his stomach. This portrait symbolises so much grace and humility even in power. I hope all of our kids- boys and girls-will take a closer look at this portrait and understand the true meaning of love, respect and humility regardless of how highly placed we are in our given society and the power/authority we hold or represent. Treat one another with respect and love. A woman completes her man only when she is given her due place of honor. Proudly Nigerian.”

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entertainment

friday, october 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Drake, Rihanna break up after rapper spotted getting cozy with model India love

T Jonas

McKinney

he absolute worst has happened!

Drake and Rihanna are done. Fans’ new favorite couple has reportedly split, and it allegedly has to do with Drake’s wandering eye.

Rumors had already been circling that Rihanna, 28, and Drake, 29, might be over, but now it seems we have official confirmation. “Rihanna and Drake are seeing other people at the moment. They are not exclusive anymore. They still love each other, but their schedules have gotten in the way,” an inside source told E! News. But is it all really, and truly, over forever? “Anything can change between them though, for better or worse.

Khloe Kardashian finally talks Kim’s robbery

Joe Jonas, Charlotte McKinney strip, make-out in DNCE’s ‘Body Moves’ video

they strip down, kiss and put their hands all over each other in the 4:00 video — seriously, many cannot even handle how sexy it is.

Of course, Joe’s fellow band members, JinJoo Lee, Cole Whittle and Jack Lawless, get some screen time of their own, as well, featuring more steamy hookups and a whole lot of partying. It’s exactly the visual we imagined for this racy song and the band really held nothing back.

“Body Moves” is the latest single off the band’s upcoming, self-titled album, DNCE, which is set for a Nov. 18 release. The group finished up a tour with Selena Gomez, 24, over the summer and has even been nominated for some American Music Awards this year, so there’s definitely a lot of exciting times ahead for this foursome. We can’t wait to see what comes next.

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ou’ve never seen Joe Jonas quite like this!

The singer looks hotter than ever in his band, DNCE’s, new music video for ‘Body Moves,’ and things get really steamy between him and a half-dressed Charlotte McKinney in the footage.

Charlotte McKinney, 27, is one lucky lady, huh!? The gorgeous model is the video girl for DNCE in their new music video for “Body Moves,” and she gets some serious one-onone time with front-man Joe Jonas in the clip. The band released the full video on Oct. 11, and it’s even hotter than we could’ve imagined.

The trippy footage continuously jumps back and forth between the band performing and countless other scenes, but the ones that obviously catch our attention the most are between Joe and Charlotte.

The two get nearly naked as

They are still in each other’s lives,” the source added.

So, what the heck happened? Apparently, wandering eyes were an issue. “Drake and India Love have been hooking up for at least a few weeks,” another insider told E! News about the rapper’s involvement with the model. What? But that isn’t even the craziest part of this devastating news. Apparently, India’s ex, Cliff Dixon, allegedly cheated on her with RiRi. “Drake could be hooking up with India Love now to piss off Rihanna, which has clearly worked.”

But this isn’t the first time Drake has been caught getting a little too friendly with someone who wasn’t his babe. Drake was recently seen getting cozy with 21-year-old Instagram model Dakota Gonzalez! However, we can’t ignore the fact that Rihanna’s ex, Travis Scott, was caught sneaking into a hotel she was staying at over the weekend. So, honestly, as much as we love these two together, and as long as it took them to officially hook up, they may not have what it takes to commit to each other right now. Cue our tears.

hloe Kardashian has broken her silence about Kim’s horrifying robbery at gunpoint in Paris.

During an interview on ‘Ellen’, Kim’s younger sister revealed why family has been limiting the amount they share on social media, and gave an update on Kim’s status now.

“I think it’s just a wake-up call to make a lot of life adjustments,” Khloe, 32, told Ellen DeGeneres and co-host Kevin Hart during the Oct. 11 episode after Ellen pointed out that the family has been pretty quiet on social media. “This is a really serious matter for Kim; I think that’s really personal as to when that emotional

terror you could move on from that. I think for us it’s all a wake-up call for all of us, but definitely just to make sure our sister is okay.”

She also revealed her sister is “not doing that well” after the horrific robbery that happened on Oct. 3, but the family is sticking close together to support her after she was held at gunpoint in her hotel and robbed of nearly $6 million worth of jewelry. The concierge reportedly let the masked robbers into her room, and TMZ claims that Kim tearfully asked him, ‘Are we gonna die?’ He calmly answered her with, ‘I don’t know.’ Of course, the investigation into what happened is ongoing.

When asked if things have changed a lot, Khloe said yes, in the aspect they’re not going to be sharing as much, and will be sure they are always protected. “Like I said, we’re a family we’ll do this together.

I think it’s important to make those adjustments and to pull back a little bit, I think is always smart,” she added.

Of course, the most important thing is that Kim is safe so Khloe was very grateful for that.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Labour NES: Osinbajo, Dangote, others chart way for job creation

Business SABOTAGE Incidences of pipeline vandalism impacted on supply of gas to Ghana, which severely reduced Nigeria’s revenue

Abdulwahab Isa,

Agric Rice ban tumult reignites calls for diversification

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Nigeria’s gas revenue from Ghana drops to $1.4m

FAAC queries NNPC over gas income discrepancies

ABUJA

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igeria’s revenue from N- Gas Takoradi GSA – a special gas arrangement between Nigeria and Ghana, has dropped drastically from $10million between January and June 2015 to $1.4million in the corresponding period of 2016, New Telegraph has learnt.

This slide, latest figure on revenue flow from N-Gas Takoradi to the federation account sighted by this newspaper showed, was triggered by high spate of gas pipeline vandalism.

The report showed that $10.72 million, $258.344 million, and $21.098 million were accrued from the source to federation account in 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Consequently, the Federation Account Allocations Commission (FAAC), thecustodian of federation’s account, has directed the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to explain the inconsistencies in the transfer of funds to the

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

L-R: Outgoing Resident Representative, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Nigeria, Michael Roll; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; President of the organisation, Mr. Kurt Beck; and incoming Resident Representative, Mr. Ulrich Thum, during a courtesy visit to the minister in Abuja.

federation account from the project.

N-Gas Takoradi GSA is a gas supply arrangement between Nigeria and Ghana and a stream of revenue accrues to federation accounts, which is approved for sharing by FAAC to the three tiers of government.

A source in finance sector privy to the FAAC observation informed this newspaper that the state owned oil firm attributed the drop to attack on pipelines, which disrupted gas supply.

“The NNPC has respond-

ed to FAAC observation. The corporation responded that the incidences of pipeline vandalism impacted on the supply of gas to Ghana and as such, proceeds were not realised from the sale of gas to Ghana. However, FAAC has asked NNPC to proffer a more convincing explanation on the issue”, the source said.

The revenue flow to the federation account has been dwindling on month-by-month basis as a result of twin problems of crash in crude oil price at the global market and attacks on oil installations by

INFLATION RATE August 2016..........................17.61% July 2016................................17.13% June 2016..............................16.5%

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

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent Energy

Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

EXCHANGE RATE

WHAT'S NEW

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parallel Market October 7)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N474 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N595 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N512

l Foreign Reserves – $24.420bn as at 10/10/2016

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Nnamdi Amadi

Being total revenue made available to the three tiers of government in August

groups of militants at oil rich Niger Delta region.

But in August the total revenue made available to the three tiers of government increased by N16.442 billion to N510.270 billion as against previous month’s figure of N493.828 billion. Tax collection accounted for 70 per cent of the fund.

The amount comprised of statutory revenue of N315.045 billion, N6.330 billion refunded by NNPC, proposed distribution of N35 billion excess Petroleum Profit Tax; exchange rate gain of N84.263 billion and Value Added Tax collection.

Rates Dashboard

Taiwo Hassan

Chuks Onuanyin

N510.27 billion

(Interbank as at October 7)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N304 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N385 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N340

Source: CBN

Oil firms’ claims from underwriters hit N3.92 bn

Vacant property rises to 74% in prime locations

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BUSINESS |NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Oil firms’ claims from underwriters hit N3.92 bn MILITANCY Recent attacks on oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta is expected to impact negatively on the insurers, as claims are likely to rise

Sunday Ojeme

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nsurance claims paid to operators, who suffered various losses in oil and gas sector including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), have risen steadily from N1.35 billion to N3.92 billion in the space of three years, New Telegraph has learnt.

The steep rise in claims is not unconnected with successive attacks on oil facilities by militant groups in the Niger Delta region.

Investigations by this newspaper revealed that while insurers parted with N1.35 billion in 2012, the claims rose to N2.03 billion in 2013 before hitting over N3 billion in 2014.

According to a document obtained from the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), 16 insurance companies were involved in the payment of over N3 billion at various times within the period.

A breakdown of the claims shows that Custodian and Allied paid out the highest claims of over N1.7 billion to over 10 oil firms including NNPC, Eleme Petrochemicals, Total E & P Nigeria Limited, Sterling oil Exploration and Energy, Afren energy Services, among others.

On its part, AIICO Insurance, following Custodian in that order, parted with N713.35 million as part of meeting its obligation to the policyholders.

Its major claimants, among others, were Shell Petroleum Development Corporation, which received N120 million; Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, N162.23 million; NNPC, N105.60 million as well as Sterling oil Group of Companies, N70.20 million.

Also listed in the document are Consolidated Hallmark Insurance (N56.67 million); Cornerstone Insurance Plc (N64.68 million); Ensure (N15.48 million); Equity Assurance (N106.02 million); great Nigeria Insurance (N14.97 million); Guinea Insurance (N75.70 million) and KBL (N128.12 million).

Others are Linkage Assurance (N194.00 million); Mutual Benefits (138.01 million); Staco (N124.98 million); Standard Alliance (N295.25 million); Sterling Assurance (N85.61 million); UnityKapital (N107.38 million), and Universal (N14.10 million).

Not left out among the underwriters who met their obligation is Niger Insurance.

The firm met its obligation to policyholders with over $1.93

million.

Among the beneficiaries were Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited ($523,332); Elemepetrochemical ($37,132); Chevron ($750,000); Sterling Oil Exploration ($234,000); Afren ($196,853.56); NNPC ($124,500) and SDPC ($69,240).

Prior to the latest report, the underwriters had earlier paid N2.03 billion with over N721 million paid for Group Life and another N1.35 billion for material losses.

According to the breakdown, nine insurance companies paid for the Group Life cover while 11 others paid for the material damages.

The firms that met their Group Life obligations included African Alliance Insurance Plc, ARM Life Plc, Capital Express Assurance Limited, Custodian Life Assurance Limited, and Industrial and General Insurance Co. Plc. Others are Lasaco Life Assurance Co. Limited and UBA

Metropolitan Life Limited.

Some of the oil and gas firms that received claims apart from the NNPC are Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited, Platform Petroleum Limited, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited, Chevron Nigeria Limited and Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited.

Others are Mobil Producing Unlimited, Ministry of Petroleum and Total E& P among others.

On the other hand, NNPC earned the highest amount of claims in the material loss category totaling about N868.17 million. The underwriters that made the payments include AIICO Insurance Plc, Continental Reinsurance Plc, Custodian and Allied Insurance, and Guinea Insurance.

Others are Sovereign Trust, Union Assurance, Linkage Assurance and Mutual Benefits.

Last year, local underwriters insured the NNPC for a premium of $73.7million

(N14.66billion). The premium slightly fell from $79.4million in 2014 and the single largest that the indigenous underwriters have earned over the years.

The breakdown further revealed that while AIICO paid a total of N277.09 million to its oil and gas policyholders, Continental Reinsurance paid out N527.27 million. Similarly, Custodian and Allied paid N717.18 million just as Guinea Insurance doled out N103.73 million.

Not left out in the deals are Linkage Assurance, N12.42 million; Mutual Benefits, N191.57 million; Niger Insurance, N3.64 million and Old Mutual, N11.16 million.

Others are Prestige Assurance, N233.70 million; Sovereign Trust, N766.17 million and Union Assurance, N130.85 million.

Other operators that benefitted from the claims are Total Exploration & Production, Nigerian Agip Exploration, Moni Pulo Limited, Chevron Nigeria

Limited, British Oil and Gas Exploration and Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria Limited.

The list also includes Walter Smith Petroman Oil Limited, Britania U Nigeria Limited, Shoreline Power Company Limited, Walter Smith Oil Limited, SNEPCO and Seawolf Oil Field Services Limited.

This newspaper recalls that local underwriters recently boosted their oil and gas retention to 60 per cent in some major businesses and 100 per cent in negligible cases.

The oil and gas guidelines released by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) permit all eligible insurers to participate in any oil and gas insurance subject to the limitation stipulated in the operational licence.

The industry regulator had anticipated the retention rate to rise to 30 per cent when it established the Nigerian Oil and Gas Insurance Pool with an initial capacity of $20 million.

L-R: Managing Director/ Chief Executive, First Bank of Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Adesola Adeduntan, with Group Managing Director, Nestoil Limited, Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, during a courtesy visit to Nestoil Head Office in Lagos.

Vacant property rises to 74% in prime locations Dayo Ayeyemi

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attered by current economic recession, vacant property has increased tremendously in Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island neighbourhoods of Lagos and Abuja, New Telegraph has learnt.

According to survey conducted by Bismark Rewane-led Financial Derivatives Company, while existing vacant houses, especially in prime locations such as Bourdillion road, Gerard, Victoria Island extension and Lekki road – all in Lagos don’t have buyers, new ones that are being added have remained vacant, giving investors some concerns.

However, it was gathered that some of the owners are now opting for rent or lease in order to keep the apartment busy.

Financial Derivatives Company said the vacancy rate

’Only 5% of housing stock affordable’

was increasing because of corporate mortality, financial squeeze, increasing building material costs and high interest rates, which are hurting developers.

Rewane described current rate of vacant property as the “highest level in a decade”, adding that hotel occupancy rates were down to 35 per cent from 65 per cent in 2015.

He noted that housing has started low across neighborhoods in Lagos, adding that there were sporadic new office developments in select areas.

Some owners of vacant properties in high-end locations in Lagos are now opting for letting/lease.

Many of the empty houses in Ikoyi and Lekki axes now have estate agents’ tags on

them, beckoning would-be tenants to contact them through attached addresses and phone numbers on the billboards.

To let/for lease ratio in these exclusive quarters is expected to increase, as macroeconomic headwinds continue to shrink cash flow.

Worried by high rate of homelessness among Nigerians despite a lot of vacant houses in major urban cities, experts in the sector said that only five per cent of existing housing stock in the country qualified as affordable.

Speaking at a real estate forum in Lagos, the housing experts stated that high cost of housing units has deprived low-income earners the opportunity to have a roof on their heads, hence the huge housing deficit of 17 million

units in the country.

Worried by inadequacy of houses for the poor, Lead Partner, Detail Commercial Solicitors, Mr. Ayuli Jemide, blamed the nation’s housing deficit on obnoxious land tenure system, stifling mortgage and outdated land titling and registration system.

He also blamed the situation on high interest rates, lack of foreclosure laws, absence of centralised credit history and low pool of affordable low to mid-income housing.

The itemised challenges he lamented, have limited production of mass and affordable housing, while calling on both the Federal and State governments to do something urgent to reposition their sector and economy.

FRIDAY, october 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

labour

DIVERSIFICATION The current economic recession has provided an opportunity for the Federal Government to speed up its diversification plan

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Sunday Ojeme

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ollowing recent clamour by the Federal Government and private sector operators for made in Nigeria goods and services, experts have advised policy makers to also identify clear fiscal and economic policies to generate employment in the country.

This formed a part submission of the panel on job creation, skills and employment at the just concluded 22nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) in Abuja.

Reacting to issues that affect employment and job creation in Nigeria particularly now that the global price of oil keeps dwindling, the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who cited examples from other Africa countries, said that providing incentive for companies as a major tenet of the policies would motivate them to create jobs or provide opportunities for industrial trainings.

He specifically urged the government to focus on real sectors of the economy to create jobs, stressing that the economic recession was a lesson for the country to implement its diversification drive.

He said: “If we think the price of oil will go up very soon, we may be deceiving ourselves. If the price of oil should go up and we are back to how we do our business,

Osinbajo

Dangote

NES: Osinbajo, Dangote, others chart way for job creation then, we may not be talking about these solutions.”

In his remarks, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said that government had formulated a framework on job creation in the country with a very strong desire to see the processes through to the benefit of Nigerians.

He said, “What can be done is to continue with this engagement, tilling the issues and try to address the issues. We are engaging all the Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs) that are facilitating trade, they have to encourage businesses and promote it; this is the only way to create jobs and it is not from government

alone.

“The private sector should be encouraged to create jobs and we are constantly engaging with stakeholders to achieve that. The Federal Government and states are very focused on creating jobs and improving the environment for creating jobs.’’

He also said that the Federal Government was working with stakeholders to raise N1 trillion to provide affordable housing for Nigerians, as the proposed project would also help to create jobs.

Osinbajo said that the job creation unit in his office had worked out a framework with the Nigerian Economic Sum-

Group demands improved welfare for teachers

W

ith the duties and responsibilities of teachers now being taken seriously by parents and the government at all levels, a group with an affiliation to quality education, Association for Childhood Education Practitioners (ACEP), has called on Nigerian leaders to take a second look at the welfare of the society moulders.

The President of the association, Islamiat Oshodi, made this call in Lagos as part of her contribution to the commemoration of Teachers’ Day. In a statement, she called on the government to consider pay rise every two years for teachers in both public and private schools.

She pointed out that increasing teachers’ salaries would enhance their commitment to duty, adding that teachers’ contributions to the society were invaluable and their works priceless.

According to her, to improve teacher’s status in Nigeria, employers in public and private schools must pay

teachers higher salaries commensurate with their job.

She said: “Paying higher salaries to teachers and respecting them will go a long way to improve their status in the society. This will also contribute to increased performance in the classroom and dedication to their job, which in turn will reflect positively in the lives of the students and the nation.’’

Oshodi noted that teachers were the backbone of the society and played a key role in shaping and building the country’s future leaders.

While lamenting that teachers were not accorded the recognition they deserved despite their importance in nation building, she observed that many teachers were still being owed backlog of salaries in the country, as they were no longer rewarded for their tremendous job.

“In countries like Korea, Singapore and Finland, high performing college graduates are recruited for teaching positions,’’ she said.

mit Group (NESG) to focus on three sectors to create employment.

He listed the three sectors as construction, agriculture and information communication technology (ICT). The social housing programme is called the Family Home Fund.

“The Family Home Fund is a financial intervention into social housing in the country.

We are trying to raise a fund, which will come to about N1 trillion; we have aggregated fund from the private sector, local and international funds already. The whole idea is to be able to intervene in mortgage financing so that developers can build special houses to

Gombe, FMBN parley on workers’ loan

A

s part of measures to enable public workers rework their houses, Gombe State Government and Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) have entered into an agreement for the latter to make loans available to the workers.

According to the state’s Head of Service, Dr. Deniel Mohammed Musa, in a statement, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will create an avenue for civil servant to access a new package brought to them by the bank.

He added that the Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, had graciously given an approval for the package, which is in line with his policies to take care of workers.

He pointed out that the home renovation loan was pegged at N1million maximum with six per cent interest, payable within five years.

He appealed to the civil servants to reciprocate the gesture, saying, “we must not shy away from all that we were employed to do. We should continue to put in our best. The Governor is aware of our predicament and he is ever ready to address our plights.”

the specification of the Federal Government.

“Already, eight or nine states are giving land and certificate of occupancy for social housing scheme” the Vice President said.

On his part, Jay Ireland of General Electric said formulation of clear policies on how to create jobs would help to address unemployment. He said: “We should make companies invest locally and hire locally and build up their supply chains, which will have multiplier effect. Big companies drive small companies so we need big companies, if we do that, we will continue to increase employment.’’

According to him, the government should have consistent policies that would work and the policies that both the government and private sector would be accountable for particularly when the workforce is adequately trained to meet up with the challenges of their jobs.

Speaking in the same vein, Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, said Kebbi being the largest rice producing state in Nigeria was poised to do more to increase its capacity in collaboration with bigger investors while not limiting the opportunities available to the smaller farmers.

He advocated for the needed political will to implement some of the policies on job creations.

“I have mentioned political will; we are not alone, other countries are competing with us. Just two weeks, there was disapproval by the US that there was a complaint by World Trade Organisation (WTO) against China, that rice wheat and corn subsidy in China is distorting the market,” he added.

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agric

FRIDAY, october 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Controversy is currently brewing over rumoured lifting of ban on rice import through land borders by Federal Government. This has once again brought to fore the need to patronise made in Nigeria goods.

TAIWO HASSAN reports

T

he Anchor Rice Borrower Programme initiated by the Federal Government under the auspices of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been hailed as one of the best policies initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. But despite the Federal Government’s huge investments in the rice scheme across some states in the country, the price of rice has skyrocketed, triggering a rise in smuggling through the land borders.

FG’s position on rice ban Following the speculation over rumoured lifting of ban by government, the National Assembly summoned the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, to appear before its Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development to clear the air.

Ogbeh, while addressing members of the Committee who paid him an oversight visit in Abuja, said the ongoing rumours was being sponsored by some disgruntled Nigerians whose aim is to disrupt the huge success recorded by the government in its Anchor Rice Borrower Scheme.

Indeed, the minister said rice importation into the country through the land borders remained banned.

Specifically, he said government could not be involved in the importation of rice as speculated in some quarters, adding that his ministry would not encourage rice importation because it would be detrimental to government’s quest to boost local production of the crop.

He said the Federal Government was against rice smuggling, noting that Seme border had become a notorious route for smuggling of contraband products into the country.

Ogbeh gave assurance to the Committee members that government was doing everything within its jurisdiction to make sure price of rice goes down, adding that the price would start to fall from November this year.

“We will not encourage rice importation and there is no way our ministry or government can be involved in importing rice when we are working hard to be self-sufficient in local production. By November when the full-scale harvest starts, rice prices will fall,” the minister said.

Early last month, the govern-

Bags of rice

Rice ban tumult reignites calls for diversification

ment had warned that the price of rice might hit N40,000 a bag.

It is currently being sold around N20, 000.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said that the $22 billion annual food import bill had led to the astronomical rise in the price of rice and other commodities.

He said that if Nigerians failed to produce some of the items being imported before December, the price of rice could hit N40,000 a bag.

Nigeria Customs’ stance However, contrary to earlier misinformation, the movement of rice is not only banned through the nation’s land borders, importation of the commodity may in fact be totally banned in 2017, Customs Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Wale Adeniyi said by phone in Abuja.

“Rice remains banned through our land borders, and we have the commitment of partnering other government agencies and stakeholders to enforce this restriction.”

He said that those who reported otherwise had ulterior motives for wanting to misinform the public.

Consequently, he insisted: “The restriction is still in place.

And while this restriction is in force, rice imports through the ports are still allowed subject to payment of extant charges.”

Besides, the NCS spokesperson debunked the misinformation and publications in some online platforms, that the Nigeria Customs Service had reversed the ban on rice importation through the land borders.

He said: “It is worrisome that the publications that resurfaced of late were being attributed to a press interview granted in October 2015. We strongly suspect that some powerful forces be-

Those who reported otherwise had ulterior motives for wanting to misinform the public

hind rice smuggling are at work, recycling an old report under a different circumstance to create confusion.

“We urge Nigerians to watch out for similar antics as the firm stand on rice smuggling will pitch their selfish interest against our national interest.

“It has become necessary to restate the true position in view of the confusion, which these online publications may create in the industry. It is even more expedient to provide this clarification given the fact that the Service had taken a firm position earlier in the week through a joint press conference with stakeholders.

“It is equally important to restate the confidence of the Nigeria Customs Service in the ability of Nigerian rice producers to fill the existing sufficiency gaps in the supply of the product.

“The Service has noted with satisfaction the ongoing rice revolution undertaken by many state governments, and strategic Interventions by Federal Government agencies.

“The Service is convinced that the bumper harvests expected from these efforts will address the supply gap in 2017. It is our belief that continuous waste of scarce forex on a commodity that can be produced locally makes no economic sense, most especially at a period of recession.

“The Service will therefore advocate a total ban on rice importation into Nigeria with effect from 2017.”

CBN’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme The CBN’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme launched last year was part of the bank’s development agenda targeted not only at creating of millions of jobs but also aimed at lifting thousands of small holder farmers out of poverty.

The programme was launched in 14 states of Kebbi, Sokoto, Ni-

ger, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano, Zamfara, Admawa, Plateau, Lagos, Ogun, Cross-Rivers and Ebonyi for rice and wheat farmers to advance their status from small holder farmers to commercial or large growers.

At the flag-off in Birni-Kebii, Kebbi State, the value of the programme to the nation’s economic revival was underscored by President Buhari, who stated that the programme had the potential of creating millions of jobs and lifting thousands of smallholder farmers out of poverty.

Under the programme, the banking watchdog set aside N40 billion out of the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund and gave the fund to farmers at single digit interest rate of nine per cent per annum.

Governor of the CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said: “The fall in oil prices has given us a timely reminder that we have no choice but to diversify our economy away from oil, and into agriculture, manufacturing, services, and other non-oil sectors.

“The “Anchor Borrowers’ Programme” is one of the CBN’s policy initiatives to pursue the aforementioned development objectives, namely the creation of jobs, reduction in food imports, and diversification of our economy.

Conclusion The swift reactions by FMARD and Nigeria Customs Service on Federal Government’s position on the country’s rice policy would douse the tension in agric stakeholders who thought government had jettisoned the scheme because of the hike in price of rice in the country. But the confusion created by the rumoured lifting of movement of rice through the country’s land borders is a wake up call for Nigerians to look inwards.

businesS \ agric

FRIDAY, october 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

UN questions Nigeria’s agric policies

29

UNTAPPED Nigeria’s agric sector is underdeveloped, with only 34.5m hectares

Caleb Onwe Abuja

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United Nation’s (UN) Nigeria Common Country Analysis (CCA) Report has discredited the policies and efforts of the Federal Government towards agricultural development.

The 2016 study has kept many stakeholders wandering if the present administration’s muchtouted diversification of the economic policies were not another round of political gingle meant to buy time and sway the already distressed masses.

The report, prepared in the context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and recently released in Abuja through the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, was said to provide analytical basis for joint visioning and planning process for the

Farmers in the farm

new United Nations Development Assistant Framework (UNDAV IV) 2018-2022 by the UN system, the Federal Government and other stakeholders.

The study revealed that presently, there is “market disorientation” and that Nigeria’s market remains the “weakest link of the agricultural value chain,” considering the fact that there is no national market

for farm products for effective disposal of farm output.

It also pointed out that government’s efforts to reorganise the national market have failed to yield the desired results, while poor governance, corruption, limited accountability and transparency are said to have continued to negatively affect the agriculture sector.

On why end to food importation in Nigeria may not be in

Firm to invest $1bn in Nigeria, others Taiwo Hassan

A

gro-machinery/construction giant, Caterpillar, has announced plans to invest more than $1 billion in the continent over the next five years.

The investment is geared towards assisting Nigeria and other African countries boost their agro-allied industries, infrastructure and manpower development In a statement to New Telegraph and signed by the company’s management, Caterpillar said the firm, its independent dealers and the Caterpillar Foundation would invest more than $1 billion in countries across Africa including Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Ghana and others in the next five years.

Caterpillar’s Chairman

and Chief Executive Officer, Doug Oberhelman, said that the investment was aimed at strengthening Caterpillar’s long-term pledge to support the continent and is expected to provide a huge upgrade in customer service capabilities – such as enhanced parts distribution capacity, new certified rebuild centres and new dealer branch locations in these African countries.

“For 90 years, Caterpillar machines have helped build critical infrastructure projects throughout Africa.

Today, we bring not only construction machinery to the continent, but also traditional and renewable power generation solutions, diesel-electric locomotives, marine engines, agro-allied and mining equipment.”

“With today’s announce-

ment, we are proudly confirming our plan to make a long-term investment to help build, develop and power communities, and serve as an education and training partner to broaden and strengthen local workforce talent and expertise.”

Since 2010, the Caterpillar Foundation according to the statement, has invested around $50 million to support projects in Africa in a drive to help those living in poverty, especially girls and women, through training, policy work and entrepreneurship programmes.

It also revealed that the Caterpillar Foundation would commit an additional $15 million by the year 2020 to organisations working with a goal to enhance the lives of people across Africa.

Guinness, Benue partner on local content Taiwo Hassan

M

anaging Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Peter Ndegwa, has expressed the company’s commitment to increase local sourcing of its raw materials through partnership with farmers in Benue State.

He said this during a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom, at the Government House in Makurdi, Benue State.

Ndegwa said that as Nigeria’s only total alcohol beverage company, “Guin-

ness Nigeria is proud of the robust partnerships, which it has forged with government over the years, and shall continue to run its business in a responsible manner that creates wealth for all Nigerians.”

The Guinness boss was accompanied on the visit by the Corporate Relations Director, Sesan Sobowale, Internal Communications and Employee Engagement Manager, Toni Anne Uwaifo, OXFAM’s head of programme, Constant Tchona, along with other officials of the company and OXFAM, who were in the state to commission

a solar powered water and sanitation facilities in the Tyowanye community.

Guinness Nigeria Plc donated the facility in furtherance of the company’s commitment to providing safe and clean water to water-stressed communities in Nigeria.

While receiving Ndegwa and his entourage, Ortom commended the company’s giant strides in the manufacturing sector and expressed his pleasure at the social investments of the company in the state, while calling on other corporate bodies and individuals to emulate them.

sight, the report said: “Nigeria has not been able to exploit its agricultural sector potential, the country’s agricultural sector is underdeveloped, with only 34.5 million hectares (42 per cent) of arable land currently under cultivation” According to the report, Nigeria’s agriculture sector has experienced declining productivity during the last decade due to various factors, which include climate change, unfavourable policy environment, limited application of appropriate technology and dwindling prices.

“Currently, Nigeria spends N635 billion on importing wheat. The country also loses about $100 million annually

to fish imports. Such imports have negatively affected the local fish industry, rendering those in the local fishing industry poor,” the report said.

Another aspect of the study that also revealed some elements of lip service measures to what the government is doing in agriculture, over its alleged abandonment of mega agribusiness ventures in the country.

Some of the agribusiness said to have great potential for job creation and increased income, but lie idle and wasting away, include the Imo Modern Poultry at Avutu; Panyam Fish farm, Ajaokuta Steel Plant and several closed cottage textile industries.

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

Price 405-2 345-0 953-0 300.0 33.43 199-0 10.355 404-4 524-0

Change unch +1-2 +1-6 -1-4 -0.5 +0.22 +2-0 +0.050 +0-4

Contract Dec 16 Dec 16 Nov 16 Dec 16 Dec 16 Dec 16 Nov 16 Dec 16 Dec 16

Time(ET) 10:36 10:36 10:36 10:36 10:36 10:31 10:32 10:36 10:34

Price 67.14 200.25 151.30 23.42 2679 333.60 0.0000 0.1924 3115.00 0.0000

Change -0.24 +0.60 +0.45 -0.11 -39 +2.70 -0.0220 -0.0020 +12.00 -0.0075

Contract Dec 16 Nov 16 Dec 16 Mar 17 Dec 16 Nov 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16

Time(ET) 10:35 10:31 10:35 10:35 10:36 10:36 08/09/16 08/09/16 05:48 08/09/16

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

Meats Commodity

Price

Change

Contract

Time(ET)

Live Cattle

97.250

+0.750

Oct 16

10:35

Feeder Cattle

123.650

-0.450

Oct 16

10:35

Lean Hogs

42.850

+1.525

Dec 16

10:36

Class III Milk

14.70

+0.07

Oct 16

10:05

Commodities trade on different exchanges with different trading sessions. Change always shows from the previous close price.

Quotes delayed, except where indicated otherwise. All prices in local currency. Time is ET. Source: Bloomberg

30 CLIMATE PACT

FRIDAY, october 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Environment Watch

Experts say that carbon emissions resulting from existing mines, oil and gas fields can amount to 941 billion tonnes

Dayo Ayeyemi

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overnments have been urged to immediately halt new coal, oil and gas projects if they expect the world to meet its climate change targets.

This is coming at a time the President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, expressed worry over plans by Asia to build more coal fire stations.

Kim said there was no prospect of achieving the goals set out under the historic Paris Climate Change Agreement if current plans for coal-fired stations, especially those planned for Asia, are built.

He reminded a ministerial meeting on climate change in Washington DC that the central goal of the Paris Agreement was to keep the maximum global average temperature rise as close as possible to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

He stated that heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions from coal were a primary cause of climate change, leading to more extreme weather around the world, including storms, droughts and flooding.

Kim called on ministers to accelerate the transition to low carbon as a matter of urgency.

According to a new report

by Oil Change International, the expected carbon emissions resulting from existing mines and oil and gas fields could amount to 941 billion tonnes – almost 100 million tonnes

Solar panel: An alternative energy source

World Bank to govts: Halt fossil fuel expansion above the target that underpinned last year’s Paris climate agreement.

Analysis of fossil fuel project by the campaign group, Oil Change Internationals, showed that prospecting for new coal, oil and gas has to stop to prevent the planet overheating.

The analysis, the report said, was based on data provided by independent oil and gas consultancy, Rystad Energy, adding that it was a direct challenge to countries such as the UK, which has just pushed through plans for new onshore franking for shale gas in Lan-

Greening initiative: Lagos acquires 50 fresh degraded sites Muritala Ayinla

F

resh 50 degraded sites have been captured by the Lagos State Government for greening and beatification project.

According to the General Manager of Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), Mrs. Abimbola JijohoOgun, the project promises to employ 600 youths currently undergoing trainings in the state.

She described the development as part of strategies to enhance the state greening initiative and improve aesthetics of the environment in the state.

The LASPARK boss said that the landscaping and beautification of the 50 additional degraded sites and triangular layby were already on going to improve the aesthetics of the environment.

To fast-track the development of the areas, she stated that two zonal offices have

been opened at Muri Okuola Park in Victoria Island and Ikorodu Recreational Park, Iga, Ikorodu, to decentralise the agency’s activities.

She enjoined Lagosians to continue to support government’s effort towards making the city greener by ensuring strict compliance with greening approvals for residential and commercial properties to ensure a greener and healthier Lagos.

She said that the state government, through her agency, would also employ the participants, which she said, would be known as ‘Green Hands’, adding that the beneficiaries were drawn from 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas across the state.

She explained that the thrust of the training and empowerment programme was to get new set of skilled and semiskilled workers for the sustainable greening programme of the state government.

cashire, northwest England.

The UK has said it will also ratify the deal before the end of this year, but Oil Change International says its latest analysis points up a major contradiction.

Executive Director of Oil Change International, Stephen Kretzmann, said that if the world was serious about achieving goals agreed in Paris, governments must stop the expansion of fossil fuel industry.

“The industry has enough carbon in the pipeline – today - to break through the sky’s

limit,” he said.

Author of The Sky’s Limit, a new report that contains the analysis, Greg Muttitt, , argued that previous studies on carbon budgets focused on burning of fossil fuels, but his analysis concentrated on what these budgets meant for the supply of fossil fuels in the first place.

“It is the first time a study has looked at current fossil fuel extraction operations and made the logical conclusions based on climate science. Once an extraction operation is underway, it creates an incentive

to continue so as to recoup investment and create profit, ensuring the product – the fossil fuels – are extracted and burned,” Muttitt said.

The report noted that there had been a massive increase in US shale oil and gas output over the last five years, even while President Barack Obama took steps to lower the country’s carbon emissions.

“Norway is also a leader in “green” initiatives promoting hydro-electricity and electric cars, while still encouraging offshore oil and gas exploration,” the report noted.

NEPAD, govts set roadmap for forest restoration

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overnments and civil society organisations (CSOs) have commenced a two-day conference that will set a roadmap on forest landscape restoration (FLR) in Africa, courtesy of the New Partnership on Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

The meeting, which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and ended Wednesday, provided opportunities for the governments to work with their financial and technical partners in order to create a roadmap for countries to achieve their restoration goals.

Representatives from Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Niger, Malawi and Cameroon provided updates on progress made in their countries and smaller working groups identified the barriers to

up-scaling and solutions needed to overcome them.

They also discussed modalities of institutional partnerships, regional and global mechanisms that need to be put in place for successful FLR initiatives.

To date, 17 African nations have pledged 63.3 million hectares to the Bonn Challenge, a global initiative to restore 150 million hectares of deforested and degraded lands by 2020 and 350 million by 2030. With its focus on creating multifunctional landscapes that provide essential ecosystem services and support the livelihoods of local communities, the Bonn Challenge helps countries achieve key development goals.

Last July, African governments declared: “FLR offers multiple benefits that align directly with our

nations’ economic growth and poverty reduction plans.”

Participating organisations include IUCN, the World Bank; Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), Germany and the World Resources Institute (WRI). A representative from the Institute will facilitate the sessions for People, Innovation and Change in Organisations (PICOTEAM).

IUCN currently works in 22 African countries on FLR, assisting with the application of the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM) and providing policy support and technical guidance.

31

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AutoBeat

Hyundai on the rise

H

yundai Motor is the world’s 35th biggest brand according to the latest rankings published by global brand specialists Interbrand, overtaking four other renowned brands in the past year.

Despite yet another challenging year for the automotive industry, Hyundai Motor’s global brand value increased 11.1 per cent to reach $12.55 billion, securing its place among the biggest brands on the planet. The Korean company also moved up one place to 6th in the global automotive industry top 10 brands and is the 4th most valuable high-volume automotive brand.

Hyundai Motor maintained global sales at five million units, helped by successful launches of its Creta, Sonata and Tucson models, while reinforcing its Modern Premium brand philosophy through increased differentiation between the Hyundai and Genesis brand identities.

The Hyundai Motor brand is set to achieve even greater heights with electrified IONIQ models, high-performance Hyundai cars and future-mobility focused Project IONIQ moving the brand into new automotive spaces.

Wonhong Cho, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company, said, “The carownership model may become obsolete within a matter of years, therefore we simply can’t limit our vision to eco-friendly vehicles. To maintain our rate of growth as a global brand we must rethink the traditional business model and not just see ourselves as a transportation company, but also a mobility service provider. With Project IONIQ we will address this new paradigm and further Hyundai Motor’s standing as one of the world’s most valuable brands.”

Acknowledging the achievement, Mike Rocha, Global Director of Brand Valuation at Interbrand said, “Over the past year, Hyundai has once again redefined its limits by introducing IONIQ to gain leadership in future mobility, by spinning off the Genesis brand to enhance clarity for each brand’s identity and by providing innovative experiences such as Hyundai Motorstudio Digital. We look forward to another year of growth for Hyundai as one of the forerunners of future mobility.”

Expanding the brand’s reach further, Hyundai Motor’s high performance sub-brand ‘N’ was launched in September 2015,

Hyundai Elantra

with an aim to bring intuitive, high-performance, fun to drive vehicles to a broad range of customers. The RM16, Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo, and RN30 concepts revealed in 2016 are inspired by the brand’s passion for performance and will

evolve into the first Hyundai N model.

“The latest Interbrand ranking shows Hyundai’s enormous success in the past decade, consistently rising both in the value of the brand and in our ranking against other major companies

across many sectors,” said Mike Song, Hyundai’s Head of Operations for Africa and the Middle East. “The value that Interbrand places on the Hyundai name reflects the fundamental strength and stability of Hyun-

dai as a company, and the high levels of trust placed in us by consumers worldwide.”

Interbrand’s rankings are calculated using companies’ financial balance sheets combined with marketing activities, while also reflecting each brand’s potential profit.

Nissan Almera for Lagos Security Trust Fund Paul Ogbuokiri

N

issan in collaboration with Stallion Group on Monday donated a brand new Nissan Almera car to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund in praise of the organisation’s efforts in mitigating violent crimes in Lagos State.

The donation which is Nissan’s first to the robust organisation is an expression of the automaker’s corporate social responsibility values of appropriating support to relevant agencies and organisations in the country.

Managing Director, Stallion NMN Parvir Singh who made this remark at the presentation of the car in Lagos said, “Having followed the organisation’s achievements in recent years, Stallion NMN in collaboration with our principals, Nissan South Africa are pleased to extend our hands of fellowship to the society that has made our business operations more secure and attractive. And, this is largely due to the activities of the Security Trust Fund in curbing the menace of crime in Lagos State.”

He added that “the occasion is without doubt another milestone in the annals of our young and dynamic Nissan sales and manufacturing company… and we are

Coast to make Nigeria the automobile hub for evolving West African markets.”

He said Nigeria’s economy has strong potential of becoming Africa’s wealthiest and these core values are Nissan’s attraction to Nigeria, “We will in collaboration with Stallion transform Nigeria into a notable Stallion NMN Managing Director, Parvir Singh (left), with Director Nissan Sub-Sahara Africa, Jimmy Dando (3rd left), presenting the Nissan Almera sedan to Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun. Along with Head, Sales & Marketing Stallion manufacturing NMN, Amitkumar Sharma (right), with Commander, Rapid Response Squad, ACP Olatunji Disu, at brief ceremony in Lagos recently. and distribution hub that can excited to be associated with La- tributor of Nissan products in provide comprehensive range gos State Security Trust Fund – Nigeria. of passenger, commercial and an organisation that has excelled Stallion NMN later became recreational vehicles and graduin devising potent strategies to the first indigenous motor as- ally transform Nissan into one of mitigate security challenges in sembly plant to roll-out locally the largest automaker not only Lagos State.” assembled Nissan vehicles conse- in Nigeria but in the West Africa Mr. Singh described Nissan quent upon the inauguration of sub-region,” the Nissan helmsas an internationally acclaimed the National Automotive Policy, man assured. brand with key representation assembling four Nissan models Receiving the vehicle on beworldwide and the automaker is including Patrol, NP300, NV350 half of the Fund, Lagos Security currently the No. 2 in Japan and and Almera at the plant in Lagos. Trust Fund Executive Secretary/ the sixth largest automaker with Also speaking at the occasion, CEO, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun over 5.4 million units sold world- Director, Sales and Operations commended the magnanimity of wide in 2015.

Nissan sub-Saharan Africa Jim- Stallion and Nissan especially at West African Conglomerate my Dando said, “Nigeria is Nis- this crucial period in the counStallion Group in April 2013 part- san’s most outstanding market in try’s economic history, and asnered with Nissan South Africa Africa Growth strategy and “we sured the organization wouldn’t to form Stallion NMN, the sole will exploit the country’s strate- leave any stone unturned in realmanufacturer, importer and dis- gic regional partners in the West ising its objectives.

32

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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

Islam

13 Muharram, 1438

UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH

FAsting on 11 th of Muharram

QUESTION

Why do the fuqaha’ regard it as mustahabb to fast on the eleventh (of Muharram) as well as ‘Ashoora’?

ANSWER Praise be to Allah.

The scholars regarded it as mustahabb to fast on the eleventh of Muharram because it was narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that he instructed people to fast on this day.

This is seen in the report narrated by Ahmad from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Fast the day of ‘Ashoora’, and be different from the Jews with regard to it; fast the day before it or the day after it.”

The scholars differed regarding the soundness of this hadeeth. Shaykh Ahmad Shaakir classed it as hasan, but the editors of the Musnad classed it as da‘eef.

It was also narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah with the same wording.

Al-Albaani said: Its isnaad is da‘eef, because of the poor memory of Ibn Abi Layla, and it was contradicted by a mawqoof report narrated by ‘Ata’ and others from Ibn ‘Abbaas, the isnaad of which is saheeh according to at-Tahhaawi and al-Bayhaqi.

If the hadeeth is hasan, that is all well and good. If it is da‘eef, then da‘eef hadeeths about such matters are tolerated by the scholars, because its weakness is minor; it is not false or fabricated, and it speaks about virtuous deeds. Moreover, it is narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that he encouraged fasting in the month of Muharram. Indeed the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The best fast after Ramadaan is the month of Allah Muharram.” Narrated by Muslim, 1163.

Al-Bayhaqi narrated this hadeeth in as-Sunan al-Kubra with the wording mentioned above, and in another report with the wording “Fast one day before it and one day after it,” saying “and” instead of “or”.

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar narrated it in It-haaf al-Mahrah (2225) as follows: “Fast one day before it and one day after,” and he said: It was narrated by Ahmad and al-Bayhaqi with a da‘eef isnaad, because of the weakness of Muhammad ibn Abi Layla, but he is not the only one who narrated it; Saalih ibn Abi Saalih ibn Hayy followed him in that.

This report indicates that it is mustahabb to fast on the ninth, the tenth and the eleventh.

Members of Shiite movement protesting to demand the release of their leader ElZakzakky and ban of their group in Abuja …recently.

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

FG contacts families of 22 dead hajj pilgrims STATISTICS Nigerians who died during Hajj represents 0.20 per cent of the over 62,000 pilgrims who performed the pilgrimage Adeola Yusuf

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he Federal Government has declared that families of 22 Nigerian pilgrims who died during the just concluded Hajj operations have been contacted with news of their relatives’ death.

National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), which reiterated that 22 Nigerians died during this year’s pilgrimage, maintained that the number represented 0.20 percent of the more than 62,000 pilgrims who performed the pilgrimage.

Dr Ibrahim Kana, Head, National Medical Team, dis-

closed this at a meeting between NAHCON delegation and members of the Bangladesh Hajj Office in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

He said the number represented 0.20 percent of the more than 62,000 pilgrims who performed the pilgrimage.

He said NAHCON had introduced a national medical team to harmonise and properly coordinate health delivery during the exercise.

Kana said the team was worried at the rising cases of sudden death and had decided to perform oral autopsy to ascertain the reasons.

He said the team also installed scanning machines at airports to check cases of women who travel for the pilgrimage while carrying pregnancy.

Meanwhile, Medview Airline has said that it had completed the airlift of Pilgrims for the 2016 Hajj back to Nige-

ria with a successful airlift of about 772 pilgrims.

The airline last two flights for the NAHCON assignment arrived Port Harcourt International airport and Kaduna International airport respectively penultimate week.

The flight to Port Harcourt had 452 pilgrims from Rivers, Edo, Delta , Abia, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi and Cross River states while that of Kaduna had 320 pilgrims on board.

While giving praise to Allah for successful Hajj operations, the Managing Director/CEO of the airline Alhaji Muneer Bankole commended NAHCON and the Federal Government for the necessary structures put in place to ensure a hitch-free Hajj exercise.

He also commended the Federal Government for all the efforts it is making to bring about peace and stability in all parts of the country.

Medview airline deployed 3 wide body aircraft – B747300, B777-200 and B767-300 for the hajj operations. Medview Airline is among the three carriers contracted by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the 2016 Hajj operations. The airline has also made the record of being the first to carry out the NAHCON assignment at a record time.

Apart from the last batch of pilgrims, Med-View Airlines had few weeks ago hit 300,000 milestone of successful airlifting of pilgrims to and fro the Holy Land since 2006.

Earlier the Counsellor of the Bangladesh Hajj Office, Muhammad Rahman, said 71 pilgrims from his country died during the exercise.

He also briefed the delegation on the organisation of pilgrimage in his country, which he said involved 105,000 pilgrims.

‘Why Osun CAN deserves commendation’

T

he Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has said that the new executive of Osun State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (OSCAN) deserves commendation on peaceful steps it has been taking since its assumption of office.

The new OSCAN had recently paid a courtesy visit to Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

During the visit OSCAN commended the governor for his commitment to the devel-

opment and transformation of the state in the face of present economic recession and lauded the state government for being consistent in championing equity, balance and harmony among the adherents of the three major faiths in the state.

MURIC, in a statement by Professor Ishaq Akintola, said: “We laud the new executive of OSCAN for this positive and progressive move. It is highly commendable. We are thrilled to find a new CAN leadership in the State of Osun extending

the hand of fellowship to the state government.

“It is a radical departure from the past and we sincerely hope this newly found rapport will continue. We must build more bridges across the divides in order to move the state forward and harmony among the various faiths is cardinal to this objective,” MURIC said.

MURIC called on Christian faithful in the State of Osun to support the Michael Okodu leadership in his bid to coop-

erate with the state government and return to the path of peaceful coexistence with the adherents of other faiths in the state.

“We charge Muslim leaders in the state to reciprocate in like manner. What the State of Osun needs presently is sensitive, responsible, visionary and pious religious leaders.

Only thus can the dynamic steps being taken by the state government in the area of education and industry be fruitful” the statement said.

33

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Illegal duty

Crime

How CCTV caused dismissal of three policemen

34

Effrontery Sergeant charged with robbery sues Lagos CP

Public harassment Stop checking people's phones, laptops, Owoseni warns policemen

35 36

The suspects

‘We killed LTV presenter for struggling with us’ Ayobola Lawal

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hen Mr. Abiodun Oluwasegun, a presenter with Lagos Television (LTV), left office on August 7, 2016, he didn’t know it would be his last.

He was driving home, at about 2am, after the day’s production, when he ran into a gang of armed

JULIANA FRANCIS CRIME Editor

juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

robbers along Acme Road, Ogba area of Lagos. The robbers shot and killed him while attempting to dispossess him of his Toyota Camry car.

The matter was later reported to the police by two other journalists, Soji Omotayo and Wemimo Olabode.

After almost two months of hunting for Oluwasegun’s killers, operatives of the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), finally cracked the case and arrested six among the 13-man-gang that carried out the operation.

One of the suspects, Taiwo Amosu said that the TV presenter, a father of three, was killed because he was stubborn and dared to struggle with them over the possession of his car.

His words: “On that day, we shot the man because he was struggling with us. It was Dam-

Instead of him to cooperate, he became stubborn.

Dammy shot him on the head

my, our gang leader that shot him. We were driving along Acme Road when we saw him. We used our car to block his own. I can’t remember the make of his car; it was dark. Instead of him to cooperate, he became stubborn.

Dammy shot him on the head. We shouted at Dammy for shooting the man. It was not part of our plan. We didn’t discuss killing anybody.”

Members of the gang, presently in police custody are; Lekan Salako, Sodiq Dada, Taiwo Amosu, Sodiq Abiola, Kolawole Abiodu and Michael Adebayo.

The suspects were said to have been grabbed at the gang’s hideout, located in Agege, while planning another robbery operation.

Recovered from them are one locally made double barrel pistol, six locally made single barrel pistols, 40 rounds of live cartridges,

nine different GSM phones, one black Toyota Camry Saloon car, with registration number KTU336EC and one white Toyota FJ Cruiser Jeep, with registration number DQ307ABJ. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, reacting to the matter, said: “This case deals with conspiracy, armed robbery, murder and recovery of arms. The case was reported at Pen-Cinema Police Station and transferred to SARS, Ikeja. One Soji Omotayo and 10 others of Block 2, Flat 2, Millenium Housing Estate, Ojokoro Ijaiye, Lagos, a staff of Lagos State Television Authority (LTV), while on their way home, on August 7, 2016, along ACME road, Ogba, Lagos, were attacked by a gang of armed robbers. One of the journalists, CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

34

CRIME

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

How CCTV caused dismissal of three policemen …after cops demanded N1m bribe Juliana Francis

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hree policemen, who followed a suspected fraudster into a banking hall to withdraw money from his account have been arrested and dismissed.

The policemen, Sergeant Okechukwu Okpokwu, Sergeant Idemudia Monday and Corporal Bienonwu Richard, were all attached to Area C Police Command, Surulere, Lagos State.

Trouble started for the policemen after they sighted a car while on a ‘Stop and Search’ duty along Bode Thomas Street and accused the driver of being a fraudster.

Although the driver, who was in the car with a friend tried to deny the allegations, but a bank alert, which came into his phone while the argument was still on, belied his claims.

Rather than arrest him, the policemen insisted they wanted a piece of the action.

They followed the suspect to the nearest First Bank branch in the area to withdraw some money.

The policemen would have made away with the money, but for the Close Circuit Television (CCTV), in the banking hall which recorded the transaction.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, was said to have been furious with the policemen that he ordered for their arrest and orderly room trial.

They were subsequently later dismissed and charged with armed robbery.

A police source said that the suspected fraudster was driving a Honda Accord car (End of Discussion), white in colour, when he was flagged down by the policemen. The policemen carried out a search of the car. They accused the driver and his occupants of being cyber fraudsters, but they denied. The policemen seized their phones and ATM cards.

The source said: “Unfortunately for the driver, at that precise moment, a bank alert entered his phone. The alert allegedly implicated them as being cyber fraudsters. The policemen were happy. They

asked the suspects the meaning of such an alert. The suspects started begging. The policemen said they would collect N1m or arrest them.”

It was gathered that while this haggling with the suspects was going on, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who was in charge of the team, sat in the police patrol van with the police driver, unaware that his men were making a deal that would change their lives.

After haggling and begging, the policemen agreed to accept N350, 000.

The driver told the policemen that he wouldn’t be able to withdraw N350, 000 with his ATM card. He said that he needed to go to bank to make withdrawal. One of the policemen, Okechukwu, said he would go with him.

The police source said: “Before leaving for the bank, Okechukwu went and changed from his uniform, into a mufti. He went to his team leader, the ASP, who was inside the patrol van, to tell him that he needed a few minutes break. All this while, he held unto the ATM cards and phones of the suspects. He didn’t want them to escape.

He followed them to the nearest First bank branch there.

The driver first used his ATM card to withdraw some money, but he couldn’t get up to N350, 000; he decided to cash the rest over the counter. Okechukwu followed him into the banking hall. After the driver collected the money, he handed it over to Okechukwu, but Okechukwu refused to collect it. He wanted to know if the money was complete. The suspect told him to count it. He proceeded to count it.”

Assured that the money was complete, Okechukwu handed the seized phones to the driver and his friend and went back to his duty post.

When the driver got home, he narrated his experience to a friend. The friend narrated it to a policeman stationed at police headquarters, Ikeja. The matter was taken to Owoseni.

Owoseni ordered that the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), in charge of operations, should investigate

The CP said they held gun, followed someone into banking hall to collect money.

He said it was robbery

the matter. A radio message was sent that the policemen should report to the command.

When they walked into the DC’s office, they sighted the suspect and were shocked.

The DC told the suspect to narrate his story. He did. The policemen said they had never set eyes on the suspect, let alone to have received N350, 000 from him.

When the ASP heard the story, he was shocked. He said he wasn’t aware of such an incident and didn’t know or recognise the suspect.

The suspect told the DC that it was just the three policemen, Okechukwu, Monday and Richard that searched his car and later transacted with him.

The suspect stressed that the ASP was inside the police van, with a police driver. The policemen still denied the allegation, insisting that the suspect fabricated lies against them.

The DC became infuriated and went to report the latest development to Owoseni. The policemen were brought before Owoseni. Owoseni begged them to tell him the truth and bring out the money.

Owoseni said if they told the truth and bring out the money; he would apologise to the suspect, hand over the money and forget the matter.

But the policemen remained adamant in their denial.

The CP became confused and decided to question the suspect, turned complainant further. The driver stuck to his story.

Determined to dig out the truth, Owoseni took over the investigation himself. He went

to the bank and convinced the bank manager to play the bank’s CCTV recording.

Owoseni presented the recording to the policemen, but Okechukwu, even though he saw himself collecting and counting money in the screen, still said the image wasn’t him. Owoseni got angry.

Owoseni ordered that the men should go on orderly room trial. It was during the trial that they owned up to their crime and brought out the money.

The police source said: “While this was happening, the Area C Commander was not around. The Acting Area Commander was called on the matter, and without thinking twice, started defending the men. He said they were innocent. The CCTV was played for him. The CP issued him query and later suspended him. The ASP and driver were pardoned.”

Last week Friday, their signal came out; the three of them were dismissed. The CP further instructed that they should be detained and charged to court for robbery.

“The CP said they held gun, followed someone into banking hall to collect money. He said it was robbery,” said the source.

He added: “There are allegations that Richard used to hunt suspected drug pushers and cyber fraudsters in Surulere and was always collecting money from them. It was also believed that he knows that particular suspect that led to his downfall.

He was also described as a very rich man and terrorist to residents of Surulere. If they had brought out the money earlier, the CP would have pardoned them.”

CRIME

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Juliana Francis

P

olice personnel of the Lagos State Police Command were shocked after they heard that one of them, identified simply as Sergeant Oluwaseyi sued the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, and two other policemen for N50 million.

Sources said that the sergeant’s lawyer presented the writ of summon to Owoseni last week. Oluwaseyi sued Owoseni for allegedly depriving him the opportunity of attaining the rank of inspector.

It was learnt that while the promotion course for inspectors was going on, Oluwaseyi was in detention over a charge of stealing brought against him by a lady he gave a ride in March.

Aside Owoseni, the sergeant also sued the officer in charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), who investigated the allegation levelled against him.

A source said: “He sued our CP, OC SARS and his former IPO. He sued them for N50 million. Oluwaseyi accused them of unlawful detention and harassment.

The sergeant said he was suing because the CP made him to lose the opportunity to become an inspector. When his investigation was going on, he was not allowed to go for his promotion course with others, thus he missed it and right now, he is still a sergeant, while his mates have become inspectors.”

It was also learnt that after Owoseni received the writ of summon, he immediately ordered that Oluwaseyi be dismissed and de-kitted. He also ordered that he should be charged to court for robbery.

In March, after the sergeant was accused of being a serial thief, he was arrested and ordered to face orderly room trial.

After the trial, dismissal was recommended, but Owoseni did not act on it.

“When the writ of summon came, the CP ordered that Sergeant Oluwaseyi be dismissed and de-kitted. It means all police items with him should be collected. When Oluwaseyi heard that he had been dismissed based on the recommendation of his trial, he ran away. He is on the run now.

CP said he should be charged for robbery.”

In March, Oluwaseyi ran into the state Police Command Headquarters moments after he allegedly robbed a lady of her handbag. The sergeant was attached to ‘A Department’ at the state police headquarters.

Preliminary investigation showed that Oluwaseyi was a serial thief, who allegedly used to target ladies standing alone on the road.

Whenever he robs ladies of their handbags and other valuables, he drives off in his white Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), leaving them screaming. He would go for another victim or drive straight to the police command, where his office was located.

Once he drives into the police command headquarters, he would change into his uniform.

However, nemesis caught up with him after one of his victims traced him to the command.

35

Sergeant charged with robbery sues Lagos CP car’s headlights were working. Immediately the lady steps down, he would drive away, taking along her handbag and other valuables left on her seat.”

Ironically, whenever these incidents occur, most of the victims would start trekking and begging for money in order to get home. Many of them used to find themselves at the Police Officers’ Mess in GRA. There they would narrate their experiences to policemen on duty at the gate.

The stories got to Owoseni and his Personal Assistant (PA).

These policemen have got used to hearing such stories, but they did not know one of them was committing the crime. During days, weeks and months that the policemen heard these complaints, it dawned on them that the descriptions of the car and the thief ’s mo-

Lagos CP, Owoseni

When the sergeant’s car was searched by policemen, several female handbags, shoes, phones and panties were discovered.

A police source said: “Every morning, the sergeant would drive his SUV around. He mostly frequented Ikeja GRA, where he hunts for women. Whenever he sees a lone female, waiting for transportation, he would stop and ask her where she was going.”

Once she tells him, he would claim he was going the same way. After driving for a while, he would do something that would make his car to start jerking. He would stop, get down and pretend to check the car’s engine.

The source added: “He would go back to the driver’s seat and ask the lady to step down. He would beg her to check if the

He was dismissed for offence of robbery.

He was accused of using vehicle to rob innocent passengers

dus operandi were the same as recounted by the women.

On the day that the sergeant played the same game on his last victim, the lady was returning from a night club. After he bolted with her handbag and phones, she started trekking.

Like other victims before her, she found herself at the Police Officers’ Mess. She narrated her experience. Unlike others, however, the lady was able to memorise three numbers on the number plate of the SUV. Trying to assist her to get home, Owoseni’s PA gave her some money. Moments after she got to PWD area of Shogunle, not too far from Lagos Command Headquarters, she sighted the white SUV. She pursued and started hitting the windscreen for Olu-

waseyi to stop. The sergeant recognised her and knocked her down with his car. He zoomed off.

The police source said: “She quickly flagged down a tricycle and told him to go after the vehicle. When she saw Oluwaseyi at PWD, he was already with another lady inside his car. They chased the jeep around, until they saw it again. This time, it was driving into the police headquarters. She got down from the tricycle and attempted to enter the command. Policemen on guard refused to allow her inside. She told them that a man in a white SUV, who robbed her that morning, just drove into the command. They did not believe her story.”

The lady went back to Owoseni’s PA at Police Officers’ Mess, to tell him that she saw the driver who robbed her.

With the PA in tow, the lady entered the command and easily identified the white SUV because she had memorised three of the numbers.

“When they brought Oluwaseyi, she was confused because he had already changed his clothes. She said the man wore red sweater. The sergeant had put on his police uniform. The sergeant pretended to be angry and told her that she was embarrassing him.

Owoseni’s PA told him to shut up.

The car was searched and a red sweater discovered. The sweater was what he wore when he picked the lady,” said the police source.

Further search of the vehicles, yielded several women handbags, panties and phones. She picked out her phones from among the lot.

She said the phone belonged to her sister. The first number on the call log was dialled and her sister picked it.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, said that the legal department was studying the suit.

She said: “He was dismissed for offence of robbery. He was accused of using vehicle to rob innocent passengers. The command got the report, he was investigated and dismissed. He was then charged to court.”

Ex-councillor battles for life after hoodlums’ attack Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

D

octors are now battling to save the life a former Councillor in Ebonyi Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Benjamin Nwoguzor, following injuries he sustained when hoodlums invaded his house at Ekebeligwe Ishieke community.

The young boys attacked Nwoguzor and his family members with axe and other dangerous weapons.

Speaking with our correspondent on his hospital bed at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Nwoguzor, who is with bandages on his body, said

the attack occurred in the middle of the night.

He said: “I was inside my own apartment which is different from my wife’s apartment when suddenly I heard voices of some boys talking to my wife with so much anger, ordering her to provide me (the husband) or they will kill her and when she refused to tell them where I was, they beat her mercilessly.”

According to him, his wife told the attackers that her husband was not at home but the hoodlums did not believe her.

He said that they broke his door protector and entered the house and

dragged him out from where he was hiding and asked him to lie face down.

Nwoguzor said the hoodlums asked him to show them where he kept his money but he told them that he did not have any money and that was when they attacked him with axe.

According to him, they inflected serious injuries on his head and on his laps while they broke his two hands.

He added that he shouted for neighbours to rescue him but to no avail.

Nwoguzor called on the state government to come to his aid.

He also charged security agencies to do anything humanly possible to bring those who attacked him to justice.

36

CRIME

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Cross section of policemen on training

Stop checking people's phones, laptops, Owoseni warns policemen Endurance Evulukwu and Ayobola Lawal

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here was palpable tension in the air on October 5, at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, as the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, read the riot act to his men.

While warning them about disturbing trends he had discovered among them, Owoseni threatened that heads would roll if policemen persisted in embarrassing and disgracing the police uniform.

He said: “I urge every one of you to imbibe a good ethical relation with civilians. You should stop invading the privacy of civilians by checking through their phones and laptops.

Stop taking advantage of your uniforms to extort civilians!”

Judging from the theme of his messages, Owoseni was not happy about a lot of things. He said that he had been receiving several complainants from members of the public and felt it was high time policemen start putting their acts together.

He was however specifically angry over policemen's continually wining and dining with suspected cyber fraudsters.

This warning came on the heels of the incident which occurred at IyanaIba, where four policemen left their duty post at Badagry and came to Iba area to chase a suspected fraudster, thereby shooting an undergraduate in error.

There was also the incident where policemen followed an alleged internet fraudster into a banking hall, to collect a bribe of N350,000, forgetting that the bank’s CCTV was capturing the illegal transaction.

To ensure that the message got to all policemen under the Lagos State Police Command, police representatives

were drawn from all area commands and stations.

Owoseni said: “According to the directives of the Inspector-Generalof Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, we want to drive home the message of zero tolerance for extortion, corruption and police brutality among our men.”

Owoseni didn’t mince words while he related the various complaints the command had been receiving every day from angry citizens. He said that people were complaining about how policemen were aiding internet fraudsters. Some also complained of being extorted when they go to the police, seeking solutions to their problems.

Owoseni said: “We are aware of some of the complaints made by citizens. We know that there are situations where some policemen abuse their uniforms by harassing citizens on the road. They check citizens’ phones and laptops, invading their privacy. They would later tag these citizens’ cyber fraudsters. It has also come to our knowledge that some policemen take advantage of lack of the public information as regards tinted glass permit, to extort citizens. Some policemen extort money from these citizens, instead of providing information for them on how they could acquire the tinted glass permit.”

The number one policeman in Lagos also educated his men on police relations with members of the public. While urging them to desist from corrupt practices, Owoseni said that it was police duty to inform ignorant citizens of their rights and assist them with helpful information.

He admonished the policemen to keep watch on the family front, noting that criminals could infiltrate homes through kids and other members of the household, in order to undermine a policeman.

"If your household is secure and

your children are grounded on what they should do, and they don't keep bad companies, there would be no need to fear. All these criminals are seeking for your children in order to avoid being sentenced. So it's up to you, " the police boss added.

He also told them to live a Godly lifestyle as many had gone, stressing that those listening, were presently the few chosen ones called to lift the banner.

He said that many had gone due to the risky nature of the police job, adding that those alive shouldn't take life for granted.

He further said: “Unknown to many Nigerians, the police face a lot of problems. Most times, embracing God will help you to stay safe and strong. Desist from corrupt practices and make credible sacrifices for the police. Play your part for the police. Make a difference.

Change people’s perceptions of the police. It’s up to you and me. Let’s not disgrace our uniforms."

The Commissioner informed the policemen that meetings like the present one would continue to be held to achieve and drive home the message of a corruption-free and transparent police.

‘We killed LTV presenter for struggling with us’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

Abiodu Oluwasegun was shot and killed. His Toyota Camry car, with registration number KTU336EC, was snatched and driven away by the robbers. The robbers' confessions, include the robbery of Oprazini Hotel, Agege, during which millions of naira, GSM phones and other valuable items were carted away.”

Owoseni said that the police responded swiftly to the robbery alert and later apprehended the suspects.

Police detectives also located the snatched Camry car in Jankara, Ijaiye, where it has been butchered and sold to spare parts dealers.

According to Amosu, the shooting of Oluwasegun changed the plans of the gang for that day.

He said: “We had wanted to snatch the car and sell to a man who was already waiting for us at a mechanic workshop. We immediately left the scene. We went back to our base at Agege to prepare ourselves for another operation. Since I joined the gang last year, I sometimes get N10, 000 and at other times N20, 000, including phones and laptops after operations. I used the money to feed myself. I’m an orphan.”

Salako, 23, said he was not part of those who killed the TV presenter. He said that his only crime was keeping seven guns for the gang. He used to be paid N2000 for keeping the guns after operations.

Salako further said: “The gang members used to hand over seven pistols to me to keep for them. I don’t know where they got the guns from. I’m not a member of the gang. I only sell cannabis

at Papa-Ishafa, Agege. I used to be a barber, but ditched that for cannabis business after my shop was demolished by the government to create a route for drainage. The gang pays me N2000 or N1, 500, depending on the success of the operation.”

Another gang member, Abiola, 21, buttressing Salako’s story, said: “Yes, they’re my gang members; but I didn't go with them on that fateful operation that led to the killing of the journalist. I was arrested on August 3, for another robbery case.

They brought other gang members here, a week after my arrest. Salako also didn’t go with them on that operation. He’s just our armourer.

We used to give him stipends after operations.”

The operation was alleged to have been spearheaded by Dammy, the leader of the gang. He has however been on the run since the murder of the journalist.

The gang’s second in command, Sodiq Dada, said: “Apart from robbery, we also used to snatch handbags.”

Recollecting the operation in which the journalist was killed, Dada said: “We took a taxi to rob that day. The time was around 2am.

When we saw the man, we decided to snatch his car. We didn’t know who he was. Dammy was the person that shot him on the head. Dammy shot him because the man was being difficult. He didn’t want to release his car. Killing was not part of our plan.

We took the car to Jankara-Ijaiye to sell to a spare part dealer. The spare part dealer told the police about my whereabouts. I was later arrested.”

BUSINESS | MONEY LINE

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Recession: Why tight monetary stance’ll hurt Nigeria’ COUNSEL

its benchmark rate at 14 per cent, resisting calls from the Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, to lower borrowing costs to help the government borrow more domestically without increasing its debt servicing costs.

However, in a note obtained by this newspaper, analysts at Preston Consults contended that the banking watchdog’s plan to pursue monetary tightening would be, “counterproductive”.

They stated: “The CBN should not adopt a tight monetary policy stance during a recession. This is because, not only do investors now have to borrow at higher rates, banks’ costs of meeting short term obligations will also rise, thus, negatively impacting their balance sheets and profitability.

The financial sector needs to support the real economy at this critical time by lending more to it at reasonable inter-

magazine last week, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, argued that the apex bank felt that curbing inflation while at the same time pursuing growth were not contradictory objectives as is widely believed by analysts.

He said: “The central bank does not reckon that curbing inflation, attracting foreign investors and supporting growth are mutually exclusive objectives.

The bank will continue to ensure that its decisions not only consider price and financial system stability, but also issues of employment and growth.”

The regulator last month left

Financial sector needs to support real economy

Tony Chukwunyem

F

inancial analysts have picked holes in the plan by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pursue a tight monetary stance as an anchor for economic growth as the country battles recession and rising inflation.

In an interview with The Banker

Group backs CBN, FG to revive economy

A

coalition of Civil Society Groups, under the auspices of Vanguard for Social Justice (VSJ), has supported the policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in collaboration with the Federal Government, to revive the Nigerian economy.

Speaking in Abuja, yesterday, the convener, Etuk Bassey William, according to a statement, commended the policies of the apex bank, particularly the blockage of leakages to the country’s foreign reserves as well as the injection of funds into the real sector, with a view to revamping the ailing economy.

Mr. William, who noted that the current economic challenges and recession were the culmination of many years of financial imprudence on the part of the government at different levels, noted that the CBN had shown leadership by daring to plug loopholes in Nigeria’s foreign reserves.

“By restricting FOREX allocation to 41 items in which Nigeria has comparative advantage, the CBN has given new lease of life to

many companies that were hitherto suffering from strangulation brought about by the importation of items that can be produced in the country,” he noted.

“Instead of condemning the difficult decisions taken by the management of the CBN to ensure there is no total collapse in the economy, stakeholders should commend the CBN for its positive move of digging Nigeria out of recession,” William added.

The coalition group also faulted calls for the resignation of the CBN Governor over the current exchange rate of the Naira, stressing that the value of the Naira would only witness an upward spike when the country exports goods and services to earn foreign exchange.

While urging the Federal Government to make good its promise of diversifying the economy, he charged Nigerians to re-enact their patriotic zeal by patronising made in Nigeria goods and services in order to achieve a more diversified economic system.

U

BS Group AG and Price waterHouse Coopers yesterday released their joint annual billionaires report for 2015, showing that total billionaire wealth fell by $300 billion to $5.1 trillion.

Headwinds such as the transfer of assets within families, commodity price deflation and an appreciating US dollar, impacted the growth of billionaire wealth. Average billionaire wealth dropped from $4.0 billion to $3.7 billion and the US added only five net new billionaires in 2015. In contrast, Asia produced one billionaire every three days, with China alone accounting for over half of the 113 additions.

The findings build on UBS/ PwC’s previous Billionaires

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015

17.61

August, 2016

14 10.07

26/09/2016 Mar 2015

US$51.38

13/10/2016

US$24,215,012,526

12/10/2016 Source:CBN

Bonny Light Ext Res**

Description 15.10 27-APR-2017 16.00 29-JUN-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 12.50 22-JAN-2026 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 Tenor (Days) Call 30 90 180

FGN Bonds

TTM

1.06 3.23 3.86 5.81 7.94 9.80 14.30 18.29

Price 104.54 114.58 111.91 120.62 109.79 100.32 83.54 97.16

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.2500 8.2420 10.1127 11.7162

Treasury Bills

Bid Yield 10.45 10.54 11.61 11.43 12.23 12.43 12.49 12.54

Change (%) -0.21 ▼ -0.87 ▼ -0.90 ▼ -0.66 ▼

Reports, released in May and December 2015.

The new report noted: “We are about to witness the greatest transfer of wealth in human history. “Approximately 460 billionaires will transfer $2.1 trillion, the equivalent of India’s GDP, to their heirs over a period of just 20 years. For most of Asia’s young economies, where over 85 per cent of billionaires are first-generation, this will be the first-ever handover of billionaire wealth.”

Head Global Ultra High Net Worth, UBS, Josef Stadler, comments on the new report: “The findings of this report help us stay ahead of the issues that matter to better advise our clients, which include over half the

U Change (%) 0.07 ▲ -0.01 ▼ 0.01 ▲ -0.01 ▼ -0.04 ▼ 0.04 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.06 ▲

Price 104.69 114.88 112.21 120.92 110.09 100.62 83.84 97.46

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

world’s billionaires and three out of every five billionaires in Asia. Even as China’s growth moderates, it is the bright spot for great wealth growth.”

Global Wealth Leader at PwC US, Michael Spellacy, said: “As the shockwaves from regulatory upheaval in the EU continue to trigger global currency fluctuations, strategic planning becomes even more crucial for wealth preservation. Those who control assets face tough investment questions.

Encouragingly, this year’s report shows that Europe’s billionaires were the most resilient with many of the 60 individuals from Europe inheriting their fortunes in 2015 for the first time.

Lender floats UnityBiz account to boost MSMEs

As at N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m

tures such as power, road and rail networks,” the analysts said.

In addition, they recommended that for the country to get out of recession, the government should: “Consider bail-out loans (at concessionary interest rates) for big indigenous distressed companies, so as to stimulate their production activities and generate more employment (and) create incentives targeted at growthinducing and job-creating sectors such as agriculture; solid minerals; and micro, small and medium enterprises.”

According to the experts, these incentives should include single digit interest rates and longer gestation periods for loans.

They also proposed that in the short term, avenues of increasing the government revenue and reducing cost should be explored to help reduce the budget deficit.

World’s billionaires wealth fell by $300bn in 2015 –Report

Economic Indicators M2* CPS* INF MPR 91-day NTB

est rates.”

Besides, the experts said: “High interest rates only serve to attract hot capital, which would remain in the country for a short period of time. What the economy needs at this time is long-term investment, and long-term investors respond to strong fundamentals such as sound socio-economic policies, democratic governance and good growth prospects.”

They further pointed out that during recessions, low interest rates are key to stimulating domestic investment and boosting Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“The government needs to leverage on the private sector to get the economy out of recession, and they in turn need the right incentives to do this.

Low interest rates are critical if we are to successfully support private sector development, diversify our economy and develop critical infrastruc-

37

Offer Yield 10.30 10.44 11.52 11.36 12.18 12.38 12.44 12.50

NITTY

Rate (%) 5.1731 6.4137 7.3300 8.8857 9.6247 10.5416

Change (%) 0.07 ▲ -0.01 ▼ 0.01 ▲ -0.01 ▼ -0.04 ▼ 0.04 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.06 ▲ Change (%) -1.82 ▼ -0.82 ▼ -0.75 ▼ -0.32 ▼ 0.04 ▲ 0.04 ▲

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 30-Jun-16 7.59 7.34 7.47 -0.35 ▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 3.75 7.73 -0.35 ▼ 6-Oct-16 8.37 8.12 8.47 -0.24 ▼ Overnight (O/N) 4.25 8.74 -0.24 ▼ 16-Mar-17 9.40 10.32 0.04 ▲ 9.15 10.02 0.04 ▲

Change (%) -0.08 ▼ -0.08 ▼

nity Bank Plc. has introduced the Unity Biz Account as part of its bouquet of SME offerings aimed at supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The SME space according to a statement from the lender, is a key market focus for the bank as it provides the platform that will enable it tap into the business opportunities in the segment, which has been identified as being the fulcrum of economic growth in the country.

The value proposition embedded in the UnityBiz current account lies in the fact that structured businesses in the SME space are able to access both the asset and liability side of the product at concessionary rates, which benchmark the best pricing offered in the industry.

The SME target market includes retailers, social services, schools, contractors, professional service firms, wholesalers, manufacturers, hospitality and Non-Govern-

mental Organisation (NGOs).

Also included are clubs and associations, suppliers and the agri-business value chain.

The purpose is to offer the SME product that offers unbeatable value.

The UnityBIZ current account is also bundled with the Business Debit Card; a Verve- card, which allows a maximum of five cards per SME such that each card can be programmed with separate transaction dynamics.

Unity Bank also offers SMEs financial advisory services as well as free quarterly counseling and networking sessions to guide businesses that subscribe to the Unity Biz scheme.

Unity Bank, one of the major promoter of agrobusinesses, expects that agroallied and packaging companies keying into the on-going diversification efforts of both federal and state governments will find the Unity-Biz account useful as a supporting tool for their operations, the lender’s statement said.

38

BUSINESS |FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Stock market down by N59bn

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SLOW DOWN Sell pressure dominated market activities, as bargain hunters’ retreat

Stories: Chris Ugwu

L-R: AccountantGeneral of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; and Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, at a workshop on cost management on overhead for permanent secretaries and chief executive officers of departments and Federal Government agencies in Abuja …yesterday

I

nvestors at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday resumed profit taking, halting a 2-day gaining streak that was buoyed by the resurgent of bargain hunters.

Consequently, the overall performance measures, NSE ASI and market capitalisation, fell by 0.61 per cent.

This was due to profit taking by market speculators in the wake of cautious optimism that had pervaded the market following the upset in the financial sector.

Accordingly, the All-Share Index shed 172.45 basis points or 0.61 per cent to close at 27,854.78 index points as against 28,027.23 recorded the previous day, while market capitalisation of equities depreciated by N59 billion or 0.61 per cent to close lower at N9.567 trillion from N9.626 trillion.

Meanwhile, a turnover of 380.754 million shares in 2,954 deals was recorded in the day’s trading.

The banking sub-sector of

the financial services sector was the most active (measured by turnover volume) with 301.5 million shares exchanged by investors in 990 deals.

Volume in the sub-sector was largely driven by activities in the shares of Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc.

Also, premium sub-sector, boosted by the activities in the shares of Zenith Bank and FBNH Plc followed with a turnover of 22.6 million shares in 449 deals.

The number of gainers at the close of trading session was 11, while decliners closed at 27.

‘Equities dragged by poor Chinese data, US dollar’

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10 per cent fall in Chinese exports in September does not only provide a warning signal that the world’s second largest economy is losing momentum, but also suggests a fragile global demand, specifically from developed economies, which comes in line with the World Trade Organization’s outlook that global trade growth is slowing, Chief Market Strategist at FXTM, Hussein Sayed has said.

Sayed, who stated this in a report made available to New Telegraph, said imports also dropped by 1.9 per cent versus expectation of a 1 per cent rise, indicating that demand for key commodities that played a role in the housing boom is also slowing.

The released data reflected negatively on Asian equities, and supported the safe haven Yen after it declined to its lowest levels in two and half months against the dollar.

USDJPY fell by more than 100 pips from its highs to trade at 103.56.

According to Sayed, oil prices came under pressure, falling for a third straight day after API data showed crude inventories rose by 2.7 million barrels last week.

“This is the first increase in US stockpiles in 6 weeks and official data due from EIA might show a similar pattern after more than 25 million barrels were withdrawn in the past 5 weeks.

“The 15 per cent rally in Brent

from June 28 to Oct 10 was mainly driven by headlines from OPEC and non-OPEC producers showing their willingness to end the supply glut, and we need to see this continue for Brent to hold the $50 benchmark especially when OPEC’s official meeting in Vienna is more than 6 weeks away from now,” Sayed said.

He noted that the dollar index declined slightly from a 7-month high, as bulls seem to be on a short break.

He added that the previous day’s Fed Minutes provided very little information beyond “what we already know, and markets continued to price in a 70 per cent change that the Fed will hike in December. The resilience in financial markets shows just how effective U.S. policy makers were in communicating their thoughts. I believe that spreads between U.S. treasury yields and those of other major sovereign bonds will be a key indication on how the dollar will perform, if spreads continue to widen the dollar index could be heading towards 100 by year end.

The pound was the best performing currency after UK’s Prime Minister Theresa May, has agreed to consult with the Parliament over Brexit negotiations. Her comments that their negotiations will include maximum possible access to the European market is making the hard Brexit case look softer, but we still see many bumps ahead and prefer selling the rallies than buying the dips”.

Further analysis of the day’s trading showed that Diamond Bank Plc topped the gainers’ table with 4.39 per cent to close at N1.19 per share, while Nacho Nigeria Plc followed with 4.10 per cent to close at N3.50 per share.

Dangote Sugar Nigeria Plc added 2.85 per cent to close at

N6.50 per share.

On the flip side, e-Transact Plc led the losers’ chart with a drop of 4.99 per cent to close at N5.14 per share. BOC Gases Plc trailed with a loss of 4.86 per cent to close at N3.52 per share, while Forte Oil Plc dropped by 4.82 per cent to close at N152.00 per share.

ISAN to investors: Don’t exit stock market

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ollowing the sustained bearish trend in the nation’s local bourse, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) has urged retail investors not to exit the stock market due to the expected future gains in the equities.

National coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu made this call at a press briefing yesterday where he announced the organisation’s forthcoming election and conference slated for Friday (today).

He said: “Retail investors may regret actions that will take place immediately after exiting, as price of equities can suddenly start moving up because of efficient management. And by the time they will want to come back, it will cost them more. The capital market is a market where people with patience play.”

Nwosu whose tenure will expire today as ISAN national coordinator, said he will support his successor.

Nwosu, who founded and established the ISAN, the shareholder advocacy group, said the shareholders’ association is making history as the first in Nigeria to have relinquished power from the founder to another person.

He noted that though with the recession, people might need quick money that may require them look into their equities, but having sold such equities

at low price now, the possibility of repurchasing such shares at higher price is higher.

The capital market, he said is a very unique area that requires better understanding by the investors, as exiting from the market now is not advisable, rather it is now that investors have the opportunity to balance their stocks because of the prevailing low prices.

Nwosu said that regulators need to do more to court the confidence of local investors who always have the interest of the economy and the market at heart, and will always remain loyal, even when foreign investors have exited.

He said that as the forth-coming confab of ISAN is hinged on the state of the nation’s economy, it will also focus on the state of the capital market and how it is run and regulated.

Speaking on the government supporting the market with special funds, he said that it is only the retail investors that need support and not the stockbrokers who had earlier been given debt forbearance.

On why there has been no fresh listing in the market, he said that with the exit of Coca cola from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), which his group resisted as well as high monetary sanctions on the quoted companies, companies may have been scared from listing because of the highly demanding post listing conditions.

national | news

friday, october 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

39

Nigeria in recession since 2014, needs restructuring, says Kalu Adedayo Odulaja

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former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has declared that Nigeria can be the 5th largest economy in the world in just five years if the Federal Government applied the right measures towards tackling the present recession.

Speaking during a guest appearance on a flagship political programme on Africa Independent Television (AIT), Kalu said: “The earlier we discuss how to get the country back on track, the

better for the nation. The nation is drifting and if it goes further, it’s not good for us. We have missed several opportunities to be a great nation and we should not miss more. We are a great nation and this economy, I am being honest with you, can be the 5th largest in the world in the next five years if we do the right thing. A dollar should be exchanging for N5.”

According to him, the issues of internal security and epileptic power supply remained Nigeria’s two main problems.

“As a nation, we have the problem of internal

$6.41bn

The total amount of small capital (<$150m) of the Nigeria Stock Exchange for 2014 Q4.

Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

security and electricity.

Once, government is able to deal with the problem of internal security and electricity, then, we are done. The country will be perfect; the country will be rocking like a hurricane.”

Speaking further, he said: “I have always said it, I am a believer in small government but big enterprise and that means the states will pay for themselves and contribute to the Federal Government.

It is difficult to keep 36 states if we want to tell ourselves the truth. It is more realistic to have 10 or 9 units instead of 36 states and then have the Federal Government to be in charge of foreign affairs, military, immigration

and so on. Because people have tribalised leadership, which is not supposed to be. In the real manner, leadership is supposed to be service, service, service to the people. In terms of the National Assembly, we have to close the House of Representatives and leave the Senate or we close the Senate and leave the House of Representatives. Let’s go for a referendum on what the people want.”

Asked to mention what he would do if privileged to decide for Nigeria today, Kalu said a huge but long term loan is the way to go, so as to stimulate the economy.

“I’ll go to IMF to restructure a long-term loan of about $20-$30billion and do

foreign direct investment, call all the power companies and take back some if necessary and then run a very articulated partnership with the owners of these power companies.

What I would do is to have a company like General Electric to have like 45 per cent, get another company like Japanese Gas to own shares and Federal Government of Nigeria will only own 30 per cent.

Also, what I proposed in the past, if you have stable electricity, then we will be able to offload the Federal Government shares into the Nigeria Stock Exchange and our stock will grow and people, workers retiring will be able to buy shares like they don’t need

to open new businesses and the stock market will be booming.”

While commending President Buhari for strides recorded in tackling Boko Haram, the former Abia governor urged the administration to do more to eradicate militancy, kidnapping and such related matters.

On the economy, he reiterated his belief that President Muhammadu Buhari means very well for the country and is committed but urged his team of ministers to meet more and work more in synergy with others while conceding that the country’s economic team at present falls short of what is expected to get Nigeria out of recession.

Senate extends JAMB results validity to three years Chukwu David Abuja

T

he Senate, yesterday, extended the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) results' validity from the current one year to a period of three years, by passing the JAMB Amendment Bill, 2016.

It also laid to rest the dispute between the Federal Government and the tertiary institutions over the conduct of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) as the new JAMB Amendment Bill would make the conduct of post-UTME illegal.

According to Section 5(b) of the new bill, the sole responsibility of conducting admission examinations into tertiary institutions now belongs to the JAMB. It states: "The matriculation examinations conducted by the Board shall be the sole examinations required for admission

and entry into all universities, polytechnics (by whatever name called) and colleges of education (by whatever name called) to the exclusion of any institution or body."

The bill also provides that the placement of suitably qualified candidates in tertiary institutions in accordance with existing vacancies, guidelines approved by authorities of such institutions and preferences expressed by candidates shall be carried out exclusively by JAMB. The bill stated that the collection and dissemination of information on all matters in relation to admissions into tertiary institutions and related matters should be done solely by JAMB. The bill further introduced a new Section 6 (1) into the original Act, which guarantees the validity of any admission offered by JAMB to any candidate for a period of three years from the date of the examination.

Mines ministry hands over four officials to EFCC Emmanuel Onani Abuja

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n its determination to plug leakages in the mining sector, as well as shore up its revenue profile, the Ministry of Mines and Steel has handed over four of its officials to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for investigation.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Mohammed Abass, who made the disclosure in a statement yesterday, said the alleged criminal activities of the affected staff, were uncovered by an underground

task force in the ministry.

The Permanent Secretary vowed that acts of sabotage within and outside, would attract stiff penalties.

The Ministry warned that: "Criminal activities bordering on revenue diversion, under-payment, under-assessment and under- reporting will be treated as economic sabotage and perpetrators would be visited with the full weight of the law."

The statement added that "the Ministry is working closely with the relevant security agencies to fish out fraudulent elements within its workforce."

L-R: Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Acting Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Culture, Mr. Emma Agbejir; and Director Public Public Relation and Protocol FMIC, Mr. Peter Dama, during a world press conference on the release of 21 chikbok girls in Abuja …yesterday.

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI.

Oil bloc sale: Probe of Malabu oil complex, says AGF Philip Nyam Abuja

T

he Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami, has said that contentions within Malabu oil has made investigation into it difficult.

Malami, who said this when he appeared before the House adhoc committee investigating the sale of OPL 245, otherwise known as Malabu oil

deal, yesterday, said that investigations that would enable him make the needed submission was still on-going.

He said the contentions were within parties in Malabu oil, such as Mohammed Sani Abacha and former vice president Atiku Abubakar, among several others.

"Contention within Malabu oil has made it difficult. As I stand before you, the investigation is still on-going. Only yesterday, I forwarded a request to the United States as

regards Malabu oil deal.

Also civil and criminal cases are still going on in Nigeria," he said.

"No judgement or conclusion can be made as relating to the request the committee has made on Malabu oil. It is complicated due to the multiple agencies involved."

Also, a son of late former head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha, Mohammed, who appeared alongside his lawyers, however did not make any presentation. His lawyer, Mr. Abdullahi Haruna, ap-

pealed to the committee to give them time to prepare their submission.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Abdulrazak Atunwa (APC, Kwara), explained that the committee was given a mandate identify legal actions that could be taken to recover monies lost through the deal.

The committee adjourned sitting to enable all parties provide the needed information to enable the committee carry out its investigation in the said deal.

FG to release template on expenses for MDAs

Court forecloses defendant's right to written address

Abdulwahab Isa

Akeem Nafiu

Abuja

I

n a bid to sustain the current effort of making states' owned enterprises productive and accountable, the Office of Accountant General of Federation( OAGF) is in the process of releasing a template on appropriate expenses for government's MDAs. Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, gave the hint yesterday in Abuja at a workshop on Cost Man-

agement on Overhead Expenditure for Permanent Secretaries, Chief Executive Officers of Departments and Agencies, in Abuja.

The workshop was organized by Efficiency Unit of the Finance Ministry.

The minister noted that given the shrink in revenue available to government, it has become imperative to create headroom to be able to invest in capital projects.

She said there was need to control recurrent expenditure, especially overheads, a drive which

O

ne of the four accused persons currently standing trial before Justice Olabisi Akinlade of an Igbosere High Court, Lagos for allegedly killing Cynthia Osokogu, a post-graduate student of the Nassarawa State University, has lost his right to file a written address to prove his innocence.

The court yesterday foreclosed the right of Ezike Olisaeloka, the

second accused person to file the written address to support his claims that he was innocent of a criminal offence initiated against him on the killing of Cynthia, owing to the inability of his lawyer to file same since June 16.

Justice Akinlade, while expressing her displeasure at the attitude of Ezike's lawyer, noted that he had been given enough opportunity to file the written address in the past but failed to seize the opportunity.

40

NEWS | national

friday, october 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

$13.9bn: Senate commences probe of MTN, Enelamah, others Oct 20 Chukwu David Abuja

T

he Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions has resolved to commence the probe of MTN and Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, over alleged illegal repatriation of $13.92 billion out of the country between 2006 and 2016.

According to the correspondence from the Committee, which was made available to New Telegraph, the investigative hearing has been scheduled to take off on October 20, 2016, at the National Assembly legislative complex, Abuja.

The probe followed a resolution by the Senate on September 27, 2016, where it alleged that Enelamah connived with MTN to exploit the weak Nigerian financial system to move the money out of the country without au-

thorisation.

The Senate further alleged that MTN craftily beat Nigeria’s financial regulatory laws by failing to obtain a certificate of capital importation, which would have authorised it to move capital into Nigeria from its South African bankers, Standard Chartered Bank, as authorised by the law within 24 hours.

During the debate in the motion, the Chamber disclosed that MTN was incorporated in Nigeria in 2000 as a private liability company and eventually obtained its operating licence with the sum of $284,906,275.89 on February 6, 2001 but failed to bring capital into Nigeria as required, adding that when it eventually moved in $117.6 billion between 2001 and 2003, it did so in three tranches.

It described the action as a sheer violation of the law authorising capital importation within 24 hours.

The Upper Chamber also alleged that the

Sex doesn’t diminish athletic prowess –Study Appolonia Adeyemi

R

esearchers at the University of Florence, Italy, have debunked the long-held views that sex diminishes athletic prowess.

According to their findings in the study review published in the journal ‘Frontiers in Physiology’, no scientific evidence indicates that sexual activity has a negative effect upon athletic results.

Confirming the development, Laura Stefani, assistant professor of sports medicine at the University of Florence and lead author of the review, summed up the analysis: "We show no robust scientific evidence to indicate that sexual activity has a negative effect upon athletic results."

NewmaxHealth reported that the study, based on female athletes, found no difference in strength if they had sex the night before. Another study actually showed a beneficial effect on the performance of marathon runners.

While the studies did provide some insight, Dr. Stefani and her colleagues were surprised about the lack of reliable research on the topic.

"We clearly show that this topic has not been well investigated and only anecdotal stories have been reported," Stefani said.

"In fact, unless it takes place less than two hours before, the evidence actu-

ally suggests sexual activity may have a beneficial effect on sports performance."

The review also revealed that males were more frequently studied than females, with no comparison of effects across genders.

In addition, cultural differences toward sexual activity may influence how much or how little impact it may have.

The researchers noted other important oversights. "No particular importance has been laid on the psychological or physical effects of sexual activity on sports performance, or upon the different kinds of sports," Stefani said.

Stefani and her team point out the need for comprehensive investigation into the topic — and in an arena where wins are measured in microseconds and centimeters, anything that could impact results is crucial.

But for now, the authors conclude, since long-held abstinence theories appear to be unfounded, athletes should not feel guilty when engaging in sexual activity up to the day before competitions

2.13m

The total number of active mobile (CDMA) lines of Nigeria in February 2015.

Source: Ncc.gov.ng

repatriation was done through four banks, which include: Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Diamond Bank and Citi Bank.

After considering the motion which was sponsored by Senator Dino Melaye, the Senate mandated its Committee on Bank-

ing, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions to probe the minister, MTN, the banks and other Nigerians said to have benefitted from the deal.

Accordingly, the Committee has summoned MTN, Enelamah, Col. Sani Bello, Chairman of Diamond Bank, Dr. Pas-

cal Dozie and Ahmed Dasuki. Also expected at the investigative hearing are Gbenga Oyebode, Babatunde Folawiyo and Victor Odili.

According to the Red Chamber, the breakdown of how the money was repatriated through the four banks, are Stanbic

IBTC – $4.87 billion; Standard Chartered Bank – $5.72 billion; Citi Bank – $2.98 billion and Diamond Bank – $0.35 billion, pointing out that the repatriation was done in violation of Memorandum 22 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring & Miscellaneous) Act, 1995.

Rickey Tarfa’s age falsified –Witness No pronouncement yet on reduction Akeem Nafiu in graduates’mobilisation –NYSC Mojeed Alabi A T n official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Tosin Owobo, yesterday told Justice Adedayo Akintoye of an Igbosere High Court that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Rickey Tarfa, falsified his age.

It would be recalled that the silk was arraigned on March 9, by the anti-graft agency on a 27-count charge of alleged willful obstruction of authorized officers of EFCC, refusal to declare asset, making false information and offering gratification to a public official.

On the resumption of yesterday’s proceedings, Owobo, who is a prosecution witness, while being

cross-examined by Tarfa’s lawyer, Abiodun Owoniko, (SAN), disclosed that there were discrepancies in age declaration form that the accused person filled at the commission’s office.

The witness disclosed that in the course of investigation, the commission wrote letters to three banks; Zenith, Fidelity and GTB requesting information on Tarfa’s account.

According to him, an analysis of the information provided by GTB indicated that the accused was born on February 23, 1962.

However, while age on his international passport is 54 years, the age he put on the statement he wrote at the commission’s office was 43 years.

he National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has refuted the claim that it had concluded plans to reduce the number of graduates to be mobilised for the 2016 batch ‘B’ orientation course by 67 per cent.

It said the information flying around on the social media about the development was not the position of the scheme, insisting that no pronouncement has yet been made on the matter.

In an exclusive telephone interview yesterday, the Public Relations Officer of Corps, Mrs. Abosede Aderibigbe, explained that stakeholders

are still appraising the situation and that when conclusions were reached, official pronouncement will be made.

She said; “There is no pronouncement on this matter yet because stakeholders including the members of the National Assembly are still reviewing the situation. Once we are through, the DirectorGeneral will address the media on the correct position.”

News had circulated during the week that NYSC had communicated the higher institutions to mobilise only about 33 per cent of their usual quotas for the Batch ‘B’ Orientation Course apparently due to the economic situation.

European Nation’s Ambassador in Abuja, Denys Gauer, with Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, during a courtesy visit to governor in Sokoto… yesterday

Customs intercept Nigerite container laden with cocaine Bayo Akomolafe

N

igeria Customs Service (NCS), Tincan Island Port Command, has intercepted a container laden with 200 pieces of substance believed to be cocaine.

It said yesterday that the container marked CMAU 045195/0 belongs to Nigerite Nigeria Limited and was imported from New Zealand.

The sample of the substance had been tested by the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and identified to be

cocaine.

The company’s Procurement Manager, Amata Jonah, explained that he did not know how the substance sneaked into company’s container, since Nigerite had not been dealing on drugs.

According to the Customs Area Controller at the command, Yusuf Bashar, the substance was packed in eight bags containing 25 pieces each.

He stressed that the substance would subsequently be forwarded to the NAFDAC to enable the government laboratory perform its due diligence. He identified the

company’s clearing agent as Elevation Transaction Limited with office at the NPA Commercial Building, Lagos.

Bashar said that NCS’s action was not intended to embarrass the multinational company.

He said:“It must nonetheless be established that a container whose manifest indicated Virgin Cellulose should, on examination not be found with any other items, not manifested.

“Our decision is to send it to NAFDAC for analysis.

We don’t know the name.

We may not know its name until the NAFDAC do their

analysis and provide us with feedback.

“What is manifested we work on. That which is not manifested we send to the appropriate authority. We have done that before with the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON). We have done that with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Now, we are doing that with the NAFDAC. “The Nigerite group is a credible body. They are on Customs fast”, he indicated further, stressing that at this point, whatever explanations must come from the multinational company must be in writing.”

News|South-WEST

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

APC, PDP pick running mates for Ondo election Babatope Okeowo Akure

T

he All Progressives Congress in Ondo State yesterday confirmed Hon Agboola Ajayi as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the party for the November 26 governorship election in the state.

The APC had on Wednesday submitted Ajayi’s name as the Deputy

Governorship candidate of the party for the November 26 governorship election in the State.

Ajayi, a former Chairman of Eseodo Local Government and member of the House of Representatives beat Mr Lucky Ayedatiwa and Hon Ifedayo Abegunde to emerge as the running mate to Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, the candidate of the party.

Ajayi’s name was earlier submitted to Independent National Electoral Com-

mission (INEC) as a surrogate candidate but was later confirmed when he showed interest in the ticket. He contested with 18 other aspirants for the sole slot for the running mate of Akeredolu.

In a statement by the Publicity Secretary of APC, Omoba Abayomi Adesanya said, “the party expressed confidence that Hon. Agboola Ajayi will make a worthy co-pilot to the governorship candidate of our great party,

Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) in the management of Ondo State after the inauguration of the APC-led government of Ondo State on the 24th of February, 2017.

The party said the selection of Ajayi as the deputy governorship candidate of

£52.9m The total amount received by Man City in the whole 2015-16 season.

Source: 101greatgoals.com

L-R: Veteran actress advisory member/ Above Whispers. com,, Mrs. Joke Silva-Jacob; Editorin-Chief, Mrs. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi and Managing Director, WFM 91.7, Mrs.Toun Okewale Sonaiya, at the official launch of ABOVE WHUSPERS On AIR at WFM 91.7 radio station, Arepo, Ogun State… on Wednesday.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Excitement as Ambode flags-off operation clean up waterways Muritala Ayinla

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esidents at the popular Ebute Ero Jetty in Lagos were in wild jubilation yesterday as Governor Akinwunmi Ambode kicked-off operation cleanup waterways campaign with commissioning of two Water Hyacinth and Debris Removal Machines to ensure safety and boost water transporation in the state.

New Telegraph gathered that debris and hyacinth are said to be responsible for boat mishaps in some

part of the state while the Lagos State Waterways Authority had earlier engaged hundreds of youths in the clearance of the debris and hyacinth in Epe, Badagry and other riverine areas in the state.

But speaking at a commissioning ceremony held at Ebute Ero Jetty, Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, said that the procurement of the machines was in line with

APC urges DSS to probe Ekiti judges, AG Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State yesterday urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to focus its anti-corruption efforts on the state’s judiciary.

It specifically called on the anti-graft agency to probe the activities of the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Owoseni Ajayi.

According to a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, APC said the recommendation became necessary in view of an alleged illegality being encouraged by the courts in connivance with the state executive council.

The party said the war

against corruption in Nigeria’s judiciary would not be complete without beaming searchlight on the activities of some judges in the state courts.

The party expressed disappointment at the alleged threats by Governor Ayodele Fayose to undermine the integrity of the state judiciary while the judges looked the other way.

Olatunbosun added that it was the same Owoseni prior to his appointment in September 2014 that called Fayose on phone asking him to storm the court with thugs to disrupt the court hearing his perjury case during which a judge was assaulted to prevent ruling in that case against Fayose in Justice Segun Ogunyemi’s court.

the strategic implementation of Lagos master plan for the waterways.

The governor described the machines as part of his administration’s strategies to frontally address the challenges posed by water hyacinth, adding that water transporation would be more attractive with many projects to be unveiled in the sector.

Ambode said: “We have bought the machines to take away debris and hyacinth from the Lagoon. The ma-

chines will encourage water transportation and this initiative is necessary now that we are working towards clean-up of the waterways.

“Itwillalsoencouragefisherysothatthewatereconomy will be improved upon.”

On her part, Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Engr. Abisola Kamson, said for a long time, hyacinth which was otherwise known as aquatic weed, had been a major source of concern with attendant challenges to the waterways sector.

the party was the outcome of an extensive and exhaustive consultations and deliberations with leaders and members of our party.

Meanwhile, the APC’s arch rival, the Peoples Democractic Party (PDP) has explained why it picked a former commissioner,

1

The total number of set piece goals scored by Costa Rica at Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Fifa.com

Osogbo

O

sun State House of Assembly yesterday advocated the need for leaders of thought to provide springboard for affirmative action against individuals or group who abuse children either by denying them education, inflicting assault on them physically, engaging them in street hawking, trafficking and sexual abuse.

The legislators made the remark in a statement signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye during the celebration of

International Day of the Girl Child in Osogbo.

According to him,” it was in recognition of the need to protect the Girl-Child that Osun State Girl-Child Marriage (Prohibition) Law, 2004, and Child Right Law, 2007 were passed in the best interest of the Child.

He specifically charged parents and guardians to step up their games as they were morally obliged to provide the first line of protection for their children.

“Child abuse is the mental, sexual or physical assault of a child either by the parents or guardians.

Child abuse, in whatever form, is a violation of the right of a child and it must be condemned by all.”

Prince John Ola Mafo as running mate to its governorship standard-bearer, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN).

The party through its Director of Publicity, Mr Ayo Fadaka noted that having considered some key party members, it found that Mafo had an edge over the others during the selection process.

Speaking on a radio station in Akure, the State capital, Fadaka, said the emergence of Mafo from the Ilaje ethnic stock in the South Senatorial district was a result of a careful selection, undertaken by the party leaders.

Lagos to enrol 3m adults in literacy school Muritala Ayinla

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espite has come the way of Illiterate adults in Lagos State as Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday assured that plans are underway to enrol over three million adult residents in literacy schools in order to accelerate its plans of making the state Africa’s modern mega city.

Speaking at the official global launch of a new literacy programme tagged Eko n’ kekoo’ (Lagos is learning) organised by the agency for Mass Education in the office of Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Education, Governor Ambode who was represented by his deputy Dr. Oluranti Adebule said a minimum level of literacy was required as basic literacy was also essential for economic empowerment in the state.

According to him, UNESCO statistic had shown that 54 million people in Nigeria

had formal education, saying the number was larger than the entire population of South Africa.

Ambode said: “In Lagos, research also showed that 13 per cent of the population, that is, three million persons are illiterate. This level of illiteracy is unacceptable. The high number of the population of illiterate is not consistent with the state’s drive with the vision of the state to become Africa’s model megacity.

“This is because illiterate person lacks basic literacy and other essential life skills which make them more vulnerable to the activities of criminals and other antisocial groups.

“Today, we are launching this project aimed at kicking illiteracy out of Lagos.

Our goal is to achieve 100 per cent literacy in the state.

Towards this end, we plan to increase the number of basic adult learning centres from 532 to 1, 000.”

Catholic diocese loses case against Ekiti on wrong procedure Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado

Cornellius AkinOsun lawmakers seek enforcement Justice tayo of a High Court in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, of child right law yesterday struck out a case

Adeolu Adeyemo

41

slammed against the state government by the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti.

The judge, while striking out the case, said although the diocese had a ‘cause of action,” he agreed with the defendant that the claimant should have approached the court by way of writ of summons and not originating summons.

Justice Akintayo said since the issue which involved convocation of an education summit in which the claimant participated, there was need for both parties to have come to the court with witnesses for cross examination to determine the issue at stake.

The judge agreed with

the defendant that the claimant filed the suit within the three months stipulated by the law and thereby struck out the case.

The diocese had approached the court claiming that the education levies on pupils of private and public primary and secondary schools in the state by the state government lacked the backings of the 1979 Nigerian Constitution as amended and the Universal Basic Education Commission Law of 2004 which guaranteed free education to all pupils and students in both primary and secondary schools in the country.

The government’s circular announcing the said development levies had clarified pupils of primary schools would to pay N500 while those in the secondary schools N1000 for the 2015 and 2016 academic session.

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News|SOUTH-EAST

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Abia LG polls: APGA faults ABSIEC’S N500, 000 candidate’s fee

Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

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ll Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Abia State chapter has faulted the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission’s (ABSIEC) decision to collect N500, 000 and N200, 000 from chairmanship and councillorship candidates in the December 17 Local Government election in the state.

The party in a release signed by its chairman, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, and made available to news men in Umuahia, also condemned the additional N15, 000 to be paid across by candidates which the Abia electoral umpire said was administrative fee.

Ehiemere said that collecting such huge amounts

when possible candidates would have paid for their nomination forms to their respective political parties was bizarre as it had no exemplary precedent from its parent body, INEC. APGA equally frowned at the timing of the election which it said negated the sensitivity of Abians who were mostly Christians and attached great religious importance to Christmas who would have been at their respective home towns when any possible rerun would hold on December 28.

The release reads in part: “that during the formal briefing involving the political parties and the press organised by ABSIEC on the forthcoming LG election, APGA applauded ABSIEC for coming up with the idea of LG election, but frowned

at the sudden arrangements which might impede the effectiveness, the transparency and the participation of both the contestants and voters; that since voters’ registers to be used for the election were going to come from INEC as publicly admitted

by ABSIEC, we feel it makes both legal and moral sense for ABSIEC to wait for INEC to update the voters’ registers before proceeding with the election; that ABSIEC’s decision to commence the election on the December 17 and hold possible run offs on December 28 negates the sensitivity of Abians who are mostly adherents of the Christian faith, who attach great religious importance to Christmas and would possibly be in their respective home towns to celebrate the Christmas during the time

under review.

“ABSIEC decision to collect the sum of N500, 000 from chairmanship candidates and N200, 000 from councillorship candidates, and N15, 000 administrative fee when the possible candidates would have paid for their nomination forms to their respective political parties is bizarre to us as it does not draw any exemplary precedent from its parent body INEC.” APGA said it was worried

by ABSIEC’s declaration that results of the chairmanship election would be announced at the LG headquarters a day after the election instead of the same day of the poll and stated that this would create room for manipulation.

Ehiemere was however silent on the parties, position on participation in the election.

Biafra: IPOB attacks VON for inflammatory remarks Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

T

he leadership of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has come down hard on the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, for making what it adjudged to be an inflammatory statement against Biafra agitation.

In a statement signed by the IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, and made available to the media, Okechukwu was quoted

as saying that the Biafra emancipation project being championed by IPOB was not feasible and realisable.

Piqued by the statement, IPOB lampooned Okechukwu as speaking to defend his pay as a government appointee.

According to the statement, VON DG was misinformed about the Biafra struggle, pointing out that there was nothing Okechukwu or anybody else would do to stop Biafra actualisation.

“The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, worldwide

and the directorate of State DOS condemned the press statement credited to Mr. Osita Okechukwu that the Biafra project being championed by IPOB was not a feasible project.

“The statement made by the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, VON, proves to the entire world that the man is protecting his pay masters in Abuja, and also the man is properly misinformed and clueless about the whole thing.

The project about Biafra is a divine project which God Almighty (Chukwu Okike

Abiama) is using our prophet, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to fulfill and nobody like VON director, Osita Okechukwu and can quench.

“However the president of Nigeria, Gen. Muhammad Buhari made a statement in New York, USA, that there would be no referendum for Biafra.”

This news never told the doubting Thomas’s that the issue concerning Biafra is giving the government sleepless night but the likes of VON director are not aware that Biafra is around the corner.

Heaps of refuse on Douglas Road in Owerri, Imo State … yesterday.

FG to build space technology lab in FUNAI Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

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he National Centre for Remote Sensing (NCRS) is to construct Advanced Space Technology Application Laboratory at the Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo (FUNAI) in Ebonyi State for south east geopoliti-

cal zone of the country.

Director-General of the centre, Effron Gajere disclosed this when he visited the university to ascertain its readiness for the commencement of the project.

Gajere was accompanied on the visit by the Director of Strategic Space Applications in the Nigeria Space Research and Devel-

opment Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Halilu Ahmad.

He said the centre would cover the south east zone of the country.

“We are saddled with the responsibility of providing remote sensing in Nigeria and we have established such in 2011 at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,” he said.

Enugu approves N122m to power street light D etermined to ensure an effective operation of street lights in Enugu metropolis, the state government has approved N122, 220,000.00 for the procurement of 10-unit of 200KVA generators to replace the existing ones that are over seven years.

The state government disclosed that the 60KVA and 150KVA generators currently in use were old, below the rated amperage and no longer sizeable because of installation of more street lights on the roads, adding that most of the facilities that power the lights were being vandalised by hoodlums.

Speaking on the development, senior special assistant to the governor on Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Obiora Tega Onyia,

who is also in charge of maintenance of street lights, noted that the present administration decided to procure new generators to ensure effective operation of street lights to enhance security of lives and property of the people.

Onyia disclosed that street lights were also being destroyed by reckless driving, which had caused the government huge amount of money to repair despite the current economic challenges in the country.

While appealing to vandals to stop the destruction of street lights facilities, the state government called on the people of the to be vigilant and report any person found or suspected to be tampering with the facilities to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.

Telecom industry key to Nigeria’s growth –Umahi Kenneth Ofoma ENUGU

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bonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi has identified the telecommunication sector as central to Nigeria’s technological and economic advancement.

Umahi said the role of Information and Communication Technology in advancing the growth and development of other advanced economies can be leveraged upon by Nigeria.

Speaking at the 79th edition of the Consumer Outreach Programme, with the theme, “Information and Education as a catalyst for Consumer protection”, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, Umahi who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Kelechi Igwe, said the opportunities offered by the new media if well harnessed would put the nation on the path to economic revitalisation.

According to the Ebonyi Governor, “If the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as the ombudsman would properly regulate unsolicited text messages, ring tunes and arbitrary reductions

of monies by service providers for users, it would be a catalyst for economic growth.

The Governor expressed dismay over the way and manner the service providers had treated their customers, most often without apology, saying it posed great consequences to the growth of the industry.

“So, I think that these complaints are what NCC as a body has to look at with a view to encouraging the service providers to resolve the issues,” he said, adding that the state government as a result of its unequivocal commitment to developing the ICT sector has established the Ebonyi Telecom Infrastructure Compliance Agency to ensure that there are legal and proper ways of developing Telecom infrastructure in the state.

Earlier in his address, the Director Consumer Affairs Bureau, in the NCC, Abdullahi Maikano said the commission has identified consumer education as one of the most-effective mechanism that provides and guarantees consumer protection.

Youth Council nullifies award to Ganduje, Boroh were baseless and unfound- ing the unsuspecting public Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

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he National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has nullified the award presented to the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje and the Special Adviser on Presidential Amnesty, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (Rtd.), saying the awards

ed, and did not emanate from the NYCN headquarters.

In a statement issued by its president, Barr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, NYCN stated that the justification for the award was as tenuous as its facilitators were questionable. He regretted that some impostors parading as NYCN leaders were on rampage defraud-

and ridiculing the gains already made in reforming the council.

NYCN further stated: “In any case, the said Governor of Kano State and the Amnesty Coordinator have so far performed poorly in their assignments and as such, not qualified to be honoured with the prestigious award of the Council.

south-south | news

friday, october 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Group tasks PNDF on FG, N’Delta crisis Ola James Warri

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he National Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Sheriff Mulade, has called on newly formed Pan Niger Delta Forum (PNDF) to engage the Federal Government and other stakeholders on issues affecting the Niger Delta region.

The group said the formation was a welcome development as such an idea was long overdue, more so that it would project and collectively speak for the interest of the region.

The coordinator in a statement in Warri, Delta State, said ‘because of ethnic bias and sentiments, the people of the region had not been able to come together to have a formidable group like the PNDF before now.’

"We want to believe that this group will be above board and not to play the stomach infrastructure game, because they are well respected individuals and I urge the people of the Niger Delta to give them maximum support," he said.

Mulade, however, said that PNDF must display maturity, honesty and all-inclusive leadership and position itself above board.

Emmanuel canvasses long term loan for farmers Tony Anichebe Uyo

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kwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has made a case for subsidy to be granted to the agricultural sector of the economy to enhance food sufficiency in the country.

The governor made the advocacy at Government House, Uyo during a courtesy call on him by the Course 25, Study Team of the National Defence College (NDC), currently on tour of the state.

He said: “It is better to

subsidise agriculture than crude oil in view of the fact that coconut, palm and kernel oil attract more income in the international market than crude oil.”

Emmanuel also stressed the need for financial institutions to give long-term loans to farmers to help in the development of agriculture beyond the subsistent level and observed that the tour, which was anchored on the theme; “Enhancing Food Security for National Development,” was in response to needs of the time, especially now that globalisation

has changed the perception of sovereignty.

The governor also wondered why Nigerians would abandon agriculture in pursuit of oil wealth, saying that the time has come for all to rise to fill the gap in agricultural development for employment generation, sustainability and wealth creation.

He thanked participants of the Course 25 Team for the visit and urged them to use their research findings to advise government on national security issues and to address food security.

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group, the Benin Progressive Front, yesterday said the Edo State Governor-elect, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has no rift to settle with the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osagie Ize-Iyamu in the September 28 gubernatorial election the state.

The group in a statement signed by Mr. Osato Imadiyi, while reacting to a media report by a Biniborn billionaire, Hosa Okunbor, calling on the governor-elect and the PDP candidate, to close ranks in the interest of the Bini people said: “Mr. Hosa Okunbor should channel his energy at prevailing on Ize-Iyamu to withdraw from the election petition tribunal, because Obaseki has no personal rift to settle with him, except electoral matters.

It will be recalled that Okunbor said “both candidates belong to me. IzeIyamu is my very good friend; Obaseki is my family, so both of them are my own. But I will not want to speak much about the election because as you know, I am no longer into partisan politics. I am now an elder statesman. So, I just want

Special traditional troupe for the New Era of Oba of Benin Coronation, performing in Benin … yesterday

'Obaseki has no rift to settle with Ize-Iyamu'

the best for the state and peace for the state.”

"If that be the case, ‘as an elder statesman Okunbor should not be seen to be making political comments in the media, Imadiyi said.

Meanwhile, the threeman election petitions tribunal sitting in Benin, the Edo State capital, has granted motion ex-parte to

Ahmed

I, formerly known and addresses as Amodu Nurudeen Talade now to be known and addressed as Ahmed Nurudeen Talade. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

JOSHUA

I, Formerly known and addressed as kungs Koiruang Swangwai as a result of mistake

by INEC in printing my Voters Card bearing Kungs changing my first name Joshua, now wish to be known and addressed as Joshua Koiruang Swangwai. All former documents remain valid. UBA bank and the General public should take note.

Okeke

I, formerly known and addresses as Okeke Chukwudi Christopher now to be known and addressed as Okeke Chukwudi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Okotete

I, formerly known and addresses as Oghenetega Jane Omowho now to be known and addressed as Okotete Oghenetega Jane Omowho. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Oko

King

This is to notify the general public that the names King Mark Uzoma Elizabeth and King Mark Uzoamaka Elizabeth refer to one and same person. Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. King Mark Uzoma Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public please take note.

Azibanator

Dominic Adewole ASABA

T

he plot to impeach the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, thickened yesterday as impeachment notice to that effect was being compiled by members of the House.

The speaker, who is a loyalist of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, has survived three impeachment plots since he was elected after the 2015 general elections.

The governor was said to have prevailed on his colleagues to drop the charges against him at the third attempt.

Besides, principal actors in the impeachment saga and the few opposition lawmakers in the

House, the four legislators that have been suspended so far through the instrumentality of the speaker, were said to have quickly embraced his removal.

But the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Henry Ebireri, said ‘it is the figment of the imagination of those peddling such rumour.’

Trouble started two days ago when the lawmakers resumed after several weeks of recess, but brazenly shifted their resumption to next week to perfect the ongoing plot.

New Telegraph gathered at the Assembly complex in Asaba yesterday that all entreaties by the governor, who was recovering from the injury he sustained in his office last week, to stop the impeachment plot, has fallen on deaf ears.

murder of four youths Dominic Adewole ASABA

H

undreds of angry youths from AseOmuke and Otulu-Ogwashi-Uku communities in Ndokwa East and Aniocha South Local Government Areas of Delta State yesterday besieged the Government House, Asaba, protesting the alleged killing of their youths.

Reports from the area said four youths were gruesomely murdered in cold blood when a team of policemen from Abuja came to Ase-Omuke to arrest some hoodlums.

Expressing their anger in Asaba, elders and leaders of the communities wondered why the perpe-

trators were not brought to book.

The elders and leaders, who spoke separately during the protest, urged Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to urgently address the matter in the interest of justice and peace.

Chairman and the Secretary of the Ase-Omuke Community Development Committee, Chief Okwudili Obi and Mr. Victor Ogbue respectively, expressed shock that the alleged murderers have since been released unconditionally.

They accused the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Peter Mrakpor, of perverting justice, querying his ‘no case to answer by the suspects’ comment.’

the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the governor elect in the September 28 election, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, permission to inspect all materials used in the conduct of the last governorship election in the state.

The motion ex-parte was filed on October 12, 2016 with number EPT/ EDS/GOV/2M/2016.

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Enya Angela Alu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oko Ndubuisi Angela Alu. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc, GT Bank Plc, N.Y.S.C and the general public should please take note.

Plot to sack Delta Speaker thickens Protest rocks Delta over

43

This is to notify the general public that the names Benson Festus Azibanator and Benson Azibanator refer to one and same person. Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as Benson Azibanator. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank Plc and the general public please take note.

Love

I, formerly known and addressed as Ebonyi Abassador and Love Abassador now wish to be known and addressed as Love Nwachukwu.

All former documents remain valid.

Diamond bank Plc, Access bank Plc and the general public should note.

Adamma

I, formerly known and addresses as Adamme Idoko now to be known and addressed as Adamma Ngozi Okoro. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Balogun

I, formerly known and addresses as Adedolapo Balogun Rasheed now to be known and addressed as Adedolapo Balogun. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Solagbade

This is to confirm that my name was wrongly written as Solagbade Adebisi Yomi instead of Solagbade Adebisi Abayomi. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Solagbade Adebisi Abayomi, my date of birth is March 7, 1983. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Jimoh

I, formerly known and addresses as Jimoh Quadri Abiodun now to be known and addressed as Jimoh Quadri. All former documents remain valid. Banks andgeneral public take note.

Onwumere

I, formerly known and addressed as Okorom Lotanna Nwanneka now wish to be known and addressed as Onwumere Lotanna Nwanneka.

All former documents remain valid.

Ecobank Plc, GT Bank Plc, Ebonyi State University (EBSU) and the general public should please take note.

Umoke

I, formerly known as Miss Umoke Eucharia Nnenna now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ofunne Eucharia Nnenna. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

Akujobi

This is to notify the general public that the names Akujobi, Innocent Uzoma, Akujobi, Innocent Augustine and Innocent Akachukwu Akujobi refer to one and same person. Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as Akujobi, Innocent Augustine. All former documents remain valid.

First bank Plc, Diamond bank Plc, Skye bank Plc and the general public please take note.

Maharbi

I, formerly known and addressed as Gideon Stephen now wish to be known and addressed as Gideon Maharbi. Also, my date of birth is July 25, 1991. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

OIZA BELLO FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to Corporate Affairs Commission under Part "C" of the Companies and Allied Matters Act N0. 1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Grace Oiza Bello 2. Terfa Adigam AIM AND OBJECTIVE ARE: 1. To empower women and children on skill acquisition.

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

SIGNED: Secretary

44

News|north

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Katsina Emirate Council insists on Habiba’s new faith Ahmed Sani Katsina

K

atsina Emirate council yesterday said there was no going back on the conversion to Islam of a 17-year-old Habiba Isiyaka Tanko of Wawar Kaza village of Kankara Local Government Area of the state.

The Emirate’s senior councilor, Alhaji Nuhu Abdulkadir, at a press conference in Katsina said the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) were misled on the manner Habiba accepted Islam.

According to him, the girl voluntarily accepted to practice Islam without any force from any individual, adding that the emirate considered her conversion as an act of God. Abdulkadir, who is also the Kauran Katsina, said nobody can force her back to Christianity since everybody has a right to choose his/her religion.

It will be recalled that the girl in question, Habiba Isiyaka Tarko, who was present at the venue of the press conference, was given the chance to testify before the public that nobody forced her to embrace Islam.

She also shed more light on her choice of Islam and the husband she married, which was also her choice.

The Emirate said this was not the first time people embraced Islam in the emirate council, adding that the emirate has been assisting those who

Sokoto to recruit 96 graduate teachers Umar Abdullahi Sokoto

S

okoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has approved the recruitment of 96 additional graduate teachers for science and technology in the state’s secondary schools.

Chairman of the state Civil Service Commission (CSC), Alhaji Tukur Attahiru, disclosed this in Sokoto yesterday. He said the new teachers, when recruited, will be posted to secondary schools under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

According to him, the commission had since received no fewer than 300 applications from candidates and that the applicants had since been screened, interviewed and the result will be released any time from now.

Attahiru said the gesture was to shore up the staff strength of the ministry and reduce unemployment.

converted to Islam in the past, in different areas of their lives.

He said in the case of Habiba, even her parents were present at the emirate and equally accepted her conversion, but only requested her to follow them home, a request the Habiba turned down.

The emirate expressed happiness over the coordinal relationship between it and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and its leaders in the state.

The emirate council also assumed that the matter was over, following a meeting between the police, Habiba’s parents and the council on the matter, adding that the letter written by the national secretariat of CAN to the Inspector General of Police has assisted greatly in resolving the matter.

Adamawa CJ pardons 85, grants 33 inmates bail Ibrahim Abdul Yola

A

damawa State Chief Judge, Justice Ishaya Banu, yesterday released 85 awaiting trial inmates from Jimeta Prisons, Yola.

Banu, who released the suspects during an open sitting at the prisons, also granted conditional bail to 33 others.

The chief judge said that the gesture was part of an effort to decongest prisons across the state, adding that such open sitting would continue in Jada and Numan prisons on Saturday, October 15.

He however lauded the

Jimeta prisons’ authorities for their support and cooperation, while also tasking the released inmates to be of good behaviour.

“You need to keep off things that will bring you back to prison, be law abiding,” Banu said.

Also, Assistant Controller in charge of Jimeta Prisons, Mr. E. B. Bakari, lauded the committee for its commitment to decongest prisons in the state, and assured the chief judge and members of his committee of support in that direction.

One of the released inmates, Abdulmajid Peter, who spoke on behalf of others, thanked the chief judge and prison

authorities for the gesture, and promised that they would strive to be responsible members of the society.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Yola Prisons, Mr. Abubakar Abaka, said that the 500 capacity prison, built in 1914, is now hosting 814 inmates.

Abaka made this known while welcoming the Chief Judge, Justice Ishaya Banu, who is heading the Jail Delivery Committee for decongestion of prisons in the state.

Abaka said the inmates comprised of 375 awaiting trials and 439 convicts, including seven condemned criminals.

Some of the 85 inmates of Jimeta Prison Yola released by the Adamawa Chief Judge, Justice Ishaya Banu … yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

80 drivers take eye test in Kebbi Abubakar Abdul Birnin Kebbi

K

ebbi State chapter of the Nigeria Optometric Association in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has screen over 80 commercial drivers with minor and major eye problems in the state.

Briefing newsmen at the Central Motor Park in Birnin Kebbi during the exercise, the state Chairman of the association, Dr. Osagie Osafomwan, said the exercise was part of the celebration of the World Sight Day, adding that last year; the exercise was done in a general form.

He said the celebration, which was in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO), was scheduled to take place with the commercial drivers who normally work at night and were having one or two eye problems.

“We discovered a lot of eye problems with the drivers, in which we have to recommend eye glasses, gentamicin eye drop, chloramphencial eye drop, yeast tablets, antallerge eye drop and also referred some of them to the hospital for further examination,” Osafomwan added.

Speaking on the occasion, NURTW Chairman in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Dan Mallami, commended the effort of the association, adding that many of the drivers who have been having eye problems were above 50 years of age.

to implement IGR’s Emir of Kano chairs Sultan’s Bello recommendations 10th anniversary Muhammad Kabir Kano

A

high-powered Committee of Emirs has been constituted to organise the 10th anniversary of Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar, under the chairmanship of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sunusi 11.

Speaking to newsmen in his palace, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sunusi, alongside the Emir of Fika, Alhaji Muhammadu Abali and other members of the committee, said they convinced the Sultan on the need to celebrate him in his momentous 10 years of service to humanity.

He said the programme, which was slated to commence on November 2, would last for three days. The event will attract technocrats, world leaders, religious and traditional leaders from across the globe.

Sunusi hinted that on day one, an international symposium on Sokoto Caliphate, will feature prominent scholars and academics from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Sudan and even within Nigeria.

Sanusi said: “Participants will endeavour to use the occasion to remind us about the Caliphate eternal legacies of value system and lessons, which miracu-

lously formed the administrative building blocks of the British colonial administration since Sokoto Caliphate has predated Nigeria as a nation state.”

Other members of the committee include the Etsu Nupe, Emir of Arugungun, Emir of Kazaure and 14 other members.

Two publications of the Sokoto Caliphate would be presented, including a photo exhibition and a school model, Nana Asmau College of Medical Sciences promoted by the Sultan, would be declared open.

The Sultan was commended for his roles in his peace prophesy, ensuring inter-religious harmony and being good ambassador of Nigeria outside the nation.

Dan Atori MINNA

D

etermined to improve the economic base of Niger State, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, yesterday said government will ensure full implementation of recommendations of the committee on how to reposition the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

He spoke yesterday while receiving a report of the Prof. Muhammad Nasir Maiturare led committee on the IGR. Bello said for the administration to achieve its set goals in the face of limited resources, every legal step necessary will be taken to ensure adherence to the recommendations made, stressing that government was committed to improving the state’s IGR. To this end, the governor

constituted a committee headed by the Commissioner for Finance, Ibrahim Balarabe, for the implementation of the recommendations of Maiturare committee.

He charged the committee to fashion out workable modalities for the actualisation of improved IGR in the state so as to reduce dependence on monthly federal allocation.

The governor, who gave the committee a target said: “If I start seeing figures like N2 billion in a month, then it is a good start, but if less, there will be need for more work and we will continue to review the situation until we get it right.

“There is need for the implementation committee to ensure that all the recommendations are religiously carried out for effective and desired result.”

45

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport Chelsea agree record £60m Nike deal C helsea have announced a new £60 million-a-year sponsorship deal with Nike, the “largest commercial deal in the club’s history”, after severing ties with Adidas six years early.

The new deal is worth double the current agreement with Adidas, after confirmation of the early ter mination came last week, and will cover kits for the first team, ladies team and youth outfits.

Roman Abramov-

ich’s close confidant and Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia was involved in setting up the new arrangement and gave a rare statement upon announcing the agreement.

“This is an incredibly exciting and important deal for the club,” Granovskaia said. “Like Chelsea, Nike is known around the world for its excellence and innovation and we look forward to working together in what is sure to be a successful partnership.”

Tyson Fury vacates WBO, WBA titles

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yson Fury has vacated his WBO and WBA world heavyweight titles to deal with his “medical treatment and recovery”.

The Briton, 28, has admitted taking cocaine to deal with depression and could also lose his boxing licence.

He has not fought since beating Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 and has twice withdrawn from rematches.

“I now enter another big challenge in my life which I know, like against Klitschko, I will conquer,”

Fury said.

“I won the titles in the ring and I believe that they should be lost in the ring, but I’m unable to defend at this time and I have taken the hard and emotional decision to now officially vacate my treasured world titles,” he said.

In a statement, Fury’s promoter Hennessy Sports said the decision would “allow him the time and space to fully recover from his present condition without any undue pressure and with the expert medical attention he requires”.

Did you know?

That the match Liverpool against Manchester United on Monday is the 197th encounter by teams and the 91st meeting at Anfield, the home ground of Liverpool

Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

NFF upbeat on Chelsea’s Abraham

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Rohr: Rajevac’s ouster may gear up Algeria Ubong Emmanuel

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uper Eagles’ coach, Gernot Rohr, has cautioned that the impromptu sacking of the Desert Foxes’ Manager, Milovan Rajevac, after just two games in charge, might propel the Algerians to sparing a surprise when Nigeria hosts them in Uyo on November 12.

Rajevac was shown the way out days ago, through the influence of some Algerian senior players, who blamed his tactics for the 1-1 draw against the Cameroonians, last weekend.

Although the Algerian camp seems to be in disarray ahead of the trip to Nigeria, Rohr is seeing it entirely from another angle stressing that, this current situation could instead give the North Africans renewed confidence to stun their hosts.

He said that each Algerian player in the team will be keen to impress the caretaker coaches and will come out with their best in Uyo. “This sacking may be the motivation Algeria needs to play against us; it will be difficult for a new coach to put together a team in three weeks for our match, but possibly the assistant coaches could manage it.” said the former Gabon boss.

As a result of Rajevac’s dismissal, his assistants, Nabil Neghiz and Yazid Mansouri, have been appointed as interim coaches of the team by the Algeria Football Federation and the two assistants will be leading them to battle Nigeria next month in Uyo. Algeria are third on the log of group B, and will be looking forward to beating the Super Eagles for their first win, after unfortunately sharing a point with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in first game of the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying series.

Moses Simon (left)

‘Injured’ Success will play on Saturday, says Watford coach Ajibade Olusesan

The Sport Team

Sport News

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atford boss Walter Mazzarri has said Isaac Success will play against Middlesbrough on Saturday, few days after the striker turned down invitation to the national team due to injury.

There have been conflicting stories about the player’s health status with some people insinuating the youngster feigned injury to skip the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Zambia and featuring in an EPL game barely a week after will lend credence to that perception despite Mazzarri’s claim the former Granada star just recovered.

The Italian coach insisted his player suffered an injury in their last game against Bournemouth where the player scored his first EPL goal and they duly informed the Nigeria Football Federation about his situation.

Mazzarri revealed that Success would be in contention to make his

first start for the club; however a decision would be made at the last minute.

He said: “He recovered very well.

He looks okay; the only thing I need

Success

to check now is if he has the 90 minutes in him and if he has recovered completely from the injury from the last game.

“We have a very good relationship with the Nigerian national team. Also the proof is immediately after the game we sent the email to them and also spoke to them over the phone confirming that Success had an injury. They replied confirming that he was excuse by their technical director, so we don’t have any problem with the NFF. “I think he is adapting very well to English football. Every time when he has come, including Burnley where the whole team played very badly, he has been one of the best.

Of course since he hasn’t trained a lot lately because of his injuries we need to understand if he has the 90 minutes in his legs.

“I am reflecting on it [whether he starts], evaluating all the different options and it is something I will decide at the last minute.”

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SPORT NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NFF upbeat on Chelsea’s Abraham

6th Lead City Hockey flicks off Oct 27 Dapo Sotiminu

Says kid star will play for Nigeria

Emmanuel Tobi

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he leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation are keeping tabs on Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham after the scintillating performance of Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi for the Super Eagles following his switch of allegiance from England to Nigeria.

Abraham who is on loan at Bristol City has been incredible with 11 goals in 14 games, made his England U-21 international debut against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Mon-

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day but NFF President Amaju Pinnick expressed confidence that Abraham will play for Nigeria at the senior level.

Pinnick said: “Tammy is like a son to me. His dad my is childhood friend, we grew up in Warri. We speak quite often.

“When we are ready, I am sure the federation will not have any problem in securing his release.”

Abraham, who scored twice in Monday’s 5-0 victory over Bosnia, made two first team appearances for Chelsea at the end of last season.

Ibraham (right)

Ezenwa joins Atletico Madrid in January S

Ezenwa

panish La Liga powerhouse Atletico Madrid have beaten Cadiz to the signature of Nigeria goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

The FC Ifeanyi Ubah star has already signed a preliminary contract with the capital outfit which will be activated when the transfer window reopens Allnigeriasoccer.com understands.

Segunda División strugglers

Cadiz had been in the running for the services of the 27-yearold but FC Ifeanyi Ubah chiefs pulled the plug on the deal after they failed to meet his asking price and personal terms.

Cadiz had offered to pay Ezenwa 1,300 euros monthly wages before tax (equivalent of N650,000), less than the 1,600 euros (N800,000) he earns every month at FC Ifeanyi Ubah.

Representatives of Atletico

Madrid did their homework well before they reached an agreement with FC Ifeanyi Ubah, having scouted him during the Trofeo Carranza Tournament and during the Super Eagles’ get-together in Abuja before the trip to Zambia for the World Cup qualifier.

Ezenwa’s deal with Atletico Madrid is subject to clearance from the Nigerian Federation and FIFA.

Gov’s Cup Tennis: Enosoregbe, Emmanuel bow out

Ajibade Olusesan

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igeria’s Clifford Enosoregbe failed in his bid to make it to the semifinal of the Men’s Singles of the first leg (Futures 5) of 16th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship as he lost to Indian Sasi Kumar Mukund in the quarter final match decided on Thursday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Enosoregbe lost the first set 1-6, before he forced himself back to the game to win the second 6-3, but due to tiredness and loss of concentration, he could not make it in the third set as he was defeated 2-6.

Though he could not make

it to the semifinal, the Edo born player received loud ovation from fans at the tennis club as they believed that he fought hard before bowing out.

“I feel great playing to the quarter-finals of the first leg of the Governor’s Cup this year. This is an achievement I will carry on to the second leg coming up next week,”said Enosoregbe who entered the Governor’s Cup as a wildcard player.

The other Nigerian who played in the quarter final, Sylvester Emmanuel, also fought hard before he was beaten by Egyptian Karim-Mohamed Maamoun in 2-6,7-5,1-6 match.

Remo Stars to sell league slot to Ikorodu United

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here are very strong indications that promoted Remo Stars may sell their place in the Nigeria Professional Football League to relegated Ikorodu United.

Remo Stars of Ijebu-Ode won promotion to top division after they topped NaL-R: Principal Consultant, Spronks Creations, Aderonke Sobodu; Member, tional Nationwide League Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, Remi Johnson; Vice President, Ladies Golf Division B1.

Association of Nigeria, West, Maureen Reece; and Zonal Segment Head, LaHowever, there are now gos and Southwest, Ecobank, Chinwe Ekejuba, during a press conference on suggestions that club owner Ladies Golf Championship, in Lagos...yesterday…….

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI Kunle Soname is locked in negotiations with Ikorodu United to sell his place in the top league especially as he has huge financial commitsaid. ments that include shares Charles Ogundiya He lauded the visionary in a Portuguese club and a leadership of the Chief of football betting company. he coordinator of water Army staff, Lt. General TuA Remo Stars official insports at the ongoing kur Buratai, especially show- formed: “Even though we biennial Nigerian Army ing so much interest in water have won promotion, we Sports Festival, Tunde Giwa- sports as he expressed opti- might not play in the NPFL Daramola has said a robust mism over the future of the considering the fact that participation is expected on sport in the country. our chairman has so many Friday (today) during the waSpeaking ahead of the ex- financial commitments. ter sports exhibition. hibition games taking place “And to play in the preAccording to him, all at Jabi lake in Abuja, the mier league requires a lot logistics have been put immediate past Commodore of cash. in place to accommodate of the Navy Sailing Club, La“That could be one of the over 30 athletes expected gos said: “We are expecting reasons negotiations with from the Nigerian Army, the new entrants into water Ikorodu United are now gothe Navy sailing club and sports as soldiers we are ing on.” states. training now to make much Ikorodu United finished at “We are expecting all the impact in water sports in the the bottom of the table only divisions in the Army,” he future.” above expelled Giwa FC.

Nigerian Army set for water sports

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L-R: Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Deji Tinubu; PR & Communications Lead, OLX, Uche Nwagboso; winner and student of Topfield College, Apapa, Elizabeth Braimoh and Founder/CEO, Bestman Game Ltd., Nimi Akinkugbe, during the presentation of prizes to the winners of Lagos Monopoly Under 17 Championship at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, in Lagos.

he sixth edition of the Lead City University Five-A-Side Hockey Championship, will take place from October 27 to 29th at the Indoor Sports Hall of the institution in Ibadan, Oyo state.

The coordinator of the event, who is also the Director of Sports, Lead City University, Mrs. Lade Aloba, disclosed that 24 clubs had confirmed participation in the annual event aimed at preparing hockey players for the season.

The teams include Union Bank Hockey Club which would present two teams, Lead City hockey team, Federal University of Technology, Minna, the Yobe Desert Rollers, Oyo state, Kazy hockey team and the University of Ibadan.

Others are White Horse Hockey Club, Police Machine of Abuja, The Inspector General of Police Babes, Tenmark Girls, Ogun state team and Akoka Boys.

Aloba, a former Nigerian women’s hockey international star, noted that, all the male teams would be coming with their female teams raising the number of entrants to 24 in the male and female categories.

2018 World Cup

Rohr rekindles hope in Nigerians

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WORLD \ NEWS 47 News 47

SPORT

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Around the Stadia

Trump denounces allegations ...multiple women claim candidate groped them

T joebooster391@yahoo.com

ournalism is not only about celebrating bad news and oddities.

When good things happen, especially out of hopelessness, the men of the pen should also rejoice with those that rejoice.

The tale of woes that have attended our football and its administration in the last two years has of late become a study in mediocrity. This is due to the insensitivity and poor knowledge of those saddled with the responsibility of running the game.

To say that the administrators have failed the nation since assumption of office and more so with the attendant deterioration of standards of the game is an understatement. But the performance of the Super Eagles under the tutelage of a German Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr in faraway Ndola, Zambia rekindled hope that all may not have been lost.

The spanking of Zambia 2 – 1 in the World Cup qualifier reminded us of what the Super Eagles used to be and used to do in the days of yore. The days our towering heroes brought us great joy and united the nation the more through scintillating performances that made the nation the cynosure of global eyes.

Nigerians everywhere felt fulfilled last Sunday, even though the performance was not without some hiccups.

For a long while, the national team had never won any match outside our shores. The highest we got was a heart-rending draw, that left most citizens wet in their underpants.

The beauty of this victory is the recomposition of the team with new breed of players that possess high potential and ply their trade in high grade-A leagues in the world. Some of us thought that our football died and was buried with Keshi, who was sabotaged to extinction.

The arrow heads in the exhilarating exploits are Kelechi Iheanacho, who ply his trade with Manchester City, and Alex Iwobi of Arsenal Football Club. Their commanding performances further confirmed the fact that the future of Nigerian football is bright - all things being equal.

That is, in spite of the shenanigans displayed by the fat cats that manage the game. The boys hold our collective aspirations and dreams to remain the giant of African football.

For once, it shows that the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, could really think and work when they really want to. Even though they have no hand in the victory due to their financial incapacitation, it was obvious that their decision to stick to the choice of Gernot Rohr, was not misplaced. His management style and technical know-how project him as someone who really knows his onions. The confidence he exudes during matches shows clearly that even though it may be too early to judge, he certainly appears to know the direction he is going.

The beauty of this victory is the synergy and understanding exhibited by the Honourable Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung on one hand and the federation executive. There was no exchange of invectives as was usually the case, all to ensure that the team’s concentration

07039241156 (sms only)

JOE BOOSTER

was not distracted in any way. For the first time, there was neither controversy nor bombastic barbs from the mouth of our loquacious minister.

In fact, the leadership style adopted by the minister, after the Rio Olympic debacle, where he gave Nigerians a wrong impression of his identity is worthy of commendation. We urge him to continue with the new trend.

He should instead review his usual gambit of trying to outwit members of the sporting press rather than court them. The danger is that no one fights the press and wins, because he alone would end up the loser.

I must hasten to warn now that the best approach that would benefit the nation is for the coterie of sycophants who are known to meddle with the affairs of the team in order to claim unmerited credits to steer clear of the technical crew. The truth is that the national team does not need any form of distraction right now. The federation’s board members must take their internal squabbles elsewhere for now.

Whether they like it or not, the smallest child in the country knows that the board members’ preoccupation is fighting to accompany teams on foreign trips all for dollars. They have therefore lost all iota of respect and integrity before Nigerians. The time to turn a new leaf in now. The reason is that nothing will torpedo the aspiration of Nigerians to be in Russia come 2018.

The shame of not qualifying for basic competitions in quick successions should ordinarily be a wake-up call for these shameless soccer minders currently in charge. Needless recalling the litany of competitions where our national teams have been disgraced out by countries considered to be once minnows in the game. Now that Gernot Rohr has given them another opportunity to rewrite history, I hasten to advise that the best option opened to this board would be for all to cooperate fully with the new technical crew to deliver.

I only hope and pray that this smile etched on our face by this victory would last longer. This is because moments of victory in Nigeria forces people to work at cross-purposes.

Well done the new Super Eagles!

wo women accused Donald Trump of inappropriate touching in interviews with the New York Times, claims his spokesman called fiction but which may further damage the Republican presidential candidate's chances of winning the November 8 election.

The report two days ago was followed by a stream of similar allegations from several other women, putting more pressure on Trump as he lags Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in national opinion polls.

The campaign was already struggling to

contain a crisis after a video surfaced last week showing the candidate bragging in 2005 about groping women and making unwanted sexual advances.

One of the women, Jessica Leeds, appeared on camera on the New York Times' website to recount how Trump grabbed her breasts and tried to put his hand up her skirt on a flight to New York in or around 1980.

The second woman, Rachel Crooks, described how Trump "kissed me directly on the mouth" in 2005 outside the elevator in Trump Tower in Man-

hattan, where she was a receptionist at a real estate firm.

Trump denied there was any truth to the accounts and the candidate took to Twitter yesterday morning: "The phoney story in the failing @nytimes is a TOTAL FABRICATION. Written by same people as last discredited story on woman. WATCH!" Two days ago, Trump's campaign made public a letter to the newspaper from Marc Kasowitz, a lawyer representing Trump, demanding it retract the story, calling it libelous, and threatening legal action if it did not comply.

United Nations appoints Portugal's Guterres as next UN chief

General Assembly appoints Guterres as next UN chief

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he UN General Assembly yesterday formally appointed Antonio Guterres as the new secretary general of the United Nations, replacing Ban Ki-moon.

The 193 member states adopted by acclamation a resolution appointing the former prime minister of Portugal for a five year term beginning January 1, 2017.

The socialist politician, who also served as UN refugee chief for a decade, is expected to

play a more prominent role as the world's diplomat in chief than Ban, the South Korean former foreign minister who will step down after two five year terms.

In his opening speech at the UN headquarters yesterday, he vowed to fight terrorism and populism and to help overcome divisions over ending the war in Syria. "We must make sure that we are able to break these alliance between all those terrorist groups or vio-

lence extremists on one side and the expression of populism and xenophobia on the other side. We must be able to fight both of them with determination," Guterres said.

He also highlighted the importance of gender equality in his speech calling it a priority commitment of the UN to protect and empower women. "I have long been aware of the hurdles women face in society, in the family and in the work place, just because of their gender.

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

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Rohr

hailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, has died after 70 years as head of state.

The 88-year-old king was widely revered but had been in poor health in recent years, making few public appearances.

He was seen as a stabilising figure in a country hit by cycles of political turmoil and multiple coups.

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will be the new monarch, the prime

minister has said. After two days of speculation and rumours surrounding the king's deteriorating health, the palace announcement confirming his death finally came early yesterday evening. "His majesty has passed away at Siriraj Hospital peacefully," a statement said, adding he had died at 15:52 (08:52 GMT).

In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said Thailand would hold a one-year mourning period, that flags would fly halfmast and all entertainment

functions must be "toned down" for a month. In a later statement he urged vigilance, saying national security was a top priority.

"Everyone will need to be alert in every region and throughout the country to ensure safety", he said.

The king's death comes as Thailand remains under military rule following a coup in 2014.

A palace official, speaking to crowds outside the hospital, said the body of the king would be moved to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok today.

Sanctity of Truth

On Marble Where love rules, there is no

will to power; and where power predominates, there love is lacking.

The one is the shadow of the other.

Emeka Obasi Costing corruption to curb corruption

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

—Carl Jung

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

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N150

}14

She can fool around…

anre and Vanessa had been married for two years when he started drinking and coming home late.

The marriage hadn’t produced any child and that left Vanessa alone with her many worries. She worried about why her period arrived promptly every month.

She worried about her husband’s new lifestyle. She worried every night he stayed out late if he had driven his car into an electric pole or under a stationary vehicle.

She worried if he’d found solace in the bosom of another woman.

Every night, Lanre staggered home in one piece even if incoherent and reeking of alcohol. Vanessa, like any wife, would chide him, try to talk him out of his bad ways. She tried everything, from blackmail to cajoling. Then Lanre added wife-battering to his resume. He started training for boxing in his bedroom. He beat Venessa up in the presence of the maid and relatives.

Puffy-faced, Venassa was still wondering if her husband was under the influence of ‘jazz’ when Lanre moved to the grand finale he threw her out of their house one night. Right into the cold.

Friends intervened, Venessa regained her territory. But the ‘pack your things and get out of my home,’ refrain became a regular line. Each time he beat her up, she got thrown out for added measure.

The nearest person Venassa ran to was Lekan, Lanre’s friend. He begged on her behalf regularly until the day ‘monkey go market, he no come return.

According to Vanessa, ‘because Lekan was always there, we began to get close. He became a friend who offered me advice on how to avoid crossing my husband’s path and how to keep tight rein on my emotions each time Lanre was angry or drunk. I talked more to him than to my husband.

Then one night Lanre and I had this huge fight and for a whole week I couldn’t show my face in public. Lanre beat me up so badly and threw me out around 10pm. It was raining too. As usual, I went to Lekan’s place. One thing led to another and an affair started. I found love, fulfillment in Lekan’s arms. He treated me like a woman. He was thoughtful and caring. Everything I wanted in a husband, I found in Lekan. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t help myself. The affair went on for so long.

And you know what, it gave me strength to call Lanre’s bluff. I moved in with a sister after a while, but I kept seeing Lekan. I got a job and tried to get a life. Then Lanre came back, begging. Everybody persuaded me to forgive him. Two weeks after I moved back into my matrimonial home, I discovered I was pregnant. I didn’t need a seer to tell me Lekan had finally made me a woman. But the shame? I did what was sensible and ‘made’ Lanre the father. Till today, I feel guilty and live in fear that he’d one day find out. How I wish he hadn’t pushed me out, into the arms of another man, we would have avoided all this…”

Does Vanessa sound like a loose, wayward, unfaithful wife? How could she even do such an abominable thing, with her husband’s friend too? Imagine even fostering a bastard on her husband, for Christ sake?

I can imagine the men’s fury. I can even understand it. The patriarchal society. The upbringing that says infidelity is all right for a man, but sin for a woman. I

Adam’s Apple

FUNKE EGBEMODE egbemode3@gmail.com 0805-506-9066 (sms only)

Who's fooling who? Do me, I do you God no go vex PHOTO: WWW.bp.blogspot.com

know all about the double speak and hypocrisy. But I want us to consider what is reality, for a change.

Too often and to their tragedy, men figure that what flows in the vein of women is not blood. They've convinced themselves that only men face temptation. Men think that because the society looked the other way when they put infidelity on the stock exchange, they can keep selling their shares.

Did they ever hear these lyrics?

A woman needs love Just like you do Don’t kid yourself Into thinking that she don’t She can fool around…

Too often, men don’t even know when they are pushing their wives out. They think it’s only women who push their husbands out. Only men have feelings.

Women don’t have any right to be hurt

and must swallow whatever bitter pill thrown at them.

Infidelity is a sin, but are wife-beaters saints? For the sake of good marriages, peaceful homes, shouldn’t we take second and third looks at this permissive ‘tradition’ that says only men have feelings?

Imagine what will happen if or when Lanre finds out that the first fruit of his marriage is actually his friend’s. Maybe he’d find out on the child’s wedding day.

Maybe Lekan will decide to make trouble.

Maybe he’ll keep quiet forever. Whatever happens, what all parties involved now are enjoying is peace of the graveyard.

Avoidable pain, that’s what all this is about. I watched a movie where the man found out when the ‘bastard’ son was knocked down by a vehicle and needed transfusion. The doctor told ‘daddy’ he couldn’t donate blood for his ‘son’. That the boy could not possibly be his. By the time he beat the truth out of his wife, it was too late. The boy died.

I’m not advocating infidelity, but I’m all for fair play. If a woman decides to live the rest of her life with you, she deserves some care, tender-loving care. You don’t beat her, treat her like trash and expect her to live the rest of her life liking it. In the olden days, yes. Not now. Never again.

Today’s men can’t treat their wives anyhow. There are new rules and, breaking those rules will break too many things, hearts, homes and, on the long run, we’d have a broken society.

I bet men are fuming and compiling a long list of names to call me, This is rebellious ehn? You guys just hate the truth. You’ll prefer me to tell you that no matter what evil you do to your wife, she’d never fool around. But I’m not a fool, so I can see what you can’t see. Besides, I’m a woman, not a man.

It’s better to make your wife happy.

It’s better to treat her like a wife, not a commodity. It’s best not to beat her or throw her out. It’s best not to find out that ‘Junior’ is, after all, not your son.

Don’t get angry with this piece or me.

Chew it. Sleep on it and see if you've done anything to push your wife into the arms of another man. Try, I know it’s hard to even think your kids aren’t yours, but you could have found a father for them yourself.

I know this is not the end of this matter.

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