New telegraph tuesday, march 22, 2016 binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

Buhari: We're in dilemma over power privatisation

...says FG targets 10,000 megawatts in three years Directs states to build 250,000 houses annually Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed

that the Federal Government is currently in a ‘classic’ dilemma over privatisation of power assets which has not improved

electricity supply in the country. The president stated this yesterday at the opening of a two-day retreat for

governors of the 36 states of the federation and members of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the presidential villa,

Abuja. Buhari explained that the situation of the sale of power assets was difficult to determine whether it

was done in public interest or with profit motives. "We are facing the classic dilemma of priCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Fresh crisis brews in PDP over Sheriff x

Amodu

Kachikwu

lNWC lobbies for extension of tenure }2

Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) sleeping on floor, chairs and benches at a secured location after the re-run elections in Rivers State

APC to INEC: Cancel Rivers rerun polls NYSC confirms death of corps member PDP kicks }5 Sound waves may treat prostate cancer –Study

NEWS

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Fresh crisis brews in PDP over Sheriff

Geoffrey Ekenna and Onyekachi Eze

fresh crisis is brewing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The crisis is about the plot by some elements within the main opposition party to extend the tenure of the National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, beyond May. PDP had fixed May 21 for its National Convention, where new members of the National Working Committee (NWC) would emerge.

A very high ranking member of the party told New Telegraph at the weekend that founding fathers of the party, such as Alhaji Adamu Ciroma and Prof. Jerry Gana, among others, are worried about the impending crisis over moves by some influential people within the party to alter the arrangement in subtle ways. The source, a member

of the national caucus of the party, said they had extracted Sheriff’s words before he was accepted as the chairman that he would not stay on the seat for long. “I don’t want to believe he will go back against his words. He told us that all the members of the NWC were willing to leave in the interest of the party. He said it in the presence

£15.1m

The net amount of money spent/received by Everton in the summer 2015 transfer window. Source: 101greatgoals.com

of everybody. Thus, we worked for his acceptance. So, I do not believe he has any hand in the plot by political upstarts to elongate his tenure. He has his name and integrity to protect. I believe it is people who do not know the history of PDP that are agitating for that,” the source said. The new crisis reared its head last week when

44%

The percentage of the population of Mozambique under 15 years in 2012. Source: Un.org

foreign exchange had hampered import of industrial raw materials and spare parts, but gave assurance that the situation is temporary. "It grieves me that so many manufacturing industries in the country today are groaning and frustrated because of lack of foreign exchange to import raw materials and spare parts. "Painful though this is, I believe it is a temporary phase which we shall try to overcome, but there are deeper, more structural problems bedeviling local industries which this retreat should identify short and long-term answers to,” he said. On labour, he said: "We need to protect our workers from exploitation, but unions must cooperate with entrepreneurs to substantially improve productivity and quality of products if we are to move forward." The two-day retreat is being organised to generate immediate, medium and long-term viable policy solutions to the economic challenges facing the country at the federal and state levels. Those who attended the retreat include Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo

whole North having only two governors – Darius Ishiaku and Ibrahim Dankwabo of Taraba and Gombe states respectively, there was the need to retain the chairmanship in the North, to strengthen the party. The group also stated that the South had majority of the PDP governors and, therefore, there was the need to make the party stronger in the North. Senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu, has been nominated as the leader of the party in the zone. As if to add a fillip to the bizarre position of the group, Kashamu, the following day, issued a statement in which he endorsed the group’s action. He had stated also that he has accepted the post of the leader of the party in the zone if it was the position of the group. “On our proposal that the national chairmanship of the party should remain in the North, I wish to state that it was the opinion of the delegation. We were and are still of the view that given the strong presence of PDP in the South, with 10 governors out of 17 governors in the South and just two governors in the 19 states in the North, it would make more sense to leave the national chairmanship of the party in the North, so as not to be branded a regional party,” Kashamu said. That position is now a subject of suspicion within the party. Some leaders of the party see such a proposition as a subtle move to railroad Sheriff into tenure extension. The party boss had, since his election, been touring some states. He was recently in Ondo and Ekiti states where he consulted with Governors Olusegun Mimiko and Ayo Fayose, who were instrumental to his emergence and calmed frayed nerves when opposition mounted against his emergence. But in the South-West, some leaders of the party are embarrassed by the move. A leader of the party in the zone, who did not want to be mentioned, told New Telegraph, that nothing could be more irritating than some “self-serving jobbers presenting themselves as leaders of the zone.” He insisted that the South-West of the party has not endorsed such a move. “Do you mean that the chairmanship of the party would remain in the North-East, when PDP is calculating that its presidential candidate in 2019

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some leaders of PDP from the South-West paid a courtesy call on Sheriff in Abuja. The group presented a position paper to the national chairman, in which they stated that the zone was not interested in the chairmanship position of the party, which the party has tactically zoned to the South, with the SouthWest and South-South as the most likely destinations. But the group, whose spokesperson was Senator Ayo Adeseun, from Oyo State, in their position paper, stated that with the

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Governors' Forum, Abdulaziz Yari; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari, at the National Economic Council retreat in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

Buhari: FG targets 10,000 megawatts in three years CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

vatisation: Public Interest vs Profit Motive. Having started, we must complete the process," the president stressed. He lamented that it was worrisome that despite full privatisation, the sector has yet to show any improvement in the quality of service and with constant power cuts destroying economic activities and affecting quality of life. The president said that he was particularly worried with Nigerians complaining about high electricity bills despite power cuts, low supply of gas to power plants due to vandalism by terrorists and obsolete power distribution equipment such as transmission. Other problems that also worry him about the sector are “power fluctuations, which damage manufacturing equipment and household appliances and low voltage which cannot run industrial machinery. "These are some of the problems, which defied successive governments. In our determination to change, we must and will, insha Allah, put a stop to power shortages,” he added. According to him, "Nigerians’ favourite talking point and butt of jokes is

the power situation in our country. But, ladies and gentlemen, it is no longer a laughing matter. "We must and by the grace of God, we will put things right. In the three years left for this administration, we have given ourselves the target of 10,000 megawatts distributable power. In 2016 alone, we intend to add 2,000 megawatts to the national grid." The president stressed that going forward, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the regulatory authority, has a vital job to ensure consumers get value for money and overall public interest is safeguarded. Buhari, who challenged the NEC retreat to consider the privatisation exercise, said government will have to also fast-track completion of pipelines from gas points to power stations and provide more security to protect gas and oil pipelines. "Power companies should be encouraged to replace obsolete equipment and improve the quality of service and technicians," he said. Buhari told 22 state governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to build at least 250,000 housing units per annum to enable the party meet up

with its election promise of providing one million houses per year for Nigerians. He invited foreign investors and local construction companies to join in the new vision if the country is to adequately address its housing deficit. "Some estimates put Nigeria’s housing deficit at about 16 million units. In our successful campaign to win the general elections last year, our party, the APC, promised to build a million housing units a year. “This will turn out to be a very tall order unless the Federal Government builds 250,000 units. The 22 APC states together manage another 250,000 units. "We invite foreign investors together with local domiciled big construction companies to enter into commercial housing building to pick up the rest," the president said. Buhari identified the concerns of Nigerians regarding housing sector to include severe shortage of housing, high rents, unaffordable prices for prospective buyers, especially middle and low-income earners. He noted that: "In addition, red tape, corruption and plain public service inefficiency lead to long delays in obtaining own-

ership of title documents. "Again, there is no long term funding sources for mortgage purposes. These hurdles are, by no means, easy to scale, but we must find solutions to the housing deficit. This retreat might start by looking at the laws." The president also spoke on the situations in agriculture, manufacturing and health sectors, noting that, today, both the peasant and the mechanised farmers agree with the general public that food production and selfsufficiency require urgent government action. “For too long, government policies on agriculture have been halfhearted, suffering from inconsistencies and discontinuities," he added. He explained that the issues that worry the public include rising food prices, such as maize, corn, rice and garri; lack of visible impact of government presence on agriculture, lack of agricultural inputs at affordable prices. The president said the cost of fertilizers; pesticide and labour compound the problems of farming while extension services are virtually absent in several states, among others. Commenting on the manufacturing sector, Buhari regretted that lack of

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEWS

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

N’Assembly will soon pass new PIB –Saraki Chukwu David Abuja

resident of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, yesterday said that the National Assembly had begun a process of passing a new version of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which failed in the last Assembly. Saraki, who stated this at a one-day National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable, said that a harmonised version of the bill would be laid before the two chambers of the National Assembly next week. According to him, the Senate and the House of Representatives had resolved to do a joint work on the bill in order to see to its successful passage in this dispensation. He said: "The Senate and the House of Representatives are working very closely together. As part of this commitment, we would all see next week when we lay down the Petroleum Industry Bill; you will see that the bill we are going to lay in each House is the same. "We are going to lay the same version in the Senate and the House of Representatives because that is going to be the first time we are open to our words." New Telegraph, however, learnt that the new version of the PIB is being sponsored by the leadership of both chambers, as the executive arm under President Muhammadu Buhari has not indicated interest to represent the bill, which has been controversial since it was introduced to the parliament some years ago. Saraki lamented that

most of the laws regulating the business environment in the country had become obsolete, saying that the situation was responsible for the harsh economic environment in Nigeria. The head of Economic Growth, Department for International Development (DFID), Nigeria, Simon Kenny, in his contribution at the event, observed that a major economic challenge confronting Nigeria was her over-reliance on the dwindling oil revenue. He, however, argued that the fall in oil price was a good opportunity for the country to make a departure from the status quo and diversify her sources of revenue. He said: "If you look at the demands of oil produced in Nigeria and the low price of oil, and if you divide that by the vast numbers of people and population of Nigeria, that is only around $200 of oil per capital per year in the country. "There is no way even the rising price of oil can raise Nigeria to anything above a middle income country. And I know that the aspirations of Nigeria have gone beyond that to become a high-level income country. "So, oil revenue has

The number of fatalities in terrorists’ violence involving security force personnel in 1989. Source: Satp.org

$64.5bn The net worth of Amancio Ortega in 2014. Source: Forbes.com

Troops kill Boko Haram leader, 18 others Emmanuel Onani

he Nigerian Army has said that troops of 22 Brigade Garrison, on Sunday, killed 19 Boko Haram suspects, including the Ameer (leader) of Dalore, during a clearance operation on Dalore camp. In a statement by its spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, yesterday, the Army said the troops also rescued 67 hostages, who it said were now being screened at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Dikwa, Borno State. The Army had, on Sunday, announced the ambush and killing of seven fighters by soldiers in Dawashi village, Borno State.

The statement reads: "Elements of 22 Brigade Garrison carried out clearing operation at Dalore camp on Sunday in which they killed 19 Boko Haram terrorists, among whom was Ameer of Dalore. "The troops also captured two AK-47 rifles, one Small Machine Gun and one hand grenade and recovered four pickup vehicles. "The troops also rescued 67 hostages from the terrorists. The freed hostages are undergoing screening at the IDP camp in Dikwa.” It, however, noted that "during the operation, the troops’ Mine Resistant Anti-Personnel (MRAP) vehicle ran into an Improvised Explosive Device and had a damaged tyre."

dropped and this is the reality you are facing at the moment. But the low prices of oil has offered a perfect opportunity for Nigeria to diversify the economy; to increase investment and to make industries from agriculture to manufacturing and the

services sector." He also urged the Federal government to encourage import competitiveness as opposed to import substitution, adding that the private sector should also be encouraged to boost the competition. His words: "I often hear

the term import substitution as a policy for Nigerian government to help drive local industries. You need to replace the word ‘import substitution’ with import competitiveness. And the role of the private sector to help increase that competitiveness.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to bring the private sector together with the government. The executive is there to implement policies, but the legislature has a key role in ensuring that the right legal framework is in place."

L-R: Publicity Secretary, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Damian Udeh; chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo; Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta; Chief of Staff to the EVC, Mr. Usman Malah and Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, during the association's visit to the Commission in Abuja… recently.

Audit report: NNPC failed to remit N4.9trn, says RMAFC

he Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) yesterday stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was yet to remit N4.9 trillion into the Federation Account. A statement from the commission’s Head of Public Communications, Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed, said that its records showed that the NNPC owed more than what the Office of the AuditorGeneral of the Federation stated in its audit report. "RMAFC observed that the figure of N3.2 trillion from the 2014 Annual Audit Report was obtained from the records of the FAAC Technical SubCommittee on Domestic Crude Oil Sales,” it said. It said the report was also from the reconciliation statement as con-

tained in the NNPC's mandate to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). "However, available records at the commission’s disposal indicate that between January 2011 and December 2015, the total indebtedness of the NNPC to the Federation Account is N4.9 trillion. "This includes NNPC’s claims for subsidy on petroleum products, crude and product losses, strategic reserves and the pipeline maintenance cost. "The commission’s records reveal that the corporation owed the Federation Account the sum of N1.99 trillion only in 2014 from domestic crude sales. "Therefore, the figure quoted by the auditorgeneral of the federation must have included revenues from other sources," it said. On the alleged payment

of $235 million realised from the sale of natural gas into an undisclosed Escrow Account by the NNPC, the commission said it was proceeds from funding various gas projects. It said that the proceeds were from a tripartite agreement on gas projects under Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) with Nigeria Agip Oil Coy, Shell Petroleum Development Coy of Nigeria and Total E&P Nig. Ltd. "The total amount transferred to the various accounts from 2012 to November 2015 was $1.62 billion. "The commission, through the FAAC Post Mortem, has consistently requested the NNPC to provide it with updated financial statements on the projects, but the NNPC was yet to respond," it

said. It also said that RMAFC, NNPC and the Ministry of Finance in December 2015 agreed to carry out a forensic audit of the state-owned oil firm to ascertain the actual indebtedness of the corporation to the federation. It said that the audit was expected to be concluded by the end of March 2016. The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, in its report for 2014, said the NNPC did not remit N3.2 trillion in 2014. Afterwards, the NNPC rejected the findings of the audit report submitted last week to the National Assembly by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. According to the NNPC, its balance to the Federation Account for 2014 was N326 billion only.

Buhari directs states to build 250,000 houses annually CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Udoma, other members of NEC led by its chairman, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. In his opening remarks, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who is the Chairman of the NEC, said the retreat was extremely necessary in order to find practical solutions to the great challenges thrown up by the Nigerian economy. He said the problems were worsened by the country's dependence on oil income and its failure to diversify. Osinbajo noted that

there was no doubt that both the federal and state governments “realised that our economic situation is worsened by our over-dependence on oil revenue and the failure to diversify our economies sufficiently.” He said unnecessarily high cost of governance, leakages and inefficiencies had been tolerated for too long. Osinbajo said only diversification of the economy was the answer in view of the dwindling revenue allocations occasioned by low and unstable oil prices.

“The nightmare scenario of extremely low and unstable oil prices, poor infrastructure, and plummeting allocations is already upon us. “So, what exactly will work? What if oil prices fall even lower and we are getting 50 per cent less from FAAC than we collected the last month. “What if your state were a country without oil or other natural resources? How would you cope? Diversification of revenue earning sources is clearly the most obvious solution, especially the promotion

of exports.” Osinbajo said that investing in agriculture to ensure self-sufficiency in rice, oil palm, and wheat would go a long way to improving Nigeria’s situation. He added that investing in solid minerals production, reducing the cost of governance and aggressive tax revenue generation can further increase the country’s economic fortunes. Governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike was conspicuously absent from the meeting and did not send a representative.

Rivers rerun polls

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

APC to INEC: Cancel Rivers rerun polls

Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for the cancellation of the results of last Saturday's state and national assemblies

rerun election in Rivers State, alleging that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) unleashed violence on voters. The party's state chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, who called for the cancellation while briefing reporters at the party

NYSC confirms death of corps member

he National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), yesterday confirmed the killing of a corps member, Mr. Okonta Samuel, during the Rivers State re-run elections held on March 19. This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs. Bose Aderibigbe, NYSC’s Director of Press. The statement said the deceased, who was an orphan, was shot dead by gunmen in Ahoada West Local Government area of the state. It described the act as primitive, barbaric and ungodly, urging all wellmeaning Nigerians to condemn it. The statement said NYSC would work with relevant agencies to en-

Amaechi

sure that the perpetrators of the act were caught and made to face the full wrath of the law. According to the statement, Samuel’s death is a great loss not only to his immediate family, but also the NYSC family and the nation. It prayed that the Almighty God grants him eternal rest and gives the family and the nation the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. The statement said two other corps members who were with the deceased at the time of the incident had escaped through the help of security agents. It said another corps member, Anana Udoetor, who was earlier reported missing had been found and was hale and hearty.

Wike

secretariat along Forces Avenue, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of compromising election results in PDP's favour. INEC is yet to officially declare the results of the election, except the result of Abua/Ahoada East Federal Constituency, which was won by Hon. Betty Apiafi of PDP. INEC, which had cancelled the elections held in eight local government areas over violence, has also suspended further collation of results in councils pending an audit of its staff, some of whom were abducted by unknown gunmen. Ikanya alleged that Governor Nyesom Wike connived with INEC to rig the election for PDP by

using fake result sheets, just as he accused the governor of making use of thugs in army uniforms to terrorise APC supporters. While commending INEC for cancelling elections in eight council areas, he noted that allowing the elections held in other council areas amounts to an injustice against the APC candidates. While the parties are still waiting for INEC to announce the results, those released for the state House of Assembly in 11 council secretariats showed that the PDP won in 10 councils while the APC won in one. Ikanya said: "The election was marred by irregularities, violence and was compromised by Wike. The conduct of the election fell below the ex-

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that the state government has video evidence of the atrocities carried out by the military across the state during the rerun elections. He promised to make public the video where the military carried out violence in order for state of emergency to be declared in the state in line with the expectation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the right time. The governor, who

spoke during an interview yesterday, also said that no official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is empowered by law to cancel or nullify results declared by returning officers. He said: "We have videos of the atrocities committed by the military across Rivers State. We shall release them at the appropriate time. "There is an attempt to cause violence to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State." He noted that the statement by the National Secretariat of PDP that the Federal Government plans a state of emergency in the state should not be

The estimated deployment of electricity (TWh/year) in the small hydro market area of Africa in 2010. Source: Unesco.org

pected standard. "The INEC chairman should cancel the whole election as no result will be credible to allow all the pitfalls to be corrected before the next election." He added: "The result of the elections were declared by untrained INEC officials. Before the election, Wike had declared that fake result sheets

would be used. This caused confusion. "So, fake result sheets were used by INEC staff to declare PDP candidates as winners. Wike connived with INEC to rig the election. "In places where APC candidates were leading, INEC cancelled or suspended the results. Wike and heavily armed soldiers visited council areas and intimidated collation officers. The violence that trailed the election has shown that Wike and his government are the sponsors of kidnapping and militancy." Also commenting on the shooting in front of the office of the Department of State Services (DSS) at UTC Junction, Ikanya said that he was in the same vehicle with Dr. Dakuku Peterside and Hon. Asita O. Asita during the exchange of gunfire.

PDP: INEC’s suspension of results, an invitation to anarchy Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the decision of the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) to suspend further release of last Saturday's Rivers rerun election as an invitation to anarchy. INEC, in a statement by its Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, yesterday, said no fur-

Yakubu, INEC chair

Wike: We’ve evidence of military atrocities during poll Emmanuel Masha and Anule Emmanuel

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

NEWS

disregarded. The state chairman of PDP, Felix Obuah, called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Magnus Abe and Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Jukaye Flag Amachree and other APC chieftains for allegedly masterminding violence. Meanwhile, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has cautioned the Federal Government against contemplating any idea of declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State. There has been insinuation in some quarters that following the crisis

that rocked the re-run elections in the state and the number of deaths recorded, government may have been planning to intervene through an emergency rule. Speaking to State House correspondents at a twoday retreat for governors and members of the National Economic Council (NEC), the governor condemned the election in Rivers and the violence that followed it. Fayose said: "I want to condemn the militarisation. You want to declare state of emergency, declare it and we will tell you that the state of emergency will not work too."

ther result would be announced until the receipt of a comprehensive report from its field officials and election monitors. The commission has, so far, declared results in one federal and nine state constituencies before the suspension order. It, however, said the suspension does not affect the constituencies where the exercise has been completed and the results declared by the Returning Officers. But the PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the suspension was at the behest of the All Progressives Congress (APC). "While we invite all to note the avoidable growing tension occasioned by the desperation of APC to steal the mandate of the people, we caution INEC to extricate itself from the evil web and immediately release all the final results of the ballot as cast by the people and nothing more. "INEC should, therefore, understand that Nigerians are aware that in withholding the final results, they are ostensibly preparing grounds for chaos in the state," PDP said in the statement. The party said the only reason for withholding the results was because PDP candidates were leading and accused INEC of conniving with APC to use the delay to manipulate the results. PDP said: "We want APC and INEC to mark the salient fact that the PDP, the people of Rivers State and indeed all Nigerians are already

aware of the results from respective polling centres, wards and local government areas and will in no way whatsoever accept any final result that does not tally with the actual and already established figures from the polling units." INEC, in a statement which reviewed the conduct of the election, described as unfortunate, the violence that trailed the polls. "Some of these elections witnessed the disruption of the process, including the barricading of some of the INEC Local Government Offices and Registration Area Centres (RACs) used for the distribution of electoral materials, which led to the late commencement of the exercise in some places and consequently, its smooth take off. "Of more serious concern was the level of threats, violence and intimidation of election officials and voters by well-armed thugs and miscreants allegedly acting on behalf of some politicians, which marred the elections in some areas. "There were reports of numerous attacks resulting in fatalities, kidnappings, ballot snatching, diversion of officials and materials, amongst others, which necessitated its suspension in eight local government areas. "Several permanent and ad hoc staff engaged have been attacked, again resulting in fatalities, while some have been forcibly abducted and taken to presently unknown destinations," the statement added.

NEWS | national

tuesday, march 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Obasanjo: Some African leaders responsible for conflicts

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that some Africa’s leaders were responsible for instability on the continent. He said that is because they failed to manage diversity in their societies, adding that outside interference in the affairs of the continent has also been responsible for conflicts. Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, yesterday at a press conference to herald the forthcoming Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, the former president cited the NATO air strikes in Libya in 2011

that led to the removal from power of the late Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, as one of the outside interferences in Africa. “The repercussions are now being felt in Mali, Nigeria and the Sahel,” Obasanjo said. Asked whether African leaders were to blame for the conflicts on the continent, he said: “Yes and no.” Obasanjo said leaders were failing their people because they had not been able to prevent marginalisation in their societies, prevent injustice, reduce unemployment, reduce poverty, and that they had

Inconclusive elections, part of APC’s change agenda –Ojougboh Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

ational Vice Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, has chided the All Progressives Congress (APC) over its failure to successfully conduct an election since it assumed the reins of power. Ojougboh, who spoke at a news conference at the PDP National Secretariat yesterday, noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been unable to declare the result of an election at first ballot. According to him, "inconclusive elections

are part of APC change Agenda." He, however, advised the APC to tread cautiously in Rivers State because there was no alternative to peace, adding there was no way the APC could have won in the state. "It is not possible to rig where you are not popular. If you don't prepare for peace, you prepare for war," noting that what happened in Rivers State happened during governorship election in Bayelsa State. "Why should Rivers election be turned into a theatre of war. As government in power, they must lead by example. Under PDP, no inconclusive elections."

Nigerian universities can’t tackle underdevelopment –Mantu Tony Anichebe Uyo

ormer Senate Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, has said that Nigerian Universities cannot respond to challenges of her national underdevelopment because of poor funding and paucity of research works carried by individual universities in the country. Mantu spoke yesterday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital at the first public lecture organized by Ritman University with the theme ‘’the role of Universities in national development’ held at the University’s auditorium in Ikot-Ekpene Local Government Area. He said: “It is most troubling that Nigerian Universities face a severe crisis of relevance when

measured in terms of contribution to national development efforts. “The problem of paucity of research is quite glaring in the failure of Nigerian Universities to respond to the challenges of underdevelopment. “Unlike the Universities in Europe, North America, and Asia, Nigerian Universities have not played any outstanding role in finding solution to the problem of mass poverty, hunger and disease; energy and portable water crises, industrial paralysis, pervasive corruption and endemic youth unemployment’’ He condemned the appointment of Vice chancellors and other key offices based of state of origin, and accused the Nigerian elites for turning the country’s Ivory Tower into arena of ethnic and religious politics.

not embraced democracy and good governance. On the issue of African peacekeeping operations, he agreed that the lack of funding from African Union member states was a major setback for peace and security on the continent. He said that when he was head of state, he was in charge of a high-level panel to search for alternative sources of funding for the AU, but this came to nothing. He noted that when the AU was looking for funds to counter the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, member states failed to provide the money. “The AU eventually had to turn to the private sector and it was able to raise $40 million,” said Obasanjo, who is chairman of the Tana Forum.

He was critical of AU member states for not contributing to the AU’s general budget, adding, “I think this is down to the lack of political will.” Obasanjo noted that Ebola and migration from Africa had security implications not just for the continent “because we now live in a global community whereby if something happens in Africa, it affects the rest of the world”. This was why Africa had to take a serious look at its security infrastructure, what Africans could do themselves to deal with these issues, and what should be the continent’s role in formulating security policies globally. The Deputy Chairman of the forum, Professor Andreas Eshete of Ethiopia, said Africa had to have a stronger voice in the global security agenda.

PDP, Kogi Speaker, drag five Kogi lawmakers to court Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

he embattled Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Jimoh Lawal, and eight other members of the state House of Assembly and the Peoples Democratic Party, have sued five members of the House over their unlawful bid to alter the leadership structure of the state legislature. Also joined in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, the Director of the State Security Services and the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The plaintiffs are seeking amongst other reliefs, a declaration that the impeachment of the Speaker ( Lawal) and other principal officers of the house was

unconstitutional, null and void. They are also seeking immediate restoration of the said Speaker of the House as well as the other principal officers to their positions. The case comes up on March 24 before Justice N. O. Dimgba of court 11. Federal High Court, Abuja. Counsel for the lawmakers, Emeka Etiaba, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, confirmed the institution of the suit but told New Telegraph that members of the Kogi House were evading service of the originating processes. Lawal was purportedly impeached by five members of the state legislature alongside the Majority Leader, Kolawole Matthew and Deputy Speaker, Alihu Ajuh last month following allegations that Lawal was running the house like a sole proprietor. L-R: First National Vice President, Unilag Alumni Association, Otunba Seni Adetu; President, Dr Sonny Kuku and Second Vice-President, Mrs. Arit Ibanga, during the election of new national leaders in Lagos

Sound waves may treat prostate cancer –Study Appolonia Adeyemi

octors believe a "revolutionary" sound wave technique being used to treat prostate cancer could be as effective as surgery or radiotherapy - and cause fewer side effects. According to a report in ITV News, the procedure, which sees patients leave hospital the same day, allows surgeons to focus high frequency sound waves directly on to tumours in the prostate gland at 80 to 100C without affecting surrounding

24.36m

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Korea Republic in 2008. Source: Itu.int

healthy tissue. Tim Dudderidge, a consultant urological surgeon at Southampton General Hospital, is among a small group of clinicians in the United Kingdom (UK) performing High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) on patients. Prostate cancer, also known as carcinoma of the prostate, is the development of cancer in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing. However, some grow relatively quickly. The cancer cells may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes. Men of African origin are especially at risk of developing prostate cancer which is the most com-

mon cancer among black men. Most men with prostate cancer die of other causes, and many never know that they have the disease. But once prostate cancer begins to grow quickly or spreads outside the prostate, it is dangerous. Although conventional treatments such as surgery to remove the whole prostate - known as radical prostatectomy - or radiotherapy can effectively treat tumours, patients often suffer side effects such as incontinence or impotence. In a study led by University College Hospital (UCH) in London, researchers followed 625 men - which included 50 patients from Southampton - between 2004 and 2015 with tumours in one

part of the prostate which had not spread beyond the gland. The results, presented by UCH consultant urological surgeon, Mr Hashim Ahmed, at a meeting of the European Association of Urology in Munich, found 93 per cent of patients who underwent HIFU alone remained cancer-free without any need for surgery or radiotherapy five years after treatment. In addition, only one to two per cent of men who underwent HIFU experienced long-term urinary incontinence - compared to between 10 and 20 per cent of men who have had surgery or radiotherapy - and just 15 per cent suffered erectile dysfunction, compared with between 30 and 60 per cent of surgical patients.

NEWS

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NAICOM workers picket headquarter's office Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

ngry workers of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), yesterday picketed the headquarters of the Commission situated along Ladoke Akintola Boulevard, Abuja, asking President Muhammadu Buhari, to investigate the activities of management of the commission. Operating under the auspices of Almagamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Service Employees (AUPCTRE) NAICOM Branch , the protesting

workers who arrived the corporate headquarters of NAICOM as early as 8am carried placards with various inscriptions Some of the inscriptions read: "George Onekhena show us your reappointment letter","Pay us our promotion arrears" and Ghost workers in NAICOM, President Buhari must hear . Other read: " King Kari Give us our 2016 Training plan", "NAICOM Executive Management Turned Board Members", "Insurance Sector looses Billions due to NAICOM's bad management "and "President Buhari Save NAICOM from Collapse ". No management staff was available to talk to journalists as at the time

of filing this report even as protesters continued chanting Labour solidarity songs while some stood in groups discussing various issues affecting the Commission. Some of the workers who spoke with our correspondent accused the

61.5%

The percentage of the urban population of New Caledonia in 2012. Source: Un.org

N113bn

The projected expenditure of Sinking fund towards the retirement of maturing loans of Nigeria’s 2016 Budget proposal. Source: Channelstv.com

PDP NWC lobbies for extension of office CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

will come from that zone? You can see how shallow they are in their reasoning. Has it ever happened before that the presidential candidate and the chairman of the party come from the same region? You know it is not possible. What they are doing is self-serving,” the PDP leader said. He, however, said that he would not be surprised if Sheriff was part of the plot. He said that the chairman might just want to stay close to 2019, have a hold on the party and resign to contest for the presidency, knowing well that the party intended its presidential candidate to emerge from the zone. “What they are doing is illegal. They should look at the Ekweremadu report on the 2015 election and see what happened to PDP the last time. It is by the zoning recommended in that report that we will operate going forward. They want to scatter the party again,” he said. Another leader of the party in Lagos State said that for now, many leaders of the party are just observing what is unfolding. He said: “I have told you before that there is a plot to scatter the party both from within and outside. That is why most of us are just sitting back and observing what they are doing. It won’t take time to unravel.” The Ike Ekweremadu’s Committee report had blamed lack of internal democracy, imposition and the actions of the NWC in presenting former President Goodluck Jonathan as the only aspirant of the party at its presidential primaries for the woeful performance of PDP at the 2015 general elections. The committee was set

up to do an inquest into why and how PDP became so unpopular to lose the general elections. There have been insinuations that the South-West PDP was positioning a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George, as its candidate for the post. But contacted Saturday night in London, George was livid. He said that people who did not know the history of the party were bent on rubbishing the dreams of the founding fathers. George said those who made the journey were political upstarts who did not know the history of the party. His words: “PDP is about justice, fairness and equity. Of all the zones in Nigeria, it is only the South-West that has not produced the chairman of the party since 1999. What we have now are overnight leaders. Who did they consult before such a move? When we were running around in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003 and even 2007, when PDP was untouchable in the SouthWest where were they? We built the party such that we swept the South-West in 2003, where were they then? If there was no yesterday, there won’t be today and tomorrow. Have they checked the history of the party and the vision of the founding fathers? “When Sheriff was coming and we had to calm nerves in Borno and North-East, where were these characters? All Sheriff wants is to sustain his name and write it in gold, not to be deceived by upstarts. He is going to set up committees to position the party better. Has he done that? I was shell-shocked when I heard this madness of a proposition. Many of

the leaders in my zone are also shocked. I know the workings of the PDP more than they do and what they are doing has no place in the party.” He said that it was based on the zoning concept of the party that it grew to a large proportion, adding that if zoning was not good, the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not have adopted it. Meanwhile, the party’s NWC has stepped up efforts to lobby party stakeholders and delegates to the May 21 National Convention to adopt the continuity agenda of the present NWC members. This came on the heels of the position paper of PDP leaders from the South-West, who last week, asked that the North should be allowed to retain the national chairmanship. The outgoing NWC members, who see the proposal as opportunity to also extend their tenure, have intensified efforts to lobby other zones to also adopt the proposal. Investigations at the PDP National Secretariat indicate that they are reaching out to other party leaders to support the continuity. "They are hoping that the status quo will remain; that is if the chairmanship remains in the North other zones will retain their positions," a source stated. The source disclosed of a planned massive media campaign in the next few weeks to sell the continuity agenda to National Convention delegates. PDP National Vice chairman (South-South), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, refused to comment on the issue during an interaction with journalists yesterday.

management of the commission of running it like a personal property, alleging that there were a number of ghost workers that President Buhari must investigate. Leading the protest, the Chairman of AUPCTRE NAICOM, Comrade

Ibrahim Abdullate, who spoke with our correspondent also accused the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, of violating due process for confirming an undergraduate a director in the Commission. The AUPCTRE chair-

man said the Director of Inspectorate, Barineka Thomson joined the Commission in 2012 with NCE and ICAN certificates but graduated in 2013, insisting that as at the time he was made a director, he was still an undergraduate.

Centenary Project:‘FCT Minister wrongly briefed’

he recent statements made by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, before the National Assembly concerning the status of on-going Centenary City project, has been adduced to the handiwork of some officials of the ministry. According to a senior staff of the ministry, the minister "means well", but that "he was wrongly briefed and deliberately so, by a clique of the older in the ministry.” The minister had, last week, accused the promoters of the Centenary City Project of seeking to have parallel authority in the FCT, declaring the request for revocation of the development agreement between the Centenary City Plc. and the FCT Administration as untenable

and unrealistic. But the source, who shed more light on the issue, said that there was no such thing as demand for parallel authority, or even the remote possibility of same. He said that the agreement being touted by the FCTA was lawfully overtaken by two developments, namely the declaration of Centenary City as a free zone by the president and the simultaneous acquisition of supervisory authority and rights over it by Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA). Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said the aim of this group is "to completely scuttle the well-conceived project" by confusing the public or leading the FCT minister into making high profile mis-statements and factual

errors that may embarrass his office. “Its regulations were gazetted by NEPZA as the Centenary Economic City Free Zone Guidelines and Regulations, 2015. All staff of the ministry knows about this. “They also know that the Centenary City land was obtained under the FCTA’s Land Swap Scheme and that the president declared it a “Free Zone” “Centenary Economic City Free Zone”, on the recommendation of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. “How can you speak of them signing an agreement with “a third party,” when they are simply drawing our attention to their new status, which puts them under NEPZA and not FCTA?” the source asked.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

13 remanded over N400m bank heist

Camillus Nnaji

n Ebute-Meta Magistrates Court 5 yesterday ordered that 13 members of the notorious armed robbery gang which unleashed terror on FESTAC, Ikorodu, Agbara and Lekki last year be remanded in prison. The Chief Magistrate, O. I. Adelaja, ordered that the accused be remanded in Ikoyi Prison pending directives from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP). Those arraigned and later remanded are Clement Abanara aka Millions, Denis Njoku, Ebi Blessing Olotu, Sunday Owoloko, John Sabajoh and Idowu Sobijoh. Others are Airiyemipate Joseph Wisdom, Opeyemi Balogun, Olamilekan Morounkeji, Ayodeji Fanimeye, Mike Adebayo, Monsuru Adisa and Daniel Ukaeju. Prosecutors, Enoh Etoboh and Godwin Osuji, presented a remand application for the accused, pending DPP’s advice on nine different charges. According to the prosecutors, the accused on October 13, 2015, at Diamond Bank on 4th Avenue, FESTAC, Lagos, armed, with AK47 rifles, dynamites and other offensive weapons, robbed the bank of N27 million. On the same place, date and time, they robbed Access Bank PLC of N29 million. On June 18, 2015, the gang robbed First Bank PLC of N19,

Suspected Festac, Ikorodu and Agbara bank robbers during their appearance at the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Ebute Metta, Lagos… yesterday. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

003,470, $3,470 and 40 Euro. The gang also on March 12, 2015, robbed First City Monument Bank on Admiralty Way, Lekki, N24, 005,664. At Ipakodo Ikorodu, the gang robbed First Bank branch in the area of N19,012,095, $2,759 and 120 pound sterling. On the same date, time and place, armed with AK47 rifles, dynamites and other offensive weapons, robbed Zenith Bank of N80, 524,102. On November 19, 2015, the accused robbed

another Zenith Bank branch in Agbara, Ogun State of N110 million. The money runs into over N400 million. Etoboh and Osuji told the court that the gang had during its operations, murdered Inspector Bethel Agbodi, Sergeant George Odehohwo, Corporal Ikechukwu Imoisiu and 15-year-old Serah Ibikunle at Lekki. The prosecutors said in support of their applications were

affidavit for remand, strength of witnesses; police concluded investigations and confessional statements. Counsel to the defendants, Jasper Omohmele, Emelda Adebanbo, Sqad Attaimu, Abiboye O. T., O. O. Quadiri and Dao Apodu in unison, said they were opposed to the applications because they were ambushed. They argued that the charge sheet was kept away from them by the prosecutors and

not for the Chief Magistrates’ intervention yesterday, they wouldn’t have it. They also stated that the aforementioned affidavit and exhibits were not displayed to them. Adelaja said the court was presented with a remand application and not a trial application. Adelaja said the accused shall be remanded in Ikoyi Prison and brought to court after legal advice from the DPP. She adjourned the case till May 11, 2016.

City Briefs

Abductors free lawmaker’s Two die as fire razes 100 Lagos shanties stepmother Taiwo Jimoh

Muhammad Kabir Kano

bductors of the stepmother of Hon. Salisu Ruriwai, a Kano State House of Assembly member, Hajia Hafsat Abubakar, in Doguwa Local Government Area of the state. In a telephone interview, Ruriwai said his stepmother was released a few minutes pass 7p.m. on Sunday. It was learnt that ransom was paid before the woman was released. A source, however, said the money paid was not up to the N50 million which the

kidnappers earlier demanded. The source explained that as soon as the money was dropped at the place the abductors mentioned, the kidnappers freed the woman. Ruriwai, representing Tudun Wada Local Government, commended his people efforts in ensuring the return of his stepmother. The lawmaker’s stepmother was abducted sometimes last month after some gunmen went to her house. Tudun Aada Local Government Area which houses the famous Falgore forest has become notorious to criminal activities.

woman and man were roasted to death while 100 shanties were destroyed yesterday when fire gutted a shantytown at Kuramo, Lekki area of Lagos State. According to the Lagos State Fire Director, Mr. Rasak Fadipe, the deceased were found in different locations within the scene of the inferno. He said: “We got information that the fire started around 3:15a.m. The fire spread to about four plots of land housing the shanties. The information we got was that a young lady was cooking in one of the shan-

ties and there was a fuel container nearby which ignited the fire. “It took us about four hours to put out the fire. My men did not know there was anybody inside while they were fighting the fire. We found the man and woman in

two different locations after we finally put out the fire.” Fadipe added that the bodies of the victims were later handed over to policemen from Ilason Division. According to him, the police took the bodies to the mortuary.

A scene of razed shanties at Kuramo, Lekki, Lagos… yesterday.

METRO

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Girl with ‘poisonous’ teeth bites man to death Ese: Yunusa gets N3m bail

Juliana Francis

20-year-old girl accused of having ‘poisonous’ teeth, has been arrested for biting a man to death at the Ebute-Metta area of Lagos State. The suspect, Onyinyeche Ogbonna, allegedly bit Mr. Pius Ezema (an engineer) to death. Ogbonna said she was told by policemen attached to Denton Police Station that she has poisonous teeth. She said: “I want police and government to carry out an autopsy on Pius. They should also carry out a medical examination of my teeth.” Trouble started on March 12 after Ogbonna and Ezema had an altercation, leading to the deceased beating the suspect. According to Ogbonna, Ezema picked a knife and tried to slit her throat. Fearful that the deceased would kill her, Ogbonna bit his thumb. He died two days later. She added: “On that fate-

Ogbonna

ful day, I started my morning devotion by praising God. My sister was not around. Last year, Pius warned me not to pray close to his window. I told him I was sorry and since then, I started praying inside our apartment. I sang loudly because I was enjoying the morning devotion. “Suddenly, Pius barged into my room. He held my clothes and started slapping me. He even locked

our door and continued to hit my face. He flogged me all over. I was screaming. I begged him to stop, but he didn’t listen. Our neighbours came to help, but Pius had locked the door. They begged him to open the door, he refused. When he had beaten me to his satisfaction, he unlocked the door and left.” Ogbonna explained to neighbours what trans-

pired between her and Ezema. They called Ezema back into the room. They asked him to state his own side of the story. Ogbonna said: “As I stepped out of the room, he descended on me again. This time, he brought out a knife and held my throat. He wanted to slit my throat. I had to bite him on his thumb so he could release his grip on my neck, it worked. I called my boyfriend to help beg him so he wouldn’t beat me again. My boyfriend came and begged him. He told him to warn me not to disturb his peace again. That was how we settled the matter.” She said that after the beating, she left that day to stay with a friend. She returned on March 14, to hear that Ezema was dead. Ogbonna said: “I was shocked. They told me Pius didn’t come out of his room the previous day and his brother was worried after he couldn’t reach him through his phone. The brother knocked repeatedly, but there was no response.”

Pauline Onyibe Yenagoa

ustice H. A. Nganjiwa of a Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday granted bail to Yunusa Dahiru aka Yellow, the alleged abductor of 14-yearold Ese Oruru, in the sum of N3 million. Part of the bail conditions is that Dahiru must provide two sureties in like sum and must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court. One of them must be a civil servant of not less than level 12 while the second must be a title holder. Nganjiwa ordered that the suspect be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of his bail. The judge said that the sureties must provide tax clearance for the past three years and adjourned the case till April 17. On March 8, the police arraigned Dahiru and slammed him with abduction, kidnapping, unlawful carnal knowledge and sexual exploitation

charges. But Dahiru pleaded not guilty to the charges. His counsel, Mr. Kayode Olaoshebikan, who thanked the court for granting Dahiru bail, pledged to meet the conditions. Nganjiwa is expected to rule on the application of the prosecution to obtain the evidence of Oruru in camera on April 17. Responding to questions from journalists after the court sitting, Olaoshebikan said that there was no way the accused would jump bail. He said that Yunusa would always be available any time he was needed in the court. But reacting to the bail, Ankio Briggs, Niger Delta human rights activist, said she was disappointed in the Bayelsa State government who once promised that it would bring a cream of lawyers to prosecute the case. Briggs said she was surprised that the government had not sent any lawyer since the case started.

Queen’s College: Ministry probes sexual harassment Mojeed Alabi

ederal Ministry of Education has launched a probe into the allegation of child molestation against Mr. Olaseni Osifala, a teacher in Queen’s College, Yaba Lagos. Mr. Tony Akuneme, the media aide to the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwuka, said some directors from the ministry had since Saturday arrived the school for investigation. Akuneme added that the minister was awaiting the report of the directors before taking the next step. Also, the authorities of the college yesterday invited the police to probe allegation. The school, which reported the matter at the Sabo Police Station, Yaba, sought to know the identity of the accuser. Also yesterday, current and former students of the school assembled at the

Yunusa The protesting students

school gate to denounce the allegation as an attempt to bring their school into disrepute. They described Osifala as a friend of the pupils and a model to them. In a telephone interview with our correspondent, Osifala described the development as the antic of his enemies. The teacher said he was billed to visit the police station in company with the school Principal, Dr. Lami Amodu.

Addressing journalists yesterday, the Chairman of the school’s ParentTeacher Association (PTA), Mrs. Beatrice Akhetuamen, said though the association was yet to receive official report in connection to the allegation, it had joined forces with the school management to investigate the matter. She said: “Queen’s College is very particular about the safety of the residents of the college, students and teachers; hence in 2014, the PTA invested in the installation of the CCTV cameras in strategic parts of the college.”

Panic as NNPC pipeline leaks in Lagos Muritala Ayinla

here was confusion yesterday following a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline leakage around Oluwaloseyi Street, car wash bus stop and other communities at Ijegun, Lagos. For several hours, residents fled their homes while shop owners were evacuated their belongings for fear of explosion resulting from the petroleum product which filled drainage channels and major canals in the area. Several people died on May 16, 2008 when NNPC pipeline exploded at Ijegun. However, yesterday, witnesses told our correspondent that fuel also known as Premium Motor

The leakage site

Spirit (PMS) leakage from the NNPC pipeline which runs through Oluwaloseyi Street, car wash bus stop, Ijegun Road was leaking. It was also gathered that leakage was caused by activities of pipeline

vandals, who reportedly connected valves to the pipeline to scoop fuel. Normalcy, however, returned to the area after a combined team of NNPC engineers and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) stormed the communities and carried out repair works on the damaged pipeline. On the ground to manage the situation were the executive secretary of Ikotun-Igando, policemen from Isheri-Oshun led by Acting DPO, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Neighborhood Watch. The General Manager, LASEMA, Mr. Michael Akindele, said the emergency agencies in the state had taken all the necessary steps to prevent explosion.

DPO, 30 others injured in Onitsha fracas Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

ell was let loose in Onitsha, Anambra State yesterday as hoodlums numbering over 1,000 held residents and visitors alike hostage and shut down businesses and other activities for more than eight hours. At the end, over 30 people were injured. The Divisional Police Officer, Central Police Station, Onitsha, CSP Mark Ijarafu, who narrowly escaped being lynched by the hoodlums, relayed his experience to our correspondent. He said: “We received distress call that some hoodlums operating on motorcycles armed with machetes and other dangerous weapons were terrorising people and disturbing business and other activities around Main Market, Onitsha. “I mobilised my officers and on getting there, we got information that they had

moved over to Menax area and on getting there we met over 1,000 of them armed with machetes, stones and other dangerous weapons while majority of them were smoking Indian hemp. “I was able to identify one of their leaders called Jekwu and while I wanted to find out from him what was the matter, the hoodlums hauled stones at us while one of them gave me a bottle cut in the hand and ear and I was bleeding profusely. “On investigation we found out that the hoodlums were allegedly hired by Okechukwu who has his office at Menax area and Achike House on Oguta Road.”

IG, Arase

NEWS | national

tuesday, march 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Elumelu: National Assembly responsible for nation's economic woes Chukwu David Abuja

he Chairman of Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu, has blamed the National Assembly for most of the country's economic woes, especially for failing to review existing obsolete laws in the land. This was as he tasked the lawmakers to show more commitment towards working for the people and make more sacrifice by sitting at weekends to make more laws than they were currently making, noting that when America had serious economic crisis,

the assemblymen sat on Saturdays and Sundays. Elumelu spoke yesterday in a chat with journalists at the venue of the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable in Abuja. He said the review of laws that were fundamental to the survival of Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) would facilitate job creation for the teeming unemployed Nigerians. He said: "Instead of addressing the symptoms, let us address the fundamentals. Let us hold our National Assembly members accountable; let us knock on their doors. They must sit down and pass bills; we need them

to pass one bill per week. "Nigeria as a country has seen difficult situations, so difficult times call for difficult reaction. We cannot afford to meet one hour a day and adjourn; we should sit down and pass bills. During the financial crisis in America, lawmakers sat on Saturday and Sunday, we should do same. "You can imagine what this country will become if we have these proper laws in place; we will not

be thinking of oil again." Elumelu also said the non-access to credit facilities as well as difficulty in acquiring land were some of the major problems faced by MSMEs, calling for the review of the Land Use Act to make it easier for entrepreneurs to acquire land for their businesses. He further called for the review of the Privatisation Act and other relevant laws that would change the economic tra-

jectory of the country. Commenting on the need for diversification, Elumelu, who is the former Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), said the budget had little or nothing to do with effective diversification of the economy. He said: "We should stop talking of budget in the bid to diversify the economy. The way to go is to create the enabling environment that would unleash the entrepreneur-

ship in all of us. "If a man who is interested in fishing for instance, has access to finance, conducive environment to register the business immediately, and tax duplication is avoided, he will be able to employ people." He said if Nigerians were encouraged to establish micro businesses, there would be improvement in national productivity and less dependence on oil. L-R: South Africa Industry experts, Johnny Chaballala; Simphiwe Hamilton and Director General, DICON, Maj.-General Bamidele Ogunkale, during a courtesy visit to the General in Kaduna…recently

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME Onida: This is to confirm that Mrs. Lateefat Ajoke Adebayo Onida and Mrs. Latifat Ajoke Adebayo Onida is the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Latifat Ajoke Adebayo Onida. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Asolo

This is to confirm that Asolo Omolayo Tope and Omolayo Tope is the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Asolo Omolayo Tope. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Adegunna

I, formerly known and addressed as Aladeyelu Ojo Ade Isaac now wish to be known and addressed as Aladeyelu Adegunna Ojo Ade Isaac. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Itanola

Famuyiwa

This is to confirm that Oluwatoyin Ramota Famuyiwa and Toyin Famuyiwa is the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Oluwatoyin Ramota Famuyiwa. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Sunday

I, formerly known and addressed as Adetoro Abinbola Emmanuel now wish to be known and addressed as Adetoro Emmanuel Sunday. All former documents remain valid. ECO BANK PLC and general public take note.

Julius

I, formerly known and addressed as Aminat Abdulyekin now wish to be known and addressed as Itanola Aminat Iyabo. All former documents remain valid. FCMB, ACCESS BANK and general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Ajiboye Lawrence Olusanmi now wish to be known and addressed as Ajiboye Olufunso Julius. All former documents remain valid. SUMAL FOODS, ZENITH BANK PLC and general public take note.

Salam

Ola

I, formerly known and addressed as Adeosun Kazeem Olushola now wish to be known and addressed as Salam Abiodun Olushola All former documents remain valid. SUMAL FOODS, ZENITH BANK PLC and general public take note.

Peters

I, formerly known and addressed as Francis Ogadinma now wish to be known and addressed as Peters Francis .O.C. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

Amazige

I, formerly known and addressed as Olawale Samson now wish to be known and addressed as Ola Ojewumi Olajide All former documents remain valid. SUMAL FOODS, ZENITH BANK PLC and general public take note.

Adebiyi

I, formerly known and addressed as Abel Gabriel now wish to be known and addressed as Adebiyi Abel Gabriel. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

Ebiakpo

I, formerly known and addressed as Elderd Ebinyo now wish to be known and addressed as Elderd Amazige. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Michael Seiba now wish to be known and addressed as Ebiakpo Seiba Richard. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Afoke

Ravenous

I, formerly known and addressed as Sopuruchukwu Victoria Oresike now wish to be known and addressed as Sopuruchukwu Victoria Afoke. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Adarib

I, formerly known and addressed as Christiana A. Nwakaudu now wish to be known and addressed as Nzekwe Christiana Adarib. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Edemba

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Jane Nnam now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jane Edemba. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Daniel Oyeinbonogha Jacob now wish to be known and addressed as Soreh Tonworimi Ravenous. Also, that my correct date of birth is November 11th 1975 and not September 2nd 1975. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Olatunde

I, formerly known and addressed as Rotimi Seye Sunday now wish to be known and addressed as Olatunde Sunday Seye. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Olowofela

This is to confirm that Adeshina Afolabi Adegboyega is the same person bearing Olowofela Samuel O. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

UNICEF: 66m Nigerians without access to potable water Caleb Onwe Abuja

he United Nations report that 66 million Nigerians have no access to potable water and 109 million people lack access to good sanitation habit has again resonated in this year’s commemoration of the International Water Day celebration. Worried by the report, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, who addressed the media as part of the preparation for the celebration, said the Federal Government views the situation as unacceptable and shall tackle it with a mechanism that will turn it into an opportunity for

job creation for the youths. “It is sad to note that the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) recently declared that Nigeria has 66 million people living without potable water and 109 million others without access to improved sanitation,” he said. Adamu said the situation, even though a challenge, presents job opportunities for the waste and sanitation sector, and that the present administration is interested in establishing a seamless mechanism that will ensure mainstreaming in the water and sanitation sector in Nigeria’s economic process, by providing the youths with jobs in the water sector.

Buhari congratulates Benin president-elect Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Presidentelect of Benin Republic, Mr. Patrice Talon, on his victory in the presidential run-off on Sunday. Talon was announced winner of the poll by the country's Autonomous National Electoral Commission. President Buhari also commended the government and people of Benin Republic on the peaceful and orderly conduct of the presidential election. He also saluted the courage and statesmanship of Prime Minister Lionel

Ortom: Herdsmen plan to make Benue ungovernable Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

enue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday alerted the nation on plans by local herdsmen to make the state ungovernable through further gruesome attacks on communities as well as the mobiliation of foreign armed militia elements to occupy the land with rustle cows. Ortom, who was reacting to the sudden appearance of over 3, 000 cows in his village in Guma

Local Government Area of the state last weekend, informed journalists that the cows were rustled from Kaduna State. According to him, the authorities of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, have reported that the university's Research Land and Farms have been occupied by herdsmen and their cows. He expressed worry over the invasion of the state by herdsmen, and hinted further that the militia men killing innocent people of the state have come from Niger, Chad, Ghana and other

African countries. The governor said the state Commissioner of Police has already been told to assess the situation in Guma and the University of Agriculture with a view to recommending appropriate steps to be taken to contain the situation, noting that the university now operates in fear. He appealed to the people of the state not to be apprehensive because the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Tukur Buratai, have visited the state to assess the situation.

Zinsou and presidential candidate of the ruling coalition, in upholding the democratic process by promptly congratulating his main challenger, Talon, on his electoral victory. The President commended President Boni Yayi for his leadership throughout the electoral process and for his invaluable contribution to democratic governance in the sub-region, evidently demonstrated in the successful conduct of the presidential election.

Workers plead with FG to save 2,000 jobs in aviation Wole Shadare

viation workers have called on the Federal Government to prevail on foreign airlines to help avert the emerging threat confronting over two thousand workers in the aviation sector in Nigeria, which they said requires intervention to forestall imminent loss of jobs by the workers. New Telegraph had exclusively reported last week that some foreign airlines are cutting down on their staff strength while others are said to be reducing the number of flights coming into the country.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

UBEC Reps probe unutilised funds

Politics

OPC crisis No peace in sight

12 13

PDP in make-or-break convention The National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), scheduled for May 21, is a make or break for the party, which is rebuilding ahead of the 2019 elections, ONYEKACHI EZE reports

he stage is once again set for members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to elect leaders, at all levels and who will pilot the affairs of the party at all levels for the next four years. The party's congresses, which will begin on April 23, will climax with a national convention on May 21 with the election of new members of the National Working Committee (NWC). The national convention is expected to hold in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the first to hold outside Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital. The congresses and national convention will also be the first since PDP lost the presidency after 16 years in the leadership of the country. Already, pundits are predicting a rancorous exercise going by what was witnessed in the past PDP congresses and conventions. The party, survived what seemed to be a bitter leadership tussle when Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State, who joined PDP recently from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), emerged as National Chairman. Even though Sheriff's tenure will be a very short one (because he was brought in to serve out the North-East tenure, which would have expired this month), his emergence polarised the party. It took the wisdom of PDP Governors' Forum led by Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State to calm frayed nerves and unite the warring factions for the progress of the party. It is against this backdrop that analysts reasoned that the PDP cannot afford another intra-

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

ÂŠ Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Sheriff

party squabble this time around though the forthcoming national convention may likely re-open old wounds. Whereas the PDP has not yet decided where its national officers will come, from the congresses are bound to provoke some interests. What is to expect, happened recently when members gather to elect their leaders took place penultimate Tuesday when party members from the Imo State chapter stormed the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja in contest of who controls the party structure in the state. PDP in Imo State has been factionalised between supporters of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and the the senator representing Imo West, Senator Hope Uzodinma. Unfortunately, two former governors of the state, Chief Achike Udenwa and Ikedi Ohakim, have taken sides. This is probably why Sheriff has not taken a definite stand on the matter. Sometime in January, the PDP NWC inaugurated a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the party in the state until a congress is conducted to elect new leaders. The committee, which has Vitalis Okafor, a PDP member from Anambra State as its chairman, is believed to have the backing of Ihedioha. The former Deputy Speaker was even present at the inauguration ceremony. As expected, the constitution of the committee has generated reactions from party members from the state; and it was the main reason why party leaders gathered in Abuja penultimate Tuesday. Few days before the Abuja pro-

Mimiko

PDP cannot afford another intra-party squabble this time around

test, the two factions clashed at the state secretariat, and it took the intervention of security agencies to prevent a bloodbath. Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie who was the chairman of the state chapter before the inauguration, and Secretary, Sir George Eguh, instituted a case in court challenging the legality of the Okafor-led committee. In the suit brought before Justice C.A. Ononeze-Madu of Owerri High Court, the plaintiffs, in their affidavit and written address submitted that their tenure will only elapse after the state congress, which was originally scheduled for this month but has been shifted to May. PDP had said the tenure of the Imo State executive committee has since elapsed, hence the reason for appointing a caretaker committee. Attempts to resolve the leadership crisis in the state was deadlocked after the factions presented their positions before the national leadership; consultations are however, continuing. That same Tuesday, chieftains of the Adamawa State chapter of the party, who were also at the PDP national secretariat on a courtesy visit to the National Chairman, told him that some party leaders were already dropping his name in a bid to gain some advantage during the forthcoming congresses. These are signs that the forthcoming congresses and national convention will attract many interests. PDP congresses and national conventions in the last 17 years have been crisis ridden. As a matter of fact, the conduct of 2012 national convention that produced the present NWC members gener-

ated a lot of crisis. The matter was taken to court for adjudication. It took a presidential committee, to proffer a political solution before peace could return to the party more than a year after. In the first place, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in its report, said the conduct of the national convention did not follow due process. The report said that the election of eight NWC members were irregular and not in accordance with the PDP guideline. Also, Justice O. E. Abang, in suit Number FHC/L/CS/282/2012, brought before him, declared the national convention a nullity. The presiding judge had declared that "the election of officers at the National Convention of the 1st respondent (PDP) involving only those that emerged as purported elected delegates from South-West zonal congress of the 1st respondent is hereby set aside and accordingly nullified." The judgement was based on the case instituted by some aggrieved members of the party from the South-West against the election of delegates from the zone to the national convention. But the NWC members refused to vacate their positions. Based on the lingering crisis that trailed the convention, the Presidency, which was then under PDP, commissioned the Senator Anyim Pius Anyim-led presidential committee to study the crisis in the party and make recommendations. The committee subsequently came up with what it called a political solution to the crisis, which is the resignation of all national officers elected at the 2012 national convention. Those asked to resign were Deputy National Secretary, Solomon Onwe; National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha; National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh; National Auditor, Adewale Adeyanju; National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon; National Woman Leader, Kema Chikwe; National Financial Secretary, Elder Bolaji Anani; National Youth leader, Garba Umar Chiza and National Treasurer, Bala Kaoje. A mini-convention was later convened to re-elect and regularise their elections. Except for Chiza and Kaoje, all the other affected NWC members were returned. Secondus replaced Sam Jaja as Deputy National Chairman while Prof. Adewale Oladipo replaced Olagunsoye Oyinlola as National Secretary. Before the 2012 national convention, the previous national conventions were trailed by crisis. The party's first national convention for election of its national leadCONTINUED ON PAGE 16

POLITICS

Dogara

The House of Representatives, last week, passed a resolution to inquire into the inability of about 10 states to access N3 billion Universal Basic Education fund. PHILIP NYAM reports on the decision

he House of Representatives last Thursday resolved to probe the various intervention funds by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the inability of some state governments to access the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) project funds. It should be noted that the compulsory, free Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act was passed into law in 2004 and represents the government’s strategy to fight illiteracy and extend basic education opportunities to all children in the country. But it is most shocking that states considered as the home of education such as Ondo and Ekiti are amongst the defaulting states. Nasarawa State, which has done so much in the education sector, is also culpable. In states like Benue, it is understandable because during the immediate past administration, primary school teachers went on strike for almost a year due to non-payment of their salaries. In fact, as at the time the new administration came on board teachers and other civil servants were owed salaries for several months. Therefore, for governors who

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Dukku

Onuigbo

UBEC: Reps probe unutilised funds refused to pay salaries to primary and secondary school teachers, failure to make available their state counterpart funding for basic education will not worry them. But it is worrying because the primary school it is the foundation of education. The question being asked is: Why are these states unable to access their funds and utilise them for the benefit of the pupils and why have they refused to make their contributions? These states are executing projects in other areas yet, they have neglected basic education, which is the core of bringing up children. If these states cannot handle education at the foundation level, how would they take care of education at a larger scale? Facts According to a report of a research conducted by UNICEF in 2015, forty per cent of Nigerian children aged 6-11 do not attend any primary school with the Northern geopolitical zone recording the lowest school attendance rate in the country, particularly for girls. Despite a significant increase in net enrollment rates in recent years, it is estimated that about 4.7 million children of primary school age are still not in school. It is not rare to see cases of 100 pupils per teacher or students sitting under trees outside the school building because of the lack of classrooms. In fact, recently, there were reports in the media of a public school in Abuja, the Federal capital where 200 pupils receive lessons in one classroom. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report, the number of schools, facilities and teachers available for basic education remain in-

N3 billion state funds are lying idle at UBEC due to inability of many state governments to access such funds

adequate for eligible number of children and youths. This is more so in urban areas where there is population pressure. Under these conditions, teaching and learning cannot be effective; hence the outcomes are usually below expectation. It is also established that many children do not attend school because their labour is needed to either help at home or to bring additional income into the family. “Many families cannot afford the associated costs of sending their children to school such as uniforms and textbooks. For others, the distance to the nearest school is a major hindrance. Another cause of low enrolment, especially in the North, is cultural bias. Most parents do not send their children, especially girls, to school and prefer to send them to Qur’anic schools rather than formal schools,” the report said. The study found out that even when children enroll in schools, many do not complete the primary cycle. “According to current data, 30 per cent of pupils drop out of primary school and only 54 per cent transit to junior secondary schools. Reasons for this low completion rate include child labour, economic hardship and early marriage for girls,” the report added. UINCEF lamented that the child friendly school concept, which it is advocating for, is not comprehensively adopted by the various states in Nigeria. A majority of primary schools, especially in rural areas, lack water, electricity and toilet facilities. For example, on average, there is only one toilet for 600 pupils in the primary school system. Despite political commitment to trying to reverse years of neglect in the education sector and a significant increase of the federal funding,

investment in basic education is still low compared to other SubSaharan countries. With this unpleasant picture painted about the status of Nigeria basic education, some states are still not taking advantage of the window of opportunity provided by UBEC to help fund and improve education at the primary level. Resolution The decision of the House to investigate this unwholesome attitude of some states followed the adoption of a motions titled: "Urgent need to urge states defaulting in UBEC Funds to step up" sponsored by a former minister of education, Hon. Aishatu Dukku (APC, Gombe) respectively on the floor of the House. The House consequently adopted the motion urging states defaulting on UBEC funds to step up with a view to accessing it. Dukku in her lead debate noted that many states of the federation which include Abia, Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, and Nasarawa could not access their UBEC funds due to the requirement of a 50 per cent counterpart funding. She further noted the provisions of the UBEC Act that the two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the Federal Government should go into the UBEC fund. The former minister expressed worries that not less than N3 billion state funds are lying idle at UBEC due to inability of many state governments to access such funds. Hon. Sam Onuigbo (PDP, Abia) and some other lawmakers spoke in favour of the motion saying that some of these states had not lived up to the expectations of Nigerians in terms of basic education. Speaker Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the session put to question the motions adopted and directed the Committee on Basic Education Services to investigate the matter and report to it. As the House awaits the committee’s report, it is hoped that with the revelation, all the defaulting states will live up their billings to ensure that the UBEC fund is accessed and utilised properly.

POLITICS

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

OPC crisis: No peace in sight Sola Adeyemo reports on the wrangling within the ranks of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) over allegations of misappropriation of funds accrued to the organisation

dua Peoples Congress (OPC), a socio-cultural organisation founded by Dr. Frederick Fasehun in conjunction with Otunba Gani Adams for the purpose of advancing the course of Yoruba nation in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, has been in existence since the 80s. The group saddled its leaders and members with the task of protecting Yoruba sons and daughters in the country against attacks and intimidation during the ravaging ethnic clashes witnessed in Lagos State during the military era. A crack in the group few years later forced the Adams' faction to pull out and as a result, OPC became weakened. But Adams had in the past decades popularised and propagated the ethos and ideals of the Yoruba people within Nigeria and across the world to the extent that membership of the group has soared tremendously. But the group's involvement in politics, particularly at the twilight of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, led to allegations of contractual deals rocking its leadership. The ugly development led to schisms among the members and its leaders, many of who were afterwards labelled as expelled members by loyalists of Adams. The affected members numbering about 26 have however gone to the anti-graft agency – Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging, in a threepage petition, that Adams had been involved in a series of financial misappropriation and rip off running into billions of naira. Adams' loyalists would however not allow their principal's image to be dented as they have raised their defence to the series of allegations levelled against him. Speaking through the Lagos State Coordinator of the National Coordinating Council (NCC) of the group, Alhaji Mutairu Adesina, the allegations were considered over-beaten and ranting of an ant. In the petition dated March 4, titled: "Please help retrieve our money from Gani Adams" and addressed to the chairman of the EFCC, the NCC members

Adams

accused Adams of using his position to amass questionable wealth at their expense. Signatories to the petition are Rasak Arogundade, Monsuru Akande, Adesina Akinpelu, Kehinde Ogunyale, Adeola Adeagbo, Ranti Akande, Gbenga Egunlusi, Lateef Oshodi, 'Layiwola Ogunsolu, Olusoji Folorunso, Sunday Bankole, 'Segun Olusanya and Sunday Adebayo. Others are Idowu Akintunde, Oyename Adebayo, Lateef Kaka, Oladipupu Musa, Musiliu Amusa, Lateef Ogungbayi, Morufu Salami, Rotimi Akinsowon, Taofik Hameed, Dauda Oyelowo, Yinka Olowoporoku, Adio Odewole and Alexander Adesina. According to them, the OPC leader has turned the group to a private property which has made him the sole signatory to all the accounts of the group. The petitioners, among others, accused Adams of diverting $22 million, which he received on behalf of the group from the late Libyan leader, Moammar Ghadaffi. "Besides funds stolen or misappropriated by Adams, there is also the case of about six million members (using Adams estimate of OPC membership strength during his pro-Jonathan campaigns) who were obligated to obtain the group's identification cards at N2,500 each. From identity cards alone, Gani Adams pocketed about N15 billion every year. "Adams equally diverted the sum of N150 million specially set aside by the NCC and meant for building a hotel for the OPC in each of the South-West state capitals. This is besides the N100 million or more, also made by encouraging unwary members to

Fasehun

The group's involvement in politics... led to allegations of contractual deals rocking its leadership

buy shares in the hotel project. The hotel scheme was conceived in 2007 but has failed to see the light of the day," they further alleged. But in a swift reaction, Adams' Personal Assistant, Prince Olalekan Akanni, said the allegations were similar to the previous ones which had no root. He described the petitioners as disgruntled and expelled members while also challenging them to meet the OPC leader at the EFCC if they were sure of their facts. He said: "Those behind the petition are expelled members of the group who are seeking relevance by saying the same things for a long time without anything to show for it. One of the vocals among them has been trying to get the attention of the leader and has even demanded a certain amount of money for him to ditch his co-rebels." He described the OPU as an organisation formed to bring together and unite Yoruba sons and daughters in the Diaspora, noting that since the formation of the organisation, it has created a big forum for all Yorubas in foreign lands to unite and speak with one voice. He added that it is the same for Oodua Voice which was formed to give Yorubas all over the world a voice. He further said: “Given what these two organisations have done to our image abroad, especially in promoting the culture and tradition of Yoruba people all over the world, I think Otunba Adams deserves our commendation instead of all these efforts to bring him down.” On the $22 million the petitioners alleged that Adams received from Ghadafi, Akanni said: “I

would love to ask these people some fundamental questions: They should come out and tell the world the account through which the money was paid; they should also tell the world what the money was meant for. “As we speak, the OPC has been actively involved in the promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition all over the world. If that is the case, was this Ghadafi’s money meant to promote Yoruba culture? Ghadafi was an Arab, and he was well-known to promote activities that have to do with his people and Islam. I doubt if he will ever promote the tradition and culture of Yoruba people. Sincerely, I don’t know what he would gain from such thing. "It will therefore interest every reasonable person to know that this has been the major focus of the OPC and Olokun Festival Foundation in the last 15 years. The petitioners should tell the world the relationship between Otunba Adams and Ghadafi. Information at my disposal has it that Otunba Adams has never traveled to any North African country. So, they should furnish us with how, where and who witnessed his meeting with Ghadafi.” He revealed that the petitioners initially used the name of a faceless organization – Global Civilians for Peace in Libya, led by one Abass Ibn Idris, to ask Otunba Adams and Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo for their money. But it was after it discovered that the organisation is faceless that they chose to come out themselves. He said that after these allegations were made, Adams wrote a petition to the Department of State Service (DSS), Lagos State Command, through his lawyer, Barrister Kehinde Oluwole, asking the organisation to investigate the source of the story, but nothing has been heard from the agency. On the allegation of N20 million paid as compensation for the killing of OPC members in Owo. He said it is highly regrettable that anybody would play with an issue as painful as the death of a comrade as the particular incident remains one of the saddest in the annals of the OPC. Describing the allegation as tantamount to dancing on the graves of the slain members, Akanni, said: "One thing that I find common in both the Ghadafi case and Owo allegations is that the two people who allegedly paid the money are dead. It is obvious that the dead cannot defend themself or speak. And both Governor Adebayo Adefarati and Ghadaffi are dead, maybe this is the reason why these people have chosen to use their names to give their lies a face." He advised the petitioners to seek their own path and stop distracting the Adams-led OPC even as the group has urged him to go ahead and seek redress in court against the false allegations. Will the aggrieved members heed to the call to pull out of the group? Only time will tell.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion The Aljazeera interview that left Nigerians shocked and stunned My Word CLEM AGUIYI totalpolitics@ymail.com 0803-474-7898 (sms only)

othing in life is perfect, likewise politics and politicians. Politicians hardly keep promises; hence the APC new sobriquet ‘All Promises Cancelled’ just like PDP was dubbed ‘People Deceiving People’. Of course no politician is elected into office to be perfect but to make what difference they can. No leader should therefore assume the power of omniscient. Especially if in the words of Donald Trump, they know nothing about leadership and selfgovernance. Should Nigeria be recolonized for another 100 years because our leaders are a case study of bad examples? I recall one of the last speeches of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as President where he told the nation that how we vote will determine if the country will move forward or go backwards, but those wise words were drowned by the naysayers who chanted ‘Chains’ or ‘Change’, not sure which it was anymore, but here we are nine months later in ‘Chains’ as the economic nightmare spirals out of control, inflation on the rise, electricity tariff being increased and petroleum prices averaging N150 per litter. We claim to be the giant of Africa yet we can’t deliver basic human rights; employment, water, ordinary electricity, home refined petroleum, transportation –air, road, rail, and water and infrastructure When the President decided to speak to Aljazeera, those who were eager to hear him advance political solutions to the lingering insecurity on the land, especially the killings by supposedly Fulani herdsmen the and Islamic terrorists group, Boko Haram; the IPOB agitation for Biafra and a clear cut economic policy got what they expected: Nothing! On why he should continue to fund his children in foreign schools while restricting foreign exchange for families that have children in schools abroad. He said his own children will benefit because he can afford it but ‘tough luck’ for others who can’t. On the economy: The president was understandably patriotic. He believes that devaluing the exchange rate between the Naira and foreign currencies is totally a loss to Nigeria but failed to understand that inflation

expresses itself in two different ways; either by rise in the normal price of any product or in the decline of the availability of that same product at the normal price. He failed to recognize that his import substitution opens again a massive backdoor for corruption. Apparently, bribes will be paid to Government to permit privileged industrialists to obtain their required foreign currency. It’s unfortunate that the President has remained adamant even when it is obvious his economic policies might constitute the worst fiscal policy in the history of Nigeria. Of course you do not need to be super economists to be a successful president. All you need is a good economic team or Think Tank. The President in my view should be persuaded to constitute an economic ‘Think Tank because obviously our economy has become stupid. On the 2016 Budget : It’s no longer news that the 2016 budget is flooded with irregularities, miscalculations and weirdness of being stolen, padded and amended as pointed out by Martine Denise. The President’s plea still ran along the blame chain of having met so many technocrats in government who are sabotaging his government. Nigerians are sick and tired by the president’s inability to accept responsibility. Quite interestingly he is devoid of the knowledge of defining the incongruences of the 2016 budget as corruption, yet he admits there were demeaning issues with the budget. Is there ever a possibility that one or two or three of those appointed by him is or are fallible? Does he live on this planet or in the space called Buhariville? How come many months after, he isn’t aware of the specifics of the budget he presented? Clearly, he has to go back and examine how much was allocated for books for the Vice President, (“a figure that outstrips the allocation of book allowances for all our Polytechnics and Universities”), and the state house clinic. Martine was bewildered just like Nigerians were stunned. On Security Votes: Noting that security votes have been a source of corruption in Nigeria, Martine suggested to the President on the possibility of eliminating it. His answers were same as his hirelings; asking the proponents of such ideas to learn to bear with them and not to rush judgment. He forgot his administration once told the people, that Security Votes will be scrapped. On insecurity: The President failed to acknowledge that the combination of Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram terrorist group may have killed more people in nine months under his watch than they had killed in the past two years predating his regime attempted. He nevertheless re-iterated three times that he hasn’t failed on the fight against Boko Haram while alluding to the fact that the sect now uses improvised explosive devices to destroy lives and properties. This is a lie because Boko Haram has always used improvised explosives and unconventional method of attacks. How can one claim that Boo Haram has been defeated

President called Christian leaders bigot for protesting Nigeria entrance into the Coalition of Islamic States against Terror

when the group is still inflicting massive wounds on the lives of Nigerians? At the time of writing this essay, a General was killed in a car crash while heading for an operation to repel Boko Haram attack on a village in Borno; the Fulani herdsmen are still armed to the teething killing and burning villages to make way for their cattle, and the fight between Hausas and Yoruba had spread from Lagos to Ogun state. Those who expected the President to order the disarming of the Fulani herdsmen got nothing! The President has kept mum. On corruption, the President was his firm usual self. If there is any issue that I stand with him, it’s on issue of ending official corruption. His resolve to fight corruption is strictly unwavering, and commendable, but the fight needs to be holistic to be meaningful. Corruption has no political affiliation, color or language. Only the marines will be convinced that only PDP politicians stole from the treasury, APC are saints. Nigerians are still waiting for the day when all the politicians and public officers that stole will face justice irrespective of their politics. It was a high power discursive interview, Martine clearly intended keeping it as such till end. She was shocked that the President called Christian leaders bigot for protesting Nigeria entrance into the Coalition of Islamic States against Terror. He mocked them to go and fight the terrorists in the North East or the Militants in the creek of Niger Delta. On Biafra and IPOB agitation for the State of Biafra: The President appears not ready to broker any opposition. He is livid at some young Nigerians whom he said are ignorant of the consequences of the Nigerian Civil war. ‘No one should joke with the country’s security and it will surely not be tolerated’ he said. However, Martine was dazed when he declined to watch a clip of shootings by soldiers of defenseless peaceful protesters who were using Biafra as a platform to protest lack of proper attention. In what may be considered the lowest point of the interview, he demonstrated indifference to the IPOB massacre. Did President Buhari order the brutal repression of peaceful demonstrators? Is he aware of the consequences of such tyrannical actions in today’s world? The veteran journalist was not just surprised but stunned that a modern President, popularly elected by the people would foreclose all forms of peaceful dialogue with youths who himself acknowledged knew nothing about a war that claimed over two million lives in the 60s. What will the President loose if he ends the carnage in the South East through dialogue? Someone need tell the President that having a nail in your hand does not mean every problem requires a harmer. The Biafra agitation is a political issue that requires political solution.

Lesbianism: A bug eating Nigerian tertiary institutions Olamilehin Abisola Mercy

esbianism is the sexual and romantic desires between females. Lesbians are exception to laws of nature in which all living creatures are born with the inborn instinct to mate with opposite sex. Lesbian will generate no feelings of romance towards the opposite sex but shows sexual feelings only to a same sex being. Its no longer news that lesbianism has crept into the nook and cranny of our institutions. The act, which many believe is alien to African culture has become so acceptable to those involved in it that they even flaunt their lesbians partners. In an institution such as universities, polytechnics and colleges of education where young people are dominant, one finds many cases of this abnormality. It has a similarity with heterosexual relationship in that one of the partners plays the role of a man. They are often distinguished by their “tomboyish’ outlook. They are generally

known to be overly protective of their partners as they hardly want to share them with any other. The menace is a bug eating deep into the fabric of our society. Every now and then, you hear of lesbian sex videos involving students of different institutions going viral on social network sites. Gone are the days when lesbians were ashamed and afraid of being caught or tagged as lesbians. Things have really changed and around hostels, it is not uncommon to see females locked in embraces, kissing or even necking in not too discreet places. At times, partners go to eateries and clubs in company of each other. Parties are even held where lesbianism is openly practiced. Lesbianism commences mostly during the on-set of adolescence and its unwanted wide dissemination is over whelming as its spreading like wide fire especially in Nigerian institutions. It was noted with dismay that there are a lot of reasons behind the practitioners’ indulgence in the practice of lesbianism. When you ask those who

are involved in this immoral act they gives, a lot of reasons or excuses which includes civilization, urbanizations, disappointment, arrogance, poverty, family upbringing, moral laxity, sexual abuse or trauma typically at the hands of a male resulting in a dismissal, fear or hatred of men and lots more. Sexual abuse is one of the main reason while some students ventured into lesbianism. When a girl is deflowered by somebody she trusted so much, such as her father or brother, it could result in the girl ending up as a lesbian. Sexual abuse such as rape may affect the psychology of the victim. By the time they would recover from the emotional shock and trauma, they would have grown to hate members of the opposite sex invariably becoming lesbians or homosexuals. Furthermore, some parents contribute to their ward been a lesbian by restricting their wards from socializing with people of the opposite sex. This is a wrong conception of what training should be. When people especially youths, in their formative years are separated from members of

the opposite sex, they tend to develop phobia for the opposite sex. When this phobia is not checked, it could lead to lesbianism or homosexuality. Young people should have a healthy social life because man is a social animal. Lesbianism has a lot of effects on its practitioners and the effects are; personality maladjustment, it makes to develop poor heterosexual life, which from all indications will definitely affects their marital or matrimonial relationship. In other words, a woman who has over indulged in this practice will surely find it difficult to perform her obligatory roles in her matrimonial home. One will notice a great deal of negligence when it comes to sexual functions to her husband and which could lead to marital disharmony in the family or even separation and divorce. There are other implications associated with the effect such as HIV/AIDS and other dangerous transferable disease and infections. •Olamilehin wrote in from Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic, Bida.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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ment to make good on its promInterestingly, in the immediises which in this instance is to ate aftermath of these disasters, make sure that the operators of government huffs and puffs, makes promises that they will the boats use standard vessels never happen again. But a few and other facilities. weeks down the road, everything In this regard, the question is forgotten and it is business to ask is how far has Lagos as usual until the next disaster government gone in ensuring strikes. that vessels that do not meet On February 2, the Lagos State the required standards are reWaterways Authority (LASWA) moved from the waterways? The summoned an emergency meetprivate operators in the business are more concerned with ing with all commercial boat making profits, so how is the operators in the state where the agency vowed to clamp down on government holding them to the boat operators highest stanwho continue to dards? What contravene the has been done rules and reguin this regard The issue of providing lations guiding since that their operations. February 2 standard life jackets The Managing Dimeeting? to passengers in these rector of LASWA, Answers to Abisola Kamson, these quesboats has also fallen underscored the tions will go prey to the mercantile a long way need for vessels operating on the in ensuring predilection of the state waterways that these average Nigerian to comply with accidents are safety standards. curtailed if businessman She said that not contained. some boat operators flout the rules and regulations thereby putting the lives of innocent citizens at risk and that Lagos State Government would not tolerate the operation of substandard vessels on the waterways. It is tempting to say this standard fare, the usual government response, only that in the meantime the vicious cycle continues. But the cycle needs to be broken and the only way, is for govern-

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On boat mishaps

oat mishaps have assumed a disturbing dimension in recent time. Even more frightening is the frequency with which they occur. The one that happened some weeks ago when seven people lost their lives underlines the severity of the situation and the risk associated with this mode of transportation in a country where many people use the waterways as a means of movement but with scant consideration given to safety measures. The boat which was conveying 17 passengers from Ijede to Badore in the Lekki area of Lagos State, capsized on January 30, killing seven people while others sustained varying degree of injuries. A similar incident also took place two weeks earlier when two commercial boats collided along the same route apparently due to poor visibility. However, the main cause of incessant waterways accidents seems to be the condition of the boats themselves. How good and safe are they? How old and how well maintained are the boats? Clearly, they fail these very basic credibility tests. But in a country where very little value is placed on the sacredness of life and so much emphasis on making profits, without a corresponding effort on providing the required services, anything goes.

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We also note that the issue of providing standard life jackets to passengers in these boats has also fallen prey to the mercantile predilection of the average Nigerian businessman. Only bright red, orange and lemon are approved colours for life jackets in the state but it is a well-known fact that most operators are in the habit of using substandard life vests on waterways. Local fashion designers report-

edly sew all manner fabrics as live jackets which are then presented to unsuspecting commuters. The danger inherent in this can be better imagined. Kamson said in the meeting with boat operators that LASWA had confiscated about 700 fake life jackets and appealed to boat passengers to insist on standard vests when travelling via waterways. We find this latter bit of advice to the commuters a little odd. Inasmuch as those travelling in boats should be vigilant, it is doubtful whether the majority of them will recognise fake life jackets let alone insist on standard ones. At any rate, such matters, sadly, are likely to be further from the mind of hurrying passengers. This is where the government has a huge role. It must continuously monitor these operators to ensure that they only use standard and well maintained boats; it must remove from the waterways vessels that are not worthy and it must also ensure that standard life jackets are made available to commuters. Eternal vigilance is a price we must be ready to pay if things are going to work in that sector as well as others. Again, government must be ready to prosecute those operators who are in the habit of flouting regulations guiding boat transportation. This is the only way to stop the periodic convulsions in Lagos waterways.

POLITICS

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Oshiomhole and the Edo agenda E Nasamu Jacobson

do State is commonly described as a homogeneous entity with its different people tracing their roots and ancestry to one source. While the people of Edo North and Edo Central trace their roots back to the Bini Kingdom, the Binis point far to the West as well as the East in locating boundaries of the original empire. Much of what has happened to shrink those boundaries to the present Edo State can be traced to administrative divisions based purely on linguistic and cultural affinities. What is left as Edo State today is one large family of brothers and sisters who speak the same broad language with different dialectics but owe allegiance to one paramount traditional headship, the Oba of Benin. It is therefore right and proper to say that Edo State is one and indivisible. This year is an election year in the state and the usual rabble rousing talk will soon commence. Each party must formulate a vote-catching agenda with the central theme focused on the development of the state. The choice between the candidates soon to be elected/selected and the parties they represent should be which party has a demonstrable capacity to implement people-oriented programmes and policies. The people of Edo State have tasted governance under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and have also tasted governance under APC. They must, therefore, ask themselves whether they fared better during the almost 10 years of PDP rule from May 29, 1999 to November 11, 2008 or during the last seven and half years of Action Congress of Nigeria/All Progressives Congress (ACN/APC) government since November 12, 2008. The people must ask themselves the question: Which government has benefited us more, PDP or APC? The parties have a duty to assist the people answer this question by displaying before them the score card of their verifiable achievements while in office for 10 years as in the case of the PDP and in the last seven years for the APC. The choice Edo people will make on September 10, will represent their understanding or otherwise of the Edo Agenda, which encapsulates the all-round, all inclusive development of the state. The Edo

Oshiomhole

Agenda is the implementation of an irreversible and sustainable development in roads, education, health, electricity, transport, sport, empowerment, electricity, water, job creation, agriculture, peace and security. The agenda of the Adams Oshiomhole administration on assumption of office in November 2008 was to reclaim the state from backwardness and transform it to a state that works to advance the cause of development and reposition the state. Today in Edo State there is concrete evidence that the state is working. The Oshiomhole administration has brought development in all spheres to the three senatorial districts of the state. In road construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation, over 50 contracts have been executed with many of them already completed. The roads include Sapele road, Sakpomba road, Oba Market road, Akpakpava street, Siluko road, Stadium road, Constain Isonorho area consisting of many

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

ership held in December 1999, according the then INEC Chairman, Justice Ephriam Akpata, fell short of the PDP and INEC guidelines. That convention produced Senator Barnabas Gemade as National Chairman and Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo as National Secretary. The 2002 convention that produced Chief Audu Ogbe as National Chairman witnessed arms twisting of candidates and delegates. Instead of an election, leaders of the party emerged through affirmation, which INEC described as undemocratic. In 2008, the supremacy battle between the two leading candidates - Senator Anyim and Dr. Sam Egwu (both from Ebonyi State) forced the PDP governors to pick Prince Vincent Ogbulafor (from Abia State) as a 'compromise' candidate. The question many have asked ahead of the convention is: If there were bit-

The choice Edo people will make... will represent their understanding of the Edo Agenda

roads, Airport road, Guobadia street, Ivbiye street, Uwa street, Five Junction consisting of several streets like Oro, Iheya and adjourning streets, Second East Circular road, Second West and Third Cementary streets all in Benin City. Mission road, Upper Mission Extension, Forestry road, Butcher street and other link roads have been reconstructed in Benin City. Several other roads have been constructed, reconstructed, rehabilitated or are on-going in all the local government areas in Edo South. Aside the many roads and streets constructed, reconstructed and rehabilitated in Benin City, the city centre otherwise called The Oba Ovonramen Square or Ring Road, has undergone radical transformation to enhance its aesthetics. The installation and construction of a rhythmic musical water fountain at the inner Ring Road has been an attraction, playing host to thousands of visitors daily, particularly at night time. All over Edo State, the renovation and construction of schools were executed with many already commissioned. These include Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School, Niger College, Idia College, Adolo College, Olua, Payne and Ohomba Primary Schools and many more all in Benin City, Urhonigbe Grammar School, Urhonigbe, Iguobazuwa Grammar School, Iguobazuwa. All renovated schools have been supplied modern furniture items including electric fans. Comrade Oshiomhole laid the foundation stone of three model secondary schools, one each in the three senatorial districts of the state. They are located in Benin City, Iyamho and Ewohimi for South, North and Central senatorial districts respectively. Described as truly and modern, the schools will each have two blocks of 27 standard classrooms, three fully equipped science laboratories, a fully stocked library, a canteen, 1,500 capacity hall and sporting facilities. The model schools are also to have boarding facilities. Infrastructural facilities at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, were given a boost while a new Edo University, Iyamho was established. The health sector has also witnessed massive infrastructural development. While many Primary Healthcare Centres across

the state were renovated or rehabilitated with additional facilities like staff quarters, perimeter fences and boreholes, there is the construction of a new 200-bed Central Hospital in Benin City. Great attention is paid to the uplift of primary and secondary healthcare with regular and genuine drug and equipment supply as well as the training and retraining of core and ancillary medical personnel. The Oshiomhole administration has also considered transportation as very important to the socio-economic development of the state as it aids the movement of people and goods in addition to creating a means of livelihood for its operators. The Comrade Governor provided 100 units of brand new luxury buses to kick-start a dedicated inter and intra-city commuter bus service. The Comrade Bus is very popular in the state as it offers free ride to school children daily. The state-owned Edo City Transport Service (ECTS), has therefore been repositioned to effectively operate, remain selfsustaining, compete on purely economic terms and make profit. Another area in which the Comrade s Oshiomhole administration has transformed Edo State is youth and sports development with the renovation of the Olympic size swimming pool at the Sam Ogbemudia stadium; rehabilitation of the main bowl through excavation and re-grassing, rehabilitation of the State Box as well as the renovation of both the Indoor Sports Hall and the Medical Centre. In the administration of justice, peace and security, women affairs, chieftaincy, arts and culture, commerce and industry as well as labour relations, the Oshiomhole administration has not only demonstrated a commitment to reposition Edo State, it has ensured that the people are carried along to guarantee sustainability. There is, therefore, no doubt that Comrade Oshiomhole and the APC have in the last seven and a half years brought Edo State out of the doldrums and positioned it on the road to sustainable development and greatness. Will Edo people abandon this laudable agenda of development when the election comes? I think not. •Jacobson, a public affairs commentator writes from Benin City

PDP in make-or-break convention ter rivalry at national conventions when PDP was in government, what will happen now that the party is out of power? Apparently answering this question, Sheriff has assured party members that the NWC, which he presides, will conduct free and transparent congresses and national convention. "Nobody will manipulate me," he said, but it is one thing to make a pronouncement and another thing to implement it. His predecessor, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu had assured there would be no imposition of candidates during his tenure but unfortunately, PDP lost the 2015 general elections due to imposition of candidates. Most of state governors and lawmakers elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were former

members of PDP. In fact, they aspired to fly the PDP flag for the last general elections: bought the forms, were screened but unfortunately lost at the primaries to preferred candidates of the former governors. Consequently they decamped to APC, got tickets and went ahead to defeat their former party in the elections. Though the PDP could claim that their victory was because of the "movement" at that time in the northern part of the country, the fact remains that the party paid dearly for its imposition of candidates. Many PDP members are waiting to know how the forthcoming congresses and national convention would be conducted before deciding their next move. Dr. Umar Ardo, former governorship aspirant in Adamawa State on the platform of PDP, and who was a member of

the delegation that visited Sheriff has some words of advice for the party’s national chairman. "If you succeed (in organising congresses and national convention), PDP will succeed in 2019, if you fail, PDP should forget 2019," he told Sheriff. This is a great word of wisdom. Fortunately, the national chairman has the support of the governors. He is also known as a man of conscience. The forthcoming national convention is likely to task his integrity. But this is not forgetting the fact that Sheriff has eye on the 2019 presidency. If he adopts the “rob my back, I rob your back” method in choosing the next PDP leadership, he might as well be signing a dirge for PDP, and indirectly endangering his own political future.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Infrastructure Abuja: A failing model city

Inside Abuja

An aerial view of Eagle Square, Abuja

Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

t was 9:30a.m. on a Thursday morning and we had gone to the Federal Secretariat Complex to keep an appointment with the head of one of the agencies of the Federal Government. As we drove into the car park behind the Eagle Square, we observed a lot of vehicular movement but assumed it was the normal "morning rush" by civil servants to resume at their various duty posts. However, when I alighted from the car and was moving towards the secretariat buildings, my ears were greeted by a loud musical rendition accompanied by equally loud drum beats, trumpets and other musical instruments. Suddenly, the musical contraption gave way to a loud shout of Hallelujah! It was followed by a thunderous applause in response. I looked towards the direction where the sounds were coming from but I was greeted with more shouts of Hallelujah! Then came the loud voice of the preacher prophesying to the congregation thus: "After today's encounter, you shall no longer experience disappointment. After this encounter, you shall become a distributor of favours. After this encounter, those who have not been picking your calls will begin

Onwuka NzeshI

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Eagle Square during a special ceremony

Eagle Square turns prayer ground to pick your calls." Each of these prophecies was greeted with a loud chorus of Amen! It was an affirmation word to indicate that the divine invocation released by the prophet had been well received by the crowd of worshippers. I looked around me to be sure I was at the right place. Yes, I was at the Eagle Square, right inside the Federal Secretariat Complex, the heart of the bureaucracy of the Federal Government. It was not a Sunday and I was not in any church. It was really a church crusade holding in the vicinity. The Eagle Square, a special events arena is situated on a land measuring approximately five hectares with a total seating capacity of 5,106 persons in covered pavilions. It was constructed in 1999 to serve as the venue for the official re-launch of democracy in Nigeria. It has since then become a befitting spot for the symbolic transfer of power and inauguration of every new government, particularly the swearing-in ceremony of the presidents and vice presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It has also hosted the National Independence Day parades by the Nigeria Armed Forces as well as the staging of a political party conventions, election campaign rallies, religious crusades, musical concerts, cultural carnivals, trade fairs, special project launchings and award ceremonies. The Eagle Square is strategically situated within the precincts of the Three Arms Zone, the seat

Why do they have to subject us to this noise pollution on a work day?

of power in Nigeria. It is flanked on both sides by the Federal Secretariat, while it faces the National Cenotaph Arcade, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court. Beyond these three monuments, the Eagle Square is overlooking the magnificent Aso Rock that serve as a back drop to the Presidential Villa while behind it is an expansive car parking lot and a chain of restaurants serving different delicacies from across Nigeria. Due to the centrality of its location between the Shehu Shagari Way and Ahmadu Bello Way, residents of Abuja usually witness serious gridlock as these two major arterial routes are closed to traffic whenever there are events taking place at the Eagle Square. In order to reduce the inconveniences such events might cause motorists and commuters, it has been a deliberate policy to stage most of these events at weekends when traffic is expected to be low. In addition, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) had always made it a point of duty to divert traffic away from the Eagle Square on such days. Often times, when such events fall on weekdays, such days were usually declared work-free to ensure that the civil servants were not distracted and the bureaucracy of government was not unduly disrupted on the process. However, the strange phenomenon is the recent resort to using the Eagle Square for religious crusades during weekdays. On a particular instance which occurred

recently, a church held a week-long crusade featuring sermons, high praise, worship and musical fiesta attended by some prominent clerics in the country. The result was that civil servants who came to work were forced to bear the loud noise that emanated from the crusade ground. A civil servant, Emmanuel Danladi, said it was an appalling situation holding a meeting in your office and being harassed by the noise from the nearby arena. Danladi said that while he had no grouse about a church renting the Eagle Square to hold a crusade, he had strong reservations about such an event taking place during the work hours. "This is not fair now. Why do they have to subject us to this noise pollution on a work day? At least Saturdays and Sundays are there for them to do all these things. They should spare us these distractions," he advised. Another civil servant, Mohammed Haruna, also expressed misgivings about the use of the arena for certain events during work days. He said that he found it difficult understanding the rationale behind such an action but blamed it on the management of the Eagle Square. "I don't understand why those managing the Eagle Square would rent it out for an event they know will produce noise and distract civil servants from doing their jobs. They should have known better that crusade cannot hold CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Inside ABUJA | SLUMS

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Abuja: A failing model city Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

hen Enemona Epa came into Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, from Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State in 2010, the city, to him, was a "small London". It was full of beautiful houses, ring roads, street and traffic lights, underground sewage and many other state of the art facilities. Abuja, in the sight of Epa, compares to no city in Nigeria. He had been told of the many opportunities that exist in the city and was looking forward to giving his life a new direction. Less than six months after, Epa secured a job as an office assistant in a bank in the Maitama District of Abuja. "Abuja, then was still a growing city with facilities and construction work being carried out," he said. Six years down the lane, Epa said he wonders what has happened to the city he once marvelled at how well planned and clean it was. “Although construction work was still being carried out sometimes on a daily basis when I came into Abuja, it was not this bad. Before I finally pitched my tent with Abuja as a place to settle down, I often visit the city and wonder how clean and well planned it was. The law enforcement agents were working 24 hours a day and residents were more law abiding. All those fine things are not there again,” he lamented. Forty years after its creation as a model capital city, Abuja is gradually becoming the exact opposite of the dream of its founder fathers. The infrastructure and public utilities in the city are giving way and it appears as if the authorities are looking the other way. Designed to be the administrative capital of Nigeria, Abuja occupies a territory of about 8000square kilometres, more than twice the size of Lagos. The territory is comprised of 60 districts, some of which are still under construction. It was designed to be a model city boasting of state of the art infrastructure comparable to what one finds in other leading world capitals. The turning point However, since the movement of the seat of power from Lagos to Abuja in 1991, the city has witnessed a daily influx of people from all walks of life into Abuja in search of greener pastures. A closer look at the city reveals the true picture of a capital city struggling with the pressures exerted on its infrastructures by an exploding population and apparent neglect by the authorities. The 2006 census, put the population of the city of Abuja at 776,298, making it one of the 10 most populous cities in Nigeria. According to a United Nations Report, Abuja grew at the rate of 139.7% between 2000 and 2010, making it the fastest growing city in the world. As of 2015, the city was experiencing an annual growth rate of at least 35%,

A refuse heap by the road side in Abuja

still retaining its position as the fastest growing city on the African continent and one of the fastest in the world. The growth has led to the emergence of satellite towns such as Kubwa, Karu, Gwagwalada, Lugbe, Kuje and other smaller settlements on the outskirts of the sprawling city. Today, Abuja has a population of well over three million people and comprises the fourth largest metropolitan area in Nigeria, surpassed only by Lagos, Kano and Ibadan. A city in darkness Abuja may look glitzy and shiny during the day but the city transforms into something else after sunset. A two hour drive round the major streets within the capital city reveals that darkness has enveloped almost everywhere as most of the street lights no longer function properly. From the famous Aminu Kano Crescent, Adetokunbo Ademola Road, Ahmadu Bello Way to Shehu Shagari and Muhammadu Ribadu roads which link to the Presidential Villa, street lights were not working in many portions of the roads when our crew of reporters drove round the city. Not only were the street lights not functioning, majority of the traffic lights on these ever busy roads were not functioning, thereby creating confusion among motorists and increasing the chances of accidents. For instance, of the 19 traffic lighting points observed by our reporters on Ahmadu Bello Way which is believed to be the longest road in Abuja, only five were functional as at the time of the tour. The vehicle conveying our reporters narrowly escaped a head on collision with a Toyota Hilux vehicle at the Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent junction on Ahmadu Bello Way due to the malfunctioning of the traffic light and the ab-

In this darkness, you may end up picking a criminal because you cannot see him

sence of traffic wardens to control the traffic. As strategic as the Muhammadu Ribadu road adjourning the Presidential Villa is, the traffic and street lights on the road have not been working for three months, Usman Mohammed, who regularly plies the road informed our reporters. The same was also observed on the road from the National Assembly and the adjourning Shehu Shagari Way. For those coming to the city from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, each time night falls, the long stretch of the Umaru Musa Yar'Adua otherwise known as Airport Road is only lighted by the head lamps from vehicles going to and fro. Impact of darkness In the absence of light, most businesses in and around the city suffer while insecurity becomes the order of the day. Many business owners have to hire extra hands to help with the security threats associated with low-lit ar-

A beggar in Abuja

eas, says Mr. Hassan, a small scale business man in Gwarinpa. “I am into laundry and I have a lot of customers. Because of the nature of the job we sometimes deliver on express service. Express service is when you want to dry clean your clothes and you cannot afford to wait for the normal time of delivery. We charge an extra token and get the job done. “Most of my customers are around Wuse II and anything from 8p.m. or 9p.m. most of my employees would not deliver in the area. So what I did was to hire an extra hand that knows the in and out of Abuja’s city centre to go with my boys whenever we have to render services to the big men in the area. He is not my full staff. He resumes at night whenever he needs to,” Hassan said. Usman Amiru, who has been a taxi driver for seven years in Abuja, disclosed that in the absence of streetlights most motorists find it difficult to spot passengers from afar and take safety precautions if need be. “In this darkness, you may end up picking a criminal because you cannot see him and what he is carrying properly to decide whether or not to carry them,” he said. The general sense of darkness on major streets in Abuja render the city susceptible to security problems such as car snatching, pick-pocketing, kidnapping, armed robbery and all sorts of crimes common in other Nigerian cities. Growing insecurity Mr Ayodele Adedeji, a civil servant and resident of Area 3 in Durumi District of Abuja, told our reporters how his car was snatched after two attempts. Adedeji who rode in the same taxi as our correspondents, narrated his ordeal in the hands of armed robbers and car-snatchers “My brother, I have been attacked more than two times. It

Inside ABUJA

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

hygiene for all and end open defecation by 2030. However, Abuja seems to be far from the realisation of this goal as most streets and drainages are refuse laden. In and around the popular UTC in Area 10, and Jabi Park in Utako, refuse mostly made of paper, polythene and rotten food litter the streets creating an eyesore and air pollution. According to a 2011 research by Oyeniyi Adeyemi, a doctoral candidate at the Institute of History, University of Leiden in Netherlands, Abuja has a daily build-up of at least 300,000 tons of solid wastes – out of which only 40% is cleared. Five years after that report, there has been no much difference. Solid waste transfer station at Mpape and131,200 cubic meters per day sewer treatment plant in Wupa meant to cater for these waste seem to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of waste generated across the city. There have been many instances of blocked sewage and ruptured sewer lines are sometimes found overflowing in parts of the city. Our reporters gathered that the Mpape waste treatment and transfer station has become an abandoned project. A once functional traffic light

was the third time that they snatched and kukuma took the car. As you see me I had a car, Toyota Camry Big fool that was stolen sometimes late last year. And to be honest with you, I think these people gave me notice but I didn’t count it serious. By notice, I mean they attacked me twice before the third and eventual snatching. "The first time, it was around Games Village. They removed my rim cover, and lights. The second was at Area Three about 9:30p.m., they only took my car radio. The third time, was when the car was snatched at Wuse II along the road that goes to Banex. “It was like a movie. I and a friend were discussing and comparing land documents. Of a sudden three men accosted us with knives and gun. We were instructed to cooperate and enter into the car. My friend was the one that spoilt everything. He was just shouting. They drove us around town for 20 minutes asking for our ATM card and pin codes. Luckily for me I didn’t have my ATM with me but my friend had his own," he said. When asked if he had reported to the police, Adedeji replied: “Which police? Before they stole mine, they snatched my friend’s car. It is yet to be found upon all his going to the police. Before that of my friend, they stole my brother’s own and up till now no headway. My brother even reported to a patrol van he saw minutes after the snatching, but they said they can’t pursue because of little fuel in the car,” Adedeji added Meanwhile, cases of pickpocket, bags snatching and outright robbery have continued to be on the increase in Abuja. However, of all the places visited at night, our team of correspondents only noticed three Police patrol vehicles. Two of the only three police vehicles seen were stationed at Banex junction and beside Federal Ministry of Finance complex while the other one was spotted on patrol along Ladoke Akintola Boulevard between 9p.m. to 11p.m. Though some patrol vehicles were spotted at the City Gate near the stadium, several other strategic places in the heart of the city appeared insecure as security men were nowhere to be found during the tour. It could not be ascertained if the multi-billion naira Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) in the city are functioning. FCT Police Public Relations Officer, ACP Anjuguri Manza, said the presence or absence of police patrol vehicles on the streets does not matter. To him, community policing is the main focus of the Police Command and policemen need not patrol to make the city safer.

“You know, our focus is now on community policing and I can tell you that we deployed plain cloth officers who mingle with civilians," he said. Street hawkers and beggars The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) is saddled with the responsibility of getting rid of hawkers, beggars and lunatics in the city, but it appears that the board has gone to sleep. Hawking and begging for alms on major streets are now regular features in the nation's capital. Although these acts are prohibited, a ride around old Parade Ground, Area 10, Banex junction, War College, Area 1, Area 3 in the city centre shows a growing population of hawkers. However, to hawkers like Muhammadu Abubakar who came from Kebbi State, hawking became the last resort after coming into a city he thought opportunities abound. Abubakar posited that hawking at night is better than in the day. Hiding under the cover of darkness, Abubakar said, men of the Abuja Task Force against street trading and hawking are easily sighted from afar, thus aiding their clandestine activities. “As you see us here, when the light is working they can easily spot us from far away. But now we use the darkness to go about our business.” A garbage threatened city One of the targets of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on sanitation is to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and

Overflowing sewage along Utako road

Poor transport services There is no gain saying that one of the parameters of measuring a viable capital city is the transport facilities put in place for easy accessibility by the citizens. The intra-city rail system which is in the original plan is still being constructed, thus residents depend on buses and cars to move round the city. The FCT Administration had attempted to ease the transport situation for the residents with the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), but this project has ended as a failure. Designed as an imitation of the popular Lagos BRT, the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company operates some routes within the city and its satellite towns. Unlike the Lagos example, the interiors of many of the buses in the fleet of the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company speak of less comfort and luxuries. Not only are the buses lacking air conditioners and TV screens, there are also no designated lanes for fast and easy movement as is obtainable in the Lagos model. This has led to low patronage as some residents who spoke to our reporters confessed that they would rather pay N350 to board a taxi than pay the N100 charged by the mass transport company and waste the whole day on the road. “The busses are not enough. Sometimes I don’t even get to board a bus because of the long wait. The long wait before the bus gets filled up is a waste of time. They should get more buses. Most time when there are no buses, students like me without extra money could be stranded,” says Destiny Urieto, a student of Federal Government Boys’s College,

Garki. At the Area one park where some of the buses were lined up; our reporters met with dissatisfied workers of the transport company and passengers who complained bitterly about the poor state of service. A bus vendor who simply identified herself as Ngozi confirmed that passengers often shun the buses owing to the poor state of service. “There are no designated lanes for our buses, it is a big challenge. A bus may end up making just 2-3 trips per day because of the low patronage and the law enforcement agents are not helping to make our work easier," she said. Also, a visibly frustrated driver with the transport company, Mr. Fidelis Okorafor (not real name) lamented the poor welfare of workers, whom he said were being owned salaries and denied basic allowances. “I earn N30,000 per month as a driver; the bus vendors (conductors) get N15, 000. Even with the poor pay, we are being owed. I have to be on the road by 4:30a.m. every day and close by 9p.m. This place is not a working place; they are treating drivers like animals. Yet we generate revenue everyday,” a displeased Okorafor stated. The lack of designated lanes and busstops for the city’s mass transit scheme also leads to constant harassment by men of the task force, road safety and the army, our reporters learnt. Shylock landlords The highbrow areas of the city such as Maitama, Gwarinpa, Asokoro and Apo have massive estates but majority of the civil servants who work in Abuja reside in the neighbouring Niger and Nasarawa State. The reason is that the many apartments in the city are not within the reach of the poor. "A low cadre civil servant and artisan as well small scale business owners in Abuja cannot pay as much as N500,000 for one bed room in places like Gwarinpa estate or Lokogoma district," said Ibrahim Audu, a civil servant. "As you can see the population of people coming every day from places like Mararaba, Mpape and Gwagwalada, it is because we can't live in the city. Many of the houses are empty, not because we don't like the luxury, but we can't afford it," he added. Public conveniences Abuja has just few public toilets which are also being over stretched due to population explosion. The toilet at UTC Area 10 said to have been fumigated on January 26, 2016 and certified okay by the AEPB is also begging for rehabilitation. Although, residents pay N30 to make use of the toilets, some of these toilets have no doors, the floors are in bad shape while the toilet seats are long overdue for a facelift. However, the absence of public toilets in quite a number of strategic places such as Central Business District (CBD) has created opportunity for open defecation within and around the city. The road leading to the National Mosque from NNPC Towers is dotted by fresh and dry human faeces while stench odour pervades the atmosphere. The glamour associated with Abuja in its early years is dwindling and it will take a determined effort on the part of the FCT administration to bring back this fading glory. Editor’s note This report is the outcome of an investigation carried out by YEKEEN NURUDEEN in conjunction with OLAJIDE ADELANA, HANNAH OJO, ADAM ALQALI and NURA BASHIR FAGGO who recently completed a training on Investigative Journalism organised by the Institute of War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) in Abuja.

INSIDE ABUJA \ NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Estate developers bemoan lack of patronage Obinna Odoh Abuja

state development firms constructing the Federal Housing Estate, Kuje located in Kuje Area Council of

Abuja have bemoaned lack of patronage and has blamed the situation on the current economic situation in the country. The hosing scheme popularly known as ElRufai Estate, occupies a large expanse of land and when completed will

Motorists bemoan condition of Mararaba-Karu bypass Chukwu David Abuja

otorists and commuters have decried the current situation of the Mararaba/Karu Bypass, particularly the section where the ultra modern market links up with the Aunty Alice Field and Ruga Market and the Old Karu Road, within Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Also, residents of the area have appealed to the Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Tanko Almakura, to direct the contractor handling the road project to urgently return to site and complete it before the rain season. A resident of the area who gave his name as Daniel Odeh said the essence of road construction in any area was to better the lives of citizens living within the location and ensure that they ply the road to get to their destinations for their different business engagements. "There is no doubt that good road enhances socio-economic lives of the people and societies. Good roads boost economic activities as people can easily transport their goods and services from one location to another for commercial benefits. “However, the current situation on the road is not only an irony of the fundamental objective of government in road construction but also an eyesore and death trap to the commuters and residents of the area," he said. The government of

Nasarawa State had inaugurated the road (a bypass) for construction late last year, to ease traffic congestion along the Mararaba-Nyanya-Abuja expressway, which has been a nightmare over the years. The traffic situation along the road is such that commuters have no choice than to spend two to three hours to get to the federal secretariat, on a distance that takes only 15 to 20 minutes to cover. Inside Abuja gathered that the construction company actually started scraping the road since September last year but because it is working at a 'snail's speed', it has not done a reasonable job on the site. However, the greatest concern is that the excavation done on the already deplorable road so far by the construction company has worsened the condition of the bypass.

men working on laptops refused to talk to our reporter saying that they were not the competent authority to speak to journalists. They, however, referred our reporter to the man they tagged project supervisor. The project supervisor who refused to state his name said that construction work on the estate cannot continue when the completed housing units were yet to be sold. He further disclosed that over 2,000 units have already been completed and are begging for buyers because of the present situation in the country

and lamented that no estate developer would be happy working further in a such scenario. When questioned on the financial involvement, he declined to speak and urged the Federal Government to wake up to its responsibility by fulfilling its campaign promises. Manager Director, Bioclaimer Energetic Ltd., Mr. Nicholas Odoemena, disclosed that due to the downturn in the economy, people now think more of how to afford two meals a day and how to pay their children's school fees rather than buying houses. "The dwindling econ-

omy has caused so much difficulty that people now think more on how to afford two meals a day than buying houses. It is when you eat enough and settle your children's school fees that you can think of buying a house,” he said. Odoemena explained that the contract to build the housing estate was given to different estate developers by the then Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development as a way of reducing the housing deficit in the city of Abuja. The developers were to build and sell to the general public, especially the civil servants.

Members of Ekiti State House of Assembly with placards, during a protest over the arrest of some members of the state legislature by DSS operative at American Embassy in Abuja.

Gender parity: Women group wants Yerima, Ndume recalled Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

usiness and Professional Women – Nigeria (BPW Nigeria), a gender advocacy group, has called for the immediate recall and replacement of two of the senators who voted against the Gender Equality Bill on the floor of the upper chamber of the National Assembly. They include the Senate Majority leader, Ali Ndume who represents Borno

South Senatorial District and Senator Sani Yerima, representing Zamfara Central Senatorial District of Zamfara State. President of the group, Mrs. Angela Ajala, also called on the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to revisit the Gender Equality Bill, insisting that the bill deserved to be passed into law to guarantee gender parity and equal opportunities for men and women in Nigeria. Ajala said that the rejection of the bill sponsored by Senator Biodun Oluji-

mi (Ekiti South) would adversely impact the rights of women, describing the action of the lawmakers as a violation of the principles underpinning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The blocked bill had sought to, among other things, give effect to the International Covenants on Human Rights which "affirms the principle of non-discrimination and proclaims that all humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and that everyone is entitled

to all the rights set out without distinction of any kind including distinction based on sex.” The bill was also supposed to ensure the domestication of certain provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa and the National Gender Policy. It was however rejected through the votes of a group of parliamentarians mostly from the northern

region of the country. The rejection was based essentially on the argument that certain provisions of the bill ran contrary to the dictates of the Shariah, the Islamic code of conduct applicable to Muslims in the northern parts of Nigeria. BPW Nigeria urged the Senate and the eighth National Assembly to support Nigerian women seeking election into political offices and to ensure that more women were appointed into public offices in the coming years.

Foundation plans mega schools for IDPs

AUST, Fire Service partner on fire control

Yekeen Nurudeen

Abuja

BRIEFLY

contain not less than 5,000 units of different apartments. The project is said to have been abandoned by contractors about 10 months ago when the present administration took over power. When Inside Abuja undertook a tour round the estate to ascertain the level of work done, it was observed that many of the buildings were almost nearing the completion stage while many others were still at the foundation level. In one of the offices belonging to one of the contractors located within the estate, about five

s Federal Government intensifies war against insurgency in the North-East, a non-governmental organisation, Child Care Africa Foundation, is set to build mega schools for displaced children in the region. The Foundation, under the auspices of Children’s Government, Nigeria reiterated the need for the rebuild of the North-East, particularly the three seriously affected states, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

The Children’s Government also presented a prototype structure of children-oriented rehabilitation projects that would inhabit internally displaced children. The child President, Children’s Government Nigeria, Oluwaseyi Ibrahim, appealed to federal, state and local governments in the country to provide schools with effective security apparatuses, in personnel and gadgets so as to fortify the premises. Oluwaseyi said the souls of those who lost their lives to the crisis in the North-East cannot rest in peace until “we create the condition for peace to reign.”

Abuja

he African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja and the Nigeria Federal Fire Service have pledged their commitment to work together in the control of firerelated disasters so as to save lives and property in the university. This was contained in a press statement by the Head, Media Services of the university, Obioha Atulomah shortly after the ground-breaking ceremony of the AUST fire service centre performed by the Controller General

of the Federal Fire Service, Engr. Joseph G. Anebi last Tuesday. The fire service boss promised not only to assist AUST in its desire of building a fire-fighting base in the university but to also provide personnel to ensure lives and property are well secured in this centre of excellence. Acting President of AUST, Prof. Charles Chidume, pledged the university's readiness to collaborate with the fire service at all times to ensure that lives and the various facilities in AUST are safe-guarded as well as to partner with the organisation in the training of their personnel in science related fields.

INSIDE ABUJA \ Diplomatic Drive

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

resident Muhammadu Buhari last week granted audience to the new Bulgarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Vesselin Blagoer Delcher and three other envoys at the presidential villa, Abuja. The envoys were at the State House to present their letters of credence to the president in line with diplomatic traditions. In a brief interaction with the Bulgarian ambassador, Buhari said that his administration will evolve and implement policies that will help Nigeria become self-sufficient in food production because continued importation of food could expose the country to more external shocks. The president noted that the unbridled importation of food also contributes to the depletion of the country’s foreign reserves and deprives citizens of job opportunities. “We must produce what we eat. We don’t have unlimited resources to continue the importation of food items that can be produced locally. Fortunately, some Nigerians have shown foresight by building factories that process agricultural products within the country. “They have created a value chain that boosts employment, protects our foreign reserves and safeguards the economy from external shocks. We will do all that we can to encourage others to join in the effort to achieve national self-sufficiency in food production," Buhari said. Similarly, Buhari received Mr. Paul Lehmann, the new

he Senate President, Bukola Saraki, will on March 24 know whether his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) will continue or not, just as the tribunal sitting in Abuja last week fixed the date for ruling on a motion by Saraki, seeking to quash the charges of false assets declaration preferred against him. The tribunal fixed the date for ruling after listening to arguments for and against the motion. The Federal Government had filed a 13-count charge bordering on false assets declaration against the Senate President. Saraki’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who led about 80 other lawyers argued that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the charges, on among other grounds, that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice lacked the powers to file charges before the tribunal. He also argued that the failure of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to invite Saraki to confront him with the breaches in his assets declaration form was fatal to the validity of the charges. But the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), urged the tribunal to dismiss the motion, as same constituted an abuse

Buhari grants audience to envoys

Mrs. Aisha Buhari addressing wives of heads of diplomatic missions in Abuja

High Commissioner of Australia; Hajiya Afsatu Olayinka Ebiso-Kabba, the new High Commissioner of Sierra-Leone and Thordur Aegir Oskarsson, the new Ambassador of Iceland. The president assured the envoys that Nigeria will welcome the further strengthening of relations with their countries, especially in the areas of agriculture, solid minerals and trade. United States seeks better deal for IDPs The Embassy of the United States has made a strong case for the provision of adequate care to the millions of persons displaced from their homes and communities by the Boko Haram insurgency in the NorthEast.

The Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy, Maria E. Brewer, made the appeal in her opening remarks at a stakeholders’ conference organised by the embassy in Abuja. The conference, which was organised to mark the Women’s History Month, featured a panel discussion on the challenges faced by women and victims of terrorism in Nigeria. Brewer said that the discussion was not only meant to shed light on the suffering endured by the most vulnerable people, but to serve as a call to action about what the Nigerian government and the rest of humanity could do to alleviate and end their misery. She noted that “while too often women are the victims,

they are also the heroes - strong and resilient, rising above these tragic circumstances." The advocacy came just as stakeholders have appealed to the National Assembly to domesticate the Kampala Convention on the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to protect the over 2.1 million Nigerians currently living in refugee camps, away from the comfort of their homes and facing all forms of vulnerability. Aisha Buhari hosts wives of diplomats in Abuja As part of activities marking the International Women’s Day, the wife of the president, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, hosted wives of heads of diplomatic missions in Nigeria to a cocktail at the presi-

Saraki knows fate March 24

of court process. The Supreme Court in its judgement on Saraki’s earlier objection to the trial affirmed the validity of the charges and the jurisdiction of the tribunal. He is also praying for an order of the tribunal discharging him from the charge.

FG opens case against Badeh The Federal Government last week opened case against a former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh over alleged diversion of N4 billion

belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). Opening the trial, a Prosecution Witness told the court how Badeh bought a N1.1 billion property for himself and N740 million properties for his two sons in Abuja with the money belonging to NAF. The witness, a former Director of Finance and Account of NAF, Air Commodore Salisu Abdullahi Yushua (rtd) told the court that the money was diverted by the former CDS between 2012 and 2014. In his testimony, he told the court that Badeh in-

structed him to buy houses for two of his sons in an highbrow area of Abuja, adding that the former defence chief instructed him to look for choice property for his first son, Alex Badeh jr, because he wanted him to own a house.

Metuh seeks judge’s withdrawal from case The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, who is standing trial before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over alleged receipt of N400 million from the Office of the National

Inside

dential villa in Abuja. The occasion was to enable her to interact with the wives of heads of missions on issues of mutual interests to Nigeria and the diplomatic community. During the interaction, Buhari decried poor access to health care services and described it as one of the biggest challenges facing women and children in Nigeria. She urged the women to assist not only in promoting healthcare but promoting good social and cultural images of their respective countries. She said her pet project, “Future Assured,” was designed to advocate for the promotion of the health of the vulnerable groups in the country. Wife of the vice president, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, said the occasion was an opportunity for the women to interact and explore areas of collaboration between Nigeria and their various countries. She commended the first lady for initiating the event and expressed optimism that it would go a long way in strengthening the relationship among the wives of heads of missions in the country. Mrs Elza Lima, wife of the Brazilian envoy, who spoke on behalf of others, said that such interactions would strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and other countries.

ABUJA

COURTS

with Tunde Oyesina

Security Adviser (ONSA) last week asked the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta to re-assign his case to another judge. However, the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang insisted when the matter came up that he would go on with the trial despite the petition written by Metuh's counsel. In the petition signed by Emeka Etiaba (SAN) and addressed to the Chief Judge of the court, Metuh alleged that Justice Abang had shown unfairness to him since the time of arraignment. Oronsaye granted bail The Federal Government in the course of last week arraigned a former Head of Service, Steve Orosanye, before an Abuja High Court over alleged diversion of funds to the tune of N190 million. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. The trial judge, Justice Olasumbo Goodluck, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N10 million, with two sureties in the sum of N5 million each.

Saraki

Oronsaye

Release Ashinze, court tells

EFCC, Army An Abuja High Court last week ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Army, to release Col. Nicholas Ashinze, a former aide to the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd). The order of the court was sequel to a suit filed by Ashinze seeking for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights to personal liberty. The EFCC had detained Ashinze since December 23, 2015, in relation to the ongoing investigation into alleged diversion of funds meant for arms procurement under the past administration. Dasuki drags FG to ECOWAS court The former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), had also last week dragged the Federal Government before the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice sitting in Abuja over his continued detention without trial since December 2015.

Inside ABUJA

Caleb Onwe Abuja

ight inside the popular Mammy Market, one of the red light districts of Nyanya in the Federal Capital Territory, there is a ramshackle hostel inhabited by some women of easy virtue. Every evening, particularly at weekends, it is a destination for fun seekers who go there to patronise these prostitutes. Over the years, the presence of this brothel in the neighbourhood had elicited mixed reactions from residents of the area. While men who are regular customers at the place see the place as a relaxation spot where they could unwind after a hectic day, others regard the place as a misnomer and a social menace that should be uprooted from the environment. A forth night ago, this bubbling entertainment hub was gutted by a mysterious fire which has displaced the resident sex workers as well as the numerous beer palours attached to the building. It must have been a big relief to those who never wanted it to exist but obviously a painful incident to a lot of the fun seekers. Inside Abuja gathered that this was not the first time the brothel had been razed by fire. It had happened on a number of occasions but the owners of the enterprise had always rebuilt it. According to one of the residents of the area, Jude Obi, the frequent inferno has been largely due to the fact that the building was essentially made of "bacha" , the locally procured and fabricated wooden apartments. In addition, it harbours so many prostitutes, each living in a cubicle or squatting with friends to ply their illicit trade. "What has been causing the fire is that the building is not a normal one but it has so many occupants each having different electrical appliances like fans, pressing iron and sometimes musical set. These things draw a lot of power and sometimes, any carelessness or sudden power surge could result in a fire outbreak," Obi said. An official of the Nigeria Fire Service, Nyanya, who does not want his name mentioned, said the incessant fire incidences recorded in the brothel may not be far from breeches of the fire safety code by its occupants. According to him, improper electrical connections which is very common in such places since the structures are not properly organised, may lead to frequent fire disasters. Proprietor of the brothel, who is simply known as Oga Manager is obviously not comfortable with the last inferno. To him, it was a big loss because the place has been a source of livelihood and therefore a setback especially in the midst of the economic downturn that is already biting hard on the nation. Apparently not wanting to be knocked out of business, Oga Manager has started rebuilding the facility. This time, the structure is being upgraded from its wooden stage to concrete blocks, which would transform it into a permanent structure. Inside Abuja inquiry reveals that the real owners of the brothel who are notable building materials merchants at the popular Maraba Building Materials Market in the

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Brothel where sex workers pay N150,000 daily

The burnt brothel being reconstructed.

neighbouring Nasarawa State have actually found the brothel business a money-spinning venture and are bent on promoting it at all cost. It was gathered that the major reason for the rapid reconstruction of the brothel was economic. Dooshima, one of the resident commercial sex- workers at the brothel, told our correspondents that while the brothel may look substandard to some persons, it was a venture its owners would not want to lose because of the daily cash flow it generates for them. The fair complexioned lady, in her early 30s, gave an insight to why the owners of the brothel cannot give up on the business in spite of the incessant fire incidents. “We pay them on a daily basis and each of us pays N500 as rent. Before this place got burnt, we were up to 300 'hustlers'; that is apart from the people who sell beer parlor and food in the shops lined up in front of the brothel. So, you can see when you calculate N500 by 300 people you will know why they are rushing to rebuild in order not to lose us," she said. It would appear that rebuilding

the brothel and bringing back the entertainment frenzy atmosphere which the place is known for is the desire of not just its proprietor but also the fun seekers who are already bemoaning the low state of activities in the area since the fire incident. The owners are expecting to complete the reconstruction work as soon as possible so that their business could bounce back and they could begin to smile to the banks once again. However, some residents of the area are not happy that the Mammy Market Hotel was being rebuilt. They argue that the tranquillity which the neighbourhood had enjoyed since the fire incidence will soon be polluted again when the brothel is revived and its clients return to their trade. Mama Uche , a middle aged woman who runs a restaurant cum bar in front of the brothel, lamented her losses from the fire incident. She said: “Though I lost many things to the fire; my chairs, table, dip freezers, electronics, cooking utensils, drinks and some food stuff, I am praying that the place should bounce back very soon. Even as I talk to you now, I

have made a deposit of N80, 000 for a shop there." However, a nurse who works at the Saffron Hospital, located adjacent the brothel expressed disappointment at the reconstruction work going on at the brothel. According to her, the ‘madness’ often displayed by the sex workers has given the area a bad image in the eyes of other people. She disclosed that when the brothel was in operation, there was no single day that the sex workers did not fight, either with each other or with their patrons, adding that the place has also become a hideouts for criminals. Her assertion was corroborated by another resident who said that it was the troubles from the brothel that a detachment of policemen were always patrolling the area, even though their presence has not stopped the sex workers from fighting and causing some social disorder. It has been a tale of different strokes for different folks because while some people don’t want the place to bounce back to life, others are almost praying for it to resurrect from the ruins of the inferno.

Eagle Square turns prayer ground C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 7

side by side with work in our offices. If it is the money these people paid, you people should better tell them that everything is not about money," he said. Inside Abuja investigations revealed that the Eagle Square is managed by the Integrated Facility Management Services Limited which also oversees the use of the Abuja International Conference Centre. It costs a whooping N1.92 million per day to rent the Eagle

Square. In addition to the fixed rate, there is a 10 per cent service charge, five per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) and a refundable caution fee of N393,750. However, caution charge for carnivals, jamborees, political rallies and concerts attract a 100 per cent of total charges. Perhaps, it is these mouthwatering sums that the managers may have placed above other considerations that made them rent out the arena for a church crusade on a work day.

If that is the case, then it is unfortunate because every right thinking person seems to agree with the civil servants that holding such rallies when work is in progress is a disservice to the nation. Inside Abuja visited the office of the facility managers to find out what must have informed their decision to give out the arena for events that could disrupt the work of government. An official, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition

of anonymity, said the event in question was a spill over from a weekend. According to her, the management of the facility had received a lot of complaints on that particular incident when a church crusade held on a weekday. "Now, the rules have changed. No more shows on work days. You can apply but you must have it at the back of your mind that nobody is going to approve Eagle Square for you to hold a show during working days," she said.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Energy FG, NNPC and ‘missing $16bn’ revenue

Business What's news Despite economic lull, Nigeria tops aviation business market p.24

Nigeria ranked 49 among least favourable markets p.24

Aviation International fares rise, domestic charges static

25 29

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE March 2016...............................11.6% February 2016...........................11.6% December 2015........................9.6%

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

EXCHANGE RATE

(BDC as at March 18)

(Interbank as at March 18)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N320 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N450 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N370

l Foreign Reserves – $27.807bn as at 25/2/2016

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N200 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N307 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N224

Source: CBN

L-R: Group Corporate Services Director, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr. Tunji Anjorin; Managing Director, Caribbean Health and Nutrition, Dr. Patrick Ijewere; Group Managing Director, Vitafoam, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi; and Group Technical and Development Director, Mr. Abbagana Abatcha, during the 2016 World Sleep Day, in Lagos.

Oil rout: IOCs on edge, face expat quota slash COST CUTTING IOCs have retained high payment profile for Nigeria’s expatriate

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

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Adeola Yusuf

he international oil companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria are faced with major expatriate quota check, which will lead to temporary slash in the number of expat in their operations. New Telegraph gathered at that the move occasioned by the oil price rout has led to sack of over 18,500 workers by the companies. While the IOCs have also slashed their investments profile and downsized over the impeding tough times occasioned by the fall in the price of oil at the international markets, checks revealed that oil firms operating in Nigeria still retained a high payment profile for expatriates in Nigeria, a move that has put them on the edge.   For instance, a survey by Hays showed that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector are still among the highest paid in the world, with an average monthly salary of $140,800 (N22.246 million).

“The pressure is on how we can manage the expatriate quota as we right size. It is one of the major considerations, as we progress into the turbulent years of low prices,” Management staff of one of the IOCs told New Telegraph: “The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has not changed its position that there is violation of expatriate quota in the industry and they have exchanged different correspondences with all the IOCs to be mindful of the quota in everything we do, including the on-going right sizing,” he added.  NCDMB, however, reiterated on its website that some of the IOCs operating in Nigeria’s multi-billion dollars oil and gas industry still violate Nigeria’s law on expatriate quota.  It added that this is part of the setbacks for the Nigeria Content Act. The Act stipulates that expatriates (foreigner) must not be employed for a work, which Nigerians have available expertise on. “Preaching a drastic reduction in the expatriate quota, the Act also stipulates that in a situation where there is a work, which only an expatriate worker has expertise on, proper application and notification should be made to government, through the NCDMB, which will hereafter give the approval on behalf of the Federal

18,500 Being the total number of oil workers sacked by the companies to their cut costs in line with the oil price rout

Government,” the statement read. The NCDMB however, stated in the statement that some of the companies still violate this provision. Although it did not mention names of these defaulters, the commission pledged its commitment to apportion appropriate sanctions on them. “The target we set in 2011 has recorded improvements. The local content is now contributing to the GDP since we began in 2011 and we have, based on this, concluded plans to establish more conducive environment for easy implementation. Those who default will be duly addressed,” NCDMB said.   Expatriate workers in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector are the highest paid in Africa and 11 most paid in the world, with an average annual salary of N22.246 million ($140,800), according to a global oil and gas salary survey. The survey, titled, ‘Oil and Gas Global Salary Guide 2015,’ published by Hays, a global recruitment firm, also revealed that local workers in the Nigeria’s oil and gas sector are the second highest paid in Africa, after South Africa and 26th in the world, with an average salary of N8.706 million ($55,100).  The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010 (the “Local Content Act” (NCA) CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |news

Nigeria tops aviation business market UNDAUNTING Anticipated 350 jets set to be in operation by 2016 notwithstanding the slump in the economy

Wole Shadare

espite the economic downturn, Nigeria has continued to rank as country with the highest number of business aviation in Africa followed by South Africa. Growth has been driven predominantly by the oil and gas industry, even though Nigeria’s private jet fleet is larger than the commercial aircraft

fleet. However, other sectors, including finance, manufacturing, telecoms and agriculture, are all contributing to a market, which is set to grow more by 10 per cent this year. Managing Director, Evergreen Apple Nigeria (EAN), Segun Demuren, made these disclosures in Ibadan. Demuren was the convener of the third Nigerian Business Aviation Conference with theme: “Sustaining Nigeria’s Position on the African Business Aviation Landscape,” that ended at the weekend. He also lamented the situation whereby any aircraft put on a 5N (Nigerian) registry loses asset value by as much as 25 per cent, yet incurs higher insurance pre-

miums, up to 35 per cent higher in some cases. The Evergreen Apple Nigeria boss said: “Maintenance and service support still remains a challenge and whilst the fleet continues to grow, there are no accurate figures for the amount of jets operating in Nigeria. Educated guesses say between 100 and 150, with an anticipated 350 set to be in operation by 2016.” However, underpinning the significance of the conference and the Nigerian pride in its business aviation sector, Demuren stated that operators and key stakeholders were all delivering the same message – “We believe in Nigeria. We are committed to Nigeria and we are willing to understand how we can do business successfully.” He stated that the

struggle is to educate and train as quickly as possible, stressing that knowledge transfer will take some time before Nigeria has enough home grown engineers. Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogle Meggison, said that transport logistics within Nigeria also stimulated growth with poor roads, a limited domestic airline fleet and train network, which meant that executive jets provide a solution to much of the logistical challenges in the country. He said: “The time saving, the convenience and the increased productivity that follows means business aviation is not a luxury but an essential tool for growth in Nigeria.” Megisson argued that

the government was supporting expansion, stating that it had removed import duties on new jets, had signed the Cape Town convention reassuring lessors about asset security; invested in new infrastructure including a private jet terminal that opened last year in Abuja; and did not impose a time restriction on the amount of time a foreign registered private jet could stay on the Nigerian soil. Whilst this was stimulating growth, he acknowledged that improved regulations, comprehensive MRO offerings, the implementation of structured safety management systems and local participation were all necessary for ongoing success. An airline chief, who preferred anonymity, in L-R: Head, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Downstream, Usman Ndanusa; Cardinal Priest and former Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Okogie; Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare and Managing Director/CEO, Northwest Petroleum, Mrs. Winifred Akpani, during the inauguration of the Northwes’s mega filling station in Lagos… at the weekend. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Nigeria ranked 49 among least favourable markets RECESSION The property market recorded 20 per cent drop in sales nationwide in the first quarter of this year

Dayo Ayeyemi

oor infrastructure, restrictions on trade, lack of ease in doing business and poor market demand were adduced among other factors liable for why Nigeria is in the list of least favourable markets for retailers to operate. According to the Ar-

cadis Retail Operations Index 2015, Nigeria was ranked 49 out of 50 countries considered as least favourable markets for retailers to operate. Some of the criteria used by the company to arrive at its conclusion include overall quality of infrastructure, ease of getting up and running, market demand, economic and business environment as well as ease of operating. Nigeria was also ranked 49 out of 50 in the area of undeveloped quality of infrastructure, 48 in ease of getting up and running, 50 in market demand and 46 in economic environment and ease of operating. Egypt was ranked behind Nigeria in the

list. But Hong Kong, Singapore, United Sate of America, Japan, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Sweden were ranked among 10 countries in the list of most favourable markets for retailers to operate. However, Nigeria’s retail activities have been slow since the beginning of the year, no thanks to foreign exchange restrictions, plunge in oil revenue, non-passage of 2016 budget and low disposable income of residents. According to the latest report of the Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), sluggish movement in retail

activities in the first quarter would continue, noting that retailers have been pushing up prices towards resistance level. FDC’s Managing Director, Mr Bismarck Rewane, said that fast food chains have been reporting 20 per cent cuts in sales nationwide, stressing that it was 30 per cent in Abuja and 15 per cent in Lagos. He pointed out that the cost pressures would persist with forex scarcity and naira weakness. The expert said there has been big difference between the inventory levels, adding that restocking has become a major problem and that retailers have been

struggling to pay rent. According to Rewane, more restaurants would offer limited menus, adding that KFC has reportedly stopped selling French fries on the basis that it could no longer import potatoes. This situation, he said portends bleak outlook for consumers’ disposable income, as they embark on lifestyle adjustment and focus on necessities. Rewane foresees panic buying later, saying that middle and high income consumers would stock up before stores run out of goods. “Shopping mall traffic to decline until Easter break. Prices of goods will spike further due to shortage,” he said.

a chat with New Telegraph, estimated that 150 business aircraft existing in Nigeria today are owned by the government, corporate organisations and individuals. He added that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), monthly, processes over 200 business and private flight clearances. Besides, he said: “Overall, however, Nigeria remains one of the largest business aviation markets in Africa with continued growth expected over the next 15-20 years. Demand for Business Aviation is principally fuelled by activities in the oil and gas sector.” He noted that there are expectations that growth in business aviation in Nigeria would marginally slacken due to downturn in the economy.

IOCs on edge, face expat quota slash CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

was signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday, April 22, 2010. It was set out to guide a paradigm shift in the way even menial jobs were dished out by oil and gas operating and service companies to all sorts of funny expatriates on flimsy excuses of offshore sourcing of technical expertise.  The Act, which derives from the Nigerian Content Policy, seeks to increase indigenous participation in the nation’s oil and gas industry by prescribing, among other things, minimum thresholds in relation to the utilisation of local manpower, services and goods as a means of adding value to the Nigerian economy by stimulating growth of indigenous capacity. And by virtue of Section 33 of the Act, operators are required to apply for approval of the NCDMB before submitting applications for expatriate quotas (including variations) to the Federal Ministry of Interior (Immigration Department) or any other agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The NCDMB Guidelines sets out the procedure and requirements for an application for new expatriate quota position(s) and the extension of existing ones.

TUESDAY, march 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Energy

FG, NNPC and ‘missing $16bn’ revenue Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have been at loggerheads over the new audits, which claimed that the latter failed to remit $16 billion to the treasury in 2014. ADEOLA YUSUF reports

he Federal Government perceived the $16 billion allegedly unremitted by the NNPC to the treasury as a big issue. But the corporation did not. Last Wednesday, the nation’s energy firm actually challenged the official allegations that it had failed to remit revenues worth N3.2 trillion in 2014. Instead, the NNPC said that it only owed $1.64 billion. The allegation, according to the corporation, did not only show that the auditor-general did not know how the oil industry operates, it also depicts that the auditor-general had failed to account for costs, including fuel subsidy, pipeline vandalism and maintenance. While the NNPC was unequivocal about its stand that $16 billion was not missing, the Auditor -General, Samuel Ukura, reiterated the audit report, re-emphasising the un-remittance of $16 billion by the NNPC. This has not raised question on whether figures can lie or not, but had thrown up concerns by many. The allegation In a report last Monday, the Auditor-General, Samuel Ukura, said that the NNPC withheld $16 billion meant for the federation account in 2014. About N3.2 trillion of excess crude account was not remitted into the federation account in 2014, according to a report the AuGF submitted to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa. The report also exposed alleged fraud of N10.4 billion in the National Assembly management in 2014. According to Ukura, payments of N9.5 billion were made without raising payment vouchers at the management department, which is a violation of financial regulation 601. He said: “Personal advances granted to 112 staff recurrent votes and 50 members of staff General Service vote from July to December 2014, for various purposes, all amounting to N1.2 billion. “Review of sales profile on sales of Gas to Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) was not paid to the Federation Account, but transferred to some undisclosed

Oil rig

in Africa’s biggest oil producer and largest economy has been stunted by decades of corruption and mismanagement. Government’s anti-corruption fight now seems to be shifting to the oil sector. It started with investigations into the alleged diversion of $2.1 billion meant for weapons to fight the Islamist insurgency in northeast Nigeria. High profile politicians and some top military officers linked to the alleged arms fraud have been arrested and are being prosecuted. This new discovery may, however, kick-start the full-scale probe of the oil industry, which many Nigerians have been envisaging.

Escrow Accounts. Relevant documents were not made available for verification.” Buhari’s link The move to unravel the allegedly missing $16 billion is seen as a major part of the agenda by President Muhammadu Buhari to end the corruption and mismanagement that has stunted the growth of the continent’s biggest economy. Buhari, who sacked senior NNPC managers - weeks after his inauguration, have approved splitting the company into upstream, downstream, gas power marketing, refinery groups, and ventures divisions in a bid to improve transparency. This is not the first time that attempts have been made to question the NNPC finances. In 2014, the then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lamido Sanusi, was suspended after accusing the state-run energy firm of failing to pay $20 billion into government coffers between January 2012 and July 2013. Under the constitution, NNPC must hand over its oil revenue, which makes up about 70 per cent of total income and money is then paid back based on a budget approved by parliament. The allegation made two years ago by Sanusi culminated in his sack by the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. Sanusi, who is now the Emir of Kano, had accused the oil company of failing to remit $20 billion. Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter, depends largely on crude proceed to service over 85 per cent of its budget. The nation’s oil exports are, according to Organisation of Petroleum exporting Countries (OPEC), worth about $77 billion annually. But there are allegations that some of these funds are diverted to private pockets. Development

The AuGF office and NNPC should harmonise positions to save Nigeria embarrassment of being tagged a confused state

Chain of corruption allegation Nigeria’s oil and gas industry has witnessed several allegations and discoveries of fraud. In 2012, the Senate investigated the contentious Malabu Oil Field transaction. The Upper House re-opened investigation into an allegation of $1.1 billion round tripping involving the Federal Government and two international oil companies – Shell and Eni (Agip) – over the sale of a contentious OPL 245 oil block. The National Assembly, in November 2015, also conducted 18 legislative probes into sundry cases of crude theft, pipeline vandalism, misappropriation, joint venture agreements, missing crude revenue in Nigeria’s corruption-tainted oil and gas sector from 1999-2014. According to the outcomes of the selected major probes in the oil sector, about $15 billion was lost to fraud while $6.8 billion subsidy was unaccounted for. The period also witnessed the alleged missing N500 billion SURE-P claims for oil subsidy for a period of time. Also, about $16 billion was said to be unaccounted for in the

power sector while about N2 trillion was unremitted by the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). The National Institute made this information known in a recently released study for Legislative Studies (NILS). The study, made public on October 20, 2015, contained a detailed report of 82 key probes and investigative public hearings undertaken by the National Assembly since inception. In 2000, a 14-member House ad-hoc committee investigated the Federal Government’s crude exports and refined imports amongst other oil and gas industry issues for the period of May 1999 to 2000. The Ibrahim Ganyama-led House ad-hoc committee, in its findings, reported that Nigeria lost $80 million crude revenue from January to August 2000 as a result of NNPC’s failure to follow the statutory empowerment of lifting 300,000 barrels per day. The ad-hoc committee described NNPC’s operations, record keeping and tendering processes as “shoddy” and “fraudulent.” The 2000 probe stated: “Illegal sale of petroleum products becomes a booming business as Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) continues to pay equalisation claims, while NNPC continues with endless bridging and DPR went to sleep in the exercise of monitoring.” In 2007, a Senate ad-hoc committee investigated allegations of impropriety in the handling of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). The Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba-led committee, in its report, gave three controversial rulings: (a) that (former) President Olusegun Obasanjo acted outside the law, but should be advised to follow the due process in the future; (b) CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Energy

Usman Habeeb

am a humble Nigerian with a strong confidence in my fatherland, Nigeria. I came across a Saudi Arabian, Afzal Ahmad, at Dubai International Airport in 2011. Ahmad, who later became my close associate, has been in the oil and gas business in his home country, Saudi Arabia, for over 10 years. At every given opportunity, he encourages me to invest in the Nigerian oil and gas industry in view of the Local Content Act in Nigeria, citing the remarkable success of a similar policy in Saudi Arabia. After much deliberation with Ahmad, who advises me on business from time to time at no cost, I summoned the courage to focus on the upstream arm of the oil and gas sector believing that the Local Content Law aimed at localizing management and control of the oil and gas industry will be a plus for indigenous players. The establishment of the Nigerian Content Monitoring Board (NCMB) to serve as enforcer and regulator by coordinating, monitoring and execution of the local content law further boosted my confidence. Based on the foregoing, with the my parents’ consent, I decided to mortgage my family’s properties to secure a loan from a commercial bank believing in the effectiveness of enacted acts and laws regulating the oil and gas industry aimed at giving Nigerian independent operators and Nigerian service companies’ first consideration in the award of oil and gas-related contracts and “exclusive consideration” for contracts and services respectively. I went ahead to borrow a huge sum of money at exorbitant interest rates and ridiculously short tenors to invest in the acquisition of vessels to provide support services to

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

that (former) Vice President Atiku Abubakar, diverted and mismanaged public funds and should be sanctioned; and (c) that certain other persons, Adamu Maina Waziri, Ahmed Vanderpuye, Hussein Jallo, Hamisu Abubakar and Otunba Johnson Fasawe, should refund money to the Federal Government and face prosecution. In 2008, the House probed former NNPC Group Managing Director, Gaius Obaseki, over the mismanagement of funds of the corporation. Similarly, Obaseki was indicted for wasting over N2 billion in less than four years on hotel accommodation. Also in 2008, the House probed operations of NNPC and its subsidiaries from 1999 to 2007. The investigation uncovered “deliberate and unaccounted” increase in the daily quota of petroleum production against OPEC allocation. It also uncovered that funds budgeted for Turn-Around Maintenance (TAM) of the country’s refineries were “misappropriated.” Nigeria also lost $5.74 billion crude revenue as a result

Oil: Bribe pays off, kills entrepreneurship offshore drilling operations as a way of creating jobs and wealth for the teeming unemployed youths in the country. Upon securing the fund, I bought my first ship and employed 50 people. A few years later, I acquired my second vessel and employed additional 30 workers to drive operations and management of the fleet. With a passion to grow, I increased my staff strength to over 300 people mainly Nigerians with about 100 vendors servicing my company. The ability to put food on the table of many kept me going, as I was motivated to drive the business further. While trying to consolidate my investment, then came the flood of briefcase companies who lack the technical and financial capacities to render quality services but rely on doling out

money to officials of concerned authorities in government (i.e. NNPC) and international oil companies (IOCs) to secure longterm contracts at the expense of credible corporate citizens. These cheap companies are professional bribe payers and are always able to secure longterm contracts even though they don’t have assets but end up engaging the services of third parties (who are mainly foreign entities) to the detriment of capable wholly owned Nigerian companies who are ceaselessly denied contracts for reasons best known to government and officials of IOCs). This unfair treatment being meted out to genuine Nigerian investors is painful and not to the advantage of the country as a cabal has been formed to jeopardize due process in the award of

contracts by NAPIMS and IOCs. All these foreign companies benefitting from the lapses in the industry end up transferring their earnings to their home countries without looking back. This is why in Nigeria, Vessel owners cannot compete with brokers, a resultant effect of the unethical conduct of staff members of government entities and IOCs involved in the procurement process. It is then that I understood how a middle-level employee of concerned authorities could afford a two million dollar house in Lagos, Abuja, London and the United States. I still have not made that kind of money. Now, I am getting frustrated and have disengaged over 75 staff, as I have consistently tried to find work for my ships to no avail. I will not pay bribe

to anyone because of my conviction in a competitive process that will put into consideration technical and financial capacities of entities bidding for contracts in the industry. It is important to note that despite all these challenges, as a company, we still pay taxes and levies when due. This patriotic act is being threatened by the inability of local players to win oil and gas contracts. Government should remember that indigenous companies are not afraid of healthy competition (or requesting for favours) but are only asking for a level playing ground in the bidding process and award of contracts. If these anomalies in the industry are not corrected, they will only get worse. –Habeeb writes from Lagos.

Power sub-station

FG, NNPC and ‘missing $16bn’ of NNPC’s shady deals with marketers and “manipulation of prices” of crude allocation to its refineries. In 2011, the Senate probed oil subsidy expenditure. The Senator Magnus Abe-chaired joint committee found that the NNPC paid itself N847.94 billion even after it had been paid N844.94 billion by the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency in 2011, suggesting that the NNPC had been making double withdrawals for years from the public treasury. Also in 2012, a petroleum subsidy probe conducted by the Farouk Lawan-led House ad hoc committee was rocked by a bribery scandal. The probe, however, revealed that $6.8 billion oil revenue was unaccounted for. The House, in 2013, investigated the propriety of contracting the protection Nigeria’s waterways and pipelines to private firms reportedly owned by ex-militants. In 2013, a Senate Committee that investigated a “missing” N500 billion SURE-P fund reported that the NNPC could

not account for the N32 billion removed as subsidy on each litre of petrol sold from January 2012 to September 2013. Also in 2013, the House launched a forensic inquest into NNPC’s Joint Venture agreements with some multinationals. No report was however, submitted. In 2014, the Senate probed allegations that NNPC failed to remit $49.8 billion. At the end of the probe, the committee’s report debunked the claim. It also accused Sanusi (now Emir of Kano) of jumping to conclusions and generating falsehood allegation against the NNPC. In the same year, former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, was investigated over allegations of financial recklessness. The probe was inconclusive. Meanwhile, apart from the numerous probes of the oil sector by the National Assembly, there were other investigative hearings into other areas of national life, some of which produced no tangible outcomes and the one that came close

to the $16 billion missing oil revenues, which has just been made, is the probe instituted by the House of Representatives into the about $16 billion allegedly spent on the power sector. NNPC’s defence NNPC has not hidden its disdain for the allegation of massive fraud against it and the new claims of “missing $16 billion” by the AuGF were not an exemption. While the spokesperson for the corporation had, for the umpteenth time, stood up in defense of NNPC, its Chief Financial Officer, Isiaka Abdulrazaq, took the heat this time around. He said: “The latest figures on OPEC’s website states that Nigeria’s oil exports are worth around $77 billion a year. However, the act establishing the state oil company allows it to cover costs before remitting funds to government. “The declaration by the AuGF (Auditor General of the Federation) may have been borne out of misunderstanding of how

revenues from crude oil and gas sales are remitted into the Federation Account.” Consequently, he said: “NNPC wishes to state in strong terms that the AGF’s declaration is erroneous”, adding that the auditor-general had failed to account for costs including a fuel subsidy, pipeline vandalism and maintenance. “Consequently, the figure owed the Federation Account as at January 2015 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting report was N326,142,137,205.79 ($1.64 billion)...and not the N3.23 trillion alleged by the AuGF,” he said. Conclusion The AuGF office and NNPC are agencies of government. They should harmonise their positions on this critical issue to save Nigeria the embarrassment of being tagged a confused state among the comity of nations. The president, on the other hand, must intervene by floating a special inquiry into the issue and punish whoever is found to have contravened the law.

TUESDAY, march 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

The hope of allottees to take possession of their plots of land in the FESTAC Phase II project appears to be fading following the ruling of a Federal High Court on a disputed portion of the land, DAYO AYEYEMI reports

Homes&Property

FESTAC Phase II: Uncertainty as allottees’ hopes wane

ope of hundreds of homeseeking Nigerians in the much-talked about FESTAC Phase II project has been further dampened following the court judgment secured by the indigenes of Kuje-Amuwo community in Lagos against the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) over a disputed portion of the area. Since the ruling, it has been alleged that the indigenes had embarked on harassment of allottees and demolition of property of residents in a bid to enforce the judgment delivered by Justice Okon Effreti Abang on February 29, 2016. Although, FHA in a statement signed by its Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Tunde Ipinmisho, said it had proceeded to the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the Federal High Court in the case, this has, however, not doused the fear of subscribers in the multi-billion naira project. The fate of many Nigerians, who are major subscribers to the project, is now hanging in the balance until a counter ruling is pronounced by the Court of Appeal. Attempts by New Telegraph to get reactions from the developer, Messrs New FESTAC Property Development Company Limited (NFPDCL), were futile as telephone calls to the Managing Director, Mr. Goody Egbuji, were not picked. Genesis of conflict The Federal Government had made massive acquisition of land for the development of Festival Town to host the 1977 World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture. In 2006, FHA took advantage of the public-private partnership initiative and invited bids for the reclamation and infrastructural development of Festac Phase II to produce 7,000 serviced plots complete with standard infrastructure and essential services. The bid was won by Messrs New Festac Property Development Company, which is a special purpose vehicle made up of four companies – Fung Tai Engineering Limited, PW Nig Limited, SCC Nigeria Limited and Energo Nigeria Limited. It would be recalled that the concession agreement to develop FESTAC Phase II project was signed between the Federal Government and Messrs New FESTAC Property Development Company Limited in 2014. However, one and half years after the official signing ceremo-

Block of flats in FESTAC Phase I, Lagos

ny in Abuja, the project has been enmeshed in crisis involving the indigenes of Amuwo community in Lagos and other settlers around the project site. Reactions A source from Amuwo community, who requested to be anonymous, told our correspondent that the said land belonged to their forefathers, adding that the Federal Government was hiding under the Land Use Act of 1978 to forcibly take over the land on the pretext of overriding public interest for the development of FESTAC Phase I in 1977. According to the source, government took over the land and paid compensation in some parts but failed to do same in other parts. The source said that what the concessionaire was committing to now “is just to sell plots of land at commercial rate to the rich,” a practice, which the source said had negated the original plan of the land. Hailing the court ruling, the source said the community had just taken back what belonged to it. A source from the government’s side told New Telegraph that the problem being confronted by the concessionaire bordered on inability to carry out due diligence before the deal was sealed. This assertion, the source said, was shared by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, when he heard about the matter. The source said the minister asked all stakeholders to sort out the issues surrounding the land. The Alamuwo of Kuje Amuwo, Oba Isaac Owolabi and three others had instituted a suit against

There is need to set up a committee comprising government officials and community leaders to settle the issues

the FHA, claiming that about 4.017 hectares being a portion of land in the Phase II of Festival Town belonged to the Amuwo community and was not properly acquired.

its agents on the land. It further warned Kuje Amuwo community to desist from further harassment and intimidation of law abiding citizens and the wilful destruction of property.

Documents It would be recalled that by the Federal Government Gazettes No 54 of November 6, 1975 and No 45 of September 9, 1976, government acquired about 2,024.60 hectares of land along Badagry Expressway and lying between Amuwo Odofin Scheme, International Trade Fair Complex and the Military Cantonment and referred to as Festival Town in the Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State. Lagos State Government, on May 11, 1988, granted an Indenture covering the Federal Government Acquisition to the Federal Housing Authority. The tenor of the grant is in perpetuity for as long as the Federal Government or the Federal Housing Authority requires the land.

Concessionarre’s fear Egbuji had told our correspondent recently that the project was stuck due to the on-going court case over the site. He said some settlers in the neighbourhood had taken the company to court over the project site, but that the court was going to deliver judgment on the case before the end of last month. “There is a court injunction over the land. Some settlers on the affected land took us to court. “But the court is going to decide on the issue by the end of February and we are going to commence work,” Egbuji had said. The fear among stakeholders is that if the judgment goes the other way, it may be as a major setback for the multi-billion naira project, which is expected to provide accommodation for over 50,000 families.

FHA’s reactions FHA, in a statement signed by Ipinmosho, described the judgment against a federal land duly acquired after payment of compensation and partially developed since 1977 as Festac Phase I, as “perverse and an abuse of court process.” He said that FHA had therefore requested the relevant security agencies to preserve law and order in the area while the Federal Government in collaboration with the concessionaire/ developer duly contracted by the Federal Housing Authority is taking steps to vacate the judgment. FHA advised members of the public not to have any dealing with the Kuje Amuwo family and

Level of work Egbuji noted that the firm has not abandoned the site, dismissing insinuations that the company had fled, adding that the fact that the company was not carrying out physical construction on site did not mean that it had not been doing anything regarding the project. He stated specifically that there have been a lot of on-going activities off the site as regards project design, layout designs, clearance of swamp and Environmental Impact Assessment CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Business | Homes & Property

DEMAND: Experts canvass creation of Valuer-General’s position Stories Dayo Ayeyemi

n order to promote the development of the Nigerian property market, the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has called for the speedy implementation of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Besides, the institution is also equipping its members through necessary trainings and sensitisation of the public for a smooth take-off of the scheme. In a communiqué issued at the end of its Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) held in Lagos at the weekend, the estate surveyors and valuers noted that IPSAS required all public assets to be valued for the determination of their fair value. This valuation, they said, must be carried out by estate surveyors and valuers as stipulated in Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Act, Decree No. 24 of 1975, now CAP 111, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1990. Themed: “Implementation of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards in Nigeria (IPSAS): The Estate Surveyor and Valuer as a Key Stakeholder,” the forum’s communiqué was signed by the Chairman, NIESV, Lagos Branch, Mr. Samuel Ukpong and Chairman, MCPD subcommittee, Mr. Dotun Bamigbola. The experts called for the creation of the position of Valuer-General at both the federal and state levels to coordinate the valuation of all public assets, develop and regularly update asset registers for ease of

Estate surveyors hunt for enriched market

data compilation, analysis and dissemination. This, they said, was in line with IPSAS 12 and 17, which requires an asset register in the inventories of public institutions that are to be accounted for. The office of valuer-general, they said, would see to the coordination of the valuation of all property based taxes, appraisal (feasibility and viability studies) of all public projects, set and maintain necessary valuation standards in liaising with the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board (ESVARBON) in order to protect the probity of government property valuation. The communiqué pointed out that valuation would be required for the IPSAS implementation of public sector entities to demonstrate account-

ability to the citizenry and taxpayers, satisfy creditors and to raise money for government expenditure through the privatisation of government assets, among others. The experts in the communique noted that public sector entities were also required to prepare an impact assessment and gap analysis to be able to address issues arising from the transition to IPSAS as at January 1, 2016, in Nigeria. They called for an urgent need to kick start the implementation process of IPSAS accounting by taking an inventory of all government and public sector assets based on the new measurement classification into investment properties, plant and equipment, intangible assets, service concession assets (such as bridges, airports and roads), heritage

analysis. Egbuji added that part of the project undertakings were on-going in Europe and China. “So, you cannot say there is no activity. Things are going on behind the scene that you cannot see us doing physically on site. But I want to assure Nigerians that by the time court rules on the case in February, we will resume work,” he had said. Scope of project The concession of Festac Phase II project includes but not limited to land reclamation, sand filling, infrastructural development, marketing/sale of the over 7,000 plots of land to be created from the reclaimed land and facility management for the 30-year period of the concession before reversion to

The communiqué read: “Public sector entities must provide specific disclosures requirements on heritage assets in the financial statements. If heritage assets are recognised by a public sector entity, then such assets are measured in accordance with IPSAS standard on property, plant and equipment. “The inventory will enable the government at all levels to develop a register of assets and maintain the register with regular update of items and values. Estate Surveyors and Valuers should play the peculiar role in this process as key stakeholders.” The experts said that the valuation of public sector assets could also be undertaken for a range of purposes including

financial reporting, insurance, privatisation planning, loan origination, bond issuance, asset management and analyses performed by governments to determine whether a public sector asset is being used and managed efficiently, for asset management purposes. “A multi-disciplinary approach should be employed in the asset management process of the public assets which should be valued/assessed for their commercial or socio-economic worth. “This process should involve all relevant professionals such as accountants, auditors, ICT professionals, engineers, GIS p r a c t i t i o n e r s / s u r veyors, builders, insurers and especially estate surveyors and valuers, among others,” the communiqué read.

A section of properties in Lagos

Uncertainty as allottees’ hopes wane CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

assets, among others.

Federal Housing Authority (FHA). The land reclamation and infrastructural development of the second phase of the project is expected to cost N401 billion. The project handler said that the preliminary stage would cost about N100.25 billion ($500 million), while the main construction work would be done at the rate of N300.75 billion ($1.5 billion). “For the first phase, which primarily covers the de-grooving, dredging, land reclamation and soil improvement, we estimate $500 million, while the phase two, which involves infrastructural construction work, will take approximately $1.5 billion. “The cost for the third phase, which is the building development, is not yet concluded,” it said. A former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban

Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, signed the agreement on behalf of the Federal Government, while the Vice Chairman of New Festac Property Development Company, Sir Isaac Chuks, signed on behalf of the developers. Benefits Eyakenyi had explained that the realisation of the concession would transform Festac Town into a modern city and yield great benefits both in infrastructure and economic development of Lagos. Conclusion Weighing the benefits of the project to Nigeria, government and the citizens, there is need to set up a committee comprising government officials and community leaders to settle the issues amicably.

OAU estate management professionals meet on development roadmap

ear 2000 graduates of Estate Management Department, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, are on the brink of charting a new course for their chosen profession and themselves. This was demonstrated when the group held its first reunion after 16 years in different spheres of life, in Lagos, last week. While welcoming members, Coordinator of the Reunion, Mr. Olakunle Olayiwola, said the gathering provided an opportunity for them to chart a roadmap. He described the reunion as “a unique opportunity for members to celebrate, rub minds and discuss latest estate valuation and allied professional trends around the world.” “This is our first reunion meeting after graduating from Ife and majority of members will use the opportunity to net-

work, reconnect with each other for the first time in 16 years. “We also decided to invite one of the illustrious lecturers of the Department of Estate Management as our special guest of honour because of his immense contributions to the development of the profession,” Olayiwola said. The guest of honour at the gathering, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Design and Management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Bioye Tajudeen Aluko, reflected on the opportunities given to the 2000 class of the estate management department. “I am glad today that quite a number of these young career professionals have been very creative while defying conventional estate management practice, which has helped them to excel in different careers and spheres of life in the last couple of years,” Aluko reiterated.

TUESDAY, march 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AVIATION

British airways and First Nation airways

If fuel prices are so low, why are air fares so high and local tickets stagnant? WOLE SHADARE asks The NCAA charge It is an irony of some sorts that while domestic fares are as low as N12,000 and N15,000; tickets on international routes are on the rise. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has even made the matter worse for the domestic carriers, warning any airline that embarks on add-on charges, sub-charges or other malicious charges on ticket payment will be seriously penalised. The NCAA said it has come to its notice that airlines now arbitrarily increase fares, without recourse to the Nigerian Civil Aviation regulations. General Manger, Public Relations, NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, said that request for fare increase should be as a result of some indicators such as prices in aviation fuel and ensuring that additional fuel cost burn by the airline operators during the corresponding period must be on short time basis not exceeding a period of two months in such instance. The NCAA therefore warned operators who charge passengers extra amount without approval to stop forthwith. Poor domestic traffic The low passenger traffic on the domestic scene coupled with about eight airlines offering scheduled operations make the local travel market over saturated as they contend with just less than seven million passengers annually. This is a far cry for a population of over 160 million people. The same cannot be said of foreign airlines, especially European carriers that have domi-

International fares rise, domestic charges static nated Nigeria’s aviation market. The situation is not helped by lack of national carrier that probably may have taken a bite out of the huge aviation market in Nigeria. Nigerian airlines struggle It must be said that Nigerian flag carrier airlines such as Medview and Arik, have done so well for themselves to remain in business, especially on the lucrative Lagos-London route, but they do not have the capacity to match the likes of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways in route expansion and technology. The two British carriers share 21 frequencies amongst themselves while the two Nigerian airlines have less than 14 frequencies between them, which already shows sharp imbalance. This is also the case for American airlines, which operate into Nigeria under the ‘Open Skies’ policy. Only Arik operate from Nigeria, a far cry from the services provided by Delta and United Airlines - two airlines regarded as some of the biggest airlines in the world. Experts believe that because of inability to break the monopoly or duopoly of these European, American and Gulf carriers, prices can be fixed, which appears to be the case, as virtually all of them charge the same astronomical fares including blocking of seats. Exorbitant fares Despite the fact that it is low season, most international airlines, especially BA and Virgin are said to charge over N400,000 for economy class ticket, while First Class ticket goes for as high

As for people who can’t afford to fly, the airlines really are not interested any more

as N3 million from N1.5 million. Aside the depreciation of naira against the United States dollar, these airlines, because of their preference by Nigerian travellers, have decided to hike fares on the route. Even Arik was accused by travel operators of charging almost the same fares, as these other foreign airlines at a time they said they should lower their fares to get good load factor. Stakeholders in the travel industry under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) have faulted the astronomical cost of air tickets by foreign airlines. The group at its just concluded 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Ibadan, Oyo State, at the weekend, stated that a situation where taxes that go to the airlines are higher than base fares is not accepted. They have, however, petitioned the Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation to call foreign airlines to order over what they termed sharp practices. Consumers are often shocked by the difference between an advertised airfare and the price they ultimately pay for the airline ticket. The reason for the discrepancy is that the amount advertised is usually the airline’s “base” airfare on which many surcharges and taxes are levied at the time of purchase. Cumulative effect of high taxes, fares Publicity Secretary of NANTA, Mrs. Ngozi Ngoka, said that the cumulative effect of taxes and surcharges generates a final price to the consumer that can be

as much as double the advertised airfare for a short-haul flight. Airlines, she reiterated, make available on their website fares, which are much cheaper than those available on the agency booking platforms. Ngoka faulted this as unfair competition, saying that it is running a lot of agencies out of business. We have documented evidence about this practice from Emirates airlines and KLM. She stated that the group had made its position known to the aviation regulatory body, the NCAA, stressing that regulation on it has not been helpful. “Our position is that we want a unit to be set up that will look into fare structure of airlines. Fares are padded. A former Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, was very helpful and fiercely fought to stop the fleecing of Nigerians. In other climes, aviation regulators look at fare structures. Taxes are higher than base fares,” he had said. Ngoka decried the astronomical cost of air ticket, for example, to London from Lagos or Abuja, stressing that a situation where air fares to London costs between N400,000 and N450,000 for economic class ticket from between N150,000 and N200,000 simply cannot be justified, notwithstanding falling value of the naira against the dollar. from He equally stated that First Class ticket on British carriers and other European airlines has gone up between N1,million and N1.5 million to N3 million, describing it as “ludicrous.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | AVIATION

NANTA petitions FG over foreign carriers’ inflated fares RUSE The airline’s “base” airfare on which surcharges and taxes are levied is the amount usually advertised Wole Shadare

takeholders in the travel industry under the aegis of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) have faulted the astronomical cost of air tickets by foreign airlines. The group at its 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Ibadan, Oyo State, at the week-

end, stated that a situation where taxes that go to the airlines are higher than base fares is not accepted. Consequently, they have petitioned the Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation to call foreign airlines to order over what they termed sharp practices. Consumers are often shocked by the difference between an advertised airfare and the price they ultimately pay for the airline ticket. The reason for the discrepancy is that the amount advertised is usually the airline’s “base” airfare on which many surcharges and taxes are levied at the time of purchase. Publicity Secretary of NAN-

TA, Mrs. Ngozi Ngoka said that the cumulative effect of taxes and surcharges generates a final price to the consumer that can be as much as double the advertised airfare for a shorthaul flight. Airlines she reiterated, make available on their website, fares which are much cheaper than those available on the agency booking platforms. Ngoka said this is an unfair competition, stressing that the practice is running a lot of agencies out of business. “We have documented evidence about this practice from Emirates airlines and KLM”, Ngoka said. She stated that the group had made its position known to the

aviation regulatory body, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), stressing that regulation on it has not been helpful. “Our position is that we want a unit to be set up to look into fare structure of airlines. Fares are padded. A former Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren was very helpful and serious fought to stop the fleecing of Nigerians. In other climes, aviation regulators look at fare structures. Taxes are higher than base fares.” Ngoka decried the astronomical cost of air ticket for example to London from Lagos or Abuja, emphasizing that a situation where air fares to

Former Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi, Managing Director, Tour Brokers International (TBI), Mrs. Uloma Egbuna and Chairman, Tour Brokers international (TBI), Mr. Femi Adefope at the launch of partnership between TBI and Royal Caribbean cruises

International fares rise, domestic charges static CO NTINUED FRO M PAG E 29

Other vices Speaking on other burning issues, she equally lambasted the sale of airline tickets by Nigerian banks, adding that the lenders in Nigeria have become “jack of all trades” and are gradually and consistently encroaching on all businesses, including specialised areas such as theirs. She said the banks are not licensed to act as airline agents. To her, travel agents undergo a rigorous accreditation process before they are allowed to sell airline tickets. “Why are airlines colluding with banks to sell tickets by offering banks commission and offering agents none? Banks indicted Ngoka noted that recently, the public had been inundated with adverts by lenders in the country making “ridiculous offers to the general public for the purchase of air tickets from such banks. This growing trend portrays a dangerous situation whereby the banks have abandoned their core business of providing financial services to the public and delving into a business venture that they

are not legally licensed to perform.” A series of industry developments have put airlines firmly in control of prices, in a way they haven’t been in perhaps a generation. As a result, fares may be rise even more. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean travelers have to overpay for their tickets. Historically, air fares have been tied to the price of energy. Fuel accounts for roughly one-quarter to onethird of an airline’s operating cost. But that dynamic is quietly changing. Conclusion A study by the airfare Web site Hopper.com found that last month, jet fuel prices fell 12 per cent, while fares only came down one per cent. In fact, airline costs and fares aren’t that closely linked anymore. Since last December, fares have increased 3.6 times faster than airline operating expenses from fuel costs, according to the site. So, will prices come down anytime soon? No one — not even the analysts, the airlines or the travel industry’s soothsayers — know for sure. But most of them suspect fares will remain high, if not climb higher, as the prevailing winds favour

the airlines. “If customer demand is strong — and relative to capacity, that’s true for airlines today — then falling costs will mean higher profits, not lower prices,” says Edward Shelswell-White, who runs LexVolo, an aviation consultancy firm in Dallas. It would probably take a recession to reduce demand for fares, resulting in lower prices. Experts predict that until the economy falters, fares will stay at their current levels. “Airfares aren’t coming down anytime soon,” says Frank Werner, an associate professor of finance at Fordham University’s business school. Furthermore, the airline industry isn’t concerned about making its product affordable to passengers like Oakman, he says. “As for people who can’t afford to fly, the airlines really are not interested any more than Daimler-Benz is worried that many people cannot afford to purchase a Mercedes.” Passengers aren’t out of options. Technology could help travelers find the lowest available fare. A site like Hopper.com can tell you if you’ve found a deal and disclose the best time to fly for a low fare.

London costs between N400, 000 and N450, 000 for economic class ticket from between N150, 000 and N200, 000, simply cannot be justified, notwithstanding falling value of the Naira against the dollar. He equally stated that First Class ticket on British carriers and other European airlines has gone up between N1million and N1.5 million to N3 million, describing it as “ludicrous”. Speaking on other burning issues, she equally lambasted the sale of airline tickets by Nigerian banks, adding that the lenders have become “jack of all trades” and are gradually and consistently encroaching on all businesses including specialised areas such as theirs. She said the banks are not licensed to act as airline agents. To her, travel agents undergo a rigorous accreditation process before they are allowed to sell airline tickets. “Why are airlines colluding with banks to sell tickets by offering banks commission and offering agents none, she asked? Ngoka stated that recently, banks in the country had inundated the public with adverts making “ridiculous offers to the general public for the purchase of air tickets from lenders”. This growing trend, she said, portrays a dangerous situation whereby the banks have abandoned their core business of providing financial services to the public and delving into a business venture that they are not legally licensed to perform.”

TBI brings Royal Caribbean to Nigeria

n its bid to meet the year nings of business and leisure travelers, Tour Brokers International (TBI) in partnership with Cruises International, has brought the prestigious Royal Carribbean to Nigeria. Based in Florida, United States, Royal Carribean is a cruise line brand founded in Norway. In a chat with New Telegraph, Managing Director, TBI, Uloma Egbuna, stated that the imperativeness on Nigerians taking a cruise cannot be over emphasized. She said: “We are also partnering with three international airlines: Emirates, KLM and Delta Airlines. Emirates, for Arabian Gulf cruise, KLM for Mediterranean cruises and Delta Airlines for Caribbean cruises. “We are coming up with all inclusive packages with this three airlines so that when you are buying a cruise you are also buying an all inclusive package, which includes your ticket, your visas and also the cruise content. We have a cruise package per person to the Arabian Gulf that is as low as $1,250. She noted, “We are de-

lighted that clients will now have a one stop cruise shop in Lagos where guests are assured of tailor-made cruise at the most competitive prices .This is testimony to our excellent relationship with and support from cruises international and Royal Caribbean’s faith in our company. The cruise is very affordable contrary to people’s belief that cruises are expensive. For a thousand dollars for a couple, you can get a cruise to the Caribbean. People also need to be educated about cruising. You can get all the luxury at a cheaper rate”. On his part, Mr. George Argyropoulos CEO Cruises International noted, “This is a positive culmination of our almost 10 year working relationship with Cruises International South Africa. It is a reflection of TBIs skillful management of the cruising option”. TBI has been in the forefront of championing cruises as a holiday destination in Nigeria. Operational since 2002, TBI, a professional operator tour in Nigeria with clients ranging from Nigerian business leisure travellers and expatriates residing in Nigeria.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Interview We need to reduce preference for varsity education, FUT, Minna VC

Education

Campus Provost cautions students against exam malpractice

ABANDONMENT

33 35

Teachers distributing food to pupils in LEA Primary School, Badarawa

Few weeks to the implementation of the free school feeding programme launched by the Kaduna State Government on January 18, the policy, has today remained a curse as pupils abandon classrooms after their meals. Ibraheem Musa KADUNA

arely two months after the school feeding policy was introduced by the Kaduna State Government for pupils in public primary schools, the government has continued to count its losses. Today, the programme based on its objectives, which should have served as a veritable means of promoting increased enrolment and retention in schools, is beset with various challenges, raising a fresh question as to how far could the meal project go. Rather than retaining the pupils in schools, they now run away in droves immediately after their meals. Under the progamme, the food vendors report at the schools as early as 8.30a.m while serving of the meals begins from 9am to 10am, which is usually during the break period, in which the pupils are served Yam and Egg Sauce (Monday); Rice and Beans (Tuesday); while on Wednesday it is Beans and Porridge; Thursday (Moi-moi and Vegetables) and on Friday, the pupils are served with biscuits and juice. Except for moi-moi that is served on Thursday, investigations by New Telegraph revealed that the meals are popular among the pupils. However, besides other challenges charaterising the implementation of the programme, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Shehu Usman Adamu, last week, expressed shock what he described as “defeating the aim of the school free feeding programme,” by the beneficiaries they (pupils) usually abandon the classrooms daily after their meals. Piqued by the development, the Commissioner regretted: “The pupils have formed the habit of leav-

kayode olanrewaju Editor, education

kayode olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com

In Kaduna, pupils abandon school after meal

ing school immediately after eating, on the pretense of looking for drinking water,” a situation which he said did not go down well with the government. While lamenting the situation, he advised parents to monitor their children against this untoward practice by providing them with water from home, if the aim of the school feeding programme will be defeated. However, when Governor Nasir El-Rufai-led administration flagged off the programme on January 18, amid pomp and ceremony at Aliyu Makama Primary School in Barnawa, Kaduna South Local Government Area, little did the state government realise that the programme will few weeks after become a loss than a gain. The government had through its education policy aimed at enhancing enrolment and promote pupils’ retention in public schools, reduced rising cases of out-ofschool children as well as the Almajiri in the state, flagged off the programme, which will cost the government a whooping N1.8 billion every month. Under the policy, over 1.8 million school children, according to the government, will benefit from the programme with N50 per pupil per day. Going by this, the state government is expected to spend an average of N90 million per day; or N450 million per week in order to feed the 1.8 million pupils, which translates to N1.8 billion in a month. Apart from the challenge in

el-Rufai

Rather than retaining the pupils in schools, they now run away in droves immediately after their meals

which the pupils abandon classes after the meals, the school feeding programme soon as it took off has been bedeviled by various crises ranging from alleged cases of corrupt or sharp practices, insufficient food supply and loss of teaching-learning period during food time, but which the government has been making moves to address headlong. While launching the programme, the governor was said to have identified some teething challenges which were envisaged in the course of its implementation and appealed for the understanding on the part of stakeholders. El-Rufai, who had while flagging off the programme listed some of its benefits to include the over 1.8 million pupils across the state that will be fed daily, job creation, reduction of parents’ financial burden and boosting of school enrolment. “Specifically, the programme will create 17,000 jobs for food vendors, each of whom will employ workers to help in the delivery of their services to the pupils. There is something for everyone in the school feeding programme. In seeking to take care of our children, we are creating jobs, boosting the people’s economy and exposing our pupils to new skills and hygiene standard, as well as providing extra income,” the governor said. Despite the benefits, El-Rufai, however, expressed caution in its implementation, saying: “This administration will not be surprised

to hear about some teething problems in the implementation of the programme, but we expect these challenges will have to be swiftly addressed in line with ethos of continuous improvement.” Meanwhile, the Commissioner, however, warned the school management and handlers of the project against sabotaging the programme, even as key stakeholders in the state’s education project, including the Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs), non-governmental organisations, civil societies and the School Based Management Committees (SBMCs) have been integrated to fine-tune the programme in order to attain its objectives. To forestall any act of sharp practice in its implementation, the government introduced some stiffer sanctions against any culprit; while sensitisation and moral persuasion campaign were being vigorously pursued. While evaluating the programme so far as part of measures to move it forward, the Commissioner at a media session last month reeled out the tough measures against defaulters, where he told journalists that a school Support Officer and a Head-teacher had been sacked, while two others were suspended for diverting food meant to feed the primary school pupils in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state to their personal use. Specifically, he said the headCONTINUED ON PAGE 36

education

Poly, farmer groups rise up for agric development Kayode Olanrewaju

proactive and positive approach that will re-awaken and promote collective interest in agriculture, as well as boost food sufficiency in the country has begun at the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu, Lagos. The fresh move was unfolded last week at a one-day Public Lecture and Farmers’ Forum, organised by the institution’s School of Agriculture. The theme of the maiden edition of the public lecture and farmers’ forum is: “Repositioning Agriculture for Youth Empowerment and Economic Revival in Nigeria.” According to the Dean of the school, Dr. Kolawole Godonu, the lecture is part of the determination of the plytechnic to foster a healthy town and gown relationship between the polytechnic and farmers in its communities, with a view to enhancing the development of agriculture through active participation of the youths. Part of its aims is to accord priority attention to agriculture as a vocation and a veritable source of income, especially

at this period of the nation’s dwindling economy due to the sharp decline in the price of oil in the international market. Besides, the initiative, which brought the various farmers’ societies and local farmers in Ikorodu and its environs together, the Rector of the polytechnic, Mr. Samuel Soguuro, said is to explore the agricultural potential of the country. While declaring open the one-day talk-shop, the rector noted that the school is taking a bold initiative as a barometer to show the participants as well as the institution the way forward on how to give adequate attention to agriculture, he described as a critical sector of the economy. He explained that the two focal areas of the lecture is that agriculture holds the ace for the nation’s economic survival, and to do it right, the youth should be given prominent role they deserve in the scheme of agricultural development in the country. “It has been argued that to develop, the country should train, educate and empower its young adult population so that they could use their talents wisely,” Sogunro added. According to him, for the

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

ICC opens resource centre in Niger Delta Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

Sogunro

economy to grow, there is the urgent need by the country to put emphasis on agriculture and to also empower the teeming young adults for them to be able to manage the affairs of the nation, and boost food sufficiency. In his paper on the theme of the lecture, the guest lecturer and Vice-Chancellor of McPherson University, Ajebo, Ogun State, Prof. Adeniyi Agunbiade, however, noted that the country has the potential of a dual economy – a modern sector driven by crude oil overlaying a traditional agricultural and trading.

Development Academic Resource Centre operated by a Dutch-based outfit, the International College of Commerce (ICC), has been launched in Edo State to serve the educational needs of the people and states in the Niger Delta region. While launching the multimillion naira centre project, the International College of Commerce distributed over 110, 000 books, which will help in addressing some of the challenges facing students and pupils in various schools in states of the region. The intervention by ICC, was said to have been propelled by a research carried out which indicated that education in the Niger-Delta is faced with paucity of fund, lack of basic educational infrastructure, dilapidated libraries, poor reading culture among students, inadequate classroom facilities, poor teaching aids and shortage of quality teachers, among other challenges. The Founder of De-ARC, Dr. Paul Oviawe said the centre is being supported by four Dutch universities with over

Oyedepo to fund intervention research, innovation

Research institutes protest exclusion from TETFund largesse Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

Mojeed Alabi

he Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Dr. David Oyedepo, has pledged to fund any novel innovation or research embarked upon by the holders of the institution’s postgraduate certificate. This is as the Founder and General Overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide (aka Winners’ Chapel), the owners of the private university, urged them to offer solutions to the myriad of challenges facing the country and African continent. Oyedepo, who made the pledge at a meeting with the young PhD holders, attributed the current challenges faced by the country to lack of capacity to get jobs done, saying it is worrisome for holders of doctorate certificate who should be solutions providers to lack the requisite thinking capacity to do so. He said: “I have come to provoke your potential. There is more inside you than the earned certificate. If you cannot think out solutions to problems, your PhD is a complete waste. When we say Doctor of Philosophy, we are saying master of thinkers; someone committed to proffer solution to life’s problems. And, until our learning translates to thinking, our PhD is zero. “There is no make-up PhD

110,000 academic, reference and vocational books, journals and encyclopedias. He explained that the materials were to encourage students, lecturers in universities in the Niger-Delta area to acquire modern and relevant knowledge; this is even as Oviawe noted that the oil rich states have huge potentials but that “most children are misinformed while the adults are illiterate to fundamental reality.” According to him, the lack of adequate basic education increases youth underdevelopment and restiveness which is fast becoming a generational problem. His words: “Based on what we discovered in the region, we discussed with the government universities in the Netherlands and they support one of the biggest academic resource centres with over 110,000 books to support the students, teachers and researchers in the region because we realise there are so much potential in the region, but the challenge is that there is lack of expertise to turn things around.”

L-R: Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Ayo; Representative of the Chancellor and Education Secretary, Living Faith Church Wordwide Education Commission, Prof. Bridget Sokan and the lecturer, Adeyeye.

at Covenant University. The first PhD here won a Microsoft award, one out of six in the entire world. That has not excused us from a life-long demand of being a thinker. “All that we have done going through the rigour of PhD is to ignite our thinking capacity. It is so important that we have what it takes to recreate our country and the world. What it takes is to make thinking our career.” Africa, Oyedepo noted, has unusual potential, with Nigeria having more PhDs than four European countries put together, even as he wondered why the country was not getting similar result as the European countries. “This is because we are not thinking,” the Chancellor said, stressing that “our

forefathers found crops that are culturable; they cultured their foods. They found solution to their problems, but now we are creating problems. The gas turbine on this campus was not working because Shell was on strike. So why can’t students of Chemical Engineering build reserves? Why do we look at problems as if we are not concerned?” On funding for research, the Chancellor noted, would be made available only to the young PhD holders “because they are the future,” while modalities for accessing the funds would be made known very soon. Meanwhile, a Professor of Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management at the university, Olufemi Adeyeye, frowned on the incessant industrial actions by Nigerian

workers, blaming the development on the employees and their employers. Adeyeye, who suggested the implementation of the ‘no work, no pay policy’ as the solution to the problem, decried the non-implementation of agreements freely entered into with workers by the Federal Government. He cited several agreements defaulted by the Federal Government which include the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, among others. He stated this while delivering the university’s sixth inaugural lecture on the theme: “Bastardisation of the Templates of Industrial Relations Practice in Nigeria: All Actors in Employment Relationship are Accusative and Censurable.”

he Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI) has flayed the exclusion of research institutes from benefiting from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) interventions, particularly in the area of research grant. Addressing a press conference in Abuja after a protest by members of the association, the Vice President of the association, Dr. Nnamdi Onunka, however, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to improve funding to research institutes as well as their allied colleges. He, particularly, called for an immediate review of the TETFund Act to extend the scope of its intervention of the overflowing fund to research institutes. Onunka said the government should muster the political will to confront any opposition and do what is fair, just and exigent, regarding research funding which is sine qua non to averting the economic collapse of the country. He explained that the motive behind the protest and press conference was to call the attention of the Federal Government and the good people of Nigeria to the urgent need to stem the abject neglect of funding of research institutions, colleges of agriculture and colleges of forestry in order to avert the imminent collapse of the nation’s economic.

vcâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forum | education

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

We need to reduce preference for varsity education, FUT, Minna VC How has the experience being as a ViceChancellor of this institution? It has been very challenging and exciting. I have enjoyed every minute of it. Though, there are ups and downs, it has been very exciting. Since assumption of office, what would you say are the achievements recorded by the institution? I think we are making a lot of progress. During the years under review, a larger number of our researchers have won research grants from national organisations such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), as well as some international research grant agencies. We won research grants sponsored by the University of Tulane and the University of Mississippi. Several of our lecturers are presently engaged in some research activities and they are winning awards. The students are also winning laurels and doing the university proud. We have students from the School of Entrepreneurship and Management Technology and School of Engineering winning prizes in their various competitions. Recently, our students swept almost all the MTN Foundation scholarship awards. It will interest you to hear that just as our faculty members are making us proud, the students are also doing the same. On assumption of office, you promised to launch the university into international limelight, how far have you gone in achieving that? It is true that I made that promise. Prior to December 2012, FUT, Minna was not ranked among the best 100 universities in Africa and we were number 28 in Nigeria. But presently, we are 57th in Africa and fifth in the country. Internationally, they are becoming aware of our presence. There is room for improvement, but we are doing very well and we will get there. What is your take on international rating of Nigerian universities? Of course, we have been pointing this out. The volume of money coming into Nigerian universities is very low, compared to other universities in Africa. If you look at the ranking of universities in Africa, the first six best universities are usually from South Africa, and followed by two universities from Egypt. And, what is the secret; if you look at their funding profile, you will see that a lot of resources go into research. To compare favourably with universities all over the world, the level of funding has to increase tremendously. TETFund is doing very well in the area of physical infrastructure, Akanji

Prof. Musbau Adewumi Akanji is the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State. In this interview with DAN ATORI, he bares his mind on the need for proper funding of the universities, the effects of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and other germane issues in the sector research funding, as laboratories are being upgraded. We hope that within a short period of time, precisely in the next five years we should be doing well because we have launched the university on the right path. We do not know the parameters used in judging it, but it is mostly the presence of universities on the web. In Webometric ranking, we are number 12 in Nigeria, and in 4ICU ranking of international universities and colleges, the Federal University of Technology, Minna is fifth. We were number six last year, but we have moved to fifth position this year. There are criteria for the ranking. What magic wand have you deployed to ensure peace on campus and the stable academic calendar since you assumed office? Well, I say it is the positive engagement of members of staff and students. We make them appreciate the fact that the university is theirs, and before we take any decision, we engage in wide consultation with the workers and students. By so doing, areas of friction are usually minimised. We are also lucky to have had workers and studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; unions that are responsible and responsive, who see the management as partners in progress. As a result of our engagement and cross-fertilization of ideas, areas which

would ordinarily cause friction are drastically minimised and that account for the relative stability in our academic calendar.

...Candidates should be made to appreciate the fact that they can go to polytechnic and make it in life

Going down memory lane, the record showed that the institution between 1983 when it was established and 2012, had 24 inaugural lectures, but under your leadership the ivory tower has witnessed 16 inaugural lectures. What is your reaction? The secret is that we make the lecturers to appreciate the fact that as a university, we must embrace the global best practices. And indeed, inaugural lecture is one of them. We now have more Professors and they are aware that inaugural lectures are part of the obligation they owe the university as a result of their promotion to that rank. With the level of encouragement of the university and the seminars and colloquium committee, our lecturers are now eager to deliver their inaugural lectures. The process of enrolling students into Nigerian universities is through e-learning, but there are problems, how can this be addressed? E-learning or Computer-based-test mode is an important aspect of education, but with the state of infrastructural development in the country, there is a limit to what e-learning can do. I think our children should look at other tertiary institutions instead of head bent on going to uni-

versities. From statistics given by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), only 0.2 per cent of the 1.5 million candidates that registered for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) chose the colleges of education, while about six per cent applied to polytechnic and others, about 94 per cent subscribed to universities. The children should be enlightened to know that other tertiary institutions should be patronised because there is a limit to what universities can take. Many universities are developing their e-learning platforms, but there is a limit to that also because there are some courses you cannot run by distance-learning such as Engineering and Medicine, among others. Despite that fact that I do not believe that establishing more universities will solve the problem, that does not suggest in any way that the country has enough universities. But development and growth should be gradual because universities cannot grow without infrastructure and human resources to man such institutions. Meanwhile, candidates should be made to appreciate the fact that they can go to polytechnic and make it in life. If this is done it will reduce the pressure on the universities. Do you foresee a situation in which the appointment of Chancellors outside the university community will foster national unity? Yes, I strongly believe that the appointment of Chancellors for universities outside their zones or where university is located will bring about cross cultural understanding. For instance, in our case, our brothers and sisters from South East, who ordinarily would have had no business coming here, would now seek admission into the university. The same thing is applicable to Chancellors from other parts of the country. So, it will bring about better understanding and friendship. How has the Treasury Single Account (TSA) affected the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial operations? The TSA is very important to the operations of the education institutions. As Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, we met with the Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG) where we requested that the universities should be exempted from the policy. But, we were clearly informed that no organisation is going to be exempted. Initially, there were some access problems, but today the universities can access their funds. What I am saying in essence is that before, the platform for accessing funds by respective university was not so clear, but now we take our monies to TSA and there is access platform through which we can withdraw money. The fact remains that it is not only you that is accessing the money that will see it, but other agencies of the government will see what you are doing and this is a way of minimising abuse of funds.

education | public discourse

Should JAMB re-introduce Paper Pencil Test mode?

Akintola: CBT should be optional Isiaq Akintola is a Professor of Islamic Eschatology at the Lagos State University (LASU) and Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an NGO.

he experience of candidates in this year’s UTME has shown that Nigeria is not yet ripe for complete switch-over to the computer-based system because apart from infrastructural deficiency, candidates’ knowledge about it is also lacking. My simple advice is that JAMB should make the CBT mode optional for those with requisite knowledge. How do you expect can-

Dr. Fabian Benjamin is the Head, Media and Public Relations of JAMB.

he Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is not denying the fact that there were hitches in some of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centres, but we cannot throw away the baby with bath water. There is no 100 per cent perfection in any system in the world. And having conducted Paper Pencil

didates to get to centres by 6:30am? What happens to candidates whose systems developed faults in the middle of examinations? Who takes the blame for such circumstances where candidates get late to examination centres because the 6:30am schedule constitutes a security threat to the candidates? What of candidates thrown to distant lands away from their homes? This year’s UTME could

simply be described as a colossal failure, a monumental scandal and a national embarrassment. Returning to PPT for candidates with deficiency in computer use will not be a bad development.

Benjamin: Challenges of PPT worse than CBT Test (PPT) mode in the past many years, I can tell you categorically that the challenges with the PPT are worst than what we currently experience with the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. I am still waiting for anyone to say there was impersonation, cheating or any other form of malpractices in this year’s UTME. The challenges have been with the infrastructure in terms of the cen-

tres, and these challenges were not experienced in major higher institution centres such as UNILAG, UI, among others. I was at the University of Ilorin for supervision and I can confirm that each session had about 300 candidates and there were three sessions per day without hassle. JAMB has learnt its lessons because some centres that are grossly inefficient were accredited.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Benue varsity VC rates EKSU high E kiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti has been described as one of the best stateowned universities in the country, which is occupying highly and respected position in the comity of African universities. The recommendation was given by the ViceChancellor of Benue State University, Prof. Moses Kembe, when he visited the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Samuel Oye Bandele in his office during the familiarisation visit. Kembe explained that he was in the university to congratulate Bandele on his appointment as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University as well as to share leadership ideas and strategies. He said that the people of Ekiti State have a long standing reputation as

intellectuals, honourable and hardworking, adding that the exploits of the products of university and the quality of academic training offered over the years clearly marked EKSU out as one of leading universities in the country. Established in 1992, Kembe, who noted that Benue State University, which is 10 years younger than EKSU, would like to collaborate with the institution in several areas especially in exchange of faculties. In his remarks, Bandele said the two institutions would strengthen collaboration in various academic fields, even as he congratulated his Benue State University counterpart on his appointment as Vice-Chancellor of the university. In another development, the institution

President/ Vice Chancellor, Babcock University, Prof. Ademola Tayo (left) presenting a gift to the GMD/ CEO, Wema Bank Plc; Mr. Segun Oloketuyi, during the bank’s visit to the univeristy.

Nwachukwu: I stand by CBT Mrs. Chinyere Nwachukwu is a journalist.

e quite understand there were challenges in the examinations, but we must also agree that nothing in this world is without a challenge. Should we say because of teething problems like this we should leave the path of the future and take our

nation backward by returning to the method that initially brought about the distrust in the system? That will not be ideal for the future we hope to build for the unborn generations. The ‘change’ mantra that we say the new administration profess itself cannot be said to be an immediate thing. Or since President Muhammadu Buhari came to power, has corruption been totally

eradicated in our system? Has the schools been completely fixed? Have the hospitals back to their good old days? Apparently no! It is a gradual process. So rather than returning to the PPT mode, which gave the examination body a bad name, because Nigerians were quick to manipulate the system, I will suggest we keep developing the computerbased system which is the future of the world.

Animasahun: All I want is a fair system Mariam Animasahun is a candidate in this year’s UTME.

e are not saying we cannot sit for the examination under the CBT mode, but what we are saying is that the system has not been properly developed to give us a fair atmosphere. You can imagine that in this same single examination I have received about three different results; two via text messages and another on the JAMB website. Which

one is authentic? Almost every candidate experienced system failure at one point or other during the examination. Apart from subjecting us to the stress of traveling far distances, the timing for the examination is also odd. I went as far as Oro in Kwara State to write the examination from Lagos. Many of us slept on bare floors throughout our stay in those places

and many did not even show up because they did not have money or that their parents were afraid of releasing them for the risks involved. So, whether CBT or PPT, we want examination that will be conducted under a very conducive atmosphere, and which will hold at centres that are close to our places of residence. CBT this year is a fraud. We want justice.

has emerged the third best university at the just concluded edition of Inter-University National Oratory competition, which took place at Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State. The students of English Department, Faculty of Arts of the university represented the South West Zone at the national stage of the competition, having led the pack in the South West Regional Oratory Competition held at the University of Lagos. The champions of the six geo-political zones and the Federal Capital Territory, participated in the grand finale of the competition in which Ekiti State University spoke on “Nigeria: The Country of Nations in a Nation” and “The Missing Reading Culture,” in two stages of the competition.

Proprietor makes case for inspection of private schools Flora Onwudiwe

rivate school owners in Lagos have pleaded with the government to ensure that the School Inspectorate Division should also monitor and supervise private schools as this would enable them to meet required standard. The Proprietor of Sunfab Group of Schools, Oba Olugbenga Oloyede made the appeal during the Sunfab College Stakeholders’ Forum with the parents and guardians, which took place at Orile Iganmu, Lagos. According to him, monitoring of private schools by the school inspectors would go a long way in reducing proliferation and activities of sub-standard private schools. Oloyede, who hinted that the school inspectorion would be of tremendous help in eliminat-

ing mushroom schools, however, added that any private school that did not measure up to the expected standards, should be assisted with soft loans facilities by the government. “Whatever we are doing, we should do it well, because we are training the future leaders that will project the image of the country,” he stressed, and cautioned his colleagues (private school owners) to allow the school inspectorate division to inspect their schools, since that is the only way in which they could get it right in the academic setting. He implored the government to support the private school owners in view of the crucial role they play in complementing the government’s effort in providing qualitative education and reducing unemployment

in the society. Oloyede, who expressed delight over the students’ performance in their academic work and other extra-curricular activities, however, said that there was no plan to increase the school fees, but urged parents to pay their children and wards’ school fees promptly and at least two weeks after resumption. Towards this end, he said the school has introduced payment card to checkmate students, who are still owing as they have to come to school with their cards before they are allowed to enter the school premises. The school’s Parent Teachers Association (PTA) Chairman, Dr. Dom Opara said when he was appointed five years ago, he resorted to go the classrooms to inspect the teachers while teaching.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

campus

Provost cautions students against STDs, exam malpractice Oladele Oge Uwoghiren

UNIBEN medical student named LORE officer Ezekiel Efeobhokhan UNIBEN

new Local Officer on Research and Exchange (LORE) has been named for the University of Benin Medical Students Association (UBEMSA). He is of Eddy Uwoghiren, a 400-Level student of Medicine and Surgery at the University and one of the New Telegraph Campus journalists. His appointment was ratified by the Director of the Standing Committee on Research and Exchange (SCORE) of the Nigerian Medical Students Association (NiMSA). Based on his new appointment, Uwoghiren is expected to coordinate all exchange programmes of medical students of the university going on clinical postings both locally and internationally.

UNN

he fresh men and women admitted into the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, have been advised to beware of undeserved sexual exploit that could lead to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), such as HIV/AIDS which are ravaging the society. The Provost, Professor Benjamin Ndubuisi Mbah, who gave the warning during the 22nd matriculation ceremony of the college, where the students undertook the oath of allegiance of the college, advised them to act responsibly by avoiding self-inflicted troubles through unhealthy sexual relationship. Specifically, Mbah implored the students to shun examination malpractice and other related vices that could lead to their expulsion from the college, stressing that the institution, which has zero tolerance for indiscipline, also frowned at students engaging in unethical means of passing examinations. To curb examination mis-

Shun negative social media, VC counsels students Musa Pam Jos

he Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Ibrahim Garba has counseled the students to avoid negative use of social media, and embrace the positive aspect that will enhance change of attitude toward developing academic excellence. Garba gave the charge during the sixth matriculation ceremony of some 312 students of NTA Television College, Jos admitted into the degrees programmes in affiliation with the university, which took place at the main auditorium of the college.

The vice-chancellor, who was represented by the Assistant Dean, Faculty of Social Science, Dr. Dahiru Suleiman said research has shown that students spent much time on negative part of social media, and forgetting the academic and reading culture that will take them to the next level of achieving their dreams. He disclosed that the university only offered admission to students with good moral and character, even as he advised the students to avoid bad conduct that will hinder them from achieving their academic pursuit. The vice-chancellor added that graduates of the college have make landmark history as

Principal officers of the college and the students at the event.

conduct, the college, the provost noted, has instituted Exam Ethics Marshal that is saddled with the responsibility of monitoring examinations with a view to ensuring transparent conduct, as well as the Students’ Exam Ethics Club. “We do not encourage cheating in examinations and in any other spheres of our operations. So, you have to learn how to acquire those virtues that will make you outstanding in life. Never cheat in examinations because cheating leads to expulsion from the college. It is

better not to cheat and fail than to cheat and pass,” he said. Towards this end, the provost explained that the college has dedicated and competent teaching and non-teaching staff that are ready at all times to ensure that students actualise their academic heights and potential, saying they should be close to them since they have vital role to play in achieving their academic goals. Mbah, who urged them to focus on their academic pursuit, which is their primary assignment in the institution, stressed

Mbah congratulating one of the students

practical institution for students to become the best, saying the Television Journalism and Production academic programmes offered by the college, has gone a long way in adding value to the university’s programmes. However, the Rector of the College, Ms Halima Bewell assured the students of the institution’s readiness to provide a conducive learning environment that will assist them to study hard. She urged them not to be overwhelmed by social activities to an extent that they will forget their primary assignment in the college. Bewell, who said that the college is the only Television College in the country and West Africa for the training of professionals, added that there was the urgent need on the part of the government to pay adequate attention to it in terms of funding.

that they need to be disciplined and avoid unnecessary distractions. The provost, therefore, assured the students of the management’s commitment to improve infrastructural development of the college as well as mainstream quality management system that guarantee that they acquire the best teacher education as students of the college. Already, he noted that the institution has improved significantly in the areas of provision of functional library, installation of CCTV for security, establishment of e-learning centre and the provision of world class lecture theatres. While administering the matriculation oath on the students, the Registrar of the college, Mrs. C. N. Nebedum urged them to rise up to their academic pursuit in the college, saying that the college does not encourage indolence. She directed the students to adhere strictly to the rules and regulations guiding their stay in the college, insisting that any student or group of students, who flouted the rules, would be shown the way out of the college.

Students hail leader for diligent service Eddy Uwoghiren and Ezekiel Efeobhokhan UNIBEN

ith his campaign slogan: “The change that works is here,” Raymond Omoregbe, who was elected the President of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Students’ Union, 10 months ago, is today the delight of his colleagues and members of the university community. Top on his manifestoes were the renovation of the students’ hostels, bus stop, Hall 2 relaxation garden and better representation of students. And, with barely three weeks to the expiration of his tenure, Omoregbe has proved his oppositions wrong as he has been able to renovate the hostels, from hall One to Four, as well as the hostels at Ekenwan campus of the institution, which are now wearing a new look. The toilets, which on assumption of office were eyesore, are now in good shape. Thanks to the forward looking administration of Omoregbe, which replaced the toilet facilities, the hostel cupboards, window nets, and the wooden doors that were replaced with

Omoregbe

metal doors? Speaking on his stewardship he said: “I was able to renovate the entire blocks in Hall 3 through the money I raised, when the school management saw the feat, they decided to replicate the same pattern of renovation on all the hostels in the Ugbowo and Ekenhuan campuses of the university. If I had not done anything of such, the hostels probably will still remain what they were few years back? I thank God for the insight to do so.” A visit to Ugbowo campus revealed that the bus stops, which hitherto had been overgrown with weed, rodents and with leaking roofs are now wearing a new look.

education

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SPDC boosts UI with research centre

n ultra-modern subsurface research centre that will boost the production of quality manpower for the oil and gas industry, has been donated to University of Ibadan (UI) by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) operated Joint Venture. The centre has 15 fullynetworked workstations, a high-end server complete with internet facilities and a standby 45-KVA generator, among other facilities. According to SPDC General Manager, External Relations, Mr. Igo Weli, the SPDC JV’s intervention to turn around the subsurface centre is a deliberate policy to support the institution to deliver the next generation of technologies and skills that will help the country to unlock more oil reserves. While handing over the facilities which took place on campus ceremony, he said: “With all the modern

facilities and uninterrupted power supply, the centre has the capacity to showcase the potentials of oil and gas sector, and as the centre attracts bright minds, our hope is that students will make the best use of them.” The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abel Olayinka, while taking delivery of the facility, however said: “We appreciate the contributions of the SPDC JV to education, geosciences and to University of Ibadan in particular. The facility will go a long way in helping to boost the efforts of the university in recreating itself as a centre of excellence in geosciences training.” The sub-surface centre, Olayinka pointed out is expected to usher in new levels of learning at the university and other institutions in South-West geo-political zone of the country, even as he stressed that with the centre the students and

researchers could access real-time information and connect with other learning centres anywhere in the world from their keyboards. “The dearth of world class research institutions and limited access to technology is a key challenge in enabling Nigerian scholars and companies to play greater role in the oil and gas value chain,” the vice-chancellor noted. SPDC JV, therefore, is focused on building capacity in key technical skills, through donation of equipment to universities to develop capability in the production of drilling mud. In 2012, SPDC established a Centre of Excellence in Geosciences and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Benin, and is completing work on another centre on Marine Hydrodynamic at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu, PortHarcourt to be commissioned later this year.

L-R: Exploration Geoscientist, SPDC, Dr. Adelola Adesida; UI Deputy Registrar, Mr. Victor Adegoroye; Olayinka; Weli; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ambrose Aiyelari; and the Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Anthony Onilude, at the inauguration of the centre.

White Dove School pupils excel at UN contest Appolonia Adeyemi

wners of the White Dove School, Lekki, Lagos and the pupils are still savouring the outstanding performance of the school at the just-concluded 42nd conference of the yearly National High School Model United Nation (NHSMUN) in New York, United States of America (U.S.A). The representatives of the private school were among the 3,500 secondary school students across the world that participated in this year’s edition of the international academic competition, which aimed at stimulating the real sessions at the UN. The students were selected as ‘Diplomats’ so as to reflect the views and policies of their countries. Like the UN, where there are specialised committees and plenary sessions, the NHSMUN is a subsidiary of the International Model United Nations Association (IMUNA), which has been officially recognised as a non-governmental organisation of the UN. No fewer than 10 students

from the school, who were assigned to play the roles of representatives of Cape Verde, an island off the coast of West Africa, played their roles excellently well, as they basically deliberated and understood the intricacies of international affairs. Opawole Titoluwani, one of the students who represented Cape Verde, at the event as a member of the ECOFIN Committee; the Economic and Financial Committee raised some critical issues on Crime Rare Due To Poverty, where he noted that most of the farmers that could not make profit resorted to committing economic crimes. He, however, described the trip as fun and educational, as members of his group were quite friendly. Another students, Eneasato Divine, who was a member of the United Nations Environment programme established in 1972, found the sessions most engaging. He played an active role in proposing bills, while Ogechi Ogba was the only member from her school in the High Level Political Forum on sus-

tainable development. In her contribution, she dwelt on the issue of reduction of marine biodiversity, a major problem confronting Cape Verde, as an African nation. While Ayomipo Odedina was on the team that discussed the importance of promoting sustainable urban growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, his school mate, Christopher Obieke was in the Disarmament and International Security Committee. For the students, the conference was an eye-opener and a veritable platform to groom them as future leaders. In remarks, the Vice-Principal of the school, Mr. Ola Ehuwa, lauded the students for the outstanding performance, saying they have always been exceptional in the academic activities in line with the vision of the school. “Our vision is to be a foremost global Christian school that integrates academic, creative and moral excellence in raising purposeful future leaders. Our mantra is that excellence is our birthright,” he said.

Some pupils taking their meal

Kaduna school feeding, how far can the meal go? C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 1

teacher was allegedly “supplying a fruit vendor in Birnin Gwari the oranges and biscuits meant for pupils.” “The head-teacher of L.E.A School Labi, Karji in Kubau Local Government Area was also sacked for collecting bribe from a vendor, who took money from the government without supplying food to the school,” Adamu added, saying there were reports that the Head-teacher of Nuhu Bamali Primary School in Kaduna South Local Government Area took away in his car oranges and other fruits meant for the pupils. The Commissioner said: “Some of the accused officers had already been suspended, while investigations were still ongoing and if found guilty, the head-teacher will also be sacked. Similarly, the police are investigating the head-teacher of Nomadic Fulani School in Richifa in Soba Local Government Area for inflating the number of pupils in the school. “In addition query had been issued to the Education Secretary of Igabi Local Government for allegedly hiring men instead of women as stipulated by the government as food vendors for the schools feeding programme. “We are investigating the matter and he would be sacked if found wanting, while the ministry is also investigating allegations that some vendors were supplying soya beans sauce instead of egg sauce to the pupils.” He, therefore, warned that in executing the policy, the people should not compromise standard, stressing that the process of feeding the school children could only be refined and perfected. In fact, many stakeholders, especially parents have applauded the school feeding programme. For instance, Hajiya Mariya Abdullahi Suleiman, a mother of two, recalled how some parents have withdrawn their children and wards from private and enroll them in public schools, due to the free feeding programme, which she noted has resulted to the expected boost in the quality of education in the state. Though, critics of the free school feeding programme did not see any wisdom in the action of the state government. Specifically, Senator Dajuma

Lar, representing Southern Kaduna Senatorial District in the National Assembly, had during the flag off of the policy condemned it in its entirety. In his criticism, he condemned the El-Rufai-led administration, saying it is using the programme as a means of scoring cheap political points, even as he described it as unrealistic. The government, Lar had advised, should have used the N1.8 billion on improving the quality and quantity of schools infrastructure and teaching aids, instead of wasting such huge resources on the free school feeding programme. Describing it as a misplaced priority, the Senator said: “It does not make sense that a state that receives a meager N3.5 billion from the Federation Account monthly, should spend N1.8 billion to feed kids that should have been fed by their parents.” Similarly, some other stakeholders, including Malam Haruna Sirajo, wondered that payment of primary school teachers and construction of more classrooms should be accorded top priority by the government rather than engaging in the free feeding programme. Corroborating Sirajo’s position, Malam Mohammed Bawa, expressed displeasure over the government’s policy, lamenting how some pupils at Ma Ward are receiving lessons under trees. However, investigations by New Telegraph also revealed that many Almajiris and children who are not in school are fond of storming the primary schools, insisting that they should benefit from the free meals since the money and food belong to the government. There are reports of inadequate food supply, especially at Central Primary School, Makarfi, where only 2,000 out of the 4,000 pupils enjoy the free meals, while in some schools, pupils in nursery arm were being excluded from the programme. Besides, there is barrage of complaints about the quality of the food being served the pupils, especially the moi-moi that is said to be usually half-cooked because of the quantity. But, I the face of the furry, a senior government official told New Telegraph that the feeding programme has been successful, in spite of the hiccups.

BUSINESS |Money Line

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Analysts reiterate need for fiscal, monetary policy coordination COUNSEL MPC needs FG’s support

Stories by Tony Chukwunyem

gainst the backdrop of mounting speculation about what is likely to be the outcome of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, which ends in Abuja today, financial analysts have restated the need for monetary and fiscal policies to move in tandem in order to achieve sustainable economic growth. Making this point in a note

obtained by New Telegraph, analysts at FBN Quest, pointed out that unless there is complementary support from the fiscal authorities the decisions reached by the MPC at the end of its meeting today are not likely to have a significant impact on the economy. According to the analysts, the MPC, “has to contend with the slowdown in growth (to 2.1per cent y/y in Q4 2015) and a pickup in inflation well above the ‘tolerance’ range (to 11.4per cent y/y in February). The policy rate of 11.00per cent stands below prevailing inflation, which undermines the case for easing to boost flagging growth. A hike would be the textbook response to the inflation data but would

be unlikely in view of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) numbers and signs of a pro-growth stance in the committee.” Continuing, the analysts sated, “The committee would value some support from the fiscal authorities to lighten its policymaking load and encourage economic recovery. It will be impatient for the passage of the 2016 budget, an increase in nonoil revenue collection and the release of funds for capital spending. We share these concerns but caution that the desired impact on the broader economy will not be felt until H2 2016.” It will be recalled that as part of efforts to ensure proactive policy coordination of both the fiscal and monetary operations

Lender tasks students on savings, investment culture

cobank Nigeria has stressed the need for young people to imbibe the principles of financial literacy to widen their scope and knowledge of savings and investment techniques. Deputy Managing Director, Tony Okpanachi, gave this advice while lecturing students of Girls Secondary School Akwakuma, Owerri, last week, as part of Global Money Week celebrations. He emphasized that financial awareness at an early stage in life would engender and empower the youths with the financial knowledge they require to be relevant in the global economy. He said the bank’s action was premised

on the need to further the financial inclusion programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to young people. Mr. Okpanachi who spoke on the topic “Growing Your Money” said it was necessary that young people imbibe the culture of savings and investment no matter how little as it is one way of securing their future. According to him, “This initiative is laudable. It is a great idea to catch them young and is in line with the CBN financial inclusion strategy. The high level of participation and enthusiasm shown by the students during the lecture underscores the importance of the exercise. Indeed, this programmme must be given all

the support it needs to succeed.” Principal, Girls Secondary School (Senior) Akwakuma, Mrs.Uzoho Patricia, commended Ecobank for its promise to assist the school in various ways, stressing that the training would impact positively on the students and teachers alike. The Global Money Week is an awareness celebration that takes place every year to engage children globally in learning the concept of savings and investment. The day is being marked to focus attention on children and youth in primary and secondary schools nationwide and to empower them by enhancing their financial knowledge and planning skills.

As at N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 11.4 11 10.77 US$39.41 US$27,875,442,449

Source:CBN

Description 15.10 27-APR-2017 16.00 29-JUN-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 12.50 22-JAN-2026 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 Tenor (Days) Call 30 90 180

TTM

Price 105.83 115.03 113.82 120.48 111.44 102.50 85.55 99.36

1.10 3.27 3.90 5.85 7.98 9.84 14.34 18.32

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.9682 7.8016 9.3257 10.5998

Bid Yield 9.38 10.44 11.07 11.48 11.94 12.05 12.15 12.23

Change (%) -0.33 ▼ -1.15 ▼ -0.73 ▼ -0.50 ▼

Change (%) -0.24 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.12 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ -0.03 ▼ -0.02 ▼ -0.02 ▼

Price 105.98 115.33 114.12 120.78 111.74 102.80 85.85 99.66

Tenor (Months)

Change (%) -0.24 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.12 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ -0.03 ▼ -0.02 ▼ -0.02 ▼

NITTY

Rate (%) 4.7554 4.8226 5.5931 7.2886 8.1887 8.9663

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Offer Yield 9.24 10.34 10.98 11.41 11.88 12.00 12.10 12.19

Change (%) 0.11 ▲ -0.65 ▼ -1.02 ▼ -0.09 ▼ 0.02 ▲ -0.01 ▼

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 5.65 5.73 -0.65 ▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 4.33 23-Jun-16 5.90 5.99 -0.65 ▼ 22-Sep-16 7.49 7.24 7.51 -0.20 ▼ Overnight (O/N) 4.83 7.78 -0.20 ▼ 16-Mar-17 8.41 9.16 0.18 ▲ 8.16 8.87 0.18 ▲

Spot($/N)

Bid 198.72

Offer 198.82

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

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

196.00

197.00

Adesina charges private sector on Africa’s economic growth

he President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has said that the private sector will continue to play a key role in leading the continent towards economic transformation. He stated this at the launch of the fourth Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan yesterday. Addressing about 500 CEOs from 43 African countries and 20 more worldwide, he said, “The ‘Africa rising’ story remains strong. Yes, African economies face economic headwinds from the significant decline in the price of commodities ... but African economies remain resilient. While the global economy is projected ... to grow at 3 per cent this year, Africa is projected to grow at 4.4per cent in 2016, and to accelerate ... to 5per cent in 2017.” Adesina, who described

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 Feb, 2016 24/01/2016 Mar 2015 21/3/2016 18/3/2016

FGN Bonds

0.00 ↔

icy, Dr. (Mrs.) Sarah Alade, noted how dwindling revenues in the country created budget funding gap for all tiers of government. According to him, a combination of innovative and conventional methods or even other sources of funding were required, that may impact the balance sheet size of the Bank.

Heads of Government as “the CEOs of their national corporations”, identified the measures that governments must adopt to allow the private sector to reach its maximum potential. These include: ensuring macroeconomic stabilization and fiscal consolidation, broadening the tax base, and deepening domestic capital markets. In addition, he said, governments need to continue to address infrastructure deficits, break down barriers to regional integration, and fast-track key reforms. He called on the private sector to lead in doubling efforts to transform African commodities locally, and in diversifying African economies, particularly into areas like services and tourism, pointing out that the private sector accounts for 80 per cent of total production, 90 per cent of employment, and twothirds of total investments.

‘Financial literacy, key to economic growth’

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

in the country, the CBN, for the first time, invited state governments to participate in its annual retreat for the monetary and fiscal authorities in the country held in October last year. Speaking at the event, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Economic Pol-

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -0.50 ▼ -0.42 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

inancial literacy has been described as a strong catalyst to financial inclusion and wealth creation that will aid the nation’s economic growth. This was the submission of the Executive Director, Heritage Bank Limited, Mrs. Mary Akpobome, in her opening remarks, at the Financial Literacy Day Programme organised by the bank at the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Ilorin, Kwara State. Akpobome, who was represented by Mrs. Moji Niran – Oladunni, Divisional Head, Public Sector, Heritage Bank, explained that the Bank’s Financial Literacy Programme was a platform to help children and young adults establish a positive relationship with money. The Financial Literacy programme, she added, is a

key enabler to the achievement of financial inclusion that will sustain economic growth and development in the country. “At Heritage Bank, the importance of financial inclusion for the youth cannot be over-emphasized. The youth represents a vital force for socio-economic development and hence, the need to begin to work with young people through educational institutions. As a bank, we are here to grow with you and see you create wealth, preserve and transfer wealth across generations. This must begin with being financially literate,” she said. Addressing the students, Miss Zuriel Oduwole, the education advocate teenager and Heritage Bank’s Financial Literacy Ambassador, noted that financial literacy is about how to earn money and preserve it for the future.

Unity Bank relocates corporate head office to Lagos

nity Bank Plc has concluded the relocation of its corporate headquarters from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja to Lagos.

In a statement, the lender said that the new corporate headquarters in Lagos is located at Plot 42, Ahmed Onibudo Street in the central business district of Victoria Island.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Financial Market News FMDQ Daily Quotations List

21-Mar-16

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description 13.05 16-AUG-2016 ^15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 ^15.54 13-FEB-2020 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 ^12.50 22-JAN-2026 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 12.40 18-MAR-2036

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

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

13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 16.39 14.20 12.50 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493 12.40

581.39 480.13 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 556.93 605.31 719.99 155.84 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 1075.92 40.00

16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 22-Jan-26 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34 18-Mar-36

0.40 1.10 1.35 1.44 2.19 3.27 3.59 3.90 5.85 7.98 9.84 12.69 13.17 13.67 14.34 18.32 19.99

7.08 9.38 9.44 9.55 9.97 10.44 10.91 11.07 11.48 11.94 12.05 12.53 12.54 12.55 12.15 12.23 12.84

6.71 9.24 9.32 9.44 9.90 10.34 10.80 10.98 11.41 11.88 12.00 12.48 12.49 12.49 12.10 12.19 12.80

102.33 105.83 100.48 99.72 101.37 115.03 88.62 113.82 120.48 111.44 102.50 115.46 99.66 73.82 85.55 99.36 96.85

102.48 105.98 100.63 99.87 101.52 115.33 88.92 114.12 120.78 111.74 102.80 115.76 99.96 74.12 85.85 99.66 97.15

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

6,237.28

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

6,477.73

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

6192.277269

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

03-Apr-12

17.25

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

1.20

03-Apr-17

0.61

2.94

10.98

103.63

30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21 09-Dec-21 16-Feb-22 27-Feb-22 30-Mar-22 31-Mar-22 27-May-22

0.28 0.28 1.08 0.80 1.78 1.37 1.39 1.57 1.58 1.76 1.98 3.67 2.14 4.69 4.78 2.81 2.84 3.97 3.62 3.65 4.03 6.46 3.74

4.46 3.48 1.00 5.71 3.21 1.00 1.00 3.82 3.56 1.00 2.02 1.98 4.35 1.30 3.76 3.76 1.00 1.52 3.67 1.00 2.52 1.79 3.04

10.66 9.68 10.11 14.23 12.97 10.47 10.48 13.48 13.22 10.75 11.88 12.97 14.30 12.77 15.25 14.06 11.32 12.26 14.62 11.97 13.44 13.59 14.11

100.81 101.48 99.87 99.60 101.53 104.29 104.31 101.31 100.99 107.25 105.99 104.31 100.79 102.46 99.09 100.88 108.39 108.37 104.89 112.57 110.73 113.70 107.74

29-Sep-16 25-Oct-16 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17 30-Sep-17 30-Nov-17 09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18 09-Sep-18 30-Sep-18 18-Oct-18 17-Feb-19 01-Apr-19 06-Nov-20 14-Nov-20 04-Dec-20 20-Nov-21 30-Dec-21 13-May-22 26-Oct-22 30-Sep-24 30-Sep-24 29-Jul-30

0.52 0.60 0.72 1.08 1.29 1.53 0.98 1.05 1.47 1.47 2.53 1.33 1.66 1.78 2.38 4.65 3.15 5.67 5.78 6.14 4.31 8.53 8.53 9.66

1.00 1.34 1.00 6.96 6.41 2.36 1.88 3.15 6.35 1.00 1.17 5.27 6.11 3.28 4.47 1.00 3.55 2.48 1.00 4.63 2.77 1.00 1.00 1.00

8.82 9.34 9.30 16.07 15.78 11.99 10.85 12.23 15.94 10.59 11.32 14.68 15.81 13.04 14.54 12.46 14.08 14.19 12.74 16.47 14.16 13.41 13.41 13.48

102.08 102.76 104.49 100.37 100.74 101.36 107.18 103.51 102.50 107.04 105.74 101.14 102.98 104.45 100.81 109.56 103.37 100.18 114.80 99.99 105.55 114.36 99.19 107.20

10-Oct-20

2.57

3.37

13.55

102.47

Agency Bonds Nil

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

FMBN

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1.20

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1.24

Sub-National Bonds BBB+/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto‡ ; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A-/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR† Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto‡ A-/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto Bbb-/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto A-/GCR

*BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA *NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA *BAUCHI *OYO *BENUE *PLATEAU KOGI *CROSS RIVER

30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 31-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14 09-Dec-14 17-Feb-15 27-Feb-15 30-Mar-15 01-Apr-15 27-May-15

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 15.50 BAUCHI 9-DEC-2021 16.50 OYO 16-FEB-2022 16.50 BENUE 27-FEB-2022 17.50 PLATEAU 30-MAR-2022 17.00 KOGI II 31-MAR-2022 17.00 CROSS RIVER 27-MAY-2022

14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00 15.50 16.50 16.50 17.50 17.00 17.00

1.30 2.05 57.00 16.45 25.00 27.25 4.91 10.98 8.14 21.68 13.87 80.00 21.65 87.50 5.00 4.03 4.04 14.37 4.39 4.53 27.10 3.00 7.68

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

451.93 468.22

Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto Nil Nil Nil A/GCR BBB-/GCR Nil A-/DataPro†; CCC/GCR AAA/DataPro†; B/GCR A+/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto†; BBB+/GCR† BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR Nil A-/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB/GCR A/GCR BBB/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR A/GCR A/GCR AAA/GCR

NAHCO FSDH ***LCRM UBA *C & I LEASING *DANA#{r} *TOWER# *TOWER# UBA *LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS# *DANA#{r} *FCMB NAHCO *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC *FCMB UBA FIDELITY *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC STANBIC IBTC STANBIC IBTC *NMRC

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.00 FCMB 6-NOV-2020 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 15.50 TRANSCORP 4-DEC-2020 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 16.48 FIDELITY 13-MAY-2022 16.00 TRANSCORP 26-OCT-2022 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 14.90 NMRC 29-JUL-2030

29-Sep-11 25-Oct-13 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12 30-Sep-10 30-Nov-12 09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 30-Sep-11 18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 01-Apr-14 06-Nov-15 14-Nov-13 04-Dec-15 20-Nov-14 30-Dec-14 13-May-15 26-Oct-15 30-Sep-14 30-Sep-14 29-Jul-15

13.00 14.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50 13.00 18.00 16.00 18.00 16.00 14.00 15.75 18.00 16.00 15.00 15.25 15.50 14.25 16.45 16.48 16.00 16.29 13.25 14.90

15.00 5.53 112.22 116.70 66.49 20.00 0.46 4.50 1.82 0.50 35.00 1.80 0.27 4.50 23.19 2.05 9.76 26.00 30.50 30.00 10.00 0.10 15.44 7.90

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

539.73

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

555.22

Sukuk BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

10-Oct-13

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

14.75

9.77

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

9.77

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

10.01

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

1.89

1.00

9.08

101.89

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

*AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

3.11

1.00

10.59

101.67

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

24.95 25.39 Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Outstanding Value ($’mm)

Coupon (%)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

7.55

7.29

96.77

97.81

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

5.70

5.24

98.77

99.74

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

7.80

7.61

92.15

93.18

99.31

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,438.46

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

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

373.41

19-May-16

11.79

99.31

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

9.42

97.31

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

19.86

18.57

78.31

80.17

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

8.94

93.25

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

9.80

90.75

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

14.99

13.81

84.71

87.35

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

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

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

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

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

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

14.76 13.81 14.67

79.00 83.00 75.28

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

12.23

11.76

84.88

86.63

DTM

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Discount Rate (%)

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

08-Nov-18

8.94

3,523.41 3,062.45 #

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Yield @ Issue (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Commercial Papers Nil

GUINNESS NIGERIA

GUINNESS CP II 4-MAY-16

04-Nov-15

13.25

7.23

04-May-16

6.03

11.37

11.21

Nil

GUINNESS NIGERIA

GUINNESS CP III 29-JUL-16

04-Nov-15

13.75

2.77

29-Jul-16

130

6.18

12.93

12.36

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

10.00

**TREASURY BILLS^ DTM 10 17 24 31 38 45 59 66 73

FIXINGS Maturity 31-Mar-16 7-Apr-16 14-Apr-16 21-Apr-16 28-Apr-16 5-May-16 19-May-16 26-May-16 2-Jun-16

Bid Discount (%) 4.94 4.51 5.14 5.07 5.28 4.96 5.29 5.14 5.64

Offer Discount (%) 4.69 4.26 4.89 4.82 5.03 4.71 5.04 4.89 5.39

Bid Yield (%) 4.94 4.52 5.16 5.09 5.31 4.99 5.33 5.19 5.70

Money Market Tenor

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 4.9682 7.8016 9.3257 10.5998

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Rate (%)

OBB

4.33

O/N

4.83

REPO Tenor Call 1M 3M

Rate (%) 5.17 5.75 6.33

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M 6M

198.72 199.12 199.65 200.66 201.16 205.59 213.53

198.82 199.63 199.97 201.00 201.58 206.13 214.45

10.70 30-MAY-2018 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 ^15.54 13-FEB-2020 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 ^12.50 22-JAN-2026 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 12.40 18-MAR-2036

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

10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 16.39 14.20 12.50 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493 12.40

300.00 351.30 233.90 556.93 605.31 719.99 155.84 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 1075.92 40.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 22-Jan-26 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34 18-Mar-36

2.19 3.27 3.59 3.90 5.85 7.98 9.84 12.69 13.17 13.67 14.34 18.32 19.99

9.97 10.44 10.91 11.07 11.48 11.94 12.05 12.53 12.54 12.55 12.15 12.23 12.84

9.90 10.34 10.80 10.98 11.41 11.88 12.00 12.48 12.49 12.49 12.10 12.19 12.80

6,237.28

101.37 115.03 88.62 113.82 120.48 111.44 102.50 115.46 99.66 73.82 85.55 99.36 96.85

101.52 115.33 88.92 114.12 120.78 111.74 102.80 115.76 99.96 74.12 85.85 99.66 97.15

6192.277269

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION NEW TELEGRAPH

6,477.73

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

1.20

03-Apr-17

0.61

2.94

10.98

103.63

Sterling Bank reports 14.3% growth in FY2015 profit Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

03-Apr-12

17.25

Agency Bonds

Nil

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

FMBN

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1.20

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1.24

Sub-National Bonds

30-Jun-11 8.1 per 14.00 1.30 30-Jun-16 0.28 4.46 10.66 100.81 14.00 BENUE cent. cent from N43.0 Sterling Bank Plc30-JUN-2016 record- organic capital compared a significant reduction 30-Jun-09 15.50 2.05 30-Jun-16 0.28 3.48 9.68 101.48 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 “Clearly, our to N39.5 billion, ed growth10.00 inLAGOS virtually all to the previous period.19-Apr-10 billion 10.00 in the arising 57.00 19-Apr-17 1.082015 per1.00 10.11loan book, 99.87 19-APR-2017 30-Jun-10 13.75 16.45 30-Jun-17 0.80 5.71 14.23 99.60 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 offered a clear driven by 18.5 per25.00 cent formance its performance indicaNon-interest income from the replacement 31-Dec-10 14.00 31-Dec-17 1.78 3.21 12.97 101.53 Cost-to-Income 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 30-Sep-11 increase 14.00 27.25ex30-Sep-18 1.00 104.29 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 in interest of 10.47 state government tors for the year ended grew by 13.7 per cent validation of 1.37 the under04-Oct-11 14.00 4.91 04-Oct-18 1.39 1.00 10.48 104.31 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 Ratio improved by loans govDecember14.50 31, 2015, push- from N25.7 billion in 2014 in 10.98 a 630 lying resilience of our 09-Dec-11 pense resulting 14.50 09-Dec-18 1.57 3.82 13.48with federal 101.31 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 12-Dec-13 14.00 8.14 12-Dec-18 1.58 3.56 13.22 100.99 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 ing up profit before tax to N29.3 billion largely basis points reduction business model. The very ernment bonds. We also 140 basis points to 14-Feb-12 15.50 21.68 14-Feb-19 1.76 1.00 10.75 107.25 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 02-Oct-12 in net interest 15.50 13.87 to 02-Oct-19 1.98 2.02 11.88 105.99liquid 15.50 GOMBEto 02-OCT-2019 due to a 57 per cent inby 2.5 per cent N11.0 margin challenging operating enmaintained a very 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 22-Nov-12 14.50 80.00 22-Nov-19 3.67 1.98 12.97 104.31 72.2 per cent 12-Dec-12 48.9 per 14.75 21.65 12-Dec-19 2.14 4.35 14.30 sheet position 100.79 cent. billion. 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 crease in trading income. vironment notwithstandbalance de27-Nov-13 13.50 87.50 27-Nov-20 4.69 1.30 12.77 102.46 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 Similarly, profit Confirming the proCommenting on the ing, we managed to and spite15.25 the implementation 31-Dec-13 15.00 5.00 fi31-Dec-20 4.78 3.76 99.09 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020af31-Dec-13 4.03 31-Dec-20 2.81 3.76 14.06 100.88 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 ter tax according to the ductivity of the lender’s nancial 14.50 results, the Mancontinue to maintain a of the Treasury Single 06-Jan-14 15.00 4.04 06-Jan-21 2.84 1.00 11.32 108.39 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 09-Dec-14 aging Director/ 15.50 14.37 09-Dec-21 balance 3.97 between 1.52 12.26 108.37 15.50 BAUCHI 9-DEC-2021 Account (TSA) by the results approved yesmanagement, operating Chief Exdelicate Stories by Chris Ugwu 17-Feb-15 16.50 4.39 16-Feb-22 3.62 3.67 14.62 104.89 OYO 16-FEB-2022 FGN. reterday by16.50 the Nigerian expenses decreased by 1.9 Mr. Yemi Adeola delivering on 3.65 near term 27-Feb-15 ecutive,16.50 4.53 27-Feb-22 1.00 11.97This outcome 112.57 16.50 BENUE 27-FEB-2022 30-Mar-15 17.50 27.10 30-Mar-22 4.03 2.52 13.44 110.73 17.50 PLATEAU 30-MAR-2022 (NSE) n spite of the regula- Stock Exchange per cent from N50.6 bilsaid: “We sustained our goals and laying the founflects some initial prog01-Apr-15 17.00 3.00 31-Mar-22 6.46 1.79 13.59 113.70 17.00 KOGI II 31-MAR-2022 17.00 27-May-22for the future 3.74 3.04 107.74 fundCROSS14.3 RIVER 27-MAY-2022 some per lion to N49.7 billion. 27-May-15 performance tory headwinds and rose by 17.00 from7.68the dation that ress14.11 with the retail TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 451.93 ing strategy and further downturn in the cent to N10.3 billion due Net interest income previous year driven by we see – one where our 468.22 TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Nigerian economy, to a higher retention of however, declined by an improvement in oper- customers enjoy the ex- supports the material Corporate Bonds . Cost-toperiences that0.52we create investments that we are 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 29-Sep-11 ating efficiency 13.00 15.00 29-Sep-16 1.00 8.82 102.08 NAHCO 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto 25-Oct-13 14.25 5.53 25-Oct-16 0.60 1.34 9.34 102.76 FSDH Income Ratio improved together, which in turn making in this area.” 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 Nil 09-Dec-11 0.00/16.00 112.22 08-Dec-16 0.72 1.00 9.30 104.49 ***LCRM 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 Nil 20-Apr-12 by 140 0.00/16.50 116.70 to 19-Apr-17 1.08 6.96 16.07 100.37 basis points On the outlook for the becomes the basis for our 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 Nil 06-Jul-12 0.00/16.50 66.49 06-Jul-17 1.29 6.41 15.78 100.74 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR 30-Sep-10 72.2 per 13.00cent, Capital 20.00 30-Sep-17 1.53 101.36 long term profitability .2.36 2016,11.99 Adeola said that the UBA 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR 30-Nov-12 18.00 0.46 30-Nov-17 0.98 1.88 10.85 107.18 *C & I LEASING Adequacy Ratio stood “Asset quality rebank12.23 was of the 103.51 view that MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 09-Apr-11 16.00 4.50 09-Apr-18 1.05 3.15 Nil *DANA MPR+7.00to TOWER 9-SEP-2018 A-/DataPro†; otwithstanding CCC/GCR 09-Sep-11 at a record 18.00 1.82 09-Sep-18 1.47 6.35 15.94 102.50 *TOWER high of 17.5 mained resilient with 0.81 per cent close at Volume in the sub-sector the current macro-ecoMPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 AAA/DataPro†; B/GCR 09-Sep-11 16.00 0.50 09-Sep-18 1.47 1.00 10.59 107.04 *TOWER Non-Performing Loans that there were 25,902.95 index was largely driven by activwhile liquidity nomic present 14.00 UBA IIpoints, 30-SEP-2018 as A+/Agusto; A/GCR 30-Sep-11 per cent, 14.00 35.00 30-Sep-18 2.53 1.17 11.32challenges 105.74 UBA 16 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Bbb+/Agusto†; BBB+/GCR† 18-Oct-13 15.75 1.80 18-Oct-18 1.33 5.27 14.68 101.14 *LA CASERA (NPL) below the maxibuffers remained strong gainers recorded against 25,694.79 recordities in the shares of Fideltheir own opportunities MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 17-Feb-12 18.00 0.27 17-Feb-19 1.66 6.11 15.81 102.98 BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR *CHELLARAMS 16.00 DANAday II 1-APR-2019 Nil 01-Apr-14 as the Bank 16.00 4.50Af01-Apr-19 1.78 thresh3.28 104.45 grew its against 21 losers at*DANA the ed the previous , while ity Bank Plc and UBA Plc. mum regulatory for 13.04 agile and dynamic 15.00 FCMB 6-NOV-2020 A-/GCR 06-Nov-15 15.00 23.19 06-Nov-20 2.38 4.47 14.54 100.81 *FCMB Profit by 14.3 Nigerian Stock Exchange the market capitalisation Also, the premium old14-Nov-20 of 5 per cent operators. 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 14-Nov-13 ter Tax 15.25 2.05per 4.65 despite 1.00 12.46 109.56 NAHCO 15.50 TRANSCORP 4-DEC-2020 Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR 04-Dec-15 15.50 9.76 04-Dec-20 3.15 3.55 14.08 103.37 HOTELS PLC sub-sector, boosted by (NSE) yesterday, the *TRANSCORP twin of equities grew by N72 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 BBB/GCR 20-Nov-14 14.25 26.00 20-Nov-21 5.67 2.48 14.19 100.18 *FCMB UBA I per 30-DEC-2021 A/GCR 30-Dec-14 16.45 30.50 30-Dec-21 5.78 1.00 12.74 114.80 market performance meabillion or16.45 0.81 cent, activities in the shares UBA 16.48 FIDELITY 13-MAY-2022 BBB/GCR 13-May-15 16.48 30.00 13-May-22 6.14 4.63 16.47 99.99 FIDELITY sures, NSE ASI and maras market16.00 sentiment re- of Zenith Bank Plc folTRANSCORP 26-OCT-2022 Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR 26-Oct-15 16.00 10.00 26-Oct-22 4.31 2.77 14.16 105.55 *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC T.bills+1.20 IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCRcapitalisation, rose 30-Sep-14 16.29 0.10 30-Sep-24 8.53 1.00 13.41 114.36 STANBIC lowed with a turnover ket by IBTCmained in182D the greenSTANBIC zone. 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 30-Sep-14 13.25 15.44 30-Sep-24 8.53 1.00 13.41 99.19 STANBIC IBTC 0.81 per cent each on*NMRC the Meanwhile, a 29-JUL-2030 turnover of 61.12 million shares 14.90 NMRC AAA/GCR 29-Jul-15 14.90 7.90 29-Jul-30 9.66 1.00 13.48 107.20 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 539.73 back of gains on shares of 412.47 million shares transacted in 685 deals. TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 555.22 of big capitalized firms. in 3,285 deals was recordShares of United Capied in the day’s trading. Shares of Zenith Bank tal Plc led the gainers MDQ OTC Secu- of NBFIs can trade will operate like the exSukuk 10-Oct-13 14.75 9.77 10-Oct-20 2.57 3.37 13.55 BBB-/Agusto *OSUN 14.75 OSUN II sub-sec10-OCT-2020 Bonds, Commercial rities Exchange and Nigerian Breweries The banking chart, appreciating by 9.41 isting FMDQ 102.47 Dealing TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 9.77 jointly accounted for 65 tor of the financial serper cent to close at N1.86 (FMDQ) has introPapers (CPs) and TreaMember (Banks) market TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 10.01 per cent of total value, vices sector was the most per share. Fidelity Bank duced Dealing Member sury Bills (T.bills) in with a view to the full Supranational Bondbourse susas the local active during the day Plc followed with a gain (Specialists) (DMSs) cat- the FMDQ market, was integration of the Deal10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC 11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 11-Feb-18 1.89 1.00 9.08 101.89 (measured tained bullish rally. *AfDB of 6.67 per cent to close10-Jul-14 at egory birthed from ing10.59Member 101.67 (Banks) 11.25by AFDBturnover 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P 11.25 of membership, 12.95 01-Feb-21 3.11 the iden1.00 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 24.95 Consequently , the All- volume); with 109.14 mil- N1.28 per share, while GTB for non-bank financial tification of an innova- and Dealing Member TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 25.39 Share Index appreciated lion shares exchanged by Plc gained 4.53 per cent to institutions (NBFIs) to tive opportunity for the (Specialists) markets at Outstanding Valuein by 208.16 basis points or Issuer close at N16.38 per share. investors in 1,013 deals. Description act as market makers much needed some point in Offer thePrice future. Maturity Date Rating/Agency Issue Date Coupon (%) Bid Yield (%) particiOffer Yield (%) Bid Price ($’mm) the FMDQ fixed income pation of NBFIs in the Prices Forward-thinking and FGN Eurobonds & Yields market. Nigerian fixed income resourceful NBFIs, via 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P 07-Oct-11 6.75 500.00 28-Jan-21 7.55 7.29 96.77 97.81 Participation of the market. this new membership BB-/Fitch; FGN 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 12-Jul-13 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 5.70 5.24 98.77 99.74 BB-/S&P NBFIs, typically the in“The DMS market category, will contribute BB-/Fitch; 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 12-Jul-13 6.38 500.00 93.18 BB-/S&P will be one7.80where 7.61 the to 92.15 ema Bank Plc N3.09 billion, while total The 2015 financial year vestment banking firms 12-Jul-23 the development of TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 1,500.00 participants, DMSs, was a particularly chalhas posted a 9.5 deposits for the period and securities dealing the Nigerian DCM and TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 1,438.46 firms according to a will make market in indeed leverage on this per cent growth stood at N284.9 billion; lenging one for the bankCorporate Eurobonds T.bills (to 11.79 begin with) statement, will gener- 19-May-16 in its gross earnings for representing a 9.5 per cent ing sector and economy potentially highly ben7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I 19-May-11 7.50 373.41 11.79 99.31 99.31 and FGN Bonds, prothe De- BANKincrease from the N258 a whole. This was due ate additional liquidity eficial business 7.25 JULas 25, 2017 B+/S&P full year endedACCESS PLC 25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 9.42 9.42 97.31 97.31oppor09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P 31, 2015. FIDELITY BANK PLC 09-May-13 6.88 300.00fixed 02-May-18 19.86 18.57 78.31 . FMDQ currently 80.17 the impact of reduced cember billion recorded in 2014.6.88 MAYto to the Nigerian viding two-way quotes tunity 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC 08-Nov-13 6.00 400.00 08-Nov-18 8.94 8.94 93.25 93.25 income market The bank’s gross earnspending, to other DMSs and onehas90.75 twenty-three 6.25 APRgovernment 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC Managing Director/ 22-Apr-14 6.25 500.00 and 22-Apr-19 9.80 9.80 90.75(23) in8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC 21-May-14 8.75 200.00 21-May-19 14.99 13.81 84.71 87.35 ings rose to N46.02 bilCEO of Wema Bank, Mr. policy changes in foreign serve as an avenue for way quotes to clients stitutions that have suc8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC 07-Aug-13 8.25 300.00 07-Aug-20 14.76 14.76 79.00 79.00 (institutional and 13.81 re- cessfully completed the lion from N42.19 billion Oloketuyi,9.25/6M reactexchange administration, effective and efficient USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANKSegun PLC II 24-Jun-14 9.25 400.00 24-Jun-21 13.81 83.00 83.00 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD 23-Jul-14 8.00 450.00 23-Jul-21 14.67 14.67 75.28 75.28 tail), thereby generatfirst phase of the meming to the results, said: retail participation in recorded in 2014 finana depressed energy sector, 8.75 AUG 14, 2021 B-/S&P ECOBANK NIG. LTD 14-Aug-14 8.75 250.00 14-Aug-21 12.23 11.76 84.88 86.63 ing the required fixed bership application procial representing a “Our 2015 performance declining manufacturing this market. 3,523.41 TOTALyear, OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION demonstrates our resil- outputs and elements of growth of 9.5 per cent. According3,062.45 to the income market liquid- cess and positioning to Profit before tax closed ience and commitment insecurity, which have statement,Outstanding the unique ity in these factionsRisk of Valuation take advantage of this Value Yield DTM Description Rating/Agency Issuer Issue Date Yield @ Issue (%) Maturity Date Discount Rate (%) Premium (%) initiative, (₦’bn) where the investor market. opportunity ,” Securities at N3.04 billion, compared to continuously deliver continued to take a toll (%) Commercial Papers fixed income dealers “The DMS market Exchange said. to the prior year figure of value to our stakeholders. on consumer spending.

VALUE-ADDED

BBB+/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto‡ ; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A-/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR† Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto‡ A-/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto Bbb-/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto A-/GCR

*BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA *NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA *BAUCHI *OYO *BENUE *PLATEAU KOGI *CROSS RIVER

Stock market gains N72bn

#{r}

FMDQ floats dealing member specialists for fixed income

Wema Bank reports 9.5% growth in gross earnings

Nil

GUINNESS NIGERIA

GUINNESS CP II 4-MAY-16

04-Nov-15

13.25

7.23

04-May-16

6.03

11.37

Nil

GUINNESS NIGERIA

GUINNESS CP III 29-JUL-16

04-Nov-15

13.75

2.77

29-Jul-16

130

6.18

12.93

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

10.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

11.21 12.36

21-Mar-16

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). not constitute professional, financial or **TREASURY BILLS^ FIXINGS Money MarketThe Information does Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) DTM We attempt to ensure the Maturity Bid Discount Offer Discount (%) Tenor Rate (%) investment advice. Information is accurate; however, the (%) Information is provided “AS IS” (%) and on an Bid “ASYield AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to date. We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, performance NIBOR 10 4.94 4.69 OBB 4.33 Tenor Bid ($/N) Offer ($/N) or fitness for a particular purpose of any of31-Mar-16 the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the 4.94 basis of the Information. 17 7-Apr-16 4.51 4.26 4.52 Tenor Rate (%) 24 14-Apr-16 5.14 31 21-Apr-16 5.07 38 28-Apr-16 5.28 FGN Bonds 45 5-May-16 4.96 59 19-May-16 5.29 66 26-May-16 5.14 Rating/Agency Issuer Description 73 2-Jun-16 5.64 80 9-Jun-16 5.26 87 16-Jun-16 13.05 16-AUG-2016 5.98 94 23-Jun-16 5.90 ^15.10 27-APR-20175.45 101 30-Jun-16 9.85 27-JUL-2017 6.39 115 14-Jul-16 122 21-Jul-16 9.35 31-AUG-2017 7.07 129 28-Jul-16 6.98 10.70 30-MAY-2018 6.56 136 4-Aug-16 ^16.00 29-JUN-20197.04 143 11-Aug-16 150 18-Aug-16 7.00 23-OCT-2019 7.29 164 1-Sep-16 7.68 ^15.54 13-FEB-20207.56 171 8-Sep-16 NA NA ^16.39 27-JAN-20227.49 185 22-Sep-16 199 6-Oct-16 7.59 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 206 13-Oct-16 7.70 ^12.50 22-JAN-20267.48 213 20-Oct-16 15.00 28-NOV-2028 7.32 227 3-Nov-16 255 1-Dec-16 12.49 22-MAY-2029 7.37 269 15-Dec-16 7.53 8.50 20-NOV-2029 290 5-Jan-17 7.56 ^10.00 23-JUL-20307.77 304 19-Jan-17 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 318 2-Feb-17 8.33 12.40 18-MAR-20368.27 332 16-Feb-17 346 2-Mar-17 8.34 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 360 16-Mar-17 8.41 *for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the TTM

4.89 4.82 5.03 4.71 5.04 4.89 Issue 5.39Date 5.01 5.73 16-Aug-13 5.65 27-Apr-12 5.20 27-Jul-07 6.14 6.82 31-Aug-07 6.73 30-May-08 6.31 29-Jun-12 6.79 7.04 23-Oct-09 7.43 13-Feb-15 7.31 27-Jan-12 7.24 7.34 14-Mar-14 7.45 22-Jan-16 7.23 28-Nov-08 7.07 7.12 22-May-09 7.28 20-Nov-09 7.31 23-Jul-10 7.52 18-Jul-14 8.08 18-Mar-16 8.02 8.09 8.16

5.16 5.09 5.31 4.99 5.33 5.19 Coupon 5.70 (%) 5.32 6.07 13.05 5.99 15.10 5.53 9.85 6.52 7.24 9.35 7.15 10.70 6.72 16.00 7.23 7.52 7.00 7.95 15.54 7.83 16.39 7.78 7.91 14.20 8.05 12.50 7.82 15.00 7.67 7.77 12.49 7.97 8.50 8.04 10.00 8.30 12.1493 8.98 12.40 8.94 9.06 9.16

Bonds

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION #

Description

Issuer

Issue Date

FMBN

Modified Duration Buckets

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

Porfolio Market Value (₦’bn)

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National Bonds BBB+/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto‡ ; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A-/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR

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

Outstanding Value Maturity Date (₦’bn) NITTY Tenor 581.39 1M 480.13 2M 20.00 3M 6M 100.00 9M 300.00 12M

4.83

REPO

Rate (%) 16-Aug-16 4.7554 27-Apr-17 4.8226 27-Jul-17 5.5931 7.2886 31-Aug-17 8.1887 30-May-18 8.9663

351.30 29-Jun-19 233.90 23-Oct-19 556.93 NIFEX 13-Feb-20 605.31 27-Jan-22 Current Price ($/N) BID($/N) 719.99 199.0000 14-Mar-24 OFFER ($/N) 199.1000 155.84 22-Jan-26 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 1075.92 18-Jul-34 40.00 18-Mar-36

Rate (%) 5.17 5.75 Bid6.33 Yield 6.83

(%)

*BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA *NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE

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

0.40 7.08 6.71 NOTE: 1.10 9.38 9.24 :Benchmarks 1.35 9.44 9.32 * :Amortising 1.44Bond 9.55 9.44 µ :Convertible Bond 2.19 Management Corporation 9.97 9.90 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 3.27 10.44 10.34 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 3.59 Mortgage Bank10.91 10.80 IFC: International Finance Corporation 3.90 11.07 Management 10.98 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables 5.85 Aviation Handling 11.48 Company 11.41 NAHCO: Nigerian O/N: Overnight 7.98 11.94 11.88 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 9.84 12.05 12.00 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 12.69 12.53 12.48 13.17 12.54 12.49 13.67 12.55 12.49 14.34 12.15 12.10 18.32 12.23 12.19 19.99 12.84 12.80

6,237.28

198.72 199.12 199.65 200.66 201.16 205.59 Bid Price 213.53 220.77

102.33 105.83

198.82 199.63 199.97 Price 201.00 201.58 206.13 Offer 214.45Price 222.58

102.48 105.98

100.63 NA :Not 100.48 Applicable ^ : Market Prices 99.72 99.87 # : Floating Rate Bond 101.37 101.52 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 115.03 115.33 DTM: Days-To-Maturity TTM: Term-To-Maturity 88.62 88.92 ‡ : Bond rating under review 114.12 †: Bond 113.82 rating expired 120.78 N/A :Not120.48 Available {r} :Issuer in receivership 111.44 111.74 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 102.50 102.80 UBA: United Bank for Africa 115.46 99.66 73.82 85.55 99.36 96.85

115.76 99.96 74.12 85.85 99.66 97.15

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

6192.277269

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

Agency Bonds Nil

4.9682 7.8016 9.3257 10.5998

6,477.73

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

Rating/Agency

O/N 1M 3M 6M

<3 3<5 >5 Market

1,009.55 1,531.64 1,548.07 4,089.26

Total Outstanding Volume (₦’bn)

03-Apr-12 Weighting by Outstanding Volume

883.23 1,325.30 1,667.49 3,876.02

22.79 34.19 43.02 100.00

30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 31-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12

17.25 Weighting by Mkt Value 24.69 37.46 37.86 100.00

14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50

1.20

Bucket Weighting

1.20 0.23

1.24 0.34 0.43 1.00

1.30 2.05 57.00 16.45 25.00 27.25 4.91 10.98 8.14 21.68 13.87

03-Apr-17 % Exposure_ Mod_Duration 12.27 29.34 58.38 100.00

30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19

0.61

Implied Yield

10.84 11.74 12.45 12.04

0.28 0.28 1.08 0.80 1.78 1.37 1.39 1.57 1.58 1.76 1.98

# Risk Premium (%)

2.94 Implied Portfolio Price 139.9245 153.6903 116.8309 134.6964

4.46 3.48 1.00 5.71 3.21 1.00 1.00 3.82 3.56 1.00 2.02

10.98

INDEX

1,272.99 1,332.40 1,408.52 1,282.66

10.66 9.68 10.11 14.23 12.97 10.47 10.48 13.48 13.22 10.75 11.88

103.63 YTD Return (%) 14.9063 31.5860 39.8704 21.5581

100.81 101.48 99.87 99.60 101.53 104.29 104.31 101.31 100.99 107.25 105.99

40 News|south-west Why agric’ll boost Nigeria’s Adeyemo economy, by Adeolu Osogbo Osun monarch

PDP tackles Aregbesola over N500bn debt

Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

traditional ruler in Osun state, Oba Isaac Adetoyi Adetulurese Olokose II, Onirun of Okeirun yesterday offered reasons why a return to agriculture would boost the nation’s economy if embraced, asking unemployed youths to engage farming as panacea for economic stability. Oba Olokose who gave the charge during his 31st Coronation Anniversary in the town, said the nation’s dwindling economy could be resuscitated if all and sundry would embrace agriculture, insisting that the nation may not get out of the economic woods if agriculture was ignored. He asked school leavers to shun white collar for agriculture as it was the only panacea for economic recovery.

he Osun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party,( PDP), yesterday accused the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola led administration of owing about N500 billion in debt with a repayment term of 40 years, describing the state’s “N2.5 billion monthly debt servicing that Osun is paying is gradually killing its economy”. The party in a release signed by its Director of Publicity, Prince Diran

Odeyemi also challenged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Ministry of Finance must clear the air on the N6.2million February al-

2.28m

The total area (in sq. km) of land of Congo Democratic Republic. Source: Worldfactsandfigures. com

376

The number of refugees and people in refugee-like situation assisted by UNHCR in Nigeria at the beginning of 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

location released to the State so as to set the record straight as “we are tired of government’s excuses that salaries are being paid with zero allocation”. “Is government borrowing to pay half salary it has been paying? Or does it mint money? All these are puzzles federal government and the Ministry of Finance must help us solve before it is too late”, it said. The party however urged the federal government to speak up on the state’s financial status as the indigent residents were feeling the heat, wondering why the state had

been getting least allocation in the last six months. Specifically, PDP said that it was time the Ministry of Finance, the Debt Management Office (DMO) and other relevant agencies must explained to Nigerians why Osun got a paltry N6.2 out of N2.4 billion due to the state rather than than unnecessarily shielding the governor. It said: “PDP based its reason for the call on Federal Government and its agencies that are overseeing finances of states on the revelation that Osun got N6.2 million from the federation account for the

month of February. “The actual debt status of the state should be publicly displayed and the terms of repayment must also be disclosed to lay to rest the growing apprehension among the people of Osun state at home and abroad. “Governor Aregbesola and his handlers have been giving conflicting figures as debt portfolio of the state, Federal government’s silence at this critical time on why Osun’s share of federal allocation has been the least in the federation in the last six months is being used by Aregbeesola already to blackmail Buhari’s administration.”

Senior Superintendent, Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide, Restoration Parish, Gabriel F. Akinadewo (Omo Jesu II), with choristers during the Palm Sunday service at the church premises in Akute, Ogun State.

Court endorses N2bn suit against Eko Atlantic Project Dredgers Akeem Nafiu

ustice Jude Dagat of a Federal High Court in Lagos has declared that a N2billion suit instituted against Eko Atlantic Project Dredgers is in order. In a ruling yesterday, the judge held that the plaintiff in the suit, Mondivest Ltd, had a locus standi to maintain an action against Eko Atlantic project dredgers for damages caused to the Kuramo waters. Justice Dagat held that the plaintiff had a good cause of action and that the plaintiff (Mondinvest Ltd) had a standi to maintain action for damages caused to Kuramo Waters by Eko Atlantic project dredger. The judge, however, declined to grant an interlocutory injunction against Eko Atlantic project Dredgers. The plaintiff had filed the suit, claiming the sum of N2billion as damages suffered owing to the defendants activities on the Kuramo waters. The defendants in the suit are; M.V. Breughel (sister vessel to M.V. Congo River), the Master of the M.V. Breughel and Dredging Environmental and Marine Engineering NV. They had in their preliminary objections urged the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that the plaintiff lacked jurisdiction to institute same.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Court rules on Tarfa, EFCC’s suit April 20 Akeem Nafiu

ustice Aishat Opesanwo of an Igbosere High Court will on April 20 rule on an application filed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rickey Tarfa asking the court to quash a criminal charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Tarfa is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on obstructing officers of law from carrying out their official duty and attempt to pervert the course of justice. The date was fixed by

the judge after hearing arguments from counsel to the parties. At yesterday’s proceedings, Tarfa’s lawyer, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) in a preliminary objection urged the court to quash the charge. He argued that the authority of EFCC to prosecute was limited to economic crimes stressing that the agency had no powers to prosecute general criminal offences outside its jurisdiction. He submitted that the case was already before the Court of Appeal and as such his ongoing trial con-

stituted an abuse of court processes and should be quashed. Owonikoko argued further that by virtue of Section 286 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2004, the EFCC could not be a complainant, an investigator and at the same time a prosecutor. “The filing of this charge is a clear case of abuse of court process, therefore the proper order is to dismiss the charge” he stated. However, EFCC’s lawyer, G. K. Latona, urged the court to disregard the submission of the defence counsel.

Group petitions Ambode, Tinubu over Ikeja vacant stool

eaders of Ikeja community in Lagos, under the auspices of Orile Ikeja Indigenes Development Association has called on the leader of ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, to intervene in the lingering case of non-installation of a traditional ruler in

Ikeja. The association, in a communiqué issued after a two-day meeting by its Secretary-General, Alhaji Adesina Balogun and deposed to by 11 others, said it smelt a rat in the delay of the approval of an Olu of Ikeja, once the kingmakers had done all that was necessary for government to approve the nomination.

In two separate letters addressed to Tinubu and Ambode “who is from Ikeja Local Government” and the Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the association said the stool of Olu of Ikeja has been vacant since October 2014 when the last Olu, Oba Rauf Matemi Amore joined his ancestors.

LCDA: Ogun communities demand boundary amendment Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

undreds of indigenes and residents of Sango in AdoOdo/Ota local government area of Ogun State yesterday took to the streets, demandingproper boundary adjustment for the proposed Sango-Ijoko Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in the state. The protesters, who lauded Governor Ibikunle Amosun for creating the Sango-Ijoko LCDA, however, warned against the alleged move to cede 21 communities originally belonging to their area to another council. Amosun had, recently forwarded a proposal to the state House of Assembly, seeking approval for the creation of 37 LCDAs of the existing 20 local government areas in the state. However, the decision has sparked both commendation and criticism from various interest groups ahead of the House of Assembly’s public hearing on the LCDAs, which begins

today. But yesterday, protesters bearing placards with different inscriptions called on the state government to properly amend the boundaries of the new LCDA in order not to alienate the Sango indigenes. Led by Alhaji Tajudeen Shafi, Hon. Muftau Balogun, Hon. Semiu Babatunde and Olayiwola Olasege, who is the Babaloja of Sango, the protesters expressed concern over move to excise their communities and merge them with Ota communities. The affected communities include Araromi, Igbala, Orente, Joju, Abule Olodo, Ketere, Ejigbo Tuntun, Irepodun, GRA, Idi Orogbo and Chicken Joe. Others are Egbatedo, Gangan, Ali-Isiba, Wisdom Estate, Madoju, Victory Estate, Tomori Estate, Toll Gate, Isorosi and Ewupe. Speaking with reporters, Shafi, who is a community leader and Chief Imam of Sango, said the boundary issue had always been the source of contention and disagreement between Sango and Ota communities.

News|SOUTH-EAST

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FUTO: Controversy trails VC’s selection as varsity defies court order Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

he governing council of the Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Owerri may be charged for contempt, following its alleged violation of a court order, urging the institution to shelve the selection of of a new ViceChancellor for the school. This followed a litigation instituted against the institution. Professor Martin Ikechukwu Nwufor of the Department of Crop Science and Technology of the institution, had in suit No. FHC/OW/CS/36/2016, brought before the Federal High Court, Owerri divi-

sion prayed for an order restraining the university, its governing council, agents and proxies from conducting any interview, screening and appointing or employing any person for the post of the vice-chancellor of the institution. Following the hearing of Nwufor’s prayer through his counsel, Professor Chukwuma Eze,. and L.C. Onumajuru, the presiding judge, Justice J. Inyang, among other things, ruled that all concerned in the matter should maintain status quo ante, pending the determination of the interlocutory application before the court. Inyang ordered that the university’s governing council to be put on notice by serving them with the

order of court made on March 16, 2016; the Motion on Notice dated and filed on of March 15, 2016 and the originating summons filed on March 15, 2016 through the Office of the registrar. A source told our correspondent that a directive was handed down by the institution, stopping receipt of mails to the Office of the Registrar and the ViceChancellor on Monday 14 March, following the order of the court. A drama, however, played out on March 16, when the Bailiff from the Federal High Court brought the court processes for service on the office of the registrar. On introducing himself and his mission to the Secretary to the Registrar, he was said to

have been directed to take the documents to the Office of the vice-chancellor. The bailiff was said to have insisted that the court papers were addressed to the Office of the Registrar and not the vice-chancellor, prompting two hefty men detailed to force the bailiff out appearing to carry out the order of the institution. The bailiff dropped the letter on the table of the secretary, Celine Egbujor and left. Efforts to get the university to comment on the development was fruitfulness but a senior source at the registrar’s office who confided in New Telegraph maintained that the bailiff did not effect any service of the court processes on the institution.

Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere (left), with President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Imo State chapter at the inauguration of the Committee on Modification of Child Adoption Procedure in Owerri,...yesterday

41 ‘Igbo will be President after Buhari’

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Abia State, Chief Sam Nkire, has said that the party’s platform would afford the South-East region the opportunity to produce an Igbo president in Nigeria. Nkire, who spoke at the weekend also predicted that a President of Igbo extraction would take over from President Muhammadu Buhari at the end of his tenure. He advised all those yearning to see the emergence of a President of Igbo extraction in their lifetime to queue behind President Buhari and the APC, in other to achieve

their dream. On the question of Buhari not giving people of the South-East enough appointments, Nkire, said it was not too late to make amends, adding that “there are still a lot more to give.” On the agitation for Biafra he said: “Making South-East more relevant in Nigeria would be more beneficial to the zone than travelling the dangerous route to Biafra.” The APC leader avrred that the only reason why a person of Igbo extraction would not be president of Nigeria after President Buhari, “could only be our attitude to Buhari and APC.”

Sacked PDP chair shut down party office Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

purportedly deposed chairman of the Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie, along members of his executives stormed the party’s state Secretariat and put it under lock and key in flagrant violation of the judgment of a High Court in Orlu, Imo state last Friday. Anyaehie had brought a suit before the court challenging the appointment of a new caretaker committee to take over from him by the National Working Committee of the party, but in deciding the matter, Justice Ononeze Madu, ruled that the case filed by the Anyaehie led executives had no merit as the same party that appointed them,

dissolved them in line with party guidelines. Less than 72 hours after the judgment, the Anyaehie group was said to have stormed the party office with over 100 thugs and disrupted the party meeting which attracted stakeholders from across the 27 Council Areas of the state by forcefully locking up the party office. Members of the new caretaker committee expressed dismay at the conduct of the former chairman. A member of the 16man caretaker committee Hon. Isaac Anyim, he told our correspondent that the entire drama playing out should be blamed on Senator Hope Uzodinma and regretted that the Police and State Government have all become interested parties in the matter.

fraud in Ebonyi institute CD decries spate of kidnapping in Aba 112 demoted overwereexam demoted from third the process of reposition-

Victor Mba

The Campaign for Democracy, Abia State chapter, has called on the state government to pronounce more stiffer sanctions against kidnapping in the state. The Chairman of the group, Jude Chukwu, who spoke with New Telegraph regretted that the commercial city that has

been enjoying peace has continued to witness increased cases of kidnapping recently. According to Chukwu traditional rulers and community leaders are those that can stop the wave of crimes in Aba and its environs. The chairman said those that carry out various crimes do not come from the moon, but said they live with the people, stating

that in some cases they were given traditional titles in their various communities . Chukwu said the increase in crime in the city and environs has adversely affected trade, commerce and industry. He cited the recent bizarre killing at Abia State University, calling on the government to unravel the cause and bring the culprits to book.

Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

total of one hundred and twelve students of the Ebonyi State school of health technology, Ngbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area have been demoted over examination fraud. The break down showed that 36 of the students demoted from final year to second year, while 76 students

year to second year. The students were said to have failed their Ordinary National Diploma (OND) examinations but were allowed to move to the next class. Confirming the development, the Principal of the School, Mr. Emmanuel Okoro, said he made the discovery on assumption of office as the new Principal. He added that it was in

ing the institution that he discovered the fraud. “Students who failed some courses in their 200 level were already in 300 and 400 levels when I came in. But we are bringing them down to where they are supposed to be because in a course like Environment Health Technology, you do it for two years and then get certificate for Ordinary National Diploma.”

Emergence of new group threatens Ohanaeze’s existence Commissioner orders relocation of Pamela Eboh Awka

new Igbo socio-political and cultural organisation, the Igbo Improvement Union, has emerged and with indications that it may operate on parallel line with Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which has been facing leadership crisis for some time. Promoters of the new organization, who met in Awka, at the weekend, said its first major task is to reach out to all the governors and leaders of thought

in all the Igbo-speaking states of Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states, adding that branches of the organization were already being launched in the various states. Among prominent Igbo behind the new organization include Hon. Ugochukwu Agballah, Chief Edozie Njoku, Senator Anthony Agbo, Hon. Emeka Maduagwu, Hon. Eugene Odoh, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu. Hon. Chuma Nnaji, Dr. Amanze Obi, Chuka Obele-Chuka, Chief Nnachitta Udoka,

Nze Onwulali, Barrister Vincent Okwale, Mr. Enyinnaya Orji, Mr. Ike Olu and Mr. Chinnaya Mba. At the launch of the Anambra State branch of the organization in Awka, problems facing the Igbo nation in Nigeria were identified and measures towards solving the problems were also suggested. In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting in Awka, members of the organization said its driving force remained the social, political, economic and cultural mobilization of

Ndi-Igbo at home and in the diaspora through community efforts and projects geared towards addressing the problems besetting the Igbo nation.

The number of fatalities in terrorists’ violence involving security force personnel in 1988. Source: Satp.org

$67bn

The net worth of Amancio Ortega in 2015. Source: Forbes.com

abattoir away from cemetery Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

bonyi State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ogodoali Nome, yesterday ordered the relocation of the Abakaliki abattoir centre from the area because of its nearness of to a cemetery. The abattoir shares same location with three cemeteries designated for Christians, Muslims, and traditionalists. Each

of the cemeteries are also said to be close to each other. Addressing reporters in Abakaliki, Nome described the abattoir’s location as unhygienic, adding that it was wrong for the meat traders to slaughter cows where cemeteries were located. He said by slaughtering cows in the area, the meat traders desecrate the graves where people’s loved ones were buried.

News|south-south

Okowa to NUC: Strengthen your regulatory framework

Dominic Adewole ASABA

elta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to strengthen its regulatory framework to ensure strict adherence to the rules and regulations governing the award of degrees and certificates in the country. The governor said strict adherence to NUC rules and regulations by public and private universities was the only way to guarantee that educational standards are not breached and university degrees are accorded due recognition by foreign institutions and employers of labour. Speaking while honor-

ary degrees were being conferred on the former Senate President, David Mark, the wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, Chairman Rainoil Petroleum, Gabriel Ogbechie, among others, at the third combined convocation ceremony and 10th anniversary of Novena University, Ogume, Delta State, the governor identified the challenge facing the education sector to graduates’ inability to adapt to the dynamics of a rapidly changing world and excel globally. He said: “The National Universities Commission (NUC) must strengthen its regulatory framework to ensure that both public and private universities adhere strictly to the rules and regulations governing the award of degrees

and certificates as this is the only way to ensure that standards are not breached and our university degrees are accorded due recognition by foreign institutions. Okowa, who described the emergence of private universities as a big relieve to democracy, was categorical that; “These institutions have come to the rescue of several thousands of youths who otherwise would have been denied university education because of the limited spaces in our public universities.” According to the governor, the emergence of private universities has also introduced a healthy competition among tertiary institutions that has resulted in the provision of quality infrastructure,

improved curricula and competitive fees. “Today university graduates must possess excellent communication skills and knowledge of socio-cultural issues matched by the ability to apply critical thinking and quantitative reasoning to tackle complex problems in addition to an entrepreneurial mindset and the courage to start a business of his or her own,” the governor emphasised. While he promised the institution that his administration would meet with some of their requests, based on available resources accruing to the state, he appealed to the host communities to co-operate with the management of the school to enhance the development of the area.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ex-militant leaders’ rift: Group sues for peace Gabriel Efeduku Ughelli

ollowing the cold war between former leaders of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Gover nment Ekpemukpolo, aka Tompolo and Chief Michael Jonny, a group known as the Niger Delta Youth Forum yesterday sued for unity between the two. Speaking during the presentation of an award to Jonny at the weekend, President of the group, Daniel Ezekiel, urged them to be united to ensure the development of the Niger Delta. He said: “We want to say we are proud of you and what you have put into the Niger Delta

struggle, hence we are here to present you with this award. We want to see unity, one love between you and Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo). “We want to meet with the state Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro, who is a product of the struggle. What is paramount to us is the unity of our people. “We are here also to tell you to use your position to attract positive things to our land and work for the development of the neglected Niger Delta region. Use your position for the benefit of the people. Let there be brotherly love between you and Tompolo as both of you have come a long way. “Both of you should sink your differences.”

Delta plans review of MoUs with host communities Dominic Adewole ASABA L-R: Dr. Robert Afangide; Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade and Group President, SkipperSeil of Dubai, Jitender Sachdeva and others, at the signing of an MoU for the establishment of 100 megawatts solar farm in the state... recently

Speaker, clerk escape Appeal Court’s hammer Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

eprieve came the way of the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Edoror and the Clerk of the House, Mr. Lawson Ugiagbe, yesterday as the Appeal Court, sitting in Benin City softpedaled in its decision to commit them to prison over alleged contempt of court order. The three-man panel of judges led by its Chairman, Justice Olukayode Bada, instead asked coun-

N5.1m

The amount of prize money received by FC Ifeanyi Uba in the 2014/15 season. Source: Goal.com

986

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

sel to the judgment creditor/applicant, Mr. Gallant Commander Silvanus Eruaga, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chairman of the party, Anselm Ojezua, the speaker and that of the clerk, who are all respondents in the case, to go back and reconcile their differences in the matter. Eruaga, the PDP candidate and winner of the April 2015 state House of Assembly election for Etsako West constituency 11, had through an application by his counsel,

Dele Igbinedion, obtained forms 48 and 49 from the appellate court for the failure of the speaker and the clerk to swear him in as the lawmaker representing the people of the constituency. Mr. Ken Mozia (SAN) represented the APC and the state chairman of the party; Mr. Matthew Ugwuocha represented INEC while the speaker and the clerk were represented by the Solicitor General of Edo State, Mr. Oluwole Iyamu, respectively. The Appeal Court had ordered Edoror and Ugiagbe to appear before it to ex-

plain why they should not be committed to prison yesterday over alleged contempt of court. Justice Olukayode Bada, however, observed with dismay the manner issues in the case were allowed to deteriorate and also called for caution on the parties against bringing the judiciary to disrepute. He said: “This cannot happen in a civilized country. If we allow this to happen, this country will crash. It is a pity you find yourself in the kind of situation. We will see white and call it black.”

Edo guber race: Uzamere dumps PDP for APC Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

he fortunes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State yesterday continued to swell as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in the state, Sena-

tor Ehigie Uzamere, dumped the party for the APC in the state. This came barely two weeks after the conduct of the PDP state congresses. Uzamere was in the senate between 2007 and 2015 and is believed to be gunning for the

governorship seat this year. No reason was, however, given for his sudden resignation from the PDP. The resolve by the senator to defect from the PDP was contained in a letter he sent to the national leadership of the party.

here was anxiety among oil companies, construction firms and multinational corporations operating in Delta State yesterday, following a plan by the state government to review their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with their host communities. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who frowned at the crooked ways some firms negotiated and signed treaties with their host communities without the input of the state government through the Ministry of Justice, said the era of financial leakages was gone. Okowa, who said nothing would deter him from probing all shoddy deals, said the move became necessary to remove the clauses that usually lead to

clashes between oil firms and their host communities. Speaking through his Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpor, when the Managing Director of Energia Limited, Felix Amieyeofori, led top management staff of the company on a ‘thank you’ visit to the commissioner, the governor said henceforth strict compliance would be accorded to all terms of agreement. Although, Amaieyeofori said his company was working towards establishing a refinery in the state, which would be commissioned soon to strengthen the existing relationship between the state and his company, the governor decried what he described as “poor corporate social responsibilities” by some oil firms to host communities in the state.

Ayade set to ensure 24-hour power supply in Calabar D etermined to ensure a 24-hour power supply in his state, Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SkipperSeil Limited of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The signing of the MoU was the highlight of a threeday Middle East Electricity Exhibition programme, which took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. According to the MoU, SkipperSeil is to establish a solar farm to produce 100 megawatts of electricity for Cross River State. Besides providing a bankable land as equity, Cross River is also expected to

make available $1 million to kick-start the pilot scheme, while SkipperSeil, on the other hand, is to invest $15 million in the project. In line with the MoU, Cross River has a 30 percent stake in the business, while the investors will be controlling 70 percent holding. Governor Ayade signed the MoU on behalf of the state while Sachdeva signed on behalf of his firm. During the signing ceremony, Ayade expressed the hope that apart from guaranteeing 24-hour electricity supply to Calabar and its environs, the project will also generate massive employment and boost its internally generated revenue.

north | news

tuesday, march 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Shiites: Counsel may meet Zakzaky today Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

he Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Kaduna State Government to investigate the clashes between the Nigerian Army and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as the Shi'ites Group, which occurred in December, last year, has refused to take the memorandum of the Army as promised in the last adjournment. The commission, had last week, ordered the counsel to the Islamic Movement to

present its memorandum on or before yesterday, March 21, while it also assured the two parties that it would commence proceedings by taking the memorandum submitted by the Nigerian Army on the date. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Muhammadu Garba Lawal, said that the latest adjournment was to avail the legal team of the Islamic Movement another opportunity to have access to their detained leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky. According to him: "The commission has considered the unexpected application by the counsel to the

commission for yet another adjournment to enable the counsels to the Islamic sect have access to their leader. "The inability of the counsel to IMN to see ElZakzaky, the leader of the movement is the reason for the adjournment, but with the indication of the possibility of seeing him yesterday, it is reasonable to grant a short adjournment,” Lawal said, adding that the “Commission has granted the application and proceedings adjourned till tomorrow, Wednesday March 23,and to also take the presentation or memorandum from the Army."

Missing N70bn: Katsina inaugurates judicial commission

atsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, has inaugurated an 11-man Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the alleged missing N70 billion during the administration of the former Governor Ibrahim Shema. The governor, while inaugurating the commission yesterday in Katsina, the state capital, said that the action has become necessary because more than 90 per cent of the missing funds were illegally taken by some officials of the previous administration. In fact, Masari noted that the government decided to set up the panel due to the failure of the officials to provide adequate explanation about

the missing money. The governor explained: “It is not our intention to set up the commission, but the previous administration refused to give us enough explanation about the missing funds. We are not investigating how the contracts were awarded, but how the money was removed from government treasury illegally. “There are some mistakes that could be forgiv-

$23.5m

Benue varsity registrar, bursar sacked over fraud MAKURDI

he Registrar and Bursar of the Benue State University, Dr. Timothy Utile and Mr. Aondoakaa Kwaghfan, have been relieved of their appointments. They were relieved of their appointments ahead of the expiration of their tenure over allegations of their involvement in fraud running into several millions of naira. But, the Public Relations Officer for the university, Mr. Terzungwe Tser Vanger, who con-

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Plateau Assembly denies police order to arrest member Jos

he Plateau State House of Assembly has denied having any communication from the State Police Command ordering the arrest of its member, representing Jos North Constituency, Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan. The Speaker of the House, Hon. Peter Azi, in a chat with journalists in Jos, the state capital, yesterday

said there was no any letter or order from the police on the arrest of Hassan. "People should know what reading such a letter on the floor of the House means," the speaker said. Also, the Chairman of House Committee on Information, Hon. Muhammed Abubakar Balo, refuted the information of the alleged arrest of the member, saying there was no information received from the police to that effect. Therefore, the House

Agatu killings: Nasarawa moves mobile hospital to IDP camp Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

etermined to curtail epidemic and ameliorate the health challenges facing the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by recent attacks by Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the Nasarawa State, the government has positioned a fully-equipped mobile hospital valued at N17

million at the IDPs camp. The mobile hospital stationed at Udeni Magaji in Nasarawa Local Government Area, is to provide adequate medical services to the people at the camp. Speaking while flagging off the delivery of medical equipment at Udeni Magaji, the state Governor, Tanko Al-Makura noted that the gesture was part of the government’s efforts to provide succour to the IDPs in the camp.

in a swift reaction to a publication in one of the national dailies (not New Telegraph), which had purportedly reported that: "Plateau police issue arrest warrant on lawmaker," and also reported that the order was read to the legislators on the floor of the House. According to the Speaker, there was no time when the alleged order of arrest was read at the plenary as mischievously reported by the newspaper.

He said the House plenary did not receive any communication to that effect from the police, talk less of the having to read it on the floor by the House. He said: "The report is far-fetched from the truth; it was mischievously illconceived and the general public should discard it in its totality. We condemned in its entirety the false report of some media house.” Reacting to the said order of arrest, the state Police Public Relation Of-

Kano Assembly refutes N17m bribe allegation to dump Kwankwaso

embers of Kano State House of Assembly have refuted receiving N17 million bribe purported to dump former Governor of the state, Senator Rabi'u Kwankwaso, and to support Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in the current disagreement with his estranged boss. The Majority Leader of the House, Alhaji Yusuf Ata, at press briefing yesterday in Kano dismissed the claim, describing it as

total falsehood and malicious concortion merely to blackmail the lawmakers. The House has since reported the matter to the police, and report reaching us from the Command indicates that the suspect behind the matter has been arrested,” the lawmaker said. According to him, the lawmakers are seeking among other issues that the police should compel the suspect to provide proof of the payment he alleged that was made to them.

en, but N70 billion is a huge amount of money that we cannot overlook, and to that extent, the people of Katsina State want to know about their money.” However, Masari assured the people that the government would give everyone connected with the money a fair hearing on the matter, even as he urged the commission to discharge its duties with fairness and justice.

The total amount of salary/winnings of Prince Fielder (Baseball) for 2014. Source: Forbes.com

Cephas Iorhemen

A cross-section of children at the Internally Displaced Persons' (IDPs) camp, during the inauguration of the mobile clinic donated by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, at Wassa village in Abuja… yesterday...

Musa Pam

ficer (PPRO), DSP Abu Emmanuel, told New Telegraph that he is not aware of any warrant of arrest, "but give me some times to investigate the issue." Further investigation, however, revealed that the management of the University of Jos has told the Plateau State Police Command that the certificate of the former Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan, was genuine. The management of the

firmed the development to New Telegraph, said the duo were not sacked, but were relieved of their appointments as may wrongly be misconstrued in some quarters. It was gathered that the decision to relieve the duo of their appointments was taken after they were indicted by the report of a visitation panel constituted by Governor Samuel Ortom to review the activities of the institution from 2010 to 2015. However, the period under review was under the tenure of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Charity Angya.

university had in its letter of response signed by the Registrar, Mr. Jilli Dandam, noted that of the police was seeking to know whether the certificate of Hon. Hassan was forged or not. A source close to the police, who confided in New Telegraph, noted that the police were investigating the genuineness or otherwise of a Diploma Certificate obtained by Hassan as a result of a petition written to the Inspector General of Police by Alhaji Jamilu Baba.

Deputy Governor to NUJ: Be fair in disseminating govt policies Alhassan Yusuf Bauchi

s the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State chapter, celebrates their Week, the Deputy Governor of the state Mr. Nuhu Gidado, an engineer, has tasked journalists to be fair in disseminating government policies. He said urged the

media to wake up and address the problem being created by the social media. While declaring open the week at the Development Exchange Centre (DEC), said: “Where some people spread rumors and wrong information about the government, the media should be able to ask questions in order to report the true in their reportage.”

WORLD \ NEWS

rushing off decades of distrust, President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro shook hands yesterday in Havana’s Palace of the Revolution, a remarkable moment for two countries working to put the bitterness of their Cold War-era enmity behind them Obama and Castro stood together as a Cuban military band played the national anthems of Cuba and the United States stunning sounds in a country where resistance to the US has been part of the national mission for decades. Greeting each other warmly, the two leaders inspected an honor guard before sitting down for a series of meetings. Whether Obama and Castro could use the meeting, one of

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Obama, Castro come face to face in historic meeting in Cuba

the first since Cuba’s 1959 revolution and the only one in Cuba, to further the ambitious diplomatic experiment they started 15 months ago was an open question, infusing Obama’s historic trip to Cuba with uncertainty and tension for both governments. For Obama, there was no better place than Havana to show that engagement can do more than isolation to bring about change on the communist island. Yet for the Cubans, the glaring question is whether their own government is ready

to prove the ambitious diplomatic opening is more than just talk. American companies, eager for opportunities in Cuba, were wasting no time. Obama announced that tech giant Google had struck a deal to expand Wi-Fi and broadband Internet on the island 90 miles south of Florida. Outside the palace in Havana’s sprawling Revolution Square, Obama posed for a photo in front of a giant sculpture of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, creating an indelible image sure

crimes by his militia. He will be sentenced following a separate hearing. His defense lawyers can appeal. Presiding Judge Sylvia Steiner of Brazil outlined a litany of rapes by members of Bemba’s militia, the Movement for the Liberation of Congo, after it was deployed to Central African Republic to help forces loyal to then-President AngeFeliz Patasse fight rebels led by Francois Bozize. Bozize’s forces ultimately won and he replaced Patasse as president. Steiner said women, girls and men were targeted by Bemba’s forces, often with multiple soldiers raping women and girls in front of other family members. In one incident, a man’s wife was gang raped and when he protested he, too, was raped at gunpoint. “Entire families were

victimized,” Steiner said. “Victims included the elderly men, women and children.” Bemba was convicted even though he spent much of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Even so, the threejudge panel said that he was able to communicate with his troops using radios, as well as satellite and mobile phones and also saw reports of their grave crimes in the media. Steiner called what little action he did take to prevent or punish crimes by his forces “grossly inadequate.” The convictions for rape as a war crime and crime against humanity will be a boost for the court’s Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda who has made the fight against sexual assault in conflict one of her priorities. Human rights activists also welcomed the convictions.

Syrian conflict: Russia warns US over truce violations

ussia says it will unilaterally start using force against those violating the partial truce in Syria, if the US does not agree to joint rules by today. A Russian general said delays in agreeing the rules were “unacceptable” and proposed holding an urgent meeting. However, the US rejected the call, saying Russia’s concerns were already being handled in a constructive manner. The cessation of hostilities has significantly reduced the violence in Syria since it began on 27 February.

Benin’s Prime Minister Zinsou concedes defeat

enin Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou yesterday conceded defeat to businessman Patrice Talon in presidential elections. “I called Patrice Talon tonight to congratulate him on his victory and wish him luck,” Zinsou said in a statement on his Facebook

ICC convicts ex-Congolese vice president

ment. “It is a great honor to pay tribute to Jose Marti, who gave his life for independence of his homeland,” Obama wrote in the guestbook. “His passion for liberty, freedom, and selfdetermination lives on in the Cuban people today.”

page. Zinsou and Talon were competing in a second-round run-off vote after neither won an outright majority in the first round of voting March 6. He conceded after early results overnight gave Talon 64.8 percent of the vote to Talon, against 35.2 for Zinsou.

DNA of Paris attacks ‘accomplice’ found on explosives

President Barrack Obama with Cuban President, Raul Castro during a welcoming ceremony at the Palace of the Revolution yesterday.

he International Criminal Court convicted a former Congolese vice president yesterday of murder, rape and pillage committed by members of his militia in the Central African Republic in 2002-2003. The judgment was hailed as a landmark in the fight against impunity for sex crimes in conflict. The unanimous conviction of Jean-Pierre Bemba marked the first time the court has convicted a suspect based on his role as a military commander. It also was the court’s first judgment recognizing rape as a war crime and crime against humanity. Bemba, 53, is the highest-ranking person yet convicted by the court. He showed no emotion as Presiding Judge Sylvia Steiner read out the long judgment highlighting horrific

to reverberate in Cuba and beyond. The revolutionary leader was once one of Fidel Castro’s top lieutenants, his face an iconic symbol of Cuba’s revolution. That revolution is reviled by critics of the Castro govern-

However, both the Syrian government and opposition have complained of repeated violations. Last week, Russia started pulling out most of its forces from Syria, saying it had largely achieved the goals of the air campaign it launched in September to bolster President Bashar al-Assad. But it vowed to continue targeting the jihadist groups Islamic State (IS) and al-Nusra Front, which are excluded from the truce. As part of the deal between the warring parties they brokered last month, the US and Russia agreed to

chair a ceasefire taskforce that would “develop effective mechanisms to promote and monitor compliance with the ceasefire”. Yesterday, Lt Gen Sergei Rudskoi, chief of the main operational directorate of the general staff of the Russian armed forces, said the US had not responded to repeated requests to draw up measures to tackle “groups that systematically violate” the truce. The general claimed the US - which backs the opposition - was “not ready to have a substantive discussion”.

olice have found the DNA of a newly-identified suspect on explosives used in last year’s Paris attacks, a French source revealed yesterday, as Belgian and French prosecutors met in Brussels to discuss the probe into the November carnage. The suspected accomplice was named as Najim Laachraoui, who was previously known by the false name Soufiane Kayal which he used to travel to Hungary in September with Salah Abdeslam, the key suspect who was arrested in a dramatic raid Friday. Traces of the genetic material of 24-yearold Laachraoui, who left for Syria in 2013, were found on the bombs used in the November 13 gun and suicide bomb attacks in Paris, a source close to the French investigation said. French President Francois Hollande, who has said he wants Abdeslam extradited as quickly as possible, was due to hold his

first formal meeting with relatives of the 130 Paris victims yesterday afternoon. “The president, in light of recent events, will update them on what is happening,” the presidential palace said. Investigators hope Abdeslam’s arrest in Brussels on Friday, in which he was wounded in the leg, will give new leads on the attacks claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group. Abdeslam, the last known survivor of the group that carried out the attacks, was found just around the corner from his family home in the gritty Brussels neighbourhood of Molenbeek, where several of the Paris attackers hailed from. Belgium has faced heavy criticism for failing to keep tabs on Islamic radicals there. The investigation is now widening, and Hollande has said that the network involved in the Paris attacks was much bigger than previously thought.

North Korea fires short-range projectiles into sea amid tension

orth Korea fired five short-range projectiles into the sea off its east coast yesterday, South Korea’s military said, amid heightened tension over the isolated country’s nuclear and rocket programs. The unidentified projectiles were launched from south of the city of Hamhung and flew about 200 km (120 miles), landing in waters east of North Korea, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. Friday, North Korea fired two midrange ballistic missiles into the sea in defiance of tough new UN and US sanctions slapped on the country following nuclear and rocket tests earlier this year. “North Korea should refrain from all provocative actions, including missile launches, which are in clear violation of UN resolutions,” Sung Kim, the US

special envoy for North Korea, told reporters in Seoul when asked about Monday’s firing. In recent weeks, North Korea has stepped up its bellicose rhetoric, threatening pre-emptive nuclear strikes against Washington and Seoul and firing short-range missiles and artillery into the sea. The North protests annual ongoing joint US-South Korea military drills. North Korean leader Kim Jong UN said last week that the country would soon test a nuclear warhead and ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads in what would be a direct violation of UN resolutions that have the backing of Pyongyang’s chief ally, China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China was “deeply concerned” about the situation on the Korean peninsula.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport News

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The youngest player to score for Manchester United in a derby was Marcus Rashford when he put his side ahead in a 1-0 defeat of Manchester City on March 20, 2016

England FA failed in last bid to snatch

International Bale gets new contract as Madrid end De Gea chase

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Siasia raises the alarm over Eagles’ defence Charles Ogundiya

uper Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, has raised the alarm over the state of the team’s defence after losing two of the invited players to injury. Turkish club Kasımpaa’s defender, Kenneth Omeruo, and Mainz 05 of Germany defender, Leon Balogun, both pulled out of the important clash against the Pharaohs of Egypt due to injury, with Balogun expected to be fit for the second leg in Alexandria, Egypt next week. Speaking on a SuperSport programme monitored in Lagos by New Telegraph, the coach admitted the injury to the two players was a blow to the team, but insisted the players in camp could still get the job done. “I am worried especially the loss of two of the invited players, Omeruo and Balogun, but we have to make do with those we have,” the former international said. “We have to work on the full backs, on how to attack without losing their defensive work, learn how to attack and score goals upfront. “We have been working on that and see how we are going to do that with the foreign-based players which are coming in.” He added that the tactics to be adapted against the Pharaohs depends on the response of the foreign-based players to training.

Siasia

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

Mikel (right)

NIG v EGY… 2 days to go

Mikel, Ighalo hit Abuja for Egypt Adekunle Salami

uper Eagles camp on Monday came alive in Abuja with the arrival of Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi, and Watford striker, Odion Ighalo, for the crunch backto-back ties against Egypt. Mikel and Ighalo arrived the Federal Capital Territory early on Monday and moved straight to the Bolton White Apartments of the team. Ighalo arrived Lagos and headed for Abuja in company with for-

mer international, Peter Rufai. Other early arrivals were Aaron Samuel, Godfrey Oboabona, Etebo Oghenekaro, Aminu Umar, Ifeanyi Matthew and Ike Ezenwa. Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi was the first to hit camp on Sunday. More players were expected to reach camp on Monday night to be present at a crucial strategy meeting with the technical crew led by Samson Siasia. Sources told New Telegraph that agenda of the meet-

Egypt arrive Abuja Wednesday on chattered flight Adeolu Johnson Abuja

he national team of Egypt are expected to fly to Abuja Wednesday for the first leg of the AFCON qualifying match between pharaohs and the Super Eagles billed the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Friday. Super Eagles Sercetary, Dayo Enebi, said the Egyptians would land at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Air-

port around noon and would then proceed by road to Kaduna. He said the arrangement became necessary because the Kaduna Airport does not have the facility for International flight. Enebi said that every arrangement had been put in place to accord the Egyptians a warm reception. Meanwhile, the remaining Super Eagles players expected

in camp arrived in Lagos on Monday and joined their colleagues last night at the Bolton White Apartment of the team. The late birds accoding to Enebi who doubles as the Protocol Officer of the team are Kelechi Ihenacho,Fernandi Adi, Elderson Echiejiele,Victor Simeon and Victor Moses. The team will train at the Abuja National Stadium in the morning and move to Kaduna later in the day.

ing to stress the importance of the match and the approach to be adopted for victory. “The training for Monday was called off to allow more players join camp and be part of the very first session. There will be training on Tuesday and we expect a full house,’’ said Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye. Eagles begin the last lap to their preparation for the backto-back Gabon 2017 Nations Cup qualifiers with a trip to Kaduna, venue of the first encounter scheduled for the Ahmadu Bello Stadium on Friday. Six domestic league players picked out of the 22 that reported to camp two weeks ago will join their 20 foreign-based colleagues to compete for shirts in the crucial encounter against the Pharaohs. After Friday’s match, both sides will again meet on March 29 in Alexandria in continuation of the Group G qualifying series for Gabon 2017 AFCON. Egypt are currently on top of the group with six points from two matches while Nigeria is second with four points from same number of matches.

SPORT NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

English FA fail in last bid to snatch Iwobi Emmanuel Tobi

he English Football Association’s last minutes attempts to persuade Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi from committing his international football future to Nigeria has failed as the youngster decided to pitch his tent with the Super Eagles. Iwobi, who is a nephew Nigeria legend Austin Okocha nephew, has burst onto the scene in recent weeks, scoring his first goal for the Arsenal in the 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday. The striker who is already in Super Eagles camp for the match against Egypt played for the Three Lions at the youth level, but has chosen to represent his country of birth Nige-

Iwobi with the ball during the 2-0 win over Everton on Sarturday

Croatia V Israel