Thursday, april 2, 2015 binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

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Thursday, April 2, 2015

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Vol. 2 No. 407

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How Electoral officials doctored Abia North Senatorial poll result }16

No one will be above the law, says Buhari Onwuka Nzeshi and Johnchuks Onuanyim

resident-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday

set the tone for his administration from May 29 with a vow that there will be no sacred cow. He said in Abuja shortly after he and the Vice-President-elect, Prof. Yemi

Osinbajo, received their certificates of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega that no one would be allowed to be

above the law. The presentation of certificates of return to Buhari and Osinbajo came following the announcement of the final results of the presidential poll held

last Saturday. The results, declared in the early hours of yesterday, showed that Buhari polled a total of 15,424,921 votes, while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic

Party, President Goodluck Jonathan, scored 12,853,162 votes. The tone of Buhari's speech, titled: "The die is cast," was reconciliatory, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

News

THURSday, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

No one will be above the law, says Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

a reflection of the mood of the nation that after a vicious and divisive campaign during the presidential contest, it is time for national healing. Buhari, who pledged to fight corruption and terrorism, assured Nigerians and the world that he would be president to all; irrespective of party affiliation, creed or tribe. He said he would respect the rule of law and guarantee freedom of speech. He eulogised Jonathan for his sportsmanship by conceding defeat and making the transition process less rancorous. Against the backdrop of the claim by the outgoing First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, that Buhari will jail top government officials under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration, the president-elect assured the incumbent that he has nothing to fear from the incoming administration. Buhari said his triumph at the poll was neither a personal victory nor victory for his political party alone, but a victory for Nigeria and all Nigerians. According to him, the incoming administration shall ensure that no Nigerian suffered discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, region, gender or social status. He said: "Our long night has passed and the daylight of new democratic governance has broken across the land. This, therefore, is not a victory for one man or even one party. It is a victory for Nigeria and for all Nigerians. Millions of you have worked for this day. So many have risked lives and livelihood; and others have died that we may witness this moment. "Let us put the past, especially the recent past, behind us. We must forget our old battles and past grievancesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and learn to forge ahead. I assure you that our government is one that will listen to and embrace all. "I pledge myself and the government to the rule of law, in which none shall be so above the law that they are not subject to its dictates, and none shall be so below it that they are not availed of its protection. You shall be able to go to bed knowing that you are safe and that your constitutional rights remain in safe hands. You shall be able to voice your opinion without fear of reprisal or victimisation. "My love and concern for this nation and what I desire for it extends to all, even to those who do

not like us or our politics. You are all my people and I shall treat everyone of you as my own. I shall work for those who voted for me as well as those who voted against me and even for those who did not vote at

all. We all live under one name as one nation: we are all Nigerians." Buhari acknowledged that the elections had created rancour in the polity, but assured the people that he would take steps to heal

the wounds inflicted on the psyche of the people during electioneering. He added that in spite of the animosities created during the electioneering, he haboured no ill-will against any one.

"I extend a hand of friendship and conciliation to President Jonathan and his team. I hereby wish to state that I harbour no ill will against anyone. Let me state clearly that President Jonathan has nothing

to fear from me. Although we may not agree on the methods of governing the nation, he is a great Nigerian and still our president. He deserves our support and permanent respect by CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (right) with the Vice-President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, displaying their certificates of return presented to them by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

We're watching president-elect, say CSOs lFani-Kayode wishes Buhari success Onyekachi Eze and Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Civil Society Situation Room, a forum of over 60 right groups, yesterday put President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, on notice that it will keep an eye on his administration. It said right from his inauguration on May 29, it would monitor the administration's activities, especially how it is fighting corruption. The group spoke in Abuja just as the Director, Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign, Chief Femi FaniKayode, welcomed Buhari's victory and wished the incoming administration success. Addressing journalists in Abuja, the convener of the Situation Room, Mr. Clement Nwankwo, congratulated Nigerians for turning out to vote during last Saturday's presidential election. The group also applauded President Goodluck Jonathan for his statesmanship in conceding defeat and congratulating the president-elect.

It said the election represented a victory for democracy and the right of the people to determine who rules them. "The Nigerian people showed a determination to exercise their democratic right despite several logistical challenges, delays and attempts by some politicians to frustrate the process," it stated. The group urged Buhari to chart the course of steering Nigeria away from its present economic and political crisis and onto the path of recovery. According to it, the president-elect will be assuming office against a background of several challenges, including socio-economic downturn, rising poverty, insecurity, corruption and declining infrastructure. It, however, urged the president-elect to take steps to re-unify the country and heal the wounds of a divisive campaign largely fought along ethnic, religious and regional lines. "We urge Presidentelect Buhari to work for the common good of all of the Nigerian people, especially the poor and vulnerable sectors of the population. Civic groups will continue its work in defence of the democratic

and human rights of all Nigerians and will hold the incoming government to account, in line with constitutionally-guaranteed rights entrenched under our laws and internationally recognised standards of good governance," the group stated. It also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a credible election despite the challenges encountered. "As INEC prepares to conduct the April 11 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections, Situation Room calls on INEC to take adequate steps to rectify the anomalies and issues associated with the card readers which should be used for the April 11 elections. "The use of Permanent Votersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cards (PVCs) and card readers will need to be implemented in a more effective manner to ensure credible state elections on April 11," he stated. On his part Fani-Kayode, at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, said despite the vicious campaign against Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC), there was nothing personal about it. He commended the

president for having the courage to concede that he has lost the election at the earliest moment, adding that by doing so, Jonathan has risen above party politics and spoke like a statesman. He said: "We fought a virile, strong, aggressive and very effective campaign on behalf of our candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, and we put the case to the Nigerian people as to why we believe that he ought to have been elected as president for a second term. "We are very proud of the efforts of our president and of our party and we are also very proud of the efforts of every single one of those who participated in the Presidential Campaign Organisation." He urged PDP members to stand firm and continue to support the democratic process and agitate for a better Nigeria even though they lost the election. "It just means that we need to re-group, re-organise ourselves and begin the process all over again because another elections will come in a few yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time. And that is where we are today. We have conceded that we have lost. We acknowledge the fact that

we fought a good fight. We do not have any fears about the future. We did the right thing during the campaign. We have no regrets about our candidate or the way in which we conducted our campaign and we will live to fight another day," he added. He also rallied support for the incoming government, saying that it deserves the support of PDP members because they are, first and foremost, Nigerians before anything else. "May God grant each and every one of us peace. May He watch over our nation. May He guide our president for the next two months whilst he is still in power and thereafter and may He guide and lead the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, in the herculean task that lies ahead for him. My prayer is that he brings our nation together, heal the wounds and that he builds the bridges in terms of religion, ethnicity and region that he needs to build in order for us to make Nigeria a better place and to ensure that Nigeria becomes a great country that she is destined to be," he added.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSday, APRIL 2, 2015

Travel Advisory

THURSday, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule Air France

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

Flight No. AF 513 AF 3822 AF514 AF513 AF514 AF3849

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

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

Amsterdam-Lagos Lagos-Amsterdam

KL587 KL588

13:15hrs 23:05hrs

20:00hrs 05:50hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York

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

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

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

BRITISH AIRWAYS

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

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

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS

16:00hrs

Lagos-Kigali

11:15hrs

16:45hrs

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

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

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

14:00hrs

17:30hrs

22:35hrs 15:10hrs

06:00hrs 21:20hrs

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

hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

01:00hrs

hrs

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Doha Flight Doha-Lagos Flight

QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415

14:55hrs 07:20hrs

23:45hrs 13:35hrs

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

DL053 DL 054

22:15hrs 5:15hrs

05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Madrid Madrid-Lagos

IB 3337 IB 3336

22:55hrs 16:00hrs

5:25+1hrs 20:20hrs

Lagos-Casablanca Casablanca-Lagos

AT738 AT 737

06:25hrs 02:15hrs

09:55hrs 6:00hrs

air maroc

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

12:30hrs

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

IBERIA

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

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

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

MEA 571 MEA 572

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

to Lagos)

UNITED AIRLINES

17:00hrs 4:40hrs

KQ 533 KQ 534

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

DELTA AIRLINES

11:00hrs 22:40hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

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

QATAR AIRWAYS

VS 652 VS 651

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

BA075 BA074 BA 082 BA 083

EMIRATES AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos

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

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

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

VIRGIN ATLANTIC

RwandAir

Kigali-Lagos

Turkish Airlines

Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

Air Côte d'Ivoire Lagos to Abidjan Abidjan to Lagos

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

ASKY AIRLINES

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

10:10hrs

10:50hrs

19:20hrs

21.50hrs

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

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

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

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

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

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE ARIK AIR

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

AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE

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

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

FIRST NATION AIRWAYS

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

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

AEROCONTRACTORS

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

MEDVIEW AIRLINES

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

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

News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSday, APRIL 2, 2015

Obama, Cameron Hollande, EU, UN, Mark, Tambuwal, others welcome Buhari Our Correspondents

orld leaders, including United States President Barack Obama, Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom and France's François Hollande, yesterday applauded Major General Muhammadu Buhari's emergence as Nigeria's president-elect. They were joined by the United Nations, the European Union (EU), Senate President David Mark, his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and governors to welcome Nigeria to a new era under Buhari. Obama, who made a

personal intervention a few days to the presidential election to ensure violencefree poll in Nigeria, in a statement, commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his sportsmanship by conceding defeat and congratulating Buhari on his victory. “I look forward to working with President Jonathan throughout the remainder of his term and I thank him for his many years of service and his statesmanlike conduct at this critical juncture, “he said. He urged Jonathan and Buhari to repeat their calls to their supporters to continue to respect the outcome of the election, to focus on unifying the country and together lead Nigeria through a peaceful

transition. “The last few days have shown the world the strength of Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles. By turning out in large numbers and sometimes waiting all day to cast their votes, Nigerians came together to decide the future of their country peacefully,” Obama said. He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for a job well done. He singled out Jega for special recognition for overseeing an electoral process, which international observers have hailed as largely peaceful and orderly. “Looking ahead to the

gubernatorial elections on April 11, it is imperative that national attention turns to ensuring isolated logistical challenges are overcome and peace is protected, even in the most hotly contested races. On behalf of the American people, I extend congratulations to the people of Nigeria and to Presidentelect Buhari and look forward to continuing to work with the newly-elected government on our many shared priorities,” Obama said. In congratulating Buhari, Cameron said his victory was a historic moment to democracy in Nigeria. Cameron, in a statement, said: “I send my warmest congratulations to General Buhari on be-

ing elected as Nigeria’s next president. “This election has been a credit to the Nigerian people and a truly historic moment for Nigerian democracy. "The UK remains a steadfast partner for Nigeria as it realises its potential as Africa’s economic powerhouse and works to tackle terrorism in the region.” Hollande, in his congratulatory message to Buhari, commended Nigerians and INEC for their commitment to the survival of democracy in Nigeria. The French president, in a statement yesterday, said he would speak with Buhari today, hoping to establish with him the trustful relations he had with

L-R: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors - Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Sullivan Chime (Enugu) and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) during a visit to President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja…yesterday.

Election: Commonwealth, African Union, others laud Nigeria Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

nternational election observation missions, comprising of the African Union, the Commonwealth Observer Group, the European Union, the International Republican Institute, and the National Democratic Institute, yesterday congratulated the leadership and people of Nigeria for their commitment to peace after the declaration of results of the presidential polls. In a statement jointly issued by Professor Amos Sawyer, Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission; Dr Bakili Muluzi, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group; Mr. Santiago Fisas, Chief Observer of the European Union

Election Observation Mission; Constance Berry Newman, Co-Leader of the International Republican Institute Election Observation Mission and Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Co-Leader of the National Democratic Institute International Observation Mission, the foreign observers commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his statesmanship in swiftly congratulating his opponent, General Muhamadu Buhari who has been declared winner of the election. The observer missions said that Jonathan's action paved the way for a historic peaceful transfer of power. They also congratulated General Buhari on his success and called on the people of Nigeria to approach the

upcoming governorship elections, with the same commendable spirit as demonstrated during the presidential election. Similarly, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has commended Nigerians for their resilience and commitment to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections and also for their peaceful conduct during the elections and even after the announcement of the results. The NBA urged all Nigerians to maintain this same peaceful conduct during the Governorship and House of Assembly Elections fixed for 11th April, 2014. It applauded the prompt and dignified concession of defeat by President Jonathan while the collation of the election results by INEC was on-going and well before

the official results were finally announced. "This singular act, apart from being in line with the best democratic practices in the world, has further elevated his status as a statesman and true democrat. He most importantly, put Nigeria first and succeeded in diffusing the tension that had enveloped the whole country," the NBA said. Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) has congratulated the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) on his victory at the polls. In separate goodwill messages, both groups commended President Jonathan for displaying what they described as good quality Christian

and democratic character in the process. In one of the messages, President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, commended Nigerians for a peaceful election and called for a harmonious relationship between Christians and Muslims in their quest for a prosperous Nigeria. Oritsejafor also praised President Jonathan for exhibiting good sportsmanship in conceding defeat to Buhari. In his message, Secretary of NCEF, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, observed that in spite of the enormous tension and apprehension that preceded the election, Nigerians have demonstrated political maturity that elections can be won and lost without recourse to violence or acrimony.

Jonathan, from whom he welcomes the sense of responsibility. He said France would continue to stand with Nigeria to uphold democratic values, fight terrorism and promote economic partnership between our two countries.” The EU, on its part, said it was looking forward to working with the president-elect. It also expressed appreciation to Jonathan for consolidating democracy over the past five years. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Vice President of the Commission, Ms. Federica Mogherini, in a statement in Brussels, paid tribute to Nigerians for showing how a democracy can work. “Nigerians can now look forward to focusing on the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of the country. The European Union has been a close partner for Nigeria over the past 50 years and will continue to support its development and to share its values in promoting peace, prosperity and democracy on the continent and in the world,” she said. The EU urged aggrieved politicians wishing to contest results to do so through the appropriate procedures already laid down. UN, through its Secretary General, Mr. Ban KiMoon, welcomed Buhari's impending presidency. Ban, in a statement issued on Tuesday night in New York, said he had spoken to Jonathan and Buhari on the outcome of the polls and commended the president for his leadership qualities throughout the electoral process and his statesmanship in upholding the democratic process. He also applauded the INEC for organizing the elections in a professional and credible “manner under challenging circumstances.” From the local scene, Senate President David Mark, joined other dignitaries in congratulating Buhari for his victory, describing it as a reflection of the wishes of majority of Nigeria. He commended the political resilience of Buhari, noting that Nigerians have rewarded his efforts with this victory. He urged the presidentelect to be magnanimous in victory and govern Nigeria equitably and fairly irrespective of party affiliation or creed. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

THURSday, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Stock market gains N903bn on peaceful presidential poll Chris Ugwu

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) rallied to a N903 billion gain in market capitalisation yesterday on the successful conclusion of the presidential election that saw All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, emerging winner. The stock market, which began the second quarter on a positive trajectory, had stepped into 2015 on an unfavourable note with key measurement indicators tilting southwards and the first quarter closing with a loss of N760 billion. With the current result, Nigerian stocks surged the most since March 2010, leading gains among world equity markets, after Buhari won a vote that marks the first peaceful shift in power since the end of colonial rule in 1960. The NSE’s All Share Index rose for a ninth day to extend its longest streak of gains since December 2012. The key benchmark indices maintained positive trajectory to close in the green, taking supports mainly from highly and medium capitalised stocks. Specifically, the market

capitalisation of equities appreciated by N903 billion to hit N11 trillion as market sentiments remained positive. The twin market indicators, the All-Share Index rose by 2635.32 basis points or 7.7 per cent from 31,744.82 to close at 34.380.14, while market capitalisation of equities gained N903 billion or 7.7 per cent from N10.717 trillion to N11.620 trillion. The NSE’s market capitalisation had depreciated by N760 billion or 7.09 per cent to close at N10.717 trillion when the closing gong rang at the end of first quarter, March 31 from N11.477 trillion opening figure at the beginning of trading on January. The NSE All Shares Index dropped by 9.17 per cent or 2912.31 basis points for the period under review; from 34,657.15 points

it opened during the beginning of trading to close at 31,744.82 points. The index measures the performance of the stock market and also reflects how prices of stocks have moved, which in turn determines how much investors made as gains or losses. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Johnson Chukwu, had said that factors leading to the decline in local investments were both external and internal, adding that the trend was likely to continue until the second quarter of 2015. He said: “The factors driving the bear run seem to be the declining oil prices; depleting reserves; termination of quantitative easing; likely further tightening of monetary liquidity by the Central Bank

and a possible two-horse unpredictable presidential election in 2015.These factors are most unlikely to reverse soon and so, the earliest time one should expect a rebound is the second quarter of 2015, subject to the outcome of the general elections.” The Head, Research and Investment, BGL Plc, Mr. Femi Ademola, also said he did not expect the situation to change soon. “Last year, a lot of retail people came to the market because of what they saw in 2012 and 2013. In one of those years, a major company returned more than 1,000 per cent, which was a good attraction. Unfortunately for them, they have made losses again and may want to run away once more," he stated. Also, Bloomberg News, reported that the Nigeria’s $500 million Eurobonds

due July 2023 advanced for the 11th day, pushing the yield down to the lowest since December 8, as President Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat, reducing the threat of post-election violence, which marred previous votes. “The political risk has certainly decreased, a money manager at Stanlib Asset Management Limited, Thabo Ncalo, which oversees about $45 billion and has been adding to its Nigerian holdings, said. “It bodes well for investing in Nigeria. It boosts the case for coming back into the country,” it added. Jonathan sent his “best wishes” to Buhari after the vote, bolstering investor confidence as the country contends with a six-year war against Boko Haram. Buhari also faces the task of restoring an economy that’s reeling from a 50

per cent drop in the price of oil, its main export, since June. Until now, investors had been particularly wary of the outlook for Nigeria — Africa’s largest economy and the world’s number four oil producer, fueled by crude reserves in the Niger Delta. But global benchmark oil prices have fallen more than 50 per cent in recent months, taking Nigeria’s currency with them and leaving a gaping hole in government revenues. The World Bank recently revised its prediction for the country’s economic growth in 2015 down from 6.3 per cent to 5.5 per cent. However, the substantial decline during the first quarter was also due to fears and uncertainties regarding the 2015 general elections, as well as concerns about insecurity.

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L-R: Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; his Borno State counterpart, Alhaji Kashim Shettima and Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, at the presentation of certificate of return to the President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja...yesterday.

Obama, Cameron Hollande, EU, UN, Mark, Tambuwal others welcome Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

The Senate president also commended the sportsmanship of Jonathan, describing him as a worthy statesman. Like the Senate President, his deputy also congratulated Buhari for his victory. Reacting to the outcome of the presidential election, Ekweremadu said Nigerians had spoken through their ballots and commended Jonathan for conceding victory to Buhari. He said such “unprecedented show of statesmanship had gone a long way in rewriting the history of the nation’s democracy and ensuring post-election peace and security of Nigeria”. He said: “Whichever way we look at the 2015 presidential election, the real winner is Nigeria,

and the greatest beneficiaries are Nigerians and our democracy, especially our electoral system." Also, Tambuwal described the election of Buhari as a watershed in the history of Nigeria. In a statement in Abuja yesterday by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal congratulated Jonathan and the president-elect both for the successful conduct, and the outcome of the presidential election. He said the will of the majority of the people, as expressed in the results of the election, should be respected. Tambuwal said by conceding defeat, Jonathan had written his name in gold and would be remembered for playing a critical role to douse tension in the

aftermath of the election. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), on its part, congratulated the president-elect and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for emerging victorious at the March 28 presidential election. In a statement yesterday by the Director General of the Forum, Asishana Okaru, NGF equally congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and all other political parties that participated in the elections. It stated that the emergence of Buhari at this point in Nigeria’s political history, was nothing, but the will of the people and the voice of God, considering the fact that he had previously contested the seat three times. The NGF lauded the

president for his sportsmanship by conceding defeat to Buhari. Also, Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, described the Buhari’s victory as the end of business as usual for those who revel in cutting corners in the running of the affairs of Nigeria. The governor, in a congratulatory message in Ibadan yesterday signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said Buhari was a lesson in perseverance, resilience, calmness and patriotism, which he said were the attributes that made his victory possible. Ajimobi's counterpart in Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda, also said the victory of Buhari was for all Nigerians and the country. The governor, at a news

conference in Bauchi, urged losers not to go court, but work with the winners towards promoting the interest of the electorate. Both the president and his would-be successor also got congratulations from the Northern State Governors' Forum (NSGF) for their contributions to sustaining democracy in Nigeria. NSGF hailed Jonathan for conceding defeat, adding that he has exhibited the tenets of a true democrat. Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Israel Ebije, also said Buhari's victory should be seen as victory for Nigeria's democracy and collective progress of the nation.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSday, APRIL 2, 2015

Buhari's victory: Jonathan meets service chiefs, EU observers Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday met with the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Service Chiefs possibly to discuss the recent development in the polity over the emergence of Major General Muhammadu Buhari as winner of the March 28 presidential election. Sources in the Presidential Villa confirmed to our correspondent that the security chiefs including the National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki; Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh; Chief of Army Staff, Kenneth Minimah; Chief of Naval Staff, Usman Jibrin and the Chief of Air Staff, Adesola Amosu were on a solidarity visit. They were led to the closed-door session by Dasuki. None of the service chiefs spoke with reporters after the end of the parley which lasted about an hour. The last time the security chiefs met with Jonathan was on March 17 when they briefed him on their preparations for the general elections and

the success recorded in the anti-terrorism war in the North Eastern part of the country. Meanwhile, members of the European Union observer group to the 2015 general elections also met with President Jonathan yesterday where they presented an interim report on their findings so far. EU Chief Observer Mission for the 2015 elections, Satiago Fisas, who spoke to State House correspondents declined to disclose the recommendations contained in the report. According to Fisas, two recommendations were contained in the interim report. He said a final report would be presented to the incoming administration in July. On whether he had any advice on how elections could be done better than what presently obtains in the country, the EU Chief Observer said the report to be presented in July would address all that, adding, however, that the country had a choice to accept or reject such recommendations. "I seized the opportunity to give to him (Jonathan) our preliminary

report about the election. He was very happy and, of course, I will come back in July with the final statement at a press conference and to give it to the new president with our recommendations as would be contained in the final reports. "That [recommendation on how to achieve improved elections] is contained in the report. So, it is up to Nigerian government to accept or not to accept the recommendations. "We are observers and we have made our recommendations and I don't want to advance the final report that will be finished after the gubernatorial elections. When we can embark on new ideas with a new President, probably that will be in July, then we will make recommendations public. But now we have only two recommendations," he said. The observers commended the resilience of Nigerians who defied all odds to cast their ballots, saying that Nigerians had shown an example to Africa and other countries around the world Fisas also congratulat-

ed President Jonathan for his role in ensuring peaceful, free, fair and crdible elections, adding that such examples of commitment and resilience were rare. He said: "The elections are so important for the people of Nigeria, but is an African example for all Africa and countries in

other parts of the world. You know many people didn't expect that the elections will be peaceful; they expected a lot of violence after the elections but it turned out not to be true. I congratulate President Jonathan but I would like to congratulate Nigerian people because they showed a lot

Buhari: Jonathan has nothing to fear CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

virtue of the office he has held. "This is how an honourable nation treats its servants and conducts its affairs; and this is how Nigeria should be. "I look forward to meeting with President Jonathan in the days to come to discuss how our teams can make the transition of administrations as efficient as possible," he added. Buhari said the incoming administration would tackle frontally the twin evils of insecurity and corruption and ensure that Nigeria was freed from them to give vent to economic prosperity and the social wellbeing of the citizenry. "No doubt, this nation

has suffered greatly in the recent past, and its staying power has been tested to its limits by crises, chief among which is insurgency of the Boko Haram. There is no doubt that in tackling the insurgency, we have a tough and urgent job to do. But I assure you that Boko Haram will soon know the strength of our collective will and commitment to rid this nation of terror, and bring back peace and normalcy to all the affected areas. We shall spare no effort until we defeat terrorism. "We shall strongly battle another form of evil that is even worse than terrorismâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the evil of corruption. Corruption attacks and seeks to destroy our

L-R: National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.); Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Adesola Amosu and Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

JTF Commander, others for court-martial April 14 Our Correspondent

he Commander of the disbanded Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Baga, Borno State, Brigadier General E. RansomeKuti, will be arraigned before a General CourtMartial (GCM) on April 14, New Telegraph has gathered. The GCM will sit at the Army Headquarters (AHQ) Garrison (Mogadi-

shu Cantonment), Abuja. Also to face trial alongside Ransome-Kuti, over alleged failure to repel Boko Haram attack on the MNJTF Headquarters on January 3, are his Commanding Officers and other personnel. Amnesty International (AI) had described the attack on Baga, by Boko Haram, as "the largest and most destructive." New Telegraph gathered from highly-placed military sources that the

Army failed to begin the court-martial of the onestar general and other senior officers and soldiers on Monday, owing to its failure to inaugurate the new GCM on the said day. Though, the inauguration was shifted to Tuesday, investigation showed that the serious military exercise did not hold; a development which led to the new date of April 14. Nonetheless, New Telegraph was reliably informed that Major

of commitment to that election. "Not in all circumstances would you see such. The people stood in the sun for a very long time and hot day, despite some of the problems. Even at that, you were there. It shows that Nigerians are truly democratic."

General Ekanem is the President of the yet-to-be inaugurated GCM, which will comprise five other Major Generals as members. The military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "Actually, after past plans to inaugurate the courtmartial did not happen, Monday was fixed as the new inauguration and arraignment date, but it did not take place. "It was shifted until the

next day (Tuesday), even though it did not take place. Tentatively, it will now hold on April 14." When asked whose name appeared on the Convening Order as President of the GCM, he answered: "Major General Ekanem is listed as President, while five other Major Generals are to serve as members." It will be recalled that an earlier GCM had sentenced about 50 soldiers to death by firing squad.

national institutions and character. By misdirecting into selfish hands funds intended for the public purpose, corruption distorts the economy and worsens income inequality. It creates a class of unjustlyenriched people. "Such an illegal, yet powerful force soon comes to undermine democracy because its conspirators have amassed so much money that they believe they can buy government. We shall end this threat to our economic development and democratic survival. I repeat that corruption will not be tolerated by this administration; and it shall no longer be allowed to stand as if it is a respected monument in this nation," he said. Buhari thanked the APC for giving him the opportunity to be its presidential candidate in the election and also commended the INEC and the security agencies for their contributions towards the success of the election. He also applauded APC leaders such as Senator Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Alhaji Lai Mohammed, religious leaders, traditional leaders, the media, labour unions, Civil Society Organisations, organised private sector, youths and students for their roles in the democratic process. Gen Buhari also expressed his appreciation to former heads of state and presidents, United States President Barack Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron for their tireless efforts in ensuring peaceful polls in Nigeria. The president- elect assured the international community of Nigeria's support in the global fight against terrorism and in other matters such as narcotics, climate change, financial fraud, communicable diseases and other issues requiring global response. Nigeria, he said, would henceforth stand as a more constructive partner in advancing the matters of concern to Africa, particularly with regard to economic development and eradication of poverty.

News

Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

he victory party of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in Ado-Ekiti yesterday turned violent, as they were attacked by some armed hoodlums at the party's State Secretariat, Ajilosun area of the town. According to the State Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, who showed newsmen five vehicles that were badly vandalised, the attack came as a surprise.

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUHARI'S VICTORY

Celebration of Buhari's victory turns violent, APC members attacked "Following Buhari's victory, we had come here this morning and people started trooping in from different parts of the state. We decided to have a procession to appreciate the people of the state. The mood of the moment is that we should go out and celebrate. "I spoke with the Commissioner of Police on our plan and assured him of a peaceful conduct on our part. We had a successful

outing and we got here and most people had dispersed when some armed people suddenly appeared and started shooting and they shot directly into the office. "They came in three Hilux vans and destroyed all vehicles on sight. It was a traumatic experience. We do not believe Fayose could stoop so low to do such a thing. There had been some information that they were planning to attack us and

we thought the governor would act gentlemanly," he said. Olatubosun listed the names of the alleged attackers as Femi Ogunleye, Opeyemi Atiaro, Basiru Ajagbe, Ayo Terrorist and one Tosco. In his reaction, the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Taiwo Lakanu, said one of the alleged attackers had been arrested. "We received information that there was an at-

tack at APC secretariat and I deployed a team of policemen there led by the Area Commander. They succeeded in flushing out the miscreants. We are still making effort to arrest the other miscreants. We have information on those who perpetrated the act. "Our timely arrival scared away the miscreants. I am telling you categorically that my men will never be involved. That is a mere exaggeration," Lakanu said. In his reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Idowu Adelusi, said the allegation that governor sent men to attack APC members was unfounded. "Such allegation should be disregarded by

every reasonable human being because the governor did not send anybody and has never done such a thing in the past. The APC in their usual character had piled up strategies and as well more than 20 lies of various degrees which they plan to execute on daily basis to cause commotion in the state if General Buhari wins the election. "One of such lies is this allegation of attack which in actual sense they planned and executed by themselves to make it look as if they were attacked by outsiders. The governor does not operate or have any killer gang as they alleged. Rather, it is the APC's killer gang which was set up and funded by Fayemi administration and headed by Deji Adesokan that has reappeared again in the state, and we are urging the police to be on their trail before they wreak havoc.

Expectation of Nigerians from President-elect overwhelming, says Nda-Isaiah Mojeed Alabi

O L-R: European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Michel Arrion; Deputy Chief Observer, Hannah Roberts, President Goodluck Jonathan and European Union, Chief Observer, Santiago Fisas, during a visit by the European Union Elections Observer Mission to the Presidency at the State House, in Abuja. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Fashola: It's time to build Nigeria Muritala Ayinla

agos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola yesterday, called on Nigerians to cooperate with the newly elected All Progressive Congress-led Federal Government, saying the time to build Nigeria was now. Fashola, who gave the charge at the Ikoyi residence of the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also congratulated General Muhammadu Buhari on his declara-

tion as the Presidential –elect. He said the two main parties ran a very fierce campaign in the build-up to the March 28 elections, adding that with the state of things in the country, every hand should be on the deck to build the country. Fashola, who also served at the Director of the Fund Raising Committee of the BuhariOsinbajo Presidential Campaign Organisation, appealed to Nigerians to join hands with the party

to rebuild the nation. He said: "I think both sides ran a very fierce campaign. So, you can imagine as they say: The fiercer the conflict, the sweeter the victory but what is important now is building Nigeria really and so, it is every hand to the pump really”. Buhari was returned as the winner of the March 28, 2015 Presidential election in the early hours of Wednesday by the Chief Returning Officer, Professor Attahiru Jega. He scored a total of

15, 424,921 votes to beat his opponent and incumbent President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored a total 12, 853,162 votes. The President-elect fulfilled the constitutional provision of scoring the highest number of votes cast and achieving a spread of at least 25 per cent of the votes cast in two-thirds of the States with his spread of at least 25 per cent of the votes cast in 27 States of the federation.

ne of the Presidential aspirants under the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, has expressed his sympathy with the President-elect, General Mohammadu Buhari over the expectations of many Nigerians, who he said are yearning for immediate change in their individual lives and the country as a whole. In a press statement made available to New Telegraph yesterday, NdaIsaiah commended Nigerians for being resolute and commitment, saying that for the first time in the history of the country, the peoples’ votes counted. He, however, said he believed the retired General was capable of transforming Nigeria, while also revealing that as soon as he was declared winner, it meant that a new page has been opened for the

country. He stated: “I congratulate General Muhammadu Buhari for this feat. The political rescue mission that started with the 2003 presidential election through the 2007 and 2011 presidential elections and which cost the lives of people like Marshal Harry, Chuba Okadigbo, and many others, has finally come to fruition. But I also sympathise with the president-elect because majority of Nigerians want change in their lives like from the day after his swearing in as president. That would be expecting magic. “But General Buhari will surely change Nigeria. The very act of his declaration as presidentelect yesterday meant that those who have been stealing the nation dry will start a tactical retreat. It's fair to say that corruption, which is at the foundation of our nation’s problems started reducing yesterday with his election."

Osun APC supporters Umeh wants implementation of CONFAB report mock PDP, parade casket Tony Okafor Adeolu Adeyemo OSOGBO

t was jubilation galore yesterday by members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who stormed the Osun State secretariat of the party to rejoice over the victory of the party presidential candidate,

Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (rtd) at the poll. The party supporters, who converged on the party secretariat as early as 10.a.m of the day, turned the place to carnival ground as they sang different political songs to appreciate God for the victory he gave to them in the last election.

AWKA

he National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chief Victor Umeh, yesterday congratulated the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari on his victory at the polls on March 28,urging him to implement the recom-

mendations of national conference. He also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding to defeat and said Buhari’s victory was good for democracy. Umeh said APGA wished Buhari well but encouraged him to adopt and implement the recommendations of the National Conference for the good of Nigeria.

Also, the leader of Progressive Peoples Alliance ( PPA) in Anambra State, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, described the declaration of Buhari as winner of the presidential contest and concession by President Jonathan as a resounding progress in our the nation’s democracy. According to Ezeemo, the Independent National Electoral Commission

(INEC) and President Jonathan had proved to the world that the black men have great potential and capacity to manage their affairs optimally. He said that the pronouncement and acceptance by the incumbency was a great show of patriotism on both sides and advocated that option A4 be reintroduced in our electoral process for more transparency.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015

News

BUHARI'S VICTORY

Jonathan’s kinsmen seek peace, welcome Buhari

resident Goodluck Jonathan’s kinsmen, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) yesterday congratulated General Muhammadu Buhari, for winning the 2015 presidential election. They also admonished Nigerians to eschew any act that was capable of endangering the peace, unity and corporate existence

of the country. INC through its President, Boma Obuoforibo, in an online statement yesterday said President Jonathan did well on Tuesday evening by conceding defeat and congratulating General Buhari even before the formal announcement of the final results by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),

Prof. Attahiru Jega. President Jonathan’s kinsmen said: “On behalf of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, we commend President Goodluck Jonathan for his courageous outing in the 2015 presidential election. He made all Nigerians proud by his unprecedented show of sportsmanship in accepting the verdict of INEC.

“His telephone call to General Buhari on his victory even before the formal declaration of results by INEC is a statesmanlike act that has endeared him to the people. He has become a role model for emerging leaders of our country and Africa. “We congratulate General Muhammadu Buhari on his victory at the poll

and wish him divine wisdom and courage to lead our dear Nigeria into a new era of peace and broadly-shared prosperity.” INC also lauded all the persons who rallied round President Jonathan all through his re-election bid, while pleading with them to take solace in the shining example of Jonathan as a democrat.

Gani Adams greets Buhari, Jonathan Temitope Ogunbanke

he National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams, has congratulated the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari. Adams said by his resounding success in the election, Buhari has proved that he is the choice of the people. The OPC National Coordinator in a statement issued yesterday, also commended the President-elect’s resilience and tenacity over the years, which according to Adams have seen Buhari equal the record of great leaders like Abraham Lincoln of the United States. “By his resounding success in the election, Buhari has proved that he is the choice of the people. His victory is a lesson to all of us that we can be what we want to be if we are patient and persistent in our legitimate pursuits. “His speeches before, during and after the election are also commendable, because they went a long way in dousing the tension in the country. This actually shows

UPP, CNPP congratulate ‘Uprightness, zero tolerance for corruption, earned Buhari presidency’ president-elect L-R: Senior Manager, Data & Portals, David Umoh; Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel, Maurice Newa and Vice-President, Data Products & Services, Nitin Anand, at the Airtel Smart Network media launch in Lagos

HIGH FIVE

Labour congradulates Buhari, lists qualities that gave him victory Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

yo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday congratulated General Muhammadu Buhari on his victory at the just concluded presidential election, noting that his uprightness and zero tolerance for cor-

ruption, earned him the victory. Chairman of the chapter, Bashir Olanrewaju, who spoke at an event organised by human rights group yesterday, however, cautioned that the president-elect was surrounded by people who acquired wealth through corrupt means and are capable of erasing the gains expected from Buhari’s victory in the long run. Speaking on the topic; “2015 general elections: Any hope for the masses?”, Olanrewaju, flanked by a human rights crusader, Femi Aborisade,

said he had studied the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress, but was yet to see any clear difference between the party and that of the Peoples Democratic Party. He added that in an attempt to actualise governance his own way, Buhari might encounter problems with the party and some of the people who spearheaded his campaign and emergence, while reminding Nigerians that some of the challenges that Buhari would face were a deeply rooted corrupt system, dwindling national income and

an economy hinged on dictation from the Western powers. He said: “We congratulate Buhari on his victory at the poll, but we are not sure if there is much hope to celebrate by the masses. Buhari told Nigerians that he had no money to buy nomination form, but have we forgotten that those who bought his form and funded his campaign will be around him when he begins his rule? They will demand for a return. “Despite dwindling oil price, there is evidence of stealing of petroleum

products. This is a system Buhari will inherit. Did we ask him during his campaign if he will increase civil servants’ wages or reduce the work force? Did we put ourselves in a good bargaining position when he was canvassing for our votes? We did not ask those questions; we only wanted change,” he said. The organisation was of the opinion that until Nigerians were liberated from their state of penury and bad image, cultivated by past administrations, there was no hope for the masses.

Obasanjo’s associate, Majekodunmi lauds Buhari’s victory PDP defeats self, says former senator Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, yesterday described the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari in the just concluded presidential election as worth celebrating irrespective of political party affiliation. Majekodunmi, a for-

mer governorship aspirant and close associate of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, said this in a statement made available to reporters in Abeokuta. He congratulated the APC presidential candidate for his victory in the keenly contested election, saying the feat was due to his perseverance and doggedness. According to him, the outcome of the poll was

a true reflection of the collective wish and aspirations of Nigerians and must be respected. Majekodunmi contended that people of the country have opted for change by dumping the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also congratulated Nigerians for making an informed decision to entrench a purposeful leadership and good governance in the country.

Chukwu David ABUJA

former senator representing Anambra North, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, yesterday blamed the defeat suffered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded presidential election on act of sabotage by some self-centered members of the party, who pre-

ferred personal ambition to public interest. Speaking to journalists on the matter, Anosike said PDP’s woes began when state governors started nominating unpopular candidates for primary elections, lamenting that at the end of the day, those governors could not help deliver their candidates and their failures robbed on President Goodluck Jonathan.

Johnchuks Onuanyim ABUJA

he presidential candidate and National Chairman of Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Dr. Sam Eke, has congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, for winning the just concluded presidential election. Also yesterday, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) sent its congratulatory message to the President-elect, General Buhari. Eke in a press release in Abuja personally signed by him and made available to journalists said the party wishes General Buhari well in his new government. He described Buhari’s victory at the poll as victory for democracy and peace, adding that his party will support the Buhari government. He said: “The Citizens Popular Party (CPP) hereby pledges her loyalty to the Buhari government as stakeholders in Nigeria’s political process, we will do our best in supporting this government,” he said.

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro Two-year-old girl killed in fuel explosion EXPLOSION Again, a child falls victim of illegal fuel sales in residential area Taiwo Jimoh

two-year-old girl, Rasheedat Kazeem, has lost her life to fire after fuel kept in a residential area exploded at Ibafo in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. The residents said they woke to hear the shouts of fire. The gallons of fuel belonged to the landlady of the building, who disappeared after the inferno started. People scampered to safety, abandoning their property. Some angry residents said the explosion, which occurred at Ajaga area on Friday, was caused by petrol kept in the building for sale by the landlady. The deceased was sleeping in her parents’ apartment when the explosion occurred. It was gathered that the fuel seller had been warned several times on the dangers of selling fuel in a residential area, but she refused to heed the warnings. One of the residents said: “We call on Governor Ibikunle Amosun to come to our rescue as oil bunkers have taken over the whole of Ibafo, while the police are not helping the situation.” One of the residents of the building, Mr Muhammedu Isa, is now squatting in an uncompleted building with his wife and kids. He said: “My family and I were left with nothing. Everything we had laboured for was gutted by fire. “My family and I were inside our apartment sleeping when

The house

we suddenly heard the shout of fire. We saw that smoke had engulfed the whole house. We all ran out. When the fire finally settled, all what we had laboured for was gone. “The most annoying aspect of the incident was the little girl that was sleeping inside the house. She died in the fire.” Another affected resident, Mr Mohammed Aliu, said that he had earlier wanted to vacate the building, but was unable to because of financial difficulties. He said: “When the incident occurred, we were all left with nothing. We are now living on

the generosity of Good Samaritans. It was the Baale of our community that assisted us with this uncompleted building. He saw that we had nowhere to go or sleep.” The Baale, Chief Balogun Folorunso, blamed the disaster on the stubbornness of the landlady. He said: “Before this incident, I had sent warnings to this woman over the sales of fuel in area where people reside. But whenever we tell her this, she would start quarrelling with us. But when it happened, she absconded.” Aliu

One dies as tanker crushes taxi Biodun Oyeleye

O ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

Rescue operation at the accident scene

ne person was feared killed yesterday while two others sustained injuries in Ilorin, Kwara State, when a water tanker crushed a taxi at Asa-dam area of the metropolis. Witnesses said that the water tanker with registration number XH527KTU Lagos was coming from Egbejila area of Asa Dam Road, where it had

gone to fetch water to be sold to a client when the driver lost control apparently owing to brake failure. Passers-by and residents, who saw the way the driver was struggling with the steering as the vehicle swerved from one end to the other, started shouting to warn those in the vicinity. However, the tanker landed on the taxi, with registration number Kwara OLFF475XA, was said to be on its way to

Offa Garage area. One of those witnesses, who gave her name simply as Moji, claimed that the taxi was full of passengers when the incident occurred. Moji added that a man was sitting in the front seat with the taxi driver while four others were on the back seat. One of the survivors told those who came to rescue them that he was coming from a Fidau prayer at Ijooro also at Asa Dam area with his friend.

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015

Four killed in police, robbers’ shootout Dominic Adewole ASABA

our men, suspected to be members of a five-man gang of armed robbers, were killed yesterday during a shootout with policemen in Delta State. Acting on a tip-off from an anonymous caller, the policemen attached to OgwashiUku Police Station, raced to the scene of the robbery and engaged the suspects in a gun duel. The robbers were operating on St. Patrick Catholic Church Road before the police team swooped on them. The state Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu,

Kalu

disclosed this at the command headquarters in Asaba yesterday. She said “Consequently, the Anti-Robbery Patrol team immediately mobilised to the scene. “The hoodlums, on sight-

ing the policemen, opened fire on them. In the ensuing gun duel, four of the unidentified gunmen were gunned down while one escaped with bullet wounds.” Kalu listed the items recovered from the hoodlums

to include one double-barrelled gun with two live and two expended cartridges, one generator, 26 handsets of different makes, three laptops, one LG Plasma television set, one amplifier, two hammers, one rod and other items. According to Kalu, the same syndicate robbed a family at the back of African House at Ogbe-Ofu Quarters, Ogwashi-Uku and raped a girl on March 29. She said: “They also robbed some persons at Umu-Okwe Quarters, Ogwashi-Uku on March 31. The criminals went to St. Patrick Catholic Road, Ogbe-Ofu Quarters, Ogwashi-Uku for their nefarious activities again on April 1 (yesterday) where they met their waterloo.”

Again, fire razes Balogun market

Some traders in front of their burnt shops

gain, fire razed a section of Balogun Market on Lagos Island yesterday and destroyed goods worth several millions of naira. The early morning fire was the second in the market in three months. The fire, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), which affected lockup shops, was first noticed at the back of a building housing a commercial bank. Quick response from the

Lagos State Fire Service prevented further spread of the inferno. Goods destroyed in the fire include lace materials, cosmetics, ladies’ wears, body cream, hair attachments, underwear accessories and refrigerators. Some of the traders commended the firemen for their timely response, which prevented the fire from spreading. Mr Cletus Onyema, a trad-

er in the market, said that he lost a huge amount of money as well as goods. Onyema, however, thanked God for curtailing the losses. He said: “When I got a call that there was fire in the shops around this area, I did not know what to expect. “I thank God that the situation was not that bad. I lost some goods but I praise the fire service for work well done” Another trader, Mrs Ronke

Adebayo, said she had just stocked her shop for the Easter sales. She said: “I thank God that I was able to save some of my goods. I have a truck load of lace materials parked out there but I was able to save the goods. “I lost some goods but it would have been painful if all of them were consumed by the fire.” Adebayo said that the cause of the fire was still unknown but said that the fire service came on time and put out the fire. Confirming the incident, the Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Fadipe Rasaq, said that firemen from Onikan Fire Station responded to the fire call within four minutes. He said that the fire razed a storey building, which caused the top floor to collapse while eight lock-up shops were also destroyed. The director said the cause of the fire was still being investigated. Fadipe advised traders to organise themselves to buy centralised generators that would be stationed outside the shops instead of using many small generators.

Fear grips Ibadan residents over discovery ‘ritual dungeon’ Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

here was pandemonium yesterday evening at Adekile, Orita-Aperin area of Ibadan, Oyo State, when some people alleged that a woman stole a kid leading to the discovery of a dungeon akin to that of Soka forest. A source said: “We are all confused about what happened. The information we heard was that a family had been searching for a child

and that he or she was discovered inside a dilapidated house. Whether he was alive or dead, we do not even know. The irate mob had removed the roof of the house. We learnt they said they discovered a dungeon under the building. “We also learnt that someone was killed and that maybe a policeman (a DPO) had been killed. The whole thing is confusing. “It was the ugly situation that made soldiers to be deployed in the area this

evening (yesterday). They have been shooting sporadically since. Those who came to church around here have been in the church since, unable to go out. The whole area is deserted now.” Another witness, who identified himself simply as Tunde, said people of the area were just being overzealous. He said: “There was nothing like a dungeon in the house. The security moved in to protect the house and that was why there was shooting in the area.”

Many people who were around Gate, Mokola and Beere, who wanted to go through Adekile could not as friends and relations were busy calling them on the phone not to go near the area. When contacted on the phone, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adekunle Ajisebutu, said he was not aware of the incident but would get back later after confirmation. He said: “I have not heard of that, but I will confirm layer.”

City Briefs Drug peddler bags two months imprisonment Akeem Nafiu

27-year-old man, Iliya Abdullahi, was yesterday sentenced to two months imprisonment by Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos for dealing in drug. The conviction followed his admittance to being an end user and peddler of Indian hemp for about 19 years. Abdullahi was taken before the court by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a one-count charge of unlawful possession of 400 grams of cannabis sativa. The NDLEA prosecutor, Orji Kalu, told the court that the convict was arrested on January 31 around 6pm at Bonnyway Transport motor park, Iddo, Lagos. He added that Abdullahi’s conduct was in violation of Section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and was liable to punishment under the same Act.

NDLEA arrests 11 suspected traffickers

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Seme Command, yesterday said it had arrested 11 suspects and seized 53.41kgs of cannabis sativa in the first quarter of this year. The Commandant, Mr Essien Udotong, disclosed this at a press briefing in Badagry. Udotong, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that three of the suspects had been sentenced to various prison terms. He said: “Within the period under review, the command arrested 11 suspects and seized 53.41kgs of cannabis sativa imported from Ghana as well as $23,915. “All suspects have been charged to court, but three drug suspects have been convicted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. “Five drug-dependent persons were also counselled on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking. “Apart from making arrests, we also counsel drug addicts to let them know the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.”

Buhari: Prostitutes declare three-day free sex Mojeed Alabi

n celebration of the emergence of General Mohammadu Buhari as the President-elect, the National Association of Nigerian Prostitutes (NANP), has declared a three-day free sex nationwide for their clients. The association, in a text message by its National Secretary, Jessica Elvis, and sent to an online media platform, Daily Post, congratulated Buhari on what it described as a well-deserved honour, saying it was a victory for all Nigerians. The declaration, according to the association, is in fulfilment of its earlier pledge in January that it would declare the three-day free sex, while also urging the incoming President to legalise its profession and save its members from harassment. The text message reads in part: “Please kindly extend NANP’s felicitation to Gen. Buhari for winning the presidential election.

12 News

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NATIONAL

Jonathan proved election not "do-or-die affair" — TUC Yekeen Nurudeen ABUJA

ollowing President Goodluck Jonathan's concession of defeat to General Muhammadu Buhari in the last Saturday presidential election, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has said that the president's action has clearly shown that election was not a do-ordie affair. The President of TUC, Bobboi Bala Kaigama, in a congratulatory message to the President- elect yesterday said TUC views General Buhari's resolve to contest the 2015 general elections as a mark of his belief in the project Nigeria, and his unflinching

desire to contribute his quota in ensuring that he continues with the good work of his predecessor and to even surpass it. "We particularly applaud the president-elect for his doggedness and refusal to quit despite the defeat he suffered in the last three elections, we also commend His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, whom we learnt has congratulated his opponent. What President Jonathan did is a proof that election is indeed not a do-or-die affair". He said TUC urged the president-elect to work at keeping his campaign promises to Nigerians which were some of the basis upon which he was voted for.

Be strong, don’t belittle Nigeria again, Rawlings tells Buhari Mojeed Alabi

ormer Ghanian leader, Jerry Rawlings yesterday told Nigeria’s President-elect, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari to be strong in leadership and not allow anybody whittle down the influence of Nigeria again. Rawlings in a statement said that Nigerians have taken a serious leap forward by voting Buhari, describing his election as a vote against corruption. The statement said: “Nigerians have taken the lead in the rejection of corruption. “The election result is a manifestation of the people’s resolve to confront corruption, dishonesty and exploitation. This is a clear message to the new leadership. A bold step has been taken towards a new Nigeria

and the incoming leader cannot be unaware of what is expected of him. “Nigerians did not vote for just anyone. They voted for a man whose integrity is extremelyhigh. Nigeria is tired of corruption and the choice of this leader is a clear indication of where she wants to go. I hope General Buhari will put together a team whose understanding of the power of the people recognizes and respects the will of the people. “General Buhari owes it to his people and to Black Africans, the restoration of our pride and the black man’s dignity. “The image of President Jonathan, a Nigerian Head of State climbing up the stairs to go and complain about Boko Haram to a French President is an image I hope I will not see again.”

Africa to realise $500bn annually as demographic dividend, says UNFPA

he United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has predicted a $500 billion benefit for Sub-Sahara Africa as demographic dividends in the next 30 years. But the fund said this is achievable if public policies are appropriately implemented by respective governments. This is contained in a statement issued by Abraham Gelaw, UNFPA Communications Officer, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN yesterday. It said there are window of opportunities to harness the demographic dividend which is time bound and requires im-

mediate investments. The statement quoted the UNFPA Executive Director, Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, as saying this at the opening of the High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Harnessing the Demographic Dividend for Agenda 2063 in Addis Ababa. It said critical investments on the youth, adolescent girls, need to be made as regards sexual and reproductive health, quality education, along with investments on infrastructure development and the right governance structure. The statement urged member states to move from commitments to actions.

Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, consecrating the Holy Eucharist, during the Catholic Chrism Mass in Abuja…on Wednesday. PHOTO-NAN

Court restrains AIT from airing documentary on Tinubu Akeem Nafiu

ustice Iyabo Akinkugbe of an Ikeja High Court has granted an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the African Independent Communication (AIT), from further airing a documentary on the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The order was sequel to an application brought before the court by Tinubu's lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun(SAN). Justice Akinkugbe had on March 16 granted an interim order restraining AIT from further airing the documentary. However, in her ruling yesterday, the judge said the interlocutory injunction was pending the determination of the substantive N150 billion libel suit filed by Tinubu against Daar Communications Plc, owners of

AIT. According to her, the continued airing of the documentary titled, "Lion of Bourdilion", would affect the res of the suit which was the reputation of the applicant. The judge noted that the applicant cannot be adequately compensated if the station is allowed to continue to broadcast the documentary. "I hereby order an interlocutory injunction in this suit restraining the defendant from further airing, publishing or disseminating broadcasting the documentary 'Lion of Bourdilion' which it started broadcasting on March 1, pending the determination of the substantive suit," the judge said. The matter has been adjourned till April 16 for further direction. Tinubu has dragged Daar Communications Plc, to court for alleged defamation of character,

following the airing of the documentary which depicted him as a corrupt politician. According to him, the documentary was politically sponsored to tarnish his reputation in the eyes of the populace. He had also asked the court for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining AIT whether by itself, agents, privies and or other persons from producing or continuing to broadcast the documentary. Moving the application, Olanipekun urged the court to restrain the defendant from airing the documentary pending the determination of the substantive suit. He said AIT's argument that most of the contents in the said documentary were already on various online publication was not an excuse to continue to broadcast the document. In his response, AIT's

lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), argued that the said documentary was last aired on March 6 following his advice to the station to discontinue the broadcast. He maintained that the content of the documentary were facts which had been in the public domain for over two decades and published independently prior to the broadcast. Ozhekome, while exhibiting other previous articles written about Tinubu which according to him had remained unchallenged till date, said AIT had a responsibility to its audience to scrutinise their public officers, adding that Tinubu had not shown how the said documentary had damaged his reputation. He, therefore, asked the court to dismiss the application because Tinubu had failed to show that he could not be adequately compensated for the damages.

Fire incident at Lagos airport Oyo women group pledges Wole Shadare

minor fire incident occurred at the "E" arrival wing of the International terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos yesterday afternoon. The extent of damage could not be ascertained as reporters were barred from the area, but a witness told New Telegraph that the cause of the fire was unknown but noted that it could be as a result of electrical fault. Spokesman for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),

Yakubu Dati, said the smoke was quickly traced to some offices at the E wing on the ground floor of the terminal by a combined team of FAAN’s electrical engineers and fire officers. Investigations, he said, has commenced to ascertain the cause of the fire. According to him: “The authority wishes to assure the travelling public and other airport users that there was no immediate danger to anyone as a result of the incident neither did it affect flight operations at the terminal.

commitment to Ladoja Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

overnorship candidate of the Accord Party in Oyo, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, yesterday urged his supporters and members to be resolute and determined to wrest power from the APC-led government in Oyo State, irrespective of the last Saturday's loss in the National Assembly election. The former governor stated this yesterday

when members and executives of 'Oyo Patriotic Women Forum' led by Adenike Adeniran, visited him in his Bodija residence to express their support for his aspiration to govern the state again. Ladoja, who said he was happy with the continuous support he gets from the people of the state, promised to do more to meet their expectations, if elected as governor, while urging the people to come out en mass to vote for him and other Accord candidates.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, march 26, 2015

Presidency

General elections

Guber poll

Re-election 17

Buhari: I’ll be president for all

How electoral officials doctored Abia North senatorial poll result

Vote for continuity, Ambode urges Lagos residents

Why Mimiko failed Jonathan, PDP

Politics

How the battle was won and lost With the declaration of General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as President-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the contest for the 2015 presidential election has come to an end. ONYEKACHI EZE writes on how the battle was won and lost by the two leading political parties

hough 14 presidential candidates contested the March 28 presidential election, attention was focused on President Goodluck Jonathan, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, the 12 other candidates gave good account of themselves given the fact that most of them were contesting the presidency for the first time. Also, the platform on which they contested the election was largely unknown to most Nigerians. Again, unlike the PDP and APC candidates, the 12 other presidential candiPresidential results AA

22,125;

ACPN

40,311;

30,673;

29,666;

APA

53,537;

APC

15,424,921;

CPP

36,300;

HDP

7,435;

Kowa

13,076;

NCP

24,455;

PDP

12,853,162;

PPN

24,475;

UDP

9,208;

UPP

18,220

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Jonathan

Buhari

dates lacked the necessary finance to prosecute the election. The electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said a total of 29,432,083 votes were cast during the presidential election. Out of this number, 28,587,564 were valid votes while 844,519 votes were rejected. While the PDP and APC got 12,853,162 and 15,424,921 respectively, the rest were shared among the 12 other parties. PDP won in Ekiti, Enugu, Nasarawa, Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Plateau, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Taraba, Delta States and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) while APC secured its victory from Ogun, Kogi, Osun, Ondo, Oyo, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Kwara, Kaduna, Niger, Lagos, Gombe, Adamawa, Zamfara, Kebbi, Benue, Bauchi, Yobe, Sokoto and Borno states. ANALYSIS BY NORTH-WEST STATES STATES APC PDP

The outcome of the election shows that Nigerians still vote along ethnic lines. Except Ekiti, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba States and FCT, PDP secured its victory mostly from South-South and South-East geo-political zones where the presidential candidate of the party comes from. On the other hand, APC’s victory came mainly from the North where its presidential candidate hails from and South-West where its vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the national leader of the party, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu come from. Despite the fact that PDP is in control of 10 states in the North-West, NorthCentral, and North-East, the party still lost in these regions. In Ekiti State where PDP scored 176,446 votes to APC’s 120, 331 votes, the state governor, Ayo Fayose, apart

484,085 215,779 98,937 100,972 152,199 310,800 144,833 1,507,605

ANALYSIS BY NORTH-EAST STATES STATES APC PDP ADAMAWA 374,701 251,664 BAUCHI 931,598 86,085 BORNO 473,543 25,640 GOMBE 361,245 96,873 JIGAWA 885,988 142,904 YOBE 446,265 25,526 Grand Total 3,473,340 628,692

ANALYSIS BY NORTH-CENTRAL STATES STATES APC PDP BENUE 373,961 303,737 KOGI 264,851 149,987 KWARA 302,146 132,602 NASARAWA 236,838 273,460 NIGER 657,678 149,222 PLATEAU 429,140 549,615 Grand Total 2,264,614 1,558,623

ANALYSIS BY SOUTH-SOUTH STATES STATES APC PDP AKWA IBOM 58,411 953,304 BAYELSA 5,194 361,209 CROSS RIVER 28,368 414,863 DELTA 48,910 1,211,405 EDO 208,469 286,869 RIVERS 69,238 1,487,075 Grand Total 418,590 4,714,725

KADUNA KANO KATSINA KEBBI SOKOTO TARABA ZAMFARA Grand Total

1,127,760 1,903,999 1,345,441 567,883 671,926 261,326 612,202 6,490,537

from being elected on the platform of the party, is also a die-hard supporter of President Jonathan. Fayose, who is barely six months in office, worked harder than any PDP governor to ensure the victory of the party. He became enemy of most Nigerians because of his opposition to Buhari presidency. In Ogun State where the PDP got 207, 950 votes to APC’s 308, 290, its lost was predictable. Not only is that fact that APC is in control of the state, PDP has to contend with the forces of former President Olusegun Obasanjo who had openly lent support to the APC candidate even when he was still a member CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

ANALYSIS BY SOUTH-WEST STATES STATES APC PDP EKITI 120,331 176,466 LAGOS 792,460 632,327 OGUN 308,290 207,950 ONDO 299,889 251,368 OSUN 383,603 249,929 OYO 528,620 303,376 Grand Total 2,433,193 1,821,416 ANALYSIS BY SOUTH-EAST STATES STATES APC PDP ABIA 13,394 368,303 ANAMBRA 17,926 660,762 EBONYI 19,518 323,653 ENUGU 14,157 553,003 IMO 133,253 559,185 Grand Total 198,248 2,464,906 ANALYSIS BY FCT-ABUJA STATES APC PDP ABUJA 146,399 157,195 Grand Total 146,399 157,195

Politics

THURSDAY, march 26, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

General Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), President-Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in this Acceptance Speech titled ‘The Die is Cast’ delivered yesterday spoke about the path his government will take

am immensely grateful to God for this day and for this hour. I feel truly honoured and humbled that the Nigerian people have so clearly chosen me to lead them. The official announcement from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was the moment the vast majority of Nigerians had hoped and been waiting for. Today, history has been made, and change has finally come. Your votes have changed our national destiny for the good of all Nigerians. INEC has announced that I, Muhammadu Buhari, shall be your next president. My team and I shall faithfully serve you. There shall no longer be a ruling party again: APC will be your governing party. We shall faithfully serve you. We shall never rule over the people as if they were subservient to government. Our long night has passed and the daylight of new democratic governance has broken across the land. This therefore is not a victory for one man or even one party. It is a victory for Nigeria and for all Nigerians. Millions of you have worked for this day. So many have risked life and livelihood; and others have died that we may witness this moment. And it is with a very heavy heart that I report many deaths and injuries amidst the jubilations yesterday. We send our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives; and wish speedy recovery to those who suffered injuries. I appeal to all our supporters to celebrate this victory with prayers and reflection instead of wild jubilation. May the souls of those who died rest in peace. Let us take a moment of silence to honour all of those whose sacrifices have brought us to this fine and historic hour. As the results of the election have shown, their labour has not been and will never be in vain. Democracy and the rule of law will be re-established in the land. Let us put the past, especially the recent past, behind us. We must forget our old battles and past grievances – and learn to forge ahead. I assure you that our government is one that will listen to and embrace all. I pledge myself and our incoming administration to just and principled governance. There shall be no bias against or favouritism for any Nigerian based on ethnicity, religion, region, gender or social status. I pledge myself and the government to the rule of law, in which none shall be so above the law that they are not subject to its dictates, and none shall be so below it that they are not availed of its protection. You shall be able to go to bed knowing that you are safe and that your constitutional rights remain in safe hands. You shall be able to

President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, delivering his acceptance speech in Abuja …yesterday.

Buhari: I’ll be president for all voice your opinion without fear of reprisal or victimisation. My love and concern for this nation and what I desire for it extends to all, even to those who do not like us or our politics. You are all my people and I shall treat everyone of you as my own. I shall work for those who voted for me as well as those who voted against me and even for those who did not vote at all. We all live under one name as one nation: we are all Nigerians. Some unfortunate issues about my eligibility have been raised during the campaign. I wish to state that through devotion to this nation, everything I have learned and done has been to enable me to make the best possible contribution to public life. If I had judged myself incapable of governing I would never have sought to impose myself on it. I have served in various capacities and have always put in my best. But despite the rancour of the elections, I extend a hand of friendship and conciliation to President Goodluck Jonathan and his team. I hereby wish to state that I harbour no ill will against anyone. Let me state clearly that President Jonathan has nothing to fear from me. Although we may not agree on the methods of governing the nation, he is a great Nigerian and still our president. He deserves our support and permanent respect by virtue of the office he has held. This is how an honourable nation treats its servants and conducts its affairs; and this is how Nigeria should be. I look forward to meeting with President Jonathan in the days to come to discuss how our teams

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

I shall faithfully serve you... We shall faithfully serve you. We shall never rule over the people as if they were subservient to government

can make the transition of administrations as efficient as possible. Here, I want to thank my party for selecting me as its candidate. I thank our party leaders and members for the steadfast contributions they made to bring our dream to fruition. I thank INEC, the police and all other government agencies for performing their tasks in a proper manner and for refusing to be induced to undermine the election and the democratic process. I also wish to thank religious leaders, traditional leaders, the media, labour unions, Civil Society Organisations, organised private sector, youths and students for their roles in this election. I give special thanks to President Obama and his timely intervention and support for peaceful and credible elections in Nigeria and for sending Secretary John Kerry and other United States officials. The European Union especially the United Kingdom, France, Germany and other nations that were actively involved in ensuring the success of this election are equally appreciated. My sincere thanks to the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. BanKi Moon. The Commonwealth, China, India and other Asian and Gulf states are also hereby appreciated. Finally, our brothers in the African Union and ECOWAS have truly and clearly shown and demonstrate their commitment to our democratisation process. Former Presidents John Kuffour, Amos Sawyer, Bakili Muluzi and his team are well appreciated. I must also add my appreciation for the role played by civil soci-

eties, national and international observers, other world leaders in ensuring that Nigeria holds free and fair elections. I assure all foreign governments that Nigeria will become a more forceful and constructive player in the global fight against terrorism and in other matters of collective concern, such as the fight against drugs, climate change, financial fraud, communicable diseases and other issues requiring global response. I want to assure our fellow African nations that Nigeria will now stand as a more constructive partner in advancing the matters of concern to our continent, particularly with regard to economic development and eradication of poverty. Former heads of state and presidents Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan and General Abdulsalami Abubakar deserve commendations for their statesmanship and words of caution and counsel for peace during the tense moments of this electoral period. Most of all, I thank the people of Nigeria for reposing their confidence in me at this trying moment. Our nation wrestles many challenges including insecurity, corruption, and economic decline. I pledge to give you my best in tackling these problems. The good people of Nigeria, your obligation does not end with casting your ballot. I seek your voice and input as we tackle these problems. This will not be a government democratic only in form. It will be a government dem-

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, march 26, 2015

How the battle was won and lost

Odigie-Oyegun

Jega

Mu’azu

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

Okwesilieze Nwodo and former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo who left the party in 2003 have since returned. PDP got 553,003 votes in Enugu State while APC scored 14, 157 votes. PDP loss in Benue and Kogi states was blamed on the poor performance of state governors who were elected on the platform of the party. Benue State where the governor, Gabriel Suswam, lost his senatorial ambition to Barnabas Gemade of APC, the people voted against PDP to register the disaffection with how Suswam run the affairs of the state. Civil servants in the state are said to have been owed over six months’ salaries. There is also infrastructure development in the state. PDP scored 303, 737 votes while APC got 373, 961 votes in Benue. In Kogi State, PDP got 149, 987 votes to APC’s 264, 851. Like in Benue, the Kogi State governor who will be facing the electorate next year, was said to have performed below average. The people also voted against PDP to register their anger. PDP knew that Osun State was a nogo-area. In 2011, the state was the only South-West state that voted against it. The state governor, Rauf Aregbesola is Fayose’s opposite in APC. He believed that Buhari is better than Jonathan to manage the affairs of the country. Prof. Isaac Uzoma, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Oye, Ekiti State who announced the result said APC scored 383, 603 votes while PDP got 249, 929 votes. Kano and Katsina were easy ride for the APC candidate. Buhari is from Katsina while he has millions of supporters in Kano State. He won the two states in

2011 when he contested on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) but the party lost the governorship to PDP. With the defection of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from PDP to APC, Buhari’s chance in Kano was further boosted. APC got 1, 903, 999 votes to PDP’ 215, 779 votes. In Katisna, APC scored 1, 345, 441 while PDP got 98, 937 votes. Surprisingly, there was no cancellation of votes in both states. The two parties showed almost equal strength in Lagos State. In the state, APC secured 792, 460 votes to PDP’s 632, 327 votes. In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State where people thought APC would secured victory, PDP spring surprises. While it got 157, 197 votes in Abuja, it got 273, 460 votes in Nasarawa State. APC, however, got 236, 838 in Nasarawa State and 146, 399 votes in FCT. PDP’s success in Nasarawa State where APC has a sitting governor may have been as a result of the combined forces of some PDP stalwarts like Senator Solomon Ewuga and the population of non-indigenes like in Mararaba, Keffi and other surrounding towns. The party also won the state in 2011 although it lost the governorship. PDP’s performance in Bauchi State baffles anybody. This is a state where its National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed and Isa Yuguda, a PDP sitting governor come from. But the combined effort of the three gave the party only 86, 085 votes while APC got a whopping 931, 598 votes. The party failed to score 25 per cent in the state. This clearly show that they did not work for the party.

of PDP. The party was also yet to recover from the 2011 crisis which led to its loss of the governorship of the state, which he was in control in eight years, to APC despite the fact that the former governor, Gbenga Daniel, and some of his supporters have returned to the party. PDP failure to win Ondo State was entirely not strange to anybody who follow the trend of events in the state. Though Dr. Olusegun Mimiko returned to PDP from Labour Party last year, the party scored a total of 251,368 to APC’s 299, 889 votes. The fact was that Mimiko’s return to PDP was more of a curse than blessing. His defection upset the apple-cart in the party. PDP thereafter became disunited and factionalised. It was open fact that members of the party in Ondo State like former minister, Dr. Olu Anguloye, Jimoh Ibrahim and others worked against PDP in the presidential election. These people were dissatisfied with how the PDP leadership and presidency handled the post-primary election crisis. Mimiko was accused of single-handedly selected the party’s national and state assembly candidates. It was also alleged that most of these candidates were former Labour Party members who defected with him to PDP. PDP victory in Enugu State was made possible by its cohesiveness in the state. Since 1998, Enugu has been a PDP state. There is yet to be a strong opposition in the state, despite the fact that the former governor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani has left the party to form a new party, Peoples for Democratic Change (PDC). Former National Chairman of PDP, Dr. C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 4

ocratic in substance and in how it interacts with its own people. No doubt, this nation has suffered greatly in the recent past, and its staying power has been tested to its limits by crises, chief among which is insurgency of the Boko Haram. There is no doubt that in tackling the insurgency we have a tough and urgent job to do. But I assure you that Boko Haram will soon know the strength of our collective will and commitment to rid this nation of terror, and bring back peace and normalcy to all the affected areas. We shall spare no effort until we defeat terrorism. Furthermore, we shall

VOTE ANALYSIS BY STATES STATES APC PDP ABIA 13,394 368,303 ABUJA 146,399 157,195 ADAMAWA 374,701 251,664 AKWA IBOM 58,411 953,304 ANAMBRA 17,926 660,762 BAUCHI 931,598 86,085 BAYELSA 5,194 361,209 BENUE 373,961 303,737 BORNO 473,543 25,640 CROSS RIVER 28,368 414,863 DELTA 48,910 1,211,405 EBONYI 19,518 323,653 EDO 208,469 286,869 EKITI 120,331 176,466 ENUGU 14,157 553,003 GOMBE 361,245 96,873 IMO 133,253 559,185 JIGAWA 885,988 142,904 KADUNA 1,127,760 484,085 KANO 1,903,999 215,779 KATSINA 1,345,441 98,937 KEBBI 567,883 100,972 KOGI 264,851 149,987 KWARA 302,146 132,602 LAGOS 792,460 632,327 NASARAWA 236,838 273,460 NIGER 657,678 149,222 OGUN 308,290 207,950 ONDO 299,889 251,368 OSUN 383,603 249,929 OYO 528,620 303,376 PLATEAU 429,140 549,615 RIVERS 69,238 1,487,075 SOKOTO 671,926 152,199 TARABA 261,326 310,800 YOBE 446,265 25,526 ZAMFARA 612,202 144,833 Grand Total 15,424,921 12,853,162

An indication of what to expect during the election started during the PDP presidential campaign to the state in January. The convoy of President Jonathan was attacked and there was allegation and counter-allegation between the governor and FCT minister over who was responsible with the attack. And there was no word of caution from the National Chairman. The result from Rivers State where the Director General of APC presidential campaign organisation, Governor Chibuike Amaechi comes from was hotly contested by APC, but the INEC Chairman, Professor Jega said the commission could not establish substantial evidence to warrant the cancellation of the result. In the state, APC scored 69, 238 while PDP got 1, 487, 075 votes. PDP also secured 1, 211, 405 in Delta State to APC’s 48, 910. In Akwa Ibom, the party got 953, 304 while APC has 58, 411. In Bayelsa State where Jonathan comes from, PDP scored 361, 209 votes to APC’s 5, 194.

Jonathan has nothing to fear, says Buhari strongly battle another form of evil that is even worse than terrorism – the evil of corruption. Corruption attacks and seeks to destroy our national institutions and character. By misdirecting into selfish hands funds intended for the public purpose, corruption distorts the economy and worsens income inequality. It creates a class of unjustly-enriched people. Such an illegal yet powerful force soon comes to undermine democracy because its conspirators have amassed so much mon-

ey that they believe they can buy government. We shall end this threat to our economic development and democratic survival. I repeat that corruption will not be tolerated by this administration; and it shall no longer be allowed to stand as if it is a respected monument in this nation. I ask you to join me in resolving these and the other challenges we face. Along the way, there will be victories but there may also be setbacks. Mistakes will be made. But we shall never take you for granted; so, be rest assured that

our errors will be those of compassion and commitment not of wilful neglect and indifference. We shall correct that which does not work and improve that which does. We shall not stop, stand or idle. We shall, if necessary crawl, walk and run to do the job you have elected us to do. I realise that the expectation of our people today is as high as their commitment to change has been strong and their belief in us unshaken. While we pledge to begin doing our best without delay, we would like to appeal to them

to appreciate the gravity of our situation, so that we become more realistic in our expectations. We will govern for you and in your interests. Your vote was not wasted. This is not the first time Nigerians have cast their votes for us, and this is not the first time they have been counted; but this is the first time that the votes have been allowed to count. With the help of God, we pledge to do our utmost to bring forth the Nigeria you seek. Thank you for your patience and attention.

16 Politics | Interview

ome unscrupulous officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abia State have resorted to doctoring the original results of the Abia North senatorial election held last Saturday. The result of the Abia North senatorial election is yet to be released, four days after those of Abia Central and Abia South senatorial districts were released. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared winner of the two senatorial districts. However, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) have insisted that their candidates won the elections in the two senatorial districts. On the Abia North result, it was learnt that five officials in the administrative, operations and logistics units of INEC have been compromised in the collation of results and therefore, are tampering with the original results in favour of the PDP. Results announced at the polling units had given former governor of Abia State, who is a candidate for the PPA in the election, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, a clear lead in all the communities

THURSDAY, march 26, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

How electoral officials doctored Abia North senatorial poll result making up Abia North. New Telegraph learnt that the resident officer (RO) is insisting that the true result of the election be released, while INEC officials, working for Abia State government, are pushing for the release of a doctored result. Angered by this, the RO has gone underground, it was gathered. At the time of going to press, sources at INEC revealed that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) presented a result to party agents and asked them to sign, so that it will be announced and they refused. Commenting on this, the state chairman of PPA, Emeka Okafor, queried why the true result has not been released. He also wondered why party agents would be asked to sign a result when the electoral officer has not been seen. Okafor also wondered why the INEC took the result to Umuahia when it ought to be announced at the Ohafia Local Government headquarters.

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

The PPA chairman, therefore, asked the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega to intervene and ensure that the true results were released. Meanwhile, tension has heightened in Abia State, following the nonrelease of the senatorial election result. Since last Saturday, journalists as well as political parties’ officials and candidates have been trooping to the INEC headquarters, Umuahia, to enquire about the result. The result, which was supposed to have been released at Ohafia Local Government Area headquarters, in Abia North, was hurriedly ferried, under tight military securi-

ty, to INEC headquarters in Umuahia on Sunday night, when aggrieved youths, who felt that the results had been tampered with, threatened to set the council on fire if the authentic result was not released. Several groups have been demonstrating on daily basis in the senatorial zone, threatening fire and brimstone if the wrong result is released. When our correspondent visited the INEC office yesterday, anxiety pervaded the place. There was presence of military personnel, who refused people free entry and exit, except on proper identification. When newsmen met with the PRO of INEC in Abia, Mr. Edwin Enabor, yesterday, to find out when the result will be released, he promised to get back to them when the need arises. It was observed that supporters of candidates in the election, except that of the PDP, have kept vigil at the INEC office for fear that a doctored result would be released.

A source said that their fears were heightened when the Abia State government put pressure on INEC officials to declare the PDP candidate, Mao Ohuabunwa, as winner. “The delay in announcing the result is owing to fears that if another candidate other than the one voters stood for is pronounced winner violence will break out,” the source said. The INEC image-maker, however, said that the commission was waiting for the REC to return from Abuja before the result would be announced. Commenting on the delay in release of the result, Chief Onwuka Ukwa, deputy chairman, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Caretaker Committee challenged INEC to ensure that the correct votes cast in the elections should be the exact results released. Ukwa, who hails from Ohafia, in the senatorial zone, said he was authoritatively informed that an elaborate scheme was mounted to frustrate the true wishes of the zone to elect their preferred candidate, Dr. Kalu. He stated that Abia in-

digenes will not allow a few people in Abia State government to use the name of officials of the presidency to commit havoc in the state, adding: “The era of reckless impunity is over.” Warning the REC, Prof. S.A. Okoh and the National Commissioner, Chief (Mrs.) Nne Nwafor, not to engage in any act that will tarnish the image of INEC and the country, Ukwa said: “Nigeria is now entering an era of transparency and accountability. Public officers will now give account of their conduct. Abia State will no longer send sleeping senators to Abuja.” On the presidential election, the Ohanaeze chieftain stated: “Even the allocation of 13, 000 votes to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari calls to question the entire voting exercise in all the polling booths in Abia State.” He called on INEC chairman, Jega, to “wade into the murky manipulation going on in the Abia North Senatorial District in order not to jeopardise the excellent performance so far recorded in the 2015 general elections.”

Vote for continuity, Ambode urges Lagos residents Wale Elegbede

All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, acknowledging cheers from supporters over the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari in the presidential election at Gbagada, Lagos…yesteraday.

It’s a win-win for Buhari, Jonathan – Bamidele Wale Elegbede

he member representing Ado-Ekiti/ Irepodun-Ifelodun federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele has described the emergence of Major General Muhammadu Buhari as the presidentelect of Nigeria as an act of God, saying that it is a victory for democracy. Bamidele, in a statement issued yesterday, called on General Buhari

to take his victory as a God-given opportunity to provide a most unique and transformative leadership to the nation. “I hereby congratulate General Muhamadu Buhari (rtd), the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over his landslide victory in the just-concluded presidential elections. “I am also happy to congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan on the unique opportunity he has had to lead Nige-

ria and for not being a bad loser. He has demonstrated that he has the spirit of a good sportsman and has acted in the interest of peace, progress and unity of our dear nation. “The issue at stake is beyond Gen. Buhari and President Jonathan as it is essentially about the sustainability of our democracy as a nation and the need for us to demonstrate to the rest of the world that Nigeria has come of age and has set her foot on the right path

in terms of commitment to global best democratic practice standard. “I urge Gen. Buhari neither to allow himself to be distracted nor dissipate so much energy in probing past leaders and administrations but rather encourage those who have looted public treasury to re-invest such money in the local economy with a view to generating more opportunities for massive employment and financial stability,” he said.

he Lagos State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has thanked the people of the state for voting out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last Saturday’s presidential election. He urged them to replicate the same feat for the APC on April 11. Ambode said he is particularly grateful that the people of Lagos against all odds headed his plea for them to vote out the PDP for non-performance and cluelessness displayed in the management of the affairs of the nation for the past 16 years. The APC governorship candidate explained that the concept of change was midwife in Lagos and has been birthed in the nation with the unprecedented success of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the presidential election, the first of its kind in Nigeria where an incumbent had been roundly defeated and peacefully displaced from power.

“The APC deserves to continue in Lagos to consolidate on her excellent performance in spite of the hostile federal might faced for the past 16 years. It is salivating to contemplate what the party would achieve with the support that the APC Federal Government – the sky would even be too low to be the limit. “This rare feat achieved by the people of Nigeria is a fulfilment of the prediction of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, that a day would come when the best of the progressives and the conservatives would come together to provide an excellent future for Nigeria. This has been made possible by the resilience of the people of Nigeria and our dear people of Lagos.” He urged Lagosians not to relent but to come out en masse on April 11 to vote for APC in Lagos in order to complete the cycle of excellence. “Lagos must be the first partaker of the massive support of the APC Federal Government that she has been denied by the PDP,” he said.

Politics | Interview 17

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, march 26, 2015

Why Mimiko failed Jonathan, PDP Internal conspiracy within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and civil servants in Ondo State were some of the reasons the party lost woefully in the March 28 elections. BABATOPE OKEOWO provides an insight into why Governor Olusegun Mimiko failed in the state

he last presidential and National Assembly election results in Ondo State have exposed the vulnerability of Governor Olusegun Mimiko popularly called ‘Iroko’ of Ondo politics by his admirers both within and outside the state. In the election, Mimiko’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was humiliated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that clinched two senatorial seats and five House of Representatives seats. In the overall presidential result, the APC also defeated Mimiko who was the South-West coordinator of President Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organisation in South-West. This was a party that neither has state’s structure nor federal backing, yet it was able to humble a sitting governor who still has over a year to spend in office. The result in the state proved all analysts wrong as the state was one of the states that people believed that President Goodluck Jonathan would win convincingly. The major reason was that Mimiko has not lost any election in the state since the present political dispensation. Many people believed that he has the magic wand to turn around any political situation. As the South-West coordinator of Jonathan/Sambo Campaign Organisation, analysts believed he should be able to deliver his state as example to others. Mimiko’s role is in bringing Pan Yoruba sociocultural organisation, Afenifere, different youth groups and other socio-cultural groups to endorse President Jonathan gave people the confidence that he would deliver the state to PDP. Mimiko also organised different post National Conference summits to drum up support for Jonathan. He told reporters in one of the meetings that he would not only win the state for his party, he would deny Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) the required 25 per cent in the state. The sign that things were wrong within the PDP and government in the state emerged when the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, was absent when Vice-President Namadi Sambo and Mimiko hosted Muslim clerics in the zone. Being a Muslim, Olanusi should be the one at the forefront of organising the clerics for the PDP. Also, the absence of core PDP leaders in some of the rallies organised by Mimiko

L-R: Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Deputy National Chairman Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Uche Secondus; Chief of Staff to the President, Brig.-Gen. Jones Arogbofa and others at the presentation of the PDP flag to Governor Olusegun Mimiko in Abuja.

was a cause for worry among the political elites in the state. Despite all these, it was still believed that he would use his vast political network to deliver the state to the party. The thinking was that Mimiko since his foray into the politics of the state has bestride it like a colossus winning elections and helping others to emerge as presidents, governors, senators and other elective positions. In 1999, he was one of the people that helped late Governor Adebayo Adefarati’s Alliance for Democracy (AD) to win the election. He was compensated with the position of Commissioner for Health. Although he wanted to contest the governorship election in 2003, his party zoned him out forcing him to join the rival PDP. His joining the PDP in 2007 made victory easy for late Governor Olusegun Agagu as he delivered 77,000 votes to both President Olusegun Obasanjo and Agagu in the year’s election. He was given the position of Secretary to the State Government (SSG) by Agagu’s administration. Suspecting that he would contest with Agagu in 2007 elections, Mimiko was allegedly denied the pecks of office so that he would not have enough patronage to keep his supporters together. But when former President Obasanjo made him a Minister of Housing and Urban Development after the sacking of Mrs Mobolaji Osomo, his political fortune soared as he was able to dispense patronage to political associates and also has firm root in national politics. Being a federal minister gave him a leverage to contest the governorship election in 2007 under the platform of Labour Party (LP) when it was obvious that he could not contest the party’s primaries with Agagu who was the defacto leader of PDP in the state. Despite the fact that the party was a new one and did not have state or federal might, it was able to produce 10 out of 26 lawmakers in the state. After a protracted legal battle, he

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Mimiko also organised different post National Conference summits to drum up support for Jonathan

became the governor of the state in February 24, 2009. Since February 24, 2009 that he was sworn in as the fifth executive governor of the state, he has contested five by-elections and two general elections and won them all. In 2011, his LP produced all the three senators, eight out of nine House of Representatives seats and 25 out of 26 House of Assembly seats. He also contributed to the electoral victory of President Jonathan by directing all his supporters to vote for the PDP’s presidential candidate. A year after the general elections, Mimiko contested for second term and defeated two formidable opponents, Chief Olusola Oke of PDP and Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The LP which he led as the national leader was one of the formidable parties in Nigeria. Many people who were denied tickets in their states saw a good example in Mimiko as they defected to the LP to contest governorship election. Prominent examples were Timi Alaibe in Bayelsa State, Chief Great Ogboru in Delta State and Paullen Tallen in Plateau State. Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala has also followed his example in Oyo State. Former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, also berthed in LP when he had problem with PDP’s structure in his state. Since October 20, 2012 after he defeated two others to win the second term ticket, the PDP’s hierarchy in Abuja had been approaching him to formerly join the party. On many occasions, his media handlers had to come out publicly to deny the allegation that he has joined the ruling PDP. So strong was Mimiko’s political structure that the seat of power related with him than PDP members in the state. They believed he could deliver the state for it better than the real PDP members. Seeing the denials on several occasions, the PDP leaders in the state started the process of building the party afresh independent

of him since the former leader of the party, Agagu, had died. The governorship candidate of the party, Oke, then became the leader of the party. The PDP also organised itself into collegiate leadership and took decisions affecting the party jointly. This led to the growth of the party as many people who hitherto were in APC and LP decamped to it. Week in, week out, Oke and the then chairman, Hon. Ebenezer Alabi were moving from one local government to another to receive new members. In fact, many people in the LP’s government were fraternising with PDP as it was seen as government-inwaiting. The thinking in the political circle is that it was only PDP that had the political clout to defeat Mimiko’s LP and they wanted to use the party to punish him for their political misfortune. But after several denials, Mimiko decided to join the PDP citing the need to help President Jonathan win his re-election as the major reason. But many people who had lurked in the PDP to punish Mimiko had to leave the party for the rival APC. With this, he could not achieve this as he was roundly defeated by the rival opposition party. Shortly after he rejoined the party in Abuja, the PDP became factionalised along old PDP and new PDP as former LP and PDP members could not blend. The timing of his defection also made things difficult as it was close to the party’s primaries ahead of the elections. Many of the aspirants have spent fund to mobilise for the party. Some of them have seen themselves as potential senators, members of Houses of Representatives and Assembly. But the coming of Mimiko shattered their dreams and they have to resist his coming to the party. Apart from litigations, some of which are still pending in the law courts, the party also had two parallel primaries that produced two set of candidates. The party CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

Getting leaders with integrity

Leaders et al BIODUN DUROJAIYE biodundurojaiye@gmail.com, Twitter: @itweekonline

n this part of the world, most of those who aspire to political high offices have below average integrity. Our good people rarely do. In the few instances such people tried, they failed woefully. Either they couldn’t get the tickets of parties, or the people didn’t vote for them. And sadly, the practices that are supposed to shut out fraudsters have been rendered ineffective by corruption. Thus, the field has been left more or less for people of very low morality and character. People who can hardly be trusted to keep their words. Many of them are out just to deceive, and cheat. In fact, it can be said that playing politics here is all about deception to get to public office, and then feathering one’s nest as much as practicable without sparking a public riot. To get good leaders to run our country, we must make sure the practices that are in place in developed democracies to prevent the emergence of those without above average integrity as candidates, in the first instance, are also in place here and are as effective. These practices relate to the media, the law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. Sadly, these arms of the society are not effectively playing the roles they should be in a democracy because of widespread corruption. In the 16 years of our current democracy, I can’t recall any political aspirant who failed the security screening required before being allowed to

contest for electoral office. Our judicial officers too have proven that they can be bought, if the price is right. Our media has not dug up or exposed anything of significance in the past of an aspirant or candidate to warrant the stepping down of such person, as we often see in developed democracies. In those climes, once someone announces intention to seek his or her party’s ticket for a high political office, an intense media scrutiny would begin. People he or she grew up with, went to school with, lived in the same neighbourhood with and former colleagues at work would be sought out and interviewed. If there were dark spots in the past years of such an aspirant or candidate, it would come to the fore in no time. Doing this benefits the society, in that those with integrity issues are spotted early enough, sometimes even before being able to secure the tickets of their parties. But more importantly, the media benefits a great deal because it enables it to better catch the attention of the reading or viewing public for a longer period. And this translates to better revenue. In contrast, our media either do not bother to dig into the past of those aspiring for high political offices here. Or do not dig enough. And in Nigeria today, news has become increasingly the latest outlandish allegation by one of the political parties against the other. Pack journalism is the order of the day. News has become more about what is contained in a press statement than what actually happened, or has been dug out. Our media is awash with propaganda. At some time soon, there may be need to start certifying journalists in Nigeria, to salvage the profession and save the country from media damage. Because of the kind of media, security agencies

and judiciary in Nigeria today, we have as contestants for high political offices and as major players in our political landscape, people who have been implicated in running down banks, in certificate and official documents forgery, in alleged drugs trafficking, in political murders and looting of public funds while in office. I don’t know of anyone, including those who governed states for eight years and then became senators, whose aspiration for high political office has been stopped because such a person failed the screening of our anti-corruption agencies. Yet, we also have this perception that there is high level of corruption in government. Does it mean that the general perception is wrong? Or, as I would rather believe, that our anti-corruption and security agencies, like the media, have not risen up to their responsibilities in a democracy. Also, the last hope of the common man, in Nigeria of today, has turned to no hope. We all know that in state high courts, it is the judgement desired by the governor that is pronounced in cases involving the government or its party or friends. Bribe-for-judgement scandals in gubernatorial cases are also still fresh in our memories. Allegations have been made of billions of Naira being given to influence judges and buy such verdicts. In fact, some governors who benefitted from this corrupt practice at some points were known as ‘judicial governors’. To get good leaders to run our affairs, we must find ways to reduce corruption in the media, the law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to the barest minimum, and encourage them to play their expected roles effectively. Else, we will keep ending up with candidates with low integrity at election periods, and left with choosing the least of two evils. Or the better of two incompetents. Or just wanting to try something else.

Celibacy in religion Mike Arayuwa Wilkie

elibacy is derived from the Latin word caelibatus. It is simply defined as a state of being unmarried. Celibates also abstain perpetually from sexual intercourse in order to remain holy. The philosophy of celibacy is anchored on a behavioral pattern which is motivated by some factors. It has to do with an individual instinct or religious belief. For the purpose of this subject, I shall endeavour to reflect on Buddism, Brahma Kumaris, Hinduism and the Catholic Church. My emphasis shall however be on the Catholic Church. Buddism prescribes and advocates celibacy as an ideal life for their Monks and Nuns. The only exception is Japan where the concept is very strict as a result of its historical political developments consequent upon the Meiji restoration. Celibacy was an ideal philosophy amongst the Buddhist clerics for about one hundred years. Within the period in question, it was obvious that there were some violation of clerical celibacy until 1872 when state law made marriage legal for them. Available evidence shows that about 99 per cent of them got married. Brahma Kumaris celibacy, according to its members, believe that it is designed for the purpose of promoting peace, the defeat of power lust and to prepare for the existence of Heaven on earth within the next 2,500 years. At this time, Brahma Kumaris strongly believe the children will be created by the power of the mind and

such creation would become like holy brothers and sisters. They also believe that the practitioners of celibacy within their religious circle are people for the golden age of Heaven or paradise. Hinduism also practices celibacy. It is usually related with the Sadhus (holy men) who withdraw from earthly things which they regard as vanity. According to the Hindus and their priests, the purpose of practice is to focus on life, peace and satisfaction. Thus, their “holy men” do not think about women and therefore forbid sexual intercourse with them. In the Catholic Church which is a branch of Christendom, the practice of celibacy reigns supreme. The disciples of Jesus Christ who later became Apostles were regarded as the first priests and bishops of the Catholic Church. Peter who was one of the disciples of Christ and who was also one of the apostles became the first Pope of the church. He was christened St. Peter. The Catholics believe that celibacy is akin to what is obtainable in Heaven. All Catholics celibates are forbidden from marriage and sexual intercourse and are expected to give themselves entirely to God and mankind. In a complete negation of the catholic celibacy fiat, St Peter the catholic first Pope was duly married according to the book of Matthew chapter8 chapter 8. In order to give the required legal teeth to celibacy, all priests of the church were mandated by law to respect the basic tenets of the concept. The first law to be written for all priests was in the 12th century at the first Lateran council (1123).

Mandatory celibacy for priests has been resisted till date. However, clergy men who converted to the Catholic Church from other denominations and who were converted to the Catholic Church from other denominations and who were already married with children have been ordained as Roman Catholic priests without becoming celibates. The Eastern Catholic Church ordains both celibates and married men. In Ireland, some priests have biological children. For instance, Bishop Emanon Casey and Father Michael Cleary had children. From the brief explanation advanced, it would appear that the Catholic Church and its concept of celibacy is loaded with serial contradictions. In some cases, celibacy for the priest is sacrosanct while in others, it is obligatory. It is my opinion that the catholic leadership should revisit the council of Trent (1545-64) so as to enable them reinstate the undiluted doctrine of celibacy. In the past, there were alleged cases of sex scandals which enveloped the Catholic Church. It was said that it happened in Latin America, America, Africa and even in the Vatican. The said ugly events took place in view of the fact that God’s order has been violated by some practitioners of Christianity. There is a clear biblical injunction which states: “Go ye into the world and multiply”. If God has so decreed that mankind should go to the world and bring forth children, it is therefore arrant nonsense to expect that some human beings would endeavour to out-rightly disobey him by

claiming to be celibates. I see celibacy as not of God Almighty but of a few ignorant men on earth. The question is: assuming that these celibates were not born by their parents, would they honestly opt for no sexual intercourse, no marriage and not having children. The reason for celibacy, in my view, is untenable because it confronts and renders useless God’s order of procreation by mankind. The Holy Bible equally revealed that God created Adam and put him in the Garden of Eden. Adam was there alone in a solitary confinement until he was rescued from frustrations by God himself. Thus, God removed one rib from him to create Eve at the time he was asleep. Obviously, God had a purpose for this action. Further evidence abound that Adam and Eve had two biological children, Cain and Abel, and gradually, the world then, witnessed an enlarged population explosion. In these circumstances, I am of the further impression that the philosophy of celibacy should be reviewed. Sexual intercourse which is the entry point for procreation is a very natural phenomenon and therefore no human being can do with it except if they have problems and difficulties with their sexual organs. Celibacy is definitely not a fundamental requirement for paradise. The celibacy is: “the priests shall not be caught when they derail from the basic tenet of the mandate”. • Wilkie can be reached at pmikky1950@yahoo.com (08023097251)

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Tackling poor performance in SSCE

he apex decision making organ of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) met for three days last week at the Council’s International Office, Lagos for its annual Council Meeting. The main thrust of the annual Council Meeting was to appraise the regional examination body in terms of its strength and challenges, with a view to ascertain its level of performance and efficiency in the conduct of the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and other allied service delivery. More importantly, the meeting, which was the 63rd Council Meeting, served as a forum for the award of this year’s edition of the WAEC Excellence Award for the Best Candidates in the 2014 May/ June SSCE. But, as the curtains were lowered on the meeting, the major concern and source of worry was that of all the three best candidates, deserving the award of excellence, no Nigerian candidate was ranked among the three positions. It is however amusing that the three best candidates for this year’s award are from Ghanaian public secondary schools, a feat which has further bellied Nigeria’s number one position in Africa. Hassan Mickail, a candidate from Secondary Technical School, Takoradi, Ghana led the park as the overall best candidate in the

five-member states of WAEC – The Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone. He is trailed by Kenyah Blaykyi from St. Augustine’s College, Cape Coast, who emerged second, and Archibald Enninful Henry, a pupil of Mfantsipim School, also in Cape Coast, who came third in the 2014 WASSCE respectively. In the examination, Nigeria with 1,987,751 candidates, representing about 81 per cent of the total candidates who wrote the examination, was beaten by Ghana that presented 397,275 candidates, representing 16.21 per cent of candidates to sweep all the available three trophies. But, beyond the rhetoric of deliberation and appraisal of the Council’s activities, the Excellence Award and the poor performance of Nigeria in the examination, in which non-Nigerian candidates ranked among the best three in the five-member states, should remain a mixed bag of worry for our education planners as they have failed in their responsibility to the country. Obviously, this is a reflection of the falling standard and sliding quality of Nigerian education system, which over the years has been an albatross. Reacting to the development, the Council’s Registrar and former Head of Nigeria National Office (HNO), Dr. Iyi Uwadiae, described the situation as lamentable, saying

the poor performance of Nigerian candidates in the examination was a reflection of the level of rot in society and the education system. He, therefore, called for collaboration among stakeholders, especially policy makers, parents, schools and students in order to halt the drift. In any case, the reasons for the country’s poor performance in the SSCE and other examinations, are not farfetched. Part of the questions now is, what is expected of an education system which over the years, and despite public outcry, has been bogged down apparently with poor funding, dearth of facilities, dilapidated structures, shortage of qualified teachers, incessant strikes, irregular power supply, faulty curriculum, poor teachers’ remuneration and dwindling morale, as well as examination malpractice. Yet, the schools, teachers and parents who are in the centre of the crisis could not be exonerated from the blame of the dwindling fortunes of the nation’s education system as they have failed glaringly to reshape the sector. It is an open fact that students who learn under trees and sheds; who go to school without textbooks and relevant instructional materials that are supposed to be provided by their parents; attend schools without functional laboratories and libraries; or teachers and schools that have failed to live

up to expectations in the delivery of quality tuition; or students who prefer to watch home videos or are engrossed with social media to reading and studying; and whose parents aid and albeit them to pass examinations at all cost, definitely would not perform well. What is more revealing, therefore, is the fact that the several thousands of private secondary schools in the country with all their mighty edifices and high school fees have not fared better, at least, in the current rating. Indeed, this goes a long way to suggest that the huge fees, the infrastructural facilities and edifices that dot the entire premises of the schools have not translated to the much desired academic performance. While it is high time the nation reversed this trend, it will take a government imbued with strong political will and discerning mind to meet the needs of its education sector, through adequate funding and provision of relevant infrastructural facilities such as functional laboratories, libraries and congenial learning environment for quality teaching and learning to strive. Besides, it is expected that the nation’s education planners should, as a matter of urgency, return to the drawing board, in order to rejig the system and reposition it for better performance so that Nigeria could regain its path of glory.

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20 Politics CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

also had two secretariats, one in Alagbaka which was former LP’s secretariat and the other in Oyemekun road. While Alabi was the chairman in Oyemekun road, Engr. Clement Faboyede was the chairman in Alagbaka’s secretariat. But the constitution of the PDP that made the sitting governor the leader of the party gave Mimiko’s faction an edge as the National Secretariat of the party had to relate with him at the expense of the old members. After several interventions by the Presidency and leaders of the party, Alabi had to resign as the

THURSDAY, march 26, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

How Mimiko lost grip of Ondo politics party chairman since he was duly elected as such at the last congress of the party. His resignation paved the way for harmonisation of party executives as Mimiko now produced Chairman, Publicity Secretary and Youth Leader while old PDP produced Deputy Chairman, Secretary and Women Leader. Despite the perceived harmonisation, the party was yet to be one as some leaders of the party including Jimoh Ibrahim and Oke did not agree with the sharing formula. The

major crux of the dispute was the sharing of elective positions between old and new members of the party. The sharing formula on 70-30 per cent ratio in favour of new PDP members did not go down with old members of the party. In the Senate, the new PDP members got two seats and five out of eight House of Representative seats. They also got 17 out of 26 House of Assembly seats. The old PDP members were left with only one Senate seat, four House of Representative seats and nine

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

out of the 26 seats. The argument in Mimiko’s camp was that he has 25 members in the state Assembly, eight in House of Representatives and two

of the three senators as one of them, Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice had decamped from the party. To make the matter worse for old members, Mimiko also picked his preferred candidates amongst them. In Ondo Central, Mimiko handpicked all the party’s candidates and all entreaties to consider Adedayo Omolafe (a.k.a Expensive) as the candidate for Akure South/North federal constituency proved abortive. His choice of Dare Aliu spelled doom for the party in Akure kingdom consist-

ing of three local governments. The votes against the candidates of PDP in Akure kingdom local governments of Akure South, North and Ifedore led to the dismal performance of the party in the state. Also, the choice of Chief Tokunbo Modupe as the state coordinator of the PDP Presidential Campaign Committee also pitched the old members against the new members of the PDP. Not only was Modupe not known in the state politics, he is also a political neophyte. The old members did not relate with him throughout the campaigns. Oke at a point accused the governor of cornering all the benefits for his supporters. He argued that since Mimiko who is the leader of new PDP has been made the campaign coordinator, the state coordinator should naturally go to old member of the party. Afraid that if Jonathan eventual wins, they may not get benefits, they preferred to stay aloof and not join in the campaigns. In 2011, after the presidential elections, the party members did not get the needed patronage to keep the party together. They did not get the ministerial slot neither did they get juicy board appointments. The LP members were given ambassadorial positions and director deneral of a federal agency. The old members were still nursing their wounds that having helped Jonathan to win in 2011, they were left in the lurch. Another major factor that led to the political misfortune of PDP under Mimiko was the conspiracy of civil servants in the state. The civil servants who formed bulk of voters had decided against Mimiko since January when their salaries became irregular. Although they knew that other neighbouring states owed workers’ salaries, they argued that the same fate should not befall them being an oil-producing state. The other deductions from their salaries also angered them and they conspired against the governor. Most of the bulk of votes for APC in Akure and environment came from the civil servants. Since the announcement of APC as the winner by the INEC, the APC has become audacious and have been revived politically. Whether the APC would be able to repeat the feat of March 28 in April 11 to completely rout Mimiko’s political empire would soon be unfolded as the parties go for another round of election.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015

Jurist

News

Ukpong: Card reader’s critics are Nigeria’s enemies

Appeal Court reserves judgement in Osun governorship election

22&26

Law

Presidential election: Lawyers give INEC pass mark TUNDE OYESINA and AKEEM NAFIU write that the presidential and the National Assembly elections conducted on March 28 were applauded by members of the wig and gown profession.

lthough they admitted that there were electoral breaches in the Presidential and the National Assembly elections especially the introduction of card reader machine, lawyers were unanimous that the conduct of the elections was the best in recent times. Besides, they applauded Nigerians’ remarkable resilience who were undaunted by the weather, queued to exercise their civic rights in favour of their choice. A former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, expressed his satisfaction with the conduct of the elections so far. He was echoed by the association’s President, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a former chairman of the Ikeja branch of the association, Mr. Monday Ubani, the national Co-ordinator of the Voters Awarenes Initiative, Mr. Wale Ogunade and Destiny Takon. Others are Mr. Norrison Quarkers, SAN, the executive director of the

FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE JUDICIARY EDITOR

foluso.ogunmodede@ newtelegraphonline.com

Alegeh

Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, President of Public Lawyers League, Abdul Mahmud and Adaora Nelson. All gave the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a pass mark on the conduct of the presidential and the National Assembly elections in regardless of the breaches experienced during the conduct of the election. For instance, Akeredolu admitted that there were some isolated problems, nevertheless the electoral umpire deserved commendations as the elections could stand the test of time. He said: “Of course, so far, so good, in APC, we trust in God that our candidate will win the presidential election and we will have a full control of the National Assembly. Even though the election had some breaches, I was made to understand that the card reader was a total disappointment in some areas but luckily INEC an-

There are isolated problems, nonetheless we have had a good election

nounced that the manual register should be used where there are issues with the card readers if you have your Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). I think that is the solution to the problem. “All of us have voted and there are isolated problems here and there but nonetheless, I believe we have had a good election. I am satisfied with what I have learnt has happened but I am not satisfied with what happened in Imo, Anambra and Rivers States. In these three states, I believe INEC has worked hand in gloves with the PDP and we are looking at it. By and large, no doubt the results are in our favour and we are satisfied with it’’. NBA President Alegeh was indifferent as he described the conduct of the elections as largely peaceful across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. Although he said accredita-

tion scheduled to commence by 8am did not start in majority of the polling units, late arrival of INEC Electoral Officials [EOs] with the electoral materials was a major factor in the electoral scenario. Particularly, Alegeh on the card reader machine,said flat batteries, wrong date program, biometric failure and the inability of the EOs to properly operate the card readers almost marred the elections. He said: “The card reader issues included flat batteries, wrong date program, biometric failure and inability of EOs to properly operate the card readers. “We observed a large number of female and aged voters at the elections. There were reported incidents of under-aged voters at some polling units. The voters conducted themselves in a commendable manner. Voters waited patiently for INEC officials who arrived late and generally remained peaceful and orderly throughout the elections. “In most of the polling units, our team of observers recorded the presence of an average of five security agents comprising the Police and the Civil Defence Corps. The security personnel conducted themselves in a civil, unobtrusive and orderly manner. “However, there were reports of incidents of violence in parts of Rivers, Enugu, Delta, Lagos, Ekiti, Gombe and Yobe States”. To Quakers, last week elections were a work in progress. He said: “There are hiccups here and there but these can be subsequently addressed. The general public must also be commended for what they are subjected to, their tenacity and their resolve to vote. Someone like me was kept in the rain but despite that we still stood and waited. Even, in some places, people offered assistance to the INEC’s staff by making their generators and other items available. So, by and large, the elections appeared transparent and credible. “Some of us even stood back CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

22 Law | Jurist

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ukpong: Card reader’s critics are Nigeria’s enemies

do Ukpong plies his trade in Lagos. He however gave an insight into what he described as ‘stiffer competition’ in Nigeria’s history as Nigerians are set for the Saturday’s general elections to elect candidate of their choice; who will pilot the nation’s affairs for the next four years. According to him, the nation’s two major political parties- the ruling People’s Democratic Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress had nonetheless presented stiffer approach to the elections. Ukpong, however faulted the uncertainty and apprehension that had come with the general elections, describing it as unfortunate. Ukpong said: “A key part of democracy is that it offers one an opportunity to have a say in who governs us. An election is always something to look forward to. In this case, the fact that we are presented with two strong parties, has made competition stiffer, hence, there is more interest in the whole elections. “On the other hand, one is not too happy that in less than three days to the election, many people are still wondering if there would be an election. It’s unfortunate that we have played in such a way that such gap has continued to exist. And when you juxtapose that with the project and the controversies over the use of card reader, it also dampens one’s enthusiasm and one is left with no choice to join those who think whether there will still be an election or not. One of the expectancy in this election is the fear of uncertainty. Many people who are looking forward to the election, also feel and keep wondering whether there will still be election, or not. But then, I think the fear is informed by the use of card reader and demonstration to sack Jega. These are the things pulling the strings of the fear. On the controversy trailing the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, Ukpong said it was a mere politics as there was nothing to indicate that the electoral umpire’s job was at stake. He said: “Do I see Jega being sacked? In fairness, if you had asked me this question towards the end of January, “do you see the election being postponed?” I would say no, but we know what has happened. So, do I see Jega being sacked? In line with what I have said, ‘no’ because there is no basis for that, and if it happens at this time, when a lot of innuendo had gone out, it will be very unfortunate. He however dismissed innuendoes surrounding Jega’s sack just as he laid to rest the controversy on the legality of Section 153 (2) which prohibits the use of electronic voting. According to him, the legality on whether Section 153(2) of the 1999 Constitution which had been settled by the Electoral Act should not had generated any debate as the fear over card reader was uncalled for. Card reader’s intention was to verify a prospec-

Mr. Edo Ukpong is the Managing Partner, Consolex Legal Practitioners, Lagos. He speaks on the presidential election held last Saturday, its implication on the continent and concluded that it represented a watershed in Nigeria’s nascent democracy. CHIJIOKE IREMEKA met him.

Ukpong

tive voter to ascertain the authenticity of the holder, Ukpong said. He went on: “The Electoral Act forbids voting electronically. What a card reader does is the verification of an intending voter to be sure that the cardholder has come with a genuine INEC-issued card. When that is done, you go and vote. Voting itself is not electronically, it’s still the manual thumb printing. So, the issue of voting electronically does not arise because such is not what the card reader is all about. “There is a lot of demonisation about this card reader and I will be very frank. Those, who do not want to use card readers, are those, who are against the transparent process. Why do I say this, this is the age of Information Technology (IT). Many people have been defrauded, using Automated Teller Machine (ATM). It has also led to loss of money. Why hasn’t anybody come out to say we should

Critics of card reader machine are those with intention to manipulate the system

stop using ATM cards and go back to system of queuing up in the banking halls and filling out forms before we can make withdrawals? Anybody telling me that we should not use card reader because it will not guarantee 100 per cent effectiveness for us, I will say, such a person is disingenuous. Now, there is a lot of misinformation, when you talk about mock. What happened with the mock, from my studies, is that almost flawlessly, the card reader worked, when it came to verifying the cards. There is no way a cloned card can pass through; and if you have an INEC-issued card, it worked 100 per cent. A lot of people may have come to with cloned cards to test what next to do and how to manipulate the system. So, we know what the politicians can do. “Where there were some hitches was in the thump printing. For different reasons, may be too thick or the print not clear, the

card reader didn’t work quickly. And INEC had said if the card reader did not work, but your card is verified to be genuine, with your picture on the card, the electoral officer will fill out a form and allow you to vote. The form is filling out for the reason of accountability so that they will be able to know those who voted normally and the other whose thumb print did not allow them to vote normally. Really, I don’t understand all these fear or demonisation of this process and that has left me to think that those who would rather, for their own reasons, not want the card readers, are those who want to manipulate the system as they have always been doing. “So, like I said earlier, if someone’s ATM card is not working well, are we going to tell banks to stop using ATM? No, we will use it, and the challenges will come, then we improve on it. Ukpong however dismissed insinuations that card reader would be ineffective thereby creating mass technical disenfranchisement of electorate due to server fluctuation. According to him, there was nothing to fear as the INEC itself had allayed the nation’s fear that it would be 100 per cent effective. Said he: “No, it’s not so. INEC has said it that network has nothing to do with the card reader. It’s INEC’s server, though there is no doubt that it will not be 100 per cent effective during the election for the reason of education and awareness. As a result, it will take longer time in some places than the other. Nobody is quarreling about that, but are we suggesting that if the reader does not guarantee 100 per cent effectiveness, we should not use it? Are we suggesting that we should go back to where we are coming from? Before the PVCs, we have a case in an election, where governorship aspirants went to vote and their names were not in voter’s register. We have a lot of that. Are we suggesting that we should go back to that? If the argument is that if what we have now is not going to ensure 100 per cent effectiveness, we should go back to where we are coming from? If we have something better than what we are using before, we better start using it and stop thinking about backward. All I know is that everybody is going to vote within the new system despite the hiccups. But don’t forget that the Electoral Act says elections will be held and valid when there is a substantial compliance to the processes. I believe the card reader will be metrology by INEC and it will work substantially. “When you contest a result of an election, assuming you go to court and pray court to set aside the election because election didn’t start at a particular time in the ward, when it supposed or you claim that 300 people voted whereas 200 names were in the voter’s register, the court will CO NTINUED O N PAGE26

Law

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015

VERDICT

Gov. Aregbesola and the PDP’s governorship flagbearer, Omisore know fate as appellate court reserves judgement

Babatope Okeowo AKURE

he Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital has reserved judgment in a suit filed by Senator Iyiola Omisore, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun State challenging the verdict of the Election Petition Tribunal which upheld the victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola. For several hours, counsel to Omisore, Dr Alex Isinyon, SAN and Chief Chris Uche, SAN made spirited effort to convince the appellate court that it should set aside the judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal which upheld Aregbesola’s while the counsel to the governor, Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN and that of All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN asked the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the lower tribunal’s verdict. Aregbesola’s team of lawyers led by Olujimi also filed cross-appeal and preliminary objection to appeal of Omisore. The Omisore legal team also filed preliminary objection to the cross-appeal of the Aregbesola. All the arguments bordered

Appeal Court reserves judgement in Osun governorship election on whether the lower tribunal was right in its decision in upholding the victory of Governor Aregbesola. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Governor Aregbesola of APC the winner of the August 9 governorship election held in Osun State. Dissatisfied with the pronouncement of the electoral umpire, Omisore asked the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in the state to either order a fresh election or declare him the winner of the election. He cited different irregularities and substantial non-compliance with electoral rules and corrupt practices to buttress his case. But the tribunal dismissed the petition of the PDP’s candidate and upheld the victory of Aregbesola. Dissatisfied, Omisore asked the Appeal Court to set aside the judgment of the lower tribunal. At the hearing of the appeal which lasted about five hours after brief of arguments had earlier been exchanged among the legal teams, counsel to Omisore asked the court to allow the appeal because the lower tribunal did not make use of the evidence brought before it by the petitioner and the appellant in the matter before arriving at its decision.

Mahmud, CJN

According to him, the petitioner listed 17 local government areas of Osun State where corrupt practices were established just as he argued that the tribunal did not rule the issue of substantial non-compliance with of the Electoral Act brought before it by the applicant. However, Olujimi in his argument said the court

should dismiss the appeal because the appellants did not establish any of the allegations made before the lower tribunal. He said the petitioners challenged 903 polling unit results covering 17 local governments but called only 43 witnesses. Of the 43 witnesses, Olujimi said 34 of them based their evidence on hearsay which was not

admissible in law; seven of the witnesses who were polling agents had their evidence discredited during cross-examination while the two other witnesses who called themselves experts could not produce any biometric evidence. Olujimi added that the appellants did not make any case before the lower tribunal which judgment

could be given in their favour. Akeredolu who is the counsel to the APC adopted Olujimi’s argument of arguing that the tribunal was right in its judgment when it upheld the victory of Governor Aregbesola. He said the experts brought by Omisore did not exhibit any special knowledge to be referred to as one. Akeredolu said that it was not right in the brief of argument of the appellant that the lower tribunal did not make use of Election Manual adding that the tribunal made good use of all evidence brought before it. He said it was the failure of the petitioner to establish any case of electoral malpractices that led to the dismissal of their cases. INEC who was represented by Messrs Eyitayo Fatogun and Jide Olaleye-Kumuyi said it did not call any evidence because the onus of proof lied with the petitioner and since he could not discharge that responsibility, the electoral umpire has not duty to call evidence. After the legal fireworks and occasional jibes by the senior counsel, the five-man Appeal Court president led by Justice A. Gana Msheila said they would communicate the date of judgment to parties when the judgment was ready.

Ex-Lagos Judge loses wife

Court hears Tinubu’s suit against army chief, April 20

Akeem Nafiu

retired Lagos Judge, Justice Moshood Olugbani has lost his wife, Deaconnes Winifred Olufunmilayo to the cold hands of death after a brief illness. Deaconess Olugbani, nee Onabote from OdeRemo, Ogun state who died on March 10 was 73.

Olugbani

The deceased, an educationist, head teacher in various primary schools in Lagos state, retired as an education administrator. She was survived by her husband, Justice Moshood Olugbani (rtd.), Chief Bolanle Olugbani and many children.

ustice James Tsoho of a Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned the hearing of a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by the national leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC) and former Lagos governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu against the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, to April 20. The suit was sequel to the deployment of soldiers to lay siege on Tinubu’s No. 26 Bourdillon Street, Ikoyi, Lagos home. Justice Tsoho, had earlier on granted an interim injunction, banning the military siege on Tinubu’s home and stopping any possible arrest or detention of the applicant during the period of the general elections. At the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, it was only the applicant’s counsel, Chukwuma Onwuemene, who stood in for Femi Falana (SAN), that was present in court. Minimah was however not represented in court.

Tinubu

Onwuemene, however urged the court for a short adjournment for the hearing of the substantive suit. The judge while adjourning the matter to April 20, recalled that the applicant had already secured an interim injunction shielding him from arrest and intimidation by the military. In the suit, Tinubu is seeking a declaration of the court that

the military siege on his home was an infringement on his fundamental human rights to private and family life protected under Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He further argued that the military action was a violation of Sections 35 and 42 of the Constitution as well as Articles 2 and 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act. He claimed that the military siege on his home had caused him and his family a psychological and mental torture. In an affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by Tinubu’s personal assistant, Sunday Dare, it was averred that, “the applicant was exposed to embarrassment as many members of the public asked whether he committed any offence, which could have warranted the siege”. It was further stated that, “the siege portrayed him as a hardened criminal in the society.”

Law

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘2015 election is work-in-progress’

Akeredolu CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

to watch the counting of the votes. Our votes were counted before us, results were collated and announced at various polling centres. It was also quite commendable the way the results were being passed round. So, one could say there are some measures of transparency, free and fair election but until the results are collated from all other zones before one can score the outcomes of the elections in high marks. INEC’s effort is commendable despite the failure of the card readers in some places’’. in his view, Ubani said that the election would have been a complete and monumental failure, but for a resilient populace and determined people who were ready to exercise their franchise to determine who rules over them. He went on: “As scorching as the sun was while in some areas there was even a downpour, people stayed under the sun and the rain to cast their votes. We have also seen the manifestation of people’s determination in the results we are getting. So, I saw for the first time that Nigerians are ready to deliver themselves, even though we have prayed enough but prayer without works according to the Bible is all in vain. What we are seen is that the revolution we are talking about may not necessarily be through the use of guns but through the mandate that God has given the people. “So, by and large, I give thumbs up to the people. The introduction of the card reader was fine but it created another confusion I don’t know where the card readers were manufactured from. I think it is important that

Nwankwo

we know the origins of these card readers for the purpose of future elections. I want to advocate that we get them from the established European Countries. In my polling booth, we had to use the manual register to accredit people and under a few seconds we are done’’. “I was also sad that INEC burgled the issue of logistics. How can you say you are starting voter’s accreditation by 8.a.m and you are coming by 12.p.m? Do you know the result in my polling booth was announced by 2.a.m on Sunday? Even the issue of supply of electoral materials was not handled very well by INEC. After accreditation in my polling booth, we had to wait for about two hours before electoral materials were brought. So, where is election organised that way? But, so far, so good, the results I am hearing showed that the changes are monumental everywhere and people’s votes were counting. Except that what I am hearing from Abia State is nothing to write home about. I was told that Theodore Orji, the worst governor in the history of mankind manipulated the electoral process in his favour even when he lost in his polling unit. I learnt that he has manipulated the entire process in his favour for him to be declared the Senatorial Candidate of Abia Central. So, it’s the vigilance of the people that matters. If people were vigilant, things will work out well’’. Mr. Olu Awolowo attributed some of the electoral challenges encountered during the elections were not unexpected because of the nation’s peculiar environment. His words: “It is hoped that at

By and large, the elections appear transparent and credible

the end of the day, elections will be free, fair and credible. In the few places that there are issues, I think the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the capacity to address them. By and large, the election is generally peaceful except in few other places which will naturally be addressed’’. Another lawyer, Destiny Takon described the elections as a landmark one in terms of orderliness, turn-outs, in terms of the resolve of Nigerians to choose their leaders and their resolve to do things in such a manner not to endanger their own lives or those around them. “Comparatively, the scale of violence across the nation was so minimal. Even, in the North-East where one would have feared that probably the elections will not hold, there was hardly any incident. “Comparatively, you will say that what the Boko Haram or whoever did in Gombe during the elections was virtually nothing. So, given these instances, the security situation in the country and where we are at the moment, then, the election was a huge success. I am satisfied with the conduct of the elections. At least, I participated in the process and saw all that went on at my polling booth’’. Ogunade said INEC’s performance so far was commendable, encouraging and effective. He said: “What one can say is that there are rooms for improvement. I think the only challenge for the electorate is that of the card readers that malfunctioned in some states. Another fundamental thing is that the elections were peaceful except in some states like Rivers. Of course, before the election we knew Rivers

State will be a hotbed. So far, I am satisfied”. Nwankwo commended Nigerians’ dedication and orderliness during the elections, describing it as a reflection and testimony of their deep commitment to democratic governance. He said: “We commend the courage of voters in Gombe state who persisted in participating in the election despite the terrorist attack. “Reports received by the Situation Room indicate that officials and materials did not reach significant number of polling stations by the time of poll opening. This delayed accreditation and voting led to the continuation of polls till late into the night in many places. “INEC’s delays in commencement and closing of polls subjected the voters, some of whom arrived very early at the polling stations to untoward experiences. “This failure has undermined the full benefit anticipated by the use of biometric technology had imposed unnecessary hardship on Nigerians”. Mahmud noted that although the elections were successful in many areas but marred by card reader failure across a vast swathe of the country. He also noted the poor logistical distribution of materials and men adding that such had exposed the deficiency of INEC. Nelson said that the non-functionality of card reader machine in some places reduced the credibility of the elections as such could have given room for manipulations. She noted that in an election, the process should be uniformed so as not to give room for any suspiciousness or rigging.

Law

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015

Customer sues Ecobank for N2bn over alleged ‘negligent misstatements’ BREACH

A customer insists that Ecobank must remove its name from CBN’s CRMS Foluso Ogunmodede

hould a Federal High Court in Lagos grant a request by a property developer and real estate consultant, Omais Investment Nigeria Limited (OINL), Ecobank may pay N2billion in damages for an alleged ‘negligent misstatements’. Also sued is the Central Bank of Nigeria. In a suit No. FHC/L/ CS/382/15 filed before the Federal High Court, Lagos division, which also has the Central Bank of Nigeria, as second defendant, Omais accused Ecobank of deliberately listing it with the CBN Credit Risk Management System (CRMS) Database as a ‘Non-Performing Loan’ when in actual fact the contrary was the case. However, Omai is asking the court to declare that the act of Ecobank amounts to ‘Negligent Misstatements’ for which it has to pay the sum of N2 billion in damages. Besides, Omais is seeking an order of restorative injunction compelling Ecobank and the CBN to remove Omais’ name from the CBN Credit Risk Management System (CRMS) Database as a Customer having a ‘Non-Performing Loan’. The suit is supported by a 21-point statement of claim and another 24-paragraph witness statement on oath sworn to by the Omai’s chief executive officer (CEO), Chief Omochiere Aisagbonhi. Omais had become Ecobank’s customer with its two accounts following the 100 per cent acquisition of Oceanic Bank by Ecobank in the last quarter of 2011 and

being its bankers, it thus owed a fiduciary duty of care to Omais. “The two accounts operated with the 1st defendant (Ecobank) were a corporate account and a Pearl Account. As at the 15th of October, 2009, plaintiff had the sum of N637, 958. 69 standing in its credit in its Pearl Account while in respect of the Corporate Account, it had the sum of N301, 777.46 in its credit as at the 30th of October, 2009. “Plaintiff stopped transacting and doing business on these accounts with the 1st defendant in October, 2009. “Since October, 2009 when plaintiff stopped transacting and doing business with 1st defendant) till October, 2014, plaintiff has had cause to obtain and has obtained several facilities from various commercial banks to the tune of approximately N5 billion and has as at when due repaid these loans. Plaintiff ’s annual turnover is in the tune of no less than N1 billion”, Omais said. According to the deponent, at no time whatsoever since October, 2009, was Omais informed by Ecobank be it by a letter of demand, notification, by way of a statement of Account or by any other medium whatsoever that Omais was indebted to it in any sum whatsoever. “It therefore came as rude and utter shock, dismay and surprise when in attempting to obtain a loan from Diamond Bank Plc. in January, 2015, it was revealed that the 1st defendant (Ecobank) had listed the plaintiff as having bad credit at the Credit Risk Management Bureau (CRMS) of the 2nd defendant (CBN) to the tune of about N6 million”, Chief Aisagbonhi averred. He added that upon this development, his company caused its lawyer, Messrs Esezobo & Partners to write to Ecobank demanding a

Aisagbonhi

removal/retraction of the report. “1st defendant acknowledged receipt of this letter of 20th January, 2015 by a letter dated 27 January, 2015. After one month and having not received a response from the 1st defendant, plaintiff Solicitors once again wrote another letter of demand to the 1st defendant. 1st defendant finally responded to the issues raised by the plaintiff vide a letter dated March 5, 2015. “In the 1st defendant’s letter (under reference), 1st defendant unequivocally and expressly admitted having made erroneous deductions in plaintiff ’s account(s) and despite these admissions

refused to remove the plaintiff ’s name from the 2nd defendant’s CRMS database as having a bad credit”, the deponent averred. It was further averred that plaintiff is embroiled in a civil suit with Ecobank in Suit No. ID/1432/2011: Omais V. Oceanic Bank pending at the Lagos State High Court (Coram Okikiolu-Ighile J.) and parties had been meeting since Year 2012 with the aim of resolving all issues of indebtedness between the parties and that the 1st defendant did not in any manner whatsoever raise this supposed debt. It added that parties had also appeared severally at the

Lagos State Multi Door Court House for purposes of mediation. The deponent further averred that the listing of its name with the CBN CRMS was only done in the last quarter of Year 2014 without a just cause with a view to frustrating the plaintiff as a result of the plaintiff ’s claims in Suit No. ID/1432/2011 Omais V. Oceanic Bank. “The acts of the 1st defendant by reporting the plaintiff as having bad credit have been done intentionally, unjustly and in bad faith as the 1st defendant did not in any manner whatsoever disclose to the plaintiff this debt in any manner and by any medium whatsoever despite hav-

Court sets to hear FG, CCMC’s N20bn suit April 22 Clement James CALABAR

or the umpteenth time, the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar has adjourned the hearing of a N20

billion suit instituted against the Federal Government over the dredging of the Calabar sea port till April 22. Lawyer to the plaintiff, Reginald Esere, told the court when the case was mentioned that the

Bailiff, one Mr. John, had made spirited effort to serve the 6th defendant, Calabar Channels Management Ltd., “but could not trace the address.” While undertaking to personally make efforts to trace the address,

Esere asked the court to adjourn the case to April 22, saying the respondents who were outside jurisdiction would also have been served before the next adjourned date. Although Justice Ebile Emmanuel expressed

dissatisfaction with the way the plaintiff was taking time to serve all the respondents, he however adjourned the case to April 22 for report of service. The plaintiff is asking the court to grant

ing ample opportunity to do so. “1st defendant’s actions amount to a flagrant violation of the principles of Corporate Governance and are in clear breach of the CBN Prudential Guidelines for Licensed Banks issued by the 2nd Defendant. “The 1st defendant’s listing of the plaintiff ’s account(s) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Credit Risk Management System CRMS) Database as a ‘Non-Performing Loan’ amounts to Negligent Misstatements”, the deponent averred. The suit further stressed that Ecobank by its actions in listing Omais with CBN CRMS Database as a ‘Non-Performing Loan’ “is guilty of negligence and/or breach of duty in making that report. It stressed that in spite of the fact that listing of the plaintiff ’s account as a Non-Performing Loan in the CBN CRMS database were false, untrue, inaccurate and misleading, it has become practically impossible for the plaintiff to obtain facilities from any other financial institution in the country to carry on its business. Its business has completely grinded to a halt. “The plaintiff has suffered colossal losses and damages. The plaintiff has been seriously injured in its business and has suffered a general loss in its business. “The 1st defendant’s listing of the plaintiff ’s account(s) in the CBN CRMS database was done maliciously, without just cause or excuse and was calculated by the 1st defendant to cause pecuniary damage to the Plaintiff in its business. One of the annexure in the suit is a document said to have emanated from Ecobank’s internal Audit Group with reference No. ENG/IAG/ INV/2015/0364 dated 27 January 2015. him leave to serve the originating processes in the suit to the 1st and 5th defendants (Federal Government and the Bureau for Public Procurement), as well as an order directing that the 6th defendant (Calabar Channels Management Ltd) be served by substituted means which the court rejected.

26 Law | Jurist

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

PVC’ll reduce election petitions, says Ukpong CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

Ukpong

now look at what obtains in the whole election to determine to what extent such practice affected the entire conduct of the election to know whether the election will be valid or not. “Even if the court discovered them to be truth, the court might decide that these are facts, but because it didn’t affect the overall election,

hence will not annul it. When the election is not in substantial compliance to the Electoral Act, it would be set aside but if it does not, despite the identified loopholes, the election will be valid. So, what I’m saying is that there will be hiccups with the card readers but for God sake, it’s far better and more transparent than what we been having in the past. On envisaged loop-

holes by card reader, Ukpong said “If you go with a genuine voter’s card, why will you be disenfranchised? People, who talk about enfranchisement, are those, who don’t have Permanent Voter’s Card (PVCs). “I do not see genuine INEC-issued PVC to the right person, taken to the right place, and it will not work. It will work. Why will it not work? Why do we have to think

that it will not work? The mock is 100 per cent good. Then, it is a mixed question that you asked and I will go back to what I said before. I agree that sometimes ATM fails. But that doesn’t mean that we will abandon it. “I’m not sure what the case will be. You know the law doesn’t work in vain. Assuming you went to court and say you want to vote for candidate ‘A’ but you couldn’t, and candidate ‘B’ won. The court will now say, ‘A’ has a hundred thousand votes ‘B’ 10, 000, so what will your one vote do to the figure? If you are talking about exercising your right, then what you will get out of it becomes the issue. Quite alright, you have a right to vote but the election would have been held. The law has to also avoid mischief. “If you could go to court and your prayer is granted, many other people will deliberately do one thing or the other so that they will not vote in order to do the same. So, I don’t know what will become the fate of such prayer if you sue to reinstate your right. On the time frame within to file and determine election petitions as guaranteed by the Electoral Act, Ukpong blamed the system and not the judiciary. He said: “I hope you realise that the election petitions and the court actions have become integral part of our electoral system. It’s a failure of the system. Are you aware that in the United Kingdom, there has not been election petition in the past 100 years? “I’m looking forward to a time we will practice this democracy the way it should be. You conduct free and credible elections and everybody accepts the result and moved on. There won’t be need for election petitions. That is the process this PVC system will guarantee. Regarding the six months’ time frame, it’s good to limit the time because you can be challenging a case for three years for a position that would last for four years. You can sit on a position you didn’t win or deserve for three years because you are going to court and after three years the court annuls the election. Where then is the justice, especially when such person is not meant to refund anything he has taken from the office. If we are using electronic means, it will be easier to use the evidence we need. So, election petition comes as a result of failed system.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015

27 Health Living

‘Some medications can cause breast pain’

Health

Health News

Pesticides in fruit, vegetables linked to semen

Nature Power

Healing with colours

Agenda for maternal health Appolonia Adeyemi

s part of strategy to put health issues on election agenda, the Lagos State Civil Society Partnership and its technical partners, Innovative Matters have called on the incoming government in Lagos State to eliminate barriers to family planning FP. To this end, the group has urged the coming policy makers to increase contraceptive prevalence from the current 48 percent to at least 74 percent with a view to attaining the National Blueprint on FM. During the third Family Planning Conference, Federal Government launched family planning blueprint to increase the usage of family planning from 15 percent to 36 percent by 2018. According to the group, the provision of consumables in support of the FP Blueprint, “will save the lives of mothers and children while promoting savings and economic growth. “By funding FP consumables and reaching its share of Nigeria’s FP blueprint, Lagos will avert over 700,000 unintended pregnancies, prevent 79,000 unsafe abortions, save lives of over 2,300 mothers and 28,000 children and save more than N11 billion,” the group stated, adding, “every N1 spent on more effective methods, including implant and interuterine device (IUDs) could save over N1,358 in near-term health costs.” Given the huge benefits for the populace, they group said there is no need to wait. Hence, the group reasoned: “If Lagos’ 20 local government areas/ 37 local government development council (LCDAs) fund the provision of FP consumables, these benefits will be evident in the near term.”

Appolonia Adeyemi appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com

An expectant mother

To buttress this position at a one – day interactive session with the media on “Putting on health Issues on the Election Front Burner in Lagos State”, the Chairman, Lagos State House Committee on Health Services, Hodewu Avoseh said before now, responsibilities of local governments in health care provision has been shifted to state governments. Hence, to bridge the gap created by this development, the current Lagos State administration decided to get involved in primary health care centres PHCS. To achieve the goals of making the PHCS more functional, he said instead of the usual one doctor that used to man between eight to nine health centres and consequently saddled with so much responsibilities, a flagship health centre is now built in every local government in addition to other PHCs in the local government. Six to seven medical doc-

PHOTO: funny-pictures.picphotos.net

tors man each of the flagships PHC to make it function better, he added. “Now because of the professional doctors and midwives found at the flagship health centres, Avoseh said community people take advantage of services at the centre, adding,

“This makes the people to trust health care services they get from such center.” He said to ensure a better healthcare delivery, the state apart from other milestones achieved has established flagship PHCs in all the 20 Local Government and 37 LCDAs, training of staff abroad and infrastructural development in the health sector as well as the building and equipping of a cardiac centre. Avoseh said the Lagos State House of Assembly is presently fine-tuning a Bill that will create a sustainable insurance scheme for both private and public sectors in the state. Avoseh said government has a lot to provide for the establishment of the Lagos State Contributory Health Scheme and dismissed the “political slogan, free healthcare” saying it is a total deceit. In his presentation at the forum, Ayo Adebusoye, secretary general of Nigerian Network of NGOs and a member of the Steering Committee of the Lagos State Civil Society Partnership, said the provision of healthcare is critical and must be brought to the front burner. Considering that in health care provision, the government is expending funds, policy makers may be tempted to push access to care to the background which may result to increased disease among the populace, mortality and morbidity. To prevent this scenario with a view to encourage Lagos State to do the needCONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Lagos State House of Assembly is presently finetuning a Bill that will create a sustainable insurance scheme

L-R: Adebusoye; Avoseh; Secretary, Health Committee, Lagos State House of Assembly, Bisi Olawoyin; and Adesanmi at the interactive session with the media in Lagos recently.

Health News

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Healthy Living Dr. Ihuoma Uko-Ndukwe ada.ndukwe@yahoo.com

Flossing helps to achieve oral health

Avoid sugary diet, prevent tooth decay Appolonia Adeyemi

edical experts have raised alarm on the damaging impact of sticky sugary diet and foods that contain refined sugar on the teeth. To this end, President of the Nigeria Dental Association (NDA), Dr. Bode Ijarogbe has advised Nigerians especially children to avoid sugary diet. Ijarogbe who spoke at the commemoration of the 2015 World Oral Health Day in Lagos recently where 1500 school children pledged to brush their teeth day and night, also highlighted that brushing the teeth twice daily, in the morning and last thing at night boosts oral health. Ninety percent of the world’s population has been predicted to suffer from oral diseases in their lifetime and many of them can be avoided with increased governmental, health association and society support as well as funding for prevention, detection and treatment programmes, said the supervising Minister of Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan. During the World Oral Health Day organised by Unilever Nigeria in Lagos, Alhassan also called for a paradigm shift from limiting dentistry to only the treatment of diseased teeth and care of the mouth, to the integration of oral health into primary healthcare. The theme of 2015 World Oral Health Day ‘Smile for Life’ has a double meaning: ‘lifelong smile’ and ‘celebrating life’. It implies ‘positivity’ and ‘having fun’, stated Alhassan, adding, “a smile depicts self-confidence and a merry heart, as people only smile if they are happy and have a healthy life.” Normally in everybody’s mouth, there are bacteria; on the skin there are bacteria; inside the stomach there are bacteria. These bacteria are part and parcel of all the human body system,

Ijarogbe explained, adding that they help to maintain what is called an ecological system. Highlighting the impact of sugary diet on the teeth, he said the bacteria in the mouth feeds on sweet foods and produce what is called dilute acid. “It is this acid that lead to tooth destruction.” According to president of the NDA, the acid causes hole in the tooth which gradually continues to expand but in the absence of these remnants or these sweet things which may include biscuits, chocolates, cakes, soft drinks, those bacteria will not have anything to feed on. According to him, it is better to avoid the consumption of sweet things but “where one cannot avoid them, they should not be eaten between meals. In this way it is not easy to retain them in the mouth.” Ijarogbe attributed tooth decay resulting in persistent extraction to poor oral health and age-old bad habits including tobacco smoking and alcoholism, all of which are detrimental to oral health. According to Ijarogbe, the 2015 World Oral Health programme specifically targeted children because it is a lot easier to pass messages to children. “Adults are already formed. Hence, it is not easy to break their habits. However, it is easier to teach children new things and once they learn it, they can influence their friends as well their parents. In addition, Alhassan stated that the goal of the National Oral Health Policy formulated by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) is to achieve optimum oral health for at least 50 percent of Nigerians through sustainable awareness creation, strategic research, workforce development and coordination of oral health activities. Others are the institutionalisation of modern dental practices and effective integration of oral health care into national health programmes.

Politicians tasked on maternal health CONTINUED FRO M PAG E 27

ful in the provision of health care and ensure a healthy populace and increased life expectancy, the Civil Society Partnership is sounding the alert before the commencement of the next administration. On his part, the Media Officer, Development Communications, DevComs, Network/NOTAGAIN Campaign, Mr. Ayodele Adesanmi noted the significant progress made by the country on reduction of maternal and child health. To sustain the laudable steps made already, he stressed the need for the Implementation of National Health

2014 which is currently awaiting implementation. He also stressed the need for increased funding for Health to the committed 15 percent Abuja declaration, encouraging access to maternal health by removing barriers such as compulsory blood donation, high cost of health services, power and inadequate drugs. “There is need for government to put mechanism in place to monitor and enforce quality services in health facilities. Adopt best practices that have been confirmed to reduce maternal deaths, work towards achieving family planning 2020 target of 36 percent contraceptive prevalence rate,” he stated.

‘Some medications can cause breast pain’

any women have breast pain, also called mastalgia. It may come and go with monthly periods (cyclic) or may not follow any pattern (noncyclic). Cyclic pain is the most common type of breast pain. It may be caused by the normal monthly changes in hormones. This pain usually occurs in both breasts. It is generally described as a heaviness or soreness that radiates to the armpit and arm. The pain is usually most severe before a menstrual period and is often relieved when a period ends. Cyclic breast pain occurs more often in younger women. Most cyclic pain goes away without treatment and usually disappears at menopause. Mastalgia accounts for more than 50 percent of the breast symptoms and has not been shown to be a risk factor for breast cancer but this is based on the type of pain, duration, location and radiation as well as recent trauma to the breast. Large pendulous breast may create ligamentous pain especially if a well fitted supportive brassiere is not worn. The discomfort may lead to excessive worry or emotional stress. Some medications like birth control pills, hormone therapy, some psychiatrist medication and heart disease medications can cause breast pain, but such pain are limited. Most breast pain resolves spontaneously but those with persistent pain may require medical treatment which may involve the use of tylenol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like diclofenac and topical cream. Non-pharmacologic option to address mastalgia include wearing a supportive bra and eliminating caffeine. Despite lack of medical evidence for its use-- evening primrose oil and chaste tree berry have been used as a natural remedy for breast pain. Women with severe breast pain

may require hormone therapy though there is a high risk of hormone therapy increasing risk for endometrial cancer and blood clot formation. Mass/pain/nipple discharge is common breast symptoms. Most women presenting with a mass will require imaging. Diagnostic mammogram is usually the image of choice but for women under 30. BREAST MASS: Almost breast mass are benign (non cancerous) but they are the most presenting symptoms in persons diagnosed with breast cancer. RISKS FACTOR FOR BREAST MASS : Advanced age, overweight/obesity especially in postmenopausal women and first degree relatives with breast or ovarian cancer. One prior biopsy regardless of the results, personal history of breast/or ovarian cancer, too much consumption of alcohol, current /prior use of hormonal or birth control pills, early start of menses before age 12, late stoppage of menses, after age 55, women who have not had children and had children after age 35 and prior chest exposure to radiation. The best time to examine the breast for masses is a week after menses. When tissue breast is least engorged, and the best position is to lie on your back and arm overhead, then using the pads of the middle three fingers, moving in circular motions while applying light to deep pressure, move in a clockwise pattern one checks for asymmetry, nipple discharge, masses, skin changes such as dimpling, rashes and retraction of the nipples. Benign (non-cancerous masses) have distinct shape, no skin changes, smooth, soft, and movable while non-cancerous masses are generally hard, immobile or fixed to surrounding areas and have poorly defined shape. Diagnostic mammogram is best for the evaluation of a palpable breast mass, with low risk of cancer, fine needle aspiration may be used but has the risk of disrupting tissue. It is best used in benign cyst when the fluid is not bloody and the mass disappears with aspiration .

Health Interview 29

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015

‘Early diagnosis key to manage kidney stones’ • Pathcare trains doctors, others

Appolonia Adeyemi

medical expert has highlighted the advantage of providing early diagnosis and treatment for kidney stone patients, saying they can make full recovery if diagnosed and treated early enough. Alternatively, the Consultant Urological Surgeon with Royal Free London NHS Foundation, Dr. Leye Ajayi who disclosed this, said, the danger of untreated kidney stone is that it could lead to chronic kidney disease with patients needing dialysis or transplant. Ajayi who is one of the leading specialists in the management of Kidney stones using non-invasive procedures, in the United Kingdom (UK) spoke at the PathCare Doctors Forum training on Kidney Stones organised to mark the World Kidney Day in Lagos and Abuja recently. Doctors Forum is one of the corporate social responsibility initiatives of PathCare Laboratories, a foremost pathology testing outfit with numerous laboratories all over Nigeria. It is organised in partnership with the Bridge Clinic, the first and leading provider of fertility services in Nigeria.

Hydration will reduce-kidney stones PHOTO: airherald.com

In his presentation, Ajayi added, “We always encourage our stone patients to be properly hydrated. In the UK, the intake of about two to three litres of water a day is recommended, but because of Nigerian hot climate, patients will probably drink four to five liters of water daily to reduce the risk of forming new stones.” Kidney stones usually comprised of a compound called calcium oxalate, are the result of an accumulation of dissolved minerals on the inner lining of the kidneys. These deposits can grow to the size of a golf ball while maintaining a sharp, crystalline structure. Kidney stones may be small and pass unnoticed out of the urinary tract, but they may also cause extreme pain upon exiting. Kidney stones that remain inside the body can lead to many conditions, including severe pain and ureter (the tube connecting the kidney and bladder) blockage that obstructs the path urine uses to leave the body. In a lecture titled, “Kidney Stones: Unrecognised, Undiagnosed and Untreated”, Ajayi noted that kidney stone is more common among Africans than is currently acknowledged and it is poorly recognised by physician in Nigeria because of paucity of diagnostic equipment and the fact that it mimics a lot of other more common conditions.

L-R: Dr. Seun Akinyemi of the Department of Health Policy and Management College of Medicine, University of Ibadan; Medical Director of Chevron Nigeria, Dr. Olubukunola Fagade; and Consultant Urological Surgeon with Royal Free London NHS Foundation, Dr. Leye Ajayi at the PathCare Laboratories Doctors’ Forum held in Lagos recently

Patients will probably drink four to five litres of water daily to reduce the risk of forming new stones

What causes kidney stones? The leading cause of kidney stones is a lack of water. Stones commonly have been found in those that drink less than the recommended eight to ten glasses of water a day. When there is not enough water to dilute the uric acid (component of urine),

the pH level within the kidneys drops and becomes more acidic. An excessively acidic environment in the kidneys is conducive to the formation of kidney stones. Every year, the World Kidney Day is marked on the second Thursday in the month of March to draw attention to the need for kidney health. In alignment with this, PathCare Laboratories, dedicated resources to training doctors on Kidney stones. In his lecture, Dr. Ajayi further revealed that unimaginable pain is a major symptom of kidney stones. “So doctors need to have a high index of suspicion when patients present with severe back pain. Patients can also present with fever or feel unwell, which is why it is sometimes mistaken for malaria. Speaking at the event, Dr. Olawale Olusanya, a Consultant Pathologist at PathCare Laboratories further revealed that part of the objectives of organising the Doctors Forum, which is Nigerian Medical and Dental council accredited Continuous Medical Education (CME) program, was to update doctors on the current

trends in the management of various health conditions. He said “PathCare, in conjunction with its partner, the Bridge Clinic, has continued to invest in Doctors Forum program, because we recognise the importance of continuos training of doctors and other medical personal in order to build a sustainable and high quality healthcare in Nigeria.” The PathCare Doctors Forum also featured Dr. Seun Akinyemi of the Department of Health Policy and Management College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, who treated the topic “Decoding the National Health Bill – What Every Physician in Private Practice Needs To know”. The over 500 doctors who attended the PathCare’s symposium in Lagos and Abuja also had access to an expose on how sports and exercise medicine can be incorporated into medical treatment of disorders like diabetes and hypertension was handled by Dr. Dayo Osholowo, an expert in Sports Medicine, in a lecture titled, “Current Concerts in Sports Medicine.”

Epe residents benefit from free eye care Taiwo Jimoh

esidents of Ikosi Ejirin in Agbowa, Epe, Itokin and the neighboring communities in Ibefun, Omu, Odogbolu, Idowa , Ala and Ijebu –Ode all in Ogun State have benefitted from free medical eye treatment provided with support of a member of the state house of Assembly, Segun Olulade representing Epe Constituency 2. Addressing Journalists at the venue

of the treatment in his constituency office in Odomola, Olulade said he was motivated to embark on the project based on finding that some people in the area have serious eye problems. He revealed during his interaction with the residents and his experience during electioneering campaign for his second term ambition round the constituency showed that many dwellers in the rural area were suffering from different eye diseases. Olulade however said “the exercise,

Olulade addressing some of the patients on their hospital bed

which was done in collaboration with Eye Foundation Centre, is not limited to his constituency alone; dwellers of other neighbouring communities in Ogun State also came from within and outside the state to benefit from the exercise. “The programm is about free eye treatment, surgery and provision of glasses called Jigi Eleniyan. It is not limited to the people from my constituency as we made announcements on the radio and social media to allow people with eye defect to benefit. Making treatment access possible for them in Ogun State reduces the stress they go through before getting to Lagos for possible treatment.” He said, to make the exercise available to all residents and neighboring community we had meetings with groups and traditional rulers. People came from Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu to participate in the programme. “We did not screen to know where they came from or which political party they belong to because I believe that we are one family.” Olulade, who did not disclose the cost of the project, added that the exercise was not coming up at this time for political reasons, but that it is part of his

numerous projects for the people of the area. He explained that he has done numerous projects covering empowerment, donation of boreholes to some areas, facilitating electrical projects in different parts of the constituency, employment of teachers for primary schools, adding that he pays directly from his purse, amongst others. According to him, names of those whose eye issue requires surgery and other related diseases were compiled and would be sent to the clinic of Eye Foundation Centre in Ijebu-Mushin, Ogun State where they would undergo corrective surgery free of charge. Dr. Paul Nwagala, an optometrist from Eye Foundation Centre, who was on ground to treat the patients, said that the project was part of his organisation’s ways of giving back to the society. A beneficiary who simply gave her name as Oluwaseun, said that she had to go for the treatment as she had a serious eye problem, which she initially taught was ‘Apollo’ which is conjunctivitis. “I had initially gone for treatment at Eredo, but I came here for further treatment and I was given some drugs. I am satisfied with the treatment and I thank the honorable for this kind gesture.”

Health News

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Pesticides in fruit, vegetables linked to semen

he first study to investigate the relationship between eating fruit and vegetables containing pesticide residues and the quality of men’s semen has shown a link with lower sperm counts and percentages of normallyformed sperm. The study, which is published online on Tuesday in ‘Human Reproduction’ shows that men who ate the highest amount of fruit and vegetables with high levels of pesticide residue had a 49 percent lower sperm count and a 32 percent lower percentage of normally-formed sperm than men who consumed the least amount. An accompanying editorial says the findings have important implications for human health. However, the study of 155 men showed that, overall, the total amount of fruit and vegetables consumed was unrelated to changes in any measurements of semen quality in the group as a whole. Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston (USA), Jorge Chavarro, said: “These findings should not discourage the consumption of fruit and vegetables in general. In fact, we found that total intake of fruit and vegetables were completely unrelated to semen quality. This suggests that implementing strategies specifically targeted at avoiding pesticide residues, such as consuming organically-grown produce or avoiding produce known to have large amounts of residues, may be the way to go.” Previous studies have shown that occupational exposure to pesticides might have an effect

Nestle trains 100 paediatricians to tackle nutrition Esther Albert

Pesticide in fruits linked to poor semen quality

on semen quality, but so far there has been little investigation of the effects of pesticides in diet. Prof. Chavarro, his student Dr. Yu-Han Chiu and colleagues analysed 338 semen samples from 155 men attending a fertility centre between 2007-2012 as part of the ongoing, prospective “Environment and Reproductive Health” (EARTH) Study. The men were eligible for the study if they were aged 18-55, had not had a vasectomy, and were part of a couple planning to use their own eggs and sperm for fertility treatment. The men’s diet was assessed by means of a food frequency questionnaire, and they were asked how often, on average, they had consumed how many portions of fruit and vegetables, using standard portion sizes such as one apple, or half an avocado. The fruit and vegetables

were categorised as being high, moderate or low in pesticide residues based on data from the annual United States Department of Agriculture Pesticide Data Program. Fruit or vegetables that were low in pesticide residues included peas, beans, grapefruit and onions. Those that had high residues included peppers, spinach, strawberries, apples and pears. These data took account of usual practice in food preparation, such as whether the fruit and vegetables had been peeled and washed. The researchers divided the men into four groups, ranging from those who ate the greatest amount of fruit and vegetables high in pesticides residues (1.5 servings or more a day) to those who ate the least amount (less than half a serving a day). They also looked at men who ate fruit and vegetables with low-to-moderate pesticide residues.

n a bid to diminish the proportion of preschoolers in African countries, Nestlé Nutrition Institute Africa (NNIA) in partnership with the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) has trained over 100 paediatricians. The training is regarded as an avenue where health professionals can discuss and share knowledge and experiences. Nestlé is committed to implementing continuous nutrition education programmes for healthcare professionals. This is part of the company’s commitments to help address nutrition challenges. In 2014, a total of 6,535 of healthcare professionals from Central and West Africa participated in the different trainings organised by NNIA. NNIA is part of the Nestlé Nutrition Institute (NNI), the world’s largest private publisher

of nutritional information. As well as having published more than 3000 papers, NNI offers a selection of more than 400 online conferences, and organises scientific workshops and satellite symposia with leading nutrition experts. The recent participants were drawn from Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Uganda, and Tanzania. The first module ran between March 1 to 7. Students will continue e-learning training in nutrition and complete the course with the second module taking place in October 2015. Successful participants will be issued a certificate by the University of Cape Town. Commenting on the programme, Dr. Agozie Ubezie who is one of the participants from Nigeria, “the workshop has actually boosted her knowledge of intestinal, lever and nutritional disarrays in children”.

High-fat diet alters behaviour

an the consumption of fatty foods change your behavior and your brain? High-fat diets have long been known to increase the risk for medical problems, including heart disease and stroke, but there is growing concern that diets high in fat might also increase the risk for depression and other psychiatric disorders. A new study raises the possibility that a high-fat diet produces changes in health and behavior, in part, by changing the mix of bacteria in the gut, also known as the

gut microbiome. High-fat diets have long been known to increase the risk for medical problems, including heart disease and stroke, but there is growing concern that diets high in fat might also increase the risk for depression and other psychiatric disorders. A new study published in the current issue of Biological Psychiatry raises the possibility that a high-fat diet produces changes in health and behavior, in part, by changing the mix of bacteria in the gut, also known as the gut microbiome.

Healing with colours (2) CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

f you don’t feel comfortable with a colour, it could be that you have too much of a particular energy which that colour supplies and so you need to balance it with another energy. For example, if you feel lonely, shy and withdrawn, indigo will only add to your feeling of isolation and will not make you comfortable. Indigo creates a feeling of aloneness, solitude, being alone, and that is not what a lonely person wants. Such a person will be more drawn toward red. On the other hand, a hyperactive person will be drawn toward blue. Rejecting a particular colour may indicate the aspects of our lives that we are not willing to face and change. For example, a person who is hyperactive and dislikes indigo may indicate one who is unwilling to change their lifestyle but prefers the old way. How do colours work? Light enters the eye and directly stimulates the organs and glands deep in the brain. The frequencies of these lights create changes in the

Nature Power Fr. Anselm Adodo, OSB

naturepower@paxherbals.net; twitter: @anselmadodo corresponding body organ that is affected. Colour has an energy we can modify and manipulate. Change the colour and the energy changes. Do you know that your behaviour changes and people’s reactions change according to the colour around you? You could make an experiment with this. Wear clothes of a particular colour in a day and observe people’s reactions to you. John loved to wear red. Whenever he went for interviews for a new job, he always had problem with the interviewers. They would suddenly become aggressive and impatient with John and of course he never got the job, despite his formidable bibliography. John concluded that people hated him. That the witches and wizards in his village have conspired to bring bad

luck upon him. I felt sorry for John when he told me his story. I advised him to learn to vary the colours around him. He should experiment with other colours. I advised him to put on yellow clothes whenever he went for interviews. John took a hard look at me and wondered what a strange counsellor I must be, for he had never heard of colour energy. John went for another interview and he got the job! Change the colour and the energy changes. Do you often feel easily irritated, offended, impatient and aggressive? Reduce the amount of red around you and bring in more blue and green, then watch your mood, feelings and reactions change. Do you feel depressed, moody and unsociable, bring in some more red into your life. If you feel unwell or upset, orange

A display of colours in sunrise

If you feel unwell or upset, orange or pink colour will help you to relax

PHOTO: 7-themes.com

or pink colour will help you to relax. Colour can bring life, variety, vitality and happiness into your life. As you become more familiar with colours, they will open up a world of possibilities to you and lead you to heights you never thought possible. Stay in touch next week as I guide you through the ways you can use different colours to heal yourself of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual ailments. You will be surprised at the awesome powers God has made available to us through nature. And don’t forget to send your comments and questions. Peace.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015

Industry

ICT

Stakeholders meet on energy-saving options

Backing solar energy technology solutions

Business What's news

Nigerians, others splash N3.2bn on London rent Wealthy tenants from Nigeria, Russia, Ukraine and China are paying in advance to secure the most sought- after streets in London, it was learnt.

p.32

Shareholders lose N9bn in three healthcare firms Three top pharmaceutical stocks quoted on the nation’s capital market recorded a loss of about N8.8 billion during the past three months following massive sell off that has pervaded the local bourse in recent times.

p.32

L-R: Chairman, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, Mr. Emeka Madubuike; President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Albert Okumagba; Chairman, Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria, Mr. Victor Ogiemwonyi and first Vice President, CIS, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe, during a media parley on the state of capital market by CIS, ASHON and AIHN, in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

GROWTH Additional 3.3 million connected lines were recorded in January this year Kunle Azeez

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

he total number of telephone lines currently connected on mobile networks in the country has increased to 192.1 million, New Telegraph has gathered. This is according to the latest industry data released by the telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The official data, which is for the month of January, showed that the total connected phone lines increased from 188.8 million in December last year to 192.1 million by the end of January this year. In effect, the NCC report reveals that additional 3.3 million

lines were connected in January alone on all the networks, including the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and fixed lines networks in the country. However, of the 192.1 million connected lines, 187.9 belong to GSM firms, 3.7 million for CDMA operators, while only 365,753 were on fixed wired/ wireless networks. The report also shows that of the 192.1 million connected telephone lines, only 140.8 million lines were active, leaving 51.3 million lines inactive. GSM networks, including MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat, however, have 138.5 million active lines on their

INFLATION RATE February 2015.........................8.4% January 2015...........................8.2% December 2014.........................8%

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

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Connected phone lines hit 192m networks, while CDMA networks and fixed line operators control 2.1 million and 182,693 respectively. Meanwhile, teledensity in the nation’s telecoms sector has reached 100.59 per cent, suggesting a significant growth in mobile subscriptions 14 years ago, following the liberalisation of the nation’s telecoms sector. From 2001, telephone density, which is a measurement of how many telephones are avail-

8.5% Being percentage teledensity recorded in 2014

able, expressed as the number of telephone lines for every 100 people in an area, has continued to grow significantly, ostensibly due to the good regulatory regime put in place by the telecoms regulator. According to New Telegraph’s findings, from a teledensity of 1.89 per cent in 2002, the figure increased to 3.35 per cent in 2003, 8.5 per cent in 2004 and 16.27 per cent in 2005. Also, the teledensity growth trend continues, as access to telephone by individuals got denser in 2006 with 24.18 per cent, 29.98 per cent in 2007, 45.93 per cent in 2008 and 53.23 per cent in 2009. CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Rates Dashboard EXCHANGE RATE (BDC as at Mar. 27)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N221 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N326 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N237

l Foreign Reserves – $29.83bn as at 26/03/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at Mar.27)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N199 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N301 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N223

Business | News

TENANCY

Renters pay six or 12 months’ deposit in advance

Dayo Ayeyemi

ealthy tenants from Nigeria, Russia, Ukraine and China are paying in advance to secure the most sought- after streets in London, it was learnt. According to report, over N3.2 billion was paid in advance by wealthy tenants to secure luxury rental accommodation in central London in the first ten weeks of this year. Renters in Mayfair’s Mount Street, according to the Telegraph of London, were prepared to pay rising costs that have climbed 25pc since 2013. Mayfair’s Dover Street, Eton Place in Belgravia and Trevor Square in Knightsbridge are the leading London addresses for renters. Managing Director of E J Harris, Elizabeth Harris, according to Telegraph, stated that the dramatic rise in advance tenancy payments were being driven by several factors that have to do with stamp duty and tax. According to her, stamp duty and mansion tax concerns have turned purchasers into tenants, adding that competition has risen for the best homes, which has led to a rise in advance bids.

Nigerians, others splash N3.2bn on London rent “Alongside this, the London lettings market has become increasingly international with a new wave of wealthy tenants from Russia, Ukraine, Nigeria and China, who are happy to pay their rents entirely in advance. Despite new lettings coming into the market, the speed at which new let-

By 2010, the teledensity has increased to 63.11 per cent; 68.49 per cent in 2011 and 80.85 per cent by December, 2002. In 2013, 2014, teledensity figures were 91.15 per cent and 99.32 per cent respectively, while in January, this year, the figure maintained an upward swing, reaching 100.59 per cent. Analysis of the NCC subscriber status report further shows that GSM companies were the category of players in the industry with predominance subscriber base. According to the data, GSM companies currently control 98.37 per cent of the total 140.1 million active subscriber base in the country. CDMA and fixed line operators have 1.50 per cent and 0.13 per cent respectively. Also in terms of market share by GSM operators, the NCC official data show that MTN leads with 60.4 million subscribers, representing 44 per cent

tings’ instructions are getting tenant offers has increased dramatically, so the number of available lettings properties is actually lower at the end of each week,” she said. According to the report, domestic and overseas renters were paying the entire cost of six or 12 month tenancies and

deposits in advance to secure homes in London’s best addresses - typically at £3,500 a week. Before moving, analysis from agent EJ Harris and Dataloft explained that high-end tenants would pay landlords an average of over £200,000 in advance. It stated: “This in-

cludes £182,000 for the entire rental period plus a £21,000 deposit, excluding any fees payable to the letting agency. “A combination of the high end home sales market reaching the end of a prolonged period of rapid price growth, and the Chancellor’s stamp duty overhaul, which in-

creased the transaction levy on homes worth over £937,000, along with fears that a Labour win at the general election could result in the introduction of mansion tax, has cooled that segment of the residential housing market.” The report said that potential buyers were renting while they waited for the outcome of the May election “while sellers are renting out their London homes and living in their countryside residence or a pied-à-terre, awaiting anticipated price rises after the vote.”

Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema and Managing Director/CEO, Guinness Nigeria, John O’Keeffe, receiving the Nigerian Stock Exchange plaque, at the Guinness Nigeria Plc close of business Bell Ringing in Lagos.

Connected phone lines hit 192m CONTINUED FROM PAG E 3 1

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

of the mobile market; Globacom comes second with 28.4 active subscribers (21 per cent) while Airtel comes third with 27.9 active subscribers base (20 per cent) and Etisalat comes fourth with 21.5 subscriber base representing 15 per cent market share. Meanwhile, the poor performance of some operators in the industry, especially those in the CDMA and fixed line networks reached its crescendo as NCC declared 13 telecoms operators that were hitherto vibrant in the industry inactive. The operators became inactive, following the total loss of their customers to other operators that are currently pulling weight in the industry. Majority of the inactive operators had since gone into extinction and could no longer offer competitive services to their customers, who decided to choose other network operators, mostly the GSM networks.

Shareholders lose N9bn in three healthcare firms PLUNGE

Sell pressure weighs down equities market Chris Ugwu

hree top pharmaceutical stocks quoted on the nation’s capital market recorded a loss of about N8.8 billion during the past three months following massive sell off that has pervaded the local bourse in recent times. The market capitalisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), which measures the value of stocks listed on the exchange, stood at N10.496 trillion at the close of trading on Monday as against N11.477 trillion recorded at the beginning of trading in January this year. The stocks are GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc, Neimeth International Pharmaceutical Plc and Evans

Medicals Plc. Checks by New Telegraph showed that GlaxoSmithKline recorded a loss of N7.6 billion or 19 per cent to close at N40.181 billion in market capitalisation on March 30, 2015, as against a record figure of N47.835 billion at the commencement of business in January this year. Evans Medicals Plc followed with a drop of N392 million or 26 per cent to close from N1.109 billion to N1.501 billion during the period under review while Neimeth International depreciated by N79 million or 6.8 per cent, from N1.224 billion to N1.145 billion at the close of business on Monday. The low sentiment in the market has been on the increase following upset in the financial market arising from insecurities, the on-going 2015 elections and drop in oil prices. Financial analysts believe that the totality of these factors sent a shock wave to both

local and foreign investors and created uncertainty in the investment environment which led to retreat on the part of the bargain hunters. Foreign investors had sold off N132.68 billion ($667 million) in Nigerian stocks for the first two months of the year, data from the stock exchange showed, hurt by a weaker naira and jitters over general elections. The electoral body, last month, delayed the polls by sixweeks to March 28 citing security concerns, sending financial markets into a tailspin, with the naira crashing through a psychological level of 200 to the dollar for the first time. According to reports, foreign investors also increased the pace of outflows from Africa’s biggest economy as global oil prices plunged. However, the Federal Government had recently appealed to foreign and local investors not to panic over the depression in the nation’s local bourse.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015

FG renews pledge to Ajaokuta Steel company’s sale p.34

Industry

Stakeholders meet on energy-saving options FORUM The minimum standards review for low energy saving equipment under way Stories by Dele Alao

gainst the backdrop of inadequate energy supply to industrial firms, concerned stakeholders in the manufacturing sector have met on the need to explore energy-saving initiatives while also reducing wastes as a way of sustaining production To this end, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), through a Power Demand and Energy Consumption programme and the Energy Management System (EnMS), is exploring options to aid efficient energy use, as well as determine energy need of the sector. Also, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has partnered the Nigerian Energy

Support Programme (NESP), to review the minimum standards for low energy saving equipment in the country in order to effectively utilise the paltry energy supply from the national grid in the most efficient and sustainable manner. At a validation workshop in Lagos recently, the Director General, SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, lamented that power supply was yet to meet the demand due to its very low capacity in generation. The SON boss, who was represented at the workshop by Director, Training Information Management Systems, SON, Dr. Justin Nickaf, stressed the need to review the standards of energy-saving equipment to help conserve energy and reduce wastage of power supply in the country. Odumodu, who noted that the workshop being funded by the European Union was aimed at seeking better and efficient usage of energy resources in the country said: “We are here to learn about what it takes to be energy efficient and how to ensure that it is cascaded down

Chemstar Paints rewards painters with N95m

n appreciation of their immense contributions to the growth and success of the company in the past 20 years, popular paint manufacturer, Chemstar Paints, has concluded arrangements to reward loyal and intending painters using Shield and Finecoat paints, both from the stable of the company, with N95 million in a promo tagged: Cover 4 Cash. Addressing a large gathering of painters at Beezer Hall, Sango Ota, Ogun State, the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Chemstar Paints, Remi Awode, said that it had become important to reward the painters, some of who he noted, has been with the company from inception. Awode informed the gathering that despite the recent fire outbreak at the company’s headquarters, its could not afford not to show appreciations to the painters. He added that through the support of the painters and other esteemed trade partners, the company had grown from one room apartment as operational base to an edifice on hectares of land, two staff to about 1,000 staff, one paint product to about 27 products and 200,000 litres paint annually to about 50 million litres annually. Awode, who noted that the N95 million was already available for the painters to collect

upon returning the covers of the paint products, said that the company now had offices in Ghana and Turkey. The GMD stressed that the Cover 4 Cash promo, which came into effect about three years ago, was as a result of the painters’ complaints that it was only the distributors that were being rewarded by the company. On the fire incidence, Awode vowed that the equipment that would now be installed at the factory would be one of the best in Africa as against the former, which was the best in West Africa. Earlier in his welcome address, the General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Chemstar Paints, Olufola Laguda, said that though this year should be a belt tightening year for the company in view of the fire outbreak, the company has, however, deemed it fit to reward the painters. He added that the promo, which is pan-Nigeria, was exclusively for the painters and not for the distributors or property owners. Laguda, who warned the painters not to engage in sharp practices by bringing covers that are not of either Shield Paints or Fine Coat Paints, said that since the company also manufactured the containers and the covers, a security code for easy identification was already embedded in the paint covers.

to the Nigerian people. The energy situation as it is, bearing in mind that we are in high demand for energy, which is produced in very low capacity and the fact that it is wasted is another big disadvantage, but with a programme like this and with Nigerians gradually adopting new energy-efficient processes, we will be able to conserve the little that we are

generating and will also be able to put to use more efficiently the little energy we have.” On the energy-saving bill, the SON boss added: “We are hoping that the bill gets accepted so that it can be passed into law. We are becoming very conscious about the utilisation of energy and we have to understand that this is a nonrenewable resource, once you

use, you have to generate to use it again. The little we are making should be used efficiently.” He said that the agency was also conscious of the impact of the energy generation on the Nigerian environment and urged all stakeholders to play a role in looking for better ways to sustain the environment in the most efficient and friendly manner.

L-R: Analyst, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Michael Nwoseh; Dean, Student Affairs, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, Professor Tunde Olabiyisi and Events Analyst, Etisalat Nigeria, Martina Ogbebor, during the courtesy visit to officials of the institution in Ogbomosho.

Report rates Japan top Asian investor in Nigeria, others

report by global law firm, Linklaters, has said that Japan tops the list of investors in Africa, especially Nigeria. According to the report, over two thirds of all Japanese-led deals over the past decade have focused on Nigeria, making the Far East Asian country the biggest Asian investor in Nigeria. This report is coming on the heels of a recent pledge by representative of Japanese investors, the Trade Commissioner and Managing Director of Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), George Sato, that Japan would invest more in Nigeria after the 2015 gen-

eral elections. JETRO reported earlier this year in its fact sheet that the recent Ebola issue that hit the nation as well as the insurgency in the Northern part of the country dwindled the interest of Japanese investors in the country. The fact sheet has stated that Japan’s export to Nigeria was stagnating despite Nigeria’s economic growth, stating that trade between Nigeria and Japan stood at $4.2 billion for the year 2013. According to Linklaters, Japan now ranks as the most active Asian project finance sponsor in Africa as a whole, spearheading 160 per cent rise by Asian funds in Afri-

can project finance. “Japan has made slow but significant inroads in growing its influence across the continent. This underpins why many in the market are expecting African countries to remain significant investment destinations for Japanese capital over the next decade. Over the last 10 years, the level of project finance investments sponsored by Asian funds in Africa has increased by over 160 per cent the amount of fresh capital poured into the continents’ projects such as roads, water sanitation plants and oil and gas pipelines in the last year alone standing at $4.16 billion,” Linklaters said.

Nigeria spends $3.3bn on steel importation

espite the abundance of iron ore required for the production of primary steel, Nigeria still spends $3.3 billion on steel importation annually. President of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Mr. Isaac Ademola Olorunfemi, noted that although the development of the iron and steel industry was key for industralisation and infrastructural development of the nation, Nigeria’s iron steel industry still remains abysmally low.

He said that the industry was faced with negligible local production, low return on investment and heavily dependent on steel. As such, he said the absence of a functional steel industry had significantly limited the growth of the manufacturing sector and stalled rapid development of skill and technology required to drive the moribund Inland Rolling Mills at Jos and Katsina as well as the Delta Steel Company Limited at Aladja.

He added that there was the need to urgently resolve the problems with the commissioning of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited. While commending the recently launched Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) and the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDP), the NSE president, however, asserted that appropriate synergy must be put in place if the relevant sectors, especially the steel sector, must work.

Business | Industry

FG renews pledge to Ajaokuta Steel company’s sale

PLEDGE Legal issues to be resolved ahead of another process of privatisation Abulwahab Isa Abuja

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

he comatose Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) is to be privatised by the Federal Government after an earlier stalemated attempt. Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki, expressed government’s renewed commitment for its sale while featuring on a breakfast program on Independent Television (ITV) recently. He said that the Federal Government was exploring an amicable resolution of all

encumbrances with the core investor of ASCL, Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (GINL) at arbitration and once that was done, the privatisation process would commence. He said that the Federal Ministry of Justice was driving the process, which is making steady progress and “once the issues are resolved, Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited will be handed over to the Federal Government and we will begin another process of privatization.” Dikki explained that when resolved, the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) would be jointly owned by the

Federal Government and the Global Infrastructure Holding Limited (GINL). The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Mines and Steel, concessioned the multi-billion naira plant to GINL, but no significant progress was made by the investor to turn around the company, prompting government to attempt to take the company back, which has resulted in the on-going legal tussle. On allegations of interference by influential persons in the country to tilt the privatisation programme in their favour, the DG debunked the

claims, saying that all transaction processes followed laid down procedures and in tune with world best practices. “It is because of our strict adherence to the rules which are observed by security agencies and anti-graft agencies that international bodies like the World Bank, DFID and many others have continued to applaud us. For the power transaction, it is acclaimed to be the world’s best. President Goodluck Jonathan received accolades from world leaders for the feat,” he said. He maintained that reforms had worked for Nigeria and ap-

pealed for support by all Nigerians so that all critical areas of the economy are reformed. Dikki said that the Bureau had proposed the setting up of a Privatisation Tribunal to handle cases of privatised enterprises. He said the matter was receiving attention by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and that when approved, it would quicken the dispensation of justice in the over 200 cases the Bureau had in regular courts. “The Privatisation Tribunal will also enable us take decisive action against non-performing investors,” he said.

50 youths to benefit from N220bn MSME fund Chris Ugwu

L-R: General Manager,Sales and Marketing, Chemstar Paints Industries (Nig.) Ltd. Mr. Fola Laguda; Group Managing Director/ CEO, Mr. Remi Awode, Assistant General Manager, Finance, Mr. Tiwalade Adebiyi and Chief Executive Officer, Baylly Ventures (Nig) Ltd. Mr. Omotesho Adebayo, at a media briefing on the company’s ‘Cover 4 Cash’ painters’ reward promo held in Sango Ota, Ogun State. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Nigeria, Philippines’ volume of trade hits N6.16bn in 2014

he Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Mr. Akinyemi Farounbi, has said that the volume of trade between both countries stood at $28 million (N6.16 billion) in 2014. Farounbi said that the figure was an increase over the $66,000 recorded in 2011. He said: “In 2011, the volume of trade between Nigeria and Philippines was $66,000. The last figures we got from DTI (Department of Trade and Investment) in February this year is $28 million. “So, in the last two years, we have been able to move the volume of trade from $66,000 to $28 million. In concrete terms, you are aware that two of the 11 power distribution companies in Nigeria are being serviced by MERALCO, a Filipino company that

provides the electricity we have here. They are the ones servicing Yola District and Ibadan District. That is in terms of investments. Today, there are two Filipino companies. They are called multi-liver company in Nigeria. They are making about 60 per cent of their total earnings. One is Edmark, the other is Alliance in Motion. Alliance in Motion got to Nigeria about two years ago and they tell me that of the 12 countries they are in, Nigeria is where they are making the highest income.” According to him, the National Shipping Development Programme of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has strengthened the bilateral relations between the two countries. He said: “A convenient

bridge for us has been the NIMASA’s programme. That led us to CHED. CHED is the Commission of Higher Education. You are probably aware that they have over 1,500 universities here. So we have to maintain a continuous relationship with CHED, because of NIMASA’s programme and that led us to being able to attract four universities to Nigeria. “There is also the fact that we have to discuss NIMASA’s programme almost regularly with the Department of Foreign Affairs. It has made Nigeria to become the focal point of foreign policy in Africa from the point of view of Philippines. Before, it was South Africa. Today, talk to anybody in the Department of Foreign Affairs, they will tell you that it is Nigeria that is their focal point.”

he Federal Government has commenced screening of Nigerian youths for entrepreneurship training with the launch of the Youths Entrepreneurship Strategy in oil and gas industry. Besides, part of the N220 billion set aside for Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would be used to fund the Youth Entrepreneurship Strategy. Addressing the youths at the launch organised by Anabel Leadership Academy in Abuja, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said that the Federal Government was fully determined to empower the youths as their power in the economic development cannot be underrated. The Chattered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Anabel Leadership Academy to mobilise 150,000 youths annually for the institute’s Professional Diploma in Securities and Investment. Aganga explained that Nigerian youths formed a very substantial segment of the population, hence they must be empowered in order to stem the tide of unemployment, poverty, hunger and squalor. He noted that the Federal Government had created a window of opportunities through legislation and the youths should take advantage of these opportunities. “Apart from empowerment through entrepreneurship training and certification, you must take advantage of the power reform and industrialisation. These are windows of opportunities. The greatest asset you have now is your brain and that is where the future is,” he said. According to him, the pow-

er of the youth in economic development is very important today so any country that does not tap the potential of the youths cannot compete globally. “It is important we reinvent ourselves and position our economy for industrialisation and entrepreneurship,” he said. Anabel Leadership Academy’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nicholas Okoye, explained that as a response to the Federal Government’s efforts at creating a window of opportunities for the youths to become employers of labour, there must be network of young Nigerians that would take over. Okoye, the conveyer of the launch, explained that the empowerment programme would be executed through the Nigerian content fund set aside to build capacity. According to him, Anabel’s role in the initiative is that of facilitator by exposing the prospective young entrepreneurs to an array of skills that would prepare them to realise their dreams. “Under the programme, young registered entrepreneurs would be equipped with training and funding to participate in the oil and gas sector to create jobs, remain sustainable and expand globally. This implies that Anabel has a very fundamental role to play in this process because training and certification must be accomplished before the issue of funding by the government or direct job with the organised private sector could follow,” Okoye said. Speaking at the forum, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, the parastatal in charge of the programme, Ernest Nwapa, warned that the training was not a guarantee for job placement, but stated that the objective of the training was to empower the youths to be selfemployed.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015

ICT

NCC to improve cable transmission pricing p.36

Backing solar energy technology solutions Stakeholders have advocated widespread adoption of solar power technology solutions to complement the inadequate energy generation in the country, writes KUNLE AZEEZ

s Nigeria grapples with the challenge of inadequate energy generation and the inefficient utilisation of the capacity being generated, the use of solar power technology solutions has been suggested as one way to address wasteful utilisation of available energy generation in the country. Already, the total energy currently being generated by all the power plants across the country has been adjudged far less than what the country requires as a nation to meet consumption demand by citizens, industries and governments. This is evident in a mid-January 2015 statistics released by the Ministry of Power, which revealed a wide gap between energy demand and energy supply. According to the statistics, power generation in January stood at 4,405.6 megawatts, energy generation, 4,000.63 megawatts and the energy sent out was 3,914.60 megawatts. Peak demand was, however, put at 12,800 megawatts. Solar solutions to the rescue However, the need to complement the limited power being generated in the country, with the adoption of solar energy solutions, which guarantee more efficiency, has been advocated by stakeholders who attended the commissioning of solar energy technology solutions developed by an indigenous Information Technology firm, Omatek Ventures Plc, in Lagos, recently. Leading the advocacy for solar energy usage was the Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, who carried out a tour of solar energy solutions already deployed by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and some schools in Lagos State

Johnson

Nebo

before visiting Omatek to commission its 50KVA 3-phase offgrid solar solution factory. According to Nebo, Nigerians’ adoption of LED lighting and solar-inverter integrated solutions for their home and office purposes would save the country N500 billion in power infrastructure investment. Nebo also said that the company’s solar energy initiative was also in tandem with government’s imminent policy on renewable and energy efficiency policy, which, he said, was at its final stage of implementation. Cost saving The minister saidthat by adopting the new lighting solutions across the country, the country would be able to free up 1,200 megawatts of power over 4,000 megawatts of power the country is generating. According to him, if the freedup watts were to be generated from a power plant, it would cost the nation about half a trillion naira (N500 billion). “So, this kind of initiative by Omatek makes it possible to live off-grid and this means you don’t need to be connected to the nation-

al grid before you can get efficient power supply to handle your home, office and industrial activities.

Nigeria has never had a renewable and energy efficiency policy

Government policy Meanwhile, Nebo has said that Omatek had demonstrated what was perfectly in line with the Federal Government’s policy. He said: “President Goodluck Jonathan had asked us to develop a renewable and energy efficiency policy, which is at the final stage of implementation now; we only need the president’s approval to go ahead with the implementation.” Nebo explained that with the implementation, Nigeria would be able to get some liberation from its current inadequate energy generation. He said: “Nigeria has never had a renewable and energy efficiency policy and what Omatek has demonstrated here, in terms of solar power supply and LED indicates that it knows exactly what government wants to do, because this resonates with government policy on energy conservation and efficiency.” Illustrating the cost saving effect of using LED lighting and solar-powered energy solutions further, the minister said: “With

regard to LED bulbs, Omatek has shown that everyone, not just a company, every Nigerian, can cut power consumption by anywhere from 70 to 90 per cent. In other words, if your electricity bill in a month is N10,000, you can reduce it to N3,000 if you use LED bulb as it conserves a lot of electricity. He also said that “for a hundred watts of regular bulb, if you have five watts of LED, it will serve you the same purpose, give you the same luminosity. So, at the end of the day, the whole country would benefit and what we are saying is this: If the whole of the country puts LED solutions into use, it will free us 1,200 megawatts of power for industry, manufacturing, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and consequently, leads to industrial revolution.” Local content Meanwhile, Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, has called for increased support for the development of ingenuous IT companies, saying that her ministry already had put in place a local content policy to support local companies. “Omatek is one of the IT companies that have continued to believe in the Nigerian dream. We would support local initatives such as the current one by Omatek in order to ensure that they grow to support the economy through their innovations,” she said. She also noted that a company such as Zinox, another local IT firm and a number of other IT companies in Nigeria, have come up with local innovations towards ensuring energy-saving technologies for the country. “We need to patronise these companies in order to make them grow as we know that the economy will also benefit from the cost reduction accruable from this kind of energy-saving solution in a country like ours where energy generation level is still below the demand by the economy,” she added. Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer, Omatek, Mrs. Florence Seriki, noted that all together, the solar initiatives would help in addressing Nigeria’s lingering energy generation and supply challenges.

‘Nigeria’s cloud tech market’s potential worth N20bn annually’

s the telecoms sector continues to grow, annual market potential for cloud computing or technology for business in Nigeria has been estimated at $100 million (about N20 billion) annually. This was disclosed by experts from a leading Information Technology firm, Kitskoo Cloud Services Limited, during a workshop organised for business community by the company in Lagos.

The workshop with the theme, ‘Love IT or Leave IT’, was organised to sensitise business community to how innovations in technology are shaping the way businesses relate with their customers and other key partners. At the heart of discussion at the forum was advocacy by Kitskoo to businesses to adopt cloud technological solutions, which can increase their returns on investment (RoI). Cloud computing is the

practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer. According to the Managing Director of Kitskoo Cloud Services Limited, Mr. Tunde TaniFafunwa, “cloud technology is the way to go for businesses these days. Rather than spend money on deploying their own infrastructures, businesses can actually outsource their IT as-

pect to a third party; business owners need to embrace payas-you-use IT services to drive their businesses.” He said that though the adoption of cloud computing in Nigeria could not be said to have grown significantly, “the market potential for cloud computing in Nigeria is well over $100 million per annum.” Tani-Fafunwa further said that, though the cost of going cloud does not come cheap, its

adoption has greater impact on the growth of the company’s returns. “So, Nigeria has about 17 million Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) currently. How many of them have adopted cloud technology? This category of businesses does not have the needed financial requirement to purchase their own IT infrastructure and even if they do, as SME, it is advisable to go by way of cloud computing.”

Business | ICT

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NCC to improve cable transmission pricing ANTI-COMPETITION The new rule would curb anti-competitive practices among telecoms firms Stories by Kunle Azeez

he Federal Government has begun plans to introduce a new pricing regime tar-

geted at achieving an effective cost-based cable transmission among telecom companies in Nigeria. The proposed pricing regime was contained in a study result presented by an audit firm, KPMG, at a Stakeholders Consultative Forum organised by telecoms industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in Lagos recently. KMPG is the consultant that has been working with the in-

dustry regulator on the determination of a cost-based transmission cable pricing regime, which will help in engendering an accelerated telecoms access across the country. Speaking at the forum, Executive Vice-Chairman, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, said that KPMG was contacted two years ago to carry out the study as part of the regulator’s oversight function to address competitive dynamics, pricing and related matters in cable transmission

L-R: Chief Operating Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Kurt Otto; General Manager, Marketing, Mr. Martin Mabutho and Director and Zonal Manager, Nigeria Copyright Commission, Mr. Chris Nkwocha, during the MultiChoice anti-piracy non-secure decoder crushing exercise in Lagos.

Women entrepreneurs receive ICT skills Ebere Ameh

omen entrepreneurs in Nigeria have been trained on new skills in Information and Communication Technology in order to allow them deploy ICT effectively for driving their business growths. The ICT capacity building workshop, which was a brainchild of Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC), a social enterprise that was set up in 2008 with the sole aim of empowering women and girls through Information Technology, was organised in conjunction with the United Sates Consulate General, Lagos; Union Bank of Nigeria; Leadway Assurance and Global shapers, Lagos. Participants were on hand with their laptops to learn the technological tools they can use to take their business to the next level. The first session taken by Dupe Darabidan of W.TEC, titled: “Business building blocks” was an interactive session, where the blocks were analysed as closely related to participants’ businesses. This was followed by the first talk delivered by Binta Adesida of Union Bank, titled: “Harnessing and utilising technology effectively for business success.”

“Starting managing and growing a business” was next, delivered by Osaru Alile of Caxton Designs. This was followed by “Social media for business,” another interactive session by Elda David Samuel of W.TEC. The interactive workshop saw the women writing a business plan using mind maps and later presenting their business portfolios and ideas using MS PowerPoint as presentation tool. Speaking to the press during the programme, the Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy, Mrs Rhonda Watson, said: “We are here to focus on how women entrepreneurs can prosper, using technology. The month of March is about women and we have deliberately focused on programmes to empower women. We are concerned about entrepreneurial women, not minding their class or social status. We are just interested in women who want to build their businesses.” With their strict policy of not allowing gadgets into the Consulate, the Public Affairs Section of the Consulate, out of their passion to empower women technologically, went out of their ways to obtain permission so that the women would be allowed in with their laptops.

pricing among operators. Juwah, who was represented by the Commission’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Dr. Okechukwu Itanyi, said that the move was informed by the need to tackle arbitrary and discriminatory pricings currently inherent in the transmission line market segment of the nation’s telecoms market. Juwah noted that the commission engaged the services of KPMG to ensure the execution of the project, whose implementation is guided by realities in the sector. He explained that presentation of findings from the study to stakeholders was to further prove the commission’s participatory regulation to gather opinions and inputs for best pricing regime in the sector’s cable transmission market. Juwah listed some of the issues raised by operators in the cable service bordering on discriminatory and arbitrary pricing, predatory pricing and denial of access to viable routes, among others. He said: “While the policy of government on communication is that appropriate prices should be determined by market competition, it also recognises the need for a journey from monopoly to full market competition. “As time goes on, there will come a period of transition, when competitive market forc-

es may be inadequate to bring about efficient market conduct and prices that are close to costs. In such situations, the policy provides that regulatory intervention goes into effect. “The above areas are reasons for NCC to embark on the cost study titled ‘Cost-Based Transmission Cable Pricing and Development of an Accounting Separation Framework /Retails Voice Tariff. “The essence of determining a cost-based transmission cable pricing and development is to enable an extremely high degree of frequency reuse, requires minimal frequency coordination, which allows links to be deployed close to one another without interference.” Speaking at the event, Head, Media, Telecoms and Technology, KPMG Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, also reiterated that the primary objective of the project was to develop a cost-based option for regulating the pricing of transmission cable in the Nigerian telecoms industry. According to him, the greatest challenge, encountered in the project, was access to data, as it took a year before accessing operators’ information. He said that having followed the best international best practices in carrying out the study, information given by the telecoms operators was used as benchmark in the proposed pricing regime.

Firm plans 4th Int’l Girls in ICT celebration

s part of the international campaign to encourage young girls to delve into ICT as a profession, eBusiness Life Communication Limited, publishers of eBusiness Life magazine, said it was ready to join the international community in celebrating the 2015 edition of the International girls in ICT day in Lagos. International girls’ in ICT day is an initiative launched through ITU Resolution 70 with the idea of creating a global environment that will empower and encourage girls and young women to consider careers in the field

of information and communication technologies. The ITU declared the 4th Thursday of April every year as a day of encouragement to girls and young women to consider careers in ICT, while other stakeholders are reminded to support them in their choice. In the past three years, eBusiness Life has organised the event annually in Nigeria, gathering young girls from different schools, to educate and sensitise them on the opportunities inherent in a profession in ICT. According to the Chief

Executive Officer of eBusiness Life Communication, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro, the need to sensitise young girls is premised on the fact that the society has unconsciously relegated the female gender and delegated careers in technical fields, especially in ICT, to their male counterparts. She noted that efforts should be made to introduce young girls to career opportunities in technical fields in both the public and private sectors to help them have a wide range of options and contribute their quota in the industry.

Samsung Galaxy S6 for Nigeria soon

amsung Electronics West Africa has commenced the pre-order campaign of its soon-to-beintroduced latest collection of smartphones, Galaxy S6 edge and S6 duos. The devices will be available in 32GB and 64GB for the S6 edge and 32GB for the S6 duos. Emmanouil Revmatas, Director of Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung, said that the Galaxy S6 edge and S6 duos represent new standards in design and performance, offering consumers an unmatched mobile experience.

“Samsung is in the business of making life easier, simpler and more productive, delivering smart innovations that will transform the way people work and play. These devices are as a result of relentless innovation aimed at providing our customers with the best in technology,” said Revmatas. The S6 series was first unveiled on March 1 at the Samsung Unpacked event held at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), Barcelona, Spain. The phones are a combination of beauty and power comparable to a piece

of fine jewelry. The Galaxy S6 duos is the dual sim version of the S6. Made out of a fusion of corning gorilla glass 4 and high tensile metal, the S6 edge features the world’s first dual curved glass display with an exquisite glass and metal finish giving it a refined look and feel. The device has a super fast charging feature that allows the device run for four hours on just ten minutes of charging and charges to full battery in about 85 minutes for the Galaxy S6 edge and just 80 minutes for the Galaxy S6 duos.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSday, APRIL 2, 2015

Photo | News

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

L–R: Chairman, Bishop’s Forum of Christian Ministers, Archbishop Michael Fadeyi; Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South West Chapter, Archbishop Magnus Adeyemi Atilade and Chairman, CAN, Lagos State, Apostle Alex Bamgbola, at the Christian Intercessory prayers for Peace in Nigeria, in Lagos. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

All Progressives Congress (APC) South-East Spokesperson, Comrade Osita Okechukwu (left) with party supporters jubilating in Enugu after Buhari’s presidential victory.

L-R: Chairman, Ward B, Ikosi-Isheri, Hon. Biliaminu Badmus; Lagos East lawmaker-elect, Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Ikosi-Isheri LCDA All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Chairman, Hon. Jegede Logun, at a press briefing, after the lawmaker was announced winner of the East Senatorial Election at Magodo, Lagos.

Celebration at the APC Headquarters in Abuja.

L-R: Marketing Director, Colgate East/West Africa, Chris Hill; Actress Benita Nzeribe; Vice-President, Colgate East/West Africa, Mr. Scotts Gieldert; Actress Uche Iwuji and Profession Manager, Colgate East/ West Africa, Cheslin Twigg, at the formal unveiling of Colgate MCP+SAN to consumers in Lagos.

Chairman Arik Air, Mr. Arumemi Johnson (left) with President/CEO, CFM International, Mr. Jean-Paul Ebanga, during his visit to Arik Air corporate headquarter in Lagos. PHOTO: ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

APC supporters celebrating the victory of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the presidential election, in Jos.

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

L-R: A beneficiary of the MTNF scholarship, Lawal Tolulope; Regional Trade Marketing Manager, SouthWest, MTN, Mr. Ogunjide Adebayo; Dean, Students Affairs, Federal College of Education, Special, Oyo Akinolu Oludiran and another beneficiary, Oluwwatoyosi Lawal, at the 16th convocation ceremony of the FCE, Special, Oyo town, Oyo State.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015

Mom&Parenting

Women: Thy own enemies! In a world where we’re all supposed to be ‘leaning in’ and supporting each other, there are still women out there who don’t get it. And we should be thankful for them, says Di Beddow, an educator and writer on Feminism. Also, Madeleine Albright, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, once noted that there is “a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women!” Oluwatosin Omoniyi reports

f the above statements were correct, it means that, that special place must have been awfully crowded especially in Nigeria where the only female presidential candidate of KOWA party, Oluremi Sonaiya did not get the support of her fellow women. Whether she got it or not, she displayed intelligence, focus, faith and determination, ignoring what reality posed before her- failure and intolerance for her and womanhood in general at the upper most helms of affairs. Unlike her male counterpart, Sonaiya, who holds a doctorate in linguistics, ran the presidential race without help from a godfather and without spending millions on campaigns. “I have a stake in Nigeria. I am qualified to run for the presidency of Nigeria…Like what Barack Obama said, he thought there was a skinny little black boy who thought that America had room for him. Well, this not so skinny woman thinks that Nigeria has a place for her, at the leadership level also,” she said. Unfortunately, Nigeria seems not ripe for such yet except to put them as ministers, director-general or commissioner, definitely not president or vice president According to Kemi Bibiresanmi, a lecturer, how can Sonaiya ever make it to the top? It is an established fact that Nigeria, like many other African countries, is not yet matured for that. “To tell the truth, I don’t trust us women enough to be good managers! We get easily intoxicated by power and get easily distracted. Presidency and in particular, Nigeria’s presidency is not something a woman can contain. I advise her to go back to school to lecture or the proverbial kitchen,” she said. Bibiresanmi added that for a first timer like Soniaya, she tried, gathering the type of votes she had all over the country but it’s quiet unfortunate that she is in a man’s field where she will definitely get choked up.

Mom&Parenting Team

Oluwatosin Omoniyi Coordinator

Prof. Sonaiya

Merkel

Johnson-Sirleaf

Janet Odukoya, a retired nurse, said that it is more of African mentality for a woman not to support her fellow woman. For her, she would have voted for Sonaiya but she dared not because of her matrimonial home. “I believe I should go the way of my husband and any other woman would agree with me. Honestly, we are not yet ripe for gender equality in Nigeria and Africa as a whole,” she said. For Toyin Adaranijo, a politician, it’s a long way for woman president and even governor in Nigeria. “So I decided not to waste my vote by voting for Sonaiya. I heard she is a good woman of integrity and honour but the Nigerian system would not allow her get there,” she said. Ada-

ranijo however commended Sonaiya for the number of votes she garnered all over the country. It’s an indication that we have started the process of women recognition gradually, according to her. According to Tayo Ogunlewe,an associate professor of the Lagos State University, LASU, Nigeria like other African countries may not be ripe for a woman leader indeed, but she can take a lesson from Brazil which has a woman president- Dilma Rousseff, Angela Merkel, Germany’s first female chancellor and so many others. These women, he said were adjudged to govern their countries efficiently and cautiously. Merkel, he analysed to be the world’s most powerful

Rousseff

woman that has governed with the utmost caution- one of the factors that put her into confrontations with Viladimar Putin of Russia and Obama of America. Not only that, she led her country to new prominence on the global stage. While Rousseff is serving her second term as Brazil president. “Liberian president, Ellen JohnsonSirleaf is the world’s first elected black female president. She is a very firm woman in power,” Ogunlewe said. For whatever reason, women all over the world particularly Nigerian women are not used to being supportive of their fellow women. They are ever envious, manipulative and by nature harsh to other women around them. Supporting the above statement is Adebayo Idowu, a feminist explained that most women are stuck with their men, hence, an allegiance in that direction. Secondly, envy is more pronounced in womanhood, so they go against one another. He concluded by advising women to take away inferiority complex which is the bane of their problems. Fadeke Uguru, educationist, stated some reasons for women being against women as: women react emotionally and not logically, “we are divided by our analysis of how we look and who our friends are,” she said. Uguru advised that women need to be able to think logically especially in professional sectors so as not to generate bad blood among themselves. “We need to focus on issues instead of being fixated on one another, material and marital status, e.t.c,” she said. Regarding the female presidential candidate, Uguru corroborated Adaranijo that Sonaiya did well enough to have gathered such number of votes but the country is just not ripe and ready for a female president. “Our husbands are another factor that would not give us the boldness to support her. We have to go their direction which is between the two common parties,” she explained.

Reasons women should help other women I believe I should go the way of my husband and any other woman would agree with me

Bonnie Low-Kramen, an international based career adviser stated thus: 1. Today’s coworkers could be tomorrow’s managers. More and more women are being promoted into executive roles, so do not underestimate any colleague’s ability to rise through the ranks. Build respectful, strong and authentic relationships with everyone – women and men. These relationships are like money in the bank that builds interest over time. 2. You’ll make more money. Enlist the support of female mentors who understand the ways to negotiate salary packages and have them help craft CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

40 Mom&Parenting

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

MOM’S ALERT with

Grace Essen

grace.essen@gmail.com

Burned out on religion?

T Women in workplace PHOTO:WWW.THETRENTONLINE.COM

Women: Thy own enemies CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 3 9

your own strategy. According to the Wharton School of Business, only 5% of women will negotiate a salary once it is offered. Why? One of the main reasons is that women fear not being liked if they negotiate. Let’s eliminate the fear and choose to like them, support them and admire them for pursuing the compensation they deserve. 3. Your powerful network will grow upward, laterally and exponentially. Men have been doing this on the golf course and at cigar bars for a long time. People do things for people, not companies. Need a new job? You will have plenty of women to call. Your son or daughter needs a job? Ditto! Need a resource fast? Shoot out a LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter message and watch how fast the answer comes back. Your network is where the real power lies. 4. Giving kudos privately and publicly is smart. Raising other women up and calling out their achievements elevates you too. In fact, it makes you look great, in part because it is done so seldom. Recognize the accomplishments of women in authentic ways and they will never forget it and others will notice too. Isn’t it nice to know that someone is noticing your hard work? Send a group email, a handwritten note, make an announcement at the staff meeting, but do something. 5. Women will like you. Be the woman who runs towards a problem, not away from it. Be the one who can be relied upon to stay late to hit a deadline and to do it with a smile and a positive attitude. Be a mentor. Speak truth to power. You are respectful, professional, discrete, and do not gossip. Do these things and you will be the woman who is not only liked but sought out when promotions are in the wind. 6. Paying it forward feels great. Women are nurturers by nature and gain gratification from feeling useful and needed. Offering help and support to another woman is still a fairly new experience for many who had been socialized to think that the way to succeed was to put your head down, stay isolated, and rise to the top by back-door manipulation. Now that more women are in charge, they see through these behaviors in a heartbeat and are opting for inclusion rather than exclusion. Train other women to be calmly assertive and direct rather than passive/aggressive. 7. It’s fun. Going out to dinner, having a spa afternoon, or working out together at the gym is not only smart business but great for friendships, not to mention chicken soup for your

PHOTO:WWW.ECUMENICALWOMEN.ORG

heart and soul. Sharing life’s problems over a meal or a treadmill can be cathartic as we allow other women to shine a light on possible solutions. Throw out the scorecards. 8. Woman are great leaders. When the US government almost shut down in October 2013, the crisis was averted by a group of Democratic women who pulled together with a group of Republican women to carve out a workable compromise. Learn from the best and then be a positive role model for others. 9. Women don’t forget – ever. Women will forgive but they will rarely forget. It’s in the hard wiring. Think about it. If you have ever been bullied or sexually harassed, you can most likely remember where you were, what you were wearing, and what was said - verbatim. Conversely, if a woman extends herself to another woman in a generous and selfless way, it will be remembered. The rewards come back in unexpected ways. You never know how these acts reverberate in the universe but bounce around they will. 10. Women helping other women is the right thing to do. While not the only factor, it is most definitely one of the major arteries on the road to success. After all, what are we all doing here if not to help one another? The old stereotypes about women are tired and frankly, boring. Life is hard. Work is hard. Let’s cut one another a break and give the overly competitive, passive/aggressive and martyr behaviors a permanent rest. It’s time. As Albright said, “To put it mildly, the world is a mess.” As natural leaders, women are quite used to handling messes.

ired. Wor n out. Burned out on religion. These words described the state we find ourselves sometimes. Being in full-time ‘mummy ministry’ year after year, running in and out of church services and dragging our families along with us; one on Sunday and then during the week, women fellowship meetings, women conferences, and all of that. We are ‘present’ because it has become tradition, we do not want to be asked: “Why we were not there?” At home, we are not resting on our oars: from teaching the children Bible stories and how they apply to us, to ensuring they pray daily, everyday, we get so tired, worn out, frazzled, numb on the inside and we begin to lose the real meaning behind those activities. Take a break? That is unheard-of. Not in this race. For me, in a way, this feels like living a double life. And when I can no longer keep up, all I want is to let it go. And that is exactly what I do. Only, I don’t let go by walking away from it all. I let go by learning to lean on God’s grace. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” These are the very words of our Lord in Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG). This invitation to let Him set the pace of our lives feels like it is written for you and I today, though those words were spoken about two thousand years ago. Recover your life ... real rest ... unforced ... free and light living. This lifestyle of fellowship with Him is the goal of the rhythms of grace. Rhythms of grace - a divine tempo for our lives, totally unforced. It’s really not about what we do or don’t do. It’s about Who is setting our pace. Think for a moment about rhythm and our most natural response to it - movement. Just like listening to a few playlists on your iPod when working out. There are different kinds of music for different kinds of movement, you know. When you engage in the slow and sustained movements of stretching, you want to listen to ethereal tunes or piano instrumentals. But when it comes to cardio workouts,

that sure won’t do. You need energy! So you pump your favorite hip hop artist into your headphones and there you go. Why? Because the rhythm makes you move. How you move - the speed, the motion, the duration is a response to the beat you are listening to. The rhythm of the music sets our workout pace, but when it comes to the pace of our lives, we have to ask, who is setting the rhythm? The answer depends on who has access to our ears, mind and heart at that moment. What tempo is playing the loudest in your ears right now? How would you describe your “movements” in response to that pace? We all have different responses when it comes to dealing with the demands and pressures of life. Some of us hop on the hamster wheel and keep going faster and faster, as if to outrun the pressure or even run away from it. Some feel totally helpless they just stop moving altogether. Others ignore them hoping they will somehow go away on their own. I understand each of those reactions and I have experienced them too. Somewhere between the hamster wheel and the full stop, there is a perfect pace - a rhythm that is custom fit for your life and the leg of race you are on right now. This perfect pace is God’s rhythm of grace for your life, His perfect tempo. We are encouraged as moms to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Our Father’s desire for all of His daughters is that we go the full distance of our life’s race, and not just crawl exhausted across the finish line. He wants us to enjoy the race and get to the end with our heads held high, a smile on our faces and our arms lifted high like winners that we are! Reaching that moment, dear friend, begins with keeping time with God’s perfect tempo for your life and not running ahead on your own, and running your heart out when you’re only half way gone. Why not take some time this holy weekend as we remember the painful death of our Lord on the cross, through to the resurrection Sunday, to slow down (possibly to a halt), and then find that perfect rhythm for your life so you can finish the race marked out for you with joy and wholeness. Grace Essen is the author of Successful Working Mom, president and founder Mum To Mum Support Initiative.

Business | Money Line 41

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015

CBN issues guidelines on mobile money services Regulations

Bank-led and Nonbank led models for implementation Tony Chukwunyem

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has published guidelines on mobile money services in the country. The guidelines posted on the apex bank’s website yesterday address business rules governing the operation of mobile money services, and specify functions expected of mobile payment service and solution providers. The guidelines also identify the participants, and define their expected roles and responsibilities in providing mobile money services in the system. According to the guidelines, the CBN has identified two models for the implementation of mobile money services. These are the, “Bank Led – Bank and/or its Consortium as Lead Initiator and the “Non-Bank LedA corporate organisation duly licensed by the CBN as Lead Initiator.” Under, the Bank-led Model, the guidelines stated that, “a bank either alone or a consortium of banks, whether or not partnering with other approved organizations, seek to deliver banking services, leveraging on the mobile payments system. This model shall be applicable in a scenario where the bank operates on stand-alone basis or in collaboration with other bank(s) and any other approved organization. The Lead Initiator shall be a bank or a consortium of banks.” The regulator further explained that the nonBank led model allows a corporate organization that has been duly licensed by the CBN to deliver mobile money services to customers. “The Lead Initiator shall be a corporate organization (other than a deposit money bank or a telecommunication company) specifically licensed by the CBN to provide mobile money services in Nigeria.” In addition, the CBN stated that Mobile Money Operators (MMOs) should institute detailed processes that cover the entire solution delivery, from user registration and management, agent recruitment and management, Consumer protection, dispute resolution procedures, Risk management processes,

... fixes shareholders’ fund for ‘Super Agents’ at N50m to transaction settlement. It further stipulated that other participants in the process such as banks have the responsibility of providing all financial services for the operation of the mobile payments service; verifying, approving and accounting for the credibility and integrity of their partner organizations; deployment and delivery of the mobile payment services to the customer; ensuring that

the mobile payment service meets all specified mobile payment standards as provided in the guidelines; putting in place adequate measures to mitigate all the risks that could arise; facilitating remittances to both scheme and non–scheme recipients and providing financial, clearing and settlement services to the mobile payments system. Meanwhile the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has pegged the minimum shareholders’

fund for Super Agents in Agent Banking at N50 million, according to the regulatory framework for licensing Super Agents that the apex bank posted on its website yesterday The guidelines stated that Super Agent must be a company with an existing business, operational for at least 12 months and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). It further stated that the agent must also have a minimum sharehold-

ers’ fund unimpaired by losses of N50 million and obtain a reference letter from a financial institution as part of its documentation for license request. The Super Agent, the CBN directive further said, must also have a minimum of 50 agents even as applications for such position shall be accompanied with board approval, certificate of incorporation, shareholding structure of the consortium, feasibility study

for the agent network, among other conditions. According to the guideline, “The Nigeria Interbank Settlement Scheme (NIBSS) shall provide the switching infrastructure to enable inter-scheme CICO at all agent locations. The super-agents’ platform shall be for the management and monitoring of the activities of their agents only and shall not hold electronic money value, whereas, the financial institutions shall provide and operate the Mobile Money platform and hold electronic money value.”

L-R: President, Nigerian Belgian Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Tunde Okoya; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Monitoring Board, Engr. Ernest Nwapa and Mr. Femi Tejuoso, at the Nigeria Belgian Chambers of Commerce breakfast meeting in Lagos.

Agbaje gives pass mark to GTB’s offshore subsidiaries Tony Chukwunyem

he Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank plc (GTBank), Mr. Segun Agbaje, has emphasized that the lender’s offshore subsidiaries are doing well. Speaking at the bank’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos recently, he dismissed suggestions that the units are not yet contributing sufficiently to the Group’s bottomline, pointing out that the bank’s subsidiary in East Africa was the first Nigeria company to record profit in its first year of operations in that part of the continent. He, however, noted that the lender’s unit in

Ivory Coast faced some challenges as a result of the political conditions in that country which impacted its performance last year. He, however, revealed that, “There will be management changes in the course of the year.” He said, “Over the years, Africa has emerged as an integral part of the world’s economy and will remain integral for us as well. Our ultimate objective is to create a long term franchise value and deliver superior franchise value and deliver superior value to our shareholders… We will continue to deepen our ability to navigate the complexities inherent in the ‘Africa opportunity’ and ensure our operations in Africa

remain profitable as we expand our reach to Mozambique and Tanzania in 2015” Also, in his last address to shareholders as Chairman of the bank, Mr. Egbert Imomoh, noted that the bank’s offshore subsidiaries had won several awards for superior performance. He cited GTBank Ghana which was recognized as the “2014 Best Bank in Product Innovation” and “2014 Technology Advance Bank of the Year”. In addition, the bank’s unit in Gambia, according to him, received two awards for superior service delivery. These include the “Service Provider of the Year 2014” and the “2014 Tax Compliant Bank of the Year.”

Buhari’s victory: Naira appreciates on parallel market

he naira firmed 0.46 percent to 217 against the dollar yesterday on the parallel market after General Muhammadu Buhari won the presidential election in Africa’s biggest economy, a black market dealer told Reuters. The dealer said he had seen little demand for dollar compared with before the polls. The interbank opened at N197 to the dollar, a level it had traded at since February, after the central bank pegged the rate, following a defacto devaluation. In a related development, dealers told Reuters that yields on Nigeria’s government bonds fell sharply yesterday with the 5-year bond down 101 basis points after the 2019 debt fell to 14.02 percent from 15.03 percent on Tuesday after Buhari was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Business | Financial Market News

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

1-Apr-15

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description 4.00 23-APR-2015 ^13.05 16-AUG-2016 ^15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

4.00 13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

535.00 581.39 476.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 54.00 600.00 499.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 254.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

5,023.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,639.88

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

23-Apr-15 16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

0.06 1.38 2.07 2.32 2.42 3.16 4.24 4.56 4.87 6.83 8.95 13.66 14.14 14.64 15.31 19.30

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

13.26 13.90 13.87 13.85 13.86 13.97 14.11 14.05 13.98 13.68 13.81 18.20 18.97 19.92 16.00 14.78

10.79 13.77 13.79 13.77 13.78 13.84 14.01 13.94 13.90 13.62 13.75 18.13 18.89 19.80 15.93 14.72

99.43 98.93 102.12 92.24 90.98 91.83 105.83 76.82 105.33 111.72 101.95 83.98 68.40 46.19 66.00 83.30

99.58 99.08 102.27 92.39 91.13 92.13 106.13 77.12 105.63 112.02 102.25 84.28 68.70 46.49 66.30 83.60

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.15 0.88 1.69 2.05 2.26

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 2.85

16.52 17.37 15.81 14.82 16.69

97.59 100.03 100.20 102.10 95.53

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.38

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

321.50

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.42

4.44

19.37

97.30

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.50

3.23

18.30

97.56

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.77

4.46

19.55

96.18

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.77

3.48

18.57

97.83

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.05

1.00

14.82

91.73

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.31

1.00

15.29

98.21

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.75

1.79

15.70

96.26

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

2.13

1.80

15.63

97.23

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.93

1.00

14.81

98.75

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.12

1.00

14.83

99.39

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.12

4.78

18.61

92.49

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.32

1.00

14.85

101.14

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

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 25.70

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

2.56 4.64 2.72

1.00 1.00 1.00

14.88 15.03 14.90

101.24 98.22 99.67

BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.17

1.00

14.97

Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.66

1.00

14.80

95.09

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.75

1.00

14.78

100.78

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.41

1.44

15.44

97.63

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.44

1.00

15.01

99.92

97.87

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

99.48

454.33 440.38

Corporate Bonds ‡ /Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.38

1.00

15.87

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.44

1.00

15.97

98.34

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.52

2.63

17.71

98.23

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.50

1.00

14.82

97.63

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.57

1.34

15.15

98.76

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.50

1.00

14.87

96.21

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.52

1.88

15.69

103.67

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.52

1.00

14.81

101.53

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.54

09-Sep-18

1.94

1.00

14.81

105.02

1.94

1.00

14.81

101.86

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.70

09-Sep-18

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.48

1.00

15.01

97.33

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

1.80

2.29

16.10

99.49

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.36

17-Feb-19

2.13

6.11

19.94

96.91

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.25

2.16

16.14

99.66

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.62

2.76

16.57

95.25

A/GCR

UBA

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021

30-Dec-14

16.45

30.50

30-Dec-21

6.75

1.13

14.70

107.26

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.50

1.00

15.14

84.07

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.50

1.00

15.14

90.62

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

162.73

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

161.12

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.87

1.00

14.92

89.27

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.75

1.00

15.01

86.55

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 21.92

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

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

5.73

5.50

104.97

106.12

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

5.14

4.88

99.95

100.71

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.99

5.83

102.45

103.52

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,536.87

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

124.38

48.00

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

7.84

5.96

99.63

101.63

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

11.28

92.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

13.20

11.96

84.35

87.17

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

7.59

7.32

95.08

95.90

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

39.33

43.63

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

8.56

92.24

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

14.41

13.56

82.83

85.14

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

13.44

80.00

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

AFREN PLC III ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

6.63 DEC 09, 2020 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

09-Dec-13 24-Jun-14 23-Jul-14

6.63 9.25 8.00

360.00 400.00 450.00

09-Dec-20 24-Jun-21 23-Jul-21

25.16 13.64 13.62

25.16 13.02 13.62

45.50 81.89 76.00

45.50 84.17 76.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.99

10.48

89.13

91.25

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,723.42

**Treasury Bills^ DTM 8 15 22 29 36 43 50 64

FIXINGS Maturity 9-Apr-15 16-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 30-Apr-15 7-May-15 14-May-15 21-May-15 4-Jun-15

Bid Discount (%) 10.16 13.09 13.14 12.91 10.02 13.56 13.77 13.53

Offer Discount (%) 9.91 12.84 12.89 12.66 9.77 13.31 13.52 13.28

Bid Yield (%) 10.18 13.16 13.24 13.04 10.12 13.78 14.03 13.85

Money Market Tenor

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 13.6683 15.5486 16.6926 17.5973

Rate (%)

OBB

13.46

O/N

13.88

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 13.25 13.50

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

199.06 201.81 202.13 202.87 204.24 205.60

199.16 201.93 202.28 203.37 205.31 207.21

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.38

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

321.50

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.42

4.44

19.37

97.30

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.50

3.23

18.30

97.56

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.77

4.46

19.55

96.18

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.77

3.48

18.57

97.83

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.05

1.00

14.82

91.73

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.31

1.00

15.29

98.21

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.75

1.79

15.70

96.26

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

2.13

1.80

15.63

97.23

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 ‡ /Agusto EDO ‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

Business | Financial Market News

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.93

1.00

14.81

98.75

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.12

1.00

14.83

99.39

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.12

4.78

18.61

92.49

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.32

1.00

14.85

101.14

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

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 25.70

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

2.56 4.64 2.72

1.00 1.00 1.00

14.88 15.03 14.90

101.24 98.22 99.67

BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.17

1.00

14.97

99.48

Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

98.23

NSE reviews composition of Lotus Islamic Index ment made13.50 available by NSE LII in July 2012. 27-Nov-13 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 EVALUATION 31-Dec-13 A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI 15.00 KOGI of 31-DEC-2020 the management the The index consists of 31-Dec-13 ‡ /Agusto *EKITI 14.50review EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 Exchange, the be- companies in conformity NSE repositions for*NASARAWAcame expedient 06-Jan-14 A-/GCR 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 following with the principles of TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE ethically minded the expected merger of Shari’ah and was the first TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Lafarge Cement Plc and index created to track the investors Corporate Bonds Ashaka Cement Plc later performance of Shari’ah UPDC 17-AUG-2015 compliant equities on 17-Aug-10 ‡ /Agusto *UPDC the in the year.10.00 The recomFLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 BBB-/Agusto 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS floor of the exchange. position of 12.00 these indices Stories by Chris Ugwu 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB/GCR 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS after the review will be Investment instru13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 29-Sep-11 NAHCO effective on14.25 Wednesday , ments like Exchange25-Oct-13 TradNigerian FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto he FSDH A/GCR 30-Sep-10 UBA Stock Exchange April 1, 2015.13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 ed Funds (ETFs) were built 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR (NSE) yesterday 30-Nov-12 *C & I LEASING The Nigerian Stock on the Index which ethicalDANA 9-APR-2018 09-Apr-11 Nil announced *DANA the Exchange inMPR+7.00 partnership ly minded investors,09-Sep-11 both MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR *TOWER with Lotus Capital Limitin Nigeria and overseas, review of The NSE Lotus MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR *TOWER cer- can invest in. Islamic Index (NSE LII) to ed began publishing 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 A/Agusto; A/GCR 22-Sep-11 UBA 15.75compliant LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 A total of 62,000,000 Bbb+/Agusto;with BBB+/GCR 18-Oct-13 CASERAtified Shari’ah coincide the end*LAof MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR Index known as the “NSE units of Lotus Halal17-Feb-12 Equithe first quarter 2015.*CHELLARAMS 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 01-Apr-14 Nil *DANA Lotus Islamic Index or ty ETF were last NovemAccording to a state15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 14-Nov-13 NAHCO

#{r}

A/GCR

UBA

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021

30-Dec-14

16.45

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

Custodian and Allied posts N5.15b profit

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

14-Aug-14

17.71

1.00

14.82

97.63

25-Oct-16

1.57

1.34

15.15

98.76

30-Sep-17

2.50

1.00

14.87

96.21

30-Nov-17

1.52

1.88

15.69

103.67

09-Apr-18

1.52

1.00

14.81

101.53

09-Sep-18

1.94

1.00

14.81

105.02

10.99

10.48

89.13

91.25

12.00 12.95

24.95 21.92 Outstanding Value ($mm)

500.00 500.00 500.00

1,500.00 1,536.87

450.00 500.00 350.00 300.00 400.00 300.00 500.00 200.00 300.00 360.00 400.00 450.00 250.00

14-Aug-21

4,760.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

2.63

1.50

angote Industries drawing 101.86 on the 1.94 1.00 ration, 14.81 Limited 3.48 has an- 1.00 strengths 22-Sep-18 15.01and competenc97.33 18-Oct-18 16.10 99.49Dannounced1.80 a multi- 2.29 es of both companies. 17-Feb-19 2.13 19.94 96.91 million dollar joint ven- 6.11 gote’s financial strength, 01-Apr-19 3.25 2.16 16.14 99.66 ture agreement with expertise and standing in 14-Nov-20 5.62 2.76 16.57 95.25 Saipem, en- 1.13 the sub–Saharan African 30-Dec-21 the Italian 6.75 14.70 107.26 gineering and construcwill complement 30-Sep-24 9.50 1.00 market15.14 84.07 30-Sep-24 9.50 1.00 Saipem’s 15.14 90.62 tion giants. unique capabiliThe agreement has given ties in E & C birth to a new company He said the new partnernamedSaipem-DangoteE&C. ship confirmed the shared A statement from Dan- 1.00 commitment of the two 11-Feb-18 2.87 14.92 89.27 gote Group described groups to both the Nigerian 01-Feb-21 4.75 1.00 15.01 86.55 Saipem-Dangote E&C as market and sub-Saharan a significant new player in Africa more widely. the Nigerian and Central/ Edwin said: “We are that our partWest African market Maturity Date Bid Yield (%)with Offer Yieldconfident (%) Bid Price Offer Price high technical and finan- nership with Saipem will Prices & Yields us as a major cial capabilities. position player in the oil106.12 & gas The statement quoted 28-Jan-21 5.73 5.50 104.97 Group Executive Director, sector. 12-Jul-18 99.95 100.71 Dangote Group, 5.14 Mr. Deva- 4.88 “Dangote’s financial kumar 12-Jul-23Edwin, as 5.99 saying 5.83 strength, 102.45expertise 103.52 and that the new company standing in the sub–Saaims to secure complex haran African market engineering and con- will complement Saipem’s struction projects and to unique capabilities in E & execute the high-124.38C in developing new 01-Feb-16them at 124.38 48.00 48.00busiest19-May-16 levels of efficiency in 5.96 ness. Saipem values 7.84 99.63 101.63 the terms of costs and of its92.00 clients 25-Jul-17 11.28timing,11.28satisfaction 92.00 02-May-18 13.20 suffi-11.96in the 84.35 87.17 while maintaining energy industry , 08-Nov-18 7.59adapt to 7.32 tackling 95.08 95.90 each challenge cient flexibility to 08-Apr-19 project 39.33 43.63 reliable 43.63 and different require-39.33with safe, 22-Apr-19 8.56 8.56 92.24 92.24 innovative solutions. ments. 21-May-19 14.41 13.56 82.83 85.14 Dangote Industries and Edwin noted that 07-Aug-20 13.44 13.44 80.00 80.00 Saipem and Dangote Saipem shall gain mutual 09-Dec-20 25.16 25.16 45.50 45.50 group had a track from this partner24-Jun-21 13.64 record13.02benefit 81.89 84.17 76.00 of 23-Jul-21 successful 13.62 collabo-13.62ship.” 76.00

161.12

8.75

0.52

09-Sep-18

162.73

of Directors has proposed the lion compared with N45.6 bila wholly owned Nigepayment of an additional 12 lion reported as at June 30, Supranational Bond share as final divi- 2013. rian investmentIFC holding kobo per 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P 11-Feb-13 10.20 company quoted on the Nigedend thus making a total diviThe Company’s Chief11.25 Fi11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P AfDB 10-Jul-14 rian Stock Exchange with in- dend of 18 kobo per share in nance Officer, Mr. Ademola TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE vestments in general and life respect of the results of 2014 Ajuwon, in a statement made TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION insurance, pension fund ad- financial year. available to the media, said had transministration, trusteeship andIssuer It noted that Custodian con- the results Description Rating/Agency Issue Date been Coupon (%) property holding businesses, tinues to maintain its leader- mitted to the Nigerian Stock FGNposted Eurobonds has a 19 per cent growth ship position in the Other Fi- Exchange (NSE). He observed inBB-/Fitch; pre-tax profit. nancial Services sector while that the improved result 6.75 was 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 B+/S&P 07-Oct-11 The results demonstrate its subsidiaries lead in their achieved on the back of favorBB-/Fitch; 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 12-Jul-13 5.13 BB-/S&P Custodian’s resilience in aFGN respective subsectors. able underwriting income BB-/Fitch; challenging operating enviThe underwriting firm had from the insurance subsidiar6.38 JUL 12, 2023 12-Jul-13 6.38 BB-/S&P ronment and shows that the announced an unaudited prof- ies and remarkable efficiency TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE group’s total assets base rose it before tax of N2.751 billion gains group wide. MARKET CAPITALISATION toTOTAL N48.9 billion while profit and profit after tax of N2.276 According to the Group before tax and profit after tax billion for the half year period Managing Director, Mr. Wole Corporate Eurobonds were N4.09 ended June 30, 2014. Oshin, the performance 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B/Fitch;N5.15 B-/S&P billion and AFREN PLC I 01-Feb-11 11.50 concrete terms, billion respectively, indicating The result represents an presents in 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I 19-May-11 7.50 the result 25-Jul-12 of the company’s a B+/S&P year on year growth ACCESS of 19 per per 7.25 JUL 25, cent 2017 BANK PLCincrease of over 100 7.25 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; FIDELITY BANK PLC 09-May-13 6.88 unwavering customer focus, cent inB/S&P profit before tax. over the N1.137 billion profit 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC 08-Nov-13 systems, 6.00 The company in a statement after tax recorded6.00 inNOV the cor- comprehensive pro08, 2019 B/Fitch that in furtherance AFREN 10.25 noted ofPLC itsII responding period10.25 of APR 2013. cesses and08-Apr-12 operations integra6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC 22-Apr-14 6.25 commitment to regular diviSimilarly, shareholders’ tion; coupled with unrelenting 8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC 21-May-14 8.75 dend payment to shareholdfunds grew by 9.34 per cent to commitment to its corporate 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC 07-Aug-13 8.25 bil- ideal of exceeding ers, anB/S&P interim dividend ofIII N20.88 billion from6.63N19.09 customers DEC 09, 2020 B-/Fitch; AFREN PLC 09-Dec-13 6.63 as at June while six kobo per share wasACCESS paidBANK in PLClion and other stakeholders’ expec9.25/6M30, USD2013, LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P II 24-Jun-14 9.25 8.00/2Y USD JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P 2014 and the FIRST BANK LTD total assets stood 23-Jul-14 8.00 atSWAP+6.488 N48.2 bilSeptember, Board tations at all times. TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION ustodian and Allied Plc,

06-Jan-16

29-Sep-16

Dangote, Saipem announce joint venture in Central, W’Africa

30.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

B-/S&P

at all times for investors. market may 27-Nov-20 5.66 1.00 ondary14.80 95.09 pur31-Dec-20 5.75 1.00 chase/sell 14.78 units of 100.78 More so, the company Lotus 31-Dec-20 3.41 daily 1.44 Halal Equity 15.44 disclosed that the ETF97.63 securi06-Jan-21 3.44 15.01 99.92 price movement would 1.00 ties through the process be determined by the of creation/redemption, forces of demand and subject to a minimum creation/redemption supply. 17-Aug-15 0.38 choose 1.00 value threshold 15.87 “Investors who of97.87 a block 98.34 not09-Dec-15 to trade on0.44the sec- 1.00 of ETF 15.97 units,” it noted.

ber listed of the 13.50 at 1/200th87.50 5.00at a value 15.00 of the NSELII 14.50 lot of one 4.55 minimum unit on the15.00 Exchange. 4.56 454.33 An ETF, the company 440.38 defined, is a security that tracks the performance of 10.00 basket of assets 2.50 an index, 12.00 18.75 or a commodity , which 14.00 0.42 gives a13.00 convenient way to 15.00 purchase 14.25 a broad basket 5.53 13.00 of securities in a 20.00 single 18.00 0.64 transaction. 16.00 6.30 Consequently , Vetiva Se18.00 2.54 curities Limited, the mar16.00 0.70 ket maker 14.00 of the Lotus 35.00Ha15.75 Equity Traded 2.40 lal Equity 18.00 0.36 Fund (ETF), said it would 16.00 4.50 strive 15.25 to provide liquidity 2.05

1-Apr-15

3,723.42

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute **Treasury Bills^ FIXINGS Money Market Exchange (Spot & Forwards) 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 accurateForeign or up to date. We do not guarantee DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor (%) NIBOR the accuracy,8timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of9.91 any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on theRate basis of the Information. 9-Apr-15 10.16 10.18 15 16-Apr-15 22 23-Apr-15 30-Apr-15 FGN Bonds 29 36 7-May-15 43 14-May-15 Rating/Agency Issuer 50 21-May-15 64 4-Jun-15 71 11-Jun-15 85 25-Jun-15 92 2-Jul-15 106 16-Jul-15 113 23-Jul-15 120 30-Jul-15 127 6-Aug-15 134 13-Aug-15 148 27-Aug-15 NA NA 155 3-Sep-15 162 10-Sep-15 176 24-Sep-15 183 1-Oct-15 197 15-Oct-15 246 3-Dec-15 260 17-Dec-15 281 7-Jan-16 295 21-Jan-16 309 4-Feb-16 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 323 18-Feb-16 TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 3-Mar-16 337 351

13.09 13.14 12.91 10.02 13.56 Description 13.77 13.53 4.00 23-APR-2015 13.70 13.69 ^13.05 16-AUG-2016 13.90 ^15.10 27-APR-2017 14.50 9.85 27-JUL-2017 13.37 9.35 31-AUG-2017 13.51 10.70 30-MAY-2018 13.63 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 14.02 7.00 23-OCT-2019 11.80 15.54 13-FEB-2020 13.82 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 13.93 14.19 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 14.02 15.00 28-NOV-2028 14.15 12.49 22-MAY-2029 13.04 8.50 20-NOV-2029 13.42 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 13.70 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 14.35 13.70 13.82 13.64

17-Mar-16

12.84 12.89 12.66 9.77 13.31 Issue 13.52Date 13.28 23-Apr-10 13.45 13.44 16-Aug-13 13.65 27-Apr-12 14.25 27-Jul-07 13.12 31-Aug-07 13.26 30-May-08 13.38 29-Jun-12 13.77 23-Oct-09 11.55 13-Feb-15 13.57 27-Jan-12 13.68 13.94 14-Mar-14 13.77 28-Nov-08 13.90 22-May-09 12.79 20-Nov-09 13.17 23-Jul-10 13.45 18-Jul-14 14.10 13.45 13.57 13.39

13.13

358 24-Mar-16 13.62 *for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated Rating/Agency Issuer and not the duration

12.88

Description

Bonds

13.16 13.24 13.04 10.12 13.78 Coupon 14.03 (%) 13.85 4.00 14.08 14.14 13.05 14.40 15.10 15.14 9.85 13.94 9.35 14.14 10.70 14.31 16.00 14.78 7.00 12.39 15.54 14.68 16.39 14.85 15.23 14.20 15.08 15.00 15.32 12.49 14.30 8.50 14.84 10.00 15.32 12.1493 16.23 15.49 15.75 15.60

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M Outstanding

(N'bn)

Value

OBB

Rate (%) 13.6683 15.5486 16.6926 17.5973

13.46

O/N Tenor

Maturity Date

535.00 23-Apr-15 NITTY 581.39 16-Aug-16 Tenor Rate (%) 476.80 27-Apr-17 1M 12.9270 20.00 27-Jul-17 2M 13.9183 100.00 31-Aug-17 3M 14.5480 300.00 30-May-18 6M 15.2693 351.30 29-Jun-19 9M 15.3256 233.90 23-Oct-19 12M 15.5251 54.00 13-Feb-20 600.00 27-Jan-22 499.68 14-Mar-24 NIFEX 75.00 28-Nov-28 Current Price ($/N) 150.00 22-May-29 BID($/N) 200.00 199.0000 20-Nov-29 OFFER ($/N) 199.1000 591.57 23-Jul-30 254.50 18-Jul-34

13.88

REPO

TTM Call(Yrs) 1M 0.06 3M 6M 1.38

Rate (%)

Bid13.25 Yield (%) 13.50 13.26 13.75 14.00 13.90

Spot 7D 14D 1M Offer Yield 2M (%) 3M 10.79 6M 1Y 13.77

2.07 13.87 13.79 2.32 13.85 13.77 2.42 13.86 13.78 :Benchmarks 3.16 13.97 13.84 * :Amortising Bond 4.24 14.11 14.01 µ :Convertible Bond 4.56 Management Corporation 14.05 13.94 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 4.87Government of Nigeria 13.98 13.90 FGN: Federal 6.83 Mortgage Bank13.68 13.62 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria IFC: International 8.95 Finance Corporation 13.81 13.75 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 13.66 18.20 18.13 NAHCO: Nigerian 14.14 Aviation Handling 18.97 Company 18.89 O/N: Overnight 14.64 19.92 19.80 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 15.31 16.00 15.93 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 19.30 14.78 14.72 NOTE:

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

199.06 199.16 201.81 Price 201.93 202.13 202.28 202.87 203.37 Bid Price Offer Price 204.24 205.31 205.60 207.21 99.43 99.58 206.28 213.47 220.29 226.27 98.93 99.08

102.12 102.27 92.24 92.39 90.98 91.13 NA :Not Applicable 91.83 92.13 ^ : Market Prices 105.83 106.13 # : Floating Rate Bond 76.82coupon bonds 77.12 ***: Deferred 105.33 105.63 111.72 112.02 ‡ : Bond rating under review †: Bond101.95 rating expired 102.25 N/A :Not83.98 Available 84.28 {r} :Issuer in receivership 68.70 68.40 46.19 46.49 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 66.00 66.30 UBA: United Bank for Africa 83.30 83.60

5,023.13 4,639.88

15.02

13.37

Tenor

15.72

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

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

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.15 0.88 1.69 2.05 2.26

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 2.85

16.52 17.37 15.81 14.82 16.69

97.59 100.03 100.20 102.10 95.53

Agency Bonds

FMBN ***LCRM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Modified Duration Buckets

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

‡ /Agusto

EDO

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

3<5 >5 Market

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 Porfolio Market Value(Bn)

1,433.81 1,179.72 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 602.43 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 3,215.96 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

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

Total Outstanding Volume(Bn)

Weighting by Outstanding Vol

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 FGN BOND 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

Weighting by Mkt Value

24.56 2.40 112.22 INDEX116.70 66.49

322.38

Bucket Weighting

321.50

% Exposure_ Mod_Duration

Implied Yield

Implied Portfolio Price

INDEX

YTD Return (%)

1,409.48

42.01

44.58

0.42

20.13

13.98

103.7258

1,162.14

4.9004

1,099.68

32.78 31-Aug-10 25.22 30-Sep-10 100.00 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11

36.68

0.33

39.08 31-Aug-15 40.78 30-Sep-15 100.00 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18

13.74 0.42 15.55 0.50 14.53 0.77 0.77 2.05 1.31 2.75 2.13 1.93 2.12

103.3939 4.44 71.6666 3.23 95.5329 4.46 3.48 1.00 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00

1,031.67 19.37 1,007.28 18.30 1,079.51 19.55 18.57 14.82 15.29 15.70 15.63 14.81 14.83

1.8866 97.30 0.0262 97.56 2.3057

846.07 3,355.23

12.50 18.73

13.00100.00 14.00

8.50 0.25 2.16 1.00 4.86

15.50

5.73

10.00

57.00

13.75

25.73

14.00

25.00

14.00

30.81

14.00

9.00

14.50

13.73

96.18 97.83 91.73 98.21 96.26 97.23 98.75 99.39

Business | Capital Market

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Daily Summary as of 01/04/2015

Daily Summary as of 01/04/2015 Printed 01/04/2015 14:44:22.022

Printed 01/04/2015 14:44:22.022

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at April 1, 2015 Daily Summary (Bonds)

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board DEBT

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Corporate Bonds/Debentures

Bond Name 14.25% FCM NOV 2021 Corporate Bonds/Debentures Totals

Symbol FCM2021S1

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 100.00

Quantity Traded 12,000 12000

Value Traded 12,632,983.43 12,632,983.43

Bond Name 14.50% LAB NOV 2019 State and Local Totals

Symbol LAB2019S1

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 99.95

Quantity Traded 4,500 4500

Value Traded 4,737,494.16 4,737,494.16

State and Local

DEBT Board Totals

Bond Activity Totals

16,500

17,370,477.59

16500

17,370,477.59

FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Healthcare Providers Totals Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. Medical Supplies Totals Pharmaceuticals Daily Summary as of 01/04/2015 EVANS MEDICAL PLC. Printed 01/04/2015 14:44:22.022 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO

Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Totals Activity Summary on Specialties Board EQTY

No. of Deals 6 70 27 103

Current Price 0.50 29.75 29.17

Quantity Traded 171,000 1,455,656 755,398 2,382,054

Value Traded 85,500.00 41,872,816.91 22,023,741.82 63,982,058.73

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals

Current Price 2.37

Quantity Traded 801,017 801,017

Value Traded 1,875,276.59 1,875,276.59

LIVESTOCK

30 30

Page 3,183,071

133

CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Symbol AGLEVENT JOHNHOLT TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 2 1 63 104 170

CONGLOMERATES Totals

Current Price 1.24 0.94 3.45 35.72

170

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

Quantity Traded 7,279 100 7,281,940 22,445,613 29,734,932

Value Traded 9,028.90 94.00 25,114,483.00 801,713,107.96 826,836,713.86 826,836,713.86

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 0.67

Quantity Traded 932,061 932,061

Value Traded 617,740.44 617,740.44

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 58 58

Current Price 47.25

Quantity Traded 1,009,998 1,009,998

Value Traded 47,641,106.92 47,641,106.92

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 10.60

Quantity Traded 120,000 120,000

Value Traded 1,272,000.00 1,272,000.00

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 10.00

Quantity Traded 100

Value Traded 1,000.00

Daily Summary as of 01/04/2015 JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Printed 01/04/2015 14:44:22.022 Construction Totals Infrastructure/Heavy

Daily Summary (Equities)

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

Symbol UPDCREIT

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST ActivityUPDC Summary on Board EQTY

Page

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

Symbol

No. of Deals 1

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

Current Price

CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

Quantity Traded 100

Value Traded 1,000.00

2,062,159

49,531,847.36

Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 8 8

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 705,130 705,130

Value Traded 352,565.00 352,565.00

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

No. of Deals 10 10 19 56 95

Current Price 7.37 138.79 20.83 158.34

Quantity Traded 242,500 65,665 8,461,267 5,114,882 13,884,314

Value Traded 1,787,225.00 9,113,645.35 175,925,438.53 809,873,677.08 996,699,985.96

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC.

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 156.00

Quantity Traded 31,855 31,855

Value Traded 5,044,994.98 5,044,994.98

No. of Deals 10 57 204 37

Current Price 3.88 7.74 36.92 3.15

Quantity Traded 142,862 5,725,426 6,402,571 3,907,026

Value Traded 581,448.34 44,013,109.71 236,350,011.32 12,238,131.90

Symbol NASCON NNFM

No. of Deals 30 6 344

Current Price 7.87 18.05

Page Quantity Traded 5,257,300 10,456 21,445,641

41,374,951.00 190,464.40 334,748,116.67

Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 86 25 111

Current Price 39.52 892.00

Quantity Traded 1,593,641 51,546 1,645,187

Value Traded 65,301,859.45 45,930,954.96 111,232,814.41

Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 25 3 28

Current Price 4.10 0.85

Quantity Traded 3,102,000 41,234 3,143,234

Value Traded 12,692,580.00 37,138.26 12,729,718.26

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

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 22 60 82

Current Price 29.19 44.80

Quantity Traded 478,259 1,019,175 1,497,434

Value Traded 13,959,755.33 45,734,452.56 59,694,207.89

42,352,795

1,520,502,403.17

Quantity Traded 123,843,088 65,613,060

Value Traded 831,518,913.98 292,628,207.60

Daily Summary as of 01/04/2015 Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Printed 01/04/2015 14:44:22.022

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol DANGFLOUR

Daily Summary (Equities) DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR

CONSUMER GOODS

NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Food Products Totals

Daily Summary as of 01/04/2015 CONSUMER GOODS Totals Printed 01/04/2015 14:44:22.022 FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC

689 Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 279 97 DailyDIAMONDBNK Summary (Equities)

Current Price 6.69 4.46

Page

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. Daily Summary as of 01/04/2015 SKYE BANK PLC Printed 01/04/2015 14:44:22.022 STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC

Symbol No. of Deals ETI 25 FIDELITYBK 28 GUARANTY 125 SKYEBANK 81 STERLNBANK 97 UBA 128 UBN 32 Daily Summary (Equities) UNITYBNK 7

Current Price 18.90 1.89 28.93 2.64 2.37 4.47 10.66 0.50

Quantity Traded 490,752 16,963,354 80,655,887 16,472,994 13,774,441 33,831,590 740,235 579,200

No. of Deals 82 104 1,085

Current Price 1.02 23.12 Current Price 0.94 0.94 0.50 0.53 3.05 0.72 0.50 0.54

Quantity Traded 1,386,211 6,600,805 70,250 573,554 87,231 68,500 100 2,315,020 11,101,671

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

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 1.03

Quantity Traded Page 592,627 592,627

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC.

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX

No. of Deals 32 29 1,040 267 1

Current Price 2.84 4.12 9.57 3.17 0.52

Quantity Traded 1,825,107 2,293,678 191,937,741 110,609,716 51,000 Page

Value Traded 86.50 86.50

No. of Deals 19 45 6 9 (Equities) 8 87

Current Price 2.05 3.58 46.30 1.59 0.73

Quantity Traded 65,078 1,335,035 64,149 106,839 50,989 1,622,090

Value Traded 127,185.30 4,901,156.80 2,970,098.70 169,874.01 38,751.64 8,207,066.45

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER Daily Summary NEIMETH

18,207,152.95

Current Price 4.00 12.19

Quantity Traded 1,000 450 1,450

Value Traded 3,800.00 5,485.50 9,285.50

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 50.00 50.00

175,578

96,349.50

No. of Deals 17 4 16 45 11 3 (Equities) 4 40 140

Current Price 21.40 8.40 34.00 12.60 176.40 0.83 1.40 92.61

Quantity Traded 286,929 188,550 27,558 1,143,133 270,078 24,490 15,618 2,323,211 4,279,567

Value Traded 6,139,775.60 1,583,820.00 983,820.60 13,961,240.60 47,448,559.20 19,347.10 21,267.32 214,447,037.06 284,604,867.48

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.59

Quantity Traded 155,500 155,500

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 23.69

Quantity Traded 50,000 50,000

Value Traded 1,184,500.00 1,184,500.00

4,485,067

286,036,577.48

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

Integrated Oil and Gas Services

Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. Daily Summary as of 01/04/2015 MOBIL14:44:22.022 OIL NIG PLC. Printed 01/04/2015 MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production

SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Activity Summary on Board EQTY OIL AND GAS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Exploration and Production Exploration and Production Totals

174,028

9 Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER Daily Summary PAINTCOM WAPCO

87,014.00

Page

143

Value Traded 247,210.00 247,210.00

Symbol ALEX

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 10.43

Quantity Traded 50 50

Value Traded 547.50 547.50

Symbol

No. of Deals

Current Price

Quantity Traded

Value Traded

Symbol THOMASWY

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.73

Quantity Traded 1,687 1,687

Value Traded 1,180.90 1,180.90

1,737

1,728.40

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 215,200 215,200

Value Traded 107,600.00 107,600.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 176 176

Current Price 15.98

Quantity Traded Page 13,215,215 13,215,215

Value Traded 9 of 13 210,681,811.74 210,681,811.74

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 22 16 40 37 5 86 206

Current Price 39.13 3.20 195.22 167.94 50.54 180.01

Quantity Traded 130,945 412,267 120,262 240,973 12,934 612,574 1,529,955

Value Traded 5,483,900.00 1,319,254.40 23,474,760.64 40,310,726.88 621,090.68 111,782,891.30 182,992,623.90

No. of Deals 69

Current Price 429.50

Quantity Traded 1,238,980

Value Traded 534,883,677.15

Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol SEPLAT

10 of 13 Value Traded 534,883,677.15

No. of Deals 69

16,199,350

928,665,712.79

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.76

Quantity Traded 405,417 405,417

Value Traded 308,116.92 308,116.92

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 1 4 5

Current Price 3.60 1.29

Quantity Traded 500 157,500 158,000

Value Traded 1,890.00 199,875.00 201,765.00

Employment Solutions

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 17 17

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,260,350 1,260,350

Value Traded 639,815.00 639,815.00

Symbol TANTALIZER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 200 200

Value Traded 100.00 100.00

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 33 33

Current Price 4.68

Quantity Traded 795,303 795,303

Value Traded 3,524,181.84 3,524,181.84

Symbol LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 4 5 9

Current Price 1.17 4.70

Quantity Traded Page 60,500 45,934 106,434

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 8 8

Current Price 0.57

Quantity Traded 806,888 806,888

Value Traded 456,026.16 456,026.16

Transport-Related Services NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Symbol NAHCO

No. of Deals 48 48

Current Price 6.30

Quantity Traded 1,287,275 1,287,275

Value Traded 8,076,064.28 8,076,064.28

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 3.15

Quantity Traded 249,893 249,893

Value Traded 786,885.09 786,885.09

137

5,069,760

14,266,585.49

4,608

881,523,093

10,938,123,257.03

Quantity Traded 61,765 61,765

Value Traded 94,072.20 94,072.20

SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

Daily Summary of 01/04/2015 C &as I LEASING PLC. Printed 01/04/2015 14:44:22.022 Employment Solutions Totals Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC Hospitality Totals Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES

LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Daily Summary as of 01/04/2015 Support and Logistics Printed 01/04/2015 14:44:22.022 CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC

SERVICES Totals

456

Daily Summary (Equities)

EQTY Board Totals

Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 1,238,980

Symbol

OIL AND GAS Totals

Symbol MCNICHOLS

No. of Deals 3 3

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Equity Activity Totals

21,622,140

No. of Deals 1 1 2

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

Value Traded 5,127,223.88 9,933,478.75 1,838,235,279.42 349,306,827.08 26,520.00 of

Quantity Traded 50 50

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

Value Traded of 13 598,021.00 598,021.00

Current Price 1.82

Symbol CWG NCR

NATURAL RESOURCES Paper/Forest Products THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. Paper/Forest Products Totals

Value Traded 1,271,445.48 6,039,676.70 35,125.00 308,088.92 279,139.20 49,320.00 50.00 1,244,910.80 9,227,756.10

No. of Deals 23 15 2 10 5 4 1 23 83

No. of Deals 1 1

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

Paper/Forest Products Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Value Traded 4,429,736.24 1,148,097,020.40 4,886,260,270.59

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE GNI INTENEGINS MANSARD NEM UNITYKAP WAPIC

Symbol MORISON

Value Traded 7 87,014.00 of 13

NATURAL RESOURCES Metals ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. Metals Totals

Quantity Traded 4,383,401 49,665,220 407,013,222

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Value Traded 10,000,000.00 10,000,000.00

Quantity Traded 174,028Page

Support and Logistics Totals

Symbol WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

Quantity Traded 20,000,000 20,000,000

INDUSTRIAL Totals Daily Summary as ofGOODS 01/04/2015 Printed 01/04/2015 14:44:22.022

Activity Summary on Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Current Price 0.50

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

Value Traded 9,264,592.80 32,055,339.06 2,333,317,270.91 43,400,903.16 32,386,718.56 150,983,285.10 7,888,682.78 289,600.00

7,228,120,850.71

No. of Deals 6 6

756,636,504

Symbol COURTVILLE

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials Daily Summary as of 01/04/2015 ASHAKA CEM PLC Printed 01/04/2015 14:44:22.022 BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Activity Summary onTotals Board EQTY Building Materials

3Value Traded of 13

Value Traded 86,128,600.45 43,276,873.44 2,332,034,803.02

No. of Deals 1 1

ICT Totals

Quantity Traded 2,724,845 28,486,897 337,928,984

Symbol UNIONDAC

HEALTHCARE Totals

ICT Computer Based Systems BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Published by COURTEVILLE The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Computer Based Systems Totals

Current Price 31.61 1.52

2,696

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

1 of 13 65,857,335.32

29,734,932

No. of Deals 26 121 1,516

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

AGRICULTURE Crop Production Daily Summary as of 01/04/2015 FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC Printed 01/04/2015 14:44:22.022 OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

Symbol STANBIC UBCAP

Current Price 1.55

11Value Traded of 13

70,785.00 202,846.20 273,631.20

61,765

94,072.20

Page 61,765

4,611

881,584,858

94,072.20

10,938,217,329.23

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 2 1 4 7

Current Price 10.60 2,295.00 15.79

Quantity Traded 101 20 701 822

Value Traded 1,110.60 45,900.00 11,215.53 58,226.13

ETF Board Totals

822

58,226.13

ETP Activity Totals

822

58,226.13

Page

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015

Features S

he was only 17 years old. She was full of life. If she were alive today, she would have been one of the thousands of candidates who sat for the computer-based test Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). But she died a few weeks before the commencement of the exams. That was the sad story of Damilola Adekoya. Damilola, like young girls and boys of her age, had a dream of helping her parents overcome some of the challenges brought about by the vicissitude of life. In order to do that, she had planned to go to the university to study Economics. She also enrolled at a coaching centre to upgrade her knowledge and be able to pass. But as the maxim goes, dreams die first. All her dreams and the hope of her parents in that regard came crashing on February 8, 2015. Damilola died of tuberculosis (TB) at the Lagos Mainland Hospital. However, her grieving mother, Mrs. Esther Adekoya, she would not have succumbed to death but for negligence of doctors at the hospital. The woman claimed that if doctors in the hospitals she rushed Damilola to had shown a modicum of concern for a patient in pain, the girl would still be alive today. Adekoya is not just mourning Damilola, she is praying for wisdom on how to break the news of the girl’s death to her husband. Speaking amid sobs, Adekoya said: “My husband is an engineer. He had just undergone an operation at Abeokuta. We couldn’t tell him what was happening to Damilola. But before we knew it, her condition worsens.” The woman, who is still in shock over the demise of Damilola, after a five-day illness, recalled how the girl started her journey to the grave. She said: “We first took her to Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital. The doctors said they were going to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and as such, would not be able to attend to Damilola.”

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

End of a dream A 17-year-old girl dies of tuberculosis at a government-owned hospital, allegedly owing to health workers’ negligence, reports ESTHER ALBERT

The late Damilola

According to her, the doctors referred Damilola to Lagos Mainland Hospital. Adekoya said that doctors, who were on duty at the Mainland Hospital, allegedly did not even bother to check Damilola when her condition degenerated the second day after admission. Adekoya said that doctors were nonchalant about their patients. The mother of five, with Damilola being the first daughter, said she had a premonition that something bad was going to happen when she got to Lagos Mainland Hospital and discovered that there were no beds. The doors of the hospital were broken and mosquitoes danced at every nook and cranny. The grief-stricken woman also blamed the government, insisting that the doctors would have done their duties, if only government had attended to their demands, adding that the doctors were just coming back from strike. She said: “If government had attended to the demands of the doctors and health workers in Lagos State, my daughter would not have died. My Damilola was still seeking admission to higher institution when she died.

Damilola was my beloved child. My daughter was full of dreams and ambition. She was a very kind and generous person

Idris

“Damilola was my beloved child. My daughter was full of dreams and ambition. She was a very kind and generous person. In fact, she was a blessing to my family.” She revealed the travail she went through at the hospital, saying: “The doctors neglected my daughter at first, claiming that patients on ground were too many. They said Damilola had to wait. We waited for a long time before she could be attended to by the doctors on duty on February 5, 2015. After some hours, the doctor admitted my daughter and gave her a ward which was very rough,

instead of giving us a good room as a government hospital. “They gave us a bed without a mattress. I had to send for mattress from house, so that my daughter could sleep that night. We were not able to get the mattress until the next day. It was the next day that we were able to buy a mattress that could fit into the iron bed.” Adekoya said that on the night of February 7, Damilola’s temperature rose sharply. She was so hot that Adekoya became scared. She noted: “I cried for doctor’s help. I shouted and banged on the doctors’ doors, but the doctors refused to step out of their offices and attend to Damilola. The patients and some of their relatives, who were in the same ward with my daughter, assisted us by using cold water and towel to massage her body for a few hours before her temperature normalised. “That same day, a man died on his sick bed around 4am, in the same ward where my daughter was admitted. The doctors refused to check him until the next morning. It was the next morning before the doctors knew he was dead.” Adekoya also explained that on February 8, around 4am, Damilola began to gasp for breath. “I cried for the doctors to help save her life but they neglected her. The doctors claimed to be arranging for oxygen for about an hour before they showed up with nothing. The doctors then went back again and then came with oxygen after Damilola had already died,” the mother said. She added that after her daughter’s death, the doctors demanded that Adekoya should pay about N50,000 before Damilola’s body could be taken away from the hospital. She said she did not know what they were charging N50,000 for since she brought mattress herself and purchased drugs from the pharmacy. “I pleaded with the doctors to reduce the money but they refused. And since my husband had just had an operation and was still in the hospital, we could not get the money needed on time. We had to rally round before we could get the money. We then paid before we were allowed to take the body for burial,” she said while weeping. Efforts to get government’s reaction on the report were not successful. The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Modele Oshunkiyesi, did not respond to a text message sent to her mobile phone. Also, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, was at press time yet to respond to the text message sent to his telephone line.

News

Ekiti APC lawmakers resurface at Assembly lAs police seal off complex Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

he crisis rocking the Ekiti State House of Assembly escalated yesterday as 16 out of the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) members, who have not been able to attend sittings in the Assembly, resurfaced and held a parliamentary session. Sixteen out of the 19

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lawmakers attended the session and the timely intervention of the police and soldiers, saved what could have been a bloodbath. The seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, including the factional Speaker, Dele Olugbemi, were in their offices when the APC lawmakers stormed the complex. The APC lawmakers, who were led by the other

factional Speaker, Adewale Omirin, arrived at the complex at about 11.50am and went straight to the conference room, where they started with a praise and worship session. After the opening prayer by Ogundele Folorunso (Efon Constituency), Omirin asked reporters to leave the room. About 10 minutes after, the lawmakers came out of the complex to address newsmen.

When asked why they have not been in the complex since November last year, Omirin said it was not compulsory that they perform all their official duties inside the Assembly complex. “We have been attending to our official duties since. For instance, I have been attending the Conference of Speakers and I attended one recently. Also, we have been performing our duties, as our duties are not limited to parliamentary and plenary sessions alone.”

JUSUN suspends strike in Oyo Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

ollowing the acceptance of the demands of the Oyo State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) on the issues of welfare and autonomy, the union yesterday suspended its three-month-old strike. JUSUN’s National VicePresident, Comrade Adesanya Adesina, addressed a press conference yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, where the suspension was announced. Adesina said Governor Ajimobi has agreed to be paying N150 million monthly to JUSUN’s account and that the government had already paid N150 million to the account in January, which covered overhead, capital expenditure, workers’ salaries and allowances.

He said: “We see this as a concrete commitment and the need for the strike to be suspended.” Oyo State JUSUN Chairman, Comrade Ademola Ayoade, said the union members will fully resume for work this morning. JUSUN members had joined their colleagues nationwide to embark on the indefinite strike three months ago, asking that allocation due to it should be deducted from the state government’s account and deposited in a separate account to be monitored by its officers. Such, to them, would remove the bottleneck associated with delay in their salary payment and other financial issues. Their federal counterparts in JUSUN had suspended their strike while some states like Kwara had followed suit before Oyo joined the train yesterday.

LCCI wants Buhari to tackle fiscal leakages, others Deborah Olayode

Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi (right) and National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, when the governor paid Tinubu a visit over the success of the APC at the presidential election in Lagos

Babatope Okeowo

Oke blames PDP’s loss on injustice

lated its candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, for winning the election, describing it as a hard won victory. Oke, in his congratulatory message to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, said the vices inherent in the party both at the state and the federal level, sentenced it out of power.

Akure

he governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State in the last election, Chief Olusola Oke, yesterday blamed the defeat of the party on poor leadership, injustice and mismanagement of opportunities available to the party. This development came as the All Progressives Congress (APC) congratu-

Isiaka lauds Jonathan for sportsmanship Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Prince Gboyega Isiaka, yesterday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the sacrifice he made to strengthen democracy in the country. He spoke against the backdrop of the reaction of President Jonathan, who conceded defeat and congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate,

General Muhammadu Buhari, for winning last Saturday’s election. Isiaka noted that the president had established a legacy of democratic freedom, electoral transparency and entrenchment of the masses’ wish in Nigeria, which according to him, was unprecedented. He said: “By subjecting himself to a thorough process, accepting to be bound by the outcome and even immediately extended his personal best wishes to his opponent, he has doused the tension in the country.”

He congratulated the President-elect, on his well-deserved victory. He said the victory was a testimony to the supremacy of the power of the electorate in a democracy. Oke said: “The president-elect worked, persevered and was dedicated to his aspiration. Today, majority of Nigerians have chosen you through their votes. It has been a long

walk to victory. “I congratulate all lovers of democracy, particularly members of the PDP in Ondo State, who have kept faith with and discharged their duties to the party despite all odds. Poor leadership, injustice and mismanagement of opportunities available to the party are the vices that sentenced the party out of power.”

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has called on the President-Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to ensure the blocking of all fiscal leakages and wastes in government, especially in respect of the management of petroleum products subsidy, immediate review of Joint Task Force (JTF) activities in the Niger Delta area where revenue is being lost daily due to oil theft, pension funds, import duty waivers, ghost workers in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), service-wide votes and crude oil theft. In a communiqué issued in Lagos yesterday after a meeting to reflect on the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections, the president, LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, said that the plummeting oil price and the impact on the fiscal

outlook present a significant challenge to the incoming administration. “It is therefore critical to manage expectations at this time. The outlook for many macroeconomic indicators is not bright with foreign reserves dropping below $30 billion and persistent pressure on the naira exchange rate,” Bello said. He added: “The LCCI urges the incoming administration to address the fundamental of the high cost of doing business and low productivity which could be ascribed to macroeconomic factors, institutional challenges and structural issues. The chamber, among others, also called on the president-elect to prioritize government expenditure to boost investments in critical infrastructure and audit of key regulatory institutions whose activities impact on the private sectors.

Defection: Ondo deputy governor pleads for understanding Babatope Okeowo Akure

he Ondo State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, yesterday urged the people of the state to reason with him in his recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying it is in the interest of the people of the state. But the PDP yesterday said Olanusi was not a member of the party and there was no need to an-

nounce his defection to the APC. The Director of Publicity, Mr. Ayo Fadaka, in a statement said Olanusi did not join PDP with Governor Olusegun Mimiko, as he remained in the Labour Party (LP). Fadaka, in his statement, said: “It is, however, pertinent for us to underscore the fact that Alhaji Ali Olanusi is not a member of the PDP in Ondo State as he was not re-registered in his ward and local government by the party.” While admitting that he did attend two party

functions recently, he was a mere passive observer at such functions and his attendance does not, in any manner, confer membership of the party on him. “By his latest political gymnastic action, it is obvious that he had been a clandestine member of the APC and a mole in the government of Governor Mimiko, who have just received the order to declare openly for them.” But Olanusi, who defected to the APC on the eve of the Saturday’s Presidential and National

Assembly elections, said his action would bring true democracy to reality in the state. In his congratulatory message to the presidential candidate of his party, General Muhammadu Buhari, Olanusi described his victory as the voice of the citizenry and the rewards for being upright. He commended their courage in last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, urging them to sustain the tempo in the coming governorship and state assembly elections.

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Buhari: Ebonyi APC supporters jubilate Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

upporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, yesterday took to the streets of Abakaliki to celebrate the victory of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate

l Parties in secret talks over governorship of the party in the justconcluded presidential election. The supporters, who were in their large numbers, gathered at the party secretariat opposite the Abakaliki Township Stadium, to celebrate the success of the party’s can-

didate. Also present was the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Julius Ali Ucha, the Deputy National Financial Secretary of the party, Hon. Sunday Jacob Chukwu, National Assembly candidates of the party in the state, oth-

er party stalwarts, as well as passers-by who were entertained by a live band. A popular band ‘ the Lamb’, was on hand to entertain the people while the governorship candidate of the party received members of the party who were on hand

to congratulate him on the victory of Buhari. Meanwhile, the APC, APGA, LP and PPA in the state were said to have commenced talks on the possible alliance of the four major opposition parties in the state for the governorship election.

Ucha, the governorship candidate of the APC, Sen. Julius Ucha, that of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sen. Tony Agbo and his Labour Party counterpart, Chief Edward Nkwegu, were said to have met with Governor Martin Elechi, yesterday morning at the Government House Abakaliki.

Ufomba urges electorate to defend votes Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

L-R: Barrister Chike Maduekwe; former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim and Chairman, Grand Towers Plc, Nze Chidi Duru, during a press conference by Igbo Conversational Group (ICG) in Abuja …yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

16 Labour Party chiefs defect to PDP in Ebonyi Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

head of April 11 governorship election, at least 16 members of the executives of Labour Party( LP), in Ebonyi state have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) as a result of crisis rocking the party in the state. Briefing newsmen in Abakaliki yesterday on behalf of other defectors, the PDP state Financial Secretary, Prince Augustine Nwankwo, said the programmes and policies of Labour Party, was hijacked by some forces in

the state, adding that the purpose of their defection was based on the embezzlement of over N10 million belonging to the party by some few people. He said, “on behalf of myself and other state executives of Labour Party, Ebonyi State chapter, we hereby formally announce our defection to the PDP, with effect from today. “The reasons for our defection are numerous, but permit me to mention few of them; there is internal crisis rocking the state chapter of LP executives which was borne out of the fraud and embezzlement of over ten million belong-

ing to the party by some people. “The high-handedness being exhibited by the state Chairman of the LP, in alliance with his cohorts, could not be tolerated. We wish to contribute our quota in electing Engr. Dave Umahi in the April 11 gubernatorial polls as we look forward to his emergence as the next governor of the state,’’ he said. Nwankwo stated that the Labour Party was founded on fraudulent foundation and called on the people of the state to ignore the purported sentiment that LP would bring development, adding that the hired leaders

Group blames PDP’s guber tussle on poor performance Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

he poor performance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Imo State, in the just concluded presidential election has been blamed on the unresolved governorship primaries purported to have been won by Senator Ifeanyi Araraume. Although President Jonathan lost the election

to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, a group is insisting that the poor showing of PDP in the state this year, compared to that of 2011,was a direct fallout of the contentious issue of who actually is the authentic governorship candidate of the party in Imo. President of Imo Youth for Good Governance (IYGG), Prince Okey Amadi, told newsmen in Owerri yesterday that the al-

leged imposition of Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, as the governorship candidate of the PDP led to protest votes against the president during the election. He also revealed that Ihedioha was not capable of winning the election as his candidature, “obtained through questionable means, offends the sensibilities of the Imo people and attracts bad blood to the PDP family”.

in the party have no credibility to effect any positive change and development in the state. “We sincerely call on Ebonyi people to vote massively for the PDP at the gubernatorial poll to ensure greater development, equity, fairness, peace that would nurture of our nascent democracy” he added. Receiving the defectors, the acting Chairman of the PDP in the state Chief Onwe Joseph Onwe, directed all ward Chairmen of the PDP to issue membership cards to the defectors, stressing that the party was ready to accept more members of the opposition parties in the state.

actional governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, Chief Reagan Ufomba, has called on the electorate to defend their votes during the April 11 governorship election to avert a repetition of the ugly incidents during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, which he alleged that the party was shortchanged in favour of Peoples Democratic Party. Addressing journalists at his country home, Umuogele Ntigha, in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, yesterday, Ufomba, said he has the record of the results in all the polling centers, indicating that APGA won all over the state, the seats

of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. “APGA, under my leadership has received results from the 184 wards, eight constituents and 17 local government areas in the state and we feel sad at the turn of events; the situation where APGA won and PDP announced as the winner, but I can assure that we will challenge the results at the tribunal,” said Ufomba. He warned that the party would not tolerate the level of sabotage witnessed in the concluded election in the governorship polls. He also expressed the dismay that the governor who lost in three local government areas of Umuahia North, Umuahia South and Ikwuano from the results declared could be declared winner of the Abia central senatorial seat.

Chime, former governors’ Forum congratulate Buhari Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

overnor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State yesterday, congratulated the president-elect and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammad Buhari, on his victory in the last Saturday’s presidential election. Also, the former governor, in a statement in Enugu urged Buhari to work towards reuniting

Nigerians currently divided along ethnic and sectional lines as reflected in the pattern of voting in in the presidential election. On his own part, Chime, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, said the election that produced Buhari, as president-elect was “a product of a credible democratic process which has brought much credit to the country and to Nigerians as a people”.

Ogba assures constituents of representation Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

enator-elect for Ebonyi Central Zone of Ebonyi State, Chief Obinna Ogba, has assured his constituents of effective, accessible and result oriented programmes at the upper chamber. Ogba, who spoke with newsmen yesterday at his Nkalagu country home, in Ishielu local government area of the state, after he was declared the winner of the election,

commended the people of the zone for finding him worthy to serve and promised not to disappoint them in the legislature. The senator, who was elected to represent Ebonyi Central Zone, comprising Ikwo, Ishielu, Ezza south, and Ezza North local governments on the platform of the Peoples Democratic party(PDP),urged his constituents to rally support for the PDP governorship candidate,

Chief Dave Umahi, in the April 11, governorship election. He stated that four years ago, he won the ticket of the party in the zone, but was denied the opportunity, stating that some elements tried to repeat the act, but failed. He howevr, solicited the support of all other party candidates to join him in uplifting the senatorial district. He said, “my priority would be on youths empowerment.”

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APC chieftain sues army, Dokpesi for detention Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

L-R: National President, Junior Chambers International (JCI) Nigeria, Mr. Seun Osikalu, Edo State Commissioner for Budget, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Lawrence Aghedo and JCI Intentional Vice-President supervising Nigeria, Mr. Itai Manyere, during JCI Nigeria visit to Edo State governor.

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

eaders and elders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) drawn from the three senatorial districts of Edo State yesterday praised the courage, statesmanship and the leadership style demonstrated by President Goodluck Jonathan over the outcome of the March 28 general elections, which was won by General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). They vowed to ensure that candidates of the PDP secure an appreciable number of seats at the state House of Assembly elections through the people’s votes come Saturday, April 11. Chairman of the party in Edo State, Chief Dan

PDP vows to reclaim Edo Orbih, who led the party leaders and members at a marathon meeting to appraise the outcome of the presidential election, tasked candidates of the party who emerged winners at the National Assembly polls to live above board as “to whom much is given, much is also expected.” Orbih said the party would not relent in its support to them in their chosen assignment “to do the needful to satisfy voters who showed so much confidence and trust in your candidacy” even as he urged “every member of the fold to stand and demonstrate total support for Mr. President.” He reiterated the need for the members to remain calm as the National Working Committee of

MEND warns against rigging in April 11 elections Gabriel Choba Ughelli

s the struggle for who becomes the next governor of Delta State and who occupies the state House of Assembly seats continued to gather momentum, some members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) yesterday warned all those participating in election rigging in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Warri North Local government to desist from such act. The warning came just as they also vowed to deliver Olorogun O’tega Emerhor as the governor of the state and Hon. Daniel Odongharo for Warri North constituency in the state House of Assembly. MEND through a group known as Con-

cerned Ex-militants for Good Governance (CMGG), while briefing journalists in Warri after a crucial meeting with top ex-militants across the wards, said the era of rigging was over with President Goodluck Jonathan losing his reelection bid to General Muhammadu Buhari in the just-concluded presidential election. Addressing journalists at the briefing, Egbene Monye and Yana Worwei said the reason for the closed-door meeting was to focus on a direction to follow in the April 11 governorship and state House of Assembly elections and to take a stand against all PDP faithful rigging elections in Warri North constituency. They vowed to protect votes of the electorate against devourers.

the party takes necessary steps at deciding the next line of action over the conduct of the polls. The chairman said: “From the results available to us, the state government and its party have suffered a humiliating defeat in the hands of the PDP, adding that “for next week’s House of Assembly election, for us in Edo State PDP, it is going to be operation totality. “It is not about Edo PDP, it is about Edo people, workers, civil servants, members of the judiciary, teachers, peasants, tax payers, the market women, deprived motorcyclists and several others, including local government workers, it is about their future that we are talking about.

“We are determined to take back those who have shown commitment and trust in our leadership that we believe together we can rescue this state. Let nobody be deceived; we are going to come out next week Saturday in support of our candidates, who are contesting in the elections. “From our own projection, by the end of next Saturday’s election, Edo State PDP will have a minimum of 20 elected members in the state House of Assembly.” Orbih said the party was prepared and ready to reinvent and reestablish party supremacy in the state, stressing that “swim or sink; die or alive, it is better not to submit to tyranny and dictatorship.”

he Vice-Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Usman Mogaji and five others have dragged the Nigerian Army, Chief Raymond Dokpesi and two others to the Federal High Court in Benin over alleged harassment, detention, denial of fundamental human rights, among others by soldiers. It was learnt that the plight of the plaintiffs was on the alleged orders of Dokpesi during last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in Etsako West Local Government in the state. It will be recalled that there was anxiety among family members and friends of Mogaji on Sunday, when his whereabouts was unknown. The family also said they are being harassed by soldiers from the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering in Auchi,

who they said arrested their son, cousin, cook and security man and have held them incommunicado. Also joined in the suit as respondents are the Chief of Army Staff and the Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Brigadier-General Augustine Odidi. Other respondents are Aliyu Mogaji, Tony Braimah, Samuel Nandik and Everest Igbolekwe who are wards, siblings and employees of Mogaji. According to suit number FHC/B/ CS/66/15, signed by the applicant’s counsel, Hilary Oshomah, Mogaji is praying the court for a perpetual injunction, restraining the respondents from “further arresting, detaining, intimidating, harassing, kidnapping, abducting or, in any manner, infringing on the fundamental rights of the respective applicants and members of the first applicant’s household.

Jonathan, a pride to Nigeria, says ex-MILAD Tony Anichebe Uyo

he former Military Administrator (MILAD) of Akwa Ibom State, Air Commander Idongesit Nkanga, yesterday said that President Goodluck Jonathan have become a source of pride to Nigerians after he conceded defeat to General Muhammadu Buhari. Nkanga told journalists in Uyo that Jonathan demonstrated statesmanship by congratu-

lating Buhari after the announcement of the results of last weekend’s presidential election. He said his action has also laid a good foundation for future generation of leaders in the country and has shown that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remained a party that has respect for the rule of law. “He demonstrated that he is a statesman, because the whole world was looking at Nigeria to know what will happen after the elections.”

Supporters lament Jonathan’s defeat Dominic Adewole ASABA

ympathisers and loyalists of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, yesterday lamented the loss of the President and the party in last Saturday’s presidential election. In Asaba, the state capi-

tal, the sympathisers could not unravel the magicwand of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in winning the election. The sympathisers were upset that the wind of change being blown by the adherents of the APC in the end consumed their next-of-kin. The situation became obvious as most of the

fans of the ruling party wore long faces at the emergency meeting of the PDP elders, leaders and stakeholders, summoned by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan yesterday in Asaba. The usual back-slapping, hustling and bubbling among the political class was missing after the meeting as each of them

dashed into their waiting cars to face the tasks ahead. While some blamed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, for compromising the election, others condemned him for being biaset and sentimental while others accused Jonathan for treating the challenge with levity.

Bayelsa earns N3.5bn in revenue Chris Ejim Yenagoa

he Bayelsa State government yesterday said it has earned over N3.5 billion in the months of January and February, 2015 from IGR, SURE-P and other funds. Governor Seriake Dickson, represented by his Deputy, Gboribiogha John Jonah, announced

this at the monthly transparency briefing in Yenagoa. Dickson, who announced a gross inflow of N10.9 billion from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), comprising statutory allocation of N2.3 billion, derivation N7.6 billion, VAT - N572 million, Excess Crude N257 million and NNPC refund of N156 million.

On FAAC deductions, he said bond deductions stood at N1.2 billion, foreign loans - N12.9 million, Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme Two was N66.7 million, fertilizer for 2013 farming season, the fourth out of the six instalments, amounting to N2.9 million, while refund of arrears of derivation revenue to Akwa Ibom State on the

Iro Ekanga Oil Field was N132 million, totaling N1.5 billion. These deductions, according to Governor Dickson, brought the net inflow from FAAC to N9.5 billion, putting the IGR receipt for January 2015 at N759 million, while funds from other sources amounted to N500 million in addition to special refunds N751 million.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015

Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

he Benue State Police Command yesterday said it has recovered the card reader device that was reportedly snatched from officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), meant for the conduct last Saturday's Presidential and National Assembly elections in Vandeikya local government area of the state. The police also said they arrested five persons who were out to disrupt the electoral process in possession of two AK47 guns, one Mark 4 riffle loaded with 28 rounds of live ammunition as well as a knife and charms. Commissioner of

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Police recover INEC card reader in Benue

Police in the state, Mr. Jimoh Ozi Obeh, stated this while briefing journalists in his office at the command's headquarters in Makurdi, noting that the card reader machine was recovered in the bush at Aliade, the headquarters of Gwer East local government area following a tip-off.

According to him, when he got wind of the incident, he swiftly alerted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area, who went to the spot and recovered it and later handed it over to him. The police boss said last Saturday's general elections in the state,

was generally peaceful except in Logo and Konshisha local government areas where the INEC offices were set ablaze by hoodlums, saying the police were investigating the matter. Obeh who expressed worry over the manner youths carried out what he called 'wild jubilation'

in celebrating winners of last elections by setting bonfires on major streets using sticks, said he took time to meet with elders of the communities where such activities happened and pleaded with them to prevail on their wards against turning the celebration into violence.

Aliyu concedes defeat to Umaru Dan Atori MINNA

our days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Barrister David Umaru, as the Niger-East Senator elect, the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday said he has conceded defeat to the winner in last Saturday’s National Assembly polls. The governor while addressing Journalists in Minna however stated that he has been putting calls across to the Senator Elect to congratulate him but he has not picked his calls or replied his text messages. According to Aliyu "I have already conceded defeat to Barrister David Umaru. I have called Umaru's number after he was declared about seven times but he did not pick. I sent a text saying 'this is the Chief Servant calling, please pick' and I have not received a reply by now. "I have no qualms about the defeat. I did not see my defeat as an insult to my person but as God's will." The Governor while commending INEC for paying attention to details, charged them to appreciate the shortcomings in the election and work towards correcting it for the future. He also applauded the gentleman approach of President Jonathan in congratulating the President-elect adding that his action doused whatever tension that was on ground during the collation of the results.

Children celebrating the victory of the All Progressives Party’s presidential candidate in Malumfashi, Katsina State …yesterday

PHOTO-NAN

Buhari’s victory jubilation rocks Benue Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

akurdi, the Benue State capital yesterday erupted in wild jubilation as hundreds of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), thronged the streets in large numbers to celebrate the victory of General Mohammadu Buhari, over president Goodluck Jonathan .

Benue State favoured the president-elect, as he polled 373,961 against president Jonathan’s 303,737 votes. New Telegraph checks revealed that the jubilant crowd made up of youths, market women, okada riders, traders and politicians obstructed traffic in the metropolis for over five hours. APC supporters accompanied discreetly by security agents moved

round the major streets of Makurdi singing and waving the party’s flags and brooms, while motorcyclists were seen displaying their riding skills. Besides, many supporters of the party were seen in clusters at different joints including the popular high level roundabout, Wurukum, North Bank and Wadata, an Hausa/Fulani dominated area carrying brooms and dancing in

support of General Buhari and Senator Barnabas Gemade. Some of the jubilant APC chieftains including Mr. Robert Udende, who reacted to the outcome of the elections, commended the INEC for a free, fair and smooth conduct of the exercise and described President Goodluck Jonathan, who congratulated Gen. Buhar, before the release of the final results.

Plateau promotes 11,596 teachers APC governorship candidate The Chairman told commends Jonathan Musa Pam New Telegraph in Jos that JOS

he Plateau State Government has announced the promotion of 11,596 teachers, a move purportedly aimed at currying the support of the teachers ahead of the April 11 governorship election in the state. Executive Chairman Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Dr. Lyop Mang, noted that the released of the backlog of promotion of the 11,596 teachers after seven years was political.

the delayed in the promotions were occasioned by factors that also had to do with the proper biometric data of the staff. She said the teachers promotions were delayed since 2009 because the board gave unqualified teachers in the system grace period to get the requisite qualifications for the job. Mang explained that only teachers from 15 out of the 17 local government areas of the state benefited in the promotions pointing out that

Musa Pam JOS

he All Progressives Congress (APC), gubernatorial candidate for Plateau State, Honourable Simon Lalong, has congratulated the new President elect and commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his show of sportsmanship. Lalong who made the congratulatory remarks at a press conference held Yesterday in Jos,

at the NUJ press center sai, "I, the APC and my entire campaign organization congratulate the president elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari on his success at the polls." The APC gubernatorial candidate also specifically salutes the magnanimity of the president Jonathan, who he said exhibited a rare sense of patriotism and statesmanship as he wasted no time sending a congratulatory message to the president elect on his victory at the polls.

PDP join Buhari’s celebration in Yobe Hassan Jirgi DAMATURU

lderly females and males were part of the crowd of people that celebrated the announcement of the presidentelect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on the platform of the All Progressives Party yesterday in the Yobe State capital, Damaturu. The celebration was particularly peculiar, as politicians including members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), joined in the celebration that saw the young and elderly filling out on major all roads, across the state to give supplications to God for the emergence of a new president. For instance, a PDP member in Damaturu, who craved anonymity told New Telegraph that he joined in the celebration because of the significance of the incident, which he described as the laying of a very solid foundation for change, stating that the incident was significant to all wellmeaning politicians as it sign post the enhancement of the country's democracy. He stated that people have always wished for a positive change, stating that the current political turning point being witnessed by the country would bringing about the desired development to Nigeria as a great country . He commended the security agencies in the country for their role in ensuring that the elections were peaceful and violence - free. Residents of Potiskum, one of the biggest local government and also the center of commercial nerve centre of the state, had trooped out around 5 a.m, with motorists, motorcyclists and tricycle riders hooting their horns in celebration of Gen. Buhari. Mallam Ba,aji Lawan, who claimed to be one of the displaced persons from Gujba local government area, over ran by the Boko Haram, expressed the hope that Buhari, would end the insurgency for them to return home. Many prominent of politician from the different parties also joined residents including Commissioners Local Government Chairmen, civil servants, women and children as well as displaced persons were seen dancing front of the Government House and some other important places.

WORLD | News

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Iraq declares victory over Islamic State

raq declared a “magnificent victory” yesterday over the Islamic State group in Tikrit, a key step in driving the militants out of their biggest strongholds. Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi made the pronouncement, saying security forces have “accomplished their mission” in the monthlong offensive to rid Saddam Hussein’s hometown and the broader Salahuddin province of the militant group. “We have the pleasure, with all our pride, to announce the good news of a magnificent victory,” Obeidi said in a video statement. “Here we come to you, Anbar! Here we come to you, Nineveh, and we say it with full resolution, confidence, and persistence,” naming other provinces under the sway of the extremists. Extremists from the Islamic

State group seized Tikrit last summer during its advance across northern and western Iraq. The battle for Tikrit is seen as a key step toward eventually driving the militants out of Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city and the provincial capital of Nineveh. Iraqi forces, including soldiers, police officers, Shiite militias and Sunni tribes, launched a large-scale operation to recapture Tikrit March 2. Last week, the United States launched airstrikes on the embattled city at the request of the Iraqi government. Recapturing Tikrit would be the biggest win so far for Baghdad’s Shiite-led government. The city is about 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Baghdad and lies on the road connecting the capital to Mosul. Retaking it will help Iraqi forces have a major supply link for any future operation against

Mosul. Earlier yesterday, Iraqi security forces fired on snipers and searched homes for remaining militants. Soldiers fanned out in circles from the charred skeletal remains of the Salahuddin provincial government complex, captured the day before. Militant mortar fire, which had been intense over previous days, fell silent yesterday; with commanders saying only a few militant snipers remained in the city. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations. The objective, Interior Minister Mohammed Salem alGhabban said yesterday, is now

to restore normalcy as quickly as possible. “After clearing the area from roadside bombs and car bombs, we will reopen police stations to restore normalcy in the city, and we will form committees to supervise the return of people displaced from their homes,” alGhabban said. He said the government will help displaced residents return and that a civil defense unit will be combing the city for roadside bombs and car bombs. “Daesh is completely defeated,” he added, using an Arabic name for the group. During a visit to Tikrit, Iraqi Prime Minsiter

Haider al-Abadi said that military engineering units still need more time to clear the city from booby traps. He also waved an Iraqi flag in photos posted on his social media accounts. “God’s willing, there will be a fund to rebuild areas destroyed by Daesh and the war. Tikrit and Salahuddin areas will be covered by this fund,” al-Abadi said. A satellite image of Tikrit, released in February by the United Nations, showed at least 536 buildings in the city have been affected by the fighting. Of those, at least 137 were completely destroyed and 241 were severely damaged.

African envoy expresses concern over EU migrant centre plans

frica’s envoy to the European Union warned yesterday that EU plans to process migrants in the countries they leave or transit on their way to Europe are “a dangerous approach.” The EU is trying to persuade Niger, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Turkey to pre-screen migrants and has launched a pilot project to send immigration officers abroad to help assess asylum demands. African Union Ambassador Ajay Kumar Bramdeo told EU lawmakers that by outsourcing migrant management, the EU would be “shirking its own responsibility in receiving refugees and migrants, also in footing the bill for managing and controlling migration.” More than 280,000 people entered the EU illegally last year, according to figures released Tuesday by the EU’s border

agency Frontex. Thousands have taken to rickety boats from conflict torn Libya and Europe’s coast guards are unable to cope. Frustrated by its inability to handle the migration wave, the EU has sought to tackle the problem at its source, mainly in Africa. The head of the International Organization for Migration’s EU office, Eugenio Ambrosi, cautioned against any rush to set up processing centers. “The priority has to be about protecting people and not protecting borders,” he said. Ambrosi noted that some EU nations have been unwilling to share the costs and responsibility of housing asylum seekers with partners like Greece, Italy and Malta, which are bearing the brunt of the migration wave. Germany and Sweden are also hosting many refugees from Iraq and Syria.

Palestine joins ICC

alestine formally joined the International Criminal Court yesterday; a move the Palestinians hope could open the door to the possible prosecution of Israelis for alleged war crimes. The accession was marked at a closed-door ceremony at ICC headquarters in The Hague, exactly 90 days after Palestine joined the court’s founding Rome Statute. The Palestinians called on Israel to also join the global court, which was set up in 2002 to try crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. Exasperated after decades of failed negotiations with Israel and no prospect of achieving statehood anytime soon, Palestinians have been waging a campaign for recognition at international bodies including the ICC. “Palestine seeks justice, not vengeance,” for-

eign minister Riad Malki said after received a symbolic copy of the Rome Statute at the ceremony. “Israel should join us in becoming a member of the International Criminal Court,” Malki said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “should not be afraid if Israel has any complaints (against us) they should join and present their case to the ICC.” ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda in January launched a preliminary investigation into possible war crimes during last year’s Gaza war. The Palestinians have already sent the court documents authorising the prosecutor to investigate alleged crimes in the Palestinian territories since June 2014. About 2,200 Palestinians and 73 Israelis were killed during the 50 day conflict in July and August.

Iraqi security forces and allied Shiite militiamen celebrating as they hold a flag of the Islamic State group they captured in Tikrit yesterday.

Morocco dismantles IS recruitment cell

oroccan authorities said yesterday they dismantled a cell in the city of Fez that was recruiting fighters for the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. The interior ministry said the head of the cell maintained strong ties with IS leadership and sent Moroccans to training camps in the two countries, where they received intensive training in weapons handling. “The members of this recruitment cell had received

significant foreign funding for the necessary expenses to allow for travel and movement of these fighters,” the ministry statement said, without elaborating. The arrests were made by the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations, inaugurated this year as part of the kingdom’s beefed up war against terrorism. They came after jihadists claiming to belong to IS killed 21 foreign tourists and a policeman in an attack last month on Tunisia’s Bardo National Muse-

um. Morocco, which is on guard against such attacks, prides itself on being a bastion against Islamist extremism with its anti-jihadist unit and training of imams to preach tolerance. Since 2002, more than 130 terrorist cells have been dismantled, 2,720 suspects arrested and 276 plots foiled, the ministry said. According to the British-based International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation, about 2,000 Moroccans are estimated to be fighting with IS in Iraq and Syria.

Thailand junta replaces martial law

hailand’s junta lifted martial law in most of the nation, but 10 months after staging a coup, it remains firmly in control with new laws invoked yesterday that essentially give it absolute power. The government of former army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha had faced growing pressure from foreign governments, human rights groups and particularly Thailand’s own business community to revoke martial law. Although it wasn’t generally visible in everyday life there were few soldiers in the streets it scared off foreign investors and hurt tourism, which accounts for nearly 10 percent of the GDP. Tour operators called it a tourist deterrent,

partly because many insurance companies won’t cover travelers to countries under martial law. Thailand’s king yesterday formally approved a request from the junta that martial law be lifted. In its place, though, the junta invoked a special security measure called Article 44 in the military-imposed interim constitution that gives Prayuth the power to override any branch of government in the name of national security, and absolves him of any legal responsibility for his actions. Thai media have referred to it as “the dictator law.” Under similar legislation in the 1960s, a Thai dictator carried out summary executions. “From the outside, the lifting

of martial law is good news for business and tourism,” said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist and director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University. “But from the inside, we’re functionally in the same boat,” he said about Article 44. “Similar restrictions are still in place. And where there are pockets of dissent and political expression it is likely to be more draconian.” The main difference between the two measures is that martial law which remains in place in several southern provinces where the army is fighting a decade-old Islamic insurgency is very specific and Article 44 is very vague.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY APRIL 2, 2015

International Sport Giroud aims to score more goals than Sanchez

Abolaji targets glory in Mauritius

Enyeama ready to quit for Akpeyi, others

Elections: Falcons now to play Mali on Friday

Athletics

News

Sport

Did you know? That red cards and yellow cards didn’t come into football until the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

Djokovic fights back to reach Miami Open quarters R eigning champion Novak Djokovic survived a scare to beat Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov in three sets to reach the Miami Open quarterfinals. The Serb lost the first set on a tie-break and trailed 4-2 in the second but recovered to win 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 6-0. The world number one now faces Spain’s David Ferrer, who saw off Frenchman

Djokovic

Charles Ogundiya

ormer Nigeria international, Peter Nieketien, has stated that fans should expect little from the current Super Eagles players. He said the days were long gone when the national team was made up of talented players, describing those in the team now as average. “I don’t know why Nigerians expect so much from the players,” he said. “You cannot give what you don’t have.” “We have to say the truth, the standard of football in Nigeria has dropped. What we have now in the national team are average players and those that are still developing. “In Europe, our players are struggling to get first team shirts and we invite such players to the national team. How do you want them to get you results?”

Gilles Simon 7-6 (7-5) 6-0. Earlier, Britain’s Andy Murray recorded his 500th career win beating South African Kevin Anderson 6-4 3-6 6-3. The Scot now faces Austrian Dominic Thiem, who beat Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 7-5. Also through to the quarters is fourth seed Kei Nishikori after he made light work

of David Goffin 6-1 6-2. The Japanese player will now face American John Isner, who upset fifth seed Milos Raonic 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5). Tomas Berdych reached his sixth quarter-final of the season after Frenchman Gael Monfils retired after falling heavily while trailing 3-6 2-3. The Czech now faces unseeded Argentinian Juan Mo-

naco, who had a 6-3 6-3 victory over Fernando Verdasco. In the women’s draw, Carla Suarez Navarro lost the first set 6-0 but hit back to see off Venus Williams 0-6 6-1 7-5 and reach the semifinals. The Spaniard now faces ninth seed Andrea Petkovic after the German beat Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic 6-4 6-2.

Eagles are average players – Nieketien

CONTINUED ON PAGE 52

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sport

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya

Super Eagles players... after a match

Sport Correspondent

Musa, Awoniyi join U-23 Eagles, Alampasu out

} 54

Sport

THURSDAY APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Who cares about football? Welcome basketball!

cannot but recall this incident at the Camillo Real Hilton, in Mexico City, 1983, when I took my first cap in World Cup reporting courtesy the FIFA U-20 World Cup hosted by that South American country now riddled with drug war where the cartel battle for space with the international community over “who owns the land” (apologies to music icon, late Sunny Okosuns), with the legitimate government. The country is noted for its deep culture, music and the sombrero hat – just as you marvel at the attitude of not eating at home by its people. Regardless of social status or financial standing. Mexico City and its coverage remind me of the tale of two newspapers. I had graduated from the Nigeria Institute of Journalism –then on Victoria Island – where I combined studies with work on the sports desk of the Punch newspapers group. After the 1980 Africa cup of nations which Nigeria won but failed to defend two years later in Muammar Quaddafi’s Libya, it was challenging reporting Nigeria’s march to the U-20 World cup. For starters, the players were picked –mainly - by the trio of Segun Adenuga, (late) Joe Audu and yours sincerely, working in tandem with coaches Dan Ajibode, Femi Siwoku and Alex Lasisi at the famous “Elders Club” close to

Muyiwa Daniel on Thursday

md_muyiwa@yahoo.com 08023525087 (sms only) the Stadium Hotel in Surulere, Lagos. The three coaches were close to National team handlers, Chris Udemezue and Isiaka Yakubu who handled the U-20 team. Recall that, Punch published on the front page the qualification of the team with the screaming headline –“All the way to Mexico” with the picture of schemer, Paul Okoku, donning- in training- the T-Shirt with ‘ Mexico’ on its front. Things moved on and I moved to the Concord newspapers group barely a month to the beginning of the competition and with a “virgin” passport, Adenuga escorted me to the United States of America embassy on Victoria Island where a pretty lady took me on, basically on my age and the temptation to flee Nigeria for “God’s own country” if I got the visa en-route Mexico. I remember being so impolite to the’ girl’ who promptly offered a smile and when I returned in the afternoon for the decision, my passport was issued a multiple visa –meaning I could come in and go to the

US anytime in four years. With Adenuga and Audu we went for the foreign exchange at Savannah Bank where soccer team’s boss, Tope Tokoya, facilitated the purchase of $600 (six hundred US dollars) for N435 (four hundred and thirty five naira). The remainder including the assistance to Samson Siasia so he could join his mates after missing Udemezue’s cut will ever remain evergreen. At the FIFA Hotel was the pre-tournament press conference where I shared a seat with one freaky “oldman” with a notebook and pencil, Paul Gartner, who reported for “USA Today”. He was loathed by the football lords led by Brazilian President, Joao Havelange. Gartner had accused Havelange of under the carpet deals through his son-in-law, and Brazil FA boss-Ricardo Texteirra. Three times, then Secretary-general-Sepp Blatter refused to recognise Gartner’s finger for a question. The man looked at me dejected and passed the

Elections: Falcons now to play Mali on Friday •Esther Sunday optimistic Charles Ogundiya

he 11th AllAfrica Games final qualifying round, return leg match between Nigeria’s Super Falcons and the Senior Women’s Team of Mali will now be played at the National Stadium, Abuja on Friday, April 10. Authoritative sources noted that the move became a necessary because of the governorship election scheduled to hold on April 11 nationwide. “It is better to play the match before the elections to avoid any issues. It is believed all will be well but this is for us to have people at the stadium and to be well focused for the game,” NFF’s Assistant Director Communications, Ademola Olajire, told our correspondent. General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed

Sanusi, told thenff.com that a letter to this effect had been sent to the Mali Football Federation for its information and necessary action. The Confederation of African Football, organisers of the Men and Women Football Tournaments of the All-Africa Games, has already permitted the NFF to host the match within the period of Friday, April 10 – Sunday, April 12. Already, a full house has been recorded in the Falcons’ camp in Abuja as the African champions prepare for the crucial return leg, which guarantees the winner a place at the Women’s Football Tournament of the All-Africa Games that is scheduled for CongoBrazzaville, between September 3 and 18. Meanwhile, Super Falcons returned to training Tuesday with Belarusbased winger Esther

question. “Is it true that Mexico got the nod to host the World Cup after Havelange’s transport company in Brazil got the contract to deliver 60 luxurious buses for the competition?”. I raised my finger and Blatter gave the nod. I asked the question. Dead silence. All eyes turned to me. Adenuga and Audu smiled. Sweats dropped on Havelange’s face as he struggled for a defence. He ended by threatening that journalists who went outside football reporting risk the loss of their accreditation. He concluded by “advising” young reporters with a future to desist from fraternising with those who do not wish the game well. Gartner fired back. The question had not been answered. Havelange stood up and with his team left the room. The next day was interesting as the Mexican government confirmed the contract but INSISTED that it had no direct influence on the hosting as the country fulfilled all the requirements for hosting. You are likely to believe the country as the hotels, stadia, transportation, communications, courtesies, et al, were in place for the country-despite an earthquake-was awarded the hosting of the biggest soccer event-The 1986 World Cup- after Brazil,

with Geovanni Silva, took that diadem as the Flying Eagles were eliminated at the group stages after matches in, Mexico City, Puebla and Gualadajarah coupled with a reception by the country’s Ambassador – Peter Onyige. As Commodore Edwin Kentebbe led his Nigeria Football Association delegation back to Nigeria, we –the reportersremained till the final. Later that same 1983, I alongside Audu took a world tour facilitated by Kwara’s vehicle dealer, Chief Olusola (Sola Motors) who as a soccer buff and had been interested in kinsman- Audu. The high-point was the draft of Nigerian-Hakeem Olajuwon- from College team – Cougars –to professional side –Rockets. It was from there I took more than an interest in basketball coverage. Then, I was fascinated by the towering heights of the players like Agboola Pinheiro –a senior at Saint Gregory’s College. With Hakeem, a Surulere boy who attended Muslim Teachers Training College on Randle Avenue. The passion got fuelled by the coverage of the Africa U-20 basketball championships- AJUBA ’91-at the Sports Hall, Lagos National Stadium. To be CONT INU ED

Esther Sunday (left) during a match for the Falcons

Sunday boasting that their Malian counterparts will fall when they meet in the return leg of the AAG on April 10. Esther who expressed joy at re-uniting with her teammates said she was surprised that Mali held Nigeria in the first leg but assured fans that they would be whipped in the second leg. “I am happy that my club gave me the opportunity to answer this national call. I will give the game my best shot and link up with my mates to beat Mali. We are confident Mali will fall. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 51 “Our focus is to go to The former Julius World Cup and do well using the AAG and Olym- Berger midfielder says pics qualifiers to prepare. those that are regulars We would re-assure Nige- in their clubs are playrians that we are Africa’s ing in obscure league. He said the players best by beating Mali in were always in haste to both qualifiers. “After the game I will go leave the country for clubs back to my team because abroad when they were we have a cup final com- not ready for such move. Nieketien said: “Are ing up on May 17. So I will go back and later return the players we have now to join my team before regulars in their clubs? the World Cup proper” Even those that are reg-

Eagles are average players – Nieketien ulars, are their clubs among the top sides in Europe? We need to address the situation. “During our time, there was no money but we were blessed with talented players, we were also not in a hurry to travel abroad, those who travelled did so because of education as it was an opportunity for them to combine football with their studies through scholarships. “The players don’t

consider the long term developmental aspects of their careers, but only the money involved. “It has got to a level where our players run to Togo, Benin, and Cape Verde all in the name of playing professional football.” He advised the Nigeria Football Federation to take action immediately to address the situation so that the game could move forward.

Intertional Sport 53

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY APRIL 2, 2015

Giroud aims to score more goals than Sanchez

Chelsea to release Cech

helsea are reportedly willing to sell goalkeeper Petr Cech in the summer. The 32-year-old has lost his status as the club’s first-choice stopper this season following the emergence of Thibaut Courtois. Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool are thought to be interested in the Czech Republic international and could launch bids when the transfer window opens. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is said to be looking for a replacement for Wojciech Szczesny, while Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers reportedly wants to provide competition for Simon Mignolet.

O Cech

According to British newspaper, the Daily Star, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will allow Cech to choose which club he joins. The report adds that the Blues will demand a fee of £10m for the goalkeeper who moved to Stamford Bridge from Rennes in 2004.

livier Giroud has revealed that he hopes to score more goals than Arsenal teammate Alexis Sanchez by the end of the season. Both players are tied on 13 goals, but the Chile

international has netted just once in his last seven Premier League games. “I’m not going to say something silly because it’ll be reported, but why not finish ahead of Alexis?” Giroud told RMC. “We push each other,

we’re on 13 goals, and I would like to score some more to help the team achieve its objectives.” Arsenal are currently third in the league table, seven points behind leaders Chelsea with eight games left to play.

We didn’t deserve to lose to Holland – Del Bosque

pain manager Vicente del Bosque rued his side’s profligacy in front of goal as La Roja crashed to a 2-0 international friendly defeat to the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Tuesday night.

Del Bosque, who guided Spain to 2010 World Cup and UEFA EURO 2012 glory, was disappointed to lose a game he believed his side dominated and felt their sluggish start cost

Del Boseque

them dearly. “It seems impossible not to have scored. The first 20 minutes have burdened us,” he told a postmatch press conference. “We have taken command of the game, we’ve been all over them, we have reached the penalty area but we lacked a goal.” Del Bosque handed debuts to Sevilla winger Vitolo and Malaga forward Juanmi and he was impressed with their contributions. “The two rookies have had a good performance. Vitolo has been very active and Juanmi looked like scoring,” Del Bosque added.

Abolaji targets glory in Mauritius

ne of the star athletes for Team Nigeria at the last African Junior Athletics Championship in Ethiopia, Omotayo Abolaji, has set her sights on winning gold at the African Youth Athletics Championship in Mauritius. Abolaji was part of the 4x100 metres relay team that won gold in Ethiopia.

“I have been training hard for the championship because I want to win my first individual medal at the competition,” she said. “My performance in Ethiopia gave me the confidence that I can do it and with hard work and God on my side, I will make it in Mauritius.” The youthful athlete said her focus was to excel at the

Abolaji (2nd left) with the victorious 4x100 m relay team in Ethiopia

Woods trains, still undecided on Masters T iger Woods played a practice round at Augusta to offer another sign that he may well take part in this year’s Masters. The 39-year-old, who this week dropped out of the world’s top 100 players for the first time since 1996, has yet to confirm whether

competition. Looking forward to joining her teammates in camp soon she said: “I am waiting for the federation to open camp so that we can start preparation in earnest. The time is short and hopefully we can resume camping this week.” The youth championship has been scheduled to start on April 22 in Mauritius.

he will compete in next week’s tournament due to his lack of form. However, Woods’s plane was spotted at Augusta Regional Airport on Tuesday morning, and the fourtime Masters champion has now played 18 holes at the historic venue.

Manager Mark Steinberg confirmed the news to ESPN, adding: “Tiger clearly is working hard and he will advise as to when he is ready to play competitively.” Woods has missed the cut in the only two tournaments he has played this season.

TRACK & FIELD WITH CHARLES OGUNDIYA

Dibaba runs second-fastest 5km in history

wo-time world indoor champion, Genzebe Dibaba, narrowly missed out on breaking the world’s best at the Carlsbad 5000. The Ethiopian winning time of 14:48 mins was the second-fastest ever recorded for 5km on the roads. The 24-year-old owns the fastest times in history across four distances indoors, and had been hoping to add another mark to her growing collection. Just like three of her indoor record-breaking performances, she was targeting a time that had been set by Meseret Defar. The two-time Olympic champion ran 14:46 mins in Carlsbad in 2006. But a 4:50 mins opening mile – some seven seconds slower than Defar managed nine years ago – meant that Dibaba left herself with too much to do. She was part of a 10-woman lead group at that point, but she upped the pace and was

left with just her Ethiopian compatriots Gelete Burka and Wude Ayalew for company. Having covered the second mile in 4:42 mins, Dibaba was now just three seconds adrift of Defar’s world best pace. Soon after, Burka and Ayalew dropped behind and Dibaba – just like in many of her record attempts – was out in front. Racing on a different, and slightly more challenging, route to the one Defar contested in 2006, Dibaba rallied hard in the closing stages but was still a few metres shy of the finish-line as she saw Defar’s world record figures tick by on the clock. Nevertheless, she was rewarded with a winning time of 14:48 mins, the fastest 5km debut in history in just her second ever race on the roads. She also moved ahead of her older sister on the all-time list; Tirunesh Dibaba, a twotime winner in Carlsbad, had a best of 14:51 mins from 2005.

54 Sport

THURSDAY APRIL 2, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Enyeama ready to quit for Akpeyi, others

F Enyeama

Uganda FA rewards coach for defeating Nigeria Emmanuel Tobi

ollowing his recent 1-0 victory of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Uganda coach, Micho Sredojevic, has been rewarded with a three-year extension to his contract. Micho has handled Uganda in 35 matches registering 18 victories (including the 1-0 win over Nigeria on March 26), five draws and 12 losses. According to the President of Federation of Uganda Football Association, Moses Magogo, the

Serbian born coach will continue as the Cranes coach until at least 2018. “He has managed to get us some decent results in big games,” said Magogo on Wednesday, “No coach has put us in a position where we only needed one point from the final game.” At the news conference, Micho pledged to continue working hard to achieve Uganda’s dreams. “We will ensure dreams of our supporters are turned into reality by giving 100 per cent as I have done before,” he said.

Nigeria leads in ITF/CAT tourney in Togo •Russian-born Melissa lands in Egypt Ajibade Olusesan

igeria’s dominance of junior tennis in the West and Central Africa Zone continued yesterday (Wednesday) as the country won three gold medals in the on-going ITF/CAT U-14 and U-16 Championship at the Stade Ominsports in Lome, Togo. Oyinlomo Quadri, who is the zone’s top ranked player in the girls’ U-12, justified her rating by beating Dotsie Vania of Togo 6-3, 6-1 in the final, while Mathew Abamu edged Sadiq Noudgbessi of Benin Republic 6-3, 4-6, 7 -6 (4) in the boys’ U-12 to win Nigeria’s second gold of the day. The icing on the cake for Nigeria, who is led by coach Abel Ubiebi, came when Quadri paired Toyin Asogba, a debutant

for Nigeria at international level, to beat the combination of Cameroun’s Wamba Patricia and Dotse Vania of Cote d’Ivoire 6-2, 6-2 in the girls U-12 doubles of the two-phased tournament featuring six countries namely Nigeria, Togo Benin, Mali Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroun. Meanwhile, Melissa Ifidzhen, the Russian-born Nigerian tennis star becomes the first player to arrive for the ITF/CAT U-18 Championship holding from April 6 to 10 in Cairo, Egypt. Nigeria Tennis Federation President, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, confirmed the 16-year-old star- prospects arrival for the tournament which will be featuring over 80 participants from over 20 countries across Africa.

“Melissa’s dad just called to inform me that he is now in Cairo with his daughter. This is the first time she will be coming to Africa to play and her early arrival is for her to acclimatise. I spoke with her and she is eager to make a very good outing in her first outing as a Nigerian,” Ndanusa stated.

Melissa

ollowing his declaration on Tuesday that he is ready to become Nigeria’s number one goalkeeper, Super Eagles fringe goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi may have received a boost as captain and current first choice ‘keeper, Vincent Enyeama has said the country must start preparing someone to take over from him. Enyeama, who featured in his 100th game for Nigeria in a friendly against Uganda last Wednesday, said he’d love to keep on playing for as long as possible, but admitted he’ll have to give way at some point. “I tell you the truth, will love to stay as long as possible but at some point you need to let it go. You need to let others take over,” he told thenff.com. “I really wish I can go on forever but

I can’t, so Nigeria should start grooming someone to take over from me, and that is what I wish. “But for now I don’t know how long I can go, so there has to be someone to take over. The 32-year old has been Nigeria’s first choice goalkeeper since making his debut for the Super Eagles in a friendly against Kenya in 2002. He was temporarily displaced by Austin Ejide in 2008 under Berti Vogts, but regained his position soon after the German coach left. Enyeama is unarguably one of the best goalkeepers Nigeria has ever produced and is often seen in the class of Emmanuel Okala and Peter Rufai, two other great goalkeepers the country has produced.

Musa, Awoniyi, Alampasu join U-23 Eagles Emmanuel Tobi

lying Eagles captain, Musa Mohammed, on Wednesday arrived at the Abuja camp of the U-23 Eagles ahead of the second leg of the All Africa Games qualifier against Zambia billed for April 11, in Lusaka. The team’s media officer, Timi Ebikagboro, informed New Telegraph that, “Mohammed was the first to arrive and he joined in both morning and evening training sessions of the team.” He added that Taiwo Awoniyi, Bernard Bulbwa and Mustapha Abdullahi joined the team late in the evening due to the distance from their respective abodes. Meanwhile, goalkeeper, Dele Alampasu, who was reportedly ruled out of the Zambia match

Musa (left) in action for Super Eagles

due to a wrist injury is already in camp. “Alampasu is in camp and he is not injured. He had few challenges sorting his release from his new club but it has been

sorted out,” Ebikagboro said. The U-23 Eagles were held to a goalless draw during the first leg qualifier at the National Stadium Abuja on March 22.

Minnows shock Warri Wolves in Delta FA Cup he 16th edition of the lation and extra time. semifinal, Warri Wolves T Delta State Federa- Ecobank is sponsor of FC who are campaigntions Cup has recorded a the Delta FC Cup. ing in the CAF Confedmajor upset, as Glo Premier League side, Warri Wolves FC, was sent packing by an unknown first timer, God’s Time FC, in the semifinal. The match, which took place at Ughelli Township Stadium ended 5-4 after penalty shootouts in favour of God’s Time FC after the game ended 1-1 at regu-

Giant killing God’s Time FC will now trade tackles with J. Atete FC in the grand finale of this year’s Delta State Federation Cup at the Warri City Stadium on April 9. To get to the final, J. Atete FC defeated Anioma FC 3-1 in the semifinal. For their failure to progress beyond the

erations Cup will face Anioma FC in the third place match. Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan will be the special guest of honour in the grand finale, and is expected to lead other top government officials as well as management and staff of the sponsor, Ecobank.

Besiktas chase Raheem Lawal

T Lawal

op Turkish club, Besiktas, have been linked with a move for Eskisehirspor’s Nigerian midfielder Raheem Lawal. According to the Turkish newspaper Fotomac, the Black Eagles are on the

hunt for an alternative to Atiba Hutchinson. Atiba’s contract with Besiktas runs out at the end of the season and the Istanbul based club has been unable to reach an agreement with the Canadian international.

Lawal joined Eskiehirspor from Mersin Idmanyurdu in February for 1 million dollars. The central midfielder has two assists and two goals in all competitions this season. Lawal has made six international ap-

pearances for Nigeria. Eskisehirspor are one place below Sivasspor following their shock 4-1 defeat at the hands of bottom of the table Balikesirspor and are in 15th place with 27 points in 25 games.

Interview 55

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY APRIL 2, 2015

I owe everything to Fillol – Romero

ey kid! You’ve done your laces up all wrong. You won’t kick the ball straight with them up like that.” The kid in question was Sergio Romero, a young keeper in Racing Club’s sixth team, and the man handing out the advice was Racing coach and former Argentina goal keeper Ubaldo Fillol. The year was 2004, and that tip was the first of many that El Pato (The Duck), regarded as the greatest custodian Argentina has ever produced, would give Romero. In the years that followed the youngster kept his eyes and ears open, absorbing so much from the master that he has now gone on to equal his record as La Albiceleste’s most-capped goalkeeper. The two are currently tied on 58 appearances, with the Sampdoria man pulling level with Fillol on Tuesday evening, as Argentina beat Ecuador 2-1. Commenting on his achievement afterwards, the self-effacing Romero - a finalist in the Brazil 2014 adidas Golden Glove reckoning - was almost embarrassed at having caught up with the great man: “What I’d like is for him to get a cap every time I get one, in recognition of everything he represents as a goalkeeper. He’s the best Argentina has ever had. There shouldn’t be anyone who goes past him. It should be El Pato on top and then the rest of us.” Romero is far from the only one to hold such a view. An immense presence between the posts at the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina, Fillol also made appearances at Germany 1974 and Spain 1982. And while he failed to make the final 22-man squad for Mexico 1986, where La Albiceleste landed their second world title, he was the first-choice keeper for the preliminaries and played a big hand in their qualification for the finals. At club level he won seven league titles with River Plate and the Supercopa Sudamericana

with Racing. His exceptional reflexes, agility, ability to face down opposing strikers in one-on-one situations and his larger-thanlife personality made him hugely popular with youngsters across the land. Kids wanting to be Fillol in the 1970s and 80s was almost as common as those aspiring to be Mario Kempes, Diego Maradona or Daniel Passarella. The utmost respect Romero was yet another youngster who grew up in awe of Fillol: “When it comes to football, El Pato is my father. Everything I’ve achieved is down to him.” On the day they met, the day Fillol dispensed his lace-tying advice, he took a group of reserve team keepers to train with the first team, to give them a glimpse of life in the elite. When he saw the 17-year-old Chiquito in action, Fillol knew he had something special on his hands. “You’re not going back to your team,” he told the teenager. “You’re staying with us.” El Pato’s faith in Romero changed the course of the youngster’s life. Prior to decamping to Buenos Aires to try his luck with Racing, Romero had seriously considered giving up football and devoting his energies to basketball, the sport he had played in Comodoro Rivadavia, the Patagonian city where he spent much of his childhood. Enrique Tolcachier, a wellknown basketball coach in Argentina, tried to persuade the young Romero to put his 6’3 frame to use on the court and not the football pitch, an argument that nearly swayed him. Homesick and missing his family, he decided to pack his bags only for his father to advise him to stick with Racing. The shrewd Fillol did the rest. The Argentinian great went to every effort to improve Romero’s game, even running right across the training ground on one occasion to tell the youngster how to regain his balance after making a save.

Romero

I’m happy and excited for Sergio Romero... He’s a wonderfully gifted keeper and a really great kid

“The things he said were so useful for the rest of my career,” commented Romero, who went 485 minutes without conceding a goal at Brazil 2014, a new Argentinian record for the world finals, beating the previous mark of 375, set by who else but Fillol on home soil in 1978. From club to country El Pato was also the man responsible for opening the doors to the national team set-up to his protégé. Working as an assistant to U-20 coach Hugo Tocalli in 2007, he insisted on a call-up for Romero, who teamed up with Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria to make a telling contribution to Argentina’s triumph at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada that year. Within a few months, Fillol was championing Chiquito’s cause with the then senior Argentina coach Alfio Basile, who promptly made him part of his plans. Shortly after winning gold at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008, he was handed his debut by Diego Maradona in a South Africa 2010

qualifier against Paraguay. Ever since then, the likes of Oscar Ustari and Mariano Andujar have had to content themselves with a seat on the bench. In the lead-up to Brazil 2014, when he himself was on the bench at Monaco and with his Argentina slot in doubt, Romero got on the phone to Fillol. “Do what you’ve always done: save. It’s what you do best,” said El Pato, giving Romero the confidence boost he needed. For the first time since Nery Pumpido at Mexico 1986 and Italy 1990, Argentina fielded the same first-choice keeper at backto-back world finals. “I’m happy and excited for Sergio Romero,” Fillol wrote on his Twitter account recently. “He’s a wonderfully gifted keeper and a really great kid.” So keen is the legendary shotstopper for Romero to take the credit for his own success, he even asked him to stop talking about him in interviews. It is one piece of advice that Romero has chosen to ignore, however: “I can’t do that. That would be ingratitude.” Culled from FIFA.com

On Marble

There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.

– Bryant H. McGill

Most bridesmaids at a wedding: A total of 95 bridesmaids attended the wedding of businesswoman Keyoon Chokelamlert and Kriangkrai Kittithanesuan at a hotel in Bangkok.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015

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PDP: When the slide began

n the early hours of Wednesday, April 1, 2015, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared the candidate of the hitherto opposition All, Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the 2015 presidential election. This historic change of baton from the PDP, which has been in power for 16 years came as a huge surprise to many who ordinarily never believed that such was possible given the obvious influence and power incumbents have on electoral process especially in a third world democracy. The questions on the lips of political watchers have been, what happened to the PDP? How did a party, which has wielded so much power in the last 16 years get to this point? What many do not understand is that the road to yesterday’s defeat in this historic presidential election did not begin overnight as event of January 18, 2011 actually marked the journey to this humiliation. In 2010, President Goodluck Jonathan began a search for who would help him lead the ruling Peoples Democratic Party PDP and bring the much needed reform in the party. The Chairmanship position of the party was then zoned to the South East and the then occupant of the seat, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor had at that time made a politically inexpedient statement about zoning of political offices in the party. Apparently not reading the body language of some other party leaders very well, Chief Ogbulafor told journalists that Presidency would be retained in the north, the same zone as late Yar Adua. This was badly received at the Presidency and there and then they began the search for a replacement for him. This search brought him in contact with some Igbo leaders but eventually he settled for the former Governor of old Enugu state Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo. Dr. Nwodo’s presentation to President Jonathan on how to reform the party was agreeable to him. To Jonathan, Nwodo was the square peg in square hole. He quickly cleared the way, removing all obstacles for him to emerge. On June 17, 2010, Dr. Nwodo was sworn in as the sixth National Chairman of the party coming after Chief Solomon Lar, Barnabas Gemade, Audu Ogbe, Ahmadu Ali and Vincent Ogbulafor. He was actually coming with rich credentials having operated as the pioneer National Secretary of the party. Dr. Nwodo came well abreast of the challenge ahead for him and he left no one in doubt of his mission in his acceptance speech. He began by recalling the origin of the party “I recall that it was on Wednesday, the 19th of August, 1998 that the founding fathers of our party gathered in this Capital City Abuja and gave birth to the Peoples Democratic Party. Our aims and objectives were patriotic and our dreams lofty and visionary. He reminded the leadership of the party their promise to members

Political Musings IKE ABONYI

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Adamu Mu’azu

“that the party shall, in the selection of candidates for public office, and in appealing to the public, emphasize ability, commitment to the common man’s welfare, and accountability in the conduct of our politics.” This former Enugu governor came clearly with a mission that a new type of forward-looking leadership must develop to sustain the dream and take the party to the next level. He was emphatic to them that in the new assignment, the commitment to fight the twin evils of mismanagement and corruption were not negotiable. For a party that blatantly refused to keep its covenant with the Nigerian people, and it’s structure openly handed over to godfathers at different levels, the imposition of questionable characters as standard bearers were the order of day while internal democracy was largely not feasible. But Dr. Nwodo warned that under his watch the process of choosing candidates must once again be subjected to internal democracy, to the dictates of the constitution of the party and the extant rules. Nwodo insisted that “the days of imposition of candidates by the PDP, hoping to hoist such leaders on the people of Nigeria through rigged elections are over and over forever” he stressed. Perhaps the aspect of Nwodo’s speech that gave him away quickly as the ‘wrong’ man for the job was when he said “Needless to say, we need money to prosecute our elections but I can assure you that Ghana-Must-Go bags will not be needed at the National Secretariat of PDP in order to win primary elections. There will be no room for cash-and-carry democracy in the PDP because it is the bane of true democracy” this was

Namadi Sambo

David Mark

unusual for a group that had as its other slogan ‘share the money’ To achieve these lofty dreams he quickly went into action by rebranding the party as a new product, which he took to the press and indeed to members. His sincerity looked too good to be believed as coming from the PDP and some journalists even told him prophetically that his dream looked unreal because political hawks in the PDP will not allow it. Of course, they did not allow it. They also resisted Nwodo’s attempt at rebuilding the party’s image by opening up the Party to all Nigerians who deserve to join the party. Nwodo ran into stormy waters when he tried to bring back some founding member of the party like for-

mer Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Governor of Abia state Orji Uzor Kalu. The main revolution that probably broke the camel’s back during this era was the membership revalidation revolution otherwise called e-membership which would have attracted over ten billion Naira annually into the coffers of the party through paying a membership fee and stipulated subscription fees into designated banks all over the federation. This payment was to automatically qualify a member to be registered in his ward and be eligible to hold any position in the Party or be sponsored by the Party for any elections. It would also enable the Party to build a new and verifiable voter register, which is a condition precedent for a virile and implementable system of internal party democracy. This programme would also have eliminated godfatherism, return power to members, facilitate internal democracy and above all, guarantee financial independence to the party leadership. The hawks did not find the laudable policy palatable and they soon moved fast to nip it in the bud. The almighty forum of Governors led by Governor of Rivers state Rotimi Amaechi was quick to mobilize and shot down the initiative even after the President had done a pilot show of the nationwide registration. It was dead on arrival. President Jonathan who was in love with Nwodo’s leadership style, especially, as he was providing some stability to the Presidency tried to resist the pressure but succumbed on January 18, 2011 few months to the election. At this point it was obvious that Jonathan was ready to sacrifice anybody on the way for his ambition even if it was Nwodo. The forces against Nwodo had by the time enlarged as the Governors joined forces with some elements in the Presidency who were feeling uncomfortable that his “perceived holier than thou” advice could sooner than later sweep them off their jobs. A ‘kangaroo’ court judgment was procured against Nwodo, a deliberate act just to increase the pressure on the President, a mission they eventually achieved as he was forced to resign. The judge who was used to deliver the judgment was later to open up and apologize to Nwodo. Interestingly, the record of the judgment is nowhere in any court in the land. Since it is obvious that one cannot eat his cake and have it, the abrupt end of Nwodo’s era denied the PDP the much needed opportunity of restoring the core values of its founding fathers and instead opened the way of degeneration of the party to the point of finally losing power to the opposition. What a lost opportunity, but there is second chance if only key stakeholders would be bold enough to return to the Nwodo agenda, instill discipline, work hard and not jump ship in search of crumbs. It may be a blessing in disguise that this party has to find itself in opposition from May 29, 2015, 16 years after ruling so that its arrogance and impunity could be tamed to enable them return to the lofty ideals of its founding fathers.

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotline: 01-8541248, Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: YEMI AJAYI.