Thursday, june 30, 2016 binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

Nigeria becomes world's seventh biggest gas haven

lReserves hit 190trn scuf lFG probes cooking gas scarcity, supply hiccups Adeola Yusuf

igeria's gas reserves have increased from 186

trillion standard cubic feet (scuf) to a record high of 190 trillion scuf. Director of the Department of Petroleum Re-

sources (DPR), Mr. Modecai Ladan, who revealed this at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria Gas Association

(NGA) in Lagos yesterday, maintained that the country has now emerged the seventh biggest in the world in terms of gas re-

serves. Ladan, who was represented by the Assistant Director, Domestic Gas, DPR, Mrs. Chioma Njoku, stated

that updated statistics on the new national gas reserves indicated that the country now has 190 trillion deposit of natural gas and makes it the seventh CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Retrenchment: NLC suspends picketing of banks }5

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Vol. 3 No. 862

Wabba

MTN pays }4 N48.96bn for fine settlement, spectrum licence

Moolman

I can’t pay commissioners N100m monthly –Aregbesola }40

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Aregbesola

PDP BoT secretary, Ojo Madueke, is dead }10

N150

The late Madueke

Arms scandal:

Ex-Air Force chief, Amosu, refunds N4bn }2

lAVM, Commodore, 8 firms arraigned over alleged N22bn fraud Protesters vandalise 14 BRT Buses over hawker's death }8

Some of the damaged BRT buses on Ikorodu Road, Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTOS: TONY EGUAYE

Abuja court sacks Sheriff as PDP chairman

lJudgement, a welcome development –Obi lIt’s a misrepresentation of fact –Oladipo }5 UNICEF: Vitamin A accounts for 23% child survival }6

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THURSday, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ex-Air Force chief, Amosu, refunds N4bn

Akeem Nafiu

ormer Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, has refunded N4 billion and several properties to the Federal Government. Amosu was yesterday docked at a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over an alleged fraud of N22.8 billion. While arguing his bail application, Amosu's lawyer, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), informed the court that the former Chief of Air Staff had already refunded a 'colossal sum' of money to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). "My lords, my client has remitted monies, not in admission of guilt, but just to cooperate with the EFCC. I ask that bail be granted on self recognisance," Ayorinde said. After the court session, both Ayorinde and EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, confirmed that Amosu had returned N4 billion to government’s coffers. Also docked over the alleged fraud are two ex-top officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga. The former NAF officers were charged along with eight companies. The companies are Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil And Gas Ltd,

Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd and Solomon Health Care Ltd. All were arraigned by the EFCC on a 26-count charge before Justice Mohammed Idris. They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. EFCC lawyer, Oyedepo, later sought a trial date and urged the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody pending the conclusion of the case. At this juncture, Amosu's lawyer, Ayorinde informed the court that he has filed a bail application for his client. He said it had also been served on the prosecution. Ayorinde said his client had already refunded a 'colossal sum' of money to the anti-graft agency and, as such, he should be granted bail by the court on self-recognizance. He added that if the court was, however, mindful of imposing bail conditions, it should be on liberal terms. Other defence lawyers, Norrison Quakers (SAN) and A. Etuokwu also said they had filed bail applications for their clients. While confirming the service of the bail applications, Oyedepo said he would not be opposing the applications. He, however, urged the court to be mindful of the amount involved in the

EFCC to looters: Vomit what you stole

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has appealed to treasury looters – past and present –to “vomit” what they stole in the interest of justice. The commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Osita Nwaja, gave the looters the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Wednesday. Nwaja reiterated the commission’s determination to bring corrupt office holders to book. “Vomit what you stole. We gave you this thing to keep and you ate it and then you are claiming right. “You are throwing impunity at our faces and that is not right. And that is what EFCC is saying. It is not right. We must bring them to justice. The accused persons themselves know they

N57.96bn

The total amount of Imports from Italy for the 2014 Q4. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

have stolen billions. “And then they will go and hire all the lawyers they can and this is where we have the problems with some of these lawyers. “Recently, we took some of them to court and then they appeared in support of themselves. “Over 100 Senior Advocates of Nigeria to defend one man. We are talking about 103 chambers in defence of one man. That is immoral, to say the very least.” The public affairs director said the common man is, at most times, at the receiving end as they are always denied their basic needs and used for public demonstrations by the looters when arrested. Nwaja said the fight against corruption was fundamental to the country’s economic recovery.

The sex ratio of international migrants of women to 100 men of Cook Islands in 2010. Source: Un.org

case and impose bail conditions that would compel the defendants to attend their trial. In his ruling on the bail applications, Justice Idris held that in view of the fact that there was no counter affidavit to the applications, the court was disposed to granting bail to the accused persons. The accused persons were granted bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum. The sureties, according to the judge, must have landed properties within the court's jurisdiction and should deposit their title documents to the court's registrar for verification. The sureties are also to swear to an affidavit of means while the accused persons are to deposit their international passports with the court's registrar. The matter has been adjourned till July 8 for commencement of trial. In the charge, the accused were alleged to have converted various sums to the tune of over N22.8 billion for their personal use.

The defendants were also accused of using the sum of over N328 million from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force between March 21, 2014 and March 12, 2015, to purchase for themselves properties. Amosun and Adigun were said to have, between July 17 and September 16, 2014 removed over N663.4 million from the Nigerian Air Force accounts to purchase properties at 50-52 Tenterden Grove, London (NW4 1TH) and at 93B Shirehall Park, London NW4 2QU, United Kingdom. The offences were said to have contravened the provisions of Sections 15 (1), (3) and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act. The 13-man presidential committee auditing arms procurement between 2007 and 2015 set up by President Muhammadu Buhari had indicted serving and retired military officers, including Amosu

and Adigun, in the arms procurement scandal. Over N29 billion and $2 billion had been expended on the NAF procurement activities alone between 2007 and 2015. Amosu, Adigun and other officers were investigated over 10 NAF contracts totalling $930,500,690 awarded to Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux (SEI) Nig Ltd. between January 2014 and February 2015. New Telegraph had exclusively reported in the November 30, 2015 edition, that the Federal Government had directed the EFCC to prosecute the ex-CAS. Amosu was subsequently arrested and interrogated by the anti-graft agency. Meanhile, the EFCC also arraigned Air Vice Marshal John Adeniyi Kayode-Beckley before Justice Olubunmi Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja on one count charge of N10 million bribery. AVM Beckley, while

serving as the Director of Armament with the Nigerian Air Force, allegedly collected the sum of N10 million as gratification from a contractor, one Mr. Hima Abubakar, of Societe D’Equipments Internationaux Nig. Ltd. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. In view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Cosmas Ugwu, asked the court for a date for trial. But, counsel to the accused person, Y. Maikarfi urged the court to grant the accused bail, stating that the accused person had always been present when called upon. Ugwu kicked on the basis that the accused is on the verge of retirement and, therefore, may abscond. Justice Banjoko, after listening to both arguments, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum. The sureties may be ordinary citizens resident in Abuja. The case has been adjourned to September 27, 2016 for trial.

L-R: Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga; operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, at the Federal High Court, Lagos… yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

IMF: Forex reforms, graft war’ll boost Nigeria’s economy Tony Chukwunyem

he Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, has reiterated the Fund’s support for the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) flexible forex policy. Specifically, she said that the new forex system, coupled with the Federal Government’s anti-graft and diversification efforts, would position the Nigerian economy for the challenges of the future. The IMF boss disclosed these while responding to a question on how the slowing global economy and Brexit will impact Nigeria at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado, United States last Tuesday. She said that with the new forex policy, “The country is heading in the right direction. What I can

tell you is that I was very, very pleased to see the exchange rate new policy that has been decided by the Central Bank of Nigeria. And I’m delighted that President Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to that change as being part of the overall Nigerian policy. I think it’s a move in the right direction.” Besides, she said: “The fact that it (Nigeria) is heading in the direction of a more flexible exchange rate, I think is so wise and so much better than what was there before. So, I think on that front, the country is heading in the right direction. Diversification of sources of growth is a critical one, and I think the fight against corruption is something that President Buhari himself who was present at the London Summit against corrup-

tion has devoted his energy and efforts towards and it needs to be continued, we need to support him in helping along the way.” According to her, by fighting against corruption, diversifying the economy and making sure that there is growth in the country in order to create jobs for the Nigerian population, particularly the young people, “on the basis of a monetary policy and an exchange rate that is more variable than it was before… I think hopefully will position the country in a much better shape for the future.” It will be recalled that following the CBN’s announcement of the new forex policy on June 15, IMF spokesman, Gerry Rice, said that the Fund wanted to see how effectively the naira exchange market would function

when the policy came into effect. He said: “I think the announcement to revise the guidelines for the operation of the Nigerian interbank foreign exchange market is an important and welcome step. It will provide greater flexibility in that market, the foreign exchange market. “As we have said before, a significant macroeconomic adjustment that Nigeria urgently needs to eliminate existing imbalances and support the competitiveness of the economy is best achieved through a credible package of policies involving fiscal discipline, monetary tightening, a flexible exchange rate regime and structural reform. Allowing the exchange rate to better reflect market forces is an integral part of that,” Rice added.

THURSday, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEWS

THURSday, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

MTN pays N48.96bn for fine settlement, spectrum licence

lNCC confirms payment Kunle Azeez

TN Nigeria has paid a total of N48.96 billion into the coffers of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to settle part of its N330 billion outstanding fine and the payment for a new spectrum licence. The telecoms firm, in a statement made available to New Telegraph yesterday, said N18.96 billion was paid for the 2.6 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum licence it recently bid for and won. Also, the first payment of N30 billion in the terms of its fine settlement had already been disbursed to

£6,658

The weekly salary of Cuauhtemoc Blanco of Lobos BUAP in 2014/2015. Source: Paywizard.co.uk

£896m

The total value of Juventus in 2016. Source: Goal.com

the NCC. The payments were made into the telecoms regulator’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). A reliable management source at the NCC, who spoke with New Telegraph yesterday, confirmed the payments by the telecoms company. “Yes, the information of the two payments was correct. They were paid into the TSA of NCC residing with the CBN,” the source said. NCC had recently declared MTN as winner of its latest auction for a 10year frequency spectrum licence for the 2.6GHz band, which guarantees superior performance for wireless networks, especially Fourth Generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) services. The commission also confirmed that MTN's bid was in full compliance with the relevant provisions of the Information Memorandum (IM) for

the exercise in which MTN emerged as sole approved bidder. Although, Nigeria is one of 28 African countries that currently offer 4G/LTE services, the rate of penetration is restricted to a few major cities with broadband penetration in Nigeria currently standing at 10 per cent. Nigeria’s target was to achieve 30 per cent broadband penetration rate by 2018, in line with the country’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) 2013-2018. Already, MTN has said its success in the auction was a big boost to its plan to deliver global mobile broadband and LTE 4G services to over 60 million customers in Nigeria. In the statement, MTN

Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ferdi Moolman, stated that: “After complying with all the requirements for the 2.6GHz auction and making the licence payment of N18.96 billion to the NCC, MTN has been issued a letter of award. With the 2.6GHz band, we expect to roll out and provide the full range of LTE services to Nigerians, empowering Nigeria with the latest mobile broadband technology. On the payment of fine, Moolman said: “In addition to the earlier payment of N50 billion which we paid in good faith and without prejudice on February 24, this means we have now paid a total of N80 billion.” In addition to aggres-

sive investment, MTN said it had also built the most extensive private fibre optics superhighway in Africa and the Middle East, covering approximately16, 000 kilometres, which is longer than the distance from Indonesia (Asia) to Argentina (South America). For Moolman, the 2.6GHz acquisition has set the stage for the rollout of 4G LTE broadband Internet services across the country, starting in the major cities of Lagos and Abuja. It would be recalled that following the reduction of the initial N1.04 trillion fine imposed on the telecoms company for violating SIM registration rule and after series of negotia-

tions, the fine was reduced to N330 billion. With the N50 billion ‘good faith’ payment earlier made by MTN, the NCC said the remaining N280 billion balance would be made in six tranches on a staggered payment basis to lessen the effect of the settlement on the telecoms company. By the terms of agreement, MTN will pay N30 billion into NCC, 30 days from the date of the agreement dated June 10. Other dates of payments include March 31, 2017 (N30 billion); March 31, 2018 (N55 billion); December 31, 2018 (N55 billion); March 31, 2019 (N55 billion) while the balance of N55 billion would be paid on May 31, 2019.

FIRS shuts HFP Engineering, others over huge tax debts

he Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has closed down the operational headquarters of H.F.P Engineering Nigeria Limited over the company's tax liabilities of N536 million. Staffs of the company were ordered out of the office located at Globe House, Plot 0-17B, Road 8, Victoria Garden City, Lagos. The FIRS enforcement unit, led by Anita Erinne, also sealed Meditarian Nigeria Limited at 243, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, which has a tax debt of over N4 billion spanning 2008 – 2013. An officer of the company, Mr. Raja, an Indian, said he was not aware of the said debt. He called on one Mr. Kola to attend to the FIRS team. Kola admitted that they owed the amount and pleaded for time to pay it. "We have been in discussions with your office in Abuja over the matter," he said. The FIRS officials were not persuaded and sealed up the company's office. Also affected was Dimension Data at Block 235, Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The company has tax liabilities in excess of N540 million. Top officials of the company were said to be unavailable when the office was sealed. The same fate befell Sirius Energy Resources, located at 209 Muri Okunola Street. The company

owes N11 million in taxes. Also, the enforcement team visited NICON Hotel at the Victoria Garden City after it was informed that Global Fleet, owned by Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, was operating from there. But the hotel was not sealed. This was after Ibrahim came out to explain to the team, which wanted to lock up its premises, that Global Fleet is currently being managed by Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). "AMCON has taken over for now and there is a court order on that. As soon as it is waived, after we have resolved with AMCON, we will call you concerning liabilities," Ibrahim told the FIRS team. Ibrahim also insisted that Global Fleet operates from its Marina headquarters and not the NICON Hotel. At TSL Logistics Limited, located at 1, Coker Road, Ilupeju, a staff of the company put up a spirited effort to persuade the team not to seal the office. The man, who identified himself as Mr. Wale, said the company was not owing the N724 million ascribed to it by the FIRS, given that it submitted a credit note of N211 million to the FIRS office yesterday. Erinne, however, insisted that the document from her office indicates a tax debt of N724 million and ordered the office sealed yesterday at 4.25p.m.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike (middle), with the leadership of physically-challenged indigenes of South-South during their visit to the governor in Port Harcourt…yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Nigeria becomes world's seventh biggest gas haven CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

in the world and the largest in Africa. He assured stakeholders that Nigeria has the potential to become a global super power in Africa because the country ranks third in gas production after Algeria and Egypt, despite being the largest in terms of gas reserves. Nigeria, he added, could broaden its economy using gas. "It is a critical strategic consideration that must be embraced. We need to design framework that will focus on gas exploration with full support of industry stakeholders," he said. Coincidentally, most gas discoveries and the reserves were accidentally discovered during crude oil exploration and stakeholders have been calling on the Federal Government to institute marginal bid rounds for gas exploration. Corroborating Ladan's view, President of NGA, Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya, stated that: "Nigeria has experienced a transformational shift in the perceived role of natural gas from an energy source sometimes seen as unreliable and scarce over a decade ago to

one that is now recognised as an essential component of a cleaner and more secure resource-based portfolio. "Decline in crude oil prices has coincided with a welcome surge in the use of natural gas for domestic and industrial use in developed and developing countries. We are aware that Nigeria's aspirations for the power sector, particularly the significant amplification of the country's power generation capacity, would be largely based on the use of supply and delivery of natural gas. "However, despite the abundance of natural gas, Nigeria's gas-fired plants continue to operate below their installed capacity, crippled by the unavailability of gas due to persistent pipeline sabotage. "This means we have to innovatively create a fuel diversification strategy, which will enable about 1000MW of power generation to be supported by using the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). This process will require the liquefaction of about 240 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. This large volume

of gas can be compressed to about 0.4 million cubic feet of LNG per day." He, however, urged the government and operators alike to understand that the first step to take is the creation of a legal and regulatory framework, which will eradicate persistent obstacles, which have burdened the progress of the sector. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has declared readiness to probe the scarcity of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) also known as cooking gas allegedly buoyed by the shoddy deals in the supply of the product. Managing Director of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Alhaji Ahmed Farouk, who disclosed this in Lagos yesterday, expressed shock at the discovery that the scarcity was caused by logistic challenges faced by LPGladen vessels, which prevented them from berthing at the PPMC jetty. PPMC, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), is in charge of the three major jetties in Lagos, where the product

is being discharged. The issue of PPMC officials involved in diverting LPG vessels to private jetties, Farouk said during the official commissioning of Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, NALPGAM building and Resource Centre in Lagos, will be looked into. Fielding questions from journalists, PPMC’s Executive Director, Supply and Distribution, Mr. Justine Ezeala, who represented Farouk, said that the issue of PPMC officials colluding to divert LPG vessels to private jetties is new to him, noting that steps will be taken to address the situation. “I am hearing this for the first time. I have been Executive Director for nine months and I am hearing this for the first time, but I am not holding brief for anyone, but if this is substantiated, we will take steps. “If you have any evidence, please bring it to my notice, no one in their right minds will take that step to frustrate efforts of bringing LPG closer to the people. I will look into it,” Farouk said.

NEWS

THURSday, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Abuja court sacks Sheriff as PDP chair Tunde Oyesina and Onyekachi Eze ABUjA

n Abuja High Court yesterday sacked a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. The order of the court was sequel to a suit marked FCT/HC/CV/1867/2016 filed by a chieftain of the party from Ondo State, Chief Joseph Joro, wherein he challenged the amendment of Article 47,

Rule 6 of the party’s constitution. The PDP was the only defendant in the suit. Delivering judgement in the suit, the trial judge, Justice Valentine Ashi, held as unconstitutional, null and void, purported amendment of Article 47 Rule 6 of PDP Constitution, 2012, at a special National Convention the party held on Wednesday and Thursday, December 10 and 11, 2014. The court, however, voided the amendment on the basis that there was no

compliance with mandatory provisions of Article 66 (2) and (3) of the PDP constitution. According to him, “By reason of the above, the purported amendments introduced to the constitution on the aforesaid dates, are hereby set aside. “All persons, individuals, servants or agents of PDP parading themselves as national officers of the PDP pursuant to the purported amendment which has now been nullified are hereby restrained from further parading them-

selves in these capacities.” However, counsel to PDP, Okere Kingdom, said the party would appeal the judgement on ground that the court had no power to meddle into the domestic affair of a political party. Meanwhile, the National Caretaker Committee of the PDP has expressed satisfaction with the judgement. The committee, however, advised Sheriff to retrace his steps and join hands with it to move the PDP forward. Secretary of the Care-

L-R: Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najib Hussaini Adamu; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Lamido Sanusi; Ona of Abaji and Saltan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, at the State House, Abuja... yesterday

Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

Retrenchment: NLC suspends picketing of banks

ers or face a nationwide industrial action. The banks are Fidelity Bank, Diamond Bank, First City Monument Bank, First Bank, Ecobank and Skye Bank. He said that the decision to call off the picketing was a follow-up to the Public Hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Banks and Financial Institutions. Wabba said that the Senate had asked the Ministry of Labour and Employment to convene a bilateral meeting and consultation in the best interest of the workers and the employers.

“We have come to an agreement that all of us would attend the tripartite meeting that is being proposed by the ministry, to look at auxiliary issues affecting the sector. “We have also agreed as NLC, working with our affiliates, to suspend all forms of hostility, including the picketing, until the meeting takes place. “We have also looked at other related issues that include non-unionisation, issue of protection fees by some banks, among others. We have agreed mutually that the issues will be discussed under law at the tripartite

Troops arrest 24 Boko Haram accomplices, one soldier killed Emmanuel Onani Abuja

roops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have arrested 24 Boko Haram accomplices, after successful clearance operations in six villages. The disclosure was made in a statement by the Chief Military Public Information Officer, Col. Muhammad Dole. The statement noted that the MNJTF has intensified its operations around the borders between Nigeria and Cameroon, with the aim of preventing Boko Haram suspects from flee-

sentation of fact. Oladipo said the court only heard and delivered judgement on a matter concerning certain amendments in the PDP constitution, which has nothing to do with the election of Sheriff as the National Chairman or even that of his predecessor, Alhaji Adamu Muazu. "This is completely false and a clear misrepresentation of the ruling of the court as it never gave any ruling ousting the National Chairman," the statement added. According to Oladipo, Sheriff was elected as the National Chairman of the PDP and has not been removed by any court. "We, therefore, urge those misleading the media and the unsuspecting public to desist from such. The media is also urged to always crosscheck their facts before going to press," he advised.

Court dismisses Fani-Kayode’s fundamental rights suit

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday in Abuja announced the suspension of the proposed picketing of six banks over mass sack of workers. NLC President Ayuba Wabba made this known at a joint press conference organised by the NLC, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and some representatives of the affected banks. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NLC had issued a 14-day ultimatum to six banks to recall all sacked work-

taker Committee, Senator Ben Obi, in an interview, described the judgement as a welcome development. "We expect more positive court rulings in the days ahead in favour of our party. It is time for them to face the truth and retrace their steps," Obi advised. He called on Sheriff and his supporters to stop their hardline posture and cooperate with the caretaker committee to move the party forward. "We believe that truth must be upheld; we want all hands to be on deck to chart the way forward," he added. A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt will, on Monday, July 4, give ruling on the leadership crisis in PDP. However, former National Secretary of the party, Professor Adewale Oladipo has described the judgement as a misrepre-

ing across the borders. It listed the liberated communities as follows: Sagui, Kirta-Woulgo, Gore Mahamat, Gore Blangafe, Chaugry, and Damboure. A soldier was killed in the encounter, while another was critically injured, according to the statement. Dole said: "Clearing operation to flush out the fleeing Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) from the MNJTF Area of Responsibility (AOR) continues to yield positive results. The troop of Sector 1 with its relocated Tactical Headquarters in Makary, Northern Cameroon intensifies clearance operations along the borders between Nige-

ria and Cameroun to block the fleeing terrorists. "Recently the terrorists, in attempt to escape the firepower of MNJTF troops, were migrating to some villages adjacent to the Sector 1 AOR. "Acting on credible information, the troops successfully cleared the six villages occupied by the terrorists, seized some logistic equipment and apprehended 24 suspected Boko Haram accomplices. "However, one soldier was killed by Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and another fatally wounded and lost one of his lower limbs during the operation."

meeting being organised by the ministry and all of us have agreed to subject ourselves to it.” He noted that all parties had agreed that the tripartite meeting was necessary as it would take on board the interest of the workers as provided by the law under Section 20 of the Trade Union Act. According to him, the law provides a forum for dialogue, consultation before any process would be concluded. “We have observed the challenge, especially the issue of the process, the procedure and the provision of the law,” he said. Wabba noted that the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) had updated the Congress on how far they had gone with engagement with the affected banks. Also speaking, the Director-General of NECA, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo, called for dialogue as a way of resolving issues in the banking and financial institutions sector. “The fact is that in employer and employees relationship, there will always be issues, but the important thing is that when there are issues, there should be a structure and there should be an understanding among social partners," he said.

n Abuja High Court yesterday threw out a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by a former Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Femi FaniKayode, seeking an order releasing him from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC had, on May 9, arrested Fani-Kayode with respect to criminal allegations relating to diversion of funds meant for arms procurement to political campaigns. However, Fani-Kayode had approached the court to challenge his arrest and continual detention. Delivering judgement in the suit, the trial judge, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi held that the legal action lacked merit. He further held that the detention was not illegal since it was backed by an order of court. “The reason for arrest and detention is for reasonable suspicion of committing an offence and the test can be determined by the totality of the case in a court,” he said, He said the arrest of Fani-Kayode from May 9 to May 19 did not contravene human rights of the applicant by law as the EFCC had obtained an order to remand the former Minister of Aviation in Abuja on May 10. The judge said that another remand warrant

was also obtained from a Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, which transferred the matter to Lagos. According to him, the court is incompetent because the case has been transferred to Lagos, which is not within its jurisdiction. Adeniyi, however, said that the applicant did not establish how his right to life and freedom of movement was violated. On issue of bail, he held that only the court was empowered to grant bail as envisaged in Section 35 of the constitution. According to him, the grant of administrative bail is only allowed for the duration in the constitution until he is brought before a court of law for bail. Fani-Kayode had challenged his detention by the EFCC as unlawful and a violation of his fundamental human rights. However, the court faulted the practice by the EFCC of arresting and detaining a suspect for the purposes of investigation. “It is dangerous to the rule of law. So, best practices should be embraced from the civilised societies,” he held.

41%

The estimated percentage of the antiretroviral therapy coverage (range) of Sub-Sahara Africa in December 2009. Source: Who.int

273,000

The total population of men in Macao, China in 2012. Source: Un.org

NEWS | national

thursday, june 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Forgery: SGF, Senate in war of words Onwuka Nzeshi and Ebere Ameh Abuja

ecretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir David Lawal, yesterday, asked the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu to allow the judiciary do its job of hearing and adjudicating in the case of forgery instituted against them at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He said it was the two officers that were on trial and not the Senate. But the Senate in raction to the statement by the SGF, said it was the senate and not its two officers that were put on trial by the executive arm of government. Lawal said that rather

Dangote refinery, fertilizer projects to create 235,000 new jobs

he Refinery and Fertilizer projects of Dangote Industries Limited, is expected to create a minimum of both direct and indirect 235,000 new jobs. It is expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2019. President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who revealed this, also stated that the projects will cost a minimum of $17 billion. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, however, assured the Management of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), of the support of the Federal Government towards the completion of both its Refinery and Fertilizer Companies. Osinbajo, after the inspection of the Refinery and Fertilizer last weekend said: “Supporting what you are doing here is not a favour. It is not a favour that would be done to Dangote group, but is an important part of our own up building of the Nigerian economy. As a matter of fact, it is a crucial part of building the Nigerian economy… when people say that somebody is building something, they are doing a refinery at Lekki, your concept of that, they way you visualize that, is a structure somewhere. "Maybe, a couple of warehouses or two. That’s how you visualize it. And certainly, you don’t think they deserve all the noise and attention and certainly not the money they might have access to."

than maligning the Federal Government and pointing fingers at President Muhammadu Buhari, the duo must carry their crosses and avoid creating the impression that the entire parliament had been dragged to court on the issue. In a statement made available to New Telegraph, Lawal recalled that since the arraignment of the two presiding officers of the Senate and two others before the Federal High Court on Monday, June 27, 2016, the duo had issued two separate statements, conveying messages that

were far from being complementary to the person and government of President Muhammadu Buhari. He said that while Saraki " clearly insinuated" that Mr. President was not in control of his administration and that a cabal now runs the federal administration, Ekweremadu accused President Buhari of exhibiting dictatorial tendencies that could derail democracy in the country. Apparently calling the two leaders of the Senate to order, Lawal reminded them that the

case involved only the four accused persons and should not be presented to the unsuspecting public as involving the entire Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “The complaint leading to the forgery investigation was reported to the Police by some aggrieved Senators, who specifically accused certain persons. It is not the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that is involved and definitely not the House of Representatives. To bring the National Assembly as a body into this court case is totally unwarranted.

It can only be for other purposes and reasons outside the investigation and legal proceedings," he said. But the senate said that it was the whole house and not the Saraki and Ekweremadu that was being tried by the Federal Government. In a statement issued by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, it stated that “We note the statement issued by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr. David Babachir Lawal that the Senate is not the one on

Soldiers displaying the transformation of Nigerian Army From pre-colonial days till date in the Army Museum, during the inauguration of Nigerian Army Resource Centre, in Abuja …yesterday

s part of efforts to reduce child mortality, UNICEF has affirmed that Vitamin A accounts for over 23 per cent of a child's survival. The UNICEF’s Chief Nutritionist in Nigeria, Arjan de Wagt, disclosed this at a media dialogue organised by Civil SocietyScaling up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUN) in Abuja yesterday. According to a report published by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Wagt who was represented by Mr. Praeya Mathema of Nutrition Department of UNICEF, said Vitamin A had the greatest impact on the survival of a child from 0-1,000 days. Vitamin A is a group of unsaturated nutritional organic compounds that includes retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and several pro-vitamin A carotenoids (most notably beta-carotene). Vitamin A has multiple functions: it is important for growth and development, for the maintenance of the immune system and good vision. At least 30 per cent of Nigerian children less than five years suffer from Vitamin A deficiency. The theme of the media dialogue was, ‘Promoting Optimum Child Growth and Development in Nigeria’ and it focused on the

trial in the Forgery case instituted by the Attorney General of the Federation against the Senate President and his Deputy. “We disagree with him on this position and we maintain our earlier stand that it is the Senate that is the target of the present attempt to intimidate the legislature to force a leadership change in the Senate. “Mr. Babachir Lawal should tell us how reasonable it is to conclude that when the President of Nigeria and the Vice President are being jointly tried in a suit whose outcome can remove them from office, it is not the Buhari Government that is being targeted. “It is also imperative to clearly state that contrary to the claim by the SGF, neither the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki nor Senator Ike Ekweremadu were mentioned by the petitioners, the statements by those interviewed by the police or even the police report.”

The number of fatalities in terrorists’ violence involving security force personnel in 2011. Source: Satp.org

UNICEF: Vitamin A accounts for 23% child survival

implementation of Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCH) from 2010 to 2015. Wagt noted that the MNCH week, usually held twice in a year, had so far reached over 250 million children from 2010 till date. According to him, the week was geared towards reaching the grassroots with adequate interventions like vitamin A vaccines to scale-up nutritional needs of children.

The chief nutritionist said it was a huge social injustice if a child was denied the opportunity to grow to full potential as a result of malnutrition, adding that “it is not only about treating malnutrition but also focuses on hidden hunger of micronutrient deficiency.’’ While calling on some mothers to take their children to hospitals to complete routine immunisation of their kids,

he similarly advised parents to take their children to hospitals every two months to ascertain the actual nutritional status of their wards. According to him, there is need for collaborative efforts by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders to ensure food security, stressing that nutrition was not all about availability of food but also involves proper hygiene.

More than 300,000 jostle for 750 EFCC jobs

o fewer than 300,000 applications were received for the 750 positions advertised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), an official has said. Its Director of Public Affairs, Mr Osita Nwaja, announced the figures in Enugu when he visited the Enugu zonal office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Nwaja said that the recruitment was segmented, adding that the first phase of the exercise ended on June 26. “We had more than 300,000 applicants that ap-

plied for the 750 positions, which are in three cadres, junior, middle and senior cadres. “We are considering a whole lot of junior staff, so, that they will grow in the system. “The criteria were well spelt out and those that met them wrote the examination,” he said. Nwaja said that by the recruitment, the EFCC had moved to fortify its ranks in view of the onerous task of fighting corruption. “The fight against corruption is fundamental to everything we do in this

country. It is a fight we cannot afford to lose. “We must keep on recruiting foot soldiers to meet our objective as it is geared toward the direction of making Nigeria greater,” he said. The director said that the commission would not fail Nigerians, but could not fight corruption alone. “We cannot do this alone and that is why we are always reaching out to the media. “We have found in NAN a veritable ally in this task of curbing corruption in the country.

Policeman dies from mob attack he Enugu State PoT lice Command, has confirmed the death of

a policeman, Nobert Ugwuanyi, who was beaten to coma by an angry mob in Nsukka on Tuesday for allegedly killing a motorcyclist. Mr Ebere Amaraizu, Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview on yesterday. He said that the policeman was confirmed dead yesterday morning at a hospital. ``Yes the policeman, beaten by mob at Beach Junction in Nsukka in Nsukka Local Government Area, on Tuesday has died as a result of serious injury inflicted on him by the mob,‘ he said. Amaraizu said the police had commenced investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the beaten of the officer to coma that resulted in his death. “All the people involved in beaten him will be made to face the full weight of the law." “He was on official duty; if anybody feels he has acted above his power, there are appropriate means to seek redress," he said.

national | news

thursday, june 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NIMASA battling to pay salaries –DG Bayo Akomolafe

igerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is battling with dearth of fund to pay workers salaries and execute projects. Its Director General, Dr Dakuku Peterside disclosed this yesterday during an interactive session with journalists to mark his 100 days in office at the Rockview Hotel in Apapa . Peterside said that if not because of the ingenuity of the management, the agency would have found it difficult to pay workers’ salaries. He added that fewer

vessels calling at the port had affected the revenue of the apex maritime regulator since the beginning of the year. He noted that the agency had certified 400 seafarers. The director general explained he had personally signed their Certificate of Competence (CoC) to enable them go to sea. He stressed that the agency would be repositioned and factored in the welfare of its workers. Also, Peterside said that right people will be put in the right place to ensure efficiency in the agency.

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME

Adesuwa

I, formerly known as Ediagbonya Gladys now wish to be known and addressed as Godwin Gladys Adesuwa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Datok

I, formerly known as Gyang Joseph Yakubu now wish to be known and addressed as Gyang Joseph Datok. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Zubair

Alhamid

I, formerly known as Akorede Sulaimon Adekunle now wish to be known and addressed as Alhamid Sulaimon Adeyemi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Benedict

I, formerly known as Aminu Ngbede Anaja now wish to be known and addressed as Benedict Gabriel Otene Ngbede. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Igwe

This is to confirm that Ansaru-S-Sunnah Filislam and Ismail Alade Zubair is refers to the same person. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Ismail Alade Zubair. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

I, formerly known as Igweze Daniel Ajah now wish to be known and addressed as Igwe Daniel Ajah. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Samuel

Ayah

This is to notify the general public that on my age declaration & other documents my name was wrongly written as Ayanka Ifiemi instead of Ayanka Ifiemi Samuel.Also in my BVN registration with Zenith bank,my date of birth was wrongly written as October 10,1987 instead of October 1,1993.All former documents remain valid.Zenith bank Plc and the general public note.

Agbaje

I, formerly known Opeyemi Tawakalitu Labake now wish to be known and addressed as Agbaje Tawakalitu Labake. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Ojeaburu

I, formerly known Ojeaburu Edegbinni Tony now wish to be known and addressed as Ojeaburu Monday Tony. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Izeka

I, formerly known Ezeka Thankgod Kelechi now wish to be known and addressed as Izeka Thankgod Isaac. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known Tariebi Thankgod now wish to be known and addressed as Faustina Ayah. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Imoladei

I, formerly known Wad Kellywad Perekebowei Dogood now wish to be known and addressed as Imoladei Dogood Waribo. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Ighomo

I, formerly known Shina Sule now wish to be known and addressed as Ighomo Shina Sule. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Okon

I, formerly known Emmanuel Friday Abia now wish to be known and addressed as Emmanuel Friday Okon. All former documents remain valid. Keystone bank Plc, Skye bank Plc, Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHRIST CONSOLATION REVIVIAL CHARISMATIC CHURCH This is to inform the general public that the above named CHURCH has applied to CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act, LAWS OF THE FEDERATION 2004. The Trustees are: 1. Bro Lazarus Joseph Ikechukwu (General Coordinator) 2. Sis Akubueze Chidinma F. (Deputy General Coordinator) AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To please Christ 2. To care for the Church and humanity Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

L-R: Wife of the General Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Mrs. Esther Kumuyi; Pastor W. F Kumuyi, and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Tor Uja, during a courtesy visit to the Commission's Corporate Headquarters in Abuja…yesterday

Presidency mum on arrest of B’Haram member in Aso Rock Anule Emmanuel Abuja

he presidency yesterday did not confirm reports that a member of President Muhammadu Buhari's security guard linked to the Boko Haram terrorist group has been arrested. Online media reports indicated that the suspected Boko Haram

member, an Army Corporal with the Brigade of Guards, Hassan Aminu, has strong links to the deputy leader of the Wilyat Gharb Ifriqiyyah terror group. Reliable presidency sources confirmed to New Telegraph that the arrest of the suspected soldier has led to the computerisation of biometrics of all security personnel deployed around the President.

The exercise, which is being handled by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) Babagana Munguno, is to ensure the clear and exact identity of the personnel cutting across Army, Air force, Navy, NIA and the Department of State Service (DSS). "A complete overhaul of the President's security apparatus is currently on-going. Apart from biometrics, a comprehensive

data of security personnel is being collected to assist in the payment of special allowances that they are entitled to," the source said. Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, who was contacted yesterday to confirm the veracity of the report, could not respond as he said he needed to get further information from the office of the NSA.

FG invited me for talks thrice, says Boko Haram agent Our Correspondent

hmed Salkida, the journalist known to have access to the top Boko Haram leaders, yesterday disclosed that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, had invited him for the talks three times in the last one year. Salkida, speaking through his Twitter account promised to unveil all details of his interactions with the Federal Government very soon. "Soon, I will share my experience with the Bu-

hari-led government that invited me to Abuja, three times, between July 2015 to May 2016. It will be revealing. "I held back so much in the face of overt hostility, not because I don’t have evidence to prove otherwise but because my aim has always been the outcome. I’ve given so much for this country for peace. I never announce it. Many take the credit for my work. I only receive a generous scorn," he said. Salkida, whose comments were reported on an online website, Naij. com has extensively cov-

ered the conflict between the government and the deadly Boko Haram sect. Buhari defeated Goodluck Jonathan in presidential elections in 2015, promising to tackle the Boko Haram. On assumption of office, he relocated the command headquarters of the Joint Task Force in charge of the counter- terrorism war to Maiduguri , Borno State. He also gave the Nigeria Army up to the end of 2015 to reclaim all Nigerian territory held by the insurgents. On December 24, 2015, the President announced

that Nigeria had “technically” won the war against the insurgency. In spite of these measures, the terrorists have continued to carry out deadly attacks. President Buhari later said he would be willing to negotiate without preconditions with the Boko Haram sect over the release of the Chibok girls “if a credible leader of Boko Haram can be established.” Since then only one Chibok girl, Amina Ali Nkeki, was released by the Nigerian army. The fate of more than 200 others schoolgirls still remains unknown.

Dana, Aero suspend Accra services Nigeria’s time to move forward is Wole Shadare now, says Kumuyi Andrew Iro Okungbowa S T carcity of foreign exchange has taken a toll on Nigerian aviation as two airlines; Aero Contractors and Dana Air, have suspended operations to Accra, Ghana. Aero, the oldest Nigerian airline is said to have suspended its LagosAccra operations due to inadequate aircraft and inaccessibility to foreign exchange. Also, a new entrant on the route, Dana Air, has also suspended operations. Managing Director and the Chief Executive of the airline, Jacky Hathiramani, told reporters that it was due to high cost of foreign exchange

and some other factors. Dana confirmed that it stopped operations on the route about two weeks ago. The carrier also said it was also expecting some aircraft into its fleet soon. It was gathered that Aero contractors suspended operations on the route months ago while Dana Air’s was few weeks ago. A source close to the airline, said that Aero has about 17 aircraft but only about two or three are flying now. There are some that their engines are due for maintenance. Once there is no aircraft after 60 days, NCAA will withdraw the AOC of Aero contractors.

he General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Church, Rev William. F. Kumuyi, has predicted a bright future for Nigeria, as he revealed that this is Nigeria’s time of moving forward despite the current challenges facing the nation. Kumuyi disclosed this yesterday when he paid a visit to the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Tor Uja, in Abuja. According to the respected clergy, Nigeria will experience upward movement in its history this time even as he predicted same for the NCPC.

‘‘This time would be a time of real moving forward for the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) and Nigeria.’’ He described the appointment of Rev. Tor Uja as the Executive Secretary of NCPC “as God’s own appointment.” He said NCPC would under the leadership of the new executive secretary experienced progression following the determination and commitment of Rev Tor Uja to lead the body on a new path as articulated by him in his mission statement for the Christian body. Pastor Kumuyi also stressed the need for Christians on pilgrimage to come back as changed agents.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

Protesters vandalise 14 BRT buses over hawker’s death

l‘My brother was hawking to further his education’

Some of the vandalised buses. Photo: NAN. Inset: Okoli

Muritala Ayinla and Taiwo Jimoh

lder sister of a hawker killed on Ikorodu Road in Lagos yesterday, Mrs. Ukamaka Okoli, said she was devastated by her brother’s death. Okoli said the hawker, John Nnamdi, died without fulfilling his dreams. She added that the 22-year-old Nnamdi was hawking to raise money to further his studies. According to her, John and other hawkers were arrested last Thursday by officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI). Okoli alleged that the KAI officials collected N10,000 from each of the hawkers before they were released with their goods. She said: “I was at home preparing for market; I did not know my brother had been killed. It was when I got to Maryland that I was told about what happened to my brother. He died hustling without enjoying his labour. “I’m appealing to the officials to release his body for us for proper burial. “I don’t know what to tell our parents back home. He is still young. He was only working to raise money to further his education.” Following Nnamadi’s death, angry residents of Lagos destroyed about 14 buses belonging to Primero Transport Service Limited. The hawker was said to have been knocked down by an articulated vehicle at Maryland bus stop while trying to evade arrest from KAI officials. Angered by the sight of the hawker’s

body in a pool of blood, the mob pounced on any available mass transit bus around and those plying the corridor. The protesters vandalised the buses and forced the passengers to hurriedly disembark from the buses. Motorists, commuters, traders and pedestrians ran helter-skelter why the protesters, who moved from one bus to the other, attacked the drivers and passengers. Narrating his ugly experience, a driver, Michael Onabolu, said he saw people who were running and shouting that he should come down from the bus. He said: “All of a sudden, I saw some guys who surrounded the buses and asked my passengers and I to come down. Before I knew it, one of them hit the bus with a big stone and I could not move because of the traffic. I was wounded on my hands and my tights with stones.” Onabolu said a passenger sitting beside him was also hit by a stone. But, according to him, all the passengers were moved to other buses to reach their destinations. Also, another BRT driver, Adedeji Adeosun, whose vehicle was vandalised, said he was in the traffic for about 20 minutes at Maryland. He added: “Then I saw some people running from Maryland and I opened the door to see what was happening. “I heard shouts from people that we should come down, so, I immediately removed my uniform. I saw about 100 of the hoodlums otherwise called ‘area boys’ coming with stones and so I ran away.

“All the passengers on board my bus also came down and fled. I was hit by a big stone.” One of the passengers told our correspondent that they rushed out of the bus to avoid being injured as the hoodlums were throwing stones. But the Managing Director, Primero Transport Service Limited, Fola Tinubu, expressed displeasure over the vandalism. Tinubu wondered why angry thugs could descend on the buses. He said: “We don’t know what happened. Whatever it is; it is something that has to do with the government or the police. But does that give aggrieved people the right to destroy private property. “People are saying that there are no jobs in Nigeria; we have created over 2,000 jobs in the last six months. Is this the reward we will get for it? We need to start asking ourselves serious questions in this country. “They have destroyed over 14 of our buses now. I don’t even know how many they have destroyed now. For what, what did we do? I am angry. “I don’t even know where to begin because there is no justification for destroying private property. Our service is for the masses.” The police, with the help of the bus drivers, arrested three suspects and taken them to the company’s head office at Majidun in Ikorodu town. The company has also withdrawn its buses from the road but Tinubu said services would be restored when normalcy

returned. Reacting to the attack, the Lagos State government said it would not allow any act of civil disobedience and those arrested would be dealt with in accordance with the law. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said in a statement that the hawker had attempted to cross the road before being hit by the truck, which was erroneously thought to be a BRT bus. Ayorinde added that contrary to the information being circulated in the social media that the hawker, it was a truck belonging to a soft drink company which hit the hawker. He said: “It wasn’t any of our buses that killed him, it was a soft drink company truck that unfortunately crushed the boy while he was trying to escape from KAI officers who were on patrol, trying to rid the street of hawkers and traders. “But hoodlums now took advantage of that to start destroying government assets, including several of the brand new BRT buses.” Ayorinde said it took the intervention of a team from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to quell the riotous scene caused by the hoodlums before the hawker’s body was taken to the morgue at the General Hospital, Ikeja. The commissioner said that at least three hoodlums alleged to have been part of the mob which destroyed the BRT buses had been arrested.

METRO

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Assailants kill four, remove organs, says Edo lawmaker Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

oodlums suspected to be ritual killers have laid siege to the sleeping town of Ubiaja, headquarters of Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State. The hoodlums have reportedly killed four persons in the community. They also removed the victims’ sensitive human organs. The member representing Esan South East Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Festus Udughele, raised the alarm during the House proceeding yesterday. According to him, people of the area now live in fear as headless bodies of the victims were also mutilated. Udughele said the body of a wom-

Edo Gov. Oshiomhole

an was found inside a church building while human skull was also discovered in a school. He added that another body of a middle-aged man was seen with his

organ removed while the body was also mutilated. The lawmaker said that among the victims was a student from one of the tertiary institutions in the locality who had earlier been killed by suspected cultists during the last voters’ registration exercise in the state. The motion to stem the ugly occurrence came under matters of urgent public importance which was raised on the floor of the House. Members of the Assembly, in a resolution, however, urged the state police command and other security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, beef up security at Ubiaja and adjoining towns to check the killings by the suspected ‘ritualists’. The House also directed the security agencies to embark on proper investigation to unravel the perpetrators and bring them to book.

Four die in soldiers, kidnappers’ shootout Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

oldiers operating from Two Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, have killed three kidnap suspects during a shootout at Iba-Obelle in Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State. The suspected kidnappers, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Lazarus Eli, said ambushed some travellers on the East-West Road, took them to their camp at Iba-Obelle and waited for ransom to be paid for their release. Lazarus, however, said that the Army was tipped off about the incident, and soldiers were subsequently sent to engage the kidnappers. The Army spokesperson added in a statement that soldiers also liberated three men who were kidnapped unhurt.

He said: “In continuation of the operations to stem the tide of cultism, kidnapping and other criminal activities in Rivers State, troops of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army rescued three kidnap victims in the early hours of today (yesterday) at Iba-Obele, Emohua Local Government Area of

Rivers State. “The victims were kidnapped on Monday in Rumuji, Emuoha Local Government Area while travelling on the East-West Road. They were subsequently taken to the kidnappers’ camp in IbaObele by their abductors. Acting on information, our

troops closed in on the criminals and engaged them to rescue the three persons. “The three men were rescued unhurt while four suspected kidnappers were killed during the operation. The operation is still ongoing to clear kidnappers and cultists’ camps.”

Ibraheem Musa

er offenses. He said Mohammed Umar, Ibrahim Sani, and Lawal Bello where reported by Usman Yaro of Kabode village to have kidnapped his brother, Narayi Yaro, and demanded N6 million ransom. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. Ruling on their case, the presiding magistrate said their offence was bailable and granted them bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties, two passport photographs, proof of residence, means of identification and valid phone numbers. She ordered that they should be remanded in prison until their bail conditions were fulfilled.

The magistrate then adjourned the case till August 11, for hearing. Shittu Idi, Abdullahi Mohammed and Sule Musa, who were arrested in Sabon Gaya in Chikun Local Government Area for a similar offence, also pleaded not guilty. Although the second accused, Mohammed was represented by a counsel, Kola Mustapha Esq, who applied for his bail, the magistrate granted all the three accused bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties, two passports, valid means of identification, phone numbers and their addresses of residence.

19 arraigned for conspiracy, kidnapping

Kaduna

ineteen suspected kidnappers have been arraigned before various Magistrates’ Courts in Kaduna for offences bordering on criminal conspiracy, theft and kidnapping. At the Chief Magistrates’ Court 7, Barnawa, seven of the suspects were arraigned before Joice Kaka. The police prosecutor, ASP Sani Umaru, told the court that the accused were arrested at different locations within Kaduna State for alleged kidnapping and criminal conspiracy, among oth-

Mob beats policeman for killing motorcyclist Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

policeman attached to Nsukka Building Material Task Force yesterday reportedly shot and killed a motorcyclist at Beach Junction in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State. It was learnt that the local government levy collectors were going round with the task force to ensure that all dealers operating in Nsukka town and environs pay their business premises’ levies. A witness, who pleaded anonymity, told journalists in Nsukka that four policemen attached to the task force were trying to force a cement dealer at Beach Junction to pay a fine for not going to building material market to do his business. “Some people in the area gathered to plead with the task force members to leave the man as he has not come to shop in the last one week because of ill-health but they refused,” he said The witness added that the policeman mistakenly shot a motorcyclist who was coming out from the restaurant after eating there. He added: “When people saw that the man was dead, they got angry and pounced on the policeman who shot the man and beat him to coma. “About 20 minutes later, policemen from Nsukka Police Station arrived the scene and chased the people away. They evacuated the body of the motorcyclist and rushed the policeman to the hospital.” A senior police officer at Nsukka Police Area Command, who pleaded anonymity, said the policeman was being treated at a nearby hospital in the area. He said: “The police have commenced investigation to unravel what led to the death of the motorcyclist.” At press time, policemen were still patrolling Bench Junction to avert fresh breach of public peace. When contacted, the Chairperson, Transition Committee of Nsukka Local Government Area, Prof. Rose Onah, said she had heard what happened but had not been fully briefed. “I will give details when I am fully briefed,” she said. Also, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ebere Amaraizu, said the policemen had no hand in the killing.

City Briefs Kidnappers demand N200m to free Delta lawmaker’s wife Court remands teenager for Gabriel Efeduku Ughelli

idnappers of the wife of Hon. Michael Diden aka Ejele, member representing Warri North constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mrs Cynthia Diden, yesterday demanded N200 million to free her. The gunmen, who abducted the lawmaker’s wife last Sunday in Warri, according to a source, have contacted the family and demanded N500 million but later reduced it to N200 million yesterday. A source added that though the circumstance leading to the abduction of Diden, who resides in Abuja, was not clear, the family and the security agencies were working round the clock to free her unhurt. Her husband recently lost one of his wives who was buried over the weekend in Sapele.

The lawmaker, according to the source, is making frantic efforts to ensure his wife’s release. In 2009, Ejele’s eldest wife, Mrs. Mary Diden, a Special Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Women Mobilisation, was also kidnapped in Sapele, but was later rescued after about a week in the kidnappers’ den. When our correspondent visited the Sapele home of the lawmaker, some women were holding a prayer section for the quick release of the victim. The state Police Public Relations

Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, could not be reached for confirmation. But a senior police officer in Sapele, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the report. Reacting to the development, the Publicity Secretary of Sapele Political Vanguard, Dr. Prince Orhomonokpaye, appealed to the kidnappers to release the lawmaker’s wife unconditionally. According to him, Ejele is a grassroots politician who has touched lives of many Delta State citizens.

defiling five-year-old girl

n Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court yesterday remanded a 19-year-old student, Joseph Urama, in prison for pleading guilty to defiling a neighbour’s five-year-old daughter. The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Tajudeen Elias, ordered the remand of Urama at the Kirikiri Prisons and adjourned the case to August 1 for facts and sentencing. The accused, a student, who lives at Papa Ashafa area of Agege, a suburb of Lagos, is being tried for alleged defilement. The prosecutor, Sergeant Rapheal Donny, told the court that the offence was committed on June 22 at the residence of the accused. Donny, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), alleged that the accused was caught by the victim’s mother while defiling her five-year-old daughter. He said the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused pleaded guilty to the charge.

10 News|NATIONAL

ThursDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

INEC fixes rerun date for Rivers, Imo, others today Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will today fix the date for suspended rerun elections in Rivers, Imo, Kogi and Kano States. Already, the commission has commenced con-

sultations with critical stakeholders, including leaders of political parties and security agencies, who the leadership of INEC will meet in Abuja today where the actual date for the rerun elections will be fixed. The rerun elections, which were ordered by the court, were later suspended by INEC following the outbreak of

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

violence. INEC Chair man, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in his remark at the opening of the second quarterly meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja yesterday, assured the people that the rerun polls in the four states would be conducted before July 31. Yakubu told the RECs:

The sex ratio of international migrants of women to 100 men of Cuba in 2010. Source: Un.org

“There are a number of issues to be discussed, though this is a regular meeting, notably, the preparations for the forthcoming elections, the conclusion of rerun polls in Rivers, Kano, Imo and Kogi States. “We have started the processes of consultation to determine the date for the conclusion of the rerun elections in

The number of fatalities in terrorists’ violence involving civilians in 2011. Source: Satp.org

the four states that I have mentioned not later than July 31. We have met with political parties and security agencies. “Today, it is the turn of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and thereafter, we shall have the national stakeholders’ forum involving political parties, candidates involved in the elections, the secu-

Ojo Maduekwe dies at 72 Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

Acting Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Idris Ibrahim, with the new OPEC Secretary General Mr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, during Barkindo’s visit to Abuja … yesterday

OXFAM: Nigerian women crucial to attainment of SDGs Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

ead of OXFAM in Nigeria, Constant Tchona, yesterday said Nigerian women must be engaged and empowered to contribute their quota to national development and live free from violence for the nation to make remarkable progress towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to him, the situation of women and girls in Nigeria raises concerns about the nation’s ability to attain sustainable develop-

ment. Tchona spoke in Abuja at the opening of a workshop on Strategic Human Rights Litigation organised by OXFAM in collaboration with Lawyers Against Poverty. He lamented that Nigerian women and girls have worse life chances than their contemporaries across the world, noting that gender-based violence has increased in the face of insurgency in the North East, where women and girls are abducted, raped and subjected to forced marriage. Tchona said: “Violence against women

have been recognised as a violation of women’s rights and fundamental freedom in several regional and international instruments, which Nigeria has ratified. “Violence against women takes several forms, ranging from domestic violence, rape, disinheritance, harmful traditional practices, early and forced marriage, among others,” Tchona said. OXFAM, according to him, is currently with partners in Kaduna and Plateau States towards the domestication of Violence Against Person Prohibition Act, which he said has been passed

FG pledges improved bilateral relations with India Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he Federal Government has pledged to consolidate the country’s bilateral and trade relations with India, saying as developing economies, both nations have great potentials for growth. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, made the disclosure in Abuja during the inau-

guration of a Nigerianbased Indian businessman as the Chairman of the Association of Chambers of Commerce (ASSOCHAM), an Indian-Nigerian Business Promotion Council. Enelamah said the establishment of ASSOCHAM in the country was timely, considering the fact that Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa. While recognising the fact that India remained Asia’s business destina-

tion hub, the Minister expressed delight that the development COMESAT at a time the Nigerian government is undertaking several reform programmes aimed at diversifying the economy, which had hitherto been oil-dependent. Declaring the event open, ASSOCHAM President, Sunil Kanoria, said the platform was conceived to serve as a catalyst for Indian business interests globally.

at the national level. The law, he explained, is the most comprehensive law protecting the rights of women from all forms of gender-based violence as guaranteed in the Protocol to the African Charter on Human rights on the rights of women. He said the aim of the workshop was to build the capacity of women and human rights defenders and organisations in Nigeria, towards ensuring that women have unhindered access to justice in the realisation of their social, economic and political rights in international, regional and national laws, which Nigeria is a signatory to.

rity agencies, Resident Electoral Commissioners, Civil Society Organisations and the media, to fix a date for the exercise. “Secondly, we are also going to discuss preparations for the forthcoming end of tenure governorship elections in Edo State on September 10 and Ondo State on November 26.”

former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Nigerian Ambassador to Canada, Chief Ojo Maduekwe is dead. Maduekwe was said to have died in Abuja yesterday, soon after returning from a trip from the United States of America, where one of his children was graduating from the university. New Telegraph learnt that Maduekwe had taken ill soon after landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja . he was being driving to a hospital when he died on the way. Until his death yesterday, Maduekwe was the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Last night, the Chairman of the BOT of the party, Senator Walid Jubrin, confirmed the death. He described the late Maduekwe as “a great party man, who died at a time the party needed his expertise most. We will miss him really”, he said. Born on May 6, 1945, Maduekwe was appointed Foreign Minister of Nigeria on by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. He was National Secretary of the PDP and worked as the deputy director of PDP presidential campaign for the 2011 election. Previously, Maduekwe had been appointed Culture and Tourism minister by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999. He was appointed Minister of Transport in 2001.

Renowned writer, Elechi Amadi dies at 82 Tony Okuyeme

enowned novelist, poet, dramatist, and indeed, one of Africa’s finest writers, Captain Elechi Amadi is dead. He died Wednesday at the Good Heart hospital in Port Harcourt at the age of 82, according to a member of the family, who confirmed the development. According to him, Amadi passed on about 3: 45pm at the hospital. Reacting to the passing on of Amadi, theatre scholar and dramatists, Prof. Femi Osofisan expressed shock, noting that Nigeria has lost a great writer. His words: “A great one is gone. He made

very great contributions to literature and Nigeria. He was one of the finest writers of prose fiction that we had.” Also, reacting to the death, poet, dramatist and art critic, Odia Ofeimun said: “It is a big blow. He was one of the few honourable Nigerians left. He was one of the greatest African writers of the 20th century into the 21st century.” The late Amadi was one of the first generation of African writers and novelists. His plays and novels are generally about African village life, customs, beliefs and religious practices, as they were before contact with the Western world.

FG to NERFUND staff: You can’t dictate to us Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he expectation of the protesting workers of the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND) that the Federal Government will accede to their demand and sack the fund’s interim management has hit the rock. New Telegraph was reliably informed yesterday that government has reinstated the duo of Mohammed

Kollere and Mr. Elenwor Inua, the managing director and executive director of the organization to their positions. A source in the Ministry of Finance, who confirmed the reinstatement of the two, said government was miffed that a group of employees has the temerity to dictate to it how to run its business. “The government felt that a group of staff of an agency lacks the moral ob-

ligation to dictate the modus operandi of running its business. They are employees of government and so they have no say on who becomes what in the organisation,” added the source. This was as the Ministry of Finance warned all staff of NERFUND to conduct themselves peacefully, cooperate with executive management and desist from indulging in crisis or face severe sanctions.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Interview Caucuses shouldn’t be allowed to destroy PDP – Idimogu

Politics Senator Hope Uzodinma represents Imo West in the National Assembly. He is also a member of Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) . In this interview with Steve Uzoechi, he speaks on the leadership crisis in the party

Hong APC must avoid pitfalls that destroyed PDP

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@yahoo.com

Governors are PDP’s problem – Uzodinma

North-East, they unanimously endorsed him as their candidate for ratification by the national convention. There was no other candidate from his zone. He was the consensus candidate of the North-East where the chairmanship was zoned to. Incredibly, the same governors, who brought and endorsed Sheriff in the first place, now decided to kick against his chairmanship. So, I don’t know what really happened or when the marriage between the governors and Sheriff crashed or what the problem is, but whichever way you look at it, it will not be out of place for anybody to say that the governors are a problem in the party.

What do you make of the festering crisis in the PDP. Do you think the party can surmount this challenge and still come back stronger? I agree that our party is going through a period of crisis, but I don’t see it in the magnitude of something that can destroy the party or lead to disintegration. Every human organisation is bound to go through crisis at one point or the other. This is why they are human organisations. The PDP is not an exception. I can assure you that we shall get over this crisis and bounce back stronger as one family. What exactly is the contention? I am sure you have an idea of what the contentious issues are. We were due for a National Convention in Port-Harcourt but just before then, there was a court order restraining the party from holding elections for the office of National Chairman, Secretary and Auditor. A Lagos Federal High Court gave the order and said these positions were not vacant. As a law abiding party, we had to obey the court order. The National Working Committee of our party met and agreed and consequently announced the postponement of the convention pending the vacation of the court order. However, contrary to the party’s constitution, some people went ahead to announced a Caretaker Committee to manage the party pending a new convention. Some of us think that this is wrong because caretaker committee at the national level is not provided for in the constitution of the party. Besides, if the court said there is no vacancy in the office of chairman, then it is only logical that the person there should continue until the court matter is disposed off. That is how I see it.

Uzodinma

Will it then be right to say you are supporting the Sheriff faction of the party? This is beyond faction or no faction. It is even beyond Sheriff being chairman or not. I am a law abiding citizen and a democrat. I am supporting the position of the law, which is that the office of chairman is not vacant for now until otherwise vacated by a court of competent jurisdiction that should be the position of PDP as a party. There is no faction in PDP, As a member of BoT of my party, National caucus and NEC, I owe it as a duty to respect judicial pronouncements on my party. I am also a lawmaker so I should respect the law. So it is not a question of supporting Mr. ‘A’ or Mr. ‘B’ but a question of the law. Simply put, I view this whole episode from the standpoint of the law. Many believe you are backing Sheriff out of anger over what happened at the PortHarcourt convention. Is that true? Let’s get certain things clear here. I have told you I am supporting the position of the law, not anybody. However, yes, certain things happened at the Port Harcourt Convention that were indecent and not acceptable to me. For instance I discovered that the Convention Planning Committee changed the congress results of eight local government areas in Orlu Senatorial

The same governors, who brought and endorsed Sheriff in the first place, now decided to kick against his chairmanship

District, which I represent in the National Assembly. This was after the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our party had approved the same results. I confronted Governor Nyesom Wike, who was the Chairman of the Party Convention Committee on the matter and he did not deny it. It is not right that after NEC has approved congress results, a convention committee will change it. The convention committee has no such powers. As a politician, you don’t expect me to clap for a development that affects me adversely. I saw it as a ploy to hurt me politically and I didn’t like it at all. So, yes, I was not happy with that but that has nothing to do with my position on the misunderstanding in PDP. As I said, my position was informed by the position of the law and nothing more. Would you then say the PDP governors are the problem of the party? That may not be far from the truth. Remember it was the PDP governors that brought Ali Modu Sheriff in the first place to make him chairman. The BoT of the party was not comfortable with that so also some stakeholders. But the governors insisted and eventually convinced the other organs of the party. Sheriff now came on board and sold himself to the stakeholders and we saw that he has capacity, so when the chairmanship was zoned to the

But the Ekweremadu Committee recommended that your party should zone the presidency to the North while the chairmanship of the party be zoned to the South. At what point did your party zone it to the North-East? You are right. The Senator Ike Ekweremadu Committee recommended what you pointed out but before the convention, a Zoning Committee was set up to zone offices for the convention. It was at this committee that it was decided that the North-East should produce the chairman at the convention and when presidential candidate emerges from the North, then the national chairman would be reverted to the South-West. This was the general agreement before the convention. The Prof. Jerry Gana-led concerned PDP Stakeholders, which boycotted the convention has teamed up with the Makarfi Caretaker Committee to push their point. Don’t you think they are now in the majority and should have their way? You don’t seem to have your facts right because at the moment most of those people have joined Sheriff. However, as I said, this is about the position of the law. It is not about majority or minority. I believe that the right thing to do is to obey the courts first and follow the case to the end. Thereafter, we can sit down as a family and resolve our differences. For now, let us obey a subsisting court order. As things stand now in your party, do you think PDP can still make an impact in the 2019 elections? 2019 is still very far. As you know, three months is enough time for anything to happen in politics, not to talk of three years. There is still time for us to resolve our crisis and make the desired impact in 2019. I can assure you that PDP will surely bounce back, believe me and nothing is stopping us from taking over power in 2019.

POLITICS

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

A tribute to Eric Lubbock Avebury Kayode Fayemi

s the United Kingdom grapples with the full implication of her recent decision to leave the European Union, it is most appropriate to celebrate the life of one of Britain’s most distinguished international human rights campaigners, the longest serving Liberal Democrat peer in the British House of Lords – Eric Lubbock, Fourth Baron Avebury, whose thanksgiving memorial takes place today at the Royal Institution in London. I first met Lord Avebury in 1992 in the company of my colleagues, the late Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem and Olu Oguibe – of the New Nigeria Forum and our Ghanaian comrades in exile - at a time that the storm was feverishly gathering pace against the General Ibrahim Babangida-led military junta in Nigeria. That initial meeting in 1992 found us the most reliable supporter of our work in the hallowed halls of the British parliament. Lord Avebury was quite a phenomenon in British politics since he entered with a bang in 1962 when he pulled the most remarkable swing of 22 percent in British elections, taking over the Orpington seat in Kent from the Conservatives in that historic byeelection. His election signaled the revival of the Liberals in the British Parliament and became the bye-word for remarkable swings in bye-elections. He soon distinguished himself in parliament and barely one year into his membership of the House of Commons, he became the Chief Whip of the Liberals. In 1964, he became a member of the Speaker’s Commission on Electoral Law. He also served on the Royal Commission on Standards of Conduct in Public Life (1974 – 76). He left the House of Commons in 1970 after eight meritorious years and gained hereditary peerage as the Fourth Baron Avebury in 1971, a position he held until death came calling this year. In the Lords, he was the Liberals’ Spokesman on Immigration and Race Relations (1971 – 83) and later one of Liberal Democrat’s spokespersons on Foreign Affairs, speaking on conflict and human rights. Although a brilliant constituency MP and a passionate liberal peer, what set him apart from other parliamentarians was his unrelenting commitment to human rights, first as Chairman of the Parliamentary Civil Liberties Group which subsequently transformed to the All Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group, which Lord Avebury chaired for 21 years (1976 – 1997), during which he chalked up a legendary reputation for self-sacrifice in the pursuit and protection of human rights across the world. Lord Avebury’s efforts in this regard opened up possibilities for many in distress through the opportunities for redress provided by him and a growing international coalition against tyranny. Lord Avebury raised the human rights thrust of his parliamentary advocacy above and beyond mere

Avebury

moralism, visiting no fewer than 35 countries (including Nigeria) for human rights and conflict resolution purposes. From Aceh in Indonesia to Kurdistan in Turkey, Ogoniland in Nigeria to the ethnic minorities seeking British nationality in Hong Kong, Lord Avebury’s Flodden Road’s home in Camberwell became a compulsory port of call for many human rights defenders, liberation fighters and political leaders from around the world. In the period that I developed a close friendship with Lord Avebury, he met many of our own leaders – rights activists including Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, late Alao Aka Bashorun, Beko Ransome Kuti, Ken Saro Wiwa, Femi Falana, Ayo Obe, Olisa Agbakoba, Chidi Odinkalu and several others and politicians including the late Chief MKO Abiola, NADECO leaders in exile such as the late Chief Antony Enahoro, late Senator Abraham Adesanya, Air Cdre Dan Suleiman (rtd), General Alani Akinrinade, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief John Oyegun, Chief Raph Uwechue, Dr Akingba, Honourable Wale Oshun to name a few. Others like the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu also came calling and he offered his listening ear to all. Even Nigerian government, represented in the UK then by Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji and later Ambassador Uche Okeke equally had access to him. Born on September 29, 1928, Eric Lubbock was educated at Upper Canada College in Toronto, Canada, Harrow School in London before studying Engineering at Balliol College, Oxford University. He served as a Lieutenant in

Avebury

He would have been unequivocal in... the Leave campaign of the Brexit movement

the Welsh Guards upon leaving Oxford and subsequently worked at Rolls Royce as Production Engineer and Manager between 1951 and 1960. Clearly a product of privilege, his father was the First Baron Avebury and his mother was the daughter of the Fifth Baron Sheffield, he downplayed this illustrious background to advocate the cause of the oppressed and marginalized around the world. His remarkable public profile as a moral force shone more glaringly once governments anywhere in the world repressed the desire of their citizens to live in a society governed by constitutional rule of law and devoid of fear or coercion. With a life premised on the tenet of justice as the first condition of humanity, it is no exaggeration to describe him as one of the most dogged fighters for rights in the globe. Working as his Africa adviser in the Parliamentary Human Rights Group, one could not but notice his quiet but steely resolve, his admirable work ethic, punctuality, frugal life and conduct,

personal discipline and diligence with records, all of which make him a model worthy of emulation. His human rights activism was clearly values driven yet devoid of ideological grand standing. His methods were self-effacing, information technology savvy, clinically detailed and informed by comprehensive research perhaps due to his engineering background and extremely efficient. He spoke truth to power, no matter the cost but I found his ability to relate across spectra without compromising his principles truly remarkable. He was very much at home with the rich and the poor, the young and the old, the intellectual and the common man. A humanist to the core, he abhorred religiousity but was committed to secular Buddhism. To those who were familiar with Lord Avebury, we all know he must be turning in his grave as current events unfold in the United Kingdom. As a renowned promoter of multi-culturalism and positive race relations, he would have been unequivocal in his criticism of the dastardly race baiting that has accompanied the Leave campaign of the Brexit movement. Little wonder then that he was the first recipient of the Ahmaddiya International Moslems Peace Prize in 2009 even though he was not a Moslem. Although Eric Avebury lived till the ripe old age of 87, one cannot but feel a deep sense of personal loss at his demise. As a beneficiary of his work and as his mentee, I cannot thank him enough on behalf of myself and my family, the democracy movement in Nigeria in particular and the global human rights movement. It was a delight that Lord Avebury took time out to visit Nigeria after democracy returned. In the year 2005, he delivered an inspiring lecture at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos on the occasion of my fortieth birthday and also took the opportunity to reconnect with his old friends in the Nigerian human rights and democracy movement, particularly the late Dr Beko Ransome Kuti and the then Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Even when his health started to fail, he still managed to keep in touch by email, monitoring my own political journey, asking about the state of the Nigerian nation and the human rights situation in Nigeria. Lord Avebury is gone but he cannot be forgotten – which is what inspires our present gathering today. He lived in a manner that was unique and transparently self-less. It is our duty to continue to celebrate his life and times while advancing the cause of justice and global human rights. Our hearts go to Lindsay – his widow and the entire Lubbock family. Good bye my Lord. We shall miss you greatly. •Tribute given at the Memorial Thanksgiving of Lord Eric Avebury at the Royal Institution in London, United Kingdom on Thursday, June 30, 2016. Dr Fayemi is Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development.

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

What is your impression about the 8th Lagos State House of Assembly? There are healthy deliberations in the 8th Assembly of the Lagos State and that is the joy of democracy. We have a lot of members who are experienced and listening to them is a blessing to some of us who are relatively new and have to learn from them. Apart from plenary, we also have parliamentary which gives members the opportunity to be unofficial. Members are allowed to bring issues that give them concern and the principal officers and the Speaker give everyone the opportunity to express themselves. So, there is no rancour in the House. Another thing going for the 8th Assembly is that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has always paid attention to debates we have on the floor of the House. We are even surprised that he would tell us that whatever we are doing in the House, he listens and follows to the later as he always recognise our ability, the laws and motions that we pass and ask him to implement. That is why everyone will see that Lagos is not only working but also moving forward. And it might shock one to note that the way the Amobode’s government is going, it might surpass the previous one. For me, I thank God we have a leadership that can correct our mistakes when we go offline. It is a good learning process for those of us who are new members. So far, what dividends of democracy have you been able to give your constituency? Lawmaking is primarily about lobbying. Even before one comes up with motions on matters of urgent public interest, it is part of the system to seek colleagues support. So, everything depends on how one lobbies his or her colleagues when such motions are brought before the House and I must say, member colleagues have always supported such motions. If one does not lobby, it is like being an Island and a lone ranger. In my constituency, I think I’m doing well but I know that I can still do better. I believe that the present governor of the state has also helped me in my constituency. Before now, anyone who lived around the six wards in the constituency knows that the major roads in the area had been deplorable but it is a different story today. The gridlock that used to be associated with the roads is no longer there. This is because the Ambode government has been helpful. I am one of the happiest members of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Despite the fact that I was elected on the platform of the opposition party, the governor has not discriminated, he has given me attention, listened to me and has always done his best to ensure that good road infrastructure needed in my constituency was provided. I know there are a lot of intra roads in my constituency including Isolo that need attention but with time, we will ll get there. We should know that there are other constituencies that equally need attention from the resources that are very lean. How was it possible to pick the Peoples Democratic Party’s ticket during the primaries in 2015 and winning the election, even when it was obvious that you are not from the South-West?

involved in philanthropic activities like grading of roads within my community with my personal funds. But when I was doing this, I never thought I would contest an election in Lagos State. I was dreaming of that in my state but somehow, the opportunity was not coming. Each time I tired, one thing or the other would scuttle it, and I would return and continue to wait for another chance. One thing that counted for me in Lagos State was that I am well known in the state. I have spent half of my life in the state and most of the people within my constituency know me. They can trace my antecedents. I think that is what helped me at the poll and I will advise anyone who wants to venture into politics to start on time by touching lives within his or her community, worship centers and immediate environment. It is the people one had touched their lives that would spread one’s goodwill.

Idimogu

Caucuses shouldn’t be allowed to destroy PDP – Idimogu

Hon. Jude Idimogu is the member representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He speaks, in this interview with FLORA ONWUDIWE, on the outcome of the party’s recent congresses and governance in Lagos State, among other issues I don’t belong to any caucus neither do I identify with anyone. I see myself as a neutral member of the PDP. God has positioned me in such a way as to provide leadership in my own little way but not to struggle it with elders of the party. I try to encourage any caucus but I don’t identify myself with any particular one. Caucus sometimes brings resentment such that one could be accused of being closer to A than B. But the truth is that there are caucuses everywhere. It is not a bad thing. It is an issue of understanding. Everybody is trying to protect his or her interest. It is matter of interest; there is neither permanent enemy nor friend but interests. My concern is that caucuses should not be allowed to jeopardize the general good of the PDP. The underlining good of the party should override the individual caucuses and interests. I know when there are issues like party congresses, everybody would want to present his or her team’s interests to have the lion share. But I believe that the congress has come and gone, so there should be reconciliation and everyone should come together to work as a team for the progress of the party. So, I belong to all caucuses; both neutral and otherwise. On my victory at the poll, I ascribe it to God and hard work; God because it was a tough mis-

There should be reconciliation and everyone should come together to work as a team for the progress of the party

sion. In fact at a point, I said to myself: ‘It is now or never.’ I must also give kudos to my wife, who helped during the campaigns. I must not forget Igbo leaders and non-indigenes in the constituency who mobilised men and materials to ensure my victory. To them, it was an opportunity for one of their own to be elected. I also give it to some of the indigenes, who equally assisted. Election is a race for governance; it is not given on a platter of gold. One must seek for it before one can be given the mantle to lead. No one is begged for it because such would amount to laxity but when one puts in ones best, victory is certain. Winning election into the Lagos State House of Assembly was one of the most hectic challenges I have faced in my life. But at the end of the day, I discovered victory could be sweet. The only constant thing in life is change, and it can be anywhere. And if one does not give it a trial, one may not know whether it will work or not. What helped me was that before I ventured into politics in Lagos State, I have always lived community life. I have been in the helm of affairs in my Community Development Association (CDA) for over 10 years. I am also involved in activities of my church in relevant positions. So, I am known for serving humanity. I have equally been

What are likely to be threats to your performance in the House? I wouldn’t call them threats because I believe that apart from the fact that we are all lawmakers, we also have equal rights. What matters most is how you relate with other lawmakers. So, relationship is key. I think that I am having a cordial relationship with other lawmakers but that does not mean there are no challenges because in everything one does, there are challenges. The ones I could talk about could be of course the fact that there are issues I may decide to bring before the House and they will say, ‘don’t go there.’ But they will give reasons why they said so. May be one would have to wait for the right time. Don’t forget that some members of the House are more experienced than some of us and there is no point being anxious and failing at the end of the day. As they have advised, one should try to listen and may be reframe what one wants to table. For me, it is not a failure when one brings a motion on the floor and it fails. So, how one aligns oneself with others to ensure that it works well should be more important. Remember that whatever one wants to do, funding is key and in today’s government, we are all talking about lean purse. So, the little that is available is being rationalised based on priories. In the book, Animal Farm, it is said that all animals are equal but some are more equal than others. And when one looks at it from that perspective, one should be patient and wait for the right time. Perhaps, when one becomes a principal officer of the House. It was speculated at a time that you want to cross-carpet from the PDP to All Progressives Congress (APC)led government in the state? That piece of news didn’t emanate from me. For now, I still belong to the PDP and I have not come out to tell my constituency that I want to jump ship. We should also understand that the law is against cross carpeting anyhow. However, in politics there is interest. Don’t forget that the party is just a platform. No one can tell whether there would be a new party in 2019 even as there is the possibility of some existing parties coming together to form a new party. As I speak, I have neither defected to any party nor do I intend to do that. I am still a bonafide member of PDP.

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

A former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, is not an everyday politician. He resigned from the cabinet of former President Goodluck Jonathan to search for the Golden Fleece abroad but later returned to join the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with ONWUKA NZESHI, the former minister speaks on the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the fall of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the lessons for other political parties. Excerpts:

How would you assess the Muhammadu Buhari government in the last one year? I will say very categorically that the government has done very well. It has done very well in the sense that one year in the life of a nation or government is not enough for anybody to assess it objectively. There are positives in some places and weaknesses in some areas. But it is not a good time for anybody to fairly judge the government. There are some areas the government has done commendably well. There are indices to prove that. Yes, I know there are areas of concern but in the whole, I will say that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government has performed well. Many Nigerians are not happy because of the harsh economic situation they are facing. Are you satisfied with the way the government has managed the economy? I think I am not the right person to be asked this type of question. I am not an expert on economic matters. I trained as a medical doctor. I agree there is a general complain all over the country about things being difficult. However, we should not be in a hurry to reach certain conclusions. We should ask ourselves, where are we coming from? The previous government wasted a lot of goodwill and left huge rot. So, it is not going to be easy to have a good start on that end. With all the revelations that have been coming out, with all the monumental challenges government inherited, with the global recession the world is facing, with the price of crude at the international market going down, it is not surprising that we are where we are today . But if we are patient enough for two or more years, things will take a better shape. The little im-

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

APC must avoid pitfalls

Hong

provement in the oil price and the ongoing war on corruption will go a long way to improve the general picture of the economy. I will say that in the area of food on the table, Nigerians picking their bills, the country is being challenged. But it is wrong to put the blame completely on the table of this government because President Buhari inherited a government with excess burden and a lot of challenges. It is not going to be easy. If we had continued in the path of the previous government, the country would have collapsed. We have to support the government to lay a new foundation, where things will take a better shape. I think that is what the President has succeeded in doing. Any moment from now, things will start moving in a positive direction. Would you say that the government is truly committed to the diversification of the economy, when this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget is wholly anchored on oil? It is understandable. Nigeria is a mono-economy. It is so in the sense that the bulk of the revenue of the country comes from oil. It will not be easy for you to de-invest out of that oil mentality. Investments into solid minerals and other areas require to be given 10 to 15 years before

The previous government wasted a lot of goodwill and left huge rot. So, it is not going to be easy to have a good start on that end

they would come to gestation, where revenues from other sectors will become competitive to that of oil. Already, the government has given attention to the agricultural sector. There is also attention on solid minerals. They have not started translating into money in the hands or money in the bank. It will take some time, but governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s direction and policy are already geared to opening up those sectors. When they are opened, we will find out that in the next three to five years, we will start seeing results coming out from them. But so far, we depend on oil revenue. We are expecting that the economy will be diversified in a couple of years especially with the challenges in the price of oil and the source of energy. It is very important for the government to be conscious of the challenge of oil. The price of oil is coming down globally and we have to start thinking outside the box. Oil would not be a dependable source of revenue in the future. Agriculture and solid minerals would have the competitive advantage. We are blessed by nature. The country is endowed with so many minerals. There is no viable mineral that Nigeria is not endowed with. There is a large expanse of land in the country; all we need is a very strong

foundation of agricultural policies and incentives for the farmers that will bring huge revenue for the government. It is highly commendable that the President is thinking about diversification of the economy because in the future, oil is not going to contribute much, because of the changing dynamics of energy sources globally. Looking at the health sector in the last one year, what will you say the APC government has done differently from what the previous governments did? When you come in as a new government, there is a lot to study and a lot to plan. There is a plan to build more healthcare facilities around the country. There is a struggle and fight against infectious and non infectious diseases. There are policies to strengthen the tertiary hospitals so that the effort to curtail medical tourism is put in place. If all this come into fruition with the promises of the minister, there would be a lot of achievements in the health sector. The major challenge of healthcare is the weakness of the primary health centers because health is predominately provided by the healthcare facilities and the local government, which are not properly endowed with the

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

that destroyed PDP – Hong

responsibility. If the Federal Government and states join forces, there would be positive results. More than 90 per cent of the illnesses should be handled at the primary healthcare level, so that the pressure on the tertiary health centers would not be too much. In that case, the tertiary healthcare centres would be for middle intervention, middle diagnosis and also for researches and development. The National Hospital is not supposed to be for all kinds of illnesses or situations. The minister wants to have a thousand healthcare centres in the country. But in doing this, there is provision for the facilities in all communities and also the nearness of the healthcare to the people. The issue of maternal and child mortality would be reduced because of the access to healthcare and if there is a serious problem, the patient could be referred to a higher level of the hospital setting. However, the allocation given to the health sector in the budget is very low. It should have been higher because of the challenges we are facing in the sector.

Are you happy that you were part of the PDP administration with all these allegations of corruption against key leaders of the party? I played my part to the best of my ability, when I had the chance. I do not think it is a matter of the PDP but rather for those being accused of wrongdoing to accept responsibility for their actions or inactions. It will be a very subjective assessment to paint everyone black. I agree that there are a lot of challenges in the former ruling party, but there are good people as well bad people. At some point, the party took certain decisions that were ill-advised. It is not the problem of the political platform or a generational challenge. The major thing to know is that in a party, the heads of the party and the heads of the government are to be vigilant and conscious about their plan and they should also have in mind that there would be a day of reckoning.

the then ruling party? I assessed the situation of where we were coming from. Most of us in the PDP were not happy with what was going on, but because we were members of the party, we could not make certain decisions. I had to leave because I saw the need to change direction. After my assessment, I discovered that there was a difference between what was going on and the philosophy of the party. I have contributed to the progress of the party, but time came when the party started drifting from the general aspiration of the population. Some of you, who moved from the NewPDP to the APC, are complaining that you are still regarded as outsiders, while the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) blocks in the APC appear to be more favoured. How do you feel about this seeming discrimination? I am not surprised, but I was not part of the newPDP arrangement. I do not belong to the arrangement in the tripod of the APC. I just came in and I was not expecting to be rewarded immediately because I have not been with them for long. My aspiration is not much and a political relationship is something you have to nurture before people know your ability and contributions. I have not really taken these assessments you talked about into consideration. You are from the North-East; can you access this administration on what it has done to bring peace to the region? That is their “A” card, irrespective of the shortcomings of the

Is the APC not exaggerating these allegations of corruption to cover up its deficiencies and lack of capacity to run the country? I believe that the government must have done its investigations before coming up with the allegations. I agree that they should assess the past government, find their weaknesses and guard against making the same mistakes. They are in the saddle of responsibility, so it is an opportunity for them to do better instead of looking back. There is an issue of impunity in what happened in the past, but if these things are not corrected, then there would be no future. They should look beyond this and find solutions because they have already seen the pitfalls the last government fell into. They should find a way to shield themselves from such mistakes. Was your defection from PDP to APC based on your not being comfortable with what was going on in

Hong

government. We know the government has done remarkably well. As far as we are concerned, Buhari’s administration is hundred percent successful in terms of rescuing the North-East from the grips of Boko Haram. You do not know what it means to be abducted and chased out of your home. The fact that today, we can go back home, go to the farms and be free, I think we have done very well.

There is an issue of impunity in what happened in the past, but if these things are not corrected, then there would be no future

What about the humanitarian crisis? The humanitarian crisis would not be solved over night. The level of damage and dislocation is so huge to the extent that the government needs to do something drastic to resuscitate the life of the people. Any area that the insurgents have taken over, 90 per cent of the homes cannot be habitable because they have burnt down the houses or vandalized them. The farms are not available again; families have lost their breadwinners and even sources of livelihood. If you are 50 years and above and your house is burnt down and you have to wait for the government before you can even eat, it’s a big challenge. The lives of the people have been completely destroyed. In other words, they need the government to come to their aid. The crisis has been going on for a long time and I do not think it can be solved in a short time. What are those areas you want the government to pay more attention to as it enters its second year? Number one is consolidating on security. Number two is to quickly follow up on the implementation of the budget because passing a budget is different from

implementing it. The budget has been passed and there is huge amount of money to be expended but if they are not proactive, there would be a problem. Number three is to concentrate and encourage the private sector. The economy is predominantly on the private sector. They have to continue to encourage the private sector to enable it create more employment. Most importantly, I want the issue of anti-corruption to be done well, so that it does not become a waste. They should get the money back from all the people that stole them. It is not about collecting the money but also closing the access to get such money in the future. Some members of your party are saying that President Buhari needs to pay more attention to the party that brought him to power. Do you share the view that the President has abandoned the APC? The President is the leader of the party because he is the major representative and beneficiary of the party. It is in his interest to take lead and make sure that things are going on well in the party. If people are advising him or saying he is not the leader, then there is a big problem. The government is doing well and the party has to work closely with it for the government to succeed and the party too. The party has to support the government. The President should be active about what is happening in the party. If anyone is not acting right, he should call him or her to order. The failure of the PDP has been blamed on the leadership structure that was concentrated in the hands of a few persons in government. Don’t you think dragging Buhari to become an active party leader will produce the same result as the former ruling party? APC cannot be compared to the PDP. It is a learning process because the APC has a chance to learn from the downfall of the PDP. The PDP gave the party to the executives. The President is to be informed about what is happening. He is a member of the party from the National Executive Committee (NEC) to the caucus and to the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party. He should be familiar with what is happening, but it does not mean he should take charge of the party because he is the president. But everything should be under his guidance. Unlike the PDP that put the party in the hands of the governors, to an extent, the president did not have the control of the party any more. The governors were the leaders of the party. The APC is not like that. The order of the party is slightly independent but the president is keeping that distance. However, he has to give them direction and participate in the activities of the party. But it should not be run like the PDP where if the governor does not like you, you cannot be in the executive. The party should be decentralized in every level of responsibility with the supervision of the elected people.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion EFCC, Fayose and Hitler’s Gestapo Turning Point MIKE ARAYUWA WILKIE pmikky1950@yahoo.com 0802-309-7251 (sms only)

estapo, the State Secret Police, was the security organ of the Nazi Germany and the extended Germanoccupied Europe during the sadistic regime of Adolf-Hitler. The instrument of state terror was established on April 26, 1933. Its first commander was Rudolf Diels, a Security Officer of high ranking, a man who had no respect and regard for the rights of man. Gestapo’s mandate was to investigate cases of treason, espionage activities, and criminal attacks on the Nazi Party, its officials and the State. The law which established the Gestapo was promulgated in 1933. It gave the secret police the power to operate without due regard to the law. In effect, the secret police was placed above the laws of Germany. It was specifically, exempted from responsibility to administrative courts where aggrieved citizens could seek redress in courts of competent jurisdictions. Gestapo was officially disbanded and scrapped on May 8, 1945. On the other hand, our own Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) was legally constituted by an Act of the National Assembly in 2004. Its duty is to investigate and rid Nigeria of Economic and Financial crimes against money laundering and terrorist financing. It was expected that the “Crime Buster” will operate within the best professional standards, leading to the fight against economic and financial crimes in Nigeria and some other essential roles in the comity of Na-

tions. Ibrahim Lamorde, was the first substantial Chairman of the EFCC. There is no doubt that the EFCC has done some marvelous jobs in investigating and prosecuting a few Nigerians who have been alleged to have stolen from our commonwealth. Contrary to the Gestapo State’s Secret apparatus of Hitler’s Government, the law does not mandate the EFCC to disregard valid court orders. This secret organ ought not to be the direct equivalent of the infamous Gestapo. However, it is clear that the present regime has virtually converted the EFCC into a Nigerian Gestapo. Evidence has shown that valid court orders are not obeyed by the EFCC. The focus is on Alhaji Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. All court orders which were issued in order to grant him bail have been ignored by the EFCC. The Department of State Services (DSS), a sister agency of the EFCC has held indefinitely, Nnamdi Kanu, of the “Radio Biafra” fame, inspite of the serial court orders also issued to enable the young man enjoy his bail and conditions. In recent times, the EFCC has frozen the personal bank Account of Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State and that of his political soul mates in a Gestapo operational manner. From available facts, the said bank accounts were frozen without a valid court order. Whereas, Ayo Fayose is the incumbent Governor of Ekiti State and he is therefore immune to the law. The implication is that, a sitting Governor cannot be arrested or prosecuted in his private and official capacity. Professor Itse Sagay, a famed constitutional Lawyer and SAN, is of the opinion that the action of the EFCC was right. This opinion is expected to be on the same page with that of the EFCC and government. Afterall, Itse Sagay, himself, is a political appointee of President Muhammadu Buhari. He is Chairman, Ad-

The law does not mandate the EFCC to disregard valid court orders

visory Committee on corruption. Chief Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Chukwuma Nnadi and a few other Nigerians have aligned with the prof and EFCC. Yinka Odumakin, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, is of the candid view that the action of the EFCC is totally unconstitutional. Some Nigerians are in support of this latter opinion. The APC led Federal Government must appreciate that the world is watching us in our democratic practice. A situation whereby the EFCC is being used by government to intimidate, arrest, detain and prosecute opposition leaders is unacceptable. For the EFCC to be accorded kudos, the APC and its leaders should be investigated. The finances of the former and incumbent Governors of the party should also be investigated. The party and individuals ought to be probed so as to ascertain where the APC got its funds to sponsor the presidential ambition of His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari. In normal circumstances, where the basic tenet of the law is upheld, the selective financial investigation of some alleged corrupt Nigerians of the opposition party ought not to be. Also, the EFCC and Federal Government are expected to demonstrate impartiality in this assignment of fighting corruption in Nigeria. Afterall, Nigeria is not a banana republic or a replica of the Adolf Hitler’s Gestapo security apparatus, which constituted an instrument of state terror purely directed at its perceived political enemies. The EFCC should sit-up and do the needful so as to have the support of majority of Nigerians. It is not too late for the security organization to demonstrate impartiality and redirect its focus in this regard and in a most acceptable manner. It will be in the fundamental interest of fairness, equity and justice. It will also enable us to balance the equation in investigating the ruling party and opposition in terms of the war against corruption.

Vandalism and power supply Bisi Koyejo

programme on Channels TV recently highlighted the awfully negative effect of vandalisation of gas pipelines ,nationwide on the poor state of electricity generation and distribution in Nigeria. While security chiefs insisted that they were doing their best to protect Nigeria’s vital power assets they admitted that they faced an uphill task in guaranteeing the security and functionality of these very important pipelines. Experts on the TV programme were at pains to point out that the pipelines carried gas needed to generate electricity for transmission and distribution to Nigerian electricity consumers and this would just be impossible in the face of such successful and persistent vandalization bordering on economic sabotage with impunity. Given such a bad situation on generation of power which is bound to affect its transmission and subsequent delivery, one is really taken aback by the insistence of a section of the power industry especially the trade unions to vilify the distribution companies involved in electric-

ity delivery for poor electricity supply and going on to accuse them of exploitation of the Nigerian masses for the new tariffs approved for them sometime ago. Undoubtedly the Labour Unions influenced the Senate in stopping the new tariffs which has led to the regulator of the electricity industry the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission, NERC, taking the Senate to Court . With the Unions hailing the Senate with which it never sees eye to eye on anything as quite patriotic in illegally stopping the tariff approved legitimately by the body empowered to do so legally in Nigeria. The Channels programme has been an eye opener to many Nigerians who smelt a rat in the ever ready and incessant castigation of the distribution companies called discos. From experience on privatization matters we thought it was just a case of sour grapes stemming from resentment of the new disco owners because of the huge capital they had put into the business. We thought that the unions wanted to show the new owners of the discos that unions have to be recognized as before when the distribution was a public sector affair even though the unions know fully

well the owners of discos were hard nosed Nigerian businessmen who had put their huge investment into the power sector because they believe in the Nigerian economy. No one expected the labour unions, in full knowledge of the problem of vandalisation nationwide to be leading the fight to call the dog a bad name in order to hang it in the way and manner they have championed the cause of vilifying the discos for poor electricity supply in the face of rampant vandalisation of pipe lines expected to be used to generate electricity in the first instance. To Nigerians who watched that programme the have been misleading the Nigerian public in painting the discos as power sharks exploiting the people in the supply of electricity when indeed it is fellow Nigerians vandalizing the gas pipelines nationwide who should be held responsible for a sheer act of sabotage or outright hostility and felony or even high treason. As patriotic and much respected public institutions in the labour market , the union leaders are enlightened enough to know that without regular electricity Nigeria can never make it in terms of economic development. Without economic development the fate of the Nigerian worker is to

suffer and struggle to live always on subsistence level. Yet the objective of trade unions is to promote the progress and economic welfare of workers. The unions will do this better if they join hands with the security agencies in stopping those vandalizing our pipelines and making the generation of electricity an uphill if not impossible task. They can mobilise their millions of workers positively in this regard so that they can keep their jobs in the dwindling numbers of industries and factories with spiraling fixed and running costs of running their generators and standby generators to produce goods and services to keep our economy running . If the gencos and discos work well the electricity tariffs will be more beneficial to workers and the economy and such success will rub off on the trade unions which will be seen as champion of the masses. Which will be a more honest and commendable way to promote the fortune of the Nigerian worker far more productive and patriotic than the present deceit of blaming discos for poor electricity supply when we all know that vandalisation of our gas pipelines by fellow Nigerians is the real set back. • Koyejo, an analyst, wrote in from Bauchi

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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PDP and the leaking umbrella

ince losing in the last presidential election, the centre seemed to have caved in for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The issue of who leads at the national level has remained intractable for the erstwhile ruling party. Both Ali Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi are in a tussle to control the soul of the tottering group once gleefully described by its faithful as the largest in Africa. Sheriff who took over the chairmanship of the party from Uche Secondus was removed at the National Convention which took place in Port Harcourt on May 21 and a caretaker committee was constituted under the leadership of Makarfi. But Sheriff has continued to insist that he remains the authentic chairman of the party. Following this insistence, he stormed the secretariat of the party recently to take over, basing his claim on the strength of a court order. Sherff attempted to gain entrance into the premises but was stopped by men of the Nigeria Police. The former Governor of Borno State made two further attempts to gain access to the Wadata Plaza as well as the party’s office annex known as Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja without success. But he was

successful in his third attempt following a directive from the police authorities. Sheriff ’s action is predicated on a court order which he insists validates his claim to the chairmanship of the party until 2018. But the act of taking over the party’s secretariat and even the court order are neither here nor there as they do not translate into a resolution of the leadership tussle. With Sheriff insisting on being the authentic chairman and Makarfi sticking to his guns, the party is in a prostrate position. The upshot is that as

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a credible, virile opposition party is the reason the All Progressives Congress-led government of President Muhammadu Buhari has been able to get away, in recent time, with certain policies construed in some quarters as anti-people. For instance if the PDP were alive to its responsibility and had mobilised the masses, the massive increase of pump price of fuel from

The leadership crisis at the national level is also now mirrored at the state chapters

the internecine battle rages the PDP is incapable of focusing on the larger issues. It is completely turned inwards to its internal wrangling to the detriment of its larger responsibility of acting as a credible opposition party. And this is where the danger lies. A party that is battling against implosion from within cannot be in a position to play its traditional role of putting the ruling party on its toes and ensuring it delivers on its campaign promises. It is also clear that this lack of

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N86 to N145 would not have gone unchallenged. The attempt by other stakeholders to challenge the increase proved largely inef-

fectual because there was no credible opposition to drive it. To make matters worse, the leadership crisis at the national level is also now mirrored at the state chapters as they pledge allegiance to either of the two gladiators- Makarfi and Sheriff. Just two examples will suffice. The PDP in Niger State PDP says it is wholeheartedly in support of the composition of the caretaker committee headed by the former Kaduna State Governor Sena-

tor Makarfi while members of Yobe State chapter have thrown their weight behind the leadership of Senator Sheriff as the party’s national chairman. We strongly assert that this situation is not only unhealthy for our fledgling democracy, it is capable of scuttling efforts aimed at building a strong, united nation. It is our considered opinion that the PDP must put its house in order and this is not something that can wait. All the combatants must put the interest of the nation first and subsume their individual concerns and considerations under the collective interest. It is only when this approach is adopted that the PDP can find its feet again and be able to provide the needed opposition to put the ruling party under close watch. It is this scrutiny that will ensure that the right policies, actions and decision are made for the betterment of the masses. It is only after performing this all-important role that PDP would be in a position to achieve its goal of getting voters to vote it back into power in 2019. This will be one of the spin-offs of closing ranks. Also, both Sheriff and Makarfi will transform from being just politicians into statesmen.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Insight

A blocked canal on Ogunpa river, failing to learn from history.

Blocked culvert at Imusin Esure, Ogun State.

Living at mercy of floods Moshood junction,Ikere Ekiti.

Despite billions of naira released by the Federal Government to combat ecological problems, millions of people face threats from flood, reports YEKEEN NURUDEEN, who toured the South-West states

“A

stitch in time saves nine” is an adage that could convey different meanings to different people. But to Ibrahim Oloyede and the people of Igbara-Odo in Ekiti South West Local Government Area of Ekiti State, it is a very profound saying. In February, Oloyede gathered family members and a few neighbours to engage in a construction work around his house. Though not an engineer, Oloyede needed to be proactive to avert what could be a repeat of the September 15, 2015 flooding experience which left his household items floating in the deluge of

The mortuaty is flooded in Imusin Esure.

water and his fence submerged. Specifically, September 15, 2015 was a day that he and his household would always remember. Seven hours of rain simply turned his house to a river while his car, a Nissan Primeria wagon, which he uses as a cab was left floating on the water. The perimeter fence of his house also collapsed. With the help of other residents, he erected a huge fence around his bungalow situated on Igbara-OdoEkiti Expressway. They also constructed a very wide drainage close to the fence to avert a recurrence. Oloyede was just creating another water way, diverting erosion from his house when New Telegraph visited in anticipation of 2016 rainfall owing to last year’s bitter experience. “On September 15 last year, it rained for seven hours and for two months my car Nissan Primeria could not work. We are creating ways for water against this year’s rainfall. This fence fell off and I just erected another one and created ways for the water to pass” Oloyede says as he conducts our correspondent round his compound. For Moni Akingbade, an octogenarian also living in Igbara-Odo, her house is flooded every year and it is always unpleasant for her when it

Where are we going to dump refuse if not in the river?

rains. She says even an embankment she constructed around her house does not stop flood whenever there is heavy rainfall. ‘Mama Akingbade,’ as she is addressed by her neighbours, ought not to have sleepless nights over flooding if the erosion control works awarded by the Federal Government in 2007 to address the problem of flooding in Igbara-Odo was done well. But the very narrow erosion control works, a concrete drainage which is directly opposite her house, was completely blocked by refuse while also on the side of the road lays the ruins of a church, Assembly of God Church, which was said to have collapsed owing to flooding. The roofing of the church was what was left as worshippers left for another location after several attempts to avert the yearly erosion. For the 2016 rainy season, Oloyede and Akingbade as well as many other residents of Igbara-Odo are facing another flooding challenge. This is the story of Igbara–Odo Ekiti; a town that has been at the mercy of flood for years. The town has been a victim of persistent flooding over the years despite the intervention of Federal Government which awarded projects to control flood and erosion in

many towns in the six South-West states. The tale of Igbara-Odo is a common phenomenon with most towns in Nigeria where projects to control flood and erosion were awarded and funded by the Ecological Fund Office (EFO). The Federal Government Erosion Control works Worried by the incessant cases of flooding and erosion in most parts of the country, the Federal Government awarded contracts to curtail the menace of flooding and the huge financial losses caused by erosion and other ecological problems. This development was welcomed with excitement by residents of Igbara-Odo community. It was their turn, they thought, as Ricabim Nigerian Limited won the contract to control erosion in the town on February 7, 2007. The N160 million contract, awarded through the EFO, was expected to last 24 weeks but four years after the company reported project completion, residents of Igbara-Odo are still living in fear whenever it rains. Residents, especially those living on the main road linking the Palace of Arajaka of Igbara-Odo are the worst hit. Houses on the Palace Road

INSIGHT

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ijero Ekiti, Iregun river: Disaster waiting to happen

Stretch of bad Papalanto-Sagamu road

are never spared whenever it rains heavily owing to the narrow nature of the drainages constructed by the contractor. The main objective of the contract seems to have been defeated because of the shoddy job done. “N160 million was a waste” says the Arajaka of Igbara Odo, Oba Edward Jayeola. The Arajaka regrets that the project was not done to specifications even as the contractor seems to have abandoned the project. The royal father who took our correspondent round the town and the project sites as well as some areas affected by floods in the past years says “the project was never completed and the contractor never returned. “The work was not completed. They did a shoddy job. The work is there. When we complained, they said we should re-apply. I’m sure they would have written in Abuja that the work is completed.” In addition, he says the contractor reduced the width and terminal point of the drainage that leads from Idasa Street to Oruo River where the project was expected to terminate. River Oruo, according to the monarch, is the largest river in Igbara-Odo and it is where all the rainwater from all over the town should flow. An official of the Federal Ministry of Environment, who pleaded anonymity, says such projects usually end where the funds given to contractors stopped. The official also notes that the intervention currently being done by the EFO is an envelope type which is tailored to address one ecological problem in an area as against a total solution. This, the officer adds, makes some of the projects to collapse because there are numerous areas of interventions across the country. The project in Igbara-Odo is one of the 37 of such awarded by the Federal Government to address erosion and flood challenges in the South-West geo-political zone. The breakdown of the spread of the projects across the six South-West states revealed that Ogun has 10, Osun (eight) and Lagos (seven), Oyo (five), Ekiti (four) while Ondo has three. The projects which were awarded between 2007 and 2011 are worth N15.1 billion. Curiously, in a report submitted to the Presidency by the EFO, Igbara-Odo Ekiti

One of the recycling plants in Ekiti State awarded to Abdul Essential

Narrow and blocked drainage at Igbara Odo

project and many others were reportedly completed. Efforts to reach the EFO for confirmation on these projects were abortive as requests sent to the office were not answered. It was the same story in Ijero-Ekiti where residents are yet to feel the impact of the erosion and flood control work done by Ometra Construction Engineers Limited. According to the EFO, the Abuja-based company, which was awarded the N95.6 million erosion and flood control contract, has already completed the project. However, findings by our correspondent revealed a different picture. The project has been abandoned while the residents are left to suffer. The erosion control work did not get to the specific areas where it was supposed to cover because there was no supervision by the authorities. Besides the obvious effects of constant erosion on Doherty Street where the popular Doherty Memorial Grammar School is situated, the end of the road that links Ijero roundabout is a disaster waiting to happen. The stalled erosion control work from Egbeye axis of the town which was supposed to enter the Iregun River is the reason for their woes. A church, Christ the Saviour, on the edge of the river, may also be washed away if the bridge eventually collapses. Shola Olowoyo, a resident of the area, could not hide his disgust at the way flood ravages the area every year. “The water coming from Doherty Street and from Egbeye meets inside the gutter. It has been like that for about seven years. Rain water doesn’t follow the channels created as they have all been blocked,” he says. Aside Doherty Road, other places such as Keleja Street and back of Ekiti State College of Health Technology, where the contractor ought to have covered in the execution of the project, have been abandoned. Giving credence to this, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Adewale Arowojobe, says about 20 to 30 per cent of the houses would have been washed away in the town but for the erosion and flood control work awarded by the Federal Government. On a tour of the affected areas, Arowojobe discloses to our correspondent the extent to which the abandoned project has helped Ijero town.

“This is where it ought to have stopped,” Arowojobe points at a ditch at the end of the town.” Ikere-Ekiti: Disaster waiting to happen Hundreds of residents of Oke Osun Street were woken up and ejected by angry water about 1a.m. on September 15, 2015 when the nearby River Osun over flown its banks after several hours of downpour. Affected residents could only salvage just a few of their belongings. But this unpleasant experience seems to have been quickly forgotten. Residents of Ikere-Ekiti are, without doubt, courting another flood disaster. While the Ikere-Ekiti erosion control work was completed as scheduled, the waterways created to avert subsequent flooding have been blocked with domestic waste and other pollutants since the people have chosen waterways as dumpsite. From all indications, residents of IkereEkiti, are not on the same page with the Federal Government despite its good intention to save them from perennial flooding that usually damages their property. The Ikere-Ekiti project, which was handled by Shon Nigeria Limited, was awarded in September 2011. Findings showed that from the popular Moshood junction where the construction work commenced towards Holy Ghost Catholic Church at Odo-Oja axis of the town down to Osun-Benin-Owena River, have all been taken over by refuse. The wideness of the drainage notwithstanding, refuse has taken over the whole channel. It is only the frontage of the Catholic Church that people have not converted to dumpsite. Our correspondent observed that the two chambers under the main culvert meant for easy passage of rainwater at Moshood junction were completely blocked by refuse. Residents, it was learnt, resorted to indiscriminate dumping of refuse since there are no official dumpsites or waste treatment centres. Olumide Oluwase, a shop owner at Moshood junction, who sells video and audio compact discs, says his shop is often times submerged whenever it rains. “Even after the project was completed, flood submerged the barrier that was made to make water passage easy. I can’t say this is how much I have lost here owing to

flooding because it has affected me badly. Government should do something urgent to stop people from dumping refuse here,” Oluwase says. Based on the reckless and indiscriminate dumping of refuse in Ikere-Ekiti, it is obvious that the town, the administrative seat of Ijero-Ekiti Local Government Area, is just waiting for another flooding experience. An official of the Osun-Benin-Owena River Basin Management Authority (OBORBMA), who declined to give his name because he was not authorised to speak to the press, says it has been completed. The official, who supervised the project, clarifies that only the Phase One of the project has been carried out. “It has been completed. Just the Phase 1 that was completed. It is channelled to River Osun Benin Owena. To the best of my knowledge, it enters back of the Catholic Church at Kajola,” he says. Ekiti State government’s defence Ekiti State Commissioner for Environment, Bisi Kolawole, says the state enjoyed ecological fund intervention during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and the money was judiciously spent. According to him, Ekiti State government expended over N1 billion on ecological projects between October 2015 and February 2016. He says that seven of the projects have been completed, while three are ongoing. “If our people can inculcate that attitude into their system, the state will be clean and give less work for government to do,” he says. Imusin Esure: Living at mercy of flood Imusin Esure in Ogun East Local Government Area of Ogun State is also not left out of shoddily executed ecological project. Despite the award of N74 million project to address the effect of flood and erosion in the town, the people are still being held hostage whenever it rains. The contract awarded in July 2013 to Intermediate Engineering and Construction Limited and ought to have been completed in November 2013 has only worsened the problem of the town. Findings showed that the project, which was executed in 2014, was not properly done. Our correspondent also discovered that a section of the drainage had collapsed and was only fixed through communal efforts. The collapse of the drainage could only be due to the poor quality of materials used by the contractor, says a resident. Oba Sansi Kamoru, the Obelu of ImusinEsure, laughed hysterically when he learnt about the contract sum of the project. He describes the contractor’s job as a substandard work. According to him, about 25 metres of it has already collapsed and that he had to cough up N270,000 to repair it. “N74 million? The work was not done well. If we did not amend the work, the whole construction will spoil. Part of the drainage had already fallen off and we got an engineer, we have paid N270,000 because we have to avert another flood this year,” the traditional ruler says. Corroborating his views, the Otunba of Ijebu-Imusin, Obafemi Abdullahi, argues that the work was not done to specifications. “About 25 metres collapsed on the right side of the drainage. We quickly did a remedial work which was completed within about five days. In our opinion, they did not do the work to specifications. They did not back the drainage, the iron-rod they used were not made in u-form. Though we did not see the scope of work, this cannot be said to be a good job,” Abdullahi adds. But an official of Erosion and Flood Control Department, Federal Ministry of CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

INSIGHT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

Environment, who was among those who supervised the project, says the project was carried out to specifications. Consequences of perennial flooding History of flood in Ijebu-Imusin is as old as the history of the town itself. It is a common feature to see houses submerged in water at the peak of the rainy season. Many parts of the main road from Ijebu-Ode to Ijebu-Imusin were already washed away as motorists struggle to avoid colliding with one another. There are also relics of flooded houses along major roads. But for anyone coming into the town of Imusin-Esure through the OreShagamu Road, the main cemetery at the entrance of the road tells it all. All the beautiful designs and engravings on tombs of the deceased have turned brown due to incessant flooding. The traditional ruler also has had his own fair share of woes from flooding and erosion. “My former house was flooded twice and even when we built here newly, we just woke up one day and realised that the fence was gone,” says Oba Kamoru. Odo-Kala: Gully of refuse dump Odo-Kala gully in Ijebu-Ode is notorious for killing several people. According to residents, many people have drowned in it. But despite its notoriety and efforts by the Federal Government to put an end to disaster it causes annually, residents of Ijebu-Ode are yet to change their attitude. They have turned the gully to a dumpsite. Government awarded a N299 million contract to address Odo Kala gully erosion Phase 1 in 2009 to Smace Nigeria Limited but this has so far fallen short of its objectives. Residents say despite the construction work, the gully still poses great hazards. A motorist, Abdulrasheed Idirisu, says a commercial motorcyclist fell into the gully last year in the night after a heavy rainfall. What is, however, amazing is the huge refuse dump on each side of the bridge where the gully is located. According to a shop owner near the bridge, Mrs. Komolafe Oluwaseun, the refuse dump is the reason for the flooding after heavy rainfall. Ogunpa River: Failing to learn from history The EFO says the Federal Government has spent over N7 billion on the channelization of Ogunpa River in Ibadan, Oyo State, besides other projects in the state that have also gulped about N4.08 billion. Ogunpa River has a flooding history that dates back to the 60s’. More than 55 years after over 1,000 residents were rendered homeless by the infamous Ogunpa River flood; people of the area are still being ensnarled whenever it rains. Residents along Ogunpa River heaved a sigh of relief when government finally intervened 21 years after the 1980 flood that gave Ogunpa River its national and international notoriety. The flood left the city in ruins with more than 100 bodies retrieved from the debris of collapsed houses and vehicles washed away by the deluge. Market men and women at Gbagi Market were, the time our correspondent visited Ibadan, dumping all kinds of waste without fear of being arrested. When asked why

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Despite ecological funds, perennial flooding still major threat they turn the river to dumpsite, a woman, who gives her name, as Tawa, replies: “Where are we going to dump refuse if not in the river?” According to her, when rain starts, it will wash away the refuse. The same scenario played out at Isale-Afon, Ogbomoso, also in Oyo State, where the flood control project, reportedly facilitated by the former House of Representatives leader, Mulikat Akande, has become an eyesore as faeces and domestic waste litter the place. The project, awarded in 2014 at N70 million, was executed in 2015. Investigation by our correspondent at Isale-Afon in Ogbomoso North Local Government shows that residents of the area might not have experienced terrible flood in time past but that is just a matter of time as epidemic and flooding loom large. In 2011 when almost all parts of Oyo State, particularly Ibadan, were flooded, Ogbomoso was lucky and there was no flood. Papalanto, Sagamu Road: Motorists’ nightmare Mr. John Andrew (an engineer) says he has vowed never to drive through the Papalanto-Sagamu Road again despite being the shortest route to Ibadan from Lagos. On that fateful Saturday, he was going to Lagos from Ibadan but had to look for a short cut to avoid traffic. But his calculations this time around were wrong; he ended up spending the whole day on the road that ordinarily should not take him more than 35 minutes, at most. His SUV broke down in the middle of the road as it encountered several bad craters and gullies on the road. “This road has become a nightmare,” he says in exasperation.

The road kills one gradually, it spoils our vehicles

A broken down Jeep on Papalanto-Sagamu road

Arajaka of Igbara Odo Ekiti

Alfa Oloyede

On a daily basis, Jide Ademosu drives to and fro Papalanto-Sagamu Road three to four times. He is a commercial bus driver who plies the road; taking passengers from Papalanto to Sagamu. The journey takes just 45 minutes and it is stress-free due to the smooth nature of the road. While the 40-kilometre road has become a nightmare to motorists and commuters, it is also responsible for the short lifespan of many commercial vehicles plying the route. “The road kills one gradually, it spoils our vehicles,” says a distraught Ademosu. A tour of the road from Papalanto junction by New Telegraph on a popular motorcycle known as Okada through Olorunsogo Hydro Power Station shows dangerous ditches and craters which claimed lives in recent accidents. Residents along the road say it has been tales of woes, pains, agony and total neglect as the road claims lives, with the number of casualties rising by the day. The road was rehabilitated in 2014 by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA). But those who are plying the road constantly describe the rehabilitation as cosmetic compared to what needs to be done to the damaged road. A former employee of the West African Portland Cement, Mr. Paul Amoo, who is a construction expert, says what is expected to have been done by FERMA was to have evacuated the top soil of the road as it is swampy and filled it with stones before it could be covered and laid with asphalt.

road was rehabilitated or not. Those who should know claim ignorance of such while those in the administration of the state also say they are not aware of issues involving past administrations. But the drivers are stunned and short of words when they are told that the Federal Government released N600 million to Ogun State Government in 2007 to rehabilitate the road. The Federal Government had between 2007 and 2011 released N15,409,093,866, to some states government to solve ecological problems in their states. Out of this amount, N600 million was released to Ogun under the administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel to rehabilitate the road. The money was released from the Ecological Fund Account as the problem facing the road was ecological. The release of the fund to rehabilitate the road might not be unconnected with the construction of the Power Plant which was completed and inaugurated that year by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. When contacted, the state Commissioner of Works, Olamilekan Adegbite, say he is not aware of what transpired before assuming office in 2011. Replying an SMS sent to him, he says: “I’m not aware of what transpired before assuming office in 2011.” But the Ogun State Road Maintenance Agency set up by Daniel that could have provided answers to questions concerning rehabilitation of the road has been disbanded by Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

The N600m Ecological Fund Intervention Nobody knows whether or not the

•This report is supported by Ford Foundation and International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)

Isale Afon project in Ogbomoso

Mr. Fix it

Ijebu Imusin project signpost

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SouthEastFocus South South Focus A helping hand for inmates, indigent students

23 News That they may have peace

coordinaTor

goeekenna@yahoo.co.uk 08068774740

Saving Nguzu-Edda from erosion’s anger For the people of Nguzu Edda Autonomous community in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, agricultural activities have remained a daydream. That is due to a gully erosion that has threatened the area. UCHENNA INYA, in Abakaliki reports

guzu Autonomous community is a hilly area, though with natural beauty. But the pangs of erosion have forced the people to withdraw from agricultural activities. Any time there is heavy down pour, the area is usually flooded with properties worth millions of naira lost. But the natural disaster may have become a blessing in disguise to the people through the intervention of World Bank Assisted project under the Nigeria Erosion Water Shed Management Project (NEWMAP) which has empowered the victims in various skills. Onu Arua, a community leader in the area, wondered what would have happened to them without the intervention programme. “We have been coming here to witness the job they are doing. We are happy with what they are doing. Without what they are doing here, Nguzu people would have been displaced because of the erosion. “Many people have lost their livelihood in this place through erosion and flood and we are happy that this intervention programme has come to save us’’. A community facilitator, Hon. Okam Ukoha, explained that a total of over 800 people from Nguzu Edda have benefited from the livelihood package of NEWMAP. “The expectation has been so high. The unemployed youths have been captured. This has changed their livelihood. They have a place where they are planting economic trees like palm tree. “I am a member of environmental technician and disaster management. We clear sites and plant economic trees. They have been giving us financial support. There is also the Information and Communication Technology Centre. Computer

GEOFFREY EKENNA

One of the erosion sites

and generator were procured to enable them teach applicants. We are having about 30 to 40 groups made up of unemployed youths. “We have the agro-processing mill which is used to produce palm oil. The widows are equally captured in the livelihood activities. The widows have about five groups; each group is made up of 50 persons. They are engaged in the cassava mill where the produce garri. Garri production has become the business of the day. “Our entire lives here because of this erosion have automatically changed. We know erosion is not a good thing but we are benefitting from it now. Everybody is being carried along. We have over 20 CIG projects. We have the carpentry, the auto mechanic, the poultry, fish farmers etc. Everybody is part of it and identifies with any group he can fit in. The livelihood activities have changed the Nguzu Edda people. A total of 839 persons have benefitted from the livelihood activities”, he disclosed. In an interview on the progress

of job done so far on flood sites in the state, Ebonyi State Coordinator of NEWMAP, Dr. Philip Echiegu, said the five south-east states are parts of 14 states targeted for the project. Echeagu noted that NEWMAP was initiated by the Federal Government and is being funded by the International Development Association known as World Bank and assisted by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), Special Climactic Change Fund to help ameliorate challenges occasioned by erosion throughout the country. He disclosed that about $100m is lost annually in the country as a result of gully erosion, while about 6,000 square kilometres of land has been ravaged by gully which has affected in great measure the productivity of the country. He added that the Ecological Fund, which was meant to combat erosion and gully problems could not sustain the level of damage done financially, hence the Federal Government approached the World Bank for assistance. He pointed out that the designs for

all the sites have reached advanced stage, stressing that the Nguzu Edda is already receiving civil works with 75 per cent level of completion, adding that in no distant time, the work would be completed satisfactorily. Echiegu said that four of their sites were already before the bank for final vetting and they include; Iyiudele, Iyiokwu, Odunukwe, Ebiya River while Asu Umunaga and Oferekpe sites have been completed and sent to Federal Quality Control for vetting by the engineering design consultant. He stressed that there were some complaints raised by the Federal Quality Control which the consultant is addressing after which the work would be moved to the World Bank for final vetting and clearance. He maintained that, that was apart from the civil works NEWMAP embarked on enhancement of the livelihood of communities where the gully sites are located. “The bank believes that if a project is sited at a place, the livelihood of the people should not deteriorate. Rather, it should be boosted. So, as a result, the programme is designed with agric components which are rich in enhancing the source of livelihood and also help to reduce the pressure from the people of the land. He assured that the Nguzu Edda flood site project which commenced in June last year would be completed this June after which work would commence at Iyudele, Iyioku, Odunukwe, Ebiya flood sites. “Ebonyi State keyed into the project in 2011. So far, we have eight intervention sites. Seven are proposed. One is currently receiving civil work intervention. “The rest are at various stages of design review and clearance. We are sure that in no distance time, four of those sites including Iyudele, Iyioku, Odunukwe, Ebiya River will receive attention. They are four in number that have really advanced their stage of design and review by World Bank. So, in no distance time, the World Bank will clear this four. “We also have other additional three that are also under the quality control consultant at the federal project management unit. The other three include Asumunaga on Ishiagu site, Oferekpe Akanwufu-Odomowo flood site etc. “This site was awarded sometime June last year. By now, we are supposed to have exited from the site but there are a lot of things that caused CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

south-east

Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

he Building Material Ultra Modern Market Ogidi, is one of foremost markets in the South East Nigeria. It serves in the provision of amenities and other infrastructure one can see in Nigeria markets and most of Africa Sub-Region. It has a capacity of over, 10,000 lockup shops and other attachments in and around it that is not less than 2, 000 as makeshift shops for low income traders. The market was constructed by traders of Building Material Dealers Association in Onitsha between 2001 and 2003 with a target objective of promoting indigenous products through commerce and trade. It is situated along the Enugu/Onitsha Expressway, and has one unique feature that is uncommon in Nigeria. Hope is rising for the emancipation and consolidation of Nigerian made goods in the national and international markets following the pragmatic measures that has been adopted by the Anambra traders at home and in Diaspora to make Nigerian products compete favourably with other goods and shorten dependence on importation of all sorts and manner of goods. This is because about 85 per cent of the products sold in the market are Nigerian made goods. They include, Zinc, nails, doors, hinges, wire, plumbing materials, among others. New Telegraph gathered that the products are mostly manufactured by some industrialists within Nigeria and it was the policy trust of the owners, to make the market the first indigenous market in Nigeria, where only Nigerian goods are sold to promote trade and commerce in Nigeria, even as there are some few imported products in the market to blend with the system. It is outlawed for any trader in the market to display such in shops and lines. Mr. Jude Nwankwo is the trea-

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Hope for made-in-Nigeria goods

A section of the market

surer of the Ogidi Building Materials Dealers Association. According to him, what Nigeria needs now is to formulate economic policies that would promote commerce, trade, industries, mines, power and agriculture to survive the present economic meltdown in Nigeria. The Ogidi building material market as it is popularly called was built with a distinct policy of promoting indigenous products and this, he said, has helped a lot of traders, par-

ticularly now that the Federal Government policy on foreign exchange is taken its toll on Nigerians. “Why we survive here is that about 85 per cent of the goods sold here are not imported. The few ones that import some wears do not survive competition coupled with the present free fall of the Naira and the exchange rate and more so, these goods are made with standard approved by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON). So, Nigerians goods can stand test of time.

Saving Nguzu-Edda from erosion’s anger C O NTIN U E D F R O M PA G E 1 9

the delay. The contractor was handed over the site but he was asked not to commence activities. “Initially, we did not have the safeguard instruments cleared by the bank. They include environmental and social management plan and resettlement action plan. Resettlement action plan is an instrument that is usually a precursor before the commencement of civil works. “And it is a condition that the resettlement action plan has to be implemented before civil works will take-off at any sites. Those instruments were not cleared. That contributed to the delay. There was also the delay on the part of the contractor in terms of the procurement of working equipments that are required to be use for the work.” According to the Director, a synergy between component units in NEWMAP has occasioned a change in the lives of the affected people by engaging and empowering them in various skills, so as to discourage the people from activities that exert pressure on the land and consequently erosion. “Let me also emphasize the fact that apart from the civil work, NEWMAP is made up of four components. They are erosion management and watershed infrastructure investment. The erosion and watershed institution management has to do with enhancing the capacity of the

people of the state and all the participating state to be able to take responsibility in addressing gully and erosion related problems in all the affected states. We also have project management. We also have community change adaptation. “These entire components are well packaged to be able to address in its entirety the challenges of gully and flood in all the participating states. Apart from addressing the gully sites itself, there is also a package within the component one that has to do with livelihood. “The project has the concept that if the people’s livelihood are not addressed , the activities of the people will one way or the other contribute to erosion problem by way of their farming practices, by way of other activities that tend to increase the pressure on the land. “In order to address that, the project came up with livelihood activities that will enhance the livelihood of the people by way of skill acquisition, by way of other skills that they can be trained to help to reduce their pressure on the land. “Under that, Ebonyi NEWMAP has released over N13 million to the Nguzu community to be able to address the livelihood component of this project in their community. We have the community interest groups. “They are aggregated in their various skills. They are people who are into tailor-

ing. They are people who are into block moulding, garri processing and other skill acquisition programmes. In those various skills, they are supported to be on their own and to be able to carter for themselves, reduce poverty and reduce their pressure on the land”, he said. The site engineer, Bankole Seyi, gave the assurance that the Nguzu Edda remediation works would be rounded off in couple of weeks, adding that the intention of NEWMAP is to reclaim the land ravaged by erosion. “The intention of the intervention is to limit or minimize the erosion that is here. What we are doing is that we want to capture the run up in this area. We want to concentrate it and channel it so that the speed flow will reduce and at the same time, we will be able to trap the sediment on the check dam so that when the water is moving, it will not carry sediments. “By our programme of work, we are supposed to complete the work on the 16th of this June. We are working assiduously to meet that target. The major work we have here is the interlock, although we have some additional work outside the site like drain filling. “We have done like 50 per cent of the check dams. The challenge has been the weather. We are being paid promptly. They do not owe us any money. The community members have been cooperating and are accommodating”, he said.

“The present government should borrow a leaf from us, introduce policies that would promote industrialization, create employment, so as to restore confidence of the people in the Nigeria made goods”. Nwankwo lamented that the present government has no good economic and political policies as well as economic team that can fix back the country and redeem the battered image of Nigeria and its economy. Nigerians clamoured for change but the change was not a positive change and therefore we all should pray to change the change in the overall interest of Nigeria. “Ogidi building material market has over 15,000 traders before now but the economic hardship in the country has sent so many packing. There is no country of the world that can thrive without indigenous manufacturers and products because they are the employers of labour and productivity. “The earlier we feel we can provide for ourselves, the better. We are blazing the trail in the promotion of indigenous product and what we are doing today was what China did over a hundred years ago and today, they have taken over the economic power. Nigeria is blessed with abundant human and material resources. All we need is to pray for a Messiah who will come and save this country because Nigeria is sitting right now on a keg of gun powder, waiting to explode. “You see how militants are blowing oil pipelines in Niger Delta. It is an evil wind that blows no one good because when the chips are down, we will count our losses. So, if we are going to remain united and one indivisible country, we must return to drawing board and embrace made in Nigeria goods, encourage local industries and promote medium and large scale trade through export of our own product to other countries of the world.”

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SouthSouthFocus

Bishop Okpebholo praying for the three inmates before their release

A helping hand for inmates, indigent students Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

or the growth of any society at whatever levels, the leadership must focus its attention on the people and their welfare. This is so because neither the family nor the community even at smaller units, comes to the fore without reference to the people as essential factor for meaning growth and development. It explains more the reasoning that building the people means building a nation and the future of any nation depends strongly on how many the men and women have worked in preparedness for their future. That further reaffirms the enormous contributions made by past and present crop of leaders and stakeholders to fashion a viable path that would assist younger generation towards achieving greatness and realizing their dreams, ambitions as well as aspiration. For Bishop Ray Okpebholo, life and living are not about dropping names, money and influence nor power. The Cleric through his foundation, a non-governmental organization, Ray Okpebholo Foundation, last week doled out about N25million to over 500 indigent Edo students in various institutions of higher learning to assuage the pains and sufferings of their parents as well as boost the education of youths in the state.

The largesse has been an annual ritual and scholarship award to some of the beneficiaries. This year’s programme was part of activities lined up for the 66th birthday of the Uromi born man of God and Bishop of the Church of God Mission Inc. Aside the students, some inmates of Ubiaja Prison had smiled home during the ceremony as they were asked to go and sin no more courtesy of the kind gestures of the philanthropist and businessman. Okpebholo had facilitated the release three of the prisoners, who have been in detention camps of the service for failure to pay the fines imposed on them by the court for various offences they committed. The three inmates were released after their fines were paid by Okpebholo. The cleric said everything he has done was as a result of how God has instructed it to be done. In his sermon when he visited the inmates to offer prayers and hope to them in the prison, Okpebholo tasked them to remain hopeful even in the face of their predicament. According to the bishop, “You are here with hope. The worst thing to a prisoner is to be hopeless. You have to know that God knows why you are here. It has come and it will pass. You will leave here for the palace. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was in the prison but when he left, he went straight to Aso Rock. You need to encourage yourselves. No man can change your destiny. Don’t feel

I have suffered for these four months I have been kept in this prison. I have got some terrible experience too. My family is from Uzairue

disappointed.” The relief by the philanthropist had elicited joy for the beneficiaries, who sang praises and thanks to God for coming at the nick of time when all hopes were lost. One of the released inmates who identified herself as Mrs. Ivie and an indigene of Uromi, told New Telegraph that she was remanded in prison because she could not afford N20, 000 for her bail until the cleric came to her aid. She said, “I fought with a woman and that was what brought me here. I have spent three weeks in this place. I am a native of Uromi. I don’t have husband again. We are separated. My children are with my mother. I won’t fight again and I beg other women not to be carried away with mere provocation that could land them in prison. I feel happy for what the Bishop has done for me. I thank God for everything.” Also, another beneficiary, Lucky Bright, said he was detained in the prison because of hunger. “I went to steal motor bike. I am from Ekpoma. My family is very poor and there is nothing for us to keep life going. I will follow Bishop home and I am ready to do any work I see. And after then, I will go and let my people to know that somebody of this nature helped me out of this my present situation.” He promised: “I will let them know that taking somebody’s property is not good. I have been here for about nine months. My advice

to would-be-robbers is that they should stay away from robbery because it doesn’t pay. May God continue to bless the man of God.” A third inmate, Ogah Abraham, expressed happiness about his sudden release. “I am from Uzairue. I have been here for four months. I stole a bunch of wrapper with a valued cost of N60,000 and I was asked to bail myself with N200, 000. My advice to those who have the intention to steal is to forget the intention. I have suffered for these four months I have been kept in this prison. I have got some terrible experience too. My family is from Uzairue.” He stated that “the Bishop has said he will give me work but l will go and see my family, then come back to resume the work.” Okpebholo, during the visit, also donated coolers of rice, toiletries, soaps and others to the prisoners to support their upkeep. In his address earlier, the Assistant Controller of Prison, Ubiaja, ACP, Ariabure John, said the service has about 300 inmates in the prison. He said: “We want to register our profound gratitude and appreciation to the good work you have been doing to the prison in Ubiaja.” Ariabure noted that, “In realisation of the prison set goals and objectives of reform, you came to identify with us. Your concern towards the up-keep of these less privileged ones in the prison is indeed remarkable and unparallel. God will reward you bountifully for it in Jesus name, (Amen.)” Besides, there was also an award of N50,000 each to 500 final year indigent students from various universities and polytechnics in the state by the Ray Okpebholo Foundation. Each student was presented with a cheque as part of the cleric’s humanitarian gestures to mark his 66th birthday anniversary. The donor said the bursary tagged “Nehemiah” was very dear to his heart and must be fulfilled. According to him, “This project is very dear to me and I needed to fulfil it. Despite some financial setbacks, I kept believing God and he saw us through”, he stated. During the event, indigent students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU) were found to be the highest recipients of the bursary award with over 200 students among the 500 awardees. One of the beneficiaries and a-500 level student of Animal Science Department, Christopher Adesuwa Jane, from University of Benin, commended Bishop Mathew Okhpebholo for the award. She explained that the money would serve for her project in school and promised to put it into good use. Also, Blessing Onoje, a Student of Science Laboratory Technology (SLT), Federal Polytechnic Auchi, said he was moved by the Bishop’s rare gesture. He disclosed that the money would assist him in the pursuit of his education and church work.

south-south

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

That they may have peace

Inspecting the gadgets

Some of the gadgets

Tony Anichebe uyo

n line with its Corporate Social Responsibility, BASCON Nigeria Limited, Uyo Akwa Ibom State, has donated a brand new Police Station with housing quarters to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BASCON, Pastor Bassey James, a criminologist and security consultant, said the support became necessary to assist the police in their duties to effectively fight crime, secure lives and properties in the state. Equally, sophisticated security equipment and communication gadgets donated by the clergyman were handed over to the state police command by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo. While performing the inauguration, the governor said that the police in the state have lived up to their expectation, maintaining that the state has over the years enjoyed relative peace and tranquillity compared to other states in the federation because of high commitment to service by the police and other security operatives in the state. Emmanuel, while acknowledging that security is everyone’s business, appreciated James for the initiative

and called on other well-placed individuals in the state to emulate him. In the same vein, the immediate past governor of the state and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, represented by Mr. Utibe Nwoko, lauded the donor for using his personal resources to build the facility, saying that ‘investment in security is very significant for societal development’. He observed that the gesture would go a long way in complementing the efforts of the state government and the police to stamp out various criminal activities in all parts of the state. Also speaking, the village head of the host community, Chief Tom Akpan Effiong, expressed appreciation to the donor for ‘erecting the beautiful edifice in their domain,’ and assured him that the people of the area would continue to cooperate with the police to maintain law and order in the area. Receiving the facility, the state Police Commissioner, Murtala Usman Mani, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Agberebi Akpoebi Egbuson, thanked James for the project and promised to make good use of the facility. The commissioner, who described the donor’s action as an ‘uncommon gesture’ said that it would assist them in fighting crime in the area and the adjoining areas more than it has been

before now. Earlier in his speech, James said he single-handedly came up with the facility as ‘a gift to the state,’ adding that he would build two more police stations to be sited in Ikot Ekpene and Mkpat Enin by next year According to him, as the administration strives to industrialize the state, James reckons that security of lives and property must be guaranteed, hence the need to assist the Police in creating the enabling environment for investors to launch their business in the state. “Matters of security should be the

Ekpo inaugurating the project

concern of everyone because government cannot do it alone”, he noted, recalling that in 2012, he also presented similar free will gesture to the State Joint Task Force (JTF), ‘Operation Aduma’. “In 2012, I donated security equipment to the State’s JTF, as part of my contribution on the development of the state because I believe every well meaning Nigerian should be part of the process of making Nigeria peaceful by supporting the security forces. I am happy to identify with the successes recorded by the Commissioner of Police, who is doing a good job in the state. To him, the gestures should spur other well meaning Nigerians to contribute their quota in the development of the society. James disclosed that he was motivated into the philanthropic project by the patriotic American slogan: “Think what you can do for America, not what America can do for.” After many months of brainstorming, the security expert disclosed that he has developed what he called National Integrated Security Network (NISN), a template deliberately designed to connect the entire state under a single security system. The idea, he said, would be sold to the state and others. “The peace in my state and Nigeria is important, and of course, the issue of security should be everybody’s business”, he explained. Besides, he said plans were on ground to bring foreign partners to establish business ventures and communication centre in Akwa Ibom and Nigeria in line with Governor Emmanuel and President Buhari’s Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) policies. He, therefore, appealed to the restive youths to lay down their arms and help in protecting strategic national installations. Besides, James advised governments at all levels to address the unemployment situation in the country by creating jobs for the unemployed youths. James urged the government and corporate institutions to work in tandem with security consultants to effectively fight criminal elements to make Nigeria safe for real development to thrive. He commended Mani, chief host on the occasion, for working to stem the tides of criminality in the state. Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo; Commissioners, National and State Assembly members, traditional rulers and the civil society graced the ceremony.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Industry

Business What's new Nigeria, 3 others to achieve Africa’s double-digit growth by 2025 p.26

Expert to FG: Probe Federal Mortgage Bank p.26

Reviving infrastructural challenges in Nigeria’s industrial clusters

eWorld e-fraud: Collusion, poor awareness fueling trends

27 29

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE May 2016 ................................. 15.6% April 2016...................................13.7% March 2016...............................12.8%

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

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parallel Market as at June 24 )

(Interbank as at June 24)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N333 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N470 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N365

l Foreign Reserves – $26.424 bn as at 23/6/2016

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N282 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N400 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N314

Source: CBN

L-R: Team Lead, Event & Brand, Unity Bank, Hannah Madziga; Director-General, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs. Roli Bode George; Minister of Youth & Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung and Manager, Lekki Branch, Unity Bank, Saratu Umar, at the event marking this year’s International Day Against Drug and Illicit Drug Trafficking sponsored by the bank, in Lagos.

Nigeria can make $60bn revenue from technology ecosystem –Expert As NITDA backs startups growth POLICY The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Enabling policy environment needed to unleash digital potential

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Kunle Azeez

ormulation of effective local content policy, which will create opportunities of Information Technology startups in Nigeria, could unleash revenue potential in excess of $60 billion, which is the estimated revenue the country currently records from oil export per annum. An ICT expert, Mr. Wole Ogunlade, disclosed this to New Telegraph in an emailed interview as a follow-up to a presentation he earlier delivered during an IT industry forum in Lagos. Ogunlade stated this even as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) threw its weight behind a scheme to promote Nigerian IT startups at international scene. The Head of Digital Media at VoguePay argued that the ICT ecosystem has great potential for the

economy and could provide higher revenue for the country than oil if well harnessed. Explaining further, he said: “Nigeria’s major revenue is exporting oil, which currently is up to $60 billion per annum. To diversify the economy from oil, the technology ecosystem should aim to beat that revenue by solving real problems. “We should not just be a consumer of technology; instead, stakeholders in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem should endeavor to adapt solutions to solve real life challenges of people in Nigeria and Africa in diaspora.” He explained that local startups need to rise to the challenges of providing the enabling environment for the young IT entrepreneurs, who are leveraging the digital platforms to develop innovative solutions. While stressing that one of the critical needs of businesses in Africa is to connect to global audience, Ogunlade noted that foreign gateways such as PayPal is not filling that needs and appreciated that local gateways likeVoguePay.com is making it possible for small businesses in Nigeria easily accept payment on their website from global audience. He said: “I advocated for the need

$170 million Being the revenue expected from digital gaming segment in Nigeria by 2018

for corporate institutions to invest in local talents. We also need to challenge the investors’ community to be interested in investing in local startups, not just real estate as several of our locally successful startups like irokotv and jobberman are funded by international partners. “I praised the initiatives behind #StartUp Friday under National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and other initiatives of Federal Government that is focused on building a vibrant technology ecosystem.” The ecosystem consists of startups in Nigeria’s digital space, which are leveraging ICT to offer services and solutions in agric, medicine, transportation, e-commerce, gaming and education, among others. In gaming sub-sector alone, a report by PwC noted that there is great untapped economic potential in Nigeria and the rest of Africa. According to the report, South Africa, the most developed market on the continent, is predicted to grow from $204 million in 2013 to $314 million by 2018. Kenya could grow from $44 milCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

BUSINESS |news

Nigeria can make $60bn revenue from technology ecosystem –Expert CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

lion to $103 million over the same period while Nigeria could grow from $71 million to $170 million over the same period. The study, however, identified lack of proper distribution channels, little or no funding available and dearth of skilled human resource as hindrances to start-ups in the gaming sector. The report also suggested what could be done to help startups in the digital ecosystem with a view to unleashing their potential. According to him, there is a need to distribute/publish deals with game publishers, angel/venture capital (VC) funds for gaming, skills development/training in game design and development and collaboration with other gaming companies. Meanwhile, the Acting Director General of NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has inaugurated a team of Local Organising Committee (LOC) to identify and promote a minimum of 10 startups to pitch at the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) 2016 in October in Dubai. With $1 million up for grabs for the winner startup movement competition, the IT implementing agency says Nigeria’s participation at Gitex would be a major leap for ICT startups, as the country aggressively pursues foreign earnings in non-oil sectors. Olatunji said the LOC will select the best startups able to showcase their talent, untapped skill-set, budding entrepreneurship “in order to make the country attractive to foreign investors.” NITDA wants LOC members to commit time and wits to ensuring that Nigeria achieves its objectives for being part of the Gitex event, now regarded as the biggest technology event in the Middle East, South East Asia and Africa. According to Olatunji, “Our participation in Gitex over the years has really benefited the country in many ways. It has attracted investments to the country; and two of our startups that showcased their innovation at last year’s event have been engaged by a Malaysia company.” For him, “ICT is the credible alternative to oil. Through ICT the country could gain quickly what it had lost to oil in the last few years since the oil price started nose-diving. So, I urge this LOC to do this work diligently as if there is no tomorrow. You may be helping the country back on the path of honor and pride.” As part of the efforts to thicken the value of Nigeria’s participation and enlighten potential investors at the five day event on the country’s non-oil sectors, he said the country would organise an ICT investment forum. With about 150,000 trade visitors from over 144 countries expected at Gitex 2016, Olatunji said “this is a ready marketplace to sell Nigeria brand and encourage more foreign investors to stake their investment in Africa’s largest economy.”

POTENTIAL The growth rates promised by Africa are second to that of Southeast Asia at the moment Taiwo Hassan

our countries in Africa - Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt and Kenya - would push the continent’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to $4.5 trillion by 2025, a report by Frost and Sullivan has said. The study, titled Mega Trends in Africa, stated that these key countries are set to accelerate rapid growth in the continent, thus, making Africa to become the second fastest growing continent by 2025. The study said that rapid urbanisation could lead to several Africans living and working in large cities. It said that urbanisation, mobility, infrastructure, natural resources, telecom and interregional trade could make Africa the last growth frontier in a few decades to come. According to the analysts at Frost & Sullivan, Africa is

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria, 3 others to achieve Africa’s double-digit growth by 2025 the only continent poised to achieve double-digit economic growth within the next decade and close to half the population will live in large cities. The study also said that 58 per cent of the working population will thrive in 2025 and will be mostly within the ages of 15-64. If this trend spills over into the next two decades, Africa could have a working population higher than India and China combined. Frost & Sullivan Africa Operations Director, Hendrik Malan, said: “The growth rates promised by Africa are second to that of Southeast Asia at the moment. The big advantage that Africa does have is the lack of infrastructure and the lack of legacy systems because our ability to leapfrog technologies and get access to that growth much sooner

than Southeast Asia.” The analyses have also singled out certain sectors that are poised to register maximum growth and are already showing potential to ring in big numbers. Firms operating in the digital currency space, for one, are among the big gainers. By the end of 2025, there will be 12 million Bitcoin wallets in Africa and nearly a third of all Kenyans will use a Bitcoin wallet. Retail is expected to grow significantly in the next five years and will account for nearly seven per cent of total sales in Africa in 2025. Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya are emerging as the top markets for online retailing in Africa. Meanwhile, Africa’s energy demand will grow to 930.4 MTOE in 2025, which is more than double the current demand.

The mining and minerals industry will be the bulk consumers of energy by 2025. Africa will grow from its current nascent stage to an emerging renewable energy hub with a substantial compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of eight per cent by 2025, stated the report. The continent’s trade volume is also expected to grow threefold by 2030. East Africa is projected to have the highest growth in trade volume, driven by improved transportation infrastructure. The Proposed Free Trade Area (T-FTA) between South African Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and East African Community (EAC) is expected to drive imports by an average of 60 per cent by 2020.

L-R: Director, Cwg- Plc, Phillip Obioha; Vice Chairman, Austin Okere; Company Secretary, Okey Ejibe; Chairman, Abiodun Fawunmi; Managing Director, James Agada; and Chief Operating Officer, Kunle Ayodeji, during the Annual General Meeting of the company.

IN-DEPTH The audit of the institution should not be for witch-hunting but for amelioration of mass housing delivery in Nigeria Dayo Ayeyemi

orried by the failure of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to enhance mass housing delivery in the country, the Federal Government has been urged to look into the books of the apex mortgage bank to appraise its performance. Chairman, HOB Estates Limited, Chief Olusegun Bamgbade, made this call in an interview with New Telegraph. He said that apart from continuous creation of an enabling environment for the development of the sector, government

Expert to FG: Probe Federal Mortgage Bank should look into the books of the FMBN and see where it has gone wrong. He said the audit of the institution should not be for witchhunting, but for amelioration of mass housing delivery in Nigeria. “The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria should be whipped to caution. FMBN should sit up,” he said. Decrying the mode of management of the institution, Bamgbade noted that FMBN has become an impediment to the rise and growth of mass housing in country, citing its ineptitudes on National Housing Fund (NHF) package. To enhance home ownership among Nigerians, he suggested that FMBN must process NHF directly for real estate developers through their state offices, adding that it should treat Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) as an additional appendage on NHF packages.

His words: “The Primary Mortgage Banks have failed in their line of duty in this regard and FMBN has been sleeping for too long on this issue. Imagine a situation where NHF is not packaged for and on behalf of the allottees by the PMIs for eight years at the expense of estate developers. “Do they expect developers to pay interests on such unwarranted expanse of long delay? No way!” The HOB Estate Limited boss urged the Federal Government to inject more funds into the apex mortgage bank for on-lending to home seekers and developers but with a caveat. The institution must justify the use of previous money given to it. Recent report from the former Managing Director, Mr. Gimba Kumo, stated that less than one per cent of Nigerians were currently contributing to NHF. According to a reliable source, the apex housing financial insti-

tution has been finding it difficult to grant approvals to mortgage seekers under the NHF and Estate Developers’ loans due to current financial difficulty confronting it. The cash-squeeze situation, the source said was being compounded by the inability of employers at both public and private sectors to pay salaries of their workers, who are major contributors to the NHF. The source said: “Many state governments and private companies under the NHF scheme have not been able to pay salaries to workers in the last five months. Also, banks are laying off staff under the guise of the prevailing economic conditions that have drastically reduced disposable incomes. “This has reduced the volume of cash flow to the National Housing Fund. The bank has been finding it difficult to grant loans to contributors and developers of housing estates,” said the source.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

InDUSTRY

Electronic Industrial Clusters

Reviving infrastructural challenges in Nigeria’s industrial clusters Industrial clusters have been identified as antidote to the challenges of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria. But, there is an ongoing debate on whether government should establish more industrial clusters or not. TAIWO HASSAN reports

ndustrial clusters all over the world have proven to be a veritable catalyst for the growth of SMEs. Thus, the idea of cluster in Nigeria was to create a community of businesses located together in which members would seek enhanced environmental, social and corporate performance for effective global trade competitiveness. But of late, in the country, the concept has been defeated, as the dearth of infrastructure in the existing industrial clusters has become a source of worry for industry operators, business owners and SMEs. Due to these infrastructural challenges, there are now calls in some quarters for the Federal Government to create more industrial clusters for small-scale manufacturers in the country to complement the existing ones. Importance of industrial clusters Cluster is an assemblage of

SMEs that share common facilities like electricity, water and access roads in a given locality. The cluster was designed to accelerate Nigeria’s industrial growth and position the country as a hub for trade facilitation in West African. In addition, it was also established to enable the government to concentrate infrastructure and other amenities necessary for the smooth operation of business in identified locations. The cluster arrangement would encourage greater focusing of public resources as infrastructural facilities would be concentrated in identified locations especially for industrial and commercial purposes. Moreover, because of geographic proximity of firms as well as financial and other business institutions, clustering would enhance the effectiveness of the innovation process necessary to kick start Nigeria’s industrial take-off. It would also encourage localisation of economies and enhance the likelihood of interfirm technology and information transfers and equally motivate companies in Nigeria to go into product specialisation and adoption of new technologies. Foundation’s findings According to the policy, the cluster concept would operate on five planks -Free Trade Zones, Industrial Parks, Industrial Clusters, Enterprise Zones and Incubators. However, in a study funded by the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) to examine how Science & Technology (S&T) innovation clusters could drive economic growth, it was revealed that Nigeria lacks a plan to groom companies within clusters, as there was no particular policy in place, and showed that, where

Industrial clusters were necessary to stem the lack of funds, outdated machinery and inadequate power supply

they were in existence, clusters experience infrastructural challenges, whether they grew up organically or as a result of policy mandates, as in export processing zones (EPZs). The main findings were that the quality of infrastructure would affect the density of clusters, which explains why Lagos has some of the most vibrant cluster- firms. In view of the above findings, it would be advisable that the government, for now, should focus on funding the existing clusters to unravel the infrastructure challenge instead of creating more clusters that would fail to meet the country’s vision of industrial cluster.

should be the focal point. “We have been clamouring for the creation of industrial clusters, which would cushion the effects of this lack of funds and other challenges that local manufacturers face. “Let the government look at the areas where we have comparative advantage in production and create an incubation centre that will accommodate not less than 50 to 100 industrialists. “In the cluster centre, there would be need for lesser number of machines, space and electricity supply, but it will bring high productivity, therefore, we need government’s support,” Kuteyi said.

NASSI’s position The South-West Branch of the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) urged the federal and state governments to create more industrial clusters for small-scale manufacturers. The Chairman of the association, Chief Duro Kuteyi, who made the assertion during a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, said that there was need for the creation of more industrial clusters in the country. Kuteyi, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Spectra Foods, Lagos, said that technology incubation centres across the country were struggling to survive due to poor power supply and infrastructure. He said that industrial clusters were necessary to stem the lack of funds, out-dated machinery and inadequate power supply that were the major challenges facing local manufacturers. “The nation is in dire need of an industrial revolution. Diversification of the economy and small-scale manufacturers

Challenges of industrial clusters The cost of production is one of the factors inhibiting the growth of SMEs in the country. The small scale entrepreneurs are forced to provide virtually all the facilities at their industrial sites such as roads, electricity, water and sometimes security. Many who could have engaged in small or medium scale enterprises were deterred because of the huge capital required to provide the infrastructure before the commencement of their businesses. However, SMEs are faced with common challenges such as power, transport, and opportunities such as proximity to a sea port and free trade zones. Conclusion With the divergence views among industry stakeholders on whether government creates more industrial clusters or not, the major concern in the sector is for the government to revamp the decayed infrastructure in the existing ones.

business \ industry

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

LCCI: Forex policy’ll arouse investors’ confidence PAYBACK Some key sectors of the economy are bound to benefit immensely from FDIs expected from new forex policy

Taiwo Hassan

he newly introduced flexible foreign exchange policy would arouse foreign investors’ confidence in the Nigerian economy, Chairman, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Small and Medium scale Group (SMESG), Jon Kachikwu, has said. The LCCI boss, who spoke with New Telegraph, however, said that foreign investors willing to invest in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector may have a rethink because of the ‘high risk’ involved in returns on their investment and infrastructural challenges in the country. He nonetheless said that some key sectors of the economy are bound to benefit immensely from FDIs expected from new forex policy. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had recently unveiled a broad framework and guidelines for the Flexible Exchange Rate Inter-bank Market to cushion the challenges faced by private sector operators, Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) and manufacturers in the country. The Organised Private Sector (OPS) had commended the flexible forex regime, describing it as “the best ever policy to emerge from the apex bank in modern era”. Kachikwu however, pointed out that it is unfortunate that foreign investors are likely not among those considering investing in the nation’s manufacturing sector. He said: “The new flexible foreign exchange policy regime announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria is the best ever policy

LCCI inaugurates Insurance Group today

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), one of the leading voices in the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in Nigeria, has concluded plans to inaugurate its newlyformed Insurance Group. The inauguration, which is scheduled to hold at the Chamber’s corporate head office in Lagos, today, is borne out of the urgent need to stimulate growth-generating activities and encourage investment in the sector. According to the organisers, the inauguration will be chaired by the President of the Chamber, Chief Dr. Mrs. Nike Akande.

to come from the CBN in modern time since its inception. We (OPS) were very happy with the policy because it will help us rejig our economy this time. You will see that some key sectors in the economy will start attracting FDIs from abroad with this flexible forex framework. But I doubt if manufacturing will be among the sectors that are being considered for FDIs by foreign investors. The reason is not far-fetch, as it has to do with the dearth of infrastructure and government’s policy summersaults in the sector. We are the most hit in this economic crisis and investors are scared to invest in a sector that is described as ‘high risk’ in terms of return on investment.”

Recently, the Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Aisha Abubakar, at an industry forum in Lagos, had admitted that the government was aware of the challenges manufacturers were facing in the country. She said that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to resolving manufacturers’ challenges in the country, especially on the issues of infrastructure and enabling environment. The minister stated that her ministry (FMITI), apart from pursuing industrial policies, had focused also on permissive economic strategies anchored on free market economy, free entry and free exist of factors

of production, local resources development and utilisation to get it right. She added that this entails capacity production utilisation in manufacturing sector, as well as vigorous export promotion and expansion through the provision of appropriate mix of incentives to local and foreign investors, manufacturers and exporters so as to encourage increased domestic production, and export of made in Nigeria goods, which have huge potential to generate alternative streams of foreign exchange other than crude oil. Abubakar stated that the interest of the present administration is to have a visible and vibrant manufacturing sector

that is adequately empowered to produce goods for local consumption and for export, in line with its diversification agenda. Her words: “The Government has created and is still creating enabling business environments to fix and fill the gap created by industrial challenges, value addition to the natural resources is key to attaining the set objectives. Economic growth can never be achieved without diversifying through agriculture value chain, mining, oil and gas processing in Nigeria today. The interest of the present administration is to have a visible and vibrant manufacturing sector that is adequately empowered to produce goods for local consumption and for export.”

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari, in a handshake with corporate doyen of Industry and former Minister of Industry, Chief Kola Jamodu, at the breaking of ramadan fast with members of the business community hosted by the Presidency

Delta State, firm partner to drive investment Sunday Ojeme

ollowing its decision to expand more economic frontiers, Delta State Government has gone into partnership with Cutting Edge Concepts and Solutions Limited for the purpose of attracting more investors into the state. Disclosing this during an investment forum in Asaba, Delta State, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said the Cutting Edge Group had undertaken several surveys and presentations with the top hierarchy of the state government with a report confirming that everything had been very good. Present at the forum was a major Chinese investor, China CAMCE Engineering Company Limited. The governor, who was represented by the Executive Chairman of Delta State Commission, Chief Tonobok Okowa, expressed great pleasure over the forum, stressing that since the inception of the administration, Delta State had been involved in a tremendous and rigorous

drive for development across all levels of the state. He said: “We have instituted SME projects, a remarkable score card on a master plan infrastructure development, improved on social amenities and lot more. In projecting our action, the state has given consideration to our local partners; we are delighted to appoint Cutting Edge Concepts & Solutions Ltd to work with Delta State in resuscitating this vision. “I am well aware that discussion on local partnership with foreign investors has been on for some time now. It is my understanding that foreign investors shall work with the local partners to achieve the goal of infrastructural development in the state. Delta State is very open to investors for development and you are welcome. “When we talk about practical development, funding is very key, therefore, it is my understanding that the Chinese investors invited today have the financial muscle and capacity to fund infrastructural projects in

Delta State. As a state government, we are committed to offering our state equity of land, guarantees, government construction process approvals, resources, etc. “We assure you, that there shall be nothing from the government side that shall delay the progress of work. We have highly seasoned international experts on the State Economic team and they are highly committed to make the speedy success of these projects a great reality.” He implored the forum participants to conduct a wide tour of the state in order to see the investment opportunities. He promised that in a few weeks, there would be a parley between the state and the Chinese specialist engineers and funding for the projects. He added: “I have been informed that you have met with the Presidency, ministers, and governors of the South eastern states. We hope you enjoyed your trips. Delta State is the heart of the Niger Delta with a rapidly growing business opportunity for tremendous devel-

opment. We will therefore implore you to start immediately to seize this great opportunity to invest in strategic projects as other greater opportunities unfold to you in a very short time from now. “Your investment in Nigeria is safe, your livelihood and properties are safe, the Delta people are hospitable, the environment is peaceful and neighbours are kind, the working environment is loving, the health system is top class and the food is great. You are welcome on board.” Speaking on Cutting Edge’s role in investment drive, the Chief Executive, Cutting Edge Group, Mr. Derek Omoleh, described his firm as a top estimable consultancy and research institution and a proud leader in concepts construction, solutions development, resource management and financial skill support to the chain of large organisations – small firms – individuals, adding that over the years, its focus had been on real estate construction, working with private sector and government. “It is our vision to assist government achieves its long term socio-eco-development agenda,” he said.

eWORLD

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

e-fraud: Collusion, poor awareness fueling trends Though e-payment adoption is growing steadily in Nigeria, experts say many factors are fuelling electronic fraud, which are eroding consumer confidence in the system. KUNLE AZEEZ reports

he introduction of cashless policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Lagos in 2012, its extension to five more states and the country’s capital city, Abuja, on October 1, 2013 and eventual nationwide rollout of on 1 July, 2014 has been transforming the nation’s economy. The convenience and comfort brought about by the policy in the last four years have, indeed, created phenomenal change in the dynamics of business transactions in the country. Besides, the cashless initiative has led to the growth of e-commerce sector currently valued at over $250 million as members of public are able to carry out multifarious financial transactions through the use of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Point of Sales (PoS), mobile PoS (mPoS), mobile payments, online payments for goods and services. Meanwhile, while transactions on various e-payment channels have been gaining tractions in past years, the menace of e-fraud has also been on the rise, waning people’s confidence and trust in faster adoption of e-payment in the nascent cashless economic revolution being witnessed in the country. New Telegraph’s interactions with banking public also showed that level of education is not a factor for e-payment adoption in the country, as some well-educated Nigerians still prefer to carry out their transactions using old traditional means of either visiting the banking halls to do transactions, or issuing of cheque among others. In each case of interaction, the respondents told our correspondent that the increasing wave of e-fraud, whose manifestation is becoming increasingly sophisticated and the need to guard themselves from being defrauded has informed their decision not to engage in outof-bank e-payment transactions or not embracing e-payment at all. Wave of e-fraud While introduction of the cashless economy has widened the scope of channels through, which individuals and corporate organisations carry out financial transactions electronically with more convenience, the e-payment revo-

Onajite

Shonubi

lution has also exposed the banks and other players in the e-payment system to a wide range of online frauds. Not only the banks are affected by the fraud cases but also other financial institutions (OFIs) and mobile payment operators (MPOs) as well as individual account holders with different data on e-fraud data being thrown up from different quarters. For instance, available data from the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) show that in 2015, over 946 attempted e-fraud cases recorded on the networks of the banks, OFIs and MPOs, resulting in a loss of N4.8 billion. This reduced to N4.3 billion in 2015 with experts linking the 2015 fraud reduction to measures being put in place by the banks, the regulator and little awareness being created among the banking public. Also, statistics released by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) last year suggested Nigeria lost about $450 million to computer and Internet-related frauds yearly while Minister of Communication, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, says N78 billion is lost yearly in Nigeria to all forms of cybercriminal activities. Growing but steady transaction volume Electronic payment transactions value carried out by Nigerian bank-

N4.3 billion lost to e-fraud in 2015

ing public in the first quarter of this year alone had hit N10.3 trillion, according to the latest industry data obtained from NIBSS. The latest industry data, obtained from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlements System (NIBSS) provides information on the activities in the e-payment space for the first quarter spanning January to March this year. According to the analysis of the data, over 31.2 million transactions were carried out by Nigerians, which amount to N10.3 trillion. The transactions were carried out on the two major platforms of National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) and NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP). They also include the Nationwide Cheque Truncations Services (NCTS), the Electronic Bills Payment (E-billspay), Point of Sales (POS), Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Mobile Money Operators (MMOs). In 2015, over N35.5 trillion transactions were executed across various electronic payment platforms. Chief Executive Officer of NIBSS, Mr. Ade Shonubi, said though the industry is witnessing progress and traction, there was a decline in the volume of transaction between first quarter last year and this year. Analysts have traced the trend partly to apparent fears being expressed in some quarters with regards to the cases of electronic frauds in the system. This is in spite

of the CBN’s efforts, working with the Bankers’ Committee to reduce the incidences of e-frauds in order to raise consumer confidence in the system. “Globally, fraud is on the rise as well as its sophistication,” Shonubi said, while acknowledging that e-fraud is a battle that stakeholders are waging to boost consumer confidence in embracing epayment options towards making CBN’s cashless policy a success. Threats to adoption Executive Secretary, E-Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN), Mr. Regha Onajite, said in spite of all the efforts being made the minimise fraud and beyond other reasons, a tripartite problems of ignorance, collusion within the banking system with fraudsters and inadequate customer awareness still discourage many people from fully taking up e-payment service. According to her, the major reason people fall for scam is ignorance. “A lot of consumers are ignorant and unfortunately, they fall prey to the tricks they could have prevented. The fraudsters have a lot of tricks as we have heard about different kinds of fraud cases. There is phishing email; use of pops up, fraudster’s collusion with bank officials, among others. With increased awareness, the issue of ignorance can be addressed. “For the one on collusion, what we need in the industry is increased collaborations.” She, however, disclosed that E-PPAN, in collaboration with the Nigerian Electronic Fraud Forum (NEFF) is working to implement an industry-wide awareness campaign towards building increased confidence in the e-payment system and consequently curb customers’ susceptibility to e-fraud in Nigeria. Going forward Meanwhile, Shonubi has underscored the role of increased collaboration and public awareness towards reducing the rate at which people fall victims of e-fraud. “Despite the great advantage that e-payment brings to us as a country, the issue of electronic fraud appears a threat to adoption and this is where all hands must be on deck to work collaboratively towards dealing with e-frauds, ” he said. Onajite also said that in order to significantly reduce fraud, it is essential to formulate a solid and comprehensive approach towards tackling e-fraud.

‘Nigeria has huge e-payment potential’

ith a large unbaked population, Nigeria offers huge potential for electronic payment market growth, MasterCard, a global epayment processing company has said. Vice President & Area Business Head West Africa, MasterCard, Omokehinde Adebanjo stated this at the 16th edition of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Cashless Card Expo held in Lagos on retail payment in the emerging eCom-

merce Revolution in Africa. She noted that African countries share some of the world’s highest speeds of digital growth with people now constantly in pursuit of faster and more convenient ways of paying for goods and services. Adebanjo said with the advances in technology, it is now possible to satisfy this demand at reasonable costs. She noted that whilst the progress has been slow, electronic pay-

ment systems are superseding cash, bank notes, payment orders and cheques with a huge demand for faster and more convenient ways to pay for goods and services. “In Africa, financial inclusion is crucial in order to ensure sustained economic progress and electronic payment growth across the region and other emerging markets, considering that several areas in the continent still do not have banking systems, whilst those that do are slowly transi-

tioning from a cash-based society to electronic payment methods,” she said. Adebanjo maintained that financial exclusion is a major challenge with almost two thirds of the African population falling outside of the financial mainstream, saying to address this challenge, it has become more important than ever to make financial services more easily available to the millions of low-income, undeserved and unbanked individuals.

business \ eWORLD

SKILL GAP The partnership with the bank is aimed at strengthening ICT growth through bridging skill gap in the industry

Stories Kunle Azeez

he National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has initiative partnerships that will help Nigeria in furthering ICT development in the country. The first deal is with the World Bank Subsidiary, Growth and Employment in States (GEMS), to explore areas of collaborations and to come up with a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of ICT skills among Nigerians while the second is with the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), Ghana’s agency responsible for implementing IT policies to collaborate on common grounds, as it affects both countries IT sector. Information made available to New Telegraph indicated that the draft MoU with the World Bank will include the

Firms drive local content in IT

hree companies, MainOne, Intel and Whogohost have collaborated to deepen local content development in Information Technology (IT) by encouraging local hosting of cloud service for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. The service, delivered through the cloud platform of MainOne’s data center company, MDX-i, which is powered by the Intel Cloud Processors and is aimed at bringing the advantages of in-country cloud services to Nigerian businesses. Speaking on the initiative, Senior Marketing Manager, MainOne, Mr. Tayo Ashiru highlighted the revolutionary impact of cloud solutions on businesses in terms of efficiency, cost savings and flexibility. According to him, the service provided by this partnership is a welcome development for Nigeria’s start-ups and small businesses. He said, “There are many obstacles for businesses in Nigeria which impact their ability to scale up and maintain an online presence within the country. Our partnership with Whogohost, a leading web solutions company provides domain registration, web hosting and cloud services out of our Tier III certified data center, MDX-i allowing businesses to scale up on their IT needs on an on-demand basis.” In addition, he said the collaboration is designed to minimize SMEs dependency of using forex for domain registration and web hosting, which is a recurring and unpredictable expenditure.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

L-R: Vice President, Century Data Integrated Services Ltd., Dr. Krishnan Ranganath; Managing Director, Precise Financial System, Mr. Yele Okeremi; Managing Director, Simeon’s Pivot Resources, Mr. Enahoro Okhae; representative of Minister of Communications, Ms Ibiye Member and Senior Sales Accountant Manager, NCR, Mr. Jeffrey Williams-Edem during an Enterpreneruship Leverage conference orgainsed by Simeon’s Pivot Resources in Lagos.

ICT devt :NITDA partner World Bank, Ghana rights and obligations of the parties for the purpose of implementing GEMS Programme that will cover areas such as software testing, professional certification programmes, software apps, e-Commerce mobile apps, business process outsourcing (BPO), among others. In a meeting held in NITDA headquarter, Abuja, the Acting Director General of the Agency, Dr. Vincent Olatunji informed the World Bank team that the present administration has the political will to drive the successful implementation of the programme to fruition. He said, “Political will of

this administration is working for us in the ICT sector in the country because the government is looking for means of diversifying the economy and ICT sector has been identified as one of the area that we can tap into.” “There is assurance from the government on this. The minister with supervision from the office of the Vice president is committed to ensure that ICT drives the country’s economy,” he said. He added that the Nigerian government is currently more focused to reposition ICT as the next cash cow of the coun-

he Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has called for more cooperation and understanding of members of the House of Representatives, on regulatory functions of the commission, urging them to support further growth of $38 billion telecoms industry. Danbatta made the call in a statement issued by the Special Adviser, Media, to the

try, which informed its decision to establish12 innovation hubs across the six-geo political zones. He said that the innovation hubs were established specifically to come up with ICT solutions that are peculiar to the challenges and needs of each zone. “The innovation hubs would serve as ICT ecosystem where ideas would be incubated and nurtured to the point of commercialisation. The hub were established around the cluster of tertiary institutions and private sector to give leeway in bridging the needs gap that

NCC seeks Reps’ support on $38bn telecoms sector EVC of NCC, Mr. Yakubu Musa, during an oversight visit of the members of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Communications in Abuja. Danbatta stressed the need for striking a balance in satisfying diverse stake-

holders in the industry the Commission regulates. He said, “We will still use this opportunity to seek your cooperation and understanding of delicate balance existing between the functions of regulators, and its many publics and stakehold-

OLX targets uptake in DIFM service

n a move to ensure increased uptake of its Do It For Me (DIFM) service, an oline classifieds company, OLX has partnered with film producer and director, Kunle Afolayan, on his latest blockbuster movie, The CEO, for DIFM promo. While announcing the promo, Brand Marketing Manager, OLX, Fifemayo Aiyesimoju, stated that “from June 6 till July 1, 2016, users who pay for the DIFM service stand a chance to win one of 10 VIP tickets to the star-studded premiere of The CEO and one of 20 autographed DVD’s by legendary filmmaker Kunle Afolayan.” The DIFM service is a

exists between the industry and academics,” he said. The lead delegate of the World Bank team, Mr. Andrew Gartside, stressed the need to sustain these programmes. He said: “Due to the dynamic nature of ICT especially the Software sub sector, both parties will ensure the sustainability of these programmes.” He stated that the duo would come up with a good sustainability model that would be adopted in the MoU, adding that framework would also be designed to ensure that the project leads to job and wealth creation. In a related development, NITDA and NITA collaboration would help the two countries to seek common grounds of partnership in developing their ICT sectors.

premium product that offers the use of OLX Champs, who are sales experts to help manage the entire process of selling on OLX from posting the ad to closing the deal. The benefits of booking an OLX Champ are numerous, it helps users who are worried about their privacy and do not have the luxury of time to post ads, take calls or meet with potential buyers. It also makes the process safer and more convenient for both buyers and sellers. Aiyesimoju also added “we are happy to be able to reward our users whilst helping them earn extra cash especially with the current economic realities.

This is why we are encouraging Lagosians to book an OLX Champ to help them sell new or used items they no longer need like vehicles, furniture, electronics and phones to get extra cash.” DIFM is a paid service and is only available in Lagos but with plans to extend to other parts of the country. As the world’s leading classifieds platform in growth markets, OLX operates in more than 45 countries and over 50 languages. The company connects local people to buy, sell or exchange used goods and services by making it fast and easy for anyone to post an ad through the mobile app.

ers, including the legislature. “These stakeholders have diverse but very important interests, which the regulator must satisfy. In the course of achieving an effective regulation for the benefit of all and in creating an enabling environment for growth, issues and challenges are bound to arise.” The NCC boss also told members of the Committee that the Commission had recently won a European Award for Best Practices, in addition to emerging African Regulator of the Year at regional level. Responding, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Shaheed Fijabi, who said they were at the headquarters of the NCC to exercise their oversight duty, also commended the strides of Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) in the country. Earlier, the Director Public Affairs of the commission, Mr. Tony Ojobo, who said that Commission has always enjoyed fruitful relationship with the committee, commended members for “the very matured way” they have handled it affairs.

THURSday, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

News Experts blame quack nurses for high mortality

Health

Interview ‘NHIS, not accessible to bulk of cancer patients’

32 33

Nigerians have been travelling to India and other foreign countries for heart surgery. But the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu has reactivated its open heart surgery procedure to save lives, KENNETH OFOMA writes

ith the recent twin deaths of former Nigerian national coaches, Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu from heart related ailments, Nigerians were awaken to the reality of a silent killer of heart disease in the country. One hospital in Nigeria has, however been working hard over the years to draw government attention and intervention to tackling this phenomenom. Last week, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu successfully carried out 22 open heart surgeries. The hospital had in the past successfully conducted 153 such operations, bringing the total number to 175 since the reactivation of the programme at the hospital in 2013. Last week’s was the 14th session of the programme, according to the hospital's Chief Medical Director, Dr. Christopher Amah who noted that both adults and children have benefitted from the programme. There is no doubt that the hospital has saved the lives of many people, who otherwise could have died because they couldn’t afford the foreign exchange to undergo similar procedure overseas. The hospital has, therefore, saved the nation huge foreign exchange aside from building the capacity of young heart surgeons and other paramedic professionals in the country. Amah said since the recommencement of the programme in March 2013, the hospital has recorded about 90 per cent success, noting that being a notable heart centre in the country, the hospital could boast of the state-

Appolonia Adeyemi Health Editor

appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com

A patient after a successful open heart surgery

A second chance with open heart surgery of-the-art facilities that can effectively compete with the best heart centres in developing and advanced countries. "This is the 14th Open Heart Charity Mission. The fees are highly subsidised. What ordinarily should cost as much as N4.5 million in view of the falling value of the naira against the dollars now costs as low as one million naira or at most N1.5 million. This is good news for the country. "We have our partners from the Royal Victoria Hospital in the United Kingdom, (UK), Dr. Nzewi and a director with the Save a Heart Foundation (SHF), who is leading a team of nine experts on this mission and they are working with our local team. By this weekend, this team will leave and another set of paediatric heart surgeons will arrive to handle the 12 paediatric cases," he said. He expressed optimism doctors from the hospital who had undergone intensive overseas training would be handling the open heart surgeries without assistance from foreign doctors. He also noted that several others were on the waiting list for the surgeries, stressing however that before anybody is operated on, such a person needed to be prepared psychologically and

The hospital has, therefore, saved the nation huge foreign exchange aside from building the capacity of young heart surgeons

medically "to know that heart surgery is not a death-trap". While describing heart surgery as a "high risk surgery" where up to 20 per cent mortality is acceptable, Amah noted that the hospital had continued to improve by the day. According to him, unlike in the past, the hospital can now handle up to three cases in a day. He expressed appreciation to their partners from the VOOM Foundation led by Dr. Vincent Ohaju who have consistently assisted the hospital with medical equipment run- Amah ning into several millions of naira. The CMD disclosed that UNTH Amah noted that the hospi- was in 1986 designated as centre of tal would want to carry out at excellence for cardio thoracic surleast 100 open heart surgeries gery having performed the first open annually if enabled by funding, heart surgery in sub-Saharan Africa noting that because of the huge in 1974. He noted that the open heart surfinancial involvement in carrying out the exercise coupled gery programme of the hospital sufwith the fact that most people fered some reversals for 10 years, bewith heart related diseases fore it was reactivated by March 2013 were poor, most people were through the collaboration of foreign yet to take advantage of the partners. On his part, the leader of the forexercise in the hospital. “I can tell you that if we have eign medical team, Dr. Onyekwere improved funding, we can even Nzewi of Save-a-Heart in Nigeria handle 200 cases per annum Foundation, a non- governmental and this will save this coun- organisation based in the UK, stated try huge sums of money that that cases of heart diseases in Nigeordinarily would have left the ria have reached epidemic proporcountry through capital flight,” CONT INU E D ON PAGE 32 he said.

Health\News

THURSday, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Onions reduce risk of Parkinson's, cardiovascular diseases

Experts blame quack nurses for high mortality

Oluwatosin Omoniyi

Flora Onwudiwe

nion is found in every kitchen, but its curative powers make it an important medicinal plant too. Like garlic, it is a member of the lily family. Studies have shown that they may help reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease, cardiovascular disease and stroke, according to Victoria Jarzabkowski, a nutritionist with the Fitness Institute of Texas at the University of Texas at Austin in the United States (U.S). Apart from its medicinal properties, the onion is simply delicious. It forms the basis of so many dishes - whether raw, sautéed, baked, steamed or boiled, that it would be difficult to imagine the cuisine of any country without it. "Onions are superhealthy," Jarzabkowski, adding, “they are excellent sources of vitamin C, sulphuric compounds, flavonoids and phytochemicals." She explained that phytochemicals, or phytonutrients, are naturally occurring compounds in fruits and vegetables that are able to react with the human body to trigger healthy reactions. Flavonoids are responsible for pigments in many fruits and vegetables. Heart health According to Jarzabkowski, onions encourage a healthy heart in many ways, including "lowering blood pressure and lowering heart attack risk." A 2002 study in the journal ‘Thrombosis Research’ suggested that sulfur acts as a natural blood thinner and prevents blood platelets from aggregating. When platelets cluster, the risk for heart attack or stroke increases. This research further

Red onions

supports a similar 1992 study in Thrombosis Research that focused on sulfurs in garlic. Furthermore, a 1987 animal study in the ‘Journal of Hypertension’ demonstrated delayed or reduced onset of hypertension with sulfur intake. However, the authors said more research was needed to determine if this benefit might be found in humans. The quercetin in onions may also help prevent plaque buildup in the arteries, which reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. But since most of the studies in this regard have focused on animals, more research is needed to understand the effects in humans. Anti-inflammation Onions’ sulfurs may be effective anti-inflammatory agents, according to a 1990 study in the journal ‘International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology’. Quercetin has been found to relax the airway muscles and may provide relief of asthma symptoms, according to a 2013 study in the ‘American Journal of Physiology.’

PHOTO www.farmsolutionsafrica.com

Immune system "The polyphenols in onions act as antioxidants, protecting the body against free radicals," said Anne Mauney, a dietitian based in Washington, D.C. She said eliminating free radicals could help encourage a strong immune system. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the quercetin in onions also reduces allergic reactions by stopping the body from producing histamines, which are what make humans sneeze, cry and itch if they are having an allergic reaction. To be CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

he Nurses Media parley which focused on the ideal status of nurses in Nigeria recently, has highlighted the high the mortality rate which is result of the operations of quack nurses nationwide. Top nursing professionals at the parley which was organised by Inspire Nurses Network, Africa (INNA), drew the attention of the three tiers of government, stakeholders and the public to the presence of quark nurses in the system and the mortality and morbidity they perpetuate. During the event which held at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos recently, the Convener of the Nurses Media parley, Josiah Okesola lamented that the quack nurses lack basic skills to handle medical treatment. However, in an attempt to pay cheap for care services, many people in communities patronise quark nurses that administer wrong injections and medications as well as give overdose of drugs. “These have often led to complications and preventable deaths,” he added. Okesola said, “We are worried about the mis-

representation of nursing profession in the media; we felt it was time we did something drastically about it. However, he said, “In the Nursing and Midwifery Act of Nigeria, there is a section that says anyone who is not licensed as a nurse, but presents himself as a nurse is a criminal under the law and its punishable by the law. A section of the law also says that anyone who trains other people to be represented as a nurse without the authority of the Midwifery Council approving such a training institution is a criminal and has committed an offence that is punishable under the law.” According to him, “30 years nurses have been silent, that is why we are calling on the media industry to educate Nigerians on who the real nurse is. “High mortality rate is coming from the operation of quack nurses,” he added. In her presentation, the former Beauty Queen, Mrs. Regina Askia-Williams cried out over the unfriendly environment in which Nigerian nurses operate, saying that a situation in which one nurse attends to 32 patients in the country impacts negatively on patient care.

Nestle Global CEO, Paul Bulcke (4th left), Nestle Executive Vice President, Wan Ling (3rd right) and other Nestle Staff during the celebration of Nestle’s 150 years of operation held in Lagos recently

UNTH re-starts open heart surgery CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 3 1

tion due to westernised feeding habits. Nzewi, an indigene of Nnewi in Anambra state, who once trained at UNTH before his sojourn abroad said that there was urgent need for increased funding of the programme by Nigerian government in other to increase the number of patients being treated through open heart surgery, adding that with proper funding, UNTH alone could carry out 250 open heart surgeries in one year. He advised Nigerians to go back to eating natural African foods to guide against heart diseases, saying that the main cause

of heart diseases is consumption of artificial or canned foods. “Our organisation is registered for the sole purpose of helping, not only coming to do cardiac surgery, but our main aim is to train the locals to be self-sustaining and be able to do the operations themselves, and it is only when they are able to do it themselves that the cost will come down and it will be sustainable,” he said. Nzewi threw more light into the causes of heart diseases: “There are three aspects of heart problems. Congenital heart disease, whether you are white, yellow, black, it is the same case that cuts across all races and what this is talking about is the development of

heart diseases. The same number of congenital heart disease in Nigeria is the same number in Ireland, Britain or the United States of America (USA). “The second is rheumatic heart disease and this is caused by simple infection of the heart and throat that is not well treated. So, the immunological consequence of that is again deposited in the heart muscle and from the age of 20 to 25, the heart muscle becomes thickened and deformed and causes a serious problem. With campaign by organisations like the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) and the Pan African Society, the incidents have continued to drop and this is treated by two tablets

of penicillin. Prof. Martin Aghaji, a professor of cardiothoracic surgery at the UNTH and one of the local hands described the successes recorded so far in the programmes as “fantastic”. “There is no doubt about it; it has made a lot of difference. The foreign team coming has helped a lot in terms of specialised manpower, in terms of equipment, and in terms of financing and logistics. The success rate is encouraging despite the fact that the cases handled are very, very bad one,” he said. He said that the hospital was looking forward to a time local doctors would commence the programme on their own.

Right-handed people live longer

ight-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people do. This doesn’t have a genetic basis, but is largely due to the fact that a majority of the machines and tools we use on a daily basis are designed for those who are right handed, making them somewhat dangerous for lefties to use and resulting in thousands of accidents and deaths each year. Coconut water substitute blood Coconut water can be used (in emergencies) as a substitute for blood plasma. Coconut water is often touted as a recovery drink because of the hydrating electrolytes it contains. The belief it can be used as a substitute for blood plasma stems from the fact coconut water possesses identical properties to that of human plasma, and since it can be safely injected directly into the bloodstream. A small scale 1999 study published in ‘The American Journal of Emergency Medicine’ found the use of coconut water served as a short-term IV hydration fluid for a Solomon Island patient when nothing else was available. Brain stops growing at 18 From the age of 18 forward, the human brain begins to lose more than 1,000 brain cells every day. Only two per cent of your body weight is occupied by your gray matter, but it uses up to 20 per cent of your overall energy output (it needs carbohydrates). The brain works continuously and never rests, even when one is asleep. Aside from producing REM dreams, the brain works overtime to replenish its ability to function normally during daytime waking hours. Every fat gained adds new blood vessels For every pound of fat gained, you add seven miles of new blood vessels. New tissue needs blood supply. So, your vascular system expands to accommodate it. This also means your heart must work harder to pump blood through the new network, which may reduce oxygenation and nutrient replenishment in other tissues. Lose a pound? Your body will break down and reabsorb the unneeded blood vessels from the previous tissue.

Health\INTERVIEW

THURSday, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘NHIS, not accessible to bulk of cancer patients’

ily members. You see a cancer survivor (patient) who is not fit; walk into our office all alone. It is not only the government; we also need everyone to take care of their loved ones. Everyone has a role in this. How will you assess the attitude of Nigerians to cancer? It is still surrounded by a lot of fear and stigmatisation. It still remains a taboo and that is why 40 years on, Prof. Josbert Duncan is the first radiation oncologist in the West Africa and the first in Nigeria. It was through him we set up the radiotherapy centres we set up today with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) being the first. But in as much as we have increased from one centre to eight centres, one thing still remains the same: breast cancer patients are still coming in stage three and stage four which are late stages. Therefore, information that will help our patients to know the right place to go to and coming to the right hospital at the right time remains very crucial in winning the fight against cancer. Patients continue to come in late because they are not aware and sometimes they come in early but they cannot afford cancer care.

Dr. Omolola Salako, a radiation oncologist, is the Executive Director of the Sebeccly Cancer Care and Support Centre. In this interview, she discusses strategies of preventing cancers and other factors that boost the management of the medical condition, APPOLONIA ADEYEMI reports How can we prevent cancer? About 30 per cent of cancers can be prevented. Common cancers include cervical and colon cancers. Ways of preventing these cancers is through healthy lifestyle habits, part of which are not smoking, reducing alcohol, having a safe sexual lifestyle and observing the ABCs of sex. Abstain from sexual intercourse if you have to or if you are single; be faithful to your partner if you are in a relationship or you are married or you use a condom. The reasons are simple; there are some viruses that are sexually transmitted. These include the Human papilloma virus (HPV), HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), Hepatitis B Virus, among others. These are viruses that can be transmitted through sex and they are known to cause certain cancers. HPV causes cervical cancer, HIV is known to cause several cancers and Hepatitis B virus can cause liver cancer. Other ways of preventing cancers are reducing exposure from sunlight for the light skinned and albinos (these are people living with albinism); having a balanced diet and that means having more fruits and less carbohydrate, less fat, less sugar, and less salt. How does Sebeccly invest in cancer

Esther Bakare

nutritionist has recommended the consumption of Bulgar wheat meal as food to be consumed regularly as it provides 20 per cent of the protein for more than half of the world population. Jafar-Sururat Odunlami, a nutritionist with the Lagos State Government made this suggestion at the unveiling of Duru Bulgur Wheat meal by VOC Royal Resources Nigeria Limited recently. Duru Bulgar wheat meal is a

eral Ministry of Health (FMOH) to make cancer care centres get to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

What is being done to increase the role of the government in cancer fight? Again, this is a good time for us. We have heard promises and we have seen moves by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) to commit to improving the state of cancer care. For us, we are advocating; we are making demands through collaborations with other NGOs. We have had the first one where several NGOs collaborated in February and there will be another forum for NGOs on October, where we will sit down and decide: what are the three things we want our cancer patients to have access to.

What are the key challenges of working to reduce the incidence of cancer in the last 10 years? I think our priority challenge has been manpower, which is, getting the best hands to do this difficult job. We have a strong volunteer base but it is not enough and as an NGO we cannot afford to employ skilled hands. Of course, funding is another challenge. If we have funds we would be able to employ everyone we want. We would also be able to reach out to more patients to increase our impact. The third will be the attitude of care givers and the family. Sometimes in the hospitals and when patients come into our centres, you will wonder if they even have fam-

I understand there are some cancers that are cared for in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). What are you doing to ensure that we have full cancer treatments in the NHIS? As you mentioned, they have mentioned that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is currently covering cancer care but it still remains largely inaccessible to the bulk of patients and there are several reasons. It is possible that cancer patients are not registered under NHIS and for those who are registered under NHIS, how clear is the process? There are thousands of cancer patients who need cancer care and they are under NHIS. We need to have clarity on how many patients are truly accessing this right now.

Dr. Salako

information service to make it reach people in all corners of Nigeria? Knowledge is power. If we are going to fight cancer, everyone including the government, the nongovernment organisations (NGOs), must sit at a round table and agree on the best way forward to push out information to patients. We need all hospitals to have their call centres; every patient should have access to information, not necessarily coming into the hospital before getting it. The websites of these hospitals should be functioning. Right now, it seems we are in good times because the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has declared publicly that addressing cancer is a priority and we are aware that there are plans to improve the state of cancer care but definitely one area we have to focus on is cancer information service. We need the support of the Fed-

Coming to the right hospital at the right time remains very crucial in winning the fight against cancer

Wheat meal cut risks of heart diseases cereal food made from the grouts of several different wheat species, most often from durum wheat. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, Duru Bulgar wheat is a good source of fiber, protein, iron and vitamin B-6 ad eating whole-grain foods, including bulgur, may lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Odunlami who was the guest speaker at the event, said Bulgur Wheat meal forms a basis of

important staple foods in both developing and developed nations across the globe and helps prevent diseases such as heart attack, heart failure, coronary heart disease, ischemic strokes, insulin resistance, diabetes among others. She said protein is one of the important macro-nutrient the body needs for growth and development, a polymer chain made of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds and is important in the diet of children,

women, lactating mothers and elderly patients to prevent protein energy malnutrition. “Whole grain wheat helps maintain a healthy weight, hereby controlling obesity, it reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome, since it has a high cereal fibre content and lower glemic index. It may however increase allergies such as hives, eczema and skin rash in people susceptible to allergic reaction”, she said. Odunlami said the meal is also good for the Muslims dur-

ing this Ramadan as it is rich in fibre and good for the early dawn meal, Suhoor so as to sustain them throughout their fasting period. Managing Director of VOC Resources, Mr. Victor Okwudili Chukwuogor said he came across the wheat meal while in Japan during a food exhibition programme in 2013 and discovered the benefits to Nigerians as not only a product that is good for the Nigerian market but would also create job opportunities to teeming youths.

Health\News

THURSday, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Child bride threatens future of Nigerian child Eleazar Nwanti

S Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute-Metta, Dr. (Mrs.)Yewande Jinadu (middle) and staff who have served the hospital for 35 years at the long service award ceremony in Lagos

FMC Ebute-Meta rewards staff Eleazar Nwanti

he Federal Medical Center, Ebute-Meta, have recognised and awarded 204 members of staff, who have served the health facility and the society meritoriously. Those who received the awards have worked for the health facility for a period of 15 years, 25 years and 35 years. Speaking during the award and gift presentation, the Chief Medical Director, FMC, EbuteMetta, Dr. Yewande Jinadu, said the aim of the programme was to acknowledge those who

have served the hospital for a good number of years, adding that none of the staff was owed salary during their service. The total number of staff who has rendered their service to the hospital for 35 years and due for retirement was 22; some of whom had been retired a few years back. Those who have served for 25 years are 25 in number and those who have served for 15 years are 157 in number. Speaking further, she said, “We are here today to acknowledge those who have served in FMC

for a long period of time. I do not believe that any of you here today can stand up and say FMC owed you your salary. Many of your colleagues in other hospitals and other parts of the public service are owed salaries. “This long service award is a recognition of service and not a reward. It is just apparently that you have been fair and have not gone for greener pasture or abandon your duty post within the given period. I congratulate you, good health shall be your portion,” Jinadu said.

takeholders in health have expressed concern over the alarming rate at which the practice of giving out children as brides strives in Nigeria, adding that it has serious consequences on the mental and physical development of the child. Speaking about the consequences of child bride practice on the child, a Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Grace Ijarogba lamented that its implication on the child is enormous. “Child bride

leads to loss of self-confidence; it leads to stigma and isolation. It predisposes the girl child to Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF), and they tend to have high rate of suicide tendency,” she said. Ijarogbe recommended that eradication of poverty, education of then girl child on marital laws, public challenge of the traditions that support child bride, among others to help in tackling the practice of child bride in Nigeria. These were made known recently at the Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) at the Association of Resi-

LifeBlood Nigeria debuts to tackle blood shortage

n a bid to address the current gap in the quantity of blood being supplied in the country and the actual amount and quantity that the nation needs, High Life Church, a Christian Pentecostal Church has launched a non-governmental organisation called LifeBlood Nigeria. LifeBlood’s research shows Nigeria collects only 38 per cent of the required amount of blood each year. The official launch of the NGO which coincided with this year’s edition of the World Blood Donor Day celebrated on June

14, 2016, was performed in Lagos by the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Modupe Olaiya who was represented by Dr. Samuel Alori. Delivering the key note address Dr (Mrs.) Modupe Olaiya, reminded the audience that blood transfusion is an essential component of healthcare saying, “To achieve safe and adequate supply of blood, blood donation must be voluntary and blood donation must also be regular. In line with World Health Organisation

Medicinal values of mistletoe (3) M

istletoe, the parasitic plant, is a peculiar plant. Its roots sink into the branches and trunks of other trees, instead of into the soil. The seeds need sunlight to germinate, unlike most other plants that need darkness. The leaves produce chlorophyll even in the darkness, unlike other plants that turn yellowish when there is no light. CANCER Herbalists have been using mistletoe for the treatment of cancer long before modern science did any research on it. Breast cancer is the commonest kind of cancer in Nigeria. Many women have fallen victims of this ailment. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy or breast excision are temporal remedies-they do not cure the sickness. Mistletoe is there to offer hope to all cancer patients. However, managing cancer with mistletoe is a long-term affair. We must get rid of our modern day mentality that wants immediate solution to every problem. Recovery is a slow process. Herbs work slowly but more steadily and surely. For the treatment of cancer, soak three handfuls of dried mistletoe leaves in one beer bottle of water overnight. The following day, add half bottle of hot water. This gives you one and a half bottles of solution. Drink one glass four times daily. Continue this for at least six months, even though you would feel healthy after two months of medication. Don’t be carried away. Follow the given prescription.

Nature Power

Anselm Adodo

naturepower@paxherbals.net twitter: @anselmadodo

DIABETES I do not want to go into the issue of whether diabetes is curable or not. That is no longer an important issue. The important question today is: what is the most effective plant for treating diabetes? I stand to affirm that mistletoe is among the most effective herbs for diabetes. I know of many diabetics who have never taken western drugs for the past five years but depend solely on mistletoe. Many of them simply drink a cup of mistletoe solution once a week. In serious cases of diabetes, I recommend the same dose as for cancer above for six weeks. After that follow either method one or two of preparation and continue for five months.

toe tea daily will ensure protection against diabetes, malaria, typhoid, migraine, hypertension, pneumonia and all sorts of physical ailments. As an anti-malaria, I have yet to discover any herb as effective as mistletoe. For this, drink two cups daily. I prescribed this for a middle-aged man two years ago. He used to suffer serious attacks of malaria fever every two weeks. He

GENERAL HEALTH Mistletoe is not meant for the sick alone. It is also recommended for those who wish to remain healthy. Drinking a cup of mistle-

Those who suffer from epilepsy will find mistletoe very helpful

dent Doctors of the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Yaba. Speaking on the theme “The Child Bride and Mental Health Consequences”, the Chairman, Health Service Commission, Lagos State, Dr. Adebayo Aderiye said Nigeria was among the top twenty countries that practice childe bride. Speaking further, Ijarogbe said, “Fourty per cent of Nigerian girls below the age of 18 years are married off and about fifteen million girls below the age of 18 years get married every year globally.”

Mistletoe on tree

went to the best hospitals around and took the latest malaria drugs in the market, all to no avail. The fever kept coming every two weeks. It got to a stage that all the medical doctors treating him became frustrated and said to him: we are tired of you. Till this moment, this man never suffers a single attack of malaria fever. Mistletoe is indispensable for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. I always marvel at the efficacy of mistletoe for treating HIV/AIDS. Within one month of mistletoe therapy, one would notice that almost all the symptoms such as fever, weakness, dysentery, and weight loss have been arrested, and the patient can go back to work.

(WHO), recommendations, all blood donations must come from voluntary donors and all blood donations should be screened for infections prior to use.” Dr. Olaiya outlined some of the enduring challenges in blood transfusion in Nigeria to include sub-optimal recruitment and retention of voluntary; non-remunerated blood donors due to wrong cultural belief and lack of awareness surrounding the issue as well as the dependence on family replacement and commercial blood donors.

Exercise helps arthritis

ven the healthiest people can find it hard to stick with an exercise regimen — and if you suffer from the joint pain of arthritis, moving your body may be the last thing you want to think about. However, regular exercise not only helps maintain joint function, it also relieves stiffness and reduces pain and fatigue. If you have arthritis, you want to be sure your exercise routine has these goals in mind: • A better range of motion (improved joint mobility and flexibility). To increase your range of motion, move a joint as far as it can go and then try to push a little farther. • Stronger muscles (through resistance training). Fancy equipment is not needed. You can use your own body weight as resistance to build muscle. • Better endurance Aerobic exercise — such as walking, swimming, and bicycling — strengthens your heart and lungs and thereby increases endurance and overall health. • Ensure a better balance. There are simple ways to work on balance. For example, stand with your weight on both feet.

THURSday, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Parenting Parent terrorists on the prowl

Mom&Parenting

Mom's Alert When silence is not golden

34 34

remember asking my mom what "t-h-e" spells. I was sitting on one of those plastic benches/toy chests that every '90s kid had and I screamed her name with such power and urgency that I can now, as an adult, only imagine it sounded like I was getting kidnapped (or worse) in the next room. That's how anything that has to do with reading has always been for me. From wedging myself inbetween adult conversations to get someone to read to me to carrying a book under my arm everywhere I went literally everywhere; my poor parents had to entertain each other for most of my childhood because I was always lost in a book. I have grown up with a love of books and stories. But one thing I've learned throughout the years is that you can get so much more out of a book than just stories. Being an avid reader and constantly feeling the need to bury my head in a new book has given me a surplus of skills and benefits that have affected every part of my life, and I am a true believer that if our kids' idea of reading is through Facebook statuses, Instagram captions, and 140-character tweets, they're going to be in big trouble. Read through for eight ways growing up a bookworm affected my life for the better, which are benefits your kids can also get in on if they're encouraged to be readers early on. • I learned new words constantly as a kid (and still do), and developed language at an advanced rate. Because I read so often, I was constantly looking up or asking my parents what new words meant. It then became like a game to use my new words as a party trick of sorts both in school and around friends. When my friends were forming threeword sentences, I was speaking in paragraphs (and still do). •I have the memory of an elephant. Reading books with a lot of characters and storylines puts pressure on the reader to recall events and names, something that for me, as a reader, definitely carried over into everyday life. I'm amazing at remembering birthdays, middle names, and tons of other useless and not useless pieces of information. •I can tune out pretty much any type of noise or distraction. If you

Mom&Parenting

Oluwatosin Omoniyi City Editor

Empowering her to be a bookworm

photo: www.shutterstock.com

Reasons your child could benefit from being a bookworm

Learning to be a strong reader PHOTO:WWW.NOODLE.COM A child reading a book

aren't completely focused on the story you're reading, you'll miss details that could be important, which makes comprehension and recall more difficult as you read. When you read a lot, you have no choice but to adapt to your surroundings and focus on the story alone, even if that means blocking out noises from kid toys or loud TV shows. Being able to concentrate on a book translates to being tuned-in to real-life moments with loved ones, in the classroom, at work, and more. • I still have an active imagination as an adult. Most adults begin to lose the ability to creatively use their imagination in the same way kids are able to, but reading helps to keep things vivid. When you're faced with hundreds of white pages with black text and no photos to be found, it's up to you as the reader to connect the words on the page to a world in your head

based on the descriptions given to you. This allowed me to be creative throughout school and to think out of the box now as a working adult. • No matter how stressed I get, I know that reading can help me calm down and refocus my attention. In the same way that I can tune out noise easily, I can avoid dwelling on stress and frustration by putting my mind elsewhere into a story. Even if I can't sit down to read a book at the height of my stress, I do my best to think about other things and push my worries aside when I need to keep myself focused on something else. Being able to call upon a sense of calm and tranquility even in the most demanding of times is a quality in myself that I truly value and I’m grateful for. • I have always loved and been good at writing. Reading is basically the way a writer can "practice" writing. When you read

PHOTO:WWW.FORHARRIET.COM

stories constantly, you begin to pick up on the elements of different authors' writing styles that you like or which resonate with you for one reason or another. The more reading you do, the easier it becomes to jot down well-written sentences that provide information and tell a story. And going back to having a wide vocabulary, being a human thesaurus makes writing a hell of a lot less boring. • I learn something new on every page of every book. OK, maybe not every single page, but I definitely gain a lot of knowledge with every book I read. Sometimes I learn little things, like the state fish of Hawaii (humuhumunukunukuapua'a), but sometimes I gain knowledge about something on a larger scale, like life during World War II, or about something that directly affects my life, like my career. In order to keep growing, you can't ever stop learning, so even when your school

years are far behind you, you can ensure that you learn something new every day through reading. • I have a hobby I can turn to literally anywhere I go. Whether I have a physical book in my hand, or am reading an e-book or article online, I have reading material no matter where I go on an airplane, in a car, waiting in a doctor's office, or when the power is out during a storm and everyone else in the modern world freaks out because their television is unusable. Words are everywhere and reading is a hobby that is possible 24/7 (also, if you utilize your local library, it's free!). No matter how old your child is, it's never too late to encourage them to be a bookworm — and I promise, they will thank you for the encouragement later. • Alessia Santoro of POPSUGAR from www. circleofmoms

36 MOM&PARENTING

THURSday, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

i-Protect

Childhood Protection & preservation culture

with

Taiwo Akinlami principal@taiwoakinlami.com

The goal of conversation will empower children and their caregivers in responding to this dangerous trend

MOM’S ALERT with

Grace Essen

grace.essen@gmail.com

Parent terrorists on the prowl When silence is not golden (3)

oday, I am bringing to and end a discussion we began three weeks ago. Last week, I began to identify the profile of children, who are easy preys in the hands of terrorist groups. Abandonment is another prominent profile, in addition to the ones mentioned last week. It is important to note very seriously that many parents and guardians are too far from their children. We do not have any rich relationship with them. Therefore there is no communication. Where there is not communication, it means we are not our children’s confidants. Love to children means appreciation and attention. Once they are denied of both, they feel abandoned. When children are abandoned, it means, we are not available and when we are not available as primary and secondary caregivers, we lose the edge of vigilance and sensitivity to find out things for ourselves by observing our children. When they are faced with a situation where they are being wooed to do the wrong thing, they do not find us available, friendly, vigilant, sensitive and understanding enough to talk to. Our absence diminishes our influence and renders us ineffective in the days when our children need us most. Lack of control/supervision: many primary and secondary caregivers do not have family and institutional policies to regulate their children’s behavior and habits. I believe that every family or institution of learning today must have a clear policy on children and internet use, particularly as it relates to the use social media. There are principles of control that must be in place to ensure that our children partake of the huge benefits of the internet technology without getting lost in the process. Our principle of control must address addiction and purposeless use of the internet and social media. We must identify and address positive and negative use of the social media and how to cultivate and reject same respectively. The truth of the matter is that many children go to the internet without control and defined purpose

and plan. The saying is ever true that when you do not know where you are doing, every bus stop looks attractive. Silence: our society does not discuss. We do not think ahead. We fail to arrest situations by not discussing them. We think that leaving matters unaddressed kill them. Unknown to us, when social issues are not brought to the domain of public debate they fester underground and take control of the lives of men and women they target. My suggestions: I think to counter the deadly but very weak wiles of terrorists and their recruitment of children, I suggest as follows: Start a Conversation: as primary caregivers (parents/guardians) and secondary caregiver (schools, religious places of worship, media etc.), I suggest that you begin an informed conservation with the children under your care on this dangerous trend. Kindly note that for institution of leanings and religious bodies, who are interested in starting the conversation, i am available to help in facilitating such conversation, as long as i have ample notice. Parents and teachers must also be involved in the conversation. The goal of the conversation will empower our children and their caregivers in responding to this dangerous trend. Establish the principle of Child-Friendly control: as primary and secondary caregivers, we must establish child-friendly control that do not cut off our children from the use of the internet and social media and yet preserve their sanity. Train: this is long-term and on-going measure. I believe we must make a commitment to train our children to develop and sustain soft and life skills, which will enable them to respond adequately to the challenges and pressures of life. I hope our primary and secondary caregivers will heed this call today. Do have an INSPIRED day.

THE VIRTUOUS MOM with

Hameed Opeyemi abdulvirtuepen@gmail.com

TO MOURN A MOM Moments of great joy and pride brings more of mourn Imagine the real one to enjoy this joy is precious mum Gone to the dust like the cat off the site of sight in noon Her love we live with for long, peace like night with moon Forever you are ours, here and there, none for real like mum Tears of agony, tears of tear, mum is far off, gone too soon When the jungle cries silently, the king has finally drop the gun When the sky grumble, the queen of them all is out and gone Off the joy of the house, off her room, burn is the home fun Wandering in spirit like a crushed arrow, mum now of the dust For every minutes, for every sec-

onds, trying had to hold the pain Natural she is gone, the birds weep in solemn as the sky dries Memoir for her time with us, her love means more than ordinary Memoir of the tune from her voice, melodious like queen bird sings Memoir of the way she talks, careful in selection of her sweet words How best can I write the memoir, the experience of mother love is rare? For the dead, for the spirit, for your glorious call, you will be missed Mothers love in good turn, gone the real giver of fun in good fold To mourn a mum, to mourn and feel the lost love with natural care Not like the one given by a lover, this; like the one from our creator

When I reminisce about the things she used to say, the cry flows Off the hook, the heart burn harder for the care of mama has flowed Who else can match her worth, never but mama is the real mama To love is hers, gone too soon, her smiles is real, gone to the call Today is the deal day with my chosen heart-robe wishing mum was standing at my side, just to see I remember she want more than I thought I could be, Saying, son! Give more to life and live not to leave knowing I owe my triumphs to her belief in me, sweet mum You will be remembered always as the world best diamond.

he past two editions I have alright?” dwelt on domestic abuse and Pregnant Customer: “Yes, thanks. how our continued silence Can you see if my card has anything hasn’t helped much. In this on it before you ring it up?” concluding part let’s look at ways to Cashier: “No, sorry. I could ring address it. There really no one way things up one at a time and see if it’ll to solving domestic abuse as cases take for each one. If you don’t mind usually differ, but because women waiting for me to cash out the other are more vulnerable and three times three people in line, I’ll be more than more likely to be killed or seriously happy to do that for you.” injured than men, it’s imperative for Pregnant Customer: “No, no, let’s us to know what to do. just try. I hope the deposit has hit alPrevention they say is better than ready.” (The cashier rings everything in, cure, so instead of waiting until you have a black eye, bleeding nose and and the pregnant customer swipes missing tooth, or even receive a fatal the card. It declines.) blow, prevent such by not respondCashier: “Do you have another ing in anger or not responding at form of payment?” all, walking away, or calling for help Pregnant Customer: “No…” from close friends and neighbours. *starts crying* “He must have alAcknowledge the situation. Don’t ready cancelled the card.” Cashier: “Cancelled the card?” live in denial. Accept it if you are being abused and are in an abusive Pregnant Customer: “My exrelationship. It is only when you ac- boyfriend kicked me out tonight. cept the situation that you can begin He came home and said the baby couldn’t be his, hit me, and threw to take steps to find solution. Break the silence. Victims of me out. He must have called and candomestic abuse celled our food stamp often keep silent card. I don’t even and never tell know where I’m going anyone, not even to put all this. A friend close friends or is letting me use her It is only when you relatives. Unforextra fridge until I can accept the situation get an apartment.” tunately this has lead to serious (One of the custhat you can begin harm (physical tomers in line behind to take steps to find me speaks up.) and emotional), permanent disCustomer Behind solution ability and unMe: “Ma’am, just put it on my ticket.” timely death of (I move out of the way so the cusvictims. Break the silence. Talk to someone – a counselor, your reli- tomer behind me can push his cart gious leader, family, close friends, forward. He clearly has $200 or more neighbor, colleague, anyone you worth of food on his own, and the trust. pregnant customer has about $150.) Cashier: “Sure.” There are also several organizations offering counselling services Pregnant Customer: “No, no I for victims and survivors of domes- can’t.” tic abuse like Centre for Health EthCustomer Behind Me: “Honey, ics Law and Development, Project don’t lecture me. My mom was Alert on Violence against Women, kicked out by my dad because he WACOL, WRAPA, Well Being Foun- thought she was sleeping around on dation Nigeria and many more. him. She worked two jobs to keep a Have a safety plan. Think of a safe roof over my head. I’m not letting place to go and how to get out of your some deadbeat a**-hole throw his home quickly and safely if violence girlfriend out because he has trust begins. Have a number you can read- issues.” Pregnant Customer: “I can’t. It’s ily call in case of emergency. Calling the police might be necessary in too much. I don’t have a job; I can’t pay you back.” some cases. Customer Behind Me: “Take Self empowerment my card. I’ve seen you in here a Know your rights. With the Vio- few times during regular shopping lence against Persons (Prohibition) hours. You’re always very nice to Act, VAPP passed into law, it is ille- the employees and everyone in line. gal for anyone, to endure any form of I need a receptionist for my apartabuse, substance attack, forced iso- ment complex. Come by tomorrow, lation and separation from family and we’ll have an interview. I give and friends among others. Acquire discounts to my employees on their a skill, go to school, get a job or start rent.” a business. Also build support net(By this time, the cashier has finished ringing in the items, and work around you to help in time of need. they’re bagged already.) Cashier: “Your total is $459.92.” I’ll share a true life story in the exact (The customer behind me gently words of the witness: pushes past the pregnant customer. I am standing in line around mid- He swipes his card, enters his pin, night. In front of me is a pregnant and then hugs her.) girl, around 20 years old. She is wearCustomer Behind Me: “Things ing pajamas, and clearly looking as do get better. See me tomorrow; I’m if she has seen better days. (She serious.” also has a black eye, which is a little Help can come from where we alarming to me.) least expect, only when we find the Cashier: “Did you find everything courage to break the silence.

thursDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Money Line

Citi, CBN trade first naira-settled FX futures

Milestone Naira traded at N282.75/$ on the spot market

Foreign investors seek further naira devaluation market. It sold $697 million in one-month futures, $1.22 billion in two-month contract and $1.57 billion due in three months, in order to clear a backlog of $4.02 billion of demand. According to Reuters, in the non-deliverable forwards market, the naira rose against the dollar yesterday, with the onemonth contract quoting the currency at 283, converging almost with the spot market, which traded the naira at 282 at noon. The naira has lost over 30 per cent of its value to the dollar since the start of the new forex system, but many foreign investors are not convinced, and they are seeking more devaluation of the local currency. Prior to the start of the new regime, investors have always asked that the CBN devalue the naira to reflect market realities. Bloomberg reported stocks analyst at AllianceBernstein, Christine Phillpotts, as a saying that the fair value of the naira is 320/$1. “It’s hard to tell what the central bank has in mind, it’s probably driven equally by economics and politics,” she said. “It comes down to Buhari

Stories: Tony Chukwunyem

itibank and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday executed the country’s first naira-settled futures trade against the dollar, market regulator FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange said. This was even as Bloomberg reported foreign investors as saying that the naira needs to be further devalued if the CBN is to succeed in attracting capital inflow to boost liquidity under the new forex trading system. Last Monday, the CBN introduced an over-thecounter futures market on the local currency, to help manage dollar demand, quoting the naira firmer at N279 to the dollar in a month’s time and at N210 by April next year. The rate at which Wednesday’s futures deal was done and the size of the trade was not disclosed. The apex bank had last week auctioned $3.5 billion on the futures market to clear a backlog of currency demand after it lifted its 16-month-old peg to allow the naira to trade freely on the interbank

and his comfort level with the new regime.” President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted that he is opposed to devaluation, driving investors to presume a naira peg in the not-too-distant future. The news agency also

reported AllianceBernstein LP and Loomis Sayles & Co., as saying that the CBN is not letting the naira weaken enough. “The central bank is probably wondering why investors haven’t moved back in following the devaluation,” Rick Harrell,

he Debt Management Office (DMO) has announced that it plans to raise between N305 billion and N395 billion in local currency-denominated bonds with maturities ranging from five to 20 years in the third quar-

ter of the year. The DMO said yesterday that it would auction between N105 and N135 billion worth of bonds maturing in 2021, 2026 and 2036 in July, N95 and N125 billion worth of same debt in August and N105 and N135 billion worth of the

he Senate Committee on Trade and Investment has called for increased funding of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) to enable the Council effectively perform its statutory functions effectively. This call was made by the Chairman Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Mrs. Fatima Raji Rasaki at the FRC Head Office in Lagos while on oversight visit to the

Council. While commending the FRC for the excellent job it has been doing with regard to ensuring that credible financial and accounts reporting is entrenched in the country, she advocated better funding of the FRC to enable it cope with the responsibilities of ensuring accounting and Financial reporting standards are observed by both Private and Public entities entrusted on it.

Source:CBN

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

TTM

Price 104.65 114.59 111.96 120.58 109.60 100.54 83.82 97.56

1.07 3.24 3.87 5.82 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.29

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.4583 9.1071 11.0102 12.3790

Bid Yield 10.38 10.55 11.60 11.44 12.27 12.40 12.44 12.49

Change (%) -2.50 ▼ -0.74 ▼ -0.65 ▼ -0.68 ▼

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

Price 104.80 114.89 112.26 120.88 109.90 100.84 84.12 97.86

Tenor (Months)

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

NITTY

Rate (%) 6.9949 7.2368 8.0819 9.2061 9.5872 10.5042

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Offer Yield 10.24 10.45 11.51 11.38 12.22 12.34 12.39 12.44

Change (%) 1.12 ▲ -0.27 ▼ -0.17 ▼ -0.11 ▼ 0.03 ▲ 0.42 ▲

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 7.67 7.82 -0.51 ▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 3.83 30-Jun-16 7.92 8.08 -0.51 ▼ 6-Oct-16 8.59 8.34 8.71 -0.31 ▼ Overnight (O/N) 4.33 8.99 -0.31 ▼ 16-Mar-17 9.36 10.28 -0.07 ▼ 9.11 9.98 -0.07 ▼

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.14

Offer 199.24

Change (%) 0.57 ▲

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

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

196.00

197.00

paper in September. In its latest debt issuance calendar, the DMO said the 2021 paper was a new issue, while the 2026 and 2036 maturing paper re-opened previously issued debt. The Federal Government issues sovereign

0.00 ↔

She noted that there is the need for the Ministry of Finance to work closely with the Council to ensure that it is not starved of funds, considering its role in the Nigerian economy so that there will not be any room for compromise. Mrs. Fatima Raji Rasaki said, “You are like the police and as such

bonds monthly to support the local bond market, create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit. The government said it would borrow about N900 billion locally to finance part of the N2.2 trillion deficits in its 2016 budget.

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -1.75 ▼ -2.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

you need to be adequately funded so that you will not compromise.” She called on the Council to carry out further investigations on the Power and Aviation Intervention (PAI) funds given to banks to ensure that they give proper account of the disbursement or application of the funds.

CBN: BDCs still relevant in new forex regime

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 May, 2016 23/03/2016 Mar 2015 29/6/2016 8/6/2016

FGN Bonds

“That the currency’s been so stable since the devaluation tells me that the central bank is still heavily managing it. If we saw gradual depreciation to 300 or above, investors might feel more comfortable coming back,” Harrell said.

Senate Committee seeks better funding for FRC

As at N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 15.6 12 10.77 US$46.32 US$26,349,650,126

an analyst in Boston for Loomis Sayles, which oversees $229 billion of assets, told Bloomberg. He said investors were “being cautious and the main reason why is the state of the economy. The fundamental backdrop isn’t positive.”

DMO to raise N395bn via bonds in Q3

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

ontrary to the opinion in some quarters, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) believes that Bureaux De Change (BDC) still have a role in the new foreign exchange regime. The Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department at the apex bank, Mr. Anthony Ikem, stated this at a CBN and Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) interactive session on the flexible exchange rate policy held in Lagos yesterday. He said that the regulator was working on how the BDCs could be ac-

commodated and carried along in the new forex regime adding that BDCs’ operators’ proposal to participate at the interbank market was still under consideration. He urged the bureau de change operators to exercise patience, saying the CBN was aware of the challenges confronting the sub-sector. According to him, “The CBN is asking the BDCS to exercise patience. The new policy is still being tested to see how it would be later. Even as the policy is being tested, the CBN still understands the role of the BDCs in the country.”

‘Students should embrace entrepreneurship early’

hairman, Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, has urged students to start early to have an entrepreneurial mind-set so that they open up other options for gainful employment when they are ready to join the job market. Elumelu, who is also the Chairman of UBA Plc, said this while speaking to students at the Loyola Jesuit Memorial College, Port Harcourt. In a statement, he

told the students that the world has changed in a way that students should also respond to by changing their expectations after leaving school from seeking a job to creating jobs. The Jesuit Memorial College (JCM), Port Harcourt was set up to honour the memory of the 60 students of the Loyola Jesuit School in Abuja that lost their lives in a plane crash in Port Harcourt on December 10, 2005.

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

thursDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

thursDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Foreign investment: Osibanjo tasks Nigerians on commercial arbitration ADJUDICATION The international community has been urged to support Africa’s effort to promote economic growth and investment

Stories: Chris Ugwu

he Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo has urged Nigerian businessmen to embrace commercial arbitration for the desired speed in dispute resolution to attract international investors. The Vice President stated this while declaring the 1st ICC Africa Regional Arbitration Conference open in Lagos yesterday. Osibanjo, who was represented by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General

of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, noted that with the robust dispute resolution mechanism like arbitration in place, the country will actualise her vision of becoming the next major destination for foreign investment. The Theme of the confab was ‘Arbitration and Africa: Prospects and Challenges’. Osibanjo, noted that the availability of dispute resolution mechanisms was a factor in all investors’ decision. He further stated that the dispute resolution constituted a significant determinant of a country’s’ ranking in the ease of doing business, adding that disputes were common in the business environment. “Every prudent society must design and constantly draw up process through, which disputes could be resolved in an amicable manner. “In the world of today, commercial arbitration is now recognised as a preferred method

Stock market halts 3-day losing streak

rading on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) returned on the upbeat after three days of downswing, as equities got a fillip from resumed bargain hunting activities across the board. The equities market closed on a positive note, as NSE ASI appreciated by 0.80 per cent to close at compared with the 0.89 per cent depreciation recorded previously. Its Year-to-Date (YTD) returns currently stood at +4.09 per cent. Consequently, the All-Share Index gained 237.67 basis points or 0.80 per cent to close at 29,812.91 basis points as against 29,575.24 recorded the previous day, while the market capitalisation of equities appreciated by N82 billion or 0.80 per cent to close at N10.239 trillion from N10.157 trillion, as market sentiment returned on green zone. Meanwhile, a turnover of 305.8 million shares exchanged

in 4,640 deals was recorded in the day’s trading. Banking subsector of the financial services sector was the most active during the day (measured by turnover volume); with 151.2 million shares exchanged by investors in 1,548 deals. Volume in the subsector was largely driven by activities in the shares of Access Bank Plc and UBA Plc. Premium subsector boosted by activities in the shares of FBNH Plc and Zenith Bank Plc followed with a turnover of 51.7 million shares in 841 deals. The number of gainers at the close of trading session was 24, while decliners closed at 18. Wema Bank Plc led the gainers’ table with 8.00 per cent to close at 81 kobo per share, while Julius Berger Plc followed with a gain of 4.99 per cent to close at N50.93 per share. Berger Paints Plc added 4.92 per cent to close at N7.67 per share.

of resolving several commercial disputes. Arbitration is now seen as not only possessing the desired speed but also aggregating competency and often times, the relationship is tied to this process,” Osibanjo explained. The Vice President however, urged the conference participants to take time to address the critical issues, which would expand arbitration as a desired tool for dispute resolution in Nigeria. The President, ICC Court of International Arbitration, Paris, Mr. Alexis Mourre, com-

mended Nigeria for hosting the 1st Africa Regional Arbitration Conference. Mourre noted that with more engagement and interactions on Arbitration, commercial practitioners would recognise arbitration; just like common law and civil law. According to Mourre, ICC was one of the institutions that adopted arbitration and 70 per cent of the world’s arbitration comes from ICC. “Arbitration is booming in Africa. We hope that at the end of the conference, we will be seeing more arbitrators in Africa,”

he emphasised. Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairperson, ICC conference planning committee, Mrs. Dorothy Udeme Ufot, stated that the theme of the three-day conference, ‘Arbitration and Africa: Prospects and Challenges’ was chosen by the Planning Committee because Africa is the next major destination for Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs). She urged the international community to support Africa’s effort to promote economic growth and investment.

FirstBank partners Asian Banker on retail banking

irst Bank of Nigeria Limited has partnered with the Asian Banker Magazine to host the 3rd West Africa International Banking Convention 2016. The event, which has the theme ‘Building a Sustainable and Competitive Retail Banking Infrastructure for West Africa’ will hold on June 30, 2016 in Lagos. According to a statement from the lender, over 100 senior executives and supporting executives in retail, technology, innovation, operations, strategy and planning are expected to attend the event from West Africa and other regions’ retail banking and payments industries. The West Africa Interna-

tional Retail Banking Dialogue 2016, the third in the series will be a convergence of global advisory panel contributing policies and insights into the experiences of leading decision makers in West Africa, among whom are: Mr. Emmanuel Daniel, Chairman, The Asian Banker, who will deliver the welcome address; Mr. Gbenga Shobo, Deputy Managing Director, FirstBank, who will deliver a keynote address with the theme: “Global Innovation: Impacting Banking in West Africa” and Matt Dooley, Managing Director, Connected Thinking. According to Mr. Shobo, “the retail banking business is evolving rapidly as a result

of heightening competition, increased regulation and changing customer expectations. In view of the large numbers of the unbanked population in West Africa, we will continue to lead the discourse that will lead to new ways of thinking and innovation in bank products and services that will help financial institutions in the region to achieve better service delivery whilst improving their bottom-line”. He also stated that the effectiveness of FirstBank’s retail banking strategy is responsible for its domination of the retail space with a sizeable market share of retail customer deposits at the end of 2015 financial year.

Emerging markets rally on stimulus outlook

merging-market stocks and currencies rose for a second day, as speculation mounted that the Federal Reserve will pause its tightening cycle and other nations will follow South Korea’s lead in increasing stimulus after Britons voted to leave the European Union. According to Bloomberg News, the developing-nation equity benchmark jumped the most since late March, further narrowing its decline in the wake of last week’s U.K. ref-

erendum. The Kospi Index advanced after South Korea announced plans for extra budget spending. The Ibovespa rallied as better-than-forecast labour data added to optimism that Brazil will pull out of its worst recession in a century. Aviation stocks dragged down Turkey’s main stock gauge after a deadly terror attack on Istanbul’s main airport. The yuan advanced for the first time in a week, as Chinese authorities stepped in to support the ex-

change rate. Futures traders are now betting the Federal Reserve won’t raise borrowing costs in the wake of the British vote, underpinning support for riskier emerging-market assets. Gold was selling for around the highest prices in two years, as the unresolved time-line for the UK’s exit from the EU stoked concern that governments around the world will need to bolster their economies to guard against an economic downturn.

NEWS | south-west

thursday, june 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ekiti lawmakers blame Falana, Ojudu for Fayose’s woes Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

kiti State House of Assembly members yesterday held a mock plenary at the Okesa roundabout in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, condemning federal government's purported moves to unseat Governor Ayodele Fayose. Expressing solidarity with the governor, the lawmakers, who caused a stir as their sitting for which they mounted canopy constrained vehicular movement to a side of an ever-busy OkesaOjumose road, carried travel bags, saying they were ready for arrests by the agents of the federal government, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The legislators, led by the Speaker, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, expressly mentioned Mr Femi Falana, SAN and a Special

Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Femi Ojudu as instigating the latest moves by the EFCC to freeze the governor's personal accounts with the Zenith Bank Plc. According to them, no amount of intimidation would dissuade them from supporting the governor who they described as their benefactor.

The lawmakers alleging both Falana and Ojudu were scheming to unseat Fayose as they harboured ambitions to rule the state. Before their arrival at about 11.00 am, the area had been cordoned off by a detachment of armed policemen, while residents wondered what drama was playing out, given the cen-

trality of the area. Oluwawole alleged that ten of the 26-member Assembly had been marked for arrest on today on a trumped-up charge of "not having valid certificates to contest election as Assembly members." He said: "We embarked on this sit-out because we were duly elected by Ekiti people. We want to tell the

Staff audit: Two Oyo workers arraigned over fraudulent practices

Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

taff auditing embarked upon by the Oyo state government which identified 16,000 as having been involved in fraudulent practices has led to the arraignment of two workers before the Iyaganku Chief Magistrate's Court, Ibadan yesterday. The workers, many who were said to have taken to their heels for fear of be-

ing prosecuted upon being exposed recently, were said to have been indicted in collection of multiple salaries running into millions of naira. The two accused, Mr. Oluwaseun Adegoke and Ojo David Olanrewaju who appeared in courts 2 and 3, Iyaganku, manned by Magistrates A. F Richard and A.A Adebisi respectively were brought into the court room by men of the Department of State Security Services.

Arraigned on a sevencount charge each, the accused persons allegedly fraudulently received on monthly basis millions of naira with fictitious names, they both pleaded not guilty though. According to the separate charge sheets signed by Kofoworola Akinbode and Adeyemi Opakunle, Ojo was accused of fraudulently receiving N839,940 in one fictitious name, through his First Bank Account 2024570782.

Student, two others sentenced to death for robbery, murder

account is condemnable. We are aware of plans to arrest ten members of Ekiti State House of Assembly, we are ready for arrest. We stand by Fayose, enough is enough. Let there be peace in Ekiti, let Abuja leave Fayose alone."

Oyo patent drug dealers protest shops' closure Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

embers of the Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED) yesterday trooped out in their hundreds moving round major streets in Ibadan, protesting alleged illegal closure of their business premises by some officials of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN). The patent drug dealers, who assembled in front of the Customary Court, Foko area of the capital city, carrying placards with various inscriptions, said the PCN’s decision to close their shops was a

flagrant violation of a Federal High Court judgment delivered on September 24, 1996 in Lagos, which precluded the organisation from issuing license to, and neither the right to challenge the licence of NAPPMED members. Describing the incessant closure of their shops and business premises by PCN as an "illegality and contempt of court", Apostle Moses Alebiowu, Chairman, Board of Trustee, NAPPMED, argued that members of the association were complementing the development of health care delivery system in the country, hence, PCN could not stop the practice of patent dealership.

Aregbesola: I can't pay commissioners N100m monthly

John Chikezie

Adeolu Adeyemo

ustice Lateef Lawal Akapo of an Ikeja High Court, Lagos yesterday sentenced a student and a commercial motorcyclist, Ganiyu Hassan, a driver, Oluwaseun Idowu and their friend, Wasiu Arepo to death by hanging over armed robbery and murder offences. The trio were found guilty and convicted on a four-count charge of armed robbery and murder contrary to Sections 402(2)(a) and 319(1)(a) of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State, 2011. In his judgement, Justice Akapo said the prosecution had proved beyond doubt that the convicts committed the crime. He said: “The three accused concurring that they slept in the same room on the day of the incident infers that they all share a close relationship and were adversely arrested together at the same place around 4am on the said date of incident. “They could not prove that they were somewhere else when the incident happened. The prosecution had proved beyond doubt the offence of conspiracy and murder against the accused. They are therefore sentenced to death by hanging." The prosecution had told the court how the convicts stormed the house of their victims.

whole world that we are determined and resolute to support Fayose. "No amount of blackmail will make us to do dirty job, we are calling on the APC led government to leave Fayose alone. The freezing of his

Osogbo

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), congratulating the new Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Ayotunde Philips, rtd. (left) at her swearing-in at the Conference Room, Lagos House, Ikeja…yesterday

Ambode tasks LASIEC’s boss, others on transparency, fair play Muritala Ayinla

t last, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode finally sworein the Chairman and other members of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) with a charge on the electoral umpire to be just in dealing with all the political parties. Governor Ambode emphasised that the commission must be transparent and fair to all without giving undue advantage to one party over another, describing it as the only way to guarantee credibility of electoral process. Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Ambode

charged member of the commission to live above board and be fair to all parties in the discharge of their duties. According to him, the new Chairman, Justice Ayotunde Philips and other members of the Commission were carefully selected based on their track record of meritorious service and unquestionable integrity, hence they must be transparent and fair to all without giving undue advantage to one party over another. The Governor said his administration placed high premium on the rule of law, just as he vowed that the executive arm of government would not do anything to directly or indirectly interfere in the affairs of the Commission, insisting that LASIEC

had a critical role to play in entrenching the democratic process in the state, asking the newly swornin members to ensure credibility of the electoral process. He said: “We have painstakingly selected people of unquestionable integrity and track record of competence to guarantee a credible, transparent and accountable process. Leading this team is Hon Justice Ayotunde Philips, a retired Chief Judge of Lagos State who left a record of meritorious service that saw her to the pinnacle of the Lagos State Judiciary. “All I just want to say to all the members is that they must live above board and truly live up to the public expectation as independent umpires."

sun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola yesterday said his inability to constitute his cabinet since his re-election was because the state cannot afford to pay N100million monthly to commissioners. He said his refusal to inaugurate a new cabinet was because of the nation's dwidling resources. The governor said paucity of funds had deterred him from such venture as the state under him had no financial capability to run a cabinet. Speaking at an interactive session while hosting newsmen during Iftau (breaking of fast) at the government house, Aregbesola said the state’s coffer would be depleted by N100million monthly should he inaugurate new cabinet as the over N100million would go on maintenance of quarters, salaries and offices of cabinet members. The governor, who said he had not collected salaries since he assumed office, declared that he was not even ready to do so as he still enjoyed free meals, housing facilities and even wear free clothes through his friends and well-wishers. He said: "It is the state that fuels my vehicles and at the same time takes adequate care of some other

necessities. "It is not so in the case of the appointed commissioners and Special Advisers because they don't have access to all the benefits I am enjoying." "I will however attribute the failure of my administration to constitute cabinet in my second term to paucity of funds. "The purse of the state has been reduced but very soon as the economy improves the state executive council will be constituted. "The state executive council to be constituted will need millions of naira. This I can't afford now and those working with me have been doing so on humanitarian ground. "I have passion to develop this state and all I am concern about is to make the state enjoyable for the people. "The financial commitment for constituting a cabinet would be rather used to develop infrastructural facility and improve the general welfare of the people. "The developmental drive of my administration is being carried out with so much passion and focus despite dwindling economy in Nigeria, which is equally biting hard in the state. "Although, the acute fall in the revenue accruing to the state has adversely affected many critical developmental initiatives."

News|south-EAST

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Community slams N5.5bn suit on Anambra govt Abia Erosion menace: FG Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

he people of Umuezegbe and Umuezeani kindred, Aboji Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State have slammed a N5.5billion suit on the state government at the Federal High Court in Awka for alleged trespass on their land. Joined as co-respondents in fundamental rights enforcement suit are: the Attorney General and

Commissioner for Justice Anambra State, Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Technologies Anambra State, Bukham Nigeria Ltd, Alhaji Hassan Burkar, Inspector General and Commissioner of Police Anambra State. In the suit, they are praying the court for a declaration that the 1st respondent cannot acquire, confiscate, dispossess and or expropriate the (applicants) Umuezegbe and Umuezeani ancestral land lying and situated at Umuezegbe/Umuezeani quarters, Aboji Oba in Ide-

mili South Local Government Area of Anambra, measuring approximately 75,908 hectares, for the purpose of building the Oba International Market or for any other purposes whatsoever without compliance with due process of law observance of the mandatory provision of section 29 of the Land Use Act and Payment of Compensation to the communities under Section 44(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They are also asking the court to hold that the acquisition of the land without

notice and consent of the Applicants Constitute a gross infringement of the applicants fundamental human right as granted and protected by section 44(a) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and article 14 of the African Charter on human and peoples right and therefore unlawful. They also want the court to hold that the forceful invasion of their farmland and destruction of their economic trees, crops and ancestral shrine constitutes a violent infringement.

Cross section of Abians on a peaceful protest against the recent Federal High Court judgement against Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in Umuahia…yesterday

Execute meaningful projects, Umahi tells board Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

bonyi State Governor, Chief Dave Umahi yesterday urged members of the Board of the state Community and Social Development Agency to embark on projects that have direct bearing on the people. Addressing newly appointed members of the board at the Government House Abakaliki, Umahi charged them to ensure equity and fairness in distribution of amenities to the people. He said, ‘’Let’s do projects that have direct impact on the lives of the people. I stand for equity and fairness and all communities must be treated with this. “Take whatever you are doing for the state very seriously and let us also appeal to the community leaders to do projects that are meaningful to the lives of our people. Whatever you do in rendering services and it doesn’t have immediate benefits to the lives of the people, it will not count. “When you start rolling out, it is not going to be business as usual. The position of our

government is that whatever we are doing for Ebonyi state, we must do it well and we can only do this by getting our infrastructure correct.’’ He also tasked the General Manager of the Board, Dr. Peter Mbam, to access the $3.3million counterpart fund in the Agency for infrastructural development. Earlier, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Chief Augustine Nwankwegu said the agency was being funded by the World Bank, the state government and partly by the federal government saddled with the responsibility of providing amenities to the people in the rural areas.

can’t help –Minister Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

he Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, has disclosed that the Federal Government might not be able to intervene in the devastating erosion currently ravaging Nkwoagu Isuochi, Umunneochi council area of Abia State because of the poor state of the economy. The Minister made this disclosure when he visited the site on a fact finding mission. He lamented that the activities of militants in the Niger Delta region had adversely affected Nigeria’s economy, hence, the Ministry might not be able to do the necessary interventions. Uguru, noted with dismay the danger the people of the area was exposed to because of the gully which had almost eaten up the Isuochi/ Umunze Road. He said: “I have seen the devastating hazard and I am certain that anybody who sets his eyes on it will want to take a com-

Ikpeazu’s supporters protest judgement Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

upporters of Abia State Governor, Dr Victor Okezie Ikpeazu yesterday staged a peaceful protest against the judgement of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which ordered the Governor to vacate office on alleged falsification of tax receipts. The mammoth crowd of Abians from the 17 LGAs of the state were protesting what they called miscarriage of justice and described the judgment as totally unacceptable. The crowd which carried placards with various inscriptions first marched to the state Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic

party (PDP) where they were received by the party chairman, chief Johnson Onuigbo, who assured them that the party and Abians were solidly behind the Governor before proceeding to the Government House, Umuahia. Speaking on behalf of the people at the PDP Secretariat, the Chairman, Umuahia South LGA, Mr Randy Ukanwoke, said the judgement was against the wishes of Abians, pointing out that the state had enjoyed peace and growth under Governor Ikpeazu. Also presenting a communiqué on behalf of the group at the Government House, Umuahia, the Transition Committee Chairman of Arochukwu LGA, Amah Abraham, said the judgement was a calculated attempt to disrupt the

peace the state had enjoyed under Governor Ikpeazu. He re-affirmed their confidence in the judiciary to do justice on the matter. He said: “Abia under Ikpeazu has enjoyed peace and tranquility and we will not tolerate any attempt to destabilize the state.” “We call on Abians to remain calm and resolute in their support for the Governor.” We also call on the Governor to remain focused and totally committed towards the development of the state. We hereby pass a vote of con-

The life expectancy of men at age 60 years of Ecuador in 2010-2015. Source: Un.org

250 Anambra youths get N500m agric loan Pamela Eboh Awka

wo hundred and fifty Anambra youths trained at the Mgbakwu Agricultural Farm Settlement and the Science & Technology Incubation Center, Nnewi have benefited from soft loans amounting to N500 million obtained

mitment to bring remedy. But the current situation of the economy will not allow us to move with the speed we had wished to because of the destruction of pipelines by militants, the economy is in bad shape.” The Minister however blamed the contractor handling the road project for the worsening erosion menace in the area, wondering why a contract that was awarded since 2010 had not been delivered. “It is either the awarding agency which is our Ministry did not play its supervisory role or something”, he said. He therefore vowed that henceforth, the Ministry would no longer allow any abandoned project in any part of the region. The Minister while speaking with newsmen on whether the Federal Government was considering any palliative measure to save the road from total collapse, said he could not give a definite answer “because many factors have to be taken into accounts.”

from the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN). The first phase of the programme designed by the Anambra State government to show its resolve at investing in agriculture was recently launched by Governor Willie Obiano at the occasion of the flag off of this year’s farming season.

The money, which is managed by the Anambra State Small Business Agency(ASBA), is meant to assist the youths become future employers of labour, using structured and creative financing mechanism. Addressing Journalists in Awka, the Managing Director of ASBA, Mr. Clement Chukwuka,

said that 15,000 farmers under the micro credit scheme would benefit from the pr gramme. He said that the fund was being distributed to the beneficiaries in the ratio of 60% for females and 40% to males, adding that an individual would receive a maximum of N500,000, while co-operative societies of

fidence on the Governor.” Receiving the group, the Governor who was represented by his deputy, Rt Hon Ude Okochukwu, reassured the people that the government is still focused and committed to giving the people the desired democracy dividends. “No amount of distractions will change our resolve to serve the people.”I want to tell you that the Governor has appealed the judgement , we depend on the judiciary to do the right thing. We are confident that the truth will prevail,” he said.

£90.51m

The total aggregate payments received by Liverpool for the English 2015/2016 season. Source: Goal.com

ten people would access N5 million. Chukwuka noted that ASBA would soon establish an entrepreneurship and business academy for the purpose of building capacity in the areas of marketing, business mentoring, general business management and basic accounting while artisans would be exposed to certificate courses in conjunction with relevant ministries and private institutions.

News|SOUTH-SOUTH

Edo guber race: Sheriff’s faction elects Iduoriyekemwen as candidate Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

igh level political intrigues and drama played out yesterday, in Benin, the Edo State capital, as 567 accredited delegates of the Senator Modu Sheriff-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) converged on the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to elect the party’s candidate for the September 10 governorship election in the state. Security operatives from the state police com-

92%

mand, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and the Department Directorate of State Services (DSS) were deployed to ensure security within and around the venue while all entry and exit points to the area were blocked by security agencies in order to guarantee safety of all the delegates and officials during the exercise. The party’s governorship primary election was between two contestants; Mr. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, a former Majority Leader in the state House of Assembly and board member of the Niger Delta Development

The proportion of households in major cities connected to sewers of Europe. Source: Unesco.org

Commission (NDDC) and the lawmaker representing Egor/Ikpoba Okha in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayima. At the indoor sports complex of the stadium which was the venue of the exercise, Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayima announced his decision to step down for Iduoriyekemwen in the interest of moving the state forward and for democracy. Voting by delegates started about 4:20pm shortly after EJ Agbonayima declared his resolve to end his ambition to pave way for Iduoriyekemwen’s emergence

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

as the party’s sole candidate for the governorship polls in the state. However, the Electoral Panel Chairman and former Special Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matter, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, insisted that the delegates must cast their votes in line with the party’s constitution and Electoral Act to elect an authentic party candidate. At the end of the process, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen scored 481 votes to merge the party’s candidate to contest for the Osadebay Avenue Government House on September 10.

N47.05bn

The total revenue of 2015 Government Quarterly Actually Collection from NCS-Import VAT for the 2015 Q4. Source: Firs.gov.ng

L-R: National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun Chairman, Appeal Committee for Edo State Governorship Primary Election, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele and member, Alh. Mustapha Salisu, at the submission of the Committee’s report at the Party National Secretariat in Abuja…yesterday

Dominic Adewole ASABA

he crisis rocking the Delta State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appeared to be deepening ahead of next week’s reception of two political gladiators, Chief Great Ogboru and Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei into the fold. Ogboru, the 2015 governorship candidate of the Labour Party and Ochei, the Accord Party senatorial candidate and former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, were allegedly selected to oust Gover-

ASABA

nperturbed by the crisis over the installation of the Obi of Ubulu-Uku, Noah Chukwuka Akaeze I, as the paramount ruler of the kingdom, Delta State Government yesterday ratified his appointment. The monarch was coro-

A’Ibom Assembly extends tenure of chairman, council of chiefs Tony Anichebe UYO

bill to amend the Traditional Rulers Law 2000 and for other matters connected therewith was yesterday passed into law by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. The amended law has tenure of two years for the chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council as against the former law which fixed one year duration for the office. The bill which was read the third time got the nod of the lawmakers after the House dissolved

into committee to consider a report submitted by the Chairman, House Committee on Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere (Ikot Ekpene/ Obot Akara). Reacting, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, commended members for their sense of commitment to duty. He thanked them for ensuring that the traditional institutions have a pride of place in governance. “We are setting a pace by this action of the House today. We will continue to ensure that our traditional institution is given the place it deserves,” he said.

Dickson: I’ll reform Bayelsa civil service Pauline Onyibe YENAGOA

ayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, has reaffirmed his commitment to carrying out effective reforms in the civil service to make it more result oriented and respectable. He therefore advised politicians to leave civil servants out of politics, while also calling on the

civil servants not to allow themselves to be used by politicians in the furtherance of their ambitions. A statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jonathan Obuebite, stated that this as part of Dickson’s charge to Permanent Secretaries, Directors and Heads of Departments of various ministries, departments and agencies during a meeting in Yenagoa.

Navy arrests 11 fake naval officers in Rivers Emmanuel Masha PORT HARCOURT

Delta APC crisis deepens nor Ifeanyi Okowa in 2019. Their choice against the 2015 governorship candidate of the party in the state, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor and without the approval of the state Chairman, Prophet Jones Erhue, by the national body of the party, triggered the crisis. Emerhor and Erhue, New Telegraph gathered, became angry after they were schemed out of the ongoing reformation process in the state chapter and reception of opposition

leaders. The state APC chairman and Emerhor have allegedly teamed up to tactically disengage the state executive members from the arrangement and handpicked a few executive members to frustrate the occasion. Last week, some state executives who took decision against Erhue were, however, locked out of the secretariat premises by a combined squad of DSS and mobile policemen who prevented them from executing their

decision. A top executive member, who confirmed the crisis, said some loyal party elders in collaboration with some aggrieved executives have pledged support for Emerhor and Erhue while the crisis lasted. “I came to the secretariat but the sight of the armed security men scared me. I had to hang around. But I identified one of the men who is one of the security men attached to Olorogun O’tega and that is why I knew it is about the fight over the party.

Ubulu-Uku crisis: Embattled monarch gets appointment letter Dominic Adewole

ThursDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

nated after his father, Obi Edward Akaeze Ofulue II, was abducted and killed by suspected kidnappers on Tuesday, January 5, this year, before his decomposing body was discovered on Thursday, January 21, in a bush in the boundary between the state and neighbouring Edo State. A week after, the Onishe of the kingdom, Chief Emmanuel Ejiofor, rejected

him, accusing the state government of meddling unduly into the affairs of the kingdom and referred to the monarch as a “usurper” like his father, and “government appointed king”. Although, the Council of Chiefs in the kingdom said Ejiofor has since been placed on suspension, Ejiofor wondered why a boy of 17 years old was being politically motivated to

provoke the gods of the land and run the customs and tradition of the kingdom aground. But Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who announced the approval of his appointment in Asaba yesterday during the flag-off activities for the 25th anniversary for the creation of the state, said he has no formal petition against his coronation.

he Nigerian Navy has arrested 11 men who allegedly paraded themselves as naval personnel, by wearing navy uniforms and parading themselves as “merchant navy”. The outgoing commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, Commodore Salisu Ibrahim, who revealed this in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, alleged that the suspects were motivated

with the intent to defraud unsuspecting individuals and companies in the state and environs. He said the suspects were arrested while carrying out their criminal activity around Rukpokwu Police Station checkpoint, by personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, who reported the matter to the navy. Ibrahim, who spoke through Lt. Cdr. Ayi Archibong, the Regulating Officer, NNS Pathfinder, said that investigations conducted by the navy proved the suspects were not merchant navy.

Okowa lauded for transforming Delta Ola James WARRI

elta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has been commended for his outstanding performance of spreading infrastructural development and appointment to all the 25 local government areas of the state. Traditional ruler of Agadagba Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Biri Pere Gold O. Tiemo III (JP), who lauded the governor when he addressed newsmen in Warri yesterday, said the governor has achieved a lot within the

short period he has been in office. “I am particularly grateful for the recent appointment of one of my sons, Hon. Smart Asekutu, as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Intelligence Gathering and Community Development,” said the Ijaw monarch. While calling on the governor to do more for his area that has been neglected for decades, the traditional ruler said that there are qualified persons in his kingdom that can be appointed as commissioners and into other positions.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

unmen suspected to be marauding Fulani herdsmen on Monday launched another attack on three villages in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, the homestead of former Governor Gabriel Suswam, and killed hordes of farmers. The villages attacked include Tombo, Ukemberagya and Tswarev as well as Audu, Abuul Norsua and Kulungu in Tombo Council, where they shot sporadically wounding so many men and women. As a result of the attack, many people, including women and children, have since fled the area and are taking refuge in areas considered to be safe, while

Again, herdsmen launch attack on Benue villages, kill scores schools, hospitals and other commercial activities have now been grounded to a halt. New Telegraph gathered that the herdsmen launched the attack about 9pm and that some of the victims were taken to Makurdi for urgent medical attention. It was further gathered that shortly after the attack, gunshots were again heard at about 2.30pm at Ordughga Nagwa village near Anyi, the densely populated headquarters of Logo Local Government Area very close to Arufu, a Taraba settlement along Wukari road, where the attackers left

one person dead. The slain teenager was from Ukemberagya in Gaambe-tiev. But as if that was not enough, the invaders, on the same day, made incursion into Akenawe village around Meeme settlement area of Tswarev at about 10pm, where a wake-keep programme was ongoing and left several people badly wounded and were receiving treatment at medical facilities at Anyiin. An indigene of the area, Chief Joseph Anawa, told New Telegraph that some of the victims, who were badly wounded, were still battling to stay alive.

Anawa said the assailants were taking refuge in abandoned buildings at Arufu, a Taraba settlement located along Wukari-Anyiin road, adding that efforts by the JTF to flush them out of this hideout were unsuccessful, because Arufu is guarded by heavily armed riot policemen deployed from Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, to secure the place. According to him, some of the herdsmen were dressed in police uniform while others were seen with police trousers with T-Shirt while others wore T-Shirts on black trousers. L-R: State Treasurer, National Union of Local Government Enployee (NULGE), Comrade Olatunji Umar, Special Adviser to Kwara State Governor on Labour Matters, Comrade Bisi Fakayode, State President, NULGE, Comrade Saliu Ayinla Yusuf, Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed and Secretary to State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold during a meeting with union leaders at Government House, Ilorin…yestersday

Kwara to take over funding of junior secondary education Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

wara State Government yesterday said it is considering taking over the funding of junior secondary education from the local government administration in the state. The proposal is to separate funding of primary schools from junior secondary schools to reduce the financial burden of local government councils in the state. This was one of the resolutions arrived at during the State Executive Council meeting held at the council chamber of the

Government House, Ilorin, on Tuesday. Briefing newsmen on the meeting, Senior Special Assistant to Governor AbdulFattah Ahmed on Media, Dr. Muideen Akorede, said council had therefore directed the state Ministry of Education to advise it on the financial implication of the action so that a decision can be taken on the issue. Salaries for teachers in the state’s basic education

11,834

The total number of subscribers of Globacom Limited (fixed/fixed wireless) as at June 2015. Source: Ncc.gov.ng

NSCDC cautions against racketeers Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

aduna State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday warned members of the public to be wary of the antics of job racketeers to avoid being victims of their fraudulent promises. The state Commandant of the NSCDC, Alhaji Modu Bunu, who issued the

warning at the command’s headquarters yesterday, said the caution has become necessary in order to save unsuspecting, innocent and desperate job seekers. According to Bunu, NSCDC like other agencies will always make recruitment exercises public when it needs additional manpower. He wondered why people should fall victim of criminals, who pose as job providers. The commandant, who

section, which comprises primary schools and junior secondary schools is said to be N1.2 billion monthly. Currently, teachers in this category are owed between six and seven months in arrears, translating to about N8.4 billion. Council, according to Akorede, noted that although the payment of salaries to basic education teachers remains the constitutional duty of the local government authorities, the persistent decline in federal allocation has constrained the third tier of goverment’s capacity to meet that obligation. He said the state would under study Osun State, which has was reacting to the recent arrest of one Timothy Ezekiel, 26, for parading himself as a member of the corps with fake NSCDC identity card, explained that the suspect claimed that he was deceived and cheated by a fraudster after paying N100, 000. Ezekiel, who hails from Old Kutunku in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT, said that the fake NSCDC identity card and uniform were issued to him by one Dogo Monday, in Abuja on April 15, 2015.

also taken a similar step to avoid falling into the breach of the law establishing the basic school system. Meanwhile, a group, Forum of former Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants in Kwara State, yesterday expressed concern over the emerging conflict between the leadership of the National Assembly and the Presidency, noting that the development portends danger for the nation’s democracy and may also lead to the polarisation of the ruling APC.

News|NORTH

43 Group to FG: Get more weapons to combat insurgency Gabriel Efeduku Ughelli

he Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) yesterday urged the Federal Government to acquire more sophisticated military hardware to enable the military tackle terrorism and criminality in the country, saying that the primary duty of government is to protect lives and property of her citizens. In a statement by the National Coordinator, Sheriff Mulade, the group applauded the military for the way it is handling the situation in the North East, which has led to the recapturing of more towns from the dreaded insurgents, Boko Haram. He said many lives have been lost and property destroyed because of the nefarious activities of the insurgents and noted that no nation can develop in an atmosphere wracked by insurgency and conflicts.

He advised the Federal Government to provide the enabling environment for her citizens to do their businesses, describing as unacceptable the spate of bombing in the Niger Delta and urged the government to adopt tough policies to nip the menace in the bud. Mulade, however, called for the probe of the military spending in the last 16 years to ascertain the true position of things and bring those who allegedly mismanaged such funds to book. According to him; “Recent reports have stated that Boko Haram is more deadly than ISIS. It is true because the spate of bombing resulting in the deaths of Nigerians is alarming. Feelers coming from the frontlines have shown that the military are not well equipped to meet the December, 2016 deadline set by the Federal Government for the military to root out insurgents in the North East.”

Benue spends over N46.6m on ghost workers monthly Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

s the Benue State government struggles to pay state and local government staff salaries, it has been uncovered that the government spends a whopping N46, 522,092.59 as salaries on ghost workers every month. Chairman, Public Service Reform Committee, Mr. Mike Iordye, disclosed this while presenting the interim report of the Benue State Public Service Reform Committee to Governor Samuel Ortom at the Government House, Makurdi. Iorde told the governor that there is currently no authentic staff list in the state public service, adding that the situation is so pathetic that some Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) forwarded the staff

list over three times to the committee and that at each time that was done; the list would not be the same. The former Head of Service (HoS) said all the MDA’s and the civil service commission have failed in their responsibilities to the service, as according to him over 295 workers that were due for retirement as at May 31, 2016, were still on the payroll while 439 other workers, whose names were not on the staff list were on the salary payment vouchers of the MDAs, receiving unmerited salaries amounting to N46.5 million a month. Iorde said the medical bond scheme for the state civil service has been subjected to wanton abuse and gulped over N60,140,114.80 a month without any corresponding value addition to the state as many of the graduates either fail, ignore or neglect their bond.

We’llusecorpsmemberstodrivechangeagenda–Kogigov Zacchaeus Ozovehe Lokoja

ogi State government yesterday expressed readiness to partner with the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) to effectively drive the change agenda of the present administration in the state. Making this known yesterday during an event marking the end of the 21-day orientation course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Asaya-Kabba, Governor Yahaya Bello, said

his penchant for youths is clearly demonstrated in the composition of his cabinet. The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Arome Adoji, charged the corps members to actively impact on their prospective host communities through the Community Development Services (CDS). “Our government, which is known to be the government of the youths, for the youths and by the youths, places

a high premium on the youths and corps members under the NYSC scheme and we intend to use our amiable corps members to drive the change agenda in the state. “I charge you to use the various NYSC Community Development Services platforms at the grassroots to carry out public enlightenment and mobilisation for change in behaviour, thinking, cultural orientation and outlook,” the governor admonished.

WORLD \ NEWS

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Istanbul Ataturk airport attack: Death toll rises to 41 as Turkey

urkey is observing a national day of mourning after a gun and suicide bomb attack on Istanbul’s Ataturk airport killed 41 people, including 13 foreign nationals. Three attackers arrived in a taxi and began firing at the terminal entrance late on Tuesday. They blew themselves up after police fired back. Officials say 239 people were injured,with 41 still intensive care. PM Binali Yildirim said early signs pointed to so-called Islamic State. However, no-one has so far admitted carrying out the attack. Turkish investigators are examining CCTV footage, witness statements and mobile phone video recorded by terrified passengers to try to determine the identity of the attackers. The Dogan news agency said autopsies on the three dead men suggested they

may be foreign nationals but this has not been confirmed. Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdag says that 128 people remain in hospital, including nationals of Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Switzerland, the Associated Press reports. The Istanbul city governor said 41 people were killed, including 13

foreign or dual nationals. UK Prime Minister David Cameron said there were no reports yet of any British casualties, but the Foreign Office was in contact with Turkish authorities. Cleaners worked through the morning to sweep up shattered glass, while workers repaired cables and ceiling tiles. Heavilyarmed security personnel were patrolling the airport.

p to 4.8 million people in South Sudan face severe food shortages in coming months, the highest level since a conflict erupted more than two years ago, UN agencies said yesterday. Clashes have continued to flare in South Sudan even though warring factions signed a peace deal in August last year to end the conflict that erupted in December 2013. But the deal has only been implemented slowly, leaving the country’s economic crisis to deepen. Rains at this time of year add to the challenge of supplying those in need by making many roads

UN: 4.8 m South Sudanese face severe food shortages impassable. Most roads in the area are just dirt tracks. “The deteriorating situation coincides with an unusually long and harsh annual lean season, when families have depleted their food stocks and new harvests are not expected until August. The level of food insecurity this year is unprecedented,” the UN agencies said in a joint statement. The UN World Food Programme, one of three agencies behind the state-

ment, said it expected to assist 3.3 million people this year with emergency food assistance, life-saving nutrition support and other aid. “We are very worried to see that food insecurity is spreading beyond conflict areas as rising prices, impassable roads and dysfunctional markets are preventing many families, even those in towns and cities, from accessing food,” said Serge Tissot, representing the U.N.

Europe launches reform‘reflection’after Brexit shock

Relatives of Siddik Turgan, a Customs officer killed at Ataturk Airport, attending his funeral.

oping to stave off a broader political crisis after Britain’s shock decision to leave the EU, European leaders agreed yesterday to spend the next nine months developing proposals for an overhaul of the bloc amid deep divisions between its members. Disillusion with the EU has risen sharply fol-

lowing years of economic weakness and after a record influx of refugees and series of deadly attacks by Islamic militants. The problems have fueled the sense that elites in Brussels and other European capitals are ineffective and out of touch with the concerns of ordinary people. Last week, the anger

bubbled over in Britain’s Brexit vote, which threw six decades of closer European integration into reverse and raised fears of a domino effect on the continent, where anti-EU, xenophobic parties are on the rise. EU leaders, who met yesterday without Britain, agree that change is needed.

Features

That Nigerian universities may be truly autonomous Tunde Olofintila

lder Statesman and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has called for a strict obedience of the laws, regulations and the series of court judgments delivered over the years on the limitations on the powers of Visitors, Vice Chancellors and Councils of universities if the age-long and allimportant autonomy of the university system is to be preserved in the country. Pursuant to this, he advised Government functionaries like Visitors to Federal and State Institutions of Higher Education, Ministers and Commissioners of Education to begin to appreciate that Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education are not Departments or appendages of either the Federal or State Ministries of Education. Babalola, who delivered the Convocation Lecture, titled “University Administration: the Role of Stakeholders” at the 21st Convocation Ceremonies of the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, last week equally stressed that government functionaries who are statutorily empowered to deal with universities must appreciate now than ever before that universities are not Government Parastatals while the Vice Chancellors are not Permanent Secretaries nor Council Members Directors of Parastatals. The frontline legal icon set the tone and agenda for the day when he said: “the unconstitutional and illegal violation of University Laws by successive governments, Federal and State, Ministers and Officers of Government makes it imperative that we should examine the role of stakeholders in University Administration”. It is a notorious fact that universities have existed for over a thousand years in other parts of the world before the

first University in Nigeria, the University College, Ibadan, was established in 1948, less than 70 years ago. This could be one of the reasons why Nigerian universities, like its toddling democracy, are not only still toddling, they are battling with so many teething problems. After all, History has it that the existence of great universities such as University of Constantinople sometimes known as the University of the Palace Hall of Magnaura was founded in the 425 AD, University of Bologna, 1088 while the University of Paris was founded by the Catholic Church in 1150. No wonder then that what a teacher in an American or British university considers to be a convention, arising from long usage, is seen by the Nigeria university teachers as a strange development. With all of this at the back of his mind and for Nigerian universities to assume their age-long autonomy, he emphasized the need for Pro Chancellors and Chairmen of University Councils to appreciate the burden on them. Babalola, who was Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Lagos between 2000 and 2007 during which he was twice voted by the NUC as the Best Pro Chancellor of Nigerian Universities while UNILAG was rated the University of First Choice, said: “It is necessary to emphasize here that the Pro Chancellors need to appreciate the burden on them. The success, failure, peace and order of the university rest on them and they take responsibility for everything, good or bad. They and their Councils must embark on policies that will ensure the smooth-running of the universities especially those that affect the development of the universities, contracts, employment of good quality lecturers, finances, including income and expenditure and auditing of university account”. He added: “The Pro Chancellor’s job is not one which the office-holder can take lightly. As the Chairman of Council, his duty is not merely to attend meetings,

collect his allowances and thereafter go to sleep. He must always think about the growth of the university and what he must do at all times to affect it positively. “He is different from the Chancellor whose duty is to appear on ceremonial occasions only. He must be concerned about the welfare of the university community. He presides at all Council meetings, statutory Sub Committees of the University and also at Sub-Committees set up by Council. At meetings, he is primus inter pares”. Babalola also frowned at the prevailing situation whereby University Councils are dissolved and not re-constituted any time too soon after. To him, “such an unwholesome practice leaves so much to be desired apart from running foul of the intent and spirit of the law (establishing the universities)”. He recalled his experience in May 2004, when Councils of Universities were dissolved by Radio announcement and were not re-constituted for over 11 months as a result of which the Universities lost the steam of progress. According to him, “All those who were working on university projects under the new policy stopped work because they claimed that there was no guarantee of prompt payment anymore. It was a similar experience in efforts to reorganize income-generating units. The Endowment campaign stopped”. He added: “The Developers in Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) projects left sites unceremoniously because of loss of confidence. I am also aware that the Vice Chancellor had problems with other areas of administration including but not limited to promotion, appointment and request for approvals for critically important actions to make the university function properly. It is my advice that there should not be undue delay in constituting the Councils of Universities”. Besides, the Octogenarian would not understand how successive Presidents and State Governors are wont to dissolve University Councils on assumption of

office just as they dissolve those of other Parastatals of the government. For example, he recalled that when Alhaji Umar Yar’Adua took over as the President of Nigeria in 2007, he descended on the University of Lagos which was constituted in 2004 and which had one year more in office. The Secretary to the Government announced the immediate dissolution of all parastatals including University Councils. The same trend continued when on July 16, 2015, the Federal Government announced the decision of the President Muhammadu Buhari to dissolve the Governing Boards of Federal Parastatals, Agencies and Institutions. By this announcement which was reminiscent of a similar announcement made by the administration of late President Yar’Adua, the Governing Councils of all Universities were dissolved. This action was one of several taken by successive governments over the years which have contributed to the decline in the educational fortunes of the country. As it were, it would appear that over the years, government has not been able to see the intricate and time-tested nexus between stable university administration and stability in the educational sector. A situation in which the tenure of Governing Councils of Universities is not secured and the composition thereof is seen as an opportunity to reward political loyalties is not one that augurs well for our Universities. By law, University Vice-Chancellors have inviolable tenure of five years. They should be allowed to complete their tenure or proper statutory and transparent procedures be adopted, if they are accused of any wrong doings. That is the way it is done in other climes. Ours cannot be different. We have to do things the way they are done elsewhere for us to achieve positive and pleasant results. •Olofintila, Head, Corporate Affairs of ABUAD, wrote from Ado-Ekiti.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Sport

Sport News Japan’s coach wary of Nigeria as Sweden play Korea

That No German player has more goals at European Championship finals than Mario Gomez as he is now level with with Jurgen Klinsmann with five goals.

International Sport Rio 2016: Neymar in Brazil’s final squad

46 47

Why NFF settled for Le Guen

Frenchman has knowledge of Zambia, Algeria and Cameroon Federation ponders two sponsors to meet wage demands

Adekunle Salami

ore facts emerged on Tuesday as to why the Nigeria Football Federation decided to pick Paul Le Guen as the new coach of the Super Eagles. Authoritative sources at the Glass House revealed to our correspondent that Le Guen shot back into contention just after the draw of the Russia 2018 qualifiers which pitched the Super Eagles in same group with the Desert Warriors of Algeria, Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and Chipolopolo of Zambia. Le Guen incidentally has good knowledge of all the group opponents of Nigeria and so despite of his huge wage demands, the NFF became stuck with the Frenchman. As the coach of Cameroon, Le Guen was in charge as the Lions defeated Chipolopolo 3-2 at the 2010 Nations Cup. Only last year, he was in charge of the national team of Oman when Al-

The Sport Team

geria defeated the Asian country 4-1 in an international friendly encounter. So he has very good knowledge of Cameroon as former coach and also played against the two other teams in the group in his recent career roles. “Before the draw, there were doubts about Le Guen but after the it, his credentials became crucial because he seems to be a big advantage as a coach who has played against all the other group opponents of Nigeria within a short time, “our source revealed. Meanwhile, the NFF is now considering to have joint sponsors to enable the federation to meet the wage demands of Le Guen. It was learnt that talks with the would-be sponsor was at advanced stage but the package cannot match the wage demands of the Frenchman and the NFF was thinking of having another sponsor assist to meet the wage bill. “The money is not an easy thing because we are talking about forex. If the sponsors agree, we might have two but it might not be necessary if the

initial sponsors choose to add to the package they are offering to match the demand,” our source added. Le Guen made impact as the coach of Cameroon by leading the team to the qualification for the South Africa 2010 World Cup. He was coach of Oman between 2011 and 2015 where he recorded some impressive results like 3-1 win over Slovakia and India respectively, 1-0 victory

over Australia and Iraq. He also qualified Oman for the Asian Cup. Le Guen was born in Pencran, France on March 1, 1964 (52 years). At club level’ he was a former coach of Lyon, PSG, Rennes and Rangers. He led Lyon to win the league three times and qualified the team for the quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League. He also won the league as a coach of PSG and qualified the team for the Champions League.

LE GUEN’S FACTFILE Team

From

Rennes

1998

Lyon

1 July2002

Rangers

9 May 2006 4 Jan 2007

PSG

15 Jan 2007

110

Cameroon 1 July 2009

Win %

2001

121

43.80

1 June 2005

155

54.19

51.61

48.18

1 June 2009

36.84

Oman

27 June 2011 19 Nov 2015

24 June 2010

38.55

Total

519 245

128

146

47.21

Sundowns compound Enyimba’s woes with 2-1 win Charles Ogundiya

Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

SOUTH AFRICA

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

Nigeria’s striker, Victor Moses, (left) in action against Egypt

Wayne Arendse (left)

nyimba’s quest of qualifying to the semifinal stage of the CAF Champions League suffered a big blow on Wednesday following their 2-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa. It was first win for the hosts while Enyimba who lost their first match at home to Zamalek, are at the bottom of the group with no point from two

matches. The match started on a high note with both teams wasting several scoring chances until Sundowns finally found their opener in the 42nd minute as Leonardo Castro bundled home a loose ball following a cross from Keagan Dolly. In the second half, Enyimba got themselves back on level terms in the 59th minute when a poor punch from Sandilands saw the ball fall for Oluwadamilare Ojo, who hammered home

with a volley. The South Africans responded with great intent and came close when the Enyimba goalkeeper made a top save to keep out Castro’s header in the 67th minute. The hosts were rewarded for their determination in the 78th minute as they netted the winner when a ball floated in from the left fell kindly for Wayne Arendse who powered home the finish despite the shotstopper getting a big hand on it

SPORT NEWS

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Japan’s coach wary of Nigeria as Sweden play Korea Emmanuel Tobi

J U-23 Eagles defender, Musa Muhammed (left) in action against Luxemburg

Ekpolo part ways with Barcelona

panish side, FC Barcelona, have announced that they are not renewing the contract of Nigerian defender, Godswill Ekpolo, thereby ending an 11-yearold relationship with the player. Ekpolo was due for a new deal this summer but Barcelona have apparently decided against offering him a new deal which will see the 21-year-old depart the Blaugrana who he has been with since the age of 10. The defender was born in Nigeria but moved to Spain at a very tender age and

started out with local youth sides before being snapped up by CDC Torreforta. He was scouted by Barcelona and was signed on for the juvenile side. He worked his way through the ranks at La Masia and was one of the players tipped to make the first team. Ekpolo went ahead to play for the Barcelona U-18 and U-19 sides helping them to win the Nike Premier Cup in 2010 and the Uefa Youth League in 2014. That UEFA Youth League winning side had such players a Cameroonian goal-

keeper, Fabrice Ondoa, Sergi Samper, Sandro, Adama Traore and Munir ElHaddadi. Though he played mainly for the youth sides and the Barcelona B side, Ekpolo trained with the first team on a number of occasions but his progress was stunted by an injury which made him miss a large chunk of the 2014/15 season. Ekpolo, who played for the Nigeria U-23 side in the 1-0 friendly win against Brazil will weigh his options in the coming days before deciding his next destination.

apan’s Olympic team coach Makoto Teguramori has stated that Nigeria still remains the team to beat at the Rio 2016 Olympics despite his team’s 4-1 victory over South Africa in Wednesd ay ’s p r e - t o u r n a m e n t friendly. Japan who are the current U-23 Asian champions have been drawn with Nigeria, Colombia and Sweden in the first round of the Rio Olympics. “We want to go to the Olympics with confidence and we know the Nigeria game is going to be difficult for us,”Teguramori told japantimes.co.jp after the match at the Matsumotodaira Park Stadium. Japan will take on Brazil in Goiania on July 30th in their final war m-up game before launching its Olympic campaign on August 4 in Manaus against Nigeria. Meanwhile, the Korea Football Association has announced that the team will play Nigeria’s Rio Olympics g roup opponents, Sweden, in an international friendly billed for July 28 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Koreans who are attending their 8th consecutive Olympics are paired

Emenike begins pre-season with Fenerbache

igeria striker Emmanuel Emenike has returned to Fenerbahce in Turkey to begin pre-season with the team in Istanbul. The AFCON 2013 top scorer left LondononSundayforIstanbuland trained with the team Monday. It remains unclear whether the big, powerful striker, who played on loan last season at

UAE side Al Ain and English Premier Leagueout fit side West Ham United, will play for Fenerbahce in the coming season even though he still has a contract with them. The team have lined up a series of friendly games for July against an Iranian side, Romanian club CSMS Lasi and Sparta Prague.

Ekofootball stars for Youdan Tourney in UK

ko Future Stars, the Lagos State Football Association developmental team are set to be part of the 2016 Youdan Trophy tournament taking place this summer in Sheffield, United Kingdom. The invitational tournament will also see the likes of Seattle Sounders FC, FC Basel, Glasgow Celtic FC, Queens Park Rangers Sheffield Wednesday and their city rivals, Sheffield United, taking part in the over hundred years old competition. At the draw held early May, Eko Future Stars will be playing in Group 3 in the U-16 category of the tourney alongside, Glasgow Celtic

of Scotland, Royal Antwerp of Belgium and Sheffield Wednesday of England. Group A will see Derby County, Sheffield United, FC Basel and JHR Rotterdam. Newcastle United, Charlton Athletic, Seattle Sounders and the other African team in the tournament, Friendly Academy will compete in group 2. While Group 4 has Wolverhampton Wanderers, Queens Park Rangers, Rosenborg BK and Maiden City. Dotun Coker, chairman, Technical committee of the Lagos FA, said that the team had commenced preparation for the tourney with weekend trainings.

Ekpolo (left)

Euro 2016 Q/final fixtures June 30 Poland vs Portugal 8pm July 1

Wales vs Belgium 8pm

July 2

Germany vs Italy

July 3

France vs Iceland 8pm

8pm

Round of 16 Fixtures Akwa Utd

vs Sunshine

Rivers Utd

vs Shooting

Wikki

Vs Plateau Utd

Katsina Uts

vs IfeanyiUbah

Prime FC

vs Warri Wolves

Dynamite FC vs Nasarawa Crown FC

Vs Enugu Rangers

with Ger many, Mexico and Fiji in Group C with their first game against Fiji on the 4th of August.

Teguramori

Kehinde Ayinde hits brace in Flying Eagles’ 4-1 win Azeez Ibrahim

triker Kehinde Ayinde scored twice as the Flying Eagles trounced Amakson Academy of Abuja 4-1 in a test match Wednesday morning. The Nigeria U-20 are preparing for a final U20 AFCON qualifier against Sudan next month. Ayinde was on target in the 28 and 35 minutes. The Flying Eagles other scorers were Chinedu Maduekwe in the sixth minute and Orji Okonkwo after 74 minutes. Amakson scored a consolation goal six minutes from full time. The Flying Eagles are away to Sudan on July 8 in an U-20 AFCON qualifier with the return leg in Nigeria a fortnight later.

Federation Cup: Rivers United battle 3SC in Kaduna

PFL sides Rivers United and Shooting Stars of Ibadan headline the Round of 16 fixtures in the men’s version of this year’s Federation Cup scheduled for next week. Both teams will do battle at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Wednesday, July 6, just as Wikki Tourists of Bauchi confront Plateau United in Akure and Sunshine Stars tackle Akwa United in Makurdi in the other all –NPFL clashes. NPFL side FC IfeanyiUbah will take on Katsina United at the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin on Wednesday while Enugu Rangers

will test might with Crown FC of Ogbomosho at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Thursday. In the women’s competition, which is at the quarter –final stage, Cup holders Sunshine Queens trade tackles with Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt in a top-of-the-range clash in Abuja, while Bayelsa Queens and COD United Ladies of Lagos go for broke in Oleh. Both matches come up on Thursday. On Wednesday, Abia Angels will take to the field in Lokoja against Nasarawa Amazons, as Delta Queens and Katsina Queens do battle in Abuja.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

The Muyiwa Daniel Column md_muyiwa@yahoo.com 08023525087 (sms only)

Coats of many colours!

t was the shame of a nation at the African athletics competition in Durban, South Africa, as Nigerian athletes reminded one of American pop star-Dolly Parton’s-song, “Coats-of-many-coloursMy mama made for me.” The pack of the album revealed a growing girl from the slum of New York’s Queens bedecked in that coat where from home was put together from different sacks within the store and knit together by hand from a weeping mum who struggled through poverty. Dolly later became a star, broke the poverty line and rose to fame presenting mana with that glorious mansion within that area of the same Queens remembering one of that movie -“Coming-From-America” where famous actor-Eddie Murphy- played “Akeem” the Prince from King of “Buganda” who “worked” as a restaurant cleaner in a bid to find love. The sight of the Nigerian athletes, I am sure must have been a torrid experience for Sports MinisterSolomon Dalung-whose fatigue and beret may have become a trademark but has soon been confronted with the reality that summer’s Rio Olympic Games may just not be better than the performance at London 2012 which was put into fore and footballers from the European Union may have to seek work permits like their African and South American counterparts thus denying clubs the search for replacements of the challenge presented by Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo with the British vote that precludes to Queen’s country from Europe from September which has led to the resignation of Prime Minister-David Cameron-and outshining the European Championships as players weigh their options. Dalung and his Nigeria Olympic Committee President-Habu Gumel-now have the challenge of convincing Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as to whether the sponsors of the Nigerian delegations’ kits will be delivered on time and within specifications as it is certain that Tibha will be the kit managers of Segun Toriola-who will be delivering his seventh Olympiad just as his female counterpart-Funke Oshonaike, is on her sixth. The others who qualified from Wrestling will have to rely on the rich experience of Federation President-Olympic hero for Canada-Daniel Igali-while the country’s lone boxer left in the lurch as the federation has gone comatose since the retirement of former Chief of Army staffKenneth Minimah. I listened to the lamentations of NOC SecretaryGeneral-Tunde Popoola, and that of the AFN boss, Solomon Ogba, on how it has become pathetic the way the private sector in Nigeria has abandoned Nigerian sport especially at this season of the Olympics. It is so sad that the Olympic movement in Nigeria cannot influence the private sector in our country despite the fact that President Gumel is NOT only the Treasurer of the African Olympic Association, he is also an executive board member of the International Olympic Committee. I feel pretty uncomfortable that telecommunications outfits that began the Lagos Marathon has found the AFN not so “marketable” for campaign and thus leaving the legion of athletes to the games led by lone hopeful-Blessing Okagbare-who appears to be the silver lining on our track and field dark cloud turning the clock round to the Atlanta 1996 feat of Chioma Ajunwa-the famous mother of triplets whose first jump gave her and country a gold medal at that Olympics Okagbare has engaged in various face-offs with the AFN over the preparations for the Olympics and various sanctions had been threatened but thus far sanity has prevailed as Okagbare had been vindicated on the fields of Durban where the “coat-of-many-colours’ established the sordid performance. Perhaps “lucky” is the Dream Team of Samson Siasia which has “lollipops from “cleansing” world soccer governing body-FIFA- with funds from tournaments as the local federation led by embattled Amaju Pinnick-who have mastered the act of double speak in matters of Pre-Olympics preparation, friendly matches, payment of allowances or lack of it in the naira. Our Olympic Games team needs not get to Rio in coats of many colours if we institute rescue efforts. Let it be NOW, Dalung!

‘How I survived Turkey terror attack’

razilian goalkeeper Andrey Nazario says he was caught up in the terror attacks in Turkey which claimed at least 41 lives, revealing that he had a gun pointed to his head amidst the tragedy. A series of explosions were followed by gunfire at Ataturk international airport on Tuesday, with the latest death count at 41, though many more were injured. Nazario witnessed the traumatic incident after landing at the airport and has told Goal of the horror that swept through it. “We were heading to the lobby and as we were getting there I began to notice that people were crying and running in the opposite direction, running

away,” he said. “I didn’t know what was happening, we had no information, but then came the smell of smoke and gunpowder. “We saw a lot of blood on the floor and people shouting ‘terrorist’.

Nazario

Rio 2016: Neymar in Brazil’s final squad

ouglas Costa and 38-year-old Palmeiras goalkeeper Fernando Prass will join Neymar for Brazil at the Rio Olympics, coach Rogerio Micale announced on Wednesday. Bayern Munich’s Douglas Costa and Prass were selected in addition to Neymar to make up Brazil’s three permitted overage players. Why Olympic gold matters to Brazil | Ronaldinho & the overage Olympians | PROFILE: Olympic coach Rogerio Micale? Captain Neymar will return to the squad after sitting out Neymar of this month’s Copa America Centenario in the USA in order to lead the quest for gold. Olympic quads must be made up of at least fifteen under-23 players, born on or after 1 January 1993. Each nation is permitted to name up to three overage players. Rio 2016 is not included in the men’s international match calendar, however, and earlier this month a FIFA spokesperson confirmed that “clubs are not under any obligation to release players for the tournament, irrespective of the player’s age.” Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva was rumoured to have made the 35-man preliminary

squad, which was not made public, but has missed out along with fellow Olympic hopefuls Willian, Filipe Luis and Miranda with suggestions their respective European clubs were not willing to release them for the competition. Thiago Silva has not appeared for his country since Copa America 2015. Five-time world champions Brazil are desperate to secure the one remaining title for which they are eligible but yet to win.

Radwanska dismisses Kozlova

gnieszka Radwanska needed just an hour to reach the Wimbledon second round with victory over Kateryna Kozlova. The 27-yearold third seed from Poland beat Ukrainian Kozlova 6-2 6-1 under the Centre Court roof despite being broken once in the first set. The 2012 runner-up

now faces Italy’s Karin Knapp or Croatia’s Ana Konjuh. “Of course. a onehour match is always good. I’m just very happy with that win,” world number three Radwanska told BBC Sport.

Sign my chef, Ibrahimovic tells Man United

latan Ibrahimovic has warned Manchester United that they have to make an obscure but specific arrangement if they want to land his signature this summer. The Red Devils are leading the chase to sign the 34-year-old following his departure from Parisa Saint-Germain

and, while he has stated previously that his next club has already been decided, a deal is yet to be confirmed.

Ibrahimovic

While potential suitors may feel relieved that they do not have to negotiate with a club to sign Ibrahimovic, they do have to overcome an extra obstacle. Ibrahimovic has warned that famous French celebrity chef Joel Robuchon will have to come with him when he moves to a new side.

Radwanska

On Marble

Don’t expect to see positive changes in your life if you surround yourself with negative people.

Sanctity of Truth

Mike A. Wilkie EFCC, Fayose and Hitler’s Gestapo

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

– Robert Tew

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

}16

N150

Brexit, Trump and Nigeria “Our political leaders will know our priorities only if we tell them again and again, and if those priorities begin to show up in the polls” – Peggy Noonan

Political Musings IKE ABONYI

or long the elites in all democratic world have been manipulating the voters, pushing through their selfish wishes and claiming it to be that of the people. In doing this they usually hide under the universal definition of democracy which says its government of the people for the people and by the people. But in reality what had obtained has been government for the people by the select elites. Since whatever has a beginning as they say has an end, so it became to elite maneuvering in Britain last week when the global community was shocked to the marrow as 52 per cent of British voting population expressed a formal indication to stay out of the European Union, a 28 member national cartel they have been in the last 43 years. The outcome of the referendum is inspite of the spirited campaign carried out by the British bureaucracy led by the Prime Minister David Cameroun who was “fantastically” immersed in don’t leave campaign. A gradient of a possible voters revolt in the Western World had started in the United States of America when early in the year, a strange character, a business guru in the person of Donald Trump emerged as a Presidential aspirant from the Republican Party talking some inconceivable political campaign waffles as a message to Americans on his journey to the White House. No one except perhaps himself gave a chance that the comedian politician would go beyond first round in the contest. Political watchers saw him as one of those pranksters that always appear on the scene every campaign year to added humour to the exercise. President Barrack Obama even described his utterances as not Presidential, former Presidents even from his party said they can’t identify with this type of character. But the voting delegates of his party ignored all that because he was telling them what they want to hear. Year in year out Americans have seen their leaders talk about world peace and global village theory yet average Americans continue to live in fear because of senseless way of life of people who are not really Americans but migrants. As a result, despite the vibrant opposition to his campaign views by a cross section of the American elite, the people went ahead to vote Trump as their choice candidate for the November 4th 2016, Presidential election. The elite now feel that Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton would have an easy ride to victory at the main election but that over confidence is gradually fizzling out, giving way to fear with what happened in Britain. It is now becoming obvious that the people are trying to use their voting franchise to make a statement on the continuous double standard of the elite and now desire to place their destiny in their own hands. How does this affect Nigeria you may want to know? In many ways, our democracy is a photocopy of the USA while British people are our colonial masters. So

igwebuike2001@yahoo.com 0802-402-4029 (sms only) has just told the nation that the President is too busy to look into the confab report produced by ‘boys’ That suggests that the SGF does not understand the import of the report. The question is, the President is busy doing what? Presiding over bitter and acrimonious citizens? Busy amidst glaring injustice in the land? At the risk of sounding too pessimistic, I think it would be near impossibility to stop groups from agitating to exit from the country with this type of growing imbalance in the sharing of national appointments. Especially where the sharing of subordinate positions are largely determined by who is at the head not on merit. I therefore invite Nigerians to take a critical and judicious look at the table below, just few aspects of the injustice and judge whether this type of appointment can really discourage agitation. God help Nigeria. Trump

when fundamental political changes are going on in these countries, people should pay attention. If after 56 years of nationhood people are saying the same thing about this country, shouldn’t ear be given to their cries? In Britain today, while the elites and the media largely owned by them are trying hard to make the World believe that Brexit was a mistake, the larger British populace are in jubilation saying that their country is returning to them. Since 1960 in this country, the story has remained the same. Just in its seventh year as a country in 1967, following apparent injustice against a people, some section asked to be allowed to exit from the colonial configuration called Nigeria, their agitation was refused and their view suppressed after a brutal civil war that took the lives of over three million citizens. Forty six years after that war, the children and grandchildren of the same people are up again agitating to be allowed to exit. According to them nothing changed from what their fathers complained of and as a result their cries should be given attention. Should their views be continuously ignored? When the Soviet Union faced similar agitation some people within the country like in Nigeria felt a bigger country has more advantage than otherwise but when one Mikhail Gorbachev came he allowed everyone to go their way and today they are all doing well progressing and having peace. It’s obvious some do not want to hear the word restructuring but all indices point to it as the only option left. We cannot continue to deceive ourselves that all is well and that there is a light at the end of a tunnel when in reality there is no tunnel. The Secretary to Government of the Federation David Babachir Lawal

Executive 1. President- North 2. Vice President-West 3. Secretary to Government of the Federation- North 4. Chief of Staff- North Legislature 1. Senate President- North 2. Speaker of House of Representatives-North 3. Deputy Senate President-East (they want to send him to jail) 4. Deputy Speaker-West 5. Senate Leader- North

6. House leader- West Judiciary 1. Chief Justice of the Federation- North 2. Minister of Justice and Attorney of the Federation -North 3. President of the Court of Appeal- North 4. President Federal High Court- North Security 1. Minister of Defence- North 2. Minister of Interior-North 3. National Security Adviser- North 4. Chief of Defence Staff- West 5. Chief of Army staff...North 6. Chief of Naval staff-South 7. Chief Air staff...North 8. Inspector General of Police- North 9. Director General DSS - North 10. Commandant Civil Defence -North 11. Comptroller General of Immigration-North 12. Comptroller General of Customs-North 13. Corps Marshall, FRSC-North On the sideline Nigeria Army Chief Lt General T.Y. Buratai appointed a year ago for meeting the incorruptible requirement of the “Sheriff “on the throne is now confirmed to have two property in Dubai. The money they claimed came from proceeds from his savings, and that of his two wives. We are not told the business the two wives are doing. We have also been told that Federal Government has cleared him. EFCC or court investigates and clears others but ‘members’ get cleared by FG, lo! Corruption fighters indeed. The General we learnt is from Buratai, in Biu local Government Area of Borno State, one of the poorest areas of the country where zinc houses are hardly seen. How committed and patriotic is the General to Nigeria project with him and wives investing in Dubai? Am jousting asking.

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