Thursday, june 4, 2015 by Newtelegraphonline

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Vol. 2 No. 470

Thursday, June 4, 2015

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Enough of Boko Haram, says President Buhari

Shake-up imminent in NNPC

lPresident set to replace Dawha as GMD Johnchuks Onuanyim and Adeola Yusuf

resident Muhammadu Buhari is planning to reorganise the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

(NNPC), New Telegraph learnt yesterday. The impending change may lead to the replacement of the

Group Managing Director (GMD), Dr. Joseph Dawha. A source confided in New CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

NEW TELEGR

APH THURSD AY, jUne 4,

Interview

N150

2015

Takon: Buhari must overha demonstrate ul EFCC, zero toleran ce for corrup tion

22&25

Law

News

NBA applau ds Buhari, scores Jonathan low on PIB, PRA

Although Presi dent Muhamma du Buhari and his party , the All Progressives Congress (APC), have vowed to implement laudable programmes that revive the econo would the nation on my, set the path of economic grow lawyers’ expec th, tations go beyond the party’s manifesto. They tasked Mr. Presi on employme dent nt, corruption, oil sector, effective rule of judicial reform law, and sundry issue s. TUNDE OYESINA and AKEEM NAFIU repor t

L Lawyers give }21 six pages days to ma Buhari 100 ke a differen of THE law ce

awyers were Kalu yesterday unanimous that the newly sworn-in Nigeri a’s President, hari should Muhammadu Buperennial be able to tackle the infrastructur ciency, unemp al defiloyment, pervasive corruption, security, leakages and revenue city of petrolethe unending scardeviling the um problems bedays in office.nation within 100 Also, they cautioned to be wary him were ready of sycophants who of Petroleum produc ts, urging intention to frustrate his good new administrati for on to ensure the they specifi the country while its policies were that backed cally asked if it must put need to reform for the nation up by law the nation the of economic on the path solete laws ’s obrecovery. They said change mustif the much touted be joining otherthis yesterday while According actualized. Nigerians agenda for to set and his deputyto them, Buhar the Buhar i i/Osinbajo Osinbajo must , Professor Yemi administration. ensure For instan agenda in that their the first 100 brella body-tce, the lawyers’ office is to tackle the days in Association he Nigerian umof infras proble Bar (NBA) throug ms Presid tructural ent, Mr. deficie unemploym h its ent, insecu ncy, a Senior Advoc Augustine Alegeh pervasive , rity, the ate corruption, new admin of Nigeria said leakages and revenue istration persistent sure that its must enscarcity up by law policies must be backed with a view the desired to actualizing change agenda This, accord . change would ing to it the desired only come laws were if obsole reformed so as to give te gal backin gs to leNBA said: the ‘change agenda ’. new admin “The agenda of FOLUSO OGUN the istration in days in office MODEDE the JUDICIARY would be first 100 the proble EDIToR ms of infras to tackle foluso.ogunmoded deficiency newtelegraphonlin e@ , unemploymentructural rity, pervas e.com t, insecu © Daily Telegrap ive h Publishin leakages and corruption, revenu g Company Limited Petroleum persistent scarcit e y of produc "Though these ts. issues are press-

Akeredolu

ing, the NBA istration to expects the admin its agend also set out as part - of elections; an a of INEC that is able reformationthe amendment and to have a key role to make themof Nigerian Laws the importance in ascertaining of intern mocracy in meet presen challenges. al dethe t day So, it means parties. "Governmen that in going wards t policies be backed tomust ident the next election, by the Presise the desire law and to actual and indeed - Assem d change there must bly will needthe National agenda, be Laws to give reformation of our the drawing board to go back to legal and laws see exist, that change agenda backings to the need to be what or need to altered An activis ". be reinforced t and conven the INEC to Society Situati give er, Civil the streng on Room, th on indeNwankwo Clement pendence that it needs" . Another abling law is rooting for an enlawye the indepe that would reinforce Anietor said “the r, Bennard ndence of institu checki the Indepe dent Nation n- streng ng corruption need tions sion (INEC al Electoral Comm thened, loopho to be is) politics and and insulate it from which public officer les through s cians steal influence. unnecessary politic from public and politial to be purse tightened Nwankwo and we think need said: "We is need that the laws establ also think ruptio to be punishment there for corcommission n. ishing the Anietor went tion and the both in the Constituon: “The Electo tive ral for incenbe reinfor ced. This Act need to they people to be corrup will create t get INEC that an needs away with it. The is that is system lation and not open to manip to enforc u- that e a mecha brings people and politic influence of politic nism s corrup ians; an INEC to accoun able to assert tion". t for that is A Senior Advoc ence in determan important presate of Nigeri ining the conduct a,

Senate presidency: APC edges out Saraki Buhari's administra tion must be able to make a difference in 100 days

CoNTIN UED

oN PAGE 23

lNew criteria favour main challenger, Lawan }5 lWe've no candidate, says PDP

Quick Read

Editorial

Adesina and new face of diplomacy }19 Stop harassing Lagosians, }46 Ambode warns LASTMA, KAI US probes FIFA President, }55 Sepp Blatter

Family members of victims of Dana Air plane crash at the third memorial in Abuja …yesterday

Probe CDS, army chief, others

lAmnesty International urges Buhari to investigate military chiefs over 8,000 deaths in war against Boko Haram }5

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

SPECIALonREPORT The 8th Senate’s Fresh Generation Godswill Akpabio

Aliyu Wamakko

Jonah David Jang

Stella Adaeze Oduah

Samuel Egwu

Rabiu Kwankwaso

Theodore Orji

Mao Ohuabunwa

Uche Lilian Ekwunife

Buruji Kashamu

Jeremiah Useni

Abubakar Kyari

Ben Murray Bruce

Peter Nwaoboshi

Biodun Olujimi

Dino Melaye

Monsurat Sunmonu

Bayero Usman Nafada

Bala ibn Na’Allah

Isiaka A. Adeleke

Abubakar Danladi

Adeola Olamilekan

Binta Masi Garba

Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim

Mustapha Bukar

Duro Samuel Faseyi

Fatimat O. Raji-Rasaki

Shehu Sani

Mustapha Bukar

Philip Aruwa I Gyunka

Buhari Abdulfatai

Suleiman O. Hunkuyi

Osinakachukwu Ideozu

Danjuma La’ah

Bassey Albert Akpan

Olanrewaju Tejuoso

Mohammed A. Ohiare

Nelson Asuquo Effiong

Achonu A. Nneji

Sabo Mohammed

David Umaru

Umaru Ibrahim Kurfi

Barau I Jibrin

Nnaemeka Anyanwu

Clifford A. Ordia

John Enoh Owan

Mathew A. Urhoghide

Utazi Godfrey Chukwuka

Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi

Gbolahan Dada

Abdul-Aziz M. Nyako

Francis A. Alimikhena

Olaka Johnson Nwogu

Ogba Joseph Obinna

Tijjani Yahaya Kaura

Donald Alasoadura

Rose Okoji Oko

Yele Omogunwa

Ogola Foster

Gershom H. Bassey

Suleiman M. Nazif

Malam Ali Wakili

Abdullahi A. Gumel

Marafa Bashir Abba

Yahaya Abdullahi

Abdulrahman Abubakar

Salihu Hussain Egye

Mohammed Garba

Ighoyota Amori

Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

Ahmadu Abubakar

Mohammed Hasan

Isah Hamma Misau

Ibrahim Abdullahi

Muhammad Ubali Shitu

On June 9, 2015, the eighth Senate of the National Assembly will be inaugurated. Of the 109 Senators who will be taking their seats, 75, representing 68 per cent will be fresh in the upper chamber. Who are these fresh Senators? What are their backgrounds and antecedents? What quality of debate and contributions are we likely to see from them? These and more will be the kernel of a special report by New Telegraph on that day. The report presents a unique opportunity for family, friends and associates of these fresh Senators to felicitate with them. For enquiries and participation: Call Biodun: 0802-301-5582, Taiwo: 0803-304-2915, Onwuka: 0803-733-9843, David: 0810-759-1663

Travel Advisory

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule Air France

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

Flight No. AF 513 AF 3822 AF514 AF513 AF514 AF3849

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

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

Amsterdam-Lagos Lagos-Amsterdam

KL587 KL588

13:15hrs 23:05hrs

20:00hrs 05:50hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York

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

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

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

BRITISH AIRWAYS

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

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

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS

16:00hrs

Lagos-Kigali

11:15hrs

16:45hrs

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

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

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

14:00hrs

17:30hrs

22:35hrs 15:10hrs

06:00hrs 21:20hrs

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

hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

01:00hrs

hrs

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Doha Flight Doha-Lagos Flight

QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415

14:55hrs 07:20hrs

23:45hrs 13:35hrs

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

DL053 DL 054

22:15hrs 5:15hrs

05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Madrid Madrid-Lagos

IB 3337 IB 3336

22:55hrs 16:00hrs

5:25+1hrs 20:20hrs

Lagos-Casablanca Casablanca-Lagos

AT738 AT 737

06:25hrs 02:15hrs

09:55hrs 6:00hrs

air maroc

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

12:30hrs

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

IBERIA

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

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

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

MEA 571 MEA 572

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

to Lagos)

UNITED AIRLINES

17:00hrs 4:40hrs

KQ 533 KQ 534

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

DELTA AIRLINES

11:00hrs 22:40hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

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

QATAR AIRWAYS

VS 652 VS 651

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

BA075 BA074 BA 082 BA 083

EMIRATES AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos

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

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

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

VIRGIN ATLANTIC

RwandAir

Kigali-Lagos

Turkish Airlines

Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

Air Côte d'Ivoire Lagos to Abidjan Abidjan to Lagos

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

ASKY AIRLINES

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

10:10hrs

10:50hrs

19:20hrs

21.50hrs

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

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

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

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

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

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE ARIK AIR

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

AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE

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

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

FIRST NATION AIRWAYS

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

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

AEROCONTRACTORS

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

MEDVIEW AIRLINES

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

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

News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Senate presidency: APC edges out Saraki Chukwu David and Onyekachi Eze Abuja

he National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has tactically edged out the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Bukola Saraki, from the race for the Senate presidency. The NWC, at its meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday night, had listed certain conditions which an aspirant for the post must possess, but none favours Saraki's ambition.

The meeting had agreed that the party’s candidate for the post must come from the geo-political zone with the second highest votes after the North-West for the party, during the March 28 presidential election. The party leadership also agreed that the next Senate president must not be facing any corruption charges and should be one of the most ranking senators in the current Fourth Republic. A senator, who attended the meeting, told our correspondent that the leadership of the party was mandated to present the most eligible aspirant as a consensus candidate for

the post within three days, based on the listed criteria, during inauguration, next week. The two contenders for the post are Saraki (Kwara Central) and Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North). Saraki is from the North-Central while Lawan is from North-East. In the presidential election, North-East gave APC and Buhari the second highest number of votes. APC secured 3,473,340 votes in the North-East while the party got 2,264,614 votes in the North-Central. The North-West gave the party the highest number votes of 6,490,537. South-West gave APC

2,433,193 votes while the party got 418,590 votes in the South-South; 198,248 in the South-East and 146,399 in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Besides, unlike Lawan, Saraki has been investigated by the Special Fraud Unit of the Police following allegations of a N11 billion-loan fraud preferred against him. Saraki was said to have secured the loans between 2004 and 2009 when he was the governor of Kwara State. The SFU said the loans were used to purchase shares of blue chip companies and choice property in Lagos and Abuja, some of which were used to se-

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) with President Mahamadou Issoufuo of Niger Republic, on Buhari’s arrival for a state visit in Niamey…yesterday.

cure the loans. However, Saraki has denied the allegations, saying he has been cleared. The senator, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Bamikole Omisore, denied any case of corruption against him. The statement said: “We will like to inform the public that following the review and due interpretation of the case, by the office of DPP of the Federal Ministry of Justice, via a letter dated October 9, 2012, with reference number DPP/ADV: 061/12, addressed to Inspector General of Police (IG), it is clearly stated that Senator Saraki has no case against him as the allegation is frivolous.” Also, the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, cleared Saraki of any wrongdoing in a bank loan being investigated by the SFU. The clearance was given following a legal opinion by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice that the allegations of wrongdoing against Saraki were baseless and unfounded. The legal opinion of the minister was a response to the report submitted to him by the IG on police findings in a complaint by Joy Petroleum Limited. Delivering judgement, Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed stopped the IGP from inviting or arresting Saraki over the alleged bank loan. Some senators who spoke with our correspondent in Abuja expressed fears that the decision of the APC to use such

AI: Probe CDS, army chief, others Emmanuel Onani and Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he global human rights watchdog, Amnesty International (AI), yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately investigate the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh; the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah and their immediate predecessors, Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim (rtd) and Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), respectively, for war crimes. AI, in a report on war crimes in North-East released at a press conference in Abuja, said the quartet was vicariously responsible for the death of 8,000 people.

AI said the investigation had become imperative, in order to ascertain whether they knew about the purported war crimes, or they ought to have known, in view of the positions of responsibilities they occupied and still occupy. While Ibrahim was CDS between 2012 and 2014, Ihejirika led the army from 2010 to 2014. The Boko Haram insurgency started in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, in 2009. Besides, AI, in what could be considered its most damning report on the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in the North East, also recommended that five generals be "promptly" investigated. The five military chiefs are Major General John A.H. Ewansiha, Major General Obida T Ethnan, Major General Ahmadu

Mohammed, Brigadier General Austin O. Edokpayi and Brigadier General Rufus O. Bamigboye. AI said the five Generals should be investigated for their alleged involvement in human rights abuses, including murder, torture and enforced disappearance committed in the war against Boko Haram in the North-East. The group hinged the call for investigation of the senior officers on their potential command responsibility for crimes committed by their subordinates. AI stated that they would be responsible if they knew or if they should have known about the commission of the war crimes and failed to take adequate action to prevent them or to ensure the alleged perpetrators were brought to justice. The report entitled:

Stars on their shoulders. Blood on their hands: War crimes committed by the Nigerian military, showed since March 2011, more than 7,000 young men and boys died in military detention and more than 1,200 people were unlawfully killed since February 2012. On its claim on extrajudicial killings, AI said: "More than 1,200 people have been unlawfully killed by the military and associated militias in North-East Nigeria. The worst case documented by Amnesty International took place on 14 March 2014 when the military killed more than 640 detainees who had fled Giwa barracks after Boko Haram attacked. "Many of these killings appear to be reprisals following attacks by Boko Haram. A senior military official told Amnesty International that such killings

were common. Soldiers “go to the nearest place and kill all the youths… People killed may be innocent and not armed. "In a so-called “mop up” operation following a Boko Haram attack in Baga on 16 April 2013, a senior military official told Amnesty International how the military “transferred their aggression on the community”. At least 185 people were killed." The report added that since March 2011, over 7,000 young men and boys died in military detention and more than 1,200 people were unlawfully killed since February 2012. Amnesty International also said it had compelling evidence of the need for an investigation into the individual and command responsibilities of soldiers, and mid-level and seniorCONTINUED ON PAGE 7

undemocratic conditions considered strange to the rules of the Senate and constitution of the country, could be counter-productive. The party plans to announce its preferred candidate between Lawan and Saraki, during a meeting with the senators-elect today in Abuja. But some of the senators urged the leadership of the party to allow the most popular aspirant to emerge through a due process that would be free, fair, credible and generally acceptable to all concerned. In his reaction, the Coordinator of the Saraki group, Senator-elect Dino Melaye, cautioned the NWC against interference in the affairs of the Senate because the upper legislative chamber is guided by rules. Melaye said: "The NWC is there to offer advice and not to determine those who will contest leadership positions on the floor of the Senate. The constitution of Nigeria and the rules of the Senate are clear on how a Senate President could emerge." Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the desire of APC for a consensus candidate might rob the party of the position because the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers might take advantage of the division to present a candidate, who could garner protest votes from aggrieved APC senators to defeat the governing party's candidate. However, amidst the uncertainties on who will succeed Senate President David Mark, the PDP has denied report that it has launched a bid to snatch the post from the APC. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, told reporters yesterday that the party has no candidate for the position. Metuh also said contrary to the expectations of most Nigerians, it was too early to criticize some of the policies of the Buhari administration. "The PDP has no candidate to the position of Senate President and Deputy Senate President. What is important for PDP at this critical time is how to reposition to form a formidable opposition party. "We will not dabble into the affairs of the National Assembly," Metuh stated. He added that though the expectations of Nigerians were that PDP should be criticizing some of the statements and actions of Buhari, the party would allow the president settle down first before taking him to task.

News

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Enough of Boko Haram, says Buhari Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday vowed to crush Boko Haram by strengthening the military. According to him, Nigeria has had enough of the mindless killings by the insurgents. The president, during a state visit to Niger Republic, expressed confidence in the ability of the Nigerian military to overcome and eradicate Boko Haram insurgency. Speaking with journalists in Niamey after a meeting with President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger, Buhari described the Nigerian Army, which has earned a good reputation across the world, as a virile fighting force. "I am four days in office today and we have already started the process of ending the insurgency," the president said. He noted that in the course of the over five hours meeting he held with heads of Nigeria's Armed Forces and security agencies yesterday, on-going operations against Boko Haram were reviewed for better results.

President Buhari said that because of the peculiarities of terrorism, the movement of terrorists across borders and the unconventional nature of the war against terror, Nigeria will continue to seek the support of neighbouring countries in its bid to overcome Boko Haram. He explained that his visit to Niger was to seek more support from the country in bringing a quick end to the atrocities of Boko Haram. President Buhari said he would hold similar meetings on security and the war against terrorism with the Chadian authori-

ties after leaving Niamey today. The President said Nigeria would also require the assistance of other nations and multi-lateral institutions to rebuild areas that have been adversely affected by the Boko Haram insurgency and rehabilitate displaced persons. In his remarks, the President of Niger commended Buhari for making Niger the first country he will visit after his inauguration. "Your decision to move the military command of Nigeria to the North-East has further strengthened our conviction that the war

against terrorism will soon come to an end," he told President Buhari, while assuring him that Niger will continue to support Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram. At the opening of bilateral talks between Nigeria and Niger earlier, Buhari praised his hosts' contributions to the on-going multinational effort against terrorism, insurgency and cross-border crimes. "Niger Republic has, over the years, proven to be a reliable ally to Nigeria both at bilateral and multilateral levels. It is our hope and aspiration that this special relationship would

be further consolidated during my administration. "My administration will bring new impetus and a renewed commitment to the efforts to wipe out the menace of the Boko Haram insurgents. As a first step, we have directed the relocation of the command post of the counterinsurgency operations to Maiduguri until such a time that the insurgency is completely defeated," Buhari said. Meanwhile, Maj.- Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai of the Nigerian Military has been appointed the Force Commander of the MultiNational Joint Task Force

(MNJTF). His appointment was made public yesterday through a statement from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) spokesman, Maj.Gen. Chris Olukolade. Olukolade said Buratai had assumed duty at the new MNJTF Headquarters in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad Republic. He said the reorganised MNJTF arrangement was in line with the decisions of member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) which include; Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroun, with Benin Republic as a honorary member.

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

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29o C 24oC Thunder Storms

L-R: Deputy Inspector General of Police 'D' Department, Mr. Dan'azumi Doma; Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and Deputy Inspector General of Police 'C' Department, Mr. Mamman Tsafe, addressing newly-promoted police commissioners in Abuja…yesterday.

30o C 23oC Isolated Storms

President set to replace Dawha as NNPC GMD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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Telegraph that the president was considering appointing Mr. Sulaiman Akowe Achimugu, a former Managing Director of Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), to take over from Dawha. Achimugu is presently the Group General Manager of Renewable Energy Division of the NNPC. Dawha, who replaced Mr. Andrew Yakubu, was appointed GMD in August 2014. The source also stated that other heads of parastatals and management staff of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources would be affected in the massive shake-up of the oil sector. According to him, the essence of sacking the heads of the parastatals of the ministry is to pave the way for overhauling the sector and probing its accounts. In recent time, the oil and gas sector has been enmeshed in alleged

misappropriation and embezzlement of funds, especially with claims by a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, now the Emir of Kano, that NNPC failed to remit $20 billion from oil sales to the Federation Account. But a forensic audit carried out by PriceWaterHouseCoopers said there was no missing fund, but recommended that NNPC should refund $1.48billion. Achimugu joined the NNPC in 1978 as Chemical Engineer II and later in 1999 after traversing the oil sector; he was deployed to NNPC Corporate Headquarters as General Manager, Turn Around Maintenance and Projects in the Refining and Petrochemicals Directorate. In November 2003, Achimugu was appointed Managing Director of Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and in 2007, he was appointed the Group

General Manager of Renewable Energy Division of the NNPC. Meanwhile, fuel marketers yesterday renewed their demand for payment of subsidy debts, which they claimed have hit N291 billion. The marketers, who are members of Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA), said in a statement that commercial banks had, through a regulation from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), discontinued fuel import loans to them. It was learnt that marketers have already exceeded credit ceilings with the banks. DAPPMA, in the statement by its Executive Secretary, Mr. Olufemi Adewole, said this was the first time since the establishment of the petroleum subsidy fund scheme that marketers were being subjected to difficulty in accessing funds to finance fuel importation.

"It should be noted that this is the first time that we will not have ready and easy access to fuel import loans as it is also the first time that commercial banks will notify importers that based on CBN regulations, importers have attained their credit ceilings with their various banks and would have to make some refunds on the existing loans to the sector prior to being funded for petrol imports. Unfortunately, the expected refund to the banks is yet to be reimbursed by the Federal Government. "Aftermath of the Senate Committees' meeting with major petroleum industry stakeholders which successfully persuaded the petroleum tanker drivers, PTD-NUPENG and NARTO to call off their strike on Monday, May 25, and resume loading of fuel from the various depots that had stock, it has become necessary to state the fact that depot owners and other fuel import-

ers under the ‘petroleum subsidy scheme’ are still being owed billions of naira in unpaid subsidy reimbursement, interest on delayed payment and foreign exchange differentials,” it said. According to DAPPMA, due to "debts owed transporters by marketers, who have been experiencing serious financial stress due to outstanding debts owed them by the Federal Government as a result of petrol imports under the petroleum subsidy scheme, the PTD-NUPENG and NARTO had at various times protested nonpayment of their freight charges by withdrawing their services. Hence, it is unfortunate for anyone to insinuate that marketers are blackmailers holding the nation to ransom via a strike about which they know nothing." The oil marketers also called for total deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Senate rushes passage of 46 bills lApproves Buhari's request for 15 advisers

Chukwu David Abuja

or the first time since its inception, the Senate yesterday passed into law 46 bills at a sitting. It also approved President Muhammadu Buhari's request to appoint 15 special advisers.

It adopted the 46 bills, which were earlier passed by the House of Representatives and transmitted to it for concurrence. The passage of the bill, however, drew criticisms from some senators who protested what they considered as procedural inappropriateness of the action, in view of the fact

that they did not subject the bills to first and second reading. The motion, requesting the Senate to adopt the bills was entitled, "Adoption of special procedure on bills transmitted to the Senate from the House of Representatives for concurrence". It was co-sponsored

by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang and eight other members of the committee. The dissenting senators argued that the hurried passage of such bills was not consistent with the tradition of the Senate and that the outcome of such a process would not be ben-

L-R: Chairman, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc., Mr. Atedo Peterside; Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Sola David-Borha and Director, Dominic Bruynseels, at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Abuja…yesterday

eficial to the country. Moving the motion for adoption, Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, said the legislative time available to the Senate between now and the end of the legislative term was limited. He also argued that enormous time and resources had been expended in processing the bills and that there was need for the Senate to pass them and forward to Buhari for assent. "By mutual consent and legislative reciprocities, the House of Representatives is adopting same special procedure and passing such bills passed by the Senate and transmitted to her for concurrence", Ndoma-Egba stated. He, therefore, moved for the invocation of Order 1(b) and suspension of Order 79(1) of the Senate Standing Order 2011 (as amended) to adopt a special procedure; and to adopt the bills as having passed through first, second and third readings on the floor of the Senate and concur to same. The bills include: Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Establishment etc) Act (Amendment) Bill; Office of the Nigerian Financial Ombudsman Bill; Institute of Chattered Trustees of Nigeria; National Convict and Criminal Records (Registry); Community Service; People's Bank of

Buhari promises to act on Amnesty International report CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

level military commanders. Secretary General of AI, Salil Shetty, who presented the report, said: "This sickening evidence exposes how thousands of young men and boys have been arbitrarily arrested and deliberately killed or left to die in detention in the most horrific conditions. It provides strong grounds for investigations into the possible criminal responsibility of members of the military, including those at the highest levels. “Whilst an urgent and impartial investigation of these war crimes is vital, this report is not just about the criminal responsibility of individuals. It is also about the responsibility of Nigeria’s leadership to act decisively to end the pervasive culture of impunity within the armed forces.” The group stated that the military, in their response to Boko Haram’s attacks in the North-East, had arrested at least 20,000 young men and boys since 2009.

"In most cases, they were arbitrarily arrested, often based solely on the word of a single unidentified secret informant. Most were arrested in mass “screening” operations or “cordon-and-search” raids where security forces round up hundreds of men. Almost none of those detained have been brought to court and all have been held without the necessary safeguards against murder, torture and ill treatment. "Detainees are held incommunicado in extremely overcrowded, unventilated cells without sanitary facilities and with little food or water. Many are subjected to torture and thousands have died from ill treatment and as a result of dire detention conditions. "One former detainee told Amnesty International: “All I know was that once you get detained by the soldiers and taken to Giwa (military barracks), your life is finished. "A high-ranking military officer gave Amnesty

International a list of 683 detainees who died in custody between October 2012 and February 2013. The organisation also obtained evidence that in 2013, more than 4,700 bodies were brought to a mortuary from a detention facility in Giwa barracks. "In June 2013 alone, more than 1,400 corpses were delivered to the mortuary from this facility. "A former detainee who spent four months in detention described how on arrival the soldiers told him: “Welcome to your die house. Welcome to your place of death”. Only 11 of the 122 men he was arrested with survived," the reports said. AI added that for years, the Federal Government has downplayed accusations of human rights abuses by the military. "But they cannot dismiss their own internal military documents. They cannot ignore testimonies from witnesses and highranking military whistle blowers. And they cannot deny the existence of

emaciated and mutilated bodies piled on mortuary slabs and dumped in mass graves," the group stated. However, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) rejected the AI's report, accusing the group of resorting to blackmailing the military echelon. The DHQ, in a statement by its spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade, said AI was an attempt to undermine the recent gains recorded by the military in the antiinsurgency campaign. It added that AI usually comes forward to level allegations of rights abuses against the military whenever troops are recording successes against Boko Haram. "The officers mentioned in the report have no reason, whatsoever, to indulge in the allegation made against them. It is unfortunate that the organisation just went out to gather names of specified senior officers, in a calculated attempt to rubbish their reputation, as well as the image of the military. The

action, no doubt, depicts more of a premeditated indictment aimed at discrediting the country for whatever purpose," the DHQ stated. Meanwhile, President Buhari has acknowledged the receipt of the Amnesty report. Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity), Mallam Garba Shehu, in a statement in Niamey, Niger Republic, said the report contains many disturbing allegations. The President gave assurance that his administration will study the document and act appropriately. "I assure you that your report will be looked into," Buhari said. “This administration will leave no stone unturned to promote the rule of law, and deal with all cases of human rights abuses. "Respect for human rights and adherence to the rule of law are the life and soul of the democratic system. We will not tolerate or condone impunity and reckless disregard for human rights."

Nigeria Act (Repeal); Nigerian Bank for Commerce and Industry Act (Repeal); National Commission for Rehabilitation Act (Repeal). Others are: Maintenance Orders Act (Repeal); Federal Saving Bank Act (Repeal); Loan (State Development) Act (Repeal); Nigerians in Diaspora (Establishment) Commission; Electronic Transactions; Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria; Nigerian Metallurgical Industry; Federal Audit Commission; National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation Act (Amendment); Nigerian International Financial Centre (Establishment); and Investment and Securities (Amendment); The bills were adopted by popular voice vote before some members started raising objections to the process. But Senate President David Mark insisted that he was not going to reverse the decision of the Senate on the bills. He, however, asked those opposing the adoption of the bills to come with a proper motion today as required by the Senate standing rule to enable the chamber to reconsider the matter. Mark also told the senators to come to the chamber early today because they would reconsider the contentious Fourth Alteration Bill to the 1999 Constitution. The Senate will also hold its valedictory session today to mark the last session of the seventh Senate. Also yesterday, the Senate passed into law, the Sexual Offences Bill (SB. 279), prescribing life imprisonment for sexual offences, including rape, child sex tourism and people who deliberately infect others with HIV/AIDS. The Chairman of the Committee on Navy, Senator Chris Anyanwu, sponsored the bill, which is expected to pass concurrence in the House of Representatives today. The bill also prescribed life imprisonment for gang rape, 10 years for incest, another 10 years imprisonment for child pornography or more and a fine of N2 million. For sexual offences, offenders will go to jail for 14 years. While presenting the report in the chamber yesterday, Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Umaru Dahiru, said the bill sought to redefine and consolidate existing laws on sexual offences

News

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NATIONAL

Oyegun: Opposition politics is sacrifice Johnchuks Onuanyim

Abuja.

ational Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John OdigieOyegun, has stated that political opposition is a sacrifice. Oyegun made the remark at the National Secretariat of APC in Abuja when the opposition political party from the Republic of Niger came to understudy the party.

The APC national chairman, who spoke to the members of the opposition party in Niger, led by Mamman Usman, explained that for political opposition to thrive, members of the political party must subjugate their interest to the interest of the people. According to him, a lot of sacrifices were made from the leaders of some political parties who came together under legacy parties to form APC for the victory

to be possible. Oyegun told his visitors that the 16 political parties of their alliance must be ready to subjugate their interest as that is when the people of Niger will now have choice. He stated that democracy can only be meaningful when the people have options to choose their leaders. He said, “We hope every nation in the continent will learn from our example.” In his remarks, the

leader of the Niger opposition party and former President of the country, Usman stated that his country followed the Nigeria elections with a lot of fear. He said: “I was one of those who have seen the result of the election even before the official announcement of the result.” According to him, because of the challenges Nigeria was going through before the elections, neighbouring countries were express-

ing fears of what would happened during and after the election. Also, he said the change of power in Nigeria was a very good thing for the sub-region and the Africa at the large. Informing Oyegun that he is the leader of conference of 16 political parties in Alliance Niger, he stated that they have come to seek for guidance and know how the APC emerged as the ruling party from the opposition.

L-R: Vice-President, Prof. Yomi Osinbajo; Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano and others, during Osinbajo’s visit to the scene of the petrol tanker accident, which killed 69 people in Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra State…yesterday

N8bn currency fraud: Bank’s cashier can’t speak English Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

here was drama yesterday at the Federal High Court Ibadan when an assistant cash officer of the First Bank, who was arraigned along with many others in connection with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s N8b mutilated cash scam claimed he could not understand or speak English language. Ayodele Alase, who had earlier answered questions asked him by the trial judge, Honour-

able Justice A. O Faaji who wanted to know the whereabouts of his counsel and his name, dramatically turned round to tell the same judge that he did not understand English language when the first count charge was read to him. Rotimi Jacob (SAN), who tried to fault his claims, said the accused was employed as a guard but was promoted to a cash assistant in First Bank Plc. The Judge allowed an interpreter to be engaged for the accused person, a process that delayed the

proceedings leading to stepping down of the case for minutes. The observers and counsel in the court were however stunned to learn that the accused person, who was said to be a primary six certificate holder, had a duplex at Oluyole, a shopping complex, warehouse at Podo, Challenge, a fenced plot at Dugbe, four- flat building at Apeye, two plots of land of five-bedroom flat in other parts. He was also alleged to possess five-bedroom flat at Apete, Ibadan, a supermarket at New Garage,

Apata Expressway. Other accused persons including Olaniran Muniru Adeola, Ayodele Festus Adeyemi, Isiaq Akano and others were alleged to own property in South Africa, filling stations, cement shops, schools, supermarket, exotic cars, buildings in several places. Though all the eight accused persons who were docked pleaded not guilty to the charges, they were denied bail and were remanded in Agodi Prision pending the determination of the bail applications they had filed.

Welfare of personnel remains my priority –IGP Emmanuel Onani

or the umpteenth time, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, has reiterated the importance the police management team attaches

to the welfare of officers and men of the force. Arase spoke yesterday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, while decorating 14 newly-promoted Commissioners of Police (CPs). The IGP also inau-

gurated a press centre within the precinct of the Louis Edet House. The newly-decorated CPs, are: P Hyelasinda Kimo Musa, Adeleye Olusola Oyebade, Olusola Kamar Subair Shaba Alkali, Basen Dapiya Gwana, David Oyebanji

Folawiyo, and Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim. Others are: Ogbusua Aja Oleh, Nkpa N. Inakwu, Anthony Ogbizi Michael, Emmanuel C. S. Ojukwu, Christ Okey Ezike, Moses Ambankina, Jitoboh, and Charles Ugomoh.

Amaechi: Wike’s probe, a witch hunt

ormer Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, has described the probe of his tenure as governor by his successor, Nyesom Wike as a deliberate witch hunt. Amaechi said Wike has gone ahead with his plan of threatening, coercing and blackmailing officials of his administration, especially civil servants into making false, phony and bogus statements that would make legitimate government transactions appear as corrupt practices. In a statement signed on his behalf by his media aide, David Iyofor, Amaechi urged the people of the state, the media and the public to be watchful, vigilant and discern the fraudulent acts of Wike to make him and his administration look bad. He said, “As I noted earlier in a previous statement, Nyesom Wike is going ahead with his plan of attempting to deride and discredit me and my administration, by blackmailing and coercing key government officials including DFAs, Permanent Secretaries and others to twist and distort legitimate government transactions in his desperation to cook up, and fabricate baseless, concocted and unfounded cases of corruption against me and the administration I ran.”

Kalu congratulates Adesina on AfDB presidency Deborah Olayode

ormer Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (MON) has congratulated the immediate past Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, on his election as the new president of African Development Bank (AfDB) Adesina emerged winner among the eight contenders for the position in the election that was held last Thursday in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. “I am delighted to extend my warmest congratulations to you on your emergence as the president of the African development Bank of Nigeria (AFDB) “Over the years, you had distinguished yourself in different positions and capacities in private and public sectors .with your background and experience in agriculture development. I am optimistic that you will adopt

and implement policies and strategies that will take Africa to the next level. I wish you continued success in this new role,” Kalu said. In a related development, Adesina has praised the former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, for her supportive roles before and during the election into the office of the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB). Adesina said that although other prominent Nigerians played significant roles in drumming up support for his candidacy, Dr. OkonjoIweala, particularly stood by him in unprecedented ways that led to his electoral victory. Adesina said: “Dr. Okonjo-Iweala took me to different parts of the world to meet Finance Ministers. She introduced me to the finance ministers at the World Bank meeting. She was basically the team captain of the campaign.”

NEW TELEGRAPH thursday, june 4, 2015

News

national

Obiano bans heavy duty vehicles on state roads Okegwo Paulinus

l VP visits scene of Onitcha tanker accident

were receiving medical attention. The hospitals visited includes Borromeo and Toronto Hospital near Upper Iweka, Onitsha, where he sympathized with them. President Buhari, who was represented by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo spoke just as his host, Governor Willie Obiano, announced the ban of heavy duty vehicles (tankers and trailers) from operating in the

Onitsha

resident Mohammadu Buhari has assured the Government and the people of Anambra State that the Federal Government would assist Anambra State Government and the victims of the last Sunday's fuel tanker fire disaster in Onitsha. He gave the assurance when he visited the scene of the incident and Hospitals where the survivors

Jibrin steps down for Dogara Philip Nyam Abuja

ealignment of members of the House of Representatives towards the election for the position of speaker continued yesterday as Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano) withdrew from the race and declared support for Hon. Yakubu Dogara (APC, Bauchi). Jibrin, who was the first lawmaker to formally declare intention to contest for speaker on April 8th told journalists at a press conference in Abuja that Dogara from the north east is the best candidate for speaker of the 8th Assembly. He said his decision to drop his ambition and team up with Dogara was taken after due consultation with his supporters. He said, "In the last few weeks, I had consulted widely with my supporters and colleagues, In order to diffuse the prevailing tension, unite the House and ensure a smooth take-off of the

Buhari administration, I hereby withdraw from the race for the Speakership of the 8th House of Representatives and consequently throw my weight behind the candidature of Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, one of our senior colleague, a man of integrity, an astute legislator and an amiable gentle man" According to him, “Dogara, comes with no baggage. He is trusted by all with the largest acceptability and capacity to unite the House. He is honest, straight forward and does not lie." The House committee chairman on finance added that Dogara "epitomises personal discipline, a man who has the full conviction of his faith and a man who has strong family values" He said as team player, Dogara who chairs the House services committee played a critical role in stabilising the House after the defection of the 37 legislators who defected from the PDP to the APC.

TREAN wants Buhari to return toll gates Ladi Patrick Abuja

he National President of Road Transport Employers' Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Alhaji Musa Shehu has urged President Mohammadu Buhari to re-introduce toll gates on the nation's highways. The idea, he said, would help generate revenue for the rehabilitation and maintenance of roads across the country. Speaking with New Telegraph in Abuja, Shehu explained that, “If the toll gates are brought back across the country, it can serve as revenue generation to the federal govern-

ment which could be used to maintain the nation's roads”. He cited an example. “In Saudi Arabia where there are toll gates on every road, you don’t pay somebody in cash; if you come to a toll gate there is a machine where you insert your money. That same mechanism should be put in place all over the country, which will help in checking corruption at the toll plazas”. Shehu noted that government should set a board that will include Ministry of Transport, Works Ministry and trade union organisations that will regulate the system for effective implementation.

state during the day time. The president, who hinted that the Federal Government had been talking with Obiano on areas of assistance to the state and victims of the inferno promised that the Federal Government would assist in areas it could intervene to alleviate the burden on state government and the family of the deceased. He expressed the sympathy of the federal government to the Anambra State government and victims of the inferno. According to the vicepresident, Mr. President would have been in Onit-

sha in person to commiserate with the people of the state, but he traveled to neighbouring West African countries to discuss all important issue of Boko Haram insurgency with other African Heads of States. “The President has asked me to come and commiserate with the family of the victims and the people of Anambra State that it is not enough to issue statement but to come in person,” the vice president said. The vice president, who was accompanied on the visit by the Senator representing Anambra

Senatorial District, Dr. Chris Ngige, commended the management and the staff of Toronto hospital and the state Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA) for their prompt action during the fire incident. In his speech, Governor Obiano announced that, henceforth, heavy duty vehicles would no longer operate on state roads rather would transload to smaller vehicles that will take their goods to their destinations. The governor, who noted that Upper Iweka which hitherto now was known for various crimi-

nal activities is now blessed in recent time because those criminals who had made the area notorious have been flushed out. Obiano commended the people around Upper Iweka and sympathizers whose efforts helped to reduce the impact of the inferno on the people, adding “I was impressed that during the incident people did not loot and when I visited people were busy praying and carrying out rescue operation”. He requested the vice president, who he described as a man of God, to pray for the state, a request Osinbanjo readily obliged to.

L-R: Director of Research and Advocacy for Africa, Amnesty International, Netsanet Belay; Senior Director for Research, Anna Neistat and Head of Media and Publicity, Susanna Flood, at a news conference on war crimes allegedly committed by the military, in Abuja… yesterday. PHOTO-NAN

AIB releases Dana interim crash report crash report Three years after plane crash, bureau releases report

Wole Shadare

ccident Investigation Bureau (AIB) yesterday released interim report of the crash of Dana MD 83 plane crash that happened on the June 3, 2012. The agency in a statement said this is in accordance with Annex 13 to the convention on

International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act 2006, adding that this is an updated interim statement being issued for the third anniversary of the accident. The report noted that at about 15:45 hours, a Boeing MD-83 aircraft, with registration 5NRAM on a domestic scheduled commercial flight operated by Dana Airlines as (DANACO 0992), crashed into a densely populated area following a loss of power on both engines while on approach to Murtala Mu-

hammed International Airport Lagos, Nigeria. All of the 153 persons on board the airplane including the six crew members were fatally injured. There were six confirmed ground fatalities. The purpose of this investigation, according to the agency, is the prevention of aviation accidents and incidents; it is not to apportion blame or liability. It disclosed that three interim safety recommendations were made to Dana Airlines and one to the regulatory authority respectively, noting

that these recommendations were accepted and have been implemented by both the operator and the regulatory authority. “The draft final report is ready and has been sent for the mandatory 60 days as prescribed in the Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chapter 6. 3) for comments and or suggestions. Four new safety recommendations were made to the appropriate stakeholders. The report will be released to the public accordingly in due course.

Fuel scarcity: Businesses losing N500m revenue weekly — Industrialists

he Abuja Chamber of Commerce and industry Limited, has said that businesses in the Federal capital Territory lose about N500million revenue weekly due to the current fuel scarcity Mr Tony Ejikonye the President of the Chamber,

statedthis yesterdayinAbuja. He said the situation had also affected employees’ productivity. He said,"The effect on businesses in the Federal capital territory is huge and varied, it has impaired employee productivity, shrunk operations,

increased cost and engendered staff layoffs,” he said Ejikonye said that the long time spent on queues at the filling station and on getting public means of transport to places of work, meant that workers expend their energy in a wrong direction.

He said, "As a result of poor power supply and scarcity of petroleum products, following which many have had to pay above the official pump price, operational cost have sky rocketed beyond projections following the associated increased in transport cost.

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro

Robbers engage in revelry after raiding banks DAREDEVILRY Robbers who raided two banks in Ikorodu were so comfortable that they had to dance on the streets Taiwo Jimoh

The burnt vehicles. Inset: One of the victims

Six die, houses burnt in Ondo communal clash Babatope Okeowo Akure

ix persons were feared killed in communal clashes in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State between the loyalists of Olu Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo and those of Titi Olalebi on Tuesday. The police responded by deploying a team of anti-riot policemen from Ondo Area Command to maintain law and order in the area. The late Omolebi was murdered two years ago by some people in Igbokoda, the headquarters of the oil rich local government. The Tuesday crisis, according to the counsel to the Omolebi family, Mr Koboju Atima, started about 11pm when some suspected thugs invaded the house of one Tale Iwatan at Temitan commu-

nity. He said Iwatan was a cousin to the late Omolebi. He said the hoodlums arrived Iwatan family house with guns and other dangerous weapons and started shooting sporadically. According to him, they consequently set two houses belonging to the Iwatan’s family ablaze, when they could not abduct him. Atima alleged that two vehicles belonging to the Iwatan family members were burnt by the hoodlums. The dispute, according to the counsel, was the resistance of Tale Iwatan to the alleged plan to forcibly take over the Iwatan family land

located in the town. Atima said the attack was the second of its kind in the last six months. The monarch of the town, Oba Odidiomo denied sponsoring the attack as alleged by the Iwatan family. The monarch said the crisis erupted as a result of the abduction of his errand boys. He said: “I am a man of peace. How can I mastermind violence in my domain? What actually happened was that I sent one of my boys on an errand and when we could not find him. We reported the case to the police. His corpse was later found somewhere in the town.

Customs officials brutalise FAAN security personnel Wole Shadare

M ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

esidents, who witnessed the Monday attack on two commercial banks at Ikorodu, Lagos State, said that the gunmen played music from their cars and danced in merriment because no police came to challenge them. A resident, who identified herself as Mama Maria, said gunshots rocked the area for more than 30 minutes as the operation was going on. She said: “The robbers had a field day. There were no policemen anywhere to challenge them. The robbers opened the doors of their cars and started playing music. They shouted and danced before leaving. “They were not in a hurry. My house is very close to the bank. I watched them from where I was hiding. They were celebrating while some of them were shooting to scare people from drawing near.” It was further gathered that after the smoke from the guns of the bandits cleared, it was discovered that two people were killed and 14 others seriously injured. Witnesses added that two women were among the robbers. A truck driver and a commercial motorcyclist were killed, while 14 residents sustained gunshot injuries. The robbers attacked two first generation banks. Residents said that the robbers came in two vehicles and attacked one of the banks located at Omitoro around Ijede on Ikorodu Road. The bank was attacked around 8am. They gained access into the banking hall and allegedly escaped with huge amount of money. It was learnt that a few minutes later, the bandits went to the second bank, located on the same road. They, however, could

not break into the vault of the second bank. Before the robbers struck, they had been lurking around the first bank premises since 6am. They however, struck around 8am, moments after the bank manager, identified as Mr Femi, arrived. The gunmen followed Femi as he entered the banking hall. The bank staff and customers were held hostage, while the robbers robbed the bank. They also robbed those who came to cash and deposit money. When the robbers could not break into the vault of the second bank, they left, shooting sporadically and making their way to the jetty, where they had left the speed boats that brought them to Ikorodu. The deceased truck driver, identified as Femi, was returning from the riverside, where he went to load sand when the bullet got him. Femi was buried yesterday at Igbogbo Bayeku Cemetery. The deceased left behind 82-year-old father. Mr. Taofeek Ajani, one of the survivors of the attack, said: “It was divine grace that saved me. I started running immediately I heard that robbers were around. I was in my workshop, doing some welding when someone called me on the phone that I should run for my life. He said that armed robbers had taken over the whole community. “Immediately I dropped my phone, I left my shop, heading home. Before I could make ‘U’ turn to my street, I felt something hit my right leg. When I felt it, I knew I had been shot. I managed to escape from the scene. “It was when I got to a private hospital in our community that I knew I was not the only person shot by the robbers. My injury was not severe as others; it was in the hospital that I got to know that we were 14 people that sustained gunshot wounds, while two people were shot dead.” The robbers, who escaped through the jetty, burnt two vehicles. They also destroyed a transformer that supplies light to the community.

en of the Department of Customs and Excise stationed at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos yesterday manhandled four security personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The four security personnel were injured in the attack which came a few weeks after Nigerian Air Force (NAF) battered a FAAN worker. The protocol official of FAAN was beaten to coma by Air Force men for insisting on adherence to airport safety regulations. FA A N ’s s p o ke s m a n , Yakubu Dati, said in a state-

ment yesterday that it all started when two Customs officials attempted to gain entry into the air side of the airport without any form of identification, in breach of security regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and were prevented from doing so by aviation security officials.

He said: “The Customs men then resorted to beating the aviation security officials in full public glare, leading to brief disruption of operations in the immediate vicinity.” Datti noted that the affected aviation security personnel had been taken to the Aviation Clinic near the airport for treatment.

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Babatope Okeowo Akure

70-year-old man, Gbenga Omolo, was arrested on Friday by the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ondo State, but by the time his family members went there for his bail on Tuesday, he was found dead. Also, his remains had been deposited in the mortuary of the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Akure. Omolo’s family members and his colleagues in the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) alleged that he was killed by SARS officials over a frivolous offence. They also demanded justice, saying his killers must not go scot-free. His son, Kola, said his father died in the custody of SARS on Oda Road after he was tortured by some policemen attached to the station. Similarly, members of the NURTW yesterday came out en masse to protest Omolo’s death. It was gathered that the state chapter of NURTW and Omolo’s family are planning to take the matter to court if the police do not do anything to redress the injustice. A source at the motor park where the man worked

70-year-old driver dies in SARS custody

IGP, Solomon Arase

until his arrest and death said that on Thursday last week, there was a traffic hold-up at the popular Arakale Road, Akure, the state capital. According to him, the deceased was coming through the road when he discovered that it was a car which obstructed the road. Omolo was said to have questioned the driver of the vehicle, not knowing that he

was a policeman. The policeman was said to have attacked Omolo and started beating him, which later attracted some sympathisers who came to his rescue. The source said the situation took another dimension last Friday when some policemen attached to SARS mobilised themselves to Amudipe Street in Akure

and started arresting people in the area. He said that the victim was later arrested by the police where he was mending his tyre and was taken to the police station. The source said on getting to the station, the police demanded N150,000 for his bail which the man could not raise. However, he said on Tuesday morning, the branch Chairman of the motor park, identified simply as Muyiwa, raised N100,000 for his bail but on getting to the station, it was discovered that the man had died. Meanwhile, it was gathered that an inspector and two policemen on duty when Omolo died have been arrested and detained at the police headquarters on Igbatoro Road, Akure. However, Omolo family members declined to speak on the issue, saying the Commissioner of Police, Mr Isaac Eke, had invited them to his office to discuss the matter.

I stole 35 phones in a day, says suspect John Edu

olicemen on night duty around Toyota bus stop on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos State, were shocked to discover 35 phones in the possession of a 23-year-old man. The suspect, Kenechukwu Anierobi, that fateful night, had broken into a shop and stolen 35 phones. However, he did not expect that he would run into the policemen. The policemen were said to have stopped Anierobi, with his two friends when they noticed that the suspect was lugging a suspicious looking bag. The policemen’s suspicion was further fuelled when Anierobi’s two friends took off, abandoning him to the police. When the police searched his bag, they found the 35 phones. The two friends that fled

were later tracked and arrested. They are Ozima Ike, 20, and Nnalua Ugo, 26. The police said: “Anierobi was the first to be arrested on May 18, around 1am at Mushin. He and his friends had just finished carrying out an operation. The policemen noticed Anierobi because he was walking suspiciously. When he was stopped to be searched, a black nylon bag containing 35 cell phones was recovered from him. “The gang specialised in stealing phones, clothes and shoes after breaking into phone shops and boutiques. They operate with iron cutters.” The police said that the gang leader, Ugo Obi, was still at large. Anierobi said: “I used to work as a truck pusher for shoppers at Alaba Market. I get N1,000 for every load I carry. Some days I make up to N7,000. But I needed more money be-

The suspects

cause I wanted to look good and dress well like my friends. I decided to follow my friend, Obi, to robbery. “I was arrested after our last operation. In that operation, I broke into a phone shop

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

Customs handing over the hemp

Gunmen kill French tourist, injure wife Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

unmen have attacked French tourist couple who were moving round Ebonyi State and nearby Cross River State. In the Tuesday night attack, the husband was shot dead while the wife sustained injuries. Governor Dave Umahi disclosed this at a meeting with staff and students of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki. The governor explained that the tourists got to Abaomege in Onicha Local Government Area at night from where they would connect Calabar, Cross River State when they went into the bush and set their tent to have a rest. He said: “As they were having their rest, gunmen stormed the area and shot them. The gunmen took a 1,160 euros of their money and N13,000. “Sadly enough, they shot and killed the husband of the woman. The corpse has been deposited in the mortuary.

Lagos begins enumeration of explosion victims Camillus Nnaji

ictims of Tuesday’s fuel tanker explosion which destroyed property and goods worth millions of naira at IyanaIpaja area of Lagos will soon receive temporary relief. This is because the Lagos State Government has started immediate enumeration and identification of victims. It was gathered that the essence of the enumeration exercise, being conducted by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), is to identify all shop, vehicle and house owners who lost goods and property during the incident so that they could receive palliative assistance. Head of Operations, LASEMA, Mr Femi Giwa, is supervising the exercise. Giwa said that LASEMA defiled the rain to conduct the enumeration because Governor Akinwumi Ambode mandated the agency to submit its report on the incident within 48 hours.

Firm launches ‘Life Savers Club’ for children at Mushin and stole about 35 cell phones. We were almost at Toyota bus stop when the police patrol team intercepted me. My colleagues saw what was happening from a distance and took to their heels.”

Customs hand over seized hemp to NDLEA O

City Briefs

fficials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted a large consignment of Indian hemp weighing 1,259 kilograms from suspected traffickers at the border town of Imeko in ImekoAfon Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The illicit substance was neatly packed in 359 parcels and 90 sacks but discovered by NCS operatives along Imeko axis. The state Customs Area Controller, Haruna Mamudu, disclosed this yesterday in Abeokuta while handing over the seized consignment to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The NDLEA was led by

its Principal Staff Officer (Public Affairs), Abdullahi Sardauna. According to Mamudu, the illegal consignment was seized from the suspected traffickers following a tip-off. The Customs boss stated that the 359 parcels of hemp were seized on Sunday while the 90 sacks were confiscated about two weeks ago.

Olushola Ricketts

ombined Training Solutions Limited (CTS) has called on parents to ensure the safety of Nigerian children because they are the country’s future. The Chief Executive Officer of the health and safety organisation, Funmi Adegbola, made the call at a press conference in Lagos to announce the launch of the ‘Young Life Savers Club.’ Adegbola said across the world, children and juveniles were vulnerable to emergency and it had remained a global concern and issue of urgent attention. She said: “There is need for us as individuals to contribute our quotas by doing everything possible to ensure the safety of our children wherever and whenever there is such need. It is on this note that we are launching the Young Life Savers Club.” According to her, it is a creative and dynamic club that equips children between the ages of seven and 17years with the knowledge needed to render assistance in the case of medical emergency.

12 News

Former NIMASA DG cries out for justice Bayo Akomolafe

he suspended Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Temisan Omatseye has said that he was being prosecuted unjustly over alleged N271 million fraud. Omatseye, while answering questions posed to him by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, Barrister Godwin Obla yesterday, at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, explained that some document were missing in the file brought to the court. He pointed out before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi that his signature must be in every file document brought to him for approval. Omatseye noted: "My Lord, I had mentioned in my earlier statement that for a file to be complete, my signature must be appear six times," he stated. Surprised of his insistence on the missing files, Ofili-Ajumogobia requested that he should single out the files that were missing in the court documents.

FCT perm sec tells directors to sit up Yekeen Nurudeen ABUJA

s the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) awaits the appointment of a substantive Minister, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Engineer John Obinna Chukwu has directed all the Directors of Admin and Finance (DAF) in the FCT administration to take charge of their respective mandate Secretariats and Agencies, warning that the system must work. The Permanent Sec-

he Lagos State Chapter of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has absolved its members of any blame over the current hike in fuel prices in the country. Rather, it laid the blame on private petroleum distributors who sell their fuel at a cost of N105 or N110 per litre, making it difficult for the IPMAN marketers to sell at controlled price of N87 per liter. In a statement in Lagos yesterday, IPMAN State Chairman, Chief Adebayo Ajayi said his members had no option than to buy the fuel at either N105 or N110 per litre and resell it so that the economy of the nation would not be grounded. He said this is because the NNPC depot where the IPMAN members were registered had no fuel to supply presently.. Chief Ajayi said this explanation became necessary in order that mem-

l Says system must work retary gave the directive yesterday during a meeting with the Committee of DAFS at the Minister’s Conference Room in Area 11, Garki I District, Abuja. Engineer Chukwu further warned that it’s no longer business as usual and therefore all staff must report to work early and close at the appropriate time. The Permanent Secretary also directed the Department of Monitoring and Inspection to immediately move into action

by ensuring that all mandate Secretariats, Department and Agencies carry out their statutory duties with dispatch. He however advised the DAFs to carry along all technical Directors and staff in their respective Secretariats, Department and Agencies to ensure a smooth running of the Administration. His words: “Let’s manage FCTA very well. It’s not business as usual as the system must work. No vacuum must be allowed

to exist in the entire FCT Administration.” He urged the Directors to share information and experiences for the interest of the Administration; saying "when you see anything going wrong in another department or Agency, it beholds on all of us to quickly draw the attention of the schedule Director”. The Permanent Secretary emphasised that anything that affects a part of the FCT Administration affects all; stress-

ing that, “we are one big family entrusted by the government to provide infrastructure and services in the entire 8,000 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory and we cannot afford to fail the nation”. He called for utmost cooperation amongst all the Mandate Secretariats, Departments and Agencies as well as the entire staff of the Administration; urging the DAFs to pass this information to all the staff of the FCTA.

Reps hold final sitting today Philip Nyam ABUJA

L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule; Governor Akinwumi Ambode; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello and Head of Service, Mrs. Folasade Jaji, at the governor’s meeting with Lagos State Transport Management Authority and officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) in Lagos …yesterday

IPMAN absolves members from blame over fuel price hike Oye Ogunwale

thursday, june 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

national

bers of the public would know the truth about the fuel crisis hitting the nation and who to blame. “There is news all over the country, blaming the IPMAN marketers that they are selling above the pump price. This is one of the issues concerning the fuel palava that I want to put across to Nigerians. Nigerians should take note that members of IPMAN are not shylock and greedy businessmen who have no feeling for their fellow countrymen and women. “Presently, the landing cost from the private depots is N105 or N110 per liter. There is no way we can sell the fuel at N87 per liter. It is IPMAN that is still keeping Lagos and Nigeria as a whole moving. If you look at all the major marketers’ filling stations, most of them have no fuel to sell. The mega filling stations are also not selling because they source their fuel from NNPC depots. Because we are independent oil marketers, we buy our fuel from many other sources."

EFCC detains ex-Gov Modu-Sheriff Emmanuel Onani

ormer Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff, was yesterday, grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja. As at the time of filing this report, a highly-placed source at the Commission's headquarters, confirmed to New Telegraph that the former governor, was still a guest of the EFCC. The source, who pleaded anonymity, said: "Yes, it is

true that the man (ModuSheriff), reported at our headquarters, and I speak to you now, he is still being held here.” The EFCC had threatened to declare the former Borno helmsman wanted, for failure to honour an earlier invitation extended to him. He is being quizzed for alleged looting of public funds during his tenure as governor of Borno State. The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, was not

available for official comment. But he had earlier confirmed to online medium, Premium Times that Mr. Sheriff was being held by the commission. Although the specific allegations against the former governor areunclear at this time, sources said the investigation is related to allegations that parts of the N300billion his administration received from the Federation Account between 2003 and 2011 were not judiciously spent.

he House of Representatives has again lost one of its members, Hon. Sheilk Umar Abdullahi representing Katsina central federal constituency of Katsina state. This is just as the lawmakers will today wind up their activities marking the end of the fourth session of the 7th National Assembly in the Fourth Republic. Abdullahi, who was the first elected to the House in 2011 on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and re-elected under the umbrella of All Progressives Congress (APC), died in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2015. In line with the provisions of the Standing Orders of the House, after announcement of his death and prayers offered for the repose of his soul, Speaker Emeka Ihedioha called for adjournment of plenary till today. The Katsina lawmaker becomes the second member of the House to have died in the outgoing Assembly. The first was Hon. Raphael Nomiye from Ondo state, who died in 2013.

Umeh, Fasehun congratulate Adesina, Garba Wale Elegbede

he out-going National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, has described the appointment of the former Managing director of The Sun Newspapers, Mr. Femi Adesina as the Special Adviser to President Mohammadu Buhari as appropriate and well deserved. In a statement by his Special Assistant (Media),

Mr. Stan Okeke, Umeh said that the appointment did not come to him as a surprise as Adesina had in his distinguished career as a journalist, demonstrated a knack for professionalism in his chosen profession which earned him the appointment, apart from his qualities as a perfect gentleman. "His antecedents as the President of Nigeria Guide is Editors, particularly in his first tenure, marked him out for

greater responsibilities in his committed service to our dear nation," Umeh said, pointing out that as a diligent and upright journalist, Adesina will live up to the expectations of President Buhari in the discharge of his duties. Umeh stated that even as the new Presidential spokesman will be greatly missed at The Sun Newspapers, his present posting is a call to national duty and therefore urged him to diligently discharge

his responsibility so as to once again write his name in gold in the annals of the nation's history. Chairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has congratulated the newly-appointed media aides to President Muhammadu Buhari, urging them to take the sustenance of Press freedom and the enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act as key aspects of their assignments.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Anti-graft war

Agenda

National Assembly

Governance

14, 15

Ogundipe: President must not spare tainted individuals around him

Nigeria needs total deregulation – Azuogu

Senate Presidency and APC dilemma

Buhari must instil sanity in nation’s economy – Farouk

Politics Rev. Peter Obadan is a former deputy governor of Edo State during the administration of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. In this interview with CAJETAN MMUTA, he speaks on the ascension to power by his party, the APC, and the expectations of Nigerians from the new government. Excerpts:

What do you make of happenings towards the end of the Goodluck Jonathan administration? You know that the medical people have what they call the death throes. When a man is about to die you find him at the tail end struggling for survival and that is what the country literarily experienced. What they don’t appreciate is the fact that the person of President Muhammadu Buhari has a tenacious grip on the minds and souls of the people who were fed up with the Jonathan administration. If you look at it thoroughly, discounting the fictitious votes from the South-South and the South East, it is obvious that Buhari actually won this election by at least 80 per cent. But the moment he won the election, there arose this proclivity of these people for social disorder in order to destabilise the new administration, cause resentment amongst the people and ensure that when Buhari takes over, he has a tough time. But what they forgot was that tough times don’t last because tough people do and Buhari is a tough man and he is trying to put together a tough team that will outlast these tough times. You know

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Buhari should reform petroleum sector – Obadan To me, Buhari’s administration should go to the drawing board, reassess what has happened in the past, why we have failed to achieve success and which calibre of people he is going to bring in because corruption has been the basis for it. We have seen the privatisation of some of these sectors and we have seen them not working and he would want to find out why they are not working. And if we are going to reengineer those areas, I am sure he would willingly do that but I am sure there is a strategic team already set up working on that.

Obadan

they went into wrong applications of resources realising that it was the tail end of the administration; wrong appointments which we are all witnesses of, unnecessary promotions in various sectors, just to compound crisis for Buhari. Like many have actually said, which is a statement of fact, that you cannot have economic miracle in one day but Nigerians would immediately start feeling the impact of change because when the head is good, the entire body will be good and there is no doubt that the issue of corruption will be tackled because it is the cankerworm, the cancer that has actually destroyed this nation. Thank God for the election of Buhari because the nation itself was heading for a social disorder, a revolution that the poor would have risen against the rich because the middle class had actually been wiped off. So, to me the eight years of President Jonathan was a disaster, a cataclysm for this nation. Thank God that we can see the light at the

end of the tunnel. It is obvious that having gone to level zero, Nigerians should brace up and start rebuilding from level zero and a solid foundation will definitely be laid by Buhari’s administration. I trust that men of integrity, intellect, wisdom and direction would lay their hands on the desk to build the new country because we just need a new Nigeria.

The oil sector in this country is where we have lost our integrity as a nation

What agenda would you set for the new administration in the area of power and corruption? The sector has had all sorts of strategic plans; they have had all sorts of money injected into it right from 1999 to date and we have not seen much changes and of course don’t forget that there is very serious competition by also the external factors. You have those who are importing generators and all that, you have those who are importing oil to this country. So, these are people who are ensuring that nothing actually works effectively in the country.

What sort of intervention(s) are you looking at in the oil sector? Looking at the oil sector, there is no reason why this country should be suffering. I must commend some of the statements I have read about redirecting our minds also to agriculture because all along it has been oil, but now emphasis should also be placed on agriculture. I must use this opportunity to commend the person of former Agric Minister, Akinwunmi Adesina because there is no doubt that the young man did quite some work in that area. I think the oil sector in this country is where we have lost our integrity as a nation and it requires a complete overhauling of the system and if you read the recent debate or talks in the papers about the OML40, 42, you just see that Nigerians are jokers. So, there is a lot of work; it is going to be serious work for whoever becomes the minister in that sector because he is going to sit up and he is going to look at the mess that has been created and I hope he will be able to flow with the spirit of Buhari which is the spirit of honesty, hard work, uncompromising spirit for corruption and others. So, I don’t want to believe that he is not going to review most of the contracts that have been awarded in the oil sector because they have to cancel contracts which are not for the benefits of Nigerians. There should be no compromise as far as that is concerned. And all the associated agencies and bodies, I am sure would be critically examined. There is no reason, for example, why we have the Niger Delta Development Commission CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Politics

While the expectations of Nigerians from President Muhammadu Buhari as he mounts the saddle are high, the National ViceChairman (South-West) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, speaks on areas he would want him to focus on. ADESINA WAHAB reports

What do you think should be Buhari’s plan on electoral reforms? Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has set a high standard in this regard for Buhari to emulate and consolidate on. That we held successful general elections and had a smooth change of government from one administration to the other, especially, a situation in which the opposition took over from a ruling party, is due to the effort of Jonathan. He gave the space for different political views to be heard and Buhari should build on this. Votes must count in elections and the era of people influencing electoral officers, judges and others to record backdoor electoral victories must not reoccur again. This is because the current scenario of an opposition party taking over government will not be the last, as our party is rearing to go for the next general elections. What should he do concerning infrastructure? The PDP-led Federal Government tried in this regard by reviving the rail system, we started the reconstruction of the Lagos-

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ogundipe: President must not spare tainted individuals around him run better. The vandalism of gas pipeline and facilities leading to constant drop in power generation should be addressed.

Ogundipe

Ibadan Expressway, a number of roads across the nation were worked on and I expect nothing short of consolidating on all these. The gap must be closed up. How about the power sector? The unbundling of the former Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) by the Jonathan administration and the coming of private investors were aimed at repositioning the sector and making it better. Those advising Buhari to cancel the process need to have a rethink and he too must be wary of bad advisers. The records of the process for the privatisation of the firm are there for all to see. The world over, businesses are run by the private sector and they are

Pedro Azuogu is a legal practitioner and chairman, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Abia State. In this interview with IGBEAKU ORJI, he bares his mind on his expectations from the government of President Muhammadu Buhari

Azuogu

What do you suggest he does with the report of the National Conference? Despite the pessimism of some people, the National Conference was organised and it held successfully. No fewer than 600 resolutions that would help in stabilising us as a nation; that would help in addressing knotty issues about our corporate existence among others, were arrived at. Politics apart, it will be a disservice to Nigeria if Buhari throws away the report like that. It is not everything that we play politics with and I am of the view that Buhari will do himself and the nation much good by considering the report of the conference. That his party did not participate in the conference is not an excuse for him to throw the report away. At least, the same APC was the champion of the call for the conference. Its leaders boycotted it because of infantile political considerations. How should he handle security challenges in the country? There is one erroneous impression that some people, because of politics any way, have about the security challenges in the country. They either intentionally or through lack of knowledge about what is happening, blamed the PDP-led government for not tackling the security challenges on time. But they forgot to note the fact that our military had been abandoned for years by successive governments. The military lacked modern equipment. Also, they failed to mention the fact that military hardware are mostly not what What will you expect from the new administration of Muhammadu Buhari? Of course, I am not unaware of the political tsunami that actually swept across the Nigerian environment within the past two months following the election of President Muhammadu Buhari. It is God that actually brought him at a time like this because he had tried in 2003, 2007 and 2011 unsuccessfully. At a time like this, Nigeria is smeared in deep corruption. In the First Republic, the reason for overthrowing the government by the group of majors led by Kaduna Nzeogwu and later perfected by Aguiyi Ironsi was corruption. In the Second Republic, Buhari himself overthrew Shagari because of corruption and of course it is the same corruption mantra that made Babangida to overthrow Buhari himself. So, all through Nigerian history, each successive government has always given reason for overthrowing the other as corruption influences the nation. That is the number one issue we know Buhari himself has been shouting and lamenting about, and we know, for sure, he has the will power. Remember Chinua Achebe said Nigeria does not have a leader. So we look forward to a Buhari who will have the will power to make

you go and pick from the shelve. Anyway, our military started recording victories over insurgents and had cleared them off Nigeria’s territories, when the administration gave the needed attention to the military. Let him build on the foundation already laid. How can he tackle unemployment? Various programmes and initiatives are already in place. YOUWIN, SURE-P, graduate employment scheme and many others were set up by the PDP administration. We are waiting for the fulfilment of his electoral promises on tackling unemployment, though his party made some bogus promises. How can he curb corruption? You know that was a major campaign issue. Anti-graft agencies are there and just like President Jonathan said then, it is not the president that will be personally running after a perceived corrupt state official. I hope he will live up to his billing as he was touted by his promoters before the election. He must not spare those tainted individuals surrounding him. Nigerians are no fools, they know that some of the fellows he worked with are corruption personified. We are waiting to see how he will handle them. He cannot afford to allow sacred cows. He must also remember that the rule of law is vital. What is your take on the issue of cost of governance? The morning shows the day, when he chooses his team, we shall see. There is no need for any rocket science for someone to know that the economic recession demands cutting our coat according to our cloth.

Nigeria needs certain declarations and follow it, not minding whose ox is gored. The problem former President Goodluck Jonathan had was his inability to muzzle up the strength required of a president to say no when he ought to say no and say yes when he ought to say yes. He was easily influenced by the people around him and that contributed to why it appeared corruption under him had a kind of monster appearance.

We are just fooling ourselves to think that subsidy is a better way of life

What do you expect from the new government in terms of electoral reform? When late President Umaru Yar’Adua was elected in 2007, he admitted that the process that brought him was marred and he promised he was going to do better. Irrespective of the fact that Jonathan has been voted out, we have to give it to him where he tried to do some positive things. He did not in anyway interfere at any time in any electoral process, in Anambra, Edo, Ekiti and Osun. So, during his election, he also did not interfere. If Buhari can try as much as possible to follow suit and maintain

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Chief Joseph Akaaka is the Managing Director of Henritton Group, an oil and gas firm based in Abuja. In this interview with ANULE EMMANUEL, he speaks on why President Muhammadu Buhari must strengthen the electoral system, revamp the refineries and deliver on his promise on fighting corruption How do you see the new government strengthening the nation’s electoral reform? President Muhammadu Buhari is actually the first president elected in Nigeria that is prepared to take over and do the job of a democratically elected leader. He has been waiting and looking forward to this in the last 30 years since he was ousted just two years into his military administration. This is the fourth time he has made attempt and in these four trials, he has learnt a lot of lessons. President Buhari knows very well that he was elected by the people therefore, electoral reform that we are expecting from him is to go forward. We should be going into electronic voting in the next elections and I believe that he knows this. The new president also knows that it is the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) that brought him into office. He needs to understand too that if he doesn’t work to deliver on the mandate, the same PVC will vote him out in 2019 if he decides to run again. What should the new government do to tackle corruption? One thing we should understand

Nigerians’ll vote out Buhari if he doesn’t perform – Akaaka is that our values have been eroded completely and I believe that corruption has to do with national orientation. The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has to be properly reorganised to propagate the new message of addressing corruption and positive change in our core values. After the offence has been committed, what next? In looking at this, the new president must go back to his War Against Indiscipline (WAI) using NOA as an instrument to spread the new message. So, we must have to re-orientate our people and since it is not a military regime, he will be doing this democratically, but systematically too to achieve positive results so that the country can be better for it. Are you expecting so much in the power sector? Some Nigerians believe that any government that comes into power whether at the national or state level should look within to know what the people want. We should not put industrialisation first. If you do that, we will forget that the infrastructure is not there. You cannot embark on industrialisation without the needed infrastructure; power is the basic. Now that most of the power assets have been sold to private firms, I believe that the focus must be to ensure that these infrastructure whether in private or in government hands work. That is the only way any meaningful progress can be made regarding improvement in electricity availability to Nigerians. How should the new government address the challenge of petroleum products availability? Buhari was the one that established the Nigerian National Pe-

He must have seen the problem of this country from the outside too and from different dimensions. I know he is also a prudent leader who is coming in with a lot of experience. He knows too that the executive and the legislature are the areas where he really needs to tackle. These are really the arms of government that we have problem with. The judiciary is the oldest arm of government, the legislature just came in and most of us have watched them. We believe that the legislature must be looked into regarding the issue of high cost of governance. At the end of the day, we expect that legislative assignments should be part-time and not full-time as it is presently. In the executive, I am sure that the president knows also that government is too large, there are too many largesse that have been created for the boys. We should take a second look at the budget of the country and lay it bare to ensure that only critical projects and programmes are coming in this important financial document.

Akaaka

troleum Corporation (NNPC), he was also Minister of Petroleum for about four years and within those years; we know what he did. The new president still has that blueprint in his kitty. I am very sure that the entire industry will change for good. Let us give a chance because I know that the oil sector is one first area that we would see a revolution. Many have also called on the president to look at the problem of high cost of governance. Do you agree with this? I believe that the president knows the structure of this country so well.

total deregulation – Azuogu the card reader principle, I think it will go a long way to ensuring a stable electoral process. What it then means is that every vote will certainly count. So, the card reader should be maintained and retained. There are agitations for the implementation of the report of the national conference, what is your advice to the new government on that? That’s an aspect that has always agitated my mind over the years. I discovered that the problem we have in Nigeria is that we don’t carry out policies according to national desire, expectation and aspiration. We carry out policies based on personal immediate gains. In American; irrespective of the party that is coming to power, there is what they call the American Dream. When you come, the only thing you change is the methodology of achieving the aim, but the aim is the same. But unfortunately we have a setting where once you come in, you abandon all contracts, projects and initiate your own, it has not always worked, that’s why we keep on dabbling here and there. To some extent the last administration has set some template, it should be strengthened. Every good

aspect of it should be implemented. The present government should set up a committee that will look into that report and bring out the salient areas that can help sustain the continued existence of this country, because there is need for us to continue to live as one. We benefit from each other when we live as one. How do you think the new administration should tackle the intractable fuel crisis? Thank God the new government is being headed by somebody who had once been a Minister of Petroleum. The onus is now on him to know the best way to tackle the petroleum crisis but I am looking at it from a dramatic point. We were in this kind of state when Jonathan came to power, a week after he took over, Nigerians were being begged to buy petrol from petrol stations. Nobody cared and bothered to know how he did it. Now Nigerians have rejected him at the polls, he has left; he has no choice than to unplug that same plug he plugged. That is the way I look at it. If we were sensible enough we would have allowed the 2011 increase and let it be the final deregulation of the petroleum sector. We are just fooling ourselves to think that subsidy is a better way of life. No. People are ripping Nigerians off.

A selected few that call themselves petroleum marketers are the people and we are here saying subsidy. It’s not true, there is nothing like subsidy. So, if there is a complete deregulation, you discover that what happened in the telecommunication industry will happen in the petroleum industry, we will only suffer it once. What is wrong in buying fuel at N150 and you buy it every time than looking for where you buy it N500 a litre? What do you want to suggest to the new government as a means of tackling unemployment? Let me go a little bit historical. Unemployment stemmed from the type of education the colonial masters bequeathed to us. They bequeathed to us literary education. It was not technologically-based education. So, for a very long time people have been acquiring literary education even when polytechnic education was introduced it was still on literary level. There was no pure and sinking technological content given to our education. That is why every person coming out of our university is looking at a job to be and even discerning in his heart the kind of job because of what he thinks he is studying What we are praying that

What do you expect in the area of security, particularly the insurgency in the North-East? Buhari is one of the finest officers produced by the Nigerian military. He fought in the civil war and remains very jealous about the country. I am sure the president is not happy about the pride of our armed forces. Some of us were there when the civil was fought, the role the military played during and after the war. The condition of the armed forces of Nigeria as at today is worrisome in terms of what they have done. Buhari needs to restore back the pride of our armed forces. Most Nigerians believe that his election has solved 50 per cent of Nigeria’s problems. the new administration should improve on templates that have been set already. What is your take on the cost of governance? Too costly, but I know Buhari will do it, if and only if, he is convinced about it. I told you about the queuing culture, when it was started nobody believed it was going to work, but it worked. So it’s about discipline. If we can renew the mentality of governance, not thinking you need to have 15 soldiers or aides at your back as you are doing a particular thing. If it is a showmanship, reduce it. One policeman with a good gun can defend you. You don’t need so much retinue of entourage if you are going to pay a simple courtesy visit and all these aides are being settled financially by the state. Another monster is security vote. I think it should be legislated upon seriously. There should be a bar which you cannot go above depending on the circumstance. Security vote should not be something a governor should walk into the House of Assembly and say approve N2 billion for me because there is a gunboat that is sent against me. The cost of governance is outrageous in Nigeria. Comparatively, America is running their government where we borrowed from on a minimal cost. If people can be made not to have control over certain funds that are far above their capability it will help. You can’t plant something on nothing and expect it to stand.

16 Politics

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Senate presidency and APC dilemma The multiplier effect of the silence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the direction of the leadership of the incoming Eighth National Assembly is gradually becoming a source of concern for many Nigerians. In this piece, WALE ELEGBEDE writes on how the rulling party can salvage itself from a looming internal revolution

eyond the façade of taking over power on May 29, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has hot steel on its laps over how to constitute the leadership of the National Assembly for the eighth Assembly. The party is stuck between two daring choices for the seat of Senate Presidency. With the life of the seventh Senate coming to an end on Saturday, June 6, having coming on board on June 6, 2011, a fresh assembly is poised for inauguration on Tuesday, June 9. Unlike in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 selections where the scripts of who becomes the Senate President were already known before inauguration, the battle for the number three seat in the eighth Senate appears tight with two gladiators in Senators Ahmed Lawan from Yobe State in the North-East and Bukola Saraki from Kwara State in the North-Central on line for the seat. After the March 28 senatorial poll held across the nation, of the 109 Senators that emerged, the All Progressives Congress (APC) got 60 seats while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 49. However, with the demise after the election of an APC senator from Borno, the APC now has 59. Interestingly, of the 49 PDP seats, the South-East and SouthSouth accounts for 32 seats. Clearly, the choice of who becomes the Senate President is not solely in the hands of the ruling party as the votes from the PDP bloc will make the difference. Not ignorant of the intricacies and intrigues involved in politics, some members of the APC are already canvassing for the specific position of the party leadership on the issue especially as it regards zoning. They expressed fears that if care is not taken and the party refused to declare its stance as and when due, the PDP may feast on any crisis that may emanate and take the seat through the backdoor. Stretching their argument further, the stakeholders warned against a repeat of the former Speaker and now governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, scenario where the PDP decided to queue behind an unpopular candidate but the politics of the House threw up Tambuwal against the party, hence its loyalty to the party hierarchy was little or minimal. The build-up to the Tambuwal issue was the beginning of the end to the defection of five governors from the PDP and the eventual dwindling in the fortune of the party. However, the stakeholders who have been canvassing for a seamless race without interference from the party leaders seem to be consoled that the internal mechanism of the party may after all

Saraki

Lawan

Oyegun

take its course when the president declared for the umpteenth time that he has no favourites in the election of the principal officers of the National Assembly. Quoted during an interview with a national newspaper, Buhari said: “The National Assembly has its own standard of picking its leadership and it is not for me, the president-elect, to come and pretend that whatever happens it is I, the president-elect, who should determine it. I don’t want to start on the wrong footing with the National Assembly. “Constitutionally, we are three separate arms of government – the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. For example, I cannot say that once I am sworn in I will change the set of the Supreme Court judges. It is not possible. Neither is it possible for me to come out, and I say I want this person for Senate President, or I want that person to lead the House of Representatives. I think it is wrong, and I cannot come out to support anybody for the leadership of the legislature because they have their ranking, as they call it.” For some analysts, Buhari’s non-interference posture is both a sweet and bitter pill. While the president may have learnt his lessons from the experiences of his predecessors who dabbled into the affairs and politicking of the legislature and had their fingers burnt, they also opined that it is also too delicate to leave the affairs of who emerges into the hands of some self-serving leaders in the party who are mostly outsiders. Former Presidents Olusegun Obasan-

jo and Goodluck Jonathan had so much to contend with from the legislative arm over their constant interference on who gets what and how in the National Assembly. However, the recent statement of the former interim national chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, that zoning is not part of APC has cast blight on the perceived internal coordination of the party, some analysts argued. While arguing that the party should follow the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to zone the Senate Presidency seat to the North Central, they averred that the one game, different rules tactics being used by the party may boomerang at the end of the day. Akande said of zoning: “It is a PDP arrangement and we will not practice it. What you see with the Senate Presidency is us trying to ensure there is no rancour amongst the senators. Of course, we want the best man to emerge and that is what will happen. “It is true that sometime after the election, the National Chairman (Chief John Odigie-Oyegun) wanted to toy with the idea of zoning. But as a united party, we unanimously said no.” However, as the party appears lost in the valley of decision, the Senator-elect for Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, has warned of dangers ahead for the party if it continues to foot drag on the issue of zoning for the office the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

A chieftain of the party who spoke on condition of anonymity wondered why some leaders of the party are trying to change the rules in the middle of the game. “I believe the NWC already zoned positions in the National Assembly just as they zoned the positions of the vice president, the national chairmanship of the party as well as other positions to other zones during its convention. “Even in many of our states during the governorship primaries, the principle of rotation was employed to avoid rancour in states like Lagos, Rivers, Bauchi and even the president’s state, Katsina and others. If they have zoned the Senate Presidency to the North Central and Speakership of the House of Representatives to the South-West, why are they backtracking again? Clearly, what we are seeing is a case of the hand of Easu and voice of Jacob. And that is why we must call ourselves to order and follow the popular decision and candidate,” he said. Clearly, the APC seems caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. However, with the huge expectations hanging over its heads, the easiest of the way for the party if it wants to jettison zoning in this instance may be to go the way of presidential primaries by not zoning the position and conduct a primary election where whoever emerges should be the party candidate. Anything short of these may produce an unpopular candidate for the party and will in turn affect its democratic credentials in the eyes of Nigerians and the world.

Buhari should reform petroleum sector – Obadan C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

(NDDC) and you are not having much of the impact in the Niger Delta axis. So, to me without naming names, I don’t think Nigerians that have sat in some of those seats have been fair to this country, fair to their families and even fair to themselves because history will judge them. What should be the focus of the new government looking at the state of insecurity in the

country? You know injustice can propel insecurity. In a nation where you have justice, where you have equity, fairness, the tendency is that security will be stable but when you don’t them, some are bound to take laws into their hands and that is what we have had in this country. I have read some people say that amnesty should be granted to Boko Haram; it is an issue that should be looked into. Amnesty was granted to the militants in the Niger Delta. So, once there is justice, once there is equity in

this country then of course you will have no problem. I want to believe that the issue of insecurity is relative and once the man is turning the other way, and people are seeing justice flowing from the throne of authority everybody will sit up. Is the issue of unemployment not a concern to you considering the number of graduates being churned out on yearly basis without jobs for them? Of course, unemployment will bother any father. I have children who are also

unemployed and a while ago, I was talking of social revolution and when you have a man like Buhari talking of justice, speaking against corruption then of course you know he is out there to create jobs for the people and when these jobs are created our children will be employed. When we have stable power, you have the small scale industries working; things will work in this nation and like I said the cankerworm has been corruption. Once you can root it out, other things will flow.

Politics 17

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Hon. Abdullahi Umar Faruk is a former chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Customs and Excise. He represents Birnin Kebbi/Kalgo/Bunza federal constituency of Kebbi State and is a member-elect on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He spoke with PHILIP NYAM on his expectations from President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the 8th Assembly. Excerpts: Insecurity is one of the biggest challenges facing the country today. How would you want the new president to address this issue in the short and long term? Actually as you have rightly stated, insecurity is one of our biggest problems. Even few days ago, Boko Haram attacked some villages in Borno State. But if you have followed his campaign and his comments since winning elections, President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that his major concern will be in the area of security, economy and developing agriculture to create jobs and feed people as well as anti-corruption. I have no doubt in my mind that he being a general and a former head of state, all it takes is the political will to act properly and I believe this is the stuff he is made of and will surely root out Boko Haram in this country. Before the elections, some mercenaries from South Africa were brought in to fight Boko Haram. So, with a very sincere person as Buhari, I am very hopeful that within a short time he will defeat Boko Haram. So, I encourage President Buhari to remain focused that he is and save the nation from the insecurity the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government could not contain in five years as soon as possible. Buhari’s integrity and incorruptible nature has been attested to by not a few people but some Nigerians are sceptical that certain elements around him will frustrate his muchtouted war against corruption. What is your take on that? Once the head is correct, the activities of other parts of the body will fall in line. The problem with the outgone PDP government was that everybody from head to toe was corruptly-minded and that was why the implementation of the activities of the government proved very difficult. In a household, if the father and mother are kleptomaniacs, you don’t expect the children not to be armed robbers. That is exactly what happened in the PDP government. But with Buhari, it is not going to be business as usual. He is a strict disciplinarian, an incorruptible and firm leader that believes in

Buhari must instil sanity in nation’s economy – Farouk the rule of law. Hence, right from Buhari’s ministers, everyone will be kept on his toes because he has zero tolerance for corruption and every Nigerian knows that. The civil servants will toe in line and the private sector will be careful. Remember he has done this before as military head of state. So with Buhari, there will be no room for corrupt practices. Therefore, since the president is a sincere man, Nigerians having suffered a lot and having prayed for a messiah, will cooperate with the government so that he can instil sanity in every facet of our economy. I urge President Buhari not to rest on his oars until he rids this country of corruption. I believe he means well for Nigeria and he has the capacity to do it and he is ready to fight corruption to its roots. The APC has declared that General Buhari is inheriting the worst economy ever in Nigeria. How can this be reversed for good? It is not just the APC that has said this; it is a well-known fact that the nation’s economy is in shambles. For some months now, you have public servants at every level of government crying of nonpayment of salaries for months. Nigerians have been queuing for fuel for days since the beginning of this year. The prices of goods and food stuffs have skyrocketed; there is general suffering in the country; the health care system has collapsed because the economy is haemorrhaging. So, my party is only echoing what the society is going through. But God’s willing, we are going to tackle this menace and bring succour to the lives of Nigerians. The huge debt we are inheriting and the almost empty foreign reserves left by Jonathan are some of the infractions visited on our

Farouk

economy by the PDP administration. The excess crude account is at its lowest ebb ever. So, we want Nigerians to know the decadent state of the economy now even though the APC is ready and willing to salvage the sorry situation. It may not be an overnight affair in repairing the damage caused by the PDP but I am very sure President Buhari will come to our rescue.

Right from Buhari’s ministers, everyone will be kept on his toes because he has zero tolerance for corruption

The problem of petroleum scarcity has become a recurrent decimal. Do you think fuel subsidy is sustainable and how would you want Buhari to address this seemingly intractable problem? Just recently, the former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stated that what the oil marketers were demanding as subsidy claims was untrue. That is to tell you that subsidy itself is a fraud. This was a woman who has been paying marketers for the past four years but never knew this was a fraud but now that there are going, she suddenly realised that subsidy is a fraud. I would want the president to investigate this fraud and all those found wanting in this scam should be brought to book for Nigerians to know their enemies. The use of plea bargain has become a norm in Nigeria particularly with the government of President Jonathan. Do you think this is a good way of fighting corruption? If I catch a thief and he offers to bring the money he stole back, I will take the money and then think about what to do next. So all those who stole Nigeria’s money should bring back the money but any plea bargain that will short-change Nigeria cannot be accepted by our president. You cannot steal trillions and bring back millions. That is unacceptable. It is my advice

that the APC government should not be part of this charade. So, the Buhari’s administration must be thorough on the issue of plea bargain and if it must embrace it, it must be in favour of the people and government of Nigeria. Do you think the current composition of anti-corruption agencies such as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practises and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) will fit into Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade? No, not at all. I told you if the head is corrupt, the part of the body will also be. The PDP government is corrupt and so its head of agencies cannot be an exception. We are hoping time will come when the civil service at both national and local levels will serve the nation with sincerity. But what has happened in the past 16 years has been development of corruption. Unemployment is another big problem. But we are made to understand that the Jonathan administration created four million jobs. That is not true. Such a postulation is unsustainable. I believe President Buhari is God-sent to bring relief to the suffering masses of this country. I have no doubt in my mind that succour is on the way. As a member of the House, which geo-political zone would you say should produce the speaker? I believe the devolution of principal offices of the National Assembly by zoning should encompass factors such as the political performance of the various zones; merit and equitable compassion, which are all anchored on common sense. APC as a very conscious party will try to bring equality to give every section of the country a sense of belonging. So, first of all, we must bring equity to bear on our sharing formula in National Assembly and everywhere. If you have the president coming from the north as it is and the vice president from the south, the Senate President should go to the North while the speaker of the House should go to the South. Now Muhammadu Buhari is from the North, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is from the south; the next President of the Senate should come from the North while the next speaker of the House should be from the South. For strategic reasons and for equity, APC should zone the office of speaker to the South-West. Now, the position of deputy speaker should come back to the North. On the issue of Senate Presidency, the North-Central has performed well but it has produced four Senate Presidents. The NorthCentral has Senator Iyorchia Ayu and Senator Ameh Ebute both from Benue in the Third Republic; Senator David Mark also from Benue has been there for eight years. But the North-East zone has performed better and should be given the slot.

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Jonathan: True hero of democracy Baba Crusoe

here is this general propensity by most Nigerians to ignore the contributions of the immediate past President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan towards the creation of an enabling environment which ensured that genuine democratic values were fostered and truly accomplished during the 2015 general elections. We simply tend to focus primarily on the outcome of the elections; why Jonathan failed, Buhari’s victory and the prospects of change without appreciating the critical factors that made the much talked about ‘change’ possible and the actions of one man mostly responsible for it. Although Jonathan lost the election, he was indeed, the true hero of modern day Nigerian democracy. More than any other Nigerian, notwithstanding the potency of the opposition and the campaign for change upon which its electioneering process was anchored, Jonathan actually made the change possible not so much as a result of his unpopularity and inability to secure the mandate of the people, nor due to the superior argument of the opposition, but more as a result of his willingness to let the supreme will of the people hold sway. He was not only truly committed to it; he also discountenanced both subtle and obvious moves by men and women with selfish interests who tried to force him to retrace his steps and subvert the course of the Nigerian democracy. We must have taken everything for granted, especially after witnessing a free and fair election in which the votes cast by the majority of the electorate gave victory to Buhari. But when we consider the fact that it has not always been this way, and that grievous consequences might have been the lot of this nation, save for the true allegiance of one man to upholding genuine democratic ethos, we will then discern the true import of Jonathan’s actions and its positive effects, not only for the unity of the country but also for progressive development of our democracy. Of course, when a man does what is expected of him,

nobody raises an eyebrow and his actions are usually taken for granted and little or no credits often accompany such actions. Jonathan chose to be on the side of genuine practice of democracy and some people seem to assume that it is a simple accomplishment for a man who stood to lose by making such apparently inopportune decision. It is uncharitable that some people are still insisting that Jonathan was a desperate politician who wanted to stay put in power and unwilling to relinquish it. That such perception still persists in their minds in the midst of the realities of his actions and disposition during and after the 2015 Presidential election, speaks volume about the extent some of us are ready to go in the attempt to vilify and cast aspersions on the person and character of the former President of the country. There were a lot of ugly things Jonathan could have done to thwart and subvert the Nigerian democracy which he conscientiously refused to do even in the midst of sustained promptings from varied quarters. He was the incumbent President and within the possibilities and potentialities of his office, he could have mobilized heavily agent provocateurs of trouble and manipulation and deployed them to use government instrument of coercion and intimidation to rig the elections, if not in the entire Northern states, at least, in the South East, South-South and South West. If he had done so, the talk about change will still remain an illusion. Perhaps, we will be talking about something else and at worse, the best way to contend with the status quo. The face of the Nigerian democracy would have been terribly bruised with indelible scars. Of course, the opposition would have been crying foul and trying the best it can to foment trouble and scuttle the efforts of Jonathan’s government to remain in power. Perhaps, by now, the baboons and dogs would have been soaked in blood. However, if Jonathan had followed the traditional pattern of most African leaders whose penchant for clinging to power is legendary, Nigeria would not have broken to pieces as being

canvassed by some people. After all, the result of the election clearly shows that Jonathan was not entirely too unpopular. Just a little effort at rigging the election would have made at least a slight victory possible for him. We need to remind ourselves of these possibilities in order to appreciate what he did for the true and genuine growth of our democracy. Democratic values and cultures are nurtured, cultivated and promoted. It is not just practiced on the altar of hypocrisy, intrigue and subversion of the will of the people as it is the case in most African nations. The truest definition of democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people, in which the electoral process is conducted in a free and fair manner without coercion and undue encumbrances, manipulation and subversion of the will of the people. In other words, the electorate is given the opportunity and enabling environment to express their choice and allow it to count in determining who gets their mandate to assume the reins of power. Ironically, democracy is also practiced and given legitimacy and validity in the midst of massive subversion of the will of the people. We may refer to the above scenario as pseudo-democratic practice, but we see it taking place in virtually all the nascent democracies of Africa, including Nigeria of yesteryears. There were instances of massive rigging during the 1999 general elections that brought the former President Olusegun Obasanjo to power. The electoral process was hijacked by retired army generals who were hell bent on returning one of their own to power. A lot of intrigues, subversion and manipulations played out in the process. In 2003, there were also widespread cases of rigging and Obasanjo’s ploy to secure a third term mandate and subvert the course of the Nigerian democracy through unwholesome constitutional amendment was eventually nipped in the bud. • Crusoe (bazcrusoe@yahoo.com), Public Affairs Analyst wrote in from Lagos. (07066757233).

Welcome Buhari, bye Jonathan Mike Arayuwa Wilkie

t has become crystal clear that the 2015 general election was conducted and concluded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its results, when announced, did not breakup the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is imperative to add that some pessimists who predicted the dismantling of Nigeria as a sovereign State after the elections should now bury their heads in constant shame. The contest threw-up Muhammadu Buhari, the All Peoples’ Congress (APC) presidential candidate as winner as against Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the former President, of the People’s Democratic Candidate (PDP) who was adjudged to have lost. I belong to a school of thought who strongly believe that both of them were victorious in the presidential election on the ground that Muhammadu Buhari won the election proper while Jonathan won the post-election peace. The two political gladiators ought to be congratulated and especially Jonathan who conceded defeat as at the time the election figures were still being collated, awaiting announcement of the final result. At the same time, the sitting President congratulated Buhari, his opponent, without bitterness. Few weeks later, however, Jonathan was of the opinion that he did not believe in some degrading figures which were al-

lotted to his political party in the presidential race in some parts of the country. The simple interpretation is that he doubted those questionable voting figures and therefore, the presidential result was rigged in favour of Buhari, candidate of the All Peoples’ Congress (APC). Let it be known, for the purpose of clarity, that Nigeria would have been in turmoil and complete disaster if Jonathan had rejected the election result in its strongest term. The resultant effect of such proclamation would have led to the blowing-up of oil pipelines and serial attacks on the facilities of the crude oil and gas conglomerates. Thus, the dwindling oil based economy of Nigeria would have been paralysed and totally crippled to the disadvantage of all Nigerians. Jonathan’s acceptance of his defeat and his back-up congratulations to Buhari, has obviously saved Nigeria from disintegration. As a result of his actions, the ex-militant commanders from the Niger Delta, the super strong men of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) were entirely disappointed and could not take or further any reaction as a violent protest against the defeat of their own Jonathan. Muhammadu Buhari finally took the oath of office and allegiance on Friday May 29, 2015. The new president has promised to embark on certain agenda such as security, economy, agriculture, to intensify attack against

the murderous Boko Haram outfit and a few other areas of concentration. Of course, he has also promised to fight the almighty corruption. These, when added to his campaign promises would appear to be expansively legion, which in my own view, would be enormous for a president to execute. In addition to these self-imposed programmes of action by Mr. President, other ethnic Nationalities, groups, organizations, Regions of the geo-political zones and some sections of “parapo organs” including formal and informal associations are lobbying and mounting enormous pressure on the president for one favour or the other. For instance, the Igbo of the South East are more interested in ministerial positions and the Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG). In terms of concrete development, the geo-political Region has told the president to continue with the construction of the second Niger Bridge which will on completion facilitate both the economy and private activities in the area. The North East, North Central, South West and South- South are jostling to occupy the positions of senate president, its deputy, Speaker of the House of Representatives, deputy and other executive slots in the National Assembly. These demands and requests have been too intensive for the APC’s leadership to the extent that all positions being lobbied for were been postponed till after the swearing-in-ceremony of Muhamadu Buhari as President. Even before his assump-

tion of duty, the General had to travel to London to enable him have a brief rest and ward-off further pressures In the case of the South-West, the Afenifere, the social cultural umbrella of the Yoruba has told the president pointblank that he should implement the National Confab’s recommendations. The fundamental interest of the South West is therefore anchored on the creation of additional states and the relevant provisions which give true federalism to the modus operandi of the Nigerian constitution. These demands and requests from some sections of the Nigerian populace are reasonable, legitimate but in most cases selfish to the core. If not on the basis of outright selfishness, how could anybody interpret the blue print of Governance and development submitted to Buhari by Olusegun Obasanjo and his economic team? I see Obasanjo’s blueprint as a booby by-trap for the president which may snowball into personal conflict between them. I also see it from the perspective of an ex-president who will prefer to be relevant at all times. Why should Obasanjo have the opinion that Buhari assumed office with an empty brain without re-course to what to do with presidential power? Buhari, should as a matter of fact be careful of such voodoo blue print which in the long run will serve no useful purpose. • Wilkie can be reached at pmikky1950@yahoo.com (08023097251)

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Adesina and new face of diplomacy

he emergence of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina as President of the Africa Development Bank[AfDB], portends a bright future for Nigeria in international politics at a time a new government is also in place with a firm promise to restore the nation’s pride. Adesina’s election was a well worked out plan that involved prominent Nigerians who ordinarily, would not agree to sit on the same political table. It is commendable that for once , national interest took precedence over everything else. Adesina was minister of Agriculture in the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration. At the time he was preparing for the AfDB elections , President Muhammadu Buhari had won elections to step into Jonathan’s shoes. Buhari not only backed Adesina’s bid, he sent former Vice President Abubakar Atiku to South Africa to campaign for the Nigerian candidate. In Pretoria, Atiku sold Adesina to President Jacob Zuma whose influence also carries a lot of weight across the continent. Acknowledging President Buhari’s tremendous backing,Adesina said, “ I want to use this opportunity to congratulate President Buhari on his election and inauguration. I want to thank him tremendously for the support that he gave me on the run for the Presidency of the of the African Development Bank. Without the support and without

him personally engaged in making calls to critical global leaders in the last days of the elections, I do not think we might have seen the result we saw today.” This is an interesting development. During the Presidential campaigns prior to Buhari’s election, one key issue that surfaced was that as military Head-ofState, Gen. Buhari had actually worked against his country in the emergence of Niger’s Ide Oumarou as Secretary –General of the African Union[AU],then known as the Organisation for African Unity[OAU]. At that time, there was a Nigerian candidate, Peter Onu, who was even the Acting Secretary–General. Adesina’s bid, also was boosted by former leaders like Gen. Yakubu Gowown, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo , Gen. AbdusalamiAbubakar , ex- Vice President Namadi Sambo and former Finance minister Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala. Perhaps that would go down as the first time a group of Nigerian leaders would work assiduously in pursuance of an ambition, without looking at who was behind the move in the first place. This was at a time Buhari and Obasanjo were campaigning against Jonathan locally. It is significant that our leaders threw politics aside and played like diplomats and statesmen. Today, the country is better off for it. Adesina’s victory is not a personal triumph. It goes beyond that. It is a national feat that calls for celebration.

Adesina thus becomes the first Nigerian to lead the AfDB, since it was established in 1964. He replaces the Seventh President, Donald Kaberuka , of Burundi, who spent 10 years in office. Smaller nations like Zambia, Senegal and Ghana had led the AfDB while big spenders Nigeria struggled to get into the pole position. Other member nations frustrated past efforts to elect a Nigerian candidate. And our country is one of the strong members. Our own Olabode Vincent was one the Nine Wise men that put heads together to set up the Bank in 1964. Vincent was seconded from the Central Bank of Nigeria[CBN] and was Vice president from 1964 to 1973. He would later return to the CBN as Governor. What an irony, that about two weeks after Vincent’s post humous 90th birthday, compatriot Adesina made it as the first Nigerian to head the AfDB, rising above the position of Vice President which was our best. Vincent was born in May 1925 and died at 87, in September 2012. The new job offers Adesina another opportunity to prove his mettle. Largely unknown in his home country before he was appointed minister by Dr. Jonathan, the former minister transformed the Agricultural sector, dismantling the infamous fertilizer Cartel that held back development. There is more work to do though. “The primary function of the AfDB is making loans

and equity in investment, for the socio-economic advancement of the Regional Member Countries[RMC].” There are 78 nations that make up the bank, most of them are African countries. The United States of America and the European Union are also there as well as Japan, The United Kingdom and Canada. Adesina has his style cut out. “Obviously, I think critical issues of infrastructure would be important, energy would be important, electricity would be important, very critical to build and to create wealth all across our continent. We want that we are able to create jobs for hundreds of millions of our people, instead of people going across the Sahara or the Mediterranean to Europe, we want to create job on this continent of Africa and we can do it,’’ he emphasized. When he performs in this next endeavour as we all hope, it is to the credit of the country. It will also assert that when out leaders work together , the country wins. While we commend Jonathan for believing in Adesina, we salute Buhari for throwing politics aside, to back his countryman. This ,we believe is just the beginning of a new brand of diplomacy that will benefit the country. We know there will be many more opportunities for more Nigerians to excel, not just in Africa but in the world. This synergy must just continue to propel our best.

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20 Politics

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Power, fuel scarcity must be quickly tackled – Sheu

Sheu

Dr. Emman Sheu is one of the leaders of #Bringbackourgirls (BBOG) advocacy group asking for the safe rescue of the 219 kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls. In this interview with YEKEEN NURUDEEN, he speaks on his expectations from the new government

What should be the priority of the new government? Immediately after the election that General Muhammadu Buhari emerged winner, my thinking was that security should be a priority. For me, two major issues must be quickly addressed. The

issue of electricity and the issue of fuel. I think these are two key issues to be addressed. Certainly, the past administration doesn’t seem to be bothered about the impact this was having on the country. So, these issues must be urgently addressed because we must not allow the country to collapse. Then once there is a stabilisation of electricity and fuel, the government should fix the security challenge especially in the North-East. It should

begin to fashion out a proper response to the challenge which unfortunately has been allowed to fester and from all indication, it is becoming a regional affair because of the affiliations between Boko Haram and ISSIS. It is very obvious that situation in Libya, Mali is feeding into the horns of these affiliations and it’s affecting countries right from Libya, Mali, Niger, Cameroon and down to Nigeria. Already, the terrorists and insurgents have had edge on this administration, but we must quickly not only look for local solution but also begin to look for regional approach before ISSIS and Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram create something that will shock all of us in the West Africa subregion. And then of course the issue of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), I think we have to be realistic about it. It has to be broken up because we cannot continue like this. Also, the economy should be quickly revived and government must also work towards addressing unemployment by creating jobs. What about the issue of corruption and good governance? Of course, I think the relevant bodies must be strengthened and be encouraged to be begin to function properly. We must begin to see leadership by example where leaders are above board and where there are issues to be handled, let them be quickly handled and those that have to be fished out are fished out and we have zero tolerance for corruption. Also we do not want to see impunity in any form especially in the way government is run in the country. We must begin to see all institutions in the country working properly and deliver good governance all over Nigeria. How about cutting the cost of governance? That’s very important. There must be an approach, which is part of the economy and that has to do with cutting our coat according to our cloth because the era of big government is not really palatable. We must begin to see a new approach to governance so that we only have differential in terms of governance. I totally agree that we must cut down the size of our institutions. Overbloated structures must be scaled down as quickly as possible.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, june 4, 2015

Interview

News

Takon: Buhari must overhaul EFCC, demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption

NBA applauds Buhari, scores Jonathan low on PIB, PRA

22&25

Law Although President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), have vowed to implement laudable programmes that would revive the economy, set the nation on the path of economic growth, lawyers’ expectations go beyond the party’s manifesto. They tasked Mr. President on employment, corruption, oil sector, effective rule of law, judicial reform and sundry issues. TUNDE OYESINA and AKEEM NAFIU report

awyers were unanimous yesterday that the newly sworn-in Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari should be able to tackle the perennial infrastructural deficiency, unemployment, security, pervasive corruption, revenue leakages and the unending scarcity of petroleum problems bedeviling the nation within 100 days in office. Also, they cautioned him to be wary of sycophants who were ready to frustrate his good intention for the country while they specifically asked for the need to reform the nation’s obsolete laws if the much touted change must be actualized. According to them, Buhari and his deputy, Professor Yemi Osinbajo must ensure that their agenda in the first 100 days in office is to tackle the problems of infrastructural deficiency, unemployment, insecurity, pervasive corruption, revenue leakages and persistent scarcity

FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE JUDICIARY Editor

foluso.ogunmodede@ newtelegraphonline.com

Akeredolu

Kalu

Lawyers give Buhari 100 days to make a difference of Petroleum products, urging the new administration to ensure that its policies were backed up by law if it must put the nation on the path of economic recovery. They said this yesterday while joining other Nigerians to set agenda for the Buhari/Osinbajo administration. For instance, the lawyers’ umbrella body-the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) through its President, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria said the new administration must ensure that its policies must be backed up by law with a view to actualizing the desired change agenda. This, according to it the desired change would only come if obsolete laws were reformed so as to give legal backings to the ‘change agenda’. NBA said: “The agenda of the new administration in the first 100 days in office would be to tackle the problems of infrastructural deficiency, unemployment, insecurity, pervasive corruption, revenue leakages and persistent scarcity of Petroleum products. "Though these issues are press-

Buhari's administration must be able to make a difference in 100 days

ing, the NBA expects the administration to also set out as part of its agenda the amendment and reformation of Nigerian Laws to make them meet present day challenges. "Government policies must be backed by law and to actualise the desired change agenda, there must be reformation of our Laws to give legal backings to the change agenda". An activist and convener, Civil Society Situation Room, Clement Nwankwo is rooting for an enabling law that would reinforce the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and insulate it from politics and unnecessary political influence. Nwankwo said: "We also think that the laws establishing the commission both in the Constitution and the Electoral Act need to be reinforced. This will create an INEC that is not open to manipulation and influence of politics and politicians; an INEC that is able to assert an important presence in determining the conduct

of elections; an INEC that is able to have a key role in ascertaining the importance of internal democracy in the parties. So, it means that in going towards the next election, the President and indeed the National Assembly will need to go back to the drawing board and see what laws exist, that need to be altered or need to be reinforced to give the INEC the strength on independence that it needs". Another lawyer, Bennard Anietor said “the institutions checking corruption need to be strengthened, loopholes through which public officers and politicians steal from public purse need to be tightened and we think there is need to be punishment for corruption. Anietor went on: “The incentive for people to be corrupt is that they get away with it. The system needs to enforce a mechanism that brings people to account for corruption". A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

22 Law | Interview Destiny Obun Takon plies his law trade in Lagos. In this interview with AKEEM NAFIU, Takon speaks on constitution amendment, corruption and why President Muhammadu Buhari must demonstrate his zero tolerance to corrupt practices. Sir, between the National Assembly and the Supreme Court, which of these has overriding power over constitutional matters? Well, first of all, I will like to say that every democracy like the western democracies of the United States, the United Kingdom and other developed countries of the world had their teething stage and I think ours is not an exception. Nigeria’s democracy is still evolving and largely experimenting; we hope that with commitment and some degree of nationalism, we will evolve a democratic principle that should be able to compete with others around the world. Having said that, what is happening now is novel as far as our polity and democracy are concerned. But, I think it is healthy because these are things that will evolve a sound democratic system that will make us beat our hands in the chest. You and I, our posterity will say we are proud to be Nigerians in the sense that our democracy is strong and can be compared with the other parts of the world. As to which of the constitutional bodies, that is, the Senate and the Supreme Court has the supremacy or the overriding powers, it is not the question that should arise at all. If the Senate will refuse to submit to a matter before the Supreme Court where they are a party, it will simply in my view amounts to brigandage. It will simply amount to an attempt to stifle the democracy of this nation. It is not the question of competition or who is supreme but a question of the Senate having to identify exactly what its roles in the Constitution are and also recognise the roles of the Supreme Court. A matter before the Supreme Court, even if you are the Senate’s President or putting together all members of the Senate, they are obliged to await the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which is the final arbiter. Not even the President, who as a matter of fact is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, can say he will not wait for a matter before the Supreme Court to be decided one way or the other. As a matter of fact, if the President toe that line, that will amounts to an impeachable offence. I say that very boldly as a lawyer, if the President did that, it is an impeachable offence; that a matter involving his office is before the Supreme Court and he decides and say that he will not wait thereby rendering the court’s decision nugatory and of no effect, that will be impeach-

THURSDAY, june 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Takon: Buhari must overhaul EFCC, ICPC

way to go. But until that is done, it is not a personal thing like I said earlier but a constitutional exercise. The Supreme Court is also acting on it constitutionally. So, it will be too unfortunate as it were that if the Supreme Court will not abridge time like I said and they were to go out before a decision is reached on the matter. But, this does not give impetus to anybody by whatever office to assume that because the matter has been adjourned till June 18, when their tenure in office will have expired, they can go ahead not minding that their action will amount to subjudice.

Takon

able. And so, the same goes for any member of the Senate or its President and I am saying the action amounts to brigandage and an act that is tantamount to an abuse of the oath of office which they sworn to defend. The Senate must submit itself to the Supreme Court. They cannot sit as judges in their own cause. They cannot say they have done all that they should do as far as the constitution amendment is concerned. It is only the court that can confirm this and that is why they must submit to the adjudication of the Supreme Court. If the President has run to the Supreme Court, they should also go there and state their case and let the court confirm how well they have performed in their assignment

Why can’t we have electricity, for instance? It is because of corruption

of constitution amendment. It is only the Supreme Court that can affirm that position. It does not lie in their mouth to say they have done all that is necessary to amend the Constitution. The exercise they carried out on the constitution amendment is supposed to be a legal duty and not a personal one. So, their personal sentiments has no place whatsoever in this matter as to whether their time is up and that the Supreme Court might take time in coming up with its decision. They can indeed file a motion for an abridgement of time at the Supreme Court and ask the court to abridge time. They will only need to give their reasons for doing so. The Supreme Court’s panelist will sit on it and determine which

How best do you think President Muhammadu Buhari can tackle the issue of corruption in Nigeria? I was on air on a TV station for a programme and one of the questions I had to deal with was the issue of corruption. I was actually asked what the priorities for the Buhari’s administration should be. Then, I listed corruption, corruption, corruption and corruption. This is because it is very central to our national issues. Corruption in Nigeria is endemic and it is eating into the fabrics of our national life, governance and spirit as a nation. Why can’t we have electricity, for instance? It is because of corruption. Why can’t we build more dams and stop the usual complaints about non-existence of power in the dry season? It is because of corruption. Why can’t we generate power from other sources like wind and solar, even if we don’t want to go hydro anymore? It’s all due to corruption. Why is it that every now and then, people in charge of power complaints about the gas pipelines being vandalised? The people who sabotage these gas pipelines don’t even need the gas. Each time they are broken, so much money is spent to fix them. Of course, Nigerians are not fool. It is those people at the top in these companies giving us power that hires saboteurs to knock off these gas pipelines. They are also liasing with generator distributors all over the country. It is a known fact in Nigeria now that if you don’t own a generator, you are in trouble because you can’t have the comfort of some air touching your body before you fall asleep so that you won’t feel the heat anymore. Every morning, afternoon and night, you see queues of people with small kegs of four litres to power their generators. Everything is all on account of this corruption because generators have to be sold and also, each time gas pipelines are broken, huge sums are voted for repair and there are people who benefits. So, as often as these pipelines are being repaired, so also many people are making money. On the solution to the problem, I think CONTINUED ON PAGE25

Law

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

CJN expresses worry over judges’ security alarm

CJN cries out over incessant kidnap of judges in the country, saying that their lives are no longer safe Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed has expressed worries over lack of adequate security for judges across the country. The CJN raised this concern in Abuja during the swearing-in of Justice Ishaq Bello as the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court. Specifically, Justice Mohammed noted the recent kidnap of Justice Samuel Obayomi of the Kogi state High Court by unknown gun men on May 25, has brought to fore the general insecurity challenge in the country as jugdes’ lives no longer save. He however called on government as well as security agencies to work assiduously to secure his release. The CJN also expressed his dissatisfaction over what he described as a new trend among judicial officials and heads of courts. He said: "I have observed that it is now common to see judges, lawyers and some lay persons author books and launch same in honour of a serving judicial officer. It is further regrettable to note that some petitions received at the National Judicial Council were written in respect of books launched by or on behalf heads of court are being attended by litigants in their courts, who have acted as chief launchers or indeed guest of honour at the occasion. "Judges must understand that by launching such books while in service, they potentially submit themselves to the publishers and the so called launchers, while opening themselves up to allegations of corruption". He called on the new CJ to always adhere to the Oath of Office and Oath of allegiance. CJN said: "You must therefore remember that an oath is an ethical contract and an honourable commitment to the Almighty God, for which you must one day give account. It also behooves on you to see them as an undertaking to continue to dispense justice without fear or favour. "At this point, I wish to note with concern the large number of high profile cases, of which a significant number are corruption cases, which are pending at the FCT High Court, Abuja. As the Head of Court in your jurisdiction, I urge you to personally take the lead in ensuring the full utilization of the Practice Directions of 2013, which were aimed to fast track serious cases of which corruption cases form a part."

Mahmud

Ebun-Adegboruwa

Nwankwo

‘Why Buhari must tackle unemployment, revenue leakages in 100 days’ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1

Chief Awa Kalu simply said “unemployment is massive and security is desperately inadequate in terms of personal security; in terms of security of public infrastructure, public institutions, highway and so on. If you set out on a journey say from Abuja to Lagos, you cannot confidently predict what will happen on the road. You can say how many times you will run into the bush because of marauders on the way. We are not talking about kidnapping, insurgency in some part of the country, so that is another massive assignment. "But luckily, our President is a retired general and as such he must be an expert in security matters. I think that for that reasons we are in good hands". Daisi Olatade tasked President Buhari on moribund refineries, urging the President to work towards revamping them. He said: "President Buhari should start something on that. It is a massive problem which I don't expect him to accomplish within the first two years, but he has to start something. At the moment, none of the four refineries is operating at optimum capacity and so we import fuel and other derivatives. We subsidize those who import them and you see what it has resulted into. Three months here in Abuja and Lagos, there were prevailing queue at the filling station. You imagine an able bodied person spending a whole day to get fuel and no matter the car you drive, within a few days, the fuel burns up and you return to filling station. We spent a disproportionate amount of time queuing for fuel. What time does one now have to be productive and put food on your table for the family? Those refineries have to be put at work". Innocent Jegede called on the President to massively cut down the cost of governance. He said: "Under President Jonathan, I recall that a committee was set up to look into that; collapsing certain government agencies and

collapsing others in other to trim the cost of governance. Unfortunately, that was not to be. What I want to see is a performance based creation of agencies that will enhance our well-being, not creation of offices that will provide job for the boys. “For instance, there are ministries and agencies of government that are inevitable, such as Health, works, justice and so on. "There are some that are unproductive and contribute to waste, corruption and ineptitude. Those are the ones that must be pruned. Government agencies must be reduced to the minimum and we must attend to the consequences of multiplication of agencies. You have a minister, who has number of advisers; the advisers too, get their own advisers. You must limit the hangers on. When Babangida introduced special assistant as a necessary tool for enabling minister to work optimally, it was limited to two. Each minister had two, and no assistant known to me at a time had his own assistant. The work force should be trimmed". Olatinwo Igbayiloye wants Buhari to make rule of law effective. He said: "If you think about the rule of law, what first occurs to you is the rule of impunity that we have developed, call it in the past 16 years across the board. You appoint a councillor, he becomes a law unto himself; you give somebody a police uniform; he becomes a law unto himself, even boys scout appropriate powers unto themselves. In the past one month, I have seen multiplication of traffic light in Abuja but the astonishing thing is that people don't want to obey the traffic light, rather than ease traffic, it has complicated traffic in certain area. It is nothing but impunity and that must be curbed. “The starting point is limiting the non-challant attitude in which people in power approach their responsibilities. The maxim all over the world is that power belongs to the people. But when you take over the power and arrogate it to yourself, then you cannot think about the rule of law. "So, to be able to restore the rule

of law which presumes that no human being in this country is above our laws, we will begin to return to normal, despite impunity, the law will prevail. But if you think that because of the office you hold, no police man can talk to you, no customs agents can talk to you, no immigration agent can talk to you, there is problem”. A former NBA president, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN said: “I know that all of us are very hopeful. I don’t think there has been any other time that Nigerians have been so hopeful about the change which we all longed for in the society. So, our expectations are very clear and the President is also very clear about it in his inaugural speech. “He has said that the military command will be moved to Maiduguri to fight the insurgents. He talked about the issue of power wherein he said a committee will be set up to look at the issue. He has also talked about unemployment and the backward integration of our economy. In fact, he talked about a number of things and Nigerians are hopeful that with this government, majority of them will be better off. “The President even said that with the level of unemployment in the country, we are sitting on a keg of gunpowder. It is important that people must be gainfully employed. Also, we must encourage agriculture. This has a way of employing so many people. I think if we concentrate on the issue of unemployment, we would have solved a considerable percentage of our problems in this country. We must also know that insecurity is tied to the issue of unemployment. We must also improve on the infrastructural facilities in the country”. A rights activist, Mr. Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, said the top priority issues for Buhari’s administration are power, corruption and insurgency. He said: “The administration needs to tackle the issue of adequate power supply in Nigeria. From the events following the strike last week it is clear that absence of electricity will just simply wreck the nation."

Law | News

Foluso Ogunmodede

rom the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) came a message of hope as the nation marked its Democracy Day with great pomp and ceremony especially with the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as the fifth executive President. It however scored the outgone administration low on its inability to pass into Law the Petroleum Industry Bill, Prisons Reforms Act and the Police (Amendment) Act and several other Justice sector Bills. This, it said represented low points for the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. The association charged the Buhari’s administration to make good its promise to wipe tears away from the electorate who had reposed confidence in the administration following their massive turn out in the March presidential election. “We trust that the elected candidates appreciate the trust imposed in them and the hope and expectations of the electorate for a better Nigeria where the good of the majority of Nigerians is the guiding principle of government”, NBA said. Buhari took oath of office on May 29 following his victory at the March 28 presidential election. He defeated the incumbent and outgone president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan with over 5 million votes to emerge winner of the election. In a release by the association’s President, Mr. Agustine Alege, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the lawyers’ umbrella body described this year’s Democracy Day as unique, wishing the new President and deputy, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria a pleasant tenure. Besides, the association dwelt in Jonathan’s statesmanship, describing him as the nation’s hero of democracy for the peaceful conduct of the elections and conceding defeat. The gesture, it said was rare in the 21st Century Africa, saving Nigeria from anarchy deserved recognition in the continen’s Guinness Book. The release reads: “The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) wishes all our members and indeed all Nigerians happy democracy day celebrations 2015. We celebrate today not just our democracy day but also a change of Government from one Political party to another. It is a unique and first time experience and celebration in our democratic experience. It confirms that our democracy is not

THURSDAY, june 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NBA applauds Buhari, scores Jonathan low on PIB, PRA just growing and developing but it is also maturing. We must as a people celebrate our collective success in the peaceful conduct of the 2015 General elections. “The massive voter turnout and peaceful conduct of the elections are reflective of our true nature as a peaceful nation. The NBA congratulates the victorious candidates at the 2015 general elections for their offer of service to Nigeria. We trust that the elected candidates appreciate the trust imposed in them and the hope and expectations of the electorate for a better Nigeria where the good of the majority of Nigerians is the guiding principle of Government. “The NBA commends the outgoing President, HE Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR for the peaceful conduct of the 2015 General Elections which were adjudged largely credible and were reflective of the true wishes of majority of Nigerians. “The act of conceding defeat at the presidential elections even before the official announcement of the election results greatly helped to douse rising tensions in Nigeria and has reserved for him in Nigerian history, a place of honour as a statesman. “There are divergent views on the success of the President Jonathan administration. However, the NBA greatly appreciates the success of the administration in passing into Law the Freedom of Information Act, the Evidence Act, the Prohibition of Violence Against Persons Act, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and other Justice sector legislation. “We must also state that the inability of the administration to pass into Law the Petroleum Industry Bill, the Prisons Reforms Act and the Police (Amendment) Act and several other Justice sector Bills represent low points for the administration. The NBA appreciates that President Jonathan served Nigeria to the best of his ability and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours. “We must specially congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice President, our own Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN on their landslide victory at the elections which also marked the first time a ruling Party would be

defeated at General Elections. “The NBA is in no doubt that the new administration appreciates the expectations of Nigerians whose massive votes for their change agenda reflect the pervasive view of Nigerians that Nigeria needs change. We expect that the agenda of the new administration in the first

100 days in office would be to tackle the problems of infrastructural deficiency, unemployment, insecurity, pervasive corruption, revenue leakages and persistent scarcity of Petroleum products. “Though these issues are pressing, the NBA expects the administration to also set out as part of its agenda the amendment and reformation of

Nigerian Laws to make them meet present day challenges. “Government policies must be backed by law and to actualise the desired change agenda there must be reformation of our Laws to give legal backing to the change agenda. The NBA offers its unflinching support to the administration in the exercise of amending,

reforming and update of Nigerian Laws. We congratulate and welcome back our members who had been on national service. Several NBA members served meritoriously in office and we commend them. However, sadly some of our members fell short of expectation and they were not good ambassadors of the Bar.

Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade (middle) flanked left by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Alex Muoka and Justice Abdulfattah Lawal of the Lagos State High Court when the branch executives and 2015 Law Week Committee members paid the chief judge a courtesy visit recently

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Alex Muoka in a warm handshake with the Chief Registrar of Lagos State High Court, Magistrate Emmanuel Ogundare when the branch executives and 2015 Law Week Committee members paid a courtesy visit to Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade (middle)

L-R: Emeka Nwadioke; Alex Muoka; ex-NBA President, Chief Wole Olanipekun; Mrs. Tolani Edu-Adeola and Mr. Adebola Lema

Law | Interview

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

allegation

Litigant insists that trial judge must face prosecution for infringing on his rights Akeem Nafiu

litigant, Tope Atobatele, has filed a suit against Justice Lateefah Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court over alleged debriefing of his lawyer without his consent. In the suit, the litigant alleged that his lawyer, Kabir Akingbola, who represented him in a matter, was debriefed by Justice Lateefah Okunnu without his consent. Following the controversial debriefing of his lawyer and subsequent replacement from the Office of Public Defender (OPD), Atobatele filed an action against Justice Okunnu and four others

Lagos judge under fire over lawyer’s replacement to seek redress over the alleged denial of his constitutionally guaranteed right to fair hearing. Sued are the Attorney General of Lagos State, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, the Prosecutor in charge No ID/37C/2011 and one, Temitayo Agbelu. Among other reliefs, the claimant is asking the court to declare that the unilateral debriefing of his lawyer and an appointment of another for him by the trial judge is an imposition and a breach of his right to counsel of his choice. The applicant is also praying the court to declare that the court does not have the power to debrief his lawyer without

Atilade

his consent. Specifically, the claimant asked the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining all the defendants in the suit from taking any further step in charge No

ID/37C/2011 – between the people of Lagos State and Gabriel Opewumi and others without his lawyer taking part in the proceedings. The application is supported by a 14-paragraph affidavit deposed to personally by the applicant who averred that from the inception of the case he had briefed Mr. Kabir Akingbolu to handle his defence. The deponent averred that his co-defendant in the criminal trial also approached Mr. Akingbolu and briefed him to take up his defence. According to the deponent, the defence lawyer, sometimes in 2014, on behalf of the two of them filed an application ask-

ing the court to disqualify itself from the matter. “The court took the said application to disqualify itself since June 2014 and for reason known to the court, it fails to deliver ruling on the applications. “That on 12 March, 2015 when the matter came up before the court, my lawyer, Kabir Akingbolu, was not in court but sent a letter for adjournment, informing the court of the demise of his father and mother and that he had traveled to Ekiti for the burial which was scheduled to take place around that time. “That the court however unilaterally appointed another counsel for me

even when I informed the court that I do not need a lawyer, that I have my own lawyer who has sent a letter for adjournment to court, giving reason for his absence,” he stated. The deponent further stated that on April 22 when the matter came up, the court told his lawyer, Mr. Akingbolu, that he could no longer represent him because the court had appointed another lawyer for him from the Lagos State Office of Public Defender (OPD). According to the deponent, he was duly informed by his choice lawyer that the decision to arbitrarily and unilaterally debriefed his choice counsel and imposed another one on him was in breach of his constitutionally guaranteed right to fair hearing. Justice Okunnu has since revoked the bail of the applicant and sent him back to prison custody following his rejection of the new lawyer from the OPD.

‘We need tribunal for corruption cases’ of judges to handle these courts, I will want the Federal Government to be in charge. The judges can be of the status of the Federal High Court. This is because I believe if the judges are appointed by the states, they can easily be manipulated. Also, this can also mean that each state will be having different arrangements on the issue. But if it is a Federal concern, there will be uniformity in results, appointments and positions.

C ON T I N U E D F R O M PA GE 2 2

we have laws that deal with corruption. We can intensify or aggravate the punishments for corruption. We’ve seen country like South Korea where people were sentenced to life or death for corruption. Even though, we may not imbibe the capital punishment but we can imbibe long-term punishment to deter people from engaging in corrupt practices. Then, we should also look at individuals that are heading the antigraft agencies like the EFCC and the ICPC. People that have the will and who want to see things work should be appointed to head these agencies. These are people that have the zeal and are committed to a better Nigeria. We should ensure that there is so much discipline and some degree of surveillance were mounted at the courts to monitor excesses of judges. Their excesses should be reported to the National Judicial Council (NJC) and appropriate sanctions meted out. This is because if the anti-graft agency does its works, there should also be an issue with what judges are also doing. This is to avoid a situation whereby somebody who stole billions of Naira are not sentenced to just 7 years imprisonment or a fine of N3 million. The point I am trying to make is that all the actors in the fight against corruption must rise to the occasion and shape up; it must all start from who is the head. Buhari has been seen by many as a no-nonsense individual and somebody with a zero tolerance for corruption. We want to see this playing out when he assumes office, because everything starts from the head. If the head is steadfast and maintains a zero tolerance for anything called corruption, then, it will spiral down the line. Just like he did in his days with Tunde Idiagbon on War against Indiscipline (WAI), we want to see

Taken

his War Against Corruption. Let him intensify that fight. As I speak, you can walk into these anti-graft agencies offices, do a lot of things and get away with it, once you have money. I also subscribe to the establishment of anti-corruption tribunals to handle corrupt cases in Nigeria.

You can see it in light of what I have said so far. This will be a specialised tribunal. Giving the way we are at the moment, we need to set up these tribunals. These specialised courts should have the same jurisdiction as the high courts but with specific mandate to deal with corruption. Also, in appointment

Sir, what is your take on the gale of impeachments that is fast becoming the norm in the country with particular reference to Ekiti State? It is just a signal that our democracy is still at the egg stage and primordial. It also tells you that these actions are not in good faith. It tells you that they are actions that are informed by vendetta and not in the best interest of the states involved. For instance, look at the case of the impeached Ondo State deputy governor who left the PDP for the APC. It is more like witch-hunting and just trying to get back at somebody for doing something. These actions are bringing out the innermost part of humanity which is very anachronistic, primordial, unpolished and uncivilized, one wonders what is happening? Why are we having this gale of impeachments now that most of the Governors involved are close to the end of their tenure? If a man is due to leave in some weeks’ time why do you want to impeach him now? These actions are being taking in bad faith. When did you discover that he has committed impeachable offences? I bet you as a Nigerian that many of these allegations would have been there with the person as far back as 2 or 3 years ago. So, why will you now want to indulge in impeaching a man that is due to go in a fortnight’s time? Do you just wake up from sleep and just realised that an offence has been committed?

26 Law | News

THURSDAY, june 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sacked Ondo deputy gov contests impeachment in court BABATOPE OKEOWO writes that days after he was sacked from office by the Ondo State House of Assembly following allegations of abuse of office, the Akure division of the Federal High Court, will, on June 22, look into the procedure employed by the lawmakers to kick-out the erstwhile deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi from office.

fter a brief lull, the legality or otherwise of the impeachment of the former deputy governor of Ondo State, Alhaji

Ali Olanusi will come to the front burner on June 22 when the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the state capital will hear the suit challenging the

impeachment procedure employed by the State House of Assembly in sacking Olanusi from office. While Olanusiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legal team of Olanusi led by Chief Adeniyi Akintola will argue that the processes leading to the impeachment of his client was flawed, the legal team of the House of Assembly which carried out the action would argue to the contrary. Already, papers have been filed and the court presided by Justice Isa Sanni has fixed June 22 for the hearing of the

suit. The State House of Assembly had impeached Olanusi as the deputy governor following the recommendation of a seven-man panel headed by Mr Olatunji Stanley Adeniyan which found the former deputy governor guilty of a seven-count charge bordering on corruption and gross misconduct leveled against him by the Assemblymen. The charges preferred against the former deputy governor stated "Alhaji Ali Olanusi, being the holder of the office

of the deputy governor, permitted and condoned the perpetration of fraudulent activities in the office of the deputy governor in that Alhaji Bola Idris Olanusi, the younger brother and Special Assistant in the office of Deputy Governor procured false LPO's with the knowledge of Alhaji Ali Olanusi and obtained EHISO resources international limited two trucks of AGO with forged documents and for personal benefits, thereby putting the office of the Deputy Governor

into disrepute." Also, it was alleged that the sacked deputy governor disparaged the office of the governor by alleging that the governor carted away ballot boxes, instigated the killing of people of the state, and disrespected the judiciary, worked against the interest of the President and a person who bribed the electorate. Besides, the sacked deputy governor was accused of engaging in absenteeism and truancy by regularly absenting himself from office, place of work and other official engagements without lawful excuse or authorization but generally acting in a manner inconsistent with the dictates and expectations of the high office of the deputy governor of a state, thus, undermining the governance process, an act which amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution. Specifically, the sacked deputy governor was accused of allowing his security aides to shoot indiscriminately at peaceful protesters along Fiwasaye/Oba Adesida road in Akure thus creating panic, breakdown of law and order, and general sense of insecurity within the state under the pretext that the said protesters disrupted his convoy, an act unbecoming of the holder of the office of the deputy governor. Accordingly, Olanusi was accused of collecting various sum of money including N8.1million, N8.9million, N10.8million and N11.3million for the purpose of traveling for medical purposes and refused to use the fund for the purpose meant for. It added that the erstwhile deputy governor engaged in political misconduct by working in cross purposes with the governor and thereby want to destabilize the government by openly canvassing the impeachment of the governor. Dissatisfied, Olanusi through his counsel, Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN filed a suit at the Federal High Court sitting in Akure asking it to set aside the impeachment procedure and declared the whole process as null and void. The suit which has Olanusi and a member of the Assembly, Fola OlaseindeVincent as plaintiffs has the State House of Assembly, the Speaker, Jumoke Akindele and Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Michael Bode Adeyelu, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olaseinde Kumuyi and the Inspector General of Police as defendants.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

27 Health Living

Health Interview

Complications of diabetes

Health

Early intervention, key to managing cerebral palsy

Nature Power

Medicinal value of coconut

Experts warn that excessive consumption of food could lead to rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs)

PHOTO: worldofdtcmarketing.com

Less sleep, more food A new paper published in Journal of Health Psychology’ shows that a bad night’s sleep, which affects millions of people worldwide, can affect eating habits and behaviors often resulting in chronic health conditions

actors influencing food intake have, and continue to be, a hotly contested subject. A new paper suggests that disrupted sleep could be one factor contributing to excessive food intake and thus leading to long term chronic health damage in both adults and children. Factors influencing food intake have, and continue to be, a hotly contested subject. A new paper published in the SAGE journal, ‘Journal of Health Psychology (JHP)’, suggests that disrupted sleep could be one factor contributing to exces-

Appolonia Adeyemi Health Editor

appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com

sive food intake and thus leading to long term chronic health damage in both adults and children. In a special issue on Food, Diets, and Dieting, the paper explores how a bad night’s sleep -- something that affects millions of people worldwide -- can affect eating habits and behaviors. Though it is well-known that a bad night’s sleep can affect our ability to perform daily duties, what is less known is how disrupted sleep can influence both our food choices and intake. “It is well recognised that food intake is implicated in many chronic health issues including obesity, diabetes and heart disease, and diet is often a target of treatment to prevent the onset of these conditions,” commented the researchers Alyssa Lundahl and Timothy D Nelson of the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, USA. However, they continued: “understanding the mechanisms linking disrupted sleep patterns to increased food intake is important for informing both prevention and treatment interventions for chronic health conditions.” Food intake is driven by biological, emotional, cognitive and environmen-

Inadequate sleep impacts negatively on health

Adequate sleep should be actively considered in efforts to modify dietary behavior

tal factors. Though diet is important to consider in the treatment for chronic health disorders associated with food intake, a closer look should be given to how sleep affects these factors. Lundahl and Nelson argue that these mechanisms are heavily altered and influenced by sleep patterns. For example, after a bad night’s sleep, the hormone controlling appetite is affected, emotional stress is greater, more food is desired to compensate for lack of energy and impulsivity is increased, all of which affect the amount of food that you would consume in a day. They conclude: “Health psychologists should be mindful of the link between sleep and eating, and sleep

photo:www.wecareindia.com

should be actively considered in efforts to modify dietary behavior.” Dr. David Marks, editor of JHP, stated: “The research stimulated by Lundahl and Nelson has important treatment implications for health conditions often treated with dietary interventions and illustrates the need for research to empirically examine the underlying mechanisms of food intake. It is important for people to be aware the findings of this study so that if they suffering from lack of sleep, they can take greater care to consider the quality and quantity of food that they are consuming.”

Health News

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Bridging malnutrition gap

Healthy Living

lAs Nestle commits to advancing environment

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

Complications of diabetes

D Malnourished children from Somalia cue for rationed food

PHOTO www.wfdy.org

Appolonia Adeyemi and Esther Albert

he problem of malnutrition which is fast degenerating in major parts of Nigeria has been blamed on high level of illiteracy among mothers who lack the right knowledge about nutrition needed for the optimum development of kids. This is the submission of a panel of discussants at the 4th Creating Shared Value (CSV) Media Workshop organised by Nestle Nigeria Plc in Lagos recently. In his presentation, ‘Addressing the Multiple Burden of Malnutrition’ Dr.. Chris Isokpunwu, Head of Nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) said that malnutrition is visible on faces of children in many homes. Malnutrition is lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things, or being unable to use the food that one does eat. According to him, the burden of malnutrition could manifest in under nutrition, micronutrient deficiency and overnutrition. A July 2013 report by the Federal Ministry of Health states that “41 per cent of Nigerian children under age five suffer stunted growth as a result of malnutrition.” The survey, conducted in all the states of the federation by the ministry, shows that there is acute malnutrition among children in all the states in the North. This is said to be as high as 80 per cent of the child population. To bridge the gap created by malnutrition, the head of Nutrition Department at the Ministry of Health said part of the strategies to ensure right nutrition is the provision of fortified foods in which the content of essential micronutrient are deliberately increased so as to provide a public benefit with minimal risk to health. Some of the needed micronutrients include folic acid, iodine, iron, Vitamin A and zinc. For instance, data from the NDHS shows that zinc deficiency causes the deaths of 450,000 children under five annually. “Addressing zinc deficiency in children can reduce the incidence of diarrhea which kills nine million children a year by 27 percent, acute respiratory infection by 15 percent, and overall child mortality by six percent.” Also, vitamin A deficiency causes one million premature child deaths a year. It is a leading cause of preventable blindness among children. It compromises the immune systems of approximately 40 to 60 percent of the developing world’s children under five. However, Isokpunwu said micronutri-

Gordhon

ents will help to address the problems of malnutrition. Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals most of which are not made in the body, or available only in insufficient amounts, which are required in small quantities to ensure normal metabolism, growth and physical wellbeing. Similarly, Isokpunwu said the provision of fortified food has the dual advantage of being able to deliver nutrients to large segments of the population without requiring radical changes in food consumption patterns. “Widely distributed and widely consumed foods have the potential to improve the nutritional status of a large proportion of the population, both poor and wealthy.” In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Nestle Nigeria Plc, Chief Dharnesh Gordhon said CSV is at the heart of Nestle’s operations. “Our commitment to CSV is not a matter of publicity. It is a commitment that serves internal and external purposes. It guides how we do our things.” According to Gordhon, Nestle in its 2015 Annual General Report made a commitment to sustain the environment where it operates and similarly urged the media to join the journey of Creating Shared Value. “If business is just for pure profit, it cannot be sustainable,” he added. He therefore urged the media to hold companies accountable for what they should do to advance societies. Similarly, Gordhon said Nestle is working at providing solution to malnutrition problems to prevent further spread. “Nestle Nigeria is working hard to fully solve the problem of malnutrition. We also have to look into the scarcity of drinkable, portable water within our different communities. A better society will produce a better consumer” he said. According to Nestle’sCorporate Communication and Public Affairs (CCPA) Manager, Dr. Samuel Adenekan, in other to foster healthy diets and lifestyle, Nestle is committed to producing nutritious and affordable foods and vegetables.

iabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetic mellitus (DM) in which nerves are damaged as a result of high blood sugar level that is not well controlled. Similarly, it is a condition where nerve damages happen due to injuries to the blood vessels that supply the nerves resulting in pain, numbness, tingling sensation and vision loss. Diabetic neuropathy is a debilitating problem that occurs in nearly half of the people with DM. It is a late finding; it may also come with complication of eye disease. It can affect any part of the body that is controlled by nerves. It slows down stomach functions, bladder and sexual functions as well as causes balance and unstable gait of an affected person. This condition occurs in both Type 1 and Type 2 DM. This condition sets in within 10 years of developing diabetes. Tight glucose control can prevent, delay or slow the progression of diabetic neuropathy in patients with Type 1 DM. Proper foot care is necessary in patients with DM. In addition, DM patients should be educated on foot care and advised to check their feet daily as well as have annual foot examination. Daily foot care is important in preventing complications of diabetic neuropathy. Feet must be checked for signs of cracking skin, open areas and signs of infection, especially between the toes and around toenails. Applying ointment to most areas between the toes should be avoided, wearing properly fitted foot is very crucial. New shoes are a common cause of skin tear. Hence, gently and slowly putting new shoes on should be done at all times to avoid walking around on barefoot and cutting nails improperly. Do not expose feet to hot objects or chemicals. Symptoms Some of the symptoms of DM are muscle weakness, muscle atrophy (shrinking of the muscles) which is permanent pain, numbness, cramping, feelings of needles and pin sensation, more on the hands and feet. In some cases, loosing feelings, not being aware of any pain on extremes and when the nerve damage extends to the heart, symptoms such as exercise intolerance, fatigue, dizziness, light headedness occur. In addition, DM affects the activities of the stomach by causing paralysis in any part of the digestive system, causes inability of food to slowly move down the tract resulting in bloating, pain, nausea, diarrhea and malnutrition. Furthermore, it affects the bladder function through the inability to sense a full bladder and bladder

PHOTO: naija247news.com

Control of alcohol (above) and tobacco use will check progression of diabetes PHOTO:neurosciencestuff.tumblr.com

muscles slow activity resulting in urinary retention and incomplete voiding of urine which can progress to urine incontinence and bladder infection. When erectile dysfunction occurs in DM, it is as a result of diabetic nerve damage mostly due to uncontrolled blood sugar. Erectile dysfunction occurs in men with diabetics from 35 years of age. DM is a primary cause of pelvic area neuropathy leading to a decrease in the chemical that is required to initiate an erection. In women, diabetic neuropathy may cause vaginal dryness, decreased perineal sensation, painful sex as well as reduced libido. Early detection and control of diabetics and some contributing factors like smoking, alcohol use and high blood pressure can help delay progression. Diabetic retinopathy (Diabetic blindness): Poor control of blood glucose and longer duration of having diabetics toe for a long period of time occurs equally in type1/2 and lack of not doing annual eye examination to detect the initial signs of the complications of diabetics. This is defined as a long time pathological complication. There may also be damages due to vasculature of the retina, too much glucose causing abnormal blood vessels growth/swelling and leaking of fluid from blood vessels resulting in vision loss or blindness. There are two different types -one more serious than the other, and requiring major surgery which can be corrective but in most cases blindness is irreversible.

Health Interview 29

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Early intervention, key to managing cerebral palsy Retired Air Vice Marshal, Femi Gbadebo, is the founder and chief executive officer of Benola, a cerebral palsy initiative which is a non government organisation (NGO). In this interview with APPOLONIA ADEYEMI, he discusses challenges facing people living with CP, obstacles hindering them from achieving quality living, among others It is almost three years since you ventured into advocacy on cerebral palsy (CP). What influenced you to work in this area? My wife and I have a son who will be 19 years on June 14. He was born with cerebral palsy (CP). It took us a while to come to terms with the condition. At the end of the day, we have tried the best we can to give him a good quality of life. Despite having taken him to places like India, Germany and the United Kingdom (UK) for assessment and possible management, we did not achieve what we wanted to achieve but our knowledge of CP improved because of exposure and we came to realisation that there is so much that can be done to improve the lot of people living with CP in this part of the world. One thing about my wife and I is that we have never hidden our child. We have never felt shy to talk about his condition but we find that many people with children living with CP would rather not talk about their children living with disability and it is because of the society, misconceptions, stigma and fears that they will be rejected. In the process of talking about our son, people started talking about me setting up an NGO and /or a home. But we came to the conclusion that if we are going to do this thing we must do something radical. So, we came up Benola which is an academic initiative that will address perceived problems or inadequacies around CP. What did you plan to achieve by taking your son abroad? At first, we were looking for a cure or reversal of this negative situation but after getting a second opinion, we were educated on the nature of condition. CP is cursed by a breakage in signals or damage to a part of the brain that sends signals to the motor, the movement part of the body and because of that there could be muscle problems in an affected person. CP could present in stiff muscles, it could be flaccid. These combinations of things cannot be reversed. On the average, a person living with CP is intelligent; he has emotional feelings; and knows what he wants. We also found that because the brain is not completely dead it can start a rapid development process of its own; we need to help the child living with CP to maximise his potentials. This can be achieved with whatever little that the child can do in addition to helping the child, assisting him exercise and by engaging the child. What that means is that we need to practice early intervention. For a child living with CP. This will give the best result.

How early should this be done? As early as possible. By the time a child is approaching three to four years, the brain has finished developing those elemental developments and if parents/guardians have wasted that time running around, the child would have lost the ability to develop certain skills. So, one of the things we are pushing is early intervention, from six to nine months so that parents can accept their childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s situation as early as possible. Once the parent accepts the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s situation that there is no cure, then that parent is no longer looking for cure but management of the condition. If a mother gets a nanny and house help and asks them to do everything for that child she may end up with is a child that will not able to do anything for himself. But when she pushes the child and observes the child is willing to crawl, willing to use the feet to do what the hand will do; willing to roll on the floor to get to an object, then the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brain, vision are exercised, that child will develop interesting skills for himself.

Gbadebo

What should parents look out for? What to look for include: a child not holding the neck steady, clenching one or two fists, tending to lean to one side, drooling, having frequent seizures, not hitting milestones, and inability to suckle breast milk, these are signs that there is a problem. CP can be identified and diagnosed by a neurologist who does a brain scan, a CT-Scan or any test to know the signal movements of the brain. When a child is showing symptoms of CP where should parents or guardians go for help? The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idiaraba, Lagos, the Lagos State University teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja, all teaching hospitals across the country, some private hospitals, among others have capability to detect and diagnose CP. Although, parents of kids living with CP may go to a doctor, but it is better to go to a paediatrician. They have the competence to care for childhood complications. A competent paediatrician will know where to refer such a child to for the right kind of test. Similarly, a neurologist will confirm those tests. Is Nigeria on the right track with regard to the management of disability? There is lack of information and when there is lack of information there is misinformation. Misinformation has overtaken the environment. Until we get everybody to understand what disability is, where it is

We must put disability at the center of whatever we do

coming from and where it needs to go to, there is problem. Until we get people to understand that disability is not the fault of the child; it is not the fault of the parents; and until we understand that a disabled parson has unique skills and capabilities which if properly nurtured can turn them to be very productive members of society, there is a gap. You can find disabled people who are bread winners for their families. Government is not helping and private sector is not helping either. Although, we have structures in place for managing disability such as the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), a lot of these things are on paper. Are they functioning? Are they appropriately manned? Are the available manpower appropriately trained? Do they understand what to do? Where are the enforcement policies or the machineries to enforce this law? That is where the problems come from. At the federal level, we have disability affairs under the Ministry of Women Affairs. What do they do there? Do they have the manpower? I tell you: no. Though, the people that are supposed to help manage disabled people including the therapists, the social workers are being trained from institutions like the School of Occupational Therapy in Oshodi, government is not employing them. Hence, at the end of the day, they find something else to do. Do we have paediatric nurses? Do we have paediatric physiotherapists. If it is the physiotherapist that will manage adults that will manage a nine-month-old kid, he will injure the child because the child requires delicate management and knowing what to do. First, those to manage people with disability will

first qualify as doctors, nurses, etc before going for special training as paediatricians. Most of our hospitals do not have people with special skills like that. If we go to schools, are there special education teachers? Until you train a teacher as a special education teacher, they cannot handle children with disability. You see, we have the intention but the will and the machinery to do it is not there. Government is talking about creating employment, the amount of job that will be created if government decides that every hospital must have its right complement of therapists, paediatric professionals, etc., you will see meaningful jobs exploding, but that is not what the government is doing now. That is one of the things that Benola is out to do; it is out to educate governments, policy makers, the private sector and those driving the NGOs to get them to work right. Whatever is done for the disabled will benefit all of us because we are all going to be disabled at some stage in our lives either because we end up having an accident or develop major illness that put us in a wheelchair. We may become bed-ridden, get old and unable to do certain things for ourselves. So, whatever facilities are provided for the disabled are not just for the disabled they are for all of us. Besides, it is these things that make the country an acceptable member of the international community. We must put disability at the center of whatever we do. If we are building a bank, a hotel or a flyover, we must think about the disabled child, how he will access the place as well as where he will sit?

Health News

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOFPON: Nigeria needs more family physicians to save lives Esther Albert

L-R: Dr. Chairman, SOFPON Lagos Zone, Dr. Blessing Chukwukelu; Vice Chairman, SOFPON, Lagos Zone, Dr. Adedokun Ayoade and Chairman, Association of General Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) Lagos, Dr. Adeyeye Arigbabuwo at a media parley to mark the World Family Doctors Day held in Lagos recently

Worshippers get free medicare NAFDAC certifies packaged water in 21 states Stories by Obinna Odoh Speaking with journalists Abuja

rimus International Super Specialty Hospital, an Indian hospital based in Abuja, has provided free health care services to worshipers at the National Mosque and a branch of Redeemed Christian Church of God, in Abuja. This is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The free medical services which was given to Nigerians is aimed at complementing the effort of the government in providing qualitative and affordable health care services to all Nigerians. The services provided included Blood Pressure checks, Random Blood sugar, eye screening, free consultation including cardiology consultations.

at the venue, the Spokesman to the hospital, Alhaji Umar Jibia, noted that the free health services is a systematically planned policy of the hospital management aimed at improving the health status of the Nigerian citizens. “As a responsible organisation, we have seen the efforts of both the federal and FCT governments to provide qualitative health care to the residents of capital city, hence, we feel we needed to support them to bring qualitative healthcare to the citizens. “We have been doing this since the past few good years of our existence in Nigeria and we will continue to provide such free medical camps so that residents of the FCT will feel our presence and our impact in their health,” said Jibia.

report from the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has certified packaged water in 21 states of the federation safe for human consumption. The report which is a productof theAnnualon-theSpotMonitoringof Packaged Water, was carried out by a consultant to the agency and Principal Consultant/Chief Executive Officer, Emani Global Network, Emmanuel Osiegbe. Briefing journalists in Abuja over the study recently, Osiegbu said he covered 21 states in Nigeria in the first phase of the assignment and that the findings of his assignment after series of laboratory tests, certified packaged waters in the states safe

for consumption. He however observed that some factory defects were discovered due to factors including location of water boreholes, closeness of power generating sets to boreholes, unhygienic conditions of factory environment and chemical composition of waters which he said could be hazardous and unhygienic for human consumption. According to him, 3,811 samples were carried out within one year of the exercise in the states covered. Each sample, he said, represents a factory. Some of the water chemical compositions studied were PH, coliform, alkalinity, arsenic, lead, odour, taste, chloride, iron, zinc, copper, E.coli and turbidity.

oncerned at the shortage of family physicians in the country, the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON) and the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) have encouraged medical students to choose family medicine to boost the number of that specialty. According to the both groups, the lack of enough family physicians in the country needs urgent intervention of the federal and state governments in order to address the problem thereby saving more lives. Making the call in Lagos during the World Family Doctor Day, Dr. Akin Moses, president, Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria, urged medical students to “make a contribution in the health care services especially at the primary and secondary care levels by choosing family medicine.” The World Family Doctor Day, marked on May 19 was first declared by the World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA) in 2010. It highlights the role and contribution of family doctors in health care systems around the world. The Family Physician is that specialist doctor that a patient must see first; that will solve the problem of the patient first; and only when it is

required that he will ask that patient to go and see another specialist. Family Physician in Nigeria is what is called the GP in the United Kingdom (UK) who takes care of the National Health Service (NHS). On its part, family medicine is the corner stone of personal patientphysician relationship focusing on their integrated care and improving their quality of our lives. Although, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended doctor to patient ratio as one doctor to 600 patients, presently, the ratio is one doctor to 6,400 patients. Out of the 65,000 registered doctors in the country, 40,000 physicians practice in the diaspora. While 16,000 are resident doctors, only a paltry 9000 doctors are remaining to attend to Nigeria’s estimated 170 million populace, said Dr. Adeyeye Arigbabuwo, chairman of AGPMPN in Lagos State. He lamented that finding family physicians in many secondary and tertiary centres in the country is not common because the number of this specialty that is available is still very small. Dr. AdedokunAyoade, vice chairman, SOFPON, Lagos Zone, said SOFPON moved the National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria to start a diploma course in family medicine to enable its graduants handle family medicine cases.

Medicinal value of coconut T

o many people, the coconut plant is an ordinary plant. They do not see anything special or interesting in the plant. But to those who have eyes to see, the coconut plant is a blessing, a gift from nature. Cocos Nucifera is called coconut in English, ‘Kwakwar’ in Hausa, ‘Ivi-Obio’ in Bini, ‘Ake-beke’ or ‘akuoyibo’ in Igbo, ‘Agbon’ in Yoruba, ‘Uvien’ in Esan.. It contains glycerioles of capprylic, capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids. Every part of this plant is medicinal. The bark of the plant dried and burnt into ashes is effective remedy for skin ailments like rashes, black spots, scabies and measles. Simply mix two-dessert spoons of the powder with half a glass of palm kernel oil. Apply to the affected

Nature Power Fr. Anselm Adodo, OSB

naturepower@paxherbals.net; twitter: @anselmadodo part. For toothache, mix two tablespoonfuls of the ashes with one shot of dry gin. Stir it well and use as a mouth wash.

of each into 10 liters of water. Add 5 bulbs of garlic. Bring to boil. Allow it to cool and mix with one bottle of honey. Dosage: Half glass thrice daily.

FIBROID: Cut the root into tiny pieces. Measure out fifteen handfuls of the pieces into ten bottles of water. Add five handful of xylopia aethiopica, called ‘uda’ in Igbo, ‘erunje’ in Yoruba, ‘unien’ in Esan language. Bring to boil. Allow it to stand for 24 hours. Dosage: Half glass thrice daily.

HEPATITIS: Grind the dried coconut root into powder and follow the formula below: Materials: Eight dessertspoons of coconut root; eight dessertspoons of powdered bitter kola; two tablespoons of powdered bird’s pepper. Recipe: Mix all together and add to 1 bottle of honey. Dosage: Two dessertspoons thrice daily. This is a very effective remedy for hepatitis

BRONCHITIS: Chop an equal amount of pawpaw roots and coconut roots into pieces. Measure 10 handfuls

Coconut plant

The water in the coconut is an excellent cleanser

PHOTO travellingartist.wordpress.com

and jaundice. For dysentery, simply follow the prescription for fibroid as stated above. The water in the coconut is an excellent cleanser. It is among the best natural antibiotics known. CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Industry

ICT

Iran to improve on trade volume with Nigeria

Cybercrime Act: Instilling sanity in ICT sector

Business What's news

How Nigeria, others can attain full digital economy, by experts A new report released by the Internet Society has highlighted key strategies that can be adopted by Nigeria and other countries in Africa to achieve a full digital economy.

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UN seeks N8bn to feed 400, 000 in Nigeria, others About N8 billion ($40 million) is required to feed malnourished 400, 000 people in Nigeria, Cameroon and Niger, the World Food Programme (WFP), a United Nations food agency, has said.

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The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

L-R: Executive Secretary, Nigerian Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (NASME), Mr. Eke Ubiji; Divisional Head, Operations and Technology, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Akeem Adesina; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa; Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, and Divisional Head, Mr. Mohammed Abdulganiyu, at the launch of BoI SME Digital products in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

‘Nigeria requires N250trn to fund housing deficit’ igeria will require more than N250 trillion to fund its housing deficit estimated at over 17 million, researchers and experts have disclosed. The fund, according to them, will be required for appropriate

blending of sustainable mortgage market, development of local building materials and effective implementation of the public-private efforts in housing provision. They noted that the nation’s housing shortage would continue to increase if something concrete is not done to increase the stock. One of the experts, a lecturer at the Department of Estate Surveying and Management, University of Lagos, Professor, Timothy Nubi, said that the lack of adequate long-term housing finance policy has continued to be a big challenge to housing delivery in Nigeria.

INFLATION RATE April 2015................................8.7% March 2015.............................8.5% February 2015.........................8.4%

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

Resolution Experts push for a multiintegrated approach to reduce accommodation shortages

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

Dayo Ayeyemi

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Nubi, who spoke during the national workshop of the Association of Housing Corporation of Nigeria (AHCN), said finance has constituted the major constraint to mass housing delivery in Nigeria. He added that this has manifested in escalating cost of building materials and huge cost involved in the provision of infrastructural development.

17 million The estimated housing deficit in Nigeria

The lecturer said that a multiintegrated approach is required to reduce the accommodation shortages, adding that there must be a four-year target as a mechanism for phasing the provision of housing. He is of the opinion that the proposed National Housing Initiative (NHI) should focus on the delivery of high quality affordable housing to Nigerians of various income classes and social groups. This proposal, Nubi said, must anchor housing supply on regeneration rather than new CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Rates Dashboard EXCHANGE RATE (BDC as at May 29)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N221 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N340 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N245

l Foreign Reserves – $29.616bn as at 27/05/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at May 29)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N199 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N303 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N220

Business | News

ALLIANCE Report highlights benefits of Internet governance multistakeholder model

Kunle Azeez

new report released by the Internet Society has highlighted key strategies that can be adopted by Nigeria and other countries in Africa to achieve a full digital economy. The report, titled “Internet Development and Governance in Africa,” was issued at the Africa Internet Summit 2015 in Tunis, Tunisia. It provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of the Internet in Africa and highlights the importance of the multistakeholder model of Internet governance as an essential part of Africa’s Internet ecosystem. In light of the rapid growth experienced by the continent in the past 10 years, the report finds that the time is right to maximise that potential. “As Africa’s user base grows, the need to coordinate and manage the growth and development of the Internet becomes increasingly important,” said Internet Society Regional Bureau Director for Africa, Dawit Bekele. “If Africa has to make the progression towards a digital economy to reap

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

How Nigeria, others can attain full digital economy, by experts the full benefits of the Internet, it needs to transition from basic connectivity to interconnectivity of networks and to interoperability of systems, and enable the development of applications and services that drive economic and social well-being.” The report highlights steady adoption of this transformative technology since the introduction of the Internet to Africa in 1991, reaching just over

20 per cent continentwide, but these aggregate indicators mask glaring disparities in Internet development levels from country to country. Morocco has Internet penetration rates above 50 per cent, while other African countries have penetration rates just under 2 per cent. The majority of countries have Internet penetration below 10 per cent, well below the 20 per cent

threshold found to be critical for countries to reap economic benefits. According to the report, one of the ways identified by the report to improve the interconnectivity of networks is to establish Internet eXchange Points (IXPs) at the local level. Africa now has more than 30 IXPs and is well on the way to achieving the goal of at least one IXP per country.

the landlocked countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi have established backbones that gain access to submarine fiber almost at the same price as that of the coastal countries. An area that could be transitioned faster is the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting, which offers more opportunities to increase Internet access by freeing up unused spectrum.

L-R: Registrar/Chief Executive, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Rotimi Omotoso; President, Otunba Samuel Deru and Immediate past President, Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu, at the Investiture of the 51st ICAN President of the Institute in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

UN seeks N8bn to feed 400,000 in Nigeria, others STARVATION Nigerian borders have 35% malnutrition rates Dele Alao

The establishment of IXPs can catalyse the build-out of terrestrial infrastructure, which in turn would make access to the Internet cheaper and faster. One example of this effort, the report said, is the East African Backhaul System (EABS), which will serve Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. Through the infrastructure, the report said

bout N8 billion ($40 million) is required to feed malnourished 400, 000 people in Nigeria, Cameroon and Niger, the World Food Programme (WFP), a United Nations food agency, has said. The group, which made this known in report by The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2015 (SOFI), said that the number of hungry people in the world had dropped to 795 million, 216 million fewer than in 1990-92 or around one person out of every nine. The agency also warned of acute food shortages in the countries arising from insurgence.

WFP spokeswoman, Adel Sarkozi, noted that the food shortage was affecting the entire region. He said: “In Niger and Cameroon, malnutrition rates surpass the 15 per cent emergency threshold, with some areas near the Nigerian border having malnutrition rates as high as 35 percent. Violence by Boko Haram militants in northeastern Nigeria has forced more than 200,000 people into neighbouring Niger, Cameroon and Chad. It has also caused growing numbers of internally displaced people, with 100,000 in Cameroon alone. This has become a regional crisis. It’s affecting not only Nigeria but the neighboring countries with people fleeing across the border. “Those who are suffering the most are, unfortunately, the children. In Cameroon, for example, we can see the malnutrition rates going very high - up to 35 percent in some of the border areas. WFP is doing everything it can. We are helping refugees

and the people displaced within the countries. But we need more support,” Sarkozi added. Checks from the United Nation Food and Agriculture Organisation estimate that 239 million people in sub-Saharan Africa were hungry/undernourished in 2010 (its most recent estimate) and 925 million people were hungry worldwide. “Africa was the continent with the second largest number of hungry people, as Asia and the Pacific had 578 million, principally due to the much larger population of Asia when compared to sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa actually had the largest proportion of its population undernourished, an estimated 30 per cent in 2010, compared to 16 per cent in Asia and the Pacific (FAO 2010). Thus almost one in three people who live in sub-Saharan Africa were hungry, far higher than any other region of the world, with the exception of South Asia,” the agency said.

Nigeria needs N250trn for housing CONT INU E D FROM PAGE 31

build and “recognise the importance of a rental housing strategy”. The regeneration plan, according to him, will cover slum regeneration and stock release schemes. He said: “Nigeria’s 36 state housing corporations, 774 Local Governments and over registered Co-operative societies are strongly presented as key ‘new entrants.” With this approach, he said state housing corporations, local governments and co-operatives would be enabled to support the housing delivery programme. Other experts called on the government to ease the process of acquisition of funds for cost-effective housing delivery in the country. They stated that the current situation whereby Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) compete

for funds with deposit money banks was unacceptable. The experts urged the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, to make proper provision for PMIs to access funds for the housing subsector. They also advised on the need to adopt a Public-Private-Partnership approach of ensuring the preparation of thorough feasibility and viability studies that “will address among other things, the issues of affordability, value-for-money and risk transfers in order to achieve success.” They said: “The challenge of provision of mass housing should not be left solely in the hands of the government particularly with dwindling resources; government should strengthen the Public-Private-Partnership system for effective housing delivery in the country.”

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

MAN decries high lending rate to small businesses p.34 FORUM Exhibition designed to expand trade relations Dele Alao

ndications have emerged that Iran has initiated steps to address its trade volume with Nigeria. The Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Saheed Koozechi, while speaking ahead of the 5th session of Nigeria-Iranian Joint Commission held last year, lamented the annual volume of trade between both countries, which was less than $50 million. The envoy blamed the low level in trade between the two countries on “negative psychological perception about Iran’’ from some Nigerian businesses, occasioned by the UN sanctions because of its nuclear programme. Part of efforts to halt the trend on the part of Iran, it was gathered, is a forum slated

Industry

Iran to improve on trade volume with Nigeria for next week in Lagos. Tagged: “First Iran Solo Exhibition in Nigeria,” the exhibition will hold at the Landmark Center, Lekki in Lagos. Koozechi said that the exhibition would feature over 40 Iranian companies in manufacturing, oil and gas, building and construction, infrastructure, health, furniture, interior decoration, and food industry. The exhibition, which is sponsored by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, is organised by Pars Rastak International Conferences, Exhibition Research Services in partnership with the Nigeria Iran Business Council (NIBC), Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce,

Mines, Industry and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC). Speaking on the exhibition, the Iranian envoy noted that the exhibition was designed to expand trade relations with Nigeria. He said, “This exhibition will open doors of opportunities for both Iranian and Nigerian companies and businesses. It will help to identify each other’s capacity in order to deepen trade relations between the two countries. “Right now, Iranian companies do not know the opportunities available in Nigeria and Nigeria is a very big market,

L-R: Deputy Managing Director, Chemstar Paints Industry Nigeria Limited, Mr. Adedayo Paseda; Assistant General Manager, Operations, Mr. Ukpai Cyprian, recipient of 15-year service award; Group Managing Director, Mr. Emmanuel Aderemi Awode; and General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Mr. Olufola Laguda, recipient of 10-year service award, during the GMD Annual Merit Award of the company held in Lagos as part of activities marking its 20th anniversary.

Skye Bank boss harps on roles of SMEs Deborah Olayode

he Group Managing Director (GMD) of Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, has stressed the importance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to the economic growth of any country. The GMD stated this recently during an SME seminar in Lagos with over 200 entrepreneurs in attendance. Oguntayo, who explained how small and medium enterprises are major contributors to employment in Nigeria and other countries worldwide, said:”Skye Bank wants to facilitate knowledge sharing and offer banking solutions that

will help businesses. There is no way for multinationals to employ all the teeming young people who are seeking employment, therefore, the role of SMEs in employment cannot be over emphasised.” On his part, the keynote speaker and Vice Chairman, Tantalizers, Mr. Folu Ayeni, shared his success story on the rapid growth of Tantalizers from a small living room venture to a large scale business with 53 outlets nationwide. Ayeni recalled how Skye Bank provided the initial N2.5 million seed capital that was used to start the business. He charged the participants to come up with bright, profitable business ideas, and also

package the ideas properly, saying: ‘If no one is listening to your ideas, go to Skye Bank.” In her brief remark, Mrs. Funke Fowler-Amba urged the participants to get training in their vision in order to make it a reality. Skye Bank representatives, who revealed that the next SME seminar would take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, appropriately addressed questions raised by participants at the seminar. The SME initiative is part of Skye Bank’s contribution towards encouraging small businesses, thus developing the SMEs sector of the Nigerian economy.

especially with its big population and resources.” Iranian and Nigerian officials, it would be recalled, met in Tehran to underline the need for further expansion of mutual cooperation. During the meeting in the Iranian capital, Head of the Iranian Parliament’s Agriculture Commission, Abbas

Rejayee, explored avenues for bolstering and reinvigorating bilateral ties, especially in agricultural fields. Rejayee said: “Iran and Nigeria are two important and influential countries in two regions of the Middle East and West Africa and their cooperation can produce considerable interests for the two nations.”

Chemstar Paints holds awards for staff

s part of its 20th a n n i v e r s a r y, Chemstar Paints Industry Nigeria Limited, manufacturers of Fine Coat and Sheild Paints, has given various gift items and cash to 17 staff who have spent between 10 and 15 years with the firm, under the GMD (Group Managing Director) Annual Merit Award. The event, which took place in Lagos recently, saw the awardees carting away 32’’ LCD Television, refrigerators and plaques. These are in addition to certificates and cash. Of the 17 awardees, 15 staff were awarded for 10 years of service while two were awarded for 15 years of service. Addressing the gathering, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Remi Awode, who noted that the company’s

greatest assets were its human resources, said that the company, as a matter of policy, would continue to appreciate deserving staff. The elated staff, also received gift items such as DVD players, GoTv decoders, toasting machines among others in a raffle draw held at the same occasion. Meanwhile, the GMD, who indicated the interests of the company to improve on the annual award, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take the issue of infrastructure development very seriously. According to him, if the new government could address the problem of basic infrastructure especially power, 50 per cent of the burden of players in the real sector would have been lifted off their shoulders.

Honeywell canvasses support for SMEs

oneywell Flour Mills Plc has identified functional basic infrastructure as a catalyst for the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The firm in a statement listed such infrastructure to include constant power supply, security, absence of multiple taxation, and access to soft loans. The Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Olanrewaju Jaiyeola, noted that a conducive environment would boost businesses and consequently engage restive youths productively. Describing small businesses as the engine of growth of any economy,

Jaiyeola said: “Unemployment and the search for white collar jobs will reduce significantly if the youths are productively engaged with the provision of basic infrastructure for their ideas to thrive. Nigeria is blessed with innovative youths whose ideas, when fully encouraged, can transform the country to a greater height. “At Honeywell, we strive to promote youth talents in such a way that they will be useful to themselves and the country entirely. That is why as a company, we always embrace sponsorship activities that will add value to Nigerian youths.”

Business | Industry

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

MAN decries high lending rate to small businesses WORRY The CBN should find a way to reduce MPR to three per cent Stories by Dele Alao

he Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed disaffection with the high lending rate to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

President, MAN, Dr. Frank Jacobs, who noted that access to fund for various vibrant sectors of the economy especially the SMEs was still a major challenge hindering the growth and development of the country, said: “The lending rate to SMEs and other sectors of the economy is still not good enough,” Reviewing the first quarter of the year, the MAN boss said that real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5.94 per cent at the end of the fourth quarter of 2014, showing a 0.29 percentage point decline from

the 6.23 per cent position at the end of the third quarter of the same year. He added that his administration would sustain and improve upon the advocacy machinery, saying that the interface between the association and government at various levels would be improved upon. He identified the establishment of a centre for entrepreneurial studies to train and develop entrepreneurs as well as aspiring manufacturers with the capacity to add value to the Nigerian economy

and secure a land in Abuja for the construction of a befitting corporate headquarter for the association. The MAN president added that there was also going to be a closer collaboration with tertiary institutions and research institutes to close up the existing gap between the manufacturing sector, research institutes and tertiary institutions in a bid to maximise the results of resources and skills required in industries. Meanwhile, the MAN boss has appealed to the Central

Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to bring the current Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) of 13 per cent to three per cent to loosen the tight access to funds for SMEs and the real sector of the economy. “Our recommendation to the CBN is to find a way to reduce MPR to three per cent. The only way to industrialise is when loans are less than 10 per cent. MPR at three per cent might transform the banking sector to fund SMEs and other vibrant sectors of the economy,” he said.

1,000 young CEOs meet on promoting entrepreneurship

o less than 1, 000 young chief executive officers (CEO) are expected in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, to discuss promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in building economic leaders for tomorrow. According to the Chairman, Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), Mr. Moses Siasia, who is the convener of the conference, the conference will, among other things, afford young entrepreneurs in Nigeria the opportunity to exchange ideas with their peers from other parts of the world. He said:”It will challenge and empower entrepreneurship mentality amongst its participants; and thus enable them to create an economic revolution in Nigeria, or any part of Africa where their businesses are located. “The conference will fo-

cus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and its impact on the Nigerian and global economy. It is also expected to provide entrepreneurs with the opportunity to reflect on economic progress and prospects for strengthening business-to-business linkages across Africa.” The NYPF boss, who noted that the conference, which would look into key sectors ranging from Agriculture, Oil and Gas, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Blue Sea Economy (Marine), Manufacturing/Processing, Creative Industry, said it would engender a more integrated participation across Nigeria, by renewing commitment for a tighter bilateral and multilateral cooperation across associations representing young Nigerians entrepreneurs.

‘Nigeria profits $10bn from trade relations with China’

he Nigeria-China business relations has resulted into $10 billion profit for the country from the initial $700 million profit margins, the Nigeria-China Business Council (NCBC) has said. The Council, which noted that the improvement occurred through it, said that plans were underway to promote the building of Chinese industries to manufacture products and services in the country to develop the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). A Memorandun of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Federal Government, Ministry of Power and China, early this year with some Chinese firms to build Independent Power Projects (IPPs) in Lagos, Bauchi, Ogun and Ondo states, as well to manufacture electric household meters in the Free Trade Zone, Calabar, for easy distribution of power supply. The national coordinator and chief executive of-

ficer of the NCBC, Mathew Uwaekwe, in a conference held recently in Lagos, said that the companies have begun the mass production of the meters. “However, the IPPs will begin operations once the paperwork of the projects is settled. The IPPs will generate up to 310 megawatts (mw) in Lagos, 110mw in Ogun State, and the Omotosho two-phase Power Plant will generate 450mw and 500mw,” Uwaekwe said. Uwaekwe admitted that Chinese companies manufacturing in Nigeria would strengthen Nigerians trust in made-in-China products, as products will be designed to global standards and to withstand the country’s climes. “It also makes it easier for quality maintenance bodies such as Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to easily check the standards,” Uwaekwe said.

L-R: Legal and External Affairs Director, British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), Freddy Messanvi; President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs; Managing Director, BATN, Chris McAllister, and Operations Director, BATN, Charles Kyalo, during a courtesy visit by the officials of MAN to BATN Ibadan factory.

Fifty firms set for cardexpo Africa

ot less than 50 companies, including banks and card companies from the local and international payment community, have expressed their willingness to participate at this year edition of Cardexpo Africa 2015 conference and exhibition. The theme for the event is, “Innovation: The Future of ePayment.” The conference, holding later in the month, will focus greatly on the future of e-payment, the assumption that underlines growth potential and how innovation will drive the process. The conference and exhibition will also focus on new users as well as the service delivery strategy that will deliver the future of payment. Top government agencies

such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) have also put their weight as partners to this event. Conference Director, Lilian Ekwedike, said the event came on the back of the payment landscape evolving rapidly over the past decade. This has been attributed to a flurry of innovation and regulation, expansive growth in electronic payments and the inclusion of new market entrants. “In the traditional electronic payment sector the weak national economies across Africa continue to drive cost efficiencies in both domestic and international payment systems,” she said. Ekwedike added that inter-

national trade expansion and globalisation were growing the demands for cross border payment while the rapidly changing demands of corporates, non-banks and banks for lower, reduced fees and improved services would increase pressure on traditional payments models to rationalise. She noted that over the next five to seven years, retail and wholesale payments were expected to mature into highly automated and interactive ecosystems. Meanwhile, organisers have put together Demo Sessions for pitches by young developers of brilliant e-payment technologies. They will have the opportunity to present and demonstrate their innovative solutions during the conference.

UAE-based firm, Almasa, begins operations in Nigeria, others

AE-based distributor, Almasa, has planned to open offices in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda. Almasa holds Middle East distribution rights for many major brands. Preparatory to the official launch in the countries, the Almasa team will participate in the Distree Africa 2015 in Ke-

nya next week, to meet channel partners from across the region. The event showcases products like electronics, digital device and ICT products as a whole etc. in the Electronics & Electrical Goods, Industrial Products industries. Sales Manager, Middle East & North Africa (MENA) at Almasa, Manoj Kumar, said: “Almasa has been operating for

20 years and has now decided to look at the potential of the African market. We will use Distree Africa 2015 to meet various regional partners, understand their current profile and see how we can extend and support these partners requirement using our Middle East distribution set-up. Almasa holds Middle East distribution rights for many major brands.”

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

ICT

51.5m telephone lines inactive in Nigeria – NCC p.36

Cybercrime Act: Sanitising ICT sector The passing of Cybercrime Act 2015 by the Federal Government opens another chapter in the quest to sanitising Nigeria’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry, reports KUNLE AZEEZ

out lawful authority if such trafficking affects public, private or individual interest within or outside the Federation of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not more than N7 million or imprisonment for a term of not more than 3 years or both.”

ne of the parting gifts to Nigeria by the immediate past democratic administration of President Goodluck Jonathan was his assent to the passing into law of the Nigerian Cybercrime Act 2015. Specifically, the Act dubbed: ‘Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention Act’, was signed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on May 15, 2015. The bill, which went through the rigorous process of 60th Chambers of the National Assembly before it was passed into an Act, lists offences and penalties that are punishable under the Act. Instructively, with the enactment of this Act, any crime or injury on critical national information infrastructure, especially telecoms facilities; sales of preregistered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, unlawful access to computer systems, cyber-terrorism, are, henceforth, punishable under the Act. Other such punishable offences include unlawful operation of cybercafes, system interference, intercepting electronic messages, emails, e-money transfer and other computer-related forgeries. Theft of electronic devices, electronic signature, child pornography and related offences, racism and xenophobic offences are punishable under the Act. Objectives The overarching objective of the Act is to provide an effective and unified legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the prohibition, prevention, detection prosecution and punishment of cybercrimes in Nigeria. It also seeks to ensure the protection of critical national information infrastructure as well as promoting cyber security and the protection of computer systems and networks electronic communications, data and computer programmes intellectual property and privacy rights. Infrastructure protection Over the years, Nigeria has suffered frequent cases of vandalism of its public infrastructures, which are key to support-

A cyber crime alert illustration

ing the economy. Telecoms companies in Nigeria have been witnessing series of vandalism to their physical infrastructure such as fiber optic cables as well as their transceiver base stations scattered across the country. Though the development appears to have reduced slightly now, as at 2013, MTN alone claimed it recorded an average of 70 cases of vandalism to its infrastructure on a monthly basis. Similar cases are also reported by other telecoms operators in the country including other Internet Service Providers (ISP). These cases of vandalism to national infrastructures including telecoms facilities, power infrastructures are now enabler of the economy According to Part II (2) of the Act, the President of the Federal Republic may prescribe minimum standards, guidelines, rules or procedure in respect of the protection or preservation of critical information infrastructure; the general management of critical information infrastructure; access to transfer and control of data in any critical information infrastructure, among others. Catalogue of penalties According to Part III of the Act, which deals with offences and penalties, “a person who, with intent commits any offence punishable under this Act against any critical national information infrastructure designated under section 3 of this Act, is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years without option of fine. Also, “Where the offence committed under subsection (1) of

If well implemented, the law will deter criminallyminded individuals

this section results in grievous bodily harm to any person, the offender is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than 15 years without option of fine. “Where the offence committed under subsection (1) of this section results in the death of a person, the offender is liable on conviction to life imprisonment.” The Act also prescribes that a person who, without authorisation, intentionally access in whole or in part a computer system or network for fraudulent purposes and obtains data that are vital to national security, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years or a fine of not more than N5 million or both. “Where the offence provided in subsection (1) of this section is committed with the intent of obtaining computer data, securing access to any programme, commercial or industrial secrets or classified information, the punishment shall be imprisonment for a term of not more than seven years or a fine of not more than N7 million or both. It also explains that, “a person who with the intent to commit an offence under this section, uses any device to avoid detection or otherwise prevent identification or attribution with the act or omission, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than seven years or to a fine not more than N7 million or both such. “A person or organisation who knowingly and intentionally traffics in any password or similar information through which a computer may be accessed with-

Cyber café operators The Act also seeks to create some level of sanity into the business of café operators. According to the Act, henceforth, “all operators of cybercafé shall register as a business concern with Computer Professionals Registration Council in addition to a business name registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission and maintain a register of users through a sign-in register and the register shall be available to law enforcement personnel whenever needed.” Also, “a person, who perpetrates electronic or online fraud using a cyber café, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of three years a fine of N1 million or both.” In the event of proven connivance by the owner of the cybercafé, such owners are guilty of an offence and are liable to a fine N2 million or imprisonment for a term of three years or both, according to the Act. The Act, however, stipulates that the burden of proving connivance shall be on the prosecutor. Section 8 of the Act also emphasises the punishment for tampering with ICT equipment, as “a person, who, without lawful authority, intentionally or for fraudulent purposes, does an act, which causes directly or indirectly the serious hindering of the functioning of a computer system by inputting, transmitting, damaging, deleting, deteriorating, altering or suppressing computer data or any other form of interference with the computer system, which prevents the computer system or any part thereof, from functioning in accordance with its intended purpose, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years or to a fine of not more than N5 million or both.” Beyond these, there are other aspects of the Act that address some other areas of ICT-related or computer-mediated criminal activities especially within the government circles and the prescribed penalties for such illegal acts. Conclusion Stakeholders are of the view that the Act, if well implemented, the new law will go a long way in deterring criminally-minded individuals from perpetrating all forms of criminal activities and tendencies with ICT.

Business | ICT

REVENUE LOSS The increase in inactive telephone lines result in loss of potential revenues Stories by Kunle Azeez

he number of inactive telephone lines in Nigeria has increased to 51.1 million, latest industry report by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said. According to the NCC report, while the total connected telephone lines in the country stood at 196.9 million, the actual connected lines were 145.4 million, leaving 51.5 million lines inactive. Lines often become inactive when telephone lines already connected on mobile networks are not recharged with airtime or used for data services over a period of time. Inactivity of phone lines, according to experts, may also set in when subscribers lose their existing lines that have been connected on the a network and then go for new lines on another or same network. All mobile networks in the country, including the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and fixed wired/wireless operators in the country, share the 51.5 million dormant lines. However, the inactivity of mobile liens often results in

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

51.5m telephone lines inactive in Nigeria – NCC loss of revenue by moble telecoms networks. “Having 51.5 million inactive telephone lines in Nigeria means the holders of those lines are not spending money on the lines to access telecoms services and this also result in loss of revenue for mobile networks,” said a telecoms analyst, Mr. Akin Akinbo. According to him, having a large volume of dormant lines in a country such as Nigeria, where operators are grappling with the challenge of dwindling revenues and an increasing operational expenditure is uncalled-for. Meanwhile, on the active telephone lines, the NCC report also said that Nigeria telecoms market had 39.1 million active telephone subscriptions by the end of December, 2014 with a teledensity of 99.39 per cent. The growth in mobile subscription in the Africa’s largest telecoms market has further increased to 140.8 million in January this year, 142.5 million in February and 143.9 million and 145.4 million active mobile subscriptions, according to the NCC study. According to the NCC official report, teledensity jumped from 99.39 percent in Decem-

African leaders to discuss future of Internet

hought leaders from the business community in the African continent will converge on Abuja next week for the 2015 Chief Executive Officer’s roundtable to discuss the future of the Internet and the implication of its proper governance for the benefit of all. With the theme, “Mobilising African Business Leaders for the future of the Internet”, the forum, organised by Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA), will feature contributions from the business leaders on how to make the Internet more relevant in driving economic growth in the continent. Speaking on the forthcoming event and providing insights into the issues germane to African continuous growth and development, AfICTA Chairman, Dr. Jimson Olufuye, noted that there has been little or no voice by African business leaders in Internet governance. As such, Olufuye stated that the forum would activate wider African business voices and content on the global business discourse in the area of Internet governance, domain name system (DNS) industry, cyber and information security, Intellectual property rights, create access to venture capitals to enhance sustainable business, and articulate and advise on strategic policy for

business and governance. Accordingly, the forum, he said, will attract speakers such as the Director of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Peter Jack; the Trade and Transport Enabling Environment Lead at the USAID West Africa Trade Hub Network and African Partnership Project, Dr. M.O. Afolabi; Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement for the Africa region at Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Pierre Dandjinou; Chairman, Computer Society of Kenya, Dr. Waudo Siganga; and President of ICT Strategies, mCADE LLC, United States, Marilyn Cade, among other international speakers. Beginning from Nigeria, Olufuye explained that the exclusive business leaders’ forum will be conducted each year across member African economies giving consideration for national business leaders’ voice to be coalesced for active national, regional and global engagement in Internet public policy discourse. He maintained that effective policy framework for the Internet, Internet governance issues, opportunities in the expanding DNS industry and why people’s voice should be heard will be part of the subtheme of the awareness and capacity building forum.

ber last year to 100.56 per cent in January this year. By February, March and end of April, the figure increased to 101.85 per cent; 102.81 per cent and 103.91 per cent respectively. In terms of market share by technologies, analysis of the data showed that, of the 145.4

million mobile, GSM operators, including MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat hold 143 million, the CDMA, a market segment led by Visafone, controls 2.2 million lines while fixed line operators recorded 184,790 actve lines. The NCC data also provided

the latest total connected telephone lines in the country, aside the active lines. According to the data, the number of connected telephone lines in the country was now put at 196.9 million at the end of April, of which 145.4 million are active lines.

L-R: Senior Manager, Product Portfolio, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Mr. Abu Etu; Administrator, Saints Peter and Paul Nursery and Primary School, Ikate, Elegusi Lekki, Lagos, Ms. Barbara Pepoli and Senior Manager, Network Engineering, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Mr. Olumide Idowu, at a one-day Information and Communication Technology field trip to Vodacom facility in Lagos.

n Internet service provider (ISP), Smile Communications Nigeria Limited is set to lift 10 bloggers to develop their blogging platform into becoming viable business enterprises. Chief Marketing Officer, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Alero Ladipo, stated this during a forum organised for bloggers in Lagos. He said the need to constantly create quality contents, exhibit professionalism and develop passion is critical to enhancing capacity of bloggers in Nigeria and the entire West African region. Mrs Ladipo noted that in as much as bloggers must

Smile moves to lift 10 bloggers ensure explicit, informative and clearly defined content delivery with passion and fun, they should not relent in professionalising in order to attract the right businesses to monetise the enterprise. She explained that to succeed, bloggers needed to imbibe some distinct qualities. The expert listed other qualities to include sticking to their already created niches built on professionalism, uniqueness, responding quickly to trends, investing in the content design, while building on loyal audience, relationships and reaching out to experts.” “We are also already pre-

paring grounds to partner with 10 bloggers to support them in lifting the platforms to greater heights,” she said. Mrs. Ladipo noted that people think that blogging is a habit that anybody can just pick up and start practising it. She however, noted that, “as we get more people entrenched in consistent growth, it becomes important we make it professional. “Essentially, readers visit bloggers for a particular reason. By implication, a blog is not a dumping ground. Stick to the core reason you started the blog and adhere to your principles.”

Ericsson improves spectrum usage

new 5G Air Interface technology introduced by a global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firm has been designed to improve reliability, performance and spectrum efficiency, the company has said. It said that the 5G solution doubles mobile data speeds with no additional spectrum investment. The next big generation of mobile networking according to statement from the company, is not expected to be commercially available

until 2020, but Ericsson already has indoor and outdoor 5G test networks in Sweden and the United States. Ericsson’s latest 5G technology breakthrough according to the statement, provides a way to deliver drop-free, higher capacity mobile connections for both people and things, while making the most of available spectrum. Chair Professor of Wireless Communications and Head of the Centre for Telecommunications Research (CTR), King’s College London, Mischa Dohler, said:

“High-speed, highly reliable mobile networks are foundational to the tactile Internet and the Internet of skills that it will enable. The results that are being achieved in Ericsson’s live 5G test networks, much faster data rates, more resilient connections and squeezing capacity out of spectrum, are all critical to unleashing the new use cases that will drive 5G.” On how it works, Ericsson said the 5G mobile devices connect to more than one 5G cell site at the same time.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSday, JUNE 4, 2015

Photo | News

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

L-R: Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina; APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garuba Shehu, at a meeting with leaders of APC in Abuja. PHOTO:TIMOTHYIKUOMENISAN Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (right), with the Head of Service, Alhaji Mohammed Auwal Na’iya, during Ganduje’s visit to ministries in Kano.

L-R: Past District Governor, Lions 404 District, Lion Stella Agbogun; District Governor, 404 District B2, Lion Abiodun Adebiji; Chairperson, Lion International Services for Children, Lion Felicia Koleoso and past president, Ikeja Golden Lions Club, Lion Ola Eti-Williams, at the Lions District 404 Children Day celebration in Lagos.

L-R: All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Prince Tony Momoh; former Special Adviser on Niger Delta Matters to President Goodluck Jonathan, Timi Alaibe and Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Timi Frank, during a talk shop on President Muhammadu Buhari’s change agenda and the Niger Delta struggle for development held in Abuja. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

L-R: Director, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, Mr. Mike Alexander; Chief Executive Officer, Austin Avuru; Chairman, Dr. ABC Orjiako and Company Secretary, Dr. Marian Kachikwu, at the company’s annual general meeting held in Lagos. L-R: Director, Environmental Assessment Department, Federal Ministry Environment, Mr. John Alonge; Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Nana Mede and former Director of Environmental Assessment, Dr. Modupe Odubela, at the national stakeholders’ workshop on the revised environmental impact assessment in Abuja. PHOTO-NAN

L-R: Official of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Ibiyemi Jegede; Corporate Affairs Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO (FCW), Mrs. Ore Famurewa; winner, Chika Mbewu; Marketing Manager, Mrs. Dolapo Otegbayi and Art Teacher, Headstart Private School, Isolo, Mr. Solomon Amu, at the presentation of prize to winner of “Vision Nigeria Art Challenge” sponsored by FrieslandCampina WAMCO in Lagos.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: Executive members of Pardoned War Veterans Social Association, Trustee, Mr. Okoronkwo Okoronkwo; Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Ossai and Secretary, Chief Mbiana Mbiana, at a news conference calling on the Federal Government to pay their approved pension allowances in Enugu.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Mom&Parenting What not to say to kids

e hated the word stupid! He wouldn’t tolerate it in any form, not even from his friends. That probably could be the reason Ikenna Elijah, an undergraduate of a popular Nigerian university had gotten into a fight with his roommate. The fight had been so serious that he refused to be pacified by other students. The problem was that his friend called him ‘stupid’! His argument was that he had warned his roommate on several occasions against calling him stupid but it appeared his friend enjoyed calling him that; “any little argument between us, even when joking, he called me ‘stupid.’ He got used to saying stupid to me because he knew how much I detested that word. It means that he was bullying me and I could no longer tolerate it,” he said. The calm and amiable Elijah had to explain his reason for hatred of that particular choice of word-‘Stupid.’ He said his father had no other language for him other than Stupid! “My father called me all sort of names but stupid was the most consistent, probably because of my calm and slow nature,” he said. This somehow affected Elijah psyche and personal esteem that he rarely believed people’s words when they showered praises on him! Although I.K as he was fondly called was very calm and composed on the surface, he had a strong internal conflict clashing with the external, thereby leading to emotional imbalance for him. He strongly believed that his father took pleasure in seeing him fail. Iyke Simon was another young man who could not see himself beyond being a moron because that was what his parents called him. The 21-year-old undergraduate behaved in such a manner that even his friends couldn’t help but make jest of him all the time. “At times, my course mates would call me to a circle just to make them laugh,” he said. Simon narrated that it

Mom&Parenting

Oluwatosin Omoniyi City Editor

started when he was a child, he would cry back to his parents whenever his play mates fight him and gained upper hand. “My mom would shout at me to go and fight back. She would say, “I did not give birth to you to become a moron.” To every statement she made to me, she usually ended it calling me,’Moron’! The two persons mentioned above are just a few out of many kids, teenagers and possibly adults who suffered such lots in life. They suffered emotional pain due to the words their parents used on them. At times, the children even act the so-called names thereby becoming subject of ridicule to their mates and friends. According to Gbemisola Theresa, a guidance counselor, parents and guardians are children’s first role models, even before the society, school and religion comes in. And whatever a child Words can hurt photo:theinspirationroom.com believes from childhood to young age, takes a long time to wipe off depending on a outer and supesurvey questions to appraise Ericsson,who co-authored a rior influence. She added that their behavior problems, depresstudy, published in the Journal of although there are the annoying sion symptoms and the warmth Affective Disorders, parents may moments and parents could be of the relationship with their parhave learned this style of parenttempted to say something that is ents. Parents completed surveys ing from their own parents, or unpleasant. This she said could to gauge their use of harsh verbal they simply may be unaware of be termed verbal abuse which she discipline. positive ways to motivate or dissaid is very common in this part When their children were 13, cipline their children. “They may of the world. “Parents mostly unabout 45 per cent of participatalso have a psychiatric or personconsciously, are verbally abusive ing mothers and 42 per cent of ality disorder that interferes with to their children.” She said. fathers said they had used harsh their parenting abilities,” he said. According to a new study by verbal discipline with their child He explained further that chilthe Wall Street Journal, Parents during the past year. Those kids dren tend to believe the negative who yell at their adolescent chilthings they hear, and they begin whose parents used higher levdren for misbehaving can cause to use those negative statements els of harsh verbal discipline some of the same problems as when their children were 13 exas explanations for anything that hitting them would, including perienced larger increases in goes wrong. For instance, a child increased risk of depression behavior problems the next year, who does not get invited to a party and aggressive behavior. Another including fighting with peers, or does poorly on a test will think trouble in school and lying to study conducted by researchers the reason is because he or she is at the University of Pittsburgh parents, as well as symptoms of no good if that is the message conand the University of Michigan, veyed by a parent. This pattern Anything you depression. The increases were similar if said good, solid and warm relaof self-criticism continues into do to berate tionship with parents does not parents used harsh verbal disadulthood and has been shown to protect teens from the negative cipline or physical approaches make an individual more prone to or shame a effects of parents’ yelling, curssuch as pushing or spanking. The depression and anxiety. kid erodes ing or lobbing insults, such as degree of warmth of the parentchild relationship outside of any calling teens “lazy” or “stupid,” that power the study found. altercations didn’t alter the negayou have Timothy Verduin, an intertive effects of the harsh verbal national based clinical assistant discipline. Kids’ behaviour problems also led parents to increase professor of child and adolescent psychiatry, said parents can eftheir use of harsh verbal discifectively discipline kids by taking pline tactics, fueling an escalataway privileges, such as screen ing cycle, the study found. time or the car keys. “Make sure A new study by Florida State you do it without attaching a ton University researchers has found of critical, punitive, insulting that people who were verbally abused as children grow up to kinds of language to it,” he said. be self-critical adults prone to “You feel a lot more responsible depression and anxiety. People for your behavior when you’re bewho were verbally abused had ing corrected by someone you respect and admire. Anything you 1.6 times as many symptoms of do to berate or shame a kid erodes depression and anxiety as those that power you have,” he added. who had not been verbally abused The study followed 976 twoand were twice as likely to have parent families, with children suffered a mood or anxiety disor- A verbally abused boy assessed at ages 13 and 14. Reder over their lifetime. photo:islamicinvitationtorkey.com searchers asked kids various According to Sachs-

40 Mom&Parenting

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Spare them these words

MOM’S ALERT with

Grace Essen

grace.essen@gmail.com

Surviving the worst fuel scarcity in Nigeria

A Pacifying her verbally hurt daughter

ticks and stones may break kids’ bones, but a parent’s words can truly hurt them. In moments of anger and frustration, we tend to say things to or around our children without thinking of the consequences. There are some, like our favourite fourletter word, that evoke laughter from kids. And there are other, less humorous phrases that can make kids cry, lower their selfesteem, and potentially ruin their relationship with a parent. Though it may take some extra effort, Leah Rocketto, assistant editor of POPSUGAR Moms (www.circle of mom) shares some phrases that parents should stop saying to their children. “Here, I’ll do it.” It’s natural to want to take control of a child’s project or make their bed, but then they will never learn (or want to learn) how to do it themselves. “Don’t cry.” Children should feel safe when it comes to expressing their emotions. Telling your child not to shed a tear implies that there is something wrong with it, when it’s completely normal. “Why can’t you be more like ___?”

photo:www.bigblendedfamily.com

Nothing makes a child feel worse than hearing she isn’t as good as a sibling or a peer. Instead, you should celebrate their unique strengths. “You sure you want to eat that?” There are better ways to talk to your child about eating and exercise habits than a judgmental comment. Your choice of words could be the difference between body image issues and body confidence. “Wait until your - gets home.” There are two things wrong with this statement. One, it makes it seem like they won’t be punished until later and could cause them to act out more. Two, it implies that you have no control over the situation. “You’re fine.” To us, a small scrape is no big deal, but to a child, it can be the most painful experience in the world. Simply tend to their booboo, but don’t make it a bigger deal than it is. “I promise.” When you break a promise to a child, you build trust issues. So when it comes to big gestures, say “I’ll try” instead. “Your - is an idiot.” If you don’t want your child calling his peers idiots, then

perhaps you shouldn’t use the word either. Not to mention it insinuates that there are problems between you and your partner. “There’s no reason to be scared.” Telling your kid this won’t change the fact that they are scared. Instead, talk to them about their fear and try to help them through it. “I hate you too.” At some point, your child will say they hate you. But rather than stoop to their level (yes, some parents do this), simply say that you love them anyway. “Because I said so.” This is one cliché that we need to bury, and for good reasons. Without an explanation, your child sees no reason to stop the behaviour or action that you reprimanded him/her for. “I hope you have kids just like you.” While we understand what this sentiment means, your children may interpret it as you saying you hate raising them. “Shut up.” To be honest, it’s just rude.

Culled from www.circle of moms

Talking with her kid PHOTO: WWW.NIPOST.COM

fter you said “Hello”, “how are you coping with the fuel and light palava?” was the next question you asked anyone you spoke with over the phone, on the street, at work, everywhere. At first it was just like any other fuel scarcity we had experienced many times over in Nigeria. It started with rumours of fuel scarcity, panic buying, long queues in filling stations, and then hike in transport fares and other consumables. What we did not see coming was the extent this fuel scarcity would go. People had jerry cans all over the place; even women sold petrol from their homes. It made more sense to call people on phone than to go out to meet them, except of course if it was absolutely necessary. When I saw text messages from telecoms companies and banks notifying customers that services would be affected, I wondered if it could get any worse. If multinationals could be affected that badly how much more the smallest unit/ organization in the society so to speak, where you are I are the CEOs, and are expected to have answers to every situation, after all mothers know best. Thankfully the situation is gradually easing off and at last power was restored but not with the usual jubilation you would expect. I guess at first we were not sure if we were just being reminded that Power Distribution companies still existed, but now I can say it’s for real, at least over the weekend I was able to run a full cycle of laundry using my washing machine without any interruption. I asked around to know how moms survived or better put, managed the situation and I found that our experiences were basically the same: At first we were hit with power outage and we all managed to keep food and vegetables fresh by powering them with generators. But as it became more and more difficult to get fuel , our refrigerators and freezers automatically became useless and we all resulted to cooking what could be eaten and finished at a time, or at worst the following day, hoping the situation will improve but it didn’t. Then the prices of kerosene and cooking gas went up, e.g. 12.5kg gas cylinder which sold for N3,000 rose to N5,000, we switched to instant foods. For most homes, it was noodles which required short cooking time and minimal ingredients, and bread and tea which required no

cooking at all except boiling of water. I was at a family friends’ home last week to celebrate the birthday of the head of the family and was presented with the most delicious jellof rice I have had in recent time. Conspicuously absent was meat; chicken, turkey, fish, whatever; instead what we had with it was boiled eggs - a reflection of the time we were in. Eggs were such a great alternative, no needed for refrigeration! The next issue and probably one of the worst was scarcity of water. When there is no light, water became scarce particularly for those of us who get our water from boreholes and have to depend on power to pump water. For a mom with young children, not having enough water to cook, clean, wash clothes, flush the toilets and for other numerous needs at home was just unthinkable. It was so bad every drop of water was put to good use. While we strive to keep our homes running, some schools sent out messages informing parents that school buses would not run due to fuel scarcity. Of course we all saw that coming, but secretly hoped it didn’t get to that - how on earth could we to do school runs when we didn’t have petrol in our cars? And with 27th and 29th May Children’s day and public holiday respectively, most schools without any warning decided to shut down for the entire week from 26th May until 1st June, in the hopes that the situation would improve (I guess we all expect a miracle of some sort after 29th May). That left working moms particularly those with no househelps in double dilemma - no fuels to get to work and no where to keep their children to go to work. The self-employed and work-from-home moms had the advantage of flexibility, but they too were affected in some way - those who couldn’t work, didn’t make money. As if trying really hard to manage my household was not bad enough, I got a call from a close relative asking to have her come over to my house with her children to spend the mid term break/weekend, and the first thing I heard myself saying over the phone was: “I don’t have water and light o!” As if that was news, the response was: “We don’t have too, we will manage anyhow.” And that was exactly what we did, manage by trying in every way possible to make the best out of the terrible situation, and finding something to laugh about in it all, after all isn’t that what we Nigerians are known for?

Business | Money Line 41

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

StanChat to Buhari: Focus on exchange rate, credit

COUNSEL

Research shows firms continue to struggle with both issues Tony Chukwunyem

he Buhari administration has been advised to quickly focus on

addressing issues of exchange rate stability and credit availability in the financial system. Standard Chartered Bank’s analysts, Razia

Khan and Sarah BayntonGled, made this call in a note made availability to New Telegraph. The analysts, who hinged their counsel on

the contents of the latest Standard Chartered MNI Business Sentiment indicator (BSI), noted that although the successful transition to a new ad-

Sterling Bank, LEAP Africa support SMEs

terling Bank Plc and LEAP Africa, a leadership development organisation, will join key industry leaders and risk management experts to lead discussions on risk management strategies for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos next week. Chief Financial Officer, Sterling Bank, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, made this known at a news conference in Lagos. He said over 800 SMEs were expected to attend the 10th edition of the LEAP Africa’s CEO Forum for SMEs. The forum, tagged ‘Staying ahead: Maximising profit and mitigating risks’, the Sterling Bank ED explained, would help operators to understand inherent risks that could lead to the sudden col-

lapse of their businesses. He said the bank believes SMEs makes significant contribution to economic growth and this informed its decision to partner with LEAP Africa on the conference. Suleiman said: “The conference has to do with how we can help SMEs to deal with risk factors that impact their businesses negatively. Many of us know how the recent devaluation of the naira affected several SMEs. Aside this, factors like information management can also affect SMEs. These are little things that can cause big issues for SMEs. “At Sterling Bank, we always ask ourselves what benefits any programme we decide to partner on will bring to participants. Once we know it will ben-

efit the environment and the economy, we go ahead. This is why we have decided to partner LEAP Africa on this conference.” The Executive Director, LEAP Africa, Iyadunni Olubode, said the forum was meant to assist SMEs to overcome crucial risk factors in the challenging economic environment. She said the organisation was partnering with Sterling Bank to bring experts to talk on risk management practices for SMEs. The forum, she added, would provide cuttingedge solutions and best practices that would enable SMEs to deal with risks in the nation’s political and economic environment. Olubode said, “SMEs should be proactive in managing risk instead of

being reactive. There is a common misconception that only large companies need to manage risks, but this year’s forum seeks to address that and offer practical advice for entrepreneurs on protecting their profits through risk mitigation strategies.” The Managing Director, JNC International Limited, Clare Omatseye, who is expected to speak at the forum, emphasised the need for SMEs to adopt global best practice in risk management. She said the forum will identify major risk factors that affect SMEs in the Nigerian business environment. The Founder, LEAP Africa, Ndidi Nwuneli, said SMEs must define their purpose in order to achieve success on a longterm basis.

Economic Indicators

ETI eyes out-of-court settlement with ex CEO

As at M2* CPS* INF MPR 91-day NTB Bonny Light Ext Res**

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 8.7 13 10.77 US$61.39 US$29,392,099,745

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 May, 2015 24/2/2015 Mar 2015 24/2/2015 2/6/2015

Source:CBN

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

ministration had raised hopes that a democracy dividend appears evident in Nigeria, the progress was going to be gradual. According to the analysts, “Our BSI suggests two areas of immediate focus: The ‘effect of the Naira exchange rate’ and ‘Credit availability’ current conditions indicators both reached series-lows in May. More Nigerian businesses than ever before are reporting that FX market conditions are problematic. However, the sharp contrast with future expectations, which rebounded sharply (to 56.9) to levels not seen since last June, reveals that many expect matters to be resolved in the near term. “The ‘availability of credit indicator’ paints a gloomier picture. With current conditions at only 40.2, businesses reporting problems obtaining credit outnumber those responding more positively. Even future expectations for credit availability, at 51.8, just make it above the key breakeven level. The combination of weaker oil prices and FX depreciation has weakened the resilience of Nigeria’s banking sector, with many banks

adopting a more conservative approach to credit growth. A plan to gradually unlock bank lending may be required, if economic recovery hopes are to be realised.” The researchers stated, “The Standard Chartered MNI Business Sentiment indicator (BSI) increased 0.7% m/m to 61.4 in May. This follows a flat headline BSI indicator of 61.0 between March and April. Nigeria’s presidential and parliamentary elections were held on 29 March, with gubernatorial elections on 11 April. Ahead of the elections, activity in Nigeria slowed meaningfully.” Besides, the experts noted, “The key message from the May BSI is that perceptions of current business conditions are improving, but only very gradually. Future expectations are much more robust. The three-month BSI increased to 61.1 from 60.0 in the three months to April. Only 6 out of the 15 current conditions indicators improved in May, and mostly only by a small amount. In contrast, 5 out of 15 future expectations indicators improved in May (one indicator – new orders – was unchanged), each to a series-high.” According to the lender, the BSI for Nigeria is a diffusion index, summarising in a single number how optimistic businesses feel about current and future economic conditions.

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

an-African lender Ecobank Transnational Inc.(ETI) has said it may end its battle against former Chief Executive Officer Thierry Tanoh through an out-ofcourt settlement. The bank may seek an agreement with Tanoh this year over damages exceeding $35 million awarded by West African courts against his former employer, current Ecobank CEO Albert Essien said yesterday in an interview in Cape Town at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa. Bloomberg quoted Essien as saying, “Although the court process will go on, we will ultimately settle amicably,” Essien said. “I cannot stop the court process till we have a settlement. Both options will for now be pursued.” A commercial court in Ivory Coast last month ordered Ecobank’s local unit to pay Tanoh 8.2 billion CFA francs ($14 million). That was on top of $22.5 million

Tanoh was awarded last January and February by courts in Ivory Coast and Togo. A London court blocked those two rulings in April, a judgment Tanoh’s lawyer said he would challenge. Tanoh left Lome, Togo-based ETI, as the bank is known, more than a year ago after regulators investigated allegations of fraud and poor governance while he was CEO. He denied wrongdoing and took the bank to court for wrongful termination and defamation. ETI says Tanoh’s contract was based on British law and that the two West African courts have no jurisdiction. ETI will sell a stake in Ecobank Nigeria Ltd. by the end of 2015 to boost the unit’s capital, Essien said in Wednesday’s interview. Ecobank Nigeria is ETI’s biggest subsidiary with $9.4 billion of assets. ETI, whose largest shareholders are Johannesburg-based Nedbank Group Ltd. and Qatar National Bank SAQ, owns all of Ecobank Nigeria.

Business | Financial Market News

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

3-Jun-15

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

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

581.39 476.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 193.73 600.00 573.14 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 299.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,746.32

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,423.22

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

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

1.20 1.90 2.15 2.24 2.99 4.07 4.39 4.70 6.65 8.78 13.49 13.97 14.47 15.14 19.12

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

13.78 13.79 13.80 13.80 13.82 13.84 13.84 13.83 13.79 13.71 17.07 17.61 18.24 15.54 13.94

13.64 13.70 13.71 13.71 13.75 13.75 13.73 13.74 13.72 13.65 17.00 17.53 18.14 15.47 13.89

99.16 102.08 92.84 91.63 92.57 106.52 78.04 105.71 111.05 102.42 89.22 73.67 50.87 68.00 88.09

99.31 102.23 92.99 91.78 92.72 106.82 78.34 106.01 111.35 102.72 89.52 73.97 51.17 68.30 88.39

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

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

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.96 1.52 1.88 2.09

2.27 1.00 2.67 2.85

16.35 14.78 16.46 16.64

100.82 101.60 102.03 98.32

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

297.82

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

300.88

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.24

4.44

15.65

99.15

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.33

3.23

15.10

99.28

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.60

4.46

17.97

97.85

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.60

3.48

16.99

99.16

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.88

1.00

14.79

92.36

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.14

1.00

15.04

98.70

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.58

1.79

15.60

96.68

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

1.96

1.80

15.59

97.43

Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.97

1.00

14.79

98.66

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

1.95

1.00

14.79

99.53

Bb-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

1.95

4.78

18.57

93.14

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.14

1.00

14.80

101.14

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

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

15.09 80.00 25.70

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

2.58 4.47 2.54

2.02 1.00 1.00

15.83 14.84 14.81

99.27 98.92 99.88

BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

10.78

10-Oct-20

3.09

1.82

15.64

97.94

Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.49

1.00

14.80

95.21

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.58

1.00

14.80

100.70

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.24

1.44

15.26

98.17

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.27

1.00

14.83

100.38

99.53

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

452.88 440.30

Corporate Bonds BBB+/Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.21

1.00

12.19

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.27

1.00

12.36

99.90

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.35

2.63

14.69

99.80

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.32

1.00

14.91

97.73

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.40

1.34

15.20

98.81

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.33

1.00

14.80

96.51

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.56

30-Nov-17

1.56

1.88

15.66

103.84

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

5.40

09-Apr-18

1.60

3.84

17.62

97.84

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.54

09-Sep-18

1.77

1.00

14.79

104.60 101.70

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.70

09-Sep-18

1.77

1.00

14.79

A+/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

30-Sep-18

3.33

3.00

16.83

92.95

BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.10

18-Oct-18

1.88

2.29

16.08

99.43

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.36

17-Feb-19

1.96

6.11

19.90

97.16

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.58

2.16

15.97

100.00

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.45

2.76

16.57

95.37

BBB/GCR

FCMB

14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021

20-Nov-14

14.25

26.00

20-Nov-21

6.47

1.80

15.57

94.70

A/GCR

UBA

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021

30-Dec-14

16.45

30.50

30-Dec-21

6.58

1.57

15.34

104.46

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.33

1.00

14.94

85.03

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.33

1.00

14.94

91.57

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

187.44

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

182.43

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.69

1.00

14.81

90.02

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.75

1.00

14.83

85.13

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 21.83

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

5.83

5.62

104.38

105.41

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.69

4.35

101.25

102.22

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.00

5.86

102.35

103.30

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,539.89

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

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

6.29

4.10

101.09

103.13

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

6.99

100.50

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

10.71

9.36

90.59

93.78

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

7.42

6.92

95.76

97.24

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

7.22

96.75

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

10.15

9.73

95.53

96.84

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

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

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

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

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

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

9.15 10.18 9.37

9.15 10.09 9.37

95.70 96.08 92.94

95.70 96.49 92.94

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.27

9.81

92.38

94.38

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,650.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,507.43

**Treasury Bills^ DTM 8 22 29 36 43 50 57 64

FIXINGS Maturity 11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 2-Jul-15 9-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15 6-Aug-15

Bid Discount (%) 8.98 10.86 10.77 10.32 11.62 11.55 11.61 11.12

Offer Discount (%) 8.73 10.61 10.52 10.07 11.37 11.30 11.36 10.87

Bid Yield (%) 9.00 10.93 10.86 10.43 11.78 11.74 11.82 11.34

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.6917 14.9230 16.2258 17.2145

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

9.42

O/N Tenor Call 1M

9.83

REPO

Rate (%) 9.75 10.00

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

197.27 201.81 202.13 202.87 204.24 205.60

197.37 201.93 202.28 203.37 205.31 207.21

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

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

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.96 1.52 1.88 2.09

2.27 1.00 2.67 2.85

16.35 14.78 16.46 16.64

100.82 101.60 102.03 98.32

Agency Bonds 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

FMBN ***LCRM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

297.82

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

300.88

Business | Financial Market News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

BEARISH

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.24

4.44

15.65

99.15

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.33

3.23

15.10

99.28

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.60

Stock market loses N62bn 30-Jun-16

0.60

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.88

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

30-Jun-09

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.14

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.58

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

1.96

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

LAGOS Blue chip companies ‡ /Agusto *BAYELSA ‡ /Agusto EDO drag equities down*DELTA ‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

15.50

04-Oct-11 preciated by14.00 1.58NIGER perII 4-OCT-2018 cent at 2,229.05 points. 09-Dec-11 ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR† *EKITI 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 to close at 379.12 points, Lotus Islamic Index in12-Dec-13 Bb-/Agusto *NIGER 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 Stories by Chris Ugwu 14-Feb-12 ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR *ONDO 15.50NSE ONDO 14-FEB-2019 followed by the 30-In- creased to 2,230.72 points, 02-Oct-12 BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR *GOMBE 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 dex with 0.62 per cent to up 0.13 per cent. Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 22-Nov-12 heBBB+/GCR Nigerian stock close at 1,545.18 points. In all, the lead indica12-Dec-12 BBB-/Agusto; *OSUN 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 10-Oct-13 BBB-/Agusto *OSUN 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 tor dropped 0.54 per market yesterday Other sectorial indices cent 27-Nov-13 Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 returned to the negadded value except the Alto close at 33,868.72 points, 31-Dec-13 A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 31-Dec-13 ternative Securities Mar- compared with the in‡ /Agusto ative route, as activ*EKITI 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 06-Jan-14 A-/GCR *NASARAWA 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 ities on the shares of blue ket, which closed flat. crease of 0.05 per cent reTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE chip companies brought in The Insurance Index corded the preceding day, TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION the bears – culminating in a appreciated 0.90 per cent to Consequently, the market Corporate loss of N62Bonds billion. close at 148.92 points, while closed at 34,051.40 points. 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 17-Aug-10 BBB+/Agusto *UPDC Losses recorded mostly the Consumer Goods InMarket capitalisation 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 BBB-/Agusto 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS lost N62 billion to close inBB/GCR the banking sector haltdex gained 0.32 per cent to 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 at N11.51 trillion, 29-Sep-11 compoints. edA+/Agusto; a dayA-/GCR bullish trendNAHCO in close at 848.2113.00 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto on the Nigerian 25-Oct-13 FSDH equities The Oil 14.25 andFSDH Gas In- pared with the rise of N6 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR 30-Sep-10 UBA Stock Exchange (NSE) dex was up 2.46 per cent billion recorded the pre18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR 30-Nov-12 *C & I LEASING despite higher returns*DANA in to close at 358.00 ceding day – making the MPR+7.00 points, DANA 9-APR-2018 09-Apr-11 Nil MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR the oil and gas sector. *TOWER while the Industrial Index capitalisation to close at MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR *TOWER The Banking Index derose 0.74 per cent to close N11.57trillion. 14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018 A+/Agusto; A/GCR 30-Sep-11 UBA Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

#{r}

BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

*LA CASERA

Joint Forum releases credit risk mgt report 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 *CHELLARAMS he Joint Forum has unveiled 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 Nil its report on credit*DANA risk man15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO agement across sectors. 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 BBB/GCR FCMB 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 The study accordingUBA to a stateA/GCR 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR provides insight STANBIC ment, intoIBTC the 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR STANBIC IBTC current supervisory framework TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE around credit risk, the state of the significant market and reguTOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION credit risk management at firms latory changes since the 2008 fiSupranational Bond for the supervinancial crisis. and implications 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC sory and regulatory treatments Fifteen supervisors and 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P AfDB of credit risk. 23 firms from Europe, North TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE The Joint Forum was estab- America and Asia responded to TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION the survey. lished in 1996 under the aegis of the Basel Committee on Banking The report updates previous Description Rating/Agency Issuer Supervision (BCBS), the Inter- Joint Forum work on this topic, FGN Eurobonds national Organisation of Securi- particularly the management of 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P ties Commissions (IOSCO) and liquidity risk in financial groups the International Association of (2006), and used the date of that BB-/Fitch; FGN 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 BB-/S&P Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) to report as the benchmark when BB-/Fitch; 6.38in JULthe 12, 2023 deal with issues common to the analysing changes field of BB-/S&P banking, securities and insurance credit risk management. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE sectors, including the regulation Based on its analysis of the TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION of financial conglomerates. responses and subsequent disCorporate Eurobonds The statement noted that the cussions with firms, the Joint 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P PLC I report was based onGTBANK a survey Forum puts forth the following 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC that the Joint Forum conducted recommendations for consider6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC with supervisors andGTBANK firms ation by supervisors. 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P PLCin APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P securities ZENITH BANK PLC the banking, and inThe report 6.25 recommended 8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC surance sectors globally in order among other things, that super8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC toB-/Fitch; understand the current state visors should be cautious against 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II ofB-/Fitch; credit risk management given over-reliance mod8.00/2Yon USDinternal SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD #

#{r}

B-/S&P

5.73

14.00 9.00 Beta Glass Plc led the 14.50 13.73 gainers’ table with N1.99 14.00 10.20 27.00 at or 4.9815.50 per cent to close 15.50 15.09 N41.9614.50 per share, followed 80.00 by Portland Paints Plc with 14.75 25.70 14.75 10.78 to 17 kobo or 4.45 per cent 13.50 87.50 close at15.00 N3.99 per share. 5.00 14.50 4.55 CI Leasing Plc appre15.00 4.56 ciated by three kobo or 452.88 at 4.29 per cent to close 73 kobo per share,440.30 while UAC-Properties Plc added 10.00 2.50 36 kobo or 3.56 per cent to 12.00 18.75 close at N10.46 per share. 14.00 0.42 Nestle Plc was 13.00 15.00 up 5.53 to N30.0014.25 or 3.53 per cent 13.00 20.00 close at N880 per share. 18.00 0.56 Conversely , NASCON 16.00 5.40 18.00 46 kobo or 2.545.91 Plc shed 16.00 0.70 per cent to close at35.00 N7.33 14.00

NIGER

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

15.75

2.10

18.00

0.36

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

20-Nov-14

14.25

26.00

30-Dec-14

16.45

30.50

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

14-Aug-14

15.26

98.17

3.27

1.00

14.83

100.38

17-Aug-15

0.21

1.00

12.19

99.53

09-Dec-15

0.27

1.00

12.36

99.90

06-Jan-16

0.35

2.63

14.69

99.80

10.27

9.81

92.38

94.38

nity Kapital As- 1.00per cent.14.91 1.32 97.73 15.20 98.81 tax surance 1.40 Plc has 1.34 Its profit before 30-Sep-17 2.33 1.00 14.80 96.51 recorded 1.56 a 282 per 1.88equally 15.66 fell from N222.470 30-Nov-17 103.84 cent growth in net earnmillion to N175.023 million, 09-Apr-18 1.60 3.84 17.62 97.84 09-Sep-18 14.79 to a drop 104.60 ings for the first1.77quarter 1.00translating of 21 09-Sep-18 1.77 1.00 14.79 101.70 per cent. ended March 31, 2015. 30-Sep-18 3.33 3.00 16.83 92.95 In a filing with1.88 the Nige- 2.29 The company’s gross 18-Oct-18 16.08 99.43 17-Feb-19 1.96 (NSE), 6.11earnings, 19.90 however, 97.16rose rian Stock Exchange 2.58 the01-Apr-19 company posted a profit 2.16by four 15.97 per cent to100.00 N3.032 14-Nov-20 5.45 2.76 16.57 95.37 after tax of N217.370 million billion from N2.901 bil20-Nov-21 6.47 1.80 15.57 94.70 as against N56.877 30-Dec-21 6.58million 1.57lion. 15.34 104.46 30-Sep-24 during9.33 85.03firm recorded the com- 1.00 The 14.94 insurance 30-Sep-24 14.94 91.57 parable period of 9.33 2014. This 1.00had recorded a 31 per cent represented a growth of 282 decline in net earnings for the second quarter per cent. Similarly, profit be- ended June 30, 2014. 11-Feb-18 2.69 14.81 90.02 fore tax increased from 1.00 Its profit after tax stood 01-Feb-21 4.75 1.00 14.83 85.13 N56.877million to N276.243 at N181.171 million as million, accounting for a against N264.047 million. growth of 386 per cent. This represented a drop The Date company’s gross of(%)31 per cent. Offer Price Maturity Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield Bid Price Similarly, profit before premium rose marginally & Yields by one per cent to N1.002 Prices tax fell from N318.129 mil28-Jan-21 5.83 period 5.62lion to 104.38 105.41 billion in the review N202.987 million, of 2015 from N990.347 milaccounting for a drop of 12-Jul-18 4.69 4.35 101.25 102.22 lion in the corresponding 36 per cent. 12-Jul-23 5.86 103.30revperiod of 2014. 6.00 The 102.35 company’s Unity Kapital, however, enue however rose by 16 recorded a 46 per cent de- per cent to N2.007 billion cline in net earnings in the from N1.735 million. year ended December 31, UnityKapital Assur19-May-16 6.29 4.10 101.09 103.13 2014. ance Plc is merger of In25-Jul-17 6.99 6.99 100.50 100.50 The company posted a tercontinental Assurance 02-May-18 10.71 9.36 90.59 93.78 profit after tax of7.42 N141.476 6.92Company Global 08-Nov-18 95.76Limited; 97.24 22-Apr-19 96.75and General 96.75 Asmillion as against7.22 N244.020 7.22Commerce 21-May-19 10.15 96.84 million recorded during the 9.73surance95.53 Company Limited, 07-Aug-20 9.15 9.15 95.70 95.70 comparable period of 2013. and the old Kapital Insur24-Jun-21 10.18 10.09 96.08 96.49 This indicated a drop of 46 ance Company Limited. 23-Jul-21 9.37 9.37 92.94 92.94 25-Oct-16

250.00

14-Aug-21

3,650.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1.44

06-Jan-21

29-Sep-16

187.44

8.75

3.24

Unity Kapital reports 282% profit growth

els for credit risk management 182.43 and regulatory capital. Where appropriate, simple measures 11-Feb-13 10.20 could be evaluated in conjunc- 12.00 10-Jul-14 11.25 12.95 tion with sophisticated model24.95 ling to provide a more complete 21.83 picture. Outstanding Value Secondly , it noted that Issue Date Coupon (%) with ($mm) the current low interest rate environment possibly generat07-Oct-11 for yield’ 6.75through 500.00 ing a ‘search a variety of mechanisms, super12-Jul-13 5.13 500.00 visors should be cognisant of 12-Jul-13 6.38 the growth of such risk-taking 500.00 behaviours and the resulting 1,500.00 need for firms to have appropri- 1,539.89 ate risk management processes. Thirdly, it further noted that 19-May-11 supervisors should 7.50 be aware 500.00 25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 of the09-May-13 growing need6.88 for high- 300.00 quality08-Nov-13 liquid collateral to meet 6.00 400.00 22-Apr-14 6.25for OTC 500.00 margin requirements 21-May-14 8.75 derivatives sectors, and if any 200.00 8.25 issues 07-Aug-13 arise in this regard, they 300.00 24-Jun-14 9.25 400.00 should23-Jul-14 respond appropriately . 450.00 8.00

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

18-Oct-13

17-Feb-12

04-Oct-18 per09-Dec-18 share, while 1.97 Forte Oil 1.95 Plc12-Dec-18 dipped N8.14 1.95or 4.99 2.14N154.86 per14-Feb-19 cent to close at 02-Oct-19 2.58 per22-Nov-19 share. 4.47 RT Briscoe Plc 12-Dec-19 2.54 depre10-Oct-20 ciated by four 3.09 kobo or 27-Nov-20 5.49 4.8831-Dec-20 per cent to close at 78 5.58 31-Dec-20

kobo per17.97 share, while 97.85 Jos 3.48Breweries 16.99Plc fell 12 99.16 kobo 1.00 14.79 92.36 or 4.44 per cent to close at 1.00 15.04 98.70 share. 96.68 1.79N1.83 per 15.60 1.80 97.43 Skye 15.59 Bank Plc declined 1.00 14.79 98.66 12 kobo or 4.69 percent to 1.00 14.79 99.53 N2.58 per share. 4.78close at 18.57 93.14 1.00 14.80close of 101.14 At the busi2.02 15.83 99.27 ness, a total of 252.3 mil1.00 14.84 98.92 valued at 1.00lion shares 14.81 99.88 1.82N3.36 billion 15.64 were97.94 traded 1.00 14.80 95.21 deals. 1.00in 4,051 14.80 100.70 4.46

3-Jun-15

3,507.43

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute **Treasury Bills^ FIXINGS Money Market (Spot & Forwards) professional,DTM financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information isOffer accurate; however, theBid Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE”Tenor basis and mayRate not be accurateForeign or up toExchange date. We do not guarantee Maturity Bid Discount (%) Discount (%) Yield (%) (%) NIBOR the accuracy, 8timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for8.98 a particular purpose of8.73 any of the Information, 11-Jun-15 9.00neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information. 22 29 36 FGN Bonds 43 50 57 Rating/Agency 64 71 85 92 99 113 120 134 148 162 183 NA 197 218 225 232 239 246 253 260 267 274 TOTAL OUTSTANDING 288

VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 295

25-Jun-15 2-Jul-15 9-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15 Issuer 6-Aug-15 13-Aug-15 27-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 10-Sep-15 24-Sep-15 1-Oct-15 15-Oct-15 29-Oct-15 12-Nov-15 3-Dec-15 NA 17-Dec-15 7-Jan-16 14-Jan-16 21-Jan-16 28-Jan-16 4-Feb-16 11-Feb-16 18-Feb-16 25-Feb-16 3-Mar-16 17-Mar-16

10.86 10.77 10.32 11.62 11.55 11.61 Description 11.12 11.71 ^13.05 16-AUG-2016 10.85 10.77 ^15.10 27-APR-2017 11.28 9.85 27-JUL-2017 12.24 9.35 31-AUG-2017 12.60 10.70 30-MAY-2018 12.92 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 13.31 7.00 23-OCT-2019 13.31 12.52 15.54 13-FEB-2020 12.60 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 13.08 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 13.34 15.00 28-NOV-2028 13.17 12.49 22-MAY-2029 13.41 13.20 8.50 20-NOV-2029 13.20 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 13.24 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 13.31 13.15 12.91

10.61 10.52 10.07 11.37 11.30 11.36 Issue Date 10.87 11.46 16-Aug-13 10.60 10.52 27-Apr-12 11.03 27-Jul-07 11.99 31-Aug-07 12.35 30-May-08 12.67 29-Jun-12 13.06 23-Oct-09 13.06 12.27 13-Feb-15 12.35 27-Jan-12 12.83 14-Mar-14 13.09 28-Nov-08 12.92 22-May-09 13.16 12.95 20-Nov-09 12.95 23-Jul-10 12.99 18-Jul-14 13.06 12.90 12.66

10.93 10.86 10.43 11.78 11.74 11.82 Coupon (%) 11.34 11.98 13.05 11.13 11.07 15.10 11.64 9.85 12.72 9.35 13.14 10.70 13.56 16.00 14.07 7.00 14.15 13.36 15.54 13.52 16.39 14.18 14.20 14.53 15.00 14.37 12.49 14.71 14.49 8.50 14.52 10.00 14.62 12.1493 14.75 14.59 14.38

Bonds

24-Mar-16

13.12

12.87

14.68

309

7-Apr-16

13.10

12.85

14.73

323

21-Apr-16

13.17

337 Rating/Agency

5-May-16 Issuer

12.96

Description

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.6917 14.9230 16.2258 17.2145

Outstanding Value (N'bn) 581.39

16-Aug-16

Rate (%) 27-Apr-17 11.3278 27-Jul-17 11.9291 31-Aug-17 12.2563 30-May-18 13.4185 29-Jun-19 14.2833 23-Oct-19 14.3686

193.73 13-Feb-20 600.00 27-Jan-22 NIFEX 573.14 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 Current Price ($/N) 22-May-29 BID($/N) 150.00 198.9625 OFFER ($/N) 199.0625 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 299.50 18-Jul-34

9.42

O/N

9.83

REPO

Maturity Date

NITTY

Tenor 476.80 1M 20.00 2M 100.00 3M 300.00 6M 351.30 9M 233.90 12M

OBB

Tenor Call TTM (Yrs) 1M 3M 1.20 6M

Bid10.00 Yield (%)

Rate (%) 9.75 10.25

Tenor

Spot 7D 14D 1M Offer 2MYield 3M (%) 6M 13.64 1Y

13.78 10.50 1.90 13.79 13.70 2.15 13.80 13.71 NOTE: 2.24 13.80 13.71 :Benchmarks 2.99 13.82 13.75 * :Amortising Bond 4.07 Bond 13.84 13.75 µ :Convertible AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 4.39 Management Corporation 13.84 13.73 FGN: Federal Nigeria 4.70Government of 13.83 13.74 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 6.65 Mortgage Bank 13.79 13.72 IFC: International Finance Corporation 8.78 13.71 13.65 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 13.49 Aviation Handling 17.07 Company 17.00 NAHCO: Nigerian 13.97 17.61 17.53 O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC Property Development 14.47 18.24 Company 18.14 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 15.14 15.54 15.47 19.12 13.94 13.89

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

197.27 197.37 201.81 201.93 Price 202.28 202.13 202.87 203.37 204.24 205.31 Bid Price Offer Price 205.60 207.21 206.28 213.47 99.16 99.31 220.29 226.27

102.08 102.23 92.84 92.99 91.63 91.78 NA :Not Applicable 92.57 92.72 ^ : Market Prices 106.52 # : Floating Rate Bond 106.82 78.04 coupon bonds 78.34 ***: Deferred 105.71 106.01 ‡ : Bond rating under review 111.05 111.35 †: Bond rating expired 102.42 102.72 N/A :Not Available 89.22 {r} :Issuer in receivership89.52 73.67 73.97 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 50.87 51.17 UBA: United Bank for Africa 68.00 68.30 88.09 88.39

4,746.32 4,423.22

12.92

14.90

12.71

14.72 Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

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

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.96 1.52 1.88 2.09

2.27 1.00 2.67 2.85

16.35 14.78 16.46 16.64

100.82 101.60 102.03 98.32

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

Agency Bonds Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 FMBN #

***LCRM

0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Modified Duration Buckets

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

<3 3<5 >5 Market

Porfolio Market Value(Bn)

12.50 KADUNA 1,437.44 31-AUG-2015 1,253.31 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 666.10 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 3,356.84 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

Total Outstanding Volume(Bn)

1,409.48 1,173.14 891.07 3,473.69

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX 297.82

Weighting by Outstanding Vol

40.58 31-Aug-10 33.77 30-Sep-10

25.65 30-Jun-11 100.00 30-Jun-09

Weighting by Mkt Value

12.50 42.82 13.00 37.34 14.00 19.84 15.50100.00

300.88

Bucket Weighting

8.50 0.41 2.16 0.34 4.86 0.26 5.73 1.00

% Exposure_ Mod_Duration

Implied Yield

18.35 31-Aug-15 39.52 30-Sep-15

13.81 0.24 13.74 0.33

42.13 30-Jun-16 100.00 30-Jun-16

14.88 0.60 14.23 0.60

Implied Portfolio Price

105.7995 4.44 111.2996 3.23

78.7543 4.46 100.7194 3.48

INDEX

YTD Return (%)

1,185.37 15.65 1,110.56 15.10

6.9976 99.15 9.6770 99.28

1,106.90 17.97 1,138.12 16.99

9.9187 97.85 7.8600 99.16

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.88

1.00

14.79

92.36

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.14

1.00

15.04

98.70

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.58

1.79

15.60

96.68

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

1.96

1.80

15.59

97.43

Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.97

1.00

14.79

98.66

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

1.95

1.00

14.79

99.53

Bb-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

1.95

4.78

18.57

93.14

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.14

1.00

14.80

101.14

Business | Capital Market

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH Daily Summary as of 03/06/2015 Printed 03/06/2015 16:00:55.055

Daily Summary as of 03/06/2015

Printed 03/06/2015 16:00:55.055

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at June 3, 2015 Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal

Bond Name 16.39% FGN JAN 2022 Federal Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol FG9B2022S1

No. of Deals 1 1

DEBT Board Totals

Current Price 112.00

Bond Activity Totals

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals Totals

Quantity Traded 50 50

Value Traded 58,920.22 58,920.22

58,920.22

HEALTHCARE Totals

58,920.22

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

Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Daily Summary as of 03/06/2015 Crop Production Totals

Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 1 26 38 65

Current Price 0.50 29.00 32.00

Quantity Traded 160,000 1,136,040 1,144,330 2,440,370

Value Traded 80,000.00 32,957,212.90 36,626,601.74 69,663,814.64

Symbol No. of Deals LIVESTOCK 55 Daily Summary (Equities) 55

Current Price 2.30

Quantity Traded 3,964,334 3,964,334

Value Traded 9,270,729.30 9,270,729.30

6,404,704

78,934,543.94

Printed 03/06/2015 16:00:55.055

Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. C ONigerian A NIG. Stock PLC. Exchange © Published bySThe TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

120 Symbol AGLEVENT JOHNHOLT SCOA TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 1 4 1 169 72 247

Current Price 1.54 0.94 4.44 2.75 41.50

Quantity Traded 1,000 52,100 1,000Page 6,836,033 236,907 7,127,040

Symbol COSTAIN

7,127,040

28,962,667.48

No. of Deals 20 20

Current Price 1.06

Quantity Traded 790,715 790,715

Value Traded 841,387.90 841,387.90

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 50.00

Quantity Traded 118,971 118,971

Value Traded 6,242,264.40 6,242,264.40

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 17 17

Current Price 10.46

Quantity Traded 239,329 239,329

Value Traded 2,500,651.37 2,500,651.37

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 10.00

Quantity Traded 4,720 4,720

Value Traded 47,200.00 47,200.00

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

Daily Summary as of 03/06/2015

247

Printed 03/06/2015 16:00:55.055

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

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol UPDCREIT

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE

CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Page 1,153,735

50 Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 41,000 41,000

Value Traded 1,470.00 49,486.87 1 of 4,220.00 19,186,440.03 9,721,050.58 28,962,667.48

Current Price 6.63 165.00 20.01 1.83 148.50 3.26

Quantity Traded 13,535 453,650 10,309 230,000 2,124,004 920 2,832,418

Value Traded 89,918.89 74,617,950.53 207,643.93 420,900.00 316,946,173.57 2,852.00 392,285,438.92

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 15 15

Current Price 179.50

Quantity Traded 61,130 61,130

Value Traded 10,969,586.80 10,969,586.80

Symbol DANGFLOUR

No. of Deals 27 25 100 25 24

Current Price 4.20 6.50 34.01 3.92 7.33

Quantity Traded 74,411 4,320,695 945,577 351,595 666,779

Value Traded 304,380.80 28,098,429.37 32,422,994.02 1,378,917.40 5,009,857.15

Symbol NNFM UNIONDICON

No. of Deals 1 1 203

Current Price 18.05 11.84

Quantity Traded 40 40 6,359,137

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

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 20 44 64

Current Price 39.90 880.00

Quantity Traded 273,835 607,842 881,677

Value Traded 10,913,382.25 517,317,648.24 528,231,030.49

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

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 61 30 91

Current Price 5.28 1.93

Quantity Traded 3,242,022 1,130,163 4,372,185

Value Traded 16,697,389.90 2,190,464.59 18,887,854.49

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 31 26 57

Current Price 30.00 45.00

Quantity Traded 298,707 514,494 813,201

Value Traded 8,943,481.11 23,155,966.86 32,099,447.97

15,360,748

1,049,709,573.41

Quantity Traded 13,504,200 2,136,125

Value Traded 82,475,319.71 9,486,130.21

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

CONSUMER GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Food Products N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. UNION DICON SALT PLC. Food Products Totals

Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary as ofNIGERIA 03/06/2015 UNILEVER PLC. Printed 03/06/2015 16:00:55.055 Products Totals Personal/Household

Daily Summary (Equities) DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. Daily Summary as of 03/06/2015 Activity Summary on Board EQTY DIAMOND BANK PLC Printed 03/06/2015 16:00:55.055 FINANCIAL SERVICES

Banking Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC Daily Summary as of 03/06/2015 N.E.M Printed 03/06/2015 INSURANCE 16:00:55.055 CO (NIG) PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Published by Micro-Finance The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Banks Micro-Finance Banks Totals

599

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK

No. of Deals 144 38

Current Price 6.10 4.49

Page

Symbol ETI Daily Summary FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK

No. of Deals 39 (Equities) 108 313 69

Current Price 21.99 1.88 27.55 2.58

Quantity TradedPage 16,656,190 10,931,038 19,277,104 3,856,877

Symbol STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals 44 154 26 89 40 408 1,472

Current Price 2.07 5.28 9.99 2.71 0.94 20.20

Quantity Traded 4,905,351 12,460,311 205,423 2,541,272 1,817,349 24,733,591 113,024,831

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE CORNERST EQUITYASUR INTENEGINS LASACO LINKASSURE MANSARD NEM UNIVINSURE WAPIC

No. of Deals 44 46 2 1 1 1 2 16 33 1 31 178

Current Price 1.00 1.05 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 3.00 0.83 0.50 0.54

Quantity Traded 2,155,223 2,147,650 1,000 2,000 500,000 3,000 1,500 52,350,600 3,502,163 500 Page 1,820,784 62,484,420

No. of Deals 14

Current Price 1.09

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol NPFMCRFBK

Quantity Traded 473,200 Page

Value Traded 686.00 450.00 67,215,714.74

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 6.40

Quantity Traded 520 520

Value Traded 3,161.60 3,161.60

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 32 13 361 57 1 21 65 550

Current Price 2.94 3.97 9.05 3.00 0.50 30.00 1.46

Quantity Traded 813,939 289,520 11,080,873 7,295,671 11,111 371,649 4,034,793 23,897,556

Value Traded 2,436,440.40 1,146,889.21 100,410,308.86 22,030,678.11 5,555.50 11,150,299.75 5,880,551.26 143,060,723.09

199,880,527

1,900,309,774.80

Quantity Traded 4,400 1,201,853 165,236 411,795 6,098

Value Traded 7,554.00 4,110,708.73 7,287,037.11 662,781.20 7,214.00

Page

Value Traded 517,296.00

Quantity Traded 11,111 11,111

Value Traded 5,555.50 5,555.50

Symbol OMATEK

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 500.00 500.00

Symbol CWG TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 4.00 1.69

Quantity Traded 410 2,000 2,410

Value Traded 1,640.00 3,220.00 4,860.00

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 282,993 282,993

Value Traded 141,496.50 141,496.50

297,514

152,412.00

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol ASHAKACEM

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

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 1.75

Quantity Traded 141,969 141,969

Value Traded 249,152.71 249,152.71

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

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 41.96

Quantity Traded 77,100 77,100

Value Traded 3,235,116.00 3,235,116.00

1,829,781

129,758,362.54

Daily Summary (Equities) BERGER CAP CCNN

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

196 Symbol ALEX

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 10.43

Quantity Traded 100 100 Page

Daily Summary (Equities)

Value Traded 81,124,307.20 of 14 5,172,079.20 1,155,094.50 432,913.62

Value Traded 991.00 991.00 14 of

100

991.00 Value Traded 500,100.00

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 5

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000,200

Symbol

No. of Deals 5

Current Price

Quantity Traded 1,000,200

Value Traded 500,100.00

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

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 168 168

Current Price 17.72

Quantity Traded 1,742,647 1,742,647

Value Traded 31,353,165.51 31,353,165.51

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 1 30 17 80 49 3 26 206

Current Price 0.50 40.00 2.90 154.86 150.00 50.54 155.05

Quantity Traded 1,000 150,108 725,977 233,974 276,179 230 94,683 1,482,151

Value Traded 500.00 6,011,752.70 2,089,842.61 36,774,833.01 42,235,670.94 11,044.60 14,731,353.63 101,854,997.49

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 345.00

Quantity Traded 14,639 14,639

Value Traded 4,955,710.80 4,955,710.80

4,239,637

138,663,973.80 Value Traded 71,724.90

Page

Daily Summary (Equities)

400

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 3

Current Price 0.78

Quantity Traded 91,955

Symbol

No. of Deals 3

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 91,955

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

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 6 7 13

Current Price 5.35 1.28

Quantity Traded 20,500 111,730 132,230

Value Traded 105,400.00 136,310.60 241,710.60

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 54 54

Current Price 0.73

Quantity Traded 12,690,681 12,690,681

Value Traded 9,234,146.31 9,234,146.31

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL TOURIST

No. of Deals 14 1 15

Current Price 3.75 3.51

Quantity Traded 560,287 500 560,787

Value Traded 1,995,903.11 1,670.00 1,997,573.11

Symbol LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 1 16 17

Current Price 1.15 6.05

Quantity Traded 10,000 322,555 332,555

Value Traded 12,000.00 1,854,796.25 1,866,796.25

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 0.56

Quantity Traded 175,890 175,890

Value Traded 98,518.40 98,518.40

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 8 28 36

Current Price 2.34 6.11

Quantity Traded 41,905 Page 209,968 251,873

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 3.60

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 342.00 342.00

145

14,236,071

14,828,703.60

4,051

252,319,239

3,363,027,801.28

Quantity Traded 10,500 10,500

Value Traded 15,750.00 15,750.00

10,500

15,750.00

10,500

15,750.00

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. Hotels/Lodging Totals Daily Summary as of 03/06/2015 Printing/Publishing Printed 03/06/2015 16:00:55.055 LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

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

Daily Summary (Equities)

SERVICES Totals

EQTY Board Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

11Value Traded of 14 71,724.90

Value Traded

14 12 96,768.95 of 1,221,123.08 1,317,892.03

Activity Summary on Board ASeM

Symbol UNHOMES

Current Price 1.80 3.54 44.11 1.56 1.20

Current Price 0.50

Value Traded 93,318,905.40 800.00 836,068.02 24,233,925.89 126,274,093.83

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY Road Transportation Totals

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

No. of Deals 3 17 26 17 7

No. of Deals 2 2

Quantity Traded 519,203 1,000 210,810 246,235 1,610,712

Quantity Traded 473,200

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

Symbol COURTVILLE

Current Price 180.00 0.83 3.99 98.00

SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Activity Board EQTY R TSummary BRISCOE on PLC.

Current Price

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC

12,075,295.04

No. of Deals 59 1 12 42 184

OIL AND GAS Totals

No. of Deals 14

2,216

1,789,382

Symbol DANGCEM DNMEYER PORTPAINT WAPCO

Exploration and Production Daily Summary as of 03/06/2015 SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Printed 03/06/2015 16:00:55.055 Exploration and Production Totals

Value Traded 517,296.00

Value Traded 12,075,295.04

Quantity Traded 53,177Page 510,276 28,372 41,639

Value Traded 2,129,006.56 2,227,220.50 500.00 1,000.00 250,000.00 1,500.00 750.00 146,984,265.78 2,855,410.90 250.00 14 5 of 985,445.36 155,435,349.10

Quantity Traded 1,789,382

Current Price 21.57 10.30 41.00 10.32

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL &on MARITIME SERVICES PLC Activity Summary Board EQTY

Current Price

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

Value Traded 10,186,233.87 66,138,402.37 2,041,980.63 6,550,129.15 1,716,072.14 502,188,186.42 1,601,293,245.01

No. of Deals 70

No. of Deals 14 30 14 12

NATURAL RESOURCES Metals Daily Summary as of 03/06/2015 ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. Printed 03/06/2015 16:00:55.055 Totals Stock Exchange © Published byMetals The Nigerian

Value Traded 14 4 of 355,803,162.77 20,564,735.86 533,950,140.65 10,192,751.23

ICT Totals Daily Summary as of 03/06/2015 Activity Summary on Board EQTY Printed 03/06/2015 16:00:55.055 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF Activity Summary on NORTH.NIG. Board EQTYPLC INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Symbol

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals

Value Traded 20,500.00 20,500.00

No. of Deals 3 38 6 2 117 1 167

7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Printed 03/06/2015 16:00:55.055 Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC Daily Summary as of 03/06/2015 TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. Printed 03/06/2015 16:00:55.055 IT Services Totals

14 29,631,503.67 of

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW JOSBREW NB PREMBREW

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Daily Summary as of 03/06/2015

Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC Computers and Peripherals Totals

Symbol

CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals

Symbol MCNICHOLS

Daily Summary as of 03/06/2015 CONSUMER GOODS Totals Printed 03/06/2015 16:00:55.055

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.57

ASeM Board Totals

4,053

252,329,739 14 Page 3,363,043,551.28 13 of

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 3 1 4 8

Current Price 10.70 2,289.00 15.57

Quantity Traded 510 18 235 763

Value Traded 5,532.00 41,202.00 3,727.20 50,461.20

ETF Board Totals

763

50,461.20

ETP Activity Totals

763

50,461.20

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Features Making marriage better “T

he foundation of marriage is death; anyone who cannot die for his or her spouse is not ready to get married to that spouse. There is nothing like divorce. Once you are married, you are married forever, because on the last day, we’ll know who is married to whom.” Those were the words of Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of the Trinity House, Victoria Island, as he kicked off the first edition of “An Evening of Discovery,” organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Christ the Cornerstone Parish, Gbagada, Lagos. The event, held at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, on March 23, 2015, attracted a lot of participants. It was sponsored by MTN Nigeria and Greenlife Pharmaceutical. Apparently, churches are becoming worried by collapsing marriages, broken homes and divorce rate, thus decided to take steps to check the trend. Charging couples to love their spouses till death, Pastor Ireti Sholola of Christ the Cornerstone instructed participants to kiss their spouses on the forehead. She said: “The reason for this programme is that marriages and relationships can be strengthened in order to build a solid family. A solid marriage leads to a solid nation.” According to Sholola, the event was for married couples and those still searching. She said that it was a platform for them to listen, learn and understand on the foundation their marriages and relationships are laid upon. The cleric explained that the seminar would become an annual event, where different aspects of marriage would be addressed. She implored the participants to see the event as an avenue outside the church to have fun and discuss burning issues in a relaxed atmosphere. Insisting that marriage is not a one sided affair, Sholola stressed that each partner has roles to play in order to make it successful. She said: “When people understand the reason they are married in the first place, it makes it easier for them to tackle any issue that arises. I believe that for everyone who is married, there is need for patience. They should also under-

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

Marriages are nowadays consummated and dissolved as quickly as changing wet diapers. But to fulfil the purpose of God for the institution, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Christ the Cornerstone Parish, Gbagada, Lagos recently launched a seminar for couples, report GBEMISOLA OYEDEPO and LILIAN OKAFOR

Couples dancing at the event

A stand up comedian, Mr. Ajibola Adebayo, aka Holy Mallam (left), Sholola and Ighodalo at the event

stand the reason they are married.” According to Sholola, people from broken and abusive homes often end up being useless to the society. She said that when there is love and unity in marriages and homes, situations often work out well for the couple and their kids. “This atmosphere is another occasion to ignite love and romance in marriage. Most couples don’t ever have time to take their wives out. This is another avenue of taking your spouse out. Couples going out should not be only on anniversaries,” Sholola added. She said that Christians, under the guise of Christianity or reli-

gion, tend to ignore their wives by not taking them out. “I’ve thought about this. I told ministers, but somehow they were not serious about it, so one day I had an interactive section in the church and people gave their views about it. Majority of the congregation supported the idea. I went back to Genesis 2:18-25, which says that the man and the woman were both naked and not ashamed,” the cleric added. She explained that according to Genesis 2:18-25, marriages will become better when couples open up to each other. According to her, when an embarrassing situation arises, rather than seeing it as

an embarrassing situation, they should rather cope with it. On his part, Ighodalo disclosed that marriage is the best union one can be, adding that a man and woman come together as one, towards having a successful end. He also said marriage was one of the most difficult and best things that could ever happen to a man or woman. According to him, the reason marriages have challenges is because people do not reason and seek the face of God before they go into it. Ighodalo highlighted seven ways to make success in relationships and marriages. Making references to the Bible, Ighodalo said: “Marriage is God’s own idea. Before you begin to consider marriage, you should consider God and be born again. “A successful marriage outside God is either by mistake or the grace of God found the couple in question. People should not go into marriage by what they see. Anyone who is not truly born again cannot have a successful marriage.” But testing participants’ knowledge of the institution, Ighodalo asked: “What is the reason for marriage?” His question elicited myriad of reasons, including that it is for procreation and companionship. He said: “Marriage is to help husband and wife to fulfil God’s purposes for their lives. The husband is to help the wife become who she wants to be and vice versa.”

46 News Osun APC urges lawmakers to cooperate with executive Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

sun State chapter of the All Progress Congress (APC), yesterday charged members of the newly inaugurated House of Assembly to work in harmony with the Governor Rauf Aregbesola led administration in the state for the prosperity of the state and the people. The party in a statement by its Director Of Publicity and Strategy, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi, said there was power in unity and cooperation, appealing to the lawmakers to see themselves as major stakeholders that can ensure progress in the state. Oyatomi who stated further that if the legislature and the executive cooperate in the endeavours and harmonise their positions in the interest of the state, it would enhance the ultimate goal achieving growth for the state. He also expressed confidence that the new legislators would do their best to make the state a pace-setter, advising them to work fervently to ensure the advancement of the state in all ramifications. Oyatomi equally charged all stakeholders in the state to also join hands with the present administration in the state to improve the lots of the people.

Ondo regent, three others kidnapped Babatope Okeowo Akure

andemonium broke in the university town of Akungba, in Akoko Southwest Local Government Area of Ondo State following the kidnap of the Regent of the town, Princess Oluwatoyin Omosowon by unknown gun men on Tuesday. Omosowon became the third Regent of the town following the death of Oba Babafunmilayo Adekanye Omosowon II in 2003. The death of Omosowon had witnessed three successive regents in the last 12 years as kingmakers’ spirited effort to install a successor collapsed following scores of litiga-

he new Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environment and Special Offences Unit, Mr Akeem Adedeji, yesterday revealed that the agency would soon introduce hot lines for residents to report any security threats and environmental nuisances. Adedeji said that there would be change in the law enforcement strategies in Lagos, saying that instead of clamping down on suspected criminals and offenders, the government would hold stake holders meeting with residents with a view to seeking the cooperation of everyone with the new government. He said: "By the special grace of God, I'm the 11th chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Of-

tions initiated by various interest groups to the vacant stool. However, Princess Omosowon, who became the third regent following the removal of her predecessors over allegations of neglect and abuse of traditional institution was abducted by unknown gunmen while returning from an official engagement in Akure on Tuesday. The Regent, who was on her way from Akure, the state capital, where she had gone to attend the 69th inaugural lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) delivered by the Vice Chancellor of Adekunle-Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun was kidnapped

barely 10 kilometers to her home town. According to a resident of the town, Chief Dele Olowogorioye, the regent was along Owo/Oba road when unspecified number of hoodlums attacked her and other occupants of the Toyota Avensis car they were travelling with. The Regent’s car was left along the road while the occupants were abducted. A source told New Telegraph that the Regent must have been kidnapped by one of the factions to the Obaship tussle in the town as the hoodlums who abducted her were trailing her from Akure and struck at an area where it was convenient for them to without resistance. The gunmen, who were sure of their target,

abducted Omosowon and three other occupants of the car to their waiting vehicles and zoomed off towards Owo/Benin road. He said two of the occupants of the vehicle were seen in the bush around the place they were kidnapped yesterday’s morning. The two escapees, he said, have been taken to Area Commander’s office in Owo. On learning of the kidnap of their regent yesterday morning, the residents of the town protested against the dastardly act and demanded her unconditional release. The people, who marched round the town, called on the security agents to help secure the regent without delay. Also, all shops, markets and motor parks in the

town were closed down in protest against the abduction of the regent. The residents of the town also prevented commercial and social activities from taking place just as commercial vehicles and motorcycles popularly from other neighbouring towns were prevented from entering the town The traditional institutions in the town have performed different rituals in order to secure the release of the regent. The rituals, the traditional chiefs said, would continue until the release of the regent. The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Isaac Eke and other top officials of the force had relocated to the town, assuring the residents that their regent would soon be rescued.

L-R: Wife of former Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), University of Ibadan, Prof. Gbemisola Oke and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Emilolorun Aiyelari, during a national workshop on Post-2015 Gender Issues in Tertiary Institutions, in Ibadan... yesterday

Lagos taskforce to create hotlines for crime reportage Muritala Ayinla

thursday, june 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

south south--south west

fence Unit. My vision for Lagos is to put Lagos in a better position to make the state the pride of everybody, whereby every law abiding citizen live freely. The government alone cannot provide security, it requires the cooperation of everyone. The members of the public must be desciplined if we are all deciplined, the police have lesser work to do. Harping on the need to carry the citizen along in the task of enforcing law and order in the state, Adedeji said that the members of the NURTW, the market women and men and everybody in the society will have to dialogue on the way forward. "I can't do it alone I need the cooperation of everyone. Some of the things you talked about on security is collective responsibility of everyone."

NBA sues for peace over Ekiti crisis Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

he Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikere-Ekiti Branch has urged all sides in the political crisis in Ekiti State, to sheath their swords and comply with the court order which mandated them to maintain status quo ante bellum until the next adjourned date. The association also urged them to embrace peace and avoid any action that could throw the state into chaos. The association' s branch Chairman, Mr. Bunmi Olugbade, who spoke with journalists in Ado-Ekiti on yesterday, said the issue of impeachment was no longer popular in Nigeria, saying it had been abused

by politicians in a bid to settle scores with their opponents. He warned that nobody should truncate the existing peace being enjoyed in the state, urging those holding political positions in the state to know that they were holding their positions in trust for the people. Also, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the state, Chief Idowu Faleye, has warned that the insistence of the 19 All Progressives Congress to impeach Governor Ayo Fayose, would definitely affect their political future in the state. In a statement in AdoEkiti yesterday, Faleye, who pleaded with the lawmakers to consider their political future, said whatever they do would have a backlash on their political relevance in the state.

Ambode warns LASTMA, KAI against attack on people Muritala Ayinla

otorists in Lagos may now heave sigh of relief as the state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday warned officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA), the Kick Against Indiscipline, (KAI) and Vehicles Inspection Service (VIS), to henceforth desist from arresting and harassment of Lagosians without lawful reasons. The governor said henceforth, it was forbidden for any LASTMA personnel or Vehicle Inspection VIO official to jump into the vehicle of the traffic offender, in a bid to arrest them or impose fine for violating the traffic laws, saying he would live up his promise to making life easier for all Nigerians citizens residing in the state irrespective of their

religious, ethnic and party affiliation. The governor said he wanted a situation where LASTMA, would use technology to arrest offenders rather than physically harrassing them. He challenged KAI officers to go out and remove all forms of street trading without harassing the people. Addressing hundreds of LASTMA , KAI and VIS personnel at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos, the governor said the attitude of the law enforcement agents would be seen as a reflection of his character, saying that he remained committed to making life easier for any resident in the state. According to Ambode, the cardinal objective of his administration in the state was to make life, simpler and the residents happier, saying that he would not allow enforcement agent to tarnish his image.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Imo ADP launches liquid fertilizer

Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

n line with its mandate of ensuring sufficient food production in the state, the Imo State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), will, today, launch a wonder liquid fertilizer, called Albit. This is even as the agency has signed a memorandum of understanding with International Food Research Institute (IFPRI) under the World Bank, to establish a ranch called Imo Ranch and Allied Crops.

Introducing the bottled fertilizer to journalists in Owerri, the Executive Director of the ADP, Dr. Romanus Onye, stated that the liquid fertilizer helps crops to increase in yields, quality and marketability. He noted that the product takes care of hectares of land with just a millimeter of measurement as against carrying heavy bags of NPK to the farm. The new fertilizer, Onye added, has been tested by the University of Zaria and other institutions and approved by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and NAFDAC.

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

The product, which is powered by the Imo ADP, in conjunction with the Association of Commercial Farmers (ACOF), and some Russian investors, according to Dr. Onye, has more advantages than the normal NPK fertilizer. According to the ADP boss, it is environmentally friendly because it is harmless to plants, environment, humans and animals and that it does not cause inhalation, oral or skin irritation. He revealed that the product is cheaper and cost effective as according to him, one litre of Albit is enough to treat seed for fifty hectares.

Onye stated that the aim of introducing the product into the state was to guarantee better harvest and improve socio-economic status of farmers in the state. He listed his achievements in the ADP to include, getting the agency away from the unit of consumption to the unit of production, a development he said was manifested hugely in the ongoing hectares of cassava and tomato, water melon, which the agency was producing even without any funding, as well as recovering over 5000 hectares of ADP lands all over the state.

Kalu commends Govt College, Umuahia’s takeover by old students Cosmas Uzodinma

minent business mogul and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has commended the Old Boys Association of Government College, Umuahia, his alma mater, for receiving the mandate to take over the management of the school from the government of Abia State. Kalu made this remark while addressing members of the association during their monthly meeting in the residence of its Abuja Chapter president, Dr. Joseph Aguolu recently. The former governor described as novel, the plan by the Government College, Umuahia Old Boys Association (GCUOBA), to redeem the former citadel of learning and flagship of high schools in the east of the Niger from its present sorry state. According to him, “this is a very novel approach in school management

where alumni are taking over whole management of its alma mater to restore the fortunes of a school with unrivalled legacy.” Government College, Umuahia, it would be recalled, was one of the four leading schools in both pre and post colonial Nigeria, ranking with Kings College, Lagos, Barewa College, Zaria and Government College, Ibadan, but has since fallen into disrepair as a result of lack of adequate attention by the inheriting government of Abia State. Founded in 1929, the school rose to make significant contributions in the Nigerian intellectual environment and gave it a leading array of scholars and novelists like Chinua Achebe, Chukwuemeka Ike, Christopher Okigbo, Elechi Amadi and Ken Saro Wiwa, as well as great artists like Ben Enweonwu, to mention but a few.

Enugu offsets hospital bills of nursing mothers Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

L-R: Head of Operations, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anthony Okorie; Head of Public Enlightenment, Chinelo Ezekwesili; Acting Zonal Commander, Zone 5, Benin, Crawford Oti and Sector Commander, Anambra State, Sunday Ajayi, during the working visit of the Benin Zonal Commander to the corps’ command in Awka …yesterday. PHOTO-NAN

APGA alleges plan to defer Abia Assembly’s inauguration Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

he All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, has raised the alarm over plan by the Abia State Government to suspend indefinitely the inauguration of the Abia State 6th House of Assembly scheduled for next week on Monday, saying the action would amount to constitutional breach. Clerk of the Abia State

House of Assembly, John Pedro Irokansi, had issued a statement which was announced on the state radio on Tuesday to the effect that the inauguration of the state House of Assembly would no longer take place on Monday, June 8, 2015, as earlier announced, but would be suspended indefinitely because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was yet to issue certificate of return to all the members elect. But in a reaction yes-

terday at the party secretariat, Ikot Ekpene Road Umuahia, the APGA state executive led by the chairman, Rev Augustine Ehiemere, said the action would be a contravention of “sections 6, 7 and 8 of the 1999 constitution as amended, which expressly defined the roles and functions of each of the three arms of government, saying that one cannot function without the other. He said that if the House of Assembly was

not inaugurated on Monday, it would mean that there was no government in Abia State and appealed Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, to ensure that the House is inaugurated as scheduled. “We are aware that the Abia State House of Assembly was supposed to be inaugurated on Monday next week, but information reaching us says that the inauguration has been suspended indefinitely by His Excellency Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.”

London Mayor honours Ugokwe on Monday Temitope Ogunbanke

he Lord Mayor and the Common Council of the City of London, will, on Monday, June 8 honour former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Austria, Ambassador Jerry Sonny Ugokwe, with the prestigious Freedom of the City

of London award. The honour to be bestowed on Ugokwe, is the highest honour the City of London can bestow on someone in recognition of statesmanship. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at Chamberlain’s Court Room in the Guildhall, London. Some notable past re-

cipients of the Freedom of the City of London include; Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, John F. Kennedy, Desmond Tutu, Alex Ferguson, Margaret Thatcher, Princess Diana, Bill Gates, Theodore Roosevelt, Florence Nightingale, Dwight Eisenhower, Morgan Freeman, amongst others.

Amb. Ugokwe, who hails from Anambra State, was a two-term member of the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2007, representing Idemili North/South Federal Constituency in 1999. He was also a member of the African Caribbean Pacific Parliament (ACP).

overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, has declared the willingness of the government to pay the hospital bills of 18 nursing mothers among other patients on admission at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu when he paid a visit to them on his first day in office. Ugwuanyi who has commenced the assessment of challenges facing the state, also paid an unscheduled visit to parts of Awgu local

council area of the state yesterday before returning to Enugu metropolis. The governor, who also visited Abakpa Nike Market , Ogbete Main Market, Enugu, Timber Shed at Trans-Ekulu, Nike Grammar School during the visits, where he noted the bad state of the Nike Lake Road, as well as its bypass and announced that reconstruction work would begin on the facilities shortly. Apart from the 18 nursing mothers, the governor also interacted with Amanda Kalu and Dennis Amanda in the surgery and gynaecology wards in the facility.

Ebonyi varsity introduces new courses Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

bonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki has introduced new set of courses into the university’s curriculum. The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Francis Idike, revealed this yesterday while addressing Governor Dave Umahi, during a meeting the governor held with the staff and students of the institution. He listed the new courses as Pharmacy, Engineering and Environmental Studies, adding that the Senate of the university and the

last administration in the state had approved the course. He noted that the institution had reduced eleven faculties in the school to eight in line with the recommendations of the panel set up by the last administration to review prog rammes of the university. P r o f. I d i ke e x plained that the university was now a single campus university following the recommendations of the panel, stating that movement into the permanent site, which will commence soon, will be in two phases.

48 News Oghara chairman’s home razed Joe Obende Warri

ew days after the ban on youth activities was lifted in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government area of Delta State, the community has once again been thrown into crisis as assassins and arsonists are on the prowl. The immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, had placed the ban when violence became the order of the day in the community. Already, home of OvadeOghara Youth Chairman, Mr. Ejiro Efetobo, has been torched by arsonists who also attempted to assassinate him. The arsonists had also placed jerry cans of petrol around the house with the aim that they would explode and an inferno would consume the house with him and his family. Efetobo was injured on his left hand as he forced open the bullet proof front door to free himself and his family from the thick smoke belching in the house around 2.00am on Tuesday.

south - south

thursday, june 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Okowa revokes Uduaghan’s contract awards Dominic Adewole ASABA

elta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has revoked all the contracts awarded by the former governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, between December 31, 2014 and May 29, 2015.

The governor equally terminated the appointments of hundreds of persons that were employed by his predecessor. The job recruitment into the state’s civil service, which affected those that were employed between December last year till date, was fraudulently processed few months to Uduaghan’s departure.

The contracts were allegedly revoked because they were swiftly awarded to make last minute withdrawal from the state’s coffer, cover up the lapses of the previous administration and make initial take off for Okowa cumbersome. “The resultant effect was the disappearance of the state’s Accountant-

General, Mr. Cyril Agbele, for seven days before he resurfaced a day after Uduaghan handed over to the new governor,” a Government House source told the New Telegraph in Asaba yesterday. According to the source, the governor has equally penciled down some non-performing contracts for repudiation.

change of name

John

I formerly known and addressed as Adejoh Glory now wish to be known and addressed as Adejoh Glory John. All former documents remain valid, the general public to take note.

Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade (left), being presented with a plaque by the Governor of Jigawa State/immediate past National President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar, during a courtesy visit to the governor…yesterday.

NPDC workers protest non-payment of salaries Gabriel Choba Ughelli

ontract workers of the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) under the auspices of Eriemu Field Workers Forum, Ughelli North Local Government area of Delta State, yesterday protested the non-payment of their six months’ salaries and bonuses owed them by the company. The workers vowed that they will not re-

sume duties until their demands have been met, saying the company will not operate until all their entitlements have been paid. In a protest letter addressed to the Commanding Officer, 222 Battalion of the Nigeria Army and made available to newsmen yesterday, the protesting workers decried the deplorable condition under which they were working and berated the company for allegedly denying them their salaries

since last year. The workers also accused the management of not providing them with Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure their safety. According to the Chairman of the forum, Mr. Freeborn Adjanakpo and Secretary, Comrade Benjamin Ogbidjara, “NPDC has proposed to hand over surveillance and flow line guards’ contracts to the communities through the Community Development Board (CDB).

Suspected cultist dies in shootout with vigilante group Dominic Adewole ASABA

ne of the two suspected cult members that opened fire on vigilante operatives along the Osaha Junction/Ehwere Road in Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state, Moses Ateke, yesterday met his waterloo. The suspect, a 28-yearold man, embarked on the journey of no return on a motorcycle with his accomplice, one Alex Onakpojega,

25, and while trying to escape he was shot on the leg. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, said one John Uwejeyan of Agbarho vigilante, reported at the police station. According to her, the vigilante operatives were on patrol along the route before they sighted and suspected the movement of two young men on a motorcycle. Consequently, she said: “They stopped the men and immediately they stopped, one of the two suspected

criminals, identified as Moses Ateke, pulled out a cut-to-size gun and opened fire on the operatives, who also swiftly returned fire and shot the said Ateke on his leg and arrested him alongside his accomplice, one Alex Onakpojega. While she listed the items recovered from the suspects to include the said cut-to-size single barrel gun, two live cartridges and one unregistered motorcycle, she said the injured suspect later died at the General Hospital, Agbarho.

Sacking those recruited via the office of the Head of Service, Mr. Patrick Origho, for lack of due process, the governor warned against irresponsibility, so that governance could go on seamlessly. He said: “It is public knowledge that the process was fraught with sharp practices ranging from abuse of office to sale of job slots and therefore cannot by any stretch of imagination be adjudged credible, no flawed process produces a credible exercise.” Meanwhile, Governor Okowa yesterday had a peep into the huge debt profile he inherited from his predecessor, former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. Okowa, who a top government functionary quoted to have inherited over N350 billion debt, lamented that the debt hangover would no doubt slow down his five-point agenda. While swearing in the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon. Festus Ovie Agas, in Asaba yesterday, Okowa said his commitment to building a state in which there shall be employment opportunities, flourishing agriculture and agri-business may suffer setback unless the debt is paid off.

Dickson signs widows’ protection bill Chris Ejim

Bayelsa indigenes seek IG's help over N15bn B compensation

Yenagoa

Chris Ejim Yenagoa

orried indigenes of Odi community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State yesterday sent a Save-Our-Soul (SOS) message to the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on the alleged funding, recruitment and use of armed youths to intimidate beneficiaries over their refusal to accept the misconduct of the committee set up for the disbursement of the N15 billion Odi compensation fund. The concerned members under the auspices of ‘Soldiers of Peace International Organisation,’ led by Emmanuel Akpuluma and the ‘Credible Peoples Forum,’ led by Abadani Utele, said though the people of the community

had petitioned the state police command and engaged in citizens’ arrest of some of the armed youths, the refusal of the police to investigate and prosecute the youths and their sponsors in spite of the evidence of illegal possession of arms, is worrisome. The concerned group in a letter to the InspectorGeneral of Police said the decision by the police to abdicate its responsibility to the armed youths operating under the guise of local vigilante group and the Odi compensation committee may lead to a reenactment of the event that led to the genocide killings and destruction of Odi in 1999. According to the letter signed by Akpuluma and Utele and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, the Odi Disbursement Committee had since January 2015 terrorised the larger members of the community with the illegal band of armed terrorists.

ayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, yesterday signed into law the Widows and Widowers’ Protection Bill 2015, bringing the total number of bills signed by him so far to 50. Speaking at the event in Government House, Yenagoa, Dickson said the new law was designed to offer protection to the vulnerable group in society, particularly widows and widowers against harmful cultural and traditional practices. Applauding Mrs. Agatha Goma, for sponsoring the bill, the governor said henceforth, marriage to a relation of a deceased spouse against the individual’s wish and compelling a widow or widower to do any of the several acts contained in the law would be considered unlawful. Governor Dickson, who said women were the most affected in some of the traditional practices, which he described as negative, noted that the law seeks to offer some protection to them as they were one of the vulnerable groups in society.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

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Ortom dethrones Suswam’s brother, five others Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

enue State governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday directed the immediate dethronement of the elder brother of his prede-

cessor, Dr. Terkula Suswam and five others as first class chief of the Sankera political axis comprising Logo, Ukum and KatsinaAla Local Government areas of the state. The governor also approved the immediate dissolution of the 23

local government caretaker committee chairmen in the state, where the former governor’s brother, Donald Kertyo, held sway as caretaker boss for Logo, Suswam’s home local government. He also ordered the Tiv Area Traditional Council

(TATC) to immediately suspend forthwith the process of conferring first class stools in the council. The directives as contained in a press statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Targema Takema

and made available to New Telegraph in Makurdi said, the gesture is in accordance with the commitment of the new administration to abide by the tenets of the rule of law. The statement directed all parties, including the Tor Tiv and all those earlier served by the court to put the matter on hold, to revert to the status quo ante prior to the restraining order granted by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iorhemen Hwande, which restrained the state government from taking any further step on the matter, pending the determination

of the substantive motion already before the court. It advised any person or group parading him or their selves as first class chiefs in the Tiv Area Traditional Council to comply. Meanwhile, Governor Ortom has directed all the 23 caretaker committee chairmen to hand over all government property in their possession, without delay, to the DirectorsGeneral, Services and Administration (DGSA’s) of their local governments, who in turn are to ensure quick handing over and taking over to ensure a smooth transition.

El-Rufai sacks Yero’s appointees, dissolves boards Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

K Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu (right), consoling a patient at Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, during his official inspection of the hospital in Birnin Kebbi …on Tuesday

‘Why we collected N3, 000 Bauchi plans to build youth centres sanitation, widespread corfrom pilgrims’ Mohammed Kawu ruption and corrupt prac-

Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

aduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (KSMPWB) yesterday gave reasons for collecting N3, 000 from intending pilgrims in the state. The board said the amount was to take care of administrative costs of producing electronic identity cards, photocopies of pilgrims’ passport photographs and other essentials. In a press briefing yesterday, the board’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Yunusa Muhammad Abdullahi said the allegation that “our pilgrims’ officers collected money without issuing receipts is unfounded.” The board, which was reacting to an allegation by a group known as the ‘Independent Hajj Reporters,’ that pilgrims were being charged N3, 000 without being given receipts, said that all payments made to the board are being acknowledged. Yunusa further said that “any pilgrim without authorised receipt is not our

pilgrim.” Giving a breakdown of the money collected, the board said “all intending pilgrims are asked to provide 25 passport photographs as part of their visa requirements.” He said N1, 500 was collected for the passport and because Saudi authorities prefer soft copies of those passports, we decided to train our staff specifically for that purpose. “Last year, we discovered that we faced difficulties in printing passports and since the Saudi authorities prefer soft copies of such passports for visa processing, we decided to do so to meet their requirements.”

Bauchi

auchi State governor, Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday unveiled his administration’s plan to establish youth development centres in each of the three senatorial districts of the state. The centres, which would be set up in collaboration with security agencies, parents and traditional institutions, will be manned by medical experts. The governor in a special broadcast to the people said his administration is desirous of tackling the menace of youth restiveness in the state. He said: “It is our ardent desire to focus on tackling the menace of youth restiveness, poor and disturbing environmental

tices generally,” he stated. Abubakar also said the state civil service is dysfunctional and indolent even while it is lacking in basic institutional meritocracy and discipline. He added that the civil service was over bloated and that it requires forensic auditing and biometric exercise on all personnel on the payroll of the state and local governments to be carried out free of charge by a commercial bank in the state. According to him, Bauchi State government under his leadership has resolved to recover all public funds and property frittered away in the past and as he puts it, there will be no sacred cows when and where sanctions are necessary.

aduna State governor, Nasir ElRufai, has sacked all the political appointees of the former Muktar Yero administration and has also dissolved the boards of parastatals and agencies of the state government. Making this known yesterday in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Balarabe Lawal Abbas, the governor said the sack also extends to the Sole Administra-

tors of all the 23 local government areas, and the Secretaries of the Development Areas appointed by previous administrations. He said: “Government expects full compliance with this directive, the most senior officials of all parastatals and agencies should take charge until further instructions are issued. “Security agents and all public servants have been advised to treat any of the affected persons who purport to still be in office as a trespasser indulging in unauthorised entry,” the statement added.

Diah emerges Taraba Speaker Sabiu Mustapha Jalingo

he eight session of the Taraba State House of Assembly was inaugurated yesterday with newly elected members of the House in position. Hon Peter Abel Diah emerged as the Speaker while Mohammed Danladi Gwampo, is the Deputy Speaker. After the inauguration exercise, a member representing Lau constituency, Joseph Albasu Kunini, moved a motion

nominating Mr. Peter Abel Diah, for the position of the speakership of the House. TheKunini’s motion was seconded by Hosea Ibi, a member representing Takum I constituency. The motion was later unanimously supported by the members. However, Gwampo emerged the deputy speaker through the nomination of the immediate past Speaker, Mr. Mark Useni. The motion also got unanimous support of the members.

Appeal Court dismisses suspension of Kwara lawmaker Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

he Court of Appeal, Ilorin division, yesterday upheld the decision of an Ilorin High Court which ordered the reinstatement of a suspended member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Iliasu Ibrahim. The appellate court in a

unanimous decision read by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, ordered the immediate reinstatement of the lawmaker representing Ipaye/Malete/Oloru constituency, who had been suspended twice, first in 2012 and later in 2013 by his colleagues. The appellate court also ordered the payment of all entitlements of the

suspended lawmaker and awarded N100, 000 costs against the appellants. If the Assembly complies with the order, then the embattled lawmaker will be part of the final session of the seventh assembly in the state, which will ends today. But, counsel to the Assembly, Saka Isau, SAN, said the House would appeal the judgement at the Supreme

Court. Ilorin high court had in a judgement delivered on June 16, 2014 lifted the suspension order on Ibrahim but he could not join his colleagues because he was allegedly prevented by security men form gaining access into the assembly complex. The assembly also appealed the decision of the lower court.

But yesterday, the upper court dismissed the appeal by the assembly and upheld the earlier verdict of the high court, describing the suspension of the lawmaker, as “illegal, null and void.” Reacting to the judgement yesterday, counsel to Ibrahim, Abeny Mohammed said: “With this judgement, the lawmaker has been vindicated.

WORLD | News

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

South Korea test-fires missile targeted at the North

outh Korea yesterday test launched a new ballistic missile that can hit all of North Korea, the president’s office said, developed under a new agreement with the United States that lets Seoul extend the weapon’s range to up to 800 km (500 miles). President Park Geun-hye made a rare visit to a missile base on the west

coast to watch the launch of the guided missile, which will be a key part of the South’s defense against its neighbor’s nuclear and missile threat, her office said. “The test demonstrated improved ballistic missile capability that can strike all parts of North Korea swiftly, and with precision, in the event of armed aggression or provocation,” the

presidential Blue House said in a statement. The launch comes a month after the North said it test-fired a submarine launched ballistic missile. If true, the statement points to progress in the North’s missile capabilities, although some experts and US military leaders questioned the authenticity of the North’s report.

South Korea’s missile is the first developed under new guidelines signed with the United States in 2012 to more than double the range of the South’s missiles to tackle its disadvantage with Pyongyang’s missile capabilities. The North has a deployed arsenal of missiles of various ranges and is believed to be developing an intercontinental bal-

listic missile aimed at delivering nuclear weapons. In 2012, North Korea successfully launched what is generally considered a long-range rocket, putting what it said was a satellite into orbit. The North called it a space launch vehicle, but the international community said it was a missile that violated U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Ex-VP to challenge Mugabe for power

Relatives of Shanghai passengers on board a cruise ship that capsized in central China, at a government office to demand for action after the tourist agency which organised the tour failed to help them.

China ship capsize: Hopes of finding survivors fade

opes are fading of any more survivors being found inside a cruise ship which capsized on China’s Yangtze River. Just 14 of the 456 mostly elderly people on board the Eastern Star have so far been rescued, after the vessel overturned in bad weather on Monday. Officials say they will keep looking for survivors, but it could be China’s worst boat disaster in decades. In a new development, maritime agency records show the ship was investigated for safety violations two years ago. Documents on the Nanjing Maritime Safety website showed the Eastern Star was held alongside five other vessels

in 2013 over safety concerns, although no further details are available. State broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) said 26 bodies had so far been recovered. Some of the few survivors were found trapped in air pockets inside the submerged hull of the ship. “As long as there’s even a little hope, we will give it 100% and will absolutely not give up,” Transport Minister Yang Chuantang said, before adding that rescuers were in “a race against time”. Premier Li Keqiang urged divers to keep searching the ship in an “overnight battle” to find more survivors after at least two remarkable rescues two days ago, including one of a 65-year-

old woman. Zhang Hui, 43, was rescued Tuesday after floating for 10 hours clinging to a life jacket. He was in his room when a storm hit and he felt the boat tilt. “It was tilting very badly, maybe at around a 45-degree angle,” he told the Xinhua state news agency. He grabbed a life jacket and floated to the nearest window as the boat began to capsize “incredibly fast”. He spent the night in the river, struggling to keep afloat. “I told myself, I just needed to hold on and everything would be okay,” he said. He eventually made it ashore as dawn broke and received help at a nearby jetty.

Maasai women lead solar revolution

ot long ago, dusk was a time of unease for the people of Magadi, a village in Kenya’s Kajiado County. As the sun set, farmers began worrying about their cattle, easy prey for hyenas and leopards. Children lit fires to finish their schoolwork, filling homes with smoke. Now as darkness falls, lights flick on across this sleepy hamlet, thanks to the efforts of more than 200 Maasai women at the frontline of a solar power revolution. The women, trained in solar panel installation, use donkeys to haul their solar wares from home to home in the remote region, giving families their first

access to clean and reliable power. “For us, the impact of solar technology is unparalleled,” said Jackline Naiputa, who heads the Osopuko-Edonyinap group, one of the five women’s groups leading the alternative energy charge in the area. Renewable energy developer Green Energy Africa provides the group with solar products including solar panels, lights, and small rechargeable batteries at a discount. The women sell the products at a profit of around 300 shillings ($3) each, which goes into the group’s account to buy more stock. Naiputa, who in 2014 lost 10 goats to wild cats, said her teenage son used to spend cold nights in the cattle enclosure to guard

their herd. Now, with solar lamps hanging around her homestead, Naiputa and her four children can sleep soundly in the warmth of their home. “The light scares the hyenas away, so we don’t have to worry about losing our animals at night,” she said. The Women and Entrepreneurship in Renewable Energy Project (WEREP), an initiative by Green Energy Africa, aims to turn Kajiado County to solar power by training women as solar installers and encouraging them to market the clean energy concept to fellow pastoralists. The solar energy drive began in around November 2014, and so far about 2,000 households in the country have adopted solar technology.

ormer vice president Joice Mujuru has apologized to Zimbabwe’s people for her role in President Robert Mugabe’s government, in a move seen by allies as a step toward challenging him for power. Mujuru worked with Mugabe during the 1970s bush war and after independence and was until December seen as the leading candidate to succeed him. But the veteran leader last year accused her of plotting to unseat him from office, a charge Mujuru denied. She lost her positions in government and the ruling ZANU-PF party. Mujuru issued a public statement two days ago, taking blame for ZANU-PF’s failure to deliver on promises to Zimbabweans and called her dismissal inevitable because her vision diverged from that of Mugabe and the ZANU-PF leadership. “For my own role in this failure, I am truly sorry and I apologize to my fellow Zimbabweans,” Mujuru said. “It is a time in our history for contrition and reflection, for cleansing.” She declined to comment further when contacted by Reuters on

Wednesday. Mujuru in April accused ZANU-PF of losing focus on the economy, which is slowing sharply.No ZANUPF spokesman was available for comment on yesterday. Zimbabwe holds its next presidential vote in 2018 and ZANU-PF has chosen Mugabe, who will be 94 then, as its candidate. Mujuru, 60, is being publicly encouraged by allies to form a political party. Former minister of state security and ZANU-PF secretary general Didymus Mutasa, who was expelled from the government and party together with Mujuru, said the former vice president would run for the top office. “She has gone beyond thinking about it. She will contest and I am confident she will be the first female president of Zimbabwe,” Mutasa told Reuters. Eldred Masungure, a political science lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, called Mujuru’s move “political repentance”. “She wants now to regenerate her political career but she needs first to disown skeletons, and they are many, in the ZANU-PF cupboard,” Masungure said.

Ukraine crisis: Violence flares up near Donetsk

ierce fighting is raging between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine, officials on both sides say. The clashes - said to involve heavy artillery and tanks are taking place in Maryinka and Krasnohorivka, outside the rebel-held city of Donetsk. There were reports of multiple injuries in the towns held by Ukraine’s army. Clashes between government troops and the rebels have recently intensified despite a ceasefire signed in February. The Ukrainian government, Western leaders and Nato all say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions with heavy weapons and soldiers. Independent experts echo that accusation. Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are volunteers. More than 6,400 people have been killed in fighting in eastern Ukraine that began in April 2014 when rebels seized large parts of the two eastern regions. This followed Rus-

sia’s annexation of the Crimea peninsula. Ukrainian officials say the clashes in Maryinka and Krasnohorivka, just west of Donetsk, began with heavy artillery shelling by the rebels early in the morning. “Krasnohorivka and Maryinka are in flames. There is a close contact fighting taking place along the entire line of contact. Militants are trying to break through,” wrote Ukrainian lawmaker Yevhen Deydey, who acts as a liaison official for the government’s Kiev-1 battalion. Praying for our boys,” Mr Deydey added on his blog. More than 20 government soldiers were wounded during the intense fighting, unconfirmed reports say. Ukraine’s military later accused the rebels of staging a full-scale offensive, in violation of the Minsk agreements. It said more than 10 tanks and up to 1,000 rebel fighters were attacking Ukrainian positions in Maryinka. Ukrainian troops, it added, had been forced to use artillery to repel the offensive.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2015

Interview

International

FIFA U-20 World Cup

News

‘Women’s World Cup gender tests ridiculous’

Mourinho ready to take risk on Falcao

Serbia too strong for Mali

Sport

Blatter under investigations in the US

Did you know? That The q’final defeat by Novak Djokovic in 2015 French Open was only the second defeat for Rafael Nadal in 72 career matches at Roland Garros. The other came in the fourth round in 2009 against Robin Soderling

Keshi, NFF should work together – Babangida

Charles Ogundiya

former Super Eagles winger, Tijani Babangida, has advised Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, not to work in isolation but in cooperation with the Nigeria Football Federation. Speaking with New Telegraph, Babangida said he hoped the coach had learnt his lessons after what happened between him and the federation. “I am happy that Keshi has sorted out his problem with the NFF, because the major area of dispute between the two sides in the past was the issue of understanding,” the former Ajax striker said. “This time, I am optimism that the two parties will be more professional in their dealings so that we can all be happy. “Keshi and NFF now understand each other better

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami

after all the bickerings, Keshi knows what NFF wants and vice versa.” Speaking further, the Kaduna United General Manager said Keshi should hit the ground running while also advising the coach to give opportunity to some of the U-20 stars in his team. Babangida said: “Keshi is not new to the team, he has been there before and only Babangida has to continue from where he stopped. “He has the bulk of his team and maybe we can just talk about some of the exciting players in the U-20 team, which I would love him to give opportunities in the Super Eagles.” On the assistant for the former Togo national team coach, the ex-Ajax winger said Keshi should be allowed to choose his own assistants with the blessing of the NFF. “NFF should not appoint assistants for Keshi, he should be the one to look for his own assistants so that we can have peace in the team. “Amokachi did well when he was with Keshi, but I don’t know what happened between him and the coach, so he has the right to look for another assistant.”

French Open: Djokovic ends Nadal’s 39-match winning streak • Williams, Murray also through to semis

Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sport

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

Nigeria’s forward Ikechukwu Uche (left) vying with South Africa’s defender Eric Mathoho during their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match

Djokovic

ovak Djokovic ended Rafael Nadal’s 39-match French Open winning streak, beating the nine-time champion in a surprisingly lopsided quarterfinal 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 on Wednesday. It is only the second defeat for Nadal in 72 career matches at Roland Garros. The other came in the fourth round in 2009 against Robin Soderling. Before that, Nadal had won four championships in a row at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament.

Since that lone previous setback, Nadal had collected a record five consecutive French Open trophies. The No. 1-ranked Djokovic lost all six previous matches he’d played against Nadal in Paris, including the 2012 and 2014 finals. In the women’s game, top seed Serena Williams needed just 65 minutes to overcome Sara Errani 6-1 6-3 and book her place in the semi-finals at Roland Garros. The 33-year-old Ameri-

can, seeking her 20th Grand Slam title, proved too powerful for her Italian opponent. She will face Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky who beat Alison van Uytvanck of Belgium 6-4 7-5. Bacsinszky, 25, reached her first Grand Slam semifinal after overcoming unseeded Van Uytvanck, 21, in straight sets. Also through to the semifinal is Scostman Andy Murray, who defeated Spaniard David Ferrer, 7-6 6-2 5-7 6-1.

Sport

THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Blatter and his many battles

IFA President, Sepp Blatter from Switzerland- a country which has changed its position in helping protect the loot of despots in and out of government from the third world especially Africa –seems to be the cat with nine lives-at least for now. Blatter was in the eyes of the storm at the U-23 World Cup in Mexico 1983 where, as the Secretary-General of the Federation he was lashed by the media and anti-corruption agencies especially American reporter, Paul Gartner, who accused then FIFA President, Brazilian Joao Havelange and his son-in-law who was also the Samba country’s football boss, Ricardo Texteira, of “under-the-table” deals including that of the purchase of luxurious buses from the firm owned by Havelange. Mexico had beaten off the challenge of countries from Europe to host the development programme of the sport that was to produce players for the national teams and the “good of the game” in hosting the tournament. Havelange and Blatter denied the charges all through the tournament and the subsequent senior World Cup which the same country hosted three years later in the cities of Mexico, Leon, Puebla, Guadjalahara.

Muyiwa Daniel on Thursday

md_muyiwa@yahoo.com 08023525087 (sms only) As if that was not enough, then came the allegations of fraud running into millions of dollars and the searchlight was again directed at Havelange and Blatter by then UEFA President, Lennart Johhansson. This time it involved the ISL but the heads that rolled in the FIFA mud after the axe had dangled were those officials of FIFA who just did the beck and call of the senior bosses in the Executive Committee. On a larger scale the International Olympic Committee (IOC) under the watch of Catalan, Joan Anthonio Samaranch, was accused of fraud in a bidding process and this consumed members of the Executive Committee including Nigeria’s General Henry Adefope for merely accepting payment for an eye drug to treat his spouse’s cataract. That process led to the “clean up” of the IOC’s bid process but not until Samaranch had supervised the hosting of the Barcelona ’92 Olympics where his native Language-Catalan-was added

to the “official” languages of the IOC winning the approval of the natives who believed-and still believe- that they are the real Spanish and not those who are hanging to governance and Royalty from Madrid. That is the pull of supremacy battle that continues to propel sports competition within the region where the ETA separatist “rebels” still hold sway and where the players of the soccer club are revered as they continue to remain on the front seat with the latest being the successes of the season where the treble in Europe is being sought, Saturday, as Leonel Messi leads Barca against the Italian giants and “grand Old Lady” Juventus in the European Champions League final. Interestingly, both sides have claimed the domestic Leagues and FA Cups in both Spain and Italy. However, UEFA President and former face of the beautiful game-Frenchman Mitchel Platini is leading the campaign to lock Blatter out of the final

for the refusal to stand down in the recent bribery scandal that has mirrored the dark side of FIFA and which has seen top Confederation bosses being rounded up by the Swiss Police and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) on allegations of bribery in the hosting of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in Russia and the UAE. Platini had headed a European 53man party that opted to vote in-experienced Prince Bin Hamman against Blatter until Russian President, Vladimir Putin, dispatched Chelsea boss and regional Governor, Roman Abramovic, to break the European vote despite the English Royalty getting involved in the fray. This time around one name has recurred. That is Trinidad and Tobago’s former FIFA chief, Jack Warner, who headed the U-20 Committee and was involved in the inspection of hosting bid cities. Warner was so much “loved” in Nigeria that he was bequeathed with the Yoruba traditional name –“Omowale”(the home boy has returned) when he led the team to inspect facilities for the hosting of Nigeria 99 after an earlier botched effort due to meningitis virus in the city of Kano. Warner reputed for running the largest ice-cream factory in the Caribbean coun-

try saw and presided over the “nineth wonder –of-the-world as the grass that refused to grow on the pitches of the eight cities suddenly came alive. Warner and USA”s Chuck Blazer took a bow from the FIFA Executive Committee over bribery charges that also became the albatross of Nigeria’s hitherto anticipated successor to Cameroonian Issa Hayatou in the Confederation of African Football, Amos Adamu, who has served out his three-year ban from football. Adamu may likely return if the Nigeria Football Association led by Amaju Pinnick represents him for the CAF Executive Committee. However, it is instructive that at the Congress in Paris ahead of the France ’98 World cup, Blatter, was the candidate of retiring President Havelange and he defeated Johannson. Later it was the turn of Hayatou to bite the dust. Now it is Bin Hamman. South America has not presented a challenge but Europe is undaunted in the quest of having Blatter off the scene with this latest “Tsunami” of soccer scandals where South African soccer boss, Danny Jordaan, had admitted the country funded “soccer development” in South America to be awarded the World Cup in 2010.

‘Women’s World Cup gender tests ridiculous’ Female athletes are increasingly forced to pass gender verification tests. Medical ethicist Claudia Wiesemann in an interview with DW Media says the tests are not just “ridiculous,” but can have humiliating consequences. Women’s National Soccer Team had to supply medical confirmation that all players were indeed women in order to be allowed to play in the Women’s World Cup in Canada this summer. What does “gender verification” entail? Is it just a little peek down where the sun doesn’t shine? Well, at first it was, in the 50s and 60s. Back then, it was a purely physical test. Later, it was examined whether the athletes had two X chromosomes. Men usually have an X and a Y chromosome. Then came more thorough physical tests, which included an exam of the organs in the abdomen. Today, hormone levels are tested in the blood - so how much testosterone a woman has in her blood. Is it complicated to measure that? Not really. It’s pretty easy to examine testosterone levels. What’s harder is interpreting the results. Why is that? There’s no such thing as definite gender verification. Women can have very high levels of testosterone, but their bodies can be completely insensitive to the effects. Some people are more sensitive to testosterone, others less. Women can even have a Y chromosome and still have a female physique. Men and women are merely two extremes of a continuum, and, between these extremes, many different types are possible. How have attitudes developed within

international sports associations? The International Olympic Committee (IOC,) for example, has introduced rules regarding testosterone levels? That was the IOC’s way of reacting to massive criticism of previous tests, which were discriminating and didn’t yield accurate results. But the testosterone examination is no different. In order for a woman to compete in a women’s competition, the IOC demands she has lower testosterone levels than a man. But that’s a purely arbitrary cut-off. There are women who undoubtedly grew up as females, but have higherthan-average testosterone levels. That makes them better athletes - just like a man who’s taller than two meters (6’6’’) is a better basketball player, because he’s taller than average. Supporters of gender verification say that if women with heightened testosterone levels compete alongside other female athletes, it’s unfair and distorts the competition. How do you respond to that? A physical advantage will always influence how the competition goes. That’s also true for the basketball player who’s taller than two meters, but we’d never entertain the idea of disqualifying him because of an unfair advantage. We have to provide a reason why a certain advantage is so unfair that it

Asisat Oshoala (middle)

merits disqualification. Additionally, we have to think about the damage we’d be doing by excluding someone from the competition because of a purportedly wrong gender. What kind of detrimental effect could that have? There can be major damage. One female athlete from India [Santhi Soundarajan, eds. note] was publicly called a liar and a cheater when a gender verification exam showed she had a Y chromosome. She tried to kill herself because of the hostility and humiliation that ensued. How often do intersexual people whose gender cannot biologically be determined, face this issue? That’s a big problem for them. The

fact that intersex individuals exist is not widely known in society. Instead, most people think that it should be easy to tell the difference between man and woman. While that’s true for 99.9 percent of cases, it’s not the case for the remaining 0.1 percent. Going back to the German Women’s National Team: According to media reports, the players had to present a kind of medical certificate from their gynecologists, confirming that they are indeed all women. What do you think about that? I find it disastrous that national associations are participating in this madness. They really are in a tough situation, though. They can’t suddenly protest and say “Fine, then we’re not coming” right before such an important competition.

Intertional Sport 53

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2015

Mourinho to take chance on Falcao

helsea manager Jose Mourinho has agreed to bring Manchester United reject Radamel Falcao to Stamford Bridge to replace departing Didier Drogba. Mourinho and the Colombian striker share the same agent and the champions have been in negotiations to sign Falcao for the last few days after United decided against making his loan move from Monaco permanent. Ironically, Chelsea tried to

sign Falao when he was in his prime, but couldn’t afford the extravagant transfer package when he opted to move to the tax-free haven of Monaco. But now Falcao doesn’t want to quit the Premier League and end up being known as a failure in English football. The transfer will cost Chelsea £25m, and Falcao is convinced that Jose Mourinho is the perfect manager to get the best out of him after a confidence-sapping season.

Real confirm Benitez as coach

eal Madrid on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Rafa Benitez as coach, giving him a three-year contract as the replacement for the fired Carlo Ancelotti. Benitez, who began his coaching career in Madrid’s youth academy, had returned to the Spanish league where he led Valencia to titles in 2002 and 2004 before joining Liverpool, where he won the 2005 Champions League. “It’s an emotional day, one when I return here, to my home,” Benitez said at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. “I hope things will go well and that we win many titles.” Madrid said Benitez was the right choice because he understood the values that underpin the club, and what it meant to be part of it. “He is a product of this house,” the club said in a statement, detailing how the 55-yearold Benitez played as a defender in youth teams and “began his

coaching career here.” Ancelotti guided Madrid to its 10th European Cup in 2014, but was let go after the team failed to win a major trophy this season. Benitez is Madrid’s eighth coach in 10 years. He will be tasked with ending Madrid’s dismal record of one Spanish title in seven seasons despite counting on Cristiano Ronaldo and record revenues.

Falcao (C) in action for Manchester United against Leicester City

Benitez

I am the man to beat not Bolt – Gatlin

ith the world-leading times in the 100 and 200 meters this year, Justin Gatlin says he - not Usain Bolt - is the man to beat for now. The big goal for both sprinters remains the world championships in Beijing in August. “Right now, I can’t consider myself the favorite because it’s months away,” Gatlin said. “I’m just trying to stay healthy and strong. But having two world leads does put me in position to say entering a race, ‘okay, I’m the man to go out there and go against.” Gatlin was in Rome preparing to run the 100 in the Golden Gala on Thursday. Gatlin beat Bolt at the Stadio

Olimpico two years ago, although the Jamaican is not entered this year. Gatlin clocked 9.74 seconds in the Diamond League opener on May 15 in the sweltering heat of Doha, Qatar. Only four sprinters have ever run faster, including Bolt, who set the world record of 9.58 in 2009. Gatlin won the 200 in 19.68 in Eugene, Oregon, last weekend, matching his personal best. He will be aiming for his fourth career win in Rome, the fourth stop of the Diamond League. “I’m just starting off where I left off last year,” Gatlin said. “I want to go out there and dominate each race, and that’s what I’ve been doing.”

Man United look to break record for Pogba

anchester United have set aside the huge sum of £60million as they look to bring home their former academy prospect Paul Pogba. The French international has blossomed at Italian side Juventus and has been integral in helping his team reach the Champions League final for the first time since 2003. But this form and ability that has been so beneficial to Juve has caught the eye of Europe’s elite, with Real Madrid,

Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all ready to drop huge amounts of money to sign the 22-yearold. The Red Devils are ready and willing to meet Juve’s valuation for Pogba and are determined to right past wrongs by resigning the player they let leave for free. The signing of Pogba would be one of many big money transfers to United this summer, as Louis van Gaal continues to overPogba haul his squad.

S’Africa again rejects bribe allegations

outh Africa confirmed on Wednesday it had given US$10 million meant to help pay for the 2010 World Cup to a football official indicted last week in the United States, but said the payment was not a bribe as US prosecutors allege. Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula confirmed the contents of a leaked letter from the South African Football Association, which said money originally intended for organising the 2010 World Cup had been paid directly to former FIFA vice president Jack Warner. But Mbalula said the payment was never intended as a bribe to secure the right to host the 2010 tournament, as

described in the US indictment. It was given as a donation to support the building of a football centre for people of African descent in the Caribbean, he said. “We categorically deny our country and government bribed anyone to receive the right to host the 2010 World Cup. It was an approved programme and we can’t understand why this is now interpreted as a bribe,” Mbalula told a packed news conference. Warner, the Trinidadian former head of football governing body for the Caribbean and North and Central America, CONCACAF, is one of 14 officials and businessmen indicted last week in a

Wilshere hit with FA charge

Gatlin (right) attempts to chase down Usain Bolt (middle)

rsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association following his anti-Tottenham chants during the FA Cup victory parade on Sunday. The 23-year-old, who came through the Gunners’ youth ranks, took to the microphone to mock the club’s fierce rivals as the players celebrated on a stage outside the Emirates Stadium.

In similar scenes to 12 months ago, Wilshere then proceeded to lead the massed ranks of Arsenal supporters in a chant which included expletives against Spurs, who again finished below their north London neighbours in the Barclays Premier League table. On Monday, Wilshere apologised if his actions had caused any offence and was spoken to by Arsenal staff on the issues. However, the FA has now

US fraud investigation that has engulfed global football. The US indictment says South Africa paid him US$10 million as a bribe to secure the right to host the 2010 World Cup.

South African Minister of Sport, Fikile Mbalula

launched formal disciplinary proceedings. A statement read: “Jack Wilshere has been charged with misconduct in relation to Arsenal’s FA Cup celebrations on Sunday May 31. “It is alleged his conduct in making and/or inciting certain comments during the club’s open bus trophy tour was improper and/or brought the game into disrepute. “The player has until 6pm on June 10, to respond to the charge.”

54 Sport

THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FIFA U-20 World Cup

Serbia too strong for Mali

STANDINGS GROUP A

MP W

GA +/-

Pts

USA

Ukraine

New Zealand 2

-4

Myanmar

-7

GROUP B

fter enjoying a perfect start to their 2015 U-20 FIFA World Cup Group D campaign, with a 2-0 win over Mexico last Sunday, Mali fell to Serbia by the same margin at Dunedin’s Otago Stadium on Wednesday. After a rather dull start to the game, Sergej Milinkovic broke the deadlock in the 27th minute, with a superb freekick that left no chance for keeper Djigui Diarra. Despite claiming a fair share of possession, the young Eagles seriously lacked efficiency in front of goal, allowing the Serbians to kill the match off in the 74th minute through substitute striker Stanisa Mandic. GROUP

DATES

Austria

Argentina

-1

Panama

-1

Portugal

Colombia

Senegal

-3

Qatar

-5

GROUP D

With Mexico sealing a 2-1 victory over Uruguay earlier on, the four teams will be heading into their final Group D encounter all square on three points MATCHES

RESULTS/TIME 0-0

Group A

Saturday 30 May USA v Myanmar

2-1

Group B

Saturday 30 May Argentina v Panama

2-2

Group B

Saturday 30 May Ghana v Austria

1-1

Group C

Sunday 31 May

Qatar v Colombia

0-1

Group D Sunday 31 May

Mexico v Mali

0-2

Group C

Portugal v Senegal

3-0

Group D Sunday 31 May

Uruguay v Serbia

1-0

Group E

Monday 01 June

Nigeria v Brazil

2-4

Group F

Monday 01 June

Germany v Fiji

8-1

Group E

Monday 01 June

Korea DPR v Hungary

1-5

Group F

Monday 01 June

Uzbekistan v Honduras 3-4

Group A

Tuesday 02 June

Myanmar v Ukraine

0-6

Group B

Tuesday 02June

Austria v Panama

2-1

Group A

Tuesday 02 June

New Zealand v USA

0-4

Group B

Tuesday 02 June

Argentina v Ghana

2-3

Group C

Wed 03 June

Qatar v Portugal

0-4

Group D Wed 03 June

Mexico v Uruguay

2-1

Group C

Senegal v Colombia

1-1

Group D Wed 03 June

Serbia v Mali

2-0

Group E

Thurs 04 June

Nigeria v Korea DPR

Group F

Thurs 04 June

Honduras v Fiji

Group E

Thurs 04 June

Hungary v Brazil

Group F

Thurs 04 June

Germany v Uzbekistan

Group B

Friday 05 June

Austria v Argentina

5am

Group B

Friday 05 June

Panama v Ghana

5am

Group A

Friday 05 June

Myanmar v N’ Zealand

8am

Group A

Friday 05 June

Ukraine v USA

8am

Group C

Sat 06 June

Senegal v Qatar

2am

Group C

Sat 06 June

Colombia v Portugal

2am

Group D Sat 06 June

Serbia v Mexico

5am

Group D Sat 06 June

Mali v Uruguay

5am

Group F

Sunday 07 June

Honduras v Germany

3am

Group F

Sunday 07 June

Fiji v Uzbekistan

3am

Group E

Sunday 07 June

Hungary v Nigeria

6am

Group E

Sunday 07 June

Brazil v Korea

6am

for a drama-packed finish. And Fanyeri Diarra’s boys will have to get something out of their clash with Uruguay to progress to the knock-out stage of

the international tournament. The game will kick off at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium on Saturday, June 6.

Portugal advance to last 16

ortugal joined USA in the last 16 of the Under 20 World Cup, with a 4-0 thrashing of Qatar in their second Group C outing at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium. A brace from Ivo either side of André Silva and Joao Vigario’s successful attempts handed the Portuguese their second consecutive win in the competition, with the two-time U-20 world champions keeping a clean-sheet and scoring seven along the way. Portugal’s most dangerous rivals Colombia had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Senegal a bit later, with the West Africans earning their first point

Serbia

Mali

Uruguay

Mexico

-1

GROUP E

Sergej Milinkovic of Serbia is challenged by Alassane Diallo of Mali

Saturday 30 May New Zealand v Ukraine

Wed 03 June

GROUP C

Group A

Sunday 31 May

Ghana

in New Zealand to keep their knock-out stage hopes alive. Meanwhile, pointless Qatar will have no choice but to grab the full points against the Lions in their final group encounter on Saturday, to stand a tiny chance to progress as one of the top third-placed teams. Defeated by Mali and Uruguay respectively in their campaign’s opener, Mexico and Serbia turned the table around to burst Group D wide open. ‘El Tri’ defeated the South American giants 2-1 at Dunedin’s Otago Stadium, while the Serbians bounced back against the Eagles with a convincing 2-0 victory.

Hungary

Brazil

Nigeria

-2

Korea DPR

-4

GROUP F Germany

Honduras

Uzbekistan

-1

Fiji

-7

Colombia draw against Senegal

enegal will have everything to play for in their final Group C clash after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Colombia at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand on Wednesday. The Africans will have to beat Qatar by a healthy margin and hope Portugal do them a favour against the South Americans if they are to book their place in the knockout stages of the 2015 U-20 World Cup. The Young Lions of Teranga pressed for an

Sidy Sarr of Senegal trying to go past Sergio Villarreal of Colombia

early goal as they looked to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat to Portugal and found the opener with 23 minutes on the clock. Mamadou Thiam weaved his way past four Colombian defenders before striking a crisp leftfooted shot past Colombia gloves man Alvaro Montero from the edge of the area. Senegal remain in third spot in Group C and will need nothing but a win against Qatar on Saturday if they are to prolong their stay in the competition.

News 55

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2015

Blatter under probe in US

IFA president Sepp Blatter is being investigated by US officials as part of their inquiry into corruption at the world football body, US media say. The news came hours after Mr Blatter, 79, announced that he was stepping down from his role. US prosecutors launched a criminal inquiry last week, with seven FIFA officials arrested in Switzerland, part of a group of 14 people indicted. Two days after the arrests, Mr Blatter was reelected president of FIFA. However, he said on Tuesday that it appeared the mandate he had been given “does not seem to be supported by everybody in the world of football”.

Blatter said FIFA needed profound restructuring, adding that he would remain in post until an extraordinary congress was called to elect a new president. No dates have been set, but under FIFA rules it is expected to take place between December 2015 and March 2016. US officials quoted in the New York Times said they hoped to gain the cooperation of some of the FIFA figures now under indictment on charges of racketeering and money laundering to try to build a case against Mr Blatter. Separately on Wednesday, Interpol issued a wanted persons alert for two former FIFA officials, Jack Warner and Nicolas Leoz, as well as four cor-

Chad match to gulp N120m – Pinnick • Why NFF failed to re-engage Okpala Adekunle Salami

T Blatter

porate executives. All six were on the list of 14 people indicted by the US authorities last week. Meanwhile, South African’s sports minister has again denied that a $10m bribe was paid to secure the 2010 World Cup, which was one of the charges to come out of the US investigation.

he Nigeria/Chad 2017 Nations Cup qualifier scheduled to take place in Kaduna next week will cost the Nigeria Football Federation about N120m. NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, who stated this in Lagos on Wednesday stressed that ticket refund and bonuses of the 15 professional players was a huge burden on the football body. He stressed that about $8,000 will be spent on

each of the invited professionals coming for the encounter billed for June 13. The list of 15 players to join the remaining eight home-based players was released on May 29. “The NFF is doing a whole lot and every match is a big project in all areas. We want results and we also spend heavily,” he said. Pinnick also gave reasons why former assistant coach of the team, Sylvanus Okpala, would not be re-engaged by the

federation. “It was an inherited problem. Okpala dragged the NFF to the Court Arbitration and he won the case. The NFF is to pay him about N50m which we have started paying monthly. We cannot in anyway employ such a person again. “There are many other former internationals that can do the job. That is why we have Salisu Yusuf there now. He has a good knowledge of the domestic league and that is a plus for the national team.”

Nike jersey temporary, says NFF Adekunle Salami

he current Nike jersey the Flying Eagles are using for the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup taking place in New Zealand is only a temporary design from the kits manufacturers. Nike is currently working on a high quality design for the national teams and this will be ready late in the year. The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, told newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos that the one be-

ing used now was hurriedly packaged to suit few competitions. Pinnick said: “We appreciate that we just signed a contract with them and it is normal that it could take time to design a jersey for us. I have seen what they are working on and can assure Nigerians that it is of a good quality. “People have raised issues on the contract but the federation is happy because we are saving about $4m every year with that contract. I knew what we went

through when we were yet to sign the contract and we were looking for jersey for one of the national teams.” Pinnick stressed that the contract with Nike will get better every year because the national teams are expected to post impressive results. “We negotiated from a weak position because we were not at the last Nations Cup but I expect things to get better. We are also going to enjoy the use of some of the Nike training facilities all over the world,” he added.

5th CCSF Taekwondo training workshop begins Tosin Obisesan

he 5th Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation Taekwondo Training Workshop kicks off today (Thursday) with 40 athletes drawn from schools and clubs across the country converge in Abuja for the three-day programme. The workshop series started in 2010 and has since become a watering ground for upcoming tae-

kwondo champions. The exercise includes physical fitness training, tactical and technical sessions, where participants will be taught current training methods, techniques using the latest equipment. Also, special inspirational sessions will be conducted during the programme that allows interactions between the young participants and two iconic taekwondo figures in Nigeria – 2014 Com-

monwealth Gold Medalist, Ms. Josephine Esuku and 3-time NUGA Gold Medalist, Alhaji Sani Lawal. In an academic-like session, Technical Coordinator of the program, Chika Chukwumerije, who holds an MSc. In Operations and Supply Chain Management, and successfully organizes well-planned Taekwondo events, will hold an Event Management Course to expand the knowledge base and soft skills of the participants.

South Africa’s Reneilwe Letsholonyane vies with Nigeria’s players during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying football match between Nigeria and South Africa at Akwa Ibom stadium in Uyo

Ultimate Football Challenge debuts

new radio football game show tagged “the Ultimate Football Challenge”, has debuted in Nigeria. In a statement made available to the media, the promoters of the show, BrandXpose Limited, stated that the new show was the first of its kind in Nigeria, and is guaranteed to thrill and reward football loving Nigerians in a way that no other football game show has in the history of radio shows in Nigeria. According to the Chief Executive Officer of BrandXpose, Mr. Austen

onds to answer as much questions as they can on different football subjects, and the Ultimate Football Challenge Fan Zone where callers answer questions that are specific to the football club that they support. At the end of the show, the caller with the highest number of correct questions answered in each segment automatically wins a Samsung mobile phone. Already the Ultimate Football Challenge is the latest hit in South Eastern Nigeria where many participants have won Samsung mobile phones, airtimes and football jerseys.

Dikko calls for sports infrastructure development

The Managing Director of PAN Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi presenting a car key of Peugeot 301 Prestige to Abba Dawule Baba, the Most Valuable Player of this year’s Access Bank – UNICEF Charity shield Polo Tournament.

Umeania, the Ultimate Football Challenge is designed to expand on the knowledge base of Nigerian football fans, and reward them for their avid followership of the game. In his words, “we want to take football followership of the average fan beyond the banters and knowledge contests that rage in homes, offices, buses and pubs. We want them to have the right knowledge and get rewarded for it” The 1-hour live game show has 2 segments, the Ultimate Football Challenge Countdown where callers are given 90 sec-

he Chairman of League Management Company, Shehu Dikko, has advised the state governments to invest in the provision of the needed sports infrastructure in the country. Shehu who gave the advice at the finals of this year’s Peace Youth Championship held in Abuja, said, “With government huge investment in sports infrastructure thousands of youths will be engaged in meaningful sports programme that will take them away from social

vices in the country.” The LMC boss who thanked the organisers of the competition, Youth for Change and Dynamic African Stars limited for bringing out youths from across the nation, noted that with the turnout of thousands of youths to the venue of the competition it is obvious that with good planning many more stars can be discovered. In the finals of the competition which witnessed 23 clubs, Texas Football Club Abuja emerged the

winners after defeating Ejele football club of Delta 10-9 on penalties as scores stood at 1-1 during regulation time. Nasarawa governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Osun governor, Rauf Aregbesola, for mer Kano governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankawso were honored for their contributions to youth developments in their state. Dikko, Nigeria Football Federation Secretary General, Sanusi Mohammed, were also on the honour.

On Marble

“Women cannot complain about men anymore until they start getting better taste in them.”

– Bill Maher

World Record

Sanctity of Truth

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THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

N150

The largest floating vessel in the world has taken to the water for the first time in South Korea. At a length of 1,601 feet, the Prelude, which is owned by Shell, is 150 feet longer than the Empire State Building is high. When fully laden the ship weighs approximately 600,000 tonnes and is 243 feet wide.

Buhari: Between the old and new In order to become the master, the politician poses as the servant. – Charles de Gaulle

xactly a week ago, May 29, 2015, Nigeria made history when an incumbent but defeated President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) willingly and in line with the law and the will of majority of Nigerians relinquished Presidential power to his victor and Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress APC, Mohammadu Buhari. The event turned out to be one of the finest moments in the nation’s political evolution as the world for once had reason to focus on Nigeria for something positive. This laudable event is a consequence of the landmark April 1st, 2015 phone call from Jonathan, conceding defeat and congratulating General Buhari. Interestingly, the United States of America (USA) whose agency had predicted the dismantling of Nigeria as an entity this year 2015, had its powerful Secretary of State John Kerry leading the cream of global leaders to witness the great moment in Abuja. The inaugural speech of President Buhari at the epoch making event expectedly has been generating all the interests. There have been knocks and praises from a cross section of Nigerians depending on one’s expectation from the Buhari presidency. Those who possibly voted for Buhari because they believed he would go after all the perceived thieves in the land would have been disappointed by his speech where he said that old scores are now prologue. “I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to all Nigerians. I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody. Continuing he said “a few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue”. Perhaps the most popular phrase from his speech for which the media has been celebrating is his declaration of ‘belonging to everybody and belonging to nobody’. While non-politicians and the opposition parties welcomed it as statesmanly, patriotic and nationalistic statement coming from an experienced old hand willing to lead a united nation, some members of his party especially power brokers in the system are incredulous and apprehensive that the statement might be a signal that he might be a lone ranger who may not want to be dragged down by party bureaucracy. Critical evaluation of the entire speech has put Nigerians in a difficult situation to understand their new President. Many of the voters didn’t think they were voting for Buhari the statesman, after all statesmen should be leaders in the past. To most of them they thought they were voting for an angry fighter, who would come and forcefully take on all the evils in the society and conquer them. The picture the inaugural speech is giving to such people is that the new Buhari is a man ready to live and possibly dine with the devil so long as their dev-

Political Musings IKE ABONYI

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Buhari

Jonathan

ilish act was done in the past and not in the present and the future. The Buhari whom they voted for to take on anybody appeared to have chickened out even before the race began offering excuses and making conflicting statements. Buhari had while receiving some tutorial works on how to govern the country from “busybody” former President Olusegun Obasanjo lamented that he has not received any helping guide from the outgoing government. That statement corroborated his party’s earlier stand that President Jonathan and his party the PDP were not cooperating with them on the transition process. But while receiving a handover note from the former President on May 28, twenty four hours to his taking over power, Buhari said “Jonathan, could have made things difficult by refusing to accept the outcome of the election, but rather he chose the path of honour. “Jonathan’s decision to make the telephone call to me changed the course of Nigeria’s history and earned him a place in the country’s history”. “For that you have earned yourself a place in our history, for stabilising this system of multiparty democratic system and you have earned the respect of not only Nigerians but world leaders. “All the leaders that spoke to me and congratulated us for arriving at the point we arrived, mentioned this and I could sense relief in their voices that Nigeria has made it after all and this is largely owed to a situation. “If you had attempted to make things difficult, you could have made things difficult and that would have been at the expense of lives of poor Nigerians, but you chose the part of honour and may God help all of us. Thank you very much,

your excellency,” Mr. Buhari said. On the inaugural day, Buhari further underscored his earlier statement when said again “I would like to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting a precedence for us that has now made our people proud to be Nigerians wherever they are. With the support and cooperation he has given to the transition process, he has made it possible for us to show the world that despite the perceived tension in the land, we can be a united people capable of doing what is right for our nation. “Together we co-operated to surprise the world that had come to expect only the worst from Nigeria. I hope this act of graciously accepting defeat by the outgoing President will become the standard of political conduct in the country” Critical minds are not at home with these early conflicting statements from the President and wondered if this is not an indication of a leader not clearly in grip of the situation and is impelled by the spur of the moment. But political watchers believe that what looks like speaking from both sides of the mouth on issues is a catch-22 of straightforward man trying to adjust to the devious ways of politicians and the political environment. What is worrisome to critical observers is that rigidly principled Buhari in an effort to navigate the foggy waters of Nigerian politics could fall into options. Option one, lose temper and decide to go solo as Presidential power allows him that to an extent but that might be dangerous to the system. Option two, capitulate to the pressure and do the bidding of the variables surrounding him, a dimension that might take him away from those traits

that made him thick and for which his followers are fanatical and voted for him. The third option which appears to be what he is operating at the moment is for him to try to have synergy for the other two options, satisfy the party, politicians and at the same time satisfy the voters. In reality it does not look pragmatic but that is likely the much of what Nigerians would see in their new President. For instance, the President had told the nation during the campaign that his Presidency would not have the office of the First Lady because such is not recognized in the constitution, but when the former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan even in her uncouth style became a big electoral threat, Buhari and his party were forced to do a U-turn and drag out a hitherto apolitical and rarely seen Aisha Buhari into the fray. Many observers had thought that after the campaigns, the President would return to his real self and send her back home, but what are we seeing? The release of her official portrait the same time as that of the President and his vice and the public outcry over the diamond watch, which is said to worth, N10 million spotted by her Excellency in her portrait picture. Imagine the signal being sent out there in the public domain about all these. Already, the comrade Senator-elect from Kaduna Shehu Sani in expressing fears warned Buhari against making the office of the First Lady flamboyant and threatened to fight against it. Against this backdrop therefore, one would want to use this forum to warn Nigerians against high expectation from the new President. Perhaps, it might be unfair to continue to expect to see the type of Buhari we saw thirty years ago. The truth is that the reaction of a 40 -year -old man on what to do with a thief caught and brought to the village square cannot be the same with that of an over 70 years old elder at the same square. Aside the age difference, there is also other intervening variables including the changing political system from military regime of the time to democratic setting at the moment. What Nigerians must pray and guide against is a repeat of history. When the first comeback President Olusegun Obasanjo was ferried from prison to Presidency, he was so excited that he took his first two years in office globetrotting and enjoying himself leaving his Vice Atiku Abubakar to hold sway in all national issues both political and economic. By the time he tried to look inward and prepare for his second term he discovered that there was no space for him. When he discovered that not even military or presidential power could save him from Atiku’s well laid web trap, Obasanjo remembered his roots and went native the Yoruba way resulting in the famous ‘prostrating’ that eventually gave him the second term which he used effectively and paved the way for Obasanjo/ Atiku fight that laid foundation for the prolonged political turmoil that greeted our nascent democracy. If Buhari gets too excited by his second coming and decides to enjoy himself, he might not be as lucky.

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