Thursday, june 9, 2016 binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

Keshi died of distress, pains –Brother-in-law

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

igeria yesterday lost one of its illustrious sportsmen, Stephen Keshi, who

lFamily vows to probe cause of death lOsinbajo, govs, Saraki, Kalu, others mourn

previously captained and coached the national team, the Super Eagles. Keshi reportedly died

of “pains and distress.” His death came just about six months after his wife, Kate, passed on

Nigerians, sports officials, enthusiasts, fans, friends, associates and contemporaries who and was buried in Janu- mourn and pour tributes on him. ary this year. Keshi’s sudden pasThe football legend sage came as a shock to CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

The late Keshi

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EFCC quizzes Chime over N450m campaign funds }6

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Vol. 3 No. 841

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Niger uncovers 22 non-existent schools, 24 ghost head teachers }42

Alleged $40m scam: Court admits }5 Jonathan's cousin, wife to N1bn bail

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UNILAG student drowned saving friends –Sister }8

N150

Buhari, three ministers ill, FEC offers prayers Chime

Bello

Azibaola

The late Funmi

Udoma: Why FG kicked against retrenchment in banks

President Muhammadu Buhari

Ear infection

Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education

Back pain

Aisha Alhassan, Minister of Women Affairs

Surgery in US

Ibrahim Jibril, Minister of Environment (State)

Undisclosed ailment

Militants reject peace talks, blow up Chevron well Niger Delta group demands 60% oil blocs Oil surges to 8-month high }4 Long use of hormonal drugs cuts risk of breast cancer –Study }7

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THURSday, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari, three ministers ill, FEC offers prayers

Anule Emmanuel Abuja

t least, three ministers in the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari have fallen ill. The revelation, which is coming barely 72 hours after the president left Nigeria for the United Kingdom to treat an ear infection was confirmed during yesterday's Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, while offering an opening prayer to kick off the FEC meeting at the presidential villa, disclosed that Malam Adamu Adamu (Minister of Education), Senator Aisha Al-Hassan (Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development) and Ibrahim Usman Jibrin (Minister of State for Environment) were indisposed and could not attend the meeting. The FEC meeting was presided over by VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo (now acting president) in the absence of President Buhari, who is currently receiving treatment for an ear infection in London and on 10-day vacation. Cabinet ministers, before the arrival of the vice president, were seen moving as usual to exchange pleasantries, talking in low tones. The vice president, on entering the Council Chambers about 12 noon, did not delay as he called on members to recite the national anthem, a usual practice at every FEC meeting. With the national anthem over, Osinbajo delegated the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to offer prayers in the Muslim tradition and identified the SGF to offer the Christian opening prayers. Only 22 ministers out of 36 ministers were present at the meeting. In his prayers, Mohammed called on Allah to intervene in the progress of the nation. When it was turn of the SGF, Babachir, he was specific in announcing that some ministers were indisposed and needed the prayers of the council to receive fast healing from God. He handed over President Buhari, whom he reminded members, was currently on medical vacation, to God. Babachir continued by committing the Minister of Women Affairs in God’s hands. He stated that Alhassan, also called "Mama Taraba", recently had a surgery in the United States of America, and

was recuperating abroad. Although the SGF did not disclose the nature of Alhassan's illness, reports indicate that the former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba, underwent orthopaedic surgery in the US. The SGF did not also fail to present Osinbajo to God for guidance in his present position as acting president. He told members, during the prayers, that the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, was also down with back pain and sought God's favour for his quick recovery. Adamu was one of the top government officials sighted at the Presidential

Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe when Buhari departed the country on Monday. Babachir ended his prayers without mentioning the third cabinet member, (Minister of State for Environment) but received a general chorus "amen from council members. As reporters departed the council chambers, one of the members was heard reminding the SGF that he had forgotten to put one of them in the prayer. The SGF agreed quickly and did not waste time in re-inviting council members for another prayer moment for the Environment Minister. Our correspondent could not confirm if dif-

ferent prayer was offered in regard to the Minister of Environment. This is the first FEC meeting presided by Osinbajo since Buhari departed the country. Buhari, who is expected to be away for 10 days, has officially transmitted a letter to both leadership of the National Assembly for the vice president to perform the functions of the president. Alhassan is presently in the United States recovering from a surgery. It could not be ascertained when exactly she was last seen at the office, but a source disclosed that she has been away for over two months. New Telegraph learnt that she is being expected

19.36%

The percentage of the club-trained players by Spanish clubs in 2013-2014. Source: Football-observatory.com

£6.8m

The total amount received by Crystal Palace in the summer 2015 transfer window. Source: 101greatgoals.com

back in Nigeria by the end of the month. A source at the Ministry of Education disclosed that Adamu has been working round the clock in recent weeks and may have suffered a breakdown due to fatigue. Last week, he was at the policy meeting of the

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) where stakeholders agreed to peg the cut off point for admission into tertiary institutions at 180. The Education Minister was also in the office on Tuesday, June 7, where he received the Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria. A source at the Ministry of Environment expressed surprise at the report that Jibril was sick. According to him, Jibril was not sick and has been coming to work. "He was at the office yesterday (Tuesday). In fact, he is the one that has been representing the main minister who has been very busy" with the flag-off of the UNEP Clean Up of Ogoniland.

L-R: Head of Service, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita; Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. David Babachir and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

Udoma: Why FG kicked against retrenchment in banks ...says govt yet to release N350bn to revamp economy

Anule Emmanuel Abuja

inister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, has justified the directive by the Federal Government restricting commercial banks from laying off staff. Udoma, who briefed state house correspondents yesterday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, said government was hopeful that the economy would again pick up. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, had on Tuesday warned managements of financial institutions, especially banks, to stop further retrenchment of workers or risk withdrawal of their licences. Udoma said there was no need for such actions by the banks because they would in turn need the workers when the economy is reflated with positive steps being taken by government.

He said: "We know the economy is going to pick up and we are confident about that, that is because of our plan; the plan was conceived because we knew that this was the trajectory we will move into.” Udoma also pointed out that the Muhammadu Buhari-led government had no plan to cut the nation's workforce by way of retrenchment. He explained that the plea of government to the private sector to halt ongoing mass sack of workers was based on conviction that the economy would soon pick up and that the companies and banks would still need the services of the workers that they have asked to go home. His words: "The policy of this government, we said so at the beginning that we are not going to retrench. There is a natural wastage, which happens in government, there are people who retire, people who may be disciplined, but there is no policy in this government to retrench. So, I want to disabuse your mind that there is no such

policy.” Udoma told reporters that government has not been able to release the N350 billion to meet contractual obligations in order to boost the economy as it had promised in April. He said government was being constrained by the processes and requirements that should be met before releases could be effected. The Budget Minister stated that the money was available, but that the process had to be fast tracked so that release could be made. According to the minister, who was joined by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, while it was expected that money would be released for existing projects soon, new projects may have to wait much longer due to the statutory requirements of procurement. Udoma had announced during the breakdown of the 2016 budget on May 13 that the N350 billion would be released the next day so as to halt the ugly spate of

downsizing of the workforce, especially by the construction companies. "As far as the N350 billion which was indicated, the money is available, but there is a process and this is part of the reasons we briefed council and there is need to fast-track those processes so that very soon, most of those monies will be released. "We expect that in the Ministry of Works, they should have quite substantial release in the next week or so. "It's easier for us for existing projects, but new projects are a bit more difficult because of the public procurement. The public procurement you have to advertise and you have to wait for six weeks and so on. "So, new projects will take a bit longer. But existing projects that have already gone through the public procurement process will be faster and I believe that you will soon start seeing the impact of those releases." Udoma disclosed that council deliberated on the

economy and the steps that needed to be taken to quickly reflate it. "And council approved that the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) should fast track the processes for the capital budgets so that the economy can be quickly reflated," he said. On the current economic hardship in the country, the minister pointed out that government was not unaware of what was happening, saying that it was due to the status of the economy the present administration met on ground. “What has happened to Nigeria is not a surprise to the government, it is something that we came in to meet. It has been caused by the fall of crude oil prices from over $100 to less than $30. We came in to meet that problem,” he said. Udoma said the administration decided to spend a huge amount of money on infrastructure to correct the economic malaise in the country. “We know the situation we are in right now and we have a plan to get out of the situation,” he said.

THURSday, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEWS

THURSday, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Militants reject peace talks, blow up Chevron well Adeola Yusuf and Ola James

he Niger Delta Avengers, a militant group responsible for spate of attacks on oil and gas installations in the oil-rich region yesterday rejected an offer of peace talks by the Federal Government. Instead, the militants blew up an oil well operated by Chevron. This attack spontaneously surged oil prices to eight-month high with Brent trading at $51.83 per barrel before the end of transactions at the global market yesterday.

In its Twitter handle early yesterday, the group said it had successfully blown up RMP 20 Well belonging to Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL). The Well, according to the tweet, is just 20 meters away from Dibi Flow Station in Warri North Local Government Area of the state. "At 1:00a.m. today (Wednesday), the @NDAvengers blew up Well RMP 20 belonging to Chevron located 20 meters away from Dibi flow Station in Warri North LGA," the tweet read. It has previously attacked Chevron, Shell and ENI facilities.

Dasuki: Again, FG asks court for witnesses' protection Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

gain, the Federal Government yesterday asked the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja for protection of its witnesses who will be testifying against the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) in the criminal charges of unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering. In a fresh motion on notice brought to the court, government prayed the court for an order to shield the identities of the witnesses and that the record of proceedings not to be made accessible to the public. The prosecution counsel, Oladipo Opkeseyi (SAN), also prayed for an order to permit the witnesses to be addressed with pseudo names in the course of the trial of the ex-NSA. The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, had in February dismissed similar motion on protection of witnesses brought to the court by the Federal Government on the ground that the motion was baseless and unwarranted. The judge said that the same government cannot ask for protection of witnesses having filed the charges and proof of evidence along with the names of the witnesses

£21.12m

The amount of money received by Manchester City as merit payment for the 2014/2015 season. Source: Goal.com

The population density of Australia and New Zealand in 2012. Source: Un.org

and put the same at the public domain for public consumption. Justice Ademola further said in the ruling that the purpose of seeking for protection in the earlier motion had already been defeated by government, having published the names of the witnesses and circulated same to different parties. But the fresh motion was premised on 10 grounds, among which were that “Dasuki as a former NSA, a retired senior military officer and a Crown Prince of Sokoto Caliphate, commands large followership throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria who may be aggrieved by his trial.” Government also claimed that most of the witnesses are security personnel and have expressed fears of being identified by members of the public who are sympathetic to Dasuki. The applicant also claimed in the motion that Dasuki, while in office as NSA, allegedly imported into the country a large cache of highly sophisticated arms and ammunition for the national security purposes that have not been accounted for. Besides, government also alleged that huge ammunition is feared to be in the possession of persons who are sympathetic to the defendant. Government also said that the security of its witnesses would be blown up if they were made to testify publicly without any protection. Counsel to Dasuki, J.B Daudu (SAN) notified the court that he has just been served with the motion and that he needed time to respond. The trial judge later adjourned to June 23 for hearing.

The group debunked claims that it has sheathed its swords to negotiate with the Federal Government. "This is to the general public; we're not negotiating with any committee. If the Fed (Federal) Govt (Government) is discussing with any group, they're doing that on their own." the group warned. "The attack on Chevron's RMP 20 is confirmed. The place is on fire," a local community leader, Chief Godspower Gbenekema, told Reuters. The Federal Government had, on Tuesday, restricted military operations to waterways in the Niger Delta as a pre-requisite for the peace talks with the militants. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who presided over a meeting with governors of oil-producing states and service chiefs, heeded the demand to demilitarize the region by restricting troops to Niger Delta waterways. Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu,

on Monday said that President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered a two-week cessation of military operations in the area to allow for negotiations. Some militants, under the aegis of Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative, yesterday called on the Niger Delta Avengers to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue. National Coordinator of the LCPDI, Reuben Wilson (aka ‘General’ Pastor), in a communiqué, condemned the actions of the NDA, appealing to them to give peace a chance. Wilson said: “We also don’t want soldiers to invade our communities like they did in Borno State and rendered thousands of persons homeless. Rather, we advise them (NDA) to channel their grievances through the right channel instead of destroying their own land and heritage to make their point. “We wish to appeal to the members of the Niger Delta Avengers and any

other groups involved in the recent destruction of oil facilities in the region to reconsider their activities and yield to the call from the Presidency for a dialogue as a mean of finding lasting solution to their grievances. If you take an honest look at the actions of the NDA, you will see that the bombing of pipelines and other vices will have a lasting negative effect on our fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters and even children in the communities who will not have a source of livelihood if the whole area is polluted.” Meanwhile, oil prices jumped to the highest level in eight months yesterday due to ongoing supply disruptions in Nigeria and strong Chinese oil demand data. Industry data had also shown a larger-than-expected drop in U.S. crude inventories on Tuesday, indicating an easing of the supply glut, and a weak dollar, which also boosted prices.

Global benchmark Brent crude futures rose to the highest level since October 12, up 32 cents at $51.76 a barrel at early trading. It earlier touched 51.83 dollars a barrel. U.S. crude futures climbed 20 cents to $50.56 a barrel, after reaching $50.67 earlier, also an eightmonth high. "The market sentiment is positive; the trend and the momentum points to further gains," said Carsten Fritsch, commodities analyst at Commerzbank. Supply disruptions caused by a string of attacks by the Niger Delta militants had brought the oil exporter's production to the lowest in 20 years. The Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, said output had dropped to 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd), from 2.2 million bpd at the start of the year. In another development, a new militant group, Ultimate Warriors CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

L-R: InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase; his wife, Agharase and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, during the premiere of the maiden police television series titled: "Beyond Your Sight", in Abuja…on Tuesday.

Keshi died of distress, pains –Brother-in-law CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

died at the Faith Mediplex Hospital located off Airport Road in Benin, the Edo State capital. Already, Keshi’s remains had been removed from Faith Mediplex Hospital complex and deposited at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital morgue also in Benin City. The brother-in-law to late Keshi, Mr. Ricky Aburime, narrated how the deceased suffered from stress and pains in the leg before he was rushed to the hospital where doctor confirmed him dead. According to Aburime, “Keshi had complained of pains and asked that he be massaged. As the massaging was going on, all of a sudden, we noticed that his countenance changed and was in distress. “He (Keshi) said he didn’t like the way he was

feeling. The person that was with him, Ebuka, rushed out and requested that he should be taken to the hospital. “He was taken to a nearby hospital about 11:30p.m. and before we got there a few minutes to midnight, he had given up the ghost. It was the nurse that first checked his pulse and confirmed that nothing was there. The doctor came and confirmed that he was dead. And that was it!” Aburime further explained that the late Super Eagles coach was never a patient at Faith Mediplex Hospital, which would not allow the hospital to give any kind of report or offer death certificate. “As such, we decided to involve the police who inspected the body before the hospital staff were able to deposit it in the mortuary,” he said. He added that the family would conduct an autopsy

on Keshi’s body in order to ascertain the actual cause of his death contrary to speculations that he died of cardiac arrest. His words: “Let no one speculate, for the avoidance of doubt that is why we want to do an autopsy. That is why we are not embalming his body now. We are going to preserve him until the experts can do the proper pathology on the body before we can now embalm and start talking about burying him and, I think at that point, we can now lay everything to rest. “The time between when we carried him from the house to the hospital was not more than 20 minutes when the doctor confirmed him dead on arrival,” Aburime said. Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has described the death of Keshi as a great loss to the nation and the state where

he was resident. Oshiomhole, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, described Keshi, fondly called the ‘Big Boss’, as a thoroughbred professional, complete gentleman, a good citizen who impacted positively on his immediate environment where he lived a quiet life. He said: “On behalf of the government and people of Edo State, I join millions of Nigerians and other sports lovers worldwide to condole with my brother, the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on the sudden death of this illustrious son of the state.” Chairman of the FA, Edo State, Mr. Frank Ilaboya, described Keshi’s death as devastating to the football community in country. *Tributes and more stories on pages 44-47

NEWS

THURSday, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Senate summons Ngige, Emefiele, bank chiefs over retrenchment Chukwu David Abuja

he Senate yesterday summoned the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige and the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over the on-going retrenchment of workers by banks operating in Nigeria. The summon was prompted by a point of order raised by Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, who alerted the Upper Chamber of the threat by the Federal Government to sanction the banks involved in the mass sack of their workers. Ibrahim, who represents Kwara South Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions. Coming under Order 43 of the Senate Standing

Orders, 2015 (as amended), Ibrahim sought for personal explanation, to intimate the Chamber of the development in the banking industry and the looming crisis sequel to the threat by the Federal Government. He expressed concern about the statement credited to the minister that government would no longer tolerate banks violating its directive not to sack workers. Ngige had, while attending an International Labour Organisation (ILO) meeting in Geneva on Tuesday, said that no worker should be treated as a slave in his own country and be kicked out of job without following due process. “The Federal Government gave the licences to the banks to operate and if its directives are not adhered to, the licences will be withdrawn if the need arises. “We know what to do. After all, the banks have the licences given by the

government. We know what to do. They need to comply. “Financial institutions need to negotiate. We want them to maintain the status quo. As far as I am the Minister of Labour, I will protect the interest of workers,” Ngige had said. But the lawmaker, who said that he was speaking without prejudice to the comments made by Ngige, noted that the banking industry is very sensitive and could be easily affected negatively by utterances of highly placed government officials. He also expressed fears that any negative development in the sector could easily produce negative consequences on the national economy. Ibrahim, therefore, impressed on the Senate to invite the heads of the relevant establishments, including the Federal Government, to come and dialogue with the legislators, in order to avert the impending crisis.

His words: "The President of the Senate, distinguished colleagues, I have national newspapers here, carrying reports on the statement made by the Minister of Labour, that they will sanction the banks for retrenching workers. "They gave directives to the banks not to retrench, but we have to be conscious of the fact that banking, being a very sensitive industry, any misguided statement or a statement that has a throwback on the industry can make or create a serious problem in the industry. "Without any prejudice to the position of the minister, as the chairman of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, we need to invite the minister. "We also need to invite the Central Bank and the banks to know if they are talking at all about retrenchment and what will happen, knowing that all the banks in Nigeria are

L-R: Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Dr. Sally UwechueMbanefo; Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hammed Ali (rtd.); Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo and Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria, Marco Antonio Garcia Blanco, during a seminar on business opportunities in Nigeria, in Abuja.

private companies. So, we want to know the basis of the directive and the basis of the threat." In his response to the point of order, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said that since it was not a proper motion, it would not be subjected to debate. He also mandated the Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, to invite the concerned institutions to meet with it in order to proffer solution to the looming conflict in the financial sector and the economy in general. He said: "Senator Ibrahim brought this matter to me and he has come under personal explanation, of

Niger Delta group demands 60% oil blocs CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

of Niger Delta, has called on the Federal Government to award 60 per cent oil blocs to the people of the oil-rich region. Parts of the demand of the group are: commencement of academic activities at Federal Maritime University; and that the government should put into operation the $16 billion Export Processing Zone otherwise called Delta Gas City project. It vowed to embark on attack on oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta, especially Chevron BOP, Okan Platform, MEREN Gas Gathering Compression Platform and Chevron Tank Farm, if the govern-

Alleged $40m scam: Court admits Jonathan's cousin, wife to N1bn bail Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday admitted former President Goodluck's cousin, Azibaola Roberts and his wife, Stella, to bail in the sum of N500 million each. The Federal Government had arraigned the couple on Tuesday over alleged payment of $40 million into their company, One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited, by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). The defendants pleaded not guilty and their bail applications were argued by their respective counsels. The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Aliyu Yusuf, had argued that the defendants should not be granted bail and that the court should rather order an accelerated hearing of the case.

Delivering a ruling on the bail applications filed by the defendants' counsels, Chris Uche (SAN) and Gordy Uche (SAN), the court held that there was no material evidence before the court that Roberts and his wife, Stella, would jump bail or frustrate their trial. The court further held that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 provides that the bail conditions shall not be excessive. According to him, "All things considered, I grant the defendants bail on the following terms: the defendants are admitted to bail in the sum of N500 million each, two sureties in like sum which shall in turn enter a bail bond of the sum of N500 million, the sureties must each be owners of property in Asokoro or Maitama District of Abuja." The trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, however, ordered that the

defendants would remain in prison custody till their bail conditions are met. The commencement of hearing in the case was adjourned till June 28, July 4 and July 5. The couple was alleged to have diverted the $40 million purportedly meant for the supply of tactical communication kits for Special Forces. The money was transferred from the account of the ONSA with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the domiciliary account of the company, One Plus Holdings. The offence is in contravention of Section 8(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act. The charge against the defendants reads in part: *That you Azibaola Roberts, being the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and a signatory to the Zenith

Bank account of One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Stella Azibaola Roberts, being a director and a signatory to the account of One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited and Amobi Ogum (now at large) on or about 8th September, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire among yourselves to commit an illegal act to wit: money laundering of the sum of $40 million transferred to the domiciliary account of One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited with Zenith Bank, Account No. 5070365750 from the account of ONSA with the Central Bank of Nigeria upon a mandate Ref. No. 128/S.5LX/139 purporting to be for the supply of tactical communication kits for special services and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Money Laundering( Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable un-

which there would be no further debate and they will come and meet before your committee and it is just for our information really." Some of the banks have sacked over 3,000 workers while others are in the process of sacking some of their workforce. In January, FCMB sacked 700 staff while Ecobank has sacked a total of 1,090 workers this year. First Bank plans to lay off a total of 1,000 this year while Diamond Bank sacked 430 in May. Just on Monday, Skye Bank announced the sacking of 175 of its workforce, but there are indications that over 1,000 staff were laid off.

der Section 15(3) of the same Act. *That you, Azibaola Roberts, Mrs. Stella Azibaola Roberts directly took control of $39.999,958 only out of the total sum of $40 million transferred to the domiciliary account of One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited with Zenith Bank, Account No. 5070365750 from the account of ONSA with the Central Bank of Nigeria upon a mandate Ref. No. 128/S.5LX/139 when you reasonably ought to have known that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), the then National Security Adviser (To wit: criminal breach of trust and corruption) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

ment fails to accede to their demand. The group gave the government a two-week ultimatum to implement the demands. “We want 60 per cent of the oil blocs to be allocated to the Niger Deltans just as the Federal Government has also allocated 80 per cent to those who are not from the oil-producing area and just as 50 per cent of the resource was used to develop the non-oil area when we were producing cocoa and groundnut as main economic resources; the same 50 per cent should be used to develop the Niger Delta because we are the ones suffering the brunt of oil pollution and degradation in the region,” the group’s spokesman, Sibiri Taiowoh, said in a statement made available to journalists in Warri yesterday. “We are also behind the recent pipeline bombing in the Niger Delta and I can assure you we will not stop until the EPZ project and the Maritime University are totally completed and start operations. “We want to be the ones to be safe guarding oil pipeline in our area so as to create more jobs for our people. We would resist any attempt to give surveillance contracts of pipeline in our backyard to foreigners. We want the pipeline jobs to be given to our indigenous people,” the statement added.

$21.7m

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

£96.97m

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

NEWS | national

CCT chairman makes u-turn over comment on Decree 2

Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Danladi Yakubu, made a u-turn on the comments he made during a court session on Tuesday that if he had his way, he would call back Decree Number 2 on Journalists. Umar yesterday clarified that he was only joking with his advocacy for the return Decree 2 to regulate the practice of journalism in the country. Umar said that contrary to the impression created in the media, he did not advocate for the Decree to harass, intimi-

date or arrest journalists or any Nigerian for whatever reason. In a statement, released by the Public Relations Officer of the Tribunal, Ibrahim Alhassan, the public was urged to regard the statement as a joke made in good faith and not to obstruct the practice of journalism in the country. It read in part: “The statement by the Chairman was made out of joke, not to intimidate any member of the Fourth Estate of the Realm in this country from observing their statutory functions as mandated by the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, as anchored in liberal democratic society like ours.”

OAU VC: Salami's appointment cripples academic activities Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

he appointment of Prof. Ayobami Salami as the new Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU),IleIfe took a new dimension yesterday when members of the Non-Academics Staff Union, (NASU) of the institution threatened to prevent him from occupying the office. The union, which barricaded most of the campus roads, marched in procession against the appointment of the new

vice-Chancellor. Also in the protest was the institution's Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, (SSANU),which described his appointment as fraud and day light robbery on members of the campus community. The development, which hindered academic activities, also disturbed the free flow of vehicles in the campus. Speaking with newsmen, NASU chairman, Mr Ademola Oketunde, likened the appointment to illegality of the highest order.

N10 bn loot: No dime missing in NBC –Mbah

Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

ormer Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission ( NBC) , Mr Emeka Mbah, yesterday picked holes in the information recently released by the Federal Government on the recovery of funds from alleged looters. The embattled former Chief Executive of the broadcast regulatory agency, who spoke with newsmen on the

he National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said that the telecommunications sector contributed N1.41billion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2016 in real terms. This was contained in the “Nigerian Telecommunications (Service) Sector Report for the 1st Quarter of 2016’’ posted on the NBS website. According the report,

issue, specifically faulted the purported recovery of the sum of N10,061,172,600 from the Commission, saying no dime was missing from the coffers of the parastatal during his tenure. According to him, the said fund was the product of a legal government activity which was lodged in the Commission's account awaiting the fulfillment of obligations by the firms that won bids to supply set boxes for the digitalization project.

thursday, june 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

$40bn suit: Appeal Court reserves judgement in suit against NNPC, FIRS Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he Court of Appeal, Abuja division, yesterday, reserved judgment in an appeal filed by Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Ltd, Esso Exploration and Production (Deepwater) Ltd , Nigeria AGIP Exploration Limited and Total E&P Nigeria Limited challenging a High Court decision to halt the $40 billion Petroleum Profit Tax Returns’ claims against NNPC. The presiding judge, Justice Abubakar Yahaya, reserved the date after counsels to parties adopted their written addresses. Joined as respondents are the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian National

In addition, they sought a declaration award that all operating costs incurred in OML 135 and OPL 803, 806 and 809 be recovered from the production from OML 118. Furthermore, they also sought a declaratory award that pending the resolution of the dispute with Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on applicable royalty rate, NNPC was to lift royalty oil to pay royalty based on one per cent. Dissatisfied by these approaches, FIRS dragged the companies to the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to stop the hearing of the dispute in the tribunals. FIRS, though it's counsel, Chief Lucius Nwosu (SAN), had submitted that the companies had no backing of the law to drag

NNPC to International tribunals on tax remittances matters. He argued that under the Production Sharing Contract (PSC), it was FIRS and not NNPC that should compute the taxes payable to the government. The trial judge, Justice Adamu Bello, now retired, had on February 29, 2012, stopped the companies from taking the NNPC to any Arbitration tribunal outside Nigeria. Dissatisfied with the decision of the lower court, the companies, through counsel, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), approached the Appeal Court to challenge the decision. At the hearing, Funke Adekoya (SAN), who held the brief of the lead counsel, Akinjide, prayed the appellate court to set aside the decision of the lower.

L-R: Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Lcci), Mr Muda Yusuf; Director (Policy), Africa International Division of the U.S Chamber, Leila Ndiaye, President, Lcci, Mrs Nike Akande and Senior Director, International Division of the US Chamber, Kyla Holland, during the visit of U.S Chamber to Lcci in Lagos …yesterday.

Campaign funds: EFCC quizzes Chime Emmanuel Onani Abuja

peratives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have interrogated a former Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime, over the $115 million campaign funds,which is being investigated. New Telegraph gathered from sources at the EFCC, that Chime, who

Telecom contributed N1.41bn to GDP in 1st quarter, says NBS

the N1.41 billion contribution to the GDP represents an increase of 0.5 per cent relative to the same quarter of 2015. “In contrast with previous years, this percentage contribution is only marginally smaller than in the previous quarter when the percentage was 8.83 per cent.

Petroleum Corporation. The appellants, who are operating the deep offshore oil fields in the country, had dragged the NNPC to four International Arbitration Tribunals to challenge the oil drilling and tax remittances modalities. The appellants had sought declarations in support of their interpretation of the contested provisions of the Oil Mining Lease (OML). They also want a declaratory award that the respondent (NNPC) had breached the OML 118 production sharing contract. The claimants further sought the declaration of the tribunal to stop NNPC from lifting any available crude oil in excess of the contractor’s lifting allocation.

“The percentage was smaller given seasonal patterns, the fall between the fourth quarter and first quarter of the following year has averaged 0.56 per cent points over the past five years. “This is compared to 0.05 per cent points in the current quarter.’’

reported at the Enugu zonal office of the antigraft agency, was asked to explain his alleged role in the disbursement of N450 million said to have been sent to the state. One of the sources, sources, who spoke in confidence, said the former governor, in his statement, denied being "personally" involved in the disbursement of the said cash. "Chime reported at the Enugu zonal office of the Commission in response to invitation to explain his role in the (alleged) disbursement of Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira allegedly received...for Enugu State’s PDP campaign organisation’s prosecution of the 2015 General election.

599

The number of fatalities in terrorists’ violence involving terrorists in 2006. Source: Satp.org

"The former governor, in his statement, denied any personal involvement with the disbursement of the said amount as was claimed by Mrs. Rita Chinelo Mba , secretary to the campaign office and his former Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Government affairs," the source said. He said the former governor further explained that the said cash was allegedly brought by two of his former commissioners. Chime was released on administrative bail, and will return on Monday, June 13, for further interrogation, The EFCC also quizzed former Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Abdu Bulama, as well as an ex-minister of State for Power, Mr. Mohammed Wakil, in continuation of its ongoing investigation into the $115 million alleged campaign funds.

IBB now expected on Sunday Dan Atori MINNA

s part of efforts to refute the rumour that former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has died, his Personal Assistant, Captain Jalingo, has told our Correspondent that he is expected in Nigeria on Sunday. Jalingo, while addressing journalists, who laid siege at the Hilltop mansion area yesterday, waiting for IBB's arrival, said, "General is alive". According to him: "He is supposed to be back today (Wednesday), but he did not come. General Babangida is alive. Insha Allah, he will be back on Sunday. "When IBB comes back, there would be a press briefing that same day or the following day. He will address the media."

News|NATIONAL

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP National Assembly caucus adopts Makarfi

lCommittee calls for withdrawal of all litigations Chukwu David Abuja

eoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Assembly Caucus yesterday passed a vote of confidence on the Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the party. The caucus also pledged its support for the committee, promising to do everything within its jurisdiction to help the new team

succeed. This was as Makarfi called on all aggrieved members of the party having case in court against the party to withdraw such litigations to pave the way for reconciliation, assuring members that he and his team would work for all interests. The caucus, which met with the committee when Makarfi led his team on a courtesy visit to the National Assembly as part

of its consultations for reconciliation in the party, expressed confidence in the ability of the committee to lead the party out of crisis. In his remark, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, tasked the caretaker chairman to carry every segment of the party along, urging the committee to be democratic in its dealings. He said the foundation that would be laid by the

committee would determine the success and survival of the party in future, assuring the full support of the caucus to the party. He said: "I would like to seize this opportunity to congratulate our friend and brother, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, as the chairman caretaker committee of the PDP. We believe we are going to bring our experience as legislators. "Our party is at a point in history where it requires

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi (left), with Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. Dave Umahi, during a meeting with Kayode in Abuja.... yesterday

Awolowo: Nigeria can earn $100bn from non-oil exports Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

xecutive Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, yesterday said in Ibadan that the council has set a long term target of achieving a $100 billion earnings for Nigeria from non-oil exports. The move according to him, while presenting a paper entitled; "The 'zero oil' plan and an export revolution" during a Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission/NEPC dialogue on

economic diversification with some representatives of six South West states, was to salvage the country from its over reliance on oil, thereby filling the current financial gully created by the fall in oil price in the global market. Awolowo said the council was on a mission to diversify the country's economy, buoyed by the words of President Muhammadu Buhari's comment to a delegation of manufacturers last year that "Nigeria must begin to behave as if we have no oil" and achieve government's priority on economic diversification. According to Awolowo, "Nigeria must think big to achieve big in the course

of actually making huge revenue from exports. President Buhari's comment has shaped Nigeria's "zero oil economic agenda, and is essential to build a strong Nigerian economy for the future. “For years, Nigeria has imported thousands of goods worth $50 billion a year, which we pay for mainly with crude oil proceeds of over $70 billion each year. Our fears have now materialised. In the last two years, crude oil prices have fallen by 60 percent and Nigeria's earnings have likewise fallen by at least $35 billion, inevitably leaving a financial hole in the economy.

"The pressing question now is how to fill this funding gap - and the answer is simple - Nigeria must quickly find an alternative to oil revenue. If Nigeria broadens and grows its export basket, a positive chain reaction ricochets throughout the economy. The logic follows - when you grow exports, national output (agriculture, industry, solid minerals) will also grow; local businesses will grow; supporting infrastructure will expand and jobs and investments will definitely follow. The overall macro impacts result in growing foreign reserves (from export forex) and a more resilient economy.

Long use of hormonal drugs cuts risk of breast cancer – Study Appolonia Adeyemi

ears that breast cancer may resurge in patients after treatment may now be doused, following new hormonal drugs that could prevent the condition from returning. According to a new study published online in the ‘New England Journal of Medicine,’ millions of women suffering breast cancer should take the hormonal drug daily for 10 years to slash their risk of breast

cancer returning. Harvard academics found that prescribing the cheap pills for an extended period of time reduced the risk of recurrence by a third. Currently, women who have had surgery to remove breast cancer are prescribed drugs known as aromatase inhibitors for five years to prevent the tumours from coming back. But a study involving almost 2,000 patients found that taking them for an extra five years massively increased the protective ef-

fects. Women were 34 per cent less likely to have a recurrence and a fifth less at risk of dying or their tumours coming back. The findings were unveiled on Sunday at the American Society for Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with nearly 1.7 million new cases diagnosed in 2012 - the second most common cancer overall - according to the World Cancer Research Fund.

In Nigeria, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, followed by cervical cancer and millions of Nigerian women suffering the attack die because majority of them present very late, making it difficult to salvage the situation for patents. Dr. Paul Goss, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School said: ‘It will help tens of thousands of women. “This will markedly reduce fatal recurrences and recurrences in general in breast cancer patients.’

everybody to bring their experience to bear; the experience, the exposure, the spirit of unity and progress, so that we will be able rebuild our party.

"I am confident that with the men and women that have been entrusted with the affairs of the party presently that we are in very good hands.

COAS: Police part of fight against Boko Haram Emmanuel Onani Abuja

hief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-General Tukur Buratai, has confirmed the involvement of police officers in the ongoing efforts to rid the North East region of Boko Haram elements. The COAS, who spoke yesterday during the premiere of Nigeria Police TV series titled; 'Beyond Your Sight,' said he was impressed to see police officers on patrol, when he undertook operational visits to some towns in Borno State. According to Buratai, the operational capacity of the police will be enhanced if

they are provided with the needed logistics and other requirements. The Army Chief maintained that society will be best served; where there is a synergy between the Army and the Police. Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, yesterday launched a TV series in his quest to rebrand the force and make it peoplecentred. In his remark at the occasion, Arase said his desire to bridge the gap between the police and the society, necessitated the TV series, which attracted people from various sections of the capital city, including the media and Nollywood.

Court rules on admissibility of Okah’s statement June 16

he Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday fixed June 16 for ruling on admissibility of the alleged confessional statement of Obi Nwabueze in the Abuja 2010 Independence Day bomb blast. Justice Gabriel Kolawole adjourned ruling in the case after parties concluded their trial-within-

trial to ascertain the veracity of the statement. Nwabueze, the second defendant in the case, had alleged that the statement he made in the DSS custody was obtained under duress. He was arraigned by the DSS alongside Charles Okah on charges bordering on conspiracy and terrorism. They both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Business mogul, Ubosi, slams Rihanna, Jay Z over botched deal Lanre Odukoya

he Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Megalectrics, owner of Beat FM, has slammed American superstars, Rihanna and Jay Z, who runs her music label Roc Nation, for allegedly collecting money for a concert she never gave. Rihanna, 28, was allegedly booked to perform a show in Nigeria by Ubosi and his radio station back in May 2013. Ubosi claims he made a deal with two individuals who represented Rihanna, Roc Nation and Jay Z with the promise that she would be paid $425, 000 for a 65-minute performance at the Eko Hotel in Lagos - but a representative for Rihanna's label, said the promoter was the victim of a scam. The promoter coughed out $160, 000 in three installments, but then he claims her people asked to push back the concert

to July. According to a foreign tabloid, TMZ, Ubosi agreed on the condition that Rihanna alert her fans of the date switch on social media. In his lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Ubosi claims that Rihanna never mentioned the change on social media and so he and Megalectrics 'demanded the full and prompt return of their money,' the lawsuit says. Ubosi claims he never got the $160, 000 advance back and so he's taking Rihanna to court. Her label Roc Nation and founder Jay Z, 46, married to Beyonce Knowles, have been named as defendants. But the Barbadian beauty and her label claim they had nothing to do with this deal, she and her camp, on the other hand, are saying Ubosi was the victim of a scam and that they had nothing to do with the deal.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Harrowing death of UNILAG postgraduate students

Funmi died trying to save her friends –Sister

Taiwo Jimoh

he grieving sister of Funmi Odusina, who drowned with her friend, Shola Ogunmefun, at Elegushi Beach, Lagos on Sunday, has revealed that her sister sacrificed her life while attempting to save her friends. The sister, Miss Bukola Odusina, crying profusely, said Funmi died on the way to the hospital after her attempt to drag her friends from waves that wanted to drag them into the bottom of the ocean. Almost choking on her tears, Bukola said: “My sister was trying to rescue one of her friends, who were already drowning when she also got drowned.” Trying to recollect the last moment of Funmi, Bukola said: “On that fateful day, my parents and I were at home when we received a phone call from her boss

that someone called him from Island General Hospital that Funmi had been rushed to the emergency unit of the hospital. Immediately, my elder sister received the call, she called someone at her hostel in UNILAG who confirmed the incident. That was how we dashed to the hospital only to be told that she had died and her body deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.” Bukola said that the management of the hospital allowed them to see Funmi’s remains. Bukola described her younger sister’s death as painful. She said: “Since the incident, our parents had not been stable. Funmi was a brilliant student. She graduated from Covenant University two years ago. We are going to missed her.” When our correspondent visited the Faculty of Law, UNILAG, some of the colleagues of the deceased wore

black clothes to mourn Funmi and Shola. One of her colleagues, who pleaded anonymity, said: “They are supposed to be sitting for our postgraduate exams with us, but they are no more. As you can see, we are wearing black to mourn them. We are bereaved.” Another student, who identified herself simply as Gbemi, said: “I was supposed to go with them to the beach for the celebration, but because of the exams, I decided to stay back. We are mourning them. Whatever happened to our colleagues happened to everybody. That was why you see us putting on black. We’re mourning them. We tried to persuade the school manage- Funmi ment to postpone the exam, but the school refused. We wouldn’t have sat for the exams. We miss them. Their death was a great loss to us and their family memJuliana Francis bers.” agos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, said the police were already investigating the death of the two postgraduate students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Funmi Odusina and Shola Ogunmefun. He said: “How they died is what we are investigating. The administrative workers of the beach have been invited for questioning.” According to the police, the matter was not reported until the following day, when families of the deceased realised they needed police reports in order to take possession of the bodies from the hospital. It was learnt that the girls Shola were first taken to a private hosThey all wanted to rescue the pital but were rejected. Meanwhile, friends of the girls. Tunde said: “It was unfortu- two ladies have continued to nate. There are no lifeguards send condolence messages via stationed at the beach, no life- Facebook. The brother of Funmi, Gbenjackets and no floaters too."

Police quiz Elegushi Beach workers

They were swept away while taking ‘selfie’, says witness Camillus Nnaji

resh facts have emerged from the Elegushi Beach, where two postgraduate students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Funmi Odusina (24) and Shola Ogunmefun (27), got drowned on Sunday during a friend’s birthday party. Funmi and Shola went for one of their friends’ birthday party. The friend, identified as Bolu, was still in hospital at press time. The guests were said to be between 15 and 17; a mixture of males and females. They all sat at Atlantic white bar, located on the beach, when the two ladies decided to take ‘selfie’ (pictures) at the shores of the beach. The girls were said to be backing the volatile Atlantic Ocean and maintained a considerable distance from the danger area where a red flag, signifying danger, is hoisted. Unexpectedly, the tide came up and swept two of them while they were still clutching each other and smiling. A witness, who swam to rescue them, said they thought nothing had happened until another dangerous tide rose simultaneously and dragged the victims inside the ocean. A waiter in one of the bars,

who gave his name as Mr. Tunde, said he was the first to notice the girls were in distress. He ran towards the ocean with a horse rider identified as Segun and another man called Davido.

ga Odusina, said: “Sadly, I saw these two on Sunday afternoon. I even joked with Shola about her makeup against Phummie (Funmi). She just came back from church and had to hook up with my sister for the party. I wished I had restrained them from going to meet their death. Their friendship baffles me even in death. They had the same hairstyle and died the same day. At the mortuary, they were not too far apart. “My sister laid there dead even as my other sisters cried to her to please wake up. It felt like a deep sleep and her feet were cold with water still running out of her nostrils. Sadly, she does not swim and I would have bet she was not anywhere near the ocean until I saw this picture. I respect life more now and would make the best of every opportunity while still here. Rest in peace Shola Ogunmefun, Phummie and get well Bolu! Some memories never end. Some tears never dry. My love for you would never die."

UNILAG'll take part in burial tomorrow –HOD Mojeed Alabi

he Head of the Department (HOD) of Jurisprudence and International Law at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Dr. Dayo Ayoade, has described the death of the two postgraduate students, Shola Ogunmefun and Funmi Odu-

sina, as sad and unfortunate. Ayoade added that the department would today visit the families of the two ladies. The HOD described the former students of the Masters programme in International Law and Diplomacy as good and dedicated students. He said the girls had already completed

their programme and were awaiting their results. Ayoade said the department would play a role in the burial of Shola, which he said was scheduled for Friday. He said: “They were my students, I know them very well. I knew them as good, highly committed students."

Faculty of Law, UNILAG

METRO

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Channels TV reporter’s abductors, 56 others arrested Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

olice in Imo State yesterday paraded the suspected kidnappers of the state correspondent of Channels Television, Mr. Tope Kuteyi, and 56 other suspected criminals arrested in a monthlong operation. Uzochukwu James, one of Kuteyi’s suspected kidnappers, disclosed that he received N200,000 share from the ransom collected. James was an auto electrician who usually fixes Kuteyi’s car. He

reportedly connived with three others to kidnap the journalist. Parading the 60 suspects, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, said the suspects were arrested by operatives of the command at different locations. He listed the crimes committed by the suspects to include kidnapping, murder, armed robbery and obtaining money by false pretences. Lakanu also displayed the exhibits recovered from the 60 suspects. He said the suspects had made useful statements and would soon be arraigned.

Some of the suspects and weapons recovered from them

Cultists kill four undergraduate students, security guard Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

unmen suspected to be cultists on Tuesday night killed four students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM) and a security guard at the boys’ hostel of the institution. It was learnt three of the students were bona fide students of the institution while the other was a visiting student. When our correspondent visited the hostel yesterday, normal academic activities were disrupted as the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Emmanuel Kucha, principal officers and lecturers were in a marathon meeting to address the situation. Sources said about 11pm on Tuesday, suspected cult members invaded Chamma Hostel and moved to Block D, Room 2 where they requested to see a student identified as Aye. But the four occupants of the room told the strange visitors that no one was by the name in the room. The leader of the hostel, a 400 level Electrical Electronics

student, Denen Ajodo, told our correspondent that while the gang leader was not convinced by the explanation of the occupants he asked one of his members to clear all the four students in the room. Ajodo said that while one of the suspected cult members tried to pull the trigger, one of the four students pleaded to spare their lives but he was shot. The victim died later. On their way out, the suspected cult members shot the security man and two other students who were returning into the hostel. Ajodo said that the hostel was also invaded last Friday where some suspected cultists attempted to attack a student. He explained that the incident on Tuesday happened in a different hostel. The VC, Kucha, who spoke with journalists, confirmed the attacks. He, however, said the management of the institution was doing everything possible to unearth causes of the attacks. The VC also confirmed that one of the victims was not his student. He explained that the attacks

took place at private hostels adjoining the university campus. Kucha added that the institution just concluded a meeting with stakeholders and resolved to engage the services of vigilance group to beef up security in the private hostels. Earlier, the Head of Information Unit of the institution, Mrs. Rosemary Waku, said that bodies of the victims had been deposited at Madona Hospital in Makurdi, while the injured ones were taken to Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Yakadi, said six persons had been arrested in connection with the attack on Tuesday night. He said investigation was still going on. Alluding to the crime rate in the state, the commissioner said that the command was on top of the situation. He added: “If you compare the crime rate now to the time I assumed office, you will discover that the difference is clear. Just a few days ago, we paraded eight persons in connection with snatching of okadas (motorcycles) and recovered 15 motorcycles.”

Herdsmen attacks’ victim delivers triplets Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

displaced female victim of Fulani invasion in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, who now resides in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State with her husband, Mrs. Boniface Iorliam, has been blessed with a set of triplets. But the couple said the joy had added more problems to them. According to them, how to feed the babies, who are all

City Briefs

boys, has become a major challenge. It was learnt that while they were thinking of how to ensure proper upbringing of their children, the couple too the triplets to Reverend Father Solomon Ukeyima in Daudu to tell him how difficult it was for them to feed the babies. In a desperate bid to help them, Ukeyima posted the couple’s picture on the social media where he called on people to come to their assistance. This attracted the attention of Governor Samuel Ortom, who directed his Chief Press

Secretary (CPS), Mr. Terver Akase, to visit them on his behalf and assess the condition of the triplets. On getting there, Ukeyima narrated how the couple narrowly escaped death from the suspected Fulani invaders. The reverend father said they came all from Nassarawa State to take refuge in Benue State. Akase told the couple that the Ortom administration had intensified efforts to end the invasion of the state by herdsmen, which had displaced them Rev Ukeyima flanked by the parents of the triplets from their ancestral homes.

Gunmen kill Medical Council’s registrar

Cynthia: Judge knocks lawyer for delaying trial

unmen yesterday shot and killed the Acting Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Mrs. Olufunke Omotuyi. The incident took place about 4a.m. at her Apo residence in Abuja. Omotuyi was reported to be in her office till 8 p.m. on Tuesday. She is due for retirement from public service next month. Details of how the assassins got her were sketchy. When contacted, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Anjuguri Manzah, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

Akeem Nafiu ustice Olabisi Akinlade of an Igbosere High Court yesterday lambasted the defence lawyers in the on-going trial of four men accused of being responsible for the murder of Cynthia Osokogu. Okwumo Nwabufo (33), Olisaeloka Ezike (23), Orji Osita (33) and Ezike Nonso (25) are facing a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, stealing, reckless negligence and possession of stolen goods. Expressing her displeasure yesterday, the judge said it was unfortunate that the defence lawyers had engaged in a series of tactics to stall proceedings in the matter. She said: “At the last adjourned date, I gave you 14 days to file your written addresses and gave the prosecution three weeks to respond to all the addresses. The first and second defendants, who have been in prison since 2012, are still

presumed innocent until proven guilty.” Akinlade added that she was going to give a specific order as to when the defence lawyers were to file their written addresses as they would not be allowed to waste the time of the court. She adjourned the case till October 27 for adoption of written addresses. At the resumed hearing of the case

Osokogu

yesterday, lawyer to the second defendant, Emeka Eze, told the court that he took ill and this made it impossible for him to file his written address as at when due. Lawyers to the third and fourth defendants, Chris Obiaka, who filed and served the prosecution yesterday morning before court proceedings, said his inability to file his written address on time was due to a series of deaths that occurred in his family. Osokogu’s trial has suffered several adjournments owing to the delay tactics of the defence counsel. Osokogu was allegedly murdered on July 22, 2012 at Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, Festac Town, Lagos, by her facebook lovers, Nwabufo and Ezike. The prosecution said the 25-year-old Osokogu, who was resident in Abuja, was lured to Lagos where she was killed. The offences committed were punishable under Sections 221, 249, 285 and 327 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

NEWS | south-west

Lagos needs N10trn yearly to meet infrastructure needs –Commissioner Muritala Ayinla

agos State Government yesterday said that it will need N10 trillion yearly in the next 10 years for it to meet the infrastructural needs of the state, just as it said that it had embarked on the construction of a 30 kilometre road in Epe to open up the

area for development. The state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development, Mr. Ganiyu Johnson, made the disclosure why inspecting ongoing road construction projects within the axis of the ancient Epe town, saying that the current administration was making the town ready for the migration of people to the axis.

According to him, investors and residents might soon be moving to the area as a result of the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the Dangote Refinery and Deep Sea port and many others multinational entities moving to the axis. Johnson said that despite the ongoing development of the state in terms of construction and rehabilitation, Lagos would

still need about N1 trillion annually for 10 years to sufficiently address the infrastructural challenges of the state. He said: "There is no doubt we will need an average of about N1trillion yearly for the next 10 years to at least meet our infrastructural needs in the state. Currently we are undergoing project of not less than 30 km inside

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I formerly known and addressed as Ayamah Tarilabo now wish to be known and addressed as Ayamah Tariye Ezekiel. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as Payofaghe Comfort now wish to be known and addressed as Ogbolomo Comfort. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Akason

Sambo

Michael

Tom

This is to confirm that Uduma Joseph Aka and Uduma Joseph Akah wish to be known and addressed as Uduma Joseph Akason. All former documents remain valid. FCMB Bank and general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Ifiemi Oye now wish to be known and addressed as Ifiemi Fiona .D. Sambo. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank Plc, UBA Plc and the general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE ADVANCEMENT CHURCH

The general public is hereby informed that the above named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part “C” of Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Ikeokwu Kenneth Ugochukwu 2. Ikeokwu Tochi Obiageri 3. Godswill Danjuma Njoku 4. Oliver Abba 5. Kennedy C. Obi AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To propagate the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ 2. To affect humanity/society through foundational teachings and preaching of the word of God 3. Provide a conducive atmosphere for believers to fellowship/worship with liberty. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

PUBLIC NOTICE

FRIENDS OF SPECIAL PEOPLE

Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Chief (Lady) Aku Christy Orduh – (Executive Director) 2. Barr. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Akah 3. Chief Bonny A.J. Orduh (KSM) 4. Barr. (Mrs.) Celestina Ahamba 5. Mr. Henry Ationu 6. Barr. Vigil Anyanwu-Ndulewe Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: Vigil Anyanwu Ndulewe - Secretary

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Mary Ebele Okafor now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Michael Mary Ebele. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Eferebo

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayibakari Leticia now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eferebo Leticia. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Mondiafiri Otiotio Tom now wish to be known and addressed as Tom Mondiafiri. All former documents remain valid. UBA bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Ademu

I formerly known and addressed as Ocheni Abutu now wish to be known and addressed as Ademu Ibrahim. All former documents remain valid. Union bank Plc, NYSC, Authorities concerned and the general public should take note.

Epe. These roads are into phases; they are in phases 1, 2 and 3. "For instance, the Aiyetoro/Ijebu-Ode Road is about three in one road. With

thursday, june 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

these roads, we are making Epe ready to absorb people from the Dangote Refinery, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lekki Deep Seaport." Johnson, who led officials of the ministry to all the ongoing road construction sites and other ongoing projects in the state, said all the projects were awarded by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode late last year.

Hijab in school: CAN threatens to resist court order Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

ollowing the judgment of an Osun State High Court that Muslim female students in the state public schools could wear hijab to their respective schools, the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday said that the court's pronouncement is a move to Islamize the state and threatened to resist it at all cost. While stating that there were plans as manifested by the judgement, that the present government is planning to islamise the state, the body said it would instruct Christians in the state public schools

to wear church garments to school. The state CAN Chairman, Rev. Elisha Ogundiya, at the end of an emergency meeting of the state CAN Executive Committee, Heads of Blocks and Heads of Churches held in Osogbo on June 7, described the judgment of the court as government induced. He said:: "The judgment read severally that Hijab is a means of propagation of Islam and a fundamental right of Muslim girls and ladies. But this violates the religious right of the original owners of the missionary schools as agreed upon when the schools were taken over by the then government of Oyo State in 1975".

Why banks were shut –Ekiti Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

kiti State Government has said that it shut the premises of Ecobank and Guaranty Trust Bank over the failure of the banks to provide proofs of withholding tax charged on interest deposit accounts of their customers like Savings Account, Fixed/Term Deposits, among others, to the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue. The explanation was given by the Special Adviser on Economic Matters to the Governor, Mr. Folu Oguntoyinbo, during

an interview on radio and television programme in Ado-Ekiti. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Idowu Adelusi, yesterday quoted Oguntoyinbo as saying that the action by the state government was in line with an order of a competent court of jurisdiction. He said: "The state government got an ex parte order signed by the state Chief Judge to shut down their business premises until all the required documents are submitted to the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue, EBIR.

INEC orders arrest of aspirants over Electoral Act abuse Babatope Okeowo Akure

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed security agencies to arrest any political party or aspirant that organises political rally or campaign before August

change OF NAME

Onyemaizu

I formerly known and addressed as Onyebuchi Franklyn Bobby now wish to be known and addressed as Onyemaizu Franklyn Bobby. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

26 allowed by the law for such exercise. The commission frowned at the branding of vehicles, distribution of handbills and pasting of posters before the time allowed by the law before the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State. The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC)Mr. Olusegun Agbaje said the commission was miffed by the deliberate flouting of the political ban by political parties and their aspirants before the time allowed by the electoral act.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ashafa APC govt is purpose driven

Politics

Interview Buhari’s anti-corruption war not a witch-hunt, says Ikedife

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PDP crisis is over – Bode George Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, believes that the former ruling party can bounce back in the 2019 general elections, following the resolve of its leadership crisis. He also speaks on his disagreement with a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musliu Obanikoro, as regards the 2015 governorship election in Lagos State, among other issues. WALE ELEGBEDE reports What is the way out of PDP crisis? We should thank God that the worst is over. I can assure you that the worst is over because of the revelations we had. Let’s just thank God Almighty, God loves this country because people are prayerful. It would have been a different music if we had gone with the election at the convention. Somehow, we were at the precipice, PDP would have collapsed completely as greedy people who know very little about the people would have seized power, It wouldn’t have been a military coup but a civilian coup . Those of us who were the custodian, the deep rooted members would have been lost in the melee. But somehow the truth prevailed. So, let’s roll back. The rolling back is what you have seen in the convention appointing a caretaker committee. We would have to go back to the drawing board and restrategise. One, we have to restrategise in a manner that will take care of the fact that we are not in government. Our strategy must reflect that we are in opposition and we must be

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP POLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@yahoo.com

George

a credible, formidable opposition otherwise the public, the electorate will not believe us. So for me, it was God’s doing, we don’t have crisis anymore. I want to assure you that we have survived it. With the caretaker committee that was given a deadline of 90 days, they would go and clear all the avenues, and there would be a new national convention, where a new team of managers will emerge. Of course, people are networking behind the curtains appealing to our people to sheathe their swords if they are really committed members of this party. It is time to calm down, come back to the table and support the caretaker committee so that we can elect new set of managers for the party. We still have enough time between now and 2019.It is not an individual’s making but God’s doing that we were saved of that last punch that would have sent us the party to its grave. So, we must obey court orders and I believe that we should tell them to go and withdraw their cases unless people have other motives. they should withdraw their cases and come back to the table for us to rebuild. There have been some cracks in the foundation and the foundation like I have said, to many people was based on a tripod which is a stable platform based on justice, fairness and equity. So, that is what we are going back to rebuild. I also want to appeal to Ali Modu Sher-

PDP would have collapsed completely as greedy people who know very little about the people would have seized power

iff that if he is really committed to the stability of the party and he believes strongly that what he told us at the meeting that he is here to help to rebuild the party, he should withdraw all his cases and come back to the table. Everybody supported him to go ahead till May 21, but if people are now saying no; we have found something that are not correct , go back , a committed party leader will do that. Not only him, the two other officers and all the other Natioanl working Committee (NWC) members have thrown in the towel, they have accepted the caretaker committee. Sheriff, Prof. Wale Oladipo and the National Auditor should also roll back. If they love the party with all sincerity they should look back on how they got the job. There was a meeting of South-West PDP leaders in my house in Abuja, where we appealed to those, who were competing with them then to drop their ambition. And as the Atona Oodua , the torch bearer of our progenitor, I want to appeal to their mindsets, so that history will be kind to them and the future of the Yoruba people will also be positive when they mention their names on their own part in making the PDP in the South-West. Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State recently visited you. Can you shed light on what transpired at your

meeting? The Bayelsa governor is a respectable young man, very committed Nigerian, very detribalised. His mother is from the Fidipote ruling house of Ijebu land. I also went to Ijebu Ode Grammar School but his father is an Ijaw man. I am not related to Ijebu except through my education. So, he came to commiserate with me on the demise of my mother. Because he couldn’t come for the funeral, so he came to greet me. That was what he came to do and of course we discussed a bit of politics which is normal. What are the qualities you expect somebody gunning for the national chairmanship position of the PDD to have? He must be someone who has seen it all; someone who has been there; who has been in managerial position before; who has experience and is exposed and can talk like the opposition leader and people would listen. Otherwise, what are we wasting our time for? We don’t have the Presidential Villa anymore. If they bring out policies, we should bring out counter policies that would do better than theirs so that Nigerians can see. There is no braggadocio anymore. Nigerians are wiser for it now. If you go and vote for some nonentities to get into anything, it CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

no endeavour of life or profession that you won’t find a Nigerian. That is the pool of resources we have. So, for somebody to be spinning himself and be shouting Bode George, what is my own? I have only one vote, I voted and I left. I was in my house when the result was announced. He went to them and started saying that ‘Chief Bode doesn’t want me, he hates me,’ why are you lying?

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

is your undoing. From the state Assembly all the way to the top, you must be able to convince them now. President Muhammadu Buhari has pleaded for time, which we have given him, but by 2018 when we flag off our campaign, we would take him up on his scorecard. Let everybody go and pray, work and make sure that our country does not collapse. That is my own concept of governance, you must help and that is what is done the world over. What is your take on government’s approach to the resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta? The approach they are taking on the Niger Delta issue is not the solution to wthe problem. The area is the source of income to Nigeria, if you go full military blast, what happens to the production of crude oil? That is the only product that brings money to the treasury. It is not a sign of weakness if you don’t do that but a sign of wisdom. There are ministers from the area serving in government now, there are senators, House of Reps members, state Assembly members, there are also traditional rulers in the area. There are also stakeholders and elders. What you should do is to call for a conference and find out what is their problem, what is the reason for the agitation and why they are blowing up pipelines? It is not even in the interest of the environment there. If there is no income, even the 13 per cent derivation, will they be able to get any money? When Yar’Adua came, that was his approach? Remember that former President Olusegun Obasanjo blasted Odi when they came up with their problem. That would have conflagrated the whole of the South-South, but we all know that the two or three per cent derivation was jerked up to 13 per cent, somehow around that same period to calm frayed nerves. So, Buhari should just have another approach; warfare should be the last resort. You were a delegate at the 2014 National Conference were some recommendations were made. But recently, the president said he has not taken a look at the report and that it might even be sent to the archives. What is your take on that? I want to appeal to President Buhari that he must open that docket. It has been passed by the executive arm of government and I believe the National Assembly has looked at it. We can’t start from zero, it is a soft point and people have been waiting. I want to join others who have been talking about opening of the report; they should open it up and look at it. We have been wobbling as a nation; a lot of issues went into indepth discussions and remember the report was unanimously adopted by all delegates. Also, you saw the composition of the conference, everyone was represented. It was not a one-sided thing. Let him take that paper and look at it. Look at the issue of the restructuring of the country, it was discussed there. We must look at a scenario where if you are genuine and honest with yourself in the country, are you satisfied with the way we are running? The things that you don’t like in the document, you can say you don’t like it. The people met for months, debating, discussing; religious leaders, political leaders, professionals were there and somehow for the

George

‘Restructuring, in the best interest of Nigeria’ first time we came to adopt that report unanimously. That was the first time a National Conference was set up by a civilian administration and they came to a conclusion. During the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, it didn’t work, it was scattered. So, you can’t play with it. I am totally in support of it; he should dust it up and look at it. It will be a plus for his administration too. Whatever anybody will say, the National Conference is a positive card for Jonathan though he was initially reluctant to convoke it. One of the issues there is the adoption of regional cooperation but not government. The states were not going to be thrown away. Let every state develop at its own strength. If we want to practice United States system, let us go the whole hog. So, I am totally in support of revisiting and restructuring in the best interest of this country. It was not a one-sided decision, it was unanimous. I remembered on the final day of the conference, we sang the old national anthem and that spoke volume. The new chairman of Lagos PDP, Moshood Salvador, said he is trying to re-unite you and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. What is your reaction to that? For me, it is an insult to say I am quarrelling with Koro. Where is the meeting point? Is it in age, experience, exposure, education, background or whatever? Koro is overtly interested to be governor of Lagos State. You don’t pull everybody down because you want to be governor. If the Almighty says you will be, so be it. He should start from that concept because he is like a revolving door now, every four years,

he is struggling to be governor, if he doesn’t have it, he starts to throw up tantrums. I see him as a child. Abraham Lincoln tried 11 times before he became the president of United States and since that time, they still praise his tenure. Ambitions should be moderated but when you tell him that, it would be bouncing off his ears and he will be looking for those who will spin. If the people don’t want you, can I force you on them? So, I don’t understand when he says I am quarrelling with him. Quarrel with who? There is no basis for that.

Whatever anybody will say, the National Conference is a positive card for Jonathan

But he believed that he was manipulated out during the last governorship primary….. That is foolishness on his part because he was there. The people voted and it was counted one by one. After I voted, I left the place; you journalists were there that day. He went to Abuja to go and lie to President Jonathan that they cheated him, he went to court and they started begging him. You see, the only thing that can liberate any man is the truth. The primary between him and Jimi Agbaje was publicly done, the same for the one with Hilda Williams. Obasanjo manipulated Hilda and gave it to Obanikoro under the pretense that they cheated. What was the outcome? Hilda won that primary on the open field here in Lagos, it was live but they cheated her. Baba changed the result in Abuja but what was the outcome. Look at the last primary, it was live and open, the people voted and you now say that people cheated you. We voted in Lagos, you rushed to a court in Abuja and they started begging you. You can do all these in a primitive society. Nigeria is a blessed nation because when it comes to quality of people, there is

Is it true that despite not nominating him you still supported him when he was being screened as minister? I told former President Jonathan that there is no Lagosian in his government because Olusegun Aganga is from Edo State and I told him that Lagos State is the only state in the federation that has no indigenous minister. The president accepted and said he will give Lagos another minister. We came here, zone by zone, senatorial by senatorial and we said they should vote, one vote per senatorial district, they voted here and Obanikoro lost. We sent the name to Abuja but the president said he wants a woman. We came back, nominated and voted again. For the men, he lost the election. I was not there, I sat in my office and I told them to bring the result to me when they finished and I took the result to the former president and I went away. What happened in my absence I don’t know. Suddenly, Obanikoro brought former Oyo State governor, Alao Akala to my house on the day I arrived in Nigeria and they both prostrated. I said governor what is the issue, he said sir it is about Obanikoro, that they told him to come come to beg me because I may oppose him. I then asked what I am going to opposed him for; he said they have invited him to come for ministerial screening. I said ‘Koro, if that is what has happened that means God wants you to be a minister because the party went through a normal process but your name didn’t go through but somehow you maneuvered your way. If they want to select you, so be it. I will never oppose you’ and I never did. He went for the screening, took a bow as former senator despite protests from the opposition senators from the state. From there he came straight to my house to thank me. He said ‘oga I didn’t believe you won’t oppose me, I said ‘why should I oppose you/’ I am not President Jonathan because the president has the final say on who he wants to work with. So, where is the hatred? He maneuvered and became minister, few months after he jumped off to be governor. He came to me and said that he wanted to be governor because that is his life ambition. I said to him, ‘if you know that governorship seat is your life ambition why did you go and lobby to be minister.’ He said: ‘Sir I didn’t I lobby, they called me.’ I told him to look into my face and say that again but he kept quiet. He knew my position from then. By and large, the people wanted Jimi Agbaje that came out. Even the former president himself said it that everywhere he went; they said it is Agbaje that can do the job. Then he went to resign as a minister, somebody else would have filled that position. After he failed, he started lying to them thathe can deliver even hell on earth and they bought the dummy from him. So, who hates him? What is the competition? Is it in age, class, exposure, education? I was a military governor, I didn’t beg for it. We only need to be straight.

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

APC govt is purpose driven – Ashafa Senator Gbenga Ashafa is the Chairman Senate Committee on Land Transport. In this interview with MURITALA AYINLA, he speaks on the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, governance in Lagos State and the implementation of the 2016 budget among other issues. Excerpts: A lot has been said about the controversial removal of the Lagos-Calabar rail project from the 2016 Budget. As the Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, what’s your take on the issue and what exactly transpired? On the 22nd Day of December, 2015, President Muhamadu Buhari presented the Budget tagged the Budget of Change to both houses of the National Assembly. Immediately the Senate resumed in January, 2016, extensive debates were taken on the various sectors covered in the budget. Subsequently, the budgets of MDA’s were forwarded to the various committees for scrutiny, oversight and defence. To answer your question, the focal point of the controversy seems to be the Lagos-Calabar railway modernisation project and the completion of Idu-Kaduna rail line. I can confirm that Lagos-Calabar rail line was not in the original document that was presented to the National Assembly by the executive. However, subsequently at the budget defence session before the Senate Committee on Land Transport, theminister, Rotimi Amaechi, did inform the committee of the omission of the Lagos-Calabar rail modernisation project and indeed sent a complimentary copy of the ministry’s budget to the committee, which was contained in the said budget. The minister noted that the amount needed for the counterpart funding for both Lagos-Kano and Lagos-Calabar rail modernaisation projects was N120 billion, being N60 billion per project. While the committee did not completely agree with all the changes in the subsequent document, being aware of the critical importance of the rail sector to the development of our dear country, distinguished members of the Senate Committee on Land Transport keyed into the laudable Lagos-Calabar rail project and found ways of appropriating funds for the project without exceeding the envelope provided for the ministry. In so doing, the committee observed that the Lagos-Kano rail rehabilitation project had been allocated the sum of N52 billion as against the N60 billion, which the minister requested as counterpart funding, while no allocation was whatsoever made for the Lagos-Calabar rail line. Hence, the sum of N54 billion that was discovered by the committee to be floating in the budget

of the Ministry of Transportation as presented by the executive was injected into the augmenting the funds for the counterpart funding both Lagos-Kano and Lagos-Calabar rail modernisation projects. So, as at the time the committee defended its report before the Senate Committee on Appropriation, the Lagos-Calabar rail project was therefore included in the Senate Committee on Land Transport recommendation to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Experts have argued that there is need for the nation to develop a functional rail transportation system for the movement of cargo and to decongest the roads and elongate their life span. What is the Senate doing about this? On my part as the senator representing the people of Lagos East Senatorial District and the privilege I have to chair the Senate Committee on Land Transport, our commitment remains unwavering in ensuring that the appropriate legislative framework is provided towards ensuring that we open up this sector and make it a viable investment destination. To this end, the Senate Committee on Land transport is currently working on two bills, which would bring about our collective aspirations for the rail sector. The bills are The Nigerian Railway Corporation Act Repeal and Reenactment Bill and the National Transport Commission Bill. With regard to the Nigerian Railway Corporation Repeal and Reenactment Bill, we have successfully held a public hearing, which had in attendance all the important stakeholders in the sector. This culminated in the setting up of a technical committee made up of stakeholders with the legal and technical expertise to further advise the Senate committee on the desirable disposition of the proposed le gislation. On May 24, the report of the technical committee was submitted to us and I had the privilege of presenting the report to Senate Presidnet Bukola Saraki on the same date. The report of the committee on the said bill has equally been laid before the Senate at plenary in preparation for the fourth and final reading. With regards to the National Transport Commission Bill,

preparations are on to hold a public hearing as well.

This government is clearly purposedriven and not scared of taking the hardest decisions

Beyond this, are you working on other bills or you are one of the senators regarded as bench warmers? Ashafa is not a bench warmer in the Senate. He has never been and he will never be. As for other bills, of course yes! In addition to the above, I also currently have two bills lined up for first reading before the Senate. These are the Chartered Institute of Logistics And Transport Bill 2016 and the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Amendment Bill 2016. Apart from the motion on Fuel tanker tragedy, I sponsored a motion tagged: Nigerians involvement in illicit global drugs trade and increase in domestic drug abuse by Nigerian youths. This was borne out of the urgent need to prevent the increase in the involvement of Nigerians in the global drug trade and also out of concern and need to stem the involvement of our youths in drug abuse. In addition to this, I meet my constituents from time to time to hear from them during our regular town hall meetings, where we get their feedback on our various people-oriented and empowerment programmes and projects. What’s your take on the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the last one year? I think it might be too early to judge the performance of this administration. While the government has been in the saddle for one year, it has only just been able to pass its first budget into law. This is a very important component in the ability of any government to deliver on its campaign promises. This government is clearly purpose-driven and not scared of taking the hardest decisions. Luckily, Nigerians have demonstrated the highest level of understanding. However, there is a limit to human endurance, so the Federal Government should hit the ground running with the budget now in place. Perhaps, I should remind you that this administration campaigned largely on three major fronts, which are the economy, security and anti-corruption war. On the economy, we must all note that this is probably the most difficult time for any administration to take up the saddle of leadership in Nigeria. Considering our monolithic economy, which is completely dependent on crude oil, the existing challenges of the fall in international prices of crude oil and the present rise in the activities of economic terrorists in the Niger Delta, one

can easily come to the conclusion that this administration is faced with both natural and man-made challenges in that sector alone. As far as security is concerned, the issue of Boko haram, which was the greatest threat to our collective security at the inception of this administration, has been handled very well. However, new threats have risen in the form of both the herdsmen and the Niger Delta Avengers. I am sure that why we haven’t seen so much action on this front is because the government needs to allow the security forces to gather the requisite intelligence. Just as the Buhari government decimated the Boko Haram terrorists, I am sure it will explore all necessary civil means to restore normalcy to the areas being ravaged by these groups. Military force should however be the last option. Regarding anti-corruption war, I will score the government very high on this. It is no longer business as usual even within the corridors of power. We can see that this government is going after everyone that has stolen the commonwealth of Nigeria without fear or favour. I am therefore confident that the Buhari administration will ultimately deliver on its promises and aspirations in the areas of anti-corruption, diversification of the economy and security. How will you rate the performance of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State in the last 12 months? Lagos State is the Centre of Excellence, and what you should therefore expect from Lagos should not be anything short of that. In the last 12 months, Lagosians have seen effective and people-centric leadership. One thing has remained constant, Lagos has had a succession of good leaders who have always consolidated upon the achievements of their predecessors and indeed increased the bar. In one year, Lagos has seen lightening-up of almost its major roads. Also communities that were hitherto not connected to the grid, like my area in IbejuLekki have been connected, road construction and infrastructural projects are going on everywhere, an employment trust fund has been launched, the security apparatus has been overhauled to the extent that Lagos is probably the safest state in the country at the moment and we have also seen the commencement of the 4th Mainland Bridge construction process. Of recent, the Emergency Response Unit was launched with sophisticated equipment and infrastructure with trained personnel. As a matter of fact, it was the vice president that commissioned it on behalf of the president. Lagos is in a good place economically. It remains the most economically viable state in the country, despite the prevailing economic circumstance. Ultimately, Lagos is in good hands, I commend Governor Ambode for keeping his eyes on the ball and ensuring that he keeps on fulfilling his campaign promises as provided by our party’s manifesto. What should Nigerians expect from

Ashafa

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POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari’s anti-corruption war not a witch-hunt, says Ikedife Dr. Dozie Ikedife, an elder statesman is a former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. In this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, he speaks on the Muhammadu Buhari administration, anti-corruption war and insecurity in the country What is your take on the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in the last one year? I think the President is doing his best. Nigeria has too many problems that require a robust approach. The main problems are corruption, security and unemployment, while those I describe as secondary problems are insufficient power supply and poor state of the roads. Talking about corruption, I think he is doing well because when you hear the amount of money that is alleged to have been stolen by people, you will imagine how Nigeria still remains sovereign. At a point in time, some people said the anti-corruption war is a witch-hunt but my belief is that if you are not a witch, you shouldn’t care when they are witch-hunting witches. But if you are a witch, you should know where to hide when witches are being hunted. Some others said the anti-corruption war is selective but my response is that, if you know anybody that has cut corners or stolen money, write a letter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and I am sure they will take it up. Do you think President Buhari has really fulfilled his campaign promises? I think he is delivering. You cannot expect him to do the

Ikedife

impossible. I think at onetime whether it was him or a statement attributed to him, there was a promise to pay unemployed people N5,000 a month. There are many unemployed people in Nigeria, so the question is: How do we collect the names of the unemployed people? Who is employed and who is not unemployed? That to me, I think it is a very tall order because a good number of Nigerians are unemployed. At present, people are complaining about fuel been sold at N145 per litre but some weeks ago, people were happy to pay about N200 to N250 per litre of fuel. Now, it is N145 and there is no hustling for it. These are reali-

When you hear the amount of money that is alleged to have been stolen... you will imagine how Nigeria still remains sovereign

ties but one thing I don’t still understand is why they are discouraging private refineries. Refining of petrol is a simple chemistry and I don’t see why we cannot refine enough for us to use and export. There must be something mischievous though we all know that some cabals are blocking the distillation of crude oil, so that importation will continue.

price is up; it goes up and up. The only thing that doesn’t go up is the salary for workers. It stays steady for a long time unless a move is taken to increase it. But the prices of service and other consumables keep rising. Price of food is rising and even in the village, when you go and buy banana, mango or pepper, they will tell you that dollar has risen.

Has President Buhari met your expectation in the last one year? Up to a point, I will say yes. I don’t expect him to be a miracle worker. For example, the price of oil at a point was about $130 to $135 per barrel and it dropped to about $25 and $30 before rising to about $40. The difference is too wide and money that accrued from the sale of crude oil was looted by some people. The money provided for fighting of Boko Haram was diverted, which made the insurgency war unending. There are also many ghost workers in the civil service. If you look at the amount that has been pumped into power generation, have we generated enough? We still depend on generators for power supply. We are not showing seriousness but I think the President is doing well.

Do you think President Buhari should be blamed for the present economic situation? How can you blame him when there are things beyond his control? There is fall in the price of crude oil all over the world, so how can you blame him? The world’s economy is turning down, how can you blame him? The price of shares in the Stock Market is falling not only in Nigeria but in London, New York, Japan and China, so how can you blame him? You cannot blame the man for what he was not responsible for? There are areas you can blame him. I don’t know what his attitude is towards the herdsmen and cattle rearers going to people farms and ransacking villages. That is something that should occupy him and he should do something serious about that. The herdsmen have been going about carrying AK47 riffles, sacking villages, killing children, women and old men in their farms and houses, and not much is being done. By the time the law enforcement agents get there, the damage had been done. That is something the President should give immediate action to because it is the beginning of something that may escalate and become uncontrollable, whereas it can be handled now and controlled. I think the President should pay urgent attention to that immediately. Some people are suggesting that he should start Nigeria Airline; I don’t think so. Government should not be involved in such activities. He should create enabling environment for the private sector to do that.

Some people are of the view that Nigeria’s economy is presently worse than how President Buhari met it a year ago? I am not an economist to understand some of the things. When they talk about devaluation and all the economic jargons, sometimes they don’t make sense to me as a simple village man. What matters to me is how much do I pay for cup of garri when I go to market? How much do I pay when I go to buy petrol? How much bill do I get from the service provider despite epileptic power supply? How can I pay the school fees of my children? These are economic things that bother me, and I am sure I am not alone in this. In Nigeria, it is rare for price of a commodity to rise up and eventually come down. Once the

Senate’ll put economy back on track – Ashafa CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

the 8th Senate? Legislative support; I think this is the most important function of any legislature and the 8th Senate is poised to deliver just that. On my part as a senator and the chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport, I am passionate about ensuring that we get our rail sector back to life again. The only way this can be achieved is by ensuring private sector investment and participation in the rail sector. One of the main challenges that have stalled the development of the sector is that of legislation. The Nigerian Railway Corporation Act was promulgated in 1955 and amended slightly in 1990. We have created a new legislative framework for that sector and consequently, my committee has concluded work on a bill called the Nigerian Railway

(repeal and re-enactment) Bill 2016 which seeks to separate the operator from the regulator and recommended same to the Senate at plenary. Currently, we are also working on the National Transport Commission Bill 2016. Just as my committee is working assiduously to help this government open up the rail sector so that it can become more commercially viable, so are my colleagues in this 8th Senate working in the various committees to which they belong, in ensuring that the economy is put back on track despite the global economic challenges. We are almost in the second quarter of the year and Nigerians are yet to see signs of budget implementation, will the 2016 Budget be fully implemented considering the development? My concern here is not the timing or when the budget was passed. My

major concern now is the fact that new indices, which were hitherto not considered have come to play. Our budget performance is largely due to our capacity to meet our crude oil demand and supply quota on the international market. The activities of the Niger Delta Avengers have significantly reduced our capacity to produce and supply crude oil. I sincerely hope that we would be able to make enough money to fund the budget. Aside this, I think that we have a crop of leaders in the executive that have the capacity to deliver on the targets that have been set and as such largely ensure that we improve on the budget performance of the past years. We have learned that there is need for the executive to present the budget to the National Assembly early enough, so that we can do our work in good time and ensure that the budget

is passed accordingly. This will allow government to deliver the dividends of democracy through implementation of the programs as a result of our renewed oversight function strategies. I am sure we have all learned our lessons from the hiccups that led to the delay and passage of the 2016 Budget Appropriations. I need to mention that for us to free ourselves as a nation from a monolithic economy and dependency on crude oil revenue alone, we must pursue vigorously the diversification agenda of the Burhari government in sustainable agricultural development, exploration of our mineral resources sector and provision of infrastructure to support and encourage the rejuvenation of our real sector. With all these in place, our unemployment rate would be drastically reduced within the shortest possible time.

POLITICS

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

8th Assembly: Dogara’s scorecard Turaki Adamu Hassan

oday, June 9, marks exactly one year that Bauchi State-born Barr. Yakubu Dogara emerged as Speaker of the House of Representatives. In his acceptance speech on that day, Dogara made a solemn declaration asserting that the House under his leadership “shall wage an unrelenting legislative war on Nigeria’s problems.” He told his colleagues that it was now their responsibility to fashion out legislative instruments that will lead to Nigeria’s renaissance, adding: “Let the word go forth from here that it shall not be legislative business as usual again in Nigeria.” Since then, the Speaker has kept to his word and moved on with the Consolidation Agenda by embarking on a series of innovations in the conduct of legislative activities of the Green Chamber. Today, the House of the Nigerian people is not only busy discharging its constitutional responsibilities to the people, but it is also doing so with the utmost zeal and patriotism. By law, the parliament discharges its duties and responsibilities through bills and resolutions, which are the major yardsticks of assessing the performance of the legislature. Since bills, motions and resolutions are the basis of grading how well a parliament has performed or not; then one can say, without sounding immodest, that the House under Dogara has scored 100 per cent. The 8th House set many firsts, with an unprecedented record of passage of legislations that have begun to change the pace of things in the country. Instructively, Dogara unveiled his legislative agenda even before he was elected and tabled same to his colleagues immediately after their inauguration; subjected it to debate before adoption by the whole House. Thereafter, the speaker, with a speed of light embarked on a review of obsolete and outdated laws by setting up a committee of experts which is still working but nevertheless has turned in about 200 bills, while hundreds more are in the offing. The panel which comprises of legal luminaries, who are working for months and have recommended scores of bills for consideration with the aim of cleaning Nigeria’s statute books adopted from Britain under the Statutes of General Application in force in England as at January 1, 1900. In December 2015, the House set a record by passing for first reading, 130 bills and on May 26, 19 bills were considered and passed under the watchful eyes of the Speaker who sat from 11.am to 5.pm on floor. The same thing happened on June 1, June 2 and 25. More legislations were passed and in all, the Speaker sat while the bills were considered and passed. It should be noted that in the

Dogara

7th Assembly, which was rated high in terms of bills passage, 700 bills were presented in four years, while in just one session, about 600 bills of high quality were presented in the present Assembly for consideration, most of which were from the recommendation of the Statutes Reform committee constituted by the Speaker. Presently, almost 80 of those bills, representing about 18 per cent of the 600, have been effectively passed by the House as at the time of penning this article, thereby setting another record in itself. On motions and resolutions, as at the last sitting in May, the House has considered almost 600 motions. Indeed, there can be no better way to perform than this. This is even so when the intent of the bills and motion are in tandem with the yearnings of the Nigerian people for a better life. Dogara also became the first Speaker, since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, to have stepped down from his exalted seat to sponsor a motion on the urgent need for the rehabilitation, resettlement and recovery of the violence ravaged NorthEast region. He didn’t stop at that, in December, the Speaker again, stepped down to the floor to lead debate on a bill he personally sponsored, titled “The NorthEast Development Commission Establishment Bill,” that would soon be passed into law. Dogara didn’t restrict or limit his intervention on North-East to the hallowed Green Chambers of House, but has been championing the cause of the region and

The House under Dogara has truly demonstrated that it is the bulwark for the defence of the rights and privileges of the common man

its people by embarking on visits to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the country and has also been advocating for the convocation of an international donor conference to rebuild the region. Speaking when he received Britain’s Minister of State, Baroness Joyce Anelay, in his office in February, Dogara urged Britain to consider convening a special aid conference for rebuilding the North-East as was recently done for the victims of the civil war in Syria. He lamented the plight of orphans and displaced people across the country, saying: “We will like to seek assistance from Britain, explore the possibility of convening an international donor conference just like was done recently in UK for Syria; it will be able to help us resettle these IDPs.” He added: “We all acknowledge that Nigeria is part of the global community, we are global citizens. It is not only citizens of Nigeria that are caught up in this unfortunate incident, but we are global citizens so I believe that the global citizens ought to offer some kind of support and security as well. We are winning the war against terror, the problem is managing these victories and we have to settle them as soon as possible.” In keeping with his agenda, the Dogara-led House, in May embarked on sectoral debates on different aspects of the Nigerian economy with the aim of assessing how far the country has gone with diversifying the economy and to know if the legislature needs to make any law or laws

that will support and enhance the project for the overall benefit of Nigerians. Every appearance made by the ministers in the epoch-making session was beamed live on national television with the ministers taking questions from lawmakers and putting Nigerians in the know of what they have been doing to diversify the economy in the face of dwindling oil revenue. In addition, a special session on the deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector and other changes in the industry was also held by the House, where the lawmakers sought to know the nitty gritty of the removal and how it will benefit the Nigerian people. As a follow up to the sectoral debates, a date will be set for members to debate the submission of the ministers before passing their recommendations to the executive. In yet another unprecedented move and in compliance with the 8th Assembly Legislative Agenda, Dogara, introduced electronic voting system and e-parliament in the House. It is worthy of note that, since 1999, legislation and resolutions were passed using “voice vote” and efforts made by previous assemblies to change that couldn’t come to fruition. With the new system in place, records of members’ punctuality and voting patterns can easily be accessed by constituents and members of the public which is in tandem with Dogara’s commitment to #opennass. Other initiatives that will be introduced include the establishment and equipping of a Parliamentary Information Centre where information and documents of the National Assembly will be made available in a deliberate effort to further increase citizens’ access to the legislature and solve the problem of public access to authentic documents of parliament. As he rightly reminded his colleagues exactly one year ago that, members of the House are heirs to a long tradition where debates are robustly undertaken, where radicalism flows as an institutional prerogative; the House under Dogara has truly demonstrated that it is the bulwark for the defence of the rights and privileges of the common man, the champion of the rights of the weak and poor and anchor for the wellbeing of the Nigerian people. The responsibility now lies with the executive to compliment the giant stride by the 8th House by implementing resolutions and interventions but more especially the President to sign the bills into law so as not to repeat the mistakes of the last administration when former President Goodluck Jonathan refused to assent to scores of bills forwarded to him while his ministers went public describing parliamentary resolutions as “mere expression of opinion.” •Hassan is Special Adviser (Media and Public Affairs) to the Speaker

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Rwanda, an alternate Burundi Turning Point MIKE ARAYUWA WILKIE pmikky1950@yahoo.com 0802-309-7251 (sms only)

n my write-up of last week, I focused on the Republic of Burundi, Rwanda’s immediate neighbour and sister Sovereign State. It was entitled: “Political instability in Burundi”. Let it be known that Burundi and Rwanda have many things in common which include history, economy, violent political developments, ethnic problems, crude genocide, multiple assassinations of high profile politicians and military officers and the unbridled massacres revolving around the two major ethnic groups of Hutu and Tutsi. It will be unjust, in my own view to write on Burundi without Rwanda which may certainly amount to an imbalance. Hence, the title of the above subject matter “Rwanda, an alternate Burundi”. Rwanda is located in a mountainous region in East Africa. History has clearly indicated that the country began with the reign of king Rwabugiri who was enthroned in 1860. The Tutsi occupied an aristocratic status with Hutu as their vassals. Kigali is the nation’s sprawling Capital City with a population of about one million people. Rwanda as a whole had a population of about twelve million as at the year 2016. The largest ethnic groups in the country are the Hutu (about 85 per cent of the population), the Tutsi 14 per cent while Twa are 1 per cent. The minority Tutsi, however, dominate its political structures. The composition of these ethnic groups isexactly the same with those of the Republic of Burundi. Rwanda’s economic activities are cen-

tered on Agriculture. The beginning of the Hutu and Tutsi conflicts is traceable to the 20th century during which about 80,000 to 200,000 Hutu were massacred by the Tutsi Army in Burundi, 1972. In reaction, the 1994 Rwanda genocide was triggered-off by the Hutu. Infact, the Hutu militias killed about 800,000 to one million Tutsi. This was a complete disaster when viewed from the perspective of any murderous scenario in the African continent. Many observers may wish to find-out the major cause(s) of the endless hostilities between the Hutu and Tutsi in Burundi and Rwanda. It should be of special note to stress that it has nothing to do with language or religion but politics. Infact, they speak the same Bantu language and French. The latter is their lingua franca. Religiously, they are predominantly Christians. It is the general belief of the people that the German and Belgian imperialists laid the foundation of political intolerance which has led to their primordial conflicts. During the 1884 Berlin conference in which the map of Africa was redrawn, the imperialists masters failed woefully to address the Burundi and Rwanda question. The Hutu in both countries ought to have been merged to become an autonomous Sovereign State while the Tutsi also should have been treated, same way. This arrangement would have ushered-in the required peace, political stability and development of the troubled East African countries. The question is: why did the colonists divide and balkanize the Hutu and Tutsi into Burundi and Rwanda? In view of these circumstances, I am strongly opined that the problems of the twin countries started from the deliberate inability of the colonialists to be fair and just in their decision to redraw the map of Africa while placing Burundi and Rwanda in the most difficult circumstances. The incompetence of the imperialists at the time constitutes the foundation of the consistent eth-

German and Belgian imperialists laid the foundation of political intolerance

nic clashes between the Hutu and Tutsi in the two countries. It was therefore not a mirage to observe that the Hutu carried out a genocidal mission against the minority Tutsi in the East African country, an exact replication of the Burundi type of ethnic cleansing. For instance, from April to July, 1994, members of the Hutu ethnic majority murdered in cold blood about 800,000 Tutsi. This was precisely between April 7-July 15, 1994 where human skulls were littered at the Nyamata genocide memorial ground On April 6, 1994, the aircraft caring President Juvenal Habyarimana of Rwanda and Cyprien Ntaryamira, the Hutu President of Burundi, was shot down by a private militia group as it prepared to land in Kigali airport. Everybody on board the plane died. According to Fergal Keane’s book entitled: “Season of blood” and Alan Destexhe’s book of: “Rwanda and genocide in the 20th century”, the Tutsi were massacred by the Hutu in 1963 and in 1967. In 1973, the Tutsi intellectual lecturers were purged from the Universities. Civil Servants were also purged from the Public Service of Rwanda. The aftermath of these killings was the fact that about two million people were prosecuted and persecuted in Local Courts. These were mainly the Hutu who participated in the genocide against the Tutsi while the ring leaders were tried at a United Nations Tribunal in neighbouring Tanzania. The government has verbally announced that on no account should the citizenry differentiate between the two ethnic groups, anymore. According to the government, the reason is to guide against further bloodshed and to pursue true national reconciliation. Rwanda and Burundi actually need intense fasting and prayers in order to attain the peace and the spirit of togetherness to enable them achieve elusive peace.

Erosion of the woodwork industry in Nigeria Tunde Sanni

n the early 2000s, Nigeria became known as the epicenter for the woodwork industries in the West African market and created millions of private-sector jobs. The boom was the result of several converging factors. Firstly, construction activities were on the rise, leading to increased demand for wood products. In addition, many of the mainstream Nigerian banks were expanding, setting up branches and offices around the country, offering project opportunities to woodwork companies and making it easier for the companies to obtain loans and manage their capital. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the federal government of Nigeria in 2004, under President Olusegun Obasanjo, introduced a new policy banning the importation of furniture into the country. This policy was a response to stalling economic growth and to promote local production of furniture. After relying heavily on income from crude oil business between 2005 to 2015, the federal government was not prepared for the precipitous drop in oil prices in 2016. Not only has the country’s economic growth stalled, Nigeria now

finds itself in deep fiscal crisis. One of the biggest challenges affecting the economy is that it is import dependent. A number of companies that should have engaged in local production also were importing finished products for domestic projects, which, reduced gross domestic product, increased unemployment throughout the country. The effects were felt in all sectors, but the woodwork industry was one of the hardest hit. A similar dynamic played out in the textile industry in the late 1990s, when textiles manufactured in Asian countries were indiscriminately imported into Nigeria in alarming quantities, bringing the textile industry in Nigeria to its knees. It was clear something had to be done. The government’s solution was to introduce structural reforms to keep jobs and sales within the country, with the ultimate aims of economic growth, fiscal stability, and reduced reliance on the oil business. One important aspect of the reform was the introduction of a policy that banned the importation of furnished furniture into Nigeria, mitigating the lost domestic income from this sector and giving the woodwork industry, among others, a much-needed opportunity for growth. Changes to taxes, tariffs, and interest rates were also beneficial for woodwork companies as they started to rebuild towards a stronger economic position.

The policy changes had a palpable impact within the Nigerian woodwork industry and throughout the country as a whole. The boom attracted a lot of investment capital into the country, and local investors also began to show more interest in the woodwork industry. Furniture factories were set up all over the country, most notably in Lagos state, which had the highest number of established furniture factories in the country. The rapid and significant growth in the industry created employment opportunities especially for youths across the country. Of course, the increase in both supply and demand meant that competition between furniture manufacturers was at an all-time high, and manufacturers scrambled to design and develop newer, better ranges of furniture. During this time, Nigerians’ taste in furniture changed faster than the Paris fashion scene! Consumers came to demand ever higher standards of quality, appearance, feel, practicality and durability of furniture. Desperate to make their mark, furniture manufacturers reacted by investing in new smart technologies, functions and features to meet these ever-changing needs. Some companies in the woodwork industry took the opportunity to actually show their customers how their exclusive furnishings are manufactured, with demonstrations of the high-tech processing

centers and software programmes they use to maintain the highest quality. These companies became known in the market as specialists in equipping luxury properties with top-quality interior fittings. For a while, the growth of the industry and its future seemed well assured. But recent developments have seen a downturn in investments and growth in the industry. While initially the boom encouraged healthy competition in the woodwork industry and actually increased the quality of the end products, high manufacturing costs meant that over time some woodwork and construction companies began to take short cuts and adopt ugly practices in the name of saving money. This in turn reduced investor confidence and reduced capital investment in the industry, further increasing the pressure felt by small woodwork companies. These ugly practices only further contribute to the root cause of the economic challenges currently being experienced in Nigeria and counter the effort of the federal government This decline in investment in the woodwork industry contributed to the downturn in the industry, but the problem was compounded by the gradual failure of the government’s structural reform. • Sanni wrote in from Lagos.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Buhari: One year after

igerians are making one year since President Muhammad Buhari was inaugurated. His inauguration had followed weeks of anxiety over the rescheduled presidential election. The tension that accompanied the release of the results declaring Buhari as the winner of the March 28, 2016 election kept the nation on edge until the actual handing over on May 29. At his inauguration, Buhari had acknowledged the efforts of his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, towards a successful transition especially by conceding defeat and shaming international commentators who had expected Nigeria to descend into chaos after the election. He had also promised to tackle the “enormous challenges” of corruption, insecurity, fuel and power shortages and gave the assurance that “Nigerians will not regret that they have entrusted national responsibility to us. We must not succumb to helplessness and defeatism. We can fix our problems.” In the speech, Buhari did not pretend that his administration was going to have an easy ride over these challenges. Without mincing words about the dire situation in which he found himself, he had said: “My appeal for unity is predicated on the seriousness of the legacy we are getting into. With depleted foreign reserves, falling oil prices, leakages and debts, the Nigerian economy is in deep trouble and will require careful management to bring it round and to tackle the immediate challenges confronting us, namely: Boko Haram, the Niger Delta situation, the power shortages and unemployment, especially among young people.” He had also promised to diversify the economy by reviving agriculture, solid minerals and providing credit to small businesses in ad-

ditional reviving comatose industries. His speech had given much hope to Nigerians that amid concerns over the economy and the polity, they had a leader who would ‘walk the talk.’ One year after, Nigerians are strongly divided on how much positive impact he has made on their lives. While some say he is on a steady course, others believe he has yet to come to real terms with the ‘enormous challenges’ he acknowledged in his inaugural speech. Those who say he is on track point to the successes recorded in the war against Boko Haram as well as the fight against corruption. They argue that on both fronts, the President has successfully made a strong impression. They,

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profile Nigerians allegedly linked to the looting of the treasury. The Administration has signed agreements with various countries on the confiscation and return of assets believed to have been illicitly acquired with funds looted from Nigeria. At least, a former high-profile official that served under the former Administration has been jailed five years. There are also claims that huge funds have been voluntarily returned by suspected looters. The Busari Administration has also largely succeeded with the implementation of the Treasury

There are also claims that huge funds have been voluntarily returned by suspected looters

for instance, point to the Nigerian military’s successful recapture of North-East towns from Boko Haram; the decimation and degradation of the terrorists’ capabilities; as well as the resumption of normal life in many hitherto deserted areas in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. Also on the list is the rescue and positive identification of Amina Ali, one of the 219 female pupils of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State seized by Boko Haram insurgents on April 14, 2014. Prior to that, the military had reported the rescue of thousands of hostages from Boko Haram’s captivity and arrested a large number of suspected terrorists. On the war against corruption, the Administration has been able to initiate the prosecution of high-

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Single Account, reportedly garnering trillions of Naira in the process. However, not much seems to have been achieved in sur mounting the ‘enormous challenges’

enumerated by Buhari. Insecurity is still a major challenge, with herdsmen attacking communities, pillaging farmlands and killing people at will. Also, kidnapping and sundry crimes remain serious problems. In the Niger Delta, suspected militants have claimed responsibility for attacks on vital pipelines and the attendant loss of 800,000 barrels per day. The vandalism of the pipelines has pushed the economy to the edge and worsened electricity and fuel shortages. While government is inclined to use force to put down the resurgence of vandalism in the region, it recently had to opt for dialogue. This has, however, not deterred the suspected militants as they have sustained their vandalism of pipelines. The attacks have reduced Nigeria’s daily production

of 1.1 million bpd and there are fears that it may worse. There are concerns about the Administration’s ability to get the economy back on track and control galloping inflation side by side fulfilling its promises to the electorate. The recent hike in fuel prices has put a big strain on the incomes of millions of Nigerians. A debilitating pest attack has ravaged many tomato farms in Nigeria and pushed its price beyond the reach of the common man. The promised diversification of the economy has remained on the drawing board. It’s the same fate that the avowed promise to provide jobs has suffered. Power shortages have remained an albatross, worsened by the resurgence of vandalism in the Niger Delta. In a report of its Article IV Consultations with officials of the Buhari Administration, the International Monetary Fund said the President’s delay in constituting a cabinet weakened the nation’s ability to adequately respond to oil price shocks. The issue of corruption in the public service is still a major challenge as evidenced by the alleged involvement of civil servants in the padding of the 2016 Budget. The President and his team need to get a grip on the economy as well as challenges of insecurity and vandalism in order to enable them to move faster as Buhàri enters into his second year as a democratically elected president. Key reforms should be speedily embarked upon while far-reaching decisions in the nation’s interests must be token. The Administration cannot gloss over complaints about the absence of strategic communication between it and the people. Appointments should no longer be about fostering primordial interests, as appears to be the case currently, but about making public service more efficient.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Insight Corruption is said to be everywhere in Nigeria, but it is worrisome that the ivory towers, hitherto regarded as sanctuaries, have also given in to this dangerous trend. This report, by MOJEED ALABI, exposes the ills in some of the nation’s higher institutions

Ivory towers of fraud

wo lecturers at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State, are currently at each other’s throats over allegations bothering on forged academic records. The accuser, Chibuike Uche, a professor and former dean, Faculty of Business Administration at the university, currently spending his leave at the African Studies Centre, University of Leiden, Netherlands, has petitioned the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, accusing his counterpart and a predecessor in office, Prof. Uche Modum, of falsely laying claims to some published articles without evidence of publications. The letter, dated December 1, 2015, and entitled: Attempt to Cover up Academic Fraud and Subvert Justice in University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), accused Mrs. Modum of presenting the forged documents for her promotion to the professorial cadre as far back as 1995. He also pointed out other alleged inconsistencies in Modum’s academic records including her year of birth. The petition reads in part: “In 2008, when I was the Dean of the UNN’s Faculty of Business Administration, I noticed major discrepancies in Professor Modum’s 1995 professorial appraisal and her 2008 official curriculum vitae. In her 1995 appraisal form, Modum claimed that she had authored 15 journal articles out of which six were published and nine were accepted for publication. “A review of her 2008 curriculum vitae, however, showed that none of the nine articles that were claimed to have been accepted for publication since 1995 had been published by the journals that purportedly accepted them. Two of the journals (the Nigerian Accountant and Strategic Finance, formerly Management Accounting), which are still in existence and which purportedly accepted five of the said papers for publication confirmed in writing to my office that they had no record of such articles in their journals. I was further astonished by the fact that most of the nine articles

UNN gate

Uche

which were claimed to have been accepted for publication in 1995 were later listed in Professor Modum’s 2008 official CV as having been published in entirely different journals where again they did not exist.” Uche accused the university’s Governing Council and the management of ‘protecting the institution’s image’ and thereby covering the don’s alleged dirty deals. He added that rather than punishing the accused, the university has declared him dismissed. “I write to bring to your attention the decision of the Governing Council of UNN to sack me simply because I exposed the numerous forgeries and falsifications committed by Professor (Mrs.) Uche Modum,” Uche told the minister. However, in an interview, Modum, a former Commissioner with

Modum

Nonindigeneship of a state is inhibitory to appointment into the university...

the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), said her accuser was just out to instigate her downfall, and that as her former student and son of her late gynaecologist, Uche might only want to settle an old score. She explained that the eightyear-old matter had been settled as far back as 2011 by the university’s Governing Council based on the recommendations of a highpowered panel set up to investigate it and she was exonerated of the allegation of forgery. Modum said her accuser had based his allegations on what she described as a ‘nebulous and speculative’ letter from the current editor of a US-based National Association of Accountants’ (now Institute of Management Accounting) journal, Ms Katty William, who denied knowledge

of any article published in the journal. The don, however, said William might be ignorant of the events that took place in the office more than 20 years ago. “Let me state unequivocally that I have never claimed anywhere (not for appraisal nor in my CV) that I published the said articles in the said journal… I only used the acceptance letter for my appraisal and I later published the articles in other journals after a long wait for the Institute of Management Accounting Journal,” Modum said. She told New Telegraph Insight that she could not vividly remember where she eventually got the articles published. She, however, promised to get the details across as soon as she returned from her trip abroad. Modum said she was duly promoted as a professor in 1995 having scored 92.8 per cent in her appraisal score sheet. She added that Uche, who was her undergraduate student on the campus, might be fighting back for his inability to get excellent grades in her courses. But when contacted, the institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Omeaku Okwun, declined comment. According to him, apart from being unaware of the development, such matters are usually addressed by the Council and not the management. “I believe in hierarchy and I don’t think I have the power to comment on a matter like this but the Council,” he told New Telegraph Insight. In a similar development, the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), at

INSIGHT

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Omole

Edeoga

the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUA), has accused the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Hilary Edeoga, of compromising standards in the appointments and promotions of about 34 academic members of staff on the campus. The union, which was joined in protests across the country by other chapters, accused Edeoga of allegedly jettisoning the yardsticks in the selection processes, saying those promoted were supposed to have years of advanced studies and must also have submitted their publications and academic work. The union said: “In 2015, the administration of Professor Edeoga promoted 34 academics to the rank of professors, 30 of whom did not fulfil the mandatory requirements for such promotions, not even the standards set by the university itself.” In another statement signed by Professor Nanmwa Voncir of the ASUU branch of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, the union said “both staff and students of MOUA are victims of the reckless and mind-boggling atrocities of the vice-chancellor,” adding that “for example, first year students of the university in the 2014/2015 academic session were forced to pay N60,800 per bed space”. Chairman of the university’s chapter of the union, Dr. Uzochukwu Onyebinama, said so much had been said about the allegations of infractions and corrupt practices levelled against the administration of the former VC and that he would rather await the report of the Federal Government’s investigative panel on the cases. In a similar development, ASUU leadership at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, accused the institution’s immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa, of illegally promoting some lecturers to the professorial cadre. The immediate past Chairman of the university’s chapter of ASUU, Dr. Adekunle Idris, said some of those promoted as professors were promoted with only 13 papers “including lesson notes”. But in his response, Obafunwa noted that the promotions followed due process. He, however, accused Idris of falsely securing his PhD certificate and declared it withdrawn, among 16 others. Idris described the development as irrational and an act of vendetta, saying he worked diligently for his certificates. Reacting to the issue, the new Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, said

Kudirat-Ladipo

all the allegations and counterallegations had been addressed. He said that all the withdrawn certificates, including that of Idris, had been returned, linking them to political scheming that characterised the university in the past. In a related development, some professors at the University of Lagos are derisively called “Omotola professors.” This, according to one of the lecturers on the campus, is because the 11 professors concerned are thought to have been helped to attain the new status by the then Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Jelili Omotola. On the criteria for promotion, especially into professorial cadre, the Chairman of the Lagos Zone of ASUU, Dr. Sola Nasir, described it as a difficult process to manipulate. According to him, transiting from an associate professor to fullfledged professorship requires a lot of steps including publications of many articles in standard local and international journals and subjecting those papers to further scrutiny at different levels of committees before arriving at the appointment and promotion committees usually chaired by the vice-chancellors. Nasir, however, noted that the processes are still not beyond manipulation, particularly by the vice-chancellors who are in the position to recommend external assessors to scrutinise the papers. They are also said to have the influence to compel internal assessors to also overlook whatever shortcomings noticed in papers of such lecturers recommended by the VC as ‘his candidates’. This development was confirmed by a lecturer at the Faculty of Science of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, who has bagged his PhD as far back as 1984.

More worrisome is the appointment into professorial positions of persons with academic credentials much lower than what obtained in the good old days

Ibirogba

The lecturer, who craved anonymity, is today one of the few Nigerian scientists with a known theory propounded by them, but he is yet to be promoted a professor. The theory, entitled: “Mathematical Theory of Self-Organising at Micro Level,” according to the lecturer, is a product of intensive research spanning about 17 years. “Right from when I was in Form III at the Ibadan Grammar School, I had nursed the ambition of pursuing an academic path to propound a globally known theory. I started one but got stuck after some years. So I started all over again on this new theory which took me more than four years to get its definition alone,” the don told New Telegraph Insight. One of his PhD students and also a lecturer in the faculty, who also craved anonymity, said it was unfortunate that a man who had brought such glory to the institution and the country as a whole had not been promoted “simply because he does not play politics”. He said many younger lecturers with fewer papers but high political connections had surpassed the man in status. “When you consider the politics brought into play in the appointments and promotions of staff on campuses, you wonder if the partisan politicians can even match the academics in high-wired politics,” the young lecturer noted. Commenting on the development, the former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Nigeria’s regulatory agency for all the degreeawarding institutions, Prof. Peter Okebukola, said the allegation was not true system wide, “but like in any human setting, bad eggs exist”. He said: “In a study my research group conducted recently, the areas where the bad eggs exist

Dr. Sola Nasir; Dr. Adekunle Idris and the Chairman of OOU chapter of ASUU, Dr. Deji Agboola at a media briefing

were identified. Our study sample reasoned that the expansion of the system especially with state and private universities was accountable for the depreciation in the quality of staff appointment and promotion. Field observations confirmed that new universities depressed their appointment and promotion standards to be able to meet NUC-prescribed minimum standards for staff mix. “More worrisome is the appointment into professorial positions of persons with academic credentials much lower than what obtained in the good old days.” The don alleged that a crop of professors had started to emerge within the last 10 years that would hardly merit a lecturer grade 1 position in any of the first generation universities in the 1960s and 1970s. “The claim to research and publications by these charlatan ‘professors’ is found in ‘roadside’ journals and self-published, poorly-edited, largely-plagiarised books. Clannishness and parochialism have also added dead weights to lowering the quality of process of appointment and promotion. “In some universities, including some federal-owned institutions, being a ‘son of the soil,’ ranks higher than merit in appointment to management and academic leadership positions such as vice-chancellor, registrar, dean of faculty or head of department. State universities are most guilty on this score. Non-indigeneship of a state is inhibitory to appointment into the university, more so into academic leadership positions,” Okebukola added. Meanwhile, beyond manipulation of promotion are also other forms of corruption among both the academic and non-academic staff in the nation’s higher institutions. Apart from a lecturer at the University of Lagos, Dr. Hafeez Baruwa, who is currently standing trial for an alleged rape case before a Lagos court, the Head of the Department of English at the University of Ilorin, Dr. Mohammed Idiagbon, has also been removed from office following an allegation of compelling a student to date him. Confronted with the recorded tape of the lecturer’s conversation with the unnamed student, the university has since set up a panel of inquiry. But rather than appearing before the panel, Idiagbon is reported to have resigned from the institution. The above issues may have informed the conclusion of the National Coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Taiwo Soweto, to have submitted that since academics have been subjecting their promotions to manipulations, engaging in other forms of frauds have become the order of the day. “If you could manipulate your promotion or you help anyone to do, then it won’t be difficult for you to engage in other forms of corrupt practices. And this is reflected in the situation on our campuses today where students must ‘know their ways’ before they could succeed,” Soweto said. He added that his organisation, in conjunction with the OAU’s students’ union leadership, had CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

INSIGHT

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petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole, over allegations of misappropriation and mismanagement of resources. During a mass protest staged in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, recently, the students said many petitions had been written against the vice-chancellor, insisting that they had enough evidence to back their allegations. “Prof. Omole’s administration has earned over N30 billion from subventions, more than N1.5 billion from school fees, billions of naira from pre-degree programme, besides funds received from special agencies such as World Bank and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), and monies from internal sources including donations from corporate bodies,” the students alleged. The students also claimed that despite the funds that were received, their hostels were in very poor condition; their lecture rooms overcrowded with epileptic power supply becoming the order of the day. But reacting to the allegations, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, said whoever was calling for Omole’s investigation should know that there were statutory bodies saddled with the responsibilities of handling such cases and they should be approached rather than engaging in media prosecution. He said: “As far as I know, this innocent man has not been funny with the finances of the university. And an accused remains innocent until proven guilty before a competent court of law.” The situation seems worse at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, where there have continued to be allegations and counter-allegations between the college management and some members of staff including its allegedly sacked Bursar and Chief Financial Officer of the college, Mr. Olu Ibirogba. Ibirogba, who is a member of the ‘Yaba Eight,’ a group of the embattled members of staff of the college and the management suspended in 2013 over the crisis, was reinstated by the Industrial Arbitration Court sitting in Lagos on July 1, 2015, which ordered that his entitlements be paid. But, while the judgement was still being celebrated on the court premises, the college management announced Ibirogba’s sacking, in defiance to the judgement. Other workers sacked alongside Ibirogba are two Assistant Chief Accountants of the college, Messrs Adedeji Adesina and B. Ayinde, as well as Mrs. M. Ibitomi (Principal Accountant); Mr. Olusola Dada (Principal Accountant) and Mrs. Teniola Akinwumi (Senior Accountant), among others. The bursar, who has written several petitions to various quarters, had on June 10, 2015 addressed a fresh one to President Muhammadu Buhari, entitled: “Large-scale Stealing and Victimisation by YABATECH Authorities: Appeal for Intervention so that We are not Silenced.” The petition, which, was written by his lawyer and Principal Partner of Frank Eke and Company, Mr. Frank Eke,

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Fraud in the house of dons

OAU students during a protest

alleged that since 2009, when the rector resumed office, the college had lost not less than N2 billion to corrupt practices. The petition reads in part: “The Governing Council approved N5 million monthly security votes to the Rector, Dr. Margaret KudiratLadipo, which is paid to her personal account each month directly. This is besides the institution’s organic security staff (about 150 personnel), six outsourced security companies, as well as monthly payment of motivational allowances to the Sabo Police Station and the DSS staff at Sabo. “This N5 million monthly security vote translates to N60 million per annum. Payment of security votes to head of government parastatal is very strange and an indication of abuse of office and executive fraud. We have submitted this to the EFCC and it has been verified. The rector has collected more than N25 million in the last five years for holidays and foreign trips including Estacode for about $30,000 and she has never embarked on any trip and also not returned the money. This is another clear duplication, as all employees in the federal polytechnics, including YABATECH, are paid their leave allowances monthly.” He also accused the rector of divided loyalty, noting that she had a company, Spicy Nigeria Limited, which she uses to execute several jobs in the institution; and that she was also engaged in contract splitting as well as an arbitrary employment of workers. In his reaction on behalf of the college, the Public Relations Officer, Dr. Charles Oni, described the allegations as the ranting of a sinking man. He accused Ibirogba of trying to destabilise the college. On the allegation of N5 million monthly security votes, he argued that it was no longer strange, in view of the peculiarity of the college’s environment, especially concerning the security threats constituted by those he described as the “Fadeyi Boys,” “Jibowu Boys” and “Abule Oja Boys”. The threats, according to him,

Payment of security votes to head of government parastatal is very strange

informed the decision of the Council to approve the money. Oni also said the sack of the bursar the same day the court gave its verdict was in order. He said: “The Council as the employer of staff and management members of the college reserves the right to sack any employee. And whether it is a contempt of court, I cannot say because I am not a member of the Council. But you must know that he has been telling lies around about the college and the management which should be disregarded.” Apart from denying all the allegations, the Dr. Kudirat-Ladipoled management of the college has levelled a fresh allegation against Ibirogba, claiming that a committee set up by the management to audit the school’s Student Account Section of the Bursary based on questions raised by an auditing firm, Adebayo Arowolo & Company, found that about N1, 682,806,539 was unaccounted for within the period. The school named Ibirogba and six others as those that are to account for the missing sum allegedly stolen from the college coffers between 2008 and 2013. According to the Chairman of the Investigation Committee, Mr. Joseph Akeju, Ibirogba; Charles Akhariya; Mrs. Onabanjo Olukorode; Azeez Ajewole; Michael Oyenola; Amu Foluke; Egbemi Chinwe and Florence Egbeni, allegedly jointly carted away both the software and hard copies of records of payment and other records from the section. “Comparing the actual with the expected earnings between 2008 and 2009, the committee found that the variance in 2008 was N108, 393,665. The variance for 2009 was N119,807,030 and the figures continued to increase to N656,376,570 in 2013,” the committee submitted. Akeju traced the theft of huge sums of money from the bursary to the period covered by the investigation when Ibirogba and Akharayi were bursar and head of student section respectively on “the throwing up of strangers into the bursary unit to boss their seniors and rampage the system”.

In his response, Ibirogba described the allegation as mischievous, saying the same Akeju as the chairman of the committee, had been sacked by the college in 2009 for alleged corrupt practices, “and was only brought back some months ago to perpetrate further mischief by the incumbent rector.” Many of these cases had compelled the Education Minister, Adamu, to set up ad-hoc investigative panels for 10 higher institutions including the UNN and YABATECH. “The ministry decided to set up these 10 ad hoc fact-finding committees in response to petitions received from different stakeholders, within and outside the institutions, with variety of allegations bordering on irregularities, abuse of due process, mismanagement, immorality, fraud and corruption among others. “We deemed it necessary to verify the authenticity or otherwise of the claims in these petitions. This verification is the crux of your assignment,” Adamu told members of the committees. The committees, which have since submitted their reports, have made recommendations they described as far-reaching and very important to the survival of the institutions. The Chairman of the panel on YABATECH, Prof. Idowu Awopetu of the Obafemi Awolowo University, said it was left for the government to either adopt or reject the committee’s recommendations. He said: “Ours could only be advisory and we have done just that and nothing more. On the allegation that the delay in the release of the White Paper may cause the recommendations to be doctored, I wouldn’t want to comment on that because I do not expect the panel to be engaging in speculations.” Meanwhile, other stakeholders including the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), its colleges of education counterpart and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), have appealed to the Federal Government to extend its searchlight to all other academic institutions across the country.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SouthEastFocus

GEOFFREY EKENNA coordinaTor

goeekenna@yahoo.co.uk 08068774740

Governance

Celebrating one year of starvation, joblessness

23 News Saving them from fake medicine

Fulani hersdmen

Keeping tab on herdsmen Governors of the SouthEast are not sleeping after the attack by Fulani herdsmen on Nimbo community in Enugu State. In this report, PAMELA EBOH in Awka, reports on the various measures adopted in the five states to ensure that the Nimbo experience was not repeated anywhere in the East

he recent attack by cattle herders from the north, popularly referred to as Fulani herdsmen at Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State has created much buzz and fear in the centre of the Eastern zone of the country. People, especially, those in the agrarian areas, now sleep with one eye open, fearing sudden attack on their homeland. The ugly tide, which resonated from the North Central city of Jos, in Plateau State, has gradually penetrated the peaceful land of the easterners, who are known for their friendly stance to strangers and foreigners alike. Alas, one may ask, where did it go

wrong? What is the reason behind the killings and are there fingers pressing the button from behind the scene? An Igbo adage says that when a bird is dancing on the road, then, a drummer is close by in the bush beating the drum to the beat. Nigeria fought a three-year protracted civil war that left millions of lives wasted, battered and broken, yet the fragile peace that has existed since the sheathing of swords is continuously still being threatened by the unholy slaughter of a section of people from the South East by a group of cattle herders. The Nimbo situation may have caught the town snoring away in the wee hours of April 20, 2016 unawares but nothing happens without long term plans and preparation and sometimes inside informants, who give the inside information. It is rather inhuman for strangers to enter a community and slaughter the inhabitants of the land in cold blood like goats. Though, there has not been any other attack since the Nimbo incident, the people of the eastern domain are worried that if caution was not immediately applied, there might be a repeat of the Nimbo massacre, hence, states like Anambra, Ebonyi and Abia are taking the bull by the horn by cooking up strategies to quell any challenge. For instance, the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, had after some ugly development in the

agrarian area of Ayamelum Local Government Area of the state, where two people were killed with some farms destroyed, adopted a friendly technique of keeping the enemy close even while employing a helicopter for surveillance to monitor the borders. Following the development, Obiano, who is apt with security ideas, immediately set up a security committee headed by the state Police Commissioner, Hosea Karma, with the army, vigilante service, police, Navy, Air force, etc as well as the leader of the Fulani community in Anambra State. The governor had earlier at a gathering revealed that there were suspicious movements in some parts of the state, saying that it was being carefully monitored to ensure that there was no immediate threat to the security of the state, hence, the aerial surveillance was adopted. In his words: “What we intend to do is to send the Fulanis that are living with us here to go and meet with the Fulanis in that area with a view to finding out whether they are coming in peace or otherwise. “More importantly, we want Fulanis in this committee to tell the members of this committee if their people are nursing any grievance in whatever form, “I don’t want anybody to take laws into their hands. That is why we set up this committee and we

have agreed that compensation should be paid for any losses on either side. That is the way to co-exist in a multi-ethnic and diverse society. More importantly, we agreed at the Security Council Meeting that we will not allow herdsmen to carry arms. That is a clear directive from Abuja. Herdsmen are not supposed to bear arms. Please, if you see any herdsmen with AK47, report them early to the police so that they can be picked up”. The member representing the affected area in the state Assembly, Mr Uche Okafor, had through a motion recently called on the state governor to restrict the activities of herdsmen in the state. The lawmaker was also quick to point out that the herdsmen had been wreaking havoc in his community for some time and that there was need for the governor to intervene to avoid the situation going out of control. He said: “My people have lost hope in farming as a result of the activities of the herdsmen. Two persons have been killed in my community while protecting their farm lands from these herdsmen. “We need to do something about this situation before it gets out of hands. One would wonder what the situation would have been if the citizens had decided to take the laws into their hands during the incident. CONTINUED ON PAGE20

south-east

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Betting as their culture

Betting companies in one building at Obiagu Enugu

Kenneth Ofoma

middle-aged man, sitting under the popular Ukwu Fruit (Fruit Tree) at the Edinburgh Round about, Obiagu, Enugu, looked up and greeted the reporter. As the reporter sat down beside him and asked him whether he has played any “game” another name for betting this week, his eyes rolled up with excitement. As a typical Nigerian, he responded to the C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 9

“We need to do something now to stop this senseless killing and apprehension. My people have been pressed to the walls”. Also, the member representing Ogbaru constituency, Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, told the house that the people of his constituency had not known peace in the past few days as a result of the activities of the herdsmen. He stressed that the Fulani herdsmen have invaded his area and destroyed things with impunity, adding that an urgent measure was needed to be put in place to forestall any reoccurrence. The governor of the state on his part has taken the protection of the inhabitants of the state a step further by employing the services of police aerial surveillance using helicopter. That way, the helicopter hovers around the state especially the borders to ensure that there are no suspicious movements or unknown people trooping in through the border to cause havoc as the affected town of Nimbo shares border with Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State. On the part of the affected Enugu State, the state governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has doled out N100m for the set up of a security outfit in all the local government areas of the state to protect its people from further attacks. Ugwuanyi made the disclosure when APC governors visited him to empathize with him on the ugly incident. He assured them that a Judicial Panel of Inquiry would be set up to look into the matter, adding that government has moved to fund 472 Neighborhood Watch Groups in all communities in the state to compliment efforts of the security agencies to forestall a repeat of such dastardly act. The governor also mandated the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Human Capital to

question with another question, “Oga do you have some numbers?” Not far away from where the discussion was taking place was a plastic table where a lady was manning a gaming machine. Such gaming machines mounted with large round canopies like recharge card sellers are occupying every strategic corner of major streets in Enugu metropolis. Chinedu (not real name) is a newspaper distributor. When told by the reporter that he did not

have any number and that don’t even know how to get the numbers or play the game, he sighed almost inaudibly in disappointment. For him, he needed a number with which to play the game. How do people get such numbers? He was asked. He said that such numbers came through inspiration in dreams and luck. He also added that some people do get the number from mermaid (or lucky charm). At was at this juncture, he relaxed and said that

he has been a regular gamer in the betting business. In fact, he won N120, 000 in the month of May. He went ahead to offer quick tutorials on how to play the game probono! Indeed, the craze for gaming or betting or gambling or pool, whichever nomenclature one chooses, is a growing sub-culture in Enugu in recent time. This days, especially with the growing interest in the weekly Europa League, Champions League, Bunldesliga, La-Liga and Italian Seria A matches on television, a lot of sports betting and pool houses are springing up everywhere in the coal city state. Betting, known in the olden days as pool, used to be something reserved for old people such as teachers and retired civil and public servants. It was then associated with lid stigma. Not anymore. In Enugu State, like

Govs move against killer herdsmen quickly inaugurate Neighborhood Watch Groups in all the 472 communities in the state to forestall a re-occurrence of Fulani herdsmen invasion on any part of the state. The Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, earlier last month, set up a committee with the Attorney General, the Special Adviser on Internal Security and Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolutions and others as members. He said his government was in consultation with local communities while a grazing route would be provided for the Fulani herdsmen with same made known to them to help reduce incidents of destruction of farmlands. He said that the routes will be in such a way that the herdsmen will feed their cattle in areas where there are no farmlands. Umahi, who made the disclosure during a State Security Council meeting, backed calls for the disarming of Fulani herdsmen by the police and other security agencies. He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to ensuring harmonious relationship between Fulani herdsmen and host communities. He also charged the police to periodically search the herdsmen and recover illegal arms in their possession. Umahi further charged traditional rulers in the state to hold extensive meetings with their communities and warn them against taking laws into their hands as the state government would not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law to bear on anybody who attacks herdsmen in the state. Abia State is not left out in the quick raising of iron bars against Fulani herdsmen. The governor of the state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, said he had “instructed and equipped

We need to do something now to stop this senseless killing and apprehension. My people have been pressed to the walls

security agencies in the state to ensure watertight security around the state boarders and towns against any form of attack.” He has also deployed the services of the popular group known as Bakassi Boys. The outfit, according to the governor, would undergo intensive training that would last for two weeks and the training was ordered by the governor to take off immediately. He also explained that the deployment of the Bakassi Boys was to assist in community policing under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police, adding that more personnel would be enlisted into the AVS. Ikpeazu directed all traditional rulers in the state to submit names of 10 youths from their community to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and further announced other security measures that he has put in place to ensure adequate security of lives and properties in the state. “I have mandated the law enforcement agencies to search and screen all trucks and vehicles conveying livestock, food items and persons into the state from any part of the country. The law enforcement agencies will also search and screen markets and settlements where livestock and dealers are, to ensure security,” he said. Ikpeazu also said that he has constituted a Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict Resolution Committee at the state level headed by the Commissioner of Police with the Brigade Commander, State Director of DSS, State Commandant of the NSCDC, the Naval Commander, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Myati Allah and

most other parts of the country, betting or gambling is now a popular sub-culture involving men, women, youths and even secondary school students. Artisans, including commercial tricycle/motorcycle operators are not left out. According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, “Gambling is the wagering of money or something ofvalue (referred to as “the stakes”) on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods. Gambling thus requires three elements be present: consideration, chance and prize. The outcome of the wager is often immediate, such as a single roll of dice or a spin of a roulette wheel, but longer time frames are also common, allowing wagers on the outcome of a future sports contest or even an entire sports season.”

Saraki Hausa. Similar committee has also been replicated in all the 17 local governments, headed by council chairmen, with other members to include Divisional Police Officers, heads of NSCDC, DSS in the local governments as well as chairmen of Traditional Rulers Council and leaders of Hausa communities. “I want to encourage our people to report any suspicious movement of strange persons within our communities to the Traditional Rulers or call the Police Emergency Control phone numbers, for prompt deployment of a Rapid Response Unit formed for the purpose of security alert.” Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha in a bid to secure the state, charged the traditional rulers of the various communities in the state to take absolute control of security in their diverse autonomous communities and to also ensure peaceful co-existence between their people and settlers. In a meeting with traditional Rulers in the state, Okorocha said: “I want to kindly request all of you to take responsibility of security in your domains to ensure peaceful co-existence between the Igbo and other Nigerians living in your areas”. He has also opened up on the possibility of partnering with the Abia State government on the employment of the Bakassi outfit. The South East governors, who are the chief security officers of their states have taken the bold step of employing safety measures for security of the lives of the inhabitants of the states. But as the wraps are spread out in the open, the marauders may be mapping out strategy to conquer, penetrate and strike again, hence the watch word may be for people to be their brothers’ keepers and be ready to defend their own soil from plunder and further blood spill.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SouthSouthFocus In what is possibly an anti-climax, while the Federal Government and states celebrated the Democracy Day on May 29, sacked workers in Delta State chose June 1st to celebrate their disengagement from service. DOMINIC ADEWOLE reports from ASABA

“D

on’t be pushed by your problems; be led by your dreams.” With these words, workers that were sacked by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at the dawn of his administration have refused to give up the struggle for reinstatement. They have prayed, cried, fasted but the governor seems not to be looking their way. Why, one may ask? The governor said the present economic downturn, coupled with the debt profile of the state, which runs into N637.22 billion, was hanging on his neck. Surprisingly, on June 1, residents of Asaba, the state capital, were shocked to wake up to see hundreds of the sacked workers, clad in smart-looking attires and converged at the old state’s secretariat within the metropolis to celebrate what they tagged, “One year of joblessness and starvation.” Pundits and top government functionaries had thought that after one year, the workers would have forgotten about the matter, but lo and behold, with faithfulness, the matter is becoming new every morning, every day, every month and running into years. On June 1, 2015, four days after he assumed office, Okowa, in a letter to the state’s Head of Service, Patrick Origho, placed their employment on suspension. For the governor, the process of the recruitment that brought them into office was riddled with bribery and corruption, hence their employment could not stand. He said his predecessor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who superintended the recruitment exercise acknowledged this before he left office on May 29, 2015. Consequently, he dissolved the Board of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) immediately the fraud was discovered. Besides, the governor said it would be foolhardy for a state, such as Delta, that is grappling to meet its payroll demands to start employing. In his analysis recently, the governor lamented how federal allocations to the state has

The protesters

Celebrating one year of starvation, joblessness dropped drastically from what it used to be to N3 billion. He decried the dilemma he has found himself and explained the inescapable decision he took on the sacked worker issue immediately he assumed office, maintaining that the monthly federal allocation to the state, which initially stood at about N8 billion and could not pay over 70,000 workforce in the state as at May 29, 2015, with a monthly personnel cost of N7,437,940,015.38 inclusive of the N678 million state government’s support to local government councils for the payment of primary school teachers’ salaries, has now dropped to N3 billion. He said: “I just learnt from the Accountant General of the state that this month allocation is about N3 billion. This cannot even pay the wage bill of workers put at over N7 billion. The low allocation is as a result of the recent pipeline vandalism in the state. This will also affect our allocation up to the month of August. This criminal act is destroying our state and preventing Deltans from enjoying the dividends of democracy to the fullest.” While he assured the people of the state that the ongoing

It would be illogical for a state that is grappling to meet its payroll obligation to start employing more persons

data capturing and screening of workers in the state would expose ghost workers, listing those in overseas, dead or employed by the Federal Government, and yet, are on the payroll of the state, he categorically said his government would not lift the embargo on employment until the exercise is concluded and the revenues of the state shored up. “It would be illogical for a state that is grappling to meet its payroll obligation to start employing more persons”, he emphasized. The governor, who said his administration has done its best in the last one year to meet up with its electoral promises through infrastructural development, youth empowerment programmes as encapsulated in his SMART agenda, assured the people of the state of better days to come. He said that his administration has put strategies in place to diversify the state economy through the on-going intervention of the state via the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneur Programme (YAGEP) and the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) under which, he said, over 17,000 em-

ployment opportunities have been provided directly and indirectly, and expanded the state’s tax base during the second year by boosting the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state for government to meet up its responsibility to the citizens. But the workers, who gathered with placards of various messages at the old state’s Secretariat along Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan Way in Asaba to mark what they tagged “One Year of Joblessness and Starvation”, urged the governor to reabsorb them. Led by their leader, Comrade Obus Regha, the workers, who strongly believed that “hope is a remedy to despair, one can be perplexed but never to be despaired”, claimed that all entreaties to the Delta State Elders’ Council, popularly known as “Peace and Advisory Committee”, chaired by Prof. Sam Oyombaire, to advise the governor properly, had fallen on deaf ears. “This is one year after Governor Okowa suspended our employment. We call it ‘one year of joblessness and starvation.’ One year of waiting on the Lord and CONTINUED ON PAGE22

south-south

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Saving them from fake medicine

Aruya (Right), flanked by an Official of the council, at a briefing in Asaba.

Dominic Adewole ASABA

rouble appears to be looming for about 138 patent medicine dealers arrested in Delta State. Nemesis caught up with them after exposing members of the public to the dangers of consuming medicines whose quality, safety and efficacy cannot be guaranteed. There is trouble if the saying that “the greatest calamity that can befall a man is to engage in a weary labour and be caught.” They must be gnashing their teeth in regret for commencing operations without following the laid down guidelines on the requirements for registration and licensing. They actually took the Registrar of the Council, Elijah N. Mohammed, a pharmacist, who came on board to pronounce zero tolerance to non-registration of pharmacists and patent medicine shops, and vowed to strengthen the administrative structure of the council at the

state and zonal offices to an enviable state, for granted. It was lamentation galore, however, when officials of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), pounced on their premises and sealed up their shops that were scattered across eight towns in the state, including Asaba, Ughelli, Warri, Oleh, Ozoro, Ogwashi-Uku, Kwale and Sapele. Few weeks after they were apprehended, the Federal High Court in Asaba, the state capital, sentenced one Paul Osita, to five years imprisonment for being in possession of fake anti-malaria drugs. The culprit, a graduate of Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), was arrested at his residence in Asaba by operatives of the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC). He was subsequently arraigned on a seven-count charge, bothering on possession, packaging, importation, labelling and distribution of fake drugs and unregistered products. Although, Osita pleaded guilty to

Celebrating one year of starvation, joblessness C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1

for His Excellency, the Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to recall us. We have written to all relevant institutions in the state, including the advisory committee that was inaugurated by the governor to adjudicate on the matter but till date, we have not heard from them. But the good story is that, we are undeterred by our current situation. We are consoled by our dreams for a better tomorrow.”, Obus said. He lamented that the Commissioner of Police in the state advised them against the proposed protest that would have called for deep sympathy which they have arranged to mark the day (June 1). He said: “To mark the one year, we had planned to march to the Government House, the House of Assembly and to the

SSG office but the Commissioner of Police pleaded against it, pleading that Biafra agitators may hijack the protest to perpetrate evil.” Obus, however, urged the governor, who he quoted to have vowed during his swearing in last year to abhor corruption and block all loopholes against financial wastage, to come up with a good fight against those that perpetrated the alleged fraud he discovered in their recruitment exercise. “The governor should probe the whole process and bring culprits of the fraud which he said riddled our recruitment to book because a hungry man is an angry man.” He said when next they troop to the street of Asaba to call for their reinstatement, it may be a hurdle for his administration to cross.

count one, which led to the striking out of other charges by the presiding Judge, Justice A.O. Faji, he was not lucky enough to escape the sledge-hammer of the court, which found him guilty of “fake drugs to wit: Rysovin - 500, Buscomac - 10mg, Maloxine, Lumartem, Lofnac - 100”, an offence that runs contrary to Section 1 of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Food (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. CAP C34 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 3(a) of the same act. Delivering judgment, Justice Faji sentenced the convict to five years imprisonment, which is the minimum custodian sentence for such offence as stipulated in Section 3 of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Food (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. CAP C34 LFN 2004. Justice Faji averred that the fake drugs, which lacked the major antimalaria and anti-bacteria components, have serious detrimental effects on persons as well as serious environmental impacts on the society. He wondered how many Nigerians would have been affected by the action of Osita, if he had not been apprehended. “The graduate of Economics should be looking at ways of growing the economy of Nigeria and not increasing the population of people at the hospitals, mortuaries and cemeteries. This is an abuse of the privilege of education,” Justice Faji held. So, armed with the core mandate of ensuring rational distribution and dispensation of medicines that are safe, effective and of good quality in line with the enabling PCN Act Cap P17, LFN, 2004, and poised with the responsibility of regulating and controlling the education, training and practice of pharmacy in all its aspects and ramifications, the PCN on Friday, May 13, said the 138 offenders, comprising 27 pharmacies and 111 patent medicine vendors, must face prosecution for exposing consumers to poisonous medicine.

The Director and Head of Inspection ad Monitoring Department of the council, Mrs. Anthonia Aruya, who briefed journalists on the position of the council, in Asaba, deduced that they must have been aiding fake drug dealers and manufacturers in packaging and distribution of fake drugs and unregistered products. She listed some of the charges that would be proffered against them to include, selling medicines above the approved list for patent medicine vendors, dispensing drugs without the supervision of a pharmacist, poor storage conditions, and failure to register or renew their premises with the council, thereby exposing consumers to untimely death. While she lamented that so many unsuspecting members of the public have died in their hands after they were exposed to wrong prescription by them, she said all arrangements have been concluded with the Commissioner of Police in the state for their prosecution. “The 138 offenders will soon face the full wrath of the law for breaching the enabling Act for safe, effective and good quality medicine dispensation. Ninety nine per cent of sudden deaths in the society occur because many registered patent medicine vendors failed to maintain or improve on the standards that made them qualified for licensure. “In Delta State, we discovered that so many premises commenced operations without following the laid down guidelines. While many of such premises are located in environments that are not conducive for sale of medicines, so many others failed to meet the minimum requirements for storage and personnel, thus exposing consumers to poisonous drugs”, Aruya said. She warned offenders that have failed to renew their premises certificates with the council by March 31, this year, in line with regulatory requirement to do the needful. She said the annual renewal of premises certificate was mandatory to ensure and maintain standards.

A helping hand against accidents Dominic Adewole ASABA

he report of the drafted copy of Asaba Masterplan before the DirectorGeneral of the Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA), Chief Clement Ofuani, revealed that between the entrance to Asaba metropolis at Okpanam, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state, and the River Niger Bridge, which linked the state to its neighbouring Onitsha in Anambra state, there are 13 U-turn points that have caused fatal motor accidents for decades. The 13 U-turns, including the Customs Check-Point, Mariam Babangida Way Junction, popular Summit Junction, Oshimili South Council Headquarters’ Junction, the two at the trendy Koka (Ibusa) Junction, Old Central Bank

Junction, MTN (Ezenei) Junction, all along Ogbosisi Market, Total Junction, Abraka (old immigration) Junction and the defunct Toll-Gate Junction, investigations revealed, have become one of the several challenges confronting successive administrations in the state as pregnant mothers, parents and guardians, children, properties worth billions of naira, have gone into extinction on the route. The President of Fight Against Desert Enchroachment (FADE) and the Mandela Park and Gardens, Dr. Newton Jibunoh, had lamented his observations about the frequent and severity of road accidents on this same road corridor, especially between this peak at Okpanam axis and the next peak after the airport, which he said “has become literally, a death field”, at different a forum.

Between the period the contract of the Asaba International Airport was awarded to the ULO Construction firm by the former Governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, in 2007, and now, over 50 autocrashes have occurred at the slope adjacent the airport, bringing the number of deaths recorded to about 100. No wonder Ofuani said: “It is significant that this initiative is kicking off along this highway on a day (May 27) set aside for the celebration of children. For children are often the greatest victims of accidents on our roads. Where they are not directly involved, their lives can be turned upside down by the sudden loss of a parent or both parents resulting in a damaging change of the trajectory of their young lives and the excruciating pain of the loss of the security of parental care and protection.”

THURSDAY, june 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Industry

Business What's new Indonesia’s palm oil export to Nigeria, others hit $39.7bn

Real sector: Revisiting impact of flexible forex regime

eWorld Consolidating ICT growth through new policy directions

27 29

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE April 2016...................................13.7% March 2016...............................12.8% February 2016............................11.4%

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

EXCHANGE RATE

(BDC as at June 3 )

(Interbank as at June 3)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N356 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N506 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N391

l Foreign Reserves – $26.372bn as at 2/6/2016

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

Source: CBN

p.26

Nigeria, others import N128bn Irish seafood

p.26

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Portland Paints and Products Nigeria Plc, Muktar Yakasai; Chairman, Larry Attah and Company Secretary, Adeleke Yusuff, during the company’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos. PHO T O: S UL EIM A N HU S A INI

LEAD Only one telecoms network continually tops monthly incoming mobile porting chart since inception

Kunle Azeez

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

igeria’s telecoms industry has witnessed a 12 per cent drop in outgoing porting being recorded by mobile service providers on their networks, New Telegraph has learnt. This was contained in the latest industry data released by the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), just as Etisalat continues to top gainer’s chart, while MTN leads on loser’s table. The mobile number portability (MNP), otherwise called porting service, was introduced by the regulator in 2013 to provide wider service options for mobile subscribers. The service, currently available on the global system for mobile communications (GSM) networks, including MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat, allows subscribers to switch from their existing service provider to another preferred network, on account of the later being able to offer more quality of service, among others. According to the data, from 21,261 outgoing monthly porting in March, the outgoing porting dropped to 18,616. This represents a decline of 2,645

Telecoms record 12% slide in mobile porting ported lines or about 12 per cent monthly fall in MNP uptake. Analysis of the data showed that 8,115 lines ported out of MTN lines in April, 4,235 out of Airtel, 3,644 out of Glo and 2,622 out of Etisalat network. This shows that MTN tops the porting loser’s chart, a development not necessarily linked to dissatisfaction at the QoS offered by the country’s largest operator but also to the recent deactivation of unregistered subscriber identity module (SIMs) cards on the country’s largest mobile network. In March, when the number of outgoing porting stood at 21,261, according to the regulator, MTN still topped the loser’s table, as 12,044 subscribers ported out of its network. Globacom trailed with 3,570 outgoing ported lines, while Airtel and Etisalat came third and fourth with 3,494 and 2,153 ported lines respectively. In terms of incoming porting, 21,120 subscribers re-settled on their preferred networks in April. According to the NCC data, of these, Etisalat accrued 11,136 incoming ported lines, Airtel shared 8,177, Glo recorded 1,446, while MTN had 361. As at March, 15,533 incoming ported lines re-settled on mobile

8,115 Being the total number of lines that ported out of MTN, which is the highest in April, 2016

networks with Etisalat topping the gainer’s chart again. According to the March incoming porting data, Etisalat shared 7,411, Airtel had 5,752; Globacom recorded 1,828, while MTN attracted only 542. Following the historic launch of the service in 2013, telecoms subscribers have been porting out of or switch from their existing networks to re-settle on another preferred network. In June, July, August and September of the launch year, operators recorded outgoing ported lines of 5,802, 6,753, 12,039 and 13,072 ported lines respectively. In October, November and December of that year, the monthly figure increased to 14,296, 7,830 and 5,850 in that order. The number of subscribers porting their telephone lines also continued on the upward swing in 2014. As at January last year, the number of ported lines were 6,880, 7,080 in February,13,383 in March, 14,183 in April, 9,365 in May, 10,325 in June and July, 2014, the figure stood at 11,110. By the end of August 2014, the total number of monthly ported telephone lines was 13,878, 18,980 in September, 16,697 in October, CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

BUSINESS |news

THURSDAY, june 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Indonesia’s palm oil export to Nigeria, others hit $39.7bn SCARCITY The country has been experiencing palm oil shortage since 1975

Bayo Akomolafe

igeria is among the top five markets for the Indonesian crude palm oil in the last two years. Other countries are China, India, Singapore and the Netherlands. Between 2014 and 2015, data from the Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (IPOPA) revealed that some 48.1 million metric tons have been exported to these countries by Indonesia. The country exported 21.7 tons valued at $21.1 billion and 26.4 million metric tons valued at $18.6 billion in 2014 and 2015 respectively. It was learn that the country has projected to export 27 million metric tons in 2016 valued at $18.6 billion. According to the IPOPA latest data, palm oil shipments from Indonesia had surged 20 per cent month-on-month to 2.09 million tons in April 2016, from 1.74 million tons in the preceding month. Also a data by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)’s shipping position revealed that Nigeria imported some 550,000

tons and 570 tons between 2014 and 2015 respectively. The imports, which were ferried through the Lagos Port Complex, were valued at $840 million. Since 1975, the country started importation of palm oil with 5,000 metric tons. As at last year, the country importation had climbed to 570,000 metric tons, while production remained static at 970,000 metric tons since 2010. Nigeria palm oil production is 930,000 metric tons per annum, with local consumption estimated at 2.7 million metric tons, indicating an estimated demand-supply gap

of about 1.7 million metric tons. The country’s production began to decline in 1976, when the demand was greater than supply. Between 1950s and 1960s, USDA data explained that Nigeria was the largest producer of crude oil palm in the world with a market share of 43 per cent. It supplied 645,000 metric tons of palm oil, across the global market annually but the reverse has been the case in the last seven years. Meanwhile, Indonesia has reduced export tax for crude palm oil between 0 and 22.5

per cent, depending on the international palm oil price to encourage exporters. It was learnt that the country has introduced zero per cent for crude palm oil export, whenever the international and local prices fall below $750 per metric ton. Since 2014 when the benchmark price slipped below $750 per ton, Indonesia had given zero per cent as export tax to encourage the exporters. It also introduced palm oil export levies in mid-2015. The new policy imposes a $50 per metric ton levy on crude palm oil exports and a $30 per metric ton levy exports of pro-

Nigeria, others import N128bn Irish seafood IRONY Nigeria is among the countries creating 11,000 jobs for Irish seafood sector, while her jobless figures continue to grow Bayo Akomolafe

igeria, Egypt and Cameroon have become top major importers of Ireland seafood in the last one year, investigations have revealed. Data from Ireland Central Statistics Office (ICSO) stated

that these countries shipped seafood valued at N128 billion ($640 million) from Ireland in the last one year. According to information, the importation has created 11,000 jobs in the country’s seafood sector. The imports, mainly fish, jumped seven per cent yearon-year from $596.6 million in 2014 to $640 million in 2015. However, a report by an Irish company, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), explained that shipment of other commodities had declined from 263,163 metric tons in 2014 to 257,360 metric tons in 2015. The ICSO revealed that

seafood trade between Nigeria and Ireland was 270 million euro in 2015. It was also learnt that the Federal Government policy on fish import quota introduced in 2013 had affected fish importation from the country. According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s figures, Nigeria’s fish shortfall is put at 2.6 million metric tons and the market gap is met through the importation of mackerel, herring, horse mackerel, croaker and blue whiting from Europe, Latin America and Asian

L-R: Deputy President, NigerianBritish Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Mr Akin Olawore; Immediate past President/ Patron, Mr. Adeyemi Adefulu; Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr Adeshola Kazeem Adedutan; President/ Chairman of Council, NBCC, Mr. Dapo Adelegan, Patron, Mrs Margret Tutu Adeleke, during a courtesy visit to First Bank headquarters, in Lagos

Telecoms records 12% slide in mobile porting CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

13,578 in November and 10,539 in December. By January, 2015, the monthly ported lines stood at 14,330, 14,801 in February, 14,718 in March, 15,357 in April and in May, the figure stood at 18, 071. In June, July, August, September, October, November and December, the figure

cessed palm oil products. According to Executive Director at the Indonesian Vegetable Oil Refiners Association (GIMNI), Sahat Sinaga, the growth in exports of crude palm oil and processed palm oil products would continue in 2016 He noted that in the first quarter of 2016, Indonesia’s crude palm oil shipments reached 8.23 million metric tons, up 4.5 percent on a year-on-year basis. The Indonesian Palm Oil Association also stated that the country had a long-term target of producing 40 million tons of crude palm oil per year from 2020.

seated at 21,152, 28,712, 19,453, 20,370, 16,579, 18,258 and 17,558 in that order. “MNP is not a compulsory service that people must subscribe to. If a subscriber sees a need for it, he or she may switch from his or her current network to another,” said the Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo. He noted that as a need-

based value-added service for willing subscribers, it was not expected that MNP would witness a surge in uptake over time. “Since MNP is based on the decision of the subscribers to either port or not to port. Yet, I believe we are having impressive uptake, coming mostly from individuals who have seen a need

to migrate. The beauty of porting services is freedom of choices,” Ojobo said. He noted that the MNP scheme was introduced to boost competition among telecoms operators to provide improved services, encourage them to invest in network expansion, as well as providing wider choices for subscribers.

countries. Also, Russia is among the current importers of Irish fish species such as mackerel, herring and blue whiting. Ireland’s seafood exports to Nigeria, Cameroon and Egypt accounted for a total of 18 per cent of total seafood export values and represented an annual increase of around 30 per cent in export value. However, importers had settled on an annual baseline of 700,000 metric tons fish import from United Kingdom, as government raised import duty from 10 per cent to 50 per cent since 2013. While the global average of fish consumption is 18.7 kilogrammes per person, Nigeria’s per capita consumption of the commodity is only 11.2 kilogrammes. It was learnt that Nigeria, the world’s fourth largest importer of seafood in volume, accounts for 5.4 per cent of global imports, after China, Japan and the United States. Meanwhile, Ireland Central Statistics Office (ICSO) had said that the country would focus on how to generate $1.1 billion by 2017 from seafood from Europe, Nigeria, Cameroon and other importing countries. It noted: “The seafood industry generated sales of 891 million euro in 2015 and provides 11,000 jobs. Some 62 per cent of output is exported. The Irish fishing catch accounts for four per cent of total European Union catch. Irish seafood exports amounted to 560 million euro in 2015 (increase of four per cent over 2014). Two thirds of seafood exports are to EU countries - France, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy and Germany - and the remainder to Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt and China.” While Cameroon has two freezer trawlers to supply the local market, which is additionally supplied by imported fish, Nigeria has the most substantial fish import trade in West Africa, exceeding 2.66 million tons annually. The country currently produces about 780,000 metric tons, leaving a deficit gap of about 1.88million metric tons.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

InDUSTRY

Real sector: Revisiting impact of flexible forex regime As the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) finalises plan to introduce flexible foreign exchange rate regime, TAIWO HASSAN examines its impact on the real sector

t the end of last month’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja, the CBN agreed to adopt a flexible foreign exchange (forex) rate to manage the Nigerian economy. The decision of the Committee was based on the need to stabilise the exchange rate, which has witnessed sharp depreciation in the parallel market due to the shortfall in government’s revenue from crude oil sale and generation of foreign exchange into the country. However, the adoption of the flexible forex regime was greeted with commendations from the country’s organised private sector (OPS), especially the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), which had initially urged the apex bank to replace the former fixed exchange rate with flexible exchange rate regime. No doubt, this is a critical time for the nation’s manufacturing sector and the economy in general, it is worrisome that stunted growth had prevailed in the system since the last quarter of 2014, which has adversely affected the non-oil sector of the economy. LCCI’s position One of the foremost voices in the country’s OPS, the LCCI, lauded the decision of the banking watchdog to adopt the flexible exchange rate regime. A press statement signed by its Director-General, Muda Yusuf, said that the Chamber welcomed the decision of the apex bank to refrain from further tightening of monetary policy at this time when the economy is passing through challenges. He said that CBN’s move to replace the fixed forex regime with the flexible forex regime was a game changer that would bring succour and stabilise the naira in the parallel market. His words: “We welcome the decision of the CBN to refrain from further tightening of monetary policy at this time. The current context is that the economy has been declining. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has contracted for the first time in 12 years, unemployment is on the rise,

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechuwu Enelamah

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

manufacturing capacity utilisation has been weakening and investor confidence has been at its lowest ebb. The decision not to tighten monetary policy is therefore appropriate.” The DG noted that the chamber believed that the policy will improve the efficiency of foreign exchange allocation in the economy, reduce the distortions that currently characterise the forex market and bring the economy closer to equilibrium, improve liquidity in the foreign exchange market and reduce the current trade arrears among others. On CBN’s plans to articulate the framework for the new forex regime, Yusuf said the economy desired a transparent forex market, which guarantees level playing fields for all investors as well as clarity on what the CBN describes as a special window for critical transactions for which preferential rates will apply. “We would like to caution against possible abuse and distortions that such a window could create. It could pose a risk to the entire system. We would like to be assured that the window for the critical transactions will be managed transparently and in a manner that it will not create distortions in the economy,” he added. Yusuf, however, said that export proceeds, capital importation and diaspora remittances should be allowed into the economy through the autonomous window at prevailing market rates and that owners of such funds should have unhindered access to their funds.

In addition, CBN should revisit the list of items that had been placed on the exclusion list of the forex market. Many critical inputs of manufacturing companies are on the list and this has crippled the operations of such companies creating significant job and output losses.

The recent sharp depreciation of the naira exchange rate in the parallel market is a cause for concern

CBN on declining economy CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, during the MPC meeting, observed that economic indices and performances in the country indicated that things were not moving in the right direction yet, noting that the Committee affirmed there was need to tighten the monetary and fiscal policies to salvage the economy from recession. He said the apex bank was committed to maintenance of price stability, reappraisal of the coordination mechanism between monetary and fiscal policy and initiate reforms, for the purpose of more efficient policy synchronisation and management. The CBN boss noted that in the first quarter of 2016, the economy suffered from severe shocks related to energy shortage, price hike, scarcity of foreign exchange and depressed consumer demand, among others. He added that consequently, economic agents could not undertake new investments nor procure needed raw materials. “Shortage of foreign exchange arising from low crude oil prices manifested in low replacement levels for raw ma-

terials, other inputs as well as new investments. In addition, the energy crisis experienced in the first five months of the year resulted in increased power outages and higher electricity tariffs as well as fuel shortages, which led to factory closures in some cases,” Emefiele said. He, however, stated further that the prolonged budget impasse denied the economy the timely intervention of complementary fiscal policy to stimulate economic activity in the face of dwindling foreign capital inflows. To him, aggregate credit to the private sector remained highly tapered while credit to the government grew beyond the programmed benchmark for the period. He said that the Committee, however, noted that many of the prevailing conditions in the economy during the review period were outside the direct control of monetary policy, but hoped that the implementation of the 2016 budget, supported by relevant sectoral policies and easing supply shocks in energy and critical inputs, would provide the needed boost to the economy. Conclusion For industrialists, the recent sharp depreciation of the naira exchange rate in the parallel market is a cause for concern for the private sector. It is believed that the apex bank’s adoption of the flexible exchange rate regime will stem the slide and volatility in the foreign exchange market.

business \ industry

ELECTRIFICATION 62m people do not have access to electricity in Africa Stories Taiwo Hassan

enowned world leaders and senior business executives have endorsed President Akinwumi Adesina’s “New Deal on Energy”, a vehicle through which the African Development Bank (AfDB) will invest about $12 billion in the next five years in delivering electricity for African countries by 2025. These included Olusegun Obasanjo, former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria; Horst Koehler, former President of Germany; Nick Hurd, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for International Development, United Kingdom; Carlos Lopes, the United Nations Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa; as well as Jay Ireland, the President and Chief Executive Officer of General Electric Africa. The endorsement was made at a high-level event on “Africa’s Energy: What’s the New Deal?” in Lusaka, Zambia. The leaders pointed out that the New Deal on Energy would provide the much-needed coordination of investment into the energy sector on the continent to facilitate implementation. There was also consensus that Africa has what it takes to achieve universal access to energy services while reducing the carbon intensity of its growth, hence reducing its contributions to global CO2 emissions. Off-grid connections were identified as key to scaling up energy access to the rural power in the short-term. While Africa’s immense development needs require that countries use coal and fossils energy to power up industries, this should be done in phased approach to eventually replace them with clean energy. In his remarks, President of the AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina, emphasised the need to fast-track implementation of projects to light up Africa. While Africa’s energy potential is undisputed, industries don’t run on potential, they run on energy, Adesina argued. He underscored the need for political will to galvanise and fast-track implementation. “Political will is crucial. We have to make sure things happen faster,” Adesina said, adding that fast-tracking offgrid connections are not only faster, but also cheap. Panelists cited that approximately 621 million people do not have access to electricity in Africa while at least 600,000 die each year from household air pollution because they rely for cooking on biomass. While these numbers may appear daunting at first

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Obasanjo, others endorse AfDB’s $12bn energy investment plans for Africa

glance, the recent advances in technology, business models and financing approach mean that this is an immense market opportunity that can be addressed within a decade, panelists underscored. The key is raising aspirations and multi-faceted partnerships across the public sector, infrastructure/service providers as well as financiers. In his keynote address, Chair of the Africa Progress Panel, Kodili Annan, noted that transforming Africa’s energy systems would radically improve prospects for

the kind of economic growth that reduces poverty and accelerates progress in improving lives. Restricted access to energy leaves some of the world’s poorest people paying some of the world’s highest prices for power, he said. To close those deficits, Annan said governments must address two distinct but related challenges. Specifically, Africa needs much more power generation to create jobs and prosperity that its citizens have a right to expect. In addition, it needs

an accelerated drive to achieve universal access. With decisive governance at home and support from the international and corporate communities, Annan said, the continent can extend energy access to every African while avoiding the high carbon pathway to development trodden by the rich world and emerging markets. Achieving the energy transition in Africa requires that long-term national interest override short-term political gain, vested interests and corruption, Annan said.

“It is intolerable that, in the second decade of the 21st century, so many Africans are living without even the most rudimentary benefits of modern energy. “There is good news. Over the past year, the momentum for powering up Africa has grown. Now we must scale up those efforts urgently,” Annan said, adding that the time is right for Africa not only to unlock the potential of an energy transformation for its people and its economies, but also to become a pioneering global low-carbon market.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor; Chairman Board of Directors, General Theophilus Danjuma and Company Secretary, Marina Nominees, Mrs. Adetoun Abiru, at the 65th Annual General Meeting of May & Baker Nigeria Plc in Lagos.

NACCIMA backs FG’s plan for solid minerals

he Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has signified its intention to support the Federal Government in its quest to aggressively develop the nation’s solid minerals sector in order to achieve a minimum of five per cent growth next year and 10 per cent by the year 2020. National President, NACCIMA, Chief Bassey Edem, disclosed this at the association’s 56th annual conference in Dutse, Jigawa state. He said that it was a positive decision on the part of

the Federal Government to diversify the country’s economy in the wake of slump in crude oil price at the international market. Specifically, the national president affirmed that the introduction of policies that promote free enterprise in the economy would impact positively on sustainable growth and development of the economy. According to him, there is no doubt that Nigeria is experiencing economic woes currently. “In the last one year of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in office, the country has faced

challenges such as the falling prices of crude oil, increased inflation, scarcity of foreign exchange, low generation of electric power supply and increase in pump price of PMS,” he said. He added that in spite of these, the policy direction of the administration had been clear as regards consolidation of government revenue, closure of loopholes, eradication of corruption, investment in the development of infrastructure, promoting food sufficiency and local content development of raw materials in manufacturing. Speaking on the theme of this year’s conference, “Di-

versification of the Nigerian Economy: Solid Minerals in Focus,” Edem expressed the need for diversification, proffered solid minerals as a viable option and laid the foundation for exploitation of the opportunities that lie therein. He said that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that as at 2014, the contribution of solid mineral sector to the Nigerian economy was just one per cent. The NACCIMA boss added that the solid minerals sector had the potential to increase to at least five per cent by the year 2017 and 10 per cent by the year 2020.

Firm listed among top work place in Nigeria

hemical and Allied Products (CAP) Plc, a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria (UACN), manufacturers of Dulux paint has been listed among the top eight companies to work in the country. The company, according to a statement, was rated among the top eight as “The Best Companies to Work in Nigeria Category,” at Great Place To Work (GPTW) Institute awards in Lagos. Other companies that made the list include EMC

Information System Nigeria Limited, Courteville Business Solutions Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, SC Johnson & Son Nigeria Limited, Microsoft Nigeria, Poise Nigeria and Konga Online Shopping Limited. Presenting the award to CAP Plc, Chairman, Great Place To Work, Nigeria, Ghandi Olaoye, said that the company emerged as one of the winners of the award having exhibited and maintained global best practices in work place excellence and

people management practices. Receiving the award, the Managing Director, CAP Plc, Mrs. Omolara Elemide, described the prize as very inspiring, dedicating it to the employees of the company, whose selfless service and commitment “continue to propel management to adopt people-oriented policies and culture that promote trust, credibility and mutual respect”. Elemide explained that winning the award would

further encourage the company to sustain and improve the workplace culture that gives priority to the employees as key stakeholders in the organisation. Great Place to Work Institute is a global research consulting and training firm that helps organisations identify, create and sustain great workplaces and work culture, working with businesses, non-profits and government agencies in 45 countries across all six continents.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

sures to implement local content development policy to protect indigenous players in the industry, including the Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs). “The industry under the present dispensation is striving to encourage international brands to establish factories in Nigeria or partner with local operators by buying components of their systems that are produced by local manufacturers,” said Ag. Director General of the agency, Mr. Vincent Olatunji.

In the past six months, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry has witnessed new policy directions aimed at consolidating the industry growth for greater contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), though there are myriad of challenges to address. KUNLE AZEEZ reports Shitu

Danbatta

igeria’s Information and Communication Technology industry has become a force to be reckoned with in serving as an enabler of accelerated economic development in the country. According to industry observers, the Nigerian telecommunications sector has the potential to liberate the country’s economy from its current recession if greater attention, backed with needed political will, is paid to the sector. Aside its being recognised as one of the fastest-growing in the world, the Nigerian telecoms sector has recorded over $32 billion investment, over 152 million subscribers and close to over 90 million Internet connections, according to available statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Results of the 2014 rebasing of the country’s economy indicated that the sector was contributing 10 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), even as the regulator has expressed the confidence that the push for broadband will be a springboard for greater development contribution. For instance, experts say growing broadband penetration from 10 per cent to 30 per cent could provide additional jobs and other value addition to stimulate growth in the economy.

Consolidating ICT growth through new policy directions

‘New’ policy directions On assuming office about six months ago, the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, who is a lawyer by training, assumed office more than six months ago to face the task of consolidating the gains already made in the industry. He visited telecoms operators’ facilities to have proper understanding of the sector, rallied round the players to identify issues and challenges confronting the industry and define ways of addressing them. This led to the 2016 Communications Sector Retreat in Ibadan, where stakeholders were able to chart the way forward for accelerated growth of the Industry. The minister also unveiled the Telecoms Sector Roadmap as guidelines on government plans for the industry, stressing that if properly harnessed, ICT could create two million jobs in the next six months. “The time has come for Nigeria to redefine its economic strength away from crude oil sales by diversifying

Deepening investments Realising that one of the main driver for further growth in the industry would be to strengthen bilateral collaborations between Nigeria and other countries and deepening foreign direct investment (FDI), Shittu embarked on some foreign trips to further look for more areas of collaborations with other countries while wooing them to come to Nigeria to invest. For instance, Shittu was in China and South Korea and the trip brought about certain commitments from South Korean government to partner on Smart Nigeria initiative, training of InternallyDisplaced Persons (IDPs) as well as other schemes. “In addition, during our foreign trips, we have seen good models towards accelerated ICT growth being used by some countries, which we are trying to domesticate in Nigeria,” the Minister explained during a forum in Lagos. While some stakeholders have

the productive base of the national economy,” he had said. “From the look of things, the minister appears to be on course to help rebuild collaboration among stakeholders and to pursue a common goal through the ICT Industry retreat we had in the industry, which is the first of its kind,” Chief Executive Officer, MainOne, Ms Funke Opeke, had said during the retreat attended by more than 400 key industry participants. Consequently, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)’ Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, also unveiled an 8-point agenda for telecommunication for the period 2016 – 2020, all aimed at ensuring that the federal government’s objective of tapping into the opportunities in the sector are achieved.

The country is losing about $2.8 billion yearly to the continued importation of ICT hardware and services

stated that such trips would further industry growth and subsequently position the ICT industry, as Nigeria’s ‘cash cow’, others felt the earlier the country begin to reap the fruits of such bilateral engagements the better. In particular, the minister has said that attracting further investment into the industry is expected to deepen broadband penetration from 10 per cent to over 30 per cent, leading to achievement of smart cities initiative in Nigeria, as it is the case in Rwanda. Skill gaps, local contents Meanwhile, the Minister had on several occasions informed stakeholders of the federal government’s commitment to leverage ICT to achieve digital economy through creation of ICT University. According to Shittu, the government plans to convert the Digital Bridge Institute in Lagos and other cities into a multi-campus ICT University, the first of its kind in Africa. The minister is also championing the need to deepen local contents. Specifically, he said the slow growth of the ICT sector is a result of people’s apathy towards indigenous products and services, noting that this had undermined patronage of local players in the Nigerian ICT sector. Available records show that the country is losing about $2.8 billion yearly to the continued importation of ICT hardware and services as capital flights from the country. Addressing this challenge apparently necessitated a parastatal under the ministry, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), to establish software testing laboratory as well as a scheme to train 1000 software testers across the country with plans to also come up with framework for local software standards. The scheme was part of mea-

Subscribers’ protection For the first time in the industry, the minister waded into the groans of telecoms consumers by calling operators to order on the series of subscribers complaints from poor quality of services, frequent congestion of network, getting unsolicited text messages, paradox of spasm messages from service providers, unnecessary deduction being done without the consent of the subscribers, under declaration of tax and under payment of tax by companies, which had impacted negatively on consumers ‘satisfaction. The minister invited the operators to Abuja some six months ago to end the menace of unsolicited text message or face sanctions. This in a way, has instilled some discipline in the way operators go about Value Added Services (VAS). Challenges However, before the minister are a myriad of challenges facing the industry, which the immediate past president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Engr. Lanre Ajayi, catalogued during a reception held in honour of the minister by the association recently. Ajayi listed issues around the National Broadband Plan; eGovernment, National Critical Infrastructure Bill; frequency management; secondary spectrum market; free spectrum; Infrastructure companies (Infraco); numbering plan for telcos; MTN fine and NCC independence for the minster to address in order to move the industry forward. Other concerns raised by stakeholders at the retreat concern facilitating low-cost financing for the development and production of local ICT products; leveraging Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to accelerate infrastructure development; and reclaiming and releasing of unused spectrum for trading or re-farming, passage into law the Critical National Infrastructure Bill, addressing multiple taxation in the country, among others. Conclusion While industry stakeholders have commended the efforts of the ministry for all the policy directions it has been able to evolve in past six months, former President of ATCON and member, Telecoms Industry Advisory Committee (TIAC), Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, has particularly tasked the government on through implementation of the Industry Roadmap as well as the NCC’s 8-point agenda, saying this would help in consolidating the industry growth.

business \ eWORLD

BOOST Nigeria’s EBS forum set to deepen mPoS penetration in Nigeria

Kunle Azeez

he adoption of mobile point of sales (mPoS) terminal would jump from 4.5 million to 38 million by 2017, with a Compound Average Growth Rate (CAGR) forecast of 42.7 per cent. Also, the adoption of mPOS terminals over standard PoS will be 46 per cent, as opposed to the 17 per cent seen in 2012. These were disclosed by a promoter of cashless economy system and Chief Executive Officer of eMaginations, organisers of quarterly Ennovators Breakfast Series (EBS), Mr. Sola Fanawopo, citing relevant reports. He said mPoS has emerged as a distinct category of payments about five years ago while the global mPoS industry has “experienced exponential growth.” He disclosed that this was due to increase in the retail sector, online trade, proliferation of smartphone, and card users. Fanawopo, who disclosed this at ahead of this quarter’s EBS. also noted that the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has certified 14 mPoS providers and about 2,000 terminals are in circulation.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Mobile PoS adoption to hit 38m by 2017 L-R: Winners of iPhone 6 lucky dip, Mr. Ajayi Oluwole and Mrs. Adetoun Otepola; Coordinator, Enterprise Sales, Globacom, Mr. Folu Aderibigbe; another winner, Mr. Nzegwu Louis and Head, Corporate Sales, Globacom, Mr. Kamaldeen Shonibare, at the Glo-sponsored Lagos Business School Alumni Association President’s Dinner held in Lagos.

He stated that NIBSS, an mPOS player, Innovectives, and the banks would converge on Lagos at the forthcoming EBS to examine how to benefit from the rapid growth of mPoS solution that is influencing the businesses of banks, financial technologies (FinTechs), vendors, and non-bank players. EBS is a knowledge sharing breakfast forum designed to appeal to the dreamers, drivers and doers of technology business in the ICT industry across Africa. However, he noted that with

the global growth in mPoS deployment, the Nigerian banks and Independent Service Operators (ISO) are less enthusiastic about adopting the solution. “It is through the exchange of innovative ideas and business opportunities that banks, ISOs and merchants can view mPOS as a veritable tool for last mile banking in Nigeria. This is why the regulator, banks, and industry players would attend the next edition of EBS to examine how Nigeria can tap into this growing phenomenon called

Telco plans campus mobile hub

ne of Nigeria’s telecoms services providers, Etisalat, has promised to set up a mobile hub at the campus of the University of Nigeria Nsukka in Enugu. The initiative according to a statement is expected to serve as a one-stop shop for all kind of mobile services and products for the university community and environs. Head of Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Olayiwola Onafowokan, disclosed these at a customer forum session, part of the Etisalat Cliqfest campus tour, held at the school recently. According to Onafowokan, who thanked the students for their honest contributions at the forum regarding the their assessment of the quality of

service (QoS) delivered by the telco in the area, maintained that that Etisalat was in the process of releasing more innovative products and services that will cater to their needs. “One of the things he said Etisalat was planning is to set up a mobile hub on their campus. We have thought through the process of establishing a hub in your school and we will begin talks with the school authorities so that you can experience our unique services up close and personal,” Onafowokan. “When this hub is set up, you will be able to make purchases, resolve any network issues and source for any form of telecommunication services. More importantly,

you will also experience quality customer service that we provide all over the country,” he added. Meanwhile, the university students have commended the telco for the good QoS being enjoyed on their campus and in Nsukka town in general. The students gave useful suggestions on how Etisalat can do even more in meeting their peculiar needs. Zeal Okorie, a 500 level student of Mechanical Engineering thanked Etisalat for not only bringing Cliqfest to their campus but also giving them the opportunity to express their thoughts on their experience with the brand so far, while urging Etisalat to do even more.

mPOSm” he said. He explained that topics expected to be discussed at the event include Global mPOS best practices, mPOS as a holistic platform for payments, mPoS drivers and constraints in Nigeria, mPOS local opportunities among others. “Technology is changing practically everything in the world. It has changed the way banks, telcos and others serve their customers. It will continue to change it as technology innovations emerge,” he said.

Glo backs LBS alumni dinner

igeria’s indigenous telecoms services provider, Globacom, has sponsored the Lagos Business School Alumni Association (LBSAA)’s President Dinner. Globacom’s Coordinator, Enterprise Sales, Mr. Folu Aderibigbe, who delivered the company’s goodwill message at the event, eulogised members of the association for the contributions they had made to nation building through professionalism and excellence in their various business engagements. “The Lagos Business School has produced exceptional business leaders that have engineered and shaped the busi-

GOtv targets children with new channel

pay-television company in Nigeria, GOtv, has introduced Discovery Family, a channel, which inspires learning and sparks curiosity in young minds. Also, in commemoration of Children’s Day and the Day of the African Child, which comes up on 16 June, GOtv has set aside the month of June to promote its kiddies content. GOtv’s programming according to the statement, is available in seven genres: children, documentary, news

and current affairs, music, general entertainment, sport and religion. For children, GOtv offers Disney Junior, JimJam and Nickelodeon. Its documentary channels – Channel ED, Discovery Family and Nat Geo Wild – also target children with educative content. The ever engaging, enriching and entertaining Discovery Family is the latest channel documentary channel to launch on GOtv. Discovery Family, which launched on GOtv channel 50

in March, offers the best in fun and educational programming for the whole family. From awesome space adventures and crazy experiments of popular science to fascinating tales of animals in the wild, Discovery Family, inspires conversation and sparks curiosity in young minds. Discovery Family’s Kids vs Film gives children the chance to research, write, direct, edit and possibly star in their own educational documentary. Other educative

Meanwhile, reports from NIBSS have shown that the value of transactions carried out by cardholders on the standard PoS) terminals in Nigeria hit N197.68 billion in the first four months of this year. According to the report, between January and April this year, the value of PoS transactions increased from N46.65 billion to N53.28 billion. Last February and March, the transaction values were N46.14 billion and N51.96 billion respectively.

programmes on Discovery Family are Wildest Africa, Ultimate Survival and Strangest Weather on Earth. Commenting on the new channel in a statement, Public Relations Manager, GOtv, Efe Obiomah, said, “Our children’s channels enable our younger viewers laugh and learn. Furthermore, because we live in a fast-paced and technologically advanced world, we also encourage GOkids to tune to our documentary channels to arouse their interest in science.”

ness and economic landscape of the country. You all have contributed in one way or another to the nation’s development and added value to its economy,” he said. He said Globacom was proud and happy to be associated with the LBSAA and would continue to give its unflinching support to the association in every way it could. In his welcome address, the out-going President of the Alumni Association, Mr. Wole Oshin, who handed over to Mrs. Bola Adesola, extolled Globacom’s pivotal stance in the nation’s telecommunication industry and the role it had played in making telephony affordable and accessible to many Nigerians across the country. He also commended the company’s drive in supporting and promoting sports and entertainment in Nigeria, while thanking it for its magnanimity in sponsoring the dinner. In his welcome address, the out-going President of the Alumni Association, Mr. Wole Oshin who handed over to Mrs. Adesola, extolled Globacom’s pivotal stance in the nation’s telecommunication industry and the role it has played in making telephony affordable and accessible to many Nigerians across the country. He thanked Globacom for its magnanimity in sponsoring the event. Oshin enumerated the achievements of his administration while in office including the training of all Lagos State High Court Judges on digital economy.

THURSday, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

News 10% blindness blamed on fake eye glasses

Health

Interview Nordica boss: Sperm count dropping

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The media is inundated with stories of President Muhammadu Buhari's ‘persistent ear infection; but medical experts say that seeking early diagnosis and care for ear conditions could prevent damage to the ears, APPOLONIA ADEYEMI writes

or most people, the reference to the ears comes when they feel itching sensation in that organ. Naturally, this is quickly followed by the urge to scratch. While those at home may easily reach out for cotton buds, others that are outside their homes tend to stick fingers into their ears and scratch to ease the uncomfortable sensation. Beyond using all sorts of things – biro covers, a broom stick, a match stick, cotton bud and finger to scratch the inner ear, most Nigerians tend to have a care-free attitude towards ear health. The truth however is that the ears are integral part of the body and like the eyes, the nose, the heart, among other organs of the body require a lot of attention and care. Corroborating this, a Family Physician and First Vice Chairman, Association of General Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMP) in Lagos State, Dr. Tunji Akintade told the New Telegraph Health that a lot of people, especially children are brought to hospitals with ear problems. Usually the complaints centre on having foreign body in the ear. Sometimes it could range from discharge from the ear, pain, fever that may be not be elaborate, headache, among other symptoms. Akintade said he gets about 20 cases of ear problems in his private clinic monthly. While this is a fact ear care medical specialists would say, not much attention is paid to this part of the body. However, news from the Presidency admitting that President Muhammadu Buhari was down with “persistent ear infection” has brought the issue of ear infection, treatment and care to the front burner. According to a statement from

Appolonia Adeyemi Health Editor

appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com

An E.N.T specialist examinining a patient's ear

PHOTO: www.cnn.com

Stopping ear damage early Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari began a 10-day trip to London for medical treatment on Monday. “During the holiday, Buhari will see an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Specialist for a persistent ear infection.” Although, an online source had reported that the president was suffering ‘Deniere disease’, a claim which the Presidency declined to confirm, Adesina’s statement admitting that Buhari has ‘persistent ear infection’ has raised serious concern about the health of the president. Although, all attention is now focusing on the Buhari’s condition, questions that are coming to mind are how much attention should citizens pay to their ear health? An E.N.T. Surgeion, Dr. Johnson Ukeje said a new report conducted by Residents Doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, estimates that about 36 per cent Nigerians have hearing loss. However, he said this estimate is far below the reality because the study was conducted about five years ago. He added, “of course, there are still ongoing researches to get the current prevalence of hearing loss in the country now.” According to the First Vice Chairman of the AGPMP in Lagos State, the importance of early treatment to address any medical condition in the ear must be emphasised. Just as it is with regards to other medical conditions, he said, “Don't wait until it is too late to start taking care of your ears. He noted that the reason for this is that damage done to the ears may be irreversible. To this end, he said starting early to seek

WHO estimates that 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults worldwide are at risk of noise-induced hearing loss

treatment could forestall such damages not only in adults but in children as well. According to Akintade, common practice that could easily cause impairment in the ear is when people have fluid in the ear or when they think that they have wax in the ear, “they use all sorts of instrument to remove wax and other things in the ear. “It wrecks the ear as well as damages the eardrum and when the eardrum is damaged they will introduce infection from outside to the inner ear. Once the bone in the ear is damaged that may be a permanent loss,” Akintade added. However, he said the most important thing is that “if there is any wax that makes one uncomfortable or if there is any symptom, its better you go and see a doctor to examine you at any point in time.” The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults worldwide are at risk of noise-induced hearing loss from unsafe use of audio devices, a technology that is commonly used by young people. Speaking further, Ukeje said awareness on good ear health was still very low in the country. “You see people living in a noisy area and they don’t even know the implication of that. You see young people using ear piece to listen to music; and they don’t know the implication of that either. Some use cotton buds to clean their ears.” The E.N.T. surgeon explained that these practices damage the ears. When those who have hearing impairment live in a noisy

environment, “it makes the hearing condition worse, he added.” Besides, Ukeje lamented the lack of policy to check people’s hearing predicament. Other factors that cause hearing problems are the general practice of people going to access medication and treatment in patent medicine stores where drugs are mixed for consumers by unskilled attendants. “Some drugs damage the ear; some drugs are also very toxic and can cause hearing loss. “Some illnesses like hypertension and diabetes also have effect on the ear.” He advised Nigerians to go for regular checkup of their ears, at least once in a month. “That’s for starters but if the doctor now sees the patient, it can be narrowed down to two weeks or one week or one month, depending on the level of hearing problem.” Similarly, he said disc jockeys and people who live close to churches or mosques that are very noisy, could increase the frequency of such checkup. He urged Nigerians to stop going to patent medicine stores to buy drugs. “Go to a qualified medical doctor who will give you drugs that will not damage your ear,” Ukeje said, adding that emphasis must however be on regular checkup of the ears by an E.N.T. specialist.

Tips to protect the ears • Use earplugs around loud noises. • Turn the volume down. • Give your ears time to recover. • Stop using cotton swabs in your ears. • Take medications only as directed. • Keep your ears dry. • Get up and move. • Manage stress levels. Sourced from Ear Q

Health\News

THURSday, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

10% blindness blamed on fake eye glasses

ptometrists have cried out over the danger posed to vision occasioned by the regular use of fake eye glasses by citizens. According to the Registrar of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria, Prof. Ebere Uzodike, 10 per cent of blindness in Nigeria was caused by use of fake eye glasses. Uzodike disclosed this in Lagos during a special raid of fake optometrists operating around Lagos Island, particularly, Tinubu Square area. She said that the raid became necessary in view of the damage the quacks had done on innocent public daily. “This raid is a major step to check quackery in Optometric profession in Lagos State. We have carried out similar raids in

Edo and Imo states. “Many blindness in Nigeria today, at least, 10 per cent, are caused by the use of fake recommended glasses. We want to help the masses to secure their eyes,” she said. Ozodike said that the exercise was being carried out in conjunction with the police, Ministry Health and Lagos chapter of the association. The Vice Chairman of Nigeria Optometrists Association, Lagos State chapter, Dr. John Sedi said the exercise would be a continuous one. Sedi, who expressed sadness over large number of people patronising quacks, however, urged the public to always patronise genuine optometrists. “Many people said it is too expensive to go to a eye doctor, but at the end of the day, when their

eyes case become worse, they pay more money to genuine optometrist. “Sometimes, there is little we can do to remedy

the problems. We discovered that fake optometrists treat people and dispence drugs, which always damage people’s

eyes, Sedi noted. He said that eight suspects were arrested during the raid, stressing that they would be investigated.

or years scientists and doctors thought that brain and neural tissue couldn’t grow or regenerate. While it doesn’t act in the same manner as tissues in many other parts of the body, neurons can and do grow throughout your life, adding a whole new dimension to the study of the brain and the illnesses that affect it. Information travels at different speeds within different types of neurons. Not all neurons are the same.

A patient with eye infection using eye drops

PHOTO: vision.about.com

Oreoluwa Aboderin

'Occupational therapy, key to develop autism kids'

n order to assist children with special needs develop to their full potential, the Heineken Africa Foundation in partnership with Nigeria Breweries, has built and assigned an Occupational Therapy Centre to help kids living with autism. At the launch of the centre which is built inside Maryland Primary School, in Lagos, Corporate Media Adviser, Nigeria Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem said services from the centre would be offered free to indigent pupils particularly to children from poor homes. The project is being funded by Heineken Africa Foundation.

Ekanem added, “We hope that this project will help us address the problem of autism in our society as we are concerned about the well-being of the children.” According to him, the partnership with Heineken Africa Foundation has gone far in donating dialysis equipment to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and also renovating the Makera Health Centre in Kaduna, among many others. Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that involves abnormal development and function of the brain. People

with autism show decreased social communication skills and restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviours or interests. In her remarks, the Director of The Learning Place (TLP), another non-governmental organisation working on autism, Mrs Blanket Adewole said the occupational therapy is the key to tackling autism in children as it a means of developing the children to be useful to themselves and the society. She urged other NGOs to see the importance of the project and partner with those executing it for a more improved result. TLP is also in partnership with

Heineken Africa Foundation. According to Mrs Adewole, she added there will be an Occupational Therapist to work at the Therapy Room for six months, after which the help of the Lagos StateGgovernment will be sought and sponsors willing to support the project. The Director of School Counseling, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olayinka said they want to create an enabling environment for children with special needs stating that these kids living with autism should not be stigmatised by normal kids who were just privileged to be normal.

Firm wants stakeholders to reduce child deaths Appolonia Adeyemi

s part of its support for the global campaign against child mortality, Fidson Healthcare Plc is clamouring for better child health including good nutrition. UNICEF’s recent report on Child Mortality and Malnutrition in Nigeria stated that every

minute one child under the age of one dies in Nigeria while five women die every hour in childbirth. Many of these deaths are from preventable causes, such as pneumonia, malaria and diarrhoea in the case of children, and excessive bleeding and infection in the case of maternal deaths.

UNICEF also revealed that more than half of the children in five northern states in Nigeria suffer severe effects of malnutrition. It also stated that as a result of malnutrition, 58 per cent of children under five in these states suffer from stunting, meaning their physical and mental development have been impaired.

An estimated 370,000 children with severe acute malnutrition in these states will require life-saving treatment this year. Without such treatment, some 70,000 of those children are likely to die, it reported. Expressing concern about the worrisome statistics, General Manager, Sales & Marketing, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr.

Mamaye seeks indepth reportage of maternal, newborn health Eleazar Nwanti

n its effort to ensure indebt investigative reporting of maternal and newborn health, participants at a workshop have charged journalists to be committed and thorough in carrying out their responsibility in this area to reduce unnecessary deaths. This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Mamaye Workshop on Investigative and Evidence-based Reporting of Maternal

and Newborn Health (MNH), and signed by Mrs. Appolonia Adeyemi , the Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee. The Twelve participants attended the workshop in Kaduna from May 31 to June 3 observed that there was a dearth of evidence-based reporting of MNH issues in Nigeria and therefore called on journalists to be dogged, resourceful and resilient in executing their constitutional responsibilities by looking beyond monetary gains because investiga-

Neurons grow throughout life

tive reporting is public service. Furthermore the participants observed that the on-going reporting of MNH issues is inadequate and remains a barrier to actions and policies that could help to reverse the trend. They noted that ownership interference, political and marketing interests conflict with adequate coverage of MNH issues and poor networking and collaboration among journalists were among factors hindering evidence-based

reporting of MNH. To bridge the gaps, Journalists were advised to “look beyond the ordinary and collaborate to do impactful investigative reports.” Intellectual and technical development to sharpen their skills on investigative reporting; taking advantage of capacity building opportunities on investigative journalism and making sacrifices, particularly on matters of public interest, as a way of contributing to the good of the society were also recommended.

Ola Ijimakin advocated for the involvement of all stakeholders in addressing the issues of child health, mortality and malnutrition in Nigeria. “There is the need to save the future of this country by paying serious attention to the health and wellbeing of our children as a matter of urgency. We cannot continue to fold our hands and watch our children suffer malnutrition or die of preventable diseases. The government, organisations, groups and even individuals at family level must play a role to help save a child”, he noted. Ijimakin also recommended that proper attention and a sustained investment in quality healthcare solutions, as well as timely intervention to the various health issues ravaging the health of the Nigerian Child will save more lives. The veteran pharmacist described Fidson’s role in proffering quality healthcare solutions to several health problems affecting children in Nigeria as laudable.

80% of the brain is water Your brain isn’t the firm, gray mass you’ve seen on the television. Living brain tissue is a squishy, pink and jellylike organ thanks to the loads of blood and high water content of the tissue. So, the next time you are feeling dehydrated get a drink to keep your brain hydrated. Fingernails grow faster than toenails If you notice that you are trimming your fingernails much more frequently than your toenails you are not just imagining it. The nails that get the most exposure and are used most frequently grow the fastest. On average, nails on both the toes and fingers grow about one-tenth of an inch each month. Left lung is smaller than your right lung For most people, if they were asked to draw a picture of what the lungs look like they would draw both looking roughly the same size. While the lungs are fairly similar in size, the human heart, though located fairly centrally, is tilted slightly to the left making it take up more room on that side of the body and crowding out that poor left lung. Adrenal glands changes size throughout life The adrenal glands, lying right above the kidneys, are responsible for releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. In the seventh month of a fetus’ development, the glands are roughly the same size as the kidneys. At birth, the glands have shrunk slightly and will continue to do so throughout life. In fact, by the time a person reaches old age, the glands are so small they can hardly be seen.

Health\INTERVIEW

THURSday, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nordica boss: Sperm count dropping globally

things in-utero. The environment itself is becoming estrogenised. We use fertilizers; we expose ourselves to so many harmful things. Now they (scientists) are even researching into all the things that we use in the home including plastics, etc and they could be decreasing sperm count. Someone even did a study and said there was some reagents in toothpastes that we use that could be reducing sperm count. So, there is a lot of things now that we are beginning to find out that could be reducing sperm count but what are we going to do? What we can do is to control the ones we can control through lifestyle changes. We know that obesity can reduce sperm count. We know that alcohol can reduce sperm count and coffee can also reduce sperm count. For those who still want to have children, it is important that they should know some of the things that can debar them from achieving conception. Hard drug is terrible and the use of hard drug in our environment is increasing and that, of course, is impacting on fertility.

Dr. Abayomi Ajayi is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist and managing director of Nordica Facility Centre, Lagos. In this interview with APPOLONIA ADEYEMI, he highlights the ordeal of childless couples and the role of lifestyle to boost fertility You have been on fertility for some time. Tell us why you choose to work in this area? We started Nordica 13 years ago but before then, I have been doing fertility stuffs because I have been a gynaecologist since 1986 and one part of gynaecology that you see is infertility. It is like the people who are going through infertility are helpless. People also try sometimes to take advantage of them. Any condition that is like that has my sympathy immediately. When I was doing my residency at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan especially at the Eurology department, we use to have this professor and we used to have meetings with a patients every Thursday. It was a kind of meeting that nobody looked forward to because we have a lot of people who we could not do anything about their situation. When your sperm count is very low, we take your testicular biopsy. And we will see a lot of people that were accomplished in life breaking down and crying because we could not help. That touched me and I said we need to be able to do something about this like setting up a foundation to help them. That made me to start thinking about what we could do to help people like that and I came across that scientists found something called Invitro Fertilisation (IVF) in 1970. I was not even a gynaecologist then. From about 1984 when I became a doctor, I have become interested in IVF and it was not difficult for me to decide to become a gyneacologist. After becoming a gyneacologist, it was not difficult for me to decide that I was going to focus on infertility because it is a part the medicine where the doctors were really not doing much about. Doctors just tell the patients then to go and start praying. That is how I came into doing IVF and as God would have it, every other thing just ran into place. Apart from how sperm count, were there other specific infertility condition that patients did not get help for? The summary of it is when you do not have a baby - whether it is a man`s problem, whether it is a woman`s problem or whether it is a combined problem, the woman tends to bear it. You see some women whose husbands do not have any sperm count going for night vigil and doing all kinds of things. I have heard so many things in my life

Abayomi

PHOTO: Godwin Irekhe

about such women; some having to sleep with mad people just because they want to have children. We are doctors; that is the problem that we should be able to be solve. Something that can degrade a woman to that level, is an opportunity for us to be able to extend services. Those were the things that inspired me to really want to treat infertility. How would you assess the burden of infertility in Nigeria today? We place a high premium on child bearing in this part of the world and in any society that places that kind of premium, when you cannot have children, it is a problem. In Nigeria particularly inYoruba land for example, nobody sees you and asks you: “How is your car?” They will ask you: “how are your children” and so, on a daily basis, someone who has that problem is being confronted with such greeting. You cannot imagine how that person will be feeling. Every morning when that fellow gets to the office he/she gets that type of greeting from colleagues. Some affected persons have learnt to lie about their situations when faced with such questions every day. Besides, in the social world you see women who are achievers going to marry men who are nothing just because they want to have children. I cannot understand it and I did not want to understand it because I feel they need help from the doctors. Such a woman can never be happy in her life because even after having the children, she looks at the man every day like it is not his fault. People do not need to take that type of decision when there is science. On the social burden of infertility, it opens women sometimes to multiple sexual partners. Some of them are married but because they are looking for children, they start sleeping with other men and in the

process they contract HIV and so many other infections. There are so many implications apart from the fact that financially it drains their money as they go from one doctor to the other who cannot help them. Doctors like them; prayer men like them but nobody wants to solve their problem for them and that is one of the reasons why I said I need to do this. But sometimes, it will be difficult to differentiate yourself and I say that am not into this to make money. I am in this because it is a huge human burden.

When you cannot have children, it is a problem

What is the number of people estimated to have infertility in the country? From studies, about one in four to every five married people have infertility in this environment and when we look at what the figures were saying, its enormous. One thing we also see, which is a worldwide thing, is that male factor infertility appears to be growing like wild fire. We looked at it even in this clinic. We looked at 10 years ago, what the sperm count of the people presented to us was like and now. What we saw was alarming - there was a 30 per cent drop. So, for every year there is a three per cent drop in the quality of sperm. Why is this so? We don’t know but that is what is also seen globally, that sperm counts appear to be dropping. Many factors have been deduced for this - social factors. Initially we thought it was because people are born that way but now we know that it is social factors. There are so many things that are making sperm count become horrible in the world. Could you explain what you mean by social factors being responsible for poor sperm count? Some infants are exposed to some

You talked about doctors that are just ripping people off. How can this be addressed?. That is also one thing that fires me which is one of the things I have passion for about educating the public because when the people are enlightened, they are empowered. That is why I get upset when some patients are window-shopping for IVF and that is not how to shop for IVF. You cannot shop for IVF in your home and be making phone calls by looking for the cheapest. You are going to fall victim at the end because you need to go to the clinic, see the doctor, ask them questions and be sure that you are in the right place. Those are the things people do not know and we need to let them know that shopping for a clinic for IVF is bad because you need to be sure that these people can deliver what they are promising you. There are complaints that some doctors take advantage of some women suffering infertility. How can this be tackled? Such doctors are not supposed to take advantage of those women. However, men should get involved when women want to go to the clinics. Ask these doctors questions and if you are not comfortable, you go for another clinic. What we hear sometimes is that some men go but all they try to do is to show their ego and that’s not why you are there. You are there to make sure that your wife is in the right place and not because you want to write the cheque and that is not what fertility treatment should be. Why you are there is to see the things that your wife might not be able to see because she is emotionally involved in all these things. Some women go to fertility clinics blind just because someone they know had a baby from there. And when they say go and drink water, she will go and drink water because the friend had already said she had her baby there. When they say, go naked to the consulting room, she will want to go naked to the consulting room without asking questions. But if the man (husband) is with her, he is supposed to say, “why is my wife is going alone there? I want to be there.”

Health\News

THURSday, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ebonyi police gets hospital Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

E L-R: Manager, Communications/Marketing, Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), Mrs. Joy Tijan-Momodu; Director, NHF Tobacco Programme, Mr. Dapo Aremu Rotifa and Executive Director, NHF, Dr. Kingsley Akinroye, during a press conference to celebrate World No Tobacco Day in Lagos PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Daily milk drink for children boosts nutrition

n an effort to tackle stunting in children, a nutritionist has advised that every child needs at least a milk drink daily. The nutrition, Dr. Elochukwu Ukatu who made the recommendation, said that milk helps build human cells and tissues. Besides, he stated that it was important for individuals particularly children to consume balanced diet, part of which is represented in milk. He spoke during the 2016 World Milk Day,

which was organised by FrieslandCampina WAMCO in Lagos on Wednesday. During the World Milk Day celebration, which involves many Lagos schools, the importance of a balanced diet which includes milk was highlighted. Marketing manager of FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Dolapo Otegbayi, said, “our objective here today is to talk about Peak milk and its usefulness. “Most Nigerians use milk for few things but there is

a lot more we can do with milk”, she added. According to her, the programme is aimed to expose many to different meals that can be prepared with milk rather than the beverages and cereals meal that is known to many. She said that in Nigeria, over 40 per cent of Nigerians are under the age of 18 year and reasoned that it was time to add diary in meals considering that the per capital consumption of dairy is less than 10 litres per annum.

bonyi State Police Command has taken delivery of an ultramodern police hospital This is part of the welfare packages for officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) instituted by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase. Speaking during the commissioning of the Police Hospital in Abakaliki recently, the Assistant Inspector General of Police,

AIG in charge of medical services in NPF, Dr. Mrs. Adenike Abuwa said the hospital was the brain child of the IGP aimed at ensuring the wellbeing of policemen across the country. She said the hospital was established to give the policemen the opportunity to access medical services in a serene and secured environment owing to their duties, adding that the police in partnership with the Police Health Maintenance Limited, has agreed that all diseases are covered

LAWG tackles maternal mortality through family planning

agos State Working Group (LAWG) has unveiled its plans to end maternal mortality among Nigerians of reproductive age by 2018 through family planning. The Chairman of LAWG, Ayo Adebusoye announced the plan at the LAWG, Public Health Sustainable Advocacy Initiative Meeting organised by LAWG in collaboration with Pathfinder International Nigeria, in Lagos recently. Nigeria is in second position among nations with the

highest prevalence in maternal mortality after India. According to Adebusoye, the LAWG is committed to ensure proper awareness about the importance of family planning so as to reduce the high rate of maternal mortality in the country. He urged Nigerians to avoid acts that lead to maternal mortality which include unsafe abortions, and early pregnancy as this could lead to prolonged and obstructed labour. Adebusoye said: “Political leaders need to change

Healing powers of cayenne pepper C

an you imagine eating food with no spices? In Nigeria, many people can’t imagine eating without pepper. Pepper is among the most commonly cultivated plants in the world. When people think of pepper they associate it with “hot’, or as we say in Nigeria, ‘pepperish’. The bird’s pepper is one of the ‘hottest’ in the pepper species. Botanically called Capsicum Frutences, it has varieties of names, which include African red pepper, Cayenne pepper, African chilly, Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum fruit and so on. The Yorubas call it ata eye, the Igbos call it ose, the Hausas call it Balkono, while the Benin call it Isie. In fact, almost every culture has their own name for capsicum. That is why we can describe it as a universal plant. You may also wonder why it is called bird’s pepper. The reason is simply that birds love to eat the pepper. Isn’t that strange? One would expect that its peppery or hot taste (technically called piquancy) will scare the birds away. Well, in the first place, the bright red colour pigment of capsicum is a big attraction to birds. Secondly, the tip of capsicum is not as hot or peppery as the base, something which most people are not aware of but which the birds know very well. The heat from cayenne pepper, as it is commonly called in Nigeria, comes from a substance called capsaicin, which is sometimes used as a pain reliever. Capsicum or cayenne pepper has

Nature Power

Anselm Adodo

naturepower@paxherbals.net twitter: @anselmadodo

been called “The King of Herbs” with good reason, as it has been prized for thousands of years for its healing powers. The famed herbal healer Dr. Shulze said: “If you master only one herb in your life, master Cayenne Pepper. It is more powerful than any other.” In particular cayenne pepper is good for the heart and circulatory system and can be a lifesaver in the event of a heart attack. The effect of Cayenne upon your body is dramatic and instant for supporting your heart. It benefits the circulatory system in that it feeds the necessary elements into the cell structure of the arteries, veins and capillaries so that these regain the elasticity of youth again, and the blood pressure adjusts itself to normal. Using Cayenne regularly in your food or drink will dramatically improve your heart health as well as your venous structure. Drink it with warm water. Start

Cayenne pepper is good for the heart and circulatory system

in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for all serving policemen and their families. The AIG expressed satisfaction with the rousing reception she received in the state and said she had never been so warmly received by any command since she assumed office and commended the Commissioner of Police in the state, Peace Ibekwe Abdallah and officers and men of the command for their efforts to compliment the vision and mission of the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.

by mixing about a quarter of a teaspoon Cayenne in a glass of warm water, then drink it. Does that scare you? Don’t worry, it will not harm you. Another benefit of Cayenne is its antifungal properties. Cayenne’s antifungal properties are significant although this is not its primary health benefit. Cayenne has been shown in

Cayenne pepper

some studies to be active against Phomopsis and Collectotrichum, both fungal pathogens. Cayenne rebuilds the tissue in the stomach and heals the stomach and intestinal ulcers by equalising the blood circulation. Does that not sound strange to your hearing? We tend to think that cayenne pepper is bad for ulcer patients. In fact, apart from being an effective remedy for intestinal ulcer, I have used cayenne pepper for many years to treat sores, including diabetic sores. Simply mix half a teaspoon of powdered cayenne in half glass of water and use to wash the sore before bandaging it.

PHOTO: www.gracengofoundation.org.ng

their misconceptions for not having health issues as part of their campaign manifestos, because if health is not in their manifestos it means that our health is at the risk. “In Lagos State we need to bring issue of health at the front burner both in state and local councils. What Local councils executives in Lagos state can do is to make family planning consumables free because family planning facilities are free but consumables are not.

Low-dose Aspirin increases colon cancer survival

olon cancer patients who take low-dose aspirin may have a somewhat better chance of surviving the disease. This is the findings of Norwegian researchers, which found that among over 23,000 colon cancer patients, those who used aspirin were 15 per cent less likely to die of the disease over the next several years. According to lead researcher, Dr. Kjetil Tasken, a professor of medicine at the University of Oslo, in Norway, these findings alone don’t prove that aspirin prolongs colon cancer patients’ lives. “There could be other reasons that aspirin users had better survival odds,” he added. Still, he said, there is a large body of evidence that low-dose aspirin can help cut people’s risk of developing colon cancer in the first place. In fact, recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said that adults in their 50s and 60s may want to consider taking low-dose aspirin to reduce their risk of colon cancer (and heart disease and stroke). What’s unclear, Tasken explained, is whether people who already have the disease can benefit from adding aspirin to standard treatment.

THURSday, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Parenting

Mom&Parenting

Joy of womanhood

Mom's Alert One senseless killing that saved a precious life

34 34

Abiodun Olokode and Oluwatosin Adepoju

he prevalence of child sexual abuse perpetuated mostly by family members and the elderly in Nigerian society is generating growing concerns from individuals, and especially Non- Governmental Organisations, NGO. This is the reason ‘Child and Women Against Child Sexual Abuse Initiative,’ (CWACSAI) an NGO, recently organised a seminar for students in Senior Secondary Schools in Lagos. The thrust of the seminar aroused from the upsurge of rape that has become rampant in the society among young children and older men old enough to be their fathers and grandfathers. The main concern was that these acts were been committed with impunity and perpetuated with relatives or familiar individuals. The seminar according to the founder, Florence Ubajikwe was at the instance of trying to create the awareness of the necessity to preserving dignity of womanhood and reducing the rampancy of child sexual abuse in the society. “The event was targeted at increasing awareness and sensitizing female children and youths about sexual abuse, emphatically to make them speak out against it and stay away from early sex,” she said. Ubajikwe further explained that most female young children are sexually abused in the society nowadays; an old man of 65 sexually abused a girl of three months old, a 33 years old man raped a girl of six months old and a 40 year old man defiled a girl of six years. Speaking on the topic ‘How to Prevent Sexual Abuse,’ Ubajiekwe, who is also who anchors children and youth talk shows on Radio Nigeria 103.5 FM, said that most young girls and female children are sexually abused in the society today, giving the instances above. All these she said have many causes as given by other speakers in the program. She however disclosed that there are various ways to prevent sexual abuse such as staying away from

Mom&Parenting

Oluwatosin Omoniyi City Editor

Student participants at the seminar

Tackling upsurge of child sexual abuse opposite sex especially when they are alone in a room, not spending time in private places with male adults who might harass them sexually, staying away from pornography movies and television programs with obscene contents. According to her, they should avoid dressing in the presence of opposite sex which could either be their relatives or friends. She added that students should avoid lonely routes when sent on errands and be careful of the kind of friends they keep who might lure them into promiscuous acts and sexual harassment, emphatically she disclosed that they should scream out whenever there is an imminent attack of abuse to get immediate rescue and speak out in situation whereby they are being abused continually under the threat of being harmed or killed in order to get offenders prosecuted. In addition to these preventive measures, Miss. Ugochukwu Ada spoke on the ‘Etiquette of a Girl Child’ which are the formal rules of correct and polite behaviour in the society expected of a girl child such as dressing properly to avoid unnecessary attraction from the opposite sex, being ready to say “No” to sexual activities and avoid making excuses to decline an invitation; “stand your ground by saying ‘Yes’ or ‘No’,” she emphasised. In accordance with the organisation’s objective to use

students to educate children and youths on the danger of sexual abuse, Esther Bawa, a student also spoke on ‘The Consequences of Early Sex.’ She said that early sex can have emotional and psychological effect on teenagers and adolescents when they indulge in such act, having unwanted pregnancies which could lead to stigmatization and terminate their future ambitions as well as contracting infections and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV & AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, and could also lead to death of the victim. Bawa added that, lack of values or parental guidance and control, quick development in teenagers, exposure to pornography and the abuse of social media and peer pressure are the factors that cause teenagers and adolescents to indulge in early sex. She encouraged the students to choose their friends wisely, speak out when they find themselves in an unpleasant and compromising situation and most especially to be more prayerful. Also admonishing the female students as the major audience of the seminar, a journalist with Leadership Print Media, simply addressed as Taiwo who spoke on ‘Media: an Effective Tool in Fighting Child Sexual Abuse,’ defined sexual abuse as any act preformed with a child by an adult which includes touching

Dare to tell

some sensitive parts of the body, parents encouraging their children to watch pornography or engaging in sexual activities in the presence of their children and encouraging female children to engage in prostitution. She however encouraged media organisations to organise more of child sexual abuse programmes to educate the public and to play their roles by ensuring that those who are caught in this uncultured act are severely punished by the law. She also enjoined the youths to keep themselves empowered and informed by reading and listening to news and to utilize social media judiciously. Considering the spiritual

implication of sexual abuse and rape, Mrs. Glory Okeugo, a member of the CWACSAI, admonished speaking at the event said as victims, if they choose to keep secret of abuse within themselves, it will affect their spiritual life to the extent that their academic life will also be affected, thereby leading to poor performance. Other effects she expounded are low self-esteem, self-pity, leaving a desolated life, lesbianism and prostitution. Other participants of the programme are counselors and teachers of various secondary schools within Mushin community, Lagos State, and their female students.

36 MOM&PARENTING

THURSday, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

i-Protect

Childhood Protection & preservation culture

with

Taiwo Akinlami principal@taiwoakinlami.com

87 percent of children placed by the Orphan Train programme had done well

Raising children under difficult circumstance (3)

will like to announce to you, my dear reader that this is the last of the three parts series on children being brought up under difficult circumstances. Permit me to continue with the story of Charles Loring Brace, which I began to tell last week. According to an essay written by Brace in 1872, one crime and poverty ridden area around Tenth Avenue was referred to as “Misery Row”. Misery Row was considered to be a main breeding ground of crime and poverty, and an inevitable “fever nest” where disease spread easily. Other children who were orphans or runaways found themselves drifting into this destitute area, as well as the old sheds of Eighteenth and Nineteenth Streets. Such was the severity of child poverty in 1854 that the number of homeless children in New York City was estimated as high as 34,000. Although orphanages existed, Brace did not believe they were worthwhile institutions because they merely served the purpose of feeding the poor and providing handouts. He felt that such institutions only deepened the dependence of the poor on charity. Brace was also influenced by the writings of Edward Livingstone, a pioneer in prison reform who believed that the best way to deal with crime and poverty was to prevent it. Brace focused on finding jobs and training for poor and destitute children so they could help themselves. His initial efforts in social reform included free kindergartens, free dental clinics, job placement, training programs, reading rooms, and lodging houses for boys. Brace endeavoured to place children into farm families of northern New York State, the Midwest and, after the American Civil War, some southern and a few western states. From 1853 to 1864, 384 children were sent each year to families in New England states, the North Atlantic states and East North Central states. Nearly 1,000 children

per year were sent from 1865 1874 to Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri through Brace’s “Emigration Plan”, now known as “The Orphan Trains”. “In every American community, especially in a western one, there are many spare places at the table of life,” Brace wrote. “They have enough for themselves and the stranger too.” … Brace did away with the centuries-old custom of indenture so that the “placed” children were allowed to leave a home if they were uncomfortable with the placement. Brace’s vision of migrating children to live with the western Christian farming families was widely supported by wealthy New York families – the first $50 was given by Mrs. John Astor in 1853. The Children’s Aid Society (CAS), the best-known organization finding homes for children, made efforts to screen the host families and follow up on the welfare of placed children. By 1909, at the first White House Conference on Dependent Children, the country’s top social reformers praised the CAS’ emigration movement, but argued that children should either be kept with their natal families or, if they were removed as a result of parental neglect or abuse, every effort should be made to place the child in a foster home nearby. In a report in 1910, the Children’s Aid Society estimated that 87 percent of children placed by the Orphan Train program had done well. While there was occasional abuse, most people agreed that over all, the children were generally better off than on the streets of big cities without proper food, clothing and shelter. By 1920, the CAS and approximately 1500 other agencies and institutions had placed approximately 150,000 children in the largest migration or resettlement of children in American history. The CAS’ Orphan Train movement ended in 1929, 75 years after it had begun as a social experiment.

THE VIRTUOUS MOM with

Hameed Opeyemi abdulvirtuepen@gmail.com

JOY OF WOMANHOOD Our mind from genesis to revelation means love Our life from heaven to earth is of love and oneness As the zeal to rule the wild land is of the animal king So thus man need happiness in breeding an offspring Such task takes strength of courage from our mothers Great is the day a girl start feeling transformed to woman? When the changes starts in a girl child, awesome it seems When life of the pretties takes a new turn, cool and confusing When the ball roll from round to spherical, talks begins Mama will say; careful is for you now my darling! Take time off the bold among the creature, be careful You are becoming a mother by faith and destiny of life Nothing kills the dog quick off the

lane than barking Nothing kills the fish than coming up the river to swim Nothing kills a goat than been deaf to warning around Nothing kills the antelope than reckless jumping all day Nothing kills the growing girl than running after men Nothing brings joy of womanhood than been careful For the growing girls, been ripe to rip is deadly and great Waiting for your time will bring the later in the first line Greater it will be for the joy of that wedding for you Greater it will, surely it will, when the man request Great is that life of joy that comes on for the married one Our girl child finally make the day of joy, merry from parents Cheerful is of that day when she birth another, joy of motherhood

Joy! Nothing but joy… womanhood needs patient for marital gain Joy! Nothing but joy… womanhood needs endurance to live Joy! Nothing but joy… womanhood need love from all for real Joy! Nothing but joy… womanhood needs peace to live among all Joy! Nothing but joy… now mothers must be forever mothers for joy When home is peaceful and calm, such is of joy to womanhood When our world gives fun in stress, lots from the mum in the house When love and joy seize not around, the value is uphold from woman When we hear victory for man rises, give some accolade to his woman When things apart comes around and never apart, smiles! It’s feminine When the house means fun factory, more joy it is for the mothers.

MOM’S ALERT with

Grace Essen

grace.essen@gmail.com

One senseless killing that saved a precious life

f you ever watched the classic, the carelessness of a mother, with Tarzan, you would no doubt thousands of mourners branding think of the movie at a time like it a 'senseless death'. this considering Harambe and A similar incidence happened the circumstances surrounding 30 years ago when a five-year-old his untimely death. Think of how British boy fell into a zoo's gorilla Carla the female gorilla took an or- enclosure and was touchingly prophaned baby boy of a couple killed tected by a giant male silverback by a leopard and nurtured him until named Jambo, who stood guard he became a grown man in the com- as he lay unconscious on the floor munity of gorillas that became the after the nasty fall. The boy was only family he knew. We can’t say eventually rescued alive and refor sure if indeed it is possible for cently granted an interview on a gorilla to protect and nurture a the incident. Did Cincinnati Zoo really have human baby, having to prove this in real life situation would be such a to kill Harambe? What other meabig risk, but in this case the gorilla sures could have been taken? involved is male - Harambe. The chairman of the Gorilla Harambe had just turned 17 and Organization, told CNN: 'When the Cincinatti Zoo officials had put gorilla or other apes have things up a post on Facebook asking fans they shouldn't have, keepers will to celebrate Harambe. And then un- negotiate with them, bring food, der 24 hours the unimaginable hap- their favorite treats, pineapple or pened. A foursome kind of fruit year-old boy that they don't know crawled past and negotiate with the railing and them.' fell 10ft into the A primatologist The tension was gorilla exhibit said: 'The gorilla endreadfully high even closure should have moat where Harambe was been surrounded by for those of us who kept spending a secondary barrier only watched the more than 10 between the humans minutes. He and the animals to video landed in the prevent exactly this water and was type of incident.' faced with Harambe, the 400 pound Gorillas have shown adaptive silverback gorilla. Everyone at the learning. In a short video online, scene including the mom got hys- a gorilla was taught what to do terical, screaming and calling on when a human falls - "Walk to your the boy to be calm. The incident was pen." And thatvwas exactly what captured on a cell phone camera. he did! Maybe more zoo officials Watching the little boy and the could adopt that. gorilla would get anyone apprehenThe Zoo director said: “Looking sive. But from all indications the back we would make the same decigorilla didn’t seem like he was go- sion”. He confirmed the boy was ing to harm the boy. Witnesses said not under attack, but called it a 'life the gorilla was 'acting protectively' threatening situation' where the in the tense situation, which may gorilla was agitated, disoriented, have been aggravated by panicked and behaved erratically. “You're onlookers who screamed as they talking about an animal that's over watched from above, and the zoo 400 pounds and extremely strong. official confirmed the boy was not So no, the child wasn't under attack under attack. A particularly touch- but all sorts of things could happen ing moment was when the boy held in a situation like that. He certainout his hand and Harambe took it ly was at risk.” He explained that and they briefly held hands. The tranquilizing the gorilla, which clip also showed Harambe stand- could have taken several attempts ing guard over the boy in the corner and would have left the boy in danof the moat. Then Harambe was ger since the effect would not have seen dragging the boy along as he been immediate with the possibilcrossed to another end of the moat ity of agitating the animal even as onlookers screamed. The tension more. He insisted barriers were was dreadfully high even for those secure, and asked: “Do you know of us who only watched the video. any four-year-olds? They can climb Unfortunately Harambe’s end over anything. We all need to work came when he was fatally shot to make sure our families are safe.” with a rifle while the boy was still Others have continued placing between his legs. The little boy the blame squarely on the boy's parwas rescued and taken to the hos- ents. More than 115,000 people have pital. The boy's mother, Michelle signed a Change.org petition callGregg, wrote a Facebook post saying for the mother and father to be ing: “My son is safe and was able to 'held accountable for their actions walk away with a concussion and of not supervising their child'. a few scrapes... no broken bones or What if the onlookers were internal injuries.” She called the made to leave the scene, could that incident an accident. The incident have helped calm the agitating godrew worldwide outrage as many rilla and not have to kill him before are asking why Harambe had to rescuing the boy? Medicine after be killed over what they termed death, you would say.

thursDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Money Line

Naira slides further as forex uncertainty mounts small window for critical transactions for prospective investors. Although the announcement was widely welcomed by financial analysts who had blamed the CBN’s naira peg to the dollar for the local currency’s weakness as well as the contraction of the economy, the failure of the apex bank to clarify how the new policy would work has fuelled speculations among investors that it is about to reverse itself on the new policy. New Telegraph gathered that the speculation has been further heightened by the fact that the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, failed to quell the speculation when she led a team of officials to meet bond investors in London on Tuesday- the Federal Government’s non-deal roadshow. The meeting is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to tap the Eurobond market for as much as $1

Volatility Finance Minister fails to quell speculation at London roadshow Tony Chukwunyem

cute scarcity of dollars on the parallel market further pushed the naira lower against the dollar yesterday, as the local currency slumped to N367, compared with the N357 that it exchanged for against the greenback on Tuesday. Forex dealers attributed the naira’s decline to growing uncertainty about the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) new forex policy. According to them, the development has led some individuals to start hoarding dollars. CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had at the end of the apex bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on May 24th, announced that the regulator had decided to abandon the naira’s 15-month peg to the dollar. He said the banking watchdog would introduce greater flexibility in the interbank foreign exchange market structure and retain a

billion to fund the 2016 budget of N6.1 trillion ($31 billion) meant to stimulate the economy. Analysts had pointed out that while investors would be interested in plans to revive growth, they would also want to know details of the new forex policy. Reuters yesterday quoted Standard Life Investments portfolio manager, Mark Baker, as saying, “There was nothing on FX policy, which was disappointing given they are doing this round of meetings with investors. It was a straight bat - I don’t think they have worked out the details.” “My feeling is the (central bank) felt pressured to make an announcement but have not worked out the finer details.” According to Reuters, Baker and other attendees said they were impressed with other aspects of the presentation by Adeosun, a British-born former

banker, who outlined reform plans for a country where energy comprises 70 per cent of exports. But analysts believe that investors are unwilling to buy it until a devaluation is past. “We are struggling to value the naira and the message we received from the finance minister yesterday did not indicate that we should expect to see a sizeable devaluation soon,” the news agency quoted, Pinebridge Investments portfolio manager, Anders Faergeman, as saying. Also, according to the news agency, equity investors are wary of additional Nigeria exposure in absence of currency convertibility. Foreigners held $5.4 billion of Nigerian bonds in September 2013 but dumped them after the country was ejected last year from the most widely used GBI-EM debt index. Nigeria stocks have fallen 6.5 percent this year

irector of the African Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Antoinette Sayeh, has notified the Fund’s Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, of her intention to retire

from the Fund, effective August 31, 2016. “As the Director of the African Department for the past eight years, Antoinette has been enormously influential in cementing the IMF’s relations with our Afri-

can member countries,” Ms. Lagarde said in a statement. Ms. Sayeh joined the IMF in July 2008, just as surging food and fuel prices and the global financial crisis were undercutting living

As at N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 11.4 12 10.77 US$37.32 US$26,383,208,721

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 Feb, 2016 23/03/2016 Mar 2015 7/6/2016 8/6/2016

Source:CBN

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

FGN Bonds

TTM

Price 104.65 114.59 111.96 120.58 109.60 100.54 83.82 97.56

1.07 3.24 3.87 5.82 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.29

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.4583 9.1071 11.0102 12.3790

Bid Yield 10.38 10.55 11.60 11.44 12.27 12.40 12.44 12.49

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

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

Price 104.80 114.89 112.26 120.88 109.90 100.84 84.12 97.86

Tenor (Months)

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

NITTY

Rate (%) 6.9949 7.2368 8.0819 9.2061 9.5872 10.5042

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Offer Yield 10.24 10.45 11.51 11.38 12.22 12.34 12.39 12.44

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

Money Market

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

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.14

Offer 199.24

Change (%) 0.57 ▲

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

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

196.00

devaluation. Local businesses have been hit much harder by the uncertainty, with the central bank rationing dollars for imports via auctions and exporters required to sell hard currency through banks at the official rate. That paralysis has been exacerbated by the promise of change but little sign of it actually happening, a top executive at a Nigerian commodity exporter told Reuters in Lagos. “We heard post-MPC a lot was going to happen. If the central bank had plan one or two days afterwards they would have released it. Post-MPC, they have created a lot of uncertainty,” the executive said, referring to the central bank meeting. “We know that a twowindow market is coming but don’t know when. We need a bit of clarity, which should come as soon as possible.”

IMF’s African Department Director, Sayeh to retire

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

despite a near-doubling in oil prices. Foreign share dealing was N34.4 billion in March, down 66 per cent from a year ago, the stock exchange said, and more than half those transactions involved share sales. Furthermore, the value of capital imported into Nigeria plunged to $710.97 million in the first quarter, a 73.8 per cent decline from year-ago levels, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said. “Part of frustration of the situation is that if they did devalue they would trigger a wave of inflows into bonds ... that would bring dollars into the market,” Baker said, citing 10-year yields at a juicy 14 per cent. President Muhammadu Buhari who spent his first year in office supporting the peg, has confused matters further by apparently giving his blessing to a flexible exchange rate but saying he remains opposed to

197.00

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -1.75 ▼ -2.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

standards on the African continent. “Antoinette navigated these and later challenges with her trademark skills of quiet, effective diplomacy, deep analytical capability, and an unrivalled understanding of the challenges facing her continent,” Ms. Lagarde added. Ms. Sayeh’s approach was shaped by her own experience as Finance Minister of Liberia during 2006-08, when she led efforts to clear her country’s debt arrears, as it emerged

from a decade of civil war, and her 17 years of experience at the World Bank. She and her team contributed to the refor m of the Fund’s concessional lending facilities in 2010, and subsequently the refor m of the Fund’s debt limits policy. More reforms have since followed, including the changes that enabled the Fund to provide emergency financing and debt relief to the three countries hit by the Ebola crisis in 2014.

Lender sponsors school’s arts contest

nited Bank for Africa Plc, has sponsored the annual Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Interschool Performing Arts Competition (FIPAC). In a statement, the lener said that students from more than 30 primary and secondary schools competed in dance, music, theater and drama perfor mances with three winners emerging in both the secondary school and primary school categories. Grace Garden International School, Abuja emerged winner in the secondary school category with Glisten Academy, and Divine Mercy Secondary School coming second and third respectively.

In the primary school category, Royal Family Academy, Abuja emerged first while, Titsall Global School, Abuja and Nigerian Turkish International School, came second and third respectively. Winners according to the statement will get up to N2, 000,000 in cash prizes, trophies and much more. Speaking on the competition, the CEO of The Studio, Abuja/ The Performing Arts School Nigeria- initiators of FIPAC, Olamidun Majekodunmi, said the competition is helping build cultured, multi-talented children in Nigerian schools “that will grow up to become well-rounded Nigerian leaders in the future”.

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

thursDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

thursDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Capital market master plan: SEC wants impeding laws expunged LEGISLATION SEC is compiling detailed and comprehensive document amendments needed to make the master plan implementation a success Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he Director General Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Mr. Munir Gwazo, has called on the National Assembly to remove legal impediments hampering the implementation of the capital

market master plan. He made this call at the stakeholder’s forum on realising the potentials of the Nigerian economy through proactive capital market legislation co-hosted by the Capital Market Committees of both the Senate and House of Representatives in Abuja. Gwarzo urged capital market committees of both the senate and House of Representatives to collaborate together to facilitate the removal of impediment legislations hammering the implementation of capital market master plan. He said that SEC has begun the process of compiling detailed and comprehensive document amendments needed to make the Master Plan implementation a success.

NSE harps on enhanced corporate transparency

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has stressed the need for enhanced levels of corporate transparency on Environment, Social and Governance (ESG). The Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema who stated this yesterday at the Capital Market Sustainability Reporting Seminar, said the Exchange is well positioned to encourage and even require listed companies to produce better sustainability reports that are issued consistently and with comparable information. Onyema said currently, a range of capital market stakeholders were increasingly recognising the need for more widespread and consistent ESG disclosure, and are looking to policymakers and regulators for potential solutions. He noted that with more than a decade of voluntary initiatives and thousands of large companies producing ESG reports, there was an increased focus on efforts to ensure that improved sustainability per-

formance spreads down from leading companies to the majority who are yet to adopt ESG disclosure practices. He said: “At the Nigerian Stock Exchange, we have a number of motivational factors for the promotion of sustainability reporting initiatives. Firstly, we understand that transparency builds trust, which is a critical ingredient to a well-functioning market and economy. “Secondly, It has been proven that strong ESG performance attracts the growing number of investors interested in the long term sustainability of their investments. Companies integrating ESG performance into their business strategy and operations show that the benefits range from improved resource efficiency, improved stakeholder relations and social license to operate, enhanced access to markets and investor confidence, as well as product and service innovation – all leading to enhanced competitiveness,”.

The SEC boss listed some identified impediments to include jurisdictional conflict between the Investments and Securities Tribunal and the Federal High Courts. Specifically, SEC DG mentioned Section 274 of ISA, which grants IST exclusive jurisdiction over capital market disputes vs Section 251 (1p,q,r) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria that gives High Courts jurisdiction over executive or administrative actions of SEC. To address this impediment to the actualisation of the mas-

ter plan, Gwarzo appealed to the National Assembly to include the IST under Section 6(5) of the Constitution and craft “legislation to prescribe the adoption of “Reasonableness test” in conducting judicial review in contrast to the “Correctness Test” as well as make the IST a special division of the Federal High Court. Gwarzo urged the National Assembly to amend the relevant sections of the Land Use Act to resolve property/land title allocation and transfer issues to facilitate securitisa-

tion, adding that, “various sections of the Land Use Act inhibit the development of the capital market”. He made reference to sections 21 & 22, which he said negatively impact transfer of possession and foreclosures that by implication inhibit the take- off of mortgage-backed securities. SEC boss is also demanding for an amendment of Section 22 of Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) to innovatively allow crowd funding of private companies.

Mortgage: FMDQ Signs MoU with NMRC Chris Ugwu

MDQ OTC Securities Exchange (FMDQ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company PLC (NMRC) to intermediate long-term funds from the capital market towards the development of the mortgage industry. The MoU, which is believed could bridge Nigeria’s housing deficit through the provision of affordable housing finance is coming on the heels of the regulatory supervision collaboration agreement, which the Exchange

recently executed with the National Pension Commission, towards enhanced and efficient pension fund governance, regulation and supervision. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Managing Director/CEO, NMRC, Prof. Charles Inyangete, commended FMDQ for its immense contribution to the development of the Nigerian debt capital market (DCM). He noted that the MoU executed with the Exchange demonstrates NMRC’s commitment to deepening the DCM. Managing Director/CEO, FMDQ, Mr. Bola Onadele Koko, said the need for effective cooperation and collabo-

ration between FMDQ and NMRC cannot be over-emphasised, “as this partnership will mark an essential step towards the development of the Nigerian housing sector among others. He said: “The introduction and deployment of initiatives aimed at launching a range of mortgage products; the articulation of strategies aimed at developing the Nigerian mortgage industry through non-interest finance (e.g. Sukuk); partnership on awareness programmes, investor/ market education and capacity building in Nigeria; and the expansion of listing opportunities for NMRC debt securities.

UAC shareholders get N1.92bn dividend

hareholders of UAC of Nigeria Plc yesterday at their Annual General Meeting (AGM) endorsed the company’s N1.92 billion dividend, amounting to 100 kobo per every 50 kobo share, for the 2015 financial year. The shareholders, who commended the company for the dividend pay-out, said they were appreciative of the efforts, which the company put in place to drive the company for increased return on invest-

ment. Chairman of UAC of Nigeria, Mr. Dan Agbor, while speaking at the AGM said: “Against the backdrop of an extremely challenging economic and business environment in 2015 and the need to conserve funds so that we can participate in the Rights Issues to be undertaken by three of our subsidiaries such as, UACN Property Development Company Plc, Livestock Feeds Plc and Portland Paints & Products

Nigeria Plc, the Board is recommended a dividend of 100 kobo per share in respect of the 2015 financial year”. Agbor stated that the objective of the capital raising proposals that were presented to the shareholders at the AGM that took place on the 23rd of September 2015 was to attract a strategic investor or investors and obtain equity control that would be used to drive growth in certain subsidiaries.

News|SOUtH-EAST

FMC crisis: We have restored peace–Interim Committee

Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

ith less than one month to the expiration of its six month-tenure, the Interim Medical Committee appointed by the Federal Government to pilot the affairs of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, yesterday assured that it has restored normalcy to the centre that was engulfed in industrial dispute. Acting Medical Director and Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Ndu Eke, said that though the Committee inherited a lot of challenges, ranging from infrastructure decay to lack of critical equipment, it had delivered on its mandate of restoring the viability of the hospital. He also disclosed that the committee had also addressed the issues that led to the sacking of the previous management, noting

that it had restored cordial working relationship with staff and unions in the centre. Ndu said that contrary to media reports, the hospital was currently peaceful as it had rendered qualitative services to the people of the state. He said: “Our major task is to restore peace and get the medical facility functional again which we have achieved as the issues that had led to crisis between the workers' union and the former management have been addressed". Although he observed that the Committee was met with serious challenges in the discharge of its duties. Ndu said “the major problems we faced when we came on board include lack of regular power supply, oxygen especially because you cannot carry out an operation without an oxygen and power.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Agbahime: El-Rufai, Oyegun, others call for justice Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

overnors of Kaduna and Bauchi States, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, yesterday called on relevant authorities in the country to ensure that those directly or remotely involved in the killing of Mrs. Bridget Agbahime, in Kano last week, be swiftly brought to justice. The governors, who spoke from Imo State, also met with Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by its President-General, Chief Gary Igariway, in Owerri, Imo State, over the gruesome murder of Agbahime and the menace of herdsmen in the South-East part of the country. Also at the meeting were the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress

(APC), Chief Odigie-Oyegun. The governors, OdigieOyegun and Ohanaeze leaders also expressed concern over the unbridled impunity of the Fulani herdsmen in recent times, while stressing the need to ensure that those behind Agbahime’s killing pay the penalty. In his contribution, Governor El-Rufai said governors from the northern part of the country, condemn in totality, the murder of the Igbo woman and that the matter should be treated as a case of murder while those responsible must be made to face the wrath of the law. He said: “We will not accept a situation where people, either Christians or Muslims, hide under the umbrella of religion to commit crime. If someone had insulted God, the person should be left for God to take care of. I have advised

the Kano State governor to publicly deal with the people involved, to serve as a deterrent to others.” On the menace of the herdsmen, he said: “It is a problem that is affecting the whole nation. It is not a case of Fulani invading other tribes, but a criminal activity that must be nipped in the bud. In pure Fulani communities, the herdsmen are equally attacking them in numbers, doing all kinds of ugly things like kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and other atrocities.” In commending Governor El-Rufai, Okorocha said: “Okorocha should be commended for his foresight. Going to APC at the time he did redeemed the Igbo from going into political oblivion.” Earlier in his speech, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Gary Igariway, expressed satisfaction with the way the Kano

‘2016 budget favourable to South-East ’

Abia Assembly advocates financial autonomy for state legislatures

Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

he people of the South-East zone of the country have been described as being well favoured in the country’s 2016 budget expenditures. Acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ebonyi State, Pastor Eze Nwachukwu stated this yesterday during a meeting of the party’s stakeholders held at Afikpo North Local Government Area. He called on the people of the zone to continue to support the President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration for more democratic dividends to the region. He said: "When you look at the 2016 budget, the South-East is well favoured. The second Niger Bridge is there and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) people wanted it to be removed to discredit the government. "But President Buhari and Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu insisted that the Niger Bridge must be there. Onu insisted that there must be connectivity between the South-East and South-South. "Today a railway that will take-off from Lagos and run through the South-East to terminate in Calabar has started. When completed you can travel to Lagos and come back same day and that is the government of change and the change we are talking about.’’

State governor is handled the case of the Igbo woman murdered in his state and cautioned against inciting statements from leaders. Speaking at the meeting also, Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar said “the killing of the woman in Kano was evil. I had liaised with the Kano State Governor and he assured me that some people had been arrested in connection with the murder and those responsible for the dastardly act will face the full wrath of the law.” The host governor said the killing of Agbamihe was an outright case of murder and has nothing to do with tribe or religion, because what is criminal is criminal and must be treated as specified by law, adding that 70 per cent of Nigeria’s problems could be adjudged to have arisen from lack of communication.

L-R: Abia state Deputy Speaker, Abia state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe; Governor Okezie Ikpeazu; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal and Abia state Deputy Governor, Ude Oko Chukwu, at the inuaguration of Umuocham/ Umule/ Umuehilegbu roads in Aba …yesterday

Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

Flood: Kalu sympathises with Ariara traders

minent businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has sympathized with traders at the Ariaria International Market over last Sunday’s flood that submerged their shops, leading to loss

of goods worth millions of naira. According to Kalu, the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into water channels and the erection of illegal structures on top of drainage system were responsible for the re-

curring flood especially in Line A and other neighbouring lines in the market. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “It is disheartening to hear that flood wreaked havoc leading

Ebonyi PPA elects new leadership Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

bonyi State chapter of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) has elected new executives to end the leadership crisis that had bedeviled the party in the past. The election of the new exco for the party was supervised by members of the National Working Committee led by the National Organizing Secretary, Dr.

Noel John Abiodun who doubled as the chairman, and the National Treasurer, Mrs. Elizabeth Akpa, among others . After the election which took place at the Ebonyi Hotels, Abakaliki, Mr. Ezeali Stephen and Eze Edwin emerged as Chairman and Secretary of the party respectively while Mathias Okah and Ofoma Chinedu were elected Treasurer and Publicity Secretary respectively.

Others elected were three zonal deputy chairmen which included, Friday Mbam, North, Nwonu Okorie, South and Nwambe Christian, Central among others. The election which was monitored by members of the National Working Committee of the party also had in attendance, the Minority leader of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Maria Ude-Nwachi who was the only lawmaker elected on the platform of PPA.

to loss of goods worth hundred of millions at the popular Ariaria International Market at a time traders are facing financial crunch. However, we have to take solace in the fact that no life was lost while accepting the unfortunate development as an act of God. “I wish to appeal to the authorities to open up the blocked water drains in Aba while apprehending people who dump refuse on the road and into water channels". While appealing to Nigerians to desist from littering the environment with garbage, Kalu called for stiff enforcement of environmental sanitation laws as a way of protecting the population and the environment.

he Abia State House of Assembly has advised that state legislatures across the country should be granted financial autonomy for them to function effectively. The position of the lawmakers was made known by the Speaker Hon. Martins Azubuike who stressed that financial autonomy for state legislatures would enable them function effectively and independent of the executive arm. Azubuike said during an interaction with journalists that a situation. According to him, where the legislature still depended on the executive for funding would have negative effect on its operation. He called on the National Assembly to give serious consideration to the financial autonomy of the legislatures, even if it would mean revisiting the amendment of the 1999 Constitution. The Speaker said the house had since its inauguration on June 2015 passed 11 bills into law, while five others were at various stages of legislative consideration. He gave the list of bills passed into law to include: the Abia State Public Private and Partnership and Investment Promotion Law, which he explained was intended to create the enabling environment for private sector participation in driving economic growth in the state.

News|SOUTH-SOUTH

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Bayelsa NMA decries non-payment of salaries, threatens strike Chris Ejim Yenagoa

ayelsa State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) yesterday decried the non-payment of their members five months’ salaries, saying the continued delay in the payment of salaries and wages had affected healthcare delivery in the state, among others. Besides, the association said the non-payment of salaries had reduced hos-

pital attendants as patients struggled to procure drugs, pay for test or pay their bills on their discharge from hospitals. The consequences, they maintained would lead to Bayelsans, resorting to selftreatment, patronize quacks and in the worst case scenario opt to die at home as the non-payment of salaries was a ready template for anti-social upheaval, psychiatric manifestation especially depression/suicide, self-denial, self-pity, escalating vices such as theft

and violence. It however threatened to join its affiliate bodies on June 27 in an indefinite strike action should the government fail to resolve the lingering crisis in the Bayelsa state civil service before the expiration of the 21 day ultimatum. This is coming as strong indications emerged on Monday that workers in the state might proceed on another round of industrial action as the state government was yet to fulfill its promise of paying 50 per

cent salaries16 days after organized labour accepted the proposal and suspended an indefinite strike action. The four-day-old strike was suspended on May 23 following a meeting between Governor Seriake Dickson and the state Joint Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and Trade Union Congress(TUC) at Government House, Yenagoa. The affiliate bodies of NMA, which includes the National Association of Government Medical L-R: Chairman, APC Screening Committee for the 2016 Edo State governorship election primaries, Rt. Hon. Chibudum Nwuche; National Organising Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Osita Izunaso and Director of Organisation, Alhaji Kyari Abubakar, at the inauguration of sevenmember Screening Committee and threemember Screening Appeal Committee for the 2016 Edo State governorship election primaries at the Party’s National Secretariat …yesterday.

Benin Crown Prince, Eheneden, concludes rites for late Oba

rince and heir apparent to Benin Kingdom, Eheneden Erediauwa yesterday concluded the burial rites for the deceased Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Erediauwa. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the burial rites which lasted15 days as announced by the Iyase (Prime minister) of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, began on May 25, and was rounded up yesterday. The traditional groups, which included Iwebo, Ibiwe, Iwase,and Iwegua among others took their turns to pay obeisance to the Eheneden, who is the Edaiken of Uselu during the wake keep with incantations.

The wake-keep, which began on Tuesday 12 midnight saw the cEheneden wearing a traditional white attire and going round designated spots within the palace before leaving for his palace at Uselu. NAN reports that a number of cultural group and musicians performed all through the night while guests were entertained with assorted drinks and foods. Photojournalists were, however, not allowed to record the scene where the Benin Prince performed the `Isuerhafua’’ ceremony as he recited incantations while moving round the designated spots within the palace. Meanwhile, a palace

statement by Donald Odemwingie said the funeral rites in honour of the Oba of Benin were concluded with the Isuerhanfue rites of passage. It said the heir to the throne whose sole responsibility was to perform the funeral rites in consonance with the laid down procedures, observed Isuerhanfue to bring to an end the 15 days royal rites "One notable feature of Isuerhanfue rites was a mystical ritual dance presentation by the Iweguae palace group to bid the departed Oba a smooth passage to the spirit realm. "And the unhindered ascension of the Edaiken to the obaship throne of Benin Kingdom.

A'Court ruling stirs up controversy over Calabar stool Clement James Calabar

wo prominent figures in the struggle for the Muri Munene stool in Efut land in Cross River State, Prof. Itam Hogan Itam and Muri Efiong Mbukpa, have renewed their claims to the throne, following the recent ruling by an Appeal Court dismissing the appeal of the latter. The Court of Appeal had on May 31 dismissed an appeal filed by Efiong Mbukpa seeking to quash a letter purportedly writ-

ten by the state government in 2012, recognizing Prof. Itam as the rightful occupier of the throne. Speaking to Journalists in Calabar yesterday, Itam called on the state government to pander to the ruling of the court by giving him the Staff of Office to enable him assume the throne as Munene following the court’s ruling. Itam, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, who noted that of the three important traditional stools in Calabar, only the Munune stool had been left unoccupied since 2008,

noted the negative impact of the absence of a leader in the community was already taking its toll on the people. But Mbukpa said the court ruling had nothing to do with the substantive matter “as only a part of the issue we raised is to quash the letter written by the state government,” insisting that the substantive matter, which had to do with who should occupy the stool, was still pending at court 5 in the state High Court as the compulsory retirement of Justice Bassey Ebuta affected the case.

Delta Assembly passed 10 bills in one year Dominic Adewole Asaba

elta State House of Assembly said it has kept faith with the duties of lawmaking, representation and oversight functions by sacking a council chairman and suspending another over financial misconduct within one year. The House, which kicked off the celebration of the first year anniversary of the sixth Assembly yesterday, maintained that the feat was achieved to sanitize the 25 Local Government Areas in the state, of fraudulent practices. Within the year also, the House has suspended three of its members for parliamentary misconduct and leaking official information to non-members. Briefing journalists at the Assembly complex in Asaba, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, said he would continue to insist on probity, accountability and efficiency in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the 2016 budget. The Speaker, flanked by his principal officers, including his deputy, Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi, said 10 of the 23 received were passed into law within the year under review. He explained that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had so far assented to five, hinted that.

and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), Bayelsa state chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARO), Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH), Okolobiri and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) had issued a 21 day ultimatum to the state government over unpaid salaries. At a press briefing at the NMA Headquarters in Yenagoa, and addressed by the Bayelsa state chairman of the Association, Isreal

Jeremiah, the doctors’ body slammed the state chapter of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress for not inviting it to the negotiations between organized labor and the state government last month. However, the association dissociated itself from the agreement reached between organized labour and the state government, insisting that their salaries must be paid in full as they were not prepared to take 50 per cent as agreed by government and the organised labour.

Group commends military for securing pipelines, oil installations Chris Ejim Yenagoa

non-governmental organization under the aegis of 'Rescue Mission’ has applauded the Nigerian Air Force deployments of additional aircraft to the Niger Delta region with a view to ridding the oil rich region of the Niger Delta Avengers. The group while applauding the decision to deploy all necessary military tactics to curb the high spate of attacks on the nation’s oil and gas installations by the new militant group, said such action was necessary since the militants now equated themselves with soldiers. A statement signed by a senior executive partner of Rescue Mission, Sokari Afiesimama and made available to New Telegraph, said the fight against militancy, economic sabotage and all forms of criminali-

ties in the Niger Delta was long overdue It reads: "Yes to the additional platforms, comprising fighter aircraft, helicopter gunship and surveillance aircraft, capable of enhancing adequate security to undertake offensive air operations and intelligence gathering in support of the surface forces remain the only remedy. “It is timely and highly welcomed that today's government has made U-turn to take decisive measure in taking sole responsibility to protect lives and properties to end long sufferings and pains attributed to lawlessness in the region.” The statement added that it will not be acceptable anymore; the frequent abduction of children, women and the elderly, most especially prominent Ijaws by a group of miscreants who engage in militancy, hostage taking, oil theft, and the destruction of pipelines under the guise of fighting for the region.

N’Delta elders blame crisis on poor leadership Gabriel Efeduku Ughelli

iger Delta elders yesterday blamed the crisis in the region on years of poor leadership and mismanagement of resources allocated to the region. The elders said over the years leaders from the region misappropriated and squandered huge revenues accrued to the Niger Delta from different federal resources and interventionist agencies. The elders spoke at an annual birthday lecture entitled “The Niger Delta Question and Imperative of Visionary Leadership,” organised in honour of Chief Mike Loyibo at Tuomo, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State. The programme was attended by scores of the Niger Delta leaders and friends of Loyibo including the Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta, Gen. Paul Boro

(rtd) who was represented by former president of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Mr. Chris Ekiyor, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Chief Gordon Bozimo and a retired Supreme Court Justice, F. F Tabai, amongst others. The guest lecturer, Prof. Benjamin Okaba of the Delta State University (DELSU), said the amnesty programme could not tackle the problems in the region because it was dead on arrival. Okaba said the programme including the establishment of the Niger Delta Ministry only succeeded in empowering a few people, making them stupendously rich at the detriment of the region’s development. “What have we done with the little we have got? Let us look at the issues of leadership. We have 13 per cent derivation. We have appointees."

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Plateau Muslims tasked on true doctrine of Islam Musa Pam Jos

lateau State chapter of the Council of Ulama yesterday called on preachers in the state to preach the true doctrine of Islam. The council in a statement issued in Jos by its Secretary-General, Auwal Abdullahi, the organisation called for true preaching by scholars in tandem with the doctrine of Islam, the Qur'an and Sunnah (Traditions) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The statement further enjoined Nigerians and

particularly the Muslim Ummah, to imbibe the virtues of patience, humility, forgiveness and perseverance on the course of truthfulness throughout the period of Ramadan and even beyond. It said: "In view of the blessings in the month of Ramadan in which the Qur'an was revealed and is been revered by Muslims across the globe; "the Muslim Ummah should resort to prayers for peace, harmony, security and Allah's blessings, mercies and guidance to our leaders at all levels of leadership in our country."

Board announces new fares for Kaduna pilgrims Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

aduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board yesterday announced that intending pilgrims for the 2016 Hajj in the state would pay N1, 068, 600.00 Overseer of the board, Imam Hussain Sulaiman Tsoho, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna. In a statement signed by the board's Public Relations Officer, Yunusa Muhammad Abdullahi, the Overseer urged intending pilgrims to hasten the settlement of their remaining balance in good time to enable the board pay NAHCON on schedule.

LAFIA

ourt activities were yesterday paralysed in Nasarawa State, following the strike embarked upon by judiciary workers in the state. The strike was coming barely one week after doctors in the state went on indefinite strike. The state High Court, High Court 2, 3, 4 and the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Sharia Court of Appeal and the Customary Court of Appeal, all in Lafia, the state capital, were sealed off. Judiciary workers in the state were demanding the two months’ salary arrears owed them along with the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure, among others. Chair man of the

Niger uncovers 22 non-existing schools, 24 ghost head teachers Dan Atori MINNA

o fewer than 22 nonexisting primary schools and 24 ghost head teachers have been uncovered in Minna, the Niger State capital. Investigation showed that between the ghost schools and head teachers in Chanchaga Local Government Area of the state, the state government was losing N76 million monthly. It will be recalled that Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, recently directed all local government chair-

men in the state to carry out staff audit to identify genuine workers as one of the ways to bring down the huge salary bills of the local government areas. This discovery, however, was as a result of a staff audit ordered by the chairman of the local government, Alhaji Inuwa Adamu Fuka. It was discovered that in addition to the ghost schools and head teachers, some senior staff of the local government, who had either been transferred to the Ministry for Local Government or retired, were still getting salaries at least up to the

end of April this year. Also, part of the shocking discovery, according to the investigation, was that a Level 05 staff of the local government was drawing the salary of a level 15 officer, while another staff, who had been seconded to the federal level still had his name on the payroll and collects salary monthly. According to the investigation, the council chairman, Adamu Fuka, had directed that all nonexisting schools and ghost head teachers’ salaries be stopped until the audit team had completed its assignment and submitted its report to the council.

According to him, "The state government has approved N1, 019,350.00 as minimum fare with $750 as Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) and N1, 068, 600.00 as medium fare with $1,000 BTA. The statement noted that all prospective pilgrims from the state had already made minimum deposits of N800, 000.00 According to the statement, "All intending pilgrims are expected to complete payment in their respective registration centres on or before June 20, 2016 as this would enable the board complete necessary arrangements in collaboration with National Hajj Commission of Nigeria."

Judiciary workers’ strike paralyses courts in Nasarawa Cheke Emmanuel

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Nasarawa State chapter, Jimoh Musa, who had led members of the union in a peaceful protest on Tuesday, told reporters that the union went on strike because the state government failed to meet their demands. He said that the cheque released for ‘one month salary payment’ was unacceptable to the union. He insisted that anything short of meeting the union’s demands would be resisted. Efforts to get the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Shehu Othman, to comment on the issue were unsuccessful as calls put through to his cell phone were not answered as at the time of filing this report.

In addition it was gathered that Fuka had asked that those involved in the scam be identified and their names submitted to his office. Accordingly, he said: "You are to identify and submit the names of scheduled officers responsible for the payment as from January 2010 to April, 2016." Speaking with our correspondent, Fuka, who neither deny nor confirm the story said: "I have heard what you are talking about, wait for a report to be submitted to me to enable me say something on the issue."

L-R: Special Adviser to Kaduna State Governor on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adeleye; Governor Nasir El-Rufai and the Public Relations Officer, St. Gerard Hospital, Kaduna, Mr Sunday Ali, during a visit to sympathize with a victim of criminals attack at St. Gerald Hospital in Kaduna … yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Kebbi laments problems in education sector Abubakar Abdul Birnin Kebbi

he Permanent Secretary, Kebbi State Ministry of Science and Technical Education, Dr. Isah Sama, yesterday expressed dismay at the problems facing the education sector in the state. He spoke at a one-day stakeholders’ forum on

a review of the state’s education sector’s operational plan held at the Secretariat Gwadangaji, Birnin Kebbi, lamenting the falling standard of education in the state. Also, the state Chairman of the school management committee, Alhaji Umar Waziri Gwandu, also called on stakeholders, individuals and donor agencies

for a collective effort towards tackling the problems in state’s education sector. "There is the need for collective effort to tackle the problem encountered in the education sector in the state," he said. He added that the meeting featured recommendations on the provision of furniture, teaching and learning

Sokoto Assembly member resigns Umar Abdullahi Sokoto

member representing Tureta Constituency in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar, yesterday resigned his membership of the Assembly.

This was sequel to his election as the chairman of Tureta Local Government on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Abubakar tendered his resignation yesterday, saying that "the decision came as a result of the series of consultations with

all the relevant stakeholders from my constituency, following my election as Chairman, Tureta Local Government Council." Meanwhile, the Assembly yesterday adopted its sitting calendar for the second session in the 8th Assembly. This followed a motion moved by the Dep-

materials, qualified teachers and conducive teaching and learning as well as community mobilisation and participation in the activities of education in the state. "We hope that the state government will implement recommendations of the review meeting in order to revamp education in the state," he added. uty House Leader, Hon. Kabiru Ibrahim (APCKware) and seconded by Alhaji Abdullahi Zakari, (APC- Rabah). Ibrahim said: "That in view of the provision of section 104 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, a House of Assembly shall sit for a period of not less than 181 days in a year.

WORLD \ NEWS

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THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Diamond Bank, two managers Catholic Church defrocks German arraigned over money laundering priest convicted of child sex abuse Akeem Nafiu

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) yesterday arraigned Diamond Bank Plc. and two of its managers, Lasisi Abayomi and Hillary Ojukwu before Justice Mojisola OlatoregunIshola of a Federal High Court in Lagos on a sixcount charge of alleged money laundering. Others docked alongside the bank and its two managers are Oni Oil and Gas Ltd and Mrs Lizzy Chinyere Ikenua. In a charge signed by

the NDLEA’s prosecutor, Augustine Nwagu, it was alleged that the bank and its two managers in August 2006, within the jurisdiction of the court failed to verify the true identity of its customer; Oni Oil and Gas Ltd, Chief Onoche Ikenua (now deceased) and Mrs. Lizzy Chinyere Ikenua before opening an account no. 0212010006203 in favour of the company and entering into other fiduciary relationships with it. Count 5 of the charge reads: “That you Hillary Ojukwu, being an employee of Diamond Bank Plc, a financial institu-

tion, between August and December 2006 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided Oni Oil and Gas Ltd, Chief Onoche Ikenua (now deceased) and Mrs. Lizzy Chinyere Ikenua to convert various sums of money (amount yet to be determined) being money derived directly or indirectly from a crime to wit: illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) and punishable under Section 14(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004”.

G e r m a n diocese on We d n e s d ay announced that the catholic priest convicted of child sexual abuse has been defrocked after an order by Pope Francis. It said in a statement in Aachen (Germany), that the 58-year-old priest, who had worked in the western city of Aachen, was sentenced to six years in jail in 2015 for taken advantage of

minors in his care. It said the priest who abused his godchild and the child’s younger brother had not carried out priestly duties since 2010. The priest in Aachen had also faced charges stemming from time he spent working in South Africa, but the charges were dropped. ``Nonetheless, a family there did receive compensation payments from the church. The diocese, however,

said the order from the pope meant that he was permanently barred from priesthood and would no longer receive pay from the church. The pope has repeatedly stated his zero tolerance policy for child abuse, a problem that has plagued the church for decades. This past weekend, Francis explicitly restated his power to remove bishops who are found guilty of such crimes.

FG commences recruitment of 500,000 teachers Sunday Mojeed Alabi

nemployed graduates willing to take part in the teaching corps programme of the Federal Government can begin to apply for the job on Sunday, June 12, New Telegraph has learnt. The initiative, which is part of the Federal Government’s social investment programmes, according to a statement issued yesterday by the office of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, will accommodate as much as 500,000 young Nigerians.

The statement, which was signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, said the online applications for the positions in the direct teacher jobs scheme will be done through an internet portal named npower.gov.ng. According to him, while the portal would be live on Saturday June 11, applications are expected to commence on June 12, advising unemployed Nigerians to visit the website and apply. “It would be recalled

that President Muhammadu Buhari in his May 29th Democracy Day broadcast to the nation formally launched the unprecedented social investment programmes already provided for under the 2016 Appropriation Bill by the administration. The 500,000 Teacher Corps, nicknamed NPower Teach on the portal, is one of the three direct job creation and training schemes Nigerians can start applying for from Sunday, June 12,” the statement reads in part.

Resident doctors suspend proposed strike l As Dogara summons Health Minister Philip Nyam Abuja

ollowing a meeting between the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara and the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria, NARD, the proposed indefinite strike by the doctors scheduled to commence today has been suspended for one week. That is to allow the House intervene in

the issues between them and the executive. The meeting will be personally convened and presided over by the Speaker, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Turaki Hassan, in Abuja. The suspension came after an intense appeal meeting between the association’s executive members and Dogara and chairmen of relevant House Committees in his office.

Speaking to them, Dogara asked the resident doctors to grant the House one week to meet with the Minister of Health and fashion out ways of meeting their demands and addressing lingering grievances. He noted that democracy was about the whole wellbeing of the citizens, and appealed further to the association to understand that the country was presently going through financial challenges.

Nigeria, allies to agree on IDPs, refugees’ return   Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday expressed the desire of the Federal Government to return refugees and internally displaced persons to their country-homes as soon as the modalities for their return are jointly-agreed upon with regional allies.   The Vice President

stated this in Abuja at the end of a three-day Regional Protection Dialogue on the Lake Chad Basin. “Nigeria will make necessary arrangements for the return of Nigerians who fled to neighbouring countries as soon as the modalities for that exercise is jointly agreed by all”, he pledged.  It could be recalled that the Regional Representative of West Africa for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees,

UNHCR, Liz Kpam Ahua, had advised against the return of the IDPs and the refugees back to their homes on the grounds of proper security and amenities.   The Vice President also re-echoed concerns that the humanitarian situation in the North East was perhaps, one of the least-funded and under-reported tragedies of human existence.

A policeman appealing to student protesters in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea police fire on students’ rally, casualties feared

olice in Papua New Guinea have opened fire on students protesting against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill. Several students were injured and opposition MPs said four were killed, but the government denied any deaths. The students were marching from their campus in the capital, Port Moresby, towards parliament where Mr. O’Neill faces a possible no confidence motion. They are demanding that he stand down and answer corruption allegations. Mr. O’Neill has denied

wrongdoing. In a statement later yesterday, Mr. O’Neill said “a small group of students were violent, threw rocks at police and provoked a response that came in the form of tear gas and warning shots”. “The factors that led to students being injured are yet to be ascertained,” he said, condemning “agitators responsible for instigating a violent confrontation”. The government said an inquiry would be launched to determine what caused the clashes. In a separate development, parliament was

adjourned yesterday until August. Footage obtained by the BBC appeared to show a large crowd of students at the campus running away as shots and tear gas were fired. Political tension in the country has been rising for weeks, with thousands of students at the University of Papua New Guinea boycotting classes demanding the resignation of PM O’Neill. Classes were officially suspended last month. In May, Mr. O’Neill responded to a petition from students saying that he would not be resigning.

Electoral body: Kenyan president proposes bipartisan committee to end row

enya’s president yesterday called for a bipartisan committee of lawmakers to resolve a row over an electoral oversight body at the heart of more than a month of unrest, but the opposition swiftly dismissed the initiative. At least four people have been killed in almost weekly protests since late April held by people who want the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) scrapped, saying it is too biased to deliver a fair vote

in 2017. The opposition CORD coalition wants dialogue but has rejected the government’s demand that any talks be held in parliament in line with constitutional requirements. A previous opposition petition was rejected by parliament, where President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee coalition dominates. Kenyatta said he was proposing a joint select committee of pro-government and opposition MPs. “I do hope (CORD) will also accept for us to follow this particular ground and

resolve the impasse of the IEBC within the framework of our constitution,” he said. The opposition dismissed the offer and said protests would continue as planned. “There is nothing new the president has said,” Dennis Onyango, spokesman for opposition leader Raila Odinga, told Reuters. The opposition has summoned people back onto the streets next week, defying a ban announced by the government on Monday on grounds that protests had turned violent.

Stephen Keshi: 1962-2016

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THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Hayatou, Tanzania FA boss in shock P

resident of the Confederation of African Football, Dr. Issa Hayatou, was one of the first senior citizens in world football to commiserate with the NFF and the Nigeria football family

over the death of Nigeria legend Stephen Keshi on Wednesday. In his letter addressed to the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, Hayatou wrote: “We have learned with great dismay and immense sadness the

passing away of African and Nigerian football legend Stephen Keshi. “Even if Keshi left us too early, he achieved an incredible career, both as a player and as a coach, being one of only two people in African football history, along with Egypt’s Mahmoud El-

Gohary, to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player, in Tunisia in 1994, and as a coach, in South Africa in 2013.” In his own tribute, also addressed to Pinnick, President of the Tanzania Football Federation, Jamal Malinzi

wrote: “I am truly sorry to hear of the loss of Nigeria and Africa’s football legend Stephen Keshi. In this sorrowful time, I would like on behalf of the football community in Tanzania to extend to you our heartfelt condolence.”

NOC: Nigeria lost a rare gem

resident of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel, Secretary General, Tunde Popoola, were gutted yesterday by the news of the untimely death of former Super Eagles Captain and coach, Stephen Keshi. Gumel said; ‘’Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero. He did much more to help Nigerians with his God-given talent. He united Nigerians with his leadership in the Eagles and achieved what most people older could not. We’re devastated but pray for the wellbeing of his children and family he left behind’’, Secretary General, Tunde Popoola, could not hold his emotions. ‘’What do you mean? How can Keshi die? Why?’’, Popoola, a long time friend of the Big Boss repeatedly asked as tears welled in his eyes. The secretariat of the NOC at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos was like a graveyard as the staff members gathered in groups discussing the death the icon.

Keshi being celebrated by Super Eagles coaching crew after winning the 2013 AFCON

Okowa, Obi, David mourn Dominic Adewole & Dan Atori,

elta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has described the sudden demise of former Super Eagles player and coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi as tragic. “The remarkable achievements recorded by the Nigeria Super Eagles in 1994 and 2013 were unarguably memorable due to his indefatigable role as the captain and coach of the team in those glorious years culminating in the winning of the African Nations Cup. “Delta State and indeed Nigerians have lost a great man whose contributions to the football world can best be described as legendary,” Okowa said. Similarly, former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, described the death of Keshi as not only a national, but international loss. Noting that Keshi was a successful player who opened the floodgate of international football to

Nigeria and Nigerians, Obi recalled that after his retirement, Keshi continued to contribute to the growth of football through coaching. Also, former chairman of Niger Tornadoes and one time board member of the Nigeria Football Association, Suleiman David said, “This is a great loss to Nigeria and football in general. I want to, on behalf myself and entire family, express my heart felt condolence to Keshi’s family and the Nigeria Football Federation for this great loss of a legend.”

Kalu

Kalu wants Keshi honoured

illar of Sports in Africa and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has commiserated with Stephen Keshi family over the demise of ex-Super Eagles’ player and coach. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said “I remember vividly the superlative performance of Keshi in his early days as a defender in the national team, Super Eagles “Having served in different capacities in sport, he committed his life to the development of football in Africa and beyond. His accomplishments in the football world are worth celebrating. “Keshi left this world at a time his professional expertise was needed. “However, we take solace in the fact that he made indelible contributions to Nigeria especially in the area of sports.” Kalu urged the federal government to honour the late ex-Super Eagles’ coach by naming one of the national monuments after him.

Saraki, Ekweremadu want FG to immortalise him

he President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, and his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, have lamented the death of the former skipper and Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, calling on the Federal Government to immortalise him as a worthy son. Saraki said: “Keshi was an excellent star. His soccer artistry and leader-

ship skills remain unparalleled. Keshi lost his wife late last year and today we heard the sad news of his demise. This must be a heavy burden for the family to bear. His death at 54 is both a rude shock and highly unfortunate. “Nonetheless, we must take solace in the fact that he did his utmost for the development of sport in Nigeria, Africa and the world, during his sojourn on

earth.” He called on both the Federal and Delta State Governments to immortalise him. Also, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ekweremadu said, “Keshi deserves our prayers for the peaceful repose of his patriotic soul; and he indeed deserves immortalisation by a country he served so fervently, patriotically, and unreservedly”.

Saraki

LMC mourns as players wear MultiChoice honours coach black armband nay described Keshi as “a with AFCON final re-broadcast minute silence was ob-

served before the kickoff of Match Day 21 fixtures of Nigeria Professional Football League during which all players wore black armbands in honour of late Stephen Keshi, the former Super Eagles captain and coach who passed on in the early hours of Wednesday. A statement from the League Management Comp-

pathfinder, courageous athlete who remains one of the inspirational stories for young Nigerian and indeed African players’. “The exploits of Keshi and his team mates at New Nigerian Bank in the 1980’s registered Nigeria as a club football power house after the achievements of IICC Shooting Stars and Rangers International in the 1970’s.”

ultiChoice Africa is paying tribute to the late Stephen Keshi, former Super Eagles coach and one of the most iconic captains of the Nigerian national football team with a special re-broadcast of the 2013 Af-

rica Cup of Nations final. The match will air on Thursday on SuperSport 9 at 10am and 7:30pm; SuperSport Select 1 at 2pm and SuperSport 3 at 10pm. DStv subscribers on Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Family and Access

and GOtv subscribers on GOtv Plus and Value will be able to re-live the exciting moments of the match and watch how the late Keshi led the Super Eagles to win the tournament in 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Stephen Keshi: 1962-2016

Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

Sport News Government will immortalise Keshi –Dalung

46 47

Nwosu: I can’t stop crying Vincent Eboigbe

The Sport Team

Man United confirm Eric signing

That late Stephen Keshi was one of only two people, along with Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary, to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach.

The man Keshi

CONTINUED ON PAGE 47

International Sport

Did you know?

Sport tephen Okechukwu Keshi (31 January 1962 – 8 June 2016). He was a skipper and defender of the Super Eagles. He was also a former Head Coach of the team. He was one of only two people, along with Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary, to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach. After a playing career mostly with Belgian clubs, Keshi went to the United States to be educated in coaching. Between 2004 and 2006, Keshi coached the Togo national football team, he qualified them for their first World Cup tournament, Germany 2006. However, he was promptly replaced by German coach Otto Pfisterprior to the World Cup finals. He was appointed as Mali Manager in April 2008 on a two-year deal. Keshi was fired in January 2010, after Mali’s early exit in the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.[3] Keshi became Eagles coach in 2011.He led Nigeria to qualify and win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, On 16 November 2013, Keshi led the Eagles to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. He set a record in African football by being the first African coach to successfully qualify two African nations (Nigeria and Togo) to the World Cup finals. On 30 June 2014, the Super Eagles lost to France in a Round of 16 match. After the match, Keshi announced his resignation but later reversed the decision after the NFF renewed his contract. On 14 October 2014, his team failed to win a single game in the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifying series. In July 2015,

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nwosu

enry Nwosu has said he can’t stop crying since he heard the shocking news of the death of his longtime friend and national team mate, Stephen Keshi. Keshi, former national team captain, died in the early hours of Wednesday from a suspected cardiac arrest in Benin City. Nwosu said the death of Keshi was particularly painful for him because he had known him since they were

both kids in the late ‘70s. “I have not stopped crying since I heard the news. It is shocking to me and so sad. I had known Keshi since I was a ball boy and we were in Greater Tomorrow (football team for youngsters in Lagos). That was before both of us went to St. Finbar’s College; we were also together at New Nigeria Bank (defunct football club based in Benin City) and of course the Green Eagles. I don’t know what to say. I am still in shock,” said a distraught Nwosu, who is

Keshi never got over wife’s death Family, friends speak on coach’s passage

Adekunle Salami

amily and friends on Wednesday concluded that the former Eagles Skipper and Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, never got over the death of his wife till gave up the ghost on Wednesday. His brother, Emmanuel Ado, who signed a statement released after his death confirmed that Keshi mourned his wife, Kate, till his death. The former Eagles Head coach died in the early hours of We d n e s d ay in Benin, Edo State. He was 54. It will be recalled that his wife died a f t e r battling cancer for three years on

December 9, 2015 and was buried in January 2016. Ado in the release sent to the media said: “Our son, brother, father, fatherin - law, brother-in-law, has gone to be with his wife of 35 years (Nkem), Mrs. Kate Keshi.” “Since her death, Keshi had been in mourning. He came back to Nigeria to be with her. He had planned to fly back today Wednesday (yesterday).” Ado said: “They were very close. The shocking aspect was that nothing was wrong with him. It came to us as a rude shock but God knows best,” Ado said. Augustine Eguavoen who was a close friend of Keshi as a player also said the late coach could have died as a result of his closeness to the wife. “It is obvious to anyone close to him that he was struggling

Late Stephen Keshi

also a former Eagles skipper. Apart from leading the Super Eagles to winning the African Nations Cup in 1994 and qualifying the team for their inaugural appearance at the World Cup same year, Keshi also led the team to triumph at the AFCON in 2013 as coach. Keshi is the fifth member of that golden generation of the Super Eagles to succumb to death at a relatively young age. The others are Uche Okafor, Rashidi Yekini, Thompson Oliha and Wilfred Agbonavbare.

Keshi and her wife

since the death of his wife. It is very sad. He was a great legend of the game and he should be given a state burial,” Eguavoen said. A former Media Officer of the Super Eagles, Ben Alaiya, is a very close friend of Keshi based on the working relationship they had. Alaiya surprisingly spoke to Keshi for a long period on the telephone just 24-hours before his death. “This is unbelievable. It is sad. It is cruel. Two footballers were in my office on a visit and we all spoke with the Big Boss. Odion Ighalo’s brother was there and he was sounding okay. This is terrible. “I know the death of the wife was a major setback but we thought he was getting over it.” Alaiya said. New Telegraph also learnt that Keshi was in the country to personally supervise the the renovation of his wife’s burial site.

SPORT NEWS

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Stephen Keshi: 1962-2016

FIFA scribe, Kalusha, Chelsea, Arsenal pay respect Emmanuel Tobi

ewly appointed secretary general of FIFA, Fatma Samoura, has described the death of ex-Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, as a big loss to the football community. “The football family has lost a great member. Heartfelt condolences to family and friends of Stephen Keshi,” Samoura twitted. For Former Zambia FA president, Kalusha Bwalya, “Woke up to the sad news of the passing of

my brother Stephen Keshi. I can’t believe it. I am in shock. A football legend is gone.” Similarly, English Premier League clubs, Chelsea and Arsenal, also paid tributes to the former Super Eagles coach. “All at Chelsea Football Club are saddened to hear of former Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi’s death. He worked with Mikel (Obi) & Victor Moses.” Chelsea twitted on their official handle According to The Gunners, “Arsenal FC say Rest in peace, Stephen Keshi.”

Man United confirm Eric signing

anchester United have confirmed that they have completed a deal to sign Eric Bailly from Villarreal on a four-year deal. The 22-year-old be-

comes Jose Mourinho’s first signing since taking over at Old Trafford and joins the club for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around £30m. The Ivory Coast in-

Keshi, world-class professional –Osinbajo

igeria Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), has described late former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi as a world-class professional footballer. “The news of the sudden death of Mr. Stephen Keshi saddens our nation. As captain and coach of our national football team, his service, dedication and achievements, including lifting the African Nations Cup both as a player and then as a coach, remain a great testament to the value of hard work. His personal triumphs and pursuits as a worldclass professional footballer inspired many young talented sports-

men and women around Africa to strive for excellence,” Osinbajo said. He added that, “On behalf of the people and government of Nigeria, I commiserate with the family of Mr. Keshi on this tragic loss. Our thoughts are with his children at this

time of sadness especially so soon after the loss of their mother. We send our deepest condolences to them and also to the countless friends he made in a lifetime of service. We pray that God grants the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Osinbajo

Anderlecht, Oliseh mourn Azeez Ibrahim

he Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht of Belgium on Wednesday expressed shock and sadness over the death of Stephen Keshi, former Super Eagles of Nigeria’s coach. Spokesman for the club, Mr David Steegen, in a telephone interview with the Europe Correspondent of the News

Agency of Nigeria described Keshi as an icon of the club. “We are very sad over the death of Stephen Keshi; he is an icon of the club who did a lot of good things. “We received the news of his death with sadness and have expressed our condolences,” Steegen said. Keshi, 54, played for RSC Anderlecht from 1987 to

1991. Also reacting to the death, Sunday Oliseh, a former captain of Super Eagles and Keshi’s successor as manager of the team, said “we have lost an iconic hero”. Oliseh on his Twitter handle added “horrible news and sad day as our legendary captain and brother, Stephen Keshi, dies”.

Eric

Guardiola banned from signing Bayern players

ncoming Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, will not be allowed to sign any of his former Bayern Munich players, according to Douglas Costa. The Spanish boss is expected to have a hefty transfer kitty when he arrives at the Etihad Stadium, but none of that cash will be spent on trying to lure Bayern’s stars to the Premier League. Costa, who was signed by Guardiola last year from Shakhtar Donetsk, has revealed that the 45-year-old has a clause in his contract preventing him from poaching players at the Allianz Arena. “Would I be open to City if Pep called? It’s something he has in his contract, a clause that says he cannot sign any players from Bayern,” Costa told Globo Esporte. “I’m in a situation where I could stay at Bayern for a long

S Ideye

uper Eagles trio of Ogenyi Onazi, Brown Ideye and Taiwo Awoniyi has bemoaned the death of their former coach Stephen Keshi. “I just can’t believe big boss is dead, rest in peace my legend,” said Onazi who plays for Lazio

of Italy. For Ideye, “This is one of the saddest days of my life. I will never forget the happy days, you coached me.” According to Awoniyi, “When I met you in 2013 sir, you told me a word; ‘life can be better if I work more and believe’ so sad you are gone so soon dad. RIP Great legend.”

time. The club’s philosophy is to keep players at Bayern for a long time. I’m happy at the prospect of enjoying a long career here.” Meanwhile, reports have claimed that City are in talks to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund for £21m.

Guardiola

Sharapova gets two-year ban for doping

Onazi, Ideye, Awoniyi speechless Olusegun Giwa

ternational joined Villarreal for around £4.5m in January of last year, going on to make 47 appearances for the Yellow Submarine. “It is a dream come true to be joining Manchester United. To play football at the highest level is all I have ever wanted to do,” Bailly told the club’s official website. “I want to progress to be the best that I can be and I believe working with Jose Mourinho will help me develop in the right way and at the right club. I am looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and to starting this new chapter of my life.” Bailly has made 15 appearances for the Ivory Coast national team and was part of the side that won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Sharapova

aria Sharapova has been suspended for two years by the International Tennis Federation for testing positive for meldonium at the Australian Open. The ruling, announced Wednesday, can be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The five-time Grand Slam champion was provisionally suspended by the ITF in early March, when she announced at a news conference in Los Angeles that she failed a doping test in January. Sharapova said then she was not aware that the World AntiDoping Agency had barred athletes from using meldonium, also known as mildronate, as of Jan. 1. Her lawyer, John Haggerty, says Sharapova took the substance after that date. Sharapova said she first was prescribed the Latvian-made drug, typically used for heart conditions, for medical reasons in 2006.

Stephen Keshi: 1962-2016

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

The world pays tribute to Keshi The death of former Super Eagles skipper and Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, was a shock to many people across the world. Emmanuel Tobi captures the views of some of them. He was an achiever

I am deeply shocked over the sudden death of a man who only buried his wife Kate early this year. Keshi led Nigeria to win a second Africa Cup of Nations trophy as a Captain and a third, as a coach. He was a leader, an achiever and a success. He was only 54. I pray that God will look after the four children he left behind and console them. Nigeria has lost a patriot! Rest in peace, Stephen Keshi Solomon Dalung Minister of sport

We lost a superhero

This is devastating. We have lost a superhero. The NFF Board will meet and decide on the best way to honour Stephen Keshi. We will be fully involved in the arrangements for the final burial rites. Amaju Pinnick NFF President

No word too big for Keshi

There are no praise words too big to describe Stephen Keshi. I still cannot bring myself to speak about him in the past tense. Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, NFF General Secretary

Coach with a difference

The sting of death and victory of the grave. RIP big boss. A legend, captain, leader, hero, one that brought so much smiles to the face of people. I can’t believe this is true. REST IN PEACE. Vincent Enyeama Ex- Super Eagles captain

Keshi gave me my first cap It is very tragic for all the football family in Nigeria. I pay my homage to the man who initiated my first senior cap to the Super Eagles on 17th June 2000 against Sierra Leone. He made my childhood dream come true. This memory will linger in my mind forever. Thank you BIG BOSS for all your contributions into the football world. May his soul rest in peace. Rabiu Afolabi Former Super Eagles defender

Government will immortalise Keshi –Dalung T he Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has expressed shock and sadness over the sudden passage of former Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi. “It is with a heavy heart but gratitude to the almighty God, that I, on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Federal government of Nigeria, sympathise with the family of Coach Stephen Keshi and the

Keshi

Legend gone

A great legend is gone. Rest in peace my coach, Stephen Keshi. Thank you for believing in me and for giving the platform to showcase my talent. I can’t believe you are gone. You will remain forever in my heart. Geoffrey Oboabona Super Eagles defender

Great loss to Nigeria

This is too much of a shock to me and a great loss to Nigeria as a whole. May his soul rest in peace.” Adegboye Onigbinde Ex-Eagles coach

entire Nigerian football family over the untimely death of our amiable, dedicated and outstanding hero. “I will formally inform the government of the death of this great Nigerian, and I want to assure Nigerians that government will seek ways to immortalise him. I join millions of soccer followers across the world to mourn this illustrious son of Nigeria, Africa and the world,” Dalung said.

Atiku, Amosun rue coach’s death

ormer Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the sudden demise of Stephen Keshi as an untimely loss of a golden sports gem and a pacesetter. “It saddens my heart to learn of the stunning news of the death of the golden boy of Nigeria football. His departure is more touching when one recalls that Keshi also lost his loving wife of 33 years, Kate, to cancer late last year thus

rendering their young children hapless orphans,” he said. Also, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun State Governor, has expressed shock and sadness at news of the death of Keshi. The Ogun State governor described the death of Keshi as “a great and tragic loss to Nigeria and the world of football. As a football loving nation, Nigeria will sorely miss the former Super Eagles skipper and his wealth of experience.”

Big loss to football

This is a big loss to Nigeria football. Please accept my condolences.” Sani Toro Former NFF Sec. Gen

R.I.P “The Big Boss”

Thank you for your wonderful service to Nigeria and the huge impact you made on Nigeria Football as a Player, Manager and Stakeholder and to Nigeria Sports in general. If only Nigeria appreciated you more! My heart goes to your children, who not too long ago, lost their Mother [your wife] and now have lost you. Sad! Very sad! Chika Chukwumerije Olympic bronze medalist

R.I.P Big Boss

Still don’t know what to say. RIP big boss. Kanu Nwankwo Ex-Eagles captain

True hero

Waking up to this is a shock and I’m yet to get out of My heart bleeds; I have no words right now. Rest in peace boss. You’re a true hero. Desire Oparanozie Super Falcons striker

Good man gone

R.I.P big Boss. Thank u for everything. A good man is gone. Odion Ighalo Super Eagles striker

Another legend gone to rest

It’s so sad that another legend gone to rest. Rest on The Big Boss. Asisat Oshoala Super Falcons striker

The man Keshi

CONTINUED ON PAGE 45

following Nigeria’s exit from the Nations Cup, Keshi’s contract with the Nigerian Football Federation expired and was not renewed. He was fired for breach of contract. Keshi had a long career with the Super Eagles, that saw him record well over 64 appearances between 1981 and 1995. His trip to Europe opened the floodgates for other Nigerian players to go abroad and play football.

He was one of the longest serving captains of the national team and won the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 in Tunisia as captain of the team. That was the same year Nigeria was ranked 5th in the FIFA World ranking, the highest ever ranked African team till date. Keshi, 54, is survived by four children. Additional information from Wikipedia

NFF President, Mr Amaju Pinnick, with the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, during the signing of condolence register for the former Captain and Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, in Abuja …yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Keshi, worthy ambassador –Jonathan

ormer President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has described Stephen Keshi as an inspirational figure, great patriot and worthy ambassador for Nigeria. In a statement signed by Ikechukwu Eze, the former President’s media adviser, he said,

“Keshi was driven by a high sense of patriotism and dedication which motivated him to always ply his craft from the front, leading his nation to win the prestigious continental football trophy at pivotal moments, both as captain and coach.

“I still keep a personal recollection of the time I received the 2013 Nation’s Cup from victorious Keshi and his team as President, on behalf of all Nigerians. It was a moment of pride and strength for our country.”

Football community has lost a legend – Ubah Temitope Ogunbanke

he proprietor of Ifeanyi Ubah Football Club and chairman, Anambra State Football Association, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, has described the demise of former Super Eagles

captain and coach, Stephen Keshi, as a great loss to the country. “We have lost a man we needed so much in a time we all gear towards repositioning Nigerian football. Stephen Keshi died when we needed his wealth of experience the

most in football sector of this country. “As a key member of football family, I mourn the departure of one of us .I mourn a friend and a man that I always related with on football development issues,” Ubah said.

On Marble

“You can’t always please everybody, but you can do what makes you happy and just hope that those around you will be happy for you.”

Sanctity of Truth

Mike A. Wilkie Rwanda, an alternate Burundi

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Ndigbo and the ‘One Nigeria Question’ “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” – Audre Lorde.

ast week was one of those weeks Nigeria would wish never came. It was a week of many unpleasant happenings dominating discussions in different parts of the country. Sadly, it was supposed to be a week of merry-making as the nation marked its Democracy Day and one year anniversary of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government. But politically speaking, there was really nothing to celebrate; instead the country was under siege. The tautness was so thick that one could feel it in the air. The first sign that it was going to be a horrible week came from the North Central state of Niger, where on Sunday night a Muslim mob killed an Igbo trader, Mr. Methodus Chimaije Emmanuel, 24, in Pandogari, Rafi LGA of Niger State, for the allegation of posting a blasphemous statement about Prophet Muhammed on the social media. The incident led to a religious crisis in which four people were reported dead and several properties destroyed, leading to the imposition of dusk to dawn curfew on the town by the military. As if the Niger state matter was not provocative enough, on Thursday, another Igbo trader, a woman, Mrs. Bridget Agbahime was stoned to death in Kano by some Muslim mob with the husband watching for allegedly blaspheming Islam. According to a witness to the gruesome murder, Mrs Agbahime was seated at her plastic ware shop at Kofar Wambai at about 4pm when a Muslim youth came in front of her shop towards closing time to perform ablution (washing of their feet before prayers). The woman was said to have protested that he should not do that in front of her shop. Instantly, the Muslim youth started arguing with her, saying she had insulted Allah for preventing him from performing his ablution. He then went and alerted his Muslim brothers. Mrs. Agbahime’s husband, a pastor was with her as at that time. They tried to report the issue to the religious leader in the market but it was too late because an angry mob were already forming, chanting Allahu Akbar and that she must be killed for blasphemy. Preventing a young man from performing his ablution was what they termed blasphemy An Alhaji who tried to save the woman was threatened and stoned. They then dragged her with the husband sitting and watching as they hit his wife with iron rod and sticks. He dared not say anything, if he did, he would be lynched too. The blood from the wife’s body even splashed on him as she struggled for breath. Reports said that soon after the woman died, the police came to disperse the crowd and took her body to

Political Musings IKE ABONYI igwebuike2001@yahoo.com 0802-402-4029 (sms only)

Gen. Emeka Ojukwu, late Biafran leader

the mortuary at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. The corpse even had to be transferred to a more secured hospital because the irate Muslims youths were saying that they wanted to force their way into the hospital to get her body beheaded as the deserving punishment for blasphemy. In case you begin to think you are reading a tale from an incidence in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan or even Saudi Arabia, it’s a Nigeria story. The Nigeria Police, which has a station in the market and could not arrive the scene until Mrs. Agbahime died arrested just two members of the killer mob. The same last week, some agitating militants from Niger Delta operating under the name Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) had after bombing so many oil installations in the region gone further to threaten our dear President, should he visit Ogoniland in Rivers state or any Niger Delta state. The President had scheduled to visit Ogoniland to flag off the clean-up of the heavily polluted Niger Delta region. The President’s advance team including ministers, security, protocol officials and the media were already mobilized to site. The host state Governor Nyesom Wike had also sensitized his people to bury their political differences and accord the visiting President a befitting reception as he was coming as President of the entire country. But when the avengers came up with death threats on the President, everything changed. Not a few thought the President would not bow to such bullying but he did. But security operatives who are privy to a lot of what we don’t know would not be dragged into any egoistic grandstanding to the detriment of national security. The Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was sent to perform the function after all as they later explained there is only one Presidency.

Expectedly, the President got enough thumping with all kinds of name-calling including being a coward. But the old General would not budge, ostensibly believing that the real commander is the one who survives to fight another day. On Sunday during the anniversary broadcast, the President had talked tough, threatening to go after the militants and their sponsors. Many government watchers were taken aback that the President who even said recently, while visiting his home state of Kat-

sina that he would rather drown in the sea than allow the anti-one Nigeria agitators have their way, chickened out when an opportunity came for him to display the high patriotism. But a critical examination of the whole issue shows that the President may have been wiser than his critics. Imagine if the President had gone and an attempt was made on him. That would have taken the shine off the laudable project. And going forward, if anything happens to the President under such circumstance, imagine what Nigeria would have been. Probably before you say jack, hundreds of Ndigbo would have been murdered across the north. How many Ijaw persons can you find in Northern Nigeria, Ndigbo would have borne the brunt the way they did when Boko Haram reared its head before it later turned on everybody as in the tiger rider’s theory where the rider who celebrated as the tiger devoured every available prey until no one was left, only for the tiger to turn on him. Clearly the whipping boy of the country today, the endangered specie is tthe Igboman. Notwithstanding that they are in every nook and cranny of this country, contributing to development, they have remained easy target always. Nothing really can explain the consistent killing of Ndigbo at the slightest matter on religious slat than this unsubstantiated belief that killing the so called ‘infidel’ earns one a place in heaven. What remains strange is how somebody hopes to enter paradise with human blood on his hand. In the 60s it was the mass killing of Ndigbo in the north that led to agitation for Biafra.

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