Thursday, march 5, 2015 binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

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Vol. 2 No. 379

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Okonjo-Iweala: Fuel scarcity ends Saturday

Weak Naira: FG mulls cut in growth forecast

Ayodele Aminu

he fall in oil prices at the international market that has weakened the naira has also taken a toll on Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Prod-

uct (GDP), as the Federal Government plans a cut in its growth forecast. Prices of oil, which have fallen 50 per cent since last June at the international market, have weakened the naira,

which has also depreciated by over 20 per cent in the past three months. Oil, from which Nigeria earns about 80 per cent of its revenue and 90 per cent of foreign exchange earnings, has inflicted a hole

into the nation’s budget, making policy makers to go back to the drawing board to review downwards, four times, the oil benchmark. The naira that has been devalued twice in the last

four months and which initially exchanged at N168 per dollar at the official market last November currently trades at N199.90. Oil, which also traded at about $100 dolCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

N150

23 days to go... Nigeria Nigeria votes votes

2015

15 20}14 & 15

PDP plots to set up Jega, says APC lAlleges plans to credit INEC chair's bank account using Tinubu's name }2 lRuling party, Department of State Service dismiss allegations

Quick Read TWO UNUSAL SCENES: L-R: Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Deacon Victor Durodola during a novelty match to mark Obasanjo's 78th birthday in Abeokuta...yesterday.

Travel Advisory

Your guide to local and international flights }4

Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, plaiting the hair of a woman during a door-to-door campaign by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bonny Island, Rivers State...yesterday.

15 parties join PDP to oppose card readers

Editorial

Baby Sheriffdeen must not die! }19

Stalemate in Senate over Obanikoro’s screening }7

News

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP plots to set up Jega, says APC Johnchuks Onuanyim, Onyekachi Eze and Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday gave details of an alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the support of the presidency and security agencies, to rig the forthcoming general elections. The party, at a news conference in Lagos, addressed by its spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said part of the plot was that a huge amount of money would be transferred into the bank account of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, with the claim that it was from the opposition leader, Senator Bola Tinubu and the APC to justify the ongoing plan to sack Jega and stop him from conducting the elections. It also alleged that the Jonathan administration has recruited two Israelis and a Belgian, who have been lodged in the State House, to hack and corrupt INEC computers on the Election day. The two Israelis and a Belgian, APC added, have been paid 25 per cent of their contract fees upfront to undermine the integrity of INEC's computer system while the Jonathan administration is striving earnestly to compromise the card reader, which could vitiate its alleged rigging plans. In addition, the bank accounts of some key national institutions will be credited with huge amounts of money supposedly from the APC, in its bid to compromise them. On other details of the plot, the party said: "There is a plan to use some political parties that are satellites of the PDP to push for the postponement of the elections again. The plot is to get the parties to address a press conference to say the elections should not hold in the NorthEast until September 2015 because of the on-going counter-insurgency battle there. The intention is to make sure Jega's tenure expires before the polls, so that they can appoint a malleable card-carrying member of the PDP as INEC chair to conduct the polls. "There is a plan to use the security agencies to intimidate key opposition leaders, as well as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and telecommunications ser-

vice providers to disrupt voice and data transmission, especially in APC strongholds on election day. As we have said earlier, the telephones of our leaders have been bugged and their movements are being daily monitored. Top on the list of the security agencies to be used against the opposition is the DSS, which will be used to compel all Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to hand over the names and

telephone numbers of all INEC's regular and ad hoc staff who will conduct the elections, as part of the Jonathan administration's rigging plans. "It is no longer news that a signal has been sent to all state commands of the DSS to get the list of all INEC Returning Officers and ad hoc staff before March 10th. "Also is the on-going illegal recruitment of over 500 new cadets into one of the country's security outfits, 50 per cent of whom

are from the home state of the outfit's top brass, in violation of the provisions of the constitution, especially as the recruitment does not reflect the Federal Character. "Nocturnal meetings are being held between various heads of national security agencies and the leadership of the PDP to undermine the coming elections." Giving more details on the alleged rigging plot, APC said the PDP and the Jonathan administration

had provided funds to retired and serving security personnel to buy up PVCs to be used once the card reader is compromised. The party also accused the Jonathan administration of planning to execute a massive arrest of key opposition leaders, just like it did in Ekiti State, to pave the way for the rigging of the elections. "As part of the plan to implicate our leaders, illegal substances may be put into their checked-in luggage during local and in-

ternational flights. That is why we are calling on our leaders to travel only with their carry-on baggage," APC said. According to Mohammed, APC got the details of the plot through the intelligence gathering of the party. "Let me say that the detailed plans by the desperate Jonathan administration and the PDP are part of the massive intelligence we are receiving daily from patriotic NigeCONTINUED ON PAGE 7

L-R: Executive Director, Convention on Business Integrity, Mr. Olusoji Apampa; Chief Compliance Officer and Company Secretary, Oando Plc, Mr. Ayoola Jagun and Supervising Director, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr. Laoye Jaiyeola, at a training on anti-corruption risk assessment for the public sector in Abuja…yesterday

Boko Haram: Nigerians risk becoming stateless, says NHRC l60,000 seek asylum in Niger, Chad and Cameroon Philip Nyam Abuja

he National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday hinted that hundreds of thousands of Nigerians stand the risk of becoming stateless due to the activities of Boko Haram in the North-East. Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, who disclosed this during a budget defence session with the House of Representatives’ Committee on human rights said: "There are some Nigerians that are stateless. With the emerging terrorists’ activities, many Nigerians are at the risk of being stateless." Angwe explained that citizens displaced by the insurgency often cross over to neighbouring coun-

tries, but when they return to Nigeria, they do not have any form of identification even as they are not recognised in their countries of refuge as citizens. He lamented that the nation lacks accurate data on migration activities and accurate census figures by the National Population Commission (NPC). Angwe explained that “there is no database to detect crime and criminality. The police is incapable of identifying the real culprits.” On the level of human rights violation in the country, Prof. Angwe said 2014 was a bad year for Nigeria as the country recorded the highest number of human rights violations. According to him, "In 2014, Nigeria witnessed the highest cases of hu-

man rights violations activities. Children were adopted; many were killed; many can't go to school and economic activities came to a standstill. We also witnessed a situation where Nigeria was registered on the map of refugees and IDPs (internally displaced persons), but despite that, the country remains on record of human rights protection. He, however, said that despite insecurity challenges, the commission has about 300 monitors of human rights violations in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Taraba and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). On her part, national commissioner of the Refugees' Commission, Hadiza Sani Kangiwa, disclosed that based on their records, there are

about 968,219 IDPs in various camps in the country, while 60,000 Nigerians are seeking asylum in Niger, Chad and Cameroon. She expressed serious concerns about reported cases of abuses on the IDPs camps. "We don't have any business establishing camps for IDPs in the country. People shouldn't be kept on a camp for more than a month. When we have that, people will have an idea of having their needs taken care of,” he said. In her presentation before the committee, NAPTIP Executive Secretary Beatrice Jedy-Agba said the cases of rapes on the IDPs camps "are exaggerated." "We had allegations of rapes and trafficking. NAPTIP went and conducted preliminary in-

vestigations. The reports were highly exaggerated. We're working with the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to address these issues," she said. Meanwhile, the House Committee on Human Rights has summoned the chairman of the NHRC, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, to appear before it and shed light on statements credited to him about the number IDPs caused by the insurgency in the North-East. Chairman of the committee, Hon. Beni Lar (PDP, Plateau), who issued the summons after the budget defence with the commission, said the statement made by the chairman were “staggering and inciting” on the number of IDPs due to Boko Haram insurgency.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

Travel Advisory

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule Air France

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

Flight No. AF 513 AF 3822 AF514 AF513 AF514 AF3849

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

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

Amsterdam-Lagos Lagos-Amsterdam

KL587 KL588

13:15hrs 23:05hrs

20:00hrs 05:50hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York

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

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

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

BRITISH AIRWAYS

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

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

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS

16:00hrs

Lagos-Kigali

11:15hrs

16:45hrs

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

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

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

14:00hrs

17:30hrs

22:35hrs 15:10hrs

06:00hrs 21:20hrs

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

hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

01:00hrs

hrs

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Doha Flight Doha-Lagos Flight

QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415

14:55hrs 07:20hrs

23:45hrs 13:35hrs

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

DL053 DL 054

22:15hrs 5:15hrs

05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Madrid Madrid-Lagos

IB 3337 IB 3336

22:55hrs 16:00hrs

5:25+1hrs 20:20hrs

Lagos-Casablanca Casablanca-Lagos

AT738 AT 737

06:25hrs 02:15hrs

09:55hrs 6:00hrs

air maroc

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

12:30hrs

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

IBERIA

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

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

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

MEA 571 MEA 572

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

to Lagos)

UNITED AIRLINES

17:00hrs 4:40hrs

KQ 533 KQ 534

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

DELTA AIRLINES

11:00hrs 22:40hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

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

QATAR AIRWAYS

VS 652 VS 651

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

BA075 BA074 BA 082 BA 083

EMIRATES AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos

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

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

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

VIRGIN ATLANTIC

RwandAir

Kigali-Lagos

Turkish Airlines

Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

Air Côte d'Ivoire Lagos to Abidjan Abidjan to Lagos

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

ASKY AIRLINES

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

10:10hrs

10:50hrs

19:20hrs

21.50hrs

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

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

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

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

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

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE ARIK AIR

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

AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE

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

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

FIRST NATION AIRWAYS

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

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

AEROCONTRACTORS

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

MEDVIEW AIRLINES

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

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

News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

15 parties join PDP to oppose card readers Onyekachi Eze and Chukwu David

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday got the support of 15 political parties to oppose the use of card readers for the forthcoming general elections. The 15 political parties and five presidential candidates at a press briefing in Abuja asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to jettison the idea or face boycott of the elections. They also demanded that he should proceed on terminal leave to allow another person conduct the polls. They spoke on the same day the PDP restated its concern about the planned use of card readers for the general elections. Director, Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, said the party's position on the card readers was that the machine had not been tested in any election and it would be an unnecessary risk to use for the first time in crucial general elections. Fani-Kayode also alleged a plot to use the card readers to frustrate accreditation in some parts of the country while not enforcing strict use of the machines in some other parts. He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) as being part of the plot and warned it against any bid to rig the general elections. "The truth is that if they go ahead with that wicked plot, the APC and its collaborators will only be preparing the ground for mass resistance. They can be rest assured that we will not sit by idly and allow such a thing to unfold," he added. He accused the APC and its leaders of creating scenarios and possibilities that will feed into their agenda to cause chaos and violence before, during and after the forthcoming elections, and said that was why they were against the use of soldiers. "This is why we insist on the deployment of soldiers in the forthcoming elections as it was done in the gubernatorial elections in Edo and Osun where APC won, in Ondo where Labour Party won, in Anambra where the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won and in Ekiti where the PDP won," he stated. According to him, PDP

has always insisted that the INEC has the constitutional duty to conduct free and fair elections and has never interfered with the commission’s preparations. He denied that PDP was strategising to shift the election dates and trying to frame up Jega. Also addressing reporters in Abuja, the 15 parties said using card readers for the elections could vitiate the conduct of credible, free and fair elections on March 28 and April 11.

The spokesperson of the political parties and National Chairman, Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), Dr Onwubuya A. Breakforth, stated that the first drawback was that this device was relatively a new technology that had not been tested before in Nigeria. "Therefore, we the concerned group of leaders of political parties, presidential candidates, governorship and National Assembly candidates, hereby request INEC to stop forth-

with, the proposed use of the card readers for the March 28 and April 11 general elections or we may consider boycotting them," he stated. According to him, delaying the introduction of the card readers will enable the nation and INEC to properly ascertain its workability and efficiency for general elections. He added that the consequences of the use of card readers are most likely to lead to manipulation, massive rigging of the elections

and disenfranchising voters. "As major stakeholders in this election process, we suggest that the easiest method of accreditation and verification of PVCs should be for INEC to use manual confirmation of the pictures and particulars or data of the PVC holders to ensure that it corresponds with the voters register with the electoral officers in the polling units and in front of the party agents. This way, it will minimise the obvious

chances of voters' disenfranchisement. "Since Prof Attahiru Jega has shown lack of professionalism and good judgement in his actions so far in the conduct of the 2015 elections and since he has about three months to the end of his tenure as INEC Chairman, we the stakeholders urge him to quietly consider proceeding on terminal leave so that a more competent person can handle the current election process," Breakforth said.

L-R: Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Mohammed; Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Idris Bashir Yuguda; Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Ekom Etim Enyakenyi, at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

Fuel scarcity ends Saturday, says Okonjo-Iweala

lFG releases N100bn sovereign debt notes to oil marketers Abdulwahab Isa, Adeola Yusuf and Anule Emmanuel

oordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, yesterday assured Nigerians that the fuel scarcity currently ravaging many parts of the country would end latest by Saturday. Okonjo-Iweala told State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, that the president had ordered all agencies to speedily restore normalcy in the supply system. She said the scarcity, which has led to long queues of vehicles at filling stations nationwide, was extensively discussed at the meeting. She said after proper

briefings on the causes and solutions of the fuel shortage, Jonathan gave specific instructions on how to deal with the matter because he wanted prompt and quick action to immediately improve the situation. She reiterated her stance that the scarcity was caused by some factors which included the depreciation of the naira. Okonjo-Iweala said: “We discussed that (fuel scarcity) at the FEC because Mr. President wanted prompt and quick action to improve the situation as fast as possible. “So, after the briefing and discussion on both the financial and physical side, what emanated is that this situation, we hope will soon be resolved because both on the financial side, action has been taken and it is being implemented through the Ministry of Finance and the Governor of the CBN.

“Let it be known that in December we paid N320.2 billion to marketers to settle their claims and as of now, what we have approved by Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency is about N185 billion on Sunday, which we are issuing Sovereign Debt Notes (SDNs) to which is tantamount to having government guarantee that they will be paid. “But the long and short of the matter is that the financial issue has been taken care of." In furtherance of the efforts to end the fuel scarcity, the Federal government yesterday issued SDNs of N100 billion to the petroleum marketers. At a meeting chaired in Abuja by Okonjo-Iweala with the representatives of the oil marketers, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and PPRA Executive Secretary, Mr.

Farouk Ahmed, in attendance , the minister assured the marketers that they would be paid with exchange rate calculated by the PPRA. She said N30 billion had already been released to them based on the exchange differentials. The minister assured them that exchange differentials would be tackled as supply chain goes on. Giving update on product supplies, Executive Secretary of the Major oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Lawore, said the scarcity would end in a few days following sustenance in products supplies nationwide. “We supplied 132 trucks to Lagos from major marketers' installations. This did not include what went from NNPC depot, DAPMAN and supplies from IPMAN depots . Yesterday, we did 135 to Lagos and we increased volume com-

ing to Abuja to 139 which is a higher figure than 87 which we did before just to tell you that we have the volumes available and we are moving it," he added. But it was learnt that oil marketer were not happy that they got SDNs instead of cash they were expecting. "We were only shown letter of presidential approval and this will still take a process before it could lead to payment. It will be given to the Debt Management Office (DMO) then to the Accountant General Office before it will get to the Central Bank. "As it stands now the payment cannot be made until next week Tuesday and what this means is that majors cannot have access to funds to import fuel until that time," a marketer told New Telegraph after his anonymity was guaranteed.

News

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

We're not distracted by plot to sack Jega –INEC

lFayose: Heaven won't fall if he’s removed Onyekachi Eze and Adesina Wahab

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said it is stepping up preparations for the conduct of the general elections despite the rumour of the planned removal of the commission's chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega. The Chairman of the INEC Information and Voter Education Committee, Dr. Chris Iyimoga, at a press conference yesterday said the commission is working towards successful polls on March 28 and April 11. "We are not distracted; we are very focused. The country should expect nothing than the best from INEC in this year's general elections," he added. Iyimoga, who is also an INEC National Commissioner however, said only President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly can determine when Jega will leave office. Jega's tenure will come to an end in June this year but there have been speculations that he might be

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

32oC

26oC

Storm

ABUJA

38oC

24oC

Partially Cloudy

PORT HARCOURT

28o C 18oC Thunder Storms

KANO

34oC

17oC

Mostly Sunny

ENUGU

37oC

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sent on compulsory leave before the end of his tenure. "This is not an area I should dabble into. The appointment of the Chairman of the commission is the responsibility of Mr. President and it has an endorsement of the National Assembly and whatever position that is to be taken has to come from that end," he said. He noted that with the noticeable improvement in the security situation in the North-East, the commission is "prepared to hold elections in some areas where there is IDPs (internally displaced persons)." The National Commissioner further disclosed that a total of 55, 232, 875 permanent voters' cards (PVCs) or 80.24 per cent have so far been distributed while the outstanding one million PVCs have been received. "The commission is also going to be in position to make a categorical statement about when this PVCs are to be distributed finally because we have told this nation that we still have about a million which we expect this week and in fact, I spoke with the director ICT and he said he has gotten it and we will see what time we will give for those who are yet to collect theirs. "Let me make this very clear and I want you to take me by my words, the commission has made the commitment that by March 8 which is Sunday we are likely to say collections of PVC should stop. There is likelihood of extension," he added. According to him, the commission had received ballot papers meant for all the elections since February 12 and had taken them to the states. "They are securely locked at the Central Bank

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ing which will take place simultaneously on Saturday March 7." Iyimoga disclosed that the commission will meet with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) next week Wednesday to further review the commission’s overall preparations and readiness assurance to conduct the 2015 general elections. Meanwhile, Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, has said that nothing would happen if Jega is forced to proceed on terminal leave any time from now. Fayose also described the outbursts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the possible removal of Jega as "mere comedy," adding that "President Goodluck Jonathan can sack Jega if he wishes and if he does, heavens will not fall." The governor, who said the APC should stop acting

as if Nigeria belonged solely to the party, added that; "by turning themselves to advocates and defenders of the INEC chairman, the APC and its agents have shown that they have a deal with Jega to manipulate the elections and that the deal will be frustrated if he is asked to leave office." The governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Lere Olayinka, noted that the removal of Jega or any other appointee of the Federal Government was a prerogative of the president, which no one could question, provided laid down rules were followed. He said the position expressed by the House of Representatives was that of the APC members in the House, urging that "the APC lawmakers should rather pay attention to the ill-health of their party's presidential candidate,

Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), whose whereabouts is now a mystery." Fayose said: "It is on record that Prof. Maurice Iwu was asked to proceed on terminal leave two months to the end of his tenure? Is Jega not a beneficiary of Iwu's removal? So if Iwu was asked to go on terminal leave before the expiration of his tenure for Jega to assume office, what difference does it make if Jega too is asked to proceed on terminal leave before the expiration of his tenure? "It is the president that can determine whether or not Jega will go on the mandatory three-month terminal leave which should commence on March 8, and if the president decides that the INEC chairman should go on terminal leave, what can the APC loudmouths do?

L-R: Managing Director, Wema Bank Plc, Mr. Segun Oloketuyi (left) and the Regent of Irun-Akoko, Princess Oluremi Obideyi, at the inauguration of the bank's new branch in Irun-Akoko, Ondo State.

Weak Naira: FG mulls cut in growth forecast CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

IBADAN

of Nigeria (CBN) vaults across the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), awaiting further distribution at the eve of each of the elections. We have also received and distributed all ballot boxes meant for the elections. "As we speak Smart Card Readers have been distributed to the states – enough for all the Polling Units and Voting Points. There are also redundancies. "Even though the commission had satisfactorily tested the Smart Card Readers (SCRs) before the re-scheduling of the elections, it is to further conduct more rigorous field testing of the functionality of the SCRs which will be deployed for accreditation of voters on Election Day. Two states from each of the six geopolitical zones of the federation will be involved in the field test-

lars per barrel, now trades at below $60. Based on these development, Statistician General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer, National Bureau of Statistics, Dr. Yemi Kale, has said he does not expect a reduction of more than one per cent in the nation’s growth forecast, which was, again, cut to 5.54 per cent in January. Kale, who spoke at the Reuters Africa Investment Summit last Tuesday, said the final figures would be released by June.

Nigeria has lowered its forecast for economic growth in January from 2014's 6.22 per cent after the government cut spending because of the slump in oil price. "Because of the changes in the macro-variables ... we are not sticking with those forecasts any longer. The exchange rate, crude oil forecast have changed," Kale told Reuters by telephone. "I'm assuming the growth rate may drop further," to around four per cent, but again, other sectors may compensate

for the drop in oil prices and the depreciation," he added. Nigeria's currency suffered its biggest monthly decline in more than five years last month, amid concern over political uncertainty and the ability of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to manage the currency as oil prices fell. The naira fell through a psychologically important level of N200 to the dollar in February, prompting the CBN to scrap its biweekly forex auctions, in a de facto devaluation.

Kale expects Nigeria’s inflation to inch up to around nine per cent, the upper end of the apex bank's target, from its January forecast of 8.78 for 2015. More than half of Nigeria's population of 160 million lives in villages and imports account for only 13 percent of total domestic consumption, Kale said, so the effect of imported inflation has been limited following the devaluation. He, however, said reforms to the non-oil sector and investments in power

and infrastructure should help cushion the loss of revenues from weak oil prices. "The price of commodity (oil) has gone down, but the exchange rate weakness has cancelled the impact on the inflation," he said. Kale said data on imported capital for the past two years showed a significant amount of foreign capital flowed into the country. But it flowed out as oil prices started to plunge last year, exerting pressure on the currency.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

Stalemate in Senate over Obanikoro’s screening Chukwu David

fforts to resolve the controversy over the nomination of the former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro for reappointment as a minister by the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Senate and their opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) counterparts yesterday ended in a deadlock. Consequently, the Senate deferred the screening and confirmation of Obanikoro to next week, to allow for more lobbying towards convincing the aggrieved opposition senators to cooperate with the leadership of the Senate in confirming him without generating commotion in the Chamber. President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, who was very conscious of the mood of the opposition members and their readiness to cause furore in the

Chamber over Obanikoro, had quickly called for executive session immediately the lawmakers took their seats preparatory for the day's business. After the closed-door session, which lasted for one and half hours, Mark simply announced that the Senate discussed important issues of national interest at the session. However, New Telegraph reliably gathered that Obanikoro was the subject matter of the closed-door meeting, during which the Senate resolved to suspend his screening till next week to allow for more dialogue amongst the stakeholders in the two parties. One of the Senators, who attended the session, told our correspondent on condition of anonymity that the senators spent the whole time, negotiating on how to go about the controversial screening without creating a situation that would ridicule the integ-

rity of the Upper Chamber. According to the senator, the legislators were considering whether the allegations against Obanikoro by the APC, which made the three senators from Lagos State to oppose his nomination, could affect the standing rule in the Senate, which grants former members of the Chamber appearing for confirmation express approval, without being subjected to answering questions from the senators. He explained that Obanikoro was entitled to the privilege but the problem was that the three senators from Lagos were altogether against the nominee, making it difficult for the senators to ignore such critical situation and grant him express confirmation. He, however, disclosed that Obanikoro would be screened and confirmed next week, saying that nothing would stop the Senate from approving the appointment of the embat-

tled former lawmaker. Members of the APC in the Senate have been protesting against the nomination of Obanikoro as well as working hard to frustrate his confirmation by the Upper Chamber because of their grievances against him on his alleged past mistreatment of the opposition during the last Ekiti governorship election.

The Senate, however, screened Senator Patricia Akwashiki (Nasarawa), who was accorded the full privilege of the Senate standing rule on former senators, as she was simply asked to take a bow and go without entertaining questions from the lawmakers. Other nominees who were screened yesterday include Prof. Nicholas Akise Ada (Benue), Col.

Nigeria to print banknotes for Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, others in 2016 Philip Nyam

Abuja

he Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) yesterday disclosed that it will commence the printing of bank notes and other security documents (SD) for Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire and other

West African countries as from 2016. Managing Director of the company, Mr. Joseph Ugbo, made this known while presenting the 2014 budget performance and 2015 budget proposal before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Banking and Currency. He said the company has commenced installa-

L-R: First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan; Kogi State Governor, Capt. Ibrahim Wada and his wife, Farida, at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally in Lokoja…on Tuesday.

APC: PDP plans to credit Jega's account using Tinubu's name CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

rians, within and outside the government, who are eager to see the organisation of free, fair, credible and violence-free elections that will catapult Nigeria to the league of truly democratic nations," he added. Mohammed said the PDP's plot to truncate the polls was as a result of the ruling party knowing that it could not win in free, fair and credible elections. "The handwriting is clear: This administration knows it can never win in free, fair and credible elections because of its appalling record in office. Nigerians want change through the ballot box, and they are

determined to effect that change with their PVCs," he added. But in a swift rebuttal, the PDP disclaimed the allegations, saying it is a reflection of the character, inner thoughts and ideology of APC leaders. The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, said APC had resorted to fabrications because it had discovered that its "fake campaign promises" would not able to upstage the achievements of the president. “Indeed, Nigerians are not surprised at the contents of the recent false alarms by the APC as they

are undoubtedly a reflection of the character, inner thoughts and ideology of its leaders. These ignoble ideas are clearly incompatible with the ideology of the PDP and President Jonathan who has, overtime, demonstrated the qualities of a true democrat and not a reformed one,” the party stated. It said under the current financial system, it was not possible to transfer the so-called humongous amount of money into any bank account without the source being traced by relevant independent financial monitoring bodies such as the Economic and Financial

Augustine Okwudiri Akobundu (Abia), and Engr. Fidelis Nwankwo from Ebonyi State. Those who will reappear for screening next week, as they were not accommodated yesterday include: Mrs Hauwa'u Lawan (Jigawa), Obanikoro (Lagos), Mr. Kenneth Kobani (Rivers) and Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya (Taraba).

Crimes Commission (EFCC). “We challenge the APC to come out clear on the actual link between its leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, whose antecedents and reputation are well known to all, and the said transfer plot? Was Tinubu’s name also dropped by the APC as a strategy to pre-empt findings by anti-graft agencies in a bid to cover a crime? “Whilst we note that nothing is beyond a desperate party like the APC, which has continued to manifest its crass lack of integrity, we charge relevant agencies to immediately investigate the allegations and possibly

unravel its evil plots," PDP said. The party also debunked the allegation of plans to arrest opposition leaders. Also reacting to the allegation of DSS' involvement in the rigging plot, the security agency's Deputy Director, Public Relations, Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, said: "They (APC) have just made an allegation and I don't have the details yet. People should learn to play politics the way it is supposed to be and they should leave security forces out of it. We have the right to protect everybody and we should not be brought into politics."

tion of newly procured state-of-the-art machines that would enable it produce bank notes and security documents required by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The chief executive explained that in order to secure the ISO 9000 certification, the company in 2014 Appropriation Act budgeted the sum of N25 million which was unfortunately not implemented. According to him, as part of efforts to unbundle the SD unit in 2015, the company has set up the technical and marketing development committees that will ensure the implementation of the strategic policy in the weeks ahead. He explained that the repayment of offshore loan secured for the Abuja factory newline and security documents cannon machine would commence this year, noting that the selling prices of all banknote denominations would be reviewed upwards to cushion the high cost of production occasioned by naira devaluation. Ugbo disclosed that with the newly procured facility being installed by the Switzerland company, NSPMC could print a total of four billion banknotes and other security documents. He noted that the company’s facility in Lagos and Abuja have the capacity to produce 1.2 billion and 1.4 billion bank notes while the newly procured facility could print 1.2 billion bank notes. Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Jones Onyereri requested for clarifications on the N200 million earmarked for end of the year gift; N50 million for staff year end of gift items; N10 million for club membership; N200 million for exit incentive as well as increase in wages and salaries between 2014 and 2015. In his response, NSPM boss explained that the company spent the money based on performance level, adding that the fund earmarked for club membership was for professional examination, among others.

News

objection

Former bank MD heads to supreme court on Appeal Akeem Nafiu

he former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr Erastus Akingbola, has urged the Supreme Court to invalidate the Court of Appeal Lagos Division’s verdict, which ordered his retrial over an alleged N5 billion fraud. It would be recalled

thursday, march 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

national

N5bn fraud: Akingbola asks Supreme Court to upturn Appeal Court's verdict that the Appeal Court had a fortnight ago upheld an appeal lodged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the judgment of Justice Charles Archibong of a Federal High Court in Lagos which cleared Akingbola of fraud. The appellate court, had in its in a unanimous decision, delivered on February 20,

2015 upturned Justice Archibong's judgment which dismissed the 26 count charges against Akingbola. Justice Amina Augie, in her lead judgement, had declared the judgement of the lower court a nullity. The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division had in its decision declared the judgement of the lower court a nullity, and or-

dered that the charge be remitted to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for re-assignment to another judge for retrial on merit and for accelerated hearing. Dissatisfied, Akingbola in his Notice of Appeal, filed by his lawyer, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) is asking the apex court to allow his appeal and set aside the judgement of

the Court of Appeal. The two grounds upon which Akingbola’s appeal at the Supreme Court is based are : ‘’That the justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law when they held that the trial judge (Justice Archibong) dismissed the charge and discharged Akingbola without stating the grounds on which the decision was based’’.

‘’That the lower court erred in law when it held that any bystander, who watched what transpired that day in court, would certainly come away with the impression that the appellant (EFCC) did not get a fair hearing’’. Akingbola in the appeal maintained that the principle of fair hearing is not applicable to only one party in the proceedings but to all parties before the court. He added that at all relevant times, EFCC was given opportunity to proceed with his arraignment and trial but elected not to do so.

Bunkering: Court remands captain, 22 others in prison custody Akeem Nafiu

L-R: Convener/Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDAC), Dr. Abiola Akinyode-Afolabi; Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje and Civil Human Rights Activist, Ms. Yemisi Ransome-kuti, at the Lagos Gender Dialogue: The most critical debate on 2015 general elections in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Court orders INEC to register YDP Tunde Oyesina Abuja

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to issue Young Democratic Party, a registration certificate and accommodate its participation in the general election scheduled for March 28 and April 11. The party had in Octo-

ber, 2014 approached the court after the electoral body ignored its application for registration. Delivering judgement, the trial judge, Justice A.R Mohammed, held that YDP was deemed registered to participate in all elections organised when INEC failed to inform the then political association of its decision not to register it as a political party within 30 days of receiving its application, as required

under Section 78 (4) of the Electoral Act, 2010. According to the document tendered before the court, INEC received the association’s application on April 1, 2014 but only notified the applicant of its decision not to register it on September 15, 2014. The court, however, held that even the said belated letter of the electoral body was an attempt to satisfy exhibits already tendered in

court. The court further noted that INEC received completed application of the association on April 1, 2014 and made attempt to reply on August 13, four months after it received it, when the Electoral Act stipulated that the electoral body should state reasons / defects of the application within 30 days of the receipt of the application or it shall be deemed registered as a political party.

Oil theft: EFCC arraigns eleven Reps probe Agip Oil over refusal Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned eleven suspects on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum product. The suspects were arraigned before Justice M. S Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Warri, Delta State. A statement signed by the Head of Media and Publicity of the

EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, gave the names of the accused persons as follows: Ephraim Akpan, Agadagba Ochuko, Clement Tommy, Oyayefa Abonne, Bousou Kereotu, Dereye Harry, Lucky Abonne, Dapo Obdare, Friday Ibude, Ebi Ekokeme, Vincent Elayegha, and the vessel, MT Petroitti. The statement said the accused persons, were arrested on May 23, 2014, by officers of the Nigerian Navy, following a tip-off around Ofoma oil terminal in Delta State.

to compensate community Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives has mandated its committees on environment and gas resources to investigate the refusal of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to pay N400 million compensation requested by the Umu- Eze Iwerre community of Delta State as a result of pollution of their land by the oil company. The decision to probe

into the matter was consequent upon the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta) at yesterday’s plenary. Leading debate on the motion, Ossai noted that the Irri/Kwale Gas Pipeline operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) emitted gas between 23rd to 29th December, 2009, which polluted the entire Umu-Eze Iwerre Community of Aboh in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.

ustice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday, remanded an Army Captain, Daniel Lebile and 22 others in prison custody for allegedly dealing in petroleum products without lawful authority. The accused persons, who were arraigned before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a threecount charge, are to be remanded pending when they will perfect their bail conditions. Apart from Lebile, other accused persons included: Ala Ibanibo, Wole Ajayi, Adesunloye Fani-Kayode, Michael Mgbanwa, Segun Ekundemi, Johnson Mashebinu, Ndidi Benjamin, Bright Nwaezuoke, Blessing Omoviye and Kayode Ireti. Others are: Chuks

Isiwepkweni, Friday Nchikpa, Peter Bayo, Ubom Amos, Zuopamo Embiowei, Olabamerun Owolemi, Adams Husseini, Ebisingha Timmy and Godwin Oputeh. They were arraigned alongside their vessel, MV Long Island and their companies, Afa Global Impex Services Limited and GFL Marine Service Limited. In a charge sheet, marked, FHC/L/38C/15, the accused persons were alleged to have conspired amongst themselves and dealt in about 200 metric tons of petroleum products without lawful authority or appropriate licence on or about December 2, 2014. The EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, said the offence contravenes Sections 17 and 19(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Poor budgetary allocation to aviation worries Reps Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives committee on Aviation has expressed concern over the poor implementation of the 2014 Appropriation Act in the aviation sector. Chairman of the committee, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who disclosed this during the budget defence session with the Aviation Ministry, said it was disheartening that the ministry got only N5.6 billion out of the N12.3 billion allocated as capital expenditure in 2014. She recalled that in the course of the committee’s oversight function to inspect several on-going projects, it discovered that poor budgetary allocation was affecting the timely execution of the

projects. She also wondered how the ministry was able to cope with its overhead costs since it got eight instead of 12 months releases from the finance ministry. Earlier, the Aviation Minister, Mr. Osita Chidoka disclosed that out of the N23 billion budgeted for the ministry in 2014, only the capital component of N5.6 billion was released. He disclosed that the amount represents 45.8 per cent of the N12.396 billion capital component of the budget. The minister said the ministry got a release of N251 million to run the ministry last year, explaining that even at that, he was able to remit N269.8 million to the Federation Account as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the ministry, last year.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

FG approves N2.4bn for auto testing equipment Anule Emmanuel

he Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday approved a contract worth N2.445billion ($11.574million) for the procurement and supply of auto-testing equipment and installation. The amount will also cover the training of personnel in three testing laboratories located in Enugu, Zaria and Lagos. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, disclosed this yesterday while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan. Aganga, who was joined by the supervising Minister of Information, Edem Duke, Laurentia Laraba, Minister of Environment and the Coordinating Minister for the economy Ngozi Okonjo Iwaela, said the idea was to ensure vehicle safety and environmental protection, as well as the quality of automotive products in the country. The minister explained that the amount approved for the contract was part of the N3 billion provided in the 2014 internally generated revenue of the National Automotive Council (NAC). The contracts, which have been divided into five parts, include Lot 1- which entails supply, installation and training on Auto-Testing Laboratory Equipment for emission laboratory in Lagos.

News

NATIONAL NATIONAL

INEC test-runs card readers nationwide lsays Internet not vital to successful polls AdesinaWahab Ado-Ekiti

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will, on Saturday, begin the test run of card reading machines in some select wards in 12 states of the federation. Disclosing this in AdoEkiti yesterday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ekiti State, Mr Sam Olumekun, said the exercise

would take place in Ward Nine, Dallimore area of AdoEkiti. Olumekun added that the exercise would help to identify any problem that could crop up with the use of the card readers for the coming elections. “The registration areas to be used for the exercise will cut across rural, urban, humid, riverine, very hot or cold regions. This will help test the card readers under all terrains. “Polling units with more

than 300 voters will be selected by the Resident Electoral Commissioners of the states. Resident Electoral Commissioners in the chosen states are to get in touch with all key stakeholders (including traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations) at the state and registration area levels in particular to mobilise eligible voters to come out and participate in the test,” he said. The REC said INEC was sure of the reliability of the card readers, saying faulty

ones had been replaced. “Some of the card readers that are faulty have been replaced. Some had battery problem and other minor errors. In Ekiti State, there were eight of such machines and they have been replaced from Abuja,” he explained. Also, Olumekun allayed the fear that the absence of internet services in polling units could in anyway jeopardise the conduct of credible and fair elections. According to Olumekun: “Internet services are only needed to transmit the figure of cards accredited through

Media underfunded, says Utomi

TundeOyesina

jaw leader and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday said that the war against insurgents had lingered for long because some people have been preventing the military from launching full attacks against the Boko Haram. Clark, however, noted that President Goodluck Jonathan had within the past few weeks, recorded huge victory against the insurgents, having recovered over 30 towns initially ‎taken over by the insurgents. Clark,whomadetheclaim inAbujawhileplayinghostto some groups; National PDP professionals, National Coalition for Jonathan/Sambo 2015, Relate International Prayer Group, Northern missionary forum and One God, One Nation Peoples Initiative and others, who paid him a solidarity visit towards Jonathan’sre-election,saidthatthe opposition never knew that the war against insurgents could be won. “Today,30communitiesin

the use of the card readers to our server in Abuja. Internet has nothing to do with accreditation of voters by the card readers. However, if there is no internet service at a point, we can transmit such figures at any point we have internet facility.” The use of card readers for the elections has drawn mixed reactions from political parties in the country. The REC added that he had also held consultative meetings with security chiefs to compare notes on the level of preparedness for the elections.

L-R: Chief Kessington Adebutu; Chief Samuel Adedoyin and Chief Rasaq Akanni Okoya, at the Night of Tributes and Service of Songs for the late Chief Alexandra Omolade Okoya-Thomas in Lagos... PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Why war against insurgents lingers –Clark Abuja

the hands of the rebels have been taken back. Jonathan is a war general. No one else could have done what he did fewdaysago. HevisitedBaga, Moguno and other places to express his support to the military who are fighting an internal war. “The war is not a conventional war. The opposition thought he won’t get the lost zones back. People have been preventing the army to fight insurgentsbefore.Therewere saboteurs. But now, there game plan is over”, Clark stated. Clark also noted Jonathan thinks so much about the youths, having created great opportunities for child education. “He created 125 Almajiri schoolsforchildrenwhowear tattereddress,begforfoodand theirpeoplethinktheyaresuperior to them. Today, those Almaljiris have a future but their people are not satisfied because they want them to be begging around. For someone to come from one of the minority areas and do what their people could not do for 38 years, then who says he should not be re-elected.”

Tony Okafor Awka

he founder of Centre for Leadership and Values, Professor Pat Utomi, yesterday made a case for adequate funding of media establishments in the country. According to him, the bane of development in Nigeria is poor funding of the media, which he argued, is the cardinal driver of development. Utomi, who delivered a lecture in Awka, Anambra to mark the

30th anniversary of the Anambra Broadcasting Service(ABS), Television and Radio, submitted that for Nigeria to develop, the media must be properly equipped to “ discharge its function, which includes acting as the watchdog of society.” Speaking on the topic; “Media, Politics and Nation Building”, Utomi said President Barrack Obama of the United States was right when he declared in Ghana that what Africa needed was not strong people but strong institutions,

stressing that the media is one of such strong institutions which if strengthened, would bring about faster development. “The media houses in Nigeria are underfunded; they cannot provide the necessary tools for their staff. So, when the staff go out there, they mess themselves and the company up. That is why the media cannot carry out its task effectively. “Media has influence in society and to ignore it is to ignore growth and

development. Politicians take advantage of their being underfunded and destroy the media by corrupting it. So, if we must make progress, we must support the media and fund it properly,” Utomi said. Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, who was the special guest on the occasion, said his government understood the importance of the media and has since the inception of his administration, consulted experts on how to strengthen the state media outfits.

said it was usually painful seeing people losing their lives and valuable properties to disasters which could actually be prevented if simple caution had been taken initially. Fayose, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, noted that most of the disasters were directly or indirectly caused bythe people when they carelessly erect struc-

for building construction, with the aim of saving cost. He advised the people to consider the future implications of whatever they do in the present to forestall preventable disasters which has rendered many people homeless, not only in Ekiti but across the country. Fayose said his administration would ensure that no Ekiti resident, irrespec-

sarily, no matter the circumstances surrounding his/her challenges. While thanking President Goodluck Jonathan for making the relief materials available to the state through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the governor added that the materials wouldbe distributed judiciously to only genuine victims of natural disasters.

Fayose wants proactive response to natural disasters kiti State Governor, Ayo- Emergency Management tures on waterways or use tive of tribe, religious or E dele Fayose, has charged Agency, (SEMA) Adehun, substandard building mate- party affiliation would be residents to be more proac- Ado-Ekiti, the governor rials and electrical wares allowed to suffer unnecestive at reducing cases of natural disasters which often claim lives and valuable properties, adding that such ugly incidences could be prevented if necessary precautions were taken to forestall them. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the distribution of relief materials to victims of natural disasters in the state, held at the warehouse of the state

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro Father of three killed in Lagos shooting SHOOTING Hoodlums ravage Mushin, killing one, injuring others during a shooting spree Taiwo Jimoh

father of three was killed while a woman and her son sustained gunshot wounds when some hoodlums, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, stormed Fadeyi area of Lagos metropolis. The man, Mr Yusuf Olayinka, died after a stray bullet hit him as he was about to cross the road. The woman, Mrs Margaret Agbor, and her five-year-old son, Victor, were also hit by stray bullets inside their shop. The hoodlums, from the Mushin axis of Fadeyi, invaded different streets in the area, shooting sporadically. The reason for the mayhem is not known yet. Flying bullets injured many other people, but Olayinka did not survive. He was pronounced dead at hospital where he was rushed to. A witness said the hoodlums came from Idi-Oro to Ogunjobi Street on motorcycles about 8:30pm on Monday. He said they were shooting and robbing passers-by. A resident said that after the hoodlums left, the lifeless body of a man, later identified as Olayinka, was found in a pool of blood at Ogunjobi Bus Stop. The deceased, who lived across the road, was waiting at the bus stop to cross the Ikorodu Road when the bullet hit him. After the hoodlums left Ogunjobi Street, they went to Fasanya Street, where their bullets injured mother and child. Vehicles parked on the road were not spared. One of the vehicles was burnt and riddled with bullet holes. Wife of the deceased, Mrs

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

The late Olayinka

Shola Olayinka, said the death of her husband came to her as a shock. She said: “He was the one who took our children to school that Monday morning before heading for his own destination. “I was sleeping when my phone woke me up around 9pm; someone called to tell me that my husband had been shot by some suspected hoodlums from Mushin area. They said he had been rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. “When the fracas started everybody went indoors. When I got the call, the whole area was deserted. I was scared to go outside.” Olayinka said that the following day, around 6am, she went to the hospital. When she got there she was told that her husband had died. She said: “He was shot in the abdomen. I’m now left with three children. My husband’s life was wasted. He was not even a political thug.” On her part, Agbor gave God all the glory. She said: “This crisis in Mushin has been on for too long. I was inside my shop with my son when I heard some youths had been causing trouble at Ogunnjobi Bus Stop. I told my son that we should close and go home, so that we would not be caught in the cross-fire. “I was about closing my shop, when I noticed that my son, who was sitting on a chair, suddenly stood up. He shouted, ‘mummy blood!’ The blood was gushing out from his head and it appeared to me, like it was every part of his body. “When the shooting persisted, we locked ourselves inside the shop. After normalcy had returned, we were rushed to a private hospital.” The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Kenneth Nwosu, did not reply a text message sent to his mobile phone to confirm the story.

Victor

Fire razes POWA shopping complex Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

roperty and goods worth millions of naira were lost yesterday when fire gutted the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) Shopping Complex on Bende Road, Umuahia, Abia State. Though the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained, no life was lost. The fire started from one of the shops upstairs in the onestorey shopping complex located very close to the Umuahia Police Area Command and Central Police Station. A shop owner at the complex said the fire began about 3am, when he was alerted by another shop owner. This, he added,

prompted him and his wife to rush to the scene of the incident. The man explained that on getting there, firefighters from the State Fire Service were already on ground. The shop owner, however, claimed that about two minutes later, the firefighters complained that their vehicle was faulty. He said: “They left with a promise to return but never did. If we had serious firefighters, some of these shops would have been salvaged.” The fire destroyed all 22 shops located upstairs with the goods and property therein, while two shops were affected downstairs. The shopping complex owned by Zone 9 Police Command, Umuahia, accommodates scores of businessmen and women who deal in various trades.

Though the actual cause of the inferno was not known, some of the victims said it might have been caused by an electrical fault. Some victims wept uncontrollably, while bemoaning their loss. The charred remains of goods such as generators, computers, sowing machines, shoes, fans, among others, littered the place.

File picture of a burning shopping complex

NIIS condemns pre-election killings Biyi Adegoroye

he Nigerian Institute for Industrial Security has condemned the killing of about 58 people, including 28 policemen in the countdown to the general election. Reacting to the recent disclosure by the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof Chidi Odinkalu,that the figure excluded hundreds of others who were injured, the Executive Secretary of the institute, Mr Wilson Esangbedo,

called on politicians to avoid such desperation for power. Esangbedo said the current level of “do-or-die politics” characterised by defamation and killings was a dangerous phenomenon which must be condemned by all right thinking persons. He said: “It is sad enough that politicians in their desperation for power have resorted to hate speeches at campaign rallies and killing one another, but it is even more horrendous, daring and very condemnable that they confronted and killed 28

policemen in various parts of the country. “Killing of no fewer than 28 policemen who were on their legitimate law enforcement and crime prevention duties is a huge and unacceptable figure which is arguably the highest in any part of the world.” According to him, policemen, like soldiers, resent killing of their colleagues and policemen should not be provoked to reprisal actions, which in itself can be very dangerous and more destructive.

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

Women protest Ebonyi murder, demand justice Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

undreds of women from Amaigbo Etiti Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State yesterday took to the streets of Abakaliki to protest the killing of their son, Udu Emegha, by political thugs in the area. The women, who chanted mourning songs and wept uncontrollably, carried placards with various inscriptions such as: ‘With violence, there will be no election in Edda,” Youths are killed, why?’ ‘We say no to point and kill,’ ‘Area Commander, AIG Zone 6, save our soul,’ among others. They marched from Vanco Junction to Government House where they were addressed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Bonniface Chima. The women’s spokesperson, Henrietta Ukah Ama, said they were protesting killings, maiming, burning of houses and other acts of violence by political thugs in the area. She said the thugs injured one Okoro Emegha in his house. According to her, the victim was rushed to Mater Misericodae Hospital, Afikpo before he was transferred to a hospital in Abakaliki where he is receiving treatment. Ama said that after the attack on Emegha, the hoodlums attacked Udu Emegha with machetes, which led to his death. She added that many elders in the area were wounded while many youths ran into the bush to avoid being attacked. The spokesperson alleged that efforts were being made by some politicians to secure the release the principal suspects arrested in connection with the killing. Addressing the protesters, Chima, who condoled with them, said security agents had commenced investigation into the matter. He assured the women that no one would pervert the cause of justice. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Chris Anyanwu, said one Chidi Ejem, a House of Assembly candidate for Afikpo South East Constituency, one Innocent Emmanuel and thirty-five others were arrested in connection with the killing.

Man dies in Ikorodu well A Muritala Ayinla

37-year-old man, identified simply as Shuaibu, died yesterday in a well which he was digging at Ikorodu area of Lagos. The incident occurred at 41, Kalejaiye Oshomo Street, Ota Ona, Ikorodu. The residents wept uncontrollably as they watched as firefighters brought of Shuibu’s remains from the well. Although nobody could precisely explain the cause of his death, it was gathered that he might have inhaled ammonia gas in the well, which made him felt dizzy and lost consciousness and subsequently drowned. Witnesses said efforts to rescue him proved abortive before the rescuers invited the firefighters who eventually recovered his body from the well.

The Director of Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, said Shuaibu died after inhaling ammonia gas. He said: “Ammonia gas is always present whenever they are digging the well. “Those who want to dig well should ensure they have auxiliary equipment and breathing apparatus to go in there. They are supposed to have a rescue line tight to their body while working in the well, so that should they want to get trapped their colleagues can use the line to rescue them. “Some people while digging the well, they slip due to the texture of the soil. These are some of the things that trap the labourer digging the well.” Fadipe advised Lagos residents, who want to dig well manually, to contact the fire service for breathing machines, so as to avert future

occurrence. A drunken man at the weekend fell into an open well and drowned at Alagbado area of Lagos. The victim, Ade Ifelodun, 34, was said to be drunk when he fell into 120 feet deep well

on Friday afternoon in front of a bungalow consisting of four rooms of various sizes at No. 16, Estate Road, Amikanle, Alagbado. It was gathered that the owner of the house did not provide a cover for the well.

Ogun demolishes N34m FG building

Rubble of the demolished building of the Public Complaints Commission in Abeokuta... yesterday.

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

gun State Government yesterday pulled down a property belonging to the Public Complaints Commission

(PCC), a Federal Government agency in Abeokuta. The building, which was still under construction and valued at N34 million, was demolished by officials of the state Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development. It was gathered that the struc-

‘Count Ekiti out of police strike’ Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

fficers and men of the Ekiti State Police Command have said they were not going to be part of the proposed industrial action by some policemen in the country. According to a statement issued by the police in AdoEkiti yesterday, the policemen declared this at a meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Mr Taiwo Lakanu. The statement reads in part: “The commissioner of police had earlier admonished them against such an action which is inimical to the well-being of the force and that the police have achieved much under the

A well

IGP, Suleiman Abba

present regime. “They assured the commissioner of police that their loyalty to the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, is not in doubt and commended him for putting their welfare first by the promotion in

all ranks since he assumed office, prompt payment of salaries and also the recent distribution of vehicles to the command. “They charged him not to be deterred by the strike threat, as all police officers in the country know that it is against the law establishing the Force to do so.” According to media reports, some aggrieved police officers have threatened to embark on strike nationwide on March 28 to demand the payment of arrears of entitlements of the newly-promoted officers. The police officers said they would not back down on their planned action unless their demands were met before the rescheduled presidential poll.

ture was at the lintel stage when it was pulled down. An official of the ministry, who declined to disclose his name, told our correspondent that the structure was demolished because it did not have the approval of the state government. But the Deputy Director of PCC, Mr Ademola Adeyemi, said the demolition was premeditated. He noted that the demolition came barely 24 hours after the commission received two letters - stop work order and contravention notice - from the Abeokuta Central Zonal Planning Office. In the letters, the ministry declared that the commission embarked on the building construction without any development permit. Adeyemi added that the state government had initially claimed ownership of the parcel

of land lying on the ‘Federal Enclave’ which was set aside for all Federal Government agencies for developmental purposes. He said: “Initially, they claimed that the parcel of land belongs to the state government. I informed them that the land in question belongs to the commission and that the land had been allocated to us by the administration of the late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo to the Federal Government, it is called Federal Enclave. “The problem began when we erected a perimeter fence sometimes last year and this was pulled down by this same agency of the state government. With this development, we wrote a series of letters to the DirectorGeneral of Lands and Survey.” When contacted, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Stephen Adewolu, said he was not aware of the demolition.

Students’ protest paralyses Ilorin Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

tudents of College of Education, Ilorin, Kwara State, yesterday embarked on violent demonstration which paralysed activities in the institution. The protest, which disrupted the ongoing semester examination, spilled over to the immediate vicinity of the college. The demonstration, it was gathered, followed the ejection of some students from the examination hall for not paying N4,500 for “course form”. Sources in the school claimed that the course form levy was introduced last year and students had been paying the money. The students also believed that those who had paid their school fees ought not to have been stopped from seating for their ex-

aminations. The affected students were said to have gained the sympathy of others who vent their anger on the staff of the institution. The rampaging students disrupted academic activities and took to the streets, obstructing free flow of traffic on Ilorin General Hospital-Sawmill Road for several hours. The angry students were said to have armed themselves with all kind of weapons and chased the staff before they took to the streets to express their anger. The institution’s Provost, Dr Isiaka Opobiyi, told journalists that the protest was led by those who had not met their financial obligations to the school. He, however, described it as a mere youthful exuberance which was being handled by the management.

12 News

thursday, march 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

national

$50, 000 donation: US group clears CAN of corruption Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

ome Nigerian Christians in the United States under the auspices of the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans (CANA), yesterday absolved the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of allegations of misappropriating a $50, 000 donation it made to assist victims of Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria. The donation was made in 2013 and channelled through the national secretariat of CAN, but controversial cleric and Executive Director of the Voice of Northern Christian Movement, Pastor Musa Dikwa, recently alleged that CAN hijacked the fund and did not allow it to get to the victims of terror. In a statement released to the media in Abuja, the US group described the allegation as untrue, adding that it had documentary evidence that the money got to the victims. Executive Director of CANA, Laolu Akande, challenged Dikwa to provide ‘solid proof ’ if any

that the money was not delivered to its targeted beneficiaries. “We have read with shock and surprise the media reports raising questions regarding the contribution of $50, 000 donated by us, the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans (CANA) to victims of Boko Haram violence in Nigeria through CAN. “There have also been a number of media inquiries both here in the United States and from Nigeria on the matter. “We certainly contributed the said sum to the victims and entrusted the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) with the distribution of the funds to the victims. There was no better means to distribute the money to the victims. “We delivered the money to CAN in a couple of batches between late 2013 and early 2014. So far, for instance, not less than 1, 000 victims - widows and their children in Borno State alone, received N10, 000 each per widow from the donation, according to detailed reports we got from CAN."

NCAA to commence sanction on erring airlines Wole Shadare

he Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, has threatened to clamp down on all owners of foreign registered privately operated aircraft in the country, whom it said have failed to regularise their documentation in conformity with their operational status, adding that they will face severe sanctions from the regulatory body. The Director General of NCAA, Capt. Muhtar

Usman, said yesterday that he was ready to commence the regime of stipulated sanctions on the erring operators. According to him, the sanctions would include grounding of operations, revocation of licence and outright seizure of aircraft forthwith. The use of these operators’ aircraft for commercial operations is at variance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation, Nig. CARs 9.1.1.4(a)(b) which is tantamount to gross violation.

Rivers Assembly passes 2015 budget Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

he Rivers State House of Assembly has passed the 2015 budget after resuming sittings, just as members cleared two commissioner nominees. The lawmakers passed the budget after the Committee on Appropriation submitted its report, a compilation of reports from the various house committees and government agencies and parastatals. It will be recalled that Governor Chibuike Rotimi

Amaechi had presented this year's budget to the House in January, this year. The House had gone into informal session, but approved the budget after it resumed around 2.45pm, following the presentation of the budget report before the House by Hon. Josiah Olu. Olu, who is the deputy chairman of the Appropriation Committee, said that there was no increment on the budgeted figure, but that minor adjustments had been made from the presentations of the various committees and MDAs.

Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed (right), presenting the state’s souvenir to GOC 2 Division, Nigeria Army, Ibadan, Major-General Sanusi Nasir Muazu, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Ilorin...on Tuesday.

MTN Group’s revenue grows to $12.43bn Kunle Azeez

l Targets additional 17.5m subscribers in 2015

frica’s largest telecoms service provider, MTN Group, said it reported revenue growth of 6.4 per cent in 2014 to $12.43 billion and an 8.9 per cent rise in net profit. The growth, it was learnt, was aided by data revenue growth and a recovery in its home market, which helped to offset a weaker-than-expected performance in Nigeria, its biggest single market. While Nigeria's performance was below MTN's own expectations after regulatory and operational challenges, its revenue increased by more than 12 per cent.

"In Nigeria, some level of uncertainty remains with regards to the implications of the oil price and currency fluctuations, which may lead to slower economic growth," MTN said in a statement. With operations in nearly two dozen countries, the company expects to add 17.5 million customers in 2015, more than a quarter of them in Nigeria alone. MTN said diluted headline earnings per share, the main measure of profitability in South Africa, rose to 1, 527 cents in the year ended December from a restated 1,404 cents a year earlier. The increase was in line with MTN's guidance

FG repairs Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

he Federal Government yesterday flagged off the rehabilitation and expansion of the AbaPort Harcourt-end of the Enugu Port Harcourt expressway at the cost of N34,047,096,919.17 billion. The contract was awarded to a Chinese firm and expected to be completed in 30 months. Performing the ceremony at Alaoji, Aba, Abia State, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, said that the rehabilitation of the Section IV of the dual carriageway was a dream come true, stating that he was aware that works were already going on at other sections of the road which he

said, had been awarded for rehabilitation. He said that the gesture was a demonstration of his avowed commitment to the development of road infrastructure in the country, which is in line with the transformation agenda of his administration. “The Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway is an important NorthSouth Arterial Highway route A3 connecting the port city of Port Harcourt to the coal city of Enugu. It is a major route linking the commercial city of Aba in Abia State and several other towns along the road corridor”, the president said. He acknowledged the deterioration of the road constructed by the Federal Government in the 1970s because of lack of adequate attention in terms of routine and periodic maintenance by successive administrations.

that headline earnings per share would come in 5-15 per cent higher. It declared a 1, 245 cents per share total dividend. Revenue grew 6.4 per cent after MTN raised customer numbers by 7.5 per cent to 223.4 million subscribers. The company said data revenue was a key driver of growth, climbing 33 per cent to contribute nearly a fifth of overall revenue. The company's stock has fallen nearly 6 per cent so far this year, compared with a 7 per cent increase by Johannesburg's Top-40 index. However, the company is also facing price competition and regulatory

pressure in markets such as Nigeria. “MTN Nigeria’s performance was below expectations, impacted largely by regulatory determinations and economic pressures as well as operational challenges,” the company said. “Some level of uncertainty remains with regards to the implications of the oil price and currency fluctuations, which may lead to slower economic growth.” Nigeria has 59.9 million MTN subscribers, compared with 28 million in South Africa. The company expects to add 4.75 million more in Nigeria in 2015, up from 3.1 million last year.

Minister to resolve water users' conflict, says Ochekpe Caleb Onwe Abuja

he Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, has assured the people that all conflicts among water users will be resolved to ensure that the importance of water as a resource for human survival is not lost. She made the clarification in Abuja, when she received in her office, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, who was on an advocacy visit. Ochekpe said: “In the water sector, we are very conscious of that, because water is one resource that is important for human survival, but it is also a resource that can cause conflict, that is why in our own system, we have Water Users Association in different communities to ensure

that people are able to come together to dialogue on how to manage this very important resource.” The minister also used the occasion to call on women and youths to embrace the campaign of ‘WAGEPEACE’ and shun violence in all circumstances they find themselves. It will be recalled that there was a tensionsoaked atmosphere generated by the 2015 general election and the fact that if there is any outbreak of violence, the women are most vulnerable and the youths are the most already made weapons. “I am calling women and youths, because they are true owners of Nigeria, we are at a point where some people want to create problems for Nigeria, but I believe that women can stand to see that Nigeria is solidly one country.”

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, march 5, 2015

Controversy

Hate campaign

Presidency

Guber poll 17

Buhari in UK, returns this week, says APC

Brain-dead: Call your wife to order, APC tells Jonathan

Ex-Militants set up monitoring groups, back Jonathan

I won’t repeat Amosun, Daniel’s mistakes – Paseda

Politics Former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, in this interview with TONY OKAFOR speaks on the March 28 presidential election and what should inform the choice of Igbo. Excerpts:

Ahead of the presidential election, what do you think should be the position of Ndigbo? Well, in politics you think of your interest and in considering who to vote for, how to vote, I personally look at it on four planes: My own personal interest, the interest of Ndi Anambra, the interest of Ndigbo and the interest of Nigeria. I will like to discuss more on the interest of Ndigbo and people of Nigeria. Discussing it at the level of Ndigbo, you will know that there is hue and cry about the winner and the loser of the election. It has been said that if President Goodluck Jonathan wins, there will be trouble from the North, and if General Muhammadu Buhari wins, there will be trouble from the South South. Now, Ndigbo in considering this scenario will look at it with Igbo interest. Where are the Igbo that are in Diaspora; there are Igbo in Igboland, there are Igbo within Nigeria. Where are they? If there is disturbance of Igbo in Northern part of Nigeria and other areas, how many Igbo will be affected? If there is trouble in Ijawland, how many Igbo will be affected? That is how the Igbo should look at it. If as I said either way there is trouble, which trouble will be less injurious to the Igbo? Is it the trouble from the SouthSouth or trouble from the West of Nigeria? If there is hostility against the Igbo, unfortunately they will be the sacrificial lamb. If there is hostility against the Igbo in all of the North or Ijaw land, how many Igbos will be affected in each case? That should

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Endorsement doesn’t translate to victory – Ikedife shadow or smoke that is ephemeral and meaningless to keep saying Buhari should run or should not run, whether he should be allowed, I think it is shadow chasing. Let us look at the spirit of the constitution and the letter of the constitution. If Nigerians do not want him, let them vote him out. He was the Head of State before and somebody who was the Head of State before, you now want to tell me he is not fit. He had been to many courses in USA military school where he graduated, came out with equivalent of Master’s degree even if at that time if it wasn’t so, but it is the same standard, at least that time it should be equal to Bachelor’s degree.

Ikedife be a guiding principle. Now, bringing it up to the level of Nigeria, if A wins there is trouble, if B wins there is trouble, if Nigeria does not want trouble, these two people who are potential possible winners and possible stacks of trouble, they should be moved down from the election and we look for other candidates in the interest of Nigeria. What I am saying may sound esoteric or philosophical or farfetched but it has touch of reality on the ground. How do you see the controversies generated so far over the qualification of Buhari for the election? I know it is not possible to stop Jonathan and not possible also to stop Buhari because even if the court goes on and pronounces him disqualified, there will be trouble. So, the court has to be circumspect in looking at the case. Incidentally, that qualification or non-qualification has to be looked at with detachment of mind and seriousness. What is in fact paper qualification? Paper qualification is worth nothing if it is paper qualification alone because you can go any day and ob-

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

These endorsements are purchasable and many of them cannot be converted to votes. So, let the candidates stop wasting their time

tain “Oluwole” piece of paper. It is said that for you to be a teacher, you must pass Standard Six or Elementary Six. Now, I know a man who never passed Standard Six, he went to a Secondary School, did marvellously well grade one exemption from London matriculation. He entered university and came out with first class honours, went on to do his PhD in Mathematics. Later, he became a Professor of Mathematics in three universities: University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Abuja and one other university where he eventually became a Vice Chancellor. He never sat in Standard Six classroom not for one day. You can see that this man has achieved more than those who sat in Standard Six classroom. Will you therefore say he should never be a teacher? If what we call cognate experience and exposure you gathered are sufficiently visible and quantifiable, then whether you pass elementary six or you didn’t pass elementary six should cease to be an issue if we are serious-minded. So, we must not be chasing the

Now, this takes me to question of endorsement. I think that is another place we have much ado about trivial, things that don’t matter. You see, we have issue with purchased endorsement. If I give you brown envelope you will say you are endorsing me. If you have been around when politicians go from one traditional ruler’s palace to another, when they get there, they are endorsed and the next one is waiting for the politicians to bring something for his tobacco. Any politician that comes will be assured of victory when you know they cannot all be there. When you do this endorsement because you receive some gratifications and you have people who are following you, do you think they are foolish that they will all follow you because you said so? Nigerians are becoming more and more informed, sophisticated, critical in their choices. You do not speak for me, I do not speak for you. We can discuss, if I convince you with superior argument, you may come my way. And if you convince me with superior argument, I may come your way. These contenders are wasting a lot of time, instead of telling me their programmes, convince us that you will do it better and you will make Nigeria better. There are a lot of mudslinging and shadow chasing, trying to pull somebody down whereas it is for the electorate to say this is the man we want or this is the man we don’t want. So, these endorsements are purchasable and many of them canCONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Politics

THURSDAY, march 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari in UK, returns this week, says APC Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

midst controversy over the whereabouts of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari, the opposition party yesterday said the former Head of State is still in the United Kingdom. The party stated that Buhari will return home this week. The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, described as laughable the controversy over Buhari’s whereabouts. “You know it is just laughable, very laughable,” Mohammed said.

“Well, General Buhari is in London, he is coming back this week and we are not under any obligation to disclose to you what he is doing or where he is because after the Chatham House speech last week Thursday, he said he was going to have a week to himself and then come back fully recharged for the last lap of the campaign. “You see, we are not surprised they had said different things, but when he surfaced in Chatham House they were now surprised and they changed the story. Let them run their mouths but I can tell you categorically that I, Lai Mohammed spoke with General Buhari yesterday in London, he is hale and hearty and he

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

will come back sometime this week to resume his campaign.” Speaking on why the presidential campaign of the party is not on top gear three weeks to the election, he said: “You see we had already done 35 out of the 36 states. Even if campaign would stop on 25, we have 22 days to elections, which is a long, long time. I can assure you that our presidential

candidate would be back this week by the grace of God and we are going to resume our campaign.” Also reacting to the whereabouts of the APC presidential candidate, Director of Media of the Presidential Campaign Organisation, Garba Shehu, stated that nobody can be more concerned than the party. He said: “Can your newspaper be more concerned that the campaign itself or are you suggesting that the campaign does not know where its presidential candidate is. “You are aware that General Buhari travelled to UK and after his speech at Chatham House, he stayed behind to attend to other engagements that he had. Some of them

were personal to him and Gen. Buhari as you know is entitled to his private moment. The president himself do travel on private issues even to the UK or other places. “There is no reason for anybody to be worried about where Gen. Buhari is. Buhari is presently in UK. The media should not be relying on the propaganda of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They should hear from us not what they get from third party.” He also condemned the statement attributed to the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on the APC presidential candidate.

Adamawa attains 87.27% PVC distribution Ibrahim Abdul Yola

L-R: Edo State APC leader, Comrade Isaac Okunbor-Oguns; President, Edo State Welders’ Association, Mr. Lawrence Okah and Governor Adams Oshiomhole, during a thank-you visit by the association to Oshiomhole…yesterday.

INEC to test-run card readers in Lagos, Ekiti Wale Elegbede

s the general elections approach, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos said it will on Saturday conduct a pilot assessment and field testing of the smart card reader to assess its efficiency and effectiveness ahead of the polls. Addressing a media briefing yesterday, the Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akin Orebiyi, noted that the assessment of the card readers which is meant for accreditation and verification of voters will also be used to measure the timing for voters on Election Day. According to the REC, the exercise will hold in

12 states across the country on Saturday and two states in each geo-politico zone with Lagos and Ekiti states chosen for the exercise in the South West. Orebiyi said: “In Lagos, we have chosen Onigbongbo ward in Ikeja local government area for the pilot scheme this Saturday and the registration area has 24, 638 voters and all the Permanent Voters’ Cards in the area has been printed and delivered. But only 14, 873 voters have collected their cards in the area. “The area has 50 voting points and since there won’t be voting, we will only use four voting officials per polling unit because there won’t be voting but only accreditation. This will enable us to test the working of the smart card readers and it

will be between 8a.m. and 1p.m. “On Saturday, we will swipe the PVC against the smart card readers to authenticate the genuiness of the smart cards, which means any card outside INEC card will not be authenticated. The second step will be verification through the voter’s thumb or index finger and the details will show or fail if the person presenting the card is not the owner. Anyone caught with fake or unverified card will be handed over to law enforcement agencies.” On the numbers of PVCs delivered so far in Lagos, the REC noted that the commission in the state has received over 5.5 million out of the expected 5.9 PVCs. He noted that over 3.7 million cards have been collected by voters.

He said: “We don’t need to react to all the trash that is being thrown at us. You the media are taking that as gospel truth and that is not being fair to us. Journalists should not report rumour and speculation. They should report the facts and the facts as you know it is that Muhammadu Buhari is in the UK and he is expected back on his own will. Don’t forget that he didn’t postpone this election. Buhari left for UK on February 19 for a working visit and on February 26 he delivered a speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (RIIA), Chatham House, London.

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said 87.27 per cent of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) meant for Adamawa State have been collected by registered voters across the state. The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Abba Yusuf, gave the statistics in an interview with newsmen in Yola, the state capital, yesterday. Yusuf added that the ongoing PVC distribution in the state was in progress. “As at Thursday, February 26, a total of 1,366,237 PVCs distributed which is equivalent to 87.27 per cent, while,

191, 322 PVCs are yet to be collected, which is equivalent to 12.28 per cent,” Yusuf said. On the deployment of voting materials, he said non-sensitive materials had already been distributed to all local government areas of the state. According to the commissioner, adequate arrangement is in place for the internally displaced persons to cast their votes. He said that the most hit areas of Madagali and Michika will cast their votes in Yola at some official designated areas. Eligible voters in Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha local government areas, who were once overran by insurgents and liberated by Nigerian troops, would vote at their respective voting wards.

Call your wife to order, APC tells Jonathan

he All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has described the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan, as “an incredibly crude woman.” The APCPCO said in a statement yesterday in Abuja that it is not only insulting for Mrs Jonathan to describe the presidential candidate of APC, General Muhammadu Buhari as “braindead” it is also demeaning of her status as the First Lady. The party urged President Jonathan to call his wife to order. Director of Media and Publicity of APCPCO, Mallam Garba Shehu, said “it was discourteous and inexcusable for a wife of any president

with a modicum of decency to make such a false and infantile pronouncement about the health status of another man on account of politics.” The APCPCO recalls that in recent time, Mrs Jonathan had made statements invoking violence like she did in Calabar over the weekend when she urged PDP supporters to “stone” all those canvassing for change. Shehu said that it was below the standard of a wife of a president to stoop so low to call for violent attacks against members of the opposition. The statement noted that: “While a good number of Nigerians are not taken by surprise by Mrs. Jonathan’s recent

incredulous pronouncements, it is important for her husband to put her in bridles in the spirit of the Abuja Peace Accord. “The APCPCO similarly observed that much as indecent and disgraceful the outbursts of Mrs. Jonathan was in attempting to pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerians about her husband’s incompetence to lead the country, it is typical of the PDP’s modus operandi to confuse Nigerians with mundane issues instead of the issues of corruption, for which her husband has achieved an unbeaten record; his appalling lack capacity to secure life and property of citizens and a glaring incompetence in dealing with the challenges facing the economy.”

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, march 5, 2015

s part of efforts to ensure victory for President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election, former Niger Delta militants have set up monitoring groups, which will be present in all polling units across the country. Part of the responsibility of the monitoring groups will be to ensure that voters are not harassed or prevented from casting their votes for their candidate of the choice. The group will also work towards ensuring that nobody tampers with the ballot boxes. The former militant leaders, under the aegis

Ex-militants set up monitoring groups, back Jonathan of the Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative, said they decided to be more involved in the electoral process because they are major stakeholders and would not sit and watch people rob the president of victory at the polls. President of the forum, Reuben Wilson, in a statement yesterday warned

those who may be planning to instigate violence during and after the elections to desist from such. “We have a governor boasting that his party will lead civil disobedience if Mr. President defeats his party in the March 28 presidential election. They are planning to rig. They are planning to use cloned perma-

nent voters’ cards (PVCs) with the assistance of some INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) officials. “We have also heard some people saying that we, the Niger Delta freedom fighters, are no more supporting our brother, Goodluck ahead of the March 28 election. Let them continue to dream.

But we wish to inform them that we are aware of their rigging plots and that is why we have decided to form ourselves into monitoring groups to frustrate their agenda. “Let them be aware that we are not only mobilising people to go and vote, we are also going to vote and will make sure that the votes are counted and be made to count. Nobody will be allowed to do anything stupid with the votes cast.

“Anybody who thinks he will rig this election should have a rethink. Before now, we had said that we will return to the creeks if anybody dares rig Jonathan out. We have not changed our mind. If INEC likes, let them do something stupid. If anybody likes, let them try to rig, we will go back to the creeks and make sure that the oil money they are planning to come and steal does not flow any longer.”

Don’t meddle with electoral process, Nkire warns PDP

L-R: Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed; Deputy Director General, PDP Presidential Campaign Council/ Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe and Head of Service of the Federation, Mallam Danladi Kifasi, after a meeting at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

PDP accuses APC of breaching peace accord Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

n spite of the peace accord signed last month, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has blamed the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of perpetrating violence against its supporters and destroying its posters and billboards in Kaduna. Addressing a press conference yesterday, the chairman of the Publicity Committee of the Yero/ Bajoga Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Yakubu Lere said it is “disheartening to note that the ElRufai Campaign Organisation mobilised thugs on Sunday who attacked PDP members and pulled down PDP billboards and then quickly went to press

to discredit the PDP.” Lere pointed out that “Governor Yero’s entourage was attacked several times at Udawa village along Birnin Gwari, Bakin Ruwa in Igabi Local Government Area, Pambegua in Kubau LGA, Ungwan Bawa in Lere LGA to mention a few.” “In addition to these, APC thugs mercilessly attacked passers-by, maiming and destroying vehicles, posters, billboards and other promotional materials belonging to the PDP. The day El-Rufai declared for governorship, the day Buhari visited Kaduna and the day El-Rufai rounded off his campaign, the destructions by APC hoodlums were monumental,” he added. The spokesman lamented that “it is on re-

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cord that throughout the period of his campaign tour, El-Rufai of the APC was not attacked even at PDP strongholds, but ElRufai and Hunkuyi have been instigating their thugs to attack Governor Mukhtar Yero campaign train as they move peacefully across the state.” Explaining what led to the latest violence against PDP supporters, Lere noted “that during the campaign tour of Gover-

Buhari’ll win 26 states, says lawmaker Temitope Ogunbanke

he Lagos State Coordinator of Buhari Osinbajo Campaign Organisation and member of the House of Representatives, Hon. James Falake, has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate,

Major General Muhammadu Buhari, will win in 26 states on March 28. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on the proposed ‘one million-man march’ in Lagos tagged ‘Marching for Change,’ Falake said APC is confident of winning the presidential election and that his party is not

jittery over the constant campaign visits of President Goodluck Jonathan to Lagos and South-West geo-political zone in the last few days. He said Nigerians are ready for change and that no amount of money or resources being distributed by President Jonathan and the Peoples Demo-

nor Yero to Zaria at the weekend, which was the grand finale, the unprecedented support shown to him by the people of Zaria and Sabon Gari LGAs created fear in the APC camp who had wrongly thought Zaria was their base.” On the allegation that PDP was circulating posters bearing the pictures of Yero, El-Rufai and Buhari, the spokesman said that “our investigations revealed that the posters were the handiwork of some APC members.” In a swift reaction, however, the spokesperson of the El-rufai campaign organisation, Samuel Aruwan, denied all the allegations saying, “it was PDP sponsored thugs that have continued to attack billboards and posters of the APC in the state.”

cratic Party (PDP) to Nigerians will make people vote for the president and the ruling party in the forthcoming elections. Faleke also said that the leadership of the APC in Lagos State will on Saturday, March 7, embark on a street march to indicate the readiness of the people for the rescheduled elections.

or mer National Chairman of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Chief Sam Nkire, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of plotting to cause confusion by meddling with the electoral process in order to make handing over difficult, come May 29. Nkire, in a statement yesterday, said from all indications, all the talks about the removal of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, was geared towards actualising this script. He was also of the opinion that the postponement of elections from February 14 March

28, although favourable to PDP, was a great mistake which should not have happened at all. Nkire said the shift in the dates for the general elections was such a grave miscalculation by the ruling party which, according to him, was capable of plunging the country into democratic confusion, if care was not taken. The member of Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) also said there was no need involving the military in election duties. He, however, commended the military for its recent successes in tackling the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.

Peterside takes campaign to Bonny

n continuation of his ward to ward campaign, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside has visited the 12 wards of Bonny Local Government Area to sensitise the people on his policy thrust. Accompanied by the APC state chairman, Dr. Davies Ikanya and Chief Victor Giadom, Director General, Greater Together Campaign Organisation, Peterside told the mammoth crowd that gathered in each of the wards visited that the forthcoming elections meant much to the future of Nigeria and Bonny people must flow with the tide of change enveloping the country. The governorship hopeful said he understands the plight of the people, unlike others that are also campaigning, saying “it is for this reason I’m here to solicit for your votes.” He said: “By the grace

of God, when we come into office, my administration will among other things, address the issue of shore protection, canalisation and ensure the completion of ongoing state government projects in the area.” While commending the peaceful disposition of Bonny people in the face of unjustifiable neglect by the Federal Government, he assured them that issues of security, healthcare, education and infrastructural development will be given priority by his government. He decried the pains Rivers people, especially the Ibani kingdom was going through under the PDP-led Federal Government, reminding Ibanis that the power of liberation was in their hands. Peterside told them to beware of desperate politicians who are willing to shed the blood of innocent citizens in the name of politics, urging the people to resist such individuals or persons.

16 Politics | Interview

THURSDAY, march 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Anohu: South-East has benefited from Jonathan The Deputy Minority Whip in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Emeka Anohu representing Ihiala 11 constituency, explains his defection from the Labour Party to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and why he wants to represent his people in the House of Representatives. CAJETAN MMUTA reports How did you cope in the Assembly as a minority lawmaker? I have always done my best to attract projects for my people despite being a Labour Party man in the Assembly. I am in the minority so it is always difficult to attract projects. But because of the relationship I have with the government, I have been doing the little I can. I want to improve and that is why I decided to join the race for the federal constituency after I joined the PDP. Why did you leave Labour Party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)? I left Labour Party because of my aspiration to represent my people in the House of Representatives and the only party that can make it happen is the PDP. That informed my decision to join a party at the cen-

tre. We are seriously working for the re-election of President Jonathan because we believe there is no other candidate better than him at the moment. If you look at Gen. Buhari, he has been a military president in the past, so he had opportunity to fix the country then, so what else does he have to do for us at this material period again. He has had his chances in the past and couldn’t use it well, so he should leave the scene. What has Jonathan done for the South-East that people like you are supporting him? For me, it is not about the promises he has made but the desire to perform. I am sure you know that they have mobilised to site at the Second Niger Bridge. Work is ongoing now. He has opened up the ports; it is just for us to jump start the business there. So, I don’t think Jonathan has done badly irrespective of the criticisms against him. We believe that if he is given another chance, he will conclude the Port Harcourt-Enugu express road; that I can assure you. How optimistic are you that the PDP will win the coming polls? PDP will win this election at all levels. It was PDP that allowed the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to thrive in Anambra, that is why it looks as if they are incharge here; that is not the case. We are going to cut them short now. If you look at the National Assembly members in Anambra State, most of them like Uche Ekwunife have joined PDP, so nobody is in APGA now. PDP is the party at the centre. The PDP will come back and take over the governorship election in Anambra State; that is what will

Segun Adewale is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Lagos West Senatorial District. He speaks on his vision in this interview with Wole Shadare. Excerpts: What prompted your decision to contest the National Assembly election to represent Lagos West Senatorial District? The bane of our problems can be attributed to the elite in the society. You know, in life, God will only use those that are ready, those that come forward to ask for things. Whoever is available is who God uses. That is why you see mediocrity everywhere both in our party and APC (All Progressives Congress). That is why as an educated person who engages in charity work, I have decided to offer myself for service. People complain of no light, no public schools and no infrastructure. Within Ikeja, you can’t get a home that has direct pipe borne water; the same thing with Alimosho, Ojo, Amuwo Odofin, Badagry. They are blaming PDP and PDP are blaming them. Why should I keep putting in my hard-earned money doing charity when our representatives have already collected millions of naira for not doing what they are expected to do? That is why I am in the race. I will give you my profile. I have just constructed boreholes. As an individual, I have built over 36 boreholes in Alimosho and Ikeja. As I am talking to you, I have donated

presence in terms of projects to my constituency.

Anohu happen soon.

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Why the interest in the House of Representatives? First of all, I am someone who has the zeal to work for my people and as a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly; I could only do a little. But as a member of the House of Representatives, the scope is larger and I believe I can attract more projects to my people through microfinance, the health institutions and education. If our youths are idle, we cannot have a secured society. We must make our youths productive to the society. For me, there are four cardinal promises I made to my constituents. I will continue to provide free medical, provide microfinance scheme to assist the young farmers and traders, improve the standard of learning and attract federal

Can we know more about your free medical services? I come from a system where health is wealth. In this our healthcare programme, many people discovered that they have diabetes but they never knew about it. For me, it is a key sector that I will like to improve my efforts with the assistance of the state government. With our foundation which is established in many parts of the world, we have access to medical doctors from Europe and America, I am happy doing this for my people. Most of the ailments being treated are high blood pressure, diabetes, malaria and sight-related problems. We have different health checkpoints, people access them at Uli, Amoka, Ihiala, Ebelechi and there is also a venue in Okija. One of our very good friends offered us assistance in developing the general hospital which we now made application to the Anambra State government to allow us upgrade the hospital free or charge. But as you know, being a man from another political party, they don’t want us to take the glory. But that is not my problem. My problem is to be able to upgrade the standard of the hospital so that my people can get quality healthcare. They don’t have to go to Ihiala, the neighbouring town, they don’t have to go to Orsumoghu, but they should be able to access the hospital here in Okija. All I want is to get the satisfaction that people are being treated on my account not the money. What is important for me is that my people are happy; they will say Emeka has brought the doctors again to treat us, that is my satisfaction.

Lagos West votes’ll determine governor – Adewale for peaceful polls? I can say APC have leaders who are deceitful. In the media, you will see a lot of propaganda, but deep down, they are the ones perpetrating evil. In some parts of the country, many PDP vehicles have been destroyed. In the South-South, how many APC vehicles or billboards have been destroyed? They are the ones that lack tolerance. They don’t want anybody to campaign. We are very calm because we know that we are winning this election. We have no business fighting APC. We want to engage in issue-based campaigns. If you are talking about violence, it is not PDP but APC.

Adewale transformers to different communities; I have built schools, I have dredged canals, I have provided assistance to the poor, I have opened up communities like Egan town. There is no road linking Egan directly to the world. Or is it Ikola, I opened up. You can go and verify. I am not in government, but I train people; I empower people. We cannot keep complaining that Nigeria is getting worse and we are not there. God will only give the people the type of leaders they deserve. So, when a nation has illiterates and semi illiterates as leaders, what do you expect? They give us whatever they like. There is tension across the country over the forthcoming elections, what is your advice

It is being alleged that PVCs are being hoarded in Lagos. What is the implication for the poll? If you look at it very well, no APC member has come out to say, I can’t get my PVC. That is the reason they are not complaining. That is why they insisted that election must be held February 14. APC are the ones in opposition, they are supposed to be the ones fighting for the people to get their PVCs. Why can’t Governor Babatunde Fashola come out to talk about distribution of PVCs. They are not fighting for none indigenes who have not gotten their PVCs. The PVCs have been collected on their behalf. They have done the demography of Lagos where PDP won in the last elections. Those catchment areas are where PVCs are not available at all or where they have been collected on their behalf or bought by APC chieftains.

In Lagos, if you look at the statistics, in 2011, over 4 million voted. In 2015, it is supposed to be more like in other states. But it is lesser. This is a deliberate act and it was done in PDP catchment areas. There is conspiracy. President Jonathan relies on South-West and Lagos which has about five million votes; that is about 30 per cent. Lagos and South-West are key to his victory. In the governorship, Lagos West is going to determine who is going to be governor of Lagos State. Seventy per cent of people who registered in the state are from Lagos West. The emphasis of any political party is Lagos West; that is why APC is pumping all resources to Lagos West because it will determine who becomes governor of the state, even the election of the president. It has the largest population, polling booths. The key to winning any election in Lagos is the area. It has 10 local governments and high population. What is your programme for the people of Lagos West if elected? My programme is entirely to tackle and alleviate poverty to the barest minimum. I also will make sure that registration of voters is continuous. The problem we have is that we cannot even count ourselves. I will make sure there is accountability. I will make sure that money devoted for capital projects will be used judiciously. I have never seen any parliamentarian who tells us how much he or she has collected for constituency projects. I will work towards opening up the economy, and attract federal presence to Lagos.

Politics | Interview 17

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, march 5, 2015

Prince Rotimi Paseda is the governorship candidate of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in Ogun State. In this interview with KUNLE OLAYENI, the businessman-turned politician speaks on his vision and programmes for the state if elected in the April 11 governorship election. Excerpts: Your entry into the gubernatorial race in Ogun State seemed to have altered the political equations. What has been the driving force of your campaign? This, for me, is lot more than politics; it is very personal. I am determined to influence a change in Ogun State and indeed Nigeria; God willing. I really can’t do everything for everybody but I believe that they deserve that little assistance and the only way to do it is to get in there. As a non-politician, I was looking for somebody to sponsor to run for the governorship. That’s what I asked the party to do, but they told me that the person could get there and decide to do otherwise. I believe so much in Awolowo’s legacies. I can’t even see myself doing anything else. If it wasn’t UPN and Awolowo, I would not be in politics. I have friends who are in politics and I never even thought of joining them. Two of my friends were ministers, and I even assisted them financially but I would never have joined them because I don’t believe in their ideology. I can never see myself sitting down with them in the same political party because I believe it’s too much elitist and too much of self. We need to make less of us and more of the people we are governing. If you look at the stability that we are seeing in UPN today, it’s because the elite practice less of themselves and more of the people. If we have social security in Nigeria, 90 per cent of people who are complaining that politicians are stealing money won’t complain. Because the man who can eat three square meals; the man who has housing and is not paying rent will be happy; he will not look elsewhere. The driving force for me is that this UPN legacy must stay and survive and I would give my right arm to see UPN as the only party of the future. What is your take on the Olokola project, described as the future fountain of the state but which appears to have been neglected by the present administration? Government is a continuum. When an incoming governor thinks he owns the state, then we have a problem. Gbenga Daniel started the project but the person that comes in does not like the face of Gbenga Daniel and he goes the opposite to just undo Daniel; it’s nonsensical really. In an ideal world, there should be a law to prevent them from wasteful spending of public funds. My own personal opinion is that I would not neglect it because it’s going to help the development of Ogun State. Whether it is Dan-

I won’t repeat Amosun, Daniel’s mistakes – Paseda iel that initiated it or Amosun, it matters not. What matters is: It is good for the state and therefore, I’m going to revisit that exactly as I am going to finish what Amosun has started. It’s not about me or Amosun, it’s about Ogun State. We cannot terminate a project that has been started in the name of the good people of Ogun State. There is due diligence and probity. The issue here is that a project has been started, it is worth N100,000. The job that has been done, does it justify the amount that has been paid?

Are you invariably saying you are going to probe the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun? I’m not interested in witch-hunting anybody. There are so many things that needed to be done. All I’m saying is that if 100 contracts have been awarded to 100 companies – I don’t want to know who the companies are – my interest is that if they’ve taken N100,000 of the state money and they’ve spent it on the project, that’s all that I need to satisfy me. But if they have not spent what they have received from the state, I will compel them to come and do the job. There will be a period that would be given for them to source the funds from wherever they want to source it and come back and finish the job. Could you highlight those things that the present government is doing that your government would do otherwise? Everything this government is doing, I’m going to correct. Though some of them are good but the method is wrong. Some of them are good but the people that are involved in it are wrong. Of course, if I’m in government, I would do roads but I won’t do as many. That is one thing I would correct. If it was in terms of bridges, there are some certain places that need bridges; I would do them. But one of the first things that I would do is that I would visit those existing bridges that link rural areas together that are crippled and broken, fix those ones first before I start saying I want to put a bridge across one roundabout because it looks nice. We are not interested in aesthetics; we are interested in practical stuff that would benefit our people. In terms of education, Amosun got it wrong. I’m a businessman, so I would say I’m a capitalist. But I

Paseda

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I’m learning from the mistakes of Gbenga Daniel... Amosun but I have to make sure that I don’t repeat the same mistakes

will also say that for everything you do, you have to put human face to it. We need to let everybody have equal opportunity to get educated. Education is not a waste, it is the only thing that can be given that no one can take it back from you. And it becomes the benefit of the society. I will definitely make sure that we bring back free education, and make it a law that Ogun State institutions must be free. So, if it is passed in the House of Assembly, no one can come and change it. Amosun is not that bad but I believe some of his advisers are wrong. He started well but he has surrounded himself with wrong advisers. I’m learning from the mistakes of Gbenga Daniel, I’m learning from the mistakes of Amosun but I have to make sure that I don’t repeat the same mistakes. Gbenga did a lot of things right and did a lot of things that people condemned. In terms of health for Amosun, I understand when you go there and ask for treatment, they (health workers) say do you want Amosun treatment or you wait to survive? If you are telling somebody to go and look for N4,000 for health insurance and this person’s entire income is N1,000 and you expect him to pay for health insurance so that they can get something that should have been completely free and accessible to them, where are they going to get N4,000 from? Of course, what you are saying is that if you are sick, stay at home and self-medicate. Many people die because of that. If I can reduce the cost of government and the amount of money we are spending on infrastructure; I don’t like saying this because I don’t

want to reveal my strategy so that opponents don’t bastardize it. I have a formula that would increase my IGR and the formula is right there. I am not used to personalising issues with Amosun but I’m going to personalise this because I think he lacks courage. If he does not lack courage, he must be able to take certain positions on some issues. With the way PDP and APC have conducted their campaigns so far; many people think Nigeria is gravitating towards a two-party state. Do you share the same view or support multi-party democracy in the country? We need multi-party democracy. Every country needs multi-party democracy. We need more parties, we need to have competition, choices and all that. But the question should have been the way the two so-called big parties are conducting their affairs publicly now is a disgrace. You have personal attacks. It’s bordering on street warfare. Digging up dirt about each other and insulting each other. However, it’s good for the people to see and read all these things so that they know that they should look for the third alternative. If one says one is a dictator, the other says one is corrupt. Then if you start scoring it one by one, you’ll identify that they are as bad as each other. Yes, we need to have different parties so that people will be able to join the party they believe in. But what’s more? We need to allow people real freedom of choice. You don’t force parties on people’s throats. Few days ago, Amosun went to Imeko and all my posters and billboards were destroyed. As far as I’m concerned, he is telling me that he is afraid of me. When we met at the debate, I told him ‘you’re gone; I’m taking over from you.’ I said ‘did you remember the day you met me at our children’s school and we were joking and I shook your hands, that is the day you passed the baton of government to me.’ So, he knows. He has taken my billboards down in Sagamu. If you are inconsequential, nobody will notice you. The fact that he’s noticing my billboards and campaigns means that I’m a threat.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Kicking against discrimination Fred Nwaozor

iscrimination is simply the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things. It can also be defined as the practice of treating one person/thing or group of persons/things less fairly or less well than other persons, things or groups, as the case may be. This biased behaviour known as ‘Discrimination’, which is an action that denies social participation or human rights, has in the recent times caused severe harm or succeeded in placing millions of lives across the globe in a state of jeopardy or agony. Indeed, it has made several mindsets to be preoccupied with skepticism when it calls for one seeking for what he/she deserves, especially when the bearer of the said mindset considers him/herself as less-privileged. Discrimination, which is widely recognized by the civil society as an inhuman behaviour/act, could be as a result of various reasons or factors such as gender, language/ethnicity, race, deformity, health condition, age, marital status, religion, retaliation/revenge, educational background, social status or class, among others. For instance, in a political terrain especially in a less-civilized country like Nigeria, someone might be discriminated against by others simply because the person is a woman or belongs to the women folk. On the other hand, someone may be denied a job or employment opportunity because he/she is too young or old for the job, or due to his/her ethnic or religious affiliation. In the same vein, a person or group stands the chances of missing a certain opportunity as a result of marital status, class or racial heritage. More so, discrimination might be experienced by someone or a group of persons owing to their educational back-

ground even if they are mentally and intellectually qualified to fit in the cycle, or simply in order to punish them for what their predecessors or parents as the case may be, did to the potential benefactor sometime ago; this aspect which is known as retaliation is not just unreasonable but childish. Recently, the most devastating form of discrimination experienced by people or some members of the public is in the case where the applicant or seeker is physically challenged or suffering from a certain illness such as HIV/AIDS, hypertension, diabetes, or even tuberculosis that is curable. This aspect of discrimination, which is globally addressed as ‘Stigmatization’, has called for the concern of various international societies including the United Nations. Take for instance, in a situation where a person is deprived of an admission space because he/she is a sufferer of any of the aforementioned diseases, or that the person is suffering from one form of deformity or the other. Most times, it doesn’t even have to do with when the carrier or the affected person is seeking for a favour, contract or job as the case may be; in some quarters, he may not be allowed to enroll for his membership in any social group he is meant to belong. Such intimidating or humiliating act is liable of causing the death of the person in question, or it could even make him/her to become violent or a monster in the society he or she belongs. To be realistic; the only reasonable or acceptable way someone could be discriminated or denied of his or her right, privilege or opportunity in any society, is in a situation where the person is affiliated to a certain vice or illicit social activity, to include robbery, cultism, rape, drug/human trafficking, prostitution, admission racketeering, examination malpractices, and what have you. Other than these or any other related act, anyone

in any given society or country has the right or privilege to be treated equally like others, since he/she is a bonafide citizen of the said country or society. In this regard, there is an urgent need for every right thinking individual across the globe to ensure that his or her quota as regards fighting this scourge is immensely contributed. On this note, I call on all concerned bodies or authorities to intensify their awareness crusade regarding the elimination of this societal menace. Last Sunday March 1, the world marked the 2015 World Day of Zero Discrimination. The Zero Discrimination Day is an annual worldwide event that promotes diversity and recognizes that everyone counts. The first commemoration of the Day took place on March 1, 2014 by the effort as well as the mandate of the United Nations (UN); the celebration came in consequence to the launch of Zero Discrimination Campaign on World AIDS Day in December 2013 by the UNAIDS – the UN arm on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). As the global community marks the annual World Day of Zero Discrimination, I enjoin the entire members of the Nigeria’s legislative arm to enact a strict and formidable law that would put a final stop to any form of discrimination taking place in the country at large. The teeming members of the public are also expected to assist in the proper implementation of the proposed law by ensuring that anyone around them that indulges in the uncalled and disgusting act is brought to book. Above all, we ought to note that it is our civic responsibility to endeavour to ensure that, this aberration is totally and thoroughly restored in our respective communities or societies. Think about it! • Nwaozor ( frednwaozor@gmail.com), is Public Affairs Analyst and Civil Rights Activist

March elections and military participation Mike Arayuwa Wilkie

he quintessential mandate of the Army, globally, is mainly for the protection of the Territorial Integrity of Nation States, to repel external aggression and quell insurgency. These have become relevant in the fundamental interest of sovereign states. The conventional police are mandated to maintain law and order, the preservation of lives and properties and to arrest and prosecute offenders. Perhaps too, the police may be drafted to all the polling stations in the country for the purpose of maintaining law and order, arrest suspects for sharp practices and monitor the conduct of the elections. However, it is important to state that in a developed democracy in the industrialized world, police and soldiers are not deployed in polling stations for any reason. This cannot be said about fragile democracy such as Nigeria. It is not to state that Nigerians are lawless, rather, we still have some difficulties in an attempt to keyinto the new democratic dispensation which kicked-started in 1999. The issue at stake, as it stands, is whether the Army should be deployed in the conduct of the next general election or not. Opinion varies in this regard. A school of thought is of the view that the Nigerian Army should be drafted to provide adequate security during the period. While a second school of thought is vehemently of

the view that the Army should not get involved at all. Even within the political class, there is an obvious division between the two major political parties: the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives’ Congress (APC). Other political parties also hold various views on this subject matter. Only last week, a motion entitled: “Unconstitutional deployment of the military personnel for election purposes” was moved by the APC Minority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. The motion was obviously against the involvement of the military in the forth-coming elections slated for March 28, 2015 and April 11, 2015. The result of the Gbajabiamila motion tore the House of Representatives into two sharp divisions although the PDP was able to stall and kill it at an infant stage. Infact, the APC members walked-out of the House in protest. The Gbajabiamila-led APC later addressed a press conference whose subject was to indict the decision of the Deputy speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. The APC members promised to move the motion, once again, at a later date and added that the party will not allow it to die. Prof Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman, has consistently re-echoed the fact that it is only the security operatives that can dictate the security situation for elections to be adequately conducted. It is my view that Prof Jega referred to the police and the military to undertake the assignment of the maintenance of law and order during the period in question

for peace to reign. In Portharcourt, the Commander, 2nd Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Koko Essien announced that the military will provide security during the general elections in accordance with the provisions of the law. He further added that the military has had several meetings with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the participation of the Army in the next elections. In the Ekiti State Governorship election of June 21, 2014, the APC had gone to court to challenge the victory of Ayo Fayose, the PDP incumbent Governor of the State. In one of its rulings, the Appeal Court was of the opinion that the military had no business with the provision of security during the Ekiti State Gubernatorial election. This verdict so far is the position of the law until it is appealed against at the Supreme Court. The bottom line is that Mr. President cannot deploy the military during elections which is yet to be conducted by INEC. The verdict of a Sokoto State High Court also lent credence to the opinion of the Appeal Court in Abuja which handled the Ekiti Governorship election. The Sokoto State High Court also proclaimed that the military have no role to play in the conduct of elections. In my opinion, the verdicts as cited cannot take precedence over and above any of the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and if accepted, such Courts are only confronting the laws of the land. Those who are canvassing that the Army should not take part in provid-

ing security have certainly missed the point. They are yet to advance sufficient reasons on why the military should not partake in elections. I have the belief that such pessimists and especially the APC are scared that the ruling PDP Government might use the military to rig the elections. The incontrovertible fact is that the political class constitutes the brewing laboratory for the production of election riggers. Of this class, the best and consummate riggers will win the elections in their various constituencies. Who will therefore say that the Nigerian politicians do not rig to win elections? Whoever has a contrary opinion may better wait for the next election to come and some earthquake results will act as an eye opener. The Apostles of non-military participation are fully aware of the serious security posed by the unrepentant Boko Haram in the North-East geo-political Region. If for instance, the military is not deployed in other five zones without security challenges, what of the North East with visible security threat? Should the states in such an area be left without the presence of the military during the conduct of elections? These are fundamental issues at stake. Mr. President who doubles as the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is constitutionally mandated to do what is needful in times of security challenges in any part of Nigeria. His official discretion on security matters is therefore weighty and sacrosanct. • Wilkie can be reached at pmikky1950@yahoo. com (08023097251)

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Baby Sheriffdeen must not die!

rgent steps must be taken by everybody concerned to save the life of an armless baby born of a couple in Ogun State. Right now, the life of the baby may be in danger. The mother, confused and dejected, mostly because of people’s reaction to the baby, said she did not want her baby. The dejected housewife, Mrs Taiwo Sheriffdeen, even called on the administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and any willing Nigerian to adopt the baby. The young mother, who lives on Bosun Street, Ifo in Ifo Local Government Area of the state, delivered the baby boy at a private hospital. But, according to reports, everybody has disowned her and her baby. Her commercial bus driver husband, Mr Mudashiru Sheriffdeen, took to his heels after his wife delivered the baby. The landlord asked her not to bring the baby home while the hospital also asked her to take her baby and leave. Depressed and confused, the woman described the baby as “calamity.” The baby, it was learnt, weighed 3.25kg at birth.

Mrs. Sheriffdeen expressed regret that her husband fled on hearing that her baby was born without arms But many people trooped to the hospital, Majotal Medical Clinic, Ilogbo area of AdoOdo/Ota Local Government Area, to catch a glimpse of the baby. Mrs. Sheriffdeen expressed regret that her husband fled on hearing that her baby was born without arms. The woman claimed that her husband and their landlord had warned her not to bring the baby home. She said: “This is my first child and I do not know why I had to give birth to this kind of a baby. “Immediately my husband was informed that his son had deformity, he had not come to see me. He is a commercial bus driver and we had married for almost two years before God decided to answer our prayer. “When I was pregnant, we took every step that the doctor

directed us to take but we did not know why we came about this calamity. “The hospital management has asked us to leave the hospital. Now my baby and I have nowhere to go; I don’t need this baby, I want government to come and adopt him.” It is easy to castigate the woman, but societal response to babies with deformities such as Baby Sheriffdeen is outrageous. But Baby Sheriffdeen, whether deformed or not, like any other child, has the constitutional right to life as entrenched in the nation’s statute books. This is a clarion call on human rights organisations to rise to the challenge of not only ensuring that Baby Sheriffdeen lives but lives well. These human rights organisations, who are now falling over one another in their desperate bids to support either the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the All Progressives Congress (APC), should realise that human rights go beyond political right. Many children, even adults, are in dire situations and need a little assistance to survive. Human rights organisations need to take time off politics and electioneering to defend

people’s rights, including Baby Sheriffdeen’s right to life. In saner climes where human rights are placed above other considerations, Baby Sheriffdeen’s parents would be happy the baby is born deformed. This is because there are policies in place to discourage parents of such children from abandoning them. In the United Kingdom, for instance, children with deformities are well taken care of. They are given allowances and other things needed by children, including baby food. The mother is also placed on salary for taking care of the baby while a carer is paid to look after the baby in case the parent opts for another job. Also, the baby is given a house equipped with facilities to make him or her live comfortably with that particular disability. While it may be impossible to provide all these things in Nigeria because of endemic corruption and disregard for the citizens’ welfare, it is not too much to ask that Baby Sheriffdeen is allowed to live. If urgent steps are not taken, it may not be surprising to read in a few days that the baby is dead, thrown away or abandoned while the parents disappear.

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20 Politics | Interview CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

not be converted to votes. So, let the candidates stop wasting their time looking for people saying they are endorsing them. The Igbo therefore have to consider where their interest and benefits lie most before they vote. How do you see the role of religion in the general elections, especially the fear that a presidential candidate has a tendency to Islamise the country? Islamisation of a country is not the issue. Look at the Western flank of Nigeria; the present governor of Lagos State is a Muslim. Many others be-

THURSDAY, march 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Presidency: Ndigbo should not be deceived – Ikedife fore him have gone, there are Christians and in one family of four brothers, two of them are Christians while the other two are Muslims. They are all living harmoniously. When they go to family meeting, they discuss issues, when it is time for prayer, the Muslims will go and pray and when it is time for church the Christians will go and worship. When they have issues, they come together.

I don’t think religion should be a major issue in considering who should be the president of this country because they are not trying to make you a spiritual leader; it is political and economic leader. So long as you have the fear of the unknown via the fear of God that you distribute our amenities and patronage with even handedness, without fear or favour, without prejudice against any par-

ticular group or region; I think that is what matters more than what is the colour of your shirt.

What is your assessment of the two major contenders in the presidential race? How do you rate them? My take on them or how I rate them is immaterial. I have only one vote, so I cannot say this man has 60 per cent while the other man has 40 per cent. I am afraid I can’t

because it is not easy for me to say that. But when I go there, I know who I will vote for irrespective of what argument you make. I have already made up my mind who I will vote for and I am not likely to change it. In the Second Republic, you were the liaison officer of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), does this not influence the way you speak about these two candidates?

I think what influences the way I speak about the candidates starts with my parentage – my upbringing, experience, vision and projection. Of course, anybody who holds any view must be influenced by some strong previous experiences, exposures, knowledge and information. So, I am not different. The background, the family values, training, all these add up to make you who you are and hold opinion on any issue, be it religion, economic, political or sociological. Mudslinging has taken over campaigns. Is it because the parties are not founded on ideological basis and what do you think is the way out? It is a great pity that our democracy is still evolving and this is the phase it has been going through. There is this phrase they have brought into the political language, ‘stomach infrastructure.’ I don’t think I understand it yet. It just shows you that there are no ideological political parties. That is why you have carpet crossing. Look at National Conscience Party (NCP) of Gain Fawehmi, any true member of that party is not likely to go and do carpet crossing unless there is an amalgamation of views, manifestos, visions and missions. Not just suddenly you move from this side to that side. It shows inconsistency, lack of believing in anything except self-interest. If you look at the political parties and the players, they look almost identical because in one group, you see people who are bourgeoisie; in another you see the same group. In some, you see some people who may be called the ‘Talakawas’, the ordinary folks. In the other one, they may not be in the same proportion. But basically, if you look at the manifesto of the two big political parties, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), you won’t see much that is different. That is why it is easy for people to move from one party to another and when there are no issues, then you resort to mudslinging, abusing people. We want substance, tell us what you will do better, tell us what you will do for us to improve the generality of Nigerians. I have to tell you that a lot of Nigerians, angry and hungry, dissatisfied. How do you react to this age issue of Buhari? He is a young man and capable of ruling Nigeria. I have watched from a distance, he is capable and in comparison, a very young man.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, march 5, 2015

News

Jurist

Traders dare firm over N6.5bn Abuja market

Gbadamosi: JUSUN not fair to Oyo despite Ajimobi’s commitment

Law

Daudu, Agbaje, Nkwereum disagree over Jega’s ouster plot

Daudu

Jonathan

Should the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega proceed on a terminal leave? Lawyers say yes, no. TUNDE OYESINA and AKEEM NAFIU report

FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE JUDICIARY Editor

foluso.ogunmodede@ newtelegraphonline.com

Jega

hat does the law say on the appointment and removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)? Does the civil service law play a role in who becomes the chairman of the commission? If yes, it is trite for the INEC chairman to proceed on a terminal leave. But lawyers yesterday said no, yes to the plot to compel Jega to proceed on terminal leave by the Federal Government even as the plot thickens. Jega may hand over to one of the INEC’s commissioners following plans to force him to proceed on a three-month terminal leave Although President Goodluck Jonathan had on February 11dismissed the alleged plan to sack Jega, lawyers were yesterday divided on the rife plot to remove Jega ahead of the March 28 scheduled general elections. While a former president of the lawyers’ umbrella body, Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN, executive director Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Mr. Clement Nwankwo, President, Public Interest Lawyers League, Abdul Mahmud, Mr. Fred Agbaje, Chief Mike Ozhekome, SAN and

It is a matter of wishful thinking to say that Jega will go at a time like this; he is not a civil servant

Mr. Norrison Quakers, SAN warned of the dire consequence should the INEC Chief be forced out of office before the expiration of his tenure in office, others backed the alleged plot that the civil service rules must be applicable in Jega’s case. For instance, an activist lawyer, Chief Akpan Nkwereum said Jega must proceed on a terminal leave in accordance with the civil service rule. He said: “I will be suspicious of those who insist on working till the last day and when people talk about ‘forcing’ in the context of sack, one begin to wonder what exactly is the meaning of the word ‘force’. “Secondly, the fact that INEC has under his watch registered kids as young as four, five and six years to vote, abandoned tonnes of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) in London, openly discriminated against certain sections of the country in the distribution of PVC, insisted it was ready to conduct elections on February 14 when less than 60 per cent of PVCs were not yet distributed among other infractions and short comings shows clearly that

INEC under Jega has failed woefully even before the polls. “His departure will be a healthy development, I support same”. Nwereum was echoed by the Labour Party’s Publicity Secretary and rights activist, Mr. Kayode Ajulo who simply said, the question is: what is the legal imperative of terminal leave? Is the terminal leave has legal backings? He, however said that once the leave was provided for in principle and by regulation, it was then needful that the right thing must be done by ensuring that Jega should embark on a terminal leave like others before him. Jare Ibiwoye, another lawyer said since Jega was an appointee of the Federal Government, the right to either remove or retain him lies with Mr. President, insisting that since INEC remains an institution, removing Jega would not have any negative on the scheduled elections. Ibiwoye said: “We should not downplay the power of an institution. Jega is different from INEC. It is INEC that is planning CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

22 Law | News

THURSDAY, march 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Traders dare firm over N6.5bn Abuja market TUNDE OYESINA writes that the legal battle between 700 traders and a firm, All Purpose Shelters Limited, over allocation of shops at the N6.5billion Wuye Ultra-modern Market will soon take a definite shape as Justice O. A. Musa of an Abuja High Court will on March 23, deliver judgement on the matter.

or more than a year now, about 700 traders have engaged a firm, the All Purpose Shelters Limited (APSL) in a fierce legal battle over the allocation of shops at the Wuye Ultra-modern Market. The firm, APSL and the Abuja Investment and Property Development Company Limited (AIPDCL) had signed an agreement to build, operate and transfer the N6.5billion Wuye Ultramodern Market. While the market was being built, provisional offers of allocation were issued to the traders who were expected to pay a certain amount of money to be able to have access to the shops for their business transactions. The N6.5billion market which has 1,700 shops could not be used for business transactions after it was commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan due to an order of the court in February last year, barring the defendants from allocating any of the offices in the market pending the deter-

mination of the substantive suit. The court order stopping the opening of the market for business notwithstanding, the days, months and years for the repayment of the loan secured for the construction of the market had already started counting. A senior manager of the APSL had told journalists that while the case was at the hearing stage, APSL secured loan to build the market after a BOT agreement with AIPDCL. The manager also said that the monies of those that had already paid for the shops are also tied down because the management of the market could not allocate the shops to them on the grounds of the pending court case. He said, “The letters of allocation of those who had already paid are ready in our office but we cannot distribute them because of the closure of the market. But by the grace of God, once we get the court case behind us, we will begin to distribute

L-R: NBA President, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Chidi Onyenkwu and his Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers’ counterpart, Albert E. Okumagba during the signing of a collaboration agreement among professionl assoications at the ICAN secretariat, Victoria Island, Lagos

the allocation letters”. Before the case was fixed for March 23 for judgement, an Abuja High Court where the case is pending had admitted in evidence the agreement between All Purpose Shelters Limited and the AIPDCL. The agreement, known as BOT, was reached between the APSL and the AIPDCL for the construction of the multi-billion naira market. About 706 traders, under the umbrella body of Wuye Ultra-modern Market Owners, had dragged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), All Purpose Shelters Limited and Abuja Property

Development Company before the court over the firm’s alleged refusal to allocate shops/space to them after being given provisional offer of allocation letters. But Justice O. A. Musa had admitted the BOT agreement as evidence after it was tendered before the court by the lawyer to the APSL, Mr Rotimi Ojo. After the BOT was admitted in evidence, Ojo sought to also tender the Certificate of Occupancy issued to the firm by the FCT minister but was countered by the lawyer to the traders, Mr. S. E. Peters, who objected to the admissibility of the document. He told the court not to

admit the document on the grounds that it was not pleaded by the defendants in their defence. But Ojo urged the court to discountenance the submissions of Peters and admit the document in evidence against the 706 plaintiffs in the matter. The APSL had in its amended statement of defence by Ojo, asked the court to order that fullscale business transactions be commenced to avoid dilapidation of the buildings at the newly built N6.5billion market. The market was built on 7.3 hectares of land under the public private partnership (PPP) and Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement.

Though the 706 traders are challenging the propriety of the allocation of the shops in the market, the APSL in its amended statement of defence is asking the court to dismiss the plaintiffs’ request and order the reopening of the market for business. After being given letters of provisional offer of allocation of shops/ open space, the plaintiffs demanded for keys to the shops. But the APSL said that the traders have no right to use and occupy shops at the market without paying for the shops because it built the shops with its own resources and bank loan. The plaintiffs had claimed before the court that the offer letters were released to them because they had met the terms of their allocation. But the APSL countered their claim and informed the court that they were yet to meet the terms of allocation. The APSL said, “the letters released to the plaintiffs were clearly marked “Letter of Provisional Offer of Allocation of Shops/Open Space” which is dependent on other conditions stipulated in their letters of provisional offer”. “The 3rd defendant (the APSL) avers that it built the market with bank loan and interest on the money is running on a daily basis.

Babalakin’s clean bill opens ‘legal window’ in criminal matters TUNDE OYESINA reviews the verdict by a Lagos High Court, Ikeja which gave a clean bill of health to the chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Wale Babalakin and others and concluded that the judgement has again opened a vista for criminal matters

wo years after he was accused of N4.7 billion fraud, the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Wale Babalakin has breathed an air of freedom at least for now. He was left off the hook last week by the Ikeja division of the Lagos High which struck out the criminal charges against him and four others on the grounds that the charges were ‘incurably bad and defective’. The alleged offence, according to the court presided over by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo did not disclose reasonable and enough information before the court, hence the nation’s anti-graft-agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could not sustain the charge. Although the EFCC frowned at the court’s position to quash of the charges, Justice Lawal-Akapo gave verdict that the charges could not be sustained. He discharged the Senior Advocate of the alleged fraud.

There was no basis for N4.7bn charges against the accused persons, the court rules. Also, the judge while striking out the suit as unmeritorious, said the EFCC did not disclose the particulars of the offences allegedly committed and when the offences took place, among others, saying “the amended information filed on May 7, 2013 is incurably bad and ineffective”, especially as a former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, who was alleged to have corruptly conferred the N4.7billion on Babalakin, was not a public officer as stated in the charge. While ruling on the application filed by Babalakin and his co-defendants to quash the charges that were said to have no basis, the trial judge formulated four issues raised by the defendants to determine his ruling: *Whether or not the EFCC can prosecute a defendant in a State High Court without valid fiat *Whether former Delta State governor, James Onanefe Ibori, is a pub-

Babalakin

lic officer *Whether two prosecuting authorities can jointly sign a charge, and *Whether the charge on the surface contains sufficient information to meet the mandatory requirement of Section 36, Sub-Section 6(A) of the 1999 Constitution as amended However, Justice Lawal-Akapo resolved three of the issues in favour of the defendants while he upheld that the EFCC had the power to prosecute any criminal matter in court without fiat. His ruling was in respect of five consolidated applications challenging the jurisdiction of the court and the competence of information on various counts.

The EFCC had charged Babalakin and his companies, Stabilini Visioni Limited and Bi-Courtney Limited, as well as Alex Okoh and his company, Renix Nigeria Limited, to court on 27 counts bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct and corruptly conferring benefit on account of public action. The anti-graft agency had alleged that Babalakin and his co-defendants fraudulently assisted the convicted former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, to transfer huge sums of money through various parties to Erin Aviation account in Mauritius for the purchase of a plane. But, the defendants challenged the EFCC and filed separate applications, urging Justice Lawal-Akapo to quash the charges on the grounds that the EFCC, as a federal agency, lacked valid fiat to prosecute them in a State High Court. The accused persons were represented by Dr. Biodun Layonu (SAN), Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN), Mr. Roland Otaru (SAN), Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN) and Mr. Oladapo Akinosun. The lawyers however argued that all the charges against the defendants were predicated on repealed laws of Lagos State and urged the court to CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Law | File

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, march 5, 2015

Lawyers divided over plot to sack Jega C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1

for the elections and not Jega. It is an understatement to say that if Jega is removed today, election will not hold. “There can never be a vacuum in an institution, just like a government. There is always a continuum in every governance and institution”. But they were countered by Daudu, Ozekhome, Agbaje, Quakers, Ubani, and Nwankwo, who insisted that Jega who was not a civil servant must not be treated as one especially as his removal from office, would further dent the credibility of the ruling party to conduct a transparent 2015 general election. To Daudu, proponents of Jega’s removal were nothing but on a wild goose chase as the law which brought the INEC’s boss to office had no provisions for a terminal leave. Daudu said: “it is a matter of wishful thinking to say that Jega will go at a time like this, he is not a civil servant and so none of the law guiding the appointment of a civil servant can catch up with him. Ozekhome simply said “there will be no way the government will justify it that the world will not believe that it is a prelude to having an election that is not fair, free and credible. Yes, the civil service rules are there that a person must proceed on leave three months to his retirement because Jega retires in June and ideally he should be proceeding on leave by March. The question is, has Jega himself said he want to proceed on leave? “It is also correct to say that under the Constitution, the President can hire and fire the INEC Chairman. But, the power to hire and fire must also look carefully at the moral and ethical issues involved, particularly, at a time like this when we are close to elections. “There are problem areas. One of such is, if Jega is removed, the next INEC Chairman will need a lot of time to even study files, let alone mastering the issue of conducting elections itself. He would need to go round all the 36 States and FCT to see the provisions and the readiness on ground. He would need to know much about the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) and the card readers which 99.9 percent of Nigerians including me knew nothing about. He would need to know the security situation. The new Chairman will need at least three to four months to settle down. “It is true also that there are 36 INEC Commissioners in Nigeria, but a Chairman leads all of them. So, no one can say that because the commissioners also know the job, therefore a robot Chairman just coming in who knows nothing can do anything. They can deceive him easily and lead him on a wrong path. “Another problem area is that under the Constitution, particularly, under Section 26, everyone elected in the elections must be sworn-in on May 29, 2015. The last day elections can therefore be held legally in accordance with Section 26 of the Electoral Act is April 29. Now, the new Chairman coming in

Agbaje

cannot have time between March 28 and April 11 to organize any credible elections. “May 29 is sacrosanct. The doctrine of necessity cannot lead us to bring through the back door any governmental contraption like the interim government. Interim government is a constitutional aberration and anathema which is not tolerated under the present constitutional arrangements that we are operating. So, let no one think that a situation will be foisted on Nigeria where we are going to have a military intrusion. It is not going to happen. Nigerians have outgrown that. “My advice therefore for Mr. President is that he should not listen to any member of his kitchen cabinet advising him to remove the INEC Chairman now. It would be unholy, ungodly, unethical and immoral even if it is legal since he who appoints can also remove. But, going from the moral angle, the tension in the country, the expectations of both Nigerians and the international community, so that we do not become a laughing stock among the comity of nations, we should leave Jega alone, once and for all to organize elections as best as he could so that those who are dissatisfied can approach the Tribunal. I therefore don’t want to contemplate as to what would happen if INEC Chairman is removed rather I have outlined the problems to say why he should not be removed at all “. Agbaje was not different. He said “if you are removing the head of an organization conducting an election barely two weeks to the polls, what impression are you creating for yourself ? It shows that the government is not serious and that it has an ulterior motive”. Agbaje went on: “If Jega is removed people will not believe in the transparency of whoever is brought in to conduct the elections. They will also insinuate that he was brought in to do a hatchet job.

Ozekhome

Jega’s exit will be a healthy development

“The present Federal Government has a penchant for denying anything that is obvious to everybody. That is why they can deny that there are no plans to sack Jega. So, why will anybody believe such a government? “There are so many reasons the populace have lost confidence in the present government. It is not a government of truth. They say one thing and do another thing. They told the whole world that they were not aware of any attempt to postpone the elections, but, did they not postpone it at the end of the day? Nothing can come strange to me from this government”. Quakers said no one was capable of removing Jega from office until the expiration of his tenure as his appointment enjoyed statutory backings. He said: “Whilst one concedes to the fact that his appointment is at the instance of the President but the National Assembly is also involved. So, even his removal as well should be subjected to the approval of the National Assembly. “But again, the question is, why will you ask the man to go on leave when the election is around the corner? So, he has to organize the elections and conclude it, bringing anybody in now will change the game and whatever he does now will be seen as unconstitutional. This is because if you bring someone else to conduct elections at this time when there is a substantive Chairman, it will create constitutional crisis”. “If Jega is removed, it might result in crisis. Except the government is trying to create crisis by itself and that’s what will now lead to his removal. Even, if he is asked to go on leave, he has an option. No one can force him to go on leave. Elections have to be concluded because he has fixed the timetable as the Chairman. You can’t even have an acting Chairman to conduct election because the Constitution does not recognize the role of an Acting Chairman”. To Nwankwo said “this is not

the right time to be thinking that Jega should go on terminal leave. We are just three weeks away from the general elections. Common sense does not support it, laws of the land do not support it, we in the civil society will also not support. “Jega’s tenure ends in June, the INEC boss is not a civil servant and he cannot be treated as such. So, to begin to talk about three months terminal leave will be a breach of the instrument that brought Jega into office. “Whoever is thinking of sending Jega on terminal leave should have a re-think. Nigeria is at a critical point now where decision is about to be made”. Mahmud said the issue of terminal leave for Jega was a nonissue that has been politcized beyond rational. “We now wonder, why question arises over removal of Jega. Section 158(1) secures the independence of INEC, which makes Jega not subject to the Civil Service Rules. “In fact, Section 160(2) gives INEC the power to make its own rules. Talk about Jega’s removal is nonsense. I don’t think Mr. President contemplates that”. Abiodun Adeyemi said: “The sensitivity of the role of Jega in the electoral process is so crucial that one cannot handle his exit with levity, especially as the current electoral process is drawing a lot of attention both locally and internationally. “So, it is very important that we ensure that the right things are done to ensure that this electoral process is allowed to follow its course as encapsulated in the new timetable, both the umpire and the processes are allowed to go on accordingly. “To replace Jega now is like changing the rules in the middle of the game which I think will affect negatively people’s perception to the seriousness in ensuring a proper electoral process and ultimately good governance in Nigeria”.

Law | Jurist

Mr. Kazeem Adekunle Gbadamosi (a.k.a. KGB) is the incumbent chairman of the Ibadan branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in Oyo state. He bares his mind on developments in the nation’s judiciary, the problems associated with incessant strikes by staff of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), state of infrastructural facilities in the courts as it affects justice dispensation, security challenges, and the forthcoming general elections, among others. SOLA ADEYEMO met him.

THURSDAY, march 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Gbadamosi: JUSUN not fair to Oyo despite Ajimobi’s commitment

hortly after he became the chairman of the Ibadan branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), it has been from glory to glory for Mr. Kazeem Adekunle Gbadamosi, popularly known as KGB in terms of positive changes in the affairs of the 60 year-old association. Gbadamosi’s leadership had brought succour to the hapless since his assumption in office last year. Gbadamosi told New Telegraph this way: “The association is one and we are running it as an executive. So, it has been a collective achievement. Last year December, we did the 60th anniversary of the association, since it started here in Ibadan. We have had occasions to do one or two things together for the society as part of our corporate and social responsibility. For example, we were at the Nigerian prisons where we built toilet facilities and renovated some other toilet facilities for them last December. We had organized lectures and we have gone out to attend to people by informing them of their rights vis-a-vis the incoming elections as regards their right to vote and their right to wait and participate in the elections. These are parts of the few things that we have done in the past one year. Pro bono services, Gbadamosi said ‘’well, generally, people aspire to reach the pinnacle of their profession. As a practising lawyer and not as a judge, who wishes to become a SAN, you have to be involved in pro bono matters. And fortunately because of that condition which has been stipulated we now have a lot of our seniors and our colleagues and juniors now taking up pro bono cases. “Personally, I am involved in some and I know that some of my colleagues are involved in it. Other seniors and juniors have also offered pro bono to those who deserve it. But when we talk of pro bono, we are talking of those who don’t have the means to pay. We are not talking of those who actually committed crimes or who have been alleged to have committed crimes and have the means, but are now saying because lawyers are offering pro bono, they now want lawyers to do it for

Gbadamosi

them. That is not possible. But we are talking of those who are indigent. Even courts refer such cases to us and we make sure we send them to our colleagues to handle for them. However, the chairman who took a swipe at the judiciary, said the incessant strike by the junior members of the third-arm had had significant effect on the nation’s administration of justice. Specifically, Gbadamosi said things had not been the same especially in Oyo State since the era of strike crept into the judiciary. He said: “Well, as of last year, things were moving on well, but since this strike started on the 5th of January, things have not been the same. But talking of assessment of the judiciary as you have said, substantially when there is no work, things cannot be the same. High Court is supposed to be the closest to the Nigerian citizens and this basically accounts for the bulk of the volume of civil or criminal cases we have in the country. But when you now have almost all the High Courts in the country (except for some states which have resumed), not working, then it becomes difficult to now say you want to assess the judiciary in the last two months. But when you talk of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, they are already working, dealing with pending appeals before them. The Federal High Court is also working, but it is a specialised court that attends to special matters unlike High Court that takes every matter that is brought before it. The National Industrial Court is also working but what is the number and quantum of cases that they

It is right and proper for JUSUN to call off the strike considering the undertaking which has been given by Oyo State

can take? That simply leads us to one conclusion that the level of justice system in the country cannot be said to have reached its peak vis a vis this year when most magistrate’s courts are not working, High Courts are not working. So, we can’t say justice is being dispensed as it ought to be in the country when all those closest courts to the people are not working. So, if you are calling for ratings, you can’t rate something when nothing has been done; when most of the courts are not working. There is no yardstick to rate their performance. You see, the issue is basically constitutional. What they are asking for is compliance with the provisions of the constitution. I know our association has met them on a number of occasions. We met with the national president of JUSUN and we also met with their executives and the resolution was that where states are willing to make an undertaking, verbals not even written, and the committee that has been set up at the national level which comprises the chairmen of the branches of states, the chairmen of JUSUN, the Chief Registrars, the Attorneys-General of the states and some other officers, the chairman of the branch capital, has been mandated to chairman that monitoring committee in the dispute in the states. In Oyo state, we have met on a number of occasions and we were able to move forward. And in actual fact, the state has given an undertaking to comply with the constitution. So, it now behooves the JUSUN to call off their strike. I have taken step to inform the

president of our association in person of Mr Augustine Alegeh (SAN) of the stage we have reached: that Oyo state has gone further than giving mere verbal undertaking to comply with the Constitution but that they have also given undertaking to comply. Our executive has now thought that in view of the written undertaking, the JUSUN should have called off the strike by now. But I had discussion with the chairman of JUSUN in Oyo state and his opinion was that until they have the first payment into their accounts they would not resume. I told him that such would be sidetracking the agreement reached because if your position is until you have your demands met, who will pay the lawyers that have not been able to go to court? Who will pay litigants for their cases that ought to have been treated if at the end of.January you are paid your salary? Having given the undertaking, you are not supposed to be paid for the period you did not work. Do they have to wait until you are paid? Having taken such undertaking they ought to have called off the strike taking into cognizance those whose livelihood depends on going to court; those whose business depends on the determination of their cases pending in courts. They should have called off the strike. By mid July, the courts will go on vacation and we are in March. So, I believe it is right and proper for JUSUN to call off the strike considering the undertaking which has been given by Oyo state. On the condition of prisons in Oyo State, Gbadamosi said “well, if we are talking of prisons, they will still be the same way they were as at the time they started the strike. This is because there can’t be any remanding of anybody in the prisons. The prisons will remain in the same state except for those that have completed their terms that might have even been released. So, in prisons, we might even be having less population by now. There can however be some increment based on those that might have been remanded from the Federal High courts. But if you talk in terms of police stations, you cannot say there has been an increase or there is a decrease. The only thing you can talk of is the issue of Nigerian factor. The police are to hold suspects for 48 hours. If they cannot hold for more than 48 hours, and they cannot charge them because there is no court the suspects can be taken to, then they would be asked if they want to continue to be in the cell. And if they are willing to leave and are ready to give, even though bail is supposed to be free, they might be willing to go. But I think that the cells like the Iyaganku station I have been to today, was not congested. The reason is that they might have been dealing with the suspects in a civil manner. I had expected the place to be overblown with suspects, but the place was fairly okay. I did not see a lot of people in their cell.

Law | Interview

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, march 5, 2015

NJC must probe CJN, others over JUSUN strike — Esezoobo What is your view on the deployment of military for elections in Nigeria? The use of soldiers for election in Nigeria is very bad and out of order. It’s a threat to democracy. Nigeria should, at our age, know what to do at any time especially in the eye of the civilised world. The civil security system, the police, is the institution that should be used in the maintenance of peace and order in a democratic setting like ours and not the people trained for purpose of war and protecting the territorial integrity of the country. The situation in the country is not such that warrants the deployment of the soldiers. Such idea was purely political. Once we start it, there will be no end to it. What was the security problem in Ekiti state that they deployed soldiers there? I think it’s a very wrong thing to do. It’s unconstitutional. It’s illegal and should not be encouraged. Unfortunately, this happens because the police have failed. That’s why we can easily resort to use of soldiers during an election. What we are experiencing with the likes of Joseph Mbu and others is not encouraging. We have read on the pages of newspapers, regarding the activities of police. Just like what Mbu did in the Rivers State. Today, he is telling us that if one police is killed, he will kill 20 civilians in exchange. Is that what they are trained for? In a responsible society, Mbu has to be summarily removed from the office because he is a security threat. Mbu is a security risk. If he can openly say so, knowing the kind of human beings we are in this part of the world, we can best imagine what he uses police to do secretly. We know the activities of police in this country. Police organise crime in this country just like many people organised crime. Mbu might not be too far from organising crime. So, if he uses police for killing, robbery and kidnapping, I will not be surprised. If he can say this openly, then, he is a security risk. He should be removed from the office. How would you look at the timeframe for determination of election petitions? I think it’s very possible. If we address our mind to it, it’s possible. During the military rule, I criticised military tribunal. One of the issues that I raised was that the judges, who failed to sit in a regular court to make justice and administration quick, were those who were sitting at the tribunal as chairmen and were sitting up till 10pm. Some of them used lantern and others candle, but when they come to regular court, if there is power outage, they would say, ‘no we can’t see again.’ They said they can’t do this as if any of us was born with an air-conditioner. You go to some courts today, and when there is power outage, the judges will order the windows to be opened so that the sitting will continue. Those are the judges, who are ready to work, and that tells me that if we address ourselves to it

Mr. Johnson Odion Esezoobo, Principal Partner, J. Odion Esezoobo and Co. in this interview with CHIJIOKE IREMEKA, speaks on deployment of soldiers for elections, medical health of public office holder, timeframe for election petitions, AIG Joseph Mbu’s alleged utterances and sundry issues. and have sense of national duty, and public duty, nothing stops our judges at election tribunal sitting for extra hours so that the right thing is done promptly to save the country from crises. So, I believe it’s possible, all we need to do is to do a little more sacrifice. Do you support further poll shift in view of the ongoing political calculations? The issue of extension of election dates is purely political. It shows overbearing dominance of the executive in the government of Nigeria. Here is a country that says it practices democracy but when the executive says, ‘I want this,’ even when the National Assembly, which supposed to check it says, “No, we cannot do this,” the presidency will go ahead and do whatever it likes. Examples abound when former President Olusegun Obasanjo was in the office, he wanted a constitutional conference or whatever, but the NASS said they weren’t going to vote money for it but Obasanjo said okay that he was going to raise money from anywhere. Wherever Obasanjo eventually raised that money for the conference, nobody knew. It’s not done that way. The same thing was the case of the recent event, when things weren’t working out well. Stella Odua and Oteh were indicted but Jonathan stood his ground that these people would not be removed from the office. The rumour has it that Oteh was not appropriated funds for one year and wherever she got the funds from, nobody knows. It’s the same thing here. The presidency wanted the election postponed for the reason known to him alone. Notwithstanding that the Council of States, which comprises former heads of state and governors, met, yet the presidency still had his way. It means that in the reality, there is nothing that can stop the President. It’s very unfortunate. It shows that Nigeria does n’t have a sense of duty. INEC said it was ready, but somewhere along the line, the situation changed. Whatever reason they gave, we have heard. W e

Esezoobo

It’s very embarrassing that the union will close down the courts

should begin to see ourselves like responsible people in this country, and when we speak, we should demonstrate to the whole world that our word is our bond. When we talk, we should work towards seeing that what we talk is kept. Not making ourselves a laughing stock. You say one thing in the morning and in the evening; you are dancing a different tune. It’s very wrong. So, if you ask me whether the election dates can suffer further extension, I cannot guarantee that. But it might be possible, going by the characters we have in this country. As I said before, the reason for postponement is purely political. Now, if the presidency is doing one thing and NASS feels so high and not able to check the executives, then judiciary should. But the contemporary event in the country shows that the judiciary is not ready to play its roles. An example is the closure of courts by the Judiciary Staff Union. They shut-down the courts. It’s very embarrassing that the union will close down the courts and the judges will go home and the CJN and president of Courts of Appeal allowed it. Also, the Chief Judges of the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory allowed it too. They shutdown the judiciary governance in

Nigeria. I can never believe it. It’s unimaginable. What concerns judiciary with the workers issue? In fact, I have written and dispatched a letter that NJC should query and discipline the CJN, the president of Court of Appeal, president of Federal High Court, and all the Chief Judges of the 36 states of Federation including FCT because what they did is embarrassing. The Constitution of the country has given powers to the three arms of the government to run the affairs of this country. At the legislative level, you have NASS, at executive level, you have the presidency, and at the judicial level, you have the judiciary. So, if you allowed the judiciary to be shut down, the ripples from that include a lot of innocent citizens that would be put away. Some might not get bail, some whose cases have commenced cannot go on, those who are ready to be arraigned, you have to put them back to the police detention, those in which cases the judgment are ready, you can’t deliver. I’m also embarrassed that NBA didn’t do anything about that. I don’t really know where we are going in this country, but I believe that God will intervene one day but God will not do anything for us if we don’t do something that God will work on to give us the best. Going by the provision of the Electoral Act, especially on 30 and 60 days clauses, if further extension of elections go beyond April 29, will there still be any election? Well, like I said earlier, this is purely political and because it’s political, those who are doing the postponement have their agenda in view. So, if their agenda is to cause crises and then go back to the issue of interim government that they have been talking about, then I don’t know. It will not be easy for me to come and say this is what will happen, I really will be speculating if I talk about that because it’s the man, who postponed election that knows where he is going. I pray that they will not plunge this country into crises. Talking about the interim government that you just mentioned, does Nigerian Constitution make provision for such? Nowhere! There is no provision for interim government. The position of the Constitution is that every Nigerian should be responsible in the office so that we operate in a way that averts crises. Why do crises arise and how does it arise? It’s because you and I decide to create problems. But if at any giving time, one person knows he is doing something wrong and the other doing what is right, then we should be able to get correction from the other and avert crises. Both of us cannot be wrong at the same time and expect that we will make progress. If all of us are wrong and we are not able to speak to ourselves that we are wrong, then the court is there as our arbiter to look into our matter. When we submit it to the court, we leave an open mind. Whoever the court says is right will take the judgment but when both of us are struggling over one thing and rather than leaving it to court, and allowing court to make pronouncement, we begin to instigate some crises somewhere, it means we are not responsible.

26 Law | News

THURSDAY, march 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

2015 elections: Legal implications of postponement continued from lastweek

Wahab Shittu

n the light of the above, it seems to me that the expression “cogent and verifiable reason” can only mean a reason self-demonstrating of its truth and which can be checked and found to be true. The truth in the reason given must be selfevident and without any suggestion of untruth. The reason given must be demonstrably true on the face of it so as not to admit of any shred of uncertainty.” See Ugwu &

Anor. V. Ararume (2007) 12 NWLR (pt. 1048) 367, (2007) LRECN 295.” It is clear from the foregoing that Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east is a fact notorious in the public space and as such offers cogent and verifiable reasons for postponement of elections in the North-east. It is doubtful whether such insurgency can be a justifiable reason for election postponement in other parts of the country where there is relative peace and security. Clearly since there is no demonstrable evidence of insurgency in other parts of the

country apart from the north-east it is difficult to be able justify postponement of elections in other parts of the country apart from the north-east. In the circumstances what options are available to INEC? It can be argued that INEC ought to have postponed elections to a later date in the north-east while holding elections in other parts of the country in line with the spirit and letters of section 26 of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended. The other issue is the time frame for the conduct of elections into the

offices of the president, vice-president and other elective offices. There appears to be conflict between constitutional provisions and the provisions of the electoral act in this respect. Prior to the amendment of the constitution section 132 (1) and (2) of the constitution provided as follows: “An election to the office of the president shall be held on a date to be appointed by the Independent National Electoral Commission. (2) An election to the said office shall be held on a date not earlier than

sixty days and not later than thirty days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office.” However, by virtue of Section 11 of the 1st alteration to the 1999 Constitution as amended Section 132 as stated above is amended and altered as follows; “Section 132 of the Principal Act is altered(a) In subsection (1), line 2, by inserting immediately after the word, “Commission” the words, “in accordance with the Electoral act”, and (b) In subsection (2),

lines 1 and 2, by substituting for the words, “sixty days and not later than thirty”, the words, “one hundred and fifty days and not later than one hundred and twenty”. The implication of the foregoing is that the current constitutional provision stipulates that an election into the office of the president shall be held on a date not earlier than one hundred and fifty days and not later than one hundred and twenty days before the expiration of the tenure of the current office holder. The Electoral Act on the other hand by virtue of Section 25 (6) states as follows with respect to the conduct of presidential poll: “An election to the said office of the president shall be held on a date not earlier than ‘one hundred and fifty days and not later than thirty days before’ the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office.”

N4.7bn: Why court clears Babalakin, others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

quash same. Besides, they said that the defendants were not properly informed of the details of the offences they were charged for as stated in the Constitution, insisting that Counts 2 to 13 of the charge neither informed the defendants of the details of the offences nor constituted an offence under any written law in the country. Amplifying an argument earlier canvassed by Babalakin’s lawyer, Dr. Biodun Layonu (SAN), Mr Wale Akoni (SAN) said that from the face of the charge, no public officer was disclosed on account of whose action any benefit was offered. The lawyer argued that the mention of Delta State Government on the face of the charge did not help the situation because Delta State Government is not a public official as defined by Section 98(d) of the Criminal Code. He said: “The failure to disclose the public officer on account of whose action or inaction, James Ibori received the benefit makes the charge incompetent, invalid and unconstitutional. “The question is: who is this public officer? Where is this public officer? What did he do? What did he omit to do?”

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY MARCH 5, 2015

27 Health Living

Health News

Health Features

Study: Boost heart health with groundnuts

Antibiotics may be implicated in bloody urine

VAPP bill: Ending violence against persons

Health

Unhygienic source of water

Nature Power

Healing with carrot

PHOTO: arche-nova.org

Keeping cholera at bay Appolonia Adeyemi

ith the onset of rain early in the year, many Nigerians are happy about changing weather from the scorching heat to cooler environment. The stories that are not so cheering are reports of cholera outbreaks from various states of the federation. As at February 13, death toll arising from the cholera outbreak in some parts of Bayelsa State has reached 36. Similarly, deaths from cholera are rife from other states including Anambra, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, among others.

Appolonia Adeyemi appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com

At least five persons have been killed in a cholera outbreak in which 120 cases were reported at Ayamelum Local Government area of Anambra State, the State Commissioner for Health Dr. Joe Akabike disclosed in Awka recently. Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Cholera can spread if food and water in particular becomes contaminated with the stools (faeces) of someone with the infection. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that every year, three to five million cholera cases occur and 100,000 to 120,000 deaths are due to cholera globally. Cholera remains a global threat to public health and a key indicator of lack of social development. Recently, the re-emergence of cholera has been noted in parallel with the ever-increasing size of vulnerable populations living in unsanitary conditions. Explaining the upsurge in cholera, an Associate Professor

Good hygiene, often termed as ‘a personal thing,’ should reflect in the life of Nigerians

of Public Health/Public Health Consultant at the College of Medicine University of Lagos, Bayo Onajole blamed it on poor hygiene and sanitation. According to Onajole who is also the head of Department of Community Health at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idiaraba, being a waterborne disease. There is need to improve surveillance and identify people who come down with cholera early because if people are detected early enough and treated, it will not lead to death. Onajole added that early treatment can also help to curb further transmission of the bacteria. With inadequate public water supply in many states, he noted that most rural and urban populace depend on water sourced from streams, rivers, among others, most of which may be contaminated. WaterAid, a British charity promoting safe water and sanitation, states that 63.2 million people in Nigeria lack access to safe water. Similarly, over 112 million people, about two thirds of the population do not have

access to adequate sanitation in Nigeria. Therefore, Onajole reasoned that with the onset of rain, “if people defecate everywhere, it can wash into sources of water and this is a possible cause of the disease.” Similarly, individuals must maintain personal hygiene, Onajole said. Over 97,000 children die every year from diarrhoea caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation in Nigeria, according to WaterAid. The importance of hygiene to reduce diseases including cholera is promoted by the UNICEF. The world body states that improving access to safe water and sanitation facilities leads to healthier families and communities. However, when people are also motivated to practice good hygiene – especially hand-washing with soap – health benefits are significantly increased. On what to do to curb open defecation, Samuel Ome, director, Water Quality Control and Sanitation at the Federal MinisCONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Health Features

THURSDAY MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Study: Boost heart health with groundnuts

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

Antibiotics may be implicated in bloody urine

B Groundnuts

Esther Albert

f you are looking for a simple way to lower your risk of dying from a heart attack, you may consider going nuts. This position is based on the result of a recent study with evidence that peanuts or groundnuts have been found to be useful. Peanuts, the oval seed often roasted and salted and eaten as a snack or used to make oil or animal feed, is common in Nigeria. Researchers at Vanderbilt University and the Shanghai Cancer Institute examined the association of peanut and nut consumption with mortality among low-income and racially diverse populations and found that intake of peanuts was associated with fewer deaths, especially from heart disease. The research found that the consumption of groundnuts was associated with decreased total mortality, particularly cardiovascular across all three racial/ethnic groups, among both men and women. The study was published on Monday, March 2 in ‘JAMA Internal Medicine’. The first author of the paper is Hung Luu, a post-doctoral fellow in the Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt Univer-

PHOTO: www.fitho.in

sity Medical Center. Senior author is Xiao-Ou Shu, M.D., Ph.D., associate director for Global Health at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) and professor of Medicine in the Department of Epidemiology. “Nuts are rich in nutrients, such as unsaturated fatty acids, fiber, vitamins, phenolic antioxidants, arginine and other phytochemicals. All of them are known to be beneficial to cardiovascular health, probably through their anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and endothelial function maintenance properties,” Shu said. “In our study, we found that peanut consumption was associated with reduced total mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality in a predominantly low-income black and white population in the United States (U.S.), and among Chinese men and women living in Shanghai,” Shu said. This study was based on three large ongoing cohort studies. Participants included more than 70,000 Americans of African and European descent from the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS), who were mostly low-income and more than 130,000 Chinese from the Shanghai Women’s Health Study (SWHS) and the Shanghai Men’s Health Study (SMHS).

Cut music to ‘an hour a day’ to prevent hearing loss – WHO

eople should listen to music for no more than one hour a day to protect their hearing, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said. According to the WHO, 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of permanently damaging their hearing by listening to “too much, too loudly”. It said audio players, concerts and bars were posing a “serious threat”. WHO figures show 43 million people aged 12-35 have hearing loss and the prevalence is increasing. In that age group, the WHO said, half of people in rich and middle-income countries were exposed to unsafe sound levels from personal audio devices. Meanwhile 40 percent were exposed to damaging levels of sound from clubs and bars. The proportion of teenagers from

the United States (U.S) with hearing loss went from 3.5 percent in 1994 to 5.3 percent in 2006. Dr. Etienne Krug, the WHO’s director for injury prevention said: “What we’re trying to do is raise awareness of an issue that is not talked about enough, but has the potential to do a lot of damage that can be easily prevented.” The full report argued: “While it is important to keep the volume down, limiting the use of personal audio devices to less than one hour a day would do much to reduce noise exposure.” Dr. Krug said that a good ambition aim: “That’s a rough recommendation; it is not by the minute, to give an idea to those spending 10 hours a day listening to an mp3-player. “But even an hour can be too much if the volume is too loud.”

lood in the urine which is also known as hematuria can be a sign of many things, but the age of the person involved matters. However, this condition can be worrisome when it occurs in the elderly. It can represent a 30 to 40 percent of cancer and its risk heightens with increase in age, if an affected person is under 40 years, when it occurs in healthy persons Blood in urine and in persons with bloody urine. PHOTO: www.kidneyservicechina.com

Risk factors Some of the risk factors that may expose a person to hematuria include tobacco use, occupational exposure (exposure to dyes and benzene), chemotherapy, age over 35 years, male gender and rediation to the pelvic area. Others are problems with urinary retention, too much use of analgesic medications and when there is recurrent bladder infection, that does not resolve after adequate antibiotic treatment, The most important test is a more detailed diagnostic work should be done, a microscopic analysis of the urine should be done and an ultrasound to check the structural areas of the bladder. Similarly, if the bloody urine comes with a bladder infection, a culture of the urine needs to be done to know the exact bacteria involved, and in some cases bloody urine might be as a result of accidental findings without the person noticing any blood while urinating. Furthermore, some bloody urine might be benigh/harmless in persons taking medications like some antibiotics that have the potential to colour the urine. In addition, women during their menstrual period may have bloody urine. Some secondary causes of bloody urine might be bladder infection and exercise induced blood in urine. Also, some sexually transmitted infections can manifest in the form of bloody urine, persons taking too much blood thinners for other unrelated diseases like those on coumadin/ wafarin, and some with chronic renal disease. It could be also be genetic. When a detailed study of the blood in the urine is done through microscopic examination, the shape/number of the red blood cell that are breaking will help determine the kind of abnormality involved. When asymptomatic hematuria is discovered, cystoscopy is

PHOTO: bing.com

recommended (which is an imagine using a scope (camera) to view the walls of the bladder and biopsies can be taken) in all patients who present with risk factors of cancer regardless of age. Cystoscopy can identify benigh prostatic hyperplasia, bladder masses, and also an imaging of the tracts of tubes leading from the kidneys to the penile/vaginal walls need to be done.

Tackle STD with safe sex

Dear doctor, Dr, I have rashes around my penis that is reddish in colour. It s content is liquid which smells more like liquid from an onion. When one dries up another one develops and it is painless in nature. I need your help. Answer: Most painless rashes around the penile areas whether the penis/or vagina is considered a symptom of sexually transmitted disease until proven otherwise. This is so especially if you have had an unprotected sex in the last eight weeks prior to the eruption of the rash. Of all the bacteria rashes that are painless, the number one culprit is syphilis and it can be seen in three different stages. The first one that appears after about six weeks of exposure called the primary stage is a painless rash that might go unnoticed and gradually disappears. It remains dormant for a while. The best way to find out definitely what infection it is, is to go the laboratory and do a culture swab of the fluid from the rash, during the acute phase. There are other fluid filled rashes but some are painful like the herpes, but Haemophilus ducreyi induced rashes are painless and are sexually transmitted. Almost all sexually transmitted (bacterial) infections are treatable with oral antibiotics. Safe sex with condom has no substitute. I hope this helps.

Health Features 29

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY MARCH 5, 2015

VAPP bill: Ending violence against persons Emmanuel Ugoji

enate hearing room 022 was filled to the brim and even had an overflow with a crowd of women, men and youths positioning themselves at its passage and corridor for the public hearing on Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP) Bill which was conducted on Monday, 2015. The VAPP bill aims at eliminating all forms of violence in private and public life while at the same time seeks to prohibit the different types of violence including physical, sexual, psychological, domestic, harmful traditional practices and discrimination against persons. It provides maximum protection and effective remedies for offenders commensurate with offences committed. It was an unprecedented turn out for a bill which has been with the National Assembly for 13 years. It was receiving what the women described as ``the last, but determined push for its passage.’’ What started as a very frustrating day with Security men initially denying the women access into the National Assembly due to power failure in the hearing room ended in style and grace. One outstanding quality among the respective women groups is that they were never frustrated by the challenges they encountered in gaining access to the National Assembly complex. Each challenge was met with an appropriate determination and doggedness reminiscent of women when they make up their mind to fight a course. A particular woman who came in crutches did all the walking, sweating, panting and waiting that characterised the list of challenges that marked the day. Others who felt tired during the waiting game, sat on the bare floor patiently In a show of solidarity for an effort to make the lives of Nigerian women better. At the hall, the space was not enough

A victim of violence

PHOTO: www.actionaid.org

to accommodate the over 700 persons, including over 600 women, who had gathered for the event. Earlier, while waiting for power to be restored in the hearing room, some alarmists had said that the reason for the power outage was because the contractor who supply’s diesel for the giant generators in the National Assembly had not been paid for a long time, just as the builders of the complex, Julius Berger construction company had stopped its maintenance services due to lack of payment. As all these were happening, all the women kept their cool as if they knew that history will be made on that day. At long last when deliberations commenced and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Human Rights and Judiciary, Sen. Dahiru Umar assured that ``the bill will be passed before the expiration of the 7th assembly’’, hope started rising. He almost received a standing ovation when he also said: ``With the elections around the corner and the Easter break, we want to pass the bill. ``Violence is despicable, disheartening and threatens the family. ``Nigerians should rise against violence’’. He commended the sponsors of the bill for not giving up after several years of pushing for the bill to be passed. When it got to the turn of Sen. Ita Enang to speak, hearts skipped. Sen. Enang is one member of the committee who always expressed reservations about passing the VAPP bill. It was surprising to hear him say he is shifting his position and that the bill will be passed on moral grounds. To many, this is the best comment of the hearing. The Senate President in a speech read by Sen Enang said that ``the Senate is at the threshold of making history by considering the VAPP bill. It (The Senate) will pass a legislation that will stand the test of time.’’ With a positive tone set and hopes raised, proceedings continued with presentations from eleven groups and individuals that had forwarded memorandum to the committee. Presentations were made by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Legislative Advocacy Coalition on Violence Against Women (LACVAW), Women Aids Collective (WACOL), UNWOMEN, WRAPA, FIDA, Development Dynamics, Network of men leaders, FOMWAN, NISP, a Cleric Sheik Nurudeen Lemu, an actress Stephanie

Participants at the proceeding

Okereke and a testifier who had been raped twice. In her presentation, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina said that the passage of the bill will ``stop impunity on the part of perpetrators of violence’’ while the non-passage of the bill ``will negatively impact vulnerable groups and increase cases of gender based violence.’’ “I am convinced that the VAPP bill will be passed into law before the end of the 7th Assembly. This will make you leave a worthy legacy and leave indelible footprints on the sands of time. The 7th Assembly will also make history as the very first legislative session that made a lasting difference in the lives of the Nigerian populace,’’ she said. Testifying, a victim narrated her experience in the hands of male relations who raped her on two different occasions. Her testimony was so moving that members of the committee commended her for her courage. Her testimony was so emotional that many people sobbed as she told her story. It was more emotional when she linked her experience to what may be happening to the abducted Chibok girls. She said that the girls may be going through the same experience in the over 300 days they have been held by their abductors. However, it was such a disappointing day for members of the opposition who struggled to be recognised during the public hearing. The groups had not submitted memoranda and therefore were not listed for presentation. However when given opportunity to speak, Dr. Philip Njemanze of Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Owerri, Imo State made statements that

offended the over 600 women who had trooped into the National Assembly for the public hearing. He said that while the bill did not define what it meant by `persons’ it also had provisions that will promote same sex marriage. He also said that the bill was contrary to Ibo tradition and culture on grounds that it allows women to inherit property. Another opposition group, Foundation for African Cultural Heritage (FACH) said that the bill did not make provision for the protection of the unborn child. The third opposition group, the `Good Samaritan Group’ could not make presentation because time allocated for the hearing had elapsed. This is the first time opposition groups whose antics had kept the bill in the works for 13 years met a brick wall. It appears that their quest to stop the lawmakers from passing a gender-friendly bill has failed. Meanwhile, as members of the opposition struggled to deliver their message, the multitude of women who felt offended disrupted their presentation by brandishing placards that read: ``# PASS THE VAPP BILL’’. In the same vein, The Network of Men Leaders also displayed placards that read ``MEN UNITE AGAINST VIOLENCE, MEN UNITE FOR VAPP BILL’’ From what happened at the public hearing, the committee would have passed the law if it has powers to do so. It also shows that women can always have their way if they work in unison. They will be like moving trains that cannot be stopped by any obstacle. Ugoji is a member of the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists Association of Nigeria (NRHJN)

‘Centralised water supply system will tackle cholera’ CONTINUED FRO M PAG E 27

try of Water Resources, said “in rainy seasons like this people should avoid defecation in open places including the gutters because the water can carry it to other places and contaminate their source of water and people who drink it can end up having cholera.” Presently, no fewer than 33 million people practice open defecation in the country, according to estimates from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH). Ome, who is also the Chairman, National Task Group on Sanitation, stressed the need for attitudinal change to reduce water-borne diseases. This can go a long way to reduce diseases. He said it was important that Nigerians cultivate clean habits, pointing out that good hygiene, often

termed as ‘a personal thing,’ should reflect in the life of Nigerians. “In a sense, sanitation is personal; those personal things you do and the attitude you cultivate to improve your cleanliness, sanitation starts from the family point. “The garbage you bring out must be disposed of properly. Sanitation has a huge role to play in the family, community and to the nation,” Ome said. Speaking in similar vein, a Public Health Physician and Vice President of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, Dr. Doyin Odubanjo urged individuals to take charge of their health. He added that every Nigerian should ensure that the water he/she takes is pure through boiling. He called on the three tiers of gov-

ernment to improve availability of safe water as well as increase access to portable water. Odubanjo who is also the executive secretary of the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), said frequent cholera outbreak which is a common feature in developing countries alone, can be effectively tackled with access to adequate water supply. He criticised the current trend whereby individual Nigerians source their water, resulting in the arbitrary digging of bore holes in private premises. While calling for an end to this system, Odubanjo said, “in every civilised society, things are not done like that. He noted that civilised countries have centralised water supply system that ensures that everybody gets pine

borne water in his house. He lamented that the provision of water is taken for granted by government officials. “It is taken for granted that everybody should provide his own water,” Odubanjo added. Among people who develop cholera symptoms, 80 percent have mild or moderate symptoms, while around 20 percent develop acute watery diarrhoea with severe dehydration. This can lead to death if untreated. Onajole called for improved awareness of everybody in terms of hygiene and waste disposal. In addition, he urged governments to procure vaccines to minimise death. “The vaccine is the least that should be thought about because its efficacy does not last more than six months,” he said.

Health News

THURSDAY MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ogun, Benue, four others receive support for improved family planning

O L-R: Head, Consumer Protection Council (CPC) Mr. Tan Tamunokombia; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Seye Oladejo; Managing Director, Kasapreko Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kojo Nunoo; Technical Director, Kasapreko Company Limited, Mr. Dickson Kwame; Technical Director, Kasapreko Company Limited, Ghana, Mr. Dickson Kwame and member, Board of Directors, Kasapreko Company Limited, Dr. Shija Terhemb, at the launch Alomo Bitters Hologram in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Firm launches Alomo Bitters in hologram seal cap bottles to fight counterfeiting Appolonia Adeyemi

n yet another strategic step to help consumers to differentiate the authentic Alomo Bitters easily, Kasapreko Company Limited, the producer of the multiple awards-winning medicinal alcoholic beverage recently unveiled the new look Alomo Bitters in Lagos. Consequently, lovers of Alomo Bitters can now continue to enjoy their favourite medicinal herbal drink that comes in the 75 centilitre glass and 200 milimetre pet bottles more fortified with Hologram seal caps. The Hologram seal is a silver-like shining seal which is similar to that found on the non-polymer Nigerian Naira notes, and it has been strategically positioned on the cap of every bottle of Alomo Bitters for easy identification of the authentic bitters brand as against the imitation.

Speaking at the unveiling in Lagos, the Managing Director, Kasapreko Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kojo Nunoo said the introduction of hologram seal on the caps is one of the initiatives by the company to checkmate criminal faking of Alomo Bitters by unscrupulous profiteers and to protect consumers against the consumption of substandard bitters products which endanger human life. The Head, Consumer Prospection Council (CPC), Lagos office, Mr. Tam Tamunokombia commended Kasapreko Company Nigeria Limited for rising up to the challenge of protecting consumers of their product, Alomo Bitters. “CPC is charged by the Federal Government with the responsibility of attending to consumers complain and also protecting consumers from activities of importers and manufacturing of substandard

products and counterfeiters of existing ones.” Special Guest and Special Adviser (Commerce and Industry) to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Seye Oladejo, commended Kasapreko for taking another bold step in consumer protection, and said the dangers of consuming counterfeit and substandard products were numerous among which were ill health and loss of life. “Since Alomo Bitters has a big market share in Nigeria, it is important to also start manufacturing the brand here in Nigeria, he added. Speaking on the rationale for the new Hologram seal, the Marketing Manager, Kasapreko Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Peter Adegor, said the need to protect Alomo Bitters brand equity and to continue to guarantee consumer safety were paramount to the management of the company.

gun, Benue, Plateau, Oyo, Kaduna and Cross Rivers states have benefitted from a capacity building training on family planning advocacy strategies and budget tracking. The six-day training, which was organised by the Marie-Stopes International Future Groups, Pathfinders International in association with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), formed part of the efforts to enhance maternal and child health through improved access to effective family planning and adequate child spacing services. Speaking at the opening of the Training Workshop in Garki, Abuja, the Country Director, Marie-Stopes International, Dr. Effiom Effiom noted the commitment of international communities and agencies to strengthen the overall health system, build provider capacity to deliver quality service and empower users to demand quality family planning services in Nigeria. “Family planning remains a key strategy to tackle the challenges of maternal and child mortality rate and also as a means of controlling the alarming rate of the population growth in Nigeria which will invariably create room for equitable distribution of resources and reduce poverty level among others,” he stated. Country Director of Future Groups, Dr. Dauda Sulaiman, in his contribution, said that the Family Health

Plus would help to set up and institutionalise Family Planning Advocacy Working Group (FPAWG) into states to improve policy governance and community environment for a long lasting family planning. Sulaiman, who was represented by the Health System Strengthening Advisor, Dr. Emeka Nwanchukwu, added that participants from the selected states would be taken through Advocacy Strategy Development, Evidence Based Advocacy, Budget Tracking and Accountability on Family Planning Issues. “The training will help to build capacity of participants and the larger advocacy group with the support of multi-stakeholder partnership to engage with various issues and barriers to family uptake in their respective states and work with responsible duty bearers to effect changes that will ultimately improve family planning access,” Sulaiman said. A participant from Ogun and Director, Primary Health Care Services, Dr. Kafayat Lawal and Mr. Wika Gofwen from Plateau State, who is the Head, Health Desk, Plateau Radio/Television and Media Officer of the Advocacy Group, commended the gesture and commitment of the organisers, describing the development as an avenue that is all encompassing to address the challenges in the reproductive health sector.

Healing with carrot C

arrot, daucus carota, is a well-known household vegetable. Carrot is native to Eurasia and northern Africa. It belongs to the umbelliferae family of plants, and grows up to 80cm high, with tiny leaves. Both the plant and the root are referred to as carrot. A biennial plant [lasts only for two seasons], carrot grows very well in its first season and stores a surplus of food in its root, which becomes big, fleshy and large and orange coloured due to the presence of carotene. In the second season the root becomes woody and less nutritious and delicious. As early as 1500 BC, the skin friendly effect of carrot was well known. Carrot is the king of cosmetic herbs. Its skin-friendly property is due to the presence of provitamin A. The root contains pectin, a glycosidic substance with absorbent and ant diarrheic actions. It also contains potassium, phosphorus and essential oil. Its peculiar aroma and vermifuge effect are due to the presence of essential oil. Carrot also contains vitamin B and C. But what are vitamins? Vita-

Nature Power Fr. Anselm Adodo, OSB

naturepower@paxherbals.net; twitter: @anselmadodo mins are organic compounds needed by the body for sustenance of health, proper metabolism and growth. Vitamins are also needed for hormonal formation, building up of blood cells and for the sustenance of the nervous system. Though there are many vitamins, they all differ in physiology and chemistry. Each group of vitamins is therefore unique and different. Vitamins help to ginger important chemical reactions in the body, without which the body will lack vitality and force. A lot of mystery still surrounds how vitamins operate and how they cause their endless chemical reactions in the body. Science has opened new frontiers in the human search for knowledge, but there are still so many mysteries surrounding human physiology and chemistry which

science is yet to discover. Indeed, life is bigger than science and the human heart deeper than logic. There are two classes of Vitamins, namely, fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins. The fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E and K. These vitamins are present in fat-containing foods and can be stored in the body’s fat. The watersoluble vitamins are the eight B vitamins, and vitamin C. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins that can be stored in the body and so need not be consumed everyday, watersoluble vitamins cannot be stored and so have to be consumed daily or frequently. HOW TO APPLY CARROT THERAPY Carrot is used both internally and externally for various health complaints. You can use carrot in three ways as explained below. Method 1: Carrot juice drink:

Carrots

Carrot also contains vitamin B and C

Cut seven carrots into pieces and blend with two bottles [beer bottles] of water and one of honey. Drink half a glass [approx. 200ml.] morning and night. Method 2: Grated carrot: Simply cut some carrots into shreds and add to salad or add to your meal. Alternatively, you can simply chew the carrot. This is the most convenient way as it does not require any preparation. Method 3: Beauty cream: To make carrot beauty cream blend five carrots with a bottle of honey. Rub it on the face or body at night and leave it overnight. Wash it off in the morning. Do this every night for at least two months. You will be amazed at the transformation it will bring to your skin. CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

Industry

ICT

Steel as catalyst for growth

Ported telephone lines now 222,386

Business What's news

Anxiety mounts over N537.93m cassava bread fund Some expected beneficiaries of the Cassava Bread Fund have expressed concerns over the delay in the disbursement of the fund estimated at N537.93 million

Airtel fails to unseat Glo as second market leader

 MTN maintains lead with 59.7m subscriber base MIXED FORTUNES While some telecoms firms continue to grow in leaps and bounds, others are declining

p.32

The Business Desk

Kunle Azeez

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

elecoms industry umpire, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has imposed a sanction of N266.4 million on Webb Fountaine Nigerian Limited for unauthorised use of microwave frequency channels and deployment of Vsat terminals. Also, the regulator has clamped down on 128 illegal cyber cafes in northern part of the country and additional six illicit automated vehicle-tracking firms operating around the

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst. Production Editor

he jostling for market share among telecoms services providers in Nigeria assumed an

interesting demission in 2014 as efforts by Airtel Nigeria to reclaim its second place lost to the local telecoms firm, Globacom, in the second quarter of the year, ended in fiasco.

L-R: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Representative of Cantor Fitzerald, Mr. Jack Heffernan and Managing Director, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), Prof. Charles Inyangete, at the signing of MoU between NMRC and Cantor Fitzerald in Abuja.

Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Kunle Azeez

NCC slams N266m fine on illegal telco Clamps down on 134 others country. These were contained in the 2014 fourth quarter Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Report released by the regulator.

The report obtained by New Telegraph presents the results of the major compliance monitoring and enforcement activiCONTINUED ON PAGE 32

But the South African telecoms network, MTN, maintained its leading position in the industry. MTN Nigeria led the industry in 2014 with its subscriber base increasing from 57.2 million; 58.5 million; 58.3 million and 59.7 million in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2014 respectively. The status, which still subsists, puts MTN as undisputed market leader, while the duo of Globacom and Airtel continued to wrestle with each other to retain second place. Airtel started 2014 as the second market leader, but was outsmarted to third place by the end of second quarter in June, with Globacom, which hitherto was in third place, becoming second largest telecoms network in subscriber base pull. According to the official industry data released by the telecoms industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Globacom had 23.4 million subscriber base on its network while Airtel had 25.5 million. However, drama happened in the second quarter when Globacom emerged second largest operator in the country in terms of subscriber base with 27.3 million active subscriptions, while Airtel’s mobile subscriptions stood at 25.3 million. Airtel failed to regain its second position as Globacom’s subscriber base in the third and fourth quarters stood at 27.6 million and 28.2 million, while the Indian telecoms firm held 26 million and 27.5 million active telephone lines in the last quarters of 204 respectively. CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE January 2015...........................8.2% December 2014.........................8% November 2014........................7.9%

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

EXCHANGE RATE (Parallel as at Feb. 27)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N227 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N353 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N253

l Foreign Reserves – $31.46bn as at 26/02/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at Feb. 27)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N198 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N300 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N230

Business | News

DISQUIET

First set of beneficiaries got supports January last year

Dele Alao

ome expected beneficiaries of the Cassava Bread Fund have expressed concerns over the delay in the disbursement of the fund

Anxiety mounts over N537.93m cassava bread fund estimated at N537.93 million. The beneficiaries, who are members of the Association of Master Bakers of Nigeria (AMBN), are part of the second batch under the fund. Out of 174 members

Fountaine Nigeria fined N266m CONTINUED FROM PAG E 3 1

ties carried out by the NCC late last year. The Commission, in its report, said it discovered that Webb Fontaine was providing Internet services and utilising microwave links without requisite authorisation since 2010. Consequently, the company was fined the sum of N266.4 million for providing communications service without requisite operational and frequency license. In addition, the firm was directed to immediately commence the process of regularising its operations. Also in December 2014, the Commission, through its zonal office, discovered 128 illegal telecoms operators such as cyber cafés, sales and installation firm, operating in Kano State. “Accordingly, a preenforcement notice was issued to them, advising that they should commence regularisation/ registration. While the Commission encourages the establishment of cyber cafes as strategy to deepen Internet penetration, it is, however, concerned that these businesses should be registered as part of measures to track cyber crimes,” the NCC said. NCC also conducted a compliance check, regarding the provision of automated vehicular tracking services and discovered that six companies were providing the service without requisite authorisation. The affected operators include Own Networks Limited, D-tech Flee, D-track, Pevico/Space Track, Collino Integrated Services and Frank Technology. “The Commission carried out an enforcement action against Own Network Limited after the pre-enforcement notice elapsed while the other four companies have been directed to regularise as failure would lead to full enforcement action,” the NCC report said.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Also, NCC carried out enforcement actions last December against six companies in Lagos for the use of the 5.4 gigahertz spectrum without requisite authorisation. The companies, which included Netcom Africa, Swift Talk Limited, Multidimensions Limited, Zetaweb Nigeria Limited and IPNX Nigeria Limited, were, however, directed to regularise their usage of the frequency band or risk regulatory sanction accordingly. Meanwhile, NCC said in the report that a review of the porting activities report for Q4 2014 showed a continued violation of the mobile number portability (MNP) Business Rule by Globacom. “Globacom was found to have rejected porting requests due to debit balances on the subscribers’ account, especially with respect to Close–User Group (CUG) lines contrary to the provisions of the Business Rules of the Mobile Number Portability regime. Consequently, the Commission issued a final warning letter to Globacom to desist from these practices or risk regulatory sanctions,” the report said. According to the report, the Commission’s attention was also drawn by Value Added Service Providers regarding the appointment of Value Added Network Solutions Ltd (VANSO) by Globacom to act as sole Bulk SMS aggregator for other VAS providers within its networks. “Having reviewed this issue within the context of the Commission’s Guidelines on Short Code operations in Nigeria (2011) and given due consideration to the need for fair competition in the market and to facilitate the development of the VAS market, the Commission directed Globacom to immediately reverse its decision so as to provide a level playing field for all service providers,” said the report.

of the association, which indicated interest in the Cassava Bread Fund Initiative, 100 have already received N989 million from the Bank of Industry (BoI) Limited in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Cassava Bread Fund Initiative is a scheme targeted at providing

funds to bakers to acquire baking equipment and achieve inclusion of about 20 per cent cassava flour into wheat flour for baking bread and other confectionaries. This is part of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. Originally, the sum of N2.2 billion was earmarked for this catego-

ry of beneficiaries in form grants and loans. But the members were grouped in two batches. The sum of N989 disbursed was for the first batch beneficiaries. Of the remaining 74 beneficiaries, only 60 are said to have met basic conditions necessary for the disbursement of 50 per cent grant, amounting to N537.93 million.

The beneficiaries, who are yet to access the fund, said that the delay was unnecessary. Chairman of the association, Mr. Simeon Abannlor, said that since January 2014 when the first set of beneficiaries got the bakers’ equipment, the BOI and the Agric Ministry are yet to process applications of other beneficiaries. Efforts to speak with the BOI officials did not yield positive results as at the time of filling this story, as neither calls nor text messages sent was returned.

L-R: Mr. Abidemi Tijani; Olympic Brand Ambassador, Peter Okoye; Manager, Integrated Marketing Communications, Nutricima Limited, Mrs. Funsho Jacob and Mrs. Rafiat Tijani, during a special dinner to reward winners in Nutricima’s ‘My Olympic Valentine Facebook Contest’ in Lagos.

Airtel fails to unseat Glo CO N TI N U ED F RO M PAGE 31

The fourth telecoms network, Etisalat, which came into the industry in 2009, has increased its mobile subscriptions to 21 million, having hit 18.7 million; 19.3 million and 19.8 million in the first, second and third quarter respectively. New Telegraph learnt that there continued to be an increase in the market share of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks, as the market controlled by MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat moved from 98.26 per cent in January 2014 to 98.29 per cent by the end of the year. However, the market shares of the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, comprising Visafone, Starcomms, Multi-Links, Zoom Mobile and fixed/fixed wireless networks recorded decline in their already poor market shares. According to official data, CDMA networks recorded a decline from 1.6 per cent to 1.57 per cent between first

quarter and last quarter of 2014, while fixed/fixed wireless networks’ fell from 0.14 per cent to 0.13 per cent during the same period. Meanwhile, the poor performance of some operators in the industry, especially those in the CDMA and fixed line networks, reached its crescendo as NCC declared 13 telecoms operators that were hitherto vibrant in the industry inactive. The operators became inactive following the total loss of their customers to other operators that are currently pulling weight in the industry. Majority of the inactive operators had since gone into extinction and could no longer offer competitive services to their customers, who decided to choose other network operators, mostly the GSM networks. The list of inactive operators, which was contained in the 2014 industry report obtained by New Telegraph, include one national carrier, one GSM operator, five CDMA operators and six fixed/fixed

wireless operators. The operators are NITEL, MTel, Starcomms, Reliance Telecoms (Zoom Mobile), Intercellular, MTS First Communications, WiTel, O’ Net (Odua Telecoms), Rainbownet, Monarch Communications, Xs Broadband, Webcom and Disc Communications. All the operators were once vibrant, but became inactive due to their inability to cope with market competition. Starcomms, for instance, was at some point, the largest and most vibrant CDMA operator in the country, but suddenly went down the drain. The once largest CDMA operator in the country agreed to an outright sale of the company to Capcom, which promised to merge its operations with MultiLinks and MTS First Wireless, after buying the two CDMA operators. The plan to merge the three CDMA operators into a bigger and stronger operator that could compete with GSM operators, however, hit the rocks.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

N700bn inadequate for capital expenditure, says LCCI p.34 For decades, the Nigerian steel sector has remained moribund. DELE ALAO writes on latest efforts to revive the industry

Industry

Steel as catalyst for growth

takeholders in the steel sector are unanimous in their arguments that for any nation that desires industrial and technological advancement, steel industry is the foundation upon which that desire could be achieved. They argued that the sector is the primary ingredient for any commercial and business activities to take place. The stakeholders therefore, urged government to pay particular attention to the development of the sector if Nigeria is to become one of the 20 leading economies in the world by 2020. Potential The Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSSAN), which lamented the “death” of the steel industry in the country, said that the comatose state of the sector has aggravated the nation’s unemployment rate. Deputy-General Secretary of the association, Mr. Adewale Okesola, was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos as saying that unless the steel industry was revived, unemployment problem in the country would persist. According to him, the Ajaokuta Steel Company alone, if fully revived, could employ no fewer than 140,000 Nigerians. He noted: “If Ajaokuta alone can absorb so much unemployed Nigerians, then we can be sure that the other steel firms, if also revived, would employ much more. “So, let government ensure the revival of the steel companies scattered around the country. By the time Ajaokuta, Delta, Osogbo, Jos and Kastina steel firms are revived, we will not be talking of unemployment in the country.” Okesola added that apart from creating direct employment, the revival of the steel sector would also create indirect employment for millions of Nigerians. According to him, the revival of the industry would definitely aid the growth of the country’s new automobile industry and the transformation of the epileptic Nigerian Railway Corporation. “Government knows the genesis of the nation’s calamity in terms of unemployment, except if they do not want to be sincere. “If government can be sincere and focused, if they can pump money such that the steel industry will pick up, we will forget some of our current plagues,” he said. The challenge However, despite the potential of the sector in galvanising industrial revolution and boosting employment, stakeholders have

NEXIM gets $302,000 grant p.34

Ajaokuta Steel Mill

identified poor state of electricity, infrastructure, worsening security, importation and inconsistent government policies as problems inhibiting the growth of Nigeria’s steel industry. Hope Just last week, news filtered in that Eta Zuma Group, which acquired Jos Steel Rolling Mill from the Federal Government in 2005, had said that it would invest $300 million to rehabilitate the steel production plant. Group Managing Director of the company, Dr. Innocent Ezuma, disclosed this to the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Mohammed Sada, when the minister led top officials of ministry to the headquarters of the company in Abuja. He noted that at the full rehabilitation of the plant, it would create 15,000 direct jobs as well as many other benefits to the economy, including providing a solid base for the nation’s industrialisation efforts. Ezuma, who listed power and transportation as the major obstacles that had hindered the rehabilitation of the company, noted that $10 million worth of billets to be used in steel production had been lying idle for a long time. Meanwhile, to address the problem of inadequate power for the uninterrupted operation of the steel mill, Ezuma said that the company planned to install four units of 20 megawatts of coal fired power plants, but added that a rail track needs to be connected to the group’s coal mine in Itobe, Kogi State. Sada expressed gratitude to the group for its confidence in the nation’s economy and pledged government’s support to enable it realise its targets. “The decision of the present administration to transform this

Ajaokuta and other steel firms can create more jobs

sector into a private sector driven sector is in line with global best practices. “We have been making the sector comfortable enough for the private sector to operate. What we are seeing in this place today is purely Nigerian efforts. Foreign investors can come and go, but our own investors are always here. The mineral and mining sector will be the livewire of the economy in the shortest period of time. We should not allow foreigners to come and take control of it,” the minister said. Also, the minister said that the Federal Government, through the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), had perfected necessary arrangements to sell the Delta Steel Company to an automobile firm. The minister, who stated this when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Power, Mines and Steel to defend his ministry’s 2015 budget, said that though the ministry was not involved in the sale, it was in close partnership with AMCON, the government agency handling the sale. He said: “Now AMCON is in the process of selling it and I am aware there are quite a number of people that have written letters of intent that they are interested. What interests us in the ministry is that those interested are people that are interested in automobile development. We believe in the system now that someone who has interest in developing a value chain around the company is showing interest in buying it. We have no role to play by the way, they are consulting us as experts in the industry and we have had several meetings with them to guide them. “The last time I had a meeting with the MD of AMCON, he assured me that in the next couple of weeks, they were go-

ing to have somebody they are discussing with a view to selling it over.” He clarified issues relating to fears of future claims to the steel company by any other private investor and said that all pending issues have been resolved. Earlier in the year, the Federal Government commissioned a N60 billion integrated steel mill built by the Standard Metallurgical Company (SMC) in Shagamu, Ogun State. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, who commissioned the mill, said that government was committed to repositioning the steel sector to access a substantial share of the global wealth estimated at $10 trillion. He said that with the implementation of the right sectoral policies under the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), the number of functioning steel rolling mills in Nigeria had increased to over 21 currently, from less than five a few years ago. “Before this administration came on board, we had less than five functioning steel rolling mills and no cold rolled steel mill, but today, there are over 15 functioning steel rolling mills producing reinforced bars; about three functioning cold rolled steel mills producing cold rolled flat sheets and about three producing or about to commence the production of wire coils. This is a visible evidence that our policies are working,” Aganga said. He noted that the establishment of the phase I of the SMC steel mill and the ground breaking of the phase II of the project would complement the company’s existing investments in the agri-business subsector of the country, pointing out that the mill ranked among the largest private sector investments in the steel sector in Nigeria. Aganga said: “I am assuring existing investors like the SMC and prospective ones of government’s support in the pursuit of self-sufficiency in local steel production. The implementation of game changers in the sector is already opening up a lot of downstream sector activities with the attendant massive job opportunities and economic empowerment for our engineers, technicians, artisans and fabricators alike.” Also, Sada, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the mines and steel sector to thrive. “The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development is collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure proper development of the sector. I would urge investors to take full advantage of Nigeria’s enabling environment to explore the abundant natural resources in Nigeria for collective gains,” the minister said.

Business | Industry

N700bn inadequate for capital expenditure, says LCCI

NEEDLESS Industrialists want fuel subsidy removed Stories by Dele Alao

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has said that the N700 billion earmarked for capital budget is a welcome development but still inadequate. President, LCCI, Remi Bello, in a statement made available to New Telegraph said that the increase of the capital budget from N633 billion to N700 billion was good news. “However, this figure remains grossly inadequate in the light of the huge infrastructure deficit in the country and the urgent need to build a robust and sustainable non-oil economy. “The Senate’s decision to reduce the recurrent expenditure by N116 billion from N2.61 trillion to N2.5 trillion is a welcome development. Although a more drastic reduction in recurrent budget was desirable,”

the LCCI president said. On the contentious Service Wide Vote in the draft 2015 budget, the LCCI president said: “We endorse and commend the stance of the senate on the provision for the contentious Service Wide Vote in the draft 2015 budget. The decision to scrap this provision is salutary in the light of the transparency issues that have marred the Service Wide Vote over the years. The Chamber is in agreement with the Senate that it is better to devolve the responsibilities defined under the Service Wide Vote to the relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) for ease of tracking and performance measurement.” “We note and applaud the Senate’s decision to put an end to the duplications in the budgetary provisions for amnesty programme and the Ministry

of Niger Delta and the decision to consolidate all such activities in the Niger Delta Ministry. It is desirable to streamline all forms of overlap between the MDAs and consider the option of consolidating most of the overlapping activities. This will save the nation a great deal of financial and human resources.” The president, who noted that the reduction of subsidies on petrol by 50 per cent from N200 billion to N100 billion and kerosene subsidy from N91 billion to N45.5 billion, called for the total scrapping of subsidy on petroleum products as there were no basis for its retention in the budget, especially in the light of crash in global oil price. “This will not only generate tremendous savings for investment in priority sectors such as infrastructures, but also provide a great opportunity to lib-

L-R: Head, Technical Training, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), Mr. Tope Dada and Managing Director, NBC Ltd, Mr. Ben Langat, presenting a toolbox to Miss Sylvia Ofiani, the best graduating student in a class of 19 Graduate Engineers who completed a 15- Month Training programme at NBC’s Technical Training College (TTC) in 2014.

NEXIM gets $302,000 grant

he Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) has signed a $302,000 financial grant with the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the aegis of the Nigerian Technical Cooperation Fund (NTCF). This is in a bid to facilitate the establishment of a regional maritime company, Sealink. The Sealink Project is designed to promote intra and inter- African trade, thereby fostering regional integration, economic growth and development in the West and Central African sub-regions. AfDB resident representative in Nigeria, Mr. Ousmane Dore, noted at the signing ceremony the bank’s commitment to promoting infrastructure

development to spur sustainable economic development, social progress and poverty reduction in member countries. He indicated that an innovative maritime initiative such as the Sealink Project would greatly assist in bridging the artificial boundaries that have prevented trade, economic integration and seamless logistic services within the region. He was particularly impressed that NEXIM deemed it strategic enough to enlarge the scope of the project to include the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) region and expressed the hope that eventually the project would cover the entire region. NEXIM Managing Di-

rector, Mr. Roberts Orya, said that the release of the grant was an attestation of the confidence of the Federal Government in the bank’s commitment, especially through the Sealink Project, to facilitate the free movement of people, goods and services within the West and Central African sub-regions. The grant would be used to conduct further feasibility studies on the project to extend it to the ECCAS, as well as enhance the Sealink promotional activities and assist in the development of human capital and corporate governance structure of the Sealink Promotional Company Limited (SPV) which was incorporated to facilitate the project implementation.

erate the downstream oil sector from the shackles of oppressive regulations and monumental corruption. This would as well pave the way for more robust private sector investment in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry,” Bello said. He added: “The LCCI hopes that the National Assembly Joint Committee on Appropriation will endorse the above po-

sition on the 2015 Draft Budget, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework [MTEF] and the Fiscal Strategy paper [FSP]. We urge the Executive arm of government to align itself with the new thinking of the National Assembly on the draft 2015 budget and the underlying assumptions in the larger interest of the Nigerian economy and the welfare of citizens.”

NBC produces 19 engineers

he Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) has produced 19 engineers who passed through the 15 months intensive training at the company’s Technical Training Centre (TTC), Ikeja. NBC’s Managing Director, Mr. Ben Langat, said this while speaking at a recent graduation ceremony of the engineers. “Our focus is on efficiently producing high quality beverage at the right cost relevant to sustaining our industry leadership in a competitive and fast changing consumer market. Therefore, the role of engineers is very crucial in preserving our quality heritage and ensuring that our manufacturing processes conform to world class standards in the most efficient manner,” Langat said. The managing director, who noted that the centre was part of NBC’s commitment to stimulating economic growth, said: “As a member of a global business, it is important to note that our talent development programme is for global purposes and therefore engineers we develop today should be able to respond to best in class globally.” Also, the Head of the Centre, Pastor Tope Dada, said that TTC, since inception, has served the purpose of training and developing young Nigerian talents for rewarding careers in

the highly demanding technology and operating environment in the beverage industry. He listed TTC’s key achievements to include the training of over 4,500 engineers and technicians to date and partnership with the Lagos State Vocational and Technical Education Board (LASTVEB) to provide technical training for students of the state’s technical colleges. On his part, the Head Public Affairs and Communications of NBC, Mr. Uzo Odenigbo, said that the success story of the TTC speaks to the company’s industry sustainability leadership. According to him, in addition to ensuring that its workforce is equipped with the right tools and motivation to deliver the Company’s objectives, NBC believes that continuous investment in the young people is one sure way of stimulating and sustaining economic growth in the country. “Again, our customers and consumers are at the heart of whatever we do as an organisation. The Company’s investment in our human resources is geared towards providing our people with a high performance mind set for flawless execution, which will ultimately guarantee that our products refresh and bring happiness to our consumers at all times”, he said..

Former LCCI boss, Ibru bags doctorate degree

ormer president, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and Chairman of Ikeja Hotel Plc, Mr. Goodie Ibru, has been conferred with an award of Doctorate Degree of Entrepreneurship (Honoris Causa) by Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji in Osun State. Ibru, according to a statement made available to New Telegraph, was the sole honorary awardee at the institution’s fifth convocation ceremony which held recently. According to the Chancellor of the University, Pastor (Dr.) Wemimo Odunaiya, the award was based on Ibru’s achievement as a foremost achiever in Nigeria’s hotel industry. He described Ibru as an entrepreneur “worthy of emulation, who has earned a good name for himself and the larger Ibru family. Speaking at the conferment

ceremony, Ibru identified wealth creation as the only alternative to bail Nigeria out of its economic doldrums. “Wealth creation is not necessarily synonymous with having huge investible funding. It starts with the commitment to grow a small business idea from infancy to viability, which requires nothing but discipline, hard work, networking and courage to take viable business risk,” he said. Ibru advised the fresh graduates of the university to be enterprising, shun corruption and embrace hard work in their endeavours. A foremost entrepreneur, Goodie Ibru is also Chairman of the Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc, owners of Federal Palace Hotels and Casino and co-chairman of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Business Group West Africa.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

ICT

FG not scrapping CPN, says registrar p.36

New technologies’ll cut telcos’ CAPEX, says Ericsson p.37

Govt, others tasked on e-procurement

L-R: Head, Distribution, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Oladapo Dosumu; Regional Operations Director, Femi Oshinlaja; Regional Retail Head, Miss Edero Daro-Idollo; Alhaji Ajibola Igbalaye, representative of Oba of Ijora Iganmu Kingdom, Oba Fatai Aromire, Lagos; Iyaloja of Ifelodun, Ogungbe Market, Apapa, Alhaja Sariatu Amusa and Head, Retail Showroom & Franchise, Airtel Nigeria, Ms. Tolulope Tope-Awofeko, during the commissioning of Airtel Apapa Mall showroom in Lagos.

Ported telephone lines now 222,386 CHOICES

Subscribers are gradually taking up porting service Stories by Kunle Azeez

he four Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) operators currently offering mobile number portability (MNP) service in Nigeria have recorded 222, 386 since the launch of the porting service in 2013, New Telegraph has learnt. The MNP service was launched by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in April, 2013, to provide wider choices for telecoms subscribers in the country, whose profile has increased to over 139 million. Latest statistics released by the telecoms regulator on the state of the service uptake shows that between April, 2013 and December, 2014, the four telecoms networks, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom and Etisalat, have crossed the 200,000 mark in terms of ported lines. According to the data, in 2013, the total number of ported phone lines were 7,164 in May; 5,759 in June; 6,870 in July; 14,440 in August; 16,185 in September; 8,112 in October, while in November and December, the figure stood at 8,242 and 6,962 respectively. In January 2014, the number of ported lines on the four GSM networks was 6,888 and this increased to 7,265 in February and 13,757 in March. By April, May and June, the figure of phone lines ported by subscribers were 14,603; 9,424 and the 10,815 lines respectively, while total number of ported

lines increased further to 11,320 in July and in August and September, the figures moved up to 13,560 and 19,682 in that order. In the last quarter of 2014, the total number of ported lines nose-dived as the figure fell from 16,076; 14,094 and 11,168 in October, November and December respectively. Meanwhile, analysis of the NCC latest data on MNP has revealed that the number of incoming ported telephone lines on various mobile networks in the country dropped to 14, 094 by the end of November from 19, 682 in September 2014. According to the report, from the incoming ported lines recorded by all the four GSM operators in September 2014, Etisalat attracted 9,749; Airtel had 6,523; Globacom came third with 2,112 lines and 1, 320 lines by MTN. Also, in November, Etisalat maintained its lead in the number of ported lines it attracted to its network. According to the data, Etisalat had 9,385 lines; Airtel recorded 2,908 lines; Globacom got 962 lines while MTN had 839 lines. Similar trend, which started in the third quarter, continued to dominate the last quarter of 2014. According to the NCC data,

of the total 11,168 ported lines recorded in December 2014, Etisalat took the lion share as it attracted 7,638 new ported lines on its networks. This was followed by Airtel with 1,799 ported lines; MTN came third with 1,110 while Glo came last with 621 ported lines. Commenting on the 2014 MNP data, Public Affairs Director, NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, reiterated that MNP is a need-based service for willing subscribers. “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 and if not, he or she remains on its current network. “So, you don’t expect a surge in MNP uptake since it 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. President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr Lanre Ajayi, urged telecoms companies to play by the rules as established by the NCC to ensure that willing subscribers who want to port are not barred from making such decision.

nformation Technology firm, Microsoft Corporation, has introduced Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL, two new smartphones that give people greater flexibility and freedom to choose when and where they get things

web-based procurement solutions company, Bid Online For You Nigeria (BOLYFYNG,) has identified electronic procurement as key to engendering transparency in government’s and businesses’ purchasing activities in the country. The company, which stated this at the unveiling of an electronic procurement solution, said that the solution would help in bridging the gap between purchasers and suppliers as it enables the process of tendering, prequalification and contract bidding to be done electronically. Business Development Director, BOLFYNG, Mr Yinka Sorinwa, disclosed that the online portal enables purchasing organisations “to manage and streamline procurement processes from bid creation, bid publishing, prequalification, bid submission and evaluation, document distribution and management to instant tender notification to interested bidders.” He said that the portal connects suppliers providing various goods and services to purchasing or-

ganisations from the local, state and Federal Government, education, consulting, engineering, financial institutions, construction, healthcare sectors, public and private companies and many more across Nigeria and beyond. Sorinwa stated that the main objective of BOLFYNG, which is Nigeria’s first real-time e-procurement online platform is to provide a platform, where up-to-date information is made available to end users with the aim of becoming the most used and frequently-visited web portal for bid publishing, e-procurement and e-bidding. “The traditional manual process of procurement is now obsolete, making the bid tendering and application process very slow, frustrating and time-consuming with very tedious process for payment and bid document pick-up. Many advanced countries have replaced this with e-procurement and this solution is what BOLFYNG offers. Purchasers and suppliers can now undertake the procurement process with ease by signing up to the portal.”

Archos tablets, phones launched in Nigeria

French mobile devices manufacturer, Archos Soicete Anoynymes Plc, has launched its brands of Android phones and tablets in Nigeria. The company said it was ready to compete with existing Android platform devices in the market such as Samsung and Tecno, among others, to clinch a sizeable market share in the nation’s mobile market. Speaking during the launch of the devices in Lagos, Country Manager, Archos, Mr Ademola Olukotun, said that the company established 25 years ago has revolutionised the market for consumer electronics since 1988, saying the company today offers its own line of Android tablets and smartphones, as well as a full line of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs) devices. He said that after years

of successful consolidation of its presence in Europe, Archos is now launching its brand in several countries in Africa and Middle East, saying that about six months ago, the brand launched in Egypt and Senegal in January, this year. “So, Nigeria is a continuation of our Africa expansion project and coming to Nigeria has given us an exciting challenge and we are poised and determined to present to Nigeria Archos tables, phones and connected objects at affordable prices, with world-class quality and aesthetics,” he said. According to him, “a mix of qualitative and expanding infrastructure as well as tremendous growth makes Nigeria very appealing and cornerstone to our strategy. Most of all, we believe that we have the right set of products to carve out a niche in the Nigerian market.”

Microsoft releases two new Lumia devices done. Both phones are upgradeable to Windows 10, which offers more personal computing and greater productivity, and will be available

later this year. In a competitive marketplace, Microsoft continues to deliver innovative smartphone experiences at all price points.

Both devices offer the seamless inte g ration of hardware essentials with a choice of screen sizes and camera capabilities.

Business | ICT

MISINFORMATION Council describes report of purported disband by government as misinformation Stories by Kunle Azeez

he management of Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) has denied insinuation that the Federal Government was making moves to scrap the institution, saying there were no such plans. CPN was reacting to a report in one of the national dailies (not New Telegraph) that government was about to scrap it as part of the ongoing implementation of the Oransaye Report, which recommends streamlining of government’s ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). “It is not true that government is considering or ever considered the scrapping of CPN,” said the council Registrar, Mr Sikiru Sheu, in a

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG not scrapping CPN, says registrar statement made available to New Telegraph. CPN is an agency under the Federal Ministry of Education duly established Act No. 49 of 1993 with a very clear and unambiguous mandate to regulate, control and supervise the Information Technology profession in the country. According to Sheu, CPN has been faithful to its mandate and so, government is not considering scrapping it. “The issue of salary stoppage of its staff, as carried by the said report, was a misunderstanding of a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in 2014, which has since been corrected,” he said. He emphasised that “CPN will be defending its budget at the National Assembly in the first week of March, 2015.” Sheu stated that CPN remains the only Federal Government agency, charged with the responsibility of regulating, controlling and supervis-

17m SMEs to benefit from Glo, SMEDAN partnership

ver 17 million entrepreneurs are set to benefit from a partnership between Nigeria’s indigenous telecommunications network, Globacom, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). The partnership, which was sealed in Lagos with a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations, will complement government’s efforts to boost economic growth in the country through small and medium enterprises. The telecom company’s Regional Chief Marketing Officer, (West Africa), Mr. Ashok Israni, signed for Globacom, while the Director General of SMEDAN, Mr. Bature Umar Masari, signed on behalf of his organisation. Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony, Globacom’s Head of Corporate Sales, Mr Kamaldeen Shonibare, said that the company would, through the partnership, empower SMEs, which are members of SMEDAN by providing them access to grants, soft loans and capacity training programmes. According to him, the entrepreneurs would be trained on a variety of areas, boosting their capacity and empowering them to be able to reposition their businesses for optimum performance. “As a proudly Nigerian company, Globacom is partnering with SMEDAN to catapult Nigeria to greatness through the empowerment of its over 17 million members. We will support SMEDAN and its affiliates with money, sensitisation workshops and business tools. “We will also support the Industrial Development Cen-

tres being established in some states of the federation. Our dream is to catapult a five thousand naira business to a half a million naira enterprise within one year,” Shonibare said. He added that the partnership was in sync with Globacom’s commitment to the promotion of the welfare of Nigerians through its various life-transforming empowerment programmes. He explained further that Globacom had touched lives in all the three tiers of government, the financial sector, sports, arts and culture, technology, fashion, education, agriculture and technology. In his remarks, the Director-General of SMEDAN, Mr. Bature Umar Masari, said: “SMEDAN is happy to partner with an indigenous company which has become a global brand. Ever since Glo demystified the myth that per-second billing for calls was not possible, they have not stopped developing products and services that are beneficial to Nigerians, especially the masses.” Masari explained that the partnership will run for an initial period of five years, with the opportunity for attractive call rates as Closed User Groups (CUGs) and a channel for the SMEs to advertise their products and services via Call Back Ring Tone. He explained that the project will also give 10 per cent of the net revenue from the partnership to select micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) owners, who subscribed to the package. “It is also laudable that this initiative was well thought through and has stakeholders’ input and buy-in,” he noted.

ing the computing industry in the country. He, however, disclosed that CPN was upbeat in its responsibility, saying it is busy engaging in the discharge of its duties and responsibilities to its members, students, partners, affiliates, organisations and institutions. Currently, he said that the Council was looking forward to hosting its annual flagship

event the Information Technology Professionals’ Assembly in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, from June 10 and 11, 2015, in Abuja. “CPN will therefore want to use this medium to correct the erroneous impression created by that publication in the minds of its members, students, partners, affiliates, organisations, institutions, etc and wishes to put the record straight that

CPN has not been scrapped and is not about to be scrapped by government,” he said. She also advised journalists “to always confirm their facts from authentic and reliable sources within the organisation rather than patronising faceless and uninformed ‘anonymous’ sources before rushing to press, especially for the growth of the IT profession.”

L-R: Country Manager, Let Me Distribute, Mr. Rajesh Suphakaran; Managing Director, Archos, France, Mr. Frederic Balay and Country Manager, Archos Nigeria, Mr. Ademola Olukotun, during the unveiling of Archos brands in Lagos.

Firm targets 10,000 churches with new app

n indigenous Information Technology solutions provider, Complustech Nigeria Limited, has launched the second version of its church-oriented software solutions targeted at automating the administrative activities of over 10, 000 churches in the next six months. Tagged ‘Chuch+v2’, the company said that the solution is perfect for churches, fellowships and ministries to overcome administrative and management dilemmas. Speaking on the solution, Chief Executive Officer, Complustech Nigeria Limited, Mr Peter Ihesie, said that the solution was aimed at helping churches build better relationship with

members, manage full administrative operations, improve communications and connections and measure performance at any time. He disclosed that due to Church+’s flexible, seamless and user-friendly interface, the company planned to reach at least 10,000 churches across the country within the next six months. According to him, Church+v2, apart from being amazing, simple and effective software for church management and administration, it offers users better membership management, performance analysis, accounting, improves SMS and email communication. “Today, in Nigeria, Church+ remains the right

solution, with cutting-edge advantages, offering automated birthday and anniversary email and SMS messages to members on special days; this improves the member to church relationships thereby reducing outflow. It offers effective church performance management and helps the churches measure progress better. Church+ even provides many analytical tools best suited for churches to achieve this. “By using the double entry and fund accounting methodology, Church+ provides churches with flexible, simple and proper accounting system for better church financial recording and reporting.”

59m MTN subscribers’ tariff package revamped

igeria’s largest telecoms network, MTN, has re-launched its TruTalk service, which has allowed for an upgrade of the Family and Friends feature for its over 59 million subscribers. Through the service, the telecoms company said its customers will enjoy a much-reduced tariff on calls with the opportunity to make calls at half-price to as many as 11 specific friends or family members while enjoying greater value for money on an extended amount of call time. It said that the revamped package is coming on

the heels of its recently launched Betterme offer, which also gives subscribers more benefits, including access to the internet at lower rates. The upgrade avails customers more talk time and an opportunity to make calls for half the rate. The value offerings provide a tariff as low as 11 kobo/sec to 11 registered numbers, eight on-net and three off-net numbers, for Family and Friends. Using the game of football as a metaphor, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Bayo Adekanmbi, alluded to the fact that halv-

ing of the tariff was to enable people get things done, while adding that Nigerians now have the liberty to pick their best eleven across all networks to add more value to their lives. “For us, customer satisfaction is key, which is why we are offering even more value for money by upgrading the Family and Friend feature, so, our customers can talk endlessly with the best 11 members of their team,” said Adekanmbi, adding: “Family and Friend allows customers to talk to 11 registered family members or friends, at a low rate of 11 kobo per minute.”

Business | ICT

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

EFFICIENCY New technology offers improved network efficient to meet growing demand Stories by Kunle Azeez

o combat the lingering problem of service quality in the country, telecoms networks have been urged to deploy modern technologies that can guarantee them up to 20 per cent reduction in their capital expenditure (CAPEX) while boosting their operational efficiency. Country Manager, Ericsson, Mr Abbas Kamar, gave this advice during a media interaction to announce the company’s radio system to the telecoms community in Nigeria and announced its participation at the forthcoming Mobile World Congress. “Nigeria needs to keep up with what is happening in other countries and that is why operators should embrace latest technological innovations to make their

Oracle sees ‘big data’ growth

ountry Managing Director, Oracle Nigeria, Mr. Adebayo Sanni, has predicted significant ‘big data’ growth this year. In a document ‘Enterprise Big data Predictions, 2015, Sanni said that 2015 will be a big year for big data in the enterprise. Big data can be described as high-volume, high-velocity and highvariety information assets that require new forms of processing to enable enhanced decision making, insight discovery and process optimisation. According to him, “corporate boardrooms will talk about data capital, not big data. Data is now a kind of capital. It’s necessary for creating new products, services and ways of working as financial capital.” He said for CEOs, “this means securing access to, and increasing use of, data capital by digitizing and datafying key activities with customers, suppliers and partners before rivals do. For CIOs, this means providing data liquidity, the ability to get data the firm wants into the shape it needs with minimal time, cost and risk.”

New technologies’ll cut telcos’ CAPEX by 20%, says Ericsson operations more efficient and meet the growing need of their subscribers for both voice and data services,” Kamar said. Kamar explained that the company has unveiled generational shift in how mobile networks are built to deliver quality solutions for telecoms companies. He said: “Ericsson is opening up the same op-

portunity it has opened for network operator in developed countries to operators struggling with site acquisition challenges in densely populated areas, allowing them to utilise wall space in existing sites and safely add five-times the capacity to towers.” He said that Ericsson’s new modular Radio System, launched at the 2015

Mobile World Congress in Barcelona will redefine how mobile networks are built on every level. According to him, Ericsson Radio System’s modular architecture flexibly expands to changing demands on the road to 5G with multi-standard, multi-band and multi-layer technology. “It all but eliminates site acquisition issues,

delivering three times the capacity density with 50 per cent improvement in energy efficiency. The system will give network operators the infrastructure they need to support growing mobile data needs, which are expected to reach 25 Exabytes per month by 2020, when 5G is expected to be commercialised,” he added, stressing that the new

portfolio reduces total cost of ownership (TCO) by 20 per cent. He explained that as mobile broadband demand continues to grow, Ericsson was also addressing the connectivity and speed requirements of its consumer and corporate customers by investing in the performance of its mobile network.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY MARCH 5, 2015

Mom&Parenting

Raising kids the proper way W

hat traits do good parents have in common? Are there certain things that someone does that makes him or her a good parent (or not a good parent)? Of course, the definition of a good parent isn’t something that’s fixed or absolute. What may seem like the traits of a good parent to one person may not fit that definition for someone else. But generally speaking, these traits and habits can be found in parents who are practicing good parenting skills. Katherine Lee, school-age children expert high point Guide and support--not push and demand. Parents naturally want their kids to succeed, and may push, prod, bribe, demand, or even threaten kids with punishment to get them to practice an instrument, excel at a sport, and achieve top grades and so on. The fact is, being a Tiger Mom (or Dad) isn’t likely to get your child further than giving kids lots of support, and gently nudging if and when they need it. Let kids be independent. Good parents know that it’s important for kids to do things for themselves. Whether it’s homework or chores or making friends, the best thing we can do as parents is get kids to a place where they can handle things on their own. It can sometimes be hard to tell how much we should help and how much we should let kids figure something out on their own, but as a general rule, helping your child with something is fine when you do it with the end goal of teaching them to eventually do it on their own. (For example, it’s not a good idea for parents to, say, do a child’s homework for him or hover over a play date and dictate exactly what the kids will play and how--those are definite examples of helicoptering, not helping. But if you show a child how to work out a homework problem or settle a problem with a friend in a respectful way, you’re giving your child good

Mom&Parenting Team

Oluwatosin Omoniyi Coordinator

Connecting with her kids through reading

tools for the future.) Remember that kids are always watching. Got a piece of juicy gossip you’re dying to share? Want to tell off a neighbor who did something rude or offensive or yell at a driver who cut you off ? While we can’t always perfect, every good parent knows that kids are always learning from the examples we set. If we want our children to be kind, empathetic, and well-mannered as they grow up, we must try to be on our own best behavior and try to be respectful of others. Are never mean, spiteful, or belittle their children. Can a parent occasionally lose his or her temper or yell? Absolutely-we are human, after all. But insulting or humiliating or belittling a child is never, ever a good way to teach anything. Would you want to be treated that way? Show their kids they love them every day. We can all get so busy; it’s easy to forget to take the time to show our kids how we feel about them. Small gestures, like writing a little note for her lunchbox or sharing things about yourself with her can strengthen your connection and show your child how much you love her every day. Say they’re sorry when they make mistakes. You probably teach your kids to own up to things they did wrong and apologize and try to make up for what they did. This is just as, if not more important, for parents to do themselves. Good parents know that all parents can some-

PHOTO: www.theepoctimes.com

times make mistakes, and they learn from them and show their kids how to take responsibility for their actions. Discipline. I cannot stress this enough--discipline (not punishment) is not only one of the best things you can teach your kids but it’s a way to ensure that you are raising a child who will be happier as she grows. Why is it so important to discipline children? Kids who are not disciplined are much more likely to be spoiled, ungrateful, greedy, Look at what their child needs--not at what they want their child to be or do. Your child may be more of a quiet reader than someone who wants to be a star on the stage or a soccer field. While it’s great to encourage kids to try things that may push them out of their comfort zones (the “You won’t know if you like it till you really give it a try” can sometimes apply, especially to kids who are still figuring out who they are and what they want), it’s important for parents to do a quick check and make sure they’re not pushing kids for the right reasons (to try it, and not because the parent wants the child to be something they’re not). Know what their kids are doing and with whom. Who are your child’s friends? What are the parents of the child like? Who will your child encounter when she plays at the friend’s house, and are there guns in the home? These, and other questions to ask before a play date, are not only

Connecting with her baby through natural way

PHOTO: WWW.PINTEREST.COM

crucial for your child’s safety, but it’s an important way for you to keep track of what your child is experiencing and encountering when he is away from you. Teach kids to be kind, respectful toward others, be charitable, grateful for what they have, and have empathy for others. Of course we all want our kids to strive to get good grades; win awards and accolades for music, sports, and other activities; and be successful later in life. But if you forget to teach them how to be good children and good people, they will be less likely to be happy and fulfilled, no matter what things they achieve and how much they succeed. Remember to laugh together, spend time together, and connect positively every single day. Whether it’s sitting down to play a fun board game, going for a bike ride, cooking, watching a movie, or just reading a good book together (or reading different books side-by-side, if your child is older), good parents spend time doing something fun and connecting with their kids in small and large ways every single day. Talk and listen. Parents often spend a lot of their time with their kids talking to them rather than with them. Practice listening to your kids and really giving them your full attention (away from a computer or phone screen). You’ll be surprised by how much more you feel connected to your child, and you’ll likely learn about lots of things your child is thinking and feeling. The best part: You’ll be also showing your child how she can give you her undivided attention when you want to discuss something with her.

40 Mom&Parenting

THURSDAY MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Values you should teach your child by age five

MOM’S ALERT with

Grace Essen

grace.essen@gmail.com

Should you spank your child? 2

W Catching them young in music

PHOTO: WWW.GAP360.COM

CONTINUED FROM LAST THURSDAY

Determination Encourage them to take on a challenge ive-year-old Jake showed his mother a drawing that he’d made with his new crayons. “That’s very bright and colorful,” she told him. “Nice job!” The child then ran to his room and dashed off another drawing to bring to his mom for praise-then another and another. “Each one was sloppier than the last,” his mother said. “I didn’t know what to say.” A good response might have been: “Well, Jake, that drawing isn’t as carefully done as your other one. Did you try your best on that?” Determination is a value that you can encourage from a very young age. The easiest way to do so is by avoiding excessive praise and by providing children with honest feedback, delivered in a gentle, supportive fashion. Another powerful way to help kids develop determination is to encourage them to do things that don’t come easily-and to praise them for their initiative. If your son is shy, for instance, quietly encourage him to approach kids on the playground, even if it makes him feel nervous and scared. If your daughter is quick to blow a fuse, teach her strategies (such as counting to ten or taking a deep breath) for holding back a temper tantrum. Congratulate kids when they manage to do things that are difficult for them. The child who hears “Good for you, I know that was really tough!” is bolstered by the recognition and becomes even more determined to keep trying.

Consideration Teach them to think about others’ feelings Anne was frustrated because her daughters, ages 3 and 4, ended up whining and fighting every time she took them grocery shopping. “I finally told them that we needed to figure out how to do our shopping without everyone, including me, feeling upset,” Anne says. The mom asked the girls for suggestions on how to make the trip to the grocery store a better experience for all. The 4-year-old suggested that they bring snacks from home so they wouldn’t nag for cookies. The 3-year-old said she would sing quietly to herself so she would feel happy. The girls remembered their promises, and the next trip to the supermarket went much more smoothly. Leaving the store, the younger girl asked, “Do you feel really upset now, Mommy?” The mother assured her that she felt just fine and remarked how nice it was that nobody got into an argument. Do these small problem-solving exercises actually help a child learn the value of con-

Catching her young in reading

PHOTO: TWITTER.COM

sideration? You bet. Over time, even a young child sees that words or actions can make another person smile or feel better, and that when she’s kind to someone else, that person is nice to her. This feedback encourages other genuine acts of consideration. Love Be Generous with Your Affection Parents tend to think that children are naturally loving and generous with their affection. This is true, but for loving sentiments to last, they need to be reciprocated. It’s chilling to realize that over the course of a typical busy day, the phrase “I love you” is probably the one that a child is least likely to hear. Let your child see you demonstrate your love and affection for the people in your life. Kiss and hug your spouse when the kids are around. Talk to your children about how much you love and appreciate their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. And, of course, don’t let a day pass without expressing your affection for your child himself. Show your love in unexpected ways: Pack a note in his lunch box. Tape a heart to the bathroom mirror so he’ll see it when he brushes his teeth. Give her a hug-for no reason. Don’t allow frantic morning drop-offs or frenetic afternoon routines squeeze loving gestures out of your day. I can practically guarantee you that the more you say “I love you” to your child, the more your child will say “I love you” back. The more hugs and kisses you give, the more your home will be filled with love and affection. And when our children feel free to express their love to us, we instill in them perhaps the greatest value of all.

hen it comes to child discipline, we all need to learn a thing or two about childhood development so we know what a child is able to understand at any given age, and how they process information, so we know when discipline is necessary and when it’s best to just ignore certain behaviors. Spanking is arguably a faster way of letting a child know his behavior is unacceptable. But if care is not taken it can go too far. Some children have become paralyzed through nerve damage, some have gone blind when a cane mistakenly poked them in the eye, and some have died due to late or undiagnosed medical complications arising from spanking, and the parents have to live with the guilt. Sometime last year we heard in the news the story of a father, who spanked his young child for defecating on the bed, he cleaned him up and put him back to bed, only to find the child dead by morning. His wife (the child’s step mother) came forward to testify against him when he tried to cover it up, but she could have raised an alarm to save the child much earlier. When you feel the need to spank your child, let the anger and frustration pass, and let the child understand why he is being disciplined. Watch out for, and remove any object that could harm the child. Always remember it’s not the child that is bad, it’s the behavior. And like they say, use one hand to spank your child, and use the other to draw him back to you. The greatest need of any child is his parents’ undivided attention; sometimes misbehavior might just be an attempt to get some attention. So treat the child with patience and empathy. Children know when they are being disciplined for a just cause, and they get over it fast. Here is what a parent had to say: “…I’d still go to the barricades in favour of the right of other parents to smack their children within the obvious limits. Sometimes, it just works, ok? I was smacked a couple of times at school (with a ruler) and a couple of times at home, and I can’t say that I blame any of the parties concerned. I’m over it now, thank you.” Choosing not to spank your child requires more forethought, planning, time and creativity. That means planning possible punishments ahead of time, and following through when s/he misbehaves. It calls for active participation in your child’s discipline and being willing to try different techniques to find what will work for you and your child. Here are

some ideas: Let nature run its course when appropriate. For instance, if your child leaves his toy outside it may get lost or ruined. If your child leaves his umbrella, he will get wet if it rains. Provide a logical consequence when there is no natural consequence or when the natural consequence can be too dangerous like a child trying to run out in the middle of the road, tell or show him what consequences there are for such behavior. Use distractions to redirect attention from something he wants that is inappropriate to something that is appropriate. For example, if a child wants to jump on the sofa, suggest going outside and jumping on the trampoline or going for a walk to fulfill the desire to be physically active. The key is to make the distraction sound as enticing and exciting as possible. Use misbehavior as an opportunity to teach new behaviors, for instance, after your child has learned his toy is ruined; you could show him how to organize his things well. Also set positive examples in your own words and action. You can award points for good behavior and take away points for bad behavior. Accumulated “points” are rewarded, while dropping below a certain point may attract loss of privileges. Missing out on things such as a planned fun activity can often be worse than spanking a child. Be careful that the child doesn’t start doing things for the points only, but because it’s the right thing to do. Acknowledge and praise positive behavior, you can thank your child for helping with cleaning his room, comment on how nice and quiet he has been the past half hour. How easy it is to overlook when children are being good! If you are used to spanking, no-spanking can take some time to get used to, you have to keep at it to succeed. Review results regularly; find out what is working and what is not working, and make adjustments where necessary. Whatever your choice of discipline, make sure you have the support of your spouse for it to be effective. Discipline, that is backed by a strong foundation of love and respect is the only (effective) way to bring about desirable behavior based on strong inner values, instead of superficially “good” behavior that is based on fear or reward. Grace Essen is the author of ‘Successful Working Mom’, president & founder of Mum To Mum Support Initiative.

Business | Money Line 41

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

CBN’s guidelines for N300bn real sector support out

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Banking watchdog set to unlock SMEs potential Tony Chukwunyem

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released guidelines relating to the operational modalities of the N300billion Real Sector Support Facility (RSSF), set up by the apex bank to unlock the potential of the real sector. The guidelines posted on the CBN’s website yesterday stated that the RSSF will be used to support large enterprises for startups and expansion financing needs of N500 million up to a maximum of N10.0 billion. It added that the Facility is targeted at manufacturing, agricultural value chain and selected service sub-sectors of the real sector. According to the guidelines, the RSSF shall be administered at, “an all-in Interest rate/charge of 9 per cent per annum payable on quarterly basis,” with the CBN entitled to earn 3 per cent as interest and the banks, a 6 per cent spread. The guidelines also stated that loans dis-

bursed under the facility will have a maximum tenor of 15 years depending on the complexity of the project and will terminate on 31st December, 2030. According to the guidelines, the regulator’s Development Finance Department will be responsible for the day-today administration of the Facility. It listed the activities to be covered under the Facility to include any manufacturing that is involved in the, “production and processing of tangible goods; fabricates, deploys plants, machinery or equipment to deliver goods or provide infrastructure to facilitate economic activity in the real sector”. It, however, stated that such an entity must not be involved in the financial services industry, adding that trading activities will also not be accommodated under the Facility. Giving further details on the categories of manufacturers covered by the Facility, the guidelines stated that they will include, “Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SMEs) defined as an entities with an asset base (ex-

cluding land) of between N5million and N500 million and with labour force of between 11 and 300.” The guidelines stated that the Facility will be

disbursed as either longterm loan for acquisition of plant and machinery or as working capital. Under the guidelines, borrowers will have to

Ecobank immune to Nigeria’s economic challenges, says CEO Tony Chukwunyem

he Group Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) Mr. Albert Essien, has said that the current economic and currency headwinds in Nigeria has not significantly affected the company. He told CNBC Africa during an interview yesterday that, “So far so good, Nigeria is our biggest operation, even though oil and crude oil prices have had impact, our business has not encountered downside risks. Things are good in Nigeria, we are resilient and absorbing whatever impact to date very well.” Essien said investors needed to make long-term investments decisions as this was not an “in and out thing.” The ETI boss said: “Inves-

Economic Indicators As at M2* CPS* INF IBR MPR 91-day NTB DPR PLR Bonny Light Ext Res**

N16,833,244.57 N16,509,472.5m 8.2 0.0000 13 10.899 7.96 17.01 US$61.39 US$31,065,248,068

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

Dec, 2014 Dec, 2013 Feb, 2015 2/5/2014 24/2/2015 11/6/2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 24/2/2015 2/3/2015 Source:CBN

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

meet certain criteria to be eligible for the Facility. Their businesses must fall within the definition of an SME and/or manufacturer;

must be a wholly-owned and managed Nigerian private limited company registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990; a legal business operated as a sole proprietorship and be a member of the relevant Organised Private Sector Associations such as MAN, NASME, NACCIMA, NASSI etc.

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

tors need to prepare properly so as to understand the local environment, investors also need to have a focus as what one wants to do. I think Africa offers great opportunities, the continent offer good returns even though there are challenges, these challenges are surmountable,” he added. Essien noted that the region was anticipating much investment from the Middle East especially through financing into infrastructure development and equity financing. He said his group had covered much ground in attracting talent and diversifying the business in Nigeria, adding that the company was now big on transaction services. Essien is expected to step down soon as his term comes to an end. He revealed that the group was expecting to announce his successor in June, adding that the company had been busy with interviews from both internal and external candidates having applied to succeed him. Earlier in his remarks when giving a keynote address in Munich at the 4th Conference on Managing Risk in Africa, Essien said, “Whatever risks are identified, they are best viewed holistically rather than in isolation. New market entrants

will need to develop a clear risk appetite and weigh the opportunity against the cost of risk mitigation, which can be expensive,” Essien said. He said the setting up of a risk review board would help ensure the right level and scope of ongoing risk monitoring. Against the backdrop of what he outlined as a generally positive outlook for Africa, he advised investors against viewing Africa as one, but rather 54 countries with different growth prospects, different infrastructure, trade agreements, tax regulations, culture and levels of technological development. He also urged investors to be prepared to engage with African countries on a longterm basis and avoid abrupt changes in investment focus because of perceived instability in certain markets. Essien encouraged managing risks associated with doing business in Africa, including fiscal and monetary policy issues such as foreign exchange restrictions, transparency and compliance, political instability and corruption and resource and infrastructure challenges. He also offered executives overseeing market entry strategy in Africa six key considerations that they would have to contend with.

FG to borrow N95bn through bonds Naira unchanged at interbank market

he Federal Government plans to raise N95 billion ($476 million) by selling sovereign bonds with maturities ranging between 5 and 20 years on March 11, the Debt Management Office (DMO) said yesterday. The DMO said it will raise N35 billion in 5-year bonds and N35 billion each in the 10 and 20-year paper, using the Dutch auction system. All the bonds are re-openings of previous issues and the result of the auction is expected to be published on March 12, the DMO said. Meanwhile, the naira closed flat against the dollar in a subdued interbank market yesterday despite dollar sales by two energy companies. The naira closed unchanged at N199.9 to the dollar, the same level at which it

closed the previous day. However, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rate was N197 to a dollar. According to dealers, a unit of Royal Dutch Shell sold an undisclosed amount of dollars to some lenders, while Brass LNG sold $600,000 in the market, providing some liquidity support but not enough to boost the naira value. The naira has been trading within a band of N198-200 since last week due to support from dollar sales by some energy companies who want local currency for month-end domestic obligations. Reuters quoted a dealer as saying, “The market remains subdued because of low level of dollar flows. We see the naira trading within the present band in the near term till after the election.”

Business | Financial Market News

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

4-Mar-15

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

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

535.00 581.39 476.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 34.00 600.00 459.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 223.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,932.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,341.25

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

0.14 1.45 2.15 2.40 2.49 3.24 4.32 4.64 4.95 6.90 9.03 13.74 14.22 14.72 15.39 19.37

14.24 16.25 16.36 16.39 16.38 16.25 16.10 16.07 16.07 16.09 16.28 16.56 16.58 16.60 16.37 16.79

13.13 16.13 16.28 16.30 16.30 16.12 16.00 15.96 15.98 16.01 16.21 16.50 16.51 16.51 16.30 16.72

98.59 95.97 97.73 87.41 86.08 86.37 99.63 71.08 98.20 101.19 90.33 91.56 77.83 55.83 64.50 73.52

98.74 96.12 97.88 87.56 86.23 86.67 99.93 71.38 98.50 101.49 90.63 91.86 78.13 56.13 64.80 73.82

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.70 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.22 1.08 1.76 2.13 2.34

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

17.45 17.49 18.38 17.41 17.39

96.21 99.82 96.46 96.47 93.08

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.68

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

309.04

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.49

4.44

20.04

96.63

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.33

3.23

18.43

98.33

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.85

4.46

19.65

95.77

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.85

3.48

18.66

97.57

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.13

1.00

17.41

87.25

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.39

1.00

17.06

96.09

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.83

1.79

18.11

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.00

1.80

18.21

93.48

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

2.01

1.00

17.41

94.64

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.20

1.00

17.40

95.02

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.20

4.78

21.18

88.36

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.40

1.00

17.39

96.53

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 26.62

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

2.63 4.72 2.70

1.00 1.00 2.74

17.36 17.07 19.08

96.38 91.81 91.52

BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR

91.13

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

‡ /Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.25

1.00

17.25

94.19

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.73

1.00

17.07

87.19

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.83

1.94

18.01

89.33

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.49

1.44

17.65

92.39

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.52

1.95

18.16

92.40

97.21

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

460.61 421.42

Corporate Bonds ‡ /Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.46

1.00

16.52

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.52

1.00

16.60

97.77

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.60

2.63

18.13

97.76

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.57

1.00

17.36

94.20

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.64

1.34

17.71

95.19

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.58

1.00

17.37

91.20

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.60

1.88

18.24

100.38

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.60

3.48

19.84

95.18

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

1.76

5.20

21.58

95.34

1.76

5.06

21.44

92.87

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.55

1.00

17.20

91.72

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

1.87

2.29

18.69

95.72

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.36

17-Feb-19

2.20

6.11

22.51

92.89

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.83

2.16

18.48

94.76

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.70

2.76

18.83

87.72

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.58

1.00

17.44

74.73

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.58

1.00

17.44

80.79

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

132.70

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

122.30

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.94

1.00

17.30

84.12

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.75

1.00

17.07

81.51

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 20.65

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

6.33

6.12

102.02

103.08

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

5.78

5.47

98.03

98.96

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.64

6.46

98.33

99.43

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,491.91

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

138.72

45.00

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

8.07

6.28

99.34

101.38

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

13.67

87.28

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

14.22

13.03

81.75

84.42

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

9.67

8.86

88.85

91.17

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

41.79

40.50

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

9.91

87.82

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

15.39

14.51

79.93

82.27

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

14.44

76.77

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

AFREN PLC III ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

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

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

6.63 9.25 8.00

360.00 400.00 450.00

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

28.35 14.48 14.19

28.35 13.91 14.19

40.00 79.00 74.00

40.00 81.00 74.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

11.21

10.64

88.25

90.63

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,569.75

**Treasury Bills DTM 8 15 22 29 36 43 50 57 64

Money Market

FIXINGS Maturity 12-Mar-15 19-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 2-Apr-15 9-Apr-15 16-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 30-Apr-15 7-May-15

Bid Discount (%) 12.82 10.68 13.71 13.33 15.44 13.55 13.64 13.64 15.53

Offer Discount (%) 12.57 10.43 13.46 13.08 15.19 13.30 13.39 13.39 15.28

Bid Yield (%) 12.86 10.72 13.82 13.47 15.68 13.77 13.90 13.93 15.96

Tenor

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 11.3333 15.5872 16.8601 17.6140

Rate (%)

OBB

10.92

O/N

11.04

Tenor Call 1M 3M

REPO

Rate (%) 12.00 13.00 14.00

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

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

199.52 201.81 202.13 202.87 204.24 205.60 206.28

199.62 201.93 202.28 203.37 205.31 207.21 213.47

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

309.04

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.49

4.44

20.04

96.63

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.33

3.23

18.43

98.33

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.85

4.46

19.65

95.77

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.85

3.48

18.66

97.57

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.13

1.00

17.41

87.25

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.39

1.00

17.06

96.09

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.83

1.79

18.11

91.13

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.00

1.80

18.21

93.48

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

2.01

1.00

17.41

94.64

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.20

1.00

17.40

95.02

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.20

4.78

21.18

88.36

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.40

1.00

17.39

96.53

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

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 26.62

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

2.63 4.72 2.70

1.00 1.00 2.74

17.36 17.07 19.08

96.38 91.81 91.52

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, ‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR *DELTAMARCH 5, 2015 ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

OPTIMISTIC

Nigerian bourse ‡ /Agusto records marginal ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR A-/Agusto; gain ofBBB+/DataPro N5 billion

Business | Financial Market News

Stock market extends gaining streaks 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

10-Oct-13 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 mance measures, the NSE preciated by N5 billion 27-Nov-13 LAGOS 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 All Share Index and maror 0.05 per cent to close 31-Dec-13 KOGI 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 ket capitalisation, rose at N10.215 trillion31-Dec-13 from ‡ /Agusto *EKITI 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 A-/GCR *NASARAWAby 0.05 per 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 cent as marN10.210 trillion, as06-Jan-14 marTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE ket sentiments extended ket sentiments remained Stories by Chris Ugwu TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION gaining streaks, follow- on the green zone. ing investors’ sustained Meanwhile, a turnCorporate Bonds he bulls mainoptimism. over of 381.3 million 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 17-Aug-10 ‡ /Agusto *UPDC , the Alltained their grip shares worth N4.9 billion 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 BBB-/Agusto 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS Consequently 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB/GCR on market yes06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS Share Index gained 13.8 in 5,283 deals was record13.00 A+/Agusto; terday A-/GCR 29-Sep-11 at theNAHCO Nibasis points orNAHCO 0.0529-SEP-2016 per ed in the day’s trading. 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto FSDH gerian Stock Exchange cent to close at 30,614.93 The banking 25-Oct-13 sub13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR 30-Sep-10 UBA sector of the financial (NSE) as bargain hunters as against 30,601.13 re18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR 30-Nov-12 *C & I LEASING the jostled for shares of blue , services sector was MPR+7.00 DANAday 9-APR-2018 09-Apr-11 Nil *DANA#{r} corded the previous most active (measured chip companies. capiMPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR *TOWER# while the market MPR+5.25 TOWERap9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 AAA/DataPro†; *TOWER# talisation of by turnover volume); The keyA/GCR market perforequities *OSUN

14.75 11.10 with 217.9 million shares 13.50 87.50 worth15.00 N2.6 billion 5.00 exchanged 14.50 by investors 4.55 in 15.00 4.56 2,576 deals. 460.61 Volume in the sub-sec421.42by tor was largely driven activities in the shares of Access10.00 Bank Plc and 2.50ETI Plc. 12.00 18.75 14.00 financial 0.42 Other insti13.00sub-sector 15.00 tutions also 5.53 of the14.25 financial services 13.00 20.00 sector,18.00boosted by ac0.64 tivities in the shares 16.00 6.30 of FBNH18.00 Plc, followed2.90 with

10-Oct-20 3.25 17.25 94.19 a turnover of 81.5 million 1.00 share respectively . Nacho 27-Nov-20 5.73 1.00 17.07 87.19 shares valued at N559.2 Plc added 4.85 per cent to 31-Dec-20 5.83 1.94 18.01 89.33 N4.97 per 92.39 share. million 31-Dec-20in 819 deals. 3.49 1.44 close at17.65 06-Jan-21 18.16 other92.40 The number3.52 of gain- 1.95 On the hand, ers was 26, while declin- Wema Bank Plc led the ers closed at 22. price losers’ table, dropInternational Brewer- ping 5.05 per cent to close ies17-Aug-15 Plc led the 0.46 gainers’ 1.00 at 94 kobo per 97.21 share. 16.52 table with 5.24 0.52 per cent 1.00 Champion Breweries 09-Dec-15 16.60 97.77 0.60 18.13 97.76 per to 06-Jan-16 close at N19.47 per 2.63 Plc followed with 4.81 29-Sep-16while Portland 1.57 1.00 cent to 17.36 94.20 per share, close at N4.95 25-Oct-16 17.71 95.19 Paints Plc and 1.64 UBN Plc 1.34 share, while Airservice 30-Sep-17 2.58 1.00 17.37 91.20 followed with a1.60gain of 1.88 Plc trailed with a100.38 loss of 30-Nov-17 18.24 4.95 per cent each cent to close at 09-Apr-18 1.60to close 3.48 4.74 per 19.84 95.18 at 09-Sep-18 N3.82 and N10.60 per 5.20 N1.81 per share. 95.34 1.76 21.58

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

1.76

5.06

21.44

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.55

1.00

17.20

91.72

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 18-Oct-13 *LA CASERA afarge Africa Plc, MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 17-Feb-12 BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR *CHELLARAMS# formerly Lafarge 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 01-Apr-14 Nil *DANA#{r} Cement WAPCO 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 14-Nov-13 NAHCO 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 30-Sep-14 Nigeria Plc, said yesterSTANBIC IBTC 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 30-Sep-14 STANBIC IBTC day that its unit, NigeriTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE an Cement Holdings B.V. TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION (NCH) had increased its Limited, a wholly owned deal, it had acquired a stakes in United Cement subsidiary of Flour Mills stake in Ashaka Cement Supranational Bond of Nigeria Plc to acquire of more than 30 per11-Feb-13 Company of Nigeria cent, 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC its 30 per cent investment the trigger point for10-Jul-14 mak(UNICEM) to 85 per cent 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P AfDB ing a full takeover bid unby acquiring another 15 in UNICEM. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE It noted that in pursuant der Nigeria’s securities per cent stake. TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION In an issuer’s announce- to the agreement, the first and takeover rules. of the ment obtained from the Ni- tranche of 15 per cent wouldDescriptionUnder the terms Issue Rating/Agency Issuer Date gerian Stock Exchange’s be acquired in 2015, while offer, shareholders who (NSE’s) website, the com- the second tranche of 15 accept it will receive 57 FGN Eurobonds pany said, “Nigerian Ce- per cent would be acquired Lafarge Africa shares for 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P 07-Oct-11 ment Holdings B.V.(NCH), on or before February 2016. every 202 held in Ashaka FGN 5.13 JUL Cement 12, 2018 12-Jul-13 50BB-/Fitch; per cent affiliate of Lafarge Africa had also and an additional BB-/S&P Large Africa Plc has com- at the end of 2014 made cash payment of N2.00 BB-/Fitch; 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 12-Jul-13 BB-/S&P the acquisition of pleted an offer worth about $122 per share. The offer will TOTAL VALUE million to buy out minor- run from December 10, to the firstOUTSTANDING 15 per cent tranche stake UNICEM. NCH ity shareholders in Asha- January 16, 2015, the comTOTALin MARKET CAPITALISATION has 70 per cent share inter- ka Cement Plc. pany said. Corporate Eurobonds est in UNICEM and upon The offer was part of Lafarge Africa, one 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B/Fitch; B-/S&P I 01-Feb-11 of the leading cement this acquisition, NCH AFREN has PLCprocedures to consolidate 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I 19-May-11 producers, had secured now increased its stake to its businesses following 25, 2017 ACCESS BANK PLC 25-Jul-12 85B+/S&P per cent.” the $1.35 billion merger 7.25 of JUL the approval of Nigeria’s 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC 09-May-13 Lafarge had on NoLafarge Africa’s Nigerian Securities and Exchange 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC 08-Nov-13 vember 18, 2014 notified and South African busiCommission (SEC) to pro10.25 APR 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLC II 08-Apr-12 the NSE that Nigerian nesses, which received ceed on a mandatory ten6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC 22-Apr-14 Cement holding 50 DIAMOND per BANK approval from shareholdoffer to acquire equity 8.75 May der 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P PLC 21-May-14 cent of Lafarge held by minority 8.25 AUG stakes 07, 2020 B-/Fitch;stake B/S&P FIRST BANKers PLC in July. 07-Aug-13 6.63 DEC shareholders 09, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFREN PLC III The company in a noAfrica Plc had entered in its09-Dec-13 ma9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; ACCESS BANK PLC 24-Jun-14, into anB/S&P agreement with tice toII the Exchange said jority-owned subsidiary 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD 23-Jul-14 FMN Cement Industries that as part of the merger Ashaka Cement Plc.

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

1.87

2.29

18.69

95.72

0.36

17-Feb-19

2.20

6.11

22.51

92.89

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.83

2.16

18.48

94.76

14-Aug-21

11.21

10.64

88.25

90.63

A/Agusto; A/GCR

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

B-/S&P

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

UBA

Lafarge raises stakes in UNICEM to 85%

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Afren defaults on 2016 bonds, shares fall

18.00

16.00 15.25

il producer, Afren Plc, traded Stock 14-Nov-20 5.70 2.76 on the London 18.83 87.72 Ex30-Sep-24 9.58 1.00 More 17.44 74.73 has defaulted on its 2016 change. than 190 million 15.44 30-Sep-24 an inter9.58 1.00 changed 17.44 hands, 80.79 shares nearly bonds, missing est 132.70 payment as it negotiates triple the amount of the next with122.30 lenders for a rescue deal most active stock. that could dilute the interests of A buyout could infuse Afren its shareholders. with cash and direction, analysts 12.00 11-Feb-18 2.94 1.00 17.30 84.12 Afren’s stock according to Rehave1.00 said, but17.07 finding a81.51 buyer 12.95 01-Feb-21 4.75 uters,24.95 halved in value early yes- willing to take on the company’s terday after the company said it debt might be difficult while oil 20.65 would preserve cash rather than prices remain low. Afren’s gross Outstanding Value $1.15 billion as of pay $15 million of interest due on debt was about Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price ($mm) the 2016 notes. A 30-day grace pe- September 30. riod expired on Tuesday. The company Prices & Yields, which has not The company said it had no had a permanent chief executive 500.00 28-Jan-21 6.33 6.12 102.02 103.08 immediate obligation to repay since July 31, broke off talks with 500.00 and that 12-Jul-18 5.78 5.47 98.96 the notes creditors exNigeria’s Seplat98.03 Petroleum Develpect to reach a deal shortly that opment Co Plc last month. 500.00 12-Jul-23 6.64 6.46 98.33 99.43 would allow it continue as a going It was reported that China’s 1,500.00 Fosun International Limited is concern. Most of Afren’s oilfields are in backing a $500 million bid led by 1,491.91 Nigeria. The company has lost Afren co-founder, Bert Cooper. more than 90 per cent of its marInstitutional investors, includ450.00 138.72 45.00 ket value, or 1.5 01-Feb-16 billion pounds ing 138.72 Standard 45.00 Life Investments 19-May-16 99.34 101.38 ($2.3500.00 billion), since the end 8.07 of and 6.28 Skagen AS, have cut their 25-Jul-17 13.67 13.67 87.28 87.28 July,350.00 hit by falling oil prices and holdings in Afren since January 300.00 02-May-18 14.22 13.03 81.75 84.42 the dismissal of top executives. 27, when the company first said 400.00 08-Nov-18 9.67 8.86 88.85 91.17 Afren said any additional it was in talks with bondholders. 300.00 08-Apr-19 41.79 41.79 40.50 40.50 funding deal Short stock 500.00 or restructuring 22-Apr-19 9.91 9.91 interest 87.82in Afren’s 87.82 with200.00 bondholders could result jumped the end 21-May-19 15.39 14.51 to 9.52 per 79.93 cent at82.27 in new would subof February from 300.00equity that 07-Aug-20 14.44 14.44 76.77almost nothing 76.77 360.00 dilute 09-Dec-20 28.35 40.00of January 40.00 , acstantially the interests 28.35 of at the beginning 400.00 24-Jun-21 14.48 13.91 to investment 79.00 81.00 shareholders. cording manager, 450.00 23-Jul-21 14.19 14.19 74.00 74.00 Afren’s stock was the most Castellain Capital LLP. 2.05

11.93

0.10

13.25

10.20 11.25

Coupon (%)

6.75 5.13 6.38

11.50 7.50 7.25 6.88 6.00 10.25 6.25 8.75 8.25 6.63 9.25 8.00

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

4,760.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

92.87

4-Mar-15

3,569.75

The DQL contains and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute Money Market **Treasury Bills data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities FIXINGS Exchange (Spot & Forwards) professional, financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurateForeign or up to date. We do not guarantee DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) NIBOR the accuracy,8timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, 12-Mar-15 12.82 12.57 12.86neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information.

15 19-Mar-15 10.68 22 26-Mar-15 13.71 2-Apr-15 13.33 FGN Bonds 29 36 9-Apr-15 15.44 43 16-Apr-15 13.55 Rating/Agency Issuer Description 50 23-Apr-15 13.64 57 30-Apr-15 13.64 4.00 23-APR-2015 64 7-May-15 15.53 71 14-May-15 13.82 13.05 16-AUG-2016 78 21-May-15 14.19 15.10 27-APR-2017 92 4-Jun-15 14.20 9.85 27-JUL-2017 99 11-Jun-15 14.44 9.35 31-AUG-2017 113 25-Jun-15 15.36 10.70 30-MAY-2018 120 2-Jul-15 15.35 16.00 29-JUN-2019 134 16-Jul-15 14.49 7.00 23-OCT-2019 NA NA 141 23-Jul-15 14.56 15.54 13-FEB-2020 148 30-Jul-15 14.32 16.39 27-JAN-2022 155 6-Aug-15 15.45 14.20 14-MAR-2024 162 13-Aug-15 14.47 15.00 28-NOV-2028 176 27-Aug-15 13.70 12.49 22-MAY-2029 183 3-Sep-15 14.49 8.50 20-NOV-2029 190 10-Sep-15 14.77 274 3-Dec-15 15.22 10.00 23-JUL-2030 288 17-Dec-15 14.94 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 309 7-Jan-16 15.20 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 323 21-Jan-16 14.38 337 14.49 TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 4-Feb-16 351 18-Feb-16 13.40 *for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration #

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

10.43 13.46 13.08 15.19 13.30 Issue 13.39Date 13.39 23-Apr-10 15.28 13.57 16-Aug-13 13.94 27-Apr-12 13.95 27-Jul-07 14.19 31-Aug-07 15.11 30-May-08 15.10 29-Jun-12 14.24 23-Oct-09 14.31 13-Feb-15 14.07 27-Jan-12 15.20 14-Mar-14 14.22 28-Nov-08 13.45 22-May-09 14.24 20-Nov-09 14.52 14.97 23-Jul-10 14.69 18-Jul-14 14.95 14.13 14.24 13.15

Description

10.72 13.82 13.47 15.68 13.77 Coupon 13.90 (%) 13.93 4.00 15.96 14.20 13.05 14.64 15.10 14.73 9.85 15.03 9.35 16.12 10.70 16.16 16.00 15.30 7.00 15.43 15.54 15.20 16.39 16.53 14.20 15.46 15.00 14.67 12.49 15.63 8.50 16.00 17.19 10.00 16.94 12.1493 17.44 16.47 16.72 15.38

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M Outstanding Value

Bonds

Issue Date

(N'bn)

OBB

Rate (%) 11.3333 15.5872 16.8601 17.6140

10.92

O/N Tenor

Maturity Date

535.00 23-Apr-15 NITTY 581.39 16-Aug-16 Tenor Rate (%) 476.80 27-Apr-17 1M 14.1419 20.00 27-Jul-17 2M 14.2167 100.00 31-Aug-17 3M 14.8519 300.00 30-May-18 6M 15.4227 351.30 29-Jun-19 9M 15.9897 233.90 23-Oct-19 12M 16.8302 34.00 13-Feb-20 600.00 27-Jan-22 459.68 14-Mar-24 NIFEX 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 Current Price ($/N) 20-Nov-29 BID($/N) 200.00 199.6000 OFFER ($/N) 199.7000 591.57 23-Jul-30 223.50 18-Jul-34

11.04

REPO

TTM Call(Yrs) 1M 0.14 3M 6M 1.45

Rate (%)

Bid12.00 Yield (%) 13.00 14.24 14.00 15.00 16.25

Tenor

Spot 7D 14D 1M Offer Yield 2M (%) 3M 13.13 6M 1Y 16.13

2.15 16.36 16.28 2.40 16.39 16.30 2.49 16.38 16.30 :Benchmarks 3.24 16.25 16.12 * :Amortising Bond 4.32 16.10 16.00 µ :Convertible Bond 4.64 16.07 15.96 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 4.95 16.07 15.98 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 6.90 16.09 16.01 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 9.03 Finance Corporation 16.28 16.21 IFC: International 13.74 16.56 16.50 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 14.22 Aviation Handling 16.58 Company 16.51 NAHCO: Nigerian 14.72 16.60 16.51 O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC Property Development 15.39 16.37 Company 16.30 WAPCO:West Cement Company 19.37Africa Portland 16.79 16.72 NOTE:

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

199.52 199.62 201.81 Price 201.93 202.13 202.28 202.87 203.37 Bid Price Offer Price 204.24 205.31 205.60 207.21 98.59 98.74 206.28 213.47 220.29 226.27 95.97 96.12

97.73 97.88 87.41 87.56 86.08 86.23 NA :Not86.37 Applicable 86.67 # :Floating Rate Bond 99.63 99.93 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 71.08 71.38 98.20 98.50 ‡ : Bond rating under review †: Bond101.19 rating expired 101.49 90.63 N/A :Not90.33 Available 91.56 {r} :Issuer in receivership 91.86 77.83 78.13 55.83 56.13 NGC: Nigeria-German Company UBA: United 64.50Bank for Africa 64.80 73.52 73.82

4,932.13 4,341.25 Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM Modified Duration Buckets

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National Bonds

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

Porfolio Market Value(Bn)

Volume(Bn)

24-May-12 0.00 03-Apr-12 17.25 FMDQ FGN BOND 09-Dec-11 0.00/16.00 20-Apr-12 0.00/16.50 06-Jul-12 0.00/16.50 Weighting by Weighting by Mkt

Outstanding Vol

Value

24.56 2.70

INDEX112.22

116.70 66.49

Bucket Weighting

322.68

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

Mod_Duration

0.22 1.08 1.76 2.13 2.34

Implied Yield

Portfolio Price

17.45 17.49 18.38 17.41 17.39

INDEX

96.21 99.82 96.46 96.47 93.08 YTD Return (%)

1,373.91

1,409.48

42.92

46.70

309.040.43

21.88

16.22

118.4550

1,125.08

1.5554

3<5

1,022.35

1,059.68

32.27

34.75

0.32

37.52

16.17

118.4334

1,002.85 -

0.9601

545.88

815.07

24.82

18.55

0.25

40.61

16.50

81.5242

953.16 -

30-Sep-10

12.50100.00

13.00

8.50 1.00 4.18

31-Aug-15 100.00

0.49 16.31

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.85

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

A/Agusto

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00 Implied

A-/Agusto

KADUNA Market *EBONYI

12.50 KADUNA2,942.14 31-AUG-2015

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

3,284.23

31-Aug-10 100.00

5.3479

20.04 1,043.55 -

96.63 1.1021

4.46

19.65

95.77

0.85

3.48

18.66

97.57

19-Apr-17

2.13

1.00

17.41

87.25

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.39

1.00

17.06

96.09

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.83

1.79

18.11

91.13

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.00

1.80

18.21

93.48

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

2.01

1.00

17.41

94.64

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.20

1.00

17.40

95.02

30-Sep-15

0.33

4.44 109.2827 3.23

18.43

98.33

Business | Capital Market

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Daily Summary as of 04/03/2015

Daily Summary as of 04/03/2015 Printed 04/03/2015 15:03:16.016

Printed 04/03/2015 15:03:16.016

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at March 4, 2015 Daily Summary (Bonds)

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal

Bond Name 16.39% FGN JAN 2022 Federal Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Symbol FG9B2022S1

No. of Deals 1 1

DEBT Board Totals

Current Price 100.52

Bond Activity Totals

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 102,240.50 102,240.50

100

102,240.50

100

FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

102,240.50

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

Daily Summary (Equities)

Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Daily Summary as of 04/03/2015 Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals Printed 04/03/2015 15:03:16.016

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 16 2 18

Current Price 30.56 32.38

Quantity Traded 115,466 19,485 134,951

Value Traded 3,629,705.20 599,553.45 4,229,258.65

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 2.18

Quantity Traded 476,803 476,803

Value Traded 1,039,387.73 1,039,387.73

611,754

5,268,646.38

Quantity Traded 4,000

Value Traded 5,090.00

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC.

DailySymbol Summary (Equities) No. of Deals Current Price AGLEVENT

1.24

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries CHELLARAMS PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Page Symbol CHELLARAM TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 2 185 59 249

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

249

DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals Daily Summary as of 04/03/2015

Printed 04/03/2015Food 15:03:16.016 Products--Diversified

CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC.

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

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

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC.

238,044,991.86 Value Traded 10,363,706.05 10,363,706.05

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 19 19

Current Price 9.70

Quantity Traded 551,262 551,262

Value Traded 5,373,603.46 5,373,603.46

772,694

15,737,309.51

44 Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 50,000 50,000

Value Traded 25,000.00 25,000.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 16 22

Current Price 4.95 126.00

Quantity Traded 452,806 574,229

Value Traded 2,253,122.80 72,086,299.99

Daily Summary (Equities) CHAMPION GUINNESS

Page

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 16 16

Current Price 154.00

Quantity Traded 1,165,225 1,165,225

Value Traded 179,433,904.00 179,433,904.00

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR MULTITREX NASCON UTC

No. of Deals 24 54 110 19 2 38 1 248

Current Price 3.69 6.49 35.00 2.90 0.50 6.80 0.50

Quantity Traded 56,922 646,910 1,554,668 175,670 84,128 1,358,310 150 3,876,758

Value Traded 205,884.78 4,207,733.63 53,992,014.39 514,839.61 42,064.00 9,209,223.10 75.00 68,171,834.51

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 17 43 60

Current Price 37.90 820.00

Quantity Traded 30,923 84,164 115,087

Value Traded 1,211,528.57 69,646,253.29 70,857,781.86

No. of Deals 22

Current Price 3.46

Quantity Traded 514,011

Value Traded 1,766,184.50 of

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC

OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

Quantity Traded 514,011

Value Traded 1,766,184.50

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 36 24 60

Current Price 27.99 34.86

Quantity Traded 268,609 166,015 434,624

Value Traded 7,462,653.70 5,664,912.38 13,127,566.08

12,466,883

1,028,881,501.15

Current Price 6.50 4.28 16.80 1.33 23.00 2.13 2.32 3.70 10.60 0.50 0.94 19.10

Quantity Traded 65,318,004 3,062,412 34,532,426 4,621,646 9,859,281 6,109,322 10,736,013 13,252,640 3,025,995 32,000 2,408,686 65,022,273 217,980,698

Value Traded 424,731,869.68 12,971,013.21 580,152,993.45 6,175,799.36 228,668,954.82 13,133,305.49 24,684,629.30 49,695,488.32 31,726,695.50 16,000.00 2,344,621.43 1,251,956,768.93 2,626,258,139.49

Current Price 0.82

Quantity Traded 3,727,196

Page Symbol AIICO

No. of Deals 22

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC.

SERVICES Employment Solutions Employment Solutions Totals

Value Traded 3,053,700.72

No. of Deals 55 4 1 1 1 5 9 1 1 1 30 131

Current Price 0.82 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.86 0.63 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.53

Quantity Traded 21,170,950 147,200 1,000,000 9,000 400 250,628 455,400 500 400 6,000 3,412,900 30,180,574

Value Traded 17,386,013.50 73,600.00 500,000.00 4,500.00 200.00 717,836.08 285,056.00 250.00 200.00 3,000.00 1,808,109.32 23,832,465.62

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

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 0.85

Quantity Traded 1,560,150 1,560,150

Value Traded 1,326,847.50 1,326,847.50

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT & TRUST PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS DEAPCAP FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC

No. of Deals 71 6 1 515 120 5 42

Current Price 2.80 3.95 0.67 8.25 2.28 0.50 26.02

Quantity Traded 3,233,297 45,224 50,000 58,922,626 16,273,342 190,000 994,068

Page

Value Traded 9,033,605.38 177,866.73 33,500.00 483,016,457.93 37,651,333.55 95,000.00 26,457,692.61 6

Current Price 2.15 3.00 40.00 1.60 0.68

Quantity Traded 31,100 21,500 717,805 27,275 211,920 1,009,600

Value Traded 60,655.00 65,254.00 28,717,566.55 42,503.50 147,903.60 29,033,882.65

1,009,600

29,033,882.65

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 112,344 112,344

Value Traded 56,172.00 56,172.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 2 1 3

Current Price 4.00 1.77

Quantity Traded 158,258 32,500 190,758

Value Traded 633,032.00 54,925.00 687,957.00

CWG Daily Summary (Equities) TRIPPLEG

Page

303,102

744,129.00

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 22 25 5 14 63 4 7 25 165

Current Price 18.98 9.00 39.78 10.70 152.53 1.49 3.82 87.99

Quantity Traded 295,612 138,898 27,750 85,520 962,541 108,000 225,000 269,926 2,113,247

Value Traded 5,633,551.34 1,134,887.00 1,049,356.00 871,819.00 146,868,297.12 160,920.00 859,400.00 23,154,089.18 179,732,319.64

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.50

Quantity Traded 15,000 15,000

Value Traded 21,450.00 21,450.00

2,128,247

179,753,769.64

Quantity Traded 121,800 121,800

Value Traded 60,900.00 60,900.00

166 Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 4 4 Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 0.50

Page Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 173 173

Current Price 14.20

Quantity Traded 4,428,801 4,428,801

Value Traded 63,313,475.76 63,313,475.76

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 32.20

Quantity Traded 183,031

Value Traded 5,850,655.83

CONOIL

Symbol ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 18 56 28 3 21 156

Current Price 2.70 210.00 150.00 50.54 140.00

Quantity Traded 334,427 87,007 203,981 1,300 16,402 826,148

Value Traded 870,130.17 17,912,372.39 30,596,688.40 62,426.00 2,295,412.88 57,587,685.67

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 450.10

Quantity Traded 142,313 142,313

Value Traded 64,324,987.99 64,324,987.99

5,519,062

185,287,049.42

356 Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.73

Quantity Traded 21,922 21,922

Page

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 5 1 6

Current Price 3.89 0.97

Quantity Traded 31,085 8,000 39,085

Value Traded 115,798.05 7,760.00 123,558.05

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price CILEASING 3 0.50 Daily Summary (Equities)

Quantity Traded 27,111

Value Traded 13,555.50

Page

Value Traded 15,502.42 15,502.42

Symbol

No. of Deals 3

Current Price

Quantity Traded 27,111

Value Traded 13,555.50

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 30 30

Current Price 4.25

Quantity Traded 1,978,710 1,978,710

Value Traded 8,923,611.92 8,923,611.92

Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000

Value Traded 1,000.00 1,000.00

Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 1 10 16 27

Current Price 1.06 1.11 4.40

Quantity Traded 100 591,752 233,977 825,829

Value Traded 111.00 660,257.40 994,305.00 1,654,673.40

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.53

Quantity Traded 40,047 40,047

Value Traded 21,224.91 21,224.91

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 10 40 50

Current Price 1.81 4.97

Quantity Traded 254,730 468,826 723,556

Value Traded 461,697.30 2,311,763.06 2,773,460.36

Daily Summary as of 04/03/2015 Transport-Related Services Printed 04/03/2015 15:03:16.016 AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Symbol CONTINSURE CORNERST GNI GUINEAINS LASACO MANSARD NEM SOVRENINS STACO STDINSURE WAPIC

3,210,579,103.60

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange Automobile/Auto Part Retailers© R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Daily Summary as of 04/03/2015 Courier/Freight/Delivery Printed 04/03/2015 15:03:16.016 Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. MANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

No. of Deals 4 6 28 3 13 54

OIL AND GAS Totals

Current Price

No. of Deals 232 63 46 62 294 76 901 264 55 2 24 557 Daily Summary (Equities) 2,576

331,212,806

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

No. of Deals 22

Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

Daily Summary as of 04/03/2015 Printed 04/03/2015 15:03:16.016

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

Symbol

720

Value Traded 2,696,194.79 559,161,650.99

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Value Traded 25,620,791.50 595,539,015.91 695,499,230.20

Quantity Traded 1,782,827 81,491,384

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

GOODS Totals Daily INDUSTRIAL Summary as of 04/03/2015 Printed 04/03/2015 15:03:16.016 OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

Quantity Traded 1,315,866 3,968,277 6,311,178

Page

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

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

Current Price 19.47 150.00

Symbol VITAFOAM

IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

No. of Deals 44 231 313

Daily Summary (Equities)

ICT Computer Systems Daily Summary as of Based 04/03/2015 COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Printed 04/03/2015 15:03:16.016 Computer Based Systems Totals

Current Price 1.53

3,532

HEALTHCARE Totals

Symbol INTBREW NB

on Board EQTY Daily Activity SummarySummary as of 04/03/2015

23,591,572 Quantity Traded 221,432 221,432

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC Daily Summary as of 04/03/2015 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. Printed 04/03/2015 15:03:16.016 UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Value Traded 3,760.00 53,197,586.48 184,838,555.38 238,044,991.86

Current Price 46.09

CONSUMER GOODS Household Durables Household Durables Totals

Quantity Traded 1,000 18,465,297 5,121,275 23,591,572

No. of Deals 25 25

CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Symbol JBERGER

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER Daily Summary as ofGOODS 04/03/2015 Automobiles/Auto Parts Printed 04/03/2015 15:03:16.016

Current Price 3.95 2.85 36.00

No. of Deals 59 819

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

Symbol UBCAP

Daily Summary (Equities) Page

Published by TheSummary Nigerian Stock Exchange © Activity on Board EQTY SERVICES Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 4 4

Quantity Traded 16,360 16,360

Value Traded 47,444.00 47,444.00

126

3,674,620

13,574,030.56

EQTY Board Totals

5,283

381,290,340

4,906,904,413.77

Equity Activity Totals

5,283

381,290,340

4,906,904,413.77

SERVICES Totals

Current Price 2.95

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 1 1 3

Current Price 10.00 2,328.00 14.00

Quantity Traded 1 27 320 348

Value Traded 10.00 62,856.00 4,480.00 67,346.00

ETF Board Totals

348

67,346.00

ETP Activity Totals

348

67,346.00

Page

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

Features Smarting from violence brought upon them by land grabbers, the residents of Ikorodu community recount ordeal, reports TAIWO JIMOH

Calm after the storm

he people of Olugbusi/Agufoye Asoga community in Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area of Lagos State now seem to be heaving a sigh of relief. Peace, it seems, is gradually returning to the community. This followed 24 months of upheaval. The community has hitherto been in the throes of violence because suspected land grabbers unleashed terror on the residents. This forced many inhabitants to flee the community. But now, life is gradually returning to the community which had almost become a ghost town. Now social and commercial activities are on the upswing. When our correspondent visited Olugbusi/Agufoye Asoga community recently, many abandoned construction sites had been taking over by bush while houses demolished at the peak of the crisis lay in ruins. It was gathered that the once peaceful community had become a warzone after the original dwellers were chased out of the community by land grabbers. During the crisis that ravaged the community for over two years, several lives were lost, property destroyed while government projects were abandoned. One of such was the Lagos State Government Agricultural Poverty Alleviation project which was established in 2011 to empower the residents. It was also aimed at alleviating the plight of the residents and those of the neighbouring community. It was also gathered that apart from the residents, those who bought plots of land were not left out. They were the mostly affected in the crisis as their houses under construction were demolished by the hoodlums who seemed to be above the law. The Olotu of Olugbusi community, Chief Mukaila Omolouju, said trouble started when some hoodlums came to lay claim on their land. He said: “We went to court and a verdict was given. They were told not to farm or do anything on our land because they are our in-laws and not our father’s children. But rather than stick to the court verdict, they employed

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

One of the demolished buildings

Another demolished building

various means to attack us through fetish and illegal ways. “These people employed the services of thugs, police officers from Zone 2 and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to intimidate, arrest some community leaders and cause trouble in the land.” Omolouju added that in a bid to restore peace in the community, the people petitioned the Lagos State Police Command. He added: “One Jimoh Tijani aka Baka Oloke, who was the arrowhead of the crisis, seemed to be above the law when it comes to security apparatus in the state as he had them at his beck. “We are presently experiencing peace in the community due to the recent petition we sent to the Force Headquarters, Abuja while those formenting trouble were arrested. That is why people came back to start work on their sites. “We have asked those who abandoned their land and construction sites two years ago because of the terror he unleashed on them to come back and start developing the land. We have assured them that any demolition on their property or estate will

Omolouju

The abandoned palace under construction

be met with appropriate legal actions. We have informed relevant agencies.” One of the victims of the land grabbers, Mr Adesope Adeyinka, also recalled his sad experience in the hands of the thugs. He said: “I was among those who bought land from the Olugbusi family before the crisis started. My intention was to develop it into a residential house. “I bought a plot of land in 2012 for N400,000. When I purchased the land, several other people who bought had started developing their houses. “Trouble started immediately I laid the foundation of the building. Representatives of a rival family led by one Chief Jimoh Tijani chased the family who sold the land to us out of the community, while he kept extorting me and others, using thugs to intimidate and harass us. “Other residents and I just returned to the site because those who claimed they are the original owners invited us to continue with our work.” Another victim, Mr Adenuga Obe, said he bought the land two years ago from the Olugbusi family. He said: “I established a block industry before the trouble started. Sincerely,

I was not attacked during the ‘war’ but they attacked a lot of people in the area. “They made business difficult for us as people did not patronise us because they were chased out of the land which they purchased. It was really a very difficult time.” On his path, Yusuf Ajibola said he bought two plots of land for N800,000 for his brother overseas from the Omolouju family. He said: “I was forced to pay ratification twice by Chief Jimoh Tijani. I paid N750,000 to the people, yet they did not allow us to develop the land with their incessant attacks.” Reacting to the allegations levelled against him, Tijani, who spoke with our correspondent on the phone, said he was the bona fide owner of the land. He said: “I was born and brought up in that community. We do not know Omolouju who claimed to be the owner of the land and we also do not recognise him as part of our family. “Several years ago, he wrote a letter to us that he wanted to be part of the family which we refused because he is not part of the family. He and his co-conspirators have been causing trouble in the community. And we will do all that we can to reclaim our inheritance.”

News

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-WEST

Court adjourns suit seeking Kashamu’s disqualification Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

L-R: Chairman, Lisabi Festival Committee, Chief Rasheed Raji; Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and Head, Business Support, Globacom, Mr. Yomi Ogunbamowo, after this year’s Lisabi Festival press conference in Abeokuta …on Monday

Ndigbo Lagos: We’re not for sale Temitope Ogunbanke and Muritala Ayinla

coalition of Nigerians of Igbo extraction under the aegis of Association for the Defence of Igbo Interests in Lagos, yesterday, denied the claim that it was conspiring with the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Peoples’ Democratic Party to ensure that the PDP wins Lagos in the April 11 governorship election as well as engaging the Yoruba for the possession of the state. The group also dissociated itself from the alleged financial inducement by Jonathan during his recent visit to the state, in his alleged

desperation to win the presidential election, saying the Igbo were not buyable and would not trade their conscience and pride for material gains. The group, which described those who took part in the alleged ‘million dollar jamboree’ in Lagos, as selfish political jobbers, said millions of Igbo, in Lagos were not a party to the latest attempt by President Jonathan and the PDP to woo voters in the state. The group confirmed that Igbo in the state were being induced with huge money and resources to work for PDP, but said those involved in the act were few people who were transacting business with the name of the Ndigbo,

adding that they neither represent the generality of Ndigbo, represent credible Igbo platforms, which have worked well with Yoruba since the amalgamation of Nigeria. Briefing journalists on what he called “erroneous impression about Igbo in Lagos”, the group’s Coordinator, Professor Chris Nwakobia Eze, gave 12 reasons why the Igbo in Lagos must shun the ruling PDP, stating that the money allegedly used in inducing the electorate, should have been used to better the lots of Nigerians. “Ndigbo are not hatchet people. Ndigbo are not Judases. Ndigbo are not money lovers that could be persuaded to sell their mothers for

money. We are all for change and Ndigbo will maintain significant presence in the change movement sweeping all over Nigeria today. We urge Ndigbo in all parts of Lagos, who are living in Lagos because other parts of Nigeria are not offering them what Lagos is offering them, to vote for APC to consolidate their interests and gains in Lagos. Ndigbo in Lagos should vote APC all the way, nationally to align with all Nigerians to bring the much needed change to the putrid state of Nigeria and in Lagos State to consolidate the great developments in Lagos for the past 16 years, which have tremendously benefitted Ndigbo.”

Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta yesterday adjourned hearing in a suit seeking the disqualification of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Ogun East, Prince Buruji Kashamu, in the March 28 National Assembly election. The presiding judge, Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo, who adjourned the suit till March 12, also said the court would rule over whether or not it has jurisdiction to hear the matter. Two PDP members, Dele Ajayi, from Ward 8 in Ijebu North Local Government, and Saula Wasiu, from Ward 3 in Sagamu Local Government, had filed the suit seeking an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Kashamu as the party’s candidate. In the suit no FCH/AB/ CS/19/2015, Kashamu, PDP and INEC were joined as first, second and third respondents respectively. The applicants had also prayed the court for an alternative declaration that the legitimate candidate and winner of the Ogun East senatorial district election conducted by INEC “is the next other candidate who filed and submitted nomination form to apply for, and was screened by the second respondent for its primaries for the Ogun East Senato-

rial District” if Kashamu wins the election. Counsel to the applicants, Dr. Yemi Oke, said the hearing of the case was on the order of the court because it had an originating summon and a Motion on Notice before it. But Counsel to Kashamu, and PDP, Mrs. Ifeoma Essiong, told the court that the first defendant had not been served the court processes, adding that a notice of preliminary objection had already been served on the plaintiffs’ Counsel. The defence Counsel, revealed that Kashamu, only read about the suit on the pages of newspapers. She, however, argued that the matter could not come up for hearing based on the preliminary objection filed on Tuesday morning. She added that the court should first thrash out the matter concerning its jurisdiction to hear the case, as already raised in her notice of preliminary objection, before considering the applicants’ originating summons and motion on notice. But Oke, contended that the court should hear the issues raised in the originating summons, the motion on notice and notice of preliminary objection at the same time. He also urged the court to call Kashamu, to order over alleged threats to his life. Justice Ogunbanjo, however, declined the request by the plaintiffs’ counsel, saying since the matter before the court was not about the alleged threat to life, the court would refrain from making any comment on it.

Lagos schools to receive APC raises the alarm of alleged plan to unleash mayhem N4m annual allowance Sola Adeyemo Mojeed Alabi

s part of efforts to increase enrolment, make the teaching profession attractive as well as improve the entire education system in the state, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has announced that every public primary and secondary school in the state, would receive an annual N4 million maintenance allowance. The governor, who stated this yesterday while commissioning a block of 18 classrooms at Ayedere Ajibola Senior Secondary School, Ketu, in IkosiIsheri Local Council Development Area of the state, also pointed out that graduates of vocational schools would be offered job opportunities, to put their skills to use by maintaining the schools. He added that that any government that aims

to discharge its responsibility must commit unreservedly to the welfare of the children. The governor explained that the school, which was one of the 24 already completed within the last few months, underscored the commitment of the state government, to putting in place not just infrastructure but a totality of other requirements to help impact in the students, the survival skills to become self-employed and employers of labour. He commended teachers in the state for their selfless efforts in moulding the pupils, stressing that government would continue to prioritize the welfare of teachers, which he said, included the provision of a conducive working environment that would elevate the teaching profession as well as the self-esteem of the teachers.

Ibadan

he All Progressives Congress in Oyo State yesterday raised the alarm over a fresh plot by the leadership of opposition parties to sponsor mayhem in parts of the state capital with a view to creating chaos in the state ahead of the general elections This was contained in

a statement issued by the party’s Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, which revealed that it had got wind of several meetings held by some leaders of opposition parties wherein it was agreed that there was need to create mayhem in the state for political reasons ahead the general elections. “Apparently, opposition elements in the state

were not comfortable with the peaceful atmosphere, which has given the APC administration the preference in the eyes of the electorate and its soaring above others, It has demystified the previous Ladoja/ Akala administrations and vilified them in the eyes of people as governments, that only promoted insecurity, lawlessness and impunity in the state.

“And since any general election is a do-or-die affair for the PDP, their leaders in Oyo State are hell-bent on employing all crude means to manipulate the forthcoming polls. Part of the plans being nursed was recruitment of some urchins, who would mask as APC loyalist in branded t-shirts to instigate mayhem in parts of Ibadan any moment from now.

SSG applauds Aregbesola on inclusive govt

he Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, was yesterday lauded as the only governor in the country to run an all-inclusive government to the benefit of all residents of the state. Making the declaration at the swearing-in ceremony the Secretary to the State Government and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and Gboyega Oyetola respectively Adeoti the governor’s

sterling qualities of being a true democrat, who respects the will of the people. Performing the swearing in ceremony in his office, Aregbesola, admonished the two officials to uphold the sanctity of their oaths and perform their duties as principal officers of his government. Both Adeoti and Oyetola served in the same capacities in the first term

of the governor which ended on November 27, 2014. “This is the only governor who has brought inclusive governance on the table. He brought enemies of yesterday to the racket of relevant friendship and state of Osun is peaceful for that” He thanked the governor for finding the two of them worthy of service again adding that Aregbesola fits into the class of leaders

who have impacted positively on the people. “We reaffirm before Allah and man that the vision of our leader, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola will be our vision, his moves are outmovements and his policy is direction and his burden in governance is our burden.” He said Adeoti said further, “Selfish interest has died a natural death with your emergence in 2010.”

Photo | News

L-R: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali; President Goodluck Jonathan and Ambassador designate of the Republic of Indonesia to Nigeria, Mr. Harry Purwanto, during the presentation of letter of credence to the President in Abuja. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

L-R: Chief of Accounts and Budget, Rear Adm. B. Oguntola; Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Peter Agba and Director of Accounts and Budget, Rear Adm. B. Yusuf, at the Navy Budget Defence, at the Senate in Abuja.

L-R: Acting Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Janet Omisore; second Deputy National President, Alaba Lawson; Cote D’Ivoire Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Kone Epouse Toure Maman; National Treasurer, NACCIMA, Thomas Awagu and acting first counselor, Embassy of Cote D’Ivoire in Nigeria, Mr. Luciey Kouakou, during the Ambassador’s courtesy visit to NACCIMA’s secretariat in Lagos

Representative of the district head of Ketare, Alhaji Idris Nadabo (middle), receiving free drugs on behalf of the 58 Kankara communities from Katara local government’s Primary Healthcare coordinator, Alhaji Hussaini Auta, in Katara, Katsina State.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

L-R: Chief Librarian, University of Abuja, Prof. Innocent Ekoja; Registrar/CEO, Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria, Dr. Victoria Okojie and Director, Library Service, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Lawrence Ogundana, at the 3rd Librarians forum on security and disaster management in Abuja.

L-R: Chairman, Council of Christian Traditional Rulers, Oba Adedapo Tejuosho; Chairman, Christian Association of Nigerai (CAN), Abuja, Reverend Israel Akanji; Archbishop Magnus Adeyemi and Bishop Kayode Williams, at the official inauguration of Council of Christian Traditional Rulers in Abuja.

L-R: Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie; Vice Chancellor University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Joseph Ajienka and Deputy Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, during the NUC and Federal Universities Budget Defence in Abuja.

L-R: National Organising Secretary, All Nigeria Save Democracy Movement (ANSADEM), Comrade Ishola Adeshina; National Secretary, Comrade Olawale Salami; Convener, Comrade Adebayo Mark Adebayo and President, Movement for Revolutionary Change, Comrade Ade Adewunmi, at a press conference on the state of democracy in Nigeria, in Lagos.

NEW TELEGRAPH thursday, march 5, 2015

MASSOB opposes Jega conducting election Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

he leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, yesterday opposed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega’s conduct of the general election coming up later this month. The MASSOB boss said if Jega does not resign immediately and continues

to insist on staying on to conduct the elections, the people of southern Nigeria will not take part in the elections. Accusing Jega of alleged bias against the people of the south in his preparations toward the elections, Uwazuruike told a press conference at his MASSOB headquarters annex in Owerri, Imo State that “Jega must go. Jega wants to organise a kangaroo election, where he intends to pronounce his preferred candidate winner of the election.

Aide: Obiano has empowered 3, 500 youths Tony Okafor Awka

he Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Youth Mobilisation, Chinedu Obidigwe, yesterday said the governor has empowered no fewer than 3, 500 youths in the state within his first year in office. He said the empowerment ranged from political appointments, employment into the state civil service as well as other forms of engagements to enable the teeming youths

of the state channel their strength and energy towards meaningful ventures. He said those on permanent/political appointments are about 3, 000 while about 500 are in various skills’ acquisition training. Obidigwe, however, decried the situation where certain elements were trying to truncate the smooth working relationship between the Anambra State government and the Federal Government, urging such people to retrace their steps.

News 47

south - east

relief

Ebonyi governor gets relief from judiciary Uchenna Inya and Charles Onyekwere

bonyi State High Court sitting in Abakaliki, presided over by Justice John Nwigboji, yesterday granted an interim injunction restraining the state Assembly from impeaching the governor, Martin Elechi. The application was brought by Elechi against the Speaker of the House, Chukwuma Nazunku, the Chief Whip, Kingsley Ikoro, the state Chief Judge, Commissioner of Police, Inspector-General of Police and the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice as 1st to 7th respondents. Elechi had gone to court to seek for the enforcement of his fundamental human right of fair hear-

Court stops Ebonyi Assembly from impeaching Elechi ing, adding that he was not served any impeachment notice by the House. “That an interim injunction is hereby granted, restraining the 1st to 3rd respondents from howsoever continuing with the impeachment proceeding against the applicant without causing the applicant to be served with notice of impeachment pending the determination of the substantive application. “That the 4th respondent is hereby restrained from constituting a panel of seven persons to investigate the allegations of improprieties leveled against the applicant pending the determination of the substantive application,” the court held. The court, however, adjourned the substantive matter to March 10, 2015. Meanwhile, thousands

of women yesterday staged a peaceful rally in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, in support of Governor Martin Elechi and condemned moves by some members in the state House of Assembly to impeach him. The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions like “Ebonyi women condemn our governor's impeachment moves,” “Ebonyi women say no to political violence,” “Peace is our watchword,” “Say no to violence,” “Ebonyi women are in support of Goodluck’s second tenure,” among others. The protesters were guided by security men all through the rally. Various women groups were in attendance, including market women, Hausa and Yoruba communities in the state. They were

led by the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Dorathy Obasi and Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mary Joy Umoke, who spoke during the rally. Also yesterday, the Ebonyi State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elders’ council has distanced itself from Governor Elechi over attacks on prominent sons of the state, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. At a conference yesterday in Abakaliki, the elders’ council, made up of major stakeholders and the political class from the 13 council areas of the state, condemned the governor’s comments on the SGF, who has never interfered with the politics of the state.

Blame fuel scarcity on govt’s failure, says senatorial candidate Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

he All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate in Abia Central, Hon. Acho Obioma, has blamed the present fuel scarcity in the country on bad leadership and mismanagement, even as he expressed surprise that an oil producing country like Nigeria, would continue to suffer for a product found in its soil.

The former member representing Ikwuano/ Umuahia federal constituency, who made the observation yesterday, likened the situation to a farmer whose children are dying of hunger, describing the development as unacceptable. According to Obioma, “The hike in the price of fuel and the attendant scarcity falls back on the leadership of the country; the claim that the opposition is behind it is, to me, a fallacy."

5, 000 women converge on Awka over harmful practices Tony Okafor Awka

o fewer than 5, 000 women from the seven Igbo speaking states yesterday converged on Awka, Anambra State, to deliberate on what they called harmful practices against them. The state governor, Chief Willie Obiano and his wife, Ebele, the Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police (AIG)

in charge of Zone 9, Usman Gwary and the state Resident Electoral commissioner (REC), Edwin Nwatari, attended the function. The ceremony was to mark the World Women’s Day with the theme “Make it Happen.” The event, which took place at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka, was led by the President of Umuada Igbo, Dr. Kate Ezeofor.

L-R: Member, Association for the Defence of Igbo Interest in Lagos, Mrs. Nkechi Chuwueke; Lagos leader, Igbo Coalition, All Progressives Congress, Lagos, Chief Chris Ekwilo; Coordinator, Association for the Defence of Igbo Interest in Lagos, Chris Nwakobia and General Secretary, Dr. Haris Chima, at a press conference on the states of the nation in Lagos …yesterday

Imo NBA: Okorocha has disobeyed 1, 230 court judgements Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

he Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Imo State chapter has frowned on the alleged lawlessness and flagrant disregard of judicial pronouncements by the Imo State government since the coming into office of Governor Rochas Okorocha in the state. The association made this revelation at an interactive session held in Owerri between the zonal chapter of the association and the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives and the Imo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Chief Emeka Ihedioha. The lawyers expressed

worry over the trend, which according to them, ‘breeds anarchy and could lead to a breakdown of law and order if not urgently redressed.’ According to Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN), “We have an emergency situation in our judicial system in Imo State. No society makes any meaningful progress in a situation where the chief executive flouts with impunity, over 1, 230 court judgements against his administration. The implication of this is that the grievances of the citizens affected by these pronouncements are yet to be addressed and as a result they are groaning under the weight of the injustice and hardship caused by these delays.”

Continuing, Ekomaru, a former commissioner said: “This is outrageous and therefore requires urgent steps to address the looming crises being built up as a result of flagrant abuse of judicial pronouncements, lack of respect for the rule of law, due process and separation of powers. In his speech, the PDP governorship hopeful assured the people that his programmes and policies, especially for the judiciary, will address the looming ‘time bomb’ in the system. He promised to immediately constitute a committee that will work to articulate how to take care of the over 1, 230 court judgements against the government, which he said his government will inherit as well as finding

a way to settle the debts of the present administration without mortgaging the development of the state. Ihedioha regretted that in spite of the huge funds accruing to the state from the federation account, there is yet no justifiable development or commensurate standard of living in the state to show for it. He added that the over N266 billion debt burden on the state makes the situation even more worrisome. He promised to run an all-inclusive government that will accommodate the views and positions of the stakeholders, tapping into the professional depth of the NBA and other relevant bodies towards ensuring that Imo State is brought back to life.

News

Group bemoans Shell’s poor response to oil spill in Bayelsa community

non-governmental organisation, Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has berated multi-national oil prospecting company Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) for its poor response to the ongoing oil spillage within its oil fields in a community in Bayelsa State. The group in its field reports on the incident expressed the regret that the company had yet to take steps to stop the leakage and save the environment from further degradation. An oil leak from Seibou Deep facility operated by

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-SOUTH

the petroleum multinational company, has been discharging crude into Ogboinbiri River in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. According to the field report signed by Mr Alagoa Morris, Head of Field operations at ERA/FoEN and issued in Yenagoa, the spill site has remained unattended to since January 2015. The group further observed that ‘booms’, plastic materials used to contain flow of oil on water surface by official of SPDC, had failed to trap the oil as it leaked into the flowing water. “The movement of ca-

noes in and out of the canal has caused the booms placed by Shell to contain the spill to fail. The booms are used to tie the breath of the canal mid-way. “It was confirmed at Ogboinbiri, that the spillage had been on for almost two months now, but just contained on the canal with booms by Shell,” ERA stated. The NGO also stated that the expected joint investigative visit usually carried out on such issue, has not been carried out on the current spillage about two months after it started , describing the situation as very strange and unacceptable.

“Shell cannot leave crude oil in the open and on the canal where fisher and farmers also access is condemnable. “No matter the cause of spillage, this singular act alone should see Shell as culpable and should take full responsibility of the spread away from the canal and downstream to impact on other communities,” the report read in part. The group urged Shell to ensure that a joint investigative visit was convened on the spillage as well as take responsibility for the clean-up and compensation of victims impacted by the spillage.

Forum of Nigeria’s Councillors set to adopt presidential candidate Tony Anichebe UYO

he National Councillors’ Forum of Nigeria, an umbrella body of all the Councillors in Nigeria is set to adopt a presidential candidate for the March 28 presidential election. National Secretary of the Forum, Mr. Christopher Edemekong, who dropped the hint in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital yesterday, said councilors have met twice in recent times to decide which presidential candidate the Forum should support, but could not

Edo butchers task FG on frequent fuel scarcity Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

L-R: Vice-Principal (Academic Affairs), James Hope College, Agbor, Delta State, Clement Ikuyinminu; Principal, Abraham Swart; Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Foundation, Mrs. Zouera Youssoufou and Foundation Officer, Musa Bala, at the presentation of a N20 million scholarship award to students of James Hope College, Agbor, Delta State…yesterday

Polls: PDP, APC woo registered voters

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

ith twenty three days to the general elections, a socio-political group, Registered Voters’ Association of Nigeria (REVAN) said yesterday that it was poised for a mega rally in Abuja that would see all registered voters endorsing a preferred presidential candidate of their choice. The mega rally was said to have formed the major crux of resolutions by members of the group at the end of their three days meeting in Benin, the Edo State capital. Members of the body, drawn from the 36 states of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, declared that the brainstorming session was aimed at educating and sensitising of Nigerians on the power of the electoral ballot box. Executive Director of REVAN, Dr Philip Ugbodaga, in a communiqué at

the end of the event, urged voters not to allow themselves to be hoodwinked by those he described as “moneybag politicians”. Ugbodaga, pointed out that a Steering Committee has been mandated to consult widely with a view to picking a Presidential candidate from the participating political parties in the forthcoming presidential election. They also frowned at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) poor handling of the permanent voter cards and continuous education of voters as preparations for the March 28 and April 11 polls get closer. According to Ugbodaga, at the end of the 2011 general elections, INEC knew that the next general elections would be due in 2015 and, therefore, had enough time to prepare for the elections. He said, “That in February 2015, millions of people cannot access their Permanent Voters Cards

(PVCs) and the hundreds of election supervisors are only just undergoing training, is totally unacceptable and casts a lot of doubts on the integrity and capability of Prof. Attahiru Jega who we hold

in very high esteem.” The group also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to redouble its efforts to ensure that they deliver free and credible elections to anxiously expectant Nigerians.”

take a decision because not all the national executive members were present at the body’s previous meetings. Edemekong said Councilors in Nigeria want to participate actively in the political process by taking a decision before the presidential election, stressing that they cannot sit on the fence at this critical moment in Nigeria’s political history. ‘‘We are grassroots politicians; we represent the 8812 political wards in the 774 local government areas of this country and we cannot watch the unfolding political developments in Nigeria sitting on the fence,’’ Edemekong said.

he leadership of the Butchers Association of Nigeria Edo state branch yesterday has called on the Federal Government to find a permanent solution to the intractable petroleum products scarcity that frequently plagues the country, just as the body also endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for the March 28, 2015 presidential election. Chairman of the body, Pastor Ikpomwonsa Goodluck Orhue, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Benin the state capital. He said Gen. Buhari, possesses the will to address the challenges confronting the country, going by his track record as a former military Head of State who moved against some social vices like corruption and indiscipline

during his tenure. Ikpomwonsa noted that the nation, at the moment needs a leader like the APC’s presidential candidate because of his sterling qualities as a courageous, fearless and focused politician and leader with the ability to steer the ship of the country . He equally frowned at the on-going fuel scarcity and its effect on millions of citizens in a country he said produces crude oil in large quantity, but cannot boast of a single working refinery, stating that nothing seems to be working in favour of the citizens while the petroleum products were being refined abroad and imported back into the country at exorbitant prices. He said there was an urgent need for the Federal Government to properly harness the country’s viable oil industry through building of more and adequate maintenance of refineries for optimum productivity and efficiency so as to meet of Nigerians.

PDP stalwart to FG: Stop accusing APC over fuel scarcity, build refineries Gabriel Choba

Ughelli

ollowing the accusation by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) that the All Progressive Party (APC) was the mastermind of the current scarcity of petroleum products across the country, a chieftain of PDP in Delta state, Dr. Wilson Odafe Omene, yesterday told the Federal Gover nment to stop what he described as the unsubstantiat-

able accusation of the opposition and build refineries that would curb the incessant fuel scarcity in the country. Nigerians have been groaning as several fuel stations have remained shut since a fresh petroleum scarcity hit the country about a week ago. Omene, while condemning the accusation by the PDP, in a chat with jour nalists at his country home in Mosogar, Delta State, described the accusation as totally lacking

any substance, stating that it was an admission of failure on the part of the gover nment not to have found solutions to the importation of petroleum products. He said; “One thing that we must understand in ter ms of product that we don’t have control over is that; Nigeria does not have total control of her import because there are a lot of things that go with it even the availability of the unit of car-

riage. A lot of things are considered when you talk about importation.’’ Continuing he said; “Jonathan has just come in and he is trying to liberalize the sector; but we should go beyond that; and that is why I am of the opinion that he should go for second tenure so we could witness m a s s ive e s t abl i s h ment of refineries. So, we have no reason to import one drop of petroleum product from abroad.’’

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

News 49

NORTH

Commissioner slumps, dies in Niger Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

enue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, yesterday lost one of his commissioners to the cold hands of death; he is Mr. Aondowase Chia, who was in-charge of the Ministry for Rural Development and

Cooperatives. New Telegraph learnt that the late commissioner was in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, where he defended the ministry’s budget and later returned to the office at about 3.30pm. It was gathered that while he was in his office to relax, his personal assistant went in to inform

him of a visitor that was waiting, but saw that he had slumped and was unconscious. He was immediately rushed to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where doctors observed that his blood pressure was 180/250 high and tried to stabilise him, but he died later.

Confirming the report, the Information Officer of the ministry, Mr. Sylvester Orlaade, said the commissioner was rushed to the state teaching hospital after he slumped in his office, only to give up the ghost later. Chia, who was from Mbaatirkyaa Ward in Buruku Local Government area of the state, also

served the state as Commissioner for Youths and Sports. He joined politics in 1986 and was elected member of the Benue State House of Assembly in 1992 on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and he served in various committees, heading two of these, including being the Chairman, House

Committee on Health and Human Services, Chairman, Ad hoc Committee on Commerce and Industries and member, Ad hoc Committee on Local Government Crisis in the state. He was also Coordinator, National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) from 2001 to 2003, Director, Benue Burnt Bricks Limited, Otukpo, 2004 to 2006 and was appointed Special Assistant to the Governor on Legislative Matters in April 2010.

Cassava farmers cry out over cattle rustlers Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (middle), signing the 2015 Appropriation Bill in Minna…yesterday. With him is the Speaker and members of the state House of Assembly

Aliyu: I did not humiliate my deputy Dan Atori Minna

iger State governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday said he never humiliated his Deputy, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, in his decision to hand over the administration of the state to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Adamu Usman, when he went on vacation recently. The governor made this clarification yesterday when he swore in three new commissioners in the state. Those sworn in are Alhaji Yussuf Tagwai, Hajia Hassana Adamu and Abbas Bello, who all resigned their positions to contest the PDP primaries in their constituencies late in 2014. Commenting on the way he treated his Deputy during his recent trip to Saudi Arabia, Governor Aliyu said he has had a good working and personal relationships with his deputy. He said: In fact, I did not spite the Deputy Governor, as far as I am concerned, he is still the deputy governor.’ Explaining that he had to hand over to the Speaker of the House of Assembly,

because the Deputy Governor had written to him that he was to travel for the Lesser Hajj on February 19, the same day he was to travel. According to him, he saw the Deputy Governor on television attending a meeting of the APC, where he had defected to and assumed that he would leave for the Lesser Hajj from Abuja. Aliyu further said that he had no option than to hand over to the Speaker as provided for by the 1999 Constitution as amended, saying that if the speaker had been unavailable, he would have handed over to the Chief Judge of the state.

NBA: We didn’t endorse Plateau APC governorship candidate Musa Pam Jos

embers of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Plateau State branch yesterday have denied reports that the branch has endorsed the All Progressives Congress gubernatorial candidate in the state ahead of the April 11 election. In a statement made available to journalists by the state branch Chairman, Ledak Dazuk Dafer, the NBA said its attention has been drawn to publications in some national dailies (not New Telegraph) that the branch has adopted Hon. Simon Lalong, as its governorship candidate in the coming elections.

He said: “We hereby categorically state that the Jos branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, a foremost profession, has not adopted and will never adopt, or endorse any particular candidate for any political elective position in the state. “The publications tend to show that we have endorsed a particular candidate, it is misleading and is likely to have the effect of rubbishing the efforts of the branch in carrying out voter education and mobilisation workshop and rallies to sensitise the general public to come out and vote for candidates of their choice, which was exclusively carried out at great financial expense our members.

Coalition calls on INEC to follow election timetable Ahmed Miringa Maiduguri

he coalition of chairmen of political parties in Borno State has distanced itself from the calling by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) for the shifting of the March 28 and April 11 elections to September 2015. The coalition also condemned the call by IPAC for the constitution of an interim government in the state after the expiration of the APC government on May 29, 2015. It called on the

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adhere to the March 28 and April 11 elections as rescheduled. In a communique released by the coalition at a press conference in Maiduguri yesterday, the Chairman of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Alhaji Muktar Abdullah, called on the Chairman of IPAC, Alhaji Babagana K. Musa, not to truncate Nigeria’s hard earned democracy. The coalition accused Musa of collecting N11 million to call for the postpone-

ment of the elections and the constitution of an interim government in Borno State. Abdulla said: “I want to use this medium to reveal what actually transpired between the PPA chairman and the PDP on the day of the visit of the APC presidential candidate. The PPA Chairman, Babagana Musa, had a secret meeting with one of the minister’s representative along Circular Road, Maiduguri, where he receive N11 million to discredit the state governor, security agencies – the Civilian JTF and INEC.”

he Kwara State Chairman of the Nigerian Cassava Growers Association (NCGA), Gabriel Fasanu is unhappy over the menace being posed to investments of his members by cattle rustlers across the state. Fasanu warned at the distribution of fertilizer and herbicides under a Federal Government agricultural programme to cassava growers in the state that if not checked, the issue would continue to impact negatively on government’s intentions in the sector. According to Fasanu, most members of the association obtained loans to farm only to have such farms destroyed at the

point of harvest by herds of cattle looking for pastures. He lamented that the state government had not been able to tame the rustlers. He said: “Many of our people here are taking loans from the banks. After putting in all your efforts and you have a good yield; that all is well with you to repay your loan, then suddenly you wake up one day to find out that the whole farm has been destroyed. “We have been battling with this menace for a very long time. The state government has not been able to address the issue and it is a serious concern to the farmers and it is making most of us incur debts. That is also why the banks are a little bit unwilling to give loan to farmers,” he said.

Caretaker chairman visits liberated Monguno town Ahmed Miringa Maiduguri

ollowing the liberation of Monguno town and its environs by Nigerian troops, the Caretaker Chairman of Monguno Local Government in Borno State, Alhaji Ali Sheriff Galgal, has visited the town to assess the situation there. Briefing newsmen immediately after the trip yesterday, a source and

aide of the chairman, who was among those who accompanied the chairman on the trip, said on arriving at Monguno, the chairman visited those rescued from the insurgents by the troops. He said the chairman presented food items to the rescued people, urging them to consider what happened to them as part of their destiny and appealed to them to pray for lasting peace in Borno State and the country in general.

Aliyu signs N80.8bn 2015 budget into law Dan Atori MINNA

he governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday signed the 2015 Appropriation Act passed into law by the House of Assembly last week. The House approved N80, 815, 402, 545 out of which N42, 164, 221, 001 is for recurrent expenditure while N38, 651, 181, 544 is for capital estimates. Signing the document into law, Governor Aliyu directed the Ministry of

Finance and the state Planning Commission to ensure they are strict in the disbursement of funds for the execution of projects. “Nobody should spend money in anticipation of money from the Federation Account, adding that payment of salaries should be the priority of the administration. “I believe that the only way to fight corruption in the civil service is to ensure prompt payment of salaries. We expect much from our civil servants, but we must give them their right,” Aliyu said.

WORLD | News

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

One killed, dozens trapped in Ukraine’s coal mine blast

n explosion ripped through a coal mine before dawn yesterday in war-torn eastern Ukraine, killing at least one miner, rebel and government officials said. An injured miner reported seeing five bodies. With more than 30 workers trapped, miners were enlisted to clear rubble, but operations were hampered by limited access to the deep subterranean network. The explosion at the Zasyadko mine in Donetsk, an eastern city under separatist control, was not caused by shelling, rebel authorities said. Eastern Ukraine has been wracked by fighting between government forces and Russian-backed rebels for almost a year, a conflict that has killed more than 6,000

people. The blast yesterday occurred more than 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) underground as 230 workers were in the mine, separatist authorities in Donetsk said in a statement, blaming a combustible mixture of methane and air — a common cause of industrial mining accidents. By mid-afternoon, one miner was confirmed dead, 198 workers had been evacuated from the mine and the fate of 32 others was unknown, Donetsk rebel officials said. It was not possible to immediately reconcile the figures given by different authorities. One lightly wounded miner being evacuated, who gave his name only as Sergei, told The Associated Press that he saw five bodies being pulled out, but provided no further

details. Another injured miner, 42-year-old Igor Murygin, said at a hospital in Donetsk that he was blown off his feet by the impact of the explosion. “When I came to, there was dust everywhere. People were groaning,” said Murygin, who doctors said had burns over 20 percent of his body. Murygin said the mine had installed new equipment and that nothing appeared to be out of order. The rebels said 15 miners were sent to medical centers in Donetsk. “For now, I can say only that 32 people are

below ground. One person has died,” Ivan Prikhodko, administrative head of the Kiev district in Donetsk, where the affected mine is located, told Donetsk News Agency. “Until rescuers get to them, speaking about how many people have died would be unethical.” A mine rescue services representative, Yuliana Bedilo, also said only one death had been confirmed. Miners arriving for their morning shift, shortly after the accident, have helped in the recovery operation. Reaching the stricken portion of the mine has been

complicated, however, as one of the three entrances has been forced closed by artillery shelling that has blighted Donetsk. That entrance is the closest to the area where the trapped miners are located. Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said in Kiev that rebels had prevented a team of 60 Ukrainian rescue workers from reaching the mine to provide assistance. But leading rebel representative Denis Pushilin denied that Ukrainian authorities had offered any help.

Netanyahu rejects Obama’s criticism of Iran speech

sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday brushed aside criticism from US President Barack Obama of his speech to Congress, in which he warned Washington was paving the way to a nuclear-armed Iran. The White House was infuriated by Netanyahu’s address Tuesday to a joint session of the US Congress, where he laid out Israeli concerns at an emerging world deal with Iran on its nuclear programme. Obama, who refused to meet Netanyahu during his 48-hour visit to Washington, dismissed the speech as containing “nothing new,” saying the Israeli leader “did not offer any viable alternatives”. Netanyahu, however, insisted yesterday that he had “presented a practical alternative, which would impose tougher restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program, extending Iran’s breakout time by years”. “I also called on the P5+1

(world powers negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran) to insist on a deal that would link the lifting of those restrictions to Iran’s ceasing its sponsorship of terrorism around the world, its aggression against its neighbours and its calls for Israel’s destruction,” he said on his return to Israel. The Israeli leader also cited “encouraging responses from both Democrats and Republicans” to his address. “They understood that the current proposal would lead to a bad deal and that the alternative is a better deal,” said Netanyahu. Israel believes Iran and world powers are likely to reach a deal that eases international sanctions on Tehran without applying sufficiently stringent safeguards to stop it developing nuclear weapons. Netanyahu’s address came just four weeks before a March 31 target for a framework deal, and two weeks before a March 17 general election in Israel in which Netanyahu is hoping to win a third consecutive term in office.

Sixteen injured in fire at Cairo convention centre

t least 16 people were injured yesterday when a large fire broke out at a convention center in a northeastern Cairo neighborhood, medical and security sources said. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. Firefighters spent more than two hours battling the blaze, which state media said earlier had reached the main hall of the center. Health Ministry spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said 16 people were

wounded in the fire. Interior Ministry spokesman Hani Abdellatif told state television the initial investigation showed the fire may have started in a closed office and spread through central airconditioning vents. The fire sent dark plumes of smoke rising above the building near a busy highway in the Nasr City district. The convention center regularly hosts conferences, expositions and concerts.

A woman reacts as she walks past pro-Russian rebels guarding the Zasyadko mine in Donetsk,Ukraine yesterday

Lesotho’s opposition forms coalition

esotho’s main opposition party has formed a coalition government with other opposing parties after an election failed to provide an outright winner, it said yesterday. The poll was brought forward by nearly two years in a bid to restore stability after an attempted coup by the army last Augus. The tight contest saw the opposition Democratic Congress (DC) party narrowly beat the ruling All Basotho Congress (ABC) party, led by incumbent prime minister Thomas Thabane. After the vote, the DC said it had formed a coalition with the other smaller parties in the landlocked mountainous kingdom. “The people have de-

cided who they want to be led by. This new government is the will of the people,” DC leader Pakalitha Mosisili told a media briefing. Mosisili said he would take over as prime minister while Mothetjoa Metsing, the incumbent deputy prime minister, would retain his position. Metsing is a member of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) party. In addition to the DC and LCD, the coalition government includes five other smaller parties and provides the group with the majority seats required to govern. Thabane’s communications team was not available for comment. Lesotho’s parliament has 120 seats of which 80 are decided

by constituents’ votes and 40 are allocated through proportional representation. DC secured 47 parliamentary seats and ABC had 46 seats, while LCD came in third with 12 seats, the electoral commission said at a media conference. Thabane briefly fled to South Africa in August when soldiers occupied police headquarters and encircled his palace. Thabane accused his deputy Metsing of working with the army to oust him, an allegation Metsing and the military dismissed.The attempted coup triggered concerns of political violence, leading to an intervention headed by South Africa’s deputy president.

Father says no proof his son is ‘Jihadi John’

he father of “Jihadi John” said in an interview published yesterday that there was no proof that his son was the Islamic State executioner, adding there were a number of “false rumours” circulating. “There is nothing that proves what is being circulated in the media, especially through video clips and footage, that the accused is my son Mohammed, who is being referred to as the alleged execu-

tioner of Daesh (Islamic State),” Jassem Emwazi told the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Qabas. The daily said it spoke to the father of Kuwait-born Mohammed Emwazi at a secret location in his first media interview following accusations that his son is the jihadist who killed several Western hostages. “I have a message to the Kuwaiti people that many of the rumours are false,” he told the daily. “Because I felt that some

people have believed it, I have assigned a lawyer to defend me and to prove ... that what is being said is untrue,” he said. It was not clear why he appeared to be retracting statements reported earlier that he and his wife had recognised their son’s voice. His lawyer Salem al-Hashash said he would from Sunday file lawsuits against those who made accusations against Emwazi senior and his family.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY MARCH 5, 2015

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