Thursday, may 12, 2016 binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

Buhari to Cameron: Yes, we’re corrupt, but return Nigeria’s stolen assets

lBritish PM’s comment unfortunate, unguarded – Kalu Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday

admitted that there was corruption in Nigeria, but told the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, to return all stolen assets held in various banks in

the United Kingdom. After delivering a keynote address at the Commonwealth event in London yesterday, Buhari was pressed by reporters

to react to comments from the British Prime Minister. Reporter: Mr. President, would you demand any apology from the prime minister?

Buhari: No, no, not at all. Reporter: Are you not embarrassed by what he (Cameron) said? Buhari: No, I am not. Reporter: He just said Nigeria is fantastically

corrupt Buhari: Yes. The president spoke against the backdrop of Cameron’s comments that Nigeria was "fantastically corrupt". CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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Thursday, May 12, 2016

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N150

Fuel now N145 per litre Ikpeazu

Gaya

Olonisakin

Okunbor

...Govt scraps subsidy lFG insensitive, says NLC History of fuel price change in Nigeria Year 1973 1976 Oct. 1, 1978 April 20, 1982 March 31 1986 April 10 1988 Jan. 1, 1989 Dec. 19, 1989 March 6, 1991 Nov. 8, 1993 Nov. 22,1993 October 2,1994 October 4,1994 Dec. 20, 1998

Price 6k to 8.45k 8.45k to 9k 9k to 15.3k 15.3k to 20k 20k to 39.5k 39.5k to 42k 42k to 60k uniform price -60k 60k to 70k 70k to N5 N5 to N3.25k N3.25k to N15 N15 to N11 N11 to N25

% 40.8% 0.59% 70% 30.71% 97.5% 6.33% 42.86% 16.67% 614% -35% 361.54% -26.67% 127.27%

Year January 6,1999 June 1, 2000 June 8, 2000 January 1, 2002 June to Oct. 2003 May 29, 2004 August 25, 2004 May 27, 2007 June 2007 January 1, 2012 Jan 17 2012 May 11

Price N25 to N20 N20 to N30 reduced to N22 N22 to N26 N26 to N42 N50 N65 N75 N65 N138 to N250 N138 to N97 and later to N87 N87 to N86 N86 to N147

-20% 50% -10% 18.18% 23.08% 19.05% 30% 15.38% -15.38% 112.31 to 284.62%

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, announcing the new pump price in Abuja… yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

$115m Diezani cash: EFCC quizzes Imoke, Yuguda, others N860m How ex-Chief of N700m Air Staff, Diko Umar, N500m diverted N4.8bn to N250m purchase property N160m }4

Cash diverted to buy a property at Plot No. 1853, Deng Xiao Ping Street, off Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro Extension, Abuja.

The cash used to purchase a property at No 14, Vistula Close, off Panama Street, Maitama. Amount diverted to buy a four-bedroom duplex at Road 3b, Street 2, Mabushi Ministers Hill, Abuja.

Cash diverted to buy a property at No 14, Audu Bako Way, GRA, Kano.

lN600m scam: Court sends AVM Atawodi to Kuje Prison

Amount diverted from NAF account to purchase a property at No 8, Kabala Road, Unguwan Rimi, GRA, Kaduna.

Umar

N66m

Cash spent on renovation/improvement of House No. 1853, Deng Xiao Ping Street, off Mahathir Mohammed street, Asokoro extension.

folic acid in pregnancy may raise autism risk in babies –study }6

NEWS

THURSday, May 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG removes subsidy, fuel now N145 per litre Adeola Yusuf, Anule Emmanuel and Johnchuks Onuanyim

inally, the Federal Government has removed subsidy on premium motor spirit (PMS) also known as petrol. With the subsidy removal, a new price regime for petrol has been fixed at a maximum of N145 per litre. The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) stated that the new price regime had taken effect from Wednesday, May 11 (yesterday). Before yesterday’s increment, a litre of petrol was pegged at controlled prices of N86.00k and

N86.50k. "In furtherance of its mandate to ensure the efficient supply and distribution of petroleum products, the PPPRA, hereby announces, effective immediately that the new price band for PMS shall be at a maximum of N145/ litre. However, NNPC retail stations on the outskirts of major cities are advised to sell at price lower than N145/litre,” PPPRA’s Acting Executive Secretary, Mrs. Sotonye E. Iyoyo, announced in a statement issued in Abuja. Iyoyo said that “this review became imperative in the face of extreme difficulties faced by petroleum product importers in sourcing foreign exchange.”

The agency said that to meet the consumption demand of the nation, importers would henceforth be permitted to source for their foreign exchange requirements from the secondary sources. “PPPRA is conscious of the difficulties that Nigerians have been going through in the last few months and to ameliorate this situation, we shall continue to modulate pricing in accordance with prevailing market dynamics, thereby ensuring fair value to all citizens,” it said. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu, who briefed State House correspondents yesterday at the presidential villa, said the decision to remove subsidy

on the product followed a meeting of stakeholders who considered the prevailing fuel scarcity in the country. The minister explained that stakeholders, at the meeting, reviewed the current fuel scarcity and supply difficulties across the country. He said after a careful look at the exorbitant prices being paid by Nigerians ranging from N150 to N250 per litre, government considered it necessary to provide a baseline for the price and allow for full participation of oil marketers. In the last couples of months, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has been importing 100 per cent of fuel consumed in the country.

Chairman/ President, US EXIM Bank, Fred Hochberg and Group Managing Director, UBA Plc., Phillips Oduoza, during the signing of a $100 million trade finance deal between both institutions in Kigali, Rwanda … yesterday.

Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has distanced itself from the decision of Federal Government to fully deregulate the petroleum sector with the removal of fuel subsidy. It described the increment as “height of insensitivity and impunity” which will be resisted. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resource, Ibe Kachikwu, had, yesterday, announced the removal of fuel subsidy, which takes the price of fuel to N145 per litre after what he called a meeting of stakeholders in the petroleum sector, including representatives of labour. But NLC, in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, said: "The unilateral increase in prices of petroleum products today (yesterday) by government represents the height of insensitivity and impunity and shall be resisted by the Nigeria Labour Congress and its civil society allies." It said that the claim by the Federal Government

According to him, stakeholders engaged before the decision was arrived at include, the leadership of the National Assembly, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). He said: “The meeting reviewed the current fuel scarcity and supply difficulties in the country, the exorbitant prices being paid by Nigerians for the product. “These prices range on the average from N150 to N250 per litre currently. “The meeting also noted that the main reason for the current problem is the inability of importers of petroleum products to source foreign exchange at the official rate due to the massive decline of foreign exchange earnings of the Federal Government. As a result, private marketers have been unable to meet their approximate 50 per cent portion of total national supply of PMS,” he said. According to the minister, following a detailed presentation which he made, it has now become obvious that the only option and course of action now open to the government is to increase and stabilise

You’re insensitive, NLC tells FG

lLabour meets Friday to take action that the decision was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting was ridiculous and fallacious, arguing that the government was advised at the meeting to shelve the idea until labour was able to meet with its appropriate organs. While urging the government to revert to the old price, NLC told Nigerians that it would resist the new price increase with all its affiliated bodies. The labour body said the new fuel price came at a time the imposition of unjustifiable electricity tariff on Nigerians by the Federal Government and other economic challenges had made life difficult for the ordinary Nigerian. "With the imposition on the citizenry of criminal and unjustifiable electricity tariff and resultant darkness and other economic challenges brought on by the devaluation of the naira and spiralling inflation, the least one had expected at this point in time was another policy measure that would further make life more mis-

erable for the ordinary Nigerian," it said. The congress lamented that the latest increase was the most audacious and cruel in the history of product price increase as it represents not only about 80 per cent increase, but also tied to the black market exchange rate. The NLC further argued that the process through which government arrived at the price was both illogical and illegal, as the board of the PPPRA was not duly constituted. "In our previous statements and communiqués, we had stressed the need for reconstituting the boards of NNPC and PPPRA and wean both away from the overbearing influence of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources who has assumed the role of a sole administrator. “The allusion to the fact that this increase was arrived at after due consultation with stakeholders is not only ridiculous and fallacious, it goes to show

that the brief meeting held today during which government was advised to shelve the idea until at least it meets with the appropriate organs of the congress was in bad faith. “Accordingly, we urge the government to revert the prices to what they were. We would want to put everybody on notice that we shall resist this criminal increase with every means legitimate. “Already an emergency NEC meeting has been scheduled for Friday, May 13, to decide on the next line of action. Meanwhile, our affiliates, state councils and civil society allies are requested to commence mobilisation immediately," it said. Comrade Joe Ajaero, a factional President of NLC, said that removing subsidy without fulfilling the agreement reached with the unions was nothing but a betrayal “We do not, in any way, support full deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. The Executive Secre-

tary of Major Oil Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr. Obafemi Olawore, said that his association supported the move, saying it was the right step to liberate the downstream sector. “It is a step towards deregulation. At MOMAN, we support full deregulation,” he said. Vice President, Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, said the decision would help to put to an end to the persistent petrol scarcity in the country. "This is a good development; the best that will happen is complete removal of the subsidy. "The price they put is a good one, but the best thing is to leave the market open so that people will decide what they want to sell after importation," he said. He assured that the products would be available with this development, adding that the association was ready to continue to support government’s effort.

the supply of the product, any Nigerian entity is now free to import the product, subject to existing quality specifications and other guidelines issued by regulatory agencies. With the removal of subsidy, he said, “all oil marketers will be allowed to import PMS on the basis of forex procured from secondary sources. The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) template, he said, will now reflect this in the pricing of the product. “Pursuant to this, PPPRA has informed me that it will be announcing a new price band effective today, 11th May, 2016 and that the new price for PMS will not be above N145 per litre. “We expect that this new policy will lead to improved supply and competition and eventually drive down pump prices, as we have experienced with diesel. In addition, this will also lead to increased product availability and encourage investments in refineries and other parts of the downstream sector. It will also prevent diversion of petroleum products and set a stable environment for the downstream sector in Nigeria.” The minister enjoined Nigerians to understand with government over the present situation. “We share the pains of Nigerians, but as we have constantly said, the inherited difficulties of the past and the challenges of the current times imply that we must take difficult decisions on these sort of critical national issues. Along with this decision, the Federal Government has, in the 2016 budget, made an unprecedented social protection provision to cushion the current challenges. “We believe in the long term, that improved supply and competition will drive down prices. The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the PPPRA, the minister said, have been mandated to ensure strict regulatory compliance including dealing decisively with anyone involved in hoarding petroleum products.

The number of Premier League clubs of the 20 clubs that failed to post a profit in 2014-15. Source: Soccernet.com

748,000

The number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy in East, South and South-East Asia in December 2009. Source: Who.int

THURSday, May 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEWS

THURSday, May 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

$115m lodgement: EFCC quizzes Imoke, Yuguda, ex-Dep Gov

lJonathan's ministers admit collecting N1.6bn campaign funds Emmanuel Onani Abuja

n continuation of its investigation into the $115 million lodged in Fidelity Bank Plc., by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday interrogated the immediate past Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, New Telegraph gathered from highly-placed sources at the EFCC that Imoke, who arrived the Port-Harcourt, Rivers State zonal office of the EFCC at 10:15a.m., was interrogated in connection with the N500 million, which was said to have been received by the Cross River State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ntufam John Okon, who had earlier been arrested. Also, the EFCC has arrested a former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda,

for his alleged involvement in the sharing of the sum of N450 million allocated to Zamfara out of the $115. Yuguda is one of the former ministers in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan who are being investigated by the anti-graft agency. Yuguda, in his statement, on Wednesday, May 11, admitted to have collected N450 million in his capacity as a PDP chieftain in his state. According to him, a former Secretary to the Zamfara State Government and member of PDP Presidential Campaign Committee 2015, Aminu Ahmed Nahuche, collected the sum of N450m allocated to Zamfara State from Fidelity Bank Plc. The former minister is still under investigation at the EFCC Kano zonal office. New Telegraph also learnt that operatives of the commission have interrogated a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Imasuen, as well as former Secretary

Nigeria risks N1.4bn daily oil income losses

lAs Shell declares force majeure on Bonny crude Adeola Yusuf

igeria is at the risk of N1.458 billion ($7.29 million) daily revenue loss on its crude exports as oil giant, Shell, yesterday declared to importers of country's crude that it would not be able to meet its contractual obligations on exports of about 162, 000 barrels per day Bonny Light crude grade. The company's subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), stated this through a force majeure on Bonny Light Crude export. Specifically, the oil major maintained that its declaration followed the shut down of Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) by AITEO Eastern E & P Company Ltd. AITEO Eastern E & P Company Limited, operator of the NCTL, had earlier closed the line for repairs after a leak. The company exports an average of 162,000 bar-

1,425

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

rels per day (bpd) of Bonny Light, accounting for over eight per cent of Nigeria’s total planned exports of nearly two million bpd. With oil selling at $45 per barrel yesterday, the force majuere on Bonny Light Crude may however, mean delay in realising about $7.29 million revenues from export of Bonny Light into the federation account. "The development may mean more hard time for state government, as their ability to pay salaries are further jeopardised by low level inflow into the federation account," a crude trader told New Telegraph. Spokesperson for Shell, Olugbenga Odugbesan, however, said in a statement that the force majeure on Bonny Light exports became effective on May 10. "The SPDC declared force majeure on Bonny Light exports effective 12:00hrs Nigerian time, May 10, 2016 following a leak that led to the closure of Nembe Creek trunk line for repairs by the operator, AITEO Eastern E & P Company Ltd," he said in a statement yesterday. "Enquiries on the incident and repair should be directed to the operator," the statement added.

to the State Government (SSG), Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu. It was learnt authoritatively that the duo was quizzed for allegedly collecting the sum of N700 million from the same fund. Speaking in confidence with this newspaper, the authoritative source said: "Chief Liyel Imoke was, on Wednesday, quizzed by EFCC operatives in PortHarcourt, Rivers State, for his alleged involvement in the N500 million collected by the Cross Rivers State’s Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ntufam John Okon, from the $115 million a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Alison-Madueke lodged with Fidelity Bank in controversial circumstances during the 2015 electioneering. "Imoke arrived the Port Harcourt office of the EFCC, by 10:15a.m. on Wednesday, and is answering questions being posed

to him by his investigators." On Imasuen and IzeIyamu, the source noted: "The N700 million was reportedly collected from the Mission Road branch of Fidelity Bank Plc., in Benin-City in March, 2015." The source added that Ize-Iyamu, who was Edo State coordinator of the PDP Presidential Campaign in the 2015 presidential election, allegedly admitted collecting the money from the bank." Both Imasuen and Iyamu are still in the custody of the anti-graft agency, and would soon be charged to court. Meanwhile, former Minister of Mines and Steel, Mr. Musa Muhammad Sada, as well as ex-Minister of State for Agriculture, Mrs. Asabe Asmau Ahmed have admitted sharing in the $115 million campaign funds. Both Sada and Ahmed were ministers in the immediate past Goodluck

Jonathan administration. Sada confessed to operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he received instruction from the former Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, to collect N700 million on his (Shema's) behalf, and drop same with his former Commissioner of Finance. Ahmed, according to the EFCC, admitted she collected N450 million from the campaign funds. The former minister allegedly said that she kept N150 million for herself while she gave N300 million to top officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State. The EFCC is investigating the discovery that $115 million was lodged in a bank by former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, ostensibly to compromise some state officials of the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC). In a statement issued yesterday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC said: "A former Minister of Mines and Steel, Arch. Musa Muhammad Sada, has told EFCC his involvement in the alleged N23.29 billion poll bribery scandal. "Sada is one of the former ministers in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan who are being investigated by the anti-graft agency. "During investigation, Sada disclosed that he was authorised by former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, to collect the sum of N700 on behalf of Katsina State and remit it to the former Commissioner of Finance for keep for him (Shema)," the antigraft agency stated. According to the EFCC, the former Minister of State for Agriculture, further "stated that she kept the sum of N105 million for herself."

L-R: MO Ibrahim of MO Ibrahim Foundation; President Muhammadu Buhari and Secretary General of Commonwealth, Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland QC, during the Commonwealth Anti-Corruption Conference for Civil Society, Business and Government Leaders in London… yesterday.

OPS backs FG on new pump price Taiwo Hassan

s the Federal Government announced the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, with a new pump price of N145 per litre, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) has given its nod to the government for taking the bold step. The OPS, which is the umbrella body of private sector operators in the country, comprises of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Nigerian Economic Consultative Association (NECA). They described the new pump price as a step in the right direction, saying they had clamoured for proper

deregulation of the downstream sector. The operators pointed out that the new price would make the product available in the country. Speaking with New Telegraph, MAN President, Dr. Frank Jacobs, said government’s decision was a welcome development that would finally eradicate fuel queues in the country. He said the association was fully in support of the deregulation of the downstream sector of the economy to bring about liberalisation in petroleum product distribution. His words: “We have already been advocating for the removal of subsidy on PMS in the downstream sector. We support the government on the fuel hike. It is a right step in the right direction. However, in the short term, it will be painful for all Nigerians, but as time goes on, the price will

stabilise. This was what happened with Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel sometimes ago. So, we fully support government’s removal of subsidy and clamour for full deregulation of the downstream sector so as to ensure availability of petroleum products in the country.” Also, the Director-General, LCCI, Muda Yusuf, said that the decision by the Federal Government to liberalise the petroleum downstream sector was inevitable, given the acute resource constraint that the country is faced with at the moment. Yusuff said: “Petroleum subsidy management has been characterised by serious transparency issues for several decades. There are two components of the subsidy phenomenon. The first is the actual subsidy, which is the differential

between the pump price and the landing and other costs of fuel. The second (and more disturbing component) is the blatant corruption inherent in the fuel subsidy regime. “For several years, the Nigerian economy suffered severe bleeding from this phenomenon; with subsidy payments in trillion naira threshold, and even more. “In an economy with huge deficit in economic and social infrastructures, it was simply scandalous. It is in the overall interest of the economy and citizens for it to be discontinued.” On the advantages of the deregulation, Yusuf said: “It will free resources for investment in critical infrastructures such as power, roads, the rail systems, health sector, education sector etc. The deficiency in all of these infrastructure areas is phenomenal."

NEWS

THURSday, May 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

How ex-Chief of Air Staff diverted N4.8bn to purchase property

Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Federal Government yesterday told the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja how a former of Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Diko Umar, diverted about N4.8 billion belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to purchase property for himself. Diko, who was arraigned before the court, however pleaded not guilty when the seven-count charge bothering on diversion of funds slammed on him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was read to him.

In the charge, Diko was alleged to have, while being the Chief of Air Staff between September 2010 and 2012 converted the United State dollar equivalent of the aggregate sum of N4,864,630,000 removed from the account of NAF. The offence was said to be contrary to Section 15(2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act. Diko was also alleged to have used the sum of N700,000,000 removed from NAF account to purchase a property at No 14, Vistula Close, off Panama Street, Maitama. In addition, Diko was also accused of using another N860,000,000 re-

Former Chairman, Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety (PICOMSS), Air Vice Marshal Saliu Atawodi (rtd), during his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja… yesterday.

moved from the account of NAF to buy a property at Plot No. 1853 Deng Xiao Ping Street, off Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro Extension, Abuja. Diko was also accused of taking N500,000,000 from the account of NAF to purchase for himself a four-bedroom duplex with boys’ quarters at Road 3b, Street 2, Mabushi Ministers Hill, Abuja. In count 5, Diko was accused of removing N250,000,000 from the account of NAF to buy himself a property at No 14, Audu Bako way GRA, Kano. In count 6, Diko was charged with removing N160,000,000 from the account of NAF to purchase

and renovate a property at No 8, Kabala Road, Unguwan Rimi, GRA, Kaduna. Diko was, in count 7, accused of transferring the sum of N66,000,000 into the Stanbic IBTC Account No: 9202077424 belonging to Capital Law Office from NAF operations account domiciled at UBA Plc for the renovation/improvement of House No. 1853, Deng Xiao Ping Street, off Mahathir Mohammed street, Asokoro extension. The offences were said to be contrary to Section 15(2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act. The Federal Government listed about 21 wit-

Rabiu Hassan, during his arraignment in Abuja…yesterday.

1.12m

The total area (in sq. km) of land of Ethiopia. Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

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

nesses to testify in the case. Defence counsel, Hassan Liman (SAN), however, prayed the court to admit Diko to bail on selfrecognition. However, prosecuting counsel, Sylvanu Tahir, prayed the court for a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending the commencement of his trial. Delivering ruling, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako admitted the defendant to bail on self-recognition. The court further ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport with the registry of the court. Justice Nyako later adjourned till June 7, 8 and 9. Meanwhile, an Abuja High Court yesterday remanded a former Chairman, Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety (PICOMMS), Air Vice Marshal Saliu Atawodi (rtd.) and one Rabiu Hassan in Kuje

Prisons pending when their bail applications will be heard. Atawodi and Hassan, alongside a company, Hypertech Nigeria Limited, were arraigned by the EFCC on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds. The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them. Prosecution counsel, Mohammed Bello, after the plea, however, asked the court for a trial date. Counsel to the first defendant, Karina Tunyan (SAN), prayed the court to grant his client bail pending his trial. Also, counsel to the second defendant, Shareef Mohammed, urged the court to grant his client bail, maintaining that the defendant, whom he described as a whistle blower, had not jumped the administrative bail granted him by the commission. The trial judge, Justice P.S Kekemeke, later adjourned to May 16 for ruling on the bail applications and ordered the defendants to be remanded in Kuje Prison. The defendants allegedly defrauded the government to the tune of over N600 million through suspicious contracts to procure military boats.

Buhari to Cameron: Return Nigeria’s stolen assets British PM’s comment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Cameron was reported to have made the statement during a conversation with Queen Elizabeth, caught on camera on Tuesday. Buhari, during a presummit event in London, was asked to respond to Cameron's comment that Nigeria and Afghanistan were "possibly two of the most corrupt countries in the world". The president said he would not demand an apology, but a return of Nigeria’s stolen funds in the custody of Britain. "I am not going to demand any apology from anybody. What I am demanding is the return of assets," Buhari said at an event, to applause from Nigerians in the audience. "What would I do with an apology? I need something tangible," he said, rubbing his fingers together in a gesture commonly used to refer to money. The audience laughed. Buhari, however, did not specify which assets he was talking about. Meanwhile, Buhari has also urged world leaders to rally support for Nigeria and other countries facing the challenges of crude oil theft and looting of their

national treasury. The president, while addressing a meeting of the Commonwealth at the Malborough House, told world leaders at the gathering that Nigeria's crude oil was being stolen on an industrial scale and exported, with the proceeds laundered through world financial centres by transnational organised criminals. He said such crimes have rather thwarted the growth of the country and its economic prosperity. Speaking at the event, Buhari said it was time for the international community to designate oil theft as an international crime similar to the trade in “blood diamonds,” as it constitutes an imminent and credible threat to the economy and stability of oil-producing countries like Nigeria. The president explained that oil theft was a species of organised crime that is almost totally off the international community’s radar. The president lamented that Nigeria’s trade and diplomatic partners have rather taken no real action against the crime, which has aided illegal looting

of funds for deposition in foreign bank accounts. "Nigeria could not stop the trade single-handedly, and there is limited value in countries going it alone. "It is clear, therefore, that the menace of oil theft, put at over 150,000 barrels per day, is a criminal enterprise involving internal and external perpetrators. Illicit oil cargoes and their proceeds move across international borders," Buhari stressed. He said that "opaque and murky as these illegal transactions may be, they are certainly traceable and can be acted upon, if all governments show the required political will. “ Buhari, who noted that political will has been the missing link in the international efforts hitherto, told the world leaders that there was need to immediately create a multi-state and multi-stakeholder partnership to address the menace. "A main component of this anti-corruption partnership is that governments must demonstrate unquestionable political will and commitment to the fight,” the president added. Buhari stated that Nige-

ria, under his leadership, was committed to signing the Open Government Partnership initiatives alongside Cameron before the end of the summit. On his anti-corruption war, Buhari admitted that there were a few cases where apparently stringent rules have been applied as a result of threats to national security and the likelihood that certain persons may escape from the country or seek to undermine the stability of Nigeria. He said: "It is for this reason that we are seeking the support of many countries for the prosecution of certain individuals residing in their jurisdictions. "Of course, we will provide the necessary legal documents and whatever mutual assistance is required to secure conviction of such individuals, as well as facilitate the repatriation of our stolen assets.” The president lamented that Nigeria's experience has unfortunately been that repatriation of corrupt proceeds is very tedious, time consuming, costly and entails more than just the signing of bilateral or multilateral agreements," he said.

unfortunate, unguarded –Kalu

minent businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday described as unfortunate and unguarded, comments made by British Prime Minister, David Cameron that Nigeria is a fantastically corrupt country. In a statement signed personally by the business mogul, he said: “My attention and that of the Nigerian public have been drawn to the recent statements made by the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, in which he characterised Nigeria as a "fantastically corrupt country" during his briefing to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth just before the anti-corruption summit which was attended by President Muhammadu Buhari in London. “The statements of the British Prime Minister are most unfortunate and unguarded, given the relationship between Nigeria and Britain, two countries who share very long and deep heritage; and especially as the British PM did not state the basis on which he made such assertion which has

now become public. “It is also a gross disrespect and a most uncharitable disposition to the Nigerian people who work hard to earn their living and who have made very positive impacts on the lives of British people and their economy. “Also, such utterances coming from the convener of the summit himself, just before the commencement, suggest that either he doesn't take the summit serious, or he is deceptive in terms of his commitment to the Nigerian government in the fight against corruption. “In the light of this, the British Prime Minister should render an immediate and unreserved apology to Nigerians and to President Muhammadu Buhari for the embarrassing comments. “As a responsible government and former colonists of Nigeria, my advice is that Britain should handle this matter with the required level of responsibility and prudence, so as to avoid a possible breakdown of diplomatic relations between the two countries.”

NEWS | national

thursday, may 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AI: Babies, children dying in military detention Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

mnesty International has disclosed that 11 children under the age of six, including four babies, are among 149 people who have died this year following their detention in horrendous conditions in the notorious Giwa barracks detention centre Maiduguri, Borno State. The international hu-

man rights organization, in a press statement released in Abuja, yesterday, said evidence gathered through interviews with former detainees and eyewitnesses, supported by video and photos, revealed that many detainees might have died from disease, hunger, dehydration, and gunshots wounds. “The briefing, “If you see it, you will cry”: Life and death in Giwa barracks, also contains satellite imagery which corroborates witness testimonies.

According to the Amnesty International’s Research and Advocacy Director for Africa, Netsanet Belay, all detainees in Giwa barrack detention facility must be released or transferred to civilian authorities while the detention facilities must be closed down immediately. “The discovery that babies and young children have died in appalling conditions in military detention is both harrowing and horrifying. We have repeatedly sounded the

alarm over the high death rate of detainees in Giwa barracks but these findings show that, for both adults and children, it remains a place of death.” “There can be no excuses and no delay. The detention facilities in Giwa barracks must be immediately closed and all detainees released or transferred to civilian authorities. The government must urgently introduce systems to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children released from detention.” He said

He also lamented that the Nigerian Army, while fighting Boko Haram terrorists, have failed to respect human rights and the rule of law. Netsanet Belay added that President Muhammadu Buhari ought to have launched an investigation into these deaths almost after a year that Amnesty International findings revealed that huge numbers had died in detention. “Faced with an enemy as brutal as Boko Haram, a key challenge for the Nigerian military is to defeat them whilst still fully respecting human rights and the rule of law. This is

The percentage of the population of men above 60 years of DR Congo in 2012. Source: Un.org L-R: Secretary General of Abuja MoU, Mrs. Mfon Usoro; former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili and Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, at the opening ceremony of NIMASA's top management retreat in Lagos.

NEF opposes Sheriff, convention Onyekachi Eze

Folic acid in pregnancy may raise autism risk in babies

Appolonia Adeyemi

regnant mothers taking too much folic acid have been linked to possibly having children with autism. Pregnant women who overdose on folic acid (folate and vitamin B12) while trying to heed health advice may increase the risk of autism in their babies. Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that involves abnormal development and function of the brain. People with autism show decreased social communication skills and restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviours or interests. Autism is a 'spectrum' condition with a wide range of severity that im-

pairs an individual's ability to communicate and interact socially. Both genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role in its development. Research has shown taking too many folate supplements may double the chance of a mother's child developing the developmental disorder, according to scientists. Very high vitamin B12 levels were also said to be potentially harmful, tripling the likelihood of autism. Excess levels of both nutrients boosted the risk level 17.6 times. According to a report in mailonline, the findings of the researchers will be presented at the 2016 International Meeting for Autism Research

that will take place in Baltimore, Maryland, United States (U.S). A former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Olumide Akintayo, a pharmacist, while noting that too much of everything was bad, urged consumers in the country to stick to their daily recommended dose, which is about 5mg. “Our experience has shown that at that dose, the therapeutic window is very broad.” He added, “in other words, the safety margin is wide. If you are using it at the right dose.” A spokesperson for the British Pregnancy Advisory Service said: 'Folic acid supplementation in early pregnancy has been proven to dramatically reduce the risk of neural

tube defects such as spina bifida, which causes lifelong disability, and anencephaly, a fatal condition where the baby's brain and skull do not form properly. “We would absolutely advise women who are planning pregnancies to continue to take folic acid supplements, with the current recommendation to continue with these up until the 12th week of pregnancy.' Women are advised to take supplements of folic acid, the synthetic version of the B vitamin folate, during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of disabling or fatal birth defects such as spina bifida. (Spina bifida is part of a group of birth defects called neural tube defects.)

FETHI: Fayose supports workers YouWin beneficiaries disrupt activity at Finance Ministry on CMD's sack Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

kiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, yesterday expressly supported calls by workers of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI) for the sack of the hospital's Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Lawrence Ayodele Majekodunmi. In what passed as the height of the workers' rejection of Ayodele's lead-

a challenge that they seem to be failing.” “Deaths of detainees in North-east Nigeria are nothing new. But as overcrowding increases so does the number of emaciated corpses emerging from Giwa barracks, with babies and young children among the dead. “Almost a year after our findings revealed that huge numbers had died in detention, it is now time for President Buhari to uphold his pledge to launch an urgent investigation into these deaths, release the children and shut down Giwa barracks detention centre without delay,” Netsanet Belay said The statement added that around 1,200 people are currently detained at Giwa barracks in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.

ership in the hospital, the governor, while addressing the protesting crowd of workers, said: “I will write my own report before the end of today (yesterday) and send to Abuja on the need for the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health to make a change in this hospital by withdrawing the appointment of Dr Ayodele with immediate effect. "I will tell them (the FG) that the CMD can no longer enjoy your confidence."

Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

or non- release of funds to beneficiaries of third edition of Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria program, the beneficiaries yesterday barricaded the entrance gate of finance ministry in Abuja. The protesting youths (male and female) in their numbers accused

the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, of frustrating the release of their grants, which according to them, had remained unpaid for about a year. One of the protesters of YouWin 3 program, Mercy Terhile, said she has sacked some of her workers, owing to the development and wondered why the Minister of Finance will not want to release the fund duly approved for the program.

serious crisis is looming in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the Northern Elders' Forum (NEF) led by former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, insisting that the proposed amendment of the party's constitution did not pass through the normal process. The PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) is scheduled to meet on Tuesday in Gombe State to debate the proposed constitutional amendment, preparatory to its ratification at the national convention on May 21. But the NEF, which met for the second time in two weeks in Abuja, advised the National Working Committee (NWC) to stay action on the national convention for wider consultation. Gana, who addressed the press at the end of the meeting, said the National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and other

NWC members should hand over to the Board of Trustees (BoT) at the expiration of their tenure on May 21. "We expect the current NWC members to vacate their seats on May 21 when their tenure expires. "In order not to create a vacuum, the BoT should provide credible trustees that will allow proper transition when a new date for convention is announced and new leaders elected. "The current NWC has proven that they cannot organise a proper and transparent convention," Gana noted. The group hinged its objection on the crisis trailing the ongoing congresses on the party, observing that "in a number of states, the congresses were badly conducted. This is unacceptable. The entire process has been flawed and not built on good foundation. A delegate conference will be held here in Abuja before the national convention will be held."

Saraki: We didn't inspect Ikoyi property, witness admits Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he Prosecution Witness at the ongoing of the trial of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, yesterday told the Code of Conduct Tribunal that his team did not visit one of the property, No 15a and 15b McDonald, Ikoyi during their investigation. The witness, Micheal Wetkas, stated this while being cross examined by counsel to Saraki, Paul Usoro SAN. Saraki is standing trial over false assets

declaration. Wetkas had further admitted that the property No 15a and b, Macdonald is the same as No 15, flat 1 to 4. He however added that the said property did not exist. When asked whether his team visited the property, the witness said it was not necessary because they got all their facts from investigation and they believe same to be true. Usoro however showed the witness a portion from the evidence tendered by the prosecution through him that the property actually existed.

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Mojeed Alabi and Chris Ejim

he Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, has warned militants in the state against igniting a repeat of the Odi massacre experience. The warning came following rising spate of violent attacks and killings of security operatives by men of militia groups in the NigerDelta region, This warning, which was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, was in response to the killing of four security personnel in Nembe Creek and three Naval personnel in Nembe and Foropa community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state

News|NATIONAL

Soldiers’ killings: Dickson warns militants against another massacre and other parts of the Niger-Delta region. It would be recalled that on November 20, 1999, men of the Nigerian military had pounced on the predominantly Ijaw town of Odi in the state, killing more than 100 innocent people and burning all the houses in the town with the exception of a bank, a church and a health centre. The attack on the town was a revenge over the 12 members of the Nigerian police, who were murdered by a gang near Odi between November 4 and 15, 1999. In a similar development, the last few days

had witnessed the killings of security operatives on official duties in both Bayelsa and Rivers States. But Dicskon, according to the statement, summoned community leaders and other stakeholders in the state; warning them to check the activities of the youths in their domains. According to Dickson, the unwarranted attacks and killings of the nation’s security personnel were putting the state and the region in bad light and setting a stage for a repeat of the ugly Odi massacre. He called on the perpe-

trators of the dastardly killings and their collaborators to stop it with immediate effect. He said: “Terrorism does not favour peace, neither can democracy express itself through violence” The governor’s condemnation came on the heels of President Muhammadu Buhari’s order to the military to go on a manhunt for the perpetrators and clamp down all security threats in the Niger Delta region. Dickson stated that the killings were also putting the innocent people in the state and the Niger Delta

region in danger. He stressed that the government of Bayelsa State did not want a replay of the Odi massacre in 1999, during the administration of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, where only the innocent people suffered

£2.43m

Australian national asks court to jail EFCC boss Abuja

L-R: Deputy Corps Marshal, Training, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ademola Lawal, Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi; Deputy Corps Marshal, Operations, Adei Abu and Head Media Relations and Strategy, Bisi Kazeem, during the corps’ capacity building workshop for zonal and sector heads of operations in Enugu…yesterday

Badeh: My statement to EFCC made in error – Witness ABUJA

prosecution Witness the ongoing trial of a former Chief of Defense Staff , Air Marshal Alex Badeh, yesterday told the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, that his statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was made in error. The witness, Emmanuel Abu, a cashier with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF)

Camp, Mogadishu Cantonment, admitted this during cross examination by Badeh’s counsel, Akin Olujimi (SAN). Badeh is standing trial over alleged diversion of N3.9 billion belonging to NAF. New Telegraph recalled that Prosecution Witness 1, Air Commodore Ibrahim Yushua (rtd), who was a former Director of Finance of NAF, had also under cross examination, admitted that there was error in his statement to the EFCC.

The second witness had in his statement to the EFCC, gave evidence that he sourced $3.1m and gave it to one Group Captain Mohammed Sinni, after N76 million was transferred to HAFCO Nigeria Limited from the N558 million set aside monthly for the Office of the Chief of Air Staff (CAS). But in his evidence in chief before the court, the witness said $2.9 million was given to Group Captain Sinni, the Camp Finance Officer for the month of

Blackout: FG targets 265MW from NIPP’s spinning reserves Adeola Yusuf

he Federal Government yesterday declared plans to get 265 Mega Watt (MW) of electricity from the spinning reserves of the National Integrated Power Plants (NIPPs). The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NPHC), which said this in a statement, maintained that this followed incessant attacks on gas pipeline and recent grid instability as experi-

enced by millions of power consumers nationwide. The management of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), the company said, are currently working on a contractual agreement by which NIPP plants would provide about 265MW of Spinning Reserves. The reason for the agreement, according to the General Manager, Communication and Pub-

lic Relations, NDPHC, Mr. Yakubu Lawal, is to facilitate grid responsiveness during swings and disturbances on the transmission network. Lawal stated in statement issued on the relevance of the NIPPs, after 10 years of conception, that the provision of spinning reserve and other ancillary services are being practiced all over the world and Nigeria now largely relies on NIPP plants to provide the service.

the brunt of the military invasion,. Dickson, however, said that the government was already working in concert with the security agents to bring the culprits to book and forestall any future occurrences.

The life expectancy of women at birth of Egypt in 2010-2015. Source: Paywizard.co.uk

Tunde Oyesina

TUNDE OYESINA

n Australian national resident in Nigeria, Wolgang Reinl, yesterday asked an Abuja High Court to commit the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, to prison over alleged disobedience of court order. In a contempt charge contained on Form 49 of the Abuja High Court served on Magu, the EFCC boss is asked to show cause why he should not be committed to prison.

The contempt charge was as a result of the refusal of the EFCC to obey orders issued by Justice Peter Affen over the unlawful arrest and detention of Reinl, in which the EFCC was found culpable. New Telegraph recalls that Justice Affen had earlier ordered the EFCC to immediately release the international passport, cheque books, cell phones and other properties of the businessman which were seized from him since December 2015 when his Abuja house was ransacked by the operatives of the anti-graft agency.

Agric Minister seeks reform in local govt system

May, 2013. Defense counsel had noted that the witness, in the course of his evidence, said he gave a sum of dollars to the CFO every month and for the month of May 2013, he said he gave $2.9 million to Sinni whereas in his statement at the EFCC, he said $3.1 million was sourced by him. Responding, the witness said: “The statement with the EFCC was in error. I confirm that it was an error while writing the statement.”

Kunle Olayeni inister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, yesterday called for an urgent review of local government administration in the country, towards enhancing the agriculture sector, especially at the grassroots. Ogbeh, who spoke at the second day of Ogun State Investors’ Forum in Abeokuta, said nearly all the local government areas of

the federation, can no longer perform their constitutional responsibilities. He said the nation’s political leadership cannot continue to play the ostrich, when local governments failed woefully despite the huge chunk of money accruing to them from the Federation Account. The Minister also stressed the imperative of encouraging and incorporating the nation’s youth into agricultural development programmes to ensure the country’s survival.

sets located in their region against such attack. It also warned of reprisal action against the Ijaw living in the South West. National President of the Ijaw Youth Development Association (IYDA), Comrade Fiyebo Eperetei, in a statement, however said such warning was misplaced as his kinsmen were not at war with the Yoruba in Lagos or anywhere else. Besides, he said there was no relationship between the Niger Delta Avengers and the

Ijaw people. Eperetei said: “The Ijaw in Lagos are not at war with the Yoruba. It will be very unfortunate for anybody to plan to attack Ijaw in Lagos because the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) did not issue any statement to attack Lagos and other parts of Nigeria. Therefore, the alleged threat or plan by the Niger Delta Avengers should not be used as a basis to attack lawabiding Ijaw people in Lagos and other south west states.”

Abeokuta

Panic over alleged planned attacks on Ijaw

here are indications that tension is mounting in some states in the South West, especially Lagos, over the warning by a Yoruba group, Oodua Defenders Union (ODU), to the nascent militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), to steer clear of oil facilities in Lagos. The Yoruba group, had in reaction to the threat by the NDA to strike oil facilities outside the Niger Delta, including Lagos, threatened to defend the interest of the Yoruba nation and the as-

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Four hospitalised after cult attacks

Some of the victims

Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

our persons are now battling to survive in different hospitals in Anambra State following various degrees of injuries inflicted on them by cultists who have held EziUmunya village in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State hostage for nearly one week. Dependable sources in the village said palpable fear had gripped the residents following the invasion by cult group. Four youths, Ekene Nweke, Ike Nwankwo, Anierobi Nwizu and Wilson Ikwuka, attacked by the ravaging cult

group, were lying critically ill in different hospitals. Those said to be on the list of the attackers have fled the community for fear of being killed. It was learnt that the cultists resorted to attacking their victims with machetes and axes after they failed to lure the victims and many other youths in Umunya community into their group. The Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Umunya Town Union, Mr. Obi Ezeana, said the attack came a few weeks after government inaugurated a committee, charged with the responsibility of reconciling the warring parties in the area as well as conducting

election into the town union executive. He said: “After our swearing-in, I led 11 other members of the caretaker committee to the state Commissioner of Police and to the Divisional Police Officer, Nteje Police Division, SP Daniel Barnabas, and pleaded with them to stop arresting members of the community, pending the outcome of the peace crusade we have embarked upon. “But to my chagrin, we called the two factions of EziUmunya village that were having problems over the election of village leadership for roundtable talks, aimed at restoring peace among warring factions, at the end of the

meeting, policemen from Nteje Police Division stormed the venue of our meeting, arrested Ekene Nweke and detained him at the police station. “It took me time to secure his release on bail. But on his way home from the police station, he was attacked by the suspected cult group.” The victims, who spoke

Task force arrests fuel smugglers, seizes 200 jerry cans

joint task force codenamed “Operation MESA’’ yesterday seized more than 200 jerry cans of petrol and arrested four suspects at the Suntan Beach in Badagry, Lagos State. The four suspects were apprehended while conveying the product from Takwa Bay to Benin Republic. A top official of the task force, who pleaded anonymity, said the officials acted on a tip-off from some fishermen on the coast line. He said: “We acted on a tipoff. We got from fishermen and

Four schoolboys escape as two-storey building collapses Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

our schoolboys yesterday escaped death by a whisker when a two-storey building collapsed on them in Ilorin, Kwara State. This came a week after three schoolgirls, who were on errand for their teacher, were killed by a water tanker in the metropolis. The lucky four male students were allegedly taken to the building site by a teacher, to carry concrete blocks when

the building collapsed about 9am. The teacher (name withheld) was said to be in the habit of taking students from his school to the site to serve punishment. Some residents of the area, however, said he usually takes students to the site, which belongs to his father, for menial jobs. Kwara State government has warned school teachers against sending pupils on errands, particularly during school hours. When journalists visited

the site located on Opeyemi Street, Saw Mill area of the metropolis, school uniforms of the students were seen under the rubble. It was learnt that the lucky students, who were shocked because of the incident, were taken to a nearby site where sympathisers poured water on them to calm them. The teacher was said have secretly ferried the students though the back of the building where they were kept from enraged members of the public who had gathered at the scene.

from their hospital beds, said they were attacked because they refused to be initiated into the dreaded cult group. They added that the attack was not connected to the leadership crisis rocking Ezi-Umunya village. The traditional ruler of the community could not be reached at press time.

The collapsed building

we swooped on them while they were conveying the product from Takwa Bay to Benin Republic. “We hired a boat and we seized more than 200 jerry cans of adulterated fuel. Most importantly, we didn’t record any casualties in the operation.’’ The official lauded the efforts of the fishermen for giving information which led to the arrest of the smugglers. “I must commend the local fishermen because they provided the information that helped our operation,’’ he added.

METRO

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Detectives storm susptected wife killer’s home

Youths raze lawmakers’ house, office, vandalise poultry Muhammad Kabir

Camillus Nnaji

etectives attached to Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, Lagos, yesterday stormed the house of Mr. Lekan Shonde, who allegedly killed his wife, Ronke, last Friday. The detectives at 1:15pm drove the suspect into his compound located at 3, Tiemo Street, Egbeda. The detectives, who were in a state Police Command Hilux van donated by Lagos State Security Trust Fund, spent about 45 minutes with the suspect inside his flat. Though the detectives did not respond to questions, it was obvious they were in the house to examine some forensic evidence surrounding Ronke’s death. “Who told you we are coming here, go and speak with the police commissioner at the command,” one of the detectives said as the van drove off. Meanwhile, a close family friend to the couple, who pleaded anonymity, said no one observed any distraught in the marriage because Lekan and Ronke lived like “perfect couple”. “She called me when I was in the USA that her husband had bought her a car. That was as soon as she lost her job as a banker. She also told me he gave her N250,000 to start a new business. She brought the money to me to distribute my weave on. That was how she founded her Tiara weave on and wigs company. If she was having family problems, I did not notice,” the man said.

Kano

ouths in Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State yesterday went on the rampage and burnt the country home of Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya and the campaign office of House of Representatives member from Gaya, Abdullahi Mahmoud. The over 10,000 protesters marched on the house of the district head over what they termed refusal of the two lawmakers to fulfil campaign promises one year after. But because nobody was to address them, the protest turned violent. When they got to Gaya’s house and Mahmoud’s campaign office, the protesters torched both structures. The protesters also invaded Mahmoud’s farm and slaughtered his chickens, which they described as their own dividends of democracy. The youth said the lawmakers promised to provide essential services such as water, electricity and roads immediately after assuming office but failed

to fulfil their promises. The leader of the protesters, Tanimu Sani Gaya, explained that before the elections, they sat down with all the politicians and agreed that they would solve their problems of water, electricity and unemployment among others. They expressed worry that one year after, the people of the

Gaya

Awka

olice in Anambra State yesterday paraded a 75-year-old retired teacher along with five others for allegedly forging certificates of some tertiary institutions, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge and exemption certificates and printing fake Nigerian currency. The retired teacher was allegedly forging the certificates of the various tertiary institutions in a business centre operated by a 54-year-old woman, Mrs. Evelyn Nwoke. According to the police, they have been

doing the business for a very long time. The fake certificates recovered from them included those of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Federal Polytechnic, Oko; College of Education, Umunze; as well as NYSC discharge and exemption certificates. Other documents were Certificate for Senior Community Health Extension Workers, Certificate for Junior Community Health Extension Workers, National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB), certificate; Kano State Judiciary Statutory Declaration of Age; Afrihub Nigeria Limited certificate of participation and Oji River Local Government identification certificate.

City Briefs EFCC arraigns suspected Internet fraudster A

suspected Internet fraudster, Okeke Fred, has appeared before Justice O. Tokode of the Federal High Court, Benin, Edo State on a three-count charge bordering on Internet fraud, impersonation and possession of scam documents. One of the charges reads: “That you, Okeke Fred 'M' sometime in 2015 in Benin, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, had in your possession documents containing a false represen-

Fred

lations Officer (PPRO), DSP Magaji Majiya, said policemen were still making efforts to stop the protest. He said: “Our men in Gaya are still trying to bring the situation under control but as soon as we get details of the incident, we will keep you posted.” The state Police Commissioner, Abati Maigari Dikko, later told journalists that five politicians were the masterminds of the attacks. Dikko said the attacks had political undertone. He said 18 people had been arrested in connection with the attacks. The police chief, who was in Gaya to assess the damage, said the senator’s house was vandalised while his generator room was set ablaze. He also said Mahmoud’s poultry was vandalised while a house in the farm was torched. Dikko said the protesting youths tried to set the Gaya Local Government Secretariat on fire but were prevented by his men. Gaya is said to be in the United States while Mahmoud did not pick his calls. It was learnt that security agents had initially dispersed the protesting youths but they later regrouped and burnt Gaya’s house. They left Gaya’s house for Mahmoud’s campaign office and his poultry farm.

75-year-old retired teacher held for forging certificates Pamela Eboh

Shonde

area still trek several kilometres to get water and hundreds of youths still roam the street without anything to do. According to them, the area is still without power supply. The protesters also attempted to burn the house of the chairman of Gaya Local Government. The state Police Public Re-

tation to wit: fraudulent mails found in your laptop, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the said Act.’’ Another charge reads: “That you, Okeke Fred ‘M’ sometime in 2015 in Benin, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did possess documents containing false representation that you are David Dennis, which representation you made to one Debbie Gallogly, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the said Act.’’ Fred, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), pleaded guilty to the charges when he was arraigned on March 24. At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, prosecution counsel, Usman Shehu, urged the court to continue the review of facts which commenced at the last sitting.

The owner of the cafe in question, Nwoke, denied being aware that the documents were forged but admitted that the man used to bring documents for her to change some of the contents. Also arrested was Ikechukwu Nze from Isuochi, Abia State for allegedly printing fake N1,000 and N500 notes and making purchases with them, while Maduabuchi Chinedu from Achina in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State was arrested for robbing a man of N18,000, using a sharp knife to threaten his victim. Responding to questions from journalists, Nze said it was his friend who gave him the fake currency when he told him that he (Nze) needed money to start a business.

Man held for killing DSS official Joe Obende Warri

olice in Delta State have arrested a man, who allegedly set an official of the Department of State Service (DSS), Andrew Maduku, ablaze and burnt him to death. The suspect, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, had poured petrol on Maduku, 43, and set ablaze him at his home at Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area. The father of four, who was attached to the DSS office in Bayelsa State, was said to have died as a result of burns he sustained from the attack. Recounting how the incident occurred, brother to the victim, Felix Maduku, said: “My brother’s assailant doused him in fuel and set him on fire for scolding the suspect who had pointed rays from a torch on his (Andrew’s) face as he walked home. “Refusing to put off the torch, my

brother walked up to the suspect and slapped him, leading to a fight involving my brother and his assailant who was with his friends. “Like every law-abiding citizen, my brother reported the matter at the Oghara police station and went with some policemen to the residence of the suspect. “On sighting the team of policemen, the suspect fled, leading to the impoundment of his laptop by the police. “However, on April 24, the suspect, who had been stalking my late brother, poured fuel on him and set him ablaze leading to his death the next day as a result of 86 per cent degree burns sustained from the incident.” A police source at the Oghara Police Station disclosed that the suspect, who had gone into hiding after the incident, had been arrested and was currently undergoing interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Asaba, the state capital.

News|NATIONAL

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Troops avert suicide bomb attempt on worshippers –Army

Emmanuel Onani

he Nigerian Army yesterday said troops of the 7 Division Garrison, in conjunction with Civilian JTF, frustrated a suicide bomb attempt on worshippers at Sulaimanti Mosque, the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. A statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, said the suicide bomber, who was prevented from accessing

the mosque, was carrying Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). It however disclosed that five persons sustained varied degrees of injuries, even as it added that a team of Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD), has successfully detonated the remaining IEDs. "The troops of 7 Division Garrison in conjunction with the ever dedicated Civilian JTF maintaining security and vigilance averted yet another attempt by the Boko Haram terrorists to

unleash suicide bomber into the peaceful community of Sulaimanti, outskirts of Maiduguri city early today morning. "The terrorist carrying Improvised Explosive Device (IED), attempted to attack worshippers at Sulaimanti mosque during early morning prayer. "He was however pre-

vented from gaining access to the mosque. Unfortunately, five civilians sustained injuries during the failed attempt," the Army said. The injured have since been evacuated for treatment, even as troops and security agents have intensified patrol within the general area.

7,444

1.13m

The total area (in sq. km) of water of Ethiopia. Source: Worldfactsandfigures. com

The total population of Cyprus in 2012. Source: Un.org

The statement further disclosed that the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu, visited the community shortly after the incident. It added that the Acting GOC reminded the

people of "their civic responsibility to arrest or report suspected persons who usually reconnoitre their domain before carrying out suicide attacks and reassured them of military and security agencies’ commitment to their safety and security."

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME Benson: I formerly known as Uchenna Orji now wish to be known and

addressed as Benson Orji. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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I formerly known as Wosa Ezekiel Igwe now wish to be known and addressed as Wosa Ezekiel. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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I, formerly known as Ogeali Mercy now wish to be known and addressed as Ogeali Mercy Ebere. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity Bank Plc and other banks and general public please take note.

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I formerly known as Miss Uzoka Marian Chioma now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chiwike Marian Chioma. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as Miss Etim Ido Humphrey now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Etim Kindness Humphrey. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

GRACELIFE DOMINION ASSEMBLY Military personnel with some residents of Sulaimanti community, during a failed suicide attempt in Borno State… yesterday.

SERAP seeks extradition of Alison-Madueke Wale Elegbede

head of the International Anti-corruption Summit in the United Kingdom (UK) holding today in London, a civil society group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has called on the UK authorities to extradite former Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to Nigeria for her to face charges of alleged corruption and money laundering. In a statement issued yesterday and signed by SERAP’s executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the group said the charges the former minister is cur-

rently facing in a UK court do not sufficiently capture the gravity of her alleged crimes and the increasing allegations of corruption against her in Nigeria. SERAP said its request followed this week’s announcement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that it was carrying out special investigations into the roles played by banks in certain financial transactions, especially the N23 billion reportedly shared to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by officials of the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration to influence the outcome of the last

general elections. The group said that the UK should not provide “sanctuary” for corrupt Nigerian public officials or condone their impunity. “The anti-corruption summit in London provides an important opportunity for the UK government to support the ongoing fight against corruption in Nigeria. “It is also to send a powerful message that the UK will not provide sanctuary for corrupt public officials or condone impunity. “As a party to the UN Convention against Corruption, the UK government can use the convention as a basis for the extradition of Mrs. Alison-

Madueke to Nigeria. “We urge the Nigerian authorities to, without delay, submit a request to the UK authorities for the extradition of AlisonMadueke, explicitly making the point that Nigeria will guarantee her a due process-trial. “The allegations of corruption against her are strong enough for Prime Minister David Cameron to facilitate an extradition proceeding. “If the UK refuses extradition request, Nigeria should consider submitting the matter for arbitration and if this cannot resolve the case, refer it to the International Court of Justice for adjudication."

Australian national asks court to jail EFCC boss Tunde Oyesina Abuja

should not be committed to prison. The contempt charge was as a result of the refusal of the EFCC to obey orders issued by Justice Peter Affen over the unlawful arrest and detention of Reinl, in which the EFCC was found culpable. New Telegraph recalls that Justice Affen had earlier ordered the EFCC to immediately release the international passport, cheque books, cell phones and other properties of the businessman which were seized from him since December

2015 when his Abuja house was ransacked by the operatives of the anti-graft agency. The judge had also ordered the EFCC to pay the security expert a sum of N10 million as compensatory damages for his unlawful detention from December 28, 2015 to February 5, 2016, a period of over five weeks. The contempt charge addressed to the EFCC boss read in part: “Take notice that the applicant will apply to this court for an order for your committal to prison for having disobeyed the order of this court as made by

Justice Peter Affen of the FCT High Court in Abuja on April 20, requiring you to release forthwith the applicant’s international passport seized or confiscated in the wake of his arrest and detention and delist him from your watch list or NoFly list. “And also for your failure to obey the order of the court requiring you to pay the applicant the sum of N10 million as compensatory damages for the violation of his fundamental rights to dignity of human person and personal liberty.”

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part "C" of the Companies and allied Matters Act of 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Apostle Samuel Ikwuagwu(Ph.D). 2. Benson Sunnnyman Solution. 3. Wilson Seiyefa. 4. Akomolafe Gbolahan Ayodeji. 5. Emeka Wodo Nwabueze. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the word of the lord jesus christ To teach and heal in the name of our lord jesus christ. To engage in baptism by immersion in the name of the father. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: Barr. Ivy B. Laka

PUBLIC NOTICE

HOTCITY IN CHRIST CHURCH This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part "C" of the Companies and allied Matters Act of 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Pst. Awaji Elijah Sunday - Chairman. 2. Pst. Love Anthony Ubuloma - Vice Chairman. 3. Pst. Abimbola Erinwo Ovuah - Secretary. 4. Pst. Elijah Itong Sunday - Treasurer/Financial Secretary. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: Pst. Awaji Elijah Sunday. (Chairman)

PUBLIC NOTICE

GENERAL BUILDING MATERIALS OWNERS ASSOCIATION OBEAMA This Is to inform the general public that the above named association has applied to the corporate Affairs commission for registration under part' C' of the company and Allied Matters Act of 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Chief Sunday Marcel - Chairman 2) Prince Okechkwu - Secretary 3) Bright Onyegbuenyi - Member 4) Anthony Onyebuike -Member 5) Chief Peter Emeka Okafor -Member. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To protect the interest of all the members 2) To liaise with the government agencies to ensure even distribution of quality building materials 3) To ensure that fake building materials is not In circulation to avoid collapse of building. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: Barr Francis Echianu

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Banjo Governors creating problems for Nigerians

Politics

Interview Obiano should save APGA from extinction – Obasi

13 14

Elections getting better despite inconclusive cases – Yakubu Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in this interview, speaks on activities of the commission, especially some recent elections which ended on inconclusive notes, the issue of electronic voting and the need for an electoral offences tribunal. WALE ELEGBEDE reports

What is responsible for the spate of inconclusive elections since you came on board as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)? In 2011, two governorship elections were declared inconclusive. One was in Imo State in four local government areas and Bauchi in two local government areas. There were supplementary elections in the two states before a winner was declared. In 2015, we had inconclusive elections in Imo again for the second time, in Abia and in Taraba states. The elections were concluded after supplementary. But in between, we also had another inconclusive governorship election in 2013 in Anambra State. In fact, INEC had to conduct supplementary elections in 16 local governments in Anambra State before the election was concluded. So, there is a context in which these things happen. But why are more recent elections inconclusive? Elections are getting better in Nigeria; there is no doubt about it. I am not saying that that is what we should expect but I am saying

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@yahoo.com

Yakubu

elections are getting better going by experience in 2015, particularly with the introduction of technology. Votes are also counting today more than ever before. Political parties are also getting stronger. We now have two strong political parties and in almost all cases fielding strong candidates and the stakes are becoming definitely higher. For that reason, winning by landslide is fast disappearing because we no longer have a dominant political party and smaller parties. We have two strong parties fielding strong candidates and we can see this from the results of the recent elections we conducted. Take the first election conducted by the commission when I was only 11 or 12 days in office. Even before the directors finished briefing the new commissioners, we went straight into the Kogi election. In Kogi State, we had two strong parties and two strong candidates –an incumbent governor and a former governor. It was the same thing in Bayelsa State and to some extent, it was the same experience in Rivers State; an incumbent governor and a former governor even though none of them was a candidate in the election but

Winning by landslide is fast disappearing because we no longer have a dominant political party and smaller parties

they dominated the air waves on behalf of the candidates because we conducted basically constituency elections. None of them was a candidate but you could see the competition. And in some of these elections, if you simply compare the outcome of previous elections with the ones we conducted recently, you can very clearly see how the elections are getting better and how the margin is getting even smaller. Take the case of Bayelsa, when the present governor was elected four years ago, the margin of lead between him and the runner up was over 417,000 votes. In the last election, it was only a little over 40,000 votes. So, the votes are counting and elections are getting better and you could see that it is across all the elections including the 2015 presidential election. The margin between the candidate who won and the runner up was 2.5 million. This is the slimmest margin since 1999. But it is even more interesting if you compare all these with the recent Federal Capital Territory (FCT) elections we conducted. Yes, we could not conclude in four area councils at first ballot but there was a reason.

Take the Abuja Municipal Area Council; that is the biggest area council in the FCT. Out of the over one million registered voters in the FCT, 520,000 reside in the area and the condition for return for a council chairman in the FCT is similar to the condition for return in presidential or governorship election. To become a chairman, you must get the majority of lawful votes but in addition, you must also secure a quarter of the votes in 2/3 of the area council wards. There are 12 wards in the FCT and two-third of 12 is eight but we had disruptions in five wards. Therefore, under the law, there was no way we could declare a winner. And because the elections are getting better, the disruption in one polling unit may affect the outcome of an election. So, we quickly mobilized and conducted the elections the Wednesday after the Saturday that we conducted the council elections and a winner was subsequently declared. What was the turnout in the FCT council poll? Ninety per cent of the electorCONTINUED ON PAGE 12

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

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

ate did not even care to vote. And that has been the pattern in the FCT because the elite hardly care to vote in the local elections; and quite a number of them live in the highbrow areas. They hardly came out to vote. One of them visited me and I told her that we have elections in the FCT and she asked: ‘Which election, we are not aware that we have elections in the FCT.’ I said may be you are not interested in the election and she said how can you say we are not interested in the election and I now said, tell me the name of your councilor. She said that she doesn’t know. And incidentally, two weeks later, I met the same person and I was being sarcastic and I said, I saw you in one of the polling stations on Saturday and she said for where, I travelled to Kano for a wedding. In fact, after the last elections, some people congratulated the commission by saying that we recorded the highest percentage turnout in the FCT Area council election ever and what was the turnout, just 20 per cent. Eighty per cent of the voters did not turn up. And one polling unit can make or mar your elections. That is the experience at present. And when I analyzed the result, I took Gwagwalada for instance where the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won. It was a keenly contested election. There are 10 wards, so we elected 10 councilors. The councilor for one of the wards in the FCT, won by a margin of 11 votes and now determined the difference between victory and defeat. And the case of the FCT is not a one-off thing. That is how our elections have become in this country. Because the elections have become competitive, the parties are also strong. What do you make of the violence that rocked the recent elections in some states? The do-or-die mentality of the political class has not changed and that is what has been affecting our elections. Anywhere there was no violence, our elections were conclusive. The spectra of violence are a threat to the conduct of our elections. I went to one of the poorest countries in the world, Niger Republic to monitor elections in February. I arrived on a Friday and avoided meeting with the chairman of the country’s electoral body, an equivalent of INEC and he called me in the afternoon to come and see their offices and I said no, let me not come and add to your pressure. He said I should still come and when I went there, only five security guards were there and there was no tension at all. It was as if the nation was not on the verge of a major national election. And I told him that in Nigeria, you can never see the chairman of INEC two days to the election and he said well, here is different. But he overheard me call Nigeria because I arrived on a Friday and the following Saturday, February 20, we had 22 elections, court-ordered rerun elections in six states. And he kept asking me, what business do you have about elections again, have you not finished your elections since last year? I told him that we have rerun elections ordered by courts. He looked surprised and

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Yakubu: Electronic voting may compound election problems

then I asked him, what do you do if a member dies, resigns or is removed from the office. He said in Niger, they do not hold bye elections. Then I asked: How do you replace a deceased member of your National Assembly? He said it is very simple and that on the ballot for a general election, each party fills a candidate and a supplementary candidate. So, if the member elected dies, the supplementary candidate steps in to complete the tenure of that member. That is simply what they do. And he went further to say that in their country, the election management body is not permanent but ad-hoc. As someone who has gone to different countries to monitor elections, what is your view on electronic voting? The ultimate aim of the commission is for the nation to go electronic but there must be steps. Technology in itself would not solve your problems. In fact, technology may compound your problems and so, we need to do a lot of thinking as a nation before we go electronic. Remember you need infrastructure. We have 120,000 polling units. As we speak, there are parts of this country, where we have polling units and voting points where we do not even have mobile telephone signals. So, we use the card readers and then they transmit on their way back to base where there is a signal. So, that is an issue. If you are going to introduce E-voting nationwide, you have to be mindful of that. And in this country, you cannot introduce a two-tier voting system, where you use electronic and manual. It simply would not work. Remember the JAMB exams that is basically conducted in urban and sub-urban areas and you still have challenges let alone where you conduct elections in the remotest parts of this country. Let me use the example of the FCT, some people think that the FCT is all about Wuse, Maitama, Asokoro and then the suburbs. I did not know until the last Area Council elections we conducted in the FCT that there are places that are not even motorable at all. So, we had to make an arrangement with the union of commercial motorcyclists to get some motorcycles to carry our personnel and materials to go to those remote places. There was one in either Abaji or Kuje, where we waited for the results to come from some far flung polling units and it took about three hours on a motorcycle to get to the local government headquarters. So, if you are confronted with this kind of situation, the challenge of deploying electronic voting would be even more problematic. We need a lot of thinking. Why I believe that technology is the way to go, we need to thread softly. In my previous work in the education sector, I have come to respect the IT people but I have also come to be circumspect. They are among the best people you can find; they come in very nice suits, blow big grammar and slam a big bill on you and tomorrow, the sys-

Yakubu

While I believe that technology is the way to go, we need to do a lot of thinking before we deploy it, otherwise, we would end up with a bigger mess

tem collapses and they have an explanation for that. And I am sure if we do so in Nigeria, the cost of deploying the technology would even be an issue in this country. I am for technology. Someone once said that if the banks had ATM machines and you can draw money from the Ikeja branch in Lagos and you go back to Abuja and at the end of the month, your statement would say you visited the branch in Ikeja at a particular day, at this hour and minute and that there was some transaction on your account. These are understandable but how many ATM machines do we have. There are local governments in Nigeria where there are no ATM machines. But when you conduct elections, every nook and cranny of this country, there are registered voters and for that reason, you must conduct elections there. So, we need a lot of thinking. And to make the right profitable investments in getting the technology that works. If you followed the discussion in Canada, you know that country is technologically advanced but their politicians are vehemently and violently against the introduction of technology. They say you cannot introduce electronic voting in the country because they do not know what somebody has done to the software. You would be transferring votes from one political party to another. So, while I believe that technology is the way to go, we need to do a lot of thinking before we deploy it, otherwise, we would end up with a bigger mess. You made a passionate plea for an election offences tribunal recently.

What are you doing to realise it? To do that is entirely the responsibility of the National Assembly but I am approaching the matter in two ways. Yes, it is the National Assembly but the media can also help us to popularise it. The National Assembly responds to the wishes of Nigeria. If we are convinced that that is the way to go, it becomes an agenda and the National Assembly would simply respond to the agenda. But I am also seeing the possibility of taking the matter up with the Attorney General of the Federation based on a white paper already approved by government and in the White paper; he is saddled with the responsibility of taking action to ensure that the tribunal is set up under the recommendations of the Sheikh Ahmed Lemu committee. I argued elsewhere that I know that this nation may not wish to establish another parastatal but if it is a parastatal that would make our democracy work and if you consider the relationship between a functional democracy and national development; that is the way to go. It is worthwhile establishing just one parastatal for that purpose. Yes, we have the police, security agencies and they can prosecute cases of corruption in public service but I have not come across any Nigerian who in good conscience thinks that it is a mistake to have established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Yes, there are other agencies that can do that too. In any case, the Lemu committee put up a suggestion that the Electoral Offences Tribunal needs not be permanent. You only set it up in the aftermath of an election; thereafter, the judges revert to their roles in the judicial system. It is not a court that is going to sit 365 days in a year. It is just for the purpose of prosecuting electoral offenders after elections just like the existing tribunals and appeals. You that know after their job, the judges go back to their other roles. This is all we are doing but we need the support of all Nigerians to succeed. You said the commission spends 86 per cent of the budget for election on allowances of personnel, is there not a way technology could take some part of the budget by cutting down the involvement of human beings in the process? Yes, technology can help but for the same reasons I gave earlier, we also need to be careful about putting too much hope in a piece of equipment. This is because something small may happen for instance, the polling stations open between 8.am and 2.pm, what happens if the machines do not work within those hours? Anything can happen for that to be affected like rainy seasons in a part of the country and excessive sunshine in another part. So, we need to think about the deployment of this technology but I believe that technology can actually help.

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

A three-time governorship candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in Ogun State, Lanre Banjo, in this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, speaks on the Muhammadu Buhari administration, state of the nation and insecurity, among other issues As a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), how would you assess the governance style of your party? I will like to quote my brother, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who said: “May our loyalties never be tested.” If in bondage of destiny, mine is tested, I will prefer to remain loyal to Nigeria, my future, the future of my children and of course with the interest of my principal at heart. Why? President, governors and all elected officials will go one day and political parties can be dismantled anytime but whatever we make of Nigeria will stare all of us in the face. I laid that premise because this is not about my party, it is about Nigeria. We need to rethink our strategy. It ought to start with the citizenry. If we sit there thinking that someone will bring us material positive changes in our lives without forcing it, our sufferings and smiling will continue unabated. If our leaders fail to work on the mindset and mentality of our people, including their own mindset and mentality, we will continue to wallow in retrogression and abject poverty. Change cannot be brought about by President Muhammad Buhari alone. The President means well, but most of the governors are not doing their best. They are creating more problems for the future of our children than preparing better future for them. They do not allow local governments to function as they should and as designed by founders of democracy. Local governments are supposed to be laboratories, where those running them are expected to be given unbridled opportunity within the ambit of the law to prove their best to enable citizens to detect talents that should be promoted to state and federal arms of government. That is not so in my great country, where governors arm-twist and impose nonentities based on loyalty to them and not on competence and loyalty to the country. I wonder how the best of President Buhari can affect the lives of our people promptly, when Nigerians in positions keep lying to those at the helm of affairs, be it chairmen of local governments, governors or president to prove destructive and sycophant loyalty. And these leaders, based on lies, remove the wood necessary to ignite passion from the fire. Those praying for change in Nigeria need to triple their efforts and be ready to just pray without their supplication being heeded until they return to the bosom of their Lord. The mantra of change was used by APC to get to power, would you advise Nigerians who are beginning

Governors creating problems for Nigerians – Banjo cause of his religious affiliation? Did he think about the preaching of Jesus Christ when he allowed all those who ran Nigeria aground to mismanage our resources? What is the big deal in a sane and normal society, if someone loses election and as required by law, he hands over power? Under his watch, those he assembled to help us, ruined us and a group claiming to be followers of Jesus threatened that hell will let loose if Jonathan is arrested. Jonathan created and encouraged what Jesus the Christ referred to as “den of thieves” and the law is after them and a group is saying the leader of those thieves should not be arrested. That is anti-Christ in my humble view.

Banjo

to lose hope to be patient with the current administration? Patience is a paragon of virtue. But let me ask, if you are on a hospital bed feeling an unbearable pain, and a doctor assigned to you is walking up and down, either appearing to be or actually working to get you antidotes, would you remain in silence demonstrating that virtue until you give up the ghost? If you continue to exercise patience, how would the doctor realise that you need urgent care? One of the puzzling acts of Jesus Christ, which is actually a symbolic indictment on the apostate nation of Israel, was when he cursed a fig tree because he was hungry. What Jesus did was to symbolically curse the nation’s lack of spiritual fruit. This nation lacks that spiritual fruit for which Jesus cursed Jerusalem. Our nation is endowed with oil, yet our leaders and those connected with power are making us to suffer. Nigeria is endowed with many talented citizens, yet we ignore them to pursue ghost in foreign countries. that allow their citizens to use their talents to develop and then sell to us because we refuse to use the abilities we are blessed with. If Nigerians believe docile patience is not working, they need to patiently speak out and protest. Of course as I said earlier, we, Nigerians need to x-ray ourselves with a view to determining our deeds that complicate matters for the country. We cannot be praising looters and murderers among us and think President Buhari and others who meant well will be encouraged to fight corruption. How can someone who presents himself as a follower of Christ say that former President Goodluck Jonathan should not be arrested if he is deemed an accessory to corrupt practices just because he handed over power for his own sake or be-

The President means well, but most of the governors are not doing their best. They are creating more problems for the future of our children

What do you think the APC government can do to ensure that it fulfills the change it promised Nigerians? If Nigerians have to struggle to generate power for themselves, maintain their own roads, practically perform the function of a local government, and now you get on the road, we are further frustrated by police who often require you to show the chassis number on the engine of your vehicle when each car has Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Customs on its part would ask you to produce customs papers for vehicles registered before I was born. I think if this administration establishes rules and regulations to stop this nonsense; people would begin to feel the change we all voted for. If the members of the National Assembly or even Houses of Assembly in the 36 states make it illegal for Customs to ask for papers of registered vehicles, we would be begin to feel the change. We only water corruption when we allow Customs officers to stay on the road to collect bribes because of vehicles papers. An arrangement that simplifies the registration of businesses at the local government level instead of going to Abuja will make Nigerians feel some changes. These are rudimentary changes that government can quickly establish for Nigerians to feel. To export food out of the country, the Police, Immigration, Nigerian Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC and Customs have roles to play just to frustrate and encourage corruption that the administration is fighting against at the national level. These are prerequisite changes that can be established. Since we are all Nigerian citizens and we only cede our rights to those in position of leadership because all of us cannot occupy those elective positions, we must exercise our rights to protest if we feel any pain resulting from government’s policies. There are many policies that the Federal Government simply arrogates to itself that really need to be devolved to the states. What is your take on the recent attacks by Fulani herdsmen across the country? This issue goes to the core of federalism and I pray that Nigerians will not weigh down President

Buhari because of unnecessary pressure and I also pray that the President himself sees reasons with the practice of true federalism, so that every Tom, Dick and Harry would not continue to blame him for all the vices in Nigeria. I agree with Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and a few governors who had spoken against the commissioning of grazing areas but I do not hear all of them proffering solutions. Fulanis are citizens of Nigeria, who have the right to move about and do their business in a legitimate manner. If you are coming to my state to do business, you must be ready to obey the state laws. No one should goad cattle on the road, on somebody else property or in an open grass, not to talk of Ikorodu road. We do not need President Buhari to think for us on every issue. The states Houses of Assembly should be able to take the bull by horn, establish laws and create a means for enforcement if they are determined to protect the citizens. What is your take on Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State warning that Fulani herdsmen should steer clear of his state or risk death for their cattle through poisoning? Governor Fayose may be seen as brazenly crazy and a lousy governor but I tell you taht I have seen where a mentally ill person drew the attention of the public to someone who was supposedly dead and buried but still alive. There were many things that happened under President Jonathan that if it happened under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, those involved will regret their actions. We need such people in our society. What Fayose is saying is simple; this is my state and I have the duty to protect my citizens and I will protect them by any means necessary. Fayose is simply saying I am not Governor Segun Mimiko of Ondo State under whose watch Chief Olu Falae was kidnapped by Fulani herdsmen and his security guard later killed and the governor called on the president. Fayose is saying I am not Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, under whose watch, scores of my brothers and sisters were killed and he and other South-East governors regard it as a national problem and expect President Buhari to solve it. Fayose is saying I am not Samuel Ortom of Benue State, under whose watch Agatu people are being wiped out and he is expecting Buhari to come and help. If we have governors like Fayose, true federalism will probably be achieved. Now, the Federal Government is winning the war against Boko Haram but are we sure Boko Haram is not changing strategy by using herdsmen? Have we ever wondered why these herdsmen are so bold, moving around with rifles that average people cannot afford? Where are they getting this weapon from? If I were a governor, I am not going to wait for Buhari to come and protect those who will and may not vote for me. These are citizens that I am vested with the power to protect.

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

Chief Jerry Obasi is the Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). In this interview with UCHENNA INYA, he advises the Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party and Governor of Anambra State, Chief Williie Obiano to pay attention to the party and save it from imminent collapse

What is happening in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at the moment? A lot of things are happening in APGA, which is not far from politics because in politics, it is always crisis and crisis management. Part of the happenings today in the party is that APGA just won a council election in Abuja, precisely Gwagwalada Area Council and for APGA to have won election in the Federal Capital Territory means that it has come to stay. It also means that the insinuation that APGA is a regional party is neither here nor there. That also shows that the party is everywhere in Nigeria and around the globe. It is not easy to win election in the FCT where you have every tribe of Nigeria, so I will say APGA has been doing well. But there have been little problems, which I don’t see as a crisis because a new leadership has come on board at the instance of Dr. Ike Oye, and naturally there must be little hitches but the National Working Committee (NWC) is made up of people from different walks of life and they are trying to understand themselves. So, despite that there could be little issues, we remain united and committed to the progress of the party. Whatever differences people think we have, they are supposed to make us united especially now that we are going into elections that affect APGA. For instance, there is Anambra Central rerun, in which the former national chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh is a candidate and from the way things are going, the election is going for APGA. That election is very important to me not because Umeh is involved but because APGA has occupied every other seat outside the Presidency and it has not produced any senator. APGA has House of Representatives members; we have a House of Representatives member in Taraba State; we have state Assembly members in Bayelsa, we have councilors, local government chairmen and House of Assembly members in Anambra State; we have House of Assembly members in Abia State and we have a governor in the person of Chief Willie Obiano.

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Obiano should save APGA from extinction – Obasi

needs attention because there have been lots of hues and cries by the National Working Committee and other organs of the party. This is the only time for Obiano as the BoT leader and the only governor we have, to take charge and show leadership as APGA’s BoT chairman.

Obasi

So, you can now see that the only position that APGA has not won is a senatorial seat. To me, I feel miffed each time I see the composition of the National Assembly and we don’t have a senator in the Senate. APGA has paid its dues in Nigerian political space and it needs to be rewarded at least with that senatorial seat. APGA has produced two governors in the persons of Peter Obi and Willie Obiano, who later became leaders of the party, how do you access the two? Well, these are two different persons that have different systems of operation. Obi and Obiano are wonderful leaders that APGA had produced in the course of time and history. Yes, I will give it to Obi because he tried his best and ensured that APGA did not go into extinction as our BOT chairman and leader at a time. But I differ on certain things that happened at that time. If you remember vividly when Obi was a governor, I was critical of most of his activities. I found it very difficult to come to terms with most of his activities then as a member of our party because he was physically in APGA at that time but mentally in PDP. Suffice to say this. I will now say that it was difficult for him because he was unable to sponsor the party. The party was not fully sponsored by Obi but at least, at his instance as governor, the party did not decimate. Obi did not do all he was expected to do

I want him to do more and be proud of being a governor under the platform of APGA

at that time, he was just relating personally with individuals. I couldn’t see him as a party man and that was why when the die was cast, Obi was looking for those who will follow him and I told him ‘no I am not going to follow you, you did not behaved like a party man, you are just a statesman in APGA.’ And I know that it was difficult for him to leave APGA because of our leader, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu. There was a situation where Ikemba had picked Emeka Etiaba to replace Obi as governor. But for the intervention of Chief Umeh, Obi’s second term would have been very impossible at that time. On the side of Obiano, I have had little interaction with him but he has done a lot in terms of infrastructure, human capital development and in the area of education. But I want him to do more in improving the party as the leader and the BOT chairman. To me, to whom much is given, much is expected. When you introduce a person as a governor, the person should be proud as a governor of his party. So, the much we are proud of Obiano, I want him to be proud of APGA. He is trying his best but I want him to do more but you see, Obi did eight years, Obiano is just few years but I want him to do more and be proud of being a governor under the platform of APGA. I am using this medium to tell him to do more for the party because the party needs attention. The leadership of the party also

There is a group in the party known as the Rescue APGA. Are you a member of this group and what is its mission? I don’t know anything about a group called Rescue APGA and I don’t know anything about their activity. I know about their militant activities. I don’t fight secretly because if I have anything against the national chairman, I will come out in the open. I have no knowledge about what the group stands for because I can’t remain in APGA and be doing what the group called Rescue APGA is doing. I can’t remain in APGA and support what the group is doing because I can’t be going to Lagos and enter a vehicle going to Calabar. I disown whatever the group called Rescue APGA is doing and I use this opportunity to advise them that there are more civilised ways to ventilate grievances. You cannot destroy APGA to rescue it, you cannot be attacking the party and all what belongs to the party and say you are rescuing the party. They are not rescuing APGA, they are trying to destroy the party and I admonish them to be very careful about what they are doing. There was a time where a group of persons cloned the telephone number of our national chairman and sent damaging messages to some members of the party which is criminal. We have only one APGA and there cannot be any APGA other than the one we have and we should do everything to protect it. We should be thinking of the election that is coming in Anambra Central senatorial zone. We should also be preparing for the Anambra governorship election coming up in 2017. So, all our efforts should be geared towards winning those elections. Because of the crises in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC, people are seeking recourse in APGA, and I am telling you that by 2019, APGA is going to be the party to beat. So, we should be very careful. People should retrace their steps; people should not be using APGA as a hideout to carry out criminality because I don’t believe in that. What is your assessment of the current national chairman of the party? I give him a pass mark, but I also want him to work hard because more need to be done in the area of human development, information and synergy. I want all of us to come together. All hands must be on deck to build the party and I plead with some greedy members of the National Working Committee to sheath their sword.

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THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Global laurel for ABUAD alumnus Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti recently honoured one of its alumni who, along with two other Nigerians, won an international award, writes TUNDE OLOFINTILA

ast Friday, the entire Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) community and its founder/chancellor, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, rolled out the drums to celebrate an alumnus of the institution, Mr. Olamide Popoola. Popoola had recently put the six-year old university on the world map again by leading “Team Nigeria” to win this year’s edition of the Unilever Idea Trophy in Category Number 1 Award for “Authentically on Brand, Relevant to target Audience and Drives Talkability and Shareability (ART)”. The team is made up of Popoola, a 2015 Petroleum Engineering graduate from ABUAD, who is currently on the mandatory one-year national service, Adekunle Adepoju, a student from Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo and Jennifer Ikeokwu, a student from Babcock University, Ilishan. This latest global laurel has confirmed the stuff ABUAD is made of. It is in further realisation of this that Prof. Richards of the University of London, who witnessed the conferment of the Honourary Doctor of Letters Laws on Babalola in March last year, said he was not surprised that a student from ABUAD had led others to emerge winners of the 2016 Unilever Idea Trophy. Richard said he was “not shocked anymore” that “Team Nigeria” went that far in the 2016 Unilever Idea Trophy” as only the best of the best were awarded the honourary degrees of the University of London. This is coming six months after ABUAD’s Team LifeWatch, the inventor of AsthmaVisor, emerged fourth out of the five teams nominated for Imagine Cup Ability Award in the 2015 edition of Microsoft Imagine Cup Competition in Seattle, United States of America, on account of the potential impact their projects could have on the lives of people with disabilities and design principles, usability and potential in the market place. That Babalola elected to celebrate the demonstrably humble and soft-spoken Popoola is in consonance with the burning desire of every parent across all cultures to see his/ her children make it in his/ her life time. The same way, it is the interminable prayer,

Babalola, SAN, Popoola and Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola at the event

hope and wish of every investor in education to see his/her products excel. The Unilever Idea Trophy Contest is a Unilever, a blue-chip multinational, programme, designed to develop and test the best students across the world. It begins with students from various universities in different countries participating nationally and then, they are grouped into random teams of three. These teams are then made to work together to solve real life challenges after which the best teams are called for semifinal and then finals. Popoola’s (and by inference ABUAD’s) race to stardom started when someone told him about the programme sometimes in May last year from where he proceeded to register on-line. He got shortlisted and was given the first Business Challenge to create a model for marketing Rezona, an anti-perspirant deodorant product by Unilever, in Africa, with Nigeria as a focus. It was at this stage that Adepoju and Ikeokwu were grouped together with Popoola, the trio of whom scaled the hurdle to the Semi Finals in Nigeria on October 21, 2015. Coincidentally, it was the same day Popoola graduated from ABUAD. This feat qualified his team, then christened “Team Apex,” and another group, “Team Blueprint,” to represent Nigeria in

ABUAD has certainly overshot its expectations within the first six years of its existence

the Africa Idea Trophy Contest (AIT 2016) in Johannesburg, South Africa. In South Africa, “Team Apex,” like others, was given another challenge to proffer solution on Rexona Class of confidence where they competed with the best minds from South Africa, Kenya and Ghana and eventually won the first place to emerge African champions, with a university in South Africa coming second. This automatically qualified Team Apex which was now renamed Team Nigeria and together with Team South Africa to represent Africa at the global Semi Finals level where 30 countries from around the world competed with only 10, including Team Nigeria making it to the Finals. Some of the countries that competed are the United States of America, United Kingdom, Nigeria, Pakistan, Malaysia, Portugal, Brazil, India, South Africa, Bangladesh and Costa Rica as well as Egypt among others. At the global contest in the United Kingdom, Team Nigeria was given two challenges on an Out-sourcing Project and on Innovative Ideas for Sunsilk (another Unilever brand) at the end of which the team emerged the winner of this year’s edition of the Unilever Idea Trophy in Category Number 1 Award for “Authentically on Brand, Relevant to

target Audience and Drives Talkability and Shareability” (ART). According to a jubilant Popoola, his participation in the Unilever Idea Trophy Competition has opened a floodgate of benefits for him as a person, Team Nigeria, ABUAD and the country in general. For him, he has gained experience as he, like all other participants, had access to experienced business mentors from Unilever and other multi-national bluechip companies while his team competed with people who were more experienced than those of them in Team Nigeria. “I can be described as the most experienced member of Team Nigeria because I am a fresh graduate of Petroleum Engineering from ABUAD while the two other members (Adepoju and Ikeokwu) are currently final year students in their respective universities.” Reacting to the award, Babalola, congratulated Popoola on his exploits and enjoined other students to take a cue from the Petroleum Engineering graduate. According to him, from all ramifications, particularly going by the retinue of national and international awards, recognitions and accolades, ABUAD has certainly overshot its expectations within the first six years of its existence. • Olofintila, ABUAD’s Head of Corporate Affairs, wrote from Ado-Ekiti

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion The authoritarian African regimes (2) Turning Point MIKE ARAYUWA WILKIE pmikky1950@yahoo.com 0802-309-7251 (sms only)

CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

n my part one on the above subject matter, I dealt briefly on those who are consummate tyrants within the African continent and proffered reasons why they are conscienceless coupled with their desperations to hold onto power, perhaps, till death. In this part, I will prefer to commence with Robert Mugabe (1987-present day) who is the incumbent President of Zimbabwe. He became President in 1980 and has spent 28 years. I can only add that the economy has simply plummeted under his rule, while unemployment rate has risen to 80 per cent. The local currency of Zimbabwe has become useless with massive hyper inflationary trend. Consequently, the local currency has been replaced with the US dollar and the South African Rand. Jose Eduardo Dos Santos of Angola is the father of Isabel Dos Santos, Africa’s richest woman. He became president in 1979 and has spent 36 years as a dictator. Angola is the third largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, after South Africa and Nigeria. The Dos Santos family has amassed personal wealth from the country’s oil proceeds at the expense of about 70 per cent of the population who live less than US $2 a day. Paul Biya of Cameroon (1982-present day) has been president since November, 1982. He has stayed in office for a period of 33 years. Under his dictatorship, the country has experienced peace and maintains

a strong diplomatic relations with the rest of African countries. Biya conducts sham elections and consistently bribed foreign observers to certify them free of irregularities. He has been accused of constant human right abuses. He was ranked 19th by Parade magazine’s top 20 list of the world’s worst dictators. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea (1979-present) ousted his uncle, Francisco Macias Nguema in a bloody military coup. He sentenced his uncle to death by firing squad. Mbasogo is one of the oldest and serving dictators in Africa. He has been president for 36 years. The president of Equatorial Guinea also served as the Chairman of the African Union (AU) (January 31, 2011-January 29, 2012). A state operated radio had also declared president Mbasogo as: “the country’s god with all powers over men and things, and thereby he can kill without anybody calling him to order”. Forbes estimates his wealth to be around US $600 million. He is said to have used the nation’s oil wealth to enrich his family and his cronies. Idriss Deby of Chad (1990-present) and his Patriotic Salvation Movement backed by Libya and Sudan sacked the Chadian dictator Hissene Habre. He has spent 25 years as the president of Chad. Deby has used the country’s oil proceeds and funds that could have been used to develop the country to purchase weapons and strengthen his Army. Forbes in 2006, described Chad as the most corrupt Nation in the world. Yahya Jamey (1994-present) seized power in a bloodless military coup in 1994. He was re-elected as the president of Gambia in 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011, all in sham presidential elections. Jamey is expected to extend his current tenure when it has lapsed. The young president has been in power for 21 years. Yahya Jammey’s re-

A state operated radio had also declared president Mbasogo as: the country’s god with all powers over men

gime has been accused of strong human right abuses. Recently, he threatened to cut the throat of any homosexual in Gambia. Charles Taylor (1997-2003), President of Liberia, was once described as the tyrant of death. He was president from 1997-2003 when International pressure compelled him to resign and flee to exile in Nigeria. He is acclaimed to be one of the most brutal dictators in Africa. Taylor was president for six years. He was apprehended and charged at the International Criminal Court for offences against mankind; such as acts of terrorism, unlawful killings, murder, violence to life, health and physical or mental well being of persons. The Judge described his charges as “some of the most heinous and brutal crimes ever recorded in human history and accordingly, the ICC sentenced him to prison to serve for a period of fifty years. Hastings Kamuzu Banda (1963-1994) was president of Malawi from 1961-1994. He lost power to Bakili Muluzi in 1993 when he was flown to South Africa for a brain surgery. He was in office as president for 31 years. However, it is on record that Banda fought against colonialism and led Nyasaland (present Malawi) to Independence in 1964. His reign left Malawi as one of the world’s poorest countries. One in every three children under five died of starvation. Also, he regularly tortured and murdered his political opponents and envisaged enemies. It is estimated that at least 6,000 Malawians were murdered in cold blood without due process throughout Banda’s Government. The quintessential factor which propelled parts one and two of this writer-up is to warn some apostles of dictatorship to retrace their steps and concentrate on democratic governance in order not to fall victims of the International Criminal Court’s sledge hammer in Den Haag. There is no hiding place for dictators, any longer.

Sultan, Muslims and the Fulani massacres Dele Awogbeoba

s Nigerians come to terms with the wholesale massacre and genocide against villagers in Plateau, Taraba, Kaduna, Benue and Enugu (and to a lesser extent in parts of Edo and Ondo states) over the years by the Fulani (whether they be “herdsmen” or otherwise)), we have now heard the voice of the Sultan of Sokoto. His intervention has been bizarre. Whilst he has condemned the massacres in Enugu, Benue and the like, he has called it bizarre to attribute the killings to the work of the Fulani. As far as we are aware, the Sultan was not an eye witness to the killings. Those eye witness accounts have indicated that the massacres were perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen. It therefore beggers belief that the Sultan will give an account that is so different from those given by the victims when he was ensconced in his emirate in Sokoto when the

murders were being perpetrated. At a point, a leader of the Fulani stated that the Fulani carried out the Agatu massacres in retaliation or revenge to earlier killings of some of his tribesmen. This is probably the best time to actually ask the Sultan questions.His forbear (Uth Man Dan Fodio) never built an empire that traversed the entire North talk less of the entire Nigerian entity. The powerful Kanem Bornu Empire was full of muslims way before the sophisticated Hausa states were forcefully taken over by the crude and violent Fulani upstarts. Even after the Fulani descendants of Uthman Dan Fodio forcefully took over the then sophisticated and advanced Hausa states (much in the same way and method that the crude Boko Haram militants at a point took over large parts of Borno state), they never took over or defeated the Kanem Bornu empire. Additionally, the influence of the Sokoto emirate stopped at Ilorin (following Alimi’s pledge of allegiance to the Sokoto emirate in order to stave off attacks from Oyo

Empire much in the same way as Boko Haram has pledged allegiance to ISIS at the current time). The question to be asked is on what basis is this pretender walking about the Nigerian and international stage claiming to be the leader of Nigerian muslims? Yoruba land had been exposed to Islam decades before the Fulani’s ever came to present day Nigeria. In fact most Yoruba in Benin and Togo are in fact muslims. Whilst in Nigeria, the Yoruba’s irrespective of whether that includes Northern or southern Yorubas are split almost equally between Christians and muslims. The North East as relics of the old Kanen Bornu empire were never under the sokoto emirate at any point in time, so the basis of the Sultan of Sokoto purporting to talk on behalf of Nigerian muslims (from the North West, North East, North Central and South west) is most absurd. Fulani herdsmen and Nigerian muslims are not one and the same. Whilst the Sultan is Fulani by heritage (despite that his forbears have ceased to be culturally Fulani for

some time in view of the fact that he no longer has Fulani names nor speaks the fulbe language), the hausa speaking Sultan cannot claim to speak on behalf of the Nigerian muslims in a way that is offensive to the vast majority of the muslim faith in Nigeria. For too long, Islam has been defamed across the globe by a new group of barbaric people twisting and misrepresenting the teachings of an essentially peaceful religion to propagate all manner of crude and barbaric actions. It is time these pretenders and usurpers are put squarely in their place. The Sultan of Sokoto speaks only for the people of his Sokoto emirate. He is not the leader of Nigerian moslims pursuant to any act of law passed by the National Assembly. He never ruled over all Nigerian muslims during colonial or pre-colonial Nigeria and he will do better to stop his fraudulent misrepresentation of Nigerian muslims or its leadership within Nigeria. •Awogbeoba sent in this piece from Dele.awogbeoba@gmail.com

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Time to review the school curriculum

side the traditional crises of inadequate funding, shortage of qualified personnel and the dearth of facilities, among others, ravaging the school system, the recent outburst trailing the perceived lopsidedness in the school curriculum, particularly at the primary, basic education and secondary school levels, is something that should attract the attention of the government at all levels. The outcry by some stakeholders that the national primary and secondary school curriculum lacks the capacity to transform the country is obviously a pointer to a fresh fact that all is not well with the system, that supposed to be the opium of economic, industrial and socio-political development of any nation. It is perhaps disheartening that apart from being an indication of the enormity of the challenges facing the nation’s education system, the fact also remains that a system that is built or anchored on faulty and ineffective curriculum, can neither thrive nor sustain the economy. But, in all intent and purposes, this absurdity should not be allowed to go on, if the country is to make headway in its education delivery. One critical factor militating against effectiveness of the nation’s curriculum, and which had continued to re-echo is that curriculum experts and planners,

as well as critical stakeholders in the nation’s education project are usually neglected when it comes to policy making processes in the system, and indeed planning of the curriculum for our schools. It is a known fact, that if it is not the problem of floppy implementation, it will be that of failure of wrong planning by those who are not competent enough to carry out such magnitude of responsibility that will on the short and long-run shape the future of education and transmute the developmental direction of the country. Apparently, discontented with the school curriculum, a wide condemna-

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Among other issues, the call for the review of the curriculum is also being championed by some other critics

tion has continued to trail the document and its implementation, for relegating, specifically History as a school subject, a development, which has signaled its match to extinction at all levels of education, as it is almost non-existent in the secondary school and tertiary institutions’ syllabi. Few weeks ago, fresh knocks trailed the curriculum operated in our schools from some key stakeholders in the sector, who in unison expressed fears that the curriculum, if proper attention is not paid to the perceived lopsidedness, would trigger religious crisis. The contending issues include the seemingly revised Universal

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Basic Education (UBE) Curriculum introduced by the Federal Ministry of Education in the basic and secondary school levels. In the curriculum, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, the government’s agency responsible for planning of curriculum for our schools, merged five subjects including Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) and Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) to form a broad subject, which is now known as Religious Education and National Values. The merger, has continued to generate illfeelings from the critics,

including the Catholic Archdioceses of Lagos, the Muslim Rights Concern (MRC) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), who picked holes in the curriculum, calling for its outright suspension. Among other issues, the call for the review of the curriculum is also being championed by some other critics, in view of the perceived heavy workload of pupils in Basic One to Basic Nine, and who flayed the role of the curriculum in deemphasising national values. Similarly, two weeks ago, the winner of the 2015 Maltina Teacher of the Year Award, Mrs. Rose Obi, expressed dismay that the teaching-learning document

was grossly insufficient to transform the nation to its education habour. The teacher of Chemistry and Mathematics at one of the Federal Government Girl’s Colleges, however, called for urgent need to review the curriculum in order to make it more relevant to the students and to address the needs of the country. Given these scenarios and the attendant negative consequences on the future of education development, the country may be walking a dangerous precipice. As a matter of urgency, if the needful is done to correct the imbalance in the document by turning out a curriculum that will wholesale address the fundamental needs of the country and its people in all aspects of national values and growth. At this juncture, key players in the education sector as well as the curriculum planners should not becloud their judgement in designing workable curriculum that will remove the country from its present economic woes. In the meantime, anything short of reviewing the national school curriculum with a view to making it more relevant to the needs of the country will not be acceptable to Nigerians. Whatever blame arising from the shortcomings in the curriculum should be heaped at the door steps of the NERDC and the Federal Government for failure to midwife a working school curriculum through experts, planners and key stakeholders.

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Insight Dustbin Estate: Paradise of filth To a visitor, it is an unconventional home that stinks of decomposing garbage. But to the dwellers of this odd place called Dustbin Estate in the Ajegunle area of Lagos State, it is home. The filthy environment has become part and parcel of them. They eat, drink, sleep, play and even procreate on the city’s dumpsite. OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI writes

t is an estate of shanties built on a massive dumpsite. The Dustbin Estate in Awodiora, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, is a vast stinking settlement spread on a heap of refuse near a big canal. All the dirt and flood flowing from some major streets like Okoya and Tadoso streets (of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area) and in and out of Ajegunle settles into this stagnant canal, thereby breeding flies and all sorts of insects. It serves as a multipurpose unit to the people living on this absurd estate. To the children, it is the playground of their imagination, while to the youth, it is their own hide and seek game ground, platform of their childhood. To the adults and the old, it is a comfortable pedestal that life offered them. Shockingly, the inhabitants of this estate live in oblivion of health hazards of their environment. They seem to be naturally immune to their horrible surroundings. Sicknesses, such as cholera and diarrhoea, typical of such environments, followed by malaria and typhoid, are not any way near them. They all look healthy and bouncing with life. In this estate, there is no government basic infrastructure like pipe borne water, toilets, good drainage, where water could flow into the canal. They defecate in the open. The older ones bathe in iron sheet-made bathrooms. Their rooms are shanties built like cages erected with bamboo sticks. Their lives are tied round this estate. They have their local and low standard schools, small-scale industry, flies-buzzing market, even their abattoir on this wastes yard. Their schools, apart from a threeroom block school owned by a

Row of shanties on the waste yard.

A school constructed with planks.

Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), are made of planks on a dirt-filled ground. Thousands live on this estate but majority of them (mostly Ibadan indigenes) are forced to adapt to the estate to avoid the economic pressure of the city. For Taiwo Adegoke and friends, they have learnt to live on it. They have adapted so well that living outside the estate could pose danger for them. In fact, they do not pray for development to extend to them. It means they will lose touch with the original base of their being and childhood. Adegoke has been living exactly right on the heap of the waste yard very close to the dark stinking stagnant canal water. He not only lives there, he grew up to establish a shoemak-

Adegoke and his shoe making industry.

ing firm as well and has 25 people working for him. They all manufacture slippers. According to him, his profit margin ranges between N150, 000 and N250, 000 monthly. “For me, this AJ City (Ajegunle) is my home. I have been living here for the past 16 years; any other place outside this city will be alien to me. You see this canal water; I drank it for almost six months sometime in 1997. Once we put alum in it, the dark canal water becomes clear for consumption. And none of us fell sick or died as a result of drinking it,” he said. Would Adegoke prefer to exchange the slum of Ajegunle for a decent environment within the city of Lagos or would he prefer government’s presence? “Never,” he screamed. Adegoke is of the

belief that if government should come to demolish in order to lift their standard of living, it would spell doom for them. It means that it would destroy lives and property. It would have neither head nor tail. “I don’t believe government can do anything good for us. This, I deduced from my experience of being used as a political thug and dumped. Let me tell you the truth, people here will curse them and if care is not taken, we will end up beating them silly out of this place. Their lackadaisical attitude towards development is horrible. As such, we don’t want their help. We are quite satisfied living the way we are,” he said. To a visitor to this environment, it is probably absurd and unimaginable, but to Oriade Ba-

INSIGHT

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

The vast canal covered with massive filth.

Children catching their fun regardless of their surrounding.

A food vendor preparing food.

Kids taking care of themselves on the waste yard.

logun, the CDA chairman of the slum, the waste yard is a paradise. “We feel safe, comfortable and healthy. There is nothing like sickness or foul smell. We have been living here for more than 30 years. Hence, we have become used to the environment,” he said. Balogun, however, pleaded with the state government to open up the canal under the bridge on Okoya Street - the bridge that leads to the lagoon. He advised government to raise the bridge as it is too low; as such blocking the thoroughfare of water from one end to the other. “Okoya is the major problem to this environment and there is little that this community can do. It has been like this for more than 30 years,” he said. Indeed, the stagnant canal was dark, smelly and filled with filth flowing into the canal occupied by buzzing flies. These flies are darker and tinier than the normal type of flies. They are not sun flies, mosquitoes or any known flies

The blocked Okoya canal.

except for scientists. But the flies appear horrible and stubborn in nature. “You see those flies are part of us as well. Even when we cook, they fly around our food on the fire. All we do is just wave them off the food and continue cooking or eating. Truth be told, we can’t fall sick or die from disease as a result of this environment. Nothing can happen to us. The only thing is for Lagos State government to help make the canal flow. That way, there won’t be much bad odour in the air around us,” a food vendor, Patience Albert, said. It’s an interesting irony of life, especially to those who cannot comprehend the satisfaction of living in the squalor. Those who try to make decent of their surroundings, would pour white sand or sawdust but it doesn’t take long before the wind of filth blows in their direction. One of such is a school made with planks and structured together on the filthy heap. ABQ

We feel safe, comfortable and healthy. There is nothing like sickness or foul smell

One of the classrooms.

Nursery and Primary School has about six classrooms but wasn’t in session when New Telegraph visited. Everywhere around the school stinks. There are no walls for instructional materials for pupils, no proper chair in place. And those available were not balanced because the ground was not level. Inside the proprietor’s office were real worn out chairs, ancient dirty looking table filled with scattered papers, which he said were for pupils’. And in this age and time, he had no computer in his office. There was also no water inside the school. Abdulquadri Qasim, the school proprietor, said there was no funds to build a standard school but it was built based on passion to help his environment. “We don’t want the circumstances of the environment to limit the children around. That is why I charge N5, 000 per pupil for a term and yet they don’t pay because they can’t really afford it. They say it is too high but I per-

sonally want the children here to be able to compete with their counterparts outside this place, education wise,” he said. Qasim, however, pleaded with government to come help polish their environment to a mega city standard, and help put good school in place. “We just want development generally to the environment but while doing that, they shouldn’t wipe away our memories,” he said. Meanwhile, Qasim and a few residents of this waste yard alleged that the slum had been a cash cow for some members of NGOs, who come there often, interview them and video their environment and then go out and paint them as barbarians and nothing profitable comes out of it for residents. They all pointed at one lady, called Tolu Sangosanya of Lots Charity Foundation, within the vicinity. Tolu, as she is popularly addressed, was accused of collecting N20 daily per child for afternoon lessons. “She does not operate a school but after-school hour coaching, where she collects N20 daily per child,” said a resident. Tolu was also alleged to be colluding with some international organisations and NGOs to take the environment for granted. Qasim alleged that she got some quantity of computers from the international organisations but gave him spoilt ones and in a shoddy way. When New Telegraph visited Tolu’s place, it was observed that Tolu’s building was not close to the canal and was built with blocks unlike the shanties built with sack and planks. CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

INSIGHT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

However, Tolu denied all allegations levied against her by the community. “I did not collect money from them. How can I take money from the children whom I have passion for? Is it the N20 that will feed me or take me to my desired level in life?” she asked. On the issue of old dead computers, she refuted the allegations, explaining that when the Jim Ovia Foundation gave her organisation 14 computers and two laptops, she decided to give out the six previous ones given to her by Pastor Wale Adenuga of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. “Of course, it cannot be brand new ones but they were not spoilt at all. We tried to partner with the community. It’s just unfortunate that they are not accepting the hand of friendship,” she said. Tolu, however, reeled out her achievements, which included donating about seven toilets and bathrooms scattered round the community in synergy with Sahara Energy and Access Bank. She added that it included contributions of about five boreholes within the community. According to her, her major priority is towards the children of that environment. “Already, 32 children are on scholarships and three in university and polytechnic on sponsorship,” she said. Like the proverbial saying - in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is the king. So is the case of the well-to-do among them on this wastes yard. Interestingly too, there are properly educated ones as well. One of such is Mr. Ahmed Rufai (a lawyer), secretary to the CDA, who said there was no name like Dustbin Estate. “This place is Awodiora Estate. You don’t try to curry favour by giving bad names to this place. For your information, we have been living here because it is within our strength. It’s a developing site. I believe that it is government that should do the needful. Look, there are wellmeaning Lagosians living here. It is to outsider that this place looks strange and filthy but to us, it is

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Living happily in squalor

Baale of Awodiora

One of the wasteyard’s CDA Chairmen

our house,” he said. The lawyer also alleged that Tolu was one of those who made the place become popular with that name -‘Dustbin Estate.’ He threatened that in due course, the community would go to court to address the issue of the name. “What is the big deal in here? These things are part and parcel of Lagos because it is a costal state. This place is far better compared to Lagos Island where gutters and drainages pass through houses. They live, inhale and breathe the smelly water. Ours is better because the canal is some distance away from us,” he explained. Rufai added that he believed that government had not been doing what it ought to do. He said they were rather reluctant in taking responsibility because Nigeria and Lagos by extension run a pure capitalist system without the welfare of the people at heart. The lawyer, however, suggested ways government could be of help to them. He advised that government should have a good working relationship with the residents, otherwise called ‘omo oniles,’ so as to make the place more decent and habitable within an affordable means, taking into cognizance the

What is the big deal in here? These things are part and parcel of Lagos because it is a costal state

Barr. Rufai

residents they met on ground. He added that government should make a thoroughfare of the blocked Okoya Bridge and make good proper road network. According to him, the debris packed out of the canal should be properly cleared. He said: “Luckily for us, God has been faithful. Our children, who should be most vulnerable, do not fall sick.” Truly, New Telegraph observed a working tractor inside the canal, packing out debris and discharging them by the edge of the canal but almost immediately, the debris were flowing back into the canal and the men controlling the machine went on rolling out on the same spot. The exercise was like kids enjoying their prank game of hide and seek. When our correspondents took their photograph, they rushed at them and even seized their camera. But for the timely intervention of one of the Baale’s sons, it would have been a different story entirely. Rufai, however, pleaded with the Lagos State government to provide them with a courtroom and build a moderately-equipped health centre with well-trained

health officers, who would treat them as human beings with dignity and respect. Bolaji Arokomalehin, the Baale’s son and the chief security of the place, told New Telegraph that the community and the whole of Awodiaora was suffering government’s neglect. “We are suffering from lack of potable water, poor or no power supply. They broke off our line of power supply from the pole and carted away the wires and cables from Moshalashi bus stop by Awodiora Central Mosque, opposite the General Hospital. Again, we don’t have motorable roads. Most of our youths are idle and have nuisance character,” he complained. He also pleaded with the government and God-fearing NGOs to come to their aid and empower their youths in skilled works. “Truly, there are lots of talents around this place but they refused to invest in the community,” he said. Baale of Awodiora, Rasak Arokomanahin, said the wastes yard was not an issue that the community could face or achieve some tangible results with an effort. He explained that the slum site was a recreational centre. It had canoe and flying boats. Later, it turned residential and graduated to shanties. He advised government to go back to that plan and make the place beautiful and decent. “Government can make it a tourist haven. They can create green lawns, kids playing corner and build chalets round the place and so many other interesting things. By so doing, it will generate some revenue for government. To achieve this, government should use internally generated revenue to develop and better the place. Unfortunately, I don’t see this regime taking that bold step,” he stated. Arokomanahin was of the belief that with iron hand and fairmindedness, government can intervene and achieve meaningful result.

Scavenging while the kids watch on.

A child on errand within the environment.

Row of make shift bathrooms.

The dark water canal.

The bridge on top the canal to the shanties.

A tractor dredging the canal.

PHOTOS: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SouthEastFocus

GEOFFREY EKENNA coordinaTor

goeekenna@yahoo.co.uk 08068774740

South South Focus When land put them asunder

23 News Retirees’ cry to Okowa

Chinyere on hospital bed before her death

here are drumbeats of war in Eguho-Ezzagu community, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and OnuaforNkomoro in Ezza North Local Government area of the state. That is following the murder of a widow, Mrs Chinyere Itigwe and the denial of her burial by her alleged killers, six months after her demise. The deceased, a mother of eight, hailed from Eguho-Ezzagu community before she got married to late Emmanuel Nwankwo-Itigwe of Onuafor-Nkomoro and the bereaved family, in-laws and relatives have threatened revenge mission if the willful murder of their own was not addressed. That is following alleged unremorseful and unrepentant postures taken by Chinyere’s alleged killers. Those accused in the murder of the widow are Peter Nwusulour, Chinedu Nwakpa Ekuma, Obinna Nwakpa Ekuma, Gallop Nworie Emma and three others. They are relatives of Chinyere’s late husband. They reportedly seized her late husband’s property from the widow and her children and threw them out of their compound. They had sought to dissolve posthumously the marriage contract between the late husband and wife with the intent of inheriting their property. According to them, since both couples are late, the children of the late Itigwes should find their way. They were said to have on March, 28 2015, at 2a.m. stormed her house with guns and cutlass and attacked Chinyere and her children. They gave her deep cuts on the body and stole items worth

War looms over widow’s murder, burial denial The common belief propagated by most traditions in some communities in Ebonyi State is that a woman has no right over the property of her deceased husband, especially land. This situation resulted in the murder of a widow by her late husband’s relative and denial of her burial six months after her death, UCHENNA INYA in Abakaliki reports about five hundred thousand naira only (N500, 000.00) which included handset, cash and some house hold properties and left her lying in a pool of blood, unconscious. She was later rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki(FETHA). According to the Police Medical Report, Chinyere was presented at FETHA on April 1, 2015 with diagnosis of soft-tissue injuries resulting from assault. “She sustained multiple matchete cuts involving the right parietal (head) region, right ribs, both arms, both thighs, left legs and foot. She was treated by the medical officer, referred to orthopedic and plastic surgeons for further management. She is still in an unstable condition” the report given by one Dr. Edegbe Felix, a consultant Pathologist dated June 23, 2015 stated. The widow could not survive the attack as she died on December,4, 2015. Thirteen months

after the dastardly attack and six months after the death of the victim, the suspects have not been brought to book. Her surviving children have been ostracized by the suspects and her properties confiscated. The children, Ifeanyi, Chukwudi, Onuabuchi, Olisaemeka, Chika, Mmesomma, Chinonso, and Akachukwu were allegedly banned from their father’s compound and from partaking in their inheritance by their relations. The orphans alleged that their persecutors have been selling their late parents’ properties and cried to the state government to use its might to bring to book the murderers of their mother. When contacted, the Traditional Ruler of Nkomoro community, HRH Eze David Nworie, admitted that he was aware of usual assaults on the deceased widow, maintaining that he had always intervened in the matter but however declined further comment on the matter saying the case was already in

court. On his part, the Traditional Ruler of Ezekuna Community, HRH Eze Innocent Nworie, said he was aware of the case but cannot intervene since the case it is a civil matter. The bereaved family and relatives confided in our correspondent that they have no other option than to embark on revenge mission. The eldest brother of late Chinyere, Mr. Emmanuel Obasi, lamented the callousness of their in-laws, who have not shown any remorse after the death of their sister to the extent that they do not want her buried in their land. Another brother, Mr. Lazarus Obasi, an artisan at Nnewi, told our correspondent that the butchery and the consequent death of Chinyere has left him and his family dejected as all his life’s earnings went into her hospital treatment. Similarly, Mr. Sunday Obasi, a CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

south-east

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Second Niger Bridge as a mirage

It has been on the card since former President Olusegun Obasanjo came to perform the ground-breaking ceremony. It was part of the carrot offered the South-East by former President Goodluck Jonathan. Now, the bridge has become one of those would-have-been projects dotting the landscape as PAMELA EBOH in Awka writes

he Second Niger Bridge project which has remained on the drawing board for ages appears to have become a mirage of this generation. It is alleged that the change government of President Mohammed Buhari did not capture it in the 2016 budget. Perhaps, one may ask; will that project ever see the light of the day? The project, which is at the last count pegged at N140b by the immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to a German based Julius Berger Construction company has been left to rot away after a ground breaking event that heralded the foundation laying stone of the project. No doubt, the new bridge would have come as a huge relief to the delight of the people of the south east and south south regions since the bridge is the only major connecting route from the south east to other states. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, between 1999-2007was first on the list to flag off the Second Niger Bridge project shortly before the presidential election to the tune of N350m but the project remained undone until he handed over to late Musa Yar’dua who also flagged it off at the cost of N325m and abandoned it before his death. The erstwhile president, Goodluck Jonathan took it to another level with media hype and glitz that accompanied the foundation laying stone. With all the media hype, one would not believe that the project till date remained undone and abandoned with all the billions of Naira approved for it. Despite the different amounts approved for the project in the past administrations, Jonathan was drawn to same as a fresh honey pot by the then Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi at the cost of N140b. The coming of the president

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1

father of four children and a tricycle driver was full of anguish, not knowing what to do as he is heavily indebted to many organizations where he borrowed money to take care of his sister before she died. The extended family of the deceased widow has cried to good Samaritans to help them bury their daughter, sister, mother and cousin. On her part, Chinyere’s aged mother, who is also a widow, Christiana Obasi (75) told New Telegraph that the soul of her daughter was yet to rest in peace as her restless ghost has kept on disturbing her in her nightmares. “Ever since my daughter died, I have not known sleep. All I have are sleepless nights punctuated with ceaseless cries of my slain daughter. She is crying for jus-

for the foundation laying stone of the bridge drew a massive crowd of thewho is who from within and outside the state. But, even with the pump and pageantry that enveloped the event, some political watchers labelled it an abracadabra and a political gimmick aimed at attracting overwhelming votes for the party in power during the elections. Suffice it to say that the political watchers ultimately might have had a peep into the future as the project was later abandoned and left to rot away like so many other government projects that died on arrival. Expectations were that since government is all about continuity, the present administration of President Buhari would accord it a priority based on its importance to the south east region. However, there is nothing to signify that the Federal Government has any form of interest on the project, talk more of getting it done. Based on the picture of the site at present, apprehension is setting in amongst the inhabitants of the south east zone as a sudden collapse of the bridge project will spell unprecedented doom in the area. During a visit to the site of the second Niger bridge located in Ogbaru, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, there were some strange men at the place who ordered the New Telegraph reporter to leave the place immediately with her camera. The visit showed that the project has been abandoned with no Engineers on site to be interviewed. Efforts to take photograph of the site was rebuffed by the men. Though the old bridge is still in use, commercial drivers plying the route are apprehensive that the bridge may collapse any day and take a lot of lives with it. A commercial driver who plies

from Onitsha to Asaba, Ike Ikeazo, said that anytime he wanted to cross the bridge, he goes into silent prayer until he is at the other end of the bridge. “Sometimes, my conductor will be asking me something. I won’t answer him until I cross the bridge. “The bridge is getting weak. Go under the bridge and you will see the decay yourself. We don’t have maintenance attitude here in this country. If not why hasn’t the Federal Government done something before now to keep it in good shape. “They just come here, do their show and go. Nothing happens at the end of the day. “When that bridge collapses and kills people, you will then see our government running to do something. They will be the first to send condolence. Our government doesn’t care for the people at all and it’s very unfortunate”, he said. On her part, a trader, Mrs.Uju Onyego, who plies the road often, said that the bridge is a disaster waiting to happen. She said, “It is obvious we are not included in the scheme of things in this country. If this bridge was in the north, will the Federal Government abandon it like this? “For traders like me, all we do is just pray and continue trusting God for his protection.”

The Second Niger bridge on conclusion is expected to ease the first bridge built more than four decades ago of over-use and also serve as a respite for drivers plying that route, especially the commercial bus operators. Also a South African visitor, Shani Lagae, who passed through the Niger bridge on her return with her husband to Nigeria said that the bridge is supposed to be closed down and motorists barred from using it. “I was so scared when we crossed that bridge. Come on, what is your government doing? I have always longed to visit Nigeria because I have heard so much about them and then marrying a Nigerian, I saw it as an opportunity to visit Nigeria. I always thought Nigeria was a very huge and rich country with their oil wealth but from what I have seen on ground, especially the roads, it’s a total apology, sorry to say. The government should be able to do more than this. This is a blessed country for crying out loud but I think corruption contributed to the backwardness of this country”, She said, The state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, recently expressed disappointment that the bridge was not included in the budget but said he was working with the south east senators to see if a solution can be proffered and until then, the south. Easterners will continue to watch and wait.

Former President Jonathan during the flag off of the Second Niger Bridge

War looms over widow’s murder, burial denial

tice.” She wants her corpse buried so that her ghost will stop hovering around. Mrs. Itigwe was attacked by the relatives of her late husband over land and economic trees on March 28, 2015 and she gave up the ghost on 4th day of December, 2015. Her remains were deposited at FETHA 1 Mortuary, Ebonyi State while the mortuary bills have continually accumulated. Chinyere, 40, lost her husband about six years ago and has since been struggling to cater for their children until she was murdered, leaving her eight children in bad condition as they have been finding it difficult to survive since her demise. Earlier in a petition addressed to Governor Dave Umahi and

wife, Rachael, when the attack occurred, the family law centre, a special court in the state charged with the responsibility of treating this type of case, said that “we are constrained to write this petition on behalf of Mrs. Chinyere Emmanuel-Itigwe (widow) from Onu-Afor Nkomoro in Ezza North L.G.A. against Peter Nwusulor Itigwe and six (6) others from the same address. We hereby state as follows: “That Mrs. Chinyere Emmanuel-Itigwe brought a complaint to our office. She avers that the above named persons assaulted her and her under aged daughter and beat them up. “That our office reported the case to Police at the State Juvenile Welfare Centre Abakaliki. They were arrested and the case

is still on but they were released on bail. “That on the 28th of March, 2015, by 2a.m. in the night, the said persons attacked Mrs. Chinyere and her children. “That they came with guns and cutlasses and broke down the doors and entered her room. “ That they tried to kill her, gave her deep cuts on the body and stole items with about five hundred thousand naira only (N500, 000.00) which includes handset, cash and some house hold properties. “That they left her lying in a pool of blood unconscious and she is now lying at the Federal Teaching Hospital. Attached is her photocopy. “We, therefore request that the said persons be brought to book and save the widow’s life and recover her properties.’’

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SouthSouthFocus

It is a season of multiple clashes in Cross River State. The object of discord is land. Communities, who before now were brotherly neighbours have taken up arms. The result is mayhem and destruction. CLEMENT JAMES reports from Calabar

n the last few weeks, Cross River State, which prides itself as being the most peaceful state in the entire South South region, has witnessed communal clashes which have led to the loss of precious lives and wanton destruction of properties, including houses and schools. These incidents have put a dent on the image of the state even as the Governor, Senator Ben Ayade, traverses the globe in search of investors. The crisis worsened in the last one week after a soldier was allegedly shot dead by one of the warring parties, thus forcing his colleagues to kill two of the assailants. The crisis was said to have started three two weeks ago between Inyima in Yakurr Local Government Area and their Oyadama neighbours in Obubra Local Government Area over a piece of land. According to the Chairman of Obubra Local Government Area, Dr. Kyrian Mfam, the problem began “when an Inyima young man shot his Onyadma counterpart in the bush with whom he is squabbling over a piece of land. Luckily, the man did not die and what is going on now is a revenge action by the Onyadama people.” The chairman recalled that in 2014, the two communities fought over a piece of land and that what happened was a replication of the 2014 incident. Before long however, the crisis had been enlarged with Nko and Mkpani, all in Yakurr Local Government Area joining the fracas. Some reports say Nko joined in the crisis to show sympathy for their Inyima brothers while Mkpani got involved in solidarity with Oyadama people. These reports have however, been debunked by Mkpani people, who claim that they have nothing in common with Oyadama, and that Nko people deliberately provoked them into battle. Penultimate week, two Ugep indigenes were reportedly killed by some unidentified persons at the Nko Rubber Plantation, which serves as boundary between the two warring villages. The Nko people accuse the Mkpani youths of the killing while the Mkpani people see the killing as an act by Nko people to drag Ugep into the fracas in order to join forces with them to fight Mkpani. The conflict, which has already claimed many lives, including that of a Pastor whose name was given

File: A destroyed building

When land put brothers asunder as Eno Ubi; a butcher and the two young men from Ugep has also witnessed the destruction of properties running into hundreds of millions of naira. Early this year, precisely the Saturday preceding the Easter, the Owakande community and some neigbouring villages in Obubra Urban were locked in battle over a piece of land. This led to destruction of buildings, cars and other valuable property worth millions of naira. A community leader in Obubra, Chief Ekong James, had told Journalists then that Dr Philip Okpeche, the elder brother to Hon Friday Okpeche, the member representing the two communities in the Cross River State House of Assembly ignited the crisis by selling a parcel of land which belonged to the government to his friend. He said this was in clear contravention of the advice of the Police and a 1992 Panel report instituted by the Cross River State government that the land belonged to government. “Dr Philip Okpeche violated a Police order and went into a disputed land in the area earmarked for Obubra village by an Arbitration Panel of 1992 which made the Obubra people to react,” he said. According to the community leader, the senior Okpeche had claimed that he bought the land from government “but has no documents to prove his claims, and while we were

still trying to sort out the matter, he went ahead and sold the land to his friend.” “He sold the land to one Augustine Osowo, who, against advice that the land he bought was in dispute, began the erection of a storey building on the land which made the Obubra youths to resist. But rather than heed to the instruction, he mobilized Owakande youths who came to attack our people and that led to the violence.” He said that the member representing the communities in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Friday Okpeche, who is younger brother to Dr Okpeche, rather than seek for peace, took side with his people and instigated the invitation of his people by the Commissioner of Police and the Director of DSS. However, Hon. Okpeche denied the claim that he was responsible for the crisis between the two communities, insisting that the land belonged to Obubra. He said he has been in the vanguard for the search for peace in the area but was being vilified and blackmailed for political reasons. “When the issues started building up, I convened a meeting of 20 persons; 10 from each community but two persons from Obubra refused to attend and up till now, we are still unaware of their reasons for staying away from that meeting. But suffice it to say that I made efforts to forestall any outbreak of violence.” He added: “I have sacrificed my

house for peace to reign between Obubra and my village but I should say here that anyone who is abetting conflict in the area, should things get worse than this, the blood of the people will be in his hands.” Unfortunately, while the various communities in Obubra were fighting against themselves and their outside neighbour, the Council Chairman was fighting a battle of survival. Eight out of the 11 councillors in the Obubra Legislative Council had attempted to impeach the Chairman, Hon. Kyrian Mfam for what they called highhandedness. The councillors, led by the deputy leader, Hon Ovaat John, representing Ofodua ward, had voted in favour of the motion to sack the chairman, while two voted against and one member, said to have been suspended, was not allowed to vote on the motion. The rift between the councillors and the chairman, according to sources, had lingered since 2015 and came from the Central Senatorial district. The crisis involved Ebum community in Obubra Local Government Area and Inyima in Yakurr Local Government Area of the state. Matters came to a head with the recent squabble for land between the Owakande community at the Crown Land section of Obubra Urban. However, the issue was resolved by leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who intervened in the crisis. But during the squabble in the council, bloodletting continued unabated as nobody was courageous enough to call the warring factions to order. Some years ago, it was Ebum community in Obubra Local Government Area fighting against their Inyima brothers in Yakurr Local Government Area of the state. However, in the Northern Senatorial district, people from Ukpe community fought against their counterparts from Mbagede both in Ogoja Local Government Area. There has been that of Ebom and Ediba as well as that of Ebijakara Usumutong all in the Central Senatorial District. Not surprisingly, with each clash comes wanton the destruction of lives and properties. Incidentally, the current Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, is from Nko, just as the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas is from the same community. On the other hand, a onetime governor of the state, Chief Clement Ebri is from Mkpani. How the crisis degenerated to the level of wanton destruction of lives and properties without the intervention of these leaders still beats the imagination of many. The state government must rise up to this new threat to peace and security of the state as it cannot afford to give potential investors the impression that the state is as volatile as other states in the region and therefore, not suitable for investment. A situation where brothers who have lived together and even intermarried for years are allowed to stockpile and use arms against one another simply because of disagreements over land should not be allowed to continue.

south-south

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Retirees’ cry to Okowa Dominic Adewole ASABA

“W

e sowed in tears for 35 years, thinking we will sing when we reap for eternal harvest but the default by the Delta State Government of Nigeria in adhering to Pension Reform Act 2014 has put us where we are today. “We will not be intimidated by the gimmicks of successive administrations in the state or faint in the days of adversity because they (state government) thought our strength is now weak. Though, we have meritoriously retired from the civil service of our fatherland, we will never be tired of demanding for our entitlements until the untimely death they are wishing us do us part. “We are tired of suffering and smiling after retirement. We have lost patience, because, for years now, Delta State Government has taken us for a ride in the payment of our pensions and gratuities. Instead of us to be remembering the old good days with a feeling of reminiscence, we spend our old age remembering the account of a storm that is devoid of God’s blessings.” With these words on Thursday, April 28, the leader of the Association of Contributory Retirees (ACR), Delta State chapter, during the protest staged by hundreds of retirees to the Government House, Asaba, threw courtesy to the wind and cried aloud to those that cared to listen that the non-payment of pensions and gratuities by the state government has led to premature death of many retirees in the state. The placard-carrying old men and women, with the different inscriptions, such as “PFA, pay lump sum to retires, not 25%”, “Okowa, pay us our pension money”, “Okowa, are retirees not part of your ‘prosperity’ agenda (a play on the Governor’s campaign mantra)”, “Pay us our harmonization now”, and chanting solidarity songs with faded and rancorous voices, wondered why they were being neglected and maltreated after commendable service to the state and allowed to die of High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), abject poverty, mass indebtedness to money lenders and landlords, “because many of us could not own one during and after service”, Vincent lamented. Although, they were barricaded by stern-looking policemen from penetrating appropriately into the Governor’s Office, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Tam Brisibe, who made frantic effort to prevail on them, left on sighting the old citizens, crying for their rights in scotching sun. They had defiled a heavy downpour of that day, even as some of them who retired from teaching profession, recounted about 10

The protesters

past Commissioners and other political appointees in the state that were under their tutelage during their school days. They regretted that their then students now earned fat salaries and pointed to some magnificent houses at the Core Areas of Asaba, built by their students and several Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) neatly parked in their compounds. They wondered why the state government failed to comply with the provisions of the Contributory Pension Reform Act 2014, which was designed to alleviate their poverty after service but has now occasioned their current untold hardship. They queried the whereabouts of the bailout fund, accusing Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of disrespecting the donor’s intention by diverting the whooping sum to the payment of contractual obligations other than salary and pension arrears as directed by the Federal Government. According to them, the state government has not stopped using the old salary structure of 2008 for the state retirees and that of minimum wage 2011 structure for Local Government retirees, which has created disparity in the payment. “The insensitive posture of the government to reported cases of ill-health and death of retirees occasioned by their inability to meet their health challenges and other commitments is sad”, Nkenchor said. In their six-point protest pamphlets, co-signed by the Heads of the Rally Committee, Mr. S.I. Ichipi and Comrade Gabriel Aduwa (Secretary), dated April

2016, the protesters condemned the failure of the state government to open a Redemption Fund Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the issuance of retirement Redemption Bond Certificates to retirees, saying, “Default by the Delta State Government of Nigeria to payment of 5% of monthly wage bill of employees to open Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund account (RBBRF) with the CBN as stated in the state Pension Reform Law 2008 Section 1-6, which has accumulated to over N18.2 billion as at December 2015, is a gross mismanagement of fund.” They did not stop at that. They went ahead to lampoon the defiant position of the state government which they claimed has plagued the contributory pension scheme in the state with the attendant effect of long queue of retirees awaiting payment and broken promises by successive government in the state. “The failure by the Delta State Government of Nigeria to remit 10% counterpart pension fund contribution into the Retirement Saving Account of its employees. “The wrong calculation of retirement benefits or Contributory Pensions Retirees by Delta State Government of Nigeria, using defunct 2008 salary structure instead of 2011 salary structure and payment of 25% of lump sum instead of 50% by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs). “Delay in the payment of retirement benefits to the Contributory Pensions Scheme (CPS) of 3-6 years resulting to frequent ill-health and untimely death of retirees. “Delay by PFAs for up to 3-6 months or more before payment

when Government has released funds to them, example TrustFund”, were catalogued as factors militating against accelerated Delta innovations. Before resigning to faith, they called on President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the ICPC and PECNCOM, to ensure compliance of 2014 Pension Reform Act, which they maintained “has been jettisoned in Delta State.” But Okowa, who responded during the May Day Celebration at the Cenotaph in Asaba four days ago, categorically told those that cared to listen that Contributory Pension Scheme has been a huge challenge to him since he assumed office in May 29, 2015. “I wish Okowa has a private fund to pay them the money but unfortunately, Okowa does not have such money. I inherited a tough situation last year. The state was taking overdraft to pay salaries of workers from January 2015 to April until I resumed office in May, owing to sudden drop in oil price, and as it stands now, we are only paying net salaries to stay on course as a state. “The danger in the scheme is that some of the states that keyed into the scheme in 2007 failed the system and left huge debt for incoming administration. Delta State has a staggering N38 billion unpaid pension. But a committee has been set up to look into the debt.” He added:“I sympathize with pensioners”. He explained that N2 billion was used to off-set some of the backlog of pension debts from the N10 billion bailout fund.

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Industry

Business What's new FG plans automation of over 950 MDAs

OPS: How budget delay affects production, economy

eWorld Growing digital economy via friendly regulations

27 29

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE March 2016..............................12.8% February 2016...........................11.4% January 2016............................9.6%

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

EXCHANGE RATE

(BDC as at May 6)

(Interbank as at May 10)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N321 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N464 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N354

l Foreign Reserves – $27.832bn as at 10/4/2016

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

Source: CBN

p.26

Nigeria, others to grow African insurance market by 4.3%

p.26

L-R: Acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Wahab Olagunju; Chairman, Jaiz Bank Plc, Alhaji Umar Abdul Mutalab and Corporate Services Executive, MTN Nigeria, Ms. Amina Oyagbola, at the opening ceremony of the first Kastina State Economic and Investment Summit in Kastina.

REPRIEVE Regulatory moves aimed at boosting telecoms consumers’ protection against illegal charges by telcos from text message services

Kunle Azeez

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is prepared to tackle annual losses by telecoms subscribers arising from the increasing wave of unsolicited short messaging service (SMS). New Telegraph learnt that the over 150 million telecoms subscribers in the country currently lose an estimated N360 billion to cases of unwanted text messages majority of which are auto-subscriptions by the operators without subscribers’ consent. The situation is made worse, as telecoms networks often use some clever ways of making it difficult for disgruntled subscribers to opt out from continuously receiving the unsolicited text messages. However, the Commission in a direction dated April 19, 2016, a copy of which was obtained by this newspaper, has mandated 13 telecoms operators to create a DND facility and popularise same with a view to giving the subscribers the latitude to stop receiving an telemarketing calls or unsolicited text messages.

Spam texts: Nigerians’ annual N360bn losses set to end Thirteen MNOs were issued with the direction, namely: Starcomms, Megatech Engineering Limited, Gicell Wireless Limited, Globacom, Danjay Telecoms, Gamjitel, MultiLinks, MTN and Airtel. Others are Smile, Etisalat, Visafone and Natcom. The NCC in the direction issued pursuant to section 53 of the Nigerian communications Act (NCA), 2003, noted that it had been inundated with complaints from subscribers about the menace of unsolicited text messages and calls from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), which has impacted negatively on consumer quality experience in the telecom industry. Already, telecoms licensees are mandated by the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations, 2007 to conduct telemarketing in accordance with any ‘‘call” or ‘‘do not call” (DND) preferences recorded by the consumer at the time of entering into a contract for services or after. “The Commission, through its monitoring activities, confirmed that though, some MNOs have set up the DND facility on their network, the awareness by subscribers of the availability of the DND facility on the MNOs network and how to opt into the facility is very minimal and unsatisfactory. “The Commission, in line with

N5 million

Being the amount of sanction to be imposed on defaulting telco

its regulatory functions of protecting the interest of consumers as provided in Sections 4(1)(b) and 105(1) of the NCA, 2003 and ensuring the development of the Nigerian Communications industry is of the opinion that degradation of consumer quality experience through unsolicited telemarketing should be curtailed,” the direction noted. Consequently, pursuant to section 53 of the NCA, 2003, the NCC directed operators to take certain steps as parts of regulatory measures to tackle the menace of unsolicited text messages. The operators, the NCC said, shall on or before June 30, 2016 dedicate the short code 2442 on their networks for use by subscribers to opt-in to the ‘‘DND” database, restricting unsolicited marketing messages (voice and SMS) on their MSISDNs” including the use of web-based solutions as opt-out measures. It said: “That it shall be mandatory on the operator to create sufficient awareness for its subscribers of the existence of the DND service on its networks. The operators also directed to comply with the quarterly and reporting template prescribed by the CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

BUSINESS |news

EFFICIENCY Full automation of government parastatals will improve operational efficiency in public sector Kunle Azeez

igerian government is planning to transform the manual processes of handling government activities in the various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) into becoming fully automated in the next few months, New Telegraph has learnt. There are currently over 950 MDAs in the country with more than 70 per cent of their activities still being run manually with less efficiency and effectiveness. It was learnt that manual approach is still visible in activities such as procurement processes, documents management and inter-MDA activities area, processing of business documents for investors, among others. The new MDAs automation campaign, which is being championed by the Ministry of Communications, followed the success recorded the Treasury Single Account (TSA) designed to automate the financial remittance activities of the government’s paratstatals. Till date, total inflows into TSA were about N3 trillion ($15billion) while the number of MDAs on Treasury Single Account (TSA) has risen to 976. Already, government has said the TSA initiative being powered by Remita locally developed by Systemspecs, has instilled fiscal discipline, eliminated the process of cash backing MDAs accounts with commercial banks, and gained economy of scale due since the adoption of the

Nigerians’ annual N360bn losses set to end CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

Commission to ensure feedback and compliance. The NCC, however, said that the operator-generated SMS is excluded from the DND list in as much as such messages are in conformity with the Commission’s directive on timing and regularity and do not constitute a nuisance to subscribers and the subscribers shall have the right of a partial or full DND implementation. It added “That the operator generated SMS shall comply with 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. stipulation (12 hour period) for sending SMS to subscribers and that the opt-in process shall be free of charge.” The NCC, in the letter thus warned, “Failure to comply with this direction will result in the imposition of sanction in the amount of N5 million and a further sum of N500,000 per day for as long as the contravention persists.”

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG plans automation of over 950 MDAs systems by the MDAs instead of investing resources in several ICT platforms. The system, it was learnt, has also reduced average monthly ways and means advances of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) associated costs. Meanwhile, the Director of ICT at the Ministry of Communications, Mrs. Moni Udoh, who disclosed the government planned automation of MDAs processes to this newspaper on the sideline of the Google/ Nigeria Economic Summit Group’s dialogue on Internet regulations in Abuja, said, “Government strives to achieve the same better efficiency in its operations; not only in the area of financial dealings but in the whole spectrum of government

activities.” She stated that already, the Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, had given the directive to his ministry to be the pacesetter in implementing the scheme in the next three months. “While we are going to champion the implementation in other MDAs, we are taking the first step as the ministry promoting the growth of digital economy,” Udoh said. She also explained that the automation by the government would also create positive effect on investment activities that needed to be facilitated to deepen digital economy in the country. “Most local and foreign businesses operating in Nigeria would also benefit from

ingenious plan by the government, all that they want to do in terms of approvals and other necessary official documentations would be done in record time; and when they get these papers on time, the players would be in better stead to begin business timely,” she added. Also commenting on the state of digital economy landscape in Nigeria, the Head, Office for Nigerian Contents in ICT (ONC), Mr. Inye Kemabonta, said there was a need for the government to not only ensure that the economy is fully automated from the private sector perspective but also from the public angle. Today, over 10,000 software applications are said to have been developed locally with all

capable of automating one aspect of government activities or the other. “What remains for us as country is to begin to leverage the local ICT-related initiatives that young Nigerian innovators have developed for both public and private uses,” Kemabonta said, adding that the objective of ONC was to encourage local content development in ICT. According to him, Nigeria has been recording continual capital flight due to wanton importation of basic IT tools such as personal computers (PCs). “Currently, there are currently about 800,000 PCs in the country with over 90 per cent of the PC being imported into Nigeria,” he said.

L-R: Master Trainee, Great Place To Work (GPTW), Olumide Ajomade; Director, Legal, Public Affairs and Communications, Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd, Sade Morgan; Director, Human Resources, Grace Omo-Lamai, and Managing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd, Ben Langat, during the Great Place To Work Awards Night held in Lagos.

Nigeria, others to grow African insurance market by 4.3% POSITIVE Rising populations will breed further consumer demand in African insurance market Taiwo Hassan

igeria and four other African countries - Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire are to contribute robust economic growth to Africa’s insurance market by 4.3 per cent this year and 5.1 per cent in 2017, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The projection, which was monitored on AFK Insider’s website, showed that fast growth in insurance patronage was beginning to emerge in these countries due to the already expanded market, thus reducing South Africa’s market share. Insurance companies have historically focused their energies on South Africa, one of Africa’s most mature financial markets.

Life insurance premiums in South Africa accounted for almost 90 per cent of the total life premiums across Africa in 2013. The rise in incomes and affluence feed insurance purchases, as consumers spend more on discretionary items such as cars and second homes. A bump in spending on basics, including health care and mobile phones, has also created new streams of insurance premium revenues for companies. Yet insurance premiums paid per capita in sub-Sahara lag behind emerging Asian economies including India and Vietnam, with the premiums at less than three per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (US is more than twice this per cent). Non-life insurance premiums as a percentage of GDP hover at less than one per cent in some of Africa’s major economies, including Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia and Nigeria. Statistics suggest fertile ground for a regional boom in the insurance industry. Rising populations will breed further consumer demand, most no-

tably in Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia, albeit only if the services offered can grow to meet the market. African insurers have traditionally targeted the upperincome population because of disposal income and financial literacy. But the new consumer base is requiring changes to the system. For example, distribution through brokers and brickand-mortar banks are inefficient pathways to reaching the lower-income population. Insurers are building online and mobile underwriting platforms for policy quotations and renewals as well as purchase and payment. Health insurance is offered through text message in order to expand access. Nigeria and Kenya are the leaders in this space, with mPesa mobile payment platform handling outpatient benefits and compensation for lost income. Agriculture insurance is not creative either but insurers have found ways to minimise risks and reassure farmers skeptical of the actual payoff of having insurance.

These include teaching farmers how to use weather data collected at remote monitoring stations, crossing the data with the usage of inputs (seeds, fertilisers, chemicals) and managing insurance payments based off those inputs. A call for data warehousing and better analytics is breeding unplanned dates between telecom executives, insurance executives, and IT entrepreneurs. A lack of capital on balance sheets to fund these get-togethers and the creative ideas that emerge from them is breeding excitement in large corporate players and big private equity players. Recruiting and retaining the right people is also of vital concern, particularly in a region where nearly 50 per cent of premiums are still sold face-to-face. Negotiating the balance between adding more talented people and growing technological capabilities is a critical piece in the expansion plan. Insurers simultaneously must navigate the potential downside risks to business culture.

THURSDAY, may 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SETBACK In the last 17 years, budget delays and poor implementation at the federal, state and local government levels have damaged key public infrastructure

InDUSTRY OPS: How budget delay affects production, economy

Taiwo Hassan

he Organised Private Sector (OPS) has lamented that Federal Gover nment’s inability to pass the 2016 appropriation bill created fiscal uncertainties in the country’s economy, resulting to billions of naira losses in investments. Although President Muhammadu Buhari finally assented to the budget last week, the private sector operators still groans over their losses due to the avoidable delay. President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Tony Ejinkeonye, in a chat with New Telegraph, said that the difficulties associated with the budget could not be overemphasised given that the budget outlines government’s fiscal policies which in turn shape the socio-economic outlook of the country within the fiscal year. “There is need for government to correct the gridlock on budget delay in the future as the country lost investments worth billions of naira,” he said. The ACCI boss explained that the private sector was the worst hit, adding that budget delay waned expectations of many operators in the real sector of the economy. On the effect of the 2016 budget, Ejinkeonye said: “When these expectations are delayed, it creates fiscal uncertainties. The effective and timely execution of quarterly and annual work plans is certainly more difficult if funds are not released. Private sector players doing business with government agencies and institutions still find it a challenging exercise because of late payment for jobs done, non-payment for jobs done coupled with the problem of deteriorating sales, poor consumer demand etc.” He said that in the last 17 years, budget delays and poor implementation by the Federal Government, state, and local government levels have sabotaged key public infrastructure. The ACCI president said that this circumstance has unfortunately led to a steady increase in the cost of doing business in Nigeria. The entrepreneur, however, said that it was important for government to address these issues in future if the desired synergy between the public and private sectors is to thrive. Ejinkeonye stressed that budget determined what would be the likely govern-

Dubai Chamber of Trade and Industry opens 3rd office in Africa - Left to right - H E Asim Mirza Al Rahmah UAE Ambassador to Mozambique H E Majid Saif Al Ghurair .jpg

ment expenditures, including outlining current fiscal policies. On the effect of delay on Foreign Direct Investment, the chamber’s president said: “Foreign investors are being scared away because of volatile fiscal policies. Several multi-national companies have either relocated to neighbouring countries or are contemplating doing so. He added: “It is quite unfor-

tunate and saddening that the government we collectively gave our mandate is staging a play with the economic wellbeing of its people by delaying the ratification of the country’s fiscal document.” In his remarks, the Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muda Yusuf, said that the 2016 budget would not make an instant impact on the country’s economy due to another round

Dubai, Africa bilateral trade hits $30bn in 2015 Taiwo Hassan

frica’s attractiveness as an investment destination is at the front burner, as the bilateral trade between Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Dubai Chamber) and the continent rose to $30 billion in 2015, up from $22.8 billion in 2011. Chairman, Dubai Chamber, H.E. Majid Saif Al Ghurair, disclosed this during the official opening of the third African office of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Dubai Chamber) in Maputo, Mozambique. He reaffirmed his country’s commitment to drive trade and investment between Dubai and Africa, adding that bilateral trade between Dubai and Mozambique had hit $195 million last year. According to him, Mozambique would be the chamber’s third office opening in the continent, after Ethiopia and Ghana and is also being positioned as a strategic hub for other African markets.

His words: “Africa is the future. With rapidly developing economies, a strong and reliable labour force, and bountiful resources, this continent is full of potential and opportunities. Dubai Chamber has been increasingly focused on Africa, particularly the sub-Saharan region, in the past few years.” Al Ghurair said the Chamber’s commitment towards expansion in Africa had been growing since 2013 with the launch of the Africa Global Business Forum (AGBF), the biggest platform for mutual investment between the Africa and the world through Dubai - the 4th edition of the forum, which will take place next year. He said the opening of the Chamber’s third office came during the Africa Global Business Forum Roadshow that visited South Africa and Mozambique and is looking to visit a number of key African cities this year, including Addis Ababa, Accra, Nairobi and Lagos.

of tussle in the implementation process. His words: “No. It will not make an instant impact on the economy because implementation normally takes time. The budget delay will affect the country’s Gross Domestic Product for sure. But more importantly, you know economic activities generally are very low now. Apart from the impact of the budget, there is also the impact of other fac-

tors like foreign exchange, crude oil crisis and fuel scarcity and also combine with this one (budget). “So, the delay in the budget has uncertain dimension in our country’s trade. It is also creating another form of uncertainty for the economy. All those things have deepening effect on the economic activities and therefore will definitely affect the country’s GDP growth.”

Firm harps on healthy workforce, safe milieu Taiwo Hassan

hemstar Paints Industry Nigeria Limited, manufacturer of Finecoat and Shield Paints, has stressed the need for a healthy workforce and quality environment for enhanced productivity. Deputy Managing Director, Chemstar Paints, Mr. Adedayo Paseda, disclosed this at this year’s edition of the annual week-long Health and Safety Week, organised by the company. He expressed concer n over the health and safety of the workers, as well as the protection of the environment, which aimed at keeping the workers fit. The Chemstar Paints boss however, noted that any industry that wanted to meet the challenges of the moment, should address the welfare of christened : “Healthy Lifestyle: Key to Personal Productivity,” was being organised yearly to equip the over 1,000 workers with health talks on how to live a healthy life and protect their environment at work and at home.

“The need for the prog ramme could not be over-emphasised since the awareness about health and safety issues around us has been on the increase due to rapid industrialisation and the challenges posed in the lives of the workers and the operations of the company,” Paseda said. Given the operational demands of the company, which accorded the welfare of the workers a top priority, he added: “For us to do anything well, there is the need for adequate health and safety infor mation, and this is what the week is doing to bring together medical experts and fire service professionals to provide us the right information about our safety and health.” On her part, the Head of Administration and Human Resources, Mrs. Toyin Robert, said the essence of the programme was to slow down health-related hazard and for the workers to cultivate the spirit of safety and health.

business \ industry

THURSDAY, may 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

We need to rejig our export strategy –NEPC Babatunde Faleke is the Regional Coordinator of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). In this interview with TAIWO HASSAN, he bares his mind on issues relating to exports. Excerpts:

The economic situation in the country is becoming uncertain, as revenue from oil has been dwindling. Now that the government is considering diversification, how can the NEPC help in the current circumstance? There is nothing that is fast here (Nigeria); it is all about a process. It is unfortunate that we allowed it. I tell you when the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was created, NEPC was also created and both were being nurtured and they were yielding results, even though oil was booming then. Also, export too was not doing badly. But much attention was given to oil, while export was neglected, which was the genesis of the problem we are faced with now. So, there is no magic, rather it is better to be late than never. The truth is that we are not yet an export nation, we are not producing up to capacity, we are yet to meet up with our own demand, let alone excess for export. You and I know that when we were growing up, nobody imported rice into the country, because we ate our local rice. But today, the reverse is the case, as we are the net importer of rice in the world. We have neglected production of our local rice; you can only export what you have in excess. The cocoa export then was what was used in building Cocoa House, but now, how many cocoa do we have? The truth is that we have to face reality, what we have neglected in the past, we have to key up to it and scale up production and go back to the basics. The Council came up with

zero oil plans, which allows everybody to look inward and check what he or she can export at full capacity. For instance, soya beans, corn, groundnuts, cashew nuts among others. The president himself said that we should behave as if we don’t have oil again in this country. It is either we export our own manufactured products or we perish with crude oil. I remember during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s era, he introduced ‘Operation Feed the Nation,’ everybody was fully involved. We need to scale up production of what we can export now. We should look inward into what we are doing wrongly. I mean, we can export everything in this country if we are capable, but how many people are in the farm today, so, let us go back to farming, but everybody wants white collar jobs. I will not also blame anybody because we can’t use the same tool to get the best result now, it must be mechanised, so, the earlier we organise ourselves, the better for us. This is why we (NEPC) are campaigning for zero oil plan. The plan is we should behave as if there is no oil. We will not get there immediately but eventually we will arrive at a better destination soonest.

activities going on there that have no record in our income papers. The money they get from such commodity does not go into the economy, but to the individual purses. So, we cannot aggregate them as income and the goods they travelled with are more than a shop. Take a visit to NAHCO. One of the challenges the Council is being faced with is not being able to capture informal trade. The value of not declared data is more and that is why when you go to ITC data, what you see is billions, millions and our own is reading low because they capture everything without wasting time. The moment you declare, they capture and put the value and you’ll be allowed to go, as long as it is neither cocaine nor contraband, but here in Nigeria, it is not like that, at worst you bribe somebody and you’ll be allowed to go.

Faleke

What are the processing plans expected to be put in place for zero oil plan? We have started it. NEPC did what is called zoning. The country is being zoned into six regions and we also want to have offices in all the states of the federation to be able to work with the states on the scheme, and we have a programme we call ‘One state One product.’ It doesn’t mean that it is only one product you will do, you can do more, but your state must be identified with at least one product that you are better at. We also have Regional Coordinators to work with in the states. The council has gone into review and functional systems in order to achieve this aim.

There is revolution. The only thing that is there is what we call Nigerian revolution plan. The last government started it and this government has continued with it. There was an economic summit recently chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari and the 36 states governors in attendance in Abuja. They came together to look into what steps to take because oil is in total collapse when this government came into power, the economy is in a sorry state, the oil is not there but the rate has dropped badly, and it is worthless. When the value was good, we did not take advantage of it. Now, what we are campaigning now is the zero oil policy, at least, to help savour the situation.

When we look at this plan it is very good, but is there any shift or are they all in one direction?

The present economic situation is so alarming and the forex policy is affecting exporters.

What is the Council doing to sensitise them? The policy is harsh but the truth is that what government is saying is that people should generate dollars, not wanting to collect it. Nobody can stop you from using it and selling out our own products to outsiders and getting dollars in payment can only achieve this. In order for export circle to be completed, you’ve to repatriate back into the economy, which is what the law of export says. There are a lot of informal exports going on in our borders and airports, which do not have records in our income paper. Go to the airport now, you will get to see a lot of goods being taken outside the country that do not have record in our income papers. Sometimes ago, the Council visited the airport and border areas; there were a lot of

Firm wins award for promoting professionalism Taiwo Hassan

uinness Nigeria Plc has been named as one of the best places to work in Nigeria, according to a survey conducted by Great Place to Work Institute. The company also clinched the top spot for the Excellence in Wellness Award at the Great Place to Work Institute, which held its awards ceremonies in Lagos. The awards according to a statement, came at a period

the company was also celebrating 66 years of being incorporated Nigeria. While receiving the award, Human Resources Director, Guinness Nigeria, Monica Peach, said that she was proud to receive the award. “This is a great achievement moment for us and I feel proud to accept this award on behalf of the management and staff of Guinness Nigeria. We are delighted at this recognition which is a celebration of our greatest

asset - our people. It is our desire to get back to the top spot in the coming years,” she added. According to Victor Ligbago, a spokesperson from the Great Place to Work Institute, “Guinness Nigeria has demonstrated outstanding performance in the Trust Index and Culture Audit Survey and showcased best practices in employee policies and programmes, which exemplify the five dimensions of the Great Place to Work Model:

credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.’’ Also commenting, Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria, Sesan Sobowale, said: “It has been a challenging few months with an extremely dynamic and volatile economic environment. We believe that this recognition, coming at this time will give all our employees the added impetus required to work together to grow our business into the future.”

What is the Council doing about it? It is not our mandate to capture data of goods, it is the duty of the National Production Statistics and we are working together to see how we can put an end to it. Although, the thieves are cabals, but the Council having done sensitisation mission to rectify the problem, has visited all borders in the federation and we are still putting more efforts to see what government can do on this matter. You can only advocate and provide incentives for the officers at the ports and borders in order to counter these cabals. In addition to what NEPC is doing now is to begin Nigerian export exchange in small scale, but we will also need funds, we want publicprivate sector partnership to achieve this target. Is there any synergy with other government agencies on this scheme? Yes, we are working together. What are we expecting from you as the NEPC Coordinator? I want to make South West a reference point. So far, so good, the states are encouraging. We want to ensure that we get to do grassroots, provide incentives and make the job easy for them. The idea is to go back to the basics where government should encourage the youths to go into farming. The incentive that was removed from the Council, has it been reversed? Not yet, but we are optimistic it will be reversed soon. Is there any effect as a result of the incentive ban? Yes, but it is a good problem that gives us opportunity to reason through another dimension.

THURSDAY, may 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria’s nascent digital economy could be impaired as a result of the apparent over-regulations and uncoordinated policy formulations to stimulate its growth potential, writes KUNLE AZEEZ

eWORLD

Growing digital economy via friendly regulations phasised the need to make regulations friendlier for network operators to deploy more infrastructure across the country to support digital economy.

Expected paradigm shift In the light of the findings, Lead, Policy and Government Relations, Titi Akinsanmi, advocated a different approach to building Nigeria’s digital economy while urging the government to begin to encourage entrepreneurs through political will. She said: “The conversation has to be about enabling entrepreneurs in Nigeria and incentivising them. Rather than focusing on jobs creation, we should be thinking more of how to create more Oracle, Google, Microsoft, IBM, among others, from out of Nigeria.”

Govt’s reaction Meanwhile, the Head, Office for Nigerian Contents in ICT (ONC), Mr. Inye Kemabonta, maintained that the government was passionate in building local contents, saying its local content policy’s objective was to grow “a very big pipe” where local players can be major players. He noted that while digital tools are gaining increased access in the country, most of the devices are still being imported, making it a mandate on government to encourage the growth of local innovators, “who will help the nation to restrain its extant capital flight.” “Regulation in Nigeria is not intended to stifle local innovations but to open the space and not constrict it. We are contributing about 10 per cent to GDP but there is no development because most of the money goes to foreign lands,” he said. Kemabonta, however, suggested that most global companies have some kind of ‘tax avoidance system’, saying taxing players in the digital economy space is one of the major revenue sources for government. Also, Director of ICT, Ministry of Communications, Mrs. Moni Udoh, who emphasised the need to digitally retool human capacity in the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), said the government was planning four innovation centres in the next one year to encourage techno-preneurs “who will come there to incubate their ideas into becoming commercially viable.” An official of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Mr. Obi Eze, informed the forum that efforts were being made to review the Act setting up NCC in order to keep make its contents in sync with trends in the digital economy.

‘Omnibus laws’ In his contribution, a legal practitioner, Mr. Chibuzo Ekwekwuo, maintained that instead of the current disparate and duplicated laws by different ICT-related government agencies in the country, “We should have an omnibus laws rather than laws in silos on ICT local contents, with the latter having the tendency to lead to overregulations,” he said. According to Ekwekwuo, any law being made should be less rigid, and tens towards giving a framework and not specific details of the framework, saying multiplicity of laws should be looked into with a view to supporting digital innovations. Senior Manager, MTN Nigeria, Ms. Oyeronke Oyetunde, also em-

Conclusion Meanwhile, stakeholders at the forum, while noting that the dialogue on the impact of Internet regulations on investment by Google and NESG was a welcome development, said there was a need for continuous engagements between the public and private sectors. “We have noted that to become a major ICT hub in Africa, we must be able to come up with friendly policies that could attract investments from other African countries into Nigeria, This is why we have partnered Google on this initiative to deepen digital economy ” said Moji Olateru-Olagbeji, facilitator, NESG Science and Technology Policy Commission.

he world over, the development in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry has the potential to impact other sectors of the economy either positively or otherwise depending on the kind of laws and policies put in place to regulate the activities of the players. In Nigeria, the liberalisation of the telecoms industry has provided the fertile land for the growth of the whole spectrum of ICT industry, which has continued to impact other sectors of the economy such as commerce, financial services, health, agriculture, education, transportation and the entire public sectors. Till date, over $34 billion has been attracted in local and foreign direct investment (FDI) into the nation’s ICT industry, currently contributing about 10 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The springing up of technoprenuers is also driving various innovations, as available data show that over 10,000 unique software apps have been developed locally but without an enabling regulatory and legal environment for the innovators to nurture their businesses into becoming multinationals. Raising the alarm Consequently, a private sector-driven industry engagement was, on Monday, organised in Abuja to raise the alarm on the trend and adequately sensitise the industry stakeholders to the damaging consequences of unfavourable legal framework on the growth of the nation’s digital economy. The roundtable dialogue, organised by Google, in collaboration with The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), had in attendance stakeholders from private and public sectors. Research findings Major research findings in a presentation titled: ‘The Impact of Internet Regulation on Investment’ by the Chief Executive Officer of Fifth Era, a research and investment advisory firm, Mr. Mathew Merle, set the stage for discussions at the forum. In the study, Fifth Era surveyed 475 Internet investors in 15 countries including Nigeria and 60 African accredited investors. “The purpose of the study was to understand how Internet regulations would impact investment, among others,” Merle said, while reeling out key details of the study especially as it relates to the Nigerian environment.

Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu

According to him, the study found that 85 per cent of investors in Nigeria indicated that legal environment is a major for investment while another 75 per cent of the sampled investors said regulatory framework is ambiguous. “Large companies will be challenged while smaller companies would be out of business in a country, where legal formwork on Internet regulations is hazy and where legal environment is unfriendly,” said Merle. However, 77 per cent of Nigeria’s digital investors said they would be willing to invest more towards driving the nation’s digital economy, which is transforming every other aspect of the economy with friendly regulations in place. “Nigeria is supposed to be a hub of innovations for the African continent. To achieve this, the country must encourage digital economy innovators,” he said, stressing that effective privacy and security of data law; mobile infrastructure and services as well as copyright protection are key to creating digital economy companies. Anti-social media bill Aside complaints by Nigeria’s digital economy companies that multiple taxation is affecting their operations; the much-talked about social media bill in the National Assembly is one move by the government, which was fingered at the forum as being inimical to digital economy growth. “Social media bill is very dangerous for innovations and dangerous for the growth of our political development,” said Programme Manager, ICT Policy at Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN), Mr. Adeboye Adegoke. PIN is an ICT advocacy policy

Country Manager, Google, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor

75 per cent of investors believe Nigeria’s regulatory framework on digital economy is ambiguous

and research body that promotes the culture of innovations among the Nigerian youths. Adegoke urged the government to do away with “frivolous regulations all in the name of national security to trample on the constitutionally-guaranteed right of the citizens to their privacy and freedom of expressions and unleashing digital innovations.”

business \ eWORLD

LOC The government has inaugurated a local organising committee (LOC) for Nigeria’s participation in the annual confab

he Federal Government has commenced activities towards ensuring Nigeria’s participation in this year’s Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (Gitex), 2016 holding in Dubai later in the year. Nigeria according to a statement, was the official Country Partner for Gitex 2014. Already, the Gitex 2016 Local Organising Committee (LOC) has been inaugurated in Nigeria by the acting Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Vincent Olatunji. Nigeria also officially kicked off plans to select the country’s startup champions to pitch at the Gitex Startup Movement. About $1 million is up for grabs for the winning startups. Nigeria through the NITDA plans to promote a minimum of 10 startups to pitch for business at this global startup gatherings expected to have over 400 startups. The Gitex Week 2016 features the Innovation Hub around, which the Gitex Startup Movement has been designed to house competing startups in

FG kicks off Gitex 2016 prep

the Showcase Pods. The global startup ecosystem will be convening at GITEX 2016 with more than 2,000 entrepreneurs, investors and mentors from over 30 countries expected to provide the fillip to do deals on technology innovation. “The NITDA will theme its 2016 Gitex participation on the promotion of ICT startups as the country aggressively pursues foreign earnings in non-oil sectors,” said Olatunji in Abuja during the Gitex 2016 LOC inau-

guration. He also tasked the LOC members to commit time and wits to ensuring that Nigeria achieves its objectives for being part of the Gitex event, now touted as the biggest technology event in the Middle East, South East Asia and Africa. “Our participation in Gitex over the years has really benefitted the country in many ways. It has attracted investments to the country; and two of our startups that showcased their innovation

at last year’s event have been engaged by a Malaysia company. “I keep on telling people that ICT is the credible alternative to oil. Through ICT the country could gain quickly what it had lost to oil in the last few years since the oil price started nosediving. So, I urge this LOC to do this work diligently as if there is no tomorrow. You may be helping the country back on the path of honour and pride,” Olatunji said. As part of the efforts to thick-

en the value of Nigeria’s participation and enlighten potential investors at the five day event on the country’s non-oil sectors, Olatunji said the country would organise an ICT Investment Forum. About 150, 000 trade visitors from over 144 countries are expected at Gitex 2016. “This is a ready marketplace to sell Brand Nigeria and encourage more foreign investors to stake their investment in Africa’s largest economy,” he added.

L-R: Chief Technology Officer, VDT Communications, Mr. Victor Omoyeni ; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Biodun Omoniyi and General Manager, Sales & Marketing, Bimbo Ikumariegbe at the 2016 Beacon of ICT Awards where VDT and Omoniyi won separate awards in Lagos.

Collaboration key to 5G devt , says ITU chair he Chairman Commonwealth International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Group, Dr. Bashir Gwandu, has called on all Fifth Generation (5G) systems engineers and standards developers to ensure full engagement with key stakeholders around the globe when developing 5G standards. Gwandu, a former Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), made this call in London during his analysis of the 5G development efforts. He spoke on “Delivering a sustainable and long-term 5G future,” at the recently-concluded 2nd International Conference on 5G Hurdle 2016 organised in London by Wireless World Research Forum (WWRF). Gwandu said such engagement has become imperative for the 5G to succeed while avoiding the pitfalls of other technologies such as the Wimax and even the 3G. WWRF is a group of leading experts and researchers on 5G networks in association with Forum Europe. Gwandu spoke on a number of strategies that the experts need to adopt for 5G to have a

THURSDAY, may 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

sustainable future. He emphasised the need to ensure sustained research effort, global stakeholder engagement and collaboration, innovative regulation and policy development, technical standards harmonisation, spectrum availability and early release. Other areas he spoke about included infrastructure design and harmonisation, co-existence and network interference minimisation; security, privacy, resilience, and reliability; partnership and funding. On research effort, Gwandu suggested more focus on latency reduction, resilience, availability for confidence building, spectral efficiency and speed, mobility, and antenna versatility. He underscored the importance of timely spectrum release and adequate planning and harmonised slots/channel arrangements. On innovative policies, he spoke on technology neutrality, infrastructure deployment and coverage, accurate digital and regular update of highresolution maps and accurate positioning, weather and ecological consideration in antenna deployments, among others.

GOtv enriches Africa Magic

o commemorate Africa Day on May 25, Nigeria’s pay-television platform, GOtv, has earmarked the entire month of May as “Africa Month.” The move according to a statement, was in celebration of home-grown content and will witness the introduction of six series on Africa Magic Family (GOtv Channel 2). GOtv noted that everyday of the month, its Africa Magic channels will feature family-oriented and informative movies, series, sitcoms, comedy shows as well as documentaries.

Public Relations Manager, GOtv, Efe Obiomah, said: “Jokes Alone and Hope234 will run back-to-back on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Jokes Alone is guaranteed to leave subscribers in stitches, while Hope234, which stars features Afeez Oyetoro aka Saka, is a television specially designed to teach young people to have an optimistic attitude to life”. Obiomah explained that single and career-driven women can relate to Allison’s Stand, which, she said, chronicles the life of a young,

upwardly mobile female professional whose fiercely independent ways puts her in a delicate position requiring her to choose between family and career. He added, “Allison’s Stand airs from Monday through Friday.” She explained, among others, that subscribers can also watch The Calabash on weekdays to see how employees of a struggling bank meet their targets when the bank management decides to employ stringent measures to force them to deliver on outrageous targets, using unethical means.

Why we launched ST Yoruba –StarTimes

igeria’s pay-TV platform, StarTimes said it has launched a premium indigenous channel, ST Yoruba, to provide richer entertainments for movie enthusiasts in Nigeria. According to StarTimes, the premium indigenous entertainment channel with rich cultural Yoruba and African themes debuted this month. The new channel, which airs on Channel 160 on digital terrestrial and channel 412 on digital satellite

platforms, was designed to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba nation. As a 24-hour general entertainment channel, ST Yoruba, follows the success of ST Dadin Kowa enjoyed by the Hausa viewers. StarTimes Marketing Director, Mr. Dare Kafar, said, “StarTimes is very excited to announce the arrival of its new Yoruba movie channel. It has been in our plans to give more to our movie loving sub-

scribers. They deserve a glamorous channel that gives maximum satisfaction. “And with this, they will be thrilled and enjoy maximum entertainment. This channel has been designed to build cohesive family viewing with a fine blend of classic and contemporary Yoruba movies, cultural shows, celebrity news and historical shows, behind the scene programmes, celebration of movie icons and other lifestyle programmes.’’

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Interview Idris: Mandatory health insurance way to go

Health

News Obesity: Do not give children food for comfort

33 34

As the officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) swing into action to fish out those behind the fraud in the Global Funds for TB, HIV and malaria, stakeholders say it will impact negatively on patients, reports APPOLONIA ADEYEMI

s the Presidency swings into action to fish out those behind the Global Fund saga, stakeholders said the development would erode little gains made in tackling tuberculosis (TB), HIV and malaria. According to a member of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of Global Fund in Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Umoru, the fraud would also further delay Nigerian government ownership of the programme. He told the New Telegraph Health (NT HEALTH) that if the two key implementers of the Global Fund in Nigeria - the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the National Malaria Eradication Programme (NMEP) under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) could be allegedly found to be deficient in the way they ran the programme, Nigeria is still very far from owning national response of HIV, TB and malaria. On May 3, the Global Funds to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria said it had evidence from an audit of its grants to Nigeria that $3.8 million was mismanaged. The Global Fund is an organisation founded in 2002 to accelerate the end of AIDS, TB and malaria. It has been working with governments including Nigeria, civil society and people affected by the disease. According to the orgainsation, in late 2014, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) initiated an investigation into the

Appolonia Adeyemi Health Editor

appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com

Antiretroviral drugs for HIV persons

photo: jakepositive.blogspot.com

Eroding gains from TB, HIV, malaria fight expenditures of the Nigerian Government’s Department of Health Planning, Research & Statistics (DPRS), a subrecipient of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the Principal Recipient for HIV/AIDS grants. A copy of the report alleged the misappropriation of the grants received between 2010 to 2014. Calling the fraud an eye opener to all, a key stakeholder in the Civil Society for HIV/ AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN) who did not want to be named said the discovery of the fraud called for vigilance. “Unfortunately we have also trusted some of these people so well that we do not see some of these things happening and so it is really of concern to us who are in the civil society groups working on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB,” the fellow said. On the implications of the Global Funds on TB, HIV and malaria for Malaria eradication, he noted in the last 10 years since the Global Fund

We shall be losing grounds in terms of the successes we have achieved

came “there has been an uptake in the malaria awareness and treatment. “We shall be losing grounds in terms of the successes we have achieved. This is like a setback for us. Most of us are anticipating that the work we have started for some time will just flow naturally. “This is going to cause a dislocation in the panel and the work we are doing. We just hope they will investigate it,” he added. Highlighting some of the challenges facing the fight to tackle HIV in the country, the source stated, “last year, people living with AIDS also protested that the resources for care and treatment were not coming to them; the drugs were not going round and with this event now, it is going to compound the flow of anti-retroviral drugs and other resources necessary to tackle HIV condition.” The drugs used to treat HIV are called antiretroviral drugs. There are several different

Director General of NACA, Prof. John Idoko

types and they work in different ways. HIV treatment is made up of three or more antiretroviral drugs taken together. Sometimes, these drugs are combined into one pill. Speaking further, the civil society activist noted that people that are infected with HIV no longer have access to treatment. “Some of them have to pay for medical tests before they get treatment CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Health \ NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Akintayo: Pharmacy is on the brink of collapse Medical Eleazar Nwanti

former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Olumide Akintayo has decried the state of pharmacy practice in Nigeria. Akintayo who made this known at a seminar recently, declared that pharmacy has continued to thrive in an atmosphere of confusion. “Prevarications and vacillations have become the unenviable cross of the Nigerian Pharmacist,” he noted, adding, “an evaluation of the various sectors of our practice reveals that some aspects epitomise a mass of putrefying sores.” In his speech, tagged “Advancement of The Pharmacy Profession-The Role of The Young Pharmacist”, Akintayo said the optimum performance of pharmacists in Nigeria is largely dependent on good

Akintayo

leadership in the country. He however charged the members of PSN to remain ethical in the discharge of their duties as they hope on the government to provide level playing ground in the health sector.

PHOTO royaltimes.net

“For us as professionals, the dimension to focus remains the ethical considerations relevant in pharmacy practice. For those at the helm to provide good leadership and an output that borders on excellence, ethics must remain the watch-

word,” he added. Talking about the role of the young pharmacists and future of pharmacy in the country, Akintayo pointed out that the state of academic pharmacy in the nation’s higher institutions is a sorry sight. “Lack of teaching aids and research grants for the academic pharmacist, the dearth of chemicals, well equipped laboratories and absence of conducive teaching environment, among others characterise the darkness which has of late enveloped the growth of pharmacy in the country.” “It is indeed sad and worrisome that a profession which should be a celebration of excellence does not live up to this billing often times, since over time it is clear to those who want to see, that we have deliberately refused to rise from declivity to proclivity. The potentials

we maintain are however there despite the above shortcomings,” Akintayo said. He therefore, appealed to the National Assembly to amend the proviso which granted doctors the exclusive right to head cancer centers in the country, adding that pharmacists also have the capabilities to head cancer centers. He said most medical researchers in the world today are not doctors. According to him, “We often mouth global best practices when it suits us and it is a reality today that some of the most prolific researchers in the medical sciences are not doctors. I recall with some passion that even 60 per cent of the contemporary winners of the Nobel Prize in medicine are not doctors.”

25% children under five die of malaria Groups give pupils free eye Flora Onwudiwe

t was reported that malaria can account for 25 per cent of death for Children under five in Nigeria especially, when it develops various complications. This was disclosed when the United Nations (UN) observed World Malaria Day(WMD) 2016 in collaboration with the Junior Chambers International (JCI), Reckit Benkister and the Society for Family Health at Itedo Community, Ajah in Lagos State recently. The choice of Itedo Community was because the citizen were prone to malaria and is among listed 20 local communities that we are teaching basic steps on how to eradicate malaria. A medical practitioner from the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, Dr. Halim Morenikeji identified the complicated malaria killing children below five years malaria which result to a child crying in-

consolably, vomiting, convulsing, becoming unconscious and often leading to the death of the child. Dr. Morenikeji said that other signs of malaria complications in children under five can be yellowness of the eye, whiteness of the eye, and the white palm as well as the feet. Similarly, in adults malaria complications presents as fever, headache, loss of appetite and bitterness in the mouth, he said. Explaining why malaria relapses after treatment, Morenikeji said, “it happens a lot as a result of treatment failures,” adding that the causes are diverse. According to him, often, patients do not complete the dose of the anti-malaria drugs; and in most cases the malaria relapses, resulting to malaria treatment failure. During the programme which brought together expectant mothers, nursing mothers, men and children, participants received free medical tests and got free

drugs, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, Dettols and hand sanitisers. In her remark, Marketing Manager Reckit Benkister, Mrs. Bamigboye Omotola said malaria disease is preventable, hence, “all hands should be on deck to practically eradicate malaria from our society. “Last year we commissioned a research on Mortein for six months in Kosofe Local Government in Lagos State, during which we discovered that the three steps – sleeping under a long lasting insecticise-treated net, clearing your environment, using insecticide spray such as Mortein have the capability to reduce the incidents of malaria. The Information officer of United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Mr. Seyi Soremekun said the free treatment and distribution of free drugs and mosquito nets is in line with the theme of 2016 WMD “End Malaria for good.”

test, medications Eleazar Nwanti

n the fight against glaucoma and the prevention of possible blindness, St. Edmund’s Eye Clinic and Eye Hospital in conjunction with Soup kitchen Ministry, have organised a free eye test and provided free medication for pupils of Liberty School, situated at Mobil junction, Ikota, Ajah, Lagos state. Speaking on the exercise, the Medical Director of St. Edmund’s Eye Clinic and Eye Hospital, Dr. Mrs. Ayo Harriman said during Glaucoma Week on yearly basis the clinic offers free glaucoma screening for residentsof someareasinLagos. “We have conducted free glaucoma screening for residents of Surulere and its environs. This is done during the World Glaucoma Week on a yearly basis. We participate actively, enlightening people about the dangers of glaucoma and the need

for timely eye examination. To this end, free glaucoma screening is conducted. Since its inception in 2008, it has benefited up to 300 persons,” Harriman said. A total number of 91 pupils were screened at Liberty school, Ajah and instant treatment was given to pupils whose cases were not severe and those of them with severe cases were referred to the church for further consultation. “We treat none-severe cases instantly and refer severe cases to the church,” Harriman said. The Soup Kitchen is a Faith-based charity organisation, an affiliate of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Olive Tree Parish, Banana Island, Ikoyi. The senior pastor of the church, Pastor Alex Okoh, said: “We make sure the pupils in these schools are comfortable.

‘Strengthen Global Fund implementation’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

and many people cannot afford it anymore and those are some of the concerns.” Also, reacting to the fraud, Obatunji Oladapo, a member of the Country Coordinating Mechanism of the Global Funds in Nigeria, lamented that before the discovery of the fraud, some drugs procured with Global

Funds for care and treatment in Nigeria were found to have expired while many patients whom the funds were provided, suffered without drugs. Similarly, he affirmed that there were also field reports of stock-out of antimalarial drugs, lamenting that all these happened while part of the Global Funds provided were pilfered.

To d ay, O l a d ap o said the burden of paying for some aspects of their treatment including test to deter mine extent of the HIV virus in their blood, has been transfer red to patients most of whom cannot afford to pay. “We are witnessing a reduction of HIV infected persons in clinics,” he lamented. Speaking further,

he said the process of tracking patients to follow up on their medications is weakened in Nigeria and many patients are therefore abandoning their treatment. On measures to restore order, Umoru urged the Federal Government to strengthen the implementation of the Global Funds project. “The government will need to check why

this happened: and then we will look at how to strengthen the process.” According to Umoru, while such wastages in the form of fraud was going on in the country, people infected with HIV faced different diseases and “I think this is an opportunity for government to dictate real ownership of the project to tackle HIV, TB and malaria.

Facts

Changing size of adrenal glands

he adrenal glands change size throughout life. The adrenal glands, lying right above the kidneys, are responsible for releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. In the seventh month of a fetus’ development, the glands are roughly the same size as the kidneys. At birth, the glands have shrunk slightly and will continue to do so throughout life. In fact, by the time a person reaches old age, the glands are so small they can hardly be seen. Role of testosterone in erections Most men have erections every hour to hour and a half during sleep. Most people’s bodies and minds are much more active when they’re sleeping than they think. The combination of blood circulation and testosterone production can cause erections during sleep and they’re often a normal and necessary part of REM sleep. Single cell linked to human life Every human spent about half an hour as a single cell. All life has to begin somewhere, and even the largest humans spent a short part of their lives as a single celled organism when sperm and egg cells first combine. Shortly afterward, the cells begin rapidly dividing and begin forming the components of a tiny embryo. Two thirds of humans suffer vision impairment About one third of the human race has 2020 vision. Glasses and contact wearers are hardly alone in a world where two thirds of the population have less than perfect vision. The amount of people with perfect vision decreases further as they age. Sunburn damages the blood vessels A simple, moderately severe sunburn damages the blood vessels extensively. How extensively? Studies have shown that it can take four to fifteen months for them to return to their normal condition. Consider that the next time you’re feeling too lazy to apply sunscreen before heading outside.

Health \ INTERVIEW

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Dr. Jide Idris, a public health physician, is the Commissioner for Health in Lagos State. In this interview, he discusses the challenges in the state’s health system. APPOLONIA ADEYEMI was there How many new cases of HIV Aids are recorded in Lagos? I will answer that by just telling you the prevalent rate of HIV/AIDS in the state now. That is, cases seen at the present time and for Lagos State it is put at 4.1 per cent. That’s the prevalence rate of HIV Aids in the state right now; it has gone down from about 5.5 per cent. Making General Hospital Lagos comfortable for patients If you look at the country right now, Lagos State is just one of the few states functioning. Every day we get patients coming from outside the state. I will give you an example. About 30 per cent of patients who visit Ifako Ijaye Maternal and Child Centre (MCC) come from Ogun State and outside the state and they are being treated free of charge. The burden of hospital in Lagos State is huge. I am not saying that the services in Lagos hospitals are perfect but compared to what we have in other states, our services are good, but we can do more. I will give another example. This same Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has only three neurosurgeons. We record high cases of trauma, accidents, among others for only three surgeons. To train a surgeon takes over seven years. Given the large number of patients the neurosurgeons see every day, the service may not be perfect, but we are better off than where we were before. Again, if you look at our hospitals, most of them were built over 30 to 40 years ago, but were not purpose built. Services from many of our hospitals may not meet modern expectation now and that is why the present administration has decided that any new facility that is built will meet modern design. General Hospital, Ikeja was started as a cottage hospital. It became as a general hospital and now we have turned it into a teaching hospital but the fact is that government has to establish these facilities to provide services that were not available to the patients at that time. Yes, we may not be perfect but these facilities are recording successes. Patients come from outside of this state to access our facilities; we will continue to do better. Plans to expand health insurance With regards to expanding health insurance, my dear brother we will get there. I told you that our health insurance will do better than we did last year and since last year we have established an implementation

Idris: Mandatory health insurance way to go committee to draw an implementation plan. It is a technical thing and before we dabble into that we have to get it right. I will give you the series of activities we have been doing - payment schemes, enrolment schemes, and mind you our law on health insurance is mandatory. Every resident in Lagos State will have to contribute. That is the only way we could go. Like I did say, again we are going to start the advocacy this (last) week. We are going to engage different stakeholders. Everybody in Lagos will fully understand what we want to do so that they can buy into it. Let’s be patient; we will get there. Attitude of staff Yes, we always have bad eggs in any group and any facility. We are not unmindful of all these. I know that we at the Health Service Commission, the state Ministry of Health, the state Primary Health Care Board, are handling the issue of bad eggs. The Special Adviser to the Lagos Governor on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga has gone out to monitor and we have set up a disciplinary committee to deal with all erring staff. We are committed to addressing that and that is why I said our activities in the next one year will include specific attempts to address issues of quality care in our hospitals. On contraceptive commodities being sold, yes, we have heard about such cases; staff involved in the few cases, have been sanctioned. We will continue to monitor and the strategy we have adopted to monitor, the Health Facility Monitoring Accredited Agency (HEFAMAA) is involved. R i g h t now that agency has intensified their monitoring activities in all hospitals. That agency has been mandated to visit at least two hospitals in a week and they will do full investigation. Whatever they find, the managing directors are mandated to correct all these things within one week. Yes the service may not be 100 per cent but we will continue to improve on it. Complaints about ante-natal care You said ante-natal care

We have set up a disciplinary committee to deal with all erring staff

(ANC) is frustrating expectation of mothers. Yes, in some facilities. I also use again Ifako Ijaye. If you recollect some people some time ago wrote in the newspapers that pregnant mothers immediately after caesarean surgery (CS) delivery were put on the ground. However, they were put on the ground because there were other mothers who are pregnant who had to deliver. It is not the best of care; like I told you that facility is overwhelmed. That facility is not a purpose built hospital, hence it ought to be pulled down so as to expand it. We will continue to expand but we have to expand with caution because if we expand we may not be able to provide the facility of staff to man all the facilities. This is one of the problems. We have the largest number of staff in this country and we have the largest population here to take care of, and even with that number the (facilities) are totally inadequate. Seventy per cent of that budget goes to personnel salaries – salary, pensions, etc. About 30 per cent goes to capital development. So we have to prioritise. If we are to employ all the staff we need in fact the state cannot cope, the state cannot to bear it, but the government is trying; the government is looking f o r

ways to get more staff and we have to look inward again on how to address that and that’s why we are planning to partner with the private sector. They have those resources available and once we start the insurance payment scheme for those insured so that they are going to see more people in the state. Handling delivery by traditional birth attendants (TBA) Yes it is true that some pregnant mothers visit TBAs for delivery. We know that a lot of them die at the TBA centers too. What we are trying to do is to train the TBAs to able to adequately cater for those pregnant women, especially to enable them know their limitations so that they reduce the number of deaths. We will continue to improve in our services. State of Gbagada Cardiac & Renal Centre Someone mentioned that the Gbagada Cardiac & Renal Centredrenal is not functioning. I disagree with that. The facility is functioning but it has not been functioning optimally. We are addressing that issue. We are going to review the agreement we had on that facility. We are taking measures now on that. We are going to address that situation and very soon the Lagos State Government is going to come up with positive action on that.

Issues of diagnostic test at LASUTH This is also a reflection of the attendance at that facility. A lot of people who go to that facility should not be there because there are activity that should handle at the primary health care level and secondary health care level, but our patients would want to go to next system without a proper referral. So, when they continue to see cases of malaria at LASUTH which shouldn’t be, but again to address that we have to look at the cost. That cost is why primary health care system must be made to function. That’s what we are addressing fully. Once we get all the primary health care centres functioning the pressure on LASUTH will reduce so that they will be able to face various activities.

Idris

Health\News

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Obesity: Do not give children food for comfort

Healthy Living

Ihuoma Uko-Ndukwe ada.ndukwe@yahoo.com

E Mrs. Umahi immunizing a baby

Umahi’s wife gives N1.2m to FETHA for incubator Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

ife of Ebonyi State Governor and initiator of the Family Succour and Upliftment Programme, Mrs. Rachel Umahi has donated the sum of N1.2 million to the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, (FETHA) for the purchase of an incubator. In her remarks, Mrs. Umahi said that the do-

nation of the new incubator was to ensure the survival, adequate care, and safety of premature babies as well as to assist the hospital in provision of health care delivery to the people of the state. She stressed the need for mothers to take advantage of the free immunisation exercise in order to boost the immune system of their children against diseases that may arise. She promised to support the hospital always and other health facili-

ties in the state in their drive for the delivery of basic health care to the people, adding that the Family Succour and Upliftment Foundation would partner with the institute of Child Health FETHA in a bid to ensure that children are given the necessary basic health care. A high point of the event was Mrs. Rachel Umahi’s administering immunisation droplets to some infants, health talks by some medical personnel.

valuation of obesity in children is im- while energy output comprises of both portant for several reasons. It offers the basal metabolic rate the energy our the best hope for preventing disease body expends on a daily basis in doing progression which could be associated with the daily work of maintaining our body, complications. Obesity has a negative im- the thermal effect of food and activity— pact on self-esteem of children and adoles- which is the energy required to absorb cents which may have significant implica- and digest meals. Of all these variables, tions for long term happiness and success activities like exercise are least affected in life. by genetic influences and therefore more The number of obese children and ado- easy to change. lescents have tripled since the 2000 to an esSome of the secondary causes of timated 25 to 30 per cent, between children obesity might be related to both horthat are two to 19. monal or genetic defects. The persistence of obesity For example, low thyroid Obesity risk into adult hood depends on sevstate, high cortisol levels, eral factors including the age at defects in brain developincreases which the child becomes obese, ment which helps to conwith increase the severity of the obesity and trol release of body horthe presence of obesity in at mones, high insulin levels. in television least one parent. Overweight in Three thousand, five hunviewing time children under the age of three dred calories is equal to 1 lbs; does not predict future unless there by excess of 50 to 100 at least one parent is obese, after age three, calories a day will lead to five to 10 lbs the likelihood that obesity will persist into weight gain over a period of time. adulthood increases with advancing age of the child and this is higher in children with Risk factors severe obesity in all age groups. Obesity risk increases with increase in Once an obese child reaches six years, television viewing time and this is highthe chances that the obesity will persist is est in children that watch more than four about 50 per cent, and about 70 per cent of hours of television each day, decreased obese adolescents remain so into adulthood. physical activity. Physical activity is inObesity can be defined in loose terms as versely related to obesity. when actual weight is 20 per cent or more Associated complications - adult obesity and above the mean weight for children of include bone problems—like deforming, a certain height. hip pain, knee pain and can also lead to A person gains weight when energy in- high blood pressure, diabetics, and high put exceeds output; energy input can be body cholesterol level leading to heart in the form of food, excess alcohol intake disease.

Healing powers of onion (2)

Cutting back on added sugar

henever I think of onion and its many health benefits, I cannot but wonder at the mystery of life. Onion is among the commonest vegetables around. It is available in every home all the year round. Have you ever heard of shortage of onions? Because our women can hardly cook without using onions, we take it for granted. It is time we overcome this sickness called ignorance and make use of the abundant gifts of God in Nature. Blessed are you among other vegetables, Onion; Onion, you that is always available, a ready companion to humanity in troubled days. You that can make both men and women cry. Any wonder then that hired mourners use you to induce tears? Onion strengthens the blood cells that protect the body against microorganism. If these cells are weak, the body becomes prone to viral infections such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and cough. Similarly, onions also destroys cancerous cells in the body. In Nigeria, cases of cancer, especially of the breast, are increasing daily. I wish to suggest that our women should take onions as much as possible. Onion will act as a good prevention against cancer as well as help in dissolving cancerous tumours. I am very worried about the prevalence of such illnesses as fibroids, breast cancer and infertility among our women. What do we do? Are we to

Nature Power

Anselm Adodo

naturepower@paxherbals.net twitter: @anselmadodo

fold our hands and watch our sons and daughters die in pain and desperation? Or are we to once again sit lazily and wait for some people somewhere to help us find the solution as we did during Ebola? Is it not true that the best remedy to our health problems are those that come from our environment? The challenge before us is big indeed. I therefore encourage you readers to help spread the Gospel of herbal medicine to our fellow brothers and sisters. We must continue to pray and reflect together and explore deeper ways of finding solutions to the problem of the world. Anti-hypertension: Onion has been a beckon of hope for hypertensive patients all over the world. It not only helps to regulate the blood pressure, but also helps to keep it normal. Chewing one bulb of onion daily helps to lower hypertension. This is a proven fact. Onion not only purifies the blood but also repairs weakened or damaged parts of the body. Those who faithfully take onion daily have had no regret in doing so as they saw a big improvement

in their conditions. Immune booster: Onion is a good immune booster because it purifies and strengthens the liver and the kidney as well as cleanses the blood. Onion is a good remedy for hepatitis, which is becoming coming in Nigeria these days. Do you suffer from resistant typhoid fever, inability to sleep well, persistent malaria and low sperm count? Try Onion and experience the difference. Onion has been of help to men

Onions

who experience weak erection or low libido. On many occasions I have recommended Onion to women who experience premature menopause and annovulation [inability to ovulate] and the result have been encouraging. In cases of sickle cell anaemia, onion has been of invaluable help. Onion is rich in enzymes, which helps in the production of blood. Onion contains iron and trace elements, which are often lacking in sicklers. Some people do not eat onion because of its pungent smell. However, Onion is less pungent than garlic and is more tolerated. In summary, everybody who wants to look and feel healthy should take onion every day.

PHOT0: www.newsx.com

atching the sugar in your diet can help you control your weight and potentially avoid serious chronic health problems — for example, heart disease and diabetes. You might be surprised at how many of the “healthy” foods you eat contain sugar. Energy bars, fruit, flavored yogurt — all are “good” foods, but many of them have a lot of sugar. So, the first step to reducing excess sugar in your diet is to read labels carefully and opt for products that are lower in sugar. The American Heart Association recommends keeping calories from added sugars under 100 calories a day (24 grams, or 6 teaspoons) for women and under 150 calories a day (36 grams, or nine teaspoons) for men. For many people, cutting back on sugar-sweetened beverages is an easy way to reduce sugar intake. Giving up juices and soft drinks can be tough, but here are a few ways to get started: Make your own. Start with plain sparkling water or tap water. Add a flavouring that strikes your fancy. For example, you could try an ounce or two of 100 per cent fruit juice; a slice of lemon, lime, orange, or grapefruit; a sprig of fresh mint; a few raspberries.

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Mom&Parenting

Parenting

Mom’s Alert

It is no longer news to hear or see teenage girls getting into prostitution either willingly or by trick. But worry enough is the fact that it is increasing by the day, especially in some parts of Lagos, Nigeria. Victor Uddo writes

hey lured young girls into prostitution in various forms with tokens and see-through dresses to work in brothels, bars and clubs. They also work as sex slaves in factories. This phenomenon, perhaps, is due to the present economic hardship of the country. Most of these under aged girls, during a tour undertaken by New Telegraph, were with little or without education. At some of the hotels, bars and brothels, visited in AgoPalace way for example, also in Okota-Isolo, Ojuelegba, Idi-Oro, Mushin, Church Street, Oshodi, Olowu Street, Ikeja and spoke with some of the youths. Sandra Andrew (not real name), 14 years old, had innocent look on her face with a pretty shape and fully developed body that is enough to make a man turn twice. She was the sales girl at a bar in Mushin, area of Lagos where the area big boys known as ‘Mushin big guys’ usually hanged out. She revealed the condition that brought her to Lagos: “I came to Lagos with a friend who ran away from home in Delta state who was promised to be taken to London to work as a Nanny. She has since travelled supposedly to London over two years now and I have not heard a word from her. I was told to wait for the next batch but this is the second year of my waiting, nothing has happened and here I am, trying to surviving. Life is not easy!” On why she did not go back to her parents in Delta state, she said, “I cannot face my people at home because they believed that I am in London, so I decided to

Mom&Parenting

Oluwatosin Omoniyi City Editor

Young girls at bar

photo: www.standardmedia.co.ke

Wild ‘baby girls’ at the bar remain here and work things out.” A visit to a brothel along AgoPalace way, by Enoma bus stop, there were plenty under aged girls and spinsters on short pants and see-through dress mingling together and seductively gesturing to customers to come patronise them. At night the various shades and designs of lightings in the premises makes it colourful. In a chat with Janet Idem who claimed she is a customer service officer in the brothel, said she hailed from Akwa-Ibom, according to her “my uncle told my parent that his friend’s wife needed a young girl who can take care of her shop in Canada and he gave my parent some amount of money. That was a deal! But look at where I now found myself.” On whether she has gotten in touch with her parent to relay what has happened to her, she simply said, “no.” Another victim, who simply identified herself as Bibi, 17, spoke very good English language fluently. Bibi held a stick of lighted cigarette in one hand and a glass of herbal mixture drink in the other hand while chatting with New Telegraph at a brothel along Church Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi; said “my friend lured me into it this business, since my Guardian could not afford to pay my school fee or register me to learn a trade, I had to listen to my friend who said she was

learning a trade and that after six months her madam will open a hair dressing salon shop for her, unfortunately, we have spent two years and still counting, yet nothing has happened, each time the issue of shop is raised, we got threatened.” At Olowu Street in Ikeja, capital of Lagos, some of the young girls were seen in the hotel premises in broad day light smoking cigarettes, substance

If nothing drastic is done to check the ugly trend in the country right now, almost every family will experience it like marijuana and different kinds of alcoholic drinks. One of them, who pleaded anonymous, spoke said, “I am a Lagosian and I learnt this trade from my mother before her death. She died late last year. So I was brought up knowing this business very well. My mother built a house from the proceed of this business. I am personally comfortable with this business and I am sure I am going to make it like my mother.” The increasing numbers of under aged girls that have been

No one like mum

lured or tricked into forced labour in various factories and as sex workers in various environments such as brothels, bars clubs and homes has become a source of worry to individuals, families, NonGovernmental organisations and the government When New Telegraph visited Mrs. Abimbola Whenayon, the Head of Department of Education in her office at Ojokoro Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) who has started working to rescue those underage girls; she reiterated her resolve to continue the fight to liberate under aged girls doing menial jobs and prostitution in hotels across the state. She said that she has just resume at Ojokoro LCDA and that she was settling down to continue what she has begun in Surulere Local Government. According to her, the project was very successful there and department was preparing to commence the project of “rescuing and rehabilitating of these under-aged girls. The challenge we are facing is that of accommodation for them. We need Non-governmental agencies that will be able to provide accommodation for them just like we did in Surulere. After rescuing them we’ll enrol them in schools and thereafter reunite them with their parents and guardians.” She added that they were working towards getting

Being trendy does not mean being ridiculous

34 34

partnership with private organisations to train those who were not interested in school, in vocational skills to become self employed and employer of labour as well.” However, she said, “This cannot be done without government’s support; the project can only be a success if we got the required financial support just like we got in Surulere.” According to a psychologist, Dr. Aramide Sanusi, if nothing drastic is done to check the ugly trend in the country right now, almost every family will experience it either by having a member of the family as a victim or a prostitute, irrespective of their economic status or religious leaning. Mr. Danladi Lawal, a legal professional, while responding to New Telegraph on the legal implication of the action of those trading with these underage girls, said that “the Nigeria Criminal Code Act (Chapter 77) has duly spelt out the necessary punishment for offenders. Chapter 30 and 31of the Criminal Code Act respectively stipulates the following: Assaults on Females: Abduction: Any person who unlawfully takes an unmarried girl under the age of sixteen years out of the custody or protection of her father or mother or other person having the lawful care or charge of her, and against the will of such father or mother or other person, is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for two years. Any person who unlawfully confines or detains another in any place against his will, or otherwise unlawfully deprives another of his personal liberty, is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for two years. The United Nations has declared the prostitution of children to be illegal under international law, and various campaigns and organizations have been created to protest its existence. Several definitions have been proposed for prostitution of children. The United Nations defines it as “the act of engaging or offering the services of a child to perform sexual acts for money or other consideration with that person or any other person.” According to the International Labour Office in Geneva, prostitution of children and child pornography are two primary forms of child sexual exploitation, which often overlap. The former is sometimes used to describe the wider concept of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). It excludes other identifiable manifestations of CSEC, such as commercial sexual exploitation through child marriage, domestic child labour, and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes.

Mom&Parenting

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

i-Protect

Childhood Protection & preservation culture

with

Taiwo Akinlami principal@taiwoakinlami.com

We live in a perverted world, where our precious children suffer bloodcurdling

MOM’S ALERT with

Grace Essen

grace.essen@gmail.com

Child marriage or child prostitution? Being trendy does not

s I was saying last week, permit me to begin today by saying that it is high time that we who campaign for the protection of our precious children from all forms of abuse go back to the drawing board, with the aim of defining the scope of our social interventions and most importantly, the right language with which to accurately capture same. It is my belief that traditional definitions cannot help to do justice the cause of protecting our precious children. I make bold to say once again that there is no such thing as ‘Child Marriage.’ ‘Domesticated Child Sexual Abuse or Molestation,’ my coinage, in an attempt to name this practice for what it is, may not describe same fully. But it is a call to all genuinely interested defenders of the rights of our precious children to take another but careful look at our noble causes and the terminologies we employ. My challenge to us today is that we must not rest until we find terminologies, which are in compliance with the BEST INTEREST OF OUR PRECIOUS CHILDREN. Marriage is a sacred and spiritual relationship and it is not meant for children. I coined ‘Domesticated Child Sexual Abuse or Molestation,’ as the real description for what we today refer to as ‘Child Marriage.’ Kindly note that this is not a battle of semantics…It is a call for a review of the use of nomenclature, which waters down or hides the monumental evil and insurmountable consequences of a practice. You see, to agree that forcefully giving out a child to a man or woman is ‘Child Marriage’ will mean to say that a paedophile is a husband, a sexually molested child is a wife, and the suspects, who forcefully joined them in ‘crimetrimony’ are in-laws. I think I have done considerable justice to the first part of this discussion, largely last week and briefly this week. My focus

this week is what is generally called, ‘Child Prostitution.’ I think this industry doesn’t exist as we describe it today. Prostitution suggests a voluntarily involvement in commercial sex for material gains. It suggests voluntary capacity to negotiate sex for commercial benefits. The phrase ‘Child Prostitution’ as it is used today may suggest that children voluntarily gets involved in prostitution and therefore could be referred to as ‘Children Prostitutes.’ Please note that the precious children, who are today referred to as ‘Child Prostitutes’ are Child Sex Slaves, who are being mercilessly robbed of their God-ordained innocence and dignity of human person. This kind of brazen robbery of our precious children of their virtues earn the robbers huge pecuniary gains. This illicit trade of Child Sex Slavery fetch the perpetrators billions of dollars. The robber has everything to GAIN for it and our precious children have everything to lose for it. These precious souls are held in the captivity of sex slavery with fear, intimidation and all kinds of threats. Apart from the fact that their lives are threatened by their slave masters, their being used as sex slaves is a threat to theirs precious lives. Many have actually been killed in the process of being used as sex slaves. In signing out today, I will like to submit that we live in a perverted world, where our precious children suffer bloodcurdling and almost irreparable legion of abuses and yet our insensitive world hold the children responsible. Our precious children suffer double jeopardy. They are ABUSED and ACCUSED. The abusers do not take RESPONSIBILITY not to turning a new leaf. Deliberately or by default, they come up with narratives, shrouded in misleading labels like ‘Child Marriage,’ ‘Child Prostitution’ and many more.

THE VIRTUOUS MOM with

Hameed Opeyemi abdulvirtuepen@gmail.com

NO ONE LIKE MUM When the star shine, it’s reflect and represent wonders When the sea moves, the wave shakes the earth like thunder When love grows, the lover birds care-less for any asunder When the time is set, it works for life goodness as a reminder When wind blows, it carries all particles of the earth with order When money comes, the rich man will pray for progress to further Like the star that shines, mum represent the wonder! Like the sea that moves, mum shakes our heart with goodies Like the lover’s love, mum represent a great foundation Like the goodness of time, mum act as great reminder Like the working of the wind, mum keeps us away from dirt As rich and generous to life, mummy’s care for free as a philanthropist Like mum, like the holy missionary of the world of man Serving nature without receiving a dine for food and wine Earth to heart love as the hyena shares the wild home goodies Care that is rare, like the king eyes witness no tears in pain Fun in her archive like been in a joke factory or fantasy land …of all in the world of man, she stands out as a shining crystal Truly she lives in harmony by obeying the call of decency Not of her to cheat or lives in the dark like those with pretense Value of immeasurable love, no one care for the home like her

Her nature different from that of the naughty and nasty creatures I seize to agree that mothers are not the next call to the gods No wonder we heard her chastity is safe and given only to dad Mothers! The idol of the home, we need to pamper and adore Stress is her natural way, all to satisfy the creatures in her abode Always wanting peace with dad, all she preaches is one in accord Never shows famished when the house of hers cries with hunger Being of the real care, daddy will say no one, no one! Never! Not like her Best among the better, her love always on point like the fiesta feelings Can anyone gives for free, fun to nature in a return for cry and pain? Like climbing the Everest, her world witness aching in times of pregnancy As fearful in the wild with a lion, she face the challenge to deliver the twins Just not enough, sleepless night at all time when the kids comes awaking Never ended at this point, she goes from room to rooms tidying our dirt More than just enough, everything from her is a gift to bless our nature Not gold, not scarlet, not marble, mum is just special from a different planet Standing out among the crowd in the contest as heaven above the earth Time for appraisal, mothers means life and love… goodies to nature not valuable Standing in and out for all, no one can be like the mothers of our world!

mean being ridiculous

ast week’s discourse was prove their overall appearance. on why we moms should Mothers indeed have more care about how we look. I than a fair share of struggle with listed three reasons why it’s im- their looks because the society, portant we pay attention to our particularly the media, has sold appearance. In case you missed us an image we all have come to it, here’s a quick summary. Many accept as ‘Ms Ideal’ – young, thin of us women think that once we and sexy looking. And when after are married, we are married, so childbirth we don’t look anything we no longer try to keep up the like Ms Ideal, we see ourselves fabulous look - the stress is just as unattractive, out-of-shape, not too much and we just couldn’t be smart enough, not sexy, old ... We begin to feel so insecure we try to bothered. This is a huge mistake. We of- dress to show that we still got it, ten encourage infidelity in our that we are still sexy and young men when we neglect our looks, and all of that. and we don’t even realize that. So That is okay but in doing so, we our spouse is number one reason unconsciously go overboard that we should look good! The second instead of appearing young, atreason is our children. We want tractive, and sexy, we look desperthem to be proud of us, especially ate, ridiculous and old. Even the when they are with their friends. very people we are trying hard I heard about a mom who went to impress (our spouses and chilto visit her dren for instance) daughter in are put off. Here are a boarding a few areas we get it school, the wrong and some tips girl refused to get them right: We often encourage to come out infidelity in our men and meet her. • Accept your new After waitstatus: There is a cerwhen we neglect our ing endlessly, tain kind of beauty looks, and we don’t she dropped that is attributed to a the items she woman who has had realize that brought with children; her body her daughter’s is not expected to be same. Maybe the age friends and left. The girl’s reason was that long comparison between us and her mother’s appearance embar- women who haven’t gone through rasses her. Also, by staying beau- childbirth only exist in our minds! tiful, healthy and fit we are telling We have to accept and live with the our kids do the same. truth that the change that comes Thirdly, we live in a society after childbirth is largely irreverswhere appearance is a big deal. ible and then focus on improving Your appearance tells much more what we can. about you (and faster too) than your words can. If you want to ad• Don’t get stuck in the past: vance in your career or business Generally, women that are unhapor even get a job, want to make a py with their age and looks try to good impression all the time be- mimic the look they had 10 years cause you never know when or ago but that only makes them where the next big deal or ‘open look older! Rather than trying to door’ might meet you. make yourself look younger with One day I ran into a mom the wrong outfit try to enhance friend and one look at what she your beauty instead. In addition was wearing I couldn’t help but to the right outfits, steer clear of ask if she left her home wearing dated techniques - thick lip liner, that, and she wasn’t even driv- heavy black under-eye liner and ing – it’s easy to hide a bad outfit over-plucked eyebrows, as these when you’re in a car! She took an- will all add years to your face. other look at her outfit and she • Less is more: Don’t overcomsaid even her four year old had asked, “Mummy are you going plicate your makeup. Go for a out like that?” look that is simple you don’t need In trying to look trendy we much more to get a beautiful, natsometimes take it a bit too far. ural and fresh look. Put away the What do I mean? Have you ever heavy-duty makeup. As you get seen mature women, mothers, older, less is more. dressed in what could easily pass • Check your motivation: When for a teenage outfit - outfits too you dress, do it for yourself. Aim short they keep pulling it down in to make the right impression all an attempt to cover their thighs, the time. Don’t dress for revenge some necklines too low it reveals or to get at a spouse you suspect much more than is considered de- is looking outside! Dress in a way cent, outfits too tight and reveal- that you are “at peace” with youring? For instance I see women self, so when you step out you are wear leggings with small tops and not only comfortable but also conit looks inappropriate especially fident that you command respect on mature women, when a big top and are getting attention for the would cover the bum area and im- right reasons.

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Money Line

CBN plans N2bn capital base for Islamic MFBs CAVEAT NIMFBs will have Internal Shari’ah Compliance Unit

Stores by Tony Chukwunyem

f exposure draft guidelines on the regulation and supervision of non-interest banks in the country unveiled by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are eventually adopted by operators in the financial sector, anyone seeking to establish a national Non Interest (Islamic) Micro-Finance Bank (NIFMB) could be required to have a minimum

paid-up capital of N2 billion. In a circular to banks and financial institutions posted on its website yesterday, the apex bank said that the guidelines were aimed at boosting financial inclusion through the development of the microfinance subsector of the non-interest finance sector. Under the guidelines proposed by the CBN, there will be three categories of NIMFBs: national, state and unit. According to the guidelines, “A National NIMFB is authorised to operate in all the states of the Federation including the FCT. It shall be required to have a minimum paid-up capital of N2 billion, and is allowed to open branches in all States of the Fed-

eration and the FCT, subject to the availability of free funds and the prior approval of the CBN for each new branch or cash centre. “A State NIMFB is authorised to operate in one State or the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It shall be required to have a minimum paid-up capital of N100 million (one hundred million Naira) and is allowed to open branches within the same State or the FCT, subject to the availability of free funds and the prior approval of the CBN for each new branch or cash centre. “A Unit NIMFB is authorised to operate in one location. It shall be required to have a minimum paid-up capital of N20 million (twenty million Naira)

UBA, EXIM Bank sign MoU on US, African trade growth

hairman and President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank), Fred P. Hochberg, and Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Phillips Oduoza, yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the goal of expanding trade between the U.S. and sub-Saharan Africa at the World Economic Forum Africa (WEF) in Kigali. “EXIM Bank is proud to build on its decade’s long commitment to financing American exports to sub-Saharan Africa,” said Chairman Hochberg. “This memorandum signals to American exporters and African businesses alike that there are many more promis-

ing opportunities to work together, and EXIM stands ready to provide the financing needed to turn more of those opportunities into realities.” Uzoka Kennedy, Deputy Managing Director and Group Managing Director Designate, UBA and Sola Yomi-Ajayi, Group Head, Financial Institutions and International Organizations, UBA, who all participated in the signing ceremony, joined the two. The MoU is a statement of general intent between EXIM Bank and UBA to promote the availability of EXIM financing of up to $100 million in the region. EXIM Bank and UBA will work together to share information and develop exportfinancing opportunities in key

sectors including commodities, agriculture and food products, spare parts, and large and small equipment purchases. Under the MOU, EXIM Bank and UBA will explore options for offering a range of financing solutions for American exporters and African buyers, including short and medium-term financing programs that allow for flexible repayment terms and competitive insurance policies guaranteed by EXIM. Since 2009, EXIM has provided more than $6 billion in financing for transactions across sub-Saharan Africa. For the fiscal year ending in 2014, the Bank supported $2.05 billion in transactions in more than 20 sub-Saharan African countries.

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

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 12.8 12 10.77 US$44.17 US$26,801,402,556

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 Feb, 2016 28/03/2016 Mar 2015 11/5/2016 10/5/2016

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

TTM

Price 104.96 114.56 112.10 120.50 109.35 100.24 83.91 98.09

1.08 3.25 3.87 5.83 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.30

NIBOR

Rate (%) 15.0000 10.6864 12.4601 13.8466

Bid Yield 10.09 10.57 11.56 11.46 12.32 12.45 12.43 12.41

Change (%) 2.17 ▲ 0.20 ▲ 0.24 ▲ 0.22 ▲

Change (%) 0.04 ▲ 0.00 ↔ 0.25 ▲ -0.07 ▼ 0.08 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.04 ▲

Price 105.11 114.86 112.40 120.80 109.65 100.54 84.21 98.39

Tenor (Months)

NITTY

Rate (%) 5.4817 7.3699 7.8938 9.2453 9.3846 10.0913

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Offer Yield 9.95 10.47 11.47 11.40 12.26 12.40 12.38 12.37

Change (%) 0.04 ▲ 0.00 ↔ 0.25 ▲ -0.07 ▼ 0.08 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.04 ▲ 0.04 ▲ Change (%) 0.25 ▲ 0.06 ▲ 0.29 ▲ 0.60 ▲ 0.45 ▲ -0.44 ▼

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) Change (%) 7.90 8.06 0.26 ▲ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 12.67 0.00 ↔ 30-Jun-16 8.15 8.32 0.26 ▲ 22-Sep-16 8.71 8.46 8.82 0.46 ▲ Overnight (O/N) 13.75 0.42 ▲ 9.10 0.46 ▲ 9.06 9.92 0.00 ↔ 16-Mar-17 9.31 10.22 0.00 ↔

Spot($/N)

Bid 198.45

Offer 198.55

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

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

196.00

197.00

The regulator added that new promoters will not be allowed to apply for a national NIMFB licence stressing, “a National NIMFB shall emerge through organic growth from a State NIMFB.” Other highlights of the guidelines include the proposal, “The NIMFB shall have fidelity insurance (takaful) coverage as provided for in Section 33 of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) Act 2006 or up to such level as may be prescribed from time to time by the NDIC. However, NIMFBs shall use the services of licenced takaful companies only” and that NIMFBs should have an Internal Shari’ah Compliance Unit to be headed by an individual with proven knowledge in the field of Islamic Commercial Jurisprudence.

FG may seek review of forex policy

igeria needs a “substantial” review of its foreign exchange policies and will see very soon a more flexible approach, Reuters reported Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as saying yesterday. Asked whether Nigeria needed to devalue the naira, Osinbajo said that, “there is an ongoing debate” in government circles and among other parties but that it was too early to say whether such a move made sense. Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has said he does not favour devaluing the currency. Osinbajo told a Lagos business conference he hoped to persuade the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to change some policies to improve foreign exchange supply as current supply management is not working well. “We believe there must be some substantial revaluation for the foreign exchange policy,” Osinbajo said. This would help boost foreign exchange

supply and encourage capital inflows and a free flow of remittances, he said. “There has been a sharp decline in foreign exchange earnings. The executive is not responsible for monetary policy but we have made the point clearly that demand management will not take us out of the woods,” he said. “We need a review,” he said in response to questions from investors. “Very soon we will see a more flexible approach,” he added, but he declined to go into specifics. The central bank has imposed hard currency curbs and frozen the naira rate to the dollar, which has hit investment as foreign firms expect Nigeria to devalue the currency anyway at some point due to a slump in oil revenues. The naira has fallen 40 per cent below the official rate on the parallel market where firms go to get hard currency to fund their imports.

VAT: FIRS shuts firms’ offices

Source:CBN

FGN Bonds

and is allowed to have only one branch outside the head office within the same Local Government Area subject to availability of free funds of at least N20 million and compliance with the prescribed minimum prudential requirements.” The CBN, however, stated that it could review the prescribed minimum capital requirement for each category of NIMFB from time to time. It further stated, “A State NIMFB that intends to transform to a National NIMFB must have at least five branches, which are spread across the Local Government Areas in the State of its original operation. This is to ensure that the State NIMFB has gained the experience necessary to manage a National NIMFB.”

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

he Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) yesterday closed down offices of one of the telecommunications in Lagos for failure to remit N24.3billion in Value Added Tax (VAT). FIRS in a statement, also said that it closed down Erin Petroleum Nigeria Limited, formerly known as Camac Petroleum Limited, for failure to remit N107.3 million and $10.6 million respectively. The closure of the companies followed their refusal to abide by a six-week notice given to them by the FIRS.

FIRS officials, led by the Director of Enforcement, Emeka Obiagwu, directed his officials to seal off all the workstations of telecom firms on Victoria Island, Lagos. At Erin Petroleum, the FIRS team ordered staff to vacate the server room, administrative room and other offices. At the telecom’s Towers, it took the efforts of the top officials of the company to calm the staff, who were irritated by the order that they should vacate. The place was subsequently put under lock and key.

CBN to raise N111bn in Treasury bills

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday announced that it plans to sell N110.93 billion of Treasury bills with maturities ranging between three months and a year on May 18. The apex bank said it would offer N32.43 billion of 3-month

debt, N22.82 billion in the 6-month paper and 55.68 billion of 1-year bills in a Dutch auction. “Each bid must be in multiple of 1,000 naira subject to a minimum of 10,000 naira,” the bank said in a public notice. Allotment letters are to be issued to successful bids on May 19.

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

11-May-16

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 ^15.54 13-FEB-2020 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 ^12.50 22-JAN-2026 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 ^12.40 18-MAR-2036

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

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

13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 16.39 14.20 12.50 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493 12.4000

581.39 480.13 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 576.93 605.31 719.99 266.02 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 1075.92 80.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

6,407.46

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

6,150.39

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 22-Jan-26 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34 18-Mar-36

0.27 0.96 1.21 1.31 2.05 3.13 3.45 3.76 5.71 7.84 9.70 12.55 13.03 13.53 14.20 18.18 19.85

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

8.49 11.74 12.03 12.08 12.48 13.06 13.30 13.52 13.63 13.87 13.99 13.98 13.98 13.98 13.98 13.96 13.89

7.94 11.57 11.89 11.95 12.40 12.95 13.17 13.42 13.56 13.81 13.93 13.93 13.93 13.91 13.92 13.91 13.85

101.12 102.96 97.57 96.76 96.84 107.31 83.00 105.73 110.63 101.48 92.15 105.91 91.15 67.10 75.68 88.09 89.95

101.27 103.11 97.72 96.91 96.99 107.61 83.30 106.03 110.93 101.78 92.45 106.21 91.45 67.40 75.98 88.39 90.25

6362.457269

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

03-Apr-12

17.25

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

1.20

03-Apr-17

0.47

2.94

12.43

102.14

30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21 09-Dec-21 16-Feb-22 27-Feb-22 30-Mar-22 31-Mar-22 27-May-22

0.14 0.14 0.94 0.66 1.64 1.45 1.47 1.43 1.44 1.62 2.04 3.53 2.01 4.55 4.64 2.67 2.70 3.97 3.48 3.51 4.03 6.46 3.60

4.46 3.48 1.00 5.71 2.39 1.00 1.00 3.82 3.56 3.82 2.02 2.01 1.00 1.30 3.76 2.53 1.00 1.52 4.01 1.00 2.52 1.79 3.04

10.23 9.25 12.64 16.07 14.65 13.16 13.17 15.97 15.71 16.07 14.50 15.36 13.46 14.87 17.33 15.35 13.83 14.69 17.33 14.34 15.90 15.45 16.42

100.44 100.78 97.71 98.58 99.03 101.02 101.02 98.21 97.91 99.16 101.62 97.72 102.15 95.58 92.71 98.23 102.40 101.89 97.91 105.48 104.02 105.81 101.43

29-Sep-16 25-Oct-16 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17 30-Sep-17 30-Nov-17 09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18 09-Sep-18 30-Sep-18 18-Oct-18 17-Feb-19 01-Apr-19 06-Nov-20 14-Nov-20 04-Dec-20 20-Nov-21 30-Dec-21 13-May-22 26-Oct-22 30-Sep-24 30-Sep-24 29-Jul-30

0.39 0.46 0.58 0.94 1.15 1.39 0.84 1.16 1.33 1.33 2.39 1.44 1.52 1.64 2.49 4.51 3.01 5.53 5.64 6.00 4.17 8.39 8.39 9.52

1.00 1.34 1.00 5.49 5.25 1.88 1.88 3.15 6.35 1.00 1.17 4.42 6.11 3.28 4.47 1.00 3.55 2.51 1.00 1.00 2.77 1.00 1.00 1.00

10.06 10.75 10.97 17.13 17.25 14.00 13.06 15.16 18.45 13.10 13.83 16.57 18.31 15.54 17.19 14.57 16.55 16.13 14.63 14.67 16.32 14.91 14.91 14.98

101.03 101.49 102.71 99.44 99.17 98.73 104.55 100.80 99.39 103.29 100.29 98.95 99.56 100.57 95.89 102.20 97.62 93.26 106.75 107.07 99.08 106.43 92.16 99.63

10-Oct-20

2.53

3.37

16.11

97.32

Agency Bonds Nil

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

FMBN

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1.20

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1.23

Sub-National Bonds BBB+/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto‡ ; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A-/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR† Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto‡ A-/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto Bbb-/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto A-/GCR

*BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA *NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA *BAUCHI *OYO *BENUE *PLATEAU KOGI *CROSS RIVER

30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 31-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14 09-Dec-14 17-Feb-15 27-Feb-15 30-Mar-15 01-Apr-15 27-May-15

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 15.50 BAUCHI 9-DEC-2021 16.50 OYO 16-FEB-2022 16.50 BENUE 27-FEB-2022 17.50 PLATEAU 30-MAR-2022 17.00 KOGI II 31-MAR-2022 17.00 CROSS RIVER 27-MAY-2022

14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00 15.50 16.50 16.50 17.50 17.00 17.00

1.30 2.05 57.00 16.45 25.00 23.44 4.22 10.98 8.14 21.68 12.55 80.00 21.65 87.50 5.00 4.03 4.04 14.37 4.39 4.53 27.10 3.00 7.68

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

446.12 440.53

Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto Nil Nil Nil A/GCR BBB-/GCR Nil A-/DataPro†; CCC/GCR AAA/DataPro†; B/GCR A+/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto†; BBB+/GCR† BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR Nil A-/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB/GCR A/GCR BBB/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR A/GCR A/GCR AAA/GCR

NAHCO FSDH ***LCRM UBA *C & I LEASING *DANA#{r} *TOWER# *TOWER# UBA *LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS# *DANA#{r} *FCMB NAHCO *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC *FCMB UBA FIDELITY *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC STANBIC IBTC STANBIC IBTC *NMRC

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 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 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.00 FCMB 6-NOV-2020 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 15.50 TRANSCORP 4-DEC-2020 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 16.48 FIDELITY 13-MAY-2022 16.00 TRANSCORP 26-OCT-2022 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 14.90 NMRC 29-JUL-2030

29-Sep-11 25-Oct-13 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12 30-Sep-10 30-Nov-12 09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 30-Sep-11 18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 01-Apr-14 06-Nov-15 14-Nov-13 04-Dec-15 20-Nov-14 30-Dec-14 13-May-15 26-Oct-15 30-Sep-14 30-Sep-14 29-Jul-15

13.00 14.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50 13.00 18.00 16.00 18.00 16.00 14.00 15.75 18.00 16.00 15.00 15.25 15.50 14.25 16.45 16.48 16.00 16.29 13.25 14.90

15.00 5.53 112.22 116.70 66.49 20.00 0.46 3.60 1.82 0.50 35.00 1.50 0.27 4.50 20.87 2.05 9.76 26.00 30.50 30.00 10.00 0.10 15.44 7.90

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

536.21

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

538.26

Sukuk BBB-/Agusto

10-Oct-13

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

*OSUN

14.75

9.40

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

9.40

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

9.15

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

1.75

1.00

11.58

97.83

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

*AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

2.97

1.00

12.74

96.47

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

24.95 24.23 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

7.43

7.19

97.34

98.26

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

5.57

5.15

99.10

99.95

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

7.68

7.51

92.88

93.81

Issuer

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

1,446.56

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

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

373.41

19-May-16

66.70

-36.50

99.49

100.38

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

8.02

7.13

99.12

100.12

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

21.24

20.01

77.71

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

8.03

95.50

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

8.61

93.97

79.35

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

17.69

16.73

79.74

81.64

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

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

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

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

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

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

13.70 13.87 14.54

82.25 83.00 76.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

12.23

11.76

84.88

86.63

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

DTM

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Discount Rate (%)

2.77

29-Jul-16

6.18

13.80

13.40

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

3,523.41 3,095.80 Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Yield @ Issue (%)

04-Nov-15

13.75

Commercial Papers Nil

GUINNESS NIGERIA

GUINNESS CP III 29-JUL-16

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

2.77

**TREASURY BILLS^ DTM 8 15 22 29 36 43 50 64 71

Money Market

FIXINGS Maturity 19-May-16 26-May-16 2-Jun-16 9-Jun-16 16-Jun-16 23-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 14-Jul-16 21-Jul-16

Bid Discount (%) 0.07 3.04 3.75 4.32 4.76 4.61 5.01 6.06 6.37

Offer Discount (%) -0.18 2.79 3.50 4.07 4.51 4.36 4.76 5.81 6.12

Bid Yield (%) 0.07 3.04 3.75 4.33 4.78 4.63 5.05 6.13 6.45

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 4.9583 7.8010 10.9097 12.2976

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

4.79

O/N

5.21

Tenor Call 1M 3M

REPO

Rate (%) 4.87 5.82 6.52

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

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

197.33 199.00 200.01 202.10 202.14 210.11 222.34

197.43 199.50 200.11 202.20 202.24 210.21 222.44

(₦’bn)

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 ^12.50 22-JAN-2026 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 ^12.40 18-MAR-2036

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Industrial stocks drag NSE ASI OUTSTANDING lower by 0.06 TOTAL VALUEper cent

Agency Bonds

FMBN

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National Bonds *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA *NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA *BAUCHI *OYO *BENUE *PLATEAU KOGI *CROSS RIVER

Stories by Chris Ugwu

ctivities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday continued on

(%) 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 22-Jan-26 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34 18-Mar-36

0.27 0.96 1.21 1.31 2.05 3.13 3.45 3.76 5.71 7.84 9.70 12.55 13.03 13.53 14.20 18.18 19.85

8.49 11.74 12.03 12.08 12.48 13.06 13.30 13.52 13.63 13.87 13.99 13.98 13.98 13.98 13.98 13.96 13.89

7.94 11.57 11.89 11.95 12.40 12.95 13.17 13.42 13.56 13.81 13.93 13.93 13.93 13.91 13.92 13.91 13.85

101.12 102.96 97.57 96.76 96.84 107.31 83.00 105.73 110.63 101.48 92.15 105.91 91.15 67.10 75.68 88.09 89.95

101.27 103.11 97.72 96.91 96.99 107.61 83.30 106.03 110.93 101.78 92.45 106.21 91.45 67.40 75.98 88.39 90.25

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

Stock market records minor losses Description

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

the downswing, as shares of highly capitalised stocks closed in the red just as the previous 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 day. 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 Most sectored in13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 gauges 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 creased, except the NSE Indus14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 NIGER IIwhich 4-OCT-2018 fell by 0.68 per trial14.00 Index, 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 cent.14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 The market 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019performance 14.50 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00 15.50 16.50 16.50 17.50 17.00 17.00

LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 BAUCHI 9-DEC-2021 OYO 16-FEB-2022 BENUE 27-FEB-2022 PLATEAU 30-MAR-2022 KOGI II 31-MAR-2022 CROSS RIVER 27-MAY-2022

Sterling, Access Banks explain EFCC’s visit

581.39 480.13 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 576.93 605.31 719.99 266.02 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 1075.92 80.00

6362.457269

6,150.39

NEGATIVE

BBB+/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto‡ ; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A-/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR† Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto‡ A-/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto Bbb-/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto A-/GCR

13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 16.39 14.20 12.50 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493 12.4000

6,407.46

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Nil

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 22-Jan-16 28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14 18-Mar-16

terling Bank Plc and Ac- partners for their support and cess Bank Plc have noti- assure you that the bank reCorporate Bonds fied Stock mains a compliant institution 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 A+/Agusto; A-/GCRthe Nigerian NAHCO 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto FSDH Exchange (NSE) about their opthat continues to conduct its 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 Nil ***LCRM 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 Nil erations concerning the intrubusiness within the ambit of 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 Nil UBA 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR of their head offices sion by the the13.00 law,” the lender added. UBA 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR *C & I LEASING Economic and Financial Crimes Access Bank also admitted MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 Nil *DANA MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 A-/DataPro†; CCC/GCR (EFCC)*TOWER that the EFCC officials visited Commission last week. MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 AAA/DataPro†; B/GCR *TOWER bank May 6, 2016 to inTheA/GCR lenders last Tuesday is- the14.00 UBA II on 30-SEP-2018 A+/Agusto; UBA 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Bbb+/Agusto†; BBB+/GCR† *LA CASERA sued separate statements to the vestigate a specific transaction MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR *CHELLARAMS 16.00 DANAa II 1-APR-2019 Nil *DANA local bourse about investigations involving customer of the bank 15.00 FCMB 6-NOV-2020 A-/GCR *FCMB into their activities byNAHCO the EFCC. in the course of business. 15.25normal NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 15.50 TRANSCORP 4-DEC-2020 Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC These statements were made The visit, according to the 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 BBB/GCR *FCMB 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 A/GCR UBA by the available to investors bank, came without any form 16.48 FIDELITY 13-MAY-2022 BBB/GCR FIDELITY NSE through its website. of earlier notification or invita16.00 TRANSCORP 26-OCT-2022 Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR STANBIC IBTC Sterling Bank in its statement tion to the bank. 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR STANBIC IBTC 14.90 NMRC 29-JUL-2030 AAA/GCR *NMRC explained that officials of EFCC The lender said that the ofTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE visited the bank on Wednesday ficials informed the bank that TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION May 4, 2016 to investigate a they were investigating some Sukuk banking relationship of a non- transactions and sought the 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 BBB-/Agusto *OSUN bank financial institution. bank’s cooperation. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE It MARKET said that it never held The officials, according to TOTAL CAPITALISATION the account of the alleged the bank, met with the Group Supranational Bond customer during theIFCprevious Managing Director, Herbert 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P *AfDB and the Bank’s Chief administration to which the Wigwe TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE matter had CAPITALISATION been linked either Compliance Officer, who proTOTAL MARKET officially or otherwise. vided the needed information TheRating/Agency bank also stated thatIssuer the and documents. Description FGN Eurobondsfinancial institution non-bank “Thereafter, the Group Man6.75requested JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P (Asset Management Company) aging Director was to BB-/Fitch; FGN 12, 2018 purchased a number of loans accompany them5.13 to JUL their office BB-/S&P BB-/Fitch; on recourse basis from it on to further their investigation, 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 BB-/S&P commercially acceptable terms. which he willingly acceded to. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION The statement said that the “We have observed the widetransactions were the concerns ranging speculations in the Corporate Eurobonds 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I media connecting the visits raised by the EFCC to Sterling 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC Bank. of the commission to various 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC “Arising from this incident personalities. 6.00 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC the has commissioned a “We would like 8.75to Maystate 21, 2019 emB/Fitch;bank B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC review of the compliance prophatically for the benefit of our 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II 8.00/2Y USDthe SWAP+6.488 JULhas 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P of its non–bank FIRST BANK LTD cedures finanstakeholders that bank 8.75 AUG 14, 2021 B-/S&P ECOBANK NIG. LTD cial institution clients with the absolutely no link, interaction TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE aim strengthening this area or relationship whatsoever with TOTALof MARKET CAPITALISATION of our operations. any of the personalities stated Description Rating/Agency Issuer in the media reports,” it stated. “We thank our numerous TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

#{r}

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

03-Apr-12

17.25

indicator, the NSE All Share Index declined marginally by 0.06 per cent. 30-Jun-11 14.00 30-Jun-09 , the All-Share 15.50 Consequently 19-Apr-10 10.00 Index shed 15.94 basis13.75 points 30-Jun-10 31-Dec-10 14.00 or 0.06 per cent to close at 30-Sep-11 14.00 04-Oct-11 14.00 25,630.62 per share, as against 09-Dec-11 14.50 25,646.56 12-Dec-13 recorded the14.00 previ14-Feb-12 15.50 ous day, 02-Oct-12 while, the market 15.50 22-Nov-12 14.50 capitalisation of equities de12-Dec-12 14.75 13.50 preciated27-Nov-13 marginally by N2 31-Dec-13 15.00 14.50 billion. 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14 15.00 Meanwhile, a turnover 09-Dec-14 15.50 17-Feb-15 16.50 of 198.45 27-Feb-15 million shares ex16.50 17.50 was changed 30-Mar-15 in 3,538 deals 01-Apr-15 17.00 recorded 27-May-15 in the day’s trading. 17.00 Banking sub-sector of the financial services segment was the most active by 29-Sep-11 (measured 13.00 25-Oct-13 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12 30-Sep-10 30-Nov-12 09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 30-Sep-11 18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 01-Apr-14 06-Nov-15 14-Nov-13 04-Dec-15 20-Nov-14 30-Dec-14 13-May-15 26-Oct-15 30-Sep-14 30-Sep-14 29-Jul-15

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

1.20

03-Apr-17

0.47

2.94

12.43

102.14

1.20 turnover volume) with 91.78 1.23 million shares exchanged by investors in30-Jun-16 986 deals. 0.14 1.30 2.05 30-Jun-16 0.14 Volume in the sub-sector 57.00 19-Apr-17 0.94 was driven by activi16.45 largely30-Jun-17 0.66 25.00 31-Dec-17 1.64 ties 23.44 in the shares 30-Sep-18 of UBA 1.45 Plc 4.22 04-Oct-18 1.47 and Fidelity Bank Plc. 10.98 09-Dec-18 1.43 8.14 12-Dec-18 1.44 serAlso, other financial 21.68 14-Feb-19 1.62 vices sector02-Oct-19 of the financial 12.55 2.04 80.00 22-Nov-19 3.53 services sector, boosted by 21.65 12-Dec-19 2.01 87.50 27-Nov-20 4.55 activities in the shares of 5.00 31-Dec-20 4.64 4.03 31-Dec-20 2.67 FCMB Group Plc followed 4.04 06-Jan-21 2.70 with 14.37 a turnover 09-Dec-21 of 33.98 3.97mil4.39 16-Feb-22 3.48 lion shares in 277 deals.3.51 4.53 27-Feb-22 27.10 30-Mar-22 4.03 sesAt the close of trading 3.00 31-Mar-22 6.46 sion, 31 stocks gained, 3.60 while 7.68 27-May-22 446.12 20 others shed weight. 440.53 Further analysis of the day’s trading showed that 15.00 29-Sep-16 0.39 Ti-

14.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50 13.00 18.00 16.00 18.00 16.00 14.00 15.75 18.00 16.00 15.00 15.25 15.50 14.25 16.45 16.48 16.00 16.29 13.25 14.90

5.53 112.22 116.70 66.49 20.00 0.46 3.60 1.82 0.50 35.00 1.50 0.27 4.50 20.87 2.05 9.76 26.00 30.50 30.00 10.00 0.10 15.44 7.90

25-Oct-16 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17 30-Sep-17 30-Nov-17 09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18 09-Sep-18 30-Sep-18 18-Oct-18 17-Feb-19 01-Apr-19 06-Nov-20 14-Nov-20 04-Dec-20 20-Nov-21 30-Dec-21 13-May-22 26-Oct-22 30-Sep-24 30-Sep-24 29-Jul-30

ger Branded Goods Plc topped the day’s gainers’ table with 10.02 per 10.23 cent to close100.44 at N5.05 4.46 3.48 9.25 while Livestock 100.78 per share, 1.00 12.64 97.71 Feeds Plc followed with five 5.71 16.07 98.58 2.39 14.65 99.03 per cent13.16 to close at101.02 84 kobo 1.00 1.00 13.17 101.02 per share. Champion Brew3.82 15.97 98.21 3.56 97.91 eries Plc15.71 recorded added 4.98 3.82 16.07 99.16 per cent 14.50 to close at N2.95 per 2.02 101.62 2.01 15.36 97.72 share. 1.00 13.46 102.15 1.30 On the 14.87 flip side, 95.58Wema 3.76 17.33 92.71 2.53 98.23 Bank Plc15.35 led the losers’ with 1.00 13.83 102.40 a drop of14.69 8.75 per cent to close 1.52 101.89 4.01 97.91 at 73 kobo17.33 per share, 105.48 while Ca1.00 14.34 2.52 15.90 104.02 verton Plc shed 8.61 per cent to 1.79 15.45 105.81 close at N1.38 per share. 3.04 16.42 101.43 John Holt Nigeria Plc trailed with five per cent to close at 76 kobo per share. 1.00 10.06 101.03

0.46 0.58 0.94 1.15 1.39 0.84 1.16 1.33 1.33 2.39 1.44 1.52 1.64 2.49 4.51 3.01 5.53 5.64 6.00 4.17 8.39 8.39 9.52

1.34 1.00 5.49 5.25 1.88 1.88 3.15 6.35 1.00 1.17 4.42 6.11 3.28 4.47 1.00 3.55 2.51 1.00 1.00 2.77 1.00 1.00 1.00

10.75 10.97 17.13 17.25 14.00 13.06 15.16 18.45 13.10 13.83 16.57 18.31 15.54 17.19 14.57 16.55 16.13 14.63 14.67 16.32 14.91 14.91 14.98

6.18

13.80

101.49 102.71 99.44 99.17 98.73 104.55 100.80 99.39 103.29 100.29 98.95 99.56 100.57 95.89 102.20 97.62 93.26 106.75 107.07 99.08 106.43 92.16 99.63

Standard Alliance reports 67% drop in Q12016 PAT

tandard Alliance InsurThe company recorded a consolidated sum shows that ance Plc has posted 68.55 profit after tax of N496.327 the underwriting firm paid per cent drop in profit million at the half year ended N278.6 million while its life after tax for the first quarter June from N243.748 million re- subsidiary, Standard Alliance ended March 31, 2016. corded in 2014, accounting for Life Assurance Limited, was In a filing with the Nigerian a percentage increase of 104 responsible for N288.01 milStock Exchange (NSE), the in- per cent. lion balance. surer recorded a profit after The company’s gross preThe claims were paid out to tax of N116.249 million during mium written however, fell affected policyholders spread the first quarter ended March by one per cent to N2.512 bil- across fire, marine, motor, oil 536.21 from N369.739 million recorded lion during the period under and gas, general accident and 538.26 in 2015. This translates to a per- review as against N2.525 bil- engineering classes of general centage drop of 68.55 per cent. lion in 2014. insurance as well as the group 10-Oct-13 14.75 9.40 2.53 3.37 16.11 97.32 The profit before tax stood Standard10-Oct-20 Alliance Insurand individual life policies. 9.40 at N155.248 million in 2016 as ance The group managing direc9.15 had reported a loss beagainst N554.078 recorded in fore tax of N1.982 billion for tor, Bode Akinboye who gave 2015, representing a decline of the ended December the details by 11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00full year11-Feb-18 1.75 1.00 11.58 in a statement 97.83 10-Jul-14 11.25 12.95 01-Feb-21 2.97 1.00 96.47 31, 2014. 71.98 per cent. the firm, 12.74 explained that a total 24.95 The group’s gross premium The company recorded a consolidated sum of N719.56 24.23 written however, dropped by Outstanding loss before tax of tax of N1.982 million was paid out by the Value Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price Date Coupon (%) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) ($’mm) 17.81 perIssue cent to N1.287 bil- billion at the financial yearOffer company and its subsidiary as Pricesto & Yields lion during the period under ended December, 2014 from a claims affected general and 6.75 bil500.00position 28-Jan-21 7.43mil7.19 97.34 98.26 review as07-Oct-11 against N1.566 loss of N789.736 life policyholders during the 12-Jul-13 5.13 500.00 in 2013, 12-Jul-18 5.57to a 5.15 99.10 99.95 lion in 2015. lion translating corresponding period in 2014. underscored the The insurance firm’s FY percentage of 151 per cent. 12-Jul-13 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 7.68 7.51 Akinboye 92.88 93.81 2015 net premium income stood 1,500.00 The company’s gross pre- importance the company at1,446.56 written however, grew at N2.47 billion as against N3.86 mium taches to prompt claims settlebillion a year ago, accounting by 14 per cent to N4.333 bil- ment, noting, “We recognise 373.41 during 19-May-16 100.38 for a drop19-May-11 of 36 per cent.7.50 lion the period 66.70 under -36.50 the fact 99.49 that the survival or 25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 8.02 7.13 99.12 100.12 The company recorded a review from02-May-18 N3.792 billion in 20.01 acceptance, and rep09-May-13 6.88 300.00 21.24 77.71 progress79.35 08-Nov-13 6.00 mil400.00 08-Nov-18 8.03 8.03 95.50any underwriting 95.50 2013. profit before tax of N713.9 utation of 22-Apr-14 6.25 500.00 22-Apr-19 8.61 8.61 93.97 93.97 Standard21-May-19 Alliance had lion in contrast N2.10 company79.74 are a function 21-May-14 to loss of 8.75 200.00 17.69also 16.73 81.64 of its 07-Aug-13 8.25 300.00 07-Aug-20 13.70 13.70 82.25 82.25 billion a year ago. announced the payment of 13.87 consistent ability to83.00 respond 24-Jun-14 9.25 400.00 24-Jun-21 13.87 83.00 23-Jul-14 450.00 23-Jul-21to its policy14.54 14.54 76.00 Standard Alliance 8.00 Insur- N566.65 million to claims76.00 issues promptly and 14-Aug-14 8.75 250.00 14-Aug-21 12.23 11.76 84.88 86.63 ance recorded 104 per cent holders that suffered losses that is why we give any claims 3,523.41 the first quarter of growth in profit after tax for during reported all the prompt atten3,095.80 tion toValuation the satisfaction of our the half year ended June 30, Outstanding 2015. Value Risk Yield Issue Date Yield @ Issue (%) Maturity Date Discount Rate (%) (₦’bn) (%) affected policyholders.” A breakdown of the DTM above Premium 2015. (%) #

Commercial Papers Nil

GUINNESS NIGERIA

GUINNESS CP III 29-JUL-16

04-Nov-15

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

13.75

2.77

29-Jul-16

2.77

13.40

11-May-16

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 Money Market **TREASURY BILLS^ FIXINGS Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an Bid “ASYield AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to date. We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, performance DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) (%) Tenor Rate (%) or fitness for a particular purpose of any of19-May-16 the Information, neither do we accept action taken on the 0.07 basis of the Information. NIBOR 8 0.07 liability for the results of any -0.18 OBB 4.79 Tenor Bid ($/N) Offer ($/N) 15 26-May-16 3.04 22 2-Jun-16 3.75 29 9-Jun-16 4.32 36 16-Jun-16 4.76 43 23-Jun-16 4.61 50 30-Jun-16 5.01 64 14-Jul-16 6.06 Rating/Agency Issuer Description 71 21-Jul-16 6.37 78 28-Jul-16 7.18 85 4-Aug-16 13.05 16-AUG-2016 7.81 92 11-Aug-16 15.10 27-APR-2017 8.17 99 18-Aug-16 8.12 9.85 27-JUL-2017 8.34 113 1-Sep-16 120 8-Sep-16 9.35 31-AUG-2017 8.46 134 22-Sep-16 10.70 30-MAY-2018 8.37 148 6-Oct-16 8.88 ^16.00 29-JUN-20199.02 155 13-Oct-16 162 20-Oct-16 7.00 23-OCT-2019 8.87 169 27-Oct-16 ^15.54 13-FEB-20208.93 176 3-Nov-16 9.10 NA NA ^16.39 27-JAN-20229.48 190 17-Nov-16 204 1-Dec-16 ^14.20 14-MAR-20249.30 211 8-Dec-16 9.72 ^12.50 22-JAN-20269.76 218 15-Dec-16 15.00 28-NOV-2028 9.98 239 5-Jan-17 253 19-Jan-17 12.49 22-MAY-2029 9.95 267 2-Feb-17 10.55 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.71 281 16-Feb-17 ^10.00 23-JUL-203010.42 295 2-Mar-17 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 309 16-Mar-17 10.66 316 23-Mar-17 10.16 ^12.40 18-MAR-2036 330 6-Apr-17 10.92 344 20-Apr-17 10.91 358 4-May-17 10.93 *for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the TTM

2.79 3.50 4.07 4.51 4.36 4.76 5.81Date Issue 6.12 6.93 7.56 16-Aug-13 7.92 27-Apr-12 7.87 27-Jul-07 8.09 8.21 31-Aug-07 8.12 30-May-08 8.63 29-Jun-12 8.77 8.62 23-Oct-09 8.68 13-Feb-15 8.85 27-Jan-12 9.23 9.05 14-Mar-14 9.47 22-Jan-16 9.51 28-Nov-08 9.73 9.70 22-May-09 10.30 20-Nov-09 10.46 23-Jul-10 10.17 18-Jul-14 10.41 9.91 18-Mar-16 10.67 10.66 10.68

FGN Bonds

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

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

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 4.9583 7.8010 10.9097 12.2976

O/N Tenor Call

Outstanding Value Maturity Date (₦’bn) NITTY Tenor 581.39 1M 480.13 2M 20.00 3M 6M 100.00 9M 300.00 12M

Rate (%) 16-Aug-16 4.3715 27-Apr-17 5.7566 27-Jul-17 8.1397 9.4710 31-Aug-17 10.9008 30-May-18 12.5595

351.30 29-Jun-19 233.90 23-Oct-19 576.93 NIFEX 13-Feb-20 605.31 27-Jan-22 Current Price ($/N) BID($/N) 719.99 199.0000 14-Mar-24 OFFER ($/N) 199.1000 266.02 22-Jan-26 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 1075.92 18-Jul-34 80.00 18-Mar-36

5.21

REPO

1M (Yrs) TTM 3M 6M

Rate (%) 4.87

Bid5.82 Yield (%) 6.52 7.37

Modified Duration Buckets

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National Bonds *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA *NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE

<3 3<5 >5 Market

Porfolio Market Value (₦’bn)

986.99 1,400.28 1,395.50 3,782.77

03-Apr-12

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

0.27 8.49 7.94 0.96 11.74 11.57 NOTE: 1.21 12.03 11.89 :Benchmarks * :Amortising 1.31Bond 12.08 11.95 µ :Convertible Bond 2.05 12.48 12.40 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 3.13 13.06 12.95 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 3.45Mortgage Bank 13.30 13.17 IFC: International Finance Corporation 3.76 13.52 13.42 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 5.71 Aviation Handling 13.63 Company 13.56 NAHCO: Nigerian O/N: Overnight 7.84 13.87 13.81 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 9.70 13.99 13.93 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 12.55 13.98 13.93 13.03 13.98 13.93 13.53 13.98 13.91 14.20 13.98 13.92 18.18 13.96 13.91 19.85 13.89 13.85

6,407.46

197.33 199.00 200.01 202.10 202.14 210.11 Bid Price 222.34 227.10

197.43 199.50

Price200.11

202.20 202.24 210.21 Offer Price 222.44 227.20

101.12 101.27 102.96 103.11 97.57 97.72 NA :Not Applicable ^ : Market96.76 Prices 96.91 # : Floating Rate Bond 96.84 96.99 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 107.31 107.61 DTM: Days-To-Maturity TTM: Term-To-Maturity 83.00 83.30 ‡ : Bond rating under review 105.73 106.03 †: Bond rating expired 110.93 N/A :Not 110.63 Available {r} :Issuer in receivership 101.48 101.78 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 92.15 92.45 UBA: United Bank for Africa 105.91 106.21 91.15 91.45 67.10 67.40 75.68 75.98 88.09 88.39 89.95 90.25

6362.457269

6,150.39 Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

FMBN

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

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

Bonds

Issue Date

Agency Bonds Nil

3.04 3.75 4.33 4.78 4.63 5.05 6.13 (%) Coupon 6.45 7.29 7.95 13.05 8.34 15.10 8.30 9.85 8.56 8.70 9.35 8.64 10.70 9.21 16.00 9.38 9.24 7.00 9.32 15.54 9.51 16.39 9.98 9.81 14.20 10.30 12.50 10.36 15.00 10.68 10.69 12.49 11.43 8.50 11.67 10.00 11.38 12.1493 11.71 11.14 12.4000 12.12 12.16 12.25

17.25

Weighting by Mkt Value

1.20

03-Apr-17

Weighting by Outstanding Volume

928.23 1,325.30 1,667.49 3,921.02

23.67 33.80 42.53 100.00 30-Jun-11

26.09 37.02 36.89 100.00 14.00

1.23 0.24 0.34 0.43 1.00 1.30

12.94 29.54 57.51 100.00 30-Jun-16

13.36 13.77 13.97 13.83 0.14

30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 31-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12

15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50

2.05 57.00 16.45 25.00 23.44 4.22 10.98 8.14 21.68 12.55

30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19

0.14 0.94 0.66 1.64 1.45 1.47 1.43 1.44 1.62 2.04

Bucket Weighting

1.20

% Exposure_ Mod_Duration

0.47

Total Outstanding Volume (₦’bn)

Implied Yield

Risk Premium (%) 2.94

Implied Portfolio Price

133.8689 146.0882 109.3917 127.5896 4.46

3.48 1.00 5.71 2.39 1.00 1.00 3.82 3.56 3.82 2.02

Valuation Yield (%) 12.43 INDEX

1,217.90 1,266.50 1,318.83 1,214.99 10.23

9.25 12.64 16.07 14.65 13.16 13.17 15.97 15.71 16.07 14.50

Modelled Price

102.14

YTD Return (%)

9.9334 25.0773 30.9641 15.1445 100.44

100.78 97.71 98.58 99.03 101.02 101.02 98.21 97.91 99.16 101.62

News|SOUTH-WEST

Muritala Ayinla

agos State Government said it has so far saved N5.990 billion using the Treasury Single Account (TSA) just as it said significant savings had been made following the relocation of government's agencies from rented apartments to government's owned property. Briefing journalists yesterday on the performance of the state Finance Ministry, Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi, who disclosed this, said the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administra-

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lagos saves N5.990bn through TSA tion had been able to save a lot through prudent management of resources. Governor Ambode said the Treasury Single Account, transparency and efficiency has increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through seamless revenue generation and collection and improved cash management in the state. This has resulted in savings of N5.990 billion.” He explained that the present administration has

successfully re-engineered the state’s outstanding internal loans to reduce burden on IGR and technically saved N3.8 billion per month, saying it has been applied continually for capital projects. “This was achieved by re-negotiating interest rates from an average of 18 percent monthly (N5.35 billion monthly payment) to 12.5per cent (N1.52 billion monthly payment). “The state restructured its outstanding bonds from

bullet payment to amortising payment to reduce debt service resulting in huge savings recorded from this initiative. “Through this we have also achieved savings of over N500 million in monthly contributions to Consolidated Debt Service Account (CDSA) and over N40 billion saved in interest payments over the lifetime of the instruments.” On Fitch rating, Akinkunmi said:” In fact, the International Credit

Rating Agency, Fitch Ratings, released a report in March 2016 – to quote the report, Fitch’s affirmation reflects its expectations of “strong operating per-

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME

Christopher

I formerly known and addressed as Benjamin Tonye now wish to be known and addressed as Benjamin Ayibatonye Christopher. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Bonko

I formerly known and addressed as Freeborn Clement Igadi now wish to be known and addressed as Bonko Clement Igadi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Eze

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nnadi Oluchukwu Emilia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eze Oluchukwu Emilia. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

L-R: Ooni of ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; his Olori, Folasade and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, during Ooni’s visit to Chief Obasanjo in Abeokuta … yesterday

Ajimobi withholds 16,532 workers salaries Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

ollowing alleged discovery of varied sharp practices among some workers of the state, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State yesterday announced the suspension of salaries of no fewer than 16,532 workers and pensioners. The announcement made by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ismail Olalekan Alli, at a press conference held at the Parliament Building of the state secretariat was said to be sequel to verifications made about mode of collecting salaries, as well as abandonment of some banks accounts by owners who refused to up-

date their Bank Verification Number (BVN). The withholding of the salaries which were paid last in November and December last year for some categories of workers, would continue pending the clarification of issues they had during the first phase of the on-going verification exercise for the state's workforce. Giving a breakdown of the exercise, which he said would be a continuous one, Alli said salaries of 16,532 out of 100,259 workers in the state were suspended as a result of the discoveries made during the exercise. According to him, the exercise, among other things, would "eliminate fraud in the payroll system by ensuring that only iden-

tified, deserving and regular employees receive the salaries being paid; eliminate all forms of duplication and irregularities that may lead to the inflation of the payroll via the nominal roll". Hinting that some of the workers were drawing multiple salary from multiple accounts, the SSG said "in category ‘A’, about 645 were discovered to be drawing multiple salaries from multiple accounts, 122 workers in Ministries, from the Departments and Agencies (MDA), 196 from MDA pensioners, 120 from the State Universal Basic Education Board, 52 from SUBEB pensioners, 72 from Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and 7 from NYSC Corps members".

Lagos paid N48bn pension on 10,300 retirees

he Lagos State Government has paid accrued pension rights totaling N48 billion to over 10, 300 retirees to underscore its commitment to improve the welfare and well-being of former staff. The Commissioner, Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Benson Oke Akintola, who stated this on Tuesday while speaking at the 10th Retirement Benefit Documentation Seminar for employees who are due to retire from the Lagos State Public Ser-

vice between July and December 2016 at Alausa, Ikeja, said the government would continue to deliver tangible dividends of democracy in spite of the limited available resources. Dr. Akintola, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Pensions Office, Mrs. Funmilayo Balogun said “prompt payment of the monthly salaries and allowances of all active workers by the Lagos State Government will continue to be our focus. This is because government is ever

conscious of the necessity to ensure the well-being of its workforce whose contributions to its achievements cannot be quantified.” Speaking earlier, the Director-General, Lagos State Pension Board, Mrs. Folashade Onanuga said that the total contributions credited into active employees Retirement Savings Accounts managed by the 10 Pension Fund Administrators approved by the State Government from April 2007 to March 2016 is approximately N64 billion.

Fayose asks Buhari to apologise for Cameron’s 'insult' Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

kiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, has blamed President Muhammadu Buhari for the British Prime Minister, David Cameron’s comment, which described Nigeria as ‘fantastically corrupt.’ Fayose said the president's utterances outside the country’s shores ignited Cameron’s insult on the Nigerian nation. He said: “What do you expect from the international community when the president of a nation keeps going abroad to say that his people are corrupt? “When a president mounts the podium in foreign lands and gleefully says that his own people are criminals; they are corrupt and that those abroad should be sent back home, why would presidents of other countries not brand all citizens of such a country as fantastically corrupt? “Rather than this grandstanding from the Presidency, concerted efforts should be made to redeem the image of Nigeria that the President has destroyed.”

formance in the medium term, outstanding sophistication and transparency management compared to local standards, as well as satisfactory debt metrics."

Fijo

I, formerly known and addressed as Mba Grace Kalu now wish to be known and addressed as Fijo Grace Nnanna All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Tayo

I, formerly known and addressed as Adekunle Olaolu Laken wish to be known and addressed as Adekunle Olaolu Tayo All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public please take note.

Ezeoha

I formerly known as Kingsley Onuma Ihegwuruike now wish to be known and addressed as Kingsley Azubuike Ezeoha. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Bernard

I formerly known as Ase Azibabhirayam, Ase Azibabhirayam .B. and Ase Blessing now wish to be known and addressed as Ase Azibabhirayam Bernard. All former documents remain valid. GTBank, Skye Bank and general public note.

Olufowose

I, formerly known and addressed as Emmanuel Olodu, now wish to be known and addressed as Olufowose Idowu Emmanuel. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Peter

I, formerly known and addressed as Mercy Joseph Peter, now wish to be known as Aniema Aniekan Ukpong. That Aniema Aniekan Ukpong and Mercy Joseph Peter belong to the same person. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Clement

I, Patricia Samuel Clement Wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as Pat Samuel Clement instead of Patricia Samuel Clement. All former documents remains valid. General public should take note.

Orji

I, formerly known and addressed as Jay Igwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Anyanso John Orji. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public take note.

Akinpelu

I, formerly known and addressed as Tammy Louise Vosper, now wish to be known and addressed as Tammy Louise Akinpelu. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public please take note.

Stella

I formerly known and addressed as Awa John Oluchi now wish to be known and addressed as Awa Oluchi Stella. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Njong

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ewoni Usang Ibor now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Faith Christopher Njong. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Korna

This is to confirm that Korna Veronica Nguavese, Korna Nguavese & Kornna Veronica are the same person. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Korna Veronica Nguavese. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public should take note.

Ayebaekipreye

I, formerly known and addressed as Mr Stanley Bright Efe now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Stanley Bright Ayebaekipreye All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Amaechi

I formerly known as Maureen Nkechi Iheaka now wish to be known and addressed as Maureen Nkechi Amaechi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Amos

I formerly known as Pius Chukwuma Amos now wish to be known and addressed as Pius Chima Amos. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Isuofagha

I formerly known as Martin Ebimiegha now wish to be known and addressed as Martin Isuofagha. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

Mbam

This is to confirm that the names Igwe Chinwe Uchenna and Igwe Chinwe Love Nwite refer to one and the same person. That henceforth I wish to be known and addressed Mrs. Chinwendu Loveth Nwite Mbam. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank Plc, First bank Plc and the general public please take note.

Osigwe

I, formerly known and addressed as, Miss. Igweka Agatha Ugochi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ugochi Nancy Osigwe. All former documents remains valid. General public should take note.

Kareem

I, formerly known and addressed as Karimu Wasiu Ayinde, now wish to be known and addressed as Kareem Wasiu Ayinde. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public please take note.

Olajide

I, formerly known and addressed as Adeniji Samuel Aremu, now wish to be known and addressed as Adeniji Sakibu Olajide. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public please take note.

Alarape

I, formerly known and addressed as Oladejo Oyeniyi Muideen, now wish to be known and addressed as Alarape Olukayode Saheed. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public please take note.

south-east | news

thursday, may 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Security beefed up over pro-Biafra protest in Aba

esidents of the commercial city of Aba woke up yesterday to see security operatives, comprising the Army, Police and Civil Defence Corps, parading major streets. They were heavily armed, following Tues-

day's protest in the city by Pro-Biafran groups made up of Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State Of Biafra (MASSOB), Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern People’s Congress (EPC). The security operatives

£38.5m

The total amount received by Southampton in the whole 2015-16 season. Source: 101greatgoals.com

Abia North: Tribunal adjourns to May 18 Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

he senatorial election rerun petition tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia State capital, yesterday announced that it could not sit because the chairman, Justice James Abundaga, was indisposed. The tribunal had at its inaugural sitting on April 18, 2016, adjourned to allow the petitioner, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu to inspect election materials but as lawyers, journalists and supporters of the candidates gathered yesterday to wait for the commencement of hearing, the tribunal's secretary announced that the court would not sit because the “chairman is indisposed.” He said: “Attention please, the tribunal will no longer sit today; sitting has been adjourned to the 18th of May. The chairman is indisposed and will not be able to at-

tend. We are sorry for the inconvenience.” The tribunal had at the last sitting held that the PDP candidate, Mao Ohuabunwa, who was declared winner of the election, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), lied that he was not served the notice of the petition. The tribunal thereafter ruled in favour of the petitioner and granted his prayer to inspect materials used in the election. Kalu, former Governor of Abia State and Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) candidate in the March 5, 2016 senatorial rerun in Abia North senatorial district had challenged the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ohuabunwa, as winner of the rerun election. Kalu wants the tribunal to declare him winner having polled majority of the lawful votes cast in the rerun.

Anambra: Court upholds Oduah's election Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday upheld the election of Senator Stella Oduah as the validly elected Senator representing Ogbaru, Anambra North Senatorial District in the State. The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in a ruling that lasted for about 30 minutes, struck out the suit instituted by Magarene Okadigbo, challenging the primary election that produced Oduah as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 Senatorial election for was lacking in merit. The court held that Section 31 of the Electoral Act, 2010 and 251 of the 1999 Constitution were

categorical and unambiguous to the effect that the primary election was an internal affair of a political party and should not be enquired into by any court of law. The court further held that he had carefully studied the case of Senator Okadigbo and found that there was no dispute in the fact that the issue in contention was the PDP Primary election of December 7, 2014, conducted by Mr. Simon Izuora and which produced Oduah as the candidate of the Party for the Anambra North. Justice Ademola further held that since the law was emphatic that no court should enquire into any primary election of a political party, any attempt to go beyond that level will amount to an exercise in futility.

moved round the city in Hilux vans with sirens, apparently demonstrating their readiness to forestall any further protest. The security convoy moved from Osisioma through Aba-Owerri Road and headed to the centre of the town, driving at snail speed. At the main park, touts had to run for fear of being arrested for illegally loading outside the part in defiance to the state government’s order that vehicles should load inside the park. Mr. Emma Njoku, a trader, said he was panicstricken when he sighted the convoy as he envis-

aged another violent day at the city. According to him, he ordered that his children and wards should not go to school to enable them watch unfolding situations. “The city in the past few months had witnessed a lot of bloodshed and violent protests,” he said. Also, another trader, Eme Eme, said he had to go to the market late because he was afraid that the security patrol might result to serious clash between the Pro-Biafran groups and the security operatives. He stated: “It is now the usual practice; if you see security convoy patrolling around the

town, expect skirmishes and violent confrontation.” Eme also said that the traders were tired as this had adversely affected trade and commerce in the city. “Our customers from neighbouring states no longer come to patronize us; they are afraid that they might be caught in the web of the security/ Pro-Biafran protest,” he added. The national coordinator, welfare, MASSOB, Comrade Jude Chukwu, in an interview, said no matter the security threat, the city would continue to witness peaceful protests by the Pro Biafran

groups, who are pressing for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader, Ben Onwuka the Zionist leader and other Biafran leaders still incarcerated in various prisons across the country. According to him, future protests will take a new turn because all the groups have agreed to come under one umbrella to press on their demand. He called on Federal Government to caution security operatives on using live ammunition on defenceless citizens, and that this was not in line with the International Best Practice. L-R: Ebonyi State Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe; Governor, David Umahi and Sen. Dr. Sam O. Egwu, at the PDP State Congress held at Abakaliki Township Stadium …on Tuesday.

Abia PDP state executives, product of consensus –Kumu Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

hairman of the Abia State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Congress Committee, Senator Saidu Kumu, has described the congress that ended late Tuesday evening, which produced former transition committee chairman of Umuahia North Chief Johnson Onuigbo, as chairman, as a “product of consensus and good understanding.” Kumu had in his opening remarks said that delegates would only cast yes or no votes to affirm their acceptance or otherwise, and that the peaceful con-

duct of ward and local government congresses that climaxed at the state congress was “a big surprise” given the rancor that characterised the same exercise in some states. Onuigbo emerged chairman following a consensus agreement among the stakeholders to zone the positions to various senatorial districts, just as the names of the officers and their offices were read out to the participants before the voting commenced. In maintaining the culture of equity prevailing in the state, each of the 17 local governments was given at least one slot in the party’s new state executive committee.

Umahi hails congresses in Ebonyi Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

bonyi state Governor, Chief Dave Umahi yesterday hailed the peaceful conduct of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Congresses held in the state. He said the congresses were the best so far in the history of the state. The governor, who stated this while casting his votes during the state's PDP congress held

at Abakaliki township stadium, said he was very excited on the absolute peace witnessed throughout the congresses. He noted that the congress committees were given free hand to conduct the elections, and the entire PDP fold in the state was satisfied with the exercise. Umahi also applauded the maturity of PDP stakeholders who ensured that positions were harmonized such that every position was won unopposed.

APC suspends zonal chairman Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

he All Progressives Congress (APC) Enugu East Senatorial District Zonal Chairman, Chief Anike Nwoga, has been suspended from office for alleged anti-party activities. The party elected Barr. Val Ikpa as the interim Chairman. The suspension order came through a motion by the Zonal Legal Adviser, Barr. Jones Edeanigbogu, who alleged that the suspended Chairman violated Article 21:A (ii & v ) as well as Article 21: D (vi)of the party’s constitution, October 2014 as amended.

The motion was seconded by Prince Charles Onyeka, the Enugu East LG Party Chairman. The suspended Chairman Chief Anike Nwoga who presided over the meeting, put up a stiff defense but it was fruitless, for when the question was put for vote, after more than 30 minutes intense debate, all the members present voted in favor of the motion, except one member who voted against. Consequently, Nwoga was duly suspended and a three-man committee was set up to further hear him out and submit their reports to the Enugu East Senatorial Zonal Executive within three months.

New Enugu chair promises to reposition party Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

he newly elected Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, has said that he would reposition the party for the challenge ahead, and promote the laudable programmes and policies of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi-led ad-

ministration in the state, in line with the manifesto of the party. Nnamani stated this after taken over the mantle of leadership, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has endorsed the process of the Enugu State PDP Congress, which produced 28 other members of the State EXCO of the party, as peaceful and transparent.

News|SOUTH-SOUTH

Chris Ejim Yenagoa

ayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, yesterday set up a nine-member judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the fraudulent falsification of the government’s payroll and other accounts. The measure was part

Dickson probes Bayelsa’s salaries’ fraud lGovernor cannot bribe us, says NULGE

of his efforts to sanitise the civil service and entrench corporate governance in the state. Already, workers under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Con-

Environmentalists, communities seek clean-up of polluted N’Delta areas Chris Ejim Yenagoa

ctivists and host communities of Nigeria’s first set of oil wells have demanded the immediate cleanup of polluted areas in the Niger Delta by the Federal Government and multinational oil companies. They made the call at an Environmental Awareness Programme at the Oloibiri Oil Well in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Participants at the event, organised by the Nengi James Foundation in partnership with civil society organisations, also advocated an end to crude oil spills and gas flaring in the region. Oil was first drilled in commercial quantity in Nigeria on June 26, 1956 at the Oloibiri Oil Well 1 at the rate of 5,000 barrels per day. The 12, 008 feet oil well had since dried up 65 years later, only the well head and a monument put in place by the Federal Ministry of Tourism and National Orientation in 2013, are the relics left behind at the location.

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

As a result of the development, stakeholders convened the environmental sensitisation programme on the ‘Role of Fossil Fuels on Climate Change,’ as part of a global week of events to raise awareness on the need for communities to support government’s efforts to clean up the Niger Delta. On the occasion, a former Chairman of Ogbia Local Government Area, Chief Napoleon Ofuruma, who spoke on behalf of landlords in the communities, lamented that oil exploration and exploitation activities had brought in its wake tales of environmental devastation and sufferings on the people. Ofuruma said with the oil wells dried up, the people were seeking a return to farming and fishing, though the lands and creeks are polluted. Also, the Director of the Environmental Rights Group, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Mr. Nnimmo Bassey, stressed the need for the nation to break free from fossil fuel, which according to him is a major driver of climate change.

gress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), have expressed satisfaction with the governor's decision, saying apart from bringing sanity into the system and block all leakages of fraud, it would save the state from impoverishment by crooks. Justice Doris Adokeme is the chairperson of the commission, while Mr. Victor Slaboh is secretary. Other members of the committee are Chief

Amos Poubinafa; Mr. Olodiama Jebba, representing the Ministry of Justice and Mr. Anthony Ikhobo, representing the state treasury. Raymond Angaye represents the Office of the Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Akingbade; Miss Erebi Bibobra and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Assayomo Tuesday, are also members of the commission. Meanwhile, the National Union of Local Government Employees

Benin Crown Prince, Eheneden Erediauwa (seated); surrounded by members of the WAEC delegation during their condolence visit to the crown prince.

£202,500

The monthly salary of Nigel de Jong of AC Milan in 2014/2015. Source: Paywizard.co.uk

577,000

The total population of men of Cyprus in 2012. Source: Un.org

Edo Crown Prince: I learnt a lot from my father Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

do Crown Prince and Edaiken N'Uselu, Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa, yesterday said he learnt a lot from his late father, His Royal Majesty, Omo N'Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa that would assist him to uplift the Benin nation during his reign. The Crown Prince spoke yesterday in Benin City, Edo State, while playing host to the state

Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, who paid him a condolence visit at the palace at Uselu. He promised to do his best to justify the confidence reposed in him, stressing that having been close to his late father, he would do his best to keep the legacy of the kingdom. During the visit, Odubu had eulogised the sterling qualities of late monarch, saying that his reign in the kingdom witnessed unprecedented and sustained economic, cultural and social development. He said: “Without

any doubt, Omo N'Oba Erediauwa's reign in Benin Kingdom witnessed unprecedented and sustained economic, cultural and social development. “A highly perceptive leader and an astute administrator, he dispensed justice and welfare to all and sundry without recourse to the station in life or place of birth of such an individual, Omo N'Oba Erediauwa comforted the needy and protected the weak from the abuse of the strong. Personally, I enjoyed his love and support,” Odubu said.

Why we introduced skills acquisition, by NYSC DG

he Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General S. Z. Kazaure, yesterday explained why the corps introduced compulsory skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes for all corps members during the service year.

He said such programmes would enable corps members become job creators rather than job seekers after the mandatory one-year national programme. Kazaure, who made this known yesterday during a visit to corps members undergoing orientation pro-

(NULGE) yesterday debunked the rumour that labour unions in the state had been compromised by the state government over unpaid salary arrears, saying labour can never be bribed by the government. The Dickson administration is currently owing the state civil servants over four months’ salary arrears, while local government workers are being owed between 10 and 12 months. NULGE Deputy Presi-

dent in the state, Gowon Toruyouyei, while speaking with New Telegraph yesterday, wondered why people should ever think that they could be bought over when majority of the state’s workers were suffering from untold hardship as a result of unpaid salaries. According to him, "Dickson cannot bribe us, I cannot speak for labour, because am not competent to speak for labour; but for the state administration of NULGE, I can speak in all sincerity, we don't take bribe and cannot also negotiate bribe."

gramme at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, said the need to bridge the unemployment gap informed the decision to introduce compulsory skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes for corps members.

The deputy governor continued; “The news that the sun has set and our royal father, Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, CFR, has joined his ancestors, was received with a deep sense of loss. "Our Royal Majesty was a tower of strength and support to the government and people of Edo State, offering priceless and insightful guidance at all times. This largely enhanced growth and engendered peace in Benin Kingdom and indeed Edo State," he said.

WAEC enlogises Oba Erediauwa Mojeed Alabi

he Registrar of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Dr. Iyi Uwadiae, has lauded the late Benin monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Erediauwa (CFR), for what he described as his immeasurable contributions to educational growth in the country and the successes recorded so far by the examination body in particular. Uwadiae, who made this remark when he led the management of WAEC on a condolence visit to the royal family, chiefs, elders and people of the Benin Kingdom on the passage of the Oba, noted that the late monarch meant so much to the examination body.

The delegation, according to WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs Unit, Mr. Abiodun Aduloju, was received in Benin on behalf of the royal family by the Edaiken N’Uselu, at his palace. Speaking on behalf of the WAEC delegation, Uwadiae extolled the virtues of Oba Erediauwa and recounted some of his numerous contributions to the education of the youth at all levels, noting that the late monarch gave WAEC immeasurable assistance during his reign. He added that since 1985 the monarch had been consistently donated two trophies each year for the two schools in Nigeria that produce the “best male” and “best female” candidates respectively in the council’s international examinations.

announcing Odu Cross River PDP elects new exco as While the duly elected secre-

Clement James Calabar

he Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday elected Mr. Inok Edim as its chairman in a peaceful election conducted at the U. J. Esuene Stadium. Edim, who until the con-

gress was the Commissioner for Infrastructure, polled a total of 791 votes out of the 809 accredited delegates in the congress. The position of State secretary of the party which was zoned to the northern senatorial district, went to one Mr. Victor Odu, who has been described as a ‘stranger’ in the party.

tary, the Chairman of the 2016 congress committee for the State, Hon. Tebite Olorogun, said he scored a total of 710 votes to emerge winner. Other positions which was contested for included the Vice Chairmanship, Assistant Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer positions, among others.

News|NORTH 43

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Judge to police: Produce Shiite members in court Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

ustice David Wyoms of Kaduna High Court has ordered the police to produce the accused persons that were granted bail on June 21, in the case involving Kaduna State Government and some members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. State counsel, Dari Bayero, had told the court that accused number 42 to 80, had been released on bail to one Alhaji Musa Usman, but that he has not produced them in court when the matter came up yesterday. According to Bayero, Usman had undertaken to pro-

0.8%

duce the 38 accused before the court in a similar case, which is before Justice Hannatu Balogun. “The learned judge granted him time. I pray that the honourable court should grant him time to produce those he took on bail,’’ Bayero had pleaded. The state counsel also asked the court to strike out the name of Abbas Isiyaku who had earlier died in prison custody. Clarifying the matter, counsel to the accused persons, Festus Okoye had argued that Usman did not take accused number 42 to 80, who were mostly women, children and minors, on bail. According to him, “the police released them to him on grounds that the state

The annual population growth rate of Palau in 2010-2015. Source: Un.org

claimed that they do not want to prosecute women, children and minors.’’ Narrating what happened, Alhaji Musa said that one Sayyed Babangida called him on December 18, 2015, saying that the commissioner of police wanted to see him. “We met with him (Commissioner of police) and he said that he has been given directives to release women and children. That he wants us to help him get buses to convey the women and children to their various destinations. “I made calls and got the buses and he said that we must conclude the evacuation within 10 minutes . The women and children were

961,589

The total number of fixed-telephone subscriptions in Bangladesh in 2012. Source: Itu.int

brought from various cells and put in the buses. I did not even see their faces. “One of the buses took those going towards Abuja and Minna and another took those going to Zaria and Kano,” he said. Adjourning the case, Justice Wyomus observed that Usman bailed some of the accused and they were released to him. He also noted that “some accused persons are not in court and were released on bail by the police.’’ According to the judge, “it is the duty of the police to ensure that the accused persons are in court. If Usman does not fulfil the conditions of bail given by the police, the police know what to do.’’

552,000

The total population of women of Cyprus in 2012. Source: Un.org

L-R: Chief of Staff to the Katsina State Governor, Mallam Bello Mandiyya; Governor Aminu Masari and Acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Waheed Olagunju, at the inauguration of the bank’s office in Kastina State… yesterday

Benue denies herdsmen’s killing, misapplication of funds Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

ontrary to speculations that Agatu people of Benue State recently killed some herdsmen and 83 cows in Nasarawa state, Governor Samuel Ortom, yesterday, said the information at his disposal showed that it was the Agatu of Nasarawa State that attacked some herdsmen who had displaced them from their villages. Ortom, who addressed journalists shortly after a security council meeting with Agatu indigenes, said over 10 Agatu communities in Nasarawa State bear the same name with Agatu communities in Benue State. He said it was discovered

at the security meeting that some Agatu youths tried to offend the soldiers sent to the area to secure their lives and property after herdsmen had invaded some communities and warned that any of them caught formenting trouble would be handed over to security agents. He said the state government has been working towards creating conducive environment for displaced persons to return to their abodes, stressing that Agatu youths cannot frustrate that effort. He advised youths from Agatu and other parts of Benue South Senatorial District to surrender their arms or be ready to face the wrath of the law and observed that kidnapping was becoming rampant in that part of the state.

Cracks in Sokoto PDP as irregularities mar congress Umar Abdullahi Sokoto

he Sokoto State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congress, conducted on Tuesday, has further created cracks in the party in the state. Some party stalwarts were said to have stayed away from the congress, which returned the incumbent Chairman of the party, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma as the state Chairman for the second term. But, a faction of the PDP in the state has disassociated itself from the congress and declared it as null and void. Bases on the results of the congress declared, the delegates to the congress from

the 23 Local Government Areas of the state were said to have elected Milgoma with 29 unopposed votes as the party’s new executive Chairman to manage the affairs of the party. The Chairman, State Congress Committee Alhaji Aliyu Umar declared the congress results held at Giginya Memorial Stadium, Sokoto. Speaking after the congress, the newly elected PDP chairman, said the party still reminded intact and united despite the absent of some party stalwarts at the congress, noting that the party also exhibited a sense of maturity as it could resolve and take decision on issues base on the interest of its members.

NYSC DG begs Niger govt to complete permanent camp Dan Atori MINNA

he Director General of the National Youths Service Corps, BrigadierGeneral Sule Zakari Kazaure, has appealed to the Niger State Government to expedite action on the completion of the NYSC permanent site started in the state five years ago. The DG, who stated this during his visit to the NYSC camp, said that having a permanent site would go a long way in solving the problem of the NYSC in the state. It will be recalled that the immediate past administration had awarded a N40 million contract for the building of the permanent site but only 10 per cent of the job seemed to have been done.

While commending the governor for the donation of 500 double bunk bed and mattresses to the orientation camp, the DG emphasized that having a permanent site would reduce the cost of running the camp. He lamented that most of the facilities at the temporary site are usually broken or stolen, thereby leading to spending more during each orientation exercise. He said: “We are appealing to the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, to work on making the permanent site ready for us. To this end, we will spend less every year. “Each time we come for orientation course, most of our facilities are usually damaged or stolen and we spend more in repairing or getting it back. A lot of money is being spent on this.”

Sango, ex-Sports Minister, emerges PDP chairman in Plateau

hief Damishi Sango, a former Minister of Sports, has been elected as chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State. Sango was returned elected with other executive members after the party completed its state congress on Wednesday in Jos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Sango polled 758 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Mr Bitrus Kaze, who scored 222 votes. The Chairman of the Plateau State Electoral Committee, Mallam Mustapha Habib, said the election was conducted in accordance with section 45 sub-section 5 of the party’s constitution. “I am glad that we have conducted this election.

Now, a new crop of leaders has emerged,’’ he said. In his acceptance speech, Sango promised to use his wealth of experience, as one of the founding fathers of the party to move it forward. He said that he would focus on reconciling with all the aggrieved members of the party towards a united and strong force that could compete with its rival parties. Sango promised to carry all party members along, stressing that the grassroots would be the focal point. Also speaking, the former Plateau governor, Sen Jonah Jang, expressed happiness that all aspirants were given the opportunity to contest for the positions of their choice.

Kaduna beggars protest anti begging law Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

aduna State beggars have vowed to sacrifice their lives in order to protest against the new law which bans street begging. They also gave Governor Nasir Elrufai seven days ultimatum to withdraw the law or they would occupy the Government House. The beggars, who comprised the blind, deaf, crippled, elderly, young and women with their babies, said nobody can stop them from begging without providing them with alternative sources of livelihood. The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “El-Rufai before stopping street begging, pass state disability bill “,

“El-Rufai, fulfil your campaign promises before stopping begging in Kaduna”. “Give us 10 per cent job opportunity as you promised before stopping street begging,” among others. It would be recalled that El-Rufai had last week assented to the bill banning street begging and hawking in the state, a law that has continued to raise a lot of dust since then. Speaking on why they are protesting, Chairman of Concerned Citizens with Disabilities, Julius Shemang, said the passage of the street begging and hawking bill in the absence of adequate provisions for the street beggars, contradicts the agreement that was reached between them and the government, that solutions will be proffered before the law comes into effect.

WORLD \ NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

93 killed in car bombings in Baghdad

hree separate car bombings in the Iraqi capital yesterday killed at least 93 people and wounded at least 165. The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for all three bombings. In recent months, the extremist faction has lost some of the Iraqi territory it conquered in a stunning 2014 blitz. But Wednesday’s carnage demonstrates the group’s lingering ability to launch significant

attacks across the country and in the heart of the capital. In the largest attack of the day, a car bomb ripped through a commercial area in the predominantly Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City Wednesday morning, killing at least 63 people and wounding at least 85. Later in the afternoon, two more car bombs killed at least 30 and wounded 80, police officials said. One bomber targeted a police station in Bagh-

dad’s northwest Kadhimiyah neighborhood, killing 18, of whom five were policemen, and wounding 34. Another bombing in the northern Baghdad neighborhood of Jamiya killed 12 and wounded 46. Medical officials confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to brief the press. The Sadr City bomb struck a crowded outdoor market and officials said the death toll

could rise further. An officials claimed the increase in assaults in Baghdad is an attempt by IS to distract from their battlefield losses. The bombings also come at a time of political deadlock that has paralyzed the work of the Iraqi government and parliament, adding to the country’s complex set of military, security, humanitarian, economic and human rights challenges. The market struck in Sadr city is one of four main outdoor

shopping venues in the sprawling slum that is home to about 2.5 million residents almost half of Baghdad’s population of around 6 million. The open-air markets sell a range of goods, from food to household items, to clothes and other merchandise. Ambulances rushed to the scene as dozens of residents walked through twisted and mangled wreckage of cars and other debris that littered the pavement, trying to help the victims.

Brazil’s Senate debates Rousseff’s impeachment trial

he Brazilian Senate was expected to suspend President Dilma Rousseff yesterday in a vote to put her on trial for breaking budget laws, pushing a deeply unpopular leader from power and ending 13 years of rule by her leftist Workers Party. If her opponents garner a simple majority in the 81-seat Senate in a session that will last into the night, it means Rousseff will be replaced today by Vice President Michel Temer as acting president for up to six months during the trial. In a sign that Rousseff was preparing for defeat, Workers Party Senator

Humberto Costa told reporters that she is expected to dismiss all her ministers later on Wednesday to give Temer a clean slate to name his own cabinet on Thursday. With much of the nation following the momentous session live on television, the Senate began debating the impeachment trial in mid-morning. Each senator was to be given the chance to speak and the final vote was expected to take place at around 10 p.m. Brasilia-based consultancy ARKO Advice projected that the upper chamber would vote 57-21 to try Rousseff, the first woman to lead Brazil.

DR Congo president can remain in office without a vote, court rules

R Congo’s President Joseph Kabila can remain in office when his mandate expires at the end of 2016, even without being re-elected, the Constitutional Court said yesterday. The ruling was handed down in response to a request from the ruling party amid rising tension over the government’s failure to set a date for the next elections, originally due in November this year before Kabila’s mandate ends. Kabila, who took over Democratic Republic of Congo on his father’s assassination in 2001, is constitutionally barred from running for a third term. He won successive elections in 2006 and 2011. Yesterday’s ruling followed a request for clarification over

Kabila

Kabila’s fate should the polls fail to be held on schedule before the end of his term, as is widely expected. The court based its response on article 70 of the constitution stating that a president remains in office until the next head of state steps in.

Italian MPs back same-sex unions

taly’s parliament has backed same-sex civil unions in a vote of confidence for centre-left Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. Until yesterday’s vote Italy had been the last major Western democracy not to legally recognise gay partnerships. The issue has been highly controversial in Italy, amid staunch opposition from Catholic conservatives. MPs in the lower house voted 369-193 for the government, ensuring that the civil unions’ bill will become law. Ahead of the vote, Mr Renzi wrote on Facebook that “today is a day of celebration for so many.” Final approval of civil unions is expected later on Wednesday, but

that vote by MPs is seen as a formality, as the confidence vote was the crucial hurdle. After many delays the civil unions bill was watered down in order to secure the necessary support. Last year, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Italy had violated human rights by failing to offer enough legal protection for same-sex couples. In February this year the Italian Senate - the upper house - approved the civil unions bill, after the text had been watered down. The bill’s main sponsor, Democratic Party (PD) Senator Monica Cirinna, called the compromise version a “hollow victory” and only “a first step”.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II hosting a State Banquet for Chinese President

Queen calls Chinese delegation‘very rude’

ueen Elizabeth II was caught on camera describing some Chinese officials as “very rude” in a rare diplomatic gaffe by the British monarch over a visit that drummed up billions in Chinese investment. Her comments, aired yesterday, came just hours after Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday also made inadvertently public remarks, referring to Afghanistan and Nigeria as “most corrupt”. Dressed in a pink coat and hat with white gloves, the queen could be heard during a garden party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday making unguarded comments about a Chinese state visit last year.Police commander Lucy D’Orsi was introduced to the queen as the woman who oversaw security

for the state visit of President Xi Jinping and his wife in October, to which the monarch replied: “Oh, bad luck”. The queen went on to say to D’Orsi that members of the Chinese delegation “were very rude to the ambassador” and exclaimed: “Extraordinary!” The BBC said that the queen’s comments were blanked out on BBC World transmissions in China. The British monarch never expresses overtly political views in public and is known for her discretion, never granting an interview in her 64-year reign. Her husband Prince Philip on the other hand is notorious for his gaffes and off-colour jokes. He told a group of British students during a visit to China in 1986 that they would become “slittyeyed” if they remained in the

country. Prince Charles has had a famously fraught relationship with China because of his friendship with the Dalai Lama and has yet to make an official visit to the country’s mainland. He referred to Chinese leaders as “appalling old waxworks” in a private journal entry about the Hong Kong handover ceremony in 1997. London and Beijing both hailed Xi’s visit as a high watermark in Chinese-British relations at the time. A clutch of contracts said by Cameron to be worth almost £40 billion (51 billion euros, $58 billion) were announced during the visit. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang yesterday said the visit had been “very successful”. “Both sides have high level recognition of that,” he said.

Ugandan opposition leaders detained ahead of inauguration

ganda’s main opposition figure was arrested yesterday ahead of the inauguration of longtime President Yoweri Museveni, raising the possibility of violence as police try to quell possible opposition protests. Kizza Besigye, who claims he won the presidential election in February, was arrested Wednesday as he addressed a crowd of supporters in the capital, Kampala, said Patrick Onyango, a police spokesman in Kampala, the capital. Police used force, including beatings, to disperse the crowd and then

Besigye’s car was towed away. “He is in a gazetted detention facility,” Onyango said of Besigye. The police crackdown comes before Museveni, in power for 30 years, is sworn in to another term on Thursday. Yesterday social media sites like Facebook and Twitter appeared to have been shut down by a government censor. Besigye’s party, the Forum for Democratic Chance, reported on Twitter earlier on Wednesday that Besigye had been sworn in as Uganda’s president in a mock ceremony before the police took him away. Many opposition figures have been detained inside

their homes, in what police say are measures to prevent the officials from committing crimes. One of the detainees, lawmaker Semujju Nganda, said yesterday that he has been unable to leave his house since Monday, with heavily armed security personnel standing guard at his gate. Museveni is accused by some of acting like this East African country’s authoritarian leaders he said he despised when he took power by force in 1986. Museveni remains popular in rural areas, one of the reasons his supporters cite for him to stay in power.

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport

Sport News

Did you know?

AFN Golden League: Athletes target Olympic tickets in Abuja

Chelsea’s title defence is the worst since the Premier League’s inception in 1992. The Blues cannot finish any higher than 9th.

International Sport Suarez worried he would not fit Barcelona’s style

46 47

Giwa FC on verge of expulsion Ajibade Olusesan

Ajayi Oluwafemi (middle) taking on Ghanaian defenders

Rio 2016:

Club owners are my headache, says Siasia Adekunle Salami

ational U-23 Head Coach, Samson Siasia, on Wednesday said domestic league club owners were his

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

biggest headache in preparation for the Rio the clubs pay the wages of the players but 2016 Olympic Men’s Football Tournament. if they make it to Brazil it will be big for the The former international stressed that players and their clubs.” the managers of Nigeria Professional FootThe U-23 team is due to play in a four-naball League teams were making it difficult tion invitational tournament in South Korea for him to keep invited players in camp for but clubs’ refusal to release their best legs a long period due to club engagements. coupled with the unavailability of the forSiasia told our correspondent on Wednes- eign-based players is a tough one for Siasia. day that the inability to keep the invited “I have less than 10 players in camp and domestic league players in camp was a big we have a competition coming up in about setback to his preparation for the forthcomtwo weeks. My target is to build the ing tournament in South Korea. Olympic team around the doHe said: “It is a big issue because we mestic players because we are need players to work with. As I talk to not sure of the foreign based you, players have again travelled for Professionals that will join and midweek matches and it will be diffiwhen they will do so. cult to raise a good team if we continue “It is very tough and I need this way. the understanding of the fed“I advised two weeks ago that we eration and the league body to could strike a balance by allowing the appeal to the clubs to help us. We players only for the weekend games but have the talents but now we canthis request has not been granted. not even work since players The owners of these clubs walk in and out just should place national like that,” Siasia interest first since we noted. Siasia are in national camp. Siasia and “We have a job to do his boys are in the interest of all Nigerians. I am aware billed to travel out on May 30.

ll eyes will be on the League Management Company to be bold enough to fully apply the rules and expel Giwa FC from the Nigeria Professional Football League after the club failed to honour Wednesday’s fixture against Akwa United. The club which is owned by Chris Giwa who is laying claims to the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation, had missed two previous matches and according to the rules of the league, a team will be thrown out of the competition should it miss a total of three games with an unacceptable reason. LMC’s Article 13.28 states: “If a Club fails to honour three matches cumulatively within the League season without an acceptable reason to the LMC such a club shall be expelled from the League and its matches played and unplayed shall be cancelled.” Giwa FC were banished to Ilorin following a crowd trouble that marred their match against Enugu Rangers at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos some weeks ago. The match which was called off in the 74th minute was ordered to be replayed in Abuja but the embattled club did not show up. The outfit again stayed away from their next game against Wikki Tourists at their new home in Ilorin before their Wednesday’s no-show. The next action of the LMC is yet to be seen and effort to reach the body was fruitless before filing this report. Apparently, the crisis facing the club is connected with its proprietor who is fighting against the Amaju Pinnick-led board for the soul of the NFF. This is not the first time the club would have a face off with the regulatory body; the side was expelled from the league before the start of the 2013/14 season after it failed to meet the conditions for registration. It was reinstated much later after it complied with the rules which included writing an allegiance letter to the LMC among others.

Eagles may play Mali, Luxemburg without coaches

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SPORT NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Eagles may play Mali, Luxemburg without coaches As French Embassy denies officials visas

Emmanuel Tobi

xcept the French Embassy in Nigeria has a change of heart, the Super Eagles might play their forthcoming friendlies without the coaching crew. The Super Eagles play Mali’s Les Aiglons in Rouen, France on May 27 before engaging the national team of Luxembourg in Luxembourg on June 1. The Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday expressed disappointment following the refusal of the French embassy to grant entry visas to Super Eagles

home-based goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, and the Salisu Yusuf-led coaching crew. The NFF officials said that Nigeria’s matches against Mali and Luxembourg were being threatened by denial of entry visa to the only home–based player, two coaches and administrative officials of the three –time African champions. “We are appealing to the Embassy of France in Nigeria to reconsider its stance and issue visas to these officials. They are going to Europe for important assignments as the two

matches are key to the preparation of the Super Eagles for future engagements,” the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said on Wednesday. Protocol officials of the federation said that about 60 per cent of the passports taken to the embassy on April 29 have been returned without visas. Meanwhile, the NFF stated that all arrangements for the two matches, including payments for stadia use, training facilities and hotel accommodation had been concluded by the organisers.

Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa in a league action

Mordi wants to play for D’Tigers

AFN Golden League: Athletes target Olympic tickets in Abuja

Divine Oduduru

he cream of Nigerian athletes will on Saturday converge on the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for the first leg of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, Golden League Meet. After setting the tone with the All-Comers event in Lagos last week, the stage is now set for stiffer contests at the National Stadium in Abuja. Agnes Osazuwaa, D iv i n e Oduduru, Blessing Ibrahim and Adams Samuel among others who all

Testimonial: Players’ response thrills Yobo Azeez Ibrahim

ormer Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo is pleased to have secured the services of major international players to take part in his testimonial game later this month in Port Harcourt. Yobo, 35, has been in Europe visiting his old grounds and speaking to players expected at the game and is happy at the overwhelming response “It has been amazing. Almost everybody wants to come and play,” he said. “My only regret is that I can’t invite everyone.” At Everton where he spent nearly a decade of his playing career, Yobo was warmly received by the entire club and presented to a stadiumwide ovation by the

fans at half time of their English Premier League game against Bournemouth. “That was an emotional moment for me. And I would like to thank Evertonians for the love.” The Testimonial, on May 27, will be hosted by the Rivers State Government at the new Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

Yobo

won their in respective events in Lagos, will hope they can build on their good start in Abuja on Saturday even as other athletes are hoping to displace the early starters. Olukayode Thomas, Head of the Media for the AFN, said the country’s top athletes would be racing for mouthwatering cash prizes on offer and more importantly for slots in the contingent to next month’s African Athletics Championships in Durban and the Rio Olympics. “The athletes are to compete in the first leg of the Golden League Meet, aside the cash prizes for deserving athletes, AFN will be using the Golden League to pick the team for African Championships,” he said. The 2016 African Championships in Athletics which is the 20th edition will take place from June 22 to 26 in Durban, (South Africa).

Emmanuel Tobi

US-based basketball player, Jeremiah Mordi, says despite not being name in the initial 27-man Nigeria’s preOlympic squad he remains confident that he can convince the technical crew if given a chance to prove himself.

Mordi

The 23-year-old who refuses to be deterred by the fact that he was not listed in the initial list squad released by the Nigeria Basketball Federation, stated that his dream of playing for country at the Games was still very much alive. “I am not one who gives up easily. I desire greatly to serve Nigeria not like others the country has been begging to do so. My choice to play for Nigeria is based on wanting to serve my fatherland despite my living most of my life in America. “The coaches may not know much about me but I think my stats at Queens speak for me. I look forward to being at the camp to prove myself if given the opportunity.” Mordi who hails from Delta State added that, “I am familiar with some of the players in the team though I have not related with them at close quarters.”

Malaria Day celebration excites Special Olympics athletes

pecial Olympics Nigeria athletes at the weekend were hosted to exciting activities at the St. Finbarr’s College Akoka, Lagos in celebration of the 2016 World Malaria Day. The event which witnessed a soccer match between athletes of

Special Olympics Nigeria with Unified Team A emerging victorious after securing a 2-1 win over Team B. For Shehu Jimoh, one of the participants, “The event gave us more insight about the scourge of malaria and how it could be prevented.”

NGO donates foodstuff to Yekini’s mother Azeez Ibrahim

Non-Governmental Organisation based in Abuja, Helpline Foundation, on Wednesday, donated food items to Alhaja Sidikat Yekini, aged mother of the late Super Eagles striker, Rashidi Yekini. Life has been pretty difficult for Alhaja Sidikat who sells bread to survive in Ira town in Kwara State, four years after the death of her son.

Officials of the Helpline Foundation visited the aged woman while promising to sustain her with monthly supplies and multivitamins supplements. They added that the Foundation would open an account for her at Zenith Bank which she will directly control. According to an official of the foundation, “abandoning Rashidi Yekini’s mother is a show of shame to the Nigerian gov-

ernment. This a woman whose son did Nigeria proud and it is sad they abandoned her this way. This is also a shame to Nigerian footballers.” Yekini scored 37 goals in 58 appearances for the Super Eagles and died in May 2012 at the age of 48. He remains the highest goal scorer for the Super Eagles and represented Nigeria in five major tournaments, including two FIFA World Cup competitions in USA ‘94 and France ‘98 respectively.

National Director of Special Olympics Nigeria, Naomi Saliu-Lawal said, “This event is part of national efforts to put an end to this scourge through enlightenment and sports. With the support of partners like Exxon Mobil, we have achieved a lot in helping parents of children with special needs.” At the match venue voluntary counseling and testing for malaria was carried out by testing officials and the family health forum while mosquito nets were distributed by the VCT team. Chief Operating Officer of Soulcommunications Limited, Mojisola Saka, who was the guest of honour commended the effort of Special Olympics Nigeria while advising the athletes to take proactive steps to eradicate the disease.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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

Like Stores, like Leicester!

he penultimate week had been very active especially in the soccer world as the only thing that shared the headlines was boxer Amir Khan’s defeat that got Voice of America’s (VOA) boxing encyclopedia-Barry Morghane- out of “retirement” in Australia for a review of over fifty years of commentary with Nigeria’s seasoned ace-Nnamdi “Hollywood” Moweta on the sports programme put together by Sunny Young and where colleague-Segun Adeyemi-had remained a prominent feature for close to two decades. Khan’s namesake-Sadiq- had written his name into history books as the first Muslim to be, deservedly, voted as Mayor of London. Khan had to go through the process of letting go like welterweight-Manny Pachiao-who is in the Philippines House of Representatives while Floyd Mayweatheraccording to Moweta-may be shooting himself in the foot for another “uno Mas”(one more time) in the ring. It remains like that as the heavyweight class is struggling for relevance. However the fortnight produced what could pass as another script for the movies which included the piece I placed at the doorstep of Sports Minister-Solomon Dalung on the restitution for those who died in the 1978 Lagos National Stadium stampede just like succor came for the Hillsborough deaths of 96 Liverpool fans 27years back. That still remain the challenge for Dalung. Liverpool, showed gratitude for the steadfastness of its fans and that jury verdict at St George’s Hall by qualifying for the Europa League final against Spannish two-time winners-Servilla. Instructively, the Spanish La Liga, has proved to be the best in Europe as Madrid giants-Real and Athletico will battle for the top price in the Champions League. At the weekend, Atletico lost the fight for the La Liga title which has now become a two horse race between Lionel Messi’s Barcelona after the 5-0 whitewash of city rivals-Servilla and CR7-Ronaldo’s Real whose penchant for the domestic and Continental club titles may deny Portugal the marble at summer’s European nations cup in France. Spare a thought for the history books at the Premiership as the club destined for relegation last season but survived by the skin of the teeth-Leicester-began this term on top and as last Tuesday made history all around and veteran broadcaster-Jones Usen- made my day as he proved that he was following. Leicester on that day gave it to goalkeeper-Andy schmaikael on his 29th birthday the same celebration for his fatherPeter-who at the same age won the Premiership with Manchester United. The other family on that plane was Ian Wright-who won the title with the same United and his son-Shawn Wright Phllips- later with Chelsea. Leicester got crowned without kicking a ball as Chelsea offered the title but Claudio Ranieri’s unsung heroes iced the cake with the 3-1 win over Everton in a tie player-of-the-moment-Jamie Verdy hit a brace and flashback to 1991 when Stationery Stores as “poku lowo e”(cheap is it) jus could not be stopped after losing the Nigerian League opener to Bendel Insurance in Benin and never looked back to be crowned champions 31 weeks later for the team put together by Sports journalist-veteran-Segun Adenuga and the players were neophytes including the coach-Abdullahi Bebewho was just a nurse. Apart from the funding by “Mr Anonymous” one man who also backed Stores to the hilt was Lagos Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele after spending time at Kaduna Prison for being a member of NADECO. Demola fondly called “Papa” passed on in India aged 60 after battling the health challenge for years including the time he spent as Lagos State Sports Commissioner and floated the project that could have changed soccer’s face in the state with the Junior-League. That dream has not been sustained as the Executive Secretaries in the Local governments cannot really appreciate keeping the youth engaged. That will be one of things Papa will be remembered for as on same weekend, another Cameroonian playerPatrick Ikeh-followed the path of Mark Vivien Foe collapsing and died on the pitch playing for Dynamo Kiev. Nigerians will not forget in a hurry the cases of Samuel Okwaraji and Amir Angwe. What else can doubters say to Leicester. It cannot be less than congratulations with players whose entire wages are earned by United captain-Wayne Rooney. Step forward-Ranieri-you have equaled Bebe’s domestic record in this clime. Cheers!

Suarez (left)

Suarez worried he would not fit Barcelona’s style

uis Suarez has revealed he had concerns about his ability to adapt to Barcelona’s playing style before signing in 2014. In his first season at Camp Nou, Suarez scored 25 goals in 43 appearances as the Catalan side completed a Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League

treble. The Uruguayan has stepped up his contribution this term, converting 56 times in 51 outings in all competitions. Upon joining from Liverpool, Suarez did not envision such a prolific spell, admitting he was troubled about fitting into the ‘tiki-taka’ style.

“I never imagined that I would be scoring goals here,” he told ESPN. “I never felt I would adapt to this team’s style of play the way I have. “Sometimes they start the touches and I think that I can’t do that, that they will play it like that and I will just push it [toward the goal].”

FIFA suspends Benin from football

Welbeck out for nine months after knee surgery

orld football governing body, FIFA, has suspended Benin from world football with immediate effect following a court decision that blocked the holding of election by the country’s football association. The decision was taken in Mexico City at the inaugural meeting of the FIFA Council, the supervisory and strategic body that sets the vision for FIFA and global football, according to a statement posted on FIFA official website. The statement said: ``In accordance with art. 38 of the FIFA Statutes, the Benin Football Association is suspended with

rsenal have confirmed striker Danny Welbeck will be out for around nine months following surgery on his right

knee. The England international was forced off in the first half of Sunday’s draw with Manchester City following a coming together with Bacary Sagna, and will now miss Euro 2016. The striker, formerly of Manchester United, has failed to complete 90 minutes in the Premier League thus far this season, making just 11 appearances in the top-flight. Welbeck has scored a total of four Premier League goals in 2015-16 and now faces a lengthy lay-off in a significant blow to both the Gunners and the Three Lions.

immediate effect due to a recent injunction by a local judicial court which impeded the holding of the due election. ``The FIFA Congress will vote on the confirmation of the suspensions on the Football Association of Indonesia, the Football Association of Kuwait , and the Benin Football Association.’’ With the suspension, Benin will miss the Africa Cup of Nations Group C qualifiers. The Council also ratified the decision of the bureau of the Council to appoint a ``normalisation committee’’ to run the daily affairs of the Guinea Football Federation.

Buffon extends Juve deal till 2018

Welbeck receiving treatment after suffering the knee injury against Manchester City on Sunday

uventus have announced long-serving goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has signed a contract extension that ties him to the Turin club till 2018. The shot-stopper joined the Serie A champions in 2001 for a world record one billion lire and has since become a legend in Turin, turning out for them nearly 600 times and winning seven Scudetti. Meanwhile, he has made 152 appearances for Italy and lifted the World Cup in 2006. Despite turning 38 in January, the ex-Parma man remains one of the world’s premier players in his posi-

tion, and Juve’s decision to offer him a fresh deal confirms that. “I’m immensely proud in the faith Juventus have placed in me once more,” Buffon told the press. “I hope that my fantastic story with this club will go on and bring even further success.”

Buffon

On Marble

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Mike A. Wilkie The authoritarian African regimes (2)

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Who should die first, looters or kidnappers?   ‘There are three things in the world that deserve no mercy, hypocrisy, fraud, and tyranny’ -Frederick William Robertson

Political Musings

have chosen this week to stoke a controversy not necessarily in sympathy for anybody or group but fundamentally to address the double standard inherent in our society, which has continued to endure.  Each time the elite, the rich in the society are under threat, they tend to pull down the roof; making all to believe that there is danger in the land. Any form of crime that is targeted at the rich is made to look as if it is the worst ever; but if such is against the downtrodden, it would be ignored and treated as a poor man’s problem.  Whenever a plane crashes, the rich would shiver and shout to the rooftop. The nation’s parliament would devote hours debating how to avert future occurrence. And why not? The problem has touched them directly. This is notwithstanding the fact that the occasional air transport accident and its causalities remain a fraction of the number recorded on our roads daily and they are hardly mentioned at that level.  In the same vein in political forum, if thugs are at each other killing and maiming, not much danger would be seen to have happened, if any of the top notchers who may be the financier or sponsor of violent activities is affected, the shout would go up to the roof.  Nigerians have been watching how state governors and Police commissioners have been shamelessly celebrating the rescue of some select captors. When a big man or woman is kidnapped, all Police helicopters grounded due to ‘fuel problems’ would be activated and put on duty knowing that somebody like a governor would be there to say thank you when the job is successfully executed. As it is the Police and other security agencies have remained the greatest beneficiary if high profile kidnap takes place. At least they are sure to receive some “Roja” after operation and have their moribund equipment re activated.  After listening to the ordeals Nigerians go through in the hands of some angry criminal youths called kidnappers, one cannot but shiver at the heartlessness of these people.  Watching a woman, an aged mother and former Minister of Education Senator Iyabo Anisulowo on television narrate her experience with her captors for one week inside a bush, and similar one in the past by the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae plus some others including Priests of the Catholic Church, who live on weekly offertory of their parishioners, it would be difficult to extract any sympathy from anybody for these brand of criminals.  But watching the debate in the Senate last week, one cannot but cry at the lack of depth and unseriousness with which Nigerian elites treat is-

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

Sambo Dasuki

sues. Nothing can be more provocative than the wishy-washy debate on a very critical national challenge that produced a death sentence. Not one contributor to the debate went into the archives to try to exhume the origin of the crime and to try to look out for a more social solution, all one could see was the trivializing of who and where it started and how it originated. Shame!  According to the report from the Senate, it gave nod to death sentence for kidnappers after it considered a report on the crime compiled by a Committee headed by Senator Abu Ibrahim (Katsina-APC). The recommendation for death penalty, as adopted by the Senate, was made by Sen. Adamu Aliero (APC-Kebbi Central).   While contributing to the report, the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom-PDP), regretted that kidnapping escalated in Nigeria when ex-Governor and now Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige was kidnapped around 2002, and was later commercialized in Abia state during the reign of Governor T. A. Orji now a Senator.  In other recommendations adopted, the Senate adviced government to improve funding of security agencies, thus:  “The funding of the security agencies should be taken as a priority project, bearing in mind that the practice of envelop budget for security agencies has proved ineffective.  “Efforts should be geared towards creating employment opportunities for our teeming unemployed youths

Anisulowo

and security agencies should embark on training and retraining of their personnel for effective capacity building”.   The Senate also tasked “State governments to enact laws to enable security agencies to prosecute kidnappers and other crime related offences in their jurisdictions”.  In addition, the lawmakers recommended that “synergy and intelligence sharing among security agencies should be vigorously pursued” and that “the Inspector General of Police and Director-General of the Department of State Security in particular and other security agencies should be encouraged to do more”.  We as a country should worry that for a nation that has continued to experience astronomic progression in crime from the recent past of working into a police station to report of car being stolen at gun point, to now being not car but the owner being stolen at gun point. We should all worry for such heavy threat to societal living and in the search for solution, a nation’s lawmakers should not display such lack of seriousness and depth to ascertain why we drove ourselves to this type of garage.  The reason is not far-fetched, you don’t expect a product of exam fraud to take it serious when it’s being considered. In the first place, how did kidnapping enter our crime page? Is it not the political class who oiled and fueled it? If it has grown to hurt them now, is it not because they failed woefully to address social vices that they once used?

If the resources made available to these politicians had been properly utilized for what it was intended, would the threat be this huge? If looting of our commonwealth has not been as brazen, would the unemployment situation have been this overwhelming?  But in trying to find a solution to self-inflicted vices, the leaders, the looters and their cohorts are quick to pronounce death sentence without addressing the issues that brought the menace.  The question that should first be answered by our law-makers before passing the death law on kidnappers is, who should first be punished in a crime, the person who caused it or the person who executed it? The examiner who caused cheating to take place or the cheat? How just would it be that a kidnapper should die through a legislation enacted by the same person or persons whose actions and inactions significantly created the stimulus and fertile ground for the crime? The undisputed truth is that if the resources God made available to this country over the years were properly channeled, we would not have found ourselves in this ugly situation where our children are now turning against us.  We should stop being hypocrites, the only evil that walks invisible, except to God alone. If God our creator knows all that we do, why must we continue to pretend as if we don’t know why kidnapping is rampant and try first to address it? What is a governor who cannot pay salaries but moves in a convoy of over 20 exotic SUVs with sacks of money for distribution to girl friends and other social friends doing to stop kidnapping?  Even our beloved President who came on a high flying rating of being a crusader for the poor, what really has he done in this regard with nine aircraftsin the Presidential fleet and members of the first family everyday on the internet displaying jewelries and other ostentation items far removed from the crusader the voters thought he would be? Even as we don’t expect the first family to live an austere life, they should make the sacrifice of not flaunting their grandeur to the suffering populace, especially the unemployed youths, most of who have access to the Internet. After all, genuine prayer is not in the words said but in the attitude displayed.  All great leaders who made revolutionary change possible did it with persons with similar vision and not with their families and friends. If this country must be saved, hypocrisy must be arrested and detained. It remains our biggest obstacle to sincerely build an egalitarian society. No wonder Charles Caleb Colton an English cleric, writer and collector, well known for his eccentricities once said that “If Satan ever laughs, it must be at hypocrites; they are the greatest dupes he has; they serve him better than any others, and receive no wages”. Against the backdrop of these issues and concerns raised above, we return to the question, who should die first, the looters of our commonwealth or kidnappers, a consequence of the looting? Nigerian Senate should answer this now. God bless Nigeria.

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