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Thursday, January 22, 2015

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Vol. 1 No. 336

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N150

Reps to extend 2014 budget implementation to March }5

Power generation crashes to 2,470MW Adeola Yusuf

ower generation has plummeted by 1, 000 Megawatts (MW) to below 2,470 MW, worsening the acute electricity

supply shortage haunting the country, New Telegraph learnt yesterday. The electricity generation came down from about 3,470 MW, owing to the sharp shortage of

gas supply to the thermal plants across the country due to the shutdown of the Trans Forcados pipeline. The 400,000-barrels capacity pipeline, which suffered a leakage close to the

Forcados export terminal, conveys condensate and gas. The shutdown of the pipeline has led to the suspension of the 220 million standard cubic feet (scf) of

gas supply to the national power grid. This translates to more than one gigawatt of power, which is about 1,000 MW. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

23 days to go... Nigeria votes

2015

ria Nige

s vote

2015

}14 & 15

Katsina Provincial School releases Buhari's result

lPDP demands ex-head of state's trial for perjury }2

Quick Read

Editorial Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (sixth left); Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Oluranti Adebule; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, Special Adviser on Youth, Sports and Social Development, Dr. Enitan Dolapo Badru (fifth left) and other top government officials at a valedictory session for Mrs. Adebule and Badru in Lagos...yesterday.

Asari-Dokubo blows hot over attack on Jonathan's convoy

lWe'll retaliate in Niger Delta lAPC condemns act }2

Beyond rhetoric of a peace pact }19

FG confirms Bird Flu outbreak in five states }5

Travel Advisory

Your guide to local and international flights }4

News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Katsina school releases Buhari's result Appolonia Adeyemi, Johnchuks Onuanyim, Onyekachi Eze and Muhammad Kabir

ll Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday spoke out on the raging controversy on his secondary school certificate just as his former school, the Provincial Secondary School, Katsina, now known as Government College, released his result. Addressing reporters in Kano, he said contrary to claims that he did not have the West African School Certificate (WASC), he sat for and passed the examination with Second Division as a pupil of Provincial Secondary School, now Government Secondary School, Katsina, in 1961. Notwithstanding his defence, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demanded that Buhari should be put on trial for perjury. Buhari, who spoke a day after the Army said it had no record of his WASC certificate, expressed surprise at the claim of the military. He also described as diversionary, the controversy engineered by the PDP over his WASC. He said: "I had assumed all along that all my records were in the custody of the Military Secretary of the Nigerian Army. Much to my surprise, we are now told that although a record of the result is available, there are no copies of the certificates in my personal file. This is why I formally requested my old school, the Provincial Secondary School, Katsina (which is now known as Government College, Katsina), to make available the school’s copy of the result of the Cambridge/West African School Certificate. This will be made available to the press the moment this is available." Buhari also gave detail about his secondary school education, saying he graduated from Provincial Secondary School, Katsina in 1961 with many prominent Nigerians, including former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, the late Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi. He said they sat for the University of Cambridge/ WASC Examination together in 1961 and his examination number was 8280002. He criticised the PDP for turning his certificate into a campaign is-

A bromide of Buhari's school certificate result.

sue when it should have focused on how to make Nigeria better. "And although the ruling party may want to wish this away, the issue in this campaign cannot be my certificate, which I

obtained 53 years ago. The issues are the scandalous level of unemployment of millions of our young people, the state of insecurity, the pervasive official corruption which has impoverished our people and

the lack of concern of the government for anything other than the retention of power at all costs," he stated. Buhari urged the press to investigate his claims to unearth the truth "behind

the baseless allegations." An online newspaper, Premium Times, in a report yesterday, said Buhari's former school had released the result of his secondary school certificate examination. It said the statement of result dated January 21, 2015, was signed by the current principal of the college. The report, quoting from Buhari's result, said he obtained five credits in English Language, Geography, Hausa Language, History and Health Science. The former head of state, however, failed in Mathematics and Woodwork and had a pass in Literature in English. The examination centre number was 8280, while Buhari’s candidate number was 002. The statement of result is printed on the letter head paper of the Katsina State Ministry of Education and it shows that the examination took place in 1961 as Buhari had said earlier. Also, APC presidential screening committee Chairman, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has dismissed claims that Buhari was not properly screened before the party allowed him to vie for its ticket. Onu spoke in response to allegation that the committee did not carry its assignment well, which has brought embarrassment to the party.

Onu, in a telephone interview, said the screening committee did its job well. He said:" I want to assure you that the screening committee did its work perfectly and don't forget that we got our aspirants to sign undertaken and it has never happened before." Also reacting to the allegation of shoddy screening by the committee, another member of the committee, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, dismissed the allegation. According to him, it is an attempt to smear the integrity of the committee members. Irrespective of the spirited defence of Buhari, the PDP yesterday called for his trial for perjury. Director, Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, said at a press conference in Abuja that Buhari should be tried because he lied in the affidavit he swore to in which he claimed that his credentials were in the custody of the military. "The implication of the action of this so-called "Mr. Clean" is nothing but perjury and we all know that this is grave criminal offence under our laws and constitution. "We urge Buhari to do the right thing and tender an unreserved apology to the Nigerian people, thrown in the towel and report to the nearest police CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Asari-Dokubo blows hot over attack on Jonathan's convoy Johnchuks Onuanyim, Onyekachi Eze and Temitope Ogunbanke

ormer Niger Delta warlord, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, yesterday served a reprisal notice for the attack on President Goodluck Jonathan's convoy during a campaign in Katsina, the Katsina State capital. He told reporters in Abuja that Jonathan's kinsmen in the Niger Delta would not overlook what amounts to an insult on their prominent son. The attack on the president's convoy by some irate youths on Tuesday, also attracted the attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which condemned the action. Ahead of the reprisal he is threatening, AsariDokubo warned Igbo living in the North to return home so they would not be caught in the crossfire. He faulted the Abuja peace accord entered into by Jonathan and the APC

presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, with 12 others, saying it was unnecessary. According to him, the oath taken by the president to protect lives and property and to abide by the constitution supersedes such an accord. Asari-Dokubo said the North had the penchant for causing election violence and steps should be taken to discourage that. He said: "There is an established pattern of pre and post-election violence in the North. In the 50s when the late Awolowo was campaigning in the North, he went with helicopters and he was mocked. People said he was flying over the houses and peeping at their wives. "For every action, there will be an opposite and equal reaction. I knew that the signing of the accord was useless and it is a pity that the president subjected himself to sign such an accord. For me, it was out of place for a president and commander-in-chief

of the armed forces of a country. But the president is a humble person. He does things that even marvel some of us and make us sometimes to be very angry. "So what happened in Katsina State is not a surprise. But don't be surprised. We are putting the world on notice that they have started first. When we reply, let nobody talk because we are going to reply. We did not sign any accord with them. They did not sign. "Everybody should be bold enough to tell them that the rules of the game have changed. If they slice our throat, we are going to slice their throat. They stoned the president, you will hear from us. That's the answer. We are going to respond disproportionately." On its part, the APC condemned the stoning of the campaign convoy of the president in Katsina, saying violence is totally unacceptable to the party. APC, in a statement in Lagos yesterday by its Na-

tional Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said Jonathan should be free to campaign anywhere in the country without hindrance. It said even though the attack on the president's convoy took place a day after the provocative deathwish-for-Buhari newspaper advertorial that was put out in the name of the president, nothing justified the stoning of the president's convoy anywhere in the country. APC also restated its commitment to a continuous enlightenment of its members and supporters to eschew violence before, during and after next month's general elections and urged other parties to follow suit. But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the attack is “a clear indication that the APC is not ready to dial back on its rabid desire to attain power through violence despite signing a peace pact a week ago in Abuja.” PDP National Publicity, Olisa Metuh, in a state-

ment yesterday, stated that such brazen attack on the president who is also the presidential candidate of the PDP clearly shows that the APC was never committed to the spirit and letters of the Abuja peace accord which it signed in the presence of prominent Nigerians and international personalities. “It is unfortunate that while the PDP and other parties are busy ensuring that their members and supporters remain committed to a peaceful electioneering, the APC has been hatching plots to unleash violence on our candidates and members. “We invite Nigerians, friends of Nigeria and all lovers of democracy to rise in condemnation of this dangerous phenomenon. These early developments clearly demonstrate that the comments and declarations by the leaders of the APC that Nigeria would be thrown into chaos and bloodshed should it lose the February general elections were real,” the statement said.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

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ondemnations yesterday trailed weekend attack on campaign buses of President

Goodluck Jonathan in Jos with the president calling on the All Progressives Congress (APC) presiden-

tial candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, to call his supporters to orCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

NEW TELEGRAPH

Money Line

MONDAY,

JANUARY

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N150

Stock Watch

Afromedia: Incapacitated adverse regulation by

The Nigeria Customs (NCS) revenue Service has fallen billion or by N223 19 one year. per cent in the last

p.22

Food price drops in index December

Vol. 1

Interview

Okonjo Iweala, a mismatch economy, says Enwegbara for Nigerian

2 /newte legraph

Dayo Ayeyemi

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TRAvEl Advisory Your guide to local and international flights 4

Feb 14: APC blows hot

lDSS' story on hacking senseless, says Lai Mohammed Temitope Ogunbanke

he All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday faulted the re-

port of the Department of State Services (DSS) that it planned to inflate its membership data as well as hack into the Independent

National Electoral Commission (INEC) database through the creation of party membership forms and cards to match INEC's

voters register across the country. Addressing a press conference yesterday in Lagos, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Sancti ty of Tr uth

No. 33

42-43

Bodo spill: N16 billion Group faults Shell’s compensati on

Communities in the NigerDelta have been drastically affected by activities of oil companies

The Food and Organisation Agriculture Food Price (FAO)’s monthly December Index declined in stability. after three months of

Insurance

Claims: Policyholder’s Leadway conflict with deepens

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Kalu to pDp, apc: elections not Do-or-Die

} 32

S N O I T C ELE UNDER T THREA

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Vol. 1 No. 327

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule Air France

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

Flight No. AF 513 AF 3822 AF514 AF513 AF514 AF3849

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

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

Amsterdam-Lagos Lagos-Amsterdam

KL587 KL588

13:15hrs 23:05hrs

20:00hrs 05:50hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York

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

VIRGIN ATLANTIC

Lagos-London London-Lagos

VS 652 VS 651

11:00hrs 22:40hrs

17:00hrs 4:40hrs

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

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

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

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

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS

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

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

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

KQ 533 KQ 534

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

12:30hrs

16:00hrs

Lagos-Kigali

11:15hrs

16:45hrs

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

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

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

14:00hrs

17:30hrs

22:35hrs 15:10hrs

06:00hrs 21:20hrs

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

hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

01:00hrs

hrs

BA075 BA074 BA 082 BA 083

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

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

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

MEA 571 MEA 572

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

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

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

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

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

Lagos-Doha Flight Doha-Lagos Flight

QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415

14:55hrs 07:20hrs

23:45hrs 13:35hrs

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

DL053 DL 054

22:15hrs 5:15hrs

05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Accra-Lagos

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

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

BRITISH AIRWAYS

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

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

EMIRATES AIRLINES

QATAR AIRWAYS DELTA AIRLINES

UNITED AIRLINES

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Madrid Madrid-Lagos

IB 3337 IB 3336

22:55hrs 16:00hrs

5:25+1hrs 20:20hrs

Lagos-Casablanca Casablanca-Lagos

AT738 AT 737

06:25hrs 02:15hrs

09:55hrs 6:00hrs

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

IBERIA

air maroc

RwandAir

Kigali-Lagos

Turkish Airlines

Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

Air Côte d'Ivoire Lagos to Abidjan Abidjan to Lagos

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

ASKY AIRLINES

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

10:10hrs

10:50hrs

19:20hrs

21.50hrs

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

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

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

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

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

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE ARIK AIR LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:00; 09:00; 11:00 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00; 20:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 09:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI)07:00; 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 (SAT) 07:00; 11:00; 15:00 (SUN) 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 09:00; 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 (SAT) 07:30; 11:30; 09:00; 13:00; 17:00 (SUN) 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 ABUJA-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30; 16:50 (SAT/SUN) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30 PORT-HARCOURT-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10; 18:30 (SAT/SUN) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10 AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE WEEKLY SCHEDULE Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Abuja 10:30am Abuja-Lagos 12:40pm Lagos-Abuja/Kano 4:00pm Abuja-Kano 5:45pm Kaduna-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kan 10:10am Kano-Abuja/Lagos 12:40pm Abuja-Lagos 1:00pm Abuja-Lagos 2:40pm Lagos-Kaduna 5:00pm WEEKEND SCHEDULE SATURDAY Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Abuja 10:30am Abuja-Lagos 1:00pm Lagos-Kano 4:00pm Kaduna-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kano 4:00pm Sunday Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kano 10:30am Kano-Abuja/Lagos 1:20pm Abuja-Lagos 2:40pm Lagos-Kaduna 5:00pm FIRST NATION AIRWAYS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06.50; 09:30; 11:45; 16:00 (SAT) 06:50; 11:45 (SUN) 11:45; 16:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 11:30; 13:40;18:30 (SAT) 09:00; 13:40 (SUN) 13:40; 18:30 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 14:45

(SAT) 16:15 (SUN) 14:45 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:50 (SAT) 18:20 (SUN) 16:50 AEROCONTRACTORS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06:50; 13:30; 16:30; 19:45 (SAT/SUN) 12:30; 16:45 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 13:00; 19:00 (SAT) 12:30 (SUN) 15:30

MEDVIEW AIRLINES LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:50; 12:00; 15:30 (SAT) 10:00; 15:00 (SUN) 17:30; 18:30 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 14:00, 15:00; 18:30 OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS-ILORIN (MON-FRI) 07:15 LAGOS-IBADAN (MON-FRI) 7:00

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

News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

FG confirms Bird Flu cases in Lagos, Kano, Delta, Ogun, Rivers Dele Alao, Muritala Ayinla and Emmanuel Masha

he Federal Government has confirmed cases of Bird Flu otherwise known as Avian Influenza in Lagos, Kano, Delta, Ogun and Rivers states. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina,

confirmed the development while addressing the media in Abuja yesterday. The minister said: “We are not in a state of any epidemic. Five states have so far reported cases of the bird flu: Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Delta and Rivers states. Till date, 15 commercial farms and nine Live Bird Markets have been affected in the five states. As at January 21

(yesterday), a total of 139,505 birds have been associated with bird flu exposures, with 22,173 (15%) mortality recorded.” The most affected state, he noted, has been Kano, where the initial case of the bird flu was found. “A total of 103,445 birds have reportedly been exposed to the infection in Kano State, with 15,963 (15%) mortality reported.

These cases were found in Gwale, Kumbotso, Tofa, Gaya and Ungogo local governments. “In Lagos State, the total number of birds under close watch is 31,195 and 3,347 (11%) mortality has been reported. The three confirmed cases were from Somolu and Eti Osa local governments. All the farms have been quarantined and decontami-

nated. Other locations in Ikorodu, Ojo and Lagos Mainland have already been quarantined, while awaiting confirmation. “In Ogun State, Sagamu has reported two locations with one positive case (Ifo) and another negative case (Sabo). Of the 1,030 birds currently under watch in the two locations, 163 (15%) have experienced mortality.

L-R: Head, corporate branch, Fidelity Bank Plc., Mr. Paschal Nzeribe; Director, Union Diagnostics/CEO, Lifecare Partner, Dr. Abiodun Oyeneyin and President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Prof. Rasheed Arogundade, at the Initiative for Medical Diagnostic Awareness (IMDA) forum in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

“In all of these states, different levels of interventions, including depopulation, decontamination and quarantine are currently ongoing,” he added. Following the outbreak of the bird flu, the Rivers State Government has destroyed hundreds of birds in a private poultry farm in Port Harcourt. Commissioner for Agriculture, Emmanuel Chinda, noted that the birds were deliberately destroyed after a laboratory test outside the state had confirmed they had the symptoms of Avian Influenza. Chinda, who stressed there was no need for panic over the discovery, said that officials discovered the outbreak in a privately owned poultry farm, which he noted has been quarantined and decontaminated. Also, Lagos State Government said more poultry farms with suspected cases of bird flu have been quarantined and controlled to avert the spread of bird flu. The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Co-operatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, said that government was ready to quarantine more poultry farms with suspected cases of bird flu.

ECOWAS deploys 250 Reps to extend 2014 budget implementation to March observers to Nigeria Philip Nyam Onwuka Nzeshi Abuja

he Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) yesterday announced the deployment of a 250-member Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Nigeria for the general election holding on February 14 and 28. The ECOWAS observer mission, one of the largest being deployed for next month’s elections, will be headed by former Ghanaian President John Kufuor. The deployment is consistent with the provisions of the regional Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. It is also in line with the framework of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Programme for Member States. An innovation this time is that the EOM, which is due in Nigeria from February 10, will be preceded by a 12-member Long-Term Election

Observation Mission (LTEOM), whose members will be deployed from January 22 to February 18. While the short-term mission will concentrate on the regular observation of the electoral process, before, during and the post-election period, the LTEOM will serve as a rapid response mechanism for emergencies and contribute to the prevention and management of election related conflicts. The members will provide credible real-time analysis and substantial recommendations and also help to create an atmosphere of public trust and encourage citizen participation. The LTEOM team will comprise an election specialist, who will be responsible for liaison with electoral authority and assessing the work of the Electoral Management Body (EMB) in relation to regional principles governing democratic elections.

Abuja

he House of Representatives may amend the 2014 Appropriation Act to make provision for the extension of its implementation period from December 31, 2014 to March 31, 2015. New Telegraph learnt that the impending amendment is to enable ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) implement the budget optimally. According to a source, the House in the course of its oversight functions discovered that the 2014 budget was less than 50 per

cent implemented. He said the drastic drop in the global oil price negatively affected the Federal Government revenue profile. Some committees of the House are presently carrying out oversight on MDAs within their jurisdiction and holding secret budget defence with them, It will be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan signed the N4.965 trillion 2014 appropriation act in May 2014 with a recurrent expenditure of N2.455tn; capital expenditure of N1.119 trillion while N712 billion was for debt servicing. Defence got the lion

share of N968.127 billion in the 2014 budget. The Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) approved a $77.5 per barrel benchmark price for oil. He said the exchange rate was left at N160 to the dollar as in 2013, with real gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate put at 6.75 per cent. The appropriation act also made provision for the borrowing of N571 billion to take care of fiscal deficit. Out of the aggregate budget, the education sector got N495.2 billion; health N264.46 billion; Niger Delta

Ministry N113.6billion; agriculture N67.04 billion, water resources N52.28 billion; power N102 billion; works N133.72 billion and SURE-P N268.37 billion. The sum of N408.69 billion was also set aside as statutory transfers to service certain identified government organs. The aggregate revenue projected for the three tiers of government was N10.88 trillion and the Federal Government was to receive N3.73 trillion against N4.1 trillion received in 2013. The 2015 appropriation bill only passed second reading in both chambers last week.

Power generation crashes to 2,470MW CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

A source at the Ministry of Power, told New Telegraph yesterday that the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has instructed the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to “balance up the lost generation and supply with load-shedding across the country.” Nebo had earlier confirmed the imminent

fall in power generation, blaming this on last weekend's shutdown of the Shell-operated Trans Forcados oil and gas pipeline. The pipeline, which has been out for three weeks, has denied companies such as Seplat, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and Pan Ocean Company of the capacity to transmit the gas they produce to the nation’s power generating

plants. "The Minister of Power has appealed for the understanding of electricity consumers for the reduction in power supply, which this development may cause. “Related production has been shut down after vandalism at the weekend caused an oil spill after a leak occurred at the Oteghele axis in the southern state of Bayelsa and

there was no timeframe yet for the duration of the disruption,” the ministry said in a statement by the media assistant to the minister, Kande Daniel. The minister said consequent upon the incident, which came barely 17 days after a previous one, all the oil and gas production into this pipeline had been shut down to allow for damage assessment and repairs.

News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Jonathan, Buhari unfit to rule Nigeria, says Shekau Wale Elegbede

he self-acclaimed leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, yesterday declared that the duo of President Goodluck Jonathan and Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) are infidels who cannot rule Nigeria. The terror leader added that the war his sect is waging would soon bring democracy to an end. In a transcript of a 36-minute video obtained from an online portal, Premium Times, Shekau also warned that more killings and attacks would be recorded in the days to come as he boasted that the quantum of ammunition his group has so far seized from the Nigerian Army especially in Baga would be enough to prosecute a war against Nigeria. Shekau, who had been declared dead on three occasions in the last two years by the Nigeria military authority, said his group would soon bring Nigeria to its knees, warning the governments of the neighbouring countries, comprising of Chad, Cameroon and Niger of similar attacks. In the video uploaded

on YouTube, Shekau who appeared in the video standing in front of three patrol jeeps mounted with anti-air assault guns was dressed in his usual military khaki with an AK47 hanging from his shoulder across his chest. He delivered his long speech, first in Arabic which lasted for 17 minutes and then in Hausa for about seven minutes. He ended his speech by burning a Nigerian flag, and replacing it with his group’s flag that had a black background and white inscription. The full translation of his speech as obtained by Premium Times reads: “We thank God for making us enter Baga and DoroBaga in victory. We have today declared Baga as part of our territory and one of our operational bases. “Jonathan you are in trouble. All governors of Nigeria are in trouble. All these war equipment that you see being displayed in the screen are gotten from Baga and Doro. Your army kept deceiving the world that you can’t fight us because you have no arms. Liars! You have all that it takes; you are just coward soldiers. You forgot that it is God that arms. Is it

not amazing that we, who started with sticks and machetes, are today the biggest headache to the almighty Nigerian soldiers? What a shame!! “Jonathan is it not shameful that now even your supporters are insulting and causing you? This should be a sermon to the world that you should not trust in humans. Any one that trusts a man will end up regretting. This is just the beginning of the killings; what you’ve just witnessed is a tip of the iceberg; more deaths are coming. This will mark the end of politics and democracy in Nigeria. This is to confirm to you that we carried out the Baga massacre, and we are going to do more. “Nigerians are busy with politics, hailing Buhari! Buhari, Jonathan! Jonathan! Do you think the two of them are spared? Do you think even Buhari is a good Muslim? Buhari is not a Muslim as far as we are concerned – He is nothing but an infidel and our enemy. “Muhammed Yusuf, the president of Niger, so you too have the temerity of coming out to pay sympathy visit to the Francois Holland, the President of

France. Is this your true character? Muhammed Yusuf, you have amazed us. You shall soon see our wrath, very soon. “And you, Paul Biya, the president of Cameroon. Now you are asking for foreign assistance; please don’t waste your time because God is more than all the help you will get. “And even you Idris Debby, you are not spared. You guys have acted too late, very late. “Before I end my speech; I want to react to a radio broadcast from France where the French said they are enemies of Islam and the prophet of Islam. I am going to read the France statement (he tried reading a French statement). In that broadcast, the French government and people after insulting the holy prophet of Islam said a war against terrorisms is the same as fighting Muslims. “After this I will be setting ablaze the Nigerian flag just like we always do in all the places that we have conquered. It is a useless flag and its relevance would soon be a thing of the past. We are now showing the world all the arms and ammunition that we got from the Nigeria army

barracks in Baga, DoronBaga, Mile-4 and this barrack. What we have in our armoury now, plus all that we had before is enough to execute a victorious war against the whole Nigeria.” Shekau was later shown in the video setting a Nigerian flag on fire, and hoisting a Boko Haram flag. He then lifted a black flag with Arabic inscription as he recited an altered version of the first few lines of the Nigeria National Anthem, speaking in English: “I pledge to Allah, my God. To be Faithful Loyal and Honest. To serve Allah with all my strength. To defend his Islam… Allahu Akbar!! Nigeria is dead; her constitution is dead!! Islam and Islam; war by war upon the Kafir who is the unbeliever.” The concluding parts of the video showed a footage of some Boko Haram members setting flags of Nigeria on fire as one of them was heard saying; “and say the truth has come and falsehood has disappeared; verily falsehoods are bound to disappear.” One of the Boko Haram members who was dressed in a kaftan with a belt on his waste and a turban

around his head conducted the camera around a large a cache of arms and ammunitions, as he gave details on each weapon and how they were obtained. “All these arms and ammunition you see in their thousands are gotten from Baga. We thank God for making this possible because He says we should always thank Him for every good thing he does and he shall give us more. Words cannot express our gratitude to Him. It is His mercy for us that is why we got them so easily. God says He would test us with all that He gives us; so we know God will be waiting to see what we would do with these things. Insha Allahu we are going to do his work with these arms at our disposal. We are going to sacrifice our lives in doing God’s work. “As you can see we have thousands of AK 47 rifles, we have so much that we are still conveying them to our camp here. We have AA, we have different kind of them that can be mounted on vehicles. We have Shell Car; we have RPGs; We have mag and so on. We cannot just mention them. We have dozens of vehicles and thanks to God that has given us.”

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

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L-R: Managing Director, Financial Derivative Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane; Group Chief Executive Officer, United Capital Plc., Mrs. Toyin Sanni and Managing Director, UBA Securities Limited, Mr. Jude Chiemeka, during the release of United Capital Plc. Nigerian Economy and Financial Markets 2015 report

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PDP demands Buhari's trial for perjury

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station for interrogation and prosecution," he said. According to him, Buhari has insulted the collective intelligence and integrity of Nigerians. He also urged the Nigerian Armed Forces to consider the possibility of stripping him of his rank and privileges as he was not qualified when he

joined the army. According to him, "at best Buhari should never have been anything more than a non-commissioned officer." Meanwhile, the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has faulted the medical test purporting that Buhari has prostate cancer.

In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Adeyeye Adetunji Tam, the association said the document on which the report was written was fake and at variance with that of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria. According to the statement, the names of three 'medical doctors' seen on

the report – Dr. Balla Mohammed, Dr. Gamji A and Dr. Bello are fake. "ABUTH has since reported that there are no such 'medical doctors' on their staff list. Efforts must be made to expose the fake medical doctors," it added. The association said it was not the professional duty of medical doctors to carry out routine or

specialised medical laboratory tests on patients' samples. "Neither is it their duty to approve nor sign such results as seen on the report forms. "This is the professional responsibility of Medical Laboratory Scientists registered and licensed to perform such professional duties," it stated.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

News

NATIONAL

APC kicks as NCC bans party’s fund-raising platforms ROUGH TACKLE

Party says regulatory body blocking ways to raise funds for campaign Temitope Ogunbanke

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has kicked against the banning of its fund-raising platforms by the National Communications Commission (NCC), alleging the telecommunication regulatory body was blocking the party’s ability to use the platforms of SMS, ringtones and scratch cards to raise funds for its presidential campaign. Addressing a press conference in Lagos yesterday, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said NCC’s directive to all service providers to “avoid running political/advertisement and promotions that will

We require court order to release Buhari's certificate — WAEC Mojeed Alabi

midst the controversy surrounding the senior school certificate of the Presidential candidate of the opposition All progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, the West African Examination Council, WAEC, the body in charge of the conduct of the examination, has insisted it would require a court order to reveal the status of the candidate’s certificate. In an exclusive telephone interview with New Telegraph yesterday afternoon, a Public Affairs official of the examination body, who craved anonymity, said it was the tradition of the body to demand for a court order or an injunction mandating it to reveal the status of such a confidential document. He said the injunction became necessary because the request was being made by a third party and that only Buhari could make such request without requiring an order of a competent court. He added that many people had in the past abused the process by making too frequent requests and in other cases, making frivolous excuses on the need for the request. Meanwhile, the officer had further stated that the body would gladly make the certificate available if it is found to be in her custody as soon as the necessary but valid injunction is provided from a competent law court.

portray them as being partisan,” and threat to sanction any service provider that flouted the directive, is aimed at preventing the APC from legitimately raising funds to finance the party's campaign. “A national institution, that is warning service providers against running political/advertisements promotions in order not to be portrayed as partisan has itself become a tool of crass partisanship. What an irony? “It is also necessary to note that no regulatory body has barred the use of the traditional plat-

forms of radio, television and print media from running political advertisements and promotions,” he added. It would be recalled that Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, in his capacity as the Director of the Campaign Fund-Raising Committee for APC presidential campaign during a press conference on Tuesday unveiled five platforms (Banks, EPayment, SMS, Ringtones and Scratch Card) through which interested Nigerians can make monetary contributions to the Buhari-Osinbajo campaign.

But few hours after the launching of the platforms, service providers received a letter from the NCC, asking them to avoid running political/advertisement and promotions that will portray them as being partisan. Kicking against the NCC’s directive, Mohammed said there was no basis to prevent individuals and corporate entities from using SMS, ringtones and scratch cards for legitimate publicity and promos, since individuals and organisations have been using the new platforms to either pass across messages or

promote their products, among others, just like they have done through the traditional platforms, including radio, television and the newspapers. His words: “APC takes a very strong exception to the contents of the letter sent by the NCC to the service providers as well as the timing of such directive. There can't be a clearer example of abuse of office. We are extremely concerned by this brazen act of intimidation and regulatory lawlessness towards legitimate businesses providing perfectly legitimate advertisement

services, especially when the advertisers have not breached any law or prevented their subscribers from opting out of such services. “We are all the more appalled that the NCC seems splendidly oblivious of the fact that the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 does not outlaw advertisements. In fact, some of the Act’s subsidiary legislation/ guidelines do permit different advertorial media such as mail, licensee’s website, text messages, and electronic mail (where permitted by recipients), etc."

Buhari's criticism on Jonathan's education programme, mere propaganda, says PDP Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the criticism by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Buhari Campaign Organization of the projects executed by President Goodluck Jonathan in the education sector as weird and clear manifestation of ill will towards the people. The PDP, in a state-

ment yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, noted that while well-meaning Nigerians and the international community are applauding President Jonathan for his bold initiatives in revamping the sector, the APC is engaged in unwarranted mudslinging and personal attacks, in an attempt to score cheap political point. “We wish to remind the APC that no matter how hard they try, pro-

paganda and lies will never overshadow the truth. The fact that the education sector has experienced stability and growth under Jonathan remains incontrovertible", the party stated. It noted that in criticizing President Jonathan for establishing 14 new universities, the APC and Buhari have allowed their political interests to becloud their sense of reasoning. “At no time in the history of Nigeria has any

administration achieved this quantum leap in education. The new universities are being funded; their academic activities have since taken off with their courses meeting laid-down standard by various academic regulatory institutions, while infrastructural projects are being provided." “All over the world, the development of universities requires systematic progression and that is why even foremost universities like Oxford,

Harvard, and Cambridge are still upgrading their facilities to meet up with the demands of contemporary realities”, PDP added. The party noted that all Nigerians universities and other tertiary institutions have remained well funded under Jonathan and the quality of learning enhanced with upgrade of facilities through special intervention agencies such as TETFund and the special NEEDS Assessment

Group chides APC over instigation of violence Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

group, the Nigeria Posterity Project has condemned what it described as the unruly behaviour of All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters in Sokoto State during the campaign tour of President Goodluck Jonathan in the state. The group, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Louis Ebodaghe, said the action of the youths by sweeping off the foot prints of the president after he left the state was capable of instigating violence.

"We believe that this attitude exhibited by the APC supporters was capable of igniting passions and violence between supporters of the PDP and the opposition in Sokoto State. This action by the APC youth is a clear indication that the party is not interested in the peace pact entered into by all presidential candidates", Ebodaghe said. He said the action of sweeping away the foot prints of the president was a show of disrespect and disdain for the office and person of the President, noting that such inglorious act has brought shame and ridicule to the people of Sokoto State.

Minister calls for review of NYSC allowances Yekeen Nurudeen ABUJA

inister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, has enjoined the Federal Government to effect an upward review of the allowances being paid to members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC). The Minister, who said this in Abuja yesterday, during the campaign tour of the six FCT area councils for the next month general elections, noted

that the youth corps members and indeed youths in the country are contributing immensely to the growth of the country and as such, deserve better remuneration. The corps members are currently receiving N19, 000 as their monthly allowance. “Nigerian students have spoken here and they have shown us support. I want the NYSC allowance to be increased. On their behalf, I am doing that, and I know he (President Jonathan) would do it one day” he said

PLATEAU STATE UNIVERSITY, BOKKOS OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR

RE:INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR YEAR 2013 TETFUND SPECIAL INTERVENTION

SUSPENSION OF PRE-QUALIFICATION ADVERTISTMENT FOR LOTS 1-8 The authorities of Plateau State University, Bokkos wish to announce the SUSPENSION of the Advertisement for the Pre-qualification of contractors for year 2013 TETFund special intervention projects (i.e.LOTS 1-8) as was carried in the "Leadership" on page 45 and " Telegraph" on page 7 respectively of wednesday 21st January, 2015. The University regrets any inconvenience the suspension may cause all our esteemed contractors, please. Thank you.

Daniel D. Kim Registrar/Secretary to Council

News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NATIONAL

New fuel price: Five NNPC dispensing pumps sealed in FCT Amadi Nnamdi ABUJA

s part of efforts to ensure compliance to the new petrol pump price of N87 announced by the Federal Government, the Weights and Measures Department of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment has sealed five dispensing

pumps of NNPC Station Wuse II, Abuja for under dispensing petroleum products to customers. The officials of Weights and Measures Department led by its Acting Director, Engr. Mohammed Sidi, discovered the rip-off during the inspection of filing stations in Abuja. During the inspection at the NNPC filling station, it was discovered that the dispens-

ing pumps at the station short-changed customers from their five dispensing pump by 3.22 litres for every 20 litres of PMS (16.78 as 20 litres) while others dispensing pumps dispensed 16.62 litres, 17.28 litres and 16.97 litres for every 20 litres . Other filling stations inspected by the team were Conoil Area 1, AYM SHAFA Ltd, Apo Gudu, NNPC Apo Gudu II and Advanced Link fuel sta-

tion where some dispensing pumps were sealed for re-calibration while others were discovered to be within tolerance level stipulated by law. Sidi, while addressing journalists at the NNPC filling station, said that it was extremely disappointing that motorists were being short changed at the filling station. He assured that the department will continue to embark on such exercise

in order to establish that marketers conform with fairness and standards. Sidi said that the objective of the inspection was to checkmate unscrupulous businessmen from unfair trade practices and safeguard the interest of consumers with the recent downward review of pump price of petroleum from N97 to N87. Sidi warned that adequate sanctions would be imposed on filling sta-

2015: IGP reads riot act to personnel Emmanuel Onani ABUJA

he Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Suleiman Abba, has vowed to sanction any police officer or personnel, who may be involved in any act of misconduct during next month's general election. Abba, therefore, advised police personnel deployed to provide security during and after the elections, to maintain non-partisanship throughout the exercise. The IGP gave the warning yesterday in Abuja, at the launch of election guidelines for police personnel. The guidelines, which were presented in pocketsize booklets, are to be distributed to all personnel. Apart from the launch of the election guidelines, Abba also met with the leadership of the National Union of Roads Transport Workers (NURTW), where he sued for effective collaboration between the police and the union, to ensure a violence-free election. According to Abba: "The Police Act has a whole chapter on how to punish misconducts generally. It is the same punishment that will be applied. This is because the provision on how to punish misconduct generally is the one that will be applied. "Provision of security during elections is still the responsibility of the police... of preventing crime...so, if you get involved in misconduct in the execution of these responsibilities, the same provisions of the police regulations will be applied. He, however, expressed the hope that police personnel will abide by their ethical conducts before, during and after the elections.

L-R: Regional Sales Executive, Peugeot, Adeniyi Onifade; Winner of a car, Prof. Fatimah Abdulkareem and Executive Director, PAN, Jumat Alli Oluwafuyi, during the presentation of the car in Lagos…recently

Deploy technology to fight insecurity, ex-MILAD urges FG LECTURE

Ex-Naval Chief suggests modern ways to tackle insecurity Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

ormer Military Administrator of Bauchi and Sokoto States, Navy Captain Rasheed Raji (rtd), yesterday advocated the deployment of what he described as "information technology (IT) policing" to contain the wave of insecurity in the country. Raji, who spoke at a public lecture organised by the Civil Defence College of Security Management, Abeokuta, Ogun State, also urged the Federal Government to put in place stringent measures to curb religious fanaticism. The lecture titled: "Security of lives and

properties at Nigeria's centenary: Issues, challenges and prospects" was attended by representatives of service chiefs, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Army, Police and Directorate of State Security (DSS). Also in attendance were the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and National Orientation Agency (NOA). The former MILAD told the gathering that despite the enormous resources accruing to the nation 100 years after its amalgamation, Nigeria was still relying on obsolete and archaic security system. Raji said there was need for the government to step up measures towards ensuring peace and tranquillity by pro-

viding modern and sophisticated equipment for the country's security personnel. He noted that the state of insecurity had caused incalculable loss of government revenue, undermined the economy and destabilised the polity. "I believe there are teething problems all over the place but are we determined to change the situation? We are talking of everything manual at this jet age when you have satellite that can police everywhere? We have technology all over. If we can't borrow technology, let's go and steal the technology and improve whatever it is in our country," Raji said. The former military administrator also observed that corruption and indiscipline had worsened the nation's security, urging the Federal Government to promptly address the problems.

tions that short change customers, adding that the reduction of the fuel price by the government was put in place to reduce suffering of the masses. “In the case of the sealed fuel pumps, the errors found on the pumps were in excess of two litres on every 20 litres delivered. Such cases attract revocation of the current certificate of verification pending the re-calibration exercise before such equipment could be put to use for trade again after re-verification. “We would not relent on our official duty to ensure that marketers conform to integrity, fairness and accuracy in dispensing PMS to customers. We shall continue to use media to educate marketers and the general public so that they would be alert to the need to become conscious of measurement and standards as prescribed by the law.” Sidi said. He explained that the verification certificate was mandatory for every marketer to possess for its equipment which is valid for a year and it is usually issued after dispensing pumps had been tested and found to be accurate but due to their nature and a bid to maximize profit some marketers do readjust their meter to shortchange. motorists.

Parties deny calling for election shift Yekeen Nurudeen ABUJA

olitical parties under the aegis of the Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC) have denied calling for a shift in the dates of the elections due to challenges facing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) including the distribution of Permanent Voters Card (PVC). Chairman of IPAC and National Chairman of National Conscience

Party (NCP), Dr. Yunusa Tanko, told New Telegraph in Abuja yesterday that it was wrong for anyone to attribute such calls to the nation's political parties who have expended much preparing for the same elections. "The only comment we made was to urge INEC to carry us along, as critical stakeholders, in the buildup and other activities of the election especially on the challenges the Commission may encounter, so that we can work out solutions together.

ICAN deplores dearth of professionals Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

he Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) yesterday harped on the need for a keen interest by students in the nation’s secondary schools as key to understanding the accounting profession. Chairman of the Institute, Eastern district Society and Director, Tax Audit of the Edo State Internal Revenue

Service, Efe Iserhienrhien, stated this at an enlightenment programme held in Benin, the state capital. The event was designed to enlighten the students on their choices while in school in the state. Iserhienrhien, who addressed hundreds of the students, drawn from over 25 secondary schools in the ancient capital town, lamented the decline in the study of accounting subjects by present day young students.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JANUARY 22, 2015

Sola Adeyemo and Musa Pam

ncomfortable with Federal Government’s failure to accede to their demand two months after, striking health care professionals at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday staged a peaceful protest accusing the government of insensitivity to their plight and those of the common people. Operating under the auspices of Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JH-

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NATIONAL

UCH health workers protest non-payment of allowances SUAHP), the protesters carried placards WITH varying inscriptions including: “Follow the rule of law and implement the National Industrial Court’s judgment,” “Federal Ministry of Health, people are dying, accede to our demands,” “Release all the circulars according to the National Industrial Court judgement,” and “Enough is Enough Mr. President, address the burning is-

sues in the health sector,” among others. This was even as the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOSHESU) in Plateau State yesterday said it will continue with the ongoing strike action until the Federal Government implements the agreement entered with the union. Chairman of JOHESU, University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) chapter, Garba Dakwal, stated

this yesterday while briefing journalists in Jos. He said the strike is the last resort to address government’s lack of commitment in resolving their demands. Meanwhile, the protesters in Ibadan, singing anti-Jonathan songs, caused a stir at the entrance of the hospital, while traffic in and out of the complex was disrupted. The Chairman, National Association of

Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), UCH branch, Comrade Samuel Oladele Adeyemi, while briefing newsmen, said although medical practitioners were not on strike, there was nothing they can do without health professionals. He said the hospital had been deserted since the healthcare professionals commenced the strike.

The number of pending asylum seekers of Slovenia at the beginning of 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

€111.2m

The total cost of Eliaquim Mandala transfer to Man City if all bonus-related objectives are met in the course of the initial contract. Source: Goal.com

The annual population growth rate of Mayotte in 2012. Source: Un.org

$100m

The estimated transfer cost of Diego Costa of Chelsea FC in 2015. Source: Finance.yahoo.com

L-R: Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Muhammad; Chairman, Expert Review Committee on Polio Eradication Initiative in Nigeria, Prof. Wale Tomori and Director, Global Polio Eradication Initiative, World Health Organisation, Dr. Hamid Jafri, during the 29th meeting of the Expert Review Committee on Polio and Routine Immunisation in Nigeria in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to release the outcome of the probe panel on the Ministry of Aviation. This was stated in a statement signed by the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC presidential campaign organisation, Mallam Garba Shehu. According to the organization, the President should not sweep the outcome of the probe panel under the carpet, as was

against a government official, who is also being investigated by the same government? Does the President expect Nigerians to forget as usual about this investigation?” The statement noted further that the abiding culture of impunity and the lacklustre disposition of the administration to fight corruption are not pleasant commentaries about the country under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Outrage over Ngiliari’s call for postponement of elections Ibrahim Abdul Yola

here was outrage yesterday across the state over the comments made

Sola Adeyemo

Release aviation probe report, T APC campaign group tells Jonathan Minister of Aviation. It has been three months of eerie silence from the Goodluck Jonathan administration on the outcome of the probe panel. This is even when information at our disposal gives a pointer to the fact that the probe panel has since submitted its report. “The questions to ask are; why is President Jonathan keeping mum on the outcome of the report? Are three months not enough to investigate allegation of sleaze

by Adamawa State governor, Bala James Ngilliari, calling for the postponement of the February elections in the state. But stakeholders in the

state said the call was uncalled for while it is also potentially dangerous. In their different responses, the stakeholders described Ngillari’s position

as “selfish, ill-timed and not in tandem with the calls of the people who are poised never to be disenfranchised, adding that the ‘governor was on his own.’

‘Nigeria can’t afford to lose her democracy’ Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

he Country Representative of the Konrad Adanauer Stiftung (KAS), a German political foundation, Mrs. Hildegard Berendt-Kigozi, yesterday said. Nigeria was too important to nations of the world that she cannot afford to lose her democracy. She said this at the National Museum, Alesinloye, Ibadan, at a one-day seminar on elections and peace building organised by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in partnership with her foundation. Cautioning politicians against unleashing of violence before, during or after the elections, Berendt-Kigozi in her speech, said: “Nigeria is too important to nations of the world that she cannot afford to lose her democracy. “She is so popular when it comes to international missions and she must realise that countries with less violence are always better of…” Oyo State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Adebayo Ayeni, also said that redefining politics and governance could help to reverse the trend of political violence in the nation.

Ladoja urges Ajimobi to pay workers’ salaries Ibadan

the case in previous corruption allegations under his administration. The organisation said: “It will be recalled that the former Minister of Aviation was eased off her job following an allegation of graft and the setting up of a probe panel headed by the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki. “It will soon be three months that Mr. President constituted a probe panel to investigate the allegation of corruption against the former

he Ladoja Campaign Organisation yesterday appealed to Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, to pay the salaries of civil servants in the state without further delay. The Director General of the organisation, Hon. Adeolu Adeleke, who made this known in a statement, said the appeal became necessary to end the agony of the workers. Though Ajimobi said in a radio interview on Monday that he had released the December salaries of the workers and was not owing them, checks by New Telegraph showed that A stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Dr. Umar Ardo, said if the governor’s call is heeded, that it will lead to constitutional crisis in the state, adding that there is no basis for such calls as it por-

the workers, including teachers, had not received any alert on the payment as at yesterday. Adeleke said the workers, who did not have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas and New Year on account of the non-payment of their salaries, ought to have heaved a sigh of relief more than 20 days into another month “with no hope of January salaries coming any time soon.” The former speaker of the House of Assembly observed that the delay in the salaries was contrary to the claim by Governor Ajimobi that workers get their salaries on the 25th of every month, saying the current experience had put a lie to such claim. tends danger to the polity. “If there is no election, we are going to have problems. It means the government of the day will have to continue beyond the terms they were elected. It will result in a constitutional crisis,” Ardo said.

THURSDAY JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro No politician’s car was bombed in Lagos –Police

Juliana Francis

olice in Lagos State have dispelled the rumour that a bomb was planted in a politician’s car at Ajegunle. According to police, there was only an explosion closed to the politician’s car. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kenneth Nwosu, said that antibomb personnel had visited the scene and taken sample particles for forensic analysis. He said: “The so-called Alhaji said he went to his friend’s house, on his way out, he heard an explosion by his car. Our men were there to gather some particles and taken the particles for analysis. “As I speak with you, nobody was injured and nothing was damaged. We are still investigating the incident. It was the tyre side of the vehicle that had little damage and the car is parked in the police station right now.” A witness said that the car was parked on a street in the area when the residents heard a loud explosion and saw smoke rise from the car. The first news that travelled like wildfire was that the car exploded, but when police got there, only part of it was affected. The said politician, identified as Alhaji Simba, alerted the police. His supporters feared that his political opponents were attempting to snuff out his life. Before the arrival of the Bomb Squad, policemen from Ajegunle Police Station had dashed to the scene. A police source said: “Nobody was injured but we alerted the Anti-Bomb Unit. The team was led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr Imo Sunday. The anti-bomb personnel went to the scene and examined the car. They also took some particles. For now, we are not going to say whether it is a bomb that exploded or not.

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

Thief reports partner to police

GULLIBLE THIEF A naïve suspect walks into trouble when he invites the police to arrest a gang member for stealing a stolen car Shola Adefuwa

suspected thief, Bright Ekeochi, landed in police net in Lagos when went to report an accomplice of stealing one of the vehicles stolen by the gang. The 25-year-old Ekeochi had earlier arranged with his gang to steal the car from where he used to work. The suspect was arrested after he angrily stormed a police station to report that his friend, Akobu Aziza, 23, has bolted with the stolen car. He was later used as bait to get Aziza, Adebayo Peter and Raoul Dedavi. The plan to steal the car from Ekeochi’s former employer was hatched by Aziza. The men agreed to share the money accrued from the deal. A few days after they stole the car, Aziza disappeared with the vehicle. The police said the men stole a Toyota Vessa car at Ojodu Berger where it was on display. They were arrested on December 19. Dedavi is the alleged buyer of stolen cars from the gang. “I used to be a manager at a car shop. I left the job because the salary was too meagre. They paid me N17,000 every month. Part of my job was to wash cars and attend to consumers,” Ekeochi said. According to him, he later met a man called ‘Soldier’ who he started working for, assisting him to get buyers for his cars. He said: “I used to help Sol-

The suspects

dier to sell cars. The first car I sold for him was N4.3 million. Soldier promised to give me a commission of N100,000, but he reneged on his promise. After that, I brought a buyer for a Lexus RX 30 ‘Jeep,’ 2005 model. I told him to pay me the last commission, but he said he would pay all the commissions after the sale of the jeep.” But again, Soldier reneged on his promise. Feeling betrayed and angry, Ekeochi narrated his ordeal to Aziza who gave him the idea to steal a car from Soldier. He said: “Aziza said we should steal one of Soldier’s cars, so that he would pay me the money he owes me. I bought many SIM cards purposely for the job. I gave Aziza one SIM card. Our agreement

was that after the operation, I would give Aziza N50,000. “Using one of the SIM cards, I called Soldier and pretended I was a buyer, calling from Abuja. I told him that I would be sending my mechanic to check out a car I liked. Aziza went there, posing as a mechanic. He said he wanted to check the car engine through a test drive. Aziza drove the car away.” Aziza drove the car to Ekeochi’s house but refused to give him the key. Ekeochi said: “Aziza said he did not trust me. He said I should keep an eye on the car and left. On December 19, Aziza drove the car away without informing me. I called his phone several times, but he refused to pick my calls. I reported the case at Area G Po-

lice Command. I told the police that one of my cars was stolen by my friend. I was arrested in the process.” Aziza, an aspiring musician, said: “Ekeochi told me that his boss owed him some money. I advised him to steal one of the man’s cars. He promised he would give me N50,000 if we succeed. After stealing the car, I drove it away without informing him. I sold it N1.5 million. I gave Ifeanyi (who is at large) N300,000 and Peter N5,000. I used the remaining money to pay my house rent and make three songs.” Peter, 38, a trader, said he brought Dedavi, a buyer, for the car. Dedavi accepted buying the car for N1.5 million. He later sold it for N2 million in Benin Republic.

Man dupes company of N3m via fake bank alerts Taiwo Jimoh

etectives attached to Obantoko Police Station in Ogun State have arrested a man for allegedly defrauding an electronic company and stealing items valued at N3 million through fraudulent bank alerts. The suspect, Abdullahi Rauf, 42, is now in police custody. The company said that Rauf had been buying items, adding that each time he buys; the firm would receive bank alerts, signifying he had credited its account. The firm did not know

the bank alerts were fake. Recently, however, the company scrutinised its accounts and discovered the fraud. The company invited the police who picked up Rauf on January 19. The suspect confessed that he used to sign cheques and pay them in on Fridays, knowing that the bank would alert the account owner of the payment even when the cheques had not been cleared. According to the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ademuyiwa Adejobi, by the time such cheques get to the clearing house, it will be dis-

covered that they are bounced. He said: “The company (or other affected individuals) would not be able to get the expected money. In other words, the bank alerts would deceive the company to release goods to the suspect with the hope that the suspect has paid into the company’s account.” Adejobi said that almost all the fraudulently-acquired items had been recovered by the police. The suspect, he added, would appear in court when the judicial workers called off their strike.

Rauf

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JANUARY 22, 2015

Maid, guard steal employers’ baby girl Juliana Francis

maid and guard have allegedly connived to steal the child of their employers, Mr. and Mrs. Sepribo Whyte, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The story, which is already on social media, did not give the little girl’s name. But the couple are said to be members of Christ Chapel International Church, D/Line, Port Harcourt. The story, already on Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko’s Timeline, states: “The daughter was kidnapped by their house girl and gateman. They ran away with the couple’s

daughter yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Please pray for her and share this picture and be on the lookout.” The picture of the little girl was also shared on Maureen Uduak John’s Timeline on January 15. Some facebook friends have also reacted to the alleged abduction. Over 400 people have shared her picture from John’s Timeline. Berty Nwawulu suggested that the Whytes should apprehend the person that gave them the maid and the gateman fast. She added: “God please save this Angel and send forth your Angels to protect the baby.” Ifeoma Ndubuisi noted: “Lord have mercy! Wickedness

in the heart of men. Just tell me what in God’s name this little Angel had done wrong to them? My prayers are with the family. She will be returned home in peace, in Jesus name.” Chitu Omodu said: “Oh dear! The heart of man is desperately wicked. Who can know it but God?” Christy Shimba prayed that God should expose the wicked and save the child. Kenneth Mokwenye said he believed that, “Almighty God and her innocence will release her very soon.” Emeka Madunagu asked God to protect her wherever she is and reunite her with her family soon.

The baby

Shooting continues as residents flee Oshodi Camillus Nnaji

he violent clash between two groups of street urchins otherwise called area boys at Oshodi in Lagos State did not abate yesterday. Some armed youths were still shooting sporadically when our correspondent visited the area. This was as youths resident at Afariogun, Orile and Sadikun areas of Oshodi, have gone into hiding to avoid being arrested by police. Many shops were still shut as the owners stayed indoors. A resident, who identified himself simply as Tunde, said since Tuesday, more than 100 policemen had been patrolling the area. He said: “Because of this, many innocent youths have left the area in order not to be picked up by the police. Even businesses are affected be-

One of the vandalised vehicles

cause everybody is still afraid gunshots which also continued today (yesterday).” In the fracas, which started on Monday between Orile and Sadiku ‘boys,’ has so far

claimed two lives while over 80 vehicles parked on the streets were destroyed. The police said they had, so far, arrested five persons in connection with the mayhem.

UI alumnus, Adesiyan, dies

foremost alumnus of the University of Ibadan (UI), Chief Moses Adeleke Adesiyan, is dead. Adesiyan died on December 14, 2014, aged 85. The deceased graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (English) – London degree from the University College, Ibadan (UCI) in 1960. In a statement, the university’s Director of Public Communication, Olatunji Oladejo, described the late Adesiyan as a devout Christian, who played an active role in the affairs of the Anglican Communion. Oladejo said the burial rites for Adesiyan would begin today in Ibadan. Until his death, the Balogun Asipa Bobaduro of Ibadan land was the chairman of College of Past Presidents of the University of Ibadan Alumni Associa-

tion (UIAA). In his condolence message, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, described Adesiyan’s death as a great loss to the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, even as he noted that the deceased was one of the committed alumni who genuinely contributed to the advancement of the university after graduation. “The Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the governing council, senate, congregation, staff and students of the university commiserated with the Adesiyan family on the glorious exit of the great alumnus and prayed that Almighty God will grant him eternal rest,” Oladejo said. The National President of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, Dr Kemi Emina, said: “We commiserate with the Adesiyan family at this period. Indeed,

But some of the residents said the police were still making arrests. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the clashes, casualty figure and the number of arrests so far made. He said: “Fight broke out between a group of area boys at Orile Oshodi and another at Sadiku area of Oshodi. This occurred during a naming ceremony of one Jimoh Odekunle at Okeleye Street, Aforiogun yesterday (Tuesday). “The rival groups destroyed cars parked around the area.” The PPRO added that one Kamoru Hassan was seriously wounded and died later. Nwosu, however, said the police had put the clash in check. He said: “Normalcy has been restored in the area through robust patrol and diligent surveillance as more efforts on arresting more people are on.”

he is a great loss to the UIAA, Oyo State and the country in general. “He was exceptionally committed to the values and ethos of the association till death. We are ready to give the family the necessary support during the funeral rites.”

member of Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu, Lagos, Sir Olaniyan Olarewaju, is dead. Olarewaju, born on September 10, 1928, died on January 18, 2015. The deceased served as treasurer for 10 years at Methodist Conference and a director at Western Holdings. He was also a knight of John Wesley. A Christian wake holds today at Trinity House Church, Water Corporation Drive, off Ligali Ayorinde, Ikoyi, Lagos. Funeral service holds tomorrow at the Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu, Lagos, while interment follows immediately at Ikoyi Cemetery, Lagos. He is survived by his wife, Mrs Selina Olapeju Olarewaju, children and grandchildren.

The late Olarewaju

Woman abandons baby Camillus Nnaji

The late Adesiyan

Olarewaju for burial Friday former Finance Director A with Mandilas Group of Companies and a prominent

olice in Lagos have rescued an 11-month-old baby boy abandoned in front of the palace of the Baale of Coker-Ifako in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area. The residents said that on the fateful day the child was discovered early in the morning. Beside the boy were biscuits, cheese balls and a travelling bag containing his clothes. The residents believed the baby was not from the area, saying they would have recognised him and identified the mother. A resident said she was still shocked that a mother could abandon her little boy. She said: “Oh God, how can a woman do this to a child she carried for nine months in her womb? I wanted to take the baby and nursed him, but for the intervention of the police.” The Baale, Pa Anthony

Akinwande Coker, 77, said he was shocked to see so many people in front of his palace very early that day. He said: “About 5:30am, some residents gathered at the entrance of my compound after hearing the cry of a baby boy. I went there and saw the child. Immediately, I called 767, which is Lagos State Emergency Service number. After an hour, police officers from Pen Cinema Police Station,

Coker

Agege came to pick him.” Coker said he went with the police to the station and wrote a statement. According to him, the boy was handed to the officer in charge of the Human Rights’ Desk. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Kenneth Nwosu, who confirmed the story, said the baby had been taken to Alakara Police Juvenile Welfare Centre (JWC).

News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NATIONAL

FG to pay 1,669 PHCN workers PAY OFF

Govt concludes plan to pay severance package to validate ex-Power Holding staff

Johnchuks Onuanyim ABUJA

he Federal Gover nment has computed the validation list for 1,669 workers of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to settle the severance entitlements and Pension Funds Administration (PFAs). The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, disclosed this in Abuja, while reacting to the recent protest by the workers for none payment of their severance packages. Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Prof. Chidi Onyia, Nebo said: “I don’t understand where that allegation is coming from because if you recall, when the privatisation process started, the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) had a projected list of about 47,000 workers. Of that 47,000, over 45,000 were validated and paid both their severance packages and their PFA.” He stated that "the number of those left to be paid was about 2,400 and “Out of that number, 1,669 has just been validated based on a committee constituted by the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) with some members of labour and some members of the Ministry, including people from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).” He, however, stated that the names of the

validated workers will be published next week for them to come and present their information for the validation process to go on before they can get paid. Speaking about the fate of the about 800 other workers yet to be validated, the minister said, “The others are those that even PHCN and the people that are suppose to submit the list have not given us the list. We do not want to validate people that are not in the system and are ghost workers.” He noted that the list included workers in the Enugu PHCN Distribution company (Disco) whose data crashed during last year’s validation exercise. The pre-published list shows that the verification of the 1,669 ex-workers will be done across nine centres including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Abuja between January 26 and February 6. The Minister, who did not disclose how much would be paid to these workers said “We can’t say how much will be paid. I will have to get the exact amount from BPE. But once a validation is through and the list is submitted to the Office of the Accountant General, funds are released right away.” He debunked the notion that the moves to clear the workers arrears were being made in the face of the general elections saying: “I had said that this list for 1,669 former workers came up from several processes. The demonstration just happened two days back, so we couldn’t have gone to the zonal offices, validated the list and about to publish it just in 48 hours.”

CACOL warns Mbu against impunity in Lagos Temitope Ogunbanke

ollowing the deployment of former Rivers State Commissioner of Police, AIG Joseph Mbu, as Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has warned Mbu against the use of brute force in Lagos. CACOL, in a statement issued by its Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, queried the sincerity of the Po-

lice authority at deploying Mbu to Lagos State, despite his controversial pedigree. It would be recalled Mbu had a running battle with Rivers State Gover nor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, when he was Commissioner of Police in the state. Likewise as CP in charge of the FCT, Mbu issued a directive banning the #BBOG Coalition from holding street protests, an order that was overruled by the then IG, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar.

L-R: Acting Bureau Chief, Abuja, New Telegraph Newspaper, Mr. Onwuka Nzeshi; Managing Editor, Suleman Uba Gaya and Presidential candidate of the Africa Democratic Congress, Dr. Mami Ibrahim Ahmed, during a courtesy visit to the newspaper’s office in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO:ELIJAHOLALUYI

First Aviation master plan under way says Oronto Yusuf Shuaib ABUJA

igeria now has an Aviation Master Plan and road map. That is following a robust revision of the civil aviation national policy for the first time in over 12 years, the Special Adviser to the President on Documentation and Research, Oronto Douglas has said. Oronto made this known while highlighting the footprints of Goodluck Jonathan on the occasion of Trans-

formation at a Glance held in Abuja. “For the first time in over three decades, all 22 federally-owned airports across the country are being remodelled, resulting in improved passenger experience”. “For the first time also, five modern international passenger terminals are being constructed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu” According to him, obsolete power infrastructure is being replaced across major airports in

Chime: We’ve consolidated PDP in Enugu Uwakwe Abugu ENUGU

aking a hard look at the crises sweeping across some chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party in states of the federation, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State yesterday declared that his state has been lucky and rather attaining consolidation at this moment owing to the choice of the governorship candidate, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Both Chime and Ugwuanyi have also urged the people of the state to ensure that they collect their permanent voters cards ( PVC) to help the ruling PDP retain power in the state and at the national level. As the governor spoke of the acceptability of the candidate, Ugwuanyi announced some programmes of his administration when elected gov-

ernor and seemingly gave much hope to the people as he drew loud ovations He announced that in the first six months of his administration, he would create some 10,000 jobs for the youths of the state, saying one source of the jobs would be the further revitalization of the Enugu Marketing Company. Chime recalled the crisis ravaging state chapters of the party in Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Niger states, especially the just reported defection of the deputy governor of Niger state to another party and told the huge crowd at the campaign rally held at Nkwo Nike, Enugu East council area, that the party in the state was intact now. He explained that "the choice of our governorship candidate has consolidated the party in the state and that the situation would enhance the fortunes of the party dur-

the country, just as firefighting infrastructure are being made available. He also said that the installation of cutting edge navigational aids and instruments landing systems (ILS), including runway lights and total radar coverage (TRACOM), to enhance air safety, coupled with state of the art communication and surveillance infrastructure, making communication between air traffic controllers(ATCS), to enhance air safety were already in place. He also noted that state

of the art, metrological infrastructure (Doppler weather radars, lowlevel Wind shear alerts systems-11Wsas) to boost accurate, timely weather observation, forecasting and reporting, in addition to security infrastructure is also being replaced/upgraded to handle with emerging security challenges. He said: “Installation of an Accident Investigation and analysis laboratory in Nigeria is one of the only four in Africa and the only one in the West Africa subRegion”.

Amosun moves to end teachers' strike

gun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has stated that efforts are in top gear to resolve grievances surrounding the strike embarked upon by public school teachers in the state last Friday. Amosun, who revealed this during his ward-to-ward re-election campaign rally in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state, said grey areas would be addressed without leaving any stone unturned "We are committed to improving the lives of workers in this state. This is the reason our salary is higher than other states in the South-West and which is paid on time and regularly. "When we came on board, teachers salary was N700m plus but we have increased it to N1.9b within our three and half years in office. "We are discussing with Nigeria Union of

Teachers (NUT) to see that all issues are resolved. The lapses that brought about the strike would be addressed," he added. The governor, who also travelled two hours across the ocean to the riverine Ode Omi community, assured that more roads, schools and health facilities would be constructed within Ogun Waterside to open up the area for further opportunities. While receiving the state's helmsman in their various communities, the royal fathers, including Lenuwa of Ode Omi, Oba Adenuga Beyioku, Elefire of Efire, Oba Musa Adeniyi as well as Onisin of Ilusin, Oba Taiwo Adesanya, commended the Amosun-led administration for its landmark strides across the three Senatorial Districts of the state, assuring him of their unflinching support in the forthcoming election.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

Campaign

Promise

Interview

Cooperation 20

Jonathan’s leadership may collapse Nigeria – Buhari

Niger Deputy Gov vows to deliver state to APC

Buhari is a weak character, says Bribena

For Ugwuanyi, all gladiators unite in Enugu

Politics

Fani-Kayode: Why we’re beaming searchlight on Buhari

Former Minister of Aviation and Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, recently spoke on a programme, “Good Morning Nigeria,” where he gave reasons why Nigerians deserve to know more about the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari. He also spoke on the Abuja Peace Accord and the general elections. Excerpts: How do you see the Abuja Peace Accord signed by all the presidential candidates to prevent violence before, during and after the general election? We will try and make sure that our supporters and followers abide by this accord. We will try our best to ensure that issues are discussed, relevant issues and that is something that will be determined in a subjective manner because that is very important. The issues are relevant as long as they go with the character, the behaviour of the public record of the individuals concerned. So,

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Fani-Kayode we will discuss issues; what those issues are, we will see in the next couple of weeks; but, in terms of personal insults and things like that, we are not going to indulge in that and we have told our supporters that this is not the way to go but the public records, utterances in the past, anything that is relevant to determine whether or not the individual that wishes to be a president is fit to be a president and ought to be the president, I think that is the legitimate thing to talk about. The public record of this administration for the last four years is fair game. The opposition can say anything they like, they can comment the way they like about the record of Jonathan over the last four years and we will defend it and we are also expected to analyse the record of General Buhari when he was in power, his utterances since he left power and his behaviour up until today; anything that is in the public record and that is true and

We will not insult people; we will not incite anybody to violence and we have called our supporters and said to them, let us try and make this clean, civilised and let us not go down the lane of violence

legitimate, not falsehood. I think it is something that we need to examine. However, we will not insult people; we will not incite anybody to violence and we have called our supporters and said to them, let us try and make this clean, civilised and let us not go down the lane of violence and things like that. But there is no way your public interrogation won’t be offensive or insulting? If your intention is to avoid offence, then don’t get into politics. We are all offended morning, day and night about what those that do not agree with us say about our record in public office and about things that we have also said in the past. What we won’t tolerate is falsehood, lies and deceit; but, if somebody said, for example, that the baboon and the dog will be soaked in blood if we don’t get our way, that is a relevant issue which goes with the very character and nature

of the individual. Now repeating that quote is not an insult; it is a matter of public record. If you go to America, United Kingdom, I assure you, if a presidential or prime ministerial candidate said to the whole world during his campaigns or before his campaigns that proscription of the IRA, for example, is wrong or that an attack on the IRA is an attack on the whole of Southern England, I can assure you that will be a major campaign issue. So, as far as I am concerned, we will do all that we possibly can to ensure that our supporters behave in a right and proper manner but will not shy away from looking at the public record of General Buhari while he was in office, throughout his tenure, post tenure, his record at PTF, his record as head of state, his record at other areas, even his record as a military commander which I happen to think is quite a good one actually; and, of course, the things he has said and done in the last few months. Why is this? Because we expect to analyse our own record; we expect them to analyse what the president has done in the last four years; we expect them to analyse every word the president has said and we are ready to defend the president. They ought to be ready to defend theirs. For us to say that we are not going to talk about these things because somebody may find it offensive, I think that is asking a little bit too much. This is an election campaign; we are looking for power. Those of us that are in power wish to remain in power and we want to tell Nigerians why we want to remain in power. The other side are looking for power and they will have to explain to the world why they feel they can do a better job. Less than a month to the general election, Nigerians are concerned about security, jobs, economy and other critical issues. As the spokesperson of the Jonathan Presidential Campaign, how would you respond to the yearnings of Nigerians with regards to these issues? We have no issue with that; that is our job to talk about what this government has done over CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Politics

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Jonathan’s leadership may collapse Nigeria – Buhari lPresident canvasses for votes in Kano, Jigawa Muhammad Kabir and Ahmed Mohammed

he presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari, has said that the leadership of the country may collapse if President Goodluck Jonathan is not voted out of power on February 14. Speaking yesterday at a rally in Katsina State, Buhari said the way President Jonathan is handling the lives and properties of Nigerians is unacceptable. While noting that if voted into power his administration will give priority to eradicating corruption, engage in rapid security improvement and restore economic value in the country, he stated that his leadership will stop corruption and provide employment opportunities. “The moment we eradicate corruption,

education will improve, agriculture will move forward, water will be available, health and medical care will be free and employment will be easy at every nook and cranny of the country,” he said. He urged Nigerians to protect their voters’ cards from unpatriotic Nigerians who are buying and destroying cards for fear of defeat in the forthcoming election. In his speech, national leader of the APC and former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, described as unfortunate the failure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in handling Boko Haram. “I wonder why Jonathan is not talking about the stolen oil money, he is not talking about corruption, not talking on how he failed to improve security in the country which is quite unfortunate.” Meanwhile, President Jonathan has warned the

political class against using religion in electioneering, saying such action is detrimental to the unity of the country. The president spoke in Kano yesterday at a presidential rally of the PDP. Addressing party supporters, President Jonathan restated the commitment of the Federal Government to reactivate all moribund industries in Kano if reelected in February. “We have intervened in so many projects but I am assuring you we will work with the PDP incoming government to provide jobs to women and youth. “This will ensure that the economy of the state continues to improve from strength to strength,” he said. President Jonathan assured the people of Kano State that if re-elected, his administration would ensure sustainable and peaceful environment for improved business in

the state. The president made the promise yesterday when he paid a visit to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II in his palace in Kano. In Jigawa, President Jonathan promised Nigerians that they would continue to enjoy freedom as contained in the law of the country under his leadership, if re-elected. He said freedom was a good ingredient of democracy which every citizen must enjoy, adding that “democracy is all about freedom and any democracy without it is not democracy.”

INEC makes provision for physically-challenged Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made provision for physicallychallenged persons to be able to vote in the general elections. For instance, people with visual defects will vote with the aid of ‘Tattered Ballot Papers.’ The commission made this known in Ado-Ekiti yesterday during an interactive session with members of the National Association of People Living With Disabilities (NAPLWD). INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner

A vote for APC is a vote against Yoruba – Falae Babatope Okeowo Akure

F INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Former governor of Oyo State and Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, addressing a rally in Apete, Ido Local Government, Ibadan …yesterday

ormer Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae yesterday asked the people of South-West not to vote the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the February elections. Falae, who is the National Chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP), also berated the main opposition party in the country for exhibiting anti-masses policies. The Afenifere chieftain, who presented flags to the candidates of his party for National and State Assemblies election in Akure, the Ondo State capital yesterday, said the APC has demonstrated that it hates the SouthWest by its actions and utterances. While asking the people of the zone not to give their votes to the

Abuja

he National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), yesterday said it will publish names of persons indictable for hate and inciting statements during the February general elections. The commission also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that all eligible voters collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

The commission also called on the United Nations to probe the activities of the Boko Haram in the North-East. Speaking at a media roundtable organised by the commission, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe, noted that the commission would document hate statements and inciting comments with a view to ensuring that culprits are brought to book. He, however, enjoined journalists and other opinion leaders to preoccupy themselves with

preventing hate speeches and provocative statements by not publicising them irrespective of any pressure. The commission, however, called on both the social and conventional media houses not to allow the publication of provocative statements as such publications could predispose the nation to avoidable violence. The warning handed to INEC by the commission was due to the outcry on challenges faced by Nigerians in collecting the PVCs.

The commission stated that allegations have been made that INEC officials are sometimes absent in some collection units and where they are available, the process is slow and inefficient, occasioned by computer error, nonavailability of previous captured data etc. In the same vein, the Chairman of NHRC, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, said that the commission has embarked on a project titled ‘Franchise 2015’ which is targeted at entrenching a credible election in Nigeria.

rival APC, Falae said the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has demonstrated his hatred for the Yoruba race by his actions and inactions. His words: “The national conference was opposed, condemned and boycotted by the APC. Even though they knew that this is what we have been fighting for long including Tinubu himself, but for purely partisan reasons, they opposed the good things for Yoruba race. “I am saying Yoruba should not trust such a party with a single vote because they will abandon our cause for partisanship. “They have done it before. The Speaker of the House of Representatives was zoned to the SouthWest, they ganged up and gave it to Aminu Tambuwal from Sokoto State. We cannot trust such a party with our votes. Vote for SDP candidates.”

Ashafa preaches unity among politicians Muritala Ayinla

NHRC warns politicians against hate comments S Tunde Oyesina

(REC), Mr. Sam Olumekun, told participants that nobody would be disenfranchised on account of disabilities in the forthcoming elections. Olumekun, who was represented by the Administrative Secretary, Mr Femi Agboola, added that the special ballot papers were made for the blind and had been unveiled by INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega during a visit of the group to his office in Abuja. The Chairman of the NPLWD in Ekiti State, Mr. Peter Ojo, described INEC’s preparation for the forthcoming polls as commendable.

enator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Gbenga Ashafa, yesterday called on Nigerians to remain united in spite of the inciting campaigns by some politicians in the country. Ashafa, who lamented the danger of dividing Nigerians along religious and ethnic lines, said such moves violate the non-violence pact recently signed by the presidential candidates of various parties in the 2015 election. Speaking at a meeting with non-indigenes of Lagos, Ashafa decried the controversial death wish advert placed in some na-

tional newspapers for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buahri, by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State. He said the governor should have been suspended by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in line with the non-violence pact. According to him, “Poverty doesn’t know religion or tribe. Nigerians are suffering in spite of the economy re-basing claim by the Federal Government. On no account should we allow anyone to divide us because they want our votes. Next month’s election is our election for liberation.”

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

Niger Deputy Gov vows to deliver state to APC Dan Atori Minna

iger State Deputy Governor, Ahmed Musa Ibeto, has assured supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that all con-

tested positions in the state in the forthcoming elections would be won by the party. Ibeto, who defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on Monday, said that the party is working towards form-

ing the next government in 2015. The deputy governor, who stated this while inaugurating the state campaign council in Minna, added that: “Niger will deliver the presidential position to the APC. We will win all

the 25 seats in the state House of Assembly, the three senatorial seats and the 10 seats in the House of Representatives. And when the time for the local government elections comes, we will take all of them too.” Ibeto told Nigerlites

that campaigns would be conducted peacefully. Meanwhile, Governor Mu’azu Aliyu has denied a publication alleging that he has asked former military President Ibrahim Babangida to beg his deputy and other decampees to return to the PDP. Aliyu made his position known during a courtesy visit by Federation of Advocates for Fair, Credible and Peaceful Election led by Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, adding that it is not unusual to see politicians decamping during electioneering period and that those who have defected have right to do so.

He said: “They said I went to IBB because of those who defected. I have passed the stage of begging anybody. Every politician is free to decide on which party they want to belong to. Let me however plead that nobody should victimize anybody for the political decision they make. “I have no reason to hate my deputy over his decision to move to the opposition party. We have had good working relationship since 2007 and it will remain so even after we leave government in May this year.”

Tarzoor promises to industrialise Benue Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

T L-R: Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Hon. Terhemen Tarzoor and Senate President David Mark, during the Benue South PDP senatorial campaign flag-off in Otukpo, Benue State ...yesterday

Anenih: No need to change PDP Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

hairman, Board of Trustees(BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih has dismissed the campaign promises of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take over power in the February general elections. Anenih, who was in Ilorin, Kwara State yesterday to reconcile aggrieved members of the party and evaluate preparations for the party’s presidential campaign slated for Monday next week, simply

burst into laughter when newsmen asked for his reaction on the ongoing campaigns by the opposition party. On his team were a former Minister of Information and Orientation, Prof. Jerry Gana; former Senate President Ken Nnamani and chairman of the party’s campaign advisory council in Kwara, Hajia Bola Shagaya. He said: “You can see me laughing. APC taking over from PDP? In 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011, they made attempts from different groups. We have a clean record of success. I don’t see any reason why there should be a change.”

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Anenih, however, refused to answer questions on the controversial advertorial ran on Monday against the APC presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari by the Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose,

saying any query on the matter should be directed to the governor. He expressed satisfaction with the party’s preparations for Jonathan’s visit as well as the reconciliation among aggrieved members of the party in the state, pointing out that the way they embraced during the meeting was indicative of its success. Two set of meetings were held by the Anenih committee. The first involved selected representatives from each local government while a second round involved the gubernatorial aspirants in the last primaries of the party.

Agbaje accuses Lagos of blackmail Wale Elegbede

overnorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has accused the Lagos State government of impunity and blackmailing traditional institutions, religious leaders and civil servants. Agbaje, who spoke yesterday in Ifako-Ijaiye, Kosofe and Eti-Osa local government areas during town hall meetings, stated that the government had

the penchant of withholding the certificates of community leaders (Baales), Chiefs and Obas in order to force them to toe the party’s selfish line. According to him, the same treatment was often meted out to churches and mosques, with authorities deliberately delaying the issuance of land and registration documents to such worship places. His words: “Many have been made Baales without certificates. And on the day you fail to sup-

port them, they remind you that you are yet to receive your certificate of appointment, and it could be withdrawn anytime. And for the churches and mosques, the day they hear you criticise their policies, they remind you that you have no documents backing your place of location, and they subsequently send in the demolition squad. “Their display of pride and impunity has become too much. They

have turned themselves to God. And it is time to say: Enough is enough.” Agbaje accused the APC of running a government of impunity in Lagos State. He said: “The election of February is a battle between continuity and change. And the people want change. They want continuity yet they pay civil servants N12,000 instead of N18,000 as minimum wage. This sort of impunity must stop.”

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Mr. Terhemen Tarzoor, has promised to harness the state’s natural resources to industrialise the state if elected governor on February 28. Speaking in Otukpo during the Benue South Senatorial District PDP campaign rally, the PDP flag bearer said the state is blessed with natural resources such as limestone and coal, saying “I will create industries from these resources to create jobs for the people.”

Tarzoor said he would build on the foundation of infrastructural development laid by Governor Gabriel Suswam. Also speaking, Governor Suswam said the choice of Tarzoor as the party’s candidate was in line with the global trend whereby leadership of nations is now falling on the youth who have the energy and fresh ideas to tackle the challenges of modern leadership. Among other party leaders who addressed the huge crowd at the rally were Senate President David Mark; Senate Majority Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba; and the deputy governor, Chief Steven Lawani.

Ajimobi kicks off campaign in Ibarapa G overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State yesterday started his governorship re-election campaign in the Ibarapa zone, with a kick-off in Igangan, Tapa, Ayete, Idere and Igbo-Ora area of the state. The campaign, which witnessed a tumultuous crowd of party faithful and supporters, began with a visit to the Asigangan of Igangan, Oba Abdulazeez Olawuyi, Gbadewole 1. Governor Ajimobi, who said he deliberately chose to begin the campaign in the area, said it was a measure of his love and respect for the Ibarapa zone of the state. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to changing the politics of violence hitherto inflicted on the state by previous governments.

He said his administration would continue to bring developmental projects to the Ibarapa zone and the state in general if given another opportunity by the people to serve them again. He particularly underscored his desire to continually respect the traditional institution in the state, stating that, as custodians of tradition and culture, they deserved a pride of place in the society. In his response, the Asigangan expressed the readiness of the Igangan community to work for the success of Governor Ajimobi’s reelection, stating that his administration had done “wonderfully well” in the area of infrastructural development and maintenance of peace in the state.

16 Politics | Interview C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

the last four years and we will not only say that, we will defend it and we will explain and we will sell the achievements. It is also our job to ensure that we anaylse what we believe are the deficiencies of the other side and the lack of wisdom in ensuring that General Buhari is elected as president. That is legitimate, it is proper; that is what happens in civilized countries and real democracy. We won’t shy away from doing that. You said that the issue of baboon and dog was actually spoken in 2013. Let us talk about something else, let us talk for example the issue of Boko-Haram, you spoke about security. This is a very important issue for us. When they say this government has done nothing about insecurity, and when we say we have done what we possibly can and we have pushed the activities of insurgents and terrorists to a certain corner of the country, we are trying to contain it there and we are fighting them vigorously, it then becomes relevant when a presidential candidate or somebody who wants to be president gets up and says when you attack Boko Haram people, you kill them, burn their homes and you fight terrorism, it is an attack on the Northern part of the country. This is what General Buhari said last year; that is a relevant issue and we will not shy away from speaking about this because the Nigerian people have the right to be reminded about this man who wants to come and take a mandate. I will talk about anything that General Buhari has said throughout his life. This is what happens everywhere in the world and we must not shy away from this. However, we don’t want to provoke anybody. My friend Garba Shehu was here; he is a good friend of mine, we worked together in the Presidential Villa for some time and he said provocation is a defence to reactions that may be violent and so on and so forth. I completely disagreed with this and, of course, that is the narrative of the APC. That is their nature. You say you are provoked and so it justifies some forms of violence. Provocation is not a defence to anything. We must not react to provocation in a violent manner, in a manner that portrays us as being barbaric people, killing one another; making utterances like an attack on Boko Haram is an attack on the North is not fair and I might also add something, there are some things that are beyond politics; we are at war in this country; it does not serve anybody’s purpose for the opposition or anybody else to begin to paint our armed forces as if they are inefficient, corrupt, cowardly, a situation where members of the opposition rejoice each time Boko Haram seems to take over a town and when our soldiers take it back, they say it wasn’t the soldiers that it was a bunch of hunters, this is unacceptable. I watched CNN last night (recently) and I saw what they did to Nigeria on Armed Forces Remembrance Day, how they made it look like our soldiers are incompetent and weak, this is not true and it is not fair.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘February polls will be toughest in Nigeria’s history’ The spokespersons for the presidential organisations have a lot to do to ensure a clean campaign. How are you getting this done? We must get it done and we will get it done. We promise that our campaign will be clean, issuebased; we will talk about our own record in public office. Why is it we believe the president should continue in office; we will also talk about what we believe as the deficiencies and lack of wisdom in electing the APC into power at the federal level and electing General Muhammadu Buhari. We will do that in a more civilized, decent manner and I think that is the way forward. We will also talk to our supporters to ensure that this is done in a right way. And, of course, warm embraces are very, very encouraging, politicians tend to do that sort of thing and we will continue to do it. The problem is that when somebody believes that if he doesn’t win an election, then it is not free and fair. That is where the problem starts. If we lose this election, God forbids, I can assure you President Jonathan will never ask his supporters to go into the streets and to begin committing crime and I will want General Buhari, his supporters, his team to also give that commitment. They talked about what they

Fani-Kayode

perceived to be corruption; they keep saying this about this government and the lack of courage and commitment of this government to fight corruption. They are entitled to say that and we will defend it to say that is not true and we will show the record. When you talk about corruption, as far as I am concerned, the greatest form of corruption is when a man will take a gun and put it to the tempo of his commander-in-chief; that is a democratically-elected commanderin-chief and president and not only take power from him by a barrel of gun but also take the whole treasury and everything else from him. We all know who did that in 1983. It only ever happened twice in our history. That was in 1966 and 1983. All the other military coups were military to military and that is a military affairs. If you want to talk about corruption, we will talk about it. What will be the expectation of the public in terms of PDPs reaction to all kinds of unpalatable statements that the country will burn over the election? Before I answer that, let me say that treason is the greatest form of corruption; treason is the stealing of power by a barrel of a gun from a democratically-elected president. We will not allow

I think it is probably going to be one of the toughest elections in the history of Nigeria... if anybody tells you that it is going to be an easy election or ride, they have lost touch with the fact

this to die and we will continue to talk about it. But let me go specifically to what you are saying, when people begin to misbehave and make comments that bring us into disrepute to the public or suggest that we have breached that accord; it is our duty to come out to say look, we never sent this man to say this and this is not us; he or she is not speaking for us. You must also be aware that this country is governed by laws, the constitution guarantees the freedom of speech. The APC has been doing that to this president in the last four years very, very effectively, very personal, mostly unfounded and untrue statements and the president has taken it with a lot of calm and he has not reacted and that is good. But when people begin to misbehave, the only thing you can do is to say look, this person has nothing to do with us, disown him and the world knows you never sent him. When we speak, that is from the presidential campaign organisation. We will be guided by facts, utterances; we will react to whatever it is they say and we will defend ourselves effectively and we will expose what we believe are their inefficiencies and shortcomings. That is legitimate and that is what we are going to do. What happens if, for instance, say a governorship standard bearer of the PDP mounts the podium during the campaign rally and makes provocative utterances, using hate words? Would you disown such standard bearer? First of all, you would have to tell me how you define provocative; insults and incitement to violence are completely unacceptable and no PDP governor would behave in that way; no person in PDP that is looking for power or public office would behave that way and if they do so, it would be a violation of all the rules and norms of the PDP. We don’t expect that; we will not encourage that and we will stand against that. It is wrong and improper. We don’t want that and that is our culture; that is our nature. It is the other side that needs to look within. I will not say more than that – look at the video, things they say on television, rallies and in the newspapers. If they decide they have finally seen the light and they wish to behave in a very restrained and civilised manner that we can all be smiling at one another and have a legitimate debate on the issues, characters, personalities that are running for office, we welcome that. Let us hope they are ready to do that; if they can stick to this accord, we will have a wonderful election and we are praying for that. How tough is this election? I think it is probably going to be one of the toughest elections in the history of Nigeria. I believe that we will win and win hands down simply because I believe Nigerians want to go forward and not backward. But if anybody tells you that it is going to be an easy election or ride, they have lost touch with the fact. The fact is that it will be a good election, tough election; we will fight it hard and by the grace of God, we believe that a person will win and that person is President Jonathan.

Politics | Interview 17

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

Mr. Efiye Bribena, a Secretary-General of the Ijaw Professionals Association, speaks on the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), his choice of running mate, the February elections and the threat from the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF). TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE reports

How do you see the choice of presidential running mate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Yemi Osinbajo? For me, the major issue is not just a matter of picking either a Muslim or a Christian as presidential candidate or running mate. What is playing out now is a situation where the All Progressives Congress (APC) is trying to launder the image of someone who has consistently allied himself to religious fundamentalism. Over the years, there has been a consistent issue of the APC presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) talking seriously on religious matters. So, the fact that he picked Prof Yemi Osinbajo, a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), to be his running mate, makes one to believe that the choice of Osinbajo is a deliberate attempt to launder Buhari’s image. To what extent do you think the choice of Osinbajo is likely to influence the voting pattern in the February 14 election? That is a figment of imagination of APC and its propaganda machinery. No doubt, the choice of Osinbajo will definitely have some impact on the election because of who he is, and his strength of character. Some people will vote for APC because of his person. But the truth is that APC is only trying to pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerian electorate. As I said, Osinbajo is strong in character, but his principal, even though he is strong-willed, is weak in character. You also have to understand that Osinbajo is not the presidential candidate; he is just a running mate. If I am voting for Buhari, I will vote for him for who he is. And I think that is what most Nigerians will do. The propaganda machinery of APC is only trying to create the impression that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and the church have backed Buhari, because he picked Osinbajo as his running mate. There is nothing that is farther from the truth. Pastor Adeboye has made it

Buhari is a weak character, says Bribena

(INC) came out to say that APC and Buhari should not come to the South-South, the so-called civil society groups and the so-called men of goodwill now started condemning INC. What this suggests is that the civil society groups and the socalled men of goodwill have become partisan. That is not good for this country. Nobody should be threatened not to campaign in any part of the country. Everybody should be given the freedom to campaign wherever he wants. If the people are not happy with an individual, they will express it at the poll. All men of goodwill in Nigeria should condemn Ango Abdulahi and the group, Northern Elders Forum (NEF), he claims to represent for the statement he made. They should condemn APC for supporting the statement.

Bribena very clear over time that he would want members to be involved in politics. He has encouraged the members of his congregation to go for elective offices. He even declared recently that we should all go out to collect our voters’ cards so that we can vote and determine who becomes the president and other elective offices in our respective domains. That was even before Osinbajo was picked as vice presidential candidate. He has made it clear that he is father of everybody because he has children as it were in the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). So, he cannot come out to ask the church to vote for a particular candidate. He has not done so, and I believe he will never do so. I tell you, as a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, I will not vote for Buhari simply because he has picked Osinbajo as his running mate. If Osinbajo is contesting as presidential candidate, I definitely will vote for him. But under the presidential system that we run, a vice president is like a spare tyre. It is the president that is a major character. Buhari is a weak character and I am saying this with all sense of responsibility. Over time, Buhari has demonstrated that he is weak in character. For instance, as a Minister of Petroleum, when the issue of missing $2.8 billion came up, he didn’t know anything. As Head of State, when the issue of 53 brief cases came up, despite the direct link to him through his ADC, he didn’t know anything. When he made careless statements that led to the orgy of violence in 2011 and innocent people were killed in the North, he didn’t know anything. All these show that he is very weak

in character. If, per adventure, he gets there and insists on fighting corruption, of course, it is going to be a witch hunt.

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Osinbajo is strong in character, but his principal, even though he is strongwilled, is weak in character... If I am voting for Buhari, I will vote for him for who he is. And I think that is what most Nigerians will do

How do you see the statement credited to Prof. Ango Abdulahi that President Goodluck Jonathan should not be allowed to campaign in the North-East zone and the threat from the Ijaw National Congress (INC), warning Buhari against coming to the South-South to campaign? Let me make it clear, I don’t belong to any political party. I am not interested in the parties, but I am interested in Nigeria and I am very worried about the political class. Campaigns are supposed to be directed at the voters. In a democracy, it is believed that the voters are matured enough to decide who to support and not to support. Prof. Abdulahi is somebody I respect very well because he was my former Vice Chancellor at the Ahmadu Bello University. The statement he made that President Jonathan should not be allowed to campaign in certain parts of the North is very inciting. I, as an Ijaw man, will hold him responsible, if for any reason, anything happens to the president. Even if he has an accident on the way while going to campaign in the North, I will hold people like him responsible, because they have threatened and incited the people to prevent him from campaigning. When those statements were made, there were no condemnations from the so-called civil society groups and the so-called men of goodwill in this country. Even the APC propaganda machinery led by Lai Mohammed went as far as supporting the claim of Ango Abdulahi. But when the president of the Ijaw National Congress

Nigerians are expecting to see campaigns of issues as political parties go to the field to canvass for votes. What are the issues you expect them to put in the front burner? The issues I expect to be put in the front burner are issues most of us are aware of. They are issues of infrastructural development. What the candidates should tell us is how they want to handle infrastructural development. There are issues on the economy especially the present drop in oil prices. I expect them to tell us how they intend to handle the matter. Corruption too has always been there for us as an issue in this country. Now, I expect the candidates to give us concrete plans on how they intend to handle it. It is not a matter of anybody saying that he will jail people. We should watch the antecedents of people making such statements, and what we know about them. There are issues of insecurity in the North-East. Those are the issues I expect the candidates to let us know how they intend to handle it. It shouldn’t be a matter of name calling, or wild accusations. The falling price of oil in the international market is coming at a very crucial time for Nigeria, especially this year being an election year. Do you suspect any conspiracy here? No, I don’t see any international conspiracy. Those are issues that are beyond our control as a nation. There are factors you cannot control as a nation. The present Minister of Finance has been fighting a battle against some elements in the National Assembly, who are working for the opposition. There has been a running battle between the minister and some governors who are insisting on sharing money from our foreign reserve. These are the same people now shouting against the government. Now, as we speak, our foreign reserves are down. Yet, these same elements are now the ones shouting against the government for not being able to cushion the effects of the down trend of oil prices.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

Agbaje, Ambode and Lagos 2015

Bisi Adekunle

o say that the governorship elections in Lagos state is a fight for the soul of Nigerian politics is an exaggeration may not be that hyperbolic if one cares to look at the issues , personalities and pedigree of the political actors on the stage for the 2015 guber elections in the state. Indeed one does not need to look far or too far backwards to decipher why the climate of change is thick with foreboding for all the political parties involved especially the APC which is the party in power in the state and the PDP which is the ruling party at the centre in Abuja . And this really is where the conundrum lies in this highly charged election in which the APC is using Change as a slogan to get power to rule the nation and can never have the guts or stomach to use the same slogan as a slogan in a state in which it has been in power for 16 long years . If you know as we do that Lagos is, in terms of demography, a mini Nigeria and the ultimate migration destination for all manners of Nigerians from all over the nation seeking the golden fleece - in a city supposedly paved with gold like the fabled Charles Wittington story about coming to London, then you will see why the APC has to justify desperately as it were, continuity in office after almost two decades and why the PDP has to convince the Lagos electorate that they have had enough of the APC by voting the party out in this same governorship election by all means at the polls. On the highlighted factors of issues , personalities and pedigree it is quite easy why the APC as the party in power has to be averse to change

and be aggressively defensive in doing so. The issues at stake in Lagos are simple but volatile and provocative to the long suffering people of the state under the yoke of the ruling party. The first is the religious aggression which has led to virtually all state appointees in the cabinet and parastatals having Islamic middle name. This of course has led to the party adopting a Christian as its flag bearer albeit belatedly. The second is the rampant cronyism which made relatives, sons and daughters automatic choices in primaries and appointments in a scenario that is a lesson in brazen nepotism and lack of respect for individual performance and merit . That is a position that the APC campaign machinery will be had pressed to defend. With regard to the personalities of the candidates of the two parties, the difference is quite clear. One is an experienced politician who once vied for the governorship of the state, while the other is just an ordinary civil servant drafted into the power game by the powers that be in his party. Jimi Agbaje the guber candidate of the PDP, contested on the platform of the Afenifere, the forebear of the present APC in the 2007 guber elections in Lagos State and his candidature now for the PDP has added real value, political capital and goodwill to that party and he is a well known Christian too which matters greatly, given the discrimination mentioned earlier in appointments . On the other hand, Akin Ambode, the guber candidate of the ruling APC was unknown politically until handpicked by the hand that picked the outgoing state governor, who reportedly resented the imposition of his successor while conveniently forgetting his own pedigree in terms of imposition eight years ago. On the pedigree of the two guber challengers,

it is again not an uphill task to see where they are coming from and what they have in stock in terms of performance when and if elected. Akin Ambode went to Unilag and is a distinguished chartered accountant and Local government civil servant and manager who became a Permanent Secretary in Lagos state. He has scant political leadership experience or tutelage and is expected to learn on the job like the present governor who was drafted from a law office and groomed in the governor’s office to take over from his predecessor as if Lagos State is private property which it is not and that impunity is at the heart of the resentment of the APC by the Lagos electorate at this gubernatorial elections of 2015. Jimi Agbaje of the PDP on the other hand again is a graduate Pharmacist of UNIFE (OAU) and a very successful businessman, employer and manager of human capital and resources. He has an illustrious business and Marketing pedigree as his father was the first Asst. General Manager of the First Bank who helped to guide and build the present GTB to the banking colossus it is in Nigeria by guiding to guide the young men who trusted him as their Chairman during the teething years of the GTB . The rest is history. In addition Jimi Agbaje knows the leadership of the APC inside out and it is an open secret that he would have been that party’s candidate if transparency and merit had prevailed at the party’s primaries last year. Surely one man’s food is another man’s poison. But the time for regret and gnashing of teeth is over and APC must confront its nemesis at this guber elections of and that is PDP’s candidate -JIMI AGBAJE. • Adekunle, a political analyst, wrote in from Lagos

Buhari as a presidential candidate (1) Mike Arayuwa Wilkie

t the moment, it appears that there are two quintessential candidates of the two major political parties that will contest the presidential election in Nigeria, come February 14,2015. They are Mohammadu Buhari of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) and the incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). It is therefore going to be a straight fight between the two political titans. However, I am mindful of the existence of the other political parties and their presidential candidates who I may wish to regard as jokers and willing to enhance and enrich their resumes. I must state with all the emphasis at my disposal that these media and posters presidential candidates are insignificant and immaterial when compared with the PDP and APC candidatures. I intentionally prefer to commence with Mohammadu Buhari of the APC with due regard to alphabetical order. He was born on December 17, 1942 in Daura, in the present Katsina State. The implication is that Buhari is now 72 years old, officially. He is said to have attended a Secondary School in Katsina. He joined the Nigerian Army in 1962, attended the Nigerian Military College, Kaduna and was trained as an officer cadet (1962-1963). In 1963, he was commissioned second lieutenant. It was equally said that he attended other

officers’ courses before he rose to the rank of a Major General. Buhari was appointed a Military Governor of the defunct North Eastern State in 1975. He was also appointed the Federal Commissioner of Petroleum and Natural Resources in 1976. He was finally appointed as Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) after his retirement as a Major General from the Nigerian Army. On December 31, 1983, Buhari led a military coup d’etat against the Democratic Government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari and consequently, he sent all the politicians of the Second Republic on political recess. In 1985, Ibrahim Babangida also staged an intensive military coup against him on August 27. Thus, Buhari was sacked from the prestigious office of a Military Head of State of the Nigerian Sovereign State. It is interesting to mention that after his successful military coup in 1983, Buhari arrested and put into detention almost all the politicians of the second Republic who were political office holders and others without the required due process of the law. In particular, Shagari, the State Governors, ministers including other political gladiators were detained indefinitely until the coming of IBB’s regime. This singular action was a clear definition of dictatorship and a violent demonstration of an infringement on their fundamental human rights. However, Babangida released all of such detainees from illegal detention.

As part of the foregoing, Newspaper editors, reporters, columnists and even chairmen of editorial boards were arrested and detained without any trial. Again, the Buhari /Idagbon regime was a show of military strength inorder to stamp out and silence the opposition groups in the country. In the same vein, three youngmen were officially executed by the Buhari’s administration. They were merely accused of drug pushing. Essentially, they were not given a fair trial. The brutal regime, however, upheld the foreign policy of Shagari and allowed the continuation of Nigeria’s membership of the OAU, UN, OPEC, ECOWAS and the Commonwealth of Nations. His economic policy included: a temporary ban of recruitment into the Federal Civil Service; he raised interest Bank rates; halted capital projects; prohibited State Governments from borrowing money; encouraged the importation of raw materials and cut the importation of others. These economic measures were a plus to his government. The Buhari’s regime introduced the “War Against Indiscipline” probably, a replica of the military command system. Reckless driving was checked; people queued in the banks, motor parks and other public places and institutions. It became imperative that Nigerians’ awareness about discipline got a boost. There is no doubt that WAI was effective to a reasonable extent. It should be mentioned that despite the existence and enforcement of WAI, the inglorious and scandalous 53 suite

cases which were said to contain hard foreign currencies were smuggled into the country with the connivance of the Buhari regime. The suite cases scandal involved Buhari’s ADC and a monarch in the North West. The scandal put a question mark on the war against indiscipline. Within the context of religion, he is an acknowledged Moslem who does not toy with Islamism. His antagonists proclaimed that he is radical and fundamentalist while some others regard him as an Islamic bigot. There is nothing wrong with Buhari being a radical or fundamentalist, but provided he does not Islamise Nigeria or declare her a caliphate or Sharia Sovereign State. It must be acknowledged that Buhari contested the presidential election in 2003, 2007 and 2011 and lost all through. This is another political contest in his ambition to become the president and replace Goodluck Jonathan. I will have no other option than to wish him well but if he can’t make it, the APC presidential candidate should seriously advise his supporters to desist from rioting and the killing of people inorder to avoid a replay of the 2011 presidential election. I have only highlighted an insignificant part of the profile and antecedent of Buhari as the presidential candidate of the APC. For now, he cannot present his academic credentials to the INEC. In the opinion of some Nigerians, Buhari has no Academic credentials whatsoever. He has to prove the doubting Thomas’s wrong. • Wilkie can be reached at pmikky1950@yahoo.com

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

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Beyond rhetoric of a peace pact

igerians will to go to the polls next month to elect a new set of political leaders at the federal and state levels. The various political parties and their candidates have intensified their campaigns to convince the electorate to vote for them on election day. However, in the course of these campaigns, some of the actors have ruffled not a few feathers. Rather than base their campaign messages on issues of development, some politicians have resorted to campaign of calumny, mudslinging, character assassination and outright threats to cause mayhem if they lose the elections. The drum beats of war have been so loud that some Nigerians living in places where they are classified as non- indigenes have begun to move back to their states of origin for fear that there might be crisis during and after the elections. Indeed, a cloud of apprehension has been drifting across the political firmament, a wind of uncertainty blowing across the landscape while anxiety appears to be written on the faces of citizens. In a bid to nip the looming crisis in the bud, the Offices of the National Security Adviser and the Presidential Adviser on Inter-Party Affairs recently

However, for this peace pact to be meaningful and achieve its desired goals, all the signatories to the accord must go beyond the public denunciation of violence, ceremonial huggings and political handshakes convened a multi- stakeholder conference to sensitize the parties and their candidates on the need to conduct their campaigns with decorum and avoid actions that could incite violence in the polity. The conference was rounded off with the signing of an accord by 14 presidential candidates who pledged on behalf of their parties, to promote peace in the conduct of their affairs throughout the period of the elections. We do not only hail this peace initiative, we commend President Goodluck Jonathan, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP)

and General Muhammadu Buhari, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for embracing it. Being the two main gladiators in the forthcoming contest for the mandate of the people, their personal participation at the conference and open endorsement of the peace initiative is highly commendable. However, for this peace pact to be meaningful and achieve its desired goals, all the signatories to the accord must go beyond the public denunciation of violence, ceremonial huggings and political handshakes. We urge all of them to be men of honour by not only remaining committed to the terms of the agreement, but taking the message of non-violence to their supporters across the country. They must endeavor to run issuebased campaigns at national, state and local government levels and refrain from campaigns that will involve religious incitements, ethnic and tribal profiling or any public statement, pronouncement, declarations or speeches that have the capacity to incite any form of violence before, during and after the elections. In addition, we urge the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to be decisive, proactive and neutral in their assignment throughout the period of the elections. They must monitor closely,

the level of compliance of the parties to the accord and must not hesitate to enforce the relevant laws of the land whenever there are threats to public peace. The mass media must also play its role with a greater sense of responsibility knowing that the public depends on newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations for the correct information about the elections. The media must not become a tool in the hands of some unscrupulous politicians who might want to engage in unwholesome acts capable of inciting violence. We also urge Nigerians who patronize the various online news platforms to be circumspect about what they get from the social media since this genre of journalism is still largely unregulated and subject to abuse. Above all, we implore the Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) to ensure that it conducts the forthcoming polls in a free, fair and transparent manner. The electoral umpire must not only give this crucial assignment its best shot, the outcomes must be seen to be credible and a true reflection of the will of the people. If all these fundamentals are strictly adhered to and all stakeholders walk the talk of peace, violencefree polls would be a dream come true in Nigeria.

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20 Politics

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

For Ugwuanyi, all gladiators unite in Enugu Sheddy Ozoene

ll roads, literally, led to Ikem last Monday as the l o n g - aw a i t e d governorship campaign of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi took off to a rousing start. The choice of the oncesleepy headquarters of Isi Uzo Local Government Area is somewhat strategic: nothing else better showcases the transformation of the rural areas of Enugu State, a priority policy of the outgoing Governor Sullivan Chime.

To Ugwuanyi, Ikem is a metaphor for rural development. Not only have the dusty roads given way to smooth asphalt, pockets of industries are already springing up. Now one of the state’s emerging urban areas is already taking political centre-stage. It is a conversation in development that is ongoing in several other areas of the state which Ugwuanyi has pledged to continue. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate had chosen to kick-start his quest for Enugu governorship by pledging

to follow in the footsteps of the incumbent governor. While delivering his address at the rally that drew an unprecedented crowd of party faithful, he had declared that he would run his administration on a mantra of 3Cs: continuity, consistency and consolidation. While he vowed that his government will be a seamless continuation of Chime’s administration, programmes would only be reviewed where necessary, but “there will be no radical departure from the heritage of this tra-

jectory and blueprint for success which we will be most honoured and privileged to inherit come May 29, 2015.” It was a capacity crowd that had in attendance all the political heavyweights in the state. Governor Chime had led Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Rep. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, Senator Gil Nnaji, Ambassador Kingsley Ebenyi and several others to the rally, a symbolic closing of ranks for all the major gladiators in the state’s politics. At a stage, they

all found space to stand side-by-side on the platform. The message was clear that the party was united behind Ugwuanyi, one man they say carries their collective aspirations. Ugwuanyi’s speech was full of eulogies for each of them, but especially for Chime, whom he said rose to the demands of our times by confronting the challenges of development and political leadership in the state. In extolling his Four-Point Agenda, namely Physical Infrastructure, Economic

Expansion and Employment, Rural Development and Service Delivery, Ugwuanyi said Chime’s tenure had “opened a new chapter of good governance, moral leadership, and unequalled transformation of our state.” In noting the present administration’s bold steps towards the infrastructural transformation of Isi-uzo, especially the Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka asphalt road, the UgwogoIkem road and other road projects in the area, he promised to continue the road project from Ikem through Neke, Mbu, Umualor, Eha-Amufu, and all the way to Nkalagu. He drew a loud hilarious ovation, however, when he declared that “were it not for the constraint by Section 180 of the 1999 Constitution which provides that a governor can only occupy office for a maximum of two terms of four years each, people of the state would have gladly asked Governor Chime to continue in office beyond 2015.” Not even Chime, who is already looking forward to a deserved rest after handing over in May, could hold his laughter at the testimonial. The ball will, however, soon be in the court of Ugwuanyi, who humbly regards his choice for the February 28 election as a great honour which he would reciprocate to the best of his ability through hard work and purposeful leadership. To the outgoing governor, it was a day to wax optimistic. As far as he was concerned, PDP will ultimately carry the day in the polls of February. As the party of the people of Enugu State, the ongoing campaign rallies are “simply to renew the cordial relationship between the government and people of the state and to introduce candidates for elective positions and ask for continued support.” He had no doubts that as usual, the party will trounce the others. At the appropriate time, he continued, he would embark on a ‘thank you’ tour across the state to show appreciation for the support given the PDP all through his tenure. From both Chime and Ugwuanyi, the message to Ndigbo on the 2014 elections was clear: vote PDP all the way and not trust people that would come to you with promissory notes. They were unanimous in rallying them behind President Goodluck Jonathan for another term. •Ozoene, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

Jurist

Special Report

Daudu: JUSUN’s strike is criminal

Lawyers, judges, others honour ex-Supreme Court Justice at book launch, 80th birthday

22&25

24&25

Law

Ali, Kalu, Shittu disagree over Buhari’s qualification suit

Ali

Kalu

Can the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court make a departure from the rules and empanel a court to hear a suit challenging the qualification of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, to contest the February 14 presidential election or any other suits while judiciary workers are on strike? Lawyers say yes, no. FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE, TUNDE OYESINA and AKEEM NAFIU report

iqued by his inability to file a suit to challenge the qualification of General Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress’ presidential

FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE JUDICIARY EDITOR

foluso.ogunmodede@ newtelegraphonline.com

candidate for the February 14 election, which has become a subject of controversy as enshrined under Section 131 of the 1999 Constitution, a Senior Partner at Emerald Attorneys and Solicitors, Mr. Chukwunweike Okafor has pleaded with the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to do the unusual in the matter. Particularly, Okafor asked the court’s Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta to make a departure from the rules and hear the matter in view of the urgency requires in the suit. Okafor is predicating his request on the ongoing indefinite strike embarked upon by the

Shittu

Judges are not on strike. Any judge can sit if he can find a way of getting a clerk to assist his work. When a judge sits during the pendency of a strike, such does not constitute any illegality at all

judiciary workers, urging the Chief Judge to accede to his request with a view to determining the matter before the February 14 presidential election. Okafor’s grouse: Buhari claimed in his nomination form to possess academic qualifications which he did not show as required by Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2010. However, his quest to seek judicial interpretation of the APC’s action had been met with a brick wall, no thanks to the indefinite strike being embarked upon by the judiciary workers. Judiciary workers under the aegis of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) had shunned work since January 2 to protest what they described as the alleged refusal by the government to comply with a court judgement which granted financial autonomy to the judiciary. Their indefinite strike had in no small measure grind judicial activities to a halt nationwide as the nation’s courts had been put under lock. This nonetheless, stalls hundreds of cases including the Buhari’s quali-

fication suit being initiated by Okafor. Okafor initiated the suit to be following what he believes an infraction of the Constitution by the APC whose candidate’s nomination was contrary to Section 131 (d) of the 1999 Constitution. Okafor had in a letter dated January 12 said “may I humbly draw my lord’s attention to this suit which has been ready for filling since January 6, 2015 but which has not been filed as a result of the industrial strike action embarked upon by the members of staff of the Federal High Court. “As a result of the nature and urgency of this matter which borders on the qualification or non-qualification of General Muhammadu Buhari, who is the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). My Lord, we have reviewed all the documents published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and inclusive of the said documents is the affidavit deCONTINUED ON PAGE 23

22 Law | Jurist

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Daudu: JUSUN’s strike is criminal and not the Federation Account that is charged with the salaries and allowances of judicial officers as well as recurrent expenditure of judicial offices in the federation. It is then to be stressed how the charge on the Federation Account is clearly inconsistent with section 84 of the Constitution and is therefore unconstitutional notwithstanding the provision of subsection 9 of section 162.... ... ... If it was intended by the above provision to give the judiciary a share of the federation account, such has not been made manifest, sequel to this, all the charges on the federation Account are inconsistent with the Constitution and are therefore invalid,’

Barely three weeks after the judiciary workers, under the aegis of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), embarked on an indefinite strike, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Joseph Daudu, has described the strike as not only illegal, null and void but criminal. Also, Daudu speaks on legal issues, unconstitutionality of JUSUN’s demands and sundry issues. TUNDE OYESINA met him. Background The industrial action has effectively paralysed all court sittings in the entire country. The effect is phenomenal. Aside from the economic and social losses occasioned to the country, which runs into billions of naira, the psychological trauma inflicted on the nation by this strike especially in view of the impending election is incalculable. Pre-election cases that will determine appropriate and or eligible candidates for the said elections have been put under lock and key by JUSUN’s action. Governorship election petitions now pending suffer the risk of being caught by Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution, which prescribes that all petitions must be concluded within 180 days from the date of the filing. Why the strike? The President of JUSUN said that the basis of the industrial action was predicated on the serious difficulties encountered in making state governors implement and comply with the Judgment of the Federal High Court delivered on January 13, 2014 directing that Section 162(9) of the Constitution which provides for the financial autonomy of State Judiciaries. Adamu said that the judgment of the court was served on the Federal Accountant-General; State Accountants-General and States Auditors-General for compliance but to no avail. Legal issues It has long been settled as a general principle of constitutional law that it is implicit in the character of a federal constitution that neither the Federation nor the States could make laws imposing extra burden on each other. As Uwais JSC (as he then was) held in Attorney-General Bendel v Attorney-General Federation (1983) 1 SCNLR 253 ‘the legislative power in a true federalism

Daudu

usually involves the Division and Limitation of Governmental power’. Three provisions of the Constitution are relevant for an understanding of the issues at stake. They are Sections 162-(9), 81-(3) and 121-(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as modified). The sections are reproduced for ease of reference. SECTION 81 (3) •‘The amount standing to the credit of the – Independent National Electoral Commission, National Assembly and Judiciary, In the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation shall be paid directly to the said bodies respectively; in case of the judiciary, such amount shall be paid to National Judicial Council for disbursement to the heads of the courts established for the Federation and the State under section 6 this Constitution.’ SECTION 121 (3) ‘Any amount standing to the credit of the judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State shall be paid directly to the heads of the courts concerned’. SECTION 162 (9) ‘Any amount standing to the credit of the judiciary in the in the Federation Account shall be paid directly to the National

The current industrial strike by JUSUN is not only ill-timed but it is lawless, illegal, and unconstitutional and is also made in the utmost bad faith

Judicial Council for disbursement to the heads of courts established for the Federation and the States under section 6 of this Constitution’. As far back as 2002 in the celebrated case of Attorney-General Federation v Attorney General Abia No 2 [2002] 6 NWLR Pt. 764 Pg. 542 the Supreme Court held concerning the revenue of the judiciary vis a vis section 162-(9) of the Constitution which formed the bedrock of the judgment in JUSUN’s favour that; (a) funding of joint venture contracts and funding of federal/state judiciaries cannot by any stretch of imagination be charged on the Federation Account as the funds in the account is exclusively to be shared between the Federation, States and Local Governments, (b) That the provision of section 162-(9) referred to above is both superfluous and otiose as the expenditure of the judiciary is to be charged from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation and States respectively which are created by sections 81 and 121 of the Constitution. Onu JSC made it explicit at page 876-877 thus: ‘The above provisions (referring to section 84 of the Constitution) have been made to emphasis how it is the Consolidated Revenue fund established under section 80 of the Constitution

Unconstitutionality of JUSUN’s demands JUSUN has anchored the execution of its judgment on the Accountant-General of the Federation remitting funds due to the judiciaries of the various States of the Federation to the States themselves. This is nakedly unconstitutional. Tobi JSC in A,G. Abia State v A-G Federation (2006) 16 NWLR Pt. 1005 Pg. 265 SC held that the Constitution does not provide for the office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation. That the Accountant-General takes charge of or watches Federal Government Finances anywhere in this country. Consequently, the Federal Accountant General has no powers to sit in judgment over State funds. In other words, the Judgment being sought to be enforced by JUSUN is clearly on very weak constitutional grounds as it is obvious that based on existing Supreme Court decisions the funds for the judiciary cannot be taken from the Federation Account but from either the Consolidated Revenue Funds of the Federation or that of the States as explained above. JUSUN also knows that Federal Government has always honoured its obligations to the judiciary in the centre by releasing the funds due to the Federal Judiciaries to the Heads of the Federal Courts, in that regard there appears to be no problem. The problem The existing problem is with State Courts or Judiciaries. Each State in the Federation of Nigeria has its own Consolidated Revenue Fund-see sections 81 and 84 of the CFRN 1999 and the funds due to State Judiciaries are expected to be released to the Heads of Courts in each State without any further assurance i.e. without even the need of additional legislation. But State governors breach this provision with impunity and we have on several occasions condemned their stance against the financial autonomy or independence of State judiciaries. The solution however is not in tampering with the Federation Account which exists CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

Law

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 21

posed to by General Muhammadu Buhari which clearly shows that the nomination of General Muhammadu Buhari by the APC does not meet the minimum requirement enshrined in Section 131 (d) of the 1999 Constitution. “At this stage, your Lordship, we have formed an opinion that there is a strong case to be made for the qualification or non-qualification of General Muhammadu Buhari to contest as the presidential candidate of the APC in the 2015 general election. Regrettably my Lord, the courts are on strike which has led to the non-filing of this action. May I humbly apply that this matter be heard by a departure from the rules of this court as the presidential election will be held on 14th February, 2015 which is less than 30 days from today and we also have less than 14 working days within which this suit will be heard before the said February 14 presidential election. “We humbly pray my Lord to make a special dispensation with this case and empanel a court to commence the hearing of this suit”. But the question on the lips of members of the wig and gown is: can a court make a departure from the rules in this circumstance? This, lawyers say yes, no. While a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Malam Yusuf Ali and Mr. Wahab Olatoye insisted that the Chief Judge could empanel a court for the purpose of hearing and determining the suit, an expert in international law and jurisprudence and University of Lagos coordinator, Centre for Human Rights, Mr. Wahab Kunle Shittu, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Chief Awa Kalu, Mr. Godwin Obla, a former chairman of the Ikeja branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Monday Ubani and his successor, Yinka Farounbi differ. They said it would amount to illegality and impunity should the Chief Judge grant a departure from the rules for the purpose of hearing the suit or any other suits for that matter especially when workers were on strike. For instance, Shittu said “I don’t think there can be a departure from the norms because as far as we know, the courts remain closed and so there is no way the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court can empanel a court.” He went on: “So, I think the application itself is in furtherance of impunity. There is no way it can succeed no matter how urgent it is, except the courts formally open, that is when anything can be done’’. He was echoed by Kalu, who said it was not feasible for the CJ to empanel a court to hear any suit while the strike lasts as there was no way the court could sit without its support members of staff. Kalu said: “At any rate, my view is that the suit itself will be a waste of time, the election is in a matter of days and the Constitution anticipates that any decision by the court will be carried forward until the right of appeal is exhausted. So, if an action is initiated now and it is decided one way or the other, how will a party get the right to exhaust the

‘Why CJ cannot empanel court to hear Buhari’s qualification suit’

Auta

Buhari

rights afforded by the constitution to exercise his right of appeal, if the decision goes “The matter is an exercise in futility. Constitutional provisions for qualification for elective offices, is so simplistic that even a ‘goat’ could be deemed to have a primary six school leaving certificate, unless they are looking for school certificate in sophisticated sense. If you look at Section 318 of the Constitution, it has sub-sections that define school certificate which included any qualification accepted by INEC”. Obla was not different. According to him, since the court was on strike and no one could have access into the court premises, to empanel a court to hear the matter would be a fruitless exercise. To Farounbi, no Chief Judge could make grant such a request because it amounted to illegality. He said: “The Chief Judge cannot constitute a special court because judiciary workers are on strike and so courts cannot function. You cannot constitute a special court to adjudicate on a case like that. Such a case should go to the regular court which in this case will be a state or the Federal High Court. These are the courts recognised by the Constitution to handle such cases and until there is an amendment to the Constitution, nothing different can be done. “So, since the request is outside the scope of the Constitution, it will be illegal for the Chief Judge to grant such. Even though nobody knows when the strike will end, the person making the request should fold his arms and allow the strike to end. He can also go and mobilise the

JUSUN members to call off their strike for the suit to be heard by the court’’. Ubani simply said “JUSUN are on strike and we know that clerical members of staff are required for any court to function and make it easy for the judge to sit over a matter. So, if these people are on strike, I don’t know who they are going to bring in to answer to the request’’. Ubani went on: “The on-going strike will definitely militate against the Constitution of any court at this time. Even, if the request is granted, I also want to know the lawyer’s locus. The issue of locus is key in the determination of the case of certificate presentation of a presidential aspirant. “The people that can be said to have locus will be Buhari’s cocontestants or those who are contesting for elective offices. But, I particularly think some other presidential aspirants will be in a better position to institute an action against Buhari over his certificates. So, I doubt whether the lawyer has locus and whether his request will be granted’’. But Ali differ. To him, the Chief Judge had the requisite powers to empanel a court to hear the suit as being sought as the absence of the striking workers, who were mere support members of staff of the judiciary could not make the proceedings a nullity should the court was empanelled by the Chief Judge. Ali said: “Judges are not on strike. Any judge can sit, if he can find a way of getting a clerk to assist his work. When a judge sits during the pendency of a

I think the application itself is in furtherance of impunity. There is no way it can succeed, no matter how urgent it is, except the courts formally open, that is when anything can be done

strike, such does not constitute any illegality at all. “If a few necessary members of staff are on ground, the court can go ahead and sit. The fact that judiciary workers do not mean that it is illegal for a judge to sit, Judiciary workers are not the court, they are just support staff. “For instance, only doctors are known to perform an operation in the hospitals, if a doctor wants to perform an operation and nurses say that they are not going to work, that does not make the operation illegal. “Judges are eager and willing to work. They are capable and legally empower to sit only that they won’t have the kind of support, like to open the gate and the rest of them. “If an alternative can be found, then there is illegality in the court sitting”. Ali was corroborated by Olatoye, who said that the Chief Judge can empanel a court to hear the suit. Olatoye said: “The Chief Judge can empower the relocation of the court to another jurisdiction if a particular jurisdiction is not conducive at the material time. The nature and the urgency of the suit will however determine such step. This is because every case is treated on its own merit. “The Chief Judge can direct the court on where to sit to hear the matter and also create auxiliary staff that will work with the judge. “For instance, on the issue of Ekiti, the court was relocated by the order of the Chief Judge as the head of the court must ensure the dispensation of justice at the right time”.

Law | Special Report

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lawyers, judges, others honour ex-Supreme Court Justice at book launch, 80th birthday Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

t was more of a red carpet ceremony as key players in the country’s project, stakeholders, members of the Bar and the Bench, politicians, seasoned businessmen, friends and associates of the retired eminent jurist, Justice Samson O. Uwaifo gathered in Benin City, the Edo State capital to celebrate his achievements and life of accomplishment as a legal icon. They poured encomiums on his sterling contributions as a Supreme Court justice who made positive impact aimed at strengthening the nation’s judicial system. The prestigious Oba Akenzua Cultural Center was the venue of the event which was a book presentation on Judicial Integrity: Legal Essays and Materials in honour of Justice S.O. Uwafio, who recently retired from active service from the nation’s apex court, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, a colourful gathering that featured who –is- who in the various professional calling, particularly, in the legal system. It also coincided with the 80th anniversary celebration of the seasoned legal luminary. Among the distinguished personalities that thronged the hall were the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Justice Mohammed Adoke who was represented by Mr. Taiwo Ogunleye, Chief Charles Edosomwan, former minister of Science and Technology, Professor Emanuel Emovor, Mr. Ken Mozia, SAN, Prof. Fidelis Odita, former minister of Defense, General Theophileus Danjuma (rtd) and Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN). Others include the Edo State Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu. Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who represented popular business magnate, Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo, Edo state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Dan Orbih; former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, national President of the body of Bar and Bench Mr. Thompson Okpoko, Chief Judge of Edo state, Justice Cromwell Idahosa and several others. The 508 paged-book was reviewed by the Obasuyi of Benin kingdom, Chief Charles Uwensuyi Edosomwan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The former Attorney-General of Edo state and one of the editors of the book, Mr. Augustine O. Omonuwa in his welcome address said the celebrant was spotted at the dot of pen at the Supreme Court and rose to the apex court through judgments that imparted positively on the country and its citizens with functionality and fairness. Omonuwa harped on the need for the Edo people and members of the Bar and Bench to celebrate themselves as according to him “we should identify good about us because if we don’t celebrate ourselves nobody can do it for us.

L-R: Former Edo state Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion (Chief Launcher at the event), Dr. Gauis-Obaseki, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, the celebrant, Justice Samsom O. Uwaifo and his wife at the book launch in Benin City.

Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Gaius Jackson Obaseki described Justice Uwaifo as a brand for his conduct, stock, carriage; not how much money or houses you have, which constitute his make-up that stand him out in the nation’s service at the apex of the judiciary. He said: “Service is not the existence of assignment or getting to the apex court an achievement but how you finish is a challenge. If you finish well, you stand tall and you will be respected.” He challenged others still in the service to live above board in their chosen profession, stressing that nation building and reorientation of our value system is neither the work of the President alone nor the governor; all must get involved. While tasking Nigerians to rise up to the call and sacrifice for nation building, Dr. Obaseki said, “the future is bright but the question is should we give up? The answer is no,” and described the celebrant as “an accomplished man.” Chief Gabriel Igbinedion who was the chief launcher at the event said Justice Uwaifo as an illustrious son of the state had written his name in history as a seasoned jurist. Chairman of PDP in the state, Orbih lauded Justice Uwaifo for toeing the path of excellence and cautioned that citizens should not destroy the state, Nigeria and what they have no matter whatever reasons. On his part, Lagos state Governor Babatunde Fashola said, “this was one event I was determined not to miss. I am here to celebrate a man of great intellect, a public servant of no mean repute, a first class jurist and perhaps one of the greatest gifts of Benin kingdom in the Nigeria judicial firmament.” He stated that he “was privileged to appear before Justice Uwaifo, first when he used to sit on the Lagos panel of the Court of Appeal and if you came out of that hall with your tail intact you can feel certain that you will survive in many courts.” Fashola said: “It was a panel that I believed in him, Justice

I am here to celebrate a man of great intellect, a public servant of no mean repute, a first class jurist and, perhaps, one of the greatest gifts of Benin kingdom in the Nigeria judicial firmament

Akanbi and Justice Kutigi who later became the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. And later on, of course, one was also privileged to present cases before him in the Supreme Court. The person who thinks about his style is that he could fly to any altitude; he was prepared mentally. “He was the one who showed you very quickly whether you are going to have any joy in that courtroom or not and if your case was hopeless within fifteen minutes you will be the one who will graciously concede that you are not pursuing the matter anymore. But he wasn’t a bully on the Bench if you could engage him mentally enough and I must say that even after he left the Supreme Court and this is one of the reasons why I am here today; after he left the Supreme Court, he continued to advise me and the Lagos state government on many serious issues of law. “I know that it is public knowledge that had along running dispute on power supply in Lagos when my predecessor started AES-AERON Power plan with the federal government which later became very disputed and contentious and what members of the public might or might not know is that the matter eventually became a matter of international arbitration. “But it was Justice Uwaifo’s profound analysis of claims because while some of us were struggling with wider issues, he framed the issue and very simple. What were the simple terms of contact and immediately he got all of us back to the table it was clear that the federal government would have no leg to stand on. In the event the arbitral award were issued in favour of the Lagos state government and there are still subsequent proceedings there that have not been absolutely now fully determined but that is the kind of advice that he has continued to give me.” The celebrant, Justice Uwaifo said the day marked his greatest happy moment as it brought memories of “a rebirth, rejuvenation and regeneration” in the annals of history because of the

relief after several years of tireless work as a judge at the nation’s apex court, he is reunited with his people and friends from home and in Diaspora. The renowned Justice who took the cream of guests on memory lane as he narrated his experiences while on the top echelon of the country’s apex court, urged judges of the various courts to shun tardiness in dispensation of justice and delivery of judgments as resorting to such unprofessional conduct exposes them to public ridicule both at home and at the international levels. Uwaifo noted that lack of judicial integrity is not only about corruption but moral collapse which destroys self and makes the personality completely dead, especially, when collecting money from a client in order to deliver judgment in his or her favour, adding that by the action the person is no longer “a human being but a criminal”. He also decried acts of laziness as one stigma that had negatively affected the integrity of some judges in the country’s judicial system, pointing out that judges must at all times be up to the job. According to him, “I am very happy today. This even comes across to me as a rebirth, I don’t mean born again; a rejuvenation, regeneration. Why have I said this? When I was retiring from the Supreme Court as you all know as it is usual I delivered a valedictory speech and part of it towards the end I then said that it was a great relief I was going away because the routine of a judge every day; sit down in court, come back, look at the files, write judgments late into the nights. These happened with me for thirty whole years and so when I was retiring I said thank God it is time for me to now go. And I wondered how I was able to cope throughout the thirty years.” Reeling out how the idea of the book launch was conceived he said, “I had disembarked and I was going home for another life that is, for simple refreshing life. So, by the time I came back to BeCONTINUED ON PAGE 25

Law | Jurist

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

‘Lawyers celebrate Uwaifo at 80’ CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 24

nin Mr. Omonuwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the person I regard as my confidant throws to me a suggestion that a book launch should be done.” “I was very happy and satisfied. Just as he told you after I thought about that, I said I was going to rest you want to come out again to the public to do book launch. So, I told him he should put the matter on hold and that when I will be eighty years I will do the book launch. Thank God for me to attain eighty years.” He expressed his joy and peaceful retirement that, “you can see why I am very happy and you can see why my speech is a bit disjointed. I told you if you are very happy you don’t make a good speech.” While appraising the content of the book, the celebrant noted that, “now if you look at the book on Judicial Integrity there is one obvious error people think about when we talk about judicial integrity. The book is, only referred to a judge who is corrupt because a judge who is corrupt has got his moral self, collapsed; he is no longer a human being, he ought not to be there at all. I cannot imagine a judge, took money from somebody and put it in his pocket, you sit down, you begin to write and then what are you going to do? You need to change things so as to please the person who has given you money; you are no longer a human being, you are no longer a judge you are a criminal.” “So, when we talk of judicial integrity it is true that corruption is part of it, a good part of it is when you find a judge who should be sitting at nine o’clock; by 10:30, 11 he is discussing with people outside or at home or in chambers. He has affected the integrity of justice. Justice delivery means at all times, he must be up to the job. You are asked to write a judgment, it takes you three months, when the time is about ending you call the parties to come and address you so you have enough time

Uwaifo

that is an assault on judicial integrity.” “You are lazy; you don’t do your work properly. That is also an assault on judicial integrity. Or you write a judgment; you see judgment is like writing a beautiful essay. You look at the side of the plaintiff; you look at the side of the defendant, you put the two together and prepare a very good essay to show who is right or who is wrong. But do we find nowadays? Most of the judges and I find this when I was in the appellate court that most of our High Court judges, what do they do? They have a judgment to write; maybe there are ten witnesses, they will start, the first witness so, so and so said in his evidence so, so, so.” Continuing he pointed that “He was cross examined, he said so, so, so. He was re-examined and he said so, so, so. He will go to the second witness, the third, fourth and up to the tenth, the same thing. He goes to the defense he will do the same thing. By the time he has written forty pages as judgment you find that only two pages will represent the focus, 38 pages is also from the record. That is fake judgment. You are just copying the records.” He advocated to the state judicial workers and Chief Judge, Justice Cromwell Idahosa that, “that should be a matter for surveillance as I saw it too much irregularity.” The legal icon noted as such ugly situation as “a disgrace because other people from other countries read our judgments and if they find this is the way we do, that is, a judge should be able to create some impression in his mind from all that he has said in the evidence and then address the counsel and start writing a beautiful essay. But when you reproduce what the witnesses have said and you reproduce in totality what counsel have said and your position is two pages, three pages, you have not done any job at all and you don’t deserve to be a judge. So, those who are doing that you think twice.”

Why JUSUN strike will create anarchy, by Daudu CO N TI N U ED F RO M PAGE 2 2

solely for the distribution of funds on an agreed formula between the Federal, States and Local Governments. Consequently, Accountant-General of the Federation has no constitutional right or power to (1)tamper with funds due to the States and designate them to local heads of courts in the 36 States of the Federation as if he is a monitor or supervisor of those funds, (2) he cannot and even the Federal Government cannot dictate to States on how to disburse funds in the Federation Account talk less of funds in the local Consolidated Revenue Funds of the States, (3) The judgment of the Federal High Court in issue and this is the most serious point cannot stand in the face of the two Supreme Court judgments referred to above, which have stressed that in the disbursement of funds to the judiciary section 162(9) of the CFRN is superfluous as judiciary funds can only come from the Consolidated Revenue Funds of either the Federation or States. Unfortunately JUSUN has anchored its judgment on section 162-(9) of the CFRN. Unlawful strike action The current industrial strike by JUSUN is not only ill-timed but it is lawless, illegal, and unconstitutional and is also made in the utmost bad faith. The Foundation will take the various deficiencies noted above in seriatim. JUSUN and the entire nation are aware that at the moment the Judiciary does not require the kind of crises they are taking it through. On record there are no less than two Governorship election petitions i.e. Ekiti and Osun States running within the ambit of the Judiciary. Furthermore, there are hundreds of pre-election matters that have been filed in the Federal High Court that require expeditious attention and conclusion in view of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 that forbids any substitution 30 days to the election. Politicians and well-meaning Nigerians are aware of the existence of poor internal democracy protocols within party hierarchy. It was therefore clear as had happened in the past that most of these suits would have succeeded having been anchored on arbitrariness and self-will of Party big-wigs in the selection of candidates contrary to the contents of their Party guidelines. Some politicians have been boasting that the JUSUN strike will not be called off until the statutory time for permitting substitutions with INEC is over, which curiously is the 14th of February 2015. The strike is therefore ill-timed and prone to creating anarchy in the political system. JUSUN is a body that takes its root from the justice system and it must therefore be careful that it does not employ illegal or unlawful or unconstitutional means in the enforcement of a right cause. When that happens, the righteousness of the cause is eo ipso defeated. The principal reliefs being sought to be executed i.e. those based on section 162-(9) CFRN are declaratory in nature. There are seasoned lawyers in JUSUN who ought to know what every student who have spent a few hours in the Law School know that declaratory judgments cannot be executed under the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act. They are simply not executory or executable. That is why JUSUN has not been able to approach the Federal High Court to either FIFA or GARNISHEE FGN or STATES accounts on the strength of this judgment. It is merely declaratory. JUSUN now has used the mechanism of an industrial action to plague the overall interest of Nigerians oblivious to the unlawfulness of its action. What JUSUN ought to have done was to seek gratuitous legal advice in the circumstances, which the Foundation will offer for free.

Daudu

Way out Consequently, where a Party is faced with a declaratory judgment on a matter of serious public interest involving public officials what it does particularly having regard to the peculiar facts of each case is to seek judicial review i.e. MANDAMUS against all the public revenue officials of each State i.e. Accountant-General of the State, Auditor-General of the State and nominally, the Attorney-General of the State compelling them to act in terms of the declaratory judgment secured at the Federal High Court and give prompt effect to same. This is the rule laid down by the Supreme Court in the case of Shitta-Bey v FCSC. Barricading of court’s premises Another instance of clear illegality and brazen misconduct/misbehaviour is the barricading of court premises with chains, padlocks and decrepit vehicles so as to bar non-JUSUN members from access to all courts in Nigeria. To put it mildly, this conduct is criminal. The right to industrial action or strike is a right available to union members to be carried out in civilised and constructive manner. It is to avoid demagogy and intimidation of law abiding citizens. All over the world and in Nigeria, it is known that labour unions only have a right to withhold their services and in doing so can prevent their members from offering such services. They do not own court buildings and premises or the roads to which these buildings can be accessed. There are so many other businesses that non-JUSUN members may need to use the court for. Government has a duty, if it is not acting in collusion with JUSUN to keep the premises open to ingress and egress by members of the Public. JUSUN members can then keep their services. Advice This Foundation calls upon JUSUN to call off its strike, return to the drawing board and restrategise in view of the inherent and indeed manifest constitutional weakness of its cause. It is in the overall interest of Nigeria that JUSUN is not unwittingly used to arrest the nascent democratic growth of this great country. Nigerian political history is replete with persons, groups etc who have played the same kind of role that JUSUN is now playing and have in the process set the nation’s political timetable back. The Foundation is willing to lend JUSUN its expertise to secure the financial autonomy of States’ judiciaries in a constitutional manner which will not plunge this great nation into crises, rancour or darkness.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JANUARY 22, 2015

Healthy News

Bird flu: Maintain hygiene practices, says minister

27 Health Living

Nature Power

Smoking, other diseases fuel shortness of breath

Ginger: The aromatic herb

Health

Lagos Isolation centre

Ebola: Return to old ways of living Appolonia Adeyemi

illions of Nigerians will not forget Friday July 22, 2014 in a hurry. That day, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) was imported into Lagos by Mr. Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian American. With that singular event which shook Nigeria, managers of the nation’s health system promptly rose to the occasion

Appolonia Adeyemi appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com

by creating an isolation centre. The intervention of the Lagos State Government in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) led to the creation of the first isolation center which was carved out of existing structures. The Centre is domiciled in the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), now re-named Mainland Hospital. It was promptly carved out to manage those who contracted the Ebola virus from Sawyer. As the need arose, a new isolation centre was also quickly built in the Mainland Hospital. When the Isolation centre was functional, habouring EVD patients, Nigerians especially Lagosians were scared of getting near the facility due to the highly contagious nature of Ebola. Between July and September, the period Ebola virus held sway in the country, 19 people contracted the virus in Nigeria. By the time the last patient was discharged from the centre

From the fully stocked centre that was effectively used to care for EVD patients, investigations reveal that the facility may have been relegated to the backwaters.

seven people had died while 12 survived the onslaught. However, three months after Nigeria was officially declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO), specifically on October 20, the story of the once robust Lagos Isolation Centre has changed. From the fully stocked centre that was effectively used to care for EVD patients, investigations reveal that the facility may have been relegated to the backwaters. Although, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris has, at various forums spoken about the plan of the Lagos State Government to sustain the Isolation Centre as well as upgrade the entire Mainland Hospital as part of preparedness to handle any future outbreak of highly infectious diseases that require the isolation of patients, for now that Ebola is not on the cards, that plan does not seem to be a priority for neither the Federal Government nor the Lagos

State Government. A source at the Mainland Hospital where the Isolation Centre is located lamented about the current sorry state of the facilities especially since the Ebola free status of Nigeria. According to the source, things have really changed. When Ebola was there, protective gears including gloves, mace masks, among others were adequately supplied to the health facility. Not only that. Those working tools meant to protect health care workers were delivered in abundance to the centre but now it is something else. “Those protective equipment are not available again,” the source added. Although, the EVD has been defeated in Nigeria, Tuberculosis (TB) and other diseases such as HIV, among others that are currently managed in this facility are highly infectious, often air-borne, needed face masks CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Health News

THURSDAY JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Bird flu: Maintain hygiene practices, says minister

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

Smoking, other diseases fuel shortness of breath

Esther Albert

ast week, Nigerians woke up to the shocking news that outbreaks of bird flu also known as avian influenza were reported in two poultry farms in Lagos and Kano States. Based on this development, Akinwunmi Adesina, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development issued a red alert to stakeholders and Nigerians, warning them to be on guard against an outbreak of the Influenza virus. Before the alert, samples from those farms forwarded to the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom tested positive for H5 Strain of Avian Influenza virus and confirmatory samples have been sent to the International Reference Laboratory in Padova, Italy for further characterisation. By Tuesday, this week, Rivers State Government also announced that it had killed hundreds of fowls infected with the Avian Flu in a privately owned farm in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Based on these developments, many Nigerians have been asking what Bird flu means and what this outbreak portends for the poultry industry. Adesina has enjoined

all stakeholders in the poultry industry to enhance hygienic practices (bio-security measures) which include but not limited to regular disinfection, proper disposal of carcasses and poultry products and timely reporting of mortalities in poultry and other bird species to veterinary authorities. Poultry products, domesticated birds (chickens, turkeys, etc.) may become infected with avian influenza A viruses through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces that have been contaminated with the viruses. H7N9” is the designation for one subtype of influenza viruses that is sometimes found in birds, but that does not normally infect humans. Like all influenza A viruses, there also are different strains of H7N9. Beginning at the end of March 2013, China reported human and bird (poultry) infections with a new strain of H7N9 that is very different from previously seen H7N9 viruses. Is this new strain of H7N9 infecting humans? While H7N9 viruses had never before been detected in people, from March 31 through April 30,

yspnea: Shortness of breath also known as shortness of breath (SOB) is a common health condition and can be a sign of many different ailments. It can manifest when there is problems with the heart not bumping well and 2013, China reported more when there is problems than 126 cases of human with the lungs especially infection with this new when there is an infection. H7N9 virus. SOB is when breathing is related to the body’s deHow are people getting mand of oxygen, that is to infected? say when the supply ofoxyThis virus has been gen to the lungs/body is found in birds (poultry) less than the demand and in China in some of the carbon dioxide is more same areas where human than oxygen in the body. infections have happened. Defined as an uncomAvailable evidence fortable sensation of difsuggests that most people ficult breathing,SOB is have been infected with an abnormal or uncomthe virus after having con- fortable breathing in the tact with infected poultry context of what is normal or contaminated environ- for a person according to his or her level of fitness ments. and exertion threshold for breathlessness. How do people get infectCauses ed with bird flu viruses? It can be caused by heart Human infections with bird flu viruses are rare, problems - congestive heart but have happened in the failure-- when there is too past, usually after close much water in the heart, contact with infected making the heart muscles birds (both live and dead) to be stretched such that it or environments contami- cannot adequately circulate nated with bird flu virus. the blood flow well through Infected birds can shed the heart and to the rest of a lot of flu virus, for exam- the body. During such deple, in their droppings or velopment the heart retains their mucus. If someone more blood/fluid than is touches an infected bird necessary to maintain an or an environment con- adequate flow. taminated with virus and Similarly, it can be then touches their eyes, caused when there is an nose or mouth, they may infarction (heart attack be infected with bird flu as we know it) affecting virus. an effective flow of blood, There is some evidence and when the heart valves that infection may also are not functioning well occur if the flu virus be- thereby not pumping the comes airborne somehow, heart well while the heart such as when an infected will retain more fluid than bird flaps it wings. If needed. someone were to breathe Other factors that can cause SOB is when the lungs are diseased from too much smoking and asthma attack which narrows the breathing tubes--(bronchioles). Among the cause are inherited lung disease, infections like pneumonia, abmoved by the pain associ- scesses, and lung puncture ated with the condition and from trauma/accidents low awareness about the that allow regular air (undisease in the country. filtered air)to get into the Chinda stressed that lungs directly through the she would start with small rib cage. number of fibroid patients, In addition, the cause of SOB can be neurologispecifically 10. cal. This happens when CONTINUED ON PAGE 29 the nerves especially those

Actress offers to treat 10 women with fibroid Obinna Odoh Abuja

he Nigerian popular actress, Monaliza Chinda promised to assist treat 10 Nigerian women suffering from fibroid disease this year as

part her support for poor women who cannot afford high cost of medical bill. Chinda disclosed this in Abuja while seeking the support of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on the project. The actress said she was

Photograph shows human organs affected by breathlessness

An ultrasound of the heart (2D ECHOCARDIGRAM) needs to be done to assess the functioning of the valves and to know the percentage/ strength of the heart valves

nerves that control the breathing tubes in the body are damaged or weakened from diseases. Furthermore, psychiatric cases like anxiety, panic attack, incidents of breathing too fast without resting (hyperventilation) and also when the electrolytes (chemicals that help the body function is out of balance have been found to cause SOB. Anemia: Lack of enough oxygenated blood can cause rapid breathing. This is more common in people with chronic (long term) anaemia like sickle cell carriers and people with autoimmune disease (where one’s own body cells are fighting each other). Types Shortness of breath can happen upon exertion (with activity) and at rest. When it happens upon exertion, some tests can be done to know the source. An ultrasound of the heart (2D ECHOCARDIGRAM) needs to be done to assess the functioning of the valves and to know the percentage/strength of the heart valves, and a stress test where the breathing and heart rate is measured while on a treadmill is done to assess breathing problems. If the problem is from the lungs, spirometry test is done to assert if the damage is with breathing in air or breathing out/ or with retention of air in the lungs.

Health Features 29

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JANUARY 22, 2015

Ebola: Nigeria not out of the woods CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

are not provided for staff. Considering that those working there are exposed to infection, a source who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said each individual buys needed protective masks for himself. “One has to cover his face with a face mask so that he is not infected with TB on the basis of trying to treat someone. The truth is that face masks and other resources that the government was supplying to the Mainland Hospital are no longer forthcoming. The situation has returned to the old order.” When Ebola was there, there was standby generator which ensured regular power supply to the entire complex. Hence, there was always power supply. When the NT HEALTH visited the centre three different times in the last two weeks, there was no power supply. Similarly, the provision of water for basic hygiene practices in the centre is a major challenge. The importance of water in maintaining hygiene and sanitation is well known. Although, the provision of water to the Mainland Hospital including the Isolation Centre then was a priority because of the regular campaign to practice hand-washing in maintaining hygiene, the situation now has changed. A health worker at the centre said for now, there is no water. When necessary, individual workers purchase ‘pure water’ to wash their hands and do other process to maintain hygiene. When the NT HEALTH requested to use a toilet facility at the centre, the polite response got was, “there is no water. Apart from that the toilets are locked up. Those manning the toilets are on strike.” What then is the fate of the hand-washing campaign which the WHO and governments at all levels advocate as an important tool to reduce diseases? According to medical experts, to sustain hand-washing campaign, it should not be a one-off activity but should be carried out regularly as a lifestyle measure to attain good health. Against this background, it is important to note that although, Nigeria maybe Ebola free, the country is not yet out of the woods considering that the west African nations of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea

are still battling to contain Ebola. Death toll from Ebola outbreak has reached 8,594 people and as many as 21,614 have been infected, according to WHO estimate. Besides, 250 Nigerian contingents are on ground presently in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea where they are assisting to contain the disease will this January be joined by an additional 250 volunteers. The Director of Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Prof. AbdulsalamAbubakar said if in any member of the Nigerian contingent out there contracts EVD while providing care, the affected person will be flown back to Nigeria where he or she will be cared for. This shows that facilities at the Mainland Hospital remain very relevant and this supports the call to adequately equip the centre to make it functional. It will be recalled that two American Ebola patients, Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol both of whom contracted Ebola in Liberia during their missionary work, were treated in isolation at Atlanta’s Emory University Hospital, home to one of four United States (U.S.) “patient biocontainment units,” supercharged intensive care units that are specially equipped to handle the most serious cases. The Emory isolation unit is not an ad-hoc facility and it is available to respond to needs of Americans when such arises. The establishment of similar centres in the country by the Federal Government and some state Nigeria government will prevent Nigerians from running helter scelter when the need to use isolation centre arises in the future. Already, with the present sorry state of the Mainland Hospital facility with faded walls and untidy environment requiring renovation, there is no doubt that the morale of its staff at the is low. Already, generating income by the Mainland Hospital facility is a serious challenge considering that majority of its patients are in low-income cadre. Besides, government is funding majority of the treatment for most inmates there. Stakeholders recommend that the Lagos State Government should do more to equip the facility as well as boost staff morale so as to sustain them.

Inside isolation centre of Emory University

The truth is that face masks and other resources that the government was supplying to the Mainland Hospital are no longer forthcoming. The situation has returned to the old order

A health care worker wearing medical gloves and protective face mask

PHOTO: www.safecare-gloves.com

Actress offers to treat 10 women with fibroid CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

She said,“When women have fibroid, they just relate it to menstrual pain or a woman disease. I really want us to raise awareness on this. We can start small by helping 10 women to be healed from this very painful sickness, though treatment process could end in surgery.” She however emphasised that the treatment would be carried out in the country by doctors

based in the nation. Responding, Director-General, NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, said the agency would assist the actress in the project. He attributed the agency’s preparedness to assist the actress on the potentials of entertainment industry in the country, which according to him, has assisted in promoting activities of the agency. Besides, Orhii noted that the actress took major role in a movie that would soon be released on

PHOTO: www.npr.org

the activities of NAFDAC. “We, as a federal government agency has keyed into transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan who wants to work with the entertainment industry for many reasons. First and foremost, the entertainment industry has helped NAFDAC just like the conventional media have helped us to carry our messages to nooks and crannies of this country,” stated Orhii. The actress noted that she

starred in the movie “without asking for a single kobo from NAFDAC because of her belief that every Nigerian should use his skill in his areas of expertise to key into what NAFDAC is doing because what we do here impacts on every individual.” Speaking on fibroid in Nigeria, Dr. Orhii said that it is a very common disease that afflict women, yet, it is not talked about as it should. He added, “She has chosen

to create awareness about this disease. It is not just awareness, when you create awareness, you will also begin to look for solution.” “If you look at the size of the problem, you will begin to provide solution. The forces, the policy makers like us should begin to look for ways to see how we can reduce the incidences of such diseases, and maybe look for the reasons these diseases are becoming so rampant.

Health News

THURSDAY JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Healthy lifestyle prevents cancer, says experts Stories by Appolonia Adeyemi

Doctors seek payment of withheld salaries

edical experts at a seminar have advised the populace to avoid smoking and other activities that can compromise the normal functions of the liver as a strategy to fight cancer. Also, the stakeholders advocating healthy lifestyle for the elderly and the aged under the auspices of the Sunshine Foundation, have called on Nigerians to prevent cancer and other diseases by drinking lots of water as well as cutting down on diet with high salt and fat. They spoke at a seminar on Lifestyles that Prevent Cancer organised by the Sunshine Foundation and Committee of Concerned Women Grail Movement in Nigeria, where over 200 women mostly the elderly benefited from free medical checkup which costs about N23,000 per participant. During the seminar which held at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos at the weekend, some of the medical checkup participants benefited from include hepatitis, high blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, among others. Among the sponsors of the medical checkup are the Shell Petroleum Development and Exploration Company of Nigeria and Optimal Cancer Care. According to Dr. Femi Olaleye of the Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Cancer is more prone to women than men but are the most silent killers of all times. However, he said “early detection is the best remedy. Vaccination is very important for health living” Furthermore, Olaleye elaborated on the use of breast self-examination BSE for women while urging the men to do PSA (prostate specific antigen) medical test from the age of 35 years and above. With the help of a nurse, participants

L-R: Vice-chairman, Medical Guild, Dr. Saliu Oseni; Kufo; Secretary, Medical Guild, Dr. Sunday Luro; and Chairman of Association of Resident Doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (ARDLASUTH), Dr. Mofuf Abdulsalam PHOTO: APPOLONIA ADEYEMI

Odiete

were shown how to conduct BSE. Enobong Amiang, a medical laboratory scientist with Shell Petroleum Development and Exploration Company of Nigeria, said the human body is designed to have sufficient rest. “During sleep, the body repairs broken down parts. Scientific study has shown that out of the 24 hours in a day, the human body has been programmed to rest for one-third of the period. Based on this, Amiang advised people to have sufficient sleep and exercise to enable the body function well. Chinwe Emegokwue, an energy psychologist said although, the concept of energy therapy is new in Nigeria; it is a widely acceptable medical practice in China and other parts of the world. “When we

think negative thoughts, it changes the flow of energy in our body. On how this can be achieved, she demonstrated how to tackle common ailments with the use of little exercises. You will tap, using your fingers; you clear; yo stretch; and you balance. At times, you massage.” According to her, thoughts are killers. Hence, by keeping the hearts of our thoughts pure, we bring peace to ourselves and the environment. On his part, Godwin Ihezie of Ihezie Natural Health Services recommended the use of positive emotions to prevent diseases. Similarly, he advocated the consumption of energy giving and protective foods which include vegetables and fruits to help the development of the body. While calling on Nigerians to imbibe the culture of routine exercise, Ihezie said healthy lifestyle is very important to achieve success in life. Barr Rose Odiete, the brain behind the Sunshine Foundation, a nonprofit initiative that has been in existence for over 20 years, said the seminar which is now an annual event is driven by the concern of recent cases of the deadly cancers afflicting Nigerians.

octors in Lagos State under the auspices of the Medical Guild have called on the Lagos State Government to pay its members the four months salaries which the government has refused to pay. Also, the Union has raised alarm over the nonemployment of resident doctors in the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja in Lagos, declaring that without the employment of residents for the last three years, the residency training programme could be truncated. Chairman of Medical Guild, Dr. Biyi Kufo spoke while extending the earlier 21- day ultimatum given to Lagos Government to pay up the four months’ salary it owes doctors by four additional weeks to enable the government do the needful and avert industrial action. The Medical Guild, an affiliate of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), is the association of doctors employed by the Lagos State Government. Rising from an emer-

gency general meeting held on January 18, Kufo said the House directed that extending the ultimatum by four weeks “would give the Lagos State current administration adequate time to address the issues and bring forth solutions. The salaries being owed are April 2012, May 2012, August and September, 2014. Kufo said after the absence of a satisfactory response following series of agitations demanding the release of the withheld salaries, the Medical Guild at its annual general meeting in December 2014 directed that a “21-day ultimatum, beginning on December 29, 2014 be givento government to resolve the issues or face industrial action,” The period of this ultimatum was to end at midnight of January 18, 2015, he added. Kufo said the Lagos State Branch met with officials of the Lagos State Government “appealed to us not to embark on any planned withdrawal of services, and have indicated that there is a readiness to revisit the issues.”

Ginger: The aromatic herb (1) Z

ingiberofficinale is one of about 1400 species in the Zingiberaceae family of herbs. Native of Asia, ginger grows well in the tropical countries of the world. Ginger is widely cultivated in West Africa, especially in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Of the over 1400 species of aromatic herbs in the Zingiberaceae family, ginger is the most powerful and the most well-known. The perennial tuberous rhizome is mistakenly referred to as root. Just as one does not call yam tuber root, so also one should not call the ginger rhizome ‘root’. The rhizome is ginger. Because of differing climatic conditions, each variety of Zingiber has its own unique aroma and flavour. Ginger grown in China is often mild in flavour while ginger in Africa is hot and peppery. Jamaican ginger often has very strong aroma. The botanical name for ginger was given by a Swedish botanist named Linnaeus. It comes from the Sankrist word ‘singabera’, which means ‘shaped like a horn’. The term officinale sim-

Nature Power Fr. Anselm Adodo, OSB

naturepower@paxherbals.net; twitter: @anselmadodo ply means that it is commonly available. Indeed, ginger is a common feature in the cooking pot of cooks as well as the concoction jars of herbalists. In China it is called sheng jian, where it was used as long

Ginger

5000 years ago, that is, 3000 years before Christ was born. Ginger was mentioned in Emperor Shen Hung’s ‘Pen TsaoChing’ [The Classic book of Herbs] which he wrote in 5000 BCE. Ginger was also mentioned in

the Ayurveda, the Hindu manual of medicine written in the fifth century BCE. The Roman physician Dioscorides, mentioned ginger in his book: ‘De materiamedica’. In the Koran, it is written that among the richest in heaven ‘are passed vessels of silver and goblets of glass…and a cup, the admixture of which is ginger’. In England in the middle ages, a pound of ginger spice was held to be equal in value to a sheep and can only be afforded by the rich. How to preserve ginger Take a walk to the nearby local market and ask for ginger. It is always readily available in the market. The fresh ginger can last up to two months in a refrigerator. The dried powdered ginger can last up to one year. The dried whole ginger can last up to two years. It is not advisable to store ginger in the refrigerator. It is better to dry it and grind it into powder. Some people use powdered ginger to season their food. They simply sprinkle a teaspoon of powdered ginger on their food. This adds taste to the food as well as strengthens the system.

Ginger

PHOTO: beautybythegeeks.com

Medicinal uses of ginger Ginger contains phenols, resins and many volatile oils, such as borneol, camphere, citral, eucalyptol, linaol, and zingiberol. Ginger is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins. In middle-age Europe, ginger was an important food and medicine. Ginger’s warming, aromatic properties have long been used to treat colds and flu. Ginger promotes a beneficial sweating that helps to eliminate toxins from the system and may be taken as a tea with honey and lemon at the first sign of a chill. The fresh or dried also stimulates the circulation and is helpful for cold hands and feet. It aids the digestion of food. It has a calming effect on the digestive system. CONTINUED NEXT LAST WEEK

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

Industry

ICT

Rice: Bumpy ride to 2015 target

Assessing Nigeria’s 14 years of GSM revolution

Business What's news

Afren mulls deferment of $50m credit repayment The crisis-hit Nigerian-focused oil company, Afren Plc has begun talks with lenders to amend credit facilities and defer a $50 million amortisation payment, due to the slump in oil prices.

Image laundering: Jonathan, Diezani linked to foreign PR agencies BIGGEST SPENDER Nigeria is Africa’s biggest spender on image-making, just ahead of Egypt and Morocco

Sunday Ojeme

new report issued by the Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) has linked President Goodluck Jonthan and the Minister of Petroleum

Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, to at least five London and United Statesbased PR agencies aimed at laundering the image of the country ahead of the February 14 general elections. The report, released on

p.32

Facebook generates $227bn, 4.5m jobs to global economy A new study by consulting firm, Deloitte & Touche, has revealed that Facebook has generated $227 billion and 4.5 million jobs to global economy in 2014.

p.32 L – R: Managing Director and Chief Executive, Fidelity Bank Plc., Nnamdi Okonkwo, Minister for Communication Technology, Omobola Johnson, Executive Director, Lagos and South West Bank, Fidelity Bank Plc., Ikemuefuna Mbagwu and Divisional Head, Managed SMEs, Ken Opara, at the Fidelity SME Forum.

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Godson Ikoro

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

Nigeria’s PoS transactions hit N28.7bn monthly Kunle Azeez

igeria’s cashless scheme introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continues to gain traction as transactions executed by Nigerians on Point of Sale (PoS) terminals deployed across the country are currently valued at N28.7 billion

Finance Editor

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

November 2014, over two million PoS transactions, worth N28.7 billion, were carried out on some 200,000 PoS terminals in the country. According to the NIBSS report, the monthly transaction volume and value for January, February and March, 2014, CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

monthly, New Telegraph has learnt. This was contained in a report on cashless transactions for 2014 obtained from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlements Systems (NIBSS) in Lagos on Tuesday. The report, which is the latest in the e-payment space in Nigeria, indicates that, as at

Tuesday, is titled: “Spin doctors to the autocrats: How European PR firms whitewash repressive regimes.” It noted that this situation prompted Nigeria’s authorities to seek help from Western PR experts to improve the country’s international image and the domestic image of Nigerian authorities in the wake of the 2015 general elections. The Nigerian Government hired Levick, a Washington PR firm prominent for lobbying in the US in a $1.2 million contract to “change the international and local media narrative surrounding Nigeria’s efforts to find and safely return the girls abducted by the terrorist organisation, Boko Haram,” the report said. The study also suggests that in the spring of 2014, the Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke and a close ally of the country’s president met with five PR agencies in London “to mount the European wing of the PR offensive.” It is not clear which British firm received the contract with the Nigerian government, but the report cited Africa Confidential as saying that UK PR and Communications Agency, Bell Pottinger, is currently working alongside US election strategist, Joe Trippi, on Goodluck Jonathan’s election campaign. The study also cites data by The Africa Report suggesting that Nigeria is “Africa’s biggest spender on image-making, just ahead of Egypt and Morocco.” The 64-page report reviews cases proving that “repressive regimes” throughout the world hire Western PR firms to improve their image abroad. Nigerian authorities hired

INFLATION RATE December 2014.........................8% November 2014........................7.9% October 2014............................8.1%

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

EXCHANGE RATE (Parallel as at Jan. 16)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N192 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N293 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N223

l Foreign Reserves – $34.505bn as at 15/01/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Official as at Jan. 16)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N169 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N256.22 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N198.48

Business | News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Afren mulls deferment of $50m credit repayment ROUT

Oil price rout forces company to begin talks with lenders for amendment of credit facilities Adeola Yusuf

he crisis-hit Nigerian-focused oil company, Afren Plc, has begun talks with lenders to amend credit facilities and defer a $50 million amortisation payment due to the slump in oil prices. Afren, which said this in a statement, maintained that it is reviewing its capital expenditure for 2015. The London-listed company also said it was continuing merger talks

with Nigeria’s Seplat Petroleum Development Coy. Plc, which had won an extension till January 30 to announce if it intended to make a firm offer. The company has drafted in restructuring advisers amid growing concern among its lenders about the impact of a prolonged slump in global oil prices. Sky News understands that a financial restructuring team from Morgan Stanley, the investment bank, is working with Afren, which operates across Africa and in Kurdistan, to assess the company’s options if a putative takeover bid falls apart. Afren, which has seen its share price crash by over 84 per cent during the last year, leaving it with a market value of just £307 million, is in

talks to be bought by Seplat, a Nigerian oil producer. Morgan Stanley is broker to Afren and is working with it on the takeover discussions, and sources said that a team from the bank was also now working with it on restructuring options amid expectations that it could breach its borrowing agreements. Afren’s lenders are understood to have asked PricewaterhouseCoopers, the accountancy

firm, to advise them on a possible restructuring. It has been a torrid 12 months for Afren, which, last year, sacked its chief executive and chief operating officer over their acceptance of unauthorised payments related to the company’s activities in Nigeria. Over $20 million was repaid by the two former executives under a settlement announced earlier this month, but Afren suffered a further setback last week when

it said that it had overstated its oil reserves in Kurdistan. Like other oil companies, it is also having to contend with the plunging oil price, which has more than halved since last summer. Major companies and minnows alike are being forced to slash their costbase, with BP’s decision last week to lay off 300 workers in its North Sea operations only the latest example. The broader economic

consequences of the falling oil price are likely to be a central theme at this week’s World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort of Davos. Earlier this week, Seplat was given an additional two weeks by the Takeover Panel to formalise an offer for Afren, while other prospective bidders are said to be weighing approaches for the company. Afren and Morgan Stanley both declined to comment on Tuesday.

Nigeria’s PoS transactions hit N28.7bn CO NTINUED FRO M PAG E 3 1

stood at 1.3 million (valued at N2.2 billion); 1.4 million (N2 billion) and 1.5 million (N24.4 billion) respectively. In April, the figures increased to 1.6 million transactions with value exceeding N24 billion, while the volume dropped to 1.3 million (N21.3 billion) in May, but further moved up to 1.6 million (N24.7 billion) in May and June in that order. By the end of July, the transactions grew to 1.7 million (N27.3 billion), but declined to 1.5 million (N23.3 billion) in August while in September, more transactions were carried out by Nigerians on PoS terminals, resulting in 1.8 million transaction volume valued at N27.2 billion. For the fourth quarter of 2014, only the October and November data have

been officially released with transactions volume of 1.9 million (N28.1 billion) and over two million transaction volume valued at N28.7 billion respectively. In her reaction to the figure released by the NIBSS, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of E-Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN), Mrs Regha Onajite, said that the increase is a clear indication that Nigerians are gaining more confidence and ease in using their Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards to carry out cashless transactions. “The cashless initiative, introduced by the apex bank, is making headway and that, judged from the level of confidence and a sense of ease that many banking customers now find in using their cards for payments,” she said.

Jonathan, Diezani linked to foreign PR agencies CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 3 1

US and UK PR agencies to improve the country’s image and investment climate after the abduction of over 270 schoolgirls by the Islamist group, Boko Haram. In April 2014, Boko Haram kidnapped 276 schoolgirls from Chibok and subjected them to physical, psychological and sexual abuse for

refusing to convert to Islam. Three months after the incident, the wife of President Jonathan, Patience, suggested that the abduction was staged to discredit the country’s government. This suggestion fuelled mass protests throughout the country with demonstrators calling for the president to step down.

L-R: Managing Director, FSDH Asset Management Limited, Mrs. Olumayowa Ogunwemimo; Managing Director, UACN Property Development Company Plc, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran and Executive director, FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, Ms. Funsho Olusanya, during FSDH Asset Management Limited Real Estate Investment Trust Seminar, in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Facebook generates $227bn, 4.5m jobs to global economy TECHNOLOGY

Technology creates revenues and jobs in the ICT sector Bayo akomolafe

new study by consulting firm, Deloitte & Touche, has revealed that Facebook has generated $227 billion and 4.5 million jobs to global economy in 2014. It has 1.35 billion users of its Internet social network. Egypt ranked first in sub–Sahara Africa with 16 million, Nigeria has 11 million users while South Africa ranked third with 9.4 million users. The report looks at the businesses that maintain pages on Facebook as well as the

mobile apps and games that consumers play and measures all the economic activity that results. It also considers the demand for gadgets and online connectivity services that are generated through Facebook. It said: “When a company advertises to customers on Facebook, for example, some of the resulting sales can be directly attributed to Facebook. When consumers donated $100 million for research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis during this summer’s Ice Bucket challenge, Facebook’s auto-play video ads were a key factor. “People believe that technology creates jobs in the tech sector and destroys jobs everywhere else,” Facebook Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl Sandberg, declared. According to Ms Sandberg, Facebook is helping to create

a new wave of small businesses in everything from fashion to fitness. She cited a group of young women in Bengaluru, India, who started a hair accessory business using Facebook and a mother in North Carolina who started the Lolly Wolly Doodle line of clothing, selling to customers through Facebook. The report comes as many established industries are critical of web startups such as ride-sharing service Uber and home-sharing service Airbnb. Reuters has reported that critics had contended that the services circumvent regulations and threaten established taxis and hotel businesses. The report’s data will provide Ms Sandberg with something to talk about when she travels to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

FG seeks new way to boost industrialisation p.34 GOAL The gap between consumption and local production would be bridged

Industry

LCCI wants 2015 budget reviewed p.34

Rice: Bumpy ride to 2015 target

Dele Alao

or Nigeria, meeting the local demand for rice is a target that must be met. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, had said that Nigeria would be self-sufficient in rice production this year, just as he noted that the country, a major consumer and importer of rice in Africa, was spending over N1 billion daily or N356 billion annually on rice importation. According to the minister, Nigeria is currently importing about 2.1 million metric tonnes of rice. “Nigeria is the world’s second largest importer of rice behind China, with annual imports of 2.1 million metric tonnes. But we have set a target to become selfsufficient in rice by 2015. We are providing quality seeds and other support to our rice farmers. In just one year, Nigeria unleashed a rice revolution and produced nearly 50 per cent of all its rice needs,” the Special Assistant to the minister, Dr. Olukayode Oyeleye, had said in 2013. Also in 2014, a statement from the ministry stated: “With the positive responses coming from small and large scale investors in rice production in Nigeria since the past three years and more investors still expressing interests, it is expected that Nigerian rice production volume would bring us even closer to meeting our national rice consumption needs while the gap between consumption and local production would be further bridged. It is anticipated that in 2015, Nigeria may become a net exporter of rice, away from the decades of annual importation that has cost the country an average of N1 billion daily.” Also, the Chairman of Rice Processors of Nigeria, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, said: “By December 2015, the total milling capacity of all the integrated mills will be over two million metric tonnes per annum. For the first time ever, Nigeria will have the full capacity to mill all the domestic rice it produces, at international quality grade, to replace imported rice.” Brewing trouble However, there are concerns that the target may not be met after all. The sector is under serious regulatory issue and other acts inimical to the target. About a fortnight ago, Adesina raised the alarm that foreign investors were sabotaging Federal Government’s efforts in the rice value chain, claiming that excess import duties on rice imports owed by investors amounted to billions of naira. The minister also accused some importers of going as far as put-

A rice plantation

ting foreign labels on bags containing locally produced rice. Adesina said at a press conference in Lagos that some importers passed off local rice as foreign. He added that even the marketers were aware of the practice. He said: “The marketers said they were aware that local rice was being sold in bags with foreign labels. They claim people will refuse to buy the rice if they are told that they were made in Nigeria.” The minister also accused some importers of cheating on government by exceeding their import quota on rice and turning round to embark on media campaigns aimed at distorting the fact. The minister cited two companies, Popular Farms and Mills, owned by Stallion Group, and Olam, which imported 390,145.53MT and 244,126.63MT respectively of polished rice as of December 3, 2014, at the preferential duty of 10 per cent. This, the minister noted, was in excess of the 89,939MT quota allocated to Popular Farms and 133,963MT allocated to Olam by the inter-ministerial committee constituted to determine the national supply gap for import grade rice. Furthermore, Adesina alleged that foreign investors were sabotaging the rice policy, claiming that some of them owe government debts amounting to about N36.56 billion, which was incurred for exceeding their preferential allocated quotas for imports. The ministry had identified three other companies, including Conti-Agro, Central Trading and Export and African firms, as having imported 98,285 metric tonnes of rice without approved quotas, thereby owing the treasury N8.16 billion. A statement from the ministry noted that the companies had im-

ported 634,270.16 metric tonnes of finished rice without directives by the inter-ministerial committees or issuance of quotas. Adesina had said: “Nigeria cannot lose any revenue due to the economy. All companies who have imported rice above their allocated quotas must pay fully the amounts due to the treasury. With the devaluation of the Naira, all hands must be on deck to ensure that all leakages are blocked. Nigeria is not for sale.” The statement added, “rather than pay the levies owed, the two firms wrote letters to the minister, asking for a revision of their rice import quotas; Olam asked for 400,000 metric tonnes rice import quota, to cover the quantities of rice that they had gone ahead to import (or still desire to import) without any approved quotas or Domestic Rice Production Plans (DRPP) as required, but a mere agreement with Nigerian Customs that they would pay the duties due once the quota allocations are out.”

The quota allocated bore no relationship to the billions of naira invested by the rice millers

Blame But the Nigerian Rice Millers Association (NRMA) described the allegations of the minister as “baseless and misconceived,” stating that a retroactive quota allocation by the ministry was to be blamed. The association also alleged that the quotas were skewed in favour of speculated investors who have no real investments on ground to show for their interest in rice production. NRMA, in a statement, said that the minister didn’t present the true picture of things, as there must have been gaps in information passed to him. The statement said, “Sometime in May 2014, the minister of finance issued a circular titled,

2014-2017 Fiscal Policy Measures on Rice, in which it stated that the president had granted approval for the review of the fiscal policy measures on rice to encourage investments in the rice value chain through backward integration with effect from May 26, 2014.” The circular, according to NRMA, read: “Importation of Husked Brown rice (H.S. Code 10006.2000.00) and semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed (H.S. Code 10006.3010.00), by investors with rice milling capacity and verifiable backward integration programme, shall attract 10 per cent duty rate with a levy of 20 per cent and will be limited to the national supply gap to be determined by the Committee (for a period of fours) and; Importation of Husked Brown rice (H.S. Code 10006.2000.00) and semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed (H.S. Code 10006.3010.00), by pure traders, shall attract an import duty rate of 10 per cent plus 60 per cent levy.” After complying with the dictates of the circular on importing rice to meet the national supply gap, NRMA claimed to have received a letter early in December dated November 27, in which the minister of agriculture and rural development, informed them that an import quota had been tentatively assigned to each of the rice importers and demanded that they pay into the national treasury a higher tariff of 10 per cent duty and 60 per cent levy for a surplus. The statement said, “The circular came into immediate effect and our members with clearly verifiable backward integration investCONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Business | Industry

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG seeks new way to boost industrialisation OPTION Government’s approach is to diversify the nation’s revenue sources Stories by Dele Alao

he Federal Government said that it would embrace import substitution as a means of reducing government dependence on importation while driving industrialisation. Minister of Industry, Trade

and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, stated this during a courtesy visit to Mikano International Limited and Secure ID Limited in Lagos. He said that the present administration’s approach was to move towards import substitution, noting that Nigeria as a nation could no longer afford to remain import - dependent. The minister said: “If we do not address this as a nation in the next three to four years, we will be in a very big trouble in terms of our economic development.” Aganga said that with the

Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) launched by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2012, importation of petrochemical products which currently costs the nation about $10 billion would be a thing of the past. “The message of this administration is very clear. We can no longer be a country that is import-dependent especially on products we can produce in this country. There are many sectors we should have developed as a country, but we relied for decades on exporting raw materials, which is oil. That

era is gone and this is why the president launched the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) in 2012,” he said. He added: “If the investment goes according to plan, by 2018, we will no longer import petroleum products into the country and that will save us a minimum of about $10 billion, we spend about $3 billion importing steel, we spend about $6 billion importing cars and spare parts and also spend about $1.7 billion importing sugar where we can grow sugar cane to get sugar.” According to him, under the NIRP, the government’s approach is to diversify the nation’s economy revenue sources to boost economic growth. The minister, who noted that Nigeria was the eight largest producer of crude oil and eleventh in terms of gas reserves, said that the country has been wrong for decades exporting crude oil with no value addition. “When you export crude raw materials, you create jobs for other countries only to buy them back with the proceeds we got from exporting the raw materials in the first

place. This is not good for the economy because we loose all the value addition in that process,” he said. He commended the two factories, saying that they are in line with the NIRP, maintaining that the country is wasting its foreign reserves importing products it can produce. Also at the event, the Chairman, Mikano International Limited, Mofid Karameh, described the minister’s visit as an indication of government’s support to industrial development in the country. He said that in the past few years, industrial development has been neglected, but stressed that the industrial sector has began to experience some improvements such as support from the government in duties and patronage. Karameh noted that the company when it started operations was using only 10 per cent of local content, but has shoot up its operations using about 40 per cent local content for its operations. He added that the firm was planning to establish an assembly plant and also go into full manufacturing of transformers in Nigeria.

Bumpy ride to 2015 target L-R: Marketing Communicator, Mantrac Nigeria Limited, Chinenye Okoli; Acting General Manager, Construction Machines, Alex Nwoko and Lead Sales Executive, Adetutu Mesele, at the commissioning of 66 units of Mantrac construction equipment supplied to Oyo State government in conjunction with Lugarth International in Ibadan.

LCCI wants 2015 budget reviewed

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has called for a comprehensive review of the 2015 budget in view of the drop in global price of oil among other economic considerations. Its president, Alhaji Remi Bello, noted that the 2015 budget was very significant, coming especially at a time the economy was facing profound revenue shocks arising from the slump in the global oil price. “The prevailing economic condition necessitates that the budget should be structured to ensure cost savings, optimal revenue generation, fiscal efficiency and curbing of fiscal leakages. The budget, at this time, should also

seek to create an enabling environment and stimulate investments to ensure the diversification of the economy,” the LCCI president said. Also, the LCCI president urged the Federal Government to emphasise on the efficiency of tax administration and not imposition of new taxes or fees on investors. Bello said that taxation should reflect the ability to pay in order to meet the desired distributive role. “We advise against imposition of excessive fees and charges on businesses in the name of expanding revenue from non-oil sector of the economy,” he said. On the plummeting oil price, the LCCI president said: “As at mid-January, oil price

had dropped below $50 per barrel. We have made comments on the implications of the unfolding scenario. It is however worth repeating that the current global and domestic economic conditions portend profound challenges for the private sector. “There will be pressures on costs driven by the depreciating naira; there will be structural shifts in demand and competitiveness in favour of high local content. There will also be erosion of profit margins across many sectors. “The emerging weak public sector cash flow will affect general liquidity condition in the economy, but segments driven by public sector patronage will be more impacted.”

EPA: NANTS, CSO threaten legal action against FG Amadi Nnamdi Abuja

he National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) and the West African Civil Society have threatened to sue the Federal Government of Nigeria as well as other West African Heads of States, if the purported secret signing of the controversial Eco-

nomic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with European Union turned out to be true. The position of the group was contained in a letter obtained by New Telegraph on Monday, signed by NANTS President, Ken Ukaoha. In the letter, the group noted, “Today, from various sources, we have heard that about a dozen West African countries have sub-

tly signed this agreement. From all indications, every information regarding the signing has been shrouded in secrecy, and almost by stealth. The signing date was hidden and the event kept under the bushel. We have equally been informed that only five countries - Nigeria, Togo, Gambia, Sierra Leone and Mauritania - have not yet signed the agreement.

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

ments proceeded to import rice and paid duties and levies based on the circular. This step was timely as it helped to stabilise the price of rice in line with Federal Government’s objective. “Surprisingly, by a letter dated November 27, 2014, received by importers early in December 2014, the minister for agriculture and rural development informed our members that an import quota has been tentatively and unilaterally allocated to each of the rice importers and demanded that they should pay into the national treasury a higher tariff of 10 per cent duty and 60 per cent levy for surplus. The surplus arose from a quota allocated six months after the circular. “The quota allocated bore no relationship to the billions of naira invested by the rice millers. Instead, it weighed heavily in favour of intending investors who proposed to go into production in 2017. Apart from the relatively low quota, and the retroactive imposition of very steep penalty, the minister’s letter also imposed the requirement of a Domestic Importers and Rice Production Performance Bond without due consultation with the stakeholders and highlighted several penalties to be meted out in the event of non-compliance,” it read. The NRMA claimed that the letters written by its members was intended to put matters in proper perspective and shouldn’t be misconstrued as an attempt to sabotage local rice production, noting that

the accusation was serious and alarming. However, the minister said that he would not be intimidated, bought or corrupted. “I will not be intimidated, bought or corrupted. I will not sell my country to any foreign company. The president has given us a clear matching order to make Nigeria self-sufficient in rice and we will fully achieve this. All who owe the Federal Government must pay and Nigeria must lose no one naira. No amount of malicious representation will derail the new policy,” the minister said. Alleging poor management of rice imports and governments unfulfilled promises to local farmers and millers, the document said: “Poor management of import tariff and smuggling; import quota not released in time and ineffectual control and management of imports are the immediate and remote causes of the crisis. There is also the tardy implementation of otherwise good policies and strategies. Promised improvements were not implemented such as staple crop processing centres, silo lease, paddy aggregation centares, agriculture mechanisation and irrigation schemes reactivation. As it were, analysts are of the opinion that as long as the current import quotas are not fairly distributed, new investors without actual investments on ground are favoured over people who have actual assets and investments on ground, smuggling activities are not curtailed among others, this year’s target of selfsufficiency may be a mirage.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

ICT

Regulatory bodies certify Wiko’s range of phones p.36

Main One’s N7bn data centre facility timely, – Minister p.36

Assessing Nigeria’s 14 years of GSM revolution Fourteen years after ushering in the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) into Nigerian, which sort of revolutionalised the sector, experts say the sector has fared relatively well in repositioning the country as a 21st century-compliant nation and a key player on the global Information and Communication Technology map, writes KUNLE AZEEZ

anuary 19, 2015, marked exactly 14 years of the historic conclusion of a globallyacknowledged transparent Digital Mobile Licence auction, which signposted telecoms deregulation in Nigeria, ushering in the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) operators, whose entry changed the face of telecoms landscape in Africa and made Nigeria the haven for telecommunications investors. The auction ran from January 17 to 19, 2001, with Radio Spectrum International (RSI), Charles Rivers Associates, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) and Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN) as consultants to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The auction’s success set a very important precedent by conducting the world’s first ascending clock spectrum auction which convinced the global community of transparent government processes by informing the public of the details of the auction exercise. The new telecoms era has been supported with the Nigerian Communication Act 2003, which provides favorable regulatory regime for investors and all the players, even as the country has remained and will continue to be an investment haven in years to come, according to a Pyramid Research study. Analysis of the developments in the sector in the last 14 years is a pointer to the positive impacts the sector has been having on all sectors of the economy, notwithstanding existing challenges, which the industry still contends with. “From whatever point of view one looks at it, the telecoms industry remains one of the most outstanding sectors going by available statistics in the industry,” observes a telecoms industry analyst, Mr. Akin Akinbo. “Telecoms industry has been transforming our economy in all spheres since the

A telecommunications tower

GSM revolution of 2001.” Today, the sector has recorded tremendous growth with multiplier effects being felt in all other sectors of the economy, ranging from banking, education, e-commerce/ retailing to agriculture, medicine, media, oil and gas, among others. Industry observers said that for the sector to have recorded a growth from 450,000 connected lines in 2001 to over 135 million active subscribers as at the end of 2014, the industry has, indeed, fared very well. Not only this, backed by the NCA 2003, which legal experts described as one of the best laws in any sector in the country, the deregulation has resulted in geometric growth in the local and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow. According to the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, “over $32 billion investment has been recorded in the sector as at June 2014 from $50 million in year 2001. The investment stood at $18 billion in 2010 and $25 billion in 2012.” This, he said, represents giant strides, even as the chief regulator promised that the Commission will continue to regulate the industry in a way to continuously make it more attractive to global investment community. With the investment, telecoms companies have been able to successfully deploy 68,124 kilometre of fibre optic cabling as at the end of December, 2013, while in 2014 alone, additional 38,000 kilometre of fibre optic cables were laid. Experts say this represents an increase of about 44.2 per cent investment in fibre optic cabling by the telecoms companies last year alone. Meanwhile, in the last 14 years, telecoms companies in Nigeria have also increased their base transceiver stations (BTS) expansion efforts from a few thousands to over 27,000, making it possible for

From N50 per minute of phone call in 2001, the cost has crashed by 78 per cent today as telecoms subscribers now make call for as low as N10 or N9 per minute across networks

more people to have access to telephone services, thus covering many hitherto unserved and underserved communities across the country. Beyond carrying voice signals, the industry operators are also making their BTS either 2Genabled or 3G-enabled to be able to carry adequate data services, with the country relying on the 11 terabyte of internet capacity brought into the country by the likes of Main One, Glo1, West African Cable Systems (WACS), among others. According to data from the Ministry of Communication Technology, between 2013 and December, 2014, 2G-enabled sites have increased from 22,578 to 28,289 while 3G-enabled sites have increased from less than 10,000 to 15,048 during the same period. However, a backbone infrastructure project started by the NCC, through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), has also continued to bridge the gap between the served and underserved or unserved areas in the country, especially areas not considered commercially viable by the telcos. The NCC project is a subsidybased project designed to facilitate the connection of rural and semiurban areas to the national transmission backbone infrastructure with the intention to facilitate the build-out of backbone transmission infrastructure. The project is expected to be implemented in all the 774 local government areas in Nigeria, using targeted subsidies. Through the project, Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, said about 1,200 kilometres of fibre optic cabling has also been run so far. According to the minister, over 170 base stations, in total, had been deployed only through the USPF to un-served and underserved areas by the end of 2014, with each of the base stations serving a cluster of

communities. Consequently, telecoms sector has grown from obscurity to limelight, emerging as a major contributor to the country’s economy with its current contribution of 10 per cent to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These metrics have thus made Nigeria the fastest growing telecommunications country by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ratings for five consecutive years, a feat attributed to the robust and transparent regulatory regime engendered by the NCC. Perhaps, one area that has been of significant measure of how the industry has fared in the last 168 months of its revolution has been in the area of service tariff, cost of owning communication devices and cost of acquiring Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or telephone line. According to findings, from N50 per minute of phone call in 2001, the cost has crashed by 78 per cent today as telecoms subscribers now make call for as low as N10 or N9 per minute across networks. The NCC adopted, in 2013, progressive reduction interconnect termination rates whereby new entrants and small operators had termination rates for voice services pegged at N4.90 in April 2013, N4.40 in April 2014 and by April this year it will drop to N3.90 for all networks. Also, SIM cards are almost given pro bono by telecoms networks today, whereas, 14 years ago, Nigerians were paying between N25,000 and N20,000 to acquire a SIM card with only net-worth individuals being able to own telephone lines. NCC introduced the Mobile Number Portability (MNP), whereby subscribers are at liberty to navigate across networks without losing their SIM number. And because operators are afraid of losing their customers, they have had to improve on their networks by introducing juicy incentives to retain subscribers. Reminiscing on early days of GSM revolution, a telecoms subscriber and Lagos-based businesswoman, Mrs. Shade Bakare, said: “In 2002, I remember I bought my first SIM card for N20,000 and another N30,000 used to buy a Nokia phone. That is to tell you that I spent a month salary to own a functional phone then. But today, you cannot find the kind of Nokia I bought then in the market.” Side by side the growth of the sector is the creation of multiple jobs for skilled and unskilled manpower even as the regulator also established the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) for training and retraining of skilled hands to meet the challenges of the sector. DBI began in Abuja, but now has multiple campuses in Lagos, Enugu, Asaba, Yola, Oturkpo and Kano to represent the six geopolitical zones in the country. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 6

Business | ICT

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Main One’s N7bn data centre facility timely – Minister BOOST The facility will fast-track government’s target to deepen broadband penetration Stories by Kunle Azeez

inister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, has commended a new state-of-the-art data centre facility built by one of Nigeria’s telecoms infrastructure company, Main One Cables, saying that the facility ‘is timely’ as it will support government’s broadband vision. The new Information Technology facility, valued at N7 billion, will help in boosting the country’s broadband penetration from six per cent to 30 per cent by 2018, the minister said. Speaking at the unveiling of the facility, Johnson and other notable industry leaders, said that the IT facility would go a long a way in bridging gaps in the Information and Communications Technology sector in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. Johnson said that the launch of the data centre facility was a notable accomplishment that would complement initiatives required to further drive the realisation of the national broad-

band plan. “Availability of world-class data centres in Nigeria is critical infrastructure required for the implementation of our broadband initiatives. The accomplishment by MainOne is, indeed, significant as it provides an outsourcing and costeffective model to further drive ICT adoption.” Meanwhile, the company said that the Tier-3 data centre will position the firm to extend data network services to the whole of West African countries, while addressing the growing demand for colocation, cloud and disaster recovery (DR) services in the sub-region. The purpose-built facility, designed to meet the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) 942 standards, would be managed under a new subsidiary of Main One branded as MDX-I. TIA is the leading trade association representing the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, policy initiatives, business opportunities, market intelligence and networking events. With support from hundreds of members, TIA enhances the business environment for companies involved in telecom, broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite, unified

communications, emergency communications and the greening of technology. Chairman of MainOne, Mr. Fola Adeola, reiterated the company’s commitment to nurturing the economic growth of the country and impact of the Internet ecosystem through the provisioning of high-quality infrastructure to power businesses and governments across West Africa. Also, Chief Executive Officer, MainOne, Ms Funke Opeke, said: “We are delighted

rian market. Wiko products approved by NCC include Highway, Highways-Signs, Bloom, Rainbow, Lenny, Goa and Sunset. Others are Riff, Luib3, Kar3 and Fizz. Channel Marketing Manager, Mr. Adebayo Adams, said in a statement that Wiko was proud of its quality standards as attested to by Nigerian and global bodies. This, he said, was contrary to a mistaken report in a national daily alleging non-accreditation of Wiko phones by NCC. “Quality and style have been the basis for the wide and rapid acceptance of

Wiko phone range in both the Nigerian and other markets across Europe, Middle East and Africa. We at Wiko are conscious of our heritage and comply with regulatory standards as well as corporate governance codes in our operations,” he said. All Wiko phones have the CE marking. According to the European Union, “CE marking is a key indicator of a product’s compliance with all legislation and enables the free movement of products within the European market.” NCC in Nigeria further subjects products for the Nigerian market to conformity tests to certify them.

CSR: MTN screens 6,000 for eye diseases

igeria’s largest telecoms network, MTN, has extended its health-oriented corporate social responsibility to Imo State with a plan to screen 6,000 people in the state for cataract and other ocular diseases. Being implemented through its Corporate Social Responsibility vehicle, MTN Foundation, the firm said that the implementation of the second phase of its Eyesight Restoration Intervention Scheme (MTNF

EyeRIS) in Imo State will boost healthy living for the people of the state. The initiative, which enjoys the endorsement of the Federal Ministry of Health, is being implemented in partnership with the Eye Foundation Centre for Prevention of Blindness (EFCPB) and in collaboration with the Imo State Ministry of Health. Speaking at the commencement of the scheme at the Imo State Specialist Hos-

ing services from next week. In her contribution, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olushola Oworu, noted that the facility will not only improve ICT in the country, but also bridge the endemic unemployment, stressing that already, it has started employing hundreds of people. She promised that the state government would create an enabling environment that would boost business development for private operators.

L-R: Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah; Director, Finance Services, Mrs. Abigael Sholanke; Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, and former Managing Director, The Sun newspaper, Mr. Mike Awoyinfa, at the presentation of Public Service Award 2014 to Juwah at The Sun award in Lagos.

Regulatory bodies certify Wiko’s range of phones rench phone brand, Wiko Mobile, has said that its range of 11 phones launched in the Nigerian market have been certified, not only by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), but also by international regulators. NCC granted ‘Type Approval’ for the various ranges of Wiko phones to operate as terminal equipment in the Nigerian telecommunications network. Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity at NCC, Haru Alhassan, signed the approvals since September 2014, ahead of the formal introduction of the phones into the Nige-

to launch West Africa’s largest and best-connected data centre. This reaffirms our capabilities in meeting the needs of business for reliable connectivity and data centre services in a dynamic and fast paced global economy.” MDX-I’s Tier III Lekki Data Centre is the first of many planned data centres by the company in Nigeria with capacity for 600 racks, with management declaring that the first set of customers will start enjoy-

pital, Umuguma, Owerri, Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dr. Pascal Dozie, stated that many cases of blindness and visual impairment in the country were preventable. He said that the Foundation had, in the last two years, been actively engaged in efforts to stop visual disabilities in the country, saying that at least, 6,000 people were expected to be screened for cataract and other ocular diseases in Imo State and its environs.

14 years of GSM revolution C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 5

Interestingly, telecoms sector is having great impacts on other sectors of the economy, especially the financial services, retail, among others. Chief Operating Officer of Computer Warehouse Group Plc (CWG), Mr. James Agada, said, “apart from multiple job creation and the multiplier effect on other sectors of the economy, telecoms sector is driving the growth of e-commerce with the likes of Jumia.com, Konga.com, Dealday.com, Kaymu.com and wakanow.com as major players.” In a similar submission, Chairman Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, said that the telecoms sector has performed well as an enabler of most of the ICT-driven activities that have brought about efficiency in the country. He said: “Today, we bank with ease, we do online cash transfers, we use Automated Teller Machines (ATM), mobile money operators, e-wallet in agriculture, telemedicine, among others, but we forget that all of these activities, in addition to their traditional duty of providing voice and internet service, run on the networks of telecoms companies. Yet, cashless transactions are on the rise every day. Meanwhile, while it barks and places sanctions, NCC is not a law enforcement agency that could mete out punishment to operators outside the

law, at will. “There have been sanctions on erring operators, especially on the issue of QoS and related issues in the last four years. But the Commission wants to go beyond sanctions by ensuring that it helps in addressing the obstacles to smooth operations by the telcos collaboratively,” Juwah said in an interview. It is instructive that NCC has put regulations in place on Quality of Service; Annual Operating Levy; SIM Swap with efforts being accelerated to ensure the passage into law of the Telecoms Infrastructure Protection Bill which will further protect investment in the sector. while insisting that the sector has not done badly in the last 14 years, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) noted that the industry is still bedeviled by myriad of challenges. ATCON President, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, listed the challenges to include fibre cuts, multiple taxation, multiple regulations, slow pace of processing permit for infrastructure rollout, among others. While noting that the last 14 years of telecoms revolution has been rewarding, Ajayi said that more still needed to be done by the regulator and players in order to continue the auspicious march towards fully transforming Nigeria into a truly knowledge economy and a major player on the global ICT development map.

DAILY TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JANUARY 22, 2015

Mom&Parenting Lessons to learn from divorced moms Mary Beth

ou want to know how to strengthen your marriage while also juggling parenthood? Ask a mom who is divorced! As conversations here reveal, many divorced moms have done a lot of reflection on what went wrong in their marriages and on what they would change the second time around. Here, these women share the mistakes and challenges that undermined their marriages and the hard-won lessons they’ve learned; wisdom that’s useful for every couple raising children. Create more “us” time. When a couple decides to have children, parenting those kids should be a top priority. But some divorced members feel, in hindsight, that they were so busy with their children that they didn’t spend enough time on their relationships with their husbands. As Brandi K. explains, “I feel that it is okay to have someone babysit your child for you once or twice a week so that the two of you can have time for yourselves to just be you, not Mom or Dad. People sometimes lose that individuality after they have children. That is bad because that is who you were before you had children, who the other person fell in love with.” The advice to carve out some alone time as a couple also surfaces in a conversation among members who wonder if breastfeeding might be the cause of their divorces. But other moms, including Amanda F., point out that this it is rarely so simple: “I don’t think breastfeeding causes divorce, but I do believe it can have a straw-that-broke-thecamel’s-back effect on a couple that has other issues in their relationship. If a woman is using breastfeeding as an excuse to neglect her husband, then chances are there are underlying issues.” Pay attention to the small things. In addition to carving out more “us time,” couples need to put real

Mom&Parenting Team

Oluwatosin Omoniyi Coordinator

A distressed relationship

effort into showing appreciation and caring for their partners on a day-to-day basis, says Jessica A., who has been divorced more than once. “Today I’m 35 and married to a wonderful man, but we’ve both been through failed marriages and been disappointed,” she says. “We both understand that a relationship is something you constantly work at and have to be completely committed and invested in. Life isn’t perfect and we have issues and fight — the difference is that we are mature enough to know we have to work through them. While I wish I had waited to have kids until I was older so my kids only saw me here, I’m glad what they see today is a healthy relationship and are seeing that we are consciously working on it. I truly believe doing what it took to get here (including the divorces) was the best thing for my boys.” Don’t play the blame game. Some moms say they stayed way too long in marriages that were clearly unhealthy because of abuse, depression or other mental health issues, or because of pressure from friends, relatives, or members of their religious communities. Erica B., who finally fled a marriage that ws abusive for both herself and her

PHOTO: www.marianneclyde.com

son, describes her struggle with guilt: “I was raised not to believe in divorce. It was not an option for me. I do not believe that God likes divorce, but he also does not want us to live in fear. If we are living in fear it hinders us from doing His will.” Alison’s postdivorce revelation is that it’s important not to let others guilt you. “I’ve had plenty of people tell me I am wrong for leaving; that I ruined my daughter’s life; that I’m going to hell, and that I should have worked harder to make our marriage work,” she confides. “But working on a marriage will only help if both partners are willing to do so. I’m at peace with myself and with God with my choice to leave, and I know that I am giving my daughter a better life. There is always damage and fallout from a divorce. That is inevitable. What matters more than the divorce is how your life and parenting [are] handled afterward.” Work on your communication skills. If JuLeah W. has one regret and piece of advice for other moms, it’s that couples hone their communication skills. “We don’t teach people how to listen, how to talk so they are heard,” she says. “We don’t teach people how to honestly ask for what

they want, how to say yes, how to say no. We don’t teach people how to argue, how to agree to disagree, how to ‘let it go.’ We don’t teach the skills people need to make a relationship healthy.” Don’t rush into marriage Finally — and this one’s a biggie — many moms confide that married life with children is almost impossibly challenging when you rush into it prematurely. For unmarried moms considering a first or subsequent try at nuptial bliss, they suggest these three guidelines. Know and love yourself. Rebekah T. is one of many divorced moms who feel, in retrospect, that instead of racing down the aisle, they should have spent more time on their own, getting ready to be whole and healthy people in committed relationship. When she says, “I personally believe a big part of the problem is a lack of love,” she doesn’t mean love for your partner; she means love for yourself: “When we can love ourselves enough to be really honest with who we are, and embrace ourselves, then we have a better chance of truly loving someone else and committing to them,” she explains, adding that we all need to take the time CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

38 Mom&Parenting

THURSDAY JANUARY 22, 2015 DAILY TELEGRAPH

GSK launches Panadol, Scott’s for children

MOM’S ALERT with

Grace Essen

grace.essen@gmail.com

Baby’s first cash gift

I L-R: President African Paediatric Association & Societies, Dr. Dorothy Esangbedo, Consultant Neonatologist, National Hospital Abuja, Dr. Muktar Yola, Paediatrician and Former Head of Department, Paediatrics, LASUTH, Prof. Oluyinka Ogundipe and Marketing Director, West Africa, GSK Consumer Health, Ms. Kerry Alexander at the launch of GSK’s Panadol Children and Scott’s Emulsion

Angela Davies

laxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc (GSK), in line with its aim to do more, feel better and live longer, launched its Panadol Children’s suspension and Scott’s Cod Liver Oil Emulsion for kids at an event at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos recently. The unveiling of the products was done by Proffessor Adebiyi Olowu, President Nigerian Paediatric Association. The Marketing Director of GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Kerry Alexander, said, “Panadol Children’s Suspension provides fast and effective relief for pain and fever in children and is gentle on tiny tummies. While Scott’s Emulsion, which comes in orange flavour, provides nutrients that contribute to growth and development, normal brain function and the maintenance of a healthy immune system in children.” She added that, “Scott’s was produced in an emulsion form because it is easily absorbed and provides better results than other cod liver products in oil form.” Also speaking at the launch, Dr Dorothy Esangbedo, President African Paediatric Association & Societies, emphasized the role of Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin A and D and Calcium in the growth and development of children. She noted that the unique taste of Scott’s

Emulsion will allow children to easily accept it. The Senior Brand Manager, Scott’s, Mrs. Adebimpe Osanyintuyi stated that, “Moms now have excellent healthcare for helping their kids grow Strong, bright and healthy.” while Dr. Davis Iyoha, Senior Brand Manager, Panadol, said Panadol Children’s Suspension is suitable for children aged three months to 12 years and comes in a bottle with a child-resistant cap for added safety. However, Dr. Muktar Yola, Consultant Neonatologist, National Hospital Abuja, counselled parents on the management of pain and fever in children, highlighting the role of children’s paracetamol suspension and the best ways to relieve pain and fever. She noted that pain can be managed in different ways and for children the new Panadol Children has been proven to work better and faster. In attendance were healthcare professionals from different fields including pediatricians, general practitioners, nurses, pharmacists as well as other health workers. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc., one of the world’s leading researchbased pharmaceutical and healthcare companies is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

Learning from divorced moms CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37

to “embrace the good things about ourselves and also the things that we may need help with” before getting married. Yalana T. agrees, sharing a personal account that reveals just how critical self love is when you have children. “My ex ... didn’t love, honor, or cherish me. Instead he used me as his punching bag.” Now divorced, she feels lucky to have gotten out alive: “My kids are more important to me than to allow them to see how this so-called ‘man’ treats their mother. If I hadn’t divorced him, I might be dead right now, and my sons would be the ones bearing the brunt of his anger.” Don’t marry until you really know one another In addition to understanding themselves move clearly, many divorced moms wish they’d taken more time to explore

who their spouses really were rather than learning “the hard way,” as Bobi M. describes the experience of being in a long struggle that ends in divorce. “You can’t save a marriage when the person causing the problems refuses to change.” Always trust your gut. Many divorced moms confide that they knew, deep in their guts, that something was wrong even before they married, and that they should have never even walked down the aisle. “I didn’t pay attention to all the signs and needless to say, my ex and I were fighting on the day of our wedding, and continued to fight for seven years,” rues Leaha R. What’s the most important lesson you learned from the end of your marriage? –culled from www.popsugar of circle of mom

t is a culture in this part of the world that when a woman delivers a baby, family, friends and even ‘enemies’ would come to visit to welcome the baby to the world. Most of these visitors usually bring gifts for the baby or the mother, ranging from baby items, toiletries, wears, foodstuff, cooked food and money. The coming of a new baby adds to the cost of the family upkeep so this is a way of supporting the couple with the baby’s needs and other expenses. These gifts are usually left for the parents to decide how to best use them particularly monetary gifts. In some cultures like in the Yoruba culture, a new baby is expected to be named eight days after birth, during the naming ceremony, friends and families are invited, food and drinks are served depending on the size of the couple’s ‘pocket’. Guests often give money and other gifts to the baby. An online forum focused on mothers recently took a look at what mothers do with the cash/ money gifts received at the birth, naming ceremonies or dedication of their babies, and from the discussions, majority of the mothers said they paid tithe on behalf of their babies or gave the cash to church as first fruit offering as a way of putting them in the Godly path so when they grow up they will not depart from it - that really shows how spiritual we are as a people particularly in issues regarding our children. Quite a number of moms said they opened a bank account in the name of the baby or bought shares in the baby’s name - good to know moms are thinking of the future of their children. A good number of moms said they used the moneys to buy baby items, a few said they bought a bible or Quran for their babies; very few admitted to spending the money on household needs due to cash shortage, one mom said she bought something for herself after all the money was given specifically to her. Some would-be moms said they would pay tithes on their babies’ money gifts and open account for them with the rest. Interesting. I tried relating the discussion in the forum to an article in one of the national dailies last week on the set of triplets (all boys) born to a couple in a suburb of Lagos last year. The triplets came in addition to three girls bringing the total number of children to six, and the couple is having a very hard time taking care of them all. The mother said the first three months were terrible she even took ill because nursing the ba-

bies became tedious for her, but with support from relatives she was able to cope, but financially it remains a big challenge for the couple. I have read (sure you have too) other stories of women who were delivered of their babies mostly by caesarean section in private hospitals and were not able to pay the bills so they remained in the hospitals. And I’m wondering what happens to the baby’s first money gift in such situations? Of course it becomes just a drop in the ocean of needs and wants, while other moms are saving theirs for the future of their babies, what an irony of life! Every woman who brings a child into this world wants the best for that child; come to think of it every child really does deserve the best. But due to circumstance ‘best’ becomes comparative: one mom’s best is another mom’s ‘unacceptable’ standard. Mom of the triplets mentioned earlier, said she fed her babies pap (ogi), when another mom will never bring it near her baby. A mom’s best really is the best, what is important is that she makes the best of every situation, and gives the best she can afford, with every sense of duty, and in love too. To give our best, we must let go of the tendency to compare ourselves with other moms and worry about what we don’t have instead of leveraging what we have. This is usually what brings tension and a lot of pressure on us and by extension on our marriages and families. One woman and her husband agreed to feed their baby breast milk exclusively due to their inability to provide formula, she went for immunization one day and saw other mothers giving formula to their babies and immediately she felt inferior. She came home nagging her husband over baby formula and that became a big issue. Now tell me, which is best for the baby, breast milk or formula? Whether we use our baby’s first money gift to pay hospital bill or electricity bill, whether we choose to pay tithe on his behalf or save it for when he becomes an adult, will depend on the circumstances or situations we find ourselves, (no one prays for a bad one though), and whichever way we decide to use it, is for the best for that child.

Grace Essen is the author of ‘Successful Working Mom’, president and founder of Mum To Mum Support Initiative.

Photo | News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

L-R: Contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Yung Li; National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Muazu; President Goodluck Jonathan; Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, during the inspection visit to the new Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

L-R: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; APC senatorial candidate, Edo North, Mr. Francis Alimikhena; APC candidate for the House of Representatives, Etsako Federal Constituency, Mr. Philip Shaibu and APC candidate, Edo State House of Assembly, Etsako West, Mr. Damian Lawani Azegbeobor, at a rally of the party in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

L-R: Prince Maurice Fagnon; President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU), Dr. Nasir Isa; Central Coordinator, Amilcar Cabral Ideological School (ACIS), Comrade Abiola Dabiri and former president of ASSU, Dr. Oladipo Fashina, at an international symposium on friendship & solidarity, entitled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;State of the Nation-States in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ghana & West Africa: the Unity of our Struggleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in Lagos.

L-R: Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba James Adedokun Adegoke; Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. TitiLaoye Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Asalu of Asipa, Chief Oyediran Julius, at a land dispute reconciliatory meeting in Abere, Osogbo.

L-R: Managing Director, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), Chief Joe Billy Ekwunife; Governor Willie Obiano and Managing Director, Richbon Nigeria Limited, Chief Cajetan Muonagolu, after the signing of MoU between the government of Anambra State and Richbond Nigeria Limited in Amawbia.

L-R: Public Relations Officer, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Oyo State, Alhaji Kazeem Kareem; DirectorGeneral, Seyi Makinde campaign organisation, Mr. Kehinde Ayoola and member, Mr. Ashiru Badmus, at a press conference on the state of the nation in Ibadan.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

L-R: Convener, Women on the Winning Edge (WOWE) conference, Mrs. Funke Felix-Adejumo; wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Folu Adeboye; wife of Kwara State governor, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed and wife of Lagos Sate governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, at a conference in Lagos.

Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos, Rev. Ignatius Kaigama (right), presenting relief materials to some Internally-Displaced Persons from North-East, in Jos. PHOTO-NAN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Leisure Arcade NUTS

NTPuzzle

By Kaycee

Careers Word Search Puzzle

MAMA LASISI

By Aliu Eroje

MOYIN & FRIENDS

By Ayo Oyerinde

R R L S M S I R E T H G I F E R I F R P E I F E R E N G 1 S E D B E W L E E Z T B O L N A I C I R T C E L E M S U W N R T C N K C I F U Z Q U V M E C S E E A Q S L Q A N N X Q K U A C Q O C Q P R I M N S J A R P E P R U A R J R W R I W C L L I H R D H G T C J F P E D A A V P I C A C Q A O Z A T N T I C R C N Y E I T J E R R E E N I G N E I S O Q I S T G I M P N Q P P B E J F F B D S Y D G E A L A S H H S V S C D F P U H S C F C R I 0 R 0 Y E V R U S O L P Z N E I L C I Y P G C U P X H D E W X N G S F I S B N M Z N U H D S Z C U M T T S S O T T N A T N U 0 C C A I S K C O U R T R E P O R T E R K M A L B Q G M A S Y M P Y P 0 I J I Y H X 0 D I S C J O C K E Y W U E A E W O A P Z R R E T R O P E R Q F S O N T M N O ACCOUNTANT

REPORTER

POLITICIAN

ENGINEER

COURT REPORTER

VETERINARIAN

PHARMACIST

LIBRARIAN ELECTRICIAN

PROGRAMMER

POLICE OFFICER

MUSICIAN

CARPENTER

SURVEYOR

PROFESSOR

FIREFIGHTER

DISC JOCKE

WEB DESIGNER

PHYSICIAN

MECHANIC

NTJokes A BIBLE STORY

SUDOKU - Answer to No 38 3

8 4

SUDOKU - No 39

5 4

How to play

Sudoku

ALIU EROJE

CHIEF CARTOONIST aliu.eroje@newtelegraphonline.com

The objective is to fill a 9x9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 boxes (also called blocks or regions) contains the digits from 1 to 9. A cell is the smallest block in the game. A row , column and region consists of 9 cells and the whole game consists of 81 cells. A region has thicker lines surrounding it. This simply makes it easier to play the game.

ENGLISH: As it is written in the Bible. PIDGIN: As dem yan 4 Bible! ENGLISH: Jesus entered the boat with his disciples! PIDGIN: Na im Jesus cum enta canoe wit im padi dem! ENGLISH: As the boat was sailing, there was a great storm!!! PIDGIN: As d canoe dey go, na im yawa cum gas!!! ENGLISH: The storm was so great that it was like a whirl wind! PIDGIN: As d yawa dey, na im kasala cum burst!! ENGLISH: The disciples became so afraid and they shouted master master! PIDGIN: Na im liva fail im padi dem, na im dem begin dey hala bros eh! bros eh!! ENGLISH: Jesus got up and calmed down the wind! PIDGIN: Na im Jesus rise up cum arrange d yawa! ENGLISH: He turned to his disciples and said, oh ye with little faith! PIDGIN: Na so Jesus luk im padi dem, shake im head say UNA FALL MA HAND! ENGLISH: The disciples replied and said what manner of man is this? PIDGIN: im padi dem cum hala sho!! bros J which kan levels na? U B WINSH?

Business | Money Line 41

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

DEPRECIATION

Traders say the currency could head to N200 to the dollar

ealers agreed yesterday to halt trading if there is a more than 2 percent intraday slide in the naira, which is being hit by the oil price slump and is at risk of speculative attacks. Dealers according to Reuters News, said they feared that if they did not act to curb the naira’s slide, the currency could head to N200 to the dollar, creating extreme volatility and adding to deteriorating liquidity conditions. It ended at a record closing low of N189.20 yesterday for a second straight day despite the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intervention. Like other emerging market currencies, the naira is also under pressure as the dollar strengthens on expectations the United States will soon raise interest rates. CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele said last Tuesday that the naira was “appropriately priced” and the bank would “not tolerate speculative attacks”. Dealers have been suf-

Currency dealers to curb naira trading in volatile market  Naira at record low despite intervention

fering as the apex bank has reduced their open positions in a bid to stabilise the currency after it was devalued by 8 percent against the dollar in November to protect the CBN’s foreign reserves, which currently stands at $34.4billion. Banks used to have a 1 percent net open position to deal on the currency before the devaluation, but the banking watchdog cancelled it to zero in December. Last week it allowed banks a 0.1 percent net position but warned them against carry trades or speculative activity. Banks can earn trading revenues when the naira is weak through carry trades, by borrowing the naira to buy dollars, which they resell at a higher level to make a profit. That makes it difficult for genuine forex users to buy dollars when liquidity is tight. Interbank traders began business about an hour late last Thursday after meeting to discuss how to stabilise the cur-

rency and offer more efficient two-way quotes, dealers told Reuters. The decision to suspend trade in the event of a more than 2 percent drop was aimed at selfregulation and had not been requested by the CBN, they said. Since December they had had an agreement to stop trade if the naira fell more than 3 percent but it had not been put into effect as the currency

had rarely fallen that much. It has, however, often fallen more than 2 percent in a session. “We agreed on a 2 percent trigger ... for the market to stop automatically,” one of the dealers who attended the meeting told Reuters. They also agreed to maintain bid and ask spreads at 0.1 naira for quotes, the dealer said. The CBN, which has often blamed speculators

frica’s biggest asset manager, Public Investment Corporation (PIC), will join Ecobank in challenging a court ruling in Ivory Coast to pay $15 million in damages to the bank, former chief executive of the bank said yesterday. The PIC, which looks after 1.5 trillion rand ($129.61 billion) in South African civil servants pensions, is also the second-biggest shareholder in the pan African lender. The court ruled last week that a letter written to PIC’s chief executive, Daniel Matjila, last year and published in the media, tarnished the image of Thierry Tanoh, who

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

N14,737,618.7m N16,509,472.5m 8 0.0000 12 10.899 7.96 17.01 US$109.9 US$42,604,781,796.6

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

Ecobank, PIC to challenge court ruling over ex-CEO was dismissed last March. Matjila is one of 12 directors on Ecobank’s board. “The PIC is of the view that another court may come to a different conclusion from that of the Commercial Court of Abidjan,” the PIC said in a statement. The appeal would be to Ivory Coast’s Court of Appeal in Abidjan. Tanoh lost his job after

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

months of infighting that raised questions about the regulation of Ecobank, one of Africa’s biggest financial institutions. Judgment in a separate case involving Tanoh’s dismissal filed in Togo is expected early next month. Tanoh, an Ivorian, now works for Ivory Coast’s President, Alassane Ouattara, as deputy secretary general in the presidency.

Toby Daniels arrives Lagos for Sterling Bank sponsored award

Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 2/5/2014 1/20/2014 11/6/2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 1/20/2014 2/5/2014 Source:CBN

for naira weaknesses, set a new trading range of N160-176 against the dollar after the devaluation but has struggled to keep the currency in that range. Another treasurer said dealers yesterday also discussed Nigeria’s dependence on foreign currency as the country imports almost 80 percent of what it consumes, the cause of heavy demand for dollars.

Last week JP Morgan said it was re-assessing Nigeria’s inclusion in its emerging market bond index, putting a question mark over one of the few non-oil sources of government funding. “We know that liquidity is tight ... there’s a lot of engagement with the central bank. We discussed events that have happened in the past one week,” the dealer said, adding that the association was due to meet with the CBN shortly. No CBN official attended the meeting called by the Financial Market Dealers Association (FMDA), an association of lenders, discount houses and investment banks, dealers said.

head of Sterling Bank’s sponsored Social Media Awards Africa holding in Lagos on Saturday January 24, 2015, the Chairman of the Award Advisory Board and founder, Social Media Week, Mr. Toby Daniels, has arrived in Lagos for the ceremony. The event, which is a premier continental initiative, seeks to recognise and reward creativity, excellence and impact the usage of social media across Africa. The event will bring together social media influencers, experts, enthusiasts and policy makers to explore and forge new developmental paths for social media in Africa. SMAA was unveiled at a closed event last September to a cross section of media professionals and social media influencers in Lagos, Nigeria. Nomination into the four categories opened on October 1, 2014 at www.smaafrica.com until midnight October 27, 2014. Others dignitaries expected at the event include Fred Swaniker, Founder, African Leadership Academy and Eric Chinje, Chief Executive Officer, African Media Initiative (AMI). The list also includes eminent members of the Jury & Advisory Board expected to come in on or before Friday.

They include Ken Banks, Founder, kiwanja.net; Hetal Shah, Director of Operations, Mara Group of Companies; Francis Ebuehi, Vice President VAS, Airtel Nigeria; Dr. Kasirim Nwuke; Louis Onyango Otieno, Director, Legal & Corporate Affairs, Microsoft Africa and the 45 prospective winners. The voting phase, which was part of the process led to the emergence of 45 finalists. A total of 923 nominations were received during the nomination period as follows: Personality Based (468), Platform Specific (266), Institutional (115) and Indigenous (74). Each winner will take home cash prize of $1,000 and the SMAA plaque. Other benefits include: Social Media training, access to memberships and attendance of Social Media events, publications on Social Media and complimentary advertising on Social Media Africa portal. Sterling Bank’s Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Mr. Shina Atilola, said that the Award was sponsored by the bank because of its focus and commitment to advancing human and social development across Africa. He said: “We are interested in the growing relevance of social media around the world and Africa in particular.

Business | Financial Market News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

21-Jan-15

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

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

535.00 581.39 476.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 434.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 206.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,855.63

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,409.58

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

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

0.25 1.57 2.26 2.51 2.61 3.35 4.44 4.75 7.02 9.14 13.85 14.33 14.83 15.50 19.49

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

12.76 15.02 15.39 15.42 15.42 15.44 15.45 15.47 15.43 15.55 14.75 14.64 14.53 15.05 15.76

12.15 14.91 15.31 15.34 15.34 15.31 15.35 15.36 15.37 15.49 14.70 14.59 14.46 14.98 15.69

97.82 97.30 99.40 88.73 87.34 87.89 101.70 72.18 104.00 93.45 101.43 87.19 63.63 70.00 78.30

97.97 97.45 99.55 88.88 87.49 88.19 102.00 72.48 104.30 93.75 101.73 87.49 63.93 70.30 78.60

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.70 112.22 116.70 66.49

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.34 1.20 1.88 2.24 2.46

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

16.03 17.80 17.21 16.33 16.40

94.84 99.52 98.17 96.50 93.17

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.67

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

310.72

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.61

4.44

19.28

96.25

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.45

3.23

17.41

98.85

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.96

4.46

20.18

95.04

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.97

3.48

19.21

97.12

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.24

1.00

16.33

88.45

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.51

1.00

16.10

97.13

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.94

1.79

17.22

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.12

1.80

17.09

94.87

92.78

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.70

1.00

16.45

93.34

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.31

1.00

16.35

96.78

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.32

4.78

20.14

89.52

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.50

1.00

16.42

96.36

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 26.62

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

2.75 4.84 2.81

1.00 1.00 2.74

16.42 16.47 18.17

98.24 93.54 92.93

‡ /Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.36

1.00

16.44

95.92

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.85

1.00

16.46

89.10

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.94

1.94

17.40

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.60

1.44

16.89

94.09

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.63

1.95

17.40

94.07

96.72

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

91.30

460.61 427.56

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Corporate Bonds ‡ /Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.33

4.88

18.19

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

9.34

09-Dec-15

0.64

1.00

15.91

98.21

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.72

2.63

17.74

97.84

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.69

1.00

16.16

95.44

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.76

1.34

16.52

96.59

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.69

1.00

16.42

92.73

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.71

1.88

17.04

102.46

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.71

3.48

18.64

96.54

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

1.88

5.20

20.41

96.58

1.88

5.06

20.27

101.75

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.67

1.35

16.80

92.50

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

1.99

2.29

17.53

97.41

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.07

6.11

21.38

94.61

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.94

2.16

17.59

96.60

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.81

2.76

18.22

89.54

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.69

1.00

16.57

77.92

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.69

1.00

16.57

84.20

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

124.44

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

116.00

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

3.06

1.00

16.43

85.46

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.28

1.00

16.47

84.71

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 21.22

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

7.41

7.12

96.84

98.24

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

6.33

5.88

96.30

97.66

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

7.64

7.42

92.23

93.49

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

1,426.82

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

54.70

69.38

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

6.98

100.63

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

11.24

91.50

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

12.01

11.19

86.38

88.38

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

9.73

9.18

88.39

89.98

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

32.57

26.50

50.67

60.17

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

9.22

89.75

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

14.75

13.50

81.25

84.76

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

9.97

92.00

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

AFREN PLC III ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

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

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

6.63 9.25 8.00

360.00 400.00 450.00

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

22.56 12.68 11.37

22.56 12.26 11.37

49.49 85.13 84.00

49.49 86.75 84.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.72

9.63

90.00

94.84

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,909.15

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

FIXINGS Maturity 29-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 12-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15 19-Mar-15

Bid Discount (%) 10.70 10.90 10.29 10.55 10.60 10.60 11.65 10.46

Offer Discount (%) 10.45 10.65 10.04 10.30 10.35 10.35 11.40 10.21

Bid Yield (%) 10.73 10.95 10.35 10.64 10.71 10.73 11.84 10.63

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 7.3750 13.0024 14.2911 15.6159

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

6.25

O/N

6.83

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 7.17 13.54

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

190.00 189.44 189.74 190.44 191.72 193.00

190.10 189.55 189.88 190.90 192.73 194.51

310.72 Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.61

4.44

19.28

96.25

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.45

3.23

17.41

98.85

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.96

4.46

20.18

95.04

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.97

3.48

19.21

97.12

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.24

1.00

16.33

88.45

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.51

1.00

16.10

97.13

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.94

1.79

17.22

92.78

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.12

1.80

17.09

94.87

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR *DELTAJANUARY 22, 2015 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY,

Business | Financial Market News

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.70

1.00

16.45

93.34

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.31

1.00

16.35

96.78

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.32

4.78

20.14

89.52

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.50

1.00

16.42

96.36

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 26.62

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

2.75 4.84 2.81

1.00 1.00 2.74

16.42 16.47 18.17

98.24 93.54 92.93

NEGATIVE

Stock market falls by N20bn

Equities drain, as *OSUN *OSUN sentiment turns red ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

‡ /Agusto

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.36

1.00

16.44

95.92

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.85

1.00

16.46

89.10

101.75

after some days of31-DEC-2020 gain. recorded the previous day, 31-Dec-13 15.00 KOGI 31-Dec-13 This was14.50 dueEKITI toII profit ‡ /Agusto *EKITI 31-DEC-2020 while the market capitali06-Jan-14 A-/GCR *NASARAWAtaking by investors 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 in the sation of equities depreciChris Ugwu TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE wake of the cautious op- ated by N20 billion or 0.20 TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION timism that had prevailed per cent to close lower at he Nigerian in the market in recent N9.912 trillion, as against Corporate Bonds stock market time; following the17-AUG-2015 drop N9, 932 trillion. 10.00 UPDC 17-Aug-10 ‡ /Agusto *UPDC in oil price and up to 12.00build FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 Meanwhile, a turnover BBB-/Agustoyesterday closed 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS on a negative the 2015 general elections.06-JAN-2016 of 229.4 billion shares 14.00 CHELLARAMS BB/GCR 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS 13.00 NAHCO A+/Agusto; A-/GCR as activities 29-Sep-11 NAHCO trajectory, in Consequently , the29-SEP-2016 All- worth N3.2 billion FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto 25-Oct-13 FSDH on the shares of blue Share Index14.25 shed 60.35 ba- 3,901 deals was recorded UBA 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR 30-Sep-10 UBA chip companies slowed sis points or13.00 0.20 per cent in the day’s trading. 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR 30-Nov-12 *C & I LEASING to close at 29,759.04 basis momentum, sending the The banking sub #{r} MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 09-Apr-11 Nil *DANA sector of the financial bulls back to the trenches 29,819.39 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR *TOWER# points as against A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

tivities of 31-Dec-20in the shares 5.94 31-Dec-20 3.60 with FBNH Plc followed 06-Jan-21 3.63million a turnover of 52.7 shares valued at N333.3 million in 852 deals. Further analysis of the17-Aug-15 day’s trading0.33showed that UACN Plc topped the 09-Dec-15 0.64 day’s gainers’ table 06-Jan-16 0.72 with 29-Sep-16 4.98 per cent 1.69 to close 1.76 Evans at 25-Oct-16 N35.84, while 30-Sep-17 2.69 Medical Plc trailed with 30-Nov-17 1.71 4.61 per cent to close at 09-Apr-18 1.71 N2.27 per share.1.88 Neimeth 09-Sep-18

services 15.00 sector was 5.00the 4.55 most 14.50 active (measured 15.00 4.56 by turnover volume); with 140.7 million 460.61 shares 427.56 worth N1.5 billion exchanged by investors in 1,407 deals. 10.00 3.61 Volume in the 9.34 sub12.00 sector14.00 was largely driven 0.42 13.00 15.00 by activities in the shares 14.25 Bank and 5.53GTof Access 20.00 Bank 13.00 Plc. 18.00 0.64 Also, other financial 16.00 6.30 services boosted by 18.00 2.90 ac-

Health 17.40 Care Company 91.30 1.44Plc added 16.89 4.35 per 94.09 cent 1.95to close17.40 94.07 per at 72 kobo share. On the flip side, Portland Paints Plc led the losers with a drop of 4.88 18.19 96.72 cent to close 1.004.88 per15.91 98.21 at Hotels 2.63N3.70, while 17.74 Ikeja 97.84 1.00Plc shed 16.16 95.44 to 4.73 per cent 1.34close at 16.52 N2.82 per 96.59 share. 1.00 Dangote16.42 Flour Plc 92.73 trailed 1.88 17.04 102.46 with 4.6118.64 per cent to close 3.48 96.54 at N3.52 per share. 5.20 20.41 96.58 1.94

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

1.88

5.06

20.27

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.67

1.35

16.80

92.50

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

18-Oct-18

1.99

2.29

17.53

97.41

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

Firm unveils 2015 Nigerian economy report TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Chris Ugwu

Supranational Bond

nited CapitalIFC Plc yesAfDB its Niterday released TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE gerian Economy and TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Financial Markets 2015 report. The Group Chief Executive Rating/Agency Officer, United Capital Plc,Issuer Toyin Sanni, said the report proFGN Eurobonds vided a detailed review of the Nigerian market in 2014 with BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P projections for 2015, commencBB-/Fitch; FGN ing with a global perspective BB-/S&P BB-/Fitch; and review of key African BB-/S&P markets. TOTAL “It OUTSTANDING discusses VALUE the outlook TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION for different sectors, inherent opportunities as well as Corporate Eurobonds strategies for navigating the B/Fitch; B-/S&P I financial market. AFREN ThePLCvery B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I comprehensive report is an inB+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC valuable tool for investors covB/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC ering global economic review B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC and outlook, Africa update B/Fitch AFREN PLC II and outlook, oil price dynamB+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC ics and outlook, B/Fitch; B/S&PNigeria 2015 DIAMOND BANK PLC domestic macro-economic B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC trends and outlook, capital B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFREN PLC III B-/Fitch; B/S&P BANKas PLC II market review and ACCESS outlook B-/Fitch;as B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD well specific sector reviews AAA/S&P

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

and recommendations. “We are pleased to release 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 the Nigerian Economy and 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Financial Markets 2015 report at United Capital. The report contains extensive research on capital markets, Description analyproviding an in-depth sis of various market groupings and industry trends that have shaped our 6.75predictions,” JAN 28, 2021 stated Sanni. 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 United Capital Plc is an African financial services 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 group, providing bespoke value-added services to its client and recognised regionally for its strategic role in helping Africa governments 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 and citizens (both individual 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 and corporate) achieve their 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 economic objectives through 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 a robust suite of financial and 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 investment banking service 10.25 APR 08, 2019 offerings. 6.25 APR 22, 2019 Sanni noted8.75 that the report May 21, 2019 investigated the 8.25impact AUG 07, 2020of the global economic ac6.63 and DEC 09,trade 2020 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 tivities within advanced econo8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 mies. 8.75 AUG 14, 2021

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

11-Feb-13 10-Jul-14

Issue Date

07-Oct-11 12-Jul-13 12-Jul-13

01-Feb-11 19-May-11 25-Jul-12 09-May-13 08-Nov-13 08-Apr-12 22-Apr-14 21-May-14 07-Aug-13 09-Dec-13 24-Jun-14 23-Jul-14 14-Aug-14

15.75 Abdulwahab Isa 18.00 Abuja 16.00

4.50

15.25

2.05

0.41

he Chartered In0.10 stitute of Stock13.25 15.44 brokers 124.44 (CIS) has lamented 116.00 the dominance of foreign investors in the nation’s 12.00 capital10.20 market. 12.95 The11.25 Institutes’ President and Chairman24.95 of the Governing Council, Mr. 21.22 Albert Okumagba, said Outstanding Value (%) thatCoupon a situation where ($mm) over 60 per cent of the market is controlled by foreign 6.75investors called 500.00 for serious concern. He 5.13 500.00 at challenged authorities the Securities Exchange 6.38 500.00 Commission (SEC) to do 1,500.00 something about it. Okumagba 1,426.82 stated thses yesterday when he led other members of the 11.50 450.00 institute on a courtesy 500.00 visit to7.50 SEC in Abuja. He 7.25 said, “The 350.00 level 6.88 300.00 of participation of our 6.00 400.00 locals10.25 is effectively less 300.00 than three million500.00 when 6.25 ideally8.75 over 80 million 200.00 of our people should300.00 be in 8.25 the market. 6.63 360.00 9.25coverage 400.00 “Our of in8.00assets in Nigeria 450.00 surance 11.93

8.75

17-Feb-19

2.07

6.11

21.38

94.61

01-Apr-19

2.94

2.16

17.59

96.60

14-Nov-20

5.81

2.76

18.22

89.54

30-Sep-24

9.69

1.00

16.57

77.92

30-Sep-24

9.69

1.00

16.57

84.20

14-Aug-21

10.72

9.63

90.00

94.84

is not up to two per cent assured Nigerians that of insurable assets, if we the Commission would can increase from two to continue to ensure vi20 per cent and then to brancy of the market in 85.46 50 11-Feb-18 per cent, we3.06 will be 1.00order to 16.43 attract investors 01-Feb-21 at the 4.28 16.47 and interna84.71 shocked kind of 1.00both locally contribution that insur- tionally. ance can make. Gwarzo said the cur“We have opportuni- rent management would Maturity Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield (%) Bid develop Price Offer Price ties forDate our own domesstrive to domestic investors, the pension tic investment from reYields institutional companies have over $25 Prices tail &and billion, which they have investors. 28-Jan-21 7.41 7.12 96.84 98.24 He said, “We will step taken as money and even 12-Jul-18 6.33a room 5.88up to reach 96.30 though they have out 97.66 to the and improve of 12-Jul-23 about 25 per7.64cent to 7.42market 92.23 93.49 invest only about 12 per investment. On the incent of that has been international side, what vested. is most important is the “We believe that some enabling environment. of the factors that are Right now the rules are 01-Feb-16 54.70 69.38 and 69.38 that is holding the market down 54.70very friendly 19-May-16 100.63 today will soon 6.98 ease off, 6.98why we100.63 keep changing 25-Jul-17 11.24 91.50 91.50 issues of security, elec- 11.24them from time to time 02-May-18 86.38 88.38 tion and crude12.01 oil pric- 11.19to suit best practices and 08-Nov-18 9.73 9.18 88.39 89.98 es, 08-Apr-19 once the election are attract investors. 32.57 26.50 50.67 60.17 done with, the9.22 market 9.22 He harped on 89.75 inves22-Apr-19 89.75 will begin to stabilise.” tors’ education both 21-May-19 14.75 13.50 81.25 84.76 for Addressing the 07-Aug-20 9.97 stock- 9.97retail and 92.00 institutional 92.00 brokers, Di- 22.56to improve 09-Dec-20 the acting 22.56 49.49 the level 49.49 of 24-Jun-21 12.68 85.13 from the 86.75 dorector-General of SEC, 12.26investment 84.00 84.00 Mr.23-Jul-21 Mounir 11.37 Gwarzo, 11.37mestic side.

250.00

4,760.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

CIS decries dominance of foreign investors

2.40

21-Jan-15

3,909.15

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute **Treasury Bills FIXINGS Money professional, financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis andMarket may not be accurateForeign or up toExchange date. We(Spot do not guarantee & Forwards) DTMtimeliness, completeness, Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount Bid Yieldneither (%) Tenor the accuracy, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of(%)the Information, do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the Rate basis(%)of the Information. NIBOR 8 15 22 FGN Bonds29 36 43 Rating/Agency 50 57 64 71 78 85 92 99 106 NA 113 120 134 141 155 197 225 316 330 TOTAL OUTSTANDING 351

VALUE

29-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 12-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 Issuer 12-Mar-15 19-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 2-Apr-15 9-Apr-15 16-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 30-Apr-15 7-May-15 NA 14-May-15 21-May-15 4-Jun-15 11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 6-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 3-Dec-15 17-Dec-15 7-Jan-16

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

10.70 10.90 10.29 10.55 10.60 10.60 Description 11.65 10.46 4.00 23-APR-2015 11.90 13.05 16-AUG-2016 12.16 15.10 27-APR-2017 11.65 9.85 27-JUL-2017 10.47 9.35 31-AUG-2017 12.20 10.70 30-MAY-2018 13.00 16.00 29-JUN-2019 12.45 7.00 23-OCT-2019 11.61 16.39 27-JAN-2022 12.95 14.20 14-MAR-2024 13.65 15.00 28-NOV-2028 11.93 12.49 22-MAY-2029 13.90 8.50 20-NOV-2029 13.80 10.00 23-JUL-2030 13.65 13.70 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 13.85 14.20

10.45 10.65 10.04 10.30 10.35 10.35Date Issue 11.40 10.21 23-Apr-10 11.65 16-Aug-13 11.91 27-Apr-12 11.40 27-Jul-07 10.22 31-Aug-07 11.95 30-May-08 12.75 29-Jun-12 12.20 23-Oct-09 11.36 27-Jan-12 12.70 14-Mar-14 13.40 28-Nov-08 11.68 22-May-09 13.65 20-Nov-09 13.55 23-Jul-10 13.40 13.45 18-Jul-14 13.60 13.95

10.73 10.95 10.35 10.64 10.71 10.73 (%) Coupon 11.84 10.63 4.00 12.15 13.05 12.45 15.10 11.95 9.85 10.73 9.35 12.59 10.70 13.48 16.00 12.92 7.00 12.04 16.39 13.53 14.20 14.37 15.00 12.51 12.49 14.77 8.50 14.91 10.00 14.90 15.54 12.1493 15.83 16.45

Bonds

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

(N'bn)

535.00 23-Apr-15 581.39 NITTY 16-Aug-16 476.80 27-Apr-17 Tenor Rate (%) 20.00 27-Jul-17 1M 11.1286 100.00 31-Aug-17 2M 11.4958 300.00 30-May-18 3M 11.9585 351.30 29-Jun-19 6M 14.9842 233.90 23-Oct-19 9M 15.2203 600.00 27-Jan-22 12M 16.6084 434.68 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 NIFEX 200.00 20-Nov-29 Current Price ($/N) 591.57 23-Jul-30 BID($/N) 206.00 190.3875 18-Jul-34 OFFER ($/N) 190.4875

4,855.63

OBB

6.25

Tenor

Spot 7D 14D REPO Offer Tenor Rate (%) (%) 1MYield TTM (Yrs) Bid Yield (%) Call 7.17 2M 1M 13.54 3M 0.25 12.76 12.15 3M 14.20 6M 1.57 15.02 14.91 6M 15.44 1Y 2.26 15.39 15.31 2.51 15.42 15.34 NOTE: 2.61 15.42 15.34 3.35 15.44 15.31 :Benchmarks 4.44 Bond 15.45 15.35 * :Amortising 4.75 Bond 15.47 15.36 µ :Convertible 7.02 Management Corporation 15.43 15.37 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 9.14Government of 15.55 15.49 FGN: Federal Nigeria 13.85 Mortgage Bank 14.75 14.70 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 14.33 Finance Corporation 14.64 14.59 IFC: International 14.83 14.53 14.46 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 15.50 Aviation Handling 15.05 Company14.98 NAHCO: Nigerian O/N: Overnight 19.49 15.76 15.69 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company O/N

6.83

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

190.00 190.10 189.44 Price 189.55 189.74 189.88 190.44 190.90 Bid Price Offer Price 191.72 192.73 193.00 194.51 97.82 97.97 197.40 200.39 97.30 97.45 206.79 212.40 99.40 99.55 88.73 88.88 87.34 87.49 87.89 88.19 NA :Not Applicable 101.70Rate Bond 102.00 # :Floating 72.18 coupon bonds 72.48 ***: Deferred 104.00 104.30 93.45 93.75 ‡ : Bond rating under review 101.43 †: Bond rating expired 101.73 87.19 87.49 N/A :Not Available 63.63 {r} :Issuer in receivership63.93 70.00 70.30 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 78.30 78.60 UBA: United Bank for Africa

4,409.58

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

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

Rate (%) 7.3750 13.0024 14.2911 15.6159Date Maturity

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 % Exposure_ 06-Jul-17 Mod_Duration

0.34 1.20 1.88 2.24 2.46 Implied Yield

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM Modified Duration Buckets

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National Bonds

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 Total Outstanding 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 Porfolio Market Value(Bn) Volume(Bn)

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

1,015.77

1,034.18

32.63

34.57

3<5

1,368.79

1,365.98

43.09

46.59

553.47

769.57

24.28

3,169.73

24.56

INDEX 2.70

112.22 116.70 Bucket 66.49 Weighting

322.67

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 Implied 1.00 Portfolio Price

16.03 17.80 17.21 16.33 16.40 INDEX

94.84 99.52 98.17 96.50 YTD Return 93.17 (%)

0.33

13.65

15.21

117.6568

1,117.50

0.8712

0.43

46.07

15.48

119.6398

1,013.06

0.0487

18.84

0.24

40.28

15.23

85.3658

100.00 31-Aug-10

12.50100.00

8.50 1.00

100.00 31-Aug-15

15.34 0.61

110.6716 4.44

310.72

A/Agusto

KADUNA Market

12.50 KADUNA2,938.03 31-AUG-2015

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.45

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.96

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

998.08 -

0.8877

1,056.82 19.28

0.1548 96.25

3.23

17.41

98.85

4.46

20.18

95.04

0.97

3.48

19.21

97.12

19-Apr-17

2.24

1.00

16.33

88.45

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.51

1.00

16.10

97.13

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.94

1.79

17.22

92.78

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.12

1.80

17.09

94.87

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.70

1.00

16.45

93.34

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.31

1.00

16.35

96.78

Daily Summary as of 21/01/2015 Printed 21/01/2015 14:45:45.045

Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary as of 21/01/2015

HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. Healthcare Providers Totals

Printed 21/01/2015 14:45:45.045

Business | Capital Market

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Symbol EKOCORP

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

No Debt Trading Activity

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 3.72

Quantity Traded 4,440 4,440

Value Traded 15,717.60 15,717.60

No. of Deals 13 9 9 3 13 47

Current Price 2.27 3.30 40.00 1.58 0.72

Quantity Traded 302,300 80,136 28,530 7,800 570,810 989,576

Value Traded 648,226.20 265,434.21 1,086,976.60 11,778.00 394,633.00 2,407,048.01

994,016

2,422,765.61

Quantity Traded 199,000 199,000

Value Traded 99,500.00 99,500.00

199,000

99,500.00 Value Traded 8,671,220.22 10,260.00 936,353.20

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at January 21, 2014 Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 28 14 42

Current Price 23.90 29.70

Quantity Traded 197,225 129,500 326,725

Value Traded 4,696,416.44 3,654,690.00 8,351,106.44

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 2.30

Quantity Traded 385,783 385,783

Value Traded 885,300.90 885,300.90

712,508

9,236,407.34

Quantity Traded 358,250 20,110 7,892,426 254,501 8,525,287

Value Traded 430,820.00 18,501.20 23,759,733.04 9,070,914.67 33,279,968.91

8,525,287

33,279,968.91

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Daily Summary as of 21/01/2015 Diversified Industries Printed 21/01/2015 14:45:45.045 A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

49 Symbol AGLEVENT JOHNHOLT TRANSCORP UACN

Daily Summary

No. of Deals 15 3 137 38 (Equities) 193

CONGLOMERATES Totals

193

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

Current Price 1.20 0.96 3.01 35.84

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 0.62

Page Quantity Traded 221,030 221,030

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 19 19

Current Price 44.49

Quantity Traded 48,115 48,115

Value Traded 2,063,896.15 2,063,896.15

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 22 22

Current Price 8.50

Quantity Traded 168,335 168,335

Value Traded 1,454,780.60 1,454,780.60

437,480

3,656,399.47

Quantity Traded 100,000 100,000

Value Traded 50,000.00 50,000.00

Quantity Traded 301,904 3,562,625 56,595 1,351,196 1,500 5,273,820

Value Traded 1,922,950.95 465,248,814.18 1,177,176.00 196,219,211.01 5,415.00 664,573,567.14

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Daily Summary as of 21/01/2015

Printed 21/01/2015 14:45:45.045 Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CONSUMER GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

52 Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Symbol No. of Deals CHAMPION 15 GUINNESS 56 INTBREW 11 Daily NBSummary (Equities) 127 PREMBREW 1 210

Current Price 6.33 130.00 21.89 145.00 3.79

1Value of Traded11

137,722.72 137,722.72

Page Quantity Traded

2 of 11 Value Traded

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 19 19

Current Price 162.00

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC Food Products Totals

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON

No. of Deals 32 37 93 18 15 195

Current Price 3.52 5.33 36.00 2.96 6.25

Quantity Traded 666,162 719,420 1,291,296 230,879 251,893 3,159,650

Value Traded 2,358,674.49 3,834,331.60 46,757,351.53 681,091.52 1,573,693.89 55,205,143.03

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

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 22 54 76

Current Price 39.90 830.15

Quantity Traded 69,133 91,822 160,955

Value Traded 2,749,658.72 75,990,478.29 78,740,137.01

Symbol VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 3.60

Quantity Traded 24,600 24,600

Value Traded 90,867.00 90,867.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 36 57 93

Current Price 25.11 32.80

Quantity Traded 206,857 473,866 680,723

Value Traded 5,201,385.42 15,534,813.44 20,736,198.86

Household Durables Daily Summary as of 21/01/2015 VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Printed 21/01/2015 14:45:45.045 Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

DailyPZSummary (Equities) UNILEVER

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CONSUMER GOODS CONSUMER GOODS Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. Daily Summary as of 21/01/2015 WEMA BANK PLC. Printed 21/01/2015 14:45:45.045 ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

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

24,771 24,771

Page 9,424,519

3,984,208.75 3,984,208.75

3 of 11 823,380,121.79

No. of Deals 235 33 79 71 440 51 4 213 38 16 226 1,406

Current Price 5.00 4.12 15.00 1.34 20.96 2.17 2.47 3.85 9.04 0.93 17.10

Quantity Traded 48,057,641 1,594,880 8,561,165 5,726,779 36,302,831 2,250,077 3,976 18,696,304 1,079,376 1,766,492 16,737,019 140,776,540

Value Traded 240,621,787.05 6,447,273.80 128,390,519.54 7,673,789.77 762,517,309.03 4,919,480.34 9,549.40 73,412,678.41 9,722,908.40 1,641,367.56 292,472,956.81 1,527,829,620.11

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities) AIICO 11 CONTINSURE 1

Current Price 0.76 0.91

Quantity Traded 127,823 11,730

Value Traded 97,148.48 10,439.70

Symbol INTENEGINS MANSARD NEM STDINSURE WAPIC

No. of Deals 12 6 6 1 43 80

Current Price 0.50 3.00 0.59 0.50 0.55

Quantity Traded 667,778 69,010 105,000 10,000 Page 1,938,578 2,929,919

Value Traded 333,889.00 207,037.00 62,014.10 5,000.00 4 of 11 1,071,974.37 1,787,502.65

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

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.84

Quantity Traded 240,000 240,000

Value Traded 201,600.00 201,600.00

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol RESORTSAL

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,400,000 2,400,000

Value Traded 1,200,000.00 1,200,000.00

No. of Deals 35 9 667 79 28 34 852 (Equities)

Current Price 2.81 3.72 7.50 2.12 26.00 1.50

Quantity Traded 2,862,554 171,200 37,057,361 10,735,173 785,370 1,173,881 52,785,539

Value Traded 8,115,052.11 637,355.00 279,540,272.49 22,852,728.63 20,436,130.60 1,760,396.24 333,341,935.07

199,131,998

1,864,360,657.83

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC Daily Summary as of 21/01/2015 FBN Printed 21/01/2015 HOLDINGS 14:45:45.045PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB STANBIC UBCAP

Daily Summary

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

2,343

Page

Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. Healthcare Providers Totals

Symbol EKOCORP

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 3.72

Quantity Traded 4,440 4,440

Value Traded 15,717.60 15,717.60

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

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 13 9 9 3 13 47

Current Price 2.27 3.30 40.00 1.58 0.72

Quantity Traded 302,300 80,136 28,530 7,800 570,810 989,576

Value Traded 648,226.20 265,434.21 1,086,976.60 11,778.00 394,633.00 2,407,048.01

994,016

2,422,765.61

Quantity Traded 199,000 199,000

Value Traded 99,500.00 99,500.00

199,000

99,500.00

Quantity Traded 424,285 1,200

Value Traded 8,671,220.22 10,260.00

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

51 Symbol COURTVILLE

ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

1 Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER

No. of Deals 34 2

Current Price 21.28 9.00

HEALTHCARE Totals

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

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 1 1

ICT Totals Daily Summary as of 21/01/2015 Printed 21/01/2015 14:45:45.045

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC

1 Symbol ASHAKACEM

No. of Deals 34 2 12

Current Price 21.28 9.00 36.00

Quantity Traded 424,285 1,200 26,123

Daily Summary (Equities) BERGER

CAP

Page

Building Materials CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Symbol CCNN DANGCEM PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 16 71 7 38 180

Current Price 9.07 155.02 3.70 81.00

Quantity Traded 54,167 833,447 68,900 394,549 1,802,671

Value Traded 497,891.73 129,055,367.55 255,650.00 32,208,328.24 171,635,070.94

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

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.47

Quantity Traded 14,326 14,326

Value Traded 21,918.78 21,918.78

Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. GREIF NIGERIA PLC Packaging/Containers Totals

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS VANLEER

No. of Deals 1 9 1 11

Current Price 1.59 30.00 12.08

Quantity Traded 7,219 85,802 1,399 94,420

Value Traded 10,972.88 2,540,242.40 16,060.52 2,567,275.80

1,911,417

174,224,265.52

Daily INDUSTRIAL Summary as of 21/01/2015 GOODS Totals Printed 21/01/2015 14:45:45.045 NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. Chemicals Totals

Metals ALUMINIUM MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC

Metals Metals Totals

193 Symbol BOCGAS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 5.48

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 521.00 521.00

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 7.75

Quantity Traded 357

Value Traded 2,631.09

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ALUMACO

Page

Symbol

No. of Deals Current Price 1

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Daily Summary as of 21/01/2015 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Printed 21/01/2015 14:45:45.045

CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY

OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Daily Summary as of 21/01/2015 Employment Solutions Printed 21/01/2015 C & I 14:45:45.045 LEASING PLC.

Employment Solutions Totals Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC

Value Traded 2,631.09

457

3,152.09

No. of Deals Current Price 3 0.50 3

Quantity Traded 100,600 100,600

Value Traded 50,300.00 50,300.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals Current Price 167 16.14 167

Quantity Traded 5,443,888 5,443,888

Value Traded 89,283,672.13 89,283,672.13

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price CONOIL 3 38.11 ETERNA 8 2.69 FO 88 227.00 Daily Summary (Equities) MOBIL 16 157.06 MRS 3 53.20

Quantity Traded 11,554 66,255 424,809 15,428 997

Value Traded 418,370.34 171,042.80 95,653,897.55 2,302,617.16 50,388.38

Symbol TOTAL

No. of Deals 11 129

Current Price 144.00

Quantity Traded 13,398 532,441

Value Traded 1,946,602.41 100,542,918.64

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 32 32

Current Price 300.06

Quantity Traded 611,635 Page 611,635

Value Traded 184,649,219.84 8 of 11 184,649,219.84

OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

Quantity Traded 357

Symbol JAPAULOIL

331

6,688,564

374,526,110.61

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.76

Quantity Traded 7,140 7,140

Value Traded 5,212.20 5,212.20

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 3.99

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 390.00 390.00

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 20,000 20,000

Value Traded 10,000.00 10,000.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 13 1 8

Current Price 2.82 3.51 10.00

Quantity Traded 219,600 1,000 110,430

Value Traded 621,950.00 3,340.00 1,104,211.00

IKEJAHOTEL Daily Summary (Equities) TOURIST TRANSCOHOT

Page

Hotels/Lodging Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol

No. of Deals 22

Current Price

Quantity Traded 331,030

Value Traded 1,729,501.00

Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 24,000 24,000

Value Traded 12,000.00 12,000.00

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

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 2 2 29 33

Current Price 1.18 1.27 4.10

Quantity Traded 2,600 308,430 506,620 817,650

Value Traded 2,938.00 391,890.10 1,999,366.87 2,394,194.97

Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 7 11 18

Current Price 1.67 4.92

Quantity Traded 81,575 171,369 252,944

Value Traded 136,260.00 845,016.14 981,276.14

Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 3.00

Quantity Traded 4,100 4,100

Value Traded 11,999.00 11,999.00

1,456,964

5,144,573.31

3,901

229,482,210

3,290,333,922.48

SERVICES Totals Daily Summary as of 21/01/2015 Printed 21/01/2015 14:45:45.045

EQTY Board Totals

Equity Activity Totals

Current Price 0.50

Page

3,901

229,482,210

3,290,333,922.48

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD STANBICETF30 VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 1 1 1 4

Current Price 9.12 2,346.00 100.00 13.46

Quantity Traded 5 25 50 8 88

Value Traded 45.60 58,650.00 5,000.00 107.68 63,803.28

ETF Board Totals

63,803.28

ETP Activity Totals

63,803.28

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

Features

A bloody day in Ikare-Akoko The people of Ikare-Akoko in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State are still jittery over the invasion of armed robbers seen as the deadliest in the history of robberies in the state, writes BABATOPE OKEOWO.

One of the banks attacked by the robbers

The late Bello

ike a scene from a Hollywood movie, some daredevil armed robbers stormed the commercial town of Ikare-Akoko in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State and after an hour, they left in their trail sorrow, tears and blood. Bodies and broken limbs littered Jubilee Road and adjourning streets where the major robbery operation took place. The residents said the blood of the victims flowed like a stream along the street shortly after the operation. The people were too scared to come out to help the injured. In what looked like the deadliest robbery operation in the history of violent crimes in the state, over 15 lives, among them policemen, were lost to the bullets of the robbers. Before now, the highest casualty recorded during robbery operation was between three and five. In the last robbery operation in Akure, the State capital, only five persons lost their lives although it took place in the market. The attack on the bullion van on

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

A bullion van earlier attacked by robbers

Ondo-Akure Road did not record any casualty. But the Ikare robbery led to high casualty figure on the part of the police and civilians. The story of one of the victims, Mr Bode Bello, is very pathetic. The 30-year-old man had just completed his four-year programme in Economics from the Ibrahim Babangida University, Niger State. The orphan from Ajowo-Akoko in Akoko North West had come home to source fund for his clearance in the school and mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). However, he could not return for his clearance neither could he proceed on the youth service as he was fell by the robbers’ bullet at IkareAkoko. Another victim, Mr Ezekiel IleolaGold, who was the state chairman of National Union of Road Transport Worker (NURTW), was supervising his newly completed petrol station when the stray bullet of the robbers hit him. He died instantly.

The armed robbers, in a wellplanned and well-coordinated operation, divided themselves into different groups. One group launched a vicious attack on the police station at Igbede on Owo Road while another attacked targets on Jubilee Road. Some of the policemen were killed in their station while trying to mobilise to confront the robbers. Some victims were killed at the scenes of the operation while others were shot dead on the road. Some of the victims were killed when they wanted to cash money from ATM machines while others were killed on the bank premises while transacting business. The different groups of robbers sent signals to one another for the commencement of the operation. They then attacked First Bank and other banks simultaneously where many people were killed. As one of the groups was attack-

ing the banks with dynamites and other sophisticated weapons, the other group engaged the policemen who were on duty to prevent them from mobilising to the scenes of the robbery. As the operations went on simultaneously, gunshots reverberated across the town. The armed robbers, dressed in mobile police uniform, came with two military vehicles around 3pm on the fateful day, ransacked the banks and made away with cash. After a successful operation that lasted over an hour, the robbers escaped through Edo Road. They snatched another vehicle on the road and killed the driver of the vehicle. The robbers were said to have stationed themselves at every junction of the town and attacked any security officer who might want to mobilise to the scene of the crime or anybody who attempted to raise the alarm to draw attention to the operation. Since the day of the incident, banks and business outfits have remained closed in the town for fear of another attack. All business outfits on Jubilee Road where the robbery took place still do not open to customers. Although schools and market on the road now open, there is still palpable apprehension among the residents as heavily armed policemen are patrolling the major streets to prevent the breakdown of law and order. But the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Wole Ogodo, said the police had begun high profile investigation to unravel those behind the attack and to bring them to book. In a statement, Ogodo described the robbery and the attack on the police station as sad incidents. He said “The attack was sudden and coordinated. They used General Purpose Machine guns, improvised explosive devices and other sophisticated weapons. “They came in large number and syndicated themselves. A group of 25 armed men, who attacked Ikare Police Station, came on foot through unfenced part of the station. The PPRO said the other groups raided five banks - First Bank, Wema, Skye, Eco and Keystone banks - and carted away unspecified amount of money. In all, Ogodo said 11 civilians were killed by hoodlums in the attack, while two undetonated devices were recovered at the scene. Meanwhile, the police authorities in the state have said that they lost 19 AK47 rifles following the invasion of the Ikare-Akoko Police Station. Four of the rifles were taken from the policemen who were killed on First Bank premises on Jubilee Road in Ikare-Akoko while the other 15 were stolen when the robbers attacked a police station at Igbede on Owo Road. In a signal sent to all the police divisions in the state command, which our correspondent saw, the police hierarchy asked the police formations to intensify efforts to recover the rifles from the armed robbers.

News

CAUTION

Election media’s dependence on social media may no be the best Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

orried by the various broadcast messages on radio stations considered to be inciting , ahead of the general election, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has threatened that henceforth any station that violates its directives on the standard of broad-

THURSDAY JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-WEST

NBC threatens sanction over inciting political messages cast would be appropriately sanctioned. The warning came yesterday from the Director General of the commission, Mr. Chris Okoyomoh, at a sensitization workshop entitled “2015 general election: Towards decency and professionalism in political broadcasts”, held in Ibadan, Oyo state capital. Okoyomoh, used the forum to advise politicians not to see the February

election as a do-or-die affair and avoid other inciting, unpatriotic and unguarded statements capable of setting the country on fire. The NBC boss who berated many of the broadcasting stations of ignorance of the contents of the code regulating their activities, warned that though he appreciated the existence of freedom of speech, but that it should be borne in mind that freedom has limits.

According to him, in Britain, “nobody goes on air and abuses the Queen. Social media is a platform for everybody to express himself. Some broadcasting stations go to the social media and pick story from there and transmit it without bothering about its sensitivity. We are aware that the callings of broadcasters are higher”, he said. The NBC boss also warned against the attitude of some media

organizations including broadcasting that are tilting towards partisanship in covering political events, warning that such should be stopped. Ambassador Rufus Akeju, the state Resident Electoral Commission, INEC who was represented by the commission’s Chief Legal Officer, Mr. Omoniyi Tokunbo, called on all stakeholders in the polity to synergize so as to ensure a successful elections.

L-R: Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Babcock University, Dr. David Alao; Head of Department, Dr. Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso and wife of Olofin of Ilisan, Olori Titilayo Sonuga, during a Voters’ Education Eensitisation Exercise on the forthcoming 2015 General Election in Iperu, Ogun State…yesterday

Falae flays APC as anti-people political party Babatope Okeowo AKURE

ormer Secretary to the Government of the Federation Chief Olu Falae, yesterday called on the electorate in the South-Western region and Nigeria not to vote for the candidate of main opposition party the All Progressive Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, stating that he Buhari should prove his op-

ponents wrong on the current certificate crisis, by producing his certificate. Falae, the National Chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP), who said a vote for the APC, is a vote against Yoruba interest, also berated the main opposition party in the country for churning out various anti masses policies in all the state under its control under the guise of protection of peoples interest. The Afenifere chief-

tain, who presented flags to the party’s candidates contesting for various elective offices in the general election in Akure, the Ondo State capital said the APC has demonstrated its penchants of hates of the South-West geo-political zone by its actions and its utterances. While asking the people of the zone not to give their votes to the APC, Falae, said the national leader of APC, Asiwaju

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has demonstrated his hatred for the Yoruba race by his actions and inactions. Particularly, he said some of the decisions reached at the national conference including the creation of eight additional states from the zone, devolution of power and federalism would have been achieved if everybody from the zone had boycotted the congress.

Ogun health workers insist on agreement with FG Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

ealth workers in Ogun State, under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), yesterday staged a protest over the alleged failure of the Federal Government to honour the agreement reached with their national body, National Union of Allied Healthcare Professionals (NUAHP), since 2009.

The workers took their protest to the palaces of the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, and Osile of Oke Ona, Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, as well as the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. They were armed with placards bearing different inscriptions such as “Save Nigerians’ health”; “FG, Nigerians are dying”; “Health sec-

tor, not a death sector”; and “Government attend to health, not election.” It can be recalled that NUAHP, had ordered its members, including nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, to embark on nationwide strike since November 13, 2014, to press home their demands. Addressing journalists in Abeokuta, the JOHESU Chair man in the state, Comrade

Samuel Idowu, said the health workers staged the protest to sensitise well-meaning Nigerians on the need to appeal to government to implement the 2009 agreement. Idowu, stated that the agreement include payment of arrears of specialist allowance to qualified hospital-based professionals with effect from January 1, 2010 in accordance with the National Industrial Court ruling.

‘I won’t stop supporting Fayose’ Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

he factional Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Dele Olugbemi, on Wednesday said no amount of intimidation from the opposition would stop him from supporting Governor Ayo Fayose, in the governor’s effort to develop the state. Olugbemi, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti, said the APC would not make him shift ground on his resolve to be part of the development processes being witnessed in the state at the moment. He was reacting to a comment by the Publicity Secretary of APC, Ekiti State chapter, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun, in which he accused Olugbemi, of planning to use Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) members to attack APC supporters during the party’s presidential campaign rally in Ekiti on Saturday, January 24. He warned the opposition to refrain from dragging OPC into Ekiti politics, saying the opposition party should stop blaming its failure in the last June 21, 2014 governorship election on innocent citizens of the state. “I wish to use this medium to strongly warn Taiwo Olatunbosun and his party to stop dragging the OPC to Ekiti politics.”

INEC assures physicallychallenged on elections Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

igeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saidv it has made provision for people with disabilities to be able to vote in next month’s general election in the country. For instance, the commission said people with visual defects will vote with the aid of ‘Tattered Ballot Papers.’ The commission made this known in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday during an interactive session with the members of the National Association of People Living With Disabilities (NAPLWD). INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Sam Olumekun, told participants at the interaction, that nobody would be disenfranchised on account of disabilities in the forth-

coming election. Olumekun, who was represented by the Administrative Secretary, Mr Femi Agboola, stated that the special ballot papers were made for the blind and had been unveiled by INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, during a visit of the group to his office in Abuja. “It has always been the wish of INEC that nobody will be disenfranchised in these elections, particularly on account of disabilities. Electoral process is for all categories of people that are more than 18, so everybody is going to be fully integrated into the system. “We are assuring you that you will be fully involved in the electoral process. You will vote and nothing will change that. We are looking forward to taking receipt of these special ballot papers as soon as sensitive materials are sent to our office in Ado-Ekiti”, he stated.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JANUARY 22, 2015

Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, yesterday described the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, as an unrepentant fundamentalist who would never change his hard stance on issues relating religious tolerance and democratic principles. He said the APC presidential candidate does not possess any leadership

106

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

Buhari a fundamentalist, says Iwuanyanwu quality and principle that qualifies him to be the president of an heterogeneous state like Nigeria. Iwuanyanwu , made the statement when the PDP gubernatorial campaign train of the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, paid a courtesy visit on the Chairman of Okigwe Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze C. Ugochukwu.

he number of countries and territories affected by malaria. Source: Nigeria.usembassy.gov

“I came out to tell our people the truth and nothing but the truth. The only reason they want President Jonathan removed is because he is a Christian and we will not allow that to happen,” he noted. He called on the Imo State people to vote for President Jonathan and Ihedioha as their Governor to serve both the country and the state, stating, “We the Igbo

N366.8m

leaders resolved in Enugu that Ndigbo will give Jonathan bloc votes in the presidential election.” Some people are asking what President has done for the Igbo, but when Buhari was the Head of State of this nation, can anybody point at a particular thing he did for Ndigbo, adding that President Jonathan had built international airport at Enugu, multi-

231.4m

The IGR realized from other revenue sourc- The estimated total population of Northes of Kogi State in 2011. ern America in 1970. Source: National Bureau of Statistics Source: Un.org

billion naira silo in Okigwe, Imo State, Port Harcourt-Owerri road reaching advanced state of completion, and many others in South East zone. He also explained that the PDP leaders chose Ihedioha to be the next governor of the state “because we are fed up of the lies being told Imo people by Governor Rocha Okorocha on daily basis.”

8.03%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in 2005. Source: Itu.int

Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano (left), with National Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, during the flag-off of the Anambra South senatorial district campaign in Ekwulobia, Anambra State…on Tuesday

Umeh accuses Obi of seeking favour with PDP membership Tony Okafor Awka

he senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, has described the reconciliation of the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano with his predecessor ,Peter Obi, by President Goodluck Jonathan at the palace of Obi of Onitsha last Saturday, as a forced reconciliation of two personalities with opposing political interests, which could not be genuinely reconciled. He described the former governor’s membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, as a move aimed at currying favour as well as protecting his personal interest Umeh, who spoke with some newsmen at St.

Paul’s Catholic Church, Awba- Ofemili Awka North Council Area, urged APGA faithful not to allow what played out at Onitsha to distract them noting that he ( Umeh) and other APGA stalwarts would decode all Obi’s antics which he said geared towards popularizing his party’s (PDP) candidates. He said, “Do not be deceived by what happened at Onitsha, Peter Obi is busy campaigning for his party (PDP). Reconciliation or no reconciliation what Obi wants to achieve is ministerial appointment and nothing more. He joined PDP for his personal aggrandizement and not for Igbo interest; he is seeking for personal favour unlike APGA people who are working assiduously for the collective interest of Ndi Igbo.

Ebonyi workers commence three-day working strike Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

orkers in Ebonyi State, have embarked on a three day warning strike to protest the none payment of their September 2011 salary as well as the minimum wage by the state government. The workers body in the state, the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council Trade Union, had given the government three weeks ultimatum which had already lapsed. In a statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Council, Comrades Ikechukwu Nwafor and Nnubia Ann, the council accused the government of treating workers welfare with levity. ‘’Based on the Government failure to positively respond to our genuine demands, workers are directed to embark on three days warning strike. This directive is irrevocable and irreversible unless our demands are met ’’ the statement read. It accused the government of trying to delay the payment of the September 2011 salary after the expiration of the three weeks ultimatum by saying it has set up committee to dialogue with the workers for amicable resolution.

‘You’ve plunged Imo into N200bn debt’ Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

he Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo state Emeka Ihedioha, has accused the incumbent state Governor Rochas Okorocha, of plunging the state into a debt of over N200 billion,

despite the huge allocation that accrued to the state in the last three and half years from the federation account. Ihedioha, said the state of infrastructure in the state presently is not enough to justify the huge debt profile necessitated by the t unguided borrowing embarked upon by Okorocha led administration in the state. The Speaker, expressed

the position yesterday, during the flagged-off of his state-wide local government campaign at Oru East Council Area. According to the governorship flagbearer, Okorocha, has borrowed a whopping N200 billion from commercial banks, which was not expended to any meaningful project that would have lifted the state. He said ,“It is saddening to note that Governor

Okorocha has borrowed over N200billion since he assumed office with nothing tangible to show for it. The deceit and desecration of our values we have witnessed under his watch as Governor is alarming and ungodly. However, his time is up and we must show him the way out so that we can begin to restore the lost values and repair the collapsed infrastructures in Imo State.”

Vote according to your conscience, says Catholic Bishop Tony Okafor Awka

he Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, yesterday urged the electorate to be focused by voting according to their conscience in next month’s election, saying the only way out of the nation’s political quagmire would be full

participation of Nigerians at the polls. Bishop Ezeokafor, who stated this at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Awba Ofemili Awka North Council Area, during a courtesy visit he paid to the parish said the problem with Nigerians, was that people t kept doing the same thing while expecting different result, noting that the

Church stand had been to educate the people and not to indulge itself in partisan politics. He expressed the hope that with current formation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the election would yield positive results that would benefit the masses. The cleric, who during his

visit administered the sacrament of confirmation on 212 deserving candidates, blessed and commissioned the newly completed church house, enjoined Nigerians to cast and guard their votes. He noted that if they must get it right this time around, they should learn to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and truthfulness.

News

THURSDAY JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-SOUTH

Ex-militant leaders mobilise for Buhari Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

ome ex-militant generals and commanders in Edo State yesterday lend their support to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, for the February

172.9m

The total number of connected mobile (GSM) lines of Nigeria in April 2014.

14 election in the country. They insisted that the gesture by MEND should not be taken as a joke as Buhari’s candidacy was in line with the expectation and hope of millions of citizens of the country for positive change and development, particularly, towards improved wellbeing of people in the oil-rich region. One of the militant leaders, Ogidigba Godstime, made the position of the

group known in an interview with newsmen in Benin, the Edo State capital. Ogidigba, who is the chairman of the third phase of amnesty programme in the state, said the ex-agitators have implicit confidence in Buhari’s ability to address all the salient issues bedeviling the country to improve the living standard of the citizens and pay due attention to the various communities, states and the

29.4%

The projected percentage increase of Americans above 65 years with Alzheimer’s in Michigan in 2014-2025.

South-South as a region. The group carpeted President Jonathan for his failure to address the myriad of problems staring the region in the face. According to him, “In recent newspaper reports, you see MEND endorsing Buhari, people thought it was a joke; it is not. The fact remains that we need somebody that can address the salient issues that affect the Niger Delta region.

113

The sex ratio of men to 100 women in the 60+ age group in Brunei Darussalam in 2012. Source: Un.org

“Our brother has failed in those areas; our brother has failed to take us away from poverty, he has failed to bring development to the Niger Delta region.” Ogidigba continued: “Just take a look at most of the Niger Delta communities; they still remain where they were in spite of the fact that we have one of our own, at the helm of affairs, nothing has changed in the region.”

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

L-R: Sales Manager, Port Harcourt, Airtel, Dickson Akpoyibo; Coach, Bright Stars Football Club, Zaffai Aloma Medan; Headmistress, Universal Primary Education, Model Primary School (1) Abuloma, Awajionyi Anthony and Regional Head, Retail, Airtel, Bunmi Abejirin, at a presentation of gift items to the school at the just concluded Goal for Education Competition in Port Harcourt…recently

Federal health workers protest rising deaths Chris Ejim Yenagoa

undreds of health workers of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Bayelsa State yesterday protested the refusal of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to discuss and approve the demands of the Joint Health Sector Union and Assembly of Health Care Professionals. The protesting workers led by the Chairman of the University Teaching Hospital Research and other Allied Institution (SSAUTHRIAI), Comrade Save Nubani, said the strike action called in November 2014 has resulted in the death of an estimated 100 patients in the state, including a nursing staff of the FMC, Mrs. Theresa Edet. According to Ubani, the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, after series of meetings through the Supervising

Minister of Labour and Productivity and the Minister of Health, have failed to fulfill the demands of the union. “It is sad that in the president’s home state, the effect is worrisome and has resulted in a rise in the death of patients and has resulted in patients paying heavilly in private hospitals.” The protesting health workers, carrying placards with inscriptions such; “Jonathan save the health sector,” “2015: No proper health care, No vote,” “Jonathan: Our health or your second term, Choose one,” among others, asked the President to immediately take a break from his campaign schedule and approve the demands of the health workers. “If the people are not healthy, how can you tell them to vote for you? Out of those dying due to Federal Government’s indifference, there are registered voters,” the protesters argued.

Okowa’s men hail Tompolo Gabriel Choba Ughelli

pressure g roup known as Urhobo Ovoh and Ijaw Kene Patriots for Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has described one of their patrons, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, as a stabilising factor in the politics of Delta State. The group also urged Deltans to vote for Okowa come February 28. In a statement signed by Comrades Moses Unuavworho and Kenny E. Zuokemepade, president and secretary of the group respectively, the group said the role Tompolo played during the recent PDP governorship primary that saw Okowa emerge the PDP flag-bearer, shows that he is a man who believes in equity and fair play. According to the group, “Tompolo was aware that a governor of Delta North extraction would promote equity, justice, peace and balance in the state hence he pitched his tent with Okowa and canvassed for Kingsley Otuaro, as Okowa’s deputy, for the Ijaws who are yet to produce a Secretary to the State Government (SSG), let alone the deputy governor in the state.”

Emerhor: Era of business as usual gone in Delta Dominic Adewole and Gabriel Choba

he gover norship flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, O’tega Emerhor, yesterday set the ball rolling for a titanic clash with his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, over who succeeds Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on May 29.

Emerhor, who flagged off his campaign in Agbor, Ika South Local Government, the home of Okowa, said: “Now is the favourable time to end PDP’s 16 years of barrenness and destroy the party’s sinister umbrella, because the era of business as usual is over.” While he urged Governor Uduaghan to start preparing to hand over to him, he said: “It is now

the good people of Delta State will know that the billions of naira accruing to the state from the federation account can turn the state around.” He said the wind of change currently blowing across the country is a justification that the end has come for the ruling party’s looting spree. Emerhor promised to bring good governance to the grassroots, even as he vowed that nothing

would make him derail from his people-oriented agenda. “I want you all to throw your weight behind me and vote massively during the forthcoming general election to enable me deliver the dividends of democracy to you. “I want to assure you that from May 29 this year, you will begin to enjoy unprecedented transformation in all sectors of the Delta economy.”

Peterside condemns arrest of APC chieftains

he governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dakuku Peterside has alleged that the clampdown on some chieftains of the party by the police through arrests and detention is aimed at making the party retaliate and face more clampdowns. Peterside, who also accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of masterminding the arrests and detention,

accused the police of partisanship and that its action was undemocratic. The governorship candidate, who represents Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro federal constituency in the House of Representatives, spoke through Ibim Semenitari, the director of communications, Greater Together Campaign Organisation, stating that the APC has maintained a fair and issue-based campaign unlike the PDP, which

has no manifesto. He said: “What is happening is part of a plot not only to intimidate APC members, but to also provoke them into retaliatory measures for which more clampdowns will be launched by the already biased police,” the statement released in Port Harcourt, reads in part. Peterside said there was need for the Inspector-General of Police to “call his officers and men in the state to order as

their partisanship is creating worse violent situation, which is at variance with democracy.” He continued: “The electorate in Rivers State is familiar with the hate sermons often preached by the PDP at its campaigns and rallies. Its style of ‘you no go gree, you no gree, you go gree oooh’ is alien to politics as politics is a game where a political party canvasses for votes by selling its unique products.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

Gemade: Don’t release N8bn Zaki-Biam judgement to Suswam CAMPAIGN

Governor will use compensation money to rig elections, Senator alleges Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

he senator representing Benue North East in the National Assembly and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief

Barnabas Gemade, has called on the people of the state to resist the move by President Goodluck Jonathan to pay the N8 billion compensation in respect of the Zaki-Biam military invasion to Governor Gabriel Suswam. Gemade said the judgement debt was not the entitlement of the governor, but that of the victims, whose relations were massacred during the invasion and who sued the Federal Government for compensation. According to Gemade,

$14.5m

The total amount of salary/winnings of Rafael Nadal (Tennis) for 2014. Source: Forbes.com

News 49

NORTH

who spoke at the APC rally in Zaki-Biam, headquarters of Ukum Local Government yesterday, “If paid, the governor would use the amount to rig the forthcoming polls.” He charged the people not to sell their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) or divulge its security features to anyone in order not to mortgage their future. Senate Minority Leader and APC leader in the state, Senator George Akume, who also spoke at the rally, described

3.3bn

The estimated number of people affected by malaria worldwide in 2012. Source: Nigeria.usembassy.gov

the party's governorship candidate, Dr. Samuel Ortom's antecedents as well as his dependability as justification for his choice as the party’s governorship candidate. The former governor said having worked closely with the erstwhile Minister of State, Industry, Trade, and Investment, he and other leaders had noticed his passion and responses to the challenges of the people in his little way and concluded that if given the opportunity, he could do more.

1.9%

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

N26m fraud rocks Makurdi local council Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

s tension continued to mount over the nonpayment of Benue State workers’ salaries, members of staff of Makurdi Local Government were yesterday at daggers drawn with the leadership of the council over alleged deduction from their salaries since last year. New Telegraph gathered that the local government's Director General, Services and Administration, Mr. Emmanuel Idoko, who is superintending over the council, following the dissolution of the 23 local government chairmen by Governor Gabriel Suswam and the Treasurer, Mr. Henry Shimbe, have been careless with the allocation accruing to the local government.

They were also alleged to have diverted same for their personal use. Sources at the local government told New Telegraph in confidence that after the sale of the remaining Benue State shares at the Benue Cement Company last year by the state government, Makurdi Local Government was said to have parted with N26 million as her own contributory dividends. The money it was learnt was expected to be utilised for capital projects and other development initiatives. But investigation revealed that rather than apply the funds for the purpose it was meant, the DGSA in collaboration with other top brass in the council, allegedly shared more than half of it, remaining a balance of N16 million.

Defection: I did not beg IBB, says Aliyu Dan Atori MINNA

L-R: Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Services, Prof Yisa Fakunle; Chief Commercial Director, Globacom, Mr. Prabhat Aggarwal; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Technology & Innovation, Unilorin, Prof Gabriel Olatunji and Head, Public Sector Department, Globacom, Mr. Babatunde Amunikoro, after the signing of MoU between the Institution and Globacom in Ilorin

Ahmed blames Nigeria’s woes Minister vows to stop APC speculated in some quarBiodun Oyeleye on Jonathan’s lack of will ters. Ajibola, who spoke ILORIN Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

wara State governor, AbdulFatah Ahmed, has blamed the multi-dimensional problems confronting the country to lack of political will by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to tackle them. Ahmed, who made this observation at Isanlu Isin during APC's campaign tour of Isin Local Government, noted with displeasure that Jonathan's administration failed to tackle corruption; it lacks energy and the will power to ensure compliance with conventional practice thereby aggravating the nation's problems. The governor, who paid homage to the Chairman

of Isin Local Government Traditional Council and the Olusin of Isanlu Isin, Oba Solomon Ilufemiloye, condemned what he called the ‘do-or-die’ nature of the PDP-led Federal Government to retain power at all costs. While pointing out that the APC had become a movement of change that will restore normalcy and the dignity of the nation, Governor Ahmed called on the people to join the wind of change blowing across the nation. According to him, his government has accorded traditional institutions their due respect, assuring the citizenry that more traditional rulers will soon be graded to enhance their performance of maintaining law and order in their respective domains.

inister National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, yesterday declared that the 2015 governorship election in Kwara State is not about religion, but about freedom as he promised to face the elections ‘tactics for tactics, strategy for strategy and might for might’ with the All Progressives Congress (APC). Sulaiman challenged major stakeholders within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to support the candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan and the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Simon Sulaiman Ajibola. The minister’s intervention came as Ajibola denied ever being a religious hypocrite as was

with newsmen in Ilorin, after a thanksgiving service organised by his party, denied recent campaign posters in the city that painted him a Muslim. Sulaiman, who spoke at the inauguration of the PDP governorship campaign organisation, headed by Prof. Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem, also challenged those currently in the leadership of the state to tell the world the faith of their spouses as well as theirs. Speaking at the event, which witnessed the defection of Prof. Samuel Opabola, who until now, was the Special Adviser to Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed on Primary Health Care, the minister said: “This election is not about religion, it is not about Kwara South, but it’s about freedom. "

iger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday denied a national publication alleging that he asked former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), to beg his deputy and other defectors back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Aliyu made this known during a courtesy call by the Federation of Advocates for Fair, Credible and Peaceful Election, led by elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai. He said it is not unusual to see politicians decamping during electioneering period and that those who have defected have the right to do so. According to him,

“They said I went to beg IBB for those who defected. I have passed the stage of begging anybody. Every politician is free to decide which party they want to belong. Let me; however, plead that nobody should victimise anybody for the political decisions they make. “I have no reason to hate my deputy governor over his decision to move to the opposition party. We have had good working relationship since 2007 and it will remain so even after we leave government. “By now people have made up their minds on the party they will cast their votes for. We must therefore accept the results of the elections. Do not be annoyed with your brother based on his new found political interest. Power belongs to God and He chooses who He gives.”

Kogi NUJ wants Wada to probe N700m fraud Muhammad Bashir LOKOJA

he Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kogi State council has called on Governor Idris Wada to make bold to fish out those behind the N700 million West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) fees’ fraud that has thrown the innocent students and their poor parents into hardship. Chairman of the council, Comrade Ali Atabo, at a press briefing yesterday in Lokoja, said the union commended the state government for taking the responsibility of paying the WAEC fees of indigent students over the years. But he said the circum-

stances that led to the stoppage of the payment of the fees must be investigated and those behind it brought to book to serve as deterrent to others. According to him, it is not enough to say that some people have committed fraud or that a fraud has been discovered, the government should go further to expose those behind the dastardly act, Atabo said. Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), a human rights’ group based in Lokoja, Mr. Idris Miliki Abdul, said the issue of refusal to pay WAEC fees by Governor Wada is a sign that his administration has failed.

50 WORLD | News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Palestinian stabs seven in Tel Aviv attack

Palestinian stabbed and wounded seven people on a Tel Aviv commuter bus and in the street in a morning rushhour attack yesterday before he was shot by a security officer as he fled, Israeli officials said. It was the first Palestinian attack reported in the Israeli commercial capital since a soldier was stabbed to death two months ago during a surge of violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Passengers on the number 40 bus en route to Tel Aviv University

said the assailant, identified by police as a Palestinian from Tulkarm in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, stabbed the driver and then others at the Maariv junction, one of the coastal city’s busiest. “The terrorist had murder in his eyes,” a passenger identified only as Orly said on Israel Radio. The attacker exited the bus after it slowed to a stop and ran down a street along with panicked passengers and pedestrians. Security camera footage showed him stabbing one woman in the back on the

sidewalk, and she collapsed. Armed prison officers who happened by in another vehicle gave chase and one shot the man in the leg. News photos showed the alleged assailant, whom police said was aged 23, lying face down in the mud, his wrists handcuffed behind him and his jeans stained with blood. The national ambulance service said seven people were wounded in the stabbing, four seriously.It was not immediately clear if the suspected attacker, who was taken to hospital for treatment, was

affiliated with any Palestinian militant group. Israeli security officials said he cited Israel’s Gaza offensive last summer as one of the reasons he decided to strike. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the attack “a direct result of venomous incitement disseminated in the Palestinian Authority against Jews and their country.” There was no immediate comment from the Authority, which exercises limited selfrule in the West Bank and has stepped up unilateral moves

towards Palestinian statehood since peace talks with Israel collapsed in April. The militant Islamist movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, praised the attack. Netanyahu has made security a central theme of his campaign for reelection in March. In November, two Palestinians killed four rabbis and a policeman at a Jerusalem synagogue. Five Israelis and a foreign visitor died in Palestinian attacks before that incident. At least 12 Palestinians have also been killed, including some of the attackers.

Pope praises big families after ‘like rabbits’ remark

Israeli medics wheel a wounded man to an ambulance at the scene of a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv yesterday.

Somalia’s Shebab urge more jihadi attacks in Europe

omalia’s Shebab militants, Al-Qaeda’s main affiliate in Africa, yesterday urged supporters in Europe to follow the example of Islamist gunmen who carried out attacks in Paris. The Shebab, who called the attack on the Charlie Hebdo satirical weekly in Paris a “heroic operation” against a “lair of evil and centre of disbelief ”, offered specific warnings to France. “We warn France and those who tread her course about the implications of their hostility

towards Islam and the consequences of their oppression and belligerence against Muslims,” the statement read. The Islamists said the attacks, in which 17 people died in three days of bloodshed, were “worthy of being emulated”. “We also take this opportunity to thank our brothers, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, who have been and continue to be the pioneers of external operations that target the heart of the Crusader enemies,” the statement added. The Shebab, who control large areas of

rural Somalia, are reported to have close links with AlQaeda fighters in neighbouring Yemen, where one of the two brothers who carried out the attack is believed to have trained. The Shebab were also linked to Mohamed Geele, a Somali man who was convicted of a 2010 axe attack against Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard, who had faced numerous death threats since his caricature of the Muslim prophet Mohammed appeared in the Danish daily Jyllands Posten in 2005.

Russia hits back at Obama over State of Union speech

ussia hit back yesterday at U.S. President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech, saying it showed the United States believes it is “number one” and seeks world domination. Obama said his country was upholding “the principle that bigger nations can’t bully the small” by opposing what he called Russian aggression and supporting democracy in Ukraine, and that Russia was isolated. “The Americans have taken the course of confrontation and do not assess their own steps critically at all,” Russian Foreign Min-

ister Sergei Lavrov told a news conference. “Yesterday’s speech by President Obama shows that at the center of the (U.S.) philosophy is only one thing: ‘We are number one and everyone else has to recognize that’ ... It shows that the United States wants all the same to dominate the world and not merely be first among equals.” This phase would pass, Lavrov said, but added that it would take time for U.S. thinking on its foreign policy to become less aggressive. “I would prefer all countries to adopt the philosophy of cooperation, not ‘diktat’,”

he said. Relations between Russia and the United States have sunk to their lowest level since the end of the Cold War, mainly because of Moscow’s confrontation with the West over the crisis in Ukraine, during which the West has imposed sanctions on Russia. Lavrov said ties between Moscow and Washington had “seriously deteriorated” in 2014 and called for “constructive cooperation”, including on Iran and Syria. Washington and the West say Moscow is the driving force behind a rebellion by pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine and provides them with arms and troops. Russia denies this.

ope Francis praised big families yesterday as a gift from God, after his comments that Catholics don’t have to breed “like rabbits” made headlines this week. Francis said numerous children don’t cause poverty in the developing world, as some have suggested, and that the real cause of poverty is an unjust economic system that idolizes money over people. Francis reviewed his recent trip to Sri Lanka and the Philippines during his weekly general audience. During the trip, Francis strongly defended the Vatican ban on artificial contraception. But he also restated the church’s position that Catholics needn’t breed “like rabbits” and should practice “responsible parenthood” through church-approved birth control methods. Yesterday, he gave a nod to big families, who may have felt somewhat insulted by his comments aboard the plane returning to Rome. Just weeks ago, Francis met with an associa-

tion of large Catholic families to show his support. He said that while in the Philippines, it gave him great “consolation and hope to see so many large families who welcome children as a true gift of God. They know that every child is a blessing.” He said claims that big families cause poverty are “simplistic.” “Let us all say, that the principal causes of poverty is an economic system that has taken the person from the center and put the god of money in its place,” he said to applause from the crowd. During the trip, Francis gave his strongest defense yet of the 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae, which enshrined the church’s opposition to artificial birth control. Pope Paul VI penned the document at a time when the church was coming under pressure to change its position on sexuality in light of warnings that population growth was going to outpace the planet’s ability to provide food for future generations. Francis called Paul “prophetic” for resisting the warnings.

Yemen leader to accept demands of Houthis rebels

emen’s President AbdRabbu Mansour Hadi was expected to yield to demands yesterday for constitutional change and power sharing with Houthi rebels who took up positions outside his home after defeating his guards in two days of battle. Gulf neighbors denounced what they described as a coup in Yemen, although both the Houthis and some of the president’s allies denied that he had been overthrown. A source close to the president said Hadi had met an official of the Shi’ite Muslim rebel group and would soon issue decrees resolving all differences. The source denied Hadi was under house arrest inside the residence, surrounded since early morning by Houthi fighters. “Within hours, decisions will be made heeding the Houthi demands,” said the source, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity before the official announcement. “We expect an announcement to resolve all problems within hours.” The Houthis, friendly to

Iran, swept into the capital four months ago and have emerged as the dominant force in the country. For now at least they appear to have decided to stop short of overthrowing Hadi, possibly preferring to exert control over a weakened leader rather than take on the burden of power. Their defeat of the presidential guards in gunbattles and artillery duels in recent days adds to disarray in a country where the United States is also carrying out drone strikes against one of the most powerful branches of al Qaeda. The guards’ defeat was made possible because the army did not fight, a reflection that Hadi, a former general, secured little lasting power base during his military service while the Houthis have penetrated key institutions since September. After clashes at the president’s office and home on Tuesday, the Houthis’ leader threatened in a speech overnight to take further “measures” unless Hadi bowed to his demand for constitutional changes that would increase Houthi power.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

Sport News

International Sport

EPL: Hart unfazed by Chelsea’s five-point lead

Equatorial Guinea, Burkina Faso share points

Gabonese spies storm Tunisia for U-23 Eagles

Sport

AFCON 2015

Did you know? That Ledley King scored the fastest goal in the EPL after just 10seconds

Adekunle Salami

former international, Felix Owolabi, has called on the Nigeria Football Federation to boost domestic football in the country in it attempt to rebuild the Super Eagles. Owolabi said going forward, there was need to properly evaluate the state of the game in the country with a critical look at the missing links. He argued that the domestic league and the Federation Cup were not enough to serve as feeders to the senior national team, the Super Eagles. He said: “The growth of the game domestically will always impact on the senior team. The ideal situation is to bring in pros to fight for shirts but now it is the home-based that are fighting for recognition. “The NFF should get a very good coach who will raise a solid team from the domestic scene but the problem is that the two competitions the league and federation cup are not sufficient. We need at least three more. We used to have a football competition among the universities. We need players from higher institutions and secondary schools. “Our National Sports Festival should also be taken seriously especially because those who are not in school but are talented will feature for their states in the NSF. The NFF should get sponsors to revive some of these competitions that produced many great players in the country.” Owolabi argued that some

The Sport Team

Owolabi tasks nff over new eagles

player entered the Eagles straight from the secondary schools and the universities in the past but such things are no longer happening. He noted that it was wrong to only depend on just a few players abroad in a country of over 140 mil-

Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sports

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sports Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan

Charles Ogundiya Sports Correspondent

This country is blessed with good players but we have to fish them out,” he added. The 1980 Nations Cup winner stressed that it was important to have a proper structure for the existing

competitions. “The salaries, the field of play, coaches and all should have the required standard. It we have a good template, there will be development in the game,” he said.

Nadal survives five-set thriller

Adekunle Salami

Sports Correspondent

lion people. “A coach who is ready to work will go round to discover hidden talents in the country. We have a good chance now to raise a new team since we are not in the Nations Cup.

Nadal

panish world number three Rafael Nadal battled dizzy spells and stomach cramps to prevent a major upset and win an energy-sapping five-setter at the Australian Open on Wednesday. The 14-time Grand Slam champion finally

prevailed 6-2, 3-6, 6-7 (2/7), 6-3, 7-5 over American qualifier Tim Smyczek in 4hour 12mins in humid conditions and will now play unseeded Israeli Dudi Sela in the third round. Nadal was clearly under duress on court and called for the trainer and doctor during a changeover early in the third set. “At the end of the first set, I started to feel my body very bad, very tired. I was worrying like crazy,” the 14-time Grand Slam champion said. “Then when I was serving for the third, I almost threw up. I suffered too much on

court for three and a half hours. I was suffering a lot. “I was close to not continuing because I felt that I was very dizzy. I felt that I could fall down.” The 14-time Grand Slam champion has played some epic matches on Rod Laver Arena, including an almost six-hour final. But the 6-2, 3-6, 6-7 (2), 6-3, 7-5 win Wednesday was a breakthrough of sorts for the third-seeded Nadal, who came into the first major of the season after playing just four tournaments since Wimbledon due to a right wrist injury and appendix surgery.

SPORT

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Campaigns, sports and White Elephants!

he weekends on the sports desks of the Punch and later Concord group of newspapers were always bubbling with activities. Of course the challenges were there for competition amongst the reporters as the National League or the F.A Cup ran the race with athletics, boxing, table tennis, squash, tennis, swimming etc depending on the atmosphere. From Friday, all through Saturday and Sunday the desk was manned by an individual whose responsibility was shuttling the radio room which habours the telex machines. His/ her duty? Receiving the reports of colleagues from various centres nationwide and that of the correspondents who filled in the gap where the sports reporters were absent. It thus provided an opportunity for the reporter on the sports desk to be envied by colleagues on other desks as he/ she soon became an encyclopedia and informed person about the entire country. As such, it was easier for the reporter to traverse Kano this weekend and the next be in Sokoto or Maiduguri or Minna, for the tie that features Niger Tornadoes. The next may likely be a shuttle for coverages in Owerri as Spartans hold sway and later a drive into the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu and a return to Lagos via Benin at the Ogbe Stadium where Bendel Insurance or New Nigerian Bank is sharing the glare with the Ogbe Hard Court tennis event that

Muyiwa Daniel on Thursday

md_muyiwa@yahoo.com 08023525087 (sms only) exposed Nduka “The Duke” Odizor and David Imonitie as a fall-out of the Afuze Training Complex of then Governor of Bendel State - Samuel Ogbemudia - who later became Chairman of the National Sports Commission. Ogbemudia also led a committee that wrote a Sports Policy for this country. That was one of the committee. Another was led by Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, who has personally bankrolled the longest running table tennis competition -The Asoju-Oba tournament- for 46 years, and one of the legion of successes has been International Table Tennis Federation recently crowned King, Haruna Quadri. The other Sports Policy Committees had been led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu – who had held Spartans in trust for Owerri people. Three-time Sports Minister and NFA Chairman, the late Samson Emeka Omeruah, led the other. Enough of the drift! The reporter who was loathed by those in the accounts especially the cashier who had no choice but to honour the approval of the Editor every Friday and their

colleagues in the audit department who were quick to quantify mileages and watch out for “logistics” such as “body-nobe-wood” claims soon quickly moved to Abeokuta to cover Abiola Babes while the Ogun Green Sands shares with Ogbe, Ikoyi Hard Court, Lord Rumens Classics, Lagos Country Club and Kano’s Dala Hard Courts that were played on clay and Kaduna Hard Courts in completing Nigeria’s Grand Slam. The reporter had an encounter with Orji Kalu at his thriving Club in Maiduguri during the 1983 Los Angeles Olympic Games fund drive led by Chief M.K.O.Abiola. Then Colonel Abdulmumini Aminu had been the governor of Borno State and El-Kanemi Warriors held sway with Kalu’s support and played host to Stationery Stores in a league tie.The next stop was Bauchi where Zabgai or Wunti played host to IICC Shooting Stars. The team had arrived from Colonel Joshua Madaki’s Gombe state where the dreaded Maitatsine sectsomeone labeled the Boko Haram as its off-shoot-had struck and the smell of human flesh was still pervasive as Abiola donated more to the deceased and injured than was accounted

for as donation to the Olympics from the state. Orji Kalu had hosted Abiola’s delegation and Aminu after the Olympics launch at the Government House. The reporter would soon move to Sokoto and detour through Yola-Potiskum route to Taraba, where its teamUnited- played against Water Corporation. The flurry continues all through the season of the League and the FA cup where it was easy to cover a Lagos First Bank slug it out in Ilorin against dreaded Enugu Rangers and return to base bloodied but clinching a win. It was such fixtures that ensured the appearance of teams like Alyulfsalam Rocks and Tornadoes in the FA Cup final at the Lagos National Stadium before the flight to Abuja. Not the present hogwash! In those periods, there existed the English Premiership, the Primera Liga, French Ligue 1 and the others. The treatment given to them despite reports by the Agence French Presse (AFP), Reuters and other International News Agencies by the “Lone Ranger” on the desk was what we referred to as SCOREBOARD – That simply means results. The competitions were so swift and spiced by international flavours where from the Sports Editor to the reporter there exist a time-table where everyone has his/her schedule. It was such that got African Cup of Nations competition between myself and Paul Bassey until he got his nose ahead as a member of the Confederation of African Football Media Committee and later me and Kunle Solaja at the

World U-17 Championship in Canada 1987 after the baptism at the World Cup at U-20 in Mexico 1983 by Segun Adenuga (not recording the coverages at the West African sub-region) who incidentally with - Mohammed Alli- turned 73-years-old last Saturday. The off-shoot was reportage at competitive and tough levels with coverage of the Lagos State Sports Council at Rowe Park where the headlines were made by Director of Sports- Professor AbdulFatai Adio Folawiyo and his Deputy - Tajudeen Adedeji Shinaba which forced OkoyaThomas as Chairman of the Council to shed tears before the 1981 probe panel which sat at the UAC (now Teslim Balogun) Stadium and was headed by a former Chairman - Chief John Agbaje - the father of one of the contenders for the Alausa Round-house- Jimi. The import -unfortunately though -is that none that has mounted the soapbox ahead of the February polls has spoken on how to turn the energies, skills, intellect and God-given gifts of the country’s more than 40 million youths in getting the stadia I had traversed back to bubble and solve a gigantic unemployment problem. If those seeking elective offices in the Executive and Legislative arms nationally and at state levels can dust up the Sports Policy documents and act on them. That will be the time our PVCs or lack of them can have a meaning. Are you reading? GEJ and GMB? Or those Managers? NOT referring to those afflicted by speech diarrhea.!

ITTF Africa: Egypt, Nigeria seeded top Ajibade Olusesan

osts – Egypt and Nigeria have been rated as top seeds for this week’s International Table Tennis Federation Africa Senior Championships, which serves off in Cairo on Friday, January 23. New Telegraph can report that the draw for the team events of the championship will be conducted on Thursday January 23 in Cairo.

In the men’s event, other seeded teams among the 19 countries expected at the tournament are Congo Brazzaville, Algeria, Togo, Libya, Cameroun and Congo DRC. Egypt also tops the seeding in the women’s event; other teams in the seeding list are Nigeria, Congo Brazzaville, Algeria Cameroun and Congo DRC. Egyptian players dominated the singles event with the trio of El-Sayed Lashin, Omar Assar and

Gabonese spies storm Tunisia Martins endorses Ambode for U-23 Eagles Emmanuel Tobi

s part of efforts aimed at stopping Nigeria from qualifying for the 11th All African Games scheduled for September 4–19, 2015 in Brazzaville, Congo, the Gabonese Football Association has sent spies to keep tabs on U-23 Eagles as they battle Tunisia at the weekend. The team has been in camp in Abuja for several weeks, in preparation for February’s All Africa Games qualifier against Gabon and are scheduled to play two friendly matches on January 24th and 28th against the Tunisian U-23

team. New Telegraph scooped that the Gabonese are leaving no stone unturned in gathering information about the U-23 Eagles who are billed to travel to Tunis today for the friendly matches. The team under the tutelage of Samson Siasia is also scheduled to compete at the League Management Company organised Super Six tournament in Abuja. The pre-season mini tournament is aimed at putting the U-23 Eagles, the Flying Eagles and Nigeria’s representatives at the CAF Club tournaments in top shape ahead of their assignments in 2015.

igerian international, Obafemi Martins, has endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress in Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode, saying the Epeborn chartered accountant and lover of sports has the best programme for the youth. Martins, who currently plays for the Seattle Sounders FC, said he was impressed with Ambode’s vision as contained in his manifesto, to use the combined sectors of sports, entertainment and tourism to get the teeming youths of Lagos gainfully employed. The 31-year-old said he

was happy to identify with the APC campaign rally at Oworonshoki playing ground on Monday because ‘’I believe a sportsloving governor is what Mr. Ambode represents’’. Project T.H.E.S.E stands for Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Arts, Sports all representing Excellence. And Ambode, at a charity football match organised in his honour in Ikorodu recently, said: “Community sports centres and special scholarships for students who exhibit outstanding sporting skills will be encouraged in my administration. This will guarantee a new vista for job creation.”

Ahmed Saleh seeded in top three while Nigeria’s Quadri is fourth on the seeding list. In the women’s seeding, Congo Brazzaville’s Han Xing tops, followed by Egypt’s trio of Dina Meshref, Nadeed El-Dawlatly and Farah Abdel-Aziz. Other top seed players are Nigeria’s duo of Offiong Edem and Funke Oshonaike. The draw for the team event holds tomorrow, while matches serve off on Friday.

Ogun FA releases elections timetable

n line with the directives of the Nigeria Football Federation that all state associations must fill their elective positions, the Ogun State Football body has released its time table for the 2015 elections. According to Barrister Olu Alade, chairman, Ogun State Football Association, collection and submission of nomination forms has commenced on January 19 and will run till 30th and can be obtained at the FA secretariat at the MKO Abiola stadium Abeokuta. The screening of all candidates will hold at the same venue on Wednesday February 4 while all the successful candidates’ names will be displayed on the 9th February. The elections will come up on Thursday, February 19 beginning from 10am in the morning at the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja Abeokuta.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT 53

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

oe Hart remains confident that Manchester City can overturn Chelsea’s lead in the Premier League and lift a third title in four seasons, despite last Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Arsenal. “It’s the Premier League - it’s happened to us many times before when we’ve won it,” he is quoted as saying in the Manchester Evening News. “It’s happened one too many times this season, but all is not lost. “We are confident. Sometimes stuff happens - you lose games. It wasn’t down to a lack of effort or lack of ability - a penalty and a set-piece has cost us.

EPL: Hart unfazed by Chelsea’s five-point lead We have performed well for the majority of the season. Sometimes it happens, but we will bounce back. “There’s a long way to go. We’ve got Middlesbrough in the

Transfer News PSG want £112m for Marquinhos

anchester United have reportedly been M ordered to pay a world-record fee if they are to land Paris Saint-Germain

defender Marquinhos this January. Despite missing out on last summer’s World Cup in his native Brazil, 20-year-old Marquinhos has continued to grab the attention of many of European football’s elite clubs, including United who are said to be keen on signing the centre-back. However, it is claimed by The Sun that the Red Devils will have to break the bank to sign the youngster, who has been valued at £112m by PSG.

United, Chelsea want Modric

FA Cup - we are looking to win that again. That was a great feeling a couple of years ago. Then we go to Chelsea and we put right what happened on Sunday.”

anchester United and Chelsea will M both reportedly attempt to sign Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric at

Hart

League Cup: Sterling retains final hope despite draw

aheem Sterling remains confident Liverpool can reach the League Cup final following Tuesday’s 1-1 home draw with Chelsea in the semi-final first leg. Sterling, who cancelled out Eden Hazard’s opener, told the club’s official website: “Obviously we were disappointed to be 1-0 down going into the break. But the lads stuck in there really well and played some great football at times. We kept the ball really well and exploited the space. We could have gone on and won the game.

Sterling

“But it’s not the worst result - we’ll go into next week’s game fully focused, knowing we

can win there. Hopefully we’ll play our best and try to get the result. “[We have to] play our normal game, try to keep the ball, be patient and don’t try to rush things. We know we’ll get chances there. It is down to us to keep focused over the next few days and go into the Bolton game [in the FA Cup], that’s the most important one now. “Hopefully we can get the result there and then think about Tuesday when it comes. We just need to play our normal game and everything else will follow.”

Real keen on Verratti

eal Madrid are reportedly interested R in signing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti this summer.

The 22-year-old has a close relationship with Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti after playing under his fellow Italian in the French capital. Ancelotti has maintained a strong interest in the midfielder and according to Marca, the Spanish side will make a big-money offer at the end of the season.

Sampdoria close to signing Eto’o

ampdoria are confident striker Samuel Eto’o Scloses, will join them before the transfer window despite the faot the Cameroun inter-

Atletico president rules out Simeone exit A tletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo is confident that Diego Simeone will not leave the Spanish champions for at least three years. The Argentine’s work over the last couple of seasons has made him one of the most in-demand manag-

ers in European football. However, Cerezo is confident that the 44-year-old will, at the very least, see out his current deal at the Vicente Calderon. “Simeone has three years left in the contract he signed,” Cerezo told Radio Marca. “He is a gentleman

national is yet to come to an agreement with Everton to leave Goodison Park. The 33-year-old, who joined the Merseysiders just five months ago after being released by Chelsea, has reportedly agreed an 18-month deal with the Serie A outfit but he remains contracted with Everton until June 2016 and the Toffees want to find a replacement for him before any dealisconcluded,accordingtoSampsportingdirectorCarloOsti.

and a man of his word. We will have ‘Cholo’ (Simeone’s nickname) for a long time.” Simeone led Atletico to their first La Liga since 1996 last term, in addition to reaching the final of the Champions League, where they lost in extra-time to Real Madrid.

Simeone

Australian Open

Sampras‘amazed’by Federer

ete Sampras has expressed his surprise at the continued success of Roger Federer, despite his age and family commitments. Federer battled through to the third-round of the Australian Open after beating Simone Bolelli, and Sampras, a 14-time grand slam winner, has hailed the motivation of the 33-year-old father of four. He told reporters: “It’s amazing that Roger is still going. He has done everything in the game and then some, and yet he still has the motivation to travel and to win. “Am I surprised that Roger is still up there? Yes and no. I don’t doubt

Roger’s ability. That’s still there. He’s been playing well. But it’s the mental side. I’m just amazed that he still has the motivation,

Federer

that he is still travelling and still winning events.” Federer is searching for his 18th grand slam in Melbourne.

the end of the season. The Croatian initially struggled to settle at the Bernabeu after joining from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, but has since become a certain starter. A FIFA agent recently claimed that the midfielder’s wife was unhappy in Madrid, however, which has led to speculation surrounding his future. According to The Express, both Chelsea and Man United want to sign the 29-year-old, but Real Madrid will demand a figure in the region of £48m.

Williams sisters pull out of doubles

isters Venus and Serena Williams withdrew from the women’s doubles event ahead of the firstround on Wednesday. Tennis Australia failed to provide a reason for their withdrawal, although the American duo are both due to play their second-round matches in the women’s singles on Thursday. The pair were due to play 11th seeds Anabel Medina Garrigues and Yaroslava Shvedova, but their place was taken by Irina Falconi and Petra Martic, who lost the match in straight-sets. The Williams sisters have won 13 grand slam doubles titles together.

Arsenal complete Bielik move rsenal have signed teenage midfielder A Krystian Bielik from Legia Warsaw for an undisclosed fee.

The deal was announced on Wednesday after Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirmed last week that a fee had been agreed between the two clubs, and Bielik was due in London for a medical. Bielik’s move to the Premier League completes a meteoric rise for the 17-year-old, who only made his first-team debut with the Polish side in August. The youngster – who can also play in central defence – has impressed in his seven appearances for Legia in all competitions, so much so that Wenger has wasted no time in snapping him up.

Clubs not interested in Anderson

anchester United midfielder Anderson has reportedly failed M to attract a single bid this month,

despite his availability for a nominal fee. The 26-year-old has been with United since 2007 and had been tipped to become one of the best attacking midfielders in European football. The midfielder has been made available for transfer, but according to The Telegraph, United have not received a single bid this winter. Anderson has made two substitute appearances for the Premier League side this season, but has not appeared in the league since August.

SPORT

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Equatorial Guinea 2015 AFCON

Equatorial Guinea, Tunisia, Cape Verde target first win Burkina Faso W share points

oth Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso failed to help their cause in the 2015 African Cup of Nations as they played a goalless draw in a Group A match on Wednesday. Neither side could find a winner in front of a packed Bata Stadium which leaves them in a precarious position in Group A. The host nation claimed their second point of the competition after drawing 1-1 with Congo in their opening tie. Burkina Faso, on the other hand, claimed their first point of the continental tournament after losing 2-0 to Gabon in their opening encounter. The match itself was scattered with numerous wasted chances in front of goal with Burkina Faso’s Alain Traore the main culprit.

Traore’s first effort on goal was a 24-yard free-kick in the 19th minute that stung the left-hand post before bouncing away from danger. On the half hour mark Traore set-up Aristide Bance when he laid off a 22-yard free-kick, but his thundering shot was palmed away from danger by the Equatorial Guinea keeper. The host nation did not pose much threat in attack in the second half and their best chances came on the counter-attack. In the 57th minute Javier Balboa played Ellong Doualla Viera in behind the Burkina Faso defence, but his shot from 16-yards out went wide Fifteen minutes later another counter-attack by Equatorial Guinea saw Enrique Boula Senobua beat three defenders before firing wide from 18-yards out.

ith the opening-match jitters behind them, all four teams in Group B of the African Cup of Nations are looking to set themselves apart from the rest. Tunisia and Cape Verde, considered to be the strongest teams in the group, made sure that neither managed to gain an edge in the group standings with a 1-1 draw on Sunday. “The first game is always diffi-

cult,” said Tunisia coach George Leekens, whose team took a late lead before allowing an equaliser. “Everyone is a favorite at this moment. We will concentrate on the next games.” Tunisia’s next chance to earn three points will be against 2012 African Cup champion Zambia on Thursday at the new stadium in Ebebiyin. The Zambians also allowed a second-half equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Congo on Sunday.

Although Zambia won the title only three years ago, the team has brought in several new players. And the coach who led them to victory, Herve Renard, is in charge of Ivory Coast. “The most important thing is we did not lose the game,” Zambia coach Honour Janza said. “The first game is full of nerves, and we have learned one or two things. We will use it as a steppings tone for the other matches.”

Gervinho apologises for red card

vory Coast forward Gervinho has said sorry after his red card for striking Guinea defender Naby Keita in the sides’ 1-1 draw on Tuesday. “I want to apologise to the Ivory Coast nation, my teammates, the fans and the African Nations Cup organisers for this gesture of anger,” he wrote on Twitter. “It is not like me and it does not have its place on a football pitch.” A red card carries a mandatory one-match ban but the Confederation of African Foot-

ball may extend it. Usually, a dismissal for violent conduct receives at least a two-match ban at the Nations Cup but it can be as high as four if the disciplinary committee feels it deserves a more severe sanction. Former Arsenal forward Gervinho appeared to slap Keita in the 58th minute of the Group D match in Malabo in an off-the-ball incident, Ivory Coast were a goal down at the time but fought back to earn a draw despite their numerical disadvantage.

Gervinho

Mali coach questions disallowed goal

E/Guinea’s Viera Doualla (left) and Burkina Faso’s Djakaridja Kone

Fixtures and results Date

Group Teams

Time

Results

January 17 E/Guinea vs Congo 5pm Burkina Faso vs Gabon 8pm

1-1 0-2

January 18 Zambia vs DR Congo 5pm Tunisia vs Cape Verde 8pm

1-1 1-1

January 19 Ghana vs Senegal 5pm Algeria vs South Africa 8pm

1-2 3-1

January 20 Cote d’Ivoire vs Guinea 5pm Mali vs Cameroon 8pm

1-1 1 - 1

January 21 E/Guinea vs Burkina Faso 5pm Gabon vs Congo 8pm

0-0

January 22 Zambia vs Tunisia 5pm Cape Verde vs DR Congo 8pm January 23 Ghana vs Algeria 5pm South Africa vs Senegal 8pm January 24 Cote d’Ivoire vs Mali 5pm Cameroon vs Guinea 8pm January 25 Congo vs Burkina Faso 8pm Gabon vs Equatorial Guinea 8pm January 26 RD Congo vs Tunisia 8pm Cape Verde vs Zambia 8pm January 27 South Africa vs Ghana 8pm Senegal vs Algeria 8pm January 28 Cameroon vs Cote d’Ivoire 8pm

ali coach Henryk Kasperczak says he does not understand why the referee disallowed his side a second goal as their Africa Cup of Nations Group D opener against Cameroun on Tuesday finished 1-1. The Eagles were six minutes away from their first ever win over Cameroon in a raw, bruising encounter when Ambroise Oyongo struck an equaliser for the Indomitable Lions, cancelling out Sambou Yatabare’s opener. Mali, third in the last two AFCON finals, thought they had grabbed a last-minute winner when Yatabare headed in a rebound following Seydou Keita’s free kick, but the goal was ruled out af-

ter the match official adjudged him to have been off-side. “The second goal disallowed is a pity, we don’t know what was the reason,” said Kasper-

czak after the match. “It was a full game with intensity and a good rhythm. Mali showed a lot of focus with a good organisation.”

Cameroun’s Henri Bedimo (left) heads away from Mali’s Mamoutou Ndiaye

Volker: Cameroun lost concentration

ameroun coach Volker Finke has accepted that a lack of concentration from his players cost them following the 1-1 draw in their opener against Mali. Ambroise Oyongo struck six minutes from time to cancel out a second-half opener by Sambou Yatabare in a game that initially appeared set to drift towards a goalless conclusion. After the match, Volker acknowledged his players had taken their eyes off the prize. “The goal for Mali was a matter of concentration.

The players were not concentrated,” said the German coach. “The manner we played this match, especially the second half, it was the manner to win the game. “But for us this was not

Volker

bad. In the team, there is Moukandjo, Njie Clinton and Salli Edgar who are ready to play. “Against Mali, I started with Moukandjo and Salli, I found that there is no need for change. “We played with Choupo-Moting who usually play in the attack, there were also Etoundi, Aboubakar, Salli and Moukandjo who are also strikers. I played these five strikers because I wanted to win. This draw was not bad because we played for a win.” Cameroun will play their next game against Guinea on Sunday.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

Fayose’s baleful wish Thursday with Yemi YEMI AJAYI 0807 991 0957 (sms only) yemiajayi3010@yahoo.com

ou can take a man out of the bush but it is difficult to take the bush out of him. This traditional aphorism sits well with the enfant terrible Governor of Ekiti State and the self-acclaimed professor of grassroots politics, Mr. Ayodele Fayose. Like his modern day godfather, President Goodluck Jonathan, Fayose is a man who has found favour in the sight of the Lord. Such men need no one to begrudge them for their success. However, like all mortals, they often get inebriated by their good fortunes that they forget that their achievements are not a sign of any exceptional intelligence. Therefore, they carry on as if they are omniscient beings. That is what exceptional good luck does to a man. Given the circumstances of his exit from power in 2006, it would not have been foolhardy for any Nigerian, given our peculiar politics, to write off Fayose. As a governor elected on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he was run out of government for his intemperance. Perhaps, he never imagined in his life that he would get into such a plum office and despite his modest achievements in the laundry and hospitality business, Mr. Spotless was anything but spotless. He was as irreverent of institutions as he was of personalities. He brooked no opposition and was intolerant of dissent. It was no wonder that in the twilight of his four-year tenure, he incurred the wrath of the then President Olusegun Obasanjo, another strong personality who equally brooks no dissent. Obasanjo mustered state resources to ensure Fayose’s ouster from office and with his exit from power which stripped him of constitutional immunity from prosecution, he was hauled before the court on graft charges. But for the slow grinding of the wheel of justice, perhaps Fayose would

have been behind the bars by now. But those whom God loves, he redeems by giving them a second chance. After years of wandering in political wilderness, Fayose, finally, got his second chance. Despite all odds, he picked the PDP’s governorship ticket for last year’s gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, no thanks to the president who made all that possible. He also snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by defeating the incumbent, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who many had acclaimed had not only performed creditably well, but had brought panache and level-headedness to governance. Like a leopard, Fayose, since his return exactly eight years after he was booted out of power, has not changed his spot. Despite his pre-election assurances that this was a rebranded Fayose that had matured in age and had profited from his previous mistakes and that he would be different in his approach to governance during his comeback, the governor has been working hard to break his promise. He seems to be more concerned about the razzmatazz of governance that any legacy. So far, with just five months in office, there is no sign that Fayose will never change. In fact, he seems to be getting worse. If the apostle of stomach infrastructure, an expression that I first heard of from his predecessor, is not running judges out of their courtrooms, he is busy fighting lawmakers. Egged on by the federal might because of his membership of the ruling PDP, Fayose is becoming emboldened in his rascality. With a party that has a weird sense of Mathematics; where 16 is greater 19 as was seen in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) leadership crisis, Fayose who considers himself master of realpolitik, resorted to a display of brute force and intimidation to cow opposition lawmakers who dominated the state legislature.

Rather seeking a deft way of managing the legislature as was done by some of his colleagues such as former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi; Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha and his Osun State counterpart, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, who at various times during the inception of their administrations tactfully managed the opposition-dominated legislatures in their states, Fayose resorted to arms twisting, despite his belaboured series of denials, to emasculate the legislature. He has been pretending to be in control of the 26-member legislature, dominated by All Progressives Congress (APC), with the support of seven lawmakers. As if he cannot live without controversy, he has moved to his next infamy. In an advertorial published in at least two national newspapers on Monday, Fayose went overboard in his effusive show of gratitude to Jonathan who made his comeback possible. The governor, in the distasteful advert, cautioned the electorate against voting for APC presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari. The irreverent Fayose does not want Buhari to replace his godfather not because he is neither qualified nor competent to steer the ship of state at this perilous time, but because of his age and his place of birth. The advert, anchored on infantile logic, argued that at 72, Buhari could die in office just as General Murtala Muhammed, General Sani Abacha and President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua did. The trio, who died in office hailed from the North-West like Buhari. That is where the similarity ends. Muhammed, Abacha and Yar’Adua on whose earthly exit Fayose is trying to extrapolate the possible death of Buhari, if he gets into office, died under different

Without wishing him or his candidate what he wished Buhari, what guarantee does he have that either him or Jonathan will outlive the APC presidential candidate?

A day at the fuel station

Fayose

Buhari

circumstances. Muhammed, a military leader, was killed in coup; Abacha died in office of a yet-to-be disclosed cause while Yar’Adua was suffering from a kidney problem even before he was elected president in 2007. Fayose and his neophyte copywriters who were blinded by bile failed to ponder the illogicality of their arguments. They have forgotten that God in his unfathomable ways did not make age to cohere with death. That is why a man lives to be 103 years while a baby dies at child birth. Without wishing him or his candidate what he wished Buhari, what guarantee does he have that either him or Jonathan will outlive the APC presidential candidate? One also wonders how Fayose reached the conclusion that Buhari was medically unfit to be president. His doggedness to undermine the Buhari campaign for presidency seems to have led credence to the claim of APC that the fake pathology test report, supposedly emanating from a nonexistent Ahmadu Bello Teaching Hospital that Buhari is suffering from prostate cancer was concocted by the governor to drive his hate campaign. Although he is deemed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, Fayose, who was on trial for corruption before his election, has every reason to live in mortal fear of a Buhari victory in the presidential poll. With his fabled anti-corruption image, the possibility of a Buhari presidency forebodes danger for many, especially those in government. That is why the PDP has embarked on a futile campaign to dent such perception by raking up the report on the PTF probe. The advert is not only as repugnant as it is irresponsible; it promotes hate against the North-West. No wonder all right-thinking people and organisations, including the PDP, Jonathan’s presidential campaign organisation, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and of course, expectedly, the APC, have thumbed down this infantile campaign. Well, Fayose has said he owes nobody apology for his hate campaign, but he must be made to realise that there is a limit to everything, even in madness. He needs to be to be called to order and immediately too.

hree days after the Federal Government’s decision to cut the pump price of petrol by N10 per litre, many marketers are yet to adjust their dispensing machines to reflect the new price regime. But I don’t blame them. I blame motorists willing to buy petrol at the old price of N97 per litre. On Tuesday night, I was at Conoil Filling Station on College Road, Ifako, Lagos, to fill the tank of my car. I had primed myself for a fight should the filling station sell fuel above the new pump price of N87 per litre. After filling my car’s tank at N97 per litre, the fuel attendant was unprepared for my reaction when it was time for payment. I simply asked him to call the manager for me to justify why I had to pay N97 per litre when we all knew that the Federal Government had reduced the price. In a low tone that suggested he knew that the filling station was cheating motorists, he told me the manager

was not around. I gave him another choice: report me to the nearest police station so we could settle the matter. I had started creating a scene and other motorists were getting impatient to be attended to. To cut a long story short, a man suddenly materialised wanting to know what the problem was. I patiently explained to him after he had identified himself as a top official of the filling station that there was no reason I would pay their pump price for the fuel I had bought. After rambling about why they had not adjusted the pump price, he gladly accepted my term of payment. But to my chagrin, I just discovered that other motorists were paying N97 per litre without protest despite witnessing my interaction with the fuel attendants. Our penchant not to want to stand up to cheats, either in government or in the private sector, has led us to the cul-de-sac we have found ourselves as a nation.

On Marble

When a woman is talking to you, listen to what she says with her eyes. – Victor Hugo

Yemi Ajayi

Sanctity of Truth

Fayose’s baleful wish

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PDP, APC tearing the country for vote

he second President of the United States, John Adams concerned about the growing polarization of the country into two main political parties,(the Republicans and the Democrats) expressed the following fears that “there is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.” Centuries later, President Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States can easily confirm that John Adam’s fear has come to pass. Politically and electorally speaking, the citizens of the United States of America are today divided into two, the Republicans and Democrats. This is notwithstanding the fact that the country’s constitution recognizes the existence of plural political parties. When Nigeria at a constituent assembly ahead of the Second Republic agreed to borrow the presidential system of government, the intention was not to borrow such division that President Adams noted was the greatest political evil under the constitution. The driving objective then was to institute a strong democratic structure. When some political parties announced the formation of a mega party to provide formidable opposition to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party PDP, many political watchers welcomed it because of the importance of strong opposition in deepening the political system. The political romance later gave birth to the All Progressive Congress APC which has since provided a solid base for the opposition politicians. Their entry into the wide political terrain expectedly changed the polity and has along with the ruling PDP galvanized the populace ahead of the 2015 poll. The concern however is that Adam’s fear for USA is becoming real in Nigeria as the country is visibly polarized into APC and PDP even down to the family level. On March 06, 2014, in this space, I had some discourse on the two political parties when I asked “ Is APC the Alternative?” The article which reproduced below is even more apt today than it was almost a year ago. At a television viewing centre in one of the Abuja social gardens, a football/ politics debate ensued. The audience numbering about 30 was watching the final of Nigeria Under-17 World Cup. The unanimity of the audience in support of their country was very glaring; no dissenting voice. But something happened at half-time that changed all that. A commercial was placed by a pro- Jonathan group flashing goodluck severally obviously to remind viewers that the certain victory of the boys had some “goodluck” touch to it. The advert did not say anything of such but the irritating way it was flashed on the screen connoted it. Trust highly discerning minds who will not allow such pass by; one viewer immediately rained abuses on the advertis-

Political Musings IKE ABONYI igwebuike2001@yahoo.com 08024024029 (sms only)

Jonathan

Buhari

ers. He extended his abuse to President Goodluck Jonathan – some unprintable words for trying to reap where he did not sow. The angered viewer claimed Jonathan was not doing sufficiently well to have deserved taking credit for the boys’ victory. But pro-Jonathan people at the viewing centre would not allow the abuse go unchallenged. One of them shouted back at the critic claiming there indeed were some elements of Goodluck in the whole thing. “Under Jonathan we won the African Nations Cup in South Africa and now Under-17 World Cup and you don’t want to give him some credit”, he argued stoutly. But the anti-Jonathan voice would not allow it. “Don’t worry; we’ll throw him out in 2015”. Who will do that, the Jonathan man interjected? “APC,” shouted another voice. At this point the argument was getting rancorous. Politics firmly took over proceedings and nobody bothered to listen to the half-time analysis of Nigeria’s armchair sports writers. One man stood up claiming to be neither for PDP nor APC and began his lecture that kept all the audience spellbound. His deep voice coupled with some good oratory helped in capturing the attention of the audience. My brothers, he intoned, “do not allow these people, these thieves deceive you, there is really no difference between PDP and APC. Their quarrel is not about me and you; it is about their individual interests. Under Jonathan

we are already in frying pan. Would you want us to go further into the fire? All, including pro-Jonathan football enthusiasts shouted no! God forbid. At this point the second- half resumed and politics gave way to football. But as a political observer, I took home a number of things from the viewing center. Nigerians want a change but have not really found an alternative. That Nigerians are in dire need of change from the ruling PDP is real, but also real is the fact that the main opposition party, the APC despite all their huffing and puffing has not been found to be the alternative. A key question arises: why has the APC, despite their compelling opposition struggle, not measured up as the acceptable, desired alternative for a country in need of change? To answer the question, it might be necessary to look briefly at why the people are fed up with the ruling party. Easily, the point to pin down against the PDP is the arrogance that has made it place the people’s opinion in whatever they do as inconsequential, apparently because they got to power without them. This is notwithstanding its name – “Peoples Democratic Party” and its slogan – “power to the people”. Lack of internal party democracy which is key to any party discipline is also an issue the PDP has failed to achieve over the years. The endless, rancorous nature of the party which is a product of lack of rule of law and discipline have all com-

bined to dent the party’s reputation in the eyes of political observers especially as it has impacted negatively on the larger political environment. Will APC not be better? Is the mega opposition party not different; have they not said they would right all the wrongs? Why are they not being seen as the party waiting to take power in 2015? Answers to the foregoing questions are many. They have not shown that fundamentally they are different from the PDP. On the internal party discipline, the feelers from the APC have not been encouraging. Even without presidential power, Aswaju Bola Tinubu and retired General Muhammadu Buhari have carried on more like emperors than party leaders. The desperation shown by the party in chase of aggrieved members of the ruling PDP and the quirky way they treated their original members in Kwara, Kano, Adamawa and Sokoto clearly gave them away as leaders who could be despots in power. If PDPas has been rightly observed over the years as made up of strange bed fellows, assembled hurriedly to satisfy the outgoing military in 1999, then APC looks worse. Many political observers still doubt the workability of a Tinibu and a Buhari given their extreme positions on the issue of corruption which must be tackled squarely by anybody aiming to diminish the ruling PDP. If PDP through its infamous “family affair” crisis resolution strategy has mastered certain ways to handle some often self-inflicted crises, APC may yet need some tutorials to get to that point. The public perception of their onesidedness, especially in religion and geo-political configurations, puts some question mark on the reputation of their national character. But one big credit must be given to the APC – it has successfully elevated opposition politics to an enviable level that has helped to tame PDP’s arrogance. If Benjamin Disraeli was right in 1844 when he said that “no government can be long secure without formidable opposition”, he probably had the likes of APC in mind. But whoever emerges in opposition at the end of this battle in 2015, must note Lyndon Baines’ advice in his book ‘Man and President’ where he admonished that “the role of minority party is to hammer out a programme that will solve the problems of America not just obstruct the work of the majority party”. As Jo Lohor departs this earth. In 1987 at the NYSC camp in Kano state I met Josephine Lohor, a young beautiful Plateau girl. After the orientation we were posted to serve in Triumph Newspaper in Kano. The company provided us with residential building where five of us lived. Josephine’s room was next to mine. After the service, we dispersed only to meet again years later in THISDAY Newspaper. This great friend, journalist and mother died January 8, 2015, and has been laid to rest. She was exceptionally a humble woman, many who came across her would miss her, may her soul rest in peace.

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