Tuesday, 17 february, 2015 binder1

A media partner of Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS /newtelegraph

Vol. 2 No. 363

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

Appeal Court upholds Fayose's gubernatorial victory }12

Fuel subsidy hits N26.21 per litre

39 days to go...

lInflation rises to 8.2% in January Adeola Yusuf and Abdulwahab Isa

T

he Open Market Price (OMP) of petrol yesterday rose to N103.21 per litre, ow-

ing to the price of crude oil, which rose above $60 a barrel for the first time this year.

The new OMP shows that the Federal Government will have to pay N26.21 as subsidy to main-

Nigeria Nigeria votes votes

tain the regulated price of the commodity at N87 per litre.

2015

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

ANALYSIS: Obasanjo desecrates statesmanship

15 20}14 & 15

}2

PDP, it's over lEx-President Obasanjo dumps ruling party, tears membership card lYou're fired, Ogun chapter tells him lHe is an embarrassment to the military, says DHQ }2 The bull finally out of the China's shop MAN IN THE NEWS Ayodele Ojo

A

t last, former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday bid the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) farewell. He left not without some histri-

Quick Read Editorial

Need to regulate housing development }19

Obasanjo

NNPC audit: Group commends FG, Madueke }8

onics. Obasanjo, who had gradually withdrawn from party activities since he quit his position as chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of PDP, before the full glare of journalists CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Travel Advisory Your guide to local and international flights 4

2

News

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ex-president Obasanjo dumps ruling party Kunle Olayeni, Emmanuel Onani and Onyekachi Eze

T

he 16-year membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday ended on a dramatic note: he tore his membership card to signify his parting of ways with the party on whose platform he was president for eight years.

The party's former Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman quit the party after his prolonged criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Obasanjo, who announced his decision to

withdraw his membership of the PDP during a visit to his Hilltop mansion in Abeokuta by party leaders from his Ward 11 in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, who were led by the party's Ward Chairman, Alhaji Usman Oladunjoye, however, said he would not join any other party and would prefer to remain a statesman.

He also denied the allegation by Jonathan administration that he (Obasanjo) was plotting to head an interim government.

His exit marked the climax of the running battle between Obasanjo and Jonathan, as well as the PDP leadership.

Obasanjo, who formally resigned as PDP BoT Chairman on April 4, 2012, had continued to make scathing public comments against the Jonathan administration.

The former president, who had earlier written an open letter to Jonathan accusing him of promoting tribalism, condoning corruption and training snipers, had recently been hobnobbing with chieftains of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

New Telegraph gathered that Obasanjo's decision was to pre-empt the state chapter of the PDP from expelling him from the party.

But, addressing a delegation of his ward yes-

terday, Obasanjo said he had chosen to become a statesman after quitting the PDP. He said: "It is because we have Nigeria that's why PDP exists. Without Nigeria, there will be no PDP anymore. What some of us should be concerned is how to make Nigeria stronger and our economy would witness growth.

"They said they wanted to expel me from PDP; although I have not been told, I have my ears to the ground. We have been trying to run away from a mad man, but he pleads with us to wait for him at the other side of the river.

"I've told you before that I became president on the platform of PDP. So, once I

leave PDP, I will never join another party. I will only be a Nigerian. I'm ready to work with anybody regardless of his political affiliation, but all of us must have our permanent voter cards."

The meeting, however, turned dramatic when the former president ordered Oladunjoye to tear his (Obasanjo) PDP membership card in public.

"Why would some people say they want to send somebody away? They don't need to bother themselves expelling me. This is your party membership card. Take it," Obasanjo said as he flung the card on the floor.

Oladunjoye tore the PDP membership card to

L-R: All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari and Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, acknowledging cheers from the crowd during Buhari's campaign rally in Maiduguri...yesterday.

Obasanjo desecrates statesmanship

F

ormer Head of State and one of the founding pillars of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has lately been displaying acts that are contradictory to his status as a statesman of international repute and ex-leader of this country. His utterances are very antithetical to the dignity, respect and candour of the office he once occupied.

Obasanjo’s hypercritical attitude towards President Goodluck Jonathan in recent times contradicts the clout and influence that a person of his stand-

issue in the news ing should wield. It speaks volumes of personal animosity and hatred to the person of Nigeria’s current leader. His grouse about Jonathan remains a mystery as nobody can forthrightly tell the world what his “victim” must have done to him.

The PDP is not synonymous with Jonathan. It is the collectivisation of multifarious individuals who are driven by a common goal. So, the party cannot be interchangeable with the president or indeed any other person. The whole must be bigger

than the part. It will be quite instructive if Obasanjo could internalise this irreducible fact. The PDP is about people—not about Jonathan or any entity. This is what makes the party unique and drives it to the consternation of the fledgling opposition.

Definitely, it would be a great service to the country and humanity if Obasanjo could make statesmanship a canon of his attitudinal disposition. Cantankerousness from a man of his reputational pedigree diminishes him and draws sym-

pathy for the transformative icon at the receiving end.

Statesmanship is everything in the life of any individual and nation. From the way Obasanjo is going, he may end up squandering all the goodwill he had garnered even before the advent of the president.

It must be pointed out that there are channels for addressing sore issues, especially when they involve a former and sitting president.

Making a public jest of either himself or the president leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Obasanjo and other former leaders of the country have decent and dignified

ways of communicating with the present occupant of the office they had once occupied. Sharing oppositional party cards in the full glare of the public or perpetually making unguarded statements that reek of vitriolic is absolutely infradig and embarrassing to a person of Obasanjo’s status in our society and the international community.

Right now, the impression being created, unwittingly, by Obasanjo is that Jonathan may have embarrassingly turned down some of his copious requests hence the interminable bickering and bad belle! Just perhaps!

shreds to a loud applause of the party members.

After the tearing of his card, the former president said: "From today on, in the presence of all of you and with your support, I'm not going to be a member of any political party in Nigeria. I'm no more a politician; I'm a statesman both internally and externally.

"The issue that they want to expel me from the party, once you my people are with me, what else would I be looking for?

And on the day of election, that permanent voter cards, whatever it takes all of us, we must obtain it. You don't need to be a member of political party before you get your PVC. "On the day of the election, you can vote your choice, but I will vote those that will repair Nigeria and not those who would spoil it. I will not vote for drug addicts. I will not vote for those that will destroy Nigeria.

"This Nigeria belongs to all of us and it must not be destroyed. This is my PDP membership card.

Where I'm standing is that Nigeria belongs to everybody, including babies. We must not allow anybody to destroy it wherever they come from, whatever they have and if they destroy it, it becomes our burden, that of our children and incoming generation.

"The question asked is that which party am I? I belong to the group that believes that Nigeria must not be destroyed. Those of you that are marketers, you observed that there's inflation in the market.

The bureau de change operators exchange dollars with N150 then and is going to be N250 to a dollar.

"What it means is that what you've been buying for N150 will be bought for N250; this is not the kind of country we dream of.

"There's no job, no employment. Some people have started destroying Nigeria and I will never be in a party that will destroy Nigeria. Perhaps, you don't understand that it is because there is Nigeria that is why PDP exists.

Without Nigeria, there will be no PDP anymore."

On the charge by the presidency that he was plotting to head an interim government, Obasanjo said the allegation was baseless.

The former president said it was Jonathan that was plotting to foist an interim government on the nation.

He said: "How can anybody in his right senses talk of interim government in a constitutional CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

News

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

3

Troops recapture Monguno, Marte others -DHQ lInsurgents attack Cameroon army base Emmanuel Onani Abuja

T

he Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the liberation of Monguno, Marte and its environs from Boko Haram.

The recaptured towns are all in Borno State, the hotbed of insurgency in the North East.

It noted that the successful military operation was carried out by troops, who were backed by highly-coordinated air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force.

The disclosure was contained in a statement signed yesterday by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade.

Olukolade further noted that in the course of the operation, many Boko Haram fighters, as well as truckloads of food items and other logistics meant for delivery to sect members said to be operating around Baga, were captured by troops.

He added that the casualty figure and equipment seized, will be made available after completion of the ongoing cordon and search operation in the environs.

The statement reads: "Troops in a military operation spearheaded by highly coordinated air assaults have completed the mission of clearing terrorists from Monguno and environs this morning.

"A number of terrorists, as well as truckloads of rice, beans and other logistics meant for resupply to the terrorists operating around Baga have been captured in the course of operation.

"Casualty inflicted and arms recovered as well as other outcome of the operation in Munguno, Marte and other communities already secured, will be determined after the ongoing cordon and search in the environs.

"The air and land operation is continuing with aggressive advance towards other designated communities and locations meant to be cleared in the ongoing offensive against the terrorists."

A military source, who spoke in confidence, said more territories will soon be liberated, ahead of the March 28 rescheduled presidential election.

He revealed that the Monguno mission "took less than 48 hours to accomplish."

However, the insurgents attacked a Cameroon military camp near the

town of Waza in the north of Cameroon, wounding several soldiers, an army spokesman said on Monday.

"The wounded are being evacuated. The insurgents have been stopped.

An APC (armoured personnel carrier) was taken from them and several of them were killed," a Cameroonian military officer told journalists in Maroua, adding the incident was continuing.

Earlier this month, Boko Haram fighters killed more than 100 people in the northern Cameroon town of Fotokol, including residents inside their homes and a mosque, a

local political leader said.

The attack came when Cameroon hosted a meeting to discuss combating the expanding insurgency.

Representatives from the Economic Community of Central African States discussed how to confront Boko Haram during a meeting Monday in the Cameroonian capital, Yaounde.

Muslims are “paying the highest price” as victims of Boko Haram attacks, Cameroon’s President Paul Biya said at the start of the meeting.

Gombe State has relaxed a 24-hour curfew on Monday after a series of Boko Haram attacks and

bombings over the weekend.

The curfew in Gombe will now run from 8p.m. to 6a.m., said Abubakar Sule Bage, secretary to the state government.

Meanwhile, Chad launched a U.S.-backed counter-terrorism exercise yesterday grouping 1,300 soldiers from 28 African and Western countries, billing it as a warm-up for an offensive against Nigerian Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram.

The "Flintlock" manoeuvres unfold as Chad and four neighbouring states prepare a taskforce to take on Boko Haram.

The terrorists carried

out an attack on a Cameroon military camp on Monday.

The annual Flintlock exercises, which began in 2005, aim to improve cross-border military cooperation in Africa's arid Sahel belt, a region prey to al Qaeda-linked and homegrown Islamists, separatist insurgents and criminal trafficking gangs.

"This exercise takes place in a regional environment with major security issues posed by terrorists, in particular Boko Haram," Chadian Brigadier General Zakaria Ngobongue, the director of the exercise, said in a speech at a ceremony to launch

Flintlock.

"This exercise to a large extent can be considered a warm-up to enable our special forces to learn techniques in the fight against terrorism," he said.

More than 250 U.S. troops will take part in the exercise. Its objectives include intelligence-sharing, training for patrols, desert survival techniques, airborne operations and marksmanship, a U.S. military spokesman said.

In an effort to improve communications between regional armies, he said, the U.S. military will leave communications equipment behind after the exercises end on March 9.

President Goodluck Jonathan (right) and President, ECOWAS Commission, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, during a visit by a delegation of the commission to Jonathan in Abuja… yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

NERC amends 1,200mw power plant licence lFG to boost power with 500mw from coal Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

T

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued four on-grid licenses to Zuma Energy Nigeria Limited to operate a combined 1,200 Megawatts (MW) power plant at Itobe, Kogi State.

Each unit of the power plant has capacity to generate 300MW. In a statement issued by NERC Head, Public Affairs Department, Dr. Usman Abba, the Zuma's licence is an amendment to an earlier one issued in 2011. The amendment is to enable it assign the licence to four different special purpose vehicles (SPVs) and ease of project finance.

NERC's Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, said that

Zuma Energy was a major stakeholder and a pathfinder in coal-powered generation which is guiding Nigeria towards diversifying electricity generation.

He said: "The beauty of Zuma licence is that it is guiding Nigeria towards diversifying power generation."

In line with the Transitional Electricity Market stage recently declared by the Commission, Amadi urged Zuma Energy to work towards securing a power purchase agreement through the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading so that it could commence operations in not too distant time.

He advised the company to expedite actions on its construction work with the same vigour with which it pursue its licences and make electricity available

to Nigerians through the power plants.

The four entities are Itobe 1, 300mw; Itobe 2, 300mw; Itobe 3, 300mw and Itobe 4, 300mw all are coal powered plants.

Managing Director, Zuma Energy Power Ltd., Dr. Innocent Ezuma, said that the amendment to an earlier licence which led to issuance of four different licences was for ease of implementation.

“With this subdivision, it means we can commence work on two plants simultaneously," he said.

Four Commissioners of NERC, Dr. Steven Andzenge- Legal, Licensing and Enforcement; Engr.

Mrs Mary Awolokun- Engineering Standards and Safety; Dr. Abba IbrahimGovernment and Consumer Affairs; and Mr. Patrick Umeh- Finance

and Management Services took turn to advise the company on the need to expedite action in realising the economic value of the licences.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has stated that the Federal Government would boost the power at the national grid with 500MW from coal very soon.

The minister spoke at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 500MW coalfired power plant in Enugu by One Nation Energy Platform Ltd. He stated that Nigeria is blessed with abundance of coal deposits, with Enugu being the hub.

At the event, the minister signed on behalf of the Federal Government while the Chairman, One

Nation Energy Platform Ltd, Chief (Dr.) Uzoma Obiyo signed on behalf of his company. The present power at the national grid was less than 4000mw since four years ago.

According to the minister, the additional 500mw to the national grid is expected to be realised from the agreement with One Nation Energy Platform Ltd. He described it as a welcome development for government’s quest for a robust energy mix that would support the nation’s aspiration for development of the power sector.

In a statement issued by the Ministry's Deputy Director Press, Grace Njoku, the minister noted that the coal-power project will provide stable power, devoid of challenges of sabotage from vandals.

4

Travel Advisory

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule Air France

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

Flight No. AF 513 AF 3822 AF514 AF513 AF514 AF3849

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

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

Amsterdam-Lagos Lagos-Amsterdam

KL587 KL588

13:15hrs 23:05hrs

20:00hrs 05:50hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York

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

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

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

BRITISH AIRWAYS

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

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

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS

16:00hrs

Lagos-Kigali

11:15hrs

16:45hrs

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

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

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

14:00hrs

17:30hrs

22:35hrs 15:10hrs

06:00hrs 21:20hrs

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

hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

01:00hrs

hrs

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Doha Flight Doha-Lagos Flight

QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415

14:55hrs 07:20hrs

23:45hrs 13:35hrs

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

DL053 DL 054

22:15hrs 5:15hrs

05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Madrid Madrid-Lagos

IB 3337 IB 3336

22:55hrs 16:00hrs

5:25+1hrs 20:20hrs

Lagos-Casablanca Casablanca-Lagos

AT738 AT 737

06:25hrs 02:15hrs

09:55hrs 6:00hrs

air maroc

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

12:30hrs

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

IBERIA

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

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

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

MEA 571 MEA 572

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

to Lagos)

UNITED AIRLINES

17:00hrs 4:40hrs

KQ 533 KQ 534

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

DELTA AIRLINES

11:00hrs 22:40hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

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

QATAR AIRWAYS

VS 652 VS 651

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

BA075 BA074 BA 082 BA 083

EMIRATES AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos

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

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

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

VIRGIN ATLANTIC

RwandAir

Kigali-Lagos

Turkish Airlines

Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

Air Côte d'Ivoire Lagos to Abidjan Abidjan to Lagos

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

ASKY AIRLINES

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

10:10hrs

10:50hrs

19:20hrs

21.50hrs

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

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

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

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

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

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE ARIK AIR

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

AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE

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

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

FIRST NATION AIRWAYS

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

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

AEROCONTRACTORS

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

MEDVIEW AIRLINES

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

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

News

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

The bull finally out of the China's shop CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

at his Abeokuta home, directed his ward chairman, Alhaji Sunmonu Oladunjoye, to tear his membership card of the party to seal his severance of relationship with PDP, on whose platform he ruled Nigeria for eight.

Obasanjo joined PDP in 1998 after his release from the prison, where the late military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, hauled him into on the pretext that he was

plotting to overthrow the deceased dictator.

He was a reluctant aspirant and had asked those who had come to beg him to join PDP and vie for its presidential ticket that he was more interested in resting and rebuilding his business empire that was in a shambles following his incarceration.

But his candidacy was a settled issue between the military and political establishments out to pacify the South-

West that was angered by the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely acknowledged to have been won by Chief Moshood Abiola, who died in custody. Obasanjo had his say; but the nation's decision makers had their way and on a platter, the former head of state got the PDP's presidential ticket after defeating former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme, at the party's Jos convention

in 1999. He went on to trounce his kinsman and joint presidential candidate of the All Peoples Party (APP)/ Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Olu Falae, to become the first president of Nigeria's Fourth Republic that emerged after 15 years of military interregnum.

Throughout his eight years as president, in which position he doubled as the leader of the party, Obasanjo

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan (left) with the new supervising Minister of Information, Chief Edem Duke, at his first meeting with heads of parastatals and agencies under the ministry in Abuja …yesterday

PDP: We're saddened by Obasanjo's exit CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

setting? Where is it in the constitution? Some of them are working for it.

God will not allow them."

However, shortly after Obasanjo denounced the party, the Ogun State chapter of PDP said he was expelled and had been excommunicated from the party.

The party added that based on correspondence from Obasanjo's ward, it had since last Thursday suspended the former president for alleged antiparty activities.

The state PDP Chairman, Chief Adebayo Dayo, told reporters yesterday in Abeokuta that the activities and utterances of Obasanjo were unbecoming of "a highly celebrated party man."

He added that the PDP would not miss the exit of the former president, whom he described as "lacking electoral value."

He said though the PDP leadership had been managing Obasanjo over the years, the party was constrained to sanction

him because of his "numerous anti-party activities and uncomplimentary utterances targeted at the leader of the party, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan."

Dayo also disowned Oladunjoye as the PDP chairman in Obasanjo's ward, saying he (Oladunjoye) had long defected to APC. According to him the chairman for Ward 11 is Yusuf Olaleye.

But the national secretariat of the party expressed sadness over Obasanjo's exit from PDP. The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, said it examined the circumstances and reasons given by the former president for leaving the party but conceded to his inalienable rights to hold opinion and to decide who to associate with.

"We are however deeply saddened that Chief Obasanjo, a revered leader of our party, our first presidential flag bearer whom the PDP offered the plat-

form to rule our nation for eight years, could decide to abandon this party at this critical point in time.

"This is especially as Chief Obasanjo, who was also the Chairman of the highest advisory organ of the PDP, the Board of Trustees (BoT) discountenanced all pleas by elders and leaders of our great party with regard to his reservations on certain issues within our fold.

"Many Nigerians are still bewildered as to what manner of provocation could have led a former president to lose his composure and go to the extent of tearing the membership card of the party that he once led.

Indeed, the PDP is hugely at loss as to how the decision and action of the former president who had enjoyed the benefits of being elected to the highest position of leadership will assist in deepening our democracy and stabilising the polity," it said.

The PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation

described as provocative and unacceptable the public tearing of Obasanjo's membership card of the party.

Director of the campaign organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, said in a statement that while Obasanjo was free to leave the party, he should have done so with decorum.

“This knee-jerk reaction is most unlike President Obasanjo and it is very insulting. It is clear that he has burnt all the bridges and that he has left us forever.

“On a personal note, I feel saddened by this but the truth is that many in our party have heaved a huge sigh of relief. Many of us love President Obasanjo and we shall continue to do so regardless of whether he is in our party or not but tearing up that party card was too much to bear.

“It spoke volumes and it was indicative of the deep hatred and contempt that he has for us and our cause,” he added.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

ran PDP like a personal fiefdom. He words were laws and he changed party chairmen as a nursing mother changes diapers. His deleterious influence seeped to the legislative arm of government where he turned the leadership of the two chambers of the National Assembly to a game of musical chair. In all, the Senate produced five presidents in his eight-year tenure.

Obasanjo did not spare his deputy, Atiku Abubakar. For Obasanjo, Atiku would never succeed him. And he frustrated Atiku’s efforts until the former vice president was forced out of the PDP. Like one operating a fiefdom, Obasanjo ensured several political heavyweights were expelled from the PDP. Even sitting governors were not spared. Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, and several others were forced out of the PDP by Obasanjo.

PDP governors such as Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Rashidi Ladoja and others were impeached using federal and state agents just because they had differences with Obasanjo.

In the last sunset of his second term, Obasanjo, in a desperate bid to remain relevant in the party, masterminded the amendment to the PDP Constitution so that only a former president would be eligible to chair the party's BoT. It was a perfect coup for him to unseat his political ally, Chief Tony Anenih, who occupied the position then. As the only former president of the party after the completion of his tenure, Obasanjo had guaranteed himself a permanent place for some years in the running of the party. Although the BoT is an advisory organ of the party, given Obasanjo's domineering personality, he was assured of prominence in the party despite quitting his position as party leader after his presidency.

However, his coup against Anenih did not last as Obasanjo, having seen that PDP was poised to rework its constitution to expunge his obnoxious amendment, resigned as BoT chairman in 2012. After prolonged power game in the party, Anenih in 2013 regained his position.

5

Since his exit as BoT chair, Obasanjo had maintained a lukewarm attitude towards the PDP. Besides, he had become the greatest critic of his predecessors, the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and the incumbent, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, whose ascension to power he masterminded.

Also in 2013, he withdrew from party activities. In a letter addressed to the then National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Obasanjo said he could not stomach a situation where a man allegedly wanted for drug offence in the United States, Mr. Buruji Kashamu, would be his party leader in the South-West.

Obasanjo’s stay in the PDP was eventful.

He militarised the party to the extent that internal democracy became an aberration.

But before he called it quits as BoT chairman, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) removed Obasanjo's loyalists in the NWC, to further stoke his anger against the party. Former governors of Osun and Ekiti states, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Chief Segun Oni respectively, were sacked.

In one of his attack on Jonathan, the former president wrote a letter to him, accusing the president of corruption, training snipers and fanning the embers of ethnicity. Jonathan fired back and berated his benefactor for his attacks on his person and administration.

But Obasanjo never stopped attacking Jonathan. At every opportunity, he launched broadsides against the president. Even on Saturday, Obasanjo accused Jonathan of plotting to cling to power.

His residence in Abeokuta became a Mecca of sort for PDP and All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership.

And on Monday, the curtain fell on Obasanjo’s PDP membership.

To the uninitiated, Obasanjo has opted to be a statesman than a politician. But to those who know, his exit is a big bang amidst loud silence. It is a climax to the irreconcilable differences that have developed between him and his godson, Jonathan.

Perhaps, with his exit, the PDP may get the peace it craves for by taming the power of its leader in party affairs.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

George, Babatope, others want Jega removed lNothing new in their allegation, says INEC

Onyekachi Eze and Wale Elegbede

T

he South West Presidential Contact Committee Group of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega of partisanship in the distribution of the Permanent Voters' Cards (PVCs).

The group, which met in Lagos State, said in a communique issued at the end of the meeting that: "In the light of the deliberate, overt and tendentious policies of Professor Attahiru Jega pertaining to his partisan gestures, nuances, conflicting protestations and, most especially, his overwhelming partiality in the distribution of the Permanent Voters’ Cards to the detriment and marginalisation of about 16 million eligible voters of South-West, we, the South-West Presidential Contact Committee Group, hereby appropriately resolves that Prof.

Attahiru Jega, having

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failed decisively in his appointed role of a neutral, non-partisan electoral umpire, should hereby be removed forthwith for gross dereliction of duty and deliberate partisan complicity."

But INEC said there was nothing new in the allegation.

Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu, in an interview, challenged the PDP group to come up with facts and figures to prove their allegations.

Also, the group said the recent barrage of attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan by former

President Olusegun Obasanjo, was only a ploy to provoke the collapse of the nation’s democracy.

In a communiqué issued after its meeting yesterday in Lagos, the committee accentuated that President Goodluck Jonathan deserves the support of all well-mean-

ing Nigerians in the arduous challenges of nation building.

Notable members of the committee present at the meeting include: Chief Olabode George, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Maj. Gen. A.T. Olanrewaju, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Chief Ebenezer

Babatope, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, Senator Olayinka Omilani, among others.

The 10-point communiqué also addressed issues of the rescheduled polls, stating that it is cruel and unforgiving to intimate that the rescheduling of the election date was done to favour the PDP.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Public Service Office, Mr. Lekan Akodu; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba and Special Adviser on Media to the governor, Mr. Hakeem Bello, at a press conference to announce the appointment of Mrs. Folashade Sherifat Jaji as new head of service in Lagos…yesterday.

You're fired, Ogun chapter tells Obasanjo CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Secretary to the PDP BoT, Senator Jibril Wali, however, said Obasanjo failed to comply with the party's rules and procedure on resigning from the party.

According to him, as a former BoT chairman, Obasanjo should have known the right thing to do.

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters has criticised the former president, saying conduct and unguarded utterances have fallen short of the standard of discipline expected of a General.

It said in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, Obasanjo's recent negative comments about the military were far from being “noble”.

It dismissed Obasanjo's claim that the service chiefs were being used to plot tenure extension and force the postponement of the general elections.

It said the former president was only playing to the gallery or indulging in politicisation of serious national security affairs.

"The leadership and cross-section of the military believes that the for-

mer president and retired General has every right to be interested in the actions and fate of the military. Hence, his views like many others will continue to be accorded the welldeserved attention. It is however noteworthy that most of his utterances lately indicate an attitude

of playing to the gallery or indulging in politicisation of serious national security or military affairs.

“For instance, the comments credited to Chief Obasanjo alleging that the postponement of the general elections was to enable President Jonathan to

use the service chiefs to plot a tenure extension is to say the least, very surprising. It is surprising indeed, considering the fact that the retired General chose to ignore the clarification and emphatic assurances of non-partisanship of the military as declared in

a DHQ statement on the position of the armed forces in the ongoing political activities. His motive as usual remains unknown but it is certainly less than noble or well intentioned. We dare say again that Chief Obasanjo’s assertions are false," DHQ added.

Inflation rises to 8.2% in January CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

If the prices of oil continue to rise at the international market, the government, which budgeted N200 billion as subsidy in the 2015 budget, would pay more for grant on the products to marketers. Nigeria consumes over 40 million litres of fuel daily.

New Telegraph gathered from the website of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulating Agency (PPPRA) yesterday that the high price of the crude has also raised the landing cost of petrol to N87.72 per litre.

Going by the agency’s last updated market template on Saturday, February 14, the government is recording a loss of N26.21 per litre of petrol due to the surge in crude price at the international market.

"The PPPRA product pricing template for PMS based on average Platts' Prices for the 13th February, 2015 with average exchange rate of naira to dollar for 13 February, 2015, shows that the landing cost N87.72. This is made up of N77.27 cost of product, storage charge of N3.00, jetty depot of N0.80, financing cost of N0.78, Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) cost of N0.67 and lightering expenses, which is N3.92 trader," the PPPRA's website stated yesterday.

"These are added to the distribution margins, comprising N4.60 retailer margin, N2.99 transporters margin, dealers margin of N1.75, bridging fund of N5.85, marine transport average (mta) of N0.15, admin charge of N0.15

and sub-total margins of N15.49 to make the total cost of N103.21 per litre, while the retail price remains at N87 per litre," it added.

The Federal Government on January 18, slashed the price of fuel from N97 per litre to N87 per litre.

The reduction followed the crash in the price of crude in the international market, which then fell below N50 per litre.

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said inflation had risen marginally in January to settle at 8.2 per cent (year-0n-year), indicating 0.2 per cent points from 8.0 per cent it attained in December.

The agency, while announcing the current

inflation figure yesterday in its monthly data, said food prices increased at the same pace in January as recorded in December at 9.2 per cent.

It said most groups that contributed to the food sub-index increased at a faster pace during the month. However, the bureau noted that rise was countered by slower rises in the fish, fruit, “coffee, tea and cocoa” and soft drinks groups.

“Food prices measured by the Food Sub-index held at roughly the same pace of increase in January as in December, while on the aggregate, upward pressure on the Headline index was largely as a result of increasing divisions that contribute to the core sub-index”, said NBS.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2015

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ECOWAS cautions Jonathan, Buhari on hate speeches Anule Emmanuel

T

he Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has cautioned the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC, President Goodluck Jonathan and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to refrain from hate speeches capable of overheating the polity.

Commissioner for

Political Affairs, Peace and Security at the commission, Salamatu Suleiman, made the disclosure while speaking with State House correspondents, shortly after the commission’s team visited President Jonathan at the presidential villa.

He said : “The President (Ouedraogo) said the observers went to all the different geopolitical zones and they made observations on issues relating to distribution of Permanent Voter

Cards and other issues.

“These issues as the President said, we deemed necessary to share with the President of the country (Jonathan), INEC and other leading political party, the APC. “One of the issues is that our long term observer missions saw there was a lot of hate media, hate speeches being distributed. It is not good for our polity and which was heating up the polity.

“And the President (Ouedraogo) has spoken to all stakeholders to look into lessening this aspect in the electoral process and I think it is an aspect the media can help greatly in addressing.

He added: “This is a very important election for Nigeria. Nigerians are concerned, ECOWAS Community is very much concerned that it all comes out very well and that we all owe it as a duty to say very positive

things that can move this nation forward.”

President of ECOWAS Commission, Kadre Desire Ouédraogo, had earlier told reporters that “ECOWAS by virtue of its mandate, is to monitor and observe all the electoral processes in our community. To that effect, we have sent a fact finding mission in Nigeria led by John Kufuor, former President of Ghana. We have set up a long term observation that came into the coun-

try; they were deployed in the five geo-strategic zones of the country and they made their report.

“In spite of the postponement of the elections, there was a debriefing with them and we just think it is necessary to share their observations with all the stakeholders and it is in that respect that we came this morning to inform His Excellency about the findings and recommendations of our fact- finding mission.”

Legal battle begins over late Ibru’s property Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

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Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (right), exchanging pleasantries with Chief Observer, European Union Election Monitoring Team, Mr. Santiago Fisas, during the team’s visit to the National Assembly..yesterday PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

APC raises the alarm over withdrawal of Customs, others from border posts Temitope Ogunbanke and Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised an alarm over a strange directive ordering the withdrawal of Customs, Immigration and other security personnel from the country’s border posts in Kebbi and Katsina states, wondering what purpose such a directive was meant to serve.

APC, in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, expressed

•It’s a lie, says Customs worry about the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of the security personnel from the boarders and asked the Federal Government to immediately tell Nigerians those responsible for the matter.

The party said withdrawing Customs, Immigration and other security personnel from the country’s border a day after leaflets were distributed in Gombe asking people to stay away from polling booths on election days, raises more fears over the ongoing scheming by the

Jonathan administration and the PDP to ensure the rescheduled elections do not hold.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has denied allegation that the authority was under a directive to redeploy its operatives at border stations as being speculated by the APC. The Service, in a statement issued yesterday, by its Public Relations Officer, Wale Adeniyi, denied the purported redeployment and declared that, “there was no directive

whatsoever, verbal or written to Officers of Nigeria Customs Service posted to Kebbi/Sokoto and Kaduna/Katsina commands to withdraw from the borders or their patrol bases”.

The Service said that as part of its effort to curtail security situation in the country, ComptrollerGeneral, Abdullahi DikkoInde last week directed reinforcement of Patrol teams across the country with Sokoto/Kebbi axis to be beefed up with the deployment of a Special Squad in view of a reported incident between Customs and smugglers.

BPE justifies sale of NIGCOMSAT Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

T

he planned privatization of Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) is being undertaken to make it a commercial viable entity as well as inject entrepreneurial spirit into the firm. That is according to the Director

General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki.

However, in determining the form and model to be adopted, BPE would rely on informed guidance from key stakeholders and make recommendation to the National Council on Privatization (NCP).

Dikki stated this when

the Management Team of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) led by its Director General, Prof. Seidu Mohammed, paid him a courtesy visit.

He explained that in privatizing NIGCOMSAT, the security of the nation would not be compromised but that the Bureau would strategize and

evaluate how much private sector participation would be required in the company to drive growth.

He said that in executing the transaction, a Joint Project Delivery Team (PDT), comprising the BPE, the Ministry of Communication Technology, NASRDA and other key stakeholders would be empanelled for the purpose.

egal battle began yesterday before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over the ownership of the investments and shareholdings of the Late Alex Ibru.

Two of Ibru’s children had through their counsel, Ahmed Raji, SAN, sued the second wife of their father for unlawfully taking over their late father’s estate, which predominantly consists of investments and shareholding in four privates companies.

In the suit No FHC/ ABJ/PET/17/14, the petitioners, Ms Grace Ibru and Mabel Ibru, joined alongside their late father’s second wife, Maiden Ibru, Alurum Investment Ltd, Oma Investment Ltd, Dadifold

Ltd, RFC Ltd, Ikeja Hotels Plc, Capital Hotels Plc, Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as 1st to the 9th respondents.

In the suit dated December 9, 2014, the plaintiffs argued that their late father, Alex Ibru died on 21st November 2011 leaving wills dated 22nd May, 1989 and another dated July 6, 1992 and that Omano Trust under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), of which they are co-trustees is the executor of the purported third will of their late father dated September 8, 2011.

They further submitted that the validity of the purported third will is currently the subject of litigation in two separate suits pending at the Lagos.

LP decries botched NLC election Wale Elegbede

F

ollowing the impasse that trailed the congress of the election of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Labour Party has bemoaned the failed election, just as the party has offered to assist the NLC in conducting a free and fair exercise that will be devoid of rancour.

The National Secretary of Labour Party, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, in a statement in Abuja, said while it was a great disservice to the Nigerian worker and the nation that the NLC could not hold a successful election to elect new leaders, he believed it was dangerous to leave the union to address the present challenge alone.

Ajulo said the LP, as a worker-driven party, was greatly worried over the failure and alleged attempt by the former leadership of the NLC led

by Mallam Abdulwaheed

Omar, to abuse the electoral process by promoting electoral malpractice.

According to him, the party is “available to assist the NLC to hold a peaceful and credible election.”

He said, “The NLC is the hope of the common man; therefore we cannot allow it to fail. We in the LP are saddened that the NLC could not hold a peaceful and successful transition of leadership. This should be of concern to all true lovers of democracy.

“The failure of the NLC to transit on the eve of Nigeria’s most important election in the past 15 years should alarm every patriot in this country. It is in this regard that we are offering to intervene and help the congress conduct a transparent and credible rescheduled election because the leadership has demonstrated that it needs all the help it could get.

8

News

Philip Nyam Abuja

A

s the National Assembly reconvenes today, the House of Representatives has cautioned President Goodluck Jonathan not to overspend before the passage of the 2015 Appropriation Bill.

Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Albert Sam-Tsokwa (PDP, Taraba), told House correspondents yesterday in Abuja, that any reckless expenditure will lead to deficit that the country has never witnessed before.

Sam-Tsokwa explained that though the constitution has empowered the president to spend before budgets are approved, with the current reality on ground, if the president does not control his approval, he will plunge the nation into a financial crisis.

Chapter Five, Section 82 of the 1999 constitution as amended states that "If the Appropriation Bill in respect of any financial year has not been passed into law by the beginning of the financial year, the President may authorise

TUESday, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

national

Reps caution Jonathan against extra-budgetary approvals lConstitutional amendment, PIB, Electoral Act top agenda today the withdrawal of moneys in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation for the purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on the services of the Government of the Federation for a period not exceeding six months or until the coming into operation of the Appropriate Act, whichever is the earlier: Provided that the withdrawal in respect of any such period shall not exceed the amount

authorised to be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation under the provisions of the Appropriation Act passed by the National Assembly for the corresponding period in the immediately preceding financial year, being an amount proportionate to the total amount so authorised for the immediately preceding financial year."

The lawmaker stated that although the constitu-

tion allows the president to spend an amount of money equivalent to the one that was spent in the preceding year pending the approval of the budget, the snag is that last year's budget was based on a crude oil of over $100 dollars per barrel while the price is about $50.

"So, if Mr. President is to spend the equivalent of what was spent in a particular period last year this year, we will run into trouble," Tsokwa stated.

Sam-Tsokwa also accused the Executive of violating the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), by failing to submit the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) four before submitting the budget proposal.

He said as a result of the infraction, both the MTEF and the budget were awaiting the approval of the National Assembly whereas the budget should be a derivative of the approved MTEF.

Court hears Ejigbo sodomy case March 3 Akeem Nafiu

J

ustice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of an Ikeja High Court will on the 3rd of March, hear a case of attempted murder filed against five men who were accused of torturing three women by rubbing pepper in their private parts and also manhandling them in Ejigbo, a suburb of Lagos State.

Three of the suspects Waidi, Akinosun, Adisa, Busari and Abdullahi were accused of assaulting the trio of Miss Juliana Agoma, Mrs Ajoke Agoma and Mrs Nike Salami by inserting pepper into their private parts.

Hearing of the matter was yesterday stalled owing to the absence of the accused persons.

Giving reasons for their absence, Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs E.I Alakija, told the court that all the defendants are all on bail, and had no idea that the matter would come up.

"All the accused are on bail and one of them is even at the Magistrate court trying to perfect his bail conditions," Alakija said.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Thecla Efuwape; Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru; Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce, Mrs. Tinu Shopeju and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Sola Sobayo, at the 2nd Annual Retreat on the promotion of Industrialisation in Ogun State

Kalu, APC commiserate with PDP, First Lady on Bayelsa deaths

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ormer Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has sympathized with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Women for Change Initiative over the tragic loss of their members in a motor accident at Ahoada axis of the East-West road in Rivers on Saturday.

He noted that the demise of the female politicians was not only a big loss to the PDP but the nation at large.

Kalu, in a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle

Oyewumi, said: "I was shocked and pained on hearing the news of the tragic loss of the female politicians. It is devastating considering the number of lives that were lost.

The women died in their prime at a time their moral support is much needed in advancing the cause of the womenfolk. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families of the departed at this sorrowful moment. We pray to God to grant the deceased eternal rest".

The former governor

F

Audit Report: Group commends FG, Madueke

ollowing the submission of its audit report on the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),

by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, which indicated that only $1.48b was yet to be remitted to the Federation Ac-

count as against $49b mentioned as missing, a Civil Society group, Move On Nigeria, has commended the Federal Government and the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Alison Madueke,

while commiserating with President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, the people and government of Bayelsa State, prayed to God to give the families of the departed souls the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condoled with First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, as well as government and people of Bayelsa State, over the deaths.

APC, in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday

for taking immediate steps in implementing the audit report, including taking steps towards remitting the said 1.48BN to the Federation Account.

In a statement made

by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, expressed shock and sadness at the untimely death of the women, who were mothers, wives, sisters and daughters.

It prayed that God would grant the deceased eternal rest and also give their bereaved families the strength to bear their losses. “May God also provide the bereaved families with the succour and comfort they so much need in their moment of darkness,�

APC said.

available to journalists in Lagos yesterday, the group stated that the hoax as raised was an embarrassment to Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan and AlisonMadueke.

Oyedepo, broker know fate in N1.8bn suit March 25 Akeem Nafiu

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ustice Mohammed Yunusa of a Federal High Court in Lagos, will on the 25th of March, rule on the preliminary objection filed by the Founder, Living Faith Church, a.k.a. Winners' Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, against a N1.86billion suit slammed on him by a stock brokerage firm over an alleged breach of contract.

In the suit, the plaintiffs, Valueline Securities and Investment Limited and its Managing Director, Samuel Enyinnaya, are seeking, among others, monetary claims in the sum of about N1.86billion from the pastor, his family, his book publishing company and the Winners' Chapel for an alleged breach of contractual agreement on a N9billion investment entrusted to them.

Joined as co-defendant is the Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE) which the plaintiff accused of being biased in its investigations into the N9billion business dispute.

The plaintiffs are equally asking the court to declare the freezing of their bank accounts by NSE as illegal and also make an order to immediately unfreeze the accounts.

At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, Oyedepo's lawyer, Chioma Okwuanyi, drew the court's attention to his client's preliminary objection to the stockbroker's claims.

In the three grounds of objection, Okwuanyi contended that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate on a matter pertaining to capital market.

According to him, by the provisions of Section 34 of the Investment and Securities Act, only the Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST) had the vested authority to entertain a dispute between a capital market operator and his client.

Okwuanyi further submitted that if it was true as the plaintiffs had claimed that the matter was "a simple contract" bordering on investment portfolio management, the state High Court and not the Federal High Court had jurisdiction on the case.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2015

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Akpabio: South-South candidate deserves second term Mojeed Alabi

A

kwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, yesterday insisted that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the re-scheduled March 28 presidential election, who is from the SouthSouth geo-political zone, President Goodluck Jonathan, deserves another term in office.

He said the zone deserves that its son has another go at the presidency because the zone has continued to provide the largest chunk of the nation’s revenue since 1958 without producing a president until 2011.

Speaking yesterday at the final campaign rally of the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, which held at Orna-Eket, Governor

Akpabio said the people of the region had for long served the interest of other regions of the country, whose people he accused of owning the largest investments in Nigeria’s oil sector “while our people continued to serve as housemaids, newspaper vendors and engaged in all sorts of cheap labour.”

He appealed to Nigerians, especially people from the north and those

from the South West, to consider the input of the South-South in keeping the country running, to give another opportunity to the incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan.

He said: “Since oil was discovered in Oloibiri in 1958, the South-South has kept Nigeria together economically. But the richest man in Nigeria is not from South-South.

Most of those who own

the oil wells are not from South-South.

“Godswill Akpabio has no oil well. I almost could not go to school because of N10; and yet we have oil. For more than 50 years, we have supported our brothers from other regions. Is it only this one term that we are now asking that they will not give us? I believe they will give us.

“Therefore, my message to our people in the

North, South West, South East, and South-South is that we are ready to vote for President Jonathan for continuity.”

Commenting on the posture of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), the governor challenged its candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, to a debate with President Jonathan, saying they are a party living on propaganda.

Seplat, Afren’s $3bn acquisition deals hit the rocks Adeola Yusuf

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L-R: Ezeudo Ndigbo, Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Eze John Ezebuadi; Eze Ndigbo of Alimosho, Eze Samuel Udoh and Ezeigbo Amuwo Odofin Local Council Area (LGA), Dr. Anthony Elu, at the meeting of Igbo leaders with Lagos PDP governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, in Lagos …yesterday

Five killed as angry youths attempt to set arms-laden truck ablaze Ahmed Miringa Maiduguri

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t least five people were yesterday said to have been shot dead by the Nigerian Army troops in Maiduguri, when some angry youths intercepted a truck load of arms and ammunition belonging to the army.

The arms and ammunition, which was loaded in a commercial truck that was said to belong to the Nigerian Army, was set ablaze by the angry youths when they sighted the content of the truck.

The incident almost interrupted the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate presidential rally, as his convey was cut off in the crisis.

Our correspondent, who was also at the scene of the incident, saw three people lying on the road with gunshot wounds while two others were being rushed to hospitals for treatment.

One of the angry youths, who did not want his name in print, said they intercepted the truck because it was not a military vehicle and that that was how weapons were been smuggled

in the past.

He said: “It is wrong for the military to carry ammunition in a commercial truck, as the military have their vehicles. Even if it is their arms it is wrong to carry them in daylight, they are supposed to convey their weapons in the night during the curfew.”

Another angry youth, Ibrahim Idi, said the military have been accused of aiding Boko Haram terrorists, as they run away and leave their armouries for the Boko Haram.

He said: “The military are the Boko Haram, you

see they killed five people now, let them go and face Boko Haram and not innocent Nigerians that they are supposed to be protecting,” he said.

Our correspondent gathered that the soldiers started shooting when the youths were trying to set the truck ablaze.

A military source, who did not want his name mentioned, told newsmen in Maiduguri that the truck was escorted by the military from the front and back, but that the youths insisted that they must check the truck.

Group to Jonathan: Call Abia gov to order A group, the Concerned Abians for Change, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to call the Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji to order over what it termed abuse of office and assumption of the role of a commander-inchief of all the military and paramilitary establishments in Abia State.

In a statement from the group, the Abia governor is using security apparatus of the state to intimidate and harass his political opponents and disrupt other party’s campaign rallies in the state.

The group said: “T.A Orji does not want other political parties to campaign for the forthcoming general elections in

Abia State. He does this by using the police and army to disrupt other political party’s campaign rallies either accusing them of not applying for police permit before such rallies or that PDP was the party cleared to conduct rally on the very day. Is this democracy?

“The President must call T.A Orji to order

immediately. The other Political Parties should be allowed to campaign in Abia State. After all, most of these parties have you, Mr. President, as their Presidential candidate. T.A Orji wants to create another insurgency problem for the Federal Government in Abia state. The people want the president to act now.

he discussion between Afren Plc and Seplat Petroleum Development Company over the acquisition of the former’s $3 billion assets has hit the rocks.

Afren Plc, which said this yesterday, said it had ended its discussion with Seplat over the potential sale of the company.

The company, which has most of its oilfields in Nigeria, said it had not received any proposal from Seplat that it believed could be implemented on satisfactory terms.

Seplat also confirmed that it did not intend to make an offer.

Afren has lost about 95 per cent of its market value, or more than 1.6 billion pounds ($2.5 billion), since the end of July, hit by a slump in

oil price, the dismissal of top executives and the absence of proven or probable reserves at a field in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The company had about $1.15 billion in gross debt as of September and said in January that its liquidity was much lower than the $235 million that it held in cash at the end of 2014.

Seplat had, earlier announced that it completed extensive due diligence on Afren and made a written proposal to the Board of Afren that provided critical and significant near-term liquidity and value for the stakeholders of Afren.

In light of Afren’s decision, Seplat confirmed that it does not intend to make an offer for Afren.

This announcement is made without Afren’s consent.

Ex-lawmakers caution Obasanjo, others against inciting comments Dan Atori MINNA

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forum of former members of the National Assembly yesterday condemned the role played by elder statesmen, who are using unguarded comments to incite Nigerians thereby heating the polity.

It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that it conducts credible, transparent and free elections.

The forum, led by former Senate President, Joseph Wayas, was in Minna, Niger State as part of its nationwide tour to add voice to that of other Nigerians within and outside the country, who are calling for peaceful and generally acceptable transition.

Speaking after a closed-door meeting with Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu yesterday, spokesman for the group,

Hon. Obi Anoliefo, a former member of the House of Representatives told journalists that the forum is worried about the tensed political situation, which has recently been compounded by unguarded utterance by some of the nations’ statesmen.

The forum also said it is not happy that respected elder statesmen like former President Olusegun Obasanjo and others have resorted to the use of unguarded comments to incite Nigerians against President Goodluck Jonathan in the media, rather than passing whatever observation, good or bad, they have directly to the leaders.

Obi said Nigeria at over 50 years of nationhood should be able to conduct election peacefully hence; “We want INEC, if possible, to ensure that 100 per cent eligible voters have got their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) before the coming election.”

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Metro

I hid N609m drugs in my church –Pastor

The drugs INSET: Raji

Juliana Francis

SACRILEGE A cleric turns his church to warehouse for storing illicit drugs

Juliana Francis

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Lagos High Court sitting at Ikeja yesterday remanded in Kirikiri Prison a top Lagos-based lawyer over N117 million fraud.

The lawyer, Babatunde Ojo, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye on a 48-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and issuance of dud cheques.

When the charges were read to Ojo, he pleaded not guilty.

Ipaye, however, ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison and adjourned the case till March 18 and 19 for trial.

The Head, Media and Public-

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

T

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested the resident pastor of the Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim, Agodo-Egbe, Ikotun, Lagos

State, Prophet Michael Raji, for being in possession of illicit drugs worth N609 million.

Raji, 60, said he received the drugs from an unnamed friend.

He added that he hid the drugs in his church for about four months.

The cleric was said to be smuggling the 174 kilo-

grammes of narcotic drugs to South Africa when NDLEA men apprehended him.

The suspect was also said to be a top member of a drug syndicate operating in Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. A search of his church premises revealed hidden drugs.

The Head, Media and Publicity, NDLEA, Mr Mitchel Ofoyeju, said the suspect was arrested following the interception of the drugs at the cargo section of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) during preshipment examination.

He said: “Preliminary investigation indicated that Raji is a suspected top member of a drug syndicate operating in Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. He had three international passports bearing his photographs with the names Michael Raji and Kadigun Fatah Ola respectively.

“It was equally discovered that the church premises where he ministers also serves as a warehouse for narcotics.”

But Raji said he received the drugs from his friend and I kept them in the church since October 2014.

He said: “I’m the resident pastor of Cherubim and Seraphim Agodo-Egbe, Ikotun branch, Lagos. I attended Ansarudeen Primary and Secondary School

Lawyer remanded over N117m alleged scam ity, EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said the accused allegedly used his company, Amberville Communications Limited, to obtain N117,350,000 from Mr Mathew Awodiya of First Hebron Homes and Investment Limited in the guise of allocating 50 shops at HFP Eastline Shopping Complex, Ajah, Lagos, to them.

He said: “The victim was allegedly linked to Ojo by one of the directors of the Shopping Complex.

He was told that the amount per shop was N4,000,000, with 50 shops, costing N200,000,000. The victim negotiated for 50 shops but paid a deposit of N117, 350,000. However, the director that linked the victim with Ojo later denied knowledge of any transaction for sale of shops with the suspect, and invariably debunked claims of having received payment from the suspect. All efforts to get a refund of the money paid for the shops proved abortive.”

One of the charges read: “Babatunde Ojo and Amberville Communications Limited, on or about the 13th day of April, 2010 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N15,000,000 from Awodiya Oluse-

Ojo

gun Mathew under the false pretence that the money was part payment for purchase of 50 shops from HFP Engineering Limited at HFP Eastline Shopping Complex, KM 26, Epe Expressway, Ajah, which representation you knew to be false.”

Prosecuting counsel, Vera Agboje, prayed the court for a trial date and that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.

However, defence counsel, R. U. Nnamani, urged the court to allow her present application for bail at the next adjourned date and applied that the suspect be remanded in EFCC custody.

Ibadan. I later attended Yaba College of Technology where I had my Trade Test in Electrical Installation. I was ordained a full time pastor in 1977. This is a great temptation for me and I pray to God to overcome it.”

The seized drugs concealed inside large bags of foodstuff were found to contain 91kg of Methamphetamine and 83kg of Ephedrine with an estimated street value of N609 million.

A Mercedes Benz ‘Jeep’ was also impounded during the operation.

NDLEA Commander at the MMIA, Mr Hamza Umar, described the suspect as a smooth operator.

He said: “I can tell you that this suspect is a smooth operator but we have uncovered his bag of tricks. The drugs were brought to the airport for export to South Africa where it was detected. Investigation eventually traced the movement of the drugs to his church premises where he was arrested.”

The NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, said the game was up for the suspect.

He added: “We have strong evidence for prosecution. This is one of the largest seizures of psychotropic substances at the airport. We are working very hard to apprehend other accomplices and bring them to book.”

Olusegun Phillips dies at 79 A seasoned professional, community leader and socialite, Mr. Emmanuel Olusegun Phillips, is dead.

His son-in-law, Charles Igbinidu, said in a statement that Phillips died on January 26 in Lagos.

The burial, according to the statement, has been scheduled for the first week of May. The deceased was born on October 11, 1935 in Ibadan, Oyo State, to the extended family of Phillips Fagbemi of Igbore, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

His father, Emmanuel Theophilus Oluremi Phillips, was an employee of the Public Works Department in the defunct Western Region while his mother, Mrs Comfort Yeside Phillips, was a businesswoman running one of the then biggest stores at the Ibadan Airport, selling to passengers and workers at the airport.

Phillips was the only child of his mother. However, he had eight other siblings from his father’s other wife.

An ardent preacher of

education for all, Phillips started his primary school in the Native Primary School, Okebola, Ibadan and passed out in 1951. He moved on to begin his secondary education when he secured admission to the prestigious Government College Ibadan (GCI) in September 1951. He graduated from GCI in 1956 and furthered his educational pursuit by enrolling for his a-Levels.

The late Phillips

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Police van crushes 68-year-old woman to death Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

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police van has reportedly crushed to death a 68-year old woman on her way to the Oyo State Muslim Welfare Board (Hadj Camp), Olodo, Ibadan.

The incident, which occurred yesterday, sparked off a protest at the Mapo Hall Police Station in the state capital.

The deceased, identified as Nusirat Durosaro, was in company with her daughter, Mrs Saudat Salawu, to the Olodo Hajj camp when she was reportedly hit at by the police van at Oritamerin.

The daughter was also injured in the process.

Salawu said she was going with her mother to final-

ise preparation for a pilgrimage to Mecca this year.

She said: “This morning (yesterday), we were standing at a bus stop at Oritamerin waiting for a bus to Olodo when I heard a loud bang. I fell down on top of my mother. It was then I looked back to see what actually happened.

“I saw a white police van that knocked my mother and I. My mother was bleeding from her nose, eyes and ears. She was unconscious. I was shouting, saying you policemen have killed my mum. See what you have done. God will request her blood from you. The police then picked us up and took us to Adeoyo State Hospital, Yemetu. The doctor attended to her and administered drips on her.

“She was then trans-

ferred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan where she was rejected probably because of her precarious situation.

But, to my surprise, the policemen started threatening me that what effrontery did I have to accuse the police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of killing my mum?”

Sobbing before journalists, the 45-year-old Salawu said the policemen then asked her to give them her house address and phone number.

According to her, the policemen said they would deal with her later for accusing them of knocking her mother down.

She said: “Can you believe these policemen claiming that it was a motorcycle that hit my mummy. They were saying how possible it was

for somebody (me) who was knocked down by a vehicle to see whether it was policemen that hit us. In annoyance, they dropped my mother and I before we got to the UCH and ran away.

“Even though, I was bleeding in my knee, I rushed my mother to Ibadan Central Hospital where the doctor confirmed that my mother was dead. Please, Nigerians help me and deliver me from these power-drunk policemen who, having killed my mother, still have the guts to threaten me.

What type of country is this? This is very unfair.”

Reacting to the allegation, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said he was yet to be briefed about the incident.

NUT blames police for teacher’s death in auto crash Tony Anichebe Uyo

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he Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Akwa Ibom State has lashed out at the police for allegedly abandoning its member to bleed to death after an accident involving a patrol van.

The victim, Mr Mfon Eyo, was a teacher with Government Technical College, Ikpa Town, Esit Eket

Camillus Nnaji

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he Federal Operations Unit (FOU ‘A’), Ikeja Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it had made seizures worth about N2 billion between January and December 2014.

The Acting Comptroller, DC U. A. Turaki, said in a statement yesterday that the seizures represented remarkable achievements which showcased the capacity and competence of the NCS Comptroller General to achieve results.

He said: “Between January and December 2014, the unit recorded 2,914 different seizures of assorted offending/ prohibited goods valued at N1,446,383,130, with Payable Duty of N618,882,683 and a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N2,065,265,813.

“The value shows about 50 per cent increase of DPV recorded in the year 2013.”

During the corresponding period of 2013, the total DPV for the seizures stood at 1,521,265:001.

“Comparatively speak-

Local Government Area.

He died after his car with registration number AG648KET was involved in an accident with a police patrol van marked PF1540A/K belonging to the Federal Highway Patrol Team 249AIS. But NUT said Eyo died as a result of delay in taking him to the hospital for medical attention.

It was learnt that immediately the accident occurred, the police

rushed their colleagues whose conditions were not as critical as that of the teacher to an undisclosed hospital but abandoned the teacher to bleed to death.

Some angry colleagues of the said their colleague would not have died if the police had rushed him to hospital along with other victims.

One of them, Mr Otobong Ikpe, urged the police to take responsibility for Eyo’s death.

He said: “If the police fail to bear responsibility over the unfortunate accident that cost the life of our colleague, give him decent burial and take care of the family, we would be forced to express our annoyance in any way.”

But speaking with our correspondent, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Etim Dickson, described the accident as very unfortunate.

Customs make 2,914 seizures

Customs officials with a truck-load of seized rice

ing, the figure for 2014 which stood at over N2 billion represents more than 50 per cent positive difference,” he added.

Turaki singled out the spectacular seizure of rice at Igbesa creeks in Ogun State and Oyo axis.

He said operatives of

the FOU ‘A’ exhibited a rare sense of professionalism and bravery in all the operations.

The comptroller said the service had received directive on zero tolerance for poultry products and rice, adding that the intention was

to mitigate some challenges the importation of these products posed to the economy.

This, according to him, can be achieved by not only impounding the products but by blocking identifiable supply chains.

Salawu

Release Synagogue building collapse report –CDHR Taiwo Jimoh

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he Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has called on the Federal Government to immediately release the report of investigation into the collapsed Synagogue, Church of All Nations building in which over 100 lives, mostly foreigners, died on September 12, 2014.

The human rights group made the call during a solidarity rally held in support of the General Overseer of the church, Prophet Temitope Joshua on the premises of the church.

The group was led by its National President, Comrade Sunny Enenuvwedia, Vice-President, Comrade Ade Ikuesan and the National Auditor, Comrade Adesegun Aloba.

Enenuvwedia wondered why the presidential committee set up to look into the circumstances surrounding the incident is yet to release the report.

He said: “The essence of our solidarity rally is to ensure that justice is done bearing in mind the international implications of the incident which claimed the lives of foreign nationals.

“Why has is taken the government so long to unravel what happened to the building and make the report known to the

general public?”

The Chairman of the Ogun State chapter of the group, Comrade Folarin Olayinka, bemoaned the lack of respect Nigeria had shown for the sanctity of human life.

He said: “When you see what has happened here, it is quite unfortunate that Nigeria has become a country where everything is politicised.

The lives of human beings are no longer valuable to the leadership of our country.”

The group circulated flyers that questioned many issues pertaining to the collapsed building.

A member of the church, Mr Ramin Teyyubov, one of the foreign evangelists showed the human rights group the strength of the foundations, claiming that the collapse was a controlled demolition that was planned and executed.

Joshua

12

News

RELIEF Ekiti PDP heaves sigh of relief as court dismisses APC's appeal Tunde Oyesina Abuja

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he Court of Appeal, Abuja Division yesterday upheld the victory of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, in the June 21, 2014 governorship election.

The court, however, dis-

Appeal Court upholds Fayose’s election missed the appeal brought by the All Progressive Congress APC challenging the decision of the election petition tribunal.

The tribunal had on December 19, 2014 upheld Fayose's election.

Not satisfied, APC, had approached the appellate court to challenge the decision of the tribunal.

In its appeal, APC submitted that the tribunal erred when it dismissed the ground challenging the forgery of certificate

by Fayose.

Appellants, also challenged the decision of the tribunal which strucked out Chief of Army Staff and Nigerian Army as parties in the petition.

They also challenged the Tribunal 's decision which denied jurisdiction to pronounce whether the army has a role to play in an election or not.

In a two hour judgement delivered by a full panel of the Court of Appeal headed by Justice Abdul Aboki, the court held

that the appellants did not prove beyond reasonable doubt that the certificate of the respondent issued by the Polytechnic Ibadan was forged.

The court noted that the issuing institution which was the Polytechnic Ibadan had forwarded a letter stating that the certificate in contention was issued by it.

Justice Aboki held that the candidate is not a necessary party in the petition on ground that it is the party that sponsors

L-R: Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Amb. Rufus Akeju; INEC Administrative Secretary, Fakororede Aina and Head of Department, Election and Party Monitoring, Mr. Bunmi Ariyo, at a stakeholders' forum with representatives of political parties in Ibadan …yesterday.

Parties reject use of NURTW vehicles for polls in Oyo Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

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olitical parties in Oyo State yesterday, unanimously kicked against the use of vehicles, belonging to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), to convey personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as distribute electoral materials during the forthcom-

ing elections.

It was reported, that the INEC through its Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, had secured a Memorandum of Understanding with the leadership of the transport union to be engaged in the transportation of the election materials, staff and others from the INEC offices nationwide to the polling stations on the eve of every election.

Considering the peculiarity of Oyo state and

APC, Akinjide bicker over FG's $200m loan Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

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he All Progressives Congress in Oyo state yesterday refuted the recent claim by the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Olajumoke Akinjide, that the Federal Government guaranteed a sum of $2 million to the Senator Abiola Ajimobiled administration, saying that the said fund, was part of the money for the Inland Container Dry Pot at Erunmu, "which President Good-

TUESday, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NATIONAL

luck Jonathan intends to deceive people of Oyo State with, for another four years".

The party had claimed that Akinjide, made the claim on behalf of the president while featuring on a national television recently.

Akinjide, however stated that the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government, guaranteed a $200 million (N30 billion) and (not $2m) International Development Association credit facility for the control of flood in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

the notorious practices of the transport union in the past, some political parties yesterday at a forum with the Resident Electoral Officer, Ambassador Rufus Akeju, in Ibadan, stoutly rose against the pact, alleging that they knew who the union members would work for during the elections.

Representatives of the Labour Party, Accord party, Social Democratic Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance and the Independent Democrat unanimously rejected the

use of NURTW vehicles and drivers, but representative of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state sat on the fence, neither welcoming it nor disapproving of it.

Gbenga Olayemi, Chairman of the Labour Party in the state said that Oyo State, was peculiar in terms of the activities of the transport union. "We know who the NURTW members are working for here, so we disagree with the process of partnering with NURTW. Oyo State is peculiar."

Lagos doctors begin three-day warning strike tomorrow Appolonia Adeyemi

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octors under the auspices of Medical Guild, have concluded arrangements to commence a three-day warning strike to pressure the Lagos State Government to pay the withheld salaries.

Rising from its Congress which held in Lagos on Sunday, the Chairman of the Medical Guild, Dr. Biyi Kufo, said members of the Medical Guild, agreed to down tolls from 8a.m. on Wednesday to 8a.m on Sat-

urday, saying only emergency services would be provided by doctors during the three day strike.

The Guild, is the association of doctors employed by the Lagos State Government and it is an affiliation of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

The doctors are aggrieved over the non-payment of some outstanding salaries which include three days salary in April, 2012, May 2012, and August and September 2014, totaling three months and three days.

a candidate.

The tribunal in dismissing APC's petition on December 19, 2013 held that the witnesses paraded by the petitioner were unable to provide concrete evidence to support the claims of corrupt practices at the polling units and that their testimonies did not support claims that the election did not comply substantially with the provisions of the Electoral Act. "The testimonies of these witnesses are unsatisfactory and their inability to give the names of the polling units as well as the names of their agents at those unnamed polling units shows that most of them that gave evidence of these alleged non compliance did not vote at the election as such their testimonies failed to support their claims. None of them gave evidence on the improper accreditation or manipulation of accreditation.

"The petitioner failed to substantiate the allegation of improper accreditation or non accreditation of voters”, it ruled.

Meanwhile, Governor Fayose, has described the decision of the Court of Appeal which on Mon-

day upheld his June 21, 2014 electoral victory, as a triumph of the will of the people over political bitterness aided by selfish interests.

Reacting to the unanimous judgment of the appellate court that he was duly elected as the governor of the state last June, Fayose, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, urged the APC and its candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, to face the reality of their electoral loss.

"What the Court of Appeal in Abuja did today further attested to the fact that the will of the people, clearly expressed, cannot be thwarted by a clique being propelled by political bitterness and selfish interests they want to promote.

"In the history of elections in Nigeria, I stand to be corrected, the election that brought me to office ranked alongside the June 12, 1993 presidential poll in terms of fairness, credibility and so on.

"Those who thought they could circumvent the process and the will of the people have been put to shame. I thank the judiciary for proving again that it is the hope of the common man."

Ekiti APC petitions Adoke, over ‘election rigging audio’ Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

E

kiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has formally petitioned the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Adoke, the Inspector General of Police, Suleman Abba; and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), seeking an investigation into the audio clip the party claimed revealed how some people conspired to rig the June 21 governorship election in the state.

In the petition signed by the State Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe, and dated‎ February 13, 2015, the APC called attention to an audio recording by Captain Sagir Koli, of the 32 Artillery Brigade Akure, which capturing the voices of Governor Ayo Fayose, the Commanding Officer of 32 Artillery Brigade, Brig-General Aliyu Momoh; Senator Iyiola Omisore, Police Affairs Minister, Jelili Adesiyan; former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro and others

in a meeting where they strategized, to rig the poll.

APC, asked INEC to investigate the matter and prosecute its staff involved to bring them to justice for offences against the Electoral Act. It also asked the police authorities to investigate their personnel for the act of undue influence, conspiracy, treason and breaching the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and Criminal Code in the prosecution of Ekiti election in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate.

Awe pointed out that the import of the audio was the revelation of the criminal acts that were planned and perpetrated by these men, stressing that the act contravened Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

According to him, the Section ‎says, "The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any person or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution."

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, February 17, 2015

General elections

INEC

Poll shift not to favour any party, INEC insists

Resignation

PVC, Card Readers pose big challenge – EU

14

14

13

Kaduna

PDP will not miss Obasanjo – Anenih

Yero blows hot amidst peace accord

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Politics Party chairmen battle TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE writes on national chairmen of political parties, who are running as their party’s candidates in the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections

for presidency, Senate

ter United Peoples Grand Alliance (UPGA) with INEC but the name was rejected. He later re-applied to INEC with the name of another party, the United Progressives Party, which was registered on October 2, 2012.

Since the formation of UPP, much has not been heard about the party, apart from Okorie’s ambition to succeed President Jonathan on May 29. Even in the SouthEast, the party is relatively known compared to other parties that are presenting candidates for the March 28 and April 11 elections.

Therefore, people are of the view that Okorie’s ambition may not see the light of the day since he is not among the leading candidates in the presidential race.

O

n March 28, six national chairmen of political parties will be participating in the presidential and National Assembly elections.

They are Chekwas Okorie (United Progressives Party, UPP), Tunde Anifowose-Kelani (Action Alliance, AA), Ambrose Owuru (Hope Democratic Party, HDP), Ganiyu Galadima (Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN), Sam Eke (Citizen Popular Party, CPP) and Victor Umeh (All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA).

While Umeh is taking part in senatorial election, the remaining party’s leaders are presidential candidates.

This is not the first time national chairmen of political parties would be contesting in general elections. In the 2003 and 2007 general elections, Dr. Olapade Agoro of the National Action Council (NAC) and his Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN) counterpart, late Major (Mrs) Moji AdekunleObasanjo contested presidential elections on the platform of their parties.

Following the footsteps of some party leaders, Okorie and four others will battle President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the presidential election.

Okorie: Experimenting with presidential ticket Okorie is the national chairman of UPP. The Abia State-born politician came to political limelight when he registered APGA

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY Editor, POLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Okorie

Umeh

Eke

Anifowose-Kelani

Name

Party

Present Position

Seeking for

Chekwas Okorie

UPP

National Chairman

Presidency

Tunde Anifowose-Kelani

AA

National Chairman

Presidency

Ganiyu Galadima

ACPN

National Chairman

Presidency

Ambrose Owuru

HDP

National Chairman

Presidency

Sam Eke

CPP

National Chairman

Presidency

Victor Umeh

APGA

National Chairman

Senate

with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on June 25, 2002. Okorie funded the party and with the support of the late Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, APGA became a formidable political party in Nigeria and presented candidates for several political offices, including presidential candidates during 2003 and 2007 general elec-

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

tions.

Despite been the founder of APGA, Okorie was sacked as the party’s national chairman in 2008 through a Supreme Court verdict after years of legal battle between him and some chieftains of the party. He and some of his loyalists were also expelled to pave the way for Umeh as APGA national chairman. Okorie tried to regis-

Tunde Anifowose-Kelani: Ambition threatens by PVC Senator Anifowose-Kelani holds a Bachelors degree in Personnel Psychology and Counselling, and Master’s in Personnel Psychology. He is one of the few politicians who are known for not jumping from one political party to the other in search of greener pasture. He has been consistence with Action Alliance (AA) since he joined the party.

The AA national chairman has already launched his presidential campaign on a website where he is promising youth employment and development. But how far this could help him to win the presidency remains a puzzle because his party does not have the structure that can make him win the election.

The recent report that INEC may disqualify the AA national chairman for not having a valid voter’s card may also be a minus to his aspiration. But AnifowoseKelani has stated that he would approach the court if that happens.

Ganiyu Galadima for president Galadima, the standard bearer of ACPN in the March 28 presidential election, is a Muslim who believes strongly in the war against corruption and the need to end impunity in Nigeria. To many political analysts, it may be difficult for Galadima to realise his aspiration because his party is not visible in many parts of the country. Apart from Kwara State, where ACPN made a significant outing with CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

14

Politics

TUESDAY, February 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Poll shift not to favour any party, INEC insists Babatope Okeowo Akure

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday denied the allegation that the postponement of the February general elections was to give a political party an advantage over another.

The INEC National

Commissioner in charge of Lagos, Osun and Ondo states, Prof. Akinola Salawu, said the commission was not bias or partisan about the forthcoming elections.

Addressing reporters at the INEC office in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Salawu explained that the commission was very ready to conduct the election as was scheduled on February 14 until the issue of

security came up.

His words: “If the presidential election was to come up on February 14, the INEC was very ready for the election, as we have completed all arrangements but the issue of security is very paramount and it has to be considered.

“I want to say here that the postponement of the elections was not to favour anybody or any political party. We are

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

above board, and we cannot support or be against anybody.”

Allaying the fear of the people about the computerized Card Reader machine to be used for the election, Salawu stated that the machines have been tested and confirmed alright for the election and it would not cause any hitch during the polls.

While urging Nigerians to accept the introduction of the Card Reader machine for election, the INEC boss said

“the Card Readers will add more value to our electoral system.”

The Resident Commissioner of the Commission (REC), Mr. Segun Agbaje said over 70 per cent residents of the state have collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), adding that the commission was ready for the election because every arrangement has been done in preparation for the election.

Ebonyi politicians sign peace accord Charles Onyekwere Abakaliki

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he five major political parties in Ebonyi State yesterday signed a peace accord to ensure that the forthcoming elections are free, fair, credible and violence-free.

Representatives and candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP) and Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA) signed the accord in Abakaliki, the state capital.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) zone 6, Mr. Tunde Ogunsaki, assured that the police would be fair to all political parties by be-

ing non-partisan, adding that those who violate the peace pact will be brought to book to serve as deterrent to others.

“When I assumed office, I was mandated by the Inspector General Police Suleiman Abba to ensure that law and order are maintained. There will be no sacred cow during election. I have ordered my men to commence stop and search so that there will be no place for criminals,” the AIG said.

Also speaking, the Resident Electoral commissioner (INEC) in Ebonyi State, Dr. Lawrence Azubike, said the commission is ready to conduct credible elections.

Azubuike stressed the need for all political parties to play the game according to the rule.

Benue: 500, 000 PVCs yet to be collected Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that about 500, 000 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) are yet to be collected by their owners in Benue State.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Prof. Istifanus Dafwang stated this yesterday during the state inter-agency meeting on voter education and publicity in Makurdi, the state capital.

Dafwang said the commission received over 1.6 million PVCs out of which over 1.1 million voters’ cards representing 79 per cent have been distributed.

The REC maintained that INEC also received about 340,000 PVCs belonging to those who were recaptured under zero polling unit in May last year, while the balance of 40,000 is being awaited.

He enjoined those in this category to visit their polling units for collection of the cards, and

appealed to those whose cards were yet to arrive to be patient, assuring that the commission was working hard to make them available before the rescheduled elections.

Some participants at the meeting including the state chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Chris Atsaka, Mr. Justine Gbagir of the Coalition of Benue NonGovernmental Organisations (BENGONET) and James Ohemo who represented the National Orientation Agency (NOA), all commended the commission for some innovations introduced.

Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) governorship candidate, Sir Chikwe Udensi (right) and Aba North/South House of Representatives candidate, Mr. Mascot Uzor Kalu, during their campaign, at the weekend.

Ariara Market stands still for Udensi, Kalu Norman Obinna

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raders at the Ariaria International Market, Aba, Abia State abandoned all business activities at the weekend to welcome the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) gubernatorial candidate, Sir Chikwe Udensi and Aba North/ South House of Representatives candidate, Mr. Mascot Uzor Kalu’s campaign train.

A mild drama occurred at the entrance gate of the Int’l market when the AMATA boys, who were said to be under instruction from Abia State Government not to allow opposition parties access to the market for campaign,

hurriedly padlocked the gate to deny PPA’s entourage access The disenchanted traders who were yearning for change however forcefully broke the padlock to welcome Udensi and Mascot with all manners of solidarity songs hailing their courage.

They laid bare before Udensi the many levies and daily tickets they are forced to pay, saying despite all the multiple taxation, government abandoned their business environment to ruin.

They hailed Udensi’s courage for forcing his way through into the market despite the directives from the present administration to its executives

not to allow any opposition political party access to the market for campaign, saying they have not only adopted him but will vote en masse for him in the upcoming election.

After listening to the complaints of the traders who said they have adopted him as the next governor of Abia State, Udensi immediately ordered the rehabilitation of Powerline road which is in a very deplorable state and promised to abolish all irrelevant taxes, levies and emblems when elected.

His word: “What is happening in Abia State is heart breaking. Why would traders whose goods do not worth up to N1000 be subjected to all

PVC, Card Readers pose big challenge for INEC – EU Chukwu David Abuja

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he European Union Observer group for the 2015 general elections in Nigeria has said that the use of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and the Card Readers for the forthcoming polls would pose a big challenge to the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) and the electorate.

The EU Chief Observer, Mr. Santiago Fisas, stated this yesterday in Abuja, when he led members of his delegation to pay a courtesy visit on the President of the Senate, David Mark.

Fisas, who was received by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, on behalf of the President of the Sen-

ate, however commended INEC for putting structures in place to facilitate credible elections in spite of the obvious challenges.

He said: “We know that INEC is making a big effort towards the election and to have been trying its best to make the elections possible.

“It is true that you are using a new system for the first time that perhaps will

make things a bit more complicated because the electorate are not aware about the system and there will be some technical problems.”

He also expressed confidence that the postponement of the elections would enable INEC to perfect its strategies towards making the exercise, a huge success, thereby forestalling anticipated violence.

manners of taxes and levies without government creating enabling environment first?

“The present government in Abia State is no doubt the people’s problem. Take away the government and the people will rejoice.

“Under my watch as the Abia State governor, I will ensure that Aba is returned to its past glory not only as the commercial nerve centre of the Igbo man but that of the entire nation and Africa.”

He also said that he ordered the reconstruction of some roads in Aba in order to lessen the sufferings of the traders before the raining season starts.

He, however, promised to upgrade Ariaria Market, saying products from the market will be exported to improve the lives of the traders as well as the economy of Abia State.

Kalu also promised the traders better days as their representative, saying that apart from the covenant he has with Aba North/South people, he will use his office and power to attract federal presence in Aba; the feat those representing them at the moment have fell to achieve.

Politics 15

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, February 17, 2015

Mammoth crowd welcomes Buhari to Maiduguri lSherrif’s campaign office set ablaze

Ahmed Miringa Maiduguri

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crowd of supporters yesterday welcomed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari, to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

People flooded the streets surrounding the airport before Buhari’s arrival at 11:10a.m., defying security fears in a city repeatedly attacked by the Boko Haram insurgents.

A 10-minute drive from the airport to the Shehu of Borno’s palace for Buhari, lasted

more than two hours as people thronged the streets seeking to catch a glimpse of the presidential hopeful.

After meeting the Shehu, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai El-kanemi, Buhari attempted to move to the nearby Ramat Square to address a campaign rally but again his movements were slowed by a mass of supporters.

At the rally, Buhari could not address the teeming supporters as he only wave to the crowd.

The crowd at Ramat was perhaps the largest ever gathering in Maiduguri.

Speaking at the Shehu of Borno`s palace, Buhari said he will liberate all territories cap-

tured by Boko Haram terrorists when elected as president.

He said: “If elected, I will focus on tackling the persistent insecurity affecting NorthEast. It is not easy as the damage has been done.

Your Royal Highness, God willing, if APC is elected, all towns under Boko Haram control will be liberated and rebuilt.

It was unfortunate that commercial activities were paralysed following the insecurity.

“In the past, hundreds of trailers loaded with goods took off from Maiduguri to various neighbouring countries, but presently the reverse is the case. Boko Haram ideology contradicts

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Islamic principles, because it does not allow senseless killings of innocent souls. It is unfortunate that innocent persons were being killed in mosques, churches and their houses. God willing, if APC is elected, we will restore the confidence in governance,” the presidential candidate stated.

He also promised to create jobs for the teaming youths, improved security and entrench good

governance.

He said: “People who don’t know Boko Haram will say it is a religious crisis. No religion will accept wanton killing and destruction of schools, markets, kidnapping of schoolgirls and say Insha Allah except you don’t know what you are saying.”

Responding, the Shehu of Borno appealed to the presidential candidate to focus on restoration of peace, massive investment, re-construction of federal roads, revamping of Lake Chad and ensure success of oil exploration in the Lake Chad region if elected.

Buhari was accompanied to the state by APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Rivers State Gover-

PVC: Ita-Giwa urges govt to declare Fridays work-free day Wale Elegbede

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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike (left), presenting a car gift to the Traditional Ruler in Ikwerre Land, Elele Alimini, Chief James Welekwe in Port Harcourt…yesterday.

An editorial published by New York Times on Monday, February 16

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he Nigerian government was supposed to hold presidential elections this past weekend, which presented voters with the dispiriting choice of keeping a lousy incumbent or returning to power a former autocratic leader. Now they will have to wait at least six weeks to cast votes.

The Nigerian election commission said earlier this month that it had pushed back the vote until at least March 28, after the country’s security chiefs warned that they could not guarantee the safety of voters in northeastern areas of the country where Boko Haram, the extremist militant group, captured international attention last spring when it abducted hundreds of schoolgirls. On Friday, Boko Haram fighters attacked a village in neighbouring Chad for the first time, an alarming sign of the group’s expanding strength in a region that also includes areas of Cameroon and Niger.

Any argument to delay the vote might be more credible if President Goodluck Jonathan’s government had not spent much of the past year playing down

nor Rotimi Ameachi, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National chairman, Chief Audu Ogbe, Senator Lawal Sha’aibu, Umar Faruk Aliyu, Senator Hadi Sirika, Gen. Lawan Dambazau (rtd), Mai Mala Bunu and Hadiza Bala Usman.

Meanwhile, the campaign office of the former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, was set ablaze by some youths before the arrival of the APC presidential candidate.

While reacting on BBC Hausa programme monitored in Maiduguri, an associate of the former governor, Mr. Inuwa Bwala, said they won’t blame the incident on Buhari but that the Borno State government who carried out the attack.

ormer Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on National Assembly Matters and Convener, Action Women Empowerment Initiative (AWEI), Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has urged the federal and state governments to make all Fridays before the election workfree day to enable workers collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

Ita-Giwa said she is worried that many Nigerians may not be able to perform their civic duties of choosing their preferred leaders if governments and the private sector do not give them more opportunities to get their PVCs. In a statement made available to newsmen

Nigeria’s Miserable Choices

Jonathan

Buhari

the threat posed by the militants and if there were a reasonable expectation that the country’s weak military has the ability to improve security in a matter of weeks.

It appears more likely Mr. Jonathan grew alarmed by the surging appeal of Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler who has vowed to crack down on Boko Haram. By dragging out the race, Mr. Jonathan stands to deplete his ri-

val’s campaign coffers, while he continues to use state funds and institutions to bankroll his own.

That Mr. Buhari, who helped launch a coup against a democratically elected government in 1983 and ruled until late 1985, has emerged as potential winner is more of an indictment of Mr. Jonathan’s dismal rule than a recognition of the former military chief ’s appeal.

Nigerian voters have grown increas-

yesterday, the Senator said that the only way Nigerians can actively participate in the electioneering process is by ensuring that they vote on March 28 and April 11.

She also urged the private sectors to set aside off-days for all their workers to go and collect theirs too.

She said: “I am still worried that many Nigerians are yet to get their PVCs. I want to use this medium to plead with the Federal Government and the private sector to make Fridays before the general elections work free days to enable massive collection of this cards.

“No company or organisation can operate in an environment that is not politically stable.”

ingly worried about the stunning rise of Boko Haram, which has committed terrorist atrocities including bombings.

The abductions and attacks by the group have exposed the weaknesses of Nigeria’s armed forces and the dysfunction of the government. Although Mr. Jonathan’s government has in the past been less than enthusiastic, and at times obstructive, in response to offers of American and European aid, he appears to be growing increasingly worried. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal last week, he said he would welcome American troops to fight the insurgency.

Beyond security matters, entrenched corruption and the government’s inability to diversify its economy as the price of oil, the country’s financial bedrock, has fallen have also caused Nigerians to look for new leadership. Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, and a relatively young democracy, cannot afford an electoral crisis. That would only set back the faltering effort to reassert government control in districts where Boko Haram is sowing terror. The security forces may not be able to safeguard many districts on Election Day. But postponement is very likely to make the security threat worse.

16 Politics

TUESDAY, February 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

OBASANJO’S EXIT FROM PDP

PDP will not miss Obasanjo – Anenih Anule Emmanuel Abuja

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hairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih has declared that former President Olusegun Obasanjo will never be missed by party members.

Anenih’s statement is coming few hours after Obasanjo tore in public his PDP membership card, explaining that he would only remain an elder statesman.

The BoT Chairman in an interview with State House correspondents yesterday at the Presidential villa, Abuja said the action of the former president was an indica-

tion that he has left the party and he would not be missed.

He told reporters that Obasanjo can join any party he so desires.

“He (Obasanjo) has the right to leave any party, and he has the right to join any party,

he is a Nigerian,” Anenih said.

Asked if PDP would miss Obasanjo, Anenih replied, saying “why should we miss him.”

Asked if the former president was not a big loss to the party, the BoT chairman said “to us

leaders it is not a loss.”

Former President Obasanjo has been at a loggerheads with President Goodluck Jonathan, resulting in the duo engaging in verbal fights.

Obasanjo in recent times has been critical on Jonathan’s style

of governance fuelling speculations that he is sympathetic to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Only on Saturday in Abeokuta, the former president said Jonathan was afraid of losing the election.

Babatope, Doherty hail Obasanjo’s exit from PDP Temitope Ogunbanke

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member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, has described the exit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the party as a good development.

Babatope, a former Minister of Transport, said Obasanjo’s exit has lifted a huge yoke from the neck of the party.

Babatope said: “Obasanjo’s exit from the PDP is a good development and we are not going to feel his exit at all. It is like a huge yoke has been lifted from the neck of the PDP and I can only wish him the best of

luck in all his future endeavours.

“Obasanjo’s exit will have no any effect on the PDP at all. Obasanjo is a fighter; hard fighting man but we are happy he has gone.”

Also speaking to New Telegraph, a former Acting National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the PDP, Engr. Adedeji Doherty, said PDP will not miss Obasanjo.

His words: “Finally, we can rejoice. We can rejoice and PDP can now sleep with two eyes closed. It is better we know the enemies of the party than for the enemies of the party to be within. We thank God for Obasanjo’s exit and we wish him good luck in APC.”

Obasanjo’s action unbecoming of a leader, says Walid Anule Emmanuel Abuja

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he Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Walid Jubrin yesterday described former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s destruction of his party membership as “irresponsible’ and “unbecoming of a leader.”

Speaking with State House correspondents, Walid said Obasanjo ought to have taken his decision more maturedly.

He said: “Should Obasanjo, a former head of state, behave that way?

Even if you want to take a decision like that, will you do it that way, as a responsible person will you do it that way? I am not saying he is not a responsible person.

“Responsibly, one should do it in a very neat way. There is a process of coming out of PDP, you go to your ward, submit your card, give some explanations why you are doing so not just in the

public. Why should the chairman tear the card?

Is he supporting him?” he queried.

He said the utterances being made by the former president “are not worthy of leaders.” “You have to make very responsible utterances. There are other past presidents in Nigeria, have they behave that way?” he asked.

Obasanjo at a PDP function

Ex-president’s action childish, self-serving – S’West PDP Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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he South-West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the action of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, tearing his party membership card as “childish, selfserving and cruel.

“Instead of turning himself to a masquerade, dancing naked in the market place, Obasanjo should be honest enough to disclose those selfish demands that he made from Pres-

ident Goodluck Jonathan, which the president declined.

“Obasanjo’s exit will only affect the party positively because he was never an electoral asset to the party.

“Obasanjo benefited immensely from the party. He turned himself into the party when he was president, tried to lord himself over everyone even after he left office and opted out of the party when he could no longer control its soul. We say bye bye to him,” the Zonal Chairman, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, said in

a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti.

He added that the party would not miss the former president.

He said: “Obasanjo ceased being a member of the PDP since last year. He only formalised his exit from our party on Monday and we in the PDP are relieved now that we no longer have a mole among us.

“In the first instance, he has never contributed a dime to the PDP, a party that made him president.

Rather, he has promoted strife and rebellion among members for his own selfish interests.

“It was his selfishness that caused us the governorship election in Ogun State in 2011 and it was his high handedness that led to the exit of key members of the party.

We are therefore happy that he has finally bid us farewell and we will not miss him.”

Ogundipe called on members of the party, especially in the SouthWest to remain steadfast in their support for the party, its presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan and other candidates of the party in the forthcoming general elections.

Mimiko tackles ex-president over poll shift Babatope Okeowo Akure

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overnor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State yesterday tackled former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the allegation that the February elections were postponed because of plan by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to manipulate the polls.

Mimiko, who is the Coordinator for President Goodluck Jonathan re-

election in South-West, said the PDP would win the zone in the March elections despite the fact that the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) controls most of the states in the zone.

Mimiko said the excuse given by Jega for the postponement of the election was justifiable as only 38 per cent of the people in the zone had collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) as at last week.

According to him, many people in the

South-West would have been disenfranchised had the elections held on February 14 and 28.

Mimiko said the evidence on ground showed that the former President Obasanjo was economical with the truth when he said the election was shifted to allow the ruling party to rig it.

On the chances of the party in South-West zone despite the fact that PDP controls only two out of the six states in the zone, Mimiko said the people would vote base on con-

viction and not on sentiment.

His words: “You will recall that in 2011, PDP had no governor in the South-West yet at the end of the presidential election, PDP and Jonathan won in spite of that. The evidence however is that it may not be the number of governors that will determine the outcome of the election because when PDP had no governor, Jonathan won five out of the six states.

“Now Jonathan has two governors in the

South-West and I keep telling people that the South-West is politically sophisticated and nobody can run away from that fact. If you want to get the support of the South-West, it must be based on substance, it must be based on your political antecedents and records. It must be based on empirical evidences.

“And Jonathan has positively touched that sector especially LagosIbadan road which is reputed to be the busiest road in Africa.”

Politics 17

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, February 17, 2015

Yero blows hot amidst peace accord Last Wednesday, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Mr. Patrick Dokumor, brokered a peace accord, where the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as well as other political parties reiterated their commitment to a violence-free election campaigns in Kaduna State. IBRAHEEM MUSA reports

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attle rustlers, armed bandits and highway robbers have been having a field day in Birnin Gwari, a bustling commercial town on the eastern flank of Kaduna State.

Severally, the people, their emir and political elite have been crying out for help but the help never came. Rather, the crime kept escalating and claiming lives and property.

Undaunted, the people kept hoping against hope but the government kept making promises. Largely, the people of Birnin Gwari, surrounding towns and villages have been left to their own devices. Consequently, they took their security into their hands and formed vigilant groups but rather than abate, the raids increased in scale and ferocity. Down and out, the people feel neglected by the state government and on February 2, they vented their anger on Governor Muktar Yero.

The governor, on that fateful day, had gone to Birnin Gwari on a campaign tour but he got a hostile reception along the way.

The people, according to reports, had lined up along Buruku road and booed his convoy. Specifically, they chanted “Bama so,” “Sai Buhari” and similar slogans to convey their displeasure. Conversely, they praised Major General Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate. The governor, according to reports, was shocked by this turn of event but nonetheless, proceeded. However, he encountered a similar hostility at Udawa town.

Significantly, at Birnin Gwari town, the people were cold towards the governor as most of them, according to reports, went about their businesses instead of waiting for the August visitor. Upon arrival, he paid homage to the emir, Alhaji Jibril Zubair Maigwari. Thereafter, Yero went to the local government Rest House and met with religious leaders behind closed doors. Afterwards, the governor and his entourage, according to reports, went to the campaign square where just a few people were waiting. Briefly, he made several promises but the crowd, figuratively speaking, was not prepared to read his lips. In summary, they took the promises

Yero

with a pinch of salt.

Somehow, the governor returned to Kaduna safely but along New Panteka area, his convoy ran into a raft of protests. The people, mostly mechanics and artisans, raised Buhari and el-Rufai’s posters, shouting “Canji” or “Change.”

However, about 500 meters away, the governor’s entourage lost its cool around Bakin Ruwa area, the stronghold of the opposition since 1999. The governor, apart from policemen, had his own “Yan daba” or private militia on his entourage and at Bakin Ruwa they were allegedly let loose on the people.

Significantly, like Buruku, Udawa and New Panteka, the people of Bakin Ruwa also jeered at the governor’s convoy, shouting “Karya ne,” “Sai Buhari” and “Bama so,” as well as other words of disapproval. The thugs, in one fell swoop, descended on the protesters and clobbered them, using sticks and machetes free on the people.

Similarly, the people also reacted and the area dissolved into chaos.

The police, to add salt to injury, shot tear gas canisters but the people kept charging forward, chanting various war songs as they did.

In the end, the mob smashed cars and wounded people while police shot and killed three of them. However, rather than abate, the killing heightened the bedlam and the convoy left in a huff.

Thereafter, the motorcade raced to Kabala West Junction and went on the offensive. The thugs, according to reports, pulled down Buhari and el-Rufai’s billboards and posters, using dangerous weapons. In addition, when they were accosted, the “Ýandaba” fell upon their challengers and thereafter, a free-for-all ensued in the area, claiming some casualties. Significantly, the governor, some PDP chieftains and senior government officials witnessed the gory scene but no one dared stop the mayhem.

Afterwards, a blame game ensued between the APC and PDP’s rank and file. The governor, in a press statement, condemned the attack on his convoy and accused APC of sponsoring it. The statement, signed by Ahmed Maiyaki, the governor’s media aide, said that “the same APC that is chant-

el-Rufai

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

In two years, I have tasted power and know what it means to exercise it... If I like, I will not allow whoever I don’t want to enter Kaduna

ing change, has resorted to violence and threats.”

This disposition, according to him, “is a clear indication that the opposition party is afraid of an imminent defeat in the forthcoming polls.”

Not done, the statement berated APC for influencing youths to violence. “The PDP,” Maiyaki added, “shall continue to resist any attempt at causing mayhem in Kaduna state.”

The APC, on its part, blamed PDP thugs for destroying Buhari and el-Rufai’s billboards, including maiming of innocent citizens.

The party, in a press statement, alleged that Yero led the destruction in both Bakin Ruwa and Kabala West Junction. “When residents demanded explanations for the vandalism, they were attacked and beaten by the thugs,” amuel Aruwan, el-Rufai’s spokesman alleged.

Last week, PDP thugs had attacked APC campaign vehicles, Aruwan recalled, in the Badiko area of Kaduna metropolis. Significantly, beyond this buck passing, the governor may have laid the grounds for the campaign-related violence.

On January 12, Yero flagged off his campaign and on that occasion, the kid gloves came off the mild mannered governor’s fists.

Using bare knuckles, he rained blows on the opposition as he jettisoned his written speech and spoke in Hausa. First, he accused his party men of cowardice in the face of APC’s onslaught. The opposition, according to him, has been pulling down PDP billboards, attacking its vehicles and tearing its posters. However, PDP members are too scared, the governor noted, to even campaign let alone stand up against APC thugs.

This situation, according to Yero, is unacceptable as elections are not for the lily-livered. “Right now, PDP is in government both at state and federal level, yet the opposition is harassing us,” Governor Yero said, “we will face greater humiliation if we lose power.” For this reason, Yero advised his party men to go all out and campaign and “if anyone touches you, you should retaliate, after all none of them is a spirit.” Consequently, he challenged anyone to accost PDP’s

campaign train and face the consequences.

Thereafter, Yero launched a pincer’s attack on APC and El Rufai, its governorship candidate. el-Rufai, according to the governor, claims that he is not from Kaduna State as his Curriculum Vitae shows that the ex-Minister is from Katsina State. For this reason, Yero advised him to return home to realise his governorship ambition, instead of intruding in Kaduna State. “el-Rufai, as Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, had done nothing for Kaduna or its people, either in his personal or official capacity, to warrant their votes,” he said. Not done, Yero challenged el-Rufai to mention any project, person or community that he has helped or built in Kaduna State while he was in government.

Elsewhere, he threatened el-Rufai using innuendoes. “In two years, I have tasted power and know what it means to exercise it as I please.

If I like, I will not allow whoever I don’t want to enter Kaduna or even leave the premises of his house. If you dare me, I will demolish your house and nothing will happen but I will not do so because I’m not like you,” Yero threatened. On and on, the governor threw tantrums at APC, el-Rufai and PDP candidates, accusing the latter of cowing to intimidation.

The next day, el-Rufai and APC got their opportunity but curiously, neither the ex-minister nor the party exercised their “right of reply” during the flag off of his campaign. Unwittingly, he assumed the moral high ground as he refused to trade insults with Yero for one reason: The PDP, according to him, is trying to provoke a fight and in the process declare curfew in Kaduna during elections. By so doing, the ruling party will rig the polls, according to the ex-minister. “Insults and raining abuses,” he pointed out, “are not in our character, that is not how we were brought up and that is not what our leader, General Muhammadu Buhari taught us.” Consequently, “APC members should not retaliate abuses,” elRufai had advised. He urged his party members to keep vigil and make sure their votes are counted on election day.

Last Wednesday, AIG Patrick Dokumor convened a peace parley at Police Officers’ Mess Kaduna. PDP, at that event, opened old wounds instead of seeking a way forward. “Our posters and billboards are being destroyed on daily basis, whereever we go out on campaign, they pelted us with stones and other dangerous objects,” Chief Abubakar Haruna, the party chairman had complained. According to him, “sometime of these things happen in the presence of security agents who are hindered by order to react.

This cannot continue as we will be forced to provide our own security before the situation deteriorates.”

In the end, all the political parties signed a Peace Accord, committing themselves to a violencefree election. However, this may seem a tall order going by Yero’s earlier stand and APC’s determination to wrest power from the ruling party.

18

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion INEC in a season of high-profile inanities Dan Amor

P

oor Attahiru Jega! The distinguished Professor of political science and Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is once again in the dock. Indeed, the first salvo against Jega in the court of public opinion is that he is biased. Those who say that Jega is biased cite his now aborted plot to create 30,000 polling booths eighty per cent of which would have been located in the North as evidence of his ploy to give his side of the country an edge over the rest of the country. Another charge against Jega is to the effect that the umpire has kowtowed to pressure from the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to disenfranchise voters who are seen to be sympathetic to President Goodluck Jonathan and his ruling Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP). The story making the rounds in Lagos is that INEC, in solidarity with APC, has denied the Igbo who constitute more than 46 per cent of the population in Lagos the Permanent Voter Card (PVC).

According to fillers from the nation's commercial headquarters, INEC has asked Lagosians to go get their PVCs from the 20 local government areas and the 37 local council development areas created by its immediate past governor, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is currently the national leader of the APC. According to The Guardian of Thursday February 5, 2013, "There are sordid tales of woe from many Lagos residents and environs, four days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) extended the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to Sunday February 8, 2015 as they troop out to their various registration centers to collect their PVCs without success. For those residents, the collection of their cards, a prerequisite for casting their votes in the February 14 general elections has either been deliberately made difficult by some individuals for selfish reasons or a deliberate plot to smear INEC's image and efforts towards superintending a successful election."

In the usually conservative orientations of the paper, The Guardian's report was very correct but not

very elaborate enough to give its readers the benefit of forming their opinions on this very topical issue at the apogee of our national discourse. A more detailed report would have included the fact that almost one hundred per cent of those facing the logic of being disenfranchised in Lagos much against the tenets of the Electoral Act, are Nigerians of South East and South South origin, an aspect of political persecution. How the PVCs got o the hands of APC political jobbers must be investigated right away. It is benumbing that INEC stooped so low as to hand over the distribution of PVCs to politicians who ask the electorate to thumb print before they are given the voter cards in Lagos. The reader should read about the plight of prospective registered voters from the South east and South south who are resident in Lagos in the February 8 edition of The Niche On Sunday. More alarming is the fact that without adequate preparation, INEC told the world that it was ready for the elections.

How ready are you for elections when more than 20 million prospective registered voters are yet to get their voter cards? How prepared are you when even your 700,000 ad hoc staff are yet to be trained and the training manuals yet to be released? Why try to blackmail Jonathan and the military with the half-truth that you are postponing the elections because of insecurity in the North-east when it is obvious that you failed to do your work well? Why the hoopla over shift in election date when it is certain that INEC is not ready for the exercise? The Electoral Act states clearly that elections could be held at least not less than 30 days to the hand over date. What this means is that INEC has the mandate to shift any election to a date not exceeding April 26. Apart from politicizing the PVCs distribution in Lagos, Kaduna and Kano, the initial refusal of the Prof.

Attahiru Jega- led electoral body to shift forward the date of the elections in spite of its obvious shortcomings was the height of impunity. In a more serious and fundamental sense, Jega must explain to Nigerians why and how the distribution of the PVCs suddenly become the sole responsibility of the APC. I refuse to see this as a manifestation of the much-talked-about elite conspiracy against Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Iam inclined to say here that my joy springs from the fact that Nigerians have now come to the realization that democracy is better than dictatorship. The President's Spartan outing in his campaign rallies across the country to confirm his transformational strides and his overwhelming endorsement by various interest groups across the country is a huge testimony to the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is once again coasting to victory in the Presidential and National Assembly elections. The rallies depicted Jonathan's persona, his exuding energy, dogged political savvy, unprecedented achievements in all sectors of the economy and commitment to the Nigerian project. What some of us are saying is that we have come to the stage in our political development that every Nigerian must adhere to the tenets of democracy. No matter your commitment, real or imagined, to the fight against corruption, no matter your plan to curb insurgency in the land, if you don't adhere to the principles of the rule of law you will end up promoting more corruption and insecurity in the country. What we must first address in our country is the culture of impunity which has degenerated to a rhythm of lawlessness. It is a season of high-profile inanities!

This culture of impunity is alien to the African setting.

It is an authoritarian and totalitarian culture which was instituted by the military in our country. General Muhammadu Buhari, the APC presidential candidate and his supporters who are apologetic to this culture of impunity, are still threatening fire and brimstone if there is any further postponement of the elections. They are trying to criminalize the Federal Government and the Nigerian military for what is clearly the obvious shortcomings of INEC. Are the military and government to blame for the failure of INEC to distribute the 23 million PVCs to registered voters? Are they to blame for the failure of INEC to produce enough training materials for the elections? Are they to blame for INEC's inability to conduct training and simulation exercises for the over 700,000 ad hoc staff on the Card Readers and other necessary aspects of the election and deploy enough Card Readers to the states?

• Amor, journalist and writer, contributed this piece from Abuja.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Beyond religion and culture FOR the quest to be accepted among the Christian community in Nigeria in the presidential elections he is in the ring, I have watched General Muhammadu Buhari, whom his media handlers sobriquet GMB, attended more churches within the past few months than many so-called Christians.

What this forced acceptance of Christianity, while he is a Muslim, showcases in the Nigerian democracy is that religion has come to play a thoughtless role in our everyday life against what many of us as individuals believe in. Religion in Nigeria has made her citizens not to be wholehearted a people who earnestly have freedom of choice, fairness.

Religion in this country has made the country’s Constitution not to speak with fairness and a sense of decency without referring to religion. And the leaders in whose hands it is to correct this anomaly are gulping from the fraud and boasting to be true leaders.

Bringing in religion in everything we do in this country cannot make us a focused country. We cannot continue to sieve individuals between one religion and the other. It is not calming and rewarding with the way and manner religion has beclouded the senses of Nigerians, I mean the two alien religions of Christianity and Islam. Ahoy!

•Odimegwu Onwumere, poet/writer, Rivers State.

Okezie Ikpeazu: A misplaced choice of Abia OF all the states in the south east, by extension Nigeria, Abia is perhaps the most backward in all considerations except for bad governance which it has fanned its embers with great delight. Abia state since its creation in 1991 is that state that has been adorned and living in the now fragile glory of her heroes' past; Michael Okpara, Frank Ajobena, Ogbonnaya Onu, Ike Nwosu, Temi Ejoor, Moses Fasanya, and Anthony Obi regardless of their fair impacts in the state but Michael Okpara's who was Premier of Eastern Nigeria emerging as the youngest regional premier in Nigeria at the age of 39 with the most thriving legacy which is yet to be beaten or seconded. Abia which prides on her inherited citadel of learning, Abia State University (ABSU) from her mother state, Imo state was in the reigns of her former leaders, before this current democratic dispensation, a heaven for entrepreneurs and artisans who ply their trades in one of Nigeria's most populous cities-Aba which is today a symbol of a raped and dumped city. Aba which took center stage as a hive for commerce in the east has today

been shaded by Onitsha which had depended on the Aba artisans who specialized in shoe and bag making, as well as other forms of crafts and wares. Aba was that economicdriven city which accommodated a network of business merchants, importers and exporter of all sorts of wares for which other neighboring states, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Imo, others including Lagos threw a good percentage of commerce reliance on. Today, where is Aba? What can be made out of Aba? Has the decadence of Aba brought the thriving of Abia state or an increasing tale of woe? What has brought the mighty so low?

Regardless of the fact that Abia has been bastardized and stigmatized as the most backward state in Nigeria, Abians have been according themselves in that good manner which is known for God's own people in God's Own State. But how shall the glory of the children make haste to wipe out the foot prints of their fore-bears whose metamorphosis trend by the calling to reign by the fore-bear who chooses the most suiting skin of his' as his successor? Regardless of the decimal-recording in good jobs

owing to the fact that the few industries set up and maintained by the past premier and military administrators of the state are today moribund, Abians have stuck to their entrepreneurial barrels, setting up shops on street sides, inside the gutters and waterways while a few other have chosen to hawk their shops on their heads while some hawk theirs' on trucks and wheelbarrows hence the lack for capital as the cash flow in the state has remained in the hands of the first families of the state and their cronies. They have maintained their charity and hospitality even in the face of administrative hostility which the current administration posed to their friends and brothers from other states as they were disengaged by the civil service of the state. It is very imperative that the next governor of Abia state must and should be an individual chosen by Abians as opposed to the trending reign of imposition.

It is on this premise that the choice of Okezie Ikpeazu, Abians most misplaced choice. This is a choice that will undoubtedly relegate Abia State to a greater stinking state.

• Izuoma Ibe writes from Abuja, Nigeria

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

19

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Need to regulate housing development

W

hen the Federal government introduced a new Housing Policy in June 2012, compatriots heaved a sigh of relief, convinced that at last an enabling environment had been created to afford many the opportunity to own houses with little or no sweat at all.

The new policy replaced the 1991 Housing Policy as well as the 1997 Urban Development Policy. At the end of a Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice president Namadi Sambo, then Information minister Labaran Maku painted a clear picture of hope. “ This policy”, Maku said, “emphasizes the central role of the private sector, while the government concentrates on its role as a regulator. We believe that when you give a man shelter, you provide him with dignity. The new policy will bring about the development of about one million houses annually.”

Maku’s counterpart in the Housing ministry at the time, Ama Pepple exuded as much optimism. According to her,” the policy emphasizes the central role of the private sector financing one million houses a year. It will introduce the ele-

ment of social housing to ensure that all Nigerians have a share of the pie. It also hopes to drive economic growth.

The policy will help drive the economy.”

Private sector involvement has helped, to some degree, drive the economy. This is obvious in the number of Estates that have appeared even beyond the cities. Some satellite towns have emerged while development has also kissed some outlying districts.

The import is that new jobs are created and more opportunities keep coming up as more humans rush to the new sites and environment. Existing cities may not be depopulated but the new housing schemes at least, keep them from sheltering more than enough inhabitants.

There is also the other side of the coin. Simply because the private sector has been given the green light to play a huge role, some unscrupulous developers seize the opportunity to milk unsuspecting clients dry.

One of such companies, owned by a former housing minister, is said to be in the habit of luring intending house owners with sweet sounding baits only to renege the moment payment is concluded.

This particular company

based in Lagos, with interest in Abuja, would advertise in a leading national daily, detailing such features as tarred roads, paved walkways, lit up streets, shopping malls, space for recreation and schools, among so many others.

Many buyers , carried away by such features, would rush to their banks and withdraw hard earned money to pay for the houses. From that moment, their journey into sorrow begins. The roads are not tarred, there are no walkways at all.

There is even no provision for recreation.

Still on this particular developer who is a high sounding name in government circles, his company would even ask home owners to pay over 100,000 naira to be allowed to connect light to their houses.

It got to a stage that officials of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria had to intervene on behalf of the house owners.

In other instances, home owners hardly get the relevant documents due them after paying for the houses. Some are even forced to go to court, thereby incurring extra costs in a deal that should ordinarily give them a breather.

Nelson Mandela it was, who said a man cannot really claim to be a man if he had no home

of his own. The story in our country today, far from Madiba’s South Africa, is that men buy houses and still struggle like boys to get all relevant documents.

Government must play its role of regulator . It is exasperating for one to buy land under one administration and have the same parcel of land confiscated by a succeeding regime. Government is a continuum. Individuals should not be made to suffer government’s lack of consistency.

In various parts of the country , we find buildings being demolished without compensation to the house owners even when they could produce relevant documents obtained from government. This definitely cannot help in realizing the dream of one million houses every year.

The much government could do is to regulate the Housing sector ensuring especially that developers adhere to policy rules. There must be checks and balances. And developers who run foul of the law should be sanctioned so that there will be buyer confidence.

We believe the slogan, shelter for all, may not be achievable, but at least, it is a dream that should give all hope if government plays its part in the area of control.

DAILY TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

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20

Politics

TUESDAY, February 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Party chairmen battle for presidency, Senate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

the backing of the late godfather of Kwara State politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki, during the 2011 general elections, the party has not performed in other places. Even despite the late Saraki’s support, the party’s candidate, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, lost woefully in the election.

With the reality, Galadima will be functioning as national chairman Ambrose Owuru: On familiar turf Owuru has been in the presidential race since

2007. As a veteran presidential candidate, his aspiration is not a surprise to many Nigerians, having taken part in the contests in the past without anything to show for it. His party, HDP, is not well rooted in Nigerian politics and therefore his chances of becoming the next president are slim.

Sam Eke for president Eke will battle other presidential candidates to win the March 28 election. The CPP national chairman is not a greenhorn in politics, having

participated in several general elections in the past. He was the CPP governorship candidate in Abia State in 2007 and 2011 and also National Publicity Secretary of Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC).

Eke, who is an accountant by profession, hails from Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.

As the presidential election draw closers, Nigerians wonder whether Eke’s political dossier and forays in politics would translate to votes for him

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Owuru

at the poll.

Victor Umeh: From chairman to Senate Umeh is APGA’s sen-

atorial candidate for Anambra Central. He is contesting against incumbent Senator

Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Hon. Uche Ekwunife, a member of the House of Representatives representing Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunokofia Federal Constituency, contesting on the PDP platform.

This is the first time Umeh would be taking part in an election. Umeh emerged as APGA national chairman through a court verdict and since then he has been engaging some members of the party in leadership tussles. Apart from his battle with Okorie, he and Chief Maxi Okwu also flexed muscles at different courts before the Supreme Court upheld his position as the party’s chairman.

Umeh also had a running battle with former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, for months before they sheathed their swords few weeks to last governorship election in the state.

Umeh’s senatorial ambition seems to have torn APGA apart in Anambra State as prominent chieftains and members of the party, including Obi and Ekwunife, have dumped the party to pitch their tent with the PDP. Therefore, Umeh would only be relying on his political network and support of the state’s governor, Mr. Willie Obiano, to realise his aspiration.

Though Umeh as APGA national chairman has won Anambra State for his party on two occasions, some political analysts believe that it may be difficult for him to realise his senatorial ambition because of some odds against him. First, he is contesting against Ngige, who is popular not only in the senatorial district but in the entire state, having governed the state for about three years. Ngige hails from Idemili, the most populous area in Anambra Central and many people believe that it would be difficult for Umeh or any other candidate to beat Ngige, who is seeking for re-election.

Another minus to Umeh’s ambition is his running battle with exgovernor Obi. The former governor is from the same senatorial district with him and since he is a PDP chieftain, he will work for his party’s candidate victory during the election. Ekwunife is also a strong politician in the senatorial district and she is currently representing three out of the seven local governments in Anambra Central Senatorial District in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

21

Theatre

The Sojourn goes on stage

22

Arts From MUSON, New Horizons for CULTURE

African classical music, jazz A Tony Okuyeme

frican classical music takes centre stage with renewed voice and expression as the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Centre, Onikan, Lagos, presents New Horizons, a brand new concert series, conceived and directed by Mr. Tunde Jegede. The series will hold on February 22, March 29, April 19, and June 14, 2015, respectively.

In New Horizons, the world renowned composer, cellist and kora virtuoso, Tunde Jegede, who is the Artistic Director of MUSON, brings a new vision to classical music in Africa. A renaissance man of the African harp with over 20 years experience, his work is a unique synthesis of classical, jazz and traditional music and embodies the legacy of the idiom, African Classical Music.

Announcing the hosting of this concert series in a press conference in Lagos, the General Manager of the MUSON Centre, Mr. Gboyega Banjo said New Horizons is a brand new concert series which gives a taste of Jegede’s operatic, jazz and chamber music with a difference. According to him, the series seeks to harness gifted singers and musicians and create a platform for powerful musical expression.

Explaining further, Jegede

Tony Okuyeme

T

he Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, has again underscored the significance of cultural training for workers,

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Jegede (right) in performance during 2014 edition of Muson Festival

said New Horizons embraces jazz, classical, classical, opera and African music and features some of the world’s leading international artists, including the African-American opera diva, Laverne Williams, Argentinian singer and flautist, Diana Baroni, the Samadhi Ensenble and the Muson Choir. “This is African Classical Music in its poetic, historical and cultural context,” he said.

The show is spread across four weekends (Sundays). The first concert of the series which holds this Sunday February 22, 2015, is an exploration of jazz and its African Connections. It features premiere Nigerian spoken word artist, Dike Chukwumerije, singer/multi percussionist, Venus Bushfires, Age Beeka, Imoleayo Balogun and the Art Ensemble of Lagos.

African Messiah is the title of

the second concert in the series which holds on Sunday March 29.

African Messiah, a contemporary opera written and composed by Tunde Jegede, brings African and baroque music together for the first time. It is the story of the messiah in parallel to the historical trials and tribulations of African people through millennia, told in poetic narrative. Featuring in this concert are the Muson Choir and the Samadhi Ensemble, conducted by Sir Emeka Nwokedi.

On Sunday April 19, After the Dream, an opera of celebrated arias put together by the soprano soloist, Ranti Ihimoyan, takes centre stage.

It features the African-American opera diva, Laverne Williams and some of Nigeria’s finest opera singers including, Guchi Egbunine, Fatima Anyekema and Chika Ogbuji.

The concert series ends on Sunday June 14, with Emidy: He who Dared to Dream, a concert centred around the life and times of the 19th century composer and violinist, Joseph Antonio Emidy, who traversed three continents from Africa to South America and finally to Europe. The concert features Tunde Jegede, Diana Baroni and the Indian multi-percussionist, Renu Hossain.

All concerts begin at 6pm, at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

NICO cultural training, imperative for staff promotion –Ayakoroma stressing that any NICO staff who fails to complete the Institute’s regular programmes in Cultural Administration will not be promoted.

Ayakoroma stated this during the meeting of the Examination Committee of the Institute held on Tuesday February 10, 2015, at NICO Liaison Office, National Theatre complex, Iganmu, Lagos, to consider the last Semester Examination result of students of NICO Training School. He emphasised that NICO certificates are valuable possessions which can only be ear ned by worthy and deserving students through

NICO troupe performing at the launching of the book Trends in Nollywood by Ayakoroma in Lagos.

hard work. “Therefore, any NICO student who fails to sit for an examination,

defend assigned research project, or abstain from field work must retur n for

the next academic session to do so as the Institute has set academic standards that cannot be compromised.”

During the Exam Committee meeting, score sheets of NICO students for second semester examinations of 2013/2014 Academic session were presented

by Mrs. Brigitte R. Yerima, Director, NICO Training School before the Committee with the NICO’s Executive Secretary presiding.

Other key officers present for the Committee meeting include the Director, NICO Liaison Office, Lagos, Mr. Louis Eriomola, Head of Academics Unit and lecturer at the School, Dr. Dipo Kalejaiye.

22

Arts

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Afrologic, Wura Samba for Ten Cities album launch

Wura Samba

T Theatre Centrik in performance

The Sojourn goes on stage Tony Okuyeme

O

worin Meji (The Sojourn), a play written

by Lekan Balogun and directed by Tony Biyi Boyede, goes on stage on Sunday March 1, 2015, at NECA Hall, NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. It is produced by Theatre Centrik, a Lagos-based theatre and media company with an African root but a global spirit, and features a crop of talented and experienced actors.

The play Oworin Meji (The Sojourn), explores the experience of three Jolly Friends in search of destiny which lies in

their hands. In interpreting this story, modern techniques are explored to define the purpose of each individual as connected to the other. Ilu moves on without the understanding that Eegun and Agogo is the complement of his journey.

To convey the central theme of the story, special act of the sojourns is exploited to truly give clear understanding of the imagery that is contained in the story, Boyede stated, adding that the audience should expect to see dance and music to really express the dramatic exploit in the story.

“Oworin Meji,The Sojourn is a play about our life, existence

and interactions; Connection between those around us and those within our reach. We are set to watch the connection between Ilu, Eegun and Agogo; the rhythm of Ilu accompanied by Agogo and the elegant dance step of Eegun.”

He further stated that the core value of Theatre Centrik is to promote global arts and culture.

“We organise various events such as Araloba, Dance Champions League, and Street Theatre, just to mention a few. The organization has also performed at different functions local and international, and trained numerous groups, schools and individuals various rudiments of theatre.”

Acoustic Night: Diana Bada and D’expressions performs in Lagos Tony Okuyeme

M

ulticultural ‘Afro-soul’ singer and recording artiste who mashes up Hip-Hop, Jazz and Reggae, Diana Lolade Bada would perform live with her band, Diana Bada and D’ expressions, at the BC Garden Café, Omenka Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The eventwhich is tagged Acoustic Night is organized by Revilo, a multi-platform media company with a focus on contemporary African visual culture, entertainment and lifestyle.

Diana, who has made her stance in the creative arts and the music industry, was part of the 2008 edition of MTVBase/Zain advance warning that had artistes like M.I, Kel, Terry G, Durella, Waje and Terry Tha Rapman among others. She was also part of the Gimme Shot Crew touring in Europe as well as the lead vocalist for the Tripanation Band.

Having a Euro/Afro background, she continues to spread love with her original compositions, as well as inspire and motivate her listeners and audience with strong lyrics and melodies.

She has been able to reach out to

her niche of fans through energetic live performances and recorded collaborations.

The multicultural singer born to a Nigeria father and Russian mother, fuses a unique blend of poetry, jazz, hip hop and reggae which she likes to call ‘Afro soul’. She made her stance in the creative arts and music industry, working both in Europe and Africa with producers and musicians such as DJ Mango, Elmarcee, Sena, Marcel, Yonderboi, Alan Redfern, Resn, Grandmotif, Polaak, Dj Vadim, as well as an array of Nigerian industry gurus like Konga, OJB Jezreel, Benny Paladin, General Pype, Godwon, Mr.Raw, Olu Maintain, Oritz Willikis, Teemac, Bantu and Ruggedman.

She released her 2nd album in June 2014, titled “Be”, giving outstanding performances with her musical band D’expressions, and exciting alternative music lovers from all over the world.

Newly established Revilo Music is involved in the development, sale and distribution of quality music. The label specializes in various genres like Neoclassical African music, Afro Pop, as well as fusion of Jazz, Hip Hop and Bada in performance Reggae.

his Friday February 20, 2015, at Jazzhole, 168 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, the Goethe-Institut Nigeria will present Ten Cities, a new compilation of electronic music originating from Africa and Europe. Between autumn 2012 and spring 2013, the Ten Cities project brought electronic music producers and musicians from five cities in Europe (Berlin, Bristol, Kiev, Lisbon and Naples) to five cities in Africa (Cairo, Johannesburg, Lagos, Luanda and Nairobi).

“They were invited to collaborate and create, spending an intense time together making music in sticky studios and blacked-out rooms across the African continent. A selection of the outcome of these cross-continental experiments can be heard on this record. It’s no surprise that the results are far from what many would term ‘World Music’ and its often generic mixture of aural clichés,” the Institut stated in a statement.

“Ten Cities attempts to do something quite different: whilst searching for common ground it is also trying to highlight the differences. As a result, hip-hop from the squats of Naples; bass music from Bristol; experimental techno from Berlin or jazz-tinged deep-house from Kiev are thrust upon the pumping kuduro of Luanda, the free-thinking crackled electronica of Cairo, afro-jazz from Lagos or the Sheng street-slang of Kenyan rap.”

Featured artists Afrologic, Wura Samba, Temi, Aremu, Jah Device, and Duro Ikujenyo will perform a live set of their songs from the Ten Cities album.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

MATHEMATICS

SUPPORT

Ministry tasks teachers to make teaching of maths interesting

NUC, stakeholders drum support for scrapping of ‘pass’ grade

24

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23

Education POWER TUSSLE

Tussle between the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of NECO and the Director of Finance and Account, over who lead the Council

Leadership crisis rocks NECO

Dan Atori Minna

A

ll seems not to be well with the 16-year-old National Examination Council (NECO) over the leadership crisis rocking the examination body.

Following the expiration of the three-year second term tenure of the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Prof.

Promise Nwachukwu Okpala, on April 8, the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau had in a letter ordered that the Registrar should proceed on terminal leave, in line with the extant law and the statute guiding the tenure and operations of NECO. In the letter, Okpala, who was first appointed for five-year tenure in 2007, and second term tenure of three years in 2012, with the appointment rule to vacate office on April 8, 2015, was directed by the Minister to hand over to the most Senior Director in the Council.

Going by the letter, the Director of Account and Finance, Dr. James Ojebode was expected to take over from Okpala in acting capacity until a substantive Registrar is named for the council which was established in April 1999.

With this letter, the NECO’s chapter of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institution (NASU) had few weeks ago, at a press conference pressurised the Registrar to obey the Minister’s order by proceeding on terminal leave.

The Chairman of NASU, Comrade Abdulrasheed Rabana had alleged Okpala of refusing to comply with the Minister’s directives.

Rabana, while citing Section 100238 of the public service rule

kayode olanrewaju Editor, education

kayode olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

NECO Headquarters in Minna, Niger State. Inset: Minister for Education Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau and Prof. Okpala

which states that “a public office holder should go on disengagement or pre-retirement leave of three months,” however wondered why is it that the Minister could no longer give directive to public officers to go on disengagement leave.

The Registrar, who ignored the calls from some quarters that he should proceed on terminal leave, however, said “he still has all the instruments as the boss and that he is still at work.”

His words: “I am still at work because all the instruments that keep me here are still intact. If it is otherwise, I will quietly go on that terminal leave. I am still at work; I have not gone on leave. I still have the instrument granting me the permission to still go to work.”

But, investigations by New Telegraph have revealed that the Minister’s letter of 23rd January was set aside through another letter from the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mac John Nwaobiala, invalidating the first letter from Shekarau.

Nwaobiala was alleged to be acting on a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation with reference SGF/S14/11 of 27th January, 2015, thereby asking the Registrar to continue in office and complete his tenure which will lapse on April 8.

I am still at work because all the instruments that keep me here are still intact

It was also gathered that the Permanent Secretary acted on Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the SGF’s letter directing the Council’s Board that “the status quo ante be maintained” contradicting the earlier order of the Minister that the Registrar should proceed on a terminal leave.

As the crisis lingers on, more facts have continued to emerge that the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer has so far been issued two separate letters, and while the Director of Finance and Accounting, Ojebode, who now posed as Acting Director has been discovered to have overstayed his civil service years having spent 42 years as a Civil Servant contrary to the Civil Service rules.

Our Correspondent gathered that, Ojebode in the information contained in his personal data, as filled on December 3,1993, when he joined the then National Board for Educational Measurement, now NECO, indicated that he began his civil service carrier in 1973 as a Clerical Assistant (Account).

In his data, Ojebode was said to have risen to the position of Account Officer IV in 1978, Education Officer in 1986, Finance Officer in 1990 and Senior Finance Officer.

Meanwhile, if the available record is anything to go by, Ojebode

would have spent above 35 years in service as stipulated by civil service rules, therefore questioning why he could still hold sway as the Director of Account and Finance in the examination body.

The ongoing leadership tussle in the organisation has however opened another can of worms, exposing that Ojebode started work as a Clerical Assistant (Account) between 1973 and 1975, thereby stayed in service for over 42 years.

Okpala, while reacting to this call by NASU to proceed on terminal leave during a press briefing told journalists in Minna, the Niger State capital that: “I am in support of unionism, I am the Grand Patron of NECO-NASU, but it is not all their demands that I will bow to. I will work till the last day of my tenure and then I will hand over the baton to the next person.

But, when our Correspondent contacted Ojebode for his reaction in his office on the various developments especially as it concerns his appointment and his years as civil servant, he suddenly became furious and responded sharply, saying: “Please, I don’t have time, are you the Head of Service? Please leave that to me and leave that one for government.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

24

Education

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ministry tasks teachers to make teaching of Maths interesting Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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he Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Mac John Nwaobiala has challenged Mathematics teachers to demystify the phobia students have for Mathematics by making the teaching of the core subject more appealing and interesting to them.

Nwaobiala, who spoke through the Director of Planning, Research and Development, Mrs. Elizabeth Omotowa, made the call at the grand finale of the annual Mathematics competition organised by the ministry for senior secondary school pupils of Federal Government Colleges held in Abuja.

The Permanent Secretary noted that the

knowledge of Mathematics enhances students’ development in areas of curiosity, imagination and critical thinking that impact on their future successes.

“In today’s world that is knowledge-based, we are bombarded with data that must be collected, collated and analysed for decision making,” he noted, saying therefore that mathematics is not just a classroom skill but a life time skill.

According to him, it then becomes necessary that more students should pursue mathematical and technical occupations and have a strong understanding of mathematics that will open doors to productive future.

As relevant as Mathematics is, Nwaobiala said, it has always been a nightmare to most stu-

dents, stressing that “the phobia has reflected in the poor performance of students in internal and external examinations.”

To reverse the trend, the Permanent Secretary said the ministry through its agencies and parastatals such as the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and the National Mathematical Centre (NMC) had instituted various programmes aimed at improving the teaching and learning of Mathematics.

He said the annual mathematics quiz competition is part of effort of the ministry geared towards re-awakening students’ consciousness and interest in the core subject.

While commending the outstanding perfor-

mance of the students in the completion, Nwaobiala urged principals and teachers of the colleges not to rest on their oars in preparing the students for the annual competition.

“This extra-curricular activity creates an opportunity for students to master mathematics skills,” he added.

In the grand finale of the competition in which no fewer than 25 contestants from 20 Unity Schools across the country, Fajuyi Olajumoke of Federal Government Girls’ College, Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State, emerged the overall winner, while Animashaun Jamiu of Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Lagos and Balogun Taiwo of Queens’ College, Yaba, Lagos placed second and third respectively.

Diamond Bank restates commitment to child devt

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs; Mr. Disu Holloway; the Festival Consultant, Prof Soyinka and Ezenwoko at a press conference organised to announce the finalists of the competition at Freedom Park, Lagos.

Kayode Olanrewaju

D

iamond Bank Plc, one of the leading retail banks in the country, has restated its commitment towards the intellectual development of the younger ones in the country.

The Executive Director, Lagos and West Businesses of the bank, Victor Ezenwoko, who disclosed this during the public presentation of the finalists of the 2015 edition of the Vision Of The Child competition, stated that the bank’s support for the competition was in recognition of the importance of children to the future of the country.

According to him, the bank is sponsoring the programme, which is a live painting and literary arts competition for children, as part of activities commemorating the La-

gos Black Festival of Arts and Culture.

He said: “Nigeria’s future depends not only on our children, but also on the investment we make on them. It is in recognition of this that Diamond Bank supports the Vision of the Child competition.

“As a social responsible corporate organisation, we will continue to support this initiative because it is our own little contribution towards the well-being of the Nigerian child.”

Ezenwoko further stressed the need to nurture and develop the intellect of children from an early age, saying in doing this the children will grow up to become intellectually sound adults and in the long run stem the incidence of unemployable adults which is currently a national malaise.

While commending the organisers of the compe-

tition, he expressed confidence that the competition would afford children the opportunity to showcase their potential and creative minds.

He added: “This has made it easy for them to write and paint on the challenging theme posed at them annually by Professor Wole Soyinka competition. This generation will overtake the generation of unemployable graduates produced in the last few years. These children will win laurels in international competitions with adequate preparation that is being given to them through the vision of a child project.”

Head, Corporate Communications of the bank, Ayona Trimnell said the bank has been consistent in supporting the project because of its strong belief in the Nigerian child; adding that every Nigerian

child is a bundle of potential waiting to be explored.

She noted: “Children participating in this competition have two areas of arts to show their competence in painting and literary arts. Though, the theme could be challenging for adults but children get inspired from all societal happenings and come up with expressions that are ingenious.”

According to her, there would be three categories of rewards at the end of the competition - painting, literary arts and a combination of both skills.

The combination skills category, she noted, was introduced in this year’s edition of the competition in recognition of the fact that while some children excel in painting or literary arts, there was also the need to recognise the unique abilities of some children who excel in both areas.

West African varsities set to harmonise curricula for efficiency Musa Pam Jos

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niversities in West Africa, under their umbrella group, the Association of West African Universities (AWAU) have intensified efforts towards the harmonisation and standardisation of universities’ curricula in order to promote greater mobility among researchers and students in the sub-region.

The move is part of the strategies to facilitate full implementation of the ‘Arusha Convention’, which seeks among others, to foster regional cooperation through common academic and professional activities among citizens of member nations.

This was part of the main focus of the association during its second Annual Conference and General Meeting, which took place at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

According to the University of Jos (UNIJOS) in a statement, which a copy was made available to New Telegraph, the theme of the conference was: “Harmonization of Academic Programmes and Qualifications in Africa (Arusha Convention): Implication for Africa.”

Participants at the conference comprised university administrators, members of academics, higher education experts, consultants and policy makers including ViceChancellor of the University of Jos, Prof.

Hayward Mafuyai.

The Principal Assistant Registrar, Information and Publications of the institution, Abdullahi Abullahi, in the statement, stressed that the lead discussant, Prof. Mafuyai, in his paper entitled: “Language, Culture, Religion and the Integration of West Africa”, advocated the adoption of indigenous languages as medium of instruction not only at the early stages of education, but also at the higher education level.

However, he noted that due to the ethnic and language diversities prevalent in many African countries, most widely spoken languages such as Hausa, Swahili and Arabic should be used at the higher level of education alongside the official languages of English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, to enable West African citizens to relate better with their counterparts within the region and in other regions of the continent.

The Vice-Chancellor advised AWAU to network with comparable organisations in Africa so as to develop a continental framework that would provide guidelines for recognition of qualifications in higher education.

While welcoming the participants to the conference, the Chairman of the association and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, Prof. D.D. Kuupole, recalled that AWAU was established in 2006, to address challenges facing West African universities.

Mafuyai

Education | Interview

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

25

Indian business scholar joins AUN

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renowned academic and founder of Shanti Business School, India, Dr. Vrajal Sapovadia, has joined the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola as an Assistant Dean in the School of Business & Entrepreneurship with effect from spring 2015 semester.

Sapovadia, who advocated family business

and small and medium enterprise as having potential to increase Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), has authored eight books and over 90 articles.

The Executive Director, Communication & Public Relations for the university, Mr. Daniel Okereke, in a statement, said his research on family business and corporate governance was said to have influenced

state policies and become a major contributor to India’s GDP. Towards the end of last semester, Sapovadia was said to have delivered the Atiku Centre lecture series on: “Strengthening Nigerian Family Business to Promote Socio-Economic Development.”

The AUN President, Dr. Margee Ensign said: “We are so fortunate to have a scholar of Dr.

Sapovadia’s calibre as part of the AUN community. Dr. Sapovadia is internationally respected for his expertise in international business development. He is a fantastic addition to AUN’s already strong School of Business & Entrepreneurship and I am sure he will make his mark not only on our students, but in the nation and region.”

Sapovadia was a key-

note speaker at the International Cooperative Summit in Quebec, Canada, as well as in several conferences hosted by the World Bank, while he has also been a member of AUN’s online faculty, teaching undergraduate and MBA courses in the School of Business and Entrepreneurship.

Sapovadia, however, noted that Adamawa and Jigawa States have an immense potential

for economic growth, if the government fosters their Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). He, however, listed businesses such as “mining, refinery, filling stations, kerosene and gas agency, construction and real estate, technical training centers, sewing special uniforms for the army, security, and schools, and day care centers” as open investment opportunities for SMEs.

At 25, Doregos College restates commitment to excellence Kayode Olanrewaju

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L-R: Director General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, Dr. Nteranya Sanginga; former Registrar of the University of Ibadan (UI), Mrs. Mojisola Ladipo; VC, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole and former Bursar, Alhaji Jimoh Bankole at a retreat organised by the university for Directors of Institutes/Units and Heads of Departments/Units of the university at the Herbert R. Albrecht Conference Centre, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan.

How I deployed Roehampton online to fight Ebola, by student Mojeed Alabi

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ne of the online students of the University of Roehampton, London, in Nigeria, Daniel TomAba has commended the institution for empowering them with the skills to combat the outbreak of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, without leaving the shore of Nigeria.

Tom-Aba, a Senior Data Manager and Team Leader for the Polio and Ebola Emergency Operations Centre with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) in Abuja, recalled how he enrolled for the university’s Online Master of Public Health (MPH) programme, towards enhancing his delivery capacity.

He said the need for empowerment was an important factor and that as one who coordinates all data manage-

ment activities as well as builds software solutions for solving public health challenges, the programme has greatly and efficiently impacted his technological skills in the field of public health.

Tom-Aba added that his enrolment in the online public health programme was key to bringing his passion to deploy technology to solving public health problems, stressed: “As an IT professional working in the public health sector, I wanted to acquire additional knowledge and professional certification to enable me achieve my career goals. Roehampton Online MPH programme has provided me with a deeper and practical understanding of public health.”

He added; “I was able to provide support for the containment of the Ebola virus in Nigeria.

For me, this is a major

accomplishment. My learning from the public health programme has helped me to view the subject of health within a broader spectrum, especially as it relates to socio-ecological factors at interpersonal, institutional and community levels.”

According to him, the online MPH programme will significantly improve an individual’s ability to evaluate important public health is-

sues and deal with challenges of any outbreak of disease in a timely and appropriate fashion.

“I always wanted to be a medical doctor, but I feared blood. However, I found out that I could still achieve my career goals by combining my skills as an IT professional and public health professional. What is important to me is saving lives and using technology that is available to do so,” he said.

UNN holds inaugural lecture

T

he 90th inaugural lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) will take place on February 19 at the Enugu campus of the institution.

The lecture, which has as theme: “Cancer

in Nigeria: Emerging Epidemic,” will be delivered by Prof. Emanuel Rapulchukwu Eze, a Surgery and Surgical Oncology expert.

The lecture is expected to be chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Benjamin Ozumba.

wners, management and staff of Doregos Private Academy, Ipaja, a suburb of Lagos were last week joined by the pupils and their parents to celebrate the school’s 25 years of excellence and quality education delivery.

The event tagged: “The 25th Founder’s Day and 18th Speech Making/Prize-giving Day,” also served as a platform to celebrate the sterling achievements of the pupils and members of staff, as well as recognise the contribution and support of the parents, who were described as partners in progress.

Established in 1990 with the vision to provide quality education that is second to none and which will position the students to reach their potential, the college has since inception created a learning environment that maximises individual’s potential with a view to meeting the challenges of education and life.

Welcoming guests to the event, which was chaired by the Managing Director/ CEO, Mordelt Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ezekiel Ejidele, the Executive Director of St. Bernadette Educational Services, Mr. Olatokunbo Doregos, said the school has taken full cognizance that education should always be crowned in character, virtue and values.

Towards this end, he insisted that the Academy has continued to create the platform for expanding the pupils’ cultural values, virtues, discipline and opportunities to attain their academic heights.

In the area of technological develop-

ment, Doregos noted that as the world changes and challenges increase, the college has built capacity to respond, innovate, harness resources to develop best-fit and purpose-driven solutions as well as to expand through constantly learning.

“Our aim is to create opportunities to undertake projects through our participation at prestigious international science and technology fairs such as the INTEL/ ISEF in Los Angeles California, USA in 2014,” he said, adding that in the project: “Walnut – Sustainable Help to Halitosis,” presented by the duo of Samuel-Ali Evershorhema and Ibukun Oladeinde, pupils of the school, won the Sigma VI Corporation award with a cash prize of $1,000.

While enumerating the achievements of the college, the Executive Director, told the parents and other guests how a Senior School (SS III) pupil, Akaeze Kpakpando, was last month invited by the United Nations to speak on: “Investing in Resilience” at the World Economic Forum 2015 in Davos, Switzerland.

According to him, the pupil’s invitation was premised on her presentation “Using Waste to Create Energy at GE Garage” last year.

In his keynote address, “Learning for Sustainability,” the guest speaker, Prof.

Babatunde Babalola, a Professor of Education Management at the University of Ibadan (UI), enjoined the college to place high premium of the development of the pupils’ virtues, cultural values and discipline.

26

Education

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

MTN Foundation partners COWLSO to lift Lagos school Mojeed Alabi

D

etermined to build a sound foundation for the younger ones in education, the MTN Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the nation’s telecommunication giant, MTN, is partnering the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) through the donation of a well-furnished seven

blocks of modern classrooms to Hope Primary School, Ikoyi, Lagos.

While inaugurating the building during the handing over ceremony, the wife of the Lagos State Governor and Chairman of the forum, Dame Abimbola Fashola, lauded the Foundation for what she described as its support and cooperation towards bequeathing a lasting legacy to the pupils.

She urged other good spirited individuals and

well-meaning organisations to emulate the good gesture.

The MTN Foundation, which entered the fourth phase of its Learning Facility Support Project, furnished the sevenclassroom block with modern desks, benches, chairs and tables as well as donated other items including school bags and books to the pupils.

The MTNF Learning Facility Support Project is an initiative under the

education portfolio of the Foundation, in which the initiative is aimed at engendering conducive environment through the provision of modern facilities and materials in public schools across the six geo-political zones of the country.

On the contributions of the Foundation towards the nation’s educational development, Mrs. Fashola said: “We embarked on this mission two years ago, when

L-R: Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga; Vice-Chancellor, Pan Atlantic University, Prof. Juan Elegido and others at the commissioning of the university’s Enterprise Development Centre’s building last week.

KWASU inks MoU with Gambian varsity Kayode Olanrewaju

A

s part of determination to enhance its international collaboration drive, the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American International University, Gambia.

The collaboration is in the areas of promoting and understanding of Information Technology (IT), computational science and information management, as well as faculty and student exchange programme.

The document, which would be facilitated by the Kwara State University Centre for Innovative Technology (CIT) and the American International University College of Management and Information Technology (CMIT), was jointly endorsed

by KWASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, and the Provost of CMIT, Prof.

Bolaji Adana.

Through the partnership, the two institutions are expected to develop research programmes for their faculties and students within the framework of admission of KWASU diploma graduates into 100 and 200 Level of the Gambian university, subject to possession of requisite qualifications.

The partnership also covers seminars and workshops; research programmes; exchange of publications; collaborative

research in Science and Technology; sabbatical and research leave exchange, among others.

To foster the relationship, the President of the American International University, Mr. Sikiru Rufai, and the CMIT Provost, Prof. Adana were at KWASU recently where they visited the Vice-Chancellor in his office.

In a related development, Na’Allah has described the Ordinary and Advanced Level Programmes run by the state university as rich in content and of high quality, which aimed at positioning the country to achieve its vision for higher education.

The Vice-Chancellor, who explained that the university is always looking for ways to build bridges and tap into the nation’s opportunities for the citizens, noted that KWASU, with it’s over 30 academic programmes in six colleges, is as competitive as any university in the world.

Na’Allah disclosed this when officials of the British Council visited the university to ascertain its level of readiness and level of facilities for accreditation for the Cambridge International Examinations programme to be held at the university’s Centre for Advanced Basic Studies.

Meanwhile, the official of the Council on the inspection, Ms. Udochi Auche noted that the Council is the only organ working with Cambridge in Nigeria in the area of the international examinations.

According to her, the key words of the Cambridge International Examinations are quality and high standard, which she noted is what KWASU is committed to achieving.

Inspecting the facilities, she said: “I am honestly impressed by the facilities in this university. I have visited several others centres where you find obsolete books dating back to the 80s, but the case of the KWASU is an exception. I was looking out for faults, but I could not find any.”

The Acting Director of the centre, Dr. Sulaiman Adua expressed the willingness of the centre and the entire university to commence the programme, describing the programme as one of the history-making activities of the university.

Na’Allah

we resolved to provide adequate facilities in our primary schools. While the construction was going on, MTN Foundation accepted to furnish two schools by providing the necessary facilities. We want to sincerely thank the management of MTN Nigeria for partnering with us to support the efforts of the Lagos State Government in providing a conducive learning environment for our leaders of tomorrow from the basic education level.”

Speaking on the MTNF-COWLSO partnership, the Chairperson of COWLSO Building Committee, Mrs. Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins, expressed delight at the quality of work done by the contractors handling the project as well as the quality of the furniture, adding that the project will serve the need for which it was initiated.

“I have no doubt that our collective efforts will produce the muchdesired change needed in our society, and I thank the MTN Foundation for partnering with COWLSO to bring about that change,” she said.

In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of MTN Foundation, Non-

ny Ugboma said: “The Foundation is glad to be part of this initiative, especially in partnering with the First Lady of Lagos State, who has always been supportive of MTNF’s initiatives.

Lagos State has benefitted from a number of MTNF initiatives such as the Medical Support Project, in which the Foundation donated Dialysis and Mammography machines to two General Hospitals, Community Health Screenings, Voluntary, Counseling and Testing Centres, Sickle Cell Screenings and Counseling, among other initiatives.”

“The MTNF Learning Facility Supply Project is one of the projects under the Foundation’s education portfolio that has enhanced our commitment in playing a key role in enhancing learning, thereby adding value to the nation’s education sector. We pledge our continued support for our children as we continue to invest in initiatives aimed at improving the living standards of the people and as well add values and empower them,” Akinwale Goodluck, MTN’s Corporate Service Executive said.

VC hails establishment of gender centre E

kiti State University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Patrick Oladipo Aina has described the establishment of the Centre for Gender and Development Studies as part of the university’s quest to meet the needs of the 21st Century and to position it as a world class institution.

According to the ViceChancellor, who said the centre was one of the management’s bold steps to reposition the university, the establishment of the centre would go a long way to provide the institution a platform for equity, fairness and justice.

Aina, who spoke at the maiden edition of the one-day instructors’ workshop organised by the Centre, which took place at the 3,000-Lecture Theatre, however noted that one of the strategic goals of the centre is to institutionalise gender education; as well as gender/ justice principles within the university system in particular and the society in general.

This, the Vice-Chancellor said, would be achieved through the establishment of gender and development aca-

demic programmes, engendering of academic disciplines across the university using gender as an analytical tool, and treating gender as a cross-cutting issue in both academic and administrative engagements.

In her remarks, the Director of the Centre for Gender and Development Studies, Prof. O. Aina enumerated some of the objectives of the workshop, saying the train-the-trainers’ technical workshop was targeted at the academics with a view to imparting knowledge and building a community of experts on gender matters.

Participants at the workshop include members of academic staff as well as experts in gender issues.

Various papers were presented on the talkshop: “Gender and Development Frameworks”, “Engendering Medical and Mental Health Education”, “Gender Methodologies and Integrating Gender Perspectives into Academic Programmes,” by some facilitators including Prof. Aina, Dr. I. Ilesanmi and Dr. Boladele Mapayi, among others.

Education

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

SUPPORT Stakeholders in the nation’s university system are making case for the scrapping of ‘pass grade’

NUC, stakeholders drum support for scrapping of ‘pass’ grade

Mojeed Alabi

F

ew years after the National Universities Commission (NUC), an agency responsible for the supervision of the university system, set a deadline for PhD benchmark for all lecturers in the universities, the Commission has scrapped “Pass Grade in the system.

The policy, which has continued to generate mixed reactions, was introduced in order to encourage students to be hard working and show more dedication to their studies.

While offering reasons for the cancellation of the ‘Pass’ Grade in the nation’s university system, the NUC described it as worthless and of no value, hence it is high time it was scrapped in order to bring quality to the certificates awarded through the system.

However, major stakeholders and key players in the sector, including the former ViceChancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and now the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, NdufuAlike, Ikwo in Ebonyi State, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe; the Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of Private Universities of Nigeria, Prof. Isaac Adeyemi of The Bells University of Tech-

Okojie, NUC Scribe

Ibidapo-Obe

Fagge, ASUU President

nology have described the policy as a welcome development.

According to the immediate past Director of Quality Assurance Department and now the Deputy Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, in exclusive chat with the New Telegraph on the development, said the policy was to encourage students to sit tight, so that they could be admissible for postgraduate programmes and job opportunities.

The Professor of Biological Sciences noted that academic grades are parts of measures to ensure quality in the education system, saying once the students are aware that they

could no longer obtain any grade below Third Class, they will prepare harder and make good grades rather than building the culture of “let my people go” in the system.

He said: “In a society where it is difficult for even graduates with Second Class (Lower Division) to secure job or even be offered good postgraduate programmes, what is the point in awarding a pass grade that will not be honoured by any organisation or individuals.”

Speaking on the issue of NUC running afoul of the universities’ autonomy as being allegedly touted by some stakeholders such the Academic

Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the NUC challenged the union to rather argue against the illogicality of the development instead of faulting the process.

“Is anyone challenging the policy agrees that the grade is worthless? If not, will they be willing to employ anyone with a ‘Pass Grade?,” he said.

Ibidapo-Obe, who declared that he had not in any way been comfortable with the grade as an academician, said it would be better for a student to repeat a class than obtained a ‘pass grade.

He, however, suggested that open and distance learning universities should be allowed to award ‘pass’ grade “since the certificates awarded are not really for utility values, but for workers to add knowledge to their working experiences.”

On his part, Adeyemi said The Bells University of Tech-

Leadership crisis rocks NECO CONTINUED FRO M PAG E 23

He queried: “How old are you? Are you a judge? I said you are not concerned about that because that is my personal life. Have I ever come to you to say, who is your girlfriend? Please, please, please for God sake, please leave my office, I say leave my office now. How can you be asking me questions? Who are you?

If you want any information go to the Admin and don’t come to me. Who are you and how old are you. Leave my office now.”

Ojebode, who was named a Director on January 1, last year, to a section of the workers was alleged to have been favoured by the power that wanted to ground activities at NECO should Okpala refuse to proceed on the terminal leave.

Besides, the Acting Registrar was alleged to have recently granted an interview to a radio station in the SouthWest, thus ignoring the second letter and a reconciliation meeting where it was agreed that Okpala should continue with his job and complete his tenure since he is not a civil servant.

Sources at the council alleged that Ojebode deliberately reduced some of the workers’ allowance, thereby

27

causing disaffection between the workers and the Registrar.

For instance, the sources alleged that he in a memo prepared in 2014 on “Cost Reduction Strategies,” in which he suggested that for Monitoring of Examinations, the staff should be paid 50 per cent DTA for NCEE, BECE while in marking of SSCE 2013 External it will enable the Council to save more money to offset part of its indebtedness.

In the proposal, 75 per cent and 50 per cent was to be paid for the headquarters and state office staff respectively.

This proposal, which was said to have pitched members of staff of the council against the Registrar (Okpala) since it was believed that it was the management’s decision to reduce their DTA and other allowances accrued to them, according to the sources, was the genesis of the crisis in the Council.

Reacting to the development, the most Senior Officer in the organisation, the Director of Human Resources Management, Mr. John Asuwe, who noted that “as the most Senior Director and who was appointed Director January 1, 2012, while the three other Directors including Ojebode, were appointed in 2014, said to the best of his knowledge

“we do not know, or have any Acting Director.

He stressed: “After we had a large management meeting in Abuja, we all pledged our loyalty and support for Prof.

Okpala as the substantive Registrar of NECO.” Describing the crisis as unnecessary, he said: “During the eight years Prof. Okpala holds sway at the helm of affairs, he is a trail blazer, who brought in a lot of innovations which have been infused into the examination system and the education sector in general.”

A senior staff in NECO who pleaded anonymity, said Okpala has positioned the system on the path of meteoric progress thereby making the council take its pride of place in the education sector.

Ojebode

nology and its other private counterparts, had not been awarding the grade long before the NUC’s directive, even as the Vice-Chancellor added that the policy would not only add value to the nation’s education system, but would also accord respect to its graduates.

On suggestion that it would encourage most students to engage in bribing their lecturers and other sharp practices to obtain high grades, Adeyemi said such fear had always been there, and that it would require discipline and effective laws to tackle such corrupt practices.

He said: “When you score 40 marks out of 100 points, it means you have not done well.

So pegging the new minimum score to 45 marks is not a bad idea since 45 points is even below average.”

Similarly, the management of the University of Ibadan (UI) has expressed its readiness to comply strictly with the directive, saying the policy is no longer a new development “because NUC had carried along the universities before reaching the conclusion.”

The university’s Registrar, Mr. Olujimi Olukoya, hinted that the policy is already before the Senate of the university for consideration, expressing optimism that the implementation may take effect this academic session.

Olukoya, while urging other stakeholders to support the initiative, stressed that the nation’s education system was in dire need of support from all quarters in order to restore the lost glory of the sector.

Centre rates Plateau varsity high in ethics Musa Pam Jos

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lateau State University, Bokkos has been rated among the first twenty highly rated and most ethical responsible higher institution in the country.

The rating was carried out by the Centre for Ethics and Self-Value Orientation, a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), responsible for exposing corruption, promoting ethical leadership, education and value re-orientation in the nation.

Its Executive Director, Prince Salih Musa Yakubu declared this during the induction of the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof.

Stephen Malo into the Centre’s Hall of Fame as Ambassador of ethics and conscience, as well as presentation of a gold medal to some public officers.

He said the rating of the university followed a painstaking process of random appraisal of tertiary institutions in the country by the centre.

Yakubu, who insisted that

the centre would continue to fight the ills perpetrated by some academic staff in tertiary institutions across the federation, warned that lecturers who exploit their students would be made to face the consequences.

In his response, the Acting Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to the Centre for its gesture and reinstated his administration’s commitment to continually provide quality leadership as he did throughout his career at Plateau State Polytechnic.

Malo, who describe his coming to the state university as circumstantial, said after his eight years of holding sway as Rector of the Plateau State Polytechnic, his desire was to returned to the University of Jos to established and nurture a new Faculty of Engineering, which he has almost achieved.

But, he explained that he had to respond to the call to serve the university as the Vice-Chancellor in acting capacity out of his passion to serve the state and provide qualitative education for the Nigerian youth.

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Education

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Alumni association assures varsity of support lVC seeks host community’s cooperation

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ormer students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko (AAUA), Ondo State, under their umbrella group, the Alumni Association of Adekunle Ajasin University have assured the university management of their commitment to develop and add value to the university through execution of student-oriented and lofty projects.

The National President of the association, Mr. Patrick Oluyide, gave the assurance during a familiarisation visit to the new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajaibefun, in his office.

Oluyide, who was accompanied by members of the executive of the association, said: “The association is determined to lift the university and we have outlined some programmes such as the annual alumni week, and lofty projects, which are targeted at adding value to the university community.”

The President, who noted that the national officers of the association, which was inaugurated in December last year, had its first strate-

gy retreat and statutory meeting last month.

He hinted that the retreat deliberated on how the association would partner the university community in such a manner that would position the university to attain greater heights.

Oluyide, while congratulating Prof. Ajibefun on his appointment as the substantive ViceChancellor of the university, however described his appointment as a blessing to the university community.

“It is obvious that the level of excellence attained by the university will be consolidated by an inestimable resource like you,” he said, even as he pleaded with the university management to prioritise the welfare of the students, workers and the alumni members.

He thanked the management for its support and commitment towards developing the institution, especially in the past five years, while urging the management to always keep the association abreast of the university programmes.

He promised that the association would give such its necessary support.

Ajubefun

Responding, the ViceChancellor applauded the alumni body for the visit and acknowledged the importance of the association to the development of the university.

Ajibefun said: “I am happy that you are here today. I am sure that you are aware that you are very critical to the development of your alma mater. The university is doing well to improve on the welfare of students and the institution will ensure that the welfare of the association is also taken into consideration.

We are going to work with you in moving the university forward by partnering with you in all areas towards developing the university.”

Students tasked on high moral standard Oladele Oge UNN

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he Vice-Chancellor of University of Nigeria (UNN), Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, has called on Nigerian students to seek high moral standard, responsible and leadership qualities, which will enable them to serve the country morally after their graduation.

Ozumba, made the plea during the 49th matriculation ceremony of the university for the 2014/2015 academic session. The Vice-Chancellor explained that the current academic session, would signal the progress of the students and the university as a whole.

While urging the students to face their study, he said they should be God fearing and also

conscious of their time by spending it judiciously in order to make them achieve progress in their academic pursuit.

The Vice-Chancellor, who hinted that the university provides opportunity to responsible students to discuss administrative and academic development, noted that “we do not train nuisance in the university and that is the reason why the Ivory Tower is yet to lose its integrity since inception.

For the first time in the annals of the university, this year’s matriculation ceremony was held at the various faculty halls.

At the Faculty of Agriculture Hall, the Dean, Prof. Ngozi Nnam, urged the students to adhere strictly to various advice offered them, saying the university system is ment for mature men

and women who were expected to be civilised in their approaches and by channeling their grievances properly to the university.

She challenged the fresh students on the need to be good ambassadors of the university by projecting the institution in a good light throughout their studies in the university and after graduation.

Also, the Dean of Faculty of Arts, Prof.

Patrick Uchenna Okpoko, warned the students not to join bad gangs or groups, but to concentrate on their studies in order to make their parents or sponsors happy.

He announced to the delight of the students that the faculty has put in place modern classrooms and facilities that will make them achieve good grades in their academic activities.

Some of the matriculating students with their parents

CAMPUS OPINION

Living with the bane of indecent dressing

Aminat Afolabi

I

ndecent dressing remains one of the major Trojan horses, which infiltrate the moral uprightness and fabric of the society and its people, especially the women folks. The dawn of the 21st Century has witnessed monumental technological advancements which cut across every foray of human endeavour.

One of the notable values of Africa is its rich cultural background, and as such, there is no time in our history that indecent dressing could be linked to our cultural heritage.

More worrisome is the fact that the depth of this ungodly and morally-re-

pugnant attitude is sunk deeply in tertiary institutions. Many youngsters today often think that indecent dressing is a style and a vogue of this era. However, due to the wrong perception many students are embracing westernisation and its attendant variations, to an extent that they have gone haywire all in the guise of feeling among.

Indecent dressing as any right thinking person will believe has no link with any religion, no matter how orthodox or not, because modesty is preached in all divine statutes. Over exposure to foreign culture and values through the route of modern day channels such as the Internet, video/films and music, among other electronic medium, contributes substantially to the menace currently ravaging the society. However, there also exist some external factors ranging from poor parenting, peer group pressure and other societal complexes capable of undermining

morality. It is noteworthy as well that the kind of messages passed by those we tagged role models, are nothing to write home about. This greatly reflects in the home videos and movies that dominate the Nollywood scenes in Nigeria. Of what benefit does that serve to those watching the movies, especially the teenagers?

For instance, at the University of Ilorin; the university management vehemently condemned act of immorality. As indicated in the university motto, that the university only award its certificates and diplomas to only those that are worthy in learning and character, thus, discipline and modesty serve as the university modest watchwords. As it is generally presumed that forewarned is forearmed, the university authority, during the Yuletide break, took the pains to send message to every student of the university, specifically to inform them about the accepted dress codes allowed while on campus.

In a Similar gesture, this was extended as part of the themes of the orientation programme for the fresh students. Also, for the purpose of enlightenment as to uphold these values, several pamphlets containing the code of dressing were distributed to the students during the orientation programme.

The university strongly believes that proper dressing is an act which is necessary to excel one in his or her field, and which is required after graduation.

There is penalty in form of warnings to first-time offenders, but more stringent disciplinary actions await those that occasionally violate the dressing ethics.

The way you dress determines the way you are addressed. Dressing decently enables one to gain respect from lecturers, fellow students and even in the entire academic community. It is also a proactive measure that reduces prevalent societal problems such as rape and other forms

of sexual assaults.

This development, despite the advantages, does not go down well with some students, who believe that “dress code is just a way of restricting or infringing on their freedom of dressing on campus”. This belief has widely been canvassed by some students who voiced against the idea of dress code in the first instance.

However, for the good of it, there are extant laws against this unsavoury habit. Despite the position of a section of students to the law, aggrieved students have no choice other than to comply with the university rules and regulations as they bothered on dressing style on campus.

The fact must be told that a university is designed to be a purveyor and harbinger of academic excellence and moral rectitude, and anything short of this should be condemned outright.

UNILORIN is known for the training of students in character and learning; thus, only students

proven to be successful in both aspects are awarded degrees. The university, therefore, sets record and model to other institutions of learning as to definition of what a graduate should be.

While flaying the act of indecent dressing, some students see no reason why many others should dress indecently to displease their creator. To the former group, they are of the opinion that indecent dressing has a negative import in the academic environment. The reasons, of which, are justified by the level of distractions attributed to immoral dressing which has continued to take its toll on some wayward students and unguarded lecturers.

It is agreed that there is always a freedom of movement and access to all facilities on campus for students who are welldressed, while it is trite knowledge, in the university, that any student dressing indecently will surely bear the consequences.

•Aminat Afolabi, 400- Level Chemistry, UNIlorin

Education

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

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Ondo pledges to enhance teachers’ capacity in Maths, English Babatope Okeowo Akure

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orried by the poor performance of students in some core subjects, especially English Language and Mathematics, the Ondo State Government has concluded plans to develop Mathematics and English Language teachers’ professional capacity for secondary school students in the state.

Restating the government’s commitment to this initiative, the Education Commissioner, Mr. Jide Adejuyigbe, said the government is embarking on the plan in view of the importance of the two subjects and the

Swedish artists sharpen KWASU students’ skills

T

he skills of students of the Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State have been sharpened in film production by two Swedish video artists, Rut Karin Zettergren and Sonia Hedstrand.

It was at a three-day workshop in film production organised for the students of the Department of Mass Communications and School of Visual and Performing Arts of the university.

The three-day International Workshop on hands-on training in movie production, directing and networking, which took place at the university auditorium, according to the Swedish video artists, is to expose the participants to the dynamics of movie production and motivate them towards becoming key players and change agents in the nation’s movie industry.

The duo, who are from the Swedish Film Academy, noted that they were in Nigeria to understudy Nollywood based on their art background, in order to improve the Swedish film industry, as well as spread the awareness about the Nigerian movie industry and economy.

According to them, it takes about six years to produce a film in Sweden due to the government policy, unlike what obtains in Nigeria.

“We have the art background, so we are actually here to learn from Nigeria Nollywood. It is a mutual learning process. We want to involve the students and motivate them to share their knowledge and skills with one another,” the duo said.

high premium placed on them for admission into tertiary institutions.

The commissioner disclosed this during the opening ceremony of a workshop on capacity building for teachers of Mathematics and English Language in the state’s public secondary schools held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

According to Adejuyigbe, the gesture was aimed at improving the teaching method of the teachers in order to enhance their capacity.

To this end, he said the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko-led administration would continue to prioritise the training and re-training of teachers, especially in the two core subjects in the quest to improve the quality of education, as well as ensure significant increase in the number of students that pass the two subjects in external examinations.

His words: “The aim of this workshop is to develop Mathematics and English Language teachers’ professional capacity

to the best advantage of the students. This has become a necessity at this time, considering the importance of the two subjects, and the high premium placed on them by tertiary institutions for admission process.

“Government has been consistently approving funds towards improving the teaching method of teachers, particularly teachers of English Language and Mathematics in order to enhance their teaching capacity.”

Represented by the

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Steve Awosika, the Commissioner commended the efforts of government towards revamping the quality of education in the state through the construction of Mega Primary Schools across the state, as well as provision of science equipment and instructional materials to schools and payment of WASSCE registration fees for senior school (SS III) pupils in public secondary schools, among other initiatives.

Mimiko

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Education

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sokoto varsity admits fresh students, warns against vices Alabidun Sarat Temitayo UDUS

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t was a dream come true for the fresh students admitted to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) for the 2014/2015 academic session as they took the matriculation oath of the institution.

It was at the 36th matriculation ceremony of the university, which took place at the institution’s Convocation Pavilion.

The ceremony was heralded with the national anthem and the opening speech by the university’s Chairman Caretaker Commitee, Comrade Al-Amin Wushishi, who congratulated the matriculating students and reminded them of their primary assignment in the institution.

While lauding the university management for rehabilitating the university’s physical structures and positioning its academic programmes to a higher standard, he said: “It is important for you as students

to be law abiding, respect the constituted authorities, and say no to violence, examination malpractices and sustain the peaceful co-existence in our great citadel of learning.”

The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr. Adamu Aliero, also congratulated the students for subscribing to the university despite the security challenges in the North, even as he praised the various stakeholders for having contributed immensely to the overall development of the university.

He specifically mentioned organisations such as the Junior Chamber International (JCI), Zero Tolerance Club (ZTC) and the British Council Active Citizens, among others for their promoting the ideals of the university.

Aliero, who added that the university has intensified efforts at improving its services to make the environment more congenial for learning, said his committee is not unaware of the shortage of accommodation facilities and other municipal facilities in the university.

The Dean, who consoled the students on the loss of one of them, however advised the students to shun bad associations, stressing that “I want to advise you to relate with people who will improve your character and academic life and not otherwise.”

On the achievements of the university, he recalled that the institution emerged as the first runner-up of the all Nigerian Universities Debate Championships, which was held at the University of Lagos.

Administering the matriculation oath on the students, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, who recounted that the university took off in 1977 with 200 pioneer students, noted that today it has more than 20,000 students in 13 faculties.

Abdu-Zuru, who would be presiding over university’s matriculation ceremony for the first time as the Vice-Chancellor, said the university was matriculating 4,133 students of the 5,521 candidates that applied for admission into the institution.

UNIBEN students campaign against cancer

Students with the pupils of Russell school during the rally

Ezekiel Efeobhokhan UNIBEN

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niversity of Benin (UNIBEN) Pharmacy students, under the umbrella group, the AntiDrug Misuse and Abuse Programme (ADMAP), has lowered the curtains on the awareness campaign organised for students and members of the university’s host communities on the dreaded cancer disease.

The programme, according to the organisers, was part of activities celebrating this year’s edition of the World Cancer Day. The awareness rally began at the Faculty of Pharmacy with a large turnout of students, who had thronged out en masse to create more awareness among the people on how to combat cancer.

The students, who carried posters with various inscriptions about the disease, visited several public places including the Uselu Market and secondary schools along the Ugbowo Campus of the university during the awareness rally which lasted for more than four hours.

Addressing market women in Pidgin Language at Uselu Market, Kingsley Isibor, a 500-Level Pharmacy student spoke on the possible causes of cancer and how it could be prevented.

He, however, told the market women that early detection of cancer was the best way of surviving the sickness, saying: “I go beg una to chop many fruits. Also make una no drink alcohol, e nor good for body.”

Kingsley, who advised the women to always engage in regular breast check and

light exercise such as brisk walk, pleaded with them to avoid smoking of cigarettes.

While demonstrating to the women how to frequently carry out ‘Breast Self-Examination (BSF), Chinenye Ihejirika, the Chairperson of the group, encouraged nursing mothers to breast feed their children for a long time, between six months and one year, as this would reduce the risk of having breast cancer.

Her words: “Make una dey check una breast as I dey do so, at least every month, so that una go fit sabi wether something dey swell up for there. If una feel any pain or anything swell up at all for the breast area or under your armpit or if your nipple soft well well, make una quick go hospital go meet doctor.

Doctors go check am well for una”.

EDUPEACE

with Mahfouz A. Adedimeji (08066372516, sms only)  Dr Adedimeji is a Senior Lecturer and Director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin

The excellence of leadership

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fter love, the second component or letter of leadership is excellence. Defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “the quality of being outstanding or extremely good” (www.oxforddictionaries.com), excellence is what is unusually good or that which surpasses ordinary expectations and standards.

To be a leader, a core requirement is excellence in something, say education. For instance, academic excellence is the foundation on which students firmly stand to become real leaders. True leaders are excellent in character and knowledge. Pseudo or emergency leaders, however, are just mediocre: in character, they are hollow; in knowledge, they are empty.

To aspire to be a leader without being excellent, academically or professionally, would only lead society to the type of situation in which we are today in Nigeria. It doesn’t require rocket science to determine the quality of our leaders. Many of them are a disgrace to leadership. When the head is sick, the whole person is distraught; when the leaders are blind, the whole country wanders in total darkness.

But it doesn’t require too much to be excellent. It only requires making an extra effort or going an extra mile. It is through that “extra” that an ordinary thing becomes extra-ordinary. With hard work, commitment, persistence, practice and diligence, excelling in what one does not require the talent of a genius.

Well, genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains” as Thomas Carlyle said.

Talking about genius, everyone knows Thomas Edison, the great American inventor, whose excellent inventions continue to shape our modern civilization. He has over 1,093 U.S.A. patents as well as many others in the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Electric light, power utilities, sound recording and motion pictures are some of his life-changing inventions.

Edison was quoted to have said around 1902 in the September 1932 edition of Harper’s Monthly Magazine something that has stuck to my skin. He said, “Genius is 1 per cent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” This means that becoming a genius is largely the outcome of hard work, rather than an inspired flash of insight.

Therefore, to lead, you must excel first. Excellence will make you combine insight with foresight and hindsight.

Insight is not enough! If you are not excellent, or you do not stand out from the crowd, you cannot be a leader. And to

True leaders are excellent in character and knowledge stand out, you have to be outstanding! This is the time to stand out by putting your best in what you do! The time is always right for what is right.

The whole world would be a better place if the best were made to lead the rest. However, retrogression, stagnation, underdevelopment and crises are the result when the worst are contrived to be the leaders, as the situation is in many places. People who did not prepare for leadership are shot up as leaders and their emptiness becomes glaring, an embarrassment to themselves and their followers.

Students especially have to watch it. Rather than dissipate their energies in what concerns them less or does not concern them at all, they should focus their attention on what is at hand, which is education. Education is the foundation of excellence because without it nothing extraordinary can be achieved.

If you excel academically now, when opportunities come later, you will be fitting.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “I will prepare and some day my chance will come”. The best preparation for tomorrow is to strive to do your best today.

Of what relevance to the primary assignment of a student is whether Manchester United is better than Arsenal or Chelsea? What concerns a student who is driven by excellence if Jose Marinho is better than Arsene Wenger? Unfortunately, this is just one of the several issues that distract students from focusing on their education. Excellence is focus.

In his address to the newly admitted students of the University of Ilorin on December 22, 2014, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdul Ganiyu Ambali, OON, stressed the way to success, which is also the way to excellence, when he quoted Swami Vivekananda. According to him, “Take up one idea.

Make that one idea your life … think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body be full of that idea, and leave every other idea alone.

This is the way to success.”

That idea is excellence.

If you excel academically or professionally, you have made your preparation. Having prepared, the sky will be your beginning. You will start leading from today even before tomorrow!

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Energy

Property

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Aviation

FG to slam N320bn fines on IOCs, others

Push for studio houses gathers steam

Between consolidation and recapitalisation

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36

38

Business What's news

New NMRC boss targets 450,000 mortgages The Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) would create between 400,000 and 450,000 mortgages within the next five years, its new Chief Executive, Mr. Charles Iyangete, has said.

Nigeria attracts fund managers’ attention, says Wall Street Journal CHEAP STOCKS

Nigeria’s market is becoming extremely cheaply valued Ayodele Aminu

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p.32

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

espite the hit on Nigeria’s currency, the naira and stock market, which fell for the seventh straight session last Friday, foreign investors that withdrew their funds from the country are beginning to have a rethink, New Telegraph has learnt.

The anxiety over the outcome of the 2015 elections had exacerbated economic and political risks in the country, resulting in foreign investors pulling N846.53 billion from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in 2014. The figure represents 65.7 per cent increase on the N510.78 billion foreign portfolio investment outflow from the stock market in the corresponding year.

Also, in the past week, Nigeria postponed its presidential election, saw its currency plumb a new record low and joined a list of countries that ratings agency, Standard & Poor’s is poised to downgrade.

But the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Frontiers in a report obtained by New Telegraph, said foreign investors “are starting to like what they see.”

Michael Levy, manager of Barings’ $50 million frontier markets fund, said the Nigeria’s market is starting to be “extremely cheaply valued.”

He revealed that Barings’ view has shifted sharply since late last year when the fund cut its exposure to the country.

“Nigeria is now looking pretty

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

interesting,” he said.

Jan Dehn, head of research at Ashmore, an emerging-markets-focused investment firm, commented that “the temporary risk aversion affecting Nigerian asset prices will come to be seen, in retrospect, as a good opportunity to add.”

Manager of the $300 million Russell frontier markets fund, Gustavo Galindo, is also on the

lookout for Nigerian bargains.

“There are some good companies there that will be unfairly punished, so, there is tremendous amount of upside once the situation clears,” he said in a conversation with WSJ Frontiers.

Galindo may see potential future opportunities in Nigeria, but for current ones, he’s focusing on Vietnam and

Bangladesh, which he believes are set to continue benefitting from the rise in Chinese manufacturing costs.

He also sees scope for strong investment growth in Kenya.

Already famous for being the home of pioneering mobile-phone-based financial service, M-Pesa, Kenya looks CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

L-R :Managing Director, Home Base Mortgage Bank Limited, Dr. Femi Johnson;Managing Director, Trust Bond Mortgage Bank Plc, Mr. Adeniyi Akinluyi; Managing Director, Imperial Homes Plc, Mr. Ben Akaneme and Chief Executive Officer of Gran Imperio Group, Mr. Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at a public announcement of Home Base joining the first-ever mortgage banks/developers’ consortium to deliver housing for all in Lagos. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Adeola Yusuf

T

he mayhem that Boko Haram has continued to unleash in the North Eastern part of the country since 2009 has jeopardised oil exploration in the region, culminating in over N2 trillion economic loss to the country, New Telegraph has learnt.

The renewed onslaught by the military and counter attacks by the insurgents have compelled the Nigerian National

Oil exploration: Economic loss hits N2trn in North Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to secretly evacuate geologists and other supporting staff from exploration site in the Chad basin, our correspondent also gathered.

The onslaught is expected to last for six weeks.

The N2.7 billion Chad explorations, on the other hand,

have touched its lowest level ever since the efforts to find oil in commercial quantity began in the North.

A source at the NNPC told this newspaper that the corporation acted on an advice by the security agencies to evacuate its CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Rates Dashboard 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 Feb. 13)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N213 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N315 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N337

l Foreign Reserves – $32.237bn as at 12/02/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Official as at Feb. 13)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N169 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N258.77 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N191.59

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Business | News

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

New NMRC boss targets 450,000 mortgages TALL ORDER

More low-income Nigerians to have access to cheap houses at affordable rates Dayo Ayeyemi

T

he Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) would create between 400,000 and 450,000 mortgages within the next five years, its new Chief Executive, Mr. Charles Iyangete, has said.

The NMRC boss, who said this during a chat with newsmen in Lagos, urged Nigerians to expect mortgages refinanced in hundreds of

thousands, depending on the buoyancy and vibrancy of the market.

He said: “In the next five years, we have projected that we will refinance close to the region of 400,000 to 450,000 mortgages for one segment of the market. “When we go down to the lower segments of the market, we expect to refinance proportions larger than that number.”

Inyangete promised to change the face of housing in the country, stressing that provision of adequate housing has become one of the indices for measuring the standard of living of the people.

With the World Bankapproved concessional $300 million 40-year interest-free Interna-

tional Development Association (IDA) loan, the chief executive said he has strong feelings that NMRC has the financial wherewithal to make a difference in Nigeria’s housing sector.

Some of the problems militating against mortgage finance in the country include lack of focus of some Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) on mortgage due to their pursuit of other more profitable ventures, dearth of ability of PMBs to mobilise funds, among others.

He expressed opti-

mism that the lingering problems bedeviling the mortgage sector will disappear when NMRC fully takes off.

“When the NMRC fully takes off, PMBs can borrow, pay out their cash within a short period and go back to borrow again and again, thereby increasing their own lending capacity,” he said.

NMRC, a public sector-initiated but private sector-led initiative, was incorporated in 2013.

A key component of the Nigeria Housing Fi-

nance programme, the NMRC is expected to provide primary mortgage banks with access to long-term finance at an affordable interest rate. This in turn is expected to enable mortgages to be issued by these institutions to Nigerians at longer tenors and affordable rates. The provision of mortgage loans at longer tenors will provide the average workingclass Nigerian citizen an opportunity to buy a home and conveniently pay for it over a reasonable period of time

without hassles.

A l r e a dy, 10,000 mortgages have been launched, which was oversubscribed as 66,000 Nigerians indicated interest.

Industry experts believe that accessible and affordable housing will stimulate growth of the economy in many key sectors such as manufacturing, services and employment.

But, more importantly, it will promote welfare of the citizens as it addresses one of the most basic needs of mankind, which is shelter.

Economic loss hits N2trn in North CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

staff from the Chad basin, “because the lake Chad has been annexed as one of the battlefields.”

The security agency, he said, “notified our management of the planned clamp down of Boko Haram and part of what our internal security unit advised us to do is to evacuate staff from site. As I speak with you now, works on the site have been suspended for the six weeks duration, which the assault is expected to last.”

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), had earlier noted that the Nigerian economy had lost over $6billion (N1.3 trillion) as a result of attacks by the sect.

Checks by this newspaper, however, revealed that the loss has overshot the figure given by UNCTAD in its 2011 World Investment Report.

Based on the rule of thumb, the economic loss to the insurgence in the North is now well over N2 trillion, depicting an addition of over N700 billion, according to an industry expert who pleaded that his identity should not be disclosed so “as not to further heat up the polity.”

Meanwhile, the renewed clampdown on the insurgents by the regional forces has put exploration on hold as fighting in Lake Chad between military and insurgents escalated at the weekend.

Hundreds of militants were reportedly killed when Nigerian fighter jets, on Saturday afternoon, bombed a major

Boko Haram base near Lake Chad while many insurgents were also killed in Gombe.

This on-going offensive has led to the temporary suspension of activities at the exploration site for the safety of engineers and other workers on the site.

The Federal Government had, in 2012, estimated that expenditure on exploration at the Basin would hit N2.7 billion in 2013.

Investors who usually provide support services for exploration activities at the wake of the crises had shunned the region, while geologists in the NNPC also evaded posting to the troubled Chad basin in Borno State for fear of losing their lives.

The Federal Government had, in a bid to douse the insurgency, deployed soldiers on the site while a state of emergency had since been declared in Borno State.

But these measures were, according to some of the staff that craved anonymity, not enough to guarantee security of lives and property.

“The Joint Task Force (JTF) is having a clampdown on the Boko Haram guys while those terrorists too have retreated to launch guerrilla warfare on the military. In all of these, do you think as a geologist one will be able to work there?

“Even those on site are not finding it funny. It is true that some of us do not want to be anywhere near that place. Do not forget that we lost three of our staff to the insurgency in 2012,” he recalled.

L-R: Head, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Oyo State, Mrs Stella Dosumu; former Head, Rev. Benjamin Haruna; Public Relations Officer, Mr. Anslem Okonkwo and Zonal Coordinator, Southwest, Mrs. Yedunmi Adenuga, during a stakeholders meeting in Ibadan.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

set to take a lead in using Bitcoin for international money transfers. The Journal’s resident Bitcoin experts, Paul Vigna and Michael Casey, revealed that Nairobi-based BitPesa has raised a second round of funding that will help it expand its services and geographical footprint.

BitPesa is hardly alone in capturing investors’ attention: In 2014, sub-Saharan Africa attracted a record flow of private equity money, the WSJ’s Hillary Canada reports. Data from the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association show 24 funds closed on $4.03 billion, more than triple the $1.25bilion raised by 15 funds in 2013. Investment in the region grew to $1.95 billion from $1.72 billion as domestic and foreign buyout firms sought out consumer goods and services, financial services and telecommunications assets.

This year may prove to be tougher, particularly for Angola and Gabon, whose

Nigeria attracts fund managers’ attention sovereign ratings Standard & Poor’s cut, citing the African countries’ exposure to falling oil prices. The agency cut a number of other frontier-market oil producers, including Bahrain, Oman, Venezuela and Kazakhstan.

S&P cut Saudi Arabia’s outlook to negative in the review, but any disappointment the Kingdom might have felt was probably offset by the release this week of information provider Bloomberg’s fourth annual ranking of the most promising frontier markets. Saudi Arabia topped the list, followed by Estonia and Slovakia.

Meanwhile, in the year after Nigeria joined the index in October 2012, foreign holdings of its bonds jumped from $1.2 billion to $5.4 billion, but JP Morgan said last month Nigeria’s inclusion

was under review because of a lack of market liquidity.

Ejection from the index would trigger major capital outflows because investors who track it would have to sell Nigerian bonds. That would exacerbate a budget crunch by removing a source of funding and further hammer the naira, which has lost about 26 percent of its value this year at the interbank market where banks buy foreign exchange to meet their immediate needs. A dollar currently exchanges for N168 at the official market, while it trades at the interbank market and parallel markets at N204 and N210 respectively The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), which has continued it free fall this year, lost N1.7 trillion of its value last year.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

IOCS defy Nigeria’s expat quota law, says Nwapa p.34

SUPPORT

UK’s Department for International Development is providing funding for the satellite gas-tracking project in Nigeria

Energy

FG to close power sector’s 2.7m metres gap p.35

33

Gas flaring: FG to slam N320bn fines on IOCs, others

Stories by Adeola Yusuf

T

he Federal Government is to slam $2 billion (N360 billion) fines on erring oil companies over gas flaring in Nigeria’s oil rich region between January 2012 and January 2014.

A source at the Presidency told New Telegraph that the Ministry of Environment had already briefed President Goodluck Jonathan on the modalities to ensure that these fines are paid without shortchanging government and the companies.

Minister of Environment, Laurentia Laraba Mallam, who led the ministry officials and consultants to the meeting, the source said, told the president that the ministry had commenced the use of a satellite tracking system to get accurate volume of gas flared by these companies during the time under review.

“This effort is to bring in over N360 billion ($2.2 billion) in two years in fines on the air pollution,” he said.

The fines are to be slammed on the international oil companies (IOCs) and their local counterparts who flare gas illegally through operations between the periods under review.

“A new satellite gas tracker, which was procured from the Unites States (US) has been deployed and the ministry has assured that this online gadget will ensure accurate measurement of volume of gas flared by these companies,” the source said.

The new gas flare tracker is an online map showing data from a US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration satellite that will observe natural gas fires when orbiting over Nigeria.

The measurements it records will feed into estimates of how much gas is burned, its carbon dioxide content, and its potential value.

“It has the ability to calculate the amount of unpaid fines owed by facility owners estimated at $1.1 billion per year,” Mallam was quoted by Bloomberg to have said at an event unveiling the system in Abuja.

While it was outlawed in 1984, the burning of gas that occurs in oil deposits “is still a major cause of human and environmental issues across

Gas flaring

the country,” she said.

If harnessed, the minister said, gas could meet 40 per cent of energy needs in Nigeria.

Africa’s biggest oil producer struggles to generate enough electricity to keep the lights on for over two or three hours a day in some parts of the country.

The tracking system will paint a “stark picture of the extent of gas flaring in this country,” Britain’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Pocock, said at the event.

The UK’s Department for International Development provided funding for the project.

FEAT

Nigeria is the world’s biggest gas supplier after Qatar, Malaysia and Australia.

T

he Federal Government will end export-parity-pricing for gas by 2016, Bloomberg said in a report, quoting group coordinator of strategy and planning at Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Timothy Okon.

Although government has adjusted the price to $3.5 per million British thermal unit (mbtu), Okon maintained that Nigeria would apply “export-parity pricing” in 2016.

This means that produc-

Nigeria is producing 1.8 million barrels a day of crude oil, 2.2 million barrels when condensate is included, Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, told reporters last November before the start of a meeting of the 12-member Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Coun-

tries (OPEC) in Vienna.

The immediate past president, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), Mrs Adedoja Ojelabi, has also unfolded Federal Government’s plans to raise gas-flaring penalty to $3.50 for a million standard cubic feet per day.

Gas export-parity pricing ends 2016, says NNPC ers will get the same price locally as they would for export projects such as LNG contracts, he said.

Nigeria needs gas to supply power companies as it seeks to build an electricity market after finalising the sale of 60 per cent stakes in 15 power distribution and generation companies spun out of the former state-owned monopoly, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in September, 2013.

The plan by world’s fourth-biggest liquefied natural gas exporter, Ni-

geria, to increase domestic gas prices is to further boost supply to power plants hit by shortages.

Nigeria exported about 27 billion cubic meters of LNG in 2012, making it the world’s biggest supplier after Qatar, Malaysia and Australia, according to BP Plc’s statistical review.

Supply from Nigeria fell over three million metric tons last year, equivalent to almost four billion cubic meters of gas, according to BG Group Plc. Current output is about 3,500 megawatts or half

total capacity, due to gas shortages caused by sabotage on pipelines, chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which oversees the power industry, Dr. Sam Amadi, said.

One megawatt is enough to supply about 2,000 average European homes.

“There’s no use being an exporter of gas while using candles at home,” Okon said.

Nigeria’s gas supply needs to triple to satisfy current demand, driven by the power sector, he said.

34

Business | Energy

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

IOCs defy Nigeria’s expat quota law, says Nwapa SETBACK

Lawsuits on $4.8 billion projects setbacks Nigerian Content Act Stories by Adeola Yusuf

S

ome of the international oil companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry still violate Nigeria’s law on expatriate quota, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has said.

NCDMB, which disclosed this on its website, added that it was part of the setbacks for the Nigeria Content Act. The Act stipulates that expatriates (foreigner) must not be employed for a work which Nigerians have available expertise on.

“Preaching a drastic reduction in the expatriate quota, the Act also stipulates that in a situation where there is a work which only an expatriate worker has expertise on, proper application and notification should be made to government, through the NCDMB, which will thereafter give the approval on behalf of government,” the statement said.

Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Ernest Nwapa, said in the statement that

some of the companies still violate this provision.

Although he did not mention names of the defaulters, he promised his commission’s commitment to apportion appropriate sanctions on them.

“The target we set in 2011 has recorded improvements. The local content is now contributing to the GDP since we began in 2011 and we have, based on this, concluded plans to establish more conducive environment for easy implementation.

Those who default will be duly addressed,” he said.

Asides the violation of Nigerian Content Development Act, the success recorded by NCDMB is also punctuated by court cases.

Government’s aspiration to get a boost for $5 billion local content investments in Nigeria has been subjected to threats by cases such as the ongoing court cases on Chevron’s oil blocks and the one between Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL) and Samsung/ Total.

While the Chevron’s case is delaying investments of about $1 billion, Total/Samsung and LADOL are locking horns over a $3.8 billion Egina oil platform project.

“These court cases, no doubt, have effects on local contents investments,” an NCDMB source had earlier told New Telegraph.

Seplat to defer oil investments in Nigeria

A

Nigerian oil producer that just bought assets from Chevron Corporation, Seplat Petroleum Development Co., is thinking of deferring some oil investments in Nigeria but would be expanding gas output to survive low crude prices.

Seplat Chairman, Ambroise Orjiako, said: “We are looking very strongly to compensate for the revenue drop by increasing gas production.

“There will also be a lot of tightening with the company deferring nonessential capital projects,” Orjiako told Bloomberg TV Africa.

Seplat currently pumps about 70,000 barrels a day and is on course to meet its target of 85,000 barrels a day by next year.

Small Nigerian oil companies pumping less than 100,000 barrels per day have seen their revenue eroded by the over 50 per cent drop in crude prices since they peaked in June

last year, analysts, including Pabina Yinkere of Vetiva Capital Management Ltd, said.

They are further squeezed by higher production costs of about $30 for a barrel, compared with $15 a barrel for bigger oil companies such as Royal Dutch Shell Plc and ExxonMobil Corporation.

Seplat expects to double its gas-processing capacity to 280 million cubic feet per day by the end of first quarter when it completes expansion projects, Orjiako said.

This would enable the company take advantage of higher domestic gas prices of $2.50 per thousand cubic feet approved last year by government.

Nigeria, which holds Africa’s biggest natural gas reserves of over 180 trillion cubic feet, is building the pipeline infrastructure to supply power stations across the country of over 170 million people.

“We only hope that the court adjudicate on the matters and dispense justice fast so that the investments that are on hold as a result of the cases can be made,” he said.

Meanwhile, the lingering disagreement between Lagos Deep Of fshore Lo gistics (LADOL) and Samsung/

Total over a $3.8 billion Egina oil platform project has taken a fresh twist, as the plaintiff -LADOL, has accused Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), of breaching an earlier ruling by Justice Chukwu Jeku Aneke, of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, that parties main-

tain status quo pending the determination of the suit.

Also, the feud over $1 billion oil blocks sale by Chevron has continued to degenerate as a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, penultimate week, heard a motion seeking to join the Nigerian National

Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the minister of petroleum in the case.

Nigerian company, Brittania-U Nigeria Limited, had instituted the case last December over the divestment of Chevron interest in Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 52, 53 and 55.

Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Ltd. and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu (right); CEO, GE International Operations Nig., Mr. Lazarus Angbazo (second right); and others, at the signing of the Shell-funded N1billion Oloibiri, Bayelsa State Health Project in commemoration of Nigeria’s Centenary in Lagos… recently.

PRIVILEGE

Nigerian Content is an opportunity for development rather than a requirement for compliance

O

ver N160 billion ($1billion) local content investments have been made on the Egina deep water project, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Ernest Nwapa, has said.

Egina-Total Exploration and Production’s $15 billion deep water project is the first major oil and gas project to be started under the Nigerian Content Act and it includes an FPSO unit, an oil offloading terminal and subsea production systems such as risers, 52km of oil and water injection flow lines, 12 flexible jumpers, 20km of gas export pipelines, 80km of umbilicals and subsea manifolds.

The NCDMB Executive Secretary said this when he commissioned Saipem’s new double/ quadruple joint plant in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He stated that the investment worth $60 million was made towards delivering Saipem’s Nigerian Content scope on the Egina project.

Nwapa added that the plant was worthy of celebration as it confirmed that the Board’s strategy to include Capacity Development Initiatives

Egina attracts M160bn local content investment (CDIs) in major projects was working.

He informed that CDIs will promote opportunities for training, knowledge and technology acquisition, adding that shop floors were expanding and capacity to execute work in Nigeria had increased substantially.

Nwapa reiterated that over $5 billion worth of investments had been made in Nigerian yards since the signing of the Nigerian Content Bill into law by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010, especially by PETAN member companies and other firms such as Aveon, Cameron, LADOL, Nigerdock, FMC, Tenaris and EWT, among others, while about 40,000 technical jobs were being created per annum.

He praised President Jonathan and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, for providing the political support and conducive environment to implement Nigerian Content Act. “Their support strengthened the Board to overcome local and international resistance from very powerful forces,” he added.

The Executive Secretary also commended Total for its continued investment in Nigeria despite the challenging economic environment, par-

ticularly the fall in crude oil prices, adding that NCDMB was focusing more on its developmental roles owing to the need to build collaboration to achieve targets set by the Act. In his welcome address, the Managing Director of Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited (SCNL), Mr. Giussepe Surace, said that the company was in Nigeria for the long-term invests as a demonstration of its commitment to the nation.

He added that the company viewed Nigerian Content as an opportunity for development rather than a requirement for compliance.

The event was attended by representatives of international oil and gas companies, service providers, especially local partners of Saipem on the Egina project.

In their comments, representatives of Saipem’s local partners expressed appreciation for the opportunity to build their businesses and acquire new capabilities.

Already, their partnership had achieved several firsts in the industry, one of which is PCNL’s qualification to produce the 5LPP coating on pipes and joints.

Another company, Mudiame, also secured accreditation to carry out high tech qualification tests on the project.

Business | Energy

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

35

FG to close power sector’s 2.7m metres gap Assault

Government begins clamp down on electricity theft Stories by Adeola Yusuf

T

he 2.7 million meter’s shortage in the power sector will be bridged before December 2015, the Federal Government has said.

Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, had earlier hinted that the nation’s power sector suffers a deficit of 2.7 million metres, but a document from the Ministry of Power sighted by New Telegraph, showed

that government’s plan to crash the figure by over one million metres before the last quarter of 2015.

“Government has, through this ministry, rolled out one million prepaid metres and this effort has received adequate funding plan. Before the end of the last quarter of 2015, when all these equipment must have been installed, there will be a noticeable reduction in the 2.7 million metre deficit in the

Uzoigwe, to the Federal Government to assist electricity generation companies (gencos) improve their revenues by providing consumers with metres.

While lamenting that even the World Bank did not want to be involved with the discos, he declared his ministry’s determination to find a solution to the metering problem.

“Electricity theft has become an act in Nigeria.

People practice it and

they practice it so copiously… there must be a way to stop that. NERC is working on that, but the problem is that people are concerned about funding.

“We’ve taken this to international funding agencies and even World Bank, and World Bank said that ‘we can fund gencos, we can fund transmission, but we don’t want to get involved with discos’. So, we are looking for alternative means because metering

gap must be bridged,” he said.

The document, however, added that government is planning to begin clamp down on perpetrators of electricity theft across the country, “once the issue of metering gap is solved by the fourth quarter of the year.”

The minister, however, assured investors that every effort was being made to ensure that enough gas was made available for electricity generation.

Journalism at its best

Oando drills 19 oil wells ‘without injury’

O

ando swamp rig, ‘OES Teamwork’ has successfully drilled, completed and worked on 19 Wells since it commenced operation in 2010, Oando Energy Services Limited (OESL), has said.

OESL, an Oando PLC subsidiary and Nigeria’s indigenous operator of swamp drilling rigs services, which said this in a statement, maintained that the feat was achieved without Lost Time Injury (LTI) on its flagship rig, ‘OES Teamwork’.

The statement by Head, Corporate Communications, Oando Plc, Inojie ‘Alex’ Irune, added that the ability of the ‘OES Teamwork’ crew to maintain five years of operations without witnessing an LTI, is a reflection of the company’s commitment to service excellence to both its internal and external stakeholders.

LTI is a measure of injury sustained on the job, capable of preventing a worker from performing or continuing a task or resulting in operational downtime.

It is an oil and gas industry benchmark that evaluates adherence to safety and environmental requirements in the course of operations.

As a result, LTI is a critical Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for Oando’s conformity with best practices within the oil and gas industry.

The ‘OES Teamwork’ swamp rig has successfully drilled, completed, and worked on 19 Wells, since it commenced operation in 2010.

country,” the document showed.

Nebo had said during his first official visit to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), that metering gap in the power sector has slowed down the fight against power theft.

“Now, we have an estimated shortfall in meters or metering gap of 2.7 million,” he added.

Nebo was reacting to the appeal by Managing Director/CEO, Egbin Power PLC, Mike

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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

JANUARY

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Afromedia: Incapacitated adverse regulation by

37

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Bodo spill: N16 billion Group faults Shell’s compensation

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Source: CBN . . . . . .N197.70

Sanctit y of Tru th

No. 33

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FG makes N19 per litre profit from petrol Asst. Editor

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Asst. Editor

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Insurance

Claims: Policyholder’s Leadway conflict with deepens

38

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

36 Ondo tasks FG on N11bn spent on roads p.37

Population Nigeria has the highest young population in Africa

Property&Environment Push for studio houses gathers steam

Stories by Dayo Ayeyemi

W

orried by the growing rate of young population in the country who are in need of accommodation, stakeholders in the real estate sector have been tasked to focus more on the provision of studio apartments (one-room self contain) in order to meet their housing needs of young working class.

Making case for a special housing unit for the youths, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Global Property and Facilities International Limited, Dr. Muhammad Olatunde Balogun,stated that the low-cost housing model should be designed to focus on the young people in order to reduce the nation’s housing deficit of 17 million.

Young working population Citing what is obtainable in other climes, he noted that in China and Middle East countries with large young working class population, studio apartments are popular, pointing out that this particular set of accommodation is what the young man or woman out of school, working and unmarried required to have a decent living.

He expressed concerns that from the ongoing housing initiatives by different stakeholders, including government, there has not been housing development targeted at the young and upcoming Nigerians.

He wants developers and government’s housing agencies to focus more on studio apartments for this particular segment of the Nigerian population. He stressed that adequate provision and plan to provide facilities management for the buildings on a continuous basis should also be established “so we do not relive the ugly experience of the Jakande Housing Estates.”

He said: “Nigeria has the largest young population in Africa and one of the top three in the world, however, there is no housing development targeted at the young and upcoming ones. Instead, developers keep building 3-4-5 bedroom

I

n an effort to improve small scale farmers’ resilience to climate change and food security, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and Oxfam are already strategising towards putting up some measures to help them With an initiative, Farmers Field School (FFS), aimed at preparing farmers for adaptation measure against climate change effect on food crops, small scale farmers will be able to cope with the negative effects of climate change.

One of the housing estates under the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Schemes.

apartments and mansions.”

million and N12 million

10,000 housing units Realising this fact, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, has mapped out strategies to construct 10,000 housing units to meet the need of home seekers under the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC). Jonathan The Housing Minister, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, has explained that different house types would be considered, adding that onebedroom and studio apartments will be part of the scheme.

She said that different options were being considered to see to the implementation of the housing initiative.

Also, the Lagos State government, under the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme, has included studio apartments in its housing schemes in different locaBalogun tions across the state.

The National Population Commission in 2013 stated that about half of the population is made up of youths, defined as individuals between 15 and 34 years of age.

The cheapest housing units (two bedroom and three bedroom flats) targeted at the low income Nigerians are selling between N7

Impediments Some of the problems affecting provision of affordable housing units in Nigeria include high cost of land, huge cost of fund, high cost of building materials, difficulty in securing Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), bureaucratic bottlenecks associated with plan approval process and government policies, among others.

Currently, Nigeria has a funding gap of N59.5 trillion to provide accommodation needs of 17 million Nigerians at N3.5 million per unit.

Linking real estate with facilities management industry, Balogun said the real estate and facilities management are part of the macro economy of any nation, pointing out that while the former is contributing about seven per cent to Gross Domestice Product (GDP), the value of the contribution of latter is roughly about 3.5 per cent of GDP. “This is based on the premise that facilities management has about 50 per cent impact on cost of the value of real estate over useful life. Therefore, it is imperative to measure the impact of global and national economy on the growth

‘Govt has provided 61,000 affordable houses for Nigerians’

p.37

and value creation of real estate and facilities management,” he said.

Maintenance The facility management expert decried lack of national agenda for maintenance in the country, saying that the country is lagging behind in this area.

With dwindling government revenue as a result in slump in oil price and depletion of foreign reserve, he pointed out that there is no better time to set up a national agenda for maintenance than now.

This, he stated should form part of the agenda of the next governments in states and at the federal level.

Besides, he also canvassed the setting up of facilities management departments in government ministries while putting in place structures that would ensure proper maintenance of nation’s infrastructure through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

He warned that the lack of structure of the industry would continue to be a major drawback if not addressed.

He said: “In any economy where major changes are happening like it is in Nigeria without a proper industry structure, the benefits will be short lived. Investment will be made, foreign companies will enter the market which should be an advantage but lack of structure will drive them out of the market.

“Also the local players who should benefit from the new opportunities and the need to improve systems to be able to compete will not be there due largely to lack of industry structure.”

He remarked that South Africa and Middle East have in the past five to seven years grown their real estate and facilities market through the participation of international players backed by a structured and well organised industry.

He called on serious players in the industry to join his firm to create a body that will make the industry viable, by setting industry standards, that with regulate, and grow the industry.

“The current systems have not contributed to any significant improvement in the structure and professionalization of the industry. In South Africa and Middle Estate, there are very strong industry structures that influence registration, education, professionalism, global best practice, it cannot be done by one company or one individual,” he said.

Climate change: NCF, Oxfam train farmers Speaking at the opening ceremony of the initiative in Omo J4 Forest Reserve, NCF’s Chief Conservation Officer, Adedamola Ogunsesan, said that though the menace of climate change and it numerous effects is a global issue, countries have begun to develop strategies to ameliorate its impact on human lives and agricultural production to

tackle issue of food security.

According to him, Ogun State, like other states in Nigeria, is faced with low food harvest due to lack of effective farming practices and inadequate knowledge to effectively manage the effects of climate change on food crop production.

For these reasons, there was a need to equip farmers in rural

communities with knowledge on how to tackle climate change induced poor yield, poor soil fertility and low nutrient retaining ability, abnormal flow of rain fall and the spread of common and uncommon diseases.

He said: “Adaptation strategies are short and long-term changes to human activities that respond to the effects of

changes in climate. In agriculture, adaptation will require cost-effective investments in water infrastructure, emergency preparation for and response to extreme weather events, development of resilient crop varieties that tolerate temperature and precipitation stresses, and new or improved land use and management practices.”

Business | Property & Environment

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Luxury Nicely built estate with plenty of space in good location Dayo Ayeyemi

T

ucked in high-brow Government Reservation Area (GRA), Orchid Court, a modern residential estate, has finally berth on Samuel Ojo Street, Ikeja, Lagos.

The commissioning of the 25 units of homes, which offers elegant apartments built to top unique architectural standards with European-standard finishing materials, is a must have for discerning investors.

Justifying the location of the estate, Managing Director, Briscoe Property Limited, Mrs. Sade Hughes, described Ikeja GRA as the Ikoyi of Lagos mainland.

According to her, there have been many people who want to live on the mainland that also desired some beautiful and quality accommodation, adding: “Ikeja GRA is the Banana Island and Ikoyi of the mainland, and that is why we deliberately took position in this location.”

She said that the company has successfully built 25 units of luxury apartments on 8,700 square metres of land in the GRA. She said: “The estate is in low density area, very spacious and in serene environment. Orchid Court is affordable luxury, the quality of the project speaks for itself. The serene and spa-

Developer rolls out Orchid Court for discern investors

cious environment came with a cost.”

The price of the housing units, according to her, ranged between N170million to N180 million.

Hughes, an architect, said the estate “is a delightful gated estate carefully designed to accommodate the needs of today’s housing, while offering exceptional levels of comfort and modern convenience to just 25 families in the serene low density of the area”.

Recreation facilities at the estate include beautiful landscaped outdoors, children’s play area, swimming pool, recreational gym and generous terraces and safety features as electric fence, intercom and video door phone.

Member of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Mr. Chudi Ubosi, described the housing project as ‘nicely built estate with plenty of space in a good location and well priced.’

One of the units of luxury accommodation in the estate.

‘Govt has provided 61,000 affordable houses for Nigerians’ The NMRC, through the Ministry of Finance, was able to tap from the World Bank a certain amount of money for the purpose of establishing support in backing the NMRC. $300 million was given by the World Bank to NMRC through the Ministry of Finance and the loan is to be repaid over a very long period of 30 years at zero interest rate to help the re-inauguration of the mortgage institutions that we have in Nigeria to support the housing sector.

Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Ayakenyi, in this interview with Yusuf Shuaib, says the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has provided affordable houses for Nigerians, especially workers.

What has your ministry achieved within the four years of President Jonathan administration?

I want to start by acknowledging the interest of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, for the housing sector. His top agenda is to provide housing for Nigerians and in four years of his administration, we have been able to put up 61,000 affordable houses for workers and other Nigerians. Presently, we have the 100,000 housing units specifically for workers which are on-going.

The flag-off for the first 20,000 units was done in Apo late last year by the president himself. We have also ongoing 10,000 housing units project for Nigerians across the nation but the first was specifically for workers. The project has started off in Abuja at Gwagwalada by Signature Company from Dubai.

Apart from that, there are private developers who came up with housing development projects. We have various housing schemes and I want to say that we have more than 61,000 housing units that have been provided in Nigeria since the incep-

Eyakenyi

tion of the present administration.

What is the deal between the Federal Government and the World Bank in the provision of affordable houses?

We have a good cordial relationship with the World Bank through the Ministry of Finance. You are aware that last year the Federal government launched what we called Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), whose responsibility is to take charge of refinancing the mortgage institutions that we have in Nigeria for the purpose of providing affordable housing to Nigerians.

What makes these houses affordable?

When we say affordable, we are looking at the different cadres of the civil servants that we have.

For a low-income person that is on level three to four that earns maybe N20,000 naira in a month over a period of time, we are looking at the level of a home he can own through his or her own finance. So we are providing one-bedroom apartments, two bedroom apartments and three bedroom apartments; we are providing also a studio apartment (one bedroom portable) that a bachelor can stay conveniently to do everything he wants to do.

We are looking at that different cadres to come so that we can fix prices of the housing units Over the years, there are too many building collapse cases, what is your ministry doing to curb the menace?

The ministry is taking serious moves to curb that. When I came in, there has been many collapses across the nation. We have to review the building code that was in existence.

37

Ondo to FG: Refund N11bn roads project Babatope Okeowo Akure

O

ndo State government has appealed to the Federal Governmnt to refund all the money it spent on federal roads in its domain.

Commissioner for Work, Mr. Gboye Adegbenro, told newsmen, that the money amounting to N11 billion ,which was spent of the federal roads started from the administration of late Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

He urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the payment of the money because “the current economic meltdown is already affecting the execution of capital projects in our state and we need to access all our funds.”

Some of the roads, Adegbenro said, include the Ore-Okitipupa road in the southern senatorial district, Owo-Ikare and Ajowa-Kogi State boundary in the northern senatorial district as well as the Oka-Isua road that connects the state with the Federal Capital Territory.

The state is also expecting refund of money spent on the Itanla-Ondo road and the rehabilitation of the Ore junction at the Benin-Shagamu expressway which fixed the giant potholes that made the road impassable some three years ago.

Also included in the road projects which expectations of refund were made included on yearly basis in the state budgetary proposals are the separate rehabilitations of the Igbara-Oke and Ogbese sections of the Ilesa-Owo highway which the state government undertook at the inception of the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko administration to ease traffic gridlock on the busy road.

According to Adegbenro, a Fellow of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) who handles all the infrastructural projects of the Ondo government, the nonrefund of the money, apart from delaying some capital projects in the state, is also hampering further intervention by the state on bad sections of federal roads.

Meanwhile, as parts of efforts to tackle some of the challenges facing the Fire Service Department in the state, the Ondo State government is planning to give financial autonomy to the department.

The government’s decision was in order to tackle some of the challenges being faced by the organisation especially the high spate of fire incidents that destroyed property worth millions of naira especially in the last hamattan season in the state.

The department which had moved its administration from one ministry to another is now under the Ministry of Works. The department had also been a subject of attack each time there was fire incident in the state as the populace blamed them for inefficiency.

Under the proposed arrangement, the agency would have its own separate budget to have the financial muscle needed to purchase the required fire-fighting trucks and other equipments and to train its personnel in the modern process of

Mimiko

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

38

Emirates to hire 11,000 new staff p.39 Survival of airlines in the bad and the good times require adopting a certain strategy and hoping this will carry you through the downturn, writes, Aviation Editor, WOLE SHADARE Difficult times for civil aviation ivil aviation is undergoing a more wrenching change than just a drift eastward. In Nigeria and all over the world, a history of regulation and government involvement has left it burdened by trade protection, inefficiency and excess capacity.

Airlines helped to bring about globalisation, but their own industry is far from globalised. Instead of globe-spanning giants, the world has 240 flag-carriers and several dozen budget airlines. Even last year, the industry’s profit margins were not fat. Only those innovative low-cost carriers make decent money Number of airlines.

In Nigeria, there are nine airlines operating in the domestic scene. They are Medview, Discovery, Air Peace, Aero, Arik Air, Overland Dana, First Nation, Azman and Discovery Air, which is currently facing NCAA sanction.

There are fears that most of the domestic airlines that are currently struggling to survive may pass the conditions for recertification, but will die a few months later if the strategies for carrying out this exercise are not reviewed.

Most of the airlines are already showing symptoms of ailments, as some of them are either owing workers salary or not operating to full capacity. Also, many of them are not breaking even, coupled with the very harsh environment which they operate.

With these signs, stakeholders are of the opinion that many of them will close shop in a matter of days. This fear has put stakeholders on the edge who have proposed recapitalisation for the airlines as a way of making them stronger.

But others have advised that rather than recapitalisation, the carriers should consider consolidation in the form of merger, partnership and alliances, same way it is practiced.

Aviation

Medview Airlines boosts fleet p.39

Economic downtown: Between Consolidation and recapitalisation

C

Lamentation Experts confirmed that the nation’s carriers are weak and lack the capacity to operate profitably, hence the need for them to become healthy.

A source close to the Presidency said that government is planning to raise capitalisation base for Nigerian operators to between N1.5 billion and N2 billion in view of the devalua-

tion of Naira and based on the high capital intensive nature of airline business not only in Nigeria, but globally.

Chairman, Committee on Aeronautical and non-aeronautical and passenger charges in Nigeria, Mr. Ahonsi Unuigbe told New Telegraph at the launch of Aviation Commit Initiative on Tuesday that inappropriate business model of most domestic airlines has done incalculable damage to them.

He disclosed that the minimum capitalisation requirement for domestic airlines is only N500 million ($2 million), which at today’s exchange rate, barely covers the cost of effectively operating and maintaining one aircraft and therefore does not ensure a fleet size that allows for economies of scale.

Government policy The Federal Government in 2004 through a former Minister of Aviation, Mallam Isa Yuguda, gave indigenous airlines designated to operate along the West Coast and international

The current economic downturn has made the aviation industry search for options for survival, one option is consolidation

routes 24 months to recapitalise to the tune of N500 million and N1 billion respectively.

An aircraft maintenance engineer, Shery Kyari, suggested that government should consider economic regulation, adding that it is high time government started assisting airlines in the country.

He added that besides asking airlines to recapitalise, the Federal Government itself must provide conducive atmosphere for domestic airlines to operate, by granting them waivers, just like that on the importation of aircraft spare parts.

Kyari said that the proposed recapitalisaiton of domestic airlines by the Federal Government would be misconstrued by stakeholders in the industry.

He insisted that any recapitalisation attempt at this time would be perceived as a step by government to willfully kill the local airlines in favour of the planned national carrier.

The aircraft maintenance engineer posited that before the

government could go on with the idea, it should introduce more incentives to the domestic carriers and create a more enabling environment for them to operate.

Aviation analyst, Olumide Ohunayo, disagrees that recapitalisation will solve the problems of the carriers.

“On recapitalisation, I will want to reiterate my humble disagreement on the issue of recapitalisation as a panacea to the problem of our airlines. It will only ensure we once again progress in error and deceit.

These airlines, in-conjunction with their bankers, will prefer to see the airlines limping than being taken to the theatre for surgical operations.”

“We must abort the fanciful flight of recapitalisation and board the fleet consolidation by regulation flight that will move minimum fleet from two to ten. Fleet is a physical asset that can be seen and verified. It CONTINUED ON PAGE 39

Business | Aviation

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

39

RwandAir celebrates three years of service Felicitation

The airline plays a strategic role in integration of the African economies Wole Shadare

R

wandAir, the national carrier of the Republic of Rwanda, has celebrated three years of flying to Lagos, Nigeria.

The three years journey of the airline servicing the Nigerian route has been a great positive experience to travel partners across the country that have supported the RwandAir products and the great experiences waiting in the home country .

At the agency forum where the three years anniversary was celebrated, travel agencies were appreciated for the support in selling Rwanda with the easy visa regime as well as the tourism attractions that the country has to offer, including the famous gorilla trek and scenic adventures.

RwandAir Country Manager in Nigeria, Josephine Rurangwa, said: “Having been offering the most competitive air fares and guaranteed safety with our state of the art Next Generation fleet, we have

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 8

will sanitise operations while improving safety and profitability”.

For decades, airlines were straitjacketed by regulations and protectionism that prevented mergers and the emergence of low-cost carriers. Liberalisation has led to changes, including the right for European Union-based carrier to fly anywhere in Europe, but a succession of economic calamities has had an even bigger effect, saddling carriers with unsustainable cost bases and leaving consolidation as an overwhelming imperative.

The current economic

enjoyed working with different supportive travel agencies that have been selling Rwanda where the weather is friendly across the year as a tourism and love destination, resulting in Rwanda hosting Nigerian beautiful couples tying the knot in the country of a thousand hills.”

During the event, the car-

s part of its expansion programme, Medview Airline has taken delivery of another B737 aircraft, bringing the number to four.

Speaking after taking custody of the aircraft at MMA2, Lagos, the airline’s Managing Director, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, said the aircraft would be dedicated to the Lagos-Abuja- Yola route, adding that another B737 aircraft will join the fleet by the end of March.

“We are committed to give our passengers quality service which is hinged on safety, on time departure, good inflight services and good

airline’s commitment to operate with the highest and international industry safety standards continues with the pursue of another certification, the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations expected to be completed by June 2016.

Operating from its hub in Kigali, RwandAir operates a seven aircraft Next Genera-

L-R: Mr. Stephen Onabe of Public Affairs Department of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency [NAMA]; Chairman, League of Airports and Aviation Correspondent, Mr. Chukwuemeke IweluNmo; Acting Public Affairs Manager of NAMA, Mrs. Olajumoke Adetona and Mr. Gabriel Akinlade-Daniel during their maiden visit to LAAC Secreteriat...at the weekend.

Between Consolidation and recapitalisation downturn has made the aviation industry search for options for survival, one option is consolidation. More and more we see forced consolidation due to financial difficulties, wherein mergers and acquisitions are used as a last resort to survive, instead of an opportunity when all is well.

So what consolidation can we distinguish, there are operational partnerships, for instance, on maintenance or ground handling services, there are the commercial alliances where code sharing and common branding is applied and the financial consolida-

Medview Airlines boosts fleet

A

rier rewarded partners and travel agencies for their contributions to the growth of the airline in Nigeria.

The airline’srecent major milestone is the passing of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit which resulted in the acquisition of the IOSA certificate. The

customer care for which we are known”, Bankole said.

Apparently referring to the all Nigerian crew that flew in the aircraft, he said Medview airline is at the forefront of manpower development to check expatriates dominance of the industry and its consequence of capital flight.

The airline has mapped out strategies to open up new domestic routes with Kano, Asaba and Uyo on the front burner.

The Dubai and Jeddah routes will be serviced by a B767 aircraft, which will soon be delivered.

tion with mergers and acquisition of the other airline. The last one is the most difficult as this involves regulation from different countries, politics, and cultural differences and more challenges facing this type of consolidation.

Reasons for consolidation The most common reasons for airlines to consolidate are to improve the cost base through the achievement of scale and scope related advantages, think of network expansion. Also reduce excess capacity on unsustainable competitive markets and code

share on certain routes, in addition is the need to increase presence in key markets and enter emerging ones.

The advantages created can be on cost reduction through economies of scale and scope, handling services, joint purchasing and shared facilities. Also the ability to grow the network is the size or the market share in an already present region - in addition the regulatory approvals for entering foreign markets could be less difficult. Next to cost and growth, the customer benefits can improve through joint check-ins, greater choice

tion fleet and flies to sixteen destinations in Africa and the Middle East. After starting direct daily flights between Entebbe and Juba, the airline recently launched direct daily flights between Entebbe and Nairobi.

Rurangwa stated that her airline continues to play a strategic role in the integration of the African economies as one of the major projects of the Rwandan Government to boost the country’s economy and strategically position the country’s capital to become a major African hub in many aspects such as in information technology, hosting high level conferences and investment opportunities as the country continue to be a revolutionary in the ease of doing business (Ranked second in Africa by the 2014 World Bank Report).

RwandAir flies to Lagos four times weekly with a dual class Boeing 737 -800 Next Generation aircraft, the first Boeing Sky Interior in Africa.

The airline expects delivery of a second brand new dual class Bombardier Q400Next Generation aircraft and is concluding agreements with aircraft manufacturers for wide body aircraft. These will enable the airline to expand its operations to destinations in Europe and Asia by 2016. in destinations and maybe the sharing of loyalty programmes.

The disadvantages of consolidation sometimes outweighs the benefits. In this, the aviation industry is not different from other industries. Cost reduction is one of the first aspects that are covered during consolidation. The easiest cost reduction is of course, the reduction of staffing, but performing this badly can harm the company more than is intended. The combination of two parties working together can bring the needed synergy but also can cause conflicts and tension between the two workforces, example is Air France KLM.

Emirates to hire 11,000 new staff

E

mirates Group, comprising Emirates Airline and dnata, said it plans to hire over 11,000 new workers in the coming year across its business, in line with its projected growth across six continents.

This would increase its staff size by six per cent by March 2016. Approximately half of the new recruits will comprise Dubai-based cabin crew for Emirates airline. As the airline gears up to receive over 20 new aircraft this year, it is also actively recruiting talent in areas such as flight operations, engineering, airport services and corporate functions. dnata, which today provides aviation and travel services in 90 cities across 38 countries, is also

seeking talent for its growing business, particularly airport operations, Engineering and commercial business development.

Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Emirates Airline and Group, Abdulaziz Al Ali, in a statement, said: “Both Emirates and dnata are exciting and industry-leading companies. Skilled candidates know they can look forward to a truly international and multicultural working environment, as well as good career prospects with a stable and growing company. Our brand, our financial success and stability, and our growth, makes Emirates Group an attractive employer in the global arena for the best talent and that’s why each month we

receive thousands of applications from candidates across the world looking to join our dynamic team.

“Right now, we have over 75,000 employees in Dubai and around the world. More than 12,000 of our employees have been with the Group for over 10 years and almost 3,000 have worked with us for over 20 years.

More than anything, these facts illustrate the type of employer we are and the opportunities that we can offer,” he said.

In 2014, Emirates received nearly 483,944 online applications for over 2,000 jobs, from over 227 countries. It also receives an average of 1,500 careerrelated enquiries each month on its social media channels.

40

Photo | News

L-R: Nollywood Actress, Bimbo Adesanya; Lagos State APC Governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode; his running mate, Dr. Oluranti Adebule and Desmond Elliott, during Ambode’s visit to the City Mall, Ikeja, Lagos

L-R: Vice Chairman, League of Airport Aviation Correspondents (LAAC), Eme Akpan; Chairman, Mr. Chuks Iwelunmo and Acting General Manager Public Affairs, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Olajumoke Adetona, during an interactive session with LAAC members in Lagos. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

L-R: Deputy Corps Marshal, Motor Vehicle Administration, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Charles Theophilus; President, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Nazeem Yasin and Corps Marshal/ Chief Executive, FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, during a courtesy visit to the President in Abuja

L-R: Managing Director, Briscoe Properties Limited, Sade Hughes; Chairman, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Michael Ade-Ojo; former Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Wale Omole and Chairman, Briscoe Properties Limited, Seyi Onajide, at the official commissioning of Briscoe’s Orchid Court, in Lagos.

L-R: Political Activist, Otunba Dino Melaye; National Youth Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Ibrahim Talo-Dasuki;National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun; Women Leader, Hajiya Ramatu Aliyu and others at the ‘March for Buhari’ road walk in Abuja

Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko (second right), presenting Aminu Tambuwal as Sokoto State APC governorship candidate at the party’s rally in Wurno, Sokoto State. With them are other APC chieftains.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: Commanding Officer 81 Division, Major General Tamuomiebi Dibi; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu and Air Officer Commanding, Logistics, Lagos, Air Vice Marshal Mike Iloenyosi, shortly after a courtesy call on the Governor of Lagos State, in Lagos

L-R: Bishop Diocese of Oleh Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. John Aruakpor; Gen. Paul Omu (rtd) and Hon. Mathias Ejo, during the commissioning of 7.1 Km Umeh road, Bridge and Umeh Primary School in Isoko South Local Government Area, in Delta State

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

ATTRACTION

Nigeria’s debtto-GDP ratio is among the lowest in emerging markets at 10%

Analysts predict more devaluation as CBN sells forex outside target band • Low debt, light payments boost Nigeria’s dollar bonds • Apex bank intervenes, restricts dollar resale again

Stories by Tony Chukwunyem

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intervened to defend the beleaguered naira yesterday by selling dollars below its official band for the second time, a sign the banking watchdog could weaken the currency to save its dwindling foreign reserves.

The naira crashed through a psychologically important level of N200 to the dollar last week in a rout triggered by weak oil prices and escalating tension over the postponement of a presidential election in Africa’s biggest economy, prompting the apex bank to step up intervention.

It sold dollars in a special auction yesterday at N198 to the US currency, similar levels to last Friday’s sale, and once again banned banks from reselling dollars bought at the currency auction to other banks.

“The special FX auc-

tions are not sustainable in the current setting ... until and unless oil prices rise significantly, there is little the authorities can do to prevent the naira from weakening,” Angus Downie, head of research at Ecobank said.

Both the Monday and Friday trades by the apex bank were outside a target band of N160-N176 to the dollar it set in November when it devalued the currency by 8 percent to save its foreign reserves.

The devaluation failed to ease pressure on the naira in an economy reliant on oil for more than 90 percent of its dollar inflows.

The CBN has reiterated it would not devalue the currency but would stabilise the naira and has burned through $1.1 billion over the past nine days to prop up the currency.

Ibrahim Muazu, CBN spokesman told Reuters last Friday the banking

watchdog was not planning to devalue the naira again and would continue its special intervention.

Before yesterday’s intervention, data showed foreign reserves at $33.04 billion, down 4 percent from a month ago.

The naira Non-Deliverable Forwards - currency derivatives traded offshore - pointed to the local currency being priced at N268-N275 to the greenback in a year’s time.

Despite CBN’s intervention, interbank liquidity has remained thin, undermining Nigeria’s credibility as a smoothly functioning capital market, which could trigger its ejection from a JP Morgan emerging market bond index.

“These restrictions may only be lifted once the foreign exchange demand and supply dynamics reaches a point where the CBN is able to supply the market with sufficient foreign exchange,” said

Cobus de Hart of NKC Independent Economists in South Africa, referring to the ban on dollar resales.

“This could require a substantial official devaluation.”

Meanwhile, despite being battered by tumbling oil prices and domestic politics, Nigeria’s dollar bonds still remain attractive to investors thanks to low debt ratios, a light repayment schedule and demand from local banks, analysts have said.

The oil price slump has impacted the Nigerian economy leading to a 20 percent fall in the naira’s exchange rate against the dollar. With the weaker naira raising debt-servicing costs, both corporate and sovereign dollar bonds have suffered.

Thus Nigerian dollar bond yield spreads - the premium investors demand to hold its debt over US Treasuries - have blown out by more than a third since the start of the

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

FX

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

Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

very small, the total size of the Eurobonds relative to everything else is tiny.

“Even though we are moving into a situation where the fiscal deficit is worsening and the current account may slip into a deficit, again - compared to many other emerging market economies - the situation is not bad,” he added.

According to Thomson Reuters data, the next Nigerian government Eurobond due for repayment is a five-year issue maturing in June 2018.

Nigerian companies, which according to Thomson Reuters data have raised around $5 billion in external debt markets since 2007, also have little maturing in the short term.

Banks, which account for the lion’s share of such bonds, have only coupon payments to make this year and just one bond maturing in 2016, according to estimates by Standard Chartered analyst Samir Gadio.

Ecobank mulls relocation from Lome

A

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80

year, hitting record highs of 578 basis points (bps) earlier this month.

For instance, Nigeria’s 10-year dollar bond maturing in 2023 now yields 7.5 percent, up 100 bps since the start of the year. Compare that to a 6.2 percent yield for Kenya’s 10-year dollar bond, maturing in 2024 even though S&P rates Kenya at B+, one notch below Nigeria.

However, that yield premium may not be warranted, analysts say.

According to them, Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio - a measure of overall indebtedness - is among the lowest in emerging markets at 10 percent, with just $8 billion in sovereign debt outstanding in hard currency.

Reuters quotes Sub Saharan Africa Economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Oyin Anubi, as saying, “Nigeria’s external debt-to-GDP is still

Tony Chukwunyem

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

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

41

gainst the background of decisions by courts in Ivory Coast and Togo ordering it to pay compensation to its former Chief Executive Officer, Thierry Tanoh, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) is considering relocating its headquarters from Lome, the capital of Togo.

According to Bloomberg, ETI shareholders including the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Nedbank and Qatar National Bank- met in Ghana last Thursday to deliberate on the court rulings and one of the issues raised at the meeting was the possibility of moving the bank’s base from Togo.

Bloomberg quoted lawyer for Ecobank, Martial Akakpo, as saying, “Since this judicial pressure has started, this idea has circulated at Ecobank.”

Ecobank spokesman, Richard Uku confirmed Thursday’s meeting in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, but he would not disclose what was discussed.

Ecobank called a spe-

cial board meeting after Mr Tanoh won defamation cases against the lender in Ivory Coast and Togo for wrongful dismissal. The bank, ordered to pay Mr Tanoh about 13.2-billion CFA francs ($22.6million), is appealing the judgments.

Ecobank has been battling Mr Tanoh since 2013 after regulators investigated allegations of management fraud and poor governance.

Mr Tanoh, who was forced to leave the company last year, denied any wrongdoing.

An analyst at Imara SP Reid, Brian Mugabe, noted that, Mr. Tanoh, who is deputy general secretary in the office of Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, “is very well connected in Ivory Coast and Togo too, it would seem.”

“I’d assume the risks will diminish once the Tanoh issue is done,” he stated.

Also commenting on the meeting, analyst at Arqaam Capital, Leen Antonios, said, “We believe the governance issues have been tackled and the bank has been working on strengthening its governance.”

Business | Financial Market News

42

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

16-Feb-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

NA

NA

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

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

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,932.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,324.79

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 13-Feb-20 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

0.18 1.50 2.19 2.44 2.54 3.28 4.36 4.68 4.99 6.95 9.07 13.78 14.26 14.76 15.43 19.42

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

15.27 17.33 17.33 17.25 17.21 16.78 16.34 16.18 16.22 16.51 17.31 15.36 15.09 14.81 15.99 16.24

14.41 17.21 17.24 17.16 17.12 16.64 16.24 16.07 16.13 16.43 17.23 15.31 15.03 14.74 15.92 16.17

97.98 94.55 96.00 85.71 84.38 85.07 98.90 70.61 97.72 99.50 86.00 97.89 84.89 62.53 66.00 76.00

98.13 94.70 96.15 85.86 84.53 85.37 99.20 70.91 98.02 99.80 86.30 98.19 85.19 62.83 66.30 76.30

#

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.70 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.27 1.13 1.81 2.17 2.38

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

18.68 19.90 19.43 18.35 18.27

95.20 97.50 94.89 94.16 90.79

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.68

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

302.75

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.54

4.44

17.92

97.32

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.38

3.23

17.94

98.27

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.89

4.46

21.16

94.47

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.90

3.48

20.20

96.31

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.17

1.00

18.35

85.53

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.44

1.00

18.48

94.36 89.64

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.87

1.79

18.80

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.04

1.80

19.20

91.90

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

2.06

1.00

18.39

93.05

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.24

1.00

18.33

93.42

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.25

4.78

22.10

86.82

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.44

1.00

18.25

94.96

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

2.68 4.76 2.74

1.00 1.00 2.74

18.13 17.19 19.83

94.85 91.40 90.03

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

‡ /Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.29

1.00

17.77

92.97

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.78

1.00

17.32

86.32

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.87

1.94

18.27

88.45

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.53

1.44

18.07

91.38

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.56

1.95

18.57

91.42

97.44

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

460.61 416.06

Corporate Bonds ‡ /Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

5.00

17-Aug-15

0.25

4.88

21.18

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.56

1.00

14.65

98.58

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.64

2.63

17.03

98.25

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.62

1.00

18.44

92.65

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.69

1.34

18.77

93.63

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.62

1.00

18.16

89.56

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.64

1.88

19.32

98.95

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.64

3.48

20.92

93.74

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

1.81

5.20

22.63

93.87

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

1.81

5.06

22.49

91.38

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.60

1.00

17.60

90.67

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

1.92

2.29

19.71

94.19

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

2.00

6.11

23.52

92.18

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.87

2.16

19.18

93.28

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.74

2.76

19.08

86.90

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.62

1.00

18.76

70.00

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.62

1.00

18.76

75.80

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

135.24

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

122.87

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.99

1.00

17.95

82.66

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.75

1.00

17.19

81.69

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 20.50

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

7.29

7.07

97.41

98.45

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

6.49

6.13

95.87

96.94

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

7.57

7.38

92.64

93.80

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

1,429.65

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

127.98

127.98

45.00

45.00

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

6.96

6.96

100.63

100.63

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

11.34

11.34

91.50

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

13.99

13.22

82.00

83.75

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

11.76

10.65

83.00

86.00

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

41.43

41.43

40.50

40.50

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

11.27

11.27

83.63

83.63

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

16.12

14.91

77.87

81.04

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

14.09

14.09

77.75

77.75

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

25.98 14.61 13.86

25.98 14.04 13.86

43.50 78.38 75.00

43.50 80.38 75.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.99

10.21

89.13

92.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,562.91

**Treasury Bills DTM 10 17 24 31 38 45 52

Money Market

FIXINGS Maturity 26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15 19-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 2-Apr-15 9-Apr-15

Bid Discount (%) 13.76 16.50 12.70 13.16 12.98 13.97 20.00

Offer Discount (%) 13.51 16.25 12.45 12.91 12.73 13.72 19.75

Bid Yield (%) 13.81 16.63 12.81 13.31 13.16 14.21 20.59

Tenor

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 86.2917 16.4137 17.6664 18.5552

Rate (%)

OBB

88.33

O/N

92.58

Tenor Call

REPO

Rate (%) 95.00

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

198.78 200.31 200.62 201.36 202.72

198.88 200.42 200.78 201.85 203.78

***LCRM

0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

116.70 66.49

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.68

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

302.75

19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

2.17 2.38

1.00 1.00

18.35 18.27

94.16 90.79

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.54

4.44

17.92

97.32

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.38

3.23

17.94

98.27

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.89

4.46

21.16

94.47

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.90

3.48

20.20

96.31

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.17

1.00

18.35

85.53

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY,LAGOS FEBRUARY 17, 2015 ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

Business | Financial Market News

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.44

1.00

18.48

94.36

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.87

1.79

18.80

89.64

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.04

1.80

19.20

91.90

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

2.06

1.00

18.39

93.05

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.24

1.00

18.33

93.42

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.25

4.78

22.10

86.82

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.44

1.00

18.25

94.96

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 26.62

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

2.68 4.76 2.74

1.00 1.00 2.74

18.13 17.19 19.83

94.85 91.40 90.03

SEC to automate filing process

T

‡ /Agusto

Stock market gains N48bn

14-Feb-12 *ONDO rejected out rightly 15.50 ONDO he Securities and . 14-FEB-2019 02-Oct-12 BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR *GOMBE 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 Exchange Com“All incomplete fil‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 22-Nov-12 mission (SEC) has ings will be rejected out 12-Dec-12 BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR *OSUN 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 BULLISH 10-Oct-13 concluded arrangements commit ‡ /Agusto *OSUN rightly.” We also 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 /Agusto; ‡ filing /GCR LAGOS ourselves that 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 Nigerian stocks 27-Nov-13 once those to ‡make process 31-Dec-13 A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI 31-DEC-2020 automated. applications 15.00 areKOGI submit31-Dec-13 ‡ /Agusto *EKITI 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 advance, as The initiative is to ented, within a maximum of 06-Jan-14 A-/GCR *NASARAWA 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 sentiment turns ableTOTAL people fill their forms two weeks, approval will OUTSTANDING VALUE online and complete their be given,” he explained.

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION green applications.

Speaking earlier, Chief Corporate Bonds Acting Director Gen- Executive Officer of GMC, 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 17-Aug-10 ‡ /Agusto *UPDC eralBBB-/Agusto of SEC, Mr. Mounir Daisy Ekineh, commend12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS Stories by Chris Ugwu Gwarzo, who disclosed ed the new management 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB/GCR 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 thisA+/Agusto; whenA-/GCR he received the say29-Sep-11 NAHCO of the Commission, 14.25confident FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto 25-Oct-13 FSDH ulls yesterday management of Global ing that she was 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR 30-Sep-10 UBA staged a comeMandate Consulting that they would do well to 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR 30-Nov-12 *C & I LEASING back to envelop (GMC), said the automabring the capital market MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 09-Apr-11 Nil *DANA trading activition would enhance the to an enviable heights.

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR *TOWER ties on the floor of the submission process. *TOWER She described SEC MPR+5.25 TOWERas 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 Nigerian Stock Exchange A/Agusto; A/GCRend of this 22-Sep-11 UBA “By the a very important institu15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR 18-Oct-13 *LA CASERA quarter, we should start (NSE) after about seven tion for the development MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 17-Feb-12 BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR *CHELLARAMS days of bearish run. to completely file all docof Nigeria, adding that 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 01-Apr-14 Nil *DANA important uments through e-filing.

NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 The key benchmark A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 14-Nov-13 NAHCO this was an15.25 returned positive WeA/GCR have sent the checklist for it to182D make critiT.bills+1.20 STANBICindices IA 30-SEP-2024 30-Sep-14 STANBIC time IBTC 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 30-Sep-14 STANBIC cal IBTC contributions to close in the green, takto all zonal offices of SEC to the OUTSTANDING VALUE andTOTAL we expect operators growth and development ing supports mainly from TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATIONof the country, especially highly capitalised stocks to comply ,” he stated.

Gwarzo noted that given the decline in crude Supranational Bond in AAA/S&P its determination tooil prices, 10.20 which has IFC 11-FEB-2018 IFC 11-Feb-13 wards prompt approvals brought to fore need 11.25 the AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P AfDB 10-Jul-14 of applications, the Comfor the country to diverTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE mission had directed all sify as quickly as possible.

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION capital market operators According to her, this eimeth Pharmaand issuers to ensure that diversification cannot beDescription ceuticals Plc has Rating/Agency Issuer Issue Date any application filed with done without the capital recorded 11.27 per FGN Eurobonds it complied fully with the market that provides long cent decline in profit after requirements term funding for developfor the first quarter 6.75 JANtax 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P of its rules 07-Oct-11 and regulations to avoid ment. The government is ended December 31, 2014.

BB-/Fitch; FGN 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 12-Jul-13 In a filing with the Nirejection. still challenged by infraBB-/S&P BB-/Fitch; The SEC boss said the structure deficits and cangerian Stock Exchange 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 12-Jul-13 BB-/S&P measure became neces- not meet these demands (NSE), the company TOTAL VALUE sary in OUTSTANDING view of the te- without a strong capital posted a profit after tax TOTAL MARKET of N68.763 million as dious nature ofCAPITALISATION process- market. against N75.763 million ingCorporate applications and the Ekineh also urged the Eurobonds recorded during01-Feb-11 the attendant delays expericommission to take inves11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B/Fitch; B-/S&P AFREN PLC I comparable period of enced when such filings tor perception as one of 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I 19-May-11 areB+/S&P not complete. the very important tools 2013.

This depicts a drop 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 ACCESS BANK PLC 25-Jul-12 11.27 per cent. 09-May-13 According to him, the could assist the mar6.88 MAYof 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY that BANK PLC ket in development.

Commission has had Also, the company’s 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC 08-Nov-13 10.25 APRrevenue 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLC II “If there are any wrong situations where people dropped 08-Apr-12 from 6.25 APRN468.530 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; it BB-/S&P ZENITH PLC 22-Apr-14 accused of inefficiency , BANK perceptions, you want to million posted 8.75 Maythe 21, 2019 previous year B/S&P now decided DIAMONDcorrect BANK PLC them while you 21-May-14 butB/Fitch; it has to 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC 07-Aug-13 that henceforth, once any would like to build on the N269.262 million during 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFREN PLC III 09-Dec-13 application is not 100 per positive perceptions.” she the year under review.

9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II 24-Jun-14 cent complete, it will FIRST be BANK added.

ThisJULrepresents a fall of 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P LTD 23-Jul-14 ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

B

#{r}

#

#

#

#{r}

particularly driven by 14.75 Companies 11.10 of Cement 13.50 87.50 Plc Northern Nigeria 15.00 5.00 (CCNN) and NASCON Plc. 14.50 4.55 Trading activities 15.00 4.56 on the floor of the Exchange 460.61 had in the last seven trad416.06 ing days closed in the red following negative senti10.00 5.00 ments12.00 by investors.

18.75 Specifically, the 14.00 0.42 AllShare13.00Index (ASI) 15.00 ap14.25 by 143.37 5.53 preciated basis 13.00 20.00 points or 0.52 per cent 18.00 0.64 to close at 27,728.63 as 16.00 6.30 against 18.0027,585.26 record2.90 ed the16.00 previous day0.80 , while 14.00 35.00 the market capitalisation 15.75 2.40 of equities appreciated 18.00 0.41

by N48 billion or 0.52 per 16.00 4.50 cent as market sentiment 15.25 2.05 turned positive. 0.10 11.93 13.25 15.44 Meanwhile, a turnover of 316.5 million 135.24 shares, 122.87 in worth N2.8 billion

3,776 deals, was recorded 3.29 1.00 in10-Oct-20 the day’s trading.

27-Nov-20 5.78 The banking sub-1.00 31-Dec-20 sector of the5.87 financial1.94 31-Dec-20 3.53 1.44 services sector 06-Jan-21 3.56was the 1.95 most active (measured by turnover volume); with 126.8 million shares worth N963.1 billion ex17-Aug-15 0.25 4.88 changed by investors in1.00 09-Dec-15 0.56 1,311 deals.

06-Jan-16 0.64 2.63 Volume in the 29-Sep-16 1.62banking 1.00 25-Oct-16 1.69 largely 1.34 sub-sector was 30-Sep-17 2.62 driven by activities in1.00 30-Nov-17 1.64 1.88 the shares of GTB Plc 09-Apr-18 1.64 3.48 and UBA Plc. 09-Sep-18 1.81 5.20 Also, other 09-Sep-18 1.81 finan5.06 22-Sep-18 3.60 sector, 1.00 cial services sub 18-Oct-18 1.92 boosted by activities in2.29 17-Feb-19 2.00 6.11 the shares of FCMB Plc,2.16 01-Apr-19 2.87 followed turnover2.76 14-Nov-20 with a 5.74 of30-Sep-24 111.3 million 9.62 shares 1.00 30-Sep-24 at N327.9 9.62 million 1.00 valued in 662 deals.

The number of gain-

Neimeth’s profit drops by 11%

N

B-/S&P

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.99

1.00

17.95

82.66

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.75

1.00

17.19

81.69

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

ment was to enhance new machines comprise its production capacity fluidBid bed processor, highMaturity Date Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield (%) Price Offer Price and reduce manufactur- speed tableting machine, & Yields ing costs in order to en-Prices blistering machine and automatic packaging hance the quality of its 28-Jan-21 7.29 7.07 97.41 98.45 products and secure the machine.

12-Jul-18 6.49 6.13 95.87 96.94anticiWorld Health Organisa“This move as tion’s (WHO’s) accredipated will enhance our 12-Jul-23 7.57 7.38 92.64 93.80 tation. Subsequently, he capability, aid reduction said the company would in manufacturing cost shift its focus to the ex- now and in the future. pansion of research and This will make our proddevelopment in natural ucts more affordable and 01-Feb-16 127.98 127.98 45.00 45.00 products. improve profits.”

19-May-16 6.96 6.96 100.63 100.63 He said: “In fulfillThe91.50 company91.50 had re25-Jul-17 11.34 11.34 ment of this aspiration, to profitability in 02-May-18 13.99 13.22 turned 82.00 83.75 year we shut the 11.76 (current) 08-Nov-18 10.65 the financial 83.00 86.00ended 08-Apr-19 down 41.43 41.43 September 40.50 40.50 with 30, 2013, plant for one 22-Apr-19 11.27 11.27 its profit 83.63 before 83.63 month in December, tax ris21-May-19 16.12 our fa14.91 ing by 77.87 2013 to upgrade 350 per81.04 cent to 07-Aug-20 14.09 14.09 77.75 77.75 cilities and install new N182million from a loss 09-Dec-20 25.98 25.98 43.50 43.50 equipment that cost us before tax of N52million 24-Jun-21 14.61 14.04 78.38 80.38 well over $1million.

The preceding75.00 year.

23-Jul-21 13.86 13.86 in the 75.00

74 per cent.

Outstanding Value Neimeth Coupon (%) had last year ($mm) promised its shareholders that its ongoing facility upgrade would500.00 lead to 6.75 greater returns on their 5.13 500.00 investment.

Its Chairman, Dr. Am6.38 500.00 brosie Orjiako, said this in Lagos at the 1,500.00 company’s 55th Annual 1,429.65 General Meeting (AGM).

He11.50 said the company 450.00 is currently upgrading 7.50 500.00 its facilities and working 7.25 350.00 on a new 6.88 manufacturing 300.00 plant,6.00 all of which400.00 would 300.00and boost10.25 the bottom line 500.00 for return6.25on investment 8.75 200.00 the shareholders.

8.25 Orjiako told 300.00 share6.63 360.00 holders that the400.00 com9.25 pany’s8.00focus at the 450.00mo-

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

ers at the close of trad17.77 ing session was92.97 20, while 17.32 closed86.32 decliners at 26.

18.27 88.45 CCNN Plc and Nascon 18.07 91.38 Plc led18.57 the gainers’ 91.42 table with percent each to close at N10.71 and N6.30 per share respectively, while Ikeja Hotels Plc followed 21.18 97.44 with a gain of 98.58 4.97 per 14.65 cent to close at N3.17 per 17.03 98.25 share.18.44 Skye Bank Plc add92.65 93.63 ed 4.9518.77 per cent to close at N1.91 18.16 per share.89.56 19.32 98.95 On20.92 the other hand, 93.74 UAC 22.63 Property93.87 Plc led the price losers’ 22.49 91.38 table, 17.60 9.63 per 90.67cent to dropping 19.71 94.19 close at N10.79 per share, 23.52 92.18 while19.18 Champion Plc fol93.28 lowed19.08 with a loss 86.90of 9.60 per cent at N5.37 18.76 to close 70.00 18.76 75.80 per share.

Honeywell Plc shed 9.52 per share to close at N2.85.

10.20

24.95 20.50

43

14-Aug-21

10.99

10.21

89.13

4,760.00

92.50

16-Feb-15

3,562.91

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, or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS FIXINGS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” Money basis and may not be accurate or up to date. We do not guarantee Market **Treasury financial Bills Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, Maturity performance or fitness a particular purpose any of(%) the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action basis DTM Bidfor Discount (%) Offer of Discount Bid Yield (%) Tenortaken on the Rate (%) of the Information.

10 17 24 FGN Bonds 31 38 45 Rating/Agency 52 59 66 73 80 87 94 108 115 129 NA 136 150 157 164 171 178 199 290 304 325 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 339 353 CAPITALISATION TOTAL MARKET

26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15 19-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 2-Apr-15 Issuer 9-Apr-15 16-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 30-Apr-15 7-May-15 14-May-15 21-May-15 4-Jun-15 11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 NA 2-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15 6-Aug-15 13-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 3-Dec-15 17-Dec-15 7-Jan-16 21-Jan-16 4-Feb-16

13.76 16.50 12.70 13.16 12.98 13.97 Description 20.00 16.20 4.00 23-APR-2015 15.14 13.05 16-AUG-2016 13.32 15.10 27-APR-2017 18.00 9.85 27-JUL-2017 12.69 9.35 31-AUG-2017 15.60 10.70 30-MAY-2018 16.00 16.00 29-JUN-2019 14.52 7.00 23-OCT-2019 18.00 14.35 15.54 13-FEB-2020 12.20 16.39 27-JAN-2022 15.50 14.20 14-MAR-2024 14.30 15.00 28-NOV-2028 15.00 12.49 22-MAY-2029 12.23 8.50 20-NOV-2029 16.00 10.00 23-JUL-2030 16.00 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 16.00 16.00 12.75 15.65

13.51 16.25 12.45 12.91 12.73 13.72 Issue Date 19.75 15.95 23-Apr-10 14.89 16-Aug-13 13.07 27-Apr-12 17.75 27-Jul-07 12.44 31-Aug-07 15.35 30-May-08 15.75 29-Jun-12 14.27 23-Oct-09 17.75 14.10 13-Feb-15 11.95 27-Jan-12 15.25 14-Mar-14 14.05 28-Nov-08 14.75 22-May-09 11.98 20-Nov-09 15.75 23-Jul-10 15.75 18-Jul-14 15.75 15.75 12.50 15.40

13.81 16.63 12.81 13.31 13.16 14.21 (%) Coupon 20.59 16.64 4.00 15.57 13.05 13.68 15.10 18.74 9.85 13.09 9.35 16.25 10.70 16.80 16.00 15.22 7.00 19.22 15.16 15.54 12.84 16.39 16.61 14.20 15.28 15.00 16.13 12.49 13.01 8.50 17.53 10.00 18.33 12.1493 18.46 18.66 14.46 18.44

NIBOR

Bonds

Tenor O/N 1M 3M Outstanding 6M

(N'bn)

Value

535.00 23-Apr-15 581.39 NITTY 16-Aug-16 476.80 27-Apr-17 Tenor Rate (%) 20.00 27-Jul-17 1M 13.1501 100.00 31-Aug-17 2M 14.2439 300.00 30-May-18 3M 14.5871 351.30 29-Jun-19 6M 15.0172 233.90 23-Oct-19 9M 15.8571 12M 18.6422 34.00 13-Feb-20 600.00 27-Jan-22 459.68 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 NIFEX 150.00 22-May-29 Current Price ($/N) 200.00 20-Nov-29 BID($/N) 201.7500 591.57 23-Jul-30 OFFER ($/N) 201.8500 223.50 18-Jul-34

4,932.13

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

Description

Issue Date

OBB

88.33

O/N

92.58

REPO

Tenor TTM (Yrs) Call 1M0.18 3M 1.50 6M

Rate (%) Bid Yield 95.00 100.00 15.27 100.00 17.33 100.00

Tenor

(%)

Bid ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D Offer Yield 1M 2M (%) 3M14.41 6M 17.21 1Y

2.19 17.33 17.24 2.44 17.25 17.16 2.54 17.21 17.12 3.28 16.78 16.64 :Benchmarks 4.36 16.34 16.24 * :Amortising Bond 4.68 16.18 16.07 µ :Convertible Bond AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 4.99 16.22 16.13 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 6.95 16.51 16.43 FMBN: Federal Nigeria 9.07Mortgage Bank of 17.31 17.23 IFC: International 13.78 Finance Corporation 15.36 15.31 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 14.26 15.09 15.03 NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 14.76 14.81 14.74 O/N: Overnight 15.99 15.92 UPDC: UAC15.43 Property Development Company 19.42 16.24 Company 16.17 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement NOTE:

Offer ($/N)

198.78 198.88 Price 200.31 200.42 200.62 200.78 201.36 201.85 Bid Price Offer Price 202.72 203.78 204.07 205.67 97.98 98.13 208.72 211.89 94.55 94.70 218.65 224.59

96.00 96.15 85.71 85.86 84.38 84.53 85.07 85.37 NA :Not Applicable 99.20 # :Floating98.90 Rate Bond 70.61 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 70.91 97.72 98.02 ‡ : Bond rating 99.50under review 99.80 †: Bond rating 86.00expired 86.30 N/A :Not Available 97.89 98.19 {r} :Issuer in receivership 84.89 85.19 62.53 62.83 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 66.00 UBA: United Bank for Africa 66.30 76.00 76.30

4,324.79

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

Rate (%) 86.2917 16.4137 17.6664 18.5552 Date Maturity

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM Modified Duration Buckets

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

‡ /Agusto

EDO

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

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

Volume(Bn)

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

by Mkt

Outstanding Vol

Value

24.56 2.70 INDEX 112.22 116.70 66.49

Bucket Weighting

322.68

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

Mod_Duration

0.27 1.13 1.81 2.17 2.38

Implied Yield

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00 Implied

Portfolio Price

18.68 19.90 19.43 18.35 18.27

INDEX

95.20 97.50 94.89 94.16 90.79 YTD Return (%)

<3

1,354.86

1,409.48

43.48

47.16

302.750.43

22.41

16.92

116.2741

1,104.37 -

0.3143

3<5

970.83

1,034.68

31.92

33.80

0.32

36.56

16.83

115.0943

974.57 -

3.7524

797.57

24.60 31-Aug-10 100.00 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11

19.04 12.50 100.00 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00

0.25

41.02 31-Aug-15 100.00 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18

16.06 0.54 16.54 0.38 0.89 0.90 2.17 1.44 2.87 2.04 2.06

82.6752 4.44 107.6312 3.23 4.46 3.48 1.00 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00

966.62 17.92 1,027.78 17.94 21.16 20.20 18.35 18.48 18.80 19.20 18.39

4.0116 97.32 2.5967 98.27 94.47 96.31 85.53 94.36 89.64 91.90 93.05

>5 Market

547.00 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 2,872.68 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

3,241.73

8.50 1.00 4.18 4.86 5.73 57.00 25.73 25.00 34.14 9.00

Daily Summary as of 16/02/2015

Printed 16/02/2015 15:18:19.019

44

Business | Capital Market

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Daily Summary as of 16/02/2015 Printed 16/02/2015 15:18:19.019

Daily Summary (Bonds)

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at February 16, 2015

No Debt Trading Activity

Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

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 Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals Current Price 23 29.29 5 28.00 28 No. of Deals Current Price 18 1.99 18

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. Daily SummaryA.G. as of 16/02/2015 TRANSNATIONAL Printed 16/02/2015 15:18:19.019 CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals

46 Symbol AGLEVENT TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals Current Price 10 1.14 236 2.35 26 34.58 272

Daily Summary (Equities)

272

Quantity Traded 105,109 367,472 472,581

Value Traded 2,946,626.51 10,288,372.80 13,234,999.31

Quantity Traded 256,649 256,649

Value Traded 512,478.51 512,478.51

729,230

13,747,477.82

ICT Totals

Value Traded 392,741.40 52,274,518.83 2,804,284.62 55,471,544.85

22,705,633

55,471,544.85

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC Daily SummaryCAP as ofPLC 16/02/2015

Printed 16/02/2015 15:18:19.019 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC.

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 0.73

Quantity TradedPage 81,480 81,480

1 of 11 Value Traded 57,246.00 57,246.00

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 44.40

Quantity Traded 25,422 25,422

Value Traded 1,027,797.14 1,027,797.14

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 27 27

Current Price 10.79

Quantity Traded 304,651 304,651

Value Traded 3,292,962.43 3,292,962.43

411,553

4,378,005.57

Published Building

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Structure/Completion/Other

COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. Daily Summary as of 16/02/2015 GUINNESS NIG PLC Printed 16/02/2015 15:18:19.019 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

47 Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

No. of Deals 16 43 8 163 230

Current Price 5.37 113.40 19.41 128.00

Quantity Traded 358,437 92,950 64,550 1,438,243 1,954,180

Value Traded 1,924,946.69 10,562,236.29 1,190,302.00 181,466,336.76 195,143,821.74

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 150.00

Quantity Traded 112,080 112,080

Value Traded 16,792,634.21 16,792,634.21

7UP

14 14

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSUMER GOODS Published byFood The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON UTC

No. of Deals Current Price 11 3.60 80 5.90 150 27.67 21 2.85 34 6.30 5 0.50 301

Page Quantity Traded 49,470 6,596,434 4,633,959 396,198 963,736 21,600 12,661,397

169,187.40 39,645,834.78 131,897,676.36 1,130,393.70 6,059,640.80 10,800.00 178,913,533.04

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

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals Current Price 7 42.98 97 753.50 104

Quantity Traded 35,873 208,514 244,387

Value Traded 1,503,671.40 156,417,503.58 157,921,174.98

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

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals Current Price 14 3.42 1 0.97 15

Quantity Traded 92,588 10,000 102,588

Value Traded 304,223.00 9,300.00 313,523.00

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals Current Price 55 27.00 29 34.01 84

Quantity Traded 9,244,533 108,533 9,353,066

Value Traded 249,753,531.38 3,543,564.29 253,297,095.67

24,427,698

802,381,782.64

Daily Summary as of 16/02/2015 Personal/Household Products Printed 16/02/2015 15:18:19.019

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

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) 748

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking Symbol ACCESS BANK PLC. ACCESS DIAMOND BANK PLC DIAMONDBNK ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED ETI FIDELITY BANK PLC FIDELITYBK GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. GUARANTY SKYE BANK PLC SKYEBANK STERLING BANK PLC. STERLNBANK UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UBA UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UBN WEMA BANK PLC. WEMABANK ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC ZENITHBANK Daily Summary as of 16/02/2015 Banking Totals Printed 16/02/2015 15:18:19.019 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE Daily SummaryMANSARD (Equities) MANSARD INSURANCE PLC

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Electronic and Electrical Products

Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

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

NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. Chemicals Totals

3

of

No. of Deals 98 77 41 30 415 131 12 226 30 24 227 1,311

Current Price 5.23 3.52 15.50 1.19 17.40 1.91 2.30 2.99 8.50 0.95 16.15

Quantity Traded 6,991,158 10,038,081 580,042 6,615,935 31,883,116 20,559,557 219,210 25,901,224 965,804 11,213,593 11,885,707 126,853,427

No. of Deals 40 8 2

Current Price 0.72 0.80 2.96

Quantity Traded 2,890,700 52,922 20,800

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

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals Current Price 47 2.80 16 3.95 484 6.48 47 2.00 2 0.50 17 25.00 49 1.27 662

Quantity Traded 2,748,170 3,841,095 20,697,632 82,253,290 7,305 161,369 1,617,424 111,326,285

Value Traded 7,623,243.84 15,127,579.76 134,521,769.14 164,621,840.00 3,652.50 4,019,388.75 2,059,925.86 327,977,399.85

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

256,437,773

Page

of

Current Price 17.37 36.82 10.71 143.99 78.51

Quantity Traded 35,336 123,350 216,774 3,489,593 31,672 3,896,725

Value Traded 594,649.96 4,541,972.00 2,303,766.80 488,934,113.91 2,455,028.34 498,829,531.01

No. of Deals 6

Current Price 1.47

Quantity Traded 703,300

Value Traded 1,033,851.00

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol CUTIX

6 of 11 Value Traded 1,033,851.00

No. of Deals Current Price 6

Quantity Traded 703,300

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals Current Price 6 28.50 6

Quantity Traded 237,460 237,460

Value Traded 6,768,840.00 6,768,840.00

4,837,485

506,632,222.01

Quantity Traded 20 20

Value Traded 104.20 104.20

20

104.20

150 Symbol BOCGAS

No. of Deals Current Price 1 5.48 1 1

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals Current Price 3 0.50 3

Quantity Traded 9,300 9,300

Value Traded 4,650.00 4,650.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals Current Price 165 12.83 165

Quantity Traded 3,800,459 3,800,459

Value Traded 49,143,536.06 49,143,536.06

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 29 29

Current Price 404.00

Quantity Traded 96,180 96,180

Value Traded 38,392,355.73 38,392,355.73

4,223,697

134,575,257.22

312 Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.80

Quantity Traded 159,000 159,000

Value Traded 127,200.00 127,200.00

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 2 3 5

Current Price 3.90 0.93

Quantity Traded 19,400 31,300 50,700

Value Traded 73,504.00 28,170.00 101,674.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 20,000 20,000

Value Traded 10,000.00 10,000.00

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL TRANSCOHOT

No. of Deals 7 1 8

Current Price 3.17 10.00

Quantity Traded 625,000 295 625,295

Value Traded 1,981,250.00 2,802.50 1,984,052.50

Symbol ACADEMY

No. of Deals 3

Current Price 1.16

Quantity Traded 26,000

Value Traded 31,210.00

CILEASING Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

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

4

Page

Symbol

of

Page

Daily Summary (Equities)

8

of

11

Symbol LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 5 28 36

Current Price 1.21 3.89

Quantity Traded 109,909 417,479 553,388

Value Traded 132,945.08 1,533,691.80 1,697,846.88

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.51

Quantity Traded 493,077 493,077

Value Traded 251,469.27 251,469.27

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 16 18 34

Current Price 2.00 4.72

Quantity Traded 391,378 241,342 632,720

Value Traded 792,294.60 1,116,413.79 1,908,708.39

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 2.95

Quantity Traded 1,500 1,500

11 SERVICES Totals EQTY Board Totals

Equity Activity Totals Daily Summary as of 16/02/2015

Page

9

of

11

Value Traded 4,425.00 4,425.00

99

2,535,680

6,085,376.04

3,776

316,509,227

2,825,754,098.09

3,776

316,509,227

2,825,754,098.09

Printed 16/02/2015 15:18:19.019

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Exchange Traded Fund

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

1,301,017,292.07

5

No. of Deals 7 14 16 86 15 138

7 of 11 Value Traded 194,525.00 36,175,672.36 8,746,335.94 1,811,056.90 47,034,715.43

Road Transportation Totals

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

2,081

Symbol ASHAKACEM CAP CCNN DANGCEM WAPCO

Page Quantity Traded 77,500 165,025 58,364 13,410 317,758

UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC.

Value Traded 136.00 50.00 186.00

16,717.50

Current Price 2.64 220.00 150.00 134.05

Value Traded Printing/Publishing Totals 2,086,674.00 Road Transportation 43,253.04 ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC 62,280.00

Quantity Traded 100 100 200

33,435

2

No. of Deals 4 86 12 8 115

SERVICES Value Traded 36,584,863.51 Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC 35,090,298.23 Daily Summary as of 16/02/2015 TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC 9,026,723.49 Printed 16/02/2015 15:18:19.019 Hotels/Lodging Totals 7,884,476.29 Printing/Publishing 548,741,528.39 ACADEMY PRESS PLC. 39,183,184.29 492,278.10 77,581,284.97 Activity Summary on Board EQTY 8,209,627.93 10,626,784.57SERVICES 189,686,667.65 Printing/Publishing 963,107,717.42 LEARN AFRICA PLC

No. of Deals Current Price 1 1.30 1 0.50 2

Value Traded 16,717.50 16,717.50

Symbol ETERNA FO MOBIL TOTAL

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol ABBEYBDS ASOSAVINGS

Quantity Traded 33,435 33,435

GAS Stock Exchange © PublishedOIL

by AND The Nigerian Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Current Price 0.50

Value Traded 107,125.23

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC

Value Traded 3,753,555.76 6,300.00 5,000.00 3,974,926.00 Page 9,931,988.80

1,448,318.17

Quantity Traded 3,459

Daily Summary as of 16/02/2015 TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Printed 16/02/2015 15:18:19.019

Quantity Traded 7,320,987 12,600 10,000 7,949,852 18,257,861

167,023

No. of Deals Current Price 5 32.60

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

No. of Deals Current Price 30 0.52 2 0.50 1 0.50 23 0.50 106

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

No. of Deals 2 2

OIL AND GAS Totals

Symbol NEM PRESTIGE SOVRENINS WAPIC

Value Traded 64,197.90 1,239,200.14 144,920.13 1,448,318.17

Symbol CONOIL

Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

11

Quantity Traded 23,010 31,916 112,097 167,023

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC on Board EQTY Activity Summary

Activity Summary on Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol COURTVILLE

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Daily Summary as of 16/02/2015 Energy Equipment and Services Totals Printed 16/02/2015 15:18:19.019

Current Price 2.93 40.00 1.29

18

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

2Value Traded of 11

Page

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

No. of Deals 4 11 3 18

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

Quantity Traded 344,510 22,277,534 83,589 22,705,633

Symbol FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER

11

Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

Page No. of Deals 1 1 8 10

Current Price 9.09 2,405.00 12.46

10

of

11

Quantity Traded 5 23 4,437 4,465

Value Traded 45.45 55,315.00 55,019.12 110,379.57

ETF Board Totals

10

4,465

110,379.57

ETP Activity Totals

10

4,465

110,379.57

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Features

45

Policeman’s wife with milk of kindness

N

ine-year-old Divine was apparently not in the habit of sitting still. She was all over Queen Mabel Irom’s body; stealing a kiss here and there. The duo had just returned from the military hospital, where doctors are trying to seek treatment for Divine’s depreciating eye sights.

As Queen made attempt to start conversing with our correspondent, Divine, who calls her mummy, kept demanding for her attention. Even when she allowed Queen to begin the story of their lives together, she kept interrupting, filling in the gaps for her ‘mum.’

Yes, if Divine calls the 25-year-old lady ‘mother’, it would not be far from the truth.

Queen was just 16-year-old secondary school girl when Divine came into her life and that of her mother, Mrs Arong Patience Obeten Irom.

Queen had done what shocked most people in her Gowon Estate residence.

She had temporarily dropped out of school to assist in caring for the baby.

It was only a matter of time before people started calling her Divine’s mother. Queen did not bother to correct them, already fiercely falling in love with the baby like she was her biological mother.

Queen, her mother and Divine had stuck together like leech.

There had been trying times when Queen and her mother wanted to throw in the trowel because of the baby’s capricious health, but they had clung, prayerful that she would grow out of them. But alas, the different ailments persist.

Divine is now nine and yet other baffling ailments have continued to assail her. This time, it is her eye sights. Queen and her mother are worried that the girl may soon go blind.

It was this fear that made them to step out of their shells, asking for any Good Samaritan to come forward and help the little girl before it was too late. The family had worked to the bones and spent all to tackle one health issue after another.

The saddening truth, however, is that Divine is the daughter of a mentally deranged woman. She was born a twin, but the second baby died days after they were born. Presently, nobody knows where her mother is. The last anyone heard of her, she was in Akwa Ibom State, wandering the streets.

Smiling shyly, Queen, an HND1 student of Industrial Maintenance Engineering, Yaba College of Technology, said: “When we brought Divine to our home, it was difficult for everyone because her mother was not available to breastfeed her. The woman is mentally sick. The baby had infection and we needed to give her every treatment that

A policeman’s wife, popularly called Mother Theresa because of her regular assistance to the poor and needy, and her daughter are now battling to save their ‘daughter’ who they adopted from a ‘mad’ woman from going blind, writes JULIANA FRANCIS

Mrs Irom and Divine

Queen

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

money could provide.

“I needed to work. I dropped out of school and got a job in a pub. People who knew my dad mocked him because of me. They could not understand why I would drop out of school to help a child that I had no blood ties with. The beer joint was paying me N3,500.

“Whenever people asked me why I was working, I would say, I had a baby whom I needed to take care of. I never told any of them that the baby was not mine. People used to contribute money for me. Some would give me baby food.

“I feel happy and fulfilled whenever I help people. I sometimes used to tell myself that if I was a goddess, I would do everything to put a smile on someone’s face. Doctors said that Divine needs a special doctor.”

Patience is the wife of a policeman.

But in the Gowon Estate where she resides with her family, people have come to know her as Mother Theresa of Gowon Estate.

The 59-year-old woman has a penchant for picking stray women and kids.

Perhaps what stood her out mostly was taking care of Divine. According to Patience, assisting people in need makes her happy, even though she does not have the resources.

She had tried several times to control the urge, but the urge simply grows stronger the more she fought it. So, she stopped trying and gave reins to her feel-

ings.

Patience said that she first noticed Divine’s mother in Gowon Estate. She was mentally unbalanced and heavily pregnant. Nobody knew who was responsible for her pregnancy. The woman was also aggressive, making people to avoid her. Patience said her heart went out to the woman and her condition.

The woman had no home and was quite dirty. She was always roaming the streets, muttering to herself. Patience braved the woman’s explosive attitude and won her over. Patience would bathe her some days and ensured she had clean clothes. With time, the aggressive woman started dredging up a smile at the sight of Patience.

She had become familiar with Patience. On the day she went into labour, the residents of the area ran to call Patience. She delivered a set of twins. One later died in the hospital.

Patience said: “Divine was two months’ old when I took her from the hospital. At that time, my husband was C O N T I N U E D on PA G E 4 6

46

FEATURES

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Mother Theresa of Gowon Estate helps the needy C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

transferred to Jos, Plateau State.

Queen was working at a pub and we were using her salary to buy diapers and baby food. It was last year we discovered that Divine has severe eyes problem.

“But she had been having different sort of health issues. We have done a series of tests. Last year she had a fever. The fever almost resulted to convulsion, but doctors said it was meningitis. We had to go for therapy and many other programmes to get her walking again after the fever. The meningitis almost deformed her.”

Almost crying, Patience said that Divine’s eye sights were affecting her educational progress.

“The eyes seem to be getting worst. We have started going back to hospitals. What we need now is money to treat her eyes once and for all. We do not want her to go blind.

I have spent all I have. I want God to send someone to us, to take Divine overseas and treat her eyes. She is a brilliant child. You should listen to her speak,” Patience added.

Sick and tired of his wife’s penchant for using ‘feeding allowance’ to care for strangers, her husband had sent her packing out of her matrimonial home several times.

Each time Patience promised to change, she ended up doing more for another set of strangers.

Patience wanted to keep her marriage and still help people, thus she took to hiding the indigent people in her shop, where they sleep and she would take food to them secretly. Naturally, her husband always finds out.

At a point, the husband realised that he couldn’t change his wife’s softheartedness and joined the bandwagon.

Asked whether she was motivated to help people because she is rich?

Laughingly, Patience said: “No. I’m not rich. I started helping people right from my youth. My mother used to sell cartons of fish. Whenever I see people cooking without fish, I would take my mother’s fish to them. I knew such people could not afford such items.

“There was a time I assisted some people who said they came to Lagos to work. I left them at home and went to work. By the time I returned, they had absconded with some of my belongings, yet I could not stop assisting people.”

She noted that she would never forget the time she assisted a pregnant woman in 1998 at Egbeda.

She said: “I was waiting to board a bus to Iyano-Ipaja when I saw a pregnant woman. She was heading to Isheri. She was in labour. She was with her husband in a cab. The cab driver said he would not take them further because they had not paid for the first hospital he took them to earlier before they were referred to the general hospital.

“I went over to the cab driver. I told him to take us all to the nearest hospital. At the hospital, we were asked to deposit N30,000 before they would commence treatment. I paid the money and also gave the lady money for feeding. I later learnt she had a baby girl. After that day, I never set eyes on her again.”

Whenever Patience sees women and children roaming the streets, in search of shelter or food, she would reach out to them. She has also assisted a lot of people to raise money

Divine hugs Queen

to get accommodation and sometimes to pay rent.

She said: “Even here in this estate where I reside, there are about 12 persons that I have assisted. Many are now married and have children.

Some kids that I picked and assisted, I have taken them back to their villages and family members.”

‘Mother Theresa’ added that most of the kids she assisted were picked from Calabar in Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State. Most of these kids had been accused of witchcraft and abandoned by their parents and family members.

“I saw these kids when I travelled for an event. They had pot bellies, signs of malnutrition. I found out that their fathers were dead and their mothers had abandoned them.

I had to start taking care of them,” Patience said.

When the kids grew up and turned out beautifully well, she returned them to their mothers.

“Yes, I took them back to the same mothers who abandoned and rejected them for fear of witchcraft. That was the situation with two siblings, ages four and six. I trained them. When both girls got to their teens, they started running after men. I had to take them to their mother. The woman had remarried. She welcomed the supposed witches to her home. She saw that they have turned out well. I still communicate with them,” she added.

Patience recalled another incident which stood out sharply in her mind. It was at Agege Market where she saw a young boy, crying his eyes out. Other kids were chasing him as

if he was an outcaste. Patience was in the bus when she saw this. The crying broke her heart.

She stepped down from the bus and went to ask why he was crying.

The woman later named the boy Mathew. As she narrated the story, tears welled up in her eyes: “He could not talk. He just kept mumbling mummy, mummy, mummy. People in the area directed me to where he lives.

When I got there, I found out that his parents were dead. The kids were three; two boys and a girl. They were aged 12, nine and four. I was also told that their parents died of HIV/AIDS. “The eldest was selling brooms to take care of his siblings. I asked if I could be allowed to take the fouryear-old. They agreed. I took the boy, trained him in school up to secondary level before he impregnated a girl from school. The mother of the girl came to my house. I had to take him back. I explained to his siblings the reason for my action. I told them that he could be going to school from their house, while I would be responsible for his up keeps and education.

“He completed his secondary school and started working with a Chinese company. He met and married a girl. They had a baby. I didn’t get to know about this until the day that he came to my house with his wife and baby. They came to invite me for the baby’s christening. I call him Mathew. I screamed his name in joy when I saw him. I did not know that he had told his wife that I was his biological mother.

“I told the girl how Mathew came to stay with me. Mathew fell down and

started crying. I was confused. He said I should not have told his wife that I was not his biological mother. I asked him how long one could keep telling lies. But to him, I’m his mother. He said I had succeeded in telling his wife that he is a bastard.

He was so angry that he got up and vowed that he would never step foot into my home again. I have not seen him since then.”

Patience had also rescued a 15-year-old boy whose mother locked up inside the shop for reasons nobody knew. The shop caught fire, but the boy narrowly escaped death. Since that incident, the boy could not speak, only demonstrating with his hands and behaving abnormally. The boy’s father is dead, his mother, a petty trader, was carrying on with another man and did not pay attention to her only son.

Patience tried to reason with the woman, but she shunned her. Patience decided to take care of the boy.

“I started taking care of Lucky. I used to bathe and give him food myself. I spoke with a mechanic who stays close to my house, so that Lucky could be sleeping in his shop. I started taking him to hospital because of his inability to speak. After taking him to different hospitals and several tests were carried out on him, I was told that the problem was convulsion which affected his nervous system but that with time, he would talk. I was surprised when Lucky started talking. I was told to register him in a private school, so that he could mingle with other students and improve his speech. He is now in Ondo State,” she enthused.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESday, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

News 47

south — east

Youth corps members protest poor service conditions Steve Uzoechi Owerri

N

ational Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members serving in Imo State yesterday took to the streets to protest what they described as deplorable conditions and insensitivity of the government to their service in Imo state.

The corp members,

who carried placards with various inscriptions, noted that they could no longer put up with the inhuman situation they were being put through, stating that they were dismayed at the level of insincerity on the part of the Imo State Government, which they also said has failed to heed the several complaints lodged by the corp members.

Speaking to our correspondent, leader of the

protesters, who gave his name as Abiodun, said that corp members were particularly disappointed by Governor Rochas Okorocha’s handling of their situation, saying, the governor had reneged on his promise of paying N10,000 to every serving corp member in the state.

He said, “While filling out the online forms, Imo state corp members were promised the sum of N10,000 each as state allow-

ance, but the money has never been paid or at best, paid only on the internet.

It was also stated in the posting letters, in item number four, that every corp member is entitled to a free and modest accommodation - at least a room with a bed, mattress, pillow, a table, two chairs, one cushion chair, curtain and other essential items; or a minimum of N5,000 for monthly rent subsidy and a month-

ly transport subsidy of N5,000 in lieu, but to the amazement of Imo state corp members, there is neither transport allowance nor rent allowance.”

According to Abiodun, the Batch A Corp members are passing out soon and the Batch B are warming up. He said the essence of the protest march was to enlighten prospective corp members towards enabling them make informed choice and not fall

for the same ‘prank’.

“Elections are around the corner and the same corp members whose welfares are not considered are expected to work in the electoral process. We have house rents to pay, feeding, transport and other personal expenses to take care of; I think it should concern anybody who is keen on recruiting corp members for any purpose this electioneering period,’’ he said.

Medical expert advocates decentralisation of health sector Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

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or Nigeria to effectively grapple with the numerous challenges in the health sector, a systemic re-evaluation and re-strategizing needs to be undertaken by stakeholders, the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, Dr Abali Chuku has said.

He told New Telegraph in his office in Umuahia that a situation in which the sector is not centrally controlled or monitored has created more problem in the country saying the inconsistency of policy between the state and the Federal Government was responsible for the problem.

“And that system is not really working, it has to be looked into again, because it’s like you have a cake and a good portion of that cake is not under your control. Of course, it’s going to affect the performance of

the indices we have.

According to the ophthalmologist, another issue that needed to be addressed, was the provision of gadgets and training for the personnel. He said there are consultants willing to excel, but lack the requisite training and equipment. The MD said the FMC Umuahia, adopted the strategy of training and equipping the personnel through the programme known as ‘Seek an Area for Excellence’, to change the public perception about the hospital and to make it a world class medical facility.

“Look at our doctors in the UK and in the US, they are doing perfectly well.

So, what needs to be done is to do an audit, a NEEDS assessment of what is required in order to bring us to a certain baseline. And then find out how much it will require to bring us to that level, then vote fund towards bringing us all to that baseline.”

Obiano revives World Bank’s road project Okegwo Kenechukw Onitsha

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overnor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, has revived the reconstruction of the world Bank assisted road projects in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government area of Anambra State, awarded over 20 years ago by the World Bank and abandoned by successive administrations in the state.

The five kilometer road which is the 3rd out of the six roads awarded by the World Bank cut across Obodoukwu, Ogbuagu, Mgbuka-Amazu to Onitsha Owerri road dual carriage way.

Governor Willie Obiano, while flagging off the road constructionat the weekend, stated that the Anambra State govern-

ment decided to give the contract to a Chinese International construction company, the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Co-operation (CCEC) to construct, because of their quality of work and standard, saying they are one of the foremost world acknowledged construction companies that has been tested and trusted across the globe.

He said Okpoko community is one of the most troubled spots in Anambra State and warned residents to turn a new leaf or face the wrath of the state government.

Governor Obiano also announced that the state government has also launched a new security outfit to rid the place of criminals, warning that anybody found wanting in the area must be dealt with accordingly.

AIG, Zone 6, Ebonyi State, Tunde Johnson and Governor Martin Elechi (middle) with senior police officers and government officials, shortly after a courtesy call on Elechi in Abakaliki…yesterday.

Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

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he moribund Nigerian Coal Corporation head office in Enugu State, has been taken over by a private firm engaged in information, communication technology (ICT) facilities provision services.

Investigation by New Telegraph revealed that the ailing NCC office, established by the Nigerian government in the First Republic, located on Okpara Avenue, in the state capital has been acquired by a new owners,

ICT firm takes over Nigeria coal corporation office Galaxy Backbone Ltd, whose headquarters is based in Wuse II, Abuja.

Investigation shows that from the gate of the company, the premises revealed every sign of desertion, as nobody was sighted within the vast premises. However, one of the construction workers on site for the new owner of the property explained that the Coal Corporation was no longer there, saying,

‘’this place has been taken over by Galaxy Backbone" The construction worker, who works for an Onitsha based construction firm, UNIHEAD NIG. Ltd, who preferred anonymity, however, promised to direct our correspondent to the contact address where the personnel of the NCC have been relocated, following the take-over of the property by Galaxy

Backbone, which is believed to have acquired the Federal Government property.

It could also not be established immediately yesterday whether the presence of the firm at the dilapidated facility means a total take over by the new owners or whether the deal was a leasehold agreement with the Federal Government that was being implemented.

Poll shift: APGA backs INEC, cautions against partisanship Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

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he All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for shifting the general election initially scheduled for February 14 and 28, saying the decision was in the best interest of the country’s democracy.

APGA’s parallel governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr. Chike Obidigbo made the obser-

vation in an interview with journalists in Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.

He said, “Well I agree completely with the shifting date because of the major reason that INEC was not fully prepared and, most importantly, the security report and massive tension in the country.

I also believe that if INEC had gone ahead to conduct the election, so many people would have been disenfranchised and that would have confirmed the claim by some

Nigerians that INEC chairman, Prof. Atahiru Jega, compromised to favour of his kinsmen”.

Obidigbo, however, said that there was nothing wrong in the advice of the National Security Adviser to the President Sambo Dasuki, saying that for justice, equity and fairness, it would not have been in the interest of the nation to go ahead with the conduct of the election when at least fourteen local government areas in the North East were still under siege of Boko Ha-

ram, which has made the place very volatile for the conduct of any election.

He said the people in the area affected by the activities of the insurgents are Nigerians and should be provided an enabling environment to participate in the election.

The embattled APGA candidate, whose matter was still pending at the Supreme Court, contended that the 2015 election was quite different from the past elections in the country because of the interest it has generated.

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south — south

TUESday, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Oshiomhole to police: Arrest politicians buying PVCs CHARGE Go after desperate politicians, governor tells police chief Cajetan Mmuta Benin

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do State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday called on the police and other security agencies in the state to investigate and apprehend some desperate politicians, who go about purchasing Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) from eligible voters with a view to disenfranchising them in the coming general election.

Governor Oshiomhole gave the charge when he received the new Commissioner of Police for the state, Mr. Samuel Damilola Adegbuyi, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

He said he received reports every day about “some desperate politicians buying PVCs from people, particularly villagers and even non-villagers, sometimes for as much as N5, 000.”

According to the governor, “I am trying to understand what anybody will do with this, it is not clear. Somebody called me this morning to say that two persons came to him to complain that they gave them N5, 000 in lieu of their PVCs, saying they were going

to keep it for them and then they destroyed the PVCs in their presence.”

Oshiomhole said: “Government is spending huge resources to get everybody registered. So many resources have been spent by government to get people to collect their PVCs, yet some people want to disenfranchise some others by paying them to surrender their PVCs. “We are going to sustain our enlightenment campaign and let our people know that because these cards are permanent, if you sell it now, you

have sold your birthright for the forseeable future.

“My understanding is that these cards are not just for this election, but also for future elections and if you sell yours now, the process of reproducing new ones may not be that easy. We will sustain our sensitisation, but I will like to encourage you that if we find any case of people buying this thing illegally, I want to plead with you to do what you have to do so that we can, working together, prosecute one or two persons so that it

Benin

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do State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday accused the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government of siphoning the N800 million meant for water project that was never executed in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government of the state.

Oshiomhole, who spoke during the flag-off of the 24km Ogiriga-AfokpellaOkugbe-Imiekuri-Ohu road project with a spur to Awuyemi in Okpella, the second road project to be so flagged-off in the state within a week, said records at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Abuja, shows that the project has been completed, yet no single water pipe was laid in the locality.

He said: “I am happy to be here to fulfill one

very critical period. Even at that, I think your predecessor and his officers worked so hard and so efficiently that we have not had the kind of crisis which some states have witnessed in the course of electioneering before the recent postponement.

“I believe the police have been fair in providing security for all those who have stepped forward to market themselves and that have gone a long way in ensuring that we have not recorded any negative incident,” he said.

Earlier, the new com-

missioner said: “I and my officers will do everything humanly possible to continue with the peace, the crime control and management that are already in place.”

He assured the government and the people of Edo State that he will continue to work hard towards the peace, security and unity of Edo State and to synergise with other security agencies in order to renew the security steps already in place.

Report objectively, NUJ chairman charges journalists Tony Anichebe Uyo

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New Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Samuel Adegbuyi (left), presenting a souvenir to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, during a courtesy visit to the governor…yesterday.

...Accuses FG of siphoning N800m project fund Cajetan Mmuta

becomes an example to other desperate people.

“I assure you that whatever we can do, we will do.”

Oshiomhole said: “In this state, we launched ‘one man one vote’ and we naturally count on the police to ensure that Nigerians are able to vote without fear and that there is security to ensure that the votes are actually counted that whoever wins or loses, there is peace and security before, during and after the elections.

“There is no pretending to the fact that you are assuming duty at a

of the promises I made to the people of this community. We have done schools, light, and water and now roads. I believe that the primary purpose of government is to bring development to the people.

According to the governor, “I am happy to hear from your highness that the people of the state recognise that our projects are not political projects.

We don’t do projects to deceive the people and that is why whatever we choose to do is properly done.

He continued: “For me, we have only one purpose in government - to deliver the greatest good to the greatest number of people - in the shortest possible time. My joy today; and I encourage you to reflect all of the things; that have been listed are the things that we have accomplished in six years. But always remember that Nigerian democracy is 16 years now.

“When I look at what we have achieved in six years, I ask you always not to forget that when I came in, we have had PDP for 10 years. In this kingdom the PDP cannot show you one red roof in 10 years. Today your government has delivered to the Edo child not only a red roof, beautiful classrooms; we also abolished all forms of collections.

“I am happy that we are flagging off the construction of roads that would link various communities in Okpella Kingdom,” he stressed.

The governor remarked: “For us Edo State cannot return to the past.

This party that specialises in stealing, they have stolen a lot. Government may be broke, but individuals are so rich. I hear in Fugar they suddenly came out with a foundation, they are giving ten and twenty thousand naira loan."

Jonathan, Buhari’s tickets tear Benin palace chiefs apart Cajetan Mmuta Benin

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he presidential ambition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari and the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan in the rescheduled March 28 election has caused a division among the ranks of two Benin palace chiefs as to who to support during the election.

The Deputy Chairman of Labour Party in Edo State, Chief Patrick Eholor, has picked holes in the statement credited to a top Benin palace chief and head of the witches worldwide, Chief David Edebiri, the Esogban of Bini Kingdom, over the reelection bid of President Jonathan.

Edebiri had in a press statement last week declared that the Bini speaking people in the south senatorial district

would not vote for Jonathan, because the president sacked the former Minister of Works, Chris Ogiemwonyi, from his cabinet and appointed his ex-wife, Stella Oduah, another plum ministerial position.

But Eholor at a press conference held on Sunday in Benin, the state capital, blasted Edebiri for towing such political position on behalf of the Binis, insisting that it was wrong for the Esogban to play politics with the revered palace.

Eholor, who is also a palace chief in the kingdom said, “If someone like Chief David Edebiri makes such utterances, it’s important for Bini people to distance themselves from such.”

He said: “We cannot play politics with the palace. The palace is the palace, Edebiri is on his own, he cannot speak for the average Bini man."

ournalists in Akwa Ibom State were yesterday urged to do the needful in order to sustain the peace, unity and development required under democracy through balanced and objective reporting of events.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Akwa Ibom State Council, Elder Patrick Albert, gave the charge yesterday at a non-violence campaign seminar with the theme; “The Church: That Change Agent in a Challenging Environment,” organised by the Methodist Young Men Fellowship at Emmanuel Methodist Cathedral, Itiam Etoi, Uyo. Albert, who spoke on the topic; Media as Change Agent in Managing Attitudinal and Social Violence in the Society, said as shaping tools of a society, journalists must constantly act in ways and manners that would prove that they are useful change agents, bearing in mind that management and dissemination of information are very vital to the success of democracy.

The chairman noted that though journalists, due to their operative medium, often come under ownership influence, the union as a responsible professional body, emphasises on the need for members to carry out their duties without compromising the basic ethics of the profession.

“Journalists must constantly act in circumstances that will prove that they are positive change agents. Management and dissemination of information count enormously for the success of democracy."

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2015

News 49

NORTH

Tension in Adamawa over alleged plan to remove Ngilari Ibrahim Abdul Yola

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here was tension yesterday in Adamawa State over alleged plan to remove the state governor, Bala James Ngilari.

The alleged plan followed a pending court case instituted by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, against the governor.

It will be recalled that Ngilari was declared the governor by an Abuja

Federal High Court last year after his purported resignation from office as the deputy governor in the wake of the impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako, who was his principal.

He had argued in court that his resignation was illegal and prayed the court to return him as the substantive governor of the state, of which his request was granted by the court and he was sworn in as governor, while the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who spear-

headed the removal of Nyako, ran to the Appeal Court to seek redress.

Fintiri and the state assembly had instituted a case, appealing the earlier judgement of the Federal High Court.

The case was adjourned till today, February 17, for ruling, and it was on this premise that fear enveloped the people that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may use the pending court case to remove Ngilari from office, following the allegations of anti-party

activities leveled against the governor.

Party stakeholders, particularly those in Ribadu’s camp, have continued to allege that the governor was seen of late, romancing with an opposition party, drifting from the earlier agreement reached for him to support Ribadu or be removed from office.

Though, Ngilari supporters have averred that “PDP is not fair to the governor, having denied him its ticket. He has also been variously

threatened to support the PDP in the coming general election,” said David Yoila, one of Ngilari’s supporters.

“For now, Ngilari is presently in a dilemma, the fact that he was not allowed to run for the governorship ticket and also the purported candidature of the Adamawa Northern senatorial district by his party, which is under contention between him and the former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Goodluck

Jonathan, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak,” he added.

Gulak at a press briefing in Yola, said he remains the substantive senatorial candidate of Adamawa North district of the PDP, having contested and won the party primaries.

“Seven of us contested for the seat and I emerged victorious in Abuja. PDP had submitted the name of the governor to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its candidate for the senatorial district,’’ said he.

Jonathan, Buhari urged to embrace peace Muhammad Kabir Kano

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A cross-section of displaced children at a class session without walls at New Kuchingoro in Abuja… yesterday

Lawyers, litigants excited as courts re-open in Kwara Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

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t was a beehive of activities around the popular High Court Road in Ilorin, Kwara State yesterday as lawyers, litigants and the police literally besieged courts, which opened their doors after a one-month strike by judiciary workers.

A visit to the courts indicated that new dates

were being fixed for stalled cases while new cases were also being assigned. Several legal practitioners expressed delight with the suspension of the strike, which they said had stalled many civil and criminal cases and affected their duties.

The Kwara State Police Commissioner, Salihu Garba, had last week complained about the way the strike incapacitated his

command, saying it was unable to prosecute suspected hoodlums arrested in connection with recent politically-motivated violence.

One of the lawyers, Yusuf Aluko, said strikes in the sector was always a cause of setback for many people, saying that was why many of them don’t normally encourage industrial action in the courts.

He said: “The strike was unfortunate, because some cases that ought to have been concluded would have to take some weeks or months now. When there is strike, especially in the judiciary, it always causes setbacks and that’s why as legal practitioners, we don’t normally encourage strike.

“Though we believe in judicial autonomy, which

they are fighting for, it should have been granted by the government so as to aid the dispensation of justice.

“But now that they have suspended the strike, I think it’s a good development, though nothing meaningful can happen today. I just came here to pick new dates for some of our cases that have been stalled during the strike.”

business man, Alhaji Tasiu Yusuf, has appealed to well-meaning Nigerians and the international community to prevail on President Goodluck Jonathan and his main challenger, General Muhammadu Buhari, to embrace peace.

Yusuf, who operates in textile materials, said the country is being pushed to the precipice with Nigerians who have been living peacefully with one another before now, relocating to their states of origin just because of the presidential contest coming up next month.

He said the mistrust among the people, between the rich and the poor, the people in the south and their counterparts in the north, between those in government and those outside it and even among party followers, is so glaring that no one believes in the next person just because of the election.

While saying Nigeria has never been so divided, he called on the leaders and other stakeholders, especially the two leading presidential candidates, to work for the peace and unity of the country.

Aliyu asks court to punish defectors Gunmen kill APC chieftain in Plateau Dan Atori MINNA

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s the saga between the Niger State governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu and his deputy, Ahmed Musa Ibeto, lingers on yesterday, the governor has called on the judiciary to speedily determine the cases of defection to other political parties by elected political office holders.

Aliyu made the call in Minna, when he received

the 2014 Hajj report from the leader of the state’s delegation to the holy land, Prof. Sheikh Abdallah.

According to him, “defectors to other political parties have betrayed the electorate, because they were not originally elected on the platform of the party to which they have defected.

“We need morality in politics, we need the courts to properly interpret the section of the constitution on defection, I believe that you cannot go to another party with

the mandate given in another political party.

“The judiciary should speedily determine the cases of defection to other political parties by elected political office holders to bring stability and morality to politics.

“If you are dissatisfied with what is going on in your party and you are an elected politician, resign your position before joining another political party, otherwise the public will see politicians as people who should not be respected.”

Musa Pam Jos

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chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who also doubles as the Chairman of the party in Barkin Ladi Local Government, Plateau State, Mr. Samuel Doro, was yesterday said to have been killed by gunmen in the locality.

New Telegraph gathered that the incident occurred in the early hours of yesterday.

It was also gathered that the APC chairman was said to have been allegedly shot at close range in his residence at Kurra Dong in Jos South Local Government area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abu Emmanuel, who confirmed the death of the APC chieftain to our correspondent on phone, expressed dismay over the development.

“He said the man was attacked at his residence and was rushed to the hospital where he died.

“The police are working round the clock to track down the perpetrators and bring them to book,” he said.

Another source, who did not want his name in print, said the wife of the deceased is also receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

But as at the time of filing this report, there is no official statement from the state office of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as efforts to get the officials proved abortive.

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WORLD | News

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Egypt bombs IS targets in Libya

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gyptian jets bombed Islamic State targets in Libya yesterday, a day after the group there released a video showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians, drawing Cairo directly into the conflict across its border.

Egypt said the dawn strike hit militant camps, training sites and weapons storage areas in neighbouring Libya, where civil conflict has plunged the country into near anarchy and created havens for armed factions.

While Cairo is believed to have provided clandestine

support to a Libyan general fighting a rogue government in Tripoli, the mass killings pushed President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi into open action, expanding his battle against Islamist militancy.

Libya's air force also participated in yesterday's attack on Derna an eastern coastal city seen as a base for Islamic State fighters in the oil-rich nation.

"There are casualties among individuals, ammunition and the (Islamic State) communication centres," Libyan air force commander Saqer al-Joroushi told Egyptian state television, adding that between 40 and 50

militants were killed.

It was not possible to confirm those numbers. "More air strikes will be carried out today and tomorrow in coordination with Egypt," said Joroushi, who is loyal to Libya's internationally recognised government, which has set up camp in the eastern city of Tobruk after losing control of Tripoli. The rival Tripoli-based parliament, which is supported by some Islamist groups, condemned Monday's strike as an assault on the country's sovereignty.

Cairo also called on the U.Sled coalition fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria to broad-

en the scope of their operations to include Libya, highlighting how the militant group is expanding its reach around the Arab world. Last month, Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on the Corinthia Hotel in Tripoli, killing nine people, including an American security contractor and a Frenchman. Egypt is not the only Arab nation sucked into confrontation with Islamic State by the gruesome killings of its citizens. Jordan has taken a leading role in conducting air strikes against the group in Syria and Iraq this month after the militants released a video showing a captured Jordanian pilot being burned alive in a

cage.

The 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians, who had gone to Libya in search of work, were marched to a beach, forced to kneel and then beheaded on video, which was broadcast via a website that supports Islamic State.

Before the killings, one of the militants stood with a knife in his hand and said: "Safety for you crusaders is something you can only wish for." Afterwards, he says: "And we will conquer Rome, by the will of Allah." The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, condemned the killings. "They were killed simply for the fact that they were Christians," he said at the Vatican.

Pope decries beheading of Egyptian Christians

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Some of the slained Egyptians Christians before the beheading

Central African leaders talk strategy against Boko Haram

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entral African leaders began talks yesterday in Cameroon's capital Yaounde on a joint strategy to tackle the extremist Boko Haram group, officials said. Six heads of state attended the meeting held under the aegis of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), while four other countries sent delegates.

"We have to eradicate Boko Haram," host President Paul Biya told his counterparts at the outset of the meeting. Biya described the Nigeria based

fundamentalists as "partisans of a regressive and tyrannical society", determined to undermine "a modern and tolerant society, guaranteeing the exercise of free rights" and freedom of faith.

Apart from Cameroon and Chad, most countries taking part have not been directly affected by the bloody jihadist insurgency, which is estimated to have claimed 13,000 lives since the Boko Haram sect launched its uprising in 2009. Nigeria, where elections have been postponed by six weeks until late

March because of Boko Haram activity in swathes of the northeast, was absent from the talks since it is not an ECCAS member. The aim of yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s discussion was to come up with "an agreed solution" on the fight against the extremists, a source close to the Cameroonian government told AFP. Biya declared that Boko Haram's utter disregard for human dignity meant "a total impossibility of compromise with terrorist movements", adding that the fight against terrorism was not a "crusade against Islam".

Spanish court drops charges against 11 in clerical sex abuse case

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Spanish court dropped charges against 11 out of 12 suspects in the country's biggest ever clerical sex abuse scandal because the statute of limitations had expired, court papers showed yesterday. The nine priests and two laymen had been charged with "sexual abuse with penetration, exhibitionism, and concealment of evidence" involving an underage altar boy. But the court in the

southern city of Granada, where the alleged abuse took place, ruled their accuser, now aged 25, should have brought a case within three years of turning 18.

One priest, however, is still charged with the more serious offence of "continued sexual abuse, with the introduction of a bodily member anally and attempt to introduce the penis", according to the ruling dated January 26.

If convicted, the clergyman faces a jail sentence of up to 10 years. He and his 11 initial co-accused were charged last month with sexual abuse or complicity in the abuse of the teenager between 2004 and 2007. The boy was 14 when the alleged abuse began. In terms of the number of suspects, the paedophilia case was the biggest ever involving the Catholic Church in Spain.

ope Francis expressed deep sadness for the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya, departing from the script of an address yesterday to emphasize the unity of all Christians regardless of the denomination they follow. Addressing members of the Church of Scotland, the Argentine pope mentioned the killings which took place on a beach in Libya and were filmed and broadcast on Sunday by a website that supports Islamic State. "Their only words were: 'Jesus, help me!' They were killed simply for the fact that they were Christians," Francis said in his native Spanish, departing from the Italian he uses at most formal events.

The leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics, who has said it is "lawful" to stop an unjust aggressor, went on:"The blood of our Christian brothers and sisters is a testimony which cries out be heard. It makes no difference whether they be Catholics, Orthodox, Copts or Protestants. They are Christians!" Francis added: "The martyrs belong to all Christians." Egypt, where Christians make up around a tenth of a predominantly Muslim population, is stepping up its battle against Islamist militants in neighboring Libya.

The Coptic Church is founded on the teachings of St. Mark who took Christianity to Egypt during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero.

Battle rages for town where Ukraine rebels reject ceasefire

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ro - Ru s s i a n re b e l s pounded encircled Ukrainian government forces yesterday and Kiev said it would not pull back heavy guns while a truce was being violated, leaving a European-brokered peace deal on the verge of collapse a day after it took effect. The European Union announced a new list of Ukrainian separatists and Russians targeted with sanctions, to which Moscow promised an "adequate" response.

Fighting had subsided in many parts of eastern Ukraine after a ceasefire came into force from Sunday, under a deal reached last week in marathon talks involving the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine. But the truce appears to have been stillborn in the part of the front where the most intensive fighting has taken place in recent weeks.

Rebels announced hours after it came into effect that they had no intention of observing the ceasefire at the town of De-

baltseve, where they have been advancing since January and now have a Ukrainian unit all but encircled. Washington says the rebel operation around the town, which sits on a strategic railway hub, is being assisted by the Russian armed forces, which Moscow denies. Reuters reporters near the front said Debaltseve was being relentlessly bombarded with artillery.

At least six tanks as well as armored personnel carriers and artillery could be seen in woods near Vuhlehirsk, 10 km (six miles) west of Debaltseve, which the rebels captured a week ago. Military trucks headed along the main road in the direction of the town to regular bursts of shelling and the firing of Grad rockets and machine guns. "You can hear there is no ceasefire," said a rebel fighter with a black ski mask who gave his name as Scorpion, his nom de guerre, and blamed the fighting on Kiev's forces. "Debaltseve is our land. And we will take Debaltseve."

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

51

Sport News

International Sport

PSG seek revenge against Chelsea

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We will play better against Eaglets – Guinea captain

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Yakubu shrugs off age debate

niger 2015

Sport

Did you know?

That Lionel Messi has scored 348 goals in his 348 official games for Barcelona since June 2008

Ireland scare rivals at cricket World Cup

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reland’s World Cup win over West Indies surpassed their toppling of England four years ago and will make their Pool B rivals “very nervous”, according to Graeme Swann.

Ireland chased 305 to beat the Windies by four wickets with 25 balls left in their opening match in Nelson.

“This is a better victory than the one against England four

years ago,” said former England spinner Swann.

“That was a oneman show from Kevin O’Brien. This was a team effort.”

At the 2011 Word Cup in Bangalore, facing an England side including Swann, O’Brien cracked the fastest World Cup century as Ireland recovered from 111-5 and overhauled their opponent’s total

of 327-8 with five balls to spare.

Four years on, the Windies’ 304-7 was almost as imposing, but half-centuries from Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce and Niall O’Brien saw Ireland cruise to their target.

“This had to do with five or six people putting their hands up and delivering an absolutely world-class performance,” added

Swann on BBC Test Match Special.

The other teams in Ireland’s group are holders India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Pakistan - who Ireland shocked in 2007 - and their next opponents, United Arab Emirates.

The top four will reach the quarter-finals.

“On this performance, they can certainly look to get out of the group,” said Swann.

Ireland’s Kevin Obrien in action

CAF U-17 Tourney

Amuneke: It’s one game at a time

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sport

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Ifeanyi Ibeh

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oach of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, Emmanuel Amuneke, has expressed delight with his side’s victory over hosts Niger in Sunday’s opening match of the 11th CAF U-17 Championship, but is quick to downplay any talks of Nigeria winning the tournament.

The Golden Eaglets made an impressive start to their campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win against the hosts at the Stade Seyni Kountche, in Niamey, courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen and

Kelechi Nwakali.

Nigeria last won the CAF U-17 Championship in 2007, when the tournament took place in Togo, before going on to emerge world champions later in the year in South Korea.

Two years ago, at the last edition of the CAF tournament in Morocco, the Golden Eaglets lost in the final to Cote d’Ivoire but still went on to emerge world champions in the United Arab Emirates.

Former African Footballer of the Year, Amuneke, was an assistant coach with the Golden Eaglets two years ago and now has the task of leading the current crop of Eaglets to

glory in Niger.

But he insists all talks of Nigeria emerging African champions at the end of the ongoing championship are a bit premature, adding that he and his lads just want to take their campaign one game at a time.

“The most important thing in football today is to win,” Amuneke was quoted as saying by Cafonline. com. “It was important for us to win our first game.

We took our chances and defended well.

“Now, we have to see how we can grow from strength to strength.”

The former Barcelona of Spain and Sporting Lisbon of Portugal star also took to social media platform, Facebook, to express his views about his side’s opening-day win over the Nigeriens.

“We had a very good game against Niger, the boys were composed and we concentrated on effective ball circulation and control to counter the physical play of the Nigeriens,” posted Amuneke.

He added: “We just want to take it one game at a time and this win was a good start for the entire team.”

Up next for the Golden Eaglets is a game on Wednesday against Guinea who defeated Zambia in Saturday’s other Group A encounter.

And with the group winners and runners-up progressing to the semi-finals of the eight-team CAF tournament and also qualifying for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, coming up in Chile later in the year, both sides will be keen to get a win ahead of their final round of matches on Saturday when the Nigerians take on Zambia, and the Guineans square up against the hosts.

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SPORT

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Yakubu shrugs off age debate Ifeanyi Ibeh

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ormer Nigeria international, Aiyegbeni Yakubu, who grabbed the winning goal for Reading in last weekend’s English FA Cup triumph over Derby County, has dismissed debate over his age.

Derby County manager, Steve McClaren, insinuated that the former Everton and Portsmouth striker could be older than his official age of 32 after stating that Yakubu told him he was 25 when he joined him at Middlesbrough in a £7.5million deal in 2005.

But Yakubu is unperturbed by McClaren’s comments as he had heard it all before, most recently In 2008 when former Everton and Manchester United boss, David Moyes, sparked an international incident by referring to his age as ‘a Nigerian 25’.

And as long as he’s doing what he does best, Yakubu is happy to let the debate continue.

“You can see the way I play, so I am not talking about my age,” he said.

“It is normal. People can choose if they don’t believe it, so it’s up to them. But for me, I am just enjoying my football,” said Yakubu.

He added: “The hun-

ger is always there.

When you play in England you always have the desire to play. You cannot hide here.”

Yakubu came off the bench last Saturday to grab the winning goal for Reading eight minutes from time.

The goal was followed by a revival of the old chant ‘Feed the Yak and he will score’ from the Reading fans.

And asked how it felt, Yakubu replied: “I am back home. It was great

he Association of Spor ts Veterans Nigeria led by Chief Jonathan Ogufere has expressed sadness over the demise of sports philanthropist Chief Molade Okoya –Thomas.

Former President of the West African Football Union Ogufere said in a press release on Monday that his association was still in shock.

“We are still sad over the death of our patron. I will be lying to you if I say we have come to terms with the reality of his death. No we have not,” he said.

“At the last Asoju Oba Cup, the 47th in the series, the Veterans as usual were given a pride of place and we did not for a second have any inkling that that was the last we will see of him. He was a unique Nigerian, detribalised, selfless and a born philanthropist who used God’s bless-

hearing the fans singing like that. In football you never write off anything. I never said I wouldn’t come back.

“I finished in Qatar and then I got a call from my agent saying Reading wanted me. I had the choice to go to America and Turkey, but I chose to be in England. There are more glamorous places to live but England is the best place to play football. I was away so long and I missed it.”

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he Ghana Football Association has revealed that they are considering an offer for the Black Stars with the Super Eagles from the Nigeria Football Federation for an international friendly between the Black Stars and the Super Eagles billed for March 29, in London.

The NFF on Friday announced that the three time African Champions would face Bolivia in an international friendly match at the Akwa Ibom Stadium on March 26.

And then face the Black Stars three days later at a yet-to-be confirmed venue in London.

“We are still studying the offer from the Nigeria Federation and yet to take a decision on that,” a Ghana FA source told GHANASoccernet.com “We want to take advantage of the FIFA free date next month and get the Black Stars busy.”

The high-profile international friendly is expected to prepare both teams for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers which begin in June.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the just ended Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea while Ghana were losing finalists on penalties to Cote d’Ivoire.

Pulis charges Ideye to score more goals

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Yakubu

Sports veterans mourn Okoya –Thomas

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Ghana FA considers March 29 friendly with Eagles

ing to enrich mankind,” he said.

The for mer board member of the Nigeria Football Association added, “As Veterans, as our Patron, we mourn him. We wish we had more like him, men and women who will dedicate their life to the selfless upliftment of their passion and belief. We only wish that his family will keep his life time dream alive.”

ony Pulis says Brown Ideye had better keep up his scoring form as there’s little competition for places in the striking positions.

The loss of Georgios Samaras and failure to capture Carlton Cole on transfer deadline day has left the Albion boss with just two fit forwards in Ideye and Saido Berahino.

“He’s just got to keep going,” he said.

“That’s very important because of the lack of competition because we have only got Victor Anichebe who is injured at the moment, so Brown is like a new signing for us.”

Meanwhile, Ideye said

Ideye

he was prepared to bide his time and sit on the bench rather than move to Qatar on deadline day.

Ideye who has smashed in four goals in three games- dismissed rumours that a move to the Middle East was imminent although Carlton

Cole’s arrival would have hampered his playing time.

“The club has the decision who to bring in and sign,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate for the club that they weren’t able to bring in Cole but I wasn’t looking to leave West Brom and move to Qatar.

“I was ready to sit on the bench and wait for my time rather than leaving and going to Qatar.”

Brown says the secret of his remarkable upturn in fortunes is answering Pulis’ demand for hard work.

“Nothing has changed.

I just kept working hard in training. He (Pulis) has just asked everybody to work hard on the pitch and give all you’ve got.”

Egypt, Portugal, Russia for Lagos ITTF World Tour Emmanuel Tobi

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gypt, Portugal, Russia and seven others have confirmed participation in this year’s International Table Tennis Federation World Tour tagged Lagos Open.

According to the list of confirmed players

by ITTF, Egyptian team will be led by current ITTF Africa Senior champion, Omar Assar and he will be joined by 12 compatriots including current African

women champion, Dina Meshref.

Portugal has the trio fo Diogo Silva, Andre Silva and Jieni Shao, while Russia will be represented by Irina Ermakova.

Iran will be debuting at the tournament with the duo of Afshin Noroozi and Nima Alamian, while other teams like Benin, Cameroun, Congo DRC, Djibouti, Sierra Leone and Togo will also be part of the $46,000 prize money

championship holding from March 10 to 14 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Also, Nigeria will be led by the current ITTF Star Player, Aruna Quadri while veteran and sixtime Olympian, Segun

Iwobi ready for Gabon challenge A rsenal U-21 captain, Alex Iwobi, has declared himself available for Nigeria’s Olympic National Team, ahead of the All Africa Games qualifying fixture against Gabon this weekend.

In other words, Arsenal hierarchy has authorised the striker to fly down to Nigeria to join his international colleagues ahead of the trip to Libreville.

There were doubts surrounding Iwobi’s availability for the fixture against the Central Africans, as Arsenal under 21 side will tackle Reading under 21s in the U21 Premier League Di-

vision 2 on Wednesday. ‘’Excited To represent my country this week. Happy when I see a smile on my family members’ faces,’’ said Alex Iwobi.

The 18 - year - old, who is the nephew of ex Super Eagles skipper, Austin Okocha, has 11 caps for the youth teams of England.

Iwobi practiced with the Olympic national team in January.

The Lagos - born player was an unused substitute when Arsenal clashed with Galatasaray in the Champions League two months ago.

Quadri

Toriola will also be part of the contingent.

For the women’s event, Nigeria will be represented

by Germany-based Funke Oshonaike, Portugal-based Edem Offiong and winner of the maiden edition of the tournament, Cecilia Otu-Akpan.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT 53

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

UEFA Champions League

PSG seek revenge against Chelsea

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aris Saint-Germain will be seeking for revenge against Chelsea when hostilities resume in the UEFA Champions League today.

A late Demba Ba goal at Stamford Bridge ensured Chelsea knocked PSG out of the competition on away goals at the quarter-final stage last April.

Laurent Blanc’s side held a 3-1 lead after the first leg at the Parc des Princes but the current Premier League leaders produced a stirring second-leg fightback and progressed courtesy of goals from Andre Schurrle and Ba - both of whom have since left the club.

PSG’s preparations for Tuesday’s first leg of the round-of-16 tie in the French capital were rocked by injuries during a 2-2 home draw with Caen on Saturday, leaving Blanc with a depleted squad.

Yohan Cabaye (groin), Marquinhos (hamstring), Blaise Matuidi (knee), Serge Aurier (thigh) and Lucas Moura (hamstring) all sustained injuries as PSG finished the game with nine men after making all of their substitutions.

Thiago Silva however urged PSG fans to stir up an intimidating atmosphere when the injuryhit Ligue 1 champions attempt to

gain Champions League revenge over Chelsea.

“We need all our supporters behind us. It will be very difficult for us and I hope our supporters will get behind the team because we will need them for this crucial match. We are a lot stronger when we have our supporters pushing us on,” Silva said.

Bayern wary of trip to war-torn Ukraine

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eigning German champions, Bayern Munich, will play Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 clash on Tuesday as war-torn Ukraine continues to be ripped apart by proRussian rebels and the Ukrainian army.

FIXTURES PSG vs Chelsea

8:45pm

Shakhtar vs Bayern

8:45pm

Action between PSG and Chelsea

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NBA All-Star game, Mayweather denied a deal had been reached.

“No, that’s not true,” the 37-year-old told American satellite television network TNT. “I haven’t signed yet, and he hasn’t signed yet.

“It’s just been speculations and rumours.

But hopefully we can make the fight happen.”

Pound-for-pound king Mayweather has 47 wins from as many professional contests and still has two bouts remaining on a lucrative deal with US network Showtime.

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anchester United midfielder Juan Mata says Barcelona star Lionel Messi is playing his best football of the season and tipped the Catalans to challenge for the treble.

Barca still trail leaders Real Madrid by one point in La Liga following Carlo Ancelotti’s side’s 2-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna, but Mata feels

Messi can inspire the club in the run-in to the season.

“Real Madrid won a very important game after a complicated week. In those cases, a victory is the best remedy and also helps to recover some energy with a view to the decisive weeks of the season,” Mata wrote on his official personal website.

Heineken is kicking off its new campaign - “Champion the Match” - encouraging fans to create a truly great match night for themselves and their friends.

Now in its ninth consecutive year of UEFA Champions League sponsorship, Heineken has consistently provided Nigerians with premium match viewing experiences.

According to an official of Heineken, the new campaign enhances match nights, by not only having live match ‘commentary’ from nine footballing legends, but also adding a celebrity friend into the mix.

“They should not just watch the match, they should champion it! A brand new Heineken TV commercial, entitled “The Match” is being launched to

Mayweather Jr (left)

Messi back to best, says Mata

“Barca enjoyed [themselves even] more though, once again displaying an extraordinary offensive power. Messi seems to be reaching his peak of the season right now.

“And if we add up the contribution from some other fantastic players, they are potential candidates to win every single competition.”

Bayern will instead travel 750 miles away from Donetsk to play against Shakthar in Lviv, but striker Thomas Muller shared his shock at what’s going on in Ukraine.

“It’s hard to grasp and (it is) a unique experience to be playing against a team that is based in a crisis area,” Muller said.

“Somehow, it’s a surreal situation. You know there is this terrible war out there, but you don’t really realise it because you don’t really know such a situation personally.”

Pep Guardiola’s reigning German champions are the heavy favorites as their opponents have not played a match in over two months due to the winter break in Ukraine’s topflight.

But after Shakthar have essentially been made refugees in their own nation, Bayern should be expecting a fired up squad ready to battle for the people of their beleaguered region.

Although Lviv has been largely untouched by the war breaking out in the east of Ukraine, there have been sporadic outbursts from time to time.

Heineken out with ‘Champion the Match’ s the UEFA Champions A League season enters the crucial knockout phase,

Pacquiao fight not sealed yet – Mayweather

loyd Mayweather Jr. has poured cold water on recent reports claiming a mega-fight with Manny Pacquiao has been agreed.

A bout pitting two of the greatest fighters of their generation appeared to be edging closer after the pair met and exchanged phone numbers at a recent NBA basketball game.

Reports surfaced over the weekend suggesting Pacquiao had agreed terms on a contract to fight the ‘Pretty Boy’, but speaking at half-time during the

UEFA is confident that there will be no issues surrounding Tuesday’s game, but Bayern seem uneasy about the prospect of heading to a wartorn country.

The game will not be played in Donetsk’s Donbass Arena, as the entire city is under the control of pro-Russian rebels.

Gullit

show how far one fan will go to watch the big match,” the official said.

In addition to sponsoring live television broadcast of the matches, the world-class Heineken House Lagos also remains open on every UEFA Champions League match night. This opulent landmark which has hosted thousands of Heineken fans as well as global celebrities, has gained popularity as the perfect place to enjoy the world’s foremost club football tournament.

Transfer ban: Barcelona get FIFA’s reprieve

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arcelona are reportedly allowed to sign new players this summer despite their current transfer ban.

The Catalan outfit was hit with a two-window transfer ban last year after being found to have breached rules in relation to signing youth players.

Barca took their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but that was dismissed and it was believed that the Spanish side could

not sign any new players until January 2016.

However, according to Sky Sports News, FIFA has revealed that Barca can make signings this summer, as long as they are not officially registered before next January.

As a result, Barca can agree terms with clubs and players this year, but will be unable to field any potential new signings until the winter window opens in 2016.

54

SPORT

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

U-17 African championship

Amuneke commends CAF, FIFA on MRI scans Stories: Ifeanyi Ibeh

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oach of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, Emmanuel Amuneke, has praised both CAF and FIFA for utilising the Magnetic Resonance Imaging test at the ongoing 11th CAF U-17 Championship, taking place in Niger.

Two years ago, at the last edition of the CAF Championship in Morocco, all participating players went through a mandatory MRI test to determine their eligibility for the age-grade tournament.

At the end of the tests, which took place a day before the commencement of the tournament, three players each from the tourney’s eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire, Congo and Nigeria were found to be ineligible for the championship.

The Nigerians were defenders Wilfred Ndidi and Ibrahim Abdullahi, as well as for-

We will play better against Eaglets – Guinea captain

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ward Emmanuel Asadu, and the Golden Eaglets were made to prosecute the remainder of the tournament with 18 players.

Two-time champions, Ghana, were disqualified last October after a player failed the MRI tests carried out by CAF after their first leg playoff victory against Cameroun.

The same tests were carried out prior to the commencement of the ongoing tournament in Niger and, although CAF has not published the outcome of the tests, from all indications it appears the Nigerians will be prosecuting the tournament this time with a complete squad.

And Amuneke, speaking in Niamey, said: “I would like to commend CAF and FIFA for the MRI scans for these age groups tournaments because this is hugely advancing African football and it’s so exciting to see the future players of African football doing very well at this stage.”

aptain of Guinea’s U-17 national team, Mohamed Mory Kourouma, believes they will perform much better than they did in their opening game against Zambia when they come up against the Golden Eaglets on Wednesday.

The Guineans got off to a winning start at the CAF U-17 Championship following a 1-0 win over the Zambians with the only goal of the encounter arriving on 25 minute courtesy of Aboubabacar Toure.

The Zambians came close to equalising on a number of occasions but

their profligacy in front of goal and some superb goalkeeping from Guinean goalie Moussa Camara proved to be their greatest undoing.

The Guineans may not have such luck against the Nigerians, who defeated the hosts 2-0 on Sunday, when both sides meet in Niamey on Wednesday. But Kourouma insists Guinea will overcome their opening game nerves and show the stuff they are made of against the two-time CAF U-17 champions. “(On Sunday) we were under pressure because we really wanted to win,” said

Kourouma, according to Cafonline.com. “It was our first match and we tried to play according to what the coach (Hamidou Camara) wanted of us.

“Ourvictorywasbecause of the work of the coach.”

He added: “We are more talented than what we showed (against Zambia).

In the next games (against Nigeria and Niger), we will show our talents.”

Guinea coach, Camara, added: “We missed three players (against Zambia) because of injury and that is why we lacked cohesion but we tried to work together and keep the ball.”

Niger coach: We were bad against Nigeria C

oach of the Nigerien U-17 team, Francisco Castano Benito, has admitted that his side deserved to lose Sunday’s opening match against Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets.

Two first half goals from Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Nwakali, the latter from a well-struck free kick, were all the Golden Eaglets needed to secure victory against the hosts who failed to test Nigeria keeper Akpan Udoh throughout the dura-

tion of the match.

Benito’s side cannot afford any further slips if they plan on making it to the semifinals, and the coach of the Nigerien side is hoping to rectify Sunday’s mistakes when they take on Zambia on Wednesday. “(On Sunday) we did not play very well as a team. We made a lot of mistakes both when we had the ball and even when we didn’t have the ball,” said Benito. “Our next game will be very difficult but we need to do well.”

FIXTURES/RESULTS Monday February 16 Cote d'Ivoire 2- 2 South Africa Mali v Cameroon Wednesday February 18 Nigeria v Guinea

3pm

Zambia v Niger

6pm

Eaglets celebrating a goal

Basketball Flakes

with Ifeanyi Ibeh 08054175662

Bakare tasks NBBF to revive pursuit of Oladipo F ormer Head Coach of Nigeria’s men’s and women’s national teams, Ayodele Bakare, has called on the Nigeria Basketball Federation to reignite its pursuit of Orlando Magic guard, Victor Oladipo, after the American-born basketball star told the international media that he was a Nigerian “at the end of the day.”

Twenty two-year-old Oladipo, who has Nigerian parents, has averaged 16.6 points this season, an improvement from the 13.8 points he averaged in his rookie season, and was one of the few players of Nigerian descent during the just

concluded 2015 NBA All-Star weekend in Brooklyn, New York.

Asked by the international media how he felt regarding the attention coming from back home, Oladipo replied: “That’s my home.

That’s where I am from, that’s where my family is from. It means a lot to have that kind of attention there.

“Both my parents are from Nigeria. They came over here about 28 years ago for better work and better lives, that’s the blood that flows in my veins. I am Nigerian at the end of the day.”

During Bakare’s time as Head

Coach and, later, Technical Director of the NBBF, the federation made attempts to get Oladipo to pledge his international future to Nigeria, even long before the United States lured him to a training camp to train with the main squad of the US national team prior to last summer’s basketball World Cup. The plan failed to materialise at the time, but in the aftermath of Oladipo’s latest comments, Bakare has called on the board of the NBBF to get to work and do all they can to get Oladipo and Thanasis Antetokounmpo, whose brother, Giannis, is ineligible to play for Nigeria having

already appeared for Greece at the 2014 World Cup in Spain.

“Did I not tell you that we can get him to play for us? Now, over to you NBBF. Let your recruiting machinery go to work overtime.

And while you are at it, get Thanasis too,” posted Bakare on Facebook.

He added: “I am not talking about getting Giannis ‘the Greek Freak’. We have already lost him as he is no longer eligible to play for Nigeria because he already played for Greece at

Antetokoumpo deliberately lost slam dunk contest

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Oladipo

the last World Cup. I am talking about his brother Thanasis who plays in the NBDL (NBA’s development League), and he is still eligible to play for Nigeria and has a Nigerian passport, and was interested as far as I know.

“And just for the records, the NBBF had made great progress towards recruiting Oladipo as I explained in an earlier post. Now they just have to revisit the issue with him and his managers (the Raymond Brothers). And with a little luck, who knows?”

ilwaukee Bucks forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to media reports in the United States, deliberately ruined hischancesof emergingvictorious atlastweekend’sNBAAllStarSlam Dunk Contest, after his teammate, Brandon Knight, was allegedly robbedof topplaceintheNBASkill Challenge, thus paving the way for ZachLaVinetoclaimtopspotahead of Victor Oladipo.

LaVine displayed some breathtaking dunks on his way to victory intheNBAAll-StarSlamDunkcontest. But a Milwaukee Bucks site, Brew Hoop, thinks that wouldn’t had been the case had Antetokounmponotdeliberatelyperformed

belowexpectationsinprotestof the alleged robbery.

“In an act of bravery and integrity that will surely be remembered for decades to come, Giannis Antetokounmpo elected to boycott the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, responding to the shocking events that robbed his teammate Brandon Knight of a well-earned Skills Challenge title. While he was contractually obligated to compete in theevent,Gianniselectedto‘throw’ the competition, purposefully flubbing his first few dunks when he totally could have done something awesome had he wanted to. He just didn’t want to, obviously,” read the post on the site.

55

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Doping: Athletics faces crisis, admits IAAF chief Diack what then? So we have to clean.”

Out of 37 athletes sanctioned under the IAAF’s biological passport programme since 2009, 23 are Russians. In January, Russia’s anti-doping agency banned five race-walkers, including three Olympic champions. Russia’s athletics head coach Valentin Maslakov has resigned.

The first of the three documentaries made allegations against Massata Papa Diack, the son of president Diack and a marketing consultant for the governing body, and Valentin Balakhnichev, the IAAF treasurer and Russian Athletics Federation president They stepped down from their posts following a meeting of the IAAF’s executive board.

Balakhnichev d e scribed the allegations as a “pack of lies” and pledged to re-

Diack

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he head of world athletics has admitted the sport faces “a crisis” over allegations of doping

by Russian competitors.

Speaking to the BBC, Lamine Diack, president of the International Association of Athletics Federations said: “It’s a difficult crisis but we will put it behind us by cleaning all this.”

In December, a German TV documentary claimed Russian officials systematically accepted payment from athletes to supply banned substances and cover up tests.

In his first broadcast interview since the allegations were made public, Diack said he was “shocked” and “disturbed” when he first heard the claims.

But the 81-year-old Senegalese official insisted allegations that 99percent of Russian athletes are doping were “a joke” and “ridiculous”.

“I cannot accept that somebody came and said in Russia it’s 99 percent cheating. It’s not true,” he said.

“I understand after this kind of crisis people are saying ‘OK, what are they doing, is it right or not?’, but I think we have to be absolutely clear that our athletes are 90 percent to 95 percent clean.”

German television station WDR broadcast three documentaries alleging that IAAF officials were implicated in covering up doping in Russia.

Those claims are now being examined by the IAAF’s ethics commission, which will decide whether Russian anti-doping officials, its own treasurer and even the son of its president are guilty of wrongdoing.

But Diack - who will stand down as IAAF president in August after 16 years as the most powerful figure in track and field - denied knowledge of any coverup.

“I’m convinced I know my department. I know how they work very, very hard about the fight against doping, and I didn’t see any reason to make a cover-up of a doping case,” he said.

Athletics has a chequered history of drug scandals, from East Germany’s years of state-imposed blanket doping, through to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (Balco) affair. However, it was one of the first sports to introduce the biological passport.

These l a t est claims of widespread wrongdoing stem principally from former Russian Anti-Doping Agency (Rusada) official Vitaly Stepanov and his wife Yulia (nee Rusanova), formerly an 800m runner who was banned for doping.

They allege that leading Russian athletics officials supplied banned substances in exchange for 5percent of an athlete’s earnings and colluded with doping control officers to hush up and falsify tests.

The BBC has not independently verified the documentary’s allegations and is awaiting responses from the athletes, who were approached when it was first broadcast, that were targeted in the programme. The Russian authorities have dismissed the allegations as a “pack of lies”.

However, the scandal has threatened to engulf athletics, and Diack must now try to restore the sport’s credibility and reputation.

“We face a difficult situation in Russia... we have to clean up what is going on in Russia now,” he said.

“OK, in Russia there are some cheaters and if it’s demonstrated that cheating is organised we have to take action, not only on the athletes, but on the leaders.

“It’s our job to clean all this and take all the measures we have to take.

“It’s a crisis, absolutely. We have to put this behind us but we will arrive to make it.

“You cannot leave any doubt about our results. If we come to a situation where people are saying ‘what they are doing is not true’,

turn to his post at “the end of the investigation”.

Fifty-year-old Papa Massata Diack one of Diack senior’s 15 children - has denied involvement with a company alleged to be complicit in covering up doping, but has admitted to business links with its owner.

The Guardian has also reported that he apparently requested a $5m payment from Qatar during the race for the 2017 World Athletics Championships.

He denies making such a request on behalf of the IAAF and says no payment was ever received.

The Qatar Athletics Federation told The Guardian it did not recognise emails the newspaper referred to and had complied with all regulations.

“A father is not happy to see his son accused of that, but I am sure that he will clear his name”, said IAAF president Diack, who rejected suggestions that his son’s position raises questions over a conflict of interest.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has also launched an investigation into the claims, in which unnamed British athletes have also been implicated.

Stepanov

Maslakov

Athletes react to doping claims

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omen’s marathon world record-holder and former world marathon champion Paula Radcliffe: “Sick to my stomach. Some of the allegations coming out of this are every sport’s worst nightmare.”

Four-time Olympic rowing gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent: “This is grim reading for Olympic sports fans - it casts a pall over every Russia performance for an Olympiad.”

German pole vaulter and reigning world champion Raphael Holzdeppe: “The documentary was shocking. We can only continue to set a good example and keep pursuing clean sport.”

WDR alleged the IAAF failed to follow up on suspicious blood tests between 2001 and 2008 from more than 150

athletes, including a top athlete from Britain - who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Diack has dismissed this as “ridiculous”, insisting IAAF officials would not know whether follow-up tests had been conducted, and that its athlete biological passport scheme was only launched in 2009.

The IAAF has added that pre-2009 samples were only used as “secondary evidence”, or to trigger follow-up urine tests “whenever possible logistically”.

Meanwhile, Diack said he has full confidence in the IAAF’s ethics commission, chaired by Michael Beloff QC, which is expected to conclude its investigation by spring.

“Absolutely. I selected some wonderful people, that nobody can doubt are absolutely independent,” he said.

Culled from BBC

On Marble

Men marry women with the hope they will never change. Women marry men with the hope they will change.

Invaribly they are bothdisappointed.

Sanctity of Truth

World Record

Gul Mohammed of New Delhi, India, is considered the shortest adult of all time, measuring 0.57 m (1 ft 10 2⁄5 in). He died on October 1, 1997.

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

– Albert Einstein

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

N150

Re: Ohanaeze and Jonathan: Heart of the matter The right to reply Ralph Obiora

W

e shall brush aside the characterizations of the writer of the above referred piece about simpletons and renegades and drive to the point. Emmanuel Onwe is the captain of the team of Igbo who are hired hacks to do their utmost best to do the bidding of the highest paymaster but shall be the first to smear the motives of those who stand on the side of what is right, altruistic and correct. To obtain the sensation that will please his clients he vainly attempted to divert the already known fact that Gary Enwo-Igariwey, the sittight former president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is doing what they are doing purely for pecuniary interests and nothing more.

In the infantile imagination of Emmanuel Onwe, the Ohanaeze Caretaker Committee led by Chief Ralph Obioha is self-styled and apparently to him the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elders Council is non-existent. The tragedy of some of our Diaspora Igbos is that they are so removed from the realities of our situation at home that they will coin words, present logic that stand on its head, dish out crass propaganda and boldly tell giant lies with the hope that they may convince the unsuspecting public of their vile intentions.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Caretaker Committee's stand was arrived at after a strenuous process of deep consultations with wide range of ordinary Igbos who feel most of the pains of deprivations ravaging the entire region. They are the artisans, farmers, students, market women, teachers, nurses, real ordinary everyday people. We also consulted with the Ezes, the big guns, high and the mighty and we discovered that they all agree on one point- the Igbos are holding the end of the stick in this project called Nigeria. To state the obvious a vast majority of this wide range of Igbos feel that Biafra is still their dream.

Emmanuel Onwe took on issues that he hardly has the true facts to comment on. Let us now inform him of the true facts on the ground. On the second Niger Bridge, the Julius Berger mobilisation there does not compare to the mobilisation the same company made at a private residence at Ikoyi, Lagos. In other words if a private residence can be so mobilised, the skeletal mobilisation at the second Niger bridge will give any discerning Igbo that another political gimmick is at work to pull a wool over the eyes of the real simpletons.

To quote Mr. Onwe “The endorsement by the authentic leadership of Ohanaeze represents a choice informed by both history and prevalent circumstances. Tafawa Balewa built the First Niger Bridge and an Igbo son rewarded him with assassination”.

Obiora

Enwo-Igariwey

Nnamdi Azikiwe

Odumegwu-Ojukwu

Whatever Emmanuel Onwe’s intentions are, for his quote staggers the mind. He should be reminded that officers of the Nigerian army organized a coup in 1966 and regrettably our leaders’ lives were wasted. The

Igbo never met any where to support any coup in Nigeria, because it is not in Igbo character to murder people.

For whatever amount of money Emmanuel Onwe received for this, he definitely crossed the line. The refurbished airports in Nigeria are 23 to be precise. The Akanu Ibiam International airport in Enugu, we admit, has been greatly improved but do not try to sell the idea that the airport has been completed. On the dredging of River Niger to effect the landing of sea crafts at “ONITSHA PORT” Mr. Onwe again should realise that we are at home and those who travel home via Onitsha and pass the First Niger Bridge will clearly see an empty Onitsha port with absolutely zero activity. Be informed that no dry port exist in Aba or anywhere else in Igboland. To further drive the point that Emmanuel Onwe is indeed a completely disconnected Igboman. Hear him “Secondly, the Igbo support for Jonathan is anchored on emotions enlivened by historic injustice and not on common place bread and butter politics. The motivations at play are driven more by symbolic ges-

Whatever Emmanuel Onwe’s intentions are, for his quote staggers the mind. He should be reminded that officers of the Nigerian army organized a coup in 1966 and regrettably our leaders’ lives were wasted

tures and not necessarily by INFRASTRUCTURAL accomplishments.”

This Emmanuel Onwe. What in the world is this man talking about. In other to dish out an article that will satisfy his paymasters, is Mr. Onwe telling the Igbo that their road network should not be rehabilitated to meet “symbolic gestures” and that Igbos should starve to death to correct their physiological inadequencies.

The Igbos are vibrant, intelligent and hardworking people who can think and access issues by themselves. They don’t need the like of Mr. Onwe to “educate them on how to cast their votes at this election or at any election. The facts are that President Jonathan received massively the support of Ndigbo in 2011 presidential election. The usual quid pro quo associated with massive support was not returned to the Igbo and the explanation could be that President Jonathan took the six million Igbo votes for granted. Why is Mr. Onwe kicking so hard if we are to go by his conclusion that the Igbo will rise again and give massive votes to Jonathan. On this, all we can say is that time will tell. In 2011, five million Igbo votes were cast for Jonathan as against 300, 000 votes for Buhari.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Caretaker Committee’s position remains that the two presidential candidates are invited to come to the Southeast as they did to other zones and discuss the core issues of vital concern to Ndigbo.

These issues are: The infrastructural neglect of the southeast The safety to lives and properties of Ndigbo in Nigeria and the freedom to conduct their business anywhere in Nigeria.

The implementation of the OPUTA PANEL recommendations over the civil war. That is payment of adequate reparation and restitution.

The road path for an Igbo presidency.

For history lessons to Mr. Onwe, the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency arose out of the Moshood Abiola experience and that of Jonathan arose out of partly providence and partly positioning. Nigeria needs an unbreakable charter on the participation of Igbo for Nigeria's presidency with a defined date and Igbo will set their sight on such a date.

Finally, Mr. Onwe should realize that the Igbo have long discarded sentimental tokenism of befitting burials, award of honorary doctorate degrees, appointments of ministers and SFGs, but are more interested in physical improvement of their circumstance translated in good roads, industries, energy to power their enterprises, job opportunities, efficient government services such as clinics, good schools and clean environment.

The Igbo are also for a corruption free system so that they can compete with other Nigerians on the basis of a level playing field.

• Obioha is Chairman Ohanaeze Ndigbo Caretaker Committee

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