Tuesday, june 7, 2016 binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

BOI targets 10m jobs by 2020, disburses N83.5bn Amadi Nnamdi Abuja

y creating 2.6 million jobs per annum through numerous interventions, the Bank

Of Industry (BOI) is targeting 10 million jobs over the next four years. The bank said that its target was to disburse N212 billion this year, which would lead in creat-

ing one million jobs. BoI’s Acting Managing Director, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, spoke yesterday in Abuja during the 56th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the bank.

He said that the bank’s focus was on financial liability, developmental impact and social development of the country. His words: “The bank is on course in 2016 to sur-

passing the N83.5 billion that was disbursed in 2015. “As at the middle of the current year, the bank had approved loans totalling N95 billion to more than 400 enterprises and

is working assiduously to approving more loans in the second half of 2016. “This will ultimately see the meeting the institution’s disbarment target of CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Sanctity Of Truth

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

Vol. 3 No. 839

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com @newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

TUESD AY, JUNE NEW TELEG 7, RAPH 2016

Inside A buja

Court remands Ortom's aide for alleged murder }9

FG to suspend military operations in Niger Delta }7

Ajimobi shuts Oyo primary, secondary schools }9

Patience Jonathan Youth Centre rots away }19

17 Donat

ion Walking through walls of the Kuje Prison

The Fede ral Territory, Capital Abuja is seat of governme the Nigeria. nt It is expe in be run cted to as a because model city of position, its strategic but nuRuDee Yekeen the city n reports that has numerous been facing the last challenges in 12 mont hs

Aband

on Patienc e Jonatha Centre n Youth rots away

hen Major Muha mmad Gener was sworn u Buharal i in on 29, icallyelected 2015 as a democMay had high Presid ratent, inaugu hopes especi Nigerians heart-wral speech thatally with his sages of arming promi was full of that the hope. It was ses and mesgroun president expected then d would cabine running by hit t formin the mence as soon as possib g his the implem le the promi entatio to com- A view of ses. the Abuja n of all But City Gate anothe Nigerians had r to wait dent's six months for inaugu after the ters. While ration to have presithey waited unveil minisfor him would the men and to help him wome Abuja n who to drive his vision reside slipped into nts descri , what mess. many By Novembed as a compl presid ent appoinber 17 when ete hamm ad Musa ted Malam the FCT Minist Bello Mucried out er, the new as the 16th that helms tattere d city. he had inheri man In his ted a to unveilmaiden press The newsm minister, who tion for his progra conference appoin en nine weeks addressed identif the city, Bellommes of acied variou specifi would tment, howev after his ing the cally s challe not embar er rather overst territory. These nges fack on new said he , retche projec existin he would contin includ d infras to popula ts, g ones ed the ue with in order nance tion growth tructure due qualit cultur , poor mainte to impro y of life Abuja e, roads, ve of reside . blocke poorly maint nts of lines, d water There ained poor waste are many and sewag that practi ces and indica e city Abuja is mana gemen street tions alread poorly and traffic t wereexcept some y maint He also drastic a failing ained taken lights measu to addres lenges system beggar lamented the res plagui . presen ng it. s all the chalcity as s and street hawke ce of well hawke as inadeq rs in the condit rs and beggar ion and health of availa uate or poor Prior s ble educa to the tions, care faciliti tion the Abujalast genera es. Protec l election Board Environmen has the tal (AEPB ) hawke mandate of rs, getting which the city beggars and rid was on lunati of went after top of cs its game. in but also not only street It the exit beggars. Howevhawkers of Bala FCT Minist Moha er, with mmed er betwe as en whenand the long Buhari came space on boardthe new minis steam Onwu , AEPB ter . ka nzesh lost its Hawki ABUJA I BUREAU on major ng and beggin nzeshi@ CHIEF newteleg streets g for alms featur raphonli are es ne.com though in the nation now regula © Daily r Telegrap a ride these acts are’s capital. Alh Publishi aroun d old Paradprohibited, Area 10, Limited ng Company lege, AreaBanex junctio e Groun n, War d, tre shows 1, Area 3 Cola growin in the city g popula cention of

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Buhari probing me for corruption –Jonathan Ortom

Olonisakin

Ajimobi

of the city such 2, Kado as Zone and other 4, Wuse jiri studen ts roam areas, AlmaAbuja the streets beggin with bowls of g for alms. in the have expres hands Many reside sed childr en, some worries that nts came of whom these from said Kadun Minna , a, Kano they to the besides being and seriou status of Abujaan eyesor s e used by security risks , are also to wreakthe Boko Haramthat can be havoc in the terrorists city. Compe ting with filths One facing of the major Abuja ageme has been challenges nt waste ed waste despite having mancollect contra came ctas FCT ors. When confro Bello nted withMinister, institu he was this ted tal sanita monthly challenge. He superv tion which environmenised. He he person round the six took the campaally territo Area ry to seek Councils ign ticipat maxim in the ion and um reside cooper hawke nts.. ation of parrs. But it the determ appears that almajir is garba ination to rid despite his The ge much the city This, hawke failure of AEPB needs of again rs and to be falls view of to arrest have becom indeed the Envirowithin thedone. tion Board e ubiqu beggars who FCT has purnment al Protec Almaj emboldened itous in the It must . iri the hither the target be stated to make (Koranic that one s of an unche school pupilsto Sustai the nation of nable the United Nation cked Develo from Kubw's seat of inroad into) (SDGs) on ’s pment sanita access a, Dutse power. Now, Goals to adequ tion is to achiev to the ate and heart equita e ble CONTIN UED ON

PAGE 22

Says president didn’t inherit empty treasury }2 UNILAG postgraduate students drown celebrating birthday }8

President to Nigerians: Everyone falls ill }4

Odusina

President Muhammadu Buhari departing the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to London on a 10-day vacation... yesterday.

Ogunmefun

Arms panel indicts ex-Army Chiefs, Generals ...uncovers massive fraud EFCC begins probe of indicted officers, firms }3 Human organs could be developed in pigs

NEWS

TUESday, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari probing me for corruption –Jonathan

Wale Elegbede, Abdulwahab Isa and Emmanuel Onani

ormer President Goodluck Jonathan has disclosed that his five-year tenure is under probe by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Fielding questions during an interview at the Bloomberg studios in London yesterday, the former president declined making further comments on whether he and his administration might be indicted for corrupt acts. He, however, stated that he did not hand over empty treasury to Buhari on May 29, 2015. Asked whether he is worried that he would come under investigation for corruption, Jonathan said: “Of course, obviously, I would be investigated. In fact, I am being investigated. Investigations are going on. “I would not want to make certain comments because when a government is working, it would not be proper for immediate past president to make certain statements. I will allow the government do its work. I wouldn’t want to make serious comments on that. “After all these investigations, the stories will be properly chronicled. I wouldn’t want to say this or that; it’s not a good practice. I have just left office and I should allow the president and his team do what they think is good for the country,” he said. On whether he agrees with the perception that his government was very corrupt, he said: “Perception is based on what people say. In Nigeria, it has always been routine from the collapse of the First Republic at independence, and there was military intervention, what the military officers said was because of corruption. When we had the Second Republic, the same story of corruption was given by the military officers. “Yes, I cannot say that there is no corruption in the country from independence; yes there has been corruption. I did very well to curtail corruption. My approach to corruption was that don't make any money available for anybody to touch. “In the area of fertilizer subsidy, we cleaned up and the whole corruption there was removed. I wanted to do the same thing in the oil industry, but the very people who are accusing us of corruption are the very people that were frustrating it. It’s unfortunate.” Some close aides and

allies of Jonathan are either being investigated or facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Jonathan’s former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), is facing probe for allegedly misapplying $2.1 billion meant for the purchase of arms and ammunition, to prosecute the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operation in the North-East. Dasuki, whose office coordinated the military operations against Boko Haram, has since December 2015 remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), which is also prosecuting him on offences bordering on alleged treason. The Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has remained in the custody of the EFCC since May 9. The anti-graft agency is holding Fani-Kayode over allegations that he received N840 million campaign funds. Jonathan’s Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, is facing series of probes by the EFCC. Many PDP stalwarts and ex-ministers have been quizzed over $115 million campaign funds she allegedly shared during the 2015 presidential election. Mr. Warimopei Dudafa, a former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to Jonathan, is in the custody of the EFCC over N10 billion shared to delegates at the PDP presidential prima-

ries in Abuja. Jonathan’s ex Aide-deCamp, Col. Ojogbane Adegbe, was arrested in connection with the election money. Adegbe has since been released. A cousin of the former president and Managing Director of Katakar Civil Engineering Company, Mr. Azibaola Robert, has been arrested by the EFCC over a $40 million contract. The former Principal Private Secretary to the former president, Hassan Tukur, has been quizzed by the anti-graft agency. Some former ministers who served in the Jonathan administration had also had date with the EFCC. The immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, is facing prosecution over N400 million he received from the Office of the NSA.

In the interview, the former president said Buhari was not telling the truth when he told Nigerians that his administration met an empty treasury, querying where the president got the money he gave to some state governors as bailout funds at the early stage of the administration, if it actually met an empty treasury. “It is not true; there is no way that he would have inherited an empty treasury and at the same time gave bailout to the states. It’s not possible. “Nigeria is a fairly robust economy but sometimes, we over politicise some certain issues and make it look so bad. It was not that bad.” On the diversification efforts by his administration, the former president said: “We did very well in

the area of diversification. Within the five years that I was in office that was when agriculture got its peak. Ask anybody. For you to diversify, it has to be the real sector and the agriculture. We had the agriculture sector as the top of the agenda, and it was the best in history of the country. We were praised globally and that is why my minister of agriculture is now the president of the African Development

£12,960

The daily salary of Mbark Bousoufa of Lokomotiv Moscow in 2014/2015. Source: Paywizard.co.uk

N160.85bn The total amount of Imports from United States for the 2014 Q4. Source: National Bureau of

Former President Goodluck Jonathan speaking at the Bloomberg studio in London… yesterday

Bank because of what he did in agriculture. “We also encouraged the real sector, the manufacturing sector. Within my period, Nigeria was a gross importer of cement, but before I left, Nigeria became a gross exporter of cement. So, if somebody said we did not diversify, that is not true. The only area we didn't succeed much was the solid mineral sector. But you need investors and the blueprint, everything was worked out. “So, if somebody said we did not diversify, of course, I was the president of Nigeria. Sometimes when people ask me questions, I actually feel some people think I was the president of Nigeria from independence to 2015, but I was only a president for five years.” Speaking earlier while delivering a speech at Bloomberg Television Centre in London, the former president said by handing over to Buhari despite being a sitting a president, he has been able to prove to the ordinary man or woman in Nigeria that everybody is equal. Jonathan said that he was committed to good governance, effective stewardship and transparency, adding that the focus of his energies is to uphold democratic principles, promote peaceful political transitions and support citizen entrepreneurship and intra-Africa trade. While stating that his ambition and efforts to sanitise corruption in petroleum subsidies through complete deregulation were frustrated by CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

BOI targets 10m jobs by 2020, disburses N83.5bn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

N212 billion that can potentially lead to the creation of almost one million jobs in addition to the 1.6 million projected under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme. “At the rate of 2.6 million jobs per annum, BOI’s interventions can generate more than 10 million jobs in the next four years, which is what is required to reduce the unemployment rate in the country to single digit,” Olagunju said. He said that in order to deepen the bank’s credit delivery process and financial inclusion initiatives, the bank would strengthen its collaboration with its foreign and domestic partners, including community-based organisations. "The most striking

achievement in its credit operations was the disbursement of loans that amounted to N5.7 billion to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), which represent a 205% increase over the average annual run rate of N1.7 billion to MSME in previous years," he stated. He stated that the bank has created almost 400,000 jobs with its disbursement of about N83.5 billion to over 776 enterprises between 2015 and now. Olagunju said that the bank was working closely with the African Development Bank (AfDB) by aligning its operations more with AfDB High Fives initiatives, which include Light Up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Integrate Africa, Industrialise Africa, and improve the quality of life for the people of Africa.

He said that some of BoI’s activities were already in line with AfDB’s High Fives like the bank’s United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Solar Power Programme, and Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund, among others. He hinted that the development finance institution's clustering strategy has enabled tailor-made products to be developed for various business segments, adding that other specific products of the bank are the N5 billion Cottage Agro Processing (CAP) Fund for agroallied based SMEs, which targets 1,000 cottage mills across the country with 20-30 mills per state. He added that the bank effectively managed its risk exposure as nonperforming loan ratio improved from 6.92 per cent

as at 2014 year end to 4.01 per cent as at end of 2015. "Bad loan recoveries of over N1 billion was achieved in the year as BOI secured a Credit Rating of AA+ from Fitch Rating,” he said. The Acting BoI boss pledged "to deepen its impact in both core emerging sectors, drive service delivery excellence, support the development of SMEs in the country by leveraging strategic partnership, effectively managing enterprise risks as well as leveraging technology." The Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah, commended the bank for its various developmental initiatives in support of the Federal Government’s policy thrusts, priorities and programmes. Enelamah was represented by the by the Minis-

try’s Permanent Secretary, Mallam Aminu Bisalla. He also commended the bank for its increased collaboration with its domestic and foreign development partners in the public and private sectors, including state governments, community-based organisations and traditional institutions. “They are helping to deepen BOI’s credit delivery process and develop the micro small and medium enterprises sector,” Enelamah said. At the post-AGM interactive session with the press, Olagunju gave assurance that the bank would continue to rev up its operations in support of the federal government’s policies and programmes as well as those of state governments that are BOI’s development partners.

NEWS

TUESday, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Arms panel indicts ex-Army Chiefs, Generals Our Correspondent

he Presidential Panel set up to audit arms purchase between 2007 and 2015, has submitted its final report to President Muhammadu Buhari, New Telegraph has gathered. The Presidency, according to sources, is set to release the report on the probe of procurement arms and ammunition by the Nigerian Army. Highly placed sources told New Telegraph that the report on the probe of the Army indicted three former Chiefs of Army Staff, serving and retired Generals, many of whom

had appeared before the panel. A former DirectorGeneral of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), who is an Army General, was also indicted. Also, many of the companies and contractors that participated in the supply of equipment to the Nigerian Army were indicted in the report. The panel report noted that the procurement processes were arbitrarily carried out and generally characterised by irregularities and fraud. The source further disclosed that some of the past service chiefs and Generals indicted by the panel have

been recommended for further investigation and possible prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It was learnt that some of the indicted army officers and contractors were indicted over contracts paid for but not executed, diversion of funds, inflated contracts, supply of substandard equipment and other infractions in the procurement of arms and ammunition between 2007 and 2015. Some of the indicted army officers were accused of using fronts to obtain contracts from the Nigerian Army and failed to execute or poorly imple-

menting such. The panel also traced some payments made to accounts of the army officers by the contractors, which were considered as bribes. “The report is damning. It will definitely expose the rot in the Nigerian Army. So many senior officers, both serving and retired, are indicted in the report. Some companies that supplied equipment, arms and ammunition were also recommended for prosecution. It is a mess,” a source close to the panel told New Telegraph. It was learnt that the president was miffed at the massive fraud that characterised procurement contracts in the military

L-R: Head of Trade and Economic Section, European Union (EU) Counsellor, Mr. Filippo Amato; EU Deputy Head of Delegation, Mr. Richard Young; Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Michel Arrion and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, during a visit by the delegation to Osinbajo in Abuja … yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

during the period under review. Speaking in confidence with New Telegraph, one of the sources said the final report indicated that the alleged fraud in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at the time was just a tip of the iceberg, when compared with what occurred in the Army. It was learnt that owing to the weighty nature of the findings, coupled with the anticipated reactions it will elicit in the military and the public, Buhari initially asked that the report be made a classified document. "The Audit Panel has submitted its final report to Mr. President. But, looking at how weighty and mind-boggling the findings are, the Presidency may have thought it wise that it should not be put in the public space. "If it is disclosed, the military itself might lose its pride, as officers and personnel may be demoralised. "In fact, the previous interim report on the NAF is a child's play when compared with this," he said. But, after so much consideration, the president agreed that the report should be made public just as it was done in the case of the Air Force. However, a copy of the report was said to have been transmitted to the

$2.1bn arms deal: Judge lambasts ex-NBA President

lI’m ready to face trial, says Dasuki Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

ension arouse yesterday during the trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) before an Abuja High Court as the presiding judge, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf, lambasted the counsel to the defendant, Joseph Dauda (SAN) over a fresh application he brought. The trial was, however, cut short as other counsel in the matter pleaded with the court to adjourn based on what happened in court. The tension arose when Daudu informed the court that he has filed a fresh motion praying the court to consolidate the criminal charges brought against Dasuki before the two Abuja High Courts. He premised the application on ground that the charges in the two courts constituted abuse of courts because they have same facts and figure and that he would be prejudiced if the two courts try him simultaneously. However, immediately

Daudu introduced the motion, Justice Baba Yusuf became visibly angry and challenged him on what his client will suffer should the two courts go ahead with the trial. The judge lambasted Daudu for employing delay tactics to shield Dasuki from trial, insisting that the tactic will not work in his court. Attempt by Daudu to ensure that the motion be determined before the trial begins further provoked the judge who vowed not to give any indulgence to Daudu or move to delay the trial. The judge said: “If you think the mission of this new motion is to delay the trial, I can assure you that it has already failed. I know your antecedents in this type of cases, filing frivolous, baseless and unwarranted motions to frustrate the court and trial of your client. “I know the next motion you will file will be to ask me to withdraw or disqualify myself from this case, I will not succumb to your old fashion of doing

things. It will not work in my court. “I have over-indulged you and I am ready to go ahead with this trial today. I cannot be coming here to waste my time. I have granted you enough respect; this application is disrespect to me. “I have known you for certain things; if you have a court where people will dance to your tune, go to that court. I am not ready to dance to your tune. “You are here with a dishonest motive as far as this motion is concerned. The whole target is to frustrate the trial, but you will fail.” Tension rose to the peak when counsel to the Federal Government, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) announced to the court he respects Daudu a lot as a senior colleague, a role model and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and ended up describing Daudu’s action with the motion as very unfortunate. Attempt by Daudu to complain of insult from Jacobs to the judge was rebuffed when Justice Baba

Yusuf said: “For your information, a junior counsel can advise a senior one and that is my position. “I have been accommodating all sort of nonsense, yet you are not ready to respect me. You are disgracing me as one who does not know what he is doing here. “You are subjecting me and this court to public disgrace. When you come to court, people are watching and we must behave, that is my advice for you.” At this point, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) cut in and prayed the judge to grant adjournment “for us to sort out ourselves”. “I have never seen your Lordship in this kind of situation and please indulge adjournment to enable us sort out things,” Olujimi said. Justice Baba Yusuf, however, adjourned the matter till June 15 for hearing of the motion. Dasuki had asked the court to consolidate the two criminal charges bordering on alleged corruption and breach of trust

brought against him by the Federal Government in the course of his official duties. He told the court that he was not scared of trial on the alleged funds misappropriation, but insisted that the right thing in law must be done. The ex-NSA, in the fresh motion on notice, claimed that the trial in two different courts on the same issues and facts is unconstitutional and prejudicial to his right to fair trial by the court. Dasuki, who is standing trial on allegation of alleged misappropriation of $2.1 billion along with four others before Justice Baba Yusuf insisted that the charges against him by the complainant on the same issue constituted a gross abuse of court process. In the motion brought pursuant to Section 6 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 1, 208, 396, 491 and 492 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Dasuki claimed that the two charges revolved around the same set of transaction and facts on the alleged funds misappropriation and the breach of trust.

EFCC for action. The EFCC is already prosecuting a former Commander of Guards Brigade and erstwhile Commander of the Joint Military Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office and money laundering. The officer, who is currently serving with the army’s Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger State, was charged alongside a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi; Kime Engozu and Josphine Otuaga. The accused persons allegedly conspired among themselves to divert over N8 billion paid into the account of the Joint Military Task Force by NIMASA during the tenure of Akpobolokemi. The money was allegedly converted into foreign exchange and the proceeds shared by the defendants. The interim report earlier released had indicted a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd) and two former Chiefs of Air Staff, Air Marshalls MD Umar (rtd) and Adesola Amosu. Other serving and retired officers also indicted were: Maj-Gen. E.R. Chioba (rtd), AVM I.A. Balogun (rtd), AVM A.G. Tsakr (rtd), AVM A.G. Idowu (rtd), AVM A.M. Mamu, AVM O.T. Oguntoyinbo, AVM T. Omenyi, AVM J.B. Adigun and AVM R.A. Ojuawo. Others were: AVM J.A. Kayode-Beckley, Air Cdre S.A. Yushau (rtd), Air Cdre A.O. Ogunjobi, Air Cdre GMD Gwani, Air Cdre S.O. Makinde, Air Cdre A.Y. Lassa , Col. N. Ashinze and Lt Col. M.S. Dasuki (Rtd). Buhari had, in August 2015, inaugurated a 13-man panel, to probe allegations of "non-adherence to correct equipment procurement procedures and the exclusion of relevant logistics branches from arms procurement under past administrations, which, very often resulted in the acquisition of sub-standard and unserviceable equipment.” The investigation covers procurements between 2007 and 2015.

398,000

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

1.1%

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

NEWS

TUESday, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NLC to FG: Invest recovered funds in infrastructure

...calls for special court for corruption cases Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to invest the recently recovered looted funds in critical infrastructure towards developing the country. The advice followed Federal Government’s declara-

tion that it had recovered cash totalling N78.32 billion, $185.119 million, 3.50 million pounds sterling and 11.25 million euros between May 29, 2015 and May 2016. NLC particularly advised President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the recovered funds are channelled into key infrastructure such as roads, power, key industries and other sectors capable of

stimulating the economy. In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday to commend the government for rendering a transparent account of the recoveries, NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, also called on the government not to relent in its recovery drive and its fight against corruption, noting that the recovered funds so far were just a tip of the iceberg.

He said that the quantum of the recoveries had vindicated labour's unqualified support for the fight against corruption and its insistence that more stringent punishment be prescribed for corruption cases. The discoveries, according to Wabba, have also exposed the extent of the rot in the system and why virtually everything in the polity failed to work. He, however, called for

Judge hands off Suswam's corruption trial Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

ustice A.R Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday handed off from the on-going trial of former Benue State Governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam over the alleged N3.1 billion fraud, money laundering and breach of trust. At the resumed trial, the judge withdrew from the trial following an allegation by an online medium, Sahara Reporters, that the judge had been compromised by the former governor to give judgement in his favour. Justice Mohammed noted that the allegation has brought disrepute to his image and that of the Federal High Court as an

institution in the eyes of ordinary Nigerians. The judge further stated that the court has been caught in-between two devils, because wherever the pendulum of his decision swings at the end of the trial, the issue of the publication can be used to justify or rubbish the outcome of the trial. He also noted that it is in the interest of justice that he steps down from the trial for another judge to adjudicate the trial in the interest of the public interest. He subsequently announced his withdrawal from the trial and the transfer of the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for reassignment to another judge.

Buhari didn’t inherit empty treasury, says Jonathan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

unhealthy political resistance, the former president told his audience at the lecture that “the effective war against graft should be the collective responsibility of all citizens.” Calling on the executive and the legislative arms of government to institute a Bill of Rights that will end discrimination and tribalism, and promote equality, the former president said the country may revisit the law on the same sex marriage which he signed into law. He added that the international community disagreed with his government when he signed the law.

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

£64,800

The weekly salary of Mbark Bousoufa of Lokomotiv Moscow in 2014/2015. Source: Paywizard.co.uk

“One area some of the international community disagreed with me was that while I was in office, I signed into law a bill that discriminates against a segment of our population. “This private member bill was put forward in the context of polls that showed 98 per cent of Nigerians did not think same sex marriage should be accepted by our society. This was the highest percentage of any country surveyed. “The bill was passed by 100 per cent of my country’s National Assembly. Therefore, as a democratic leader with deep respect for the Rule of Law, I had to put my seal of approval on it. “However, in the light of deepening debates for all Nigerians and other citizens of the world to be treated equally and without discrimination and with the clear knowledge that the issue of sexual orientation is still evolving, the nation may, at the appropriate time, revisit the law. When it comes to equality, we must all have the same rights as Nigerian citizens,” he said.

According to him, “It is trend these days to accuse a judge handling a matter of all sorts of wrongdoing. “The allegation is in the public domain and whatever the court does would be subject to public speculations and interpretation. “If the defendant is convicted, he will hold that the publication has intimidated the judge. On the other hand, they will say that the allegation was through. My honest view

is to excuse myself. “It is better to allow the matter go before another judge. It is for this reason that I return the case file for reassignment to another judge in the overall interest of justice.” Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) and counsel to Suswam, Joseph Daudu (SAN) said that the publication was the handiwork of mischiefmakers who are bent on frustrating the trial.

the creation of a special court for the handling of corruption cases in addition to strengthening the anti-corruption agencies. "We recall that in our national rally against corruption, we had made the point that we must look at the bigger picture of national recovery by ensuring that recovered funds be deployed into critical infrastructure such as roads, power, key industries and other sectors capable of stimulating the economy. “Accordingly, we find it necessary to once again urge the government to deploy these recovered funds into the aforementioned key infrastructure or sectors," he said While reiterating the importance of the fight against corruption, the NLC president said Nigerians, as a people, could not continue to live in corruption, stressing that Nigerians must be firm and resolute in their support for good governance and the anti-graft war. He said that the judi-

ciary had a big role to play by ensuring timely and speedy disposal of corruption cases. "Certainly, we as a people cannot continue to live like this, except we want to be the laughing stock of the rest of the world. “Similarly, our teeming youths and the army of the unemployed, who look up to their country for their means of livelihood, will not fold their hands while a few privileged individuals corner the national resources. “We believe for the war against corruption to endure, we as a people must be firm and resolute in our support for good governance and fight against corruption. “We must entrench the culture of accountability, ensuring that public officers are accountable even when out of office. “Finally, as more recoveries are made, we expect more disclosures on not just the funds, but how they are used or to be used," Wabba said.

Brigade Commander, 9 Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment, Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu (right), presenting the Battalion's logo to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, during Buratai’s familiarisation tour to the cantonment in Lagos

Buhari to Nigerians: Everyone falls ill Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said that he has officially communicated to both leadership of the National Assembly over his 10-day medical trip to the United Kingdom. The president departed for London via the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and was seen off by some top government officials. Speaking to reporters shortly before departure, Buhari explained that he has already informed Nigerians that he was having challenges with his ear and needed to see medical experts in London for checkup. "I have already told Nigerians that I am going for 10 days to get my ear

checked,” the president said. Asked whether he had informed the National Assembly as enshrined in the constitution, Buhari said: "National Assembly knows, they have been formally informed." "Is there anybody that doesn't fall sick?" he asked rhetorically. In compliance with section 145(1) of the Nigerian constitution, Buhari had, on February 5 this year, also dispatched formal letters to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and proceeded on a fiveday vacation. But the President's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, insists that Buhari is not sick and is only travelling to London for a rest, after which he would have his ears checked by experts. In an interview with reporters before the presi-

dent's departure at the airport, Adesina said: "The buzz going round town is that the President is ill, but ill will be a misnomer, it should not be the right word to use. "The president is going for a 10-day rest and during that period he will see specialists who will look at his ear because he has been treating that ear locally for some time. "Nigerian physicians have looked at it and now they have said you are going to UK, now that you will be there, let specialists look at the ear. "They have treated it locally, so it is not a question of whether the president is ill. If he is ill, it presupposes that there are certain things that he cannot do. "Till the very last minute that he is traveling, the president performed the duties and functions of his office as the president. So, illness is not the issue, but

as a human being, yes he can rest.” The presidential spokesman stated that the 10-day leave is to allow Buhari to rest. "He has been president for one full year, you know that in February he took five-day leave, he is taking another 10 days now; that means 15 days leave in one year. "You and I take more than that, so it is natural that the president, as a human being, is taking 10 days rest, but he is not ill. "We need to underscore that. Rather than going into a frenzy, I will urge Nigerians to just show goodwill and patriotism, they should pray for him and wish him well. "Things about health life and death are in the hands of God, but I believe that all is well with our president and God will take care of him and take care of the country," Adesina stressed.

national | news

tuesday, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Why we didn't name OPS loses N1.6tr to forex in one year treasury looters, by Osinbajo $20.158m

The amount of the market capitalization of exchange traded products of Nigeria as of December 31, 2015. Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

Taiwo Hassan

arely one year after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced the foreign exchange policy regime (forex) into the country’s economy, especially on restrictions placed on 41 items prohibition list, Organised Private Sector (OPS) disclosed that its members have lost about N1.6 trillion to the policy. It said that the policy was causing instability in the real sector. President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Tony Ejinkeonye, in a chat

with New Telegraph, said the continued insistence of the CBN on exclusion of 41 products from access to the foreign exchange market was bringing loss of business confidence among the country’s private sector operators, as they are unable to fulfil their obligations with their foreign partners in terms of transactions. According to Ejinkeonye, the forex scarcity in the economy is severely impeding growth of businesses in the country as it has caused massive reduction in volume of trade transactions leading to unfavourable balance of payment.

Senate to strengthen capital market through legislation –Saraki Chukwu David Abuja

he President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, yesterday, said that the Senate was poised to rejuvenate the nation's economy by making laws that would strengthen the capital market. Saraki stated this in Abuja at a two-day stakeholders forum, with the theme, "Realizing the Full Potentials of the Nigerian Economy through Proactive Capital Market Legislation”, organised by the

National Assembly Joint Committee on Capital Market. He said that one of the ways to boost economic growth, tackle infrastructural deficit, enhance job creation and build investors confidence was through strengthening the capital market. He also assured that the Senate under his leadership would do everything within its power to make or amend laws that would strengthen the capital market to be able to play its role in rebuilding the economy.

Kaduna APC threatens Sani with expulsion Ibraheem Musa kaduna

he Kaduna State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC)has warned Senator Shehu Sani and his faction of APC AKIDA that it would never allow a cabal and mischief makers to destroy the party for their selfish interest. Addressing a news conference in Kaduna yesterday, the state acting Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Salisu Tanko Wusono, said that all efforts to reform Sani and

his group have failed and they will soon be shown the way out of the party. Last week, Senator Sani (APC, Kaduna Central),gubernatorial aspirant, Hon. Isa Ashiru; former federal permanent secretary, Dr. Hakeem BabaAhmed, among others had formed a faction known as APC AKIDA. According to Wusono, the party has tolerated members of this undisciplined group since 2014 "but it appears that they are unwilling to be redeemed.

EFCC closes case against Dariye T he trial of a former governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, continued on June 6, 2016 with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, presenting its 10th witness. The EFCC also closed its case against him. Dariye is being prosecuted by the EFCC, on charges bordering on money laundering and

diversion of funds before Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Gudu, Abuja. He is alleged to have siphoned the state’s ecological fund to the tune of N1.16 billion. The witness, Kawu Mohammed, an operative at the EFCC’s Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section, told the court that the unit,

Anule Emmanuel Abuja

ice-President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, gave reasons why the Federal Government decided to withhold the names of persons from whom looted funds and assets in the country's treasury have been recovered. The vice president explained that disclosing the identity of the looters at the moment would rather jeopardize on-going investigations. Osinbajo stated this during a meeting with a delegation of the European Union led by the EU Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr. Michel Arrion, at the

presidential Villa, Abuja. He noted that while the government released a list of sums of monies and assets already recovered in the last one year, names of individuals involved were not included. "We have released the list of recovered loot. We know people are asking for the names, but releasing the names may jeopardize ongoing investigations,". Osinbajo also told the EU delegation that the Federal Government was adopting a twin strategy in dealing with oil and power installation attacks by militants in the Niger Delta region. According to him, government under the leadership of President

Muhammadu Buhari wants every average Nigerians in Niger Delta to benefit from resources in the region. The Vice President also explained that the Federal Government was presently engaging leaders and people of the Niger Delta regarding the spate of attacks on oil installations in the area. He described such acts as economic sabotage. "But besides reaching out to the people in the area, government is also beefing up security,” he assured. "The focus of the Buhari presidency "is to ensure that the man on the street in the Niger Delta receives the benefit from all that is available there," he said, while call-

ing on the leaders in the region to be accountable to the people. Osinbajo said that government was working round the clock to minimize the losses arising from the attacks. He said that "we are talking, we are ensuring that we minimize losses and we are stepping up security. We are also engaging the international oil companies, IOCs, to see what options exists." Speaking about economic issues, Osinbajo restated government's commitment to drive its diversification policy and encouraged investors from European countries to take advantage of the situation especially in the agro-allied/processing industry.

L-R: Acting Registrar, Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko (AAUA), Sunday Ayeerun; ViceChancellor, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun; Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his wife, Olukemi, at the 4th Research and Development Lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University AkungbaAkoko, AAUA, in AkungbaAkoko…yesterday.

Human organs could be developed in pigs Appolonia Adeyemi

n their efforts to effectively tackle the shortage of human organs which is now a global problem, researchers in California are now growing human organs inside pigs. The scientists, in an attempt to tackle a shortage of donors, have successfully created part-human, part-pig embryos. Researchers at the University of California,

which was created in 2009, had the task of executing court orders of interim forfeiture of assets owned by individuals being prosecuted by the EFCC. “Among the court orders we received was that of Joshua Chibi Dariye, which was an interim forfeiture order pending the determination of the charges against him,” he said.

Davis, combined human stem cells and pig DNA and allowed the embryos to mature for 28 days, before terminating the experiment and analysing the tissue. Organ transplantation is the process of moving of an organ from one body to another or from a donor site to another location on the person's own body, to replace the recipient's damaged or absent organ. Organs that can be transplanted are the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestine, and thymus, among others. The demand for organ transplantation has rapidly increased all over the world during the past decade due to the increased incidence of vital organ failure, the rising success and greater improvement in post-transplant outcome. However, the unavailability of adequate organs for transplantation

to meet the existing demand has resulted in major organ shortage crises. According to a report in the Guardian, the scientists believe that if the experiment had been carried to term, it would have developed a human internal organ, but would have looked and behaved like any other pig. The goal is that in the future, similar animals could potentially act as a ready source of organs for lifesaving transplants. To create the “chimeric” embryos, the scientists used a gene-editing technique known as Crispr to knock out a section of the pig’s DNA necessary for the embryo to develop a pancreas. A genetic chimerism or chimera (also spelled chimaera) is a single organism composed of cells from different zygotes. This can result in male and female organs or two blood types. Human induced plu-

ripotent (iPS) stem cells were then injected into the pig embryo. These are cells that have the potential to develop into any tissue type in the resulting foetus. Although genetically foreign, they are not rejected by the pig embryo because its immune system has not yet developed. Instead, the human cells would be expected to follow the chemical cues from the pig embryo to develop into different tissues in the foetus. In most cases, they are outcompeted by the pig embryo’s own cells but in the case of the pancreas there are no pig cells to compete with. Hence the embryo goes on to develop a pancreas derived from the injected human cells. “You are basically creating a vacuum, a hole, so that the human cells respond to the right cues, they make a pancreas. The pig cells can’t."

NEWS | national

Juliana Francis

peratives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team yesterday arrested killers of an army officer, Colonel Samaila Yunusa, after weeks of gruelling undercover investigations. Yunusa (44), a serving army colonel from Kano State, was abducted and murdered in April. The suspects arrested in connection with his abduction and murder said they never meant to kill him. According to them, their gang leader, Emeka

IG’s team arrests killers of army colonel F

INEC reinstates 20 staff, sack one Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

Okeke Cyprian (44), shot and killed the colonel after he attacked one of the gang members. Emeka was arrested in his sister’s residence where he had been hiding. One of the suspects, Ebele, who explained that the gang only specialised in car snatching and not abduction nor murder, said they were only interested in the colonel’s car until

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME Obasi: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chioma Frances Nwosu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chioma Frances Obasi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Akinola

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Ogbemudia

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Fasanya

This is to confirm that Fasanya Kayode and Kayode Ayo Fasanya refers to the same person. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Fasanya Kayode Ayo. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Peter

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Benjamin

Orjingene

I, formerly known and addressed as Jennifer Mary Ezekiel now wish to be known and addressed as Jennifer Uyime Sunday Orjingene. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Akin-Bright

Emeanua

I, formerly known and addressed as Ngozi Juliet Oguguo now wish to be known and address as Ngozi Juliet Emeanua. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

Faleye

ADEJO

Sunday

I, formerly known and addressed as Uwem Etim Usoro now wish to be known and addressed as Uwem Michael Sunday. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

Stephen

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L-R: Relationship Officer, Dopemu Branch, Skye Bank Plc, Adeshina Oladejo; Winner of the N250, 000 Category, Mr. Abdullahi Aliyu and Group Head, Retail Banking, Skye Bank Plc, Nkolika Okoli, at the 11th cheque presentation to winners in the ongoing Skye Bank’s “Reach for the Skye” Millionaire Reward Scheme in Lagos

This is to confirm that Oluwamuyiwa Olayinka Akin-Bright, Olumuyiwa Olayinka Akin-Bright and Muyiwa Yinka Akin-Bright refers to the same person. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Oluwamuyiwa Olayinka Akin-Bright. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Oranusi

Okpana

by the IGP, Solomon Arase, to investigate the abduction and murder finally had a breakthrough when the IGP’s team in Kaduna State first grabbed a prison warder, Abdullahi Adamu, who was subsequently used in smoking out other members of the gang. It was discovered that Emeka had been using the slain colonel's phone with a new SIM card. The police source said: “The detectives later arrested and quizzed one Ibrahim Kabiru and one Ebele. Ebele confessed that the colonel was killed by his gang. The gang was led by one Emeka. Other members are Dan Sokoto, CJ, Alloye and Uztaz.”

ment, Ameh Matthew Onoja, INEC staff in Kogi State was demoted and posted out of state in line with Public Service Rules (PSR) Part V, Rule 15(i), and INEC Condition of Service. Similarly, Leah Abalaka and Abor Tabitha, have been given given warning letters and are to be posted out of the state for general inefficiency and incompetence, in line with INEC Condition of Service, 3.04 (c). The commission explained that the reinstatement of the 20 officers was in compliance with court orders. The bulletin further added that the Industrial Court, regular courts and Court of Appeal have ordered their reinstatment because they were unduly retired or dismissed.

Saula-Lekan

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Fajana Olusola Josephine, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Faleye Olusola Josephine. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rose Joseph Akhigbe now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rose Obhedo Okpana. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

everything went awry. The killers, who drove in a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), were said to have trailed the colonel to his home. The colonel was about to drive in when three masked men emerged from the SUV armed with pistols and one AK47 rifle. They ordered the wife and kids out of the car and drove away with Yunusa. While the search for Yunusa was on, the army authorities offered N1 million to anyone with useful information on his whereabouts. But the colonel was found dead the following day. According to a police source, policemen drafted

or being absent without permission, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed Agudosi Chike Maryann from service. The commission has however, reinstated 20 of its workers, who were wrongly dismissed from service. An INEC bulletin issued yesterday said Maryann was axed for being absent from duty without leave in line with INEC Staff and Conditions of Service Section 3.02(c). Three others, who committed offences bordering on misconduct, were also sanctioned and issued warning letters. According to the state-

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tuesday, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Tijani Olasumbo Adetutu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adejo Olasumbo Adetutu. All former documents remain valid.U. I Ventures, First Bank, FCMB, Fidelity Bank and general public take note.

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Itu

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Boko Haram: UN warns against return of IDP

Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has advised the Federal Government against its plans to return Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs from Boko Haram back to their homes. The Regional Representative for West Africa for the UNHCR, Liz Kpam Ahua gave the advice at the three-day Regional Protection Dialogue on the Lake Chad Basin hold-

ing in Abuja. The UNHCR Representative maintained that even though Boko Haram may not be occupying any local government, fresh spontaneous attacks and unexplored IEDs from the Islamic extremists group still pose serious threats to the returnees. The Federal Government and the state governments from the Northwest geo-political zones had recently assured of the safety of the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs to return to their homes.”

Speaking further, the Regional Coordinator of the Central Africa Republic and Nigeria situations, noted: "I have the honour on behalf of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as well as the agencies that are here assembled from various countries within and outside of the region to express our sincere thanks to the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for hosting and making this event possible. "The Lake Chad Basin today faces a fundamental

protection crisis in Nigeria and across the neighbouring states. The Boko Haram insurgency and the spill over in Cameroon, Niger and Chad has led the loss of thousands of lives and massive displacement of over 2.7 million people in the region and affected the lives over 20 million persons in the countries. "Even as at today, it is feared that another 50,000 persons have been dislocated from their homes in a town in Niger following an attack that took place on that town on Friday June 3."

'IBB is alive, we're expecting him from Germany'

Court releases Ex-NIMASA DG, Omatseye on N500,000 post-conviction bail

MINNA

Dan Atori

he rumours yesterday that Nigeria's former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida had died, has been condemned and described as false and inhuman. A source close to the

family told our Correspondent that Babangida is still alive and 'was expected in Nigeria yesterday (Monday) or today (Tuesday)'. Accordingly, the source, who pleaded anonymity, said: "I do not know where these rumours are coming from. It is false. This is inhuman. We should pray for him, wish him well and not dead.

Akeem Nafiu ustice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted a N500,000 post-conviction bail to a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Raymond Omatseye. He was jailed five years for defrauding the Federal Gov-

ernment of N1.5billion. The bail is pending the outcome of his appeal against the judge’s judgement wherein he was sentenced to five years imprisonment over the N1.5billion fraud. The judge in a ruling said, "I have looked at the processes filed by the appellant but I have a discretion which must be exercised judicially and judiciously."

national | news

tuesday, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kogi: Tribunal throws out Faleke's petition ...I'll appeal, says Faleke Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he Kogi State election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja, yesterday, dismissed the petition filed by the running mate of the late governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abubakar Audu, James Faleke. He was challenging the legitimacy of Yahaya

Bello as the candidate of the APC and Governor of Kogi State. Delivering judgement, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Halima Mohammed, held that Faleke could not be declared governor of Kogi State because he was not duely nominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as its substantive candidate in the 2015 Kogi governorship election. The tribunal further held that the APC was

right to have nominated Bello to replace the late Abubakar Audu as its candidate in the December 2015 supplementary election. In addition, the tribunal held that Faleke had no locus-standi to file the petition since he was not nominated by the APC as its governorship candidate. The judgement reads in part, "votes cast in an election belong to a political party" which nominates a candidate; hence it was lawful for the party

to transfer votes polled by Audu to Bello". Meanwhile, the tribunal also held that Faleke remained the valid deputy governor of the state because there was no evidence to show that he wrote to his party withdrawing his candidature as deputy governor as required by law. The tribunal, however, dismissed the petition for lacking in merit. Meanwhile, reacting to the judgement, Faleke said he would challenge the judgement on ground

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello (middle), being interviewed after the tribunal upheld his election in Abuja…yesterday.

Kalu tells FG to dialogue with NDA

minent player in the oil and gas industry and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has appealed to the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to cease fire. He said that bombing of oil installations would not solve the challenges facing the region, adding that constructive criticism, dialogue, sheathing of swords and, if necessary, compromise, are the best approaches and strategies in fighting for a good cause. According to Kalu, who is the Chairman of Slok Nigeria Ltd, a leading indigenous company operating in the upstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry, the nation’s economy is faced with enormous chal-

lenges, including the fall in crude oil prices and as such, should not be subjected to these preventable internal security issues. Addressing a select group of journalists in Abuja yesterday, Kalu said: “The Nigerian oil and gas sector is undergoing multifaceted difficulties. At the moment, vessel owners are finding it challenging to survive, due to the fall in oil production necessitated by the slide in crude oil price and high production cost. “Our company had in the past few months adopted strategies aimed at cutting cost in order to sustain our labour force. As a person, I derive pleasure in providing employment opportunities and wealth to the teeming population."

that so many things were wrong. Faleke had petitioned the tribunal challenging the declaration of Bello as governor of Kogi State. Confusion had started when the APC replaced Audu, its late candidate in the November 21, 2015 governorship election in the state with Bello. Faleke, who was the running mate of Audu in the election, felt slighted by the action of his party and then asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare him winner of the election. But INEC declined to oblige him. He contended that he ought to have inherited the votes of Audu, who was leading in the election before it was declared inconclusive, since he was his running mate. INEC had gone ahead to hold a supplementary election with Bello as a substitute candidate for the APC. Bello's argument was that he was duly nominated by his party to represent it in the supple-

FG may suspend military operations against militants

he Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, yesterday said that military operations against militants in the Niger Delta region may be suspended for a dialogue with the militants. He also called on militants in the Niger Delta to sheath their sword and embrace dialogue with government. Kachikwu made the appeal while briefing newsmen yesterday in Abuja. “My first appeal will be to my brothers who are engaged in these acts of protest to sheath their sword and daggers and come back to the table so that we can have a conversation. “There is no doubt that over the decades of oil

production, a lot of things that ought to have been done in the oil geographical areas were not done. “The answer to the issue will not be heating up the grounds. The Federal Government is committed to continue the dialogue and the president has appointed a team,’’ he said. According to him, the team will be led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), the minister, opinion leaders and all the service chiefs. He noted that the dialogue was expected to wrap up in one week, adding that the NSA had been directed to work with the armed forces to de-skill the intensity of operation to ensure the dialogue held.

“Probably, we will suspend the operation of the military in the region for a week or two for individuals in the creeks to converge for the dialogue,’’ he added Kachikwu said that government had made contacts with all the people involved, especially those that could be identified He expressed the hope that through dialogue, everything would soon be resolved, adding that it was always difficult when arms were used against citizens. He urged the militants to allow the truth reign and gave an assurance that the Federal Government was ready to intensify efforts to ensure development in the region.

Jide Kosoko's wife, Henrietta, dies at 53 Again, Nigeria's oil pipelines attacks push oil prices Kunle Olayeni and Lanre Odukoya

enrietta Kosoko, a Nollywood actress and wife of veteran actor, Jide Kosoko, died yesterday at the age of 53. New Telegraph gathered that the late actress slumped at home and was rushed to the Sacred Heart Hospital, Lantoro, Abeokuta, where she was pro-

nounced dead. Sources within the theatre industry, who confirmed the incident in Abeokuta, said Henrietta had been battling with diabetes for some time before her death. The actress was said to have celebrated her 53rd birthday sometime last week. Last year, she was involved in an accident along the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway.

Adeola Yusuf

he attacks on Nigerian oil infrastructure yesterday tightened supplies, pushing oil prices above $50 per barrel at the global market. This is the second time in two weeks that prices of crude have crossed the $50 per barrel mark. Brent crude oil prices rose yesterday, according to Gulf News, lifted by a plunge in the dollar that

could spur demand, just as attacks on Nigerian oil infrastructure tightened supplies, but signs of recovering United States of America (USA) output capped gains. Brent crude futures rose as high as $50.10 but retreated to be up 38 cents or 0.7 per cent at $50.02 a barrel at 0700 GMT. US crude futures were up 41 cents or 0.8 per cent at $49.03 a barrel. The GulfNews reported

that so far, supply cuts like those in Nigeria has been met by rising output in the Middle East, especially Iran, which has been ramping up its output following the end of international sanctions against it in January. Traders said prices were also propped up by attacks on oil infrastructure in Nigeria, which has already pulled the country's output to over 20-year lows.

mentary election, and that he scored the highest number of votes in the exercise. But Faleke maintained that Bello was not qualified to be governor of Kogi State. Idris Wada, former governor of the state and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also petitioned the tribunal asking it to declare him winner of the election. He contended that Bello was an interloper, who had no business with the exercise. The tribunal will deliver judgment in Wada's petition today.

€45.3m

The estimated transfer value of Willian Borges of Chelsea in 2016. Source: 101greatgoals.com

N115bn 'loot': NLNG denies EFCC probes of accounts Adeola Yusuf

he Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited yesterday opened up on allegation of complicity in the N115 billion loot, declaring that none of its accounts is the subject of any recovery effort by the Economic an Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or any other similar authority. The company, which denied a media report alleging that ‘$3.1 billion was intercepted in the accounts of NNPC and NLNG, which was yet to be moved to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in line with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy, maintained that it viewed this statement with utmost seriousness and wished to denounce it as misleading and untrue. The Nigeria LNG’s (NLNG) attention has, according to a statement by General Manager, External Relations Division, Kudo Eresia-Eke, been drawn to an erroneous recent report in Nigeria media titled: “N115Bn loot: ex-air chiefs, politicians top refund list.” The said report, the statement read further, “quotes an unnamed public official, and states that ‘$3.1bn intercepted in the accounts of NNPC and NLNG which was yet to be moved to the Central Bank of Nigeria in line with the Transaction Single Account (TSA) policy’. “NLNG views this statement with utmost seriousness and wishes to denounce it as misleading and untrue."

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

UNILAG postgraduate students drown celebrating birthday

Odusina

Juliana Francis

wo postgraduate students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Funmi Odusina (24) and Shola Ogunmefun (27), have drowned at Elegushi Beach, Lagos while celebrating a friend’s birthday. A friend of the victims, Ginika Okolo, who took to social media to mourn them, said the ladies were swept away by high tides on Sunday while celebrating a friend’s

Ogunmefun

birthday. The two ladies graduated from Covenant University and were on the verge of completing their Masters in International Law and Diplomacy at UNILAG. Funmi’s brother, Gbenga Odusina, reacting to the death of his sibling on his Facebook wall, wrote: “Happy birthday to my dad as much I would have loved to celebrate his 65th birthday, death snatched away his baby daughter; my sister, Funmi, a few hours before. I have never experienced

death this close. I still saw her in the afternoon making up. I even asked her, ‘Funmi you’re really dressed like a big madam today.’ She cleaned her room so well today; maybe she knew she was going to meet her creator a few hours ago. I saw her lifeless body at the mortuary and all I could do is wonder how? But I never really queried how God does His things and I continue to give thanks to Him for all. Rest in peace dear sister!” Udoffa Nancy, another friend, wrote: “This is very sad. I lost a friend last week at Elegushi

Beach. Is this becoming a trend? The government needs to step in. We are paying to enter these beaches but they are death traps!” Another friend, Royal Hottness, said that deaths which occurred at beaches shouldn’t be taken lightly. She insisted that someone should be held responsible. She wrote: “Two of my friends, Phummie Toe’dunni Odunsina and Shola Adesola Olubola Ogunmefun, both graduates of Covenant University, Class of 2011, Beacon set, died yesterday at Elegushi Beach, Lagos, Nige-

ria, and this was due to lack of proper safety measures. For the first time, I have actually decided to say something; Lagosians, why do we agree to go to beaches where we are being exploited, in the sense that we pay money to get into this beach? We pay to park and yet we record more deaths each day due to lack of safety measures. “Safety measures like wave alarm systems, Licensed Life Guard, Emergency Medical unit around the beach and a patrol unit to escort the ambulance to the hospital in cases of emergencies. These are not in place. We need the Lagos Government to please shut them down for the time being till they put in place these amenities.” Okolo felt her friends would have been saved if there were life guards around. She said: “Some of us have been awake and have cried our lives out. I shut the day because of the death of these two. Our tears have turned to anger because their lives were carelessly taken away by Elegushi heavy tide. Is there not a rescue team? Don’t people pay to enter the beach?” She said that both ladies had bright future. “This is so sad but we must bring awareness because their lives are not worthless. If you went to Covenant University, Bells Secondary School, Home Science Secondary School, University of Lagos and you know their families, loved ones or you have loved ones who have been victims, you need to join this campaign. “We need wave alarm system, emergency medical unit, patrol unit, good rescue team in all Nigerian beaches. Funmi and Shola were wonderful ladies,” Okolo added. When contacted, the state Police Public relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the police were yet to establish if such incident occurred.

City Briefs Indian firm plans hospital, assembly plant in Ogun NGO donates to triplets Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

AG Motorcycle Industries Limited said it would soon set up a well-equipped hospital in Ogun State as part of its corporate social responsibility projects. The Managing Director of the firm, Mr Monish Lakhani, said the company, manufacturers of Bajaj motorcycle and three-wheelers, planned to establish an assembly plant in the state as a result of its expansion drive. He spoke at a seminar on building capacity in the transportation sector held in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The event was convened by the state Chairman, Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Alhaji Samsudeen Apelogun. The Indian investor said in his remarks that his company was committed to giving back to the Nigerian society where it had made remarkable investments. He disclosed that the firm was on the verge of developing vehicles in addition to the motorcycles and tricycles ‎being produced. Lakhani, who appraised the state of Nigeria’s economy, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s policy on con-

trolled importation. ‎He noted that the policy, which centred on strict import regulation, would open up massive economic opportunities for existing and prospective investors in the country. The MD urged support for the Federal Government’s initiative in addressing current economic challenges, because, according to him, the country has great opportunities for turnaround. He said: “I think we have best economic opportunities in Nigeria. I am a very optimistic person; I think all these importers, traders that created all these troubles in the system are going to be flushed out.

Non-Governmental Organisa- ny with Miss Esther Asuquo, added tion (NGO), African Girls Em- that her organisation discovered powerment Network, has donated that since the triplets were born, the gift items to a couple who gave birth parents had not received any form of to triplets in Ogun State. assistance from government or any The mother of the triplets, Mrs. NGO. After presenting gifts to the babes, Akpabio, was delivered of the babies on May 22 at Sango, Ota in Ado-Odo- she also called on government and Ota Local Government Area of Ogun well-meaning Nigerians to support State. the family. During the visit on the Sunday May 23 at their resident after the church dedication, the President of African Girls Empowerment Network, Mrs. Blessing Michael, said the group was touched by the plight of the couple. Mrs Michael flanked by Mr. and Michael, who was Mrs. Akpabio during the visit on the visit in compa-

METRO

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Students protest schools’privatisation, ground Oyo

lAjimobi orders closure of primary, secondary schools Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

rotesting primary and secondary school students yesterday paralysed academic, social and commercial activities in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The students, who took to the major streets of Ibadan, were protesting the proposed privatisation of schools by the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi. They were also protesting the trial of seven Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders, who had on Wednesday led hundreds of workers to the Parliament Building of the Government Secretariat to disrupt the stakeholders’ forum organised to initiate a partnership arrangement with some investors to run the state public education institutions. The state NLC Chairman, Waheed Olojede, Messrs Sikiru Sodo, Oseni Aderemi, Oparinde Kehinde, Falade Akinyele, Ogundeji Kofoworola and Adegbogun Titi, who were arraigned before the Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday were, however, released yesterday after meeting their bail conditions. Immediately they regained freedom, the NLC National Vice President, Comrade Adelegan Solomon, and the Deputy General Secretary, Chris Uyot, announced an indefinite strike commencing from today. Meanwhile, security agents had a hectic time controlling the rampaging students who kept shouting anti-government slogans. They even refused to give audience to the state Police Commissioner, Adel-

The protesters

eye Oyebade, who was appealing to them at the Government Secretariat. Some of the protesters, who stormed the gate of the secretariat, destroyed the security light fixed on the walls. They students also attacked the All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat (Ajimobi’s constituency office) at Oke-Ado. They broke the windows of the building. The protesters also vandalised the office of the governor’s wife at the Government House and the office of Murhi Television (MITV). Reacting to the protest, the state chapter of APC blamed the opposition mounted against the proposed education policy on long military rule in the country which almost eroded the value of democracy and the rule of law from the Nigerian society. Its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, sued for peace between the labour movement and the state government over “a mere proposal conceived essentially to improve the quality of secondary school education in the

state and which is still open for debate before it could become a policy”. Sadare also alleged that protest was sponsored by the Accord Party. He said: “About a few minutes past eleven in the morning, hoodlums which comprised of some public secondary school students as well as some disgruntled members of the NLC/NUT (Nigeria Union of Teachers) and the opposition party - Accord Party - stormed our party State Secretariat at Oke-Ado and began to vandalise everything on sight. “They also beat up some members of staff who had to be treated for varying degrees of injury sustained in the hands of the attackers before they were dispersed by the security agents.” But in a swift response to the protest, government ordered closure of all the primary and secondary schools to prevent them from being exposed to danger. The order is contained in a release signed by the Special Adviser to the governor on Communication and Strategy, Yomi Layinka.

It reads in part: “Today’s incident whereby some students and members of the public were once again coerced by labour to disrupt school sessions and engage in an unwarranted public protests and wanton destruction of property is highly condemnable. “Members of the public will recall that members of the two bodies (NLC and NUT) and their hired collaborators last week disrupted the stakeholders’ forum organised by the government on the proposed participatory management of some public secondary schools. “The decision of the leadership of the NLC to declare total strike without existing labour dispute or ultimatum to the government contravenes all known labour laws and conventions. “It is quite unfortunate that labour leaders at the national level, who ought to know better, also failed to avail themselves of the opportunity of meeting with officials of the state government to clear apparent misconceptions about the intention of the government.”

Court remands Ortom’s aide for alleged murder Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

pecial Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Special Duties, Mr. Joe Ikyaagba, was yesterday arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly killing the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Security Matters, Mr. Denen Igbana. The police prosecutor, Sergeant David Swende, told the court that the chairman of vigilance group in Tionsha village where Igbana resided had on May 20, reported at Police ‘D’ Division on the same day that Denen was trailed by gunmen to his house while

returning from an official assignment. The complainant explained that the gunmen opened fire on Igbana’s white Toyota Hilux with registration number SEL 230 AA. He added that as the deceased jumped down from his vehicle to escape the gunmen rained bullets on him until he fell down at a neighbour’s compound shouting that “Gana is killing me,” “if I die it is Gana,” “it is Joseph Ikyaagba and his group that killed me”. The complainant added that the victim was immediately rushed to Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi where doctors confirmed him dead. During police investigation, the 57-year-old

Ikyaagba was arrested for allegedly committing the offense and was charged for culpable homicide punishable by death. When the case came up yesterday, no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction. However, Swende told the court that investigation

Ortom

into the matter was still in progress and asked for another date. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Theresa Wergba, ordered the accused to be remanded at the Federal Prison, Makurdi, pending the completion of investigation.

‘Get tattoo, forget recruitment into police’ P

olice yesterday said applicants with tattoos on their bodies would be disqualified in the ongoing nationwide recruitment into the force. The Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amaraizu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu that the measure was part of the rules for the recruitment. Amaraizu said that procedures for the screening had been put in place by the police authorities and that those that were shortlisted for the interview had been communicated through their email addresses. He said: “The present recruitment is for degree holders and will last for three weeks and after that, the selected ones will proceed for the written interview. “Over aged people, tattooed persons, falsified results, statement of results over five years and people with some physical impediments will be disqualified from the exercise.” On the number of applicants shortlisted in Enugu, Amaraizu said that would be determined after the exercise. He added: “All I know is that 10,000 people will be recruited nationwide but I do not know the number of those that will be recruited in Enugu zone. “We have started and

you can see that it is going on peacefully. “The exercise is done in batches to avoid any form of rush or stampede. “This command will screen the applicants thoroughly to ensure that the best get the job.” One of the shortlisted candidates at the venue, Kingsley Kenechukwu, expressed joy for scaling through the first step of achieving his dream. Kenechukwu said that he had been dreaming of becoming a policeman to defend and fight for his country. He said: “I am happy that the recruitment is transparent and peaceful.” Another applicant, Samson Okeke, said he was happy that the exercise was going on well but observed that more personnel were needed to expedite the process. He said: “The exercise is not moving fast as I expected and I wish more personnel would be deployed to accommodate more applicants.”

IG, Arase

Three held for robbery in Rivers Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

hree suspected armed robbers have been arrested at Waterworks area between Alexa and Alode communities in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. Their arrest was carried out by the police with the aid of a vigilance group. The suspects had robbed their victim of his cash at gunpoint, but a resident who witnessed the attack alerted the vigilance group in the area, which in turn contacted the Eleme Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairman, Hon. Johnson Nwogu. The robbers fled into a compound and remained there until the police invited by Nwogu stormed the compound and arrested one of the suspects. The police also recov-

ered a locally-made pistol, three live cartridges and phones suspected to have been stolen. Another suspect was apprehended in an apartment near the compound where he was hiding behind a water reservoir, while the third one was arrested in the neighbouring town, Aleto, by local vigilantes. Nwogu, who later drove to the scene of the incident, praised the gallantry of the officers and vigilantes as well as the vigilance of the residents. He promised that suspected criminals who refused to take advantage of the amnesty offered by the local government would face the full wrath of the law. The suspects and the father of one of the suspects in whose house the suspects usually retire after robberies were taken to Eleme Police Station.

NEWS | national

ramadan

Arase directs police commands to beef up security I nspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, yesterday directed police commands across the coun-

try to ensure that key and vulnerable points, places of worship and recreation centres, were adequately protected

Residents seek review of curfew in Maiduguri

ome residents of Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, yesterday appealed to the state government to review the 9pm curfew imposed on the state to 11pm during Ramadan. Those who spoke with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the review would enable them perform their supplication and 'Taraweeh.' Malam Abubakar Terab expressed hope that the state government would be considerate enough during Ramadan to allow enough time for 'Taraweeh.' He said: "The time for Isha'i eventually changes in the whole country from 7pm to 7.50pm during Ramadan, which means

many people, especially tricycle operators, will miss out in prayers, if allowed. "There is already curfew from 7pm for tricycle operators while vehicular movement stops at 9pm. Modu Muhammad expressed the same sentiment, urging the government to lift the curfew because security had improved in the last one year. “Unless there is another reason for the curfew, if the six years dusk to dawn curfew is for restoration of peace in Maiduguri, it should be lifted," he said. Malam Bamus Muhammad said the imposition of the curfew had negatively affected socioeconomic activities in the state.

during the Ramadan. Arase gave the directive in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) at Force Headquarters, Olabisi Kolawole, an Acting Commissioner of Police, in Abuja. It said the directive was to enable worshippers and the general public to enjoy maximum fulfillment during and after the period, including the Eid-el-Fitri celebration. The statement said that Arase extended greetings to all Muslims

462,000

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

in the country as they welcomed this year’s holy month of Ramadan. Arase however expressed the belief that Almighty Allah would in His infinite mercy, answer the fervent prayers of Muslim faithful and resolve the Nigeria’s numerous challenges. He solicited the prayers, support and understanding of Nigerians and assured that ‘by God’s grace, the battle against crime and criminality will eventually be won.’

461,000

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

tuesday, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Al-Makura admonishes faithful on new lease of life Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

asarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, yesterday enjoined Muslim faithful to use the month of Ramadan and turn to a new lease of life. "He also called on the strong to stand by the weak, the wealthy to support the needy and the oppressed to forgive the oppressors as Quran and Prophet Muhammed teaches acts of piety and forgiveness." Al-Makura in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ahmed Tukur, said by so doing, we will build tolerance in the society where people coexist peacefully, preserve and respect

the rights of others. He also urged the Muslim Ummah to use the period not only for abstinence but to also seek God’s guidance on how to move the state and country forward. The governor said the month should serve as a guide for the Muslims on how to achieve positive goals that would continue to reunite the state and country for peaceful coexistence. Al-Makura further called on Muslims to use the period to strengthen their relationship with God through the memorisation of the holy Quran. He prayed to Allah to make the advent of the Ramadan month an opportunity for Muslims to strive to reject dignity and adhere to the teachings of Islam.

L-R: President, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Aig Imokuede; Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Hon, Yakubu Dogara and Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, during a Stakeholders Forum on Realizing the full potentials of the Nigerian Economy through proactive capital market legislation in Abuja… yesterday.

NOA sues for religious re-orientation he Director-General Kano State. T of the National OrienIt urged clerics to use tation Agency (NOA), Mr. the holy month to emphaGarba Abari, yesterday appealed to clerics and religious organisations in the country to engage in massive re-orientation of their followers. This is contained in a statement issued by the Deputy Director of Press in the agency, Mr. Fidel Agu and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday. “The sensitisation is to steer them away from religious intolerance and extremism in line with the teachings of the various religions on peace.” The statement said national cohesion was paramount against the backdrop of the mob murder of Mrs. Bridget Agbahime, in

sise the true teachings of Islam, which prohibited violence and bloodshed. The Director-General in the statement condemned the murder of the septuagenarian on accusations of religious blasphemy and called on Nigerians to unite against intolerance. It reads: “There can never be any justification for citizens taking the law into their hands or engaging in acts capable of threatening national cohesion. “We are optimistic that with faith-based re-orientation of faithful, the era of religious violence will be confined to the waste bins of history as Nigerians imbibe the virtues of tolerance and good neighbourliness.”

Ahmed: Pray for national recovery Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

wara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has called on Muslims to use this year’s Ramadan fast to pray for speedy recovery of the nation's economy and peace. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, the governor preached rededication to the service

of Allah and display of abundant love to all, irrespective of religious differences. “These are trying times for Nigerians and Nigeria as a country due to prevailing economic challenges. Our Muslim brothers and sisters should fervently beseech Allah in this holy month of Ramadan for better fortunes in the economy of the country and the subnationalities as a whole,” the governor said.

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Pray for Edo election, Oshiomhole tells Muslims Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

do State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday urged the Muslim Ummah to use the holy month of Ramadan to offer prayers for continued peace in the state and the success of the gubernatorial elections holding later in the year. Oshiomhole in a statement signed by his Chief

Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, said Ramadan offers the faithful the opportunity to reconnect to their maker. He congratulated the Muslim faithful as they begin this year’s Ramadan fast, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.” He said: “Ramadan offers the faithful the opportunity to undertake personal restitution, piety and renewed commitment to Allah.

They should also continue to do good to all men, especially the lessprivileged. “I appeal to the Muslim community to offer special prayers for the continued peace and progress of the state and for the peaceful conduct and success of the gubernatorial election, holding later in the year. “In Edo State, I am proud to say the Muslim faithful have been

exemplary in word and action in exhibiting that, truly, Islam is a religion of peace.” The governor assured the people that the state government was committed to the sustenance of the peaceful co-existence that had existed between people of all faith in the state, saying “development can only be attained under a peaceful atmosphere.” He wished the faithful Ramadan Kareem.

Osun Assembly: Abstain from acts of exploitation

Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

sun State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam yesterday urged leaders at all levels and followers to abstain from any act of exploitation of their fellowmen, which, it said was forbidden during the Ramadan period. It also called on the

well to do in the society to assist the less-privileged, especially at this time of economic downturn. In a statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, to mark the beginning of the month of Ramadan, the Assembly said the present state of the nation’s economy has subjected Nigerians to unnecessary

hardship. According to him, though President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had been striving hard to reposition the economy and his vision clear but there was the need for prayer to ensure its success. He described the month of Ramadan was a period of spiritual reawakening, which must be used by Muslims in all endeavours to seek

forgiveness from God by abandoning wrong practices for personal gains at the expense of others. The assembly further noted that the Ramadan teaching of piety, love, justice, fairness, equity, peaceful co-existence with others, tolerance, honesty, dedication to duty and understanding, should be allowed to come to play for the benefit and greater glory of Nigeria during and after the period.

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Leadership PDP congress and Umahi’s U-turn

Politics

Interview PDP crisis has exposed Jonathan – Jalo

13 16

Edo guber: PDP walks a tightrope The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might miss the deadline for submission of candidates for the September 10 Edo State gubernatorial election unless its leadership crisis is resolved on time, ONYEKACHI EZE reports

xcept the leadership crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is speedily resolved, the party might not field a candidate for the September 10, Edo State governorship election. Just less than a month to the time frame given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for political parties participating in the election to conduct their primaries to select candidates, PDP is yet to commence the sale of nomination forms. INEC’s timetable for the poll showed that “June 12, 2016 is the date fixed for the commencement of campaigns by political parties participating in the Edo governorship election, while July 2-4, 2016 has been set aside for the conduct of party primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries.” Already, the ruling party in the state, All Progressives Congress (APC) has fixed June 18 for its primary to select the party's flag bearer for the election. This is clear two weeks to the INEC deadline. The party is also capitalising on the crisis in PDP to whip up sentiment for its would be candidate for votes of electorate in Edo State. APC Deputy National Chairman, Engr. Segun Oni, at a stakeholders meeting in Benin-City, Edo State capital over the weekend noted: “We know that the opposition has reduced itself to a rag-tag army. As at the last count, they have about three and half chief executives running the party together.”

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

Sheriff

The former Ekiti State governor further added: “I am sure a state that is as sophisticated as Edo State, and its people, who have always been in the forefront in the fight for liberty, the fight for progressive politics, cannot put their destiny in the hands of people who cannot manage themselves. Therefore, we know when the time comes, they will only be regarded as jokers. Therefore, it is a done deal, but we will not rest on our oars.” The PDP leadership crisis is taking a toll on the party. At present, the party exists only in name. Since the botched national convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on May 21, the former ruling party is in disarray. The convention succeeded in producing three groups laying claim to the leadership of the party. There is the seven-man National Caretaker Committee led by former Kaduna State governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, which was appointed at the Port Harcourt convention. There is also the 57-member steering committee co-chaired by former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Mantu and former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran. This committee was set up at a parallel convention held in Abuja, the same day by Concerned PDP Stakeholders led by former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana. The third group is led by the former National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and has two other former National Working Committee (NWC) members – National Secretary, Prof. Adewale Oladipo and National

Makarfi

The opposition has reduced itself to a ragtag army. As at the last count, they have about three and half chief executives

Auditor, Alhaji Adewole Adeyinju on his side. The trio had earlier before the Port Harcourt convention, obtained a court order stopping elections into the three positions. However, with the intervention of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), the Gana group agreed to surrender to and work with Makarfi-led caretaker committee. But the Sheriff group is yet to sheath its sword and is still laying claim to the party's leadership. The BoT had directed immediate withdrawal of all cases in court on the issue as “an indication of good faith and commitment to party discipline and unity.” It further advised all parties to the dispute to explore internal party mechanism in resolving their differences, reminding them of the extant regulation of the party that no matter should go to court without first going through internal party mechanism. This directive was not heeded, and PDP was without leadership for 10 days. Thus, it was not until last Wednesday that the BoT took over the affairs of the party pending the resolution of the crisis. Chairman of the board, Senator Walid Jibrin who gave reason for the action, observed that the BoT is the only legal body of the party now that has not been encumbered by any court order. His words: “Nobody has taken the BoT to court. Today the BoT remain the only legal body now in the whole set up and that is why we are here to play our role. We are here to perform our duty according to PDP constitution, hoping that our problems will soon be resolved.” Senator Jibrin, however, as-

sured that the board was not going to take-over anybody's office. “We, the BoT have been asked under the constitution of the party to be in charge of the assets and the liabilities of the PDP generally. “It is in that respect that the Inspector General of Police, having considered the importance of our constitution and having considered the importance of the staff of the PDP headquarters here, that this place be open and not only be opened but is entrusted in the hand of the BoT,” he added. The party's headquarters was sealed for about nine days by men of the Nigeria Police Force. The INEC deadline for the nomination of political parties' governorship candidates is about three weeks away. Yet, activities at the PDP national headquarters do not show that the party is going to participate in any election. But the Director-General of PDP Governors' Forum, Osaro Onaiwu, who is a governorship aspirant on the party's platform, at the weekend, said that PDP stakeholders will soon meet and resolve the leadership crisis and take a decision on the Edo governorship election. “The leaders of the party, the Governors' Forum, National Assembly Caucus, BoT, Makarfi and Sheriff groups will meet to address the issue in the party. We want to resolve the crisis in the party once and for all. We want to find a lasting solution to the party. All parties involved are invited for this meeting. The forthcoming Edo election will also be addressed,” he said. Though it could be argued that preparations for the governorship election are done at state level, the national leadership has a major role to play. Section 87(1) of the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended) provides that "any political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Act shall hold primaries for aspirants to all elective positions." This is the first step for a party and its candidates to qualify to participate in an election. Sub-section 9 of the Act warns that “where a political party fails to comply with the provisions of this Act in the conduct of its primaries, its candidate for the election shall not be included in the election for the particular position in the issue.” Meanwhile, PDP supporters in Edo State seem to have been disillusioned by the inability of their party to put its act together and it is likely that undecided voters may have no other option than to lean toward political parties where there is semblance of leadership stability. As the clock ticks to the September 10 poll, there is no doubt that even if the PDP puts its act together, it will take time before the party recovers the lost ground.

POLITICS

The Eighth House of Representatives will clock one year of legislative activities on June 9. PHILIP NYAM reviews the performance of the lower chamber since inauguration

Reps after one year

have been displaced and thousands killed and properties destroyed. Hence, the speaker considers the welfare of the IDPs a project that needs urgent and closer attention. This commitment led Dogara to create a standing committee on IDPs, Refugees and North-East Initiative as well as sponsor a bill for the establishment of a North-East reconstruction commission, which has been passed by the House.

he House of Representatives will roll out the drums on Thursday to mark one year of its four-year tenure. The 360-member legislative house was proclaimed and inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 9, 2015. After one year, political pundits and indeed Nigerians have formed their respective opinions about the legislators and their actions, while others have agreed that the House under the leadership of Speaker Yakubu Dogara has lived up to its billings. Some are however stuck with the often held belief that nothing good could come out of the National Assembly. But has the second chamber being able to give Nigerians a ray of hope by embracing the Change agenda of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government? The beginning The House began on a shaky but popular note when against all odds it elected Hon. Yakubu Dogara representing Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa federal constituency of Bauchi State as speaker. Dogara had defeated the preferred candidate of the ruling and majority party (APC), Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila representing Surulere 1 federal constituency of Lagos state by 182 to 174 votes. This was reminiscent of the 7th Assembly of the House, where Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (now Sokoto State governor), then of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defied the party’s directive and contested and won against the anointed candidate, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola. Similarly, a relatively unknown Hon. Yusuf Lasun representing Irepodun/Olorundu/Osogbo/Orolu federal constituency of Osun State, proved bookmakers wrong as he coasted to victory as deputy speaker against a more popular Hon. Tahir Monguno from Borno State by 203 to 153 votes. Although, the emergence of Dogara and Lasun as speaker and deputy speaker respectively did not receive the blessing of the APC, to a majority of Nigerians, it was a popular decision and a plus for democracy. Nigerians viewed the outcome of the election of the presiding officers as a way of asserting the independence of the parliament. Leadership crisis Expectedly, the emergence of Dogara and Lasun against the wish of the APC led to some form of crisis that threatened the peace of the lower chamber for some weeks. The scramble for principal positions amongst the various interests within and outside the House caused a lot of friction amongst members, leading to rowdy sessions that made it impossible for the House to hold legislative activities. Dogara, perhaps, taking a cue from his predecessor, Hon. Tambuwal caved into the demands of his party and

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sectoral debate The House recently concluded a sectoral debate, where ministers were invited to address lawmakers on how to grow and diversify the economy. The sectoral debate on the state of the economy is also in consonance with what is outlined in the House’s legislative agenda.

Dogara

accepted his rival, Gbajabiamila as House leader as well as conceding the positions of chief whip and deputy majority whip to the opposing camp. With this development, peace returned to the once restless chamber paving way for full scale legislative business. Standing Committees Since 1999, the 8th House is the only Assembly so far to have gone through the process of appointment of chairmen of standing committees without a fight. Although, the APC was again not delighted with the sharing formula adopted by Dogara in the appointment of committees leadership, the reservations expressed by the party and its loyalists did not manifest in the breakdown of law and order in the chambers. For the first time since 1999, the opposition members had almost the same number of committee chairmen with the ruling including the “juicy committees.” But it was not an easy assignment for the leadership as Dogara announced the committee chairmen on October 21, 2015, four months after inauguration of the House. The Legislative Agenda On becoming speaker, Dogara set up an ad hoc committee comprising of lawmakers, representatives of civil society organisations, members of the academia and other stakeholders that fine-tuned his campaign document, which was transformed into a legislative agenda. The Legislative Agenda is a document tailored towards assisting the House to deliver effective legislation in aid of development and reforms aimed at improving conditions of livings of Nigerians. The speaker had before that constituted a committee to review the code of conduct of members with a view to ensuring that legislators are well guided in the way and manner they conduct themselves in and around the chamber. The House standing rules were also reviewed and a restructuring of committees for optimum performance among other

Lasun

radical changes introduced. The standing committees were thereafter increased to 97. Dogara also blazed the trail when he became the first speaker since 1999 to step down from his exalted seat to sponsor a motion on the rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction of the insurgency ravaged North-East geo-political zone. Again, the speaker was among the 140 speakers of parliaments from across the world who converged on New York and held bilateral talks with speaker of parliaments of five countries on the sideline of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference at United Nations (UN) headquarters, and in the process secured China`s endorsement for a permanent seat for Nigeria on the UN Security Council. Bills progression The House had on December 10, 2015 set a record by presenting 130 bills for first reading. This was the outcome of the report of a committee on law reform. It was unprecedented in the history of the Nigerian parliament because no such feat had been attained by any legislature both at the state and national level in the country. According to House leader, Hon. Gbajabiamila, in the first quarter of 2016, a total of 133 bills were introduced for the first time, 34 out of the 133 scaled through second reading, 20 out of the 133 bills were consolidated, two out of the 133 bills were dropped. This means that within the first quarter of 2016 only two bills and 117 resolutions arising from motions presented by members of the House were passed in the first 90 days of the year after successfully scaling through all the stages of legislation. Dogara’s quest Dogara, has in the last one year taken the issue of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) personal and serious. Of course, the speaker is from Bauchi, North-East and has a firsthand information on the ravaging effects of Boko Haram activities in the area. Millions of his people

Reps/Executive relationship The emergence of Dogara and Lasun, no doubt created a sour relationship between the House and the executive at the initial stage, but after the appointment of principal officers, the relationship between the duo bonded. All requests from the executive were treated expressly by the House. A supplementary budget sent to the House was passed without hassles ditto loan requests for Lagos and Edo states. There was indeed absence of any confrontation until the submission of the 2016 Budget proposal by President Buhari. Even when the budget came, the House played along with the executive and always sided with the executive. For example, when the Senate declared that the budget was missing, the House declared that its own copy was intact. In fact, at one of the plenary sessions, Speaker Dogara ordered the then clerk of the House, Alhaji Mohammed SaniOmoloru (now clerk to National Assembly) to publicly display copies of the budget for Nigerians to see. Again, the House displayed its support for the executive after the announcement of subsidy removal and eventual hike in the pump price of fuel. At a special plenary session it convened on the issue, the House appealed to labour unions to jettison their planned strike and negotiate with the government. But the House failed to impress it on the government to return to status quo until the negotiations are over. Weakness While Nigerians have had cause to applaud the House for some of its landmarks, they have also had cause to criticize some of its decisions. One of such is the plan by the lower chamber to toe the line of the Senate to buy official vehicles for lawmakers. To many Nigerians, such is not necessary at the time the nation is faced with serious economic challenges and many Nigerians are groaning under severe hunger and battling with unemployment and security problems. Similarly, Nigerians seems to be united on the call for a downward review of the salaries and wages of lawmakers and they feel the House should lead the campaign since it is considered as the House of the people. Aside, these issues, the House has performed well in the eyes of average Nigerians and it can only be better in the next three years.

POLITICS

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP congress and Umahi’s U-turn After sacking about 30 political appointees in the state's local government system following the fallout of the South-East Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zonal congress, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, in his usual manner, has forgiven all that transpired during the exercise and recalled those affected, UCHENNA INYA reports

hen the positions of national vice chairman and zonal youth leader of the South-East chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were zoned to Ebonyi State by stakeholders of the party, who met severally to harmonize the positions for a smooth conduct of the party’s zonal congress, a chieftain of the party in the state, Chief Austin Umahi indicated interest for the position of national vice chairman. Hon. Ali Odefa also indicated interest even as he was still Special Adviser to Governor Dave Umahi on Internal Security. Odefa who was one of Umahi’s major supporters during the 2015 general elections, allegedly resigned his position few days to the PDP zonal congress. But on the day of the congress, the governor’s aide, who was the zonal chairman of the party on interim capacity through the support of Umahi and zonal publicity secretary of the party also through the backing of Umahi, was surprised to see a petition written against him. The petition accused him of not resigning his appointment before contesting for the position and therefore prayed the congress committee to disqualify him. The chairman of the Zonal Congress Electoral Committee, Barr. Casmir Igwe, had before the commencement of the congress, read the petition, dated May 14 and signed by Governor Umahi alleging that Odefa didn’t resign his position before joining the race for the national vice chairman, SouthEast of the party. A slip by the chairman of the electoral committee that Odefa should step aside on the strength of the petition did not go down well with him (Odefa). He consequently protested and insisted that he had resigned his position long ago. A fisticuff however ensued between the supporters of Governor Umahi and Odefa, leading to commotion that lasted over 45 minutes. It took the intervention of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu to restore order. Ekweremadu announced that all the contestants should be allowed to stand for the election but Odefa stormed out of the venue. The elections went on and Austin

Umahi

Umahi, the governor’s younger brother polled 255 votes to defeat Odefa, who got two votes, out of 298 accredited delegates. Other elected officers at the congress include Casmir Ugwu, Zonal Secretary; Victor Sams, Zonal Organizing Secretary; Greg Madu, Zonal Publicity Secretary; Mrs. Mary Omile, Zonal Woman Leader; Emeka Okeke, Zonal Treasurer; Ukpai Ukiro, Zonal Legal Adviser, Chidiebere Egwu, Zonal Youth Leader, James Ugwu, Zonal Financial Secretary and Sylvester Mgbogo, Zonal Auditor. But two days after the congress, PDP supporters in different local government in the state and three senatorial zones of the state, protest against Odefa and some prominent politicians in the state, including Senator Sonni Ogbuorji, representing Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly over the drama at zonal congress. Senator Ogbuorji is believed to be behind Odefa’s ambition. First to protest were over 3,000 stakeholders and supporters of the PDP in Onicha Local Government Area of the state, who stormed Government House, Abakaliki, for a solidarity rally for Governor Umahi. The protesters, who are Odefa’s kinsmen, were led by the state Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Chief Donatus Njoku. The commissioner, who is a former chairman of the council, condemned the attitude of Odefa and his group, promising the governor of the support of the people of Onicha Local Government Area at all times. “We condemn what transpired in Enugu in its totality because it is likened to people biting the finger that fed them, and is still feeding them,” he said. He said the people were disassociating themselves from the way Odefa and his cohorts acted outside the mandates given to them by the people. The Member representing Onicha West constituency in the State House of Assembly and former Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon.Valentine Okike-Uzo, who also spoke at the rally, noted that what happened at Enugu was an embarrassment to the state and the personality of the governor.

Odefa

The incident... in Enugu was a mutiny and everybody knows the penalty

Ogbuorji

“What happened in Enugu was an embarrassment to the state and also a total affront to the office of the governor. I can say the script acted by Odefa was hatched in conjunction with his group. The ploy was hatched from the party’s local government congress, where they were defeated,” he said. The council’s caretaker committee chairman, Mrs. Elizabeth Onwe, in her remarks, noted that the people have been liberated from the domineering influence of Odefa and his group, promising the governor of the total support and solidarity of the people of the area. Addressing the protesters, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Offfor Okorie, thanked them for their peaceful disposition and promised to relay their messages to the governor. “We are happy to see Onicha people in their numbers coming out to show support for the governor as it also pleasing that people openly condemn the unruly behavior of their sons. This shows that Onicha people are responsible and peaceful people who don't support evil,” he said. In their own protest, the people of Afikpo South local Government Area, threatened to recall the Senator Ogbuorji. The people numbering over 4,000 displayed placards with inscriptions such as ‘’Sonni Ogbuorji you are a confusionist,” “Sonni Ogbuorji you have failed PDP in Ebonyi State,” “Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone is recalling you Sunny Ogbuorji,” among others, during a solidarity at the government house. A communiqué signed by major stakeholders of the area, read during the protest by the state Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Dennis Ekumankama stated: “We condemn in strong terms the inglorious attitude, antagonism and disloyalty exhibited by our representatives at the National Assembly led by Senator Sonni Ogbuorji during the South-East congress of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu State on May 14. “We disassociate ourselves and Edda clan from the inexcusable display of undemocratic tendencies and unwarranted show of shame by the said senator and his

group. We congratulate His Excellency Chief David Umahi for his political sagacity and foresightedness that has won the state the position of national vice chairman, South East zone of the PDP in the person of Chief Austin Umahi.” Apparently reacting to the fallout of the congress, Governor Umahi sacked about 30 political appointees in his government believed to be loyal to Odefa, Senator Ogbuoji, the member representing Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Linus Okorie and member representing Ezza South in the state House of Assembly, Hon.Chris Usulor among others. Those affected were Okporie Agwu Nnachi, coordinator Edda West Development Centre; Ogbonnaya Oti, coordinator Onicha West Development Centre; Akas Oko Ibiam, member Edda West Development Centre management committee; Felicia Egbe, member Edda West Development Centre management committee; Chidi Oko Arua, member Edda West Development management committee; Paul Obasi, member Onicha West Development Centre management committee; Sunday Igwe, member Onicha West Development management committee; Blessing Nwali, member Onicha west Development centre management committee; Elizabeth Ngwu, member Onicha West Development centre management committee; Mrs. Ikechukwu Nwite, member Onicha West Development centre management committee; Mrs. Chukwu Chinenye Adaeze member Onicha West Development Centre Management Committee and Mrs. Ozoemena Offia, member Onicha West Developemnt centre management committee. Others are, Mary Okoro, member Onicha West Development Centre Management Committee; Ngozi Elechi, member Ezza South Development Centre Management Committee; Ikechukwu Aliobu, member Ezza South Development Centre management committee; Chukwuma Nwinya, member Ezza South management committee; Oke Friday, member Ezzama CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion 365 days of hope betrayed My Word CLEM AGUIYI totalpolitics@ymail.com 0803-474-7898 (sms only)

ooking back over the past 365 days and recalling the inauguration and the well-crafted speech delivered by President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29 which elicited lots of hopes, though on the other side of the aisle, but like most Nigerians I had hoped for a new dawn, only for this embarrassing 365 days where President Buhari’s actions, inactions and outright incompetence succeeded in crashing a once Africa’s largest economy and 24th World fastest growing economy. We have not had it so bad since after the civil war.

For a resounding poor performance including a poor rendition of even the one year commemorative speech, one would have expected a sincere apology to Nigerians. Disappointingly, those expecting a sincere apology for the administration’s opaque and archaic economic policies, or an apology for the dizzying hyperinflation- the highest in the history of the nation since independence, no electricity, no water, no petrol, no security, no peace had their expectations dashed as the government celebrated its 75 achievements that were neither here nor there, thus adding insults to the injuries of the suffering masses. Nigerians are right in their expectations that President Buhari will deliver on change given his experience as former Oil Minister, former Governor and Former Head of State who is coming for the second time. They believed that the second coming of Buhari will translate to a glorious dawn. Osita Agu who wrote on a Facebook post captured it thus: ‘’Most of us remember the then popular TV programme titled ‘Second Chance’. Second Chance was a successful, with the setting was an adult education class, where those that missed the opportunity of having childhood or early education had a chance to change the narrative. ‘’ President Buhari’s political history tows the line of this narrative, having been pushed out of office in 1985 in a palace coup. Though short-lived,

Nigerians remember his first coming for good and for bad. Notorious was the regimes high handedness and famous was the War against Indiscipline. Whatever were his ills, his persistent quest for power was magnanimously rewarded as events played in his favour for a Second Chance. The expectations of the people were understandably high and unimaginable given that majority of Buahri’s supporters are youths who believed all will be well once he got there because he would deal with all those people that stole our money and save the poor masses. Not even the negative television adverts against him could daunt this overwhelming enthusiasm, euphoria and support for his candidacy. Now some are playing back those campaign warnings especially those powerful statement by Dr. Goodluck Jonathan before the polls where he reminded us that, ‘the choice before us is to decide to move forward or to go backwards’’. Looking back now, can we say we made the right choice in Buhari . Are the fears painted by some manifesting? Having failed in his first 100 days in office and now in his first one year , do we indulge him and give him up to the next four years? Will 4years be sufficient for him to fulfill at least one significant campaign promise given that part of criticism against him is that he is all motion no movement. Make no mistake, the APC ran a very effective campaign though based on lies and exaggerated promises and I do not blame the people for believing in a well marketed candidate but I’ll pitch my blame with the candidate that God gave a Second Chance but he refused to shine with it. There are people who now say that Buhari would have moved Nigeria forward if he is forward looking himself rather than being totally fixated on vendetta and military mentality of crushing perceived opponents. You don’t move a car forward by constantly looking into the reverse mirror. Tribal, Sectional, Dictatorial, adamant, unrepentant, unforgiving and visionless were all features ascribed to his character prior to the election. But instead of an expected drift from these descriptions, president Buhari has rather reaffirmed all traits as listed as can be seen in his appointments, speech and treatment of national issues. Honestly, Nigerians were warned, but they chose to ignore the warning as most believed he has also learnt so much in his 35 years in the Limbo. But looking at the political, economic, social and religious atmosphere in Nigeria under his watch, one will be right to say that our president obviously has not learnt lessons of the essence of the second chance.

Honestly, Nigerians were warned, but they chose to ignore the warning

As we commemorate the Democracy day, I personally do not think being upset with Buhari’s style will serve any useful purpose; I also do not think that his handling of current tension in the South- South and South East is necessary hence I have remained a strong advocate of holistic political solution to the Nigeria question. I do not think that corruption is the only problem holding Nigeria down. I believe religious bigotry and nepotism are equally as bad as corruption and should be dealt with. I believe if Buhari wants to sincerely lead well that he can dust the confab report and stop killing IPOB members. The agitators are still with their right of free speech and Freedom of Association. IPOB bears no arm and has not threatened anybody and therefor has nothing to disarm hence we are concerned about the motive of the IGP in his calling for the disarmament of IPOB members. Nigeria as presently constituted is not working. To make it work, the common sense thing is to renegotiate our federation with a view of conceding more powers to states and local governments. I nevertheless pray for President Buhari to succeed ; I make this prayer for the sake of all Nigerians: I pray that a year from now things would have turned around noticeably , if not a hundred at-least a sixty or eighty degrees! The task is enormous and the letdown very significant in virtually all areas and requires that all hands must be on deck. But the slimmest of light should glow brighter. I believe Buhari must go get our best talent and put them to work for the good of the country; I will urge him to assemble a good economic team rather than blundering into a more flexible monetary regime so as to rationalize the creaky administrative structure; to move quickly to build a set of monetary and fiscal policies by jettisoning old foggy ideas that have constrained the flow of both domestic and foreign funds. I will advise him to focus on the appropriate terms, and conditions, and on the requisite capital requirement -to jerk the groaning capacity and employment - generating engines towards a competitive productive purpose! Between now and the rest of the fiscal year the Federal Government and states have to show a more deliberate pace on virtually all security, administrative, legal and socio-economic performance , if it is to recover the much - eroded goodwill that attended its inauguration. I will encourage him to arrest the menace of the Fulani herdsmen and put their atrocities to a full final stop. On the war against corruption the challenge for the sake of all Nigerians is to build a momentum of a brisk application of due process and jurisprudence.

Feminism in the Christian domain Nneka Eleh

he Bible and Christian faith alike have laid the foundation for a lot of Western ideologies. This is due to the fact that many Western countries, were founded on Christianity and include its teachings in their various laws and constitutions. The United States for example has the motto “In God We Trust”, and in the United Kingdom the head of the monarchy also holds the title of being the head of the Anglican Church. As the years go on and on, and as the laws became more and more ingrained into society, these Biblical teachings became more of a cultural norm. Although humanity as a whole has taken great strides when it comes to gender equity, we still have a very long way to go. If one closely looks at the women in the Bible and the man-made obstacles they had to go through, he/she will find that there is a strong resemblance with the way women today are treated compared to the way it

is interpreted in the Bible. In this essay I advocate that it is time we unearth the stories of women in the Bible and re-examine them in order to discredit the false ideas and beliefs that have surrounded them for centuries. Inasmuch as it is good to point out their flaws (as it has been extensively done for as long as the Bible has existed), it is also important that we point out their strengths as well in order to finally bring to light the virtuous, powerful and good women of the Bible. As a former Sunday school teacher in my local church, it was my responsibility to create study plans for each Sunday school lesson. In order for me to get the children, or rather to keep the children interested, and help them better understand the material being taught, I made it a habit to play short, animated, and informative video clips gotten from the channel The Beginner’s Bible on YouTube (The Beginner’s Bible). Naturally, it was not until I gave a lesson on Ruth (mother of Obed, the grandfather of the great King David), that I realized how little women are portrayed and represented in biblical representations of any format. I came to this conclusion based on the fact that

despite The Beginner’s Bible vast collections of stories, there was not one video on a prominent female character in the Bible. In fact, the process of trying to find a story about Ruth that focused on her own amazing journey and not her role as simply just a wife and mother was almost impossible. Meanwhile, The Beginner’s Bible has at least five different videos on the story of Noah, despite the fact that all of them are basically saying the same thing (The Beginner’s Bible). Now, it is not that female protagonists do not exist in the Bible, they do, but rather it is that the creators of The Beginner’s Bible made the decision to omit them from most of the videos and not tell their stories. Likewise, it is not that women did not play an important part in the creation of the Christian Church, rather it is that their stories were not documented enough. Like Elizabeth Castelli stated in her paper Virginity and Its Meaning for Women’s Sexuality in Early Christianity, “to ask questions about women’s history in any period is to embark on a treacherous and often disappointing search for buried treasure” (Castelli), but in this day and age it is adamant that we keep digging until we uncover them all. We should also take into consideration that although the Bible was written by men inspired by God, they were still men nev-

ertheless, and therefore biased in their views. Not only did men write the Bible, but it has had its meaning interpreted by men for centuries. These are the same men that have not only created the patriarchal and sexist laws that govern society, but have also profited from them as well. Keeping this in mind, it is no wonder that women in both the Bible and in present day are deemed as inferior and therefore treated as such. Like Anne Lamott says, “You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do” A few days ago, famous child actor and Christian Evangelist Kirk Cameron, made vocal his opinions that “wives are to honour and respect and follow their husband’s lead, and are not to tell their husband how he ought to be a better husband. Because when each person gets their part right, regardless of how their spouse is treating them, there is hope for real change in their marriage”. Mr. Cameron is certainly not the first, and will definitely not be the last person who holds these views, because for centuries female submission has been the bedrock of what a Christian marriage should be. •Eleh is a student at the University of Waterloo studying English.

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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PDP: Need for virile opposition

ike a rudderless ship that it has become since its historic defeat in the 2015 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flounders in the ocean of crisis. It seems the party is yet to get over the shock of its defeat, which robbed it of its primal place in Nigeria’s political firmament, to prepare for its new position as an opposition party. The self-styled largest party in Africa that had ruled Nigeria for 16 years since the rebirth of democracy 17 years ago, went into the election in crisis and it was no surprise that it lost. The party, which until the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was the only national party in terms of spread and membership, began its descent into crisis following the intrigues that preceded the bid by former President Goodluck Jonathan to seek re-election. While many influential party members were able to tolerate Jonathan’s first term bid, in violation of the PDP’s zoning formula, they considered his re-election bid an affront to the zoning formula, which ceded the presidency to the North. The death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who died in office about a year to his four-year tenure, had paved the way for Jonathan, his deputy, to complete the tenure. As the incumbent ahead of the 2011 elections, Jonathan had schemed to snatch the party’s ticket despite opposition from some Northern elements. To pacify the opposition, he had pledged not to run for a second term. But like most politicians, promises are easier to make than to keep.

The party entered a crisis mode when Jonathan started scheming to renege on his promise not to run for a second term. Jonathan and his henchmen deployed the PDP’s machinery to oppress and suppress those perceived as opponents to his second term bid. Some influential party members such as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, five governors, Senator Bukola Saraki, who is now the Senate president and former House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, pulled out to join APC. Jonathan’s badly-managed second term ambition cost the PDP badly and ended its pipe dream of ruling Nigeria for 60 years. However, rather than face the urgent task of reengineering that would prepare it

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the party would be able to broker a peace deal to make Sheriff give up his claim to the throne has faltered. With both parties resorting to litigations to force out the other, the PDP may not be in a hurry to put the crisis behind it in order to prepare for the task ahead. It is no wonder that the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) last week took over the running of the PDP national secretariat, which had been under the control of the police to prevent a breach of the peace.

Not all hope is lost for the party if its leaders are able to put the good of all above other vested interests

for its new role as an opposition party, the PDP has sunk deeper into crisis that has opened Nigeria up to a vista of a one-party state with its attendant dangers. PDP currently suffers poor public image due to the leadership tussle that has led to the factionalisation of the party and the moral burden arising from the alleged involvement of top party chiefs in the diversion of public funds to finance the party’s 2015 campaigns. Two people—former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and his erstwhile counterpart in Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff— are laying claim to the leadership of the party. Hope that

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Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha

There is no doubt t h at the PDP crisis has impaired its ability to serve as an effective opposition party that will be able to give alternative policy offerings to the citizenry. The

beauty of democracy lies in the multiplicity of choices and ability of other parties to keep the ruling party on its toes. With about 29 registered political parties, Nigeria could be said to be practising a multi-party democracy. However, the reality on the ground is that given the performance of the various political parties in electoral contest, Nigeria is in reality a two-party democracy. Apart from the crisis-torn PDP, other parties only exist to feel the democratic space as they lack the spread and character to be considered truly national parties. Besides, majority of the op-

position parties are like shell companies; mere fronts to prosecute future political agenda of some top political players in the country. The PDP has become hobbled and therefore, unable to discharge effectively its expected role in this dispensation. It will, undoubtedly, take the party a long time to resolve its myriad of crises because unlike before, the PDP has no rallying force that could bring all contending parties under its umbrella. When the party was in power, the president, who was the party’s national leader, served as a stabilising factor. Many party leaders deferred to him not only because of the respect for his office, but because he enjoyed the power to dispense patronage. This factor had seen the PDP through many crises while it was in power. But with the presidency lost and the last national leader, Jonathan, who seems to be disinterested in the affairs of the party, the PDP could not have suffered a worse fate now. However, not all hope is lost for the party if its leaders are able to put the good of all above other vested interests. The party is at a crossroads because its leaders are consumed by their personal ambitions ahead of 2019, and have been blinded to see the bigger picture. They, therefore, need to sacrifice these ambitions in order to be able to effectively reposition the party. A PDP that cannot effectively play its expected role as a vibrant opposition party would have little chances of making much an impact in the 2019 elections.

POLITICS

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP crisis has exposed Jonathan – Jalo State executive of the party and brought his boy; an All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) person. He just wants to build ANPP in PDP. He wants to build ANPP in the PDP so that in 2019, he will contest presidency in PDP. That is his plan and the governors have known his ambition. But the most important thing is for us to make peace in our party. You don’t lead people through imposition. You cannot build ANPP in the PDP.

Abdullahi Jalo, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in this interview with ONYEKACHI EZE, speaks on the leadership crisis rocking the party and 2019 elections

What is responsible for the confusion in your party over its leadership? Well, the reality is that the convention of the PDP is the highest ruling organ, and during our 71st National Executive Committee (NEC), it was agreed that Ali Modu Sheriff ’s tenure had expired because he was completing the tenure of Ahmadu Mu’azu which ended in March. So, what I want you to know is that there is no faction in the PDP, but there is misunderstanding. This has resulted in the notion that Ali Modu Sheriff wants to destabilize the PDP. I, as a NEC member must respect the decision of our leaders particularly the governors who are funding the party. The convention in Port Harcourt has unanimously agreed and resolved that we should give way for peace to reign. The party is more supreme than any individual. So in order to bring peace, Jerry Gana, Ibrahim Mantu, Tanimu Turaki, Zainab Maina and many others are insisting that Ali Modu Sheriff should go. The tenure of Ali Modu Sheriff has expired long ago. He was only given the favour by the governors to the detriment of long serving members who laboured for the party. His tenure has expired; he is sitting on the fence of illegality. Had it been the national convention ratified him, he should have been given till that period of 2018, but since he has been dropped, he should thank God that despite the protest of so many people in the party, he was able to manage it. Ali Modu Sheriff knows his records and Nigerians know his records very well. So, there is no NEC, no National Working Committee (NWC), Board of Trustees (BoT) are sitting intact because they have no tenure. The BoT is an advisory body. So let us allow peace so that this party can move forward not our individual ambitions or interests. The NWC are people who were on their seats when former President Goodluck Jonathan lost elections. To me they should have resigned long ago even without the convention. As it is now, who leads the party as chairman? Well, the police have taken their decision that they won’t allow a breakdown of law and order at the PDP secretariat. So, we don’t know whether Ali Modu Sheriff is going with his aides to the secretariat or not. It is not meant only for a particular set of individuals. This party is an opposition party that lost election as

Ugwuanyi

a result of weak leadership led by Mu’azu, Uche Secondus and others. Now somebody was brought to head the party; somebody who is a stranger in the party and he is saying he will not go. You cannot build something out of nothing. He has no waiver, the NEC has taken a decision that only the convention will give him that extension and the convention has now said no and you know the convention is the highest organ of the party. So we need to have a caretaker committee. The caretaker committee headed by Makarfi is legitimate, it is in order and it has the backing of the law. All these things that we are now fighting for are about the supremacy and the success of the PDP. Anybody that wants the PDP to succeed should not even think of working against the decision in Port Harcourt. Ali Modu Sheriff is from Borno State; he dissolved the Borno

If you want to become chairman of the PDP, you must start from your state

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

Development Centre management committee; Monday Olisa, member Ishielu Development Centre management committee; Mrs. Constantine Eze, member Ishielu Development Centre management committee; John Ali, liaison officer, Onicha Local Government Area; Darlington Okorie, liaison officer Onicha Local Government Area; Victor Ogbonna, liaison officer, Onicha Local Government Area; Monday Oroke, liaison officer, Ezza South Local Government Area; Mike Ishienyi, liaison officer, Onicha Local Government Area and Ogbouefi Ndidi, member Local Government Advisory Committee. But Odefa has explained that he is not fighting Umahi. In a statement, he observed with dismay that some mischief makers had hijacked the opportunity of his botched ambition during the PDP zonal congress to cause disaffection between him and the governor. He also debunked the allegation in some quarters that his involvement in the contest for the zonal chairmanship of the PDP was prompted by some individuals within the party. His words: “I did not set out to desecrate the Office of the Governor or look down on the person of Governor David Umahi who is like a father figure to me. My resigna-

Who are those people that went to court to stop the PDP national convention in Port Harcourt? Even the deputies, we went to court and we had an order that our tenure has not expired so there should be no elections in those offices. Even my group, the deputies obtained an order from the FCT High Court. But is that how we will move forward? Democracy is government of the people by the people and for the people and then there is an internal mechanism of resolving crisis in the PDP and this is through dialogue, not through court injunctions or fighting. Let us see what Makarfi and Ben Obi can do. Let us sit down and see how we can resolve our differences. PDP is more than anybody. It is when we reposition the PDP as a party that we shall sit down and govern this country again. Sitting tight is not the option; let us send the party back to the people and allow the people to see that it is not business as usual. If you are popular, you can contest and win election but if you are not popular, you cannot even win your ward and you will continue obtaining orders to stay in one particular office forever. Are the deputies willing to withdraw the case in court now with the emergence of Makarfi as interim party chairman? I am expressing myself as a sacked member of the PDP National Working Committee by the Port Harcourt convention. We will allow peace to reign in the party. If I contest and people vote me into power at the convention, so be it.

But I cannot continue to use court injunctions to stop the party from moving forward, I am not a party to that. But in all this things, Jonathan has not said anything. Why do you think he is not speaking? Jonathan has said something, are you not in Nigeria? Most of his ministers are with Jerry Gana. Turaki is there, Zainab Maina (and) Bala Mohammed are there, Josephine Anenih is there and many others. Where you cannot see a father fighting but you see his children fighting; it means he has consented. He is in that group whether he has spoken or not; nobody is a kid. We know where he is and we have exposed him; he is there, we know it, we are politicians. We are not comfortable with Ali Modu Sheriff as chairman and the convention has sacked him because he has not fulfilled even the requirement to be a chairman. The PDP governors have now realized their mistakes. Why do you say the governors have realised their mistakes? Are you blaming them for the crisis? Yes, you know the procedure for the emergence of a PDP chairman is very clear. The founders of the PDP have made it very clear. It starts from the ward to local government area, states and then it goes to the zone. The zone can now forward the names of three persons for one to be selected by the national leadership of the party. The problem started when we had the last selection of chairman. When we brought Dr. Musa Babayo. Instead of Jonathan to agree for Babayo to become the next PDP chairman, he decided to announce Bamanga Tukur. That is the beginning of the trouble. But the constitution of the PDP is very clear on that. If you want to become chairman of the PDP, you must start from your state to the zone and the zone will now forward it to the NEC for NEC to ratify. From the NEC, it will go to the convention. Anything short of that is not valid.

Umahi’s U-turn

tion and subsequent contest of the zonal chairmanship of the PDP was not at the prompting of anyone, but rather out of my conviction that I am qualified to contest for the position and in the larger exercise of my fundamental rights as a Nigerian and a dully registered member of PDP. “It is unfortunate that some mischief makers are cashing in on the situation to blow out of proportion the events that took place in Enugu in their calculated attempt to cause disaffection between a father and his son. I remain a full and loyal member of our dear great party, PDP and charge all members and loyalists to continue to support the governor and government.” In a twist, Governor Umahi, who seems to have put behind the PDP zonal debacle, has accepted Odefa’s resignation and wished him well in his future endeavours. Commending Odefa for his services to the state, the governor, in a statement signed by his Principal Secretary, Chief Clement Nweke, directed Odefa to hand over all government properties in his possession to the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Bernard Odoh. And in a broadcast to the people of the

state to mark his one year in office, Umahi recalled all the officials, who were relieved of their appointments over the congress though he directed that they will undergo the state Assembly screening, which they passed through before their appointments. His words: “The incident that happened in Enugu during the South-East PDP congress in Enugu was a mutiny and everybody knows the penalty of mutiny. But in the spirit of forgiveness, all the coordinators and management who were sacked because of the matter will be given fresh appointments. “They have to go back to the state House of Assembly for screening and confirmation. We have forgiven you but tell your masters that Ebonyi problems can only be solved here in Ebonyi State and not outside the state. “On the issue of my son, Ali Odefa, I will also forgive him and he remains my Senior Special Assistant. He will be redeployed by me to another section of government.” While the governor can be taken for his words that he has pardoned all those involved in the Enugu debacle, the days ahead will prove whether it was genuine clemency as political sins are hardly forgiven.

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Donation Walking through the walls of Kuje Prison

Inside Abuja

Abandon Patience Jonathan Youth Centre rots away

18 19

The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja is the seat of government in Nigeria. It is expected to be run as a model city because of its strategic position, but YEKEEN NURUDEEN reports that the city has been facing numerous challenges in the last 12 months

hen Major General Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in on May 29, 2015 as a democratically-elected President, Nigerians had high hopes especially with his inaugural speech that was full of heart-warming promises and messages of hope. It was expected then that the president would hit the ground running by forming his cabinet as soon as possible to commence the implementation of all the promises. But Nigerians had to wait for another six months after the president's inauguration to have ministers. While they waited for him to unveil the men and women who would help him to drive his vision, Abuja slipped into what many residents described as a complete mess. By November 17 when the president appointed Malam Muhammad Musa Bello as the 16th FCT Minister, the new helmsman cried out that he had inherited a tattered city. In his maiden press conference to unveil his programmes of action for the city, Bello specifically identified various challenges facing the territory. These included overstretched infrastructure due to population growth, poor maintenance culture, poorly maintained roads, blocked water and sewage lines, poor waste management practices and poorly maintained street and traffic lights system. He also lamented the presence of beggars and street hawkers in the city as well as inadequate or poor condition of available education and health care facilities.

Onwuka NzeshI

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF nzeshi@newtelegraphonline.com

A view of the Abuja City Gate

FCT under Buhari

Resurgence of beggars, hawkers, filths

of the city such as Zone 4, Wuse 2, Kado and other areas, Almajiri students roam the streets of Abuja with bowls in the hands begging for alms. Many residents have expressed worries that these children, some of whom said they came from Kaduna, Kano and Minna, besides being an eyesore to the status of Abuja, are also serious security risks that can be used by the Boko Haram terrorists to wreak havoc in the city.

The minister, who addressed newsmen nine weeks after his appointment, however said he would not embark on new projects, rather, he would continue with existing ones in order to improve the quality of life of residents of Abuja. There are many indications that Abuja is already a failing city except some drastic measures were taken to address all the challenges plaguing it. Hawkers and beggars Prior to the last general elections, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) which has the mandate of getting rid of hawkers, beggars and lunatics in the city was on top of its game. It went after not only street hawkers but also beggars. However, with the exit of Bala Mohammed as FCT Minister and the long space between when the new minister came on board, AEPB lost its steam. Hawking and begging for alms on major streets are now regular features in the nation’s capital. Although these acts are prohibited, a ride around old Parade Ground, Area 10, Banex junction, War College, Area 1, Area 3 in the city centre shows a growing population of

Buhari

hawkers. Almajiris The failure of AEPB to arrest hawkers and indeed beggars who have become ubiquitous in the FCT has emboldened the hitherto Almajiri (Koranic school pupils) to make an unchecked inroad into the nation's seat of power. Now, from Kubwa, Dutse to the heart

Competing with filths One of the major challenges facing Abuja has been waste management despite having contracted waste collectors. When Bello came as FCT Minister, he was confronted with this challenge. He instituted monthly environmental sanitation which he personally supervised. He took the campaign round the six Area Councils in the territory to seek maximum participation and cooperation of the residents.. But it appears that despite his determination to rid the city of garbage much needs to be done. This, again falls within the purview of the Environmental Protection Board. It must be stated that one of the targets of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on sanitation is to achieve access to adequate and equitable CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Inside ABUJA | SLUMS

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kuje Prison Population 852 inmates Capacity 560 inmates Awaiting trial 639 inmates Convicted 213 have been convicted Awaiting trial Robbery Terror offences Drug-related offences Culpable homicide

Members of the AANI pose with DCG of Prisons, Musa Tanko, during the visit

Walking through the walls of Kuje Prison The Abuja Chapter of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) Kuru, recently paid a visit to Kuje Prison as part of its efforts to reach out to the vulnerable and less privileged people in the society. AMADI NNAMDI, who was part of the delegation, reports on the highlights of the tour and the challenges of the prison system in Nigeria

he Kuje Prison is located on the outskirts of Kuje, a densely populated satellite town and headquarters of Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. The prison which occupies a vast expanse of land has always been in the news as the "special accommodation for special people," who have run foul of the laws of the land. Some residents of Abuja have satirically christened the territory occupied by the prison as a Government Reserved Area (GRA) for Very Important Personalities (VIPs) in the country. Apart from being the home of the regular prisoners serving various jail terms and the crime suspects awaiting trial, the facility plays host to celebrated political detainees undergoing trial on high profile corruption charges. The road to the prison is terribly in a bad shape, perhaps to serve as a warning to would-be prisoners of the worse times ahead of them

as they are conveyed in the infamous Black Maria to the supposedly, correctional facility. The air around the entrance to the prison is chilly, the sight of the very high wall and presence of stern-looking security operatives, bearing sophisticated weapons are enough indications that life behind bars cannot be a joke. The armoured tanks stationed a few metres to the gates could give one some goose bumps while the dis-harmonious chirpings of some strange little birds hovering around the tall trees standing all over the compound, provokes an eerie feeling that one was treading on a dangerous ground. Our team arrived at the last checkpoint that Saturday morning at 11:30a.m. and after going through the various security protocols, we were received by the officer in charge of the prison, Musa Tanko, a Deputy Comptroller General of Nigeria Prisons Service. Prison congestion The obviously over-congested Kuje Prison has about 75 per cent of its inmates as persons awaiting trial. According to the information on the prison's notice board, the total number of inmates in the facility as at the time of our visit was 852, whereas the facility was built with a capacity to accommodate 560 inmates. DCG Tanko, an eloquent officer, who led the visitors on a guided tour of the facility, took time to point out details of the developments and activities of the prison as the team went round several departments of the prison. Donations The tour started with a visit to the Tailoring Department, where the AANI team donated three sets of modern industrial tailoring ma-

Though the inmates have been confined within the walls of the prison, they have achieved some commercial successes in their chosen vocation

chines to the inmates undergoing training in fashion and design. Coordinator of the tailoring workshop, Mr. Sankara Young, an inmate who has just six months to go out of his 15 years prison term, got a personal gift of a modern industrial tailoring machine which would be delivered to him as soon as he regains his freedom. The AANI team leader said that the special donation made to Young was in recognition of his exemplary leadership. The visibly elated inmate-tailors were full of praises for the AANI team as they enthused that the new machines will enhance their skills and productivity. Tanko applauded the gesture of the visiting group, stressing that that the inmate-tailors have acquired so much skills in tailoring that they could take over the fashion and design industry when they eventually complete their terms in prison. He observed that though the inmates have been confined within the walls of the prison, they have achieved some commercial successes in their chosen vocation. Mental and physical health The team also visited the prison clinic. Curiously, there were neither patients nor medical personnel at the clinic as at the time of the visit. The health facility appeared to be bereft of basic medical equipment but the tour guide explained that the clinic has four medical laboratory staff, a pharmacist and a dentist. In addition, the health centre runs eye care services, twice a week. Similarly, the team visited the "De-radicalisation Centre" of the prison, a facility where inmates detained on account of belonging to extremist and terrorist organisations are reformed with the right social ideologies. Here, these special inmates are

INMATES 183 18 126 98

put through lessons in Psychology, Guidance and Counselling, Leadership and Personal Development, Vocational and Arts/ Crafts as well as computer trainings. At the time of the visit, a set of inmates were seen quietly seated and receiving a lecture been delivered by one of the volunteer lecturers that assist in the training of the inmates. Within the main prison wall, is another high-walled facility meant for the seclusion of hardened criminals and other inmates of special interest. Body and spiritual cuisine The next port of call was the prison's kitchen where some inmates were seen cooking the day's meal in not so clean environment. Inside Abuja could not ascertain the exact menu they were preparing neither did we have the opportunity of observing if meals were served in miserly rations as widely believed by those outside the walls of the prisons. Another structure of interest is the "Freedom Chapel," a church building which is still under construction. For people whose freedom has obviously been curtailed, the Freedom Chapel must be a point of hope that someday, not only would they regain their freedom and step into the free world but their repentance from sins would lead them into eternal salvation. Education The surprises the prison holds didn't just stop at the "Freedom Chapel", it further extends into the National Open University Nigeria (NOUN) Kuje Prison campus. This lecture hall occupies a part of the building where the clinic is located and it is on the verge of producing 10 first class graduates from a total of 65 inmates currently studying there. Prison Education Desk Officer, Mr. Adikwu Owoicho, disclosed that the centre has enrolled undergraduates up to 300 level and also co-ordinates the West African Examination Council (WAEC) tests for interested inmates. According to him, students of the centre were role models in the prison as they have continued to distinguish themselves academically, morally and socially in the last couple of years. He appealed to the general public to assist in the sponsorship of inmates who wish to enrol for the Senior School Certificate Examination but lack the financial resources to register for it. Owoicho expressed appreciation to the management of NOUN for making their programmes tuition-free for the inmates. Charity outreach Leader of the visiting team and Chairperson of the Abuja Chapter of AANI, Prof. Kate Nwufo, CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Inside ABUJA

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

The vocational centre in Abuja.

Patience Jonathan Youth Centre rots away During the last administration, a multimillion naira vocational centre was built to train youths in and around Abuja and equip them with entrepreneurial skills. Three years after, the centre is lying fallow. CALEB ONWE reports

he Patience Jonathan Youth Support Centre, a multi-purpose skills acquisition complex, was allegedly established with N650 million. It was sited in Nyanya, one of the satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The centre which was completed within one year and commissioned by the then First Lady of the Federal Republic if Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, was purportedly built out of a “compelling need to urgently institutionalise intervention programmes to address the upsurge of youth unemployment in the Federal Capital Territory.” According to the then Minister of the FCT, Mallam Bala Mohammed, apart from equipping the youth with entrepreneurial skills and work-based competencies, the centre was designed to offer the youth, a learning environment with programmes aimed at inculcating the values of hard work, dedication, ethical rectitude, justice and moral discipline in them. It was equipped with the state-ofthe-art facilities expected of a modern skills acquisition centre. It had facilities such as a 500-capacity lecture theatre, furnished classrooms, a printing press, an elibrary, multiple standard technology workshops, a 500-bed hostel and sporting facilities of international standards. It was commissioned on February 5, 2013. Three years after its commissioning and barely one year after the exit of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, the centre is now a shadow of itself. As it is usually

with government projects, it has been abandoned to rot away and the beautiful idea behind the project has become mere tales. When Inside Abuja visited the centre, it was like a graveyard, as nothing serious was happening to show it was still in operation. There were no trainees or instructors of vocational studies and all the workshops and equipment installed in them were lying idle. Some self-employed artisans near the centre told our reporter that the place had not witnessed any activity for a long time except for some community youths who sometimes stroll into the expansive compound to play volley ball at the sports field. There were also speculations that the hostel facility may have been converted to a cheap brothel where some young folks often go to have fun under the cover of darkness. Those who conceptualised the project may not be blamed for the present condition of the facility since they are no longer in control of the government, however, the truth that will remain incontrovertible, is the fact that the civil servants who assisted the politicians to execute such projects are still in the service of the government. In a bid to know the status of the project, Inside Abuja visited

It has been abandoned to rot away and the beautiful idea behind the project has become mere tales

the centre twice. On the first trip, no single human being was found in the vicinity but the gates were wide-open as reptiles were having a field day. It was on the second visit that one fellow, appeared from one of the halls to attend to our reporter. This fellow actually put up the kind of smartness that is characteristic of most civil servants by being evasive and at best economical with responses to our enquiries. Not satisfied with the information we gathered at the centre, Inside Abuja was referred to the FCT Youth Development Secretariat located at the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture. The reception at the Youth Development Department was nothing different from what we got at the centre itself. At first, our reporter was told that the director was at a meeting and should wait as no one else hadd answers to the enquiries. However, when it became obvious that the waiting was going to be an endless one, our reporter decided to leave, but dropped his mobile phone numbers for further contacts. About 30 minutes later, a call came, with a woman’s voice, introducing herself simply as Mrs. Ayolande and the administrator of the centre. Ayolande denied the allegations that the Nyanya youth cen-

tre had been turned into a brothel instead of using it to host young Nigerians undergoing training in vocational skills. “I have never gotten such reports, and it has never happened. We always have activities there. You know we are renting our hostels out; we rent our hostel to generate revenue. So, any time we see people come, we lease it out and remit the money to FCTA’s account. That is what we are doing. “Two months ago, we had a very big programme here; the Peace Corps of Nigeria rented the place and paid a token. Some other people also used the place. Anybody that wants to use the place for training can apply," she said on the phone. According to Ayolande, the centre cannot be used for the wrong reasons because there has always been a “water-tight security at the centre.” An expert on Information Communications Technology, Goeffrey Chikezie, faulted the abandonment of the facility. Chikezie, a graduate of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, told Inside Abuja that computers and other ekectronic equipment are not supposed to be installed and left idle for a long time. According to him, such facilities would go bad if they were not put to use or occasionally re-calibrated.

Cross section of structure at the Patience Jonathan Youth Support Centre Nyanya, Abuja built by the FCT Administrtion.

PHOTOS:TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

INSIDE ABUJA

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Last week, some stakeholders held a workshop where they raised the alarm on the dangerous influence of cell phones and Internet use on pupils. OBINNA ODOH reports

xperts in the field of Information Communications Technology (ICT) have raised an alarm on the dangers inherent in the exposure of school children to the Internet, saying that in spite of its benefits in enhancing teaching and learning, the Internet has become more harmful to the sensitivity of the children. Some of these dangers include exposure to pornography, sextingexchanging nude or partially nude pictures and videos, cyber bullying, gaming, social networking, and YouTube-broadcast yourself culture. Since the advent of the Internet and high definition cell phones, it has become factual that every facet of human endeavour has been revolutionised: science, arts, industry, business, education and banking, but not without consequences. Conversely educational researches that were previously done in an analogue forms have been digitalised and with the connection to the World Wide Web (www), this has availed people of different educational disciplines and different careers, the privilege of acquiring knowledge electronically and use same to advance their endeavours. This advancement in technology has eliminated the stress of going through conventional library stocked with hardcopy books to access information and educational knowledge in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. Yet with these enormous benefits being enjoyed through the advancement of ICT a lot more challenges abound on the negative aspects of the use of Internet by all especially the children because of the vulnerability of their comprehension. Children tend to believe everything they watch or see whether on the Internet, cinema, movies or social media. As a result of this free access to internet information, under-aged school children need to be guided to prevent them from swallowing everything they find on the Internet, hook, line and sinker. One cannot ignore what terrorist organisations like ISIS is doing with the use of the Internet. These terrorists see it as a veritable tool to propagate their beliefs and use same for indoctrination and recruitment of members, while others like the fraudsters use it for cybercrimes like hacking into people's e-mail boxes for contacts and financial details for mischievous purposes. Following this ugly trends it has become a global concern on how to provide a safe Internet for all, especially the children. This global concern was what led Google, in collaboration with HOMEVIDA and National Films and Video Censors Board

A cross section of students at the Safe Internet workshop.

Keeping children out of Internet danger (NFVCB), to organise a workshop in Abuja last week to promote safe and more responsible use of online technologies among children in Nigeria. This programme which is in tandem with the objectives of Safe Internet Nigeria is geared towards training 100,000 students in five years on safe Internet use. The programme held at the National Press Centre, Radio House Abuja had in attendance about 2,000 children from five different schools. Director General, NFVCB, Mrs. Patricia Bala, who delivered a talk at the event, advocated for all hands to be on deck to save the children from Internet crimes by promoting a safe Internet use in Nigeria. "At the NFVCB we pay close attention to safe products. We at the Censors Board we have classification for different rating of films and movies and we want safety for children because we know that children used to believe everything they watch and see. It is social responsibility on our part to categorise such movies. To make sure that it is not everything that is downloaded for children to watch. So our job at the NFVCB is similar to what Google is teaching children in this programme which is to guarantee safer Internet," said Bala. She called on all the teachers, parents, NGOs, and indeed institutions that relate with children to educate them on how to achieve a safe use of the Internet. Bala further stressed on the need for parents to monitor what their children watch on the internet and the kind of movies they download on their cell phones, warning that movies could be harmful if children don't consume the right content. "Movies are just like pills or tablets when you take it wrongly

ISIS will not catch you, but they go online to catch people and brainwash them into joining terrorist organisations

or the dosage is not appropriate, definitely you will have a misuse of a drug and it will have adverse effects or reactions. "Everyone of us is a stakeholder, the parents, the teachers, the supervisors,the uncles, the aunties and should play a significant role in saving our children from dangers inherent in the Internet, films, movies etc. and guide them on safe Internet use," she said. A Nollywood Actor, who is also the Safe Internet Ambassador, Femi Jacobs, warned children against believing everything they see or watch on the Internet because, according to him, somebody can claim to be anything on the Internet which is not so in real life. "That's why we are here to show you how to use the Internet in a way that makes you responsible, happy, bright, cool, wonderful and contribute to the society and not to use the Internet to hurt your-

self and another person. "ISIS will not catch you but they go online to catch people and brainwash them into joining terrorist organisations," he said. At the end of the programme, it was agreed that online exposure providing different activities have contributed enormously in destroying some highly reverend norms, culture, values and encouraged cultural infiltration some of which are in strong conflict with the Nigerian and African cultures. The stakeholders therefore recommended that parents, teachers and the society must rise up and confront this ugly trend that has raised global concern by engaging on massive education of children, especially those of them between the ages of 13 and 15 years or downward on the safe use of the Internet.

Kuje Prison: From â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;De-radicalisation C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 8

pledged that the association would support the sponsorship of some of the candidates when duly notified of their needs. Nwufo said that the tour of Kuje Prison was hinged on the vision and mission of the Alumni Association towards making the society a better place for all. She explained that the charity outreach is an annual ritual carried out by members of the association which is made up of graduates of the Senior Executive Course of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State She hinted that over the years, the association has visited various prisons across the country and have identified the need for government to equip prison inmates with technical, vocational and industrial skills to enable them prepare for life after prison. Nwufo, who frowned at the level of congestion of the Kuje Prison, said there was need for the Federal Government to emulate some

developed countries in terms of improving the living condition of prisoners. "We have seen the condition of the prison and we are hoping that government in the near future would build better prisons. They should emulate what is done in the developed world where we have good prisons such that what the inmates should be concerned about is that their liberty has been constrained and not that they will be suffering as a result of congestion," she said. Nwufo applauded the resolve of some of the prison inmates who have embraced trainings in various technical and vocational skills and urged other associations, well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations to support the "industrial revolution" going on inside the prison. Tanko commended the visitors for their gesture, saying the donation of vocational packs would encourage more inmates to develop productive skills while serving their terms. However, Tanko decried the over-congestion of the prison and confirmed that the facility has a total population of 852 inmates instead

INSIDE ABUJA

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Wadata Plaza, the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was under security cordon for nearly two weeks. ONYEKACHI EZE writes on the impact of the closure on those who live or work around the area

The good, bad, ugly sides of Wadata Plaza

regular visitor to the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might have noticed the quiet and serene atmosphere that pervaded the place in the last two weeks. It is different from the usual boisterous activities, and sometimes near riotous situations you find there in the past. Even the ubiquitous human and vehicular traffic that usually obstructed free flow of vehicles along the Michael Okpara Street, Abuja was not there. In their place were police vehicles and gun wielding policemen who manned strategic positions around the former ruling party's national secretariat. The men in black had blocked a section of Dalaba Street, off Michael Okpara Street for nine days, forcing motorists and passers-by to take one way. The blocked road was opened only last Tuesday. During the period of the siege, PDP establishment staff and reporters assigned to the party were forced to operate from under the trees at the party's staff car park, beside the Skye Bank. Perhaps, this was the first time since the formation of the party in 1998 that PDP workers were denied access to their offices. One of the staff recalled that "even during the time of (New) nPDP nobody stopped us from entering our offices!" But that was then. Events of that era were different from the present one. In the first place, the nPDP operated from a new secretariat,

National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Abuja.

and there was no court order by any group against the PDP national leadership. Again, the nPDP was a breakaway faction of the party. But, this time, there are two claimants to the national leadership of the party and each has obtained different court orders restraining the other from assuming leadership position. The police said they acted to prevent break down of law and order. The reopening of the secretariat did not, however, bring respite to the staff. They were subjected to double screenings and proper identification before admission into the secretariat. And for those without PDP ID card, under the trees still remain their office. The screening has exposed those who are not on the PDP payroll but who parade themselves everyday as staff of the

The screening has exposed those who are not on the PDP payroll, but who parade themselves everyday as staff of the party

Centre’ to ‘Freedom Chapel’

of the 560-inmate capacity it was designed for at the beginning. Out of this population, about 639 of the inmates are awaiting trial while only 213 have been convicted. A breakdown of the offences listed against those awaiting trial shows that 183 were held for robbery, 18 for terror offences, 126 for drugrelated offences and 98 for culpable homicide. He, therefore, appealed to the judiciary to expedite action towards the decongestion of the prison.

Post tour On our way out of the prison facility, all our gadgets that were earlier withheld in line with the security protocols of the prisons were returned to us. A careful assessment of the security measures placed around the prison leaves no one in doubt that the possibility of a prison break is nearly impossible. Outside the walls of the prisons, there has been an erroneous impression that everybody within the walls of a prison is a criminal, but

from available statistics, it has become obvious that about 50 per cent of those behind bars might not be guilty of the offences for which they are being held. Investigations revealed that some of the inmates awaiting trial are still held there due to shoddy handling of their cases. Some have been remanded in prison due to manipulations by some law enforcement officials as well as the inability of victims to meet up with some stringent bail conditions. From the foregoing, there is an urgent need for civil society and legal aid organisations to visit prisons and help out in some cases, as many of the inmates being incarcerated do not have the wherewithal to obtain justice and freedom. There is the need for all stakeholders to rally round the prison and judicial authorities to ensure the speedy conclusion of cases to avoid unnecessary incarceration of innocent people. The Federal Government must heed the calls by AANI and others for an urgent reform of the prison system to bring Nigerian prisons at par with international best practices.

party. And that is the ugly side of the police siege. There are three groups of people who depend on visitors to PDP national secretariat for their daily bread. The first group comprises non-staff of the secretariat, contract staff and junior workers. The second are Hausa praise singers who usually besiege the place with their talking drums and other musical instruments, while the third which emerged recently comprises of some women who not only report at PDP secretariat everyday but are easily found anywhere the party is holding a political gathering. Though some of them are old enough to become grandmothers, they still boast of their sexual exploits with their (men) boyfriends even outside Abuja. They claim to have travelled as far as Zamfara State especially during flag off of gubernatorial campaigns. Surprisingly, some of them have PDP ID cards, which nobody except them knows how they were procured. The first and third groups operate within the PDP premises while the second hang at the main entrance waiting for any visitor going in or coming out of the secretariat to shower praises on him. Among these groups, survival of the fittest is the rule of the game. Whoever is able to grab the 'handout' is at the mercy of others unless he is able to escape to safe distance where he selectively dispenses some money to those he considers his friends. At times, the struggle becomes too rowdy that police have to release canisters of teargas to disperse them. The women are often times the losers unless the visitor gives them special attention. These people are easily mo-

Photo by Elijah Olaluyi

bilised to carry placards when there is any aggrieved group seeking to stage a public protest at the national secretariat. They are also available to paste posters and drum support for any political aspirant who comes for the collection or submission of nomination forms. Despite being in opposition, PDP still remain the attraction. When the All Progressives Congress (APC) assumed office last year, some of the women and praise singers relocated to the APC secretariat in Wuse II. But in no time, they resurfaced at PDP headquarters with tales of lamentation! But the new security measure adopted by the police appears to be robbing off on them. They are not only denied access to the secretariat, but the visitors who usually drop few naira notes for them no longer come around. A staff of private security guard confided in this reporter that this is also telling on them. "They owe us three months’ salary, and some of my colleagues don’t come to work again because they don't have transport fare. "Before we don't feel so much about it because some people who come around give us some assistance, but they no longer come," he regretted. The sanity at the PDP headquarters, if it is sustained is good for the image of the party because dignitaries and other visitors would be less 'harassed' but it will mean hunger for many hangers on. Like one of them said, it is a matter of time. When the leadership problem is resolved and the policemen withdrawn, it will be business as usual. The politicians cannot do without them because this is what gives them an air of importance!

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Bello: Confronting FCT challenges C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 7

sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation by 2030. However, Abuja seems to be far from the realisation of this goal as most streets and drainages are refuseladen. In and around the country city, refuse mostly made of paper, polythene and rotten food litter the streets creating an eyesore and air pollution. According to a 2011 research by Oyeniyi Adeyemi, a doctoral candidate at the Institute of History, University of Leiden in Netherlands, Abuja has a daily build-up of at least 300,000 tons of solid wastes – out of which only 40 per cent is cleared. Five years after that report, there has been no much difference. Solid waste transfer station at Mpape and the 131,200 cubic meters per day sewer treatment plant in Wupa meant to cater for these wastes seem to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of waste generated across the city. There have been many instances of blocked sewage and ruptured sewer lines are sometimes found overflowing in parts of the city. Area Council polls The successful conduct of elections in the six Area Councils in the FCT by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also been seen as a sign of positive change in Abuja. After the polls, the All Progressives Congress (APC) dislodged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claiming five of the six Area Councils while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) surprisingly won one Area Council. After their successes at the polls, the minister charged the new chairmen of the six Area Councils to evolve a new and dynamic roadmap for grassroots development in line with the change mantra of the Buhari’s administration. Speaking at a one-day retreat for the new Area Council chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors, Bello reiterated that such roadmap should be holistically aimed at transforming FCT grassroots into communities where people can live, work and invest. The minister insisted that if the people at the grassroots must enjoy a new lease of life, then the Area Councils must effectively serve as transmitter stations for government’s change agenda. He, however, advised the new council officials to go back to the basics in the areas of environmental hygiene and general cleanliness at the community level. “Whatever you do, as long as you don’t imbibe in the people under your Area Councils the need to be hygienic, to be clean right from the basic family unit, then whatever that is being done is going to be built on shaky foundations,” the minister stressed. Shake up at AEPB Worried by the poor sanitary condition of the city, the minister wielded the big stick when he

Filth at a refuse dump

Bello

approved the immediate removal of the Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Baba Shehu Lawan, who has been replaced by Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olanipekun. The minister also approved the immediate removal of all Heads of Departments as well as Heads of Units under the board and directed their deputies to immediately take charge. Bello made these changes after he and the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, met with the former management team of the AEPB. He asked the Director of the FCT Establishment and Training who was also part of the meeting to issue the new appointees with their appointment letters. The minister warned that all lackadaisical attitudes to work must be stopped forthwith as Abuja must be rid of filth, street beggars, street hawkers and all other environmental nuisances immediately. He remarked that a lot of things were not going on well at the board and further warned the new team to work to change the tide immediately. Meanwhile, the minister has also directed that the former management team of the board be constituted into a Special Task Force on the Recovery of N9.8 billion debt owed AEPB. Bello instructed that the new

Dirty gutter in Abuja

Almajiri boys at Zone 4, Abuja

Hawking and begging for alms on major streets are now regular features in the nation’s capital

Task Force be headed by the former Director of the Board and was given eight weeks to do the recovery into FCT Administration’s coffers. At the meeting, the minister also approved the appointment of Squadron Leader Abdullahi Adamu Monjel (rtd) to head a special team of 200 security personnel drawn from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDS) to assist in the enforcement of environmental laws in Abuja. The minister was however quick to warn the new management and special team to conduct their duties within the ambit of the law. He further warned that his administration will not tolerate any abuse of fundamental human rights of the residents in the discharge of their duties. Rising rent The current economic hardship in the country notwithstanding, rents in Abuja in the last one year have become a no-go area for many low income earners in the FCT. A two-bedroom apartment that used to be between N300,000 and N400,000 in some parts of the city has now gone up to as much as between N600,00 and N700,000 depending on the location. This is made more difficult by the inability of government to pay government salaries. The highbrow areas of the city

such as Maitama, Gwarinpa, Asokoro and Apo have massive estates but majority of the civil servants who work in Abuja reside in the neighbouring Niger and Nasarawa states. The reason is that the many apartments in the city are not within the reach of the poor. “A low cadre civil servant and artisan as well small scale business owners in Abuja cannot pay as much as N500,000 for onebedroom in places like Gwarinpa estate or Lokogoma district,” said Ibrahim Audu, a civil servant. “As you can see the population of people coming every day from places like Mararaba, Mpape and Gwagwalada, it is because we can’t live in the city. Many of the houses are empty, not because we don’t like the luxury, but we can’t afford it,” he added. Dead street lights, confusing traffic lights Bello has been grappling with non-functional street lights and malfunctioning traffic lights. Although these facilities were not in top form when he came into office, these two important facilities are yet to receive attention from his administration six months after. While the absence of the traffic lights has been a great source of confusion for motorists day and night, the absence of street lights in many parts of Abuja have continued to encourage an upsurge of crime in the city. Rays of hope The FCT Minister though largely likened to Buhari in his approach to governance, he is already asserting his authority as the 'Governor of Abuja'. The recent shake up at the AEPB over poor performances is what many residents have described as a welcome development. Many of them have praised his decision to relieve the board's henchmen of their portfolio as a drastic measure to address many challenges facing the city. This important step, residents say, would address the problem of the street hawkers, beggars, Almajiris and waste management that have taken shine off Abuja.

TUESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Homes&Property

Business What's new Militancy crashes Nigeria’s gas supply to Ghana

4th Mainland Bridge: Investors advised to avoid pitfalls

Aviation Air safety: Nigeria, Africa get low rating

27 29

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

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

EXCHANGE RATE

(BDC as at May 26)

(Interbank as at May 26)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N351 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N495 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N389

l Foreign Reserves – $26.606bn as at 23/5/2016

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

Source: CBN

p.24

Surveyors fret over depletion in tenants’ income

p.24

L- R: Commercial Consellor, US Embassy, Lagos, Mr. John McCleary; Franchisee Curves, Chevron Drive, Mrs. Stella Eze; US ConsulGeneral to Nigeria, Mr. F.John Bray; Country Director, Curves International, Mr. Emma Esinnah; and Commercial Attache’, US Embassy, Lagos, Mrs. Olga Ford, at the commissioning of the Curves Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos.

DESTRUCTION Poaching could cause extinction of many iconic species, including Rhinos and elephants Wole Shadare

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

llegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) from Nigeria and other African nations, including Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Ethiopia and Angola, is worth $19 billion annually, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said. The clearing house for 260 global airlines disclosed this to New Telegraph in Dublin, Ireland, at its 72nd Annual General Meeting (AGM), which ended at the weekend. Consequently, IATA and many of leading aviation organisations are partnering with governments and conservation organisations to raise awareness of the illegal trade with passengers, cargo customers and staff and strengthening communication links with enforcement authorities. IATA said that the trade is also estimated to be the fourth largest transnational illegal trade, after narcotics, counterfeiting and human trafficking. For example, between January and May 2016, over 600 kg of ivory and rhino horn and over 8000 reptiles were seized at airports around

IATA: Nigeria, others profit from $19bn illegal trade yearly Ranks country 4th largest the world, IATA said. The outgoing Director-General of IATA, Tony Tyler, noted that as the trade association of the global airline industry, representing over 260 airlines, the body has two main goals - improving safety and ensuring sustainable growth of the industry. He noted that last year, 3.5 billion people flew on 37.6 million commercial flights and achieved an annual growth rate of 6.5 per cent. The IATA boss disclosed that the first incident of wildlife trafficking began on October 31, 2014, when two passengers started a journey from Mozambique to Vietnam via South Africa and Qatar and an airline employee spotted something suspicious, leading to the grounding of the airplane at Johannesburg Airport and their bags inspected. The search, according to him, resulted in the seizure of 18 Rhino horns (41kg) in their luggage, said to be one of the largest seizures ever reported in South Africa. The second incident was in June 2014 with 15 passengers flying from Angola to Cambodia via Ethiopia, Hong Kong and South Korea. The

N385 million Being the value of 700kg of elephant tusks and pangolin scales seized by Thai authorities in a cargo container coming from Nigeria to Laos via Singapore and the Island of Koh Samui last October

aircraft was grounded for technical reasons and the bags off-loaded and were subjected to customs inspection. The result was the seizure of 790kg of ivory in 32 suitcases. The group got six months prison sentences. The last incident happened last December when a cargo container began a journey from Nigeria to Laos via Singapore and the Island of Koh Samui. Based on tip-off, Thai authorities inspected the container and seized 700kg of elephant tusks and pangolin scales, worth over $1.1 million. The container was labelled as containing wigs. Tyler noted that in 2015, 51.2 million tonnes of cargo were carried by the civil aviation sector. He, however, noted that this growth in aviation and the increasing mobility of people brings environmental challenges. He noted that the sector is working hard to reduce its environmental ‘footprint,’ including the development of long term and robust climate action goal. CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

TUESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |news

Militancy crashes Nigeria’s gas supply to Ghana FUNNEL WAGP March 2016 output was at 18MMscf/d, the lowest in the last one year buoyed by attacks on gas installations in the Niger Delta

Adeola Yusuf

he volume of natural gas exported to Ghana in March 2016 crashed to the lowest in the last one year, New Telegraph has learnt. Nigeria pumped 570 million standard cubic feet (or 18MMscf/d) produced in March into the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), a facility through which gas is transported to Ghana, Togo and Republic of Benin. This, according to a WAGP document seen by New Telegraph, followed a consistent pattern of a five month contin-

‘Nigeria, others profit from $19bn illegal trade yearly’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

Tyler said: “In the last 12 months, we have seen a new environmental challenge emerge - the role airlines can play in helping to reduce the illegal trafficking of wildlife.” He stated that for instance, Rhino poaching in South Africa increased from 13 Rhinos in 2007 to 1,175 Rhinos in 2015, hinting that this equates to over three Rhinos a day. Besides, he said that around 3,000 African elephants are killed by poachers each year. Tyler warned that if left unaddressed, poaching could cause the extinction of many iconic species including Rhinos and elephants in the wild within the next 20 years. With 10 per cent of Global Domestic Product (GDP) related to tourism, the extinction of species and destruction of ecosystems will result in economic impacts on vulnerable communities and nature-based tourism organisations, including their supporting airlines. His words: “This criminal activity feeds corruption and violence, with estimated 1,000 park rangers killed in the last 10 years and has even been linked to funding tourism. Most people have never heard of the world’s most trafficked mammal. Over one million pangolins were estimated to have been poached in 10 years.

Drops to one year low

uous drop, which started last November, when production plunged from 2.01 billion standard cubic feet (or 65MMscf/d) in October 2015 to 1.27Bscf (42MMscf/d) last November. Since then, it had been on a downward trajectory. Nigeria and Ghana had earlier locked horns over the N34 billion ($170 million) debts by the latter whose government had, on October 20, 2015, said it would pay Nigeria’s N-Gaz the debts. This new supply cut was caused by the assault on gas facilities in the Niger Delta, this newspaper learnt. Ghana’s state power generating company, the Volta River Authority (VRA), said that it would settle the debt in three tranches starting in November, Kweku Sersah, a spokes-

man for Ghana’s Ministry of Power, said. Power supplies are no longer at risk, he added. “The high-powered delegation that went ... (to the Nigerian capital Abuja) was able to negotiate for Nigeria Gas (N-Gaz) to continue to supply the country the needed gas,” Sersah said in a statement posted on the ministry’s Facebook page. Ghana gets about 25 per cent of its power from Nigerian gas, and N-Gaz’s threat to cut supply by 70 per cent would have made it harder to achieve that country’s goal of ending power outages this year and could have raised supply costs. Ghana will clear a backlog of arrears, which stretches back to 2012 and has also committed to pay in full for gas received between now and next

February, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said in a statement last October. “The highlight of the agreement is that the total sum of gas supply debt will be cleared by February 2016 at the latest,” the NNPC said in a statement. However, it is unclear how VRA will generate the extra revenue to pay off the debt given the shortfall in payments from the state Electricity Company of Ghana, which does not generate enough revenue to cover the costs of its payments to VRA. Experts say that is because energy tariffs are too low, residents find ways to skip payments illegally or pay too little and government itself is behind in its payments to the electricity company. VRA’s payments to N-Gaz fell in August 2014, according to the WAGPCo and, be-

fore that, it borrowed money from Ghanaian banks to pay for purchases, creating debt it struggles to finance, one energy expert said. In the long term, Ghana aims to solve the problem by greatly increasing its domestic gas production, but for now, government finances are under extra scrutiny due to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme to restore fiscal stability. The issue is sensitive in the run-up to Ghana’s election next year that is expected to be closely fought. Power cuts have angered voters and come on top of a sharp slowdown in the economy, which for years was one of Africa’s strongest. N-Gaz is a joint venture company that delivers gas through WAGPCo to Ghana and owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Shell and Chevron.

L-R: Director, MTN Foundation, Mrs. Aisha Sadauki; Representative of the Vice Chairman, National Communications Commission, Mr. Abubakar Kurfi and Senior Manager, Government Relations, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Austin Iyashere, at the MTN Foundation Appreciation session for nominators of Phase 1 of ‘What Can We Do Together Initiative’ in Kaduna.

Surveyors fret over depletion in tenants’ income ECONOMY Surveyors upset over depletion in tenants’ disposable income

Dayo Ayeyemi

ncrease in rental defaults by tenants of both residential and commercial properties is causing disquiet among estate surveyors, New Telegraph has learnt. Professionals in charge of estate agency and property valuation, who have cried out over the rising cases of rental defaults among tenants, said their source of livelihood is on the line if the situation persist. They blamed the situation on high inflation rate, which was 13.7 per cent last May, hike in fuel price and its attendant high cost of goods and loss of

jobs. Between January and May 2016, Nigerian banks had sacked about 4,000 of their workers, while oil companies had also fired thousands of staff. Worried by these developments, Chairman of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos branch, Mr. Offiong Sam Ukpong, decried the current harsh economy and what he called geometric progression in expenditure by citizens compared to their pay. The persistent shrink in citizens’ disposable income, he said, have resulted in several cases of rental defaults and litigations. Similarly, Vice Chairman of NIESV, Mr. Orimalade Olurogba, stated that 80 per cent of properties under his care had defaulting tenants who were previously meeting their obligations. He added that some sectors, including oil and gas that were known before now to

offer job security had been the worst hit lately. He pointed out that the state of the current economic situation has affected the legitimate streams of income to estate surveyors and called for urgent action by government. According to him, most worrisome were that sectors that were perceived as secured, such as the oil and gas industry, are now the most insecure. Olurogba said: “A lot of people are being retrenched; the high end or the upper middle-class people working in oil companies and who live Victoria Garden City and Lekki Phase 1 and other areas whose rentals are up to N4million and above are struggling. “Some are even moving to cheaper accommodation. The ideal and choice tenants that most landlords look forward to occupying their properties are currently defaulting because of the uncertainties in the economy.” Past President of NIESV,

Mr. Bode Adediji, predicted that property market would get worse before it could see light again, noting that a man who is unable to feed will not think on paying rent. He said: “We won’t like to see this scenario where landlords want any form of rent, but there are no tenants. A single bank sacked 1,010 staff and Nigerians are unmoved. In the last couple of weeks, many oil companies and banks have retrenched and Nigerians remained unmoved. When a woman or a man losses his source of income, the first victim is the landlord,” he stressed. The Publicity Secretary of NIESV, Mr. Moses Emele, noted that mass housing remained the only viable way to address the challenges of inadequate shelter. He, therefore, urged both the federal and state governments to provide an enabling environment for the private sector by facilitating easier access to land.

TUESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Energy

Another look at Kachikwu’s 1.6m bpd oil production figure Despite increased spate of attacks in the Niger Delta, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, reportedly said that Nigeria’s oil production output rose from 1.4 million barrels to 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd). ADEOLA YUSUF looks at the veracity of this statement

embers of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) met last Thursday and Kachikwu saw the meeting as a veritable avenue to air his views on critical issues in Nigeria’s oil industry. The crude oil production in Nigeria, Kachikwu was quoted to have said on the sideline of the meeting in Vienna, Austria, had climbed to 1.6 million barrels per day from the 1.4 million barrels daily in the last one month. This occurred despite incessant attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta, which was intensified during the time under review.

The 2.3m barrel target The country has suffered series of attacks by a new militant Niger Delta Avenger, which have dipped the country’s production to 22-year low, but Kachikwu told Reuters in Vienna, venue of the OPEC meeting that Nigeria’s output has swelled by over 200, 000 in one month. Just last month, output, according to the minister of finance Kemi Adeosun, fell to 1.4 million bpd due to a string of militant attacks and an accident on the ExxonMobil platform exporting Qua Iboe, the country’s largest crude oil stream. Aside from the 1.6 million barrels production increase, Kachikwu, according Reuters, reiterated the government’s enthusiasm to meet 2.3 million bpd production target before December. Despite the continued attacks by militants in the restive Niger Delta region, Kachikwu said last Thursday that Nigeria is still targeting oil production of 2.2-2.3 million bpd for this year. Nigeria’s oil production, he said, had climbed to 1.6 million bpd. The attack The dust raised by Kachikwu’s alleged statement was yet to settle when oil giant, Shell confirmed yet another attack on its Forcados terminal, which was claimed by

Soldiers inspect pipeline attacked by militants in Bayelsa. Inset Kachikwu

the new militants called the Niger Delta Avengers. To Shell, it could confirm signs of a leak on the 48-inch Forcados export pipeline at a location between shoreline and the Forcados terminal in the Western Niger Delta. The subsidiary of the company in Nigeria, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) Limited, operator of the SPDC JV, which said this in a statement, maintained that these leaks come on the heels of a reported attack on the pipeline in the early hours of Friday, June 3. “We are yet to fully evaluate the potential impact and damage to the pipeline resulting from this latest incident,” the SPDC’s spokesperson, Precious Okolobo, said. “We have however, mobilised appropriate oil spill response measures and will be conducting a joint investigation visit to the leak site with relevant stakeholders. “We are currently focused on securing the pipeline to protect the environment. Given this latest incident and the wider security situation in the Niger Delta, we are unable to determine probable timing of resumption of exports from the Forcados terminal.” The SPDC, Okolobo reiterated, “Confirmed signs of a leak on the 48inch Forcados export pipeline at a location between shoreline and the Forcados terminal in the western Niger Delta, coming on the heels of a reported attack on the pipeline in the early hours of Friday, June 3.” The company is the operator of the export line on behalf of the joint venture partners comprising NNPC (55%), SPDC (30%), Total E&P Nigeria Ltd (10%) and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (5%). Harvest of attacks Militants had, penultimate Wednesday, declared that they had blown up oil wells “RMP” 23 and

Prior to the renewed attacks, the Federal Government projected a daily production of 2.2 million barrels in the country’s 2016 budget

“RMP” 24 belonging to Chevron in the Niger Delta. Rising under the auspices of Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), the militants claimed responsibility for the attacks via the group’s Twitter handle last Wednesday morning. The group has claimed responsibility for a string of attacks on oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta. “With the heavy presence of 100 gunboats, four warships and jet bombers, NDA blew up Chevron oil wells RMP 23 and RMP 24 3:44 a.m. this morning,” the group tweeted. The Avengers also ridiculed the Nigerian military, saying its successful activities had shown “the whole world that Nigeria military is good in harassing innocent civilians.” The group has launched several attacks on oil and gas infrastructure since February 2016, demanding a sovereign nation of the Niger Delta people. Director of Communications at Chevron, Sola Adebawo, declined to confirm or deny the latest development. “We are not able to comment on security matters for now,” Adebawo said in text message to newsmen. “Our priority is to ensure safety of our staff and assets.” Penultimate Thursday, The Avengers also claimed responsibility for an attack on a gas pipeline belonging to Chevron in Delta state. “We warned Chevron, but they didn’t listen. NDA just blew up the Escravos tank farm main electricity feed pipeline,” it said. Another production figure Head of energy research at Ecobank, Dolapo Oni, is one of those who gave an entirely different figure of Nigeria’s oil production. The crude production in Nigeria, hitherto the biggest crude producer in Africa, has, according to Oni, dipped to about 990, 000 barrels per day.

This dismay in production figure came, as the renewed militancy in the country oil-rich Niger Delta, Oni said, began to take a toll. In a more drastic estimate of the economic implication of attacks on oil and gas installations, Oni, according to Reuters, said: “Between pipeline repairs and militant attacks, Nigeria is probably producing no more than 990,000 barrels of oil every day.” Prior to the renewed attacks, the Federal Government projected a daily production of 2.2 million barrels in the country’s 2016 budget. Hole in Nigeria’s coffers Nigeria had, based on Oni’s figure last Wednesday, suffered oil production deficit of record 1. 01 million barrels per day, raising the revenues loss by the country and International Oil Companies (IOCs) to N10.1 billion ($50.5 million) daily. This is, according to data compiled by New Telegraph, indicates a deficit of 1.01 million barrels per day. With crude price currently hovering around $49 per barrel, the loss of revenues on the 1.01 million barrels deficit amounted to about N10 billion ($50 million) daily. Months of militant attacks on pipelines and oil infrastructure in the southern Niger Delta region have crippled production in Africa’s largest producer of crude. The militant group behind the attacks, the NDA, vowed in an early communiqué to reduce Nigeria’s economy to “zero.” They appear to be making headway. Exports have fallen from about 2.2 million barrels per day to as low as 990,000 barrels per day, analysts say, making Angola Africa’s largest producer of oil, at least for now. The drop in production and the low price of oil globally are major reasons why Nigeria is expected to CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

TUESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Energy

USAGE Nigeria produces over 4 million Tonnes of LPG per Annum

Adeola Yusuf

he lingering power crisis in Nigeria could be surmounted through the use of cooking gas, which could generate at least 100 Mega Watt captive electricity, the highest body of Liquefied Petroleum Association in Nigeria has said. The Nigeria LPG Association (NLPGA) disclosed this in

Body mulls 100MW power through cooking gas a statement to mark the World Environment Day. It maintained that Nigeria, which is the second largest producer of LPG in Africa and the sixth largest producer in the World, could take full advantage of the LPG potentials with electricity generation. “Nigeria produces over 4 million Tonnes of LPG per Annum. Currently, per capita consumption of LPG in Nigeria is about 0.8kg/annum. “The Annual LPG consump-

tion in Nigeria for 2014 is 300,000 Tonnes. In Lagos alone, there is a potential market for 1,000,000 Tonnes annually,” the statement issued by the Executive Secretary of the NLPGA, Joseph Eromosele stated. On efforts made by stakeholders in LPG industry, Eromosele said: “Most of the growth and improvement in the Nigerian LPG sector have been as a result of the collective efforts between the NLPGA and stakeholders including but

not limited to partnering with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on enforcement to eradicate substandard LPG cylinders. He said the partnership with SON on the quality of the product (LPG) and with the World LP Gas Association / UNDP on the cooking for life campaign would Help to reduce the death and illness caused by traditional yet harmful cooking fuels used by millions of people worldwide.

Gas installation

“Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), which is the cleanest and most suitable fuel for cooking is healthier and safer. It is also multipurpose fuel with thousands of applications including automobile use, generators/turbines for power generation and agricultural tools,” the NLPGA scribe said. Other activities of the group, Eromosele explained, include partnering with SON to set up cylinder refurbishment machines in plants; uninterrupted LPG supply made available by Nigeria LNG Ltd (NLNG). He added: “NLNG has allocated 250,000MT per annum for the domestic market. This is an increase from the 150,000 Tonnes they allocated in 2007, when they intervened in the Domestic LPG sector. “The annual consumption has increased from 70,000 Tonnes in 2007 to the current 2014 figure of 300,000 Tonnes, which is still nowhere near our desired objective of achieving 5million Tonnes minimum per annum.” The NLPGA has also partnered with the Lagos State Government and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the EKO Gas Scheme. The scheme, which started in 2013, aims at deploying LPG skids to 27 Local Governments in Lagos and also distributing 150,000 free cylinders as part of the pilot scheme.

Another look at Kachikwu’s 1.6m bpd oil production figure CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

enter a recession in by the end of this. Experts’ perspective Aside from Oni, Gail Anderson, research director at energy research and consultancy group Wood Mackenzie, said the militants have been careful in their sabotage. “The attacks themselves have been well-targeted and they’ve been designed to cause maximum damage, and I think they’ve been quite successful in that respect,” Anderson said. The NDA emerged earlier this year with a blog that took credit for a number of attacks on pipelines in the delta. It also listed demands, including apologies from politicians, the release of an imprisoned separatist leader and a redistribution of ownership of oil blocks. After months of sabotage, Anderson estimates production had fallen by about 560,000 barrels per day. Crude has long been Nigeria’s top export. Though President Muhammadu Buhari wants to wean the country off its dependence on oil, it remains the major source of revenue for the country’s recently enacted $30.4 billion budget. “We’re not producing up to

the level we need to produce, the government won’t generate the amount of revenue it needs to generate from oil,” Oni said. Low oil prices and shortages of fuel and foreign exchange led Nigeria’s economy to contract last quarter. It’s expected to do the same this quarter, putting the country into a recession. Repairs on the attacked pipelines will likely take weeks, Oni said, and that might not deter the militants. The militants blew up one pipeline in Bayelsa State twice, and warned its owners against repairing it, he said. Militancy in the Niger Delta is nothing new. The delta was the site of a years-long insurgency that only ended in 2009 when the government started paying off militants and offering them job training as part of an amnesty programme. That effort was criticised for not addressing the underlying issues fueling the militancy, namely the joblessness, poverty and pollution in many communities where people live next to oil production sites. The government is winding down the amnesty programme, but the NDA said it wants the programme to continue. Oni said its unknown if any participants in the programme are part of the new group, but the sophistication of their at-

tacks suggests a high level of familiarity with oil infrastructure. “They carry out attacks at specific times of the day, when they know they’re able to strike without specific reprisal from the enemy,” Oni said. Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, was in Niger Delta last week to kick off the cleanup of Ogoniland, a region of Rivers State that has been extensively polluted by oil spills over the years. Rehabilitating Ogoniland is one of the NDA’s demands. OPEC suffers same fate As the renewed militancy in Nigeria dipped the country’s production, the oil cartel also suffered the same fate. The outputs of OPEC last May was also down by 120, 000 bpd over oil installation attacks in Nigeria. The oil cartel scheduled a meeting last Thursday over the May output slide from near a record high, as attacks on Nigeria’s oil industry and other outages outweighed increases in Iran and Gulf members. Meanwhile, OPEC’s oil output fell in May from near a record high, as attacks on Nigeria’s oil industry and other outages outweighed increases in Iran and Gulf members. A rise in supply from Saudi

Arabia plus Iran suggests the group’s top producers remain focused on market share, following the failure of an initiative in April between OPEC and non-OPEC producers to support prices by freezing output. With OPEC meeting in Vienna last Thursday, outages were effectively achieving the supply restraint on which producers could not agree. Those disruptions are supporting oil prices, which are close to 2016 highs, and the rally has reduced the urgency of any new attempt at deliberate supply curtailment. “There is a tiny chance of a bullish surprise but as things stand right now, the odds are the continuation of OPEC’s marketshare policy,” said David Hufton, of oil brokers PVM. Supply from the OPEC fell to 32.52 million barrels per day (bpd) this month, from 32.64 million bpd last April, according to the survey, based on shipping data and information from sources at oil companies, OPEC and consultants. OPEC output has surged since the group abandoned in 2014 its historic role of cutting supply to prop up prices, in a shift led by Saudi Arabia. There are more indications, however, that some producers are struggling to maintain supply. May’s biggest decline oc-

curred in Nigeria due to militant attacks on the country’s oil industry. The disruption has pushed output to its lowest in more than 20 years. Increase amidst attack? Kachikwu was however, quoted to have said that despite incessant attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta, which was intensified during the time under review, the crude oil production in Nigeria has climbed to 1.6 million barrels per day from the 1.4 million barrels daily in the last one month. The country had prior to this, suffered series of attacks by a new militant Niger Delta Avenger, which have dipped the country’s production to 22 year low. But Reuters reported Kachikwu to have said last Thursday that Nigeria’s output had increased by over 200, 000 in one month. Conclusion Providing a breakdown for the new production figure by Dr. Kachikwu will boost the veracity of his claim. This will also increase the confidence of Nigerians and foreign investors alike, that the country’s oil production is not being grounded to “zero” as threatened by the new militant.

TUESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Homes&Property

Model of proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge

4th Mainland Bridge: Investors advised to avoid pitfalls To avoid problems encountered in the botched Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Lekki tolled road concessions, built environment professionals have cautioned government and private investors to identify factors responsible in order to ensure successful construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge, DAYO AYEYEMI reports

mpressed by the bold step already taken by Lagos State government in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consortium of investors for the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge, experts in the build environment have further warned the parties involved to ensure a successful execution of the ambitious project. The advice is predicated on the botched concession projects of the past, which actual execution became problematic due to various factors, which were not originally factored into the agreement. Examples of such concession projects are the Lagos-Ibadan express road, Lekki tolled road and redevelopment of old Federal

Secretariat at Ikoyi, Lagos among others. The experts, in their plea, enjoined the Lagos State Government and the consortium of investors to quickly identify grey areas in the pact and resolve them before the commencement of the project in order to avoid pitfalls. The Fourth Mainland Bridge project is expected to be completed in three years. Experts’ concerns Chairman, Bode Adediji Partnership, Mr. Bode Adediji, described the proposed construction of the bridge as long overdue, urging government and the consortium of investors to ensure implementation of the project within the planned framework and timeframe. Being a gigantic project, he said he would have expected a wider stakeholders’ participation. He, however, expressed hope that government would have enough data for the successful implementation of the project. “Let us just hope that they have more data to work with. But looking at it, we must endorse the project and support government to get it done,” he said. He noted that concession projects that failed in the past were due to cogent environment where they were conceived and implemented, saying he was not expecting anybody to go into any concessioneering on the primary basis of self-interest. A former President of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Dr. Bunmi Ajayi, urged the government to put in place a special purpose vehicle to ensure seamless flow of funds for

Construction of the bridge is critical as it will give very high social returns, create jobs and reduce gridlock in Lagos metropolis

the successful implementation of the project. He also called for the need to carry out detailed study of the project’s survey and engineering design in order to avoid unnecessary controversy when its actual implementation commences. He also advised that all stakeholders be carried along including owners of buildings within the project’s alignment for a better understanding to determine the compensation to be paid before demolishing their houses. He said: “They might not have factored many things into the MoU. For example, the route alignment, how many buildings will be demolished? If you want to pay compensation, how do you determine it and how much compensations you will need to pay. These are issues that can derail cashflow and also derail implementation. You may mark some buildings for demolition and their owners disagree with you on the amount you want to pay as compensation, and later end in court. This affects value of money and cost of money. We must avoid this. “Secondly, the person who designed can just give a tentatively preliminary engineering design, but when it now comes to detail engineering design, that is another thing entirely. So both parties that signed the agreement need to get their detailed engineering information about the project correctly.” The erstwhile APBN boss enjoined government to be faithful in its own side of the obligation, noting that government in the past had the tendency not to meet its side of obligation. “This must not arise. Govern-

ment must ensure that all the necessary laws about investment are obeyed,” he advised. Details of bridge and MoU The Memorandum of Understanding is between the Lagos State Government and a consortium of investors. The consortium, which agreed to fund and construct the bridge at N844 billion, comprise of Visible Asset Limited, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Hi-tech Construction Limited, J.P. Morgan, Eldorado Nigeria Limited, Nigerian Westminster Dredging and Marine, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Access Bank. Designed to cover a distance of 38 kilometres, the bridge will be constructed under a build, operate and transfer (BOT) concession with the state’s public-private partnership programme for a period of 40 years. Signatories to the agreement include the Chief Investment Officer, Africa Finance Corporation, Mr. Andrew Alli, Group Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, Executive Chairman, Visible Assets Limited, Mr. Idowu Iluyomade, Senior Country Officer, J.P. Morgan Nigeria, Mr. Tosin Adewuyi and Consultant, Advanced Engineering Consultants, Mr. Ger Horgan. Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, had described the signing of the MoU to build the 38-kilometre bridge as “another major milestone.” Scope of the bridge According to available information, the proposed alignment CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

TUESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Business | Homes & Property

Push for cement concrete road technology receives nod UNTENABLE

Dangote estimated that economic losses to poor condition of roads in Nigeria is $1billion annually

Dayo Ayeyemi

pparently worried by the spate of deplorable roads across the country coupled with high cost of construction with bitumen, stakeholders’ yearnings for the adoption of cement concrete road technology is receiving attention. A practical demonstration of this initiative took place at the weekend when Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) formally unveiled a 24-kilometre Itori-Ibese concrete road in Ogun State. The road, which is the longest stretch of concrete road in the country as at today, was constructed by AG-Dangote Construction Limited, a joint venture company with Andrade Gutierrez (AG), the leading construction company in Brazil. The unveiling of the well-laid concrete road, which is part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) to the local community, prompted the Federal Government to announce the award of other two major roads in the country to the company. Disclosing this before dignitaries at the well-attended occasion, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, stated that based on the satisfactory report and recommendation of team of engineers in his ministry, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the construction of the 42.5 kilometer

Obajana-Kabba Road to AGDangote Construction Company Limited, using cement concrete. According to him, the road project, when completed, would be the longest concrete road in Nigeria. Besides, he hinted that the Federal Government had also granted DIL 30 per cent tax concession in accordance with the provisions of section 3(1) and (2) of the Companies Income Tax Act (CAP, 21 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Companies Income Tax (Exemption of Profits) Order 2012, to help recover part of the cost of the project. He said: “I have taken note of the requests from my ministry’s intervention in the proposed Papalanto-Shagamu reconstruction and the ongoing

reconstruction of the Apapa Port Access Road in cement concrete paving and I undertake to give prompt attention to these requests as soon as I get back to Abuja.” He reiterated government’s desire to continue to partner and support indigenous firms like DIL which actively invest in employment generation and wealth creation for the benefit of Nigerians. President/Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said that the decision to introduce cement concrete roads was in line with what obtains in other parts of the world such as Germany and India. He pointed out that one of the major infrastructural challenges that the country is facing was due to lack of good quality

roads. In order to find a cost-effective and lasting solution to this problem, Dangote said his company had been advocating the construction of concrete roads as a more viable alternative to asphalt roads. For this reason, he disclosed that DIL had ventured into the construction of Itori-Ibeshe concrete road, saying “we will soon embark on the building of more concrete roads in other states of the federation including Lagos, Bauchi, Kogi and Kaduna.” Dangote outlined some of the benefits associated with concrete roads, putting economic losses due to poor condition of Nigerian roads at an estimated $1billion annually. He explained that roads built with concrete were 20 per cent

cheaper than the conventional asphalt roads, last longer and devoid of potholes. He added that concrete roads would not require frequent maintenance and also save fuel for motorists and protect tyres from wear and tear.’ “Another advantage of concrete roads is that cement, the basic raw material for construction, is available locally, and is cheaper to use in the long run than bitumen, a petroleumbased product that is presently imported. Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosu, commended Dangote Industries for the initiative, saying that the commissioning of Itori-Ibese road would go a long way in easing vehicular movement and promoting economic activities within Ibese and Ogun State.

Itori-Ibeshe cement concrete road

Experts task investors to avoid past pitfalls

NIESV plots against quacks, unlicensed foreign practitioners

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

Dayo Ayeyemi

of the bridge passes through Lekki, Langbasa and Baiyeiku towns along the shoreline of the Lagos Lagoon estuaries. It further runs through Igbogbo River Basin and crossing the Lagos Lagoon estuaries to Itamaga Area in Ikorodu. It passes through Itoikin and Ikorodu-Sagamu roads to connect Isawo inward of Lagos-Ibadan expressway at Ojodu Berger axis. The bridge, according to Governor Ambode, will be made up of eight interchanges to facilitate effective interconnectivity between different parts of the state. The governor pointed out that the structure would be a four-lane dual carriageway with each comprising three lanes and two metres hard shoulder on each side, adding that the bridge would be constructed to have a generous median to allow for both future carriageway expansion and light rail facility.

Financial outlay Consultant, Advanced Engineering Consultants, Mr. Ger Horgan, said the initial cost of the project operational from 2016 to 2021 was N844 billion, noting that the follow-up 10-year programme for “structural pavement” repair of the project between 2018 and 2033 is put at N5 billion with three toll plazas. According to him, to add overlay plus line and refurbish beforehand between 2055 and 2061 will cost N10 billion, while five years refresh programme of work along the route between 2030 and 2061 is put at N19 billion. The annual operating cost between 2021 and 2061 is N20 billion. Conclusion Apart from making life more comfortable for Lagosians, the construction of the bridge is critical as it will give very high social returns, create jobs and reduce traffic gridlock in Lagos metropolis.

orried by the rise of ‘invaders’ into their profession, executive members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) have been asked to do everything possible to eradicate activities of fake estate agents and unlicensed foreign firms. This call was made by stakeholders during the investiture and luncheon organised in honour of the 22nd President of NIESV, Dr. Bolarinde Patunola-Ajayi, in Lagos. Past President of NIESV, Mr. O.J. A Idudu, who raised the alarmed, urged the new executive of the association to seriously look into the issue of incursion by quacks and unregistered foreigners, saying “we must seek Nigeria’s protection of our profession.” President, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, Mr. Foluso Fasoto, on his part, demanded that estate

surveyors collaborate with relevant professional bodies in order to stop others from taking jobs they are not qualified for. Patunola-Ajayi noted that the incursion of many professionals and individuals into the practice was giving the profession of estate agency “a bad name.” To nib it in the bud, he said the association had commenced the programme to control estate agency in Nigeria with the establishment of Association of Estate Agents with the collaboration of Lagos State Government. This initiative, he said, would lead to a situation where estate agency would become regulated to give room for practitioners to receive training before commencing the practice. He urged corporate members of the association to team up to establish mega firms to stop foreign firms that are invading their profession in Nigeria.

He said: “We cannot hide from the fact that old foreign firms of real estate are flocking into Nigeria from abroad. We are going to take action that will ensure their compliance with the Nigerian laws, and protect our practice from their illegalities. At the same time, we must reposition our practice to international standard that is second to none.” On capacity building, he said his administration would give serious attention to training and retraining of members locally and internationally through the mandatory cumulative professional development. “Seminars, workshops and trainings will be organised on zonal basis where necessary. Members will receive training on internal standard and new real estate business procedures,” he said, adding that he would work with the business groups to prepare guidance notes on the best practice across board.

TUESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AVIATION

One of the several accident scenes in Africa.

Despite the poor air safety records in Africa, particularly in Nigeria where the country has witnessed series of plane crashes, carriers in the region whose businesses are worth $70 billion, have poor safety report card. WOLE SHADARE writes Overcoming tragedy? International commercial air travel has reached levels of safety and convenience, which would have been unimaginable just a generation ago. Although, they are almost always extremely tragic events, the lessons have played important role in the process to continue improving aviation safety. Coming off the back of a year that saw extraordinary aviation disasters dominate world headlines, it would be hard to find good news, but data from a leading industry body shows that in 2015 sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) airlines had zero jet hull losses. It was the biggest improvement of all regions, even if from a low base. Regulations In Nigeria, much has changed in term of regulations, accident and investigations while safety seems to be placed highly on aviation in Nigeria. Even in the best of climes, accidents do happen. Despite the tough environment, Nigeria’s aviation still ranks amongst the safest in the continent. No wonder Nigeria has continued to scale some of the toughest audit by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

Air safety: Nigeria, Africa get low rating and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), signalling that the country’s airspace is safe. Last Friday marked the fourth year anniversary of the crash of Dana MD-93 aircraft. The 2012 accident involving Dana in which 153 persons perished in a Lagos suburb of Iju-Ishaga and some others that happened shortly after that eroded confidence in air travel in Nigeria and by extension in Africa. Dana’s pending report Investigations confirmed that the inability of the pilot to turn on the fuel pumps of the ill-fated Dana Air flight that crashed at a Lagos suburb on June 3, 2012, killing about 160 people, led to the failure of the two engines and the eventual crash. The captain of the aircraft, Peter Waxtan, an American, who was already due for holiday on the day of the crash and who had his flight ticket to travel to the United States on the day of the crash, was making his last flight to Lagos from Abuja when the plane crashed, killing all on board and a few people on the ground. Pilot error (sometimes called cockpit error) is a decision, action or inaction by a pilot or crew of an aircraft determined to be a cause or contributing factor in an accident or incident. Pilot error can be a mistake, oversight, lapse in judgment, or failure to exercise due diligence by pilots during the per-

formance of their duties.

Human error is biggest obstacle to 100 per cent flight safety

Human factor Human error is biggest obstacle to 100 per cent flight safety. Most times accidents happen not because the operating equipment is not good. There are several combinations that could lead to accidents. The causes of pilot error are due to psychological and physiological human limitations, and various forms of threat and error management have been implemented into pilot training programmes to teach crew members how to deal with impending situations, which arise throughout the course of a flight. A broader view of how human factors fits into a system is now considered standard practice by accident investigators when examining the chain of events that led to an accident There are many people whose first assumption - after terrorism or hijacking is discounted - when a plane is lost, that some physical part has failed catastrophically. But mechanical failures alone account for only a small proportion of airliner crashes. Any lesson learnt? The question is, has any lesson being learnt in all of these accidents, not only in Nigeria but Africa? Opinions are divided on whether or not Nigerian aviation professionals have learnt from so many mishaps that have occurred.

Some are of the view that not much lessons have been learnt, while others said that no two crashes are the same, arguing that each accident provides new strategy to ensure it does not happen again. Experts, who spoke to New Telegraph, alleged that most of AIB’s reports hinge the causes of accidents in Nigeria on avoidable human errors and dereliction of duty by public officials working in the aviation sector as some of the major reasons for the loss of hundreds of lives in air crashes in Nigeria. The bureau, which is saddled with the responsibility of investigating air accidents in the country stated these in its findings, conclusions, and recommendations after air crashes that occurred in 2002 and 2005 involving two airlines, Sky Executive Aviation Services (SEAS) and Sosoliso airline. The reports, which can be found on the website of the agency, shows that if airport officials, airline operators, officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had done their jobs diligently, at least 103 lives could have been saved in those two crashes while property, including the two airplanes involved, worth hundreds of billions of naira could also have been saved. Some of the human errors identified by AIB as causes CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

TUESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Nigerian carriers seek availability of forex PLEA Forex constraint faced by airlines exacerbated the situation

Wole Shadare

he Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, address the failure to make foreign exchange available to domestic airlines to avoid their collapse and in the interest of safety to the air transport system. President, AON, Captain Noggie Meggison, in a statement, said that aviation is a pivot of the national economy that not only facilitates the movement of people and goods than any other mode of transportation but also ensures the ease of doing business by making it possible to transact different businesses in several locations in a single day. “This is made possible by Nigerian Carriers who despite operating in a difficult environment still manage to keep the wheels of the economy rolling and continue to provide jobs for a teeming Nigerian population”, he stated. Meggison stated that it is no longer news that airlines in Nigeria charge very competitive fares in local currency but have to carry out numerous operational activities including maintenance and purchase of spare parts in foreign currency (Dollars) thereby adding to the already unbearable burden the airlines have to carry on a regular basis. He disclosed that the current forex constraint being faced by airlines has further exacerbated the situation and threatening to cripple airline operations in the

A Medview airplane in flight

country. The operators decried what they said is a situation whereby foreign carriers operating in the country are given preference by the government by making over $200million available to them in 2016 to the detriment of Nigerian domestic carriers whose safe operations also largely depend on equally having access to forex. Meggison said that foreign airlines repatriate an estimated $2.2illion billion yearly out of the Nigerian economy, leading to a colossal amount of capital flight, as against domestic carriers that retain funds in the economy and provide jobs to Nigerians locally despite the latter not receiving up to $10 million in comparison. His words, “Aviation is an international business and irrespective of the environment an

airline operates in we are all faced with the same challenges; but more so for Nigerian operators who have to also deal with many infrastructure challenges and in-

Air safety: Nigeria, Africa get low rating CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 29

of the plane crashes include non-lightening of runways and airfields, poorly constructed drainage culverts, inaccurate information by the control tower, lack of proper certification of radio operators and poor supervision of aircraft imported into the country. Africa improves Africa’s air safety last year was better than over the five-year period 2010–2014, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported recently. While the hull loss rate for jet airliners was down, that for turboprop airliners showed a dramatic decline. The jet hull loss rate in Africa in 2015 was 3.49 per million flights, compared with a rate of 3.69 for 2010–2014, while the turboprop hull loss rate was 4.53, compared with 18.20 for the preceding five-year period.

There were four commercial hull loss accidents in SSA last year. Two involved jets and two involved turboprops. Neither jet accident saw any fatalities, nor did one of the turboprop losses. Unfortunately, the other turboprop loss did result in fatalities. In addition, there were two accidents involving jet aircraft in the region, which did not result in hull losses but did cause fatalities. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a runway excursion by a freighter aircraft caused eight fatalities on the ground. Conclusion Over Senegal, an airliner collided with a smaller jet serving as an air ambulance while the airliner suffered only moderate damage and nobody on-board suffered any injuries, the smaller jet disappeared (its wreckage has not yet been found) and is considered lost and all seven people on-board are presumed dead.

efficiencies in the system.” The operators therefore called on the government to be proactive and extend the same level of support to Nigerian carriers by mak-

ing significant amounts of forex available to them, as extended to their foreign counterparts in an effort to forestall total collapse of the system and promote safety.

IATA: Global airlines to return to $39.4b profitability in 2016

he outgoing DirectorGeneral and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Tony Tyler has given assurance that global airlines would soon return to a net profit of $39.4billion in 2016. He disclosed this in his report on the air transport industry at the 72nd IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Dublin, Ireland. Tyler noted that global carriers have long struggled to turn a profit and reward investors, adding, “That is beginning to change.” Overall, despite generally adverse economic conditions, it is a good time for the air transport industry, he said. The IATA chief noted that in 2015 airlines generated a global aggregate profit of $35.3 billion (re-stated from $33.0 billion estimated in December 2015). He said all regions are making a contribution to the $4.1 billion boost over 2015 profits with improved results; but there are stark regional differences in performance. “ Over half of the industry profits will be generated in North America ($22.9 billion) while African carriers are forecast to continue generating an overall loss (-$0.5 billion), he added. “It will be only the second year in our history—and the second in a row—in which airlines will make an aggregate return in excess of the cost of capital. After decades of

capital destruction, that’s a significant achievement. But it is still just the minimum performance that investors expect”. To him, profitability is not evenly spread, stressing that the passenger business is growing robustly while cargo stagnates. He, however, noted that some regions are doing very well while others are struggling, adding that individually, some of the airlines are experiencing good times, while others face a world in crisis. He stated that on average, airlines would make $10.42 for each passenger carried. In Dublin, that’s enough to buy four double-espressos at Starbucks. “Put another way, for every $100 in sales that Starbucks makes, their net profit is over $11. But airlines will only make $5.60. We don’t begrudge Starbucks their profitability. But there is clearly still upside for airlines,” he said. Tyler explained that lower oil prices are certainly helping—though tempered by hedging and exchange rates, hinting that their hard work is strengthening the business, with load factor said to be at record levels. New value streams are increasing ancillary revenues. And joint ventures and other forms of cooperation are improving efficiency and increasing consumer choice while fostering robust competition, he added

TUESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Interview No sign of any progress in education sector – UI don

Education

Campus Pharmacy students’ beauty pageant set UNIBEN aglow

33 35

CONFUSION

The directive by the Education Minister to scrap the post-UTME in the tertiary institution system has since continued to raise fresh confusion in the sector

Mojeed Alabi

he age-long controversy trailing the conduct of the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post-UTME) introduced in 2006 by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, following the lack of confidence in the conduct of higher institution qualifying examination by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) last week took a new dimension. The Education Minister, Mallam Adamu Adamu announced the scrapping of the screening exercise conducted by higher institutions – universities, polytechnics and colleges of education – to reassess the candidates for admission into their institutions. But, the Minister’s seemingly innocuous directive has since continued to stir fresh controversies among key stakeholders in the education sector, who described the action as a contravention of the power of the universities to test candidates for admission. The Minister had, while declaring open the 2016 combined policy meeting on admissions into Degree, Nigerian Certificate in Education, National Diploma and National Innovation Diploma Awarding Institutions, described as unnecessary, the decision by the various institutions to conduct another examination after the candidates have been made to go through the rigour of UTME. Adamu said: “As far as I am concerned, JAMB has built a level of confidence in terms of conducting the UTME, a situation where universities go and conduct other examinations, is unnecessary. “If the universities have any complaint against JAMB, let them channel their complaints appropriately and we would address it. But, if JAMB is qualified enough to conduct tests and they have conducted test, then there will be no need to conduct another test for candidates to secure admis-

kayode olanrewaju Editor, education

kayode olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com

Some of the students during the post-UTME exams.

Minister’s call to scrap post-UTME stirs confusion •Stakeholders: Power to admit, graduate lies in varsities’ Senate •SSANU, NAPPS, MURIC: Scrap JAMB instead sion.” However, the stakeholders, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the umbrella union university lecturers in the country; the Senior Staff Association of Universities (SSANU); the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of Private Universities in Nigeria (CVCRPUN); National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), among others, have kicked against the action of the minister, saying he lacks the power to make such pronouncement. However, the system of admission, especially since the 1990s was said to have revealed serious limitations and quite often, poor performance of candidates and waste of resources, especially on their part. Worried by the shortcomings that greeted the yearly conduct of the qualifying examinations by JAMB, the President Obasanjo administration in 2006 introduced the post-UTME screening exercise for individual universities to retest the candidates after the normal UTME examination. Following the fresh controversies, ASUU has faulted the creation of JAMB, in 1978 by the then military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo, which according

If the universities have any complaint against JAMB, let them channel their complaints appropriately

to ASUU, is an aberration that was fought fiercely by the union, but that the Federal Government stuck to its gun. According to the President of ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, the action was in violation of the laws establishing the universities, which he said had saddled the Senate of each of the universities with the responsibility to admit, dismiss and graduate students. He said the creation of JAMB without abrogation of the laws establishing the universities was a contradiction that was clearly expressed by the ASUU at different fora in the past. Meanwhile, in his swift reaction, the Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of Private Universities in Nigeria (CVCRPUN), Prof. Isaac Adeyemi, recalled that JAMB was doing well until the early 1990s, when it was noted that candidates with high scores in the then UME (now UTME) were performing poorly in schools. Adeyemi, who is the Vice-Chancellor of Bells University of Technology (BELLSTECH), Ota, Ogun State, said as an admission officer in 1991 at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), it was obvious that the integrity of JAMB was no longer intact. He further explained: “We found out that those admitted

with high scores “on merit” on admission could only manage to move to the next classes as their Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) showed alarming downward trends. “We had taught it was only OAU that had the problem until we complained at a joint meeting with the Federal Government and almost all the universities in attendance at that meeting presented similar cases. That is the beginning of the distrust in JAMB.” In a similar development, the immediate past President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, cited the case a particular female candidate with a high score in the UTME at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK) who was admitted into the university’s Engineering Faculty on merit. “But it was surprising that after one year at the faculty the lady had to be placed on probation. It was the first time in the history of BUK that a single student’s case had taken more than two hours of deliberation at the Senate meeting. She was eventually advised to withdraw,” he recalled. The agitation for a fresh mechanism to screen admission seekers into the institution, who might have passed the UTME CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

education

TUESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

College, UI Consult partner to bridge skill gaps Kayode Olanrewaju

W L-R: Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr. Funmi Oladunmoye; Osuji; Bamgbose and NIFST Past President, Prof. Babajide Elemo, at the event PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Hike in food price good for Nigeria,saysNIFSTpresident Mojeed Alabi

he Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) has described the current rising cost of food as a stimulus for positive reaction from the country to address the food challenges facing the people. Speaking during the 40th anniversary of the institute, which took place in Ikeja, Lagos, its National President, Dr. Chijioke Osuji, said the current food crisis in the country will be short-lived, but that it is good to inspire more Nigerians to go into farming. He said farmers have had it rough in the past with their farm produce sold away at cheap prices due to lack of storage facilities and the challenges of foreign exchange scarcity, which is coupled with government policy of mopping up resources from various government agencies. Osuji said: “The government policies have actually informed the high cost of food, but we see this as a positive

development for our country, which for a long time has suffered because farmers are derided and looked down upon in the society. “So, now that the government will start pumping money back into the economy, many people have seen reason to invest in farming and this is the right time for our government to invest in local technology to enhance mass production, storage and nutritional values.” The Chairman of the Lagos chapter of the institute, Mr. Sunday Bamgbose, however, noted that the institute has become a veritable tool to ensure food safety and security in the country, saying relevant stakeholders must key into the institute’s vision towards ensuring that the country tackles the challenge of food confronting it. The keynote speaker, Mr. Morayo Giwa, who spoke on the theme: “Enhancing Nutritional Value of Food, Drinks and Beverages through Technology and Innovation,” said the Ministries of Agriculture,

108 qualify for second stage of Cowbellpedia Kayode Olanrerwaju

he results of the 2016 Cowbellpedia Mathematics Qualifying Examination, sponsored by Promasidor Nigeria Limited, manufacturers of Cowbell brand of milk, which will produce this year’s “King or Queen” of Mathematics have been released. A total of 46,698 students, comprising 4,892 in the junior category and 22,443 for senior category, wrote the qualifying examination, conducted on Saturday March 19, in 235 centres across the country. Giving the breakdown of the figure, the organisers said this year’s entries for the yearly competition rose by 40 per cent above last year’s figure, with three states recording the highest enrolment growth. These states are Kaduna with 214 per cent; Kebbi (164 per cent); and Sokoto with 146 per cent.

From the 46,698, entries, 108 students with 54 each for junior and senior categories, are to proceed to the second stage of the competition, which is the Television Quiz Show. This figure is made up of the top 20 for the two categories; and 34 best scores, based on best in each state. The second stage, which will be in a quiz format, will be further sub-divided into preliminary, semifinals and finals, while the TV Show will be serialized in 13 episodes and will be aired on 14 television stations across the country. The Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olivier Thiry, lauded the National Examination Council (NECO), which conducted the first stage examination, state Ministries of Education, school principals, teachers, the press and other partner agencies for their support for the initiative over the years.

and Science and Technology should collaborate to address the technological gaps in the country’s food sector. At the event, which was attended by past presidents and fellows of the institute, were representatives of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), among others. The high point of the anniversary was the induction of new members of the institute including fresh students, and those of other levels.

orried by the current skill gap in the country, the urgent need to equip the youth for the world of work through international certification programmes has been reiterated by the President of Eden Global Business School (EGBS), Reverend Tunji Adepoju. According to him, such need has become imperative in this 21st Century, if the youths in the country are to be globally competitive and function optimally in the society where the knowledge economy is the in thing. Towards this end, he said the Eden Global Business and Entrepreneurship College, is set out to offer international certification programme with partnership with the University of Ibadan (UI) Consult in full programme and institutional professional in Agricbusiness, Public Service Management, Security Management and Operation and Educational, and Leadership Logistics and Supply Chain Management. While saying that the overriding vision of the school is to build capacity and kick start the knowledge based on the needs of the country.

The college runs 15-month Professional Diploma, Graduate Diploma, Post Graduate Diploma in Business Accounting, Business Information System, Computing and Information Technology (CIT), Data Processing Management (DPM) and Management Information System (MIS), Marketing, Church Management, Entrepreneurship Management, Business Accounting, Management and Business Administration, Information and Communication Technology, among others. The Professional Diploma and Graduate Diploma programme is designed to improve the key innovative and strategic skills required for excellence to managers in all areas of business, industry and public administration both locally and internationally. He blamed the skill gap in the country on the type of curriculum, adding that the college will bring about professional curriculum that will providing the link for students as well as develop and harness their capacity. Besides, Adepoju wondered that the carrying capacity of higher institutions is somehow low and then students go about admission without much direction. L-R: Chairman, Lagos Chapter of NAPPS, Alh. Kamaldeen Akande; Alimi and the National Public Relation Officer of NAPPS, Bishop Opukeme Godly at the event

NAPPS condemns WAEC over low enrolment charges

Mojeed Alabi

rivate school owners, under the aegis of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), have condemned the levies imposed on private schools by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) whenever they present candidates who are less than 30 for the West African Senior School Certificates Examination (WASCE). This was even as the group pledged its commitment to reform the nation’s education sector and position it for the best practices. According to the leadership of the association, the way to address the nation’s socio-economic and political challenges is to fix the rot in the sector. The views were expressed by the National Deputy President of the association and the President of South-West

chapter, Otunba Yomi Otubela and Alhaja Basirat Alimi respectively. The duo, who spoke at a twoday conference, which was organised last week by the SouthWest chapter of the association in Lagos urged the governments at all levels to harmonise all education taxes and leave the ministries of education to make the collection on behalf of the government instead of the current system, which they claim gives room for multiple taxation. In his welcome address, Otubela said NAPPS has become a relevant stakeholder in the nation’s education sector and should be seen as partner in progress by the governmental and non-governmental organisations, as well as other agencies in addressing the challenges in the sector. On her part, Alimi noted that since private schools are no longer permitted to register private candidates

for WASCE, the regional examination body should desist from charging them for having low enrolment, saying the development could be discouraging and counterproductive to small school owners. But reacting to the development, WAEC said the charges had become imperative following the huge cost of logistics incurred by the examination body during the conduct of examinations. In an exclusive interview with New Telegraph, the body’s Public Affairs Officer, Damianus Ojijeogu, said the alternative was for the private schools to merge with one another, while they still retain their centre numbers to avoid the penalty. “It takes so much to conduct credible examination, that is why WAEC develops a benchmark for the number of candidates to qualify a school to be allocated a centre,” Ojijeogu noted.

TUESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ademola Dasylva, a Professor of African and Oral Literature at the Department of English, University of Ibadan (UI), in this interview with KAYODE OLANREWAJU, appraises the education sector in the last one year of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the expected roles of ASUU, students and labour unions in the development of the country One year after, how will you assess the performance of President Buhari’s government so far in the education sector? To be honest with you, there hasn’t been any impact yet. Indeed, the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy introduced by the administration, coupled with the delayed approval of the 2016 budget which was occasioned by the notorious “padding”, more or less, compounded the teething problem of slowing down all core activities in the nation’s education sector. I want to believe that non-release of funds to our universities was largely responsible for a total disintegration of infrastructure, and the consequences of this inaction are largely responsible for most, if not all, student protestations and disaffection in many of the nation’s universities. Now, we have just about six or so months to go to the end of 2016, no sign of any progress in sight yet. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the figure in naira allocated to education to be able to determine if it will adequately address the funding challenges and bring about the desired change. The government raised Ad-hoc Committees to investigate alleged cases of financial recklessness in 10 tertiary institutions. What is your reaction to this? Well, it is a good step, but it is not yet “Uhuru.” The on-going investigation should by now have moved fully into the tertiary institutions universities, colleges of education and the polytechnics. That is, if it is not late already. The entire tertiary institution system should be looked into holistically. It is then the public will know that these institutions and their management are not as clean as they pretend, or appear to be. My fear is that if funds are released even now in accordance with the current budget, there is the likelihood that the funds might grow wings and disappear into private pockets the Nigerian way. Therefore, if this government must get serious, it should not spare education sector, and the investigation should be right now, before tracking becomes impossible. Wide criticism trailed the sacking of Vice-Chancellors of the new federal universities, even when some of them had already relinquished office following the expiration of their tenure. Would you say the sack was justified? The sacking of the Vice-Chancellors of the relatively new federal universities lacked tact and experience.

Interview | education

No sign significant in education sector –UI don That was rather hasty and without recourse to due process. Perhaps the Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu was trying to impress Mr. President, but unfortunately he ended up embarrassing the government, and humiliating decent colleagues who served the nation selflessly. Well, it is okay that the decision was rescinded, and the Minister admitted his gross mismanagement of the matter. I am not sure Buhari government has gotten it right yet on the appointment of vice-chancellors for the new universities. I expected the government to improve on what former President Goodluck Jonathan did on such appointments. He simply persuaded and involved some of our colleagues in the Diaspora, and appointed them pioneer Vice-Chancellors in some of the universities. The idea was to avoid unethical work, learning and research cultures that have afflicted older universities. As such he simply allowed these folks to establish a culture of local relevance, global competitiveness and best practice in their respective universities. For instance, the great work that Prof. Bolaji Aluko did at the Federal University, Otuoke, bears an eloquent testimony to the need to engage more of our colleagues in the Diaspora. So, I expect the Minster to attract and invite more renowned scholars from the Diaspora to pro- Dasylva vide academic and administrative leadership in those universities. He should not have encouraged the age long tradition of in-breeding and “cloning” of institutions, so that they end up looking alike. This has not profited our universities in any way: imagine someone leaves Kebbi to become vice-chancellor in Nasarawa, somebody leaves Benue to be made vice-chancellor in Jos, someone leaving Lokoja to become vicechancellor in Otuoke. No doubt, they would have something to contribute, but the new institutions might just end up being exactly like the older universities. To date, That is not a true university tradition. Check what obtains in deour veloped countries. Each university private has its own identity, peculiarities, universtrength, weakness, that in form their clients’ choices. sities Some stakeholders believe that the Federal Government erred in reversing the conversion of four colleges of education upgraded to universities of education at the twilight of President Jonathan’s administration. What does the action portend? Of course, the four Colleges of Education, which the previous government of President Goodluck Jonathan upgraded to universities of education at the dying minutes of his administration is an idea that is commendable and welcome in itself. It is the manner of his decreeing them into existence that I believe was procedurally and technically wrong. He probably did that for political reason. But, I like to state categorically here that as the pioneer National Secretary of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), that upgrading three of the first

in the country do not have Faculties of Education

cation, in the best interest of numerous Nigerian youth. President Buhari is a listening President, I am sure he will still give it his kind consideration. If the government takes into consideration some of these points, our Rome might still be room enough and indeed.

generation Colleges of Education to Universities of Education was our union idea. It was presented then to the late Prof. Babatunde Fafunwa, who was the Minister of Education. We equally followed up the demand when Prof. Imogie and Prof. Nwabueze took over as Ministers, as well. Our reasons had included the need for the proposed universities of education to enhance teaching specialization and reduce the current admission pressure on existing universities; to complement the limited infrastructure in the universities and also join in the production of quality teaching personnel for the ever growing secondary schools in the country. Then, COEASU recommended Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo; Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri; and the Federal College of Education, Zaria. The recommendation was based on the quality of infrastructure and the personnel in these colleges. The circumstances in the country and, especially, in the universities, that informed our demands then have not changed. As a matter of fact they have become more terrible. To date, our private universities in the country do not have Faculties of Education, while the infrastructure in existing faculties of education in existing public universities are hardly expanding. Besides, most of the qualified candidates are denied admission not because they do not qualify, but for lack of space in the universities. There is, therefore, the urgent need for the government and the Minister of Education to perfect the procedure for proper upgrading of the colleges to universities of edu-

As a former union leader, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has critical roles to play in the development of university education and other sectors of the economy. How would you assess its roles and activities in recent times? Well, I may not be in the best position to answer this question, for a personal reason: two years ago, I voluntarily withdrew my membership of ASUU, albeit, temporarily. I have nothing against the union and what it stands for. I withdrew my membership based purely on my personal conviction, and assessment of the poor quality of its leadership at the University of Ibadan (UI). My temporary withdrawal was with a proviso, and that is, I shall return to the union only when I am convinced that the union leaders are prepared to give quality leadership, which the union deserves. So, with this background you can understand where I am coming from. I will try as much as I can to answer from the bit I know of the union, presently. Although, what Nigerians, and especially the media, associate ASUU with is the incessant “strikes.” Let me state unequivocally that the union in the past had played critical role in the development of university education in Nigeria, including curriculum development, maintenance of true university culture, ensuring quality of content of programmes, quality of teaching personnel, maintaining discipline among its members, and more importantly, guaranteeing the general welfare of its members. In the past, ASUU had been at the vanguard checking the excesses of some exuberant Vice-Chancellors, or poor university administration, or demanding for adequate funding from government for the universities to run effectively so as to meet with global standard and best practice. To date, it will be correct to conclude that there is hardly any significant progress in such areas as government funding of university education, improved infrastructure, general welfare package, including salaries of teaching staff that did not involve ASUU’s sacrificial struggles. I say “sacrificial” in the sense that ASUU members were usually demonized, harassed and predictably denied their salaries for six or more months. The good news is that government, having noted the resilience of the union and the rightness of the union arguments or position had always had no option than to agree with the striking union. Now, do not ask me why government usually woke up only when the union embarked on a strike. Somebody once said “strike is the only language” CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

education | public discourse

TUESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG should take Ogunyemi: No minister can outlaw screening of candidates by varsities anti-corruption war to tertiary institutions O Minister’s directive to scrap Post-UTME

Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi is the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) n the issue of postUTME, if it is about screening candidates for admission, the universities have right to conduct screening, and there is no Minister that can outlaw that process. This is because that process is backed by the laws establishing the universities. The power to admit and graduate students is vested in the Senate of the universities. However, if what the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu is saying is that students should not be exploited, then we agree with that because this is what the

universities are already turning the screening exercise to, since they could no longer run their campuses successfully due to poor funding. Therefore, if it is about this, we will still go back the Federal Government for proper funding of the universities because if you are not funding the universities adequately and they decided to turn screening exercises to moneymaking venture does the government need to blame them. Though, ASUU condemns this, the government must also fund the universities adequately. This is a government

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

that has allocated only eight per cent of the total budget to education and is it not contradictory to say that they should stop the screening. Our suggestion is that the government should respect the university autonomy and fund the universities and ban the payment for the screening exercises. And such ban can only be effective when institutions are adequately funded.

Ibidapo-Obe: We need restructuring, not total scrap Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe is a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka

want to believe what I heard is that written examination as post-UTME screening mechanism will no longer be allowed. I think we agitated for this and what we got during the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration was to conduct screening for UTME candidates willing to be admitted to our schools to be sure that those offered admission are those worthy to be our students. The problems we were

having at that time was that the so called ‘Jambites’ apart from not doing well in their respective institutions were also seen to be involved in cult activities because there were new students, who might have been rusticated for various criminal offences in other institutions but now coming back into the university system. What we were asking for then, was a kind of an aptitude test and not another round of serious

examination. In the first instance, the basic principle law establishing the universities empowers them to admit and graduate students; so those advocating for the rights of the universities to admit their students are very right. But I think what JAMB came to do was to coordinate the admission process and it compares to what UCAS (University Courses at University and College) does in the United Kingdom.

Salaam: JAMB has outlived its usefulness Comrade AbdulSobur Salaam is the Public Relations Officer of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU)

he issue of scrapping the post-UTME is multi-faceted. The idea behind the post-UTME examination came up about a few years ago, because of an obvious erosion of confidence by the universities on the JAMB. It was discovered that in quite a lot of cases, candidates who scored exceptionally high in the JAMB examinations usually performed poorly than expected as undergraduates. Those with average or sometimes lower scores, but who managed to secure admission after lobbying, performed better than those who were admitted on merit through JAMB.

This contradiction led to the introduction of post-UTME screening examination to reassess the candidates for admission by individual universities after the JAMB assessment. However, in the last two or three years, the universities have focused on the post-UTME screening more for their Internally Generated Revenue source, than a means of quality control. Thus, on principle, the scrapping may be in order. As to the legality of the Minister’s pronouncement, the JAMB itself is an erosion of the powers of Senates of

universities to admit students. This is where the problem lies. The legal basis for the existence of JAMB and the functions it is to play seemed to have eroded the powers of the Senates of the universities. Beyond the legality is also the issue of the relevance of JAMB in the face of the present realities in the country. JAMB has outlived its purpose and is no more relevant in the scheme of things.

interviews by mojeed alabi

people in authority in Nigeria understand. One of the great contributions of ASUU, I just remember in those days when the Federal Government complained of lack of funds to execute the various programmes as suggested, was the intention to dismiss the demands of the union. It was ASUU that brought up, in one of its several proposals, the idea that gave birth to Educational Tax Fund (ETF), now Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund); Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), as well as VAT. Today, the government cannot give any excuse that denies the universities adequate funding any more. In other words, ASUU in the past had contributed its rich intellectual resources to every issue of local and national interest. In recent times however, the nation is denied that spark which the union was synonymous with. I am aware also that ASUU played a very significant role and contributed to the recent NEEDS Assessment, a report on the core needs of the nation’s universities which was concluded shortly before President Buhari came on board. I strongly believe that the union should draw the attention of the Minister of Education to the significance of the report with a view to implementing the recommendations contained in the report. That is provided that our government is serious with a holistic development of the nation’s university education for local relevance and global competitiveness. These are the issues addressed once and for all in the NEEDS Assessment report. I think that it should generate a current discourse in the universities with a view to putting necessary pressure on the government for appropriate action. And, if the current budget fails to accommodate it, the government knows what it can do to effect the execution of the report on the NEEDS Assessment. Again, the Human Rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), is in my opinion playing the role that ASUU used to play in the past. The respected lawyer, Mr. Falana’s argument on why Nigeria does not need any Chinese $2 billion loan, and his letter to EFCC a couple of days ago, did not hang his criticism of the Federal Government’s efforts, rather he provided an alternative solutions, ways and means by which the nation could fund its projects through recovered stolen funds within and without. The conciseness of the details he gave as well as his argumentation were quite commendable. The ASUU I used to know would have done a better job still, as the saying goes, “two (or more) good heads are better than one.” From the foregoing and the current posture of ASUU, does it suggest that the union had gone to sleep? From the look of things, ASUU is currently asleep, or so it seems. The recent strike by a faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which ASUU also joined, merely confirmed one’s suspicion of a union desperately

Dasylva

in need of direction, clear vision and a re-orientation. For example, one would have expected ASUU to first and foremost fault the arguments of the Federal Government that the only option is to hike the fuel pump price. The ASUU I used to know would rather have provided a more robust and convincing alternative to price hike of petrol. This way, the union will be seen to have provided the intellectual leadership to union activism, and not add to the national problem. In other climes where students are a critical factor, especially in terms of innovation, what do you think should be the roles of Students’ Union in this regard? I used to be a student union activist, way back when students were a bit more matured in age and life experience; in those days when students did not think they must wait for the “future” to show their relevance or before they contributed their quota to their country’s development. The, students saw the “Nigeria project” as theirs and any attempt to do anything injurious to local (the university system) or matters of national interest by anyone, no matter how powerful, or highly placed, was challenged with their youthful energy by every legal means. Of course, there could be occasional excesses when expressing their displeasure through protests, but such collective actions had national colour and interest, not personal or selfish. You would recall that by virtue of being the nation’s premier University, the students of UI demonstrated against the proposed Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact, and the idea died permanently. When General Murtala Mohammed was assassinated by Buka Suka Dimka in a coup plot, UI students were the first on the streets protesting the killing of the then Head of State, not minding the risk involved in a military regime, even long before the coup was aborted. While I was a student at University of Ife, under the leadership of Mr. Wole Olaoye and Mr. Femi Falana was our PRO, there used to be a mutual understanding between the student activists and the lecturers. There was proper mentoring as well as proper ideological grounding. So, students know their rights, they know what they deserved and the kind of a country they wanted Nigeria to be.

TUESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

VC’s wife takes breast cancer awareness to community Franklin Onwubiko and Dominic Orazulike UNIZIK

orried by the rising cases of breast cancer in the society, a university women association, under the aegis of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Women Association (NAUWA), has taken the awareness campaign on breast cancer to the university community. The group, led by its President, Dr. Gladys Ahaneku, the wife of the university ViceChancellor, said the event was in a bid to reinforce and heighten awareness campaign on breast cancer, which

campus

has continued to pose a great danger for the womenfolk. The event, which was tagged: “Creating breast cancer awareness among Nigerian women,” and which attracted medical professionals, staff and students of the university, was flagged off with a lecture for women in the university community. The lecture, which took place at the university auditorium, was attended by the Head, Unit of Breast Multidisciplinary, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, and the President, Nigerian Senologic Society, Prof. Stanley Anyanwu as guest lecturer.

Obakpolor (left) and other contestants at the event.

Pharmacy students’ beauty pageant sets UNIBEN aglow Ezekiel Efeobhokhan

The patron of the association, Mr. Shuaibu Omada (middle) with members of the association

UNN Muslim students celebrate week Oladele Oge UNN

he University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) chapter of Muslim Students’ Association last week flagged off a three-day awareness campaign on the need to establish mutual understanding among Christians and Muslims on campus against religious intolerance in the country. The campaign was part of activities lined up by the association to mark this year’s edition of the Association’s Week. The President of the association, Muhibdeen Bolakale, explained that such outreach programme had become important in order to foster peace and healthy interaction among members of the two religions so as to forestall anti-religious activities. Since Christians and Muslims are under one God, he stressed the need for love, oneness and hospitality, as well as religious tolerance. The programme, which tagged: “Jihad Fisabilillah and General Misconceptions in Islam,” was attended by Muslim students from other campuses across the country, who had come to felicitate with their Muslim brothers and sisters. Receiving the students to his office, the Chairman of the association, Shuaibu Abdulahi of the Centre for Basic Science, implored the students to work at all times towards the repentance of unbelievers with a view to bringing them back to God for advancing spirituality and academic progress. Meanwhile, he urged all

Muslims to always uphold their religious obligations and work together in harmony with members of other religious faiths in order to truly understand Islam philosophy. The programme was flagged off on the first day with the sweeping and cleaning of strategic locations on campus by the students as well as visitation to Christian brothers and sisters hostels, which was followed by a lecture on: “Islamic View Management” delivered by Abdul Mu’min Issah. Others high points of the week were lectures on health and other related matters, which took place on Saturday and presentation of awards, which was also held on Sunday at the Faculty of Arts Theatre of the institution.

UNIBEN

he maxim: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” was brought to the fore last week, when the University of Benin (UNIBEN) chapter of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS), set aside their classroom and laboratory activities to organise a Beauty Pageant. The beauty pageant, the students noted, was part of activities lined up to mark the association’s annual Health Week. This year’s contest, which took place at the Doctors House opposite the University of Benin Teaching Hospital UBTH, according to the association’s Vice President, Courage Omoregbe, “attracted by many contestants, to the extent that we had to carry out a preliminary elimination of candidates.” “We were shocked at the massive turn out of contestants and

we had a difficult time reducing the number for the contestants for the grand finale,” she said. According to Omoregbe, the Miss Ultra-Cal-C Pageant is always looked up to by UNIBEN students because they have a trust in the entire process as it was not marred by any irregularity. On the transparency of the process, the President of PANS, Benjamin Idiakhoa explained that he knew the contestants for the first time during the event. He said the students should be assured that the process would be fair as pharmacy students are always known for their high sense of integrity. While announcing the winners, the panel of judges highlighted the criteria used to select the winners and urged the gathering to be positively minded. The contestants were asked questions relating to Ultra-CalC product which is a combination of Calcium and Vitamin C. The announcement of Vale-

ria Obakpolor, a 200-Level undergraduate as the winner of the Miss Ultra-Cal-C for this year was greeted with thunderous ovation, which shook the hall to its roof. According to Ehidiamen Olobor, a 500-Level student, the winner (Obakpolor) emerged as the beauty pageant for meeting the criteria set for the process, which include her dressing and carriage and confidence throughout the exercise. Speaking after she was declared the winner, Obakpolor expressed gratitude to the organisers sponsors of the pageant, even as she said the programme has further boosted her chances of fulfilling her dream in life. The sponsor, the Managing Director of Generix Global, manufacturer of Ultra-Cal-C, Mr. Steve Iruedo, a Pharmacist hinted that the pageant was organised to boost the morale of students to pursue their career. Ultra-Cal-C is a product of Generix pharmacy.

Varsity tasks SIWES participants to be good ambassadors A head of this year’s Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Prof. Oluyemisi Adebowale, has urged students taking part in the scheme to be good ambassadors of the institution in their respective places of assignment. Adebowale, who gave the warning during the opening session of a one-day orientation programme organised for the students. While declaring open the orientation programme on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said: “I urge all the participating students in this year’s SIWES to bear in mind that AAUA is built on integ-

rity and excellence. I, therefore, charge you to be good ambassadors of the university in your respective places of assignment and to showcase the excellence that the university is known for.” Adebowale said the essence of SIWES was to bridge the gap between theory and practice, adding that the orientation programme would equip them with necessary tools that would sustain them when faced with the reality and challenges of their courses in the industries. The Acting Director of the university’s Industrial Training Unit, Dr. Olanrewaju Olotuah, who was represented by Mr. Oluwaseyi Osanyinbi, said the six-month exercise would run between June and November would serve as a platform for the students to ac-

quire more practical knowledge, hone their skills and create links for future engagements. Olotuah said that the methods of assessing the performance of the students have been expanded, such that the students would now take a compulsory Computer-Based Test (CBT) to assess their performance a week after the SIWES. He thanked the vice-chancellor for his administration support to the unit, saying: “On behalf of the Board of the Industrial Training Unit, I wish to appreciate you for your leadership role and for being a part of the cause of success in the unit, most especially through financial support and prompt responses to its needs.” On his part, the Area Manager of the Industrial Training

Fund, Mr. T.K. Salami, expressed gratitude to the university management, saying that ITF has enjoyed a robust relationship with the university. “We hold you and your students in high esteem because of your excellent track record,” Salami noted, even as he urged the students to build on the good standing of their predecessors by adhering to the rules and regulations guiding the scheme. Some of the papers delivered at orientation programme include “Modern Philosophy of SIWES and Stakeholder Expectations”; “Introduction to ITF Operandi and Working Documents”; “SIWES Documents and Importance to Programme Success”; and “Adding Value to Industry and Self.”

education

TUESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Scrapping of post-UTME: Minister, stakeholders differ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 1

universities to admit their students are very right. But I think what JAMB came to do was to coordinate the admission process and it compares to what UCAS (University Courses at University and College) does in the United Kingdom. “However, I think candidates should be admitted through other means rather than through JAMB alone. I also believe that the entire admission process should be adequately restructured because it has been made to be full of much protocol.” In fact, rather than scrapping the post-UTME, the ASUU President advised that the Federal Government should bar universities from charging arbitrary fees and get the whole process properly regulated. His words: “If it is about screening candidates for admission, the universities have right to conduct screening, and there is no Minister that can outlaw that process. This is because the process is backed by the laws establishing the universities. The power to admit and graduate students is vested in the Sen-

had, therefore, continued in 2005, when the then Education Minister, Prof. Chinwe Obaji advocated the need for a postUTME screening exercise by the institutions and despite the wide criticisms, the initiative at the end was allowed to stand. However, less than five years into its existence, the administrators of the higher institutions were said to have turned the screening exercises to cash cows and subjected both the candidates and their parents to another round of hardship. Meanwhile, last Thursday, before the Minister’s arrival at the policy meeting headed by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, he had reportedly been confronted by placards-carrying protesters who had besieged the venue of the meeting to complain about the nuisance the post-UTME had already become. And to confirm the students’ frustration, a group of about 100 students, who were undergoing tutorial at a popular centre in Akoka, Lagos, had boycotted their lectures and trooped to the streets in jubilation upon receiving the news of the alleged scrapping of the post-UTME. But in his reaction, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, noted that scraping of the postUTME was not the solution to the problem, but rather the total restructuring of the entire admission processes. He said: “In the first instance, the basic principle law establishing the universities empowers them to admit and graduate students; so those ad- Adamu vocating for the rights of the

ate of the universities. “However, if what the Minister is saying is that students should not be exploited, then we agree with that because this is what the universities are already turning the screening exercises to, because they could no longer run their campuses due to poor funding.” In their own reactions, members of the leaderships of SSANU, MURIC and NAPPS have blamed JAMB and not the universities for the problem, even as he accused the examination body of failure to sustain its integrity. According to the National Publicity Secretary of SSANU, Mr. Abdulsobur Salaam, beyond the legality is the issue of the relevance of JAMB in the face of the present realities in the country. He explained: “JAMB has outlived its purpose and usefulness, and is no more relevant in the scheme of things. Rather than have a central regulatory body for admissions in the universities as opposed to the powers of university Senates as mandated by law to do so, it is ad-

Prof. Julius Okojie, NUC scribe

FG plans six ICT varsities Clem Khena-Ogbena Abuja

he Federal Government has spoken of plans to establish a full-fledged Information Communication Technology (ICT) University with campuses across the six geo-political zones of the federation. The Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, who disclosed this, said the university would focus mainly on training of young people and equipping them with skills required for today’s workplace, which he noted is becoming increasingly SMART. The minister, while speaking in Abuja, during a one-day ICT sensitisation workshop for secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT), which was organised jointly by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Totalview Nigeria, expressed delight that incubation centres are springing up in the country on daily basis. He hinted that the centres were designed to nurture ideas from young people and create

businesses around such ideas that might eventually be found viable. Shittu, who was represented by the Director of ICT in the ministry, Mrs. Monilola Udoh, said the ministry would soon issue a directive to all schools in the country to form ICT clubs, with a view to further entrenching and creating an enabling environment for the utilisation and development of ICT in schools. The minister stressed that such club would encourage children to embrace ICT and provide a veritable forum “where children will be taught animation, website development, blogging, software development, graphic design, games and computer programming.” Besides, Shittu added that the government is also thinking of creating an ICT university, which has never happened in the country. “We have ICT Department in various universities, but this administration is considering setting up ICT University that will have campuses in each of the six geo-political zones of the federation.” The Minister of Education,

Mallam Adamu Adamu, who was also represented the Director of ICT in the ministry, Mr. Ifegwu Oji, pointed out that the ministry was conscious of ICT need of the country and its inherent potentials that could help increase access to education at all levels. However, the minister said: “Towards this end, the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders such as Oracle, Cisco, Samsung, NCC, NITDA and PTDF, among others. , have made the development and deployment of ICT a top priority in our educational system for proper application of its use in teaching and learning process.” In his remarks, the Acting Director-Genera of NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, said the purpose of the one-day workshop, is to take a quick step towards up-scaling the skills of the young ones to become the country’s future experts on ICT. “That is why I found the theme of this workshop: “Let’s CatchThem Young” very apt and timely,” Olatunji said, stressing that “what we have come to lay today is a solid foundation for the training of our future leaders in ICT.”

vocated that the JAMB itself be scrapped and the autonomy of universities to admit their students in line with the laws setting them up be upheld.” On its part, MURIC was very vociferous in its criticism. In a statement issued and signed by its Executive Director and a lecturer at the Lagos State University, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, it described the alleged scrapping of post-UTME as myopic and reactionary, saying the experience of the UTME candidates have shown what it described as the gross incompetence of JAMB. The statement reads in part: “MURIC rejects the abolition of post-JAMB. It is reactionary, myopic and irritating. It is JAMB itself that should have been abolished. Our position is based on the bitter experiences of Nigerian youths and their parents over the years. PostUTME examination was introduced after the general public and tertiary institutions lost faith in JAMB, the national examination body. There were allegations of bribery and cor-

Ojerinde

ruption being rampant among staffers of the examination body, who swapped candidates’ marks for the highest bidders. “It was the poor performance of JAMB candidates, who scored amazingly high marks in UTME, but who could not justify their high scores in tertiary institutions that attracted hue and cry that brought about the introduction of the post-UTME. They performed woefully after securing admissions into institutions and it was natural for the institutions to do something about it since it was obvious that JAMB was dumping dullards in the universities and polytechnics all over the country.” Piqued by the development, the President of South-West chapter of NAPPS, Alhaja Bashirat Alimi, who criticised JAMB for its poor conduct, said individual universities could do well in the conduct of their entrance examinations, especially considering the fact that JAMB makes use of their facilities to conduct its examination. Meanwhile, the candidates in the 2016 UTME who had been looking forward to write their post-UTME tests are now at crossroads, as they are unsure of what the true position of the situation, going by the minister’s last week directive. Investigations by New Telegraph, however, had revealed that the stakeholders including the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and the Federal Ministry of Education will take the clear position on the issues and make the same public on Thursday after their deliberation.

AU names EKSU as ICT pilot centre Kayode Olanrewaju

he African Union (AU) has selected the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti as the pilot centre for the African Union investment in Information Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure. To foster the relationship and kick start the establishment of the centre, a delegation from the union last week visited the university. The team, led by the Head, Finance and Administrative of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council, Mr. Opeyemi Aderinto, said that the AU selected Ekiti State University in the South-West geo-political zone. Under the project, the institution, he explained would benefit from internet facility, teleconferencing facilities, electronic classroom, electronic library and other ICT upgrade facilities. Oderinto, however, reiterated that the AU invest-

ment was part of an agenda to increase ICT capacity and boost e-learning in African universities. The leader of the African Union ICT team, Dr. John Tunji Asaolu said that AU would require a land space on the university campus to construct an ICT hub control centre, while several members of staff of the institution would be trained. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Oye Bandele, who directed the Coordinator of the Physical Planning Department, Mr. Abulefon to search for a suitable land space for the African Union team, added that his administration has begun a total overhaul of the institution’s ICT infrastructure. This, he pointed out has continued to yield positive results as the institution now operates a full ICT portal, which takes care of students’ registration anywhere in the world, check results update and total elimination of manual university operations.

BUSINESS |Money Line

tuESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Uncertainty over forex policy weakens naira VOLATILITY

Local currency trades at N357/$1 Tony Chukwunyem

ontinuing uncertainty over the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) new foreign exchange policy is taking its toll on the naira, as the local currency fell further against the dollar on the parallel market yesterday, trading at N357 to the dollar as against N354 it exchanged last

Friday. CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had at the end of the apex bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting a fortnight ago, announced that the regulator had decided to abandon the naira’s 15-month peg to the dollar. He said that it would introduce greater flexibility in the interbank foreign exchange market structure and retain a small window for critical transactions for prospective investors. Although the announcement was widely welcomed by financial analysts who had blamed the

How Nigeria can increase forex inflow, by expert

financial analyst and Principal Consultant, Henates and Associates, Mr. Henry Atenaga, has said that for the country to increase its foreign exchange inflows, it either has to boost the production of oil and gas or grow potential non-oil exports that could make Nigeria less dependent on them. In a note obtained by New Telegraph, he argued that this could be easy to accomplish, “because in spite of the drop in the world crude oil price, petroleum still contributed 64.7per cent of exports. Add 15.1per cent by natural gas to that and between them, some

79.8per cent of exports still came from the petroleum industry.” He cited National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) figures showing that after these petroleum items, exports such as raw cocoa beans with 2.42 per cent share, followed by Gum Arabic with 1.45per cent and sesame seeds with 1.08 per cent, contribute the most to the nation’s export till. He pointed out that, “the cocoa potential rises significantly when the share of roasted cocoa beans (0.83per cent) and cocoa paste 0.63per cent) are added to raw cocoa’s contribution.”

CBN’s naira peg to the dollar for the local currency’s weakness as well as the contraction of the economy, the failure of the apex bank to clarify how the new policy would work has fuelled speculations among investors that it is about to reverse itself on the new policy. Following the development,

he Venture Capital Advocacy Summit that will bring together all the critical elements that could facilitate the entrenchment of the Venture Capital Culture in the country will hold between 28th and 30th June, 2016 at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The Summit being organised by Alfe City Company Limited with the support of the Senate Committee on Trade & Investment and the House Committee on Commerce, according to a statement, will feature the maiden introduction of the concept of venture capital and provide an opportunity for interaction with international experts and seasoned investors. Mr Soji Adeleye, Chief Executive Officer, Alfe City Company Limited, the organisers, said, “To say that Nigeria needs a thorough reengineering at the moment

As at N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 13.7 12 10.77 US$49.64 US$26,372,681,186

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 April, 2016 23/03/2016 Mar 2015 23/5/2016 2/6/2016

Source:CBN

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

FGN Bonds

TTM

Price 104.54 114.58 111.91 120.62 109.79 100.32 83.54 97.16

1.06 3.23 3.86 5.81 7.94 9.80 14.30 18.29

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.2500 8.2420 10.1127 11.7162

Bid Yield 10.45 10.54 11.61 11.43 12.23 12.43 12.49 12.54

Change (%) -0.21 ▼ -0.87 ▼ -0.90 ▼ -0.66 ▼

Change (%) 0.07 ▲ -0.01 ▼ 0.01 ▲ -0.01 ▼ -0.04 ▼ 0.04 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.06 ▲

Price 104.69 114.88 112.21 120.92 110.09 100.62 83.84 97.46

Tenor (Months)

Offer Yield 10.30 10.44 11.52 11.36 12.18 12.38 12.44 12.50

Change (%) 0.07 ▲ -0.01 ▼ 0.01 ▲ -0.01 ▼ -0.04 ▼ 0.04 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.06 ▲

NITTY

Rate (%) 5.1731 6.4137 7.3300 8.8857 9.6247 10.5416

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Change (%) -1.82 ▼ -0.82 ▼ -0.75 ▼ -0.32 ▼ 0.04 ▲ 0.04 ▲

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 7.34 7.47 -0.35 ▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 3.75 30-Jun-16 7.59 7.73 -0.35 ▼ 6-Oct-16 8.37 8.12 8.47 -0.24 ▼ Overnight (O/N) 4.25 8.74 -0.24 ▼ 16-Mar-17 9.40 10.32 0.04 ▲ 9.15 10.02 0.04 ▲

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.14

Offer 199.24

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

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

196.00

197.00

0.00 ↔

releasing the guidelines was the main reason for the naira’s weakness on the parallel market. According to Lagos-based forex dealer, “People thought that the CBN would have by now released the guidelines. Since this has not happened, speculators are again taking position on the naira.”

Firm, N’Assembly partner on venture capital summit

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

the naira which was trading flat to the dollar at N341/$ on the parallel market prior to the announcement of the new policy has continued to decline. The official rate has, however, remained unchanged at N197 to a dollar. Forex dealers told New Telegraph that the CBN’s delay in

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -0.08 ▼ -0.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

would be an understatement. The total collapse of the crude oil sector in recent months is a reminder if we need one that the over-reliance on that sector was short-sighted in the extreme. Investment in the people on the other hand is the only risk free investment, as they will always be there hence organic growth of the people’s sector – the private sector provides an insurance for the future. The bottom-up growth –invention, innovation, imagination, creativity; attributes Nigerians are renowned for.” Endorsing the summit, Senator Fatimat Raji Rasaki, Chairman Senate Commit-

tee on Trade and Investment said, “We share the principle and objectives behind this very laudable programme and recommend it to all stakeholders across the country. “We hereby convey our commitment to work with you and other stakeholders for the success of the summit and subsequently perform our legislative responsibility to ensure a successful entrenchment of venture capitalism culture in Nigeria.” Similarly, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Commerce, Rt Hon Sylvester Ogbaga said the committee considered the summit’s objectives as very laudable.

Why Skye Bank is cutting jobs, by management

kye Bank Plc yesterday announced the disengagement of 175 of its staff that failed its 2015 appraisal exercise. The lender in a statement, explained that a combination of factors was taken into consideration in the annual exercise, which ranged from low productivity to disciplinary issues. Besides, it explained that the affected staff were duly exited in line with the Bank’s staff exit policy. The staff disengagement exercise according to the statement, “is coming a year after the Bank’s successful integration with erstwhile Mainstreet Bank, which it acquired in October 2014; the integration exercise described by analysts as landmark in Nigeria’s banking industry, has significantly improved Skye Bank’s ICT capacity and

helped strengthen the bank’s service delivery. The lender extended its appreciation to the affected staff for serving the bank, describing them as “members of the family” who will always be accorded deserving respect in their future dealings with the Bank. Skye Bank adjudged by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is one of the systemically important Banks (SIB) with over N1.3trillion balance sheet. The bank according to the statement, currently has over 400 branches and has launched new retail and commercial banking focus with attention on improved e-channel efficiency, growing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and supporting business diversification initiatives across the six geo-political zones of the country.

AfDB boosts agric financing

s part of efforts to partner with African governments and financial institutions on designing an innovative mechanism, which will facilitate increase in financing to agriculture, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) will be hosting a workshop on “Establishing an African Agriculture Risk Sharing and Financing Mechanism” in Nairobi, Kenya, next month.

According to the bank, the workshop will focus on de-risking agriculture value chains, reducing transaction costs and unlocking financial flows into the agriculture sector at scale across the continent. The workshop will also be an opportunity for key stakeholders to contribute to the proposed facility’s modalities for sharing risks around financing agriculture value chains.

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

tuESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

tuESDAY, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SENSITISATION Importance of stock market in providing longterm finances has been underscored

Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he capital market, as an institution, is capable of creating wealth and generate employment for the country if new laws are fashioned to guide its operations, Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has said.

How Nigeria’s capital market can add value, by Osinbajo He said this yesterday in Abuja in a message read on his behalf by his Special Assistant on Economic Matters, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu, at a two-day Stakeholders’ Forum on ‘’Realising the full potentials of the Nigerian Economy through proactive Capital Market legislation.” The forum was organised by the Senate and House of Representatives joint committee on the Capital Market and Institutions.

Stock Market opens on negative tract Stories Chris Ugwu

rading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday opened the week in the red after recording considerable gains last Friday. The downswing, according to market watchers, was due to profit takings by market speculators following appreciable gains some blue chip companies achieved recently. The twin market performance measures, the NSE All Share Index (ASI) and market capitalisation, dropped by 0.13 per cent on the back of blue chip companies. At the close of trading, 16 stocks appreciated, while 24 others constituted the losers table. Consequently, the All-Share Index dropped by 35.88 basis points or 0.13 per cent from 27,634.42 index points last Friday to close at 27,598.54, while the market capitalisation of equities depreciated by N13 billion or 0.13 per cent from N9.491 trillion to N9.478 trillion. Further analysis of the day’s trading showed that Union Di-

con Plc topped the day’s gainers’ table with 10.22 per cent each to close at N13.70 per share, while Mansard Insurance Plc followed with five per cent to close at N2.10 per share. Ashaka Cement Plc added 4.99 per cent to close at N21.03 per share. On the flip side, Vitafoam Plc led the losers’ chart with a drop of 6.32 per cent to close at N4.15 per share, while Diamond Bank Plc shed 6.28 per cent to close at N2.09 per share. May and Baker Plc followed with five per cent to close at N1.14 per share. On the activity chart, banking sub-sector sector dominated in volume terms with 52.6 million shares exchanged in 1,093 deals. The sub sector was enhanced by the activities in the shares of Diamond Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc. Other financial services sub sector boosted by the activities on the shares of FCMB Plc and UCAP Plc followed with 23.3 million units traded in 435 deals. In all, investors exchanged a total of 142.3 million shares traded in 3,695 deals.

Consequently, he tasked stakeholders in the capital market to come up with new laws and initiatives that will preposition the capital market to enable it play its role of massive infrastructural development. He underscored the importance of market in providing long term finances, which he said cannot be over-emphasised, especially at this critical time the nation’s economy is witnessing shortage of longterm financing of infrastructures. President, National Council of the Nigerian Stock Ex-

change (NSE) and Co- Chairman of the Occasion, Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede, said the forum will give deeper understanding of the capital market. ‘‘The first thing I would like to say here is that there is only one panacea to our current problem and that is economic growth. Economic growth will address issues of unemployment, lack of inclusion, poverty and health. It will enable us run a budget that can build infrastructure and address the immediate needs of millions of Nigerians’’ He noted that the Exchange

has continued to play its role in facilitating inclusive economic growth by embracing financial literacy programme. ‘’I think the power of technology for us is very key, I have my phone here in my pocket and I think everybody here does, and I think a day will come when hundreds of millions of Nigerians will use their phones to buy stocks and are able to move from one stock to the other by just tapping their handsets. One of the things we should also talk about is that quoted companies pay more taxes than companies that are

Fortis MFB Q1 2016 PAT down by 55%

ortis Microfinance Plc first quarter ended March 31, 2016, profit after tax fell 55.31 per cent to N71.910 million from N160.933 million recorded a year earlier. In a filing from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the microfinance institution’s pre-tax profit equally dropped by 55.31 per cent from N102.728 million the previous year to N229.904 million during the period under review.

Fortis’s interest income grew by 17.89 per cent from N566.429 billion in 2015 to N667.774 million during the financial year 2016. The institution reported 13.46 per cent drop in full year 2015 financials to N583.703 million from N674.512 million recorded a year earlier. The microfinance bank’s pre-tax profit also dropped by 17.52 per cent from N1.070 billion the previous year to N882.521 million during the period under review.

Fortis’s gross income grew by 8.56 per cent from N3.361billion in 2014 to N3.649 billion during the financial year 2015. The institution was last year granted a national microfinance banking license by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The Bank’s Chairman Mr. Felix Achibiri announced the new statutes of the Bank to the shareholders yesterday at the 2nd annual general meeting (AGM) of the Bank held

Oando signs N94.6bn restructuring loan

igerian energy group, Oando Plc, said yesterday that it had secured a N94.6 billion ($475 million) loan facility from a group of domestic banks and will sell assets worth $350 million this year under plans to restructure its finances and return to profitability. According to Reuters News, the financing, led by Access Bank, includes Diamond Bank, Ecobank, FCMB,

Fidelity Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Union Bank and Zenith Bank. The facility is a five-year term loan, paying Nigerian interbank rate plus 200 basis point. Oando recently notified its shareholders and key stakeholders that there has been a further extension to the release of the company’s full year 2015 results.

In a notice obtained from the NSE’s website, Oando said: “Additional enquiries and further engagement with our auditor, Ernst & Young, post-submission of our numbers to them have resulted in delays to the finalisation of the accounts, which in turn has resulted in a delay in submitting the accounts to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) for regulatory review.

NEWS | south-west

Ambode to Muslims at Ramadan: Let's promote tolerance Muritala Ayinla

s Muslims in Nigeria join their counterparts across the world to commence the annual Ramadan fast, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has sent his heartfelt greetings to all Muslim faithful in the state, urging them to promote the culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Speaking at a Ramadan Lecture organised at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Ambode urged Muslims to see the period as a time to demonstrate the peaceful co-existence and tolerance among nonMuslims. He urged them to pray fervently for themselves, Lagos State and the nation at large, saying God, during this month, accepts prayers of the faithful and pious ones.

Governor Ambode said the commencement of Ramadan as a Holy month should be seen as an opportunity to learn self-restraint, sacrifice, piety and love. He therefore urged Muslims in the state to take the opportunity of this Holy month to promote a culture of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence among people of diverse ethnicity. On his part, the state's Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, urged Muslims and non-Muslims to endure the current challenges in the country with prayers. According to him, Ramadan is about endurance and sacrifice where everyone will have to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, sexual relationship and other things that vitiate fasting.

tuesday, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Court hears forgery suit against Ogun lawmaker June 28

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

ustice A. T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abeokuta will on June 28 begin hearing in a forgery case brought against a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebiyi Adeleye, by two residents of Remo North Local Government Area of the state, Messrs Olumuyiwa Onamuyiwa and Wasiu Gbadebo. In the suit marked,

FHC/AB/05/34/16 and filed by lawyer to the plaintiffs, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), the lawmaker was accused of age falsification and presenting forged school certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the last April 11, 2015 election. Adeleye, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Remo North state constituency, appeared before the court yesterday. INEC was joined as the first defendant in the suit.

8,697

The total number of goals scored by Cote d’Ivoire at Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Fifa.com

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Micronesia in 2007. Source: Itu.int

L-R: President, Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos Branch, Malam Saheed Ashafa; Immediate Past President, Mr. Kaamil Kalejaiye; former President, Alhaji Qasim Badrudeen and Welfare Officer, Mr. Sadiq Afinah, during a briefing on 14th Quranic Competition in Lagos … yesterday

Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

n Osun State based Civil Society Organization (CSO), the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS) yesterday warned the state governor, Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, against using the meager resources of the state to fund the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo States. In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Sulaiman Alimi, the group alleged that the Aregbesola-led administration in the state is known for frivolity and extravagance. It then warned against committing the state’s resources to elections in other states. The group said, “It has been the habitual character of Governor Aregbesola to illegally spend the state resources on frivolous elections of his party in other states of the federation since he came into power in November 2010 after the ruling of Justice

Group to Aregbesola: Don’t use Osun money to finance Edo, Ondo polls Clara Ogunbiyi-led Appeal Court in Ibadan". "Billions of naira of the state public funds had been spent to sponsor elections in Ondo, Kogi, Anambra and other states vis-a-vis the 2015 Presidential election of President Muhammadu Buhari. We single out the October 20th, 2012 gubernatorial election of Ondo State where billions of naira were spent on fruitless political journey

on the side of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Barrister Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN)", it was added. The group alleged that, “Certain billions of naira from local government funds diverted by the state government has been set aside to sponsor the governorship elections in the two states to support the candidates of the ruling All Progressives

Congress(APC). According to the group, “Aregbesola’s plan to commit the state’s local government funds on election of other states is anti-masses, illegal, unconstitutional and crime against humanity. It was a surprise that a state under Aregbesola which could not constitute the State Executive Council (SEC) and conduct local government election for almost six and two years re-

Ondo tasks labour on salary impasse

ndo State government has called on the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to mobilise workers in the country to join in the growing clamour for the restructuring of the country owing to the inability of many state governments to pay workers' salaries. The appeal is contained in the government's response to a statement from

the national leadership of the NLC to the state government urging it to pay its striking workers. Appreciating the labour union’s concern over the issue, the government through its Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, commended the workers’ body for acknowledging the impact of the economic downturn in the country, which has made it diffi-

cult for over 30 states in the country to pay workers’ salaries. Oyemade while restating government's determination to ensure quick resolution of the disputes occasioned by the nonpayment of salaries, appealed to labour to "as a matter of priority, join the growing clamour for the restructuring of the country based on the realities on ground".

Hearing of the case could not commence yesterday due to the claim by the defence lawyer, Olufemi Adeniyi that the court processes has not been served on his client. Adeniyi said the lawmaker was only in court based on the information available on the social media about the suit. "Everything that is about to happen at the court has been put on social media. Based on the fact that this matter was filed and was not served on the defendant, that's why he is in court today to appear," he said. But the claim was however faulted by the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Mr. Chimaobi Onuigbo, who insisted that all the parties involved in the matter had been duly served. Onuigbo, however, did not object to the request for time by the second defendant’s lawyer to study the court’s processes. Justice Mohammed thereafter adjourned the matter to June 28 for hearing. The plaintiffs, in a 10-paragraph affidavit in support of the suit, said Adeleye falsely claimed to have attended Ode Remo Community High School from 1986 to 1993 and that he earned an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) from the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology in New Bussa, Niger State. The plaintiffs also claimed that Adeleye al-

legedly attached a false school leaving certificate and national diploma examination result to the CF-001 form rather than the proper OND. They want the court to determine whether by virtue of the provisions of Section 107(1)(i) and 109(1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution as altered, Section 118(1)(k) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as altered), the second defendant is a fit and proper person to represent Remo North constituency as member of the state House of Assembly, having presented a false School Leaving Certificate to the INEC as contained in Form CF- 001 (Personal Particulars of Candidate) and by giving false information to the INEC on oath; by swearing on oath that he was born on the 16th of July, 1974, contrary to his true date of birth which is 17th of December, 1974. They also prayed the court to determine whether by presenting a questionable OND (Ordinary National Diploma) in fisheries technology, as an Arts student, with only one credit in his WAEC result. , which fell short of the requirements into a science oriented school such as Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, New Bussa, Niger State, contrary to section 107(1) of the Constitution of Nigeria and other extant laws."

Osun refunds N17.7m to pilgrims Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

he governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola yesterday refunded N17.7 million to Osun pilgrims who performed their Hajj last year in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Amir Hajj, Dhikrullahi Olakunle Hassan who refunded the money at the Government Secretariat in Osogbo, Osun State on behalf of the governor, said that," the sum of N11,500 each were repaid to 852 pilgrims on April 6th, 2016 and N9,300 each on June 6, 2016 to sum up a total of N17, 721,600". According to him,"852 pilgrims from Osun State went to perform the Hajj in Mecca last year and their money was refunded by the Saudi government through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria due to the failure to render some services

as a result of crane crash during Hajj". "The governor paid the first reimbursement immediately it was received in April and the second payment in June was got last week and paid on Monday." "Nine pilgrims were yet to receive the first and second reimbursement and government is committed to paying them anytime they come.” He added that, "if the 9 people failed to come for the money, it would be transferred to Abuja in National Hajj Commission’s account". Hassan gave the names of the beneficiaries to include; Alhaji Rauf Tiamiyu, batch one; Alhaji Lukman Oyebamiji, batch one; Alhaji Tiamiyu Yusuf, batch two; Alhaji Adeleke Abdul-Ganiyu, batch two; Alhaja Abimbola Mujidat, batch three as well as Alhaja Simbiyat Durodoye, batch three.

News|SOUTH-EAST

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Group tasks wealthy Nigerians on employment generation Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

he rich have been tasked to shun ostentatious lifestyle and create employment for the teeming unemployed as a way of reducing insecurityin the country. The president general of Umuahia Premier Club, Nnanna Nwakanma Achugo, made the call during his induction in Umuahia. He said members of the club should think of establishing businesses especially small and medium scale enterprises in Umuahia to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths. He said: “We have people that matter, people who have paid their dues in various human endeavours.” Achugo said the call became necessary because of

Ugwuanyi gives succour to inmates

he Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi yesterday paid an unscheduled visit to the FSP Medical Centre/ Orphanage Home on Abakaliki Road in Enugu metropolis, promising succor to the inmates of the centre. Governor Ugwuanyi said the welfare of children and the less privileged persons in the society were part of the priorities of his administration as he elicited firsthand information on the conditions and some of the challenges facing the inmates. Addressing the workers of the orphanage home, business operators and other residents who gathered during the visit, Governor Ugwuanyi assured the people of government’s protection as they carry on with their genuine businesses as well as attending to the welfare of the inmates of the home. He tasked the people to be law abiding by obeying the constituted authorities and the law and to report anybody, group or authority that illegally embarrassed them as they do their genuine businesses. According to the governor, anything that would touch the poor would affect him, just as he urged them to pray for his administration to achieve its set gargets and goals. Earlier, the Director, FSP Medical Centre/ Orphanage, Mrs. Nneka Anioke and the founder, WACOL/Tarmar Sarc, an Enugu-based non-governmental organisation, Mrs. Joy Ezeilo, thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for the visit.

the “worrisome trend in our villages and communities with the growing army of unemployed of both young men and women. “A lot of them are college and school dropouts. Although this is a national problem, we must in our own modest way try to contribute our own quota to mitigate the social consequences that can arise from this frightening situation”. He added that Premier Club is “a club for only Umuahia indigenes, so that we can invest here and help our sons get employment. We are also appealing to the state government to give us the enabling environment”. Achugo lamented the absence of industries in Umuahia saying there was an urgent need for the well to do from the area to complement government effort in that regard.

Panel begins inquiry into Nimbo killings

he Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the April attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Nimbo, Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, yesterday commenced sitting. Speaking during the inaugural sitting, the Chairman of the panel, Mr. Justice Chukwuma Eneh (rtd.) said that the panel would do justice to the assignment. He described the task as critical’ due to security threats in parts of the country arising from the activities of suspected herdsmen. “We call on Nimbo people and every other community where herdsmen live and graze their cattle in the state to cooperate with us, as we strive to dis-

charge our duties without any ill will. “We equally call on the herdsmen to cooperate with us in spite of the season they are in,” Eneh said. Besides, he assured that the commission would do its best to curtail infringements on citizens’ rights in the interest of communities and herdsmen, saying that parties involved would be given summons as the panel would not like anybody to complain of being omitted. “We have a commitment to look into all communities where herdsmen live and do their business in the state and call on all parties to maintain status quo ante,” he said. In his submission, Mr. Sodiq Nwabueze, one of the counsel to Nimbo community, told the commis-

sion that the herdsmen were still grazing in the ravaged community. “We gathered that they came into Nimbo through Kogi State. We appeal to this panel to use its position to ask the herdsmen to leave our community, pending the outcome of this inquiry,” Nwabueze said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission had received more than 25 memoranda. The commission continues further hearing on June 13. Other members of the panel are Prof. Osita Ogbu, Prof. Uchenna Nwoha, Major-Gen. Godwin Ugwu, and Mrs. Anthonia Ugbene. The Secretary of the panel is Mr. Emmanuel Agbo, while the Chief Legal Officer is Mr. Richard Dichi.

L-R: Deputy Commissioner of Police, Pensions, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed; Managing Director Nigeria Police Force Pensions Limited (Npfpl), Alhaji Hamza Bokki; Executive Director of Operations, Alhaji, Abdulkareem Gezawa and Area Commander Nigeria Police Force Enugu, Mr Mark Igwe, during NPFPL’s retirement workshop for police officers in Enugu …yesterday.

Bishop flays APC govt over security, economy Damian Duruiheoma NNEWI

ishop of the Diocese of Nnewi, Anglican Communion, Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala yesterday bemoaned the economic and ethno-religious crises rocking the nation. He called on President Muhammadu Buhari, his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other major stakeholders to re-examine their approach to governance and give Nigerians a new lease of life. Speaking at the third session of the seventh Synod at St. Stephen’s Church, Umudim Nnewi in Anambra State, the Bishop said that President Buhari seemed to have lost firm grip of governance, noting that Nigerians had expected a change from their difficulties but now seem rather confused as the nation was driven from one bad situation to another. The Prelate said that for the expected change to come, those in government, the presidency, the party in power, legislators at all levels should re-examine their modus operandi so as to save the country from total collapse. He said that Buhari must, as a matter of urgency, restore sanity in the system, urging him to embrace a more holistic approach to the fight against corruption.

Umahi redeploys commissioners, appoints more aides

Don’t negotiate with N’Delta Avengers, group tells Buhari

Uchenna Inya

ABAKALIKI

bonyi state Governor, Chief Dave Umahi yesterday redeployed the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Elizabeth Ogbaga to the Ministry of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution. He also redeployed the Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Hon. Obinna Nwachukwu to the Ministry of Commerce and

Industry. Umahi, in a statement issued by his Principal Secretary, Mr. Clement Nweke, said the redeployment was with immediate effect. He also announced new appointments into his cabinet as follows: Professor Ogbonnaya Chukwu (Senior Special Assistant on trade and investment), Dr. Ugballa Kenneth Igwe (Senior Special Assistant on Security), Mr. Ali Odefa (Senior Special Assistant on Infrastructural maintenance), Mr. Nnabuife

Robert (Special Assistant on Special Project) and Mrs. Nwali Helen Chinyere (Special Assistant on Primary Education). The appointments, according to him, were with immediate effect. He directed the appointees to contact the office of the Secretary to the State Government for proper documentation. “May I congratulate all the appointees who have been called to join the team determined to make Ebonyi state the number one economy in Nigeria,” he said.

Murder of Igbo woman: Bishop calls for justice Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

ishop Aloysius Agbo of Nsukka Anglican Diocese has condemned the brutal murder of Mrs. Bridget Agbahime by suspected Islamic mob over

allegation of blasphemy at the Kofar Wambai market in Kano State last week. Agbo told newsmen in Nsukka yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari should ensure that justice was done by bringing perpetrators of that

heinous crime to justice in order to promote peaceful co-existence in the county. “The brutal murder and beheading of a Christian woman in Kano is condemnable, and the perpetrators of that crime must face the law of the land, to serve as deterrent to others.”

Uchenna Inya

group, Buhari/Osinbajo Initiative for Demonstrating Change yesterday urged the Federal Government not to negotiate with the Niger Delta Avengers. The group said the activity of the Avengers was politically motivated. Speaking with journalists in Abakaliki, the National President of the group, Comrade Chinedu Ogah said the aim of the Delta Avengers was to cripple the nation’s economy. He vowed that his group would prevail on the government from negotiating with the militants as being touted in some quarters. Ogah insisted that call by the opposition for negotiation with the militants was born out of the fact that the current unrest in the oil rich region was politically motivated by few individuals “who wanted to cripple the economy of the country”.

He said: “There have been calls for Mr. President to negotiate with the so called Niger Delta Avengers but on behalf of Buhari/Osinbajo Initiative for Demonstrating Change, the only group saddled with the responsibility of promoting good governance and support to the administration of President Buhari, we are saying that President Buhari will not and should not go into any negotiation with the criminal group formed by some criminal elements to sabotage the government of President Buhari. “The so called Avengers are criminals and time will tell; their mission and end is near. We have seen such criminal elements metamorphous into political groups in the past but I can assure you that their end is near because Mr. President has warned that he will crush everything that is posing as challenge to his resolve to transform Nigeria; and you can see what he has done to Boko Haram.”

42 News|south-South

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ijaw express disappointment over Okowa’s approach to militancy Gabriel Efeduku Ughelli

he People of Ijaw Nation yesterday expressed disappointment over the approach by the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, on renewed insurgency in the area. Chairman of Kokodiagbene community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Comrade

Sheriff Mulade, who spoke on behalf of his people, said Governor Okowa was wrong in his approach as he had the option to embrace a process already laid down by his predecessor, Chief James Ibori, who led a strong delegation to the creeks in the heat of the inter-ethnic crisis to parley with the warring factions. They however, accused the governor of shirking in his responsibility as he was

supposed to lead the visit to the creeks to engage major stakeholders rather than allowing his deputy, whose visit had not made any significant impact. They said: “Rather than leading the advocacy team, Governor Okowa delegated the responsibility to his deputy knowing full well that the issue was very delicate. The communities believe that the recommendations of the advocacy

committee must have been delivered to Abuja, yet the government has continued to send more troops and military hardwares to the area. “We cannot continue in this manner. We believe the recommendations of the advocacy committee have been sent to the Federal Government, yet they have continued to deployed more troops to our communities.”

Some of the 33 new Iwebos returning home in a procession after seven days of initiation inside the Oba of Benin’ Palace in BeninCity…yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Deputy gov denies rift with Oshiomhole

he Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Pius Odubu, yesterday urged the public to discountenance rumours of a face-off between him and his boss, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, saying he had no problem with the ‘people’s governor’. Odubu stated this while fielding questions from newsmen after submitting his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the gov-

ernorship race in Edo at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretariat, Abuja. He said: ‘’I enjoy a cordial relationship with my boss. He has said severally that I am the most loyal deputy in this nation. ‘’I don’t think my ambition will have a negative impact on our relationship. I am from a family of record breakers and I believe we are in it to win it.

‘’If he had anointed anybody he will say so openly. That is still based on rumour and we are regarding it as such.’’ ‘’I heard the allegation that people are buying up PVCs. If they are doing that it’s a wasteful venture. I condemn it in its

£270,000

The monthly salary of Mbark Bousoufa of Lokomotiv Moscow in 2014/2015. Source: Paywizard.co.uk

entirety.’’ It will be recalled that the APC in Edo was embroiled in some crises some months ago, but the party had constituted a fact-finding and reconciliation committee to resolve issues among aggrieved parties.

The sex ratio of women to 100 men of Dominican Republic in 2012. Source: Un.org

Obaseki: I don’t want to be a consensus candidate Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has stated that he would rather prefer free, fair and credible primaries to consensus primaries. Obaseki, who is said to be the anointed governorship aspirant of the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, made his views known at the APC national secretariat in Abuja where he came to return his nomination and expression of interest forms while fielding questions from the journalists. Speaking before the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, Obaseki,

however posited that what had put him ahead of his colleagues in the race was his credentials which had made him a part of the good works that were being talked about in Edo State. The aspirant however refuted allegations against him by the Chris Ogiemwonyi campaign Organization that he was buying up Permanent Voter’s Card from delegates, describing it as a flippant statement from the campaign organization of the aspirant. The Chris Ogiemwonyi campaign organization had yesterday in Abuja accused Obaseki of using a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Shuiabu to buy up the Permanent Voter’s Card from delegates with a view to disenfranchising them.

Ex-Rep berates FG over Niger Delta crisis Dan Atori MINNA

orried by the military invasion of the Niger Delta, a former member of the House of Representatives, Bala Adamu Kuta, yesterday faulted the Federal Government’s deployment of soldiers to the oil rich region, saying such would not produce desired results. He said the Federal Government’s adoption of force as a resolution for the ongoing Niger Delta crisis, would not produce the results it required. Speaking to journalists yesterday, Kuta said using military force to quell the militancy in the region would only aggravate the problem and throw the country into more problems. Kuta who represented Shiroro Munya and Rafi Local Government Areas in the National Assembly between

2007 and 2011 urged President Muhammadu Buhari to reconsider his policy and embrace settle dialogue as panacea for resolving the crisis. He said: “What peace and dialogue cannot solve taking up of arms and ammunition cannot be the solution. “The way out of this problem is not the use of force but dialogue. Both parties should come to the negotiating table and understand each other.” He however urged the government to appreciate that ‘there is problem in the Niger Delta region and give firm assurances that these problems would be looked into immediately’ just as counseled the restive Niger Delta youths to sheath their swords and embrace peace as the continued bombing of oil installations would not be in the interest of the region and the country.

2019: Emerhor predicts APC take-over NURTW begs gov over members’ of Delta ban nal outcome were manipu-

Aluu killings: Residents accuse police of neglect

Ughelli

Emmanuel Masha

Gabriel Efeduku,

n All Progressives Congress’ (APC) leader in Delta State and governorship candidate in the last election, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, yesterday said the party was ready to take-over the state in the next election. According to him, the APC had no options other than to wrestle with the ruling PDP and its cabal that had held it hostage in the past 17 years. Emerhor, who made this statement at Orogun kingdom, said when the opposition came together in 2010 and 2011 they uprooted the PDP in the state, but the fi-

lated and the opposition were denied power. He said: “The progressive came together in 2010 and 2011 and we uprooted the PDP but we were not allowed to take-over power because the results of the elections were manipulated. “You know that Chief Great Ogboru and I were in all this fight together. “However, in 2015 we were divided, and as the saying goes, divided we fall, united we stand, and that is why we are back together. “The opposition is back and I know that we have a very strong and vibrant Senator now, Senator OmoAgege, who will support us.”

Cajetan Mmuta Benin

he National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Najeem Yasin, has appealed to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, to remove the ban placed on members of his union from revenue collection at motor parks in the state. Yasin who stated this during a courtesy visit to the governor in Benin, the state capital, said the restriction had interrupted operations of members of the body. He said: “The main objective of our presence in Edo State is to formally conduct the reconstitution

of Edo State council of the union, which could not hold for almost one year due to circumstances beyond the control of the union’s national secretariat. “We want to use this medium to express our desire to solicit for a review of government’s position with respect to our union’s operations in the state. “As a follow up to our numerous appeals regarding this matter, we deem it absolutely necessary to once again personally meet Your Excellency in order to apologize on behalf of our teeming members in the state and to crave your indulgence to reconsider and remove the restrictions that interrupted our motor park operations.”

Port Harcourt

esidents of Aluu community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State yesterday accused the police of ignoring their repeated distressed calls when cultists invaded the community and killed 19 persons at the weekend despite an intelligence report forwarded to the security agencies. They said they have notified the police of a likely reprisal attack on the community by cultists, knowing full well that the collateral damage cult clash would result to. According to them, there

was no single policeman to stop the killing of innocent citizens despite intimating the police of the planned attack, expressing shocks no assistance while the attacks and the killings lasted. Armed members of Greenlanders had raided the community in a reprisal attack against members of Greenlanders, leading to 19 deaths of innocent souls who knew nothing about the feud between the two cult groups. Already, residents had fled to neighbouring communities and Port Harcourt for fear of more attacks by cultists, who had battled about three local governments in the area.

north | news

tuesday, june 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lalong’s convoy not involved in auto crash, say aides Musa Pam Jos

ides to Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, yesterday denied insinuation in some quarters that the governor’s convoy was involved in an auto crash on Friday, June 3, this year in Tunkus, Mikang Local Government

Area of the state, where two policemen reportedly died, saying it was not true. Reacting to the insinuation in a statement yesterday in Jos, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Mark Longyen said a Hilux vehicle belonging to Mikang Local Government Divisional Police Command, which was pro-

viding additional security during the governor's visit to the area, was actually involved in the accident and not the governor's convoy. Longyen said two of the policemen, who were at the back of the vehicle were flung out awkwardly when the vehicle speedily approached a sharp bend in Tunkus town, adding that while one died on

the spot and will be buried on Monday, the other, who was badly injured, has been treated and discharged from hospital. The governor's spokesman said such reports were inaccurate and fell far short of meeting the minimum journalistic ethical requirements of a balanced story, as no reporter made any attempt to confirm from

the government what actually transpired or from the hospital where the victims were taken to for confirmation. The statement urged journalists to always ensure that they write stories that are incontrovertibly accurate, because facts

MINNA

resident of Minna, the Niger State capital, Mrs. Constance Orisakwe, yesterday brought a direct criminal complaint against one Yahuza Hassan, before a Minna Magistrate's Court for allegedly defrauding her of N2.4 million. This was contained in a petition to the court against Hassan, the Account Officer of Diamond Bank Plc, signed by one

PHOTO: NAN

Nasarawa: CMD appeals to striking doctors Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

he Chief Medical Director of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Dr. Ahmed Yakubu Ashuku, yesterday appealed to striking doctors in the state to dialogue with the state government with the aim of resolving the issues behind their action. He made the appeal while answering questions from newsmen in his office in Lafia, the state capital. Ashuku lamented that the absence of doctors in the hospital has impacted negatively on the hospital and appealed to them to call off the strike and resume work in the interest of patients. He said it was normal with human beings to make some demands because of man’s numerous desires and called on them to put the interest of the patients first. His words, “This is no longer news. This is what I have been facing since I came here. Because we are close to Abuja, some of them when they get a job in Abuja, FMC Keffi and Jos, they go. For me, I cannot force anybody to stay. We allow them to go. Some of them preferred working at the federal level to the

state. Some of them needed an academic environment. But none has ever told me that he/she is leaving because of poor salaries. “DASH has over 100 doctors. This number is impressive. This is the only hospital that has such a number. We have on ground now 24 consultants than the previous years that it had six consultants. We have received over 80 applications from doctors seeking for employment here. DASH has workforce that can render medical services to the people in the state.” Commenting on the issues of exorbitant charges, Ashuku, who debunked the insinuations, explained that the charges were affordable considering what happens in other public hospitals.

Kwara to shut down more schools, sanctions teachers Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

wara State government yesterday said it will continue to close down private schools operating illegally in the state. Ten illegal schools have been closed down and some teachers, including three Vice-Principals, have been sanctioned by the state over alleged acts of indiscipline in the last five months. Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Alhaji Yisa

£3.24m

The annual salary of Mbark Bousoufa of Lokomotiv Moscow in 2014/2015. Source: Paywizard.co.uk

Yeketi, who gave the details during a ministerial press briefing organised by the state’s Ministry of Information and Communications, said the 10 schools were in Ilorin West Local Government Area alone. “The rate at which private schools are springing up in the state is alarming and those without approval we have started closing them; and this morning, our teams have gone out again,” he said, adding that the move does not negate the strong desire by government to partner the private sector in the educational development of the state. He said towards improving the standard of education in the state, his ministry is finalis-

Yobe security agencies arrest drug suspect with 132 blocks of Marijuana Hassan Jirgi DAMATURU

hairman of Potiskum Local Government Council in Yobe State, Alhaji Muhammad Musa Potiskum, yesterday said security agencies and vigilante groups in the state have intercepted

132 compressed blocks of marijuana at Rigan Fulani Kariya warehouse in the state. T he interce pted hemp, according to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), is valued at N1.98 million at the illicit drugs market. Potiskum disclosed

this at a news conference while briefing journalists on the arrest of Mohammed Dadi in connection with the crime. He commended the security agencies for their efforts in preventing the sale and consumption of marijuana and other drugs, by arresting the suspect.

are sacred, to avoid creating the wrong impression and misleading the public. The statement reads in part: "The attention of the Plateau State Government has been drawn to reports in a section of the media that the governor's convoy was involved in a road traffic accident on Friday, June 3, 2016. "A Hilux vehicle belonging to Mikang Divisional Police Command, providing additional security during the governor's visit to the area was involved in the accident, not the governor's convoy.

Banker in signature scam, defrauds client N2.4m Dan Atori

A cross-section of applicants for Nigerian Police recruitment checking for their names in Kaduna …yesterday.

ing arrangements for an education summit before the end of the year, saying any move towards tackling the current challenges in the sector must involve the tiers of parents, teachers and government. The summit, he said, would build on the recommendations of a previous one held by the preceding administration in the state. Meanwhile, the state government yesterday said it has engaged key research institutions in the country to find a way of protecting farmers in the state against the possible outbreak of a new disease affecting major crops, especially maize and tomatoes. Special Adviser to Governor AbdulFattah Ahmed on Agriculture and Rural Water, Mr. Anu Ibiwoye, who made this disclosure at a ministerial briefing organised by the Ministry of Information and Communication, said the terms of engagement include training of farmers to identify possible diseases and other steps in line with best practices. There have been talks about a possible scarcity of maize in the current season, following the suspected outbreak of a deadly disease affecting the crop in some parts of the southern region.

Ihemeatulam Gavers, of Lord of Justice Chambers, the complaint’s solicitor and made available to newsmen in Minna. The summons with case number CMC/DC/ CR/78/2016 reads thus; "Direct criminal complaint of breach of trust by a banker, contrary to Section 315, forgery contrary to Section 364 and false personating contrary to Section 179 of Penal Code Cap. 94 Law of Niger State.” The document prayed the court to issue a summon for criminal breach of trust, forgery and impersonation against the suspect. It said the suspect managed account number 0060100231 and 0069362645 respectively with the bank belonging to the complainant, who is a trader. The letter alleged that the suspect fraudulently made withdrawals of N2.4 million from the complainants account without her consent.

Police pension firm trains retiring officers in Plateau Musa Pam Jos

igeria Police Force Pensions Limited yesterday embarked on the training of more than 200 retiring policemen in the North Central zone of the country, calling on all retiring officers and men to see retirement as a new chapter in their life and therefore not be nervous about it. Director of the firm, Hamza Wurobokki, stated this yesterday in Jos during the pre-retirement workshop for officers retiring in the next six months in the zone. He said the aim of the workshop is to enlighten the future pensioners on how to be properly documented.

WORLD \ NEWS

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

China rebuffs Taiwanese president’s offer on democracy

hina yesterday rejected an offer by Taiwan’s new president to share the island’s experience of democracy, saying it was confident of the path it had chosen. President Tsai Ing-wen made the offer via Facebook on Saturday in a post about the June 4 anniversary of China’s bloody crackdown on student-led protests in and around Beijing’s Tiananmen

Square. Self-ruled Taiwan is the only part of the Chinese speaking world which holds free elections, and Tsai has already upset China, where officials have accused her of promoting a proindependence agenda, something anathema to Beijing. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, asked whether China would be willing to learn from Taiwan’s democratization experience, said the

past 30 years had shown China had made the right choice. “In the last 30 years the success that China’s economy and society have achieved has received worldwide attention and the democratic system has continued to be perfected. The advantages of China’s system continue to show themselves,” Hong told a daily news briefing. “The facts prove that the path China is now going down accords with the reality

of China’s development and the wishes of the Chinese people and is the correct one,” he added, without elaborating. China sent in tanks to break up demonstrations on June 4, 1989. Beijing has never released a death toll but estimates from human rights groups and witnesses range from several hundred to several thousand. The subject remains all but taboo in China, where President Xi Jinping is overseeing a broad

crackdown on rights groups and activists. China has never renounced the use of force to bring what it views as the wayward province of Taiwan under its control and is deeply suspicious of Tsai, who assumed office last month, due to her ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s proTaiwan independence stance. Tsai says she is committed to maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait.

Five AU soldiers arrested in Somalia for selling military supplies

Kenyan protesters in anti-goverment rally

Two die as Kenyan opposition protests turn deadly

t least two people have died and five have been injured after Kenyan police opened fire to disperse opposition protests in the western city of Kisumu, a local reporter has told the BBC. The police have not commented. The opposition has been holding weekly demonstrations against the electoral commission, which it says is biased. Nairobi’s police chief had warned opposition supporters not to take part in yesterday’s protest in the Kenyan capital “if you value your life”. Officers shot dead three people in similar protests in May. They said they were acting in selfdefence. Journalist Richard Omondi says he has confirmed the latest fatalities with the au-

thorities at the Kisumu hospital where the injured were taken. A bullet has also been removed from the body of a five-yearold boy, who survived the injury. Omondi told the BBC that protesters had earlier blocked roads with burning tyres and were heading to the electoral commission’s offices when police intervened. They used tear gas followed by live bullets to disperse the demonstrators. Presidential spokesman Manoah Esipisu said those shot had been looting supermarkets. The opposition protest in Nairobi passed off peacefully, the BBC’s Anne Soy reported from the city. She said protesters passed the headquarters of the electoral commission but there was no attempt to enter the building, after marshals from the opposition formed a

cordon around it. Last month, there were complaints of police brutality as officers were pictured assaulting demonstrators in Nairobi. On Sunday, Nairobi police chief Japheth Koome said police were prepared to use lethal force if necessary, after a Kenyan court had ruled the planned protests illegal. The ruling was overturned yesterday morning by Judge Joseph Onguto, who said the opposition Cord alliance had the right to picket. Cord, led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, wants members of the electoral commission to resign ahead of next year’s presidential election. It says the commission is biased in favour of the governing Jubilee coalition and wants it replaced by a neutral body.

Venezuelan postpones decision on referendum

enezuela’s electoral authorities have postponed a key meeting with the opposition in which they were expected to announce whether to allow a recall referendum. The opposition gathered 1.85 million signatures in favour of the referendum to oust President Nicolas Maduro. But the National Electoral Council has yet to say if the petition is valid. Earlier, protesters complaining against the lack of food in shops tried to march towards the presidential palace. They were blocked by police, who used tear gas to disperse the march. “We want food!” the

protesters shouted. They had been queuing for hours outside supermarkets and shops in the area, Reuters news agency reported. “I’ve been here since eight in the morning,” a woman told proopposition broadcaster Vivoplay. “We’re hungry and tired.” The opposition blames Mr. Maduro’s government for the serious economic crisis. Tension between the socialist government and the opposition has heightened since the latter won the parliamentary elections in December and took control of the National Assembly. The opposition Roundtable

for Democracy (MUD) coalition ran on a promise to remove President Maduro from office before his term runs out in 2019. After a proposed constitutional amendment to shorten his term from six to four years was rejected by the Supreme Court, the MUD launched a petition to recall him. On 2 May they handed the National Electoral Council (CNE) lists with 1.85 million signatures backing a recall referendum, many more than the 197,000 needed at this initial stage. Members of President Maduro’s United Socialist Party (PSUV) allege that at least 10,000 of those signatures are fraudulent.

ive soldiers with the African Union mission in Somalia (Amisom) and 10 Somalis have been arrested for selling military equipment, police say. They were found with improvised detonators, fuel, sandbags and empty ammunition boxes. Amisom confirmed the arrests saying it would not accept “unprofessional conduct among its personnel”. The mission is fighting alongside Somali government forces against al-Shabab Islamist militants. This is the first time African Union troops have been arrested in Somalia since Amisom was established nine years ago, our correspondent says. The authorities say the five AU soldiers are from Uganda, which has the largest number of troops in the

22,000-strong mission. The police said they caught the men as they were trying to sell the equipment to civilians. Somalia’s police Chief Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud told reporters that the Amisom troops had been under surveillance for a while after allegations that they were involved in the illegal trade. ‘’The Somali police have been investigating repeated claims that equipment and other resources meant for the Amisom forces were ending up in the hands of people who were misusing them,” he said. Somalia’s Interior Minister Abdirizak Omar Mohamed said the sale of equipment may “explain why insecurity is increasing in Somalia”. The 15 men are expected to appear in court in Mogadishu soon.

World most powerful women: Chinese women make strong showing

hinese women have made their strongest showing on Forbes magazine’s list of the world’s most powerful women. The survey also included a record number of women from the UK, though German Chancellor Angela Merkel remains in the top spot. Hillary Clinton, the US presidential candidate, and Janet Yellen, chair of the Federal Reserve, were second and third. The US dominated the list with 51 women represented, while China was second. There are a record nine women from the world’s most populous nation on the 2016

Power Women list. Lucy Peng, a senior executive at e-commerce giant Alibaba, and Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organization, are the highest-ranked. Also on the list are Pollyanna Chu, chief executive of Hong Kong financial services firm Kingston Securities, and China’s First Lady Peng Liyuan. The survey features 100 women from 29 countries who represent sectors such as politics, business, technology and philanthropy. Forbes said the women on the list control $1tn (£694bn) in revenue and influence more than 3.6bn people around the world.

Japan: US Navy troops banned from drinking after latest arrest

he US Navy has banned all its personnel in Japan from drinking alcohol and has restricted off-base activity after a sailor was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. Petty Officer Aimee Mejia, 21, was involved in a three-car accident on the island on Saturday, injuring two people, said police. It is the latest incident involving US troops based in Okinawa. Many Okinawans have long campaigned against the heavy US military presence. Police said PO Mejia was driving the wrong way down a street and hit two vehicles. A local woman was left with a cracked breast-

bone. Her alcohol levels were about six times the permissible level, Japan’s NHK network reported. Under the US Navy’s order, personnel will not be allowed to drink at all, on or off base, and cannot leave the base grounds, except for commuting and necessary errands such as picking up their children or groceries. The Navy said the “liberty curtailment” would remain in place until all personnel had gone through extra training, while alcohol was banned outright until officials “are comfortable that all personnel understand the impact of responsible behaviour”.

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport News

Did you know?

Sport

Siasia defiant despite Suwon results

That Edwin Van Der Sar went 1311 minutes without conceding a league goal in the colours of Man United in the 2008-09 season. He still holds the world record.

International Calendar Grand Slam achievable –Djokovic

46 47

NBA Finals: Warriors crush Cavaliers to double lead

LeBron James (23) finished the ball

Curry added a further 18 points for the Warriors despite not having the best game individually

raymond Green scored 28 points as Golden State beat Cleveland 110-77 to take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals. Stephen Curry added 18 points and nine rebounds but played just 25 minutes as the defending champions took control of the best-of-seven series. Cleveland’s cause was not helped when Kevin Love was forced to leave the game feeling dizzy after taking a blow to the head in the second quarter. “They beat us pretty good tonight,” said Cavaliers talisman LeBron James. He finished with 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds but did not play in the fourth quarter once the Warriors had opened up a big lead. Golden State beat Cleveland in last year’s Finals and have now beaten the Cavs seven straight times. They won game one 104-89. The series now switches to Cleveland after the first two games took place in Oakland, the home of the Warriors.

NFF tightens security Adekunle Salami

he Nigeria Football Federation has beefed up security at its secretariat in Abuja following the Friday

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

…as Federal High Court disowns Giwa’s ‘writ of execution’

incident in which a club owner, Chris Giwa and his group broke into the office. It was a pandemonium of sort as the NFF staff members resisted the attempt by the group that invaded the Glass House to enable Giwa to take over as the President of the federation. The incident happened barely 24 hours after a peace meeting by the Sports Committee of the House of Representatives, involving NFF President Amaju Pinnick and Giwa. It was announced to the world that they were close to resolving the ‘crisis’. However, New Telegraph can reveal authoritatively that the football body has doubled the security at the secretariat to forestall a recurrence. “Nobody is allowed into the secretariat except the person has NFF ID card and any visitor coming in must be duly identified physically by his guest before he or she enters the office.

“The Divisional Police Officer of Wuse has been helpful. He stays with us almost all day and the number of policemen on the ground has been increased,” Deputy Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, said on Monday. Meanwhile, the Federal High Court, Jos on Monday disowned the ‘writ of execution’ the Giwa group took to NFF office on Friday.

The registrar of the court, Nasiru Gusau, said the document did not emanate from them. “We did not issue any writ of execution on this matter. What you are saying is strange to me,” Gusau said on Monday. “The Giwa people made an application for writ of execution, which the court declined. The court cannot execute a declaratory judgment or an in-

terlocutory order. Moreover, if the case is on appeal, how can the High Court issue a writ of execution?” Gusau had earlier clarified that the interim order made by the court on April 8, saying the court only relisted the Giwa case for hearing and never said the club owner should assume leadership of the Federation.

Ali’s body arrives in Louisville

Ali

uhammad Ali’s body has arrived in his hometown of Louisville - where he’ll be laid to rest as the city grieves the loss of its favorite son. An airplane carrying the boxing great’s body arrived from Arizona, where he died, on Sunday afternoon ahead of a public funeral procession and service expected to draw huge crowds in honor of ‘The Greatest’ on Friday. The private plane landed at Louisville International Airport around 4.30pm, WLKY reports. Family spokesman Bob Gunnell says Ali was accompanied by his

wife, Lonnie, and other family members and friends. He says the body was taken to a local funeral home. Police reportedly escorted the casket, which was wrapped in a black cloth bearing Arabic scripture in gold on it, from the airport to the funeral home. The three-time heavyweight champion and outspoken civil rights activist died on Friday night at age 74 after health problems complicated by a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. ‘Our hearts are literally hurting. But we are happy daddy is free now,’ one of Ali’s nine children, daughter Hana, wrote on Twitter.

SPORT NEWS

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Siasia defiant despite Suwon results

Ajibade Olusesan

ead Coach of the Nigeria U-23 team, Samson Siasia, strongly believes his side has taken a lot of positives from the Four -Nation Suwon Invitational Tournament in Korea Republic, despite ending the

campaign in third position following a 3-1 defeat of Honduras on Monday. The team opened their campaign with a 1-0 defeat in the hands of hosts Korea before succumbing to an embarrassing 6-2 loss to Denmark in their second game. A 3-1 win over Honduras on Monday became a saving grace for an underwhelming side. Speaking after the Honduras tie Si-

Nigeria may draw Egypt, Cameroon in tough World Cup group Charles Ogundiya

igeria could face Egypt, the team who eliminated them from AFCON 2017, and dreaded rivals Cameroon in a tough 2018 World Cup qualifying group after they were drawn in Pot 3. The draw for the World Cup qualifiers will be staged in Cairo, Egypt, on June 24. As expected Egypt are in Pot 1 alongside Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Senegal. Pot 2 has Tunisia, Cape Verde,

DR Congo, Guinea and Cameroon. Nigeria are in Pot 3 with Congo Brazzaville, Morocco, Mali and South Africa, meaning these teams will avoid themselves in the qualifiers to be played in a mini-league format from October 2016 to November 2017. The 20 teams for the draw will be divided into five groups of four sides with the winners of each group qualifying for Russia 2018. Nigeria will be playing to qualify for a sixth World Cup after they featured at the 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010 and 2014 editions.

asia said the experience in Korea was overwhelming and urged the Nigerian fans to show understanding. “I’m happy we are not going back home pointless. The most important thing is that team officials and the players have learnt a lot from this tournament which we will take back home to start making our corrections,” the former Super Eagles handler said. “The best thing that has happened to this team is that due to results at this tournament, we have heard Nigerians criticizing us, we thank them for all the negative things they have been saying about us. These have served as motivation for us, we have realized the areas that we need to improve on and those players that we need to inject into the team to make up a very strong side going to the Olympics.” Siasia added: “The biggest problem we are having right now is that we do

not defend very well; we create several chances but do not convert them. So, we need to make changes in those areas for us to move ahead from here, we have other games coming up too in America. After making those changes we will see how well the team will look like going to the Olympics. “I don’t see any plus right now, I only saw players that are not fit enough, that’s the biggest problem we had. The change of weather actually affected the few ones that we trusted to play well, most of them faltered, so that’s a problem, and we need to address these things in a hurry.” Coach Siasia disclosed that he had a number of players in mind to fortify the team, but will not disclose their names now, because he has not been able to confirm if they will be available for the Games.

Arsenal okay Iwobi for Rio Olympics

rsenal and Nigeria have reached an agreement for Alex Iwobi to join up late with the country’s Olympic team to the Rio Olympics after his pre-season with the English Premier League club. A top source said that Nigeria U-23 coach Samson Siasia had agreed for attacking midfielder Iwobi to join up late with the rest of the squad after his

pre-season with his club. “Iwobi will be involved with Arsenal pre-season and it is only after that

Iwobi

he will join up with the Nigeria squad for the Rio Olympics,” a source said. “It’s only after his pre-season he will be available for Nigeria and (coach) Siasia has agreed to this arrangement.” At 20, Iwobi is eligible for the Olympics and even trained with the Olympic team before he made his full international debut for Nigeria in October last year .

Nigeria U-23 team striker Junior Ajayi (middle) dribbling past Ghanaian players.

Milo Basketball: National final begins in Asaba

Brume leaps to Rio Olympics T Charles Ogundiya AKURE

t was jubilation time for 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and African Senior Athletics Championship long jump gold medallist, Ese Brume, after reaching the standards for the Rio Olympic Games at the Akure Golden League. Brume, who has been struggling with injury since 2015 could not hide her excitements after jumping a distance of 6.83m at the final leg of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria-organised Golden League in Akure on Monday. The AFN had set a qualifying distance of 6.70m for the country’s female long jumpers and the distance was the University of Benin undergraduate’s personal best, erasing her previous PB of 6.68m. “I am so excited and grateful to God for achieving my target at this meet,” she told New Telegraph. “I look forward to a successful defence of my title

at the African Championships and also to repeat my Commonwealth Games feat at the Olympics. I am very confident of making the country proud. With hard work and God on my side, i know I can make it.” Meanwhile, former junior international, Divine Oduduru, achieved his personal best in the men’s 100m, beating Ogho-Oghene Egwero to the finishing line at the

Akure meet. Oduduru former PB was 10.30secs but won in 10.29secs, although a far cry from the qualifying standards for the Olympics. The 2014 World Junior silver medallist, who already qualified for the Olympics in the 200m for men, assured that he would be working hard to achieve the standards for the Olympics in 100m.

he grand finale of the 18th edition of Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship begins today, Tuesday June 7 at the Indoor Sports Hall of Asaba Stadium, Delta State. Six male and six female teams, representing the country’s six geopolitical zones, will take part in the final round of this year’s championship

State at 2.00pm while in the Boys Category, Hosts Boys Osadenis Mixed Secondary School, Asaba, Delta State will tackle General Muritala Muhammad College, Yola, Adamawa state by 3.00pm and Government Secondary School Karu, Abuja squares up with Crowther Memorial College Lokoja Kogi state at 4.00pm.

Pinnick: Giwa aims to sabotage Nigeria’s World Cup hopes

resident of the Ni- nick has accused Chris geria Football Fed- Giwa and his group of eration Amaju Pin- trying to make sure the country do not qualify for the 2018 World Cup after they proved a maseven goaler, Manuel Crespo fluffed jor distraction for Nigehis 60-yarder before correcting his ria not to qualify for next mistakes with an individual goal tak- year’s AFCON. Giwa has for the past ing scores to 2-1 advantage Kashton who also had Lawal Mohammed (0) two years laid claim to the leadership of the NFF and and Santiago Cernadas (+7). The third chukka was character- on Friday forced his way ized by frenetic defensive play by both into the office of the footsides forcing a brief stop following a ball federation, claiming he had a court order to take slight injury by Hendrix. The South African dusted himself and over the NFF. Pinnick has now hit drew Caverton level in the third chukka and White restored their lead with a low out at Giwa, saying he and his group aim to sabshot in the fourth chukka for a 3-2 lead. Crespo got a goal from 40 yards to otage Nigeria’s quest to draw level but the result was good qualify for a sixth World enough for Caverton to clinch the Cup. “Giwa is a major distop prize.

Caverton-Sao Polo win Access Bank Cup

averton-Sao Polo have emerged winners of the Access Bank Cup after a 3-3 draw over Kashton in the 2016 Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament holding at the Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Club, Kaduna. The Lagos side topped the threeteam round-robin event with four points having beaten Rubicon in their previous game. Diego White (+6) puts Caverton, complete by Seyi Oyinlola (0), Rotimi (+1), Leroux Hendrix (+5), in front with a low drive but there was no further goal in the chukka. Sheriff Shagaya (+1) drew Kashton level converting from four yards but

which ends on Saturday June 11. In group A, Wesley Gilrs Snr Sec school, Lagos will take on Government Secondary School Gboko, Benue State in the opening game of the Girls category billed for Tuesday, June 7th, 2016, at 1.00pm; St. Jude Sec Sch Amarata, Bayelsa State tackles Harmony Secondary school Lokoja,Kogi

traction and their main aim, from A to Z, is to ensure Nigeria do not qualify for the next World Cup after we promised Nigerians we will,” Pinnick said at a press conference in Abuja on Monday. “It’s a shame!”

Pinnick

INTERNATIONAL SPORT

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Calendar Grand Slam achievable – Djokovic T

he moment Novak Djokovic accepted that being part of the Roger Federer/ Rafael Nadal era was a chance, not a curse, everything improved for him. On Sunday, after winning his first French Open title, he was still behind the Swiss and the Spaniard in terms of major titles but he had achieved something the two have not yet managed -- holding all four grand slams at the same time. When the Serbian won the first of his 12 majors, at the 2008 Australian Open, a 22-yearold Nadal had already won three Roland Garros titles and Federer, then 26, had claimed 12 of his record 17 grand slams. “At the beginning I was not glad to be part of their era,” Djokovic said with a smile after beating British second seed Andy Murray in Sunday’s Roland Garros final. “Later on I realised that in life everything happens for a reason. You’re put in this position with a purpose, a purpose to learn and to grow and to evolve. “Fortunately for me I realised that I needed to get stronger and that I need to accept the fact that I’m competing with these two tremendous champions and then everything was uphill from that moment on.” While he could feel frustrated that Federer, Nadal, with 14, and to a lesser extent Murray, who has won two, deprived him of more grand slam titles, Djokovic believes the rivalries within the ‘Big Four’ have made him a better player, and tennis a better sport. “These two guys -- and Andy as well -- the rivalries with all three of the guys have definitely, in a big part... helped me to become a better player and helped me achieve all these things,” he said. “The rivalries that we have are important for the sport, and in one way or another you try to compare yourself to them and what they have achieved before. “Nadal and Federer were so dominant in

the sport when Andy and myself came in the mix.” Djokovic can now turn his sights towards a calendar Grand Slam that was last achieved in 1969 by Laver. Having won the Australian Open and the French Open, he needs to win at Wimbledon and the US Open. “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I think everything is achievable in life,” he said. “Whether or not I can reach a calendar slam, that’s still a possibility. But I don’t think about it right now. I just try to enjoy this experience of winning the trophy that I had never won before.”

TRANSFERS

Mourinho to sell 13 players

ose Mourinho is open to selling up to 13 of Manchester United’s first-team players, according to El Confidencial. The new United manager reportedly met with chief executive Ed Woodward on Friday to discuss his transfer plans ahead of the 2016/17 season and presented a long list of names who are surplus to requirements. Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Memphis Depay lead the candidates, while Bastian Schweinsteiger, Marouane Fellaini, Ashley Young, Michael Carrick, Marcos Rojo and Sergio Romero are in danger of being sold. Even Luke Shaw’s future at Old Trafford is at risk.

Monday with the case expected to run over seven to 10 days. The 42-year-old doctor was publicly criticised by Mourinho for running on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard in the closing stages of Chelsea’s draw with Swansea City

Guardiola faces Bayern in first Man City game

ep Guardiola’s first game as Manchester City boss will be against Bayern Munich in pre-season. The Spaniard will face his former club at the Allianz Arena on July 20, less than two months after his final game in charge of the Bavarians. The match will also mark Carlo Ancelotti’s home debut for Bayern. “Playing Bayern Munich is always a great occasion and this match has the added excitement of our new head coach Pep Guardiola returning to play with Manchester City against his former club,” said City’s chief ex-

ecutive Ferrran Soriano. “Bayern will provide fitting opposition as our team continues its preseason preparations and we will be able to connect with our fans in Germany.” City will also face Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund during their pre-season tour of China.

Guardiola

Mourinho

Kante to decide Leicester future after Euro 2016

’Golo Kante insists he will not make a decision on his future until after Euro 2016 but confirms he has received offers to leave Leicester City. “I am a Leicester play-

er,” said Kante. “For now, I have not taken a decision even if I have been made offers. “It will be great to play in the Champions League. I will decide my future after the Euros.”

Djokovic

Carneiro rejects £1.2 m settlement fee from Chelsea

ormer Chelsea physio Eva Carneiro rejected a settlement offer of £1.2 million before her employment tribunal, official documents have revealed. Carneiro’s tribunal began in Croydon on

on the opening day of the season last August. Carneiro, who was called “impulsive and naive” by Mourinho, was then stripped of her first-team duties before she left the club in September. Carneiro is claiming

constructive dismissal against Chelsea and also has another case against Jose Mourinho for alleged victimisation and discrimination. Mourinho was not in south London on Monday but is expected to give evidence.

Twitter Premier League: Ranieri FC beat Raptors to win title

anieri FC at the weekend defeated Raptors FC 2-0 to emerge the new winners of the Twitter Premier League final played at the Campus Mini-Stadium, Lagos Island. Shahin Alawam nicknamed ‘Benzema’ scored Ranieri’s two goals. The scorer said helping his team to win the title was a dream come true for his team to have fought so hard and get rewarded with the trophy. He said: “I feel great and excited beyond words to have scored both goals for my team because it feels good to know that you were instrumental to your

team’s success which has been a long way coming. Being the first time we are winning any of the seven editions of the TPL it was more than deserving for us since we have been participating since 2015. Raineri FC took the championship position from defending champions Pacers FC. The league started on March 26, 2016 with six teams participating. Efeoghene Ori-Jesu of the TPL thanked all for participating and called on corporate bodies to help sponsor the brand that helps bring youths together in a matured and sporty way and believed TPL 8 would be greater.

Kante (right)

Dortmund sign Rode from Bayern

orussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Sebastian Rode from rivals Bayern Munich for an undisclosed fee. Rode, 25, arrived in Dortmund on Monday to complete a medical and put the finishing touches

to a four-year deal at Signal Iduna Park. Speaking after BVB confirmed the deal, the former Eintracht Frankfurt man said: “I am a childhood BVB fan and therefore am really looking forward to playing for my favourite club.”

Ukraine arrests French terrorist ahead Euros

kraine’s State Security Service said it has arrested a Frenchman who planned to carry out terrorist attacks, including on a synagogue, during the Euro 2016 soccer championships in Paris. The man, 25, was arrested in late May on the country’s border with Poland and was heavily armed, according to the announcement Monday by the Ukrainian intelligence agency, known as the SBU.

The security service had been monitoring the man since December and had him under surveillance when he bought five machine guns, two rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons, according to reports. He reportedly had planned 15 attacks on bridges and other infrastructure, as well as Jewish and Muslim houses of worship in France, which is hosting the games in Paris and eight other French cities for a month beginning Friday.

On Marble Intelligence is the wife, imagination is the mistress, memory is the servant.

–Victor Hugo

Clem Aguiyi

Sanctity of Truth

365 days of hope betrayed

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016

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Public arena T he column you write

There was a Dora: A tribute Francis Ottah Agbo

xactly two years ago, precisely on June 7th 2014, a day after my birthday, in far- away India, the cold hands of cancer snatched my second mother, former NAFDAC DG and Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili, OFR. She was 59. For me, she was a mother of the motherless, activist in government, a courageous turn-around expert, uncommon anti-fake drug czar, anticorruption crusader, a disciplinarian, a compassionate public servant and a devout Christian of catholic faith! Going by what I know about her medical history, particularly her proactive regular medical check- ups abroad, it was difficult for me to accept her passing. Even after I had joined her husband, siblings, and her former governor, Mr. Peter Obi to deposit her remains at the National Hospital mortuary, Abuja, it was difficult to grapple with the irredeemable reality of her death. I continued to wallow in this state of disbelief even after she was laid to rest on August 28, 2014 in her Agulu country home, (Anambra State). I waited in vain for a miracle. I had thought that one day, I would see her. Two years down the line, when her early morning calls ceased coming, I accepted the reality of her death. Indeed, I now know I can only see Dora in the hereafter because there is life after death! I joined Dora on the 6th of January 2009 as one of her media aides. Before I got to her office on the eight floor of Radio House, Garki, Abuja, she was already on her table treating files and dishing out instructions to staff of the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications. I had thought that she would be struggling to fully settle down to work having been sworn in as minister in December 2008. But I saw a confident and passionate woman who took charge of her responsibility as if she had held the portfolio for years! She had commissioned a media guru and a well-respected editor to hunt for a Special Assistant that would manage her image. Though I had been interviewed and selected for the job by the consultant and my CV sent to her, Dora still went ahead to interview me. She then congratulated me after our interaction and allotted an office to me that same day. I was lodged in Chida International hotel, Utako until I was given a place in Wuse 2 both in Abuja. One thing that struck me on the 6th of January was that aside me, many journalists were recommended by her kinsmen and friends in the media industry to work with her even for free. And those who couldn’t pass the Dora test left unhappy because many professionals especially journalists wanted to manage Professor Akunyili to among other things, tap from her media savvy and fountain of

Akunyili

knowledge. She was very close to her aides and staff of the ministry; she even called us by our first names. She called me Francis my son. In spite of her busy schedules, she kept tab with our birthdays and congratulated us on our birthdays, in some cases, bought gifts for us. It was also on record that as minister, she personally wrote letters to senior journalists and correspondents covering the ministry on their birthdays. The letters were also followed by birthday gifts. This superb public relations sense, passion for Nigeria, uncommon courage, brilliance, industry, syllogism and patriotism endeared her to Nigerians and made her the reporters delight any day. Unknown to many Nigerians, this was why President Umar Yar’ Adua of blessed memory appointed Dora the spokesperson of the Federal Government of Nigeria. And she used her goodwill and towering image at NAFDAC to shore up the battered image of the government, having been produced by the controversial 2007 general elections, conducted by Professor Maurice Iwu’s INEC and adjudged to be a charade. The negative image of Nigeria at the time and Dora’s love for fatherland propelled her to initiate an image programme, tagged National Rebranding Campaign. Her target was to reposition the image of the federal government and restore the dignity of the Nigerian both locally and internationally so that the green passport could be taken to the bank. The campaign came with a bang but not without efforts of some Nigerian brand eroders who did so much to return Nigeria to Egypt! Whether the campaign achieved the set target is an issue for another day. What was however glaring was that there were conscious attempts at attitudinal change, re-orienting Nigerians and Nigeria had a brand new logo: Nigeria, good people, great nation. And many scholars across the globe wrote their thesis on Rebrand-

ing Nigeria. Dora’s exploits in the ministry earned her local and international awards and attracted positive stunt to the country in those days before her successor, Mr. Labaran Maku who had endorsed Rebranding when he was her junior minister suddenly jettisoned Rebranding with a wave of the hand. What a country of discontinuity! I enjoyed every bit of my association with her. Dora cared about my family. She facilitated the employment of her female personal assistants and our spouses who had no job at the time before she threw in the towel in December 2010 to contest the senatorial election in Anambra State. She asked for a ‘favour’ from me before we left the ministry which was that I should name my daughter after her which I did. I could see the happiness on her face when she attended the naming ceremony in June 2013. Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili was born into a family of workaholic, baptized and ushered into hard work. Hard work, passion, uncommon courage and her creativity were the propelling forces which enabled her to safeguard public health at NAFDAC, rebrand Nigeria and indeed turned around every institution she was privileged to superintend! Dora, my daughter’s name sake was an international figure and a workaholic of inestimable proportion. I remember those days of rebranding, Abdulmutalab terrorism saga and the President Yar’Adua health crisis. We would work round the clock and retire to bed at ungodly hours. But by 6;00 am, when people of her age should still be sleeping, Dora would be on her feet working, calling me on phone to wake up to continue working. For this departed amazon, the reward for hardwork was more and more work! Having worked with her closely till death did us part, I know she loved mankind and served Nigeria with passion, served the nation dutifully and died on a national service at the National Conference as a soldier in her boot! Many Nigerians still remember how she averted the looming constitutional crisis in the President Yar’Adua days through her letter, urging the Federal Executive Council to pass a resolution to make the then Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, acting president pending the recovery of Yar’Adua. This show of uncommon courage further endeared her to world leaders and earned her the sobriquet: hero of constitutional democracy. We cannot question God on this unfortunate loss to humanity. Nigerians should Weep not for Akunyili for she played her part extremely well. She was simply a change agent on our planet and not many change agents are fortunate to die at the ripe age. But my consolation is that there is life after death and I believe, Dora, my mother who fondly called me ‘‘my son’’ will continue to render selfless service in the hereafter!

My only regret is that she didn’t live for my daughter, Dora to know her and tap from her tank of knowledge. Two, she passed on at a time when religion and ethnicity had more than ever before become the deciding factors in Nigerian politics. Now that Dora is dead who will now speak truth to power and the secessionist groups springing up in today’s Nigeria? Three, her vision, the Drug Mart in Bayelsa State will be commissioned in Yenagoa without the cameras beaming on her elegant face. Oh death, thou is truly a bad reaper! Dora conceived the Drug Mart project to phase out fake drugs and substandard products from the market in her days as DG NAFDAC but no government had the political will to execute it until the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson came to judgement and funded it. Four, she would have loved to live to see the Chibok girls released from captivity and peace returned to Nigeria. Five, her pet project, National Rebranding project was abandoned by her successors; and the resultant effect of it is that, Nigeria of today is more divided than when there was a Dora! The lesson to be drawn from Dora’s demise is that: death is no respecter of persons. The Federal Government of Nigeria must immortalize Dora so that her spirit will live on. And the best way to do this is to name a national institution after her, deepen democracy with its attendant dividends, properly safeguard our public health and of course, Solution to puzzle 15 release the Chibok girls. • Agbo, Special Adviser, Media Relations to the Governor of Bayelsa State was SA Media to Professor Akunyili.

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