Tuesday, march 10, 2015 binder1

A media partner of Sanctity Of Truth

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Vol. 2 No. 384

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

Mbeki, Abdulsalami meet Buhari over polls

CBN accuses NDIC of plot to usurp roles Abdulwahab Isa and Chukwu David Abuja

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday rejected some

proposed amendments to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) Act, alleging that they are targeted at usurping some of its core statutory functions.

CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, represented by his deputy, Mr. Suleiman Barau, raised the objection in Abuja at a one-day public hearing on the "NDIC Act 2006, Cap

N102 LFN 2012 (repeal and re-enactment) Bill, 2015," organised by the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions.

He said the amend-

ments being sought to the NDIC Act should be discarded because if passed into law, they would cause confusion and anarchy in the financial sector.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

}8

18 days to go...

Nigeria Nigeria votes votes

2015

5 201}14-15

Army for elections

lFG insists on use of soldiers for polls }2 lAPC: It shows PDP's desperation to rig

Quick Read Editorial

Bring back }19 National Stadium Lagos!

Chad, Niger's troops take battle to Boko }5 Haram in Nigeria

L-R: Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; former South African President, Mr. Thabo Mbeki; Press Secretary to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Alhaji Ya’u Darazo and APC presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, after a meeting in Kaduna...yesterday.

‘Try Shettima over Chibok girls'

lYou can't blame us, says governor Johnchuks Onuanyim, Onyekachi Eze and Emmanuel Anule ABUJA

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday called for the prosecution of Borno State Governor, Alhaji

Kashim Shettima, over the abduction of over 200 pupils from the Government Girls' Secondary School, Chibok.

Director, Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Travel Advisory Your guide to local and international flights }4

2

News

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG insists on use of soldiers for polls

Adeolu Adeyemo and Temitope Ogunbanke

T

he Federal Government yesterday signalled its determination to deploy soldiers in states for the forthcoming general elections.

It said no amount of condemnation would deter it from using the military for the March 28 and April 11 general elections.

Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan, stated the government's position in Osogbo against the backdrop of the opposition by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the use of military for the elections.

The APC's opposition to troops' deployment for polls also received a legal boost on February 16 when the Court of Appeal, delivering a judgement in a petition challenging the election of Mr. Ayodele Fayose as governor of Ekiti State, held that the deployment of troops for election duty was unconstitutional and illegal.

Following the judgement, the APC wrote President Goodluck Jonathan and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, asking them to ensure compliance with the judgment.

In the letter, dated February 16, 2015 and signed by the party's Director, Legal Services of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. ChukwumaMachukwu Ume (SAN), the APC also drew the attention of the Federal Government to a judgement delivered on January 29, 2015 by Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Sokoto, which also barred the use of military for elections.

But Adesiyan, during an interactive programme anchored by the Association of Veteran Journalists (AVJ), Osun State Chapter, said the military would be deployed for the forthcoming elections as soldiers were needed to deter hoodlums at polls.

According to him, there is no country in Africa where military personnel are not used for elections.

He added that the military will be used for elections until the police are sufficiently ready to handle electoral processes and matters.

Adesiyan said: "The involvement of the military during elections was due to the shortage of personnel in the police force and the government is planning to recruit 25,000 additional hands into the police soon."

Besides, the govern-

ment is to purchase 5,000 operational vehicles for all the police formations nationwide for the forthcoming elections.

Adesiyan said the Federal Government had started taking delivery of the vehicles and allocating them to states.

"The Federal Government has equally partnered the United Kingdom Metropolitan Police to train the Nigeria Police in preparations for the March 28 presidential poll

while the re-training is focusing at crowd control before, during and after the elections in the country.

"President Goodluck Jonathan had done a lot at transforming the police system to boost their performances at all time and this will improve on the tempo," he added.

He flayed those condemning the use of military for the forthcoming polls, saying they are politically naive.

"The military would

be used to assist the conventional police in the supervision, monitoring and ensuring free, fair and credible polls on March 28 and April 11,” the minister stated.

However, the APC flayed the Federal Government's insistence to deploy soldiers for the general elections.

The party's spokesman, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, said the insistence of the Federal Government showed the desperation

of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the elections.

He said: “What he (Adesiyan) is saying in the effect is that they do not respect the laws of the land.

What we are saying is that apart from the fact that the role of the military and other security forces were exposed in the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti, especially through the release of a recording tape by Captain Koli, our courts have also said that

under our law, the military has no business in election duties.

“What a government that is not desperate like that can do is to appeal the suit. As long as that suit is not appealed, that would be the law. So, the effect of what the minister is saying is that they will not obey the law. They will not obey any court ruling and therefore this is no longer a country of a rule of law but a country of might is right."

L-R: Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe; Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and President Goodluck Jonathan, at the launch of Growing Girls and Women in Nigeria, in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOENISAN.

‘Try Shettima over Chibok girls' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, in a statement yesterday accused the governor of ignoring security reports and the counsel of the Federal Government against allowing the pupils to write the 2014 May/June West African Examination Council (WAEC) in Chibok.

The PDP's demand came just as Shettima's party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleged a plot by security agencies, acting at the behest of President Goodluck Jonathan, to harass and intimidate the party's financiers.

Justifying the call for the governor's trial, the PDP said the abducted Chibok schoolgirls would have been saved the ordeal to which they have been subjected in the last 329 days had the governor heeded the advice that the town was not safe for the examinations.

"Shettima will not be governor forever and when he is no longer in office, his role in the Chibok affair would be investigated and, if found wanting, he would

be prosecuted,” he added.

Under the 1999 Constitution, Shettima, like other governors as well as the president, vice-president and deputy governors, enjoy immunity from prosecution while in office.

But Fani-Kayode said Shettima should be ready for investigation and prosecution after leaving office if found complicit in the circumstances that led to the abduction of the girls.

He said the governor, more than anybody else, was responsible for the abduction of the Chibok girls.

“The circumstances that led to the abduction of the innocent girls, who were writing their examination in an environment that was everything but secure, underscored the governor’s negligence.

“The governor must give account to God and to the Nigerian people for what he has done to those girls. We are accusing him of being responsible for the abduction of the Chibok girls because he was warned by the Federal Government and by the West African Examination

Council (WAEC) not to allow the examination take place in Chibok.

“He ignored the warning and promised to guarantee security for those girls. When time came, the governor did not even deploy one policeman, let alone adequate security.

“He betrayed the girls; he set them up; he opened the door for them to be abducted by the Boko Haram and instead of asking for forgiveness and repenting of his wicked ways, he is talking nonsense," he added.

But Shettima dismissed the PDP's allegations, saying the party cannot blame him for the abduction.

The governor, through his media aide, Alhaji Isa Gusau, said he was a victim of the attack on Chibok and he could not be prosecuted, as he has not been found culpable of the incident.

He said: “Long before Fani-Kayode was appointed, his employer and our dear President Goodluck Jonathan had, in 2014, set up a Presidential FactFinding Committee on the missing Chibok school-

girls which was made up of serving and retired security officials, civil societies, elders from Chibok, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Muslims, journalists, labour groups, the National Council on Women Societies and many others with the mandate of establishing facts concerning the circumstances that led to the kidnap of the schoolgirls.

“The committee was in Chibok and met with all those it marked as stakeholders, security chiefs in Borno State, officials of WAEC and analyzed documents. In the end, the committee gave a clean bill to Governor Shettima as he was rather a traumatized victim that was doing so well in managing the security challenges in the state.

“The report is there and no one has so far contradicted the report of the committee."

Gusua accused FaniKayode of speaking with so much arrogance and ignorance.

He said: “We don't take Femi Fani-Kayode serious and nobody does in Nigeria. He had pronounced a

different group guilty over Chibok girls long before now, so if he is reversing himself over that like he contradicted many others, there is nothing new.

“Fani-Kayode, to us and many, is an adult with the mentality of an infant.

Again, like I said, no reasonable adult dialogues with an infant because it will amount to going into dialogue with a blind, deaf and dumb which will be an eternal waste of time and we don't have luxury of time for his kind. We have serious issues we are dealing with. We are just waiting for him to contradict himself in future because he will surely. Character is like smoke, it never hides.”

Meanwhile, the governor's party has accused the president of initiate moves to use the security agencies to harass its supporters.

The APC, in a statement yesterday in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated that the plot was part of ongoing efforts to cripple its activities in the run-up to the March CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

3

4

Travel Advisory

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule Air France

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

Flight No. AF 513 AF 3822 AF514 AF513 AF514 AF3849

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

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

Amsterdam-Lagos Lagos-Amsterdam

KL587 KL588

13:15hrs 23:05hrs

20:00hrs 05:50hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York

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

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

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

BRITISH AIRWAYS

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

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

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS

16:00hrs

Lagos-Kigali

11:15hrs

16:45hrs

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

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

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

14:00hrs

17:30hrs

22:35hrs 15:10hrs

06:00hrs 21:20hrs

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

hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

01:00hrs

hrs

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Doha Flight Doha-Lagos Flight

QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415

14:55hrs 07:20hrs

23:45hrs 13:35hrs

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

DL053 DL 054

22:15hrs 5:15hrs

05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Madrid Madrid-Lagos

IB 3337 IB 3336

22:55hrs 16:00hrs

5:25+1hrs 20:20hrs

Lagos-Casablanca Casablanca-Lagos

AT738 AT 737

06:25hrs 02:15hrs

09:55hrs 6:00hrs

air maroc

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

12:30hrs

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

IBERIA

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

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

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

MEA 571 MEA 572

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

to Lagos)

UNITED AIRLINES

17:00hrs 4:40hrs

KQ 533 KQ 534

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

DELTA AIRLINES

11:00hrs 22:40hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

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

QATAR AIRWAYS

VS 652 VS 651

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

BA075 BA074 BA 082 BA 083

EMIRATES AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos

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

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

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

VIRGIN ATLANTIC

RwandAir

Kigali-Lagos

Turkish Airlines

Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

Air Côte d'Ivoire Lagos to Abidjan Abidjan to Lagos

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

ASKY AIRLINES

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

10:10hrs

10:50hrs

19:20hrs

21.50hrs

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

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

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

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

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

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE ARIK AIR

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

AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE

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

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

FIRST NATION AIRWAYS

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

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

AEROCONTRACTORS

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

MEDVIEW AIRLINES

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

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

News

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

5

Chad, Niger's troops take battle to Boko Haram in Nigeria lTerror group in last battle for survival, say Northern govs

Emmanuel Onani and Dan Atori

T

roops from Chad and Niger have opened a new front in the regional military fight against Boko Haram, as they crossed the border into Nigeria to take on the insurgents.

A report yesterday by the Associated Press quoted Chadian Brig. Gen. Zakaria Ngobongue as saying that his soldiers, alongside troops from Niger, had entered Nigeria.

He declined to give details about the on-going operation, but said Chadian forces had crossed into north-eastern Nigeria from Cameroon to fight the jihadists.

Boko Haram has been fighting a nearly six-year insurgency against Nigeria and on Saturday declared allegiance to the extremist Islamic State (IS) group in the Middle East, raising fears that conflict could be internationalised with IS fighters from North Africa.

"They are bandits and criminals who have nothing to do with religion," Ngobongue told reporters in Ndjamena after the closing ceremony for Flintlock, a training in counter-terrorism tactics that included U.S. Special Forces and involved 20 countries.

Witnesses in the Niger town of Bosso reported about 200 military vehicles crossing over into Nigeria since Saturday. Adam Boukarna, one resident,

said the deployment was followed by loud detonations, signalling heavy combat with Boko Haram.

Describing the stepped-up military activity, Defence Headquarters’ spokesman, Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said on Sunday night "there were some pre-emptive manoeuvres along an axis in the theatre. Nigerian forces were also involved."

Cameroon's Minister of Defence, Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo'o, said troops from Nigeria and Chad would fight Boko Haram while soldiers from Cameroon and Niger would guard their borders to prevent the militants from escaping. Boko Haram has been using Cameroon as an es-

28 presidential poll.

But the PDP and presidency denied the allegation, saying it is just part of the antics of the opposition party in feeding the public with lies.

“We made it clear early on that our party, which has now become a peopledriven movement, is being bankrolled by ordinary Nigerians, who have contributed generously to the party through the platforms that we published in the newspapers for all to see. ''Though the Federal Government has used some national institutions to stifle our party's fundraising efforts, Nigerians have utilised the available platforms to make their donations. It is therefore a futile exercise for anyone to harass some innocent people for supposedly financing the APC,” the statement said.

APC urged the security agencies to be non-parti-

Forum (NSGF) have described the recent bombings in Maiduguri as an attempt by Boko Haram to create the impression they are unshaken by the on-going military operations in their stronghold.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, however, urged Nigerians, especially those living in flash point areas of the North to remain calm.

The governor, in a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Israel Ebije, said the terror activities in the North would soon be over, especially as the military is doing its best to end the insurgency in the area.

"The fight against terror is already yielding positive results. Let me condole with the families of those who lost their lives in the recent Maiduguri blasts. It is, indeed, sad they had to die that way. I am, however, confident they did not die in vain. The terror group is only picking soft targets to appear relevant," he said.

Also yesterday, the DHQ vowed that the military would sustain the current onslaught against Boko Haram in the North-East, until the insurgents are completely eliminated.

Olukolade stated this position in several posts on the DHQ's twitter handle yesterday.

Some of the posts read:

"This counter-terrorist operation is comprehensively driven by Nigerian forces.

"Much as we value and appreciate the ongoing collaborative effort of the troop contributing nations of the MNJTF (Multinational Joint Task Force), there has been no compromise of any aspect of Nigeria's sovereignty or soil to any foreign force.

"We are conscious that the fight is not over, and the Nigerian military will, therefore, not relent.

Nothing will be taken for granted.

"The Nigerian military will not be distracted or detracted from the current momentum, which is geared towards stamping out terrorism..."

L-R: Director, MTN Foundation, Mr. Dennis Okoro; Ondo State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju; the governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma, at the launch of the foundation’s EyeRIS in Ondo State…yesterday.

You can't blame us, says gov CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

cape and supply route.

Residents in potential conflict zones in Cameroon have been asked to leave, the minister said.

Tens of thousands of Nigerians have taken refuge in the area, among 1.6 million people driven from their homes by the insurgency.

The United States, Britain, France and the European Union are backing the formation of a multinational force of 8,750 troops led by Nigeria and Chad with contingents from Cameroon, Niger and Benin. Several other countries also have pledged to help.

Meanwhile, governors under the aegis of Northern States Governors'

san, professional and patriotic in carrying out their duties before, during and after the general elections.

However, PDP rebutted the allegations and accused the opposition of spreading falsehood.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, said: "But if the source of their campaign funds is from slush fund or from corrupt persons, then they can't stop security agencies from investigating them."

Also, presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the APC was only chasing shadows.

“Don't mind them. Seeing the defeat that already stares them in the face, they are now busy chasing a crooked shadow. I won't be surprised if one of these days Lai Mohammed issues a statement blaming the PDP and the presidency for the sun rising in the East and setting in the West. His allegations do not deserve any serious attention,” Abati stated.

Jonathan launches girls, women initiative Emmanuel Anule Abuja

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday launched a girl child programme known as the Growing Girls and Women in Nigeria Initiative (GWIN) to improve the lives of girls and women in the country.

Speaking while launching the programme at the Presidential Villa, President Jonathan explained that the programme, which is aimed at opening access to life changing opportunities for girls and women in diverse spheres and walks of life, has already kicked off in some states of the federation.

According to the president, the G-WIN project is a product of the collaboration with development partners.

The initiative became an implementable pro-

gramme in 2013 under the leadership of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala.

"To ensure effective implementation of the G-WIN project five ministries (Water Resources, Agriculture, Works, Communication and Health) were selected as pilot implementing agencies and were asked to integrate the G-WIN concept into the mandate of their respective ministries.

“Any society that tries to sideline women of course you are reducing your journeys of growth.

As a government, we will continue to give equal opportunities to our women both big and small, so that they can continue to fly higher,” the president said He decried the fact that girl child education was still at an all-time low in some parts of the country while some had picked up.

In her remarks, OkonjoIweala said that the present administration was using budgetary resources to start building women from the grassroots.

“We know that when you empower women, you empower a nation. Studies have shown that when a woman is enabled to earn income she may invest 90 per cent in her family while the man will invest 30 per cent."

She added that studies have also shown that the probability of a child surviving and growing increases by 20 per cent when you give the mother more income.

The minister said that the G WiN has brought a material difference to the lives of Nigerian women, adding that some African countries have adopted the programme.

The programme was initiated in 2012 and in 2013 an annual N3 billion fund

was budgeted while the Ministry of Finance provide additional resources.

The Ministry of Works through the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) is currently training 1,500 poor women, 250 per geo-political zone in road maintenance and other vocations.

Through the G-WIN resources, the Ministry of Health said it has so far repaired 3,515 obstetric fistulas, reducing the number of women waiting in line for repair. The women have also been empowered.

The Ministry of Communications is equipping girls through information communication technology (ICT) clubs in schools across the country.

The Ministry of Water Resources said it is building capacity amongst women to manage water points in their communities.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

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TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Abdulsalami, Mbeki meet Buhari over polls lPeace Committee summons Mu'azu, Oyegun over hate campaigns

Onwuka Nzeshi and Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

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ormer Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and South African President Thabo Mbeki yesterday held a closed-door meeting with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari, over the forthcoming general elections.

At the end of the meeting which held at Buhari's office along Jabi Road, Abuja, yesterday neither the visitors nor Buhari spoke with newsmen.

The meeting with Buhari lasted one and half hours.

Abdulsalami and Mbeki had earlier met with President Goodluck Jonathan at Aso Villa on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the National Peace Committee on 2015 Elections has summoned the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Dr. Adamu Mu’azu and his counterpart in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun

over the hate campaigns and inciting utterances of some members of the two political parties in the build up to the general elections.

Both party leaders have been asked to appear unfailingly before the committee at its next meeting to provide explanations on their seeming inability to keep their members and supporters in check in line with the spirit of the Abuja Accord on non-violent elections.

The summon came on the heels of daily altercations between the Direc-

tor, Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh on one hand and the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Garba Shehu, on the other.

The issue of hate campaigns by the two major political parties and how they heat up the polity, dominated discussions at

the plenary meeting of the National Peace Committee which held at the weekend.

The meeting had in attendance its Chairman and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and other eminent personalities such as the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sa'ad Abubakar; Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe; Special Adviser to the President

on Inter- Party Relations, Senator Ben Obi as well as the representatives of the two major political parties in the country.

Although the meeting held behind closed doors, New Telegraph gathered that the committee expressed discomfort at the trend of the campaigns and advised the leaders of the parties to close ranks to avoid actions that could lead to violence. The committee said that after the presidential candidates publicly endorsed the Abuja Accord, it had expected the leaders of the

two dominant parties to be holding informal interactive meetings as a way of bridging the gap between them and encouraging peace amongst their supporters.

A source at the meeting told New Telegraph that representatives of the two major political parties who were present tried to justify the actions of their party men and women but the committee warned that it was dangerous to allow the negative campaigns to continue as they have been in the last three weeks.

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

33o C 27oC Thunder Storms

ABUJA

39oC

26oC

Partially Cloudy

PORT HARCOURT

24oC

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KANO

39oC

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ENUGU

37o C 25oC Thunder Storms

IBADAN

34o C 24oC Thunder Storms

CALABAR

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MAIDUGURI

ONITSHA

40oC 22oC Mostly Sunny

37o C 24oC Thunder Storms

L-R: Director General, National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS), Dr. Ladi Hamalai; Abuja Divisional Manager, Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN), Mr. Harmat Warnecke; Chairman of NILS Governing Council, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and Managing Director, JBN, Mr. Detlev Lubasch, during a visit to the NILS permanent site project by Ekweremadu in Abuja...yesterday.

CBN accuses NDIC of plot to usurp roles CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

He said some of the proposals were designed to confer coordinate functions and powers on the NDIC, which are part of the core functions of the CBN. Emefiele added that the NDIC, being the undertaker, could not seek to be a judge and prosecutor in its own case.

According to him, the implications of the proposed Act will make the NDIC a parallel/coordinate regulator for banks as CBN confers conflicting supervisory functions and powers on NDIC over banks; and create overlapping regulatory responsibilities for the NDIC. Emefiele also said the powers that NDIC sought to assume and exercise included: licensing banks, supervising banks without reference to the CBN, determining the licences of banks and power to appoint itself as liquidator.

Emefiele said: "It is pertinent to mention that all the above powers, which the NDIC seeks to assume

and exercise, are ostensibly to ensure that it carries out its function as a risk minimizer and that depositors of distressed banks and other deposit taking financial institutions are paid in good time to avoid delays.

"While the CBN supports the desire to pay depositors of distressed institutions in good time, the proposal to make NDIC “the judge and juror” in cases involving banks is fraught with dangers and is a recipe for financial instability.

"It is, indeed, the ingredient for chaos and anarchy and is not practiced in any financial system in the world.

"There is also the moral hazard of the NDIC as a deposit insurer that charges premium on the basis of the riskiness of an institution which it supervises without recourse to the CBN to rate such institutions as riskier than they actually are in order to enhance the premium charged to bolster the deposit insurance fund.

"Consequently, it is essential that the NDIC must flow from its primary function, which is the basis for its establishment, that is, deposit insurance. Then and only then, will its role in the financial system as it relates to banks and other deposit taking financial institutions be properly defined."

NDIC Managing Director, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, said the NDIC was seeking the amendments to ensure safety and soundness in the banking system.

He added that the agency was not in competition with the CBN, but cherished its operational independence and mandate as provided by its Act. He said: "Yes, we may have disagreements here and there; we are not reinventing the wheel. I noticed from the presentation of Mr. Barau that apparently he may not be aware of the fact that a lot of these have been resolved and will be resolved.

"We are for collaboration; we are for the safety and soundness of the sys-

tem. We are not in competition with the CBN. At the same time, we cherish our own operational independence and we cherish our mandate as provided by our Act. "I can assure you that by the time we go through the details, you will find that there are very few areas of misunderstanding or conflict that we need to resolve. There are very few new things that we have introduced and some of them have been read out.

"But a lot of the issues still remain valid. I keep saying that the founding fathers of NDIC, who decided that NDIC should operate as a risk minimizer, in other words, given full powers to be involved in supervision and bank examination and in the liquidation among others, did not do that by mistake.

"This was 25 years ago and I don't think anybody should take us 25 years back by abrogating the power of NDIC to continue with its mandate and all we are trying to do is

to add value and enhance financial systems stability, especially the stability of the banking system."

Earlier, Senate President David Mark, while declaring the public hearing open, had said the exercise was aimed at obtaining authentic information from various stakeholders to enhance and guide the Senate in its legislative functions.

Mark, represented by Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, said: "It is hoped that this exercise, if successfully completed, will produce results that are acceptable to the generality of our citizenry."

Chairman, Senate Committee on Banks, Insurance, and other Financial Institutions, Senator Bassey Otu said the amendments being sought in the bill were targeted at revitalizing and enhancing the operational framework of the nation's financial institution and in "essence strengthen their capacities in addressing challenges in line with international best practices."

NEW TELEGRAPH tuesday, march 10, 2015

News

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Customs suspend assistant comptrollers, others over extortion, rape Bayo Akomolafe

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he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday suspended a deputy comptroller, five assistant comptrollers and 17 other officers over allegations of rape, extortion of $13,000 and other offences.

It was learnt that some of the newly recruited officers were involved in the crimes.

A panel had been constituted by the service’s Comptroller General, Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullahi, to investigate 11 officers while 12 were suspended from service pending the

L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Ambassador Hassan Adamu; Acting Secretary/Director, Legal Department, Mr. Belema Talibo and Managing Director, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim at Senate's public hearing on the corporation’s re-enactment bill in Abuja …yesterday

mercy

Govt, relying on bilateral relationship seeks commutal of death sentence of Nigerian youths to life imprisonment Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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he Federal Government yesterday pleaded with the Indonesian government to spare the lives of three Nigerians, who are on death row in Indonesia over drug related offences.

The three Nigerians, Silvester Obiekwe Nwolise 39, Okwudili Oyatanze, 40, and Spanish born Nigerian, Raheem Agbaje Salami (45) have exhausted their legal appeals and have had their clemency requests rejected by Indonesian President, Joko Widodo.

The Federal Government, however, relying on the robust bilateral relationships it enjoys with the Asian nation, is seeking for their death sentences to be commut-

FG begs for three Nigerians on Indonesian death row

l Says Jonathan not snubbed by Morocco’s King ed to life imprisonment.

Speaking in Abuja during a meeting with the High Commissioner of Indonesia to Nigeria, Mr. Harry Purwanto, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Danjuma Sheni, who made the plea on behalf of Nigerian government, also called for the finalisation of a Prisoners’ Transfer Agreement (PTA), which is currently being discussed between the two countries.

His words: “We understand that Salami has been moved to an island where he would be executed. We understand that all of them have gone through the judicial processes, but we want to appeal through you to your government, please commute their sentences to life imprisonment".

It would be recalled that two Nigerians, Daniel Enemuo and Solomon

Chibuike Okafor were executed by the Indonesian government in January this year.

While responding to the plea, the Indonesian High Commissioner said he would take the message of the Nigerian government to Jakarta as Indonesia assigns great importance to its relations with Nigeria.

He noted that Indonesia is very clear that the penalty for drug trafficking and other serious crimes such as terrorism is death, but added that the process is carried out in a transparent manner with legal proceedings up to the Supreme Court.

Nine foreign nationals and one Indonesian face execution in Indonesia after their pleas for clemency were rejected by President Widodo.

They are citizens of Nigeria, Brazil, Australia, Phillipines, France and Ghana.

Environmental sanitation: Court delivers judgement March 16 Akeem Nafiu

J

ustice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos will on March 16, deliver judgement in a suit filed by an activist lawyer, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, seeking to halt the conduct of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in the state.

However, Justice Idris yesterday fixed the date after listening to arguments by parties in the matter.

While arguing his case,

Adegboruwa contended that there was no law in force in Lagos State, presently restricting movement of persons for the purpose of observing environmental sanitation.

According to him, Section 39 of the Environmental Sanitation Law 2000 of Lagos State, which the respondents claimed to empower the Commissioner for the Environment to make regulations, could not be the basis for restricting human movement on Saturdays as no regulation

in force had indeed been made for that purpose.

Besides, Adegboruwa challenged the Lagos State Government to produce such regulation before the court.

He urged the court to hold that even if there was such regulation in operation, it could not be enforced on roads that were designated as federal highways under the Highways Act, such as the 3rd Mainland bridge where he was arrested by the police and LASTMA officials.

The development has already strained diplomatic ties with Brazil and Australia as the Indonesian president has suspended a four year moratorium on executions and maintains a hard line against drug trafficking.

Australian Andrew Chan 31, his country man, Yuran Sukumaran 33, Agbaje Salami, and Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso 30 from the Philippines were moved to Nusakambangan, a high security prison island where executions are conducted, last week, even though no date has been given for their execution.

In another development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refuted some media reports that President Goodluck Jonathan was snubbed

by King Mohammed VI of Morocco, who refused to speak to the President on the telephone.

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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do State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday accused the Peoples Democratic Party of stoking religious sentiments to sway voters in the forthcoming elections.

He said the PDP in its desperation, has bought some church leaders to preach against the APC and taint it as a Muslim party.

Oshiomhole stated this while receiving a former Local Government chairmanship aspirant of the PDP and about 2,

outcome of investigations.

Five assistant comptrollers of Customs serving in Tin Can Island Port were among those suspended from service for improper release of seizures.

Also, a deputy comptroller serving in Lagos Port Complex was asked to appear at the investigative panel for negligence and improper examination of containers.

Implicated over alleged extortion at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja are three Assistant Superintendent of Customs.

APC calls for vigilance in North-East Temitope Ogunbanke

F

ollowing last weekend bombings in Borno State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for vigilance among the people of Borno State and the entire North-East, against the background of the stepped-up fight against the terrorists.

APC, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, condemned the dastardly bombings that left many dead and injured in Maiduguri over the weekend, warning that those behind the continued killing and maim-

ing of innocent people will not go unpunished.

It condoled with the families of those killed as well as the government and people of Borno State and prayed God to grant repose to the souls of the innocent citizens, who were sent to their early graves, while wishing those who were injured a speedy recovery. ''As we have said many times, nothing in the world justifies the killing of innocent men, women and children, and the cowards who have continued to kill and maim must realize that they will not escape justice, no matter how long it takes,'' APC said.

Oando jacks up Nigeria's crude production by 2,150 bpd Adeola Yusuf

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ando PLC yesterday jacked up Nigeria's commercial crude production with 2, 150 barrels per day (bpd).

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Oando Energy Resources, Pade Durotoye, who announced this, said that the company had completed all civil and pipeline works associated with the Qua Iboe field and associated crude delivery

and sales infrastructure.

Oando Energy Resources holds a 40 per cent working interest in the field.

In its capacity as technical services provider, OER, together with the operator and 60 per cent owner, Network Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (NEPN), brought the field from conceptualization, through development, to first oil delivery.

PDP preparing ground for religious crisis, Oshiomhole warns 000 of his supporters into the APC. The governor warned the PDP not to polarize the country along religious lines, saying it is dangerous for the polity as both Christians and Moslems have been victims of the PDP’s misrule in the past 16 years.

According to him, the PDP has made copies of a documentary which has been distributed to churches to the effect that General Muhammadu Buhari would Islamise the country if

voted as the next President of the country in the March 28 election.

He said: “Some pastors after collecting money are now preaching that Buhari wants to convert the nation to Islam. When Buhari was Head of State with absolute power, did he convert Nigeria to Islam? Did he convert Dodan Barracks to Islam enclave? Are there not Christian Generals all over the place?

“The issue of this election is not about religion or tribe."

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Metro Retired police officer, wife, five family members killed

CRUELTY Armed men wipe out seven members of an extended family in a Plateau State community Musa Pam Jos

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unmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have killed a 62-yearold retired police officer, Baba Wangte Jacob and six members of his extended family.

Others are Jacob’s wife, Mrs Ruth Jacob (50), their son, Katok Jacob (27), Katok’s wife, Rachael (21) and three grandchildren.

The killings took place at Sabon Layi in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

It was gathered that the victims are related to the former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt Istifanus Caleb Mwansat, who is also currently

representing Panshin South in the state legislature.

The Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government, Hon. Emmanuel Loman, confirmed the attack yesterday in Jos. Loman said the attack occurred about 10pm on Sunday.

He said: “The attacks started since last week in some villages of the locality by the Fulani.

The attacks continued again yesterday (Sunday) around 10pm where a man, Baba Jacob, and six members of his family were attacked by the Fulani.

They killed the entire family.”

Loman disclosed that the retired police officer was from Mupun tribe from Panshin Local Government Area of the state.

He added that the deceased had been resident in the locality for a long time after his retirement.

The chairman wondered why such a family could be killed in one day without the police or other security agents making

File picture of some gunmen

any arrest.

Loman said there was a protest on Sunday by the women of the local government over attacks in some villages.

The chairman added that while the villagers were defending themselves in their homes, men of the Special Task Force surrounded them and collected their weapons and allowed the

Fulani to go free.

He said: “The women were angry when two of their children were apprehended. The women felt bad that instead of the STF men to arrest the attackers, they arrested the innocent youths who were defending themselves.”

Loman said he had informed the authorities concerned to

Businessman petitions CP over alleged threat to life Camillus Nnaji

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

I didn’t kill my lover, cleric tells court John Edu

A

A

Lagos-based businessman, Chief Michael Chukwudi Igbokwe, has demanded N5 million from his co-tenants for allegedly threatening to kill him after asking them to keep their environment clean at Kenneth Plaza, Iyana Oba, Lagos.

Igbokwe, who is also the caretaker of the plaza, located at No. 1, Kenneth Road, LASUIsheri Road, Iyana Oba, told our correspondent that he had already petitioned o the state Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, while his lawyers had written to the co-tenants, Mr Toochukw Anosie and his wife, Nkeiruka, demanding N5 million.

He said: “The couple, Mr Anusie and his wife, have threatened to kill me because I told them to keep the gutters

Igbokwe

and surrounding of the plaza clean. The couple have been giving me trouble, breaking landlord’s rules and regulations at the shopping plaza.

“A man I did not know had approached me after Lagos State demolition of shops and buildings at Iyana Oba. I helped him re-built the shop and I became the caretaker as well a shop owner there.

He entrusted the property in my care.”

When contacted on the phone for his own side of the story, Anusie said he had no time for journalists.

He said: “If you want to hear the

case, go back to the complainant.”

The man then switched off his phones.

But in his petition, entitled: “Treat to my life, collaboration, cheating, blackmailing, kidnapping and character assassination,” Igbokwe said he was subjected to attack because he has been mandating compliance with sanitation rules.

He said: “The threat to my life was even made public in the presence of traders, apprentices and customers who accosted him and Anusie’s wife and to the constellation of all, called me a dupe, fraudster, a charmer and ritualist.”

take action on the behaviour of some of the STF members in Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas and condemn the situation.

When contacted, the Media Officer of the STF saddled with the responsibly of maintaining peace in Jos and environs, Captain IKedichi Iweha, confirmed the attack.

n Islamic cleric accused of beating his 57-yearold lover to death in a hotel, yesterday told the EbuteMetta Magistrates’ Court sitting at Oyingbo, Lagos State, that he was not guilty of murder.

The accused, Isiaka Ikanbi, 55, said that he and the deceased, Mrs Risikatu Raheem, on October 25, 2014, went to their usual hotel, where they used to meet to have sex, when the woman suddenly became sick and died.

Ikanbi, who was arraigned in Court 11, denied beating the woman to death as homicide investigators had earlier alleged.

Ikanbi, who was arrested at his home on Saluti Street, Ladega in Ajegunle area of Lagos State, was nabbed a day after the woman died.

According to homicide detectives, the accused was having an extra-marital affair with the deceases and met with her at Aribo Hotel, No. 9, Aribo Street, OlodiApapa, Lagos.

On that fateful day, when Raheem was leaving home, she told her son, Abdulai Raheem, that she was going to visit her friend, Mrs Raliatu Kareem, at Olodi-

Apapa.

When she did not return, her son alerted other family members. The family went to Kareem’s home to check for Raheem, but the friend said the woman did not visit her.

It was Abdulai, who noted that his mother might have gone to visit her friend, Mr Ibrahim Ikanbi, otherwise known as Baba Ahmed or Alfa.

The family went to Ikanbi, pretending they wanted him to use his spiritual power to find the missing woman for them. When the heat on him became too much, he attempted to run, allegedly revealing his guilt.

The accused who had been labelled a killer, yesterday said he did not kill the woman.

He said: “I did not kill her or beat her either. I only took her to the hotel for our usual fun. On getting to the hotel, she complained of feeling weak and dizzy. When I saw that the pain was becoming severe, I quickly called for a tricycle to help carry her to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, before we got to the hospital, she died.

“A nurse who came to observe her body confirmed she was dead.”

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

Neighbours live in fear over NACCIMA chief ’s abduction

Omotoso’s house in Awe

having a meeting with some chiefs in the town when the gunmen sneaked in and abducted him.

He was taken away after being blindfolded while other chiefs who were with him were ordered to lie face down.

The industrialist’s house on Bode Omotoso Close, Awe, was deserted when our correspondent visited.

One of Omotoso’s neighbours, who preferred anonymity, said the occupants had kept to themselves since the incident, adding that they had refused to discuss the matter with anyone.

Another neighbour said that his mother heard gunshots on the night of the kidnap when he was taking a nap.

According to him, a squad of policemen was patrolling the area after the abduction.

He said: “I was in the church that evening where I was preaching. When I got home, I was so tired that I went to

Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

S

ix days after the National Life Vice President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Chief Festus Adebowale Omotoso, was kidnapped in his Awe home in Oyo town, his relatives and neighbours yesterday expressed fear over his safety.

The people also expressed fear over the security of their own lives.

Omotoso, a famous industrialist and Chairman of Bond Chemicals Limited, was kidnapped last Wednesday by gunmen who pretended to be launderers. Neighbours heard gunshots while the old man was being whisked away.

The Otun of Awe town in Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State was said to have recently arrived from a foreign trip and was

bed. I was also expecting a friend from Ile-Ife that day.

“When I woke up around 9pm, I wanted to go out to recharge my telephone so that I could call him, but my mother said that I should not go out because she heard gunshots nearby a few minutes earlier.

“My younger brother then peeped through the window and saw some policemen. We later heard people talk aloud from Baba Bond’s house which confirmed that something had happened.

“We remained indoors till Thursday when it was confirmed that the chief had been kidnapped. Policemen have since been coming here.

We have since not heard anything about Baba, and none of his relatives is ready to talk about it.

“They showed signs of fear when asked about it. We are equally living in fear because we do not know what can happen again anytime.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, had said the command was making effort to ensure that Omotoso’s kidnappers were apprehended and the victim rescued alive.

He said: “We have spread our dragnet to ensure that we arrest the abductors. The Oyo State Police Command is working round the clock and soon we shall get at them. We are going to make sure that their victim is rescued alive.”

Although a police source claimed that the abductors had demanded N10 million ransom from Omotoso’s family, Ajisebutu said it was too early to comment on the alleged demand.

He said: “I do not want to make any comment regarding that, because we do not want anything that can affect the investigations we are making.

Herdsmen kill one, torch houses in Benue Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

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t least one person was killed while many houses were burnt when suspected Fulani herdsmen invaded Logo Local Government Area where Governor Gabriel Suswam hails from.

Already, dozens of armed mobile policemen have been drafted to the area by the state Police Command to help maintain peace.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Hyacinth Dagala, who disclosed this to journalists, said many houses were torched while one person was killed.

The Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Joseph Anawa, who

is also an indigene of the area, said the deceased ran into the roadblock mounted by suspected herdsmen between Jortar and Anyin, the governor’s hometown on Friday night.

Though the police commissioner said relative peace had returned to the area, Anawa said the herdsmen, who soldiers chased into the bush, still constituted a threat to the people whose farming activities had been grounded.

However, Dagala assured the people of the readiness of police to check frequent attacks in the area.

The police chief implored the people to feed security agencies with relevant information on the movements of suspected crimiSuswam nals to track them down.

Dr Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman, AIT

Fire guts AIT studio Muritala Ayinla and Camillus Nnaji

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ire broke out yesterday in the studio of a Lagosbased private television station, the Africa Independent Television (AIT).

But for the timely intervention of the Lagos State Fire Service, the entire station would have been completely razed by fire.

It was learnt that the fire, which started about 9.37am, destroyed some sections of the studio and an air conditioner.

Confirming the incident, Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, told our correspondent that his men responded promptly and put out the fire.

Fadipe said the fire station got a distressed call

Fashola inaugurates 2.18km Glover Road project Muritala Ayinla

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agos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has inaugurated the 2.8km Glover Road, which he described as a promise fulfilled.

During the inauguration on Sunday, Fashola said that while his administration was busying commissioning projects across the state a few weeks to the general election, the Federal Government was distributing foreign currencies to the electorate in the state.

The governor said that when he handed over the

Lipede empowers 500 traders in Ogun Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

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gun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has commended a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Omoba Nbo Foundation, for empowering 500 petty traders in the state.

The foundation, established by a former Chairman of Abeokuta

South Local Government Area of Ogun State, Prince Yanju Lipede, gave the traders N10,000 each to boost their businesses.

The beneficiaries were drawn from 55 micro and macro-markets in Ogun Central Senatorial District.

The governor, who was represented at the event by the Director-General of Senator Ibikunle Amosun Campaign Organisation (SIACO), Chief Bode Mustapha,

said the empowerment was aimed at complementing his government’s efforts in poverty alleviation.

Amosun said the empowerment was aimed at complementing his government’s efforts in poverty alleviation.

The governor, who called on other Egba indigenes that have been blessed by God to emulate the gesture by Lipede, advised the beneficiaries to be prudent and ju-

about the outbreak of fire at the station around 9:37am, adding that his men responded promptly with trucks of water.

He said: “The fire engulfed the air condition in the studio. We were able to restrict the fire to the air condition alone and prevent it from spreading to the entire studio, but the air condition was totally burnt and we have been able to put out the fire.”

The fire service chief added that firefighters from Agege, Alausa and Ikeja took part in the operation, saying that three trucks from the stations, each with 10,000 litres of water arrived promptly to the scene.

Fadipe advised the Lagos residents to be extremely cautious to avoid fire disasters.

diciously use the funds.

He said: “It is certain that no single individual can do it all.

But government would do its best and good people and wellwishers of the state would also support the government.

“My advice to the beneficiaries is to ensure that the fund being given is judiciously utilised for the purpose for which it is meant.”

Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge, he promised to upgrade some roads in Ikoyi of which Glover Road was the first the government decided to upgrade.

Wondering why the Federal Government could not deliver on its promises, Fashola said that when his administration built the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge which represented a masterpiece, the opposition party said it was too expensive.

He said: “We use the same contractor they have been using to achieve result. We use Julius Berger to build that bridge while the Federal Government, with the same contractor, has not been able to build the 2nd Niger Bridge.”

The governor added that other roads being upgraded by the government in Ikoyi included 1stAvenue, Ikoyi Club 1938, among others.

He said that a few weeks to the general election and less than three months to the expiration of his tenure, he was still passionate about handing over projects for the benefit of the residents.

12 News

Mimiko gives out N20m loans to the disabled

steer clear

Ekiti government tell workers to stick to rules

Babatope Okeowo Akure

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overnor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State yesterday gave out the sum of N20million interest-free loans to some physically challenged persons in the state, through the State Micro-Credit Agency in commencement of the empowerment of people living with disabilities in the state.

The governor gave the directive while addressing members of the association who were on a peaceful procession to his office in Akure, to seek better coverage of their members in the micro-credit loans disbursed to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the state.

The governor, who stated that at the completion of all documents, the loans would be distributed by next week, added that when they pay back on time, government would increase it.

He noted that the loan attracts no collateral and also affirmed that some of their demands were already being implemented by government which he said included scholarship awards and other welfarists' programmes.

tuesday, march 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

south - west

Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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kiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has warned civil servants in the state to desist from engaging in unethical activities that could drag the image of the government into disrepute, saying any erring civil servant caught in the act would be made to

Fayose warns civil servants against politicking face the law.

In a statement in AdoEkiti yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor gave the warning at a meeting with leaders of the organised labour in the state.

To deal with any civil servant who flouts the directive, a committee to investigate any involvement in partisan politics by civil servants, has been constituted.

The six-man committee is headed by the Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission.

"Those who want to play politics should leave the service and become card-carrying members of the political party of their choice. Nobody should say I am a Fayose supporter to cause trouble in the civil service.

Whoever does that will be shown the way out.

"A committee has

been set up to check partisan politics in the civil service. It will receive complaints, investigate and recommend sanctions to be imposed on defaulters," the governor said.

The meeting, which had in attendance the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees

Obadara tackles Amosun over workers' deductions Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

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L-R: Secretary-General, Ogun State Hunters' Association, Alhaji Musa Bello; Assistant Secretary-General of the association, Oladele Adegbola and Governor Ibikunle Amosun, during the presentation of Ebola-free bush meat/interactive session with hunters and farmers in Abeokuta...yesterday.

Don't let governor hoodwink you, APC tells Ekiti Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has warned workers in the state not to be deceived

by Governor Ayo Fayose's antics, saying his frequent radio and television live broadcasts to paint gloomy financial position of the state was intended to de-

ceive and deny workers their entitlements.

APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, in a statement yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, said the advice became imperative in the face of mindless rhetoric being deployed by the governor to deceive workers over the over-bloated debt figures as alibi for the government's handicaps in meeting its salary obligation to workers.

Noting that hundreds of Ekiti workers had been sacked, state’s and bond debts payment suspended for six months, while several promotions were reversed, he said money saved from the losses to workers and cancellation of empowerment schemes should have been enough to pay workers entitlements, particularly as an allocations to the state were regular while no new

capital projects were being executed by the governor.

While calling on the governor to stop fooling the people through the frequent reeling out of the debt profile to the intelligent Ekiti workers, Olatubosun said the governor's antecedents had given him away as a person, who was taking pleasure in hoodwinking the innocent workers.

"It is good that Ekiti peo-

ple know the kind of governor they have. In one breath, he said he spends N1.4 billion to pay salary monthly.

The next minute, he said it is N1.6 billion in the same broadcast, which gave him away. This was typical of a man playing games with the lives of Ekiti people.

All these mathematical gymnastics were callous demonstration of breach of faith in government and the governed relations."

Elections: Don’t use physical attacks PDP stalwarts decry negligence after accident the University College that had sent N650,000 on people — AIG warns police Sola Adeyemo Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

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he Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone IX, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, yesterday warned policemen against the use of physical attacks on the citizens during the forthcoming general elections in the country.

The AIG, who dropped the warning while addressing some policemen at a workshop organised by the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo,

(NULGE), saw the governor explaining the details of the financial situation of the state to the union leaders.

The governor stated that despite the fact that the federal allocation was decreasing on monthly basis, his administration had always paid them their dues on time.

The labour leaders pledged their loyalty, saying they understood the economic realities on ground.

Also, the governor met with the management of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Patrick Aina and union leaders in the institution.

charged them to always carry out their duties in a lawful and unbiased manner.

He said, "I would want to use this medium to advise you all that being in uniforms should not serve as an opportunity for you to brutalise the people."

"Some of you are fond of doing that, which at the end of the day, would make it difficult for you to be able to relocate to your home land due to the fact that you have already victimised innocent people while you were in uniforms."

Ibadan

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legal adviser in the South West, Mr. Supo Ijabadeniyi, along the party’s Treasurer, Mr Lanre Orimoloye, yesterday accused the management of the Premier Hotels, Ibadan of insensitivity to their plights, following the injuries they sustained in accident that occurred in the hotel’s elevator two weeks ago. The incident led to their hospitalization at

Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

The duo were at the South West PDP summit convened by Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, held at the hotel on February 26, where the crème of Yoruba leaders declared support for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan.

They were in the elevator, when it suddenly crashed, leaving them with fatal knee fractures and body wounds.

They said 12 days after the accident, it was only Governor Mimiko,

for their medical bills for orthopaedic surgery, stating that they had personally spent over N800,000 on treatment without any response from the management of the hotel.

While Mimiko, had paid for the two patients, Ijabadeniyi, however, said that the hotel management has exhibited negligence by not deeming it necessary to assist them financially, other than providing food for my wife who has been taking care of me since".

he Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Gbenga Obadara, yesterday decried the state government’s alleged non-remittance of deductions made from workers' salaries.

Obadara, in a statement made available to reporters in Abeokuta, expressed regret that the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration in the state had made working conditions of teachers and civil servants miserable.

His comment came on the heels of the threat by public servants under the aegis of Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC) that they would embark on a three-day warning strike from today (Tuesday), to press home their demand for the payment of outstanding unremitted deductions by the state government.

But reacting to the development, Obadara, argued that if the state's internally generated revenue had increased to N5 billion as claimed by the government, there should not be any difficulty in paying the less than N2 billion wages of the workers.

The senator, who is seeking re-election on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP), said it was inhuman and antidevelopment for anybody to deny workers of their legitimate entitlements.

He, however, noted that if voted into power, the SDP would correct all the "injustices and maladministration" perpetrated against teachers and civil servants by the ruling All Progressives Congress government in the state.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MarCH 10, 2015

Anti-graft war

Buhari can’t fight corruption, says George

14

Presidency

Reconciliation

General elections

15

15

17

Atiku, Nyako’s camps reconcile in Adamawa

Why Nigerians must vote out Jonathan, by Tinubu

13

Truth about Jonathan’s N7bn bribe to CAN – Pastor Dikwa

Politics

Obanikoro’s ministerial debacle The Senate will, this week, attempt to consider the screening of former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, amidst opposition to his nomination by the All Progressives Congress (APC) senators.

CHUKWU DAVID reports

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he Seventh Senate is currently in a deep dilemma over the screening and confirmation of a former senator and immediate past Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who was recently nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan for re-appointment as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria alongside seven other eminent Nigerians.

For two weeks running, the Senate has been cut in the mire of how to resolve the issue of confirming Obanikoro as minister, without destroying the corporate existence of the Chamber, and at the same time, while satisfying the divergent external partisan political interests of the various stakeholders in the Nigeria Project. The situation is no doubt causing the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark and the PDP Caucus in the Upper Chamber a lot of sleepless nights on how to deal with the stalemate.

It will be recalled that, following the vacancies created by ministers, who resigned their appointments last year to run for the office of governor in their respective states, President Jonathan, on February 16, forwarded a list of eight persons including Oban-

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY Editor, POLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Ministerial nominee, Musiliu Obanikoro coming out of the National Assembly, after the Senate rescheduled his screening in Abuja …recently.

ikoro, to the Senate for screening and confirmation as ministers, to fill these existing vacancies in the Federal Cabinet.

Obanikoro served as a senator of the Federal Republic, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District from 2003 to 2007. He was later appointed as Minister of State for Defence by Jonathan, a position he resigned last year to contest for the governorship seat of Lagos State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Unfortunately, he lost the primary election to Mr. Jimi Agbaje, who is now flying the flag of the ruling party in Lagos.

However, for reasons of political coloration, immediately Obanikoro’s name was mentioned amongst the nominees, his political opponents rose in stiff opposition to the decision of Mr. President to re-appoint him to the office. Therefore, they opted for legal and political measures to stop him from being confirmed.

Expectedly, those in the forefront of this antagonism against the Lagos-born politician are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC). It was also gathered that some PDP members in Lagos State are also working to dash the hope of the former lawmaker from getting the ministerial appointment for the second

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

What is going on now is high level politicking towards the March 28 and April 11 general elections

time.

Obanikoro is being accused of masterminding the alleged rigging of the Ekiti governorship election last year, which brought Mr. Ayo Fayose as governor, having defeated the then incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi. Apart from that, Obanikoro is also facing opposition from some members of the PDP in Lagos, who recently accused him of indulging in antiparty activities, by allegedly working against Mr. Jimi Agbaje after he (Obanikoro) lost the ticket to his opponent.

Accordingly, the APC Senate Caucus, which is involved in determining the fate of any presidential nominees for ministerial or other appointments for national or international assignments, by virtue of the screening and confirmation powers of the Senate has resolved to use their constitutional privileges and powers to frustrate Obanikoro from emerging as a minister for the second time.

The Senate had planned to screen the ministerial nominees two weeks ago, precisely on Wednesday February 25 but later shelved the proposal, an action that was attributed to the intense pressure mounted by the APC senators not to grant Jonathan’s request to confirm the embattled former lawmaker for the pre-

scribed appointment.

New Telegraph gathered that the opposition senators had threatened to cause commotion in the Chamber if the Senate leadership ignored their petitions and protests to screen Obanikoro. So, the President of the Senate, not wanting anything or action that would ridicule the nation’s highest lawmaking body, decided to suspend the exercise.

When the anticipated screening was not mentioned during the plenary session, the spokesman of the APC in the Senate, Senator Babafemi Ojudu told journalists that the exercise was suspended because Senator Mark had received two petitions, seeking to stop the confirmation of Obanikoro as a minister of the federation.

Ojudu noted that one of the petitions, which he said was written on Thursday, February 12, was routed through him and Senator Gbenga Ashafa, drawing the attention of the President of the Senate to the alleged Obanikoro’s role in the August 2014 Ekiti governorship poll and the speculated use of armed soldiers to stop the Ilubirin Housing Project in Lagos among others.

He also pointed out that there was a suit against Obanikoro in a Lagos court, No: ID/433GCN/14.

The legislator further argued that it would be subjudice for the Senate to screen and confirm Obanikoro with other ministerial nominees, when this case had not been trashed out in the court.

“There is a case against Obanikoro in court in Lagos and that case is coming up for hearing on March 6. Should the Senate go ahead to screen Obanikoro next Tuesday, it means the Senate has prejudiced the case. That would be illegal because the tradition and the rule is that if there is a case before the court, the matter should not be entertained.

“This case is already before the judiciary and it has to do with whether he is a fit and proper person, whether he is qualified to hold public office. Even the case of whether he has dual citizenship is not for the Senate to determine.

Bedsides, this case is not even about that. Whatever the matter is, there is a subsisting case against Obanikoro before the court,” he stressed.

However, a senator and member of the PDP, who spoke to New Telegraph on the condition of anonymity said that those petitions CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

14

Politics

TUESDAY, MarCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari can’t fight corruption, says George Wale Elegbede

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former deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George has said the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) cannot fight corruption if elected on March 28.

Speaking yesterday in Lagos when graduands of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) entrepreneurial training paid him a courtesy visit, George said he is ready to engage former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu in a

debate over the alleged acquisition of properties by the APC national leader.

He said: “My former Oga, General Buhari has been saying he will deal with corruption. I marvel at what he is saying because everyone of those surrounding him, their middle name is corruption. So, where does he start from? That is why it would have been brilliant for us to have a debate and we are still challenging them to come and talk.

“Let General Buhari, Tinubu and all their cohorts tell us publicly if they accept the recommendations as defined by the conference. We

have asked them several times to come for debate but they preferred to go to CNN, they preferred monologue to dialogue, that is the essence of democracy.”

While challenging Tinubu to a debate over the alleged offensive television documentary, George said: “I have been shouting at the rooftop about

the acquisitive lunacy of this man called Tinubu, it is mind-boggling and I am sure people like Baba Lateef Jakande will be spinning where they are. How much does he want? He said he created one million march, it is a joke. Their middle names is deceit. The die is cast and Lagosians know that for 16 years they took us

on a bridge that took us to nowhere.”

On the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) smart card reader, he urged the electoral body to make a contingency plan in the event of the failure of the card readers.

“INEC must come up with two, three or four systems per polling unit

as back up instead of saying people will vote the next day in areas where it failed.

“There are millions of polling units across the nation which means millions of untested card readers for the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs). Asking people to come back the second day may lead to chaos.”

I’ll confront insecurity with zeal – Buhari Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, has promised to confront insecurity with zeal if elected on March 28.

This is even as Buhari condemned the bomb attacks in Maiduguri, Borno State capital on Saturday, which left at least 54 people dead.

In a condolence message issued in Abuja yesterday through his media campaign committee, Buhari said the frequency with which terrorists destroy lives and property embarrassed him beyond measure, and that tackling such indiscriminate violence would be on top of priorities once elected into office.

Buhari stated that violence has achieved nothing good for anybody and that his administration would confront the security challenges with determination and remarkable

zeal.

He explained that nothing can justify the endless and brutal violence targeted at innocent people, which has also destroyed the economic and social life of the people in areas where terrorists are notoriously active.

Buhari, however, called for increased vigilance among the people.

He explained that majority of the people have no idea about the features and characteristics of suicide bombers, and cannot, therefore, identify such killers in their company.

The statement extended Buhari’s condolences to the families of the victims of the latest terrorist attacks on Maiduguri.

Buhari has also condoled with the families of the recent violence in Rivers State in which some unidentified gunmen attacked and killed APC supporters in the state.

He said violence benefits nobody and, instead, it sets back the progress of the country.

1.6m voters collect PVCs in Oyo Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

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o fewer than 1,637,735 eligible voters representing 68.78 per cent in Oyo State have collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) as at yesterday.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Rufus Akeju made the disclosure yesterday at an interactive session with journalists shortly after presenting voter education materials written in braille form to representatives of people with

disability.

Akeju stated that 2,381,102 PVCs were received in the state out of which 743,367 were yet to be collected as at yesterday.

He said the independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) was out to encourage mass participation of Nigerians in the forthcoming elections, adding that the presented materials were meant to assist people with impaired vision in getting necessary messages on electoral process including those concerning voting procedure.

L-R: Deputy Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State, Cardinal Omolaja Odumbaku; Women Leader, Mrs. Kemi Nelson; Governor Babatunde Fashola; his Imo State counterpart, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and the party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, at a rally in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos…yesterday.

Ayeni: I’ll defeat Jonathan, Buhari on March 28 Babatope Okeowo Akure

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he presidential candidate of the African Peoples Alliance (APA), Alhaji Adebayo Musa Ayeni yesterday said he will defeat both President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 28 presidential election.

Ayeni, who was a deputy governor of old Ondo State, said his confidence stems from the fact that 70 per cent of voters in Nigeria are living below poverty line and will prefer him, being one of them.

He declared that his entry into the presidential race was in obedience to divine instruction that assured him of victory at the polls.

Speaking during an interview with reporters in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Ayeni said he was

in the race to fulfil God’s directive for him to liberate the poor in the country.

His words: “I am in this race because God directed me to contest the election. God told me categorically that I will succeed President Jonathan and I believe what God says, hence, my resolve to contest the forthcoming presidential election.”

Besides, he said the people of the country could not differentiate

between PDP and APC, hence their resolve to vote for him.

The presidential flag bearer, who said his government will focus on agriculture and youth development, said half of the Nigerian populace live in abject poverty.

Ayeni said he has the solution to the problems confronting the nation, stressing that “with people like me at the helm of affairs, we can be sure of a better and prosperous Nigeria.”

Buhari must withdraw from presidential race, says Fayose Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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kiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, has told the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari, and his party to withdraw from the general elections.

Fayose hinged his position on the fact that Buhari and APC have consistently lied to Nigerians.

Speaking through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, yesterday, the governor opined that the former Head of State and his party, had no moral rights to participate in the March 28 presidential election having lied

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

to Nigerians on several occasions.

He also accused Buhari and the APC of holding Nigerians in contemptuous manner.

The governor, who said that Nigeria would never be ruled by deceit, said: “In saner climes, you can’t lie and be discovered to have lied repeatedly as done by the APC and still want to stand for elections.”

He noted that it was appalling that despite being found to have lied on several occasions, the APC had never deemed it necessary to apologise to Nigerians for trying to deceive them.

His words: “First, the APC vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, a supposed pastor, posted picture of Reinhard Bonke crusade on his Twitter handle, claiming that the picture was that of APC campaign rally in Kano.

“Second, the APC claimed that Buhari made a surprise visit to Chibok and went further to lie that the people and parents of Chibok girls were filled with hope and joy upon sighting Buhari and his entou-

rage, and escorted him into Chibok with singing and dancing.

“Third, the APC cabal claimed that Buhari travelled to the United Kingdom on a working visit and used fake pictures to back up their lies that Buhari met with ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair and had a television interview in London.

“If a party and its candidate could lie so brazenly as done by the APC and Buhari, do they still have moral rights to want to rule Nigeria?

God forbid, can Buhari and his APC cabal that are not truthful about their existence as human beings be trusted to be truthful to Nigerians if they take over power?”

Politics 15

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MarCH 10, 2015

Why Nigerians must vote out Jonathan, by Tinubu Temitope Ogunbanke and Muritala Ayinla

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ational Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of failing to sustain payment for the life insurance of soldiers confronting the insurgents in the North-East part of the country.

The former governor alleged that instead of the prompt payment of the life insurance scheme for the brave soldiers to boost their morale, the president and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “concentrate money in bribing people.”

Speaking at the APC

rally in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos, Tinubu said President Jonathan deserved to apologise to Nigerians for allegedly failing to fulfil all the promises he made before he was elected in 2011.

He said: “Jonathan never says to Nigerians, ‘I am sorry.’ Today, he cannot pay insurance for the life of the soldiers and the police, who are working in danger. They have concentrated money in bribing people. The exchange rate is very high and he says he want to make vehicles for Nigeria.

“He doesn’t know how to govern the country. We have given him opportunity to govern Nigeria for six years and he has failed; he should leave office. We will not vote for

PDP again; they don’t know how to govern.”

Tinubu described the forthcoming general elections as a common sense revolution. He said the PVC means “Please Vote for Change” and therefore urged the people to vote into office, someone who can perform to Nigerians’ expectations.

His words: “Majority of Nigerian youths are looking for jobs. Six years ago, he appealed to Nigerians that he has no shoe and because of that people voted for him. The president had spent six years in office and he is yet to do what he promised Nigerians.

“He has failed in the area of power and that has affected many small and medium scale businesses. Today, they are

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

asking for people to pay for electricity that they don’t use. That is double jeopardy; money for diesel, money for electricity failure. Can we allow that one to continue? We need change.

“The assignment we want to do is to change Nigeria. They are stealing our money every day. If they can save that money Nigerians would not suffer.

“If a government have

been there for 16 years and you don’t see progress, you must move out of that government; send them away. Enough is enough. Failure is not part of us.

“Our brothers and sisters from the East, there is no difference between us. The vote is about salvation, happiness and together in unity; we can rescue Nigeria and lead it to prosperity.”

While presenting Akinwunmi Ambode to the party faithful, Tinubu said the party’s governorship candidate in the state would perform well like Governor Babatunde Fashola, assuring that Ambode possess the needed experience.

He said: “Fashola is brilliant; he knows how to

do the work and that was why he has performed credibly well in the last eight years. We are presenting another brilliant person to Lagosians for governor in the person of Akinwunmi Ambode. We don’t need to give him any kick-starter because he is brilliant and knows the job. He will start working immediately he is sworn into office.

“Lagos State is a model to many states and many states have come to Lagos to learn. Ghana has also come to learn from Lagos. We must not lose our votes by voting base on religion and ethnicity. These elections are about vote for prosperity, reform, relieve, restructure, salvation and all the change votes.”

PDP denies Jonathan’s rift with Mu’azu Onyekachi Eze Abuja

T Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammed Kastina (third right), with party candidates after signing of peace accord in Ibadan … yesterday.

PHOTO-NAN

Atiku, Nyako’s camps reconcile in Adamawa Ibrahim Abdul Yola

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head of the general elections, warring factions in the Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have reconciled their differences.

The party had been polarised along two camps led by the former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar and ousted Governor Murtala Nyako over the control of the party’s structures.

The leadership tussle deepened last year when Atiku’s candidate suffered defeat twice in the gubernatorial party primaries which produced Senator Jibrilla Bindowo as the candidate.

At the end of a stakeholders’ meeting held in Atiku’s Yola residence, the former vice president agreed with the stakeholders to lead the campaign team of the party’s gubernatorial candidate

across the 21 local governments of the state.

The meeting which lasted for several hours was attended by notable stakeholders from the two camps and was presided over by Atiku.

In attendance were former state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Mi-

jinyawa Kugama, Chief of Staff to Nyako, Abdurrahaman Abbah Jimeta, Alhaji Mansur Toungo from Nyako’s camp while Ibrahim Mijinyawa Yayaji and Sajoh Gella came from Atiku’s camp.

Similarly, the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Bindowo, alongside all the senatorial and

House of Representatives’ candidates of the party were also at the meeting.

Sources told New Telegraph that parties were frank and honest in their submissions at the meeting as all the aggrieved parties pledged to sheathe their swords to ensure victory for the APC in the coming elections.

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied that there was rift between President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu.

In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, the party also expressed satisfaction with the style of leadership of the National Chairman in the last one year, which it said has enhanced its support base and public rating ahead of the 2015 general elections “As one of the founding fathers of the PDP, the National Chairman has continued to add immense value with his mature and decent approach to issues in keeping with the tradition and vision of our great party, a disposition that has continued to attract massive support across board for our

TAN trains 100,000 volunteers for elections Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

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upport groups for President Goodluck Jonathan re-election, Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) and Women for Change Initiative yesterday commenced the training of 100,000 volunteers across the country for the March 28 presidential election.

The Chairman of TAN, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba, who condemned the mock test of the card reader by the In-

dependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the weekend, stated that it would not accept one per cent disenfranchisement of voters by the use of the card reader.

The volunteers, who were trained in Abuja, were told to return to their respective wards and promote the candidature of President Jonathan.

Also speaking at the training session which held in Abuja, the Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organ-

isation, Dr. Ahmadu Ali charged the volunteers to go out and speak about the good things the president has done and is still doing.

Ali said: “Go all out and do the needful. The important thing you must know is that people on the side of government cannot be intimidated.”

He told the volunteers to watch their back and relate with the police stations closest to them at their various locations and report any suspicious character so as to avoid any problem.

Uba stated that the volunteers should see their assignment as that of a marketer who have deadline to meet.

According to him, the volunteers are being trained to harvest the votes for the PDP and the candidature of President Jonathan as well as other candidates on the platform of the party.

He encouraged them to be cordial, confident and persuasive in their propagation of the transformation agenda of the president.

presidential flag bearer, President Jonathan,” the statement said.

According to Metuh, the National Chairman has been at the forefront of the PDP presidential campaign train and enjoys an excellent working relationship with President Jonathan “as exhibited in their bond at rallies, visits and meetings with stakeholders across the country.”

He added that Mu’azu’s exemplary style of politics played significant role in reducing the tension in the polity ahead of the elections, which it said, has endeared the party to a majority of Nigerian citizens and key stakeholders in the electoral process.

“It is to the credit of the national chairman that his leadership stabilised our party at its critical moment and successfully achieved unity among our leaders and members while strengthening the confidence of Nigerians in the PDP as the only vehicle to deliver democracy dividends to them.

“Also indisputable is his deft application of wealth of experience and far-reaching connections to galvanise the entire party structure in adopting President Jonathan as our sole presidential candidate, a project to which he has remained unflinchingly committed.

“Since the commencement of the campaigns, our national chairman has evolved and maintained a dynamic structure that involves members of the National Working Committee (NWC) engaging in personal and group campaigns.”

16 Politics

TUESDAY, MarCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Senate in dilemma over Obanikoro C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

and criticisms from the opposition party and other people opposing the nominee from even the ruling party would not stop the Senate from confirming Obanikoro.

He disclosed that efforts were in top gear to persuade opposition senators to cooperate with Senate leadership in the plan to re-appoint the former minister, stressing that it was not the first time such opposition was coming against a presidential nominee sent to the Senate for confirmation.

“Apart from the opposition coming against him from the APC, there are also some PDP members in Lagos, who said that he was working against the party’s candidate for Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje. But remember that this is not the first time such opposition is coming against a ministerial nominee in the Senate.”

Another reliable source very close to the Senate leadership, said nothing would hinder the Senate from approving the appointment of Obanikoro because the opposition could not and should not be allowed to dictate the pace for the ruling party in a democratic system. He argued that, though the views of the minority party had to be factored in decision-making processes in governance but the ruling party would be foolish to allow sentiments from the opposition party to overwhelm its policy decisions.

“I don’t see any reason why Obanikoro will not be confirmed.

You understand that what is going on now is high level politicking towards the March 28 and April 11 general elections. And in politics, you have to mobilise all your weapons in order to defeat your opponent. Remember that the opposition is doing everything to snatch power from the PDP at all levels, and they are adopting all strategy to weaken the ruling party including blackmail and all sorts of pernicious propaganda. Therefore, you will be a foolish man to listen to any advice from your enemy in the battle field to drop one of your trusted foot soldiers. So, I am confident that the PDP will do well by ensuring that Senator Obanikoro scales through the screening exercise,” the source said.

Last week Wednesday, it was highly expected that the Senate would confirm Obanikoro and seven others. This was not the case, unfortunately. The Senate was thrown into a furore in an executive session that lasted for about two hours shortly before plenary. The President of the Senate had attempted to convince his colleagues on the need to respect the tradition of the Upper Chamber in the screening of the three former senators, who are among the nominees.

The Senate has a standing tradition of not subjecting former senators nominated for ministerial appointments or any other national assignment, to question and answer session whenever they appear for screening.

New Telegraph learnt that Mark, in an attempt to ensure that this tradition was maintained in the screening of their former colleagues, immediately ordered a closed door session to resolve all

Jonathan

the contentious issues between Obanikoro and the opposition senators before the ministerial screening.

One of the senators, who preferred to speak on the condition of anonymity because of the implication of divulging the resolutions of the Senate on the controversy at the closed door session, told our correspondent that the executive session was rowdy throughout the period it lasted.

He said: “The Senate President pleaded with us to respect the tradition of the Senate by allowing Obanikoro and two other former senators, who would be appearing before us for screening to just take a bow and leave. We told him such gesture would not be extended to Obanikoro because of the two petitions against him forwarded to the Senate leadership which he must address in a question and answer session.

“The insistence of the Senate President that he would not preside over a Chamber where the tradition that predated him would be broken, led to a rowdy session which lasted over one and half hours.”

Also, another senator and member of the PDP from the North Central, confided in New Telegraph that the screening of Obanikoro was postponed to this week due to the issues raised against him.

He said: “The opposition senators stuck to their guns that the nominee must address the allegations levelled against him but the Senate President insisted that he would never allow such thing to happen. We, however, resolved to suspend the screening of Obanikoro and three others till this week, if the opposition senators would not insist that he must be asked some questions.”

However, when the Senate resumed plenary, Mark did not explain the reason for the closed door session. He simply said: “The Senate at the executive session discussed issues of national importance.”

The senator also said it would be an uphill task for Obanikoro to survive the ordeal, noting that the case against him was bad. He further disclosed that the opposition to his screening went beyond APC senators, disclosing that

Mark

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Apart from the opposition coming against him from the APC, there are also some PDP members in Lagos, who said that he was working against the party’s candidate for Lagos State

Ojudu

some PDP senators also accused him of arrogance. According to him, PDP senators accused him of failing to pick their calls after he was successfully cleared without any hindrance last year.

Similarly, a senator further said that the situation against Obanikoro, who is a former High Commissioner to Ghana was critical, noting that it was the complex and controversial nature of the problem that led to the legislators opting to adopt a closed door strategy to address the brouhaha.

Our correspondent was also reliably informed that, apart from the Ekiti rigging audio tape and the court case brought against Obanikoro, the APC senators also raised another allegation, accusing Obanikoro of having dual citizenship. The opposition senators allegedly brandished a document claiming that Obanikoro had changed his citizenship and consequently acquired American citizenship on June 16, 1995.

The document, it was further gathered, claimed that he was issued an American passport in Chicago with the name, Mohammed Musiliu Olatunde Onikoro. It was also learnt that they accused him of failing to carry out the compulsory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The opposition lawmakers are insisting that all these issues disqualified him from holding any public office in Nigeria.

However, another Senator, who was very optimistic that Obanikoro would eventually scale the hurdles before him, told our correspondent that the President of the Senate did not want to disregard the opinions, importance and dignity of their opposition colleagues in the screening process, otherwise, he would have gone ahead to call for the screening of the former minister, irrespective of the odds against him.

He opined that Obanikoro would be screened and confirmed this week, saying that nothing would stop the Senate from approving the appointment of the former legislator.

His words: “We spent the whole time discussing the issue of Obanikoro because of some people kicking against his nomination.

We were considering whether the privilege of ‘take a bow and go’ could apply to him since he was a

member of the Senate in the past but we dragged it and it could not be resolved because the APC members were insisting that he should not be confirmed.”

Meanwhile, four nominees, Messrs Patricia Akwashiki (Nasarawa State); Nicholas Ada (Benue State); Col. Augustine Akobundu ( Retd ) ( Abia State); and Fidelis Nwankwo ( Ebonyi State), answered questions from the senators except Akwashiki, who was a senator, and was therefore asked to take a bow and go.

It is noteworthy that this kind of opposition was also witnessed in the Senate in 2011, when the Upper Chamber rejected the nomination of Dr. Obadiah Ando from Taraba State as minister. In his case, the three senators from the state vehemently opposed his nomination.

Even the constituents of the nominee rejected his nomination. They accused him of not doing anything for the people when he served as Minister of Water Resources.

Senator Aisha Al-Hassan representing Taraba North was the one that led the opposition against Ando and was solidly supported by the other senators from the state. After due consideration and consultation, the Senate decided to drop him.

In the same vein, former Minister of Aviation, Prof. Babalola Aborishade faced this kind of opposition during the reign of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. However, he was later cleared by the Senate after much persuasion and horse trading within the political circle.

It is expected that the President of the Senate would before this week’s screening exercise, do everything within his powers to convince the opposition senators to change their stance on the confirmation of Obanikoro. If it turns out that Mark is unable to achieve this by persuasion, he may likely apply his prerogative powers to overrule them and have the former senator confirmed.

This, indeed, is democracy in action. It is a reality that the minority will have their say while majority have their way in the matter at the end of the day, but the whole episode has proven that everybody’s view counts to some extent in a democracy.

Politics 17

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MarCH 10, 2015

Pastor Musa Ali Dikwa may not be a household name in either the politics of Nigeria or the Christian community outside his native Borno State. But recently, he stirred the hornets’ nest when he made scathing allegations against the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). In this interview with IBRAHEEM MUSA, Dikwa sheds more light on the N7 billion, he alleged, the Presidency offered to the Christian body. Excerpts: Last week, you levelled an allegation against the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), by accusing it of collecting N7 billion from President Goodluck Jonathan in order to campaign for his re-election.

CAN has since denied this allegation, but the question remains, what is the source of your information?

Like I said, I am a pastor and I graduated from All Nations of Christ Bible School in Benin. I came back to Maiduguri in 2002 and started work with Ecklisiyar Yanuwa a Naijeriya (EYN) Church. I know the CAN president, Pastor Ayo Oristejafor; we have worked together before. I worked with him not as a CAN executive but as a writer. I have written about Boko Haram, their sponsors and scholars. Since 2006, I started writing on the discrimination against Christians in Borno State. Almost every year, I used to publish the atrocities of Boko Haram and I have written to Senate President David Mark and he promised to take action about it. He forwarded the matter to the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence and the chairman invited me and I appeared before the committee, yet they did not do anything about it.

When I was doing all this writing about the plight of Christians in Borno State and the atrocities of Boko Haram, the CAN president was so happy that was why he brought me closer to his inner circle. Along the line, things have now changed. There are some things that are going on at the CAN secretariat that are not right, which are contrary to my Christian beliefs. This is not the first time that I started disagreeing with the CAN leadership about money. There was a time that CAANA Foundation or so, which is based in the United States, brought $50,000 to be distributed to Boko Haram victims. They invited three victims of Boko Haram from Maiduguri and Damaturu respectively and gave them N500,000. So, when I learnt about this, I started troubling them, asking them of the remaining money. The victims were told that houses will be bought for them in order to resettle them in Abuja but till today, nothing has been done in that regard.

Truth about Jonathan’s N7bn bribe to CAN – Pastor Dikwa The Kanuri Gospel Mission is what I have changed to Voice of Northern Christian Movement.

Dikwa

My question is, how did you know that President Jonathan gave N7 billion to CAN’s leadership to share to the 36 state chapters of the association?

I can’t tell you the name of my informants; I have my informants amongst them. You know that such money will not be channelled through the normal bank channel. Neither will they leave written documents behind. But I tell you that they have collected the money and most of the people who received the money confirmed to me that they have collected it, including some of the national leaders of CAN. Why are you crying out now, is it because you were excluded from the deal?

No! There is nothing like that.

People who know me know that they can’t approach me with something like that. I am a man of God, a true Christian for that matter. I have never been part of this kind of thing and will never be involved in it. In fact, I have been fighting this kind of corruption in the body of Christ. People who know me can attest to this. Never, I will not be a party to this.

But the Borno State chapter of CAN have virtually disowned you by saying that you were not an Associate Pastor at the EYN church that is located at Farm Centre, Maiduguri as you claimed. How true is this?

I was the Associate Pastor of EYN from 2002 to 2004 and I have mentioned the Pastors that I have worked under. I worked with Pastor Emmanuel Kwachigere who is now in Abuja. There are other members too. You can confirm. Or those who will read this interview will confirm this. So, the Borno State chapter of CAN wanted to

discredit me because I have exposed them.

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

This is not time for collecting money from the government and campaign for the person who doesn’t care about the lives of Nigerian masses

Borno CAN also debunked your claim that Christians who refused to campaign for Jonathan are being harassed by the leadership of the association. Can you cite instances to support your claim?

They can’t claim that what I said is not true. It is the truth!

What do you expect them to say?

What they are doing in hiding has been exposed, why won’t they deny? There was a time that the state chapters had a meeting in Abuja and the CAN president gave the chairmen of Borno and Yobe states N200,000 each because of the challenges that they were facing but none of them gave their members anything. Even before he became the CAN chairman in Borno State, he has been deceiving people. That is why we have not been agreeing. I have earlier petitioned both the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) about his corrupt deeds but several Christians intervened and asked me to withdraw the petition, which I did.

But this one about campaigning for Jonathan, I will not relent. Our people are being killed by Boko Haram and it is our responsibility as Christian leaders, to push the government, to bring out the sponsors and punish them. This is not time for collecting money from the government and campaign for the person who doesn’t care about the lives of Nigerian masses.

Borno CAN leaders claimed that you have been masquerading as leader of Kanuri Gospel Mission, a group that is not known to them. Which church denomination do you belong to?

They also said that you are a Muslim convert and that your stock in trade has been extorting money from people...

Like I told you, nobody will tell you that he has ever given me money. I published all these with my own money (showing a tome of papers and pamphlets). They are just jealous of me. I have a business apart from doing Church work. I have a provision store and I engage in fish business. I don’t collect tithe or offering in my church.

I’m not on salary. Let the world know, nobody has given me money for the working that I’m doing.

When I was publishing about Boko Haram and the discrimination of Christians in Borno State and even the entire North, they were happy. But now that I’m against the corruption that is going on in CAN, they are now attacking me or denying. I know some people who are saying that Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State gave me money and they are going to expose me. Some even said that it was Mr Sam Nda Isaiah, the publisher of Leadership Newspaper that gave me money.

But are you not being used by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to discredit the president?

I have a heart for my people and for my country. I’m not working for anybody. I have raised questions for both President Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari regarding national security and I have submitted them to NTA for them to answer. Since 2013, I started telling people that Jonathan is not good for us because of his inability to tackle the Boko Haram issue. He has said severally that he knows members of the sect, he is eating with them and they are in his government.

Why can’t he arrest them? So, they are using Boko Haram issue to destroy our country.

So, are you saying that you prefer General Buhari to President Jonathan?

No, I don’t prefer Buhari but he is a leader and his people love him.

But some of his past utterances were terrible. I have all the CDs. And again, some Muslim leaders who were saying that if Buhari did not win the 2011 election, there will be war. I also have the CDs. Again, I had written to the Senate and Director of State Security Service (SSS). Even if Buhari wins this time around, we are in trouble and if he does not win, we will also be in trouble.

How will the people of Borno be in trouble if Buhari loses or wins?

Not the people of Borno alone but Nigeria entirely. Boko Hram started in Borno State but it has spread to Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states. So, we don’t know where to go. My opinion is that both Jonathan and Buhari are not good for the leadership of this country now.

18

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

Akinwunmi Ambode: Puppet on a string?

Gbdamosi Bakare and Jide Taiwo

I

s the current Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola angling for a third term in office - or is Asiwaju BolaTinubu planning to stage a comeback (not that he ever really went away)...

We ask this because eyebrows are being raised at the extent of these two politicians' involvement in the current gubernatorial contest in Lagos state - an involvement so profound that it reduces their ostensible candidate to near invisibility.

The incumbent, Mr Fashola is the one in the fore front, throwing brickbats and slinging the mud - and while one understands the strategy - distract Jimi Agbaje so he expends his energies firefighting rumours and untruths, while Akinwunmi Ambode floats serenely above the murky fray, the ploy is not working.

Unfortunately, all it is doing is further highlighting the absence of Mr Ambode in his own campaign and undermining his credibility as one capable of the task he is being shoe-horned into..

Oh, it is not that he is not visible, we've all seen his posters, and very lovely they are too - almost like a model's portfolio - but designer wristwatches and dimples do not a State Governor make, no matter how photogenic.... how many have actually heard him SPEAK? It has been noted that Mr. Ambode never addresses the public, not even at his own rallies, except when he delivers a scripted and prepared speech.

This was most obvious during the LCCI debate with Mr Agbaje where Mr Ambode's best points were in his opening and closing remarks which were scripted and rehearsed. The rest of the debate, where he had to answer questions spontaneously, illustrated quite clearly that extemporaneous speaking is not his forte.

Even his 'Up Close and Personal' event, organised to give the public a chance for unmediated interaction with him has been cancelled.

We know that Mr Ambode is an accountant, and was for many years in the Lagos state civil service. One would expect therefore that he has all the necessary statistics at his fingertips, and is in a position to blind his opposition with salient information they are not

party to by virtue of this experience. But the converse seems the truth. Mr Ambode struggles - manfully- but struggles none-the-less, to articulate or even grasp the issues pertinent to the further development of the state he professes to come from and wants to govern.

One must then ask - is this candidate really the best that the APC have to proffer? Are there no other more articulate, more credible aspirants within their ranks?

If there aren't, it is a sad indictment on the calibre of that party...

And if there are better, more credible contenders, then it is difficult not to suspect ulterior motives in his candidature, which brings us back to the initial questions of this article - Is Akinwunmi Ambode merely a front - a puppet whose role will be to dance to the manipulations of those who installed him in office, condemning Lagosians to further predation by those vested interests that for the last 16 years, have considered Lagos their personal fiefdom.

Questions are being asked...

A multi-coloured full page advert in the Punch of Monday February 23 titled Let My Experience Work For You ‘ showed the CV and work experience of APC governorship candidate Akin Ambode in various colours of the rainbow. It was an advert meant to arrest attention and it surely did because of its picturesque layout and bold typeface It certainly must have cost a fortune.

It showed at once how desperate those behind the candidature of Akin Ambode are and that they can go to any lent to sell their candidate whose sole weakness on the campaign trail is that he can not debate . He has been dodging a chance of a debate with the Lagos PDP governorship candidate Jimi Agbaje who has already endeared himself to the Lagos electorate with his oratorical skills and calm manner of articulation.

Going through the one page multi typeface montage of figures, dates and information it is clear that the APC decided to sell Ambode with his civil service experience.

But this is a mistake because Ambode himself by his articulation has not shown the grit and brilliance of someone who attended such courses. That is why the equally aloof governor of the state Raji Fashola, a lawyer and a SAN, has been drafted to be his mouth piece on the campaign trail - and he too has been talking from

both sides of his mouth because he too never campaigned for himself to become governor. Anyway Akin Ambode’s former accountant colleagues are indignant on the singling out of his CV as campaign material.

These former colleagues of Ambode at Alausa have simply taken umbrage at that.

Their contention is that such advertised and elaborate attendance of courses at prestigious overseas training institutions is common place amongst Lagos top civil servants who are mostly not gainfully employed on their sinecure jobs in the first instance. Attending such courses then has always been arranged to relieve their boredom on the job which could have been identified as redundancy in any vibrant and cost effective government . Such as the one Jimi Agbaje of the PDP has promised to bring on board once he is elected on April 11 as the next governor of Lagos State.

It is therefore a misnomer they say, to single out Ambode on such training attendance, which is common place amongst many of them and which they believe does not set them apart from any educated person because they never really focused on the courses, but the hard currency inherent in them. This is the highly beneficial estacode allowance they all look forward to at any time. To them the objective of making the CV look like a preparation for leadership or politics is dishonest and misleading and Ambode’s lack of articulation at campaigns has proven that , as the hood does not make the monk.

A close look at the advertorial CV showed the concern of these former colleagues and that of the discerning public on how the state government has been using the state hard earned foreign currency to send top civil servants to courses overseas to reward them with estacodes to buy their silence on their indolence and plenty of idle time to spare at Alausa.

Unfortunately such silence has rebounded like a nemesis on waste of public funds and made their candidate tongue tied at the campaigns where he needed to show the benefit of such foreign courses. The facts are just too glaring • Bakare and Taiwo, public commentators, wrote in from Lagos.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Beyond religion and culture THE Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka (Ike Obosi) seems to be a sound mind. Watching him on an 8.30am TV interview on 24/2/2014, he said that Nigerians have inferiority complex and it is time they developed their local content. He frowned that by June this year, all aircrafts operating in Nigeria will have Nigerian pilots and not foreign pilots anymore. “Some Nigerians believe that they are safe with foreign pilots, but this is not true. Let me tell you that many Nigerians do not even understand the instructions by those foreign pilots when they are made from the cockpit, thereby endangering signal in the airspace. Some of the foreign pilots are not even from the English speaking countries,” said Chidoka.

He added that private aircrafts would be grounded henceforth if they are used for commercial purposes. “My interest is the economy of Nigeria in the aviation sector and not about the aircrafts owned by some opulent Nigerians,” he enthused. He talked a lot of things that are convincing, but mainly hammering on, that Nigerians as a matter of ‘must’, should develop their local content and eschew any forms inferiority complex that seemed to have been ingrained in them.

• Odimegwu Onwumere, Poet/Writer, Rivers State.

2015 Presidential Election: Muhammad Buhari is Nigeria’s ‘Joshua' IN 1914, the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria were amalgamated. Since then, the peoples of Nigeria have been joined together in a marriage of inconvenience. Chief Obafemi Awolowo and other patriots led Nigeria to independence from her colonial masters with the intention of making the country an egalitarian society.

Since charity begins at home, Chief Awolowo as the Premier of the then Western Region, practiced and achieved the objective through the introduction of free education, free health care delivery, integrated rural development and industrial emancipation. But he was prevented from replicating the same performance in the whole country. Before his death, he predicted that Nigerians will rescue themselves from their oppressors by taking their fate in their own hands.

In 1983, he cried out that the country was on the brink of collapse, unless a saviour came to our rescue. On the night of December 31, 1983, General Muhammad Buhari came to our rescue. The disease, which was inflicted on Nigerians by the then National Party of Nigeria (NPN), was cured immediately through the change of currency and promotion of discipline.

Immediately, all foreign currencies bowed to the Naira in terms of value and the standard of living of Nigerians was progressively transformed.

But he was prevented from completing his good assignment by a palace coup in 1985 after which the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) was introduced, a policy that reversed the standard of living of Nigerians to the lowest ebb.

In early 2013, an address was delivered in South Africa by President Barrack Obama of the United States of America; he identified the root of the malaise confronting Nigeria to include corruption, poverty, favouritism, nepotism, insecurity, Boko Haram and bad governance. All these had become the order of the day in Nigeria, where there is no middle class.

When America was confronted by debilitating economic problems due to bad governance, Americans called on Obama to rescue them. Americans focused on his past performance as a Senator, and closed their eyes to his defects-Muslim name (Hussein), single parentage, African descent, black in colour, former tout and drug user.

Americans went ahead and voted for Obama massively to become their President in order to rescue them from

economic shamble.

We now warn all the leaders and members of the progressive in the All Progressive Congress (APC) to focus on the discipline and good governance of Buhari’s government of 1984 and 1985 when he rescued Nigeria from possible collapse, and not on the mistake he made by imprisoning the progressive leaders while trying to clean the Augean stables.

In 1984, Buhari was surrounded and advised by soldiers. Now, he is surrounded and being advised by civilians and democrats. The result will be guaranteed good governance without subjecting the progressive to hardship as experienced in 1984. He is the only surviving and tested candidate who can rescue and lead Nigeria to the Promised Land after 100 years of wandering in the wilderness.

Now, that All Progressive Congress (APC) is gaining ascendancy. That trend should become even more accentuated as Jonathan takes personal control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after the exit of their Baba (Olusegun Obansanjo), apparently out of frustration.

• Ademola Orunbon, 17, Ajanosi Street, Oke-Posun, Epe, Lagos State, 08034493944, 08029301122, Via; orunbonibrahimademola@gmail.com

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

19

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Bring back National Stadium Lagos!

eneral Yakubu Gowon has fond memories of the magnificent National Stadium in the Suru-Lere area of Lagos. Although the 12 million Naira stadium was built under his watch and opened in 1972, to host the Second All Africa Games the following year, the joy that came with the Green Eagles winning the soccer gold medal, caused the general to rename the team Golden Eagles.

Sporscity was such a marvel , Nigerian athletes did the country proud and the continent was carried away by the grandeur of the architectural masterpiece. It did not matter that Egypt topped the table.

Nigeria’s second place was as good as winning. The football gold mattered so much.

While the Eagles won gold in the lush green grass, Modupe Oshikoya reigned in track and field. Obisia Nwakpa became Golden Gloves. In swimming , Christopher Adingupu won a gold medal. The facilities were splendid.

The National Stadium became our sports Hollywood.

You could not be a star, if you did not appear in Sportscity.

It was a city indeed, complete with a Sports Institute, Police station,health facilities and shopping mall.

The stadium hosted the grand finale of the Africa Nations Cup in 1980,2000 and the FIFA U-20 World Youth Championships in 1999. Much earlier in 1975, the last match of the Africa Champions Cup[today’s CAF Champion’s League] between Enugu Rangers and Hafia of Guinea.

Today, the National Stadium, Lagos is dead. That is the best way to describe it. It has little to do with what it was constructed for. Politicians, worshippers and musicians have taken over the entire complex, with little regard to the feelings of teeming sportsmen and women who go there bewailing the sordid state.

The grass is not green, infact, there is no grass on the turf. The swimming pool is like a well for frogs and mosquitoes. The tracks are tattered, all the facilities are competing with faeces for attention.

The rot started shortly after the 1999 World Youth Championships. It was difficult to notice the decay, as it still hosted the 2000 Nations Cup. In the next four years, activities went on, if only to cover the begging maintenance.

Another opportunity to host the continent came in 2003.

Government was ready, with a new National Stadium in Abuja that cost Billions of Naira.

That seemed to have nailed the coffin that was to take the Lagos stadium to the cemetery.

What an irony that the stadium which was born to host the All Africa Games in 1973, went comatose following the hosting of the Abuja 2003 All Africa Games.

The Sports ministry has a department that oversees facilities under its care. It is a shame that we have all allowed the Lagos National stadium to decay to the present sorry status. Past ministers visited, promised to change the face of the place. The moment they flew back to Abuja, they put their thoughts under the desk.

Former Eagles striker and All Africa Games gold medalist, Gideon Njoku, was so proud of the stadium that it became part of his profile.” I was the first to score a hattrick at the National Stadium”, he would boast. He is late now, it is sad that government has abandoned the arena he so much cherished.

Yakubu Mambo scored the first goal in that stadium. Were he alive, the Golden Eagle can only weep for his country that promises everything, but maintains nothing. The place where Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji died playing for his nation has been pathetically neglected as much as everything his fam-

ily was promised still remain promises 26 years after his passage.

When the stadium was officially opened in 1972, the capacity was 55,000.That was the official figure. It is possible that in such high profile matches as Nigeria against Algeria in 1980 or Rangers versus Shooting Stars in the 1975 Challenge Cup final, the crowd exceeded 75,000. However, with more covered stands and plastics seats during rehabilitation in 1999, the capacity went down to 45,000.

This great stadium, that once enjoyed the artistic cleats of Ronaldinho, Xavi, Gabri, Seydou Keita, Diego Forlan, Shinji Ono, Robbie Keane and the ageless Roger Milla, is looking so derelict. It does appear that government does not reckon with such a huge national pride.

The ugly face of the Lagos stadium also says a lot about our maintenance culture. Government budgets so much money to construct sprawling complexes.

It pays no attention to what happens thereafter.

It not only a monumental shame that Sportscity is left to die, it is a national disgrace. In other climes, the Sports minister will bury his face in shame. That is even more honourable, than staying put and doing nothing.

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20

Politics

TUESDAY, MarCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Rousing welcome for Ambode all over Lagos Idowu Ajanaku

“A

mbo, a tide” in English literarily means “we are coming and here we are, we have arrived.”

This is usually the resounding slogan of the people everywhere the train of the Ambode Campaign Organisation (AMCO) had gone throughout Lagos State.

From Apapa to Ifako/ Ijaye/Ojokoro in every town and local government there was always a massive and mammoth

crowd jubilantly welcoming Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate, his team and other APC leaders. It was always a carnival everywhere and every time he shows up.

At Ifako Ijaye, Ambode spoke of his readiness and his believe in his capacity to take Lagos to the next level. He said that his experience in governance and the opportunity God had given him to work with the visionary Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the incumbent governor,

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Ambode

Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), the Actualiser of modern Lagos will help him to fulfil the hope of

Lagosians for a better and more excellent Lagos. In his words: “Lagos needs an excellent administrator to make the excellence continue. With all sense of modesty, I am that excellent administrator

with the requisite experience to make this dream of continuity fulfilled.”

He counselled that Lagos is too complex to be entrusted to an inexperienced leader and to be put up for experiment. Lagos is too strategic to be handed over to the locust and those who have all along desired to “capture” her.

Ambode went further to say that “this impunity and corruption at the centre must stop. We must all work together by voting for the APC at all levels to make Lagos and Nigeria work for all.”

Indeed, the past 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government can best be described as the years of the locust. Nothing is working except on paper.

All their claims are too little to make any difference in the life of the majority of Nigerians while they continue to celebrate tokenism.

Governor Fashola was on hand to eulogise the APC candidate. He urged the people of Lagos to “take all he said as a covenant made in honour.

The APC is a party of the fulfilment of promises, I am even happier that in Ambode, we’ve got a leader who will continue, complete and consolidate all the good works in Lagos state.”

In his conclusion, Fashola advised the people of Lagos: “Use your PVCs to remove PDP, to vote for the APC, to vote for Ambode and to vote for performance, to vote for good governance as against corruption and unfulfilled promises” Other leaders who spoke to the overwhelming crowd at the rally, reassured them of Ambode’s capabilities and the importance of getting their PVCs. They include the Commissioner of Works in Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, APC National Women Leader, Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson, Baba Mohammed Ile-Ogbo and a host of Nollywood actors.

Ambode also hit the road in Coker, Itire all in Surulere area; Shomolu and Bariga area were not also left out. In all these places the reception was awesome and overwhelming. The shout of Ambo, Ambo rent the air! The APC candidate was showered with so much love and acceptance among the people. His message of continuity of the progress which has made Lagos the pride of the nation and glimpse of hope for the possibility of greatness inherent in us as a people was well received. The hope of the people of Lagos are brightened by this possibility that Ambode represents. The message is clear to Lagosian that Ambode is prepared and ready to serve them with integrity. Here is a man who is close to the grassroots having traversed the 27 local governments of the state in his days in the civil service of Lagos.

He understands the plight of the rural dwellers and the elite and as a bridge builder, no part of the society would be neglected.

•Ajanaku is a media strategist with the Ambode campaign organisation

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MARCH 10, 2015

Arts

21

THEATRE

Echoes of women empowerment on stage, screen Ebere Ameh

T

he fascinating drama that interrogates the place of the woman in patriarchal Nigerian society Hear Word! Naija Woman Talk True took centre stage during the recent celebration of the International Women’s Day at the Access Bank Head office, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The drama, which parades Nollywood star actresses, explores the challenges and vicissitudes of the typical Nigerian woman. The play, directed by Ifeoma Fafunwa, was produced by iOpenEye, a production company aimed at showcasing the best of Nigerian performance art that challenges the status quo with a focus on empowering women and transforming society.

Hear Word! is the company’s signature production, which shares true-life stories of inequality and injustice, facing Nigerian women in order to examine the causes and effects of the lack of female support and leadership in our society.

The play which deals with such issues as denial of widowhood rights, domestic violence, rape, female genital mutilation among others, also looked into the many ways that women are complicit in their predicament, justifying the maxim that ‘women are their own worst enemies’.

Snippets of the drama were screened at the beginning, while the live performance took centre stage at the closing of the event, which was well attending by great women from all spheres of life.

The applause was deafening as the women, who may be seeing the play for the first time identified with the different issues portrayed in the drama.

It could be recalled that the play, premiered last year, showing at the Muson Centre, the national Theatre and even the Mushin Market. With a star studded cast, which include Joke Sylva, Taiwo Ajayi-

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

One of the scenes in Hear Word

Lycett, Iretiola Doyle, Bimbo Akintola, Ufuoma Ejenobor and a host of others, Hear Word has become both a social advocacy for the emancipation of the woman and pure entertainment.

Earlier at the event, which was organised by the Public Affairs Section of the US Consulate General, Lagos, in collaboration with Access Bank Plc. and Idea Builders Initiative, to mark the 2015 International Women’s Day, a documentary on the life and times of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to run for president of the United States of America was screened. With Professor Remi Sonaiyan, the first female presidential candidate in Nigeria watching, in a hall filled with hundreds of women, in an event monitored in 11 countries, Chisholm’s voice resonated as it did 42 years ago, when she campaigned for the presidential seat under the platform of the Democratic Party of America.

The documentary titled Shirley Chisholm, Unbought and Unbossed, shows Chisholm at the Concord Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY, during her declaration of interest to run for the office of the president on January 27, 1972, where she said that she was candidate for the people.

“I stand before you today as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency of the United States of America. I am not the candidate of black America, although I am black and proud. I am not the candidate of the women’s movement of this country,

although I am a woman, and I am equally proud of that. I am not the candidate of any political bosses or fat cats or special interests.

“I stand here now without endorsements from many big name politicians or celebrities or any other kind of prop. I do not intend to offer to you the tired and glib clichés, which for too long have been an accepted part of our political life. I am the candidate of the people of America. And my presence before you now symbolizes a new era in American political history.”

Chisholm, who is from the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, New York, initially pursued a professional career in child care and early childhood education. She later switched to politics where she served four years in the New York State Assembly before she made a name for herself as the first black woman to be elected to Congress.

A strong woman by all standards, Chisholm refused to bow to racial pressure or be bossed around by the many men in the congress when she was there. The documentary showed an instance where she was given an assignment to sit on the House Agriculture Committee and she rebelled.

There is very little agriculture in Brooklyn, she said, insisting that the committee would not afford her the opportunity to serve her constituency. She agreed to sit on the House Education and Labour Committee, an assignment that allowed her to combine her interests and experience with the criti-

cal needs of her constituents.

With finance, the Achilles heels of most female politician as her main constraint, she lost her campaign for the presidency. But by the conclusion of the 1972 Democratic National Convention in Miami Beach, Florida, 151.95 votes was cast for her.

In a practical and honest speech she made before the elections, she said; “I am a candidate for the Presidency of the United States. I make that statement proudly, in the full knowledge that, as a black person and as a female person, I do not have a chance of actually gaining that office in this election year. I make that statement seriously, knowing that my candidacy itself can change the face and future of American politics - that it will be important to the needs and hopes of every one of you - even though, in the conventional sense, I will not win.”

The fact remains that she had drawn attention to herself and the ideals she had campaigned for. She had affected lives in many ways by her campaign, which shows that ‘yes we can’. Though she lost; in many ways, she won as many testified in the documentary.

The American political scene never remained the same after that.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed yearly around the world to celebrate women and to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played extraordinary roles in the history of their countries and communities. The IWD encourages advocacy for women’s advancement everywhere in every way and for challenging the status quo for women’s equality and vigilance inspiring positive change.

In his opening remarks, the US Consulate General, Jeffery Hawkins observed there is a crucial generational shift going on now, adding that we are beginning to see more women Chief Executive Officers.

Hawkins described Chisholm as an inspiring political figure in the United States.

He called on Prof. Sonaiyan to be the Chisholm to Nigeria. “I really hope that you could play a similar role for the women and the people of Nigeria the same way that Chisholm did.

It is a heavy responsibility,” he admitted.

22

Arts

Moses Kadiri

B

ente Vindvik creates works with emotion.

The product of her works in the on-going solo exhibition at the Quintessence Gallery, Park View, Ikoyi, Lagos titled Nordic’s View of Nigeria comes from her state of mind at a particular point in time.

And listening to jazz, classic music enhances understanding of what she intended to paint.

But this is only a part of the story. She disclosed that her mission as an artist has always been to recreate what she sees in her own very personal way.

“I am not a naturalist, even if l sometimes find inspiration in trying to recreate people and other living things as accurately as possible. Light fascinates me because in Norway we have a lot of light in the summer with very long day,” she recalls.

Vindvik who has spent over four years in Nigeria and three years in Angola, where she took part in a group exhibition at Gallery Celemar, Luanda, Angola, in 2009-2010, uses different techniques, which involves lots of appealing colours in her paintings, that blend with her immediate environment which form her inspiration.

“From my window l see out on the canopy of the remains of the forest that once covered part of lkoyi, Lagos. I see colourful birds that inspire me to recreate them on canvas, but not like a photo. l do not copy anything, the idea comes from the mind and l create the work. They are transformed in my head and become my own special, colourful birds,” Vindvik said.

Her concern for environment issues is evident in her thematic engagement in her art. Her message is clear: what she sees is what she paints. Vindvik has made the global community to believe that apart from what the challenges the country is facing

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

in terms of terrorism, there is still something that still makes people happy: the arts.

The 16 works on display at the gallery takes the viewer through her style, forms and colours. “In Nigeria people dress in so many colours. That gives me inspiration that sometimes lead to non-figurative images in my head. There is activity everywhere and that energy is also inspiring. The colours and energy of Lagos gets transformed into images. Some may see only colours in my works.

For it is so connected to what inspired me that l see both colour and images.”

Vindvik who has been involved in various excursions to study art and artists to UK, France and Italy, disclosed that her first contact with huge colours was in Angola. “In Africa it is the colour, the colour of the people, their dresses and the colour of nature. Everywhere you are had the red, ochre coloured sand and vegetation shifting from deep green to the greyness of the semi-arid coastal areas. I had opportunity to work with local artists and to exhibit together with them. It gave me a lot of inspiration to be in that environment which is different from my home country,” she says.

After four years in Nigeria she seems to be enjoying the hospitality, the busy street of Lagos, including its traffic. “l like the life here; l like the people, their smile, the way they welcome you in the market. I like the small talk also. The women also get involved in the struggle on a day-to-day affair; they believe in the future that things will work out one day. I am amazed about the culture here and there are lots of good artists in this country.”

Though she is leaving Nigeria in May 2015, but she said the memory will linger in her mind in time to come. “I am leaving Nigeria, it is quite sad, but l have memory of Nigeria in my heart.

Nordic’s View of Nigeria on Vindvik’s vibrant canvass

Vindvik

l wish l could travel to many places, but l can’t because of the situation of things here; but l hope to come back again to Nigeria,” she said.

Her profile seems to rub off on her work. Vindvik participated in various workshops (in oil painting) with Professor Reidar Berge, Norway; on clay sculpture, with Professor Hugo Wathne, Norway; acrylic technique at Vra College, Denmark, oil painting, Professor Aase Heidi Morgan, United States of America, and acrylic painting with Professor Peter Esdaile, United States of America.

She studied Art History at the University of Bergen, Norway, Art and Design, at Telemark University College, Norway, 2008-2010.

One of the works on display

Owonri Meji: Three jolly friends in search of identity Tony Okuyeme

I

t was a day of total theatre feast at the March edition of Live in Theatre, held at Neca Hall, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. Theatre Centrik again took centre stage with their performance of the play titled Owonri Meji (The Sojourn).

The play talks about three jolly friends who are in sojourn from Isalu Orun to the earth to fulfil their destiny and bring joy and happiness to the people. In the pursuit of happiness they must sacrifice to ensure the filthiness in the world of man does not sore their garment of divinity. Then the big instruction for them was to sacrifice; instead of following the simple instruction of sacrifice they went ahead fighting and contesting who to be the leader or spokesman. This certainly destroyed the fulfilment of the journey of the trio except The Gong who was patient enough to sacrifice. She understood

A scene in Owonri Meji

that there is no way you can be a leader or a successful person without sacrifice. This

comes in different forms; diligence, obedience, sensitivity, humility, passion, and truth-

fulness - these are part of life sacrifice.

“Oworin Meji is a play

about life, existence and interactions; the connection between those around us and those within our reach.

We at Theatre Centrik used the play to remind Nigerians and indeed the world, that leadership shouldn’t be seen as a thing of force or a birth right, but that anyone who is not ready to sacrifice should not consider being a leader, the founder and artistic director of Theatre Centrik, Tony Biyi Boyede said, adding that the event also serves as a platform to remind friends, clients, colleagues and the general public of its core values which is to raise a right thinking and patriotic youths for future positive engagements and development.

The event attracted prominent personalities including Mrs. Tokunbo Johnson of Lihams School, Mrs Itohan Otts, Ebele D Flutist, Mr. Femi Ogundare Wahab of the clique , several entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

Award

Development Fund

21-year-old Agwulonu emerges Veritas varsity best student

KWASU graduates to access N220b

25

27

23

Education mixed reactions Stakeholders have picked holes with the Minister’s proposed policy to make first degree as the minimum teaching qualification in Nigerian schools.

Stakeholders divided over minimum teaching qualification

Kayode Olanrewaju, Mojeed Alabi and Musa Pam

F

or the nation’s education sector, it has not been a smooth sailing.

If it is not the problem of acute underfunding, dearth of facilities, incessant strikes and low teachers’ morale, it will be policy somersault and their attendant pitfalls on the quality of education.

The sector, regarded as the fulcrum of the nation’s socioeconomic development, seems to be facing a fresh crisis, if the proposed plan by the Federal Government to peg first degree as the minimum teaching qualification in Nigerian schools is anything to go by.

Education Minister, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, had two weeks ago, while receiving the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, who paid him a visit in his Abuja office, announced plans by the Federal Government to make first degree the minimum teaching qualification in the school system.

Expectedly, the new policy, which is to replace the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE), is coming barely three decades after the Teacher Grade II Certificate, which hitherto was the minimum teaching qualification in the primary and secondary school levels was not only scrapped, but the Teacher Training Colleges were also phased out.

Shekarau’s position was based on Suomela-Chowdhury statement that teachers in Finland have a minimum of Master’s Degree before they are allowed

kayode olanrewaju Editor, education

kayode olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Shekarau

to teach, and that teaching is a highly competitive profession in Finland due to the huge interest of many qualified applicants.

The Minister had said: “From 1980 the minimum qualification to teach in Nigerian schools has been the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) but at the moment we are considering the possibility of making First Degree the minimum teaching qualification.”

Shekarau, who explained that apart from the general agenda of government to improve the quality and access to education, said his particular concern was improved quality of teachers which is a key factor.

“We must continuously increase the number and quality of teachers, improve the condition of teacher training institutions and continuously review the curriculum of teacher education to make sure it catches up with the challenges, as well as address those issues of teachers’ welfare and job security,” he added.

He, however, went down memory lane by explaining that Primary School Leaving Certificate had once been the benchmark for teaching in the country until the 1960s when it was raised to Grade III certificates.

He said: “The level was raised to Teacher Grade III in the 60s and later in early ‘70s it was pegged at Teachers Grade II as minimum qualification for teaching, and this was to be phased out in 1980s

Prof. Okojie, NUC scribe

...Despite possessing the required degree, prospective teachers need to write qualifying tests, since it is not everybody that possesses the certificate that can teach

with NCE as the minimum teaching qualification.

Buttressing the government’s position, the Minister noted: “Gradually we will get there. We hope that a day will come when all our schools including pre-primary will be handled by university graduates because going by the rate at which our universities are increasing in time to come, that will be our target.”

But, stakeholders have expressed worry over the fresh move, arguing that the nation is yet to recover from the present system, which according to them, has not adequately prepared NCE holders for teaching in primary schools.

The level of preparation of the government to implement the policy, to the stakeholders is germane to the success of such policy and should be vigorously pursued.

According to them, among the factors the government should take into consideration in order for effective implementation of the policy should include the cost implication; readiness to adopt specialisation in the teaching process at the primary school level; as well as the need to make the study of Education more attractive to students, who only applied to Education programme and institutions as the last alternative.

Since specialization is key to the successful implementation of the proposed policy, the government should be ready to fund the

system adequately, by employing adequate subject-teachers at the primary school level for each subject to be taught by a teachers as against the current system where a teacher teaches all subjects in a class without specialisation.

Besides, for the policy to be implemented, there is the need for the government to introduce incentives for prospective students willing to study Education and take into teaching as profession as it was the situation for the students of the Teacher Training Colleges before they were phased out in order to encourage and attract more students to study Education.

In fact, the Provost of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Epe, Lagos and National Secretary General of Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Education in Nigeria, Prof. Olu Akeusola, once in an interview with New Telegraph, said the greatest disservice that had happened to the education sector was the scrapping of Teachers Grade II Certificate.

The Professor of Comparative Grammar knocked the current system, even as he wondered how NCE holders, who are only trained in two main courses and Education, are deployed to primary schools to teach all the subjects including those that they were not trained.

“How do we expect qualitative teaching in such a process, unlike graduates of the Teacher Training Colleges who were trained in all school subjects,” he explained.

Apart from Akeusola, other key stakeholders in the education sector, including the former ViceChancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Grace Alele-Williams; former Education Minister, Prof. Chinwe Obaji; former Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Ibadan and former Nigeria Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, Prof. Michael Omolewa; the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT; Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, have not failed to share their thoughts on the proposed policy.

Their argument centred on CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

24 Education

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Controversy trails joint exam, taxes in Ondo LOGGERHEADS

Private school owners in Ondo State and the state government are at war over alleged imposition of multiple taxes and joint examination Babatope Okeowo Akure

P

rivate school education in Ondo State may be facing a hard times, if the current raging war between the operators of the sub-sector and the state government is not nip in the bud.

The state government and owners of private schools in the Sunshine State are at each other’s throat over the joint promotion examinations and tax policy on schools allegedly introduced by the government.

To key stakeholders in the state’s education project, the intrigues, if not addressed will have negative effects on the education policy of the state.

The proprietors, under the auspices of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) are challenging the state government over what they described as obnoxious policies on education and regime of taxation, which they said has continued to kill their operations.

However, the state government has faulted the association’s claim, describing it as infested with political undertone, as the issues raised never existed in the state.

But, the association, led by its Chairman, Mr. Goke Orimoloye, has since given the government a seven-day ultimatum to either reverse the polices or face the wrath of the school owners.

Despite the ultimatum, the state government, led by Governor Olusegun Mimiko, has remained undaunted over the threat, saying education should not be seen as veritable means of business, but a means of developing the future of the children and the country.

According to the Education Commissioner, Mr. Jide Adejuyigbe, the school owners have no justifiable reason to upturn the government’s policies on education as they were designed for the benefit of the state.

Addressing journalists in

pupils in their classroom

Akure, the state capital, Orimoloye, noted that members of the association could no longer keep quiet on the issue of over taxation and other obnoxious education polices as the various levies imposed on them by the government are suffocating their businesses.

But in a swift reaction, the government noted that the proprietors were planning to compromise education standard and destroy the long standing quality the state is known for and the future of the children.

Aggrieved by the state’s tax policy, Orimoloye wondered that an average school currently pays N3 million yearly as a result of the multiple taxes leveled on them by the government, even as he stressed that due to the inconsistent policies of the government, private schools currently pay huge amount of money on taxes to the state government, Ministry of Education and the Local Government Councils.

He condemned the manner with which his members were being harassed by the government agents to collect the taxes, lamenting how often times their schools were locked up and the students chased out.

The NAPPS’s leader, while alleging that education has been commercialised in the state, despite the government’s self-acclaimed achievements in the sector, recalled: “The Board of Internal Revenue collects N2.2 million yearly, while the school owners pay a renewal college fee of N125,000 (for colleges) and N80,000 for primary schools to the Ministry of Education.

“Besides, we are paying N30,000

Mimiko

Ministry of Education collects N90,000 for JSS 3 examination for 60 students, and N55,000 for 55 students for SS II examination

to the Local Government Council for business premises tax, while the Ministry of Education collects N90,000 for JSS 3 examination for 60 students, and N55,000 for 55 students for SS II examination.

His words: “For the Primary Six School Leaving examination, the ministry collects N50,000 on 50 pupils and on Tenement rates a school owner pays taxes ranging between N50,000 and N120,000 yearly to the Local Government Council. For Local Government vehicle document (mobile advert) we are paying N20,000 and on signage to the Board of Internal Revenue we pay N15,000.

“For rebranding our vehicle to FRSC colour (per bus) we pay N150,000, while we pay re-accreditation fees of N50,000 and N30,000 for college and primary school respectively to the Ministry. As school owners, we pay N50,000 for sanitation.

“In totality, we pay N480,000 yearly to the Education Ministry; N50,000 to local government; N2,015,200 to the Board of Internal Revenue; N150,000 to FRSC; and N50,000 to the Ministry of Environment.”

Orimoloye, who noted that the issue of re-accreditation fee on secondary schools was introduced by the government few weeks ago, when they were ordered to pay N50,000 for accreditation for WAEC centres including schools that have been accredited before, lamented that it was only in Ondo State that private school proprietors are so levied in the South West.

For instance, he said while private school in Ondo State are paying N125,000 as renewal fee,

Shekarau pledges support for scout movement Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

E

ducation Minister Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has assured members of the Scout Movement of Nigeria that the ministry would do everything within its powers to provide all necessary support towards strengthening the organisation.

He made the pledge during his decoration as the Number One Ambassador among the six

Peace Ambassadors nominated by the Scout Association of Nigeria for decoration.

Speaking at the investiture ceremony, which took place in his office, the Minister said the ceremony reminded him of his early days as a primary school pupil and an active member of the Boys Scout of Nigeria.

The Minister, who lauded the officials of the association for finding him worthy of the honour, however pledged that every necessary support would be

provided to strengthening the organisation in order to effectively discharge its responsibilities to the society.

Meanwhile, Skekarau acknowledged what he described as a strong link between the Scout Movement and the Federal Ministry of Education, saying that the bulk of the members of the association are in the school system.

Earlier, in his remarks, the Chief Scout of Nigeria, Mr. Ahmadu Rufai Mohammed, an engineer, lamented the poor

attention accorded scout movements in the country, and sought collective efforts in restoring the past glory of the organisation.

Mohammed, while arguing that active scout movement could address the challenge of insurgency ravaging the country, however suggested that the Scout Movement should be moved under the supervision and control of Federal Ministry of Youth and Development, to the Federal Ministry of Education for effectiveness.

He informed the Minister

other states including Ekiti is paying N39,000; Edo (N11,000); Osun (N30,000) while in Ogun State no levy is being collected as renewal fees from the proprietors.

Worried by the development, NAPPS wondered that all attempts to dialogue with the governor had proved abortive, as the leaders of the association have not been allowed into the Governor’s Office on the six occasions.

NAPPS, while claimed that they are in school business to assist the government to mop out the rate of unemployment in the country by providing jobs for unemployed graduates.

On the joint examination for both public and private schools, Orimoloye said though the idea was a welcome development, he, however regretted that the policy is been rebuffed due to what he described as the government deliberate action to fail pupils from private schools.

He said: “What we use to grade our children is more than mere performance in examinations; we have what we call the continuous assessment, and the actual examination. Our students go to the examination and at the end of the day, they scored woefully results.

We believe that it is deliberate because the government is paying for WAEC registration fees of pupils in public schools. We have done this examination before and almost all private school pupils passed. But the last edition was bad; this means the government intentionally failed the students so that they will not pay their WAEC fees.”

But the Commissioner said the issues raised by the association had been trashed out before and there is no need to bring it up again.

He flayed the association’s action, alleging that the proprietors merely wanted to arm-twist the government to reversing its decisions.

Adejuyigbe, who noted that allegation of multiple taxation does not exist in the state, while the introduction of joint promotion examination was to prepare students for external examinations, explained that the joint examination has eradicated the ‘miracle centres’ in the state as there is a central data of students writing external examinations in the state.

The Commissioner insisted that many of the aggrieved school owners have no business or qualification to run schools, saying some of the schools were not only unregistered, but also sub-standard. about the forthcoming centenary anniversary of the organisation billed for September this year, and the World Scout Jamboree slated for Japan, in which about 200 delegates are expected to attend.

Mohammed spoke of the need for the Minister to mobilise government’s support for the association, as well as convince President Goodluck Jonathan on the need to conduct the investiture of the association on him as it is obtainable in other countries such as the United Kingdom, Kenya and even South Africa where their Presidents sign the warrants of their scout movements.

Education 25

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

21-year-old Agwulonu emerges Veritas varsity best student Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

F

or Agwulonu Somtochukwu Assumpta, the overall best graduating student of Veritas University, a private university located in Abuja, it was dream come true.

Agwulonu, who obtained First Class with the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.65 points, attributed the feat to the grace of God Almighty and inspiration from her mother.

For her brilliant performance, Agwulonu, who graduated from the Department of Accounting from the faithbased university, founded and known as The Catholic University of Nigeria, went home with three prizes at the combined second and third convocation ceremony which took place at Bwari, Abuja its permanent site.

Agwulonu, who was the cynosure of all eyes at the ceremony, was a recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for the Overall Best Graduating Student, Dean of the College of Management Sciences Award for the Best Graduating Student and the Head of Department Award for the Best Graduating Student in Accounting.

The Accounting graduate was trailed behind by Adeboye Avitus Oluwaseun, who graduated from the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy with a CPGA of 4.61 points.

Speaking on how she emerged the overall best student of the 2012/2013 and

Agwulonu

2013/2014 academic sessions respectively, an elated Agwulonu said though studying at the university was quite challenging, words of encouragement and inspiration from her mother, especially when she secured admission into the university and firm belief in God were her strength.

Her words: “It was quite challenging, but with God all things are possible. I had the mindset right from my 100-Level to excel because my mother always reminded me “that if you are coming back to this house do not come

back with a Second Class. I took that spirit to the university, and from my 100-Level rather than playing around I knew I was entering a school and had to make my grade right from there.

“So, right from my 100-Level I began to work hard and focused on my studies. I remember vividly that it was in my 300-Level that I started to have friends. Though, I might be wrong, however I was able to combine everything along the line and I thank God for that.”

According to her, acquir-

ing education in the university is rewarding especially in acquiring new knowledge as well as making friends with other students and relating with other people from different socio-economic backgrounds.

The 21-year-old Agwulonu, whose mother is an Accountant, is currently at the professional stage of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) examination.

“Shortly after my youth service, I enrolled for ICAN in which I wrote the November Diet and I passed the papers, and I am now at the professional stage,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Chancellor of the university, Cardinal John Onaiyekan has called on the Federal Government to extend its hand of fellowship and partnership to the university.

Cardinal Onaiyekan, who noted that private universities are complementing the government’s efforts in providing the much needed additional university admission spaces, added that private universities are also providing Nigerians with a variety of choices in university education.

Towards this end, the Chancellor said: “We appeal to the government to give our university access to its various facilities and intervention programmes in order to subsidise university education in the country.

“This is a matter of justice for our numerous students, who have as much right to government support as their counterparts in federal and state universities. We are anxious for a sincere dialogue with the government on this matter, all in a view to making our university more accessible to many students than it is currently the case.”

EKSU inaugural lecture for today

T

he 41st inaugural lecture of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti will take place today, March 10 at the institution’s main auditorium.

Entitled: “Food and Chemistry: Catalysts for Sustainable Development,” the lecture will be delivered by a renowned Professor of Food Chemistry, Prof. Ibiyinka Ogunlade.

The lecture, which is expected to attract many dignitaries including experts in food and chemistry fields, will be chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Patrick Oladipo Aina.

The inaugural lecturer, Ogunlade is the Deputy ViceChancellor in charge of Academic at the university.

Meanwhile, the ViceChancellor has counseled fresh men and women admitted to the university for the 2014/2015 academic session to focus on their academic activities and avoid unnecessary prolongation of their stay in the university by engaging in protests.

Aina, who gave the admonition while formally admitting the students into the university during the matriculation ceremony, said that was the only way they could achieve their education pursuit in the institution.

“You do not need to spend five to six years for a fouryear course if you behave well,” he said, congratulating the students, whom he said should consider themselves lucky to be among the few admitted on merit out of several thousands of candidates who subscribed to the university as their first choice.

VC receives award of excellence for quality leadership

T

he Vice-Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko (AAUA), Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, has become a recipient of the Award of Excellence bestowed on him by the Youth Ambassadors of Nigeria (YAN).

He was decorated with the award by the leaders of the group, led by its National President, Mr. Adewale Adeleye, during a visit to the ViceChancellor in his office.

YAN is an independent, inter-religious and inter-ethnic and non-profit organisation of youth of like-mind, whose major objectives, among others, are to foster the spirit of friendship and cooperation among the young ones, as well as give them voice in the scheme of nation building and fight for a just cause.

According to the group, the award was bestowed on Prof.

Ajibefun in recognition of his exploits and uncommon achievements in the education sector, particularly, his focus

Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. Benson Akinnawonu (11th left), Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr. Olujide Ajidahun (10th left) and other principal officers of the university with members of staff in Students’ Affairs Division after the maiden edition of end of session get-together for the 2013/2014 academic session.

on the development of youth and the giant strides recorded by his administration as Rector of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State.”

Adeleye, while congratulating Prof. Ajibefun on his appointment as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University, described him as a diligent

and honest leader who has a great penchant for serving the society.

He expressed strong belief that the award would go a long way to spur him to serve the society better in all ramifications.

Responding, Ajibefun expressed gratitude to the group for the honour bestowed on

him and for visiting the university, as well as the award, which he said would propel him to continue to give his best not only to the development of the youth, but also the society at large.

The Vice-Chancellor recalled: “Since 1993, when I was an Assistant Lecturer, I have been investing my time and re-

sources in youth development because they are the leaders of today and tomorrow.”

He, however, advised members of the group to continue to channel their energies to a positive direction such that the society could be better for it, even as he pledged his readiness to give them necessary support.

26 Education

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Commissioner frowns on poor teaching method Musa Pam Jos

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he Plateau State Education Commissioner, Dr. Paul Wai, has bemoaned the current state of the nation’s education sector, saying it has continued to witness monumental decay due to poor teaching method.

The commissioner disclosed this in Jos, the state capital, during an interactive forum organised by the state Ministry of Education for principals of public secondary schools in the state.

He expressed worry that some teachers did not prepare lesson notes for their subjects which has manifested in the retrogressing standard of education.

Besides, Wai, who regretted that the students’ reading culture has greatly reduced, noted that they preferred surfing the Internet for entertainment purposes to studying their books.

While lamenting that most libraries are either poorly equipped or equipped with obsolete books and other reading materials which no longer encourage the students to read, the Commissioner said: “The books in some libraries could only be equated with archival materials as topics in such books have long been outdated.”

Wai said the desire of any educationist and other education provider is that the students should excel in their education, and that they could not be adequately compensated

Jang

for their efforts, stressed: “We are always proud when our students excel as posterity would judge us if we do not train them appropriately.”

The Commissioner reminded the principals of how the West African Examination Council (WAEC) indicted many schools for examination malpractice and that the results of many of the students were cancelled, warning that the government would no longer tolerate any form of misconduct from any school or principal and that henceforth the government would enforce strict adherence to the criteria for conducting examinations.

Towards this end, he added that the state government has resuscitated the teaching institutions in the state in order to encourage those aspiring to go into the teaching profession acquire the relevant academic and training background on the profession.

According to him, the min-

NABTEB registrar reappointed, pledges quality service Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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he Federal Government has ratified the re-appointment of Dr. Olatunde Awotokun Aworanti as the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) for a second tenure of four years.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, conveyed the President approval for his reappoint in a letter of January 12.

The Deputy Director, Media/ Public Affairs for the examination body, Mr. Adeyemi Brown in a statement which was made available to journalists in Benin, the Edo state capital, said Aworanti’s re-appointment had since taken effect from February 14.

According to the President, the reappointment was in accordance with Section 6(1) and (3) of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board, Decree (now Act) 70, 1993.”

NABTEB Registrar Aworanti

The letter described Aworanti as a silent achiever, result-oriented, educational administrator and a humble leader with a knack for diligence and excellence.

He was first appointed Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB on February 14, 2011.

Aworanti’s foray into education administration began as a Science Teacher in Oyo State in

1984 and later joined the Osun State College of Education, Ila Orangun as a lecturer.

He joined the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) as Principal Research Officer and Acting Head, Monitoring, Research and Statistics (now Research and Quality Assurance) in 1996.

He rose to the position of Deputy Director (2002) and a Director, Office of the Registrar/ Chief Executive in 2007; Director Administration, (2009) and Acting Registrar/Chief Executive in 2010.

In his bid to boost youth empowerment, the examination body under his watch was said to have partnered several professional bodies to update the knowledge and skills of Nigerian craftsmen/technicians certified by NABTEB and guarantee their global competitiveness.

In recognition of his contributions to the development of technical education, Aworanti was recently elected the West Africa Regional Representative of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA).

Entries for 12th Mike Okonkwo essay begin T

he entries for this year’s edition of the Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for Secondary School students in the country, which is the 12th in its series, began on Monday and it will close of May 15.

This year’s edition is part of the activities lined up to mark the 70th birthday ceremony of Dr. Mike Okonkwo, the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), who instituted the yearly competition.

The topic for this year’s competition is: “The Nigerian Political Class and the Citizens Quest for Good Governance.”

Instituted 12 years ago, part of

the aims of the competition is to contribute towards the development of the education sector and to encourage the students to excel in their studies by developing their ability of critical thinking on issues of national interest, as well as to make a change in their world even at their tender age.

Over the years, the competition has gone a long way in helping these younger ones to develop analytical and problem-solving skills.

According to the organisers, the star winner school will receive three internet ready desktop computer and a printer, while the student will go home with a trophy, a laptop computer,

N100,000 cash and a plaque.

The first runner up school will get two internet ready desktop computers and a printer while the student will smile home with N75,000 cash prize and a plaque; and the second runner up school will get one internet ready computer, while the student receives N50,000 cash prize and a plaque.

To participate in the essay competition, a contestant is expected to write an essay of maximum of 2,000 words, with his or her passport photograph, full name, address, and telephone number, as well as the class, school, name and telephone number of the school principal.

istry is already liaising with colleges of education in the state on the need to ensure the production of qualified teachers in the relevant areas they will be needed.

Wai, however, noted that the state would require over 11,000 teachers and that the ministry is working towards engaging more teachers to meet the demand of the soaring student population.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary for Secondary Education in the ministry, Mrs. Ruth Bianteng congratulated the teachers on the release of their long-awaited promotions.

She enjoined them to continue to train and mentor the younger ones coming after them since there would be vacancies when they leave the service.

Ondo disburses N250m bursary to students Babatope Okeowo Akure

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his is cheering news to some 25,000 students of Ondo State origin as they are to benefit from the N250 million Ondo State Government bursary allocation.

The Chairman of the State Scholarship Board, Mr. Dayo Awude, who disclosed this in Akure, the state capital, during a press briefing said over N348 million would be disbursed by the state government for 2014 scholarship and bursary awards to indigenes of the state in tertiary institutions across the country.

Awude noted that no fewer than 38 indigenes of the state are currently enjoying postgraduate scholarship abroad under various bilateral agreements between the state and other organisations.

Addressing journalists, he said N100 million would be set aside for scholarship, while N248 million is for the bursary awards.

According to him, N38 million will be earmarked as bursary payment to Medical students and another N12 million for students in the Law Schools.

The Chairman, who added that about 50 physically challenged students are to receive N10 million at N50,000 each, said payment of the scholarship and bursary to deserving students would be done in phases.

While insisting that the payment would begin with the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and extend to

Awude

other institutions in the country, Awude pointed out that payment would be made directly to the beneficiaries account numbers to safeguard past incidences of fake students and fraud.

He said all indigenes of the state in both private and public institutions across the country would benefit from the state government’s gesture, stressing that the board is in partnership with many tertiary institutions within and outside the country.

According to him, 50 students studying at the Wesley University of Science and Technology (WUSTO), a private university located in Ondo have so far benefitted from the scheme.

In his remarks, the Senate President of the National Association of Ondo Students (NAOS), Adewunmi Fagbemigun lauded the state government for the scholarship and bursary initiative.

Fagbemigun, who pointed out that the gesture has given succor to indigent students across the state, however applauded the scholarship board for putting in place machinery that has halted fraud and corruption that characterised the exercise in the past.

Education

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

Kayode Olanrewaju

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rrangements have been concluded to ensure that graduates of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete access the Federal Government’s N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund launched last year.

This was as a team from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was at the university last week on a verification visit, on how to access the funds.

The visit by the CBN’s Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) to the institution, according to a statement by the university, was part of the requirements to enable KWASU Graduate-Entrepreneurs access the allocation for the NorthCentral zone of the federation.

According to the Dean, School of Business and Governance, Dr. Muritala Awodun, the visit specifically was to verify the claims by the university’s Centre for Entrepreneurship on the training and graduating students as entrepreneurs.

As part of the modalities of accessing the funds, some youth who had been trained by KWASU under the state government Youth Entrepreneurship Programme, will also benefit from the funds.

“KWASU is the only university

27

KWASU graduates to access N220bn

Na’allah

that is persistently following up with the EDC and met the requirements for its graduate entrepreneurs to ac-

cess the fund,” the Dean said.

The Executive Director of CBNEDC for North Central zone, with headquarters at Makurdi, the Benue State capital, and leader of the team, Prof. Fredrick Tyoor, explained that the fund, which is in form of loan, would be accessed through selected Micro-Finance Banks (MFB) in the geo-political zone.

The loan, he said would be paid back within a period of four years, with one year moratorium and a onetime single digit of nine per cent interest as against the 35 per cent per yearly interest charged by commercial banks.

Tyoor urged the university management to set up a monitoring committee in conjunction with the selected micro-finance banks with a view to ensuring that funds disbursed is judiciously utilised by the graduate entrepreneurs.

While lauding the efforts of the Dean, who is the former Director of KWASU Centre for Entrepreneurship for his relentless efforts in following up with the CBN since February last year, and for meeting all the requirements for the guidelines, he said the verification visit

was possible because of the dean’s efforts.

Tyoor traced the project to the Chief Executives Entrepreneurship Education Retreat, organised

by KWASU at Obudu Mountain Resort in February 2014 where he informed the university about the CBN MSMEs fund.

He described the leadership of the university as visionary, pragmatic, progressive and one with unequal ability to effectively manage resources, noting that most of what he saw at the university could only be comparable to what are obtainable at universities such as Harvard University in the United States, going by KWASU’s age.

He declared that KWASU is far ahead of all the universities in the country in terms of entrepreneurship development, even as he commended the quality and level of infrastructural development in the university.

“In other words you are imbibing the global concept of creativity and innovation and build it in your products, so that they no longer depend solely on white collar jobs for employment,” Tyoor said.

Stakeholders kick against policy on teaching qualification

Omolewa C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 3

low quality of university graduates, required teaching skills and methodologies, number of subjects taught in primary schools and the challenge of specialisation in universities, as well as the country’s poor reward system, especially teachers’ remuneration and welfare, among others.

In an exclusive telephone interview with New Telegraph, Prof. Alele Williams, expressed doubt over the country’s capacity to achieve this, querying the quality of graduates of Nigerian university system, a development she traced to the poor moral rectitude in the country.

According to the retired university lecturer and pioneer indigenous female vice-chancellor, the issue is beyond drafting university graduates to teach in basic schools, but carrying out a wholesome overhauling of the education sector with a view to fixing the rots impeding its growth.

Her words: “I don’t think we should condemn the policy outright.

All I think is that we should work out the possibility of making it happen.

But, to me, I don’t think we can do it.

Anyway, that is my personal view, which is not important. What is important is that what does the country stand to benefit and what plans are on ground to ensure that the objectives

are achieved.”

Prof. Obaji described the proposal as a welcome development, saying it is not a decision that could be taken overnight since the best brains should be attracted to the teaching profession to offer solid foundation to the country’s future.

Prof. Obaji, who said she introduced the National Teachers’ Corps programme during her tenure as the Education Minister in 2005, to ensure that dignity was restored to the sector, however, suggested that the first degree holders should not just be from any field, but graduates from the education faculty.

While insisting that teaching should not be an all-comers affair, she noted that after acquiring first degree, applicants should be subjected to aptitude tests to ensure that the best hands are recruited.

She stressed: “This is not something one could wake up overnight and pronounce. We have to sit down and look at it holistically. It has to be in phases. So, it shouldn’t be a crash programme because what we are talking about concerns the whole nation.

However, despite possessing the required degree, prospective teachers need to write qualifying tests, since it is not everybody that possesses the certificate that can teach. Even in the United States of America, before graduates with relevant degrees are employed to teach they are subject to write qualifying examinations.

“Now, having made that pronouncement, I think what the Ministry should do is to go back to the drawing board with experts coming together to deliberate on how such target could be better achieved.”

Echoing others’ positions on the policy, Omolewa insisted that the Minister as a trained teacher would not merely have come up with such pronouncement without adequately taking cognizance of its pros and cons.

He suggested that a summit should be convened to aggregate comprehensive views of key stakeholders, policy makers and educational planners on

it before reaching conclusions on the policy.

The Provost of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Technical, Akoka, Dr. Sijibomi Olusanya, said most countries of the world have phased out colleges of education, because they seem to have been irrelevant to the system.

“So, the proposed policy is a welcome development and must be pursued with rigour,” he said, adding: “Skills are very important in teaching, but we should stop deceiving ourselves because people are no longer interested in colleges of education.”

While appraising the college of education sub-sector, the Provost noted that “if we teach the students primary education and they realize that after their programme they will be awarded degrees, they will take it more seriously. Under the proposed policy, it is the young ones that will benefit more. But when students subscribe to NCE out of frustration, it will definitely show in their quality and training when they go to school to teach.

“In the United States for instance, it is the best brains that go into primary education because they know that is the foundation, and when the foundation is right we will get everything right. So, we should give our best brains to the foundation schools and I want to suggest that the teachers should be better paid.”

However, the Chairman of Osun State wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr. Saka Adesiyan, has ruled out the proposal, describing lack of facilities as key to the crisis rocking the teaching profession in the country, saying recruiting best brains without basic teaching and learning facilities, conducive environment and adequate remuneration would never produce desired results.

Adesiyan, a teacher at the All Saints’ Primary School, Ilode in IleIfe, who holds Master’s Degree, said the problem with the teaching profession began as soon as the Teacher Grade II colleges were phased out.

He said teachers required special

skills to perform well and so require special schools and should be specially treated, even as he noted that a teacher in primary schools teach as much as 10 subjects and that a university graduate coming from a specialised field could hardly do that.

He said: “We must remember that the crisis in the education sector started as soon as Teacher Training Colleges were scrapped since such colleges were specialised schools with thoroughness in the teaching methodologies and applications.

With the new policy, are we going to have subject-based teachers? If yes, do we have the required capacity and wherewithal?”

According to him, because other countries are doing something does not mean Nigeria should copy it because “the nation must have its homegrown approaches to solve its peculiar challenges.”

The Principal of King’s College, Lagos, Otunba ‘Dele Olapeju, who differs in his position, said there is difference between aspiration and reality, noting that “now that the country has realised that for it to be globally competitive with nations where Masters’ Degree holders are school teachers even in primary schools, it is not bad for us as a nation to also aspire and work towards achieving such. I think if more qualified people teach, the quality of output should also improve, but that is also a matter of assumption because the quality of our graduates is also a matter for concern.”

Also, the Chairman of the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Federal College of Education (FCE), Pankshin, Plateau State chapter, Mr. Emmanuel Hemba, has warned against any move by the Federal Government to peg First Degree as the minimum teaching qualification in the school system.

Hemba, while reacting to the Minister’s pronouncement in an interview with journalists in Jos, described the proposal as a ruse, and insisted that it is a hoax which every Nigerian should resist with all seriousness and vigour it deserves.

28 Education

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ogbemudia Uwoghiren UNIBEN

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t was supposed to be their maiden meeting for the year, but it turned out to be an appraisal of the state of medical schools in the country.

However, as far as they were concerned, the outdated medical curriculum and inadequate funding of medical schools in the country, which over the years had negatively affected their clinical training and the state of the association should change this year.

That was part of the deliberations of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Medical Students Association (NiMSA) last week during their meeting which took place at the main auditorium of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja.

The four-day meeting was attended by no fewer than 40 presidents and general secretaries of Medical Students’ Association (MSA) from various universities.

The meeting was said to have been flagged off with the arrival and registration of delegate.

While welcoming participants to the parley, NiMSA National President, Seriki Muritala commended the leaders for organising the congress, even as he reminded them that the future of medical practice lies in their hands and that of the students.

He urged them to nitiate programmes that would enlighten the public about the various disease ravaging the society,

Medical students lament poor funding, outdated curriculum

Members of National Executive of NiMSA

and their prevention as well as organise free medical outreach to help the people.

Seriki, while stressing the need for the students to reduce the rate at which they go after social events, noted that their positive effects should be felt within and outside the campus.

He further reminded the leaders of the association about the need for them to deliver on the promises they made to the students before their election.

It was the turn of the NiMSA General Assembly on the

second day, which lasted over seven hours, where the leaders deliberated on issues affecting the association and medical schools in general.

At the assembly, the students resolved that the various presidents should bridge the gap between NiMSA and the medical students, through participation in NiMSA projects.

Besides, the assembly also resolved that NiMSA will henceforth begin to work with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) with a view

NYSC director tasks youth on hard work, skill acquisition Oladele Oge UNN

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o achieve a violencefree society, one of the major steps is to engage youth in entrepreneurship skill acquisition in pursuant of the dignity of labour and respect of human being.

But, how could we accomplish this in the country where the mindset of the young ones has been narrowed down to white collar-jobs?

The Enugu State, Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. Hilary Nasamu, while attempting to provide answers to the question, offered numerous job opportunities which the youth could engage in order to be selfreliant.

He disclosed this during the send-off reception organised for Batch A’ corps members held at the Government Field, Nsukka, Enugu State.

The passing out ceremony brought together corps members from four Local Govern-

The corps members being addressed during the ceremony.

ment Areas in Nsukka Zone of the state including IgboEttiti, Udenu, Uzor-Uwanni and Nsukka Central, where more than 1,000 corps members who completed their one-year compulsory national service participated.

Speaking at the event, Nasmu, who was represented by Mr. Shobo Adewumi, urged the outgoing corps to be steadfast and hard working in combating the myriad of challenges facing the country in order to address the difficulties ahead of them.

to ascertaining the true status of welfare package available to medical students.

Lamenting the inadequate funding and obsolete medical curriculum, which they noted were affecting their clinical training in medical school, the leaders resolved that a letter should be written to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria without further delay in order to review the curriculum.

Part of the communiqué issued at the end of the assembly said: “The medical curriculum

is changing worldwide. This is coupled with the technological advancement and discoveries in medical sciences. It is high time we had strong telemedicine in our curriculum, conference teaching, better equipment to learn, good accommodation and effective international exchange programmes.”

Observing that international exchange programme has become a modern way of training medical students, the leaders said inadequate funding of the programme and irregularities in academic calendar with incessant strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was hindering the programme.

The students, however, lauded the NMA and the Federal Government for effectively combating the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country last year, even as they urged NMA to ensure a better health sector.

On the challenges ravaging the health sector, they called on concern authorities to return to a round table in order to resolve such, saying there is the need for the government to increase funding of the health sector to discourage medical tourism.

The Provost of LASUCOM, Prof. G.O.G Awosanya urged the students to create a niche for themselves as medical professionals.

The high points of the meeting were a cocktail party, visit to Elegushi Beach, media parley, training and football match between the host Medical School and the delegate.

Fresh students counseled against cultism, bad conduct Uchechukwu Amanze ABSU

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resh men and women admitted into Abia State University, Uturu in Abia State have been admonished to eschew cultism, indecent dressing, examination malpractice and all other forms of anti-social behaviour, but to embrace godliness.

These were some of the message to the students during the orientation programme organised for them by the university at the main auditorium of the institution.

Attendance at the auditorium, which was filled to capacity by the large turnout of the freshers, according to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chibuzo Ogbuagu, was unprecedented.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor commended the students for their massive turnout, while charging them to be disciplined and focused.

Ogbuagu, who was represented by the Deputy ViceChancellor, Prof. E.A. Udensi, congratulated the students for their admission into the state university, even as he admonished them to shun cultism and embrace Christ.

His words: “Cultism is not a good thing; you must therefore desist from the evil act. Beware of cultists that would disguise as

members of a fellowship, offering to assist you in your registration process. You ought to identify with one genuine church or fellowship, so as to worship God.” The orientation course was divided into nine sessions, where the resource persons had the ample chance to enlighten the fresh men on various issues pertaining to the activities on campus.

In his paper entitled: “The Female Undergraduate on Campus,” the President of the Abia State University Women Association, Prof. Stella Ogbuagu, x-rayed the challenges facing female students on campus and proffered the way forward to the challenges.

The don, who dwelt on ‘fashion crazy syndrome’, said this refers to group of students, especially female students, who would spend their last kobo on the latest fashion in town, stressing that this group of students easily forget that all that glitter is not gold.

She said: “A female undergraduate on campus is an academic height every young girl should covet. Parents, relations and well-wishers are always happy with a girl that attains that height, more so when the girl graduates with flying colours.

Hence, you (students) should be poised to succeed.”

Education 29

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

Rotaract members visit Ghana on exchange programme Dayo Ojerinde AAUA

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he maxim “All walk and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” was set aside last week, when members of the Rotaract Club of District 9110, Akure, Ondo State embarked on a friendly exchange trip to Ghana.

The District Rotaract Representative, Oluwadamilare Oduonikosi led 30 others on the visit.

It was all fun as they were singing and merry throughout the journey which ordinarily would have been boredom some, but which however ended up a lively and interesting trip and which will continue to linger in their memories.

Tagged: “Friendship Exchange Trip,” to the members of the club, travelling is an essential part of learning, with a lot of things to learn, especially when it is a across border trip from one country to another.

While speaking on the essence of the journey, Rotaractor Ayobami Sowale, who is the International Service Director of Rotaract Club, District 9110 Nigeria, said: “We departed the borders of Nigeria through Seme, Benin Republic to Togo and to Ghana. Though, the journey was stressful, but we all made it lively and we really enjoyed the trip.”

During the trip, the team visited the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana, where they were received by the Nigerian High Commissioner, Ambassador Oluseyi Onafowokan, who advised the team to be good representatives of the country at all times.

“Nigeria at this critical period of its history requires men and women of good character that will hold the Green-White-Green flag high wherever they find themselves,” he admonished them, even as he counseled members of the club and other youth in the country not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to perpetuate violence before, during and after the general elections.

Speaking on lesson learnt during the trip, the President of Rotaract Club of Okokomaiko, Lagos, Ada Ahaotu said: “We learnt about Ghanaian culture and its relationship with Nige-

ria in terms of economic growth, currencies differences, cultural background and security matters. We exchanged bannerettes and had group photographs for future references.”

In his remarks, Maxwell Seshie, the Coordinator of Rotaract Clubs in Ghana said: “We made new friends, exchanged contacts, learnt about the culture of both countries. We also discussed politics where we made some salient points about the forth coming elections in Nigeria. We

Cross-section of participants during the visit

also contemplated undertaking a return visit,

where we plan to visit and learn about Nigeria

as well.”

Also, Michael Drez,

who is the immediate past president of Rotaract Club of Adentan, Ghana said: “I like the Nigerian local attires, I wish I have fashion designers who could sow such dresses for me here.”

To Constance Jaiyeola, the immediate past President of the Rotaract Club of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, a member of the trip, the journey availed her and other members of the club on the trip to make friends and exchange contacts during their stay in Ghana.

30 Education

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

UNN alumni seek improvement of faculty Oladele Oge UNN

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ormer students of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical/Health Sciences of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has indicated interest in the rapid infrastructural development of their former faculty.

This was as they expressed strong belief that this would go a long way in assisting the students in their studies by raising the quality of health care services in the society.

Speaking at a public lecture entitled: “A Worthy and Illustrious Ambassadors,” organised for the national body of the Faculty Alumni Association, and for honouring the pioneer members of the Faculty, the Dean, Prof. Emmanuel Chinedum Ibezim, noted that with the former students of the faculty doing well in all spheres of endeavor across the world is a demonstration that the faculty has come of age in the nation’s health sector.

At the lecture, held at the Princess Alexandra Hall of the university, which highlighted the future of the faculty and the students’ academic progress, he called on the members of staff, students, and non-governmental organisations to join hands in the struggle to raise the image of the faculty to the envy of all in its achievements.

Parts of the achievements so far recorded in the past few years, according to the Dean, include the construction of shelves and furniture fittings for model pharmacy outfit, and the faculty multiactivity complex under construction near the new Students’ Union Building.

Ibezim hinted that the key focus of the projects among others are to sus-

tain the existing and expand the programmes of the faculty, demonstrate the best possible techniques in rural community health transformation, and provide fields laboratories for students and staff members of the faculty.

The Dean, however, advised the existing and former students to uphold the cardinal point of hard-work industry and devolution to duty.

In his remarks, Prof. Paul Iwe Akubue, appealed to the members of staff and students to eschew emotion and prejudice, and pursue quality and sound research academic knowledge.

Akubue attributed inadequate facilities in the nation’s universities has remained one of the epidemic problems of poor quality of graduates churn out from the system, saying such is not acceptable in health sector which deals deal with human lives.

An alumnus of the faculty and wife of the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Mrs. Chinelo Ozumba, pledge that the faculty and all other units will be accorded adequate attention by the management.

Enugu State Deputy Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Nwoye, who insisted that there is no society that could move forward without quality education, added: “I want to urge the youth to be hard working and courageous in the pursuit of their education and livelihood.”

On the standard of education, he said the standard has improved greatly better than it was when the present administration assumed office.

The deputy governor, however, declined comments on the high school fees charged in the state tertiary institutions, especially the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) and Institute of Management (IMT), Enugu.

Some of the former students presenting plaque to one of the awardees, Prof. Okechukwu Esimone (third right)

EDUPEACE

with Mahfouz A. Adedimeji (08066372516, sms only)  Dr Adedimeji is a Senior Lecturer and Director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin

Leading is by example

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he fifth letter of the word leadership is “E” and it signifies example. It is said that example is better than precept and this is why example lies in the heart of leadership. People are more interested in what a leader does than what he says and it is the responsibility of the leader to exemplify the qualities that he desires from the followers.

What is example? It is that quality that serves as a pattern of behaviour to be imitated or not to be imitated. What a good leader does serves as what to be imitated; what a good leader does not do serves as what should not be done. Leaders are expected to exhibit the best qualities under the sun.

For instance, a leader is expected to be exemplary in manifesting at least 24 qualities, identified by an author, which are: being morally sound, imaginative, management-minded, fair to all concerned, varied in interests, instruction-minded, emotionally mature, planning minded, respectful toward self and others, studious, decisive, organised, dependable, enthusiastic, energetic, coaching minded, expressive, logical, mentally keen or alert, responsible, improvement-minded, resourceful, initiative or hard-working, loyal to all concerned and humane.

When example is not considered the heart-beat of leadership, then it is the climax. Climax as a figure of speech and it is achieved by presenting information in such a way that the least important is presented till the list ends with the greatest in importance. That is the figure of speech that Napoleon Bonaparte used when he said, “I came, I saw and I conquered.”

There is a list of top ten tips for effective leaders that I saw somewhere and the list ends with example, the climax. The list goes thus: 1. People are insecure; give them confidence, (2). People like to feel special; let them know they matter, (3). People look for a better tomorrow; give them hope, (4). People need to be understood; listen to them, (5). People like direction; show them 6. People are needy; speak to their needs first,

FUTA don harps on effects of global warming, climate change Mojeed Alabi

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f a Professor of Wildlife Nutrition at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Adebisi Adeyemo has his way, the roadside sales of bush meat, illegal logging, poaching, illegal grazing, encroachment of game and forest reserves and national parks, should be banned without further delay.

According to the lecturer, the call was part of measures

to address the challenges of climate change and global warming ravaging the human race.

Adeyemo, who made the call while delivering the university’s 68th inaugural lecture, which was entitled: “Earth without Biodiversity: What would have been the fate of Man?”, outlined measures that could be taken to improve biodiversity in order to sustain human existence and survival and the environment.

Towards this end, he advocated among others, the intensification of the government’s tree planting campaign to improve afforestation; proper funding of forestry research institutes to enable them carryout their functions effectively; restriction on sale of wild animals on the streets, with the government agents confiscating all illegally poached animals from the reserve areas; creating public awareness on protecting

biodiversity in the environment which he said will reduce the continuous rise in global warming and climate change.

The don added that conscious efforts by government and non-governmental organisations should be made to encourage the establishment and funding of zoological gardens and wildlife parks in all Nigerian universities, research institutes and other tertiary institutions.

If someone is not exemplary, there won’t be anything for people to be inspired by

(7). People get emotionally low; motivate them, (8). People want to succeed; help them to win, (9).

People desire relationship; encourage them, (10). People seek models to follow; be an example.

It is not sufficient to tell people what to do but to show them how things are done. You don’t say you are fighting corruption and you live and drink corruption, surround yourself with those who are ethically, spiritually and totally corrupt and you expect people to take you seriously.

It won’t work.

Margaret Thatcher said something thoughtful but it sounds funny. She said, “Being powerful is like being a lady. If you tell people you are, you aren’t”. You don’t tell people you are their leader before they follow or respect you.

The exemplary qualities you exhibit are sufficient to command their trust and attention.

Of course, he who lacks something cannot give it. If someone is not exemplary, there won’t be anything for people to be inspired by. This is where the first four qualities of leadership earlier discussed really matter. So to LEAD, you have to be Loving, Excellent, Active and Disciplined.

Every other thing will follow.

A leader takes charge and inspires the followers by the force of his character. John F. Kennedy once remarked, “We don’t want to be like the leader of the French Revolution who said: ‘There go my people. I must find out where they are going so that I may lead them’”. A leader shows the way and people follow; people expect the leader to know, not to be clueless.

There are five habits that effective leaders should exemplify, according to Hisham Altalib. These briefly are: 1. Know where your time goes. 2. Focus on concrete results. 3. Build on strengths, not weaknesses. 4.

Concentrate on a few major areas where consistent hard work will produce outstanding results. 5.

Put your complete trust in Allah and aim high instead of limiting your goals to only the safe and easy things.

Our society is seriously sick because few leaders are exemplary. People are not interested in what their leaders say but in what they do. So, be a leader, the question is: what example are you showing? Therefore, brace yourself and be exemplary in everything good and noble.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

Energy

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ExxonMobil to Nigeria, others: Get use to lower crude prices

Property

Aviation

How mobile apps drive real estate marketing

Emirates to deploy world’s biggest jetliner to Lagos

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Business What's news

FG loses N21bn to Kaduna refinery’s faulty unit The Federal Government has lost a total of N21 billion to the faulty lube-breaking unit of the Kaduna refinery, which it had abandoned since 1994.

Naira devaluation raises Shell’s Bodo recompense to N16.8bn DAMAGES

Victims receive N600,000 each from Shell Adeola Yusuf

p.32

Weak naira: Lagos landlords insist on dollar payment Landlords in some exclusive neighbourhoods in Lagos especially in Lekki, Ikoyi and Victoria Island are insisting on dollar rental payments, New Telegraph has learnt.

p.32

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

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he devaluation of naira has increased the value of Shell’s damages to Bodo community in Niger Delta to N17 billion, New Telegraph has learnt.

Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), had agreed to pay Bodo community $84 million in January as settlement agreement in respect of the two highly regrettable operational spills in 2008.

The money was equivalent to about N13.44 billion. But the devaluation of the naira, last month, has raised the compensation to about N16.80 billion.

The exchange rate was about N168 to a dollar when this announcement was made.

The value of naira has continued to weaken, prompting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to, in its attempt to prop up the currency hit by the drop in oil prices, to devalue the currency again - the second time in four months.

The naira, which initially exchanged at N168 per dollar at the official market, last November, currently trades at N198.

Oil, which also traded at about $110 dollars per barrel in June last year, now trades at around $60.

The currency had crashed through the psychologically important level of N200 to the dollar in February in a rout triggered by weak oil prices and escalating tension over the postponement of a presidential election in Africa’s biggest

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

economy.

The $84 million settlement provides for an individual payment to each claimant who accepts the settlement agreement in compensation for losses arising from the spills.

Meanwhile, about 15,500 indigenes of Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area of Riv-

ers State have so far received N600,000 each - being the monetary compensation paid by the SPDC to ameliorate the effect of oil spills that have occurred in the area over the years.

Chairman, Bodo Council of Chiefs, Mene Sylvester Kogbara, who said this, maintained that Bodo people had already

started using the money to “develop themselves.”

In 2010, Shell agreed on an out-of-court settlement in a case brought against it by the people of Bodo community over the excessive oil spills from the company’s failed facilities, which CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

L-R: Partner, Energy, Tax Regulatory and People services, KPMG, Mr Ayo Salami; Chief Financial Officer, Atlantic Aviation, Mr. Rob Di Castri; Partner and Head, TRPS, KPMG, Mr. Victor Onyekpa; Group Managing Director, Jotna Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Sushil Ramchandan and Associate Director, Consumer Market, TRPS, KPMG, Mr. Temitope Samagbeyi, after a Tax Breakfast Seminar organised by KPMG in Lagos.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Nigeria needs 30-year aviation plan, says Canadian expert Wole Shadare

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ice President, Revenue Management of Porter Airlines, Canada’s third largest carrier, Chris Amenechi has said that Nigeria needs a 30-year infrastructure plan fo-

cused on all areas of aviation to be taken seriously in the global aviation arena.

The expert, who spoke with New Telegraph, said that the scheme should be called the “aviation/aerospace excellence 2045 plan.

He noted that the Nigerian aviation industry has significant upside, adding that unfortunately, the leadership, over the last 30 years, has not been consistent or visionary enough.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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

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

EXCHANGE RATE (BDC as at Mar.6)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N226 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N343 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N250

l Foreign Reserves – $30.873bn as at 4/03/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at Mar. 6)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N198 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N320 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N231

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Business | News

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG loses N21bn to Kaduna refinery’s faulty unit ABANDON

NNPC ditches Kaduna refinery’s faulty lube breaking unit

It was further learnt that the base oil-cracking unit of the refinery first showed signs of major mechanical faults in 1994.

“The management of the refinery called the attention of the NNPC to this issue at that time,”

a source at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources told New Telegraph, adding: “Since then, that unit has been left like that.”

He explained that with this development, Nigeria lost over N20 billion to the abandonment of the facil-

ity, raising this year’s figure to above N21 billion.

The source added: “This is as a result of the over N1 billion annual loss to the importation of base oil, which is the major ingredient of lubricants manufacturing.”

Base oil, which formed 85 per cent of raw material for lubricants manufacturing is one of the products of crude oil.

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter, sells over two million barrels of crude daily to refineries

Adeola Yusuf

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he Federal Government has lost a total of N21 billion to the faulty lube-breaking unit of the Kaduna refinery, which it had abandoned since 1994.

Investigation by New Telegraph revealed that government ditched the base oil-cracking unit of the Kaduna refinery two years after the parts developed fault.

Kaduna refinery is the only facility in Nigeria built with capacity to break base/lube oil - the major ingredient for the production of lubricants.

Government, further checks by this newspaper revealed, loses about N1 billion every year to importation of lube oil due to non-functioning of the facility besides creating job inflow for refineries with base cracking units abroad.

L-R: MSME Advisory Manager, Diamond Bank Plc, Chiagozie Nwizu; Business Manager, BrigdeHead Branch, Raymond Mbonu; Chairman, Prollo Pipes & Profile Industries Limited, Onitsha, Chief Emmanuel Eziokwu; Business Manager, New Market Road branch, Diamond Bank Plc, Iheanyi Nwanosike and MSME Proposition, Diamond Bank Plc, Nicholas Peter, at the 47thBusinessXpress seminar of the bank for Micro-Small, Medium Enterprises in Onitsha.

Weak naira: Lagos landlords insist on dollar payment TRENDING

Employees now prefer to use accommodation allowance to develop their own properties

Dayo Ayeyemi

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andlords in some exclusive neighbourhoods in Lagos, especially in Lekki, Ikoyi and Victoria Island, are insisting on dollar rental payments, New Telegraph has learnt.

This development might not be unconnected with the weakening value of the naira that has led to its devaluation twice in the last four months.

Currently, a dollar sells for to N227.00 at the Bureau De Change (BDC) market and trades at N198 at the interbank foreign exchange market.

Despite the economic downturn, monthly economic report of the Financial DerivCONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

had caused a damaging effect on the Ogoni environment and its people.

Kogbara explained that after six years of intensive legal battle with the

atives Company (FDC) entitled: “Postponement or Devaluation, a choice between bad and worse” released at the weekend, described real estate as “Still a safe haven.”

Price for luxury apartments in Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island of Lagos currently ranges between N120 million and N700 million depending on location, while rental values range between N800,000 and N3.5 million.

Managing Director of FDC, Mr. Bismark Rewane, explained that reinforcement of monetisation of accommodation allowance has been affecting demand for luxury apartments.

Due to this, he stated that employees now prefer to use their accommodation allowance to develop their own properties.

He noted that demand for short let apartments by foreigners has been increasing, adding that such apartments are cheaper than staying in hotels and that it gives room for flexibility in tenancy

Nigeria needs 30-year aviation plan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

agreement.

He noted that vacancy factor has declined marginally, stressing that residential vacancy factor in Victoria Island has declined to 26 per cent in February as there has been slight reduction in rents.

According to him, commercial vacancy factor has gone down to 13 per cent,residential vacancy factor in Ikoyi fell to 10 per cent, while commercial vacancy factor rose to four per cent, reflecting upcoming commercial developments in Ikoyi.

He noted that Lekki vacancy factor was unchanged along the Admiralty way.

On the outlook of real estate for the year, FDC boss said that the demand for urban properties would decline, adding that sharp fall in government revenues and devaluation would impact the sector “Technology will make closeness to the Central Business District (CBD) not as attractive as before,” he added.

Previous missteps in this respect, he explained, has left the sector moribund for the most part, hinting that it is not a surprise that Nigeria is lagging among its global peers.

Amenechi advised that Nigerian aerodromes must be commercialised with the goals of handling 200 million passengers a year; become the industrial parks for Nigeria’s economic springboard; increase general and recreational aviation, as well as become the domestic and international tourism gateways for each city/state.

This, he said, means the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) needs to become a competitive outfit alongside other global airport operators by growing into a large multinational that would create employment, and justify its existence.

The expert however, said he was not surprised at where Nigeria is in terms of development.

Specifically, he stated that Africa is now the

Naira devaluation raises Shell’s compensation to N16.8bn oil giant, Shell, it agreed to cough out $84 million as compensation to be shared among the indigenes.

He said that although

the compensation had been paid, “what is most disturbing now is the cleanup of the Ogoni environment as stipulated in the United Nations En-

abroad and later import base oil.

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who confirmed that one of the major challenges of the lubricants market is unavailability of base oils locally had, however, gave the assurance of government’s decision to up attention for the sub-sector to Nigerians.

“Challenges facing lubricants market are unavailability of base oils locally and the resultant expensive import arising from skyrocketing exchange rates, high demurrage charges due to port delays and abandoned/ unlicensed lubricants blending plants nationwide,” she had said in a speech recently.

Many stakeholders in the lubricants sub-sector who are aware of this development have condemned the country’s dependence on importation of base oil.

Executive Secretary, Lubricants Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN), Mr. Emeka Obidike, appealed to the government to come to the aid of lubricants sub-sector.

vironmental Programme (UNEP) report.”

On the plans by some local companies to reenter Ogoni for exploration, Kogbara said that

no company would enter the community “except we know the directors, management and the history of such company,” adding that it is only

least developed in aviation/aerospace infrastructure, adding that fundamentally, for the continent’s economy to grow, intra-Africa traffic and flights must increase significantly.

He said: “The continent is bigger than the United States and Europe together in size and look at the anemic capacity to travel from Nigeria to Tanzania.

Each government is guilty of unjustified protectionism when it comes to access to their gateways.

“Given the immense economic growth opportunity for over 150 million people to travel within the continent alone, Africa will be in a much better state and could be driving a $120+ billion injection on a yearly basis.”

He lamented the difficulty in intra-Africa travel, stating that if there’s an enabling environment, the funds will show up.

The expert said: “I’ll give you an example, if I am in Burkina Faso and want to travel to Tanzania at the moment, it’s a problem.

Belema oil that have shown interest.

The ML11 oil block, according to him, does not only has to do with Bodo but such areas as Andoni and Eleme, among others.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

NNPC, PwC audit report and ‘missing’ oil revenues p.34

Energy

Tillerson says crude oil price to remain low Stories by Adeola Yusuf he Chief Executive Officer of ExxonMobil Corporation, Mr. Rex Tillerson, has asked oil producers to get used to lower oil prices over the next two years.

This, he said, was because of ample global supplies and relatively weak economic growth.

In a presentation at the company’s annual investor conference in New York, Tillerson outlined the company’s business plans through 2017, where he used a benchmark of $55 per barrel for global crude.

“I see a lot of supply out there,” Tillerson was quoted

by AP, as saying.

According to him, Exxon would be adding to that in the coming years, despite the low prices.

He told the investors that 16 new production projects would begin producing oil and gas through 2017, to help the company increase production to 4.3 million barrels per day, up from four million barrels per day in 2014.

Tillerson, however, cautioned that geopolitical turmoil could unexpectedly send prices higher but added that if tensions calm, much more oil is ready to hit the market.

He said that his company targets to spend less to develop new projects over the next three years, but mainly

Oil rig

because prices that its suppliers charge have fallen considerably with the price of oil — not because it is cutting back exploring for oil and gas.

Price of Brent crude, the most important global benchmark, hovers around $60 per barrel, about half of what Brent averaged between 2011

and the middle of 2014.

The price of oil plunged in the second half of 2014 when it became apparent that production was outpacing global demand.

The rise in US production last year of 1.5 million barrels per day was the third largest in the history of the global

oil industry, according to a recent report from BP. Weakening economic conditions in China, Japan and Europe slowed the growth in oil demand.

The CEO of BP, Mr. Bob Dudley, made remarks similar to Tillerson’s in a recent meeting with investors.

Shell completes N100m community projects in one year CLARIFICATION

Company denies neglect of Gbarain blocking facility

S

hell said at the weekend that it completed projects worth over N100 million in the GMoU cluster, last year.

Spokesperson for the company’s subsidiary in Nigeria, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr. Joseph Obari, said this in reaction to the protest by the youth of Gbarain over Shell’s alleged neglect of their community.

Fresh $170m Petrolog investments boost Nigerian content p.35

ExxonMobil to Nigeria, others: Get use to lower crude prices

BEARISH

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Stating that the Bayelsa State government was leading discussions with the youths to end the protest, Obari said: “In 2014, projects worth over N100 million were completed in the GMoU cluster, covering 10 communities.

Aggrieved youths from Obunagha community were said to have blocked access to the SPDC’s joint venture multi-billion dollar facility to protest alleged neglect by the company.

Obari, however, debunked the allegations against the company, saying SPDC had never neglected its host communities.

The oil firm, he said, had progressively fulfilled

sustainable community development projects under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU).

“Some youths from Gbarain have blocked access to the processing unit of SPDC JV’s Gbaran-Ubie Integrated Oil and Gas Plant in Bayelsa State over alleged failure

by SPDC to provide amenities to the host community.

“It is not true that SPDC has neglected host communities of our Gbaran-Ubie facility. We have progressively fulfilled agreed sustainable community development projects under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU).

“For example, in 2014, projects worth over N100 million were completed in the GMoU cluster, covering 10 communities. The Bayelsa State government is leading discussions with the youths to end the protest.”

Besides, he noted: “The well was closed-in about 15 hours later, once it was safe to do so and the impacted area boomed off to prevent further spread of the spill. ”A Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) has been conducted, but it only determined the quantity of oil spilled and mapped the area of impact to the environment. A follow-up JIV is being planned to lift the line from underwater.”

Dudley’s comments reflected an increasingly common industry view that new sources of oil around the globe, relatively slow growth in demand, and large amounts of crude in storage will keep a lid on prices for the foreseeable future.

“When you have that much storage out there, it takes a long time to work that off,” Dudley said. The US Energy Department reported on Wednesday that US oil supplies have grown to 444.4 million barrels, the highest level for at least 80 years.

Saudi Arabia’s Oil Minister, Ali Al-Naimi, said on Wednesday that he expected oil prices to stabilise, signalling cautious optimism about the market outlook.

Speaking at the German capital, Belin, Naimi also urged non-Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) producers to help balance the oil market, saying it was not up to Saudi Arabia to subsidise higher-cost producers and that circumstances required non-OPEC to cooperate.

“Going forward, I hope and expect supply and demand to balance and for prices to stabilise,” Naimi said. “Global economic growth seems more robust.”

The comments are a further sign that OPEC’s top producer is sticking to its policy to defend market share.

34

Business | Energy

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has for the third time, insisted that no money was missing, even after the submission of PwC forensic audit report on the alleged $20 billion missing oil revenue.

Energy editor, Adeola Yusuf, x-rays the forensic report, chronicling the controversies on the alleged missing funds

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NNPC, PwC audit report and ‘missing’ oil revenue

O

n February 2, President Goodluck Jonathan received a forensic audit report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), an international audit firm, which instituted a comprehensive probe into the alleged $20 billion missing oil revenues. The report, commissioned in April 2014, was to put an end to the controversies, which allegations of the missing revenues had stirred in public space. This explained the level of expectation by many Nigerians for its submission.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, his successor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and many economists of repute, have held different opinions on whether oil revenues accruable to the federation account were missing or not. At a point, the debate got to the level of the actual figure or amount in question.

In all these that lasted for 15 months, the NNPC, which is the revenue cashcow for the country, was faced with the charge of not remitting to the federation account, oil revenues starting from $49.8 billion later reduced on two occassions to $20 billion and $10.89 billion.

Throughout this period, the corporation remained resolute on its insistence that no money was missing.

Sanusi’s allegation Before he was sent on compulsory leave and later sacked, Sanusi submitted over 300 pages of documentation in support of his claim, to a National Assembly committee, set up in February 2014, to investigate his assertions. The document allegedly offers one of the most comprehensive studies of waste, mismanagement and what Sanusi called “leakages” of cash in the country’s oil industry.

In the report, he argued that billions of dollars in oil revenue had not reached the CBN. He told the committee that NNPC had made $67 billion worth of oil sales in the previous 19 months. Of that, he said, between $10.8 billion and $20 billion was unaccounted for.

The meaty part of the report includes detailed investigation in oil contracts, confidential government letters, private presidential correspondence and legal opinions.

Firstly, Sanusi’s documents identified three key mechanisms through, which Nigeria has allegedly allowed middlemen to channel oil funds away from the apex bank. Among the recipients, Sanusi alleged, are government officials and high-flying society figures.

The three mechanisms are: contracts awarded non-competitively to two companies that did not supply services, but

Dahwa

sub-contracted the work; a kerosene subsidy that doesn’t help the people it is meant to and a series of complex, opaque “swap deals” that might be shortchanging the state.

Soludo’s claim Professor Soludo, in an article entitled: “Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Missing Trillions,” also reaffirmed Sanusi’s allegations. Specifically, he presented: “Some rough calculations covering: oil theft, money that ought to accrue to stock of foreign reserves, unbudgeted oil subsidy payments, Customs duty waivers, leakages through the self-financing government parastatals, unremitted sums by NNPC, etc.”

He concluded that section of the article, noting: “I have a long list, but let me wait for now. I do not want to talk about other ‘black pots’ that impinge on national security. My estimate, Madam, is that probably over N30 trillion has either been stolen or lost or unaccounted for or simply mismanaged under your watchful eyes in the past four years.”

This, he said: “Is evident that the monies I referred to are “off-budget”. These are monies that did not make it to the budget. I find it funny that government deliberately avoided the issues raised above, but instead has sought to divert attention by focusing on the “federal budget.”

He continued: “Let me state for the record that I believe that the amount of resources that are either stolen from the economy or out-rightly mismanaged by government far exceeds the federal budget per annum. Ours is about a N100 trillion economy and I will be shocked if government pretends that it does not know that currently about 10 per cent of the GDP falls into a ‘black hole’ on annual basis. We have not added figures based on counterfactual analysis such as

Total cash remitted into the Federation Account in relation to crude oil lifting was $50.81 billion and not $47 billion as earlier stated

the cost to the aggregate economy of bad or misguided economic policy.”

The forensic probe The report, which President Goodluck Jonathan handed over the auditorgeneral of the federation, Mr. Samuel Ukura, shows, among others, that $20 billion was spent on petroleum products subsidy between January 2012 and July 2013. The amount went into third party financing arrangements and equity crude processing, besides costs directly and indirectly linked to domestic crude.

Others include signature bonuses, petroleum profit tax and royalties, which are yet to be paid by the Nigeria Petroleum Development Corporation (NPDC).

The report faulted the NNPC’s operational modalities, which it noted is unsustainable, hence the need to urgently review and restructure the oil corporation.

This is just as it said the NNPC and its upstream subsidiary, NPDC, should re-

fund about $1.48 billion to the Federation Account over reconciled transactions.

The report showed that only $100 million from the NNPC’s portion of eight oil leases worth $1.85 billion had been paid to the NPDC, faulting the transfer value, which it said ought to be higher.

According to the report, gross revenue from crude lifting during the period stood at $69.34 billion, more than the $67 billion by the Senate’s reconciliation committee earlier set up.

Of this also, $50.81 billion was remitted to the Federation Account from crude oil lifting, instead of $47 billion reported by the committee.

A further breakdown showed that of the $69.34 billion gross revenue from crude lifting during the period, $28.22 billion was the value of domestic crude oil allocated to the NNPC, while total amount spent on subsidy for PMS amounted to $5.32 billion.

The report also noted that the sum of $3.38 billion, which was not appropriated in the national budget, was spent on kerosene subsidy.

Specifically, the PWC audit report stated: “Total other third party financing arrangement and equity crude oil processing costs amounted to $1.19 billion. Total costs directly attributable to domestic crude oil amounted to $1.46 billion. Other costs incurred by the corporation not directly attributable to domestic crude are $2.81 billion. Revenue attributable to NPDC as submitted by the former Managing Director, Victor Briggs, to the Senate hearing is $5.11 billion.

“PWC stated that this amount needs to be incorporated into the financial statements of NPDC from where dividend should be declared to the federation accounts.

“Signature bonus, Petroleum Profit Tax and Royalty yet to be paid by NPDC is $2.22 billion. Total cash remitted into the Federation Account in relation to crude oil lifting was $50.81 billion and not $47 billion as earlier stated by the Senate Reconciliation Committee for the period January 2012 to July 2013.

“Based on the information available to PwC and from the above analysis, the firm submitted that NNPC and NPDC should refund to the Federation Account a minimum of $1.48 billion,” the report concluded.

No wrong done, NNPC insists Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Joseph Dahwa, however, insisted that the disclosure of the report does not mean that oil money was missing. He told journalists at a press conference in Abuja, that the corporation was “indeed pleased that the forensic audit exercise has been concluded successfully and the report has clearly vindicated our long held position that the said unremitted crude oil revenue or missing oil revenue was a farce from day one.”

He stated that contrary to insinuation by some media report, the “NNPC or any of its subsidiaries was not indicted by the PwC Forensic Audit Report. The entire revenues accruable to the Federation during the period have been fully accounted for in the report and the various components of the accruable revenue have also been clearly categorised.”

The issue of outstanding $1.48 billion CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

Business | Energy

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

FEAT

Petrolog acquires largest DP2 vessel in sub-Saharan Africa Adeola Yusuf

T

he Nigerian Content Act, at the weekend, attracted fresh investments with the unveiling of Petrolog Group’s newly acquired DP2 Saturation Diving Vessel, which is believed to be the largest of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa.

Christened DSV Vinnice, the saturation diving vessel is valued at $170 million and is equipped for shallow and deep-water operations. It can be used for construction, repair and maintenance of oilrigs and other offshore naval constructions.

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB), disclosed this in a statement, quoting its Executive Secretary, Dr. Ernest Nwapa, to have described the acquisition as another affirmation that indigenous oil servicing companies have developed capacity to acquire and operate hi-tech assets and could participate in every segment of the oil and gas industry notwithstanding the challenges.

He said that the emergence of a new breed of Nigerian investors and the quantum of investments they are making have erased any doubts that government and the people of Nigeria were resolute with the implementation of the policy.

Restating that Nigerian Content was a national agenda, Nwapa said that the Federal Government has started to extend the implementation of the policy to the power and information technology sectors following the huge success recorded in the oil and gas industry.

He praised President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, for providing a conducive environment for the successes recorded in the implementation process, noting that signing the Nigerian Content Bill into law unleashed the potentialities of Nigerians entrepreneurs. “When President Jonathan signed the Act in 2010, he set Nigerian entrepreneurs free,” he added.

Besides, he noted that real Nigerian Content accomplishment would only come when vessels such as DSV Vinnice are constructed in Nigeria, expressing hope that any

35

Fresh $170m Petrolog investments boost Nigerian content other such vessel to be acquired by a Nigerian investor will be outfitted at the Naval Dockyard, Lagos and some of the components manufactured in-country.

He gave an assurance that the Board was working with the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) to ensure that any major asset acquired by a Nigerian investor gets deployed in the industry as doing otherwise will negatively affect the banks that funded the acquisition as well as make it difficult for other companies to get similar credit from Nigerian banks.

Nwapa recalled that the Board made ownership of assets a key plank of implementation because it provided the opportunity for exposing the technology to other Nigerians.

He also announced that the Board will henceforth make it a requirement for all contracting entities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry to adopt a faculty or department in any Nigerian university and develop a programme that allow the students to learn on the company’s assets as a means of bridging the gap between universities and the oil and gas industry.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Petrolog Group, Dr. Joseph Ebuh, described the Nigerian Content Act as the greatest boost to the company’s growth. He stated: “Since the Act came into effect, we have been emboldened to take giant steps and risks to meet existing demand.”

He commended the NCDMB for its implementation of the Nigerian Content Act, which according to him, has created opportunities for indigenous companies to thrive.

In his comments, the Managing Director of First Bank, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, confirmed that the lender supported Petrolog in the acquisition of the DSV Vinnice, affirming the bank’s readiness to support infrastructural development and local content.

Delivering a goodwill message, the Group General Manager, NAPIMS, Jonathan Okeys, described the vessel as a welcome addition to the contracting pool, especially at a time industry operations

were becoming more complex and moving into the deep offshore.

He gave an assurance that NAPIMS would de-

velop a special contracting scheme to support any Nigerian contractor that invests on the back of the Nigerian Content Act.

Also speaking, President, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Emeka Ene, commended NCDMB for

being instrumental to most of the investments made by local companies since the Nigerian Content Act came into being.

General Manager, Sales and Marketing Total Nigeria Plc, Mr. Olufemi Babajide, presenting an award to the Prize winner of the Top Dealer Nationwide for White products, Alhaji Abdulmunab Yunusa, at the company’s AAA challenge awards in Abuja recently.

NNPC and ‘missing’ oil revenue CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34

“NPDC Signature Bonus” is, according to Dahwa, the balance of the book value of the divested assets as assessed by DPR yet to be paid into the Federation Account by NNPC. This does not in any way constitute an indictment. Meanwhile, this value is still being reconciled with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).”

He said: “Let me emphasise that there is No Money Missing. However, the delay in payment of the true value of the divested assets is due to the unfinished reconciliation process amongst NNPC, DPR and other agencies of government. It is, therefore, pertinent to note that the $1.48 billion amount was not part of the alleged unremitted revenues from crude oil sales, but the balance of the good and valuable consideration of the divested assets as assessed by DPR. “Already the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, has directed NNPC to work closely with the DPR to defray the un-reconciled amount referred to in the forensic audit report as “Signature Bonus”.

“Also, the forensic audit acknowledged that the total cash remitted into the Federation Accounts in relation to the crude oil sales in the period under review was $50.81 billion and not $47 billion.

“In closing, it is important to state once again that the PwC report has cleared NNPC of the charge of not remitting the alleged $ 49.8 billion, $10.89 billion or $ 20billion into the Federation Account as earlier

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke

stated. In most unequivocal terms, I wish to emphasise that NNPC was not indicted in the PwC report contrary to the insinuations in some quarters. Help us send this message home: no money is missing!”

Legislators’ views Over six months before the forensic report, the Senate Committee on Finance, which investigated the alleged $49.8 billion unremitted oil revenue last year, submitted its report to the Senate, clearing the NNPC of the allegation.

The committee also accused the suspended Sanusi of jumping to hasty conclusions and generating false allegations against the nation’s oil corporation.

Sanusi had, in September 2013, alleged that the NNPC was indebted to the national treasury to the tune of $49.8 billion unremitted oil revenue from the various transactions it carried out from January 2012 to July 2013.

Following this weighty allegation, the Senate Committee on Finance, through the resolution of the Red Chamber at its plenary session in December 2013, went into investigation to ascertain the authenticity or otherwise of Sanusi’s claims.

However, when he appeared before the committee in December 2013, Sanusi changed his position, alleging that out of the initial $49.8 billion said to be missing, NNPC only failed to remit $12 billion. Later on, he reduced it to $10.8 billion and later raised the figure to $20 billion.

In the report, the committee said that it discovered that the CBN, NNPC, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Petroleum Resources had reconciled $47 billion, which it also noted had been remitted into the federation account. The committee said that it could not reconcile how Sanusi arrived at the alleged missing $49.8 billion.

Part of the report stated: “The committee could not see how the figure of $49.8 billion was arrived at by the CBN Governor, for instance. The CBN governor, at the first hearing, had put forward the figure of US$12 billion as monies to be reconciled and changed his position to $US $20 billion at subsequent hearing.

Conclusion Given these developments, even though the audit report has exonerated the NNPC, which has also insisted it did no wrong, analysts still believe that the alarm raised by the two former CBN governors over the ‘missing’ revenue cannot be ignored since all government’s financial transactions pass through their system.

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

36 Fashola delivers Maidan-Agiliti bridge, road projects p.37

Property&Environment

Forthright Gardens Annex sales begin p.37

How mobile apps drive real estate marketing The use of mobile apps by real estate developers is gradually boosting their marketing and managing of existing clients and prospects effectively. DAYO AYEYEMI, reports

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s faster, smarter and affordable mobile phones continue to saturate the Nigerian market, real estate developers and professionals are gradually shifting attention to mobile technology for marketing in order to reach a wider population for their products (houses).

From iPhone to iPad, Blackberry and other smart phones, real estate developers and agents have been caught in the web of mobile marketing.

These devices have changed the landscape of finding and selling real estate in Lagos and Abuja, and more importantly, they have become necessities for professionals looking to market their services as effectively as possible.

Blazing the trail Taking the advantage of mobile marketing, the planner and developer of Eko Atlantic City project in Lagos, Messrs Sothernx Energy Limited, has recently unveiled a mobile app to showcase the development of the new city and its investment opportunities.

The mobile app was released for use on all new generation smart phones and tablets.

Explaining how the mobile app works, Eko Atlantic’s Consultant for Communication, Mr. Brent Sadler, said the technology allowed subscribers to see the on-going development in all segments of the new city in the comfort of their homes and offices through the use of their android phones instead of visiting the site.

“The smartest feature on the app is Augmented Reality (AR), a cutting- edge technology that displays a digitally enhanced view of objects or locations. Using the camera and sensors in a smart phone or tablet, AR adds layers of digital information such as video, photos, sounds, graphics or GPS data, directly on top of items in the real world,” he said.

In addition to an easy-to-use presentation, he stated that the app features a graphic overview of the infrastructure networks progress as well as gyroscopeenhanced virtual tour enabling users to navigate through the development site by moving their mobile device around.

Sadler said: “With the mobile app, the virtual reality of the project is being brought to life.”

Also, open testimonies from numerous subscribers of La-

Mobile apps, model of Abuja centenary city. Inset: A set of mobile phones

gos Home Ownership Mortgage Schemes (LagHOMs) have it that many of them got to know about the project through text messages from their mobile phones.

Many of them that applied for the scheme viewed the housing estates and their locations, submitted their application and worked out their mortgage contributions using mobile technology without physical presence at the agency office until they were invited.

“I never in my wildest dream assumed that our Lagos could ever be like this. When I heard about the home ownership scheme through text messages, like most other people, I doubted its reality and sincerity, but I later applied online through my phone and did my mortgage calculation online. I was surprised when I was prequalified without knowing anybody,” one of the winners of a three bedroom flat at Lagos’ Shogunro Estate, Mr. Esho Abiodun, said.

Many estate developers in Lagos such as Gran Imperio Group, Sparklight Property Limited and Gateway Property, among others, according to investigation, have opted for mobile apps to market their products.

Experts’ view Speaking about mobile marketing of real estate products when interviewed by New Telegraph, Lagos-based estate surveyors and valuer, Mr. Leke Akinwunmi, said that the use of mobile apps for marketing has become imperative as the whole world has become a global village.

He pointed out that marketing property through online and mobile apps is faster, adding that the process delivers products on

The world has become smaller and online marketing makes information viral

time, but expressed concern about people that engaged in it for fraud.

He said: “Property marketing online is faster and delivers on time. It also reminds at interval.

The shortcoming is that you may not have what you are seeing. People can use it to cheat or defraud innocent ones.”

Another estate surveyor, Mr. Akin Olawore, said that real estate like every other commodity required marketing and creation of awareness for its existence.

He said: “The world has become smaller and online marketing makes information viral which is good advantage for real estate as well. Buyers only need to ensure after getting the information, they inspect and do due diligence before purchase.”

An online property market operator, Obi Ejimofo, agrees that mobile marketing is taking the centre stage in the real estate sector. He said: “We have observed that about 70 per cent of properties on our platform are for sale while only 30 per cent are for rent and this is an unfortunate shift from what the market demands.

About 70 per cent of our site visitors are seeking apartments to rent rather than to buy.”

Urban planner and environmentalist, Micheal Simire, said it is real that the use of online services and mobile applications have become very relevant in marketing real estate products.

This development, he said, simply mirrored the trend in several other sectors and professions, adding that application of IT and social media has ensure such transformation.

With mobile apps, he said, agents and developers can now

reach more prospective customers at a lower cost and within a short period.

He said: “It is a welcome development in real estate development and marketing because agents and developers can reach out to even more prospective customers at a lower cost and within a lesser period of time.”

Besides, Simire explained that specialised real estate marketing sites could accommodate an incredibly high number of properties in their database, implying that prospective buyers have a wider option of choice both locally and internationally.

“So this allows real estate to be traded upon more conveniently, more profitably and enhances more volume of trading at any point in time,” he said.

Shortcomings Simire, however, cautioned that such online transactions might be at risk from Internet and IT fraudsters who could hack into computers and manipulate or steal confidential and vital information that could be detrimental to the interests of parties involved in such transactions.

“This could lead to loss of huge sum of money and potentially cripple organisations. But if the sites and applications are kept completely safe and virus and malware free, the use of IT in transacting real estate business can be said to be one of the best things to have happened to the sector,” he said.

Advice Chief Executive of 3invest, Ms. Ruth Obih, has, however, tasked all CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

Business | Property & Environment

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

TRANSFORMATION Urban renewal efforts of the government are yielding positive result Stories by Dayo Ayeyemi

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he joy of residents of Maidan and Agility communities in IkosiIsheri Local Government Development Area of Lagos State, knew no bound at the weekend as Governor Babatunde Fashola handed over to them a new network of roads.

Agiliti community, which, before now, had been cut off

Fashola delivers Maidan-Agiliti bridge, road projects from the entire Lagos metropolis due to overflowing river in the axis, has now been connected to Kosofe, no thanks to the newly constructed bridge across the river by the government.

The newly completed road networks in the area included the Maidan-Aina-Agiliti Road, Oniyanrin, Adeyeye, Oremeji and Ajanlekoko streets.

According to the Lagos

Roof maintenance: Firm, foreign partners to train Nigerian youths

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lusworld Roofing, an indigenous roofing solution company, in partnership with two foreign firms, has rolled out programmes to train Nigerians free of charge in roofing engineering and maintenance.

The empowerment and skill acquisition programme is aimed at training Nigerian youths to become specialists in providing solutions to roofing problems after which they are given certificates to operate as roof specialists.

They are to be trained in core areas such as roof repairs, roof painting, roof washing, water proofing, roof design, roof construction, roof design, roof supply and installation The foreign partners are Hydro Seal USA and NUTECH Paint Australia. Hydro Seal is the producer of Hydro Seal, an all-in-one product which is used in filling cracks, water proofing, texturing and decoration, while NUTECH Australia is the world renown producer of original roof paints with over 43 years of experience.

Speaking with journalists while flagging of the pro-

gramme in Ajah, Managing Director of the company, Mr. John Igbaifua, said the objective of his company and its partners for setting up the programme were among other things, to empower interested youths to face future challenges, reduce unemployment rate in the society and create a school of roofing experts to tackle the problems associated with roofing in the country.

He said that about 30 participants would be accommodated per batch in a session that would last for four weeks each at no cost at all to participants, adding that the programme would endure for as long as the relationship with the foreign partners (who would be providing technical aids to the programme), lasted.

Explaining the importance of roof to a building, Igbaifua stressed that apart from protecting the building and its occupants from the elements and outside weather conditions, roofs added beauty to the building and could also act as a landmarks as well as added identity to the building.

Apps redefine real estate marketing C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 6

practitioners in the real estate sector to embrace the use of technology, explaining that as the world becomes a global village, the need for a market that is digitally connected to a hub becomes imperative.

Unlike before where home seekers and estate developers would have to depend solely on estate agents’ intelligence and Property Buyer Fora (PBF), she explained that modern technology and new forms of media to market, advertise and sell products have made the processes easy.

Obih maintained that Nigeria should not be left on the back seat when it comes to modern technology, urging the use of android phones and iPad and many other digital tools to maximize real estate investment in the contemporary market.

According to Accenture, more and more consumers are

37

growing accustomed to using their mobile phones as their main, and sometimes only, device for the majority of their communications for personal and business use.

Mobile phones, according to Accenture, provided two main opportunities (text messages/ SMS and mobile web browsing) to realtors when it comes to building exposure and branding in all the right ways.

It explains: “ People love their mobile phones, but one thing that they might love the most about their mobile phones is the ability to text message. Text messaging allows them to communicate with just a few brief sentences that are delivered almost instantaneously.

“Text messaging / SMS is used frequently between home buyer / seller and realtor as it allows both sides to communicate efficiently and often without much hassle.”

Commissioner for Works, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the roads were built to international standards, pointing out that the bridge itself is 300 metres long, with 364 piles, which could make it last up to 300 years, while the total length of the road network is 3.1 kilometres.

He added that the construction of roads encompassed service ducts, drainages, outfall drains along with fully serviced streetlights backed up with a generating set. He implored residents not to cut the roads for any reason.

Speaking during the commissioning of the road, Chairman of the Community Development Association, Mr. Ade

Adewunmi, thanked the governor for bringing to an end the perennial misery that the river has unleashed on the residents over the years.

He said: “As a result of this amazing road construction, our community has now been transformed beyond our wildest expectations. This place has become a new town.”

He, however, appealed to the state government to expedite actions on the second phase of the project, which will link Agiliti Road to Isheri-Berger on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Another CDA leader from Maidan, Mr. John Adewale, noted that due to the road construction, the value of proper-

ty in the area has improved, while parents that have transferred their children to schools outside the communities are now bringing them back.

Speaking, Governor Babatunde Fashola said that the roads construction in the communities were evidence of slum regeneration and urban renewal efforts of his government, noting that the community, which has been separated from Kosofe for the past 50 years when he visited in 2007, has been reconnected.

The governor also promised that the 800 metres bridge that links the road to Ojodu Berger along the Lagos Ibadan Expressway would be undertaken in the future.

A completed Maidan-Agiliti Road, Mile 12, Lagos.

Forthright Gardens Annex sales begin D evelopers of Forthright Gardens, Forthright Properties Limited, have reaffirmed commitment to roll out more serviced plots for would-be homeowners and accommodation seekers in order to reduce the 17 million housing deficit in Nigeria.

To this end, the firm has flagged off the development and sales of Forthright Gardens Annex; a servicedplot estate located at Kilometre-14, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, behind Punch Place, Magboro, Ogun State.

Speaking on the flag-off of the project, Managing Director of the company, Mr. Isaac Akintoye, said that the development of

the estate was part of the company’s determination to support government in reducing the accommodation shortage in the country.

He said: “We intend to reduce Nigeria’s housing deficit by supporting the government in its effort to provide standard and pocket-friendly housing to Nigerians.”

Akintoye also assured prospective buyers and investors of absolute value for their money, adding that they stand to enjoy services and facility such as global Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), security by welltrained officers, perimeter fencing and gate, road network and drainage and other facilities.

The FPL boss described the annex as the second phase of the Forthright Gardens Phase 1, which, according to him, recorded a huge success and patronage from Nigerians.

He said: “The scheme is situated around major landmarks such as the Punch newspaper headquarters and Gateway City Estate, just to mention a few.

“Forthright Properties Limited has a growing capacity to contribute its quota to meet the housing demands of Nigerians, as it is evidently clear that government alone cannot meet this. To this end, we are promoting construction of more housing units for Nigerians.”

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

38 NAHCO invests N700m in equipment p.39

Aviation

X-raying the Dubai aviation model p.39

Emirates’ A380 Business Class bar

The Nigerian government is under pressure to upgrade its facilities to accommodate the superjumbo A380. Emirates’ Senior Vice-President (Commercial Operations), Northern and Western Africa, Adil Al Ghaith, told Aviation Editor, WOLE SHADARE, in Dubai, that government has given a time frame, when the Lagos airport will be ready Tough question The frequently asked question: When will Nigeria make her airports facilities ready for the super-jumbo jet? Emirates and other airlines have expressed readiness to operate the aircraft type, considered to be the biggest commercial jetliner in the world.

There are indications that Emirates could be the first airline to deploy the airplane if and when Nigeria is ready. Emirates’ Senior Vice-President (Commercial Operations), Northern and Western Africa, Adil Al Ghaith told New Telegraph in Dubai at the weekend that Nigerian airports authorities were the ones holding down plans to operate the airplane to Lagos or Abuja.

Assurance He said that the airline’s team of airport operations is in touch with authorities in Lagos airport, adding that they have given time frame when the airport would be ready to handle the aircraft.

According to him, “the moment the airport is ready, I will go into planning. I think the way we are growing Nigeria, this is what we need right now. We have more plans for more frequencies and

Emirates to deploy world’s biggest jetliner to Lagos additional capacity. Right now, we have 58 A380s in service and we have 82 in all of them. In total, we have 143 A380 in our fleet. Nigeria is in our radar plans for the super jumbo jet. Before we fly A380, there are a lot of requirements; airports have to have the facilities to handle A380. Our team of airport operations is in touch with authorities in Lagos airport and I think they have given time frame when the airport will be ready.

“The moment the airport is ready, I will go into planning. I care about my Nigerian passengers; I want the best for them, especially when you have excellent seat factor in the business class.

There is a huge demand in business and first class. Even though the B777 is perfect, but the A380 is very good as well.”

Experts are beginning to question why these important facilities and the cooling system were not factored into airports remodeling scheme that Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) said gulped over N40 billion.

Failed promises Former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, had in 2012 gave the assurance that once the major new international terminals were constructed in Nigeria within the next two years, Nigerians should expect to “see many of these beautiful aircraft landing at an airport near you, including the A380.”

That appears to be a deception.

Two years after a very shoddy job done in the name of remodeling, many of the airports, especially those in Lagos and Port-Harcourt are still in terrible state.

Ever since it was first announced in 2000, the Airbus A380 has attracted huge attention. It’s

a giant in both concept and execution, a titan of the skies that is luxuriously comfortable and operationally excellent.

With an upper deck that extends the full length of the fuselage, it is the first truly doubledecker aeroplane in the world. It can carry up to 853 people and has a range of 15,700km, the equivalent of flying from New York to Hong Kong.

Uyo Airport in Akwa Ibom is one of the first Nigerian airports to incorporate runway extensions

Uyo airport runway expansion Uyo Airport in Akwa Ibom is one of the first Nigerian airports to have incorporated runway extensions in their design to accommodate the A380. As the Second Phase of airport remodeling plans got underway, the designs for all Nigeria’s major airports was expected to take the A380 into account.

Currently, the A380 flies into 136 airports worldwide, of which 50 are preparing some forms of modification for the airlines’ increasing appetite for these giant aircraft.

The benefits to the airports and nearby communities are tangible.

As the A380 transports 40 per cent more passengers than the Boeing 747-400, more people can fly without requiring more flights.

Additionally, its advanced technology enables it to consume 17 per cent less fuel per seat and generate correspondingly lower CO2 emissions, so its environmental footprint is extremely attractive to airport operators.

Features Despite being much bigger than other aircraft, the A380 is much quieter. According to TIME magazine, “the lack of engine noise – it’s 50 per cent quieter than a 747-400 on takeoff – was downright eerie.

The A380 is so big it’s difficult to sense its speed, and its upper deck is so far away from the engines the noise dissipates.”

Passenger comfort has been a major factor in its popularity. The interior of the A380 is much quieter and has higher pressurisation than other aircraft, as well as 50 per cent more cabin area, larger windows, bigger overhead bins and extra headroom.

There are two staircases, fore and aft, and the LED lighting can be altered to simulate daylight, night or ambient levels.

The first class cabins are the most innovative. Each airline has incorporated its own take on the ultimate flying experience. Emirates offers shower spas in luxuriously appointed suites with classic walnut and marble design, with timeless shower kits and fine towels.

Two bars on the upper deck serve champagne and cocktails with hors d’oeuvres in spectacular lounge areas. For those who prefer privacy, the first class suites are the ultimate in long distance travel. Each is equipped with a sliding door, a personal mini-bar, adjustable lighting, vanity table, mirror, wardrobe and fully convertible flat bed.

Stress elimination As Airbus strives to eliminate the stress factor in travelling, it will introduce new elements to the A380’s design from next year to incorporate a strengthened airframe structure and an enhanced take-off weight to improve performance. Also on the horizon is the new A380-900, which is longer and can carry 900 passengers in an all-economy configuration.

NAHCO invests N700m in equipment SERVICES Firm to engage 100-persenger service agents

Stories by Wole Shadare

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n a bid to catch up with the fast pace of aviation ground handling business, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) has invested over N700 million in the acquisition of ground handling equipment.

The Acting Managing Director of NAHCO Plc, Nobert Bielderman, who disclosed this, added that the firm has budgeted $200,000 on training and retraining of its 1,900 personnel nationwide.

He said that so far, NAHCO had already taken delivery of about 30 per cent of these orders and distributed the equipment to its various locations at the nation’s airports according to its orders.

The NAHCO boss said, some of the equipment acquired includes tractors, dollies, fork lifts,

high loaders, transporters and security vehicle, among others.

Besides, he explained that NAHCO recently renewed and injected new professionals into its senior management team in order to position itself for growth, renewal and energise for current business needs.

He declared that with this injection of professionals, NAHCO was now more proactive, responsive, innovative and a champion of compulsory full compliance to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and local regulatory standards.

He said: “Our 2015 Budget has accommodated employee training provision of $200,000.00. As we all know that aviation is a knowledge based industry with its high technical and safety needs and requirements, we have chosen to reinforce our commitment to staff training.

“We have initiated a process to engage 100 Passenger Services Agents next quarter who, after the mandatory compliance training, will travel overseas for one month on-the-job training at a high brow international airport.

AIR RAGE

WITH

Business | Aviation

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

39

Wole Shadare

X-raying the Dubai aviation model

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This further assures our client airlines of our unflinching commitment to service excellence.

“In fact, we now flag operators and local regulators where we foresee any threat to aviation safety or security and most especially air cargo business.

We must collectively work together as stakeholders to ensure we never experience any limiting incident or accident this 2015 and beyond.”

Besides, he said: NAHCO has supported security efforts by directly engaging the services of Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) to further help strengthen airport/ cargo security. “We should all assiduously work together to target Nigeria’s delisting from the list of High-Risk countries by 2017. Our Cargo Export Section within the Cargo Division has been optimised and we now constantly train and empower farmers including horticultural farmers in appropriate packaging methods so that their products will meet international standards for export. This we are doing in conjunction with Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC),” he said.

Managing Director, NAHCo plc, Nobert Bielderman (left) and Director, Airport Operations, Capt. Henry Omeogwu at a NAHCo’s summit held in Lagos recently.

or a first timer in Dubai, it is a paradise on earth in terms of infrastructure, its thriving aviation and tourism. It is a rich city. I am fascinated by Dubai’s aviation sector and I have had cause to compare it with how aviation is practiced in Nigeria.

Each time I try to do that, I am quickly reminded by people who are more knowledgeable in the business never to compare sleep with death.

I am enthralled by how much investment, dedication and commitment has made Dubai one of the biggest aviation hubs in the world. Dubai is strategically located in the centre of the world with approximate six hours by air to Europe and to most parts of Africa and Middle East.

Aviation supports Dubai’s economy in more ways than its own economic footprint.

The key sectors of travel and tourism, financial and professional services, and logistics all depend on the aviation sector for their success.

Indeed, without the aviation sector it is hard to imagine Dubai as it is today, with its distinctive skyline and large retail developments magnet for foreign visitors, expatriate workers and foreign businesses.

I quantify these wider ‘catalytic’ benefits of aviation through two channels: tourism and connectivity.

Air transport has been contributing $10 billion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria and other African countries.

The total economic benefit to Dubai’s economy was $22.1 billion in 2010, equivalent to 28 per cent of Dubai’s GDP. Research has shown that economies that are more connected, relative to their size, will experience faster growth in the long term.

Drawing on detailed data on passenger traffic supplied by Emirates and Dubai

Airports, it is estimated that Dubai’s connectivity has increased by 80 per cent over the last decade.

Much of this improvement is down to the considerable investment that Dubai has made in its aviation sector, together with its openness to other airlines.

While aviation contributes paltry 0.4 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Dubai’s aviation indirectly supports 43,000 jobs and contributes $3.5 billion to Dubai’s GDP, through its purchases of goods and services from local businesses.

Emirates’ Airlines Senior Vice-President (Commercial Operations), Al Ghaith told New Telegraph in Dubai that the success of Dubai’s aviation derives from a number of strengths, which are the product of strategic decisions that the government of Dubai and the aviation sector have taken in the past.

These strengths he said include: an awareness of aviation’s economic importance on the part of the government of Dubai; openness; a consensus based approach to investment; a focus on growth and linking underserved markets; and efficient operations.

Added to these is Dubai’s favourable location at the intersection of Europe, Asia and Africa.

Nigeria needs to borrow a leaf from how a very critical sector like aviation is run in most developed countries of the world.

Dubai’s aviation has benefited from a focus on growth that has allowed it to capitalise on the growing demand from passengers in Asia and Africa.

In 2000, Dubai International airport had the capacity to handle 22 million passengers.

Through heavy investment in upgrading its facilities, the airport had the capacity to handle 60 million passengers in 2010.

BA announces $394 to London for Easter

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n celebration of Easter, British Airways (BA) has announced a special bumper fares in its World Traveller and World Traveller Plus to a range of worldwide destinations.

British Airways’ Regional Commercial Manager, West Africa, Mr. Kola Olayinka, in a statement made available to New Telegraph at the weekend, said: “Whether you choose to take a break, embark on an adventure or celebrate with family and friends abroad during the Easter season, British Airways World Traveller and World Traveller Plus cabin offer fantastic fares as low as

$394 for everyone who book from either Lagos or Abuja from 1st March to March 31st 2015.”

Olayinka stated that the special fares apply to all existing and potential customers of British Airways who desire to get great deals on flights to the United Kingdom, Europe or to major gateways in the United States during the Easter season.

His words, “With our new special Easter offer, our World Traveller and World Traveller Plus customers can fly from Abuja or Lagos to London with a budget as low as $394, to Europe with a minimum of

$420 budget and $773 to North America.

“Easter marks the kickoff for something unique in every culture. This season, we are offering our existing and potential customers a privilege to travel abroad with low budget. We want to further reinstate that we care about our customers and we are always committed to giving them best airline service across board.”

Olayinka disclosed.

Meanwhile, the carrier has unfolded tips for long-haul family travel, saying that there’s something magical about flying when you’re a child – being awed by the size

of the aircraft, the anticipation seatbelts are fastened,, the thrill of take-off and the wonder of looking down at the clouds.

Usually it’s not quite as fun an experience for parents. Airports can be stressful places at the best of times and particularly so when escorting one or more easily distracted children, while juggling bags and passports and negotiating urgent appeals to use the bathroom.

Onboard the aircraft, there’s the inevitable debate about who sits where and the need to keep an eye on an insatiably curious child intent on heading off for some exploring while

you wrestle your bag into the overhead compartment.

But Olayinka, who has been flying with his family and children since they were babies, says that by being pro-active you can reduce a lot of the stress that can accompany longhaul family travel.

“You need to consider the children even before you make your reservations, even if they are a bit older because everyone can act up when they’re out of their comfort zone. For example when you’re booking connecting flights, factor in an additional 30 minutes per child to the minimum connection time,” he said.

40

Photo | News

L-R: Managing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Mr. Ben Langat; Chairman, Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers, Mr. Paul Gbedebo; overall best gradaunt, Set 29, Master Uroko James Uroko and Head, Technical Training Centre, NBC, Engr. Tope Dada, at the graduation ceremony of Set 29 Trainees of the NBC Technical Training Centre, in Lagos.

L-R: Vice President, International Facility Management Association, Nigeria chapter, Mr. Pius Iwundu; Treasurer, Mrs. Abimbola Olusegun-Adamolekun; President, Mr. Richard Okesol; past presidents, Mr. Ebenezer Soetan and Miss Iyabo Aboaba, at the inauguration of the new executive committee of the club in Lagos.

Chief Executive Officer, PZ Cussons Nigeria, Christos Giannopoulous (left), congratulating the winner of the 2014 PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge, Justin Ifeanyi Nwaoha, during a courtesy visit to PZ Cussons Nigeria in Lagos.

Galadiman Bauchi/District Head of Liman Katagum, Ibrahim Jahun (third right), with the newly turbaned five village heads at Liman Katagum District in Bauchi LGA, Bauchi State.

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

L-R: Super Sport presenter and Media Consultant, Mr. Colin Udoh; Regional Head, Nigeria and West Africa, Brand and Marketing, Standard Chartered Bank, Mr. Diran Olojo; Head, Corporate Affairs, Standard Chartered Bank, Dayo Aderugbo and Group Sports Editor, The Nation newspaper, Mr. Ade Ojeikere, after a press conference to announce Standard Chartered’s ‘Road to Anfield Trophy Tournament’ in Lagos.

All Progressives Congress (APC), vice-presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (middle); his wife, Dolapo, with the physically challenged basketball players, during a novelty match to mark his 58th birthday in Lagos.

L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Anthony Chukwurah; Royal father of the day, Okwedike II, Orji-Amoke, Udi, Igwe Innocent Chibuoke; Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan and President, Market Women Association, Mrs. Felicia Sani, at the Madonna International Nursery and Primary School cultural day in Abuja.

An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), right, checking the thumb of a physically challenged voter, during the testing of smart card reader at Horare ward and Jogel Polling Unit in Jama, Are Local Government Area of Bauchi State at the weekend. PHOTO-NAN

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

N95bn saved through inflated contracts cut, says BPE

PLEA

States should to adopt procurement law as currently being done at the federal level Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

T

he Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) saved a total sum of N95billion in 2014 through cost reduction from contracts submitted by contractors for various Ministries Departments and Agencies of government.

The Director-General of the bureau, Mr. Emeka Eze, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja.

He stated that the amount was from the difference between what contractors and service providers had submitted to execute projects and what the bureau approved.

The BPP boss said the effective implementation of the procurement act had led to the reduction in corrupt practices in the procurement process.

He said, “Last year, BPP saved FG about N95billion through cost reduction of contract sums. This is a part of the stories that a lot of

Nigerians are not hearing about.

“But I can tell you that the government is doing a lot to prevent corruption.

“So, the President is deploying institutions that will stop as much as possible, the platform

through which corruption occurs and that is, through procurement.”

Ezeh called on the states to adopt procurement law as currently being done at the federal level, stressing that this would help to ensure that

contract bidding process is done according to international standards.

Currently, he said a total of 24 states have so far signed the procurement law, adding that more states are in the process of adopting the act.

 Expects inflation to rise

Tony Chukwunyem

A

head of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) billed for 24 March, analysts at Standard Chartered Global Research, have predicted that the Committee is likely to leave key rates unchanged.

In a note made available to the New Telegraph yesterday, the experts stated that although they were expecting the devaluation of the naira to trigger a rise in inflation, this would not cause the MPC to hike the benchmark interest rate, the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR).

According to the Standard Chartered analysts led by Razia Khan, “Despite the slow pace of FX pass-through to inflation, inflation is set to

rise further in the coming months. Despite this, we now expect the CBN to keep the MPR on hold at 13% at the March MPC meeting, versus our previous expectation of a 100bps hike. The timing of the meeting, just four days ahead of scheduled elections, will be a key factor. With the possibility of a presidential run-off extending the election period by a week, and with gubernatorial elections not due until 11 April, foreign portfolio investor flows are unlikely to return to Nigeria’s fixed income markets quickly.

This makes for a less compelling rationale to raise the MPR now in order to put a higher floor under Nigerian

As at N16,833,244.57 N16,509,472.5m 8.2 0.0000 13 10.899 7.96 17.01 US$61.39 US$32,758,862,269

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

FX

to this. Also, Kogi and others signed it into law. All in all, we have a total of 24 states that have signed the act into law.

“However a lot of the state’s remaining are under review like Kaduna state, which is close to signing the bill into law.”

He expressed optimism that the level of corruption and money laundering through project execution would be reduced if all the states could adopt the procurement act.

StanChat predicts stable interest rates for Nigeria

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

He said, “The President inaugurated a National Council on Public Procurement in 2010 and had since urged all the states to incorporate the Federal Procurement act.

“Bauchi was among the first states to adhere

41

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

yields. Hiking before the election would have only a very limited market impact.”

Continuing, the analysts noted, “A rate hike at this point would also run counter to the CBN’s efforts to boost the economy in the face of weaker oil prices and pressures on government spending. To date, the CBN has announced special support packages for the power and oil-marketing sectors.

It is encouraging the maturity

extension of loans to the oil and gas sector in order to ease repayment terms. Tightening monetary policy now might be seen as running counter to its aims, despite the near-term threat of higher inflation.”

Also, commenting on the inflation outlook for the country, the analysts, said, “ The single-digit consumer price inflation recorded in the past year may be about to change.

As we move further away from Nigeria’s harvest season, foodprice trends are likely to be less benign.

Nigeria, others to add to SABMiller’s N13.47bn profit Dele Alao

N

igeria, Ethiopia and other countries in Africa, are set to contribute to SABMiller’s N13.47 billion (about$67.7million) annual profits from spirits in Africa.

Three years ago, SABMiller opened the Onitsha brewery after an initial investment of over $100 million. Due to the company’s growth and the success of the local brand, Hero Lager, it invested additional $110 million to triple Onitsha’s annual capacity from 700,000 to 2.1 million hectoliters.

Other countries described by the firm as the “most attractive” opportunities are South

Sudan and Mozambique.

SABMiller is upping its focus on the “huge opportunity” for mainstream spirits in Africa by targeting more countries on the continent, and aims to help “legitimise” the category.

The company has built spirit production facilities in Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Sudan in the last 15 months, as well as buying a spirits business in Mozambique.

Speaking at a presentation in London yesterday, its Managing Director, Mr. Mark Bowman, said: “It’s a completely fragmented spirits industry across Africa with no dominant players at all, so, there’s a very large potential for mainstream spirits.”

Stanbic IBTC boosts SMEs in Ibadan

S

tanbic IBTC Bank, a member of the Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, has taken its campaign to help build a vibrant Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) sector in Nigeria to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

In a statement, the bank said it recently hosted over 500 participants at the Ibadan Civic Centre for a one-day capacity building workshop.

A similar session held in Lagos on February 11-12, while others are planned for Port Harcourt, Aba, Abuja and Kano, among other cities spread across the six geo-political zones in the country.

According to the statement, the lender at the event reiterated that the key objective of

the workshop was to equip its clients operating in the SME sub-sector with financial, marketing and management skills that they can readily deploy to nurture and grow their businesses.

“The SME sector is pivotal to the economic growth and development of any nation and Nigeria is no exception, which is why the seminar was conceived to avail SME operators exposure to modern and innovative marketing, financial and management skills that are useful to their businesses and which will help them to attract the necessary funding for growth,” Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Obinnia Abajue, said.

Business | Financial Market News

42

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

9-Mar-15

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

NA

NA

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

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

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

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

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

0.12 1.44 2.14 2.38 2.48 3.23 4.31 4.62 4.93 6.89 9.01 13.72 14.20 14.70 15.37 19.36

15.86 16.17 16.37 16.34 16.34 16.23 16.12 16.07 16.07 16.10 16.31 15.15 15.00 14.85 15.59 16.90

14.63 16.05 16.28 16.25 16.25 16.10 16.02 15.95 15.98 16.03 16.24 15.10 14.94 14.78 15.52 16.83

98.53 96.10 97.73 87.56 86.22 86.47 99.57 71.15 98.21 101.11 90.21 99.08 85.34 62.40 67.66 73.04

98.68 96.25 97.88 87.71 86.37 86.77 99.87 71.45 98.51 101.41 90.51 99.38 85.64 62.70 67.96 73.34

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,932.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,388.72

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.70 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.21 1.07 1.75 2.11 2.33

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

18.34 18.61 18.26 17.34 17.34

96.25 98.79 96.66 96.80 93.39

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.68

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

309.84

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.48

4.44

20.60

96.47

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.32

3.23

19.02

98.24

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.83

4.46

20.77

95.05

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.84

3.48

19.79

96.80

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.11

1.00

17.34

87.42

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.38

1.00

17.22

95.94

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.81

1.79

18.08

91.23

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

1.98

1.80

18.14

93.64

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

2.00

1.00

17.34

94.79

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.19

1.00

17.34

95.14 88.51

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.19

4.78

21.12

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.38

1.00

17.34

96.63

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 26.62

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

2.62 4.71 2.68

1.00 1.00 2.74

17.32 17.07 19.05

96.47 91.84 91.63

‡ /Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.23

1.00

17.23

94.26

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.72

1.00

17.07

87.22

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.81

1.94

18.01

89.35

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.47

1.44

17.63

92.46

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.50

1.95

18.14

92.46

97.07

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

460.61 421.65

Corporate Bonds ‡ /Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.44

1.00

17.08

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.50

1.00

17.21

97.55

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.58

2.63

18.86

97.43

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.56

1.00

17.19

94.45

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.63

1.34

17.56

95.42

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.56

1.00

17.33

91.32

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.58

1.88

18.08

100.59

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.58

3.48

19.68

95.41

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

2.25

5.20

21.54

94.14

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

2.25

5.06

21.40

91.09

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.54

1.00

17.18

91.79

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

1.86

2.29

18.58

95.90

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.36

17-Feb-19

2.19

6.11

22.45

93.00

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.81

2.16

18.45

94.86

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.69

2.76

18.83

87.75

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.56

1.00

17.32

75.20

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.56

1.00

17.32

81.28

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

132.70

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

122.41

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.93

1.00

17.27

84.23

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.75

1.00

17.07

81.37

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 20.65

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

6.41

6.19

101.62

102.71

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

5.78

5.46

98.04

99.00

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.66

6.51

98.18

99.12

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,489.22

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

128.03

128.03

44.00

44.00

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

7.37

6.27

100.13

101.38

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

13.30

13.30

88.00

88.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

14.24

13.04

81.75

84.42

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

8.87

8.32

91.20

92.79

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

38.89

38.89

43.63

43.63

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

9.22

9.22

90.00

90.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

15.38

14.80

80.02

81.55

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

14.09

14.09

77.95

77.95

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

AFREN PLC III ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

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

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

6.63 9.25 8.00

360.00 400.00 450.00

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

28.37 14.55 14.14

28.37 13.98 14.14

40.00 78.83 74.25

40.00 80.83 74.25

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

11.16

10.63

88.50

90.75

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,606.14

**Treasury Bills DTM 10 17 24 31 38 45 52 59

Money Market

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

Bid Discount (%) 10.68 14.02 14.82 15.23 14.72 14.82 15.01 14.86

Offer Discount (%) 10.43 13.77 14.57 14.98 14.47 14.57 14.76 14.61

Bid Yield (%) 10.71 14.11 14.96 15.43 14.95 15.10 15.34 15.22

Tenor

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 12.4783 15.7429 16.9070 17.9216

Rate (%)

OBB

12.13

O/N

12.42

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 12.50 12.75

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

199.07 201.81 202.13 202.87 204.24 205.60

199.17 201.93 202.28 203.37 205.31 207.21

***LCRM

0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

112.22 116.70 66.49

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.68

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

309.84

08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

1.75 2.11 2.33

2.00 1.00 1.00

18.26 17.34 17.34

96.66 96.80 93.39

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.48

4.44

20.60

96.47

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.32

3.23

19.02

98.24

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.83

4.46

20.77

95.05

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.84

3.48

19.79

96.80

NEW‡ TELEGRAPH TUESDAY,*IMO MARCH 10, 2015 /Agusto

Business | Financial Market News

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.11

1.00

17.34

87.42

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.38

1.00

17.22

95.94

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.81

1.79

18.08

91.23

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

1.98

1.80

18.14

93.64

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

2.00

1.00

17.34

94.79

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.19

1.00

17.34

95.14

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.19

4.78

21.12

88.51

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.38

1.00

17.34

96.63

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 26.62

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

2.62 4.71 2.68

1.00 1.00 2.74

17.32 17.07 19.05

96.47 91.84 91.63

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.58

1.88

18.08

100.59

3.48

19.68

95.41

5.20

21.54

94.14

5.06

21.40

91.09

43

Stock market starts week with N50bn increase week in a green territory speculators took advan14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 as the local bourse sus- tage of low prices of 10-Oct-13 ‡ /Agusto closes *OSUN 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 Market tained confidence followstocks.

27-Nov-13 ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 At the close of trading ing appreciable demands 31-Dec-13 A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 northwards yesterday, 28 stocks31-Dec-13 ap‡ /Agusto *EKITI by investors. 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 06-Jan-14 A-/GCR *NASARAWAThe twin market 15.00 NASARAWA per-06-JAN-2021 preciated in price, while TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE formance measures, the 18 others constituted the Stories byMARKET ChrisCAPITALISATION Ugwu TOTAL NSE ASI and market cap- losers’ table. italisation firmed up by The twin market inCorporate Bonds 10.00the UPDCback 17-AUG-2015dicators, the All-Share 17-Aug-10 rading activities ‡ /Agusto *UPDC 0.47 per cent on 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 BBB-/Agusto 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS of blue chip companies. on the floor of the Index rose by 146.56 basis 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB/GCR 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS Nigerian Stock The market had last points or 0.47 per cent, 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 29-Sep-11 NAHCO Exchange (NSE) Friday closed also on the from 31,049.37 last Friday 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto 25-Oct-13 FSDH yesterday opened the upward trend13.00 asUBA market 30-SEP-2017 to close at 31,195.93, while A/GCR 30-Sep-10 UBA

PROGRESS

T

BBB-/GCR Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

A

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

#

*TOWER

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

B

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

arclays Bank Afing held in South Africa, 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 STANBIC IBTC rica Group has Executive of the 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR STANBICChief IBTC ruled out VALUE any Group, Maria Ramos, said TOTAL OUTSTANDING possibility of listing its there are other avenues TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Ghana subsidiary on the the lender can share its Supranational Bond Ghana Stock Exchange profits with indigenes.

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC She also revealed that (GSE) despite moves by 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P AfDB the TOTAL government to comthe bank is planning to OUTSTANDING VALUE pel multinationals in the focus heavily on the inTOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION country to list on the surance sector as part local bourse as soon as of Issuer its expansion drive in Description Rating/Agency Ghana this year. possible.

FGN Eurobonds According to an online Barclays Bank’s entire medium, Trade minister operations in African for6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P Ekwow Spio-Gabrah dis- last year posted about $23 BB-/Fitch; FGN in profits.

5.13 JUL 12, 2018 closed this, saying that as billion BB-/S&P partBB-/Fitch; of plans to ensure According to Bar-6.38 JUL 12, 2023 thatBB-/S&P Ghanaians benefit clays Africa Group, the TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE from recent development Ghana unit contributed TOTAL MARKET, CAPITALISATION in the economy the local substantially to the 5 per content policy would be cent growth in its earnCorporate Eurobonds replicated in all sectors ings for last year.

11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B/Fitch; B-/S&P AFREN PLC I of the economy group had applied 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P .

GTBANK PLCThe I The aPLC Nigerian banking li-7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&Pmove, according ACCESSfor BANK to him, is part of the 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITYcence BANK PLCand wants to take 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P indigeniGTBANKover PLC government’s the Egypt and Zim10.25 APR 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLC II sation policy. babwe units still run by 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P PLC But responding to ZENITH a BANK its parent company.

8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC question posed by journalThe bank disclosed its 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC ists B-/Fitch; through a teleconferintentions recently after 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 B/S&P AFREN PLC III higher 9.25/6M profits. enceB-/Fitch; during a media briefUSD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B/S&P ACCESSreporting BANK PLC II A/GCR

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK LTD

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

terms with 251.5 million shares worth N2.8 billion in 2,28217.23 deals. The94.26 sub sec17.07 87.22 tor was18.01 enhanced by the 89.35 17.63 in the 92.46 activities shares 18.14 Bank 92.46 of Zenith Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc. Other financial services sector boosted by the 17.08 on the 97.07 activities shares 17.21 97.55 of FBNH Plc followed 18.86 97.43 with 147.8 million units, 17.19 94.45 worth 17.56 N812.3 million in 95.42 1,472 deals.

17.33 91.32

Foreign investors shift focus to Kenya, says analyst

16.00 09-Apr-18 1.58 Senior Africa Equity 6.30 09-Sep-11 18.00 2.90 09-Sep-18 2.25 Analyst at Thaddeus 09-Sep-11 16.00 0.80 09-Sep-18 2.25 Investment Advisors & 22-Sep-11 14.00 35.00 22-Sep-18 3.54 Research Limited, Mr. Jude Fe- 2.40 18-Oct-13 15.75 18-Oct-18 1.86 17-Feb-12 17-Feb-19 2.19 jokwu, has said that18.00 interna- 0.36 16.00 4.50 01-Apr-19 2.81 tional01-Apr-14 investors (based on the premium while Nigeria’s is 14-Nov-20 5.69 14-Nov-13 15.25 2.05 numbers) are more 11.93 confident trading at a30-Sep-24 discount! Based 30-Sep-14 0.10 9.56 in the30-Sep-14 economic progress of on looking 13.25 15.44 macro analysis 30-Sep-24 9.56 at Kenya and its ability to service 132.70 Debt/Gross Domestic Product its debt than Nigeria presently. 122.41 (GDP) levels (not even close beFejokwu while comparing tween Kenya and Nigeria) and the two economies noted that a lower credit rating for Kenya, 11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 11-Feb-18 2.93 the macro indicators may not this should 01-Feb-21 not be so and4.75 may 10-Jul-14 11.25 12.95 be able to defend this confi- very well be called an anomaly 24.95 dence, but it does once again by macroeconomic analysts,” 20.65 reflect that in investments, in- he said.

Outstanding Value vestorIssue perception can become Fejokwu noted thatBidifYield size Date Coupon (%) Maturity Date (%) reality as revealed in the cur- ($mm) is not managed properly, it rent pricing of the countries’ becomes an albatross in any bonds.07-Oct-11 sphere of life.

6.75 500.00 28-Jan-21 6.41 “As at four weeks ago, NigeThe expert said: “The larg12-Jul-13 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 5.78not rian dollar bond yield spreads est banks in Nigeria are (the premium investors dethe best when it comes to re12-Jul-13 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 6.66 mand to hold its debt over US turn on equity. The same thing treasuries of same tenor) had 1,500.00 in South Africa where First widened by more than a third 1,489.22 Rand Bank’s ROE is much since the beginning of 2015 better than Standard Bank. to 57801-Feb-11 basis points. 11.50 This is a 450.00 Interestingly enough, Stanbic 01-Feb-16 128.03 IBTC Bank 19-May-16 in Nigeria (majorsteep 19-May-11 premium over7.50 Kenya at 500.00 7.37 ity owned by Standard Bank) around 450 basis points.

25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 13.30 Nigeria’s 10-year dol- 300.00 as at September the 09-May-13 6.88 02-May-182014 had 14.24 08-Nov-13 6.00 8.87 lar bond issued in 2013 now 400.00 best return08-Nov-18 on equity among 10.25 while 300.00 08-Apr-19 yields08-Apr-12 about 7.5 per cent Nigerian banks at 21 per38.89 cent 22-Apr-14 6.25 9.22 Kenya’s fetches about 6.2 per 500.00 driven by 22-Apr-19 its huge market 21-May-14 21-May-19 15.38 share in the capital markets cent as at last check.8.75 What is 200.00 07-Aug-13 8.25 300.00 07-Aug-20 14.09 most 09-Dec-13 interesting here is that 360.00 business and huge patronage 6.63 09-Dec-20 28.37 Kenya’s debt is trading at a from South African companies 24-Jun-14 9.25 400.00 24-Jun-21 14.55 09-Apr-11

Barclays rules out listing on Ghana Exchange A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

#

ance Plc gained 4.88 per cent to close at 86 kobo 10-Oct-20 3.23 1.00 per27-Nov-20 share.

5.72 1.00 On the flip side, Ikeja 31-Dec-20 5.81 1.94 31-Dec-20 3.47 losers’1.44 Hotels Plc led the 06-Jan-21 3.50 of 8.051.95 chart with a drop per cent to close at N4.00 per share, while Livestock Feeds Plc shed five 17-Aug-15 0.44 per cent to at N2.09 per1.00 09-Dec-15 0.50 1.00 share.

06-Jan-16 0.58 2.63 On the activity chart, 29-Sep-16 1.56 1.00 the25-Oct-16 Banking sub-sector 1.63 1.34 dominated in volume 30-Sep-17 2.56 1.00

the market capitalisation rose by N50 billion or 0.47 14.75 11.10 per cent, from N10.360 13.50 87.50 trillion15.00 to N10.410 trillion.

5.00 14.50 4.55 of Further analysis 15.00trading showed 4.56 the day’s 460.61 that Cadbury Nigeria Plc 421.65 topped the gainers’ table with 0.47 per cent to close 10.00per share, 2.50 at N41.28 while 12.00 18.75folAfrican Prudent Plc 14.00 0.42 lowed 13.00 with 7.14 per15.00 cent to close at N3.15 per 14.25 5.53 share. 13.00 Continental Insur20.00

1.00

17.18

91.79

2.29

18.58

95.90

6.11

22.45

93.00

2.16 18.45 doing big business in 94.86 Nigeria.

2.76 18.83 87.75 “It is a similar situation 1.00 17.32 75.20 in1.00Kenya where Kenya 17.32 81.28Commercial Bank (Kenya’s largest bank by assets) has an inferior return on equity to Equity Bank (Kenya’s largest bank 1.00 17.27 84.23 by1.00depositors).

17.07 81.37 “Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, Kenya is considered the most innovative and South Africa the most Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price advanced economy. Kenya Prices & Yields and South Africa are getting deeper level attention on less 6.19 101.62 102.71 potential while Nigeria is get5.46 less attention 98.04 99.00 curiting (more osity) on more potential.”

6.51 98.18 99.12 Besides, he noted that Nigeria’s size is beginning to upset investors because smaller African economies are doing much better.

“Potential en128.03 44.00 44.00 ergy 6.27 in Physics 100.13 is motionless; 101.38 Kinetic energy is energy in 13.30 88.00 88.00 motion.

Kenya 13.04 81.75 is moving 84.42 fast 8.32 the less 91.20 92.79 with it has; Nigeria is 38.89 43.63 with the 43.63 more moving slower 90.00 90.00 it9.22 has while shouting about 14.80 80.02 81.55 its potential, which in reality 14.09 77.95 77.95 means nothing when 40.00 not har28.37 40.00 nessed,” he said .

13.98 78.83 80.83

8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

23-Jul-14

8.00

450.00

23-Jul-21

14.14

14.14

74.25

74.25

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

11.16

10.63

88.50

90.75

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

9-Mar-15

3,606.14

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

NIBOR 10 17 24 31 FGN Bonds 38 45 Rating/Agency 52 59 66 73 87 94 108 115 129 136 NA 143 150 157 171 178 185 269 283 304 318 332 TOTAL OUTSTANDING 346

VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

19-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 2-Apr-15 9-Apr-15 16-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 Issuer 30-Apr-15 7-May-15 14-May-15 21-May-15 4-Jun-15 11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 2-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15 NA 6-Aug-15 13-Aug-15 27-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 10-Sep-15 3-Dec-15 17-Dec-15 7-Jan-16 21-Jan-16 4-Feb-16 18-Feb-16

10.68 14.02 14.82 15.23 14.72 14.82 Description15.01 14.86 4.00 23-APR-2015 14.30 14.68 13.05 16-AUG-2016 14.78 15.10 27-APR-2017 14.76 9.85 27-JUL-2017 15.59 9.35 31-AUG-2017 15.66 10.70 30-MAY-2018 14.80 16.00 29-JUN-2019 14.64 7.00 23-OCT-2019 14.40 15.54 13-FEB-2020 15.54 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.88 15.00 14.20 14-MAR-2024 14.78 15.00 28-NOV-2028 14.99 12.49 22-MAY-2029 14.82 8.50 20-NOV-2029 14.99 10.00 23-JUL-2030 15.51 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 14.53 15.39 14.63

10.43 13.77 14.57 14.98 14.47 14.57 Issue Date 14.76 14.61 23-Apr-10 14.05 14.43 16-Aug-13 14.53 27-Apr-12 14.51 27-Jul-07 15.34 31-Aug-07 15.41 30-May-08 14.55 29-Jun-12 14.39 23-Oct-09 14.15 13-Feb-15 15.29 27-Jan-12 14.63 14.75 14-Mar-14 14.53 28-Nov-08 14.74 22-May-09 14.57 20-Nov-09 14.74 23-Jul-10 15.26 18-Jul-14 14.28 15.14 14.38

10.71 14.11 14.96 15.43 14.95 15.10 Coupon 15.34(%) 15.22 4.00 14.68 15.12 13.05 15.32 15.10 15.34 9.85 16.35 9.35 16.48 10.70 15.62 16.00 15.49 7.00 15.26 15.54 16.59 16.39 15.89 16.13 14.20 15.93 15.00 16.22 12.49 16.64 8.50 16.95 10.00 17.81 12.1493 16.63 17.90 16.99

Bonds

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

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

Description

Issue Date

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M Outstanding

(N'bn)

Value

Rate (%) 12.4783 15.7429 16.9070 17.9216

12.13

O/N

12.42

Tenor

Maturity Date

535.00 23-Apr-15 NITTY 581.39 16-Aug-16 Tenor Rate (%) 476.80 27-Apr-17 1M 15.1368 20.00 27-Jul-17 2M 15.3801 100.00 31-Aug-17 3M 15.4176 300.00 30-May-18 6M 15.4324 351.30 29-Jun-19 9M 16.7051 233.90 23-Oct-19 12M 17.8297 34.00 13-Feb-20 600.00 27-Jan-22 459.68 14-Mar-24 NIFEX 75.00 28-Nov-28 Current Price ($/N) 150.00 22-May-29 BID($/N) 199.0000 200.00 20-Nov-29 OFFER ($/N) 199.1000 591.57 23-Jul-30 223.50 18-Jul-34

OBB

REPO

TTM Call(Yrs) 1M 0.12 3M 6M 1.44

Rate (%)

Bid12.50 Yield (%) 12.75 15.86 13.00 13.25 16.17

Tenor

Spot 7D 14D 1M Yield Offer 2M(%) 3M 14.63 6M 1Y 16.05

2.14 16.37 16.28 2.38 16.34 16.25 2.48 16.34 16.25 :Benchmarks 3.23 16.23 16.10 * :Amortising Bond 4.31Bond 16.12 16.02 µ :Convertible 4.62 Management Corporation 16.07 15.95 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 4.93Government of Nigeria 16.07 15.98 FGN: Federal 6.89 Mortgage Bank16.10 16.03 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria IFC: International 9.01 Finance Corporation 16.31 16.24 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables 13.72 15.15 Management 15.10 NAHCO: Nigerian 14.20 Aviation Handling 15.00 Company 14.94 O/N: Overnight 14.70 14.85 14.78 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 15.37 15.59 15.52 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 19.36 16.90 16.83 NOTE:

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

199.07 199.17 201.81 Price201.93 202.13 202.28 202.87 203.37 Bid Price Offer Price 204.24 205.31 205.60 207.21 98.53 98.68 206.28 213.47 220.29 226.27 96.10 96.25

97.73 97.88 87.56 87.71 86.22 86.37 NA :Not Applicable 86.47 86.77 # :Floating Rate Bond 99.57 ***: Deferred coupon bonds99.87 71.15 71.45 98.21 under review98.51 ‡ : Bond rating †: Bond rating 101.11expired 101.41 N/A :Not Available 90.21 90.51 {r} :Issuer99.08 in receivership 99.38 85.34 85.64 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 62.40 62.70 UBA: United Bank for Africa 67.66 67.96 73.04 73.34

4,932.13 4,388.72 Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

Agency Bonds 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 ***LCRM 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 Total Outstanding Modified Duration Buckets Porfolio Market Value(Bn) 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 Volume(Bn) FMBN

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

‡ /Agusto

EDO

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

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

by Mkt Outstanding Value 06-Jul-12 Vol 0.00/16.50

24.56

INDEX 2.70

112.22 116.70 66.49

Bucket Weighting

322.68

<3

1,374.47

1,409.48

42.92

46.45

3<5

1,021.32

1,059.68

32.27

34.51

309.84 0.32

>5

563.46

815.07

24.82

19.04

3,284.23

100.00 31-Aug-10 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11

100.00

Market

2,959.25 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

12.50

8.50

13.00

4.18

14.00

4.86

15.50

5.73

10.00

57.00

13.75

25.73

14.00

25.00

14.00

34.14

14.00

9.00

0.43

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

0.21 1.07 1.75 2.11 Implied Yield 2.33

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 Implied Portfolio1.00 Price

18.34 18.61 18.26 17.34 INDEX 17.34

96.25 98.79 96.66 96.80 YTD Return (%)93.39

21.61

16.21

100.6396

1,127.56

1.7793

37.19

16.19

100.7869

1,005.66 -

0.6824

0.25

41.21

15.96

68.5135

962.96 -

4.3746

1.00

100.00 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18

16.10 0.48 0.32 0.83 0.84 2.11 1.38 2.81 1.98 2.00

92.7142 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 1.00 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00

1,047.66 20.60 19.02 20.77 19.79 17.34 17.22 18.08 18.14 17.34

0.7127 96.47 98.24 95.05 96.80 87.42 95.94 91.23 93.64 94.79

Daily Summary as of 09/03/2015

Printed 09/03/2015 14:44:24.024

44

Business | Capital Market

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH Daily Summary as of 09/03/2015 Printed 09/03/2015 14:44:24.024

Daily Summary (Bonds)

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at March 9, 2015

No Debt Trading Activity

Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 18 28 46

Current Price 30.62 29.24

Quantity Traded 384,635 348,810 733,445

Value Traded 11,781,629.70 10,204,204.40 21,985,834.10

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 2.09

Quantity Traded 292,364 292,364

Value Traded 611,372.40 611,372.40

1,025,809

22,597,206.50

Quantity Traded 1,500 14,959,541 688,822 15,649,863

Value Traded 1,770.00 42,379,996.72 25,289,618.13 67,671,384.85

15,649,863

67,671,384.85

Daily Summary as of 09/03/2015 AGRICULTURE Totals Printed 09/03/2015 14:44:24.024

58

CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Activity Summary on CONGLOMERATES Totals

Symbol AGLEVENT TRANSCORP Daily UACN

No. of Deals Current Price 1 1.24 158 2.73 Summary (Equities) 48 36.73 207

Board EQTY

207

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction NIG. PLC. Published by TheJULIUS NigerianBERGER Stock Exchange © ROADS NIG PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Symbol JBERGER ROADS

No. of Deals 21 1 22

Current Price Quantity Traded 44.00Page 1 211,961 of 12 6.29 266 212,227

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 16 16

Current Price 9.35

Quantity Traded 67,589 67,589

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

Symbol SKYESHELT UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 100.00 10.00

Quantity Traded 4 900 904

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. Daily Summary asGUINNESS of 09/03/2015NIG PLC Printed 09/03/2015INTERNATIONAL 14:44:24.024 BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING Activity Summary on Board COMP. EQTY PLC. CONSUMER GOODS Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

40 Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol 7UP

280,720

Current Price 3.40 6.55 33.93 2.90 0.50 6.70 0.50

Quantity Traded 428,239 510,925 580,743 129,250 25,872 3,981,254 1,000 5,657,283

Value Traded 1,454,742.11 3,352,092.76 19,692,520.79 362,110.50 12,936.00 27,094,698.20 500.00 51,969,600.36

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

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 29 58 87

Current Price 41.28 820.00

Quantity Traded 218,057 32,164 250,221

Value Traded 8,747,609.31 26,238,778.54 34,986,387.85

Symbol VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 3.55

Quantity Traded 83,384 83,384

Value Traded 293,927.10 293,927.10

Symbol

No. of Deals 31 19 50

Current Price 27.43 34.86

Quantity Traded 600,416 146,270 746,686

Value Traded 16,483,960.28 5,006,537.40 21,490,497.68

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. NIGERIAN Published by GREAT The Nigerian Stock INSURANCE Exchange © PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Daily Summary as of 09/03/2015 Printed 09/03/2015 14:44:24.024 Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services

RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC

CUSTODIAN ALLIEDEQTY PLC Activity SummaryAND on Board

Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

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

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,350 2,350

Value Traded 1,175.00 1,175.00

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 130,000 130,000

Value Traded 65,000.00 65,000.00

427,523

213,761.50

Quantity Traded 156,211 55,150 32,017 324,960 1,954,645 2,900 40,000 1,645,550 4,211,433

Value Traded 2,828,786.20 449,819.50 1,208,365.24 3,760,608.50 299,474,428.16 2,407.00 158,000.00 146,562,255.76 454,444,670.36

ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC Value Traded BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC 9,350,061.00 Daily Summary as of 09/03/2015 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC 1,755.60 Printed 09/03/2015 14:44:24.024 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 9,351,816.60 DN MEYER PLC. Value Traded PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC 629,495.75 LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

629,495.75

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Value Traded Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © 400.00 INDUSTRIAL GOODS 9,000.00 Electronic and Electrical Products 9,400.00 CUTIX PLC.

Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

9,990,712.35

Packaging/Containers Daily Summary as of 09/03/2015 GREIF NIGERIA PLC Printed 09/03/2015 14:44:24.024 Packaging/Containers Totals Value Traded

2

9 Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 14 6 11 31 83 1 1 43 Daily Summary (Equities) 190

Page

7

of

12

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 1.40

Quantity Traded 43,666 43,666

Value Traded 62,089.02 62,089.02

Symbol VANLEER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 12.08

Quantity Traded 3,152 3,152

Value Traded 36,184.96 36,184.96

4,258,251

454,542,944.34

194

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol

No. of Deals

Current Price

Quantity Traded

Value Traded

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 50.00 50.00

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

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 204 204

Current Price 15.00

Quantity Traded 3,216,317 3,216,317

Value Traded 48,325,978.14 48,325,978.14

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © MOBIL OIL NIG PLC.

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 20 13 77 32 2 18 162

Current Price 33.81 2.70 203.00 153.00 50.54 144.50

Quantity Traded 40,960 84,913 105,951 Page 172,788 5,179 17,830 427,621

Value Traded 1,389,643.02 220,431.41 20,643,180.15 826,525,654.52 of 12 248,695.58 2,498,111.81 51,525,716.49

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 430.00

Quantity Traded 7,350 7,350

Value Traded 3,061,299.00 3,061,299.00

3,651,388

102,913,043.63

Current Price 0.73

Quantity Traded 553,363

Value Traded 399,650.62

of

JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

12

MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Exploration Production Daily Summary asand of 09/03/2015 SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Printed 09/03/2015 14:44:24.024 Exploration and Production Totals

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

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

3 of 12 664,290,768.68

Current Price 17.90 8.55 38.20 11.46 153.00 0.87 3.82 89.02

372

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol RTBRISCOE

Published bySERVICES The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

No. of Deals 17

Page

9

of

12

Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

Symbol

No. of Deals 17

Current Price

Quantity Traded 553,363

Value Traded 399,650.62

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 4 1 5

Current Price 3.87 0.97

Quantity Traded 130,700 2,250 132,950

Value Traded 505,809.00 2,092.50 507,901.50

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 4.00

Quantity Traded 943,378 943,378

Value Traded 3,788,017.00 3,788,017.00

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

Symbol LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 3 7 10

Current Price 1.20 4.40

Quantity Traded 16,300 25,200 41,500

Value Traded 19,368.00 102,780.00 122,148.00

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 0.53

Quantity Traded 298,818 298,818

Value Traded 154,008.54 154,008.54

Symbol INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC INTERLINK SECURE ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY PLC NSLTECH Specialty Totals Daily Summary (Equities)

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 4.66 0.50

Quantity Traded 100 20,000 20,100

Value Traded 443.00 10,000.00 10,443.00

No. of Deals 143 119 56 193 410 91 23 494 27 1 24 701 (Equities) 2,282

Current Price 6.60 4.50 18.48 1.44 24.51 2.38 2.30 4.06 11.50 0.50 0.97 21.40

Quantity Traded 16,752,383 39,611,811 1,164,342 37,615,187 27,720,949 11,597,295 5,670,400 39,299,070 116,423 1,129 408,509 71,605,940 251,563,438

Value Traded 109,370,545.69 181,399,954.06 20,896,685.95 55,120,756.52 704,794,756.16 27,594,312.10 13,044,953.68 161,512,856.93 1,289,379.10 564.50 386,107.59 1,604,520,180.24 2,879,931,052.52

Symbol

No. of Deals

Current Price

Quantity Traded

Value Traded

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE CORNERST EQUITYASUR GNI GUINEAINS INTENEGINS MANSARD NEM STDINSURE UNIVINSURE WAPIC

No. of Deals 48 9 1 1 1 1 6 21 15 1 2 47 153

Current Price 0.89 0.86 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.97 0.63 0.50 0.50 0.51

Quantity Traded 8,510,411 1,061,000 500 104,000 500,000 Page 5,000 8,256,350 536,436 2,010,897 1,000 7,400 5,512,307 26,505,301

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 0.94

Quantity Traded 359,400 359,400

Value Traded 329,838.00 329,838.00

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

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 7 23 30

Current Price 1.81 5.20

Quantity Traded 32,400 574,365 606,765

Value Traded 57,533.94 2,863,128.16 2,920,662.10

Symbol RESORTSAL

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 20,000 20,000

Value Traded 10,000.00 10,000.00

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

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 2.81

Quantity Traded 222,000 222,000

Value Traded 623,820.00 623,820.00

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

Quantity Traded 6,389,211 780,600

Value Traded 20,056,187.51 2,987,140.00

97

2,818,874

8,526,650.76

EQTY Board Totals

5,601

466,162,847

5,043,917,808.06

Equity Activity Totals

5,601

466,162,847

5,043,917,808.06

Daily Summary

AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS

111 14

3.15 3.80

No. of Deals 942 242 2 23 138 1,472

Current Price 9.00 2.50 0.50 27.50 1.57

Page Symbol FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Healthcare Providers Totals

Page 10,925,703

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

No. of Deals 1 1

Value Traded OIL AND GAS 13,163,015.67 Energy Equipment and Services

No. of Deals 19 35 75 14 1 99 1 244

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC Daily Summary as of 09/03/2015 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. Printed 09/03/2015 14:44:24.024 UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Symbol OMATEK

Quantity Traded 85,770

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR MULTITREX NASCON UTC

CONSUMER GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC Computers and Peripherals Totals

Current Price 153.14

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals

UNILEVER

Value Traded 147,586.50 147,586.50

No. of Deals 22

Value TradedPage 13,163,015.67

Daily Summary (Equities) PZ

Quantity Traded 295,173 295,173

1,850,770.62 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals 14,528,883.31 OIL AND GAS 338,208.00 Energy Equipment and Services 525,669,478.09 542,387,340.02 Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Quantity Traded 85,770

Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Activity Summary on Products Board EQTY Personal/Household Totals

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 370,068 113,489 17,790 3,601,012 4,102,359

Current Price

Household Durables Totals

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 5.10 129.00 19.42 145.95

No. of Deals 22

Daily Summary as of 09/03/2015 Household Durables Printed 09/03/2015 14:44:24.024 VITAFOAM NIG PLC.

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 21 45 13 161 240

Symbol

©

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

3,919

Value Traded 7,517,654.40 909,849.42 250.00 52,000.00 4 250,000.00 of 12 2,500.00 4,128,195.00 1,602,853.64 1,262,501.13 500.00 3,700.00 2,818,791.28 18,548,794.87

5

of

Quantity Traded 67,937,011 55,534,563 37,515 799,933 16,347,492 147,826,325

Value Traded 608,634,771.67 132,844,774.61 18,757.50 21,935,330.84 25,799,854.81 812,276,816.94

426,274,464

3,711,096,502.33

Symbol UNIONDAC

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 20,000 20,000

Value Traded 10,000.00 10,000.00

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 1 8 8 16 15 48

Current Price 2.15 3.05 40.00 1.59 0.70

Quantity Traded 1,030 93,321 18,823 596,008 121,070 830,252

Value Traded 2,111.50 287,730.28 762,444.55 928,711.29 83,835.50 2,064,833.12

850,252

2,074,833.12

50

Page

6

of

Daily Summary as of 09/03/2015 Printed 09/03/2015Specialty 14:44:24.024

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

SERVICES Totals

12

Page

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Daily Summary asTraded of 09/03/2015 Exchange Fund Totals Printed 09/03/2015 14:44:24.024

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

12

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 3 2 3 8

Current Price 9.78 2,263.00 14.34

Quantity Traded 101 26 202,001 202,128

Page

Daily Summary (ETP)

Value Traded 992.78 58,838.00 2,801,914.34 2,861,745.12

11

of

12

ETF Board Totals

8

202,128

2,861,745.12

ETP Activity Totals

8

202,128

2,861,745.12

10

of

12

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

Features

45

Death penalty still a contentious issue The world is trying to do away with capital punishment, but many countries, including Nigeria, are reluctant to abolish the practice, writes ABIODUN BELLO

T

hey gathered in their hundreds.

They held placards with various inscriptions.

They were members of Youths for Greater Nigeria (YGN). Their mission was to protest the continued execution of Nigerians by the Indonesian Government.

Many Nigerians have been executed in Indonesia, Malaysia and other Asian countries for drug-related offences. Several others are on the death row in those countries for similar offences.

But the offences these Nigerians have committed were immaterial to the protesters.

The protesters included family members, friends and relations of those who have been executed in Indonesia and those awaiting execution.

During the protest at the Indonesian Embassy on Victoria Island, Lagos on Wednesday February 5, the people also

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

called on the Federal Government to intervene and stop the execution of Nigerians.

They enjoined the Federal Government to persuade the Indonesian Government to commit death sentences to life imprisonment or embrace prisoners’ exchange.

The Chairman of the Association of Businessmen in Asia (ABMA), Nathan Ezenwa, said that so far, over 200 Nigerians had been killed in Indonesia while 21 others were awaiting execution.

He said: “These are besides Nigerians on death row there. Why can’t they temper justice with mercy? Why are they giving them capital punishment?”

Ezenwa presented a list of 16 Nigerians presently at the Nusakambagan Island Prison in Jakarta.

He said while Adam Wilson was executed in 2013, Daniel Enemon was killed in January.

Similarly, the ABMA chairman said that while Gabriel Nnadi died in prison recently, two persons, Hillary K. Chinezie and Eugene Ape, were serving life sentences.

According to him, others on the list are facing capital punishment.

Also, the YGN Chairman, Mr Paschal Okoli, said the protesters wanted the Indonesian Government to stop capital punishment.

He said: “We are now in a civilised world. Although we do not support drug trafficking, we do not support capital punishment. It is unjust killing.”

Okoli said other nations were doing

everything possible to support their citizens.

According to him, on January 15, when a Polish, a Netherland citizen and a Brazilian were killed in Indonesia, the three governments recalled their envoys in Indonesia.

Okoli, however, regretted that Nigeria did nothing.

“We (Nigerians) are always very quiet about issues that affect live of citizens of this country,” he added.

But despite their protest, which was primarily motivated by the Sunday, January 18 execution of a Nigerian, Daniel Enemon, the government of President Joko Widodo in Indonesia has vowed to continue to kill drug peddlers.

Many Nigerians smuggle drugs to some of the Asian countries without having any idea of the punishment that awaits them there.

For instance, it was surprising when a 31-year-old suspected trafficker, Egbueme Benedict McCarthy, attributed his arrest by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to divine intervention.

McCarthy said he was given drugs to traffic to Hong Kong by a friend, unaware that detection in that country is death sentence.

He, however, got to know about the penalty after he was arrested by NDLEA operatives who educated him on his aborted perilous journey.

McCarthy was among 14 suspects nabbed at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

He said: “I used to sell used amplifiers in Abuja. I ingested 55 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.190kg. It was my classmate in secondary school, who now lives in Tanzania, that sent the drugs to me and assisted me with my travel documents and expenses.

“I had no idea of the punishment for drug traffickers in Hong Kong until my arrest. God has rescued me from death and I will never smuggle drugs again in my life.”

Though those who stormed the Indonesian Embassy were protesting the execution of Nigerians in that country, Nigeria itself has not removed capital punishment from its statute books.

A few weeks ago, the Lagos State Government shocked many people when it said it was not going to remove death penalty from its criminal law, despite campaigns and international advocacy against execution of criminals on death row.

On February 18, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, said despite being the pacesetter in justice sector reforms, the State Executive Council considered retention of the death penalty based on the empirical research carried out among the residents in the state on whether they believe the death penalty currently deters violent crime.

Ipaye said the survey was undertaken in two categories - public survey and the experts’ survey of people with close conC O N T I N U E D on PA G E 4 6

46

FEATURES

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Punishing killing with killing C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

tact with the criminal justice process and systems.

He said: “Over half of the respondents (51.1 per cent) advised Lagos State Government to execute convicts on death row while only 38.5 per cent maintained otherwise; 9.7 per cent were undecided while 0.8 per cent did not proffer any opinion.

“While 61.9 per cent of the respondents believed that the death penalty is a necessary retributive tool, as much as 59 per cent opined that the death penalty does not bring a sense of happiness to the family of the victim(s). A majority of the respondents (67.2 per cent), however, recommended that Lagos State should retain the death penalty.”

Ipaye added that the study found out that gender, age and religion played important roles in understanding the orientation of Lagos residents on the issue of capital punishment, saying that the majority of the people supported death penalty across the socio-demographics.

He said: “Majority of the respondents surveyed supported the use of the death penalty in Lagos State.

The survey also revealed that over 54 per cent of the respondents advised the Lagos State Government to execute convicts on death row.

“A large number of respondents also believed that the death penalty is a necessary retributive tool and a majority of the respondents recommended that the state should retain death penalty because it serves positive retributive and deterrence purposes.

“In the light of the results of the perceptions and expert survey, the Lagos State Executive Council adopted the position that the death penalty should be retained in the Criminal Law of Lagos State to serve as deterrence against violent crimes, such as murder and armed robbery.”

But despite the stance of the Lagos State Government on the issue, it has continued to generate different reactions, even among the learned.

A lawyer and rights activist, Chino Obiagwu, said that death penalty should be completely abolished in the nation's criminal system as it was against fundamental rights treaty.

According to him, many innocent people have been killed while others are waiting to be killed.

He said: “It is time to abolish the death penalty. Many of my friends on CC (condemned cell) in Kirikiri (Prison) are innocent. I know that as a fact.”

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr Alex Izinyon, neither called for abolishment of death penalty nor its retention.

He said: “The judiciary should ensure that there is adequate fair treatment and justice in the matter so as to ensure that innocent people are not convicted and executed unlawfully.”

Another legal expert, A. T. Kehinde, SAN, said although death penalty had been over-flogged for various reasons, “the soul that sinneth must die.

“So, if a person is found guilty of an offence that carries capital punishment, then he must be sentenced in line with the law.

“But there is a big caveat to this position. Life is very sacred. So, before it is taken, we must make sure that all, and I mean all opportunities to

Protesters at the Indonesian Embassy

Ipaye

defend an accused person have been exhausted fully. If after all the opportunities have been exhausted and all appeals made up to the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the accused person is still convicted, then he must be punished in accordance with the law.

“It is, however, sad, speaking from experience now, that some of the convicted persons in our prisons may actually have not been guilty.

“Many of them ended up there because of the poor legal services they employed when they were charged to court. Some of the cases are taken pro bono by counsel who do not have the heart or passion for the matter and they turn out badly at the end.”

According to him, if a man is accused of a crime and he is truly not guilty of same and his defence is properly made out by a lawyer who knows what he is doing, then he will not be convicted.

He added: “But where a man is guilty, then I stand by it that if capital punishment is what is prescribed by the law, our society must not cave in to the campaigns for the abolition of capital punishment.

“Again, I must emphasise that in cases involving life, the best legal defence must be employed for the accused by the state which has a duty to preserve the lives of the citizens.

On no account must the life be taken

McCarthy

except after a very exhaustive exercise of all the rights of appeal.”

Another SAN, Ahmed Raji, said there were offenses which attracted capital punishment even in the holy books.

He said: “For instance, in Islam, if you take life, your life must be taken except you are forgiven by the relation of the victim.

“Even in America, it is not all the cases that capital punishment is given.

“Technically, I do not believe in the abolishment, but it should be sparingly used and limited to just very few cases.

“Although some people have advocated that in corruption matters, there should be capital punishment to deter people because when somebody steals so much and you sentence him to may be three or four years and he left with the bulk of the stolen money not forfeited, such will prefer to go and spend some years in jail and come back to enjoy the stolen money.

“Like in China, anybody caught on corruption charge will be sentenced to death. The thought of capital punishment will discourage you from embarking on corruption since you know that when you are caught you will not benefit from what you have stolen.

“In most cases, people engage in corruption because they want to enjoy not because they want to go and do humanitarian service. Countries like Malysia, China and Singapore where capital punishment is in place have a very low crime rate and criminals do not even bother to go there.”

In his own view, Kayode Ajulo, another lawyer, said it was still permissible for capital punishment to serve as deterrent to commission of some crimes, classified as heinous and capital offences.

He said: “However, efforts should be made to re-orientate the populace and device other form of deterrence towards a total eradication of capital punishment from our legislation.”

In his own reaction, Innocent Owambe, a lawyer, said capital punishment was still okay.

According to him, even the Holy books support it.

Owambe said other punishments like imprisonment would have been better because the essence of punishment was to reform and correct the offender.

But, according to him, Nigeria’s prisons no longer have the tendency of reforming rather the system has become a school where criminality is learnt.

He said: “A criminal who gets to court because of a lesser crime will surely leave the prison with a greater knowledge of how to perpetuate greater crime.

“Our prisons have become a place to oppress the political enemies and not a place to reform criminals and so it will become impossible to expunge capital punishment from our laws.

“If killing is not punished with killing, the society will become lawless and the killing will become a means of retaliation at the slightest provocation.

“To me, the court had considered all the evidence before it and found the man guilty of all, there is nothing wrong in the death sentence passed on him.”

• Additional report by Akeem Nafiu

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

Igbo youths call for end to post-election violence UwakweAbugu Enugu

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cores of members of Igbo Youth Movement (IYM), a panIgbo youth group, at the weekend embarked on a protest march in Enugu, Enugu State, calling for an end to post-election violence in the country.

The group called on the international community and the Federal Government to provide adequate safeguards against any form

of post-election violence such that has threatened the nation’s sovereignty after the 2011 general election.

They specifically urged the international community and the Federal Government to caution supporters of the two leading political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), against post-election violence, especially as experienced after the last general election in parts of the country.

The group, led by Mr. Elliot Uko, was particularly concerned about the usually high casualty figure during such acts of violence, where Igbo people form the greatest number of the victims.

The placard carrying members of the IYM, who drew attention to their protest in the capital, also harped on the need for violence-free polls, appealing also to Nigerians to eschew violence and bloodshed before, during and after the elections.

Uko, who briefed newsmen during the protest march, regretted that over the years, especially after the 2011 general election, thousands of Nigerians, especially people of Igbo extraction, were murdered in cold blood in post-election violence and that most of these cases have been experienced in the northern part of the country.

He appealed to Nigerians to reverse this ugly trend, saying; “We pray and plead with our compatriots to re-

member that destruction of lives and property could lead to disunity.

“Our message to those who usually pounce on Ndigbo and slaughter them is do not kill us again, because enough is enough this time as there is always a limit to what a people can endure.

“Ndigbo have suffered enough in Nigeria over riots of all shades and forms; from the Maitasine crisis of the ealy 1980s to the Sharia riots of the late 1990s, Ndigbo have been sacrificed unnecessar-

ily,” he lamented in a tacit tone of threat that Ndigbo could also act when occasion calls for it.

Uko, who is also the deputy secretary of the influential Igbo Leaders of Thought, insisted that the solution to the economic and political problems currently facing Nigeria is the restructuring of the country.

He called on all the relevant authorities and Nigerians to join hands in averting all manners of crises during and after the elections.

APC: Ihenacho, APGA, not important in Imo guber race Steve Uzoechi

OWERRI

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Uchenna Inya

he Director General of the Rochas Okorocha Campaign Organisation, Chief Iheukwumere Alaribe, yesterday dismissed the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Imo State and its governorship candidate, Emmanuel Ihenacho, as being inconsequential and of no effect in the coming governorship election in the state.

Alaribe’s comment came following confrontations between supporters of Ihenacho and Okorocha over the placement of billboards in the state capital and alleged claims by Ihenacho that he was instrumental to Okorocha’s emergence as governor in 2011.

“If Ihenacho made

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Jega should go on terminal leave, says PDP chieftain

Founder, Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) Comrade Elliot Uko (fourth left), with members of IYM and South-East Self Determination Coalition on a peaceful rally on violence-free 2015 elections in Enugu …at the weekend

MASSOB to Jonathan: You can sack Jega Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

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he Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to sack the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof.

Attahiru Jega, or risk being upstaged by the machinations of a compromised electoral umpire.

This position was contained in a communiqué issued by the group after its national executive meeting in Okwe, Onuimo council area of Imo State.

Noting that the meet-

ing was boycotted by their former leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, the group announced its endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for another term in office, saying it has become expedient for Jega to proceed on his terminal leave.

According to a communiqué signed by the organisation’s National Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu, MASSOB argued that if President Jonathan could remove the former INEC Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, from office before the expiration of his tenure, he can also do the same for Jega. The group, however, listed conditions for their vote and support for the president.

The communiqué reads partly: “MASSOB expects concrete assurance and evidence from Mr. President on the rehabilitation and re-construction of OkigweArondizuogu-Nnewi single carriageway, UmuahiaOhafia-Arochukwu road and the Enugu-Awka-Onitsha dual carriageway that have been abandoned by the Federal Government.

“The eastern district of the Nigeria Railway is a huge joke and on the brink of collapse while the western and northern districts with their railways and new coaches are enjoying optimal functionality, easing transportation of persons and goods within their regions.”

Council boss petitions police over attack on party supporters Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

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he Coordinator of Ezeukwa Development Centre, Ebonyi State, Ogbonnaya Odabe, has petitioned the state police command over the destruction of a property meant for Labour Party rally in the area.

He also complained about the disruption of the rally at Onuafor Onicha Local Government area by alleged thugs loyal to the member representing Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency in the

House of Representatives, Linus Okorie.

In the petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Dikko Maigari, Odabe alleged that on March 5, 2015, over 200 thugs stormed the venue of the rally and destroyed plastic chairs, canopies, electronic gadgets and other items meant for the event.

He said the thugs came with all forms of dangerous weapons, which they brandished in the presence of a police team led by the DPO, Onicha Local Government area.

“All efforts made by a combined team of police officers from Onicha council area, riot policemen and SARS’ officers to calm the rampaging thugs proved abortive. They occupied the rally venue with broken bottles, which they were prepared to use,” Odabe alleged.

He called on the police commissioner to use his good offices to arrest the thugs, who he listed the names of their leaders as Aaron Igboke, Onwukwe Akpuru, Chidi Akpa, Amaechi Amos and Ogbonnaya Akpa.

Okorocha in 2011 as he claimed, he should make himself in 2015. As a matter of fact, we are not worried over Ihenacho or APGA. We have nothing to fear from their wicked machinations and nothing to gain from their kindness, if they have any such.

“As far Governor Rochas Okorocha’s re-election is concerned, Ihenacho and APGA are totally inconsequential and lack the capacity to influence the outcome of the election positively or even negatively,” Alaribe said.

Alaribe, who is also the Commissioner for Housing in the state, maintained that the APC is not in any way perturbed by the level of support Ihenacho and APGA may be enjoying, but is ‘worried by the seeming determination of APGA not to play by the rules of the game.”

Ebonyi workers embark on indefinite strike Abakaliki

orkers in Ebonyi State have embarked on an indefinite strike over the nonimplementation of the minimum wage and the payment of their September 2011 salaries by the state government.

In a release signed by the Chairman, Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor and made available to newsmen after the union’s meeting, the workers accused the government of unwillingness to meet their demands.

The release reads in part: “Following Ebonyi State government’s unwillingness to meet up with the demands of the organised labour with respect to the implementation of the report of the committee that revisited the table of the Ebonyi State Civil/Public Service Salary Structure and the September 2011 withheld salaries, the organised Labour in Ebonyi State hereby declares an indefinite strike effective from today, March 10, 2015.

Gabriel Choba Ughelli

F

ollowing the controversies surrounding the tenure of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof.

Attahiru Jega that he should be relieved of his postion before the expiration of his tenure, Dr. Wilson Omene, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said the INEC chairman should be allowed to go on his terminal leave.

Omene, who made this statement while fielding questions from newsmen in Ughelli yesterday, also frowned on the way and manner at which political parties are going about agitating for the scraping of card readers in the coming general election.

He said: “I want to say categorically that Jega is due for terminal leave and should be allowed to

go. Nigerians just feel nobody is better than us for the job that is given to us.

What makes you feel that you are the best man to solve the problem?

“Jega has not even gone on annual leave since he has been working for four years; what kind of job is that? Or is Jega the ‘Mr. fix it? A lot of Nigerians are better than him, because he is not a Professor of Electioneering.

“Let Nigerians imbibe the spirit of work and go on leave compulsorily.

Was Iwu not asked to go on terminal leave, why is Jega’s own different?

The government is not saying they will sack the board, so all the commissioners are in place; what makes you thinks INEC commissioners like Mike Igini, are not better than him? So, let the House of Representatives and Nigerians allow Jega go on terminal leave, because he does not have the wherewithal of wisdom as he is a confused man.”

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TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Okrika attacks: APC asks Jonathan’s wife to accept blame Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

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he All Progressives Congress (APC), in Rivers State, has called on Dame Patience Jonathan to accept responsibility and apologize for the attacks at the rally of its governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside in Okrika, which claimed the lives of some supporters of the party.

The party alleged that she cannot ab-

solve herself from the incident based on comments she made at a recent rally in Calabar, the Cross Rivers State capital, where she said, “If you see anybody clamouring change, stone that person to death.”

Chairman of the party, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, who spoke in a statement, noted that the comment credited to the First Lady was condemnable and fall short of decorum, as it was made in utter disregard for the victims of the attacks in

Okrika, where two policemen lost their lives and many others were injured.

Ikanya said: “Subsequent comments and utterances by the First Lady have removed any iota of doubt that she was one of the unseen hands behind the deadly attack and disruption of APC’s campaign and the attempt on the life of our gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Da-

kuku Adol Peterside.

“When the above statement was credited to the First Lady, we thought that she was being quoted out of context, but we now know better, as she has not denied the statement, two weeks after, but has rather gone ahead to make similar inciting utterances at some other rallies for PDP women addressed by her.

“We can now understand why her supporters chased us out of Okrika with live bullets instead of stones as advocated.”

While noting that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party had brought untold hardship on Nigerians, Ikanya said that the First Lady’s comment was a strong reason for Nigerians to vote out President Goodluck

Ebele Jonathan.

“By refusing to condemn the unfortunate attack against APC supporters during the Okirika rally and these reckless statements by his wife, President Jonathan is, in other words, telling Nigerians that he supports his wife’s directive that APC faithful should be stoned to death for expressing their political beliefs,” he added.

Accord Party warns PDP against intimidation lParty threatens to break alliance

Dominic Adewole ASABA

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he Accord Party in Delta State, has threatened to breach the memorandum of understanding it reached with the Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if the ruling part does not desist from its hate campaigns in the state.

The party said it would not hesitate to pull out of the alliance and open its doors to negotiation with other political parties for the governorship election if the PDP persisted in its present unwholesome campaigns.

The party said it was being disturbed by the state Chairman of PDP, Chief Edwin Uzor, engaging opposition parties, including the Accord Party, in campaigns of calumny by urging voters to discountenance any purport-

ed alliance with Accord.

Accord Party currently has no fewer than former 14 stalwarts of the PDP in the state, including the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei and a former House of Representatives member, Hon. Doris Uboh, in its fold.

The party’s partnership with the PDP since 2007, had seen it adopted Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP’s governorship flag-bearer and President Goodluck Jonathan, as their governorship and presidential candidates.

The party’s state Chairman Comrade David Ashikodi, however, warned the PDP in Asaba yesterday, cautioning the ruling party to stop denying the existing alliance between both parties.

He lamented that the PDP suspended and expelled its members that were signatories to the alliance.

L-R: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Mr. Edegbe Ugbogbo; Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; Mr Victor Ekhator and Secretary, APC Edo State, Chief Osaro Idah, at the defection of Mr Ugbogbo to the All Progressives Congress in Benin City…yesterday

APC candidate berates PDP over substitution of names Joe Obende Warri

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he All Progressives Congress (APC), candidate for the Isoko South Constituency II for the Delta State House of Assembly election, Hon. Ferguson Onwo, has chided the Peoples Democratic Party for its penchant for substituting candidates for elec-

Firm builds N121bn fertilizer, power plants in Edo Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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s part of efforts to boost the investment potential of Edo State, a N121 billion investment in the building of fertilizer plant and a 350 megawatts power generating plant has been floated in Ologbo, an agrarian border town between Edo and Delta state in Ikpoba Okha local government of Edo state.

The project, which also aims at exploiting Nigeria’s huge and viable government policy on local content is expected to boost the business climate within the states as well as aid the process of employment generation of the teeming youths from Edo State and communities of Itsekiri and Urobho in Delta state

respectively.

Chairman and chief executive officer of OBAX World Limited, Mr. Patrick Obasuyi, stated this yesterday when he played host to people of the communities in appreciation of the cordial relationship he shared with them.

Obasuyi, said he embarked on investment in the country with partners from both United States of America and China after his 35 years stay abroad and with over seven years of partnership with the Federal Government.

According to him, he has never had any investment in any part of Africa.

He lauded President Goodluck Jonathan, for his vision and zeal at encouraging investors, a development he noted has encouraged Obax on its investment

focus in the country.

“The president of Nigeria has been very good to us, he created an opportunity for obax to excel. With the local content, we have been able to build many plants in the past seven years in Nigeria so I want to thank the President, then the Minister of Petroleum and now we are taking it to the next level because we have successfully built several plants and it is time for us to start building more plants and not just contracts,” he said.

He said, “So we are building our first fertiliser plant iwn Nigeria and the second thing that we are building is a power generation plant.”

Obasuyi, also explained that the plant would be constructed at the cost of $250 million while the power plant would cost about $300 million.

tions at will, even when such was an electoral aberration.

The State House of Assembly candidate lamented that the act was unbecoming the PDP, stating that it was for the same reason that he left the party for the APC. He noted that while in the PDP, he was sure the baton often did not go to the qualified candidates

to run for elective office but to those who had powerful godfathers who could fight their cause.

“In the PDP, there is no room for innovation, it is always a confused house. In my constituency, things were run unfairly affair, no competition, it is a party of exclusion. They consciously exclude people.

“People only go there with a hope of winning

elections. For instance, when elections were recently postponed, PDP was still running to INEC to substitute names”, he declared.

On the use of the military for security, the state House of Assembly candidate said the option was right, stating that the military was deployed for elections in the past and the move ensured peaceful outcome.

‘Bafarawa, Tukur didn’t steal Arewa’s N24m Jonathan’s donation’ Dominic Adewole ASABA

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he Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence in Delta State yesterday disclaimed the position credited to it that the N24 million allegedly donated

by President Goodluck Jonathan to the members of the forum was stolen.

The Arewa Initiative forum was accused of bolting away with the sum of N10 million shortly after Arewa Initiative for CoExistence in Southern Nigeria (AIPCN) unanimously adopted the President for re-election in Asaba, Delta state, last week.

Also, the forum decried the speculation that Alh-

aji Awalu Tukur, the Special Assistant to Governor Emmanuel Udaughan on Arewa matters, enriched himself with the N12million grant meant for the forum members by the Governor to host the rally.

A statement issued by the Secretary of the group, the organiser of the rally, Hon. Bawa Abdullahi, made available to the New Telegraph, in Asaba yesterday, the group said the allegation was spurious, unfounded, baseless and malicious.

According to Abdullahi, such speculation is capable of tarnishing the image of the Arewa people and their leadership in the state, in particular, and Southern Nigeria in

general.

“The integrity of the former Governor of Sokoto state, Jagaban Yan Arewa, Alhaji Bafarawa who chaired the rally was never in doubt as records had marked him out distinctively as a man of honour, philanthropist, godfearing, who had contributed immensely to the development and growth of democracy in the country”, the statement read.

He maintained that Governor Uduaghan`s aide (Tukur) has been loyal to his principal and has worked tirelessly for the growth of Arewa community in the state, insisting that “the report was the figment of the sponsors’ imagination.”

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

News 49

NORTH

N7bn bribe: PDP is blackmailing religious leaders — El-Rufai

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he gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El Rufai, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)-led Federal Government of blackmailing religious leaders in the country in order to weaken their moral authority.

El Rufai, who made this known while speaking to newsmen yesterday, was reacting to the allegation that the Federal Government has given N7 billion and N12 billion to the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN)

and some Islamic clerics respectively, in order to campaign for President Goodluck Jonathan.

The APC gubernatorial candidate pointed out that Imams were invited for a seminar in Kaduna, which was organised by the office of Vice President Namadi Sambo, on how to achieve a violence-free poll.

According to El Rufai, the Islamic clerics attended the occasion innocently, thinking that they were there for seeking a way forward for a successful election but ‘’their pictures were taken and circulated to the media with all sorts of allegations of receiving

N7 billion for the Jonathan campaign.’’

The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), who noted that CAN has been similarly blackmailed, also said that this allegation has pitched the Imams and other Christian clergymen against their followers.

“The game plan of the PDP-led government is to rubbish their reputation and blackmail them in such a way that religious leaders can not tell their followers the truth about the way the country is being mismanaged,’’ El Rufai added.

The governorship candi-

date recalled that that was how the revered traditional institution in the north was desecrated in 2011 and the people almost rose up against some emirs during and after the elections.

El Rufai warned Nigerians not to fall into the PDP ambush by insinuating all sorts of allegations against religious leaders, adding that they remain the only institution that the people listen to, because the ruling party has already compromised traditional institutions.

According to him, traditional rulers and religious leaders are always used as shock absorbers for suing

for peace during upheavals like the civil war or the series of ethno-religious crisis that have rocked Nigeria.

“The traditional institution has been weakened by the government. So, we shouldn’t allow religious bodies and clerics who are

the last line of defence, to be destroyed by PDP,’’ he added.

El Rufai promised that an APC government in Kaduna State and at the centre will restore the lost glory of both the traditional institutions and religious leaders and organisations.

INEC: Card readers’ll curb election rigging Muhammad Bashir Lokoja

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he Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Halilu Hussaini Pai, has assured the people that the introduction of card readers for the March 28 and April 11 general election is to curb rigging and ensure that all votes count.

The INEC boss, who gave the assurance during the signing of a peace accord by political parties in the state, stressed that the new technology will place Nigeria side by side with modern democracies.

The occasion was organised by Inter-Party

Advisory Council (IPAC) in collaboration with the state’s security agencies.

Pai said an attempt by INEC to conduct credible elections in 2015 has made the use of PVCs inevitable thereby eliminating agelong election malpractices.

He pointed out further that INEC can only achieve a conducive atmosphere for a free and fair election, if voters and politicians strictly follow the rules to avoid running foul of the Electoral Act. He equally urged politicians to educate their followers and supporters to collect their PVCs rather than encouraging them to foment trouble.

… APC hails use of machine Dahiru Suleiman Dutse

A L-R: Head, Operations, Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe States, NEMA, Alhaji Saidu Minin; Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Hassan Mohammed and Deputy Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, Alhaji Musa Ladan, at NEMA’s sensitisation and stakeholders’ meeting on dangers of election violence in Bauchi …yesterday

Benue varsity ASUU begins indefinite strike Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

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he Benue State University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday embarked on an indefinite strike to press home their demand for the payment of their unpaid salaries by the state government.

ASUU Chairman in the institution, Dr. David Ikoni, who disclosed this to journalists yesterday, said the decision to proceed on strike became inevitable following the inability of the state

government to pay their February salaries.

“We have downed tools and this is indefinite until the governor pays our February salaries. It does not matter how long it takes government to pay, we will not return to work until we are paid,” the ASUU boss said.

Ikoni said on March 4, 2015, the body met and resolved unanimously to give the university an ultimatum of up to 12 midnight last Sunday, March 8, to settle salaries of members.

He maintained that despite the ultimatum, the university authority

failed to comply, a decision that forced them to invoke the “No pay, No work policy,” earlier initiated by the Gabriel Suswam administration.

It will be recalled that two years ago during the nationwide ASUU strike, Governor Suswam had threatened the lecturers with “No work, No pay policy.” But this threat turned against him as the lecturers also issued theirs saying “No pay, no work.”

Suswam, who has barely less than two months to vacate office as governor, has been grappling with the nonpayment of teachers, lo-

peace was a necessary ingredient for development and called on Nigerians from all works of life to unite and support the Goodluck Jonathan administration in its fight against insurgency.

Ada also stressed the need for Nigerians to always inform security agents about people operating among the people in order to fish out people of

questionable characters in the communities.

Alluding to his nomination as a minister of the federal republic, the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, of Benue State University, Makurdi, expressed excitement over his nomination by Governor Gabriel Suswam, promising to faithfully serve his fatherland.

cal government workers and pensioners as well as civil servants’ salaries for many months now.

When New Telegraph visited the university to witness the development, many students were seen gathering in groups and discussing the negative effects of the strike, appealing to the government to address the problem for normal lectures to resume.

Group calls for probe of Michika killings Ibrahim Abdul Yola

‘Nigeria needs peace to move forward’ A Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

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ministerial nominee in Benue State, Prof.

Nicholas Akise Ada, has said that for Nigeria to move forward and achieve sustainable peace, all hands must be on deck.

Speaking to newsmen in Makurdi yesterday, Ada said

former Jigawa State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, has lauded the adoption of card readers in the coming general election, saying it will minimise all patterns of rigging.

According to him, the playing field this time around is different from what it was in the 2011 general election, where the ruling party, the PDP, used thugs in large numbers to perpetrate all sorts of rigging formula, where also all security agencies supported them.

He said: “But with the advent of card readers

this time around, there will be no way for rigging, since it is going to be one man, one vote.”

Abdullahi, who is contesting for the second time, further said that there will be no room for manipulation under the new concept since everybody is fed up with the PDP, going by its failure in contending with the country’s growth and development.

“Under the present situation, I don’t think there will be any right thinking Nigerian that will associate with the PDP; even the security agencies are fed up with the party this time around. Therefore, the question of robbing us unlike in the past is over,” he said.

group of concerned residents in Michika have called for the constitution of a committee to probe extra-judicial killings by local mobs in Khurkasa and Kamale villages, Michika Local Government area of Adamawa State.

The group in a statement signed by its spokesman, Christopher Umar Tizhe, alleged that there were incidents of

organised killings in the name of reprisals going on in some villages of Michika Local Government under the guise of fighting insurgency and something urgently needed to be done before things degenerate to another serious crisis.

“In Khurkasa village of Vi district for instance, 16 people, mostly women and children, passing through the village where killed and burnt by a mob.

“Similarly, another group of 17 people, including a pregnant wom-

an, returning to Michika from Cameroun after the announcement that Michika had been recaptured from Boko Haram, were burnt alive in Kamale village by a mob claiming to be fighting Boko Haram,” the group said.

The group lauded the achievement of the Nigeria Army in recapturing Michika and urged the military to be careful against being misled by some selfish groups or individuals looking for opportunities to settle personal scores.

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WORLD | News

Private jet owners appeal to Chidoka over ban Wole Shadare

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ising from a meeting with airline operators under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka has granted the requests of private owners to shift the 90 days ultimatum given to them to regularize their operations. The new time for them to do so is now 120 days.

Chidoka extended the ultimatum earlier given to revoke Flight Operations

Clearance Certificate (FOCC) and Maintenance Clearance Certificate (MCC) of all foreign registered privately owned aircraft operating commercial charters, instead of their Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) authorization for private (Not for hire or reward)operations within Nigeria.

The ultimatum was given at the conclusion of a meeting between the officials of the Ministry of Aviation and stakeholders in the general aviation sector; which warehouses all the owners and operators

of private jets. The new extension was given in Abuja yesterday where he met with the (AOAN).

The minister said, effective March 1, 2015, all foreign registered private category aircraft that are listed on the OpSpec Part G of some Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders, must be removed from the status

by NCAA. Consequently, the aircraft operations will remain grounded, until NCAA approves an alternative operational status for the aircraft.

Kalu, Sun challenge Orji’s son, others over harassment, invasion Akeem Nafiu

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ormer Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and The Sun Publishing Limited has challenged the competence of the processes filed by his predecessor’s son, Chinedu Orji and other defendants in a suit initiated over alleged harassment and office invasion.

Applicants’ lawyer, Chief Charles Enwelunta, had at yesterday’s proceedings before Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High

Court in Lagos, expressed his reservations as to the competence of the respondents’ processes saying they were filed out of time.

He argued further that the respondents, Orji and the Attorney-General of Abia State, did not seek an extension of time from the court with a view to regularizing their processes.

That, he said, had rendered the processes a nullity.

However, the Abia State Attorney-General, Umeh Kalu, in his response, urged the court to

ignore the submissions of the applicants’ lawyer just he made frantic effort to move the application for an extension of time.

But Enwelunta, who insisted that the said application was not served on him, vehemently opposed it.

He told the court that Kalu could only move the application if it was not a motion on notice and that the Abia State AttorneyGeneral ought to have served him the said application to allow him decide whether to oppose it.

Non release of N230bn stalls critical road projects, says Works Minister Philip Nyam Abuja

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he minister of works, Architect Mike Onolememen, yesterday lamented that the non-release of N230 billion budgetary allocation in the 2014 budget for various critical projects has stalled the completion of the projects.

Onolememen, who made this known at the 2015 budget defence with the House Committee on

works, explained that the development has hampered the progress of work of the ministry and its parastatals including Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

According to the minister, out of the money yet to be released, N219.5 billion is for highway projects, N10 billion for engineering design and supervision consultants while N1.2 billion is for weigh bridge and materials and geo technical contracts.

He said the sum of

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

We must keep Commonwealth ideals relevant, says Queen of England Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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s the 53 member nations of Commonwealth of Nations marked this year Commonwealth day, the head of Commonwealth and Queen of England, Elizabeth II has stressed that the commonwealth can only flourish if its ideas and ideals continue to be young, fresh and relevant to all generations.

The Queen in her message to Nigeria yesterday on the occasion

of commonwealth day whose theme was " A young commonwealth" noted that what member nations share through being members of the Commonwealth was more important and worthy of protection in the second decade of the 21st century.

She noted that the 53 member nations have over the years, drawing from their shared history seen and acted upon the huge advantages of mutual cooperation and understanding for themselves and their citizens.

“Not only are there tremendous rewards for this cooperation but through

dialogue we protect ourselves against the dangers that can so easily arise from a failure to talk or to see the other person's point of view. Indeed, it seems to me that now in the second decade if twenty first century, what we share through being members of the Commonwealth is more important and worthy of protection than perhaps at any other time in the Commonwealth's existence.

We are guardians of a precious flame and it is our duty to keep it burning brightly but to keep it replenished for the decades ahead" she said.

Former Ulster Unionist Party leader Jim Molyneaux dies at 94

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im Molyneaux, a soft-spoken, cautious politician who led the Ulster Unionist Party through some of Northern Ireland's bloodiest years and early efforts at peacemaking, died Monday at age 94.

Party colleagues and the Northern Ireland government confirmed his death but didn't specify a cause. Catholic and Protestant politicians alike paid tribute to a man who, though deeply skeptical of a peace process that eventually ended his political career, kept his party open to compromise and kept

the harder-line policies of Democratic Unionist rival Ian Paisley at bay.

Throughout his 19791995 leadership, Molyneaux's Ulster Unionists remained Northern Ireland's largest party and the main representative of its British Protestant majority no small feat given Paisley's power to rally Protestant opinion. While the bombastic Paisley hogged the limelight, Molyneaux focused on backroom negotiations with the British government in London.

He rarely raised his voice, preferring a face-to-face chat over tea. His face seemed perpetually frozen

in a frown, although his eyes would light up as he delivered a quip. Nonetheless, he agreed with those who found him a charismafree figure, once describing himself as "the dull old dog of Ulster politics."

Molyneaux, who represented South Antrim in the British House of Commons from 1970 to 1997, favored fully integrating Northern Ireland with the rest of the United Kingdom. He wanted the country governed from London, not Belfast, as the best way to thwart Irish nationalist hopes of coaxing the north into the Republic of Ireland.

N45.682 billion (46.2 per cent) was released out of N98.814 billion appropriated for the capital expenditure for the main ministry and parastatals, leaving the balance of N53,131,524,309 as at December 30 2014.

"It is important to emphasize that the performance of the ministry would have been considerably enhanced if the outstanding budgeted funds of N53,131,524,309 had been released to the ministry.

No law says a woman can't be president –Ebele Ebere Ameh

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he Nigerian woman has been adjudged to have all it takes to stand and become all she wants to be if only she could change her mind-set. This was the position of Chinwe Ebele, an internationally acclaimed life coach and CEO of Centered Focus Academy.

Reflecting on the state of the Nigerian woman against the backdrop of the International Wom-

en’s Day celebration and their back seat position in politics, Ebele said that: “There is no law anywhere that says the Nigerian woman cannot be the president; the barrier is in the thinking. Even when some people talk about the glass ceiling, I believe that glass ceiling most times, exist in the minds of people. Most of the time, people talk about women liberation and I’m like who is enslaving you? The liberation

we need is the liberation of the mind.”

She made these declarations while fielding questions from the journalists after a one day seminar on Living your dream life.

The event, which took place in Lagos recently, was Ebele’s way of appreciating God one year after her certification as the first dream builder and Life Coach from Africa, from the prestigious Life Mastery Institute of Calfornia, USA.

Molyneaux

ICC hands Bashir’s case to UN

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udan has failed to arrest its long-time leader Omar alBashir for genocide and war crimes, the International Criminal Court ruled yesterday, referring the matter back to the UN Security Council.

Bashir, 71, is wanted by The Hague-based ICC, the world's only permanent court, for his role

in the western Sudanese region of Darfur where insurgents rose up in 2003 in an ongoing conflict that has left more than 300,000 people dead. He faces five counts of crimes against humanity including murder and torture, three of genocide and two of war crimes including attacking a civilian population.

The ICC in 2009 and

2010 issued two warrants against Bashir, but he continues to travel across the African continent despite a legal obligation by ICC member states to arrest him. Sudan itself has not signed up to the ICC's founding treaty, the Rome Statute, but has been a member of the United Nations since 1956.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MARCH 10, 2015

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International Sport Luiz: Nothing special about Mourinho

Dodan Warriors target top-two finish in DSTV League

Flying Eagles not perfect yet – Ugbade

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Beach Eagles through as Libya withdraw

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That in November 2013, 20-month-old Bryce Brites became the youngest professional football player ever after being signed up by Belgian club, FC Racing Boxberg.

Onazi ready for S S’Africa, Bolivia

Âjibade Olusesan uper Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, has said that the friendly match between Nigeria and South Africa was not only about revenge but an opportunity for revival in the national team.

Nigeria will face South Africa in Nelspruit on March 29, about four months after the Bafana Bafana played a 2-2 draw with Super Eagles at the Uyo Township Stadium to deny the 2013 AFCON winners the chance to defend their title at the 2015 edition of the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

Onazi said rather than seeing the enconter as a grudge match, the team would consider it as another opportunity to redeem itself.

He said that the pain of missing out of the last AFCON was yet to fully subside and the Eagles would take all their matches so seriously in other to make Nigerians happy again.

“Personally I don’t see the friendly match against South Africa as an opportunity for revenge. Although they were the ones that stopped us from going to the last Nations Cup on the last day, that one is gone and this is a new chapter for us to move ahead.

It is going to be a tough match for us.

The South Africans are good and it is always tough playing against them but we will still go there and do a good job, we will go there and redeem our image,” he said.

The Lazio of Italy midfielder however said that the Eagles first match at home against Bolivia in Uyo on March 26 was very much important. He noted that it would be emotional playing in front of Nigerian fans after that AFCON miss.

“It is going to be an emotional return to that ground. We have to work hard and make our fans happy again and I am hopeful they would keep supporting us despite what happened the last time. What happened in the AFCON qualfiers was unfortunate and I am sure everyone would have moved on from that and work towards making the Super Eagles great again,” he said.

Ogenyi Onazi of Nigeria (right) challenging Argentina’s Gonzalo Higuain during the World Cup

The Sport Team Group Sport Editor

AJC 2015: Victorious Team Nigeria back home

Emmanuel Tobi

Charles Ogundiya

Adekunle Salami

Assistant Editor, Sport

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

A

fter the victorious outing at the 12th edition of the African Junior Athletics Championship in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Team Nigeria returned to the country on Monday.

The team arrived the Murtala Muhammed Airport at 12.09pm with Ethiopia Air flight number ET 901.

Speaking with our correspondent who was on board with the team, some of the athletes and a coach shared their experiences at the event.

One of the gold medallists at the

competition, Abdulahi Bashiru, who won the men’s 110m hurdles said it was a nice experience for him.

“I really gained a lot meeting athletes from other African countries I also learnt some new techniques too.

The championship was a big opportunity for me,” he said.

For Nwanaga Kelechi who won a silver medal in the javelin throw for women, the competition afforded her opportunity to value commitment and hard work during training.

Participating in her first major competition for the country, despite winning a silver medal, she cried

because she felt she could have done better.

She said: “I have learnt the importance of training at all times. In the cold or dry season, training very hard is essential.

“The altitude affected my performance because I am not used to such weather. If I had been training in such weather before, it would have been a different result.”

One of the coaches, Coach Esabunor Mavuah, said it was a great exposure for him while thanking the Athletic Federation of Nigeria for giving him such an opportunity.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Highest scorer award not priority, says Awoniyi •Senegal coach upbeat despite loss Emmanuel Tobi

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lying Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, has stated that the team’s success and not the topscorer award is his priority at the Africa Youth Championship.

The 17-year old who scored two quick goals as Nigeria brushed aside hosts Senegal 3-1 on Sunday, added that qualifying for the U-20 World Cup was the team’s target.

“Top scorer of the tournament? No, we are a team and we are here to win for Nigeria. We give glory to God and we

Awoniyi celebrating after scoring for Nigeria

will keep working hard to achieve our targets.”

Flying Eagles stars Ifeanyi Matthew and goalkeeper Dele Alampasu were two of the players tested for drugs after Sunday’s match.

Meanwhile, Senegal U-20 coach, Joseph Koto, has expressed confidence in this team’s ability to bounce back stronger despite losing 3-1 to Nigeria’s Flying Eagles in the opening match of the 2015 African Youth Championship on Sunday.

Koto who blamed his team’s loss on complacency, is optimistic about

Lagos ITTF World Tour serves off today Ajibade Olusesan

E

ighty-two players from 11 countries will today (Tuesday) begin quest for honours as the International Table Tennis Federation World Tour, Lagos Open serves off at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The $46,000 prize money championship, although attracts players outside Africa, the tournament is expected to bring to the fore the rivalry between Nigeria and Egypt. Interestingly, the North African country will present a strong 12-man team competing in six events.

According to the ITTFappointed Competition Manager, Mounir Bessah, the stage is set for the commencement of the tournament as everything has been put in place by the host.

“I am satisfied with what I have seen so far and there is an improvement from what I witnessed last

year. We are also hopeful that the players will have an exciting time in Lagos.

The equipment is of world standard as it meets ITTF specifications while the hotel and logistics are also perfect. I believe that the tournament will be more exciting this year with the quality of players competing,” Bessah said.

An elated President, Africa Table Tennis Federation, Khaled El-Salhy, believes Lagos Open has become a rallying point for Africa with the quality of organisation as well as the presence of Lagos fans who make the tournament very glamorous.

“I must commend the efforts of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation led by Wahid Oshodi for their commitment and sincerity in igniting the love for the sport among the fans, and for us in ATTF, this is very important for our sport to grow and get more sponsors,” the ATTF boss said.

qualifying for the semifinal of the competition.

“It’s true we have lost our first game, but we still have two more games to play and if we win both games we will still qualify for the semifinals,” Koto told journalists at the post match conference “Against Nigeria we did not start well and individual errors cost us two early goals,” he said.

“But after the interval we played a lot better. We will continue to work hard and hope to have learnt from our mistakes before our next game.”

Beach Eagles qualify as Libya withdraw

N Ikot Ekpene captain receiving the Mobil Atheletics Championship trophy from Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio... at the weekend.

Alaafin: Sports, catalyst to overall well- being Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

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he Alaafin of Oyo, his Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has described sports as a catalyst to the overall development of every human being.

The monarch made this assertion on Saturday during the 38th Annual Inter House Sports Competition of the Federal Government Girls’ College, Oyo, at the College’ Mini Stadium. The state Commissioner for Education Professor S.O. Olanihun, who represented governor Abiola Ajimobi, as well as his Sports

counterpart, Farouk Alao and the Chairman of the Oyo state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, Comrade Gbenga Opadotun, were in attendance.

Oba Adeyemi, who lauded the new Principal of the College, Mrs Olabisi Ajiboye Ladele, for organising the colourful competition, said that “sports contribute to the overall well-being of any individual. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so the popular saying goes. Engaging in sporting activities helps in sharpening the brain and engendering physical alertness of any individual”, the permanent chairman of the Oyo state Council of Obas and Chiefs said.

igeria have qualified for the 2015 African Beach Soccer Championship finals after Libya from the qualifying competition.

Libya’s withdrawal has been communicated to the Nigeria Football Federation, meaning the 2007 and 2009 champions go through to the finals scheduled for Seychelles from April 14 to 19.

The Beach Eagles returned to the country on Monday following a third place finish at the Power Horse Invitational Tournament in Durban, South Africa, and were set to continue training in Lagos ahead of the first leg of the qualifying fixture against Libya which was to be played this weekend.

Coach Audu Adamu Ejo said: “We would have loved to use the fixture against Libya as part of our preparation for the African Beach Soccer Championship. However, there is nothing we can do other than to start our final camping for the championship proper.”

Heineken ‘90 prizes in 90 minutes’ promotion kicks off

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he Heineken’s “90 prizes in 90 minutes” promotion in Nigeria kicks off this month as the return leg of the knockout stages begin in earnest. From March 17, Heineken fans stand a chance to win fantastic prizes during every minute of the UEFA Champions League matches. All a fan needs to do to participate is enjoy a bottle of Heineken and send their unique code found under the crown cork to 20822.

This innovative promotion is part of the exciting package from Heineken’s “Champion the Match” campaign, marking

nine consecutive years of UEFA Champions League sponsorship.

According to Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc, “The UEFA Champions League’s unrivalled international reach and professional standard makes it the perfect match for Heineken.

It is one of the brand’s main engagement pillars, and as such we strive to constantly strengthen and broaden our activation through innovative marketing and our global footprint.”

The Heineken House, Lagos, is open to Heineken fans on every

Champions League match night, where they enjoy match screenings and special entertainment performances in the company of celebrity guests. The House has played host to leading lights across business, sports and entertainment including Ruggedman, 9ice and most recently, Victor Ikpeba and Tuface Idibia.

More live entertainment and surprise special guests are some of the highlights at the house this week, as the return legs of the Champions League matches get underway from tonight and tomorrow.

L-R: Mr. Colin Udoh, Supersport Presenter; Mr. Diran Olojo, Regional Head, Nigeria & West Africa, Standard Chartered Bank; and Dayo Aderugbo, Head, Corporate Affairs, Standard Chartered Bank during the ‘Road to Anfield Trophy’ press briefing in Lagos... at the weekend.

Luiz: Nothing special about Mourinho

D

avid Luiz has revealed that he does not consider Jose Mourinho to be a “special” manager ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League trip to Chelsea.

The 27-year-old Brazil international left Stamford Bridge to join the Ligue 1 side last summer after being deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge by Mourinho.

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NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MARCH 10, 2015

Luiz is set to come up against his former employers in west London as Chelsea take on PSG in the second leg of the last-16 tie following the 1-1 draw in the French capital last month.

But the defender says that he does not consider Mourinho to be a special coach.

“He is special for you, not for me,” Luiz is quoted as saying by ESPN.

UEFA FIXTURES Real vs Schalke 8:45pm Porto vs Basel 8:45pm

“I had some great moments at Chelsea and won a lot of titles. I was very happy.

“They are having a great season, defend well and have great players but above all I know my team. We will try to score there and play like we know how.

“We will have a good game plan and implement it the best way possible to achieve a great performance. Both can still qualify.”

Porto’s hopes hit by Martinez injury blow

F

C Porto come into the second leg of their Champions League last16 tie with Swiss champions Basel on Tuesday with the upper hand but with serious concerns over the fitness of their leading scorer.

The Portuguese club has the edge in the tie after a 1-1 draw in Switzerland in the first leg last month, but was dealt a potentially serious blow when Jackson Martinez came off with a thigh injury in Friday’s 1-0 win at Braga that could keep him out for up to three weeks.

The Colombian star has scored 17 goals in the Portuguese league this season and six on Porto’s run in the Champions League, so it is little wonder that the Dragons are sweating on his fitness.

“We are talking about a player who is mentioned for his goals but he is about so much more than that. He is an example to everyone for his character and his professionalism,” said coach Julen Lopetegui, who has Cameroun forward Vincent Aboubakar waiting in the wings after he came off the bench against Braga.

Cagliari sack Zola C

agliari have announced that they have sacked head coach Gianfranco Zola following their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Sampdoria at the weekend.

Zola, who finished his playing career at the Stadio Sant’Elia, replaced Zdenek Zeman in December following a poor start to the season for the Sardinian outfit.

However, a 5-0 defeat in his first game in charge offered little hope of a quick turnaround and it has now been decided that the club will look at alternative options after just two wins from his 11 games at the helm, leaving them 18th in Serie A. Saturday’s loss to Sampdoria was the final straw and Zola’s departure was confirmed on Monday with the club languishing four points from safety.

“A decision made reluctantly against a great man who wrote unforgettable pages in the history of Cagliari, giving lustre and international prestige to the land of Sardinia,” a statement reads.

“He and his staff go with thanks for the work done in recent months with dedication, professionalism and passion, and the heartfelt good luck for the rest of his career.”

“If he came off it wasn’t for nothing. The squad needs to be ready and Aboubakar gave a good response.”

However, Porto’s outstanding performer in recent weeks has been the Spanish winger Cristian Tello, who got the winner at Braga after netting a hattrick in the previous week’s defeat of Sporting Lisbon.

Martinez

Luiz

Madrid look to bounce back with record-breaking win

R

eal Madrid are chasing a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals and further entries into the competition’s record books when they host Schalke on Tuesday.

The defending champions enhanced their status as the most successful European club of all time when they beat neighbours Atletico Madrid to collect a 10th Champions League crown last May. Victory over Schalke would be Madrid’s 11th successive win in the competition, following a 2-0 triumph in the first leg of the last16 tie in Gelsenkirchen in Febru-

ary, and this would represent a new Champions League record.

Additionally, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are chasing a record-equalling 12th straight home win in Europe’s premier club tournament, although they will do so following a domestic setback at the weekend.

Real went down to a 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

The defeat followed a 1-1 draw against Villarreal and Ancelotti has urged his all-star attack to start firing again as soon as possible.

“The team is compact and focused on the targets that we have to keep fighting for,” he told the club’s official website.

Messi can go to Man City- Barcelona chief ionel Messi could be on his way club’s sporting director, suggested a L to Manchester City, according to move to the Etihad could be on the Barcelona’s own sporting director cards in an interview with Esport3.

Carles Rexach.

Messi, 27, who broke a Spanish hat-trick record for the Catalan giants on saturday, may be lured away by the big spending Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain.

Former Barcelona player Rexach, who has recently been appointed the

He said: ‘As for Messi, I think it’s almost impossible he will leave but with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, who have so much money, it could happen. Sometimes strange things occur.

“He’s a phenomenon, an extra-terrestrial who is comparable to Maradona and Pele.”

Murray

Murray returns to fourth, Djokovic stays top

A

Messi in action against Man City

ndy Murray’s heroics for Britain in the Davis Cup at the weekend have seen him rise to fourth in the ATP world rankings.

Murray defeated both Donald Young and John Isner as he spearheaded his side to a win over the United States in Glasgow in a World Group first round tie.

That helped the Scot move back ahead of Kei Nishikori who won both of his singles for Japan against Canada but still finished up on the losing side.

Novak Djokovic, who won both singles and doubles for Serbia in a 5-0 whitewash of Croatia, remained comfortably top of the rankings, 4 000 points clear of second placed Roger Federer, with Rafael Nadal in third.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

senegal 2015 AYC

Congo coach expects tough Nigeria match Ifeanyi Ibeh

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ongo U-20 coach, Paolo Berrettini, has admitted that Nigeria would be a tough nut to crack on Wednesday following their 1-1 draw against Côte d’Ivoire in Dakar in their Group A opener of the African Youth Championship on Sunday.

“Regarding our next game against Nigeria, we expect a tough test since Nigeria has a tradition of great youth teams. My concentration is on my team to have a good game against Nigeria. We have a slight chance of beating them, and when we get that opportunity, we won’t think twice.”

The Ivoirians took a deserved lead

in the 36th minute thanks to PSG’s Yacou Méïté, after dominating most of the first half and creating several chances.

However, the young Red Devils gained momentum after the break, to see their efforts rewarded in the 75th minute with an equaliser from Sylvère Mboussy.

Berrettini felt they deserved to share the points with Côte d’Ivoire despite their sluggish start.

“We did not have the best of starts, but we came back and ended on a good note. We were better than the Ivoirians and physically we also had an edge. We are at this tournament to learn and will take our chances once they come,” the Italian manager explained.

CAF names Awoniyi man of the match

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he Confederation of Africa Football has officially named Flying Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi as man of the match in Nigeria 3-1 win over Senegal, at the Africa Youth Championship.

The deputy captain of the Nigeria team picked up the award sponsored by Orange after scoring a quickfire first half brace to set his team on the way to a 3-1 win over host Senegal.

Aside his goals, overall he was a menace to the backline of the Senegalese side, beating the offside trap with clever runs and bringing his teammates into play with nice hold up play.

The 17-year-old, expected to put pen to paper on a three year deal when he turns 18 for Swedish side Kalmar, edged his teammate Ifeanyi Matthew to the award of man of the match.

Awoniyi will be expected to produce more of the same when Nigeria take on Congo in their second game on March 11.

Nigeria has won the Africa Youth Championship title six times in the past and is presently the favorite for this year event.

Flying Eagles celebrating after scoring a goal

Flying Eagles win excites Manu

H Manu

ead coach of the F lying Eagles, Manu Garba, has expressed satisfaction with his team’s 3-1 win over Senegal in the opening game of the Africa U-20 championship in Senegal.

Goals from Ifeanyi Matthew and Taiwo Awoniyi who bagged a brace, saw the Nigerian side cruise to a 3-1 victory over the Sen-

egalese at Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor in Dakar.

“It is our first three points of a very important competition,” said Manu said.

“The result of any opening game is very crucial in a tournament like this and we are grateful to God we won. We have now taken a step towards qualifying for the World Cup.

He added that, “We did not know a lot about Senegal before the match, but the boys did a good job. We have also put this game behind us and our focus is on our next game on Wednesday (against Congo).”

Nigeria will face Congo on Wednesday at the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor in Dakar in their second preliminary game.

Basketball Flakes

Dodan Warriors target top-two finish in DSTV League •Pick 17 players for 2015 campaign

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ead Coach of the Dodan Warriors, Chris Nomigo, has set his sights on securing a top-two finish in DSTV’s Premier Basketball League which will be his second season at the helm of affairs.

The Lagos-based club ended last season’s league campaign in third place despite losing a number of their star players from the previous campaign to runners-up, Mark Mentors of Abuja.

Last season was Nomigo’s debut campaign as a Head Coach in the DSTV Premier Basketball League, and a thirdplace finish was worthy reward for all the effort put into the team by its management, led by Colonel Sam Ahmedu (retired), and other members of the team’s coaching staff.

And ahead of the new season expected to begin this weekend, the former guard is hoping to take his side at least one step further than he did last season all the way to the final this time.

“Finishing third was not a disappointment as we sort of had to start from scratch

after losing so many of our players to other teams,” said Nomigo, in an interview with New Telegraph. “But that has never been a problem with us at Dodan Warriors because we are a programme that knows how to handle such issues.

“We are proud to have had a hand in the development of so many of the top players in the league but we are looking forward to a better campaign this season where we hope to get to the finals.”

A final ticket guarantees a

spot on the continent and taking part in the 2015 FIBA Africa Club Champions Cup for Men is top on the list of targets for Nomigo and the Warriors.

“We want to play continental basketball,” continued Nomigo. “And the only way to do that is to win the league or finish in second place.”

Meanwhile, the Warriors have picked 17 players that would don the club’s colours this season following the conclusion of its preseason camping and screening exercise on Monday.

Action from a DStv League tie between the Dodan Warriors and the Lagos Islanders

with Ifeanyi Ibeh 08054175662

Aminu records career-high six steals l-Farouq Aminu A came off the bench on Sunday night (Monday morning Nigerian time) to snatch a careerhigh six steals as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Lakers 100-93 in the NBA. The Nigeria international, who joined the Mavericks at the start of the season from the New Orlean Pelicans, also scored 13 points, including a three-pointer.

He also added five rebounds and three blocks to go with his impressive stats which he achieved in just 20 minutes of action to help Dallas defeat the Lakers.

Aminu has been complementing his stellar defence and rebounding with solid offense lately, shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point territory over the Mavs’ past five games.

Elsewhere in the NBA, Russell Westbrook posted his fifth triple-double in six games to help Oklahoma City Thunder edge past the Toronto Raptors 108-104.

Former Nigerian basketball star, Masai Ujiri, is the vice-president and General

Aminu

Manager of the Raptors.

Westbrook, the NBA’s leading scorer, netted 30 points and matched a career high with 17 assists while adding 11 rebounds. It was his seventh triple-double of the season and 15th overall.

Enes Kanter collected 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Congo DR-born Serge Ibaka potted 21 points and five blocks for the Thunder, who are in eighth place in the overall Western Conference standings.

Sport 55

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MARCH 10, 2015

Flying Eagles not perfect yet – Ugbade Following their impressive 3-1 win over hosts Senegal in the opening match of the 2015 CAF Africa Youth Championship, Flying Eagles assistant coach, Nduka Ugbade, in an interview with Sl10.ng, speaks on and what to expect in subsequent games. Excerpts...

The win over Senegal. Can you share with us, your thoughts on?

I thought it was a good game because we won, which was very important. We needed to get that win because it was our first game and we needed something for the confidence. So I would say it was good.

Would you describe it as a perfect game?

No, not perfect. Like I said, it was a good game but we know it wasn’t perfect as we made some unnecessary mistakes which could have been very fatal on another day, so it was far from perfect but it was good. We also need to understand that it was our first game and some of the players were playing in a competition for Nigeria for the first time, that could also have been

Former Real Madrid star, Raul Gonzalez, in an interview with FIFA.com, speaks on the new adventure in the United States, the secret to still playing at 37 and a possible future in coaching.

After gracing La Liga and the Bundesliga, and competing at European Championships and FIFA World Cups, what attracted you to New York Cosmos and the North American Soccer League?

What brought me here was a desire to keep playing and the exciting project the Cosmos proposed to me. As well as being able to play, which is my passion and what I like doing, they also gave me the chance to help develop a youth academy, where I can bring my experience and knowledge to bear. I like the idea of working on the creation of an academy in a country where soccer, as it’s known here, is steadily growing in popularity. I believe there’s huge potential here and a lot of interesting things to do in that regard.

Was the prospect of living in New York part of the attraction?

Yes, for the family it was a wonderful opportunity to live in a great city like New York, which has everything. It’s an ideal location in terms of my children’s future. I knew the city before moving here as I’d visited a couple of times. Whatever you want to do or obtain, you can find it here, on every level. We’ve been here three months now and are very happy and integrated. With each passing week, I’m more and more convinced I made the right decision. We’re very excited about what the future will bring.

With regard to the academy project, will you also be involved with the coaching side of things?

I haven’t yet decided how exactly that will work. For now, I’m sure I won’t be desk bound as my main objective is to play and help the team. I also want the crowds to enjoy themselves and be entertained at our games and, of course, help the team win titles. We’ll be trying to measure up to the club’s

on their minds. We will work toward getting better in subsequent games.

From a tactical point of view, what areas would you say you made the most mistakes and why?

We gave the ball away too cheaply sometimes, and it allowed the Senegalese get some advantage, which I thought shouldn’t have happened. I thought we were a bit slow in getting the ball out of the defence at times, and we became predictable as a result, which also put some pressure on our goalkeeper. The passes from the defence, going forward, weren’t the best and in slowed our game and affected our shape a bit. As a unit, I thought the defence did well but we have to improve and ensure we get better at

moving the ball from the back on the ground, while still retaining possession. The reason we made such mistakes, like I said, could be down to the fact that it was our first game and maybe some of them were a bit jittery.

What sort of game plan should we expect in the second game?

I can’t share that information but what I can tell you is that we will make improvements. The shape of the team will be better and our passes will be more accurate. We have to take it one step at a time.

Congo and Cote d’ Ivoire played out a draw, which means Nigeria have the advantage and with a win in the next game, will be through to the World Cup in New Zealand. Is this an advantage or does it place pressure on the team?

We try as much as possible not to play under pressure, so I would like to see it more as an advantage. I like to see the cup as half full, rather than being half empty. I believe we will make progress and we shall be at the World Cup.

Raul: Right decision coming to America

brilliant past. Later, I’ll gradually get more involved with the academy, and when I finally hang up my boots, I’ll dedicate my time to working with the boys, though I’m still not sure if it will be as a coach or an assistant. We’ll have to see as I still have to get my coaching license. That said, what I want is to do is use my experience to help develop a good methodology that allows the youngsters to understand the game and enjoy it.

So you’re not ruling out a career in coaching?

As of today, I can’t tell you it won’t happen, nor can I tell you it will. We’ll see. Football is my passion and right now I’m physically in good enough shape to keep playing. Once I decide to retire, then we’ll see. During my time in Qatar, I also combined playing with being part of the Aspire Academy, and

here I’ll be doing something similar.

What I do in the future depends on how things go in the next year or two.

As a 37-year-old, do you train any differently to stay fully fit, and what’s the secret to your longevity?

You need to take care of yourself, have a good diet, rest sufficiently and have a lot of enthusiasm. I’ve also been very fortunate not to have had serious injuries and to still be in good shape. In addition I’ve come to a league which, while physically demanding, is providing the right conditions for me to make a contribution with my game. It’s not like we’ll be playing every three days.

When you arrived at the Cosmos, the No7 jersey was already taken, but the previous wearer didn’t hesitate in handing it to you. Can you explain your attachment to that shirt number?

Well at Real Madrid I had the honour of wearing it for many years, and it’s a shirt that some of the club’s most important and legendary players have worn. Later, when I went to Schalke and Qatar I continued the tradition. However, here there was someone wearing it, another Spaniard in fact, Ayove Garcia.

Yet as soon as the coach announced I was joining, Ayove said he’d gladly pass it to me. I greatly appreciate his gesture, although I did tell him I had no problem using a different number.

The problem would be for the fans – they’d never recognise you in a different number.

Yes, probably better for them [if I keep wearing it] as it would feel strange. That said, what really matters is playing well even if, after 20 years, the fans associate me with that number – and probably always will.

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ISIS and the foreign-fighter phenomenon (1) GUEST COLUMNISTS

through multiple jihadist conflicts.

Jessica Stern and J.M. Berger

I

n August 2014, ISIS marked Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, with a 20-minute, high-definition video offering its greetings to the Muslim world.

Gauzy images of smiling worshippers embracing at a mosque cut to children passing out sweets to break the Ramadan fast. These scenes were interspersed with shots of the muhajireen (Arabic for “emigrants”)—British, Finnish, Indonesian, Moroccan, Belgian, American, and South African—each repeating a variation on the same message.

“I’m calling on all the Muslims living in the West, America, Europe, and everywhere else, to come, to make hijra with your families to the land of Khilafah,” said a Finnish fighter of Somali descent. “Here, you go for fighting and afterwards you come back to your families. And if you get killed, then ... you’ll enter heaven, God willing, and Allah will take care of those you’ve left behind. So here, the caliphate will take care of you.”

What ISIS really wants Hijra is an Arabic word meaning “emigration,” evoking the Prophet Muhammad’s historic escape from Mecca, where assassins were plotting to kill him, to Medina. Abdullah Azzam, the father of the modern jihadist movement, defined hijra as departing from a land of fear to a land of safety, a definition he later amplified to include the act of leaving one’s land and family to take up jihad in the name of establishing an Islamic state. For most Islamic extremists today, the concepts of hijra and jihad are intimately linked.

A few months after the release of the Eid video, another ISIS production focused on the ISIS’s substantial foreignfighter contingent in an entirely different way.

In a procession were a long line of at least 17 foreign fighters, many of them white-skinned Europeans, each guiding with his left hand a prisoner identified as a Syrian soldier. Only one wore a mask, the British fighter known as “Jihadi John,” who had executed James Foley and other American and European hostages.

After the jihadists had hacked through the necks of their victims, the camera played over the faces of the executioners, ensuring that they were clearly visible and sparking a rush to identify them. Media reports identified the perpetrators as French, German, British, Danish, and Australian citizens, although some of these claims were tentative.

ISIS propaganda and messaging is disproportionately slanted toward foreign fighters, both in its content and its target audience. Important ISIS messages are commonly released simultaneously in English, French, and German, then later translated into other languages, such as Russian, Indonesian, and Urdu.

Some ISIS fighters

“Foreign fighters are overrepresented, it seems, among the perpetrators of the Islamic State’s worst acts,” said Thomas Hegghammer, a leading scholar of jihadist history, in an interview with BillMoyers.com. “So they help kind of radicalize the conflict—make it more brutal. They probably also make the conflict more intractable, because the people who come as foreign fighters are, on average, more ideological than the typical Syrian rebel.”

One of the most important questions about the threat presented by ISIS, and the conflict in Syria and Iraq in general, is numerical: How many foreign fighters are there, where do they come from, and what will they do after fighting?

The question is nearly impossible to answer with any kind of specificity, due to the dangers that ISIS presents for journalists and intelligence operatives on the ground. In the open-source world, there are only estimates, and the situation does not appear to be much better in the world of secret intelligence. According to one 2013 tally, from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, there were between 17,000 and 19,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria, though this count is likely too low.

How many foreign fighters are there, where do they come from, and what will they do after fighting?

The majority of those fighters originated in the Middle East and North Africa, especially Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. The remainder came from other places around the world, including former Soviet republics, the Americas, and Australia. But numbers were unavailable for several countries known to have provided fighters, including Azerbaijan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Somalia.

In general, moreover, foreign-fighter estimates are often unclear as to whether fighters are affiliated with ISIS and whether they pertain only to Syria or to Iraq and Syria.

Government estimates on the number

of Americans who have joined ISIS have been wildly inconsistent. Based on both social-network analysis and anecdotal observation of comments by foreign fighters on social media, we believe that as of this writing, a minimum of 30 to 40 Americans are currently affiliated with jihadists in Syria and Iraq, in both fighting and noncombat capacities, and we estimate that well over a dozen are currently affiliated with ISIS. This figure represents what we can confidently assess from open sources, meaning the real figure is certainly higher, possibly by a wide margin.

For the United Kingdom, similar disclaimers apply, but the range of estimates is much higher, especially on a per capita basis. In August, the United Kingdom estimated to reporters that 500 British citizens were affiliated with ISIS in Syria and Iraq, but dramatically higher estimates began to circulate toward the end of 2014. French- and German-speaking fighters have also been observed in large numbers on social media, and low-end estimates point to more than 550 fighters from Germany, and more than 1,000 from France. Significant numbers of Canadian fighters have also made their presence known on social media.

A typical jihadi foreign fighter is a male between 18 and 29 years old, according to a study by the Soufan Group, although there are many exceptions. Some are well over 30, and it is not uncommon to see fighters between 15 and 17.

Beyond age and gender, there are few consistent patterns and no reliable profile of who is likely to become a foreign fighter, but among Western recruits, a disproportionate number of converts can typically be found. (Converts are often especially vulnerable to fundamentalist ideas, often combining wild enthusiasm with a lack of knowledge about their new religion, making them susceptible to recruiters.) This approximate profile has endured for decades,

Why do individuals travel abroad to take part in somebody else’s violent conflict?

There is no single pathway, no common socioeconomic background, not even a common religious upbringing among individuals attracted to foreign fighting in general or jihadist fighting in particular.

“Four decades of psychological research on who becomes a terrorist and why hasn’t yet produced any profile,” according to John Horgan, the director of the Center for Terrorism and Security Studies at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, who has studied the subject intensively. While efforts to generalize about the problem have failed, he says, it is possible to understand some pathways for individuals.

“Four decades of research on who becomes a terrorist and why hasn’t produced any profile.”

Much of the research on why people join violent extremist groups boils down to a distinction between external and internal motives. External motives have to do with an individual’s perception of large-scale events in the world. While many analysts and policymakers have pointed to factors such as weak states, education, and social and economic disadvantage as external motivating factors, among those who study extremism in depth there is little consensus and much dispute on the importance of these factors.

More often than not, the external factors cited by extremists themselves point toward the importance of much more specific situations, for instance, a military conflict or genocidal campaign, usually but not always involving victims from a potential recruit’s identity group.

Jihadist propaganda has often relied on exactly these flashpoints, such as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan or the genocide in Bosnia, using them as points of entry to leverage narratives about the event, characterizing participation in the fight as not only a reasonable choice, but an obvious moral obligation. Indeed, jihadist ideologues often focus on the obligation of individual jihad when some or all of the ummah, or the Muslim nation, is under threat.

But these flashpoints do not necessarily provide adequate motivation on their own merits. They offer outlets, either for social pressures in a fighter’s native land or for his own internal struggles.

Internal motives stem from what an individual wants or needs for himself, in terms of the perceived benefits of membership in an extremist group, such as a feeling of belonging, escape into a new identity, adventure, or money. Foreign fighters have personal needs that are met by joining an organization, and those personal needs may become more important over time.

According to Scott Atran, Western volunteers are often “immigrants, students, between jobs or girlfriends ... looking for new families of friends and fellow travelers.

• This post has been adapted from Jessica Stern and J.M. Berger's forthcoming book, ISIS: The State of Terror.

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